The next morning Jess had to face a very curious Kasumi in the mess.

"So? How did you sleep? Is the Commander more relaxed?" she asked with a raspy voice and giving her a complicit gaze

"I slept just fine, thank you. Completely alone in, as Jeff stated, my full size bed" Shepard said, with her chin high and her answer filled with dignity "and that was the closest we were of talking about bed stuff," she sighed "Kasumi nothing happened!" she said grabbing the thief by the arms.

"What? But did you revealed enough?" Kasumi asked in disbelief

"It's not a matter of revealing. I think he just sees me as a friend" Jess said. She didn't want to think of how bad that word felt in the sentence she just pronounced.

"Nonsenses. You are gorgeous Shepard and any man would kill to be with you" Kasumi assured

"Thank you Kas. You are my friend and I appreciate it, but Joker is not any man. He is totally devoted to fly and the Normandy is his everything" she replied feeling down.

"Have you tried to talk to him? Like knowing something more about his love life or something?" Kasumi asked, preparing herself a cup of coffee. She loved Shepard and hurt her seeing her so defeated.

"Ehhhm.. Nope. He is not the most conversational person in the world y'know?" answered Jess, while playing distractedly with her boots, eyes fixed on the floor.

"Well, try to elicit that conversation. Maybe you can learn something or at least peek in his preferences?" the thief suggested lacing her fingers around her cup.

"Yeah, well, I'll try. I don't have many hopes though"

/

As they were talking they saw Joker hobbling, entering the mess hall. Kasumi winked at Shepard and stood up heading to where Jacob was sitting.

"Hey Joker" Shepard called "how's everything?"

She knew it wasn't her best line, not even funny or interesting but she had to get his attention.

Joker waved at her and after preparing himself a cup of coffee, went to where she was sitting.

"Hey Commander, fun night yesterday" he said leaning on his elbows, resting on the table.

From there she could appreciate how broad his shoulders were, how his eyes resembled the color of spring grass, and the fragrance of his cologne. He was saying something about EDI, and Shepard decided she had to pay attention. Focus, woman!

"Commander, seriously, asking permission to buy a soldering gun" he said snorting "argh! It's like ship cancer!"

"No sabotage though" she said coming to her senses. She couldn't help but to laugh.

"You spoil the fun" he said smiling, sipping his coffee

"So aren't you on shift?"

"Nah. Replacement pilot is running the show right now, of course I have my eyes on him in case he screws with my baby" he leaned on his chair, resting his back

"You really love the Normandy that much don't you tech perv?" she asked catching a glimpse of the possibility of directing the conversation to where she wanted

"Haha it's not like you think Commander" he said cackling "Yeah, it's my baby but I'm not into weird shit. How would you call it, technofilia? No, thanks. I prefer flesh"

"Doesn't seem you get too much of it" Shepard said raising a judgmental brow "You never leave the cockpit, not even in shore leave…"

"Yeah well, mobility it's not my strong suit Shepard" he said taking his cap off and running his fingers disheveling his hair "But don't get me wrong. I get what I want nonetheless…" a devilishly grin appeared on his face

"Oh, Joker, please don't tell me you are bringing hookers to the Normandy" she said while a feeling of vacuum started forming in her stomach, threatening to swallow her heart

"Wha- no, Shepard! Haha, I'm not that desperate, it was just a way of speaking" he said chuckling

"I see..." she wasn't sure Joker was being honest in his statement and that was killing her. She wasn't that sure anymore if she wanted to keep this conversation, but she had to keep trying "Maybe next time we are on shore leave I'll drag your ass for a drink" she said very conscious of not making sound her invitation as a date.

"Ahm, sure Commander" he replied putting his cap on "trying to get your pilot drunk to ravish him huh?" he added with an evil half smile

If you knew half of it…

"Maybe if you're lucky" he heard herself saying, trying to disguise her nervousness with a confidence she knew she was far to feel

"You crack me up Commander" he said laughing hard "Nice talking to you ma'am" he added touching the bill of his cap with a finger and leaving the mess