Chapter Eight
An Unmarked Package

{Commander Williams, ma'am?}

Not now, Traynor! Ashley resisted the urge to give voice to her thoughts as she concentrated. Although she was undeniably fond of Sam Traynor (sometimes she couldn't quite understand why), the Comms Specialist was extremely adept at choosing inopportune moments to interrupt her. It had already happened numerous times while she was on the toilet and twice during the middle of sex. As far as moments went, this was less embarrassing, but no less important.

{Ma'am?} Traynor was apparently not willing to take her silence as an acceptable answer.

With the tip of her tongue protruding from her mouth, Ashley painstakingly manoeuvred the tiny piece of plastic into place and applied an extra dab of glue for good measure. She held it in place with a pair of tweezers for several seconds, enough time for the glue to bond with the plastic. Satisfied, Ash prepared to withdraw her hand.

{Ms. Lawson is here to see you, ma'am…} There was a pause as though Traynor was considering her words carefully. {She said her time is limited so if you want to –} Another pause, as though interrupted this time. {You can't say that over the comm! And I don't need that much information! Sorry, Commander Williams - can you give her permission to come up…please?}

Ash's carefully positioned hand slipped and her palm came crashing down with a decent portion of her body weight behind it. The delicate miniature construct collapsed and tiny pieces of plastic embedded themselves in her palm.

"Fuck!" She spent all of two seconds staring at the mangled plastic wreckage of the Athabasca Class freighter before picking it up and hurling it across the room. It slammed into the empty fish tank and further disintegrated into several pieces. Ashley was left with a scattering of implements sitting on the table in front of her and the box - mockingly displaying the model as it ought to look.

Several days earlier Liara had insisted on carrying out the painful task of clearing the Crow's Nest alone. The few boxes that she collected seemed pitiful, but Shepard's life had never been measured by material possessions. The real measure was found in her actions and through the people she had affected.

When Ashley had moved into the quarters she felt like an imposter. That much space to herself seemed antithetical to the stoic life of an Alliance marine. Nevertheless, she unpacked her things into the drawers, stowed her armour in the locker and set a photo of Miranda on the desk where Shepard had once kept one of Liara. Sitting next to the console she had found the freighter model with a small box of paints and tools, and a note from Liara:

Shepard was never able to start this one. I think it was the ship her father was piloting when he died.

It was hardly a cheerful note, but Ash had looked to the model cabinet and noticed that there was just one empty space – obviously intended for the freighter. Although she had never tried her hand at scale modelling, Ash reasoned that her steady hands would have absolutely no trouble in assembling the model. However after devoting several hours and an untold number of expletives to the frustrating task, she had to admit defeat.

She was still sitting with her head in her hands several minutes later when she heard the door to her quarters open without prior warning. The footsteps paused after only a moment and Ash knew that Miranda had noticed the wreckage littering the floor.

"Don't even ask," Ashley muttered, regretting the fact that she had lost her temper.

"Not exactly the greeting I was expecting," Miranda commented as she moved past the ruined model. She cautiously picked her way down the steps, half-expecting Ashley to throw something at her. "But given the manner in which we parted, perhaps I should consider myself lucky?"

When Ashley made no attempt to counter her statement with an immediate reply, Miranda cautioned herself to remain patient. She folded her arms across her chest and waited for her lover to acknowledge her presence again. Barely a minute had passed before she let out an irritated snort in the hope that it would compel her to action. Her time on board the Normandy was limited, and she did not want to waste it standing in silence. However her hopes of getting Ash naked (or at least half-naked) and into bed were fast fading. As a follow-up to the snort, her foot began to tap out an agitated beat on the carpet.

"Ash-"

"You didn't ask me!" Ashley interrupted only a split-second after Miranda opened her mouth. When she finally looked up, her eyes narrowed when she saw that the ex-Cerberus Operative was wearing her Alliance officer's uniform – complete with factory-crisp creases. "You enlisted and you bloody well didn't ask me."

Miranda scowled. "You're still holding that over my head? Ashley, I did ask you-"

"After you'd already gone ahead and done it!" Ashley pointed out in frustration. She let out a harsh exhale and practically threw herself back against the sofa. Staring at Miranda wearing the damn uniform wasn't helping in the slightest and she turned her head.

There was no doubt in Miranda's mind that she loved Ashley in her entirety – including the slightly disturbing manner in which she lavished attention on her Black Widow. However she could not grasp the notion of sharing her life so completely with another individual. While she had informed Ashley that she was leaving the Normandy, she had not thought to ask permission before enlisting. Her opinion had been that it was her decision, her life. It was only through being subjected to the full force of Ash's wrath that she realised the mistake she had made. She had been too stubborn to simply admit that she was sorry and instead had listened to Ash's tirade – expecting that once she purged it from her system, the matter would be done and dusted. Clearly the marine was still exceptionally angry.

"Do you want me to leave?" Miranda asked quietly. It wasn't her preference – she was still hoping to get laid – but she would rather walk out than have to rehash the same argument all over again.

