-Miranda-

Hot water poured down over her head, soaked her hair, trickled down her bare chest, and pooled at her feet. Miranda closed her eyes, enjoying her current shower and thinking of her last shower... the one that had ended with Jack's fingers working there way towards her crotch. She sighed, cupped her hand to catch some water, and splashed it in her face. That was a lifetime ago, and she needed her attention here and now: where a potentially homicidal asari could be around any corner.

"Miranda!" Sam's voice came muffled from beyond the closed bathroom door.

Miranda's head snapped up, her eyes wide and alert. "What is it Sam?" She spoke the words loudly to carry through the door as she twisted the shower handle off, killing the water. "Are you okay?"

"Sh-Shepard's going to... going to..." The girl sounded in near-hysterics.

Miranda stepped out of the tub, snatched a towel from the shelf, and headed back into the attached guest room. She yanked the bathroom door open. "What's going on?" She asked, walking forward cautiously and glancing around the room for any threats. "Is it Liara?"

"Yes... and no," Sam said. She was sitting on the corner of the bed hunched forward with her hands around her cheeks. She looked up as Miranda approached, and her eyes looked red and afraid. She'd been crying. "The Commander is going to let her hurt me..."

Miranda moved to the door leading to the hall outside, opened it a crack, and peaked outside. No one there. She closed and locked it before heading back to Sam and taking a seat beside her. "What happened?"

"I'm not sure," Sam said as Miranda laid a comforting hand on the girl's thigh. "Somehow Liara talked the Commander into giving her control. Control over everything! The volus... Ashley Williams, you, me... even the Commander herself!"

Miranda felt her skin crawl; she almost felt nauseous. For a moment she was speechless, too. She took a breath and managed "How do you know this?"

"The volus were talking... I don't think they knew I was listening, but they were talking... they don't talk much, but when they do, it's about important things. They were saying the Commander is going to make an announcement after lunch. And then..." Sam swallowed and moved her body closer to Miranda's, as if to hide in her embrace. "Then Liara is in charge."

Miranda put a hand to her forehead and focused. Could that be true? Why would Shepard do something like that? Did she not realize how dangerous the asari was? She felt Sam's body shivering beside her. "Calm down, Sam." She said, brushing the girl's hair from her face.

Sam swallowed and laid her head on Miranda's shoulder. "She's going to do terrible things to me... she gives me looks and I can just see it on her face... I don't think I'm going to survive the first night." Her sobs came so quietly and delicately, it was breaking Miranda's heart.

"No. That's not happening. You're... well, you're mine, Sam. Remember?"

Sam sniffled.

"And I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you, alright?"

"It's the Commander's decision, though," Sam said, bringing her knees up to her chest and hugging them. "If the Commander wants it that way... there's nothing you can do."

Miranda considered it. "We'll see about that." She carefully removed Sam's balled-up body from within her arm and stood. "I'm going to have a chat with Shepard right now."

The girl's eyes widened as she stood herself. "W-What are you going to say? Don't tell on me! Please! I don't want the Commander to be angry with me for-"

Miranda halted the girl with a hand on her arm. "Relax, Sam. I'll tell her I heard the volus speaking, and if what you say is true... I'll talk her out of the utter madness of giving that psychotic asari control of anything. Do you know where Shepard is?"

Sam scratched at her forearm nervously. "I- ...I believe the Commander's in the gym." She stared forward, cringing. "Do you really think you can talk her out of it?"

"Yes," Miranda said, turning to the dresser. Sam had fetched other old shirts and outfits from Shepard's closet that she thought might fit. None of them really did, nearly all a bit tight, but some got close. She pulled on a pair of athletic pants with white stripes down the side and a black T-shirt that hugged her chest a bit too snugly. Turning back to Sam, she nodded her head. "Don't worry. I can handle Shepard."

"Should I come?"

"If you'd like," Miranda said, trying to show indifference, but really she hoped the girl would. Shepard could be very... imposing when she wanted to. It would be good to have someone else beside her if things got out of hand.

Sam thought about it, glanced around the room, and stared back up into Miranda's eyes. "Alright... okay, I'll come." Her hand reached out and took Miranda's. Her skin was soft and clean-feeling. "If you'll protect me."

"Let's go then," she said, and Sam showed her gratitude with a little squeeze of her hand.

The short trip to Shepard's gym room-which was also on the second floor, at the very back of the East wing-was, thankfully, uninterrupted. Liara was nowhere in sight, nor was Ashley. The volus seemed occupied on the first floor, and Sam had been right: they were far more chatty today then she'd heard them previously. They arrived at the door (a large mirror ran the length of it) and Miranda considered knocking. After a moment, she decided against it. If she was going to be stern with Shepard, it was best to start off like she was in control. She turned the handle and shoved the door open.

