Who: Jane Shepard and Liara T'soni What: An actual date. Without gunfire, or Reapers, even. Where: All over town, likely getting something to eat When: Seven P.M sharp, because Jane is prompt Rating: PG/PG-13. Hard to say Status: In Progress
Storybrooke was a place where the strange had begun to seem natural and, coming from a woman who had been through what she had, that was saying something. When she looked at just what she'd done, everything from battling Reapers and Geth, to waging war against Cereberus shock troops and dealing with all manner of nightmarish monsters, never mind dying, that was saying quite a lot indeed. She could accept all that, she could put her head down, pick her gun up, and, no matter what, push forward. She was Commander Jane Shepard, that was what was expected of her, and she did her best to surpass it as often as she could.
Perhaps that was why her own anxiety was surprising her as she splashed another handful of cold water on her face. Toweling off her face, Jane stared at the mirror for a long moment and braced her hands on the vanity. She was thankful she'd slept some, less the aged and tired look of her eyes would have been even more cause for concern.
The nightmares had been present, as always lately, but there had been comfort in the fact that she no longer felt alone. That was just too much, on top of everything else. Even when they'd been aboard the Normandy, even when Jane had secluded herself in her cabin to stare at her fish or sit in the shower, she knew they were there. She knew her crew would have been there, particularly Liara, if she'd needed something to tug her feet back down to the ground or remind her of just what she was doing.
When she'd come to Storybrooke, however exactly that had happened, it had taken away that support. Sure, she'd met a few people, but their stories weren't exactly comforting. Jane had done, much like she always had, and put the best face forward she could. When she couldn't sleep, she spent time on her PDA. She watched. She learned. She'd even applied for a job. She was Commander Shepard. She couldn't just lie down because there was no one to fight. What kind of example would that have been, especially to the people who, through means that made her rather uncomfortable, seemed to know just exactly who she was and what she'd done.
Now, they were coming back, and they were coming back different. Jane couldn't bring herself to care about that though, at least not beyond how uncomfortable it must have been for them. Still, like always, they were finding the upsides in it. Tali'Zorah was looking forward to her ice cream, which Jane had already put word out about to Danny, and Liara? Liara was actually making her laugh...something Jane was almost afraid she'd forgotten how to really do without being drunk.
Jane straightened her posture and gave herself another look in the mirror. She wasn't normally a woman who concerned herself with primping, but this was different. This was a genuine date. This was Liara's first date. Jane hadn't honestly been surprised by that, but flattered, and had every intention of making it the absolute best she could. Besides, she could have used it too. Never mind with everything else going on, they all could have used a win.
It was why she was planning a surprise party for Tali. It was why she was making sure she looked the best she could for the date tonight. It was what she did, and what they deserved. They had stood by her, through things closer to Hell then Jane had ever wanted to come, and they'd asked for nothing. Of course, Jane wasn't about to sit here and tell herself she was just doing it for Liara either, because that would have been an outright lie.
"You fought a Yagh together." Jane reminded herself. "If that didn't come between you two, what would?" The pep-talks weren't exactly new either, but this one seemed to do the trick. "Besides, this probably isn't easy for her either." She told herself as she adjusted the brass buttons on the collar of her uniform. "And if you really are staying here, who better to be here with?" Jane glanced at the clock. "Well..time to go."
The last prompting had been all she allowed herself before drawing her posture to proper attention and turned away from the mirror. That same, proud, powerful, confident, stride carried her through the apartment, out the door, and up the stairs. It continued down the corridor and right up to the door, finally carrying over into a series of soft knocks.
Now, it was all a matter of waiting, with Commander Jane Shepard, standing tall, head held high, arms folded behind her. It was the statuesque posture of confidence, even if she was shaken on the inside. Why? Because, damn it, it was what she did. She kept it together when it counted and, if Jane were being entirely honest?
She couldn't think of much in her life that had mattered more, and not had to do with saving the universe, then what was about to happen.