"Thank you, Lauren. It was most kind of you to bring me here," Liara said weakly. Lauren smiled and steadied the asari as they went down to the crew deck. They entered the medbay and Dr. Chakwas looked up from her console. "Well, hello. What seems to be the trouble?" the doctor said kindly.

"Oh, nothing really. We just had a joining of the minds and I'm afraid I got more than I expected. It was...quite a...stimulating experience," Liara explained.

Dr. Chakwas looked at Lauren curiously. "I'm sure it's nothing a little rest and perhaps a small snack couldn't cure. I'll take it from here, Commander."

The doctor quickly began assessing Liara's condition. "Yes," Dr. Chakwas said, "you are just fatigued and even a bit dehydrated. I can't imagine that joining minds after being trapped on Therum did you any good. Just lie down here and that should help the dizziness."

"Thank you, doctor," said the asari. "I will be fine, Lauren. You don't have to stay."

"Ok, if anything changes, let me know, ok, Doc?" said Lauren.

"Aye, Commander."

"I'll check in on you later, Liara." At that statement, the asari's hand touched Lauren's arm gently. She smiled shyly at the human. "Thank you," Liara said earnestly. Lauren felt a similar smile creep onto her own face. Do all asari have such striking blue eyes? she thought.

As she left the medbay, she was still very aware of what had occurred not much more than 10 minutes prior, though time seemed to have slowed down. She wasn't sure how she felt now, having Liara see her mind, but she did know she felt different. It was unfamiliar, but not uncomfortable. Could she be slightly attracted to an alien?

Shaking the thought off and looking across the deck, she saw Kaidan working at a console by her quarters. He caught her gaze. Something in his expression made her approach him. "So, what do you think of our new Prothean expert?" Lauren asked casually.

"She seems very nice," was all Kaidan offered as an answer. He did not want to talk about Liara joining minds with Lauren. The whole thing made him uncomfortable in ways he knew he shouldn't express. He had seen the smiles the two shared through the medbay windows, and he mentally cursed his unnecessary jealousy. He had no claim on the commander...and she is my commander. Regs, Kaidan, regs.

"And?" Lauren probed.

"And...nothing. She just arrived on the ship 2 hours ago. I don't really know her. She's Benezia's daughter, right?"

"Yeah, we're going to Noveria next...so you'd better be ready to dress warmly. I want you on the ground team with me."

"I think my mom packed a sweater in with my gear," Kaidan joked, thankful to move the subject away from Liara.

"Be honest. Did your mom pack your stuff?" Lauren teased. "I would believe it."

"Ah, no...she may be a military wife, but she doesn't know what a man needs when he's deployed for such a long haul. My dad was never out as long as we are supposed to be."

"What a man needs?" Lauren laughed. "What in the hell do you need that you wouldn't want your mom to pack?"

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you."

"That puts all sorts of terrible things into my mind, you know that, Kaidan."

Kaidan said in a low voice barely above a whisper, "I'll just have to let you think those things then."

Lauren's eyes narrowed playfully. "You know how I am about mysteries..."

"You don't know how I am about secrets," Kaidan retorted. "I'm so secretive, you don't even know I have secrets." He chuckled at himself, which made Lauren laugh loudly.

"So how long are you going to be working down here? Is this console acting up?" asked Lauren, straightening her face.

"Not really and I'm not sure...Joker kind of hinted he liked to work alone. He said I was 'cramping his style.'"

"Yeah, that sounds like Joker...maybe I should go have a talk with him and get you your seat back."

"Sure, but I won't hold my breath."

The CIC was humming with activity as the ship was making its way to Noveria. Navigator Pressly, who was now Lauren's second-in-command, was busily eyeing charts and taking down notes for course adjustments. She knew his brain worked lightning fast on the calculations for Joker, so she passed him with just a simple nod.

Joker's hands were gliding around his interface and Lauren was impressed with the gracefulness of his movements. "So why'd you kick Kaidan out?" she said, sneaking up behind him.

"Whoa...shit, Lauren! You want me to steer us into a star or something?" said Joker, jumping in his seat. "That'd be even worse than that fucking volcano you nearly sent us into earlier. You know that lava can be really bad for ships. It tends to fry our circuits and melt the hull," winked Joker.

"If you couldn't handle it..." started Lauren.

"Hold on...I handled it, Commander. Otherwise, you would be a crispy critter on Therum."

"Ok, you got me, but you didn't answer my question."

"About Kaidan? Oh...he was boring me."

Lauren stifled a laugh. "Boring you? Did you ever talk to him?"

"I tried, but he's such a stick in the mud. He just wants to say things like, 'All systems green. Estimating time of arrival.' Boring work shit like that. I just like to keep conversations light...and stimulating." A big smile creased the pilot's face.

"Stimulating," Lauren nodded. "Like what?"

