This is an AU of Mass Effect 3 but it focuses more on Shepard and Kaidan than actual events. Starts with a brief scene in ME 1 but focuses on ME 3. I'ts fluffy and a bit angsty but I hope you all enjoy. Does include Omega and the Extended Cut.
Chapter 1: A New Life
Normandy, one month after Saren's attack on the Citadel
Commander Tara Shepard awoke to the feel of the bed shift under her. She opened her eyes to the sight of the handsome Kaidan Alenko standing with his back to her, clad only in black boxers. He bent down to pick up his discarded pants and Tara let out a soft moan at the view. Kaidan turned to her, smirking as he put on his pants.
The sleepy commander sat up, the sheets pooled at her waist. "Do you have to go?"
Kaidan nodded, slipping on his shirt. He sat down beside her and reached for his boots.
"Morning shift starts in twenty minutes. I want to be out of here before anyone wakes up."
Tara gave him a stubborn pout that Kaidan found instantly arresting and adorable. On the field Commander Shepard was a warrior goddess, all muscle and skill. But Kaidan had quickly discovered that behind her fierce exterior was the picture of graceful femininity. She smiled and laughed and held him with tenderness and affection. He gazed at her now, once again thanking the creator for bringing to him the most beautiful woman in the galaxy. He looked into her piercing blue eyes and knew why he had fallen in love. He had wanted to tell her for weeks now, even before their passionate night before Illos; but he decided to wait until they had more time to be alone. The Alliance had sent them on an excursion for any remaining geth but they had been promised some extended shore leave after their task was completed. The three days they had been given shortly after the battle had not been enough.
Tara leaned over and kissed him softly, breaking him out of his reverie. His lips moved over hers gently but it quickly became more heated as she tightened her grip on the back of his head. He eased her back down to the bed, his lips never leaving hers. Hands roamed urgently but when Tara reached for his belt he pulled away breathless. Tara pouted but her eyes danced happily.
"You naughty minx," he whispered in her ear and she shivered under his caress. "You have successfully distracted me for a couple more minutes but I have to go."
Tara groaned but got up as well. "Alright Lieutenant, back to work you go." She lightly swatted him on his perfect money maker before making her way to the shower. Kaidan smiled and gave her one last kiss before sneaking out of her room.
The med bay was empty where Tara sat on one of the beds, waiting for Dr. Chakwas to come in to remove her brace. Her arm had been sprained badly after a piece of Sovereign had tried to crush her during the Battle of the Citadel. Since then, Tara had been relieved of from the ground team while they searched for hidden geth; instead she had to command from the ship. So far combat had been very sparse; limited to only a few mercenaries they had come across during their search. The commander was still eager to get back into action and she was practically squirming when the doctor finally walked in. Her happiness faded when she saw the slightly distressed look on Dr. Chakwas's face. The doctor sat down heavily, a datapad in her hand.
"Commander, I have the results from your physical."
Tara swallowed her disappointment, assuming the doctor was unhappy because her arm was still injured. "Do I have to keep the brace on longer?"
The doctor shook her head. "No. I can take that off right now, actually." She took a hold of Tara's arm and began to unhook the fastenings. Tara was still concerned.
"What's wrong then, Doc?" She met the older woman's eyes and saw her hesitate.
"You are pregnant, Commander."
Tara's face drained of color and she sat back in shock. Pregnant?
"How?" She heard herself ask in a soft whisper. Dr. Chakwas chuckled softly while she pulled off the arm brace. She took her patient's arm gently, examining it for any irregularities.
"If I were to guess, I would assume it was the conventional way." Tara blushed furiously and looked away. Out the med bay window she could see Kaidan at his post, working on his endless inspections of the circuit board outside her cabin. She was beginning to suspect that he worked there on purpose to be close to her. Panic overcame her instantly. Kaidan! If the Alliance found about that he was the father than they would both be cast out in disgrace. "You are almost four weeks along," Dr. Chakwas continued. Tara merely nodded, she had already suspected the night of conception. Illos.
"What am I going to do?" She whispered to herself unaware that the doctor had heard her.
"There are..options," She stated delicately, unsure of how the commander would react.
Tara's head shot up in surprise. She shook her head vigorously. "I won't terminate the pregnancy. I will just have to figure out something else." She glanced again at Kaidan, thinking about the reaction he would have when she told him. He will probably be thrilled, she thought in amusement. Dr. Chakwas's gaze followed Tara's towards the striking Lieutenant. She sighed heavily.
"I'm sure the father will support any decision that you make." Tara looked into her eyes and saw the understanding. She knew about her and Kaidan, though Tara was not really surprised. She suspected that just about everyone knew but wisely chose not to say anything. As much as she wished it was not the case, she realized her and the attractive biotic were not as subtle as they thought. Tara looked to her mother's oldest friend for guidance. But she saw nothing except uncertainty in the doctor's gaze.
"Whatever you decide, Shepard, just let me know and I will help you as best as I can." Dr. Chakwas patted the forlorn commander on the shoulder. Tara stood up and flexed her arm, relieved to see at least something in her life was not completely messed up. She studied herself in the mirror, picturing how she would look with a baby bump. For a small moment she was actually excited about becoming a mother. Tara had long ago given up the idea of marriage and having a family when her last relationship ended after Elysium. Then she met Kaidan and her desire for a more stable life returned. He had her thinking about the future and hopefully it would be a future with him.
A blast rocked through the ship, throwing crew members to the floor. Sirens blared suddenly and Joker's voice sounded throughout the ship.
"We are under attack. I repeat, we are under attack!" The ship shuddered again and Tara grabbed hold of the doctor's arm, ushering her out of the med bay. Outside, the crew scrambled for weapons and armor. Some had fire extinguishers, attempting to put out the raging flames.
"Head to the escape pods," Tara instructed the doctor and ran to her locker. She quickly dressed and made her way through the smoke. Tara set up the emergency beacon and prepared it for launch. She heard Kaidan behind her. "Commander, will the Alliance get here in time?"
"Don't worry, they will be here." She tossed him an extinguisher and they both put out a few flames but the rest of the fire spread rapidly.
"Joker's still in the cockpit, he won't abandon ship." He turned to face her and she could see his brandy brown eyes behind his helmet. "I'm not leaving either."
"I need you to get everyone to the escape pods."
"What about you? I'm not leaving you here alone."
"Kaidan, you need to help the others. Go." He made no move to leave. She could tell he wanted to argue, to disobey her order. But Kaidan Alenko was a good soldier and he always followed orders. He took her hand and squeezed it tightly.
"You better be right behind me," he demanded softly. Tara nodded mutely, her throat strangely seizing up, keeping her from speaking. She chose to blame it on the smoke.
"I will see you soon, Kaidan." He replied aye, aye and ran off to the pods. Tara watched him go then sent out the distress beacon. She could hear Joker still shouting at the enemy in between pleas to his beloved ship as she approached the cockpit. Joker struggled against her but she was stronger. Tara put him in the last pod but was pushed back by another explosion. Joker screamed her name. Tara hit the release button and the pod closed up, firing away from the ship. She watched the pod speed away as she lost her grip on the ship and floated away. She saw the enemy ship and gaped at the massive size of it. That is not a geth ship. The enemy came around for one last attack and fired again. The shot flung debris towards her and she began to panic when she realized her air supply had been severed. Her mind was fading from the lack of oxygen and she struggled to breath. The breath choked out from her and she knew she would die. Her last thought was on Kaidan. I never got to tell him I love him. I didn't get to tell him about the baby.