A/N: Thank you for the comments. I wasn't expecting all of the positive feedback. Please continue to leave comments down below and PM me if you have any suggestions for me to improve my writing.
Please enjoy! ^_^
-Eddy
Chapter 2: A Nightmare and a Bitter-Sweat Dream
Trees, burnt and surrounded in blackness, stand still as a slight breeze allows black leaves to stagger on the dirt floor below. The sound of the crackling leaves is muffled as voices echo through the grim silence.
"Shepard-Commander." A robotic voice says.
Legion?
"The geth were loyal."
I know.
"We fought for you."
I know, Legion. I'm so sorry.
"Why choose to destroy us?
I didn't want to, but I had to choose.
"Does this unit have a soul?"
Yes. Yes, Legion. You do have soul.
"Why did you choose destruction, Shepard-Commander?"
…...
A flash of red illuminates the sky as the ground shakes. The staggering leaves start dancing from the slightly faster blowing wind. The trees tip over slightly into the direction the wind was blowing.
"Shepard! Good to see you. Glad to have you here." A rather ominously happy salarian interrupts the silence.
Mordin?
"Have more time to study. Sea shells truly *breaths in* beautiful."
You were the best scientist-salarian. I wish you could see your work in action.
"No. Were right. Had to be me."
The krogan can have a better future, thanks to you.
"No. Thanks to you. Wished I could've been there for final battle."
I know…I'm so sorry. I wanted you there with me too, Mordin.
"Someone else could have gotten it wrong."
…...
A sound, ominous and loud, roars as the breeze picks up pace. The black leaves lift up and swirl violently in the air with each ominous push of air. Circulating the trees, now swaying angrily against the wind, and randomly everywhere else.
Suddenly, the roar stops to an eerie silence. The silence only lasts a moment, allowing the leaves to briefly rest on the dirt ground and the trees straighten. Then, only the sound of the ominous roar is heard. The pulse makes the ground shake violently as the trees gradually become engulfed in flames.
Echoing through the scene, the three voices collide, each with a different message.
"Shepard-Commander destroyed us." No… "Could have been there."
No!
For a moment, all there was—was blackness.
With a gasp, Shepard opens her eyes. Only the white ceiling to greet her. "Just a dream." She sighs in relief. Slowly, she sits up in her bed. Her skin was warm and wet with cold sweat. She looks down at her shirt as she realizes her clothes were drenched. "Great." She says sarcastically as she puts a hand up to her shirt, confirming what she knew. "I guess it's time to hit the showers." As she looks around the room, she sighs. "Another day to de-clutter."
Although, the room was already clean. The desk, the dresser, and the bookshelf were all well-kempt. All of the books were straight and kept neatly stacked against each other on the bookshelf. No trash could be found on any surface and the floor was uncovered, with only a single N7-themed rug set in front of the bed. The dresser, however, still held the pill bottle she took from Liara the night before. She ignores it as she rests on her elbows—deciding on whether she really wants to get out of bed, or not. Surveying the bed, it had enough room for two people to lay in, with black sheets and an N7-themed comforter, and two black pillows. It seemed a bit over-the-top for her needs, but she didn't have the time to care.
This was a start of another day, just the same as they had been for the past five months. The only difference being that she is more mobile now than she was then.
Shepard sits up again to carefully throw her legs over the side of the bed. She looks to her right. Her cane was rested against a bed-side table with a small lamp sitting on the table's surface. She grips the handle and stands the cane straight, slightly to her right, and slowly stands herself parallel to the cane. Although, with a little less straightness—with the slow throb in her leg reminding her of her slight limitations.
After a moment to reflect on her promise with Liara to take her anti-anxiety medication, she calmly makes her way to her closet. One thing at a time, Shepard. She thinks as she reaches the closet. When she opens the door, she's greeted by the familiar various Alliance navy uniforms, N7 wear, and only one dress. Quickly, she grabs a black N7 themed T-shirt and sweatpants. "Just another day." She says to herself as she closes the door to the closet.
