Author's Note: Wow. I I thought I wouldn't be able to finish this today. :P

This chapter is dedicated to all my readers, but most especially to OmegaCrusader. His ideas has been instrumental in the creation of quite a few chapters, not to mention that it was in his reviews that I found the courage to continue this. This is for you, my friend.

Enjoy. I hope it doesn't disappoint too much. :P

Disclaimer: The ME Series and the characters featured in this story are owned by BioWare.

Proposition

Miranda Lawson was lying on the bed, resting comfortably in the quarters she sheared with Shepard. She was breathing evenly, a blanket tucked under chin. To the casual observer, she would appear to be sound asleep. At that very moment, she was the very picture of peacefulness and health.

That was until a sneeze broke the silence that had fallen over the room. Miranda opened her eyes and sighed. She sat up on the bed as she pushed the blanket down to her waist.

This can't be happening. I can't possibly be sick, can I?

Miranda Lawson was most assuredly sick. The odd thing was, this was the first time she had been sick in her entire life. Her genetic tailoring had given her an immune system that was superior to that of the average human, which is why, despite her brilliant mind, Miranda still couldn't fathom as to why she was sick and how she got sick.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Shepard entered their quarters with a tray of hot chicken soup. Walking quickly towards her, he laid the tray on the nightstand beside the bed.

"How are you feeling?" Shepard asked, even though he already knew the answer.

"I'm fine. I feel great, actually." Miranda tried to lie, hoping that Shepard would buy it. It didn't work.

"You're not trying to convince to let you get back to work, are you?" The commander asked rhetorically, shaking his head. Miranda was undoubtedly a stubborn woman.

That's an understatement. Shepard thought, mentally sighing. It's a miracle she didn't maim me when I told her to rest.

"But I need to get back to work, John!" Miranda began heatedly, not even bothering to refute the accusation. "Lord knows there's a lot of things that the executive officer-" Shepard cut her off with a kiss. He let it linger for a moment before pulling away. Seeing the slightly dazed look in her eyes, Shepard took this as an opportunity to push her gently down on the bed.

"You know Miri, you'll never get better if you don't rest." Shepard said as he tucked Miranda in. His executive officer simply glared at him. Shepard shook his head as he rested his palm against her forehead.

Slightly warm. Miranda was still feverish.

"It's nothing. I'm fine." Miranda said as she tried to swat his hand away. She sounded anything but fine, as her voice was still hoarse.

Right now, she was clearly the furthest thing from a picture of health.

"I don't think it's nothing, Miri." Shepard said as he sat beside her, stroking her hair. "You've been like this for a few days already and I don't think you're getting better. Are you sure it's just stomach flu?"

"I'm sure, John." Miranda resisted the urge to roll her eyes. While she truly appreciated Shepard's concern, his… overprotectiveness was a bit too much sometimes. "I have a degree in medicine, remember?"

"I don't think a degree in molecular biotechnology… uhh… never mind." Shepard cleared his throat when he saw Miranda glare at him. "Did you get yourself checked out by Doctor Chakwas?" Miranda's eyes widened before she looked away.

"Um…"

"Miri-" Miranda cut him off.

"I'll go to the doctor, I swear! I just… don't feel like going there right now." Shepard chuckled at her response. While Miranda was well versed in the field of science and medicine, she was averse to the idea of having to visit the doctor for anything related to her health, a fact that was both amusing and irritating at the same time.

For Shepard, it was more irritating than amusing at that very moment.

"That's what you told me yesterday too." Shepard said, shaking his head. "You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you were afraid of going to the doctor."

"That's preposterous. Why would I be?" Miranda rolled her eyes at him. "I'm a-"

"A scientist and a doctor who has absolutely no reason to fear science and medicine. I think you've said that a dozen times already." Shepard finished for her with a smirk. Miranda tried to glare at him, but ended up laughing instead. The commander joined her in her laughter. Then he turned serious.

"Seriously, Miri, go see Doctor Chakwas. I want you to go get yourself checked out." He raised his hand when he saw her open her mouth. "And I won't take no for an answer."

"John-!"

"Miri, you do know I can make that an order, right?" Shepard asked cheekily. Miranda mumbled something under her breath.

"Fine." Miranda grumbled before a small, devious smile finally found itself on her face. "You know you'll have to make this up to me, don't you?"

"Oh, I'll make it up to you." Shepard waggled his eyebrows at her. He suppressed a laugh when he saw her eyes widen. "BUT… not until you're better. I'd rather not get sick too." Miranda slapped him playfully.

"I'll get you for this, John. Just you wait." The executive officer threatened him mock-seriously.

