Disclaimer: Mass Effect doesn't belong to me, nor do I intend to profit from this work of fiction.
She wouldn't look him in the eyes, he thought. This wasn't like her, usually she owned her actions, and met any flak she received head on. The woman before him was submitting meekly as Admirals Hackett and Anderson took her into custody.
"Shepard," he said quietly, and she jerked her head towards the sound of his voice as Anderson shared a look with Hackett and left them alone together in the CIC of the Normandy.
He watched her jaw work as she avoided his gaze, and he took a step closer to her, pressing a soft hand to her hip, the other gently gripping her chin and turning her face to his. "Hey," he murmured, "You did best you could."
Her blue eyes finally met his, flashing with anger, "I don't doubt that, Kaidan. But I can still despise myself for wiping out an entire system!" she ground out.
"Your report says you tried to warn them," he replied, and she leaned her face into his palm, wishing they could meet under better circumstances.
"I did, but there was no time," she stepped away from him in frustration, "If only I had been able to wake up sooner or-"
He cut her off with a fierce kiss, his hands clutching her uniform, crushing her closer to him. "Did you give your all?" he asked when he pulled away from her, "Did you give that mission everything you had?"
"Of course I did!" she said furiously, glaring at him.
"Then stop feeling sorry for yourself," he murmured. "You did the best you could."
She leaned into him and nodded, "All right." He gave her shoulders a brief squeeze, "Okay, where am I headed," she mumbled.
"Detention center at Alliance HQ. It's just to keep the batarians from taking a stab at you, you know that, right?" he said as they headed for the airlock.
She shook her head at him, "It's also to keep an eye on me. I'm a loose canon."
He snorted, and gave her one last kiss before the airlock slid open and they could join Hackett and Anderson. "That you are. I'll visit when I'm able."
A ghost of a smile appeared on her lips, "I'd like that."