"Shepard. Good to see you." Anderson offered a warm, welcoming grin as he walked into the human embassy. Shepard nodded to his former captain, a shy smile fighting its way onto his lips. Anderson had a way of making him feel at home. "Sit down. How's the mission coming? Still deadlocked?"

"Yes, sir." Shepard sighed, readily taking a glass of amber liquid that was offered to him. Anderson sat across from him, settling back comfortably and waiting for Shepard to expand. "You were right about Saren. He's a tricky bastard."

"That he is." Anderson murmured. Shepard took a hearty swig of what he distinguished as scotch. The captain arched a brow. "Long day?"

"Long month." Shepard said simply, shrugging a little and setting his glass down guiltily. The last thing he needed was a lecture on responsible drinking.

"Mhmm. Watch that, Shepard. I know how you try to wash it away." Anderson's voice was serious, concerned. His eyes glanced over the commander. "You look like shit, kid. When was the last time you shaved?"

Shepard stared at him, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. "I'm keeping it trimmed down." Mostly.

"Just shave, damn it. The first human Spectre is going to look like a homeless man soon enough." Shepard gave up and rolled his eyes. Anderson frowned. "Chakwas has been in contact. You holding up alright? I heard about Edolus."

"I'm fine, Anderson. Just had a rough spot."

The captain sighed. "I'm not going to tell you how to deal with your past, Owen. But you have a lot on your plate. If you need help, you know I'll do what I can."

Shepard nodded. "I know. I'm fine though." He said shortly. Anderson seemed to want to say more, but decided against it. The captain simply gave a small nod. "I'm in this. I need to catch Saren. I feel like we're so close to puzzling this all out..." A hand fidgeted through his hair in frustration. "Any rumors coming through the Citadel that might help?"

"Afraid not. I'll keep you updated though. As soon as I find anything new, you'll be the first to know. Just keep at it, Owen. I know you'll catch the bastard." Once again, his captain's unwavering faith in him caught Shepard off guard. He shifted a little uncomfortably in his chair, letting out a grunt of thanks. "Now, Hackett told me he's on Cerberus. Whatever they're up to, we'll find out." Anderson sighed heavily, his expression pained. "Rear Admiral Kahoku will receive a full military funeral back on Earth." The captain shook his head. "He was a good man, a strong leader. He shouldn't have gone out like this."

Shepard nodded. "I'm sorry we didn't make it there sooner."

Anderson held up a hand. "Enough of that. You did good work, Shepard. Hackett will let you know if we need you anymore on this, but for now, focus on Saren. He's still your priority." Shepard nodded, taking a swig of his scotch. It felt good to know the Alliance was going to go after Cerberus. Whatever they were trying to find from their experiments, it wasn't worth the lives of marines. The captain leaned forward, a smirk on his face. "So, how's the old girl doing? I hope you've managed to keep her hull free of holes."

Shepard snorted, opening his mouth to answer but the door catching his eye as it opened with a swish.

"Hey, Shepard. Ready to get that drink you owe me?" Ashley locked her eyes with his as she strode into the room, smiling as she saw him. The commander widened his eyes, looking to an amused Anderson. Ashley followed his gaze as the captain turned around, then snapped her hand up in a prompt salute. "Captain Anderson! I didn't see you there, sir. They told me Shep- the Commander was up here. Sorry, I'll just…" Anderson's brow was raised curiously, his face impassive.

"At ease, Chief. We're almost done." Anderson's deep voice held laughter, and the soldier simply nodded, understanding the dismissal and snapping another quick salute before hurrying out the door. The captain looked back to Shepard. His brow was furrowed critically.

Shepard slumped. "What?"

"You know what." Shepard stared at him blankly, and Anderson shook his head. "She was a little too casual with you, and she knows it."

"You know I'm not big on titles." Shepard frowned.

"The Alliance is." Anderson leaned back, watching him with that disappointed frown Shepard thought he saved just for him. "Watch that with her too. She's not some civilian you met on leave, Owen. She's under your command. She can't be one of your vices."

"It's not like that. We…" His hand ruffled his hair nervously, unsure what to say. Shame flooded him at the captain's words. Is that what I'm doing with her? Using her to make me feel better? "She's a friend. I wouldn't use her like that." Shepard frowned at the doubtful look on Anderson's face. It's not like he had actually done anything wrong. Talking to your crew wasn't off limits. "Ash…Chief Williams. She's a good soldier, and she's helped me through this. I'm not going to mess up either of our careers by doing something stupid." Anderson's eyes widened a little. "What?"

"Damn, Shepard." The older man's eyes were warm, smiling now as he looked a little bemused. He shook his head at Shepard's confused face. "Just be careful. You need to stay focused on the mission."

"I am, sir. Completely."