"Oh, I have no doubt about that. I'm actually looking forward to it, Miss Lawson." Shepard said, laughing. He gave her a kiss on the forehead before he stood up to leave. Just before he completely left the room, he turned around to face her.

"I'll see you later. Hopefully, you've gotten yourself checked out by then. Don't make me carry you there myself." Shepard said with a smirk. Miranda just groaned at his words.

The commander couldn't help but laugh at that. Miranda didn't know how adorable she was when she was disgruntled.

Despite feeling, well, sick, Miranda Lawson walked deliberately towards the med bay, her heels clicking with every step. While she appeared to be her usual self on the outside, a keen observer would notice that she was slightly pale and that her shoulders sagged a bit.

In reality, she was anything but her very usual self at that very moment. Miranda sighed at the realization.

I guess Shepard had the right idea. Not that I'm telling him that, of course, Miranda mused as she rounded the corner. I haven't been feeling that great for the past few days. Maybe the doctor can give me something so I can get back to work. She smiled slightly when she entered the med bay.

She was slightly surprised when she saw Doctor Chakwas sitting on her chair, facing her. The doctor had a hint of a smile on her voice. Miranda deduced that the doctor had been waiting for her.

Stupid Shepard, Miranda thought fondly, resisting the urge to smile. He must have told Doctor Chakwas that I would be going to her at some point.

"Hello, Miss Lawson. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Doctor Chakwas asked, a smirk on her face. Miranda shook her head.

"You know exactly why I'm here, doctor." Miranda tried to say with a straight face. She failed miserably. Doctor Chakwas chuckled.

"I suppose that's true, Miss Lawson. Please, take a seat." She motioned for Miranda to sit in the chair in front of her.

"What has the commander told you?"

"He told me that you've been sick for a few days now. He also told me that you might be suffering from gastroenteritis." The Normandy's chief medical officer said as she pulled out Miranda's medical records. She looked at it for a few moments before she turned to face Miranda.

"Hmm. Your medical records suggest that you've never been sick… until now. Doesn't that strike you as odd, Miss Lawson?"

"Actually, it did, doctor. I'm certain that my… immune system could have prevented me from getting sick from something as simple as stomach flu." Miranda said thoughtfully, trying not to let the alarm seep into her tone. Could my… condition… be more serious than I originally thought?

"In any case, I'm sure it is nothing but a simple case of gastroenteritis," Doctor Chakwas said, trying to ease the worry she knew Miranda felt. Even if the executive officer didn't show it, she just knew that the younger woman was apprehensive about her… condition. "But of course, as a doctor, I'm still obligated to do my scans. You understand, don't you?"

"Perfectly, doctor."

It only took a few minutes for Doctor Chakwas to complete her medical scan. Advancements in medical technology had made it possible for medical omni-tools to determine a patient's condition through non-invasive medical scans. The Normandy's chief medical officer quickly went over the data. Her eyes widened at the findings. Miranda, observant as she was, immediately noticed this.

"Is there something wrong, doctor?" She asked, bracing for the worst. Doctor Chakwas laid the datapad on the table before facing Miranda, an unreadable expression on her face.

"Miss Lawson, do you and the commander regularly use contraceptives?" Miranda's mouth fell open in shock. What-

"Doctor, what- I don't think that has anything to do with my condition." The executive officer of the Normandy answered, confusion evident in her voice and a hint of pink on her cheeks. Not only was she confused at the question, she was also not very comfortable discussing her… activities with the commander.

"Oh, but it has absolutely everything to do with your condition, Miss Lawson. My scan indicates that you're pregnant." Doctor Chakwas said with a smile. "Congratulations."

Pregnant. I'm… I'm pregnant Miranda felt like fainting, but she managed to calm herself before she did. How… how can I be… pregnant?

I'm pregnant. The words kept repeating themselves in Miranda's head. She can't believe it. She, Miranda Lawson, ex-Cerberus perative and executive officer of the Normandy SR-2, was with child.

Her and Shepard's child.

A rush of emotions hit her at once; disappointment at the limitation an unplanned pregnancy will put on her job. Fear at the prospect of having a child with the Reaper threat still on the horizon. Anxiety at the idea of becoming a mother, a parent.

But none of them topped the feeling of overwhelming joy that filled her at that moment. Miranda Lawson felt an indescribable joy when the knowledge that another life, a life that she and Shepard created, was growing inside her had finally sunk in.

The euphoria was short-lived, however, as panic began to set in. Miranda, being adept at controlling her emotions, was able to keep them in check before she completely freaked out.

"Doctor… how?" Miranda finally managed to croak out, disbelief apparent in her voice.

"Miss Lawson, I think you know very well how." Doctor Chakwas replied, amused. Miranda couldn't contain her laugh. She appreciated the older woman's attempt to ease her anxiety.

