Author's Note: I greatly apologize for the delay in updating! I'm getting closer to graduating college, so I don't really have much time to write, and when I do, I mostly write quick little things that get posted on tumblr or AO3. If you don't already follow me either of those places, I have links available in my profile here.

I want to say thank you so much to everyone who's been patiently waiting and reading along with this story. It brings me a lot of joy to write and I'm so so so happy that others can enjoy it as well. Feedback is always appreciated!

It was early in the morning cycle when he walked back into the med-bay, glad to have gotten some rest, finally. Though it seemed as though Chakwas hadn't. Or at least she wasn't getting restful sleep. The room had been darkened, and the shutters closed for privacy. Catherine's monitors were softly beeping, and Kaidan walked quietly, putting his hand gently on the doctor's shoulder to wake her. She jumped until she saw it was him.

"Go get some rest, I'll watch her."

"Thank you. Wake me if you need anything."

"I will." he said, watching her leave, and then taking her chair to pull it over so he could sit beside Catherine.

It wasn't eventful, and he was soon on his omni-tool, answering messages - mostly his mothers' - and catching up on things he'd missed. After that, he began to browse the extranet, finding himself opening up an article on Catherine from a few years ago. It was right after she'd first become a Spectre, the day that Kaidan remembered staying up just a little later than everyone else just to make sure that she got back alright, and got some sleep.

In an interview with Commander Catherine Shepard, first Human Spectre, I had the chance to get to know the woman behind the titles. Shepard was fairly reluctant to talk about her past with me, but I did manage to get one story about her reason for joining the Alliance.

"I was born on Mindoir, and helped work on my parents' farm. It was calm, and peaceful, and back then I never thought I'd want to leave. But there was one day, around mid-morning, that I can remember my mom getting a phone call, and frantically trying to gather things up, and call my dad into the house. I didn't know then what was going on, but I know now that she'd gotten a call from someone near the center of our city, and they told her that there were some Batarians attacking. But I guess the call didn't come soon enough because in about ten minutes, we were heading to our car when they showed up."

Shepard continued to recall the day that a rogue band of Batarians raided the colony, leaving her without parents, or any other family to look after her.

Kaidan had to stop himself from reading any more, closing out of the article, regretting that he'd even opened it. He didn't need to read that when he could very well ask her. Clearly if she was okay talking about it to a reporter, she was well recovered or adjusted to living with whatever happened - he knew it couldn't have gotten much better after that. Instead, he forced himself to pull open a book he'd loaded onto his omni-tool a while back, trying to get himself back into it, and realizing he'd have to start at the beginning.

It must have been another two or three hours before Catherine finally stirred from her stationary position. He could hear the soft noises that she usually made before she woke up and he smiled, standing up to grab a cup of water and some pain medication he knew she'd either ask for or need. But he was back at her side before she even opened her eyes, and he couldn't help but push back some of her hair to kiss her forehead.

"Hey..." she said with a hoarse voice, sounding happy as her hand came up to touch the one resting on her cheek.

"Hey you." he replied quietly, watching as her eyes slowly opened, blinking rapidly as they adjusted to the brighter lights. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel okay. Sore and tired still."

"I have some water and meds right here if you want them."

"Just the water right now." she said. Kaidan stepped back to let her slowly sit herself up, watching the way her arms shook as they supported and helped to push herself up. Handing her the cup of water, he purposefully brushed his fingers against hers, noting how cold they were. "What?" she asked, drawing his attention back to her face.

"It's nothing, I'm just looking over you to make sure there isn't anything I need to take care of." he said quietly, taking the cup from her and moving to turn off a couple of the monitors, and pull the appropriate nodes from her skin. "Chakwas needed some rest, and I've been told I need to keep an eye on you until we get back to headquarters, anyway." he shrugged.

"Oh." she nodded, sounding disappointed and lowering her head. He paused for half a beat before turning to grab something to wipe some of the adhesive off her skin. He really should keep this professional. But he so badly wanted to hold her, and kiss her, and make sure that she really was alright. Because he knew she was hiding something.

"You sound disappointed about something." he said quietly, almost under his breath.

