Author's Note: This is the first of my Friday gift for you. Two chapters! Huzzah.

I know, I love you too.
This chapter is fun. Shepard doges her one night stand, a fan, and a reporter.

Enjoy!

Bioware owns all.

Chapter fourteen

A ringing chime sounds, waking Shepard from a sound sleep. She blinks bleary eyes, Looking up from the bed. She's laying on her stomach, right arm pressed under her, the other stretched out in front of her. She can feel her legs are intertwined with the Consorts'.

The chime goes off again. She drops her head to the bed. The chime switches to a shrill beeping. She groans, and looks around for the source. Her omni tool, discarded earlier, is laying in the floor about four feet away. It's glowing red and beeping incessantly. She shifts her weight, trying to free her right arm, then has to bite the bed to muffle a yell as pain shoots through her arm.

She sighs heavily then quickly twists over out off the asari's hold. This puts her on her back. No nearer to the damned tool than before. Thankfully, it appears the Consort is a deep sleeper. Shepard rolls out of the bed, then stands. Two strides put her at the tool. Kneeling down she carefully bends her right elbow to press her arm close to her chest. Then grabs the tool and slides the band on her right wrist. The beeping changes in tone again. Softer now that she is wearing the tool. She toggles the icon for an incoming call, noting that there are five previous calls, and that the time is oh five thirty. The call is coming from Anderson. Not wanting to fish for clothes right this moment, or explain her nakedness, she answers the call audio only.

"Shepard." Anderson sounds both relieved and frustrated. "Where are you? What happened?"

She closes her eyes, searching for an answer suitable, when none comes she answers, "I am in an apartment on the presidium. Why?"

"Udina received a reply from the Council. They will see us at oh eight hundred. We need you at your best Shepard. How's that arm?"

She looks at her shoulder, there's no sign of blood coming through, though it aches plenty. "Well enough, sir."

"There's no time for Chakwas to do her surgery. It'll have to wait."

"Aye sir."

"We'll need you to report to the Normandy. Did you bring your dress blues from Arcturus?"

"Yes sir. I'll be leaving now. Where do I need to meet you?"

"Just meet us in the antechamber to the Council room." He logs off and her omni tool fades. She looks up at the bed, glad to see the Consort still asleep. She's not sure what she could say to the woman. One nighters being her specialty, Shepard has always managed to get away before the other party wakes. She quietly collects her things, then changes in the small head off the main room.

She steals downstairs, and through the main hall. Glad when she sees only one acolyte, and she is asleep at the receptionist's desk.

Once back aboard the Normandy. Shepard is so glad that the watch doesn't ask any questions as she steps aboard. As she steps onto the crew deck she starts across, only to be brought up short, seeing Kaidan at a mess table looking at her.

She straightens up and looks at him. "Something you need Lieutenant?" She asks, when he doesn't answer, she walks into her cabin. She knows exactly what he was thinking. How could anyone not think that? Here she is, out all night, and coming in with her pants untucked from her boots, her blouse bundled in her left hand, right in its sling, and wearing only her tank.

Her whole look screamed one night stand. She chuckles to herself as she pulls out her Dress Blue uniform.

She takes a quick shower and then slides into the dark blue and gold trimmed pants, she puts on a dark blue shirt, then slides the tunic like jacket on. It fastens with three gold buttons over the left side of her chest. She fastens these one handed. Looking into the mirror, she adjusts the fit just right, and straightens her commander shoulder bars. There isn't anything to be done about the sling. At least her arm cuts are hidden by the long sleeves, her chest and neck ones as well. The long one across her face is still very visible, the others there have faded to a faint pink, not so obvious.

She gives the front hem of the tunic one last tug as she exits her cabin.

She walks over to the mess and grabs a cup of coffee. Hearing revile she sits down at a table, and thinks on what went on the night before. The Consort's advice and wisdom is unnerving to say the least. Learn to love again? Shepard gave up on that thirteen years ago. And happy to have done so. A good tussle like last night, or with Ellen is all she needs.

She is so absorbed in her thoughts she doesn't see Ashley sit down next to her. "Long night, commander?"

Shepard looks up from her half drank coffee. "Something like that." She says quietly.

"Was it at least a good night?" A teasing smile tugs Ashley's lips and Shepard has to suppress a groan.

"You could say that." She goes back to drinking her coffee.

"Anyone special?"

This time Shepard does glare. "It was nothing. Leave off." She stands up abruptly, grabbing her coffee cup. "I understand the curiosity, honest I do. But I have no intentions on talking about it."

"Aye Ma'am." Ashley responds automatically.

Shepard makes a half hearted grunt, deposits her cup in the sink. Then turns and walks up to the bridge passing through the CIC to the bridge.

"Good morning Commander." Joker greets her from his chair. He turns around to face her, "So, who's the lucky guy?"

She glares at him, "Girl. And I don't want to talk about it."

His dumbfounded expression brings a brief smile to her face, "Well, then. Huh." He turns his chair back around. "Wouldn't have pegged that one." She hears him mumble as she exits the ship through the airlock.

Stepping off the lift into c-sec an Alliance private steps forward to meet her.

"Excuse me. You're, you're Commander Shepard right?" He sounds excited, like a school boy meeting a celebrity.

"Yes, I am." she hedges cautiously. "Can I help you?"

"Oh man! How amazing!" He crows out gleefully. "Wow! The Commander Shepard. Wow, ma'am I'm a huge fan. Your biggest. How you survived Akuze. Made N7. The hero of Eden Prime. Wow!"

She shies back a bit from his over enthusiasm. "Well, um. Thanks. I guess."

"Hey, would you, would you like to give me your autograph? My wife would be over the moon."

She somehow doubts his wife is going to be the one flipping for a signature. "Um, sure. Why not?" He pulls out a marker and she signs his holopad. "There you are then."

"Wow! Thanks!" He cries then runs off.

"What was that about?" She turns and sees Kaidan and Ashley stepping off the lift. Kaidan turns to watch the man run by. "You have a fan?"

"The biggest, apparently." Shepard shakes her head over the folly of it.

"I weep for the species." Ashley jokes. Both of them are in their Dress blues as well. Ashley tugging nervously at hers. They fit her, but not perfectly. A crew member probably loaned them to her.

"Well, time to go kiss the Council's ass, and pray for a decent outcome." Shepard leads them onto the transit that will take them to the Council Tower.

Stepping out of the transit, a young woman calls out, she appears to be of oriental lineage. Shepard goes over to her. A hovercam is just above the woman's right shoulder.

"Hello. I'm Emily Wong. I'm with Citadel News Net."

Shepard groans internally. Then forces a polite smile on her face. "How can I help you, Miss Wong?"

"I heard you have been investigating Spectre Arterius. But the specifics are all hush, hush. I was curious if, once the investigation is through, if you might give an interview?"

"You understand that even once it's finished, a lot will still be classified, right?"

"I know. I'm just looking to give folks real news, instead of hyped up supermodels. And the fuss that's been raised thus far is news. I'd like an inside angle."

"We'll see." Shepard just nods politely. "If you'll excuse us? We are due for a meeting with the Council." She doesn't wait for an answer, instead she strides past the woman and up the stairs.