A/N: Hey guys :) Here's chapter three! It will kind of probably get more AU as it goes :P Hope that's okay! It might be a bit before the next chapter is posted because I probably won't post it until I'm absolutely sure of my direction, so I'll probably write a few more chapters and then if I stick with that plan, I'll finally post them or something. Anyway, I hope it sounds okay :)

Onward!

Chapter Three

Shepard was given Anderson's apartment to stay in while they were on their shore leave. Shore leave was supposed to last two weeks, for which Kaidan was grateful. That would definitely help and given every a little time to relax and be normal.

The sentinel rode the elevator up to Anderson's apartment, feeling the worry drain from his shoulders because this was really happening; Shepard was really taking a break and there would now be plenty of time to rest. Hackett really came through for him and he would have to remember to thank the man.

The elevator opened and he walked down the hallway toward the front door of the apartment. It was very generous of Anderson to let them stay there during their shore leave – or, at least, let Shepard stay there. He very seriously doubted the man knew they were together. They hadn't exactly told anyone except the crew, who seemed to know about it anyway, surprisingly. Kaidan honestly hadn't thought anything had been that obvious, but apparently it was.

The door opened before he had a chance to knock, and Shepard stood there, smiling at him. "You won't believe what happened."

Kaidan blinked, momentarily confused but not worried. If it was something bad Shepard wouldn't be smiling. "What?"

Shepard responded by reaching out, snagging the front of Kaidan's shirt, lightly pulling him into the apartment. Kaidan allowed himself to be pulled through the doorway, kicking the door shut behind him as Shepard captured his mouth with a kiss which left both them more than a little breathless.

"Anderson just gave me this apartment," Shepard replied as the two pulled apart.

"Really?" Kaidan breathed, surprised.

"He said I should have a place to call my own and that he didn't think he'd be able to leave Earth. The more he's there, the less he wants to leave."

"Makes sense, I guess." Kaidan was sure that if he went back to Earth for a prolonged period of time he'd have a hard time leaving as well, not including with the war and everything. Earth was and would always be home, after all.

"I don't know what to do with this place, though," Shepard said, nose scrunching up in confusion. "I'm not going to be here long enough to do anything with it."

"There will be time after the war," Kaidan said, shrugging as he looked around at the large interior of the apartment. It had a balcony upstairs, plant life near the front door, and as he walked through it, he discovered several other rooms including a game room and a bar, and that was just downstairs.

He wasn't aware of the silence until it was all he heard. He looked back at where Shepard stood back toward the door where he left him, watching him calmly. Kaidan crossed the room back toward him, frowning as he thought of his last words and realized he recognized the expression Shepard wore – uncertainty.

"Hey," he said quietly, "we'll get through this."

They had to, right?

Otherwise what was the point?

Shepard took in a breath and nodded. "I guess so." He paused then. "Think the bar's stocked?"

Kaidan shrugged. "Only one way to find out."

"We'll have to get food," Shepard sighed later that night as he looked through the refrigerator. There was barely anything in it except bottled water, things that would hold over time because Anderson probably didn't get to stay here that often.

Kaidan nodded. "We'll do that in the morning. I'll order a pizza."

After he'd ordered the pizza he joined Shepard upstairs in the main bedroom, where he found the man staring at the Jacuzzi in the bathroom. Kaidan himself was shocked at the sight, having rarely ever seen one and he'd never actually been in one before. He had the urge to do so now while they waited for the pizza, and carefully stepped closer to Shepard, winding an arm around his waist, pulling the commander backward until his back connected with Kaidan's chest. Shepard didn't fight him, instead leaned into him with a pleasant sigh.

"This place is amazing," Shepard said, almost in awe.

"Yeah," Kaidan breathed, mouth pressing faintly against the back of Shepard's head, the short hair tickling his lips. "It is. What do you say we enjoy it?"

"Enjoy it?" Shepard echoed like the thought never occurred to him, and Kaidan realized Shepard probably didn't even know how to relax. He was always on the movie, one mission to the next. The only downtime he got was when he was hurt.

And he was hurt. His wounds were mostly healed due to the miracles of modern medicine and it probably wouldn't even scar, but his cybernetics were still fried. He still seemed far more tired than usual and that was even with Kaidan making sure he did as little as possible.

Want food? He'd get that for him.

Need to reach for something? Got it.

Need to argue with the crew? It's taken care of.