"That's… not exactly what I meant doctor." Miranda said slowly. "I mean, I'm certain that my implant-" Doctor Chakwas held up a hand to stop her.

"Miss Lawson, how long has it been since you last changed your birth control implant?"

"Six years ago… oh." Miranda's voice grew soft when the realization struck her hard. Doctor Chakwas shook her head.

"Well, there you have it. Those implants are only effective for five years, Miss Lawson." The medical officer picked up her datapad and read the findings again. "It seems you're already two months along. Do you remember any particular day in early or mid February when you and the commander… engaged in sexual activity?" She coughed lightly.

Miranda did the math in her head. Her eyes, which were previously narrowed, widened when she realized just exactly when her child was conceived.

Valentine's Day. Miranda thought, resisting the urge to groan. That's just… clichéd. Oh God.

Despite having one of the most unusual and… danger-filled relationships in the galaxy, Commander John Shepard and Executive Officer Miranda Lawson was able to celebrate a completely normal Valentine's Day… well, as normal a Valentine's day as they could get. During one of their trips to Ilium that coincidentally fell on the 14th of February, Commander Shepard, being the closet romantic that he was, had gone all out for her on that particular day.

A suite at the Grand Ambassador, dinner at the Durandal and an extremely rare bottle of a Bordeaux shipped all the way from Earth. Miranda couldn't quite believe how Shepard had pulled it off right under nose.

Needless to say, she showed Shepard just how much she appreciated everything he had done for her.

Several times.

"I remember exactly," Miranda began slowly, mustering all the dignity she could. "February 14." She resisted the urge to roll her eyes at how clichéd her answer was.

"Okay." Doctor Chakwas wisely chose to keep any comments about the date of conception to herself. "I think it's safe to say that your due date will be on the 25th of November… more or less."

"I…see."

As soon as the doors to their quarters opened, Commander Shepard's eyes automatically searched for Miranda Lawson. He was slightly surprised to find the room empty. He chuckled quietly himself. He had half-expected to see her still cooped up here, given her stubborn nature.

Hm. I guess my little threat worked. Shepard thought amusedly as he walked towards his study. Convinced that Miranda won't be coming up there any time soon, he sat down and lifted his old N7 breather helmet from its stand, revealing an old, worn-out velvet box. Putting the helmet aside, he picked up the box and opened it. A brilliant cut solitaire on a platinum band winked at him.

Taking the ring from the box, he twirls it between his fingers, watching the light bounce off the single diamond. Ever since he got the ring, he had been looking at it every chance he got, contemplating what the future held for him and Miranda.

Shepard sighed. He knew he wanted to marry Miranda. Ever since their relationship had began in earnest, he had entertained thoughts of settling down with her, even though he knew how impossible that was in their current situation. For one thing, there was still the issue of the Reapers wiping out all life in the galaxy…

Shepard shook his head. He knew he had to ask her soon. With the lives they live, they really didn't have the luxury of time…

Hold it. Think happy thoughts! Shepard rolled his eyes at the internal pep talk. Closing his eyes for a moment, his thoughts drifted to the moment the ring came into his possession.

"Miranda, can I borrow my son for a little while? There's something I need to talk to Jonpie about. You know, mother and son stuff."

"Of course, Hannah. Take all the time you need with Jonpie." Miranda replied as she winked at the commander. Shepard growled at her. Captain Hannah Shepard fixed his son with a sharp glare.

"Jonpie-!"

"Sorry, mom." Shepard groaned. They were having way too much fun at his expense. The sound of Miranda's laughter did nothing to soothe his bruised ego. Captain Hannah Shepard only chuckled at his reaction as she led her son to her stateroom.

"You know, I like Miranda very much." Shepard raised an eyebrow at his mother's statement. Where was she going with this?

"I sort of figured that already, mom, with the way you two tag-teaming me and all…"

"John-!"

"Sorry." Shepard resisted the urge to roll his eyes. After all these years, his mother still treated him like a child.

"Now, as I was saying," Captain Shepard began slowly, smiling. "I like Miranda very much. You know you're lucky to have someone like her, right?"

"I know, mom. And I'm really thankful to have her in my life." Shepard said earnestly. It was true. He was thankful to have Miranda in his life. Even though he wished they had met under better circumstances, he would forever be grateful of the fact that he was able to meet someone like her.

"To be honest, I'm not sure what she sees in you. She's way too good for you." Shepard rolled his eyes.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, mom." Captain Shepard laughed. She patted his son's arm comfortingly.

"I'm just kidding, son. You just make it too easy for me to needle you." Shepard resisted the urge to sigh. Did his mom bring him in here so she can privately tease the hell out of him?

