Leather and Lace (hosted by the fabulous @vorchagirl) Day 1. Two people/One Bed (12th Feb)-James Vega x Grai Shepard
After the second stint on Eden Prime, the twins are upset because of Elysium, and Cal sends James to go check on Grai, because while they have Steve and Joker to console them, Grai is taking it a little harder, and her younger sister takes it into her own hands to make sure her sister is okay, meddling in her love life.
The events on Eden Prime had triggered both twins back to Elysium for what wasn’t the first time. They’d both sought solace in their best friends, but Cal was ready for a different kind of comfort in Kaidan’s arms–but he was still in the hospital after Mars–sure Grai could use the same kind of physical consolation, but she and James kept tip-toeing around each other while on the Normandy, trying to maintain an air of secrecy. Which was ridiculous, considering life was far too short. Cal, living proof that time was the enemy, having lived through Colin’s death and coming back to life after her own death; there had been things she and Kaidan had never gotten to say, and now they said them every day when she video called him to check in…didn’t Grai and James deserve that same chance? James tried to ignore the whispers in the cockpit, the secretive glances as Cal and Joker talked quietly amongst themselves as he approached, curious about how Grai was holding up. Of course Cal had told him.
“Is she okay?” James asked, concern etched across his face.
“Well, Ven went to go check on her, but if you want my opinion, you could make her day so much better with a little sexual healing.” She winked at him, his cheeks tinged with pink as he coughed. “Or just talk to her, or whatever.”
“She needs a shoulder.” Joker added.
He nodded and turned heel, heading back the way he came, not hearing Calysta tell EDI to lock the door when he made it into Grai’s quarters–she only meddled for good reason. The doors to the XO’s office slid open in front of him, Grai jumping about a foot in the air and shoving a book under a stack of datapads as the throw she had around her shoulders fell to the floor. Her room was sparsely decorated, a shelf of books stood off the the left, every shelf filled with books of varying size and genre. Three monitors stood on her desk, the HUDs dark, wires snaking around the edge of the room so she could keep up with her Shadow Broker duties. The only other thing in the space was her bed, neatly made up at the back of the room. After the fiasco down on the planet she’d needed a distraction, and the romance novel Cal had borrowed from Kasumi was just what she needed…but so was James.
“Hey.” He muttered sheepishly, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“Hi.”
Despite everything, she felt a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth; even with what had happened down on Eden Prime, just his presence made her relax. He didn’t even ask about the book she’d hidden, he knew about hers and Cal’s guilty pleasure. He crossed the room in three strides and collected her in his arms, feeling her relax in his embrace, burying her face in his neck. Neither of them spoke. His big hands rubbed her back, and she felt the tears come, the floodgates suddenly opening, and she couldn’t stop crying even if she wanted to. James didn’t want to push, but both twins had a bad habit of bottling everything up, and if he could ease her pain just by being there for her, it was enough–even if he found himself in a constant state of wanting her.
He knew he should be concerned with the fact that Earth was burning, and he probably didn’t deserve to be this happy considering his past, but that had been before her. Maybe their shared darkness is what had drawn them together…that and her need to see Cal while she was incarcerated, her relationship with her sister the most important thing in the galaxy to her, even if that meant seducing and drugging the guard who had occupied the job before him. Grai Shepard gave him a reason to fight, something to claw his way tooth and nail back to. He could be forgiven weakness where she was concerned. She pulled away, wiping her eyes and smiling at him, guiding him to sit on the edge of her bed; James reached over and took her hand in his.
“James, thank you…I didn’t realize how much I needed this. I got your shirt wet.”
“Thank Cal. She sent me–and I think I can handle it.” He chuckled.
She smacked his shoulder playfully, before leaning into kiss him toward, their bodies curling into one another, pressed together, kissing again as one of his hands gently cupped her chin, thumb caressing her cheek and her arms wrapping around his torso, bringing him closer. James wrapped his arms around her waist and held her closer, his breath mingling with hers, kissing her back, deeply. His fingers wove themselves into her dark curls as he tilted her head slightly to the right, baring more of her neck, breaking the kiss to lavish her jaw and neck with attention. She sighed contentedly as he felt her pulse fluttering under his tongue—an excited shiver running up and down her spine. Every inch of her body was pressed up against his, begging for his caress and so much more; reluctantly, James pulled away and stood, both panting hard.
