AN:: Hi! in case you are coming into this via this chapter and now the first one please note I have reworked a lot of this fic, in the sense of it flowing better and fixing the tense issue as well as some small minor changes. Thank you for being patient with me and please enjoy!
Sam is nervous, really fucking nervous. Her entire day has been spent skirting around the original crew of the first Normandy, or at least trying to. Tali is really good at sneaking up on her and asking questions she doesn't have answers to. It's cute, in a way. Tali seems just as excited about this as Sam is.
Not wanting to be seen by most of the crew, Ashley suggested the mess hall where they wouldn't have to walk by quite so many people and Ashley didn't want to spill about where they were going. Sam knew it wouldn't matter, they were going to have eyes on them at all times before disembarking on the Citadel.
Sam is sitting at the table, fiddling with her, long-ago, empty cup. She resists the urge to fidget in a skirt she's pretty sure she's only worn once and a top that had been given to her by Liara. A very suspiciously matching top, at that.
Her mind wanders off, trying to figure out when at all Liara might have been able to even see that the only nice thing she had with her was this skirt when a voice startles her.
"Hey," Ashley grins at the surprised look on Sam's face. She is grateful that Sam was distracted because as soon as Ashley had seen her, she stopped and stared for a good minute before getting herself together and announcing her presence.
Sam stands quickly, nearly knocking over her chair in the process, "He— hey? He— hello. Yes, hello," Sam flushes at Ashley's knowing grin. "Ready?" Sam says breathlessly, as she slowly takes in Ashley's attire.
Ashley's battle armor is strangely revealing, but the dress she is currently sporting manages to show off her calves way more than the boots she wears. Bloody fuck, if I wasn't a leg kind of girl already…
"Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Ashley's relieved that she isn't the only one nervous. "That shirt looks really good on you."
"I wish I could take the credit, but Liara gave it to me."
"Liara?"
"Yeah, I found it weird too. Thankful, but weird. I didn't even have time to grab my toothbrush let alone extra clothes when we took off in the Normandy. Liara just happens to have some human clothing I guess? Because there's no way this fits Shepard, she'd rip this shirt with those arms of hers. Not that I notice them or anything, nope. Really, how did she manage to even grab something like this? Didn't her ship get blown up or something? Wouldn't you grab other things that were more important than a nice looking shirt? Unless it meant something… oh my god, what if this is, like, their kinky date shirt— "
Ashley laughs as she interrupts Sam, "Sam, you look beautiful in it, don't worry about it. Besides, who's to say it won't be our kinky date shirt?" She regrets the words immediately but Sam's choked laughter puts her at ease.
"We're a disaster and we haven't even left the Normandy yet.
"Hopeless is more like it. Come on, before we have anymore witnesses."
Ashley takes her to some fancy sushi restaurant and Sam nearly throws a fit about it, "how the hell did you get a table here? It's booked up for a solid 6 months, at the very least."
Ashley blushes, "Well, technically it's Shepard's table, we're kind of just keeping it warm. Joker managed to get a table and I might have bribed him into letting us use it for an hour or so."
"You mean you didn't plan this out months ago on some sort of hope that you'd have a date for tonight?" Sam laughs.
"I would never!" Ashley can feel her ears turning red.
"I think you might be lying," Sam taps the tip of Ashley's ear, letting her finger trace the curve of it. She pulls away at Ashley's sharp inhale and clears her throat, "but thank you, I've always wanted to eat here."
"Anytime," comes Ashley's breathless reply.
As it turns out, Joker had the place reserved for the whole week, knowing how sporadic the Commander could be with her time. Something both ladies are grateful for because they are sure they'd get an earful if the Commander and Joker showed up in the middle of their first real date.
Ashley takes Sam for a stroll through the Presidium, she has a destination in mind, but is in no hurry to get there. The artificial breeze is enjoyable and it's helping to calm her nerves when she shyly slips her hand into Sam's.
Both of their faces are flush with this new development and Ashley is especially grateful that Shepard is not here to tease her about the way she's acting.
It doesn't take long for Sam to inch closer, resting her free hand on Ashley's bicep. She ignores Ashley's knowing grin when she gives it a little squeeze, "this is nice. I feel like it's been non-stop chaos since I've met all of you."
Ashley nods, and Sam's a bit worried, she looks distracted.
"Yeah," Ashley says, her attention somewhere else. She's looking for something and Sam finally realizes that she's never been to this area before. "There it is! I found something you'll like! I hope you do… EDI mentioned it opened a few days ago." Ashley says excitedly, pulling Sam towards one of the storefronts.
Sam gasps at the displays in the window, "Are these— and those are… holy shit!" Sam is bouncing with excitement. "You are amazing!" Sam rushes out, stands on her toes and gives Ashley a quick kiss on the cheek before fluttering around the store, excitedly touching and talking about the strategy games she comes across.
Ashley is relieved that this worked out, she had been driving Shepard nuts with this date and how nervous about it she was, and if taking Sam to a place like this was a good idea. Who takes a girl to a game shop as a first date? The joy and excitement beaming out of Sam leaves her without a doubt that this is indeed the best plan. Ashley is going to have to thank EDI for the suggestion.
Sam eventually grabs Ashley's hand and drags her through the store, stopping every so often to talk animatedly about one of the games. Ashley has to fight a laugh when Sam gets huffy about some inaccuracy or terrible rule change.
