"So, uh...you have any plans while we're on the Citadel?" Joker asked casually without looking up at the pretty dair-haired woman beside him in the cockpit.

"Are you asking me out?" teased Ashley.

Joker's face blanched. "No, not...necessarily. I was just...curious if you were doing anything. I like to have a good time too. Thought maybe I could join you."

"How are you at hanging out with just the girls?"

A confident smile appeared on the pilot's face. "Girls love to have me around. I'm the life of the party...and very non-threatening."

"That's good to know," smirked Ashley. "I'll tell the girls you are available. I'm going to dinner with L-T."

"L-T? You mean Alenko?" gasped Joker. "How did you manage that? You know he's..."

"Wild about the commander?" Ashley finished. "Yeah, I figured that out really quick. He's carrying a torch anyone can see."

Joker finally turned to face the woman. "I was going to say he was into men, but what?!" He went quiet for a few moments, a look of contemplation on his face. His eyes then opened wide. "It all makes sense now," he said quietly, as if to himself. "That's why he didn't want to talk about women, specifically Lauren."

"He opened up to me pretty quickly," boasted Ashley. "Wonder why he wouldn't with you?" Her face held a wicked, knowing smile.

"I, uh, kind of maybe said that I had had a thing with the commander and maybe commented on her...finer features," Joker replied sheepishly.

Ashley laughed. "God, Jeff, you're a pig."

"Yeah, subtlety isn't one of my strongpoints," he said, regaining a bit of his bravado. "So, who are the women you are so kindly setting me up with?"

"Well, Mess Sergeant Chase for one."

Joker groaned. "You know, not too many women frighten me, but she is one. She's like twice my size, and I fear having all my bones broken in a night of drunken debauchery. I guess I'm going to have to say, thanks, but no thanks. I'll see if I can find a cute asari maiden. At least then I'll get by with maybe only a cracked finger or toe." He winked at Ashley lasciviously.

"Wow, Jeff, your honesty knows no bounds, does it?"

"I am what I am, baby."

"I guess maybe I'll see you on the Citadel some time...after I fix L-T." Ashley exited the cockpit with a final giggle.

x-X-x

Lauren walked out of her quarters with a stern look on her face. Had she really made a date with Liara or was it just a friendly thing? Should she dress in civvies? Her BDUs? She shook her head and determined that her dress blues would be a good compromise. It would be nice enough to make Liara think that she cared to be there, but not too fancy or too casual. Professional...that is a good way to think of it, thought Lauren.

She looked to her left and saw Kaidan sitting near his usual workstation looking bored. "Probably better enjoy the little shore leave here, Kaidan," Lauren smiled. "It may be a while before we get another chance to relax."

Kaidan looked up, flashing her a smile, and what she thought was a hint of embarrassment. "Yeah, you're right. I'm just waiting on Ash. I didn't think she had that much in her locker to get, but I've been here 20 minutes and she's still not back."

"Oh? You two have plans? That's nice. I hope you have a good time," Lauren said, more to convince herself.

"Ha. I'm sure she's got some wild place to hit. At least one of her sisters is here visiting as well, so..." His voice trailed off.

Lauren quirked an eyebrow. "So what?"

"Teenage girls aren't my idea of a good time, and Ash's closest sister is 19."

"Ahhh," Lauren nodded. "Feeling old?"

"No, I just..." he started.

"Lauren? I hoped to catch you before you disembarked," Liara interrupted. "Could we talk for a moment?"

Lauren looked apologetically at Kaidan, who smiled genuinely and waved her off.

Liara looked a bit bashful. "I, um, want to make sure you knew where we were going to have dinner. It's a new place...to me anyway."

"Oh, sure, sure," Lauren said quickly. Then taking a deep breath to muster up an air of nonchalance in front of Kaidan, she said calmly, "When?"

"Of course! I was on the planet so long...I kind of forgot about time. I just did what I wanted when I wanted. Hours…days were lost in study," Liara said with a pleased smile. "Here's a navpoint and meet me in two hours. I'm really looking forward to this." The asari clasped Lauren's hand gently. The human felt her back go straight and her chin rise.

"It should be nice," replied Lauren, letting go of Liara's hand. "I will see you soon." She turned abruptly to resume her conversation with Kaidan only to find that he was no longer there.

x-X-x

"It shouldn't bother me," Kaidan said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Where's your sister? What's her name again?"

"Quit dodging, L-T," Ashley scolded. "I know for a fact you do not care about the whereabouts of my sister. So the commander was asked out by the asari. It could happen. Now tell me, how long has this been going on?"

"It hasn't ever gone on. She's always put a stop to it." Kaidan paused to recall the past. He had tried to kiss her at BaaT, and she slapped him across the face. He made a subtle pass on Christmas and was shot down hard. They shared a kiss on New Year's, but she backed away quickly and he chalked it up to being drunk. Then she admitted some feelings, but because they were serving together, it had to be a big fat no. "I guess she has been pretty consistent," Kaidan admitted finally.

