A/N: So a HUGE thanks to Raven Sinead for 1) suggesting the coining, and 2) helping me get all this military stuff correct. I had good bones laid out, but she made it look and sound a whole lot better.

If you'd like to see what the coining entails, look up "challenge coins" on wikipedia.

Samantha

Her dress blues itched and chafed at her throat. And arms. And anywhere the jacket touched her skin directly, really. Maybe I can get a long-sleeved undershirt. Do they have those? Would better tailoring help? Blasted allergies.

The lift chimed, recalling Samantha's attention to what she was supposed to be doing. The salarian and krogan dignitaries would be boarding the Normandy within a few hours, and she had quite a bit to get through before they were actually aboard. Communications between ships, with similar-yet-different communications technology, was at least an exciting challenge.

God it is sick that this excites you.

It's a challenge!

Sick, Sammy.

Yes, I know. Shut it, I don't need even me thinking I'm a loser nerd.

But you are a loser nerd.

"Morning, Specialist Traynor."

Sam almost jumped when Commander Shepard turned from her spot at the galaxy map to address her. Sam hadn't even seen her there.

"G- good morning, Commander." Stepping out of the lift, she proceeded to her station.

"If I might say so, you cut a fine figure in those dress blues, Specialist." Sam turned to look up at Shepard, still on the promontory of the galaxy map. The commander had a half smile, though she wasn't looking directly at Samantha.

Sam decided to play along a little. She was feeling playful, energetic, excited for today's challenge. Loser. Nerd. "Mmmm hmmm. Tell me, Commander, do you always flirt with your communications officers? Or is it just me?"

She was met by silence. She'd expected Shepard to flirt back, just as playfully. That was how most of their interactions had gone. Looking back up to her commander, Samantha saw her face a mask of guilt: brows turned down, skin sheet-white in comparison to its normal mocha, lips in a flat line. The scar on her forehead – the one she apparently got by head-butting a krogan – stood out nearly red on the pale backdrop.

"I… I'm sorry, Commander. Did I say something wrong?"

The commander's face twitched a few times, her lips parting as if she might say something, before she shook her head, looking down at her feet. "No, Traynor, you're fine. I'm sorry if I've made you uncomfortable. You're taken, I'm taken; I shouldn't be flirting like that."

"I'm not uncomfortable, ma'am," Sam countered when Shepard trailed off. "Innocent flirting is fun."

"Be that as it may," Shepard said, bright blue eyes snapping up to find Samantha's. Her face had regained its color. "I will do my best to keep it more professional in front of others. I like you as a friend, Specialist Traynor. And, as your commander, I like your work. Gotta keep them separate. Speaking of which, I never did congratulate you on Grissom Academy."

Samantha allowed the deflection, her face immediately flushing. "It was nothing, Commander. Hardly something worth noting-"

"None of that." Shepard was off the dais now, standing behind her and holding out her hand, causing Sam to have to turn around to be addressed. Sam reached out to shake her hand as the commander continued. "Good job, Traynor. You definitely belong here on my ship."

Sam was stuck, frozen, staring down into her hand as Shepard withdrew her own. In her palm rested a cool metal coin. I've been coined. Holy shit, I've been coined. What the bloody hell do I do?!

Act normal, Sam.

Normal Sam is a Hot. Mess.

Play it cool, Doofus.

Wait, when did I start arguing with Ash in my head instead of myself?

Why does it matter if I sound like me or like her? You have a job to do. Act normal and go be a loser nerd on the comms, Sam.

Right. Work. It's why I got this thing. In my hand. Good work. I do good work.

Sam stiffened into a salute, internally cringing when she realized she'd saluted before pocketing the coin, instead of after, as was customary. A smirking Shepard returned the salute, nodded, and left for the cockpit without another word. Pocketing the coin – a time-honored tradition from commander to subordinate – Samantha turned back to her station. At a simple touch, it started up, and she was back to work, a giddy smile pulling at her lips.