"Just stuff...women, you know, guy talk." Joker straightened up some under Lauren's scrutinizing gaze. "I'm not screwing off...just want to lighten things up sometimes...when I feel like it..."

"Which is always...I know you, Joker," she said.

"Of course, but you don't know him! I do..." Joker's voice got quiet. "I got the impression that Kaidan likes people of the male persuasion."

"You know that for sure?" Lauren was struggling to keep a straight face. "Did he hit on you?"

"No, but I didn't want any of the available ladies on board thinking I was...taken by him. I mean, it's totally ok for him...but I like to have someone around with similar interests."

Lauren mustered every bit of authority in her voice as she could. "You know that's highly bigoted of you and I could put you off the ship for that and have you reassigned groundside. Kaidan will come back into the co-pilot's seat and you will tolerate him, understood?"

Joker looked shame-faced. "Aye, Commander. In my defense, I only ever told him he was boring."

"He told me you said he was 'cramping your style.'"

"Well, yeah, I guess...after that new girl Williams came up here. She started chatting with me and her hair was wet and hanging down from her shower...oh man, then Kaidan is all, 'Chief Williams, you must be in proper armor or BDUs when on the main deck. That includes your hair.' So she walked her sexy self away. That's when I told him he was cramping my style and that maybe he should go down and make sure that the bathroom dryers were working, because I thought I saw something wrong down on the crew deck's power flow."

"You lied," Lauren accused.

"Hell yes...but now you make me feel like a real asshole."

"As you should, Joker." Lauren chastised. "Plus, gay guys make great wingmen. Just give him a chance." Lauren briskly walked out of the cockpit, covering her face to hide the tears of laughter that were streaming down. In the stairwell, she stopped and leaned against the wall, laughing heartily for a few minutes until she finally regained her composure.

Kaidan looked amusedly at Lauren's red face when she returned. "I take it you have news? That was quick," he said.

"Indeed. It seems our pilot didn't want you hitting on him and wrecking his chances with women. Kaidan, what did you say to him that made him think that?"

"Um..." Kaidan remembered the conversation and didn't want to tell her that she was the topic. "It was more of what I didn't say. He assumed and I just never corrected him. Did you set him...straight, so to speak?"

"No, I didn't. He also thinks we don't know each other well, and I didn't correct that either. As far as the rest of the crew is concerned...the more professional you and I can be perceived, the better."

Kaidan nodded thoughtfully. "I understand."

"Well, you can have your seat back whenever you want it," Lauren smiled.

"Aye, ma'am. Thanks."

"Don't thank me. I told Joker you'd be his wingman."

Kaidan's jaw dropped as Lauren headed toward the elevator. "You're kidding, right?" She was out of earshot when Kaidan said under his breath, "I can't pick up women myself. How could I be of any help to him?"

x-X-x

Kaidan took his seat by Joker quietly. He could tell the pilot saw him as he shifted in his seat.

"Welcome back," said Joker in a humble tone. "So, uh, we can just forget all of that 'cramping my style' thing, right?"

"Yeah, sure," Kaidan answered, stifling a smirk. "It never happened."

"Ok," Joker sighed, settling in his seat more comfortably. "So we've got a few hours to kill before we hit Noveria...and just so you know, I'm really not an asshole."

"I never said you were."

"Yeah, I know...I guess I was just...worried after my conversation with Laur-Shepard."

"I thought you said you two were close?" Kaidan said.

"Well, yeah, but she's still...she's still the CO and I respect that. I thought she told you what I had said."

"Nope, she just told me that I was needed at my station up here," Kaidan lied.

Joker nodded affirmatively. "So tell me about you then...you involved with anyone?"

Kaidan thought for a moment before responding. "No, it's been a while."

"Yeah, I hear ya," said the pilot. "The military life doesn't leave time for much more than flings. You've probably had a few of those, right?"

"Not so much. I don't go into that sort of thing lightly."

"Ok, I see I'm getting nowhere with this...come on, Kaidan, I'm trying to find something interesting about you..." Joker teased.

"Sorry...I guess I'm just a regular marine, unattached. Nothing special...well, except the biotics."

"Eh, biotics...overrated," scoffed Joker.

"Are you crazy? Biotics are amazing," said a voice from behind them. Kaidan turned to see Jenkins approaching.

"What's going on? You don't usually come to the cockpit," said Joker.

"Well, Commander Shepard is gathering some of those who aren't super busy in the cargo bay for some sparring, keep our reflexes sharp. I came to see if either of you..."

"I do not like the idea of breaking myself for your amusement," interrupted Joker. "So, no, I'm out."

Jenkins looked eagerly toward Kaidan. "What about you?"

"I'll be down in a bit," Kaidan said, giving him an enigmatic smile. "Tell the commander to save one for me."

