Shepard watched Miranda as she stood staring at her sister. Knowing she was unsure, Shepard encouraged her to speak with Oriana. "Go on, we'll wait here." Miranda looked at Shepard then began walking toward her sister. Shepard glanced at Thane and motioned toward the railing. Nodding, he stepped next to her as he leaned against the railing. Joining him, they silently gazed at the city.
As Shepard watched the traffic, she noticed Thane looking at her. Turning slightly, she met his gaze.
"I spend the last two years here. I had a purpose, a goal. Now that I've accomplished it, something occurs to me. In all that time, I never looked at the horizon. It is spectacular." Thane gestured toward the horizon. Shepard followed his motion and scanned the landscape.
The sun was beginning to set. Shepard watched as the sun dipped below the horizon, setting the sky ablaze in fiery reds, tangerine oranges and bright hues of yellow. Unable to remember the last time she watched a sunset, Shepard marveled at the vivid colors. Suddenly, she felt as if she was seeing her first sunset. The world came alive. The noise of the city intensified. She could hear the individual cars as they flew by, she could smell the food from the vendors down the block and feel the warmth of the breeze as it caressed her skin. Shepard was sensitized to everything, every vibration and hum reverberated against her awareness.
Pushing herself upright, she listened to the murmur of voices floating around her. In the distance, she could hear the steady thump of music and feel the drone of conversation. A ghostly echo of laughter reflected off the buildings as the hum of the city enthralled her. Turning to Thane, Shepard began to smile. Her wide seeing eyes startling him from his repose.
"Shepard." Starting intently at Thane, Shepard could see his skin shine iridescently in the dying light. His had become bottomless pools of ebony. Breathing deeply, Shepard could feel her lungs expand as her blood rush through her veins. Slowly, she began to survey her surroundings. The noises, smells, and sights beckoned her as each vied for her attention. Thane stepped closer, his expression concerned. Hesitantly he touched her arm as he searched her face.
"Shepard, are you well?"Shepard stared dumbfounded at Thane, it was as if she had never seen him before. Carefully, he touched her face as concern crinkled his brow. Closing her eyes, Shepard smiled, and sighed.
"Everything's so..." Stepping closer, Thane strained to hear. Stepping blindly, she reaching for the railing but instead grasped Thane's outstretched hand.
"Shepard, I'm going to get Miranda. We need to get you back to the Normandy." Softly he grabbed her shoulder as gently lead her to the railing. Shepard grabbed his arm anxiously; the fabric of his coat was soft and supple under her fingers. She could feel the tensing of his muscles beneath his skin. Seeing her teeter, Thane quickly moved to hold her. As he pulled her to him, Shepard could smell the fragrance of bergamot. The scent engulfed her, filling her nose and mouth. Smiling, she inhaled the scent. Opening her eyes, she searched his face. Shepard realized she was inhaling his scent.
"Thane." Gazing into his pitch-dark eyes brought a flutter to her chest. "I'm fine." Releasing her hold on him, Shepard stepped back. Unsure, Thane stood close, his arms outstretched, ready to hold her.
"Shepard, what's happening?" Shepard studied his face, surprised by the beauty of his lips.
"I'm not sure." She reached for his hands, squeezing both tightly. His hands were warm. The skin was smooth, his fingers strong. Shepard studied his hands, she was tempted to raise them to her lips. Unsure of his reaction she suppressed the urge. Together they stood studying each other. Slowly he released her hands to stand next to her.
"I'm concerned about you Shepard." Thane touched her neck, feeling her pulse. The feel of his touch caused goose bumps to raise under his searching fingers making her blush. Shepard could feel heat rise from her neck to her ears, coloring her cheeks.
"You are very warm, Shepard." Thane softly touched her face. Embarrassed by her body's response, Shepard found it difficult to speak. Standing so close together, they didn't see Miranda approach.
"Shepard, I'm ready to go." Miranda stood in front of Shepard and Thane, oblivious to the situation, her eyes filled with tears. Unable to look away from Thane, Shepard absently nodded. Miranda quickly turned to the elevator and pressed the call button. Stepping away from the railing, Shepard felt Thane take her hand. Gazing into his eyes, she felt herself pulled gently toward him. Together they entered the elevator. The walk to the Normandy was silent. Miranda led the way as Thane and Shepard lagged behind. As they walked, Shepard could feel Thane's hand holding hers.
As they entered the Normandy, Thane released her but escorted her to the elevator. Pressing the button for the crew deck, Thane stood next to her as the elevator doors closed. Once the door opened, Thane again held her hand as he led her to the med bay. Pulling a chair out for her, he gently pushed her to sit. As she sat, Thane informed Dr. Chakwas of his concerns. Shepard expected Thane to leave but he remained. He silently watched, his hands clasped behind his back. Dr. Chakwas listened intently before turning to begin examining her.