"There's actually a reason why I brought you here." Captain Shepard said, as if reading her son's mind. She took something out from one of the pockets of her uniform. "I wanted you to have this."

In her hand was a worn-out velvet box. Flipping it open, he saw-

"It's… your engagement ring." The commander breathed out. The elder Shepard nodded.

"Indeed it is. I wanted you to have it." The captain placed the box on her son's palm. "Actually, it wasn't just my engagement ring. It was your grandmother's too."

"So… it's a family heirloom." Shepard said, still looking at the ring.

"Exactly. Do you think she'll like it?"

"I think she will, mom. Thank you." Captain Shepard gave her son a light embrace. The commander pulled away after a moment, an unreadable expression on his face. "I do have a question thought."

"Shoot."

"What makes you think she'll say yes?" The commander asked in a neutral voice, but the elder Shepard could see the apprehension in his eyes. She shook her head. Despite being praised for his brilliance as a military officer, her son can be clueless at times.

"John," The captain began in a motherly tone. "Don't you think I notice how she looks at you? I'm telling you, that girl is into you." She paused. "Don't let her slip through your fingers, son." The commander smiled. His mother really had a way with words.

"Don't worry mom. I have no intention of letting that happen."

Commander Shepard was brought back to the present when he heard the doors of the stateroom open, admitting one Miranda Lawson. Not wanting her to discover his… little secret, he hastily returned it to its hiding place. Due to Miranda's uncanny ability to… ferret things out, Shepard thought it was a good idea to hide the ring underneath his helmet. Miranda never touched anything from his old life, even before they had a relationship.

After making sure that everything was back in its proper place, he stood up and walked towards her. Hopefully, she hadn't noticed what he was doing before she arrived.

"So, what did Doctor Chakwas say?" Shepard asked her, taking hold of her hands. Miranda sighed deeply before looking him in the eye, as if she was preparing herself to tell him something—something important.

Shepard felt concern filling him immediately. Temporarily forgetting about the ring, he drew her in for an embrace. They stayed like that for a while before Miranda pulled away from him slightly.

"Stomach flu, just like I told you. I should be fine after a day or two." Miranda smiled at him, though Shepard noticed that it was a little strained. His eyebrows furrowed. Was there something she wasn't telling him?

"Miri, is everything alright?"

"Of course it is. Why wouldn't it be?" Miranda laughed, albeit reservedly. Shepard shook his head.

"Okay… if you say so." Shepard decided to drop the subject. One very important thing he learned from his relationship with Miranda is that it was a bad idea to try to push her into anything. He figured Miranda would tell him when she was ready. "Let's go to bed then."

"John, I always knew you were a pervert." Miranda said, trying to hold her laughter. Shepard looked at her strangely before realized his unintended innuendo.

"That's not what I meant, Miri, and you know it. You know I- oh, never mind." Miranda laughed at his attempt at an explanation. Secretly pleased to hear her laugh openly, Shepard shook his head.

"And somehow I'm the pervert in this relationship." Miranda smirked.

"Aren't you?" Shepard growled at her.

"You know, Miri, if you weren't sick right now, I would have punished you for misbehaving… again."

"If I recall correctly, commander," Miranda began saucily, her… troubles momentarily forgotten. "It was you who got… punished in that…encounter." She laughed when he growled at her again. She appeased him with a quick kiss.

"I guess your punishment will have to wait." Miranda winked at him. Shepard groaned. He wouldn't be surprised if this was all part of her grand plan to torture him.

Miranda Lawson valued the quiet moments the most. While she very much enjoyed the more… physical aspects of their relationship, the quiet moments afforded the executive officer of the Normandy opportunities to think and to reflect.

After Shepard tucked her in, Miranda asked him to stay with her, who mentally cursed herself for being so needy. Naturally, he acceded to her request, and he ended up as her pillow. Miranda Lawson, the normally assertive, ass-kicking Executive Officer of the Normandy, was at a loss as to why she was behaving this way.

Correction. She knew exactly why she was behaving this way.

She had been a good part of the hour agonizing over how to break the news to the commander. She wasn't certain as to how he would take it, but she had a feeling that he

Miranda Lawson, for the very first time, was terrified. Sure, she had been face with numerous life-and-death situations, that none of them terrified her more than the prospect of being a mother. Oh, she had no doubt that Shepard would be an incredible father, with the way Captain Hannah Shepard raised him.

But how can she, the incomparable Miranda Lawson, turn from kick-ass executive officer to overbearing parent in just nine months? She didn't exactly have the best role models for parenthood, given the fact that she lacked a mother and her father was never really a father to her.

