"Come on Vega move your ass." She muttered under her breath as she glanced over at the dour faced man watching the team's movements on the monitors. Admiral Derek Kazalov might have a reputation of being a hard ass but she knew he always treated the candidates fairly. As the head of the Interplanetary Combatives Academy she didn't know whether to attribute his presence here to a lack of training officers or to a specific need to speak with her. Up until now he hadn't seemed inclined to enlighten her either way. The news that the Alliance was going ahead with the N-School programs had taken her by surprise. The Academy facilities in Rio had been badly damaged and even though the Villa would be up and running again in a few months they had decided to set up a temporary training area in Vancouver. While she hadn't understood the urgency it had given Vega the chance to start his N7 course. He might not have gotten his wish to keep her as a training officer but he'd understood the need for there to be no appearance of favouritism amongst the candidates. So it had been unexpected when she'd received a request from the Academy to come in and evaluate the trainees. The training was already underway when she'd arrived and aside from appraising the group's performance she wasn't entirely sure why she had been asked to come.
Down below in the training simulator Vega was completing the objectives but slower than she would have expected from him. They'd been running the trainees through combat scenarios for almost 7 hours but it didn't seem like it was exhaustion weighing him down. Instead it looked as if he simply didn't have his head in the game which worried her considering these were merely the beginning sessions of the program. For the moment it seemed as if it had gone unnoticed by the Admiral but she knew James well enough to know that something was off.
Kazalov finally broke the silence. "Ahern spoke about you. Not long after you were on Pinnacle Station he told me that you were the best he'd ever seen."
"He was a good man."
"Yes he was but that's not why I asked you to come down here today Commander." He motioned to the monitors. "Your boy is doing pretty well down there but doesn't seem completely focussed on the objectives."
Shepard mentally winced. She should have known that it wouldn't escape Kozalov's sharp eyes. "Lieutenant Vega is a skilled soldier and was instrumental in helping me defeat the Reapers."
"Of that I have no doubt though the fact that you would vouch for him speaks highly of the man. Don't worry Commander I am not here in an attempt to sabotage his chances of completing the program – quite the opposite in fact."
"What do you mean?"
"Lieutenant Vega has the ability to become a top Special Forces operative but it seems as though he's letting something hold him back. I wondered whether you would know anything about that."
She frowned thoughtfully. "Can't say that I do Admiral."
"I have a theory if you'll humour me. I think it might be you Shepard." At her surprised look he elaborated. "He has been under your command for some time now and those experiences combined with his respect for you would make living up to your standard nigh on impossible."
"That isn't the point of the N7 program."
"You are quite correct however we each bring our history and experiences to the course. They shape us – how we fight, strategize, view the battlefield and ultimately make the hard choices. Lieutenant Vega sees you as a mentor, a friend and a role model much like Admiral Anderson was for you I believe?" At her nod he continued. "He values your opinion highly so I thought that perhaps you could help him refocus on the program. You've been through the training so you know that this is a cake walk compared to what he's going to face next. He has incredible potential but in order to make the most of it he needs to look beyond serving on the Normandy – beyond you."
Glancing down at the monitors she felt a momentary pang of regret at the reminder that everything was changing but she knew what she had to do. "When they've completed this scenario keep them on the range. I have an idea."
The team was breathing hard as the scenario ended with a couple of them collapsing to the ground to rest. Sweat beaded Vega's brow but he stood at ease holding his assault rifle loosely in his hand as he tried to work some of the kinks out of his neck. The sound of the doors to the simulation range opening drew his attention and his brow furrowed in surprised seeing a fully armoured unit march into the area with their weapons drawn. Even through her helmet's visor she could see the moment Vega's gaze fell on her familiar armour and awareness flooded his features. Without giving him a chance to question she raised her closed fist bringing the unit to a halt. Shocked looks and whispers passed between the candidates as they too recognized the iconic armour and realized who they were facing.
As Shepard and her unit raised their weapons Kozalov's voice came over the PA system. "Starting live fire exercise in 3….. 2…. 1."
"Prepare yourselves!" Her order rang out with unmistakable authority.
