Lieutenant. Kaidan reached out toward the voice, his fingertips making contact with her soft cheek. Kaidan. He groaned as he opened his eyes, trying to adjust them to the bright lights that were suddenly glaring in the cabin. Finally, he's able to focus on her face.
"Shepard? What's wrong?" His brow furrowing in concern, he props himself up on his elbows. "What's the matter?" Shepard's eyes are sad, and Kaidan's heart begins to race, panicking. "Did I do something wrong? Please, Shepard. Talk to me." Suddenly, he was terrified. Why was he so scared? Shepard shakes her head, her mahogany curls bouncing against her cheeks.
Goodbye, Kaidan. For a moment, she smiles. His heart begins to calm until her words register in his tired mind.
"Goodbye? What do you mean goodbye?"
Shepard looks curiously at him, as she pulls on her underwear, and then her uniform. What are you talking about? I said it's time to get up, sleepy head. We have Geth to hunt. Three ships have gone missing in this area recently. She pauses for a minute, her eyes roaming over his face, her own brow furrowing in concern. Are you alright, Kaidan? You seem like you're on edge. Do you need to sit this out?
Kaidan shook his head fervently, both trying to get his head on straight, and deny her insinuation that he may be unfit for duty. Did he really just imagine that? He watched Shepard silently, trying to make sense of what had just happened.
Well, She interrupted his thoughts, and he realised that she was standing next to the bed, her arms folded across her chest. It's not that I don't enjoy the sight of you naked in my bed, but.. Well, it's time to get up. She leaned in to kiss him, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. Sudden panic gripped him again, and he tightened his hold. Why did this seem so familiar? Kaidan. You're crushing me. What is up with you? He forced himself to release her.
"I'm sorry. I just- I don't know what came over me."
Well, just meet me in the mess. I'm going to go get some coffee. As she turned to leave, the panicked feeling rose again in Kaidan's chest.
"Wait. Shepard." He jumped out of the bed, quickly covering himself with the sheet before he reached out to grasp her arm and pull her back to wrap his arms around her. Lieutenant Alenko slid his rough hands up her silky shoulders, taking her face in the both of them. "I love you, Shepard. Kayleigh. I love you." Shepard's face brightened, then darkened almost immediately.
I love you too, Kaidan. Remember that. Please. Remember me. His brow furrows in concern again, but he doesn't have much time to think on it, because suddenly he is suited up, and the Normandy is burning.
Shepard! Kaidan grabs his helmet and takes off to where he knows his Commander will be suiting up. The Normandy is in chaos around him as he slips the helmet onto his head. Crew members are screaming, and explosions are going off left and right. He finds her, exactly where he knew she would be, slipping her own helmet over her head. "Shepard!"
The distress beacon is ready for launch.
"Will the Alliance get here in time?"
The Alliance won't abandon us. We just need to hold on. She's futiley attempting to put out the fire with a fire extinguisher, when she gives up and tosses it at him. Get everyone onto the escape shuttles.
"Joker's still in the cockpit. He won't abandon ship." Kaidan watches her as he turns the extinguisher on the blaze in front of him. "I'm not leaving either." He flinches as she grabs the extinguisher from him.
I need you to get the crew onto the evac shuttles. I'll take care of Joker. There's another explosion.
"Commander!"
Kaidan, go! She turns back to him. Now.
Panic wells up in Kaidan's throat, but she has given him a direct order. "Aye Aye, Ma'am." He stares at her for a moment longer, then turns on his heel to make a break for the shuttles. He's ushered all the survivors in, and set launch on the other pods when he finally sits down and pulls the harness over his head. Please.. Shepard. The shuttle launches even as another explosion rocks what is left of the Normandy.
Another escape pod launches. Kaidan's heart leaps, but out of the corner of his eyes, he sees a figure. The N7 insignia is emblazoned across her chest. The Normandy explodes, and Kaidan awakens, screaming.
