The rumors of my death are not true ^^
Okay, good morning everyone. Have this dialogue I wrote for AMW - hope you like it *g*
*Situation: Observatory deck discussion, just after Ashley's return from Udina's coup*
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Traynor: Commander? Lieutenant Commander Williams wants to talk to you down on the observatory deck.
Shepard: Thank you, Specialist. Anything else?
Traynor: You also have messages on your terminal.
Shepard: Anything important?
Traynor: No, just the usual reports. You may talk to Williams first, if you like.
Shepard: Thanks.
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Shepard: Hey Ash - how's it going?
Ashley: Skipper ... we need to talk. Alone.
Shepard: *locks door* Okay. Why the sad face, Ash?
Ashley: Thought a bit. About all the stuff that had happened lately. Yelling at you, getting knocked out on Mars, pointing a weapon at you, defending Udina. Destiny plays an ugly game with us. Not to speak of the Reapers.
Shepard: Things never looked like sunshine and rainbow for us, Ashley. We met in the middle of a firefight, remember? Not the best start for anything serious.
Ashley: *sad laughter* Probably not.
Shepard: So, what's up. You're not pondering about our past, right?
Ashley: No. I just thought about ... nevermind. It's nothing.
Shepard: "Nothing".
Ashley: Nothing. It's stupid to think about that. We're in the middle of a war, a war we might lose. Every single day could be our last. I shouldn't think about a future that's most likely never going to happen.
Shepard: We're still holding our ground, Ash. As long as we can fight, we do.
Ashley: Right. "Future", huh?
Shepard: I'm listening.
Ashley: Okay ... where to start. I ... I think I just want to drop my boomstick once this is over. Have seen enough death and war. And you?
Shepard: Think I saw enough too. Settling down sounds good to me. A house somewhere on a backwater planet, no one knows we're there ...
Ashley: "We"? *smiles*
Shepard: Never thought about a future without you, Ash. Either you and me or neither one. You and me.
Ashley: *smirks* do you feel ready for a Williams? Hmm ... no. I don't think so, Mister. *laughs*
Shepard: Dealing with ancient genocidal machines? Check. Dealing with a Williams ... pending.
Ashley: Know what - I give you a chance. You convinced me once to "spend a night in the bunk" - violating a good dozen of rules. That - and I wasn't able to resist your fine ass.
Shepard: That "fine ass" is still your CO *smirks*
Ashley: And still mine.
Shepard: Is it so ...?
Ashley: Your words were "either you and me or neither one" - sounds like a confession to me.
Shepard: Like ... "I love you"?
Ashley: Hmmm - yes. Like that.
Shepard: *sits down and watches the stars* You know ... I wonder what we do after the war. After retiring.
Ashley: Relaxing. Just ... enjoying each other. Lazy stuff ... I just wanna sit down and do nothing.
Shepard: Sounds good to me. And once we're done with that?
Ashley: Touching a touchy topic? Hmm ... like it. And the answer is "no".
Shepard: I wasn't asking for the serious stuff. Just - what's your plan after relaxing enough?
Ashley: That's a secret *snickers* - maybe children? Maybe not? Oh c'mon, don't look at me like that, Skipper. That's the challenge - find it out on your own.
Shepard: I could ask Liara.
Ashley: You don't dare.
Shepard: You should know me better, Ash.
Ashley: That's why I say "you don't dare."
Shepard: *laughs* you're right. Won't ask the Shadow Broker for your secrets.
Ashley: *smirks* okay. Skip ... thanks. Thanks for the talk.
Shepard: You're welcome, Ash.
Ashley: One more thing ... "Commander": Traynor was looking for a new cabin for me - Garrus lives in my old one now. Just wondered if ... if I could move in. Sir?
Shepard: Pack your stuff - request granted, LC.