Ch 3: Heed the Call
Shepard's Cabin: Aprox. Two days post Suicide Mission 0847 hours.
Kelly couldn't help but smile as she looked at her discarded magenta outfit she had worn the night before. "Well, I guess it's official. You're in love and with the most infamous hero in the galaxy" She thought with a satisfied sigh.
The door to the lavatory opened and Shepard exited fully clothed and looking just as alluring as he did in the nude. Kelly walked toward the door as she continued to desperately search for her articles of clothing, which mainly boiled down to her bra so that she could return his bed sheet to its rightful place. Shepard however did not notice Kelly in the corner of his quarters searching, other wise he would have avoided imputing several keystrokes into his private terminal to activate his vidcom. And by the time Kelly had heard the video panel activate all she could do was think "Oh my God." But the panel had already flared up and the Admiral appeared before Shepard in video form; much to the yeoman's horror.
"Commander Shepard. Thank you for your time. I'll keep this-" the graveled voice trailed off and replied "Oh. My apologies Commander, I didn't realize you were entertaining. Would you prefer me to call back at a more convenient time?" Hackett asked respectfully.
Shepard raised a brow at the admiral. He quickly turned his head to face a completely flustered and mortified Kelly, who could only manage to wave embarrassingly at the two men. Shepard simply smiled at her reassuringly and then returned to the admiral. "No sir, I'm completely at your service." Shepard said firmly as he stood at attention.
Kelly hurriedly moved out of the way to prevent embarrassing her "Andy" even more. She made her way to the foot of Shepard's bed and took a seat while she watched the conversation unfold between the two soldiers.
"Shepard the Alliance has a deep cover operative located in Batarian Space, her name's Dr. Amanda Kenson." The admiral added in a matter-of-factly fashion.
Kelly was intimidated by the veteran admiral's appearance; even if he hadn't just caught her half naked and wrapped in the commander's bed sheet. He was a grim man; a large scar ran across his seasoned face. "He is certainly dressed for his role." Kelly thought. Admiral Hackett had on the standard Alliance officer's uniform; which mainly consisted of a navy blue beret, the silver alliance insignia stitched into the front of it. He also wore a navy colored admiral's coat; and its shoulder pads were dressed with several military ribbons of a variety of different colors. Kelly couldn't help but be drawn to the admiral's chest; even from where she was sitting she could see over a dozen different medals that were pinned to his chest. The medals included Palladium Star, several Distinguished Service medals, and even a Star of Terra. He was a truly impressive sight to behold, this battle hardened leader who had no doubt seen more violence and death than even Zaeed. Shepard had told her stories of the Admiral before; back when he was with the Alliance Hackett often came to him with important mission that he knew only Shepard could accomplish. That was probably why he was so forgiving of Kelly and Shepard's off duty activities.
"She recently reported that she had found evidence of an imminent Reaper invasion." The admiral replied in a gruff voice.
"So why call me? Can't you find anyone in the Alliance to do this?" Shepard asked leaning against the bathroom door.
"Because just this morning I received intel that she's been arrested by the Batarians in the nearby colony, officially they claim to be holding her on terrorism charges. Given your interest in the Reapers I thought that this might be worth your time. That's also why I need you; the Normandy's the only ship that can enter the system undetected. I need you to infiltrate the prison complex and get Kenson out of there and as a favor to Me; I'm asking that you do this on alone." Hackett stated grimly.
Kelly's face grew pale. She let out a small gasp as she covered her mouth hoping to contain her fear. "Hackett wasn't serious was he? He couldn't expect Shepard to go so far behind enemy lines without any backup?" She felt sick listening to the admiral, she hadn't been this scared since the Collector's had abducted her, and it wasn't even her life that was in danger right now.
Shepard must have heard or seen her concern because he gave Kelly a look; a look that said "Don't worry, let me ask if I have to go alone."
