The aroma of coffee filled the bridge, the source of it was Shepards cup that was held between both hands. The chair on the right side was filled by the Commander. His eyes closed against the day cycle.
A sudden panicked beeping from the center computer cut off the silence he had grown to enjoy. His eyes flicking open, his head turning to see the red screen. Opening up his Omni tool and swapping to the speakers on the ship. "Joker to the bridge."
He stood up to go over and see what was happening, bold letters popping up on the display as he approached.
'Damage to external and internal hull.'
He blinked a couple times, setting his cup of coffee on the open spot to his left. Bringing his Omni tool up again. Before he had the chance to speak into it, another message appeared.
'Damage to drive sustained. Mass effect field disrupted. Dropping from FTL.'
He felt the ship rumble quietly. Turning around for a moment, still not seeing Joker. He spoke into his Omni tool again. "Adams, what the hell is going on in engineering?"
Silence was the only response. The ship jolted to a sudden change in speed. A cold chill ran down his spine as he looked out the forward window to the planet they were hurtling towards. Checking the display on his right side to check its name.
Asteria?
He had only been to the planet once, and once was more than enough. "Pressly, what the-" He was cut off by the ship jolting harshly and flinging him and the cup into the air.
With a blink of an eye, he was in the mess hall, falling backwards in the chair he had been sleeping in. His reflexes were sluggish from just waking and was too slow to catch himself. The loud rattling of the chair hitting the floor then silence.
Shepard found himself floating just barely above the ground, staring at the ceiling. A strange tingling feeling that wrapped around his body told him a biotic was holding him in place. Clearing his throat before speaking up. "Hello?"
He was turned upwards into a standing position, seeing Liara holding him up. "Uh… good morning. Shepard." Her strangely timed pauses and awkward demeanor made him chuckle quietly to himself.
He gave her a short nod in return. "Good catch…" His eyes looked to the ground he was barely hovering above. "Would you mind setting me down?"
"Yes. Of course." She seemed hesitant to do so, as if doubting her own ability to let go. After a moment he was dropped, landing quietly on the ground.
He looked down and kicked the chair up into its standing position. Straightening his shirt out as he looked around, about to open his omni tool before Liara spoke up again.
"It's just before seven." She continued eating, after she spoke. Glancing up at him for a moment, her eyes tracking him as he walked towards the makeshift kitchen. "You fell asleep out here?"
Shepard was walking to get himself breakfast, having the oatmeal he would so often make. Giving a short nod as he responded. "Yeah… figured I'd… change it up." As far as excuses went, that was probably the worst he had ever come up with. "You're up early."
Liara watched him with questioning eyes, finally speaking. "I haven't… actually gone to sleep yet. It seems I've turned my sleeping patterns around…" After a minute, the two were sitting across from each other. After a few minutes of silent eating, she finally posed a question that had been on the edge of her mind for a time. "Are you ever going to tell me about the watch?"
Shepards eyes shifted from his plate to Liara across the table. Shrugging slightly as he stirred the oatmeal. "Not a lot to say about it. For the most part it's silver, except for the brass and steel gears."
"I think you know what I mean Shepard." Her inquisitive look was ever more prominent. It made the Commander wonder how long she spent with the same look plastered on her face at Prothean dig sites. "Who gave it to you?"
"My old man. After I completed almost two years of training for the Alliance." He sat back as he studied Liara's expression. "He said that whether or not I would stay in the alliance, having a way to prove my worth was key to getting on board ships for traveling… I guess he knew settling down in one spot wasn't going to suit me."
"What was he like?" Liara folded her hands together in front of her. Her head tilted to the right slightly as she leaned forward.
Shepard was silent for a few moments, his eyes remained focused on Liara across the table. "He… originally was born on earth. When he was older, he joined his family that were planning to move to Terra Nova."
He leaned back in his chair as he turned his eyes up towards the ceiling. "He was fascinated by the older civilizations that had been on our planet prior to the more modern ones."
He paused for a few moments, pondering what he should tell her. "He had a big interest in the Romans which is where his fixation on Latin came from and…" His sentence fell off, realizing quickly as to who he was talking to. "You… don't know anything about that."
She was watching him with a bit of amusement. Despite her hunored feeling though, a tiredness took her afterwards. She hadn't really done much in the past few days, except mess up her sleeping schedule further.
