Immediately Foster was taken to the medbay where a motherly, gray-haired doctor who was introduced as Dr. Chakwas examined him and told him he was lucky. The shot had missed any vital organs and would barely leave a scar. She treated him with a medigel patch and a pain killer.

"What about Socks?" he asked, wide-eyed, sitting up on the table, trying to see his brother where the krogan had deposited on another exam table.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Uh, I mean Operative Hobbins?"

Her expression cleared. "Oh, you mean Hobbs?"

"If that's what he's going by these days, yeah, what about Hobbs?"

"He'll be fine, young man. You both were very lucky." She glanced back to the bed in the far corner of the room where his brother lay motionless. He was strapped into some kind of monitor, the monotonous noise of the heart trace a welcome break to silence as Dr Chakwas continued to scan him quietly with her omnitool.

"Yeah, that's us. Born under a lucky star." He gazed around the medical room. It was really small. "So, he'll be okay?"

"Yes, your brother will be fine." She smiled as if she shared a secret.

Foster's mouth gaped open. "How…?"

"DNA doesn't lie. His was on file and now so is yours, although, extensive as our database is, it took several seconds before your DNA fingerprint popped up." She patted his shoulder when she saw his agitation. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with me. Dr./patient privilege." She smiled. "Besides, it was obvious from your concern you have ties with him and since I know he's not gay and, according to your colourful record unearthed in the Alliance database, I am pretty sure you aren't either." She shrugged her thin shoulders. "The Consort speaks very highly of you. She included commendations in your record, which has been expunged over and over." She put a finger to her lips. "That, too, can be our little secret. Now, you get some rest. Hobbs is resting comfortably and will for another hour."

"If he needs blood, I can donate some."

She passed her hand over his head as if ruffling his hair. "Don't worry so much, Vindex, is it?"

He made a face. "Foster. I go by Foster."

"Well, Foster, the commander came by and brought you a change of clothes. She also said you might need a shower." She pointed to a small cubicle. "Feel free to partake. I'll let you have some privacy."

Dr. Chakwas patted him on the shoulder again and then she left the medbay. Foster sat up and swung his legs over the side of the exam table, his feet contacting the cold deck. He spotted the stack of clothing on the doctor's console.

He unfastened his stinking armor and shoved it into a bag that had been provided, sealing the bag. He stripped off his black undersuit and walked into the shower. Sweat,maw blood, human blood, dirt, grit, sluiced off him and he sighed in relief when the stink was replaced with the pleasant deodorizer as the air blowers came on and dried his refreshed body.

He wrapped a towel about his waist and strode from the shower to check on Socks when he heard a voice say breathlessly, "Oh, by the goddess!"

Liara paused, her hand clamping over her mouth as the words spilled out before she could stop them. She blinked, once, twice but no the man was not going anywhere – she actually was looking at a half naked man in the medbay.

"I'm…" She felt her face burn as she shook her head bashful "I'm so sorry!"

Despite the apology though she couldn't draw her eyes from him. He was lean but his stature belied the muscle that tensed beneath flesh, the strength in his arms and his physique as he paused, looking at her for the first time. His eyes were blue – and suddenly that is all she could think about. Those blue, blue eyes as they held hers unwavering.

She let a breath out and made to turn and leave.

Foster was enjoying the view. He knew she was young—best guess, 100, barely out of her teens. She was a beautiful shade of blue with matching blue eyes that held an innocence he knew was of the uninitiated. She had facial markings humans would call eyebrows, but he knew they weren't—just as he knew instead of hair, she had semi-flexible, cartilage based scalp crests. He also knew if he stroked them from the base to the tip she would scream in ecstasy.

He smiled. "Sorry. I should've called out before I came out of the shower." He sauntered over, keeping one hand tight on the towel so it didn't slip. "Foster. Miss?"

"Dr. Liara T'soni." She was turning a darker shade of blue and he found it adorable that she was trying to look anywhere but at him.

He saw tears glinting in her eyes. He frowned. "Give me a minute. I'll be right back." He grabbed the clothing, went through into the back room, dressed and rushed back to the room, hoping she'd still be there. She was and she was crying.

"What's the matter?" he asked softly.

"What? I…" She sniffed forlornly. "It's nothing."

