-Liara-

Every bit of her body ached. Her wrists and ankles were soar from the restraints Shepard had put, and left, on her hours ago. Her jaw had been stretched open wide from the ballgag, drool dripping down her cheeks, for just as long. Her crotch was the worst; it ached in the deepest way from the pounding that little whore, Sam, had given her. Liara thought of all of this as she lie there in Shepard's bed, and knew there was only one thing left to do: get her revenge. On all of them. Humans were such disgusting creatures when they wanted to be... she intended on showing them all the error of their nasty little ways.

The little cunt in the latex suit and hood eventually showed up, and Liara regarded her with a baleful glare. Her legs were still spread, and that god damned dildo was never far. Sam walked up beside the bed, her eyes peeking out of the dark hood's eye-slits, and put her hands on her hips. Liara balled her fists and snarled into the ballgag - she felt such hatred for the girl it felt like her skin was on fire just looking at her.

"There's to be a party tonight," Sam informed her, her eyes scanning Liara's bound and naked body. "The Commander would like you to attend if you can behave yourself."

Liara only squinted at the girl, wary of some trickery.

"I'm going to remove your gag. Don't scream or make threats or anything," Sam said, sticking her finger in Liara's face. "Or it goes right back in and the Commander said you can stay like this for the remainder of the evening."

When the girl leaned over her to reach around and unbuckle the gag, Liara lifted her head obediently enough, but she visualized driving her forehead into the whore's nose, breaking it, sending the little tramp running off crying. The fantasy came in a flash, and then Sam was leaning away again, the ballgag in her hands.

Liara moved her jaw around, working the feeling back into it. Swallowing her own spit felt better than she'd ever thought it could. Sam brought a glass of water to her lips, and without any hesitation, began tipping it back into her mouth. Liara closed her eyes and drank down the whole thing. When the glass came away, she licked her lips and glared up at the girl. "Get me off this bed now."

"In a second," Sam said, setting the glass aside. "First, I want you to look at this." She walked to the foot of the bed, bent to take something out of a chest there, and returned with what appeared to be a watch of some sort. The girl wrapped it around her wrist and held it up for Liara to see. "You see this?"

Liara loathed the condescending little tone in the whore's voice. "Yes..." she forced herself to say through grit teeth.

"This is a device that can administer an electric shock into the collar around your neck," Sam explained as casually as you'd explain a set of directions. "I understand your anger with me and perhaps even the Commander, but if you try anything, you will be shocked."

Liara narrowed her eyes on the girl. "You like talking to me like this?"

Sam shook her head. "It's important for you to understand."

"You pretentious little shit... You know I won't be your captive forever. You do realize this, yes? When the tables have turned I'm going to make you pay worst than the rest of them. I'm going to make you wish you'd never met me."

Sam seemed unimpressed. "Fine. I'm going to release you now. Just remember to be good, or..." She held up the watch.

"I'm not your dog, whore, don't talk to me like one," Liara snapped.

Sam frowned. "I think a quick demonstration is in order." She pressed her finger to the watch-

-and Liara screamed. The most odd sensation she'd ever felt gripped her neck, stinging her skin, making her feel confused and uncomfortable and impossible to concentrate-

-and then it was over just as quick as it had begun. Less than a second, in fact. Liara's eye widened as she shook her head and reoriented herself.

"Do you need another demonstration?" Sam asked.

Liara wanted to choke the girl... but she pressed her lips together instead and simply shook her head.

Sam nodded her approval before returning to the side of the bed and unlocking the handcuffs. She was quick to step away once they were removed.

Liara sat up rubbing her wrists, leaned forward, and removed the restraints from her ankles. Closing her legs felt about as good as being able to swallow her own saliva. She sat balled up on the mattress for a moment, rubbing her hands along her legs. Sam brought in a tray of bread and cheese and fruit and a bottle of wine. Liara watched her set it down, squinting.

