Jack pawed through the crowd and passed a waiter with a tray of drinks. She snatched one off the tray without breaking her stride and brought it to her lips as she scanned the tables for her girlfriend and roommate. She found them sitting together at a table with drinks in hand but Kaidan's shoulders were slumped forward and his eyes were sunk to his drink. Jack took a sip of her drink and padded towards them before a young man with a datapad approached her.
"Excuse me. But I'm looking for signatures on a petition of Matriarch Aquilla's recent..."
Jack silenced him with her middle finger and pushed past him. She took a seat at the table. "Damn, Miranda. What'd you do to Alenko? He looks more upset then when we broke the vidscreen when we were fuck-...uh...shit, what lie did we use to cover that up, cheerleader?"
Miranda glared at her lover. "We said you were drunk."
"Well I guess it wasn't entirely a lie after all."
Kaidan chuckled. "How do you two do it?"
"What sex?" Jack asked.
"No! How do you two keep it going. You're relationship I mean."
Jack stuck her tongue out of her mouth. "Do we really need to talk about sappy crap like that?"
"We love each other." Miranda said. "Don't we?"
The convict sighed. "Yeah. We do."
"And that's it?" Kaidan asked.
"That's all that matters." Miranda answered.
"What she said." Jack said before she sipped on her drink.
Suddenly Shepard emerged from the crowd with Liara in tow. Jane helped her wife to a seat at the table. "You feeling better?" she asked.
Liara flashed a wry smile. "Much."
"Is everything alright?" Kaidan asked.
"Just the baby being difficult." Liara informed them. "It is not something to be concerned about."
Jane sat down next to the asari. "We just met Admiral Shaw." Shepard said to Miranda.
"I see." Miranda replied cooly.
"Love, you know what to do?" Liara asked.
"Not exactly. But I'm hoping Miranda will have a few ideas."
"What the hell are you two talking about?" Kaidan asked.
"My thoughts exactly." Jack added with her tattooed arms crossed.
That's when Jane remembered that Liara had only told Miranda of their true purpose for attending the ball. "Um..."
Miranda jumped in. "Perhaps we should speak in private, Shepard."
"Hold up! What the fuck, Cheerleader? Why are you and Shepard keeping secrets?" Jack asked.
Miranda rose to her seat and faced her lover. "You're better not knowing, Jack. Shepard, now."
Jane turned to Liara. "Will you be alright?"
"Yes. Go." Liara kissed her on the cheek and Miranda and Jane slipped away from the table.
Shepard turned back to make sure they were out of earshot. "You didn't tell Jack?"
"How do you think Jack would react if she found out Shaw was Cerberus? I love the woman but she isn't exactly subtle. And I have a feeling subtly will be key here."
Jane shrugged. "You're the expert."
"What did Shaw say to you?"
"Not much. Just that he had tried to warn the Alliance about the Reapers. Is that true?"
"From what I hear, yes. So what's your plan?" Miranda asked.
Jane slipped the OSD Morat had given them out of her uniform pocket. "This has all we'll need to end Shaw's council chances. We just have to get it on him and figure out a way to have it be found."
"That's not much of a plan." Miranda said.
"I'm getting to it. Liara's agent said that Shaw has a soft spot for the ladies and well...we're ladies." Jane said.
"You want to seduce him?"
"How else would we do it?"
Miranda thought it over. "No that works. We'll have to wait for the right moment. Not until after his speech. Which one of us do you want to seduce him?"
Jane looked Miranda up and down. "Seems more like your area."
Lawson narrowed her eyes. "What does that mean?"
"Oh! Uh...Nothing."
Miranda crossed her arms and tapped her high heeled boots. "No go ahead, say it."
"It's just...with that outfit."
"Oh screw you. You seduce him."
"What? I didn't mean to say..."
"Mean to say what?"
"All i'm saying is between the two of us, one of us is in an old Alliance uniform and the other is in a skintight sexy white catsuit."
"It's comfortable." Miranda said again.
