Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the previous installments. You are the people who motivate me to keep writing. =) Anyway, this is a bit different from the other one-shots. For one thing, it's an AU. Secondly, it's not as humorous as the first three installments, I think.
Anyway, the idea for this came to me after listening to Beethoven's violin concerto. Can you believe that? XD The next installment will be another AU, by the way.
Allegro
"This is what I am, Shepard. I can't hide it. The intelligence, the looks, even the biotics… he paid for all of that. Every one of your accomplishments is due to your skill. The only things I can take credit for are my mistakes." Miranda said, facing the window. Her voice was a mixture of pain and sadness.
Shepard couldn't stand to hear Miranda belittle herself and her accomplishments. Over the past few months, she had constantly proven herself more than capable of handling any situation, from planning assaults to handling the Normandy's day-to-day operations. She had more than proven her worth in this operation.
She had more than proven herself to be worthy of his love.
Ever since they saved Oriana from the eclipse mercenaries, Miranda had been letting him in slowly. Ever so slowly, she revealed a little more of herself to him everyday; destroying his preconceptions about her. Gone was his image of her a cold, calculating woman who was completely focused on the mission. It had been replaced by an image of her who would sacrifice everything just to keep her loved ones safe.
He always knew there was a real woman beneath her professional façade.
Shepard tried to find the words for an appropriate response. He wracked his brain for something, anything that would dispel her insecurity and her low self-esteem. He blurted that first thing that came to mind.
"Wait a minute. Are you… jealous?" Shepard realized his mistake when Miranda turned to him sharply, fire in her eyes. You just signed your death warrant, you idiot.
"Don't be absurd." Miranda's voice was now tinged with irritation. Shepard moved closer to her, their bodies separated by only a few inches.
"The genetic mutt that the Illusive Man put in charge. Man, that must sting." Shepard wanted to die right then and there. Where the heck was he getting this stuff? He wanted to console her, not aggravate her. It was nice knowing you, Miranda.
Miranda moved slightly away from him. "First, it's not a competition. Second, based on your combat records, you're practically a perfect bloody human specimen." She gestured towards him for emphasis. Shepard crossed his arms at that, trying to project an aura of confidence on the outside. Inside, he was shaking in his boots.
I never thought Miranda could be so… hot… when she's angry. Shepard mentally slapped himself. Focus, man! We're about ten seconds away from dying and you're thinking about the way she looks?
Using his brilliant tactical mind, he carefully assessed his situation. Miranda's biotics could probably reduce him into a bloody pulp if he gave the wrong response. Mentally preparing himself, Shepard executed his plan of action.
"Perfect human specimen, huh?" Shepard uncrossed his arms, moving towards her. Miranda backed away from him slightly, the fire in her eyes diminishing slightly.
"Don't get cocky. I'm the one who put you back together. And I do damn good work." Miranda retorted pointedly, moving towards him again. The fire in her eyes had turned into something not borne from anger, but from desire. Shepard moved towards her. They were so close that they could practically feel the other's breath.
"You certainly do." After assessing each other for a moment, they met each other halfway, their lips meeting in a frenzied kiss. Their hands tried to seek purchase in the fabric of each other's clothes. Instinctively, they moved towards Miranda's bed, unwilling to break the kiss. They fell on the bed in an unceremonious heap, still kissing.
Just as Shepard was about to divest himself of his clothing, he pulled away from Miranda slightly, his eyes silently asking her for permission. Miranda nodded almost imperceptibly, pulling him down towards her.
No more words were spoken after that. Miranda's quarters was filled with the sounds of their passion.
When her breathing had returned to normal, Miranda shifted slightly from her position on Shepard's chest, gazing at the ceiling. She couldn't believe what had just transpired between them.
If she were to be honest to herself, Miranda Lawson had been attracted to Commander Shepard for the longest time. Knowing that emotional entanglements could jeopardize the mission, she tried to distance herself away from him, erecting emotional barriers. However, despite her efforts, he had managed to worm his way to her heart. The attraction she felt towards him had begun to turn into something much deeper… something much more mature profound.
