Hello ladies and gents. I am officially on spring break! Woohoo!

So hopefully I'll be posting new chapters more frequently...hopefully but I think I'm doing a good job with updating this story so far!

A bit of angsty but there are star wars quotes, mommy and daddy cuteness to come.

Enjoy!

Always

December 15, 2185

SSV Normandy SR-2 - Captain's Quarters - Commander Alonso - 1800 hours

After waking up countless of times from horrid nightmares and a scorching hot shower, I put on my casuals and headed down to the crew deck and check on Miranda. I sighed and pressed the back of my head on the rear elevator wall and closed my eyes, cursing myself for even thinking about sleep at a time like this.

Selfish bastard. I said to myself while I heard Miranda's voice echo the same words. I laughed. She would say something along those lines. Once the elevator opened and I stepped out and walked a short distance towards the mess hall, finding the usual suspects at the table: Shepard, Kasumi, Garrus, Tali, Kelly, Amanda, Ken and Gabby. Samara and Thane were by the kitchen grabbing their own food before they walked back together towards the life support room, where Thane spends most of his time while on the Normandy.

"You look like hell." Garrus said as he looked up at me.

"Are you okay?" Shepard asked, frowning as she placed her spoon down on her tray.

I looked inside the med-bay finding Miranda on the bed sitting up, still pale but being fed by one of Chakwas' assistant nurses. "No..." I said finally, frowning when Miranda's eyes gave me a fake smile. I know she is anything but happy. "Excuse me." I left the group and walked into the med-bay where I walked to Miranda's cot and stood beside her. Her eyes looked up at me before looking down at her injured leg. She remained quiet and motioned the nurse to give us some privacy with a dismissing wave. "I..." I began but I fell silent. I don't know what the fuck to say. I exhaled sharply and looked down at my leather boots in defeat. "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about." Miranda said quickly, trying to remove all doubts. "It's not your fault."

"I was so scared. Karin told me that the venom made you worse...and..." I shook my head. "and that if you were brought here a minute or so late, you would have been in even worse shape. You could've died. I... I'm relieved to see that you're awake."

"Doctor Chakwas assures me that I'm going to be fine. Mordin created an antidote for the Thresher Maw venom and with the help of my implants, I'll be ready in no time...Chuck, look at me." I swallowed the aching lump on my throat and looked at her steel-blue eyes. "Kiss me." And I did. She needed it. I needed it. I push my love and devotion in the kiss while she returned the same emotions and more. Not wanting to strain her, I reluctantly pulled away from the kiss but I promised that there will be more when she heals. Miranda's cheeks begin to develop a light pink shade as she looked outside of the med bay window. I look out and see Shepard, Kelly, Amanda, Gabby and Kasumi cheering while Garrus laughs and Ken stares with his mouth wide open. I laugh and shake my head before turning back to Miranda and seek her warmth and touch. I sit down on a nearby stood and hold her hand, exchanging loving squeezes between one another. I grab the food tray and finish feeding her. We talk for hours, finding myself at peace as I was able to make her as comfortable as possible; gaining smiles, blushes and even laughs.

"I can never tell you enough times but I love you." I kiss her forehand and I am rewarded with a heart-warming smile.

"I know."

We laugh in unison before Chakwas walks in with a motherly smile. I guess I should let Miranda rest. I nod to Chakwas before standing up and giving Miranda one last kiss. "Get some rest. I'll be back later to check up on you."

"Looking forward to it, Commander."

Feeling better, I make my way to Shepard's quarters finding her staring intently with her tongue out to the side as she played some sort of puzzle game on her omni-tool. I stared amusedly below the archway and cross my arms for a few moments before clearing my throat and catching the attention from my best friend.

"Hey Charlie." Jane smiled and turned off her omni-tool.

"Hey." I pushed myself off and walked over to sit next to Shepard on her bed. "Mind if I crash here tonight?"

"Be my guest." Jane scoots closer to me and I instinctively place my hand around her shoulder. "How's Lawson?" She asks.

"She'll pull through." I smiled and placed my other free hand behind my head. "I'm glad we have people like Chakwas and Mordin on our side."

"Good." She fidgeted with her hands and said moments later, "You really think she's the one for you?"

"Absolutely." I reply instantly. "No doubt in my mind at all." Shepard simply nods and bites her bottom lip. "Something wrong with that?"

