"Commander Shepard." Hackett greeted him in his usual monotone. Shepard nodded, arms coming to clasp each other behind his back. "We think we've found the location of Cerberus' main base. I want you to take them out."

"We're on it. Where are they?" He replied instantly. The commander was alert, pushed out of the mild whisky haze and at attention.

"Voyageur Cluster, on a planet called Nepheron in the Columbia system. I'll send over coordinates" Hackett said, straight to the point. Shepard nodded.

"We'll set off now."

"Good. Commander, be prepared for a strong defensive force. Cerberus knows you're coming – count on it. I know you have a personal stake in this, but don't let it make you rash." Hackett warned. Shepard glowered. Real nice.

"We'll get it done, sir."

"Let me know when you do." Hacket replied simply, unimpressed as always by bravado. "Hackett out."

Shepard was filled with purpose. His stride towards the door was taken in just a few paces. He made his way across the CIC quickly, straight towards the cockpit. "Joker!"

The pilot jumped and spun around. "Holy shit, you need to stop that. You're like a freaking ninja!" He exclaimed.

"Set destination to the coordinates Hackett is sending over." Shepard replied quickly, ignoring Joker's comment. "Let me know our ETA."

"Alright, let me just recover from my heart attack first." The pilot mumbled, turning back to his controls and efficiently punching in new command codes. "Nepheron? What's there?"

"Cerberus HQ." Shepard growled, turning around quickly and heading back towards the lower decks. Finally. We finally have something. He took the steps down quickly. He knew he should use the time to grab a quick nap, replenish himself and get ready for the fight. But he was buzzing, filled with determination and anticipating the fight. Those bastards are dead. Having a destination, a set goal… Shepard rolled his neck heading towards his cabin. Having this sense of purpose made him feel better than he had in days.

"Hey, Skipper. Welcome back." Ashley called across the mess, standing by the sink after bussing their glasses off the table. She glanced over her shoulder at him and Shepard stopped in his tracks. He took the few steps back towards her, still rearing to go but momentarily distracted by her easy smile. "You look like you're on a mission. Admiral Hackett have something?"

"Skipper?" Shepard quirked a brow and grinned.

"Hey, it works. Better than Commander Asshole, so I wouldn't complain." She retorted, turning fully to face him and leaning against the counter and putting a hand on her hip. The commander laughed. "So?"

"They found Cerberus headquarters. We're on our way now." He pulled up his omnitool, receiving the time of arrival from Joker, and sent out alerts to the rest of the team. "You should get some rest. We're in for a good fight, and I'll need you at your best. We should be there by morning." He murmured distractedly, mulling over what kind of defenses they should be anticipating. When he looked back up, Ashley was smirking at him. "What?"

"Nothing. You just get this face when you're thinking really hard, your eyebrow starts to twitch a little."

"It does not." Shepard frowned, bringing a hand up to touch the eyebrow in question.

Ashley laughed. "I think I would know. You spend half your time with that face on." The commander rolled his eyes. "You need to lighten up every once in a while. Don't want to ruin your pretty face with wrinkles, do you?"

He blinked, stunned for a moment, then smirked. "Well, Ash, I'm flattered. You think I'm pretty?"

"Fishing for compliments, Skipper?" The soldier laughed. Shepard smiled, green eyes following her hand as it tucked some stray pieces of hair behind her ear.

"I'm just amazed a woman like you would spend so much time looking at me."

"God, that's terrible. You need to work on your lines." Ashley laughed, though a rare blush was coloring her cheeks. The commander smirked.

"Oh, I have much better ones. I'll be sure to run them by you for approval." He watched as she pushed herself away from the counter and took a few steps towards him. "Wouldn't want to get rusty out here in space and lose my game." Ashley rolled her eyes, stopping in her tracks and crossing her arms. She didn't like that. Shepard smirked.

"Glad to know I'll be helping you pick up chicks." She said, not bothering to hide her disgust. The soldier started moving towards the hall, exiting the mess. "I'm going to sleep."

