Sorry for the chapter being a bit late. I had some personal stuff come up.
Buried Beneath ch23: Ambivalence
Normandy, 2185, October 20th 9:42 AM
"Your hero has arrived," Jack announces as she strides into the med bay, flashing her usual smirk.
I glance up from the datapad in my hand, sighing. "Very funny." She must have been worried if she's desperate enough to leave her room.
"Doesn't look like you're up for another trip to Tuchanka." She moves to the side of the bed, her eyes darting to the datapad. "What are you doing?"
"I'm stuck here for a few more hours." I shrug, leaning back against the pillows. "Might as well work on my report of the whole thing."
She pulls a face. "Yeah, I don't do those."
I knew it. She's lucky Miranda doesn't make her. "I don't think it's that-"
"Don't bother." Jack waves a hand dismissively, already wandering over to Chakwas' desk, her fingers brushing over the various medical tools.
I roll my eyes, setting the datapad on the side table. "I don't mind doing them." Keeps Miranda happy, so it's worth it.
"That's why you're weird." She picks up a scanner, holding it up as if trying to figure out what it does.
"You should probably put that back," I warn, adjusting my position. "Who knows when Chakwas will come back."
With an exaggerated eye roll, she puts it down and spins to face me, crossing her arms. "Why do you care so much what these people think? What's your deal?"
I blink, caught off guard. "What do you mean? I'm not signing up for Cerberus if that's what you're implying."
"You think I don't notice?" She steps closer, scoffing. "You write their reports, let them boss you around, and you're all buddy-buddy with the cheerleader."
"Being cooperative doesn't mean I'm on their side, Jack." She's starting to get on my nerves. "Why don't you take a walk?"
"Whatever." She shoots me a glare before storming out, the door sliding shut behind her.
Sighing, I shake my head as I pick the datapad back up. I don't know what's gotten into her, but something seemed off since she got here. Maybe I'll check on her later. Make sure she's okay.
Normandy, 2185, October 20th 1:14 PM
I lean back in the chair, reading over the datapad in my hand. It's good, ends abruptly, but it gets the job done. Miranda will probably get a kick out of me helping Archangel, of all people.
"You're still here?" Joker's voice comes from somewhere behind me.
Ignoring the faint pull in my side, I turn the chair to see him limping toward me. "The seats are comfortable."
"That's because pilots like me have to sit in them all day," he retorts, stepping closer and looking down at me. "Now scoot over to the co-pilot seat."
I roll my eyes but stand, moving to the other chair. "We're not even moving right now."
"And?" Joker flops into his seat with a dramatic sigh. "You didn't touch anything, did you?"
"No." I resist the urge to roll my eyes again. "I was reading over my report."
"Reports." He shakes his head, scanning the controls in front of him. "I've written my fair share for the Alliance, but Cerberus takes the cake. You'd think a shady organisation would want less of a paper trail."
"Right? I don't like the idea of being part of it." I set the datapad down on the console. Maybe Cerberus just has a paranoid leader. Wouldn't surprise me.
"I wouldn't worry about-" Joker's gaze snaps to something, and he points. "Wait. Did you touch this?"
I glance over and scoff. "No, Joker, I didn't touch anything."
"Maybe it was EDI," he grumbles, lifting his cap to run a hand through his hair before putting it back. "How's the injury?"
"It hurts now and then, but that's what the medi-gel is for." I shrug and lean back. "When do you think they'll be back?"
He shrugs too. "Who knows? Haven't heard from them in a few hours."
"Shepard's squad is currently making their way through an old hospital on Tuchanka, Miss Ward," EDI chimes in.
"Oh." I glance over at her node. "Thanks, EDI."
Joker groans, gesturing toward her. "Don't encourage it."
He starts fiddling with the controls, muttering under his breath. I sink back into the chair, staring idly at the datapad in front of me. I hope the team gets back soon. Sure, I'm curious about the mission, but mostly, I want to hear Miranda tell me about it.
When did I become such a sap?
Normandy, 2185, October 20th 6:44 PM
The door slides open, and I spot Miranda at her desk. She glances up, her expression softening the moment our eyes meet. Standing quickly, she rounds the desk as I step forward, the door shutting behind me.
She hesitates as she stops in front of me, her gaze flicking to my side. "How are you feeling?"
I smile, reaching for her hand and pulling her into a kiss. "I'm fine. Chakwas says I just need to change the bandage soon." I lift the medkit in my other hand for emphasis.
"Here." She takes the medkit and guides me to sit on the bed. "Wait here while I finish my report." She's almost done? Damn, she works fast.
I sit, watching her place the medkit on her desk. "How did the mission go?"