"Good." Anderson stood, and Shepard mimicked the gesture. His old captain slapped him on the back. "Alright, get out of here. I'll keep you updated on anything I find out." He gave the commander another smile. "You've come a long way. Just keep at it, you'll get it done." Shepard nodded, offering a quick salute and waving a goodbye as he walked out the door. He glanced down the hall, flushing a little as he saw her.

Ashley was pacing a little frantically, a contrast to her usually solid appearance. Obviously the run-in with Anderson had flustered her. He frowned, feeling guilty. They had been spending more time together since Edolus – just talking, joking around, a little innocent flirting. She made him feel lighter, made everything a little easier. He knew it was against Alliance regs, but he wanted to be around her. As long as they kept from crossing that boundary… The woman stopped pacing, obviously noticing his presence. She spun towards him and her eyes softened slightly.

"Shepard… Commander." She caught herself, taking a few tentative steps forward. "I'm sorry I barged in there like that. I should have known you wouldn't be alone. It was stupid." She scoffed, shaking her head. "Sometimes it's a wonder how I speak at all around the foot in my mouth." Shepard smiled, and she seemed to be comforted by it.

"Ash, don't worry about it. It was nothing."

"But Shepard…" She frowned at him. "Am I the only one that feels like we've been caught reneging on duty?"

The Spectre sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "No. We're going to have to talk, I think. But right now we're off duty anyways. And I think I owe you a drink." He smirked a little, and searched her brown eyes. She seemed uncertain. "If you still want to." He muttered, frowning.

"Jeez, Shepard. I didn't say no. Stop looking like I stole your ice cream." Ashley rolled her eyes and started towards the door. "Come on." Shepard grinned and followed. They might have to worry later about what was going on between them, but for right now he was more than content to enjoy her company. And when she glanced over her shoulder at him, smiling warmly at his eager, boyish expression… Goddamn, she's gorgeous. He rubbed a hand over his hair, trying to clear his head. He couldn't cross that line.

"Where are we headed?" He asked as she approached a cab.

"Flux. I think a couple of the others were headed there, seems as good a place as any to celebrate." She shrugged, climbing in. The commander followed her, trying to keep a comfortable distance between them as he sat in the car.

"Celebrate what?" He asked as the cabbie started off towards their destination, gliding over the Presidium towards the Wards.

"Armistice Day!" Ashley looked at him like he had grown a second head. "Don't tell me you don't celebrate it."

"I, uh…" Shepard looked at her a little nervously. He knew what it was, of course. The end of the First Contact War wasn't that long ago. But he hadn't realized it was a big party holiday, and he had completely forgotten it was today. "I didn't realize it was something you were supposed to celebrate."

"Of course it is." Ashley glared at him. "For that, you owe me two drinks. It's a big deal in my family. Dad would always sit us down and go over the battles granddad was a part of. We made it into a drinking game when we got old enough." She grinned at the memory, and Shepard smiled with her.

"You'll have to teach me how that goes." He laughed, climbing out of the skycar as it came to a stop. He walked around to her side, opening the door.

"Oh, come on, Shepard." She swatted away his hand as he offered it to her. "This again? I'm more than capable of opening my own doors." She climbed out, straightening her shirt a little and shouldering past him towards the club. He laughed.

"Sorry, just trying to help out a lady in need." He smirked. He knew he was pushing it, testing the border between professional and something else, but it was too damn fun.

She glared at him. "Is that how you see me? Some delicate flower?" She turned towards him, taking steps backwards as they approached Flux's entrance. Shepard laughed, his green eyes dancing over her defiant pose. She reached up to her hair and pulled it free from her usual bun, shaking it out as she waited for an answer. He slowed a little as he took her in: hair down, hand on her hip, with a look that dared him to continue. His heart raced.

"Delicate wouldn't be the word I'd pick." He murmured, trying and failing to prevent his eyes from wandering. When he made his way back up to her face, she met his gaze head on.

"Commander, were you just checking me out?" The soldier taunted, her voice laced with humor as she fought to keep her face serious. She took a step towards him. Shepard cleared his throat.

"What? I was just…" He rubbed his neck, racking his brain for some excuse for his stupidity. Boundaries, asshole. "Definitely not, Chief."

"Right." Ashley grinned, unconvinced, and walked towards the door. Shepard followed her in, simultaneously chastising himself internally and trying very hard not to watch the obvious sashay the soldier had fallen into as she walked towards the bar. Apparently she had no problem dancing along the border of what was professionally appropriate either. His hand ran through his hair, watching her command the attention of the bartender and attract looks from the men seated nearby. "Two shots of tequila, and keep them coming. He's paying." She grinned at him as he squeezed his way to the bar, elbowing a particularly disappointed patron who was edging his way closer to the soldier.

