They get a lot of stares on their way to the door. He isn't sure who's getting more, him or the scowling tattoo gallery on his arm.
She's wearing an insanely revealing black dress, showing off more ink than any of these highfalutin college types had ever seen. Shepard knew how to pick his battles so he'd said nothing when she put on combat boots.
He's wearing his dress blues, ironed and creased to perfection. On his chest hangs a comical number of medals. In addition to the numerous Alliance commendations he'd earned over his career, there's also a Star of Terra, the highest honor the Alliance can bestow, the silver Council Sigil, created expressly for him after fighting off Sarens attack on the Citadel, the gold Galactic Cross, also created for him after crushing the Reapers, and a half dozen others from each of the major races. He wouldn't normally wear the whole collection, it really is a ludicrous amount, but the whole reason he came tonight was to impress Orianas professor, so he went all out.
Jack tries her hardest not to acknowledge how good he looks because it would make it hard to stay mad at him but that's easier said than done.
They step inside and Oriana meets them near the door.
"Heys guys, I'm so glad you could make it!"
Jack answers first.
"Yeah, whatever. Booze."
Having anticipated this, Oriana helpfully points to the far wall. Jack is off without another word. Not bothered by her attitude, Oriana takes Shepards arm and leads him off to meet people.
He may be an antisocial sarcastic asshole, but he can pull out the charm when he needs to. After forty minutes of annoying, pointless small talk with people he can't stand, she introduces him to the guy he's here for and excuses herself, leaving her professor to gush over his idol.
He suffers through twenty minutes of inane questions like 'What was it like when…' 'How did you know…' 'How does it feel…' before he manages to slip away. He heads over to the bar and finds Jack sitting in front of an impressive number of shot glasses.
"Hey."
Before answering she slams back another shot.
"Your circle jerk over yet?"
He rubs his hand up and down her back, trying to help her relax.
"We'll take off in a bit. Did you at least get to deck anyone?"
"Pfft, no. Everybody knows I'm with you so no ones made a move."
"Sorry. I'll take you somewhere fun soon, I promise."
"You better."
"He better what?" Oriana asks as she slides up on Jacks other side.
"He better make this shit up to me."
"Aw, has it really been that bad? At least you've gotten plenty of free drinks."
"Oh please, I've had water get me drunk faster than this crap."
"Well I really do appreciate you guys coming."
"I take it he liked me then?"
"Oh he's never going to wash that hand again. Mission accomplished."
"Good, then we're out of here."
"Fucking finally."
"Actually, before you go, care for a dance, Commander?"
She gestures towards the dance floor where several couples are slowly swaying back and forth.
"Back off bitch, he's mine."
Jack stands and grabs his wrist, tugging him towards the floor. Oriana just laughs.
"Thanks again guys!"
When they get to the dance floor, Jack presses herself into him and they wrap their arms around each other. They sway back and forth, not caring about the rythme.
They don't say anything for a while, they just stare into each others eyes and drown out the world. After what feels like both an eternity and not nearly long enough, Shepard breaks the silence.
"I'm glad you came tonight Jack, this is nice."
"Yeah, this is. Been pretty fucking boring til now though."
"At least you got to just drink and scowl, I had to actually talk to these losers."
"You're the one that agreed to come."
"As awful as it was, since it ended here, I'm glad I did."
She smiles and pulls him down to her. They kiss deeply for a few moments before she breaks it and presses her face into his neck, content to let him guide her.