The krogan was big. Samantha had never come face-to-face with a krogan before, least of all a warlord, a leader. The very idea of a leader for the krogan as a whole was unprecedented, and yet here he was.

"Commander Shepard, Urdnot Wrex just boarded," Samantha said into her microphone.

"You talkin' to Shepard over there?" The krogan's voice was impossibly low, rumbling right through Sam's chest even from several meters away.

"Um… yes, I am, sir," Sam said, not sure how to address the giant male. Man? Is that the proper word?

"Heh. 'Sir'. You're funny, human. Tell Shepard to get her ass up here."

Before Samantha could say anything, Shepard's voice piped into her earbud. {Roger, Traynor. He givin' you shit yet?}

Sam's eyes flicked up to the krogan, who was now very near and, if she wasn't mistaken, smirking. "Um… yes, Commander."

{Tell him to suck my left nut.}

"I- what?!" Sam sputtered, eyeing the big krogan once more.

"She tellin' you how to get rid of me? Tell her if she can actually grow a quad, I'll consider it."

Sam blinked, mouth open, looking from Wrex to her terminal. Shepard chuckled in her ear. {I'll be there in a minute. Why don't you send him through to Security? Let Liara know he's headed her way, will you?}

Sam's heart sank into her stomach. She'd actually avoided having to speak to Dr. T'Soni the whole time she'd been on the ship. Or Garrus Vakarian. Or that Prothean, Javik. They were all reclusive and tended to keep to themselves, as did Samantha. She'd spent all her time hanging out with Joker and James, and talking to Ashley or trying to contact her family. Sometimes she played chess against the computer, and other times EDI joined her, taking control of the game's computer in a totally creepy and awesome way. That was how she spent her time.

No need to speak with anyone else, ever. That more than filled her time when she was off duty.

You are also nervous about all those aliens. You met Garrus, but other than that…

"If you'll make your way through that door, sir, you'll find the security screen leading to the conference room. Dr. T'Soni will be awaiting you there. I believe you two are already acquainted?"

He merely grunted affirmation, moving toward the indicated door with a nod. Should I warn those two in there? Nah. They must know a krogan dignitary is expected.

Instead, Sam took a deep breath, mustering up the courage to message Dr. Liara T'Soni. This is stupid. This is your job, Sammy. Just be cool and professional. That's all that's required.

But I'm such a coward! And she's intimidating!

Just rip the bandaid off and do it! You need to tell her before Wrex actually shows up!

Right. Shit.

She hit the command on the holographic interface in front of her. "Dr. T'Soni? This is Communications Specialist Samantha Traynor." Why? Why was all that information important?

There was the smallest of pauses before the asari's melodic voice sounded in her ear. {Can I help you?}

"Commander Shepard asked me to inform you that Urdnot Wrex has arrived. He is currently headed through Security for the conference room."

Another slight pause. {Yes, all right. Thank you for the warning. He can be… a bit much.}

"You're welcome, ma'am." Really? Did you just Ma'am her? Bloody Christ, you are terrible at this. Also you're still connected. Were you planning to say something else, princess?

{Was there anything else, Specialist?}

Bloody. Hell. "Um, no, ma'am." Sam cringed. "That's all. Traynor out."

Permanent. Cringe. What the hell is wrong with me?

Shaking her head, Samantha buckled down, losing her embarrassment in her work.

Not even an hour later, however, Shepard and Wrex were storming out into the CIC, determined looks of murder on both their faces. "Joker!" she shouted up to the cockpit.

{Ma'am?} the flight lieutenant's voiced piped in over Sam's earbud. Working quickly, she piped it into Shepard's as well.

More quietly this time, Shepard spoke into her collar. "We're going to Sur'Kesh. How long?"

{Twelve hours, ma'am,} Joker replied, without hesitation.

"All right. We'll be hitting the ground hot. Give me a half-hour warning, would you?"

{Aye, Commander.}

"I'll be in the battery with Garrus," Wrex said. "We'll be ready when the time comes."

"Gotcha, Wrex."

