-o-O-o-
Chapter 25
Kaidan stood on the platform overlooking the galaxy map. It was easy to become absorbed in the beauty of the galaxy even in holographic form, and he stared at that familiar system which was home to the Citadel. Normandy was on the move at last, through necessity rather than anything else. Food and medical supplies were getting low with the strain of so many aboard, and the Shanti weren't the only ones whose lives had been disrupted by the machinations of Wraith.
Though Kaidan couldn't complain about the destination given who awaited them there, he wished it was by way of Shantou.
A few of its residents were meandering around the ship, but most were huddled together in the observation room, seeming to need the comfort of their proximity with one another, and they rarely ventured out in anything less than a small group. Kaidan wasn't sure if that was normal for them, or a sign of their trauma. He should ask Chakwas' opinion on it. And Terra's.
She was always with him now – a fresh, scented breeze filling him with her exquisite essence. Only sleep parted her from him, and then he would feel her absence keenly.
But not now. Now she was there… though not completely. Suspicious. Kaidan couldn't help the small smile. In the space of another day's cycle, Chakwas had been happy to take her off the oxygen and remove the IV, though she was still on a heavy concoction of meds. That of course meant Terra was no longer 'tied' to the bed, and Kaidan had predicted her flight was inevitable as soon as Chakwas turned her back. Terra...What are you up to?
The pause spoke volumes. Nothing.
She was teasing him. There was little she could hide from him now without pushing him out, and that would just tell him she was definitely up to something she shouldn't be.
Traynor handed him a datapad, and he looked it over while heading into the elevator. You're not in the medbay, are you?
She deliberately sent him a sensation that could only be defined as an exasperated sigh and an eye-roll. At least, that was the image his mind interpreted it into – along with the tug at the corner of her mouth and the mischievous sparkle in her eye.
I'm with Zaliesh and the other Shanti. I wanted to explain why we're unable to get them home straight away.
His head dropped a little at that. You didn't need to do that. It was on my agenda. He would be the first to admit he had been putting it off though, telling himself that if he waited a little longer, just maybe Liara would come through with something.
And now you don't have to. Stop blaming yourself. You did all you could, and they know that.
Kaidan shivered with pleasure then, at what he could only describe as her kissing his soul with the barest touch of her lips. How did you do that?
You felt it? From her surprise, it wasn't something she'd expected him to pick up on. I don't know. I just really wanted to. Interesting….
Her intrigue matched his own, but Kaidan restrained himself, fighting back the arousal she'd evoked and forcing himself to pay attention as he stepped out into the shuttle bay. Well, I'm about to check in with Cortez, but I expect you to be back in that bed by the time I'm done. And that's an order.
So alpha-male, she teased. Or should that be bossy?
Laughing as she retreated, Kaidan tapped his head when Cortez looked at him in question.
Steve grinned. "Well, either you're indicating you've gone crazy, or you're having a conversation with your wife."
"Who knows, maybe it's both," Kaidan joked.
"That's gotta be… just great," smiled Steve, a little wistfully. "That connection…."
"Yeah. I'm a lucky man, without a doubt." Just thinking about it warmed him, and the reality was more than he could have ever have imagined.
"After everything you've all been through, you deserve it."
"Thanks, Steve." Settling at a lean beside Cortez, Kaidan tried to re-focus on his task, only to groan with the dawning realisation that Terra had never actually acquiesced.
-o-
Shepard had been sat amongst the Shanti when Kaidan had come to the fore, struck by the number squeezed together in the space. Yet it was how they wanted it. Her concerns over their state of minds seemed, for the most part, to be unfounded. Those who were the most withdrawn – the ones who had been so beaten into submission they'd refused to leave with her and the others and had been rescued later by the ground team – were now surrounded by their kind, all touching in silent communication. Zaliesh had reassured her that they were healing as a family, and the strength they had as a community had astounded Shepard. The relationship between each and every one of them was like the one she shared with her own extended family. Who was she to question the power of their love for one another?
