They hurtled onto the roof of the other elevator.
Things on the Citadel were majorly messed up, decided James.
Shepard had mentioned the Salarian councillor's concern over Udina, and with Bailey's confirmation that they'd been attacked from within as well, it pointed to some unpleasant truths.
James saw the strain on Shepard's face. She would be worried about her drell friend. She had obviously hesitated about leaving him injured, but she also knew the council were important in getting the races working together against the Reapers, so she'd kept going, leaving him with Liara and Edi. James hoped he'd pull through, for Shepard's sake. The drell, Thane, had been protecting the Salarian councillor who was able to show them proof of Udina's involvement with Cerberus, to kill the other councillors and take over the Citadel.
Bailey announced over the comm that the elevator containing the other councillors was coming up and they leapt across, only to have to dodge the bullets fired up from beneath. It seemed they weren't completely defenceless. Unfortunately, they were shooting at the good guys.
The elevator came to a stop and they could hear the inhabitants running out. Shepard led the way through the hatch into the elevator and they came through the doors at the end of the corridor to find the councillors being protected by Alenko.
James remembered Shepard telling him that the Major was now a Spectre. So he was the one shooting at them - somewhat ironic, he thought bitterly. He hit the door panel to lock the doors behind them, to prevent Cerberus from having an easy entrance, and they trained their guns on Udina.
Alenko was surprised, as he recognised her.
"Shepard, what's going on?!"
"Shepard's blocking our escape. She's with Cerberus." Udina was trying to shift suspicion onto Shepard.
"Just… hang on," said Kaidan, as he moved in front of Udina and raised his gun at Shepard.
What the hell?! James and Garrus immediately aimed at Alenko, while Shepard's gun hand shook a little at the shock of being threatened by him. The urge James had to finish the man off then for causing her pain, was overwhelming. Bastard.
"I've got this," Alenko spoke solemnly. "Everyone calm down."
Shepard lowered her gun but James sure as hell wasn't going to trust Alenko by doing the same, and Garrus didn't either.
"I can explain this, Kaidan."
"Come on, Shepard. Gun drawn on a councillor?" He shook his head sadly. "Kinda looks bad."
In response Shepard indicated to the two of them to lower their weapons too, and James reluctantly complied, but he was coiled, ready to spring into action if Alenko didn't grow a brain.
"We don't have time to negotiate. You've been fooled. All of you. Udina's behind this attack. The Salarian councillor confirmed it." Shepard rushed out the situation.
"Please," drawled Udina in contempt, "You have no proof. You never do."
Shepard was getting angry.
"There are Cerberus soldiers in the elevator shaft behind us. If you open that door, they'll kill you all!"
There was a pause. Udina glared at Shepard.
"We've mistrusted Shepard before, and it did not help us," spoke up the asari councillor.
"We don't have time to debate this," Udina quickly said, turning to a console. "We're dead if we stay out here. I'm over-riding the lock."
James was incensed that the Major still had his gun on Shepard, and as Udina moved she raised her gun to him, trying to move around Alenko to get a clear shot, but the Major kept moving in front of her. James trained his own gun back on Alenko.
"I better not regret this," Alenko said suddenly, as he turned to Udina.
Shepard's whole body relaxed as she lowered her gun.
"You won't," she assured him.
Alenko raised his gun at Udina.
"Step away from the console."
"To hell with this."
Udina continued pushing buttons, and they could hear the lock beginning to unravel.
The asari councillor walked over to stop Udina but he shoved her away and drew a gun on her.
"He's got a gun!" shouted Alenko, somewhat needlessly, thought James, then Alenko took the shot, bringing Udina down.
"Get the council back and cover that door," ordered Shepard as she walked towards the councillors.
"The door!" shouted the turian councilllor.
They turned to see the doors being cut open. Guns poised at the doors, they opened to reveal Bailey and his officers.
"Bailey!" exclaimed Shepard with a little confusion.
"Made it as fast as we could, Shepard. Looks like you, ah, took care of things," Bailey stated, looking at Udina's body.