Understanding dawned on the trainee's faces and they scrambled to their feet, diving for cover as the instructors took aim. Vega seemed to freeze for a moment, his mouth doing an admirable impression of a gaping fish until she got his attention by taking out his shields with a well-placed shot. That galvanized him into action and she gave him a moment to retreat and start barking orders to his team before she began advancing with her unit. The objective was to force him to act and right now she'd pushed him onto the defensive. Candidates in the N7 program were told to expect anything, to be prepared for whatever situation was thrown at them and adapt. The sheer difficulty of what was asked of them was too much for most candidates but she knew Vega had it in him to succeed. He would be off-balance facing her and his confusion might lead to him making a mistake. A live fire exercise increased the risk that participants could get hurt and added the pressure on him to keep his team safe.
The men following her consisted of some of the program's top training officers who knew every inch of the simulator range. Moving forward with quiet precision they communicated using only hand signals to help keep the candidates unbalanced. They moved silently through the terrain, each a highly skilled veteran of more conflicts than any of them would want to remember. Realistically the odds that the candidates would successfully complete the scenario when faced with the combined experience of Shepard and the instructors were almost non-existent but that was not the point of this exercise. It was a hard lesson they couldn't afford to forget that real combat was merciless, cruel and unforgiving. Soldiers that allowed emotion to cloud their judgement were prone to act rashly and more often than not found themselves dead as a result. You were taught to trust your instincts and your fellow soldiers but that would not prepare you if the day came that your comrade became your enemy. Each candidate had been selected for their abilities and combat experience and as Shepard's team put pressure on them their training began to kick in. They started to counter, attempting a number of flanking manoeuvers only to have them turned back by the training officers. Some of the candidates were cocky, believing themselves supremely qualified to ace the program but the instructors didn't care a whit about that. The course was specifically designed to be gruelling and to push candidates to their breaking point. It was so extreme that very few ever successfully qualified for the coveted N7 ranking. These trainees would learn that the hard way.
Finally with a few sharp gestures Shepard's unit surrounded the students bringing an end to the scenario. Holstering her rifle Shepard reached up to remove her helmet, taking in the mutterings of frustration and annoyance the trainees shared. The sideways glances and looks of awe didn't go unnoticed either but she wasn't in the mood to entertain them. Instead she gave a nod to the lead training officer who promptly barked out orders for the candidates to double time it to the armoury before being debriefed. Frowning Vega looked ready to say something before shaking his head and turning to leave the simulator but she had gotten his attention. She'd give him a few moments to stew it over as she made her way up to one of the smaller briefing rooms. Dumping her helmet on the table she dragged off her gauntlets with a sense of relief. The armour was as familiar to her as her own skin but that didn't mean she was ready to suit up and go off planet to throw herself into the thick of battle again just yet.
Frustration was stamped across Vega's features when he finally stomped into the room. The other candidates had already swapped their armour for BDUs and left to get some much needed rest but at Shepard's request Vega had been told to come here instead so that she would have a chance to talk to him on his own. Shifting her weight onto her back foot Shepard crossed her arms over her chest and fixed him with an expectant look.
"Damn Commander you don't pull your punches do you?" He grumbled as he closed the door behind him.
"Tough day Vega?"
He sagged into one of the chairs tiredly. "Yeah you could say that. Wanna tell me what that was all about?"
"I caught your combat scenario earlier. It seemed like you needed the push."
He stiffened defensively. "Hey I've handled everything these guys have thrown at me so far."
"Come on James we both know your head wasn't in it. I know what you're capable of and that wasn't it."
"Well I can't say I was expecting my CO to show up and start firing at me."
She arched an eyebrow. "You're too good a soldier to let something like that throw you but it did so what's going on?"
James swore under his breath. "It's not what I expected you know?"
"You knew it was a big commitment." She reminded him gently as she moved to rest her hip on the edge of the table.
"I can handle that. It's just," Breaking off he shook his head. "I guess I don't really know what I was expecting after all this was over. All this training they're putting us through just seems so…. I don't know."
"Come on talk to me James."
"We've been through some serious shit but you got us through it – you got all of us through it." He finally blurted. "Nothing stopped you from doing what needed to be done. You didn't hesitate in making the hard choices. I don't know if I can do that."
"Those choices are never easy and you carry the consequences of those decisions with you every day. What matters is knowing that you did the best you could in the situation you were in."
"Yeah you're right. Maybe after facing down the Reapers this all just feels too ordinary."
