Chapter 7
05/11/2187 - Vancouver
- From: James Vega
To: Kaidan Alenko
Subject: RE: RE: RE: Shepard's awake
Hey, Charming!
Glad to know that Lola is getting better.
It's no surprise that she doesn't want to meet anyone, though. Who the hell knows what she been through that damned day in the Citadel…
But I'm sure she'll recover soon… How couldn't she? Her fuckin' Prince Charming is there, taking care of her! I bet she's shamefully happy now. Damn you, Alenko. You're a lucky man.
Goddamn. I'm stuck here on this deserted space station for my N training… Don't get me wrong, I am proud of becoming an elite soldier… I just need my trainer.
Anyways, I've heard from Scars that he and Sparks are still in Vancouver as well, trying to fix EDI's body after they found it shattered into pieces all over London. How's Joker doing?
I really need to ask for some shore leave; I miss my crazy teammates. But I think I'm going to wait until Lola gets in the mood to receive visits.
So, Charming, take advantage of this time with her because I'll be back soon.
Bye, cabrón!
James -
Kaidan chuckles as he turns off his omni-tool, sitting near Shepard's bed.
"What's funny?" she asks, curious.
"Just Vega… He sends you his greetings."
She gives him a mischievous gaze. "Still calling you Charming?"
"Hell yeah…" he frowns, brushing his nape.
She smiles sweetly. "But he's right… You're caring and protective towards me… You're my Prince Charming, Kaidan."
He puffs, resigned. Seeing her giggling delighted means everything for him. Does she like thinking about him as her Prince Charming? So be it.
"So I should look for a white horse to ride when you exit this hospital, shouldn't I?"
The woman's face lightens up with excitement. "Oh, my God… Yes! It would be amazing."
"Anything for you, ma'am." Alenko states, leaning his head to kiss her lips lovingly.
It's been a week since she woke up from her coma and he still can barely believe she's there with him, alive. But he is fully aware that this is only the beginning.
Shepard is clearly traumatized by whatever happened at the Citadel and she doesn't want to talk about it. Not that he tried to make her talk – he just wants to be with her, reveling in her presence, losing himself in her gorgeous blue eyes, being cradled by her sensual voice calling his name and telling him how much she loves him and she needs him.
Yes, because since she came back from her unconscious state, the only thing that seems matter to Shepard is having Kaidan at her side. At first her reaction amazed him, she always hated showing weakness to anyone, so he was sure she'd push him away to keep him from seeing how fragile and unsure she is now.
On the contrary, she demands his presence like he is essential for her rehabilitation, and he melts down overwhelmed by her expression of pure bliss, her adoring eyes drinking at the sight of him, her sweet smile full of happiness. He knows she loves him, but she used to be more reserved and careful with her feelings than him. Seeing her now showing unashamedly her need for him and asking him to take care of her, leaves him breathless every time.
Shepard is probably aware that they are finally free from the fear of loss and from the pain and the suffering of the war and they are finally able to enjoy every moment of their life together. But he understands there is more behind her behavior and even if he's longing to know what it is, he never questions her. She needs to take her time to recover from the shock and he is strongly determined to respect that, supporting her with all his love.
Therefore, he spends his days with her having carefree chats, watching movies, or simply cuddling her softly, caressing her hair, kissing her gently… Her body is still immobilized, even if Miranda already changed the settings of her implants to stimulate her muscles. And, when she's feeling discouraged, he cheers her up by telling embarrassing stories about his youth in Vancouver and he is awarded with her crystalline laughs.
Somehow Alenko is feeling like he's in paradise by her side and each kiss, each embrace, each moment they share together is a precious gift for him.
"Awww…" Shepard sighs when he moves away from her lips, "I really miss you…"
He looks at her surprised as he sits back on the chair. "But I'm here, baby."
She glances at him a little bothered. "Come on, you know what I mean…"
"No, ma'am, I don't."
She frowns at his teasing. "I miss EVERYTHING about you, Kaidan…"
He chuckles, "You naughty girl… you've just been revived a second time and you're already thinking about… such things?"
"Goddamn, of course I am. But you don't seem to feel the same for me…" She turns her head looking the other way.
Kaidan hastly stands up and with his right hand forces her to stare back at him. She pouts as their eyes meet and he can't help thinking how beautiful she is even when she's upset.
"You have no idea how badly I want you every moment of my day, Sharilin… I'm just so damn grateful to have you back that anything else can wait."
Shepard groans, delighted by his nearness and feeling his hot breath on her face giving her goose bumps. She closes her eyes subconsciously and Kaidan joins their lips in another sweet and deep kiss.
"I really feel alive only when you hold me in your arms and we become one," she murmurs, "But now I can't even feel most of my fucking rebuilt body."
He brushes her hair, never taking his eyes off of her. "Baby, you have to be patient."