Sam noticed her look. "The Commander requested you eat and have a drink then shower up and change into this." She pulled a red dress form beneath the serving tray and tossed it onto the bed. "The Commander would like this all done before the hours up."

Liara looked from the food to the dress to Sam and then to around the room.

"There is nothing to be used as a weapon in here, and there's no way out of the room save this door," Sam said, seeming to read her mind. "I will lock it behind me and return for you shortly. If you haven't met the Commander's requests... I'm afraid you will not be attending the party and it's back on the bed with you."

"Get out," Liara snapped, scooting off the bed. "I'm sick of your mouth."

Sam nodded, turned, and went to the door. "The Commander doesn't like to be disappointed," she added before stepping outside, closing and locking the door behind her.

Alone, Liara immediately searched the room. She dug through drawers and cabinets, looked beneath mats in the walk-in shower room, threw open windows-which were all barred and locked-, and then re-checked everything two more times. The little tramp had been telling the truth: Liara would find no aid in her revenge here.

She was walking, disappointed, out of the bathroom when she caught her own reflection in the mirror. She stopped, flicked on the overhead lights, and stared at herself. "Alright, Liara," she said. "There are other ways to beat these humans... there's a time for war... and a time for peace," she whispered, leaning in and dabbing some water on her cheeks. She batted her eyelashes, lifted her head in a dignified fashion, and licked her lips. "I'll play their game... I'll play it. And then they'll pay."

She went back to the bed to eat, drink, and scheme.

-Ashley-

The dress was black, satin, strapless, and hugged her hips snugly. Ashley took a step back from the mirror and made some final adjustments. She smoothed down the hem so it covered a bit more of her thighs-it ended just before her knees-and repositioned her breasts in the bodice, hooked her thumbs under the top, and tugged it up to better cover her cleavage. Shepard hadn't given her much leeway when it came to that. Ash straightened up, shook her hair out, and ran a hand threw it. She had to look good when she walked out the bathroom door if she was going to talk Shepard out of this insanity. Finally, she sat on the rim of the tub and stuck her feet into the high heels Shepard had handed her. They were silver and strappy and fit like they were custom made for her. She stood once more, neared the mirror, and wiped some lipstick from the corner of her mouth. It had been a long time since Ashley Williams had looked like this. She shook off the last of her nerves and opened the door.

Shepard's smile was all the confirmation she needed. "Beautiful, Ash," she said, standing from the bench she was waiting on and stepping forward with her arms out. "I knew we could make a lady out of you if we pooled our efforts."

"The dress could have been a bit more... conservative," Ashley said.

"Nonsense," Shepard replied, draping her hands on Ash's shoulders. "We want every bit of you on display tonight. Your beauty. Your grace. Your tits."

"Shepard..."

Shepard laughed. "Come here..." she said, wrapped an arm around Ashley's hips, and pulled her close. "You smell great, too..."

Ashley did her best to avoid Shepard's gaze. "Look, Shepard, after this 'party' or whatever... we have to have a serious talk about what you're doing here..."

"Sure, Ash, whatever you want."

"Shepard, I'm serious!" Ashley said. "It's the only reason I agreed to this ridiculous dress and this... thing," she said, running her fingers along the leathery surface of the collar around her neck. "Is this really necessary."

"Absolutely," Shepard said. "And refer to me only as 'Commander' from now on, Ash. I'm being lenient with your privileges right now, but I can just as easily take them away."

Ashley shifted her body a bit further from her commander's hips. "So even in your dress and your shoes and your perfume... I'm still just a simple prisoner to you?"

"That's right."

Ashley frowned. "And when will I be released?"

"Hey, I said I'd be open to this discussion after the party and only if you behave," Shepard said, pointing a finger in her face. "Now zip your lip, take my arm, and drink this." She handed Ash a glass of red wine.

"I don't drink, Shepard."

"Commander, Ash. Last warning."

Ashley rolled her eyes. "Well I don't drink, Commander."

"You do tonight," Shepard said and handed her the glass.

"If I refuse?"

