"Well, if it isn't the queen of the Girl Scouts." a lanky tattoo covered woman laughed from the doorway, striding in as if she owned the place and sitting cross legged in front of Shepard. Shepard looked up from her datapad and stared questioningly at the woman. She was quite odd looking, to put it mildly. Her head was shaved on either side except for the top that was pulled back into a long ponytail, every part of her body had tattoos, covering up areas that her outfit did not.
"Uh, hi?" Shepard asked cautiously, quietly. The woman slightly glared at Shepard, "What? Don't know how to speak anymore, Shep? I guess that bubbly butt Cerberus Princess isn't as good as she thought, shit." the woman laughed, a bit too hard considering Shepard had no idea what she was talking about or who she was. Shepard let out a shaky awkward laugh, trying not to offend the wild woman. She stopped and glared at her again before punching her slightly in the arm. Shepard instinctively reached to counter the assault only to have pain shoot down through her spine and radiate throughout her body. She groaned in pain and tensed in response.
The womans gaze turned to one of slight concern and she retreated a few steps away from the bed. "Shit, sorry. I was just fucking around, Shepard." Shepard ground her teeth, trying to relax, waiting for the waves of pain to subside. "I thought the Cheerleader fixed you, what's the deal?"
"I'm sorry," Shepard stated slowly, somehow knowing that this woman could set off easily and wanted to prevent that from happening, "I don't know who this "Cheerleader" is, or who you are… If you're talking about Miranda then she's doing what she can for me, but doesn't have a lot of elbow room after the war." Shepard watched as the womans face contorted into an awry of emotions. First she looked shocked, maybe confused, then it twisted into a sneer of rage to only later soften into a scowl.
"Wait, so you don't remember anything? What the fuck, all the shit we went through and it wasn't worth a damn?" the womans outburst didn't surprise Shepard, somehow she was expecting it. Shepard sighed, clearly this woman had enact for instigating things and Shepard had grown accustom to it. "No, but Miranda says I'll get my memories back, she's helping me put pieces together. She hasn't given me any names though other than Admiral Anderson and Admiral Hackett."
"Fuck that, my name is Jack, and if the Cheerleader did her job right you'd know that." she growled, "You'd think she'd do anything to save her girlfriend, but whatever. She's always been a bitch like that." Jack waved a flippant hand, dismissing her own statement. Shepard gawked at her, clearly Miranda has been keeping back quite a bit. "Her what?" Shepard asked lamely.
"She hasn't told you that bit yet?" Jack let out a laugh, holding her sides as she continued. Shepard just watched, her mouth agape. It has to be a joke, right? Why would Miranda… And her… What?
"What?" Shepard whispered aloud.
"Jack!" A commanding voice bellowed from the door, they both missed the sound of it sliding open due to Jacks laughter. She continued to giggle even as Miranda glared at her, her icy blue eyes piercing causing a shiver to run down Shepards spine, even when it wasn't directed at her. "Damn, Cheerleader, you fucked up." Jack said, smiling like it wasn't at all cruel. "Get out!" Miranda screeched, taking threatening steps towards the tattooed woman. Jack took the challenge and sized up Miranda as if they've done this before. "Or what, Cheerleader? I could still smear the walls with you, not like your any help to Shepard, anyway." Miranda opened her mouth to respond, but Shepard cut in before it got any further, "Enough!" she yelled, taking on the Commander role she use to have as easily as putting on a glove, "Jack, do you mind? I think Miranda and I have a lot to talk about." she said calmly, trying not to provoke the wild woman any further.
"That you fucking do, I'll see you 'round, Shepard." she pushed past Miranda, bumping shoulders more roughly than necessary. Miranda stood facing the window, her back to Shepard. "Miranda-"
"I didn't say anything because it would've been too much!" she snapped, still not facing Shepard. Too much for me or you? Shepard thought sadly. "It's alright, Miranda, I get it." She turned with unfocused, glossy eyes and let out a heavy sigh. "It doesn't change what I said, about a day at a time. You're not obligated to feel anything towards someone you don't know." she said with a detached demeanor, only faltering and becoming quiet at the end.
Shepard smiled sadly once more, feeling her own heartbreak for this woman. It was sorrow and guilt she felt, not pressure. She must have loved this woman a lot and to not remember left her weighed with guilt and regret. Looking at Miranda, she still felt it, like a ghost touch of a long lost lover. She felt the tug her smile brought to her heart, the way her breath caught when she spoke Shepards name, the déjà vu of a soft tough or teasing remark. It was frightening, to feel this for a person she didn't know, or forgot about. The guilt of what she must be putting Miranda through was like an anchor pulling her heart into the pit of her stomach making her feel sick. Why can't I just remember?!