When she turns around, she sees the pill bottle sitting on top of the dresser. She grits her teeth and sighs, angrily, to herself. Damnit, Liara! You won't let me live it down if I don't take it. Will you? She asks herself and shakes her head. No, I won't do it. She reaches for the pill bottle, then stops her hand. No, I'm not going to. She rolls her eyes as she pushes her hand closer to the bottle, and stops again. No, nah-ah. She places a hand on the dresser in defeat. Okay, fine! She sighs. I'll think about it. "Shower first. Drugs later. Yeah. Sounds good." She says to herself with a sharp breath and a reassuring nod. Then, she opens a drawer in front of her, pulls out one of the many identical pairs of underwear she owns. After closing the drawer, she opens the door and makes her way across the hall to the bathroom.
Little did Shepard know, she had a guest waiting patiently in the living room.
Sitting on the couch with a data pad rested on her lap, was Liara. While focusing on her work as the Shadow Broker and patiently waiting for Shepard to finish her morning routine, she answers messages from the many contacts she's managed to make while staying on earth. But, she was distracted.
Liara remembers their promise from the night before. Shepard promised her that she would take her medication. She seems quite reluctant when it comes to taking care of herself these days. She smiles at the thought as she aimlessly scrolls through her messages. For a Commander, Shepard seems to be far from the title at this point. Refusing to take her medication, not eating properly, and waiting on whomever was going to take care of her. This wasn't the strong, brave commander she had come to know. She's not going to take her medication without me there to remind her, is she? She laughs inwardly to herself at the thought that she might have to convince Shepard to take her medicine. What method would she use?
Guilt? She could explain to her friend that she wasn't the same person she once knew. That not taking her medication was showing her weakness. No. That would only cause her more pain.
Fear? She could threaten to return to Thessia early if Shepard refused to take her medication. Tell her to be more responsible. Then, leave it up to her to put her life back together. No. I want to motivate her, not destroy her.
Bribery? She could convince Shepard to take the medication for a reward. Not a bad idea. But, what does Shepard like so much that would be worth trying?
A smile draws across her face. I know…
With a little help from Kaiden, Liara learned how to cook a few dishes that Shepard said were her favorite foods from earth. That was before she began cooking for Shepard on occasion, just like two other friends of theirs.
She knew that Kaiden and Garrus often came over to coax Shepard to eat when she seemed to be reluctant at the idea. Kaiden would usually cook most of the week, while Garrus would order food when it came time for him to make his effort. These weren't romantic advances, but rather friends helping a friend in need. Or, at least that's what they had told her. Whenever they couldn't spare the time to visit Shepard, it was Liara's turn to help. She was visiting Shepard quite often already, but now she had a purpose for being there more often than usual. A slow looming thought at the back of her mind was constantly there—Thessia. There have been no urgencies to come to her attention, not yet, but she felt the need to be with her people.
She would stay on Earth for as long as she could, but not forever. Just enough time to allow one, or both of them, to make a decision. A month. Perhaps two. Time was uncertain.
So, with all of this in mind, she had already planned and prepared for cooking a human "breakfast", as Kaiden called it, "pancakes". Apparently, it was also Shepard's favorite breakfast food—according to Kaiden, again.
She could bribe her to take the medication with the pancakes—even though that wasn't her initial intention. If Shepard cared about the pancakes enough, she wouldn't be able to refuse.
Her grin widens as the possibility. That might actually work.
From inside the bathroom, there was the sound of the water turning off with a screech from the pressure being cut off. At the sound, Liara stands up to ready herself in the kitchen.
With wet steps, Shepard carefully leaves the shower. Her cane was laid up against the door, but she wouldn't need it to walk the short distance. She grabs a towel and holds it closely to her chest as she looks into the large mirror hanging above the sink. She stares at her reflection in the fogged mirror, just as she has done for five months. Her emerald eyes staring back at her and her wet crimson hair dripping on her shoulders. She wasn't looking for comfort, but she would stare anyway.
