The party

Everyone was partying to the music. Drinks downed like never before. Shepard had invited everyone on the Normandy including crew members. Jack and Miranda weren’t publicly dating, so they kept their distance from each other. They didn’t think anyone had a problem but they wanted to keep it under wraps until the war and everything was over.

Unable to resist Miranda completely, Jack sat down at the bar while Miranda was bartending. “You have had too many drinks, Jack,” Miranda said as she placed a glass of water down.

Jack grinned. “I am pretty thirsty…”

Miranda blushed but looked away not wanting to be too reactive to Jack.

Miranda noticed Shepard approaching and quickly changed the subject. “So… you’re leading the Grissom Academy students?”

Jack raised an eyebrow but Miranda gave her a look and she played along. “Yeah? That a problem?”

“Just a surprise your psych profile suggested you were mainly interested in yourself,” Miranda said with a smirk.

Jack rolled her eyes but maintained her act. “You’re telling me I’m only interested in myself? Oh, that’s just fucking perfect. Did it occur to you that maybe I’m trying to grow as a goddamn person?”

Miranda held back a laugh as she said. “Oh, I could tell you were growing. I assumed it was whatever that is you’re wearing.”

“Oh, these? Well, yeah, they were strapped down with a leather belt before,” Jack said remembering the first time Miranda had made this discovery herself. “It’s kind of a stupid move to show off your rack in the middle of a maximum security prison ship.”

“I’ve never had the pleasure,” Miranda said.

“You’d never survive. You might break a nail,” Jack said sassily.

“You’ve no idea what I’m capable of,” Miranda said.

“You’re a spoiled rich girl cheerleader.”

“Victim.”

“Test tube clone princess.”

“I think it’s past your bedtime.”

“Oh did I hit a nerve? I didn’t get to read your psych profile,” Jack said.

That was enough for Shepard to finally interrupt their little act. “Ladies I see we’ve all gotten enough to drink,” Jane said.

“Relax, Shepard. I’m not gonna smear the walls with her this time,” Jack said.

“And I couldn’t possibly think of anything worse to do to her than that haircut,” Miranda said holding back a laugh as Jack have her a small glare.

“Hey, cheerleader, my hair and I’ve been fighting brutes and marauders on the front lines of this war. Meanwhile, you got your big bubbly butt kicked by some guy with a sword,” Jack said almost regretting her little jab at the end.

Miranda gave Jack a reassuring look and turned to Jane. “You see, Shepard? Best of friends.”

“Honestly, I thought it might help if you two just kissed and got it over with,” Jane answered.

Jack choked on her water while Miranda was taken by surprise. “What?” Miranda said.

“I mean… this is all just sexual tension, right? Two powerful biotics, powerful personalities, confident in their sexuality…”

“You are shitting me…” Jack said.

“Oh my God…” Miranda said. “You already know, don’t you.”

Shepard gave them a wink and a grin. “Perks of having a very smart soulmate with surveillance in every corner of the galaxy. Your secret is safe with me,” Shepard said.

Shepard walked off after that and Miranda and Jack were left staring dumbfounded. “Maybe it’s just as well,” Miranda said. “I’ve been having a hard time keeping my hands off you.”

Jack grinned and shrugged. “No time like the present.”

Jack pulled Miranda in for a kiss. Miranda said. “I can’t believe she knew this whole time.”

“That bubbly butt is mine after the party,” Jack said. “For those comments you made, it’s going to hurt real good especially the one about my hair.”

“Oh come on, it was just banter,” Miranda said. “I actually like your new hairstyle. It’s very… you.”

Jack grinned. “Find me later. There’s a guest bed with our name on it.”

Miranda laughed as Jack walked away re-joining the party members. Through that Jack discovered the reason why the sushi place cancelled her reservation as Shepard told everyone about how she fell through the fish tank. “Ah man,” Miranda said. “I really liked that place.”

Everyone was pretty wasted as the music began to slow down a bit. Miranda and Jack made their way up to one of the beds and collapsed in it together.