A/N: Many thanks to all of you who have been reading along. Y'all have given me nearly 11,000 views. It's definitely more than I could have expected. So - thanks!


The irritation Shepard felt whenever she was around the Prothean she'd picked up on Horizon was offset by the good humor Mordin brought aboard with him. Shepard had been delighted to find the Salarian scientist on Sur'Kesh, and was more than happy to have him back on the Normandy.

Shepard grabbed a mug of hot coffee (with sugar) and sat in the mess, datapad in hand. Reviewing supply requisitions and personnel change requests was tedious but necessary. The Normandy was scheduled to dock at the Citadel the next day, and Shepard's intention was to have everything ready to hand off so that she could maximize her time at the hospital. As usual in the middle of the afternoon, Shepard had the place nearly to herself. Which was why she was very surprised when Traynor sat down right next to her, cup of tea in hand.

"Afternoon, Commander." Traynor practically purred into Shepard's ear, nearly causing Shepard to spill her coffee down her shirt.

"Uh. Hi, Specialist." Shepard had no idea why she was so unnerved. Surely it had nothing to do with the fact that the woman sitting remarkably close to her was incredibly attractive with a voice that could charm the pants off a snake. And definitely not because of the heady jasmine fragrance that floated around the young officer. Most of all, it was certainly completely unrelated to the hand resting on her thigh. Shepard swallowed. "Your hand?"

"Yes. It is." The hand in question slid ever so slightly up Shepard's leg. Traynor's lips were mere inches from Shepard's ear, her voice husky. "I've been watching you these weeks, Commander. I've seen you watch me." Shepard tried to work some moisture into her dry mouth. She may have appreciated the view on the CIC on occasion - she'd have to be made of stone not to - but she didn't think she had been obvious. "I haven't seen you with anyone." The hand moved even farther north. Shepard's breath caught in her chest. "I thought maybe I could buy you a drink on the Citadel." The hand had nearly completed its journey to Shepard's center when Shepard gently grasped Traynor's wrist to halt its progress.

"Specialist, I am very flattered." Shepard was dismayed that her voice cracked slightly. "And I'm sorry if I sent you the wrong signal."

"Oh. I thought for certain you were interested in women. I beg your pardon. I don't usually make that mistake." Traynor's eyes fell downward in disappointment.

"What? No, that's not it. I mean, I am. Interested. In women, that is." Shepard couldn't remember the last time she'd been so flustered. "But right now, just one woman. I apologize for misleading you, Specialist. I'll, um, try to keep my eyes to myself."

"I can't promise the same, Commander. You're quite pleasant to look at." Traynor flashed her a brilliant smile. "But I will at least try to keep my hands to myself."

Shepard chuckled at the woman's boldness, even after being shot down. "Thank you, Specialist."

"Sam." Traynor smiled at Shepard again, resting a hand on her arm.

"What?" Shepard was distracted by the renewed contact.

"Sam. Please call me Sam."

"Oh. Um, okay." Shepard slid out of reach from the young officer. "I'm just going to stay over here." Belatedly she added, "Sam." It didn't feel quite right. She fumbled for her datapad, trying her best to focus on the mundane minutiae. But not before she noticed Traynor sitting back in her seat with a fairly self-satisfied expression on her face.

OoOoO

Shepard nearly bounded off the Normandy as soon as it docked. Steadying her pace to avoid looking completely foolish, she headed directly for the hospital. Despite the many weeks since Ashley's injuries, the staff was still reluctant to release her. Ashley's latest messages to Shepard were full of her schemes to escape their care.

Shepard was pleased to see Ashley standing at the window in her room. "Look at you! Upright and everything. They even let you put on clothes. That's a shame, actually." Shepard took Ashley into her arms. "This okay?"

"Hell yes, Shepard." Ashley squeezed Shepard tight, pressing their bodies shoulder to hip, bringing their mouths together. Shepard's hands drifted downward, caressing Ashley's flank, as she savored the taste of her lips.

"You look good, Ash. Dr. Chakwas tells me that your injuries have all healed. Why haven't they released you yet?"

Ashley leaned against the bed. "Something about the head trauma. I can still get tired easily and every now and then even dim lights bother me. Neither happen often, but apparently often enough for Dr. Michel to keep me under observation."

"Hopefully not too much longer. I want you on board the Normandy as soon as possible. I need my XO. Without you, I'm having to deal with all sorts of awful paperwork myself."

Ashley smiled. "You sure know how to sweep a girl off her feet."

Shepard lifted an eyebrow. "If we weren't in a tiny hospital room with so many windows, I would have swept you off your feet and onto a bed as soon as I walked in." Shepard sat in a nearby chair, pulling Ashley down onto her lap.

"Then I really can't wait to get out of here." Ashley ran her fingers through Shepard's hair absent-mindedly. She chewed on the inside of her cheek for a moment. "I've decided to accept."

"Accept?"

"Udina's offer. To become a Spectre. Not sure what good it will do in the middle of a goddamn war, but I'll take whatever advantage I can get."

"That's great, Ash! I'm so proud of you. You've earned it. Congratulations. Now I can show you the secret handshake."