Miranda felt like panicking. Can she really do this? Can she really become a… a mother? Her training and genetic tailoring had given her many talents and abilities, but parenthood was not one of them.

Oh God, what am I-

Her panicked thoughts were interrupted when she felt a kiss on the nape of her neck and the arms around her wait tighten.

"How are you feeling?" Shepard asked, nuzzling her hair. Miranda couldn't help but smile at that. She always appreciated the commander's uncanny ability to calm her down.

"Better than earlier today, that's for sure." The ex-Cerberus operative replied cheekily. Shepard chuckled.

"Well, I'm glad to hear that." Shepard paused. Miranda could hear him take a deep breath. She was instantly concerned. Was there something wrong?

"Listen, Miri…" He trailed off. Miranda turned around in his embrace to face him, concern etched across her face.

"Yes?"

"Uhh… how would you like to go on a date with me tonight? You know, just the two of us?" Shepard said quickly. Miranda looked at him incredulously before she burst out laughing. The commander looked at her as if she was crazy.

"That's what you were worried about?" Miranda managed to ask in between spurts of laughter. Shepard looked at him with furrowed eyebrows.

"What are you talking about?"

"The great Commander Shepard scared to ask little old me on a date." Miranda proclaimed in a singsong voice. Shepard raised an eyebrow at her. What has gotten into her?"You do realize that you've asked me out before, right?"

Shepard shrugged noncommittally. Her observation wasn't completely off the mark, after all. "Yeah, well, you have no idea how intimidating you can be, Miri." He teased. Shepard had to resist the urge to gulp when her eyes turned from mischievous to predatory in a split-second.

"Am I intimidating you now?" Miranda asked as she moved on top of him, her hot breath on his ear. Shepard shivered at that.

"Yes." Shapard managed to get out. He gritted his teeth when she bit his earlobe.

"Well then," Miranda pulled away from him to look him squarely in the eyes. "I'm sure there's something I can do to… rectify that." Not waiting for a response, she crushed her lips to his. Shepard tried to push her away, knowing full well that she hasn't fully recovered yet, but he eventually gave in when it was clear that Miranda had every intention of having her way with him.

Just before their encounter took a more… heated turn, the ex-Cerberus operative suddenly pulled away from him.

"Oh, and… yes, John. I would love to go on a date with you." Miranda said with a grin before their lips met again in frenzied kiss.

It would be a while before any of them would be leaving the captain's quarters.

After having recovered from such an exhausting… rendezvous, the normally unflappable Shepard was on the brink of panicking. Trying not to wake Miranda up, he gently extricated himself from her embrace. She mewled in protest at the loss of body heat. He placated her with a kiss on the forehead.

Putting on his clothes quickly, he looked at the clock. He cursed himself mentally. It was already late in the afternoon.

Commander Shepard, hero of the Citadel and commanding officer of the Normany SR-2, wanted to beat his head against the wall. He had asked Miranda Lawson out on a date without having planned anything. He had no idea what he wanted to do-

No. I know exactly what I want to do. I just don't know how I should go about doing it. Shepard mentally grumbled. He knew he wanted to propose to Miranda tonight, but he still had no idea how he was going to propose to her.

Frankly, he didn't care about the details, as long as she the the night ended with her being his fiancée. But since she deserved nothing but the best…

He began to pace up and down their stateroom, keeping his footsteps light.

What the hell was I thinking? I'm such an idiot. Wait. Shepard stopped pacing. A slow smile began to spread across his face.

I think I know someone who can help me.

"Shep, I'm telling you, it's going to be fine. Stop being such a worrywart."

"You know, Kasumi, that doesn't exactly inspire confidence in me." The young thief laughed.

Kasumi Goto had joined the Normandy's crew a few weeks before their assault on the Collector Base. Her superb infiltration skills and vast network of contacts had proven to be invaluable to Shepard's team, especially when the situation called for ingenuity, stealth and discreteness.

It was for this very reason that the commander had decided to enlist the services of the master thief.

"Have I ever let you down, Shep? Kasumi asked cheekily. Shepard sighed. He wished she had her confidence.

"No, I guess you haven't." Kasumi stood up from where she was sitting near the observation deck's window and walked in front of Shepard, arms crossed.

"See? Stop worrying so much, Shep. I have this one covered." Kasumi paused. "So, let me get this straight. You want to have dinner with her at someplace fancy so you can propose to her."

"Well, that's the idea."

"Done." Shepard raised an eyebrow.

"Done? Are you sure you can pull this off?" Kasumi shook her head.

"Shep, when I say that something is done… it's done. Now, let me do my job before I throw you out of my room." Kasumi threatened him playfully. "I'll call you when I've nailed down the details."