Jenkins hurried away and Joker let out a laugh of disbelief. "You have the balls to challenge her? You know she has some serious skills."

"I know...I've seen her in action."

Joker waved off Kaidan's assertion. "Right, she took you down on Eden Prime, but seriously, you have a death wish?"

"No, and I'm not scared."

The pilot turned he chair to completely face Kaidan, his eyes wide with incredulity. "These are the times I wish I could read minds. I can't tell if you are shitting me or not. Remind me to never play poker with you."

Kaidan smiled as he adjusted a few of the systems on his console. "I think everything is in order now. You shouldn't have any problems with any power fluctuations, even with the bathroom systems. If you do, call me. I'll be in the cargo bay."

Joker called after Kaidan as he walked away. "You are a dumbass, Alenko. You are going to get your shit handed to you, just sayin'!"

x-X-x

About a dozen human crew members were gathered in the cargo bay, along with Wrex, Tali and Garrus. Kaidan walked out of the elevator and saw Lauren standing to the left of the group, a datapad in her hand. "Ok, here are the rules," she said. "No trickery, no sucker punches, and no kicks to the quad. When both shoulders hit the ground, you're out." Lauren winked toward Wrex, who rumbled a low chuckle. "Otherwise, just don't kill each other. Here is the bracket. Single elimination."

Jenkins saw Kaidan approach. "Oh hey, I got you signed up since you weren't here right away. I guess we're seeing who's the best on the ship."

Kaidan just wanted a quick spar, not multiple fights. He grimaced, "How many are actually fighting?"

"Well, the turian and the krogan agreed to be the referees. I think the quarian is in, you, the commander, me, Jamin Bakari and Carlton Tucks from engineering, Mess Sergeant Chase, and Silas Crosby." Jenkins looked hopeful. "I think I have a pretty good chance. I was always one of the top fighters in boot camp."

"Ok, first round...we have Alenko and Crosby, Bakari and Chase, Tali and Jenkins, and Tucks...you get to face me," Lauren announced.

A few more crew members had come into the cargo bay, as well as Dr. Chakwas, who pursed her lips disapprovingly.

Lauren had divided the open area into two rings and called for the first two pairs to enter. Kaidan felt bad for Crosby. He was a much smaller man, so Kaidan decided to take it easy on him and definitely not use biotics. Garrus was their referee and he seemed almost gleeful with this competition. "You heard Shepard," the turian said. "Fight clean. First one with shoulders to the ground is out. Go to your corners."

"My money's on Alenko!" a female voice piped up. Kaidan looked. It was Ashley Williams. He smiled in appreciation. "Kick his ass, Alenko!" she cheered.

Garrus nodded at each man, before he said, "Fight!" His order could barely be heard over the group around the other ring where their fight had already started. Crosby heard though and had closed the distance to Kaidan quickly, getting a swift hook to Kaidan's face before he had time to react.

One thing Kaidan learned quickly...Crosby was fast. Kaidan threw a couple misses before he finally connected with the other man's jaw, jarring the smaller man. With that, Kaidan made quick work of him and had him down on the deck with a clean jab. "Damn straight, Alenko!" Ashley hooted.

Kaidan bent over and helped Crosby up. "No hard feelings, man."

"Not at all," smiled Crosby, wiping his bloodied nose. "I'm just glad I didn't draw Shepard first. I at least got one good hit on you."

Kaidan smirked at the backhanded compliment. Then he rubbed his own jaw. "Yeah, you did."

"Ok, Tali, Jenkins, you're up," said Garrus. "Get in the ring."

Jenkins towered over the quarian. Kaidan wondered what Lauren was thinking when she put together this bracket. He looked over at the other ring to see that Chase had upset the obviously built Bakari. A loud cheer arose and he saw Lauren laughing heartily as she slapped the winning woman on the back. "Take a break, Chase. You get the winner between Tucks and me."

"Fight!" Garrus bellowed. Jenkins wasn't going to be taken off-guard like Kaidan had been. He went on the offensive, throwing a powerful right jab straight into Tali's helmet. Kaidan cringed as he heard the dull thunk, and saw Jenkins turn away, cradling his hand. Tali moved in front of the man and with a few well-placed punches, knocked the air out of Jenkins as well, and the man crumpled to the ground. To make the victory complete, Tali pushed Jenkins' shoulders to the deck with her boot. The crowd erupted as she quarian rose her hands high.

"Impressive," said Garrus. "I always knew that helmet wasn't for air filtration."

"Actually," Tali purred, "quarians have a filter that delivers an extra boost of stamina. It's probably an unfair advantage...in a fight."

Garrus' mandibles flared in response to the obvious flirt. Then he cleared his throat. "Alenko, we'll give Tali a few minutes and then it's the two of you."