"Something's not right," injected the asari councillor. "You said Cerberus was targeting us. Where did their soldiers go?"
"Cerberus was right here, but they beat feet into the keeper tunnels when they figured out we were coming. Sorry, councillor, I'll say it plain. Shepard just saved the lot of ya."
James pointedly looked over to Alenko, who was staring at the ground. Damn right you should be ashamed, pendejo.
The turian councillor moved to Shepard.
"Then you've saved my life twice now Shepard. I owe you both a personal debt and one on behalf Palaven."
"You don't owe me anything, councillor. At times like this, we all stand together."
There it was, thought James. Her help never came with conditions, unlike those who she needed help from.
James glared at the Major. If that wasn't enough to convince him then the man was a bigger a-hole than he thought.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Shepard had ordered them all to take a few hours shore leave while they refuelled and restocked, so he'd headed over to the holding bay where he'd heard about a decent poker game.
An hour in and he'd gotten up to stretch out his limbs when he'd spotted Cortez at the bay's memorial wall.
Oh man. This could only be a good sign. The guy was moving on. Except he was just frozen to the spot, staring at the recording of his husband's last words, in his hand.
James knew he needed a gentle push and moved forward, but he stopped when he saw Shepard join Cortez.
They talked, and then Cortez was walking towards the wall, placing the recording amongst the various pictures and mementos. He wasn't moving away though, and James watched Shepard close in and place a comforting hand on his shoulder. It was all Cortez needed and he turned to her, talking some more. Eventually she seemed satisfied to leave Cortez alone, and she spotted James staring. She smiled as she made her way over, but it was tinged with sadness.
"The drell?" he asked, fearing the answer.
She didn't need to say anything. It was written across her beautiful face.
"Ah, shit. Sorry Lola."
She just shrugged.
"At least I got to say goodbye. So what's the damage?"
"Huh?" James was lost.
She nodded in the direction of the poker table.
"What makes you think I was playing?" he crossed his arms, pretending to be offended.
She just crossed her own arms in response and gave him a knowing look.
He laughed.
"Okay. Okay. You know me."
He suddenly felt the need to check the time on his omni.
"Oh, looks like shore-leave is nearly over. Come on. Let's head back."
They walked to the elevator in silence.
She leaned against the back wall, her arms crossing again as the doors closed.
"Don't think I didn't notice you failed to answer my question," she said with a slight tug at the corner of her mouth.
James just sighed, his shoulders slumping.
"It was bad wasn't i-"
"-Yes," James interrupted bluntly.
Then she snickered, and so did he.
She stood straight to pat his shoulder in mocking support, then threaded her arm through his and rested her head tiredly against his shoulder. He liked that, and was able to briefly rest his own head on hers before the doors opened, and they moved out towards the Normandy's airlock.
"Damn batarians are hard to read. Must be all that extra skin," James moaned light-heartedly.
She was really laughing now, and it was like music to his ears. She had a great laugh. He escorted her to the Normandy's airlock, her arm still tucked through his. As the airlock opened they both froze, the laughter dying on her lips.
Alenko was standing inside, clearly waiting for Shepard, and his eyes immediately fixed on their interlocked arms. Shepard withdrew, and James glowered at the Major.
"I'll see you inside, Lola," and he carried on into the ship, cursing loudly - in his head.
James hadn't gone far, choosing to hang with Joker and Edi as they went through their pre-flight checks. His mind was stuck on Shepard and Alenko.
What did the man want? Obviously he was going to apologise, but would she accept? Of course she would, she was Shepard, forgiving to the last.
James' heart sank. Would Alenko try to rekindle their relationship? Of course he would, why wouldn't he? She was perfection. He hated the thought of it, then he hated himself. She deserved to be happy, and if she needed Alenko, if the Major made her happy, then he should support that.
No matter how much it hurt.
"Ah… there a reason you're breathing down my neck, Vega?" inquired Joker, with a little irritation.
