Shepard slowly woke up and stretched languidly under the bed cover while his eyes fluttered open, he felt a pleasant warmth and weight pressed on his side, Miranda's scent filled his nose and her warm breath was on his cheek and ear. Their arms draped around each other and legs entwined. Shepard had been in bed most of the evening the other day, with his head feeling like it would explode he had went to bed fairly quickly after checking up on Grunt, but now he felt much better. He looked at Miranda and Shepard concluded, as he usually did, how lucky he was, and felt a twinge of guilt when his fingertips trailed circles on the soft skin of her lower back, she was a light sleeper and looked so beautiful and at peace sleeping.
Miranda let out a content purr and stretched a bit to and looked at him sleepy, a smile broke out.
"Sorry," Shepard said sheepishly and turned his head to face her.
"Don't be," Miranda murmured and they shared a kiss, "I slept well. How's your head?"
"Much better, thank you," Shepard smiled back.
Miranda squeezed his body tighter, "Good."
"Well, we don't need to get breakfast just yet, with the day shift and the Marines it'll be crowded," Shepard said.
Miranda hummed content being where she was, "Good. I don't mind lying here for a while."
"That makes us two," Shepard smiled. He continued evenly, "I was actually thinking of throwing a party during the shore leave."
"A party?" Miranda asked.
Shepard nodded, "Yeah. The problem is finding a venue. I was thinking of invading a hotel bar or a night club, but it might be problematic securing said venue for a private party. After all people are partying heavily to get away from the grim reality of the war."
"Oh, I'm sure with your Spectre status that won't be a problem," she pointed out with a grin.
"Yeah, although I don't want to misuse my Spectre status."
Miranda quipped, "What fun is it being Spectre without using the privileges?"
Shepard chuckled, "I guess."
"Who are invited?"
"Our ground team of course, and I was thinking the ship's crew as well. A good time for everyone to just kick back and get happily drunk. Grunt, after his hospital stay of course, and Wrex is in town in talks with the Council so I'll drag those two along. Kelly sent an e-mail the other day, was thinking of asking her as she wants to see me."
"I saw that e-mail," Miranda said evenly.
"Still spying, huh?" Shepard quipped.
"You haven't changed your password," Miranda pointed out.
"No, I haven't. Anyway, was thinking of Samara, if she can and wants to."
"She never struck me as the partying type, though," Miranda mused.
"No, but it would be nice to see everyone. So today I'm going to try and find somewhere to have this little get-together, send out some e-mails and pick a date."
Miranda realized and huffed indignantly, "Jack to?"
"Well, if she's available…" Shepard said.
Miranda frowned annoyed, "Ugh…fine, whatever. As long as she keeps away from me."
"Copy that, Ms. Lawson," Shepard said sympathetically, he knew how much Jack clashed with Miranda, and he wasn't enthusiastic about it. In the end he would have Miranda's back and if forced he would definitely pick Miranda over Jack any time if it came to that. Especially if Jack would be stupid enough to actually try and hurt her.
"Okay," Miranda replied neutrally.
Shepard asked, "We got two days left before we reach the Citadel, have you arranged sleeping quarters for everyone?"
Miranda had spent most of the evening before working at her computer while Shepard rested his head, in that time she had arranged everything.
"Oh, yes. The Alliance was very helpful," she flashed a devilish smirk, "but I guess that was because I communicated with them from your-email."
Shepard chuckled, "Now, Ms. Lawson, impersonating an Alliance officer is a felony."
"What? It felt simpler that way," Miranda said faux innocently.
"I'm sure," Shepard deadpanned. "Just so you know, I'll shower first, you take so long time in there."
Miranda said faux annoyed, "I have very wavy hair, I need time to properly wash and comb it."
Shepard smiled slyly, "Let's talk dirty…" then he deadpanned, "how long time do you actually need?"
Miranda rolled her eyes at his silly antics, "30 minutes. Give or take a few."
Shepard smirked, "Thank god, I don't have that problem."
"I could always shave it and look like Jack," Miranda said derisively and scoffed at the thought of the maladjusted biotic.
"Please don't," Shepard implored. Then he smirked goofy, "How else am I going to pull your hair during sex?"
"Cheeky bastard," Miranda chided.
Shepard strolled through the mess hall after having stayed in bed for some time chatting with Miranda and then taking a shower, and now Miranda could take care of her showering needs in her own time.
The day shift had eaten breakfast earlier so they could get ready to carry out their duties, and a while later so had most of the Marine Special Operators. There was still four seated at the one of the large tables, two male NCO's along with Malaney and Sundberg. Shepard gave the Marines a friendly nod as he walked over to the kitchen and rummaged through the fridge for some food to make a breakfast.
He heard brisk footsteps approach from behind and a soft British/Indian accent greeted, "Well, good morning, Shepard."
Shepard turned and saw Malaney on the other side of the kitchen island who smiled into his blue piercing eyes.
"Morning," Shepard said with a smile. "Did you guys sleep well in the cramped crew quarters with my crew?"
"Please, Shepard. I like getting cozy," the Lieutenant said playfully with a sparkle in her eyes. She only just appeared professional enough while she appreciatively took in his tall and broad-shouldered frame in Alliance BDUs. He looked very manly and confident. She asked friendly, "So, how are you this morning?"
"I'm fine, a bit hungry," Shepard replied cordial. "How are you after Benning?"
Malaney continued, "I don't know, how do I look?"
Shepard faintly smiled and said unfazed, "You look rested."
Jesus Christ, women, Shepard mused astonished to himself. He was a nice guy so he never snapped at women and their advances, not unless they attempted to touch him and invaded his personal space, then he respectfully asked them to stop. His defense against advances was just to be friendly back and ignore the flirting, that usually bored women after a while when he didn't reciprocate with any flirting of his own. And since Malaney and her Marines had been behind enemy lines for days he decided to cut her some slack. Plus, maybe this behavior was just her personality? She had after all eyed up James when she greeted him.
Malaney suddenly laughed musically and placed her hand above her chest, "My apologies, Shepard. I hope you aren't as serious as some men can be. I would hate to see that." She gestured to the table, "Care to join us for breakfast at the table?" She deadpanned, "On your own ship."
Shepard chuckled, "Sure, I'll be there in just a few."
"Great," Malaney replied with a bright smile. "See you there." She turned around and walked away towards the table with a slight sway of her hips, hoping Shepard would take notice, but he had already turned to his food and was oblivious to her movements. Malaney returned to the end of table with a view of the kitchen and sat down at in her chair next to Sundberg who had been chatting with the two other Marines.
The Sergeant smirked and leaned towards her Lieutenant's ear and whispered, "There's a bit of drool in the corner of your mouth, you know."
"Shut up, Sergeant," Malaney hissed.
Sundberg chuckled and turned to her plate of food and ate some. The two other Marines who sat across from each other chuckled as well but Malaney narrowed her eyes at them and they put up their hands defensively but still grinned before they returned to their breakfast and idle chatter.
After a few minutes of preparing the food and a glass of juice, Shepard stashed away everything he had used and walked over to the table.
"Morning," Shepard greeted when he sat down at the table opposite the two women. He began eating a bit from his food.
The three non-commissioned officers greeted Shepard with a cacophony of 'sir.'
One of the light machine gunners, Corporal Arshad, an average built Arab, said gratefully, "It's great to be eating some real food, sir, and not MRE's." He poked his food with his spoon and took a bit. "Thanks a bunch."
The other machine gunner, Corporal Marino, a stocky Italian, joked, "Just when I started to hate the Alliance I get some real food in my stomach. Although I'm craving a real, juicy hamburger, is that strange?"
Sundberg quipped, "Not when it comes to you, Marino."
The MARSOC Marines chuckled.
Shepard saw movement on his right and Vega strolled through the mess hall towards the kitchen to make some breakfast, he gave Shepard a greeting nod which Shepard reciprocated.
"Who likes MRE's anyway?" Shepard asked rhetorically and turned to his food. He picked up his glass of juice and took a sip before he explained, "We stock up on real food. Considering the stakes I think my crew and team definitely deserves it. Anything to keep up morale for my troops."
Sundberg smiled, you could almost see a little devil dancing in her eyes, "Exactly what I told Raveena yesterday, I could need a morale boost as well after Benning."
Malaney ignored her Sergeant. She subconsciously leaned a bit closer over the table, flaunting her ample breasts and grinned at Shepard, "So are there a lot of perks and privileges being under the command of a Spectre? Maybe I should file for a transfer?"
Shepard glanced to the two women. He knew what they were very likely insinuating about. He chuckled and made a half-hearted joke, "You'll have to ask the crew what they think of my dictatorship, but I give everyone space."
Sundberg taunted, pushing her Lieutenant's buttons a bit, "Raveena, what will we do if we lose our sassy Lieutenant to Commander Shepard?"
"Make due?" Malaney suggested with a defiant look at Sundberg.
Marino chimed in, "But we would miss you."
"Oh, Dino, you know I'd miss you the least," Malaney snickered with a laugh and a playful glance at the Italian.
"Thanks, LT," Marino countered sardonically. "I'll remember that."
The Marines laughed lightly as they dug into their food again.
Shepard couldn't help but to chuckle at the banter amongst the Marines. Despite fighting with some of the best, which he had done for almost four years, he missed that Marine esprit de corps from his own days in special operations. Even if there were both enlisted and officers at the table they were all peers, they were all Marine Special Operators. They had volunteered to the Alliance and then volunteered to become Marine Special Operators, attending MARSOC's Interplanetary Combatives Training and completed the same schools such as; Zero-G Combatant School, Combatant Diver Course, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Airborne School, Advanced Sniper Course and many, many more during the grueling 61 week ICT course to get the coveted N-patch and Special Warfare insignia upon graduation.
Vega appeared at the table and took a seat next to Shepard with his own breakfast tray in hand. The Marines at the table said their good morning to Vega.
Malaney's eyes had a certain glint to them and she alternated glances between Vega and Shepard, "Morning, James."
"Morning," Vega said as he dug into his food. "Enjoying your stay on the Normandy?"
"I haven't been here long enough, but it's very interesting so far," Malaney revealed playfully.
