My God it's been a while since I updated this story! But I started playing Mass Effect 2 again a few days ago and some ideas have sprung up in my head. So I have decided to update and I may update more! This story is in 2 parts so stay tuned for Part 2. Review and tell me if you enjoy it or hate it please! :)

Chapter 4 – Preparation

Shepard walked into the mess hall, his tummy grumbling with every step he took. He looked around at the tables to see his crew eating their breakfasts and chatting about random topics like their families or if any of the men knew good prostitutes.

Ah, my average morning. Don't ever change…

Shepard walked up to Gardner and smashed down his tray on the counter, snapping Gardner from his daydreams once again.

"Gardner! I'm hungry and you don't want to see me when I'm hungry…" Shepard gave him a fake death stare and he barked a laugh.

"What? You'll go all "Hulk" on me Commander?" Gardner said as he scrapped some scrambled eggs on Shepard's plate.

"I wouldn't be surprised. You should this animal on the battlefield. That is something to be feared!" Kasumi butted Shepard out of the way with a move of her hip and pushed her tray forward.

"Um, hello?" Shepard said exasperated.

"Hi!" Kasumi said with a chipper smile. "So where's Miranda? We're planning on going shopping in the Citadel today!" Kasumi said through a mouthful of Spacy Flakes.

"She's up in our cabin, picking out what to wear. You women and your clothes…" Shepard interjected under his breath. It seemed that Gardner heard him as he smacked down his spatula and thumped his fists on the counter.

"Ha! That's exactly right Commander!" Gardner slowly turned back to his stove as Kasumi gave him death glare from under her hood.

Run for the hills Gardner! That stare only means one thing and that one thing is never good…

"Anyway, you guys planning anything tonight? This is our first stop on the Citadel in ages." Kasumi started shovelling Shepard's scrambled eggs onto her plate and Shepard gave her an annoyed stare.

Then it hit him; "Oh my God! We haven't even gone on a proper date yet!" Shepard face-palmed himself as Kasumi let out a giggle.

"You're joking?" Kasumi looked at Shepard quizzically and then shockingly. "OH MY GOD! Take your woman on a date Shepard!"

"Hey! I'd like to see you take someone on a date while preparing for a Suicide Mission and killing Collectors!" Shepard defended himself.

"Everyone, Shepard hasn't taken Miranda on a date yet! Everyone slap him for being an idiot!" Kasumi screamed through giggles. At this point the whole crew started to stare and some began to laugh.

"Um, uh…" Shepard stared at his entertained crew as some began to walk towards him, their hands ready for a big slapping. At that point Shepard said something that the whole crew would never forget, ever; "Kasumi likes Jacob!"

At that point Kasumi chocked on some of Shepard's eggs and everyone started staring at her. Kasumi gave Shepard the "I'm gonna kill you later" stare and slunk off back to her quarters, her head hung low. Jacob stood there, gobsmacked.

Shit that's taking it a bit too far Tyler. Shepard thought sullenly. Oh I know! Kasumi, you're gonna love me…

"Ok Jacob, I know you like Kasumi and don't deny it! So go and tell her already, would you?" Shepard gave Jacob an accusatory stare and Jacob stared back with his mouth agape.

"Um, uh…How did you know?"

"Please Jacob; remember who you're taking to here! Now go get that woman!" Shepard patted Jacob on the shoulder and nudged him towards Kasumi.

"Yes Commander." Jacob fixed up his posture and followed Kasumi back to her quarters with the biggest grin spread across his face.

Shepard sunk his head to the ground and walked to the elevator, trying his best to avoid his crew's stares and giggles…

Ugh, this dress is too long. Too short. Doesn't match my shoes! God, I'm going to be here all day…

Miranda threw her clothes left, right and centre, trying to find the perfect outfit for going shopping. Something that was comfortable yet looked good. Miranda was nearly tearing her hair out! Miranda heard the cabin door open to reveal her blushing boyfriend.

"Tyler, why are you blushing?" Miranda asked while walking towards him.

"Oh, funny story, tell you later. Hey are you busy tonight?" Shepard said so fast Miranda barely heard him.

"Are you sweating?" Miranda began to laugh when Shepard's blush deepened.

