"Kaidan. This isn't what it looks like."
Kaidan Alenko stepped closer to Ashley, mindful to keep his voice quiet. "No? Care to explain to me what it is then, Chief?"
Ashley was silent. Her silence told the story. She finally spoke after what felt like an eternity. "What do you know?"
"More than you'd hope I imagine." Kaidan nodded his head forward. "We need to talk. But not here."
Ashley shot a glance back towards the cafe. He could so easily walk straight into there to face Shepard and spill the beans. It had to be Garrus. She looked down at the floor as she follow the man, the shame burning inside of her. Kaidan was silent, walking with a purpose and the step of a disciplinarian. He led her to an alleyway with a dead end, nothing surrounding them except a lone streetlight. The man gazed down at the woman.
"What on earth are you doing, Ashley?" He held up his hand before answering. "Don't insult me by lying. I know you're investigating Commander Shepard. Garrus told me everything. About the contact and information he provided, about how you said you were wrong. He believed you too you know, took you at your word. But then you wouldn't let things go on Noveria. And you're so engrossed in searching for any type of dirt, you don't even notice that he's behind you in the same room?" Kaidan shook his head. "Why, Ash? Because you've got a hunch? You're stalking a senior officer!" Kaidan sighed as he tried to regain his composure. "Why are you doing this? Make me understand."
Ashley could only repeat herself. Maybe after all this time it was to convince herself still. "Because it's the right thing to do."
"The right thing to do? How can you say that at a time like this?" Kaidan shook his head. "I don't understand. Has Commander Shepard even given you an order that you felt was irresponsible or morally corrupting?"
Ashley shook her head. "No."
"Has he ever intentionally risked the lives of his crew or those under his command in an effort to cause harm or damage to those he swore to protect?"
Another shake of the head. "No."
"Has he ever treated you with anything but the utmost respect, offering you friendship and an opportunity like you've ever had before?"
One more shake of the head. "No."
"Then why are you doing this? Why is this the right thing to do? Where is your evidence, and hell, what are you even accusing him of?"
I don't know.
"I.." Ashley trailed off.
"Exactly. I don't know if it's the stress of the mission, but it's as if you've woven an entire fantasy that revolves around Shepard and Felicity Blake. As if she's some kind of top secret, harmful presence that is controlling Shepard." Kaidan shook his head. "Are you in love with the Commander, Ashley?"
Ashley's eyes widened. Kaidan had asked the question so nonchalantly that it caught her completely off guard. "What? No. I'm not."
"Well you're damn sure acting like it. Following him to places, investigating other women."
"And what if I'm right!" Ashley exclaimed angrily. "What if she has got her finger nails into him? What if she is something more!"
Kaidan throw up his hands. "So what if she is, huh? What if you are right. Maybe she's not what she seems. Maybe she's not some kind of run of the mill reporter. But open your eyes Williams, look at what we're dealing with here. I plead with you to stop and realize what's at stake here. Look at the bigger picture. Maybe Shepard does have a few secrets here and there. Does that make him unfit to command the Normandy? Does that make him the wrong choice with the Council? The evidence points to no, Ash. Everything we've done so far. Everything we've come up against. We have, quite easily, the biggest collection of varied species under one roof fighting together, bleeding together, hell we're even crying together right now. We're here for one reason - to stop Saren and the Geth. And you're fighting that. You're fighting both sides." Kaidan sighed once more. "You're a hell of a soldier, Williams. I've seen it, Shepard certainly acknowledges it too. It's why I'm not going to turn you in."
Ashley blinked. "You're not?" The gravity of the situation was starting to take a toll on her. All of Kaidan's words rang so true, made so much sense. Am I really fighting against us?
"Not if you stop this madness. We need to stay strong, together. If we loose a part of what we've built here, we might crumble. What happens then? Saren will take advantage while we pick up the pieces. Is that what you want?"
"No. Of course not." Not in a million years.
"Then put this behind you." Kaidan's voice mellowed once more. "Move on. Because he needs you at his side, Ash. Not stabbing him in the back. Just.. what were you even hoping to achieve here today?"
"I.. answers. I was looking for answers to the questions that I had."
Kaidan stared at the woman. "And do those questions still matter? Will you still search for those answers?"
Ashley met his eyes. She could sense the disappointment inside of him. This was against his better judgment.
He's doing this for me. He thinks I deserve a better chance.
Ashley shook her head. "I'm done. I swear. Whatever I thought might be going on, it doesn't matter. None of it does."
Kaidan held out his hand, Ashley meeting it immediately. "I'm glad to hear it, Ash. Just don't hold it against Garrus, okay? He was only looking out for you."
"I know." I should have never got him involved in this. But if I hadn't, where would I be now?
"Come on now. Let's get out of here before we walk into the Commander or something."
Ashley nodded. "Okay." As she walked just behind Kaidan, she opened her omni-tool. Immediately scrolling to the picture of Shepard and Blake not long after the home intrusion, she gazed up at Kaidan before looking back at the picture.
The bigger picture.
Ashley clicked delete and closed her omni-tool as she stepped up to join Kaidan by his side.
One minute later both of their omni-tools pinged at the exact same time. They shared a look before opening them. The news report was clear.
"Oh no." Kaidan's voice was quiet.
"Shit. Kahoku." Ashley read on further. "Nevos?" She looked at Kaidan, the man still reading the report.
"I don't know, Ash. Lets get back to the Normandy and see what Shepard has to say."
Shepard checked the time. There was still no sign of Tyrone. It had been 25 minutes since the man said he'd arrive, a further 15 minutes from their original meet time. Shepard opened his omni-tool, checking for any sign of a message.
His eyes however found the news report of Kahoku's death straight away. It hadn't come through immediately as Shepard had set the device to silence apart from the messaging service. He needed that time without being disturbed.
Oh christ.
As Shepard read the vague news report, the message from Tyrone finally came.
TR: Jack. I won't be joining you. Heat is too much right now. Stay strong, brother.
Heat is too strong? Could this be about Kahoku? Damn it all.
Shepard stood from his table and made his way out of the cafe. He opened his contacts, clicking call on the name of David Anderson.
"Shepard. What can I do for you?"
"Sir. What do we know about the Admiral?"
Shepard heard Anderson's audible sigh. "We were caught with our pants down, Shepard. The media got there before us. Trust me, we're looking into this."
"Do you need anything from me?"
"Not at this time. If anything changes, we'll let you know. Have you talked to the Council recently?"
Shepard rolled his eyes. "No. Why? Do they have even more questions about the Rachni?"
"Not this time, son. It's not my place to say of course. But I hear they might have something for you. I'd get in touch if I were you. Best not to leave things as frosty as you did previously."
"You're probably right, Anderson."
"Of course I am. Besides, can you really blame them? You released a Rachni queen into the wild! It's not something they were expecting to be sprung on them, Shepard."
"I like to keep things unpredictable, sir. You know this."
Anderson grunted. "I do. Talk to them."
"Yes sir."
So Ash is back on side. Right?
And I wonder what information the Council has for Shepard.. okay it's Virmire. We all know it. But maybe there'll be a stop on the way first..