006- Accidental Broadcast [video]

[renegadedriving]

[Today's broadcast is brought to you by Shepard's D-Terminal... But she's not on the screen. Nor is Monodramon. Instead, it's shaky footage taken from eye level, and it very rapidly becomes apparent that it's battle footage. From Shepard's helmet.]

[Of the first 7 and a half minutes of this. (Spoilers for the end of Mass Effect 2! Those who don't want to watch all 7 minutes can get the gist from the first thirty seconds and a quick glance at 6:10.)]

[Why? Well. Shepard figured out how to transfer files from her helmet's eyepiece to her D-Terminal, and determined that clip dangerously classified and disturbing enough to flat up delete, rather than risk anyone stumbling upon it.]

[And Monodramon has just broadcast it to the entire network by mistake.]

Comments

[action]

[headup_stickontheice]

She really, really is.

[While Cam on the video continues to freak out, even when they're on stage, the music is starting up.]

Okay, look, I'll do your homework for a week. [Maya's not budging.] Two weeks. [He doesn't wait for her response and she's already putting a hand on his chest.] Okay, look, three weeks, final offer, please, M--

Just look at me! Block everything else out, and just focus on me.

[He's got a moment to consider the idea before--]

I can't explain all the feelings that you're making me feeeel! [And she sounds positively amazing. The mic to Cam--]

My heart's in overdrive and you're behind the steering wheeeeel. [...Less than enthusiastic.

But as it goes on, Cam starts to smile. He starts to smile up there, as their friends dance. And they bridge into the chorus, and--]

I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE! [He's positively belting it out, hitting falsetto when he gets to the end of the chorus and the whole time, looking at Maya, who's smiling brightly at him enjoying himself.

As they enter a brief guitar break, Maya swings the microphone as Cam mimes air guitar, and watching the video causes him to laugh a little. Jeez, they look ridiculous.

UNLIKE THE VIDEO SO HERE WE GO the song continues, with them taking the same rhythm.]

I wanna kiss every minute, every hour, every daaaay! [And when she sings this, Maya leans closer to him, reaching over and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Now, this stuns and dazes Cam for but a moment and he jumps back in, rushing over the first two words to keep up with the pace.] Y-you got me in a spin but everything is A. OK! [It appears like Maya's holding back laughter.]

Touching youuuuuu, [And she pokes at his side a little, and he rolls his eyes and grabs her in a dance-hold, hands at her waist. Aha, at last she's surprised.]

Touching meeeeeee,
Touching you, God, you're touching meeeeee!

[General amusement and a few cheers from the audience as they move into the chorus once more.] I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE!
Just listen to the rhythm of my heart~ [She still sounds like she was made to sing.]
There's a chance we could make it now!
We'll be rockin' 'til the sun goes down~
[They both sing, Cam on falsetto:] I BELIEVE IN THING A CALLED LOOOOOOVE, oooooooo.

[Cam's grin has spread across his whole face by now, and he keeps the falsetto to sing out:] Guitar!

[Watching the video, Cam has to put a hand to his face as the past-him busts out the air guitar again, with Maya standing back and gesturing to him, as if he's the main event. He sort of still watches through fingers though. He'd...never realized she did that. It makes his heart hurt and feel wonderful, at the same time.]

[action]

[renegadedriving]

[Shepard makes a noise that is halfway to a laugh when Cam gets into it, but the look on her face is fiercely affectionate. She doesn't think this is funny. Maybe it would have been if she'd been in the actual audience, but right now, she feels like she's looking at something you keep behind you on the battlefield so you can protect it with your life.]

[He's so happy here. And so is that girl.]

She loves you.

[It's not a question. It's an observation.]

[action]

[headup_stickontheice]

[On the video, all eyes are on Cam, but for Cam here? All eyes are on Maya. That's just how it is.]

Yeah. And I love her.

[It's the first time he's ever said it.

The guitar break soon ends and Cam turns back to Maya, who's holding on to the microphone. She's already ready with the next part.]

Touching youuuuuu, [Cam leans in and Maya lays a hand on his arm, subtle and natural.]

Touching meeeeeee,
Touching you, God, you're touching meeeeeeeeee! OOOOOOOOHH!

[The audience, not seen, is getting into it, clapping along and cheering, but Cam and Maya? They don't look away from each other.]

I believe in a thing called love!
Just listen to the rhythm of my heart~
There's a chance we could make it now!
We'll be rockin' 'til the sun goes down~
I BELIEVE IN THING A CALLED LOOOOOOVE, HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

[The rest of the song goes into guitar solos, and the two kids on stage dance along with them, swinging the microphone doing air guitar, the usual. At one point, Cam begins to "sing" along with the guitar solo and Maya laughs, getting the microphone close enough to him to pick it up.

As the song winds down and the applause gets louder, she's practically hanging off him, and now both of them are laughing. A sloppy, joy-filled hug, and softly, very softly:]



Thanks.
Any time, Cam.

[The feed cuts, and Cam's feeling warm and bright. He keeps the D-Terminal in his hand, to his credit not holding it to his heart like he'd like to do now.]

...I wanted to, show you something...good.