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23 July 2183 — Shepard's Quarters, SSV Normandy, en route to the Mu Relay
"Commander! Commander!"
Shepard groaned. "Didn't I turn off the fucking comm?!" he muttered into Corinthia's hair. He dragged her back even more tightly against his chest, still unable to believe that she'd agreed to spend the night.
"The Council is calling. They won't hang up and they're saying that they have to talk to you, not Ci-Ci."
Shepard flopped onto his back, pulling Corinthia with him. "Cassie, can't you do something?"
"No," she answered, voice muffled by his arms. "Just talk to them. And put on a shirt this time."
He stumbled to his feet, somehow found his way into his clothing, and staggered into the comm room, still barefoot. From the way his head was throbbing, he felt like he was hung over. That meant that any interactions that he would have in the immediate future would be grumpy, curt, and unpleasant.
Of course, he had to be talking to the Council. And they were probably already pissed at him.
"This is going to be beautiful," he muttered, opening the channel.
The Council appeared, each of their holograms frowning.
"Commander, how pleasant to see you in person," the asari began.
Shepard yawned and rubbed his eyes. "You're lucky that you caught me waking up on the right side of the bed. What the hell do you want? I have better things that I could be doing. Like chasing Saren and killing that bastard before he does something even more stupid."
"You are to return to the Citadel immediately," Tevos continued, as if she hadn't heard him.
Sparatus nodded, his mandibles twitching a little. "Your task was to track Saren and prove his guilt, not apprehend and execute him."
Valern tapped a finger to his lips, salarian eyes blinking rapidly. "If you do not return, your Spectre status will be revoked."
Shepard gritted his teeth and cut off the transmission before he started shouting at them. "Joker! Get us to the Citadel. Mother fucking manipulative politician slime..."
"Gotcha, Commander," Joker answered. "So... What did they want?"
"Fuck off, Joker."
"Fucking off, sir."
25 July 2183—Docks, the Citadel, Serpent Nebula
Shore leave for the crew of the Normandy was an almost solemn affair. The burden of Williams's death still hung on their shoulders like a shroud. It was too much to hope that everyone would return to the Normandy in perfect fighting shape, but so long as the air cleared and everyone could focus, Shepard couldn't care less.
It never, ever boded well when he was recalled from a mission, especially if when he had been made a Spectre for the sole purpose of retrieving the turian bastard. He tugged at his stiff collar. Dress uniform. Why couldn't he just go in armor? They always ended up in a fight, anyway.
"Anderson says we're to report to the Council Chambers in two hours," Corinthia said, coming up behind him.
Shepard turned, his mouth flopping open when he saw her. Sure, he'd seen her in dress blues before, but never with her hair actually done and let alone with makeup on. He could see her eyes... and her scars, but he'd long since thought those made her beautiful.
"What?" she asked, cheeks flushing. "Do I have lipstick on my teeth? I'm pretty sure that I put it on correctly..."
"You look..." he started, but the words wouldn't come out. Why was it so damn hard to compliment her?
She smiled, shuffling her feet a little. "Thanks, John. If I trip in these heels, you get to catch me."
"Just don't do it in front of the Council." His eyes flicked to the elevator. "Is it just us going?"
"Everyone else is ready to come defend you," Corinthia replied, stepping closer to him. She winced as her heels clicked against the metal floor. "You just have to ask."
"As if."
"Okay, fine. You just have to make sure that you don't tell them they can't come."
"Uh, what?"
"Do you want me to tell them to suit up or not?"
"I..."
She opened her omni-tool. "Alenko! Garrus! Y'all are on. Get Liara and Tali. Hell, get Wrex, too, if he's still up for it."
"Understood, Lieutenant Commander. We'll meet you by the Council Elevator. I'm sure you and the Commander will want some time to yourselves," Alenko replied.
"Yes, something like that," Corinthia murmured, ending the transmission. "So... do you want to grab a drink first?"