The krogan stopped on his way to the lift, turning and fixing Shepard with a steady gaze. "You're a true friend to the krogan, Shepard."

"I'm not doing this because the krogan are my friends, Wrex. I'm doing this because they deserve it, and I'm doing it with you because you're a damn fine man. And my friend."

He hummed, and then his face peeled up in a horrid imitation of a grin. Perhaps on an intact krogan face it would be an actual smile, but with the set of scars – quite obviously from something with vicious claws – it only served to make him look maniacally scary. "And that's why I like you, Shepard." He turned then, heading for the lift.

Sam turned to find Shepard standing with a smirk on her face. It faded rapidly, however, the commander's brows drawing together, the scar on her forehead puckering as worry-lines appeared between her brows. Shaking her head, she headed for the lift herself, waiting while it came back from taking Wrex to the Crew Deck.

"Anything I should know about, ma'am?"

Shepard's head turned sharply, eyes focusing on Sam. She shook her head. "We're curing the genophage, apparently."

The lift chimed, admitting Shepard. The commander left, leaving Sam standing and staring after her, blinking as her brain tried to implode at the sheer absurdity of Shepard's simple statement.

"All right, Sammy, you can leave now. The man is here to take over for Sur'Kesh." Specialist Rajad laughed at his own terrible joke.

Samantha pursed her lips. One two three four five six seven eight nine ten. Nope, didn't help. He's still a twit.

"Specialist Rajad," Samantha said, turning and giving the taller man her best Serious Commander Face, "you will use my preferred title when we are on duty. You will not call me an endearment you have not earned."

He raised his hands like she was the one who was on the offensive. "Whoa, whoa. Calm down, sweetheart! No harm meant by it!"

Bloody hell. "I am not your sweetheart, Specialist Rajad. The only people in this entire galaxy who have earned the right to call me either of those things are my family. Are you my family, Rajad?"

"No-"

"Precisely. You will call me by my title and name, or you will be facing an official reprimand."

Rajad's face showed his incredulity. "What for?!"

Samantha forced herself to remain cool, calm. "Insubordination. Now. Petty Officer Rajad. Will there be any further incidents?"

His face twitched, his mouth opening once or twice before he finally answered. "No, Petty Officer Traynor."

"Good." She nodded, turning back around to close down her work station. As she passed him, she heard a whispered "fucking bitch."

Flames immediately erupted behind Sam's vision. There were two things Samantha could not stand. One was a finger wagging in her face. The other was being called a bitch. Not that she'd been called it much. But whenever she had been, it carried such a sexist connotation, one that she had not earned. She was a bitch for insisting she be called by her name? How would he feel if she called him Teddy, the nickname and boyish endearment for his name of Theodore? How would he feel if she belittled him, made him feel as though he were a child at every turn? How dare he?!

Spinning, she immediately addressed him. "What was that, Specialist Rajad?"

He didn't turn to face her right away. "I didn't say anything."

"He called you a 'fucking bitch,' Specialist Traynor," EDI's voice supplied helpfully. And loudly. Sam immediately felt the eyes of those at other stations on the CIC start to turn toward her.

Somehow, this didn't intimidate her. If anything, it encouraged her. She had all these witnesses.

Sam nodded. "That's what I thought I heard." She regarded Rajad, who was now turned toward her, a sour expression on his face. He did not like that he was caught, but it was clear he didn't think she could do much about it. "You dare address your superior in such a manner, Specialist Rajad?"

"You don't have to be such a hardass about things. I don't mean anything by it-"

"Specialist Rajad, you are violating the laws of good order and discipline upon a military vessel, and have committed an Article 91 infraction multiple times."

"This will be Specialist Rajad's third verbal reprimand in a year's time, Specialist Traynor. Paired with his multiple letters of reprimand, you are required to report his misconduct to Commander Shepard regardless."

God bless you, EDI, and your wealth of information on personnel records.

"Shut up you fucking machine," Rajad growled.