Shepard laughed. "You're a feisty thing, aren't you?" She ran a hand through Ash's hair. "If you refuse anything I tell you to do tonight I'll bind you, gag you, hang you upside down in the dungeon, naked, and leave you like that for... oh, a month or so."

Ashley snorted. "I don't believe that for a second."

"Try me, babe," Shepard said with a wink, hooked her arm around Ash's waist, and began to lead her down the stairs to the main lobby.

The volus that served the commander were all rushing about, carrying trays and wines and silverware. Their little suits were made up to look like tuxedos, which Ashley would have found cute if it wasn't so utterly bizarre. The aliens never seemed to speak, not even to each other. They only followed Shepard's commands; relentless and disciplined. That scared Ash more than anything.

"Who's coming to this party of yours, Shep-" Shepard's hand reached out and clamped down over her mouth. Shepard stared at her, one eyebrow cocked. Ashley realized her error and nodded her head. Shepard removed her hand and she tried again. "Who's coming to this party, Commander?"

"Friends... lovers... you know: good company," Shepard explained as they reached the first floor and she took Ashley's hand gently in hers and helped her off the last step. When Ash's feet hit the carpet, Shepard yanked her close and forced her glass of wine to her lips. "And I told you to drink."

Ashley sighed, but Shepard wasn't stopping. She had no choice but to part her lips, accept the glass against them, and drink as the commander tilted the wine back into her mouth. She tried stopping after a few swallows, but Shepard laughed, grabbed her firmly by the back of the neck and continued pouring until she'd chugged the entire glass down. When it was finally pulled away, Ashley was gasping for air. "Jesus, Shep- er, Commander. I haven't had a drink in years! Are you trying to put me on the floor?"

"Fill her glass," Shepard instructed a volus and turned back to her grinning. "Maybe I am..."

Ashley put a hand to her forehead, already feeling the wine making her stomach warm, spinning her head. "If you make me drink like that again, your servants will be cleaning up a mess..."

Shepard laughed. "Take Miss Williams into the dining room and seat her beside my chair. I'm going to get changed," she told the volus that was pouring more wine into Ashley's glass. "The guests will soon arrive. And notify me when you've got Miranda and Jack. Do not drag them in here when the guests are here. Take them in the side door and put them in the dungeon until I'm ready to display them."

"Display?" Ashley questioned.

Shepard shot her a grin again. "That's right. Now no more questions, Ash. You're my date tonight. Start practicing your 'nice to meet you' smile." She nodded to the volus. "Take her away."

The little alien wrapped his gloved fingers gently around her wrist and began leading her towards the dining room. She looked back to give Shepard a confused look, but the commander had already headed back upstairs.

The dining room was an enormous, impressive, thing. It's ceiling was as high as the second floor, and furnished with drapes and banners and a giant, gold and silver, chandelier hanging in the center; diamond-tipped holsters around its rim filled with burning candles. The lights were dimmed, a 19th century record player spinning an even older record of classical music, strings and bassoons and clarinets and clavichords echoed off the high ceiling and filled the room with soft melodies. The central table was as grand as was fitting of such a room. It was polished oak and long enough to seat what looked like a few dozen people. Ashley was led along it, watching as the other volus set down plates and silverware in orderly fashion. At the head were two chairs, a large one in the center and a smaller off to the right. It was to this smaller chair Ashley was led before the volus bowed his head and gestured for her to sit. She forced an uneasy smile and let herself down gently into the soft seating of the leather chair. The volus took her arm, laid it along the chair's arm, and then locked her wrist down with a black, leather, cuff.

"Hey!" Ashley protested as the volus tightened it and moved to her other arm to do the same. "What is this?"

"You are the Commander's date for the evening?" The little alien asked, his voice distorted and peculiar-sounding behind his breathing mask.

"Um, yes?"

"The Commander likes her date secured beside her."

"Now?" Ashley asked. "There's no one even here yet!"