The gym was moderately sized, and fairly standard. Two different kinds of running/climbing machines were stationed across from the door. Blue mats stretched out over the center of the floor. Dumbbells, barbells, and benches lined the far wall, which also had a ceiling-high mirror running along it. Near to the door was a variety of cord-based machines, and beside them, on the floor, was Shepard. She was dressed in a white tank-top and black shorts that were cut high and currently showing off the commander's toned thighs. Her hair wasn't quiet long enough to tie behind her, so she wore a black headband that was keeping the hair at bay from her eyes as she did push-ups. She hadn't even notice them come in.

"Shepard," Miranda said, leading Sam in by the hand and closing the door behind them. After a moment's thought, she locked it too.

Shepard stopped at the extension of her push-up and lifted her eyes to them, huffing and puffing as she caught her breath. Sweat ran down the corners of her brow in little trickles. She grinned her galaxy-famous grin upon seeing them and sat back onto her knees, resting her hands on her hips. "Good morning, ladies. You're both looking lovely today," she said, her eyes falling on Sam. "Especially you, cutey."

Sam pressed her lips together, blushing, and lowered her head demurely. Miranda was amazed at how easily the commander could reduce the girl to a shy little child with just a sentence, and sometimes even just a look. "Good Morning, Shepard."

"Enjoying your life as a 'Master', Miss Lawson?" Shepard teased, winking at Sam.

"I... yes," Miranda answered, not wanting to discuss it.

"Thought you would," Shepard said, climbing from her knees and squirting a stream of water into her mouth from a bottle. She tossed the bottle aside and stepped to the corner of the room where a thick bag hung from the ceiling. "Have you come to watch me get all sweaty?" She asked with a laugh and then dropped into an attack stance, turned on her heel, and drove the top of her bare foot into the side of the bag. It smacked the bag, filling the room with the sound, and sent it halfway to the wall.

Miranda noted Shepard's physique. When the commander was dressed, she looked slim and average, but here? All worked up and the blood flowing through her body... she could see the woman's arms and legs were toned and defined. It was impressive. She gave her head a slight shake, reminding herself to stay on target. "Um, no, Shepard. Actually, I've come to discuss a rumor I heard."

"Oh, a rumor!" Shepard cheered, clapping her hands. "Do tell! I love these!"

Miranda frowned. The woman's behavior was the strangest, most capricious, thing she'd ever encountered. One moment she was fiercely driving her foot into a bag, the next she was acting like a teenage girl. "I hear you're considering giving Liara T'Soni control over the mansion... along with everyone in it."

"Ah, you've heard wrong," Shepard said, sticking a finger in the air and grinning.

Miranda felt Sam's hand squeeze hopefully around her own. "I have?"

"Yes," Shepard said. She sent a quick barrage of jabs into the punching bag. "I'm not considering it... I'm doing it."

Miranda heard Sam's quiet whimper over her shoulder. "Shepard, I'm here to ask you: please don't do this."

The commander frowned and drove a knee into the bag. "Why? What do you care?"

"What do I care? Shepard, if you're giving her control over the mansion, you're giving her control over me. Over Sam!"

Shepard rolled her eyes. "Are you still worried about Liara? She was a little angry there for awhile, but she's fine now. Trust me. We had a good, long, talk last night. And... and this is what I have to do." She stopped attacking the bag and stared down at her hands. "I'm still in control of Ashley... and as long as that's true, I'll never know how she really feels about me." She looked up at Miranda and smiled. "That's why tonight, after Liara has been handed the keys to the kingdom... I'm going to ask Ashley Williams to marry me."

"Wh-" Miranda began.

"What!?" Sam got there before her.

Shepard's eyes drifted over her shoulder to Sam. "Oh, Sammy! It won't change our relationship when she says yes! I promise!"

Miranda noted the commander had said when she says yes, and not if she says yes. "Shepard, don't you think this is a bit... sudden!? She's only been here a few days!"

"But we've known each other for much longer," Shepard pointed out. "And I love her. What other excuse do I need?"

Miranda ran a hand through her hair. "How about her loving you back, Shepard? Do you even know if she's interested yet? Hell, do you even know if she's gay?"

Shepard's face darkened. "What does that even matter? Gay, straight, if two people love each other, that's the only thing that's important, Miranda."

"Well does she love you, Shepard?" Miranda asked, throwing her hands up.

"I guess we'll find out tonight, won't we?"

