Angel

Chapter 10

Bioware owns the rights to all characters within.

Shepard awoke in Miranda's arms. If anything, Miranda was more tightly wrapped around her than she was when she went to sleep. Ah, to wake up like this every morning. Her shoulder was aching, but bearable. Shepard's de-stress music was playing softly, apparently EDI had been giving Miranda her secrets. Shepard wondered how Tali was doing, but didn't want to disturb Miranda. Not to mention, she was really enjoying her current situation.

"EDI" Shepard whispered, "Can you monitor Tali's respiration and heartbeat?"

"I can monitor anything Commander. Tali's breathing is strong, her heartbeat is as good as one can expect when missing a large portion of ones back. She's in a rem cycle at the moment, and the synthetic skin on her back seems to be helping immensely. According to Dr. Chakwas she has a couple minor infections, and she is working on a focused antibiotic for them. Kasumi is with her, though she is not enjoying the protective suit she has to wear."

"Thank you, EDI. I guess I should stop by sometime."

"Be advised that Dr. Chakwas forbid you from entering the medical center for at least 8 more hours."

Shepard growled under her breath. "Thank you, EDI."

She looked down at Miranda. "I guess it's just you and me, then." She kissed Miranda on the head, then let her head fall back to the pillow.

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Kasumi woke in the med bay with a crick in her neck. "Ouch."

"Kasumi? Are you all right?" Tali asked from beside her head.

"I might need some of those drugs they've been giving you." Dr. Chakwas entered through the airlock.

"Alright you! Out! You've been in that suit too long. Go out and take a break." Dr. Chakwas made shooing motions with her hands.

"See you later Tali. Doc, give me a call if she needs me." She gave Tali's hand a squeeze. "Maybe Shepard can take a shift later."

"Do you think so? That would be great!" The excitement jumped in Tali's voice. Luckily the painkillers were still working.

"Doc?" Kasumi asked Chakwas.

"Maybe. I need to take another look at her shoulder."

"Always the cautious one, Doc. Well, here's to hoping." Kasumi left through the airlock, making sure to stick her tongue out at Tali when she was back down to only her underwear. Now to see what Shepard and Miranda are up to.

Shepard and Miranda were doing what all overachiever couples eventually do; one was sleeping and one was working. Though they usually take a little longer to get to this stage.

Miranda waved her into a chair while she dealt with an absolute litany of messages from the Illusive Man, and she was enjoying herself more than she thought she would. Being the rebel was a pleasant change.

TIM - It is irresponsible for you to cut all surveillance of the SR2. What would happen if something went wrong?

Miranda - You, as usual, would be too far away to make any meaningful contribution. Spying in my personal cabin was a step too far.

TIM - You know I only review relevant dialog for analysis, though it is well within my rights to review everything that happens on that ship.

Miranda - Do I? I may be one of very few people who have met you in person, but that in no way translates to knowing you. And your rights on this ship translate to absolutely nothing if the entire crew would follow the commander into the fires of hell, and would rather shoot you than talk to you.

TIM - Do not underestimate me. You know how easy it would be to allow your father to see information about your sister.

Miranda - Now you're threatening me? You really know how to inspire loyalty in your troops. I'm beginning to wonder how many of those human genetic modification stories are true. It appears you've been sheltering me from your true nature.

TIM - Miranda, don't try my patience. Everything I've done has been to further humanity's dominance in the galaxy.

Miranda - At what cost? The very things that make us human? You might as well replace us all with robots.

Miranda shut down the link. "That man is really starting to annoy me."

"Yay! Miranda joins the rest of us mere mortals!" Kasumi stated with a big smile.

"Quiet you." Miranda gave her a glare that seemed more play than serious. Kasumi considered that being with Miranda would make the Commander happy. She didn't think about the relationship effects on Miranda. Thawing the Ice Queen was a nice side effect. This could prove even more beneficial than I thought.

"How's she doing?" Kasumi asked.

