A/N: So I'm sorry that this took so long. I just pretty much stopped doing anything here on for a while. And while I'm almost completely over on AO3 now, I do understand that some people don't want to switch sites and so I'll be working to get fics caught up over here. Thanks for reading.

Chapter 14: Fighting Back

A datapad flew across the Starboard Observation Deck, landing in the recliner positioned in the corner of the room with a dull thump, the display flickering out.

Kaidan was pissed off and his datapad had just taken the brunt of the emotion's sudden rise. He wasn't usually one for a show of anger like that, but he figured he had the right to cause a little property damage every once in a while, especially if it was his own property. Not like he couldn't fix it if it was too badly damaged.

"Major Alenko, if you are…" EDI's voice called out to him.

"Not now, EDI," he cut her off, his voice tense as he dropped heavily onto the couch. She was probably going to tell him to leave the ship since he was throwing things but he was done with that. Once was enough to satisfy him and he didn't really have anything else available anyway.

"I was simply going to offer…" EDI continued.

"Unless you are looking for authorization to leave dry dock and pick up Shepard, I don't want to hear it," he shut her out again.

There was a brief pause before the AI responded, "Very well, Major."

It had been a week since they had landed at the Citadel to have Kaidan's implant checked. Shepard had met with Aria a few days after docking and had accompanied her on a mission to reclaim Omega from Cerberus. He made contact every few hours to let them know his progress and while he had relayed that the situation wasn't good, he wasn't to the point of needing backup.

Aria probably wouldn't take their help anyway if they showed up. After all, she had made Shepard go alone because she didn't trust some of the Normandy crew.

Kaidan suspected he was one of the crew she had in mind when she had told Shepard to go alone. He had a reputation that didn't mix well with the woman's usual methodology: namely following rules and caring about who got caught in the crossfire.

But Shepard being off on Omega had nothing to do with his current ire. His sudden penchant for violence was all Kami's fault.

Kaidan had asked Hackett to receive all reports connected to the pursuit of Kami as the Alliance tried to close the case once and for all with the man's arrest or death – they weren't being too particular about which way it went for once – and the word he was getting was nearly enough for him to put in a request to Hackett to join the efforts, if not take command.

Kaidan had spent most of the past week making sure every biotic Kami had captured was taken care of, only four coming from somewhere safe enough to return them to because of Reaper forces and the rest were found a place to stay on the Citadel. Kaidan had pulled Spectre status a few times to see them all to safety. He'd then spent the next two days working in the refugee camps to try and balance out basically giving the freed biotics priority over people who had just lost their homes. But Kaidan needed to keep tabs on them all with Kami still out there and people got lost in the crowd in the refugee camps.

Then there was the issue of Kami still being out there. The man had apparently prepared well for being discovered. Despite being cut off from all funds connected to his name and his company, he still hadn't resurfaced at all. The investigation team thought they had him the day before but when they showed up, they only found what he'd left behind.

And it was what he'd left behind that had really gotten to Kaidan: a message for him. Kami was calling him out, apparently nowhere near done with Kaidan. The biotic had been expecting this to some extent – men like Kami didn't just let things go – but he had figured the Alliance would have more of an advantage than what it seemed. The man obviously had good enough sources to know that they had closed in on him and that Kaidan would be in a position to get his message. After all, just putting "Major Kaidan Alenko" on a message didn't ensure that it would actually be passed on to him.

Kaidan couldn't help but think that if he'd been there, he could have patched EDI in to the console and she could have found something for them to follow up on and likely actually succeed in catching the bastard.

Kaidan felt like he could be doing more and he was running out of reasons why he hadn't given the Alliance more with this pursuit. Sure, he always had an abundance of reports and intel on the Reaper invasion to keep up with but he could multi-task. And now that he had the other biotics settled and the ones who hadn't been captured yet under close surveillance as well, Kaidan's only hesitation was Shepard returning and them needing to leave at once get back to the grind of building an army against the Reapers. After all, Kaidan had met with the Council a few days ago and there had been hints from the asari Councilor that Thessia was seeing signs of Reaper activity in its cluster, but was waiting for Shepard to give the full details. That meant they likely already had their next destination.

