Disclaimer: The Mass Effect Universe and everything in it belongs to BioWare. I only lay claim to London and Teagan.
[Chapter Twenty-Four: Love and Something Like It]
[Planet Watson/8:30PM]
John double checked all their belongings as he spoke out, "London's sight has a short window of opportunity that we have got to take advantage of. The shuttle should be arriving shortly and we have to meet it at the landing point. The clearing is a few hours from here so let's move."
"Fine with me, Shepard" Jack mused, clapping her hands once loudly then proceeding to point at each other team member individually, "but…who's going to play the Seeing Eye dog for the blind girl?"
London wrinkled her nose and swatted playfully out in the direction of Jack's voice, missing actual contact by only an inch as the biotic happily weaved out of the way, "Cute, Jack. That was really, very cute."
"I thought so too," the tattooed woman grinned, "but really, we got a long ways ta' walk and I would hate to see you fall flat on your face—as hilarious as that would b—" She paused, "Actually," she said, the images coming to her head making her grin wickedly, "I take that back. Maybe we should try letting you walk on your own. If anything it'd make for good entertainment as we get back to the shuttle."
"And here I was wondering why you've been alone for the majority of your life, Jack. Who could resist such a darling like you?" Miranda said coldly out into the darkness.
"Oh pull out the tampon a little, Cheerleader. Your bleeding vagina needs to air out."
"Go to hell."
"Gladly," the biotic retorted, "I bet it'd be a fuckin' hundred times better than being stuck here listening to you bitch and moan all damn day long about EVERYTHING."
"Will you two just put a damn sock in it already?" Shepard groaned loudly, "Can we please just make it to the shuttle in one piece? The past few days have been long for everyone and I'm sure we're all tired. None of us have eaten—"
Jack smiled smugly, "I ate."
"…wasn't your bloody food…" the operative grumbled under her breath.
"—Some of us haven't eaten," Shepard corrected himself, his tone becoming ever slightly more annoyed, "and our mood is getting shittier by the second. So please, enough with the jabs at each other and more with the walking and less with the talking."
Miranda clenched her jaw and adjusted her tight work attire, "You're right, Commander. London's vision is on the line…we can't afford to slow down."
"…you really get grumpy when you don't eat, you know that Shepard?" Garrus asked with amusement in his voice.
John only mumbled quietly in return.
"Um…" Garrus suddenly asked with curiosity and bewilderment, "…speaking of London…where'd she go?"
The entire team did a double take as they looked around. Shepard blinked, "What the hell—"
"I'm over here!" the sniper yelled out already well in the lead of the group, walking with determination down the narrow trail.
"You're going the wrong way and you're gonna' run into a tree!" Jack called out, a large grin plastered on her face.
"You're lying!" London called back confidently, suddenly lifting a thin branch she had picked up off the floor that she was using as a guide. "I figured while you all are busy yelling at each other I might as well start my way back to the Normandy. I'm a little pressed for time as you all well know."
John couldn't help but shake his head and grin as told his team to move out, soon catching up to the briskly walking sniper with ease. "I guess you won't be in need of our help after all," Shepard said with a tone that easy passed as approving.
"I don't know about that," the young brunette chortled. "You might have to give me warning if there's a curve or something coming up. As far as I'm concerned I'm just walking in a straight line."
"I'll be right by your side, London." Garrus voiced kindly, making his presence known as he walked beside the woman at an even pace. "Why thank you very much, Mr. Vakarian. Such the gentlemen," she laughed.
"I try," the Turian responded with a coy smile which in turn caused the XO to almost dominantly take place by the other side of the sniper and voice herself, "We're all here for you."
Jack raised a brow at Garrus, "You're only trying because she's totally bangable."
London did her best to not comment for the sake of keeping Garrus' embarrassment to a low, however, Garrus couldn't help himself when turned his head to look the biotic over seriously, his right mandible twitching in irritation. Jack scoffed, "oh don't even give me that look! You have to admit that if London looked like Grunt you wouldn't go any where near that!"
The entire team seemed to imagine Grunt holding a bright pink sniper rifle and wearing a slightly crooked, long, light brown wig that billowed crappily in the wind. They shuddered.
"Dear God" Miranda finally voiced as she tried desperately to rid herself of the terrifying mental image. "Thank you for ruining every night of sleep I'll ever have again."
London raised her hand, "I second that."
Garrus raised his hand as well, "I third."
Jack smiled contently at the mayhem she caused as she made her way to walk beside Shepard, her hand casually slipping its way into his and holding firmly unbeknownst to the other team members. John looked at her indifferent face through the corner of his eye and smiled warmly, returning the gesture with a slight squeeze then entangling their fingers together.
"I have a question for you, Commander Shepard." London said after a few moments of silence.
"Shoot."
"How did you all know where I was?"
"It's a long story but the short version is we have a friend that just made it into the big time in the information dealing industry. She was able to get a hold of a few people that worked at getting information for the two guys tracking you. They pointed us in the right direction …and" he shrugged, "…well…here we are."
London's eyebrows knitted themselves in confusion, "Two? You were able to find out who both my father's partners were?"
John nodded as he continued to walk, "Yes ma'am we were. You already dealt with one of them on your own, and fortunately we already know the location of the second. It's just actually getting the chance to get close to him that's the issue now."
London nodded in understanding, "What's his name?"
"His name is June Sanders. He's an older, more experienced man with enough notches on his belt to be considered 'well known' in the business of being a mercenary."