"Specialist Rajad, you will treat EDI as any other member of the crew." All eyes were on her. It was strange. Since when did she grow all these ovaries? I'm a bloody coward.

But you beat that today! You talked to Dr. T'Soni! You met Urdnot Wrex and didn't pass out! You stuck it to Rajad and the Code of Conduct is on your side!

It does feel good…

"God you really are a fucking bitch!" Rajad burst out, taking a step toward her, both hands raised, causing Sam to take an involuntary step backward. "Just because you're fucking Shepard-"

A resounding crack reverberated through the room as a fist flew into Rajad's chin, snapping his whole head up. But it was not Sam who assaulted the man. Instead, Commander Shepard was suddenly at Samantha's side, hand still balled into a fist.

"I don't have time for this bullshit on my ship," she said, her voice ringing through the CIC. The room was so silent one could hear a pin drop. "Specialist Rajad, you will spend the rest of the trip until we reach an Alliance detention facility down in the brig for insubordination. You have to respect the goddamn uniform, soldier. And you obviously don't."

Sam snapped to attention, saluting. "Commander Shepard, I apologize for the public scene. I didn't realize you had witnessed that."

"At ease, please." Shepard was still scowling down at Rajad, on his ass on the floor. "You were handling it. I didn't wanna interfere." Shepard, now in her standard casual fatigues, shook her head, rubbing her hands at her temples. Then she looked up to the rest of the room. "Back to work, people. The show is over. And someone get his ass to the brig," she added, gesturing at Rajad.

Looking back down, Shepard smirked. "And well done, Sam. You're turning into quite the badass."

Sam couldn't keep the smirk from her face. "Only the baddest of asses will do for you, ma'am."

"Don't Ma'am me when we're off duty. How about a drink or some chess? Go get out of that what I know is incredibly uncomfortable uniform and meet in the lounge, yeah?"

"All right," Sam said with a smile. "I hope that means you won't be keeping it too professional?"

Shepard smirked, then winked before turning and moving away. As the commander boarded the lift, Sam realized something. Shit, what about the comms? Me and Halanz are going to have to split the twenty-four hours, and that's going to suck, and…

"I will monitor communications until we get close to Sur'Kesh, Specialist Traynor," EDI supplied into her earbud. "That will give you and Commander Shepard enough time to plan an alternate schedule for the communications station."

"Bless you, EDI, you have been a godsend time and again today."

"You're very welcome, Specialist Traynor," EDI said cordially.

Sam entered the lift with a skip in her step. As the doors closed, a pale hand halted the door. The journalist that James had insisted was staring at her the day before entered the lift, large, dark eyes on Sam, a smile on her face.

"Mind if I join you?" Her voice was playful, and her smile was nice, and if Sam wasn't completely delusional, the woman totally just gave her the once-over. The smile remained. She liked what she saw.

Bloody hell. Why? Why is this woman interested? I have no clue what to do with this.

"That was an impressive display back there," she said once the lift was moving. Sam selected their floor. This wouldn't be so bad. Just a quick trip down to the Crew Deck. No big deal.

"I… admit I surprised myself." Sam was playing it over and over in her mind. Where had she found all those ovaries that took? She had never had such a backbone in all her life. I guess having an audience really does help.

The lift chimed. "Well, it was certainly a nice view," the woman said, her eyelashes fluttering. Stepping out of the lift, the journalist held out her hand. "I'm Diana Allers. I report for the ANN's show Battlespace."

"Um… Communications Specialist Samantha Traynor. I'm… the lead communications specialist…" Your powers of flirtation leave something to be desired, Sammy. How did you nab Ashley?

Ashley's attention was wanted. As is Shepard's, to a certain extent. What am I supposed to do with this woman? Flirt back? Ignore her? That would be rude. Besides, I could use a friend who's a girl… the makeup tips alone would make it worth it.

Sammy, you wear makeup, like, hardly ever.

But if I choose to, it would be nice to do it right!

"It was good to meet you, Samantha. It's been lonely on the ship the past few days. Maybe we can sit together for a meal sometime? I could use someone to talk to."