"I have a hell of a squad sir; I know they'd be more than willing to help out." Shepard spoke firmly to the admiral.
The Admiral shook his head almost immediately and answered instantly "Dr. Kenson is my friend Commander. If the Batarians see a squad of armed soldiers go in they'll kill her. This is serious Shepard, go in with discretion or don't go at all." The veteran added sternly.
Shepard proceeded to make further inquiries about the overall specs of the mission; who the operative was, why she was being charged with terrorism, and the possible political ramifications that the mission might bring to the Alliance. Of course that was only the bare minimum that Kelly was able to extract from the conversation between the two men. She was too distracted by her concern for Shepard's safety to provide her full attention to the matters being discussed.
After what seemed like hours Shepard finally told the Admiral that he accepted the mission and that he would make the mater a priority. Hackett gave a slight smile and a nod of approval, and told Shepard "Once you have Kenson investigate her data and confirm whether or not we have a Reaper invasion on our hands. I'll debrief you both when you return to Arcturus Station."
"Got it." Shepard replied with a nod.
"Be careful in there Shepard, Hackett out." And with that the screen faded back to its normal display of Shepard's model ship collection.
Shepard walked away from his desk slowly, which completely contradicted Kelly's frantic sprint to his side. Kelly stood there not even caring about her nudity anymore, and the two just looked into each others eyes neither one saying a word. Kelly finally broke the silence with a hug as she ran to Shepard and flung her arms around him. Shepard could hear her trying to hold back tears, while he did his best to comfort her. "You can't go Shepard, you'll…You just can't go. It's too dangerous." Kelly spoke softly through flooded eyes.
"Kelly-" Shepard whispered affectionately while he gingerly stroked her back.
"I know you've taken on suicide missions before but this is too risky, the Batarians could catch you, or you could get injured or even…" Kelly spoke while she clung to him even tighter.
"Kelly-" Shepard reiterated but still could not get a word in edge wise.
"I mean I know you're good enough to go in alone, but if I lost you I… I don't know what I'd-" Kelly was interrupted when Shepard placed his right index finger on her lips and gave her a calming shush.
"Kelly…" Shepard spoke with a calm and loving voice. "What's wrong Babe?" he asked with boyish voice and a warm smile.
Kelly gave him a flustered look and felt like she wanted to hit him. But she couldn't keep herself from laughing at his obvious and poor attempts at consolation, which to her surprise had actually made her feel better. "Dammitt Shepard." Kelly said with a smile "You're better than I am at soothing people."
Shepard pulled her close and stared into her entrancing emerald eyes. He smiled happily and gently rested his forehead on hers and whispered "Well, I had an amazing teacher."
Kelly lifted her head and placed a gentle kiss on his eager lips. Shepard explained in a comforting voice "I know you're worried about me, and believe me it's one of the many reasons I love you. But please Red try not to worry so much. I have some one pretty amazing to come back to. Besides Kelly I already died once, and to tell you the truth it kinda sucked." He added with a warm smile that made her melt on the inside. Kelly chuckled and rolled her eyes at another of her "Andy's" bad jokes, but she appreciated his bad jokes none the less. Kelly gave him a sly smile and clasped his hands in hers. "You'd better come back to me." The red haired yeoman spoke while she gently massaged his hands with her finger tips.
"That an order Ms. Chambers?" Shepard drew his face in for another kiss. To which she happily obliged.
"That's an order Commander" Kelly replied in a whisper as she closed the distance between them and kissed him tenderly on the lips. Shepard closed his eyes and relaxed as Kelly's tongue gently massaged his. They separated after a full minute of breathless ecstasy, much to the commander's disappointment.
Kelly reluctantly released his hands and watched quietly as her boyfriend entered the elevator. Shepard gave her one last hungry glance and gave her a sly smile. He brought his hand to the elevator panel and entered the location for the Combat Information Center. Kelly however, would have to meet up with him later; since she still had to look for her bra.