"Doesn't sound like it." He crossed to her and gently pulled her into his arms. "There, there," he said in a soothing voice. "Whatever it is, it can't be that bad."

She reared her head back so she could meet his eyes. Hers was beautiful as was her voice. She was an exotic mix of innocence and unknowing seduction. "But it is! I…" She sounded mortified. "I made a fool of myself over Commander Shepard!"

Foster didn't know what to say. "O—kay. So, you find her attractive. Stand in line."

"But I…I don't want to stand in a line, and, and if I do, I want to be first in line, and…oh..I don't know what I want!"

"Did she lead you on?"

"No! She's been so nice to me and, and I know she and Lt. Alenko have grown close, but I thought I had a chance."

"Have to allow for tastes, and, in this case, Shepard's taste is all in her mouth."

Liara looked puzzled. "I do not understand."

"Just that maybe she's just not the right one for you," he said gently. One hand slid up her neck and touched one of her crests. Her eyes widened. "Maybe some lucky person you just met is."

Liara moaned softly as his hand continued to stroke her head. "I…that feels nice."

"Like me," he whispered, lowering his head to capture her lips.

"What the…" The sound of Hobb's voice made them both flinch and Liara started back with a jump, spinning to see the Operative as he propped himself up on an elbow "You've been on this ship five minutes Foster." He said firmly "Five minutes."

He had been asleep on a bed at the far end of the med bay, but now he was wide awake. He swung his legs round, nausea sweeping over him as he swallowed hard, touching fingers to his bare chest where the flesh was beginning to heal.

"And you should know better blue." He said shaking his head, reaching for the shirt that had been left for him at the bottom of the hospital bed – he recognised it immediately. Shepard must have left it for him because the red sweater was one she had stolen from him back when they lived together on Arcturus. Was she giving it back to him? That stung more than it was supposed to and when he raised his eyes to the pair still standing in close proximity he knew he couldn't hide the pain in them.

Liara excused herself, rushing past Hobbs and back into her chosen quarters at the far end of the med bay.

As the doors slid closed once more Hobb's shook his head "What the hell was that?" He asked incredulously, slipping the sweater over his head easily. When his brother didn't answer and instead shrugged his shoulders with a smile he shook his head.

"Come on Fos, that was… well it wasn't right anyway! Gross!" He pulled a face turning from his brother as he faked a wretch "You know that shit freaks me out Fos, I hate fucking Asari."

Foster's mouth twitched "Then don't fuck them."

Hobb's sighed, shaking his head exasperated "You hungry?"

As they entered the mess together they received a few glances from the crew busy eating but neither brother cared enough to say anything or stop to engage anyone as they crossed to where the chef was ladling out lunch.

Hobb's grabbed a tray, sliding it onto the counter and waiting as a plate was deposited before he collected cutlery from the nearby dispensers and bottled water. He gave the chef a curt nod before slipping into a seat at the nearest table and waited for Foster to join him.

As they tucked into lunch together the atmosphere was quite amiable, chatter drifted from table to table and the brothers shared a few jokes over their meal, enjoying each other's company. It was then Shepard appeared, not entering the mess but skirting the edge of it and Foster could see Hobb's eyes follow her as though drawn by a magnet.

Hobbs straightened, wiping his mouth as though he were about to say something when an unfamiliar voice called out.

"Shepard!"

Immediately Hobb's dipped back to his lunch as though he had been focusing on it the whole time as a tall, dark haired marine entered. He moved to Shepard, whispering something in her ear that made her smile and Foster could tell by the set of his brother's jaw and the sudden change in his mood and demeanour this was Kaidan Alenko. Or Stinko as they had dubbed him.

Shepard nodded to him, smiled and there was a touch of hands that would have been missed by someone less observant, but Hobb's saw everything. And damn did he feel everything. He pushed food around his plate as Shepard left, heading to her quarters and then at last pushed the tray away.

"Suddenly not hungry." He said to Foster "I'll be in the shuttle bay when you're done." With that he got to his feet almost walking right into the lieutenant as Kaidan was making his way to collect lunch.

Foster watched his brother slink off and a storm gathered in his eyes. He picked up his tray and moved over to where Stinko was sitting, a bemused smile on his face. Foster cleared his throat. "Commander Alenko, isn't it?" Foster oozed charm.

