Miranda Lawson, mostly genetic clone and vanity project of her father Henry Lawson, was in a quandary for the first time in her life.
Her father had expected nothing less from her than perfection at any cost her entire life while under his many roofs.
As soon as she was able she left home to work for Cerberus, a pro-human group with a bad reputation, but possible the only organization who could protect her from her father.
Her last project, code name: Lazarus, involved bringing Commander Jane Shepard, savior of the galaxy back to life, literally on both accounts. Miranda Lawson wasn't just an esteemed scientist for a penchant for impossible tasks, but a powerful biotic who could level a battlefield. Her stunning good looks made her age seem more youthful than possible, but for all achievements: her current CO (and last project) Shepard, refused to begrudge her even the faintest compliment on anything. The Illusive Man had left Shepard in charge, and with humanities fate hanging in the balance, he needed Shepard to do what only she could do.
Build a team, instead of an army, and fight the geth, reapers, collectors, whatever they were to find and stop whatever was destroying human colonies before it decimated humankind.
Truth be known she had more in common with Shepard and her father than she would like to admit. Shepard was a perfect "bloody human specimen" (or homo sapien sapien to be exact). Where her father had her tailor made to be as close to perfect as possible. Her only flaws or limitations came from the fact that her genetic code was based on his. She could only be the best version of him he could be…a son would be too competitive in the wrong ways, so she was the first of a long life of offspring he let live. She had seen younger offspring culled out during her lifetime. She lived in constant fear and with good reason.
She had a gorgeous perfectly symmetrical face, chestnut long hair, blazing blue eyes with a perfect endowed body match, and she looked poured into any uniform. Her looks were designed to give her and an edge and she used them to set others on edge or as at least use it as a distraction.
Her mostly white form-fitting textured skin suit trimmed with black accentuated every curve; however, anything she worse had a similar effect. There was little left to the imagination, but she had found when she wore things that did, her body seemed more enticing to most. She passed for one hell an unforgettable Alliance Officer more than a few times in black regs (undercover), but this approach was more honest.
As soon as she was old enough to run away from her insane controlling abusive father and be an asset, she used her daily trained biotic powers, IQ, and multiple degrees to the one bidder she knew that would take her, Cerberus, and challenge her at the same time. So, she ran away as a young teen betting everything on her perceived superiority. She was anything but confident at that moment, because of her father's many forms of punishment for falling short of perfection; however, there were others who saw that potential differently.
The Illusive Man continued her education by giving her projects greater in difficulty incrementally until Lazarus, which might as well have been impossible had it gone to anyone else in the universe.
But she had taken a dead Alliance Specter and brought her back to life, not just a difficult task…but even with unlimited resources she (and everyone else) doubted another could have done it. Now Jane Shepard was up and running around 6 months ahead of schedule without any insurance that she would even go along with Cerberus plans, much less if she was 100%.
Now the Illusive Man after nearly 20 years of service and pulling off the bloody impossible and brought Shepard back to life, with full neural function (just as she was), and she was bloody well having to take orders from the woman she had rebuilt.
On the battlefield she was impossible, leading every team, as though lesser assignments couldn't be done by other bloody people, and not risk the CO. Worse, she seemed to revel in it, against Miranda's bid for caution. Shepard's response, if the XO was so worried, she could come along and made certain she stayed safe.
Plus, Shepard kept an impossible tempo. After any battle Miranda was wiped, even with enhancements she didn't see how Shepard kept up her pace, and at least for the moment Miranda accompanied her on all her missions though all other crew members were rotated out.
It was clear to Miranda that Shepard didn't trust her XO on the Normandy on her own, so she took her everywhere. It was infuriating.
It wasn't Miranda's talents were in question. She was pretty sure Shepard didn't trust her at the most basic level, even though Miranda bloody well kept her alive as she ran headfirst into every damn assault, and then Shepard always gave that cheeky grin as she was about to go headlong into something horrific monstrosity that she was certain could wipe out battalions of Krogans or Turians. Shepard always shot her a sideways knowing glance in her direction.
However, time and time again, Shepard, Miranda, and whatever crew 3rd crew member at her side would take down the impossible: again, again, and again. If there were enough healthy crew and the mission seemed to call for it, Miranda would ask for a Beta squad, but usually it was headed by the Turian she favored from her previous mission. He was a good leader, but it still undermined her authority as far as she was concerned, even if Shepard did give into the request.
