Hello again! It's been a while since I've updated this story. I only have a few chapters left before it's over. It's been a long road and several games later, but it's been fun. I am hoping to get this story finished this week. I also have a Dragon Age story which will be posted this week as part of the Dragon Age Big Bang. So, sit back and enjoy the last few chapters of Milieu. Thanks for reading, following, and reviewing! Love you guys!

PE

"Normal is Overrated"

Kaidan watched Shepard move. She moved like water over glass-smooth and quick. Her punches were fluid and her kicks were strong. She didn't hesitate. Her breathing was rhythmic and measured. Each breath counted and held a few seconds before being released. It was rare that he would be able to see her like this. Shepard was practicing, but it wasn't frustration, irritation or rage driving her. This time it was boredom. She had pushed all the furniture up against the wall making a large open area in the center of the room. That was the noise that had woken him up -the sounds of furniture being scrapped across wooden floors.

He had gotten up quickly and dressed even faster. Groggily, he had wondered where Shepard was and if she was the source of the noise. In all probability she was. Upon reaching the stairs he had heard her. Her bare feet sliding and shuffling across the rugs on the floor, her breathing quick and certain: he didn't need to see her to know she was practicing.

Stepping down the stairs, he saw her. Her long hair was twisted into a knot at the back of her neck. She hadn't even broken a sweat yet. Leaning his arms across the top railing, he watched her. He could use some coffee. It was early, but he didn't want to move just yet. He was enjoying seeing her like this for once.

He imagined for just a moment that this was a daily thing. He let his mind drift into the future. A future where the galaxy was saved from the Reapers: Shepard would be a hero, of course, Earth would be well. Not just Earth, but Thessia, Palaven, all the worlds affected by the Reapers would be saved. Looking at the future in that regard he pictured himself staying with the Alliance. Helping to clean up pockets of Reaper resistance through the galaxy, Earth would be priority, but as a Spectre all worlds mattered.

Spectre, it was still weird to think of himself as one. Yes, Udina might have wanted a willing human Spectre pawn, but that wasn't what happened. The council members wanted to make certain Kaidan knew without a doubt they still thought of him as a Spectre. He had done his job, by protecting them and shooting Udina. Working for the Council full time wasn't going to happen though. He knew it.

Hell, Kaidan saw himself going back to teach the Biotics Division eventually. He was actually missing his students. What would Shepard do after it was all over? He wasn't certain. He liked to think that she stayed on with the Alliance and as a Spectre. Even though after this she would have good reason to retire, but he had a feeling she wouldn't. Kaidan recognized that while Shepard appreciated the normal things in her life she wasn't use to it being routine. Normal for her was vastly different than normal for anyone else. A normal shore leave would be nice-a shore leave where Shepard would get bored. A smile tugged at his lips.