"Shepard, I need to check your cybernetics. How are you feeling?" Dr. Chakwas began to scan Shepard with her omni tool. Sitting quietly, Shepard watched Dr. Chakwas as she tried to find a way to explain. Dr. Chakwas finished her scans and began reviewing the data.
"You appear to be in good shape. I found no injury, no infection or problem with your cybernetics. From what I can tell, you are doing fine. How do you feel?" Dr. Chakwas sat across from Shepard studying her face. Reaching to her, Dr. Chakwas felt her pulse , checked her ears, nose and throat.
"I feel fine, Dr. Chakwas. Something happened… I can't explain it." Shepard looked at Thane expecting his face to change, to become dull. Instead, she could still see the vividness of his skin. Sitting in the ship, Shepard began to notice things about the Normandy. She could hear the drive core and feel the cool dry air wafting over her from the vent. Shepard could hear the soft footfalls of the crew and Rupert softly muttering to himself as he cooked. Shepard turned her gaze toward Dr. Chakwas, studying her. Shepard never noticed that Dr. Chakwas' eyes were a vivid blue, her hair was silver and her skin was soft with fine wrinkles beginning to appear. Smiling, Shepard breathed deeply. Closing her eyes, she could feel her heartbeat. Leaning back in her chair, Shepard opened her eyes and looked at Thane.
"I'm sorry for frightening you. Please, sit down and I'll try to explain what happened." Bowing slightly, Thane pulled a chair close, as he and Dr. Chakwas sat and waited.
"Thane and I were waiting for Miranda; she was visiting her sister. I was leaning on the railing, looking at nothing when Thane told me about his time on Ilium. He motioned toward the horizon. Listening to him, I looked and suddenly, the world… changed." Shepard began to frown. Her words couldn't encompass everything she experienced. Dr. Chakwas leaned forward studying her.
"Tell me more." Shepard smiled.
"Before today, everything was dull. Then, somewhere inside of me, a switch turned on and now everything is brilliant. I can see, feel and hear again. Everything is so… alive. I hadn't noticed until now. I don't know if I have now fully adjusted to the cybernetics or if it was something else. All I know is I feel good, wonderful in fact. I feel like I had been asleep but now I am awake." Thane sat upright, his eyes searching her face. Noticing the change in him, Shepard studied his face.
"Thank you for helping me. I appreciate what you did." Thane nodded then quickly stood to leave. Looking at Shepard one last time, he bowed then left the med bay. Dr. Chakwas watched his departure then glanced back to Shepard.
"He was very worried. I haven't seen him worried before. Usually he's so quiet. I don't think I heard more than a few words from him. I'm beginning to think, he has feelings for you." Dr. Chakwas smiled then touched Shepard's forehead.
"I am glad you're okay. I couldn't find anything wrong. It could be what you said, either you adjusted to the cybernetics or they adjusted to you. Either way, if it begins to cause problems, let me know." Shepard nodded. Standing, she stretched and thought about what Dr. Chakwas said about Thane. Dr. Chakwas looked intently at Shepard, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth.
"I'm glad Thane was with you. I think if something ever happened to you, he would probably carry you until he found help." Shocked at her words, Shepard stared at Dr. Chakwas. Not knowing what to say, Shepard cleared her throat.
"I'll go check on him. Make sure he's okay." Dr. Chakwas nodded as she returned to her workstation. Leaving the med bay, Shepard was lost in thought as she walked toward the life support plant. Turning the corner, she ran into Thane.
"Thane." Shepard gasped as she grabbed his arm to steady herself. Seeing her, Thane stared, his eyes boring into hers. Slowly, he backed her against the wall. Captivated by stare, Shepard placed her hands on his chest as she walked backward. Bumping into the wall, she stared at him. Raising his arms, he placed his hands on either side of her as he leaned forward. Slowly he hovered his lips over hers. Feeling the heat emanating from his body, Shepard leaned toward him. Unthinking of her actions, she ran her hands down his chest to encircle his waist. She roughly pulled him against her, intent on catching his lips with hers. Pulling away, Thane evaded her lips only to rub his cheek against her chin and jaw. The smoothness of his skin made Shepard tremble as the scent of bergamot engulfed her.
"Thane…" Shepard whispered as her lips sought his. Breathing heavily, he pulled away. Thane stood still as his eyes raked over her face and body. His gaze burning through her armor searing her skin. The need to hold him overwhelmed her. Reaching for him, Thane softly touched Shepard's hand before stepping away.
"I will be meditating if you need me." Slowly, he turned and began walking toward his room. Shepard watched him leave, a groan of frustration escaping her throat. The need to kiss him left her trembling.
Leaning against the wall, Shepard focused on controlling her breathing and resisting the urge to follow him. The thought of her entering his room and pushing him on to his cot brought a sigh to her lips. Wrapping her arms around herself, Shepard concentrated on breathing. After a while, she had achieved enough control to stand. Languidly Shepard entered the elevator and quickly hit the button for her quarters. As the elevator rose, she planned on taking a very cold shower.