Her lips twitched but she bit back the smile. "I think what we went through was enough to last us a lifetime. You're a good man and a hell of a soldier. "She held his gaze trying to convey her faith in him. "We've been through a hell of a lot worse than this and part of the program is to make you face the things that you fear, to force you to put it behind you and move on. There's no shame in failing the N7 course but you and I both know you've got what it takes. You've got this James."
"Thanks Shepard. I guess I won't be joining you on the Normandy when you go to Omega huh?"
"Not this time. Hackett wants to keep the Alliance presence to a minimum."
He frowned. "That means the Major isn't going either. So who's going to have your back?"
"I've got some people I can call on."
"Can't say I like the sound of that Commander."
"It'll be fine. You just worry about finishing the program and getting that N7 accreditation." She gave him a reassuring look only to realize he'd stopped listening to her, his gaze locked on her hands.
"Holy shit Lola is that what I think it is?" His eyes were round with surprise as he stared at the ring on her finger. "The Major actually proposed?"
Suddenly self-conscious she caught herself before she started grinning like an idiot. "Yes he did."
"He's got bigger cojones than I thought." Vega shook his head in amazement. "You know I never figured you for the marrying kind Shepard but I'm happy for you." At her sudden perplexed look he gave an uncomfortable shrug. "I'm just saying. Your priority was always the mission and getting the job done but you were just waiting for the right guy huh? I guess the Major will be a good enough distraction until you find him." He teased, laughing as she punched his arm lightly.
"Alright laugh it up Vega but I should go. Are you going to be alright?"
"Have a little faith Lola!" He gave her an unrepentant grin. "Besides this way you know exactly where to find me if you ever want to dance with a real man."
"Uh huh and that real man is all talk." She retorted as she stood to leave.
Sobering quickly he stood and saluted. For all his jokes she knew how much this opportunity meant and that he appreciated her support. "I'll make you proud Commander."
It was a little after midday when Kaidan finished his session with the new group of candidates hoping to join Biotics Division. The training facility was strangely quiet though that could be put down to the Academy taking over the majority of the building for their N programs. As he walked past one of the supposedly empty training rooms he found the door slightly ajar. To his surprise Miranda stood in the centre of the room wreathed in blue as she used her biotics to slam a target against the wall. He'd had very little contact with her even though she and Shepard were clearly close but she'd never struck him as the type of person to have the patience to be an instructor. It took him a moment to realize that she was training herself and her presence there suddenly made complete sense. After his near death experience on Mars it had taken him a while to find his balance again and for his biotics to settle down. He could only imagine that the same was true for Miranda but the way she was using her powers made it seem as if she were venting her frustration rather than simply training. She didn't acknowledge him as he stepped into the room but continued to lift and throw the targets across the room. Suddenly in a burst of anger she lost control and one of the targets came hurtling towards him. A flare of his biotics sent it sailing harmlessly to the side. Embarrassment flickered across her features as it clattered to the ground but it faded in the heat of her anger.
"Are you ok?"
Her gaze shuttered and her chin lifted proudly. "I'm fine."
Prickly woman. He thought to himself wondering once again how she and Shepard had become such good friends. "If you say so but you were throwing those targets around with the kind of control I expect to see from a rookie. Now since Shepard has told me in great detail what a talented biotic you are that makes me think there's something wrong." At Shepard's name Miranda's hissed out a breath of frustration. "Did something happen between you and Shepard?"
"No." She snapped out before her eyes narrowed on him, her expression turning thoughtful. "She hasn't told you has she?"
"Told me what?"
Miranda threw up her hands with a bitter laugh talking half to herself. "Bloody woman still thinks she can take on everything on her own."
Worry was beginning to creep into his mind and his tone was much sharper when he spoke. "What are you talking about?"
"I should be on the Normandy when she heads out to Omega."
"Why now? You've just gotten out of hospital."
Miranda shot him a dirty look. "She's going after Cerberus." Nonplussed he gave her a confused look until she sighed in exasperation. "At the moment Cerberus is blockading Omega but Petrovsky isn't stupid enough to think that Aria isn't going to try and take it back."
"And it's no secret that Aria and Shepard have worked together." He finished.
