"Hmm that's one way to celebrate, I was expecting champagne and cheesy movies." Sam stated as she rested her head against Shepard's chest.
"You're telling me that you'd prefer that to what we just did?" Shepard asked wrapping her arms around Sam.
"No not at all." Sam said her voice muffled by Shepard.
"Good. I'm a Captain now one step up the military ladder." Shepard stated.
"That's how these things work yes." Sam said moving her head to look at Shepard's face directly.
"One more and I'm where my mum was…I am the rank that my dad was." Shepard continued.
"This time though Anderson won't be there with me." Shepard sighed.
"But I will and so will everyone else." Sam promised.
Shepard smiled "You just can't let me mope can you?" She complained.
"Nope, I love you too much to see you mope." Sam said moving up so she could nuzzle into Shepard's neck.
The following morning the two of them were awakened early by EDI, (well early for what they had been used to over the past few days at least.)
"Shepard, Traynor wake up." EDI ordered.
"No EDI five more minutes." Shepard begged.
"I wouldn't recommend that Captain, some of the crew are arriving here in an hour or so to pick up Specialist Traynor, so I recommend that you both get ready." EDI explained.
"Bloody AI." Sam muttered as she removed herself from Shepard's grip.
After taking separate showers, Sam and Shepard were in their bedroom getting ready.
"I wonder how everyone will react." Sam said throwing her Alliance top on.
"Well Ash already knows I'm a bit worried about everyone else." Shepard explained drying her hair.
"I'm sure everyone will be happy, Joker especially I won't be bothering him anymore." Sam said handing Shepard her top.
"Oh? Why were you bothering him so much?" Shepard asked.
"Joker was the only other crewman awake during the nightshifts that Specialist Traynor preferred since your absence Commander in fact, Traynor's sleep levels have fallen by 49.76%." EDI interrupted.
"Damn AI monitoring everything." Sam muttered as Shepard took her hands.
"You missed me." Shepard stated.
"Of course I did!" Sam replied.
"good…I missed you to." Shepard whispered kissing her.
Soon after the two of them were sitting on the sofa, with Ace sitting near the feet of Sam who had one arm around Shepard and one scratching Ace's ear.
"Hmm when do you think they'll get here?" Shepard asked not really paying attention to what was on TV.
"no idea." Sam replied sitting back once Ace had moved around.
Almost instantly after Sam had said that there was knocking on the door. "And the peace is shattered." Shepard complained as Ace started to bark.
"I'll get the door don't want Garrus to die of shock right away." Sam said standing up.
"Shh Ace it's ok." Sam said as he continued barking at the door.
Sam sighed and opened it "Hey guys." Sam said as Garrus, Tali, Ash and James all smiled back.
"Hey Sam how are you holding up?" Garrus asked.
"Better thanks, come in." Sam said Ace moved forward and started sniffing around.
"He's harmless." Sam said noticing Garrus' worry. Garrus simply nodded and made his way into the house with Tali and James behind him, Ashley stayed in the doorway wanting to talk.
"Sam listen I." Ashley started but was cut short by Sam slapping her "Yeah I deserve that." Ashley laughed rubbing her cheek.
"I really want to be angry with you…but I can't." Sam sighed.
"Good and I'll over look you attacking a superior officer." Ashley smiled.
"Well I think I'm in the good books of a certain superior officer." Sam stated as she let Ashley in.
"I'm sure…How has she been?" Ashley asked.
"well…" Sam started but was cut off by James yelling.
"ASH,SAM you guys need to be in here."
The two women smiled and entered the living room, and saw Tali fussing over Shepard and Garrus and James in total silence.
"It's damn good to see you guys." Shepard said with tears in her eyes.
"We thought you were dead Shep." Tali explained.
"Sam's barely spoken." James said
"Ok everyone can we not tell my girlfriend how bad I've been recently please?" Sam begged.
Ashley put her hand on her shoulder and stepped forward. "Lieutenant Commander Ashley Williams, relinquishing command to the Normandy SR-2 written officer." She said saluting.
Shepard smiled and saluted back "You are relived Lieutenant Commander Williams."
"Welcome back Shep." Garrus said hugging her.
"I'm sorry to interrupt everyone but the Normandy is due to leave in twenty minutes, if you all are going to be on the ship then you are going to have to leave soon." EDI explained.
"EDI's right let's go." Ashley said trying too get everyone out of the house.
There was a few minutes of silence during the flight to the docking bay.
Shepard sighed as she stood by the door to the Normandy.
"You ready to come home?" Sam asked intertwining their hands.
"Yeah I am." Shepard said opening the door and once again stepping aboard the Normandy.
A/N : Next time we see Shepard re-connect with the rest of the crew and see who is the Normandy's Psychological officer spoken about last chapter.