Shepard was surprised when Kasumi called him a few minutes later. Upon entering the port observation deck, Kasumi had a datapad in her hands, a big smile on her face. Handing him the datapad, she began to rattle off the details.

"Okay. I've managed to get you reservations at the L'Atelier for seven P.M. According to my contacts, its one of the best restaurants in the galaxy." Kasumi paused. " It's only a few hours from seven, so you two have to get ready quick. It's at Bekenstein, by the way."

"Bekenstein? Isn't it-"

"Dangerous there? Nah. We've taken care of Hock, remember? I don't think any of his goons will come looking for you… at least, I don't hope so." Shepard shook his head. Kasumi had managed to defy all his expectations… again.

"Kasumi, I don't know how I can thank you enough for doing this." Kasumi raised her hand to stop him.

"Shep, giving me this opportunity is enough. Heck, I should be the one thanking you. If it wasn't for your help I would've…" Kasumi looked away from him, unwilling to let Shepard see the sadness that flitted across her face. Composing herself, she looked at him again. "Besides, you shouldn't be thanking me yet. You still haven't proposed to her yet, have you?"

"Still… thank you."

"Don't mention it, Shep. Oh! " Kasumi exclaimed, as if she just remembered something. "By the way, I've taken the liberty to tell Joker to bring us to Bekenstein. He refused to do so until I told him why so… I may or may have let it slip that you're proposing to Miranda." Shepard was about to say something but Kasumi cut him off.

"Don't worry Shep. I told him I'll be distributing copies of his porn to the rest of the crew if he spilled the beans. "

The commander stared at her, an incredulous look on his face. Shaking his head, he was about to leave when Kasumi's next words stopped him.

"You know, Shep," Kasumi began thoughtfully, a small smile on her face. "It's really weird to see Miranda smiling while she's working… and it's all because of you. Be gentle with her, you hear me?"

By the look on Miranda's face, he could tell that hadn't made a mistake in asking for Kasumi's help.

"John, this is… this is incredible. I don't know what to say." Miranda said after the waiter left, her voice thick with emotion.

"You needn't say anything, my love." Shepard said in faux-suave voice, raising his glass to take a sip of the wine. Miranda laughed as she took a sip of her wine as well.

"John, that has got to be the cheesiest thing you've ever said to me." It was now Shepard's turn to laugh. "But really, John, thank you. This really means a lot to me." Before Shepard was able to say anything, the waiter came back with their orders.

Dinner was fantastic. Neither really felt like talking because they found the food enjoyable and the silence comfortable. It was only after they had finished eating did their conversation start up again.

"It's really beautiful, isn't it?" Miranda asked as she took in the view before her. The seats Kasumi had chosen for them gave them an excellent view of Bekenstein's skyline.

"Yes, it is." Shepard replied, looking pointedly at the amazing woman before him. Turning to find him looking at her, Miranda's cheeks turned a fetching shade of red when she realized that Shepard was referring to her and not the skyline.

"Thank you." She whispered, looking up at him from beneath her eyelashes. "I do have a question for you, if you don't mind."

"Go ahead."

"How did you manage to pull this off on such short notice?" Shepard feigned confusion.

"What do you mean? What makes you think that I haven't been planning this for a while?"

"Oh, I don't know," Miranda began, feigning thought. "The fact that you had me running around the Normandy to prepare on such short notice gave you away. You usually give me more time than that to prepare for our dates." She chuckled.

"Okay, you got me." Shepard began, laughing. "I asked Kasumi to help me on this one. I didn't want a repeat of our first date." Miranda laughed at that. "I hope you're not angry at me."

"Angry? Why should I be?" Miranda asked, shaking her head. "John, this is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. In fact, I should be thanking you." She paused. " And I have an idea as to how I can… thank you properly." She winked. Shepard groaned.

"Miri, you're evil, you know that?"

"Yes, but you love me for it." Miranda replied cheekily. That elicited laughter from both of them.

"Oh, and… thank Kasumi for me, will you?"

"I will." Miranda would never admit it, but she liked the master thief the moment she met her. Kasumi Goto, aside from being superb in her chosen profession, she was also easy to talk to, given her warm, easygoing and candid personality. Most importantly, she knew Kasumi wasn't interested in her man, unlike a certain former squad mate of Shepard's she knew. She had to resist the urge to roll her eyes at that.

A comfortable silence fell over them once again, both of them to content to take comfort in the presence of the other. Unbeknownst to either of them, Shepard reached into his pocket and clutched a velvet box at the exact same moment Miranda rubbed the spot where their unborn child was growing.

The exact same thought crossed their minds. It's time.