Garrus grinned as he voiced himself almost as an afterthought, "A well known, highly dangerous man named June…"
The sniper ignored the Turian momentarily as she mentally etched the name into her memory, becoming silent as she deliberated all courses of action in her mind. John took noticed of her bodies' change in posture, how she tensed and seemed to be focused on her thoughts. "We'll figure out how to get what we need from him, London. Don't worry."
"I think our needs might be …different, Commander."
Shepard considered his words carefully before responding, "I understand your need for vengeance but we need information from him; and until we get it he can't be killed."
London frowned and John exhaled heavily, "He's the arrow that points to the 'Buyer', London. Several other children have already gone missing and we can put a stop to that with the information he posses. If we lose Sanders we lose every tie that connects us to this guy. We'll be dead in the water and will have no place to start again."
"I understand that and that's fine," the sniper agreed heatedly. "You get what you need, this information gets taken care of, and then I get what's been owed to me for five years. Do we have a deal?"
"I don't care for the mercenary, I just want the information. But…" John paused, taking a moment to lower his tone into a tender but serious one, "killing him won't bring your parents back. It won't make the hurt go away."
Miranda eyed the conversing pair quietly, her gaze shifting back and forth between the calm commander and the surprisingly tense London. The XO listened as the sniper continued, "With all due respect, Commander—you think I don't know that?"
"I'm sure you know that. But I'm telling you what I think you don't know, and you need to hear this. I want you to know now that if you kill him, he will win regardless and he will change what you are and who you become. "
The slight irritation in London's voice couldn't be hidden as she listened to the Commander of the Normandy talk to her almost as if a child. "I can understand and respect your concern Commander, but I've already killed one of the two. I feel no different. What makes killing the other so special?"
"As far as I can see killing that merc was self preservation. You did what you had to do to continue to survive. Killing June will be different because at the moment you have the chance—you also are given the choice."
London scoffed as she walked along with Garrus and Miranda by her side, "Are you trying to tell me that if I kill him—I become like him?" What stereotypical advice.
"Not exactly, but I do mean something of the sort."
"I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree then, Commander; because that 'choice' that you're talking about? I've already had to make it several times over. What did you think I had to do in order to try and get Teagan off of Almos? I chose to pull the trigger each and every time. I killed each and every Blue Sun that I came across without so much as blinking."
"Preservation," Shepard said again with a certain concreteness in his tone. "Saving those that cannot save themselves is one thing. Killing someone purely in the act of vengeance is something completely different. I'm telling you now, London. It will change you."
"Then I guess it'll just be something that I'll have to live with," the brunette responded stubbornly. "I'll just have to live with it just like I've lived with every other choice that I've had to make."
The rest of the team listened to the commander and sniper quietly as they continued to walk on. Miranda tensed at the subject, remembering a time when Shepard had stopped her from making the terrible mistake of killing Niket when the truth of his betrayal had come to culmination. She was glad the commander intervened. Perhaps the situations were vastly dissimilar but Miranda knew that Shepard had a point. If the brunette were to go through with it—it just might change her. It was London's decision, however. And no matter the selection the sniper would make, she was right in saying that she was an adult and would have to live with her choices. So, for the first time in a long while the operative decided to hold her tongue on the subject and was quite shocked when both Garrus and Jack did the same.
The rest of their one hour walk was made in silence.
"Shuttle!" the tattooed biotic suddenly shouted with surprising joy, "Fucking finally!"
The door to the vessel opened and a very happy Kasumi popped her head out, "All aboard!" Miranda couldn't help but release an exhale, hopping quickly into the shuttle and taking the driver's seat without a word.
Kasumi eyed the XO curiously, "You've been walking for a while and you still want to drive? I mean…that's what I'm here for—you know…to evacuate?"
Miranda kept her stone face as she clicked an assortment of buttons and fiddled with a few small levers, "I drive better and will get there faster. We have a time limit and can't afford mistakes." Lawson knew she should have worded herself a little bit better, but for some reason when it came to anyone other than London…she found that she really didn't care as much. She'd consider working on social communication later, but for now she found that she'd be able to live herself just fine.
The thief rolled her eyes and excused the rudeness of the 'Ice Queen', "Fine with me" she said with raised hands as she made her way to the back with the rest of the group, giving London a hello and tight hug during their small reunion.
"Are we all in?" the XO voiced.
"Almost," Garrus grinned as they walked up to the small transport vessel, helping the brunette in and getting her situated before he took his own seat opposite her, "I can't believe I'm going to say it…but I'm glad we're going back. It's been a long day."
"Agreed," John said tiredly, "I think we all deserve a shower and some food. Oh, and Dr. Chakwas is already waiting for you in the medical bay, London. When you're done and have been taken care of have Chakwas send me a message and we'll do a debriefing with the entire team. For now, everyone take a few hours off."
Before Garrus could volunteer to take the sniper to the med bay, Miranda hastily spoke up from the pit. "I'll take her myself to Dr. Chakwas, Commander." London suppressed the need to beam a smile while the Turian gave the operative squinty eyes.
"Not a bad idea, Lawson." Shepard agreed, "It's kind of convenient actually what with your work station and living area just being across the deck from the med bay. Do you mind, London? Or would you rather I be present?"
When London replied with a playfully sarcastic, "I'll be fine, Mom." Shepard grinned and rested his back against the shuttle's hard walls, a now sluggish Jack taking her seat beside him and mimicking his position.