"Tequila? You don't hold back on Armistice Day." Shepard offered the barman his credit chit as he came back with their shots.

"I don't hold back ever." Ashley gave him a wicked grin. Shepard choked a little in surprise. "You should know that by now." She laughed at his stunned expression and grabbed her glass, holding it up to him. "To the Normandy. Dad would've been proud to know the Williams were serving shipboard again."

"The Normandy." Shepard echoed her toast, clinking his shot to hers and knocking it back in a smooth motion. The burn was familiar, smooth and gut-warming. It brought him back to basic, to the Macapa training facility. To the nights out dancing in Brazil when they were able to steal off for a few hours of leave. It was a better time, when he was young and eager and more than willing to spend a night shooting back tequila with beautiful women. Ashley slammed down her glass and waved over the bartender, who obligingly filled their drinks. "What do you mean he would have been?"

"He passed a few years back." Her voice quieted and she shrugged. Shepard cursed himself.

"Sorry. The way you talk about him usually, I thought he was still around…"

"Yeah, I know. I guess I sort of think he's always with me, you know? Looking down from heaven." She smiled, and he was amazed by how easily she talked about it. She seemed so… at peace? It was foreign to him. Ashley grabbed her second shot. "He's keeping an eye on things. So you better behave yourself." She raised her glass to him, and he laughed.

"I'll make sure to do that. To your father." Ashley smiled as he rose his toast, her brown eyes softening. They clinked glasses and tipped back their second shots. "It sounds like he was a good man." He continued, once he was finished savoring the punch the tequila gave him.

"The best. He was patient, and kind. He always said he was so proud of us." She leaned against the bar, smiling. "He worked so hard. He didn't raise high in rank, but he never gave up on the Alliance." She paused. "'Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will, To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.'" She sighed. "He tried so hard. But the old Williams' curse got him." Her hand waved the bartender over again.

"Williams' curse?" Shepard frowned, then backtracked. "Wait, did you just recite poetry?"

"Oh, shut up. I can be sensitive." She shoved him playfully. Shepard grinned. "Tennyson's Ulysses. It was Dad's favorite. He was always into the sappy poets."

"They've got some good thoughts." Shepard smiled, surprised by this newly revealed part of her. "What's this curse?" He repeated, catching her dodge.

"They're alright. A bunch of sappy romantics. I'm more of a Whitman girl, myself." Ashley sighed as he repeated the question. "You really don't know then?"

Shepard gave her a quizzical look. "Don't know what? Your family run into some nasty asari witches?" Ashley hit him again. "Ouch! Violence!" He laughed, and she shook her head.

"No. It's my granddad." She sighed, reaching for the newly filled glass.

"What about him? I thought you said he fought in the First Contact War?"

"He did. Well, he did more than fight, really." She looked at him a little suspiciously. "How can you not know? All of my commanders have known."

"Sorry. I didn't pay much attention during history class, I guess." Shepard shrugged, and Ashley gave an exasperated sigh.

"General Williams, commander of the garrison at Shanxi and the first human to surrender to an alien race." She revealed, quickly picking up her glass and shooting it back. Shepard stood silent for a minute.

"Oh." He said lamely. Ashley deadpanned, and he grabbed his drink, following suit as he shot it back. She looked defeated. "From what I understand, they were getting decimated at Shanxi. He had no choice, he pulled out to save his men."

"Yeah, well, most people aren't that forgiving in their assessment." Ashley sighed. Shepard frowned. He felt the tequila begin to warm him, flood his veins with liquid courage. He reached out, placing a hand on her arm.

"Ash, if your father or you were held back because of one decision made by your ancestor, it's not right." He murmured. She looked at him critically, trying to decide if he was being truthful. "Is that why you push yourself so hard? Your scores, the way you fight… You work twice as hard as most of the marines I know."

Ashley shrugged, looking away. The bartender had already preemptively filled their glasses, he noticed. "A Williams has to be better than the best, if only to avoid suspicion." She recited, picking up her glass again. "Dad always used to say that."

"You are better, Ash. And you deserve better. You're too damn good to be stuck at Gunnery Chief." He raised his glass to her. "To the end of the Williams curse. We find Saren, I'm damn sure you'll be getting a promotion."

Ashley beamed at him. "I'll drink to that." They clinked glasses, and shot number four slid down his throat. The tequila was strong, and he was starting to feel fuzzy. The flush on her cheeks hinted that she was feeling the same. Suddenly, she grasped his wrist and he stiffened in surprise. "Come on, let's dance."

"Oh, hell no." Shepard laughed, shaking his head vehemently. The bass was pounding, and admittedly the atmosphere was infectious. People of every species were out on the dance floor, rocking hypnotically to whatever new techno-rhythm was popular this month on the Citadel. Ashley tugged at him. "You really do not want to see me dance."