When Shepard was still being rebuilt from the dead, Miranda learned everything there was to know about the woman, no matter how small or mundane.
No fact was too small.
That being said, Shepard unconscious on a slab, had no semblance to Shepard in real life. She lived up to her reputation beyond her hype.
Shepard had a preference toward women, so Miranda thought early on she could play that to her advantage, but Jane bloody Shepard held her more than at bay. She wouldn't go as far to say as disdain, but warm fuzzies she didn't invoke. Miranda wasn't accustomed to the cold shoulder if she turned her attention to anyone. She could bed anyone she pleased, but this woman was impossible in every way.
She should have put that damn control chip in her head no matter what the Illusive Man said, but he thought it would change her somehow. There was no controlling this woman. Shepard was less than pleased when Miranda mentioned it to her, but she hoped it would broker a peace between her and the Illusive Man since she already hated Miranda.
She had to be the same as before she died. The same Commander Shepard. She couldn't just be brought back to life, no, he wanted the impossible and Operative Lawson gave it to him, and earned her multiple royal headaches multiple times a day.
Every member of the crew, at some point, gave Miranda a once over or trailed passed her as she walked past, but Shepard. She just refused to be impressed by her looks, mind, or battle skills. She complimented everyone on the bloody Normandy, but never the XO. She even liked the bloody computer.
Lawson nearly laughed at the fact that the "Ice Queen" as she was known in Cerberus was being beaten by her own game, but when Shepard sent out a team building exercise for her to fill out and take notes on, Lawson practically jumped over her desk with a full head of steam when she saw it and set off to face the Commander. There had to be a reason why Lawson fell short in Shepard's opinion, and it was frankly driving her mad.
Miranda practically stormed out of her office directly into the Commander.
"Dinner Date?" Shepard offered amused as Miranda clearly had a data pad in her hand and was confounded by Shepard's amusement as she practically almost bowled her over; however, Shepard was always quick on her feet and safely saved her bowl from hitting the ground. She might have been meandering toward Miranda's office. Shepard appeared to be blowing on a bowl of noodles to cool them off.
Miranda would literally run into the one person she was looking for…and then have a loss for what to say.
"Everyone is saying the grub is edible now that I got our plumber some spices. I thought I would try the ramen. It's practically impossible to screw up spicy chicken ramen. I mean of all the things to cut corners on…the guy who plunges the toilets is in charge of cooking? Cerberus cuts corners on food? An army runs on its stomach and it affects morale, I would think Cerberus would have put this into its rubric. I cost 4 billion credits, the Normandy cost 100's of billions, and you guys couldn't stock up on some spices and a cook for a suicide million?" Shepard blowing on the pasta didn't cool the noodles off enough for consumption and ended up swearing as she tried to eat the fiery little things.
It was the closest thing Miranda had, had to a laugh in weeks. It started as a smirk, then giggle, then she just flat out laughed.
"You're fucking kidding me. I just had to injure myself on a noodle to get you to crack. I'll call you on pizza night. Seriously, you should watch me fail at the Martial Arts programs every day."
"You don't know any Martial Arts?" Miranda blinked. She figured Shepard knew how to kill things every way there was a way to kill something.
"I prefer a long-range shotgun, thick armor, and shields…that never made my list. Though I'm still pretty good at killing things. Though these noodles could kill at whatever temperature he handed them to me at. Want some? If you cool them down enough, it's almost like food." Shepard smiled.
"You can't have EDI teach any form of martial arts. She has no feel for it. You need a sparring partner. She's just as likely to kill you or teach you every move wrong. She's fantastic for a warfare suite for the Normandy, but Ninjutsu she doesn't even understand the basics."
"Here try a noodle." Originally, she thought Shepard was trying to get her to over where everyone was having dinner, she didn't realize she was offering her a bite of her own food carefully rolled on a fork. "C'mon it won't bite."
Miranda was truly conflicted. One, Shepard had never gone out of her way to be nice to her, and two, as she was having noodles shoved in her face her pulse quickened. She could smell the Commander's dried sweat from the earlier mission. Placing dinner before filing reports, or whatever she did.
She never been quite this close outside of a combat situation. She took at uncertain bite. It actually was pretty good, compared to most anything that came out of the mess hall.
As soon as Shepard removed her presence, Lawson missed it. She liked that one shared moment. Shepard bombarding her space with the tactfulness that she had with all things. She felt her skin brush up against her. It occurred to her; they had never cordially touched since Shepard had been awakened.