"N-no! No, of course not. I know that I'm sounding like a record player and all but I...I'm happy for you. Truly. Maybe you won't need me around anymore after all this is over."

"Hey..." I frown and nudge her with my shoulder. "I'll always have you in my life, Shepard. I'll always be there just like you have always been there for me. I'll go wherever you go. I'll be there for your wedding, standing right behind you as you marry the girl of your dreams. I'll be there when you have your kids and I'll take care of them as if they were my own flesh and blood. Don't ever say that I won't need you or that I'll just walk away and leave you because that is not true. I love you, Shepard." Shepard breaks down into tears of joy and wraps her arms around my neck. I smile and hold her in a brotherly embrace, stroking her dyed black locks as she cries. "Besides," I clear my throat to shake away my shaky breath. "We share a kid. I'm not leaving you alone to take care of him." I tease.

Jane laughs, sniffs and wipes her tears away. "That's...kind of disturbing."

"Speak for yourself. I knew there was something in that belly of yours." I tease, poking at her stomach.

"Hey! Are you calling me fat?" Shepard glares at me.

"Stop putting words in my mouth, Jane." I poke her stomach once again. "You're getting a bit soft tho-"

"That's it!" Shepard growls and pounces on top of me and we begin to wrestle on her bed. I let her temporarily have the upper hand as we rolled off of the bed and landed hard on the soft floor while she had me in a headlock. I grinned and flared my biotics, grazing her skin which caused her to jump and let me loose. I straddled her and grinned. I lifted up her shirt a few inches and began tickling her sides.

Shepard squirmed and squealed, "Charlie!" she giggled as she tried to get me off of her. "Stop! I can't! I can't!" Her cheeks began to turn red and she finally said. "Okay! I give up!" I laughed and stopped. I leaned down as kissed her cheek before I lied next to her. She returned the kiss and rested her arm over my chest while I brought her closer to me. She yawned and said, "Want to go to sleep?" I nodded and the both of us stood and got into bed. We crawled under the covers and we snuggled close, resuming the same positions we were on the floor. "I love you Charlie." She smiled and kissed me once more.

I smiled and kissed her on her forehead after she rested her head on my chest. "I love you too, Jane. Sweet dreams."

December 16, 2185

SSV Normandy SR-2 - Shepard's Quarters - Commander Shepard - 0600 hours

I missed days like this. When Charlie and I would wake up in each other's arms. I remember the times we were granted some time off and we would spend time with my family. Charlie and I would always hold each other every night, talking through whispers in the dark nights in my room. As friends. It was in those talks in bed when we got to know each other: Our likes and dislikes. Charlie would tell me about the kids that made fun of him for being a biotic, the lack of attention from his parents or how he never had a girlfriend. I cried for him when he told me that. He has always been a handsome man, at least for the years that I've known him. During the initial first years of knowing him, he was very reserved and extremely shy and he would jump whenever I touched him; possibly from all of the abuse from the other kids. I was the one who offered to be his first but he refused immediately, not wanting to lose me as a friend. It was very sweet and I loved him for it. I guess I used to have a crush on him but just like him, I didn't want to lose him.

Over the years, he became less shy and I encouraged him to put himself out there on the market. Sadly when it came to other girls, he froze and he would always come back to me with a sad puppy-dog frown on his face. After many failed attempts, he became depressed and would huddled himself in his room and at one point was extremely upset. That was how his alcohol addiction began and through that, always had a gun under his pillow...

Six Years Ago...

I heard intense sobs coming from down the hall. It was a cold night so I wrapped myself with my blanket and walked down the hall to Charlie's room. I gasped and ran in. "What are you doing?" I cried out as I watched Charlie press an old gun from Earth up to his head, with his finger on the trigger, "Put the gun down!"

"Leave me alone, Shepard! I don't need you!" His words slurred. 'I knew it. He's drunk.' I looked around for the bottle but found shards of glass on the floor. I slowly began making my way towards but was halted when he pointed the gun at me. "Don't you fucking rob me of this! Don't you god damn move another inch."

"Or what! You're going to kill me?"

"Just...Just leave me alone!"

"Charlie..." I began softly, "let me help you. We can get through this."

"I don't want to do this anymore! I'm tired. Of all of it! I just can't."

"Charlie please," I say, tears already falling down my cheeks, "put the gun down. Don't do this to yourself."

