Thanks for being loyal readers. I'm sorry for the shortness if this chapter in advance. I am trying to get some real action into this fluffy piece of work somehow xD
Reviews are awesome, because I like to know what you want to to put in this story ^_^
Sadly, BioWare ows all, I just like to play with their toys.
"So how does it feel, Captain?" Donnelly asked in his thick irish accent as he pat her on the back and grinned. Shepard's mind was trying to get a good grasp on what had just happened. She was grinning like an idiot, much like the first time she and Kaidan almost kissed back on the SR-1. Only when Kaidan approached her did she snap out of her thought. She jumped into his arms and smiled.
"I told you Anderson and Hackett would find a way, Shepard." He said lightly, smoothing her wispy hair. Inwardly, he was happy for Shepard to be reenlisted, knowing that it would solve a lot of his inner turmoil. He also felt that it might add some being that they were once again in the same position as before: Duty before love. Kaidan admired that she had such a strong drive to be a soldier first, but he also knew that if it came down to life or death, he would not lose her again. He would fight with this indefinitely.
"Alenko?" Shepard asked, puzzled at his facial expression as he was deep in thought. She could tell something was wrong with him by his tightening grip on her waist. "Alenko, snap out of it soldier." She said snapping her fingers in his face. He quickly shook off the thought and looked at Shepard. "Sorry, just thinking about something." He muttered sheepishly, releasing his hold on her so that she could move freely about the CIC.
Shepard chose to take note of his behavior and make a point to discuss it at a later date. For now, she had things to do, and people to chat with. She nodded to Kaidan before proceeding to mix herself within her crew, shaking hands and smiling. Tali approached her and hugged her tighly, "Now you really are my captain!" She exclaimed brightly. Shepard put a hand on Tali's shoulder. "Tali, it's only because of you and the rest of my crew that I am even alive to accept the promotion, my friend." She smiled heartily to the quarian. Even through her helmet, Shepard could make note of a proud expression on the quarian woman's face. She had been very lucky thus far in finding only the most loyal to call her friends and crewmates. She looked at her omni-tool and decided to let her crew have the last couple of days as an extended shore leave as the repairs on the Normandy were complete and paperwork finalized.
"Excuse me everyone." Shepard commanded loudly, as the room quickly quieted. "We have about three days until we are fully cleared to leave what with the repairs finishing up and paperwork being finalized." She said, turning her head to face her entire crew in whole. "Now, Commaner Alenko has a few announcements for you all." She said, motioning for Kaidan to take a stand. He wearily obliged.
"Everyone, as members of the alliance, you will all be required to wear the standard uniform, as well as some form of armor into any conflict you take part in." He said sternly, eyeing Jack and Miranda in particular. Both women acted as if they were about to say something, but quickly thought better of it catching the Commander's stern look. "As per alliance regulations, there is to be no fraternization among crew mates." Sniggers erupted within the group as Kaidan's face blushed a deep crimson. He cleared his throat. "However, due to Captain Shepard's er, informal view of you, I am willing to overlook such things as long as it does not interfere with your duties." He said, remembering a conversation he held with Shepard aboard the SR-1. The entire room erupted into giggles. "Like you and the Captain will do such." A snarky Joker scoffed, eyeing Alenko directly. Kaidan glared at Joker, "As a matter of fact, Joker." He said threateningly as he walked over to the helmsman. "We're getting married before we leave, and I'd like you to be my best man." He said, his demeanor changing instantly to that of a friend, not a commander. Joker's flinch instantly became a goofy grin.
"Wait, does Shepard even know about this?" He asked incredulously, looking for the redhead through the crowd. "Apparently I do now." She said, walking up to Joker, smiling genuinely. "I will need a couple of bridesmaids, and a maid of honor." She said grabbing Tali's hand and dubbing her the maid of honor. "Miranda?" Shepard asked, eyeing the woman hopefully.
Miranda looked Shepard over carefully. "Oh please, Shepard. You bloody well know I would be honored." She smiled a heartfelt smile that shocked the crew. 'So, the ice queen was capable of feeling, who knew?' Joker thought carefully, looking to Miranda.
"So it's settled. A quick ceremony before we take off this week." Shepard said, her pearl white teeth gleaming under the light in the CIC. Shepard felt a twinge of guilt as she made her way to her private terminal. She inwardly wondered what gave her cause to seek out happiness of this level when they were about to be immersed in a full-scale galactic war. Her fingers practically flew to her holopad as she looked up various shops on the Citadel. She quickly compiled a quick list of places she would need to visit today, as well as people she would have to quickly invite.
