Author's Note: Sorry for taking longer to update, this chapter was sort of a bitch to write, and maybe it'll show. Luckily, I have chapter 4 all planned out so it shouldn't take as long to write, and I think it could be a really good one. As always, reviews are very appreciated, enjoy.


Kaidan Alenko was determined. He was naturally a very shy and soft-spoken person, and as a result of this he had a less-than-stellar social life and not too many friends; he did, however, consider Ashley Williams to be a friend. Granted, the two of them were not overly close, but the fact that they were both on the Eden Prime mission and involved in the hunt for Saren the longest had created a bond between the two of them. And now he was determined to bring them closer, even if it was just a little bit. He was tired of people thinking they couldn't talk to him, whether it be about himself or anything in general, but he didn't blame any of them, he knew how he came off at times. So now he was going to walk up to Ashley and set things straight; show her the true Kaidan Alenko.

Once the elevator he was riding reached its destination at the bottom level of the Normandy, Kaidan stepped out and was pleased to see Ashley standing where she was usually found: in that same old dimly-lit corner of the Normandy, working with her weaponry. He nodded in Wrex's direction in passing, and the hulking Krogan merely grunted in return, but the Lieutenant didn't expect much more than that; a few more steps and he was but a few feet away from the Gunnery Chief, who was so deeply immersed in trying different upgrade combinations on her assault rifle that she didn't realize who's "may I speak with you?" she had just nodded in agreement to.

"Ashley?" Kaidan tried again, trying to get her full attention since his first attempt only seemed to have mildly fazed her. This time she turned her gaze away from her gun, and once she saw who was interrupting her, her eyes got wide just like they had in their previous encounter.


"Oh, hey Kaidan" she replied, glad her voice didn't leave her once more.

"There's something I need to tell you, Ash."

A million different professions of love ran through Ashley's mind upon hearing those words leave his mouth.

"I know you were talking about me earlier."

All of a sudden a sense of dread came over Ashley and it washed away some of her excitement, even though she knew this revelation might not be a bad thing at all. "You... you do?"

"Yeah, it was pretty obvious, and I understand why you wouldn't want me to think you were talking about me, and how that's embarrassing for you, but to be honest with you, I don't mind it at all."

"You don't?" Ashley did not want to keep asking dumb questions, but unfortunately she was dumbfounded by the words coming out of his mouth.

"Not at all" Kaidan replied. "Feel free to talk to me about it any time; it's not taboo to me, in fact, I want you to."

There was a pause as Ashley tried to figure out which emotion was most appropriate for the situation, and after settling on relieved she took a deep breath and said with a smile on her face, "understood Alenko; you're completely sure about this?"

"Definitely, I've never had any problems talking about my condition" answered Kaidan confidently.

Ashley had no words left; if she was alone she might have been reduced to a sobbing wreck, but she did her best to try and stay composed and strong. She simply nodded, with any characteristics of positive emotions drained from her face.


Kaidan took her answer and his leave, quite pleased with how well that had gone. While passing by Wrex again on his way back towards the elevator, the Krogan bellowed a low chuckle, clearly directed at Kaidan.

"Something wrong?"

"Not with us" was the Krogan's answer, but Kaidan didn't notice his choice of words.

"Ok then, I'll see ya later, Wrex."

Kaidan sauntered into the elevator with a renewed confidence, and if he hadn't been so busy thinking about what he had just done, he might've noticed the Gunnery Chief sitting in the dimly-lit corner with her head in her hands, and what he had just done.


Garrus was pleased. His plans to have a real conversation with the Commander had gone swimmingly, and he had even taken the seat next to her during the meeting that followed the mission. He did, however, feel a gush of jealousy arise when Liara attempted to further decipher the cipher that Shepard had received from Shiala. He knew of the asari mating ritual, and how it was fairly similar to the act that had been performed, and it bothered him that she could openly do something so "intimate" with the Commander, but the feeling subsided when Shepard spoke to him after the meeting was adjourned.

"So Garrus, what do you think, how about a trip to the Citadel for a day or two off?"

Garrus couldn't resist his hard-working, Turian nature while replying. "With all due respect, Commander, is that truly the wisest decision with Saren still on the run?"