Vega nodded with a grin, "Now that's good to hear, Ravenna. Things are much better when kept interesting."
"Touché," Malaney said with a bright smile.
Shepard had noticed the glances she gave Vega and noted she had the same flirtatious tone with Vega as well. He suspected more and more it was part of her personality, and concluded she would have a lot more successes flirting with Vega than with him.
Shepard wanted to get to know the special operators a bit and made some small talk, "Your home base is Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, correct? I was there for roughly three years right after ICT. Served with 3rd Battalion, leading one of the MSOTs in Charlie Company."
Marino nodded proudly, "Yeah. 3rd Battalion, Alpha Company."
"Have you guys served long with MARSOC?" Vega asked curiously.
Arshad shrugged, "Well, mileage vary but I joined two years ago."
"Two as well," Marino said between mouths of food.
"Four," Sundberg said.
"Year and a half," Malaney said.
Vega quipped, "The rookie."
Sundberg nodded with a wicked smirk, "Yes, I've to keep her in line all the time, otherwise she just runs of and flirt with guys. We can't have that. Her priorities are way off."
Malaney glanced at the Sergeant and huffed, "I would argue I got pretty solid priorities and can multi-task."
Sundberg only chuckled at her Lieutenant, "If you say so, ma'am."
Shepard reminisced with a chuckle, "I remembered N-School. The instructors were some of the most rabid and intense I've ever encountered. The instructors in boot camp were pussy cats in comparison."
Malaney chuckled, "I've to agree, I thought I was prepared for N-School, but boy was I wrong."
Marino laughed lightly, "My first thought the second my class was on the parade grounds was; 'my god, what have I done? What have I gotten myself into?'"
Malaney and her Marines, and Shepard, laughed. They knew exactly what the machine gunner had felt because they had felt the same during their own training. Only Vega felt left out because of the bond the operators shared, he was just a regular Marine in the 'big fleet.'
Arshad looked up at Shepard and prodded, "Alright, Commander. The three rules of Special Ops?"
Shepard grinned, "One, always look cool; two, always know where you are; and three, if you don't know where you are, look cool."
Arshad and Marino grinned and nodded approvingly.
Shepard saw movement in the corner of his right eye and Miranda stepped into the mess hall and briskly walked to the kitchen. Shepard and Miranda shared a quick greeting nod and a few moments later her frame was out of view behind the large dividing wall.
Arshad and Marino shared an amused look but didn't say anything. Both had sudden wishful hopes – plus a few of the other crewmembers from the opposite sex didn't look bad either. But on the other hand, the operators had slept in the cramped shared living space aboard, it was nothing new on ships of course, and from their own experiences from ships and bases they knew that sexual encounters typically happened far away from barracks and living quarters simply because no one wanted everyone else in their business unless their living accommodations could provide privacy. So, seeing their Lieutenant work her magic they suspected she'd be off in the Commander's quarters by the end of the day, safely away from the rest of the ship. And as the operators were confined to the Crew Deck they had all resigned to the fact that they would likely not fraternize with the Normandy's female population. As it seemed, their Lieutenant would get lucky, and not them.
Shepard poked his food and ate some. He had caught the look the two male Marines had shared. He wasn't the jealous boyfriend-type, and felt far from threatened by any of the Marines if they suddenly felt the urge to hit on Miranda. But even Shepard could find prolonged continued behavior like that irritating, such as Vega's early behavior had been. Obviously neither Malaney nor Sundberg had turned their attention to Miranda and focused on Vega and himself. Shepard wondered amused if maybe Miranda would claim her territory now that she had arrived.
Sundberg asked, "Why did you join the Marines, Commander?"
He faintly smiled and explained methodically, "It's nothing virtuous or life fulfilling. I had run from school and the Vancouver foster care system, hanged with a gang for most of my teens. Did stupid shit and eventually I realized I was fucking up my life. I was an undisciplined, mean bully. A little shit. But I'm glad I joined up, I got my life together." His past was on official records, he had no qualms in talking about it. He had put it all behind him.
Malaney mused softly with a warm smile, "Sounds inspiring to me."
Shepard shrugged, "Maybe."
"By the look of things I'm sure you don't lack admirers, Shepard," Malaney said playfully and looked over Shepard's muscular frame. She added friendly with a glance at Vega, "Neither do you, James."
Vega quipped, "Oh, Shepard can get anyone he wants." He said with a slight nudge with his elbow in Shepard's side.
Shepard rolled his eyes and poked his food and ate some.
"Hmmm, it doesn't surprise me," Malaney mused flirtatious and glanced enticing at Shepard. She was more than a little curious why he didn't flirt back and why he played hard to get, but that didn't discourage her.
Sundberg interjected faux bashfully, "You have to knock that of, Ravenna, are you trying to scare them away before lunch even?" She clicked her tongue and shook her head theatrically, "Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Malaney ignored her Sergeant's taunt and rolled her eyes.
Vega quipped, "I wasn't aware we're being scared away."
Shepard chuckled, "That would be a sight, being scared of my own ship."
"It's a great looking ship you got," Sundberg praised.
Shepard nodded, "The best. She's gotten us through hell and back. Literally."
"To me it seems you can take care of yourself, Shepard," Malaney praised with a slight purr, "if Benning was any indication. I heard about Tuchanka, very impressive. I'd love to hear more about it." Malaney appreciated a resourceful, exciting and independent man, someone who could get things done. Maybe if she stroked his ego a bit he would stop playing hard to get?
Vega gave Malaney a neutral glance, but was very curious why she was so adamant in flirting with Shepard who didn't even flirt back because of obvious reasons. The 'curse' of being Commander Shepard? Lucky bastard.
Miranda was almost finished with her breakfast and appeared stoic, but she had glanced over her shoulder a couple of times and caught Malaney's flirting, and she was hardly amused by it. Insecurity and jealousy flared up inside her, that woman had no issues with flirting, laughing and being carefree. And as Miranda listened in, Shepard and Vega started to talk about their exploits on Tuchanka, and all the operators listened captivated as they were told about the fight in the krogan arena, the Destroyer and Kalros.
To see a woman blatantly flirt with Shepard within proximity, and for Miranda to be on the other end of the jealousy spectrum, was a huge shock for her. Miranda had her inner demons spring out, seeing the Lieutenant allowed her to see how hurt she may have made Jacob. How hurt she may have made any man feel because they actually thought she liked them. How devastated she would be if John ever did anything like that to her. It was sobering for her to realize just how much pain she might have caused people without ever pulling a trigger. The marriages ruined. The children who suffered because of divorces. Hearts broken because they were in love with a woman that didn't actually exist. That fear, and guilt, was new. Shepard had rocked her entire world, not on purpose, but because he had shown her the power of love, something she had wielded like a weapon and tool. And now she was fearful of how it might be wielded against her. She certainly knew it could destroy because that was EXACTLY what she had done with it her whole life.
Movement down the hall brought Miranda back to reality and she looked up to see Ashley leave her designated quarters and strolled towards the mess hall
Great, Miranda thought sardonically, just what I needed.
But the sight of Williams, and how amorously Malaney was about Shepard, made Miranda wonder if soldiering was the bond Shepard had shared with Williams? As a fellow Marine Williams would understand that you did whatever it took on the battlefield to get the job done, and would have found that trait in Shepard admirable, sexy even. Just as Malaney apparently did. Given that these women likely had much more stable upbringings than Miranda, and then the experiences as Marines to harden them, they were able to feel love and affection without it corrupting much of their professional lives. Unlike Miranda, who never had a stable upbringing nor any healthy examples of loving relationships before she was thrust into the life of an operative in Cerberus.
Miranda put away the foodstuff and took her tray of food and walked away towards the table as she passed by Ashley without giving the Marine another look while she took a seat at the far end of the table, she had the flirtatious Lieutenant on her right and Vega on her left. After a quick cordial greeting by the occupants of the table, Miranda started to eat her food. She noted the glances by the male Marines at the end of the table which she duly ignored with a neutral expression. As usually her food was composed of fruits, yoghurt and some porridge and a glass of juice; even with her genetics she had to maintain her toned body to perfection with healthy food and training.
Ashley gave the table and the occupants a quick cursory glance on her way to the kitchen, there was one empty chair left at the table, but she wasn't too enthusiastic about Miranda's presence. She really didn't need to see or even hear that woman. The operators were listening on the storytelling, but what was interesting was Malaney's body language and tone of voice, purring and flirting. Ashley knew very well what Malaney was up to because Ashley had dealt with such behavior from women when she had been with Shepard. Malaney looked at Shepard's body, she even subconsciously mirrored a few of his gestures now and then, she played a bit with her raven hair and she leaned forward, showing of herself. Ashley continued to the kitchen and started to rummage for food and scornfully wondered what Ms. Perfect Girlfriend thought of the flirtatious Lieutenant.
At the table, Miranda subtly studied the competition while she ate, her analytical mind sprung to life and she started a threat assessment. As any woman in the presence of John, the blonde was just as amorous by him as Malaney was, although for the moment Sundberg didn't appear to actively flirt as much as the Lieutenant was. Miranda attributed the blonde's actions to that because of rank; either she didn't flirt with Shepard because she was an NCO, or Malaney had 'pulled rank.' Miranda didn't want to admit it, but the blonde was definitely pretty and carefree and jovial. Miranda classified the blonde as a moderate threat.
Malaney on the other hand was the serious threat. She held her own and even encouraged and praised Shepard for his antics when he talked about running across the arena after the bomb drop. Miranda couldn't praise his antics, she hated his moronic stunts because they always scared her and made her lash out. Malaney made small talk and flirted, although John didn't respond back with anything more than friendly conversation or some half-hearted joke. Concerning Malaney, Miranda definitely hated to admit it, but she did have several points in her favor; she was a brunette, she had a soft exotic accent, slim and toned body and her lips were full with an alluring smile. And the woman's assets were nothing to scoff at, even if they weren't as perfectly shaped as Miranda's own.