Samantha smiled, nodding. She certainly knew that feeling. "That sounds perfectly lovely to me, Diana. I have an appointment to keep right now, though. Perhaps at dinner, or breakfast tomorrow?"

Diana's smile was coy, her eyes hooded as she said, "I look forward to it." Then she was gone, leaving Sam wondering what the bloody hell had just happened. Blinking stupidly a moment, Sam finally shrugged, turning for the crew quarters to change into her fatigues before joining Shepard in the lounge.

{So let me get this straight.} Ashley's face was incredulous, but a beaming smile shone through nonetheless. {Your subordinate called you a fucking bitch and you called him on it? Officially reprimanded him and everything?}

Samantha nodded. "That's a tidy summation of my part in it, yes."

Ashley grinned. {I'm marrying a fucking badass.}

"Um, I'm not the one who punched him in the jaw," Samantha reminded.

{Yeah yeah whatever. Baddest-ass part was you, baby.}

Sam blushed. "Right. So. Something else happened, too."

Ashley got a skeptical look. {What?}

"I, well… So Shepard's a giant flirt. Just like you."

Ashley just nodded. {Right.}

Oh good. Not even phased. How'd I get lucky enough for my girlfriend (fiancée! She's your fiancée, Sammy!) to not have a true jealous bone in her body? Just joking jealousy. And that kind is great fun.

"All right, so, she greeted me this morning kind of flirtatiously, and I responded in kind, and this time, out of nowhere she goes all white and mumbles something about keeping things appropriate. Apologized for making me uncomfortable and everything."

{Weird. What did you say?}

"I asked her if she always flirted with her comms person, or if I was special in some way. I didn't mean anything by it. I just… was feeling playful, I guess."

To her surprise, Ashley whistled low. {Damn, baby. You wouldn't know it, but you hit below the belt.}

Sam knit her brows in confusion. "How?"

{So… her and Liara? They're on rough waters because they were on a break while Shepard took down the Collectors. If it was a shock to me to see her alive, I can't imagine how fucked up it would be to have your girlfriend come back from the dead. Shepard hooked up with and caught feelings for her yeoman during that time. She caught some hard feelings. They haven't gone away. So she's effectively in love with both of them. And she doesn't know where that girl is now, except on the run from Cerberus.}

Sam's heart sank. "So when I said that…"

Ashley nodded. {Yep. She got all guilty and realized she was doing it again. Even if you wouldn't ever hook up with her, even if she doesn't actually have any plans to try to get you into bed, she caught herself in a pattern. And felt like shit about it.}

"I'll keep that in mind, I guess. I suppose I shouldn't say anything since she wasn't the one to tell me that personal detail…"

{Probably wise.}

After a pause, in which Sam had no idea what to say, she remembered the part that immediately followed the Awkward. "Oh, but something else happened, too!"

Ashley perked up. {The way you said that makes me think it's something good. Spill!}

"I, um, got coined. For the first time."

Ashley blinked a few times before she grinned. Then that grin turned into a whoop. {Ha ha! That's my girl! I bet it was for Grissom, huh?}

Sam couldn't help it. Ashley's good cheer was infectious. It always was. She grinned back as she nodded. "Yes. For Grissom."

{So what does it look like? Miriam coined me after the Citadel. I wonder if she commissioned the same coin?}

Sam ducked her head in shame. She was once-again in the Engineering subdeck, trying to have a peaceful conversation with her fiancée before communications were cut during the ground mission on Sur'Kesh. It was well-past dinner on the ship, though it was only mid-morning on the part of the planet they would be visiting. Halanz would be covering the mission, with a new system worked out between the two of them and EDI when they weren't actively on the ground. At least until they could get a replacement for Rajad. He was so fired. Shepard had said so.

"I… actually never looked at it in detail. It's… been an eventful day."

