A/N - Bet you thought I'd forgotten about this.


She couldn't help the smile on her face as she looked up from her screen, staring into the middle-distance. Stop thinking about it, Karin. You're just distracting yourself. That first offer of dinner had been the two simply joining each other in the mess with the rest of the crew. She knew straight away that isn't what Shepard had exactly wanted, as he didn't look particularly impressed with some of his colleagues joining them. She found it very difficult not to laugh as he almost glared at Garrus next to him as the turian cracked a number of bad jokes at his expense.

It had become almost a nightly ritual for them. He would either be off on some mission or was busy in the CIC for most of the day. She would be in the med-bay usually or would spend time with Mordin, helping with any experiments needing her touch of expertise, or would visit Joker in the cockpit. He didn't always need her help nowadays, but he still suffered from his syndrome. He would never admit it, but he still needed her help.

She wasn't sure what the crew thought, but soon enough she realised that they were being left alone during meal-times. Shepard would always collect her from the med-bay. He would make sure she was seated and settled before approaching the Mess Sergeant to collect two meals. He would then return and for the next couple of hours they would eat, drink and converse. Sometimes they would discuss the current mission. Sometimes they would discuss their times on the old Normandy. Sometimes they would discuss the most arbitrary of things. She was impressed at his depth of knowledge, clearly with an interest in numerous topics, definitely well-read and most certainly intelligent. Not that she had ever doubted any of that, but they certainly conversed far more this time than they had during their previous mission. She knew why.

"Doctor Chakwas?"

She almost jumped out of her chair as the pilot's voice echoed in the silence of the med-bay. "Joker? What is it?"

"Shepard is headed your way. Or he's at least headed to the mess. He isn't happy. Something happened on Horizon."

"Isn't happy? What happened? What do you mean?"

"I mean I think he's ready to blow a gasket. Not sure of the details. I think he may need… you know. You."

She didn't miss the insinuation. She didn't know if Joker was aware of the complex relationship she had with the Commander, but he was aware that she'd still be a help, considering the circumstances. "I'll keep an eye out for him, Joker. Thanks for the heads up."

She stood up and simply looked through the window out into the mess, one arm crossed across her chest, the other stroking her chin as she thought. What could have happened to make him so angry? I can't even remember the last time I did see him mad with anyone. A visibly angry Shepard appeared in the mess not long afterwards, followed by Garrus and Miranda, both trying desperately to calm him down. She didn't miss the language being used by the Commander. From a regular grunt, it wouldn't be unusual. To hear him use it, though. It did make her blush slightly. My god, what happened down there?

She watched for a few minutes as he paced, anger oozing off him as Garrus and Miranda tried to calm him down. He didn't seem angry at them, appearing rational in his discussions with them at least. That wasn't particularly surprising, he knew he had already developed a fruitful working relationship with Miranda, whatever his personal opinion of Cerberus. And whatever happened on Horizon had left him this way. She wondered what had happened, though she wouldn't wonder any longer, nodding to herself. She strode out of the med-bay, turning and walking towards Garrus as Shepard walked away with his back towards her, before turning, walking forward a couple of paces then stopping in his tracks as he realised she was now standing nearby.

"Hey, doc," Garrus stated, "Bet you're wondering what's going on?"

"Hard to miss something has happened, Garrus," she stated, not taking her eyes off Shepard, who had already deflated slightly.

"We had what you could call a difficult reunion, doctor," Miranda explained. She looked at Shepard, who was obviously trying to bottle his emotions as he looked at her impassively. "Maybe you could talk to him?" she suggested further.

That caught her by surprise, unable to stop her glance towards Miranda, who, if she guessed correctly, gave her a knowing glance. She doesn't believe… "Commander, is there anything you would like to discuss with me?"

Shepard looked at Miranda and Garrus first. Then he gestured that they could go. "Before you go, either of you have any issues?" They both shook their heads. "Good. Head off, grab a bite if you want or just cool off. I'll come talk to both of you later. Miranda, I assume you'll make a report?" The Cerberus officer nodded. "I'd like to offer my input." Miranda was clearly surprised but nodded her acceptance.

He then looked at her, Chakwas turning and gesturing for him to follow into the med-bay. She took her usual seat, Shepard taking what could be considered his usual seat near her. He sat down and noticeably sagged in his chair. She didn't launch a barrage straight away. "Care for a drink, Shepard? If I may be so bold, it looks like you do with one."

"I may just drink whatever bottle you have, Karin."

She had to raise an eyebrow at that admission as she grabbed a bottle of spirit from her desk drawer. She kept a couple of glasses nearby for just such an occasion, pouring the usual two fingers into each glass, before offering one to Shepard. He thanked her before taking a deep breath. She was relieved that he only took a sip, before leaning back and closing his eyes, taking another deep breath, clearly trying to control himself. Already he appeared calmer, though there was clearly inner turmoil.

"What happened?" she asked simply.

He looked at her, almost incredulously for a moment, before he started to laugh. Only for a moment, and there was no missing the bitterness behind it, but the stress seemed to disappear slightly as he did. He took another sip from the glass before responding. "Horizon. That is a colony I hope to never see again."

"I can only take it from your reaction that mission wasn't successful?"

"I wasn't angry about that… Well, not entirely. I'm pissed about losing the colonists, though we managed to save some of them at least. The Collectors still made off with a few of them, though. No, that's not what pissed me off."

She almost didn't want to ask. "What then?"

