Curious Jealousy- a F!Shenko Fic

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Reaction

Shepard leaned tiredly on the wall in the airlock, anxiously awaiting laying down in her bed for a long nights rest- or, at least, a nap- after plotting a course to…well…she'd have to check her messages to see if there was anything absolutely dire that needed immediate attention.

While she appreciated the Council's gratitude in revealing Udina's plot, they could have cut their gratitude short by a few hours. As it was, it was closing in on, around, 2200 hours (and she had arrived at the Council Chambers at about 1700 hours).

As soon as the doors opened, James gave her a wide grin that let her know that he had been waiting for her. She straightened up and replaced her exhausted look with one of flirtation- she couldn't help herself, it was just something she did automatically with James.

"You waiting for someone, James?" she taunted, giving him a look that screamed predatory.

He looked her up and down with a hungry expression that said it all. "Yeah, and she finally arrived," he smirked, letting his eyes linger on her chest and then moved up to linger on her lips.

Had it been another time or had he been someone else, she might have reprimanded him, but, it wasn't another time and he wasn't someone else. Who was really going to enforce fraternization rules (not that she was going to go that far…maybe)?

Plus, she wasn't in a relationship with anyone.

He was like a nice place to breathe. He had the utmost respect for her, but he didn't treat her different just because of her name, rank, and history. To him (when they weren't in battle) she was just Lola.

She walked slowly to him, letting her hips sashay in a way that had his eyes moving down to them. She stopped right in front of him and tilted her head back with a small smile. "Oh yeah?"

James placed a large hand on her hip and another on the side of her neck and smirked. "Pretty little thing," he murmured. "Looks like she could be broken in half, but her looks are deceptive. She's been known to put Krogan in their place."

"Sounds like a real hardass," she laughed, leaning in closer to him.

James lowered his voice where it seemed like nothing more than a rumble. "You looked pretty hot with a bebé in your arms, Lola"

Shepard felt her face light up bright red as she floundered for a response. Finally, she decided on a smartass response. "Oh yeah? You wanna help me make my own?" she purred.

Flustered, James turned red and stuttered, trying to find the right words. With a laugh, she patted him on the arm and made her way to her terminal so she could get that over with and she could get to bed.

She was exhausted.

Kaidan felt his nails digging into his palms as he watched the surveillance vid of the airlock. He had half a mind to throw Vega out the damn airlock once they were in space. What right did that man have to look at Hope like that?

To speak to her like that?

To touch her like that?

She was so much more than a toy to be flirted with.

Kaidan heard the shattering of glass and looked over to see coffee running down the wall across the room. Apparently he had inadvertently, biotically thrown his cup of coffee.

Why was he so pissed?

Was it because he wished that he could be like that with her? Because he had never been that open and forward with her? Was it because she had flirted back? Because she had that look of fire in her eyes that he had missed seeing?