"The wound is healing nicely, the doctor will be along soon to replace the bandage."

"And then we'll find out if she can visit Tali in med bay. Tali is very anxious to see her, probably to apologize for being a burden, or some such nonsense." Kasumi paused. "And how are you two doing?"

For a few seconds it appeared Miranda might not answer. She looked at Kasumi, then seemed to make up her mind. "I don't know. I'm inexperienced with relationships in general, new to relationships with women, and concerned about a relationship with a superior officer. But I really do care for her, a lot. Add to that my entire worldview and Cerberus loyalty flipped upside down by this stubborn woman, and I'm a little bit lost." Kasumi thought she might be tearing up.

Kasumi leaned forward and looked straight into her eyes. "Miranda, you are not lost. You are found. That woman would move heaven and earth to keep you safe and make you happy. All you have to do is let her."

Dr. Chakwas walked in, and wasn't sure what to think about Miranda with tears in her eyes, or Kasumi's aggressive posture.

"Understood?" Kasumi asked Miranda. She nodded. "Good. Help doc with her. I'm dying for a shower." Kasumi left.

"Do I want to know?" Asked Dr. Chakwas.

"Kasumi was giving me... relationship advice." Miranda had the good grace to look embarrassed.

Dr. Chakwas gave her an astonished look, then quickly shifted back into doctor mode. "Ok, let's get started on Shepard's bandage. Wake her gently, and try to keep her from moving that arm." She opened her field kit to pull out supplies.

Miranda sat down next to Shepard, and shook her gently. "Shepard. Wake up." No response. "Shepard." She shook harder. She felt Shepard's good arm snake around her rear. "Shepard!" Miranda grabbed her hand and pulled it back in front of her.

"My angel returned." Shepard said. "Lay back down with me." She pulled Miranda's hand to her face and kissed it.

"Shepard, Dr. Chakwas is here to redo your bandage."

Shepard eyes opened at last. "Darn." She tightened her grip on Miranda's hand. "Alright doc, bring your worst."

"Into the chair, Commander. This will be easier there." Chakwas said.

"Urgg..." Miranda helped pull her up with her good arm. Shepard walked over and sat down in the chair. Chakwas started pulling off the bandage.

"Doc? How is Tali doing?"

"Better every hour. Her back is regrowing very well, and she's gotten away with relatively minor infections so far. It will still be at least a week till she can rejoin the crew. She asks about you frequently." She finally got the rest of the bandage off. Shepard winced. "Very good. Let me redo this bandage and I'll take you over to see her."

"Really! That's great! I really want to talk to her!"

"Good, she really wants to talk to you. Though make sure you wear some proper underclothes. You will be changing into a sterile suit in a glass airlock. Kasumi was only wearing panties underneath her hoodie suit. It must have been embarrassing for the poor dear."

"That would be a sight to see."

"Yes, it was. Kasumi is a fine figure of a woman. Tali seemed to enjoy the sight as well." Chakwas continued applying the new bandage.

"Anything I should know before I go in there?"

"Tali is in much the same situation you were not long ago. Face down on a bed with her head to one side. She's still wearing her mask and the lower portion of her suit. The torso section has been cut away. I've placed some synthetic skin over her back to protect it. Her own skin will grow back under it, once the rest of her back heals. She did lose a portion of the muscles in her back. They are regrowing. We have another suit for her, but we can't put her into it until she's at least 95% healed. Which means we're stuck with the medical bay in clean room status until she's that far healed. I would avoid any combat situations for a week."

"Garrus directed us to the Citadel. I assume to pick up another suit for Tali." Miranda cut in.

"That's a really good idea. Tell Garrus I want in on that. Let's find her the best suit they have...with extra armor in the back." Shepard gritted her teeth when the doctor sprayed her wound with something.

"You can tell him yourself when we head over to the medical center. He's been holding a vigil outside the glass. He can't go in because we don't have a suit to fit him. He talks to Tali when there's no one in with her. I get the feeling they're going to be an item someday." Chakwas continued sealing up Shepard's wound.