Kaidan felt a knot deep in his stomach. Shepard actually agreed to be joined with him in every way possible, knowing they might as well kiss their careers goodbye when Alliance brass found out. Of course, they would probably be in attendance if the media got wind of such a union taking place. He knew he didn't want his career to end in a dishonorable discharge and courts martial, but the thought of the Reapers ending all sentient life in the galaxy before Kiadan had a chance to give Shepard a proper love didn't sit well in his gut. So he would marry her, but he wasn't looking forward to telling his mother. Kaidan swallowed hard as he began to compose a letter and invitation to his mother, including all the details he possibly could disclose before reluctantly hitting the send key. He would await her reply nervously, but he knew conversations with Joker and Garrus were in order.
"Separd, I can't believe how gorgeous you look." Miranda commented as she filled out the train behind Dawn's wedding gown. She looked positively aglow with delight. Dawn, on the other hand, scowled.
"I can't believe you talked me into this dress!" She hissed, feeling completely risqué with the strapless, lowcut gown. Each part of the fabric hugged her curvy figure before flowing out at her knees. She could not, would not, believe the beautiful woman in the mirror was indeed herself. Her hair was pinned neatly atop her head while ringlets curls framed her delicate face. Dark eyeliner enhanced the color of her piercing blue eyes; her lips finished off the look with a pale pink gloss. Dawn felt like a princess in her newly discovered attire. "Miranda, thank you for picking out my gown." She said warmly to the dark haired vixen dressed in a snugly fitted navy blue dress.
"Any time, Shepard. Now, let's get Councilor Anderson in here. It's time you went down that isle." Miranda smiled, as Tali placed an affectionate hand on Dawn's arm, leading her toward the door. Anderson stood in the doorway, handsomely dressed in sharply pressed Alliance Class A dress. "You look beautiful, Dawn." He said, kissing her lightly on the cheek. Shepard was a bit taken aback, Anderson only used her first name on very rare occasions. She was touched that he even asked to walk her down the aisle, confiding that he saw her as the daughter he never had. She smiled to Anderson, thankful to have him as a father-figure. "Well, I am as ready as I will ever be." She said, placing her arm through Andersons as the two stepped through the door, toward her short future.
Kaidan fumbled with the bottom of his Class A jacket nervously. He had never been one for formal ceremonies, yet here he was marrying the woman he deeply loved, breaking all the rules to do so. He turned his head slowly as music began to play throughout the room. The small crowd turned their heads, as Anderson led a beautiful woman down the aisle toward him. His breath caught as he took in her beauty, allowing it to form a picture in his mind. She was his forever, however short that "forever" might be. As she reached him, her eyes sparkled with tears, emotions mirroring his own. Any doubts as to whether the two were doing the right thing fled from his mind instantly as they began to recite their vows.
As Kiadan kissed Dawn, he recalled his previous statement two years ago as he stood before her in her quarters on the SR-1 "you make me feel human" he had told her right before he kissed her for the first time. The feelings he had for her filled him as no other feeling ever could. She was eternally his, no long Commander Shepard, but Captain Dawn Alenko. He smiled as he held her hand, walking together as one through the doors she had recently escorted through. They had time for a small celebration before coming to terms with what they had just taken part in.
"It's going to take a lot of adjusting." Joker mused as he looked to Dawn. "I can't call you Commander or Shepard anymore." He said, somewhat sadly. "And dammit, I have two Alenko's to deal with now." He joked, slapping his hand down on Kaidan's shoulder. The party had just begun as far as Joker was concerned, he was going to live up this night because he might not live to see another.
After revising paperwork, rectifying name changes upon official Alliance documents, and hastily explaining their actions to Hackett and Anderson, both of whom seemed mildly amused at the pair, the SSV Normandy SR-2 was cleared for takeoff, officially as an Alliance vessel once more. Tomorrow, the screw would set out with one goal in mind: Unite as many colonies and planets as possible, and spread the word no matter how much fear it caused. It was up to the small crew to unite an entire galaxy, but if it could be done Dawn Shepard-Alenko could do it.
{{NOTE: Next chapter will not be very fluffy, I need a bit of a break from fluff. I promise to add some, but it will not be the main point within}}