November 8th, 2172 CE

Jasper jolts awake, his eyes scanning the surroundings with haste. The med bay. He relaxes. Doctor Tineke approaches, datapad in hand.

"Lieutenant Shepard, we lost you for a little while there, and you'll have some nasty bruising. How do you feel?" He meets Jasper's eyes with an apologetic smile. Jasper smiles back, wincing as he sits up, a sharp pang coming from his head.

"I'll be alright Doctor. How is Perkins?" Jasper's smile fades as Tineke sobers up.

"Perkins will need a prosthetic leg, and serious physical therapy before he can serve again. We'll be dropping him off soon if you'd like to say your farewells." Tineke moves back as Jasper stands up.

"Anyone else seriously wounded?" Jasper's tone and expression are somber. He's never had someone wounded to that extent on his watch beforehand. Tineke offers him a reassuring grin.

"Only a handful. They'll need some time here to recover. But you did good, Lieutenant Shepard." He grasps Jasper's shoulder and shakes it firmly. Jasper offers up a still somber smile and nods. Something occurs to him.

"Doctor, about my report—"

"Service Chiefs Hino and Fiddler relayed what happened to the captain. Gunnery Chief Leng's report differs, but its two to one. I dare say we'll be keeping you on a bit longer, Lieutenant Shepard." Tineke grins even wider before ushering him to the elevator. Jasper thanks him as he punches in the CIC.

A few minutes later, he arrives on the deck in time to see Perkins limping on crutches towards the airlock. The man looks miserable. Then he sees Jasper, and relief lights his eyes somewhat. "Lieutenant." Captain Borgogni nods to him, and Jasper feels torn for a moment before they nod to Perkins. Jasper nods gratefully and makes his way towards the man.

"Perkins, I—" Perkins holds up his hand.

"Relax, kiddo. I know the score. Can't say I'm happy with it, but it's damn better than being dead. And I'll say one more time, its not your fault. ¿Entender?" Jasper sighs, looks at him for a moment, then nods. Perkins grins wide. "Bueno. You gotta work on that, kiddo. Can't go crying over spilled milk." Perkins holds out a hand, and Jasper shakes it firmly.

"Good luck out there Perkins." Jasper offers a small smile as the man limps into the airlock proper.

"Thanks. I'll keep in touch with some of the platoon. Feel free to give a holler if you want to check in." Perkins salutes him as the doors close, and Jasper sighs, face somber once again. He turns, and returns to Borgogni's station. They look up and give him a serious once over.

"Lieutenant Shepard. I can't say I'm particularly happy with your debut performance." Jasper fights to keep his shoulders from slumping. Here comes the dismissal. "But I'm not going to pretend that it falls solely on you. You were too careless, but when you knew the score, you were quick on your feet and had a decent plan until Leng decided to go play lone wolf." They stand and look him in the eye. "I won't lie, Lieutenant. I'm angry that we lost Raanta, she was a good woman, and Perkins will never be the same. Remember that." Jasper nods. "But I'm letting you keep command. You've got potential, and you've already built a connection with the platoon, so just be sure to learn from the experience and keep moving forward." They break eye contact. "Now get down to the mess. I expect your report by tomorrow." Jasper salutes and dutifully makes his way to the elevator.

When he arrives in the mess, the deck is quieter than usual. He keeps his head level, making his way to the line. He fills his tray once his turn comes, then looks for a place to sit. Fiddler waves him over between them and Hino. Raanta's seat again. He sighs and makes his way over, sitting promptly.

"Ease up, Lieutenant. We'll make it through." Fiddler pats his back. Jasper looks at them for a moment, then nods. The three eat in amicable silence after that.

November 10th, 2172 CE

"What the fuck, Shepard?!" Leng smashes his hand onto the wall, looming angrily over Jasper's back. Jasper doesn't even bother to fight back his sigh, looking up from his terminal.

"You'll have to be more specific, Leng." Leng growls and slams down a datapad. Jasper glances at it. His report, of course. Jasper turns to looks into Leng's thunderous dark eyes and raises a brow. "My report? What about it?"

"You made me out to be a reckless asshole!" Jasper hums. Leng grabs him by the collar. "You're gonna come with me, walk this back to the captain, and then—" Jasper pushes up from the chair and tears Leng's hands off of him.