"I know, I'm-" your what? Sorry doesn't fix this. "I'm doing the best I can." she finished softly, rubbing her temple trying to ward off the oncoming headache. Miranda crossed the room, starting a new IV line of pain relievers. She sat beside Shepard and playfully swatted her hand away from her head, "Here, let me." she said gently, grabbing the base of her head with both hands, her fingers squeezing and running down the back of neck and contours of her spine, stopping above her back.
"Ahhh," Shepard gasped at the sharp pinch, tensing back up. Miranda giggled, a sound that gave Shepard goosebumps each time, "Oh stop," she said reprimanded. " You use to love this whenever you got headaches." The second time Miranda did this send shivers through her body, slowly relaxing her tense posture. The pressure in her head immediately began to let up. "Oh god, you're good at that. I must've got 'em a lot."
Miranda laughed at how quickly Shepard melted to her touch, at least I know I still have that effect on her. They fell into a comfortable silence while Miranda messaged Shepards neck and shoulders. Miranda waited for Shepard to start asking questions, but they never came. Eventually, Miranda heard the familiar light snore that was only Shepard. She gently placed a pillow behind her head, and pulled the blankets over her shoulders. She rubbed her eyes, feeling the effects of her insomnia reigning in. She left the room and headed for the cafeteria, grabbing a coffee and sitting at a table in the far corner of the room.
She buried her face in her hands, releasing an audible sigh. She has never been under this much stress before, even when she was running from her father or the Illusive Man. She didn't know how to handle this, she should have planned better for this. She was trying to be cautious, not to overload Shepard with too much, but at the same time just wanting to tell her everything, breakdown and tell her how happy she was when they found her, alive. It was the greatest feeling in the world to know she was still alive, no matter how broken she was. Miranda was determined to bring her back from the brink of death once more, and she did, kind of. Her scans show no long term damage other than scars and maybe some aches, but her implants will hold up and if she wishes, they can create skin grafts to remove the scars. The damage to her head is healing nicely as well, but Miranda still can't find the reason for the memory loss. Hopefully it will come back with time…
"Cheerleader." Miranda looked up to the stoic face of Jack. She groaned, this was the last person she wanted to see right now. "Don't look so thrilled to see me," she rolled her eyes and took a seat from across Miranda. "What is it, Jack?" she questioned, pinching the bridge of her nose in irritation.
"Nothin', wanted to see how the Girl Scouts doing." she said, grabbing Miranda's coffee and chugging it. Miranda glared at her, but gave up shortly after knowing it wouldn't bother the convict. "As well as someone can given her trauma."
"Well shit, her memory ain't. Why the hell didn't you tell her?"
"Because shes not ready for it. Shes only been awake for two days, Jack. She needs time to process everything that has happened recently, theres time for the past later." Jack snorted, clearly not approving of Miranda's method of action. "Whatever, Princess. You wanna know what I think?"
"Not really, but I imagine you'll tell me regardless." Miranda said sarcastically. Jack smirked, she enjoyed annoying Miranda. "I think you should tell her about everything you two went through. Shes still Shepard, and she'll still love you." Jack stood, Miranda watched, unsure what to say. Jack trying to help was… shocking, to say the least. "You just needa remind her s'all." she shrugged, "I don't think it'll be too much for her. Not knowing anything is too much for her. She needs to feel whole again, connected to something, and you're the only one who can do that. So stop being a bitch and get your head outta your ass." she smiled down at Miranda rolling her eyes.
"You know, you almost sounded profound until the end."
"You know, I don't give a shit. I'll see you 'round, Cheerleader. If you ever need help getting your head out of that big bubbly butt of yours, just gimme a call." she winked before walking off. Miranda sat, shocked, irritated, and grateful all at once. Maybe Jacks right… Though Miranda would never admit that. Maybe all she needed to do was tell Shepard everything, and then let her decide what to do after that. It might even jump start other memories. Miranda shook her head, what was wrong with her? She never missed critical calculations like this. I blame the sleep deprivation, she thought to herself.
She decided to let Shepard rest for the day and propose the idea to Shepard tomorrow. After all, it was up to Shepard if she wanted to take that step. But for now, Miranda thought, picking up the empty coffee cup. Need more caffine...
So, a lot of people seem to like this story, as do I. I'll try to keep this and my others updated as much as I can, you know, between work and school. Let me know what you think or if you have any tips on what I might need to fix. Thanks!