A/N: Ugh. Writer's block is a bitch. I had 4 chapters written, but wasn't really happy with the pacing or storytelling. It took me a week to figure out what I wanted to do story-wise, and then a few more days to squeeze out this chapter. It helped to sit down and play the game for a bit again (with apologies to my neglected Inquisitor). But I think I have things moving again. Maybe. So hopefully there won't be another huge gap between chapters. Thanks to all of you for reading along!


Making krogan babies would have to wait. Mordin had a bit more work to do on synthesizing the cure. Shepard tried to avoid the details, but she gathered that Wrex wasn't entirely happy with where his contribution to the cure was taken from. In the meantime, both the Turian Primarch and Wrex had approached Shepard for help with some politically delicate issues. For the hundredth time, Shepard wondered how the hell she ended up mired hip-deep in diplomacy. But since both issues seemed to provide opportunities for her to go out and shoot things, she agreed to look into them. Anything to feel like she was doing something more than talking.

OoOoO

To: Lieutenant Commander A. Williams

From: Commander S. Shepard

Change in plan. I have a couple of other things to take care of before that genophage thing. Going to Tuchanka, but for a different reason. Will be gone longer than expected, but will try to get back as soon as I can. Make sure you're taking it easy - I'm going to want you on board as soon as you're cleared. Tell that asari nurse hi for me. Has Sarah made it there yet? Looking forward to meeting her. Love you. -S

OoOoO

To: Commander S. Shepard

From: Lieutenant Commander A. Williams

I'm hoping to be fully discharged soon. At least they're letting me out for a bit during the day. Sarah should be here tomorrow. She'll stay with me in the apartment. It will be good to see her. I passed your message along to the nurse. She didn't seem too happy to hear your name - what the hell did you say to her? Let me know when you'll be here next - I'll arrange something for Sarah to do for a bit. Miss you. Stay safe. Love, A.

OoOoO

Shepard spent far longer on Tuchanka than she expected. It should have been a quick rescue mission for some missing Turian troops, including the Primarch's son. Instead, at Hackett's request, she first ambushed a Cerberus base, assuming tactical control of the cannons there, realizing the dual benefit of disposing of a number of Cerberus soldiers while acquiring a significant military resource.

From there, she found the downed Turian cruiser escape pods, battling her way through Reaper troops to find the Primarch's son. Shepard was delighted to discover that Liara had developed into a fine field tactician. The asari often barked orders to Garrus to gain the advantage over the Reaper forces, and to Shepard's amused surprise, Garrus followed them without question. For her part, Shepard derived a great deal of satisfaction in slaughtering so many cannibals and husks.

Back on board the Normandy, Shepard was livid when she learned that the Turians were on Tuchanka to prevent Cerberus troops from obtaining and detonating an extraordinarily powerful bomb that the Turians had hidden on the planet years before. She had little patience for political games, and if weren't for Admiral Hackett's order to keep the peace, she would have happily unleashed a right hook on the Primarch once the truth finally came to light. In the end, the Primarch's son sacrificed himself to prevent the bomb from destroying much of the planet, but only after the Turian platoon sustained heavy casualties. Shepard didn't bother hiding her distaste that the Primarch's son died fixing his father's mistake.

Based on her experiences so far, she was fairly certain that this diplomacy stuff was going to kill her. She was irritable and short-tempered, which made it difficult to deal with politicians and diplomats, which in turn made her even more irritable and short-tempered. She'd much rather go up against a Reaper.

WIth matters on Tuchanka handled and nothing left for her to kill without causing a diplomatic incident, Shepard set a course back for the Citadel. The chief engineer had identified a design flaw in the engine core that could be fatal to engineering personnel if not repaired. Shepard had no intention of losing another Normandy, so she promised Adams she'd get the necessary parts as quickly as possible.

OoOoO

Once they arrived on the Citadel, Shepard located the needed hardware quickly and had it delivered to the Normandy. She also discovered that engineers Donnelly and Daniels were in Alliance custody, and used her Spectre authority to immediately release them, transferring them to the Normandy with instructions to assist Adams in the thermal pipe installation. With extra hands, the repair was now set to be completed within twelve hours. Satisfied that everything was on schedule, Shepard headed for Huerta Memorial.

After stopping to catch up with Thane, Shepard eagerly sought out Ashley, finding her in the lounge, along with a dark haired young woman whom Shepard surmised was Ashley's younger sister. Shepard was suddenly very conscious of the fact that she'd never participated in the ritual of meeting family before. She hadn't previously maintained a relationship long enough for it to be an issue. She stopped short, mouth dry and feet rooted to the floor, inexplicably terrified. She stood there for a few moments, fighting an impulse to turn and run. And then Ashley looked up and saw her there, smiling in greeting. That smile never failed to melt Shepard's heart. Ashley rose to greet her, holding out a hand in invitation. It was more than enough to compel Shepard to instantly move to her side, drawing her into a tight embrace and kissing her lightly, resisting the urge to deepen the kiss with Ashley's sister sitting right there.

"Shepard, this is my sister, Sarah. Sarah, this is Shepard." Ashley made quick work of the introductions. Sarah raised a questioning eyebrow to Ashley at the use of the commander's last name. Shepard caught it and suppressed an amused grin.