All Shepard needed to worry about was resting and relaxing and enjoying their vacation. It might have been forced onto them but Kaidan hoped Shepard saw the benefits of it and managed to relax, at least a little. He needed to take the time to heal, to think about something other than the war and the uncertainty of their future.

They could focus on the here and now instead.

Kaidan lightly tugged at the fabric of Shepard's custom uniform shirt. "What do you say we try the Jacuzzi?"

"I like the way you think, Major."

They ate pizza in bed and watched a few vids on the large screen across the room, hanging on the wall. The vids were stupid, humorous and absolutely meant nothing to either of them except that it let them relax. It reminded Kaidan of simpler times, of being a kid again and worrying about nothing but the present, and he hoped Shepard felt the same.

They played cards as well, sitting on the bed comfortably. Actual beds in living places were far more comfortable than the beds on the Normandy, no matter how big Shepard's cabin was. The bed there was still hard, not broken in while this bed was comfortable and soft. It reminded Kaidan of home.

Briefly he thought of his parents. He missed them and wanted to know if they were okay, but they'd still only gotten word on his mom. His dad was still MIA but he was sure he'd turn up eventually. The man was nothing if not resilient, after all, a fellow Alliance soldier despite the fact he was retired now.

Besides, that wasn't what vacation was about. It wasn't there to remind them of things in the past or the uncertainty of the future – it was there so they could enjoy the here and now, and right now he was there with Shepard.

And in all honesty, he couldn't be happier. Shepard was there with him, they were together, and the man was finally taking a moment to sit back and relax.

"Kaidan."

He blinked, then, realizing he'd been quiet for a while, lost in his thoughts. He focused on Shepard and found the vanguard smiling at him, leaning back comfortably with his back against the headboard of the bed. Kaidan himself was at the foot of the bed, the cards between them.

"Sorry," he said. "It's just… been a while since we got to relax."

Shepard nodded. "It has," he agreed quietly. "I just wonder if…"

"If what?"

"Nothing. Never mind."

"Say it," Kaidan urged.

"It's just… You ever feel like we're running on borrowed time?"

Kaidan frowned. "Borrowed time?" he echoed, watching as Shepard's gaze averted downward, toward the bed.

"Do you think we can afford to take shore leave?"

"We don't have a choice," Kaidan said. "Hackett ordered us to take a break."

And I'll have to thank the man for that.

Shepard could argue all he wanted but he'd never go against a direct order, especially if it was what the crew needed. Everyone could use a break at the moment, Shepard most of all.

"I guess so," Shepard murmured. "It's just, with the war and everything… I kind of feel like I'm just sitting here doing nothing while people die."

Kaidan moved toward him, then, sitting next to him against the headboard. "The Normandy is getting some need repairs and everyone could use a break," he said quietly, watching the commander who finally lifted his gaze from the bed toward Kaidan, blue eyes dark with uncertainty, and Kaidan hated seeing that look on his face. "Don't think about the war. Just… relax, Ry."

Shepard took in a breath and released it slowly, giving into a small nod. "I'll try," he muttered. "But I make no promises."

"Trying is all that I ask."

Kaidan woke the next morning to soft kisses trailing down the length of his body and then slowly back up again. He opened his eyes and was greeted with a kiss to the lips, arms immediately lifting to wrap around the warm, firm body hovering over him. He rolled them, then, until he was on top, looking down in bright blue eyes.

"Good morning, K," Shepard breathed, smiling somewhat sheepishly. "Did I wake you?"

"You know you did," Kaidan said with a quiet laugh, leaning his head down to capture those lips again. "You'll have to do that more often."

Shepard's mouth opened for him and he easily slipped his tongue inside as though that was where the muscle belonged in the first place. From there he soon found hands against his hips, firm yet gentle in their grasp, a feat only Shepard could manage. His own hands sought refuge of their own, one slipping around the back of Shepard's neck, the other sliding down the smooth, muscled chest beneath him.

And then they were rolling again, Shepard on top again, finally pulling away from their lengthy kiss to draw in a quick breath of air, smirking down at the sentinel.

"I kind of want to do incredibly naughty things to you," Shepard admitted with a grin, "but I also kind of want to just… stay here, like this."

Kaidan chuckled. "Indecisive. I like it."

Shepard laughed, voice rough and breathy more than anything else and Kaidan closed his eyes happily, wishing every morning could be like this. It couldn't, though, because more often than not Shepard woke sometime before him and slipped away before he woke up. Kaidan often woke alone, either alone in the room or alone in the bed with Shepard at the desk on his laptop, forever checking his messages and updates from other members of his crew.

