Mass Effect - A Hero Rises Ch. 22

"Where?" I asked, as I could already feel it arriving.

"Mouth, Shepard. I'm swallowing what you give me."

"Oh, you are definitely a keeper."

She received a load a couple of minutes later, and she wasn't lying, she swallowed nearly every drop. She sat back on her knees and smiled at me, reaching forward to caress her cheek before kissing her softly. When we broke apart, the smile had disappeared. "You've got to go?"

"Yeah. I'm sure they're wondering where I am."

"One last shower?"

"That I can do."

We spent most of the time cuddling, and I think there was now some sort of affection between us. I certainly liked her with the proviso it was never going to go anywhere. And she liked me but knowing I would only ever be a client. Still, it was nice to hold someone young and beautiful, and who still liked you regardless.

After I'd dressed, Tara had thrown on a gown and escorted me to the door. I was expecting to just leave like last time, but she pulled my head down and gave me the sort of kiss once would expect from a lover. I wrapped my arms around her body and pulled her close, deepening the kiss even more until I heard her whimper, which made us both smile.

"Do you know when you'll be back?" she asked after parting.

"No idea, but when I do, I'll make sure I visit."

She opened her omni-tool, asked for my contact details, then sent me hers. "When you know you're coming back, let me know by call or message. I'll clear my schedule. I can dance for you, we can just have a drink, or we can come back here and do what we did last night."

"Why not all three?"

She gave me a gentle shove. "Cheeky."

I kissed her cheek again before I keyed my omni-tool again, typing a few buttons, and waiting for the ping on her own. "I had a fantastic time, Tara. I look forward to doing it again sometime." I kissed her cheek one last time as she opened her omni-tool and heard her gasp as she saw the sum. She started to blink rapidly as I wished her goodbye and turned to walk down the hallway. I heard her own goodbye in between a couple of choked sobs before I reached the door that led me out into Omega.

Miranda was tapping her foot impatiently as I walked through the airlock. "Where have you been, Commander?"

"None of your business, Miss Lawson. I'm in a really good mood right now and don't need it bringing down."

"We should have departed forty-five minutes ago."

"I was doing something far more important," I retorted, waving her away as I walked towards the galaxy map.

"And what would that be, Commander? Fucking a whore?"

The ship went practically silent at that, and I felt every member of crew look in our direction. Even Joker spun his chair around to watch. I felt my fists clench as I strode back towards her. "Say that again, Miss Lawson?" I growled.

To her credit, she firmed her jaw and met my eyes. "You heard me, Commander. Don't you think it's a little unbecoming of your position to be cavorting with a whore?"

The only reason... the only reason I didn't slap the shit out of her then and there is I didn't know how the crew would react, as in, would they come to her defence? I barely knew any of them but figured they were all as loyal to Cerberus as she was. I'd probably have a mutiny on my hands within the first week of command.

"Where I spend my evenings off the ship is none of your business."

"It is when it causes the commanding officer of this vessel to be running late."

"I don't actually remember authorising a time for departure, Miss Lawson. All I said is that we would be departing in the morning. EDI, can you clarify if I gave a time of departure for this morning?"

"Checking data... According to ship logs, there is no time of departure provided for the Normandy this morning as signed off by Commander Shepard."

I made sure my smile was as smug as possible. "There we go. So I have no idea what time you happened to pull out of your arse, Lawson, but the ship will depart when I say it will depart. Get it through that skull of yours that I am in command of this vessel and you are its XO." I raised a finger. "And if you ever, and I mean ever, call her that word again, you had better pray to any deity you believe in that you're wearing armour and have something to defend yourself with, because I will bring down the wrath of the gods themselves on your arse." I stood to the side and looked away. "You're dismissed, Miss Lawson. Ship departure time will be given when I deem appropriate."

She was smart enough to say, "Yes, Commander."

As the click of her heels disappeared, I turned to Joker. "I'll have a destination for you in around ten minutes, Joker. Likely place will be the Citadel."

"I'll be ready when you are, Commander."

Walking down the gangway towards the CIC, the crew got back to work though I heard the whispers. The fact I'd just torn strips off the XO isn't exactly what I'd want to do under normal circumstances, but this wasn't the Alliance. I was stuck working with an organisation I detested, and with people I didn't know I could trust. And I was not going to have my authority undermined in such a manner.

"Are you okay, Shepard?" Kelly asked, looking a little unsure.

I flicked open my terminal but looked her way. "I feel great, Kelly. I had a good night, now it's time to get back into the action."

"Good to know. Would you like a coffee?"

"I'd love one, Kelly. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Do you know where we will be headed soon?"

"Aye, I do. Time to head to the Citadel and get some answers about just what the fuck has been going on the previous two years. I have a feeling it's going to be things I do not want to hear."