"Yes," he answered without hesitation. He took her hand and started for the elevators. When she pulled away, he glared at her. "What the hell was that?"
"That was because we're in uniform," she answered quietly. "We can't be together, not like that."
"Damn it..." He started unbuttoning his jacket. "A man can't even have a drink with his girlfriend without there being strings attached."
Corinthia laughed and brushed his hands aside as she re-buttoned his jacket. "After we talk to the Council, we'll go out and have a real date, alright? Before... Well, who knows what will happen on the other side of the Mu Relay," she finished.
Shepard took her hands. He hated it when she felt afraid, but at least this time she wasn't afraid of him. "We're going to get him," he said, his tone making it clear that there was no room for argument. "Then we're going to be together and the Alliance can just deal with it."
She took a deep breath and nodded. After a moment, she gave him a weak smile. "Okay." She squeezed his hands. "Let's get that drink."
The Council Chambers, Presidium Ward, the Citadel, Serpent Nebula
"Are you FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" Shepard yelled, reaching for his pistol. Corinthia and Alenko grabbed his arms and tried to drag him back under control. "I've been putting my ass on the line and you STILL don't believe me?! What the fuck is wrong with you? I don't have time to sit with my dick in my hands and wait for Saren to come to me. We have one opportunity to get him by surprise and you're telling me to jerk off?! Fuck you."
"Commander, behave yourself," Tevos warned, not sounding in the least bit intimidated. "It is this sort of behavior that has led us to decide that we will wait for Saren to move first. From here on, the Normandy is grounded. You are relieved of duty, Commander. Consider yourself lucky that you are still a Spectre." Her eyes shifted to Corinthia. "Lieutenant Commander Corinthia, from henceforth you are the commanding officer aboard the Normandy. You will await Alliance orders. That is all. Dismissed."
Corinthia saluted. "Yes, ma'am. C'mon, Shepard. There's no point in us staying here."
Even if he hadn't thought it possible, he was actually angry with her, but as he rounded on her to yell some more, she pinched his arm. He almost jumped and, once he'd calmed enough to meet her eyes and saw the deviousness there, had to hold back a smirk as his anger abated. She had a plan and it was a damn good one.
Somehow managing to resist the temptation to flick off the Council, Shepard left. Everyone just parted and gave him a clear path towards the elevators.
Alenko whistled. "This is going to get interesting."
Garrus nodded. "That's why I'm about to go buy better armor."
"Good idea."
Common Deck, SSV Normandy
Shepard's biotics flared as he pounded his fist into his locker. The metal warped and bent like tinfoil.
"Damn, Shep, you really need to stop punching things," Corinthia said, stepping forward. "You're going to deform your hands."
"Does it look like I care?" he growled, leaning against the deformed locker with one hand on either side of the door. Well, what was left of it.
She wriggled her way under his arms so that he was boxing her in. "You will when you have to shoot something." She turned about (somewhat awkwardly) kissed his knuckles, and waved her omni-tool to apply a dose of medi-gel. The pain, which wasn't substantial to begin with, faded into cool relief.
"There is a doctor aboard," he informed her. Still, his lips twitched into a small, grateful smile.
"And you're sitting here moping."
"I'm not moping."
She shrugged. "Suit yourself."
He sighed and hung his head. "So what's your plan, Commander?"
"Oh, stop it. You're still the Commander and I'm just... holding the fort? I guess that's the right phrase... Anyway, it involves us being very sneaky and doing super-extra sneaky things —"
"Just shut up and tell me what it is."
"In a word? Mutiny. In a few? Commandeer the Normandy and finish the job."
Shepard smirked and leaned forward to kiss her forehead. "That's my girl."
She giggled. "Glad you like it. Because you're the one that'll get in trouble for it, you know."
"I can handle it. What needs to be done?"
"A lot. So, it kinda means no date..."
"Yeah..." He grabbed her waist and dragged her against his chest. "So let me give you the synopsis."