In time, Liara would excuse herself, retreating to the quiet seclusion of med bays rear room to finally sleep. Shepard still had to break it to Doctor Chakwas that her storage room was going to be Liara's for an extended period.
Shepard ate slowly, his eyes focused on his omni tool. His mind was quite disconnected from the glowing display, he instead was thinking about Tali. Occasionally glancing towards his own door.
How is she able to be so...
His mind paused as he searched for the right word; but he found no one word could properly describe Tali. The sound of an opening pod pulled his attention from the door he'd been staring at.
Wrex.
He had memorized which pods belonged to which crew members. Sighing quietly as he shook his head. He had been avoiding Wrex; the loud Krogan often gave him a headache. Wrex also seemed to enjoy watching creatures suffer the effects of ryncol, something that made the back of his head throb just from considering. Shepard heard a faint beep from his omni tool, looking to see a message had just arrived.
After a moment, the Krogan had stumbled out of his pod and was stomping quite heavily towards the kitchen. Starting to hungrily arrange a similar tray to Shepards, but with much more piled on top of the tray. Starting to eat where he stood without bothering to sit.
"Hungry? Wrex?" The comment got the hulk of armor to turn and look at Shepard. Letting out a loud huff in confirmation as he ate.
Shepard was shaking his head a bit, turning his eyes back to the display around his wrist. "I'm surprised, Shepard." He finally spoke up in his gruff way.
"Why is that?" He sipped on the water in front of him, not looking up at Wrex who brought two trays to the table before sitting.
"Tali's not in her pod so she must be up, and you aren't spending your time with her." Shepard blinked a couple times at the old Krogans comment. Looking up to see his toothy grin.
"What? Do I have to spend every waking minute with her or something?" He tried to act like he was unaware of what Wrex was getting at.
Wrex let out a short hearty chuckle. "It sure seems like you're trying to." Shepard blinked a couple of times as he sat back, the display around his wrist disappearing.
"Well I'm just trying to help her. She spent most of her life amongst her own kind in her flotilla. Things are different out here." Wrex laughed again, this time much louder. Shepard thought he might very well wake the crew up with it.
"Good one." Wrex finished the first tray faster than Shepard realized, as the bulk of armor was already starting on the second tray. Not bothering to use a utensil, simply tilting the tray back and letting the food fall into his mouth.
"Good… what?" The Commander tilted his head to the left slightly. His eyes squinted as he watched Wrex eat like a starved dog. Speaking once he set the tray back down.
"Excuse. It won't work though." Wrex noticed the look he was receiving from Shepard and scoffed. "Don't act stupid Shepard. You barely talk to your own crew when she's around. Much less me or Garrus
Shepard blinked a couple times, his eyebrow raising as his arms crossed. "I talk with everyone-"
"No, you talk with Tali. You get forced into conversations with other people." The seemingly satisfied Krogan set his second tray on top of the other. Shepard was somewhat surprised that either of the trays survived unmarked by him.
The Commander shook his head, dragging his left hand down his face. "Like I already said Wrex, she's a Quarian. She's been isolated to a single ship most-" He was once again cut off by Wrex.
"Stop lying to me. You aren't very good at it." This only elicited a long, silent stare from the human. His index finger tapped the table lightly as he tried to think of something to silence the Krogan.
"What's wrong Shepard? Did a Quarian steal your tongue?" The comment got Shepard to smile a bit. He let out a long sigh and shook his head.
"No, I'm pretty sure-" The sound of the Commander's door opening halted Shepard before he could finish his sentence.
Tali walked out to find both of them looking in her direction. Slowing her pace as she glanced back and forth between them. "Good morning, Shepard. Wrex." Tali gave a courteous nod to both of them before heading to the small kitchen area to grab food. Both of them returned the short nod to her.
"Good morning, Tali." Shepard spoke as she passed, his eyes turned to Wrex afterwards. The Krogan was already watching Shepard with a smug smile. Starting to let out a low chuckle that was abruptly halted by Shepard. "No, No. I know what you're thinking, and simply. No. I did not."
"Didn't what?" Tali spoke up as she approached the table, bringing two tubes with her from the kitchen. Choosing a seat next to Shepard despite the many open ones around. Her glowing eyes flicked back and forth between the two.