"No, uh, it's Lt Alenko, actually."

"Name's Foster. Mind if I sit with you?"

Kaidan nodded amiably. Foster took the seat across from him and took a bite. "Pretty decent grub on a frigate." He said, making small talk, luring the man into a false sense of security.

"Abigai-the Commander takes care of her crew." Kaidan said awkwardly, a blush creeping up his neck at the misstep over title.

Foster watched him with a trained eye; he was a people-reader and he could see that the lieutenant wasn't a bad guy already. He was clean-cut; probably a poster boy for the Alliance at some point and the way his dark gaze moved over the crew protectively he could tell he took his job seriously.

It wasn't his fault that his very presence killed his big brother a little but Foster didn't care. He didn't know the whole story – sure – but his brother had the girl first, and that bothered him more than a little.

Foster waited until the mess was full and then sprang up, indignation flashing in his eyes. "Hey, did you just try to feel me up?" He made his voice loud so that it would carry to everyone present.

Kaidan looked at him, startled by the accusation. "Of course not!" He cried, his face contorting from confusion to embarrassment as he got out of the his chair, spreading his hands in a placating manner and taking a step back from Foster.

"Look, pal, I don't care which way the dick swings as long as it doesn't swing my way." Foster made a show of seizing his tray and stomped over to the chef and handed it to him.

He saw the looks of speculation in the crews' faces as he sauntered from the mess. Hobbs was leaning against the elevator, a look of pure glee on his face. He had a toothpick in his mouth and it twitched when he smiled. "That was lewd, rude and crude, Beer."

"Wasn't it?" Foster said cheerfully.

The elevator arrived and the door opened. They stepped in together and high-fived.

"Masterful!" Hobbs said. "Fucking hate that prick."

"It's not like you to let someone get so far under your skin." Foster observed carefully and Hobb's sighed. He knew he was prying again, and he still felt reluctant to talk about it, but now he was standing in his old sweater, still smelling like Shepard to boot he was finding it hard to keep the pain from his eyes and his voice as he moved his shoulders.

"It's fine." He said, chewing the toothpick carefully "I'm fine Fos." He turned his gaze from him, hitting the button for the cargo bay again in a vain attempt to hurry the elevator up.

When he looked back Foster was still watching him and he rolled his shoulders "You ever been in love Fos? I mean in love love, real love – can't breathe when you see them in love?"

"Came close...once." He scoweld at the pain in his brother's eyes. "I'm a merc with one foot ahead of the law. Sha'ira can only purge my record so many times." He shook his head. "Tell me, bro," he added softly.

"I fucked up." Hobbs said quietly "I had her, she was mine, and I fucked it up." He shook his head "Do you know what that is like? To know absolutely you are responsible for the worst wound you've ever felt? It's like emotional suicide. And I try…" He swallowed, pausing to stick knuckles in his eyes as he felt them prick with tears. When he was sure they were stemmed he raised his head once more and smiled "You know what. It doesn't matter Fos. I'm fine."

The elevator pinged and he stepped out into the shuttle bay giving a polite nod to Wrex as he crossed to the punch-bag that hung in the far corner. Without a word he pulled the sweater over his head, wanting to keep her scent on it as long as possible – but he wasn't about to say that to anyone in here! – and sat it on the tool bench as he turned to the bag angrily.

He launched a punch into the leather, listening to the calming squeak of the chain above – it was like balm for his soul, as was the jar of pain that rippled through his arm as he lay a barrage of blows to the bag the whole time flashing hot and cold with images of Kaidan.

This was his element, as he danced and moved throwing punches he could sink back through the years – back to a time when his life had been simpler.

As he sank into his centre he was back at the gym where it all started – heat and muscle and sweat, his fists bound, biting into the leather with each brutal hit – his body a shining mass of fluid, toned muscle; responses piqued, senses alert as his heart thundered in his ears.

It didn't matter who they had put in front of him, if the money was right it could have been death itself and he would have taken the wager. He would have paid the highest price if it meant getting his brother back. And now he was here, the years of brawling for cash – charming his way up the Alliance ranks for snippets of information were far behind him.

But the fighter never left.

