Chapter 10

Location: Normandy/ Serpent Nebula

Time Stamp: 2100 ERT Hour/ May.01.2186

Ashley

The cool glass against my forehead was doing nothing to calm the fiery pit of emotions that wrecked havoc inside me. Looking out to the vast nothingness of space, I grew a little emptier inside. The Normandy was gently cruising the sea of stars outside the observation deck's large window heading towards another mission probably. Life aboard the ship that I once called home was not like it once was. The crew was different and although some of the old squad was back together, it would never be the same again.

But Shepard's still here... A voice in the back of my mind echoed.

"Shepard..." His name was a soft whisper against my lips but my heart pounded no less at its mention. Then my thoughts switched over to Her, and knots began to form in my gut. My mind screamed to me that he wasn't the same man. That the man I loved was lost with the old Normandy. Yet my heart beat the same if not twice as fast when he was around. James' passion only sates my body but deep inside, my heart whimpers at his touch. I know that my emotions are a wreck and nothing to go by - the strength of my mind is my only friend; though sometimes I question even that.

I question the motives behind everything and everyone, the double intentions of every situation. It once was that I could follow both my heart and mind and everything would fall into place, but now everything was unknown. The world was crashing around me and I couldn't find anything to grasp onto.

In the back of my thoughts I could hear the telltale sign of the mechanical locks to the observation deck's only door. Instinctively, I turned to face the sound and was welcomed by the sight of the door being shut off. Crossing the room in three long strides, I banged on the door with no result.

"EDI!?" My voice was harsh though an underlying tone of surprise still remained.

"Yes, Lieutenant Williams? Is there anything I can help with?" EDI's monotone voice filled the room around me.

"Yes, yes you can, in fact. Open.. these.. Damn doors!" I growled.

" I cannot do that Lieutenant Williams." she replied matter-of-factly.

"And why the hell not?" I barked, fuming at the disembodied voice of the ship's AI.

"I have direct orders from Commander Shepard, to keep this section of the of the deck on full lock down." she explained.

The anger that I felt earlier during the confrontation with Miranda only reared its ugly head once again. I was practically fuming.

"How long am I supposed to stay in here?!" I yelled, exasperation seeping through my voice.

"I believe the Commander will be there shortly. You may ask him, if you wish." she said, with a hint of something in her voice … amusement? Damned AI.

"You damn right I will." I said to myself more than to EDI, this time.

Striding back to the where I was just standing, I could feel the tension building in my muscles. Let alone, the anger searing in my belly. Wrath that had been pent up for years was finally coming to the surface. It would have to be now or never. Our story would reach its conclusion today or it would begin a new chapter. Either way, Shepard wasn't getting out of this one unscathed.

Shepard

Anger, no, pure and undiluted rage ran through my veins. Part of me knew that what I was feeling was unfair to Ashley, but I couldn't help myself. The thought of her in another man's arms was driving me to the breaking point, especially after what I had read. The endless elevator ride down to the deck she was stationed on wasn't helping matters much. Anger as hot as lava was sitting in the pit of my stomach and with every second that passed, I could feel myself choking on the hazardous fumes that my thoughts had become.

The low ding of the elevator signaled my arrival and I hastily rushed out as soon as the doors opened. I took a sharp turn and headed down the hall that lead to her. As I passed, some crew members had the decency to look busy at their work, while others blatantly gaped at me. The look on their faces told me that the anger boiling inside me was also visible to the outside world and that gave me a sick satisfaction. She would know I wasn't playing and that gave more spark to the already raging inferno within.

I reached her door and my rage boiled over the edge as I saw Vega standing there trying to gain access.

"May I ask, what the fuck you're doing here, Vega? Don't you have work to do?" I spat at him in the Commander voice.

"Eh... Ah.. Commander? I was just.. just trying to see if Ash... I mean, Lieutenant Williams, was alright after that fight she had with Ms. Lawson. Gotta keep the ground team's morale up, right?" James nervously spit out as I glared daggers at him.

" Well, Vega let me inform you that keeping up the 'morale' is my job, not yours. As for the Lieutenant, don't worry about her. She is no longer of your concern." I warned.

The last bit I said more as a threat and by the look of him, he had gotten the hint. His eyes sized me up and a glint touched his eyes before he gave me a grunt of a response and walked away.

I turned towards the door again and took in a deep breath.

"EDI, unlock the door and make sure no one disturbs us. I will be out shortly." I ordered - much more softly than the order I'd given Vega.

"Yes, Commander." As her voice faded out, the panel in front of the door changed colors, granting me access.