Either way, Shepard couldn't wait around for Kaidan to finish up with Kami, meaning the Major would be left behind. He didn't want that at all. He needed to be with Shepard on the Normandy so much more than he needed to see Vincent Kami handled, whatever that ended up meaning.

So he was left getting pissed off at the leftovers of Kami's presence, the man continuing to provoke Kaidan, continued to believe Kaidan was where he wanted him in order to bring him under Kami's control.

Kaidan actually wondered if Vega would be interested in some hand-to-hand combat training. Physical exertion wasn't high on Kaidan's list of ways to blow off steam, but he already wasn't handling this like normal. Might as well make the Lieutenant's day by letting him get in a few hits on a Major before he got knocked on his ass. Vega had him on strength, but Kaidan was leaner and quicker, better with evasion. Had more years of combat experience as well and that would be the decider on him winning out over Vega.

Decided on checking if Vega was in his usual haunt in the Shuttle Bay, Kaidan stood and ran his fingers through his hair to soothe the first twinges of a headache. He turned to the door only to stop short at seeing Garrus leaning against the wall next to the door with his arms crossed, his gaze intent on the human.

"Garrus, I didn't hear you come in," Kaidan murmured as he rubbed the back of his neck in slight embarrassment. It wasn't the first time he'd not noticed people coming and going from the observation room but he was usually actually working when that happened.

"Got an interesting request from EDI," Garrus responded, his voice light and slightly amused as was normal for the turian. "She said you were reminding her of Grunt. I thought she meant you'd somehow discovered the human equivalent of the blood rage and were about to tear your way through the ship."

"But it's just me. You should be so disappointed," Kaidan responded, shooting the speaker just above the door a slightly dirty look not caring that the one on the receiving end of that look couldn't see it from here. Made him feel a little better though considering that the AI had decided that a little show of temper from him was worth asking another crewmate to check on him.

Maybe she was bored to have overreacted like this, wanting to observe some organic interactions.

Though, he wondered why she had asked Garrus. They were good friends, of course as they had watched each other's backs too much not to be, but he got along better with Liara's temperament.

Garrus' gaze shifted over to the corner where the datapad was still sitting before looking back at Kaidan. The Major ignored the action. "I'm not sure I could pull off anything I've heard about Grunt doing, so the analogy falls pretty short. Did you need something besides curiosity satisfaction?"

"EDI may have just put it like that to pull me away from the weapons system." The way Garrus said that made Kaidan think that EDI hadn't actually said that at all, simply told the turian about flying datapads and the Major shutting her down from talking to him; that would have been enough to get Garrus to come. "But she's not wrong in someone needing to check on you, someone more familiar with how you are than she is."

Kaidan bristled at that. He didn't need to be watched over like he was some irresponsible teenager; he'd had enough of that back at BAaT. He wanted to say something along those lines, but he had better control than that. Instead, he crossed his arms and fixed Garrus with an even stare, the one he liked to pull with Allers when she would interview him because it kind of got on her nerves. "And what's the expert opinion?"

Garrus' mandibles shifted in the way that said he was grinning. "That you need something more satisfying than throwing a datapad around."

Kaidan scoffed and replied, "I thought you were supposed to be the one who knew me better. That's more Vega than me."

Instead of continuing the back and forth, Garrus pushed himself off the wall and walked over to grab the datapad from the recliner. Kaidan was somewhat disappointed when the display came on without any indication of harm from its flight across the room. He'd have to aim for the wall next time, maybe throw some biotics into the equation for good measure.

Garrus started reading over the message from Kami that Kaidan had been looking at. The biotic knew better than to try and dissuade Garrus from doing so, knowing the turian would just figure out some other way to satisfy his curiosity later; probably by pulling Liara or Tali in for their various talents to help him. But Kaidan was going for damage control so he just let his friend read it. It didn't take long, the message only a few lines long, but it was enough to completely change Garrus' demeanor. It closely resembled how he looked when he was about to shoot someone.

"Shepard didn't confirm that we hadn't gotten everyone at that facility," his tone was all business now. "I mean, I know Joker reported a shuttle leaving the facility, but I didn't know it was the guy behind it all. We were supposed to take everyone there out, make sure it was dealt with for good."

