A/N: This took much longer than I'd planned, but I finally finished the next chapter of TLR. I thank you all for your patience and apologize for the long delay in updates. I'm really, really sorry! Thank you SerenityFalconNormandy, Kirabaros, Ms Sticha, Vorcha Girl, Jules Hawk, and Alley McNally for your reviews. They kept me going! Also as always my thanks goes to Vorcha Girl for beta reading.

Now, enjoy!


Skycars passed the windows. Kaidan watched them, drumming his fingers absently on the glass. The doctors had said he would be released from the hospital soon, probably either today or the next. A wave of excitement rolled through him. After weeks of being tied down by his injuries he was close to getting back into the fight, close to being able to do his job again. The thought alone made him feel giddy.

He turned away from the window, absently rubbing his hand over the amp jack at the base of his head. He still hadn't heard from his family, but he'd talked to Nick a few days earlier, and she had mentioned swinging by the Citadel soon. He longed to see her.

The hiss of the door brought him out of his reverie. He looked up. To his surprise it wasn't the doctor.

"Looking good, Major," Nick said, her eyes traveling over his form appreciatively.

A smile split his face. "Right back at you. If you came to spring me, though, you're late. I'm getting out soon. I was beginning to think all those promises of visiting me were just talk."

She shrugged apologetically. "Sorry about that. Hackett's been sending us from one ass-end of the galaxy to the other. Between the Reapers and Cerberus we've been pretty busy."

"Yeah, I know," he replied softly.

Kaidan stepped closer, gazing at her intently. On closer observation she looked pale and exhausted. He frowned. Maybe there was something he could do. "Listen, the doctor should be coming around soon for a final check up. Um," he scratched the back of his head, "if the Normandy is in dock long enough, how about I finally make good on that dinner offer?"

Nick paused. "That actually sounds really nice." She opened her omnitool and typed a message. "Well, I think it's safe to say she's not leaving without me, so I guess it's a date?"

"Yeah, it's a date."

"Awesome." Her smile was radiant. "So," she continued, "have you decided if you're gonna take the Spectre position or not?"

Kaidan nodded. "I accepted. I'm nervous as hell about it, if I'm honest. It's a big responsibility."

Nick waved her hand dismissively, closing the distance between them. "No more than being an Alliance officer, and you're a damn good one. One of the best I've -." A priority alert on her omnitool interrupted her. She glared at it, stepping back with a sigh and opening it with a small "sorry" in his direction.

She pulled a face. "Duty calls. I have something to take care of at the Spectre's office. Give me a call as soon as you're out of here, and then we can meet up when I'm done. I'm looking forward to that dinner."

"Me, too," Kaidan replied.

Laying her hand on his shoulder, she turned to go. Butterflies danced in his stomach at her touch. He wished he could grab her and kiss her instead of having to watch her leave.

Contemplating, he turned back toward the window and opened his omnitool. He might as well continue trying to get information about his students while he waited for the doctor.

A short time later he was so engrossed in flicking through reports, scanning them carefully and marking anything resembling a hint, he didn't notice his doctor entering the room.

"Working already, Major Alenko?"

Kaidan jumped. His doctor smiled.

"The results from yesterday look good," she said, glancing over his medical record. "I strongly advise against going into an active combat role for at least another week, but you are cleared for light duty. Come back next week for another check-up and feel free to come by for further acupuncture." She signed a form. "You're free to go." She extended a hand and shook his firmly before leaving the room.

Kaidan picked up his small bag, glanced around the room one last time, and left.

The hallway and foyer were busy. More and more wounded soldiers and refugees waiting for treatment sat on the floor because there weren't enough seats. Doctors and nurses bustled from one patient to the next. He hesitated briefly, wishing he had his med kit.

Taking a deep breath he stepped outside and walked to the nearest rapid transport terminal.

A few hours later he found himself waiting for Nick at the observation platform on the Lower Wards. He leaned against the bannister, looking out at the open arms of the Citadel. It was still an impressive view.

"Hey there."

Kaidan turned his head. Nick stepped next to him, resting her elbows on the railing. She followed his lead, gazing out at the view, and smiled. "Seems like forever ago since we stood here the first time, doesn't it?"

He dipped his head in agreement. "It brings back a lot of memories."

"Sure does." Nick laughed quietly. "Big place, huh? You were so adorably flustered!"

"Don't remind me," he groaned. "Ash teased me about that for days. Now, where do you want to eat? Apollo's isn't too bad, or I could offer to cook, but we'd have to make a supply run first."

Nick tapped a finger against her lips. "There's a small pub not far from here. They have good beer, decent food, and fair prices, and it shouldn't be too busy."

"Sounds good."

He followed Nick past the marketplace and deeper into the Wards as she lead the way to the pub. There were only a handful of people inside. She waved at the bartender and went to a table at the back of the room.

For a moment they sat quietly, studying the menu before placing their order.

"Have you heard from your parents?" Nick asked, breaking the silence.

"No, not yet," Kaidan answered, laying the menu aside. He shrugged helplessly. "I don't know whether they made it out of Vancouver or not. I hope so. They were headed out to the orchard the day of the attack, and they should have left town before the Reapers attacked. But, I don't know."

"I'm sorry, Kaidan." She squeezed his hand.

"It's okay," he replied, running his thumb in small circles over the back of her hand. "Depending on how damaged radio towers are it may be difficult getting out messages. What about you?"