"You can't be that bad. Guys just have to stand and wiggle."

"Yeah, well, I am that bad." He snorted. Ashley thrust another drink into his hand.

"Well now I have to see." She said simply. So damn stubborn. "Drink up. I think we're both going to need a little liquid courage for this." Shepard sighed, shooting the tequila before allowing her to drag him towards the moving crowd. She began to move rhythmically, her hips swaying in time with the music. She smiled at him, eyes daring as she moved. It was sensuous, seductive. She knew exactly what she was doing, playing and teasing and daring him to cross the line. He exhaled a little heavily. She pulled him deeper into the crowd. Really damn stubborn.

"You have to at least try to move." Ashley laughed, stepping towards him. She tossed her hair back as she got close, close enough to smell the tequila on her breath and the warm, spiced scent of what he assumed was her perfume. He held his breath. Fuck. Boundaries. Big, important boundaries. She danced in front of him, swaying and rolling as her hands traveled up his arms. "Come on, just move. How do you think you're going to get the ladies if you can't even dance?" She laughed. "Here." Her hands guided his to her hips. "Move with me, feel the rhythm."

It was intoxicating. The tequila, the bass, the feel of her moving under his hands. Her face was inches from his, her warm eyes twinkling with laughter, full lips parting in a smile. Shit. So many boundaries. Her hands found their way back up his arms, leaving goosebumps in their wake. They ran over his broad shoulders before resting around his neck, and suddenly she was closer, brushing him subtlety with her body. He closed his eyes, resisting the urge to tighten his grip and pull her against him. He attempted to focus on his own movements, trying to dance along with her and succeeding his usual awkward shuffle.

"You really weren't kidding, were you? You're horrible at this." Ashley laughed, but she didn't pull back. Her eyes were lit dangerously.

"I warned you." He murmured, his voice lower than he expected.

"Don't worry, we'll find a way to teach you." Her voice held a promise that got his heart racing. A hand trailed its way from the back of his neck down his chest, and he inhaled sharply. Fucking boundaries. His hands tightened their grip reflexively and she gasped.

"Ash…" His voice was low, rasping. "What are we doing?"

"Drinking and dancing." She said simply. Her hands snaked their way back around his neck, fingers tickling the edge of his thick hair. He suppressed a groan. "Perfectly acceptable behavior for off-duty marines." She continued moving beneath his hands. He was on fire. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. Her breath tickled his chin as her body was pressed to his. She looked up at him, fingers curling their way into the thick hair on the back of his head, brown eyes lit with that constantly daring look. He groaned, and leaned forward.

Fuck boundaries.

"Commander Shepard! Oh, wow. It's so great to see you again!" Shepard stopped short, some of the tequila haze clearing. Ashley frowned, then took a step back. He missed her warmth. His eyes searched for the intruder, his fists clenching as they fell away from her. "After you helped my fight off those last couple of thugs, I didn't know if I'd see you again. My wife was so impressed with your autograph." The Spectre found his target, and he hit the blonde man with an intense glare. You have to be shitting me.

"What do you want, Conrad?" He growled. Ashley stared at the small man with knives in her eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Commander. I know you're very busy. I just had to see you though, make sure you were in safe company." He glanced suspiciously at Ashley, turning his back to her. His hand came up to block his mouth as he lowered his voice to a whisper. "You never know where assassination attempts are going to come from."

"You're kidding." Ashley stared at him. "Is this idiot serious?" Shepard rolled his eyes and shrugged. Ashley snorted in disbelief.

"Don't worry, Commander. I'm keeping an eye out for you." Verner continued, apparently oblivious to the soldier's comment. "Hey, can I ask you a favor? The guys at work don't believe I've helped you-"

"You haven't."

"Oh, I know. Officially, we have to keep it quiet. But do you think I can get a picture with you? As your biggest fan, of course." Conrad's face was as serious as ever. Shepard frowned as Ashley laughed out loud.

"Conrad, I don't know…"

"Please? It will just take a moment, I promise."

Shepard sighed in exasperation. "Fine."

"Oh, wow. Thanks, Commander! You're the greatest." Verner shuffled beside him, holding out his arm and activating his omnitool so it snapped a quick photo of them. The club was dark, so hopefully any picture Conrad did receive would leave him unrecognizable. "Perfect! This will be great to show everyone. Oh, my wife is going to be so excited. I'm so happy I saw you again. I'll keep an eye out here on the Citadel while you're doing important Spectre business. Don't worry, I have your back!" He gave one last enthusiastic wave and ran off, mission completed. He glanced to where Ashley had been standing a moment before but found her absent. Shepard sighed, a hand running though his hair.

Fucking Conrad.