Miranda stared incredulously at the commander as she went back to hitting her bag. Sam's hand was trembling around hers. "Shepard, you're going too far if you expect to jeopardize everyone in this mansion so you can ask Ashley to marry you. Think of what Liara might do to Sam, for God's sakes! In case you've forgotten, you had her rape the asari with a strap-on."

"She's over it," Shepard said, waving a dismissive hand in their direction.

"You're blind if you believe that," Miranda snapped. "And... I won't let you do it."

The commander stopped attacking the punching bag mid-kick, her foot hanging suspended in the air. She turned her head back and lowered the leg. A shrewd look came across her face. "Won't let me?" She caught her breath and squared her shoulders to Miranda. "You won't let me?"

The commander's presence of control was back, just like that, in full swing. Miranda felt herself wanting to step away from the woman standing before her in her athletic clothing, sweat at her brow, hands at her sides. She hadn't even made a move and she was intimidating. Miranda held her ground though. She swallowed, collected herself, and stared at the commander. "That's right, Shepard."

A hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of Shepard's mouth. She took a step forward, shrugging her shoulders, loosening them up. "Oh, I like this. I haven't had a good spar in a long time." She took a few practice jabs at the air.

Miranda put a hand up. "Now just wait a moment, commander."

"Commander?" Shepard echoed, her face lighting up. "Look who you're suddenly calling 'commander' again! Ha!"

Miranda balled her fists; she'd made a mistake. She meant to come in here and look imposing herself, but Shepard had drained that from her with a few words and a step or two in her direction. "I just don't think it has to come to this. That's all."

"It does," Shepard said with a nod. She winked at Sam and headed over to the center of the room onto the blue mats. "Now get your sexy ass over here so I can beat it down."

"Ashley doesn't want you talking like that anymore," Miranda pointed out, trying another route out of this. "She wouldn't approve of any of this."

"And once we're married, I will obey her every word," Shepard explained, stretching her legs behind her back. "But for now? I want to spar. Now get over here, Miranda."

Miranda stood hesitantly beside the door.

"If you don't, how do you plan on 'stopping' me from giving control of the mansion to Liara?" Shepard asked, grinning. "And you're on the clock now. Lunch is in twenty minutes and I'm making the announcement right after, so... better come stop me quick." She laughed.

"She's very good," Sam whispered over her shoulder. "Too good... let's just go."

"Sam, don't be telling her my secrets now!" Shepard shouted playfully across the room.

Sam tugged at her elbow, urging her to retreat back through the door, but Miranda removed her hand and shook her head. She turned back towards the mats. "Alright, Shepard... you want a fight? You've got one."

She crossed the room.

"Oh, this is exciting!" The commander cheered, jumping up and down in little hops, craning her head from side to side cracking her neck. "Cerberus Agent, Miranda Lawson sparring off with her former commander 'The Great and Mighty Shepard'! We could make money off this fight you know."

Miranda stepped onto the mat. The vinyl covering felt cool and smooth beneath her feet. She took a breath, raised her eyes to the commander, and put a slight bend in her knees. She'd had training in hand-to-hand. Everyone at Cerberus had training in hand-to-hand. Not everyone was as good as she was, though. "If I win... you'll call this off?"

"No," Shepard answered with a shake of her head.

"What? Then what's the-"

The commander wasted no more time. She took two steps forward, feigned a third, and when Miranda reacted to counter the fake step, she hopped to the side, reached forward, and snatched at Miranda's wrist, twisting it and yanking her arm down hard. Miranda winced, and had no choice but to let her momentum carry her to the mat. Her chin slammed the ground, disorienting her, and then Shepard's weight was on top of her; the commander's knees digging into her sides as the woman grabbed a fistful of her hair and pressed her face into the mat. "That was easier than I expected," Shepard said from atop her. "You disappoint me, Miri."

Miranda focused, thinking back on her training, and moved her weight subtly beneath the commander's knees, searching for the point of balance she could tip. She searched and searched and-

-found it. She snapped her hips to the side and kicked forward with her knee, and Shepard rolled off her back. Miranda scrambled to her elbows, got one foot underneath her, and made to grab a hold of Shepard's arms. The commander was too quick, though, avoiding the attempt, stepping back, and dropping to the ground to take Miranda's legs out from beneath her. Miranda felt her knees buckle as Shepard chopped them. She dropped, and even before she hit the mat, the commander had reached up, wrapped a forearm around her chin, and yanked her backwards. She landed on her back atop Shepard, her throat and chin trapped in a tight headlock. "Too slow," Shepard pointed out. "You've gotten soft, Miranda." Her wiry but strong arms flexed, choking off the air supply.