"Exactly so he's not going to be sitting there waiting for Shepard to show up. If he's halfway smart he's going to be hiding in the one place where even Shepard would think twice about following him."
His heart sank in horror as realization dawned. "Cerberus has bases on the other side of the Omega-4 relay. That's how they salvaged the Proto Reaper. Have you spoken to Shepard about this?"
"She knows." The words were laced with frustrated anger. Staggered his mind spun as the pieces began falling into place. Ever since she'd received news that the repairs on the Normandy were complete she'd started becoming withdrawn, the woman he loved hiding behind the professional mask she wore too easily. He'd brushed it off as simply her way of preparing for a mission as he'd seen her do so many times in the past. Anger bubbled up at the knowledge that she hadn't told him, hadn't shared with him the enormity of what they might be facing until Miranda's next words hit him like ice water. "You do know you're not going to be on the Normandy when she leaves? Hackett gave her strict orders to keep the Alliance presence to a minimum."
"She told you that?"
"No it appears that Shepard's been keeping her cards pretty close to her chest on this one. Vega told me and he's as unhappy with the situation as I am. She knows what she's facing but she's determined to beat the odds and get to Petrovsky."
Kaidan swore under his breath. "And what if she can't beat them this time?"
"Oh she will." Miranda gave him an arch look as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Shepard doesn't know how to fail."
"That doesn't mean that she can't and if you were so sure you wouldn't be in here blasting training targets."
"I have complete faith in Shepard's abilities to get the job done. What I don't like is that she's going without the best people to watch her back."
"So what if you're wrong?"
"I'm never wrong. I thought Shepard would have told you that."
"It seems like there are a lot of things she hasn't told me." He snapped, turning on his heel he stormed out of the training room, desperation and anger clawing at him. He couldn't lose her again.
Shepard's footlocker was already packed and waiting by the door for collection when he got back to their apartment. A quick glance through the open door of their bedroom showed that her personal effects had been packed away ready for the move to her quarters on the Normandy. He found her standing in the living room, her back military straight as she read the data pad in her hand. Looking up her greeting died in her throat as she caught the expression on his face.
Kaidan was angry. It was clear in every line of his body even if his expression hadn't given it away. She didn't need to be as smart as Liara to figure out what had triggered it either.
"When were you going to tell me?" His jaw clenched as he tried to keep his voice measured and calm.
"Once I'd had the last briefing with Hackett and a final decision had been made."
"Did you not think that this was something we should talk about? Hell I get that Hackett doesn't want it to look like the Alliance is stirring up trouble in the system but this is crazy."
The slightest tightening around her eyes betrayed her. "You spoke to Miranda."
"You should have been the one to tell me."
"Kaidan you know why this mission is important."
"Yeah I know that you need to deal with Aria but what I don't understand is why getting Petrovsky is so damned important that you'll risk everything to get him."
"You saw what Cerberus did on Sanctuary – on Palaven!" She retorted hotly. "Are we just supposed to forget about that?"
He dragged a hand through his hair in exasperation. "No that's not what I'm saying but there has to be another way. You're going to get yourself killed!"
"This time we know what we're facing."
His eyes bore into hers, desperate for her to understand and wishing she could walk away from this mission. "Do you? There's no way of knowing what Cerberus has set up on the other side of the relay or how it's changed since you blew up the Collector base. It's the galactic core!"
"Cerberus managed to put a base there and recover the fragments of the human Reaper so there's clearly still a safe zone." She started to reach out to him only to pull her hand back when he turned away from her. "Kaidan, I have to do this."
"No you don't!" Frustration vibrated through his body as he struggled to keep from shouting. Pacing from one end of the room to the other he couldn't find it in him to stand still. "You've done enough already. They can't ask you to do this, not after everything you've been through."
"I need to finish what I started." Her voice was implacable and he felt a twinge of panic knowing that she had already made up her mind.
"You didn't start this Shepard." He insisted, desperate to make her see reason. "You've been through hell and back and they're asking you to take on another suicide mission."
Shepard sighed, she saw where he was coming from but she needed him to understand - couldn't do this without his support. "The Normandy is the only ship that can travel through the Omega-4 relay with any kind of safety."
"Then let someone else take her through just not you." His expression was anguished, his hands gripping her shoulders as he touched his forehead to hers, his breath shuddering out with the force of his emotions. "Please don't go, don't leave me behind again."
