Ok, Update time :D
Just want to say thanx for everyone who took the time to review previous chapter and adding this story to favourites and so on. I really appreciate it :)
This chapter was quite fun to write, I must say. Was listening to a mix of Madeon, deadmau5, Florence and 30 Seconds to Mars while writing which was quite interesting haha. I didn't have a chance to really go through it again to check spelling and grammar so excuse the mistakes that I'm pretty sure are there. Anyone up for BETA work let me know, it'll be a big help :)
I liked the idea proposed by 'HarleyQuinnAddict'. I hope you don't mind that I ran with it :)
Also, 'Panda' your little freak out made my day, so thank you very much ;)
Anyway, on with the show!
The days following were relatively awkward for the entire crew. Although no one seemed to have a direct problem with Jonathan, most people tended to avoid him. This bothered him greatly. It was difficult not being able to speak to people in the same way he had done before or rather was programmed to think he had spoken to them.
The 'clone' thing hadn't completely sunken in yet. He didn't feel like a copy. His memories were too real to have been engineered. The feelings they generated were too intense. The way he felt about Kaidan couldn't be programming either, he was sure of it. Every time the biotic walked in to the room he could feel his heart flutter. He didn't say anything though, instead giving the man a friendly smile. He didn't think Kaidan would ever feel anything for a mere copy. Especially if the 'original' was right there.
His relationship with John was unstable to say the least, particularly in terms of interacting with Kaidan. Whenever John saw the two of them together whether they were having a chat or simply sitting at the same table having lunch his mood would turn sour and he would go out of his way to interfere, sometimes indirectly, but most often taking a hands on approach. His actions were not lost on Kaidan though. The biotic would regularly confront John, this usually leading to a fight breaking out between the two. At the end of one of these fights Jonathan caught a glimpse of John's face as Kaidan turned away to storm off. The initial rage dissipated and was replaced but a look of such anguish that Jonathan could do nothing but stand a stare for a while even after the Commander had left. The raw emotion he had seen that day only served to strengthen his belief that he didn't stand a chance when it came to Kaidan.
He sighed as he sat back in the lounge chair, setting the data pad down next to him. He was trying to go through some data on the Crucible to help Liara but found his mind drifting off. Even though the situation he found himself thrown into was staggeringly overwhelming with the Reaper-War, the Prothean weapon, the new Normandy and his 'creation' he still found himself fretting over Kaidan.
At that moment Kaidan decided to walk in. Jonathan mentally cursed as his pulse rose at the sight of him.
"Napping while on duty are we?"
Jonathan chuckled softly.
"Looks like you caught me."
Kaidan grinned as he walked over to stand in front of the seated man.
"We'll have to take some form of action to ensure it doesn't happen again." He said, lifting his eyebrow and giving a coy smile.
Jonathan laughed this time, inwardly trying to focus on other things but he couldn't help but look at the enticing expression on Kaidan's face.
"Jonathan?" Kaidan asked, waving his hand in front of the man's face.
Jonathan shook himself.
"Sorry about that." He said with a sheepish grin.
Kaidan smiled at him again, warmly this time.
"How's the biotic training with Liara going?"
Jonathan looked at the ground for a brief moment before answering.
"It's progressing, I guess."
"You guess?"
Jonathan sighed.
"I don't quite understand it. I've always been great with biotics. I don't get why now all of a sudden I can barely keep it under control."
Kaidan sat down next to him.
"EDI has a theory. She thinks that because of the elevated strength of your biotics caused by the tampering of those scientists on the Cerberus station, you're not able to control your powers because your memories and skills were programmed to work with more regular levels of biotic strength. It seems to be the most logical explanation."
Jonathan nodded.
"I see."
Kaidan sat looking at him for a few moments before getting up.
"Well, seeing as you don't have any work to do right now," he said with a grin, "why don't we go down to the shuttle bay and practice a bit? I know it's difficult with Liara because she's so busy all the time."
"I'd like that." Jonathan said with a smile.
Kaidan smiled back down at him, extending his hand to pull the man up.
He underestimated the speed with which he did so resulting in the two bumping into each other. Neither moved to step back though, extending the contact. Violet eyes locked onto rich brown ones. They stood completely still for a few moments before Kaidan's face went bright red. He stepped back a bit but caught his boot against the corner of the lounge chair. Jonathan chuckled at awkward stumble that followed.