The commander was talking to her and she had completely missed it. "What? Sorry? I'm behind on my reports."
"Don't write them. My ship. My rules. Besides, I asked, we have a date tomorrow or what?"
About one million things shot through Miranda's mind. Some quite elicit, and she was sure she heard the question wrong. "Ummm. Date?"
"Yeah, if you can teach me Ninjutsu better than EDI, meet me on the Cargo Deck at 0800, and don't break anything Dr. Chakwas can't fix." Shepard waved her hand and headed toward the elevator.
It was everything Miranda could do not to lose her grip on the datapad. She slipped back into her cabin/workspace and landed on the couch. At first, she tried to sit there normally and go over some messages but gave up and poured herself a glass of Riesling. She knew she was in trouble if she was going for sweets of any sort. I mean, she could have said "Date" and meant fruit for all Miranda was paying attention, and suddenly in her mind she wasn't just bedding Shepard for loyalty to Cerberus…
She wondered if she was biting down her neck for the first time if she could instantly make her nipple hard enough to cut glass. Miranda felt beyond a warm rush of excitement when the Commander touched her, she was soaked through to her underwear and wondered if Shepard was the type to make her wait to come and draw it out or if she would be merciful and taste her, running her tongue over her, she knew she couldn't last long given her time to climax as she grabbed hold of that chin length hair knowing that she could commit to a much longer bout the 2nd time around.
What was wrong with her? Miranda had never been attracted to a woman before, and if she had been it certainly wouldn't have been Shepard.
Why had her brain flooded her with all those thoughts? She wondered if Shepard was the type to like toys. Giving or receiving…or both. Or if she was just find with what nature gave her…Miranda thought she would be happy to explore to the missing data…she was pulled out of the revelry by the door chime.
"Enter" she answered without thinking (or hoping) it might be Shepard. Perhaps it was some sort of joke.
Jacob was at the door. This was turning into the worst day of her life. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"
Jacob laughed, she would not have tolered it from anyone else…well perhaps Shepard. She was not going to dissect that last thought at all. Just file it away. "I was sitting at the mess hall. I just saw that whole exchange. Be glad I was the only one looking in that direction, because though I know you better than anyone else, and you might be the Ice Queen to everyone onboard, BUT that was not the Ice Queen I just saw."
"Bloody well get your ass in here."
Jacob came through the door smiling, happy to see Miranda off her game for once. "How the mighty have fallen. Just took the only woman in the universe who saved the universe and the Illusive Man thinks lightening can strike twice. You almost didn't seem frigid. I swear you were going to swoon." Jacob seriously started laughing until he was crying.
"You're bloody well insane is what's happened to you." Miranda actually took time to biotically slam a pillow. It levitated with biotic energy until being destroyed as it slammed into the couch.
"I think it works better if you punch it." Jacob was still laughing.
"The only reason I haven't turned you inside out yet is, because we shared something once." Miranda stiffened up her chin defiantly.
"I knew I would never be man enough for you, but I think you just needed someone to be better than you." Jacob was finally finished his choking sobs of laughter.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Miranda looked ready and charged to put him through a bulkhead, but Jacob, normally a man of few words, seemed full of worth mirth and little care. She didn't know which disturbed her more. As soon as they had taken onboard as the last two surviving members of the Lazarus cell, she felt a twinge of comfort that it had been Jacob that had survived.
He had never been any sort of priority in her life, but he was as trustworthy as you could get in Cerberus. The Illusive Man even tolerated what others might see as disloyalty in his lack of trust; however, he always put duty first and was annoyingly honest. Overtime, it was a good quality, to know exactly where you stood with someone, so it was refreshing. He was a competent biotic and soldier, if not overburdened with intellectualism.
Miranda's extra benefits with him while on base, though short lived, came with an unexpected bonus, friendship, at least on his part. Miranda had never been one for friends finding them a liability in the end, but Jacob was Jacob and doggedly loyal. He had never been a lovesick puppy. He actually enjoyed her company and would drop by her office when they were back on base long past their festivities time. Making sure she took time to sleep and eat.
She might have been superhuman, but he reminded her that she was, in fact, human, and had human needs. The project would suffer if she didn't take care of herself beyond workouts and nutrients. Sleep was also necessary.