Miranda hated that she always felt like this in the presence of other women who amorously fawned over her John. Miranda felt vulnerable. She couldn't help but to sulk internally and look at herself and wonder what this Malaney had that she didn't. Shepard smiled, chuckled and joked with her, just as he did with the other Marines. The common thread was that Malaney was genuine and easy going…and Miranda was definitely not easy going, she had her neuroses. She tried to be easy going, joke and laugh with John. She pushed herself so much so she could be this…great girlfriend, but in the back of her mind she always wondered if she ever would be. But John was so patient and caring, which made Miranda adore him so much, but she still worried. It was that great quality which John had that only made him so much more attractive to women.
After finishing their story, Shepard drank the last of his juice. He gave Miranda a glance, but she appeared stoic as she ate her food in silence.
Marino turned to Shepard and said, "We've heard from your crew there will be a shore leave once we dock on the Citadel."
Shepard turned to Marino and nodded, "Yeah."
Vega exclaimed relieved, "Thank, god. I've waited long for some downtime."
Arshad asked, "A week was it?"
"Yes," Vega replied.
Marino glanced at Malaney who at some of her food. He snickered, "Maybe something for you to consider for us, Raveena?"
Malaney smiled coyly, "We'll see."
Arshad chimed in with a chuckle and looked at Marino, "I wouldn't mind me some more of that asari pootang! Remember that time?"
"Yeah, I did," Marino replied with a faint grin.
Sundberg huffed theatrically, "Men…"
Miranda on the other hand had her beliefs in male Marines reaffirmed yet again.
Malaney's eyes sparkled and she said slowly and deliberately with a smile, "That was an exciting story you told us. You know, I'd love to see if you're as good as advertised outside of the uniform as in it, Shepard."
A sudden awkward silence settled over the table, and everyone's eyes were drawn to Shepard and Malaney, although Vega glanced at Miranda instead, curious what her reaction would be. Malaney's words was more than just subtle flirting.
Miranda's head had shot up from looking at the small bowl of yoghurt on her tray which she had poked with her spoon. A flash of jealousy was seen in Miranda's eyes as she narrowed them on Malaney, it was the final straw. The Lieutenant on the other hand was completely unaware. The Marine enticingly looked at Shepard, she was now going into overdrive flirting as Shepard hadn't responded sufficiently enough earlier.
Shepard had seen Miranda's reaction in the corner of his eye. Malaney's latest excursion was more than just a bit of praise or a slight flirty line. Shepard revealed evenly, "Malaney, I'm already taken."
Miranda looked directly at Malaney and interjected in a bored tone, "In my childhood, I had my own set of toys, so I never had to share with anyone."
Miranda's voice drew the curious attention of Malaney and her Marines.
Vega was amused by Miranda's snarky remark, referring to Shepard as her toy. He only grinned at the spectacle unfolding and poked his food.
Shepard knew Miranda was self-conscious about what she could not give him, and he was going to have to get used to loving Miranda for whom she was. Shepard knew Miranda may have been able to be friendly and converse with people she knew, but she would always be guarded or acting around others.
Malaney looked curiously at the unknown Australian brunette. The Lieutenant was far from a brainless woman and to her embarrassment she connected the dots. Malaney's face fell, and she didn't have an immediate reply. Finally she straightened herself in the chair and said apologetic, "I'm sorry, Ms…?"
"Lawson," Miranda replied curt. "Find some other toy to play with."
"I didn't mean to offend you or anything…" Malaney continued flustered. She turned to Shepard and said, "I'm sorry, Shepard."
Shepard smiled diplomatically, "Don't worry about it. Although, most give up once they figure out I'm just doing small talk."
"Yes…well," Malaney cleared her throat bashful, "I thought you were playing hard to get."
Damn, Malaney thought glum, why is it that all the good ones are taken? And one who is seemingly faithful as well. Lucky woman. Malaney chastised herself for flirting so opening with an already taken man whose significant other was not only aboard but sat an arm length away from her.
Marino and Arshad once again shared a look, but this time out of amazement and surprise that the beautiful brunette at the end of the table was with Shepard.
In the kitchen, Ashley had made her breakfast and strolled down the mess hall to reach the lone chair on the other side of the table. She had of course heard the entire conversation, and as she passed out of sight from the others behind the dividing wall, she couldn't help but to smirk wickedly to herself and mused derisively, Lawson can't take it when women flirt with Shepard, uh? So, Miss Perfect Girlfriend, you are not so confident after all?
As Ashley turned the corner and sat down she had a neutral expression when she started to eat.
There was still an awkward moment at the table and Vega decided to salvage the situation, although he could understand why someone would be annoyed when their significant other was hit on.
Vega quipped and looked at the operators, "So, now that we have new fresh blood aboard, I'm delighted that we can rip you off in card games for some quick credits."
Malaney, who was glad for a distraction, chuckled and said tauntingly, "Oh, game on James."
The door to the elevator closed and ascended Shepard and Miranda to the Captain's Cabin. The breakfast and conversation had continued as the Marines had made up plans for a poker tournament. Eventually people left and people arrived. Shepard had waited for Miranda to finish her breakfast and they had eventually left.
Shepard glanced at Miranda and pointed out gently, "That wasn't the most diplomatic way to address things, Miri."
Miranda huffed, "She went too far."
Shepard tried to quip to ease the tension, "Didn't think you'd refer to me as a toy in front of others, you know?"
"I didn't," Miranda clarified bothered. "I used a metaphor and she was smart enough to see what I meant."
Shepard pointed out evenly, "I haven't been around operators in years, there's a special camaraderie which comes from everything Marines goes through to be designated as an N-series. I was happy to be around special operators again and I engaged everyone in cordial conversation."
"I didn't say anything," Miranda replied defensively. "I thought that woman was getting to flirty and friendly and I pointed out who had claimed you."
"I believed she would give up after a while. And it was pretty clear that was part of her personality to begin with; she flirted with James to."
"Then she should have continued that with Vega," Miranda retorted coldly.
The elevator stopped and they stepped out when the door opened and strolled to their quarters.
Shepard changed tactics and prodded gently while walking next to her, "Talk to me, Miranda."
The door to the Captain's Cabin opened and Miranda sighed. She mumbled, "All these women fawning over you annoys me."
Miranda walked into the cabin.
Shepard was confounded, "All these women?"
Miranda headed down the steps and took a seat in the couch with Shepard following. She placed a leg over the other and crossed her arms under her chest while Shepard took a seat next to her and silently waited.
Miranda gritted her teeth and had problems opening up and finding the right words. She turned to Shepard and talked in a low voice, "That Lieutenant, she was flirting, she even encouraged and praised you for your damn antics putting yourself at risk. She found it an attractive trait. I freak out every time you go and do something stupid, I lash out and chastise you."
"Honey…" Shepard said softly.
"Don't honey me," Miranda snapped. "You have the same occupation as the Lieutenant, you share a bond. Was it that which you and Williams shared? Did she find your risk taking admirable and sexy like that Lieutenant?"
Shepard was nonplussed, "I…guess. The adventurous side of them maybe is drawn to something like that."
Miranda reasoned analytical, "You are apt at combat, you do what needs to be done on the battlefield. The Lieutenant and Williams understand this and they approve. I understand your risk taking on a professional level, but privately I'm scared every time I see you take risks."
"I would have been surprised if you weren't scared or cared for my wellbeing," Shepard said sympathetically. "I don't see the-"
"I'm not used to competition," Miranda finally explained.
Shepard nodded empathetic, "Because you usually are the competition, yes? No man or woman can resist you."
Miranda took a deep breath and continued, "This…I've never experienced romantic love before. And I don't like Williams…I've never dealt with competition and exes. I always held the upper hand when seducing someone…"
"There is no competition, Miri.," Shepard reassured and slipped a arm around her back and held her close.
Miranda closed her eyes shut and opened them slowly. She talked emotional, "I…can't offer what other women who had much more stable upbringings can offer you. Both physically and psychologically. "
Shepard was agape. He said incredulous but softly, "Can't offer me? Miranda, you're offering me so much. You make me strong. We're a team, working together. You're full of love and care. Honey, you're silly. No other woman trumps you."
"I can't have children…" Miranda said pointedly.
Miranda had behaved as she always did in Shepard's presence since she opened Mordin's disc. After all, nothing had changed for her condition, she had some new insights because of the disc, but that was it. It was something she had learned to live with, although that notion was becoming difficult for her to consider because Shepard wanted a child with her and she wanted nothing more than to have a child with him. It wasn't fair for either of them.
Shepard kissed her cheek gently, "I know, but Mordin's-"
Miranda interjected and explained clinically, "I opened the disc the other day. The fibroids which caused my infertility can be removed, but I have uterine damage. I've always known this. There's the possibility of a complete uterus transplant, but it must be successful and not rejected by my body, and with all the damage to my reproductive system the possibility of birthing a child is low. My neoplasm can return and cause more damage because it's linked to my genetic makeup. And my specific engineered genetic code is tailored, the modifications and treatments are not publicly available, my DNA has to be sequenced to find the cause for my benign tumor. And I'm an illegal construct; a complete genetic mutation of a human is a crime. Allowing a third party to sequence my DNA is just inviting someone to blackmail me. Conducting tests on a human being, it's cruel, creating a child the way my father did is a criminal act as nobody can be sure the tests will lead to a healthy person. Case in point with my cancerous growths."
Shepard exclaimed, "You're not a construct!" He squeezed her slim body tighter. He was aghast and alarmed. He was emotionally hurt by how Miranda had been talking about herself in such a clinical matter. It was like she was talking to a therapist and not her lover.
She scoffed hateful, "My father played god, those daughters he created before me failed for a reason or the other and he destroyed them. I was the first successful one after a lot of trial and error, and he was willing to overlook a few things but once he learned I was infertile…that was the last straw as his ultimate goal of a legacy of superior children and grandchildren were gone. He intended to dispose me, and use my genes as a template for a new line of daughters."
Shepard was flabbergasted, "In our world where everything's scanned, collected and watched? How was he going to have you killed? The daughter of the richest human is not someone you just sweep under the rug!"
Miranda mustered a self-deprecating smile, "Accidents happen…"
Shepard lovingly squeezed her body closer, he wrapped his other arm around her waist. He said emotional, "Your father did not deserve you. You were too good for him. I love you, you have a lot to offer me and I want you – need you – regardless of your infertility. Regardless of why you where created in the first place."
