Chapter Text
Day One: Holding Hands
Neither Shepard nor Ash were big on open public displays of affection. They couldn’t be, not with the fraternization regs in place. However Ash’s first PT session after the debacle on Mars was an exception. Trying to take a simple step after the head trauma and fractures to her spinal column was agony as pain shot through her legs and back like wildfire. Reaching out Shepard grasped her hand, offering the Lieutenant Commander something to squeeze the life out of and keep her pride by not screaming in pain. It had been two years, one death, and over a dozen near death experiences since the last time their hands clasped one another- right before Ash had been awarded the Star of Terra for the kill shot on Saren, another silent offer of reassurance.
Shepard’s hand was softer than it had been then, the Commander’s beloved guitar destroyed with the first Normandy. The calluses were still there but weren’t as severe, perhaps the guitar had been replaced only to be left behind on Earth? Squeezing Shepard’s hand tight Ash gritted her teeth and slowly lifted one leg to move forward. Taking a painful step she ignored the words of congratulations from her irritating physical therapist and concentrated on taking another.
The next day Shepard walked into Ash’s hospital room. “Hey, hate to leave you like this but the Turians, Salarians, and Krogan are holding a summit to deal with the war.”
"That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen." Ash studied the Commander, the hand she had held onto the day before in particular, now it was immobilized in a high tech brace that administered medi-gel. "what happened?" she motioned to Shepard’s hand.
"Nothing permanent, just… erm… broke two bones in it." Shepard said sheepishly "There was already some damage from Palavan when a Brute knocked me off a barricade and I landed on my arm though."
"Dr. Chakwas would have found it if there was, I broke your hand?" Ash stared at the brace.
"Nah, I just came here before letting her look at it, the brute cracked them enough that you finished the job. That’s one hell of a grip you have there, LC." Shepard chuckled as she sat down. Ash smiled as she reached over and squeezed Shepard’s unbroken hand.
"Thanks, for yesterday." Ash mumbled
"Don’t worry about it." Shepard grinned