Miranda securely shut the door and within a few quick strokes of the navigational tool and driver's mechanisms, the shuttle was quickly on its way.
xxxxxxx
[Commander's Cabin/11PM]
As soon as the door to his cabin closed, John swiftly picked the small framed biotic off her feet and threw her over his shoulder. His left arm held onto her legs securely while his right hand came up to smack her across her firm buttocks. Jack of course protested the entire time with a small stream of cursed words and aggravated cuffs across the commander's strong back, but was silenced when Shepard threw her onto the bed and slithered his way on top, his lips connecting with hers in an aching need that left the ex-convict breathless and quivering. John leaned away from her, his hands fumbling at her outfit's buttons and buckles, a small, aggravated growl leaving his lips. The biotic was comfortable enough to laugh freely as the commander messily removed her top and threw it onto the floor, finally getting the chance to flatten his body against hers as he brought his lips to kiss the soft, inked flesh between her breasts. He inhaled her deeply, his senses clouding with the slight scent of soap and sweat; his mouth working diligently as he tasted the sweet and saltiness of her skin. Jack's eyes rolled back as she smiled, her fingers running firmly through Shepard's hair and down to trail the muscles of his neck and back. "What's all this good lovin' for?" she said, finally managing to speak in between the gratuitous whimpers the commander always seemed to elicit from her.
"I need a reason?" the commander responded as wandering eyes scanned the soft flesh below. "I just missed you," he said sincerely, fingertips outlining some of the intricate patterns of Jack's more detailed work.
"Missed me? I've been around you all fuckin' day!" she said, laughing at his weird antics.
"But not like this," he replied, bringing his body up until his face was directly over Jack's. "We've had a real bumpy last week and I haven't gotten to spend nearly as much time with you as I would have liked," he explained, "Between situating Teagan, this whole Shadow Broker business, the 'Buyer', getting a hold of London," he exhaled wearily, his mind racing over everything they had been through as of late. "… I've just missed you…and I'm glad you're here with me tonight and not down in the cargo hold."
Jack tilted her head to the side and observed the man hovering above her, her hands resting on his biceps. John didn't say anything but instead just continued to look at her in return, letting the woman measure his words and the honesty he put into them.
She was quiet for the longest of time; so long in fact that Shepard's arms started to hurt a little from keeping himself up. But, after the extended moment of deep contemplation the biotic finally spoke up much to his relief, "…you really meant it…didn't you?" she said, her gaze uncharacteristically softening.
John smiled and nodded, knowing instantly what she was talking about. "I did. I meant it and mean it still. I mean it very much."
The tattooed woman reached up and cupped his face, bringing the man down onto her body and leaning up to catch his lips with hers for a brief, tender moment. "Say it again…" she murmured softly, her eyes averting his with a certain timidity that John had never seen before.
The commander grinned, taking her chin gently between his index finger and thumb and forcing the woman to look at him as he spoke, "I love you, Jack."
"Again," she demanded as a small flicker in her began to ignite.
His smile only widened, "I love you."
Jack's eyes went ablaze with passion as she studied the way the commander said the three words. No one had ever told her that so many times and meant it, and it fascinated the biotic beyond belief at the way it made her feel, the way it made him look, and the way her body so naturally responded. She leaned herself up to snatch John's lips in hers one last time before reaching down to grasp the rim of Shepard's shirt and pulling it over his head heatedly. Jack then pushed John back to where he was sitting on his knees between her legs, giving her time to gaze over her lover's thick, muscular frame and grin mischievously.
Shepard eyed her and smiled, slowly removing himself of his pants then reaching down to do the same for his love. Jack exhaled sharply as John removed her of her clothes, her eyes glazing over with lust. "I want you to show me," she commanded, her voice deep and sensual.
John rubbed his frame along hers; his hand tracing the length of Jack's side then swirling downward until they grazed past her hip bone then deviated from their path to slip into the biotic's undergarment, thick fingers cupping the biotic and teasing the already moist entrance with small, tantalizing strokes. "What do you want me to show you?" the commander whispered, his lips moving smoothly across the delicate skin where her jaw and neck connected.
"I want you to show me how much you missed me," she hissed pleasurably, her legs spreading more to accommodate her lover's touch and body, "Show me how much you love me."
"…think we have the time before the debriefing?"
Jack frowned up at him, but the playfulness in her tone was distinct, "You make it seem like you last more than a few minutes."
Shepard smiled into the kiss he gave Jack, shutting her up and allowing the woman to remove his boxers and fondle his length which in turn caused his jaw to tighten all at the same time. The biotic grinned as she slipped her panties to the side and placed the tip of her lover's member at her entrance. John groaned as he softly pushed his way in, rotating his pelvis and making her cry out in delight as she bucked forward, taking him deeper. He was absolutely mouth-watering inside of her, the way he stretched her, a warm, pulsing rod made of velvet sending waves of pleasure that washed over her with every breach that parted her flesh.
John moved faster, clenching between her thighs as he made the biotic arch and groan louder, her eyes flying open as he thrust, causing her to cry out rhythmically at the small, welcome ache he was causing as he took her slightly harder. It stung, but it was a good sting, it was a sting she wanted. "John," she gasped, her nails digging into his chest as wetness formed at the rims of her eyes.
John slowed, lowering his body to increase contact with the beautiful woman beneath him. He had never heard the biotic use his first name before. It was soft, intimate, and it made him burn with desire. "What are you feeling? Are you alright?" he said huskily, his breath ragged and chest heaving as he kissed at her jaw gently.
Jack writhed beneath his body, her moans quieting down to soft murmurs and approving sighs. She turned her face away in an actual display of embarrassment, her cheeks faintly darkening as she opened her lips to speak, "...I love you too."
Shepard was silent for a moment as he sunk in the three small words that made his world swell with devotion. He leaned down and pressed his lips to Jack's, kissing her fervently. He wanted—no he needed to bring her release. He suddenly thrust faster between her legs. Her body started to jerk under his increasing speed, and Shepard watched her breasts bounce in time with his ministrations. The Commander began to angle himself, holding himself against her, working at bringing her climax to completion, pulling out almost entirely and sliding his full length in over and over, stimulating the biotic as much as he could.