Miranda smiled at his words for a moment before she pondered disappointed, "Mordin was confident that I can have a child, although I'm probably not going to be able to carry a child. His scenarios were either tubing of a fertilized egg, a surrogate or cloning with yours and mine DNA." She concluded bitterly, "Not the way I wished to be a mother."
Shepard mused gently, "His vision for us having a child was different from yours, his goal was to find a way for an offspring, it just isn't a 'naturally conceived' child to be carried by the mother – you. He still accomplished what you sought, just in a different matter."
"Yes…you're right," Miranda said with a resigned nod.
"I told you once before, in vitro fertilization is nothing bad in itself," Shepard said reassuringly. "I would still love our child regardless of how he or she was born. Wouldn't you?"
Miranda smiled faintly, "I would love her immensely…I just…"
"It wouldn't be what your father did and it wouldn't be illegal. Lots of couples have done in vitro fertilization," Shepard reasoned soothingly.
"It would still be a long way to go," Miranda said resigned. "I have no idea if my genes would have any adverse effect on a child because I was specifically tailored. Maybe yours and mine DNA in the end isn't a match because of my genetic makeup. There are still unknowns. Mordin wanted to continue work on those aspects, but…"
Shepard leaned in and kissed her lips softly, "Then we go our way of ensuring our child-to-be is as healthy as possible."
Miranda smiled at his words. She believed his declaration and she nodded, "Yes." Miranda wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
Shepard explained softly, "And Miri, there is no competition, you're my future. All those other women have nothing on you. And you're right, women throw themselves at me, but are they interested in me as a person or the heroic image? My gut instinct tells me it's the heroic image. You on the other hand were not star struck. In the end it doesn't matter, I love you and I'm not going anywhere."
Miranda said evenly, "Love is still new for me. In the past men were just disposable pleasures. Nothing was meaningful because of my stunted upbringing, lack of love and being thrust into Cerberus at sixteen."
Shepard continued reassuringly, "No matter what happened in your past, you are not your past, you are the experiences you learned from it. Despite your choices in your career you are a kind woman beneath, and I've seen that woman grow out of her shell all this time I've known you. The way to change your life is at your fingertips, Miri."
She smiled brightly for the first time in a while, "You and your silver tongue…"
Shepard couldn't help but to smirk, "It's not all my tongue can do."
"You wise ass," Miranda giggled. She smiled for a few moments before she pondered, "I'm afraid I'm a complicated woman."
Shepard nodded, "And mysterious. A Femme fatale. That is something to be afraid of…if I had been a lesser man."
Miranda raised an eyebrow and said faux annoyed, "Watch your ego, Commander Shepard."
"I've only taken a page from you; I'm merely stating a fact," Shepard grinned.
Miranda pondered softly, "Do you think I would be a good mother? I've no idea what to do if it comes to fruition…"
Shepard encouraged with a warm smile, "You would make an exceptional mom." He quipped, "A little overprotective." Shepard shook his head and gestured to correct himself, "Scratch that, very overprotective."
Miranda huffed, "I protect what I hold dear."
Shepard chuckled and kissed her lips, "I know you do. I have no idea about being a parent either, but together you and I can make great things together."
Miranda grinned, "You bet your perfectly formed ass we will."
Shepard chuckled, "You noticed?"
Miranda hummed amused, "Yes, you're not the only one who has an imagination in this relationship."
Shepard chuckled and kissed her lips, "Naughty girl."
He snuggled a bit closer and Miranda didn't protest and she unbuttoned his shirt and slipped a hand in and caressed his abs with a content smile. They sat together in companionable silence for a while and enjoyed each other's company.
EDI's voice was suddenly heard from the intercom, "Shepard? I don't wish to intrude, but Admiral Anderson is hailing on the QEC."
"I'll be right down, EDI," Shepard said and kissed Miranda's cheek while she in return removed her hand from underneath his shirt.
"Understood, Commander. Logging you out."
"I'll be back shortly, "Shepard said and began closing the buttons.
"Okay."
Shepard stopped in the comm room and accepted the call from the QEC interface. Shortly afterwards, Anderson's holo materialized.
"Anderson, good to see you are alright," Shepard said friendly. "How are you holding up?"
Anderson nodded with a tired smile, "Hey, Shepard. Day by day. We've actually had a day of respite now, but no doubt will that change with the operational tempo. People need some downtime even in the hell we're in now even if it's difficult."
"I understand. Something I can do for you?"
"Actually, it's something I can do for you, Shepard," Anderson replied. "I just had a brief with Steven, he told me the Normandy got roughed up and you're on your way to dry dock."
Shepard nodded, "Yeah, some maintenance after Rannoch. We took some hits."
"You know, one of the only few plus sides when I was appointed Alliance liaison officer to," Anderson continued with antipathy, "our 'illustrious' Ambassador Udina, was the apartment I purchased."
"Apartment?"
"Yeah. The Alliance and the Council give their high ranking employees a little discretionary fund to help you find a place to stay. Plus I had some of my own money stashed away. I purchased a suite in Tiberius Tower on the Silversun Strip, Zakera Ward. Ever been there?"
"Silversun Strip? Yeah, back in -80, my team and I had shore leave for a few days after some grueling anti-piracy operations." Shepard smirked as he reminisced, "12 guys and girls, all single, yeah…that was a lot of debauchery that weekend with indigenous personnel."
Anderson grinned and chuckled, he reminisced about earlier, simpler times, "God, do I miss being young." He continued friendly, "Anyway, it's a large apartment. Two floors. Spacious. Tall ceiling. The view could be better with all those skycars zipping around, but if you close those shutters you get privacy." He paused for a moment and divulged seriously, "I want you to have it. Take it off my hands."
Shepard was taken aback and looked at Anderson confounded, "What? Are you serious?"
Anderson nodded slow and seriously, "Yeah. I got no use for it, and you need a place that's yours, a place to recharge and clear your head. You've been out fighting since Earth fell."
"Yeah, but… Admiral-" Shepard protested.
"Kahlee wanted us to settle down there," Anderson interjected. "We spent the summer there together when Grissom Academy had its summer break," Anderson said wistful. "And the longer I'm here…well, I don't want to leave. And once we've kicked these machines of our planet I think I'm needed to lead the clean up here. It's going to be a difficult time after the war."
"You can still keep it, you and Kahlee can still live there," Shepard tried to persuade.
"Maybe. But I want as few loose ends as possible, and you'll be doing me a huge favor. I got the deed and I have the rights to sign it over to anyone I want. It got a digital signature from me, and all it needs is a digital signature from you. I'm forwarding it now."
'As few loose ends as possible.' Shepard dreaded the thought, but he knew why. It was Anderson's will, handing it to Shepard before he died. Anderson had been Shepard's mentor for a long time. They had met on Shepard's graduation from ICT eight years earlier. Anderson had held a speech for the graduates. After the ceremony Shepard had been introduced to Anderson and both of them had hit it off immediately and kept in touch with each other ever since.
Anderson activated his omni-tool and sent the deed and also blueprints over the apartment. It took several seconds for the files to reach the Normandy and to clear EDI's firewalls. Shepard's own omni-tool chirped.
"Anderson…" Shepard said astonished and looked at his omni-tool screen.
Anderson quipped, "Don't make it an order, Commander." He implored, "And don't make me beg."
"This is very generous…" Shepard said flustered and looked up.
Anderson shrugged, "It's the most practical solution, I don't want anyone else to take it, and I don't know anyone else I want to hand it over to. Plus you need somewhere to get rested."
"If you say so, Anderson," Shepard said and looked at the deed again.
Anderson nodded, "I do. Now sign it, Commander."
Shepard punched in a few buttons on his omni-tool and signed the deed. He looked up, "Done."
"Good. You don't need to send me a copy. I don't have much use for it over here anyway."
Damn, we're in the same neighborhood now, soaring through the relay network, Shepard thought morosely. So close.
"Thank you, Anderson," Shepard said with a weak smile. He was perplexed by the gesture. He didn't know what to say.
Anderson sensed Shepard's discomfort and said jovial to ease the tension, "Make yourself at home when you're there. It's yours. And don't worry, towels, bed sheets, everything is washed." Anderson quipped, "Everything is yours, the books, the kitchenware. Heck, even the booze. All sorts. Some very good stuff to."
Shepard chuckled, "Thank you, Admiral. I'm sure I can manage."
Anderson grinned, "I'm sure your lady will appreciate the apartment."
Shepard quipped, "I don't know, Anderson, she got some expensive tastes." He looked down on his omni-tool and quickly browsed the blueprints. It didn't give him a sense of how it looked in reality, but the scale was enormous.
"Then you have nothing to worry about. That place wasn't cheap to buy." He prodded with a friendly smile, "Her name was Miranda Lawson, was it?"
Shepard closed his omni-tool and nodded, "Yeah."
"Steven isn't too enthusiastic about this Cerberus woman, and definitely not pleased that you kept it a secret."
"I know, sir. He's talked to me about it. I'm aware of his stance, and I've explained my reasons."
Anderson warned, "The media could spin this in such a bad light…we can't afford that." He said sympathetically, "I know you don't like it, and I don't like it either, but you're not just on the front lines battling for us, you're on the front pages. All I say is be careful. But privately…well, is she, to be stereotypical, the one?"
Shepard nodded, "I understand your thoughts, Anderson." He continued with a smile, "And yes, she's definitely the woman I want to live with."
"Well, in that case I'm happy for you, kid," Anderson said sincerely. "Good luck."
"Thanks, Anderson."
"Women like that don't come around often." Anderson continued bitterly, "Don't do the stupid mistakes I did with Kahlee – or with Cynthia for that matter. It took me 20 bitter years to grab onto Kahlee, I shouldn't have let her go in the first place, so take my advice and don't ruin this."
"I won't, Anderson," Shepard promised. He snickered, "So, Kahlee Sanders, uh? I've seen her, Anderson. She doesn't look a day older than 30. You on the other hand…"
Anderson laughed and protested, "Hey! Kahlee and I are born in the same decade."
