Disclaimer: I already told you all about this so I don't want to repeat myself. But I will. Because I'm poor. I only own what I create on my own and such. There. Happy?

BAMS: I'm happy to hear you liked the fluffy chapter, bud.

Razor T McCutchn: If you say so… XP

Kachie Takahashi: I'm glad you liked; I tried to make it light-hearted and all to give you guys a break on all of the drama and such. Your 'advice' to Raegas made sense as well and I hope she realizes it soon too. ;)

Hopelessly Blue: it's good to hear you liked the chapter, HB- I allowed the fluff to flow just for you, you know. I also agree with your talking of the future; it's just best to try and move on than to allow yourself to get stuck on something you may not be able to change even if you try. Oh, and I like too many colors to have a real favorite, sweetcheeks. ;)

PS Thanks for the flowers, they smell great! XP

Liege Lord: Already thinking of the Confession scene, are you? I suppose that makes sense and all, but it's unfortunate I haven't figured out just what'll happen that night before Ilos…

A/N: I guess I should put up a poll on my profile for you guys to check out; it has to do with Raegas' confessing to Shepard and whether she should wait or not, so you'd better vote or it just won't happen. Period.

I and Ciria were back in the mess the next day. It was apparent by everybody either staring at me or trying to sit next to me that they had a new rumor going on about some useless problem or subject. At the moment, Ash and my siblings were sitting at my table, including Wrex, Tali and Liara. I couldn't help but see Ayldrik's and Ashley's not-so-subtle closeness, so I figured the dork had confessed to her or she had confronted him. Whatever the case, it didn't seem to apply to Kareck and Tali: they were sitting closer than usual, but there was something about them that told me Kareck had said nothing. Perhaps he was also worried over the future of things, seeing as how he knew Tali would be going back to the Flotilla after we took care of Saren.

"What's up Rae?" I blinked, pausing for a moment as I processed just what whoever behind me addressed me as. No one had ever really called me that before. Turning around, I saw a smiling Shep-… ah… Aerin. I still wasn't used to it and I doubted I would be soon. I chose to think of her as Shepard for the time being until I got used to verbally calling her by her first name.

"Uh…" my mind went blank again and I realized by the heavy silence that everyone was staring on in disbelief. "Nothing much…" I mumbled, watching as she sat down at my side.

I idly wondered why no one had sat there, but when there was obvious shock in the crew around us, I figured they had done that to see what Shepard would do or something. That made sense, seeing as how the chair beside of me had been pushed to mine so they'd make something more of a small bench than two chairs. I practically held my breath when Shepard's arm brushed against mine and rested there as she began eating. We were so close that our thighs and upper arms were pressed against each other- I could even feel her body heat coming off of her.

Slowly, conversation flooded back to the mess hall and everyone returned to what they had originally been doing. I blinked, hard, and tried to clear my head before returning to my breakfast. Ciria was in my lap, eating a dried slab of meat (it was good for her teeth and gums since her adult teeth were beginning to give her trouble) and paying little attention to the situation. The small Ulaeviel soon noticed Shepard's lap next to mine and she laid down, stretching out across the both of our laps as she continued eating. Shepard's subtle smile as she kept eating told me she at least wasn't bothered by it, and nor was I, since Ciria was now eating, quite sloppily, on her pants instead of mine.

"Sorry to interrupt Commander, but we have confirmation on that fleet to deal with Saren and his Geth." Joker's voice sounded through the comm, interrupting the relative peacefulness of the moment. I was inwardly thankful since he spared me from dealing with everyone else, even if inadvertently.

We all shared a look of confusion mixed with unsuspecting welcome. I knew what would happen, but I might as well let them go since it would allow for several obvious things. Besides, I wanted to advance through an at least similar timeline to what the games were, if only to know what would happen next- if I changed too much then my 'precognition' would be less accurate. Not to mention I wasn't a fan of being in the dark about something at all.

"Rae?" Shepard asked, looking to me shortly as everyone began to talk of the possibilities. I shrugged, refusing to really look at her as I took another bite of food.

"We might as well. Udina will get a much deserved punch to the face." I said, getting a chuckle from her and a few of the others.

Once we were done with breakfast we left the mess, Ciria at my side, Shepard at my other, and piled into the elevator. Someone hit the button for the second deck, and after a torturously long ride, we got there and exited, heading up the stairs.

Shepard told joker to set a course once the both of us reached the cockpit. The others had decided to go about their days regularly, with their respective Ulaeviel partners of course. Shepard decided she was going to drag me around until we got to the Citadel, too, saying we needed to plan on what to do once we got there. The whole planning thing got me thinking on bigger problems I'd have down the road, unfortunately.

I didn't even know what I was going to do for the impending attack from the Collectors. There were things that happened because of it that I'd have liked to change, but there were just some things that happened, lives that changed for the better as well, that I couldn't change- or shouldn't. I cared about Shepard, of course, but was my purpose to make sure these things happened, or to change them for the better?

Even if it was the latter, I didn't know what I could do to achieve that goal.

