Kaidan couldn't believe his eyes when he checked his messages. There, in glowing letters, the words 'RE: About Horizon...' sat, sending a flurry of emotions through him. He had no idea what to expect. Part of him was scared, yet he found himself opening the message and reading.

Kaidan,

Thank you for your apology. I appreciate it. I can't imagine how the past two years have changed you; for me, it hasn't even been two *months*. I think we were both a little wrapped up in our own pain.

Still, I want my chance to explain, and God help me, you're going to listen this time.

In an instant, I went from suffocating in space to an operating table, in the midst of Cerberus, being told that countless credits were spent on reconstructing me to save the entire human race (and the entire rest of the universe, it looks like).

What was I supposed to do? I went with two of their operatives to a recently abducted colony, and saw the proof for myself. Cerberus or not, they were giving me the tools to do what was right, and I was going to use them.

It wasn't until I walked into my quarters and saw a picture of you on my desk that I remembered what I'd lost. The moment I stopped looking ahead and glanced back, I...I can't even put words to it, but the pain was indescribable.

At the forefront of all of that was you. What had happened to you? Were you safe? Happy? Surely, you had moved on. The thought hurt more than I could imagine, and all I wanted to do was find you.

That night before Ilos meant just as much to me as it did to you, if not more. All of my life, people have wanted nothing more of me than a piece of my fame, or to use me for some goal. You were the first person to truly care about me for who I am. I loved you. I still do.

Needless to say, our meeting on Horizon wasn't what I expected. I was crushed. I can't put into words how much you hurt me. You were unwilling to listen, and quite frankly, you were an ass.

But that's not you. That's not the Kaidan I know. That isn't the man that I love. I don't even know if you *are* that man anymore.

To that end, I am still the same person. What felt like two years to you was two seconds to me. I'm still who I was. I am going to stop the Collectors, and save everyone I can along the way.

When that's done, when everyone is safe, I will find you. I'm not giving up on you - on us - yet. Not by a long shot. You should know better than to doubt me. You may be unsure about what lies ahead for us, but I'm not letting this go without a fight.

Be safe, and take care of yourself. Please.

Yours,

Rowan

Kaidan sat there in shock, reading the words several times over. Eventually, he found the ability to move his fingers, deciding to reply in the only way he possibly could.

I'll be waiting.