Shepard looked at the cabin after stepping off of the shuttle, supported by James. He was settled in a swing on the porch and watched James as he grabbed their stuff from the shuttle. A few moments later and they were alone.

James set their bags inside, then joined Shepard on the swing. He rested his arm along the back of the seat. He smiled faintly as Shepard leaned in against him. The movement was hesitant and almost shy. He moved his arm slightly so it was curled around Shepard.

They sat that way in silence until darkness overtook them. The stars shone brightly above them and through the trees, they had quite the view. Shepard stood up and managed to get to the porch railing five steps away. He held on to the railing and looked up.

James watched from the swing, not paying attention to the stars. He was entranced by Shepard and missed the meteorite that burned overhead. When Shepard suddenly staggered backward and crumpled down, hands over his ears and screaming, James was up and by his side, picking him up and holding him tightly.

Shepard shook his head. "There were too many. Too many. Fuck! Why me?" He screamed and closed his eyes tight.

James rubbed Shepard's back. "Too many of what? Why you what?"

Shepard fell silent then, only making the occasional soft hiccuping sob sound. He began to relax, his head resting on James' shoulder.

James didn't push it. He just let Shepard calm down, then whispered softly. "It's getting late, mi corazón. You should get some sleep."

Shepard shook his head. "No. Nightmares." He frowned. "Don't want to sleep." The drowsiness evident in his voice betrayed him.

"Do you want me to stay with you tonight, or..." James sighed, but even Shepard could tell that it wasn't from irritation, rather frustration of not knowing what to do.

"I don't want to be alone, James... Jimmy." Shepard curled his fingers around James' shirt. "Don't want to be alone." He stifled the yawn, then felt himself being led inside and to a room. He barely noticed when he was guided into the bed. He didn't notice his boots being removed, nor his pants. He was already asleep.

James moved to the other side of the bed and sat down. He watched Shepard sleep for a while, then took his boots, pants, and shirt off. Just as he was settling down, about to pull Shepard into his arms, Shepard started screaming for the second time that night. James didn't hesitate as he slid his arms around Shepard and began murmuring words of comfort. It didn't take long before Shepard calmed down and fell back into a deeper sleep.

Shepard woke to an empty bed and the sound of the shower running. He stretched out, then stood up. Just as he was about to find something to eat, he heard... what sounded like singing, though he wasn't quite sure... from the bathroom.

Te amo
Desde el primer momento en que te vi
Y hace tiempo te buscaba
Y ya te imaginaba asi

Shepard couldn't stop himself. He was drawn to that. Something about that song. He stopped at the bathroom door, about to open it when his breath caught. He staggered backward, prepared for the onslaught. He knew this feeling. A memory cutting through, one that he wouldn't remember later after he had slept.

Strong hands holding his wrists down on a bed. The smell of gunsmoke, sweat, and cologne. The feel of a scar against his skin as someone was kissing his neck. The feel of skin on skin.

Shepard shook his head, closing his eyes.

The feeling of complete trust. The feeling of absolute love. Something stronger than he had ever felt for Kaidan.

Shepard opened his eyes and listened.

Te amo
Aunque no es tan facil de decir
Y defino lo que siento con estas palabras
Te amo

Shepard touched the bathroom door lightly. "Te amo, mi amor." He jerked his hand back and shook his head. Where the hell had that come from? He began trembling as he all but fled from the room, grabbing his pants on the way. Somehow he got them on before stumbling outside.

It had snowed overnight. A light dusting was on the ground, though it wouldn't last long in the daylight. Shepard crossed his arms over his chest and shivered. He didn't know how long he stood there, but he soon felt a blanket being wrapped over his shoulders. Seconds later, a steaming cup of coffee was offered to him.

James stood there in a sweatshirt and pants. He frowned a little. "You're gonna get sick if you come out here like that too much, Caleb."

Shepard just looked at James for a moment. "I have to know. Are you the dominate one?"

James' frown deepened briefly, then he looked away. "I'm not supposed to answer questions like that." He looked down at the wooden porch. "The doc said you have to remember these things on your own."

Shepard put the coffee cup down and turned on James. "I heard you singing." He ignored the 'if you can call it that' mutter from James. "I... I don't know if it's a memory or not. I remember being held down. Kissed. I remember feeling so damned safe."

James looked up at Shepard, a spark of hope in his eyes. "The answer is yes. I've always been dominant by our mutual decision."

Shepard shivered, leaning in against James when it was offered. "What scared me most is that... well... I don't know Spanish, but..."

James was silent for a moment, then rubbed Shepard's back in a way that encouraged him.

"I said 'Te amo, mi amor' to the bathroom door while you where in there. I don't even know what that means." Shepard coughs a little as he's suddenly hugged tight. "Well, I guess that means something to you."

James nodded, kissing Shepard's cheek. "Te amo means I love you. Mi amor means my love. Mi corazón means..."

Shepard interrupted him, placing a hand over James' chest. "My heart." He gasped, hand falling back to his side, as he looked at James in shock.

James stood still, fear evident in his eyes. "Yeah, it does." He watches warily. "Caleb?"

Shepard took a moment to recover. "What I felt for whoever I was with in that... memory... maybe it was, was stronger than what I ever felt for Kaidan." He looked down at his ring, then at James' matching one. "I think I love you, Jimmy." He looked up at James, revelation in his eyes.

James remaind a little wary, but still pulled Shepard into his arms. "I love you, Caleb. I loved you from the moment I met you."

Shepard rested his head against James' shoulder. "I'm remembering things. Only pleasant things though. I think." He smiled faintly. "At least I hope so."

James nodded, then shook his head. "Your nightmares are probably memories." He frowned.

Shepard shuddered. "I hope not. I'd hate to think that I actually painted a laser sight on a Reaper alone while the Quarians fought to take back Rannoch all the while I hear your voice screaming at me about how much I was a pendejo for doing that."

James just went still and tensed up. He doesn't confirm or deny it, nor does Shepard ask for him to do so. He just rubbed Shepard's back for a moment until he was no longer trembling.