There are few moments in Carolina's life that everything falls away. Few moments where she looks into herself, seeing what others see… and what they don't. They don't see the doubt she feels every day; the guilt she holds inside over the choices she's made.
Well, maybe one person sees it. Kaidan. He sees right through her, and she knows it; hell, she hates it. Hates how those amber eyes burn through what she shows outwardly to everyone, burns into what's really going on inside. But, then again, she loves how he knows her so well, knows what she wants without her ever speaking. Some days it was almost as though he read her mind, but that would make things too simple, when nothing between them had ever been simple. Not the night before Ilos, not Horizon, and sure as hell not on Mars. Whatever it was between them was so complex that it sometimes made her head hurt to try to figure it out.
Carolina sighed, shaking away these thoughts as she stretched her legs out over her bed. Kaidan was finally officially back on her crew. Not much had been said between them about their old relationship, other than that he was still interested, and wasn't seeing anyone. While that was good information to know, she wasn't sure what to do with it. She knew what she wanted, and she thinks she might know what he wants, but does she really know? He could be so flip sometimes and it honestly made her want to punch him. Many times.
Her hand came up to pinch the bridge of her nose in annoyance; she had been hoping to get some sleep tonight, but her mind apparently had other priorities. She lifted her cover off and slung her legs over the side of the bed, flinching as the cooler air hit her bare legs and arms. As she stood and walked to her desk, she could feel goosebumps rising all over her exposed skin; perhaps she should have stayed in bed.
As she was reaching the divider that separated the desk from the rest of the room, the door to her cabin hissed as it opened. Kaidan was standing outside of it, in an untucked t-shirt, and his uniform pants and boots. He looked like he was about to say something, but upon seeing her, his eyes widened, and Carolina started feeling very self-conscious. She was only in a tank and a pair of underwear, and neither were very... covering.
"Uh, well, I didn't think I'd find you so…" His lips pressed together as he tried to suppress a smile and gestured to her barely covered self.