"Where do you want me to start?"

"How about with what you don't understand first."

"I don't understand..." Shelby paused to think how to phrase her story. "I...I don't understand how Kaidan could be so...so...rude, evil, and...unfair." Shelby's voice quivered and Garrus rubbed her arm. Shelby cleared her throat and continued.

"We were just walking around the Citadel talking about regular everyday stuff. Nothing was out of place, or seemed wrong. We got to the wards and Kaidan started questioning the strangest things." Shelby shook her head and looked down. " I guess it wasn't a normal day for long."

"Go on. What was he questioning? "

"Random out of context stuff like, "I wonder how some people think other races should be treated differently than any others."

"What do you mean by that Kaidan?!"

Kaidan just shrugged and said " I dunno. I just find it strange that some people would rather date another species than their own." Shelby choked on her drink at the sound of that. Shelby coughed several times and Kaidan put his hand on Shelby's shoulder.

"You ok?" He said.

Shelby coughed a couple more times then stood straight again.

"What the hell does it matter Kaidan? If someone is happy that way, then leave them alone."

"I know. I just find it strange." Kaidan said leaving it at that. Shelby's mind raced trying to make sense of the conversation that just happened.

"So, have you heard from Garrus recently?" Kaidan asked seeming sort of normal again.

"Not really. I saw him a couple days ago with you. Why?"

"Just curious. You want to head over to flux for a while?"

"Umm, sure."

'Flux? He doesn't want to go café hopping like the normal Tuesday?' Shelby shook the thought out of her head and continued on her way. They had ordered their drinks, which was actually soda pop, and continued talking. Kaidan seemed to be back to normal. They talked about the good and the bad of life on Earth, various highlights from their training experiences, all that normal stuff that comforted Shelby.

"Come on, let's go dance." Kaidan said as he got up and pulled on Shelby's arm. Shelby mentally sighed with relief. 'He's back.' She thought.

"Kaidan, I know that you know I can't dance. " Shelby said with a smile.

"So what Shelbs? No one cares." Kaidan said raising an eyebrow at Shelby.

Shelby smiled at the fact that Kaidan just used the "forbidden nickname". Shelby had always hated that that name. Even when Kaidan gave it to her when they first became friends years ago. But he still used it. It was a persuasion tool more than anything. Shelby let Kaidan pull her to her feet and drag her to the dance floor. Shelby stopped at the stairs and watched Kaidan run to the middle of the sparce dance floor and turn around.

"Go have fun humiliating yourself Kaidan. I'll keep my pride, thank you." She said.

"Oh no. You are NOT getting out of this one." He said with a smile.

Kaidan grabbed Shelby's arm and pulled her with him. They got to the middle of the dance floor and Shelby just stood there and watched Kaidan dancing with her arms crossed across her chest, smiling at Kaidan.

"Come on Shelby." Kaidan said bribingly. "If you don't dance, I'll have to make you." He said grabbing Shelby's arms.

"Don't you dare Kaidan! " Shelby said with a big smile and a laugh.

"Well then, come on."

Shelby rolled her eyes and danced. Even though no one was watching her, she wanted to save what little pride she had left and leave, but she was a good sport and stuck with Kaidan.

A while later, Kaidan grabbed Shelby's arm and turned her around.

"You ready to go?" He asked.

"Yes. Let's go."

With that the two walked back outside and continued to walk around the Citadel.