Just a very short chapter so I can start getting back into things. It's been a crazy year, but I am hoping to start getting serious about updating!
"So. You and Traynor, huh?" Shepard said as Miranda's queen took down one of her pawns.
"Yes, we are fairly evenly matched."
"Who says that, Miranda? It sounds like you're describing your sex life," the captain replied as she surveyed the board. Straight-faced, she moved her knight into position, "Check."
Miranda blanched at the remark. "I suppose I set myself up for that one. You've been practicing…this is the first time you've had me in a check before. However, you forgot your knight was protecting your king from my bishop." Kallian's king virtually exploded and Miranda jumped.
"What the hell was that?"
Shepard laughed. "I made some improvements. You should see what happens when you take down a queen."
"Chess is a game of tactics and precision. You can't just make things blow up!"
"I didn't, you did when you beat me. Anyways, it makes it more realistic, since real- life tactics don't work on here anyways."
"Real-life tactics? They work, Shepard. Just not your tactics."
"I already had this argument with Traynor. You're not going to convince me to see the 'rationality' of creating pieces, named after bishops no less, that can only move diagonally across a wooden board. And then the whole army falls if you lose one piece that can't even do shit? Nope."
"I'm sure Sam was truly horrified."
Miranda already blushing at her slip-up, Shepard grinned. "Sam? Yeah she was."
"Fine. Yes we are officially together, and yes, it's pretty…great,"
Reaching across the chessboard, Kallian touched Miranda's hand, "I'm happy for you, Miri. And you two…make sense, for some reason."
Miranda smiled. "Thank you, Shepard. It means a lot."
Shepard leaned back against the headboard and closed her eyes.
"You're tired. You should get some rest, Shepard." The haunted look reappeared in Kallian's eyes when she opened them and she shook her head with a sad smile. "I'm good. I really would like to get some work done, or at least get back to my emails."
"You can't have this argument with everyone who cares about you. The war's over, Kallian, you did it. Leave it to the rest of us for a little while."
"You don't get it, Miranda. I can't. If I stop…" Kallian blinked and stopped speaking abruptly. I just can't."
"I may not care for Ashley, for reasons you know, but she told me about your nightmares. Is that why you won't sleep?"
"I've had nightmares my whole life. It's nothing I can't handle."
"They're getting worse though, aren't they? Shepard, talk to me."
"Miranda, please go. I need to be alone for a while."
Miranda sighed but got up to go after one last squeeze of Shepard's hand. "I'll see you tomorrow to start rehab and I'll send someone up to stay with you for now. Don't argue, it can be Liara if you want, or Garrus."
Kallian's face darkened but she said nothing, only jerked her head slightly in acknowledgement. A sad look appeared on Miranda's face, and she left as Shepard brought her omnitool back up to scroll through more emails. Death statistics, injuries, the loss of those who used to be under her command. Things sure to add to Kallian's burden.