Miranda coughed, grit her teeth, and dug desperate fingers between her throat and Shepard's arm to alleviate some tension. The commander's legs came around the sides of her body and wrapped her up, squeezing her torso between her knees and further increasing the difficulty of breathing. She winced and saw Sam watching from beside the mat with a mixture of fear and excitement on her face.

"Hard to breath in this position, no?" Shepard's voice taunted into her ear.

Miranda planted her feet onto the mat, focused all of her strength into her legs, and lifted the rear half of her body from the mat, Shepard's legs raising with it. She tried shifting the balance of their bodies sideways to roll out of the hold, but Shepard unlocked her ankles, dropped her feet to the ground, and thrust her foot into the back of Miranda's ankle. Pain flared and she could no longer sustain the weight, dropping her hips and legs back to the mat. Shepard's own legs immediately locked around her abdomen again, squeezing.

"That's a good try," Shepard told her. "If I didn't know the counter for it already, of course. Sam, you want next? I can lock you up in a hold and squeeze... I know you'd like that."

Miranda was too busy fighting for air to open her eyes, but she imagined Sam was giving the commander that demure little smile. Shepard's partially-free hand reached around the front of her face and covered her mouth while pinching her nose shut. Miranda panicked as all her air was cut off and began jerking her body every which way to escape. The commander tightened her knees.

"You see how easy this is, Sam?" Shepard asked. "I just hold until she passes out. It's simple, really. I can show you later if-"

In a desperation attempt, Miranda kicked off the mat, rolling back onto Shepard's upper body and head. Her back pressed hard into the commander's face and Shepard's arms and legs loosened from around her. She tucked her knees to continue her momentum backwards, and then rolled right off the commander. Shepard was turning her body over to get back to a stance, but Miranda recovered and dove forward, tackling her to the mat. They landed on their sides and slid back on the vinyl covering, Shepard trying a counter to twist her hips around and pin Miranda, but Miranda blocked it at the last moment, got her weight above Shepard's, and used it to push the commander down. She lunged forward, trapping Shepard's forearms beneath her knees, successfully pinning the commander down to the mat.

"That's more like it," Shepard said, taking deep breaths to recompose herself. Sweaty strands of hair stuck to her face and covered her left eye. The headband had come off somewhere in the fray. "You have been trained well."

Miranda was busy catching her own breath. "You want to reconsider your stance on giving Liara control now?"

Shepard laughed, trying to blow the hair from her eye. "Nope."

"Sam," Miranda called to the girl standing behind her without turning. "Go fetch something to restrain the commander with."

"R-Restrain?" Sam's voice was dripping with fear. "B-But, I... I can't-"

"You're my slave now, aren't you?"

"Y-Yes?"

"Then Shepard can't be mad with you for obeying my orders. Now go," Miranda said.

Shepard was laughing again. "Oh this is hot! First a wrestling match and now you're going to restrain me? Oh, yes... very sexy."

Miranda frowned. "And bring something to gag her with."

"Y-Yes, Miranda," Sam said and a moment later she heard the door open and shut.

Shepard finally worked the hair out of her face with a twist of her head. "As appealing as it sounds to have you bind and gag me, Miri, I can't let ya do it. Sorry."

"You don't have a choice, Shepard," Miranda said, readjusting her weight atop the commander's body, weary of a counter-maneuver. "Ashley was right: you're not mentally well. Especially not if you think giving Liara any sort of control is a good idea."

Shepard's body squirmed a bit beneath her. "Miranda... you really think you can hold me? I'm Commander Shepard." She laughed. "It's cute, really, that you think-"

Her words were a distraction. The commander suddenly lifted her legs into the air and brought her feet around Miranda's arms to lock ankles and pull her backwards. Miranda saw the attack coming, though, and blocked one foot with an elbow and caught the other foot in her hand, tossing it aside. Shepard had tried twisting loose from beneath her the second she made the block, but Miranda leaned forward, redistributing her weight back down on the commander's forearms, pinning her once more. "Nice try," she said.

"Argh!" Shepard grunted, and for the first time she saw true frustration come across the woman's face. "Alright, get the hell off me, Miranda."

"No."

"Miranda!" Shepard snapped. "I'm not having you ruin my big night! I'm asking Ashley to marry me! I'm having guests over! Now get off!"

Again, the commander tried twisting loose, but again Miranda kept her weight atop her forearms carefully. "Knock it off, Shepard, you're not getting away."

She could see the commander having another one of her capricious mood swings. Her face reddened and her brow scrunched up. "Let me up! Let me up! Let - me -up!" Shepard yelled, pounding her feet against the mat.

"Oh, grow up, Shepard," Miranda said.