Shepard chuckled and taunted, "Oh, what an excuse, you dirty old man."
"A hard life on the battlefield, son," Anderson replied faux annoyed. "I do take care of my frame, mind you." Anderson's smiled faded a bit and he pondered seriously, like the father figure and mentor he was, "Relationships and the military doesn't go hand-in-hand, kid."
Anderson had his own experiences with that. He had married Cynthia during his early years of his military career, they had two sons. Jason wasn't much older than Shepard and was an aerospace engineer working for the Alliance, while Dwayne was a little younger and shunned everything about the Alliance and the military, and Dwayne was employed with the United Nations and their refugee organization in Africa. Despite the estranged situation, and the bitterness Anderson felt, he was proud of his two sons. He had been divorced since -65, Cynthia couldn't take the life of a military wife with Anderson's deployments. He understood why she had felt like she did, but what man was happy to see his marriage end?
And now, with the Reapers…he didn't think about it often, it didn't do much good to his spirits, but he knew North America was devastated. Cities were charred and dotted with death camps and processing ships working day and night. He suspected his two sons and ex-wife were likely dead, he just hoped it had been quick.
Anderson definitely regretted not being there much for his sons, he had missed so much of their lives when they grew up while he always let his career come first. He always let humanity come first. Protecting humanity and mixing a family life with that of a military life didn't work. Hence why Anderson had taken Shepard under his wings when he met Shepard at his ICT graduation in 2178. A mentor-protégé relationship was forged. Anderson knew he was a father figure to the Spectre considering Shepard's childhood. Anderson was immensely proud over Shepard, someone he considered a son. A 'son' who was seeing an ex-Cerberus operative. Now that was a strange turn of events.
Shepard nodded, "Yeah, I know. But Miranda is…well, I'm not letting her go. She worked as a clandestine operative for a long time, she understands the obstacles of our line of work. We're committed."
Anderson nodded despondent at his own life situation, "Yeah. I regret that Kahlee and I never got together when we first met. There was a spark but she had her career, and I had mine. It's been complicated, but we got close after our debacle with Leng and Grayson last year. We have met up whenever we could ever since."
Shepard said sincerely, "I'm glad to hear that. Keep fighting and you'll see her again."
Anderson nodded slow and murmured in a low voice, "Yeah." He snickered slyly, "You like breaking rules, don't you, Shepard? Williams and now Lawson. Others before those?"
Shepard snorted offended, "Not within the same unit, Admiral. Got to have some professionalism. Separate units on the same base? Not there either."
Anderson inquired curiously, "Cerberus of all organizations, uh?"
"Well, a former Alliance black ops group so we've all been on the same team until they went rogue."
Anderson deadpanned, "Now, that's just semantics, Commander."
"Depends on your definition. Miranda and I both have our issues but we trust each other."
Anderson smirked, "A relationship is built on trust, Shepard. Sex and trust. Am I right?"
"Yeah, yeah, two big prerequisites I guess," Shepard chuckled. Shepard asked, "And haven't you broken a few rules in your days, Admiral? Punching Udina comes to mind."
"God, that felt good," Anderson admitted freely.
"I can imagine."
"You got to shoot him," Anderson said, almost wishing he had been able to pull the trigger on the backstabbing Councilor.
"Well, it would have been better if the coup never had happened to begin with," Shepard pointed out.
"No matter how much I've hated that opportunistic, greedy, sociopathic fucker, I've to agree with you. Thankfully you stopped the coup." Anderson cleared his throat, "Okay. Well, I've been meaning to hand you that apartment for a while, Shepard. I'll talk to you soon again."
Shepard nodded, "You be careful out there, Anderson."
"You too, Shepard," Anderson replied and shut down the communications.
Shepard turned around and left the comm room to return to the Captain's Cabin.
Miranda looked up from the couch as Shepard walked down the steps, "What did he want?" She was in a much better mood now after their talk.
Shepard sat down next to her with an amused smile, "Anderson just had me sign the deed to his apartment on the Citadel."
Miranda's eyes widened in surprise, "He what?"
"Yes, that was my reaction to," Shepard chuckled. He activated his omni-tool and showed her the blueprints.
Miranda snuggled closer and wrapped an arm around his shoulders and studied the screen. She said, "It looks quite spacious. Where is it?"
"Silversun Strip."
Miranda teased, "Not the part of the Citadel I associated you with. It's quite expensive there."
Shepard chuckled, "If you say so." He continued evenly, "Anderson apparently can't see himself living there once the Reapers have been kicked of Earth. He wants to stay behind and help with rebuilding after the war."
Shepard's eyes turned blank as he studied the blueprints, remembering that his mentor had likely resigned himself to die on Earth. It was a very somber thought even if it was a scenario Shepard should be prepared for.
Miranda saw Shepard's distant stare. The likely scenario was that Anderson grandfathered the apartment to Shepard…he likely didn't believe he would survive the fighting on Earth. She suspected Shepard knew that, hence his reaction.
Miranda kissed Shepard's cheek and caressed the skin on his neck and said playfully to lighten his mood, "Not only a handsome man, he's got a fancy apartment on the Citadel now. Aren't I a lucky girl?"
Shepard looked up with a renewed smile and spirits, "That's right, you should stick with me, Ms. Lawson."
"Mhm," Miranda hummed affectionately. She smiled brightly and flirted, "I'm planning to. There are a lot of perks."
Shepard chuckled and looked down on the screen and studied the blueprints. He mused, "You know, this might help a lot. Instead of occupying a hotel or night club I can hold the party for everyone in the apartment. It's very spacious and could likely hold 40 plus people."
Miranda nodded, "If you wish. It'll be easier than hunting a venue as you say."
Shepard shut of the omni-tool and turned to Miranda, "You and I can still stay at your place if you want to."
"What? No, I want to take a look at this apartment of yours before we decide one way or the other," Miranda declared enthusiastic. She quipped, "It can't be any worse than this pokey little captain's cabin."
"What do you mean 'pokey,' Ms Lawson?" Shepard declared offended.
Miranda grinned, "I'm used to more luxurious accommodations." She gestured to the back of the bed, "And all those wires and exposed bulk heads aren't very artful."
Shepard declared faux annoyed. "You can always sleep in the crew quarters if this doesn't fill your needs."
Miranda smirked seductively and trailed her fingers subtly on his bicep as she leaned closer, "Oh, but the perks do fill me up very nicely."
"Yeah?" Shepard retorted, "Well, maybe you don't need the perks of a bed pal anymore?"
Miranda simpered with a pout, "Oh, poor baby, did I hurt your feelings?" She teased, "What can I do to make you feel better?"
Shepard snorted faux scolding, "Really, you think you'll get away that easy?" Miranda's scent filled his nostrils, and her touch was electrifying, her presence was very impossible to escape from but he held his ground.
"Miranda Lawson is in charge of this relationship," Miranda declared snarky.
"Really?" Shepard asked dubiously.
Shepard smirked and suddenly assaulted her by tickling her. Miranda yelped and giggled as she tried to twist away from him but Shepard grabbed her and pushed her down the couch still tickling her.
Miranda cried out laughing, "Okay! Okay! That's enough! I surrender!"
Shepard stopped his antics and laughed. He lied down next to her and planted a kiss on her lips, he could feel her pleasant body heat on him.
Miranda turned on her side to face him and tried to catch her breath again as she chided playfully, "Bastard."
Both of them snuggled closer.
"I win," Shepard declared victoriously.
"This time," Miranda said with a huff. She reached out for his arm and turned on the omni-tool and flipped through the prints and scrutinized them interested before she stopped at the master bedroom and its large bathroom. She noted it had a bath tub.
Miranda smirked with a playful tone, "Oh, but that bath tub opens up a lot of possibilities, doesn't it, Commander Shepard?" She turned off the omni-tool with a quick button press and her arms went around his neck.
Shepard was intrigued by her voice, "Such as?" He slipped his arms around her body tenderly.
Miranda suggested huskily, "A calming bubble bath. Both of us naked." Her nose touched his.
"That sounds very romantic," Shepard smiled.
"It does," Miranda said and leaned in and captured Shepard's lips in a deep and long kiss, her tongue went past his lips and began explore his mouth, savoring his taste as their tongues entangled. Her kiss was full of care with just a hint of passion.
Vega didn't have much to do and had spent several hours lifting weights in the Cargo Bay which he had the bay to himself for the moment as Cortez was somewhere else. Vega was seated on a workout bench, leaning on the inclined backrest with a weight in each hand doing inclined inner-biceps curl. Despite trying to focus on the reps he was deep in thought.
Why had he joined the Marine Forces? He could narrow it down to his uncle and his exploits with the UNAS Marine Corps. Emilio Vega didn't talk much about his tours in Nigeria and Venezuela, but occasionally he did open up and he was always frank about the horrors and the hardship, but he did emphasize the camaraderie. This had fascinated the young Vega, and the camaraderie was what had appealed most to him, as a child and teenager he never really had a sense of direction with the exception of his uncle's presence. Vega's uncle had been more of a father and role model than his own father had been after his mother passed away when Vega was eight. His father, Joshua Sanders, had taken the death of Vega's mother hard, he started to drink heavily which then escalated to drug abuse which led down a path of petty crimes to afford the next high of cocaine, red sand or whatever drug was the flavor of the month. Vega didn't want to go down that road, and his salvation was in no small part due to his uncle. And the Alliance.
Vega had wanted to see space, he wanted to see worlds he had only seen on the TV or the extranet. He wanted to meet all those freaky aliens…and all those sexy asari. It wasn't necessarily anything patriotic for mankind which had prompted him at first, it was the adventure and family bonds he needed. Much like Shepard's own decisions in his late teens; Vega's life was failing and he needed to change things around. When Vega had headed to the Systems Alliance Marine Forces Recruit Depot in San Diego he didn't really know what he wanted to do in the Alliance. But after he had talked to the recruiting officer he was overwhelmed by the experience. The officer's bearing and professionalism was something to behold and stayed in the young Vega's mind for a long time. It was then he knew that he wanted to become an officer, a rifleman.