Jenkins had gotten his breath back and stood up, laughing weakly. "I never fought a quarian before...guess it shows!" He took his split knuckles to Dr. Chakwas, who was prepared with a small dose of medigel and a skin regenerator. "I'd still take it easy, Corporal," she ordered. "The new skin is tender." Jenkins nodded and took his place by the other ring to watch the ongoing fight between Lauren and Tucks.

Kaidan joined him and saw that the fight was actually more closely matched than the other three had been. Both Lauren and Tucks were sporting bloody noses and bruised shoulders. One thing Kaidan noticed though was that Tucks was beginning to tire and Lauren's face was set in determination. The difference showed after a few jabs made by Tucks missed their mark, and Lauren closed in for the kill with a flurry of shoulder shots. Tucks tumbled and Lauren sat down on the man, pressing his shoulders down. The crowd laughed, as did Tucks. Wrex roared in delight.

"Good fight, Tucks," said Lauren as she stood and helped the man up. "You're a hell of a fighter. Any given day you'd have a real chance of beating me. Maybe we need to talk about getting you into N-school after this mission." Tucks beamed and took his bruised body toward the doctor. Lauren saw Kaidan watching and that he was unbloodied and perspiration free. She smirked in his direction and gave him a subtle nod.

"Alenko!" It was Garrus.

Kaidan turned and went back to the other ring where Tali was waiting. "Your quarian opponent is ready," the turian grinned. "Do you have any words for each other?"

"You're going down, human," Tali said in a tone as ferocious as she could muster, but Kaidan still thought she just sounded cute.
Looking toward Kaidan, Garrus gave him a chance for some smack talk. "I'm not worried," Kaidan deadpanned, and the crowd cheered.
Garrus sounded the signal to start the match and Kaidan walked calmly over to Tali, picked her up, and laid her on the ground. Tali yelped, and the crowd booed in response. Kaidan looked at Tali and said quietly, "I'm not breaking my hand on your helmet."

Some of the crowd called for a rematch, but Lauren raised her arms to quiet them. "As much as it was kind of a cheap tactic, it was technically fair. From now on, wins are won on actual fighting, not outweighing." She looked at Kaidan and shook her head, laughing. Then she moved to the other ring to face Chase.

Chase was a sturdy woman, thickly muscled. Kaidan thought she probably outweighed Lauren by a good 20 pounds. Wrex nodded in amusement and said, "This is probably the fight we've all been waiting for...a nice girl fight. No scratching." Then he guffawed loudly. Lauren and Chase gave Wrex annoyed looks. When he was done, he looked that both women were set. "Fight!"

Chase and Lauren took steady steps toward each other and began circling. Both women looked pretty battered from their previous fights, so movements were deliberate. Kaidan wondered how Lauren would be ready for Noveria, since they would be arriving in less than two hours. Chase took a swing and connected with Lauren's shoulder, throwing her off-balance for a second. Lauren winced and bit her lip, swinging with an upper-cut of her own. Her fist met Chase's chin and knocked the woman back. Her knees buckled and it became clear she had been knocked out.

Dr. Chakwas pushed her way in and knelt by Chase. "Shepard, I cannot have you killing each other over such foolishness. This competition is over." The doctor checked the woman, who was conscious, but seeing stars. "You come with me to the medbay. I need to make sure you don't have a concussion."

The crowd was quiet and Lauren looked guilty. The crew started filing away, but Ashley made her way to the commander. "That was one hell of a punch. I'm glad I wasn't on the receiving end of it," she said consolingly.

"Why weren't you signed up?" asked Lauren.

"Well, I only showed up when I was done with modding the guns. I finished too late." She continued, "It's a shame you and Alenko didn't get to spar. I was looking forward to that one."

Kaidan stopped when he heard his name and walked back to the women talking. "I have to admit, I was looking forward to a rematch myself," he said enigmatically.

Ashley looked at him with curiosity, but Lauren met his gaze with a steady one of her own. "We'll get a chance, Kaidan. Apparently, just not today. If you'll excuse me, I have to go see Mom about patching up my boo-boos."

"You're going to get a lecture along with it, Skipper," laughed Ashley. She turned to Kaidan. "What did you mean about a rematch? You guys spar before I boarded?"

"Ha. No," Kaidan smiled watching Lauren head toward the elevator. "It's a long story from a long time ago."

"When we're done on Noveria, you need to tell me about it. The idea of a little Skipper and little L-T together is kind of adorable," teased Ashley.

"Oh, it's not like that," blushed Kaidan, realizing the wistful sound he had had in his voice. "But, sure, if you want to hear about it."

"Then it's a date," said Ashley. Kaidan grinned.

A/N: Well, I've been sitting on the beginning of this chapter for a long time, couldn't get anything going, but it finally clicked. I hope you have enjoyed. Thank you for reading! Let me know what you like and what you don't! Also, just in case anyone is offended by Joker...his entire motivation was getting women, not being intolerant. :)