The sound of the observation deck door sliding open woke Shepard. He blinked and groggily looked around. Suddenly, he sat straight up, almost dropping Miranda on the floor.

She didn't lock the door.

"Shepard, you ok?" Garrus asked as he entered. "I was worried when you didn't–" He stopped when he saw the Commander sitting on the couch with Miranda still half asleep on his lap.

"Oh! Am I… interrupting something?" he asked with a grin. At least Shepard thought it was a grin. He'd always found Turian facial expressions hard to read.

When Miranda heard Garrus' voice, she leapt to her feet and turned to face him. Bloody hell, why didn't I lock the damn door? she thought.

"Mr. Vakarian, if you so much as breathe one word of this –"

"Of what?" Garrus interrupted. "I didn't see anything, Ms. Lawson," he said with a smirk. He turned to leave. "You know where to find me, Commander."

Miranda was now completely flustered. Shepard could barely control his laughter. She tried her best to give him a disapproving look.

"Well, I should… um… prepare for duty. I'll… um… meet you at the CIC, Commander."

Shepard stood and moved in to steal a kiss. Joker's voice over the intercom interrupted him.

"Commander, can I see you up here when you have a minute?"

"I'll be there in a few."

"Oh, and tell Miranda I said hi."

The look on her face was unlike any he'd ever seen. "I hope that crack was worth it, Joker," Shepard said, trying to keep a straight face. "Any last words?"

"Dunno what you're talking about, Commander."

Gonna need to find a new pilot, he thought. He kissed Miranda. "See you on deck, Ms. Lawson."

As he left, she couldn't help but smile. She wasn't alone anymore.

And she knew she never would be again.