The door opened and closed behind her again and Sam appeared a moment later with a bundle of rope in her arms. A mixture of fear and excitement and love and lust and confusion rippled through the girl's face as she stared down at her commander. "I brought it..."

"Tie her ankles and knees," Miranda commanded.

"Sam!" Shepard shouted. "I've changed my mind! You are not allowed to be Miranda's slave any longer! I take you back! Now remove Miss Lawson from me now."

"Give me the gag," Miranda said.

Sam hesitated.

Miranda looked up at her. "Sam, you know only I can release you. You told me that yourself. So that means you're still acting under my command, regardless of what Shepard says. So give me the gag and go bind her legs."

Sam nodded, her eyes flicking fearfully at Shepard, then handed Miranda a roll of tape and a bandana before disappearing behind her with the rope.

"Alright..." Shepard said, taking a breath and trying another angle. "Alright, you win. I won't give Liara control. I won't do it, Miranda. Let me up now."

"I wish I could believe that, Shepard," Miranda said, balling the bandanna up and bringing it to her commander's lips. "But I can't. Open your mouth."

Shepard stared at her, seeming to consider her options, and finally a look of defeat washed over her. "You can't hold me forever."

"I know," Miranda said. "Open."

Shepard rolled her eyes, sighed, and stared up at her. With some hesitation, she slowly parted her lips. Miranda immediately packed the bandanna in between them, using her fingers to poke the cloth through her teeth, packing her mouth. Shepard groaned as she ripped a strip of white tape from the roll, aligned it over the commander's lips, and pressed it firmly down atop them. "Mmph," Shepard sounded off, testing her gag. Miranda layered another two strips down to further silence her; if the volus or Liara found out what they were doing... it would go very badly for both Sam and herself.

"It's done," Sam said, walking beside her once more with the rope. Her eyes landed on Shepard and the girl swallowed. "I've... never seen the Commander like this."

"Mmmph!" Shepard grunted beneath the tape and raised her brow.

Miranda had no idea what she was trying to say. "Okay, I'm going to get off her and flip her over to tie her wrists. With her legs bound, she won't be able to mount a defense, but if she does try something, you have to help me, alright Sam?"

"Yes," Sam said, some of her apprehension from before clearly gone now that Shepard was more secured.

"You hear that, Shepard?" Miranda asked looking down at her. "There's two of us and only half of you, so don't try anything."

Shepard rolled her eyes.

Miranda nodded to Sam and crawled off the commander's body. Shepard put up only the slightest resistance as Sam and her flipped the commander to her stomach and pulled her arms around behind her. She had Sam use the rope to bind her wrists; noting the way Shepard's ankle and knees were tied, the girl was far better at it than she would have been. When it was done, she instructed Sam to make any additional binds to secure her. Sam licked her lips, looking over her commander's body, and nodded. Miranda watched as the girl wound rope around Shepard's torso, elbows, above and below her breasts, and then down between her legs, tightening the rope up into her crotch. Shepard grunted into her gag as Sam finished. The girl's face was flushed and excited.

"Good job," Miranda said, unsure of what else to say. "She's... certainly not going anywhere."

"No..." Sam said, smiling.

"Mmf," Shepard added.

Sam's eyes flicked across Shepard's ass and legs before landing on her feet. The girl put a hand on her soles and rubbed. "We should get her back to the bedroom," she said, licking her lips.

"Sam... you know this isn't a sexual thing, right?" Miranda asked. "I understand you're into this sort of thing, but I need you to focus. What we're doing is very dangerous, and if we're caught... who knows what will happen."

The girl swallowed, removed her hand from Shepard's feet, and nodded. "Y-Yes... you're right."

"Check the hall and then we'll move her."

Sam nodded and disappeared behind her. After a moment, she quietly called over "It's clear."

"Alright," Miranda said, standing and moving to Shepard's shoulders. She put a hand on them and turned the commander onto her back. Shepard's eyes stared silently up at her, annoyed. "Keep quiet, Shepard, you hear me?"

Sam crossed back to the room and Shepard's look drifted to her. "Mmph!" She grunted, frowning and twisting slightly in her binds.

"I'm sorry, Commander!" Sam pleaded. "I only made it that tight so you couldn't get loose!"

"Mmmmm!" Shepard growled, rolling her eyes.

"Grab her feet," Miranda said, reconsidered it, and put a hand up. "Never mind. I'll grab her feet, come get her shoulders. Once we lift her, we move quickly and quietly back to the bedroom. Don't stop for anything, understood."

"Yes."

"And you stay quiet," she said, pointing a finger at Shepard.

Shepard squinted, but made no noise.

"Alright... go!" Miranda said.

