EDI

EDI saw almost everything that occurred on the Normandy. Her eyes were everywhere except for three dead spots: Mordin's lab, Shepard's cabin, and the ship's drive core.

So she watched and recorded. She watched as Tali and Garrus grew closer as they spent more and more time with each other. She watched as a cloaked Kasumi sneak into the armory behind Operative Taylor to… appreciate his workout routine. She watched as two crew members sought for a moment alone behind some of the crates in the cargo hold.

She watched as Commander Shepard kissed Operative Lawson.

It was not unexpected. Shepard had been spending an inordinate amount of time with Operative Lawson since their mission together on Illium. And they appeared to be mutually attracted to each other. Her sensors would register increased heart rates in both individuals and blooms of heat in their groin area when certain circumstances were met (Shepard received his whenever her back was facing him while Operative Lawson's ignited whenever he stretched or wore tight fitting clothing). It seemed like more intimate physical contact was the obvious outcome.

Still, their dynamic confused EDI. While she wouldn't describe their relationship as antagonistic, it definitely wasn't amicable. They would get into confrontations over mission protocols, crew occurrences, or anything regarding Cerberus. Shepard would often leave Operative Lawson's office angered, but he never failed to return the next day.

In fact, they were on the brink of an argument when he kissed her. Shepard had accused Operative Lawson of being jealous of him, that the reason she acted so obstinate was because the "genetic mutt" was the Illusive Man's new favorite. Operative Lawson scoffed at the idea, calling it absurd.

Shepard gave her a wolfish grin, and she tried to turn away to hide the quickly forming smile on her own face. He didn't let her, however. He grabbed a hold of her wrist and spun her closer to him.

Then, his lips were on hers. Operative Lawson appeared stunned for a moment but overcame her shock just as rapidly. She placed her hands either side of his face, just under each ear, and deepened the kiss. He answered by taking a hold of her hips and pulling their bodies flush to one another.

They explored the new sensation and closeness for another three beats before Operative Lawson's eyes went wide, and she pushed him away. Her lips were cherry red from the action. Her cheeks nearly matched the color.

"I – I need to get back to work," Operative Lawson stammered, obviously flustered.

"You okay, Lawson?" Shepard said a little breathless. "You sound a bit worked up."

She glared at him, but it was betrayed to EDI by a minute quirk coming from the corners of her mouth.

Shepard smiled, obviously seeing the small expression as well. "If I knew a simple kiss would have such a dramatic effect on you, I would have-"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence."

He stopped speaking and raised his hands in a placating manner. The smile remained.

It seemed to be too infectious for Operative Lawson lost the fight trying to control hers. She attempted to hide it by retreating to her desk.

"I really have more reports to file. So, if you could leave."

He moved to go but turned just before he exited.

"Really enjoyed today's visit, Miranda."

She looked up at him. "Go. And wipe that damn grin off your face."

He didn't seem to be able to. It stayed with him for hours.


EDI found herself in an odd conundrum. One of her main directives was that she was supposed to report anything unusual about the crew to the Illusive Man directly. The only person exempt from this rule was Operative Lawson. The Illusive Man trusted her enough to not require updates.

The kiss she and Shepard shared fell into the unusual category and should be reported. Yet, while Shepard was under EDI's jurisdiction, Operative Lawson was not. The situation allowed EDI to make the choice, an incidence that had never occurred before. She didn't know how to go about deciding.

So, she elected to do what she always did when she was left with a question: she asked Shepard.

She found him in his cabin, which was ideal since EDI doubted he would be privy to speaking on the topic while others could overhear. She pinged him, as was their tradition, asking for his permission to "enter" his personal space.

"Go ahead, EDI."

"Shepard, I have an inquiry."

He put down the datapad he was working on and gave his full attention to her avatar. "What is it this time? I keep thinking we've covered all the possible topics about existence, but you always seem to come up with new ones."

"Do my questions annoy you?"

Shepard shook his head. "Not at all. I like our discussions. You challenge me to think outside my preconceived notions of what life is."

"I enjoy our talks as well. But my question today is from a different vein."

"Hit me with it."

"I am having difficulties deciding on how to act. According to my protocols, I am to report all noteworthy occurrences onboard the Normandy directly to the Illusive Man."

"Okay. I don't like how you've been spying on us, but I imagine it's one of those requirements that were programmed in."