"No! I mean…yeah, I guess I am. Look, are you busy tonight?" Shepard looked deep into Miranda's eyes and Miranda began to blush.

Oh, he's so cute! Especially when he's nervous! Oh stop it acting like a bumbling idiot answer his question Miranda…

"Um, no I don't think so. Why?"

"Well how about we go on a date then?" Shepard eyes quickly averted to the ground.

Oh my God! We haven't even gone on a date yet, have we? Jeez Miranda, way to sound cheap…

"I would love to go on a date Tyler." Miranda wrapped her arms around Shepard's neck and pressed her cherry lips to his.

Tyler eagerly reciprocated the kiss, moving his arms to her slender waist. He pushed his tongue into her mouth and Miranda began to moan into the kiss, driving Tyler insane. Their passion and desire overwhelmed them, as usual, and Shepard shifted Miranda's legs around his waist. Miranda let out a gasp of pleasure as he began to relentlessly attack her neck with his lips, tongue and teeth while walking them over to the bed. Shepard continued stumbling and fell very short. They both fell to the ground with a loud thump and an "OW!" escaped Miranda's lips.

God that hurt! Oh, who cares; it was so worth it anyway…

Tyler continued his assault all over her; kissing and gently feeling her body when out of nowhere he abruptly pulled away and pushed himself up.

"What? Why did you stop!" Miranda said, annoyance slipping into her voice.

"Ha! Miri baby, I never have sex before or after the first date! It's my only rule and it's not my style!" Tyler interjected while leaning down and giving Miranda a peck on the cheek.

"You ass…" Miranda said under her breath. Shepard let out a bark of laughter and pulled her up for another small kiss. It made Miranda feel warm as he held her close.

"Don't worry Miri babe. It's only for today. I mean you can wait that long, right?" Shepard gave her a wink which nearly melted Miranda right there. "We're needed downstairs so…um you may want to stop blushing babe!" Shepard's lips quirked to a smirk as he let go of her waist and turned towards the closet.

I'll be just fine…I hope. No I can control myself, I am Miranda Lawson! I will not let him control me…

During that unconfident thought Shepard began to strip off his shirt and pants, exposing his rippling, slightly scarred body. Miranda's jaw went slack, her mind consumed only by her lust and desire.

Oh screw it and screw you! Shepard you're mine…

Miranda slowly lifted herself off the ground and quietly approached Shepard. She gently moved her arms around his muscled body and rested her head on his tattooed back.

Mmm, I love that tattoo. Tyler doesn't even know it but tattoos are unbelievably sexy…

She grazed her fingertips across his abs and kissed his shoulder. "You know Tyler," She purred out of her lips. "I respect that little rule of yours but…" At that point Miranda's hands went extremely low until they reached their destination.

"God! Ah Miri! C'mon, you're not being fair here!" Shepard grunted out through groans as he tried to control himself.

"Commander when have I ever been fair?" Miranda whispered gently in his ear, making Shepard swear under his breath.

Shepard groaned and quickly grabbed Miranda's hands. He spun around, grabbed her waist and pushed her onto the nearby lounge. He chuckled at the turn of events and carefully slid on top of her delicate body. Their kisses grew in passion, tongues fighting for dominance and love-bites trailed across their skin until Shepard grew inpatient and ripped off her clothes, leaving her in only her bra and panties.

"Oh! Tyler! You know, you could have asked me to take them off!" Miranda said through bouts of kisses.

"Hey, you push me over the edge, you pay for it!" Shepard said as he began undoing her bra. He trailed kisses down her body, making Miranda moan in anticipation as he went lower. "You made me break my one and only rule today Miri, and now it's time for some sweet revenge." Shepard smirked as he went back down to his business.

Oh this is gonna be a long day…

The day went by quickly for Shepard. Just smooth sailing through the depths of space. Night came as quickly as the day went and Shepard began to get nervous, more nervous than usual.

"Shep, I don't understand. You always "charm" Miranda and all that human shit. So why are you so nervous about a date?" Garrus' eyes focused on Shepard's pacing.

"Yeah, Commander. Look if you get really nervous just pretend it's a normal meeting, pretend it's nothing." Jacob offered while smirking at his sweating Commander.