"I just thought maybe you were here... under different circumstances." she shrugged, not making eye contact now. After a moment, Kaidan tossed the wipe, and gently touched her cheek to bring her gaze back to him.

"The whole reason I'm here to make sure that you're safe, and healthy. I won't lie there. But, I have been told that you are to be treated as someone who isn't affiliated with the Alliance, despite the fact you'll likely be treated as such when we return. So that means that right now, you might as well just be a citizen to me." he couldn't help that his lips quirked the longer he spoke, watching some light return to her eyes as she caught on to his words.

Kaidan took her hand as he sat at the edge of the bed, unable to help that he was looking for some sign that she wasn't okay. A tremble, dilated eyes, anything. He had to make sure she was herself right now. She reached her hand up to rest on his jaw, and she let out the softest hum he'd heard in a long time.

"You haven't been shaving..." she said as her hand moved across his jaw, the stubble scratching her hand, no doubt.

"I've been a busy man." he replied, giving her other hand a squeeze, glad it was returned. Though there was a slight tug as well and before he knew it their lips were locked together. A fit of passion welled up in him, but he forced it back down, knowing there would be a time later to let it show again. They both parted and let out a soft sigh before locking eyes, and both smiled for a moment. Catherine chuckled quietly and Kaidan felt her arms try to wrap around him. They were held back by a heart monitor, which Kaidan had to stand up to take off.

It was unnecessary for two reasons. One, she was very much awake, and not in danger of slipping into a coma, or any other state that wouldn't be considered normal. And two, he could feel the beating of her heart - it was strong and hard. He had no doubt for the reason that was the case, and it made his chest ache just a bit, knowing that he had that effect on her. To think just a few years ago he'd been so nervous around her and now he couldn't be comfortable without her around. He hurried to remove the machine without making it seem like he was as desperate as he felt to have her arms around himself.

"You know," she started with a slight smirk, "you really should have been a doctor."

"There's always retirement." he said, glancing back to her while he put the wires away. Then he started chuckling as he turned back, kissing her forehead. "Or is that just you telling me there's something you want to do when we have the time?" The blush that rose to her cheeks told him everything he needed to know, and he couldn't help but laugh a little louder, mostly at the fact that he'd been right to assume. She gave him a tiny shove with her hands as she smiled.

"You'd better not tell anyone, I'd never hear the end of it."

"I promise I won't." he leaned down to give her another kiss, taking his time with this one. "At least until there's a handsome amount of money involved, then I might slip up."

"Hm, as long as you can put the money to good use." she murmured, grabbing his shirt and pulling him closer, forcing him onto the bed with her.

"Catherine..." his voice came out moments later, a low, warning tone. "We should wait until you've been cleared to leave..."

"Why?"

The soft, unwilling but yielding tone from her wasn't what he'd been expecting. She was certainly in a mood right now and he hated that he had to be the one to spoil it. Truthfully, he wanted nothing more than to keep this going, but he knew that wasn't a wise idea. Besides...

"It'll be more comfortable if we can go elsewhere, and take our time."

"Are you going to make my wait worth it?" she asked, almost challenging him with the smirk on her lips.

"Of course. I'll even cook you dinner." he pecked her on the lips and while he could, stood up away from her. "Now... I'm going to go get Chakwas so we can speed things along and do the evaluations we're supposed to - if you feel up for it."

"I suppose so. Can I at least stand up and walk around the room a little?"

"Just promise for once you'll take it slow?"

"Fine. Go get Chakwas." Catherine hummed, already swinging her legs off the bed to the floor.

Kaidan didn't have to go far to wake Chakwas, and just a few minutes later they were both walking back in, just in time to see Catherine leaning back against the bed, looking a bit uneasy. Kaidan was at her side and easing her to sit back down, trying to figure out what was wrong.

"Just lightheaded. I think I stood up too fast. I did take it slow, like you said." Catherine mumbled, looking upset if nothing else. "Can I get some more water?"

"Right here." Chakwas hummed in a motherly tone, putting her hand to her forehead after Catherine took the cup from it. "You're feeling alright otherwise?"

"Yeah. Just a little hungry."

"That's good to hear."

