You're nothing, but not to me.

I came up with a whole backstory for this AU, but I’ll just leave you with this blurb:

After the media circus around the Cerberus trials dies down and the rogue Section 31 cell has been thoroughly dealt with, no one expects to see key witness Shepard, ex-special forces commander, ever again. Not after she publicly disavowed Starfleet, and not with half the quadrant still questioning her involvement. They especially don’t expect to see her captaining her own starship. And to hire a turian first officer only months after the Hierarchy’s sudden and inexplicable move to join the Federation? It’s like she’s begging for negative attention. The galaxy wants to know: what leverage does she hold against Starfleet brass to make them cater to her every whim? And how long until the crew cannibalizes itself under her rogue leadership?

SENIOR CREW LIST

CMDR. Shepard, Commanding Officer LT. Moreau, Helmsman

LT. CMDR.* VAKARIAN, XO, Chief Tactical Officer LT. ALENKO, Second Officer SPECIALIST TRAYNOR, Communications Officer

*approximate rank based on Hierarchy tier

After saying their 'goodnights' and 'love you' to Mari, Sonic and Shadow left her door open just a bit as they headed for Shadow's room. Shadow paused by the bed and looked over at Sonic as he sighed. "I am sorry that the conversation earlier made you uncomfortable."

Sonic chuffed and gave Shadow a nudge. "Eh, it's alright. Like I said before, I need some time to figure things out. I know I'm a fast guy, but speed isn't gonna fix things if I rush in on something like this and mess it up." He smiled and reached over to take Shadow's hand. "I'm the one who should be apologizing. That wasn't the reaction you wanted, was it?" "It's fine." Shadow shook his head. "There is no reason for you to apologize. If time is what you need to understand, you will have it." "Well, can we have some time right now?" "Yes…" Shadow chuffed, then glanced to the other side of the room where Sonic's guitar had been placed against the wall. "Some music would be nice."

"Ooh I see, you want some mood setting this time huh?" Without waiting for a confirmation, Sonic dashed back out to the kitchen to get the box of chocolates, then back into the bedroom to get his guitar. He sat down on the bed as Shadow relaxed against his shoulder, then started to play quietly on his guitar to warm up. "Any requests?" "Whatever you'd like is fine." "Hmm, lemme think…"

"There's times when I want something more Someone more like me There's times when this dress rehearsal Seems incomplete But you see the colors in me like no one else And behind your dark glasses, you're You're something else."

Shadow moved away and gently pushed Sonic so he would lay on his back as he played, getting an amused noise from the other as an interruption to the song. He took one of the chocolates from the box and reclined to take a bite of it, then fed the rest to Sonic. "Please continue." With his tail wagging as he started playing again, Sonic chuckled before heading into the chorus.

"And you're really lovely Underneath it all And you want to love me Underneath it all I'm really lucky Underneath it all And you're really lovely…"

Neither hedgehog noticed that someone was watching them, they were only focused on each other for now. Shadow greatly enjoyed getting to have moments like these where things were slow and peaceful. Even with Mari around to keep life at a certain pace, their day-to-day was usually so exciting and often filled with action. So to have some quieter time was still a somewhat rare treat.

Shadow moved closer to kiss the base of Sonic's ear as he played, then started to kiss and nuzzle in a trail down to his neck, making Sonic falter a few times while singing softly between a bit of giggling here and there. Once he got Sonic to the point of only humming the song while lazily plucking the guitar strings, Shadow sat back up and finally noticed Mari peeking into the bedroom. He chuckled and looked back down at Sonic. "Your audience has grown."