She could stand here for several minutes, contemplating on her nightmares. She could stare into her own eyes to try to convince herself that the people who fought and died by her side were resting peacefully wherever they are. But, as the time passes, her body becomes cold and her mind restless. She could spend the minutes thinking about the people who fought at her side and lived. Maybe someday, she could feel their warmth. But now, it was cold. She was cold. Inside and out.
I'm naked and wet from just taking a shower. Of course I'm cold. She snarls at the thought. She'd be damned if she let herself wallow in self-pity while she still had a life to live. Think good thoughts. Maybe you'll feel better, Shepard. She gives herself a small smile. Not happy. Not sad. But she knew she couldn't stay naked for long. It's cold.
Finally fully clothed in her N7 themed T-shirt and sweatpants, Shepard makes her way to the kitchen. Just before reaching the dining area, she pauses with a chill running down her spine. Standing in her kitchen while glaring at her with narrowed eyes, and crossing her arms under her chest expectantly, was Liara. "Good morning, Shepard." Liara calmly says as Shepard tries to come up with a reason for the attitude behind her friend's obvious cold gesture.
Shepard stutters, "Good morning?" The statement comes off as more of a question than she wanted. Liara gives Shepard a cold smile.
"Did you forget something?" Shepard gulps silently as she knows exactly what she forgot. The meds! The cold stare bores further into Shepard's mind as Liara draws closer, stopping only feet away. "You haven't taken your medication yet, have you?"
"L-Liara…" Shepard stutters again. To her surprise, Liara relaxes her arms and looks towards the kitchen countertops where the various ingredients needed to make the pancakes silently sit. Unopened, but ready to be used. "….what—"
"I had intended on making pancakes this morning, but—"
"Did you say 'pancakes'?" Shepard asks with disbelief. Liara silently nods with a sigh. "I didn't know you knew how to cook pancakes."
"I heard that many humans enjoy them. Although, they do not seem that nutritious." Liara cocks her head to the side as she raises a hand to her chin, thinking. Trying to sell the act she was playing. She wants Shepard to admit that they're a favorite of hers before continuing with the bribe.
"They're not exactly the most healthy earthly food. They're practically sugar topped with more sugar. And, not all humans like them. Mostly humans born in some countries on Earth do though." Shepard starts. Liara continues to focus on her act. It wasn't hard to act this way, but she knew Shepard would eventually catch on. From her peripheral vison, Liara could make out Shepard starting to walk towards the kitchen as if guided by temptation. "It feels like it's been forever since I had pancakes." Shepard says with a smile that Liara read was from contemplation of a memory. "Whenever I got the off-chance to come back to Earth, I couldn't help but indulge myself. It really must be my favorite—well—anything, from Earth." Simple contemplation turned into a longing. Liara smiles inwardly. This is my chance.
Liara lets her arm drop as she starts walking into the kitchen, blocking Shepard from reaching the ingredients. "As I said, Shepard, I was planning on cooking. But…" She says as she start putting the ingredients in the empty cupboards. Shepard's eyes slowly go wide with surprise. Liara obviously has a motive for this act. "…I don't know if I should." She finishes as she continues to put the ingredients away. "You still haven't taken your medication."
Shepard's eyes narrow as she smirks. I knew she was up to something. She's trying to bribe me into taking my meds. "Okay, T'Soni." She says with a nod. Liara stops what she's doing with an inward smile. "So, you're saying you'll cook me pancakes if I take my meds?"
Liara turns to face Shepard and leans against the counter behind her. "I am." She crosses her arms. "Take your medication and I will cook the pancakes."
Shepard nods her head, deciding that this was inevitable. "Fine."
"Not so fast." Liara says and the look of surprise returns to Shepard's face. "I need to make sure that you actually took your medication."