Ashley isn't sure how long they spend in the store, but it's long enough that the owners kick them out. Ashley, while Sam is arguing with one of the store owners, put a payment down for a ridiculously expensive but real chess set and some miniature version of some Asari game that Ashley is not going to try and pronounce.
As they step out, the filtered lights, mimicking the night sky, feels refreshing and Ashley is reluctant to go back to the ship.
Sam is still going on about the games in the store, missing the look of awe on Ashley's face.
Ashley can't pinpoint what exactly is going on in her mind or what Sam is talking about, ever since Sam's lips brushed across her cheek in thanks, Ashley can't focus on anything else.
She stops walking, Sam soon follows when the hand she's holding pulls her back. "Hey," Ashley's words come out breathless.
"Hi…" Sam responds, stepping closer to Ashley, barely enough room for light to pass between them.
"Can I…?" Is all Ashley can get out, her eyes continuously drifting down to Sam's lips.
"Whenever you want," Sam's whispers, almost afraid she'll break the moment if she speaks any louder.
Ashley grins, a small chuckle escapes right before she leans in and softly presses her lips to Sam's.
Sam inhales sharply, somehow surprised at the touch of lips. Her eyes flutter shut and she fully steps into Ashley, her hands resting on Ashley's cheeks, not wanting her to pull away.
Something Ashley doesn't even think about doing as one of her hands settles on Sam's back, the other resting on Sam's face, her thumb lightly brushing over Sam's cheek.
Ashley continues to kiss her slow, and soft, like she's trying to map and memorize Sam's lips and Sam lets one hand drift and tangle into Ashley's hair and the other settles on the back of Ashley's neck, lightly running her nails over it.
Ashley breathes out, "Samantha," and Sam's knees weaken and she grips Ashley's hair tightly, trying to steady herself.
The way Ashley says her name feels almost alien, she's used to the shortened version, but Ashley says all of it like she's a long lost treasure and any lingering thought Sam might have had hat Ashley wasn't really into her vanishes.
Time passes, neither aware of how much, when Ashley tugs at Sam's lower lip with her teeth and pulls back, eyes shining and lips swollen. It takes Sam a few moments to realize Ashley maneuvered her against a wall and she's forever grateful because she's certain her legs are seconds from giving out.
Ashley's hands settle on Sam's hips, her thumbs lightly grazing the skin there. Sam's hands stay where they are and Ashley's eyes flutter and lower in pleasure as Sam continues to move her nails along Ashley's neck.
"Well, now you're stuck with me, because after kissing me like that, I'm not about to let you go any time soon," Sam jokes, internally cringing at how terrible it is.
Ashley chuckles and gives Sam a small peck on the lips before resting her forehead on Sam's shoulder, not caring to move somewhere less public, "...and your enticing laughter— that indeed has stirred up the heart in my breast. For whenever I look at you even briefly I can no longer say a single thing…"
Sam opens her eyes, giddy for many reasons and she continues where Ashley leaves off, "But my tongue is frozen in silence; instantly a delicate flame runs beneath my skin; with my eyes I see nothing; my ears make a whirring noise."
Ashley stares, jaw slack in surprise, "You, you know that?"
"As much as I'd like to tell you that of course I know Sappho, I can't really take the credit. Some friends in I, back in college, decided that we needed to know at least one poem to impress ladies. That was the only one I could manage." She grins sheepishly.
Ashley laughs, "It explains this feeling well, at least."
"It does." Sam whispers, her eyes darting back to Ashley's lips.
Ashley bites her lip and watches Sam's eyes darken at seeing it. She grins and presses her lips to Sam's once more, "You have such a one-track mind."
Sam blushes, but she doesn't look away, "I'll have you know that you are very distracting right now."
"So it seems," Ashley snorts, brushing her nose over Sam's, "as much as I hate to end this, we need to get back."
Sam pouts, "Fine, be responsible."
"One of us has to be or Shepard might come find us." She regretfully pulls away from their embrace, but doesn't lose contact, wrapping an arm around Sam's waist and they start heading back to the Normandy.
Sam leans her head on Ashley's shoulder, "Very good reason."
They fall silent, enjoying the quiet around them. They take their time getting back, Ashley sometimes stopping them to pull Sam in for a quick kiss, only for Sam to prolong it. It takes them over an hour to get back to the Normandy and Sam reluctantly starts to pull away.
"You ok?" Ashley asks as they step into the docking lift.
"I'm kind of afraid I'm going to wake up," Sam mumbles.
"Well, when you do, let me know and I'll say good morning."
Sam looks at Ashley, confused. Ashley just grins and kisses Sam teasingly on the nose. "Goodnight, Samantha."
"Goodnight, Ashley." Sam watches Ashley blush and head towards her room and Sam wastes no time in silently jumping and doing a weird and very uncoordinated dance once Ashley is behind closed doors.
"I take it things went well," Liara says from the kitchen area.
Sam stumbles and she lets out a closed-mouth shriek, "For fucks sake Liara!"
Liara grins over her mug of tea, "I apologize for frightening you, however, I was afraid you might hurt yourself." She sets her mug down and reaches for another, "I may have also wanted to see for myself that everything went well. It did go well, yes?"
"Yes, yes it did." Sam replies, taking the offered cup of tea from Liara.
"I am glad." Liara says, sighing with relief.
Sam chews her lip and shuffles her feet and she can't help herself so she blurts out, "Her lips are so soft and she's so warm and she took me to this place…!" Sam starts prattling on excitedly about the date Ashley took her on and Liara smiles and listens patiently, her own excitement and happiness growing for her two friends.