Interrupted Shower

As Jane stood in the shower, clothes on the opposite side of the room, and not bothering with a towel, the door to her cabin opened up. “Excuse me, commander, oh!”

Jane turned and blushed to see Samantha Traynor standing in her room. “Samantha…” Jane said. “Sorry, I didn’t shut the door.”

“I-it’s okay,” Samantha said, turning redder. “Um, I was just going to tell you that uh… you have a message… in your private terminal… and uh… I w-wanted to check on you after what happened on the Citadel. You seemed… down…”

Jane sighed. “I saw Liara,” she said in a low voice. “She was… with someone.”

“Oh my,” Samantha said, stepping toward Jane , stripping to her underwear. “I’m so sorry. I… I know what that’s like. When EDI and Joker were exclusively dating… I couldn’t help but feel slightly jealous… Of course we never… you know… but still…”

“What is going on with you two?” Jane asked.

“I don’t know,” Samantha said. “EDI doesn’t really understand relationships, so I guess we’re more open. Sometimes she still sees Jeff and other times she comes to me. We make it work in some fashion.”

“How do you watch the love of your life… choose someone else?” Jane asked.

Samantha thought for a moment. “You try to be happy for them I suppose. You can’t just **** them to be with you, after all, and remember that you are Commander Shepard. You’ve survived amazing feats. And you will survive a breakup,” she said. “And a shower…”

Jane nodded. “I just… feel so… lost,” Jane said as she looked at the ground.

Samantha stepped closer, resting a hand on Jane's bare shoulder. “Jane …”

Jane looked at Samantha longingly. “I need someone,” Jane said.

Samantha nodded. “I can be that person… I know I’m not Liara, but… I’m okay with being a rebound if you need it.”

Jane sighed as she rested her forehead against Samantha’s shoulder. Samantha wrapped her arms around Jane , embracing her. Jane lifted her head up and leaned in, kissing Samantha as she ran her wet hand through her short hair. “I can’t,” Jane said, pulling away. “I want to… but I feel… guilty.”

“May I make a suggestion in fear of insubordination?” Samantha asked.

Jane nodded. “Speak your mind, Traynor.”

“I think you could use a little relaxation method,” Samantha said. “There’s this theory that changing your lifestyle habits does wonders for the mental stability and increases mental health. There are specific recommended strategies to combat turmoil.”

“What are you suggesting?” Jane asked.

“You’re a confident, powerful woman,” Samantha said. “What would be more powerful than a sense of vulnerability?”

“Get to the point,” Jane said.

“There are a few recommendations for military leaders like yourself. To list just a few, nudity, diapers, submission-

“Wait what?” Jane said. “You’re not saying that I should… walk around naked or wear diapers or… submit to someone, are you?”

“It might seem ridiculous, but studies have shown that those who can live a carefree lifestyle, reduce stress, and be more relaxed can then live prosperously and find their inner peace if you will. You have gone through more than anyone ever has. No one would blame you for… needing some of that carefree lifestyle,” Samantha said. “It’s just something to consider. And depending on the lifestyle… no one has to even know about it. It can be confined to the people you trust the most.”

Jane sighed as Samantha dried off and put her clothes back on, leaving Jane alone with her thoughts. “Carefree lifestyle huh…” Jane mumbled as she put a robe on and looked at her private terminal.

She had a few messages… including one from Liara.

Jane sighed as she opened it. One word. Sorry

Jane glared, gritting her teeth. All she could say was sorry… Jane closed her private terminal and looked at her fish ignorant of the heartbreaks. Her space hamster came out of his little hut and squeaked. Jane smiled as she saw little Nihlus scurrying around. Yeah she named her hamster after the turian spectre… it was the least she could do for him. After all, it’s where everything started.

If only Jane had known the things she would go through following that routine mission to Eden Prime… the wars… the love… everything. Not even mentioning being resurrected from the grave… twice. Liara the one who had saved her both times… now was gone.

Did Jane dare… try to live the way Traynor suggested? Carefree? And how? Did she really want to roam the galaxy naked? In a diaper? A pet… was there another option not even being considered?