"So she's never really given you much hope?" asked Ashley.

"No," he said with a bit of a bewildered tone, "I guess not."

"Sounds to me like you need to move on…" Ashley was then interrupted by the server. "Excuse me, but Miss Ashley Williams? You have a comm," the server said politely.

"I'll be right back, Kaidan. In the meantime, get yourself a drink. You need to relax." Ashley smiled and followed the server away.

x-X-x

Dress blues have never felt more uncomfortable, thought Lauren as she stood stiffly at the restaurant, waiting for Liara. When she arrived, she was wearing a sleek violet dress. Lauren noticed and wasn't surprised by the looks from the other diners. Liara was indeed beautiful.

"I'm so glad we could do this," said the asari as they were seated. "I want you to know I find you fascinating. Joining minds with you was, well, an experience like no other."

"I have to admit, it was the same for me," conceded Lauren, "but I can't help but wonder, what did you see? About me, I mean?"

"Well, it's hard to explain. I guess it was like I was living certain parts of your life. The ones you let me see…like when you saw the beacon. It is like looking through someone else's eyes and knowing their thoughts, motivations and feelings as well as their actions."

"Did you see anything…personal during that time?" Lauren shifted in her seat.

"I felt your fear for Lt. Alenko, which made you throw him to safety. It was intense and sudden. Actually quite surprising, because I had otherwise found you to be a steady person, not easily moved by emotion," Liara answered like she was reading a textbook. Her eyes narrowed to scrutinize the face of the human before her. "You have an emotional attachment to him, don't you?"

Lauren let out an uneasy sigh. "It's kind of complicated. We have known each other for a long time. We lost touch for some years, but now we are forced to be close again."

"Is this an undesirable thing? Asari can go for decades without seeing a close friend or relative, but when we are reunited, no time has passed."

"It can be the same with humans," smiled Lauren. "I guess it is kind of the guy/girl thing. I don't know. The way you look at it all makes me seem quite petty."

"No! Not at all," Liara laughed. "Humans must feel everything intensely. I mean, your lifespan is so short. Asari have time to ruminate, to pick apart interactions, to find the real meaning in words and actions. I suppose that is why our matriarchs make such good leaders. Even though I am young, I can still see subtle changes in behavior as well, and I see you are not completely at ease here."

Lauren smiled again and nodded slightly. "Can I just be honest? I don't have the years asari do to figure things out, so I'm just going to say it. I kind of feel like this was supposed to be a romantic sort of dinner and I just…"

"Oh, you don't need to feel embarrassed at all!" Liara assured quietly. "In fact, it is probably me who should feel foolish. I'm the one who was so bold even though I saw the signs between you and Lt. Alenko. I'm completely satisfied in just being your friend. That is, if you would like my friendship."

"Liara, I would like nothing better," Lauren said, relief filling her mind.

x-X-x

Ashley laughed loudly at the bar, slapping Kaidan's leg. "I never knew you had such a dirty mind! You surprise me, L-T! It's a good thing my sister couldn't come."

Kaidan, aided by several shots of whiskey and a strange concoction that Ashley recommended, laughed heartily. "Yeah, I think I would have ruined my reputation for her." His omni-tool buzzed. "It's getting late. I think we should go. Only 12 hours before we have to report back to the ship."

The pair stood to leave. Kaidan's vision swooped a little causing him to reach his arm out to the bar to steady himself. Ashley also caught his arm. "Bit of a lightweight, aren't ya, L-T?"

"Maybe, it's been a long time since I've had so much to drink," he agreed.

Ashley wrapped Kaidan's arm around her waist. "I'll help ya get home," she teased.

"Hey, ya know, I'm glad you asked me out. I don't think I would have had this much fun otherwise."

"Probably right," she said. "Moping over the commander would make for a pretty sucky night." Ashley's voice got serious, and she stopped walking. "You need to live a little, L-T. We don't always have all the time in the world."

"I think you're right." He turned to face the woman who was already holding him. A nervous rush hit him as their eyes met.

"It's ok, L-T," Ashley said quietly as the gap between their lips closed. "I won't turn you down."

x-X-x

Lauren excused herself from Liara's company after dinner and was now walking alone down in the markets. The area was noisy even at this late hour. The Citadel never really sleeps, thought Lauren.

From a distance she could see a couple near the entrance of Flux. They were human and locked in a passionate kiss. As she neared, she recognized Kaidan's unmistakeable hair. She turned on her heel and walked away.

A/N: I know it has been a very long time! Much life has happened and writing could not. Thank you to my new followers and favorites! I will do my best to update more often. Let me know what you like and what you don't!