Shepards cheeks had a faint red coloring to them. Averting his eyes from wrex to his tray. "Nothing, it's not important." Tali found that Shepard was downright refusing to make eye contact with her or Wrex. The deep chuckle of Wrex starting once again.
Talis confusion was only increasing, looking over to Wrex now. "Don't you have something to break in storage?" Shepard would again cut the Krogan off. Finally bringing himself to look at the Krogan with his left eyebrow raised.
"Oh, so I'm fine to give the Turian something to fix?" The Krogan stood up, seemingly eager at the idea of breaking something. Tali wondered as to why he was trying to rid the mess hall of Wrex. Staying silent as she secured a bottle to her helmet, tilting her head back to drink the water.
Shepard let out a quiet sigh before shrugging. "Sure, just don't break anything expensive… or the Mako, I need that today."
"No promises." Wrex left the two alone. Shepard was glad that Wrex could keep a level of discretion. He had been somewhat worried that Wrex didn't have the subtlety required for such things.
Tali dislodged the empty tube from her helmet, spinning it between her fingers. "Your monitor was blinking when I woke up." Her glowing eyes would flick over to Shepard, who continued stirring the tasteless, pale rations on his tray.
"Probably Sislio with something else. I'll check it before going to Luna." He spoke on the quieter side, loud enough for Tali to hear though. Her eyes would return to the tube she was holding, setting it down to grab the one with the purified paste inside.
"I better get ready." Shepard left to clean his tray before putting it away. Going to his room to follow his routine now that Tali was awake. Deciding to wait to read the message till afterwards.
Tali found herself alone in the silence of the mess hall. Wondering what Wrex and Shepard had been talking about to make him so evasive on a subject.
Shepards past?
She wouldn't put it past the old Krogan to poke his nose into what her Captain had done outside of the alliance.
Commander. The Commander.
After a self correction, Tali finally secured the tube to her helmet. Her head tilted back to let the food slide down the tube. The sound of two pods moving almost simultaneously caught Talis attention.
Ashley and Kaidan were the two getting up. The timing made her wonder if there had been an alarm to wake the alliance soldiers in particular.
Out of the two, Kaidan seemed the most prepared to awaken. He had chosen to avoid drinking, not wanting to preemptively give himself a headache before the day even started. Heading to the fridge to arrange himself some food, giving a nod to Tali as he saw her. Ashley was attempting, and failing, to stifle a long yawn. Starting to do some loose stretching to help herself awaken.
Tali returned the nod to Kaidan. Proceeding to remove the empty tube from her helmet's port as he went to sit across from her at the table. "Morning." Ashley followed in Kaidan's footsteps to get food, joining the two at the table and starting to eat.
Tali would excuse herself, taking care of the two tubes she had brought to the table. Heading down the elevator to see if Adams was at work yet.
The two alliance soldiers would soon finish breakfast and get ready for the day ahead of them. Heading down to the cargo to get their gear sorted and ready. Ashley and Kaidan talking to each other about the upcoming excursion to the moon's surface.
Shepard and Garrus both arrived in the cargo at the same time, Garrus following Shepard to the Mako. Garrus seemed to be trying to convince Shepard to allow him to join the team dropping onto the surface. Although he would only meet a dead end with the Commander.
"If I could, I would Garrus. But this is strictly alliance business only. I've been ordered to leave any and all non alliance personnel on board the Normandy during our departure." Garrus didn't enjoy missing out on the action, he did understand Shepards need to follow the orders he'd received though. "Go play cards with Wrex or something." He waved the Turian off with his open hand, the other holding the metal box that usually remained in his lockbox.
"Right. Just a Turian and Krogan playing cards. No way for that to go wrong." Shepard would've rolled his eyes at Garrus' remark, but he was too busy making sure the Mako was in operational order.
"No, I didn't break your toy." Shepard heard the Krogan speak up from behind him. Looking back at Wrex for a moment before opening the left hatch to the Mako.
"Good. If you're gonna try the same as Garrus, it won't work. Only alliance soldiers on this drop." He climbed inside to start checking the systems himself. Everything was always in order, but it helped put his mind at ease anyways.
"No, I know how picky the alliance is with who gets to see their secrets." The comment made the Commander pause.
He poked his head out of the hatch to look at Wrex. His eyebrows furrowed in slight confusion. "You've dealt with the alliance before?"
Wrex crossed his arms as he nodded. "Of course I have. You don't get this old without running into your fair share of people."