Jack let out a moan of pleasure. She felt him draw back and anticipated another pleasurable thrust but groaned in half frustration and half excitement when she felt John hesitate, then ram into her as hard as he could, his mouth dropping open as he plunged into her wetness strongly, trying to drive himself through her body. The ex-convict let out a cry at his power, at the way he took her with abandon. Shepard gripped her right leg and lifted it as he placed it against his right shoulder and arched into her, working with the limb as he rolled inside, twisting his hips so her cries had renewed ardor. His blue eyes locked to her face as Jack cried out, her eyes wild, wet with passion and surrender.
John suddenly stopped and held himself deep inside her warmth, shuddering slightly and appreciatively as she squished around him, her prize glistening against his pelvis. Jack could only whimper, unable to speak with how far gone she had become. John caressed her face, leaning down to plant a loving kiss upon her full lips. She was so soft, so wet, so deep, so responsive, and so fucking beautiful to him as she cooed under his attention, her sights locked with his as he claimed every inch of what she freely and unendingly gave to him, an orgasm washing over her several, toe-curling times, surrendering to the power of his loving, yet feverishly dominant possession.
Jack had wanted him to show her his love, and this was him doing exactly that: John was loving her, claiming her, needing her in all ways that ranged from rough and lustful to gentle and loving—and Jack was blown away, intoxicated and inflamed by his desire, his passion, discovering there was something inside her that wanted it, wanted him just this way as he pounded inside of her, getting as close to her as he could, entwining, merging, claiming her body as his own.
Jack tightened around him again, and this time when her climax rolled over him it triggered a response, and he cried out hoarsely as he slammed into the biotic, dropping on her heavily, and bliss streaming through him as he gave himself release. It was Jack that Shepard wanted. It wasn't Liara. It wasn't any other woman—it was Jack, and she reveled in the final claiming, the absolute completion of his possession.
Jack trembled beneath his weight, feeling his hotness flooding her body, his silky voice whispering delicious, tender proclamations until finally his mouth locked with hers. The Commander sighed into her kiss for a moment before he slipped away, burying his face into the nape of her neck, his heart pounding against her own.
The biotic couldn't move—didn't want to move as small aftershocks of her pleasure shot through her body which quaked and occasionally jerked beneath the muscular form of her lover. John kissed her neck, biting harshly then offering relief to the hot, offended spot with the coolness of his tongue, reveling in the taste of the sweat their two bodies had produced.
Jack tilted her head and offered more skin, caressing the length of John's back in a steady, relaxing motion. She could feel the stress the Commander usually kept there melt away, and she couldn't help but grin knowing that she was the cause of it. Their love making was normal like the way John liked it and the way Jack needed it.
After several moments more John slid off of the tattooed woman but pulled her right back into his arms as soon he felt the coolness of his mattress hit the flat of his back. Obviously Jack wasn't one to be so touchy-feely, but John knew that after each occasion that they had the chance to make love that the biotic usually craved and sought the affection. John smiled; it was just another mystery to add to the biotic's complexity.
They talked for a while afterwards as the woman lounged contently in the commander's arms, his fingertip sliding down her body until it ran over the small, inked image of a sparrow that rested underneath her hip bone. "…and this one?" he asked, his finger lazily tracing the tiny tattoos outline.
Jack didn't have to look down to know what he was touching. "It's a reminder."
John's eyes brought themselves up to meet the biotic's. "May I ask of what?"
The ex-convict kept silent for so long the Commander thought she had decided to just not answer, "A girl I knew. All of us knew her as Sparrow."
John's eyes moved down to trace the small tattoo again, "Us?"
"Yeah. I met her as a kid back on Pragia. It's not like we ever had conversations or nothin'. I'd just see her around sometimes when they let me loose in the cage to fight. She was…different… and sometimes I'd find myself actually looking for her in the crowd."
"Why'd they call her sparrow?"
Jack kept her focus steady on a wall far opposite of her place on the bed, "She was older than most us by three or four years, but she was also smaller than us and hated fighting. She'd often get her ass kicked by the guards when she'd tell them she wouldn't do it. Sparrow might have hated the violence, but she was a tough bitch for a kid her age." Jack paused, her eyebrows undulating as she thought of the young girl, "They never broke her. They'd dope her up, rile her up, beat her senseless…but she never fought back. I thought she was a dumb-ass and weak for not defending herself but…in the end she went out being who she was and not the fuckin' animal they forced us to be. Somehow in that shit-hole she managed to get through all the testing and tortures and never lose herself. I respect that."
John tightened his protective hold on the woman beside him, "What happened?"
"I got yanked outta' my cell one day, right? They doped me up and threw me in the pit. The guard told me he had a big amount of creds on me. The news wasn't shocking; they always had big creds on me. It was just another fight and I was ready—I was happy to be out of my damn room. What I never expected was them throwing Sparrow into the ring with me. It was her first time there; they had never used her before—at least not in the cage because she had been so damn worthless at fighting." Jack's eyes saddened, "I remember standing in front of her so doped up and angry I couldn't fuckin' see straight. But…I could tell that she looked pisspants scared—she couldn't make out how to react to the cheering, screams, and… me. When the guards started the round she didn't move. She didn't budge one damn inch."
