Past Titles

Shepard’s eyes slowly opened. He was surprised and relieved to learn that he actually had fallen asleep, presumably not long after Ash. He’d been more exhausted than he thought, due in no small part to the incredible sex he and Ash had not long ago. True to his frequent imaginings, she had completely blown his mind. He’d found it difficult to string together two coherent thoughts just after. He smiled at the thought, his eyelids still heavy.



She was here. It hadn’t been a dream. There she was, curled up next to him, her smooth back against his chest and stomach, his arm clinging to her lightly. Her breath was even and soft. There was no mistaking that she was asleep. It was a comfort having her near for many reasons. It had been awhile since Shepard had actually simply slept next to a woman. It was calming. He felt relaxed. Even with everything they were about to face, Shepard allowed himself to enjoy the peace of it all.



He let his hand travel over her soft shoulder and down her arm. It caused goose bumps to arise on her light caramel colored flesh. He thought in the sun her skin would get much more tan, no doubt the result of her mixed Latin heritage. Carefully, so as not to wake her, he reached down for the mass of love-tangled bedding and pulled the soft white cotton sheet up over her. She shifted slightly, her warm, bare body moving gently against his skin, stirring his nerves to life again. He wanted her again. And again. And again. But he didn’t have the heart to wake her at the moment.



It occurred to Shepard that he should check on the time. He was surprised and mildly disappointed to find that he’d slept for almost 5 hours. They would need to get up soon and face what lie ahead. He sighed quietly, swept a bit of her hair behind one of her ears, then undertook the task of removing himself from bed without waking her. He gave her shoulder one short, last kiss as he extracted himself from the sheets slowly and stood.



In the dim blue light of his cabin, Shepard searched for his clothes. He found his boxers just next to the bed. They were of course the last thing to be removed from him. He pulled them on. He looked around for his pants. He couldn’t remember where Ash had tossed them. He found them crumpled up in a corner along with his socks. He couldn’t help but smile. Ash’s face when she’d stripped them off of him was playful. She had bitten her lower lip, smiled and then let out the sexiest laugh he’d ever heard. His shirt was by the desk, where she’d first shoved him against the wall with her kisses. He pulled it on. He’d apparently stepped out of his boots on the backwards walk to the bed, though he couldn’t remember it. At that point Ash had been half naked and in complete control of him. The cabin could have been on fire and he wouldn’t have noticed.



But he needed to get his head back in the game now. He needed to be the commander again. Compartmentalizing emotions came naturally for most marines. It was a blessing and a curse. He sat on the edge of his desk. His mind was starting to race with plans, logistics, attack details, codes, weapons, everything. Then Ash made a soft noise and all his thoughts stopped. He looked at her, his mind silent except for the thought of how beautiful she looked.



She rolled toward him and sat up, using one hand to cover her amazing breasts with the white sheet. It was a beautiful contrast to her skin. After glancing next to herself and realizing he wasn’t there, Ash looked up at him and smiled. The corner of his mouth turned up. Her long hair was wavy and mussed.



“Hey,” She said quietly, meeting his eyes.



“Hey,” Shepard responded. One of her long legs peeked out from under the sheet. Shepard stood smiling and stepped toward her.



Ash smirked “Well. That put a whole new spin on drop and give me twenty.”



“Was that sass?” Shepard joked as he approached. He sat on the edge of the bed, then kissed her warm lips. He felt her hand on the back of his neck. It pulled him down as he pushed and then he hovered over her prone figure again. Now that she was awake, Shepard couldn’t help himself from wanting her again. He kissed her neck and her body shifted in response. “Maybe you need more physical training,” he said quietly. Her throat vibrated with a musical laugh.



“Tsk,” she said, her voice affected by the pleasure his lips were causing. “Now what will it take to prove I’m in prime condition, Commander?”



He shifted again so that his body was between her sheet covered legs. He kissed her mouth. As their kisses melted into one another, Shepard pushed lightly onto her with his already full erection.



“Bridge to Commander Shepard,” Joker’s voice rang out on the comm. Disappointed, Shepard partially collapsed onto Ash with a sigh.



“I knew it,” he whispered, frustrated. He brought his head up a little. “Go ahead Joker,” he ordered.



“We’re five minutes out from the Mu Relay.” Shepard met Ash’s eyes, suddenly very serious.



“I’ll be right there,” Shepard said, not taking his gaze from her.



When the comm beeped out, Shepard and Ashley stared at each other for a moment. This was it, Shepard thought. And they both knew it. There was no telling what would happen after they left this cabin.



Ash finally forced a smile and touched his face. “You better go,” she said, stroking his cheek. He closed his eyes for a second to enjoy it. “I’ll be right behind you.”



He kissed her softly, eyes open, not wanting to leave her face. Then he sighed and stood. Ash sat up to look at him. They smiled. He turned and took a few steps to the door.



“Hey Skipper,” he heard behind him. He looked at her again. “I just wanted to say – whatever happens…” she trailed off for a moment, and then smiled. “You know what? I’ll tell you later.”



Shepard laughed and they held their gaze for another moment. “I’ll see you up there,” he said.



“Yes sir.” Ash responded.



Shepard reluctantly turned and walked out. He shook off the lingering distractions and made his way to the bridge, ready to face what lie ahead.