I jumped and pulled my knees to my chest. "I just.."
"NO answer the damn question," she was furious; her face was red. "NOW!"
Tears sprung to my eyes. I wasn't used to being yelled at like this and quite frankly Shepard was scary.
"Shepard..." Kaiden had put a hand on Shepard's shoulder. She turned on him and returned to the cabin still fuming. Kaiden sighed and held out his hand to help me up.
"Thanks." I said as I took his hand and grabbed the crutches to stand up. I leaned up against the wall and wiped the tears off my face.
"You alright? Sorry about Lila, she's just going through some stuff." His face turned sad but the expression was gone as soon as it came.
"I'm fine. I'll just..." I moved towards the elevator and the clicking noises began to thoroughly annoy me.
"Wait," I turned and Shepard was standing in the doorway. "Why don't you come in?" I paused and thought about it for a moment. I stared at her and she didn't flinch. I looked at Kaiden and his brows were creased looking at Shepard.
"Fine." My crutches clicked as I made my way through the door. The room was spotless; the bed neatly made at the bottom of a small set of steps. The fish tank glowed and I clicked closer. "WHOA!" There were a lot of fish in the tank. Most of them exotic which just made the tank that much cooler. Kaiden put a hand on my shoulder and I turned to look at him. He gestured to the couch below the steps. He helped me hobble down the steps and I plopped myself onto the couch.
"I hate these things." I mutter to myself as I leaned the crutches against the couch.
"I know how you feel; I had to use those for months. Well not those specifically but a newer model." Shepard didn't look at me and she sat in the farthest spot away from me. Her head was leaned against her palm with her elbow sitting on the side table. Kaiden stood from the stairs awkwardly with his arms crossed. His expression showed confusion and worry as he was staring at Shepard.
"So..." I said awkwardly.
"Why were you listening at the door?" I blinked a couple times at Shepard. She hadn't moved at all and didn't show any signs of being angry. I remained silent and looked down into my lap fiddling with the fringe of my tattered uniform. I just realized that I hadn't changed since the kidnapping.
When I didn't answer, she stared at me waiting. Her look was anxious but in no way threatening. What had happened in those few seconds from when she had stormed off to now? Dramatic mood swings for sure.
"I wanted to talk with you...but I planned on exploring a little more but I guess it can't wait now." I didn't look at her.
"What did you want to talk about?" She uncrossed her legs and leaned forward on them.
"Well I..." All of a sudden the door to the cabin opened and Miranda walked in.
"I'm sorry to intrude Shepard but I believe Deana needs to come with me." Miranda stood at the top of the stairs with her arms crossed.
"But I..." I looked between the adults and every one was silent. Kaiden still had the worried expression on his face and Shepard just looked at Miranda. Miranda was looking at me and when our eyes met I could see the worry in her eyes.
"If you say so Lawson, she's your responsibility." Shepard's face had become a mask. I could tell she wasn't happy with Miranda.
"Come on, Deana." Miranda came over and handed me the crutches. I reluctantly got up and hobbled my way over to the door.
" I guess I will see you later then?" My voice hinted the hope I was feeling.
Kaiden picked his head up from the hanging position it had just been in. "Yea we will see you later Deana." And he smiled at me.
Shepard added, " It's a ship...of course we'll be seeing you around. We're not hermits."
I smiled back at them and Miranda followed me out.