"You've always been the best at everything, Miranda, but I don't think you've ever met any human who was superior to you in any significant way. Shepard is a better leader in a different way. You can see it. There's a reason her people would follow her to hell and back before. It's why the Illusive Man took a chance and wanted nothing changed about her. He wanted her back the way she was, because no one could have defeated the Geth and Saren with a ragtag group and small ship. Hell, an army couldn't defeat them." He finished.
She sighed, "I know her better than she knows herself."
"You know data. You can research and read every file you want, but it's not the same as seeing her in action and following her into battle. Plus getting every crazy person in the world to bend to her will behind a single purpose." He finished.
"You don't think I know what's at stake?" Miranda was brooding behind a remaing pillow. She had no need for her normal game face for Jacob.
"So if you failed, humanity would have died. Don't sell yourself short. You gave us a fighting chance. You had to save Shepard, first." Jacob said evenly. "Even if you do have a hot date at 0800."
"Shut it."
"In combat she's different than you, but no less perfect. Sure, you can lead, but you can't bring together the crazy team that the Illusive Man wants. We're only halfway thru picking up the dossiers. Shepard appeals to everyone. I don't think there's a person on board who hasn't given it a passing thought to what it would be like to have a night with her. It's natural. It only makes sense that the only person you could truly fall for is someone superior in some way...which is a hard sell for you, and someone that isn't groveling at your feet to sleep with you."
"That's the dumbest thing to come out of you're mouth." Miranda stared at him clenching and unclenching her fists.
"The hell with that you know I'm right." Jacob said crossing his arms, "and you better get those biotics under control before you punch a hole through the ship."
Miranda's hands we indeed glowing blue. She hadn't lost control of her biotics since she was a teenager.
Jacob watched as she physically got herself together with her mask fully in place. "You can reinstall those security protocols, but for what it's worth…I think Shepard has it pretty bad for you as well."
"What? That's bloody insane is what that is. She treats me worse than any member on the crew. She's always riding me about something, she never compliments me for anything, but she praises the damn guy for making ramen." Miranda huffed.
"Yeah, but she spends more time with you than anyone else. She trusts you to cover her flank. She takes you on every mission. Do you know how many people would kill for that? You can't tell me she never gives you encouragement of any kind on the battlefield." Miranda remembered all the smirks and winks she had dismissed so readily. "She checks in with you every morning, afternoon, and evening…personally."
"To ride my ass…" Miranda started.
"And she always brings you your favorite breakfast tea (which we don't stock) so she picks it up at the Citidal or something, coco at lunch with fresh cinnamon that she hand grates, and coffee, black, for dinner, in way too many varieties for me to count, because she consults EDI on what you like depending on your mood." Jacob finished smoothly.
"Jacob, I'm going to have to think about this a lot, and you are one hell of a creepy stalker."
"Naw, I'm just picking up on security, since everyone debugged the place…and does constantly…The Illusive Man wants everyone watched for whatever reason. This isn't going into a report, but I'm having to spend time in common areas now." Jacob finished. "By the way, you would be dumb not to take a chance on that…and I wouldn't tell the Illusive Man. I learned from the best to watch people's habits. If you don't care, I'm sure he assigned Chambers to bed her."
"Chambers' is a different kind of spy. The kind I don't like." Miranda said finishing off her wine in a gulp. That was something she never did. She truly enjoyed the flavors, but she found herself pouring another glass."
"Are you saying that because she was sent to seduce to Shepard if the Commander like redhead's better, or because she's way too obvious."
"Yes." Miranda growled and punched a pillow into next week. "I don't even know how I feel about the idea. I know she's bi-sexual, with a much stronger tendency toward woman; however, I have no idea how to seduce Shepard. Until now, I thought she hated me." She sunk into the couch. "I thought I hated her."
"Do you? Because you just listened to a whole report about how interested I think she is in you, and since you're not assigned to that duty, you would nornally dismiss it, but you sound jealous as hell." Jacob asked.
"Women are complicated. I'm complicated. " Miranda buried her face into the last living pillow on the coach.
"Shepard is fairly straight forward in combat situations, and pretty straightforward in coming by your office."
"Does the crew know?" Miranda looked up.
"No, they are pretty sure you are going to kill each other. I think Chambers might think there is something. Hence, all the flirting in the CIC, but you are the two most intimidating people on the ship. I think most would face the Turian or whatever Krogan we're picking up before getting in between you two." Jacob said.
"I'll break Chambers."
"I thought you didn't even know if you liked Shepard?"
"I don't." Miranda retorted. "But I will not be out down by that little cretin, and I just don't like her."