"John-"

"Miri-"

They stared at each other for a few moments before they burst out laughing. They had the grace to look sheepish when the other patrons shot them dirty looks.

"So… John, is there something you want to tell me?" Miranda asked, taking a sip of her wine.

"Yes, but you can go first." Shepard offered. Miranda took a deep breath and closed her eyes before opening them again. Here goes nothing.

"John, I'm-" Miranda stopped when she caught some movement from the corner of her eyes. Communicating wordlessly with each other, both of them counted mentally to three before leaping off their chairs and rolling towards cover as automatic fire tore through their table. The restaurant immediately erupted in chaos, with patrons running in all directions trying to not get caught in the crossfire.

"There's Solomon Gunn! Kill him!" They heard a random eclipse merc yell. Shepard resisted the urge to groan. The mercs who worked for the late Donovan Hock must have seen him when they entered the restaurant.

Goddamn mercs. Why couldn't we ever have an easy night? Frustration building up in him, he pulled out his Carnifex and letting loose a few well-aimed shots when there was a pause of gunfire. Looking to his left, he saw Miranda unleash a shockwave of biotic power at a group of mercs who were trying to charge their positions.

"Joker! Tell Kasumi and Garrus to meet us at the L'Atelier. We've been pinned down by eclipse mercs." Shepard shouted over the com. Not bothering to wait for a reply, he leaned out of cover, trying to get a handle on the situation. He cursed when he saw more mercs joining the fray.

"John, I'm out of thermal clips!" Miranda shouted over the din of gunfire. As if on automatic, he pulled out a thermal clip from his jacket and threw it to her. Catching it in midair, Miranda popped the thermal clip into her Stryker and proceeded to take out a few mercs.

"Damn it!" Miranda cursed when she saw that they were barely making a dent in the mercenary strike force. "We can't ever catch a break, can we?"

"I'm really sorry about this, Miri." Shepard managed to sound remorseful even as he shot another merc's head off. "Looks like this is going to be the norm for us." He said as he ejected his spent thermal clip and inserted another one in his pistol's chamber.

"You don't have to apologize, John." Miranda said as she sent another merc airborne with her biotics. "This is the life we chose. Besides, the time I get to spend with you make it all worth it."

"Miri, can I ask you a question?" Shepard asked as he ducked to avoid getting shot. What the hell are you thinking, man? You're planning to propose in the middle of a gun battle?

"John, I'm a little busy here. Can't it wait?" Miranda exclaimed as she ejected her spent thermal clip.

"No it can't. Will you marry me?" Shepard said as he rolled out of cover to shoot one of the mercs trying to flank their position.

"What?" Miranda looked at him as if he was crazy. Did he really just ask me that? Did he just ask me… to marry him? She shook her head. Focus, Miri!

"I said, will you-" Shepard was cut off by the explosion of a grenade near him. Because of their high cover and superior position, the hapless mercs had trouble pinpointing where the two of them were, prompting them to use grenades instead to flush them out.

Having been distracted by the explosion momentarily, he was surprised to find Miranda right beside him.

"Miri, what-"

"Yes! Yes, you big idiot. I'll marry you." Miranda gave him a quick kiss as she pulled him up in an upright position, leaning against their cover. "Let's hurry up so we can properly celebrate." She said cheekily. Even in their circumstances, Shepard found it in himself to laugh.

They had just gotten engaged in the middle of a battlefield. Literally.

Leaning out of cover, he saw that there were only a few mercs left. Good. They weren't getting any more reinforcements. Nodding to Miranda, they both leaned outside their cover as they systematically proceeded to whittle their numbers, with Shepard and his superb marksmanship and Miranda with her substantial biotics.

The battle didn't last for much longer. The hapless mercs were simply no match for the two highly-trained operatives. They both emerged from cover as they saw the last merc fall.

Shepard couldn't help but notice Miranda's notice ruined dress when she replaced her pistol in her thigh holster. He squeezed her shoulder as an unspoken apology. Miranda looked up at him and smiled.

Even with her ruined dress, Miranda Lawson still looked fantastic.

"John, there's actually something I need to tell you." Miranda said slowly, taking a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."

Shepard's eyes widened, his mouth open in shock. Pregnant? Wha- how- I'm… I'm going to be a father?

"Is… is that true?" Miranda nodded shyly. Shepard's face broke into the widest grin that she had ever seen. She let out a surprised squeal when he literally picked her up and spun her around. As soon as her feet were back on the ground, he kissed her soundly. He pulled away after a few moments.

"Now we have two things to celebrate tonight." Shepard grinned. "Think you're up for it, Mrs. Miranda Lawson-Shepard?" Miranda laughed. Miranda Lawson-Shepard? I like the sound of that.