Shepard snorted, and headed her off. "I was joking, Ash. I think you need to lighten up." His green eyes twinkled playfully. He felt younger with her, and the boost he received from discovering Cerberus headquarters still had him buzzing with reckless energy. The woman scowled at him and slapped his chest with the back of her hand. He laughed. "Come on. I didn't take you for the jealous type."

Ashley glared at him, brown eyes flashing. Uh oh, that did it. "I'm not jealous." She hissed stubbornly, pushing past him and boarding the elevator. Shepard stumbled a little, surprised by her force, and stood still for a moment looking after her. Making up his mind, he climbed in with her as the door began to close. Her scowl deepened and she decidedly looked anywhere but at the commander. Why does this have her so angry? His brow furrowed in confusion.

"Ash, what's wrong?" Shepard murmured, watching her nervously. She was giving the wall an icy look. "Ashley? Look at me." She did, and it was venomous. He swallowed, his eyes widening a little. Damn. He ran his hand through his hair nervously. "Hey, I'm sorry. What did I say?" Nothing. He sighed, moving towards the elevator control. He didn't even know what this was between them, where it was going, where he wanted it to go... Shepard quickly keyed in a stop command and the elevator came to a halt. It would buy him a few minutes before the crew became curious – the elevator was ridiculously slow anyways, so this wouldn't raise any questions... Hopefully. He needed to know. "I think we need to talk."

"No, we don't, Commander. I think it's clear where we stand." The soldier bristled, crossing her arms again. Huh?

"I think you're going to have to enlighten me on that." Shepard muttered, arching a brow. She had been fine just moments ago. What was causing this?

"Joker told me all about your little escapades on the Tokyo, and before. I guess getting with a subordinate is just a new challenge, eh, Commander? Fooling around with me until our next shore leave?"

Shepard gaped at her, shocked again by her bluntness. What the fuck. It took him a minute to regain his composure, enduring the soldier's glare the whole time. "Ashley, that's not… What brought this on? You were fine a few minutes ago." He avoided her words, not wanting to touch on his past. It was bad enough Chakwas had him talking about his feelings. He didn't need it from Ashley too.

"You said it yourself. You're just playing me so you don't 'lose your game'. Real nice, Shepard."

"I told you, I was joking. It's not like you haven't flirted with me." This accusation didn't seem to faze the woman. She simply shifted, moving her weight to the opposite hip. "Is that really what you think I am? Some asshole that's just using you because you're convenient?" The commander growled, taken aback once more. At her lack of reply his hand rose again to run itself through his hair in exasperation. "Ash, it's not like that… Fuck. I'm killing Joker."

"He was just informing me of how much you've changed being around me. Obviously, he was wrong."

Shepard stared at her, her brown eyes fiery and full lips pursed in that 'don't fuck with me' way. What could he say to that? He knew it was never like this with other women. He had held an admittedly rapidly rotating door of various women following Akuze, all of them only serving one purpose. It had been easier that way. He wasn't big on letting people close and his job basically guaranteed a relationship couldn't develop, so he saw no need for any ongoing contact. But with Ashley… He had fun with her, respected her. She made him feel…different. And looking at her, his green eyes searching her brown… It wasn't something he understood, but he didn't want to let it go. "No, he wasn't."

"Excuse me?"

"Ash, those woman… They were vices. After Akuze, I was lost for a long time. I needed to feel something, so I drank, and I fought, and I slept with an unreasonable amount of women. They didn't mean anything. It's not right, but it is what it is." Shepard watched as her brow furrowed.

"And I'm supposed to believe I'm not just a vice too? I saw you come back after that night we all went to Flux, after you went to see that girl from your colony." Shepard winced as if hit, but the woman didn't back down. "You were bloody and drunk out of your mind. How can I believe you've changed if you still do that?"