Slowly, I stepped into the room and gazed around, scanning the surrounding area and locating her in the far off corner towards the large glass wall. Ashley turned towards me quickly and the rosy blush across her cheeks indicated that she was angry as well. Her fists balled at her sides and her stance changed. The dark brown eyes that peered back at me, glittered with threatening tears, her lips pink and swollen from her nervous biting. Perky breasts puffed out, pressing against her Alliance fitted uniform in a defying posture and her heated gaze didn't waver as I approached her.

It only took a few steps to reach her but when I did, a fist connected to my lower jaw.

"What the fuck is going on with you, Shepard. You can't just lock me in here just because I offended your little girlfriend." She fumed, though when her other fist tried to connect with my face once again, my reflexes kicked in. Thrusting my arm out, I barely caught her fist in my hand and turned quickly, still grasping one of her arms, to reach for her other arm.

Ashley struggled within my vice grip but for all her effort, I was still bigger and stronger. Pinning her arms with my elbows, I wrapped my remaining arm around her upper back making sure to hold on tight. She wiggled and kicked at me but was too tightly contained to get a good shot at me.

"Let go! Let go you bastard. Haven't you had enough?" She said as she tried to ram her head against mine.

I told myself that I was only trying to contain her rage until she settled but the way she was struggling against me, against my hold was bringing my thoughts in the wrong direction.

"Ash... Please calm down." I soothed.

"Ash?!... Ash?! Don't you dare! I've had enough of this, of you! As soon as I'm able, I want out! Out!" With those words her head turned in my direction and she aimed another head butt but not before my lips captured hers.

I wanted to posses her, tame her. My lips teased her softer ones, nipping at her lower lip. Instead of responding she bit me back, that only urged me on. She had stopped struggling against my hold and I loosened it to press my hands on her lower back, closing the distance between us. Her palms traveled up my torso and she pressed them roughly against my chest. At that I let go of her lips and traveled kisses up her jaw to nibble at her ear.

"Don't fight me Ash." I breathed in her ear as I continued to lick and nibble at the sensitive flesh around her earlobe.

"I don't want this." I felt her murmur against me.

One of my hands traveled up her spine and into the mass of hair that met me at the nape of her neck. Roughly, I yanked at it and she gasped at the feeling. I looked into her already glazed eyes, looking for anything that would tell me she wanted this as much as me. Her silence as she watched me told me everything I needed and I dove in to plunder what awaited me at her lips.

Surprisingly, they parted for me and my tongue lunged in search of it's better half. My mind clouded and I lost all focus of the reasons that had brought me here. With Ashley it was instinctual. She fought and I baited but in the end it came down to this common passion, this overwhelming need for each other. I could feel it in her too, as her hands wrapped around my neck and her body pressed into mine. It had been too long since we had been like this. Far too long. Deep inside of me I knew that sex wasn't the answer to our problems but nothing else mattered at this moment. It was just us two.

Of their own accord my hands slipped down to her zipper and released her creamy breasts for my exploration. Lightly tracing my lips down her neck, I found a path that lead me to one of her erect nipples. I suckled on the tip for a moment, only to have her press her breast against my face. Opening my mouth a bit more, I took in more of her nipple into my mouth, licking and biting the tip in turns. My hands found their way down her spine once again and I grabbed onto her buttocks, bringing her up my body. Her long, shapely legs wrapped themselves around me and I walked us back into the long cushioned seat that was behind us. Softly, I laid her back against the seat and my hands went up to the zipper that lay unattended at the front of her suit.

"Shepard, wait." Her voice thick and gruff.

My hand stopped in its place and I glanced up at her. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips swollen from more than just her biting. Stormy emotions pooled in her eyes but then her hand came up to press gently on the nape of my neck and urged me forward. When our lips met, I kissed her passionately, telling her everything I felt through the burning kisses. My hand resumed it's tugging of her zipper and before long, her beautiful flesh was revealed to me in all it's glory. I painted a path up her navel and stomach to her breast and seized one in the palm of my hand. Slowly, I maneuvered her nipple in between my pointer and middle finger and as I squeezed her breast, I rolled her nipple in between my fingers. She moaned and molded her chest into my hold. My other hand made it's way towards her navel and made quick work of her remaining uniform. I released her just a bit then, to lean back and view the site before me.

Ashley was spread out on the sofa, wantonly looking up at me. Her nipples erect and her thighs quivering in excitement. She was fully naked and exposed to me. I loved it. As quick as possible I did away with my own clothing, revealing to her my erect shaft already standing at attention for her. Her tongue slipped out to wet her lower lip and a low growl escaped my lips.

