I hope that my humor about Alenko is not over your heads. I'll explain later. This is a personal best, two chapters in less than 24 hours.
Chapter 11:
Citadel Bliss
Day One
Ashley could not have been happier about the Commander's decision to stop at the Citadel. The prospect of spending four days on the station made Ashley almost giddy with anticipation. Shepard had given Ash the keycard to the apartment and told her not to wait up. "Unfortunately, this won't just be for pleasure," Raquel had said. "There are some pressing issues that need to be resolved. The Consort's issue still needs to be resolved."
The Chief shook her head at the conversation and was waiting for the airlock to open when Joker came up beside her. "I've been instructed to guide you on the most efficient way to get around the Citadel with crutches."
"Well this should be fun," Ashley said. "Got any secret passages?"
Joker smirked, "You'll just have to tolerate me log enough to find out."
The door hissed open and the two accessed the C-Sec elevator. "Any bets this time smartass?" Ashley queried.
"Nope," Joker said. "I intend on keeping my money this time around. Besides, you got a broken leg."
"And?"
"And I'm speaking from experience that things get difficult in the area of fun," joker said, waggling his eyebrows.
"How enlightening," Ashley drawled. "You mean to tell me you've never…"
"I consider that, uh, private Chief," Joker said nervously as the doors hissed open. Joker promptly guided Ash over to the Rapid Transport System, and selected the Apartments option under Wards Location.
"Come on flyboy, I find I hard to believe that you're a virgin," Ashley whispered as they clambered into the vehicle.
"Didn't say I was and I didn't say I wasn't," Joker said with a wave of the hand.
"But if you weren't, you'd brag about it," Williams said knowingly.
"Me? Brag? You want the truth?" the pilot asked after a sigh.
"Sure."
"You can't handle the truth!" Joker said, quoting an old movie.
Ashley shook her head, "And you say I'm bad with clichés."
"Seriously? There was only one time. Human, small but cute. Just a one night deal though."
"And I thought romance was dead," Ash said sardonically.
"We can't all be hearts, rainbows and unicorns Chief."
"Do I look like a girl that pictures that?" Williams asked as the transport slowed to a stop.
"No, but I have heard you recite poetry to Shepard," Joker teased as he went left down the apartment block.
Ashley followed him. "Just because I can drill a bad guy between the eyes at fifty yards doesn't mean I can't like the occasional emotional stuff. Just don't spread it around."
"Whatever you say Chief," Joker teased as he pressed what looked like a wall. The wall turned out to be a door that slid to the right with a whoosh revealing an alley of sorts.
"So you do have a secret passage way."
"Stick with me long enough and you'll find I'm full of surprises," Joker said. "Third door on your left. It's a back door to the apartment."
Ash nodded a thank you and entered the flat. It was the same as they had left it only weeks earlier. Ashley eased her way over to the bed and slept.
Day Two
Ashley awoke the next morning to the smell of eggs. Eggs? On the Citadel? The Chief turned carefully onto her back ad attempted to get up. Pain jolted up her leg as she moved too quickly. Ashley gasped and moaned loud enough for the kitchen occupant to hear her.
"You better not be moving Ash," came Raquel's voice. "You'll hurt yourself ad ruin my master plan."
Williams used a pillow and propped herself into a sitting position. "Master plan?"
Shepard entered the room wearing only a silk robe with a tray piled high with food. "Breakfast in bed," she said sweetly.
"How romantic," Ashley said, looking at the tray. "Eggs, toast, bacon, and cereal? Where did you get this stuff?"
"Joker and the requisitions officer know some people."
"And you thought making coffee was sexy? This is way better Raquel. My mom used to say that to cook for somebody is to show true love," Ashley said as she bit into her toast.
"What can I say? I'm a lover and a fighter," Raquel said, touching foreheads with Ashley. "I wish I could stay, but I have to go."
"Where are you going this early? Don't leave me here all day."
"Early? All day? Check your watch Ash, it's 5:00 PM Sleeping Beauty," Shepard noted.
"So why are you in a silk robe?"
"Because I didn't wake up until noon, but I didn't want to leave you. You say the cutest things in your sleep you know," Shepard teased, as she got dressed. "Who is Commander Shnuggles?"
Ash blushed so red that Shepard could see it from her mirror. "It's, uh…you."
Raquel wheeled around with her eyebrows raised in shock. "Me? I'm Commander Shnuggles? You certainly said some naughty things to me then."
The Chief's face turned even redder. "I don't remember dreaming anything like that."
"Well then Chief Thunderlips," Shepard said as she finished dressing. "I have to go, but be sure to take your medicine. Shnuggles' orders."
Ash chuckled as Shepard went out. The Chief grabbed the bottle and swallowed the small capsule easily. Almost instantly, the background pain in her leg stopped and the Chief felt suddenly very tired. Moving her tray to the floor, Ash settled in for more dreams of Commander Shnuggles.
