Chapter 3 – A Promise
Okay, Chapter 3 now up! Sorry for taking so long. 5 assignments due in 2 weeks! Anyway, here it is. As usual sorry for spelling mistakes, grammar errors and if past-present tense is wrong. Enjoy the story!
There were many things that Tyler Shepard hated; Reapers, Collectors, Geth. The list goes on. But there is one thing that Shepard hated more than anything: being bested by his girlfriend.
How can she pick up so many boxes without screaming in agony? What, she moves, like 10 boxes at once? Man, it's like she's Superwoman and I'm a fat guy…
Miranda picked up another 2 boxes, one in each arm, and began walking to their quarters. She gave Shepard a wink before walking out of the door. Shepard was holding a box that felt like it weighed the weight of Tuchanka. The minute the door closed behind her, he dropped the box and let out a loud groan of pain.
"Holy shit, I really need to visit the gym more often." He tried to pick up the box again but failed miserably.
Oh, screw it. I deserve a breather…
He walked over to Miranda's bed, striped off his button-up shirt, undid his belt on his baggy jeans and caved onto the bed. He grabbed a pillow and shoved his head under it.
Shepard was over the moon that Miranda was going to move into his quarters. They would be able to connect better, talk more…
Not to mention the awesome sex…
But he did not like moving her loads of crap up there. He threw the pillow across the room, got up and walked over to her wardrobe. There were various assortments of dresses, skirts, t-shirts, jackets and loads more stuff that Shepard couldn't be bothered to care about.
We have already moved up half her wardrobe? You have got to be freaking kidding me! Why do girls have so many clothes? I have never seen her wear any of this stuff!
Shepard heard the door open and looked to see Miranda staring at him in disbelief.
"What's up Miri, babe?" Shepard looked at Miranda with a grin plastered on his face.
"I have moved up a total of 10 boxes while you have only moved 2." She paused for a moment staring right at Shepard with amused grin. "Do you see what's wrong with that statement?"
Shepard just shrugged his shoulders and looked at her confidently.
"I have been packing boxes. You should be thanking me, babe."
"You call me "babe" one more time and you won't be touching me for a long time." Miranda said jokingly. Shepard nodded very quickly and turned his attention to her clothes.
Miranda walked up to him slowly stepping over boxes, scattered clothing and office supplies. She looked at him and started pushing him towards a big box.
"This box is way too heavy for me. Since you are my strong and handsome boyfriend, you will take it up for me. Okay?" Miranda gave him a peck on the cheek and started to pack the rest of her clothing.
Shepard stared at the box like it was Mount Everest. He tried to pick it up countless ways, trying to find the right leverage to lift it. Of course he wasn't that lucky. After a minute of hopelessly trying to lift the box Miranda started to laugh.
"Hey! Don't laugh at me! I am just trying to make it look like I'm struggling so that you don't look so weak." Shepard looked at her, trying to make it seem like that's what he actually thought. Miranda just nodded along and proceeded to put clothes into boxes.
"Yep, whatever you say Ty." Miranda said loud enough for Shepard to hear. Shepard looked over to Miranda to give her a peace of his mind but instead lost his train of thought instantly.
Oh, my God, look at those tight short shorts. Man, I'm never gonna get anything done now…
He tried to pick up the box again but got too distracted by Miranda's perfect ass in the corner of his eye. He decided to quench his hunger for his sexy girlfriend and walked silently towards her, being very careful not to step on anything. He stepped over countless shirts and papers trying to reach his target. When he finally reached her, he snuck up behind her and smacked her ass.
"Ow!" Miranda yelled in surprise. She turned towards Shepard to see his sly smirk. She gave him a sultry stare. "Oh well Ty, I'm gonna have to get you back for that." She began to stroke his abs, gently grazing her fingertips over them. Shepard leaned in to kiss her cherry lips but she backed away at the last second, causing Shepard to nearly fall over.
"After you move that box up, that is." Miranda gave him an affectionate nip on the neck and turned back to her clothes.
Man she does tease men…
Shepard tried to pick up the box again but strained himself. He heard Miranda laughing behind him.
"Hey, I can get Grunt to move it if it's too heavy for you, babe." Miranda chimed in.
"No I can do it! I don't need Grunt for everything you know!" Shepard turned to Miranda and gave her an exasperated stare. Miranda put her hands up in surrender and started to move 2 boxes to their quarters. Shepard stared back at the box.
A box is standing between me and having sex with my hot girlfriend. Well that's annoying…
Shepard's mind sprung up an idea. He pushed out his hand and it began to glow blue. After a few seconds the box was in the air.