"No. I gave them nothing but the truth. You decided to run off on us, and it got someone hurt. If you look bad, that's on you." He straightens out his uniform while Leng shakes with rage.

"Shepard, how am I supposed t—" Jasper leans in close, voice quiet, eyes stony.

"Deal. With. It." The others present in the quarters have risen from their bunks. They don't look happy with either of them. Jasper glances around, meeting some eyes with apologetic understanding. Leng bristles at the negative attention, muscling his way through the crowd.

"This isn't over, Shepard." He throws over his shoulder with a furious glance. Jasper nods. When Leng disappears from view, he does his best to read the dispersing crowd. No one seems to want to fight, he returns to his seat. He's got correspondence to attend to.

December 12th, 2172 CE

The missions he's gone on with Leng since giving his report have been tense. Thankfully, most of the platoon has come around, appreciating his more thorough approach. They're being more careful, less likely to run out of cover and picking their shots. He's doing his best to keep Leng on a leash, to avoid anymore 'cowboy shit,' as he's taken to calling it. Leng critiques him mercilessly on each outing. His aim is off, his drones can't do shit, his sapping is weak. Jasper tries not to rise to the bait, but he feels his patience chipping away. Fiddler and Hino have become good friends, helping to keep him level. But Leng isn't his only problem. While they've kept in touch for the last few months, Seisyll didn't get an assignment on the Reykjavik. The distance is testing their relationship, and he's unsure about their future. He's tried reaching out to Ma, but she's busy with her own post. All this is on his mind as he stares at his terminal, trying desperately to come up with a response to a message from Seisyll. They're feeling the strain on their relationship too, and want to know if he thinks they can make things work. He wants to say yes, but…

"That's it, up with ye." Fiddler grabs his arm. He stares at them in shock as they yank him to his feet and close his terminal. They look at him evenly, their dark teal speckled eyes boring into his grays. "Ye've been running yerself ragged. Nary a break for ye, eh? Not on my watch. Come long, Shepard, I've got us a date with the shooting range. It'll be grand."

Jasper allows Fiddler to guide him into the elevator and down to the cargo hold, bracing himself for Leng's presence. Sure enough, he's mercilessly assaulting yet another poor sandbag. Probably imagining Jasper is the one he's raining down his blows on. He glances their way and stills mid-punch. His eyes narrow and he begins stalking towards them, eyes never leaving Jasper. Fiddler lights up like a pyre, the warm glow of their biotics giving Leng pause. Leng may be biotically inclined, but Fiddler has him outclassed in terms of raw output and skill. He glowers at them unhappily. "Seriously?"

"Aye. The Lieutenant needs to let out some pent-up stress. Stay outta the way, Leng, or it won't end well for ye." Jasper studies Leng closely, body ready to move. Leng's mulling over his odds. He scoffs, then stomps back over to beat his bag with renewed ferocity. Jasper lets himself relax. Fiddler grins. "The glow comes in handy, eh? Now let's get down to business."

They make their way over to the range, each grabbing a Phalanx. "Alright, Shepard. You seem bonnie out in the field, like a proper western star." Jasper glances at them bemusedly. Fiddler's grin broadens. "But I reckon that's mostly adrenaline. Care to prove me wrong?" Jasper nods with a smirk. He's always been a bit competitive. Fiddler sockets their thermal clip with a flourish, and he follows suit. "Then, may the best shot win."

Holst is laughing her ass off while Fiddler huffs indignantly. With twenty-four shots on moving targets, Fiddler got fourteen headshots, seven body shots, and three misses. Jasper got eighteen headshots, five body shots, and a single miss. He's gotten better, the relief and joy swelling his heart and easing the tension he' been under immensely. "I dinnae whether to give ye a skelp or a smourich, Shepard. Yer a damn fine shot."

Jasper lets out a genuine laugh for the first time in weeks. "I don't think either one is a good idea, no offense." He holds up his hands placatingly. Fiddler scoffs.

"Relax, ya might be a smidge braw, but you're still a skinny malinky longlegs. Don't exactly leave me drawers drookit, ye know." They smirk at his sputtering. He knows little about Scottish slang, but gets the gist. The warmth in his grinning cheeks feels like a balm to his troubled mind.

"Gross. Now then, where were we Shepard?" Leng cuts in smoothly, itching for a fight by the look of things. Jasper stifles a groan, glaring at him. Leng smirks. "Oh? Don't tell me you're scared of a friendly spar, Shepard." That damn huskiness is back in his voice as he leers. Fiddler glowers and glows.

