Shepard took a deep breath, trying to set aside all of the problems of the last few days. The tensions in her crew had ebbed somewhat since Miranda first arrived on the Normandy, but between the operative's presence and the fear that their last, best chance to win the war might be slipping away, they were on edge.

Liara was no exception and feeling her bondmate's nervousness, Shepard squeezed the asari's hand a little tighter. Their love-making seemed to have partially calmed whatever it was that had consumed her that night, but the Shadow Broker was still acting oddly. She had been working in the Spectre's cabin instead of her own office whenever she could, and she continued to be more openly affectionate in front of the crew. Shepard didn't exactly mind the extra time with her beloved, but she wished she understood what had come over the asari.

"You ready, Liara?"

"Indeed." The Shadow Broker was putting on her own battle face, her doubts replaced with the same hard eyes that had stared down rogue Spectres and Cerberus agents. "We have been given a second chance. I very much doubt we will get a third one. I will not let you down."

"Nobody will." From across the shuttle, Garrus shot a glare at the woman sitting on the other side of Shepard before adding coldly, "Not even you."

Miranda snorted. "Don't worry. I have more motivation to get this right than anyone. What do you think the Illusive Man will do if he gets his hands on me?"

Shepard hadn't exactly been thrilled to bring the operative along, but her knowledge of Cerberus data protocols might prove to be vital on this mission. They've tracked the clone to Hendril in the Athena Nebula. Alliance intelligence reported the existence of a Cerberus base there a month ago, but because of it's remote location and the fact that they thought it was just a research facility, it had been a low priority target.

Obviously, that had changed. The mission parameters called for Shepard to lead her team in through the front door while Tali, Javik, and James Vega deployed near the landing strip. Though the Normandy could shoot down a ship trying to get off base, they needed to recover any data that Cerberus might be trying to escape with, which meant a secondary team had to be in position in order to cut off the escape route. Normally, Shepard liked to keep her squad small, but sometimes, like at the Collector Base, it was all hands on deck. Well, in this case all but one hand…

The previous night:

Ashley sat down on the small bed in her quarters, pulling off her boots and socks with a weary sigh. Tomorrow morning the rest of her squad would be heading off on the Normandy's most important mission since Rannoch, maybe even since Ilos. Not Ashley though. She still hadn't been deemed fit for active duty, meaning she'll be sitting here filing reports like a damn desk jockey.

She was just getting ready to lie down for some sack time when the knock came on her door and a quick, "Who's there?", produced the smiling figure of Samantha Traynor standing in the entrance.

"Hey, Ash," the specialist asked nervously, "I saw you heading off duty a few minutes ago. Can I come in?"

"Why not?" The marine managed a smile in return. "If I'm going to sit here feeling sorry for myself, I might as well not do it alone."

Samantha sat down next to the Spectre on the bed. "Why so glum?"

"I should be going with them tomorrow," Ashley said despondently. "I was the one who screwed up on Thessia. I need to help fix it now."

"Doctor Chakwas wouldn't clear you, huh?"

Ashley shook her head. "Not a chance. She said my wound could reopen if any real pressure got put on it. It'll be another four, five days minimum before I can get back in action."

"Aw, poor Ashley." Sam laughed, running her hand warmly over the Spectre's shoulder. "Denied the chance to mix it up again with a psychotic clone of the galaxy's deadliest soldier."

"You don't understand," Ashley snapped, pulling away. "You're not a marine. There's a code. You don't leave your squad to go without out."

"You're right," Sam replied and Ashley could hear a real fear in her voice, "I don't get it. I'm not like you, Ash. I'm just a lab geek in over her head, and is it so wrong that I don't want my girlfriend going back into battle when she's still torn up from the last one?"

A little smile crept up the corners of Ashley's lips. "Girlfriend, huh? You've never called me that before."

Samantha blushed, a quite pretty sight in Ashley's humble opinion. "I guess I was hoping you'd agree with me on that one. It feels like things have been going so well lately. Was I wrong?"

"Nah, they have." Ashley shook her head. "Listen, I didn't mean to be a bitch before. I'm glad you're here."

"Good." Sam moved closer to Ashley, her hip resting against the Spectre, "Because I was hoping I could take your mind off all of this for a little while." She ran her tongue nervously over her lips. "I know we've been taking it slow, but…"

Ashley reached across and put a hand on her new girlfriend's knee. She'd been the one who wanted them to take their time, still getting used to this new relationship, but she really needed a break from all the shit going on. "It's okay, Sam," she offered, "Show me what you've got."

"You won't be disappointed," Samantha promised, trying to stop herself from drooling. She'd been crushing hard for months and the opportunity to be the sexy Spectre's first girl damn near had her creaming her panties. Reaching over, she took Ashley's head in her hands and guided their lips together.