"This is your place," the volus said, and spoke no more. He tightened her other wrist, moved to her ankles and did the same to the legs of the chair. Finished, he stood, pulled a short leash from the back of the chair, and secured it to her collar, keeping her head and neck close to the back of the chair and unable to move much.

"This is ridiculous!" Ashley protested, unable to move an inch now. "Why did Shepard have me dress up like this if this is how I'm supposed to attend this stupid party?"

The volus did not answer her. Instead, he lifted her wine glass to her lips and before she could say 'no' he was pouring half its contents into her mouth. She swallowed the wine unwillingly. He set the glass down before her on the table, refilled it, and left.

"Shit," Ash cursed beneath her breath as her head took another spin from the wine. She balled her fists and tried testing her slack, but there was none. She wasn't moving anytime soon.

Liara T'Soni entered the room, a long, flowing red dress wrapped around her blue body. She looked elegant and graceful as she stepped into the room in heels, bowed to a volus, and surveyed the table.

"Liara?" Ashley called to her, stunned. The last time she'd seen the asari, she was naked and tied to a bed.

Liara's gaze fell to her. The asari stared a moment, her brow coming together only slightly, and then moved down the length of the table. "Ashley Williams... we meet again."

"Are you alright?" Ash asked, still confused. "I thought you were here... against your will? I mean, you didn't exactly seem happy to be here the last time I saw you."

"I do as the Commander wants," Liara said. Her eyes scanned Ashley's body in a brief, calculated, fashion. Her voice was cold when she spoke, "Why are you here?"

"I'm, apparently, Shepard's date," Ashley told her, offering a brief laugh. She shook her fists against the arms of the chair to show they were restrained. "So far it doesn't seem to have any perks."

"The Commander chose you, then..." Liara said, and there was something about the way her eyes watched Ashley that made her feel... uncomfortable.

"Yeah, I... I guess."

"I see..." Liara said, nodding. "It's just too bad your all tied down like that. You can't even reach your drink. Here, let me help you."

"No, Liara, I-"

But before she could finish, the asari had quickly brought the glass to her lips and forced it back into her mouth. "Mmmm," Ash hummed against the glass to let Liara know she was finished, but the asari poured and poured, tilting the glass as she did until its contents were emptied. When she pulled it away, Ash was once again gasping for air. "What's the matter with you!?" She snapped, licking her lips clean from the wine.

"I thought you looked like you need a drink, Ash, that's all. I'm sorry," Liara said, but the word sorry sounded anything but. "Enjoy the party."

And with that, she sauntered off.

Somehow, Ashley was more confused and disturbed by her brief encounter with Liara more than anything Shepard had said or done. She didn't know how to process that. Her eyes fell back to volus as they worked and she suddenly realized the tuxedo-suits made them look like little penguins. She giggled. "Penguins, ha!" She said, stopped, thought about it, and realized she was already a little tipsy.

Another woman, a younger one, entered the room. She had dark hair and dark skin and she wore a white dress, frilly, dress and matching heels. Ashley stared at the girl for a moment before realizing it was the same one who'd been wearing the latex suit and hood and molesting Liara upstairs. She looked nothing like that sick person... just like a normal girl attending a party. Ash watched as Liara glared across the table at her with intense hatred, but the girl ignored her and went to each volus, greeting them happily with a big smile of white teeth before taking a seat at the other end of the table.

Shepard herself came next.

"Oh my God..." Ashley muttered.

The commander was naked from the waist up, a dark purple strip of paint streaked across her breasts acting as a 'bra' of sorts. Her nipples were clearly visible even beneath the paint, though. Her crotch was covered only by a thin, purple, thong that rode up her ass cheeks and displayed them for all to see. Long, pointy, stilettos wrapped around her feet and up her calves in a bizarre vine-like pattern. Her eye sockets were painted a deep, midnight, blue and her hair was done up in wild spikes and tails falling away from her head in every direction. Silver hoops drooped from either ear nearly down to her shoulders. She caught Ashley staring and threw her head back in a roar of laughter. The volus bowed and the black girl clapped politely. Liara only watched with a bit of that anger still in her eyes, but now another thing was there, Ash thought. Perhaps it was a... lusting too.

