A/N - It's back and... A scene I'm sure those following have been waiting years for!


It was getting late as Chakwas finished up her work for the evening, her half-eaten meal sat beside her on her desk. Definitely cold by now. Shepard had disappeared during the day and hadn't been back since. Perhaps another recruitment mission. Or maybe one of the crew needed something. She wasn't sure, but he hadn't been around for dinner that night. She looked out into the mess to see the lights turned down, otherwise empty of life, assuming that the rest of the crew was either in their quarters or one of the lounges. At times like this, she felt lonely on the ship. She had joined Shepard in a heart-beat, once she had been informed of his resurrection, but still couldn't find it in herself to trust the Cerberus operatives. Not completely, anyway, though the fact Shepard was trusting of them led her to rethink her position at times. Some of them were friendly enough but she still kept them at arm's length. She was glad Garrus was still alive and kicking and had been recruited. She had seen a marked improvement in the Commander's mood since the turian had come aboard. As for some of his other recruits, they were an eclectic mix. There was little doubt he was putting together a hell of a team. But, still, it wasn't like the old Normandy…

She was surprised to hear the door open behind her, swivelling her chair to see Shepard standing in the doorway, a slight grin on his face and an unmarked package in his hand.

"Evening, Shepard. What can I do for you?" She looked down at her omni-tool. "It's rather late. Not that I mind. I was just finishing up for the day."

"Evening Karin, I have something for you. In that event, would you like some company for a while?" he asked, walking in and holding forward the package.

"That would be delightful, Shepard. Take a seat," she replied, accepting the package from the Commander as he took the chair opposite her. She gave him a quizzical look, he just responded by gesturing for her to open the package. She tore off the simple wrapping for a boxed bottle of Serrice Ice Brandy to be revealed. She simply looked up at Shepard with a broad grin.

"You mentioned a while ago that you lost a bottle from the old Normandy so I thought I'd buy you a replacement."

"You shouldn't have, Shepard," she stated quietly, "This must have cost a fortune."

"The smile on your face is worth it alone."

She knew she blushed when he stated those words. "Shepard…"

He held up a hand. "I know. I know. It's been over two years. Well, for you, at least. For me, it's only been a couple of months since… that night…," he finished, looking away, as if slightly embarrassed for a moment before he looked back at her, "Nonetheless, my feelings haven't changed. Figured that was obvious."

She sighed and stayed silent for a moment. He didn't push for a reply, simply sitting in silence, waiting. To pass the time in silence, she opened the box and retrieved the bottle of brandy. She poured a couple of fingers worth into a pair of tumblers, handing one to Shepard and keeping one for herself. She took a sip from the glass as she turned the words over in her mind. "Shepard, I've had a lot of time to think since that night. I had time to think after Ilos. I had time to think after you were lost. I had two years to think of… what I may have lost. I have had time to think since you returned."

"That's a lot of thinking."

She smiled despite trying to be serious. "I care for you deeply, Shepard. More than I should for a number of reasons."

"But…?"

She shook her head. "No but. There never was a 'but'. It's just that I'm… not sure. I still can't look past the fact that you are 'Commander Shepard'. You could have any woman you want in the galaxy. On the old Normandy you had two throw themselves at your feet while a third was clearly interested, as you noticed. On this vessel I can again see those who are interested in you. I'm not blind, I am more perceptive than what people give me credit for. And you want to be with… me?" She sighed. "I'm sorry, I still just don't understand."

He put the glass down on the desk and rolled his chair forward. She watched him take her hands in his. They felt rough. She could already see the cuts and scrapes that covered them. She felt him rub his thumbs along the top of her hands. "What's to understand, Karin? Do I really have to sit here and list all the wonderful things I think, and I know, about you?"

She could feel her cheeks grow hot again. She lowered her head, shaking it slightly. "Well… no…," she said quietly.

He put a hand under her chin, lifting it slightly, looking right into her eyes. "I'm willing to wait for as long as it takes. I'm not going anywhere again. Whenever you're ready, I'll be there."

She just nodded as he let go of her other hand, rolling back his chair slightly to give her some space. She just grabbed her tumbler and knocked back the entire glass. She heard him chuckle to himself but he didn't say anything as she poured herself another while also pouring him another one. They sat together in silence for a while. Despite what they had just talked about, the silence wasn't uncomfortable. She enjoyed the company, and despite his obvious affections, of those she felt but wasn't sure she could reciprocate the way he likely wanted, she was glad he was there with her in that moment, enjoying a fine bottle of brandy. Before either of them had realised, they had consumed quite a portion of the bottle and she was starting to feel the effects.

"Do you know what we need?"