The two of them lifted Shepard from the ankles and shoulders. The woman was surprisingly light. Miranda glanced over her shoulder and began taking hurried, but careful, steps backwards. She breached the hall, took a look around, and nodded to Sam. They began moving again, their bound and gagged prisoner's body swaying between them with every step. Shepard remained mostly quiet, save the occasional grunt. They got her down the hall, Miranda popped the handle on the guest room, and led them inside. Sam kicked the door shut behind her as she entered with Shepard's upper half, and then they crossed to the bed and flopped her down onto it. Shepard landed and was unable to stop herself from rolling helplessly twice across the mattress before coming to a stop on her stomach. She glared over at them. "Mmf! Mm-mmf! Mmmmph!"

Sam looked delighted. "We did it! Can I remove her gag?"

"No," Miranda said, moving back to the door and peeking outside. The halls were still clear. That was good; no one had heard them.

"She wants to talk though," Sam said. "You don't have to be mean to her."

"I want her quiet," Miranda explained. "And mean? Sam, you realize she was about to hand your ass over to Liara, right?"

"She doesn't know what we know," Sam said, looking back down to Shepard. The girl sat beside the bed and ran her hand across the commander's head, stroking her hair lovingly. Shepard didn't protest, but she didn't look thrilled by the gesture either. "Commander, you have to realize that Liara is a very dangerous person," Sam explained. "We think she wants to hurt us. Hurt you, too."

Shepard began talking beneath the tape again in a series of muffled noises.

Sam gave the commander a bittersweet smile. "I'm sorry, Commander. You have to stay quiet for awhile."

Shepard groaned.

"Now what?" Sam asked, turning to Miranda.

"Now I'm going to take another look outside for Jack," Miranda told her. "And before I do I think I might have a chat with Ashley."

Shepard's eye widened.

"Relax, Shepard, your secret's safe with me, but I'm going to find out if your interest is... mutual."

"Mmm," Shepard moaned into the tape.

"If Ashley is interested in you like that, I'll deliver you to her once I find Jack and have a way off this planet." She noticed Sam turn her face, guarding her emotion at that. She pushed on anyway. "And if she's not... Shepard, you're going to have to move on."

The commander stared at the ceiling, but otherwise made no sign she'd even heard her.

"Sam... can I trust to leave you here with her and not let her convince you into letting her go?"

Sam swallowed. "..yes."

"Sam..."

"...no," she admitted, folding her hands in her lap.

Miranda sighed. "Listen, just go sit in the corner and don't pay attention her. Don't look at her. Just... just pretend like she's not even here. I'll be back as soon as I can, alright?"

"Alright..." Sam said with a nod. The girl stood, went to the corner of the room, and sat on the floor, facing the wall. She pulled her knees up and hugged them, resting her chin between them.

"Mmmph!" Shepard protested, rolling to her side and kicking her bound feet down off the mattress.

"You just lay there and be quiet," Miranda told her, took the key to the guest room from the dresser top, and left them, locking the door behind her.

-Shepard-

Conniving little bitch, Shepard thought, though she felt a sting of pride watching Miranda go as well. The woman had out-wrestled her, bound her, gagged her, and successfully hidden her away; smooth, quick, and efficient. It was what Shepard herself would have done in the same situation, and she felt at least partially responsible for crafting such a sharp little cunt out of Miranda Lawson. There was a good Dom to be made out of the woman yet.

But that didn't matter now. What mattered was getting out of the predicament she found herself in so the show could go on... and her proposal to Ashley. There was only one way out now, though, and that was through Sam. She wiggled around on the mattress, repositioning herself to get a look at her former-slave sitting in the corner, back turned to her. She was proud of Sam, too, despite her aid in the whole mess. The ropes around her limbs and torso were tight, but well wrapped and double-roped so that she was comfortable. And, after all, a good slave obeyed their master; couldn't fault her for that. "Mmm," she tried humming to get the girls attention. Sam put her hands over her ears and began humming herself; a cheerful little tune. Shepard thought that was cute, but she wasn't giving up so easily. She wiggled closer to the edge of the bed, the crotch rope Sam had graciously tied between her legs, rubbing at her clit. "MMPH!" She wailed harder, louder, into the tape and stomped her bound feet off the mattress to emphasize the urgency of her request.

Sam kept her hands on her ears, but turned her head and stole a quick glance back. She visibly swallowed and was quick to turn away again.

Shepard took a breath and tried again, this time bucking her hips up and down so her whole weight was crashing off the bed, causing a ruckus. Sam had no choice but to look back again, and this time she removed her hands and stood as well. Samantha Traynor was on the hook, now Shepard just had to reel her in. She made her eyes wide and her brow upturn sadly and whimpered into the gag. "Mmm... mmf, mmmmph."