"Your host has arrived!" Shepard announced, swaying her hips to the music. "What do you think?" She asked Ashley as she approached her chair. "Do you want to fuck me?"

"Wow, Shepard..." Ashley said, shaking her head and grinning, the wine still making her head swim.

"Ash, what did I tell you about... are you slurring? Ashley Williams are you already drunk?"

Ash laughed. "No."

Shepard laughed too. "Oh, God. My date is drunk before the party has even begun. Seeing as her hands are strapped down, who's responsible for this?"

Liara's eyes met hers and something in them made her want to lie. "I've been asking anyone who walked by to give me a drink," Ashley said, and Liara's look drifted off her. "I guess I was... nervous."

"Well you look lovely sitting there all strapped down," Shepard said, sliding Ashley's chair out a bit to get a look at her. "Not too tight I hope?"

"No..." Ashley said, though it was so tight she couldn't budge.

"Good," Shepard said. She leaned down, brushed some of Ashley's hair away from her face, and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "A good date doesn't complain. I like that."

"Your lips taste like strawberries," Ashley pointed out, licking her own lips.

Shepard smiled and glanced over at the black girl. "This should be a fun night, huh?"

The girl smiled back and nodded.

Shepard turned her gaze to Liara. "What about you, blue. You having a good time?"

"Oh, yes, my Commander. Even more so now that you're here," the asari answered, smiling and batting her eyelashes.

"My, my, Liara!" Shepard exclaimed. "What a change of heart from the blue bitch that was telling Ashley to 'just shoot me' only yesterday."

Liara's blue cheeks flushed red. "I... I wasn't thinking right then, Commander. I had been bound and gagged and fucked out of my senses." Her eyes briefly flicked to the black girl before returning to Shepard's. "Of course I apologize for my... momentary lapse of reason."

Shepard nodded, but her face was cold. "Just smile and eat your fucking food tonight. We'll see how loyal you can be before you earn my trust again."

"Yes, my Commander."

The dining room doors swung open and a little tuxedo'd volus entered with his arms spread wide. "Master Doxius Vurunda has arrived with his guests!" The volus announced loudly for the room to hear.

Three krogan's barreled in through the double doors, looking comically oversized in comparison to the little volus that had proceeded them, and spotted Shepard. "Shepard!" The leader of the trio cheered and moved quickly down the length of the table.

"Doxius..." Shepard said warmly, moved around Ashley's chair, and jumped into the korgan's outstretched arms as he approached. The krogan laughed and swung her around in a circle before setting her back down and the two exchanged a kiss. It was all... very strange to witness, but the wine was doing its job and Ashley only watched and smiled.

"My brother, Needum and his wife Heleev," the big krogan said, gesturing to his two guests.

"An honor to meet you, Commander Shepard," one said and extended his hand. "You're name is legendary on our planet."

Shepard shoved the hand aside and hugged the krogan instead. "Please, just call me Shepard. My home is your home tonight, friends. Sit, feast, drink, and laugh."

After that the guests began filing in like clockwork. In seemed every species in the galaxy was attending Shepard's wild party. More krogans showed up, though they didn't seem friendly with the first trio of krogans, Shepard introduced them and somehow the woman's spirit warmed them to each other. Other asari came as well, though none so much as acknowledged Liara. Shepard kissed them all, too; briefly and warmly, like old, old, friends. Turians came in a pack of six, though none looked like the old Turian she'd served with alongside Shepard in their mission against Saren. A grouping of Salarian's followed, and Ashley was sure the krogans were going to put up a fuss about it, but somehow, someway, Shepard casually introduced the two species and they greeted as politely and properly as family. The woman had... a strange power it seemed over the will of every person that walked through the door. Other humans came, though Ashley recognized none of them. Men and women dressed in the most elaborate, showy, suits and dresses she'd ever seen. No one looked like Shepard herself though, and no one seemed surprised by her 'outfit' either. Some looked at Ashley strapped to her chair from afar, but didn't seem to find that peculiar either. It was clear these people knew about Shepard and her... habits.

