We've been out here three months, scanning planets in the Attican Traverse. Currently, we're at Pollino, a planet in the Aquila system of the Ismar Frontier cluster. So far, we haven't found anything of interest. Things are pretty monotonous aboard the ship: wake up, eat breakfast in the mess hall, go to your post, stay there, leave when your shift ends, eat lunch, break time, shift, shift end, dinner, sleep. Rinse and repeat. If it wasn't for the fact that the captain is so easy going, I'd have gone bat shit crazy within a month.

Captain Lee was a fair man. Your average Joe one would think if it wasn't for the amount of medals the man carries around. Dark hair, broad shoulders, hazel eyes. Nothing remarkable, no Prince Charming. Various scars colored his features, crisscrossing about his face. A particularly large one stood out the most, running from his chin to his left eye in a diagonal line. He was charismatic as well, laughing at stupid jokes the crew often made during breaks.

Commander Peterson, our XO, seemed to be on par with the captain. A kind woman, serious to her duty, loyal to the Alliance. A quick laugh with the crew once in a while. She and the captain got along just fine. Probably a little too fine. Sometimes, when data was being analyzed and nothing was going on, the captain and XO would chat nonstop, Peterson giggling like a schoolgirl at times. Something told me there was more to those two than meets the eye.

As a subordinate, I wasn't going to say anything. Unless I wanted to end up as space debris.

John and I were making it work, enjoying small moments when we managed to be alone, conversing while on duty. We had been assigned to the CIC area, standing guard and looking pretty was all there was to it. It's not like we were going to be attacked or something. There was nothing out here, the only slightly habitable planet was in an ice age. Go figure.

The crew was currently eating or in their posts; I had finished long ago. So here I was, laying on my bunk, looking up towards the ceiling, thinking of this new life that I have.

By new life, do you mean as a soldier or as Selena Davidson?

Well...both?

I hadn't thought about my past life in quite a while. So many things to learn at the training camp left me little time to think. The pain and confusion dwindled with time, memories of my past slowly receded into the quiet, dark corners of my mind. Alex would sometimes resurface, leaving me confused, angered, pained. But that would last just for a moment as John would awaken me from my musings with a joke or ship gossip or, when alone, a swift kiss that would leave me craving for more.

A warm hand upon my shoulder shook me from my reverie and I turned to see my savior: John. His sky blue eyes full of love and endearment.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked.

"You know me too well." I said with a chuckle. "Just thinking about...everything. And nothing."

"Hmm. Maybe I can make you forget about those thoughts for a while..." he said, leaning in until there was no space between us. This was no quick kiss. It was laced with passion, maybe even hunger after being deprived for so long of a long, full kiss. Our tongues danced to a rhythm long abandoned, reveling in the taste of each other's mouths. A minty breath of toothpaste assaulted my senses, a slight sound escaping my lips. It was a languid kiss, yet full of vigor, something that I had almost forgo-

"Ahem."

John and I quickly separated, scurrying away from each other. I looked up to see who had caused the noise and my heart began to pound rapidly as I saw who it was.

"Didn't mean to interrupt, Shepard. Davidson."

"Uh.. Commander Peterson, I-I was just...We were..."

"Kissing?" the woman asked, a smooth eyebrow raised and thin lips curved into a smirk.

"No! We...I-"

"No need to explain, Davidson. I really don't want details, trust me. I just came to tell you two that the Captain wants everyone in the CIC in five. I'd pick up whatever dignity you have left if I were you and head over there. And don't worry, I won't tell the Captain. Just be more cautious next time. And breathe when you kiss, for crying out loud." She turned and began walking out, when she called out, "See you in five at the CIC."

Great. The commander has blackmail on us. What has this galaxy come to?

"Do you think she'll keep her word?" John asked.

"She will. She's not a woman that goes tattle-telling to her superiors. Besides, I have a feeling she and the captain have something going on."

"Well, we should probably head up to the CIC then. Come on."

"John?" I called as I stood.

"Hmm?"

"Totally worth it." I said with a grin.

John replied with an equally foolish grin as the door of the Crew's Quarters swished open.

"Crew," the captain began, "I've called you here to inform of you something. Since we have found absolutely nothing but rocks in these God-forsaken planets, the Alliance called us to the Citadel to resupply and for some well-deserved shore leave."

The crew began cheering at the news. Finally, a quick breather.

"So pack your bags and call your friends, 'cause we'll be staying there for three days. Rogers," he turned to face our flight lieutenant, "set a course for the Citadel."

"Yes, sir!" Rogers said with a salute and headed for the cockpit eagerly.

"The rest of you, dismissed."

AN: Yay! Another chapter. Full of mischief and naughtiness. Now, I need some advice from you guys. The "romance scene" is going to come up in the chapters to come. But I want your advice. Do you guys and gals want a "Fade to black" thing, or detailed, toe-curling smut? XD Let me know what you'd like or if you just don't care or if it should be delayed. Your advice, reviews, follows, and favorites mean the world to me. Truly.