"My dad's alive. He's with Anderson and the resistance. I got to speak with him shortly. My mom … I don't know either. Her ship hasn't reported in."

Kaidan nodded slowly. There were several explanations. Maybe they had to maintain radio silence due to heavy hostile presence, or maybe the ship was damaged. Worst case scenario, it had been destroyed. He knew that, and of course Nick knew it, too. There was nothing more to say about it.

The bartender set two freshly tapped beers in front of them. "Your food's coming right up."

Nick turned back toward Kaidan and they clinked glasses. Kaidan gave the beer an appraising look and took a probing swallow. It was cold, refreshing, and surprisingly good.

"This is good," he remarked, licking some foam off his lips. "Not Canadian lager, but still good."

"It's the best fucking beer on the Citadel, if you ask me," Nick answered. She took another swallow, closing her eyes and humming deeply as her tongue snaked out, swiping over her lips. Kaidan tightened his grip around his glass. She had to be doing this on purpose. Nick leaned back, opening her eyes again and looking straight at him. "Spectre Kaidan Alenko, that's a pretty big deal."

He nodded thoughtfully.

"But," she continued, digging into the food that had just been set in front of them. "I meant what I said earlier. It's not more responsibility than being an Alliance officer, there's just less red tape, which is nice. Downside is constantly having to deal with the Council. You're an exceptional officer, Kaidan." She pointed her fork at him. "And you'll make an exceptional Spectre."

He shifted slightly in his seat. "That means a lot coming from you. And you're making me blush!"

Nick simply poured more malt vinegar over her Fish and Chips and grinned. Kaidan shook his head slowly and focused on his own food, listening to her talk about her crew and the missions she'd completed since her last visit. The thought of Reaper-controlled rachni was disturbing, to say the least. The next stop, she told him, was Tuchanka to cure the Genophage.

Eventually Nick finished her beer and sighed. "I have to get back to it. Walk with me?"

Agreeing Kaidan paid the bill and they headed slowly towards the docks together. He watched her out of the corner of his eye as they walked through the hustle and bustle of the Citadel.

"I was surprised to hear Liara and Ash are a couple," Nick noted, elegantly avoiding bumping into a Turian stepping into her path.

"Really? You remember the hockey game we watched together? Back on the SR-1?" Kaidan asked.

Nick cast a quick glance his way. "How could I not? You almost kissed me."

"Uh, yeah," he cleared his throat. "True, but, umm, I meant earlier. At the club Ash was upset about Liara dancing around you, and at first I couldn't place it but then I had a hunch. Then again, you probably didn't see Ash scowling at Liara."

"Huh," Nick replied quietly, "that never occured to me."

Kaidan winked. "And I got to tease Ash for a change."

Nick let out a peal of laughter. It was the most beautiful sound he'd heard in a long time.

Soon, Normandy came into sight. They had almost reached the docking tube.

"Any plans on joining the Normandy?" she suddenly wanted to know.

"Do you want me to?" he asked, slowing down.

"Well," she answered slowly, stepping through the door and coming to a halt. She cast him a sideways glance. "I wouldn't hate it."

"I'd hope not," Kaidan chuckled, following her. The door closed behind them with a quiet whoosh. "I miss you."

"I miss you, too."

His breath hitched. Clearing his throat Kaidan glanced past her at the Normandy looming outside. "I know we've talked about sorting things out between us. I mean, do you still want," he hesitated and looked at her, waving his hand between them, "us?"

She threw an exasperated look at him.

"Why else do you think I'm here? I don't think I've been acting subtle!" She stepped closer, gazing at him intently. "To be very clear, the answer is yes."

He couldn't have stopped the smile on his face if he had wanted to. Emotions crashed over him. She still wanted them, even after Horizon and Mars.

"Just making sure I was getting the right signals." His gaze darted to her lips.

"Now that we've gotten that clear, are you going to kiss me already or just keep staring at me?" A note of amusement mingled with impatience tinted her voice.

Kaidan looked around, wavering. There was a certain appeal to her suggestion but the docks weren't exactly private.

"Here? In public?" he asked, stepping closer to the wall. "What if one of the crew wants to get to the ship?"

"We're not serving together," Nick retorted. "Plus, I don't really give a damn about who sees us."

Smirking he reached under her chin, tilting her face upward. He cupped her face in his hands, gently running his thumbs along her cheek bone, and leaned down to capture her mouth in a lingering kiss. Nick moaned softly and pulled him closer, her hands tangling into his hair. A low groan escaped him as she nipped his bottom lip and her tongue swiped teasingly over it. He parted his lips to deepened the kiss, tongues sliding slowly around each other.

At last he pulled away, arousal flooding through him in waves.

"We have to stop," he murmured breathlessly, leaning his forehead against hers.

"We could always go to my place." she nodded toward the Normandy. "Or yours," Nick suggested in a low voice, leaning against him.

Kaidan shook his head reluctantly. He placed a kiss on the top of her head, inhaling the citrusy scent of her hair, and closed his eyes. He wanted her, badly; but a quick tumble wasn't what he wanted for their first time together again. He wanted to cherish her, not cheapen the moment by rushing things. Straightening his shoulders he stepped away from her.

"No. Tempting as it is, I want to be able to take my time."

Nick's gaze lingered on him. "Is that a promise?"

Kaidan held her gaze and nodded.

"Well," she said, bringing her mouth close to his ear, "be sure to make good on it."


A/N: I hope you enjoyed this short chapter! Reviews are most welcome. :)