So it was more than nice to be here like this, their bodies tangled together so closely it was hard to tell where he ended and Shepard began.

But he found that was what he liked the most.

They were downstairs making an online shopping list sometime later when Shepard's laptop dinged, communicating that he got a message. Shepard slipped away from the comfort of the couch and walked into the kitchen, where the device rested on the countertop. He then walked back over to Kaidan and sat next to him again, their sides brushing as Kaidan extended an arm, resting it over the back of the couch behind Shepard's shoulders.

"Joker wants to have sushi with me," Shepard said. "In that expensive restaurant no one can seem to get into."

"Well, he must have gotten a reservation," Kaidan said. "Sounds upscale."

"As long as I don't have to wear a tie," Shepard muttered. "I hate dressing up."

Currently he wore blue jeans and white T-shirt, both found in the closet upstairs. Shepard and Anderson were around the same size and Shepard didn't have many clothes other than the standard Alliance uniform. Kaidan would have to make sure he got some, though, because everyone needed their own clothes free from their work uniform. It helped give them an identity. He couldn't help but feel that was something Shepard really needed.

"Alright," Kaidan said. "I guess we're having sushi for dinner."

"We?" Shepard echoed, quirking a brow at him.

"Well, yeah. What, you're gonna leave me behind while you eat? That's not very nice, Ry."

Shepard laughed. "I guess not. Alright then, let's go."

They arrived at the restaurant and found a large line of guests waiting outside. The doorman saw Shepard and gestured for him to enter. Shepard shared a look with Kaidan before the two walked forward and entered the fancy restaurant, looking around for Joker.

They found him seated in the back with one empty chair. Clearly he thought Shepard was coming alone. Kaidan didn't want to intrude but he had also vowed to himself not to let the man out of his sight and he'd failed too many times already. Besides, Joker knew they were together now, he should have expected this.

"Commander," Joker greeted. "Kaidan."

"Hey," Shepard said as he pulled up another chair from another table, sitting down at their round table, next to Joker. Kaidan sat next to Shepard, across from Joker.

"Did you see the line outside?" Joker asked with a laugh. "Only had to save the galaxy twice to get a table here. But here I am, drink in hand." He lifted his drink with a quiet laugh. "Best pilot in the universe… and a rock star."

Kaidan couldn't help the laugh that escaped him.

Rock star, huh?

Shepard shook his head, chuckling. "Any news from the Normandy?"

Straight to work, Shepard?

"Ah, you know, maintenance stuff," Joker muttered unhappily. "Bunch of strangers are poking around on my ship. Er, your ship."

"Best thing we can do now is let the techs do their work," Shepard said, almost like he was convincing himself of that as well.

"It's a vacation," Kaidan said.

"Yeah, you're right," Joker sighed.

"It'll do the ship and everyone some good," Kaidan said. "Trust me."

"I trust you," Joker said, "just not so sure about those engineers. Always stealing the silverware."

"Why would they take the silverware?" Kaidan wanted to know.

"Let someone else do the work for once," Shepard said. "Hackett's orders. We're on shore leave."

Kaidan smirked, hoping Shepard actually meant what he said. He practically had to force the man to take a break, after all, and that was even with Hackett's orders for a forced shore leave.

"I may need a drink that comes with an umbrella," Joker said, looking into his empty glass.

"I'm the first human Spectre," Shepard said with a semi-sly grin. "I'll get you two umbrellas."

"Awesome use of power, boss," Joker approved.

Kaidan chuckled and shook his head. "I don't think that's what they meant when they made you Spectre."

"You're the second human Spectre, Alenko. I demand that you follow my orders and get us even more umbrellas."

"Oh, is that a challenge?"

Shepard grinned, a quick flash of teeth. "If that's what it takes."

"Please get a room," Joker said.

Kaidan rolled his eyes and looked at him. "Well, we were in a room before you interrupted us…"

"I interrupted you? You invited me."

Now Kaidan frowned, laughter dying away. "You sent Shepard a message telling him to meet you here."

"No," Joker said slowly, frowning now as well, "I got a message from him and that's why I'm here."

"So if neither of you sent the message…"

A knot formed in Kaidan's stomach.

Bad feeling about this.

It was about that time a hyperactive, dark-skinned woman rushed toward their table. "Commander Shepard! I'm Staff Analyst Maya Brooks. Alliance. Um, excuse me." She quickly saluted. "Alliance intelligence. There are people trying to kill you!"

That knot grew larger and Kaidan quickly looked around but didn't see anything out of the ordinary, but that bad feeling just kept growing and growing.