“I’m sorry. This isn’t what you need right now…”
Grai frowned. “Maybe not…but I want it.”
“Grai, you’re distraught. Eden Prime triggered something for you, and you’re letting it get to you. I’m going to go, okay?”
He was right of course, and she didn’t stop him from trying to leave, but when he reached the door it wouldn’t slide open. Even trying to pry it open manually didn’t work. When asked, EDI had told them she couldn’t open the door. Cal was so dead. Grai knew she was the one behind her and James getting trapped in her room, and opened their personal channel. Joker could be heard cackling on the other end. The two of them wouldn’t be able to hide when she got out, her personal life none of their business. She should be flattered that they cared enough to get involved, but her relationship with James didn’t involve them.
“Cal, what the fuck?”
“You two should probably get comfortable. EDI’s under orders not to let you out until morning.”
One could almost hear the smirk in her voice.
“I can sleep on the floor.” James offered.
“Don’t be ridiculous. We’ve already slept together…multiple times, we’ll share the bed.” Grai rolled her eyes as she shook her head.
“I don’t want to impose. I don’t think you’re in a good place right now, and I tend to lose my self-control when you’re in my arms.”
She softened, and ran a gentle hand up his arm, fingertips tracing the ink of his tattoo curling out from under the sleeve of his form-fitting white t-shirt; maybe him losing his self control was exactly what she needed. Maybe Cal was right to lock them in…not that she would admit that to her meddling younger sister. She meant well. Grai sighed as she was hit by a sudden wave of exhaustion, crying had taken its toll on her; so she let James tuck her into bed, crawling in behind her. She nestled back against him, his arm draped across her side and over her stomach as he held her close, placing a gentle kiss behind her ear. Her eyes drifted shut against her will, as James whispered words of comfort in her ear.
Except Cal, it may have been the first time she hadn’t pushed someone away in a time of need…
A/N - I decided to write about James and Jane today! Because I love them to death and they’ve been in my head a lot lately!
Tiny.
Commander Shepard was tiny.
Of all the things to notice about Jane Shepard now that he was finally meeting her in the flesh, James Vega wasn’t sure why that one fact stood out to him. But it did. And he swallowed nervously as she glanced up at him from where she sat in the Normandy’s brig, her large green eyes barely pausing on him before they moved on. Dismissing him. He almost drooped with disappointment as Anderson introduced him and Shepard acknowledged him with a shrug.
“Play nice, Jane,” Anderson warned as he took his leave. “Vega here has seen almost as much action as you have.”
She’d looked at him with interest then, her gaze lingering on his old scars before focusing on his newer cuts and bruises with laser beam precision. He’d fought hard not to squirm, wondering how he measured up against the kinds of people she’d fought alongside for the last few years. But whatever she saw seemed to amuse her and she smiled at Anderson like a cat who had the cream.
Shepard leaned back against the wall, and James noted that her long red hair was confined to a sizable bun on the back of her head. “Yeah, I’ll play nice. Though one soldier wouldn’t be enough to stop me getting away if I really wanted to. No matter how big or impressive he is.”
Big and impressive, James almost preened, he’d take it.
Anderson only laughed. “He’s not here to stop you escaping. He’s here to keep you safe.”
Then he was gone and they were alone.
James shuffled awkwardly, trying hard not to stare as Jane looked at him again. He couldn’t get the image of her from the Alliance pin up calendar out of his mind, the same calendar image he had stupidly packed into his bag and brought along. What if someone found it? Realised that he was more of a fan of Commander Shepard than he had let on? He squirmed with shame at the thought.
“What’d you do to pull this shit duty?” She asked suddenly, hooking one leg up and pulling the knee to her chest to she could rest her chin on it.
The movement was adorable, and James struggled to stay focused. “I, uh, got a medal and an N-School recommendation. And then skipped out on it and went AWOL. Got into a bar fight with some batarians over, uh, something or other, but that’s when Anderson tracked me down. I thought he’d arrest me or something. Instead I got sent to keep an eye on you.”
Her eyes darkened and she tilted her head slightly as she watched him, her perceptive gaze missing nothing as she took in his discomfort. “It must have been bad,” she said softly.
“What?” He blinked and met her eyes.
Sea green and beautiful. His body reacted almost immediately and he jerked his gaze away. Dios. This wasn’t good. He’d only just met her and he was acting like a teenager with a crush.