Seeing Shepard interact with the special operators triggered something in Vega because he looked up to Shepard. Sure, Vega was only four years younger, but Shepard had done and seen so much in the past ten years, and then there was his sense of loyalty, courage and leadership which inspired Vega to push himself further. And during breakfast with the operators, Vega had been bitten by the bug again to push himself further and be the best; he wanted to join special operations. He wanted to wear that N-patch, which only MARSOC's Marine Special Operators wore, no other special operations Marines wore the N-patch unless they had completed ICT and served with MARSOC at some point in their careers. But the guilt of Fehl Prime weighed him down, and that there was a commendation in his e-mail didn't make things easier either.
Ever since Fehl Prime, Vega had little faith in his abilities to lead men into battle, or protecting civilians, considering his actions and decisions got a lot of people killed, and a lot of them were his friends. And in the end it didn't really matter that he got the intel on the Collectors when Shepard was out and saving colonies. The deaths of the colonists and his team had burdened Vega for a long time, and a few months after Fehl Prime he had taken a leave of absence and spent time with the lowlifes and strippers in Omega. Vega had been drinking, gambling and fucking away his sorrows.
Vega growled in frustration and dropped the weights on the deck, the crash echoed in the Cargo Bay.
He felt he needed to talk to Shepard. Everyone was touting that he was such a good listener when you poured your heart's contents on him so Vega decided to go on his instincts.
He called out, "EDI, is Shepard available?"
"Standby, Lieutenant Vega," EDI replied in the intercom. Less than a minute later she replied, "Yes. Do you want me to convey a message?"
"Can you ask if he can get down here?" Vega asked and rose from the bench.
"Of course."
Vega lowered the backrest and pushed the bench into his alcove. He collected the weights and put them down on the weight rack near the wall of crates.
EDI's voice boomed over the Cargo Bay, "Lieutenant? Shepard will be with you in a few minutes."
"Great," Vega said gratefully. "Thanks."
"No problem, logging you out."
Vega grabbed his towel and wiped his face and sat down on the bench and waited, taking a few sips of water.
As advertised, a few minutes later the elevator arrived and Shepard strolled out past the workstations and approached Vega's alcove.
"James, you called?" Shepard asked and stopped near Vega.
"Yeah, how's it going?" Vega said and rose up from the bench.
"Good. You?"
Vega shrugged, "Eh, you know. I've been thinking."
"What about?"
Vega gestured for Shepard to follow him and they took a walk down the length of the Cargo Bay. That way they would have some privacy if someone else came down the elevator.
Vega began in a low voice, "I've had some things on my mind. I wanted to get your opinion on something."
"Shoot," Shepard said next to the burly Marine.
"What did you do when they offered you a spot on ICT?"
Shepard chuckled bitterly, "Hell, I knew that was political. In December -76, two months after Elysium, I was called up by my battalion commander to the division commander's office. The entire room was filled with a bunch of admirals and generals and I was told I had a spot on ICT waiting for me. I would start in the spring class of 2177. ICT is one hell of a commitment, but I had my ass kicked in Infantry School and then the Naval Academy. I always strived to excel for no one but me, especially when it was difficult. So I accepted it. Why?"
"Seeing you with the operators…it sparked something," Vega confessed.
"You want to join MARSOC?"
They stopped near the large cargo door.
"Yeah. I was forwarded a commendation on the same day the Reapers attacked. The Alliance saw something in me enough for them to send me an invitation to ICT. I want push myself. Be the best. And special operations expect the best in return." He sighed exasperated, "It's stupid to think like this. I mean if we don't win there won't be an ICT or Earth around."
"It's not a bad goal, James."
"Maybe. Hell, being a Marine is the only thing I've been good at, the only thing I've done since after high school. I don't have any other skills. I know it's a lot of political bullshit going around, but I want to be in the Alliance, I want to be a Marine because…what else am I going to do? I want to fight for Earth."
Shepard smiled bitterly, "You want to hear about political bullshit? I was forwarded some classified files not long ago, and I learned I've been on a short list of potential human Spectre candidates since after Elysium. I was groomed after I graduated ICT in -78. Hell, do you know who was number one on that list?"
Vega was surprised about this revelation. He shook his head, "Who?"
"Kai Leng."
Vega looked at Shepard flabbergasted and cursed, "That sword wielding Cerberus fucker?"
"Yeah. He joined the Alliance back in -68 and was a Recon Marine for three years after the academy before he was accepted to ICT. Then some time after graduation he killed a krogan in some xenophobic rage on the Citadel and was put in jail before he was busted out by Cerberus."
"Chingao," Vega cursed.
"My thoughts exactly," Shepard deadpanned. He explained, "Leng was a racist but they considered him because of his service record and on the belief that he was professional enough to work as a Spectre taking orders for a alien Council, but that went out the window in late -76 when he murdered that krogan and I was bumped up the list as this wasn't long after Elysium."
"Well, lucky us that you're Spectre and not that cabron," Vega said relieved.
"I have to agree on that, James. Anyway, I got side tracked. You had some thoughts on joining special operations?"
Vega nodded somber, "Yeah…well. Joining MARSOC as an officer no doubt requires me to lead people into combat…last time I did that I lost almost everyone on my team and a lot of colonists died to. So…" Vega trailed off.
Shepard nodded sympathetically, "Joining any of the special operations units as an officer requires you to lead people into combat. Look, people die in combat. Sometimes civilians die to. I've lost 45 men and women under my command, not everyone in combat mind you. Civilians have died to due to my actions. It comes with the territory."
"Yeah…but I'm just not sure if I'm ready to lead again. To have that responsibility," Vega revealed glum.
"What happened on Fehl Prime last year, James?"
Vega pinched his nose and sighed weary, "Everything went wrong…we were out on patrol, checking on some strange readings and then the Collectors hit Fehl Prime. When we got back most of the colonists had been subdued or abducted, which included our CO, Toni."
"And you were 2IC."
Vega crossed his arms with a glum nod, "Yeah. I decided that we would lay low until we had had the right moment to strike. But then shit hit the fan, we were betrayed by one of the colonists who turned out to be a Cerberus operative working for the Collectors."
Shepard looked bewildered at Vega, "Cerberus? Working for the Collectors?"
Vega nodded, "Yeah." He confessed, "I thought this business with you and Miranda was a little curious when she boarded, but if Garrus trusted her, then I guessed it was alright."
"Cerberus is very compartmentalized," Shepard explained. "One cell doesn't know what the other does. Cerberus clandestine operatives usually work alone or in very small groups. She was pretty high up the hierarchy, but she wasn't privy to everything. Cerberus was up to a lot of shit she didn't know about."
"But you guys fought the Collectors, so why did that operative work for them?"
"Good question." Shepard theorized, "Maybe Cerberus was pulling a double agent-stunt on them? Maybe Cerberus was in the pockets of the Reapers all along; indoctrination will manipulate and influence you, letting you do your thing until needed to do something for the Reapers. But as I learned, the Illusive Man wanted Reaper tech from the Collector base, he didn't care about colonists or even his own people, he just wanted the technology, and did whatever it took to get it." Shepard asked, "What happened to the operative?"
"I killed him, the Collector ship was destroyed. The colonists died, and any other colonists taken from elsewhere as well, I got out with one of my squad members and the asari I mentioned a long time ago, Treeya." Vega sighed despondent, "Not a textbook operation."
"It never is a textbook operation," Shepard reminded Vega sympathetically. "It's not your fault when you're thrust into an extraordinary situation which calls for a tough decision. You did what you thought was best at the moment. I've been there as well."
"Yeah, sure. But…" Vega tried to protest.
"You got the intel and you destroyed a Collector ship. Destroying that ship was still a tactical victory, James. In the long run you might have saved more lives because of it. The right choice is not always the easy one. I blew up a mass relay, killing 300 000 to halt the Reaper invasion. It's something I got to live with, and I would make the same choice again despite the ramifications."
"You did what you had to."
"Exactly. And so did you, James."
"Did you know that before you joined spec ops?"
"Elysium provided me with such a scenario," Shepard simply said. "There are a lot of sacrifices to be made when in special operations, and that N-patch and Special Warfare insignia doesn't come easy either. A lot of operators have made sacrifices, either themselves, their Marines or both at some point. It comes with being an N-series Marine."
Vega nodded, "So, if we survive this war, do you think I should accept that invitation to ICT?"
"No one but you can answer that question, James," Shepard pointed out. He smiled encouragingly, "But I think you've already made your choice."
"I'm glad you think so," Vega replied. He continued evenly, "If you don't mind, maybe you can keep this between us."
"You got it, James."
"Thanks." Vega confessed, "Look, I know I seem like I don't take things seriously but when I commit to something I fully commit. I won't let you down."
"Don't let yourself down, that's the only person you need to prove something to."
"I know." Vega prodded carefully, "I talked to Ashley a couple of days ago. We talked a bit about your 'stint' with Cerberus, she hinted she knew more than she let on, whilst I wasn't even allowed to ask you about Cerberus when I guarded you. So…if you don't mind, how did you end up there? Was it an infiltration op?"
Shepard was actually pleased that those that knew had honored his requests from last year and not go around and divulging about his death, instead a whole bunch of rumors had been floating around in the media and elsewhere, which he actually preferred as crazy as it sounded. But he was also realistic, sooner or later it all would come out. Although with the war the number of people knowing the truth was probably very small compared to before the war. But the entire ordeal was also a very private thing for Shepard. If he wanted it revealed - if he wanted to talk about it – he still wanted it to be on his own terms. That of course wasn't always the case.
Suffocating in space, dying slowly, and then being resurrected had been one hell of a psychological experience. Not something he adjusted to in the blink of an eye on the Lazarus station. That entire experience did have profound effects on him psychologically. And to add insult to injury, he was abandoned by the Alliance and the Council; stuck on a Cerberus ship with a mismatched team consisting of a psychopathic drug addicted biotic, an assassin seeking redemption, a tank born killing machine…and, well, the list went on. He was also shunned by Ashley who crushed his heart, and on top of it all he was fighting the Collectors. That was a lot of stuff piled on him without taking his death and resurrection into account. Talk about a stressful situation.
