Author's Note: This fic will be a series of oneshots that tells the story of Kaidan and Jess before Snowed In. It won't be a full retelling of the games, but it will cover all the important moments of their relationship. This first "chapter" is the night they met, and was inspired by the song Ray Bans by JT Hodges. I'd love to hear what you think... Enjoy! - TLC

Ray Bans

Kaidan Alenko wasn't sure why he agreed to go to the club. He hated clubs. They were loud, bright, and crowded and they tended to trigger a migraine if he spent any real time in that setting. Yet, he'd graduated from Basic and his roommate insisted on celebrating. He figured he could make an appearance and then bow out once his friends were a few drinks in. He pulled on his leather jacket and smoothed his hands over his jeans before grabbing his aviator sunglasses and stepping out of his apartment. At least the sunglasses would protect his eyes from the flashing lights.

"Hey, Alenko!" A loud, booming voice echoed behind him. He turned, and waved at the fellow marine jogging to catch up with him.

"Martinez," Kaidan greeted when he was closer, holding out a hand, which the larger man clasped when he reached him. Marc Martinez was the kind of Marine who would end up on a recruitment photo. At 6'4" he taller than Kaidan by about five inches, broader, too. He had to have over fifty pounds on him and it was solid muscle. Dark hair, dark eyes, and a brilliant, easy smile that stood out almost too white against his naturally tan skin. Kaidan had to admit, if Marc wasn't so straight, he would have been seriously attracted to the man.

They had been roommates during training, and Marc had accepted him and his biotics before anyone else did. Kaidan was just grateful to find a friend who didn't look at him like he was defective or had a terminal illness. "It feel so good to be out of that uniform!" Marc shouted as they fell into step together, making their way through downtown Vancouver. Kaidan agreed; it was nice to be dressed in civilian clothes. Even if it was for just a night. He was scheduled to ship out in forty-eight hours.

They reached the club, and Kaidan was instantly assaulted by everything he hated about the setting, couple that with the obnoxious friends who met up with Marc and he was already ready to go home. They were Marc's friends. They tolerated Kaidan. He gave himself twenty minutes, tops, before he would be leaving. He sat back, as he usually did, and watched the guys around him laugh and joke about the women in the club. More than once Marc tried to get Kaidan to engage, but he was already feeling the tension in his neck and shoulders.

Eventually, Marc found himself a partner for the evening. A tall, curvaceous, redhead in a skin tight green dress and stiletto heels. Well, with Marc occupied, his body pressed to the bombshell and his hands wandering, it was time for Kaidan to make a break for it. He slipped from his spot at the table, nodding at those who acknowledged his retreat and went to the bar to clear his tab.

He stepped between a blonde preoccupied with her omni'tool and an empty stool. He tried to get the attention of the bartender, but was ignored as the man's interest was caught by a busty brunette at the other end of the bar. Kaidan let out a sigh, and heard a chuckle to his left. He turned his head and met the black coffee stare of the woman beside him. They shared a brief smile, and Kaidan felt the attractive heat of a blush creep up from his collar.

She was distracted when a man slid in on her opposite side and placed his hand possessively on the small of her back. If Kaidan didn't notice her back straighten and her eyes darken, he would have assumed he was her lover. She was too uncomfortable with his touch. She turned her eyes to the newcomer, and he spoke with an obnoxious slur. "Hey, Gorgeous, I was hoping you could help me with my uh … tool."

She laughed softly, Kaidan loved the sound of it. She shrugged his arm off of her, closing her 'tool. "Sorry, tech isn't really my thing."

"I've got a thing for you, Baby." He wrapped his large hand around her arm, and pulled. "Come on, I'll show you." She pulled back, and Kaidan turned slightly towards them. She didn't seem concerned about his show of force, so Kaidan waited before stepping in.

"Really, buddy, go sleep it off," she insisted, placing her hand against his chest. Kaidan sensed it when he got angry. It must have been the easy condescension in her tone that set him off. The man still hadn't noticed Kaidan yet, so it was easy for him to slip away from one side of her and move to the other.

He pressed himself between the two, his back to the offending man and leaned in to her. He took the risk and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. "Sorry I'm late, Sweetheart, traffic!" He pulled back and found her grinning at him, a slight flush on her cheeks. He stepped back, and then pretended to just notice the man behind him. "Who's your friend?" he asked her, turning and holding his hand out to the offending man. He snarled and turned to leave. Kaidan turned back to the blonde, and she was still grinning.