Before she could argue or point out that they weren't exactly alone, he had ferociously captured her lips, teeth grazing her skin and tongue battering for entrance. He didn't show that kind of aggression often, but she actually liked it. A lot. It made her knees shake. She ran her hands along his back, nails digging in just ever so slightly—
And, of course, just when things were getting good, Joker interrupted.
"Hey, Commander... Well, Commanders, as the case is now, isn't it? Anderson wants you to meet him in Flux. Didn't say what he wanted, though. Are we really grounded?".
Shepard wrenched away from Corinthia, trying to catch his breath. "Joker, I swear to God, if you're spying on us..."
"What? I don't know what you're talking about," Joker answered, too quickly for comfort.
Corinthia shook her head. "Tell Anderson that the Commander and I will be there."
"Yeah, just make sure your clothes are straight when you get there."
Shepard put his hand behind Corinthia's head and pulled her back to him. "Joker, f —"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Fucking off, sir."
25 July 2183—Flux, Market Ward, the Citadel, Serpent Nebula
Flux was alive and packed with bodies. Shepard shifted his arm protectively to the small of Corinthia's back and pulled her closer to him. He could see men's eyes sliding over her. Jealousy slithered and hissed, ready to strike and anything that regarded her for more than a passing moment. Since they were in their uniforms this time, he could actually touch her in public and make it known that she was not to be touched by anyone else.
Corinthia pulled his arm off her waist, murmuring, "Anderson's over there." She jerked her head to a table in a corner. The Captain sat hunched over a glass of whiskey, looking like anything but a decorated war hero. He was dressed casually, making him almost impossible to spot amidst the crowd.
"If he doesn't know by now..." Shepard answered.
"He's going to keep feigning ignorance until we actually make the knowledge public," she answered. "Do you want me to be assigned somewhere else?"
"I hate it when you're right." Shepard withdrew with difficulty and led the way to Anderson.
The Captain smiled wearily. "Shepard, Ci-Ci. Sit down, please."
They did. Shepard leaned forward. "So, what do you want?"
Anderson folded his hands, watching his palms rather than the officers before him. "I'm going to cut to the chase. The Alliance and the Council aren't happy with how you've been conducted this investigation, Shepard."
"No shit," Shepard muttered.
Anderson acted as if he hadn't heard. "That's why they put Ci-Ci in charge. They think that she'll act according to their expectations."
Shepard snorted. "With me still aboard? As if."
"My thoughts exactly," Anderson continued. "If I know the two of you, you already have a plan. I think I can help."
Corinthia raised an eyebrow. "So... are you giving us orders to misbehave?"
"I wouldn't have phrased it like that, but that's the essence of it." Anderson chuckled.
Shepard crossed his arms. "And will you assume responsibility for our actions?"
"You know I can't do that, Shepard. You'll need me on your side if this goes wrong."
Corinthia put her hand over Shepard's mouth before he could say something else. "How do you plan on helping us, Captain?"
"I can get you off of the Citadel," Anderson replied.
"Joker will think it's a blast," Corinthia observed. "How are you going to override the system? You'd have to break into the Citadel Control."
"I can lift the lockdown from Udina's office, too," Anderson added.
Shepard nodded. "Do it that way. If he's there, punch him for me. If he's not, wait around for him to get there and then punch him for me."
Anderson chuckled. "I intend to." Anderson stood up. "You should both relax a little and get some rest. You won't have another opportunity for a while. Besides, you look like you need it." He picked up his drink, toasted them, drained the glass, and left.
Corinthia almost slid out of her chair. "That took care of the biggest obstacle... I was going to have to go through some pretty sketchy channels to get that lockdown lifted."
"What about the crew?"
"I didn't tell them command was changed. Did you?"
"Did Pressley?"
"You can... I don't know, tie me up and throw me in the brig?"
Shepard smirked. "More like my bed."
