Chapter 4: Unforgettable Night

Shepard waited patiently for Shiala to finish changing. He checked his omni-tool. 8:33. He wondered what was taking Shiala so long. To quell his boredom, he walked around Shiala's hotel room. Her belongings were still in her travel case, must likely due to Shiala wanting to get the contract revised as soon as possible.

"Alright. I'm finished." Shepard lost all concentration as Shiala came out of the bathroom in a tight commando suit. Shepard was getting a little hotter as she turned around and bended over to put on her shoes.

Shiala noticed Shepard looking her over and smiled. " I hope you don't mind. This was the only outfit other than the one I had on earlier."

"Not at all. I'm sure you would get the respect out of crew maybe even the veterans on my team."

Shiala seemed reassured by that. Shepard guessed Shiala wasn't used to the presence of harden soldiers such as the ones on Shepard's team.

Shepard was a wondering what Shiala was going to do after the party was over. "So now that you finished what you came to do, what are you going to do after the party?"

" Well, I think I'll stay on Illium for a while longer. See if I can find anything useful to bring back to the colony. Maybe get a cheaper hotel room. I didn't anticipate on staying here that long."

Shepard having a little hope that she would accept, figured out a solution to her last problem. " If it's okay with you, you can stay back on the Normandy."

" Doesn't your crew already occupy the crew quarters? I'd imagine that your ship is fully staffed."

Shepard smiled mischievously. " I didn't mean the crew quarters Shiala."

Shiala instantly got what Shepard was suggesting and in a seductive tone said. " Of course. Anything for my captain."

Shepard was relieved that she accepted. " Ready to move out?"

Shiala continuing using her tone replied. " Yes sir."

"Let's go."

"Aye, aye captain."

Shiala grabbed her travel case. Together, they headed out of the room and to the taxi terminal. Shepard put in the coordinates to take them to the Normandy to leave Shiala's case in Shepard's cabin and so he could get out of his armor.

Now it was Shiala's turn to wait for Shepard to strip off his armor and put on his clothes. Shiala sat down on Shepard's couch and watched as Shepard took off his clothes. She got a good look at Shepard's muscles and scars.

Shiala looked at one scar that was on the left side of his abdominal that was about six inches long. He managed to get all his clothes on except his shirt when Shiala stood up and walked over. She gently traced the scar with her hand. Shepard stood there watching as Shiala watched in fascination.

Shepard said angrily. "Elysium. I was on shore leave when the batarians attacked. I held out in a destroyed bunker. I got that after two hours of fighting. Some batarians managed to get pass my sniper fire and into the building. I killed all but this one who had better shields and armor. He managed to stab me there. I took the blade out and used it to kill him."

Shiala looked up and touched Shepard's scar on his forehead.

Shepard sadly said. "Mindoir."

Shiala heard about Mindoir and what Shepard must have went through. She met his gaze and held it for what seemed hours. Shepard and Shiala both knew what each other wanted.

Shiala leaned up and kissed Shepard. Shepard wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up and onto the bed. Shiala moved up on top of Shepard and began taking off her suit. Shepard moved in to help her by taking off the straps on the back. With her suit off, Shiala took it upon herself to take of Shepard's pants. Shepard smirked as he was now fully nude like Shiala, when they were supposed to be getting dressed to go out. Shiala laughed when she realized the same thing. They both stood up.

Shepard glanced at the clock. It's only nine . " You know, it's going to be awhile before the party actually starts. "

" I was thinking maybe we could do something about that." Shiala teasingly said as she pushed Shepard back onto the bed and climbed on top of him.

Shepard woke up to find Shiala still asleep on top of him. He leaned back on his pillow and smiled when he realized he hadn't been dreaming about past events. Shepard suddenly realized that they were supposed to be at the party. Shepard looked over to the clock and was relieved it was only 10:47. Good. The party won't start for another hour or so. Which gives me enough time to stay here.

Shepard reached over to grab his omni-tool to message Garrus he he'll meet them at the bar in an hour or so with Shiala. Shepard smirked when Garrus replied about him ditching him and the guys on poker over sleeping with Shiala. Shepard sent a message saying how did he know. Garrus replied Shepard by saying he was a hero and he had Garrus to pick up some girls. Shepard laughed quietly as he put away his omni-tool.

Shiala shifted as Shepard moved his hand and woke up.

" Sorry. Didn't mean to wake you up."

"No. It's alright." Shiala said as she moved her fingers across Shepard chest. " Should we be getting ready? It's almost time."

" Nah. Knowing my crew. The party is going to last at least til four o'clock. I rather spend time here with you."

Shiala smiled. She leaned into Shepard and kissed him. They broke the kiss and Shiala moved her head to rest on his chest. Shepard thought back about earlier on the dreams he has been having.

"Shiala? Have you been having any dreams related to the time you gave me the Cipher?"

" Yes. Why do you ask?" She seemed a little worried for him.

" It's just that. I know this may sound funny but . .. I think we have been growing closer each day that passes since the Cipher. I have been having this dreams that intensify each passing day. But today when we melded. They just seemed to have disappeared.

Shiala pondered what the commander just said. " And I thought it was only me. Shepard. You were the first real person I ever melded. After I gave you the Cipher, I felt this strong connection towards you. Why is that?" Shiala talked out loud on the last part. She was 374 years old. She was practicably a matron. Was she ready to settle down? To live a life with Shepard? She gazed into his eyes and found the answer. She leaned to him and they began to kiss.

Yes. The only person in the galaxy that she ever loved would be Shepard. " Shepard. Do you think this could work? Me and you settle down somewhere?" Shiala pondered that question while Shepard was thinking about the Reapers.

Leave it to the Reapers to ruin everybody's life." I'll do everything in my power to stay with you, Shiala." Shepard and Shiala stayed in each others embraced as they kissed and enjoyed the presence of the each other.

Damn, got this chapter in as well as the previous one. Well, I hope you're enjoying the story. I am not exactly sure if this should carry on into Mass Effect 3 and the end. Obviously I'll skip the star child and some parts and have an ending for Shepard and Shiala. I don't know if I should though. I'll make a poll to see if I should or start a new one. I kinda want to start one on Noble-Six making it into Spartan Ops as the leader of a Spartan Broadsword fireteam. Anyways, thanks for reading and submit reviews.