Kaidan, still sporting a deep shade of red on his cheeks, looked over at Jonathan and gave a small grin.
"Sorry about that. I didn't mean to laugh." Jonathan said apologetically, though he still wore a smile.
"That's ok, Commander. It must have looked pretty funny."
Jonathan gave him another smile, although this one didn't reach his eyes.
"You know, you're the only one who still calls me Commander."
Kaidan's smile melted away.
"Jonathan… I know it's difficult, but you must understand-"
"I know, I know," Jonathan interrupted, "You don't have to tell me."
Kaidan's brows drew together as he regarded the man in front of him with a sad look.
"Hey, even though you aren't the Commander that the rest of the galaxy knows, you'll always be Commander Jonathan Shepared to me."
As Jonathan looked up at the man in slight shock at the sincere comment, he made a decision right then and there. He was going to fight to win the love of this man in front of him, even if that meant going up against himself to do so.
They found the Shuttle bay empty. This was a bit unusual but they didn't pay it any large amount of attention. Everyone was probably getting lunch. It was about midday after all.
Taking up positions on opposite ends of the bay, the two biotics faced one another.
"Ok, I think we should start with some simple stuff, like barriers maybe?"
Jonathan nodded his agreement.
"You first then. I'll attack with a low level warp."
Jonathan nodded once more before bringing up a shimmering biotic barrier around himself. Kaidan assumed an attack stance. They stood silently like that for a few moments before, with a small popping sound, Kaidan released his warp attack. It hit the barrier with a thud. The field rippled slightly but held.
Jonathan smiled.
"You'll have to do better than that."
"Ok then, get ready." Kaidan called from across the room.
His second attack was packing a lot more force than the first. It hit the barrier with a resounding crack. Jonathan staggered back a step but the barrier held up. Seconds later another warp hit, followed shortly by yet another. The barrier rippled again before flickering as it struggled to absorb the sudden attacks. Jonathan strained, pouring more effort into maintaining the shield. Kaiden let loose another powerful bolt, this one proving too much for Jonathan. The barrier dissipated as the bolt of power hit, the force of the explosion making Jonathan fall over onto his back.
Kaidan chuckled triumphantly from his side of the hanger. Jonathan sat up grinning.
"Wow."
"Hey, I'm impressed. Most barriers would have faded after the second attack but yours held up for quite a while."
"Don't sell yourself short, those attacks were brutal."
"You up for more?" Kaidan asked with a grin.
"Hell yeah. But it's my turn to attack."
Kaidan threw up his own barrier, waiting for Jonathan to attack. The wait seemed a lot longer than it actually was. Jonathans warp field hit the barrier with a loud crack. The shield held, but only barely. Another attack followed, this one slightly stronger. There was another crack followed by a pop as the shield broke.
"See what I meant. Regular shields don't last that long against warp attacks, especially yours. That first shot almost had me." Kaidan said catching his breath.
Jonathan grinned.
"Again?"
Kaidan chuckled before nodding.
"Again."
Their sparring match went on for what felt like hours. Cortez came back from lunch but he did nothing to interrupt. He simply went to his station and got busy with his own work, occasionally stopping to watch the displays of power. Jonathan and Kaidan made turns alternating between attack and defence, making use of various abilities and maneuvers.
Sweat was trickling in rivulets down Jonathan's back as he prepared a biotic charge. Kaidan had thrown up another barrier to slow the attack and stood poised to dodge should that fail. Both men were breathing heavily.
Flickers of blue light danced around Jonathan as he initiated the fast paced assault. In a flash he darted forward, shattering the shield before him. In another second he was right in front of his target, the man barely having time to blink let alone jump out of the way. With a thud and a groan they collided, landing in a heap on the ground, Jonathan pinning Kaidan's arms to the sides of his head.
"Looks like I win this round as well." Jonathan said with a smirk.
Kaidan struggled in vain to get his arms free. Finally he gave up with a small chuckle.
"Do I get a reward?" Jonathan asked, raising and eyebrow.
Kaidan was momentarily taken about by the suggestive comment. He gazed up into the deep violet eyes that seemed to look inside his soul and felt his initial shock fade away. Acting on impulse he wrenched his arms free, taking advantage of Jonathan's lowered guard and drew the man's face down into a kiss.