"Nothing to do about it now," Kaidan said with a light shrug, trying for dismissive but suspecting he was falling short. At least Garrus' expression indicated that he wasn't buying. "He got off planet and is giving the Alliance an interesting target to chase. They've confirmed him in two other systems before getting a lock on him here at the Citadel about sixteen hours ago."

"Not only did he get away, now a few times, but he's calling you out. Why, Kaidan? Why you?"

"He seemed to think I was some sort of important conquest, like getting me on his side would make others just jump into line behind me. Not sure why he thought that but it was obvious a lot of resources were going to be put into my conversion."

"Shepard gave us the short version of what happened at the training facility, what happened to you." Kaidan felt his posture tighten. He had all but told Shepard it was alright to tell the crew what he needed to in order for them to be informed when they came to help, but to be reminded that his friends now really knew what he'd done?

And it had been a turian he had killed…

Did Garrus hold it against him? He didn't think so, familiar with Garrus as he was, but there was always the chance that it could affect their friendship.

Again, Garrus seemed to pick up on the biotic's moods unusually well as he walked over and gave Kaidan's arm a comforting pat. "You've already proven yourself to be the better man in this case. A lot of biotics who kill so young make that their pastime. I mean, yeah, you're a soldier and so you kill all the time, but you aren't favorable of it once the firefight is over."

"I'm not a killer."

"No, you're not. You're the calm one around here, the one who always thinks things through with a level head and more detail than any of us. So tell me, why do you seem to be losing that because of what the grudge match of the week has to say?"

Kaidan let out a heavy sigh, lifting one hand to rub at the bridge of his nose, relieving the slight pressure that had started to build. His headaches had been getting worse over the past few days and while he hadn't gotten to the point of a migraine, he was counting the days, expecting one to flare up anytime.

Taking in a deep breath, Kaidan considered what Garrus had asked. Why did Kami affect him so much? What was it about the man that made him just want to finish things and move on without the man in the world to affect any more people?

He must have been silent for quite some time, because Garrus reached out and tapped his arm. "Kaidan?" he implored. Kaidan's dark eyes lifted to look at his friend.

After a few more moments of silent observation and consideration, Kaidan let out a heavy sigh and ran both hands through his hair, another attempt at soothing tension.

"He's my Illusive Man," he declared.

He had made the analogy enough in his mind that it wasn't too far of a stretch saying it aloud. He was actually somewhat relieved being able to put it to words. It wasn't something he really felt comfortable saying to Shepard, feeling like the subject was still a little too sore in some ways. Maybe he'd be able to say it when Shepard got back if it came up, but he had to be a little more confident in voicing the thought sufficiently so it wouldn't sound like an accusation at any point.

"Meaning?" Garrus focused his attention just as it was starting to wander off again.

"If the Illusive Man really wanted Shepard dead, he would be making a better effort about getting the job done. But that isn't what he wants. He invested a lot of resources in keeping Shepard alive and he wants that investment under his control. He wants to control Shepard just like he wants to control the Reapers. Control is victory for him."

"And that's what Kami wants from you."

"Close enough to it. Reasoning isn't the same, but he is intent on me following him and no one else."

Garrus crossed his arms and his expression was somewhat bewildered. "This guy really doesn't know you. You're not really a follower."

This time Kaidan gave the turian a confused expression. "I'm a soldier; of course I follow orders."

"Not necessarily. Maybe back when we were on the SR-1 and you were a lowly Staff Lieutenant, sure, but now it's more that you agree with what is asked of you so you do it. Hell, you turned down a nice new position from Hackett because you wanted to be with Shepard."

Kaidan felt his face flush a little at that. "There was more to it than that."

"I know, but you just make it so easy to want to say stuff like that," Garrus said with a smirk, reminding the biotic that this was Shepard's best friend and there was a reason the two got along so well. "Kami's going after the wrong person and either he'll figure that out or he'll be stupid enough to confront you."