James came back to reality to find himself resting his forearms on the back of the pilot's seat. He righted himself, and Joker turned to him expecting an answer.
"Alenko's talking with Shepard," he gestured, with his thumb over his shoulder, towards the airlock.
Joker's eyes widened, and he spun back to his console to bring up a screen, then he threw up his hands in frustration.
"Dammnit! You couldn't have said five minutes ago? It's over now," he groused at James.
The airlock opened and she walked through, her mind elsewhere, heading towards the cockpit, where Joker was now deftly flicking off the screen. When she looked up she seemed surprised to see James there, then recovered and looked past him to Joker.
"We're delaying for thirty minutes. Major Alenko will be rejoining us."
"Oh joy," murmured Joker, as James' jaw went slack.
Shepard glanced at James, then started heading for the CIC. James jump-started, following her, anger rising.
"Are you serious?! He pointed his gun at you! You really want someone like that at your back?! Someone questioning every move you make?!"
She swung round at him so suddenly, he nearly walked into her, and she had to raise her hands to his chest to stop him. His breathing was heavy as he looked down at her, and she swallowed and took a step back.
"I understand your concern, but Kai- Major Alenko has apologised, and he's offered us his assistance," she spoke calmly and quietly, and it made him madder.
"That's it?! An 'I'm sorry' and he's back?!" He knew he was pushing it.
"Lieutenant Vega! That's enough!" She was glowering at him.
Shit. She'd gone back to titles. What the hell was he doing? Hadn't he just been telling himself he would be happy for her? Except that was before he knew the Major would be right there under his nose, rubbing it in. Ugh! He inwardly slated himself for speaking before he engaged his brain again. This wasn't helping her.
"I'm sorry, Lola," he spoke to the ground in a murmur, then huffed to himself at the irony of what he'd just said. He felt her hand on his shoulder, forgiving him.
"Major Alenko is an outstanding soldier, not to mention a Spectre, and we need his skills, James. That's why I agreed to his request to rejoin us."
James believed her, of course he did, and he nodded.
Satisfied, she walked over to a terminal and he moved to the elevator.
Then he remembered something he'd meant to give her.
"Oh, hey, I nearly forgot."
He opened the side pocket on his trouser leg and carefully removed the item he'd appropriated before his poker game.
"Here. To replace the one left on Earth."
Shepard stared at the proffered blue flower. Identical to the last one, and knowing he knew the significance, it touched her far deeper. Her fingers closed round it.
"How…?"
"Sorry, no flower-selling lady, this time. As a matter of fact it's kinda stolen goods…. I pinched it from a garden on one of the wards. So, you know, don't go waving it around or anything unless you want to see your Lieutenant being led away by C-Sec officers for crimes against foliage."
She gave a bewildered laugh.
"Your secret's safe. Thank you, James."
He nodded and headed back to the elevator. As the doors closed, he let his head fall back against the wall.
….Seeing them together was going to be hard.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The last thing James had wanted was for the Major to come over to talk to him, but there he was.
James just nodded at him in acknowledgement and continued cleaning his shotgun.
"So…How are you finding it - serving under Commander Shepard?" asked Alenko.
"She's the best I've ever worked with. She's everything they say and more," he answered, shortly.
"Yeah. She's something, all right."
His tone was appraising, which actually struck a nerve. James really didn't like Alenko calling her 'something' either, especially given the Major's previous crap on Mars, but he reminded himself that it was just a phrase.
"You and her seem pretty close."
James almost laughed at Alenko's obvious fishing trip. Was the Major feeling threatened?
"Well, I was her personal bodyguard for the six months she was incarcerated. With no visitors allowed - outside of the Alliance - it meant other than Anderson and Hackett, I was the only friend she had to talk to."
He wasn't about to make out there was more between them than there was, no matter how much he wanted there to be, but James had made it clear that as Alliance, Alenko could have checked in with her, and he watched as the Major failed to conceal his shame and regret.
