Chapter 3: The Girl

Disclaimer: No surprises here, Mass Effect is still the property of Bioware. Can you believe that? *rolls eyes*

MEMEMEME

A few days later, Shepard was feeling down, as he did every day he didn't have biotic practice. He wasn't sure why, but every time he used his biotics, he felt his mother. Shepard both hated himself for being a biotic, but also felt cold inside whenever he did use his biotics. Damned if you do, damned if you don't

Shoving his feelings away, Shepard looked around the empty bus, he took a deep breath and decided to take his chances and sit next to Samantha, or Sam as everybody called her. She was, in his opinion, the most beautiful girl in the whole school. For that matter this whole planet, but that only amounted to this colony and its outskirts.

Sitting down, he could already feel his pulse increase, not daring to look at the person beside him, he decided the floor was a good thing to stare at.

As the bus lurched forward, Shepard finally gathered his courage "hey... uh... can you uh believe how much homework Mr. H gave us?" He stumbled through all his words. He grimaced as he replayed the words in his head. Smooth...

Sam didn't seem to mind though, she was too busy with the same predicament "Ya... I uh thought that he ya did... and stuff." Both of them were staring anywhere but the object of their affection.

"Sooo uh Kyler your really good at science right? Would you mind maybe I don't know like coming over and helping me... and like stuff?" Sam mentally slapped herself. How could she be so bold and reckless. He was only making small talk and you've gone and invited him over. How stupid can you be? She looked up expecting to see him laughing at her, or angry or anything except what she saw.

Shepard was slack jawed. Had she really... did she mean... no certainly not. Slowly a shy grin started to spread across his face. "Ya I'd love to come over" he said smiling. Than added quickly "a-and help you study of course" and suddenly, both sets of eyes were glued to the floor.

Shepard decided to finally pursue the conversation "so uh would today work?" Giving what he hoped was a charming grin.

Five minutes later he was ending the call with his dad, and walking up the steel steps to Samantha's house. He entered and was unsurprised to find the house looked exactly like his and every other private house in the colony.

Sam's dad stood in the kitchen. "I'd give you a tour of the house, but I have a suspicion my daughter will want that honor. Mike by the way" he smiled extending his hand.

Shepard was glad for the distraction, both he and Sam were blushing furiously. He took the older mans hand and mumbled "Kyler, sir"

Mike just laughed "alright go ahead and 'study'". He didn't believe his Sam had invited this young man home just to study science, after all, she was one of the best students in the school.

Glad for the chance to get away from prying eyes, the two made their way up the stairs, and into Sam's room, where they stayed till 0800.

True to Mike's prediction, the textbooks were neglected in a corner of the room, where they had been set, hours earlier. They talked about their hopes and dreams, as well as the hardships they had suffered. Many conversations were cut short by an awkward comment that resulted in silence for a few minutes but they always continued to talk.

There was yet another awkward silence that passed over the room after Sam said something about children. Shepard was about to say something stupid, when Mike tapped at the door "Hey you two, dinner's on the table so I'm going to have to ask you to close the books and come downstairs." Glancing at each other, they could see the relief at the timely intervention that provided a way out from the unwanted conversation that was sure to ensue.

Dinner passed with minimal conversations and what little did occur was usually led by Mike, but often short lived, as one of the kids would say something embarrassing and the conversation would stop. Shepard was caught stealing a glance at Sam, yet again and stared at his now empty plate, wishing he could ask for a third helping without seeming like a glutton. Seriously, this whole secret biotic thing is really getting irritating right about now.

Finally Mike offered a reprieve from Shepard's self-loathing thoughts. "Kyler you go get your stuff, I'll give you a ride" Sam started clearing the dishes, but Mike shook his head "I think I can manage to clean up here by myself honey," flashing her a knowing grin.

Shepard thanked Sam and her dad for dinner but refused the ride saying "Nah, I need some fresh air anyway."

Sam needlessly followed Shepard up the stairs, and into her room as he collected his schoolbag, and headed out the front door, thanking Mike for the fabulous dinner.

As he began to leave, he heard Sam rush out of the house and stop in front of him awkwardly. They just stared at each other for a little while, before they both leaned in. Their lips came together roughly, but Shepard didn't mind as he dropped his bag and leaned in more to wrap her in a full embrace. He put his hands on her upper back, and she embraced his waist. After what seemed like ages, they finally let go.

"I guess I'll see you tomorrow at school" Shepard said breathlessly. Did that really just happen?

"Ya" Sam breathed, just as out of breath as he was.

MEMEMEME

Looking up at the now darkened sky, he could see the thousands of stars that served as his only source of light. He tried to think of an excuse to give his teacher when he got to school tomorrowwithout his homework, but his mind continuously returned to Sam.

Why was he so clumsy around her? Sure he'd had other girlfriends before, but he'd always managed to keep some measure of self-control. But around her, he was constantly making a fool of himself. Maybe this is what it is to love. Oh he'd certainly felt the jitters whenever he was around a cute girl, but never as bad as when he was around Sam. She was beutiful, smart, and had an absolutely adorable of habit of wringing her hands whenever she was nervous or explaining things.

