6. Indecisions

To those who read the teaser, this is the continuation of it, so feel free to skip to where we left off. This chapter is heavily Shepard's POV, and heavily fluffed. I normally avoid unnecessary fluff, but I felt that fluff should be the follow-up of the previous chapter. Hope you enjoy it!

Shepard's POV

I got on my motorcycle and went to school. I got there early, so I decided to look for Liara. I checked nearly the entire school area, avoiding areas Jack hangs out in, of course, and finally found her by the lockers on the second floor. She was with a friend, Tali, and I know this because she is in my IT class. Anyway, I walked up to them and tried to be as friendly looking as possible as I did.

"Um hi there, Liara right?" I said with a smile. She looked at me and started blushing furiously.

"Hi- yes, I'm Liara. This is my friend, Tali," She said pointing to Tali who was in front of her.

"Yeah, I know her, she's in my fifth period. Hey there Tali. Listen, I was wondering if you're not busy today afterschool. I need some help with Mr. Krios's assignment. I asked his son Thane, but I don't think he'll even do it. I really need your help, you're like my last hope here." I don't think that will be enough to get her to help me though.

"Yeah, sure, um I'm available. I'll meet up with you afterschool." Liara said.

Never mind.

"Thank you so much! I owe you one. And now that that is settled, I'll pick you up afterschool so we can go to my house. Here's my address, in case your parents ask for it. I'll be seeing you soon." I said with a charming smile. But I think I overdid it…Liara isn't moving, and even though Tali is wearing a helmet I'm pretty sure she's blushing. Oops.

"It was meant to be purely professional. I didn't mean anything by it." I tried, but it seemed to make no difference, but it was better than nothing I suppose.

"Um of course, yeah. I'll just let my parents know." Liara said

"Alright then, glad that's settled, thanks," I smiled again, this time a little more friendly and less flirtatious, "I'll see you afterschool. See you guys around."

"Bye!" They said in unison

After I talked with Liara, I went to class. I walked into the class, but instead of sitting in my usual spot next to Jack, I sat in an empty seat at the front of the class. I briefly turned around, Jack gave me this curious look that said, "The hell's wrong with you?" I just shrugged at her and turned around. I had to get my thoughts straight, so I was trying to stay both Jack-free, and Miranda-free. I know I'm being selfish, because this is very unfair to them, but what else could I do? Telling them about each other is suicide. They'll either tear each other apart, tear me apart, or possibly even both. Jack and I will need to talk about what happened yesterday, but I have no clue on what I'll say. Great, now I'm starting to make my love-life sound like that old chick flick Twilight from the 21st century. The bell rang, signaling the end of this period. I tried getting out of class without Jack catching up to me, but with my luck, that didn't happen. Just as I was walking out the door, a grip that was unmistakably Jack's pulled me aside. We just stood there until everyone left.

"Hey I have to get to class, can't be-"

I was cut off by Jack's kiss. She then pulled away.

"Sometimes you talk too much" she said grinning

"Hey um, we can't hang out today afterschool, because I'm going to be working on my assignment for Krios."

"I can go with you, I promise I won't distract you…and if I do, it's not my fault. Maybe do a little extracurricular activity afterwards."

"I can't, Liara is coming over to help me."

"And what kind of "help" is that?" Jack asked her tone hitting either angry or jealous, I wasn't sure.

"Look, it's not like that. She's really smart and a nice girl, which is why I asked her to help me WITH THE ASSIGNMENT. Nothing more." The bell rang, signaling I was late.

"Look, I have to go. Liara is going over to help me, nothing more. I'll see you around." With that, I left to class.

"Well I feel like a total jerk now!" I thought.

Jack's POV

"Look, I have to go. Liara is going over to help me, nothing more. I'll see you around." Alex told me and walked away.