Something's not right.

"I think the commander's pretty aware of that," Joker said.

"No," Brooks said, "not Cerberus or… Someone new. Someone is hacking your account. Comm channels, personal records… They're targeting you specifically."

"Why?" Kaidan demanded, narrowing his eyes at her. "Who? What do they want?"

Where are they?

"The intel isn't definitive yet," Brooks said, shaking her head. She told them what happened last time they didn't have definitive intel, a story about landing on a gas giant, which was bad.

"Hang on, take a breath," Shepard said easily, calmly. "From the top. What do you know?"

Her response was cut off by the sound of a voice echoing from across the room, causing everyone to look that way to see armed men entering the restaurant.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen," said one of them. "Tonight's entertainment is brought to you by random acts of violence."

Then the armed men began shooting through the place, up into the ceiling, through tables. Everything erupted into panic and chaos as people quickly ran away, out of the building. Shepard snagged Kaidan and Joker by the arms and pulled until they were hiding behind a fallen table, half around a corner. Brooks was a little further ahead, taking cover as well.

These must be the people after Shepard.

"My pancreas," Joker groaned as he held the crouched position. Kaidan knew it must be hurting him, what with his brittle bone disease and everything, but at the moment they had larger concerns.

One of the armed men came by and snagged Brooks by her wrist, yanking her out of cover.

"Dammit," Shepard muttered. He looked at Joker and Kaidan. "Find the crew. I'm going after her."

Like hell you are!

"With all due respect, I'm not going anywhere," Kaidan said, glaring at him.

"We don't have time to argue," Shepard snapped back quietly.

"Exactly! So I'm going with you. Joker, go get the rest of the crew, tell them what's happening."

Joker looked torn but after a harsh glare from Kaidan, he finally began scrambling away.

One of the armed men appeared over the top of the table they were hiding behind, aiming at Joker's retreating back. Shepard grabbed him by the front of his shirt and pulled him over the table, onto the ground between them, where his fist then glowed blue as he punched the man, knocking him out cold. He picked up the pistol the man dropped even as Joker turned back toward them.

"You used me as bait?" he asked incredulously.

"Go," Shepard demanded.

And then Shepard was moving forward. Kaidan didn't have a weapon but he followed after him anyway. He could still use his biotics, after all. Those could be pretty damn lethal on their own.

Brooks was on the other side of the restaurant now, being held captive by two of the armed men while the others spread out across the room, searching for Shepard. Shepard easily took a few of them out with that pistol he picked up from that downed guy. The weapon was powerful and had a silencer on it. Kaidan couldn't help but wonder how they got it, but he couldn't think about that now.

He followed Shepard through the chaos, using reave and lift whenever he needed to do so while Shepard easily reloaded his gun. They could see Brooks now, and the two holding her hostage. Shepard's brow creased then, and Kaidan knew what he was thinking.

"Don't," he snapped. "No biotics, dammit."

He could see how using a biotic charge would get him to Brooks that much quicker, but it could do major damage to Shepard in the process, too. His cybernetics were unstable, his system still fried. He was under strict orders to not use his biotics and Kaidan was going to make sure he followed those orders to the letter.

He used lift on the men around Brooks as Shepard shot at them with the pistol. The two vaulted from their cover and finally made it to Brooks' side. Kaidan helped her up while Shepard shot at a few more of the armed men across the away, covering them.

And then a red beam landed on Shepard's chest. Shepard looked down at it slowly, realization dawning across his features.

A sniper.

Kaidan moved without thinking, tearing away from Brooks and knocking into Shepard.

There was pain, immediate and swift in his side.

He hit the ground, then, and found himself oddly breathless, unable to move. Everything ached and his limbs felt so incredibly heavy.

"Kaidan!"

He blinked his eyes open, vision blurred but even so, he watched almost in slow motion as the ground beneath Shepard gave way. Shepard's eyes connected with his own for one brief moment, relief and shock present in them, before gravity tugged him down, through the broken floor, out of the goddamn building.

"Ry-an," he managed to cry out, pain nearly silencing him in the middle of the word as he struggled to crawl toward the broken floor, where Shepard disappeared.

Hands grabbed him, pulled him back. The orange glow of an omni-tool obscured his blurred vision.

Ryan. Shepard, no.

Everything went dark, his sight that of Brooks administering medi-gel.

A/N: And there's that chapter. Hope it sounds okay! Thanks for reading and please review!

~Muffy the Dough Slayer~