My eyes wandered to the apex of her thighs where her gleaming folds awaited my attention. I plunged into that sweet, hot center and drove my tongue deep inside of her. Her strong upper thighs pressed against the sides of my head but that didn't deter me from my goal. My fingers traveled up her thighs loosening their hold on my head. They reached her folds and parted them for me, giving me better access to her. With the tip of my thumb I began slow, torturous strokes against her swollen nub, never decreasing the speed or force of my tongue.

She moaned and gasped with the usual string of curses in between. Her hands held my head in place as she buried herself against my face. Moving my hands to squeeze her ass cheeks, I bit her pulsing clit, sending spasms up her body.

"Ohhh... Fuck!... I want you deep inside me. Now!" Ashley begged.

My left hand released her bottom, only to stroke my jerking shaft. I began my slow, torturing trail up her body, flicking my tongue at her nipples as I passed them. My lips found hers and she licked up the remaining juices off my lips. We fought for dominance in the kiss, biting, sucking and licking each other into submission. I lined up my cock to her already moist and hot center. Teasing her slit with the head of my shaft. She purred into my mouth and I couldn't resist any longer.

I plunged all the way in, pinning her pelvis to the couch under her. I rammed into her, rubbing the base of my shaft on her clit as I dipped in and out. Her convulsing became wild and I grasped her hips to keep her still. The nails on her fingers leaving a burning path down my spine. I could feel her inner walls clenching around the intrusion.

Ashley bucked wildly against my thrusting, making noises I was sure could be heard all over the ship. I released her lips to clamp down on her neck, leaving impressions of my teeth on her soft throat.

"Mine." I gruffly said into her ear as I continued to invade her channel. Knowing she would burst at any second, I pulled out completely leaving her whimpering like a kitten. Standing up from our position on the couch, I grabbed at her waist and flipped her over. Her hands propped themselves on the back of the couch while her knees rested, parted on the seat. Her heart shaped rump, thrusted into the air and her breasts hanging heavily over the back of the seat. She was perfect and with all the anger that I had come here with, I pressed one hand onto her lower back, digging my fingers into her skin. My other hand grabbed a fist full of hair and maneuvered her spine into a 'C' like shape. As I lined up my cock with her entrance, I spoke to her.

"Ash, whenever you have an itch..." I rubbed my cock against her dripping pussy. "That needs scratching..." Thrusting all the way in her with a punishing force, I finished. "I have the perfect solution for you."

Ashley

His penetration was rough and powerful, his statement causing a chill to run up my skin and my senses extended to impossible places. His hand at my hip was unrelenting and kept me in place as he slammed his way in me. The hand at my hair kept my face side to side with his, making his words all the more demanding. I knew what he was talking about and this was his way of staking a claim. Sadly, I didn't feel used. My anger had dissipated after that first kiss. His lips on mine revealing the need that still connected us. This was his way of telling me that although he might have something with her, our connection still burned inside him like it did in me. His overpowering plunges deep within me claimed me to my very soul. And in a way this was my way of claiming him.

A part of him still needed me, a primal want for what only I could give him. In this place there was no other for either of us. This almost brutal mating between two people had no place for any other. It was just us and it gave me new reason to fight for what we once had. I submitted to his dominance, to his taking and plundering. And I loved it.

I purred in his ear and welcomed every thrust with equal force. The sound of smacking of skin against skin, of moans fueled with passion and hunger. Involuntarily one of my hand released the couch's edge and my arm wrapped around his neck, bringing my face closer to his. I captured the skin at his throat with my teeth and suckled on the sweat soaked flesh. His ramming became brutal at my biting and he roared his release into my ear, sending my body into a frenzy of it's own as I convulsed around him. Shepard jabbed himself a few more times inside me before spilling himself deep within me. I fell limp against him as soon as my body slowed it's spasms.

He hooked an arm around my waist and brought me against his chest as he sat down on the couch. I was now sitting silently on his lap while I caught my breath and I felt his hand stroking my back in a soothing pattern. My hair was plastered all over my face from all the sweat layering my naked body. Looking up at him, I noticed the huge angry looking love bite on his throat. A wicked smile spread across my lips and he grinned when he noticed my smile.

"You have one too, you know." He whispered huskily in my ear. My smile almost faltered at that but it also brought back the recent memory of our love making. Of my decision to fight for what was and still is naturally mine. The wicked smile on my face spread and I turned to straddle him. His hands automatically going to either side of my hips. My eyes searched his face, grazing over his juicy lips and up to his half lidded eyes.