"I'm trying to change." He said simply and sighed, slumping a little. "I'm far from perfect, and I'd understand if you want nothing to do with me. You don't have to believe anything, Ash. I'm not commanding you to do…whatever this is. If you don't want to talk to me, fine. If you want to leave, I'll give you commendations. But this…" Shepard scrambled for words, rubbing the back of his neck. "It isn't like that with you."

"What's it like, then?" Ashley retorted, but her eyes had softened fractionally. "I'm not just some stupid girl you can woo into bed with your title, Shepard."

"I know that. I'm not trying to…" He groaned in frustration, hands both mussing his hair this time. "You're more, Ash. You're beautiful, and funny, and so strong. You make me laugh, make me lighter. You make me want to be whole again. I haven't been this happy for a long time. Even dealing with the mission, with Edolus, with Toombs… You made it easier, just being there. I don't know what this is, but I don't want it to stop." He frowned, glancing up and finding her eyes wide. "I…shit." Way to shut up, idiot. What the fuck did you just say? He looked at the ground, brow furrowed, then moved towards the elevator control and started it up again.

"Shepard…" Ashley spoke up, her hand coming to rest on his arm. He looked up again and found her closer. "Wow, I… I'm sorry. It's just, when Joker was talking, I thought he was just bullshiting. But then you said that, about upping your game… I'm not the jealous type, Shepard. But I guess I sort of get set off sometimes. I thought you were using me, and you thought you could get away with it, because of my grandfather and his status with the Alliance."

"Ash, I would never - "

The soldier held her hand up. "Yeah, I know. I know that now. I guess I just sort of didn't think you would want me. I mean, you can get anyone you want, looking like that and being who you are." Shepard frowned at her appraisal. "I'm just a soldier, you know?"

"You're a damned good one, Ash. And I don't think I want just anyone." He reached up, cupping her face with one hand and stroking his thumb over her cheek. Her eyes widened again, but she didn't pull away.

"Shepard, I need to think about this." She murmured, resting a hand against his chest and looking down at it. "Whatever this is going to be, you said it yourself, we'll be breaking some rules. And after Eden Prime, losing the 212… Being a marine is all I am. I can't lose that."

"That wasn't your fault, Ash. You know that."

"Yeah... I know." The commander frowned, recognizing the placating answer he had so often used. She's not okay. He fought the urge to draw her in. "Guess I have some baggage too, huh?" She looked up and offered a weak smile.

"Everyone does. The trick is finding a match set."

"Jesus, Shepard. Do you get this stuff off of greeting cards?" She laughed, and he grinned at her. The door began to open and Ashley quickly pulled away, smirking again. Shepard grinned and she brushed her hand against his before stepping out. He noted Wrex watching them curiously from the lockers, a toothy, all-knowing grin forming on his mouth.

"Ash, take as much time to think as you need. I'm not going anywhere." Shepard watched as she slowly backed away and nodded, smiling a little and still facing him. He sent a quick scolding look at Wrex, hoping to communicate to the krogan to mind his own business, before meeting her gaze once more. "Good thing this elevator started working again. We've got a Cerberus base to hit." Ashley rolled her eyes and turned around, starting to walk away. "Hey, Ash?" She glanced over her shoulder. "You know, my favorite color is beautiful."

"Shepard." She gave him a long-suffering look, a hand coming to her hip. "I'm tired. And beautiful isn't a color."

"Sure it is, it's the color of your eyes." He offered a winning smile and a wink. Ashley snorted and mumbled something he couldn't hear, rolling her eyes again as she walked back towards her station. Shepard felt light again. He felt ready to face whatever those bastards had to throw at them. Wrex was shaking his head, obviously having heard him making a fool of himself, but at the moment he didn't care. The elevator door shut and he was still smiling.

xxxxxxxxx

"So. Heard the elevator stopped when you and Ashley were riding down to the hangar." Joker commented, glancing over at Shepard in the co-pilot's seat. The commander had suited up, fully armored and ready for their approaching drop onto Nepheron. "Were you guys stuck in there for a while?"