"Good for them. Miranda, let the crew know they're on shore leave once we get to the Citadel. TIM can go fuck himself. If we're lucky the collector ship will spend the next week looking for us."

"Right away, Shepard."

Chakwas finished up the bandage. "There we go. Let's go see Tali. Do you have suitable underclothes on?"

Shepard chuckled. She was already in her undershirt. "Yes doc, there's nothing scandalous under this." She leaned over and kissed Miranda on the cheek. "See you later, Angel. We still have things to discuss." Miranda blushed.

"Shepard!" Garrus yelled when she came out of Miranda's office with Dr. Chakwas. Miranda stayed in her office to send out the shore leave notice.

"Garrus! Good to see you buddy!" Shepard walked over shook his hand with her good arm. "How's our favorite quarian holding up?"

"She's doing much better. Thank goodness this ship has a clean room set up available. She hasn't had many infections at all. She's a little loopy from the painkillers and antibiotics, but it would be worse to see her in a lot of pain. Apparently she was in very bad shape when she first got here, and the painkillers took a while to kick in." Garrus looked down at his hands. "I wish I'd been there. I keep thinking I could have prevented it somehow. I know it's folly, Grunt is better with the husks, and from what I understand he tackled the Harbringer. That would have been great to see." The thought brought a smile to his face.

"It's not your fault, Garrus. I'm to blame if anyone is."

"Don't even say that! There's no way you could have predicted the ship would start back up. You needed the best techie we have, that is Tali. Now get in there and say hello. Don't let her apologize to you." Garrus pushed her towards the door.

"Yes Garrus. Talk to you later." Shepard went into the airlock and Dr. Chakwas helped her into the suit. Shepard was wearing the normal racer back bra and boy shorts she always wore under her uniform.

Tali started talking the instant she left the airlock. "Shepard! I'm so glad you're well enough to visit. Thank you so much for coming. I wanted to..." Shepard cut Tali off.

"Tali, don't even attempt to apologize! You have nothing to apologize for." Shepard held Tali's hand in both of hers.

"But you got hurt because of me!" Tali sounded like she was about to cry.

"And you got hurt because of me. So put it out of your mind." Shepard held Tali's hand to her chest. "You are still one of my very favorite people, and I look forward to doing all the things we do together; work, play, even sleep." Chakwas had the good sense to start reading instruments.

"Shepard, you're the best, though you probably don't need me to sleep with any more. From what Kasumi tells me, you and Miranda are quite the item."

"We are an item, but I don't think we're quite to that point yet. Last night was only because I got hurt, I don't see it as an ongoing thing, not for a while anyway. Relationships are still completely foreign to Miranda, and I'm going to need to take it slow. Speaking of which, are you and Garrus an item now?"

"We're really good friends at this point. Maybe if we met outside of work...I know! We should double date! Dr. Chakwas mentioned that we were going to be at the Citadel soon. Maybe we can go as soon as I am able to wear my suit?" Tali was obviously excited by the prospect.

"Sounds like a plan to me, though I'll need to ask Miranda."

"Done, it's a date." Miranda said through the comm link. Shepard spun towards the window. Miranda and Garrus were standing outside the windows with smiles.

"Please tell me you just got there..." Shepard put her hand on her forehead.

"Spend all the time you need with Tali, then come see me. We're going with Garrus and Kasumi to pick up a new suit for Tali tomorrow. Get well soon, Tali." Miranda closed her comm link and headed to her office.

"A new suit! But they're really expensive!" Tali exclaimed.

"Yes, and I'm the reason you're missing one." Shepard stated, still holding Tali's hand. "I'm going to get you a new one. It's too bad you won't be there to model them for us."

"Violet still your favorite color, Tali?" Garrus cut in.

"Well, yes but this is really unexpected. I'm overwhelmed."