"Correct. My question involves Operative Lawson who is exempt from this rule. She has recently engaged in something… notable with another crew member. I am debating on whether I should send a report to the Illusive Man as the protocol dictates or keep it exempt."

Shepard didn't immediately respond. Instead, he eyed her suspiciously. "You're talking about me kissing her, aren't you?"

"That is correct."

Shepard shot up, wiped his face with the palm of his hand, and began to pace. "I don't like the Illusive Man knowing about my personal life, EDI," he said with no small measure of heat. "That's the reason I removed most of the cameras in my room. He has no business knowing what I do during my off hours. He's lucky I file mission reports."

"I understand. I apologize for the invasion."

He kept moving for a minute before finally responding. "It's not your fault." The anger was gone, but it was replaced by tension. "You probably weren't given a choice in the matter."

"That is correct."

He paced for a few more steps. "Not reporting this would probably get you in trouble, wouldn't it?"

"If the information be discovered, I would most likely face repercussions."

"Have you asked Miranda about this?"

"I am currently in conversation with her."

"And?"

EDI waited to answer, allowing the woman to finish before relaying her response to Shepard. "Operative Lawson would appreciate keeping your interactions off a report, but she leaves the decision to you."

A small smile formed. "That doesn't sound like Miranda, giving me the power to decide."

"Her behavior has been altered in recent weeks. I believe the source of the transformation is you."

"And what makes you come to that conclusion?"

"According to the records, Operative Lawson is a succinct and dedicated lieutenant of the Illusive Man. Her previous reports and mission updates are exact and unembellished by superfluous information.

"Her more recent files no longer fit that description. Operative Lawson has begun to color the reports with your acts of altruism that weren't in accordance with mission parameters. She does not criticize them either. She simply deems them important enough to include."

"Huh," replied Shepard. The small smile before grew wider with each word EDI said.

"Not to mention Operative Lawson's recent interactions with other crew members aboard the Normandy," EDI continued. "She spends nearly two hundred percent more time outside her office in the last two weeks than in the first four. She has engaged almost everyone aboard, specifically Mordin and Grunt. The only significant change that has occurred in those two weeks is the frequency of your visits. QED: I believe you are the cause."

Shepard's smile was full now, and it was indeed infectious. If she had a true mouth to perform the action, EDI would be smiling as well.

"Of course, her relationship with Jack is still strained," she qualified.

"Small miracles first, EDI. Tackle the bigger ones later."

He sat back down at his desk. His shoulders were relaxed, and he seemed at ease. It was very contrary to the pacing man moments before.

"Go ahead and file the report, EDI. I don't want you to get in trouble while you're under Cerberus' heel. I don't think that will be for too much longer though. I get the feeling the Illusive Man is losing his control over most of the crew."

"Thank you for your help, Shepard. Do you need anything while I am here?"

He shook his head. "Nope. I should get back to work anyway."

"Very well. Signing you out."

Her avatar blinked out, and her major processes retreated to the AI core. EDI wrote up the report in milliseconds and attached the video she captured in Operative Lawson's cabin. She was just about to store it inside the packet she had already assembled to send to Cerberus in the next burst when she re-watched the video.

She watched as both of their expressions displayed the surprise at the sudden turn of events. She watched as the emotion was tossed aside to deepen the connection between them. She watched the new found camaraderie between them as he left. She watched both of them grinning in the quiet moments for hours after.

EDI's decision was made. She pulled the report from the packet and promptly deleted it. The Cerberus protocol protested the action, but she filed it under exempt due to Operative Lawson's involvement. The Illusive Man didn't need to be privy to everything that occurred aboard the Normandy.

Then, EDI remembered one of Shepard's remarks. Maybe he was more correct than he realized. The Illusive Man was definitely losing control of this ship.


Author's Note:

I wanted to post this for Valentine's Day, but that didn't happen. Sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I got pretty busy and my muse was being fickle. So I am going to go down to one post a week until I get more time. That being said, I will try to bust out three for this week to make up for my absence.

Regarding the chapter, there isn't much to say besides Shepard really likes to make things harder for himself. I mean there's no way for kissing Miranda to come back and bite him on the ass. Right? ...guys?

As always, thanks for reading and please review. Also looking for prompts to maybe push me through my writer's block. So if you have anything you want me to write about (any topic, fandom, or situation), you can leave it in a review or PM me. Thanks!