Violet eyes went wide for a moment before going half lidded as the kiss deepened. He placed his hands on Kaidan's shoulders and leaned back, pulling them both upright but maintaining the contact. Kaidan steadied himself, letting Jonathan straddle him. Kaiden opened his eyes briefly to see the look of pure lust in Jonathan's. He groaned as Jonathan parted his lips slightly, letting their tongues touch, tentatively at first before forcefully intertwining. The feeling was electric.
Cortez looked up from his work for a moment to see what was causing the two sparring biotics to moan in such a way. He did a double take when he saw why. A small smile crept across his face as he turned away, shaking his head. He was about to head out to give then some privacy when he heard the hiss of the elevator door opening. He turned to see Shepard stepping out. He glanced momentarily at the two biotics before looking back at the Commander. Shepard was about to speak when he followed the direction of the pilot's furtive glance. His jaw dropped.
Kaidan briefly opened his eyes at the sound of the elevator door closing. He took in the sight of the Commander staring at them, Cortez standing of to the side looking like he was about to navigate a minefield. Kaidan gasped and pushed Jonathan away. Confused, Jonathan looked back over his shoulder at whatever was causing Kaidan obvious distress. His eyes widened.
"Shit." He cursed under his breath.
"That's an understatement." Kaidan whispered.
The two men awkwardly stood, neither knowing what to do. John's eyes finally narrowed as he glared at Jonathan. Swiftly he walked towards them clenching his fists. Before either of the men could react, John threw a punch aimed at Jonathans face. He staggered back as the blow hit. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth.
"What was that for?!" Kaidan yelled.
"He had his hands all over you!" John yelled back.
"Why do you care?!"
"I-" John began but was cut off by a fist colliding with his jaw. The attack was so unexpected that it sent him to the floor. Jonathan sucked in a hissing breath as he shook the hand he had just punched John with. Kaidan stared wide-eyed at the two men, his anger momentarily forgotten.
John stood, spitting out blood. Quick as a flash he aimed another punch; Jonathan blocked it this time before counter attacking. Soon the two were having an all out fight, rolling around on the shuttle bay floor, kicking and punching.
Vega, who had just entered the bay, rushed over along with Cortez and pulled the two apart.
"What the hell is going on down here?!" Vega demanded.
"None of your business Vega." John growled.
"He caught those two making out." Steve said gesturing to Kaidan and Jonathan.
Vega looked over at the pilot.
"Seriously?" he asked.
Steve Cortez nodded, a small smile on his face.
James looked back at the other two men.
"Strangely, I'm not that surprised. Always felt a vibe between you two."
John's face went red.
"That was with ME, Vega! Not this, this copy!"
"But I thought you were banging Liara?"
John opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. Finally he turned away.
"Why are you so jealous, John?" Kaidan asked, placing a hand on the man's shoulder.
"I… I don't know why." He replied in a small voice.
Kaidan felt something tug at his heart at the hurt in Shepard's voice.
"John-" he began but was stopped as Shepard drew his shoulder away from his touch.
"That's Commander to you, Alenko." He said menacingly before storming off to the elevator.
Kaidan straightened at the comment, his feelings of regret and guilt fading in an instant. He turned away as John made his way across the room, looking instead at Jonathan who stood glaring after the retreating figure.
John stepped into the lift and turned to face the group of men watching him, all of them except Kaidan who was looking up at the clone. Kaidan placed his hand on Jonathan's cheek and turned his face towards him. John could see Kaidan lightly touch the cut in Jonathan's lip. He could hear Jonathan whisper that it was nothing before giving him a warm smile. John's glare only deepened.
Kaidan smiled back at Jonathan before briefly glancing over as the lift door started to hiss as it closed. His eyes briefly locked onto the icy blue eyes of the man he had been yearning for all these years. 'Had' being the key word. As those doors slid shut he felt a door inside him slide shut as well. He sighed softly before looking back at Jonathan. At the smile he saw there he felt that as that one inner door closed, another opened.
Yay for clone love!
I actually feel kinda bad for doing that to John, but oh well... He was the one who decided to be an asshole, not me...
So, Love it/hate it? Let me know ;)
REVIEWS ARE FOOD FOR MY SOUL
(btw, I know that 'Biotic Charge' isn't really an Adept skill, but in this fic lets just pretend that it is.)