"Not to be rude, but you have a date at 0800, and I don't want to keep you up."
"Seriously, you can't expect me to go after all this. I can't even wrap my mind around it." Miranda just fell back on the couch.
"I don't think you have to get worried about wrapping your mind around it…just your body."
Miranda pointed to the door. "Get out. Get the hell out."
"You can't tell me the Illusive Man didn't try to order you to seduce her, which didn't work out. BUT, now if you might have an actual feeling for her you're going to destroy things." Jacob folded his arms and looked at her.
"I don't do feelings, as you should well remember." Miranda retorted.
"Noted." Jacob said. "Enjoy your date."
"I'll kill you." Miranda said.
"I'm betting the on the Reapers…but you could get there first. BTW: Scuttlebutt is getting around the ship from Joker about you two facing off. I don't think it will be a private date. Might want to relocate." And with that Jacob left.
Miranda felt exhilarated and heavier than she had ever felt.
Miranda set a wake-up call for 0500 and decided to even move to the bed. She was having a hard enough time thinking about all the positions she could put Shepard in, or even better train Shepard to put her in when her mind just rebelled.
Miranda stayed toned, but when Shepard walked through her office in a T-Shirt that was a tad too short after one of her never ending workouts, Miranda marveled at her chiseled abs, or there was this one T-shirt where the neck had been mostly cut out for some reason or another, but the delectable flesh underneath that could lead her to bite down her neck to her shoulder…
WTF time was it? "0300" EDI responded. She hadn't realized she had asked the question out loud. I wonder if the Commander is awake. "She is." EDI responded.
"Locate the Commander."
"Commander Shepard is in her quarters."
Miranda fished for a moment, "Is the Commander entertaining, anyone?"
"The Commander is unoccupied and awake at this time." EDI finished.
Why did she ask that? Why did she care? She did monitor, but not at 3 in the morning, she received a report at 0600.
What was Miranda going to do with this information? Just show up her door at 3 and ask about ship's business. Invent ship's business? Grab her and kiss her, and demand to know why she felt anything toward Shepard?
This was ridiculous. If something was going to happen, and the Commander was interested surely it would have happened already.
Maybe Jacob did have a point. Shepard spent time with her and took her on missions, which for Shepard might as well have been as close as one could get to know her was on the battlefield.
Miranda had done a ton of research of every type on her. In the romance dept Shepard wasn't shy. She's slept with anyone and everyone she'd ever desired. Never been in a relationship, though she had bonded with the Asari, it hadn't made it past death's door and Shepard had never contacted Liara or visa versa.
Gawd, maybe she just needed to see the Commander and look her in the eye…or even easier EDI the ships AI who did much of her survaillance for her, "EDI, has Commander Shepard ever been sexually aroused in my presence."
"As I have learned to deal with humans under the Commander's guidance, she would not have me answer that question anymore than if she asked that question about you."
"EDI, answer the question." Miranda was annoyed.
"No. She has forbidden under her directive should you or any crew member ask. You must ask her, though the same is true of her." EDI stated simply.
Miranda was stewing on the AI's refusal to answer the question.
What if she had been misreading Shepard? That damn lopsided smile seemed to haunt her, and she could not get her out of her out of her mind.
Dammit she would settle this once and for all. "Where is the Commander, Right Now!"
The Cargo Bay beneath engineering, though I do not think she wishes to be disturbed.
Miranda leapt up half-cocked. She didn't care if she was banging the Yeomen or not, whatever was going on at 4 AM. Miranda was the second in command, the XO FFS, she should know. She took the elevator down, the door to engineering opened and she heard music coming from the lowest deck. Miranda couldn't identify the piece off hand, but it was something from the Romantic period on Earth. Miranda skirted down the stairs but staying out of view. The music grew louder, and what she saw, was the last thing she expected to see.
Shepard doing ballet and doing it well. Miranda found it quite mesmerizing. It started out with her doing some simple bar work, but every position was perfect. Then she finally went into part of a choreographed piece she had obviously been working on. When she was done, she grabbed a small towel and tossed it around her neck and began to take off her well-worn in ballet slippers.
Miranda decided to make her presence known, and at least let her know she had been there for the end of the performance. She clapped and met the Commander who gave her the same lop-sided smile she gave when she was going to rush in and kill everything with a long barrel shotgun instead of a better choice of weapon…just because she could.
"You're up late or early, Miranda. Couldn't sleep either?" Shepard smiled sheepishly.