Shepard smiled faintly at the bizarre situation and explained, "I died, James. When the Collectors attacked the SR-1 I was spaced, my armor was damaged and vented my oxygen reserve and I suffocated before my body plummeted through the atmosphere of Alchera."
Vega's eyes widened and he exclaimed, "The fuck?!" He laughed lightly, not buying any of it, "That's a good one, Loco."
"No, it's true," Shepard said. "What followed was a hunt for my body on Alchera by the Shadow Broker, Blue Suns mercs, Liara and Cerberus. Cerberus wanted me to fight the Reapers and the Collectors for humanity. Liara teamed up with a drell, he played both the Shadow Broker and Cerberus in the end, and retrieved my body away and handed it to Cerberus and the Lazarus project lead, Miranda, who duly pieced my body together over two years."
Vega was flabbergasted, shocked by what he was just told, "You aren't kidding, are you? That's…loco."
"Hmmm, yes, it was crazy waking up again. An experience like that will fuck with your mind a bit."
"I can imagine. How in the hell…? And Lawson? That's some mind blowing shit, Shepard."
Vega was amazed by the dedication of Liara to hunt down Shepard's body…but it also felt a bit strange that she was so obsessed with Shepard. Lingering crush? Or did she have a strong connection to him? And Lawson must be one smart woman if she got Shepard back on his feet. Just the thought of the technology and know-how to resurrect Shepard made his head spin.
"Miranda did the impossible. The Alliance and the Citadel put a tight lid on it after I told them about it during my interrogations, the implications of such technology in the hands of a terrorist organization could be devastating if it leaked. Then everything else with the Alpha relay, the Collectors, and the Alliance and the Council inactions when human colonies disappeared. Mix all that into a cocktail and it is a political nightmare waiting to explode."
"Wow…" Vega uttered taken back by the revelation.
"Just don't go and spread it around, James."
"You got my word on that, Shepard," Vega said truthfully.
"Good," Shepard said with a nod.
As everything was automated during a relay transit, all Joker did was glancing at his monitors just to make sure that the onboard systems and the engine was performing within the correct safety parameters. When that was finished he glanced back at the vid rolling on a monitor, Asari Confessions 30 was a very intriguing film of 'tasteful' asari erotica. Sadly there wasn't much room for privacy aboard the Normandy. He too wanted his own quarters which everyone on the ground team had.
Joker pushed a button and the film stopped, even porn was boring in the long run, and he was back in his film menu, scrolling through it for a bit but didn't find anything of interest, regardless of genre.
He was looking forward to some shore leave, seeing something else for a change than the interior of the Normandy would be very welcome. He just…wasn't enthusiastic about some aerospace engineers messing about with his ship. The drive output was just as he wanted, he had trimmed the compensators and the lateral drift had finally been fixed. Everything was exactly how he wanted it to be, but he knew some crappy aerospace engineer would come in and wreck every setting he had made.
Bastards.
On the other hand, the Normandy was damaged so he knew they needed repairs.
He had made no plans for the shore leave, nobody really had yet as far as he understood after talking with the usual suspects. But it would be fun to see Shepard on shore leave, that much did the pilot know. But he knew he had to snatch up Shepard quickly if he wanted to hang out with him. No doubt would Miranda lock him up and never let him out for a whole week. She squarely had monopoly on their Commander.
A pre-emptive strike was necessary.
"EDI, buzz Shepard and see if he can come up here quickly," Joker called out.
"As you wish. Give me a moment," EDI replied. A few moments later she informed, "Shepard is busy with administrative work but he can give you a few minutes of his time."
"That would be great," Joker said.
"I'll inform Shepard. Logging you out."
Five minutes later Joker heard brisk footsteps approaching. Joker turned his seat around and saw Shepard enter the cockpit.
"Joker, what can I do for you?"
"Thanks for coming up, Commander," Joker said gratefully. "Any plans for shore leave?"
"Nothing specific as of now. Why?"
"Good. That means you'll want to hang out with your pilot after we've docked. Maybe get a dinner and drinks."
Shepard chuckled at Joker's boldness and taunted, "I want to? Who said that?"
"I got to snatch you up for some quality time before Miranda kidnaps you," Joker quipped. "The others will figure out that soon enough so I'm just staking my claim early."
"So you're asking me out on a date? I'm flattered. Your treat?" Shepard joked.
Joker deadpanned, "You pay yours, and I pay mine. If you convince me for a second date then maybe I'll pay your bill." He grinned, "But you better work your magic."
Shepard chuckled, "Alright, it would be fun to do something together."
"Awesome, Commander!" Joker declared delighted.
"You got any ideas what to do? And when?"
"Uh…no, I didn't plan that far. A couple hours after we've docked so we all can get settled in?"
"Sounds good. Anderson signed over his apartment to me so I'll likely stay on the Silversun Strip."
"Wow…that's nice of him," Joker said astonished. "So, the rest of us are stuck on the Alliance HQ?" He continued sardonically, "Great…"
"Ungrateful, aren't we?" Shepard countered.
"Just yanking you around, Shepard," Joker chuckled. He mused, "I'll look into Silversun Strip, it will give me something to do here." He quipped, "I bet I can just flash your name and we can get the best seats anywhere."
"No impersonation of me, Joker, I can live without anyone stealing my name for such antics, even if it's my pilot," Shepard asserted seriously.
Joker muttered good-naturedly, "Fine. You're no fun."
"You find a place, and if you can't get in then I can look into it."
"You got it, Commander," Joker gushed.
That night the port observation room was buzzing with activity. The small, portable projector had been put up on a folding chair and it projected a film on a canvas which had been strung up over the large window, from the speakers in the ceiling the film's sound played. A majority of the special operators had put up folding chairs and was stuffing their mouths with popcorn watching Blasto 6: Partners In Crime with some from the day shift, everyone was laughing and talking to the screen. The film studio behind Blasto 6 had given Citadel militaries digital copies of the film to boost morale amongst the troops, they were even pledging parts of the film's proceeds to the Citadel military defense fund.
On the screen Blasto had careened the skycar around and stopped in front of the vorcha ambassador's car, cornering him as he had just parked. Blasto sprung out of the car with four Carnifex pistols in his tentacles as the startled vorcha bolted out of the car and tried to flee, but the ambassador was cornered near the skycar which belonged to Blasto's partner, Bubin, an elcor C-Sec detective who slowly emerged from the car and stopped near the hanar.
"Greetings vorcha citizen," Blasto declared calmly aiming his pistols at the vorcha, "please explain the reason for your haste."
The vorcha yelled defiantly, slobber flew from the mouth, "You no touch me! Diplomatic immunity-!"
Multiple shots ranged out from Blasto's pistols which effectively stopped the ambassador talking with multiple gunshot wounds to his torso. The vorcha fell down on the ground with a wheezing sound, his body slumped on the side of Bubin's car, the thick skin scratched the paintjob on the car.
Blasto chided, "Please exercise caution, criminal scum, your face my cause damage to my partner's vehicle."
Bubin declared in his monotone voice, "Badassfully: Hey, you're hurting him."
"His unique genetic structure will enable him to regenerate," Blasto explained indifferently. He deadpanned a warning to the vorcha, "Unless this one uses fire."
The vorcha cried out under duress, "No talk! No talk!"
"This one has forgotten whether its pistols are currently equipped with incendiary ammunition," Blasto warned tauntingly and cocked his weapons, "does the criminal scum consider itself fortunate?"
Bubin interjected, "Badassfully: You better talk. I can't…hold him back."
"Consort!" The vorcha screamed frightened. "Guarding boss at Consort!"
"Have a pleasant day," Blasto replied and quickly pistol whipped the vorcha who yelped and fell to the ground.
Bubin glared, "Badassfully: Damn it! What the hell was that? You're out of control!"
"You may wish to monitor your stress levels," Blasto reproached as he lowered his pistols. He turned to Bubin. "High blood pressure is not healthy for a species adapted to a high gravity environment."
"Badassfully: Come on, I know someone at the Consort's office," Bubin said and ignored the hanar.
"This one suspected you had deviant mating fetishes," Blasto snickered.
Bubin declared annoyed, "Badassfully: You're paying for the car."
In the poker glass cubicle some of the usual suspects; Garrus, Ashley and Cotez was setting up a poker game while Arshad and Marino gathered at the table as well. The sliding glass door was closed so they could play without interruption from the film or the movie watching Marines. They were waiting on Malaney and Sundberg while Vega was in the bar making a drink to himself.
The door to the room slid open and Malaney and Sundberg strolled in, right on time for the poker game.
Both women glanced at the Marines and crew watching the film, a few of the operators turned and greeted the two women before they turned their attention to the film.
Sundberg rolled her eyes good-naturedly, "Boys will be boys."
Malaney smirked and looked around the room and saw Vega at the bar. She turned to Sundberg with a devious smile, "I'll be with you shortly."
Sundberg smirked and snickered, "The Commander was number two in five months who you failed with. Not a good track record, Raveena."
"Shut up," Maleney said defensively as she turned and glared at her Sergeant who laughed lightly.
One of the operators under Malaney's command sat just in front of the two women and glanced over his shoulder and quipped, "I think you're losing your mojo, LT."
"Drop it, Corporal" Malaney said and turned to Marine with a glare.
"Yes, ma'am," the Marine chuckled and turned back to watch the film.
Sundberg only laughed at her Lieutenant's discomfort. She said, "I'll get acquainted with the poker players." The Sergeant strolled over to the poker cubicle.
Malaney turned and walked past the crowded chairs and the couches, where the one facing the window was filled with a couple of Marines from the day shift who glanced at the Lieutenant with apparent lust for a moment before they turned their attention back to the film. Malaney ignored the looks but still found it amusing to be at the center of attention. She stopped at the bar with a bright smile as Vega looked up.
"Hey, Raveena," Vega greeted as he finished up his glass of Tequila. He was mesmerized by her appearance, even in Alliance BDUs the woman looked amazing. He was definitely happy Shepard was taken, thus he could make the most of the Lieutenant's presence aboard the Normandy. Although he definitely knew that he was only secondary in Malaney's eyes, a convenience when the main price was unavailable. It didn't take a genius to know she would rather have fucked Shepard, but Vega didn't protest because there was a distinct possibility that he could screw this flirty woman.