"I'm not a child, Liara."
"No, you are not. I just do not trust that you would just agree to take your medication for pancakes. Even if they are your favorite."
You know me so well. Shepard thinks as the thought of her pretending to take her medication strikes her. No, can't work my way through that one without her noticing.
"Fine." Shepard repeats with a defeated smile and starts walking to the bedroom. "Come with me, if you want…" She sighs. After grabbing a water bottle from the fridge, Liara quietly follows behind.
Shepard must be nervous, because her steps are shorter—and slower than normal. Even with her leg injury.
When they get to the room, Shepard turns to face the dresser. The pill bottle still where she had left it the night before and this morning. She carefully lays her cane up against the side of the dresser. Liara quietly hands her the water bottle. "Thanks." She says and sets the bottle down to open the pill bottle. For a moment, she stares at the pills. Then, she tips the bottle over just enough for a single pill to land in her hand. She closes the pill bottle and places it on the dresser, grabs the water bottle, opens it, and places the pill into her mouth before drinking the water.
Liara patiently watches Shepard, making sure that the pill was gone completely. She notices Shepard looking distant for a moment, before looking back to her.
"Don't worry. I got it down." Shepard reassures her friend. Liara nods in acceptance that Shepard was telling the truth. "Now, can I have my pancakes?"
"Of course." Liara smiles and makes her way out of the room to the kitchen. Shepard smiles as she watches her friend leave the room in silence.
The memory of when Shepard told Liara she didn't want anything but friendship between them repeats in her mind. Friends? Shepard, why did you do this to yourself? She thought to herself. Now, you have to watch as she finds someone else. As her friend. You fucking idiot! She cringes at the thought. Well, at least she's here now. She smiles to herself. And she's making me pancakes. ME. Not some guy…or girl.
She grabs her cane and starts walking out to the kitchen. Liara was calmly stirring the ingredients by now as the pan on the stove was warming up. The sight stops Shepard from fully reaching her destination. Although the sun wasn't directly shining on her, Liara seemed to glow. You're a fucking idiot, Shepard! Shepard slightly shakes her head before continuing her way into the room.
"I didn't know you knew how to cook pancakes." Shepard says as she carefully sits at the table across from the kitchen and lays her can on the chair to her left. "It's not exactly a popular food on Earth these days." She says as she continues to watch Liara cook.
"I was interested in learning about earthly customs, cuisines and such." Liara says as she focuses on her cooking. "Cooking was a part of those studies."
"I take it that someone taught you how to cook?"
"Yes. Kaiden has been quite helpful."
Kaiden? Could he be who she was talking about?
Kaiden isn't exactly someone who I would peg as the romantic type. I mean, he tried to set me up on a date with him during the war, but…COOKING? Shepard thinks as she contemplates on this new knowledge. She couldn't help but to imagine Kaiden teaching Liara how to cook.
Kaiden and Liara stand in a well-lit kitchen. The kitchen counters are wide and they have an equal distance between them. They stand close together, but not close enough to be TOO close.
To hell with it! They're BOTH wearing frilly pink aprons. Shepard smiles to herself with satisfaction at the thought.
Kaiden has a smartass grin on his face as he notices Liara make a mistake. Liara looks utterly embarrassed as Kaiden steps closer to her to point out what she did wrong—not before wiping his hands on his apron, of course. Liara smiles at him as she understands her mistake. Kaiden's pointing hand slowly draws both of their attention. The hand opens as they turn to face each other. The hand raises to Liara's cheek to guide them closer together as both of their eyes close. Their faces inch clos—
Um, no. Fuck no! Shepard's smile quickly becomes a frown at the thought. It couldn't be—Liara couldn't be—NO. It's not Kaiden. Right?
"Shepard?" Liara's voice says, breaking Shepard's thought process.
"Yes?" Shepard looks up at her friend as she tries to force her frown into a small smile. Liara had already piled two plates with pancakes and was on her way to the table. "You're done cooking already?"