Jack reached up to rub her eyes before resting her head once more on Shepard's chest, "I remember the guards getting pissed, pointing their guns at us and yelling for us to start. I didn't have to be told a third time—I started the fight…placed a crap load of really good blows to her eye and mouth but…she still didn't do shit back. I started getting angry—real angry. I didn't want to fight Sparrow if she wouldn't fight back. That shit was boring and pointless—I wanted a challenge, something to stretch the stiffness in my body." The biotics tone lowered, "The guards gave her two choices: Fight and defend herself for a chance at surviving me, or get shot on the spot."
Jack swallowed the small, dry lump in her throat. "She walked up to me and I put my fists up ready to go at it. I figured the guards finally put some sense into her after giving her only those two choices. But…" the biotic paused, her eyes closing as she went through the tender memory and shared it with Shepard.
Sparrow stood before the young, angry biotic, the deep laceration over her left eye bleeding profusely and making it hard to see. Her lip was busted wide open and Jack could tell that her lower set of teeth were stained bright red with her own blood. Jack had done quite a number on Sparrow in just a few hits, but when the guards threatened her and gave her only two choices, it surprised the biotic that instead of Sparrow lifting her firsts or displaying her biotic technique…the girl simply walked up to Jack and gave the saddest of smiles.
"What the hell are you doing?" Jack hissed, her eyes wild, angry, scared, and puffy from both lack of sleep and drug intake. Her fists went up and readied themselves to defend her body.
"I'm sorry," Sparrow simply replied, her eyes lowering to the ground.
Jack growled, "Don't say sorry, FIGHT BACK."
Sparrow offered Jack another kind, sad smile before she reached out and delicately took the crazed biotic by the hand. Jack froze, completely caught of guard by the tender, almost loving gesture, "W-what are you doing?" the biotic asked in bewilderment, her facial features becoming struck with terror.
Sparrow placed her other warm hand on top of Jacks and held onto it gently, "Maybe in another life…we'll get the chance to be friends."
Jack's eyes went wide.
In the background you could hear another officer saying, "She's not a fighter and pointing that gun won't help the situation. Sir, this isn't even necessary to our research. She doesn't have to fight—none of them have to fight. We can perform tests that—"
A loud bang echoed throughout the room and Sparrow's eyes went empty. She seemed to stand for a few moments more, but soon her body gave way to the lack of life within it and crumbled forward to leave Jack shocked and blood sprayed only a foot from the fallen biotic. Jack snapped. She couldn't take it anymore. She was getting out. Now.
The ex-convict opened her now slightly puffy eyes, "It's funny. The girl that did nothing ended up having the biggest impact on me…and that's why I got the tattoo. I didn't know her too well…but she was the first person to ever give a damn in some twisted way. A lot of shit has happened in my life; some shit I don't remember, some shit I forced myself to forget, and then there other spaces in between that just form one big ass, blank question mark. But out of everything, she will always be someone I remember. That tattoo is my promise to that."
John reached a finger underneath her chin and forced the woman to look at him. They stared at each other for the longest of time before John finally leaned in to connect his lips with hers. "I love you, Jack," he softly reminded her.
The biotic buried her face deeply into the Commander's neck as she threw her arm over his chest lazily. "…I love you too. Fucker."
John grinned at the nick name she had used for him oh so often. It wasn't exactly what most people called endearing, but from Jack it was meant with all the love in the world, and the Commander couldn't pretend to mind. However, something about Jack's words struck John just then as he lay holding the woman he loved. She had so many blanks in her life that she would never be able to fill. But, perhaps with some digging, a little luck, and the Shadow Broker on his side he'd be able to help fill in those gaps, he would help Jack fill in the missing parts of her past. Whatever she wanted to know, he would help her find. This was something he would most definitely speak to her about later.
xxxxxxx
[The Med Bay/ 11 PM]
"Okay, my dear. Open those gray puppies up for me," Dr. Chakwas said with a smile, her left hand cupping London's chin while her right hand shone a small light into her eyes. "Do you feel anything different now that we've applied the drops?"
London shook her head slowly from side to side, "No ma'am, I don't."
"Is there any change what so ever in your vision?"
London shook her head once more, "It's still black."
Miranda paced slowly around the medical bay as she observed Chakwas apply another drop into each eye then proceed to rub the closed lids ever so gently as she spoke, "Don't fret just yet, darling. You got to me a little late so it could take a few hours for the drops and pills to take effect. I recommend applying the drops every four hours on the dot starting now. In these first four hours you might notice little to no change, but by the second dosage you should start seeing visible results if not have your sight back completely. I'm assigning you a third dosage just as a safety precaution and peace of mind. I'll stay up with you tonight and help you apply the drops to—"
"You don't have to do that, Dr. Chakwas," Miranda interrupted, "I'd be more than happy to monitor London while you get some rest."
The doctor turned towards Miranda with a raised brow, "Oh don't worry yourself, dear. You've had a long day today and I'm sure you need the rest more."
"I insist, Doctor," she said with that signature business-like tone that always got her what she wanted, "The paper work on my desk has piled up since I got hurt and was required to stay here in the med bay. I have a lot that needs to get done and won't be resting regardless, so I don't mind at all keeping London company and making sure her drops are applied at the proper times."
Helen turned towards London and placed a warm hand onto the brunette's shoulder, "London it's your decision, dear. It's my duty to stay here with you to make sure you're properly cared for. I just want you to know that I don't mind in the slightest monitoring you and applying your medication. However, if you'd rather go with Operative Lawson then that would be alright as well."
Miranda looked onto the brunette in silence as she awaited the answer. London had smiled widely and reached out to clasp Helen by the elbow, "Thank you very much, but I would hate to have you wake up every four hours to attend to me. If Ms. Lawson is going to be awake regardless then I wouldn't mind being under her watch—if that's okay with you of course."
