Author notes - Same deal as before. The story idea was from an inspiration picture, Bioware owns life... blah blah.

This story is the first of my 'original ideas', being that it is not from the 'established' cannon.


Ashley Williams - Tough as Nails.

A single day passed since Garrus's Mug Shot had been added to the wall, when a third was plastered on the wall. The newest addition caused quite a bit of chatter on the crew deck the morning it went up, and half the crew were antsy to see what the owner would say.

At exactly 0710, the same time she did every morning, Ashley Williams opened the door from the Starboard Observation deck she had 'claimed' as her own, since the XO's office was occupied. None of the crew had complained at that, but they did snicker at the XO's clockwork routine. 0710. Every morning, out of the deck, and in to the showers. 0715. Back onto the deck. 0720. Coffee. 0730. Report to the CO.

Today was no different, right up to the coffee. Ashley stood, mouth open to the side, as she stared at her picture plastered to the walls. Unlike the CO's, or even the Turian's, the picture was not a mug shot. Oh how, she wished, inwardly, that it had of been. No, instead, it was a picture of a young Ashley Williams in a pink ball gown, adorned with a Tiara. Groaning, Ashley moved to take the picture down. Why hadn't Garrus or the Skipper though of this? She smirked, sliding her fingers around the edge of the portrait. No one was going to get this story out of her.

Unfortunatly, running like clockwork had its down sides. For one, when you are at the CO's door every morning with her cup of coffee at exactly 0730, your absence is missed. And so it was like that that Shepard found Ashley Williams, the tough as nails soldier, scratching at the walls, trying desperately to remove the portrait. Chuckling a little, Shepard crossed her arms at the edge of Ashley's vision.

"You don't think I didn't try that already? They are held on by the same stuff that we put on hull breaches. I couldn't get mine off." Shepard mused and smiled. "Whoever the prankster is, they are good." No one had seen the pictures go up, and EDI hadn't seen anything either. "Bester to bunker down, LC, and tell us the story. It'll be over faster." Ashley shook her head, and exhaled.

"No way, Ma'am." She slid off the table, and headed back to the Observation deck. Shepard sighed, a soft chuckle heard from behind her. Liara had emerged from her office, and spying the picture, she almost exploded with glee.

"Oh. I know that story." The Asari blurted out. I am sure that the crew would love to hear it.

Fifteen minutes later, the bulk of the crew was gathered to listen as Liara entered storyteller mode. For her credit, Ashley had emerged from the observation deck, and slunk to the back of the crowd, to listen. And like Garrus and Shepard before her, she found herself slipping in to a memory, from many, many years ago.

"I am sure you all know that Ashley was a military child, and a big tomboy, but what you may not know about Ashley is…"


* 11 years prior *

Ashley Williams. High school tomboy. Track and field star. All this was true. But Prom Queen? What happened there?

No, this had to be a joke. Right? A joke. That had to be it. Right? God, why was this so hard?

"Hey Williams. Can't wait to see you in your dress." Bradley Smythe. Of course he would have something to do with this. That boy had been asking her to prom all semester. Sighing inwardly, Ashley stormed to class.

Sitting alone in the back of her math class, Ashley felt for sure that her reputation was dead. She was going to kill whoever put her name down for Prom queen. And yet, she knew there was nothing she could do about that now. She was in the running, and her sister, Abby, had already seen the announcement, and was campaigning for her election. Dropping hear head down onto her desk.

She heard footsteps approaching. Oh why wouldn't people just leave her alone.

"Go away." She groaned, not raising her head.

"Ashley Williams?" A voice she didn't recognize asked. She raised her head. An alliance officer stood in front of her, holding a data pad in his hands. "Recruitment officer Bosker. We spoke at the seminar last month. I just wanted to deliver your test results." He passed her the data pad, smiling. "Congratulations, Miss Williams. When you graduate next week, you're in. Travel papers are included." The recruitment officer saluted. "Congratulations again, Recruit."

Finally, some good news. One week, and she was out of here. She would suffer through Prom, accept the queen title if they wanted to, and then she was gone.

* One week later, at Prom *

And there she was. In a hideous pink dress her mother had picked out for her, a corsage on her wrist, leaning against the wall. She had finally consented to Bradley's constant asking, and had agreed to be his date. That lasted as far as the gyms door, and no further.

She could see him, leaning against the opposite wall, eyeing her up and down. She flashed him a smile, and saw him go visibly week at the knees. Inwardly, she smiled. Maybe this wasn't going to be a bad night after all. She may even agree to dance with him.

Sliding her hand around his waist, Ashley smiled. It hadn't been that been a bad night. Bradley had been a true gentleman about it. He keep his hands in the right places, and didn't push her.

A slow dance came on, as the lights dimmed. Bradley lowered his hands, and stepped back. Smiling, Ashley raised her hands around his neck, and pulled him back in.

"No. You get this dance." She rested her head on his shoulder. She could feel his mouth pull up into a smile.

"Thank you, Ashley. Tonight means a lot to me. Thank you." Raising her head a little bit, she looked the boy in the eyes. Had he always been the frail? So venerable?

"No problems, Bradley."She moved in towards his face, closing her eyes and turning her head slightly to meet his. She was shocked to find his face gone.

"Ashley, it's not like that." He was blushing.

"Then what?" She asked, slightly pouting. She was starting to like this boy.

"Ashley. I'm gay." His confession shattered resolve for a minute. "I asked you because I didn't think you would want to come, and it would keep the jocks off my back. But I was glad when you said yes, and glad that you came with me. Even if it was just as friends. I'm sorry if you feel deceived."

"Bradley, your secret is safe with me. And if those idiots are giving you a hard time, let me know. I'll knock them out for you." She grinned, and he responded in kind. They hadn't noticed the music had ended, or that the lights were back on.

"If I could have your attention please. I am very pleased tonight to announce your prom king and queen. Bradley Smythe and Ashley Williams." The room erupted in applause, as Bradley lead her to the stage, where she was crowned with a intricate tiara. A photo was snapped of her, preserving this moment.


* In the present *

"… Ashley Williams was her high school prom queen. Dress, corsage, tiara and all. Even had a cute date, if my sources are correct." The shadow broker winked at the spectre, who found her voice.

"Yeah, T'Soni. Cutest guy at the prom. You jealous?" The room erupted with laughter. Vega even piped in.

"So, should I start calling you 'Princess', now, Ash?" She punched him in his arm. The room erupted in more laughter. Shepard broke the group up.

"Alrighty, story time is over. Back to work, or I'll have Spectre Williams dragging your sorry asses to boot at 0430!" Shepard smiled as Ashley moved closer. "So, LC. Still our tough as nails XO, or are you gonna be James's little princess?"

"Screw you, Ma'am." She chuckled. "Betting pool on who's next. Any ideas?" Liara shook her head.

"I have no idea. My network is coming up blank." Ashley shook her head.

"You have a network on the ship? Wait… No, I don't want to know. Guess, Liara. That's why it's called betting, Liara. Just guess." Shepard chuckled, seeing the Asari's discomfort.

"Joker." She stuttered, under the gaze of her Shepard. Ashley turned to the CO.

"Shepard?" The Commander shook her head.

"No thanks. I'm not betting. I have an idea anyway, I'll hold the pot. Ashley?" Ashley's brow furrowed together.

"Liara." She smiled.