Disclaimer: Mass Effect doesn't belong to me, nor do I intend to profit from this work of fiction.
A/N: This will be a series of short drabbles prompted by a 30 day writing challenge that I'm participating in over on my tumblr. All of the prompts have been prechosen, and the goal is to write one prompt a day for thirty days. The plan is to span from Mass Effect to Mass Effect 3, and there will be lots and lots of shenko goodness. I started this on the first of the month, so I have to get caught up posting it over here. Enjoy!
He supposed the beginning of the end for him had been the first time he'd met her. Fresh off a classified N7 mission, the dirt of the field scuffing her armor, her forehead still beaded with sweat, her hair tumbling out of the bun he had a feeling she habitually wore, and her bag was slung over her shoulder. He was staring and he knew it. He felt a sharp elbow in his ribs, and heard the pilot next to him mutter, "Down, boy."
With that subtle reminder, he snapped his iron control into place, determined not to make a fool of himself. This was a dream posting for him, one he'd been hoping and waiting for; a new, prototype ship, serving with a crew hand picked by one of the most notable officers in the Alliance, and then there was Shepard. A legend in the flesh was standing in front of him; talking and laughing with Captain Anderson, and, if he wasn't imagining things, shooting him a stunning smile when Anderson turned to introduce her to the ship's officers.
He waited patiently as Shepard came down the line, returning salutes and shaking hands with his peers. He snapped a sharp salute to her when his turn came, and his eyebrows shot up when he accepted her proffered hand, and he felt the sharp hum of her biotics. They stared at each other for a long minute, both oblivious to Anderson standing over her shoulder with his eyebrows raised. "Staff Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko, ma'am." He said softly, and he saw her lick her lips as his gravelly voice met her ears.
"A pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant," she practically purred, and reluctantly he released her hand. "You're biotic," it wasn't a question, and she cocked her head to the side when he nodded. "I look forward to seeing you in action," she murmured to herself, as though she had already sized him up and fought his abilities in the field to be acceptable.
"Ah, thank you, ma'am. You're biotic as well," he noted, and he watched her her blink in surprise.
"You could say I dabble," she mused, pursing her lips in thought. "I'm better with a shotgun. Mostly, I don't have the patience to learn anything new."
Kaidan gave a shy smile, "I know a thing or to, if you'd care to learn a few new tricks."
She gave him another radiant smile, "I think I'd like that, Lieutenant." She turned when Anderson cleared his throat.
"Alenko, maybe you'd like to show Shepard around, where she can stash her gear, and so on?" Anderson said, and didn't wait for a reply before he moved on to talk to Navigator Pressley.
Kaidan cocked his head to the side, and held out a hand, "Can I take your bag?" he asked, and she just chuckled and handed it over, letting her hand linger over his for a moment. He mental steeled himself, this was his executive officer, and fraternization was not on his list of acceptable career moves. He slung the bag of his shoulder, and moved forward, heard her soft footfalls as she followed after him.
They went in companionable silence, and he showed her to the crew deck, and the empty footlocker that had been assigned to her. "Thank you, Lieutenant." She stuffed her bag in the locker, and straightened to look at him. "I think I should apologize, I know I come on a little strong back there."
He shuffled uncomfortably, "It's not a problem, ma'am."
"I don't get to serve with many other biotics, so to be assigned to a ship with one, it's a rare treat for me." She tilted her head to indicate she was finished speaking.
He smiled, "I know what you mean, I rarely serve with other biotics, and most of the time, I'm viewed with some suspicion, like I can read minds or something." She let out a bark of laughter and nodded her agreement. "But Anderson seems to have his reasons to have us both on his ship, so here I am. I was serious about teaching you some things, if you're interested."
Her lips parted for a moment as she considered him, and gave him a slight nod, "Yes, I'd like that. They were always drilling the need to be well rounded into us during N7 training, so I think I owe it to myself to learn something new." They chatted for a few more minutes while she took of her dirty armor, and she wrinkled her nose as she got a whiff of herself. "That is just offensive," she muttered to herself, dropping her armor into pile on the floor. "Apologies, Lieutenant, but I need a shower. Could you…?"
He blushed when he realized he'd been staring at her as she'd stripped out of her armor. "Uh, yeah, it's over here," he pointed her in the right direction, trying not to stare at her slender curves. "I'll take your suit down to the armory to be cleaned, if that's okay."
She smiled, "Sure thing, Lieutenant." She put a cool hand over his as he straightened, her armor in hand, "Thank you, Alenko," she smiled before turning away from him. He was in serious trouble, and he knew it, he thought trying to tear his eyes away from the sway of her hips as she walked away. Seriously in trouble.