"I could have handled him," she insisted, turning towards her drink again.

"Yeah, but you shouldn't have to." He followed her lead and turned back towards the bar, sliding onto the stool the man vacated when he retreated.

"Well, let me buy you a drink to say thanks," she offered and raised her hand. The same bartender who had ignored Kaidan earlier answered her immediately. He chuckled when she grinned. When the beer was placed in front of them, he thanked her and met her eyes again. "It was the least I could do." She lifted the bottle and Kaidan admired the curve of her lips and the arch of her neck as she took a long pull. He cleared his throat and took his own swallow of beer as he hated the awkward tension that filled the space between them.

"I'm Kaidan, by the way," he introduced himself.

She met his eyes and smiled. "Jess."

"Do you usually hang out at bars alone?"

She laughed. Kaidan's heart skipped. "Actually, I hate bars. I came with my friend Sarah, but she's currently occupied." Her eyes moved over his shoulder and he turned. Kaidan grinned when he realized Sarah was the woman with Marc. They were still on the dance floor, bodies twisted together and hands wandering. If Kaidan knew Marc, he had a feeling they'd be leaving soon.

"Well, she's in good hands," Kaidan replied turning back to Jess. She looked skeptical. He laughed. "Marc's a good guy. He'll take care of her, make her coffee and breakfast in the morning and drive her home." She nodded, and Kaidan thought she did look a bit relieved. Marc was a big fan of one night stands, but he was always honest about it and made sure the woman was satisfied, and not ashamed.

"What about you, Shades?" she asked, reaching up and taking his sunglasses off his face. He blinked in the newly bright lights. "You big on one night stands?" She set the glasses down on the bar. She turned in her stool, angling her body towards him before meeting his eyes.

"No," he admitted honestly, leaning towards her just slightly. She cocked her eyebrow at him, surprise clear in her eyes. "Sex isn't something I take lightly." She sat back, looking oddly impressed.

"Well, that's different." She lifted her beer to her lips and drained the bottle. "You were paying your tab when you first came to the bar. Do you have some place to be?" She set her empty bottle down on the bar, and her hand fell to his knee. He shook his head as his knee burned beneath her touch. "Good. Dance with me."

"I don't know … I don't dance," he argued half-heartedly as she stood. He watched as she grabbed his sunglasses off the bar. She slid them on her own face, before she stood and took his hands. She pulled gently, and though he didn't want to, he couldn't stop himself from following her.

"Thankfully, I do." They reached a barely open spot in the throng of bodies gyrating on the dancefloor, and she placed his hands on her hips. Her hands slid up his arms and over his shoulders as she stepped into him. Their eyes met as she moved her body against his. He followed her lead, not paying attention to anyone around them. His eyes danced over her face. Her dark chocolate eyes were hidden by his glasses, but also framed by long lashes. She had a pert adorable nose, and full lips which were currently quirked up at the corners. Her cheeks held a rose tint and she pinched her lip between her teeth.

She wore dark jeans that fit like a second skin, and a loose fitting white tank that hung low on her chest, inviting his gaze. Her pale skin seemed to glow in the lights of the club. The small space of flesh his fingers greeted at the base of her spine was soft, and begged to be stroked and kissed. Her arms remained around his neck, her dainty fingers traced patterns on the back of his neck and tangled in his hair. She grazed his amp port, and he nearly lost control. He trembled as his power vibrated through him. She gasped, and leaned forward, her lips brushing against his ear as she spoke, "You're a biotic?"

Shit.

"Yeah, does that bother you?" he questioned, and stilled their movement. Her face softened, as her fingers gently skimmed over his neck again. She shook her head, and he felt the tension seep from his core. He'd chased away more than one person with his biotics, as if it was something he could change. She started to move again, and he followed, though it took him a second to find the right rhythm again. He leaned close, their bodies pressed together as he whispered in her ear. "How did you know?"

"Your eyes flashed blue." Her answer surprised him, but he found he liked it. He liked her reaction to this detail about him, and he found himself wishing he wasn't leaving Vancouver in two days.

"Oh, I didn't know they did that."