Ashley laughed. "I'm not sure what the Council will expect from me at first. We'll figure that part out when I finally get out of here."

Shepard shifted a bit to retrieve something from her hip pocket, triumphantly holding up a flask. "To celebrate!" she explained as she unscrewed the top and held it out to Ashley. Ashley brought the flask to her nose, breathing out a happy sigh as she inhaled a bouquet with the slightest hint of honeyed vanilla that signaled her favorite scotch. She took a generous mouthful, relishing the warmth as it traveled down her throat before handing the flask back to Shepard, who took her own sip before she tucked it back away.

"Thanks for asking Liara to look for my family. Her information was very helpful. I was able to track down my mom. Everyone is fine for now."

"That's great, Ash!"

"It was a definitely a relief. I found Sarah, too. That news wasn't as good. Her new husband was killed in action. She's coming to the Citadel for a bit. She's not doing so well. I thought maybe I could help her out. Shared experience and all."

Shepard held Ashley tighter. "Let me know if there's anything I can do help. And don't be afraid to make use of your Spectre resources if you need to." They sat together in silence for a few moments. "Do you think Dr. Michel would let you out for an hour or two? If I promise to bring you back in one piece?"

"What did you have in mind?"

"I found this great ramen place on the Presidium level. Want to go out and get some real food?"

A mischievous grin stole across Ashley's face. "Do they do take out?"

Shepard's eyes widened as she tried to find her voice. "Are you suggesting. . . ?"

"Not suggesting, Shepard. I'm insisting." Ashley purred as she ran a finger down Shepard's neck and under her collar, igniting sparks down Shepard's spine.

Shepard couldn't even look Dr. Michel in the eye as Ashley explained how she might benefit from a walk around the Presidium and a good meal. It took a little convincing (and a lot of Shepard keeping her mouth shut), but eventually the doctor agreed to a two hour break from the hospital, so long as Shepard promised to look out for Ashley and not allow her to exert herself too much. Shepard made the mistake of glancing at Ashley at that moment. The naked desire on Ashley's face caused Shepard to fumble over her response. Apparently it was good enough, because they were soon on their way.

Shepard actually did try to head for the ramen place. Ashley had something else in mind. She steered them directly to her small apartment. Arriving at the studio, Ashley wasted no time stripping Shepard bare between kisses, laying her out on the bed. Stepping back, she admired every inch of the commander, starting from her muscular shoulders, down to her round breasts and toned abs, and continuing on to her strong legs, until Shepard propped herself up on her elbows and called out an impatient, "For fuck's sake, Ash!"

Ashley laughed quietly, and began removing her clothes agonizingly slowly. Shepard's eyes devoured each inch of flesh revealed, her tongue darting hungrily over her lips. Ashley was soon wearing nothing but Shepard's tags on the heavy chain around her neck. Shepard's gaze paused for a moment on the new scars along Ashley's ribs, a reminder of almost losing her on Mars. The fingers of her hand were suddenly tracing the bright pink lines, the other hand wrapped around Ashley's waist. Ashley remained standing next to the bed, fingers wrapped in Shepard's hair while Shepard held her in place and kissed each raised welt tenderly. When she was done, she pulled Ashley down on the bed and into her arms, burying her face in Ashley's hair. Her voice was low and thick in Ashley's ear. "I'm lucky to have you, Ash. I want to spend every day of the rest of my life showing you how much I love you."

Ashley looked at Shepard with shining eyes. She pressed Shepard down on the bed, covering her with her body. Just before she brushed her lips against Shepard's, she looked her in the eyes and in a voice husky with desire, she whispered, "Show me now."

OoOoO

Somehow Shepard and Ashley still managed to share some ramen before Ashley was due back in the hospital. Dr. Michel gave Ashley a quick scan when they returned, declaring her none the worse for wear after her outing. She raised a questioning eyebrow at the fresh bite mark peeking above Shepard's collar, garnering a sheepish look from Shepard in return. The doctor shook her head in amusement as she left the room.

Ashley burst out laughing as the door closed. "I don't think I've ever seen you look so guilty, Shepard. I didn't mean to leave a mark. Well, I did mean to leave a mark. Just not where it would show."

Shepard grinned in return. "Good thing she couldn't see the other ones." She sat down in one of the two chairs in the room. "I have to get back to the ship soon. Next up is making krogan babies."

Ashley scooted the other chair close to Shepard. "Really? Wrex always did say you had a quad, but I didn't think he meant it literally."

Shepard smiled. "Mordin thinks he can reverse the genophage. If we do that, then the krogan will commit their forces to fight against the Reapers. You still haven't met Mordin, have you? You'll like him. Hopefully by the time we get back, you'll be cleared for active duty and I can introduce you."

"I'll do my best."

"I expect nothing less, LC." After reaching over to hold Ashley's hand, Shepard sat back comfortably in her chair, one corner of her mouth quirking up. "But are you sure you want to leave the hospital so soon? I saw you checking out that one asari nurse earlier."

"Oh, her? Mmmmm. She gives the best sponge baths…"

Shepard's eyes narrowed as she turned to look at Ashley. "Hey!"

Ashley laughed. "You're so predictable." Shepard began to relax. Until she heard Ashley add, "But she really does…"