Chapter 9

Location: Normandy/ Serpent Nebula

Time Stamp: 1800 ERT Hour/ May.01.2186

Shepard

These last few days had been nothing short of hectic. After the Citadel incident we had been from mission to mission non-stop. Today was going to be different, I had plans to relax a bit for once. Garrus had messaged me earlier in the day, something about doing something 'fun' for a change. We had some time before our next mission and I needed to check up on the rebuilding process at the Citadel.

As I got up to wash my face, Joker's voice boomed from the speakers in my cabin.

"Commander,... um.. Ash and Miranda are in the middle of a.. disagreement. Can you break it up before they tear out the bulkhead or something?" he asked, sounding nervous.

"I'll deal with it." I said, before walking out my door.

"Take pictures!" he added lightly.

Just what I needed. I thought to myself sarcastically before boarding the elevator and tapping the panel to bring me down to the commotion.

As I neared the crew's mess hall I could slightly see a blue shimmer reflected off the southern wall and I knew instantly that this would end bad. Reaching the scene, I could see that all the chairs had been tossed around and the crew had gathered around the women. Chakwas was standing in between them, surely trying to calm down the situation. No one had seen me yet, so I laid back for a bit to see what the situation was about before I interfered.

"You're as much of a terrorist as them! What makes you think you're any different? If it wasn't for this damn war, I would put you down personally!" Ash yelled in the other woman's direction.

From my viewpoint I could see Ashley's flushed cheeks and angry glare. For the moment, I was glad I wasn't in between them.

"You're just an Alliance lap dog, that follows whatever your master orders of you!... I will admit that Cerberus isn't one of the best organizations out there but at least, I was allowed my freedom. They gave me an assignment, paid me for it and I got it done. I wasn't questioned or patronized, I was valued. But you wouldn't know about that, would you? Not matter how good you think you are, the Alliance has only noticed you because of Shepard." Miranda spat back.

"I'm going to enjoy killing you!" Ashley growled and her stance became more aggressive.

Miranda's biotics flared and her stance changed to match Ashley's.

"Touch me and I'll paint the walls with you." she warned.

And that was my cue to step in.

"Enough! Both of you, stand down!" I said as I stepped in between them.

Everyone gathered, turned towards me with different expressions. Some scared shitless, mostly the newer recruits. Chakwas looked at me with relief and others like James, just huffed at the interruption I had created. Both Ash and Miranda turned their murderous gazes on me. Ashley, breaking the silence first.

"Shepard, I didn't know you still kept terrorists aboard the Normandy. She can't be left to spread her filth. Who knows, she might be bugging the place as we speak." Her stance relaxed and she crossed her arms in front of her chest. A smirk pouting her lips.

"Williams.." I warned with a disapproving look but she just shrugged it off.

"Maybe he should just keep his 'lap dog' contained, instead. She can might be rabid." Miranda retorted but her biotic glow evaporated.

"What I do is my business, you two on the other hand are to be a deck apart at all times. Understood?" I commanded.

"She can't be trusted Shepard, She'll jeopardize the whole mission. You can't guarantee that she's no longer with Cerberus." Ash bit out.

"You shouldn't concern yourself with who I recruit for this mission. My opinion is what matters here. I personally know that Miranda is no longer working with them and she proved herself enough during our encounters with the collectors. Her loyalty is not in question." I explained.

Hurt flashed in her eyes before being replaced with anger. She took a few steps back and to my endless aggravation, James reached out from behind her and placed his hand on her upper back.

"Thank you, Shepard." Miranda said as she came to stand closer to me.

"Miranda, I heard what you said about Lieutenant Williams and for future reference she has reached her station thanks to her hard work. She was already a great soldier when she joined me on the original Normandy and I had nothing to do with that." I gave her an equally stern look before I spoke out to the rest of them.

"Everyone else... What the fuck are you all standing around for? Get to it! We have a war to fight, it's not play time!" I looked toward the two trouble makers and spoke to them directly. "As for you two, either get along or stay far apart. I need both of you here but I can't have these personal issues interrupting the rest of the crew."

"Aye, aye. Commander."

"What ever you say, Shepard."

"That...that man makes me furious!... You just... don't understand..." My hand came up towards my forehead and wiped away some of the loose strands of hair there.. I had been pacing non stop since we had reached the cargo bay. James knew not to interrupt me so he just stood back, leaned up against the console.

"He just doesn't understand... I mean.. How can he?...She's up to something, I know she is." I said in frustration.

"You never know Ash... I mean she could be loyal to Shepard..." I turned to glare at him at that statement and he knew to shut up.

"Don't even go there with me, James! That bitch doesn't know the meaning of loyalty. Don't you dare take her side now!" I growled at him.

"I'm not taking her side, Ashley. I'm trying to be the reasonable one here and I've seen how she acts around the Commander. I don't think she would betray him." He tried to explain, but just served to make me angrier.

"And what have you seen, exactly?" I asked agitated and crossed my arms over my chest, staring him down.