"It's been a few minutes since you said anything to me, Shepard." Liara says and places both plates on the table, directly across from each other.
"I see…" Shepard says as she looks at her plate. The pancakes looked…perfect. "How long have you been taking cooking lessons with Kaiden?"
Liara fidgets slightly at the question as she makes her way back into the kitchen. "Since you were in the hospital." She says and Shepard nods.
"So…are you and Kaiden…" Shepard starts and Liara lets out an airy laugh.
"We're just friends, if that is what you're suggesting."
Shepard silently sighs in relief. Oh, thank God!
Liara walks back to the table with the maple syrup, two forks, and some napkins. She lays them out on the table as Shepard watches, trying to suppress the urge to help. Liara seems to have planned out this morning carefully. "What would you like to drink?" Liara asks, politely, as she slowly turns back to the kitchen.
"I think I remember there being milk in the fridge…" Shepard says as she tries to consider what she has in the fridge. She doesn't usually do the shopping, but Kaiden does since he comes over often. Hmm, I guess I have to reason to complain about Kaiden being friendly with either of us. Before she can contemplate further, she's greeted by a glass of milk in front of her. "Thank you."
Liara smiles before sitting across from Shepard, who seems awestruck by the food. She watches as Shepard begins pouring the maple syrup over the pancakes, then takes her fork to the top pancake on the pile. The sunlight from the window illuminates the room as Shepard smiles in satisfaction. "How are the pancakes?" Liara asks as she's silently memorized by Shepard's smile.
"It's great." Shepard says and sighs with admiration for the chef. "I haven't had pancakes like this since before I signed with N7." She smiles as a thought comes to mind. "Although, I was being served by a human waitress, not my asari friend…" She gives a brief laugh before continuing. "…who also happens to be the Shadow Broker."
It was Liara's turn to be awestruck. She was finally seeing Shepard smiling, naturally. This smile was different from the smile she gave Garrus the night before. Before, the smile was hiding grief. This time, the smile wasn't hiding anything. It was a pure, happy, smile. It was so genuine to the point that Liara thought it was the first time she saw such a smile from Shepard. It was almost surreal—like a dream. By the Goddess, she's beautiful. Liara thinks as she seems lost in the green eyes staring back at her.
"Aren't you going to eat?"Shepard asks and Liara silently fixes her gaze down to her plate. "They're great. I promise."
Liara picks up the fork still lying next to her plate and reaches over to the maple syrup. After pouring the syrup over the steaming plate, Liara wastes no time to start eating. Surprised at the bite, she looks up at Shepard—seeming to still be enjoying the food. Liara looks back down at the plate as she thinks about when she learned how make the pancakes. Kaiden taught her step-by-step how to make them perfectly. However, the cake was slightly bitter, but the syrup made it sweet. It wasn't like anything she had ever tasted before.
"See?" Shepard says with a satisfied smile. "It's great."
Liara looks up at her, the smile she was mesmerized with was gleaming back at her. "It is."
After they finished eating, Liara starts to clean the workspace she made in the kitchen. "You know, I could take care of that. I know you have your own work to do, and I've come to like cleaning these days." Shepard says as she silently watches Liara cleaning the dishes and putting the various items away.
"No, I want to do this, Shepard." Liara says and smiles as she remembers the time they had spent together this morning. "I'm almost finished." She points to the rest of the kitchen, nearly completely clean.
"Thank you, Liara." Shepard says and leans against the end of the counter, also mesmerized by the beautiful asari standing in her kitchen.
"Anytime." Liara turns the water off as she begins drying the plates and cups.
Suddenly, a chime starts ringing from the hall. Shepard grunts with a sigh as she stands up with her can in hand. "I'll be right back." She says as she starts making her way to the hall and into her bedroom.
With a glowing flash, an omni-tool buzzes and chimes. As quickly as she can, Shepard straps it onto her arm and presses a few buttons. Immediately, a call starts. "Hello?"
