A/N Sooo... I finally finished my dissertation YAY! So hopefully I'll have more time to write better chapters and we can go back to regular updates, good times all round!

I apologise if this isn't great btw, I've been busy but it will get better soon I promise.

Thanks yo-sirrah as always

Bioware owns all.

Chapter Twenty - Arguments

Over the course of the week Keira and Kaidan developed a happy little routine. They spent the days bringing the Normandy back up to speed, dinner while chatting with the crew, and the evenings curled up together in her cabin. Keira wonders when she last felt this happy. She knows it won't last, knows that he has to leave soon, knows that the Reapers are coming but right now she's not thinking about any of that, content to merely enjoy the moments she spends relaxed in the company of her crew, her friends, and her lover. All the people she loves in one place, with just enough spare time to actually be able to enjoy it.

One evening in particular finds Kaidan and Keira in her cabin arguing.

"We're watching The Great Escape."

"We're watching Star Wars."

"No we're not."

"Yes we are."

"No."

"Yes."

"No!" Keira insists, laughing, "You just want to watch Star Wars because of that princess Leeha chick, and because it's all technical and geeky," she accuses, grinning at him sat next to her on the sofa.

"Okay, first of all, its princess Leia and second of all, it has nothing to do with her since she's not a patch on you and thirdly it's an amazing film." Keira smiles, loving the fact they have the time to have a completely useless argument about normal little things like this.

Bored with watching random extranet vids, they'd decided to have a proper old-fashioned movie night complete with old movies, just the two of them. The problem was that there were a lot of old movies but, after much discussion, they'd finally narrowed it down to these last two and neither was budging. They were sat on the sofa side by side, rejected disks scattered around them, her clutching The Great Escape and him clutching Star Wars. Neither of them really cared which they ended up watching but they had both had too few opportunities in the past to argue like contrary children over nothing.

"Well however good it is, this," she replies holding up her disk, "is a million times better." Kaidan stares her in shock.

"Wait, you haven't even seen Star Wars?" he asks incredulously and Keira has to fight the urge to laugh at Kaidan's completely shocked expression.

"Well I'm sorry if I was too busy saving the galaxy to sit and watch Star Wars with you." she laughs.

"Well that's decided then," He says after a moment, "We're definitely watching Star Wars." and before she can protest he leaps up heading towards the terminal.

"Oh no you don't Alenko," Keira calls sticking out her legs as he passes, causing him to stumble and land sprawled on the corner side of the sofa. Keira leaps up pinning his shoulders to the back of the sofa and quickly straddling him, "now," she begins attempting to be serious, "we are going to watch The Great Escape and you are going to behave yourself or I may have to punish you a little bit." Kaidan groans as her voice drops to that sexy purr that always drove him insane, her body pinning his to the seat.

"You're going to punish me for simply disagreeing with you Commander?" he rasps, loving the way she bites her lip when the sound of his voice becomes dark and husky like that.

"You bet I am," she replies, "and it could take a long... long...long time." she adds punctuating her words with kisses on his cheek, nose and lips.

"Hmm," he mumbles, snaking his arms around her hips, "but then we might not get to actually watch the movie."

"True," she replies, "but I think this is more important."

"I agree." he murmurs and she lowers her mouth to his, kissing him gently. He groans as she slides her tongue into his mouth to dance with his.

"See," she says pulling back, "you're learning already Alenko. Never argue with Commander Shepard."

"I don't know Keira," he growls back, "I think I still need a little instruction."

"That sounds like arguing to me, Alenko." she states smiling wickedly.

"That may be because I am arguing, Shepard."

"You just don't know when to quit do you?"

"Nope." he replies. She grins and leans forward to kiss him again

"Hey...uh...Commander?" Jokers voice comes over the comm. And Keira freezes, her lips tantalizingly close to his.

"Just like old times." Kaidan mutters, and Keira laughs

"What is it Joker?" she calls.

"EDI just told me Liara's on the line. Says it's important."

Keira sighs, a little annoyed that the moment has been interrupted, but she shifts away from Kaidan and crosses the room to activate her terminal, "What can I do for you Liara?" she questions, rallying herself immediately, always ready to help.

"It's more a case of what I can do for you, Shepard," the Asari replies, "I hear your ship took a beating. I'd like to help." Shepard raises her eyebrows in mild surprise.

"Really?" she queries. "Well I won't deny we could use some help but you don't owe me anything Liara, you don't have to do this."

"Actually, I... do owe you Shepard, more than you realise." Liara replies and Shepard hears a distinct note of sadness behind her voice. There's a story behind her words somewhere and at some point Keira resolves to find out what it is, but now isn't the time.

"If you say so Liara, I'm just grateful for the help."

"Anytime Shepard. How soon can you be in Illium? I'll have some funds and parts ready for you."

"I'll plot a course right away." she replies.

"Very good Shepard," Liara says, her face brightening, "I'll see you soon." and with that Liara deactivates her terminal, vanishing from the screen.

"What was all that about?" Kaidan questions from his position on the sofa. Shepard shrugs and moves to sit beside him, settling herself in his arms.

"No idea," she replies "But I'm not about to pass up help from a friend."

"True," Kaidan says, wrapping his arms around her more securely, pulling her closer and settling her head against his shoulder, "So," he breathes in her ear, "Where were we?" he whispers and he feels her shudder against him at the sound of his voice. She smiles as she nuzzles his neck.

"You know, I can't seem to remember..." she mutters, running her tongue along his jaw line. He groans, and it doesn't take them too long to end up tangled in the bed sheets, the movie completely forgotten.