Dr. Chakwas rubbed the brunette on her back softly much like a mother would to her child, "Of course it's fine."
Miranda nodded towards Helen, "Doctor, would you mind sending the Commander a message and letting him know that London should be better by morning. It would mostly likely be in his best interest to just do the debriefing at that time—but of course, it's his call."
"I'll take care of that as soon as I reach my quarters, Ms. Lawson. You two have a goodnight and remember," she added, turning to face the pair before exiting, "every four hours, ladies."
Miranda nodded quickly, "Of course."
When London heard the med bay's door hiss shut she smiled gently out into the room, "Thank you for helping me with my vision and…for staying with me…again. I appreciate it."
"London," Miranda said softly, reaching out to take the woman by the hand and getting her up onto her feet, "I think…we have to talk."
The sniper lowered her empty eyes to the floor and nodded, "I know."
"Will you come with me to my office?"
"I will," the brunette replied, holding onto the operative's hand firmly as she was lead out the door through deck three and into the privacy of the XO's office.
xxxxxxx
[Miranda's Office/12AM]
London sighed contently upon feeling the cold, scented air of Miranda's office hitting her face. The temperature in this room was vastly different from the temperature kept around the rest of the Normandy and London loved it. "What time is it?"
"Twelve A.M. You should probably rest for the next three hours while you wait. I'll be sure to wake you on the dot to apply your eye drops," Miranda said as she led the brunette towards her bed, guiding the woman backwards until she sat on the mattresses edge comfortably.
London's eyebrow rose in confusion as looked up in the operative's general direction, "I thought you wanted to speak with me?"
"I do," the XO replied quickly, "but I think it would be best if you had your vision while we…talked."
The sniper knew exactly what she wanted to speak of, and she couldn't help but agree at the woman's wishes. The two women had been merely half an inch away from kissing and they needed to discuss what was going on between them—something that London would like talk about while being able to look the operative straight in the eyes. It was important. "Alright then," the gray eyed woman agreed softly, "I'll just rest until three A.M comes along. You'll be sure to wake me?"
"I'll be sure. I'm not going to be getting much sleep tonight—I wasn't lying when I said I had work that needed to get done. The Commander will most likely order for a meeting tomorrow morning—well…I guess technically it'd be a few hours, but I have to have things prepared for the discussion."
London nodded as she backed herself up onto Miranda's bed and slowly lay down onto the woman's sheets. They were cool, comfortable, soft against the sniper's skin, and smelled incredibly good. London sighed happily as she turned onto her side and quietly placed her head onto one of the operative's pillows. She couldn't help herself from lightly smelling the material beneath her cheek; it was exactly as Miranda's hair smelled and the brunette smiled fondly. However, the minutes turned into an hour and London eventually found herself to be restless as she lay silent in her darkness, Cavan's voice echoing faintly in the back of her mind,"…it must be terrible to be in your position, to not know if someone is there or not…"
Miranda would observe the woman from time to time quietly, watch as she shifted and moved on the mattress, her hair sprawled out in all directions as she tossed and turned.
"Miranda?"
The operative looked up from her busy work, "Yes?"
London breathed a sigh of relief from her place on the bed, "…you're very quiet."
Miranda raised her eyebrow, "That's usually how it's suppose to be when someone is trying to rest in the middle of the night." London felt silly and decided to say nothing after that, but Lawson was not so easily fooled and could practically feel the sniper's state of restlessness. It was so thick she might have as well cut it with a knife. "What is it, London?"
The gray eyed woman groaned in resignation, "I just…I can't hear you do anything; can't hear you typing, writing, not even breathe."
"I assure you that the entirety of the Normandy will know when I cease to breathe." Miranda turned her attention back on the sniper, not quite understanding where she was getting at.
London sighed, sitting up and giving the space in front of her an unimpressed look, "Not exactly what I meant."
Miranda grinned at the sniper's expression, "So I gather."
"Damn it, Miranda" London said irritably but no where near offensive as she gestured with a rigid hand, "I just…I just can't sleep wondering whether you're there or not. You're so quiet!"
Lawson remained silent while she thought of possible solutions to the problem which in turn caused London to groan unhappily and flop back onto the firm mattress. Miranda studied the woman; there was no way she was going to start breathing heavier like some sort of deranged phone creeper and she sure as hell wasn't going to start typing or scribbling her notes like a maniac. She considered the gesture of touch momentarily because London seemed to appreciate the contact more as of late in her current state of blindness.
"Oh will you stop it," the sniper said suddenly, shocking Miranda out of her thoughts. London searched the space in front of her in an act of frustration, "Stop being so quiet! I can't take it," the brunette said, the frustration in her voice soon placed with an almost desperate plea. She didn't want to hear Cavan or the sound of an M5 echoing throughout the walls of her mind anymore.
Miranda stood up then, needing the other woman to calm down because the distress was unsettling the operative for reasons she did not want to voice aloud just yet. "Where are you going?" the sniper asked, alarmed when she heard Miranda's heels clicking softly against her office's floor. It was surprising however when London suddenly felt the familiar, gloved hand on her shoulder.
"Lie down, London."
London looked up in Miranda's direction in uncertainty but eventually did as she was asked, becoming pleasantly surprised when she felt a warm, curvy body settle behind her, an arm soon after wrapping around London's waist reassuringly. Miranda, who was now behind the brunette, propped herself up against her bed's headboard, "Now you'll know that I'm here; is this satisfactory?"
London's breath came in smaller, shaky inhales as she rested against the operative. No one had held her like this since she was only nineteen years of age. "I-It is but…won't you fall asleep like this?" London asked, worried that the operative might not finish her work load.