Kaidan's eyes narrowed slightly as he considered why Garrus was saying something like that. It was like he was simultaneously trying to get Kaidan to back off of Kami while encouraging him to give in to his thoughts of personally pursuing the man. Just what was the turian trying to accomplish here? He knew Garrus had something in particular he was trying to get out of talking to Kaidan, but so far he wasn't making it obvious enough to call him on it. Being familiar with turians as well as Garrus wasn't helping Kaidan out on this at all.

Then again, Kaidan was a straightforward man and not too proud to admit he just didn't get it and wasn't in a patient enough mood to wait for Garrus to get around to it, since he was obviously feeling evasive. "What are you getting at, Garrus? Either you want me to go after the guy and put an end to this or you don't. Both ways don't work with something like this."

Garrus let out a sigh and extended the hand still holding the datapad out to Kaidan, offering it back to him. Kaidan took it hesitantly and let it hang loosely from his fingers at his side. "What I want doesn't really matter here. It doesn't actually matter what anyone but you wants, because this is personal for you. It always has been and I think that's why you're struggling with it so much." Kaidan just gave Garrus a blank stare, listening closely but not quite getting all that his friend was trying to relay. "Kaidan, you are unerringly good at keeping it professional on the battlefield. Even your relationship with Shepard doesn't really phase you when you're fighting; you still watch out for everyone on the team as much as you did before, instead of just paying attention to Shepard. And Shepard told us how you dismissed the threat to you when you found out you were being targeted. That is a professional response. He didn't like it, still doesn't by the way, but I think you just don't have any experience treating it any other way. You don't know how to approach someone going after you."

Kaidan wondered if Garrus was on to something with this, because he still didn't see how that made any difference. And Shepard had said pretty much the same thing after he'd been captured and he still hadn't really given it any more thought. So what if Kami was gunning for him? It didn't change that he needed to be stopped and Kaidan could help do that.

And Garrus did have plenty of experience with people going after him from his days as Archangel.

But letting things become personal was dangerous. It changed your priorities and that could cost lives. And Garrus' comment about how he didn't let his relationship interfere with his fighting wasn't completely accurate. He worked hard every time they went on a mission to make sure he didn't let his love for John cloud his judgment. It helped that he had a good rapport with the crew and cared about them being safe – even Javik, regardless of the clash in personality they had – but he still felt the strong urge to just protect Shepard as opposed to protecting his squad.

Garrus let out a sudden chuckle, "I can actually hear you building an argument in your head." Kaidan's expression became dark at the turian's amusement. "You may not know this, but Shepard helped me settle something personal when we were dealing with the Collectors. All I had to do was let him know there was something I needed to settle and he offered to help. And he did help but, because it's Shepard, not in the way I thought I needed."

Shepard had talked with Kaidan in times of just sharing company how he had helped his crew settle things so they could face the Collectors with allegiance to Shepard and complete focus. But Kaidan hadn't known that Garrus had been among the ones helped in this manner, having already served with Shepard on the original Normandy. He wondered what Garrus had had to settle, but figured that if his friend had wanted him to know, he would have given him the details to make his point.

As it was, Kaidan felt he still needed a little more before he knew what Garrus' point actually was. "Shepard has mentioned something along those lines."

"Then you know what he would say if you asked him about settling things with Kami once and for all. We can't afford to be distracted from this fight and that's what Kami is doing to you now. He's a distraction from what we need to do and that could get you killed."

So Garrus did want him to take care of it. He could have just said so to begin with instead of dragging Kaidan's brain around the subject a few times.

Though to be fair, Kaidan could usually work things out on his own better than he was today. He didn't have anything he could really blame his distraction on, either, which made it worse.

"You think I should handle this personally?" Kaidan had to confirm.

Garrus grinned. "He made it personal. You should show him why you don't do that to one of us. Besides, Shepard didn't want anyone making it out of there alive. We wouldn't want to disappoint him, would we?"

Kaidan actually chuckled at how excited Garrus sounded. "You're a bad influence."

"And you're in charge right now," the turian responded with, as if to prove Kaidan's point.

