When Alenko claimed that something important had come up and he needed her backing, Shepard hadn't asked questions. She simply grabbed her pistol and a shield generator, secreted both around her person, and followed him out of the apartment.

She assumed the matter was 'independent Spectre business,' so she asked for no particulars about the mission, expecting that the details would emerge as needed.

She assumed wrong.

She recognized that she'd been duped when Alenko hailed a cab and slouched comfortably in his seat. He didn't have the look of a man on a mission anymore. In fact, he looked pleased with himself for managing to bypass 'where are we going and why' questions.

"All right, what's this really about?" she asked, frowning at him.

The frown did not affect Alenko in the slightest. "I'm taking you out for the day. You've been busier than Dr. Chakwas might like."

Apparently, busier than Alenko liked. It was true that she was making things to do, though most of them needed doing anyway.

"Don't worry, it'll be fun. And, if anyone but Dr. Chakwas asks, you can tell them you're dealing with low-impact galactic security," he grinned as the car stopped. Alenko opened the door and climbed out.

Shepard, still frowning, followed. "Galactic security at a—" she fell silent, but followed when Alenko pulled her by the hand, towing her along with him.

The smell of 'arcade' proved to be a fairly standard thing—just like the smell of a Relay Rob's. "This is galactic crisis?" she grinned.

"Galactic security. Look: radioactive mutants." Alenko rapped a game with his knuckles in passing. "Zombies. Skeletons. I think they've got an Ooze That Eats Anything somewhere…"

Shepard sighed, feeling a mix of being put upon and bland amusement. She was sure she knew what Alenko's counterargument would be if she protested too hard. "Alenko…" Shepard sighed again, then shook her head with another grin.

"Come on, you're released from quarters and we have yet to take advantage of the fact."

"You're fishing," Shepard declared succinctly.

"Nope. Not fishing," he shrugged.

For the first time in a long time, Shepard found herself unsure of whether he was telling the truth or bluffing. It wasn't a bad thing just…odd.

"Come on," he pulled one of the nearest game's laser pistols and handed it to her, grip first. "You're here, now. You might as well play a couple rounds."

She examined the pistol, ridiculously light compared to the real one she carried. "I was always shit at these," she remarked idly. She did not continue on to say that her eldest brother, Kian, and her father, had been able to play this particular kind of shooter for what seemed like hours.

"Before or after you joined the service?" Alenko asked shrewdly.

Shepard had to stop and think. "…before." O'Conner had dragged her to an arcade a couple of times, but O'Conner hadn't liked these shooters which meant (and Shepard was thankful at the time) that little more than her presence was required. Then again, Shepard remembered quite distinctly that the visit to the arcade was usually because the place in question had remarkably good food.

…she also remembered falling off the mechanical bull that O'Conner insisted they both take turns trying.

"Hey," a warm hand closed over her shoulder.

Alenko meant to say more, but she relieved him of having to. "Okay, okay, fine." She forced a smile which became genuine as both she and Alenko raised their arms to wave their omnitools in order to buy the first round. "I know you're good with biotics…so let's see how you do without them."

Alenko snickered as he took a stance before the display. "You're dead, Shepard."

"Then face the horde of veggie zombies by yourself," Shepard retorted simply.

"…mmm, bad choice of words," Alenko noted when the first wave ended, leaving the players a moment in which to catch their breaths. "I used to love doing this. My dad and I'd go downtown on Fridays."

Shepard chuckled as the second wave started. "It's got to be a thing with dads and eldest sons."

"So what was your game? You had to have a game."

Shepard considered. "No, I had a driving sim that was 'mine.'"

"Oh? Off-road? Go-kart?"

"Go left!" Shepard barked, and conversation lapsed as a surge of space mutants came surging across the display from the left. Once the action quieted, Shepard answered the question. "Motorcycle."

Alenko, apparently surprised by her answer, ignored his character for a moment and, in that moment of inattention, the character 'died.'

Shepard's character followed moments later, assailed by mutants from every direction. It was a good fight, but a good fight couldn't beat 'unbeatable' games like this one. Strange how the game was amusing rather than depressing, given the state of the galaxy and how many 'good fights' were needed…

Shepard turned to him, frowning. "What was that? You were doing fine." And, she thought, to think she hadn't wanted to play…Alenko was right. This was a good outing.

"Nothing." But the smirk on his face said otherwise. Whatever amused him, he didn't share. He simply spoke his mind: "You know what? I bet I could beat this with one hand behind my back."

"It's a sissy pistol, Alenko. Not much of a challenge, there." Shepard swiped her omnitool for another round.

"Okay…I'll bet I can do this with one arm behind your back."

Shepard shot two mutants before his words caught up with her. "…that's new."

Alenko, wincing, nodded.

Shepard suddenly chuckled. "Well, see if you can concentrate with my arm behind your back. That'd be a challenge, right?"

"A very pleasant challenge, for once," Alenko agreed as he slipped an arm around Shepard's back, pulling her close to him. She mirrored the gesture, glad he was left-handed. It meant neither of them had to shoot with an off hand when they stood literally shoulder to shoulder.

It was also a cozy way to save the galaxy.