Day Four: Dress Up

What is she up to? Thought Ashley as she followed Shepard. She had found her Commander rooting though the costume box she had smuggled on board. Ashley had thought she had hidden it well. Artemis had placed a few things into a bag then calmly walked off to a cluster of crates. When she had gotten Shepard back into her sight, she was quite surprised.

It seemed that somebody had been hosting an unknown poker game and the players had fallen asleep. There was Wrex, head thrown back, gently snoring as Shepard carefully attached a beard to his chin and placed a hat on his head. Stretched across the table was Joker, muttering in his sleep, a few bottles of beer next to him. Then there was Kaidan leaning back in his chair, chin tucked into his chest. LT definitely looked cute when he slept.

"Ashley are you gonna stand there gawping or are you going to give me a hand?" Whispered Shepard. Ashley realised with a shock that Shepard was looking straight at her, with a mischievous glint in her lilac eyes. Gingerly she stepped forward and caught the three items Artemis threw to her. "You can do Joker, I've got Kaidan." Ashley grinned when she examined the items and set to work while Shepard struggled to tug Alenko's boots off.

An Hour Later

Kaidan awoke to Wrex poking him awake, which definitely woke him up, since being woken up by a Krogan could get a squishy human worried.

"Alenko. We need to talk." Kaidan rubbed his eyes then looked at Wrex. The sight before made him ponder if he'd had too much to drink as well… when would a Krogan wear a fake beard and Santa hat?

"Wrex… what are you wearing?" He asked slowly and carefully looking for a good escape route, just in case.;

"I think the more important question is: What are You wearing?" Kaidan straightened in his seat and there was a slight tinkle from above his head, then a bell attached to green fabric fell into his view. Huffing angrily, he took the elf hat off then the fake ears after Wrex pointed them out too. He looked to his side where Joker was still snoring his head off. Kaidan briefly wondered if laughing out loud was a good idea.

Somehow Joker's 'Rudolf' cap had reappeared on his head. An glowing red nose illuminated the nearby beer bottles and there was a soft tinkling as Joker moved in his sleep due to the bells on the collar that had been placed around his neck. Sighing the Sentinel shook Joker.

"Hphm. Go away." Kaidan's brow furrowed and he shook Joker harder. " Sheesh. Go away, give me five more mins, Mom."

"Joker I am not your mother and wake up now!" He ordered. The effect was instant. Joker ramrod straight up in his sleep, a blush settling across his cheeks. He even saluted. Then Joker took one look at Wrex and began howling with laughter for five seconds. He then abruptly stopped and his eyes crossed as he stared at the glowing red orb on his nose.

"…I'm dressed up as Rudolf aren't I?" He asked. " Nope hang on. Stupid question. So Wrex is Santa. Kaidan?" Alenko held up the Elf hat. Joker's eyes narrowed. "Any suspects?"

" I'm betting Ashley." Kaidan said simply before standing up. He paused when he heard more bells tinkling and when he felt that something wasn't right with his face. Looking down, he began to curse. Somebody had stolen his boots! AND replaced them with green felt shoes with a curled tip crowned with a bell. Tugging them off he set off towards the lift, followed by Wrex and Joker. They found Ashley in the Mess with Artemis, seemingly planning the Christmas party. Ashley crinkled her nose and fanned the air with her hand.

"Eww. Smelly boot feet. Kaidan why are you going around barefoot?" She muttered, while Artemis arched an eyebrow.

"Cut the act Ashley. We know it was you."

"Don't know what you're talking about." Ashley stared at Kaidan for a bit until she and Shepard unexplainably began laughing.

"Okay. We confess, we're guilty." Giggled Shepard as Ashley clung to her for support. " Sorry I couldn't resist it." Wrex shook his head while the two human males both face palmed.

"As long as you didn't send pictures to everyone…" Shepard immediately began trying to look innocent. "Arty… please tell me you did not…" The two women suddenly fled and ran into Shepard's Cabin. The door reopened for a brief second and Ashley struck her head out.

"Oh and your boots are in your pod."

I am sorry for missing out on the two days. First there was a lot of homework, then the second day i was at my boyfriend's, learning how to survive the Zombie levels on COD. I actually managed to get to round 20 in co op with him. It's kinda easy when you learn how to shoot properly, not to throw Grenades at a Zombie right in front of you and to keep your back to a wall. Anyway so i decided to give you two chapters and hopefully two tomorrow.

BTW
Chief Elf was Gunnery Chief Ashley Willliams (meant to be obvious
Mrs. Santa was Dr Karen Chakwas
Little Helper was Tali'Zorah Nar Raaya.