"We tracked Maelon to an old hospital guarded by the Blood Pack. One of their krogan loved to talk." She pauses, her expression dimming as she looks down. "The lab was... disturbing. Maelon was working with them. Mordin wanted to kill him, but he's alive, and Mordin now has his data."
Adjusting my position, I wince as a dull ache flares in my side. My hand instinctively moves to the bandage. "Riley wouldn't have let Mordin kill him." I catch the look in her eyes and decide not to press her on the details. I don't need to know.
She nods, glancing at my hand. "How long has it been since you used medi-gel?"
I shrug. "A few hours? I applied some before I napped and came straight here after that."
She picks up the medkit, her brow furrowing. "Shirt up."
Uh, I'll do her one better. I smirk, pulling my shirt off entirely and tossing it onto the bed. "Oh, sorry. You said up."
She gives me an unimpressed look. "Lay down."
"Sorry." I comply, laying back as she opens the medkit and disinfects her hands.
She carefully peels back the bandage, her fingers brushing my skin. "Looks like it's going to scar."
"Yeah." I sigh, staring up at the ceiling. "I figured as much."
She leans down, and to my surprise, trails gentle kisses around the wound. A shiver runs down my spine. "I think I'm starting to see that imperfections can be beautiful."
My breath catches. Ignoring the sting in my side, I prop myself up on one elbow to meet her eyes. "You really mean that?" My voice comes out softer than I wanted.
"Of course I do." She presses a kiss to my stomach, her lips moving higher, just brushing the edge of my bra.
"Hey." I place a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. "Finish with the bandage first."
She straightens with a soft smile. "Sorry. You're right." She turns her focus back to my side, cleaning the wound, which stings a bit. "You should take it easy," she murmurs. "At least for a few more days."
"I know." I let out an exaggerated sigh. "This sucks."
She lets out a warm laugh. "I know you're not very patient, but it's healing nicely." She applies a fresh layer of medi-gel, the cooling tingle easing the pain a little.
I can't help but smirk. "Feels like you're the one being impatient."
Her brow arches as she secures the new bandage, then leans over me, her lips hovering just above mine. "Is that so?"
My gaze drops to her lips and I swallow. "I, uh." Fuck.
She chuckles softly and pulls back, leaving me both relieved and frustrated. "That's what I thought." She winks before retreating to her desk. "Now get some rest while I finish this report."
"Yeah." I shift toward the pillows, resting my head. "I can do that."
Normandy, 2185, October 23rd 8:24 AM
The door opens and Riley appears at the top of the stairs, looking confused as she spots me. "Uh, why are you in my bed?"
I give a half-hearted wave from where I'm sprawled out. "It's more comfortable."
"I see." She descends the stairs, plopping down on the edge of the bed. "Chakwas says you'll be cleared for duty in a day or two."
"One point for advanced medicine," I quip, pushing myself into a sitting position. "But yeah, I feel fine. Barely any pain now."
She nods, looking slightly relieved. "Good. Jacob's probably desperate to have you back."
I smirk, leaning back on my hands. "He's not the only one."
Riley's face scrunches in disgust. "Gross." She hits my arm as I burst into laughter. "Don't let Miranda hear you say that."
"I know, I know." I raise a hand defensively, still grinning. "Anyway, have you talked to Jack lately?"
Her head tilts slightly in confusion. "A bit. Why?"
I shrug, not really wanting to explain our fight. "Just curious."
Riley leans back slightly, thoughtful. "She did seem a little on edge. I figured it was frustration with her search, but-maybe it has something to do with you." She glances sideways at me, waiting.
"I don't know." And that's the truth. I have no idea why Jack was so mad.
Her eyes narrow slightly as if trying to gauge whether I'm being honest. Then she nods. "Okay. If you want me to talk to her, I will. I can't have my team distracted."
I shake my head. "No, it's fine. I'll handle it."
Riley pats my leg as she stands. "All right. But deal with it sooner rather than later." She moves toward the stairs, pausing to glance at me. "And don't be on my bed when I get back."
Flopping onto my back with an exaggerated sigh, I lift an arm and give her a lazy thumbs-up. I can almost hear her eyes rolling as she gives me a playful scoff and heads up the stairs.
Normandy, 2185, October 25th 8:38 PM
I watch Miranda seated at her terminal, completely focused on whatever she's typing. Curiosity gets the better of me, and I crawl to the end of the bed. My bare feet are quiet as I make my way behind her and lean down to drape my arms over her shoulders in a loose hug.
"What are you doing?" I murmur, resting my chin lightly on her shoulder.
She pauses, a soft smile on her face. "I'm talking with Oriana."
"Oh?" My brows lift as I glance at the screen. "And here I was thinking you were working. How's she been?"