Lt. Commander Williams had to admit the girl knew how to kiss. They'd shared a few already, but those had been relative chaste, exploratory kisses. This was something else. Sam slid past her lips, caressing Ashley's tongue with her own while her hands ran through the Spectre's long, dark hair. Ashley moaned into Specialist Traynor's mouth and already, she could feel her body flushing with arousal. They'd all been under such intense stress these last few months, with little time to find relief, and she suspected that Sam might be just what she needed.

Breaking the kiss, Sam brushed back Ashley's hair, allowing her to nibble lightly on one of her ears. She didn't want to go too fast and spook the inexperienced Spectre, and besides, this was a matter of pride. Sam was representing her gender here and she was bloody well going to do a good job of it.

Samantha kept up her kisses, her lips playing along the Spectre's neck and face while her hands ran along her shoulders and tangled in her hair. The specialist had an uncanny insight into how to drive Ashley crazy and after a few minutes of her teasing treatment, she'd been pushed past her patience.

With a growl, Ashley reached over and started unbuttoning Sam's uniform. She might not have done this before with a woman, but she still knew how to go for what she wanted. Throwing open her girlfriend's shirt, she got her first good look at the specialist's breasts. They were perfect, she thought. A little bigger than her own, plump and round, but not so big that they sagged; they were only barely contained by a lacy, black bra.

"Feeling optimistic, were you?", Ashley joked at the sight of the lingerie.

"Just confidant," the specialist replied playfully, unhooking the bra herself before taking Ashley's hand and placing it on her breast. The orb was soft but firm in the Spectre's hand, an interesting contrast with the muscled chests of the guys she'd been with in the past. It was far more sensitive too, and when she gave it an experimental squeeze, the specialist gasped.

"Go on," Sam urged, "Play with them."

Ashley complied, sliding her thumb over a nipple she could already feel hardening against her palm. She stroked the dark bud and Sam sighed happily. "Very good, Ash. You want a taste?"

She really did. Samantha lifted up her other breast and Ashley bent down, planting a tentative kiss on the soft flesh. The specialist's chest arched into the contact and thus encouraged, Ashley moved up to the stiff nipple, licking away at the tip.

Ashley's technique was inexperienced, but the sheer erotic power of watching the gorgeous Spectre pleasuring her was enough to drive Sam crazy with lust. Her hand pressed against Ashley's head, and the Spectre took the hint, pulling the nipple between her lips and sucking on it.

For a minute, Sam leaned back and just enjoyed Ashley's mouth on her, but she was too eager for more of the Spectre to wait for long. Gently guiding Ashley's head back, she went to undo the marine's shirt, pleased with herself for not fumbling the job too badly in her arousal. Ashley's bra was a lot plainer, a simple grey affair, but once she got it off, Sam was more than happy with the view.

The Spectre's body was fantastic, perfectly toned abs sitting below the firm curves of her breasts, not an ounce of excess fat anywhere on her torso There was however a bandage over the spot where the clone had stabbed her and Sam hesitated when she saw it.

"Are you okay to go on?", she asked, stroking the skin above the wound lightly.

"Yeah," Ashley assured her. "Just be careful. Doc says not to put too much pressure on it."

Sam nodded and she gently pushed Ashley back onto the bed, lying down next to the Spectre.

As Sam's warm hands and tongue started to move over her torso and breasts, Ashley realized what a novice she must have seemed like to the more experienced woman. The specialist was so very good at this, her teeth applying just the right amount of pressure to her nipples, her soft hands stroking, fondling, and caressing everywhere while still careful to avoid her injury.

"You have a lot of practice?", she asked playfully, feeling a little self-conscious of her own deficiencies in that area.

"Not in a while," Sam confessed while her hand started to work it's way up Ashley's pant leg. "But you should have seen me when I was at university. I was a bloody terror."

"I'd rather see you now," Ashley laughed.

"You're on." Sam stood up from the bed and unbuttoned her pants, pushing them down along with her black lace underwear. Underneath, her dark skin was completely bare and Ashley could see her arousal glistening on the lips of her pussy.

"More optimism?", she asked at the sight of the shaved specialist and Sam cheekily responded, "Just being prepared."

Tentatively, the Spectre reached out and started to run her fingers over Sam's labia. She wasn't totally sure what to do here, but she knew how to get herself off well enough and she figured that was a good place to start. Parting the specialist's slick folds, she probed her new lover, trying to find her clit. It was trickier on somebody else though, and, reaching down, Sam took her hand and guided it up to her bud.

Once Sam removed her hand, the Spectre started tracing circles around the hard clit. That pattern always worked for her and Sam seemed to like it well enough as well, making these little whimpering sounds that Ashley found totally adorable not to mention highly arousing. The tips of the marine's fingers were wet and she found herself curious to taste the specialist. Bringing her hand up to her lips, she ran her tongue over her digits. The flavor was thick and tangy and when she tried it, the specialist looked down at Ashley mischievously.

"You want more?", she asked, spreading herself wide to give the Spectre a better view of her sex.

