A/N: Thank you for all the follows and favorites! This was probably my favorite chapter to write so far. I actually added a third category "Theirs" in this chapter because you need to see everyone on the outside looking in! Enjoy!

HERS

"Come on, Commander! We need to celebrate this! You're the first human Spectre!" Ashley said gleefully. "The whole crew is heading to Flux and it would sure suck hard if the guest of honor wasn't there."

Shepard didn't really care. She was pissed. Pissed that Udina was an ass, pissed that Saren was getting away with everything, and pissed that Anderson was taken off the ship. Who gives a rat's ass about being a Spectre? I mean, I am honored, but shit; I didn't want it this way.

"I heard L-T say he would be there." The words stopped Shepard's thoughts cold.

"Well, maybe I can make an appearance," Shepard smiled. "Just so the crew won't be disappointed."

For the whole crew. Keep telling yourself that, and you'll eventually believe it.

Shepard walked into the club/casino/bar, whatever it was, and immediately felt uncomfortable. The crew was scattered all over, drinking, laughing, and dancing.

Dancing. Ash is over there dancing with Alenko. She makes it look good. They look good together, like the perfect high school couple.

Shepard sat at a table and began chatting with Joker.

"So, what do you do at these kinds of things?" she asked. "I've never been very good at the party scene myself."

"Oh, the same old thing. I get hammered and get some pretty woman to carry me home. The whole 'drunk and I can't walk on my own' thing works pretty well. Haven't missed yet," Joker smiled wickedly.

Shepard laughed and knew that her pilot was going to be a great friend for a long time. The two stayed at the table, laughing and watching the others. Soon, Ash came ambling up.

"Hey guys, I've been on my feet for a while, and I need a drink. Shepard, why don't you get out there on the floor? Lots of guys have been asking for you to join in!" she said teasingly.

"Um, I don't do dancing…," Shepard stammered, but Ash was already pushing her out onto the floor. No, really, I do not dance.… Right up to Alenko.

"Hey, L-T. Shepard's going to take my place for a while. 'S'at ok?"

"Sure," he said noncommittally. Shepard just stood there, surrounded by dancing bodies, her feet stuck to the floor. Alenko turned to her, eyebrows raised, "So do you want to dance with me?"

"I don't really dance…I-I've just never…" Shepard hated the way she stuttered. But how do you say 'I can't dance?'

"It's ok," Alenko laughed, and then lowered his voice and leaned in close. "Everyone has their first time. I promise I'll be gentle." She could feel the heat emanating off his body, smell the fragrance of his cologne. He was even close enough that she could feel a slight tingle in her biotic implant. I can't do this!

Shepard continued to stand stock still. Rachel, wake up! You are Commander goddamn Shepard and you aren't afraid of anything! Move your body! She felt like she was in stasis.

"Ok, then," Alenko sighed. "Let's start out slow." He put his hands on her hips. Her implant hummed when his fingertips made contact. "You just need to move with the rhythm of the music," as he began to lightly force her body to sway. "Now, you can't just be stiff about it. Loosen up, let the rest of your body go," he encouraged.

Shepard closed her eyes. His hands remained on her hips, and that oh-so-pleasing hum ran through her body. Her heart began to pound as she tried to let go of her fear. Her arms raised and her body movements became more fluid. As she did, she felt his hands slide to the back of her waist and pull her closer. She could feel his breath on her neck.

The pulse of the music, the sway of their bodies, the scent of sweat and the undulating waves of their combined dark energy surging through her was intoxicating. She lost track of time and space. She was feeling pleasure typically reserved for private quarters. Suddenly, she felt as if she would climax right there on the dance floor. It felt right….it felt wrong.

Her eyes flew open, and she pushed him away. "I have to go. Things are different when you are the CO, and there's a lot of work to be done. I've messed around too long." He stared at her mutely, and she spun on her heel and left.

That was too much, too close…too amazing. She groaned to herself. She almost plowed into Wrex as she left the club.

HIS

Kaidan walked in to Flux and the heat of the room hit him in the face like a wall. The music was loud, the people were happy, and…Shepard wasn't there. He pursed his lips together, so they wouldn't betray his true disappointment.

"Hey L-T!" yelled Ashley. "Let's get this place jumpin'!" Kaidan chuckled and joined the pretty woman in her dancing. She was fun and carefree, surprising considering recent events at Eden Prime. Ash is nice looking and seems really great, but she isn't…

The doors hissed open and Kaidan saw Shepard walk in. She made a beeline for the table where Joker was sitting and joined him. He saw them laugh and talk, and a twinge of jealousy surfaced. I never thought about her being interested in Joker. And why not? He's a good guy, bit of an ass, but he'll always have your back.

