Shepard stepped into the starboard lounge. He smiled slightly as he spotted Kaidan there. "I didn't think you'd come along for the ride."

Kaidan shrugged. "I've got your back, Caleb." He looked out at the stars. "Vega brought me up to speed on what's been going on with you."

Shepard sighed and sat down next to Kaidan. "It's been rough, but I'm working through it."

Kaidan nodded and looked at Shepard. "He told me that you asked for me initially."

Shepard shrugged. "Well, I'd lost two and half years of memories, Kaidan. Last I remembered at that point, you and I were together."

Kaidan rubbed his forehead. "Yeah. Right. Do you remember Horizon?"

Shepard shook his head. "Honestly, no, I don't. All I know is that both James and Kelly told me you walked away from me."

Kaidan sighed and nodded. "I did. It was the one thing I really regret."

Shepard was quiet for a moment, then sighed. "That's not why I stopped by."

Kaidan nodded. "I know. What's up?"

Shepard stood up and went to look out at the stars. "When we arrive, we don't know what we're walking into. I want you to take James and Tali and run recon. I need you to be my eyes on the ground."

Kaidan nodded once. "Still protecting James?"

Shepard turned to look at Kaidan. "I damned near lost him once before. I want him by my side, sure, but I'll feel better right now if he's out of the direct line of fire. Right now, I'm barely holding myself together. If he's in danger, I might lose it completely."

Kaidan was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Got it. I'll keep him safe."

Shepard let out a breath that he didn't realise he was holding. "Thank you, Kaidan." He left the lounge and went to get ready.

Once on the planet, Shepard took Liara and Garrus with him. James didn't want to go with Kaidan, but trusted Garrus to keep Shepard safe. The recon team left first, sticking to high ground. Shepard's group kept to cover, waiting to hear from Kaidan.

After ten minutes of waiting, Shepard began to worry. "Kaidan, what's going on?"

"One moment. Keep the channel open." There was a hint of alarm in Kaidan's voice that alerted Shepard. He looked toward Liara and Garrus as they tuned in as well.

"Stay down!" Kaidan's voice barked out. The sound of gunfire began to explode from the radio.

"Fuck!" Shepard couldn't stop himself. He broke cover and began to run toward the location of the recon team. Garrus and Liara were quick to follow.

"Damn it!" Kaidan's voice came again. "Shepard, they've taken James."

Shepard stopped abruptly, almost forgetting how to breathe. He swallowed hard, then gulped a breath of air. "What do you mean, Kaidan?"

"They came out of nowhere. We couldn't stop them. We were outnumbered. They grabbed James and dragged him off. I don't know where." Kaidan sounded dejected. "I'm sorry, Caleb." The last three words were barely more than a whisper.

It taook a moment for Shepard to recover from the shock. He finally looked toward Garrus and Liara. Both of them were staring intently at him. "Okay. Umm. Regroup. We're coming to you." He started off again toward Kaidan's location.

James was being dragged along. The assault trooper had to knock him out to get him to move. Now, he was left dragging the man's unconscious body down the corridor.

"I said not to hurt him." The feminine voice sounded from a side room.

The trooper dragged James into the room, dropping him on the floor. "It was this or get killed.

The woman snorted, then crouched near James. "Fortunately, I don't think you did any permanent damage.

The trooper shrugged. "He's a grunt. Don't know why you wanted him."

The woman stood up. "He's Commander Shepard's husband."

The trooper looked down at James, then back at the woman. "Right, so, all you wanted to do was piss off Shepard?"

"Not quite. He's the only one who can get Shepard to listen."

James started to drift back, though with the voices around him, he decided to stay still.

"He's not going to side with us again." The trooper went to a console and pointed out a surveillance camera. "In case you hadn't noticed, he's out there right now, trying to figure out how to get in here to kill all of us and rescue that one."

The woman shook her head. "He won't act just yet. James means too much to him."

James recognised that voice. The accent was so familiar, but he couldn't quite put a name to her.

"He's never negotiated before. He's not going to start now."

"He'll listen to James. I don't have to convince Shepard of anything. I just have to convince James."

James opened his eyes then, looking up at the woman. "Miranda Lawson?" He winced as he tried to sit up, rubbing the back of his head. "What the..."

Miranda looked at James. "We don't have much time."

James frowned, blinking up at Miranda. "Shepard's gonna tear you to pieces. You know that right?"

The trooper sighed. "I told you so."

Miranda crouched next to James. "I sincerely hope not."

James scooted away from her, trying to stand up, falling on his ass twice before making it upright. "Yeah? Why not? Give me a good reason not to tell him to come here and take you out. He trusted you once."

Miranda shook her head and sighed. "James, Shepard is dying."