How could I have forgotten to use my biotics? That would have saved me 10 minutes of looking like an idiot…
He put down the box, slid on his shirt and did up his pants. He lifted the box again and started to walk towards their quarters. He passed a few crewmen that gave him stares and winks.
"Nice thinking, Shep!" He heard Gardner say.
Shepard gave them a smug smile and continued his walk towards the captain's quarters. He walked into the elevator and silently cursed to himself.
Out of all the people I could be stuck in an elevator in, it had to be Jack. My good luck shines on me again…
"Hey Jack" Shepard tried to break the awkward silence.
Rumour was around the ship that Jack had a crush on Shepard. Well, not so much a crush, but wanting to have sex with him. When Jack found out that him and Miranda were together and that Miranda was moving into Shepard's quarters she started to ignore Shepard. Shepard didn't think that she was jealous but Miranda did.
"What do you want Shepard?" Jack said obviously aggravated.
"Nothing, sorry." Shepard prayed silently to God that the elevator had finally reached the cargo hold.
"Whatever. You enjoy fucking your prissy cheerleader." Jack said while she walked out of the elevator.
Wow, maybe she is jealous…
Miranda was putting the boxes into the corner of the room. She had now moved 12 boxes up while Shepard had only moved 2.
Okay, Shepard might be powerful leader and biotic but he is really weak. Or lazy. Or both…
Miranda continued to pile boxes on top of each other when the cabin door opened to reveal Garrus.
"Hello Mr Vakarian. If you're looking for Shepard he's in my quarters trying to move a box…but failing miserably." Miranda let out a chuckle and looked over to Garrus. "Do you need something from me?"
"Yes, actually. I wanted to talk to you about something." Garrus stood there with a neutral look. Miranda directed him towards the lounge and they both sat down looking at each other awkwardly.
Miranda and Garrus didn't talk very much. They don't hate each other, more like they don't trust each other. Garrus still thought that Miranda was a Cerberus loyalist even though he knew that she resigned. Miranda didn't know what to think of Garrus. All she really knew about him was that he was one of Shepard's most trusted and loyal friends. Miranda thought she owed it to Shepard to try and trust him as much as Shepard trusted him.
"What do you need Garrus?" Miranda sat across from him. She tried to sound welcoming but failed.
"I just wanted to talk about your…intentions towards Shepard." Garrus looked her straight in the eye.
"Um, my intentions? What do you mean exactly?" Miranda was caught off-guard. She should have expected this but she was stupid enough to think that he would not bring it up.
"Well, you and Shepard have been very…close. You guys are gonna share a cabin now. I just want to make sure that you don't hurt him. I want to make sure that you won't break his heart." Garrus finished looking very serious.
There's no getting out of this, is there? I wonder if I could run for the door before Garrus even notices. Not very likely…
"Miranda?" Garrus snapped Miranda out of her thoughts. She looked at him and breathed in deeply.
"I will never break his heart. He means too much to me. I…I love him, more than anything." Miranda looked down to the ground unwilling to meet Garrus' eyes.
Miranda meant every word she said but she had never told anyone but Shepard that she loved him. She didn't think that Garrus would believe her but when she looked up he nodded with a smirk, or what she thought was a smirk, plastered across his face.
"I never thought I'd say this, but Shepard's very lucky to have you." Garrus began to walk out when Miranda interjected.
"No, I'm very lucky to have him. Oh, and if you tell him that I'll have to space you." Miranda smiled and Garrus smiled back. He walked out of the room and out of nowhere he began to laugh. Miranda turned to the door to see Shepard moving the heavy box into their quarters…with his biotics.
"Um…can I ask Shepard?" Miranda laughed and watched him as he put the box down near the others. When he was done he stood at the door and looked at Miranda with a big grin on his face.
"What? What are you looking at?" Miranda stood there confused. Shepard then began to glow a brilliant blue and the next thing Miranda knew she was on the bed laying face up. Shepard walked over towards her and stared at her beautiful body.
"My God Miri, you're…you're just…" Shepard couldn't form a sentence.
"Amazing? Brilliant? Any of those will do." Miranda said back with a smirk on her lips.
Shepard couldn't help himself. He growled and slid on top of Miranda.
"Tyler," Miranda tried to get a sentence out but couldn't formulate words as he began to kiss her neck. "Tyler, we need to finish moving up my things." Miranda finally breathed out while he started to kiss her collarbone.
"Your stuff will still be there in…" Shepard took a long pause, which nearly killed Miranda with anticipation, looking her body up and down. "A few hours. Maybe a few days." Shepard smirked as he started to brush his teeth across her neck. Miranda tried to protest but then stopped herself.