"I'm so happy to meet you… Shepard." Shepard extended a hand to the younger woman, only to be engulfed in a rather enthusiastic hug, which she awkwardly returned. Shepard narrowed her eyes at Ashley's stifled chuckle.

"You too, Sarah." Shepard wriggled free of the hug. "My condolences on your husband. Another thing the Reapers will pay for."

Sarah smiled sadly. "I hope so."

Ashley interrupted the resulting uncomfortable silence. "I thought we could all get some lunch together at that sushi place." Although Shepard really wanted nothing more than to strip Ashley down and run her hands and tongue across her lover's body, she agreed.

OoOoO

After lunch Sarah excused herself, saying that she had some plans for the rest of the afternoon, smiling knowingly at the two spectres before admonishing them to stay out of trouble as she took her leave. Shepard and Ashley lingered at the table for a few more moments.

"Your little sister is pretty great, Ash. Some of those stories… I had no idea you were such a pain in the ass when you were younger, but I guess I should have assumed."

Ashley snorted in response. "Don't be so smug. Your mom has told me some stories about your younger days. I think you have me beat."

Still laughing, Shepard moved closer to Ashley, running her hand up Ashley's thigh. "So… how much time do you think we have?"

Ashley leaned in and kissed Shepard. "Never enough, love. So let's go." They nearly ran to Ashley's apartment.

OoOoO

Shepard slammed the apartment door behind them and in one swift movement pinned Ashley against the wall, hands quickly moving under Ashley's shirt, cupping her breasts. Shepard's mouth hungrily sought Ashley's, her lips parting to allow her tongue to press its way into Ashley's mouth. Ashley returned the kiss with the same fervor, grabbing Shepard's backside and pulling her roughly towards her. Shepard pushed a thigh between Ashley's legs, causing Ashley to buck against her while holding Shepard's hips firmly in place. Their kisses became more frenzied, all teeth and tongue. They broke apart only to undress each other, leaving a path of clothes between the door and the bed.

Which is where Sarah found them some time later, lying asleep in each other's arms, sheets discarded as their sweat-soaked skin cooled in the open air. Shepard was the first to notice that someone had entered the studio apartment, gallantly attempting to shield Ashley's body with her own as she reached for a sheet. Ashley yelped in surprise, grabbing the sheet Shepard was trying to cover them with and pulling it over her head in mortified humiliation, inadvertently leaving the rest of them exposed. Laughing, Shepard tugged it away, finally draping it over their more sensitive areas. By this time, Sarah had turned away but was laughing uncontrollably.

Trying to catch her breath between fits of giggles, Sarah managed to choke out. "Dear god, Ashley. This is better than when I caught you with that mechanic in the back seat of dad's skycar when you were home on leave." Ashley groaned in agony. "Well shit, hang a sock on the door next time."

"A mechanic?" Shepard waggled her eyebrows. "Was somebody getting a tune-up?"

"I hate you both." Ashley grunted as her head fell back against the pillows.

Shepard reached down to retrieve her pants from the floor near the bed. "Who's up for some ramen? I've worked up quite an appetite."

"Shepard!" Ashley continued to be thoroughly embarrassed.

Still wheezing, Sarah wiped the tears from her eyes. "How about I wait outside for you two? Just don't take too long, Ashley. Whatever you have left to do, be quick."

"Dammit so much," Ashley muttered under her breath.

As the door hissed closed behind Sarah, Shepard let her pants drop back to the floor and rolled on top of Ashley. "Quick? I can do quick."

Ashley couldn't help herself. With Shepard on top of her, still smelling tantalizingly of sex and sweat, her body reacted instantly. Liquid heat flooded her center as she deftly reversed their positions to straddle her lover, looking down at Shepard with eyes hooded with desire. "Not too quick, I hope," she growled as she bent down to take a nipple into her mouth.

OoOoO

They all ended up having a late dinner that night. Sarah was remarkably understanding. She'd given up on waiting for her sister after a short while, opting to explore the Citadel for a bit until she received an apologetic ping from Ashley. Dr. Michel was nearly as understanding, allowing Ashley to return to the hospital much later than usual, although she did caution Ashley that she'd need additional observation to ensure her long day had no ill effects on her recovery.

In the end the three were able to enjoy a good meal and good conversation together, lingering over bourbon (for Ashley and Shepard) and beer (for Sarah) until it was time for Shepard to return to the Normandy. Shepard found herself thoroughly enjoying the stories of Ashley's younger days, even if Ashley didn't. Sarah bade Shepard goodbye and good luck before wandering a short way off to allow her sister to say her farewells in private.

Shepard stepped forward to wrap her arms around Ashley, inclining her forehead against the marine's. "I love you, Ash. I hate that I keep having to leave you behind. When I come back, I hope you're ready to come with me."

Ashley lifted Shepard's chin, and kissed her heatedly. "I hope so, too, Sloane. I don't like knowing that you're under fire out there without me to cover your sweet ass." Shepard grinned, and kissed her again.

"I don't know how long I'll be gone this time. I'll be home as soon as I can."

Ashley arched a dark brow. "Home?"

"Home is wherever you are, Ash."

Ashley's heart thrummed in her chest, and she pressed her lips against Shepard's. "Damn, Shepard. You really do know how to sweep a girl off her feet." She kissed her again. "I love you. Come home safely to me."