"Yeah, I know… but…"
With the husky warm tone that he knows drives her crazy, he whispers in her ear, "When you'll finally recover at 100% I swear I will make love to you so many times and so passionately that you'll feel more than alive. You'll be perfectly aware of each single muscle of your body, which will quiver from the strain. So rest as much as possible now, baby, because then I will not let you relax for a very long time…"
His words make her breath quicken and her heart beat wildly. "Can't wait for that moment…"
"I can't wait either, my love," he grins, "But now it's time to rest."
He takes the stretcher he's using to sleep during the night and he positions it near her bed as he always does.
The fact that the Commander is so weak and exposed is not the only thing that concerns him. As much as she insists on having him by her side, she refuses to meet anyone else, even her best friends Tali and Garrus. Just Chakwas and Lawson are allowed to enter her room and she appears visibly upset at their presence.
He knows exactly why she acts like that. The strange anomaly continues to manifest itself, making Shepard wail in foreign languages with unknown voices. Kaidan is the only one able to interrupt her, calming her down and helping her to retake control of her own mind. That show is completely hideous and he knows she doesn't want anyone else witnessing it. Thankfully, day-by-day it is occurring less frequently and only when she falls asleep.
As soon as Alenko lies spread out at her side, Shepard inhales deeply. "I have to resolve the mess in my mind… I want to recover once and for all…" she asserts seriously and closes her eyes.
The man rests his head near hers, admiring her sleeping features, touching slightly her rosy cheeks, and her full lips. After a while the monitors resound louder warning him that the anomaly is going to start… but oddly she doesn't say a word, her face is relaxed and placid.
He stays awake all night long, the beeps of the machineries echoing during all that time as he watches over his lover, who's immobile and quiet. He's completely terrified. What's happening in her mind? What if she won't wake up again? No please, no…
When the sun appears through the window, its warm rays lighten the Commander's pale skin and her red hair, making her glow. Kaidan's breath is caught in his throat at such amazing sight. All of sudden, the monitors shut off and silence invades the room. Her lids open and her shiny sky-blue eyes stare at him.
"Baby, are you ok?" he questions her concerned.
She gives him a gorgeous smile. "Yes, I am. It's over now."
"Over? What… what do you mean?"
"I made it, Kaidan. I am finally free."
"KAIDAAAAAAAN!" Tali's running fast through the hallway. "Is she really…?"
"Yes, she is." He smiles to the quarian who has just arrived at the hospital along with Garrus. "And, what?"
"I don't know. Doctor Chakwas and Miss Lawson are checking up on her. But this morning I saw peace in her eyes for the very first time since she came back from the coma."
At his words, Tali jumps to hug him, thrilled. "Oh, Kelaah!"
Kaidan responds to her embrace, giving a sigh of relief. "One of the first things she asked me was to call the two of you. She misses you so much."
She releases her grip on him and squeals excited, glimpsing at Vakarian. "We missed her so bad too." The turian nods.
The door opens and Chakwas exits. "The Commander is waiting for you." She points to the two aliens and they rush inside the room. She turns her attention to Alenko who didn't move. "Aren't you going to join them?"
He smirks, "I don't have to be selfish, I had her for myself all these days. I think they need some time for themselves."
The doctor winks at him. "Anyways, she is all right. I can't affirm that the anomaly will not occur anymore, but she seems absolutely sure it won't. We have to trust her words."
"I do."
"Me too. But did she finally tell you anything about the fight…?"
"Actually we're all here to listen to her story." Admiral Hackett appears at their side, together with the Asari Councilor and a young man wearing the Alliance outfit. "Is the Commander ready for us?"
"Yes, Admiral, she is. I just finished seeing her."
Alenko gives them the salute gesture. "Admiral, Councilor…"
"Major Alenko." Hackett imitates his motion and then he points to the soldier near him. "This is Specialist Kellerman. He is here to officially record the Commander's speech. He has been one of Anderson's right-hand men during the Resistance, he's a reliable person."
The two exchange a fast nod, then Kaidan bows in front of Hackett and the Councilor. "I want to thank you personally for accepting Shepard's request for her statement to be recorded, so she won't be forced to repeat it in the future."
"At ease, Major Alenko. By chance I was already here in this town to visit our human allies and I speak in the name of the Council when I say it's our honor to do something for the Commander after what she did for the galaxy," the Asari explains, "We owe a lot to her, so if there's anything else we can do to help her, just let us know, please."
"Well, if I am allowed to speak… frankly, ask her all you need to know about what happened on the Citadel once and for all. She's still traumatized and probably she will be for the rest of her life. She needs to forget about the terrible things she's been through and to think about her future with positivity and optimism." The biotic's voice is full of affection and concern for his lover.
"Of course, Major." Hackett gently pats his shoulder. "Now, let's go."