"Oi. Dinnae get him all crabbit again. We're having a bonnie time here, ye bowfin eejit." Leng tosses her a scoff over his should, waving a dismissive hand.

"You're not going to do anything, Fiddler. Now butt out of my conversation." He turns back to Jasper, leer in full force. Jasper huffs and muscles past him.

"Fiddler's right, I'm in need of some downtime. We can do this some other day, Leng." He's not a teenager anymore, he doesn't want to stoop to Leng's level. Leng's hand latching onto his shoulder and clenching painfully begs to differ.

"No. We're doing this now. Put your fucking hands up, Shepard. Or should I just put you on your ass?" Jasper shakes Leng off. But he won't stop, he thinks to himself. This is like Mason all over again, except Mason couldn't beat him with both hands behind his back. While the war for an answer rages within Jasper, Fiddler rounds fully onto Leng.

"Now look what ye've done, ye haverin tattie! We was just fine before ye butted in!"

"What are you, five?" Leng crosses his arm and smirks nastily.

"Dinnae look at me like that, yer gonna make me boke!" Fiddler mock-gags. Jasper closes his eyes for moment. Then he sighs and nods.

"Alright Leng. Let's have a friendly chat. Over the shooting range." Leng scowls. "What's the matter? You scared of a little shooting?" Jasper blinks innocently. Leng growls and stalks over to pick up a Phalanx.

"Four clips with the pistols, then four with the shotguns. Get ready to do have your clock cleaned, Shepard." Leng glances at him with a sniff. Jasper shrugs. He won't be any good with the shotguns, so he'll need to end this at pistols. He grabs a Phalanx and waits for Holst's signal.

With pistols, Leng got nineteen headshots, five body shots, and no misses. Jasper got twenty head shots, three body shots and a single miss. A narrow loss, but a loss nonetheless. With shotguns, Leng got fifteen headshots, five body shots, and no misses. Jasper got five headshots, seven body shots, and eight misses. Leng laughs viciously.

"What did I tell you Shepard? You might be decent, but you just can't measure up. Better luck next time." Leng slaps him hard on the back and strolls off with a bounce in his step, wolf tail bobbing happily behind him.

"Feckin prick." Fiddler growls under their breath. Jasper keeps his agreement to himself, expression pensive. He decides that its best to let Leng run off with his pride assuaged for now. It'll make him easier to deal with later. He turns to Fiddler and offers what he hopes to be a pacifying smile.

"Hey, at least he'll lay off for a while. Now, what else did you have in mind?" Fiddler looks at him with a probing frown, brow creasing. Then they shrug.

"Dinnae. Wasn't really a plan, just wanted ye to let yer hair down for a spell. That tosser mucked it all up though." They glare at the elevator. Jasper pats their shoulder.

"No. If you hadn't helped me unwind, that would've ended a lot worse. I'll try to take some more time for myself from now on. Thank you, Fiddler." They look him over and nod, an unreadable expression on their face.

"Aye, anytime, Shepard. Now, let's go get some grub, I'm hankering for a piece." Holst calls out an awkward goodbye to them as they go, and the two return it with the promise to meet up for another contest soon. The elevator door closes, and Jasper lets his mind wander as they ascend.

December 16th, 2172 CE

It's official, he and Seisyll have agreed to part romantically before things got too strenuous between them. They'd remain friends, like he and Qasim had done, but they each needed some time apart to let it sink in. Jasper sighs forlornly as he rises from his seat. He'll need some time at the range to help him think. Leng is on a solo op for the next couple of days. Reconnaissance. The captain is eager to let he and Jasper have a break from one another as well. He comms Fiddler to tell them the news. They offer their company, and he agrees. This time, the contest isn't even close. Holst's and Jasper's shared laughter is hard to hear over Fiddler's cusses.

March 6th, 2173 CE

Jasper grins as he stares at the scores. He's gotten twenty-one headshots, three body shots, and no misses. Leng has nineteen headshots, five body shots, and no misses. Leng glares at him darkly.

"Don't get cocky, Shepard. I'll still clean you out in shotguns." Jasper nods seriously. He might be better with small arms now, but Leng is still supreme with his weapon of choice. He moves to the center of the hold, entering a low stance. Leng follows. Over the past few missions, Leng has gotten to cut loose more, a test to see if stroking his ego will make him more cooperative. It does. Jasper compares Leng to a spoilt house cat, both are easy to handle when pampered, but a nightmare when treated with anything less than such.