Miranda Lawson was no longer just attracted to John Shepard. She was in love with him.
Miranda shifted again so she could snuggle deeper into his embrace. She knew they needed to talk about… this, but she couldn't find the right words. Just as she wracked her mind for something to say, Shepard beat her to it.
"I didn't mean it."
"What?" Miranda asked, confused. Shepard tightened his hold on her.
"The 'genetic mutt' thing. I didn't mean it. I'm sorry." Shepard pressed a kiss on the crown of her head.
"I know." Miranda smiled slightly. She raised her head from his chest and looked at him with a gaze full of adoration.
"How-"
"I'm a good judge of character, remember? I knew what you were trying to do. Thank you." Miranda pushed herself up towards him before she gave him a chaste, appreciative kiss.
"Now that I think about it," Shepard paused thoughtfully, stroking Miranda's hair. "I could have said something along the lines of me admiring your mind and your body." Miranda looked up at him, her glare a mixture of disbelief and amusement.
"Then again, we wouldn't be in this position now, would we?" Shepard asked, waggling his eyebrows. Miranda laughed and slapped his chest.
"You ass." She rested her on his chest and closed her eyes for a moment.
Shepard couldn't believe what had just happened between them. One moment, they were in an argument (which he instigated, to be fair). The next, they were lying naked in each other's arms, exhausted from a round of lovemaking.
He lightly drew circles on Miranda's back, considering her words. She knew what I was trying to do? Of course, this is Miranda we're talking about here. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
He considered their situation. They were about to embark on an assault against the Collectors, where there was a very high probability that they won't be coming back alive. Before he met Miranda, Shepard would have gladly sacrificed his life for the sake of the galaxy's continued existence. Now that she was here, in his arms, he had finally found a reason to fight to live. But what if they did die? He would never again have the chance to tell Miranda how he truly felt.
Mustering his courage, he braced himself for her reaction.
"Miri, I love you."
Miranda's eyes snapped open at his confession. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. She had a sneaking suspicion that he had feelings for her, but she didn't expect…
Lifting her head to look at him, she gave him a watery smile. She could feel him wiping away the tears that had pooled in her eyes. She could see the concern and fear in his eyes; concern because of her tears, and fear because of the possibility of rejection. Gathering her resolve, she prepared herself to say the words she had not spoken to anyone in her entire life.
"I love you too, John." Miranda felt a great weight being lifted from her shoulders. She took the opportunity to press a deep, desperate kiss to his smiling lips.
Deciding to have a little fun with Shepard, she abruptly broke the kiss, pulling away from him. She could see the confusion in his eyes.
"Since when did you start calling me Miri, hm? I don't think I've given you permission to call me by my nickname." Miranda schooled her face. She watched in amusement as Shepard struggled to form a response, to no avail. Taking pity on him, she gave him a quick kiss. She giggled uncharacteristically.
"You're - cute - when - you're - confused." Miranda tried desperately to control her laughter. Growling beneath her, Shepard rolled them over, making her squeal. Her eyes widened in shock. Damn it. I don't squeal!
"Cute? I'll give you cute." Those were the last words Shepard said before he kissed her senseless.
"Promise me something?" Miranda asked after they broke apart. Her voice was quivering slightly.
"Anything."
"Promise me that you won't die." Miranda tightened her hold on him. Shepard once again went back to stroking hair.
"I died once already. I don't plan on doing it again." Shepard said. Grinning as he kissed the crown of her head, he continued. "Besides, what's the fun in that? Now that I've had my taste of heaven, death doesn't have the same appeal that it used to have."
"Oh God, Shepard. That has got be the cheesiest pickup line I have ever heard you use." Miranda rolled her eyes, smiling in spite of herself. " You're not turning into a bloody sap on me, are you?"
"Nope. I think you've already got that covered, Ms. Lawson." Shepard grinned.
The sound of her slap reverberated in the confines of the room.
Notes: I already have a couple ideas for the next few chapters, thanks to the reviewers. =) Keep the ideas coming. As always, don't forget to read and review!
