Mass Effect Seven Minutes In Heaven ~ Miranda

Author's note: Slight language warning due to Jack's, well, language... You've been warned.

Despite the feelings of nervousness and excitement, the latter begins to outweigh the former as you raise your Omni Tool and send Glyph a cheery smile.

"Alright then, Glyph, send me a name and let's get started."

"As you wish, Lieutenant." The Virtual Intelligence responds whilst his holographic form flashes a subtle, light blue as he sends a random name to your Omni Tool. Said holographic interface flashes it's usual orange before you tap it, causing a screen to pop up.

"So, Romeo, who'd you get?" James asks as he leans over to look at the screen.

A name is displayed upon said screen. Your eyebrows rise considerably.

'What? No way!' You mentally comment, 'I didn't know she was playing this game!'

It reads...

"Uh, Miranda?" You reply with a slight surprised undertone in your voice, all the while looking to the crowd of your crew mates. Hoping the former Cerberus Operative will make herself known.

'Where is she? I could've sworn I'd seen her earlier...'

"Hey, Cerberus-Bitch, you're up!" Jack states with a smug smirk as she crosses her arms.

"I know where and when I'm needed. Unlike some." Replies a familiar, Australian-accented voice speaks as Miranda herself steps out from behind Wrex and Grunt. She gives Jack a venomous look before she turns her blue orbs onto you as she stands before you with a smirk, "Hey there, (Y/n)."

"Hey, Miranda." You greet her back with a smile, all the while you feel your heart's beat quicken ever so subtly. Not wanting things to grow awkward, you ask her something, "So, uh, how're you?"

"I'm fine, thanks for asking. But, I think you'll find we have more pressing matters at hand..."

"Oh, really?" You reply with sarcasm, your smile now formed into a smirk, "And what would that be?"

"Ahem." James coughs loudly, gaining both your attentions. Looking over you see him holding the closet door open, a smug smirk on his face, "Here's a hint."

"Yeah, not to interrupt but, can you two get it over with?" Kasumi asks as her cloak ability dissipates momentarily, "Some of us actually want to get their turn, y'know." And with that the master thief disappears again.

"Right. Sorry." You chuckle embarrassedly as you turn to Miranda, "Shall we then, Miss Lawson?"

"Lets."

Miss Lawson and yourself walk side by side into the open closet, your anticipation and excitement rising ever so subtly. The 'perfect' woman looks to you with a small smile, which you return in full, your gaze resting upon her soft blue eyes.

Now standing in the open closet, James sends you a wink before shutting both yourself and your crush in. Contrary to what may be assumed, the closet itself isn't too cramped or dark. Thanks to the light coming from under the door, you can still see each other reasonably well.

'Come on now, (Y/n), keep it cool. Don't panic.' You tell yourself mentally.

"So... I guess we're stuck here for the next seven minutes." Miranda states.

"Yep. That's the gist of it..." You reply with a nonchalant shrug, "That your way of saying you've never played this game before?"

"It's that obvious, is it? No, I've never played this game before."

"Until now?" You state with a smile, already knowing the answer.

"Until now." She says with a small chuckle as she casts a smile at you. Your heart skips a beat at the sight. Miranda then averts her gaze elsewhere, seemingly thinking or being reminded of something as her brows lower in a subtle way.

"Are you alright, Miranda?" You ask as you step closer to the genetically engineered woman, your hand resting gently on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.

It is to be admitted that, at first glance, the woman known as Miranda Lawson is seemingly perfect in every conceivable way. She can and often does come across as ruthless, efficient and determined. Not to mention an excellent shot and a strong biotic. She easily presents herself as a sort of ice-cold-femme-fatale.

Yet despite that, Miranda isn't as heartless as some would believe. She cares deeply for her 'sister' Oriana. And is fiercely protective of her, willing to do anything to keep her safe and out of their father's cruel hands. You know this very well in fact, you were there on Illium when Eclipse mercenaries showed up to try and take Oriana - by force even. Which unfortunately ended with her friend, Niket, being killed by Captain Enyala.

After the ensuing firefight, both Shepard and yourself encouraged her to make a connection with her estranged sibling, you both smiled at the sight from afar as they 'officially' met.

Ever since then you've gotten pretty close to Miranda, she even opened up to you a surprising amount. Her occasional use of dry wit, and bouts of sarcastic conversations have proven a highlight of your time with her, you've even comforted her when her self-loathing has been brought up. You both clearly enjoy each other's company.

And along the way, you developed feelings for her.

"I'm fine, (Y/n), really." She replies as she looks to you, "I'm just not used to this; being 'normal' that is. Spending time with friends, messing around, having fun, that kind of thing. Not much experience."

"I say give it time, you'll get used to it eventually." You assure her as you remove your hand from her shoulder.

"Thanks. (Y/n), I've been meaning to talk to you about something, if that's alright? Hopefully before we run out of time in here?"

"Sure. What is it?"

Miranda sends you a wide smirk, "Well, for starters, I know you're attracted to me."

'S-She knows?! Wait, it's Miranda. Of course she knows.'