"Ballet never showed up in any files anywhere. I don't know what to say. You were excellent, by the way."
"Thanks, key to balance, breath control, and good for tone. I've done it since I was a young. My father thought it was key to sports, and good footwork for a soldier. I practice when I have something big coming up and I want to be on my game. It's the one thing I have for me. I prefer to keep it off the record, if you don't mind. Everyone knows everything about me. This is the one thing that is mine. Even EDI is programmed to keep her mouth shut." She had finished putting away her ballet shoes and replacing them for sneakers.
"So you thought you would squeeze in a four AM recital?" Miranda asked.
"Something like that. The real question is what brings you down for my impromptu performance?" Shepard actually winked at her this time.
Miranda for the first time in her life had no reply. She just stood there mute rooted to her spot. Finally, she mumbled something about ballet being perfect for any warrior. She was soon back in her N7 t-shirt and sweatpants.
"Something on your mind, Lawson?" There she was, all her gear in a bag, way too close into Miranda's space. The tangy smell of her acidic hard-earned sweat. Her muscles chiseled underneath that thin sheen of hot moisture covering her body, already starting to cool. Shepard was close enough to touch without effort.
Miranda felt like she was more watching her hand than controlling it as it slowly moved out and seemingly under its own power and rested itself on Shepard's shoulder. Then feeling the hard muscle, it caressed its way down her arm. Shepard neither encouraged nor did she move away. She merely let her XO explore; and explore she did.
Miranda closed the distance between the two of them, stepping into Shepard. Neither spoke a word. Miranda knew every inch of her body, but that was when she was rebuilding her and bringing her back to life. She had been nothing more than a mere impossible project. Now, she was a living breathing swath of destruction to her enemies, and someone who could broker peace even as brash and cutthroat as she was…she was pragmatic to say the least.
Miranda had spent her life as the smartest person in the room, IQ wise. Shepard was cagey, but Shepard could do things Miranda could only dream of doing.
Star crush?
She didn't think so.
Miranda had no idea, but when their bodies became close together Miranda was drunk on arousal. Her underwear already soaked; she finally gave into the first minor fantasy. Nibbling on the Commander's neck. Shepard gave no outward acknowledgement, but the Commander's arm was filled with goosebumps and she gave an involuntary low moan. Shepard hadn't taken a lover since all of the insanity of being alive again had started.
The neglect was intentional to a degree. How did she know what would happen with what Cerberus had done to her, she had always been a very sexual person prior to…but now…it had just been mission to mission.
She assumed one of Miranda's duties had been to seduce or her (Chambers was obvious) to make her loyal to Cerberus, but at this moment, she really didn't care.
This was the first time Lawson had really shown any interest, no matter how many times she tried to talk to her, and it had been so long. She was tempted to take her right there on the Cargo deck, but something was holding her back, and she didn't know what it was.
Shepard pulled Miranda away from her neck, which was hard as fuck, so she could look her in the eye for just a moment. She needed to get a read on her.
Lawson seemed surprised to have any response from Shepard. Shepard looked for anything of meaning in those ice blue eyes. There was definitely something there. Many things mingled in there: lust, fear, confusion, even emotion. It was more than enough for Shepard to know the difference between a fuck and something much more dangerous. She should have walked off right then, but there was something so compelling…a loneliness.
At first Shepard merely brushed her lips against her XO's and returned the favoring nibbling on the neck. She shifted her against a bulkhead running her hand up her thigh. Then she realized Miranda was truly about to come undone. Miranda was completely and hopelessly out of her element.
It wasn't that she had just given Shepard trust enough literally out of nowhere, but she also needed it, just as Shepard had been needing something more than this purpose.
Shepard core was hot and demanding but could wait. She pulled back from Miranda long enough from their brief encounter to say, "Trust me." Then she kissed Miranda so deeply and pushed her up against the bulkhead Miranda thought she might pass out. Shepard was strong enough to hold her up against the wall and easily found the Cerberus's Officer's heated core between her legs.
The thin material, and a great deal of experience, allowed Shepard to find approximately where her clit would be immediately. Miranda broke the kiss to stifle a scream. This was not the situation she had imagined when she had started down the stairs, if she had imagined one, but whatever the hell it was, she didn't want it to stop.
"Please…" Miranda rasped.
Shepard returned to neck and spent most of her energy holding her up against the wall and teasing her clit with a fevered pitch. She knew the pattern she was hitting would keep hitting the mound of nerves that were growing slightly more rigid as she worked them against the thin fabric of Miranda's cat suit.