"I don't think it could hurt, we haven't had a break since we started this search, and in light of our success here I think we all deserve a little R & R."

Shepard smiled at him when she saw the puzzled look on the Turian's face. He was unfamiliar with this acronym, but too stubbornly self-sufficient to ask her what it meant. Fortunately, she helped him out.

"It means rest and relaxation; sorry Garrus, sometimes I forget that aliens might not understand human colloquialisms."

"It's quite alright, Shepard... and I suppose you're right, a little 'R & R' couldn't hurt." He was unsure if he truly believed those words, but her decisions hadn't failed them yet, so he reasoned that he was just going to agree with her from now on.

"Good to hear you say, Garrus, I wasn't sure if you Turians knew how to unwind."

"Ah, well then you mustn't have spent too much of your free time with my kind, I assure you that we are capable of enjoying life just as much as any other species."

"Well you can prove it to me when we get there, but now I need to speak with Joker, talk to you later, Garrus."

"Commander" said Garrus with a nod. When she left the Comm. Room he noticed that Liara was waiting outside the door, peering at him, almost sadly, while it was open; on another day Garrus might have found this suspicious, but right now he was sky high with no plans of coming back down. There was only one question on the Turian's mind.

"How in the world am I going to prove that to her?"


Joker was waiting. He knew that sooner rather than later Commander Shepard would come strolling up to him, and telling him whichever planet they were going to next. Typically their chats were brief, but nevertheless he looked forward to them. Today, much to his displeasure, she was taking her time in getting up to him. It crossed his mind to disrupt whatever she was doing over the intercom, but he didn't want to be rude, or possibly seem desperate. After another minute of waiting, he heard the distinct, quick cadence of Shepard's footsteps approaching him.

Typically the steps would come to a halt before she reached his seat; this time, though, was an exception. She sat down with a thud in the oft unoccupied co-pilot's seat to his right, and Joker looked over at her, clearly surprised.

"Take us to the Citadel, Joker" she said in a strangely deflated voice.

He started up the ship, readying it for their departure without a second thought; he found her more curious than their destination. "You alright, Commander?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes I'm alright, just beat, I can never seem to get enough rest."

"Tell me about it."

This response seemed to give her a short second wind. "Riiiight" she said with a laugh, "it must be real difficult being the pilot and never finding time to sleep."

"You said it Commander. So why the Citadel?"

"Oh yes, could you be a dear and turn on the intercom for me?" she asked with the sarcastic ring still in her voice.

Joker turned it on while maintaining an un-amused glare at Shepard's face. "They're all yours."

"This is Commander Shepard, just letting everyone know that we're going to make a stop at the Citadel for a short break; good work people, you earned this."

With that Joker turned off the intercom and Shepard spoke up one last time.

"Don't tell anyone I'm here" she said, before closing her eyes, and falling asleep.

She was incredibly peaceful amidst all of the chaos that was going on in the galaxy, Joker thought to himself. He couldn't keep himself from looking at her for prolonged periods of time while she was sleeping there; she was far more interesting and nice to look at than the black canvas that was space, in his opinion. Joker did have a softer side, despite popular opinion; he was capable of all human emotions, and once in a blue moon he would even display them. This was, in a way, one of those moments, but no one else was awake to see it. He was genuinely happy at that moment; he often sported a grin to hide some of his irritation or anguish with the illusion of happiness, but this smile was not hiding anything. Once again her company had lifted his spirits, and she wasn't even awake this time. Joker then came to a realization, the kind of epiphany that most people cherish, but unlike most people he forced it out of his mind, out of the Normandy, and into the vacuum of space where it would hopefully never be seen again. He just prayed that his heart wasn't in the mood for a fetch-quest.


"How long was I out?" Commander Jane Shepard asked her pilot, who had just woken her up.

"The entire ride, so about 12 hours."

She looked out the window and saw the Citadel before her. She still couldn't help but feel in awe of it whenever she arrived. "Is everyone else gone?"

"Yeah, the last of them just got off."

"Alright, you can go ahead Joker; I just need to do a few things before I leave."

And then she was all alone on her ship. She was still a little groggy from being asleep so long, but she definitely felt rejuvenated. She just had to quick log various data on her computer, take a quick shower, and sort out her feelings towards some people, and then she could have some fun.