"Back again? So soon?" Joker asks.
Shepard nods as she enters the cockpit. "Hello, to you too." She sits in the co-pilot's chair.
Joker swivels his chair toward her. "Always a pleasure to hang with the C to the O," he says, accenting the letters with his gestures.
Shepard offers a half-hearted smile. "Likewise, flight lieutenant."
He swivels back to face forward. "Man. I can't believe you crashed here the other night. Something wrong with your cabin?"
Shepard shakes her head but offers no explanation.
"Damn, I'd love to have my own personal quarters. What is it? Too spacious?" Joker jests. "Too luxurious?"
"Too fucking quiet," Shepard answers, eyes glued to the window and arms crossed.
"Oh…" Shepard's blunt answer derails him. He grabs his visor and readjusts his cap awkwardly thinking of something to say.
"I'm sorry." Shepard looks at him, eyebrows furrowed. "I completely snapped at you. That was unacceptable."
"It's cool, Commander." Joker says and waves it off. "No hard feelings."
"No. It won't happen again." Shepard shakes her head at herself.
"No really. I know Noveria didn't go well and Liara's all upset about her mom and…" Joker thinks. "And… That shit must be hard on you too."
Shepard shrugs. "We definitely don't need to talk about the mission right now. I get my fill when I'm talking with Alenko, and Williams, and… Huh. I guess damn near everyone else on the ship but yourself."
Joker laughs. Shepard adds, "You know, everyone else is stock military, save the aliens. Alliance soldiers… They salute, they obey, they jump as high as their commanding officer demands. But you…" Shepard suddenly eyes him as though seeing him for the first time. "You wear the uniform but you never conformed. You let your abilities speak for you and to hell with all the rest. You know, I think I finally see the merit in your quirky unconventionality."
"Thank you. I'm touched." Joker replies sarcastically.
"Shut up." Shepard rolls her eyes and punches at his arm. "I mean it well."
"Oww!" Joker flinches.
"Oh, shit!" Shepard jumps to his side, almost frantic. "Did I…?"
"No!" Joker rubs his shoulder. "No, I'm not that delicate… From the waist up. But, damn. What a suckerpunch! Do you know how strong you are?"
Shepard shrugs, her face full of embarrassment and remorse. "Part of the job description, I guess. I really do apologize, lieutenant."
"Hey, the cockpit is the land of nonconformity, remember?" Joker says. "I'd rather you call me 'Joker.'"
"Okay," Shepard offers a weak smile. "I'm sorry, Joker."
"Whatever, drop it already." He says.
"Deal," Shepard retakes her seat. Joker glances at her out of the side of his eye. Somehow her usually sharp face and hard eyes look a little softer right now, even pretty, save for the faint circles under her eyes.