Then her father had called to see how she was, and she now stared back at his welcome face on her omnitool in disbelief as he updated her on more of what had been going on while she'd been detained.
"Seriously? Massani's taken back the Blue Suns?" Shepard was about to step out of the observation room, only to duck back quickly, biting her lip as even that small act felt like she had punished her body. Chakwas was standing right in the Mess talking to one of the crew, and her position made it likely she would be spotted. Shepard had things she needed to do before she was dragged back to that bed.
Her father carried on, oblivious. "Apparently, the crafty bastard decided to twist my request into a personal crusade, walked right into their HQ, took out Vosque, and simply let the underlings know he was in charge now."
"And they just accepted that?" Shepard couldn't believe Massani's antics still hadn't gotten him killed. The man remained someone she couldn't quite make her mind over. He cared for little but himself, and she'd refused to work with him. Then he'd been part of a plot that involved abducting Garrus and Rorie. That should have been the nail in his coffin as far as she was concerned, but it was his actions which had prevented Rorie from being taken off the Citadel in the hands of a brutal biotic-hating ex-marine. Massani had even won Rorie over with a damned signed poster of Blasto, which she still treasured.
"He dropped Aria's name. Made it sound like she'd known about Vosque's plans all along, and that he was there with her blessing."
She shook her head, following the logic. "Which Aria will overlook because it makes her appear more all-knowing and therefore powerful, and Zaeed benefits from seeming to be her trusted ally."
"Smart, huh? Predictably, no one within the Blue Suns was stupid enough to want to risk Aria coming down on them for denying Zaeed's leadership." Her father gave a fond chuckle that sat uneasily in Shepard, but she understood that he had an old bond with the mercenary. "He's in his element. I knew he'd find any excuse to avoid retirement."
Noticing Chakwas had now turned, embroiled in a conversation with Adams, Shepard nipped from the observation lounge and across to the elevator. "Massani better not think he's going to get any dispensation from me or the Alliance because of his association with you."
"I've warned him of that myself. I think his aim is to take the Blue Suns back in the direction he'd originally intended. Not that it means he'll stay on the right side of the law, but we should have less run-in's with them."
She bashed the elevator button impatiently, half-expecting Chakwas to show up to catch her just before the doors closed. It didn't happen, and she breathed. Got away with it a bit longer at least.
"What are you to?"
Shepard looked sheepishly back at her dad. She should have known he'd notice. "Avoiding Chakwas."
He laughed, hard.
"What? No stern words about following doctor's orders for the sake of my health?"
"You do look pale," he answered, seriously.
"I feel pale," she admitted. Everything within her felt constantly heavy and slow, her muscles finding it difficult just to hold her upright. Without Kaidan's solidness giving her some ethereal support, she'd probably be equally weighed down mentally.
"I don't want you to push yourself, but I have to say it's heartening to see you well enough to be up to your usual tricks."
"Funny." She stepped out on the CIC, giving a small wave to Traynor as she passed her on the way into the war-room.
"I have to go. I'll call again later. And good luck with the fall-out from Karin."
"Thanks," she responded, dryly. "Bye, dad." Signing off, her tired arm fell back to her side, but her feet somehow carried on to the QEC.
-o-O-o-
Wrex stood proudly in the Hollows, the other clan leaders gathered once more, with the exception of Thurak, who had the sense to keep his head low, and was no doubt desperately trying to keep his clan from leaving in droves. Clan Jorgal was close to disappearing into the sands – one more casualty of krogan ignorance and battle-lust.
As for Urdnot: they were growing in prestige and in numbers. Everything Wrex had maintained from the start had been proven true, and his voice had weight again.
Yet there was one voice that probably eclipsed his, and she wasn't even a krogan. There wasn't a sound in the Hollows as his brethren listened to Shepard. She was praising their restraint, and caution, even in face of attack, and Wrex could see her carefully chosen words reach every one of them.