…

"It's just politics, Commander, I'm sure you understand." Udina sneered subtly, really pissing me off. I was with Shepard and Ashley at the moment, at the meeting with the Council. I was having a hard time trying to keep calm, especially since they hadn't listened to complete reason and logic.

"Are you insane? After all I've done, you still don't believe me?" Shepard demanded, her tone the closest thing to actual anger I've heard from her. Although I knew we were going to get away anyway, I felt my eyes begin to turn. I always was the protective and territorial type, so when Shepard was getting a figurative slap in the face from the Council, I undoubtedly felt a surge of annoyance and anger.

"We've locked out the Normandy's systems, Commander, you are no longer needed. The Council can handle this, with my help, of course." He almost purred, the condescending tone grating on my nerves almost enough to make my teeth shift. "Good day." He said, effectively dismissing us.

I clenched my jaw and led the way out of the tower, all the while feeling someone's eyes on me. Most likely Shepard. Either way, once we were outside, she gripped my arm and pulled me around so we were face-to-face.

"What was that in there?" she asked, a little forcefully. I could understand her ire, but losing your cool over it wouldn't help anything.

"It's alright, Shepard. We're going to get out of here we just need to wait for Anderson to send us that message." I said calmly, getting her to sigh, visibly relaxing. She ran a hand through her hair and glanced around, calming herself down. I took a breath to get my Bloodrage away, and I shifted back.

"Okay, but what message?" she asked. I smirked a bit at the relative irony of the fact, but sobered.

"He'll tell us to meet him in Flux later, but right now, we just have to bide our time." She nodded in understanding, and we left.

…

"It just isn't fair." Shepard muttered to herself, not noticing I was in the room. She was crouched in front of her locker by the med-bay and I was walking up to her. My naturally quiet walk was great for sneaking, but when I didn't want to startle someone it wasn't the best thing to have.

"Maybe not." I said quietly, causing her to whip around. When she saw it was me she relaxed and slammed her back against the locker, sliding down to the floor. "But that's just how it is. I'm as pissed as you, and the Council does undoubtedly have their collective heads up their asses…" I continued, getting a rueful chuckle from her.
"But right now, all that matters is us getting to Ilos to stop Saren." I finished with a small encouraging smile, holding out my hand for her.

She sighed, but returned my smile and took my hand. I went to pull her up but she used her own leverage on me and ended up bumping into me. Our hands were still clasped and her other was on my shoulder, holding firmly, while my other hand was resting on her waist.

As if subconsciously, we drew together, and I couldn't stop my own body as the two of us pressed closer.

Her body heat warmed me even on the inside as her scent surrounded me. I breathed shallowly, feeling my eyes slowly droop, going half-lidded. Shepard's own short breath softly caressed my face as we drew even closer, her eyes taking me in. my heart began to thump loudly against my chest, taking even more of my breath from me, the feeling almost painful.

We had already drawn so close that we were breathing each other's air, our lips barely inches apart. The panic in my brain became little more than background noise as Shepard released my hand and wrapped her arm around my waist. She pulled me as close as was possible without our lips meeting, even as near as we were already.

Her eyes went to close then as she moved forward slightly, even as something seemed to hold her back. My own body was in conflict itself though I still held Shepard's waist a little tighter.

Suddenly, the comm crackled and Joker's voice sounded over it. "Sorry to interrupt Commander, but Anderson just left us a message. He wants you to get to Flux." He said, his tone suggesting he hadn't actually been watching.

The moment was officially ruined.

I moved to walk away then, but still, Shepard kept her hold on me. Her hand on my shoulder went to my cheek and turned my face to look at hers. As I saw into her eyes, I couldn't believe the amount of affection- maybe even love- that I saw in their depths. I clenched my jaw, finding a lump in my throat.

"I don't want to let go of you…" she muttered softly, her voice pulling at me. I let her see the sadness and confliction in my eyes completely then, not wanting to be there yet still wanting- almost needing- to stay in her arms.

"We're too close to Saren to get distracted, Shepard…" I replied quietly. Shepard looked away then and clenched her jaw tightly. I could see she was struggling to control herself as I was myself, but her almost hurting eyes stabbed my heart with guilt. I was doing this to her…

Ever so slowly, I raised my hand and brushed against Shepard's cheek, urging her to look back at me. She did so moments later, making her emotional strain all the more clear when we locked gazes.

"But I can promise you we'll talk soon, okay? Not even three days to go." I tried a smile but it only ended up coming off as a desperate attempt to comfort Shepard. She took a breath and nodded, visibly standing a little straighter.

"I'll hold you to that." She said calmly, smirking only a tiny amount.

I could only give an almost imperceptible nod before slipping out of Shepard's grasp and hurrying away.

A/N: this chapter was almost sad, now that I think about it. I can't help but think I almost got some of you into thinking they were seriously going to kiss for a moment there…

I HAVE A POLL ON MY PROFILE; IF YOU DON'T VOTE I WILL NOT ALLOW RAEGAS TO CONFESS TO SHEPARD AT ALL!