The door to the medical bay opened, Chakwas looking up from her monitor to see Ashley striding forward, determination written all over her face. She barely acknowledged the doctor with the briefest of nods before she walked past and through the door to the adjoining room where Liara had made herself comfortably at home, if such a thing was possible on an Alliance stealth frigate. She had followed the Chief's progress through the med bay only with her eyes, wondering what was about to take place between the two. She tried not to listen but there was no avoiding the hushed conversation taking place between the pair.
The door behind her soon opened and Ashley walked out, this time with Liara following meekly in tow. Now her interest was perked. Just what is going on? She waited until they had both exited, Liara turning to shrug her shoulders at the doctor, an almost embarrassed look on her face, before the door closed behind her. The doctor watched their progress across the mess before she stood up out of her chair and followed them out into the mess. She wasn't particularly surprised to see them both walk towards the Commander's room.
She walked towards the small kitchenette and prepared herself a mug of tea. She couldn't hear the conversation taking place in the Commander's quarters, but she was in little doubt what was going on. Liara's fascination with the Commander is clear. Is the Chief jealous? Kaidan approached her and started to chuckle ever so slightly, filling up his own mug with a tea bag and boiling water but staying silent before he walked away. He apparently had an idea of what was up as well. She was about to ask a question of the Lieutenant when Ashley and Liara walked back into the mess without a sound. Their body language was clear. They were now both incredibly embarrassed, their cheeks both a deep red in colour. The pair sat across from each other at one of the tables.
"I'm so sorry, Liara. I genuinely thought he was interested in one, if not both of us. That is why I thought we should confront him about it."
"I should have said something earlier, though I wasn't aware that you wanted to speak to the Commander about that, Ashley. I have already informed the Commander of my interest in him, but as you've just heard, he is simply not interested. And it would appear to be in both of us. At least he was pleasant about the whole matter. I'm guessing what you were suggesting broke all sorts of regulations and rules, so for you to be allowed to just walk away without censure speaks volumes of him as a Commander."
Ashley blushed again, nodding her head. "But what did he tell you?"
Liara shrugged her shoulders. "He was honest. Brutally honest. He figured I was only interested in him because of his contact with the beacon. I told him that wasn't the case, and while I think he believed me, he still stated that he wasn't interested. I thought that I could perhaps change his mind, but I see nothing will change his opinion. I think what has just happened will now make it impossible."
"I guess he's being honest when he says he's just being friendly and he's genuinely interested in his crew. I feel awful now. I just completely misread his intentions. I'll be honest when I say I've never had a CO who gave two shits about me in that way before."
"At least we both know where we stand now, Ashley."
"Sorry for acting like a jealous cow."
Liara shook her head. "No need for apologies, Ashley. It's not your fault. It's not anyone's fault. It is what it is."
Chakwas had been leaning against the kitchenette, listening into the conversation, intrigued by it all. She would have chuckled to herself it she didn't think it would start an argument. Ashley had clearly missed that the Commander was generally a by-the-book officer. Like the former Captain, he knew what to let slide and when to pull rank, but she knew he probably wouldn't fraternise with a fellow soldier. At least, that's what she thought. As for Liara, she was aware of the reputation that asari had throughout the galaxy, and while the Commander wasn't one to judge one person on reputation alone, she wasn't surprised that, although friendly, he'd keep his distance.
Soon, though, she felt the gaze of Ashley fall on her, Chakwas looking up from her mug to meet it. The Chief smiled, so the doctor was relieved that she wasn't about to be criticised for eavesdropping. Yet. "Doctor Chakwas, come join us for a minute. I have a question."
Chakwas nodded, walking across the mess and taking a seat next to Liara. "What would you like to know, Ashley?"
"How well do you know the Commander? You've known him longer than both of us."
"Not much longer than yourselves. By reputation, everyone knows the Commander. But I've only served with him on board this vessel. Of course, I am privy to more private details as I am his physician. Personally, I probably know as much as the next person. You are aware the Commander is a private man. He doesn't speak a lot about himself."
"Do you know if he's married? Has a girlfriend? Anyone waiting for him on some colony world?"
Chakwas shrugged, feeling slightly uncomfortable with the questions. "I'm not sure, Ashley. I know he is unmarried. The marital status is on the file of every serviceman or woman in the event the next of kin needs to be contacted. As for a girlfriend, fiancé or partner, I don't know as I haven't asked. It's none of my business. And, to be honest, it isn't really any of yours."
Ashley was taken aback by the response, but still had a follow up question. "Does he like men? Is that it?"
Chakwas couldn't help but chuckle, shaking her head in disbelief. "Ashley, I'm not aware of the Commander's sexual orientation. Again, it's none of my business."
"Someone has to know. Maybe the LT?" Ashley turned to where Alenko was usually set up. "Alenko, would you like to come join us for a moment?"