What-the-fuck. He just blew me off! After I thought- no, you're not the touchy-feely kind of girl, get yourself together. He still hasn't said a word about what happened yesterday, and he's practically acting like it didn't happen. Maybe it was just a casual thing to him. It's not my first time having casual sex, but I didn't expect that from him. I just thought it would be more to him than simple sex. Pfft, I should've known better. All guys that "listen to you" and "are there for you" are after one thing: sex. (1) I can't believe I thought this was any different. This shit is too complicated. Fine, he wants it to be that way then its fine by me. I don't need this emotional shit. I left towards my second period, which I coincidentally had with Liara. I'll have a little chat with her.

I walked in Udina's class and sat by Liara. She got nervous, I could tell. Good.

"Hey Liara, I heard you and Shepard are going to his place later on today."

"Umm yes, we are. He needed help with Mr. Krios's assignment, and I told him I'd help."

"And how exactly do you plan on "helping" him?"

"What are you referring to? I'm only going to help him with his report! Your insinuations are unnecessary."

"Listen blue, I find out you did more than what you're supposedly going to do, I'll punch that pretty little face of yours until even your own parents don't recognize you." (2)

"Jaqueline you show up late to my class, and disrupt your fellow classmates. And one who actually wants to learn no less! That's a detention for you!" Udina told me.

"For the millionth time, it's JACK asshole! Oh, and that detention, you can shove it up your-"

"Another detention! You know what? I'm tired of this, I'm sending you straight to Principal Anderson's office right now!" Udina practically had smoke coming out of his ears. I simply got up and walked out of the class.

"You better be heading to his office right now! Don't even think about wandering off."

"Whatever!" I said.

After School…

Shepard's POV

*Bell rings*

"Wow, watch it!" Someone coming out of Mr. Anderson's office bumped into me.

"Fuck you."

"Jack? What were you doing in Anderson's office?"

"The hell do you care? You can stop pretending you actually care about half the shit that happens to me, if sex is all you're after, just tell me." Okay, this I did not see coming.

"What are you talking about? Where is this even coming from?"

"Yesterday you were all "tell me about your problems Jack", and today you won't even sit next to me. I got the message loud and clear."

"I- you're right. I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you." What the hell are you doing?

"Oh really?" Jack's attitude towards me was changing, so I guess that's a point in my favor.

"Yup, anything you have in mind." Why am I still talking?!

"I have several ideas..."

"Great, we'll do whatever you want tomorrow. I have a paper to complete, remember?" I told her smile. I have never, EVER, contemplated suicidal thoughts. Right now the ideas are just springing.

"I'm gonna make this clear Shepard, I'm not asking for a commitment here, but I don't share. No funny business with the nerd."

"None." She leaned towards me and gave me a quick peck.

"Good," she smiles, "don't you have a report or something to get done?"

"Right! Well, I'll see you later." Miranda, you ever find out about this you'll flip. (3)

Once I left I went straight to looking for Liara. I found her waiting for me next to my bike.

"So are you ready to go?"

"Yes, I told my parents I'll be going over to a friend's house."

"Ok, I'll drop you off before 8. Sound good?"

"That's fine."

"Ok then, shall we?" I say pointing at the motorcycle beside us.

When we got to my place, we got straight to work. It felt weird not being interrupted, it was part of my routine now, and I liked routine. I also tucked away the beer. Anyway, we got through the rest of the evening pretty quickly, even got the report done. Now I'm here dropping her off. I pulled up to her place, and cut the engine.

"Here we are, once again Liara thanks so much for your help."

"I was glad to help Shepard." Liara said with a shy smile.

"Well, I guess I owe you one. So if you ever need anything, let me know."

I waited until she got inside before I took off. For once something worked out for me this week. When I walked into my living room, I took off my jacket and set my keys down. I went straight for the shower.

The warm water started hitting my back, and my thoughts started forming.

So, a reflection of my day. It was…better than I hoped. Jack doesn't hate me, and I got Mr. Krios's done. The downside, Jack doesn't hate me now, but she will if I keep this whole double-dating thing going on. Another thing I have to get straight. What are my feelings towards Jack? How do I feel about Miranda? Speaking of which…

I turned off the shower, dried myself off, and wrapped a towel around my waist. I say down on my bed as I started dialing my phone.