“Whatever they gave you the N-School recommendation for. It must have been bad.”
Her statement was like a bucket of ice water being thrown over him, and without realising what he was doing, James stepped back. He swallowed hard, refusing to let those memories creep back in. “I don’t talk about it.”
“Fair enough.” She pushed to her feet, her head barely reaching his chin when she faced him. “It’s nice to meet you, Lieutenant. I’d shake your hand, but ... the bars make it hard.”
Tiny. Gorgeous. With skin like porcelain, and the kind of curves that made men lose their minds.
James forced himself to keep his eyes on her face. “Thank you, Commander.”
“Just Shepard now,” she shrugged. “I’m not Commander Shepard anymore. Just plain old Jane.”
He snorted at that and turned away before she could see him blush, and before he said the words that had automatically popped into his head; that someone as lovely as her would never be plain.
For bad things happen... Might I suggest a Shega appendicitis? :D
Thank you so much for the prompt!!
A prompt fill for Bad Things Happening: @badthingshappenbingo
A big shoutout to @soldiermom1973 for betaing. Thank you for all the help!
It's Nothing
Story summary:
When Shepard began having abdomen pain she ignored it. Besides, it’s probably nothing. She doesn’t have time for it. But when they rescued the students at Grissom Academy she finds out she was very wrong.
It's Nothing
“Are you going to eat Commander?” James looked at her while she was picking at her food with her fork.
Military ship’s food wasn’t great but Shepard usually ate anyway. Tonight however the food was disgusting and she wasn’t hungry. In fact, she was nauseous.
“No,” she decided and placed her fork down.
“You sure Commander?” James looked concerned. “You don’t look so good.”
“Just tired,” she lied. Shepard grabbed her plate and utensils and stood up. “I’ll eat later. I have some work to do.”
James only kept staring in concern as if Shepard not eating meant something horrible. But she was fine. If she was unlucky she got the flu. But that was the worst-case scenario.
This is part of my 200 Followers Prompt Giveaway gifted to @serioussamiam A big shoutout to @myrddinderwydd for betaing. Thank you for all your help! I really appreciate it! Cambria Shepard belongs to @serioussamiam Thank you for letting me write her.
Story summary:
If someone would’ve told James he’ll meet his hero, Commander Cambria Shepard he would’ve laughed. But under bad circumstances he did. Never in a million years did he expect to fall in love with her. Getting to know her is some of his best days of his life, and make the nights seem brighter. But he couldn’t tell her, so instead he ignores his feelings for her.
This can also be read on AO3 or FFN
Meeting Her
Never in a million years would he have guessed he’ll have the opportunity to talk to Commander Cambria Shepard even guard her. That’s why when Admiral Anderson offered him a job he was speechless.
“I’m sorry… you want me to do what now?” he looked at the Admiral as if he spoke in some unknown language that his translator couldn’t pick up.
“You heard me Lieutenant. What do you say?”
****
James took the job. The first day he reported to duty he was nervous. He hadn’t been this nervous in years. He knew all there was to know about her.
Yet he wasn’t prepared for this.
When he arrived at the brig the door swooshed opened, as if it knew why he was there. Anderson stepped out.
“Admiral,” James greeted him with a salute and Anderson returned it.
“Just in time. Ready to meet Shepard?”
He followed Anderson instead and with each step he took his heart beat faster and faster. Until he saw Shepard and then he thought his heart had stopped.
Somehow she looked different in person then on the vids, taller even. Her hair was still just as short as he remembered from the vids. Her green eyes sparkled.
“This is Lieutenant James Vega,” Anderson announced.
“Commander,” he saluted her. But she never returned it.
She cocked her head to the side as if he did the strangest thing then looked at Anderson. “So this is the guy, huh?” Shepard’s eyes lingered back on him. “Interesting.”
“Be nice Shepard.” Anderson’s words might’ve sounded like a warning but he knew it wasn’t. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
When they heard the door close Shepard’s full focus was on him, “Nice to meet you Vega. Please make yourself at home.”
****
James’ first day wasn’t what he expected but then again he wasn’t sure what he expected. Meeting your role models turned out always differently than one expected. That’s what his one friend always said.
“In your head they’re always a different person. We only see what type of person they are on the vids. But there’s more to people that they show to the Galaxy.”