"I'll take your word for it. Besides Shaw already knows i'm married to Liara with a baby on the way. He'd be suspicious if I made advances."
Miranda rolled her eyes. "Fine I'll do it." she huffed. "But this stays between us. I don't need Jack knowing that I'm seducing a former Cerberus supporter."
Jane chuckled. "Jack didn't seem to mind servicing a former Cerberus operative the other night."
Lawson blushed. "Oh god. You heard that?"
"The walls are paper thin. You two certainly are...creative."
Jack narrowed her eyes as she watched her lover and Shepard disappear into the crowd. She looked to Liara. "What the hell was that about, blue?"
"Nothing to worry about."
"Whatever you say. But Kaidan, is it just me or has Miranda been acting weird recently?"
"Weird? No more than usual. Why do you ask?
"You remember when she took that half day? I asked her where she was and she wouldn't tell me. Then the next day she tells me it's part of a surprise for me and never brings it up again."
"That is kinda weird." Kaiden agreed.
"She didn't say anything to you about it? Be straight with me."
Kaidan shook his head. "No."
"Perhaps she's planning something romantic. Sometimes Shepard likes to surprise me like that." The asari smiled. "Is your anniversary coming up?"
Jack shrugged. "I don't know."
"Really?" Liara asked.
The convict rolled her eyes.. "It's the 15th of next month." she admitted. Jack saw the sadness in Kaidan's eyes when she mentioned their anniversary and decided to drop it. She hated seeing him like this. "Screw it. I don't need to worry about it now. I do need to worry about getting your miserable ass laid." Jack elbowed Kaidan.
Kaidan groaned. "I'm gonna go grab another drink." The man rose from his seat and left Liara and Jack alone.
"So..." Liara said awkwardly. She had never been alone with the convict and while Shepard had always spoke highly of the woman Liara didn't quite know what to make of Jack.
"Let me ask you something." Jack said.
"Please do."
"I love the cheerleader, but ever since Miranda fucked me queer I've always wondered about something."
"And that is?"
"What's it like to screw Shepard?" Jack asked with interest.
Liara's eyes widened. "What?!"
"Oh come on. I'm not in to her or anything but is it amazing? It is isn't it?"
The asari's face blushed a deep purple. "Jack I-I... I don't know if this is appropriate." she stammered.
"I'm not gonna go running my mouth to anyone else. Just tell me. Is it awesome?"
Liara looked around and sighed. "Yes."
Jack smiled and let out a satisfied chuckle. "Knew it. Miranda is pretty awesome too. She does this thing with her tongue where..."
"I don't think this is something I need to hear." Liara interrupted her.
The convict crossed her arms. "Whatever."
They remained in awkward silence until Liara spoke up again in an attempt to stimulate conversation. "So you and Miranda." She began.
"What about it?"
"Are you two serious?"
"We've been doing this shit for two years. Does that count as serious?"
"I suppose. But do you think about a future with her?"
"Future?"
"Forgive me. It's not my place."
"No." Jack leaned in. "What did you mean?"
"Children." Liara said as she rubbed her belly. "Things like that."
Jack laughed. "Kids? Fuck no."
"Really? I thought you were quite good with those students of yours."
Pain flashed in Jack's eyes. "No kids." she said plainly.
"I guess we should head back." Jane said and turned to return to the table before Miranda's hand caught her.
"Actually I was wondering if the two of us could spend some time alone." Miranda said awkwardly.
"Really? Why?"
"I...just have missed you." Lawson fibbed. It wasn't entirely the truth. Miranda needed her help but she had no idea how to bring this up. She figured she would find somewhere to slip it in.
"I missed you too. But what's really up?" Shepard asked.
Miranda watched as the small band on stage began to play a song and she noticed the gathering of couples on the floor in front of the stage begin to dance to the harmony. Miranda extended her hand. "Dance with me first?"
Jane laughed. "What?"
Lawson rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, Shepard. You're not my type."
Shepard smirked and took the taller woman's hand. "And what is your type?"
Lawson lead her out to the dance floor. "Tattooed with a foul mouth and an anger issue."