Reaching up she cupped his face in her hands, her eyes moistening as she wished she could do as he asked. Lifting his chin until he looked her in the eye she knew he saw the answer on her face before she spoke. "This was always my fight. If I don't finish this it will haunt me for the rest of my life."
"But at least you would have the rest of your life here with me." His voice cracked on the last words.
"And when I've finished this I will come back to you." She lifted her hand to show the engagement ring. "I made a promise to spend the rest of my life with you and I intend to keep it."
His throat worked hard as he changed tact. "What about the crew Shepard? Can you really ask them to risk it all again? I read the reports; I know how close you came to not coming back the last time."
"They've already agreed. I wouldn't force them, you know that. They've been through the relay before and they know what's waiting for us on the other side if that's what it comes to."
Kaidan released the breath he had been holding and his shoulders slumped as the fight left him. He knew her too well and as much as he hated it she knew he understood her reasons. Leaning forward she kissed him with all of the love she felt for him. He returned the kiss desperately holding her close to him as if he had already lost her. It was so hard to step away.
"I have to go and make sure the Normandy is ready." She said softly, pulling her hands out of his. He nodded but didn't say anything. She supposed there was really nothing more for him to say. As the door closed behind her she pressed the heel of her hand to her chest against the pain in her heart.
After Shepard walked out Kaidan spent a few minutes cursing and chastising himself for not having handled that better. They'd promised each other at the very beginning that they would never let their personal feelings get in the way of the mission and that's exactly what he was doing – even if the Alliance seemed hell bent on getting her killed. But she was going ahead with it because she believed it was something she had to do. It was time for him to do the same.
"What can I do for you Major Alenko?" Hackett gave him an appraising look taking in the serious expression though seeming remarkably unsurprised to see Kaidan in his office.
"I want to request a temporary transfer to the Normandy Sir."
"I'm sure you are aware of the discussion that I had with Commander Shepard regarding your presence on this mission." Hackett paused before pinning him with a knowing gaze. "Especially since I hear that congratulations are in order."
Kaidan felt himself flush as he cleared his throat in discomfort. They hadn't exactly been keeping their relationship a secret since returning to Earth but neither had they been taken the step of informing their superiors. "Yes Sir we hadn't gotten around to announcing it to the brass."
"I'm not asking for an explanation Major. You both know the regs but up until this moment it didn't seem necessary to pull you up on it considering we were fighting a war and it didn't seem to affect Shepard's ability to do her job. You know what the stakes are and how delicate the current galactic political situation is. The Alliance can't be seen to be influencing events in the Terminus Systems."
"Admiral with all due respect Shepard is about to take the Normandy to face down Cerberus on Omega. They are dug in there and by all reports they have a fleet stationed in orbit blockading the station. This has the potential to turn into a small war and while I understand your concerns about the Alliance presence in the system she needs a strong team behind her."
"That is why the Commander was free to choose who she would take with her."
"Which didn't leave her many options since the people she trusted the most have returned home to their own people, were wounded or are serving Alliance officers. There aren't many people she can trust to have her back in that kind of situation."
"The Commander knows what she's doing and despite what you seem to think I'm not trying to get her killed."
"You are sending her on another potential suicide mission without adequate backup." He countered.
Linking his hands together behind his back Hackett watched him with a frown. "I know there's a chance that the Normandy will have to pass through the Omega-4 relay again but Shepard understands the risks better than anyone. To be honest I would prefer to not have my best soldier out there helping a notorious underworld figure like Aria T'Loak but the decision is largely out of my hands. Omega needs to be dealt with and we both know that she is the only one that can get it done without causing a galactic incident. But I get the feeling you're going to be on that ship no matter what I say aren't you?"
Kaidan fixed Admiral Hackett with an implacable look. "I'm not going to let Shepard do this alone. I'll act in my capacity as a Spectre if I have to though I would prefer it if you didn't make me disobey a direct order Admiral."
"Alright Major Alenko, if that's what you want you have my permission to join the crew of the Normandy subject to Commander Shepard's approval."
Kaidan snapped a sharp salute, the sense of relief palpable. "Thank you Sir."