"A certain person by the name of Operations Chief Ashley Williams."

She knew a gasp escaped, noticing a slight smile appear on his face at that revelation, though only for a second. I haven't seen Ashely since the last day on the Normandy… What was she doing there? "What was Ashley doing on Horizon? And it sounds like she's had a promotion." She remembered their conversations. The family name had prevented her ascent through the ranks. Maybe all her good work on the old Normandy had finally led to forgiveness, if one could call simply doing your job and doing it well, from the Alliance.

He shrugged. "Didn't know anything about her promotion. Anderson told me she was on a mission, but not a lot else. Classified. Couldn't say much else. As for what she was doing on Horizon, I got a couple of different stories. Part of the reason was building gun batteries to protect the colony. Fat lot of good that did. Part of the reason was that the Alliance would obviously know about my return, know about my connection with Cerberus and actually believe that we may be involved with the disappearances!"

"You're joking?" she had to ask.

He chuckled again. "Trust me, I wish I was!"

"So I can only assume this reunion didn't go smoothly?"

"I think the only way it could have gone worse is if it had come to blows. And I think she actually did want to hit me at some stage. Flat out called me a traitor to the Alliance."

She knew that one would have hurt. Shepard had been a loyal Alliance soldier until the day he died. Only circumstance prevented him wearing that uniform now. Granted, he was a Spectre again, but that was still relatively unofficial as the Council also wanted to keep its distance. It's little wonder he was feeling isolated at times.

"So what is she doing?"

"I tried to explain the situation, but she wouldn't hear me out. Said she'd head back to Arcturus and make her report. If the Alliance didn't believe I was back, they sure will now."

"And Ashley wouldn't even consider…?" she trailed off, leaving the obvious question unsaid.

He shrugged again. "I did offer. She turned it down flat." He sighed. "Honestly, that I don't mind. Hell, I don't like the Cerberus link at times. But I do what I have to do. But her whole attitude was…" He trailed off himself as he was on the verge of getting wound up again, making do with another sip from the glass.

"So she's a step below a fully commissioned officer now?" she asked, trying to steer the conversation in a different direction.

He nodded. "About time she got promoted. I wrote numerous commendations for her regarding her services on the old Normandy. She should have been promoted far above being a Gunnery Chief long ago."

"Do you know who she's working with? What division?"

"No idea. Got the feeling she was on Horizon either by herself or only with one or two others. Didn't run into any other Alliance personnel though."

"And how is she doing?"

"Good. As far as I could tell from our rather brief conversation." He sighed again. "It was just another reminder that I lost two years."

"You haven't lost everything, Shepard," she said quietly, leaning forward to grab a hand, giving it a squeeze. The first genuine smile since he'd returned appeared, though he made do with just squeezing her hand back.

"Commander?"

She heard another sigh. "I know what he wants me for," he said quietly, "Yes, Joker?" he called out.

"Kelly says the Illusive Man is waiting for your report on Horizon."

"Very well. I'll be up there in a moment." He looked at her again. "Better go. Dinner later?"

"Of course, Shepard."

"Good. May end the day in a slightly better mood at least."

She felt her cheeks grow hot. They usually did whenever he complimented her, no matter how innocent it was. "Just want to keep you in the right frame of mind, Shepard."

"With you here, Karin, how could I not be in a good mood most of the time? It's only what I find out there that sometimes ruins it." He sighed. "I'd better go otherwise I'll keep him waiting." He arched an eyebrow. "Though I could make him wait longer."

She chuckled, shaking her head. "Go, Shepard," she stated, trying to make it sound like an order.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied, a mock salute as he stood up, "I'll be back later."

She'd only just turned back to her screen when she noticed Garrus out of the corner of her eye heading through the mess, clearly towards the med-bay. That surprised her, as although he was always very friendly with her, he never came to the med-bay. She turned around and was still surprised as he walked through the med-bay doors. He came to a stop and ran a hand over his head. If she could read him right, he looked apprehensive.

"Something wrong, Garrus?"

The turian didn't answer at first, clearly wanting to take a seat. She just gestured to the chair Shepard usually sat in as they conversed. She let him settle first before raising an eyebrow, waiting for his question or statement.

"How's he doing?" he finally asked.

It was a broad question, which could encompass any number of things currently affecting the Commander. "What are you talking about, Garrus? What's just happened or…?"

"I just know he talks to you, doc. Want to make sure everything is okay. I know what happened down there with Ashley was a real kick in the teeth for him. Another reminder of everything that's changed." He paused a beat, clearly looking at her. "Well, nearly everything." What's he's insinuating? Does he know? "And she wasn't exactly…" He trailed off, simply shrugging.

"He suggested the reunion didn't go well."

Garrus laughed. "Understatement of the year, doc."

"How was she?"

"It was… uncomfortable. It probably didn't help Miranda was there, wearing her uniform. Calling him a traitor. Even I could see that was a kick in the guts. I get the feeling he'd been doing okay with his return until we ran into her."

"I'm here for him, Garrus. And you're here too, which will only ease his state of mind. I think he's doing okay otherwise. Yes, the reunion to Ashley will play on his mind, but he'll overcome that. He'll be back on the ball tomorrow."

"You sure?"

She heard the concern in his tone. She could only grin. "I'm sure, Garrus. But if you're ever concerned, my door is open."

He stood up, bowing his head slightly. "It's good that you're here, doc."

She could only grin. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world, Garrus."