James didn't understand why Alenko had let her down. How could he ever believe that woman would willingly join Cerberus without a reason? How could he just leave her there on Earth, in arms reach, and not try to make some kind of contact with her? It was obvious the man was in love with her, despite his previous misplaced distrust.
"I'm glad you were there for her, Lieutenant. She needed a friend. Thanks."
James frowned at him.
"I did it for her. She deserved better. She still deserves better." He glared right at Alenko, wanting the man to get his double meaning. The man wasn't good enough for her.
Alenko cleared his throat.
"Yeah, you're right. Anyway, I should get back to work." Alenko raised a hand in farewell and left the cargo bay.
James had cleaned the barrel of his gun within an inch of it's life and he placed it back on the bench. He felt wound up, and dejected all at the same time, and he placed his hands on the bench and hung his head, going over the recent conversation. He needed to know what happened between them, but he couldn't ask Shepard.
Joker. He pushed off from the bench and headed for the cockpit.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Garrus was standing next to Joker's chair as they traded jokes. James figured both of them would be able to give him the answers he needed, so he didn't retreat.
"Hey, Vega. Come to see if you can outdo my jokes? Seeing as how you failed to win our battle of amazing deeds…" Garrus aimed at him, with a teasing challenge.
Any other time, James would have stepped up to that, but he had a focus.
"From what I've just heard, Joker's got that covered," James quipped, much to Joker's delight.
Garrus just gave him a light-hearted scowl in response.
"Look, I was wondering if you guys could help me understand something."
"Ah, 'something' has a pretty broad scope. Can you whittle it down a bit?" injected Joker in amusement.
Garrus caught the serious look on James' face.
"What's the problem, Vega?"
James paused, not sure how to broach it, then decided to speak bluntly.
"I want to know what happened between Shepard and Alenko… you know, before the Reapers, I mean."
He was met with silence as Joker and Garrus looked at each other, before turning back to him.
"They fell in love while we were hunting down Saren. Everyone could see it, but it took them a while to act on it - Alliance regulations apparently," Garrus shrugged.
"Yeah, but they came to their senses just before Ilos. Man, they were really happy. Took shore leave together, after we saved the Citadel. That was a good time!" Joker reminisced his own shore leave with a smile. "Brass only gave us a week though, bastards," he moaned.
"A month later the Normandy was attacked and Shepard went down with the ship," Garrus added, quietly. His head hung low at the memory, and Joker had turned his head away, completely silent now.
"Alenko didn't handle it well. He went completely off the rails…. Blamed himself for following her orders to evacuate everyone and leave the ship, while she…." he paused, a quick glance to Joker.
"You can say it," responded Joker sadly. "She stayed to get my sorry ass to leave the ship, because I refused to when Alenko told me."
James could see the guilt radiate from Joker, and he understood why the pilot was so protective of Shepard.
Garrus continued.
"He was broken for quite a while. Anderson pulled him up, got him working again. Which he threw himself into. It's the reason he's stormed up the ranks in the last, what - two…three years?" Garrus shook his head, unable to comprehend the stretch of time that had passed.
"Yeah, that's a time I never want to go back to," murmured Joker. "But Cerberus saved her, somehow. I mean, she must have been in a bad state. How she survived at all I'll never understand, and it took them two years to get her fully functional, not to mention billions of credits. But they did it!" he was grinning now, Garrus and James joining him.
"I'll never forget that moment on Omega when I was so sure I was living my last minutes, I was so exhausted. Then there she was, like out of a dream. A different team behind her, but it was her. Shepard. She pulled me out of there. Saved my life for sure." He shook his head in wonder.
"And Alenko?" prompted James, getting them back to his question.
"Horizon," stated Joker, a disgusted look on his face.
"Horizon," agreed Garrus. "The Illusive Man had informed Shepard that they knew which colony the Collectors were attacking next, and that Kaidan was stationed there for reasons unknown. Those of us who knew her, could see how frantic she was underneath the calm veneer. It was a hard fight, but we managed to get the colony's heavy missile turrets working and the collector ship left. We saved half the colony that day."
