The One Truth - Date Night

Title:                            The One Truth – Date Night
Author:                         mcomommy
Game:                          Mass Effect
Characters:                   Axiom Shepard, Kaidan Alenko
Disclaimer:                   Mass Effect and all characters from it are owned by Bioware.
Content Warning:          Fluff


Profile:                        Axiom Shepard
Background:                Spacer/War Hero
Affiliation:                   Paragade
Class:                         Sentinel

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The One Truth
Date Night


     "This is not happening," Axiom punctuated every word with another tug at her hairbrush.  She sighed in exasperation.  "With all the advancements we've made in the last hundred years, you would think we could find a better way to get rid of tangles," she growled at her reflection.  Giving another yank, she hissed as the offending snarl yanked out in her brush.  

     Shepard eyed herself critically in the mirror.  At least the rest of her auburn tresses were behaving as they should, smoothed down around her face, the tips brushing just past her shoulders.  Now if only her skin weren't so pale.

     Axiom tried to squish the butterflies in her stomach, but they only multiplied as her eyes picked out every little flaw from the face looking back at her.  This is why she hated mirrors.  Not like she didn't already know she wasn't Asari beautiful, or Quarian exotic, or…or…  Her mind blanked.  

     Axiom groaned, thumping her elbows onto the vanity's top.  She ran her fingers through her carefully brushed hair, messing it up.  Her pale blue eyes met those of the reflection.  What was she doing, anyway?  It was only Kaidan.  Only Kaidan, who made her pulse race.  Only Kaidan, who sent shivers down her spine by brushing her hand.  Only Kaidan, who's kisses set her skin on fire.  Only Kaidan, who -   

     Shepard swallowed, noticing the flush spreading across her cheeks.  Best to not follow through on that thought, she decided.  

     "God dammit," she stomped her foot under the vanity in frustration.  "I am Commander Shepard.  I stopped Saren, I saved the Council, I survived the Blitz."  The reflection matched the determined line of her mouth.  "For crying out loud, I jumped a Mako through a Mass Effect Relay.  I can handle one little date.  With Kaidan."  The reflection looked a little less determined.  "At the Ilium Café."  Uncertainty crept in.  "Light-years from regulations.  Just the two of us."  Axiom deflated, moaning as she dropped her head to the top of the vanity.  

     Leaning back, Axiom mentally berated the butterflies in her stomach.  They ignored her, blissfully fluttering about.  You would think she'd be used to going out with her Lieutenant by now.  They only had a few days left of their two week shore leave and had been living it up on Ilium, hitting the clubs and restaurants every day.  Today, though, rather than the run of the mill tourist diners, Kaidan had told her they were going to the Ilium Café, the most exclusive place in Nos Astra.  Her guts roiled, the butterflies telling her that something special was going to happen tonight.   

     "I can't do this," Shepard admitted to herself finally, staring hopelessly at the collection of makeup and powders spread out before her.  Give her some camo face paint and a gilly suit and she could hide in plain sight.  Give her lip stick and eye shadow, she was lost.  

     Reluctant and frustrated, Axiom connected to the front desk.

     "Yes, may I help you, ma'am?"  

     Axiom bit her lip.  "I, umm, I have a special date tonight," she started, wringing her hands.  "I would like to look my best, but I am…unaccustomed…to the fairer arts," hesitantly, Shepard met the eyes of the Asari concierge on the vid-screen.  "I was wondering if you could send someone up to aid me?"

     A knowing smile crossed the Asari's face as she bowed her head politely.  "Of course, ma'am.  I will see to it personally."  The screen blipped off, leaving Axiom nauseas.  

     Shepard groaned, pacing, as she waited for the Asari to arrive.  

     "Miss?"

     Axiom turned, finding the pale blue Asari standing at the entrance of her suite, hands delicately clasped together in front of her.

     Relief flooding her, Axiom gestured toward the selection of cosmetics spread across the vanity.  "Please help," she said, hating how pathetic she sounded.

     "It would be my greatest pleasure," the concierge replied, a smile touching her face.

     Thirty minutes and one slightly frustrated Asari later, the concierge  nodded, satisfied with her handiwork.  Axiom scrunched her eyes shut, afraid to look at her reflection.  Drawing a laugh from the alien.

     "I really wish you wouldn't do that, ma'am.  It will leave creases in your eye shadow."

     Sighing, Axiom opened her eyes, letting out an involuntary gasp at the face staring back at her.  The Asari had painted her lips a dark red, accentuating the delicate curve of her mouth.  A light colored blush covered the contour of her cheek bones and a dark, velvety eye shadow gave her a sultry look.

     "Are you sure that's me," she asked quietly, awed by the transformation the Asari had managed.

     The concierge smiled, squeezing Axiom's shoulder.  "He's going to love it, trust me."

