Series Title: After the Reapers
Pairing: Garrus/Shepard

Author: Knights-Honour
Disclaimer: Mass Effect universe © BioWare
Any character you haven't heard of © me

Author's Notes:
Thanks go to my Beta; Blueglaceon, who despite having little knowledge of the Mass Effect universe, agreed to edit the series anyway. Thanks, Blue!

This little gem is set a week before No Regrets.

Hope y'all enjoy it!

Mark of Honour – Decisions

Shepard let a sigh out a sigh as she left the Council chambers.

Despite the overwhelming evidence, the Council were still denying the Reaper threat. But at least now, after severing ties with Cerberus, both they, and the Alliance, were willing to work with her again.

They were baby steps she knew, and as much as they frustrated her, it was a start.

~ o ~ o ~ o ~

"Staff Commander Alenko came aboard a few minutes ago, Commander," EDI informed Shepard the moment she enter the CIC. "He's waiting for you in the Communications room."

The human Spectre thanked the AI as she started towards the mentioned room, but as she passed Kelly, the young Yeoman called out to her, "Commander, you've received a new message at your private terminal."

"Thanks, Kelly."

Kaidan could wait for a few more minutes. Logging into her e-mail account, she opened the new message:

From: Illusive Man
Shepard,

One of our cells just went off the grid without explanation. Project Overlord has been experimenting with highly volatile technology, and I need you to investigate. Their work is extremely compartmentalized, enough that I can't divulge operational details over this channel.

You'll find them on the planet Aite, Typhon system, in the Phoenix Massing cluster.

Please use care in this matter.

Shepard released the breath that she hadn't realised she was holding. This was the first direct message that she'd received from the Illusive Man since she'd cut ties with Cerberus. And while one part of her was relieved to see that he was at least willing to set aside his grudge against her for blowing up the Collector base and work with her against the Reaper threat. Another part of her was wary: what did he expect from her in return for doing this?

Shaking her head, she logged out of her computer. She would deal with this later.

For now, Kaidan was waiting to be debriefed.

~ o ~ o ~ o ~

Kaidan turned when he heard the door swoosh open behind him and he smiled when he saw that it was Shepard. She looked as beautiful as ever, though he scowled a little at the Cerberus uniform she was wearing. Anderson had told him that she'd cut ties with the human supremacist group, so why was she wearing it? Clearing his head, he snapped to attention. "Reporting for duty, Commander."

"At ease, Kaidan."

But before she could say anything more, Kaidan closed the distance between them and lowered his head to hers, his arms encircling her waist to pull her closer, as he claimed her lips in a heated kiss. But Shepard didn't respond, her head in a whirl as she stood stock still.

A part of her had always wondered what it would be like to be with another human after being with Garrus.

And now she knew.

His touch, his taste, hell, even the very feel of him. All were alien to her. She was used to hard plates and skin that felt soft suede leather; to tri fingered hands tipped with razor-sharp claws; to the gentle nudging of foreheads to express affection and tender nuzzling after a bout of lovemaking; to soft purrs as they drifted off to sleep and harsh growls when the Turian was pissed off. And on that thought, she raised her hands to Kaidan's chest and pushed him away.

The handsome biotic was clearly stunned by the move, "Kat?" he questioned as he reached for her again.

Anger flared in her at his actions and she was about to ask what the hell was wrong with him when she remembered; only the crew of the Normandy knew of her Union to Garrus. Only they, and her mother, had witnessed the simple ceremony three days ago that had bonded she and her Turian mate together for life.

And now she had to break the news to Kaidan.

"I'm sorry, Kaidan. But we can't do this anymore," she whispered softly.

"This is because of what I said on Horizon, isn't it? Why you didn't respond to my e-mail?"

"Partially." She took a deep breath. "The truth is that I'm with someone else now."

At her admission Kaidan looked as if he'd been punched in the gut, stumbling backwards until he bumped into the table behind him. Propping himself up on it, he took a moment to compose himself.

"Who… Who's the lucky guy?" he asked after a few minutes.

"Garrus."

Kaidan's eyes snapped to hers then, and she tensed up; was he going to make a scene? But then his shoulders slumped in defeat and he looked away.

"Should have known, really," he whispered softly. "The two of you were close on the old Normandy. Only a matter of time before the inevitable happened."

Shepard hated to see Kaidan like this. Despite all that had occurred between them, he was a good man who deserved something better.

"Regardless of all that's happened between us, Kaidan, you're still welcome to serve on the Normandy."

At this, Kaidan straightened, seeming to bury his grief. "I'm fit for duty, ma'am."

Shepard smiled at him, inwardly shaking her head, he hadn't changed a bit. "EDI?"

The blue orb of EDI's avatar appeared beside Kaidan. "Yes, Commander?"

"Is Jacob busy?"

"He's currently stripping a weapon in the Armoury."

"Can you tell him that I want to see him in here, ASAP, please?"

"Of course, Commander."

The orb disappeared.

"An AI?" Kaidan asked incredulously. "Bet Joker wasn't too happy when he found out about it."

"He wasn't to begin with. But EDI has proven herself worthy of being on the team."

Kaidan just shook his head at the way she was talking about the AI.

Shepard couldn't help but laugh at his scepticism. "You'll see, Kaidan. You'll see."

The doors behind them opened then and Jacob enter the room. "You wanted to see me, Commander?" the Cerberus Operative questioned his commanding officer.

"Kaidan, I'd like you to meet Jacob Taylor." She introduced the two men to each other. "Jacob, this is Kaidan Alenko."

The two soldiers shook hands.

"Taylor… the name sounds familiar…" Kaidan spoke, puzzled.

"I'm ex-Alliance," Jacob informed their newest crewmember before turning to look at Shepard.

"Can you give Kaidan a tour of the new Normandy and then show him to his quarters? I'd do it myself, but I've got an appointment on the Citadel in half an hour that I can't miss, and then I'll be spending the night on the Orizaba."

"No troubles, Commander. Have a good night." Jacob snapped to attention before turning and leaving.

"See you in the morning." Kaidan saluted her as well before picking up his duffelbag and followed Jacob.

Shepard watched them go before turning to the table. "EDI?"

"Yes, Commander?"

"Can you tell Miranda that I'm about to head out, and that she's in charge until I returning in the morning?"

"Message away. Enjoy your evening with your mother, Commander." The AI told her before disappearing.

"I will, EDI," she said to herself as she turned and left the room. With only twenty-five minutes before her appointment, she'd have to hurry to get to Zakera Ward in time.

TBC…