But it was true, with Shepard off on his own mission, Kaidan was the one with authority over what happened to the crew and the ship. He could literally order them all to go after Kami and it would be completely within his rights. Hell, they'd probably not even have any objections with it being the man responsible for putting Kaidan at risk like he'd been. They took care of each other and that included proving to stupid people why you didn't screw with the Normandy's crew, as Kaidan had pointed out to Shepard and Hackett.

But he wouldn't do that. The Normandy needed to be ready to help Shepard out if he called. Anyway, Kaidan would be flying blind. While he could locate Kami, he would need time and full access to all files anybody had on the man and his company. Once he had a real understanding of the man's habits and way of conducting himself, he could develop a profile and figure out where he was based on the man's goal of getting to Kaidan. After all, he wouldn't taunt him then let things sit, especially when the galaxy might end any day. Kami was looking to get what he wanted before Kaidan slipped from his reach, a.k.a. when he left the Citadel. He had to know the same trap wouldn't work twice and so wouldn't have many options to draw the biotic in again.

And with things with the Reapers getting worse, Kami was running out of time. If he was even paying attention to things like that, that is.

But Garrus had given Kaidan what he needed to decide on his next action. He was decided at last and nothing was going to get in his way. Kami wanted Kaidan's attention and he really had it now, for the first time since Hackett had told him about the stolen reports.

Kaidan lifted his hand with the datapad and activated the display, reading over the message one last time.

Kaidan Alenko,

I was mistaken about you. You are worth so much more than I originally thought. I will not give you up to that human. You will choose my side and I will welcome you with open arms. But time is not on our side. Return to me soon, Kaidan.

With affection,

Vincent Kami.

Kaidan shuddered, remembering the unease Kami had instilled in him right off the bat when he'd met him and this message only exacerbated those feelings. This was as personal to that man as it was for Kaidan, but possibly for an entirely different reason. It was almost as if he didn't care so much about Kaidan joining his fight against non-biotics, just as long as he gave in to Kami. Surrendered to him, whatever that meant to the man.

Not that it mattered: Kaidan wouldn't surrender anything to Kami. He would take him out, that was that.

Dark eyes turned to Garrus one last time before he turned toward the door, speaking as he walked out of the room with the turian following behind, "You think Liara has a few screens she can lend out to me for a while?"

Garrus chuckled, "For you, she'd probably turn them all over for the sake of finding that bastard."

"It would be appreciated, but not necessary. I can find him through my own resources."

He would get everything ready, plan everything out to the best of his abilities, then he would tell Shepard what he was going to do. There was no asking permission on this one, just letting his lover who happened to be his Commander know what he needed to do. Shepard would have to support him.

Kaidan wouldn't be able to finish this if Shepard wasn't behind him. It would be too much like the man having no trust in his capabilities. And Kaidan being capable of handling himself was important to him; Shepard knew that.

So he just had to make sure his plan wouldn't fail.

No problem…

COMMENTS

Lili

Oh God, Kami needs to be pepper sprayed so badly. He was so creepy so thumbs up for that. 'With affection,' and the whole give into him parts really made it extra creepy.
I love how angry and frustrated Kaidan is. When he gets to a certain point of letting it out, that is how you know it's a problem. I am really glad EDI got Garrus. Without Shep there, he needed one of his friends to help him sort himself out.
I enjoyed the conversation between them. It was obvious they knew each other well, and I like how Garrus contrast Kaidan because they do have a different mentality. I was happy that after Garrus read the message, he was ready to shoot Kami and that Liara would have helped Kaidan out if he asked for it. The friendship is strong. Also, it was great that Garrus connected it to the suicide mission.
His own TIM is a good way to put it. Vyrnnus was an asshole to everyone, but he probably became a part of his emotion trauma more than a villain the way Kami is.
Man, anytime someone teases Kaidan about his relationship with Shepard is always a good time. 😊
I like how Kaidan came to his decision, he is going after Kami, but he is still going to do it by being himself in his approach. He needs to get all the information before he makes a move. I really enjoyed Garrus' comment that Kaidan never really enjoyed killing when the time ends. He is a soldier just not a killer. I mean he wanted to kill TIM in me3 but even then he was questioning the way he could have been a good person.
Thank you for the chapter. I really enjoyed it. Can't wait to see how it goes.