Jane rested her hands on Miranda's hips as they slowly swayed to the beat and Jane's two left feet tried to keep up.
Miranda took hold of Jane's hands on her hips and intertwined their fingers. "This isn't prom, Shepard."
"Sorry, I don't really know how to dance."
"Clearly." Miranda said as she eyed her footwork. "Let me lead."
They picked up the pace with the rise in the tempo and Jane and Miranda's hips swayed together to the beat while Miranda directed her without words. She twirled the Commander under her arm and caught her before dipping Jane back slightly and pulling her back up close. Jane's eyes fluttered and she smiled. "Damn, where did you learn to dance?"
"I've been practicing. Figured I could use a partner to practice with for once."
"Just out of the blue you decided to pick up ballroom dancing?" Jane asked.
"Not exactly."
"Oh I see. Planning a big romantic date for Jack?"
"Something like that." Miranda said before roping her arms around Jane's waist. "Dip back." she ordered and Shepard leaned all the way back and straightened her neck as Miranda supported her. Lawson helped her back up to the default position before they started to spin and Jane was barely able to keep up.
Shepard was working up a sweat and she was panting a little when she spoke next. "You know I was thinking. Do the officers at HQ just call her Lieutenant Jack?"
Miranda saw her opportunity as she pulled Shepard in tight. "I'm hoping they'll soon be calling her Lieutenant Lawson."
Shepard's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "What?!"
Miranda lifted her Commander off the ground and spun her as Jane let the shock of what the raven haired woman just said take hold. Lawson brought her back down and they continued swaying to the fast tempo of the band's beat. "I..." Miranda paused, talking about her feelings was hard even with Shepard. "I want to marry Jack."
"Wow." Shepard said in awe.
Miranda narrowed her eyes as she twirled Shepard again. "Is it really that ridiculous?" She asked with genuine fear and concern in her voice.
"No!" Jane cried fearing she had hurt Miranda's feelings. "I'm just surprised. It's not ridiculous. I guess I just never pictured you settling down, not to mention Jack settling down."
"Neither did I but...I love her, Shepard."
Jane smiled warmly as the song winded down to a slower and much more manageable beat. "You really do don't you?"
"Very much. But..."
"But?"
"I...I don't know how to do this. I've been walking around all week with the ring in my pocket looking for the right moment." Jane smirked. "What?"
"That thing has pockets?" She asked as she glanced at Miranda's catsuit.
"Stay focused, Commander. I need your help. Kaidan can't keep a secret to save his life and you know Jack. How did you propose to Liara?"
They continued to slow dance. "I asked Liara to marry me when we were plummeting to our deaths inside of a crashing cruise ship."
"That isn't exactly helpful. We aren't the type to do romance but I want it to be special."
"It doesn't need to be grand. Or some huge display of love."
"It doesn't?"
Jane couldn't help but chuckle. Miranda was always struck her as someone with all the answers and yet here she was in need of Shepard's help. "No. Of course not."
"Then what do I do?"
"You don't need theatrics or tricks, all you need is Jack."
Miranda's eyes downcast as they continued to slow dance. "What if she doesn't want to marry me?" She hated being this insecure and open with someone other than Jack but she trusted Shepard.
Jane shook her head. "I spent a lot of time with Jack on the Normandy. I'd like to think we're pretty close. And I've never seen her happier than when she's with you. I wouldn't have ever thought it possible that either of you would be in a relationship like this let alone in a relationship together. I guess it makes a strange sort of sense, I wouldn't have believed it unless I saw it myself but you two are perfect for each other. She'll say yes. All you have to do is ask."
"Thank you, Shepard." Miranda smiled.
"Look at you. Proposing! You're turning in to a real live girl." Jane teased and pulled her in close and hugged her as their dance came to a close. "I'm proud of you, Miranda."
They separated and Miranda placed a hand on her hip and arched an eyebrow when she noticed Jane inspecting her body. "What?"
"Seriously, that thing has pockets?"