Miranda grabbed two fistfuls of Shepard's hair. She could easily disrobe, but she didn't want any moment to stop. Having Shepard pressed up against her. Feeling her body heat. The smell of her sweat mixed with the musky smell of her own sex and Jane's…coming in her pants hadn't been on her agenda, but neither had been taken her against the wall. She could feel herself thrusting slightly to match Shepard's rhythm. It was subtle, but felt amazing, Miranda had lost awareness of where she was and how vulnerable she truly was. Each stroke bringing her closer…
Miranda had never found herself this aroused with her male lovers. Was it women? Or was it Shepard?
Shepard could feel how hot Miranda was and even a touch of dampness was ebbing its way through her suit, which she would have thought was impossible, but I she didn't think the suit was designed for this particular purpose. She could feel how close Miranda was…
"Come for me." Shepard managed to choke out in a deep throaty voice into her ear.
It was the last thing Miranda needed to send her over the edge. Miranda wasn't typically a vocal person, but the permission seemed to give her complete freedom vocalize her the rush of her climax, which pounded in waves.
Shepard was patient and let her enjoy each one, until she could only feel Lawson's pulse with her finger. She had long ago quit stroking her, and just let her ride it out to the final moment.
Here is where things would go incredibly right or incredibly wrong from Shepard's POV.
Operative Lawson had slid down the wall and was now not exactly holding Shepard, but her body was against her, and she wasn't moving away. The look in her eyes held a spark of something mixed with…was it shame?
Shepard moved in and kissed her deeply to see if the expression would change. "I've wanted to do that for the longest time." Her eyes were met with confusion.
Miranda shook her head. "Pin me against the wall and bend me to your will?"
It was Shepard's moment to look confused. "Believe that you actually wanted me, the way I wanted you. Even if it was just for a moment." Shepard went in to kiss her.
Lawson had a better view of the Cargo Bay, while Shepard could only look at Lawson. She was looking expectantly at Lawson for an answer or a reaction.
Lawson suddenly threw Shepard backward into the middle of the Cargo Bay. Shepard looked confused, but Lawson launched herself at her. Shepard easily took her down, but Lawson wasn't using biotics.
Lawson coughed and yelped, "The point was to use Ninjutsu, not your combat training, Commander."
And the reason behind the sudden change became instantly obvious, as a few crew members stumbled in led by Joker. "Hell, I came early to get the good seats, no idea you guys were going to start so early. I could hear the screaming decks away."
"Turns out EDI is a better instructor at some things than at others." Shepard said smoothly. "We heard about your little betting pool. I don't need an audience. Try again, Joker. Plus, I think Lawson needs to be checked out by Chakwas, anyway."
"Only because that was an illegal move." Lawson countered.
There was the lopsided Shepard smile. "C'mon. I've got advanced medigel in my cabin. It'll patch you up for tonight. We don't have to wake up the good doctor."
"I do expect a fair rematch." Lawson said as Shepard offered up her hand.
"Joker…no more betting pools based on me." Shepard said. "I don't like working out at o dark thirty to avoid being bread and circuses."
Joker was grumbling, he clearly had something planned.
Shepard and Lawson left the cargo bay.
They said nothing as they walked up the stairs to the elevator.
"Good catch, Lawson. Quick thinking." Shepard smiled. "Illegal maneuver. I'll have to remember that one. Lucky, we didn't strip down, I know I love the smell of fresh sex, but it would have been a dead giveaway." She chuckled.
"I should go to my cabin." Lawson said quietly, she pushed the control at the last second and the elevator came to a stop. She didn't meet the Commander's eyes the entire time. Shepard caught her by the arm and swung her around. Lawson offered little resistance, and Shepard let go immediately.
"If you want anyone to buy that display…I think you should follow me up for some medigel." Punching the button up to the first level. Miranda followed, reluctantly. Somehow going to Shepard's cabin was making a choice. Making her vulnerable. She didn't want to be vulnerable.
After the door closed behind her to the Captain's Quarters, she didn't know what to expect, but Shepard didn't pounce on her.
"That was quick thinking down there. We should have sealed the doors, though that might have been a giveaway. I guess, I felt if anything broke that moment, nothing would happen. I had hoped for so long that you would come or show an interest that wasn't involved with an assignment. It was foolish. Though that must have been one hell of a lock I got you in for that scream, eh?" Shepard had more of a wolfish smile about that.