Shepard met his gaze and shrugged. "Not too long."

"Oh, good. That must have been annoying. And weird, too, seeing as it was stopped with your command codes." Joker smirked, looking entirely too self-satisfied. His none-to-casual fish for information reminded Shepard of Ashley's original source of information.

"Yeah, it was weird. But it was fine, we chatted a little." The commander turned to pin Joker with an impassive stare.

Joker grinned. "Oh yeah? What about?"

"Well, a little about you. She said you two have been sharing stories about me." The pilot flushed and quickly looked back to his controls, obviously knowing exactly what Shepard was hinting at. The commander frowned. "Damn it, Joker. What the hell was that about? She was pissed."

"I didn't mean… She wasn't when I talked to her! She was the one that came up looking for dirt on you. Who am I to deny a pretty woman?" Joker winced as the commander hit him with another glare. "She seemed fine with it when we were talking. She was just curious, you're kind of a hard guy to figure out, you know?" Shepard's brow furrowed. "Whatever she was pissed about, that's on you. I'd like to point out that she was perfectly happy when she left me."

The commander sighed, glancing into space and at the planet coming up before them. He had gotten a little sleep. It had been short, but sound and without any nightmares. He had forgotten what that was like. "Yeah. Yeah, I know."

"So, you two…?"

"Don't ask, Joker. You know I can't tell you." Shepard growled. Joker grinned, obviously satisfied by this answer and twisting it to whatever interpretation he wanted. "And if you tell anyone about this…"

"Hey, who do you think I am, Alenko? I've got your back, Shepard." The Spectre rolled his eyes. "Alright, I'm bringing her in. We'll be ready to go in 30. Garrus said the Mako is prepped and ready for launch."

Shepard nodded and stood. "Thanks, Joker." He mumbled and strode across the CIC, stopping only to put Pressly in command, the man serious as always. He took the stairs quickly, his elevator ride less eventful than the last. He stepped out to find his team waiting, all of them armed and ready. He looked them over, standing outside the Mako and chatting amongst themselves, and felt himself smile. They came from all corners of the galaxy, such differing species, but in this squad they worked together. Even Ashley was there, talking to Tali with a smile, no reluctance to be near her alien squad mates. Kaidan looked over, noticing him watching them, and cleared his throat with a grin.

"Commander. Ready to go?" The biotic said with a quick glance to Ashley, who glared at him. They all looked to him as he approached, waiting for orders. His team.

Shepard nodded. "Garrus, you're on the gun again. You all can fight for shotgun, but I'm driving." He grinned as they all looked at each other in dismay. "This drop is going to be fast. These bastards probably know we're coming and they'll have defenses ready. We've seen what Cerberus is capable of, so be ready for a fight." He glanced towards Tali. "Tali, I want you focused on data recovery. We need to know what they've been doing and why. These experiments must have a reason, and if they have any bases still operational, we need to put a stop to them." The quarian nodded enthusiastically, and Shepard grinned. He felt good, determined and ready. They were going to take them down. Finally, they were going to pay for what they did.

"We'll strike fast and quiet. Kaidan, Liara, keep up barriers and focus on enemy biotics. Cerberus has a lot of them and I don't want Garrus to whine about another warp to the gut." The turian snorted and shook his head. "Wrex, you do what you do best." Wrex grunted, and gave Shepard a toothy grin. Simple enough. "Ash, keep with him and provide cover fire. Don't worry though, Garrus and I won't let them reach you." The commander smirked at the turian, who returned his expression with a flutter of his mandibles. Ashley snorted and shook her head, giving a mock salute in acknowledgment. "After this, there's not going to be a Cerberus. We've all witnessed what they do to their subjects in these 'experiments'." He growled, moving towards the Mako. They're dead. For Toombs, for Jamie, for everyone on Akuze. "We're going to show them what the Alliance and the Council does with terrorists. Everyone, pile in. We're ready for launch."