A/N : Merry Christmas to all of you, I hope you will enjoy this chapter and will continue reading into the new year.
Sam was woken up by the sunlight leaking into the room "No" Sam mumbled and rolled over to her side throwing her arms over Shepard in the process.
"Hey, good morning" Shepard said sleepily
"morning. I'm so glad you're here and it wasn't a dream" Sam said giving voice to her fear
"Hey" Shepard said firmly while pulling Sam ontop of her so their eyes met
"I'm not going anywhere, literally I've got to report to the Alliance for my debrief before I can go back to the Normandy"
"Is that what you want? I mean you have a chance to settle down" Sam asked
"I think we both know that if I don't have anything to do I'll go crazy, besides even if I leave the Alliance I'll still be a SPECTRE and that's a responsibility that isn't easily cast aside" Shepard explained
"Fair enough perhaps but what about Ace? We can't just leave him unattended"
"got that sorted, I pulled some favours and got Oriana Lawson admitted to the Univetrsity of British Columbia that way I also offered her accommodation in the spare room so she can look after Ace while we're off on assignment"
"and what about when we aren't? She'll be here with us Shepard"
"Got that sorted to when we have shore leave, Oriana's agreed to move to the accommodation on campus just while we're here"
Sam sighed "it just seems unfair that we have to keep moving her"
"Hey her sister came up with the plan not me"
"Her sister you mean Miranda?" Sam asked she recalled Miranda from that party on the Citadel
"Yeah this way she knows where Oriana is and if something does go wrong it's near the Alliance headquarters which should be able to help her"
once again Sam sighed "fine, I'll go along with this"
Shepard smiled and planted a light kiss on Sam's lips "thank you"
They spent a few seconds just looking into one another's eyes content with their situation that was until Shepard's stomach growled "Heh, fancy some breakfast?"