"Ash..." He called to me and I moved forward, aching to taste his lips again. This time it was smooth and gentle. Our lips gliding over each other as our tongues danced in unison. His arms wrapped around me and my arms wrapped around his neck. I slowly began to rub my hips against him, seeking that connection once again. He entered me slowly and our moves became more sensual, more loving. Shepard's hands caressed my back and his lips continued to envelope mine. We broke apart to catch our breaths, our movements never changing. He continued his trail of kisses across my jaws and down my neck, nibbling at the love mark he had previously given me.

I could feel him completely within me, poking at my lower belly. Swaying my hips on his lap, he groaned his approval and I clenched and teased his shaft with my walls. My nipples rubbing against his chest only added to the insane pleasure I was feeling. I continued to moan and gasp in his ear, with every sound his hands tightened on my back and his shaft thrusted more violently inside me. His groans only fueled my need to satisfy him and I leaned back from his hold to grasp a breast in each of my hands. I was in full view of his roaming eyes. My hands cupping each breast, toying with the nipples, my hips swaying on top of him.

In any other situation I probably would have blushed to my roots but for him, I didn't care. I wanted him to see me. I could imagine my image burning into his brain, blocking out any other possible 'distraction'. I knew I had this over him, I knew by the way his eyes followed my every movement; by the way he plunged in me every time I purred his name. No one could take this from us and I would give him what no other would.

Bracing my hands on each side of his shoulders I began to bounce on him. The skin of my rear making a smacking noise every time it came in contact with the skin of his thigh. He roared his enthusiasm and basically threw me on the floor, his body still connected to mine and his form towering over me. Shoving himself deeper and deeper into me, I fell over the edge. White hot fire blazing through me, sending my body into overdrive making my walls pulse and milk his shaft. Shepard bit into the skin of my upper breast to keep himself from screaming his release and I called out mine with all the air in my lungs.

We lay there spent for what seemed like an eternity. His body sprawled on top of mine. The hot gusts of air against my face the only indication that he was still awake. Our limbs tangled, our sleek bodies molded into one another. He raised his head to look at me and smiled, giving me a beautiful crooked grin.

"That was wonderful, amazing..." he breathed.

"You mean passionate and animalistic." I teased cutting him off.

"I've missed you Ashley Madeline Williams." He said as he snuggled his face in the crook of my neck.

"I missed you too, Skipper." I replied slightly lightheaded, loving the way he clenched his arms tighter around me.

"...Though we still need to talk Shepard. This hasn't changed anything." I finished.

At that, he looked up at me, not letting go of his hold around my waist.

"Ash, just give me some time.. That's all I'm asking for.. just a little time..." he pleaded.

Trying to find the truth in his eyes, I gazed up at him.

"Shepard, I'm going to fight like hell for this. I.. still love you. And if what we just shared is any indication, then I know you feel something for me too." I closed the distance between our lips and gave him a loving kiss.

"I'll fight for you Shepard. If that's what I have to do, then bring it on." The determination clearly in my voice.

His eyes gazed at me lovingly but our moment was shattered when Joker's voice came over the Intercom.

"Commander, Sorry to interrupt but we'll be at the Citadel in a few minutes. Just wanted to let you know." Joker stated.

"Are you still spying on us, Joker?" Shepard's voice boomed over me.

"No, Sir! Just wanted to let you know." the pilot assured.

We both gave each other a meaningful look and reluctantly he released me. Standing up, he extended a hand towards me and stood me up. We got dressed in a hurry not exchanging a word. I began to worry that things really wouldn't change after all. He hadn't even glanced my way since he had helped me up.

I finished the clasps to my suit and ran my fingers through my impossible hair. Straightening my back and turned fully towards him, waiting for him to finish. As he finished redoing the fastenings of his boots he too, straightened his back and turned to me. The smile on his face melted away any mounting fear I had. He arched a hell of a sexy eyebrow and smirked at me. Taking a few strides he stood confidently before me, extending a hand around my lower back, he swatted my behind. Literally smacked me on the butt! My eyes grew wide at the shock and for half a second I was frozen in place. Shepard leaned his lips close to my ear and spoke softly.

"No, James! I'm serious Ash, I know we still have things to say to each other but I can promise that I won't bed Miranda as long as you stay a deck apart from that meat-head." he demanded.

My brain was screaming at me to do something, anything, but my heart knew that if I wanted Shepard I couldn't keep up the games with James, I couldn't hurt his feelings. So, if Shepard wanted me away from James then I'll have plenty of time to make sure 'He' has no time to spend with Ms. Barbie. He might seem the willing partner now but I knew better. This war was far from over!

"Deal." I whispered back, wickedly.