The laughter takes a while to finish, each one of them almost stopping before setting both of them off again.
"It's not that funny" Shepard finally manages to get out between errant giggles.
"It's a stress reaction, it's not uncommon" Kelly says with a straight face before dissolving into laughter.
Once it's finally done Shepard turns serious.
"Kelly, what were you thinking trying to sneak in? You could have gotten hurt or..."
Kelly looks on the verge of tears "I know but... I tried calling. I couldn't exactly tell them who I was because of... you know. I was desperate and not thinking I guess. I'm sorry"
"Hey, it's okay. I don't think I could have stood losing you, not..."
Kelly interrupts him "I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying alongside you no matter what"
"Well, good"
Kelly's true to her word. She practically moves into his room, staying most of the day and night. The doctors and nurses try to get her to leave but it turns out Kelly has stubborn streak. The fact that he backs her makes it almost impossible for them to do anything. The days stretch together.
Its late at night and Kelly's curled into his side. He's tired, a press conference answering questions from almost every surviving news outlet on the planet had taken up most of his afternoon. He wasn't sure the answers had been enough.
"Shepard, people need a symbol, something to put their faith in. You've given them that"
"Symbols won't fill empty bellies, they won't stop murder or robbery or rape"
"No but if people believe in something, they can work out ways around those problems, find that there is a solution that'll benefit everybody."
"You're an optimist, Kelly." She bristles at that eyes, flashing with anger.
"And that's a bad thing? Right? Screw the universe, to hell with everybody, just look out for yourself. Sorry If have some human decency" She starts to get up, till he places a hand on her arm.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. Kelly, that optimism, that ability to see good in everybody, it's your most attractive quality, it's part of the reason I love you"
Kelly leans over and kisses him deeply
"Well, apology accepted."
Comfortable silence, broken only by the sounds of the medical monitors, falls between them. For the first time in months, if not years, Shepard can relax.
"Did you mean it?" asks Kelly in a low voice
"Mean what?"
"That you love me?"
"Yes, of course."
Kelly squirms closer and hugs him tight.
"I thought so. I just wanted to hear it again"
"I love you, I love you, I love you, I.."
Kelly place a finger to his lips
"Okay, thank you. I love you too"
He'd been told that before but hearing it from Kelly is different, there's a permanency to it.
"I should start looking for somewhere."
"What? Why?"
"The doctors and the nurses are getting kind of insistent"
"And?"
"I wouldn't mind somewhere private, just for the two of us"
Kelly laughs at the grin that spreads across his face.
"Not like that! You're not well enough, unfortunately. No, just some place quiet"
"I like the sound of that."
Kelly nods, "I'll get on it tomorrow"
It actually takes a little over a week, by which time the Doctors are allowing him to walk.
"It's done. It's somewhere called Woking, not too far from here. It's part of the a temporary housing area, with prefab units. Not a lot of living space, about nine square meters but it does have a small food prep area and enclosed sanitation area." Kelly watches as he walks up and down.
"Sounds great"
"Have the Doctors said when you're going to be able to get out of here?"
He's been pestering the doctors daily to give him an answer about when he can leave but they haven't given him an answer yet.
"I don't know it might be a while..."
There's a flicker of disappointment across Kelly's face.
"Or it could be now"
"Shepard, are you sure? You're still not really well.."
"I'm fine. I'm just getting sick of this place. A change of scenery will do wonders"
The argument over Shepard discharging himself takes a good four hours for the doctors to recognise that they aren't going to win. It takes another hour for them to get all the medication. Another to finally leave the hospital, which Shepard realises is a ship.
It midnight when they arrive at the temporary housing unit.
He follows Kelly through the door. She turns, face lit up in a smile
"Welcome home!"