"Oh and Major, you might want to consider bringing Lieutenant Vega with you. Apparently he isn't content to stay behind either if his constant requests to my office are any indication. I'm authorizing his leave from the Academy until the mission is over." Kaidan swore that for a brief moment the Admiral looked pleased but it was gone too quickly for him to be sure. "Good luck out there. Dismissed."
It hadn't taken long to pack his gear but as he stood looking up at the Normandy's gleaming hull uncertainty wound its way through him. He knew that he had to face Shepard and patch up things between them. Getting her to talk to him would not be the hard part, Shepard was nothing if not calm and rational but what he couldn't be sure of was whether he could convince her to let him join the crew. This moment seemed all too reminiscent of when he'd been waiting for her on the Citadel after the attempted coup. She hadn't been angry at his mistrust of her motives she'd simply listened. Deciding to seek out Joker first to gauge the situation he made his way to the flight deck only to be given a very frosty reception. The pilot was running systematic checks on all of the ship's flight controls doing his best to ignore Kaidan's presence.
"Hey Joker."
The pilot grunted dismissively but as Kaidan stepped back and turned to go Joker spun his chair around. "You're an idiot."
"What are you talking about?" Kaidan demanded. He knew Joker was unwaveringly loyal to Shepard but the reaction took him by surprise.
"Shepard needs you to have her back and instead you decide to screw with her head?"
"I've always had her back." Even as the words came out of his mouth he knew they were a lie.
"That's bullshit." Joker snapped out, not bothering to hide his anger. "I had her back even when you didn't. I was there when you pulled that crap on Horizon. Oh sure, Shepard acted like it hadn't gotten to her but we all knew it did."
"What was I supposed to do Joker? Just jump onto a Cerberus ship after two years?" Kaidan shot back, irritated to be going over such old ground. "I thought she was dead and no one – you included – thought to tell me any differently."
"Yeah well we were kind of busy, you know stopping all of those abductions? Besides that was Shepard's choice to make, not mine."
"She seems determined to get herself killed."
"No she's determined to do her job."
"Come on Joker, going through the relay again is another suicide mission and you know it."
"No it isn't." Joker countered with certainty. "The last time we didn't know what we were facing and we hit a shit storm. Anyone else flying into that would have their ship ripped to pieces but I know what I'm doing and the Normandy is fast enough to keep us safe, especially without the Collectors trying to shoot us out of the sky with that big ass canon. Add Shepard to that and we're pretty much unstoppable but we all need to have our head in the game, her most of all." The pilot's anger faded slightly. "Look you think I don't worry about EDI when she heads out on a mission with Shepard? Hell yeah I do but it's her choice and part of what makes her EDI. Would it really be Shepard if she didn't take on impossible odds and expect to win because she thought it was the right thing to do?"
Joker's words shamed him, he'd let his feelings cloud the reality of who they were. Shepard's heart was his without question but they were both marines and there was a job to be done. "Where is she?"
"Down in the armoury but don't blame me if she kicks your ass off the ship."
"Thanks Joker."
Shrugging the pilot turned back to his console. "Yeah well let's not make this a regular thing ok? Shepard's better at that understanding touchy feely stuff anyway."
Hitting the button in the lift with more force than was strictly necessary he felt as much of an idiot as he had after Horizon. It seemed he had the uncanny ability to let his emotions get the better of him when it mattered and he ended up hurting the person most important to him. When he stepped out into the hangar for a moment he thought Joker had gotten it wrong as it seemed deserted but sitting on the floor with her back against the lockers was Shepard. Seeing her with her arms resting on top of her knees and her head down a memory came vividly to mind.
"You know the last time I saw you like this Udina and the Council had locked down the Normandy."
Lifting her head to look at him a ghost of a smile flickered across her features. "Right before we decided to mutiny and steal the ship in order to bring down Saren."
"Yeah but I remember more than that." Stepping closer he could recall the moment as if it had been yesterday. "We were dancing around each other and I remember thinking how much I just wanted to be with you but I was so worried about muddying things. We're way past that point now huh?"
She sighed regretfully. "I'm sorry Kaidan I should have told you. Everything about this mission from the lack of official sanction from the Council and the Alliance to going back to Omega reminds me of what we went through fighting the Collectors."
"I know and I think it hit me too. Last time I wasn't there when you needed me, I didn't want to be faced with the same situation again only this time it's Cerberus trying to take you down."
