Chapter 14 - A Newer World
"I'm glad to hear the repairs on the Normandy are almost done, Commander. We look forward to welcoming you here on Lunar Base." Admiral Hackett coughed briefly. "Dr Chakwas told me you're ready to resume active duty."
"Thank you, sir. Yes, I feel fine." Susannah took a deep breath. It was more or less true. Her leg still hurt on occasion, but she had taken up her fitness regimen again, and she was eager to take back the reins.
"Good. However, there's one other thing." Hackett's face turned stern. "From what I've heard, you have a… situation there on board that's incompatible with Alliance regulations. Is that correct?"
Shit. She should have known it was too good to last. Fighting back a blush, she nodded. "That is correct, sir. But Lieutenant Vega-"
"I'm sure I don't need to tell you that I can't turn a blind eye to this, Shepard. The war is over. We have to get back to normal." The crisp, clipped voice carried a distinct undertone of reproof.
"Of course, sir." Susannah swallowed, but she kept her gaze straight ahead.
"The way I see it, Lieutenant Vega will have to transfer to another ship in due course," Hackett continued. "Until then, there's only one thing I can do."
"Sir?" Her heart was beating wildly. This sounded ominous. She didn't want to be separated from James. Not right now. She knew it was unavoidable in the long run. But-
"I have to relieve you of your command of the Normandy. Major Alenko will remain in charge until you have come up with a better solution." Was that a wink? Susannah wasn't sure. "I'm sure you can work something out, Commander. Hackett out."
Susannah slumped back into her chair. Major Alenko will remain in charge. Of course. Kaidan had taken over command of the ship while she was out of action. It was the obvious solution. Still, it hurt. She'd come to regard the Normandy as hers. My ship. My baby.
Reaching for the comm link again, she sighed deeply. "Kaidan? Could you come up to my cabin? We need to talk."
The conversation turned out far easier than she had feared. Kaidan was utterly calm and relaxed about the whole thing. "It's just a formality, Susannah. You know it as well as I do. The Normandy's still your ship, and I wouldn't want to take her from you. Besides …" Was that a blush on his face? "I'd be facing much the same problem as you in the long run. Steve and I-"
Susannah didn't bother to hide her delighted grin. "Really? Well, it's a good thing Hackett doesn't know about this."
"True." Kaidan bit his lip. "But, you know, I was talking to James last night and he happened to mention your plans for the future. And seeing as I am in command of this ship for the time being, there is actually something I could do for the two of you."
"You mean-" Susannah held her breath.
"I double-checked the regulations." Kaidan took her hand. "If you want, I can marry the two of you, as soon as you want. Just let me know."
"Kaidan! You-" Catching his gaze, she swallowed back a tear. She didn't have the words to tell him how much this meant to her. But she was pretty sure he knew anyway.
"You're NOT carrying me over the threshold." Susannah sounded so indignant James had to bite back a grin. "This is my cabin."
"Well, technically it's Kaidan's now," James amended dryly. "Nice of him to let us keep it for our honeymoon."
But he put her down to the floor and let her walk in on her own. She might be his wife now, but she was still first and foremost Commander Shepard. And when he'd spoken his wedding vows, he had meant every word of it. I will trust, respect and support you. Forever.
The ceremony in the shuttle bay had been everything they could have dreamt of. Kaidan had fulfilled his role beautifully, his face earnest, yet full of genuine affection. They'd been surrounded by their friends and crew, everyone sharing in their happiness. Garrus had been her best man, and Steve his, and afterwards the pilot had taken them for a ride in the shuttle, with a just married banner affixed to the back. There'd been laughter and teasing and good food. A perfect day.
And now the Normandy was on her way to Lunar Base. They were alone and Shepard was walking down the steps in front of him, her hips swinging seductively. Locking the door behind him, he followed her eagerly. She spun around to face him, and he was just about to pull her in his arms, when she lost her footing and tumbled backwards.
He lunged after her, but ended up nearly hitting the cabin's wall. "Ouch!"
"EDI?" Shepard looked around in confusion. "What's going on here?"
"Oops, Commander, it seems some of the gravitational systems need further calibrating. I can't think why-" The disembodied voice was practically dripping with regret.
"You're doing this on purpose!" Shepard's face was flushed with anger.
"Me? On purpose?" It shouldn't have been possible for an AI to communicate such an air of wounded innocence. Especially when the sentiment was clearly fake.
Shepard took a deep breath, ready to launch into a furious rant.
Catching her in his arms and pulling her close, James breathed a feather light kiss on her neck. "Lola. Let them have their fun." The kiss turned more insistent as his hands tightened around their waist and he whispered in her ear. "I'm pretty sure the last laugh will be on us." Raising his voice again, he addressed their invisible audience. "EDI. Give us some privacy, please. Now."
"Of course, Lieutenant." There was genuine warmth in the mechanical inflections.
Shepard shook her head. "Really, Joker is such a bad influence on her." But she was soft as putty in his arms now, her faint grumble of protest turning into a long drawn-out moan as he licked her earlobe.
Getting naked was no easy feat, though, with all the wobbling and bouncing brought about by the unstable gravity setting. When an attempt to open her bra clasp nearly catapulted Shepard into a somersault, she dissolved into helpless giggles.
