So another one from my deviantart collection, this one actually has a story behind it… read below… Bear in mind that I am no author and this is the first time doing something like this Enjoy
Half a machine
Shepard entered the room visibly nervous where Ashley already waited for her. It was unusual to see Shepard in such a state since she was a hardened Combat Veteran but she had something to reveal to her that may deeply change their relationship. As Shepard laid eyes on Ashley she felt a spark of comfort, it had been almost over a year since they last saw each other and much has changed since then.
“Shepard, whats going on, is everything alright”, there was a worried tone in her voice.
“There is something I need to show you, It’s kind of important…” Shepard walked right up to Ashley and continued “During the time we got separated I was severely Injured and I have been to a hospital for quite a while”
Ashley looked at Shepard with disbelief. “But you seem fine, I mean you can walk and talk and don’t need to pee in a plastic jar” Ashley joked but her small grin vanished almost immediately when she realized that Shepard isn’t laughing back.
Shepard took a deep breath and closed her eyes, then she started to slowly curl up her sleeves and remove her gloves revealing her arm prosthetics. “It turns out there was something they couldn’t fix the way it should be,” Shepard said and after a brief moment, she added, “I understand if you want to be with someone more…complete, I mean look at this… I’m half a machine…”
She became uncomfortable with her arms being out in the open, and she tried to hide them under her jacket. But Ashley noticed this and grabbed her mechanical hand. She pressed Shepards hand against her chest and said, “You might not feel my heart beating with your hands” she pointed with her other hand towards Shepards chest and continued “But as long as you still feel your own heart beating inside you, you are no machine to me”
Shepard slightly lifted her tear-stained face and looked into Ashley’s eyes feeling great comfort in her words. “And the fact that you ended up all crying shows only more that you are human and that I am important to you, so of course I want to stay with you do you think one or two lost limbs will destroy everything we have?”
Ashley was happy to see that she was able to paint a smile on that face so she smiled back and said, “And no you tell me everything about it, from the start”
Rating: G
Pairing: Alice Joan Shepard/Ashley Williams
Length: 880 words
Warnings: Sadness. mentions of alcohol
Summary: The night before the Chronus Station, Alice and Ash have a moment to themselves.
The sudden jump always gets to her, breaking dream world to reality. It always takes the commander half a minute to gather her senses, and realise she isn't stuck in her personal hell, or slowly asphyxiating while watching the Normandy burn.
Blinking away the remnants of yet another nightmare, she forces the images of both the boy lost on Earth and of her dead sister to the back of her mind. Usually, she wakes and she is alone, though tonight the warmth to her immediate left hooks her back to another reality of Ashley's presence beside her.
Tired eyes flick to the left as she watches just for a minute how soundly the lieutenant-commander sleeps. As much as it seems that it's common for the younger woman, Alice knows she's survived through so much, and isn't innocent to flashbacks of the mind. Like any soldier in their line of work, there's always something to keep haunting them.
And the two of them are pure survivors with unwashable blood on their hands. Though, Alice doesn't feel quite as guilty about Akuze any more.
Shifting carefully, the commander gradually slides her arm out from under Ashley's pillow and head, rolling over to sit up on the end of the bed. Her body is bare, save for the black shorts she usually wears. Her broad shoulders lower as a sigh escapes her lips, and hangs her head.
It's all come down to this and in a matter of hours and days, they could all be dead. It's a heavy burden to bear though getting the job done is her first and foremost priority. Saving the galaxy can put living off if it means everyone else can survive the cycle.
She shudders when she feels the hand on her back even though she hears Ashley stirring long before the contact comes. Still, the simplest of touches from the other woman cause quite a stir to her senses.
"Nightmares, skipper?"
"Yeah. Just jitters keeping me awake."
A soft 'tch' falls from Ashley's lips, and Alice turns her head, eyebrows knitting ever so slightly.
"Just jitters, she says." The hand begins to rub against her powerful back; it's a familiarly soothing gesture that the commander leans into. "You're amazing, you know that?"
"I think you give me too much credit, Ash." Alice replies softly, closing her eyes as Ashley's hand continues rubbing her back. She gradually leans onto Ashley's shoulder, and the younger woman reciprocates.
"No, not after all this."
A comfortable silence fills the cabin. She certainly doesn't mind it. She moves to sit up again, looking right into Ashley's warm eyes -- the same colour of the whiskey she used to drink until she couldn't see any longer, and had only achieved sobriety after intervention by the woman she loves -- and smiles sadly.
"I know you don't say something unless you mean it, and I've... I've always appreciated that about you, Ash. But there's a few things I want to say that... I might not get the chance to again like this..."
"Alice..." She warns, hesitantly, but doesn't put up a contest to stop the commander from continuing.
"Just hear me out, okay? I... I wasn't the same person that night before Ilos. My death, the suicide mission, this war have all changed me. And it hasn't been easy and never will. But you've come back to me when I thought I was going to lose you forever after Horizon, and then Mars when it was my mistake again."
A lump forms in her throat, and her hand reaches to tuck hair behind Ashley's ear, cupping her jaw. "Through all this, you've been at my side, telling me to stand strong when I needed it most. I wouldn't be the same person without you in my life, Ash. And I just... no matter what happens on Earth..."
She swallows, fighting against the well of emotions, lurking in the back of her throat, waiting for the opportunity to interrupt. "I love you. I love every single damn thing about you, and I just... I wanted to say that. For all those times you stuck by me, and believed in me."
Hearing Shepard's words, Ashley's features soften. She's known the commander to be nothing short of a compassionate, caring woman but to be in such an intimate setting, it's a rarity she knows she's blessed to hear first hand.
"I love you too, Al." She whispers, leaning into the commander's calloused palm. She moves to sit behind Shepard, strong arms locking around Alice's scarred torso, chin atop her shoulder. "You're gonna see this through. I know you. And I know you don't give up. Ever. So... I don't want you to think this is gonna be it, because it's not. We're gonna have a future for us, and don't think for a minute this is gonna get you out of meeting my mom, got it?"
A soft laugh comes from Alice, turning to look at Ash over her shoulder.
"In it for the real long haul, are we?"
"Damn right." Ashley smiles now, bright as her lips curl upwards. She plants a kiss along Alice's neck, just behind her ear. "Now, if you're smart, you're gonna try for another couple hours of sleep."
I could lean in to hold you, or act like I don't even know you,
Seems like you could care less anyway.
What happened to that girl I used to know?
I just want us back to the way we were before.
Instead of getting jewellery or trinkets for anniversary gifts, Shepard and Ashley buy each other bigger and better guns, and then go out to the shooting range as their anniversary date.