Charlie began to cry even harder and dropped the gun. I rushed forward and held him. "I don't want to go to Thessia, Jane." He sobbed into my shoulder as he squeezed me. "I don't want to be away from you."

"I know." I gave him a loving squeeze. "I'll be so lonely without you but that's where the Alliance wants you. I don't like this anymore than you do."

He broke away from the hug and looked at me with lost hazel eyes. "Wh-What if I don't see you again? What if-"

"That's not going to happen." I grab his hands and pull him to bed. We sit on the edge and look at him in the eyes. "We'll call each other every day, okay? Promise me you will do that."

"...I promise."

I smile and kiss him on the cheek. "Good. Let's get some sleep okay?"

"You'll stay here with me right?"

I smile and caress his cheek. "Always." Charlie breathed a saddened sigh before we crawled into his bed together. We cried together as we held each other in each other's arms. Probably for the last time. I prayed to God so that he could watch over him until he came back to me. "I love you Charlie."

"I love you too, Jane. God, I love you so much. I'll come back to you, I promise."

I sighed and closed my eyes. Those days are so few now; now that we have other people in our lives but I am thankful for mornings like this. I give Charlie a light squeeze, which woke him up. He smiles and squeezes me back, burying his face in my neck, causing me to giggle.

"You always were ticklish." He chuckles, "I bet Liara loves it."

I blush. It's true. Liara knows all of my weak spots. God, I miss her so much. "I hope we'll be on Illium for Christmas. I miss her so much."

"I got up a few hours ago and had Joker set a course for the Citadel. I think it would be as good of a time as any to buy Christmas presents. I don't think we'll be back in any of the big-citied planets before Christmas. Tali sent me a message saying that she wanted to talk to me." Charlie shrugs. "I hope we don't have to travel to Geth space. That is the last place I want to go right now."

"And I have to help Thane with something."

"What's wrong?" Charlie asks. "Is his condition worsening?"

"No...It's his son. It appears that Thane's son is following his father's footsteps in being an assassin and Thane wants to stop him from doing that."

"You think you can handle it?" He asks.

I shrug my shoulders. "His son is in the Citadel so it shouldn't be so bad."

"I trust you. Just be careful."

I nod and close my eyes for a few seconds. "Charlie?"

"What?"

"What are you getting me for Christmas?" I asked coyly.

Charlie laughs and says, "If I tell you then it would spoilt the surprise. Have you talked with your mom lately?"

I shake my head 'no'. "The last time I talked to her was when I joined you. I might go ask Anderson if she is here. It'd be nice to see her again."

"Let me know if she is. I'd like to see how's she's doing. I want to do some things while I'm here."

"We could use a break." I suggest, gaining a rolling of the eyes. "What?"

"Well...there is a new club that recently opened near the Presidium. Might be worth checking out." Charlie grins. "Anyways, I'm going up to my cabin and take a shower. I'll meet you for breakfast at seven thirty?"

"Sounds good." I smile and stretch my body after my best friend leaves the bed. "See you then."

Two Hours Later...

"Councilor." I dry my hair off as I sit in front of my terminal and greet Anderson.

Anderson shakes his head and laughs."Come on, Shepard. You know better than that."

"Alright, good to see you Anderson. What's up?"

"I have reports that the Normandy has just entered the system as is making her way to dock with us. I'd like you to come as soon as you can. Don't bring Charlie. It's not advised."

"Why not?" I tilt my head to the side, staring at Anderson with confusion.

"Lieutenant Williams will be joining us. She has debriefed me about the incident on Horizon."

"I see..." My brows furrow. "I hope I won't be debriefing you on our side of the story?"

"I don't think it will come to that Shepard but be prepared."

"Very well. I have some other issues to handle but I'll let you know when I'm free."

"I appreciate it, Shepard. I'll look forward to seeing you." Anderson nods and disconnects the call and I'm left with conflicting feelings. It will be good to see Anderson again but...Ashley. I wasn't impressed with her actions on Horizon. Whatever. What Charlie and Ashley had going on was their problem. I stood and headed upstairs to the armory, finding Charlie and Grunt near one of the weapon benches.

"Ah, there's your mother." Charlie grins at me, waving my over. I sigh and walk over to my husband and son? Ugh! Yuck! I cringe at the thought. "What do you think about this: Grunt and I are trying to improve our kid's shotgun. We both agree in using a smart choke but we disagree when it comes to using a shredder mod or a high caliber barrel. What do you think would be best for your son?"

