Set during ME1.

Kaidan walked toward the elevator in the Normandy SR-1, intent on the datapad in his hand. He was passing the closet-sized bathroom when he heard a faint gagging sound from within and a muttered curse.

He knew he should just keep walking, but he was trained in first aid and if there was something… He tapped on the door, stomach churning. "Uh, Commander?"

He heard a splash of water and a cough before Shepard finally replied. "Door's open."

Kaidan pressed the release and stood in the doorway of the cramped space, noticing the ashy tinge to the commander's normally healthy skin, the faint perspiration on her upper lip, and the faint odor of sour vomit in the air.

"Something on your mind, Lieutenant?" she asked in a hollow echo of her brisk voice.

"Sorry for intruding, Commander," he said cautiously, "I, uh, was just walking by and heard—I mean wondered if you needed… anything?"

Shepard sighed, dragging the back of her wrist across her clammy forehead, seeming to debate whether to tell him something or not. "Alenko, do you have any experience with asari?"

Kaidan took the change in topic in stride. "Not much, ma'am. Worked once with a commando unit on a mission when I was still a private, but they dealt with our senior officer. Never really met any up close—aside from waitresses and the like—until Dr. T'Soni came aboard." He paused. "May I ask why, Commander?"

"Worms. In my head." Shepard shuddered. "That's what it felt like."

"You mean when Dr. T'Soni…"

"Melded with me, just now in the briefing room." She squeezed her eyes shut. "It took every ounce of training I possess to not vomit in her face."

Kaidan intruded further into the cramped space, concerned. "I've never had the experience myself," he admitted, "but from what buddies in my previous unit said, the, uh, encounter is supposed to be pleasant."

Shepard pressed her lips together, suppressing another shudder.

"Commander, may I?"

She looked up, questioning, then held absolutely still as Kaidan tipped her chin up with the lightest of touches and keyed his omni-tool to its first aid setting. He ran the device over Shepard's head, noticing the dilation of pupils that watched his every move.

Feeling slightly warm, and not just from the vent blowing over their heads, Kaidan shut down his tool. "It doesn't look like anything's obviously wrong, but you may want to talk to Dr. Chakwas. She'll know more about the interaction of alien and human physiology and her scanner could detect any abnormalities that my omni-tool isn't equipped to catch. You should also sip on a nutrient drink from the mess. It should help settle your stomach."

"Speaking from experience, Lieutenant?"

Kaidan tried to smile, but it felt more like a grimace. "Migraines, ma'am. I'm lucky if pain and flashing lights are all that happen while they hit me."

Shepard nodded. "I understand." She rubbed her temples, wincing. "I rather feel like one's coming on myself." She glanced up at Kaidan. "This goes without saying, but please don't say anything about my… reaction. T'Soni seems like a nice enough kid: I don't want to hurt her feelings."

"Of course, ma'am."

He was entering log data into his work station later when Dr. T'Soni and Dr. Chakwas emerged from the medical bay. Some of their conversation drifted over to them.

"…appreciate your help, Dr. Chakwas. I feel much better with a good meal in me."

"It was nothing. Be sure to check in with the Commander when you get a chance."

"Oh! I will. I think… I think we connected on a deep level earlier, Doctor. There was something on her face … but I am so unfamiliar with humans; the expression could have meant anything."

Yeah, thought Kaidan, slightly amused, like, "I'm trying not to throw up on you."

A/N: Prompted by some discussion on the ME LJ community after the "interactive comic" was revealed and the ensuing discussion about whether every Shepard experienced an asari mind meld as "pleasant."