James shook his head, ridding himself of a past conversation.
He opened his door and decided to call takeout for the night. Changing shifts with her other guard went over smoothly. He wasn’t much of a talker.
He activated his omni-tool searching what vids he could watch for the night before going for his exercise.
****
The next morning when he arrived at the brig Shepard was still in her room. The other guard reported that there were no suspicious activities. And that wasn’t surprising at all to him.
“Commander,” he saluted her when she came out of her room.
She only arched her eyebrow at the greeting. “Stop saluting and calling me that James. I’m in here for a reason.” She moved to the coffee maker, “Want some?”
“Sure Com-” He stopped himself just as she gave him a weird look. “Shepard.” He tasted the word in his mouth. Somehow it felt strange to call her by her name.
If it was anybody else he would’ve come up with a nickname for her. But doing that for the Commander Sheppard seemed strange.
As the day went on Shepard talked a lot. He learned more and more about her. She even mentioned her family.
As the days turned into weeks they started playing competitive games. James realized Shepard liked a challenge. She always gave it her all.
And sometimes she was the one that instigated the challenge.
Sometimes he still called her Commander and it wasn’t a slip of his tongue. But as time went on it became the norm. He believed Shepard deserved the respect and nobody might believe her about the reapers but it was at least something he could do.
Later he started to see the little things about her. The way her features turned into a frown. The way her lips formed when she smiled.
“So Vega it’s been some time since you’ve kept an eye on me. What do you think of all of this?” she gestured her hands around the room.
“All of what?” His mind was lost, his eyes lingering on her lips, mind thinking about something he couldn’t recall at that moment.
“The reapers,” she clarified, “Do you think I made them up?” He heard a challenge in her tone. As if she suspected she’ll get the same answer from him as the rest.
James decided on the honest approach. “I don’t know if they’re real. But I don’t think you would make something up like that.”
Her expression changed into a neutral expression, but James recognized it for what it was. Cambria Shepard was surprised. “They should use this time to prepare and not hold a damn trial.There’s time for that later.”
James remembered overhearing the news of the destruction of the Alpha relay. There were so many lives lost. He knew if there was another choice she would’ve picked it.
“But instead, here we are.”
****
Overtime James realized he had feelings for the Commander. It wasn’t one thing. Maybe it was the way his heart pounded loudly in his chest each time he saw her. Or the way he could listen hours upon hours hearing her talk.
It was impossible to say where his feelings appeared but he knew very well when he knew 100% he was in love with Commander Cambria Shepard.
One night he dreamed about her. They were someplace else. Where, he couldn’t precisely say, but it wasn’t in the brig.
It was a sun setting across a beach. Shepard was happy, she laughed even. He never saw her so happy. Not in the brig. And definitely not in the vids.
And then she stopped. She looked at him like she hasn’t before. Suddenly they were face-to-face. Their lips met.
And that’s when James woke up.
It was a dream. He knew. But he could still feel his lips lingering on hers.
Of course James denied it. I’m not in love with Shepard. I’m not in love with Shepard. He said it over and over in his mind again. Hoping it was the truth. He needed it to be the truth.
Because he knew a relationship between them would never work. Besides, a woman like her would never fall for a guy like him.
But he couldn’t deny it for long. And when he got to his apartment that night he closed his eyes.
Crap, I’m in love with Commander Shepard.
****
James buried his feelings. Maybe one day he’d tell Shepard how he felt, but that wasn’t now.
“Can you make us some coffee?” Shepard asked. She was reading something from a datapad. A book she got from Anderson.
“Sure Lola.”
It was a slip of a tongue. He didn’t mean to call her that. He thought about nicknames, of course. He did it for everybody he met. And weeks ago he decided on Lola for her.
But as distracted as she was from reading her book she heard it. Of course she did. “Lola, huh? Since when do you give people nicknames, James?”
He didn’t know if she realized it was a slip of tongue. If she did she didn’t show any reaction to it.
“I always do. I just hadn’t found the right nickname for you. Until now.” James was lying through his teeth, but what else could he do? “People need to fit with their names. Most times they don’t.”
Shepard nodded as she considered that. “Why Lola though?”
But James wasn’t ready to reveal that. Not yet anyway. “Maybe one day I’ll tell you.”
Shepard smiled at that, “Well then. I’m looking forward to one day.”