Shepard blinked a couple times, him and Garrus exchanging a quick glance before Shepard asked the question. "How old are you Wrex?"
The Krogan let out a chuckle, shrugging as he started off towards the partly bent table he so often leaned against. "Good question, I'd have to think about it. Far before your kind had decided to start poking out into the galaxy."
Shepard watched the bulk of armor walking away, it was a vague answer if ever he heard one. It did change his perspective on Wrex though. Pulling his head back within the Mako to double check everything. A question presenting itself to his mind.
Why did Wrex join the Normandy?
He'd ask the same about Garrus, except it had been fairly apparent since their first meeting that Garrus was looking for something other than C-Sec. Shepard figured that the Turian simply wanted to try a different lifestyle. He brushed the question off as it could wait.
After a few hours had passed, Joker brought the Normandy into position close to the base. They had to drop close to several hundred meters from their objective; a precaution to make sure they didn't land on top of the base and damage it or the Mako.
The ride was quiet one, Shepard kept his eyes focused ahead as he drove. He could see the glint of earth's light in the window, it pulled his mind despite his attempts to resist the alluring
glow. They would eventually reach their destination, the team leaving the Mako out of the left hatch. The small metal box Shepard had brought was now magnetically clinging to the back of his armor.
Shepard led the way into the first section of the base, where he had to stop Williams from shooting up the power source to the V.I. He had yet to inform them of the fact that the mission parameters had changed from erasure to retrieval. The message he had received this morning had been from Udina. Udina had already obtained the approval of an Admiral and a Rear Admiral, it wasn't an order he could argue.
It also meant they only needed to enter and clear out a single portion of the base, disable the nodes that the V.I. used to control the drones within the base, then retrieve the black box that contained a constantly updated copy of the V.I.
Training drones proved to be little challenge for the three experienced soldiers. Shepard had a moment, several in fact, to take note of Williams personal initiative and tactfulness. So much so that he wondered if he or Kaidan would've even been necessary to clear the room. "All clear." Was the only thing she said once the fight was over.
Shepard made his way to the back room. Giving a short nod to both the soldiers as he passed each. "Excellent work, Williams." A few taps on the door controls and it slid open. Shepard entered with the other two in tow.
As the base had been designed for the purpose of developing more advanced V.I. The black box had been designed as an integral part of the system. It's removal would cause the automatic shutdown for every system except life support, effectively cutting off any control the V.I had on the systems throughout the three complexes.
"I don't like that we're giving this to Udina." Williams was the first to speak up on the subject of their mission. "Shouldn't this go to an Admiral? Or straight to the nearest Alliance base?"
Shepard was busy disconnecting the large box from its source. Tapping the display that hovered a few inches from the large data storage. He had been given several codes to unlock the device, all of which were key to releasing the box without damaging it in some way.
Kaidan spoke up next, doing his best to reason it out. "Yeah, but these are our orders. Maybe the Council wants to look into it. Rogue V.I kinda has A.I experiment written all over it."
The display lit up green before disappearing. The box shifted up out of it's receptacle, the lights inside dimming notably as the generators swapped to minimize power usage.
Shepard finally spoke up as he picked up the singular item they had come to retrieve. It was fairly uniform, close to half a meter in length, width and height. A few varying outlets for direct connections to it on one side."As far as I know, the Council doesn't know anything about this."
Both Kaidan and Williams developed questioning looks after that. Shepard noticed them after he turned around. "Then why is it going to Udina?" Williams once again prodded, and Shepard only shrugged.
Walking past the two with the box in his arms. Proceeding to the exit with the pair. "Ask him yourself, I don't know anything about this stuff."
The trio left the way they arrived, Shepard handing the box off to Kaidan outside. Pointing to the Mako and giving a short nod towards it. "Get it secured and tell Joker we'll be launching back up in fifteen minutes, so he better be ready to catch us."
Kaidan nodded and followed the order. Shepard wandered away to find a spot to sit. Williams was about to follow Kaidan when she realized Shepard was going in the other direction. After a few moments of hesitation, she decided to follow her Commander.
He had taken a seat atop a mound about thirty meters from the base. Unable to hear the approaching soldier from behind. He proceeded to pull the small, metal box he had usually kept stored in his footlocker, off his side. Flicking the latch over that kept it closed and opening it up.
