When Shepard woke, the first thing he realised was that, while the bed next to him was still warm, it was quite empty. He tried to sit up, but his arms had somehow turned to rubber overnight and it was a struggle. He gave up and opted for just laying still, waiting to see what would happen next. He went through his memories, trying to recall something, anything, from after the first Normandy was destroyed. He leaned his head into the pillow and inhaled. He could smell James' scent clinging there. He closed his eyes and the first thing that came to mind was 'home'. He frowned, but didn't fight it. Another feeling came to him. Safe. He took another deep breath. Security. It didn't match up with what he remembered. This man shouldn't be here. It should be Kaidan. Shouldn't it?
"Please try to understand. He cannot be released right now. We're still not sure what's going on and why the memory loss occurred." The voice was coming from somewhere just outside Shepard's room. While Shepard didn't look that way, he started to listen in.
"Do I look like I give a fuck? I'm taking him somewhere he'll be more comfortable." Shepard recognised that voice. He kept his eyes closed and smiled into the pillow. That was Jimmy. That slight accent. He almost laughed. He suddenly began to tremble as the smile faded.
"And where would that be, Lieutenant?"
"I dunno. Canada." The smile returned, though only slightly. Yeah, going back to Canada would be good. He froze after considering where in Canada he might like to go. He had to remind himself to breathe. No, maybe not Canada after all.
"Where in Canada, exactly, did you have in mind?"
"I don't fucking know. Not any of the cities. Somewhere quiet. Remote. But I'm taking him. You got a problem with that, take it up with the Admiral." James stormed into the room. When his eyes met Shepard's, James calmed down and smiled softly. "I'm getting you out of here, mi corazón. They can't do anything more for you here."
Shepard nodded, then sighed. "Canada?"
James frowned and shook his head. "Well, you were born in Canada, so I thought you'd like to go back there. If you'd rather go somewhere else, we can do that."
Shepard shrugged, watching James warily. "I... don't know. Not Canada. I don't know why, but I don't want to go to Canada." His hands start trembling. He doesn't pull away when James takes hold of them.
"Okay, we'll go somewhere else. Somewhere out of the way. You need time to rest and heal. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too." James brought one of Shepard's hands up and kissed his palm lightly. He smiled when Shepard didn't pull away.
Shepard could only nod as he watched James carefully. "Why do I feel so safe around you?"
James smiled at Shepard. "Because you know I'll always have your back, mi corazón. Always."
Two hours later, Shepard was dressed and on his feet, leaning on James for support. He was determined to walk out of there, even though his legs felt like jello. He winced with each step, but continued on.
James got Shepard out and to a transport shuttle. He was surprised to see Cortez there, then grinned. "Hey, Esteban."
Shepard let James lead him to a seat. He looked at Cortez, but no recognition showed.
Cortez frowned a little, then half smiled at James. "That doctor called Admiral Hackett and complained. He sent me to give you two a ride to anywhere you want to go." He shook his head. "So, you decided yet?"
James nodded. "Yeah." He turned toward Shepard. "I'm gonna go help Esteban fly the shuttle, Caleb. If you need me, just say something. Okay, mi corazón?"
Shepard nodded to James. "Okay." He glanced at Cortez again, then to James. "I take it you know him?"
Cortez stiffened, but didn't respond.
James nodded. "Yeah, you could say that. You know him too. You just don't remember that you do."
Shepard makes a small oh sound, then settles in for the ride.
James joined Cortez up front in the co-pilot's seat.
"So, he's really lost his memory?" Cortez muttered to James.
"Not all of it, no, but the last two and half years. We're going to New York. There's a small town near the coast. Didn't get hit by the Reapers that bad. Cousin of mine had a cabin on the outskirts. It made it through and is fine." He passed along the coordinates to Cortez.
Cortez looked behind him at Shepard, then to James. "At least he's alive, James. In time, maybe he'll remember. If he doesn't, then maybe you've just been given the greatest gift of all. Watching him fall in love with you all over again."
James was silent for a moment before speaking softly. "He keeps asking about Alenko. Admiral Hackett doesn't want them to see each other right now. He thinks it would be the worst thing for Caleb. He don't know Alenko that well."
Cortez blinked then turned his head toward James. "What?" His eyes went wide and he stared at James in disbelief. "You'd let Kaidan see him right now?"
James shot Cortez a wry look. "Actually, yeah, I would. Alenko has far too much integrity to snatch Caleb out from under me. He wouldn't do that. Not when Caleb can't remember part of his life. He'd never forgive himself for doing it."
Cortez turned his attention back to flying the shuttle. "Mr. Vega-Shepard, that is the craziest thing I've ever heard."
James snorted and shook his head. "Just cause you might steal someone's husband from right under their nose don't mean others would." His tone was not harsh, but rather had a slight teasing quality.
Cortez chuckled. "Anyone else's husband, yeah, maybe, but not yours."