Never let it be said the Kyler Shepard was dense, but it finally hit him she was almost always ringing her hands! And it's not like she was always explaining things to him. This new observation, coupled with the kiss he'd shared moments ago only served to heighten his nervousness. What if I'm not good enough for her? What if I say something really stupid? A thousand terrible situations passed through his mind, but one in particular sent a shiver of dread and the now-familiar feeling of self-loathing in his gut. What if she finds out I'm a biotic? He knew that would be the worst possibility. He didn't know if he could live with himself if she found out and left him because of it. Once again, Shepard found himself cursing his ability. Why did he have to suffer because of that damned ezo leak? The more he thought about it, the more determined he became not to let out his secret, but at the same time, he found himself cursing his very existence. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair.

MEMEMEME

Sarona had set up lights and obstacles in the clearing, but she looked absolutely furious. "Where have you been? If you think that staying out late will get you out of sparring..."

She continued to rant for while, but Shepard didn't pay much attention. He was to busy thinking about Sam. He had finally decided that he shouldn't worry about being exposed as a biotic. It wasn't like someone could just look at him and see the nodes buried under his skin. And even if he was exposed, he would have to hope that Sam would still love him. What the hell, I'm already thinking about how she loves me! Calm down Kyler, it was only one kiss. That could mean any number of things.

Finally, Sarona snapped him out of his reverie. "What are you thinking about?"

"N-nothing."

"Sure. Now assume a ready stance!" He snapped to it. Biotic energy flowed around him. It was calmer than the other times he summoned his biotics. He was able to focus on the task, without worrying about what others would think, because Sam loved him, and that was enough.

Sarona stepped forward aggressively, and let lose a warp field. Tendrils of energy wrapped around him, the warp dissipated as it came into contact with the shield. Sarona smiled, maybe she wouldn't have to find a way to expose him after all. His biotic levels were higher than before. He must have accepted who he is.

Biotics flashed and sparked between them. Shepard remained defensive, rarely letting out weak warps, and even small singularity traps. Sarona became increasingly agitated that he was failing to attack. Finally, one of her singularities caught Shepard off guard, and he fell the the ground. He rolled out of the way, but an exploding warp sent him flying into one of the Nikata trees. The wood began to crack, as he was pinned to the tree by a very irate asari.

"What the hell are you doing. Your biotic levels finaly increase, and you cant even attack me? All you did during that entire round was put up barrier after barrier. It did you no good. If you don't fight, you will lose, sooner rather than later."

Shepard was unable to form any words with Sarona pinning him against the tree with a powerful maintained push, but that didn't deter the asari from yelling. Finally she let up the pressure. "Speak" she ordered "now."

Catching his breath, he glared up at her. He was really starting to hate her. "Go to hell"

Sarona sighed but her gaze began to soften slightly. "I'm sorry Kyler" he was surprised. She had never apologized for anything. "It's just that you finally build up a powerful biotic field, and all you did was evade me." He really was shocked. This wasn't like her at all. "It's just that you made peace with yourself, but it was as if all my training did nothing. You still failed to hurt me."

Shepard thought about that for a little while. He had found an anchor, and he toyed with the idea of telling her about Sam. It's not like she would disapprove. Asari are very open with the sexuality anyway. He took a deep breath, and began to tell his tutor about Sam. At first she looked angry, then she began to smile. She even went so far as to release her iron grasp on him, and sit with him on the red dirt. After telling her about his kiss, and thoughts afterwords, Sarona was grinning madly.

Finally Sarona nodded her head. "I'm very happy for you Kyler. And like you said, I'm sure that even if she found out you are a biotic, ahe would continue to love you. She sounds like a very nice girl. Take a few days off from training. You'll still have three hours of training, but take Fridays and Saturdays off. Spend time with Sam. After all, it's not like your going to leave Mindoir anytime soon."

Shepard smiled, and looked at his tutor with respect. So their is a person under that cold exterior. What she said next surprised him even more.

"Oh and by the way, take the rest of tonight off. Consider it a congratulations present.

He smiled and shook his head "T-thanks. Really thats nice Sarona. Thanks." He turned and left the clearing. He was actually starting to like the woman underneath the cold tutor exterior.

As soon as Shepard was out of earshot, Sarona established a secure connection; He needed to know about this.

"Saorna? This had better be good, I'm very busy at the moment."

She knew that didn't mean much. He was always busy. "You'll want to hear this. An update on Subject 42. I believe I have found a way to expose him, but I am unsure as to how to proceed."

"Ah very good. Send me the information, and I'll get some of my people to send you some ideas and tips on to how to procured." She heard a ding over the comlink as he got her message. "Yes, this will do very nicely. Remember, this Sam is expendable. It may even be safer to just get rid of her now."

"No, I think I may have an idea, but I am unsure how to impliment it."

He made a sound of acknowledgment. She knew he would be pleased. And even if it meant she wouldn't kill anyone, she would still love to bring her plan to fruition.

MEMEMEME

Well thats it for the third chapter. I'm not very good at expressing romance, so the more honest the review, the more welcome it is. The next chapter is almost all romance, so please, review quickly so I can encorperate all your ideas into the next chapter.