Pulling one of several pencils out from the right side of the case, holding it in his right hand. He straightened a page on the left side of the case with his thumb. His focus finally shifted up to look at the planet he had been avoiding. His jaw clenching as he stared at it from across the expanse of the moon's barren landscape.
Such a bright blue...
He would look back down and begin sketching out the picture before him. Starting first with the moon before him.
Gray is a good color for the moon.
It was but a minute or two before he looked up again. Focusing on the light of the blue and white jewel hanging in the sky.
Not so well for you though...
He started to draw the Earth before him. Finding himself getting lost in the sketch as he stared at the paper. Only occasionally and briefly looking up to double check that no one had moved the planet while he had been looking down.
"You draw?"
It wasn't much, but he had been so lost in thought that it was enough to startle him. Kicking off the ground in surprise and floating upwards gracefully. The pencil and pad clutched tightly in his hands. Hearing her laughing before she came into view. "Jesus, Williams. Just about jumped out of my armor."
Ashley found the sight of her Commander jumping in surprise quite humorous. Attempting to suppress her laugh while she watched him slowly drift back towards the surface of the moon. Crossing her arms as he finally landed, opening the metal case to double check he hadn't messed up the sketch. "I… uh… I'm sorry about that."
Shepard could tell by the amused sound in her voice that she had been quite entertained by the event. His sketch was unscathed by his sudden jolt with the pencil. "No harm done. I just expected you to join Kaidan." He looked at Williams for a moment before over to earth once again. He took a few steps forward, returning to the mound he had sat upon. "And yes. I draw. Everyone needs a hobby."
Williams raised an eyebrow as she watched him continue drawing. "I thought that Tali was your hobby." Her remark was made in jest, but it made him pause the sketch he was making.
Glancing up to the Gunnery Chief for a moment before continuing. "I'm just gonna act like you didn't say that."
"Is that because I'm right?" Williams crossed her arms, turning her eyes to the Earth.
He let out a quick exhale through his nose. Shaking his head as he paused the sketch once again. "Can't I just help a Quarian? Without people assuming I've fallen for her?"
It doesn't help that you have. Dumbass.
He brushed the page off like he was trying to get rid of the thought in his head. Continuing to sketch before she spoke up again. "So… others know you have as well?"
Shepard let out a quiet sigh, keeping his eyes focused on the page. Knowing his bluff would be for naught if she saw his red colored cheeks. "Wrex brought up his opinions on the subject. Just… Don't talk to him about it." He could still remember the smug look the old Krogan had given him when Tali left his cabin in the morning.
"Are you two ready yet? Joker's been in position since we dropped to the surface." Shepard had forgotten that they were still on the comms. Groaning quietly to himself before responding.
"Yeah. Just a minute." Shepard finished the sketch of earth quickly. Creating a few stars around the planet out of a single vertical line followed by an X on top of it. Writing a single word at the top right of the page.
Terra.
Afterwards, he and Williams would return to the Mako. Entering through the same hatch they had exited from. Kaidan was on the comms, ready to give Joker a heads up. The pickup went smoothly, something that Shepard had grown to anticipate with the pilot.
The Commander was quick to get his things sorted and put away in his locker. He had noticed that the two soldiers that had been with him were talking just out of earshot. Hoping silently that it was on a subject unrelated to what Williams had been inquiring into.
Once he had made sure everything was put away, the Commander made his way up to the CIC. Carrying the V.I. and his metal drawing book with him as he made sure they were heading for Garrus' target. Heading to his quarters afterwards with the item destined to Udina.
Shepard found an unexpected sight when the door of his quarters opened. Tali was laying on his bed, a magazine open and laying on her abdomen.
"Tali?" He spoke up after taking a few steps in. Hearing no response from her as he set the two boxes down onto his desk. He started stepping towards Tali. Stopping abruptly when he realized she was sleeping.
He'd slowly and quietly back peddle, leaving the items where they laid. Turning the lights down before he left. Letting a quiet breath out that he'd been holding once the door was closed.
Shepard would turn around to see Doctor Chakwas sitting at the table in the mess hall. Noting the slightly amused look on her face. "I hope you don't mind. Tali mentioned having some aching in her side."
Shepard would move on to grab himself water from the fridge. Shaking his head at the Doctors statement. "No, I don't mind. Is it necessary to knock her out for minor pains though?" He joined the Doctor, sitting across from her at the table.