"Then it's decided. We'll show you what we got tomorrow. For now, rest up. We'll need you well soon for your date!" Shepard took a seat, still holding Tali's hand.

As expected, Tali didn't know what to say.

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Several hours later Tali was resting peacefully. Samantha left through the airlock and walked across to Miranda's office. She found her working on her terminal. She took a seat in a chair and waited for her to finish.

After a few moments Miranda shut down her terminal and got up. She walked around her desk and leaned against it to face her. "Shepard. I'm not exactly sure how to handle...us. You have me at a loss. I avoid relationships in general because they interfere with work and cause conflicts. I also would have considered myself heterosexual until you. And yet here I am with a serious attraction to my supervising officer... my female supervising officer. I thought it might go away if I avoided you and kept things professional, but then you get yourself hurt and it felt like the floor dropped out from under me. So now that I've admitted the strong attraction to myself, I have a question for you."

"Where you stand with Liara T'soni? Am I just a fling to tide you over until she rejoins your squad?"

Shepard got up and walked towards her. "My dearest Miranda. Liara and I were never lovers." She put her arms around Miranda's waist and looked right into her eyes.

"But there were accounts of her sleeping in your cabin.." Miranda said, wrapping her arms around Shepard's back.

"We slept together, but that was all, I swear to you. Liara knew when her mind touched mine that there would be nothing between us. I prefer stronger women, and at that point I was completely infatuated with someone else."

"So why did she sleep in your cabin?" Miranda looked skeptical.

Shepard released her and backed away from her. "Oh, I thought Doc told you all this." She hated discussing her weakness. She pulled her hand through her hair, thinking about how to phrase it. "I get bad nightmares and can't sleep sometimes, you know about that part. Sleeping with someone keeps the nightmares away. Liara helped me out on the original Normandy. I...um...have a similar arrangement with Tali now, though that is obviously on hold now that she's in the med bay." She tried to read Miranda's eyes. "I will cut that off if it bothers you."

Miranda wasn't sure what to think. Culture trained humans to translate "sleeping with" to "have sex with." On the other hand, she had already "slept with" Shepard, so she guessed she'd have to give her a pass on that. "No, you don't have to, but thank you for letting me know."

Shepard continued "Other than some experimentation during the academy, I've never been with anyone. I've never been in a serious relationship. My last crush was so straight you could shoot bullets through her, and I never let her know my feelings. When she died I made up my mind to go after anyone who I liked, no matter the consequences. I'm sorry if I came on too strong." She held her breath, waiting for Miranda's response.

Miranda walked to Shepard and wrapped her arms around the red-head's waist, then looked directly into her eyes. "Breathe Shepard."

Shepard did, then gave Miranda a light kiss on the lips. She tastes so good. She wrapped her arms around Miranda. Miranda buried herself in Samantha's red hair and kissed her neck. A shiver ran up Sam's spine. Miranda noticed Samantha's scent was stronger than before, though still very nice. A consequence of her time in the suit in the med bay, Miranda guessed. She enjoyed the aroma for a time, sliding her hands over Shepard's back, then pulled back to speak.

"Shepard..." Miranda started.

"Please call me Samantha."

"Ok...Samantha, we need to take this slow. It's been a while since I was in any kind of relationship." Miranda said, though her body tight against Sam was distracting.

"As you wish, Angel." Sam answered.

Miranda looked up at her. "You know I'm no angel, why do you call me that?"

"You're the first thing I saw when I woke after dying. You brought me back to life. You're my Angel." Sam leaned down and kissed her again.

Miranda thought about it, then gave her approval. "Ok, but if anyone else calls me that, I'll throw them through a wall."

Sam smiled. "I'll spread the word."

"You can sleep here again tonight, but the clothes stay on. We'll see what happens once your shoulder heals." Miranda said.

"As long as you're with me, I will be happy." Sam kissed her again, their tongues intertwining. She just couldn't get enough of the brunette.