This was an unexpected boon. She'd only called him to see how things were settling down on Tuchanka, and he'd mentioned the way he'd used her name to help them see sense and buy him time to get the evidence they needed to finally convince his hard-headed people. That's when she suggested that she should address them, and so prove that his assertions about her absence were true. Only Shepard would see the importance of that.
Her holographic form stood next to him. To those around them she looked strong and powerful, but Wrex knew her shoulders were hunched not braced, her eyes were strained not stern. She was suffering, and yet here she stood anyway. He was proud to call her sister. It was more than the krogan deserved.
-o-
"You've proven to the galaxy that the krogan are more than they believe you to be." Shepard paused, keen to get her announcement out, but wanting to ensure she had their attention. She'd spent many an hour whilst stuck in her bed, conversing with the Council to get their agreement on her vision, and in perfect timing she'd just this second had the nod from them.
"In recognition of this, I have put forward a request with the Council for a new multi-species task force to be assembled, and led by the Spectres. This elite force will be made up of the strongest, most skilled, and diplomatic from each race, and will work as the Spectres see fit, to ensure the continued safety of those within this galaxy. I'm pleased to say that the Council have agreed, and the krogan will be allowed to be a part of that."
She waited for the gruff noise of their surprise, approval, and celebration subsided. "It will require those selected to work closely with all races, and will therefore be an example of all we can achieve when we work together. Though it will take time to put it all in place, I'm sure you'd like the opportunity to begin considering the best, most amiable, and tolerant amongst you." There were rumbles of laughter at that. "I look forward to addressing you in the future for your prospective candidates. Thank you for your service. Shepard out."
Wrex switched her to his private omnitool, and she had to say she'd never quite seen that expression on his face before. "What you've' done…. It gives our arena's new purpose. You've given us purpose. To be sentinels."
"It was your idea, remember. I just helped make it a reality."
"You…." He gave up trying to find the right words with a loud exhale.
"Are you speechless, Urdnot Wrex!?" she ribbed him.
"Seems so," he chuckled. "Thank you, little sister."
Seeing Wrex struggling for words and composure, made her feel emotional too. "Just make sure your krogan are ready for a heavy dose of co-operation," she warned, lightly.
Wrex laughed that great rumbling laugh of his. "Now that's going to be a sight to see. Speak with you soon, Shepard."
His image fizzled out and Shepard turned away to see Kaidan leaning back against the central console, arms folded. That man was sexy personified, and she was automatically drawn across the room to him, letting him know exactly how he made her feel. When his brows quirked a little, she knew he'd gotten the message.
As she'd known they would be, his arms were ready to pull her to him, and she sank into his embrace.
"That was…something amazing I just witnessed," Kaidan said softly into her ear. That intimate tone worked its way through her, stirring things that wouldn't be quietened by a body that wasn't up to par.
"It just made sense to me, after Wraith's apparent ease at driving wedges between us all again, that there be something more than a single Council that represented our unity with a few disparate Spectres to keep it all in order. I just hope it works."
"With you driving it forward? It can't fail. I know for sure that you haven't left a single krogan on Tuchanka who'd want to let you down. You've handed them a challenge."
"It'll be a challenge for every race's chosen. They've all got to learn how to get on. For real."
"But we both know it can be done," smiled Kaidan. "They just have to look at Normandy's crew over the years to see that."
His hands smoothed over the fabric of her uniform, unintentionally trailing a skin-tingling path from her hips to her back. After her desperation to get out of the medbay gown and into normal clothing, she now wished it wasn't in the way. Equally unfortunately, he was so in-tune with her that he sensed his effect on her and quit with a quiet laugh, his hands raising up in surrender. "Sorry."
"You're seriously apologising?"
"It would be cruel to carry on. For you and me both."
Shepard realised she hadn't picked up on his desire. Her head felt as heavy as her limbs and it was getting in the way. Letting her head fall to his shoulder, she threaded her fingers through his, enjoying the way his thumbs ran soft circles over her palms.