It wasn't long before Shepard led a couple her way; a tall man with black hair and a black goatee who was dressed in a gray suit and his wife - blonde, busty, and beautiful in her jewelery and styled hair.

"Erik, this is my date for the night, Ashley Williams," Shepard introduced her.

"Hello, miss," the man said, bowing his head. He went to one knee and kissed her hand where it lay strapped to the chair. "You are as pretty as any decoration in the room."

Ashley forced a smile, though she wasn't sure how to react. "Well, I... thank you."

The blonde woman stepped forward and studied her like she was a decoration. "Lovely, Shepard. Cute little nose... perky little tits... you've bagged yourself a keep I believe."

"Maybe..." Shepard said, staring down at Ashley. "More wine, darling?"

Ash considered it. "Alright... sweetheart," she added and couldn't stifle a giggle.

Shepard's guests laughed with her as the commander poured the wine and held the cup to her lips. Ashley drank half the glass before making a noise and Shepard set it back down at the table. "Better?"

"Yes," Ashley said.

"The girl enjoys fine wine, I see," the man pointed out with a smile.

"Why do you think I'm strapped down?" Ashley said, grinning and making a reaching gesture with her hand as if she was trying to get the wine bottle.

The man and his wife laughed and she laughed with them. Shepard only smiled, though. Smiled and stared down at her with a strange expression.

"She's witty, too," the blonde said. "If I were you, Shepard, I'd keep her tied up like that so she doesn't get away!"

The man and his wife laughed again and, strangely enough, Ashley laughed with them again.

"Alright, I'd best go find that pestering cousin of mine before he angers a krogan," the man said, still smiling. "Shepard." He nodded to the commander before turning to Ashley. "It was lovely to meet you, dear," he said, leaned down, and kissed her lips. Ashley opened her mouth to question him, but then his wife was leaning in and doing the same.

Shepard laughed at her confused expression and took her turn kissing the couple herself. Ashley watched, thinking about how she'd now been kissed by more people in the last hour then she had in the last two years. It wasn't... terrible.

"Commander, there is a problem," a volus said quietly once Shepard and her were alone at the head of the table.

Shepard frowned. "What?"

The volus handed her a thin, black,collar like the one around Ash's own neck... except this one was no longer a circle; its ends were laid out in a line, frayed and tattered. "Who..." Shepard said, her expression darkening.

"Jack, Commander," the volus answered. "We found Miranda Lawson in a cave along the beach a few miles away. This collar was all that remained of her partner. They must have worked it off throughout the day."

Shepard shook her head. "Sneaky little bitches... alright. Show goes on. Clean Miss Lawson up, her part remains the same. Let that bald bitch run around the island for a bit. She'll come limping back soon enough."

"Yes, Commander," the volus said and disappeared through the back door.

Shepard took her seat and propped her elbows on the table, staring forward, her brow furrowed. "You see? This is why I keep my guests in bondage. I give them a little freedom and this is what they do to me."

If Ashley could have, she would have put a supportive hand on Shepard's arm. From her place strapped to the chair, she could only offer a smile. "I'm sorry they upset you."

Shepard looked over at her. "Yeah... " Her eyes looked her up and down. "A toast is in order, I believe."

"Me?" Ashley questioned.

"Oh yes," Shepard said, grinning. She lifted her glass and a fork, clinking them together to gather the table's attention. They all quieted down soon enough, their eyes falling to the head of the table. Krogans, Salarians, Turians, Asari, and Humans alike. "My guests! Welcome! We are about to feast, and we will feast well, believe me!"

A smattering of polite applause filled the room accompanied with some light laughter.

"First, I'd like to introduce you to my date, Ashley Williams. She'd like to make a toast, so I'd ask you all give her your undivided attention."