Ashley eventually met her gaze with a determined expression. "If you walk out that door then I'm never speaking to you again."

Miranda let out a low whistle. "That sounds serious."

In one fluid movement Ashley rose to her feet. She moved out from behind the table but instead of moving toward Miranda, she made her way to the bed. When she sat down again she felt suddenly deflated. The angry tirade that she had been practising for the past week suddenly seemed trivial within the wider machinations of the galaxy. Individuals, communities, and entire cities were struggling to survive while she was in the midst of throwing a childish tantrum. As she studied the woman standing in the middle of her quarters, the realisation that it was all a colossal waste of emotion suddenly hit her. This was the last opportunity that she would have to see Miranda in months…and she had not even bothered to say hello.

"M…come here." Ash patted the space on the bed to her right, hoping that the tone of her voice did not make her request seem demanding. "Please?"

Miranda acquiesced almost immediately. Ashley watched her movements, severely disappointed in the fact that the Alliance uniform managed to conceal almost all her lover's curves. Focus, Ash, she admonished herself.

Despite her best intentions, her focus was ruined a few moments later when she made the mistake of inhaling deeply. Miranda's soft scent assaulted her senses and foul mood dissolved completely. With a defeated sigh, Ash clasped the back of Miranda's neck and drew her close. As their lips met, most of the tension that had accumulated as she struggled with the model kit disappeared. Although she wanted nothing more than to collapse against the bed and drag Miranda down with her, Ash pulled away.

"Hello," she said softly.

"Hey yourself," Miranda replied. She chewed nervously on her lip for a few moments. "Ash, I-"

"M, please." She winced at the necessity of interrupting Miranda yet again. "Hear me out. I think you're making a mistake, but the last thing I want to do is stand in the way of a decision you've made. I just wish you'd spoken to me about it first, perhaps not to ask my permission but just to have a discussion – shit, I must sound ridiculous…it's this whole relationship thing, I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do. I guess I just thought that two people who mean a lot to each other should, you know, talk about things?"

Miranda exhaled. "After spending my entire childhood being told how to think, feel, and act, I've spent my adult life building up my independence to the point where I find it difficult to let anyone in…even you. Ash, you mean the world to me and I'm sorry my first instinct wasn't to discuss this with you." In response, Ashley leaned forward so their foreheads were touching. Miranda grinned. "I'm still very much in training to be the perfect girlfriend."

Ashley snorted. "As sweet as that is, it's a load of bullshit. I'd never be able to 'train' you to do anything Miranda Lawson, and you're already perfect in my eyes. How much time do you have before you ship out back to Earth?"

"About two hours, "Miranda replied.

"Two hours?" Ashley asked incredulously. She smiled and ducked in for another kiss. "I thought it was less. I can do a hell of a lot to you in two hours. Are you sure you want to spend it all with me?"

"All of it," was Miranda's emphatic answer as she began tugging at the buttons on Ashley's uniform. "But I don't want to go another second with either of us wearing clothes."

As she began to perform the same task on Miranda's uniform, Ashley couldn't resist saying one last thing before their lips met. "Like I said…already perfect."

Having collapsed into a barely coherent puddle in the wake of their energetic goodbye, it was some time before Ashley could collect her thoughts together. At first all she was aware of was the pleasurable fuzz that made it feel as though her entire body was humming with electricity. When she shifted slightly, she also realised that her sex, the insides of her thighs, and both her tits were extremely wet (and she was quite sure that none of the moisture was sweat). She was eventually able to lift her head toward the source of the only noise in her quarters. Ash scowled when she saw Miranda dragging on her uniform. Words died on her lips when she realised that she was lying on the floor next to the bed as opposed to on top of it.

"It's either very bad that I don't remember how I ended up on the floor," Ashley mused in a tired voice. "Or very, very good." Her legs felt like jelly and she could not move let alone untangle them from the bed clothes. "And you're actually standing. How are you standing while I'm having trouble feeling my legs?"

"Barely feeling," Miranda stressed. "If anyone notices that I'm walking strangely, there's going to be hell to pay, marine."

A grin of satisfaction creased Ash's face. With what felt like an inhuman effort, she manoeuvred her body back onto the bed. She propped herself up with a few pillows so she could watch as Miranda gingerly dragged on her clothes. Although Miranda's once crisp Alliance uniform was now slightly rumpled, Ashley realised that she felt a slight tug of pride. She didn't agree that the Navy was the best place for someone like Miranda, but she looked damn good in the uniform.

Having sky-rocketed from enlisted soldier to officer following the Battle of the Citadel, Ash had never attended OCS. She had however heard the stories claiming that it was both a hotbed of sadistic instructors and clandestine sexual liaisons between Officer Cadets. Ash felt the colour drain from her face at the last thought.

"M…we're solid right? I mean, you and I is an actual thing. An exclusive thing?" Ash asked, unable to keep a hint of apprehension from appearing in her voice.

Miranda responded to her question with a long, steady stare. She eventually worked out the root of Ash's concern for herself. "The other recruits will likely be almost two decades younger than me, which is just wrong on so many levels. In the unlikely event I find a good-looking instructor, I'll ask your permission before having sex with them."