He was so focused he didn't even see Shepard until she was standing right next to Foster, her arms folded under her breasts as she watched him silently.

He paused, stopping the swinging bag with fingertips as he looked at her, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. He could tell by the expression on her face she was thinking back to when she had first met him – to the times she had watched him work out, sitting at the ringside – wiping the blood from his battered face and asking him why he put himself through it.

"Tempy?" He asked, licking his lips "Something wrong?"

"Can you lay off Kaidan please Hobbs?" She asked, almost earnestly.

Hobbs glanced to Foster, his mouth twitching as he moved his shoulders "I will if you will." He grinned. Foster bristled, he knew that smile all too well – they had been kids when he used it before, at the funeral of their parents whenever someone asked if they were ok – that smile would rear its head. It was armour – nothing more.

She rolled her eyes, shaking her head tiredly as she glanced sideways to Foster "So, you're a younger version I hear?" She smiled "Handsome too. Looks like he got the good genes." She said pointedly and Hobbs launched a vicious blow to the punchbag in response.

Foster winced when he saw the wound on Hobbs' shoulder break open and start to bleed. He took Shepard by the arm and guided her over close to the Mako. He gestured to Garrus who stood vigently beside it, "Do you mind giving us some privacy?"

Garrus' mandibles clicked and Foster knew how close he was to annihilation because the turian's reptilian gaze was riveted on his hand that was on Shepard's arm. She smiled at the turian. "It's okay, Garrus."

"If you need me, call." Garrus strode away, every line of his body fluid and powerful.

Shepard pointedly stared down at Foster's hand that was turning her creamy skin dark, imprinting his fingers. Sighing, he released her. "Sorry I don't usually manhandle women."

She gazed at him through her lashes. Gods, she was beautiful! For a moment he lost his train of thought. "Look, Shepard, it's your decision to move on, but do you have to jam it down my brother's throat every opportunity you get? Do you have to make him feel lower than a Tuchanka inch worm? Do you even have a clue how much this hurts him? Do you care?"

"Foster, I'm cutting you a great deal of slack because I know what you just said came from your heart, but it's misguided. You evidently only know his side of the story."

"What?" he asked hotly, now drawing the interest of the huge krogan who stood near a bank of lockers. "He told me he messed up with you. You don't have to keep making him pay for it over and over. He almost lost his fucking life to do you a favor so you could spend some time with the new man in your life!" Foster wanted to punch something.

He settled for the Mako and stared at his hand-at the bruised and bleeding knuckles before turning his seething gaze on her.

"Enough!" She slashed her hand through the air. "Knowing Hobbs, I'm sure he didn't tell you everything. He has a tendency to leave out major facts when he talks."

"I don't need to know everything. I know him! It's been over 15 years, but I still know him and you, lady..."

Three talons closed over his shoulder and he was turned about and made to stare into furious blue eyes of a very pissed off turian. "Nobody talks to Shepard like that while I'm around. Back off, or..."

Hobb's paused, pressing a hand to his bleeding shoulder as he glanced over to where Foster was about to be manhandled by Garrus. He had no beef against the turian, but he better get his claws off his brother. This was all his fault, he knew he should have just kept his mouth shut.

"Garrus?" He called and the turian paused, glancing over his shoulder to where Hobbs stood "What's going on?"

"Nothing." Shepard replied tersely and then gave the turian a hard look "It's fine Garrus." She said firmly "Really."

When he released Foster she turned her attention back to him "For your information Foster, Hobbs did a lot more than mess up with me ok. He almost got me killed. He left me stranded on a batarian station while he ran off to play hero for the Alliance – and a lot more, which I'm not going to share with you." She shook her head "I did move on." She said firmly "And so has he, it's been nine years Foster. Nine. And he has had countless women come in and out of his life since then. His problem is with Alenko – because he can't stand another man being near me. I am not a fucking possession." She raised her gaze as Hobbs joined the fray "His supposed pain is nothing to do with having feelings for me." She said firmly, her voice steel as she looked directly to Hobbs "It's just bruising on his ego."