{Well. Let's see it now!}

Sam nodded, dutifully fishing in her pockets for the coin. She studied it for a moment, struck by the strength of its simplicity. One side had a small interpretation of the Normandy, the words "Normandy SR-2" around the edge. The other side held both the Alliance symbol and that of the Citadel Council's Special Tactics and Reconnaissance division, with "Earth Systems Alliance" and "Council Spectre" around the edge. It was simple, nothing about Shepard specifically mentioned, and yet to hold one of these would mean it could only have been issued by Commander Shepard.

She held it up for Ashley to see. {Nice. She had it made similar. Mine has SR-1 on it, but that's the only difference I can see.} Ashley beamed. {We'll have to get you a plaque to mount them on.}

"'Them'? I only have one, Ash."

{You're on an active-duty warship going after the Reapers, and you're smarter than anyone else on that ship. You'll get more, Sam.}

Samantha was dubious. "We'll see. What's going on with you?"

{Oh, you know,} Ashley said with a shrug. {Me and Tim are hanging out. He wants to get a job. I'm not sure where to send him.}

"Oh I bet he'd be well-suited for a desk-job with the Alliance." Sam chuckled. "He'll hate it, but it'll be good for him."

{That's an idea. Oh and that Commander Bailey. Maybe C-Sec could use someone like him? I'll ask Tim, see which he'd prefer. Oh, and I officially accepted Udina's offer. I… hope you don't mind?}

Sam smiled. "I knew you would. We did actually talk about it, remember?" Honestly she wasn't sure at first how to feel about Ashley being a Spectre. Yes, it meant Ashley would be in more danger, but Samantha had watched her nearly die. After that, nothing seemed any worse than what had already happened. And the Williams Curse breaking… Samantha was mostly happy, and a little nervous. She supposed that was an okay place to be with something like this.

{Fuck, Sam. Why you gotta be so goddamn understanding? You make me feel like a total douche for not saying anything right away.}

"That's because it was absolutely wrong of you not to say anything right away," Sam said with a wink. "But it's all right. I forgive you. Unless you'd rather I not be so reasonable?"

{No, no, I like you just the way you are. You wouldn't be my Nerdy Sam Traynor if you were any other way.} Ashley's smile was warm as she merely gazed at Sam. It made the comm's specialist blush to know someone could love her that much. {Hey. We should think about tying the knot, shouldn't we?}

It was so out of the blue Samantha could only say, "Oh!"

{I just mean, you know… we're in a war, and we might not get the chance…}

Sam's heart sank. Such a bittersweet proposal. "I was hoping to find my family… I wanted them there for it. Yours, too."

Ashley nodded, eyes turned down. {I know. But, I… well, I want back on the ship when I'm healthy, and I want to protect you any way I can from being moved away from me or whatever. I want any benefits I have to go to you. You know. Make it as official as possible. We'd have a real wedding with our families and stuff when they turn up. And I'm hoping I can use my Spectre access to find them. Hell, it's half the reason I accepted…}

Sam's heart melted into a warm puddle of love. This beautiful, loyal, wonderful woman wanted to use whatever means were available to be both near her and protect her. This was the only family she had at the moment. Her and Tim. How could she say no? "Oh, Ashley… you are just so wonderful. Yes, absolutely. Let's do it as soon as we can. When we're next on the Citadel, perhaps? Maybe Shepard can officiate? I can ask her."

{Yeah, okay. Sounds good to me. I… I love you Sam.}

"I-"

"I apologize, Specialist Traynor, but it is time for me to cut all unofficial communications," EDI's voice announced through her ship radio.

Sam sighed. "Yes, all right, EDI. I love you Ash. I'll call when I can, yeah?"

Ashley nodded. {Yeah. I love you, too. Try to get some sleep.}

Sam snorted. "During a mission, with Joker piloting? Sure. I'll need five cups of coffee in the morning just to stay awake."

She signed off, wandering up to the lift. As she waited, she pulled her engagement ring out of her shirt, where it was safely secured on the chain alongside her dog tags. I'm getting married. Soon. Holy shit.

What a fucking day.