For the first time in a long time Ashley woke up feeling completely relaxed. As she opened her eyes and looked upon Allison's sleeping face she couldn't help but smile as she thought about how much she had missed the sight.
"If you want a good morning kiss, you had better make it a good one," Shepard said smoothly, but not opening her eyes.
Ashley just smiled, but as she leaned in for a kiss Kelly moaned, "No making out while I'm in the bed. The last thing I need is you two to end up having sex next to me and throwing off my calm demeanor all day. People rely on it you know."
"Ok Kelly, we'll control ourselves. However, if you want first dibs on the shower it would give us some privacy to-"
"Ok, fine… go ahead. God just stop." Kelly said, rather grumpily getting out of the bed and heading to the shower.
About an hour and a half later Miranda walked into the CIC room and spotted a rather grumpy looking Kelly at her station with a large cup of coffee next to her terminal, and a rather bemused looking Shepard standing above the galaxy map with a goofy grin and what could be described as an aura of satisfaction. Given that Williams had come aboard Miranda guessed that Kelly had been asked to leave either the bed or the room earlier than she normally did that morning so that Ashley and Shepard could make up for some lost time.
So Miranda just smiled and continued on her way to the cockpit so she could ask Joker personally for his opinion about Jack, and if he thought she should put limitations on the woman's access to parts of the ship.
"Everything ok Kelly? You look like you had a rough night sleep." Shepard said on a laugh.
Kelly just glared at her, "You and Williams woke me up two hours early, and forced me to take a shower and then wait for ten minutes after I was finished for the two of you to finish 'catching up'. And after that I had to strip the sheets off the mattress and put them in the washing machine in the cargo bay while you two probably did more catching up in the shower."
"What can I say… being dead for two years makes you horny."
"I'm just glad you had the idea to have the mattress shrink-wrapped in plastic, otherwise I would be sleeping on the couch for the rest of this adventure."
Shepard walked over and stood next to Kelly, "Come on we didn't make that big of a mess." She whispered.
"You soaked half the sheets. And the whole room reeks of your cum."
EDI's voice came through the speakers of Kelly's terminal, "If you want I could order an air freshener to eliminate the smell. If I do it will be ready for pick up the next time we go to the citadel." She said as softly as she could.
"I'd appreciate it EDI," Kelly said.
"Well that trip will have to wait till after we pick up this doctor Mordin guy. Though he shouldn't be hard to find, with luck we'll be able to pick him up easily."
"Twenty minutes till we dock with Omega Commander." Joker said over the intercom.
"Thanks, tell Jacob and Miranda to get suited up."
"I'm standing right next to Joker Shepard," Miranda said over the intercom.
"Then halve of Jokers job is already done. Good job Joker." Shepard said with a laugh.
"You're not going to take Ashley?" Kelly asked.
"Nah, after we got done in the shower I could tell that she wouldn't be very mobile for a while." Shepard said with a huge and very smug grin. Kelly just rolled her eyes.
Hours later Ashley walked into Mordin's lab and when she entered he was at the table in the center with his back to her. As she approached she heard him quietly singing to himself, "Asari, Vorcha offspring have an allergy to dairy and da-da-de-de-da-da-de-de"
"Um, hello?" she said.
He turned and smiled at her, "Ah hello, haven't met you yet. Wearing different uniform, so not Cerberus, not mercenary either, uniform is Alliance issue, but most in Alliance have condemned Cerberus for its radical and almost terrorist behavior, so presence is unusual, also if Cerberus needed to recruit soldiers could just use ones that work for them, again not mercenary so must be here to keep an eye on Shepard, but then should send someone like Chambers who could tell if Shepard's actions are her own, so must have sent you for personal connection of some kind." He said at warp speed.
"I'll save you the trouble doc. I'm Gunnery-"
"Gunnery-Chief Williams, of Shepard's original crew. Explains Alliance's reasons for sending you." Mordin interrupted.
"That and Shepard and I are-"
"In intimate relationship, can see signs of recently experiencing sexual encounter by dilated pupils and slight limp indicating that she may have been a little too rough, also *sniff* slight musky smell, indicating didn't fully wash after encounter," he interrupted again.
Ashley sniffed herself, "Salarian nostrils better than human." He said.
Ashley looked at him, impressed, "You could figure all that about me from just a cursory glance?" She asked.
"Yes, knowledge of biology of all different species helped. Now, what can I do for you? Are you here looking to improve sexual relations with Shepard?"
"How did you get that impression?"
"All engaging in sexual relations look for ways to increase pleasure gained during intercourse."
"Well to answer your question, no. We're good for now, but I wouldn't mind if you could point out a few books or manuals that describe better techniques." Ashley said jokingly.
"Ok, if I have free time will try and find information for you and put it on data pad. Will also list different stimulants used to increase pleasurable feelings. And if interested know of store in Citadel that carries toys such as, as you humans might call them, strap-ons that were developed by Salarians that have advanced sensors to make the pseudo-extremity transmit all sensations as if it were real." He said, causing Ashley to blush.
"Uhm, ok. Let's change the subject, do you have any weapon mods?" Ashley asked.
"Huh, thought we were already talking of 'weapon mods'." Mordin said, snickering. Ashley just rolled her eyes.
"That Mordin guy may be smart, but he's as jittery as a hamster on caffeine," Kelly said as Shepard approached her an hour after the mission.
"Yeah I noticed. Anyways, I wanted to apologize about this morning-"
"No need… I was the one being rude. You and Williams had a relationship before the original Normandy blew up and I need to be more considerate about the two of you wanting to catch up. However, don't think that that means you can have sex every morning, just mornings before missions. Got it?"
"Why just mornings before missions?"
"Well back at MIT I had to take a class that explained how sex can affect the body. Take today for example, your reflexes were 15.65% sharper, you were in a much better mood, and you were 10% faster."
"Seriously?" Shepard asked in disbelief.
"Having sex can be better before going into a fire fight than any over the counter performance enhancers."
"It's true, can get papers on subject if interested." A voice said behind them.
They turned to see Mordin standing next to the door to his lab, "How long have you been standing there?" Shepard asked.
"Not long, just wanted to inform you that Williams may order items to enhance your sexual encounters. In case either of you see evidence of the purchases in EDI's logs and decide to question her about it.
"Uhm, ok thanks for the heads up." Shepard said.
After Mordin left Kelly turned back to Shepard, "Remember, only mornings before missions."
Shepard smiled, "Ok, but what about nights?" she said before getting a punch to the shoulder.