Author Note: First chapter of the first fic I'm daring enough to publish! I hope you enjoy it. Much, much more coming soon.
PS: I don't own Mass Effect.
It was a big day for Kaidan. He was graduating from basic training today. The sun was shining brightly through the window of his apartment on the Vancouver base. What a beautiful day. Perfect, really, he thought.
He finished getting his dress blues on and headed to the elevator. Already standing there, waiting for the elevator, was a woman with crimson red hair that was just long enough to frame her chin, or be tucked behind her ears. Even though she was dressed in a crewman's outfit, seeing only her back, Kaidan had a feeling she was beautiful.
Something was different about her. Most soldiers stared at the elevator as they waited for it to arrive, but she wasn't. Instead, she gazed out the large window overlooking the English Bay. The sky was bright blue, with very few clouds, simply ornamenting the heavens.
Kaidan knew most of the soldiers who lived in this building, but didn't recognize this girl. Being on a base, new people tended to come and go, but Kaidan always liked to get to know new people, even if they wouldn't be staying for long.
"Beautiful weather today," Kaidan commented.
"It's incredible," the woman said, turning to meet Kaidan's eyes for a moment. He caught a glimpse of her radiant smile and gorgeous eyes before she turned back to look at the window. Her eyes were gray, but the way the light was caught in them at this moment made them look pale blue, much like the sky. Kaidan walked over and stood next to her, his body also turned toward the window.
"I don't recall seeing you here before, my name's Kaidan, Kaidan Alenko." He offered his hand. She gladly shook it back, making eye contact with his honey-colored eyes.
"Evelyn Shepard." she replied, "and you're right, this is my first time here." She turned to face him, smiled as if she was embarrassed, and continued, "Actually, this is my first time to ever be on Earth."
"Wow," Kaidan shrugged, "I guess I take it for granted that I was raised here."
The elevator made a bright, high pitched sound indicating it was just about to arrive. "Isn't it crazy how slow these things are?" he said, jokingly. "You would think with space travel being a pretty normal thing, elevators would be faster." Evelyn laughed, "Yeah. Even on space ships and stations they're slow." She paused slightly as the two entered the elevator. Oddly, she felt inclined to share more with this marine. Something about him was warm, inviting. "That's where I grew up. In space. All over. Different ships and stations. A regular military brat. It was no shock to anyone when I joined the Alliance. I was sort of expected to, with my parents being in the navy."
"My father served, too," Kaidan replied, "my mother stayed home, though. Here in Vancouver, actually." There was a brief pause in the conversation before Kaidan continued, "I guess we have something in common other than the fact that we're both marines." The two smiled, both surprised as they found themselves intrigued to learn more about the other.
The elevator was nearing the end of the trip, but Kaidan didn't want their conversation to be over. He had recently become shy around women, largely in part to fearing rejection as a result of his past. But this time, Kaidan decided to take the chance. Something about her was special.
"I have an idea," he said. Evelyn turned to him, her grin encouraging him to continue. "I grew up here, and you've never been here. It's a beautiful day, and it would be a shame to waste it inside…so how about I show you around town? I'll be off-duty after the basic graduation ceremony."
"That explains the dress blues," Shepard said, still smiling. She paused for a moment, just long enough for Kaidan's heart to skip a beat nervously. "Sure, that sounds great. I'm actually off duty now. I'll wait for you in the courtyard just outside the west entrance to the hall."
The elevator dinged, indicating it had reached its destination.
"I'm looking forward to it" Kaidan said, his golden eyes smiling.
"Me, too," Shepard replied, beaming and delighted.
I know the first chapter was a bit short; it's setting things up for later!