She lets out a quiet laugh. "Oriana's doing well. She likes her new house, she's excelling in school." Her nose scrunches slightly. "And apparently, there's a boy in her class she likes. Suffice to say, I'm not a fan."
I let out a short laugh. "She's bound to like boys, and yeah, you'll probably hate them all. But it's her life. You'll have to let her make her own choices."
Her hand trails up to rest on my arm, tracing small patterns. "It's just hard," she admits softly. "I've spent so much time trying to protect her, and now... I know I can't control everything."
My arms tighten around her. "You care about her, and she knows that. It's enough."
She sighs heavily. "I gave her advice from a relationship column a few weeks ago and she caught me."
I fight to keep a straight face and press a kiss on her cheek. "It's okay, Mlaws."
Her fingers gently squeeze on my arm, but before she can say anything, I slip away, taking a step back.
She spins in her chair to face me, her expression slightly panicked. "You read my screen."
"Skimmed it," I confess with a smirk, stepping closer to cup her face. "You both have very nice punctuation."
She opens her mouth to protest, but I cut her off with a kiss. Her lips part beneath mine, and I let the moment linger before trailing kisses along her jawline and down her neck.
"Vex," she warns softly, even as her head tilts back. "I need to say goodnight to Oriana."
"One moment." My hand slips to the nape of her neck as I suck gently on her skin.
A quiet moan escapes her. "The sooner I say goodnight," she manages, her breath hitching, "the sooner I'm all yours."
I pause, letting her words sink in before kissing my way back up to her lips. "You have a point." I step back with a grin, watching her as she turns back to the terminal.
From my spot on the edge of the bed, I watch her quickly type. Once she finishes, she stands, powering down the terminal and smoothing her nightgown before turning to face me.
"Now, where were we?" she asks, her voice low as she moves to stand between my legs.
I lean back slightly. "I'm not sure. Maybe you could remind me."
She places her hands on my thighs. "I believe it went something like this." She leans in, her lips brushing mine-
"Miss Lawson and Miss Ward," EDI's voice cuts in, the glowing node appearing over Miranda's shoulder. "The Commander wishes to speak with you both in the debriefing room urgently."
I groan, falling back on the bed. "Riley, what the fuck?"
Miranda straightens, fixing her hair before turning to the node. "We'll be there shortly." As EDI vanishes, she pats my thigh. "Get up and get dressed."
Reaching out, I toy with the hem of her nightgown. "I was looking forward to doing the opposite."
Her lips twitch into a smile before she bats my hand away. "Another time. Right now, it's time to be serious."
She heads toward her closet, and I sigh, sitting up on the bed. Riley has shit timing.
Normandy, 2185, October 25th 9:01 PM
The debriefing room door slides open, and I pause, surprised to see so many people. Thane, Grunt, and even Samara. Riley stands at the head of the table, arms crossed. I wonder what's going on.
Miranda and I step inside, and Riley nods at us. "Now that everyone's here," she says, straightening and planting her hands on the table. "The Illusive Man intercepted a distress call from a turian patrol. They encountered a Collector ship just beyond the Korlus system."
Miranda narrows her eyes, placing a hand on her hip. "He didn't mention this to me."
"He only just informed me." Riley exhales and meets each of our gazes. "According to him, the turians managed to cripple the ship before they were wiped out."
I scoff, stepping closer to the table. "So his bright idea is to send us into the thing that killed them?"
Riley scratches the back of her neck, clearly not happy about this either. "If his intel is correct, the ship's dead in the water. This could be our best shot at finding data on the Collectors. We could find a way through the Omega 4 relay."
I cross my arms, trying to work through this bullshit. No, this doesn't add up. How could a turian patrol take out a Collector ship? But if it's true... Riley's right, this could be our chance. Fucking hell.
Miranda steps forward, standing beside Riley. "I'll contact the Illusive Man and compile dossiers for the team."
Riley nods. "Good. The rest of you should get some rest. We'll run through the mission details in the morning, just before we arrive."
Samara inclines her head, her voice calm as ever. "I thank you for including me in this endeavour, Commander." She turns and walks out of the room.
Thane follows silently, his gaze flicking briefly to Riley as he bows his head in respect.
Grunt, meanwhile, is grinning like a kid on Christmas. "We get to fight Collectors?"
I pat him on the shoulder. "All right, big guy. Time for bed."
We head toward the door together, and as I glance back over my shoulder, I look at Miranda. She catches my eyes, and a small smile appears on her lips. There's something reassuring about it, steady, confident. I can't help but smile back.
But as the door slides shut between us, reality settles back in. I sigh, running a hand through my hair. Grunt strides ahead blissfully, but all I can think about is the mission tomorrow and the uneasy feeling that's starting to gnaw at me.
Thank you for reading.