Kaidan kissed her hair before he spoke into it. "You've done too much. Come on. I was meant to be the doc's messenger."
"Uh oh."
"Yeah. Let me see if I remember this right: 'get your butt back in that bed, or I'll have you surgically attached to it.'"
Shepard laughed at the non-threat. "She loves me."
"She does, so ease her concern and do as you're told."
"Ugh! Guilt trip!" scowled Shepard.
"I do what I must, Beautiful. Come on."
The truth was, Shepard was happy to give in this time, and reading that, Kaidan tucked her in close to his side, his arm supporting her in a way that wouldn't be obvious to the crew. She loved that consideration, and before they exited onto the CIC, Shepard had no choice but to kiss him.
He tasted of coffee and Kaidan, and she wanted more, but the growl from his stomach broke the moment. In protest, there was a soft rumble in Kaidan's throat when she pulled back.
"Have I mentioned how evil you are, Terra Shepard?"
"Not my fault you're you, Kaidan Alenko."
"Hm…. There's nothing I can respond to that with."
"I win," she grinned, ridiculously ecstatic with a simple kiss, while Kaidan laughed, regained his hold and tugged her with him through the doors.
"You know, I should be reprimanding you for working instead of resting. Getting permission from the Council for this new task-force took time."
"Not like I haven't had plenty of it. Besides, it gave me a distraction from the images in my head."
He hesitated then, a frown falling in place.
"Not from that," she reassured him. Sure it was there, but she was in a safe place, and with Kaidan there with her, nothing could hurt her right now. "I'm talking about the shocking literature Chakwas gave me to pass time with. 'Based' on all of us."
"Oh no." They were in the elevator now, but they waited for Joker who was heading towards them.
"Oh yes. And I read it."
"Dare I ask?"
"Somehow, Hackett's not really my father at all. It's actually Anderson, hence why he so readily gave up his command and ship, punched out a councillor and thereby placing his career at risk, and gave me his apartment."
"That does make a kind of sense," commented Joker, joining them in the cab. "Except for your pale skin. Something you want to share, Shepard?"
"Asari authors have very wild imaginations."
"Ah. And?"
"Asides from various one-night stands throughout the whole story with anyone who happens to sass me, I was embroiled in a torrid relationship with Nassana Dantius."
"The asari diplomat!?" choked out Kaidan, pressing the button to take them down.
"I killed her mercenary sister for her out of infatuation."
"So sweet," smirked Joker.
"Then I find out she was just using me for my 'Spectre powers'."
"The bitch."
"Right. But being Alliance I couldn't just go and get my revenge without being jailed, so I go rogue, fake my death and join Cerberus, with the agreement I'd lead their forces to take out the Bahak system."
Joker did a fantastic job of looking appalled. "Now who's the bitch? Shame on you."
"Free to do what I want, I hire an assassin to get rid of Dantius, because apparently I'm too busy to kill her myself."
"At least Thane killing Dantius is right."
"Then I fall for him in my gratitude, and he becomes my personal assassin, killing anyone I desire." The doors opened and Joker led the way out.
"Wow. Where does Kaidan come in?"
"During the Reaper wars, by which time I've been forced back into the Alliance in return for my freedom, he confesses he's always wanted me but I never saw him."
"Unrequited love," sighed Joker, and Shepard was enjoying watching Kaidan try to keep a straight face.
"So to prove how much he wants me, Kaidan kills off his love rival, Thane, and then Udina because he knows how much I hate the councillor, all during the Citadel coup."
Kaidan frowned. "Ew. And that worked for you?"
"I was instantly smitten."
Joker burst into laughter. "Who knew that the way to Shepard's heart was putting a bullet in someone?"
"There you are!"
Shepard halted in the unimpressed face of Chakwas.
"I'm not happy."
"Never mind that!" said Kaidan. "What the hell have you been reading!?"
Shepard saved Kaidan from the doc's withering glare. "I'm sorry. I needed to update Zaliesh-"
"Kaidan would have done that," stated the Doc.