The table, more than thirty guests of assorted species and races, looked to her.

"Oh, um, I would just-"

Shepard's hand was beneath the table immediately. The commander's fingers gripped her thigh, tugged her dress up, and moved between her legs. Ashley's eyes widened and she turned to stare at the commander. "Go on, Ash," Shepard coaxed her. "They're all waiting."

Ashley swallowed. "I, uh... would like to welcome you all, and-"

Shepard's fingers found her pussy and slipped inside.

"Oh God," Ashley said without meaning to. "I mean... I meant to say-"

A third finger slipped inside her and began rubbing. Shepard's thumb found her clit and massaged it as she worked.

"Oh, Shepard, I can't..." Ashley said, closing her eyes, her mouth falling open.

"They're watching you," Shepard said, smiling. "All of them watching... waiting..."

"Oh!" Ashley wailed as the commander's fingers worked deeper inside her and began sliding back and forth in quick, rhythmic, thrusts. "God... oh God!" Ashley shouted. She balled her fists and bit her lip as Shepard worked her again and again relentlessly. "OH! OOOH!"

"Finish your speech, Ash," Shepard said, using her free hand to brush some hair from her face.

"Oooooh," Ashley moaned, bucking her hips the best she could strapped to the chair. Shepard curled her fingers into a hook inside her and rubbed hard against her pussy. "Oh God, Shepard! OH GOD!" She wailed and then her body stiffened as her orgasm rushed through her body, paralyzing her with pleasurable wave after pleasurable wave. "Aaaaah!" She shouted as the last of it rumbled through her legs and feet. She gasped for air, her head rolling back, her body un-tensing all at once.

Shepard laughed. "Hell of a toast, no?"

The table sent up a roar of laughter, applause, and cheers, and then a bell rang and the food was being served as the chatter started back up.

Ashley's head was spinning, and she wasn't sure if it was the wine or the orgasm. She opened her eyes and rolled her head to the left to look at Shepard. "That was... that was..."

"Amazing?" Shepard finished.

Ashley licked her lips, caught a breath, and nodded her head.

"Plenty more where that came from, babe," Shepard said. "Can you eat? Let me know. I'll feed you."

"I... yeah. I can eat," Ashley said, surprised to have an appetite. She hadn't felt hungry all night.

"Yeah? Here," Shepard said as a steaming plate of food was served to each of them by a volus. Shepard forked some vegetables and lifted to her mouth. "Open sesame."

Ashley smirked, but opened her mouth quickly after. Shepard gently guided the food in, Ash closed her lips around it, and she slid the fork back out, empty. "Mmm," Ash sounded her approval. "It's good."

"Of course," Shepard said. "Only the best for my date and I. And wait till you see dessert."

"I'll be waiting as patiently as a woman tied to her chair," Ashley said, hearing her slur her words, but too drunk to care anymore. "Your volus look like penguins," she said and started giggling.

Shepard leaned over, cupped her chin, and kissed her twice.

The meal went on like that. Ashley grew increasingly drunk as Shepard held her wine glass to sip at it between bites of her meal. The volus delivered and took away plate after plate of exotic foods from each of the species home planets. The krogans pounded their chests when their 'world famous' grilled Varren was served, and the asari women held their heads just a bit higher when a leafy plant from their planet was served alongside a dish of chilled fruits. The food came and went and came and went, and everyone laughed and cheered and laughed some more as the night went on. The Salarians broke into an A Capella song number at some point, but by then, Ashley was too drunk to figure out what it was.

"Dessert!" Shepard announced after all the food had been sampled.

Six volus waddled in carrying a massive, silver, serving dish. It was covered with a dome-shaped, metal, case. The guests cleared a path to the center of the table, where the volus very carefully slid it to the center.

"This is... an unusual dish," Shepard said with a grin. "But I beg you all to feast upon as you would any other dish." She nodded to the volus.

The volus yanked back the covering-

-to reveal Miranda Lawson, nude, hogtied, an apple wedged between her teeth, a furious expression across her face.

