I do not own Mass Effect or any of the associated contact. Jagher Shepard is my Shepard and Fayelle Shepard is my friend's Shepard. This is a collection of moments set throughout the games. They're rated for language and violence mostly.
Mass Effect: Moments.
A Moment to Recover.
The medical bay of the Normandy was a dark room, currently lit only by the dim glow of the light above Jagher Shepard's bed. It cast sharp shadows over the patient and Doctor Chakwas, standing nearby and scanning the Commander with her Omni-tool; the orange light of the device flickered like candlelight. If the room had been better lit, if it had looked more like a hospital, perhaps the scene wouldn't have been so grim.
The young commander was shifting slightly on the bed, one hand clenched tightly in a fist and the other holding onto the edge of the bed like it was her only hold on life. Glimpses of pain and other, unidentifiable emotions flickered across her face. The display made Kaidan uncomfortable. It was because of him that Commander Shepard was lying on that bed, suffering silently. She had had to knock him out of the way of the Prothean beacon because he had been stupid enough to approach it without knowing what it was capable of.
He sighed quickly as he approached the bedside. The biotic hovered for a moment, not wanting to interrupt Chakwas' scans, but he stepped close once the omni-tool had vanished. "How is she?" he asked quietly.
Chakwas looked up and flashed the lieutenant a quick and reassuring grin. "She's stable; just hasn't woken up yet," she said in her accented voice. "She seems to be dreaming."
"Her eyes have been moving like that since she passed out."
Chakwas nodded. "She's deep in REM sleep."
Silence fell as the doctor turned to the machines displaying Jagher's vitals, and Kaidan stood at Shepard's bedside, studying the minute motions of her face and body. "Is she in any pain?"
"It's difficult to tell for sure Kaidan, but I don't think she is."
Kaidan's eyes dropped back to Shepard's form. "I'm so sorry Shepard," he said.
"Kaidan, I don't think an apology is necessary. The commander would have done the same for anyone."
"Maybe, but I shouldn't have approached that thing."
The silver-haired woman shrugged with one shoulder and the headed towards the other end of the room. "I will be at my desk if you need anything," she said before walking out of earshot. If Kaidan had been able to see the doctor's face, he would have seen a small, knowing smile.
Kaidan found a wheeled stool and pulled it over to Shepard's bedside. He sat down and leaned towards her slightly, dropping his voice even though no one could hear. "I really am sorry, Shepard," he whispered, awkwardly placing his hand on her forearm. A rough groan made him sit up straight, his hand retracting instantly. Realizing it had come from the bed, Kaidan leaned close again. "Shepard?"
She rolled her head towards his voice, her eyelids fluttering open revealing the bright green irises beneath. "Kaidan?" she croaked. He looked around and found a cup of water and passed it to Shepard as she manoeuvred herself into a half-sitting position. She took the cup and drank deeply for a moment before placing it back on the table. "How long have I been out?" she asked, running her fingers through her dishevelled dark brown hair. "I feel like I was run over by a truck or something..."
"A few hours."
"Did you get me back to the ship?"
"Yeah—Ashley helped," he added. Kaidan scratched at his temple. Suddenly apologizing seemed wrong. "Commander, I'm—"
"You don't have to apologize anymore Kaidan," she said with a small grin.
"You heard?"
"I heard."
He couldn't stop the small smile from spreading over his lips. Some tension released from his shoulders and Kaidan felt himself relax. "How are you feeling?"
Shepard shrugged and moved so she was sitting fully upright. Kaidan rose to his feet so he could meet her eyes without craning his neck. "My head hurts, and the things I saw... they don't make any sense. But I'll be okay." Taking in the confused expression on the Staff Lieutenant's face, Jagher continued. "The beacon... I think it put a vision of some sort in my brain. I saw death." She looked up at Kaidan, her eyes dark and heavy. She was scared.
After a brief moment of silent deliberation, Kaidan reached forward and placed his hand gently on Jagher's forearm again, giving it a gentle squeeze. They shared a look, one Kaidan tried to make reassuring and comforting. When Chakwas appeared to check on her patient, Kaidan informed the commander that he would be in the mess hall if she needed to talk to him; he wanted more answers, and fully intended to get them. But that could wait. Right then, at that moment, he was just glad Shepard was okay and hadn't been harmed by that damned beacon.
Author's Note.
I'm reworking these for reasons.
Hope you still enjoy!
Next Moment: A Moment of Conversation.