"And then I thought I should speak to the krogan. Diplomatic relations is vital." It was a desperate comment that the seasoned doctor wasn't buying if her face was anything to go by, and to add injury, she could feel Kaidan's amusement before he could stifle it.
"Not working. Medbay. Now," ordered Chakwas.
Shepard looked towards the Mess where the crew were gathering for a meal, and she yearned to join them there. "But…" she trailed off, despondently.
Chakwas turned to follow her gaze, paused, then sighed. "Fine. You do need to eat, and I suppose it makes little difference where you are for that. But absolutely no loitering after."
The grin had a mind of its own as it demonstrated her happiness. "Karin, I love you."
"Of course you do: I'm giving in. It all changes when I stick to my guns."
"Come sit next to me, Doc!" cheered James. "I'll appreciate you whatever. You can tell me all about those guns!"
Chakwas shook her head at Vega's teasing, but seated herself next to him anyway.
Kaidan's hand slid to the small of Shepard's back, not that she needed the pressure to get her moving eagerly forward.
I always knew how much you loved this time with them.
She smiled at him, pleased she could share it with him. Feeling him pressed close to her back, she revelled in the close contact. Suddenly, her body didn't feel quite so tired.
Tingling heat instantly raced through her veins, and it was heightened by the reacting desire she could feel in him. Sex was going to be a whole new, spectacular experience…. A quick glance at him as they sat at the table confirmed his skin was flushed.
Wow, Terra… And I haven't even shot anyone for you yet.
That cracked her up, and having everyone staring at her, mystified, just made it all the funnier.
"Oh no," groaned Garrus. "You two are doing that mind-thing, aren't you? Do I want to know?"
"If it were me, I know what I'd be doing," smirked Jack, sending James a heated look. "I say go for it, Shepard."
"At the dinner-table!?" said Joker, horrified. "What is wrong with you people!?"
Kaidan buried his head in his hands with a moan, and though she felt his embarrassment, she also knew he felt her teasing amusement. She bit her lower lip to hold back her laughter. Forgive me?
He turned his head to her, his hands falling away, and a soft look on his face as he wrapped his fingers over hers. There's nothing to forgive. It's this depraved lot.
She grinned back.
"Okay, they're still doing it," complained Joker. "Subject change, before I puke in my food."
"So…" started Garrus, ever the one to bring order. "We're heading back. Feels strange."
"Especially with the Shanti still on board," agreed Cortez, as they began to tuck in. "Still, we have no choice."
"Where are they going to go?" asked James, in concern.
"The Council are providing a refuge for them," replied Kaidan. "They're to remain unknown to the general public, and only a carefully selected group will be allowed to interact with them."
"Damn…. Feels wrong for them to be there, though."
"I couldn't agree more," said Kaidan, and Shepard was right there with him in his disappointment that it was the best they could do for these poor people they both felt responsible for.
"Fucking Wraith," spat Jack. "Can't believe we can't find anything on him. Despite his alias, he's not a damn ghost."
"For all intents and purposes, he's as good at hiding as the Shanti are," lamented Kaidan.
Shepard picked at her food, her mood doused by reality. There was something she wasn't seeing, and it niggled at the back of her murky brain, taunting her with its presence.
"Could Wraith be some new species too?" wondered Adams.
"The communication stream is unusual," pondered Traynor, tapping her datapad to suggest she'd brought the mystifying data stream with her.
"May I see it?" Clay asked, and the Specialist passed it to him.
"Anything's possible," sighed out Shepard, hoping that wasn't the case. "Or a race we believe too primitive. Look at what the rachni can achieve. Not to mention the last Shadow Brok…" Her voice petered out as her heart leapt. Or was it Kaidan's? They were on the same wave-length in more ways than one.
He stared back at her intently. "Holy shit…. Chu'Tak."
-o-O-o-
A.N. In case anyone's forgotten, Chu'Tak is the yahg that escaped from Sur'Kesh in Resistance!