"I can't release you, Commander," Sam pleaded. "I just can't! Miranda said no!"

Shepard shook her head, as if that wasn't what she wanted, and gestured for Sam to come closer. Sam hesitated, and Shepard turned so that the soles of her feet were facing her and scrunched her toes up and down, up and down. It was a mean trick to play on a poor girl with a foot fetish, but she had no other option... and she enjoyed seeing the excitement come across Sam's face; the hungry, eager, look burning in her eyes. "Mmmm," she tried again.

"Well... what is it, Commander?" Sam asked, crossing the room.

Reeling in the catch, Shepard thought. "Mmm," she mumbled and looked down at the tape covering her mouth.

"I can't."

"Mmm?" Shepard moaned, tilting her head and giving Sam her best 'please?' look.

Sam's eyes flicked to the closed door and back. "Well, I mean... maybe you can talk for just a little bit... until Miranda returns..."

Shepard nodded. She smiled beneath the tape, hoping Sam would notice.

Sam glanced once more at the door before smiling herself and taking a seat on the mattress beside Shepard. "Okay." She peeled the tape away slow, so as not to hurt her commander, and even opened her hand to accept the saliva-drenched, wadded-up, bandanna that Shepard spit from her mouth.

"Thanks, Sam," Shepard said, licking her lip before biting at it. "I only wanted to ask a favor from my favorite little pet. That's all."

"Oh?" Sam said, raising her brow.

"Yeah. It's just my feet have been killing me today. I'd like you to massage them... if you don't mind." With that, Shepard lifted her legs, swung them sideways, and dropped her bound feet into Sam's lap, grinning as she watched the excitement grow on the girl's face.

"Of course, Commander," Sam said. "Right away."

She brought the tape back to Shepard's mouth, but Shepard turned at the last moment and laughed. "That's not necessary, Sammy. I won't say a word. Honest. My lips are sealed."

Sam looked conflicted for only a moment before nodding and sticking the tape to the bedpost. Her eyes fell to the pair of bound, bare, feet in her lap and she took a breath. Her hands reached down, gently dragging across Shepard's ankles, and then her thumbs worked their way between the ball and heel of her right foot, pressing deep and running in little circular spirals.

"Mmm," Shepard moaned, only half pretending. Sam was very good at foot massages, and under different circumstances, she'd be happy to lay back and let the girl do her work, but she had a different agenda. "You're very good at this... I forgot. It's been too long, hasn't it?"

"Yes," Sam agreed, too focused on the task at hand to look up. "You're feet are very soft."

"I remember when I first brought you here and you mentioned the calluses beneath my toes," Shepard said. "Ever since, I've used cream to smoothen the skin." That was actually true.

"Really?" Sam asked, smiling.

Shepard nodded, and Sam looked as pleased as ever as she continued rubbing her commander's feet. "Oh, and thanks for the crotch rope, Sammy... it was a nice touch," she said, lifting her hips a bit and letting the rope run a little between her pussy. "But between you rubbing my feet and the crotch rope rubbing my vag... I'm going to soak my panties if you don't remove it.'

"Oh," Sam said, halting the massage. "I didn't think of that."

Shepard shrugged, trying to appear embarrassed. "Yeah... so..."

"Yes, I'll... I'll remove it," Sam said, setting her feet aside gingerly before scooting forward and reaching down for the knot near the small of her back.

"Ah," Shepard cried out as Sam pulled at the rope and it stiffened between her legs.

"I'm sorry, Commander."

"No... that felt good."

"Do... should I leave it then?" Sam asked.

"No. I told you, I don't want to soak my panties, Sam. Unless... you removed them."

"I can't. I'd have to untie your legs."

"Only for a moment," Shepard pointed out. "Only to remove them, then you can truss me right back up like you had me."

Sam was at her back, but she could just hear the concern on her face as she spoke. "I don't know, Commander. I don't think Miranda-"

"Is here?" Shepard finished for her. "No, she's not." Sam didn't move or say anything, so Shepard pressed on. "Come on, Sammy... let me spread my legs a bit... for you."

The rope between her leg loosened and then fell away, and Shepard smiled as she saw Sam crawling on her knees to the foot of the bed and begin to work on the knots binding her ankles. Soon enough, Sam had gotten it loose, and followed by removing the ropes around her knees as well. Shepard immediately spread her legs out wide and arched her toes back. "Now for these pesky panties..."

