Hey guys, sorry for the delay. It's not like me but i've been distracted with the end of school and work. Here's chapter 10!

Chapter 10:

Seeds of Mutiny

Joker woke his commander as they made their approach to the Citadel. Looks like they've blockaded the relays. That won't satisfy Shepard. "Rise and shine," Joker said as his hand stroked Laura's face. Laura responded by nuzzling into her pilot's hand and letting out a sleepy moan. Finally, the Spectre stretched cat-like within the confines of the copilot's chair and sat up.

"Good dream?" asked Joker.

"Any dream is better than our current situation."

"We all miss him ma'am. I'm sure it's especially hard for you; I know you and Alenko were close," said Joker sounding jealous.

"You know as well as I do that I didn't feel that way about Kaidan. You have just ignored all of our recent interactions moron," he retorted and stormed off.

She's right, you know, you are a moron. Didn't you kiss her?

How do I know she wasn't doing the same with Kaidan?

This is Laura you're talking about; she doesn't shower until everybody is asleep or the second deck is empty.

Okay, fine. So now what?

Talk to her numb-nuts.

Right.

Joker set the docking procedures and went to Laura's quarters on the second deck. After knocking, Joker was greeted with Laura leaning in the doorway. "This better be good."

Joker removed his hat and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I, uh… I screwed up pretty royally didn't I?" Laura answered with a nod. "I'm sorry I questioned your feelings and I know that you didn't have any feelings for Kaidan… and I'm sorry." The pilot paused and finished lamely, "We dock in two minutes."

As the flight lieutenant went to leave, he felt familiar hands and arms wrap over his shoulders and around his chest. "You really are hopeless, I hope you know that," Laura said which she followed up with kisses to the neck.

"I know, it's all part of my appeal. The ladies love the socially pathetic," Joker responded, enjoying each and every soft kiss. Oh, that's the spot. How does she always hit that spot?

"Do they now? Well maybe you should take your act on the road," Laura teased followed by more kisses.

"No no. I'm enjoying my current position quite nicely."

"Too bad," Laura said and abruptly let the pilot go almost causing him to fall. "You, me, and Tali are going to see the Council.

Joker sighed theatrically, "Well I guess two beautiful women outweigh the depressing Council."

Laura smirked, "Just keep your eyes up and try not to get distracted," she said as she started up the steps.

"No promises."

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

For Joker, the elevators of the Citadel just seemed to invite short conversations that either ended when the ride did, or were paused until another elevator ride came. "So Saren and his geth are on the run Tali. Are you excited to get some payback?"

Tali's response came with its usual metallic twang. "As much as I enjoy destroying any geth I come across, my people are still exiled and will continue to look for a suitable uninhabited planet. No amount of geth deaths will change that."

"I wasn't aware that the quarians were actively searching, I thought the Migrant Fleet was home."

"Yes, many of my people call the Migrant Fleet home. However, it is only a temporary solution, just on a large scale," Tali said with a sigh.

The doors to C-Sec slid open, and from there the transport system was taken to the Council Chambers. Once the meeting began, it was obvious that the Council had already made a decision.

"It is obvious that these Reapers are a convenient lie that Saren is taking advantage of," remarked the turian councilor shaking his head.

"And this Conduit is a wild goose chase designed to lead us away from the Citadel," continued the salarian.

"All the proper mass relays have been blockaded in the event that Saren and his geth attempt to foolishly attack the Citadel," finished the asari.

It's like they practiced this speech with each other. "This is just great," Joker whispered to Tali. "We do all the work, and they're content to sit back on their butts."

"This is typical," Tali responded with a nod. "The Council will do anything to avoid looking like aggressors with the Terminus Systems."

"Send my team. With the Normandy, we can easily reach the Mu Relay without being detected," argued Shepard, bringing her companions from their side conversation.

"Absolutely not!" shouted Udina. "You may be a Spectre, but the Normandy and her crew still belong to the Alliance. I am hereby grounding the vessel until further notice."

Thanks a lot Udina, I never thought that I would be embarrassed to be a part of the Alliance. "You bastard! You're selling us out!"

"Who in blazes is this human?" asked the turian councilor.

"Flight Lieutenant Jeff Moreau," he answered.

"Not for long," muttered Udina. "Shepard, you and your team are done now. It is time to let the Council plan the next course of action, with my help of course."

The trio trudged back to the Normandy with heads hung and curses muttered. Joker plopped into his chair as Shepard stormed towards the stairs.

Joker sighed, "I guess I should go check on her. Damn it Udina why must you be such an ass?" The pilot pried himself from his chair and asked Pressly to watch over things. Not that there is much to do. Joker was halfway down the stairs when he heard various forms of slamming and banging. Ah, that would be my fair maiden now. Soon, the two mess hall "chefs" went running up the stairs as Joker stopped at the landing. That bad huh?

Shepard finally slammed the locker door shut and sat down next to it in a huff. "Is the locker not cooperating Commander?" the pilot teased as he sat down next to her.

"You know, lockers and politicians are very similar Joker," remarked Laura as she gave the locker an elbow for emphasis.

"Is that because they're both full of shit?"

"You stole my punch line," Shepard said, playfully shoving the pilot.

"What can I say? I'm the best."

"If you're the best, how about you get us the hell out of here?"

"I sure wish I could," Joker said as he leaned his head back. "Hell, I even think the crew would go with us. But Udina locked us out, it ain't right Commander," he said, standing in frustration.

"What can we do Joker? We're stuck in political hell."

"Somebody once said that they could, and I quote, 'I can bludgeon pretty hard.' Come on," said Joker, holding out his hand.

Laura smiled and grabbed her pilot's hand. Joker pulled a bit harder than necessary, and Shepard ended up in his arms.

"Smooth Joker."

"I try Commander."

"So are you going to kiss me, or am I going to have to order you to?"

"Honestly? Either way works for me," replied Joker with a smirk. This is it Joker old boy. It's just you, the Commander, and some alone time. All you have to do is-

"Commander Shepard?" crackled Pressly's voce over the intercom. The two quickly separated. Joker could only rub the back of his head sheepishly as Laura grinded the heel of her hand into her forehead.

"Yes Pressly?" Laura asked with annoyance.

"We received a message from Captain Anderson. He wants to meet you at Flux."

"Thank you Pressly. Really, I mean seriously, your timing could not have been better," answered Laura sarcastically.

"Uh, thanks. I guess."

Laura turned and raised an eyebrow at Joker. "Go ahead. I need a cold shower."

Jah, that was chapter 10, i hope to get the next chapter up soon because i have a bit more free time