The questions were kept brief, but there were plenty of them asked. Kaidan made sure, after some point, to turn his omni-tool on to record the conversation so it could be shown as proof that she wasn't indoctrinated later on. There was plenty of eye-rolling from her but her tone remained neutral until the questioning was completed. After that, Kaidan was promptly kicked out of the room so that Chakwas could get a more complete physical finished. Though when she asked, she did state it was 'purely to keep up with appearances'. He didn't argue, instead figuring he could search for a snack for Catherine while he waited.

"How is she?" came a familiar voice from the dark corner.

"Hungry, but otherwise she appears to be fine." Kaidan shrugged, only glancing up for a brief moment. He paused before he reached up to the cabinet where he knew some of the heavier snacks were kept. "How are you doing?" It was an exceptionally odd question, given who it was directed to. But he owed Miranda quite a lot. Being nice to her was the least he could do for giving him back the love of his life.

"I suppose I've been better." she shrugged, not moving from her corner. He soon saw why - she was trying to repair part of the wiring. "I can't say I've ever quit a job in my life before, but... I suppose blowing up some stuff, telling off my boss, and then stealing precious information and technology is rather thrilling." She turned her head enough to show him her smile. "I just hope it won't become a habit."

"Do you mind if I ask what your plans are now?" he asked, finding what he was searching for and grabbing an extra pack of crackers for himself, setting both packages down on the small counter space.

"I'd love to keep following Shepard. She's inspiring and I think we've become good friends. However, I don't want to put her in harms way when the Illusive Man comes after me. So I think I may be disappearing quite soon."

"The Alliance could-"

"I've already heard the offer." she sighed as she stood up to face him. "I appreciate it, but I think I'll do better off on my own. I do still have resources and I'm not about to stop being in contact with Shepard. Besides, I've been told the offer will stand for a few years just in case. For now, I'll rely on what I've already set aside for myself."

"Not like I'm in any position to negotiate anyway." he smirked, throwing his hands up.

"That's not what I've heard, Major." she grinned, "Congratulations."

"Thank you." he smiled and sighed. "Thank you, again, for looking after Catherine and... For bringing her back to me."

"I'm just glad she's had a reason to be happy again. Don't take that from her."

"I wouldn't dream of it, Miranda." he said as he turned to head back, just as the windows cleared up.

Kaidan stepped inside, glad that Catherine looked bored out of her mind, waiting for Chakwas to run up to her cabin to fetch her something more comfortable to wear. He set down some of the food he'd brought her, stealing some for himself, too. For a minute they sat silently, until Catherine sighed, and leaned over to put her head on his shoulder. It wasn't a sigh of boredom, or annoyance. It was a content sigh. She was happy, all things considered. And he smiled as he looked over at her.

"I might want a small nap before anything else." she spoke up after another minute.

"That's fine with me. You've been through a lot in the past couple days."

"No kidding." she scoffed, then lifting her head when the door opened up. She carefully slid herself off the bed, able to walk a couple steps to get her neatly folded clothes and then turning towards the small bathroom in the corner to go put them on. It took no time at all before she was stepping back out, still taking careful, unsure steps back over to where Kaidan was, standing in front of him with a smile.

"You ready?" he asked as he threw another cracker in his mouth, unable to keep from smirking as he chewed it.

"Yeah. I think I'm ready." Catherine hummed as she reached over to clean up the small pile of trash and crumbs. She wobbled slightly but caught herself on the bed. He said nothing, but put his arm carefully around her as they walked out, aware of how much weight she was putting on him as they took their time walking to the elevator. He waited until they were absolutely alone inside to speak up again.

"You're having a lot of trouble walking and keeping your balance, it seems."

"I think I'm just really tired, honest." she sighed as she turned and put her arms around him, cheek pressing against his chest. His arms moved on their own accord, wrapping tightly around her smaller body with ease and comfort. He believed her. He let her know as much before carefully scooping her up in his arms to carry her the rest of the way, much to her delight.

The lights didn't even turn on when he walked in, but it wasn't hard to find his way to the bed with the gentle light of the fish tank. He set her down and then sat beside her, taking his boots off before pulling her to lay with him. He was flat on his back, happy to have her weight on him, and glad to see her smiling again. Within minutes, they were both asleep, laying on their sides and hold each other.