"Dr. Chakwas would never let me hear the end of it if I missed the second set of eye drops you're suppose to be given. I'm the second in command, what would people say if I failed to do something so simple?" Miranda answered flatly, hiding her nerves with seasoned grace. Even though she adored that London's warm presence seeped through her cold exterior, she still wondered why she lent out her entire body instead of just her lap or hand. It was a bold and childish, but she noticed the other woman didn't complain… and it was a very promising sign.
After a few quiet moments London adjusted herself gently against the operative, finally revealing a soft smile. She covered the arm that was resting across her stomach with her own and leaned her head back to rest it against the operative's shoulder, her head falling comfortably to the side to where Lawson's chin now rested on the top of the brunette's head. "Try to sleep now, London" the XO soothed, "I'll wake you up in two hours."
xxxxxxx
Time went by quickly for the operative, and before she realized the two hours had come and gone. The left side of her body had become slightly numb but she didn't mind. London had been sleeping so soundly it would have been cruel to wake her. Miranda lifted her free hand to shake the woman leaning against her softly, "London, it's time for your eye drops. Wake up."
The sniper sat up groggily, her tired eyes fighting her every step of the way to wake up fully. But something had struck the sniper just then as her lids managed to open half way: color and shape. It was blurry at first, everything seeming as if it had been sunken underwater. But then, as the seconds turn into minutes London found her vision began to clear. Objects became focused, their outlines crisp and clean. Her full lips lifted at the ends, turning upwards into a large smile. "I can see," she said softly, her eyes looking around the room and over every single thing she could spot. "I can see!" she repeated, her body twisting around to rest on its knees while her gaze was directed upon the woman who didn't move behind her. London leaned forward and beamed her smile outwards towards the widely smiling operative. Upon first glimpse of the beautiful XO London's breathe caught. She had remembered the woman fondly in her mind's eye, but for some reason the sight always seemed so much better when face to face. The sniper lunged forward and engulfed the other woman in a hug so tight Miranda thought she could possibly suffocate if it went on for too long.
"Hi," London whispered softly into Lawson's ear.
The operative returned the gesture happily, responding to the greeting through a wide grin, "Hello, London."
"Thank you," the brunette proclaimed tenderly, "thank you so much."
"Don't mention it," the XO replied modestly, "but here—we're not done yet. Tilt your head back a little so I can put the second set of drops in."
London nodded and lowered herself from sitting on her knees to actually sitting on the bed, leaning forward and tilting her head back so Miranda could sit on her own knees to hover above the woman and apply the small, liquid drops. "There we go," Lawson said happily. "How do you feel? Do your eyes still sting?"
"A little bit but it's not too bad," responded London who had now closed her eyes to absorb the medicated drops.
"So far so good then," the operative said kindly before silently staring down onto London's tilted face. The brunette was so close and the position was perfect; all she would have to do is lean down and…
Miranda brought the back of her gloved had to run down the sniper's cheek, "London…we—"
"—have to talk?" the sniper finished, her eyes opening slowly to stare up into the face that hovered above her.
Miranda offered a small smile as she looked down into her lap then up into London's eyes, her tone uneasy and anxious—something that London had never heard before. "Yes…we have to talk."
After a small moment of silence the operative continued, "I'm…curious about certain things that I believe have been happening between us. So," the operative stated apprehensively, "I would simply like to know your stance on the subject. Or rather," she gently correctly, "I would like to know your… feelings."
Before the brunette could open her mouth, Lawson decided to add just a bit more commentary, "I would also like to say in advance that you know I'm no good at making friends or holding relationships so what we have is…special to me, London. You're a great… friend," Miranda managed to say softly, finding the term 'friend' to hold little truth into the deeper emotions that the XO felt towards the sniper, but knowing no other word to describe the relationship as it was.
London did well to conceal the look of disappointed that wanted to display across her features after Miranda explained her as nothing more than a friend. "I care for you, Miranda." The sniper said honestly and softly out into the quiet office. "I care for you very much…but…"
Lawson swallowed, "But?"
"I'm a little confused. There's a lot going on right now…"
Miranda nodded in agreement, "There is, I will not argue with that. We're dealing with this 'Buyer' and…with the Reapers still being a threat to our very species I know that something like this in the middle of everything else is reckless and stupid and—"
"What is this, Miranda?" London asked quietly, curiously, her eyes never leaving the operatives.
The blunt question caught the XO off guard as she furrowed her brows and stumbled for a response—something that never happened to her, "I…well…like I've said, you've been a wonderful friend to me and—"
"—Miranda?"
"Yes?" Lawson asked, her frustrations getting the best of her as she unconsciously began to chew on the inside of her lower lip.
The ex-exotic dancer sighed heavily as she brought her eyes down, "I'm just going to be honest and say that if you consider me merely a friend then I fear that I care for you more than I should."
There was nothing but silence.
London covered her eyes and laughed lightly at herself to cover the hurt and embarrassment when Miranda didn't reply. Who was she kidding? She was blind when she tried to kiss Miranda; it could have all been in her head—damn her romantic imagination. "You've been so wonderful to me so…excuse me if I began reading the relationship incorrectly. I feel silly. You probably never even…" The sniper could say no more. She swallowed the dryness in her throat and turned to throw her legs over the bed. "I should go…I'm sorry. Thank you very much for everything. Excuse me."
"…your favorite color is orange."
"…what?" the brunette asked quietly as she stopped her movements, her eyes turning around to meet Miranda's intense gaze.