Leng opens with his damn roundhouse, and Jasper rolls to the side, never letting Leng have anything but his front. Leng huffs and drops into a sweep, which Jasper catches and turns into an ankle lock, wrenching quickly. Leng twists and mule kicks Jasper in the gut, freeing himself. Jasper grunts and forces a breath back in through the burn. Leng rolls to his feet and favors his right leg. Success. Jasper smirks as he waits for Leng to make the next move in their little dance. Leng doesn't disappoint, rushing in with a series of jabs and hooks that Jasper turns away or blocks. Leng wants him to dodge, so he'll weather the storm. Leng tenses for a kick, and when Jasper readies to block his lower half, sucker punches him on the jaw. Jasper blinks away stars in time to see the side thrust kick connect with his ribs, knocking him down. He rolls away and to his feet in a crouch, slamming a hook into a rushing Leng's side, winding him just enough to land a rising uppercut on his chin. Leng falls this time, letting out a growling groan as he goes. Jasper shunts back into a defensive position. Leng rises quickly, hissing as he puts too much weight on his left side too fast. Jasper rushes him with his own series of jabs and hooks. Leng barely dodges them, trying desperately to regain his breath.

That's the thing about Leng, Jasper thinks to himself. The man is a glass cannon on a speed kick. He can dole out punishment and dodge return fire all the live long day, but if he takes a hit, he needs time to recover. More time than Jasper does anyhow. So, he presses his advantage. He lands a shot right on Leng's nose, bloodying it. Leng howls and thrusts a knee towards Jasper's gut, he's forced to move aside. Leng follows up with a falling sweep, and Jasper can't regain his balance in time to dodge. He goes down hard with a grunt. Leng then uses his momentum to slam an elbow into Jasper's stomach, winding him completely before straddling him and landing a punch that Jasper redirects from his nose into his mouth. His lips split, and Leng grins maniacally before hands grab his shoulders and haul him off. Operations Chief Xiang, he looks severely disgruntled. Captain Borgogni clears their throat.

"Gentlemen, while I appreciate that you have this arrangement to settle your differences, please, show some moderation." Holst whoops with laughter, Leng shifts uncomfortably, and Jasper blinks at Leng's lap. Huh. He glances down and flushes lightly. He guesses they were both a little too excited just now. He rises to his feet awkwardly and salutes. Borgogni scoffs. "Really, Shepard? Oh, don't give me that look. Xiang and I need the hold to conduct our own exercises. I trust the three of you can keep yourselves occupied elsewhere in the meantime."

Their glance at Holst gets her to finally stop laughing and salute. The three of them make their way to the elevator, and Shepard punches in the observation decks. Fiddler is waiting for him and Holst. Once they arrive, they exit. Leng stays behind and punches his own destination in, vanishing to parts unknown for the time being.

March 28th, 2173 CE

Jasper parts from Fiddler and Holst, his expression fond. "Keep in touch, you two. Let's grab some shore leave together next time."

"We could grab it now if ye weren't so keen on chasing after bad boys, Jasper." Fiddler huffs and stretches their spine. Jasper would miss them dearly.

"Leave him alone, Ainsley. He's got his work cut out for him." Holst leers at him. He'll miss her too.

"Fine, have it yer way, Vanessa. Jasper, do give him a proper warning about that devil's tongue of yers. He'll never survive otherwise." Fiddler cackles at his resulting groan. It's all in good fun until someone overhears them and takes things too seriously. Jasper notices the crew of the Tannenberg shuffling quickly towards it, and shoulders his bag. He gives his friends a hug before turning to run along to his new assignment.

"I meant what I said, drinks will be on me next time." Jasper throws over his shoulder with a boyish grin. As he slows to walk professionally into the airlock proper, Jasper waves to the two of them one last time. Then he steps aboard, and readies himself for a new tour in the Exodus Cluster.


Author's Note

If this chapter feels jumpy, it's because I cut a somewhat nsfw section from the release here. You can read that part of the story on AO3. Same name, same chapter. But I warn you that it snuck up on me and likely isn't any good. Without reviews or comments, I'm flying blind. I hope everyone is having fun though. Thank you for your time.