Visibly taken by surprise by this information, a stuttered question is all you can mutter in response, "R-Really? ...How?"

"To tell you the truth, I've known for a while. Had an inkling when you and I started talking more often, I started to notice the signs more and more." She answers with that same smirk, like the cat that got the canary, "The fact you smiled when I did, laughed when I did, mirrored my body language; it was all there."

"...You're observant as always, Miranda."

"To be fair you did a decent job of keeping it hidden. Until now." Miranda repeats your exact words to her, a small chuckle escaping her throat, "What I want to know is why you didn't act on your feelings when you had the chance."

"Truthfully, I wasn't sure if you were shook up after what happened with Niket and Oriana. It didn't seem appropriate at the time." You admit with a smile, feeling rather embarrassed, "I thought the last thing you wanted was some idiot flirting with you."

'I just hope it's not too late to act on my feelings...'

"That's sweet of you." Miranda replies as she glides her hands up your arms and onto your shoulders. She leans up and whispers in your ear in a playful tone, "But, I wouldn't have minded if you did~"

A shiver of delight runs along your spine as your hands find themselves resting on the curve of her hips, "...So, is it too late to act on those feelings, Miss Lawson?" You ask quietly.

'Please say no! Please say no!'

The former Cerberus Operative leans her face closer to yours, her lips getting closer to yours... You can feel her breath upon your face...

"What do you think, Lieutenant?"

And with that your lips and hers meet in an embrace, rather than stiffening from shock, you relax into each other. A sigh escaping your noses as your lips move slowly against each others.

You pull her body against yours as Miranda's hands grip your shoulders tightly, all the while audible moans of pleasure emanate from your throats as the kiss becomes a deeper, more passionate one one. At least until oxygen is needed and you pull back from each other, if only slightly.

"I'm thinking maybe you have feelings for me, too." You state with a smirk.

Just as Miranda opens her mouth to respond, no doubt with her dry wit, the closet door opens abruptly. The light doesn't hurt yours or Miranda's eyes too much, and your arms remain around each other. Stood holding the door is James, a grin on his face.

"Sorry to break it to you, but your time's up." He explains as he points his thumb over his shoulder, "Out you go."

'Damn it! I was hoping for more time!' You comment.

Miranda and yourself share a look and a smile, the two of you sling an arm around each other's sides, and they remain there as you both exit the closet.

"So are you going to answer my question?" You ask as you look to her.

With a chuckle, your new lover leans into your ear and whispers, "Play your cards just right, and you'll find out soon enough. Probably somewhere we don't have a time limit~"

Her words send shivers of pleasure up and down your spine, a large grin plasters your face...

"I'm looking forward to it."

=== Extended Ending ===

"Miranda, dear, are you ready yet?" You call out from the living room of your shared apartment, all the while making sure your tie is nice and presentable.

"Just a minute, (Y/n)!" Your girlfriend calls out from the shared bedroom, her voice muffled by the closed door.

"Ugh, you said that nearly fifteen minutes ago..." You groan as you pinch your nose.

'At this rate, we'll be late!' You mentally comment, 'You know what? I'm going to go see what the hold up is...'

You head over to the bedroom and press your ear to the door...

"Come on, come on! ...Ugh, damn it!" You hear the lovely Miss Lawson seethe from the room beyond the door.

"I'm coming in." You call out as you open the door and see the genetically-engineered-woman looking more impeccable than usual. She is wearing a very stylish red dress, the kind that is appropriate for occasions such as tonight, and matching high heels to boot.

More specifically you see what was taking Miranda so long. She is struggling with the zip on the back of her dress, and trying to reach it and pull it all the way up.

"Having some trouble, Miss Lawson?" You tease with a grin.

"Very funny." She replies with an annoyed look as she gestures for you to help her out, all the while turning her back to you.

"Something on your mind? I can't imagine you of all people wouldn't have a problem with these things." You ask as you stride over across the bedroom and to your lovers' rescue.

Your girlfriend sighs loudly as she answers you, "I'm just stressed, alright? I've made all the preparations, I've made sure we'll get there in time. Honestly, I'm as far out of my depth as you can get, and I don't want anything to go wrong. Especially tonight..."

"Miranda, please relax." You soothe as you walk up behind her, place a gentle hand on the curve of her hip and use your other hand to pull up the zip, "Everything will be fine, I promise."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Trust me, everything will be fine." You elaborate as she turns around and you see a soft expression in her perfect, blue eyes, "And if it helps; this is my first time going on a double date, too."

"Same boat, heading over the same falls, then." She replies with her usual wit.

"Yeah, you could say that." You reply as you plant a kiss on her forehead, a smile spreading on her lips as you withdraw.

"So? How do I look?" Miranda asks as she takes a step back and awaits your opinion.

'Hot... Freaking... Damn...!'

Looking her up and down you raise an eyebrow as a grin pulls at your lips...

"You know something, I might skip dessert and have you instead~"

"Come on, we don't want to keep Oriana and her date waiting."

"No. We do not."

The Actual End.