" Wait. I think we're forgetting something." Shepard said with a grin as he pulled the worn-out velvet box from his pocket. "Give me your hand." Miranda wordlessly complied, giving Shepard her left hand as he slipped the ring on her finger. It was a perfect fit. The executive officer-turned-fiancée took a moment to admire the ring.

"It's… beautiful." Miranda murmured, awe filling her voice.

"Not as beautiful as you." Shepard teased, pushing a stray lock that had fallen across her face. Miranda smacked him playfully on the arm. "It's a family heirloom."

Instead of expressing her appreciation verbally, Miranda pulled him in for a passionate lip lock. They would not have bothered to move from their position had they not been interrupted by-

"Pinned down, eh? Is that what you humans call it now, Shepard?"

The engaged couple hurriedly pulled away from each other at the sound of a familiar voice. Turning to look at the direction of the voice, they both turned red at the realization that they had an audience: Garrus with a smirk on his face and Kasumi with a devious half-smile.

Miranda and Shepard resisted the urge to groan at this… development. Here comes the ribbing-

"Cut me some slack, will you?" Shepard said as he and Miranda made their way to the turian and the master thief. "We really were pinned down by the mercs. What took you guys so long anyway?"

"Uhh… there was a problem in the front door. Sorry." Garrus said evasively. Shepard raised an eyebrow, but decided to drop the subject. Today was a happy day, after all.

"So, Shep, have you… you know, closed the sale?" Kasumi asked, a small smile playing on her lips. Shepard nodded, smiling. Letting out an uncharacteristic squeal, Kasumi proceeded to hug the newly engaged couple, much to their surprise. "I'm so happy for the two of you! Congratulations!"

Kasumi sobered up a bit when she pulled away from the couple. "I'm really sorry about this, Shep, Miranda. I should have known Hock's men would still be looking for you-"

"Don't worry about it." Miranda said, smiling. "It's not your fault. If anything, it's the fault of the big lug over here." She motioned to Shepard. "He has rotten luck when it comes to dates." Kasumi laughed. Shepard growled at the two women, but couldn't help but join them in their laughter after he had nursed his bruised ego.

"Uh, am I missing something here?" Garrus asked, confused.

"Well, Garrus, let's just say that I made Miranda here a… proposal and she accepted." Shepard winked. It took a moment for the turian to realize what the commander was getting at.

"Damn, Shepard," Garrus said, chuckling. "I didn't think you were ever gonna do it. We all knew how our lovely XO had you… uhh, how do you say that again?"

"I think what you're looking for is 'wrapped around her finger,' Garrus." Kasumi offered helpfully, suppressing a grin when Shepard glared at her.

"Right. We all knew she had you wrapped around her finger, Shepard." Garrus grinned. Shepard groaned. It didn't help that his… fiancée was laughing at the turian's ribbing.

Miranda, noticing Shepard's demeanor, went up to her tiptoes to whisper in his ear. "Don't be like that, John." She murmured softly. "We still have to… celebrate… tonight, remember? I'll make it up to you. Promise." She took the opportunity to bite his earlobe when none of their friends was looking.

Shepard groaned again, but for an entirely different reason.

"So, when can we expect little Shepards and Mirandas running around the ship?" Garrus asked with a grin. His grin faltered slightly when he saw the two of them turn beet red. They wouldn't react that way, unless-

"Shepard, Shepard." Garrus shook his head, clapping the commander on the shoulder. "You never cease to amaze me, my friend. Oh, and congratulations by the way." Shepard rolled his eyes.

"Glad I amuse you, Garrus." Shepard said sarcastically. Miranda buried her faces on his shoulder, trying to hide her embarrassment. It was official. The cat was out of the bag.

"Damn, Shep. You sure work fast." Kasumi said with a grin, trying to hide her excitement at the news. Shepard glared at her. His glare softened when Miranda tugged at his arm, a small smile on her face and a hint of pink on her cheeks. Compelled by an unknown force, Shepard leaned down, fully intent on capturing her lips in a kiss. Just before their lips met-

"Shepard, as much as I would appreciate a show, I think we should get moving. Security will be here soon." Garrus said, coughing lightly. "Besides, I imagine you two would like to… uhh… celebrate in private."

"Garrus!"

Note: And there you have it. This is precisely why I don't write action scenes—I'm simply terrible at it. XD Also, this chapter wasn't supposed to stop there, but I decided that I'll be reserving the material that was omitted from this chapter in future chapters.

As it stands, I only have an idea for one more chapter that is set in the future (I'm pretty sure you guys have a idea as to what it will be about), so I'm once again accepting ideas. I'm looking over the ideas that you've given me in the past so… stay tuned. :P