Kaidan and Shepard's shuttle landed at the Alliance's Airfield in Vancouver late in the afternoon.

"Wow," Shepard said under her breath as Kaidan collected their bags as she watched the sun setting over the water.

"I don't know how long it's been since I've watched a sun set," Kaidan said as he slung his ruck sack over his shoulder and held Shepard's in his left hand. "I forgot how beautiful they can be."

He watched Shepard with a small smile as she marvelled at the setting sun. He'd been caught off guard when he'd seen her out of uniform for the first time. Jeans and a black t-shirt suited her perfectly. She was wearing a pair of sunglasses too as part of an attempt to 'go incognito' as she'd put it. Kaidan had laughed at the idea initially, but it seemed to be working. No-one had recognised her yet.

"So, is your parent's house far from here?" Shepard asked as she turned to Kaidan with a smile.

"It's about a fifteen minute drive," Kaidan replied as he handed over her bag. "Speaking of which, our ride should be here any minute now."

The whole of the Normandy's crew had been granted a week's leave before heading off into Dark Space to find and destroy the Reaper fleet. It had been Shepard's idea and Captain Anderson had seconded it. She knew how badly Kaidan wanted to see his family, how badly Pressly wanted to see his wife and children, so a week's leave had been her solution. It made sense that the crew had a chance to say goodbye to the people they were putting their lives on the line to protect.

"I wonder if Joker is going to be able to cope without the Normandy for a week?" Shepard laughed as they made their way to the main gate.

"I bet he has withdrawals," Kaidan laughed. "You know . . ."

"What?" Shepard asked curiously.

"We're technically civilians right now," Kaidan said thoughtfully as they walked out the main gate and into a small parking lot. "So there's no reason I can't do this."

Shepard was just about to ask him what he was talking about but was quickly silenced as Kaidan leaned down and swiftly kissed her mouth. A second or two later, he drew back with a satisfied smirk on his face.

"We did a lot more than that on the way to Ilos," Shepard teased. "We were still soldiers then, so why the excitement about kissing me now we're civilians?"

"Just because I don't have to worry about all those stupid regulations," Kaidan smiled as he lent down and gave her another quick kiss. "Besides, we can't have a repeat performance of what happened on the way to Ilos right here in the parking lot now can we?"

"I think Joker's crude sense of humour has rubbed off on you," Shepard grinned. "And if you're going to start kissing me in public, you may as well do it properly."

Dropping her bag on the cement, Shepard slung her arms around Kaidan's neck and kissed him. Kaidan rested his free hand on the small of her back, holding Shepard against him. After all they'd been through, Kaidan had been worried he'd never get a chance to experience what a normal life with Shepard would have been like. He'd decided to treasure every moment he got to spend with her because there was no telling how many of them were left.

"Oh my god!"

At the sound of the high pitched squeal, Kaidan suddenly broke the kiss and Shepard saw a familiar blush redden his cheeks. Glancing over her shoulder as she let go of the lieutenant, Shepard saw the girl that had let out the surprised squeal and instantly knew she had to be Kaidan's little sister Kaelyn. She had shoulder length black hair, brown eyes, perfectly tanned skin and a brilliant smile.

"I didn't know you were bringing your girlfriend home with you," Kaelyn said as she bounded over to them with what could only be described as youthful enthusiasm and hugged Kaidan. "Welcome home big brother."

Kaidan glanced over at Shepard to see how she had reacted at being called his girlfriend and for the first time, he noticed her cheeks were a little pink.

"It's nice to see you too sis," Kaidan said quietly. "But do you mind toning it down just a little?"

"Ok fine," Kaelyn smiled, letting go of him. "So, are you going to introduce me or what?"

"You mean you don't recognise her," Kaidan teased. "Don't tell me your mind is going rusty. You need every cell you can get."

Kaelyn punched him playfully in the arm with a little more force than was intended because the moment his sister's attention turned to Shepard, Kaidan rubbed his arm.

"Hi," Shepard said quietly, removing her sunglasses and extending her hand. "It's nice to meet you Kaelyn. Kaidan has . . . "

"How did an idiot like you end up dating the Commander Shepard?" Kaelyn gapped, her attention snapping back to her brother. "You can't even fix your hair in the morning."

"Hey!" Kaidan exclaimed. "At least I'm not so intimidating I can't get a date."

"You're right. I don't think you could get any less intimidating than a dumb ass with bed hair," Kaelyn retorted with a wide grin.

Shepard tried to hide her grin as she watched the exchange of insults. Kaidan hadn't been kidding about the sibling rivalry. It was nice to see this less serious side of him.

"Here. Mae yourself useful and take these to the car," Kaidan smirked as he tossed the bags at her. "Shoo."

"It's nice to meet you," Kaelyn said to Shepard before poking her tongue out at Kaidan and then walking off towards the sleek silver hover car.

"I'm sorry she ambushed us like that," Kaidan apologised, turning to Shepard and giving her a smile. "Kaelyn's personality can be overwhelming if you're not used to it."

"It's alright. She seems nice," Shepard replied. "About her calling me your girlfriend . . ."

"I'm sorry about that too," Kaidan blushed. "I'll tell her to lay off it if it makes you uncomfortable."

"It's just odd that's all," Shepard said with a small smile. "I haven't had time to think of us like that yet, but I guess that's what we are."

Putting his arm around Shepard's waist, Kaidan kissed her on the cheek.

"We have time for you to get used to the idea," he whispered. "But introducing you as my girlfriend sounds pretty good to me."

"Are you sure it doesn't sound good to you simply because you're a dumb ass with bed hair?" Shepard teased, putting her arm around Kaidan's waist.

Kaidan pouted and Shepard let out a giggle as they walked towards the car.

"You'd know all about me having bed hair," he said quietly, causing Shepard to stifle a laugh. "So, is it alright for me to call you my girlfriend?"

Shepard paused as Kaidan opened the car door for her and ran a hand back through her hair before turning around to face him.

"It's alright, on one condition," she said quietly.

"Anything," Kaidan promised.

"You're the one who has to tell Joker," Shepard grinned. "He's going to have a field day with you."