"I'm not getting involved in your gossip, Chief. You've already dragged the poor doctor into it," Alenko replied, simply carrying on with his work.
"Maybe he's interested in Tali? He does visit her in engineering quite often," Liara wondered aloud.
"Tali?" Ashley asked, trying hard not to burst into laughter, "You're joking, right? I mean, yes, she's a nice girl and all, but I mean, come on, what could the Commander possibly see in her?"
"I think you're being unfair on the poor girl, Ashley," Chakwas chastised, "It's not her fault she is required to wear an environmental suit."
Ashley lowered her head, embarrassed again. "I didn't mean it like that, doc. l like Tali, it's just that...," she trailed off.
Chakwas finished her tea and stood up, looking down at her two colleagues. "Listen, the pair of you. I think you should take my advice. Leave it alone. The Commander has made his position clear. Ashley, you should count yourself lucky he isn't bringing you up on a charge of fraternisation, attempted or otherwise. I think you should thank your lucky stars that his previous CO was Captain Anderson, who was a relatively laid-back leader and would let something like that slide, though not without some sort of verbal warning to be careful. Liara, he's already made his position clear regarding your relationship with him as well. He is your Commanding Officer. At the end of the day, that is all he is and all he wants to be. He may also wish to be your friend. If that is all he wants, then accept it and move on."
The pair appeared understandably embarrassed for a moment again, cheeks flushing red, both looking down and fidgeting slightly nervously. She felt slightly guilty about her own bluntness, but in the end, it would be for their own good. After squirming for a moment, the pair looked up at her and nodded in silence. "Good. Ashley, I think it's best if you returned to your station. Liara, I can't really order you what to do but perhaps saving face and returning to your own quarters may be the best idea."
Ashley muttered to herself as she stood and walked out of the mess while Chakwas turned and walked back towards the med bay, feeling the presence of Liara following silently being her. She took a seat at her terminal, Liara coming to a stop next to her desk, still appearing embarrassed by events that had just taken place.
"I apologise for involving you in that discussion, Karin."
"An apology isn't necessary, Liara. I would say it is human nature to gossip, but it appears it isn't just a human thing."
Liara took a seat across the doctor, red still in her cheeks as the embarrassment of the whole situation wore off. "It's just so embarrassing," she said, resting her elbows on the desk and holding her head in her hands.
She grinned, reaching over to rub a soothing hand on one of Liara's. "I guess even at the age of 106 you can learn lessons in life. Take it on the chin and move on. That is all one can do after something like this."
Liara leaned back in her chair, a slight smile spreading across her face before she chuckled slightly. "This is why I enjoyed the solitude of a dig site. Life is much simpler when one is alone. I'll be honest when I say I'm not used to dealing with people. Asari, human or otherwise."
"Treat it all as a learning curve, then."
"Do you mind if I ask you a personal question, Karin?"
She raised an eyebrow, just wondering what she was going to ask. It's going to be about the Commander. "Sure, ask away."
"What do you think of the Commander? As a man, that is."
Chakwas sat back in her chair and crossed her hands across her stomach, thinking of what she should say. "He's a good man, Liara. He's proven to be very effective leader and Commanding Officer. The men and women of this ship respect him immensely. I have no doubt he will complete his mission successfully. He could end his life as one of the greatest humans who ever lived if everything he has seen in his visions comes to fruition and he manages to lead our forces to victory."
"That's all very nice, but I asked what you thought of him, Karin."
"I'm afraid I don't know exactly what you're getting at, Liara?"
"Well, would you consider him an attractive man? I mean, by the human standard, he is apparently an excellent specimen of your race. Physically fit, very intelligent, rugged good looks. It's little wonder that Ashley and I find him attractive."
She shook her head though she felt her cheeks heat slightly. "This is too much like gossip, Liara. I respect the Commander too much to sit here and share opinions like that about him. And, to be honest, I'm too old for any teenaged fantasies and crushes…" Maybe if I was twenty years younger... No, even then, he's still the Commander. I couldn't possibly... Could I?
Liara raised an eyebrow at that last bit but a warning glare from Chakwas obviously caused her to change her mind. "Okay, Karin, I'll leave it alone. I can see this topic is making you uncomfortable," Liara stated as she stood up, "I guess I should go and complete the report I was writing before Ashley came in before. I'll talk to you later, Karin."
Chakwas just nodded. "Very well, Liara. If you would like, I'll join you for dinner later."
Liara smiled. "That would be nice. See you then." She turned and walked back into her room as Chakwas returned her attention to her terminal. But she started to find her mind wandering as she typed up another report. She started having thoughts about a particular man on the ship. Thoughts that she really shouldn't have been having about him. Thoughts which left her glad that she was alone in the med bay, as she was sure she started to turn a brighter shade of red.
I hope he doesn't walk in here now.
