Her freckles scattered across the soft skin of her nose and cheeks, as though they formed their own constellation, matching the speckled starry sky visible through the night above. He pressed his hands to either side of her head, studying her features, and wondering how he had been so blessed with the wondrous site before him. Full lips, parted with anticipation, were met with calloused fingers exploring as he parted them further with his thumb, dipping in to capture those wanting lips with his own. She tasted of something so familiar and sweet, like honey with a twist, and he couldn't help but notice her sigh into his mouth, returning his affection. He broke the embrace to gaze at her once again; tufts of light blond hair feathered around her face, the fringe of her bangs almost hiding her wanton gaze looking up at him, and her eyes, green and glowing were set on his own, full of emotion and heat. It was in this moment he knew; Kaidan Alenko knew he loved Charlie Shepard, and nothing else mattered-not Ilos, not Saren, not the Reapers- but the two of them embraced in each other, fulfilling desires that had been building for what seemed like an eternity. It was in this moment he wanted to lock the woman in his arms and forget about the rest, and allow Commander Charlie Shepard a night of passion, and peace from the suffering around them, and the way her soft and nimble fingers grasped desperately at the fabric of his clothing, Kaidan decided he would do just that./p