Miranda nearly turned on heel to leave, but Shepard caught her by the arm, again.
"Stay. Just for a minute." Shepard softened.
"Another victory for Shepard. You have the notch in your belt. What else do you need? Chambers will suffice." Lawson knew she sounded petty, hurt and judgmental.
"Is that what you think of me?"
"Statistically it would be on par."
"That was who I was before I died. I'm not exactly the same. Listen. If you don't want to be here, don't. You can leave, I won't order you to stay or anything plus the Illusive Man would prefer it if you could fake all this, but clearly you can't."
Lawson shifted uncomfortably, "I've never been with a woman. If it was a mission, I would know how to handle it. It was discussed, but you didn't seem interested, so the subject was dropped. I never thought I would be in the situation for real, or that I might…like it."
"Is that the shame? Being perfect, you couldn't be in a gay relationship?" Shepard asked as if this was the most normal follow up question to how do you like your eggs.
"What shame? And what relationship?" Miranda almost screamed.
"When I pulled back and looked into your eyes, I saw shame, lust, emotion, many things in conflict. To be fair to you, I usually run if I see anything more than lust. It's new territory for me. So, if you walk out that door, I can't say I blame you, though I really wouldn't mind a good proper fuck. I could at least give you that on a reign check."
"I don't know what I'm feeling." Miranda squared her shoulders. "It's stupid really. It should be just good a good fuck. I'm not much of the feeling sort." Mask was in place. Miranda started to speak, stopped, started again, then finally said, "I have no idea what I'm doing. I've never been with a woman before. I don't know how I feel about it. The Illusive Man did ask me to seduce you, but you weren't interested so I never looked into it. Now, this is personal, and I don't want him to find out. I mean if we do something more. If there's anything more."
"You're afraid he would order you to do something." Shepard said.
"Yes. He could." Miranda said simply. It's not just my life he protects. "Plus, I'm not sure that I would be any good in bed with a woman. I have no experience."
Shepard chuckled "I seriously doubt that, you have the same equipment. Extrapolate. Unless you have no interest." Jane Shepard took off her T-Shirt and sweatpants and turned on the shower. "You made quite the mess of me earlier. I'd like to clean up. I'd like you to still be here when I get out."
She moved toward Lawson. "So, if we keep this strictly physical, he would have little influence."
Miranda thought about it for a moment, "Possibly."
"If this is all there is going to be…can I have a parting gift?" Shepard moved in melding her body to Miranda's and kissing her lightly on the lips teasing them apart. Miranda was slow to respond, but when she did, Shepard put all the passion she had into the kiss. Shepard didn't know if it was a goodbye and thanks for everything kiss or if this was just the beginning, but it was certainly overwhelming and more than she expected.
"It's your choice, Miranda. I don't know if I'm designed for more than a one-night stand. I've never really tried, but I think I owe you a proper fuck at the very least." Shepard started to laugh.
"What's so bloody funny?" Miranda asked.
"I think this is the only time in my life I've ever said so much or been on this end of the conversation. I'm usually kicking people out the door. Pragmatically, it's a suicide mission where we eventually have to go through the Omega 4 Rely. We could enjoy ourselves until then. Sure, we can play, what if…but good sex is a good way to blow off steam…you don't have to decide everything tonight, Miranda. We're not quite at the end of the world, yet."
Shepard had to flash her that damned lopsided smile. She finished stripping down without shame showing off that chisled perfect body that had been honed in battle after battle and whatever insane training regiment she put it through...and people couldn't take their eyes off Miranda. They bloody well had no idea what Jane was hiding underneathe that damned armor. The bloody Commander, she's never heard anyone call her by her name, it was just something in her file, AND she left the shower door open...
Lawson noticed that the Commander must have been exceedingly wet from earlier. When she removed her panties strings of wetness clung to her, and she was close enough to smell the slightest hint of her own musky sex in the air.
A few minutes ago, Miranda wanted nothing more than to bolt for the door, but judging by the physical response she had on the Commander, all she wanted to do was to touch her slick folds and give her the same pleasures she had experienced earlier.
She wanted to taste Shepard. She wondered what it would feel like to take her in her mouth. She had no experience at it, but she could extrapolate from other lovers and what she liked. Plus, she wanted to feel the mighty Commander tremble and cry out her name.
Just the thought was making her soaking wet.
Shepard had no POV from where her shower was.
So Miranda disrobed and arranged herself in the Commander's bed.