Sam's breath was growing heavy with lust. She stuck her slender fingers around the waistband of Shepard's gym shorts and pulled them away. Tossing them aside she took hold of the panties next and worked them slowly down Shepard's hips, watching the prize between the commander's leg reveal to her. Shepard felt herself getting a little lusty as well; her nipples were stiff as a board beneath her shirt. When Sam had the panties down around her ankles and was pulling them off, Shepard placed one of her feet on the girl's chin. Sam took hold of it by the ankle, leaned back, and then started sucking on her toes as she absently tossed the panties aside. Shepard was finding it easy to forget why she was doing all this. She closed her eyes and let herself fall back onto the mattress as Sam's warm lips wrapped around her foot and sucked.

The thought of Ashley filled her head and she wondered if their relationship would ever be like her's and Sam's. She hoped it would... hoped very much.

"Come here," Shepard said. "Mr. Blue, top drawer."

Sam wiped her lips, nodded, and set the commander's foot down. She crawled along the edge of the bed, reached the drawer, and opened it to pull out a long, blue, dildo. Shepard eyed it hungrily. Sam crawled back down the bed, hanging the dildo out to the side so that it ran down the length of Shepard's chin, neck, between her breasts, down her belly, and then rested just above her clit. Shepard spread her legs to invite Mr. Blue in, and Sam gently entered her, poking the tip of the dildo between her lips and sliding it slowly, deeply, within. "Oooh," Shepard moaned, arching her back and balling her fists as Sam slid it back to the tip, and then thrust it forward again. She did this twice more before picking up the speed. Two more times and she raised speed again. Two more times and Sam was thrusting away so quickly, she began to pant. Shepard was panting herself. "Ah!" She cried out. "Oh... God..." The dildo slowed slightly, Sam moved around a bit between her legs, and then the tape from before was pressed back down over her lips. "Mmm," Shepard moaned as Sam picked speed back up.

"So no one hears," Sam explained, and Shepard saw the girl had a hand down her own pants as she thrust with the other.

"Mmf," Shepard grunted; she'd known that was the reason, but somehow the gag was only making it sexier. Sam worked her deeper and deeper and harder and then slowed it all down and worked her way back up again. Shepard's legs felt wobbly. Her nipples were practically bursting through the tight shirt covering them. Sam's eyes closed and the girl began coming. Shepard wanted to come with her, but she wasn't quite there yet. She lifted her waist from the bed, balancing on the heels of her feet, and bucked her hips in a counter-rhythm to the dildo's thrusts. She squeezed her knees together, putting further pressure on the dildo, and began bucking faster, faster, faster, and then her body went hot and tingly and she dropped to the mattress, coming. "MMMMmmmmmm," she moaned, her head falling to the side, her back arching, her toes curling, and her thighs spreading back apart as her orgasm paralyzed her lower half with pleasure.

"Oh, God..." Miranda's voice.

Shepard turned to see the woman had returned and was watching the scene with an incredulous expression plastered to her face. Sam wiped sweat from her brow and remove the dildo from inside her. Shepard closed her eyes, realizing she hadn't gotten free, but... hell: it had been worth it anyway.

-later-

"MMMMMPH!" Shepard protested into the fresh gag of a stuffed rag in her mouth, tape sealing it in, and another bandanna wrapped a half-dozen times around her head. Miranda was more intent on her keeping quiet this time.

"You're unbelievable," Miranda said as Sam finished tying her to the chair.

Miranda had her moved into the bathroom and sat down in a wooden chair. Then she made Sam tie her to it in every way possible: her ankles to the legs, her legs to the legs, her waist strapped to the seat, and more wraps of rope than she could count pinned her torso to the back. She jerked her weight side-to-side, but she was so tied up, it barely budged the chair.

"Mmmmph," she grumbled.

"Sorry, Commander," Sam said, leaned forward, and kissed her cheek before turning and heading back to the guest room.

"I don't know how you do it sometimes, Shepard," Miranda said, dropping her hands onto her hips and shaking her head. She was nearly smiling. "But I do know you won't get out of here." She gestured to the bathroom. "Now this time stay put and wait for me. I didn't find Ashley yet."

"Mmf!" Shepard grunted; she wasn't happy about her new quarters.

Miranda shook her head, walked behind her, and dropped a cloth down over her eyes, plunging her into the dark. "Sit there and be quiet and I'll be back with news soon enough, alright?"

"Mmf."

Shepard listened as Miranda's footsteps trailed away, then closed the bathroom door shut. On the other side, she could hear part of a muffled conversation. Miranda was saying to Sam, "How did you let her-" and then she'd moved too far from the door to hear any more.

Bound, gagged, and blindfolded in her own bathroom: not the way she wanted to spend the night of her marriage proposal.

And the guests would be arriving soon. The party was about to start.