"What's with the stupid smile?" Joker asked as Kaidan sat down in his usual chair to the pilot's right. "It's been plastered across your face since yesterday."
"I'm just happy," Kaidan said with a hint of smugness. "Plus I'm looking forward to my next shore leave."
"Are you now?" Joker smirked. "It's not hard to imagine why. Is it possible you're looking forward to shore leave because you're going to be spending it with someone?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," Kaidan replied calmly, determined not to show Joker just how close he'd been to the truth.
"You're such a bad liar," Joker teased. "So, where will you and Shepard be going on your first date?"
"What makes you think she and I are going on a date?" Kaidan asked, a little flustered. "And for that matter, what makes you think we're together?"
"I know everything that happens on this ship," Joker said sagely as he crossed his arms and grinned. "Nothing escapes me."
"You were listening in on us yesterday!" Kaidan said indignantly with an appalled expression.
"I was bored and I needed something to do," Joker said innocently, smirking at Kaidan as his cheeks burned red.
"How much did you hear?" Kaidan asked suddenly realising that Shepard's secret, that she was going to retire, could be out.
"The Commander was talking about getting you some extended shore leave," Joker smirked as he sat back with his arms still folded. "It all sounded very romantic."
Kaidan sighed a sigh of relief as he slumped back in his chair. Shepard's secret was safe for now.
"Thank god," he muttered under his breath. "Did you, tell anyone what you heard?"
"Nope. It'll be our little secret," Joker promised. "As long as you keep me in the loop about what's happening with you guys."
"That's blackmail," Kaidan replied.
"Yup," Joker replied with a grin before turning his attention to a near-by control panel. "Sure is."
Kaidan narrowed his eyes at Joker for a moment before he heard footsteps approaching them and turned his head to see that it was Shepard, but something appeared to be wrong with her. She had fair skin, but this morning she looked terribly pale and even a little worried.
"Morning Lieutenants," Shepard said with a smile that Kaidan could tell was forced because her real smile was much more striking. "How are you both this morning?"
"Right as rain Commander," Joker replied, glancing over at Kaidan to see what his reaction was at him alluding to their earlier conversation.
"I'm fine. No signs of a migraine," Kaidan replied, throwing another of his 'shut the hell up' looks at Joker. "Are you alright ma'am?"
"I'm fine Lieutenant Alenko," Shepard said quietly. "Just overworked and suffering from a lack of sleep."
Kaidan could that was a lie. Something was wrong. Something had happened that had frightened Shepard.
"Ma'am, could I speak to you in private for a moment?" Kaidan asked.
"Of course Lieutenant," Shepard said with a small smile. "Same place as yesterday?"
oooooooooo
Kaidan and Shepard headed down to their spot in the cargo bay in silence. Part of Kaidan was wondering what had scared Shepard so badly. He always thought of her as having nerves of steel.
"So Lieutenant," Shepard said finally as she leaned back against the front of the Mako. "What can I help you with?"
"Actually, I wanted to talk about you," Kaidan admitted. "Is everything alright with you?"
"Everything's fine," Shepard said casually. "Like I said before, I'm suffering from a lack of . . ."
"I know what you said," Kaidan interrupted. "But you and I both know it was a lie. Something happened to you didn't it? You look terrible."
"A few days ago you would've died of embarrassment after saying that to me," Shepard teased. "If I didn't know any better Lieutenant, I'd say you were becoming comfortable around me."
"I'm serious," Kaidan replied. "If something's happened, you can tell me."
"Fine," Shepard sighed as she crossed her arms. "You're going to think it's stupid though."
"I promise I won't," Kaidan replied. "If it's got you this shaken up, I doubt it's stupid."
"I . . . I had a nightmare," Shepard mumbled. "It felt so real. The Normandy was attacked by this massive ship and destroyed. I was sucked out into space during the attack and then the oxygen lines in my suit snapped. My body just drifted until I passed out and then I woke up."
"No wonder that scared you," Kaidan smiled. "I think every marine has that same sort of dream at one time or another though, so I wouldn't worry about it too much."
"I've only had a nightmare that vivid once before," Shepard said quietly. "It was the night before the Blitz."
"You think the nightmare was a warning of some kind?" Kaidan asked seriously.
"Maybe, maybe not," Shepard said with a small laugh. "Like you said, everyone has that dream. I think dwelling on it is only getting me worked up anyway. I just need to put it out of my mind."
"Good idea. I don't think it's likely we'll run into any trouble in this cluster. It's pretty stable," Kaidan grinned. "Although, if things with Joker and Nihlus don't settle down, we could have a war aboard the ship."
"You think Nihlus would pick a fight with Joker?" Shepard asked with a hint of concern.
"No way. He's too disciplined for that," Kaidan laughed. "Joker on the other hand . . ."
"I'm sure our pilot would find a new use for his crutches," Shepard laughed. "So I guess it's safe to assume that Joker is still coming up with conspiracy theories?"
"I'll tell you what," Kaidan began. "If I have to listen to anymore of those stupid theories, I'm going to find a new use for Joker's crutches."
"So what were you guys talking about before?" Shepard asked with a small laugh. "You looked so flustered."
"Joker was . . . listening in on the last part of our conversation yesterday," Kaidan admitted. "He promised not to tell anyone what he heard as long as I kept him in the loop about us."
"I wondered why he was giving me that funny look," Shepard mused. "Wait, did he hear me talking about . . ."
"No," Kaidan answered quickly, causing Shepard to sigh with relief. "He tuned in about halfway through, so he missed that."
"Thank god," Shepard said quietly. "For a moment there I thought my secret might be out."
"Nope," Kaidan said happily. "It stays between you and me until you decide otherwise."
"I think Captain Anderson has a feeling something's going on," Shepard mused as she stretched out her arms and flexed her fingers. "He's been keeping a closer eye on me since yesterday."
"You think he'll support your decision?" Kaidan asked.
"I think he will," Shepard replied confidently. "Admiral Hackett is going to be a whole different story. I'm sure he'll try and change my mind."
"I find it hard to believe anyone could change your mind," Kaidan smirked.
"Are you calling me stubborn Lieutenant Alenko?" Shepard grinned as she raised an eyebrow at him.
"Never ma'am," Kaidan replied.
Just then, there was a soft crackling of the comm. coming online followed by Joker's voice.
"Bridge to Commander Shepard."
"What is it Joker?" Shepard asked.
"We're heading to Edan Prime to test out the Stealth Systems," said Joker. "So Captain Anderson wants to see you in the comm. room."
"Thanks Joker," Shepard replied. "Tell him I'll be there in a minute."
"Will do," said Joker. "Oh and Kaidan, I need you up her in the co-pilot's chair."
"Duty calls," Shepard sighed as she pushed herself away from the Mako.
"Edan Prime seems like an odd choice for testing grounds," Kaidan said with a frown.
"Don't you start," Shepard warned him with a grin as they headed over to the elevator. "Joker had the conspiracy theories covered. "The stealth systems were the last thing on the list to test so we have shore leave to look forward to once the test are finished."
"So your days as Commander Shepard are numbered," Kaidan said quietly. "How does it feel knowing you'll soon be a civilian?"
"It feels good," Shepard said with a genuine smile. "Let's just hope our trip to Edan Prime goes smoothly."