"Evening, James," Malaney said friendly and looked directly into Vega's eyes which captivated the Latino. "Care to offer me a drink?"
"Sure, what do you want?" Vega asked.
"Something hot and fast," Malaney purred and leaned on the counter. She teased, "If you know how to, of course…"
Vega smirked cheekily, "Oh, I know."
"That's very brazen if you, James," she teased. "Are you sure you can put your money where your mouth is?"
"Oh don't worry, Raveena, I got skills."
Malaney laughed musically at their banter, "Well, I need something to drink, so hurry up."
Vega mused, "You know, I got just the thing for you, a cocktail." He turned around to the shelves of bottles behind him and grabbed a bottle of Mezcal.
"Now that sounds enticing," Malaney replied saucily. "Cocktails are always delicious."
Vega turned around with the bottle and fetched some other ingredients and a cocktail glass from below the counter. He smirked goofy, "Oh, you'll be pleased when I'm done."
"What a promise, you better deliver then," Malaney countered. She asked casually, "Excited about the card game?"
"Oh yeah," Vega snickered, "I'm gonna strip you newcomers from your money." Vega began mixing the drink and slice up some limes.
"Hmm, well, that might not be the only thing you could strip me off," Malaney suggested playfully.
"If things were that easy," Vega grinned.
"Oh…they might be," Malaney purred.
The two small talked for a few minutes as Vega readied the drink which Malaney gladly took a sip from.
She hummed appreciative with an enchanting gaze, "Now that was delicious, James."
"Glad I could oblige your needs," Vega smirked back and took a sip from his Tequila.
Malaney mused with a sparkle in her eyes, "You never know what I might crave later."
The two left the bar and strolled through the lounge to the poker cubicle and closed the door behind them. They took their seats across from each other, and the dealer – Ashley – began shuffling and dealing the cards to the seated players, most of them had glasses filled with alcohol. Cards were picked up, some were discarded for one reason or the other and Ashley handed out new ones. The players glanced over each other looking for tells, scrutinizing the opposition. Bets were made, some players remained in the game, and others folded to wait for the round to end. Garrus won the first round, others mumbled. Cards were dealt again, more bets were made and this time Ashley won the pot. It was a jovial atmosphere, some stories were exchanged, there was small talk, and both Malaney and Vega flirted and taunted each other. Sundberg won a pot, then Marino and Cortez. Soon Malaney, who appeared to be very apt at gambling, started winning pot after pot, she mischievously smirked at the competition as her pile of chips grew.
In the lounge the movie ended and the Marines and Normandy crew started to disappear, collecting the chairs, the projector and the canvas, leaving the poker players for the evening. It was a marathon card game and one by one they started to show fatigue, they rubbed their eyes, and soon Marino and Arshad had lost all their money and left to sleep for the night as pot after pot was won by the rest.
In the end of the evening, Malaney smirked wide as she looked over the rest of the players, she was the winner of almost 2000 credits.
Cortez shook his head astonished, "Wow, Raveena, that was a great game."
Garrus nodded in awe, "Congratulations."
"Thanks," Malaney beamed, her omni-tool chirped as the losers forwarded her the money.
Vega was a sore loser and mumbled sullen when he punched the buttons on his omni-tool, "Son of a…"
Malaney giggled and then pouted, "Poor you." She snickered, "I think you're a little too cocky for your own good, James."
Ashley mused as she rose up, "That he is." Ashley began collecting the cards.
Malaney chimed in friendly as she looked up at Ashley, "That's alright, Ms. Williams, I can do that." She looked back at James with a suggestive voice, "I'm sure James will help me show where everything should be placed."
Vega smirked, "Sure, no problem."
Ashley shrugged and dropped the few cards she had in her hand. No one on the table had been unable to notice the flirting going on between Vega and Malaney. Ashley left the table and exited through the glass door. She was a little jealous and scoffed to herself that everyone was getting laid and not her. And she thought Vega was a looker and was jealous that Malaney was flirting so much with him. Which she knew was a stupid reaction.
Cortez said his goodbyes and left as well.
Garrus shook his head and sighed when he rose up, "You humans. Worse than asari."
"What?" Malaney asked with a light laugh and looked up at Garrus. She hadn't hidden her flirting with Vega, or even Shepard, but that a turian called her out on it was a surprise.
"Yeah, you are. Heck, this ship should be renamed the SSV Love Boat," Garrus quipped as he left the cubicle.
Malaney looked at Vega confused as she stood up.
Vega shrugged and rose as well, "Shepard and Lawson…well, they're intimate. All over the place, basically. And often."
Lucky woman, Malaney mused a bit jealous. She had rather tried to sleep with Shepard – he was after all Commander Shepard – but she had noticed Vega the day before and didn't scoff at that man either. He was a good backup plan. If there was one thing ICT thought you it was always have a plan B as plan A never survived contact with the enemy. And after fighting on Benning she really needed to be plowed thoroughly to get that stress out of her system, and she never slept with anyone in the same unit. She could tease and flirt with her men a bit, and they flirted back, but never did she have sex with anyone on her team. She was a professional. Her team was professional. And Vega was a funny and flirty enough guy she could fuck a few times so there were no worries. And his bulging and muscular body was enticing in that t-shirt.
Sundberg left the table and flashed her Lieutenant a knowing smirk as she walked away, leaving the two Lieutenants alone collecting cards and chips.
Malaney didn't bother for long with the cards and let the deck she had collected lie on the table and she rounded the corner with a seductive smile which caught the attention of Vega.
She murmured amorously, "Are you always like this, James? Or do I bring it out of you?" She stopped near him and reached out and touched his arm lightly.
Vega dropped his chips on the table as well and didn't protest at her touch, he shivered a bit at her soft fingers on his arm which she noticed and smiled sexily at him.
"Aren't you a flatterer?" Vega murmured and played it cool. "You're skilled at flirting, Raveena."
"When I want something…" Malaney whispered. She crossed her arms under chest, purposefully showing of and squeezing her ample breasts together, she taunted saucily, "You know, it's getting late and you're probably tired, James, and I don't want to keep you." Then she giggled, "Well…that might not be exactly true though."
Vega took a step forward and said huskily, "I don't need a lot of sleep to be able to perform my duties." She didn't have a perfume with her when on missions, but he could smell that she had showered earlier. It was a very soft and delightful scent.
She burst out laughing, "Oh, is that right? You're very cocky, James." She crossed the short distance between them and was only inches away from his lips and she could feel his musky scent. She smiled suggestive and purred, "I do hope to see more of you and these skills you proclaim to have. And I do mean that literally."
Vega launched at her and gripped her sides in a firm grip which made her yelp a bit but she threw her arms around his neck with a wide smirk after the initial shock wore off. Vega mashed his lips against hers and buried his tongue into her mouth which she quickly reciprocated as her tongue entwined eagerly with his. Vega slammed Malaney into the glass wall behind her which vibrated a bit. In his frenzied and lustful moment he managed to quickly be thankful it didn't break, that would have been hard to explain to Shepard. Her soft and wet lips felt great against his, their tongues curled around in between gasps and breaths and Malaney let out a soft moan and pulled Vega tighter to her as Vega's hands slid around her and down her butt where her grabbed on firmly which elicited a much deeper moaning of approval from Malaney. Their amorously and frenzied kissing continued for several minutes before they stopped in a gasp for air, Malaney's hands slid down Vega's toned chest to his waist where she began to grip and tug on his t-shirt to pull it off him.
She looked up with lust in her eyes and asked in a ragged breath, "Should we fuck here or…?"
Vega's mind was racing at light speed, going through whatever places available aboard where they could be alone; Tali had occupied Jack's hidey hole, and there was a little to many windows overlooking the Cargo Bay, so it seemed they were out of luck. Plus as far as Vega knew, the special operators were still confined to the Crew Deck. And he didn't have lockdown codes to the port observation doors, that privilege went to Shepard and Lawson. Even if it was almost night and crew activity was minimal, someone could walk right through the door. That would be bad.
Finally his mind settled on a secure place and he smirked at her.
"Come," he beckoned and grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the wall.
Malaney giggled as she followed him to the door, "Oh, I do like a man with initiative."
"I can't lock this door," Vega explained as they went through the door and out into the hallway. "But anyone can lock the doors to the showers from the inside."
Malaney purred, "Kinky, James."
James quickly looked at the door interface to the bathroom on his left which glowed green and he burst through the door with Malaney. He let go of her hand and when the door shut close he promptly pressed the lock button.
This time Malaney pounced on Vega and turned him around and mashed their lips together, guiding him to the showers in the corner of the bathroom, while their kissing frantically continued and their lust built up again. Malaney's back hit the wall near a shower and her hands slid down and started to pull off him his t-shirt. They stopped kissing and it went over his head and they dropped it on the floor. Malaney smirked at his torso and her hands slid down, kneading and caressing his muscles which made Vega groan in pleasure.
There was no more talking, Vega undid the buttons to Malaney's BDU shirt, their kissing continued and Malaney found the buckle to his belt and soon began working on his pants. Vega got rid of her shirt and found the clasp to her bra and soon her bountiful breasts were out in the open and he boldly started to caress them and Malaney moaned at his touch as she got his pants and shorts down on the floor. Soon her BDU pants and thong were gone as well and both were stark naked, grunts and moaning of pleasures filled the shower in lustful passion and one of them accidentally turned on the water from the overhead shower faucet and warm water flowed down over their naked bodies.
Quotes; The Hurt Locker, Aliens, Casino Royale, Chuck (Chuck vs. The Crown Vic).
Credit to EbabahCussiEnoImreh for assistance, ideas and inspiration on; musings on sex and fraternization on ships and bases, Miranda's inner demons seeing Malaney flirt with Shepard, Ashley's scornful musings, Shepard's musings on Miranda being self-conscious, Vega's quip about fresh blood and poker, Miranda's clinical attitude, Spanish curse words for Vega. Additional writing by me.
Credit to Mastermind4892 for ideas on; Miranda talking about her father. Additional writing by me.
The shore leave and the Citadel DLC, and the shenanigans which that entails, is so close it will start in the next chapter.