Ash's lips parted in horror until she realised that Miranda was making fun of her. "If I could stand up right now, you would be in all kinds of trouble, sweetcheeks."

With her uniform back on in the appropriate order and all the buttons lined up in their correct holes, Miranda realised that their time together was at an end. She started toward the bed.

"Please don't!" Ash held up her hands in defeat. "You kiss me again and I won't be able to let you walk out of the Crow's Nest. Just…you'll just have to…wave."

Obviously Miranda wasn't impressed with the notion of simply waving at her lover. She scowled and ignored the request, striding across the room to grasp Ashley's face in both hands before kissing her already swollen lips soundly. A small sigh of longing was all the air that escaped as their tender flesh danced in one drawn out moment. Miranda stepped back and left Ashley sprawled helpless on the bed.

She stared at her longingly. "We are exclusive. I don't know how you feel about a promise coming from someone who is ex-Cerberus, but it's all I can give you right now."

"Some of my favourite people are ex-Cerberus," Ashley replied, drinking in as much of Miranda's soft blue gaze as she could. "I'll take it. The next time I see you, I'll expect a decent salute."

"Goodbye, marine," Miranda whispered.

Ashley winked. "See you, sweetcheeks."

TO: WilliamsA

FROM: [redacted]

SUBJECT: Musing

Blight and famine, plague and earthquake, roaring deeps and fiery sands,

Clanging fights, and flaming towns, and sinking ships, and praying hands.

I'm feeling strangely poetic. Must have something to do with being in love.

[end message]

TO: [redacted]

FROM: WilliamsA

SUBJECT: RE: Musing

Who are you and what have you done with my girlfriend?

P.S. I love you too

[end message]

TO: WilliamsA

FROM: [redacted]

SUBJECT: Incoming package

You know that 'item' you left behind on the Citadel? Let's just say I may have miraculously found a replacement in a store in New York during my first furlough. Hopefully it catches up to you at the Normandy's next supply drop.

Stop panicking (which I know you are) - I've packed it in an unmarked box.

M

[end message]

TO: [redacted]

FROM: WilliamsA

SUBJECT: I hate you!

So your 'unmarked' box arrived yesterday and was promptly claimed by Gardner who was under the impression that just because it had 'Cdr Williams' clearly stated on the label, that it was for him.

I don't think I've ever moved as fast in my life as when I snatched it out of his hands before he could open it. You would think that the crisis was averted but now the speculation is running rampant as to what could have been in the box.

So thank you…thank you very much.

[end message]

TO: [redacted]

FROM: WilliamsA

SUBJECT: Thank you!

And I'm not being sarcastic this time…

[end message]

TO: [redacted]

FROM: WilliamsA

SUBJECT:

Attachment: Ash4M1. pic; Ash4M2. pic

No explanation needed…just open the damn pictures :-S And please don't laugh.

[end message]

TO: [redacted]

FROM: WilliamsA

SUBJECT:

Just a quick message to check that you're okay as I haven't heard from you for a few weeks.

I didn't expect much in response to those pictures I sent through in my last message as they were kind of lame…but you have no idea how hard it was for me to send them. It's not normally something I do.

[end message]

TO: WilliamsA

FROM: [redacted]

SUBJECT: RE:

I'm so sorry. Apparently breaking someone's nose means that even my free time is now no longer my own.

Pictures dully received by a grateful girlfriend. Unfortunately I can't even find five minutes to use them to any effect. Tried in the heads last night but having someone banging on the door saying that they need to 'take a shit' isn't exactly conducive to a pleasurable experience.

The food is quite possibly the worst I have ever eaten, there is no such thing as personal space, and according to my instructors, 'I can't shoot for shit.'

Why didn't I let you talk me out of doing this?

M

[end message]

TO: [redacted]

FROM: WilliamsA

SUBJECT:

"That hot September night, we slept in a single bed,
naked, and on our frail bodies the sweat
cooled and renewed itself. I reached out my arms
and you, hands on my breasts, kissed me. Evening of amber.

Our nightgowns lay on the floor where you fell to your knees
and became ferocious, pressed your head to my stomach,
your mouth to the red gold, the pink shadows; except
I did not see it like this at the time, but arched

my back and squeezed water from the sultry air
with my fists. Also I remembered hearing, clearly
but distantly, a siren some streets away - de

da de da de da - which mingled with my own
absurd cries, so that I looked up, even then,
to see my fingers counting themselves, dancing."

(Not something my Dad read to me!)

I love you, M.

A

[end message]

A/N: acknowledgements: Miranda quotes from The Lotus Eaters by Tennyson. Ash quotes Carol Ann Duffy's Girlfriends.

Well, that's the end of No Impact, No Idea. Ash and Miranda's story is of course continued in Architect of Fate. Thank you so much to everyone who has allowed themselves to be swayed by this pairing, I have thoroughly enjoyed sharing the gestation and blooming of their relationship.