Thanks to those who have read this far. I appreciate it. I promise there is a furthering of plotline somewhere in the future. I just got caught up in being a hopeless romantic. xD
As always, BioWare owns the Mass Effect universe.
Kaidan opened his eyes, careful not to wake the sleeping redhead next to him. He sighed inwardly to himself. He was good at complicating everything. He was worried about what the future might hold. He could slip out of here right now, and never see her again. Maybe then he could spare them both the heartbreak of destruction and death. He knew that rebuilding their trust would take precious time and work; Work that should be used trying to fight the Reapers. He sighed, knowing that he could never abandon her again. He hated himself for even thinking it. Reapers or no Reapers, this had to be done. If they worked things out, they might just be better focused and driven for the cause ahead. His mind drifted to a conversation years ago "Battlefield flirting is one thing Shepard, but there are regulations against fraternization…" He had told her as he stood in her office on the old Normandy. This time there were no regulations as she was no longer Alliance, just a Spectre. But was he ready to go public with their love this time?
"You alright?" Dawn asked, pulling him from his thoughts. He hadn't even realized she's woken up. "You look bothered by something Kaidan." She said, concern becoming apparent in her face. As she placed her small hand gently on his, he smiled. "I'm fine, just thinking about different things. And hey, you were right, Joker didn't need you on the bridge this time." He joked, remembering how their last time ended. Shepard giggled, remembering the same night. "No, but I'm sure he does now." She said with a smirk. She sighed, her face becoming serious, "People are going to talk, Kaidan. Are you ready to answer them, or are we to keep this between the two of us?" She asked him as she dressed in a black N7 dress shirt and slacks. She was no longer Alliance, no longer Cerberus, but dammit she still was Commander Shepard of the Normandy and she would dress as such.
Kaidan looked to her, smiling at her ruefully. "We will see when the time comes Shepard. Professionalism still has to be apparent, no matter what we choose." He said seriously, as he began to re-dress himself in his Alliance class A's. "Shepard, I'd like to stay aboard your ship. I don't care if it's as an assistant or something. I really did miss the Normandy...and you.I've already requested a transfer." He said, hoping he hadn't overstepped his boundaries.
Shepard squealed like a child at Christmas as she jumped into his arms. "Commander Alenko, I took the liberty of informing the crew that you would be needing an N7 uniform as well." EDI said from her projection in Shepard's room. "They will be found next to Commander Shepard's."
"Thank you EDI, please inform Yeoman Chambers I will need to address the crew on Commander Alenko's permanent place on the Normandy. Note that I have officially accepted his posting, but I regret to inform him I already have a very competent assistant, but I still need an XO." She commented as she looked his way. "I accept ma'am." He saluted her with a grin on his face. She knew here was being nothing more than a smartass. Shepard rolled her eyes and turned back to the hologram that was EDI. "Also, please forward the request to Councilor Anderson if Commander Alenko has not already done so." Shepard said, smiling as she handed Kaidan his own uniform which mirrored hers. "Ready to face the crew?" She asked, laughing uncomfortably as he dressed in the N7 uniform and looked to Dawn. She drew in a sharp breath. He looked good.
As they stepped off the elevator they were met by Garrus. He eyes Kaidan's choice of clothing with annoyance. "So you're permanent, I take it." Garrus asked him, no look of amusement to be had on his scarred face. "Remember what I said Alenko." He said, continuing to his post within the main battery. Shepard watched him walk away, wondering about his sudden erratic behavior. She shook her head and made her way to address her crew.
"Attention crew of the Normandy, this is Commander Shepard. I am here to tell you that I am fine after my illness yesterday. Alliance Staff Commander Alenko has been assigned to the Normandy. He is our new XO, and I expect you will treat him with the same respect you treat each other. This being said, there are to be a few new changes around here, everyone is to be wearing their new black and red N7 uniforms. We will no longer dress as members of Cerberus, as we are now their enemy. Though we receive full support and financial backing from the Council and the Alliance, we are not with them either. We stand alone here." Dawn stopped, letting the information sink in to each of her crew. "I will not hold anyone responsible should they choose to leave now." She said over the com link. "I will take resignations up until the end of the day. Thank you all for your loyalty and support. Shepard out." She said confidently, turning back to see Joker standing in front of her. "What? Just like that we have to trust the guy who stabbed us in the back?" He said, inches from her face. She smiled, Joker was the only person willing to stand up to her, to tell her she was wrong. "Joker, I am not saying you have to trust him, but yes, we will be working together so I suggest you play nicely." She looking to Kaidan and began again, "Both of you." She looked around, "Aye, Aye ma'am" They both said wearily. She lloked around to notice many if the crew had already returned to their posts, wearing the new Normandy uniform. She felt proud to have such an honorable and trustworthy crew.
"Ma'am, if I may?" Kelly asked her hopefully as she stood before Shepard. "Of course Kelly, your opinion holds a great deal of weight." She smiled to the girl and invited her to continue. "We are all proud to serve you ma'am, and no one on this ship is resigning. We worked for you all along, not Cerberus, Commander. Although, if I might be so bold ma'am, in my psychological expertise, you and Commander Alenko are not hiding your attraction to one another very well." The Yeoman paused, waiting for an angry reaction. Once recieving none, she continued, "That and about a quarter of your crew saw you both leaving your cabin cheerfully m'a'am." She said sheepishly. "Carry on, Chambers." Shepard said sharply, blushing once more and activating her com link.