Ashley's response was to sit up and take Sam's exposed clit between her lips. The little bud was throbbing in her mouth, and the Spectre was pleased by the effect she seemed to be having. Remembering something she had enjoyed once, she sucked gently on the clitoris while running her tongue up and down it's length and Sam's hips bucked against her in reply. The marine ran a hand over the slight swell of her lover's stomach, enjoying the way the muscles there tensed up in response to her ministrations.

Sam groaned with pleasure, rocking back and forth against Ashley's mouth. For a novice, the Spectre was pretty damn good, her enthusiasm making up for any lack of practice. Sam was getting close but she usually found it difficult to climax without a little penetration to help her along and stroking her lover's hair, she begged, "Fuck me, Ash. Please."

The marine tilted her head up, the sudden loss of stimulation leaving Sam's clit trembling needily. "Fuck you?", Ashley asked, slightly confused.

"With your fingers." Samantha had frequently fantasized about the marine taking her with a strap-on, but for tonight, her hand would do quite nicely.

"Right. Of course." Ashley took two fingers and brought them up to Sam's entrance. It was covered in her arousal and the Spectre had no difficulty pushing them inside her lover. Sam's whole body jerked when she did, arching with pleasure, and Ashley started fucking her, trying to set up a steady rhythm. When she felt like she had a handle on it, she brought her mouth back to Sam's clit as well, licking her while she fucked her pussy.

Sam's grip tightened around her lover's head, moaning more loudly than might be advisable in such close quarters but not quite caring. She cupped her own breast with her other hand, rolling her nipple between her fingers, desperate for every last little bit of stimulation she could get. Ash's tongue pressed against the head of her clit and Sam looked down into the marine's dark eyes. It was too much. The sight of her superior officer beneath her on the edge of the bed, eating her out, was incredible. Her legs went wobbly as she found her release, her hips bucking uncontrollably as her pussy clenched around Ashley's hand.

When Sam stopped shaking, Ashley withdrew her fingers, now covered in her lover's release. She licked them clean once more, enjoying the heavier dose of the intriguing flavor. Sam tumbled down onto the bed next to her and Ash gave the specialist a passionate kiss. "I do okay?", she asked with a laugh.

"You did great," Sam reassured her. "Now lie back and get ready for your reward."

Ashley stretched out as best she could on the small bed, trying to make sure to leave room for her girlfriend. Sam unfastened the Spectre's pants, and beneath them, there was a large wet spot on her grey underwear. "Having fun?", she asked, stroking her finger over Ash's clothed sex.

"Can't help it," the Spectre gritted out through the surge of pleasure, "You're so hot when you're… fuck, when you're coming."

"I see." Sam slid the underwear off, planting a string of kisses along the marine's inner thigh. "I wonder what you'll sound like?"

Ashley found herself intently curious about the same thing as Sam's fingers tangled through the dark hair above her sex. Her mouth made its way to her entrance, probing inside it with quick, darting strokes. Ashley clutched at the sheets and Sam parted her folds, revealing the swollen head of her clit. She stroked the hard point lovingly, and Ashley released a burst of fluid into her mouth. It was rich and musky, and Sam eagerly lapped it up. She didn't want to be too greedy though, and she switched her mouth up to Ash's clit, licking up and down it's shaft. One hand reached up to Ashley's breast, stroking the nipple while she took the marine's clit between her full lips.

As Sam suckled her clit, Ashley could tell the specialist was good but it almost didn't matter. She'd been so long without this kind of relief that she was already coming undone, dirty talk spilling out of her as she approached climax. "Fuck, Sam," she babbled, "You're so good at this, such a good little pussy eater, so cute when you… goddamn it." The specialist had pinched her nipple and was speeding up her strokes. "Shit, Sam, I'm gonna…" Samantha sucked hard on her clit and the marine peaked, her release spilling out of her, and the specialist dropped her mouth down so she could drink it in. It was quite a flood and when she finished, Sam sat up and licked her lips ostentatiously.

"So, I'm good, am I?", she purred as she lay down next to her lover.

"Fucking amazing. Sorry if I got a little mouthy there. When I'm close, I'm not exactly a poet."

"Don't worry," Sam grinned happily. "I like hearing you like that."

"So, does that mean you'd want another go with a novice like me," she asked. "Or did you just want to take my lesbian cherry and run?"

"Not a chance," Sam replied, placing a kiss on the Spectre's lips. Ash could taste herself there, but that didn't bother her, not as good as she was feeling just then. "In fact, I wouldn't mind staying a while if you'll have me."

"It's a tight fit," Ashley cautioned her, but as Sam snuggled up against her on the small bed, the Spectre suspected her lover didn't mind.

Sorry for just giving a little teaser of the mission, but I hope the Sam/Ash sexy times make up for it. Oh and by the way, because of the somewhat different Mars mission, Dr. Eva's body was never co-opted for EDI's use, hence she's not around to help out with Cerberus protocols instead of Miranda.

Update: For some reason, created a clone of Chapter 5 and posted it as Chapter 6. I deleted it, but it seems to have sent out update notices. Sorry about that. A real chapter 6 is in the works.