(Bioware owns all)
For a moment, Kaidan hung back and just took in the sight of her.
She was standing on the lower level of Apollo's Café, where the balcony over looked the rest of the Presidium lakes. The view was spectacular, and the glow from the artificial sky overhead bathed her face in a warm light. She was facing side on, one hip resting against the railing as she took in the scene below and waited patiently for him to come back with the surprise he had promised her.
For once, she genuinely looked relaxed. She turned her head and a smile uplifted the corners of her mouth. The frown lines melted from her face and when she turned to him fully and bestowed that mega watt smile on him, he felt it like a blow to the gut. He was suddenly struck by how lucky he was. Lucky that her feelings for him hadn't changed. Lucky that, like himself, she also wanted to make it real. Lucky… that Cerberus had brought her back from the dead. Gratitude rushed through him like a flood and his breath hitched as memories of those dark days without her crept into his consciousness. He forced those dark times away and vowed he would not take a single moment with her for granted.
He continued forward and met her by the balcony. Her eyes were light and filled with a curiosity at what he held in his hands.
"Dessert," he said, lifting up a small container and a spoon.
Her eyebrows rose. "Dessert? But I thought we were having that once we got back to the Normandy." She tossed her head and gave him a look that sent blood rushing to his nether regions so fast he was almost dizzy. "I hope you got it to go."
He stared at her dumbly for a moment before rallying himself and snapping out of his lust infused stupor. He was so tempted to drag her back to her cabin and loose himself in rediscovering her, but he was determined to make this date of theirs special. The likelihood of them having another during this reaper war was virtually non-existent. And as much as it was killing him to draw it out, he wanted the memories. In case… no, don't go there, Alenko!
He handed her a spoon and popped the lid on the container. He presented it to her with a flourish and a grin. "For you."
She eyed the container curiously and leaned forward to sniff it. Kaidan laughed at her caution. "It's not poison, Shepard."
She straightened, sent him a mock scowl, then lifted her spoon to scoop up a portion of the snow white substance. Kaidan watched, mesmerised by her mouth as she tasted the stuff, her full lips working over the spoon. Her eyes widened in realisation then drifted shut in pleasure as he watched her savour the flavours on her tongue. "Oh my god, Kaidan. How did you get this?"
She scooped another portion and sucked on the spoon, and murmuring with enjoyment. "Lemon sorbet. I haven't had this in so long." Her eyes opened and she smiled at him. He will never get tired of seeing that smile.
He lounged beside her, ignoring the view to slump with his back against the railing, intent on watching her face as she enjoyed her treat. She hummed to herself as she devoured it, and when she waved the filled spoon under his nose, he didn't hesitate to accept her offer and share the sorbet with her. She fed them both from the container until it was all gone and she licked the last of the sticky citrus flavour from her spoon.
She sighed as she placed the spoon and empty container to the side and turned to smile at him. She stepped between his legs and snaked her arms around his neck, her eyes suddenly dark with a hidden intensity. Her lips met his, both of their mouths cold from the sorbet, and her hot tongue traced over his cool lips. He groaned at her kiss, virtually helpless under her assault. His arms wrapped around her and pulled her close. He had waited so long for this moment. He had drawn out the anticipation as much as he could, did his best to give her a few moments away from the Reaper War, a much needed sanity check. A few moments that was just about them, memories to keep and treasure and now she was finally here, wrapped in his arms, her mouth on his and he thought he would die from the pleasure.
She pulled back and lifted a hand, running her knuckles gently down his cheek. He was gratified to see the emotion in her eyes. Her eyes were soft and loving and his breath caught as he waited for her to speak. "Kaidan," she said simply, whispering his name like a prayer.
"I love you, I've always loved you," he said again, for the second time that day. "I'm so happy. How can the future be so bright and so uncertain at the same time?"
Her eyebrows knitted and he mentally kicked himself. No mention of the war yet. Why did he mention that? Frustrated with himself, he leaned forward to kiss her again, intent on banishing those sad thoughts.
When they came up for air, she glanced around suddenly remembering where they were. "Major, I'm surprised at you. Kissing another officer out here in public for everyone to see. You've become more daring. There's no way out if someone sees us here."
"I don't need a way out, not anymore. Besides," he said. "We're Spectres now. We can do what we want." He kissed her lavishly again as though to prove his point.
He felt her smile against his lips. "As much as I would love to stay here on this lovely balcony, I want to make up for some lost time." She tugged on the lapels of his uniform. "And I can't do that out here. What do you say we get back to the Normandy, ASAP?"
He smiled. "Lead the way, Commander."