     Kaidan barely recognized Shepard when she stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby.  He stood, swallowing and nervously rubbing the back of his neck.  It didn't escape his notice that nearly everyone had their eyes glued to the Commander, not all of them male.  A few human females and even Asari were looking at Shepard, biting their lips and longing in their eyes.

     And she was walking straight toward him.

     Marching, really.  Kaidan smiled.  In his time since meeting the Commander onboard the Normandy, this was possibly the second time he'd seen her in a dress and heals.  It was obvious that dressing up wasn't something Axiom was used to.  The seductive sway of hips that a normal woman would have was instead replaced by the confident, measured stride of a career soldier.  It was no less alluring.  

     Letting his eyes travel over the Commander, Kaidan felt his heart stop.  The loose material of Axiom's black dress stopped mid calf, swishing enticingly around her pale legs with each step.  It clung to her thighs, a lover's touch as it slid silkily along her skin.  Tugging at his collar, Kaidan wished the lobby weren't quite so warm, his blood felt like it was on fire.  His eyes traveled higher, taking in the risqué v-neck, revealing the slight swell of Axiom's breasts along with a fair bit of cleavage.

     Kaidan licked his lips, eyes lingering on the crystal pendant Shepard's mother had given her for her last birthday.  It was likely the only piece of jewelry that she owned.  Self consciously, he clutched at the ring in his pocket.  Maybe tonight, he would have the courage…

     "Hey handsome," Axiom smiled up at him, stealing his breath away.  Her brow furrowed in confusion at his lack of response.  "Do I look funny?"

     Kaidan laughed, "No, I, uhh, I just," he took a deep breath, "You look stunning."

     Shepard blushed, looking down and brushing her hair behind her ear.  "Shall we," she asked, smiling brightly.

     At a loss for words, Kaidan offered his elbow to the Commander, shivering at her light touch through the fabric of his tuxedo jacket.  

     "Is that for me," Axiom asked hopefully, prodding him slightly with her elbow.

     "Oh!  Ah, yes.  I, umm," he felt a slight flush creep up his cheeks.  "This is for you," he presented the white rose he'd forgotten he was carrying.

     Gently, she took it, her lips curled into a soft smile.  

     Kaidan felt like a mess the whole way through dinner, his nerves were on edge, palms sweaty.  The cook could've fed them cardboard for all he tasted the meal.  Expensive cardboard.  Shepard seemed to be enjoying herself, smiling and laughing at whatever joke he had told.  What was he saying, anyway?  God, he wished he could focus.  His hand squeezed his pocket, the ring inside feeling heavy.  But then she would glance at him through her lashes or her lips would curl up at the corners in a slight smile, and his heart would do flips and he would lose his train of thought.

     Before he knew it, dinner was over, whatever chance he would've had was passed.  Kaidan sighed, proffering his hand to help her up.  They exited the Ilium Café, followed by yearning gazes from patrons and staff alike.  Axiom took a deep breath, enjoying the salty smell of the evening breeze coming from the ocean.  A wistful look crossed her face before she turned to smile up at Kaidan.  

     "Would you like to take a walk on the beach," his eyebrows drew together as he asked, crinkling his forehead.  

     With a smile, Axiom reached up, smoothing the lines away.  "I would like that very much," she grinned.  

     Carefully, they made their way across the boardwalk and down to the beach.  Crystal clear blue water lapped gently against the white sand, teasing close to their feet as Shepard and Kaidan walked along, shoes in hand.  The sun was dipping below the horizon, coloring the sky in pinks, bright red, and blue that bled across to a deep purple.

     Kaidan stopped, hand clutching the ring through his pocket.  Shepard took a step, and turned, pulled back by the hand Kaidan still held in his.

     Axiom smiled up at him, faltering a little at the intense look in his eyes.  "What is it," she asked uncertainly.  

     Gripping the ring tighter, Kaidan took a deep breath, steeling himself.

     "Shepard, I..," he swallowed.  "Would you..," Kaidan sighed, defeated.  "Would you mind if I took a holo of you?"  He looked hesitantly at his Commander's face.

     Axiom grinned.  "Of course," she beamed at him.  

     Kaidan reached into his pocket, eyes squeezing shut as his fingers brushed past the ring, pulling out a holo.  Shepard smiled up at him, hair swaying lightly in the breeze.  

     Kaidan clicked the picture.  He sighed again, sliding the holo back into his pocket and offering Axiom his arm, continuing their walk down the beach.  There is plenty of time, he reasoned.  They would be serving aboard the Normandy together again, soon.  Looking down at his side, he basked in the warm glow of Shepard smiling up at him.  It perked him up, having her next to him, lifted the depression that had threatened to settle in from his weakness.  

     There would be plenty of time yet for him to ask Shepard to marry him.