"And Kaidan was amongst them," added Joker.
"Uh huh. He emerged out of nowhere. Even though she had her back to me, I could tell she was relieved, happy, holding herself in check when all she really wanted to do was run to him." Garrus shook his head, sadly, as he paused.
"He was understandably shocked, confused. Then he got angry. Demanded she explain where she'd been for two years, why she left him thinking she was dead. She tried to tell him she was unconscious the whole time, that Cerberus had saved her, but as soon as he heard 'Cerberus' he wouldn't listen…..
He called her a traitor to the Alliance….accused her of betraying him. Then he turned his back on her and walked away."
James was raging inside at the thought of how much she would have been hurt by that man's rejection, and all because he couldn't see past Cerberus, just like on Mars.
"But you have to understand who Kaidan is," continued Garrus. "He's loyal to a fault, an Alliance soldier to the bone, and you have to admit it's a hard notion to wrap your head around - Shepard surviving being spaced, then turning up out of the blue after two years, with a terrorist organisation," he shook his head in wonder.
"Yeah, well, you had more reason not to believe she was really her," challenged Joker, to Garrus. "I mean, Cerberus is all 'humanity first', yet you still joined the most notorious anti-alien group to stand by her side."
"Well now, I couldn't take any chances, could I? I'd never forgive myself if I'd walked away from her and I'd found out she was telling the truth - which she was. Besides, her saving my hide from certain death told me all I needed to know. She was Shepard, all right."
"Kaidan broke her that day, on Horizon," said Joker sadly. "I mean she hid it, but we could tell." He indicated to Garrus and himself.
Garrus nodded solemnly.
"She was already struggling to understand what Cerberus had done to her, the strain of everything changing in a blink of her eye, but after Kaidan turned on her she lost her self-worth completely. She saw something unnatural when she looked in the mirror, a tool created to do a job."
James gritted his teeth, his fists clenched, and his heart hurt for her. He remembered what Kaidan had said on Mars when he'd compared her to the Cerberus trooper, then that Cerberus boss calling her a tool no longer needed. Bastards.
"It was like she was on auto-pilot," grimaced Joker. "Thanks to us, though, we brought her back!" he announced.
Garrus clapped his hand on the back of Joker's chair instead of on his shoulder.
"Damn straight! Despite her sadness, she still looked after her crew, garnered their respect, their loyalty, by going out of her way to sort out our problems, and one by one they all helped her believe in herself again. Of course, her oldest friends had the most impact," stated Garrus proudly.
James had already seen how Shepard had helped Cortez, knew how Steve would walk through hell for her. How he would himself.
"You know Kaidan sent her a message a short time after. Kind of apologising and kind of saying the same things again but in a nicer way," Joker said in a sarcastic manner. "Even told her he'd moved on, had someone else - bastard. Oh, but he did say it wasn't serious and that maybe, you know…basically left her hanging in relationship limbo. Creep," added Joker, bitterly.
"I didn't know about that," frowned Garrus.
"She never replied," smiled Joker.
"Good," Garrus approved. Clearly, the turian was just as disgusted with the Major despite his earlier attempt to explain Alenko's character.
"It's still there though, isn't it? I mean, she has her fire back, her fight, but deep down she's scarred,"
finished Joker.
"Think he can fix her? Mend things between them?" queried James, not really wanting to hear the answer.
"Kaidan? No way," Joker said bluntly.
James gave him a look of surprise at such a sure statement.
Garrus agreed.
"She's not the same around him, that's for sure. Could she be hiding it? Maybe. She has to be confused. You don't just shut off feelings, but he's tainted them for her."
"Maybe someone else can, though," Joker smirked at him, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
James was too lost in thought to respond, and slowly made his way out of the cockpit. Alenko was clearly trying to make amends, wanted to resume what they had, but would she want Alenko back after he treated her like that? James sighed. He had no idea. And he had no right to interfere in Shepard's relationship. He had to stand back and let her work it out, and be there for her, no matter what.