"No, but it is best to nip the pain in the bud rather than giving it the chance to flourish." Chakwas had a sly smirk upon her lips, her hands folded together on the table in front of her as she watched the Commander.
It only took him a moment to recognize the look on her face. His head turned to the right slowly as he tried to guess as to what she was thinking. "Is there something I can help with?"
"You don't have anything to say about the fact I gave your bed away?" Chakwas scooted her chair closer to the table. Watching him with a slightly amused look.
Shepard only shook his head before taking a swig of the water he'd been holding onto. Setting it to the side once he had finished. "Well… I gave the room behind medical to Liara. So I'd say we are even now."
The Doctor nodded, raising a hand up to rub her chin. "Yes. I had a feeling that was the case." Sitting back in her chair before continuing. "The difference is, I still have a bed. You…?"
"Can make due with what I have. Which is a lot more than what I used to have." He crossed his arms as he watched her with a slight suspicion in his eyes. "Have you been talking with Wrex? Or Ashley?"
Chakwas shook her head, her sly smile gave away more than she expected. Shepards eyes closed as his eyes tilted backwards. "Kaidan."
"No." Her response surprised and confused him. Realizing finally as his head shot up to attention. She spoke before him though. "I knew you had a brother, but I didn't expect him to be so polite. And informative."
The Commander groaned quietly as he covered his eyes, shaking his head in silence for a few moments. Finally working up the gumption to respond. "Yeah. He's a nice guy. Usually he's quieter though." He had thought covering up his personal feelings would be a simpler task than it was currently posing. Now it seemed only like a vain hope of keeping it suppressed.
"Shepard!" Garrus' voice could be heard after the opening of the elevator doors. The Turian found him as he walked towards the Commander's door. "There you are. We're heading after that bastard now?" Chakwas would excuse herself, noting that Garrus seemed quite stirred up.
Shepard nodded in confirmation. "We'll get there tomorrow then…" He sighed quietly to himself as he shook his head. "Back to the Citadel." The two spoke about Saleon. Garrus seemed to be keen on retelling the story of the time he had slipped away. Shepard could have gone without it, but figured that it was best to let the Turian rant for a bit. He didn't worry about Garrus waking Tali as he knew that very little sound got through the doors.
Once Garrus moved on up to the CIC to talk with Joker on the bridge, Shepard would start on a few requisition forms to make sure things were organized for the newcomers. Afterwards he'd start searching the extranet for a few things he'd been thinking about acquiring on the Citadel, searching through shop inventories online to find what he was looking for.
Iromak would come down from where Garrus had just gone. Sitting across from John without saying a word. The two sat staring at each other for a few moments before John returned his gaze to the display of his Omni tool. Iromak finally spoke first. "How was it?"
John simply shrugged, using his right hand to swipe something away on his display. "Easy mission. Just need to take the thing back to Udina."
"You know what I mean."
Silence overtook the room for several long moments. Finally, John would let out a long sigh. The omni tool closed with the turn of his hand. "It was… nice." John sat back, folding his hands together. "I'm sure she would've enjoyed it..." He paused for a few moments as his expression turned solemn.
"I got a sketch of it. It's… uh." He looked in the direction of his room for a moment. Iromak noticed the lengthy pause from John.
"So is that your room, or her room?" John's focus quickly snapped back to Iromak. His head withdrew slightly, as if offended by the question. His brother knew better though.
"I… am giving her the bed." The words were out of his mouth before he even considered them. John found all four eyes quickly focusing on him now.
"You love having a comfortable bed."
Dammit
John ran a hand down his face, shaking his head for a moment. "I do, but-"
"Don't try and feed me the same line of her being part of your crew. You know it won't work." Iromak crossed his arms, his head tilted back slightly.
"Then why are you asking questions that you already know the answers too?"
"Because you refuse to ask them of yourself." Iromak only received a short wave of the hand as Shepard kicked his boots up.
"Go speak your wisdom to Wrex and see what he spits back at you. I'm going to rest my eyes." Iromak would do just that, leaving Shepard to head down to cargo so he could speak with Wrex.
Shepard would eventually doze off into a quiet sleep. He had missed quite a bit of sleep the night before. So he allowed it to extract its toll upon him now. Falling asleep in the same position he'd been in this morning. His boots kicked up on the table and arms crossed.