"Your favorite color is orange," the operative said again softly, "…you play the qitan and love to sing. You're an avid reader of poetry books and romance novels, and have grown to have quite the romantic imagination because of it. There's um…" Miranda raised her finger and wobbled it around in the direction London's shoulder, "there's a small scar behind your left shoulder in the shape of a small finger tip. It's most likely a biotic burn from Teagan because of her problems controlling the Eezo nodules. You don't mind it though because you never bother to hide it…because you are a wonderful, loving, beautiful sister who would do anything for her family. And…" the operative paused, her eyes bringing themselves down then around towards her nightstand, "You craft jewelry, or at least you used to. The box that you kept all your pieces in is empty and the music no longer plays because it's broken. It's in here," the XO said, motioning towards the drawer. "I kept it because I knew it must have been important for you…and because…it was a gift from you. I value it."
London looked the operative over in awe, her voice soft and impressed. "You remembered all of that about me? Why?" she asked tenderly.
There was silence for a moment as Miranda decided how to respond. The operative crawled her way over towards the sniper and London quietly gulped and averted the other woman's gaze. Miranda reached out with one hand and directed the sniper's face towards her own so that she could see the brunette properly and then, with the utmost care, she lifted her other hand so that she was cupping London's face. The brunette's breath caught and found she could not speak. Miranda gazed into the other woman's eyes and her lips parted; there were words on the tip of Miranda's tongue; they were warm, gentle, romantic words, but as Lawson looked upon London she could not force any of the words past her lips. Instead, the operative found herself swaying forward and when her lips parted again it was to sigh softly and contently against London's lips as the raven haired woman kissed the brunette like she had been aching to for weeks.
London inhaled sharply, her chest heaving as she leaned in and kissed the Operative in return, the warmth of Lawson's mouth enveloping her entire being as she tasted Miranda for the first time; so soft, so accepting, and from the feel of it they knew it would not—could not be the last. Miranda trembled against the sniper as London's tender motions became bolder, her tongue entering the XO's mouth hungrily, questing, seeking, and familiarizing itself with her taste, her heat, her softness. Lawson opened to her, answering the sniper's hunger with her own, mewling as London began to unconsciously caress Miranda's tightly clothed body, her smooth hands moving over the operative's curves. The sniper's lithe fingers found themselves wrapping around Miranda's zipper and tugging gently downwards until it rested two inches below the XO's belly button. Lawson gasped when the sudden cool air hit her increasingly heated skin then shuddered heavily when she felt the warmth of London's palm make contact and caress the flesh beneath the Operative's tight attire.
Miranda was beginning to drown in desire; to lose herself as her thoughts swirled in a thick mist and her body arched into the other woman's touch. She wanted more; she wanted to know what it felt like to have her own body spread and naked beneath such a powerful force; a force that she couldn't help but find extremely sexy and beautiful in more ways than she could possibly count at this given time. But this was going to fast…wasn't it?
"Wait, wait, wait," Lawson gasped, her hands resting firmly on the sniper's shoulders as she finally pulled her lips away and rested her forehead on the brunettes.
"What?" London answered in alarm, her gaze hooded and heavy. "What's wrong?"
"Slowly," Miranda responded, her own chest rising and falling like mad. "Whatever this is becoming we need to do it slowly. I," Miranda turned away for a second, her cheeks turning an unfamiliar shade of pink before she turned to look back, "…this is the first time I've ever done anything like this…and…this is also the first time I've cared this much—as horrible as that might make me sound. So…I'd like to do it right. But only," she continued, pulling herself away and making sure London was looking into her eyes, "only if you understand what we would be getting ourselves into. We're right in the middle of something big, something dangerous, and we know the risks that come with that. I have an important role to fill on this ship as you well know and I need to make sure that you're okay with me…with wanting to be with me—if you want to be with me." Miranda bit her lower lip as she looked unsurely onto the brunette, "…um…do you… want to be with me?"
London had started to smile half way through Miranda' babble, her head nodding softly towards the other woman as she leaned herself in to bring the operative another soft kiss, her voice low and velvet smooth, "What do you think?"
"I KNEW IT. Oh my God! You two are just so CUTE!"
Miranda and London practically jumped out of their skin at the sudden, loud voice that cooed at their tender actions towards one another. The operative's gaze widened then furrowed so deeply that London thought the wrinkle between the XO's eyes would never go away, "…KASUMI!"
The cloaked thief giggled madly as she ran out of the door squealing and cooing like an excited child. Miranda motioned quickly to get off the bed before London reached out to take firm hold of the woman, "Where are you going?"
"I'm going to kill her," the raved haired woman said viciously, "Where's your sniper rifle? You see, I know her combat maneuvers." The operative tried to explain, her fingers making shapes on the bed's surface as if trying to lay out a battle plan, "She's tricky up close with her cloaking ability but if you take her from afar— a vantage point preferably, you'll be able to render all of her—"
The sniper laughed lightly as she took the other woman's hands into her own, "So what if she knows?"
Miranda groaned as she flopped back onto the bed and brought her arms up to cover her face, "If she knows now, everyone will know by morning...and what with the meeting I don't want anything to distract—"
London grinned as she laid her lithe body half on top of Miranda, "So?" the sniper said, slowly removing Miranda's arms and uncovering the operative's beautiful face, "let them know," she continued, leaning her lips down to press against the others, "…and let them be jealous."
Lawson groaned happily into the kiss as she reached up to wrap her arms around the brunette's neck. There would be time for team meetings, and killing Kasumi later…but for now, all she wanted to do was bask in London's warmth and the new relationship they had begun to slowly form.
[End 24: Love and Something Like It.]
A/N: There you Miranda/ London lovers, get off my back. ;P