A/N: This chapter will start with HIS first because Kaidan is the one taking the first action.

HIS

Kaidan sat in front of the blank console at his parents' condo. He wrapped up his work on Horizon a couple days before and was now back on Earth. Hackett now assigned him to train young biotics how to use their powers in covert operations. He had never been an actual teacher before and the thought was quite intimidating especially when Hackett threw in the extra wrench of taking these kids on actual missions.

But that wasn't what was heavy on his mind. He couldn't get past seeing Shepard again on Horizon. She was there in full living color, but she felt so…tainted. He was relieved that she was alive, but he wasn't entirely sure that wasn't somebody or something else. It felt like her. It smelled like her. He was angry that she wasn't abandoning her little alliance with Cerberus. He knew he still cared for her for what she had been before, but even he couldn't completely figure out what he was feeling.

Then on top of all that he was guilty. Guilty for having hurt her because he knew he did. The sound in her voice and the watery eyes told him so. He tried to hurt her. He wanted her to feel some of the agony that he had been going through every single day for two years. But then he didn't. If he really did love her, why would revenge be something he allowed himself to take? He was a heartless bastard, at least that's how he sounded in the replay in his mind. He really felt like a wounded animal, snarling to keep predators away while he died in peace.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he looked at the blank screen again. He had pulled up her address and was going to send her a note. He knew if he didn't do it now, he probably never would, so he began to type.

Shepard,

I'm sorry…

HERS

Shepard stared at the console. She saw the sender, but she wouldn't open the note. Not there in CIC.

"Kelly, I will be in my quarters."

"Yes, Commander."

The elevator couldn't move fast enough. She needed to know what he had written. It had been nearly a week since Horizon and to say Shepard was upset would be an understatement. The man she had loved unceremoniously dumped her because she had come back from the dead. No, that wasn't it. It's the precious Alliance that he's married to. Fucking can't see past his damn duty to see me waiting for him. Seemed so easy for him to break regs before, what changed?

In her heart though, she was still loyal to the Alliance as well. She had sent them the information from the poor tortured Cerberus operative. But she knew that her work with Cerberus was the right thing to do right now. What was that old saying, Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? I wish Kaidan were close right now.

She looked at the screen with its unopened message. About Horizon… She feared what it would say. Please don't ever talk to me again? We made a mistake that night before Ilos? I've already found someone else and she isn't a zombie? Shepard could see her reflection dimly in the screen, but nothing could hide the orange glow still emanating from her scars. Couldn't they heal faster?

It took a little more internal deliberation before Shepard finally sat down and opened the message. Her eyes fell upon the first words and tears began welling up. He is sorry. She closed her eyes and just let that sink in. He didn't have to write her at all. But here he is apologizing.

She kept reading. A flare of jealousy went up when she read about the doctor. That bitch better keep her hands off. Shaking it off, she was glad to see him say it was nothing.

When she read the line about remembering Ilos, a soft whisper escaped her lips. "Yes, Kaidan. I remember. I could never forget." Our bodies entwined, the heat from his breath caressing my skin, the tingle of our biotics mingling, the open honesty of sharing one mind.

She soaked up every last word from the message. She did still have his support even if he didn't trust Cerberus. However, his last line made her curious. When things settle down a little... maybe... I don't know. Just take care. Was there still an open door to his heart? I will find a chance and we will make this work. Somehow. Right now just wasn't the right time.