Oh, screw it! I'll never get out of here now! Not that I really want to…
Shepard slid further down her body until he was at the hem of her tank top. He pulled it up and started to kiss her belly. Miranda let out a long moan. Shepard continued to kiss her belly when he started to get a bit adventurous. He started to slide down her shorts and panties. He kissed her down her taut body, going lower and lower…
"My God!" Miranda screamed out. Shepard laughed and stared at her beautiful body.
"Miri, you are officially a sex goddess." Shepard said with humour dripping from his voice. He continued to laugh as he pleased her…
Shepard's breathing was still fast and his heart was thumping out of his chest. He looked down to see Miranda's arm draped across his body with her breathing gently on his chest. She looked asleep but she began to speak.
"Well, thank you so much for distracting me. And before I forget; sex goddess?" Miranda said with mock annoyance.
"Oh, you know you're one." Miranda giggled on Shepard's skin, making him feel instantly warmer. "And you know loved the sex. I mean you told me repeatedly during that-"
"Ok! I get it! But still, I would like to get the moving done without getting distracted." Miranda paused and started to kiss his chest. "But it was…fantastic."
"Of course it was! I am Commander Shepard after all! I'm the best!" Shepard said like it was common knowledge. Miranda laughed and slipped her body on top of Shepard's.
"Hey, guess who came to talk to me before you came up with that box? That use of biotics, by the way, was very clever thinking. I'm impressed" Miranda laid her head on his chest and kissed his collarbone.
"Why are you so impressed when I do something clever? I am smart you know!" Shepard said while stroking his hands down her back. Miranda lifted her head up and gave him a disbelieving stare. Shepard burst out laughing. "Oh God! Couldn't even get through that!" Miranda laughed along with him.
"Ok, you got me off-topic. Garrus came to talk to me today."
Oh shit! What the hell did he say? I don't trust Garrus' big mouth!
"Oh, what about?" Shepard said nervously. He began to sweat.
"He wanted to make sure I wouldn't break your heart." Miranda looked at Shepard with affectionate eyes. "I think it was stupid of him to ask, myself. I would never break your heart." Miranda kissed his neck and rested her cheek on Shepard's stubble.
"I know you wouldn't. And I will never break yours." Shepard said as he kissed the top of her head, smelling her hair. It smelt of coconut and honey. Miranda laid there for a little while and when Shepard thought that she was asleep he tried to gently push her off.
"Where do you think you're going?" Miranda laughed devilishly as she snaked her hands around his waist.
"Well I was gonna piss, but alright." Shepard grabbed Miranda and pushed himself on top of her. "But I've gotta get in a good position, you know, admire the view." Shepard began to kiss her neck when she pushed him away. "What's up Miri, babe?" Shepard grinned.
"Shepard you have to promise me something." Miranda sounded serious so Shepard slid off her body and looked into her blue eyes.
"What? What is it?" Shepard sounded very worried. Miranda grabbed his hand and looked into his deep blue eyes.
"Promise if you have to save me or save everyone else, you won't save me. You promise me that!" Miranda looked determined.
She's not gonna let this go. She can't possibly make me promise this, can she…?
"Miri, where did this come from?"
"Just promise!" Miranda said louder than she meant to.
"Miri…I can't-"
"No Shepard! I can't let you sacrifice everyone for my safety! You have to promise me this!" Miranda yelled as she sat bolt upright. She let go of Shepard's hand and gave him an icy glare.
Man, haven't seen that glare since the Lazarus Station…
Shepard took a long, deep breath, re-grabbed her hand and squeezed it.
"I promise that…if I have to choose between you and the galaxy's safety…I will choose the galaxy." Shepard looked deep into Miranda's eyes and saw relief. "But only in that situation. Miranda, I'd always choose you if I could. But I know my duty and the mission comes first…sometimes."
The words felt bitter in his mouth. He hated saying that to her face but it seemed to give her comfort. He loved comforting Miranda and making her feel happy but he really hated saying that.
"I love you Tyler." Miranda cuddled up to Shepard and breathed out a sigh.
"You make me that promise too." Shepard whispered gently into her ear. He felt Miranda stiffen and shift her weight.
"I…um-" Miranda was lost for words.
Huh, Miranda's tongue stopped working. That doesn't happen often. Someone get a camera! We need to film this…
"See not so easy, is it?" Shepard interjected.
"I promise…I will do the same thing. Happy?" Miranda stiffened further.
"Appeased." Shepard said as he tightened his grasp on Miranda.
Miranda settled on Shepard's relaxed form, rested her head in the crook of his shoulder and, like every night, fell asleep in his arms.
I still need to pee…