She looked at the Commander. "And just what do we need, Shepard?"

"Music!"

Before she could even reply, the Commander was busy keying his omni-tool. She was surprised when a slow tune started to play, and even more surprised when he stood up and offered his hand. "Would the lady care for a dance?"

She chuckled slightly. "Shepard, I've heard the rumours. You can't dance."

"Not to the tunes you get in a night-club. But, to this… well, I may surprise you. Trust me."

Of course she trusted him! She accepted his hand as he lifted her out of the chair. She felt his left arm wrap around her, his hand laying lightly on her back as she moved in closer, his right hand grasping her left. Slowly they started to sway to the music. She was surprised at the fact he didn't step on her toes immediately. Maybe he can dance after all. She leaned in even closer, resting her head on his shoulder as she let go of his hand and simply wrapped both arms around him, both of her hands now resting on his back. She could feel both of his on hers. She closed her eyes and simply got lost. In the music. In the feeling. In him.

She didn't know how long they danced, only the sounds of music in their ears. She didn't know who made the first move. All she knew is that when she lifted her head from his shoulder, he was staring at her with… she didn't exactly know what in his eyes. Certainly affection. Perhaps lust. Desire? Love? She couldn't be sure. What she was sure of is that he closed the distance between them. Slowly but inexorably. She was surprised at how soft his lips were when they met her own. She closed her eyes and simply enjoyed the feeling of being kissed. By him.

She felt him withdraw, opening her eyes to see him looking back at her with a slight grin on his face and that same look in his eyes. Though now she understood his desire for her. He leaned forward again. This time he deepened the kiss. She whimpered slightly into his mouth as he pulled her tightly towards him, one hand remaining on her back as the other moved downwards. She found herself lost in the moment. But only for a moment before her eyes shot open and she lifted her hands, softly pushing him away. He looked surprised as she closed her eyes, looked down and took a deep breath, still holding onto the front of his shirt

"Sorry," he said quietly.

She shook her head. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Shepard. But…"

"Too much, too soon?"

She nodded in silence.

"Couldn't help myself. Maybe the alcohol made me brave. It did that first time, remember?"

"It's still a lot to process, Shepard." She felt her cheeks flush as she looked up into his face. "But it was nice," she said, helpless to stop the grin forming on her face. He grinned automatically in return.

"Just nice?" he asked, clearly teasing.

"Don't push it, Shepard," she replied, still grinning.

He threw up both hands in mock surrender. "Okay. Okay." She realised her hands were still on his chest as they continued to stare at each other. Unsure as to what to do, she simply moved forward and hugged him. He just completed the embrace, wrapping both arms around her, sensibly keeping his hands in the middle of his back. She rested her head on his chest. She could hear his heart beating furiously. She felt him take a gulp of air. She figured he was probably trying to calm himself down. She had to stop the chuckle forming deep down inside her.

The music still played and they continued to sway, simply holding onto each other. She just rested her head on his chest, enjoying the feeling of his powerful arms encompassing her. The only movement he made, apart from the slight swaying and movement of feet, were his hands moving around her back, occasionally pulling her tighter to him. She simply closed her eyes and lost track of time, listening to the music, the sound of him breathing, the sound of her heartbeat and his.

Eventually it was Shepard who broke the spell. "I think it's getting late," he stated as she heard him open his omni-tool, then chuckling, "Yes, very late."

"What time is it?" she asked, still resting his head on his chest.

"One in the morning!"

That startled her as she opened her eyes and looked up at him. "It isn't?" she asked before laughing herself. He just nodded, showing her his omni-tool. It was definitely early in the morning.

"I don't want to, but I think I should probably go to bed. Not that I have anything really planned for tomorrow. Well, not yet anyway."

She felt him take his hands away, instantly feeling a sense of loss and lack of warmth. She watched him grab his glass and finish off the last bit of brandy before he grabbed his coat. She simply followed him to the door as he turned around. He cleared his throat and appeared unsure of how to end the night. She walked towards him, reaching up and caressing his cheek. He smiled slightly as he closed the distance between them, their lips meeting each other once again, his arms once again embracing her. This time it was a simple light kiss but she didn't miss the meaning behind it. She felt her heart flutter as he withdrew again.

"Goodnight, Karin," he said softly.

She caressed his cheek a final time before removing her hand. "Goodnight, Shepard."

He simply grinned a final time, before he turned around walked out of the room, the door closing behind him. She turned around and sat down in her chair, grabbing her glass and sitting in silence, as she stared at the door. She could still taste him on her lips. Still feel his arms around her. Smell him on her clothes. Feel his desire for her.

It seemed she still had thinking to do.