So a bit of drama in the last one this one is quite relaxed I think, don't know yet not really. I have vague ideas about a story's chapter but nothings solid until I write lol, I don't even write a draft hahahaha. So here we go.

Chapter 6

The vague shape of Mordin, swam in and out of focus, the bright light shut out everything else creating a blur. Shepard coughed feeling how horribly dry her throat was, she could hear him talking to her as well but she wasn't working properly. She waved her hand limply, someone grabbed it.

'Wha...?' She coughed again, she attempted to roll over but many hands pushed her back down. Her ears seemed to have kicked in, and everything was slowly becoming clearer.

'Lay still Shepard,' that was Garrus.

'Where... -cough- am I?'

'The Normandy Commander, inside the med-bay to be exact.' That sounded like Doctor Chakwas.

Her vision cleared and she could see everyone crowded around her, she hated all the drama, and she couldn't wait to get out of here.

'Lemme up,' she mumbled.

'It would be best if you stayed laying down Commander.' Dr. Chakwas pressed her slightly on the forehead.

'I am, Commander, lemme up, now.'

'You'd better do as she says Doctor she's got that look on her face.'

'Very well, Doctor's orders mean nothing nowadays. Especially to her.'

The pressure on her body was released and she was able to pull herself upward, she felt Garrus' hand on the base of her back helping her. Her shoulder gave a pang of pain, and she moaned a curse.

'Ohhhhh, fuck me that hurrttssss.'

No-one replied but she saw the smug look on Dr. Chakwas' face, it said ''told you so.''

She brushed her hair out of her eyes with her only free hand. The other arm was bound and strapped to her chest, her knee had a huge bandage wrapped over it, she was going to stiff for days.

'Where's Theros?'

Garrus' eyes narrowed but he pointed to the far side of the room, Theros lay in what Shepard considered as civvies and had tubes and a breathing mask over his face. Her heart dropped and a guilty feeling rolled around in her stomach.

'Uh guys could I uh, have a moment?' She swung her legs off the bed and grabbed the crutch by the table left especially for this reason. Garrus didn't say anything but his hand lingered on hers before he left, Shepard was still confused about what was between them, or if there was even a 'them' to consider.

Not that she had meant to do it but the clothes she was wearing when she hugged him still held his scent and she hadn't put them in for cleaning, she had folded them up and put them on the end of her bed for her to wear that night, no-one knew this she would probably die with embarrassment if they did.

Mordin began to say something, he had been uncharacteristically quiet but Dr. Chakwas shushed him and gently led him out the door. Before the door shut she saw the doctor give a weak smile. Shepard knew it broke the good doctor's heart every time she risked her life and ended up in the medical bay. Ever since she had been spaced, Shepard was determined not to put anyone through the pain of mourning her ever again.

The door hissed shut, she heaved her body's weight onto her good foot and hobbled over to Theros' bed. He was breathing steadily, at least. Shepard sank into a nearby chair, she was weak and thankful that no-one could see her so vulnerable.

Unprofessionally she took Theros' hand and held it in hers, whatever doubts she had about him had dissolved the moment he swung her over his shoulder. Her heart panged, her mind had wandered to when she sat next to Kaiden's still, sleeping body, it seemed everyone she cared about was dropping around her, even when she saw Thane she couldn't help the tears that silently dropped from her face when she left, her family were getting hurt.

Looking at Theros she definitely considered him part of her family. So quickly he had touched her heart.

'Hey buddy,' she said trying to keep her tone even.

'I know you probably can't hear me, but don't worry you're gonna get back to a hundred percent, I've been assured.' Her fingers traced circles on the back of his hand.

'Just uh, think of this as your initiation, you got off quite lightly, I mean Garrus took a rocket to the face,' she was trying to make a joke and bring a bit of humour into the situation. It wasn't working.

'You're a fucking fool,' she said quietly.

'You got hurt because of me, and for that I can never forgive myself,' she looked at his peaceful expression, 'or you for that matter.'

'Next time you leave me ok, secure the situation, then come get me, unless a husk is chewing on my arse, that's an order.' She sighed and lent back in her chair, this was hard.

Something glinted out of the corner of her eye, there was a pair of dog tags hanging from around his neck onto the bed. She didn't even notice when she picked them up at first, but her questioning fingers found that there was a small ring of silver slipped onto the chain, Shepard was confused, there was no explanation she could think of for a ring to be on his dog tags, she turned it over in her hand, vainly she tried to read the inscription on his tags, her omni tool translated most things but it didn't seem to be working, oh well. She shouldn't be prying anyway.

She dropped his chain and her hand rested on his mandible, she knew that this was wrong but she couldn't help it.

'Get better soon Theros, that's an order,' she whispered softly, she shakily stood and went to turn away but she felt something grab her wrist.

She looked down.

'Rizz?' She saw the wince at the nick-name. 'You're awake?'

'I …. follow orders... Comm..ander,' his voice was hoarse and weak, but the fire in his eyes and strength in his grip settled her mind. He was going to be fine.

'It's Shepard Theros, just Shepard,' she loosened his grip and smiled warmly.

He coughed, 'I'm sorry... Shepard.'

'Wh-what for?' Totally shocked, she hadn't expected him to say that.

'I dropped .. you...' his mandibles flared as he made the joke.

She laughed in desperation, 'you're a bastard, y'know that right.'

'I... know.'

Dr. Chakwas rushed in followed by Mordin and Garrus, instantly Shepard was mushed out of the way as they tended to him.

'What's going on Garrus?'

'They thought he might not wake up, they've gotta keep him awake for a few hours, those toxins are pretty powerful, he's a tough son of a bitch Alex, he'll be fine. We used to serve on the same ship,' he waved away her unsaid questions, 'stories for another time, when he can join in. For now, I know you're on pretty high painkillers but a drink is definitely in order.'

She nodded. Garrus wrapped her arm over his shoulders, she did have a crutch she could use, but she was going to take any help Garrus offered her, especially physical, that way she could be surrounded by his smell, she knew it sounded crazy but she was going to take the little comforting things when she could grab them, there may not be any in a few months to come. She limped out of the medical bay, as they turned she looked toward Theros before the doors closed.

She smiled when she caught his eye, he nodded weakly and winked back, her heart fluttered with joy. Uh, oh, that's not a good sign.

…...************...

A/N Not gonna lie may have a little crush on Theros. LOL. Hope you all liked it. Lemme know xx