"As we are currently docked, I need to see every member of this ship on the CIC." She said over the com channel. Before she let go of the button, her entire CIC room began to fill with her crew, not one wore a black and white uniform any longer. She smiled proudly as she eyed her crew, even Jack chose to don the uniform, with her own modifications, of course. "I will not lie to you all." She began as the last of her crew appeared on the CIC. "Many of you may die, many of your families may die, but I promise you this. I promise to do my damndest to see you all home! The Reapers think they know how to destroy us. The think they will win. But no one has ever been as strong as we are now. We are backed by every race in the galaxy. Everyone is counting on us to win." She said, seeing the faces of each and every crew member, embedding them into her mind. "I have lost some good friends, but I have gained many more. I'm sure the rest of you can say the same. It is up to us to make sure they have not died in vain. We will never be closer to anyone as we are to one another." She smiled, walking into the crowd that was her crew. "Now, you all are dismissed for three days of R&R here on Illium. Please remember you are a symbol of the Normandy as you go have your fun. If anyone does not have questions-" She looked to see Donnelly raise a hand. "Yes Donnelly?" She hoped his question would make sense to her, as their previous conversations were filled with tech talk she barely grasped.
"Commander." He began in his accent, "Is it true that you and Commander Alenko are together again? No one saw him leave your quarters last night." He asked her. Shepard was shocked, news traveled fast on her ship. She cleared her throat as she tried to hide her embarrassment, wondering what to say as the expectant looks of her crew bore into her. "Donnelly," She began as a voice interrupted her. "Donnelly, not that it is exactly your business." Kaidan said sharply before softening his expression. "If you must know, I care about the Commander on more than a professional level, and while then there we regulations against fraternization-"
"-That you broke." Joker coughed loudly, earning some snickers from some of the crew, and a stern glare from Shepard.
Kaidan continued, glaring at Joker"Now I am free to say that I am seeing Commander Shepard." Kaidan said in a matter of fact tone, smiling to Shepard. Dawn gripped the railing and smiled as the cheers of her crew filled the air. "Hey Commander does this mean you are going to actually eat again?" Gabby said to her as she saluted her commanding officer, stiffing a laugh. Dawn Shepard straightened and made her way back in front of her crew of misfits. In their short time together they had become more of a family of sorts than just a crew. They genuinely cared for one another. "You are the brightest group of misfits I have had the privilege of commanding. However, now that you've all had your gossip for the year, go have some fun. Crew Dismissed!" She said, watching her crew jump toward the airlock.
"I cannot believe you said that, Kaidan. I thought you wanted to keep it under the table." She said as she fumbled with paperwork, keeping her eyes low on the desk in front of her. Now that she directly reported to no one, she kept the logs for a source of information. She hoped that her crew would come back a little less stressed and a little more determined. The weeks ahead were going to be very difficult, and she needed everyone on their game. That, and after nearly getting blown up, they deserved a little time to themselves. "Shepard, er, Dawn, look at me." He said, placing a firm hand on her cheek. She didn't want to look at him. She had never been one for public displays of affection, and Kaidan just created one of the largest ones possible."I love you." He said as he pulled her to her feet and held her to him. "This time I don't care who knows it. I know you don't lie to your crew, and I can see every single one of the genuinely care for you. Plus, do you really think they wouldn't have noticed that I will keep coming out of your cabin?" He smirked. "I honestly think we can be professional and still love each other." He said confidently. "Speaking of professionalism, I'd like to check out the specs of the ship if that would be possible ma'am." Kaidan said, snapping to attention. "Permission granted Commander. Dismissed." Shepard said, dropping her salute. "Thank you ma'am. I'm off to check the systems on the ship. After that we should go get a drink." He said as he winked at her and walked off.
Dawn had entertained the new idea of a professional relationship coupled with a private one a few times. She had never expected one could flow easily, yet she too decided it was well worth the try. She neatly filed away the papers at her desk before standing up silently. She needed to check her terminal, and now seemed like an excellent time to do so. As she walked into the CIC, she saw a light blinking on her terminal. She had at least one message that needed attention. She logged in and saw one from Anderson, and one from Wrex. She decided to read the one from Anderson first, hopefully he wouldn't be too mad with them.
Shepard,
I just received your transfer request. As you are no longer an Alliance officer, we had to do go about this differently. At the request of Commander Alenko, we have transferred him to your ship using your status as a Spectre. He will still be required to report back to the Alliance as an officer. We also wish to inform you that you will be reinstated as an Alliance officer should you choose to be. We received conformation from Alenko that you in fact never worked with or for Cerberus, but you merely used their resources. We still frown upon that, but you are welcome back at any time.
-Anderson
On and on an informal note, I am glad to see you and Alenko working together again. Congratulations.
Dawn smiled to herself, she was glad to have someone like Anderson on her side, even it was informally and from afar. She would think seriously about his offer, but for now, she liked the way things were with her crew. Now was time to read her message from Wrex.
Shepard,
I find myself in need of your assistance my friend. Things are getting troubling here on Tchaunka. I heard of your victory against the Collectors from Urdnot Grunt. I knew you wouldn't die Shepard. You're much to hard headed for that. He also informed me that Alenko was back with you. I hope you know what you are doing Shepard.
Please come to Tchaunka when you can.
-Wrex
So Wrex needed her help as well. She would make it a top priority to get to his home planet as soon as the crew was off leave. She knew that she needed all the help she could get, and helping an old friend felt like a good thing to do despite the fact. She closed the terminal and walked out of the airlock. It was time for Commander Shepard to let her hair down and be Dawn Shepard, even for one night.