Foster scowled. "I haven't seen him in longer than that and I know him better than you do, lady! " He put his hands behind his back and rocked on his heels, trying to calm down his temper. "He almost cost you your life? You almost cost him his! Why? Because you're after Saren, out to save the galaxy, am I right?" Foster's slim frame shook. "You may have moved on and maybe Alenko's a stand-up guy. He's safe, dependable." Foster's eyes blazed. "But don't try to minimize my brother's feelings. Tell me it's his pride, his ego. Balls!" He turned and kicked one of the Mako's tires and pain shot through his foot.

She started to say something and he cut her off. "I call that even, Commander. As to his women, he lost the love of his life and when that happens you look elsewhere - because just maybe you can take away the pain when you spend time in another woman's willing arms. Maybe you can regain your self-esteem when a woman looks at you like the world revolves around you." His voice broke on a sob. "And you don't do it to use or degrade them. You do it because it helps you be able to look at the man in the mirror and know he's not the shit you think he is. You do it because if you don't you might take your Stinger and plant a round in your head. You do it to help you survive, because losing her was the turning point in your life, when you lost your true north, when life ceased to matter."

Shepard made to speak, her mouth opening as her eyes blazed cold fury but something in his words must have sunk in, because she sank back. Her mouth closing as she looked to Hobbs who was standing beside his brother – and God didn't they look alike.

Suddenly she didn't seem to care who was winning the arguments because when she raised her eyes to Hobbs' there was something there that was completely broken in the man and forced her to close her eyes as she rubbed a hand to her temple.

"I'm…" She swallowed her voice cracking as she forced the words out "I'm sorry." She said slowly, her blue eyes coming back to Foster almost gratefully "I'm sorry." She repeated a bit firmer this time.

"Look." Hobbs interjected "This is between me and Tempy." He raised a hand when his brother tried to interject "I appreciate it bro, I do, but this isn't the place." He said quietly, casting a furtive glance to both Garrus and Wrex who were standing nearby listening and trying to look as though they weren't.

Hobbs took a deep breath, forcing fingers through his hair as he glanced to the Commander "I'm sorry." He said at last "I'm not feeling quite right – must be the concussion." He gave her a weak smile "Did you come down here for something other than breaking my balls?"

Shepard folded her arms, turning back to Foster "Your ship." She said simply "You should know I had the Alliance salvage it for you, it's being taken back to the Citadel for repairs."

For a moment anger was paramount in Foster's eyes and then the silver returned to electric blue, the flush on his neck and face cooled. His lips quirked, a brow rose.

"My ship? The Corsair? I didn't think she could be salvaged."

At his megawatt grin, the situation was suddenly defused. Shepard could feel the garage atmosphere change to a more agreeable one. She saw Wrex and Garrus change their stances to more relaxed ones. She blew out a pent-up breath and returned the smile. God, he was cute!

"I used Spectre funds," she said simply.

Foster caught her in his arms, holding her up and spun her around, then, embarrassment creeping into his eyes, he stopped and set her down. "Sorry, Commander. It's just that ship's my livelihood."

"We could use a good man like you in the Alliance. I could get you assigned to the Normandy."

"The Alliance might find some things in my record that makes me ineligible." He smiled again, and muttered so that only Hobbs heard. "And get me locked up for the rest of my days."

"I think I could be convincing." Abigail said, feeling heat creep into her face as she recovered from being pressed against him. "If you wanted to be assigned here that is… if you can, you know – toe the line." She smiled "And leave my crew members alone." She added pointedly.

"Thanks Tempy." Hobbs said sincerely and she glanced his way, a long moment passing silently between them as she moved her shoulders and he could see the internal struggle in her to be agreeable taking his brother's words into account.

"No problem." She said at last. She glanced back to Foster, blushing again as she cleared her throat "I should. Go. Be Commander-like. You guys have fun." She took a step backwards and raised her chin as she called over their heads toward the turian and krogan "Play nice!"

With a start Foster called "Hey, Commander!"

Pausing, Shepard turned to face the young blonde once more. His use of her title was not lost on her as she smiled "Yes?"

Foster sketched her one of the smartest, crispest salutes she'd ever received.

She nodded. "That's a good start." And gave him one back "Welcome aboard the Normandy."

Hobbs watched her go then turned back to his brother, nursing his injured shoulder as he smiled "You almost died there Foster. Just thought I would warn you – Shepard is a biotic, do not. Do that. Again."