Day Three
Ashley woke to the familiar sensation of Shepard's body heat encompassing her own. Ash slowly rolled over slowly so that she was face to face with Raquel. She's still asleep, thought Ashley as she lightly kissed her CO's nose. On contact, Shepard's eyes snapped open in a panic, but then softened at the realization that Ashley had woken her up. "Hey there."
"Hey yourself," Ashley whispered as Shepard massaged her injured leg. "Oo right there Shepard."
"Here?" Raquel teased, purposely massaging another spot.
"Yeah, there too," Ash replied, foiling Raquel's plot. "So what are we doing today?"
"Well, the business with the Consort is all wrapped up. I just have to go see her. Nothing intensive, so you can come if you want," Raquel said, nipping at Ash's ear.
"It beats staying here. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy staying in bed with you and relaxing for once, but we're both women of action."
"I agree, come on," Raquel said, throwing back the sheets.
The two arrived at the Consort's Chamber in no time and the asari saw them right away. First class all the way. The asari was thankful to Raquel for helping her with Septimus and the elcor diplomat. "I can only offer you a small amount of credits and a gift of words. I see your armor, not just your physical armor but your emotional one as well. It is thick and almost impenetrable. Your past has been filled with grief and regret, and your life has been one trial after another. This is who you are, but not who you will become."
"Uh, okay?" Raquel said, obviously confused.
"Close your eyes Commander. Try to relax," the asari said as she stepped closer to Raquel. The Consort seemed to ignore Ashley completely and kissed Shepard lightly on her neck.
"Whoa whoa whoa," Ashley and Raquel said at once.
"I apologize Commander," Shi'ara said. "I must have misinterpreted the situation. I can see now that there is a bond between the two of you."
"Yes, yes there is," Shepard said as she gripped Ashley's hand.
Back at the apartment, the two women could not help but discuss the recent events. "I can't believe she came on to you that strongly. She just ignored that I was there. That's just rude whether we're together or not."
"I know. I thought she was just going to mind meld to help me understand what she said. Freaked me out," Shepard said, sitting on the small couch.
"Never been kissed by an asari?" asked Williams, sitting next to Raquel.
"I have actually, but still."
"Have you ever, uh, you know, been with an asari?"
Shepard turned to Raquel and held her chin. "Listen to me very carefully Chief. I. Have. Never. Been. With. Anybody."
"Okay then. Just curious," Ash said sheepishly.
"Let's get some sleep," Shepard suggested with a yawn. "Tomorrow we leave in the afternoon."
"Sounds like a plan Shnuggles," Ashley said, throwing an arm around Raquel for support as they moved towards the bed.
Day Four
The final day on the brief vacation started when Ashley was awakened by Shepard's lips on her own. Williams returned the gesture with pressure of her own and wrapped her arms around Raquel's neck. Ashley could not help but moan in pleasure as they parted. "That's one hell of a way to wake up skipper."
Raquel flashed a smile. "I tried. Come on, it's time to get you out of this damn contraption," Raquel finished as she tugged on Ash's brace.
The two washed up and exited the apartment and headed towards the Normandy. I'm going to miss that apartment, Ashley lamented.
Once at C-Sec, the two women saw Joker waiting for them by the elevator. "Hello ladies," Joker said in a husky voice.
"Sorry Jeff, I'm not a fan of deep voices," Shepard teased.
"Jeff? You mean I actually have first name?"
"Only if I feel like using it," Raquel said as the doors opened.
As the elevator ascended, Ashley could not help but ask Joker about his stay on the Citadel. "I spent most of my time making sure nobody touched the Normandy. When I wasn't doing that, I got questioned by Anderson on our missions and the psychological state of my crewmates."
"So what did you say?" queried Ashley.
"I told them that Garrus is a homicidal maniac, Tali contemplates suicide via the drive core, Wrex sings in his sleep, Alenko thinks we're all going to betray him, and of course, the Commander and Ashley are in a mad three way lesbian relationship with Liara."
"Cute," muttered Ashley.
"Come on, I told them that everything is green," Joker said seriously.
"Anything else of interest?" Shepard asked.
"Unless I missed the news break that there is a cure for everybody's favorite pilot, then no."
Once inside the Normandy, Ashley and Raquel headed directly to the medical wing to see Dr. Chakwas. The doctor examined Williams, and was satisfied enough to remove the brace from her leg. "Just don't go gallivanting around recklessly. I don't want to see you back here Chief."
"Understood ma'am," Ashley said with a nod.
"I've got to go set the course for Virmire with Joker. I'll see you later," Shepard said as they exited the room.
Ashley went to the elevator, and as it slowly descended, Ash could only lean against the railing and imagine what Virmire had in store for them.
In case you want to know about Alenko related humor, the guy that did the voice for Alenko is the same guy for Carth in Knights of the Old Republic. Now review!!