"Shepard, it's good to hear from you." A woman's voice says.
"Dr. Bara, it's good to hear from you too." Shepard lies. This is Shepard's psychologist. Ego-centric, pragmatic, and everything Shepard has come to loath since she was released from the hospital. "Is there something urgent that you need to tell me? You've already called a few days ago." Frankly, I wish you never did.
"Just checking in on my patient." The doctor says with a little enthusiasm. "The Admiral wants me to make sure you're fit for duty."
"'Fit for duty'?" Shepard replies as the feeling of disgust washes over her. She's really trying to push my buttons, isn't she? "You know I was honorably discharged, don't you?"
"That's actually what I needed to speak to you about." The doctor pauses as the dread of having to return to the Alliance fills Shepard's mind. I thought I was done with this bullshit. "He and I have agreed to give you an undisclosed amount of time before you report back to him. That is, of course, if you continue your physical therapy as well as your appointments with me—oh, and speaking of appointments, your next appointment with me is at 1200 tomorrow." Shepard opens her mouth to speak, but the doctor interrupts. "See you tomorrow, Shepard." Then, the line disconnects.
"Fuck!" Shepard shouts as she puts a hand to her face—practically slapping herself before hearing footsteps walking down the hallway behind her.
"Shepard?" Liara asks as she walks into the room. "Is something wrong?"
Shepard sighs as she lets her hand drop to her side in frustration. "That was Dr. Bara, my…psychologist. She didn't let me get a word in, is all."
"Dr. Bara is a nice woman, Shepard. She only wants to help." Liara says in a calm collected tone and Shepard turns to face her.
Whatever anger Shepard had melts as she looks at the pair of big blue eyes that seem to be trying to convey comfort and support. While those eyes seamlessly entrance her with their warmth. After a moment of staring, she shakes her head slightly, scratches her head awkwardly to cover up the obvious staring contest she was starting, and opens her mouth to speak. "I know, Liara, but—" Shepard's voice was interrupted by an omni-tool buzzing. It wasn't hers, but Liara's. The mood shatters as reality sets in. Damnit! I bet this is what Dr. Bara was hoping for! I'm unable to refuse to go to the appointment now. Fuck, I hate doctors!
Liara quickly checks her omni-tool. A light flickers and a voice on the other end starts talking. Liara's eyes widen slightly as she quickly closes the call before a word could be recognizable. Her eyes relax and she lets out a relieved sigh as the various programs on the omni-tool close. Then, she slowly lowers her arm. "I have to go." Liara says and Shepard starts walking with her to the front door. "Oh, and Kaiden sent me a message earlier. He says he expects you to be ready to go with him tonight. He didn't elaborate for what, exactly."
Shepard rubs a hand down her face. Great. Can't wait to play matchmaker. She thinks, sarcastically, to herself as they reach the front door. I wonder who he's set me up with this time. Damnit, Kaiden. She sighs to herself. You and your damned blind dates.
"I will be here tomorrow to take you to meet with Dr. Bara." Liara says as she looks anxious to leave, but also like she wants to stay. Shepard smiles with a light laugh.
"You don't have to do that."
Liara gives Shepard a quick hug. "Yes, I do. You almost didn't go last time." She pulls away, stopping for a moment. "Be ready to go before I arrive this time."
"Yes, mother." Shepard says, sarcastically mocking Liara's behavior. Liara gives her a small smile, acknowledging the joke, and quietly leaves—closing the door behind her.
Shepard calmly turns away from the door to start walking back into the living room. She curses at herself on the way. "You're a fucking idiot, Shepard!"
From outside the front door, Liara quickly walks to a skycar sitting just outside the front of the building.
Once she's inside the vehicle, she closes the door for privacy. Then, she pulls out her omni-tool. After tapping on it a few times, a vid call starts. "Dad?" She asks, suspicious of the Matriarch's motives for calling her. They had not been in contact since Athyeta gave her asari commandoes on the citadel during the war.
