Authors' note;

Yeah, couldn't keep away. This is a sequel to "Between the lines", and although that fic is abit unpolished I do recommend reading it (it's short).

Heaps of thanks goes to Skeasel, my shiny new beta, for adding the finishing touches!

All rights belong to Bioware of course.

Slowly stirring from sleep, Shepard reached out her hand and found nothing but cool, smooth fabric against her fingertips. She wasn't surprised, not really, this was something of a morning habit for her and he was never there. Just a dream then. Stupid.

She opened her eyes and threw a glance at the clock on her nightstand. 04.12. The night shift will still be on. She could allow herself to drift back into that delectable dream where Kaidan had been waiting for her, holding her. Reassuring her. But the cold feeling of an empty bed crept into her spine and made her shiver, causing the decision to get up to be an easy one. Besides, she knew better than most that the dreams you get aren't always the ones you longed for.

After a quick shower, she put some clothes on and gathered the elevator to take her down to the mess. While riding it, she tried to assess the situation. They would need a safe port for repairs, that would have to be Item Number 1 on her to-do list. After that, she really didn't know. Thinking about it made her realize how similar she and Thane had truly been. While still taking full accountability for her actions, she had always been a weapon for someone else to aim and wield. Now she was on her own, and that's how she felt; aimless. Pulling in a ragged breath, she wondered if that was the reason why she hadn't told the Illusive Man off earlier. After all, what good is a weapon if no one is pointing it in the right direction and firing it?

Shrugging off those thoughts as the elevator came to a halt she made her way to get some breakfast. Gardner probably wouldn't be up, although he sometimes surprised her, but there was always something prepared if anyone was hungry.

Turning around the corner, she stopped dead in her footsteps.

Kaidan hadn't heard her approaching and was still lost in the data pads he was reading when she entered the mess. She didn't move, didn't even breathe, afraid that it might somehow make him disappear. A small frown on his forehead and a hand tousling his dark hair indicated that he was deep in concentration, and those kind brown eyes were rapidly sifting through the information before him. He had, in fact, never looked more handsome to her. Finally, he looked up and seeing her just standing there, he smiled.

"You okay?"

Swallowing hard, she managed an apprehensive smile of her own. "Yeah, sure. Hi." With her legs back to working order, she walked over to get a pack of juice and a sandwich. Not a dream then. Huh. Sitting down next to him, she cast a curious look at the data pads scattered over most of the table. "So what's this?" He sighed and unconsciously started rubbing his neck. "Just sitreps from the Stalingrad. I had someone run over with them since I figured I'll be here for a while." He looked up at her and straightened slightly in his seat. "Ma'am."

She just laughed softly, the address reminding her of all the times she would walk into the mess of the old Normandy early in the morning to find him sitting there, and the long, intimate conversations that would follow. She wanted to reach out and touch him, just to make sure he was really there, and before her brain could react to stop her she had laid a hand on his arm.

"Please, Commander, you're not my subordinate anymore. Just call me Saviour of the Citadel."

He chuckled at that, secretly letting out a sigh of relief that things felt at least somewhere close to natural between them. "I'll try to remember that. Ma'am."

He hadn't been sure how to act around her, not knowing where they stood with each other or how to proceed. In all its nerve-racking awkwardness, it was pretty close to starting anew which felt rather strange given that he knew he loved her and that she loved him. You just don´t know if that will be enough. Shepard, however, did as she always would; plowed straight through without a doubt. Smiling at the thought of her relentless nature, he noted that her hand was still resting on his arm. That caused his smile to grow wider.

"Gone for a few hours and…" Her voice trailed off as she paused to count the data pads. "...twelve sitreps. For a stationary vessel." She let out a whistle, half impressed and half amused. "You sure do run a tight ship, Commander." He hated the blush he could feel touch his cheeks, and the need he felt to explain himself to his former CO. "It's my first command, and I guess I want to keep a close eye on everything. Besides, I haven't been back there since yesterday, and..." Seeing the questioning look in her eyes, he cut himself short. "I stayed in your quarters for the night."

So what are you doing out of my quarters now, Kaidan? She wanted to speak the thought out loud, but she knew things would be complicated for a while. There was a lot of healing that needed doing, on both of their accounts, and she could be patient when necessary.

The disapproving look on her face caught him by surprise, and made him wonder if he was reading the situation properly. Maybe he was just flattering himself, thinking that she still wanted him after the conversation they had yesterday? "I... Uh, bunked on the floor. You fell asleep and I…" Her hand slid down his arm to lightly squeeze his, silently reassuring him. It was just a small, comforting gesture, but the touch sent a shiver through his body. However, it also managed to achieve its objective, and he offered her a skewed smirk and a shrug. "I couldn't stand leaving you." Encouraged by the pleased smile on her face, he kept talking.

"Look, I understand that we have a lot to figure out if we are going to be able to, uh, work together." He coughed awkwardly, again blushing like a schoolgirl, and she had to stifle a laugh. "But I want to try. Although I really should warn you, I'm sorely out of practice in the whole flirting department."

Letting the laugh escape her lips, Shepard leaned back in her chair slightly and took the first sip of her juice. "Then I guess I can't count on you being as smooth as you used to."

vVvVvVv

Miranda, not knowing that only a thin wall separated her from Shepard and Alenko as they kept talking and laughing out in the mess, violently slammed her fist against her desk.

"I'm not doing it. The Commander would never succumb to petty threats, and even if she did, I won't be the one making them." She shook her head, emphasizing her refusal even though she knew the connection was audio only.

"Don't disappoint me, Miranda." The voice of the Illusive Man sounded mildly irritated. "I need Shepard to stay motivated and it seems like a perfect opportunity has just presented itself." He exhaled before continuing, and she could picture the wall of smoke leaving his mouth. "You know I was hoping that it wouldn't come to this, but she has left me no other choice. You will remind her of what Cerberus has done for her, and of what Cerberus is capable of doing should she not comply." She could hear the scraping sound from a chair as he apparently rose to his feet. "Actually, you would be wise to remember the same thing."

At that, the connection cut.