The table sent up a roar of laughter and applause.

"It's a roasted pig," Shepard shouted above their cheers, spurring them to cheer even harder.

Ashley's eyes met Miranda's and the woman turned away quickly, her cheeks flushing. Ashley noticed fruits and pastries had been littered across and around her naked body. Whipped cream stacked atop her ass cheeks, a fitting cherry on top.

"Feast!" Shepard shouted.

Ash watched as the different species crowded in and began plucking at the assorted desserts on and around the woman's body. Miranda glared up the table at Shepard, but the apple in her mouth assured she remained silent. "Shepard, I don't know about this..." Ashley said.

"You don't know the trouble this one causes, Ash," Shepard said. "She deserves punishment."

"Like this? This is humiliating, Shepard."

Shepard glanced over at her, stared for a moment, and turned back to Miranda.

"Lovely, Shepard!" The goatee'd man from before cheered, hovering over Miranda's body. He scooped some whip cream from atop her ass and smeared it across her feet before leaning down and sucking it from her toes. "Mmm," he hummed as he licked and sucked.

The woman's eyes met Ashley's again, this time they lingered on her before turning away.

"Please..." Ashley begged the commander. "This is degrading. Punish her in private if you must, Shepard. For me?"

Shepard faced her, the commander's expression cold and tight-lipped. Ash stared back. Shepard took a breath, opened her mouth, but closed it again. She glanced back towards Miranda, then back to Ashley. She sighed, ran a hand through her hair and stood. "Alright... that's enough."

"Oh, come now, Shepard," the goatee'd man said with a smile as he wiped cream from his lips. "The fun just begins!"

"There are.. other ways to have fun. Take her away," she told the volus.

"Oh, Shepard! Allow me to escort the lady back to the kitchen," the man said with a laugh.

"Erik, sit down," Shepard said, and that familiar, commanding, powerful, voice filled the room and demanded everyone's attention.

The man put his hands up, bowed, and took his seat again as the volus hoisted Miranda Lawson's 'plate' off the table and disappeared back to the kitchen.

"Thank you," Ashley whispered, but Shepard didn't even look her way.

The rest of the night went on, and though it livened up again, it never quite reached the level it had before Shepard had shouted. When the laughs and chatter died down, each of the guests came to Shepard to pay their respects and say their thanks. The goatee'd man, Erik, went as far to bow and kiss her feet, begging for forgiveness for his rude behavior. She gave it. One by one they filed out until only Liara, the black girl, Shepard, and herself remained.

"Sam, escort Liara to the dungeon," Shepard said.

"Dungeon?" Liara echoed, raising her brow. "Commander, I sat her quietly and loyally all night! I did just as you asked!"

"That's what bothers me. Take her away," Shepard said.

Ashley watched as Sam approached the asari, holding her watch out before her like a weapon, which confused her. Liara begrudingly shoved away from the table and allowed herself to be marched off.

"Thank you, Shepard, for what you did before," Ashley said again.

"Just keep in mind, Ash, I'm Commander Shepard. I do what I want and I get what I want. I don't take orders, I give them. Do not forget your place again."

"Yes," Ashley said, nodding.

Shepard pushed away from the table. "I'm a little drunk and a lot tired. Sorry, but this date isn't ending the way I promised."

"Alright..."

"Take her to the guest quarters," Shepard instructed the volus.

"Restrain her?"

"...no," Shepard said, glancing down at Ashley. "Just make sure she sleeps on her side. She's had a lot of wine and I don't need any unfortunate accidents in my home. Understood?"

"Understood."

Shepard turned and began heading out of the room. "Goodnight, Commander," Ashley said softly.

Shepard glanced back at her once, quickly, and then disappeared.

Ashley reflected on the last few hours and realized she'd had the absolute strangest night of her life.

And it wasn't necessarily a bad night, either.

She slept long and well that night. She had one, brief, dream of a naked woman making love to her that liked to be called 'commander'.