Her eyes widened. "W-wait, y-you're not into that stuff, are you?"
"The real question is if you are."
She turned bright red. "I need a drink before we even talk about this." She raised a hand to call over a server. "A double Alabama Slammer and a double bourbon on the rocks," she ordered.
"We aren't here to get drunk," Shepard growled.
"Then you can carry me home. Besides, we can plot our next moves. And the motivational speeches. You're going to have to tell the crew what's going on and you're going to have to make them agree. Not that it'll be hard. It's kinda impossible not to like you."
"This coming from the girl who's had a crush on me since she first met me."
She shrugged. "Eh, mostly. It kinda passed for a while after Torfan."
"Of course you have to bring that up..." he groaned. He knocked back his drink when the server brought it.
Corinthia giggled. "Then again, you were man enough to order me a Tootie Frootie Patootie."
"Don't remind me," he muttered. "I still don't think I've recovered from the shame of that."
They lapsed into silence, broken only when Corinthia thanked the server for the drinks. She was trying not to think about the upcoming mutiny, wondering if Shepard was doing the same. He was idly toying with her fingers.
She squeezed his hand. "Do you want to go back to the Normandy?"
He shook his head imperceptibly. He wanted to go experience freedom while he had the chance, to look at the skyline or just do something other than sit in Flux getting drunk… After downing her drink for her, he stood up suddenly, wrenching Corinthia's arm uncomfortably.
"You okay?," he muttered, helping her to her feet a little more gently. Unfortunately, escape wasn't an option. Responsibility loomed over him, cackling maniacally and beckoning him into the void. He impulsively pulled Corinthia against his chest. She pounded his chest, her cries of protest muffled. He loosed his grip a little and she gasped for breath.
"What's gotten into you?" she sputtered, rubbing her throat. "You're acting…" She ended her sentence with a vague, frazzled gesture. "Maybe we should go back to the Normandy. You look like you could use some rest."
He rubbed his eyes wearily. "Probably. It's a lot to take in."
"Tell me about it." She got behind him and pushed him towards the door. "C'mon, you big lump. Let's get you home."
"You mean the Normandy?"
"Yep."
"It's…" She was right, in a sense: the Normandy was home, though it was possibly just because she was there, too. "Whatever," he concluded weakly. Fighting her wasn't worth the effort. Fighting Saren was.
Shepard stood at the Galaxy Map, feeling like he was on the edge of a tidal wave. The world seemed to have slowed down while he moved double-time. It might have been because he was drunk, but right then he didn't care. He had to speak before he forgot what he was going to say. He reached for the intercom.
"Attention. This is Commander Shepard," he started. His bark echoed in the halls as everyone fell silent. "As some of you may have heard, the Alliance has grounded us and Ci-Ci is now supposed to be your commanding officer. That's not happening."
He took a breath, waiting to hear a murmur of discontent. None came.
"I'm not going to let Saren get away with this. There's too much at stake here. No one's been court martialed for following orders, but I'm taking the Normandy and going after Saren myself. This isn't an Alliance operation. This isn't a Spectre operation. This is just good, old fashioned revenge and we're serving it cold. If you don't want to come, now's the time to get your ass off of my ship. If you don't, you're going to be walking into Hell and I'm not making any promises. We leave in an hour." He hung up, leaning heavily on the rail. No one in the crew had moved. They all stared at him, transfixed, their expressions torn between fear and awe.
Joker coughed awkwardly. "Alright, Commander. Now that that shit's out of the way, where are we going?"
A great weight lifted off Shepard's chest. Everyone returned to their posts. Corinthia smiled and winked at him. "Where the hell do you think? Take us to the goddamn Mu Relay. Ci-Ci, signal Anderson. I'll be in my quarters if you need anything."
She saluted. "Aye, aye, cap'n. We be sailing the high seas, looking for adventure, treasure, and rum. Lots of rum."
"Ci-Ci?"
"Hm?"
"No."