"It's beautiful," she admitted, and blushed. He grinned and, feeling an odd surge of confidence, pulled her closer to him. He heard her gasp, and could feel her heart racing when his hands slid up her back. He hated bars. He hated dancing, but when her deep, dark eyes met his, he wanted nothing more than to stay here, in this bar, on this dance floor, with her.

They spent the night alternating between dancing and touching, and drinking and laughing. Kaidan hadn't had this much fun, probably ever. They were sitting at the bar; she had tucked the arm of his glasses into her shirt. It pulled the top down, exposing more of her cleavage, but somehow she still held an air that demanded respect. He wasn't sure how she did it. Their stools were close and their legs interlocked between them, allowing them to lean close and listen to the other talk. Marc and Sarah had left hours earlier, but neither of them cared.

They were startled when the lights turned on and the music turned off. The bar was closing. Kaidan checked the time and it was closer to sunrise than midnight. He looked to her, and she was smiling, and blushing. "Let's get out of here," she said, and he nodded. He closed their tab, paying her open bill as well as his own. She waited for him, and when he was done, they fell into step together heading towards the exit. He held the door for her, and they stepped into the cool Vancouver evening.

His hand found hers as they took a few steps to the curb. He hailed a cab, and they waited. "So," she muttered. They had discussed the fact that they were military earlier in the evening, but they hadn't gotten into any details, they hadn't even exchanged last names. "what's your next assignment?" He couldn't help but think she sounded a bit disappointed.

"I leave tomorrow. I'm going to Arcturus before I get my orders," he explained, and she nodded. "You?"

"Classified," she answered with a shrug. He nodded as the cab pulled up. "You know what, Kaidan, I did not want to come out to night. Sarah practically dragged me, but I'm glad I did." Her eyes were locked on his, and he smiled.

"Me, too," He dropped her hand and opened his omni'tool. He could feel her eyes on him, and he smirked as he managed to find the frequency of her tool and shoot her a message. Her 'tool sounded and she opened the messaging system as the cab pulled up. She grinned as she realized he'd given her his contact information. He'd left the next move up to her. "I hope to hear from you." She bit her lip and nodded.

"It'd be a pretty safe bet."

He chuckled and took her hands again as the cab's car door opened. "Good night, Jess." He leaned in and kissed the corner of her mouth before pulling away and releasing her hands.

"Seriously?" She asked incredulously. He couldn't hide the surprise and confusion on his face at her tone. She laughed, reached up and grabbed his collar and to pull him to her. Their lips met, and she kissed him. It was a demanding, needy kiss and she wrapped her arms around him as her lips opened. He pulled away, shaking his head. "What's wrong?" Her eyes were wide, and her cheeks flushed. Her lips open as she took short, shallow breaths.

He opened his stance and planted his feet. He reached up and cupped her face, his fingers brushing short, blonde hairs off her face as his eyes drank her in. Her blush deepened as her hands reached out and gripped his shirt beneath the leather coat. He leaned forward and kissed her. It was a slow kiss, and she gasped as their lips moved together in perfect pace. He released her face and his hands skimmed down her sides to wrap around her waist. Her hands slid up his arms and around his neck pulling him closer to her.

She leaned back, and he pushed her against the cab. Her body fit his as if it was made to. Soft curves fitting against his firm planes. He grew dizzy as his blood rushed south and his heart raced. His hands slid down and cupped her rear and she moaned into his mouth as her hand slid beneath the collar of his shirt and her short, practical nails dug into his back. He growled into her and she swallowed the sound.

Her lips were soft, and pliant. She made quiet, needy sounds from the back of her throat and it drove him mad with want. His tongue slipped between her lips and met hers. She tasted like peppermint, regardless of the drinks they had shared. She smelled of honeysuckle and sunshine and he was drunk more on their kiss than he was anything they had drank this night.

The cab driver sounded the horn startling both of them. They laughed as their kiss ended. He pulled away, kissing her quickly and soundly. He reached up and ran his fingers down the side of her face, his thumb grazed over her bottom lip. He placed one more quick kiss to her lips before releasing her. "Godspeed, Classified." The hoarseness of his voice surprised him as he stepped back and she moved towards the open door.

"Stay safe, Kaidan," she demanded, and the concern in her tone twisted something low in his body. He nodded. She climbed into the cab and he closed the door. She smiled and gave the driver her address as he stepped away from the curb. She turned to look at him as the cab pulled away. She smiled and slid his sunglasses on. He watched her drive off with the singular thought: They looked better on her any way.