Chapter 4: The Fair

Disclaimer: I made this fascinating discovery a little while ago. Bioware owns Mass Effect, and all related content. Come on do I really have to say it again.

MEMEMEME

Sam stole a glance at the clock again. Still eight minutes and twenty-four seconds till school got out. She couldn't wait, Shepard had finally asked her out on a date. He had taken his sweet time. All her friends had surrounded her at lunch and giggled and talked about what she and her Shepard would do tonight.

Finally the bell rang, and Mrs. M finally said the first interesting thing since the lecture began "alright that's it for today, see you all after spring break."

All the students rushed out of the class, eager to get away from anything school-related. Sam skipped towards Shepard, who wore a shy smile. "Hey Sam, you ready to go somewhere?"

She answered by throwing her arms around his neck.

He returned the embrace, and spun her around refusing to let go of her. Finally he looked down at her lovingly and asked "So what do you want to do? And don't say shopping." He rolled his eyes as he finally set her down. He remembered his last girlfriend, she had lived for shopping. He hadn't been too interested in her, and the feeling had obviously been mutual. Not like how he felt with Sam. She was perfect.

"Well, they do have that small fair out near old man Whitson's house. They have some rides and other attractions."

He nodded "Ya it's only a fifteen minute walk, sure let's go." He looked off in the distance as he imagined what they might do at the fair. She grinned. "What?... What?" He wiped his face to make sure he didn't have anything on it.

Her grin only widened "You're so cute when you space off like that." Shepard couldn't help himself, as a the same crazy grin spread across his own face.

He held out hand and did a mock bow "Shall we?"

Sam slapped his chest and rolled her eyes, but quickly accepted his hand "Yes let's." Both of them smiled dumbly, oblivious to everything else besides each other.

Since school had just released a torrent of teenagers into the colony, Shepard and Sam were walking in a large group of people, all heading towards the fair. Some people were by themselves, or with their parents, but most people, like Shepard and Sam were holding hands and talking to their partners, talking about their relationship, and what they would do when they got to the fair.

Although Shepard had never "officially" asked Sam out, it was generally accepted that they were a couple at school. The girls giggled and smiled around Sam, and the guys laughed and hit Shepard on the back, asking when they were going to 'do the deed' and betting on when they would 'do it'. Safe money was on never, since Shepard wasn't pushy enough, and Sam wasn't dirty enough, but that didn't deter many people from placing bets. Since people rarely gave them any alone time at school, this time to talk with each other was a blessing neither of them wasted. However, because both of them were truly nerds at heart, many of their conversations revolved around school, or what they wanted to do with their lives. Sam wanted to become a doctor at the local hospital, and Shepard wanted to become an engineer. While his interests were focused on more advanced technology such as space ships, he had resigned himself to repairing farm equipment and anything that broke around town. In all honesty, the colony was in desperate need a new engineer. The current one was just a bit... eccentric.

Finally, the Ferris wheel came into view around the corner, and the group began to walk just a bit faster in anticipation.

Shepard turned to Sam and asked "so what do you wanna to do first?"

"Oh... well...heh see I like to collect the prizes at fairs, so I uh kinda wanted to go to the game booths." She looked at the ground and let go of his hand. Convincing herself that he would think she was stupid, or that he would laugh at her.

Instead he grabbed her hand again and said "What's so wrong about that? It's cute." Blushing slightly at the last part. Oh ya real smooth. I can't believe I just said that.

She blushed as well he thinks I'm cute! "Well my dad says it's a waste of credits."

Shepard smiled shyly and managed to say "well then are you ready to waste some credits?" He asked, activating his omni-tool.

They walked hand-in-hand through the flimsy temporary archway, and into the fair in a flurry if tickets, rides, prizes, and affection.

Both of them knew they had gone way beyone their 1000 curfew, as it was probably getting close to 1200, but they didn't pay much attention to the time. They had decided to enjoy the moment, and to hell with the consequences.

As it turned out, Sam was actually really good at winning prizes at the booth, and her success showed. Leaving Shepard to carry a small mountain of fuzzy animals that originated on Earth. So much so, that they had rented a locker to store all the stuff. After all, he would do anything for Sam, but he still had his ego tho think about, and there was no way he was going to embarrass himself by carrying all those toys around.

"Come on I want to go to one more booth, and then go on the Ferris-wheel. Please?"