I sighed once more. I wish you'd stop saying that, for one. "Why not use a high velocity barrel? It's the best of both worlds."

"Hmm. Mom has a point." Grunt nods. Charlie looks amused at that and gives me a wink.

"Mommy is always right." I stiffened and paled as soon as the words escaped my lips. Charlie snickered while I frowned. Crap. "I hate you, Charlie."

"Good to know. Now, I think that settles-"

"Charlie! Keelah, I finally found you. I need to speak with you." Tali enters the armory and seems anxious while she walks towards us.

"What's wrong?" Charlie asks.

"I'm afraid that I seem to be in a bit of trouble. The Admiralty Board requests my presence. I...I have been accused of treason."

"What?" Charlie and I exclaim in unison. "How is that possible?"

Tali looks down on the floor with slumped shoulders. "I...don't know. They don't lay charges like this unless the evidence seems absolute. I'm scared."

"Is it because you're working with us?" I ask.

Tali shakes her head and places her hand on her violet visor, "I don't know, Shepard. I honestly don't know! You'd think I would remember if I endanger the Fleet!"

"So, what happens when a Quarian is accused of something?" Charlie asks.

"There's... a hearing, with members of the Admiralty Board acting as judges." Tali's voice softens even more. "My father is an admiral on the board. He'll have to rescue himself from judgment. I can't even imagine what he's going through right now. The punishment for treason is exile. If they convict me...I...I can't!" Tali bursts into tears and Charlie and I exchange glances, not needing any further explanation, we approach the young quarian and hold her. "Since we are on the Citadel, I am going to book passage on another ship and head-"

"Absolutely not." Charlie frowns. "When do you need to get there?"

"Within three days." Tali sniffs, "The Fleet is currently located at Raheel-Leyya, in the Vallhallan Threshold." Tali responds, wringing her hands together.

"Joker," Charlie begins. "If we leave now, how soon can we get to the Vallhallan Threshold."

"Uhh, let me see...Three days, Commander." Joker responds through the ship's PA system.

"But-" I begin but I am interrupted by Charlie.

"Thane, I know." Charlie nods in understanding before reaching for his earpiece. "Miranda...? Hey, listen. I need you to send me the keys to your apartment...Shepard needs it...Yeah, I'll tell her...Great! I owe you one. I'll be right down to check up on you." He smiles at me and brings up his omni-tool. "Miranda has an apartment down by the Wards. Take some time off after you're done helping Thane out with his problem. We should be back in six days then we'll rest up before we go after that IFF."

"Okay. You sure you don't want me to stay." I ask.

"We'll be fine. I'm sure this whole thing is just a misunderstanding." Charlie nods. "Oh and take your son with you."

Damn it, Charlie! I glare at Charlie who smiles innocently. "Fine. Come on Grunt, we're going." I give Tali one big hug before I make my leave from the armory and reach Thane through my earpiece. "Thane, meet us in the airlock."

"Of course, Shepard. I'll be right there."

SSV Normandy SR-2 - Med Bay - Commander Alonso - 1100 hours

I step into a room of smiles. My brow arches in questioning. "Something I missed?" I asked the good doctor.

"Miss Lawson can leave the med bay, Commander. Though I would suggest for her to continue to be restricted to her bed and not her terminal."

I smile and look at Miranda who bit her bottom lip while she looks up at me. "Alright, let's get you to your quarters." I stand beside my girlfriend and offer her a hand. She takes it and wrap her arm around my shoulder while I gently hold her by the waist. I look at Chakwas and nod. "Thanks for everything, Doc."

"All in a day's work Charles."

I lead Miranda out of the med bay and guide her to her quarters. "How's your leg?" I ask.

"It's sore but I assure you, its fine." She responds as we step into her room. I guide her to her bed and lay her down, pulling her comforter over her body, tugging them under her to keep her warm. "Thank you." She smiles as I walk around to the other side of the bed and crawl to lie beside her. "What is it?" She asks.

I shrug and brush her hair behind her ear. "You're beautiful." Her creamy skin develops a light rosy color but rolls her eyes. "Are you hungry?"

Miranda shakes her head and says, "I just want you."

"Oh?" I grin, wrapping my arms around her waist and pull her as close as our bodies let us. I lean my head closer and purr in her ear, "Be careful what you wish for."

