"Shepard? May I have a word with you?" EDI asked.
Shepard turned in her chair. "Sure, come on in!"
EDI did so, studying Shepard's weariness-etched expression. "I have a little good news for you, but also some bad news. The Citadel, or the Presidium at least, was vented before it left the system."
Shepard nodded, having expected as much. It was an easy, fairly foolproof way to get rid of anyone who might get underfoot. Even as she deplored it, EDI could see the logic. "The good news is this: do you remember Horatio, Tali's co-ambassador on the Citadel?"
Shepard took a deep breath, as if to stop herself from hoping, but something in her eyes sparkled as she put two and two together. "Yes."
"He is still functional, and on the Presidium. Contact was broken off when the Citadel made the jump to Earth, but he is there and is in place. It is likely he will reestablish contact once the Citadel reaches its destination."
"Thoughts?" Shepard asked, leaning back in her chair, rolling this new piece of information around in her mind.
"I suspect he will either isolate and eliminate the threat, or he will adopt a sit and see approach, the better to remain a useful asset," EDI answered. "I imagine the situation is very like that of the Heretic station: the Reapers may be aware of one lone geth on their station, and unless he identifies himself as a threat they may ignore him entirely."
"I hope you're right. If we've got to re-take the Citadel, we'll need someone on the inside. If he can get the station open, we might not even need to retake it…any word from Hackett about the Citadel being the Catalyst?"
"Nothing specific," EDI answered. "Just that the Crucible teams will figure out what they need to do and they will make it happen."
"Okay," Shepard glanced at the chrono on the wall, then picked up the hypospray of sedative on her desk. "Goodnight, EDI."
"Goodnight, Shepard…how is your head?"
"All clear. Now that things are happening, there's no room for tension headaches." Her tone said this was a great improvement…though the necessity of a sedative to get her through the night cycle was telling.
"Sleep well, Shepard. I will see you in the morning."
"Goodnight," Shepard repeated before taking the sedative and disappearing behind the door that separated her office and bedroom.
EDI left the room and headed down to her own quarters in the AI core. She had requisitioned extra pillows and blankets for tonight, taking Jeff's comfort into account. He hadn't changed his mind since agreeing to spend the night with her, much to EDI's relief. Part of her half expected him to. After all, she was a synthetic; it probably wouldn't be like cuddling a fellow organic.
She regarded one of her hands as she entered the lift, wondering at Eva Core's artificial epidermis, and whether she would want one herself if she had the option. It would probably be quite a process to grow and then fit it to her.
Perhaps tonight would give her perspective as to whether it would be worth the time, effort and expense.
Once in the AI core, she peeled out of her daytime uniform and laid it aside. She didn't have pajamas exactly, and wasn't sure if they would be required for tonight. She decided she could always ask Jeff whether he would prefer something; she had spare undershirts that would suffice for pajamas if she needed them.
She adjusted a pillow, then sat down, pulling Pinocchio into her lap and stoking its ears. Pinocchio was one of the first gifts Jeff had ever given her. A velveteen rabbit, because that famous rabbit had gone from being a child's toy to being a real rabbit. Just as Pinocchio, its namesake, had started as a puppet but became a real boy.
She liked to think she was a more likeable sort than the actual Pinocchio.
EDI looked up at the tap on her door. "Come in."
The door hissed open to reveal Jeff, looking a bit self-conscious, with a blanket and pajamas folded over one arm. "Hey."
"Hello, Jeff." EDI set Pinocchio aside. "I was unsure whether or not you would prefer me wearing pajamas. I can change, if it would make you more comfortable," she offered.
Jeff considered for a moment, then shrugged. "If you're comfortable, it's fine."
"I am." EDI turned and scooted over as Jeff changed into his pajamas, presenting the air of someone who wasn't watching until he shuffled over and sat down on the edge of the shelf that served as her bed.
"You really like this thing, don't you?" he asked, indicating Pinocchio.
"I do. How is Hilary?"
If he wondered how she knew he was thinking about his sister, he didn't ask. "Good. She's doing good. Looking forward to this all being over, but aren't we all?"
Like Shepard, Jeff didn't like relying on sedatives and stims to regulate his sleep-wake functions. Unlike Jeff, Shepard didn't have to fly the ship, and could cope with the side effects on those rare occasions when she made use of chemical solutions.
Sensing the awkwardness of the moment, EDI lay down first, adjusting the blanket. Once she settled, Jeff stretched out, readjusting his pillow.
"Thank you for agreeing to this, Jeff," EDI said softly, dimming the lights before hesitantly wrapping an arm around him.
"You're welcome," he answered, lacing his fingers through hers, then squirming a little until he settled more comfortably.
"I love you."
Jeff kissed her knuckles, then returned their laced hands to the blanket. "I love you too, EDI."
She wished she could share with him the warm surge those consciously- and coherently-spoken words sent running through her systems. Since she couldn't, she simply took the time to savor the sensation, to appreciate the way he fit against her—his posture easing and growing more comfortable in the silence that followed their reciprocal admissions.