Shepard wouldn't have refused, even if he had been capable of refusing her enthusiasm. He was glad that he was able to give her such a good time. In some weird way, it gave him a very satisfied feeling, and gave him something to be proud of. Sam looped her arm through Shepard's, and dragged him over to the booths. As they passed an older looking booth, the man shouted "five credits for three shots, make one in and win a prize! Three in and get your pick of the special prizes! Only five credits!"

Sam tried to pull Shepard along, but she saw the look on his face, and wanted nothing to do with it. The last time She had seen that look, they had flooded the school basment, then they had been fined and suspended from school.

Sam kept trying to pull Shepard aside, but he refused to budge. "Here you go." He said transferring the credits to the mans omni-tool.

Sam finally managed to pull him aside "What are you doing, the rings are obviously rigged."

Shepard grinned, and she knew that whatever he said would only lead to disaster. She had seen it many times before in the few days they'd been together. "that's what makes it fun."

Sam looked down to hide her own grin, and shook her head. Shepard is sooo stubborn!

Ya but thats what makes him so cute.

Great, now I'm arguing with myself over Kylers' actions. I should have known I was insane when I agreed to go out with him.

"Here you are young sir" the man handed him three old rubber balls smugly. As soon as Shepard's back was turned, she stuck her tongue out at him, but couldn't help but smile.

Shepard looked at the balls and his grin widened. Despite having lead in them, the balls were a dark blue. This man really had it coming

Shepard didn't bother aiming. Keeping one hand concealed in his jacket pocket, he through the ball, and used his hand in pocket to guide the ball into the first ring with his biotics. If anyone looked carefully, they would have seen a blue glow from inside his pocket, but would likely have dismissed it as his omni-tool. The smirk slowly dried on the other mans face as he saw the first ball go in perfectly, then a second and a third.

Shepard smiled triumphantly. Pointing quickly at a large, oddly colored tiger he said "I'll take that one please."

Claiming yet another prize he eagerly grabbed Sam's hand and headed towards the Ferris wheel. He was now mentally slapping himself. Stupid, she could have seen you use your biotics. He knew that as smart as Sam was, she held that basic bigotry against biotics, and he wasn't ready to see if she could accept him as a biotic.

She just looked perplxed "how did you...?" Her voice trailed off as she shook her head.

Between the two of them, they only had three tickets left, but the Carine had still let them on the ride. Mindoir was still so small they were able to thank him by name.

Although they had both been eager to get on the ride, an akward silence passed between them as they looked around them. They were over sixty feet in the air. Ten feet from the nearest person. On a small bench. Alone.

Finally, on the fifth pass, the Ferris wheel stopped to let the passengers at the bottom off. Shepard looked down and saw that they were on the highest point of the fair, Shepard turned to the girl beside him and gave her an innocent smile. Slowly she leaned in and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek. He was surprised, bur reacted quickly. This time, wrapping his arm possessively around the cute girlish body as their lips came crashing together. Shepard closed his eyes, and breathed in her scent, trying to memorize every detail of this moment. Eventually, they were forced apart by the need for air. Both of them were glowing, looking into each others eyes, they smiled contently. Nothing could ruin this moment for the two of them. It was too perfect for anything else to matter. School, biotics training, their fathers wrath when they got home, they would hardly have noticed if aliens came to attack the colony at that moment.

MEMEMEME

"Sarona, are you finally ready to implement you plan? The Man will not wait forever"

It wasn't her boss, so Sarona rarely bothered to accept these calls from her subordinates, but this one was important. "Yes, I think their relationship is far enough along. Prepare to initiate part 1. Tell your men to be there at the correct time, and to start once they see Subject 42 approaching."

Sarona terminated the call before he could respond. This female with Shepard may give him joy for now, but if something happened to her, Shepard would be lost. And his potential ruined. Better get the heartache over with now, so she could mold his futur as our own. This would shape Shepard into a man, and a truly powerful biotic. She couldn't wait to teach a human biotic as an equal. They were so weak and high strung. But she sould make Shepard strong, and mold him through fire.

MEMEMEME

I'll be perfectly honest, this chapter is in my mind, terrible. I'd love some feedback to tell me how to improve my romance scenes, because honestly, I think they suck. Granted this is my first fanfic, and practice makes permanent (not perfect) so please, I appreciate all reviews, especially the "cruel" ones. The only part I really liked was the ending. Hope you enjoy the next chapter. It all goes downhill from there.