"Look Shepard, just take her to dinner, plow her in the parking lot and then go home and never call her again. That's what every real man does!" Zaeed said while cleaning his gun. Everyone stared at him and he just shrugged.

"Are you going to ask her to breed with you Commander?" Grunt said in his usual gruff voice. Everyone was startled, to say the least. Shepard choked on air, Garrus laughed, Jacob fell off his seat and Zaeed smirked, not taking his eyes off his gun.

"No Grunt I'm not gonna ask Miranda to breed with me!" Shepard said while gasping for air.

"Then what is the damn point of this!" Grunt yelled, smashing his fists together.

"It's…it's just…I can't explain it. Ask someone else Grunt!" Shepard said as he brushed his hand through his ebony hair.

Grunt looked towards Jacob and he nearly had a heart attack. Jacob shook his head so fast Shepard thought it would fall off.

"Don't even think about asking me Grunt. Unless you want some horror stories…" Zaeed still didn't look up from his gun.

Garrus slunk further into his corner and suddenly became very interested in the ground.

Grunt threw his hands up in frustration and sat down on the lounge, the impact making Jacob fall off the lounge again.

"It's just a date Shepard, every man goes through these." Jacob said while pushing himself up again.

"But this is Miranda! What if I…don't live up to her standards?" Shepard sat down on his bed, his head in his hands.

"Well…you've already got her! Now just plow her! Shit it's not that difficult!" Zaeed groaned out.

"I am not gonna "plow" her! You do know I love her, right?" Shepard's anger began to flare. He took a few deep breaths and stood up. "Look I'm sorry but if you could all please leave? I need to pick out something to wear."

Everyone began filing out, each mumbling something under their breath. All Shepard heard was "Just plow the damn girl and grow some balls Shepard…" He guessed it was Zaeed.

Just a hunch but I bet this date is gonna be a nightmare…

Miranda stood in Kasumi's observation deck, admiring the view of the stars and planets in the distance of space. She began to fade out, losing all her attention to her gaze at the galaxy.

"Miranda, you ready?" Kasumi put a hand to her shoulder and turned her around, observing her dress.

Miranda didn't feel that comfortable in a dress. She had used seduction before but she was more comfortable in her uniform. It made her feel safe. She didn't feel that safe in a black cocktail dress. She had a small gun strapped to her thigh but still didn't feel overly safe.

"Yes of course. It's just a date…" Miranda turned back to her view and began to stare again.

Miranda would never admit but she was nervous. Very nervous. It had been years since her last proper date and she wasn't sure she remembered how. She really loved Shepard and she has never gone on a date with a man she loved.

It's just a date. It's just a date…oh I am screwed…

"Shit cheerleader, how long has it been since you went on a fucking date? What, your teen years?" Jack said with obvious amusement in her voice.

"Why is she here again?" Miranda didn't take her eyes of the view but it was evident in her voice that she was annoyed.

"Because I just had to see the fucking cheerleader crash and burn!" Jack offered before she cracked up laughing. Kasumi glared at Jack and she just stuck her fingers up in a "rude" gesture.

"Dates. Ah, I remember going on dates. They were quite fun but also rather boring. Hmm, I hope that your date is "fun" Miranda." Samara said while meditating.

"Where are you going? I mean what are you doing on this date?" Tali asked.

Miranda could tell that this was really hard for Tali to put up with. Miranda could tell that Tali had a crush on Tyler but she kept it to herself. She didn't want to embarrass her further.

Tali don't strain yourself; you don't need to hide your hate or jealousy from me….

"I don't know what we're doing. He wouldn't tell me. He said it's a "surprise"." Miranda said, frustration building in her voice.

At that point Kasumi began to giggle uncontrollably.

"Kasumi, why are you giggling?" Miranda turned to see a very red face.

"No reason." Kasumi could barely contain her laughter.

"What?" Miranda walked up to Kasumi with Jack, Tali and Samara staring in amusement behind them.

"I know what your date is! Shepard told me!" Kasumi suddenly disappeared, laughing loudly to annoy Miranda further.

All four ladies stared at her disappearing form and Miranda began to fume.

"You're kidding me…" Miranda said under her breath.

Oh, this date is going to be a nightmare if Kasumi knows about it! Oh I was right, this is gonna be a long day…