Joker doesn't know what Shepard and Anderson had talked about in Flux, or what Anderson had done to unlock the Normandy. All he knows is that after a tense night and some severe law breaking, the girl is back in the black of space where she belongs. Shepard leaves the cockpit after it is clear there is no sign of pursuit. Joker mans the helm, happy to be flying again. She honors his request and rests in her cabin until the light cycle of the Normandy begins again.

The Commander spends the majority of the next day cycle visiting with her crew, quelling fears, boosting morale, and other "commander-y things" according to Joker's understanding from the helm. Shepard's later return to the cockpit is heralded by the clicking of her heels against the flooring in that singular rhythm that Joker has become so used to.

"How did it go?" Joker asks.

"Well, I think." Shepard says. "Everyone feels ready to face this thing head on."

"Great. It's going to take everyone."

"So…" Shepard slumps into the co-pilot's seat. "And it turns out there have been rumors circulating about us."

Joker's face starts to turn red. He'd already forgotten his awkward conversation in the mess hall. Shepard studies him, as though her statement had actually been an accusation and his silence a confession.

"Well… It was news to me." She says. "When I went to go ask Liara how she was, she expressed her… interest… in me."

"You mean… ?"

"Yeah… She wanted to mind meld and then some."

Joker looks toward the ceiling. "How would that go?" He jokes.

"Joker!" Shepard says.

"So… What?" Joker asks. "You gonna go for it?"

Shepard scoffs and rolls her eyes. "I have nothing against aliens, but for a species that claims to have no gender, she sure does have boobs."

Joker laughs. Shepard laughs in spite of herself.

"Poor thing." She says. "Now that we're really en route to Ilos, she's feeling a little scared. She feared that she wouldn't have another chance to express her feelings."

"Ah," Joker says in understanding.

"So… She said she talked with you about it."

Joker shrugs. "It came up while you were meeting with the Council."

"Hmm." Shepard says. "Well, your assurances that we're strictly plutonic gave her the courage to royally embarrass herself. I'm thinking, though, that she may be right."

"About what?"

"We're leaving Council space into hostile territories, up against an enemy that realistically we know little about. Just… A lot of unknowns."

"I'm not worried about it." Joker says firmly. "We have you leading the charge. If anyone can defeat Saren, it's you. I'm behind you, one hundred percent. I'll walk through Hell with you. To the end, if need be."

"Good to know." Shepard nods. "It might take self-sacrifice to win this war, morbid as it sounds."

"Life's too short even under the best of circumstances anyway."

"That's one way of looking at it."

"It's true." Joker says. "Might as well go out a hero."

Shepard mulls it over. "Then we have nothing to lose today if tomorrow's not guaranteed."

"Sounds about right."

"Remember what you said about 'just doing what you want and not giving a damn what others think?'"

"Yup. Wise words from a wise man."

"Well…" Shepard sighs softly. "If Liara had asked me about the rumors, I wouldn't have denied my interest."

Shepard walks over to Joker and completely takes him by surprise by gently taking a seat on his lap, removing his ball cap, and cupping his face in her hands tenderly. His breath catches and he can feel his eyes widen with shock. She looks him in his green eyes and almost whispers, "I've always wanted to see your eyes without the shadow of that damn ball cap."

Joker swallows hard. "And?" She looks down at the lips that had uttered the barely audible word. She brings her lips to meet his as an answer. Her warmth melts away the icy chill that had run up his spine. His heartbeat quickens and he melts into her kiss. The pair sit intertwined until Shepard gently breaks away from his lips. She rests her forehead upon his and says almost breathlessly, "Come to my cabin. Spend the night with me."

Joker's stomach twists into knots. His desires conflict with his fears, but she's almost pleading.

"I'll…" Joker searches for his voice. "I'll tell the relief pilot I'm retiring for the night."

Shepard rises out of his lap carefully and runs her palm against his bearded cheek as she exits the cockpit.