Her lips twitched as she fought a grin. "You still just can't pull out an old fashioned 'it'll be alright' can you?"
He huffed out a laugh. "Yeah I guess I never did get the hang of that one."
Holding out his hand for her she took it without hesitation and let him pull her up and into his arms. "Now the last time we found ourselves in this situation Joker interrupted what would have been a pretty amazing first kiss, if I say so myself."
Unable to stop the laugh that escaped she shook her head and grabbed the collar of his shirt, pulling his head down for a kiss. Her expression was serious again when he lifted his head. "I'm still going."
"I know and I was wrong to ask you not to, I'm sorry." He admitted. "All that matters is that I love you and I've got your back."
Joker chose that moment to interrupt. "Hey Commander you might want to come up to the CIC we have some people here who want to see you."
"You let them onboard?" Shepard demanded while Kaidan muttered under his breath about needing to talk to Joker about his timing.
"Uh yeah I wasn't going to be the one to say no to them."
Shepard shot him a concerned look but he kept his expression carefully neutral as he followed her onto the lift. The doors had barely opened before she strode out into the CIC only to slow in surprise as her gaze fell on the group waiting for her.
"Looks like you got quite the party planned Shepard." Zaeed observed drily from where he stood leaning against the control panel, one foot resting on the heavy weapons case at his feet.
Beside him Jack had her arms crossed over her chest and her chin thrown up in an arrogant smirk while Miranda stood with a hand on her slim hip levelling a challenging look at Shepard.
"Hey Commander you didn't really think we'd miss out on all the fun did you?" Vega quipped as he walked in with a duffel bag tossed casually over his shoulder.
"What's going on?"
Zaeed shrugged as he straightened and picked up the case before heading to the lift. "No idea what this lot are doing here but I was invited. I'll be down in my old quarters if you need me."
Jack shrugged with her typical air of disinterest though her sharp gaze didn't miss a thing. "This Alliance teamwork shit was always your thing but I'm not going to miss the opportunity to kick some serious Cerberus ass."
Brow furrowed Shepard aimed a stern look at Miranda. "We've talked about this Miranda. You're in no condition to head out on a combat mission."
Kaidan had to admit that Miranda really had perfected that haughty superior look. "I don't work for the Alliance Shepard and you need people who know what we'll be facing."
There was a long pause as Shepard frowned at the group and he could almost see her mind sifting through the options and arguments. "Fine you can set up in your old office but you can't join the ground team until Dr. Chakwas has cleared you." She finally agreed, knowing when to pick her battles.
"Come on Tats I'll show you were to stow your gear." James offered cheerfully seeing it as an excuse to get out of explaining himself to Shepard.
Jack gave the hulking lieutenant a frosty look. "I've got my own place on this ship Vega. Best you remember to give me my space."
"Hey I'll show you my ink if you'll show me yours." He quipped totally unperturbed.
"The day I want to see some pathetic little princess ink I'll let you know." She shot back with feigned sweetness before straightening to make her way down to the engineering deck. "You know where I'll be Shepard."
"We have other quarters available if you want Jack."
"Nah I'm good, it'll be like old times." She jerked her chin in Miranda's direction. "Let's go cheerleader before you fall on your precious ass."
James grinned broadly as the lift doors closed cutting off Miranda's retort. "Oh I like her."
Kaidan felt the full impact of Shepard's probing look. "Let me guess you and Vega are planning on disobeying orders and coming along too?"
Totally unrepentant he gave her a shrug. "You need a strong team with you and no one knows how you operate better than I do. Besides I'm a Spectre and head of Biotics Division, I think that gives me some say in what missions I go on."
When her expression remained unconvinced Vega chimed in. "Don't worry Commander the Major here got Hackett on board with it. The Admiral even authorized delaying my N7 course until we get back."
"Doesn't sound like I have much of a choice." She observed with a wry look.
"This is your ship Shepard, if you want us gone we'll go." Kaidan held her gaze as they waited with baited breath for her answer. As she shook her head ruefully he let out a sigh of relief. Vega busied himself dragging his gear down to the armoury as Shepard stepped closer, a half-grin tugging at the corner of her mouth.
Reaching up she stroked his jaw with gentle fingers. "Thanks for having my back Kaidan."
"Always."