"I'm already regretting it." She teases and I look at her with mock-indignation.

"That hurts." I pout, causing Miranda to melodically giggle in response.

"You'll survive, Commander." Miranda leans in and tenderly presses her lips against mine as one of her hands gently caresses my neck. Our tongues meat and dance in a heat of love and lust. Her moans inside my mouth begin to turn me on even more but I have to control my urges and I am force to gently press her away. Miranda frowns in disappointment but then nods in understanding. "You'll stay here, won't you?" She asks after several minutes of holding one another. I look into her mesmerizing steel-blue eyes; run my fingers up and down her cheeks and smile.

"Always."

SSV Normandy SR-2 - Operative Lawson's Quarters - Miranda Lawson - 1700 hours

I soft moan escapes my lips when I feel something soft graze lips. I open my eyes and see my boyfriend grinning at me. I turn to look away from him, hiding my blush. God, your grin is so sexy.

"Good afternoon, princess."

And just like that, the magic is gone. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that!" I glare at him, causing him to chuckle.

"Don't have to get all high and mighty on me, princess."

I groan and roll my eyes. "You can be so bloody difficult sometimes."

Chuck continues to grin and laughs. "I know, I really am. Still, you could be a little nicer." He pokes me in my stomach. "Come on, admit it. You think I'm alright."

I shrug my shoulders and huff, "Maybe. If you aren't acting like a scoundrel."

Charlie's brows lift up in surprise. "Scoundrel?" He parrots.

"That's right! A god damn villain." I glare at him. Probably doesn't know what the word means.

Charlie smiles, as if he ignored my previous statement. Wipe that stupid smile off of your face, damn it! "Scoundrel." Charlie repeats again. "I like the sound of that." I sigh in frustration and whip my body to face away from him, cursing myself by helping that stupid ego of his. "Aw, don't be mad Miri."

"Go away." I growl, burying my face in the pillow.

"I can make you take me back."

"I'd love to see you try." I whip my head to the side and give him a challenging look. The next thing I know, Charlie is hovering over me. I feel his hands on my left thigh, pressing just enough pressure to cause me to gasp. Is he...A moan escapes my lips as his hands work up and down my thigh a few moments before he moves to my right thigh and repeating the motions."That feels so good." I say breathlessly as my boyfriend gives me a massage.

I feel his warm breath in my ear before he says, "Your muscles are tense. Just relax and let me do this for you. But first..." Charlie gropes my ass, giving it a squeeze before he slaps them hard. I gasps in response, biting my lip to stop me from saying something stupid that could ruin this. "Mmm, does my XO like that?" I nod vigorously before he slaps my ass again. "I didn't hear you."

"Yes!" I moan into my pillow.

"Good." His hands move up to the small of my back. "You know," his thumbs trace small circles near my spine, "I've never done this before." I feel his hands agonizingly make their way up my back. "I'm glad you're enjoying this...It's a shame you have your catsuit on. It...could help if they were off." I don't need any more convincing. I tug down on my zipper and pull my suit down my body, with the help of my boyfriend. "That's much better but there's still room for improvement." Charlie unclasps my bra and throws it somewhere then moves to remove my panties. Once every bit of clothing is removed from my body, I feel scorching heat when Charlie flares his biotics against my skin. I close my eyes blissfully as his hands continue it pleasurable massages.

"Feeling better baby?" He asks and once more, I am at a loss of words and I could only nod. "I could do this all day." I wish you could. I continue to enjoy this for about twenty minutes before he finally says. "I think we're done. How are you feeling?"

I turn around and face him and smile gratefully. "That's the best massage I have ever had. Thank you."

"It was hard work. I could feel the tense muscles all over your body...You've never had a massage before, have you."

I shake my head slowly. "I'm afraid I haven't."

"Well you behaved yourself and I have a feeling that there is one spot we haven't covered." Charlie and I grin in unison as he looks down and hums in approval. "If I remember correctly, Chakwas didn't say anything about...extracurricular activities."

"Oh?" I smile mischievously, "Do you have something in mind?"

"That I do, Lawson. That I do." We meet halfway and kiss deeply before he pulls away, kissing his way down my body to pamper me in a different but equally as pleasurable way.

We're heading into the final two loyalty missions before we dive back into the fray. We'll be onboard with Shepard and her Krogan son on board the citadel next chapter *snicker* then we'll help Tali in the chapter after that.

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Until next time :)