*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*

"Hello?" a sleepy Australian accent rang through the room.

"Hey Miri, its Alex. Just wanted to check in on you."

"Alex? Hi *yawns* how are you?"

"I'm good, and you? How's school?"

"That's good to hear. I'm good as well thanks. And school is exhausting. I can't wait to get out for the break." In her defense, Henry put her in "the best school money could buy", so it can't be easy to be a student there.

"That's not good. Have you thought about taking a small vacation?"

"I've considered it, yes, but I doubt my father will let me take them."

"I'll talk to him, convince him to let you take a break. Maybe we can both take a vacation and spend it on earth. What do you think?" A couple of hours ago I'm kissing Jack, now I'm doing this… But this feels right.

Miranda's POV

"…Maybe we can both take a vacation and spend it on earth. What do you think?" Alex said.

It was a tempting offer. I've been wanting to spend time with him since we last saw each other. I'm not usually one for clichés, but I don't know, I feel good around him.

"Miranda?" Well, here goes nothing.

"Do it."

"Wait, you're actually agreeing to this?" I can hear the mirth in his voice.

"Oh shut up, and convince my father will you?" He started to laugh hysterically.

"Am I missing something?"

"Haha, no, I just love messing with you. And I'm already messaging him a list of reasons why he should let you come with me to earth."

"Multitasking, I'm impressed." When I heard him mumbling I simply laughed. Something I do often with him.

"There, you have permission to go." He said triumphantly

"Just like that?" I can't even begin to explain why I was skeptical about this.

"Well…" See?

"Well what?"

"We'd be sharing a room. He said he didn't feel we should be spending too much on this trip. And that he'd take care of the room payment."

"What's wrong with us sharing a room?"

"I just thought that you- you know you would- it's just that-"

"Alex, breathe and say it." I can hear him inhale and exhale

"I just thought you'd want a bit more privacy than that."

"That would normally be true, but it's a good opportunity to get to know each other better."

"That's true I suppose."

"Are YOU okay with this?"

"Yeah, I think it's a great idea!"

"Good, because I'm taking the vacation starting this weekend. So cancel all of your plans." He simply chuckled to what I said.

"The sooner the better I suppose. Then it's settled then. We're going to earth and we're going to have the best time. I can't wait to see you Miranda."

"I can't wait to see you either Alex." I started smiling like a bloody idiot when he said my name.

"Well I have to go, and you should get some rest. I'll call you tomorrow to discuss this a bit more?"

"Alright, goodnight."

"Goodnight." And I clicked. I had been laying down on my bed throughout the conversation, so I just set my omni-tool on the night stand. Getting comfortable wasn't a problem, as I was already covered with warm blankets. As soon as I closed my eyes, sleep quickly took over me.

A/N: Okay, remember how I said the drama wouldn't last that long? Well, I assure you, on the next one there won't be as much as here. Since this is sort of an aftermath, I tried my hardest to put drama in it. On a quick note though, just wanted to say thanks for the reviews, no matter how long ago they were! Appreciate feedback, both positive feedback, and constructive ones :) Anyways, let me know what you guys think about this chapter. Looking forward to hearing from you guys! Please excuse any grammar error. I'm working on this until like 3 in the morning. Thanks! And now back to the notes:

In the game, Jack casually asks Shepard if he wanted to have sex with her, and if you deny her, she says she doesn't understand him. That most guys just want that from her when they show some sort of affection towards her. That is why now that Alex is giving her the cold shoulder, she assumes that he got what he wanted from her and will now downright ignore her. Poor Jack :( What do you guys think about his behavior?

Jack becomes jealous of Liara, and becomes aggressive towards her. What do you guys think? Is it out of character? Let me know :)

Just like Jack, Miranda made it clear in the game she doesn't share Shepard. I think we can all agree he'll be pulverized if Miranda found out about what's going on. She's getting suspicious though, so stay tuned!

-MKShepard