Chapter 2

"You're talking to a legend. And a ghost."

Commander Shepard didn't know what to expect when he saw Kaidan again. His face was a little more worn, and he was beginning to develop some grey around his temples, but Shepard would still recognize him anywhere.

"This wasn't how I expected us to run into each other," Kaidan said as he shook Shepard's hand. "It's good to see you too, Garrus." Garrus nodded.

"You expected to run into me?" Shepard asked.

"The Alliance has been getting reports of you being alive for months now."

"So much for security," Miranda interjected.

Kaidan ignored her. "The reports are pretty ugly. To someone who doesn't know the whole story, it looks like you faked your death and turned traitor."

"I gathered as much when I talked to Anderson and the council."

"I'm not sure you realize just how bad it is," Kaidan replied. "There are things you need to know and I'd rather not discuss it with anyone from Cerberus in earshot."

"We've given Shepard everything he needs," Miranda retorted.

"I'll be the judge of that Miranda!" Shepard snapped.

"I'll make sure she stays put while the two of you talk," Garrus suggested.

"You sure?" Kaidan asked. "It would be a good idea for you to know these things too."

"Shepard can fill me in later."

Kaidan nodded and motioned for Shepard to follow him. Miranda did not look happy.

Once Garrus and Miranda were out of sight and out of earshot, Shepard said, "I can't help but notice that Garrus is the only member of the crew that was surprised to see me alive. Joker and Chakwas I can understand; they wouldn't have joined Cerberus if they hadn't told them, but what about you and Tali?"

"How much did Cerberus tell you about how they got your body?" Kaidan asked.

"Not much. What does that have to do with anything?"

"I need to get a feel for what they've been telling you," Kaidan began. "About a month after you were killed, Liara got a tip that you were alive and on Omega. It was fake, obviously. Instead, she found out that the Shadow Broker had retrieved your body and was trying to sell it to the Collectors."

"Why would the Collectors want my body?" Shepard interrupted.

"We think they were trying to confirm that you were really dead."

"One more thing," Shepard said before Kaidan could continue. "When I asked the Illusive Man about the rest of you, he said that Liara had become one of the Shadow Broker's agents. Why would Liara do that if she had to fight him for my body?"

"He lied to you," Kaidan replied bluntly. "That's good to know though. It confirms our suspicions that he's trying to isolate you from the rest of us. Liara isn't working for the Shadow Broker. Quite the opposite in fact; she's trying to kill him."

"And how did Cerberus get involved?" Shepard asked.

"They ran into Liara while they were searching for your body themselves and offered to help," Kaidan explained. "Once you were successfully recovered, they told Liara that they were working on technology that could bring you back. She knew it was beyond a long shot, but she took it. You'll have to talk to Liara herself about her reasons."

"And how did you and Tali find out?" Shepard asked.

"Wrex knows too," Kaidan started. "About three months before the Collectors took Freedom's Progress, the Alliance started getting the reports I mentioned earlier. They talked about things like various Cerberus projects you were participating in; had been participating in for quite some time. If I hadn't found out what was really going on…" Kaidan shook his head. "About a week after the reports started appearing, Liara came to visit me. She told me everything that I told you."

Shepard interrupted. "How did Liara even know about the reports?"

"For the last two years, she's been an information broker on Illium. She said it was just a matter of knowing which palms to grease. She came to talk to me immediately because she suspected that the Illusive Man would try to isolate you, and that my position in the Alliance could make me more vulnerable. I didn't fully believe her at first. Someone coming back from the dead? It just seemed so… incredible. I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around it."

"Try experiencing it directly," Shepard retorted darkly.

"Sorry. It didn't occur to me that…"

"It's okay," Shepard said apologetically. "I'm… just trying not to think about it at all."

"Anyway," Kaidan continued. "She went to Tuchanka next. Getting Wrex to talk to her wasn't hard. Tali was a bit trickier because of the Admiralty board, but Liara got through eventually. She tried to find Garrus to fill him in too, but no one knew where to start looking. We were worried it might cause problems with him. It's good to see that's not the case. After Tali met you on Freedom's Progress, she sent us all a coded message confirming that you were alive and not following Cerberus' orders."

"Cerberus didn't tell me any of those things," Shepard said.

"I'm not surprised. You mentioned Dr. Chakwas earlier. Did you have her examine you?"

"Yeah. She didn't find anything that looked like a control device. I suppose they could have come up with one that she couldn't find, but Miranda Lawson, the director of Project Lazarus, actually seemed upset that she wasn't allowed to put in a control chip. She could have been lying of course, but she strikes me as being too proud to fake pouting," Shepard explained.

"Guess the Illusive Man is confidant in his ability to manipulate you the old-fashioned way," Kaidan observed.

"Looks like," Shepard agreed. "I appreciate you telling me all this. There's something else I need to know; can you come with me?"

"I want to Shepard," Kaidan said. "But I can't. When Liara first told me what was going on, I tried to talk Anderson and Hackett into sending me to "investigate" you. They both said no. Even with everything our people sacrificed two years ago, there are still factions in the other species that are waiting for any chance to jump on us. If the Alliance shows even the slightest sign of sympathizing with Cerberus it would turn into a political nightmare. Anderson, Hackett, and I are already pushing things just keeping the Alliance and council from interfering with you."

"And if you joined me anyway, you'd be charged with treason and desertion," Shepard conceded. "I don't suppose you could get a leave of absence."

Kaidan shook his head. "Now that we've talked, I'd be put under suspicion just for asking."

"It won't feel right doing this without you," Shepard said sadly.

"I know, but someone needs to look at the long term while you deal with the Collectors. Just… be careful. I believe in you, but I don't trust Cerberus any further than I can throw them without my biotics," Kaidan warned.

"Neither do I," Shepard said.

"Okay. I… need to go make my reports. If I find anything that might be able to help you, I'll let you know," Kaidan said quietly.

"Kaidan," Shepard put a hand on Kaidan's shoulder. "I'll come back this time. I promise."

"I'll hold you to that."

Neither man looked back as they parted ways. Shepard wanted Kaidan with him so badly, but it was enough to know that he was still looking out for him. Garrus intercepted Shepard as he got back.

"How did it go?" he asked.

"About as well as it could, all things considered. He can't join us, but he'll still try to help out."

Garrus just nodded as Shepard activated his communicator.

"Come pick us up Joker. I've had enough of this place."