Thank you all for reading! Special thanks to Oleander's One for thoughts and support.

As the elevator doors slid open, Shepard and Kaidan hastily stepped apart from one another. Not that they had been doing anything unseemly, or even touching, but they had been standing rather close together, taking comfort from one another's nearness. Since the defeat of Sovereign, they hadn't exactly kept their relationship a secret—coming so close to death left them both unimpressed with the regs—but they didn't see the need to flaunt it, either.

They stepped off the elevator together. Kaidan turned toward Shepard. "I'm going to check in on the supplies we ordered for the refit. Joker's chomping at the bit to get those new parts in and installed."

"Good. I'll go talk to the Ambassador about the meeting with the Council."

Lowering his voice, Kaidan asked, "Have you decided which one you'll recommend?"

She had narrowed the choice down to the Ambassador himself or Captain Anderson. Anderson was the right choice, she felt, but the Ambassador's nose would be put thoroughly out of joint if she didn't pick him, and he could make things very difficult for Anderson if he chose. Plus, he had a political savvy that Anderson lacked. Still, it was hard to stomach rewarding him with the highest honor humanity could gain in the greater universe after he had betrayed them so baldly before. Shepard shook her head at Kaidan, and he nodded, understanding that the answer was both no, she hadn't decided and no, she didn't want to talk about it.

"Then I'll see you later."

She smiled. "Absolutely." As he walked off toward the requisitions office she watched him, enjoying the confidence in his walk and the strength in his muscular body, thinking about those muscles rippling underneath her hands the way they had last night in the throes of his pleasure.

"Pardon me, Commander."

The soft voice threw her completely out of her intimate memories, and Shepard nearly stumbled as she turned around. Recognizing Emily Wong, the reporter she had helped out several times during previous visits to the Citadel, she smiled ruefully. "Sorry, you caught me woolgathering. Is there something I can do for you?"

"Really, I just wanted to ask you some questions, if you have a moment."

"Of course. I was heading for the embassies—do you have time to walk with me?"

Emily nodded. Shepard kept her steps shorter and slower than usual in order to match Emily; the dainty reporter didn't stride like a soldier … she didn't need to, after all. And the Citadel was built more for strolling and enjoying the peaceful surroundings than for striding along in a hurry. Shepard had noticed that every time she was here. She attracted attention just through her walk.

Once they were in the elevator heading up from C-Sec, she turned to Emily. "What did you want to ask?"

"Well, I was hoping to get some statements from you on the record."

"This is an interview? I thought you covered more hard-hitting news than I am."

Emily smiled. "There is no hotter news story than you are right now, Commander, and I go where the public's attention leads me."

"I suppose I understand that. What do you want to know? About the fight, about Saren or Sovereign or the Reapers?"

"Actually …" Emily cleared her throat. "This is a bit more of a puff piece, if you will, Commander. I wanted to know about you and Lieutenant Alenko."

Shepard blinked at her, not certain she had heard right. "What?"

"Now, now, Commander, even you must be aware that the two of you are the Citadel's power couple."

"Can't say I was, no." She frowned. "'Power couple'?"

"Sure. The most famous pair, the ones at the top of the food chain."

"This is news?"

Emily laughed. "Very much so."

Shepard shook her head. She really didn't understand civilians. Not at all. "I suppose I can answer a few questions. What do you want to know?" She wasn't sure this was safe ground to talk about, but she trusted Emily from the times they had worked together before, and she could always refuse to answer if a question felt wrong.

"Well, for starters, did the two of you know each other before your assignment to the Normandy?"

"No. I was aware of the lieutenant's qualifications, but we had never met."

"So love blossomed amidst the strife of the conflict you became involved in?"

Shepard winced. "That's a bit flowery, don't you think?"

"Reporter-speak."

"Hm."

"I understand you are to remain in command of the Normandy—will the lieutenant remain on the ship as well?"

"Yes. At least, until he's promoted and given a command of his own."

"Are you concerned that if he's promoted, it will look like favoritism?"

Shepard gave a small smile. "When he's promoted, we'll be half a galaxy apart from each other most of the time. Puts a bit of a damper on a relationship. If my personal feelings played a role, it would likely be in the other direction. But Kaidan is a highly qualified soldier and I would never stand in the way of his career."

"So you feel a promotion is inevitable?"

"Of course. By any objective measure, his work has been exemplary. He has demonstrated leadership and quick thinking and courage under fire. I would not hesitate to send troops out under his command in any situation." It was the truth, and Shepard felt a glow of pride as she said it.

Emily nodded, smiling. "That seems to be the consensus. So you don't believe you'll be sharing the same ship for long?"

"No, probably not."

They were walking along the shining paths of the Citadel now, the lake to their left. Shepard could smell the water, the faint scent of the greenery. It was so peaceful here … but it was nothing compared to sitting at the top of the Normandy and watching the stars go by. She looked forward to being back out in space again, far from politics and reporters.

Emily chuckled. "You really don't like it here, do you?"

"How could I not like it? It's beautiful. It's just … not what I'm accustomed to, and not where I feel useful."

"Commander Shepard?"

"Yes?"

Hesitantly, Emily asked, "Would you ever consider letting a reporter shadow you on an assignment?"

Shepard didn't even have to think about the answer. "No. You'd be a liability, a danger to yourself and others."

Emily sighed. "That's what I thought you'd say."

"Sorry."

"No, I understand. But I had to ask. If you ever change your mind …"

"You'll be the first." They had reached the embassies now, and Shepard paused. "Any further questions?"

"Just one—have you given any thought to marriage?"

Shepard grinned. "Saved the big one for last, did you?"

"Of course. Reporting 101: Hit them with the bombshell when they least expect it."

"Well, the answer is no. I haven't thought about it at all." In Shepard's experience, marriage and the military didn't mix. Too much time apart on separate assignments. Whatever this was with Kaidan, she didn't want to drag it down with a lot of ties and pressure … she just wanted to let it be what it was.

Emily smiled, acknowledging that it had been a particularly difficult question. "Thank you, Commander. I appreciate your taking the time to speak with me."

"Happy to, Emily. Next time, let's make it an easier topic, shall we? Maybe intergalactic politics."

"I'll see what I can do."