"Thinking about something?" Ashley's words caught Kaidan by surprise. He was still dancing with her, but his eyes had been elsewhere. She looked over and saw Shepard and Joker. Embarrassment crept up into Kaidan's face. Thank God it's dark in here.

Ashley saw it anyway. "Or someone?" she smiled in realization. "Oh, I know how it is. You just let me take care of this," she said and sauntered away.

In a few moments, she was pushing an extremely reluctant Shepard in his direction. "Hey, L-T. Shepard's going to take my place for a while. 'S'at ok?"

"Sure," Kaidan said, secretly pleased at the turn of events. "So do you want to dance with me?"

"I don't really dance…I-I've just never…" He knew that she was feeling uncomfortable, so he tried to lighten the mood. He leaned in, so she could hear him over the noise. "It's ok. Everyone has their first time. I promise I'll be gentle."

That was so a come on. Subtle much, Kaidan? He mentally face palmed. Shepard just stared at him. Did she look horrified? Oh, damn, now I'll probably have a sexual harassment complaint filed against me.

"Ok, then," Kaidan sighed as he thought of how stupid he looked. "Let's start out slow." He reached out to put his hands on her hips. He could guide Shepard through a dance or two, and Ashley would be back. He was suddenly aware of his implant, and remembered Shepard was a biotic as well. Touching her gave him a warm feeling. Was it the biotics or was it just his body reacting in lust? Who cares, God, she feels good.

He had never seen fear in her eyes until tonight, so he thought he should just give her a quick lesson in dancing. . "You just need to move with the rhythm of the music." He lightly used his hands to push her hips side to side. Her body was so stiff; he was surprised this was the same woman who practically glided across a battlefield. "Loosen up; let the rest of your body go." Her eyes that had been wide in fear slowly closed as he continued to move her.

The beat of the music was primal. Kaidan knew Shepard was beginning to shed her inhibitions when her arms slid up over his head. He took the cue and wrapped his arms around her, bringing their bodies together. He had his head bent down, leaning in toward her neck. He could feel his breathing change.

I want her. I need her. This is how I always want it to be. Me and her. Kaidan felt Shepard's heart pound through her chest. It aroused him to know at least she was somewhat excited by him. He heard her breathing get faster and shallow. He wanted to kiss her. Regs be damned. I don't care if she is my CO now.

Then she stiffened up, and pushed him away, and practically yelled at him, "I have to go. Things are different when you are the CO, and there's a lot of work to be done. I've messed around too long."

Things are different when you are the CO. That was her way of saying regs are regs, so back off, buddy. He watched her leave Flux, mostly keeping his gaze on the waist where his hands just were.

Shit, that was hot, though. Kaidan needed a cold shower.

THEIRS

After Ashley pushed Shepard over to Alenko's side, she sat down with a drink beside Joker, proudly.

"See that? I'm a matchmaker."

"What? She looks scared shitless. That doesn't look like love to me," said Joker. "Besides Shepard is way too focused on being a soldier than screwing around with a pretty boy like Alenko. I mean, don't get me wrong, he's nice. Probably the nicest guy I know, but she'd destroy him. Too headstrong."

"Oh yeah? Then what's that?" Ashley teased as they looked back to see the unknowing couple starting to move in unison. Shepard's eyes were closed.

"Ok, so maybe they're attracted to each other, but damn, we all get horny sometimes!"

"We do?"

"Hell, yeah. Listen, I'll be honest, I've had a few too many to drink, and I'll need some help to get back to the Normandy. Could you just walk me back? Just to my sleeping pod. We don't have to go now, I'm just sayin'." Joker laid it on thick, smiling at the woman lustily.

Ashley smiled, the alcohol must have been doing it's magic because Joker didn't seem like the ass Alenko said he was. "Sure, but I want to see how this turns out," she said, motioning to Alenko and Shepard.

The conversation lulled while they both watched. They saw Shepard snap back away from Alenko and turn and bolt for the door. They saw Wrex jump out of the way as she did.

"Whoa, did you see that?" Joker said.

"What the hell did he do?" cried Ashley.

"What do you mean, he? Maybe she did something. Ever think about that? Women aren't always so innocent." Joker's voice cracked from emotion.

Wrex came over to their table. "Shepard smells like she's in heat." Sniffing the air again, he said, "Do humans always smell like they are ready to mate?"

"Only when we serve on ships together," Ashley's eyes rolled. Joker grinned.