Aurora313 wrote...
Shepard: Ash, there you are. Been looking for you.
Ashley: Hey, Skip. When did you get back? Actually, where disappear to for the last two days?
Shepard: Just now. And I went to the Villa.
Ashley: 'Villa'? What villia?
Shepard: Ah - Sorry, 'Interplanetary Combatants Academy'. N-School. Graduates and attendees called it 'The Villa' for short.
Ashley: Oh, right. Where you did your Special ops training, right?
Shepard: That would be the place. Hackett wanted me to address the new graduate class.
Ashley: A passing of the torch kind of thing?
Shepard: Kind of, though I doubt there'll be another race of intergalactic genocidical machines to screw over anytime soon. So, unfortunately, no one's winning the 'Saviour of the Galaxy thrice over' title any time soon.
Ashley: Dear god, if that happens again. I'm telling the galaxy to screw off. I ain't losing my new husband to that kind of crap again.
Shepard: My thoughts exactly, except - obviously - replacing the title appropriately.
* a week later *
Ashley: I just talked to Hackett, Skipper ... I can't believe it. You resigned?!
Shepard: Hackett's the man I need to talk to. And no, I didn't resign, Ash ...
Ashley: Well, and why are you going to resign as the Normandy's CO in a month?
Shepard: *smirks* ... that. I'm doing a favor two too people, that's it.
Ashley: *crosses arms* Explain.
Shepard: I think it's time to pass the torch to you, Ash. You're a capable commander and I don't see why you shouldn't be the next CO of the Normandy. You did damn well. The crew trusts you, my friends are your friends.And someone needs to keep the galaxy on course, while I'm doing Hackett a favor or two.
Ashley: Skipper ... that's ... I don't know what to say. The Normandy won't be the same without you, and-
Shepard: Ash ... I'm going to train new N7 agents. That's what Hackett asked. And ... it was the wish of Anderson too. Before the Reapers attacked, he promised me to get me out of that mess.
Ashley: So it's no longer "Skipper" and "Commander Shepard"? John ... you ... is it really what you want?
Shepard: For a while, yes. And ... I always want to be your Skipper, Ash.
Ashley: *smirks* I know. I love you.
Shepard: I love you too, Ash.
Ashley: "Professor Shepard" ... *smirks*
Shepard: It's going to be "Captain Shepard". But ... I like the way it sounds *kisses Ash*