"All I know... is that... " He put his hand on the back of his neck, massaging the area before continuing. "Listen, scuttlebutt has it that the Jefe is sweet on the operative. He did put a lot of effort into the recovery of her sister and after that Ms. Lawson did spend a few days locked in his cabin." James told her, avoiding her eyes.

He let those new pieces of information sit in the air between us as he gauged my reaction.

"Hey.. Don't get me wrong.. Rumors are just that, rumors. But when I think about it, she does have those eyes when it comes to him.." he said.

I just stood there. No expression on my face. After a few minutes I turned and walked out. Leaving James behind to plot.

This can't be happening, this can't be happening. All these years and I'm going to lose him to a terrorist? He loves me.. Doesn't he?... This is driving me crazy!

I needed to get out of the Cargo bay as soon as the words had left James mouth. His words hurt too much to hear. At this point I needed some serious medication to go to bed. My mind needed to stop thinking about him. About Shepard and all the things that would never happen again between us.

I'm done with you, Shepard. I'm no one's second best.

After about a good hour in the shower, I was ready to knock out for the rest of the night. My body hurt in places I never knew existed and my muscles couldn't stand anymore strain. I dressed as quickly as possible and walked over to the control panel on the wall to set on the Privacy Protocol for my cabin. Faintly, I heard the beeping of my personal terminal and debated with myself whether to check it out now or wait until I awoke in the morning. Deciding that it was a better idea to check the message now, in case any time sensitive information was within it.

o0o

Sender: Unknown

To: Unknown

Re: (Refer to Attachment.)

Shepard, I hope you know that you're not the only one.

The message was short and to the point. Most likely an untraceable message. Quickly, I clicked on the attachment and an old message appeared on my screen.

From: Ashley Williams (ashley. alliance .sa)

Sent: June 17, 2183 22:03 ERT

To: Sarah Williams (randori-girl )

Subject: Re: Hey sis

James left today. He's been reassigned to one of the new Rapid Response Bases out in the Kepler Verge. Lucky bastard. It's like the ancient west out there — pirates and slavers coming out of the Terminus Systems all the time. He gets to play the cavalry, riding out in frigates any time someone's house gets burned down.

I made some speech about how he was a valuable asset to the squad and he better make us look good out there, blah blah. I suck at speeches. But I meant every word of this one. I will miss him. Although I was cribbing from something I read back in history class. I don't think anyone noticed.

I'm going to miss him alot. Don't tell anyone.

So you think James is cute, eh? Yeah, well, when you said I should "go for him"... Let's just say that I'm not so sure about that, kiddo. See, we have rules about "fraternization". You don't do The Deed with your fellow troops, especially if they're under you in rank. Even if I wanted to. There's all sorts of problems that can happen when two people in the same unit get together.

Let's say your unit is in a tight spot. Some bug-eyed aliens are going to overrun the galaxy. They eat babies, smell bad, and don't have elbows. Nasty. You're told to guard the rear. To let everyone else escape, someone is ordered "hold this spot until we're gone." Someone has to be left behind. You think it's going to be someone you're sleeping with?

I've served with these guys for eight months now. Yeah, some of them make me feel tingly (and yeah, James was kinda scruffy-cute). I hope I never have to decide who lives and who dies. But if I have to, my decision can't be muddled up by magic-sparkly-hearts-and-stars feelings. At least not again.

I'm not saying I don't want to give it a try. Hell, a girl's got itches that need to be scratched, but I'm just not sure. I'll think about it, promise. But don't get your hopes up, it can't be nothing serious. Rules are rules.

Anyways, I'm gonna knock off here. I've got dog watch in a few hours. Want to get a shower and a meal before then. Talk to you tomorrow.

- Ash

This message originated from an Alliance military network. It has been censored at transmission source for security purposes.

o0o

So, she has itches that need fucking scratching? And she goes to that hot-head James for that 'relief'. I'm going to kill him... No, scratch that. I'm going to kill her... I don't give three-shits about how she feels right now but she better not be with Vega. I swear... If I catch her... I'm capable of.. of. throwing him out of the airlock and locking her in my room until she becomes gray all over.

"EDI?" I called out to the ceiling.

"Yes, Commander?" The computerized voice spoke.

"Where on the ship is Lieutenant Williams?" I asked calmly.

"Ms. Williams is on the starboard observation deck." EDI responded.

"Is she alone?" I asked.

"I believe so. My scans don't indicate any other life forms with her." came the answer.

I thought about that for a second before responding.

"EDI, I need you to completely lock down that deck until I reach it. Once I'm there please be kind enough to set the Privacy setting for that deck." I ordered.

"Yes, Commander. Anything else?" she asked.

"No, thank you EDI. That will be all." I told her.

Static came over the comms for a few seconds signaling that the connection had been cut. I looked around my cabin for a shirt to throw on and walk over to her deck. There were many things we needed to talk about, Vega being one of those things.