Suddenly the band stopped playing as Admiral Hackett followed by Shaw and a few other Admirals made their way on stage. Miranda and Jane looked up to the stage as the hushed silence fell on the crowd. Shepard watched with interest as Admiral Shaw stepped up to the podium.
Jill Woodcomb extended the barrel of her Widow and peered through the scope at the Admiral's on stage from her vantage point. She had made sure to block off access to her position so she wouldn't be interrupted. She set her aim on Hackett as the old Admiral adjusted his uniform. She opened her comm link with Victor. "Babe, I have a shot."
"Don't take it." Victor said on the other end of the call.
"You sure?"
"The night is young, gorgeous. Plenty of opportunities to do this nice and quiet."
"Where are you?" Jill asked as she searched the crowd with her scope.
"To the right of the stage by the columns."
Jill found her lover and partner leaning causally against a support column in his stolen Alliance uniform. Her scope went south. "Mmm, the uniform looks good on you, Victor. Very tight."
"Are you using a high caliber sniper rifle to check out my ass?" Victor chuckled.
"Maybe."
Jill snapped her attention back to the Admiral at the podium as he cleared his throat and prepared to make a speech.
"Hello. I'd like to welcome you all to the annual Alliance Navy Birthday Ball. For those who don't know who I am let me introduce myself. I'm Admiral Charles Shaw former commanding officer of the ninth fleet and proud member of the navy for over 35 years. This ball is a tradition that has been carried out for over a century by humanity but today it stands for something more. When I look out at you all and see not only my fellow humans looking back at me but every race which calls this galaxy their home. A home which were it not for our combined efforts and unflinching strength in the face of extreme adversity would not exist today. We stand together now not just as a community but as a symbol of what we can accomplish when we set our differences aside and work together." Shaw paused and looked down at his podium. "The Reapers were and likely will always be the biggest threat we will ever face. You'd be hard pressed to find a single person in this room who didn't experience loss during the war." Shaw cleared his throat and swallowed hard. "I myself saw more than my fair share. My two sons, Devon and Daniel both proud members of the Alliance were taken from me by the Reapers both in the initial invasion of Earth." He cleared his throat. "It was the single hardest day of my life." He wiped a tear from his eye. "But there wasn't time to grieve, not for me, not for anyone. I was so proud of my boys...still am."
Some people in the crowd sniffled back tears but Jill sat unmoved with her sights locked on the human on stage.
Shaw continued his speech. "Part of me wanted to give in when what remained of my family was lost but I knew my boys would never want that and that Earth couldn't afford it. So I pressed on. Not unlike millions of other Fathers and Mothers who were forced to press on through the greatest tragedy one could face, the loss of their child. It's hardship like that we were able to endure, And it's enduring hardship like that that saved our galaxy. Even today I meet refugees, civilians, innocents who lost everything. The Alliance has made incredible strides in the wake of the Reaper War. Not just here on Earth but all across the galaxy, but it isn't enough. Not yet. When I look to the future I see a time where the pain and loss we endured is nothing but a bad memory. Where humanity has ascended to heights today we could only dream of. And I know that day is coming." Shaw paused as he looked out to the silent crowd. "I promise that day is coming."
The crowd erupted into applause as Shaw finished his speech and stepped away from the podium. Jill smirked. "Shit just got interesting." she said to Victor.
"Hit me with it." Victor said.
"That Admiral Shaw guy. He's our client."
"You sure about that?"
"Positive. That's the same voice that I spoke with on the comm when we got the job."
"That is interesting." Victor agreed. "Why the hell would he want Hackett dead?"
"Not sure. But 1000 credits it's got something to do with that asari bitch."
Notes- So what do you think of Shaw now? I'm sure it was fairly obvious that Shaw was the one who put the hit on Hackett however I'm curious what you make of him after his speech. We'll get to learn more about him soon. Tell me what you think in the reviews!
Oh and for those who received an alert for my Chuck story "Chuck Versus Comic-Con" just ignore that. I am working on a Chuck story but I decided to hold off on it for now.