MagiStream

"I think that it's just me. If she likes you when I'm not around.... well, I'll just make my meeting extra long so you two can have some one on one time," Shepard murmured, kissing Ashton's cheek. "You have fun. Alright? Don't horrify her too much."

"Not too long," Ashton pouted, wrapping his arms around Shepard, "You know I don't like it when you're gone all day in those silly meetings. I get very lonely," He said, leaning up and kissing Shepard deeply before pulling away. "I doubt she'll do anything with me anyway, she just barely even kisses me." He sighed.

"Hm... Well, you'd best be off. Get dressed up for the day, my peach," Shepard stated, smacking Ashton on the rear before exiting himself.

Ashton rolled his eyes at Shepard and shifted into his female maid form and got dressed, walking out of the room and going off to do his work as assigned, just as Lauren did her own. "Off to spar, sir?" Lauren asked as she passed Shepard.

"I am," Shepard replied. He suddenly reached out and grabbed Lauren, though, pulling her close and crushing his lips against her's in a deep kiss. Pulling away, he clasped his hands behind his back. "Be nice to poor Ashton. He's been trying rather hard for your affections."

Lauren blushed and looked down at her feet. "I'm a traditional woman, sir. Only one man should have my affections, and it is you." she said softly, "Though I know Ashton is the one who truly has your affections... I will take what little I can." she sighed, turning her gaze down and giving a small shrug.

Shepard frowned, resting one of his fingers under Lauren's chin and tilting her face up towards him. His ram horns sprouted, as well as his tail and wings. "Dear, tell me exactly what it is that you'd like. Tell me and I'll do the best that I could possibly do."

Lauren blushed and looked up at Shepard helplessly for a few moments. "It is my job to tend to your needs, sir. Not yours mine." She shook her head. "I'm sorry for bothering you, you'd best be off to your sparring match.. you know how he hates it when you're late." She said softly.

"He'll be fine," Shepard sighed. He stood straight and his horns, wings, and tail retracted. "By the way, you're fired. You don't need to serve me any longer," he said dryly. "It's time that you start pleasing yourself for a change, instead of being forced to be serving others. You are completely welcome to stay here, though, as it is your home. You're my guest now."

Lauren gaped for a good few moments, staring up at Shepard in disbelief. "You did not just... How dare you!" She cried in outrage. "You are so unbelievably selfish! I serve because I wish to, not because it's my job! I could quit any time I wanted to, and I knw you'd let me live here because that's simply how you are. You know what? I quit! And I'm not staying here! I'm going home!" She growled, turning on her heel and beginning to walk away.