"Hey, kid. Still on earth?" Athyeta asks with her arms crossed.
"Yes. I am." Liara says and sighs with a hint of anger. "Care to tell me what you have to say that is so urgent?"
"Oh, sorry." The Matriarch says sarcastically. "Didn't mean to interrupt your date with Miss Savior of the Galaxy."
"Dad!" Liara shouts and looks through the windows of the skycar for anyone that might have heard her. Then, she turns back to the Matriarch—her arms still crossed. "It wasn't a date."
"Aw, sorry to hear that." The sarcasm makes Liara grit her teeth slightly to stifle her anger. "Just messing with you, kid. No need to go all blood-rage on me." Liara rolls her eyes. "Anyway. Business is as usual: luging hunks of metal and gravel, clearing out the dead bodies, and repairing buildings. It's taken a lot of sleepless nights, but Thessia is slowly getting there."
"Are you having any trouble?" Liara asks as her focus shifts to the rebuilding of Thessia and Athyeta lets out a worried sigh.
"That's what I called you about." Though this Matriarch seems calm, Liara could sense that there was a fair amount of worry. "While many private home are still being rebuilt, the T'Soni estate was the first to be finished. So, the other Matriarchs and I agreed that…it wouldn't be a bad idea if you helped out a little bit."
"I will have do what is needed here on Earth first, and I'll send some of my agents to Thessia as soon as I can in the meantime." Liara says as she notices the relief in the Matriarch's face.
"Thank the Goddess my daughter is the Shadow Broker." Athyeta says in a relaxed whisper and uncrosses her arms. "Anyway, kid. Good luck on getting the princess to share her feelings for you. She never said much to me back on Ilium, and I'm a damn bartender." The Matriarch says and gives an amused laugh. "Hell, you never know, she might just be interested in watching your tits and ass as it goes by."
Liara's cheeks flush to purple. "Dad!"
"Hey, all I'm saying is don't get your hopes up." Athyeta explains as she notices Liara about to end the call. "Shepard isn't exactly an open book. Seems kind of awkward, really. I don't know what you see in her, kid." She quickly says as if Liara was going to cut the call in the middle of a long sentence.
"Goodbye, dad." Liara says and ends the call. She sighs in relief. Goddess, Shepard! Dad, as much as I hate to admit it, has a point. She thinks as she opens her messages on her omni-tool to begin sending a request to an agent. She stops. A message from Kaiden is highlighted. She had asked Kaiden earlier that morning if he knew what was troubling Shepard. His answer was surprising, given the nature of the reason.
"Got her drunk a couple of nights ago. She couldn't stop talking about how she would hate it if you had to return to Thessia soon. It seemed odd to me at first—it came out of nowhere—but I understand what she meant. She's never admitted it to me outright, but I know a love confession when I see one. Just be patient. She'll tell you when she's ready."
He also stated in the message that Shepard only talks to him like this while she's drunk, and added the fact that he had confessed to her and she refused. She told him he was like her brother. Which was a relief, considering the amount of time they spend together on a weekly basis. They practically lived together—separately, of course, but it still seemed strange.
So, why was Shepard waiting? Shepard had asked her if she was seeing Kaiden, and she made it clear that she wasn't. She had gotten Shepard to start taking her medication with a bribe of pancakes. She saw Shepard's genuine smile for what seemed to be the first time, but something still didn't seem to add up.
Something else was weighing down heavily on Shepard.
A/N: Tell me what you think about me dedicating a couple of songs to this fan fiction? I have some in mind, but I understand that a lot of people do mention some songs that come to mind when they're writing a particular story/scene. I don't want it to seem like I'm copying anyone's idea (I like to be unique when I can) ^_^
I have a song in mind for the duration of this story, as well as the ending, so please let me know what you think in the comments or PM me.
-Eddy