"Lola!" He tried to remain serious, to preserve the mood, but it was no use. He was entangled in one pants leg, unable to find the leverage to get it off, and the sight of him sent her into further fits of laughter.
For a moment he, too, cursed EDI and Joker for their practical joke. But then amusement won out. "Come here."
Together they managed to peel each other out of their clothes, and from then on things got a lot easier. Holding on to the bedframe for stability, she wrapped her legs around his neck. He smiled as an idea hit him. Once he had her in a secure grip, he started lapping at her, and when she cried out, he gently nudged her hands loose. "Let go, Lola."
A tiny push of his feet sent them both up in the air, his tongue still teasing her shivering flesh. "God, James." Her voice was dreamy. "This is like floating on a very naughty cloud. Don't stop."
He grinned smugly, but if he was quite honest, he had no idea how to proceed from there. It was… weird and amazing and totally new, a bit like discovering sex for the second time. Shepard seemed to have some ideas of her own, though. Stopping him with a gesture, she turned very carefully, bending her own body almost double and sliding along his, until she could return the favour.
He gasped hard. Her tongue did fabulous things to him, and he was confused as to why it felt so different until he realized that she was coming at him from a completely new angle. One they would never have managed within the confines of the bed, or at least not without considerable discomfort. Interesting. He focused on this new discovery, trying to find spots on her body he'd never caressed before, and he was so caught up in making her squirm and whimper that he hardly noticed the gradual increase in gravity until they softly sank into the sheets again.
And just like that the dreamy lassitude turned into something far more urgent. Shepard was just as eager as he was. No wonder. A quick glance at the clock told him they'd spent almost an hour up there, showering each other with caresses. Talk about extended foreplay. He sent a silent thank you to EDI and Joker, aware he'd never have been able to summon so much patience without their little trick.
But now the time for patience was over. He spread her wide, sliding between her legs and inside her in one smooth stroke. They were still not quite back to standard gravity settings, so he didn't have to worry about smothering her with his weight. But he could move properly again, and he didn't waste another moment. Her legs were wrapped tight around his waist, her heels digging into the small of his back, and he felt so close to her, so incredibly close, melting into her, their bodies moving in the same rhythm, so beautiful it made him want to cry.
His orgasm washed over him like a smooth warm wave, filling every fibre of his body with light and happiness. She clung tight to him all the way through it, sighing softly, and he knew she was there with him, just as overwhelmed as he was. Perfect.
Susannah emerged from the shower with a bright smile on her face, eager to rejoin James in bed. But as she passed her desk, she was stopped by the signal announcing an incoming vid call. Admiral Hackett. Quickly she slipped into a long tunic and took the call, hiding her naked legs under her desk.
"Shepard. I hear congratulations are in order."
"Thank you, sir." Susannah hardly believed her eyes. Had he just smiled?
"Major Alenko told me you're on your way back. That's good news. People here are eager to greet our heroes, Shepard. Expect a bunch of promotions for everyone on the ship once you return." The admiral was back to his usual business-like tone. "Major Alenko has plans to teach at the Academy, I'm told, so the Normandy will be all yours again. Captain Shepard. Has a nice ring to it. "
Susannah nodded, feeling mildly dazed by the flood of good news. "Sir. That's-"
"Oh, and Shepard? Please give Lieutenant Vega my regards. On your return, he will resume his N7 training. We expect a lot of him, you know." Hackett coughed. "The Council has agreed to nominate several more human Spectres in the near future. I'm sure the Lieutenant will be interested to hear this."
"I'm sure he will. But, Sir?" Susannah tried to read Hackett's face, but he was far too wary to give anything away. "How long have you known about all of this? I mean, did you know when-"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Shepard." Hackett dismissed her with a gesture. "Enjoy your honeymoon, Commander. See you soon. Hackett out."
Throwing off her tunic, she sauntered back to the bed where James was still stretched out lazily. "Did you hear?"
"Every word." He pulled her back under the blanket, spooning her from behind. "Sly old fox. Just like him to shake you up a bit when he already knew he'd give the ship back to you later."
She arched back into his warmth, eager to feel his skin on hers. "Still, you'll have to leave the Normandy. I wish there was another way, but-"
"Hey." His hand was warm and sure on her hip. "It's fine. We'll manage. There'll be shore leaves and days off, and we will find a way to see each other. I'll miss you but it will only be temporary."
"True. If they really make you a Spectre, maybe we can work together." Susannah turned on her back, her gaze wandering up to the big skylight above them. The vast star scape surrounding them was wide open, ready to be explored. Full of new challenges, adventures, experiences. "Come, my friends, 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world," she quoted under her breath.
"Hm?" James gave her a questioning look.
"It's a line from a poem Ashley used to recite. It seems fitting." Susannah's chest felt as if it would burst with happiness. She was here, in his arms, about to start a new life. The Reaper threat that had loomed over them for so long was gone. They were alive and they were free. She couldn't ask for anything more.
* The end *
Giant hugs and thanks to zevgirl for all her help with this, and many many thanks to all of you for reading, reviewing, faving and generally letting me know you enjoyed the story. And if you miss Susannah and James, you can read more about them in "Saving It All for You" and "Kiss and Tell".