When Shepard woke, he heard voices in the other room. They were being quiet enough that Shepard couldn't tell what they were saying. Two men and a woman. He was sure of that. He smiled faintly as he heard Jimmy's voice. He'd know that one anywhere. The other voice was familiar, but he couldn't quite identify it. Maybe Hackett. The woman's voice, well, he was lost on that one.

Shepard got up and pulled on a pair of pants and a sweatshirt. He stepped out of the bedroom and noticed everything went quiet. He pretended not to notice as he went into the kitchen for a cup of coffee, ignoring all eyes on him.

James stood up and followed behind Shepard. "Caleb, you're up."

"Yeah." Shepard looked at James. "What, no mi corazón?" He tried to smile, but couldn't. He sighed and poured a cup of coffee. He stared at it.

James didn't quite know what to say, so he just stepped up behind Shepard and hugged him. "I'm worried about you, mi corazón. Really worried. Okay?"

Shepard swallowed hard, then nodded. "I know. So, you called Hackett, I see. Who's the woman?"

James frowned a little. "Like I said, I'm worried. They're talking cat six, mi corazón. The Admiral's worried too. He wants you to get better. Maybe get back out there."

Shepard nodded again. "Still doesn't explain the woman."

James sighed. "That's Kelly Chambers. She worked with you before. She's got a degree in psychology, so Hackett thought she might be able to help you. Besides, when she heard you were suffering, she offered to help. It can't hurt."

Shepard leaned back against James. "Okay. We'll try." He let James lead him out of the kitchen. He looked at Kelly for a moment, confusion showing. She seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite place her. He didn't even listen to what was being said. He just sat there, taking small sips of his coffee, letting everything go on around him.

After several attempts to get Shepard to talk, Hackett finally seemed to give up. The look he giave James was mirrored back. Hackett didn't stick around much longer, leaving Shepard in Kelly's care.

The following days are much the same. Kelly can't get Shepard to talk and he doesn't do more than eat and sleep. James even tried to get Shepard to talk to Kelly, but he just kept saying it wouldn't do any good.

Day sixteen saw the first real breakthrough. Kelly, in her frustration, suggested they all go sit on the porch.

James looked at Kelly like she was out of her mind. "It's snowing out there! You lo... crazy or something?" He thanked his stars that he'd remembered how the word loco had triggered Shepard before.

Kelly shook her head. "No. I just think we all need a change." She put on her boots and coat and went outside.

James shook his head and muttered several things in Spanish as he got Shepard's boots and coat on him before putting his own on. He took Shepard's hands and got him to stand up. "Come on, mi corazón. We're going to go outside for a bit." He led Shepard outside and sat him down on the porch swing. He started to sit down next to him, but Kelly called to him.

"James? Come down here." Kelly's voice was clear enough that James could tell he wasn't allowed to say no.

James sighed and headed down the steps to the snow covered ground. He muttered several more things in Spanish before stopping in front of her. "What."

"Play." Kelly instructed. "It might get him to join in. Plus, we both need the break." She started working on a snowman.

James rolled his eyes and shook his head. He went to find a couple sticks. About half way through their snowman, something wet and cold hit the side of James' face. He looked at Kelly, but she at the wrong angle. He looked over at Shepard in surprise.

Shepard stood there at the bottom of the steps, looking very innocent and wiping snow off his hands. James reacted on instinct. He scooped up some snow and flung it at Shepard. Shepard ducked and rolled out of the way, coming back to his feet with snow all over him. He surprised everyone, including himself, by laughing. It was so sudden that all three of them were shocked.

James recovered first and tackled Shepard, taking him down in the snow. He smiled as he heard Shepard's laugh again. Maybe, just maybe, things would start to get better. Kelly watched the two wrestling in the snow and just smiled. She went back to work on her snowman.

After both James and Shepard were soaked through from the snow, James dragged Shepard inside, leaving Kelly to her snowman. James got Shepard's wet clothes off and into the shower. He joined Shepard after stripping his clothes off as well, leaving them in a pile on the bathroom floor. The warm water was just what they both needed.

After warming up, James turned the water off and handed Shepard a towel. "Here, mi corazón. Dry off and I'll get you some clothes." He wrapped another towel around his waist and left the bathroom. When he turned around, Shepard had already come out of the bathroom. He tossed some clothes to Shepard, then dried off and got dressed.

Shepard put the clothes on, then yawned. Just those few moments of activity had wiped him out. He looked at James for a moment, then sighed. "I'm still cold." He smiled as James walked over and hugged him tight. "Thanks."

James rubbed Shepard's back. "I missed you, mi corazón. Don't do that to me again. Okay? Don't leave me like that again."

Shepard rested his head against James' shoulder, arms around him. "I can't promise that, but I'll try." He didn't complain or argue when James pulled away.

"You're tired. Lay down and rest. I'll go see if there's any hot chocolate." James smiled as he watched Shepard climb into the bed and curl up under the blanket. By the time he was back, Shepard was asleep.

"How is he?" Kelly asked as she came back inside.

"Sleeping." James closed the bedroom door and turned to look at Kelly. "I started to think I'd never hear him laugh again. Thank you."

"It surprised me too. I didn't think he'd come down, to be honest. I was starting to think we were going to have to use medication." Kelly went into the kitchen, finding some tea to brew.

"Well, whether or not it was planned, you gave me the chance to hear him laugh again. Sweetest sound in the galaxy, if you ask me." James looked toward the bedroom door. "Tired him out though. I just hope he doesn't slide back down when he wakes up."

"If he does, we'll just take him back outside and throw snow at him." Kelly commented as she waited for her tea.