A/N: I dive into Evelyn's history a little in this chapter!

I was having formatting troubles with the messages within the story; if you have ideas on how to make it clearer/easier to read, please let me know!

By the way, if you're wondering what Evelyn looks like exactly, check out this post on my tumblr blog:

post/140181767307/evelyn-shepards-first-visit-to-the-council

Enjoy!

A blinking red light illuminated Kaidan's otherwise dark apartment as he walked inside. Shit, I didn't even bother to check my messages while I was out today. The red light indicated that this was an urgent, time sensitive, message. He quickly opened it on his terminal.

Tomorrow morning?! He thought, shocked at what the message contained. Sure, he had graduated at the top of his class in basic and thought he might get a good assignment, but he hadn't expected something this fast or on such short notice.

His heart was simultaneously elated and sunken. Had he not just met the most amazing woman, he wouldn't feel the slightest bit of conflict over shipping out right away. Part of him was exhilarated to be heading out to his first post, and yet he was also disappointed that he wouldn't be living down the hall from Shepard anymore.

He quickly began to pack his things and got a few hours of shut-eye before taking what little belongings he had with him as he boarded the SSV Leipzig. He wished he had run into Shepard that morning so he could say a proper good-bye, but sadly, he hadn't.

It had been a few days since Shepard last saw Kaidan, and she found herself wondering where he had been. He had kissed her cheek and disappeared the other night, leaving Shepard feeling like she had just read a major cliff-hanger in one of her books.

As she was getting ready to report for duty, her omni-tool alerted her that she had received a message. When she saw it came from Kaidan, her heart raced just a little. Is he asking me out again? Following up, finally? Or maybe he changed his mind...

Shepard,

I'm sorry I haven't been around, and that it's taken me so long to send you this message.

I wanted to let you know that after I dropped you off at your apartment the other night, I got a message saying that I was shipping out the next morning. I still can't believe it happened so fast. I'm serving on the SSV Leipzig in the First Fleet now, and proud to be here.

I'm disappointed that our time together was so short. I wish I could get to know you more.

I hope you enjoy your time serving on Earth and hope we meet again someday.

- Kaidan Alenko

Well, I suppose that explains why I haven't seen him around. She then began analyzing the exact language used in the letter, immediately noticing Kaidan had addressed her by her last name. He must have figured out that I out-rank him and didn't want to seem unprofessional.

She continued getting ready for her day, re-reading the letter multiple times and over-analyzing every word. Throughout her day, she thought about how to reply, and then wrote a draft. She never sent any communication without revising it later with a fresh mind, and this reply would certainly be no different.

Kaidan,

I was wondering where you had been!

I wanted to thank you again for taking me around Vancouver. I had an amazing, wonderful time.

Don't sound so love-struck, she thought, writing and revising her letter. The tone of his letter was primarily professional. Take your cue from him. Be professional.

I wish you the best on your new assignment with the First Fleet. It's an honor to be chosen to serve there. Though, I must admit I'll miss seeing you around here.

Professional, dummy.

Perhaps we will meet again one day.

- Evelyn Shepard

She later read over her final draft and hesitated over the "send" button.

Kaidan,

I wanted to thank you again for taking me around Vancouver. I had a wonderful time.

I wish you the best on your new assignment with the First Fleet. It's an honor to be chosen to serve there.

Perhaps we will meet again one day.

- Evelyn Shepard

Her heart sank with disappointment as she sent the message off, wondering if she would hear from him again. She shook her head, shaking it off. It's time to put those silly feelings back on the shelf. Clearly, it was foolish to entertain them in the first place.

The cataloging of these feelings caused Evelyn's mind to revisit a memory from nearly a decade ago. The events of which (and those following) were what largely caused her to develop into such an independent woman.

Evelyn had been only 12 years old. Her mother returned to their cabin one night, distraught. Hannah Shepard's face was white as snow, eyes red from shedding all the tears she possibly could. Hannah returned to the cabin later than Evelyn expected, and Evelyn had been concerned something might have gone wrong. After seeing her mother, Evelyn knew her concerns were not for naught.

"What's wrong, Mom?"

Hannah hesitated, trying to find the words to answer her daughter. Hannah had always known Evelyn was incredibly intelligent and perceptive; it shouldn't have come to any shock to her that she would recognize Hannah's distress and inquire about it.

"Evelyn, your father, he's…"

A long silence stretched in the darkness between them. Evelyn was the one to break it.

"He's gone, isn't he?"

"Yes," Hannah whispered, amazed at her daughter's strength.

"He's not coming back, is he?"

"No, sweetie."

"Did he suffer? Or was his death quick?"

Evelyn knew much about military life, but still, the question surprised Hannah. Evelyn was holding up to this news incredibly well.

"Quick. Bullet to the head from a sniper. He died instantly." Hannah spared no details; she knew her daughter needed them or else would end up speculating on her own, dwelling on it longer than she ought to.

"Oh."

The silence between them fell, and without a sound, Evelyn began to cry. Hannah could see the tears sparkling in the low light of the room and embraced her daughter. No more words were spoken from either of them for the rest of that evening.

Evelyn snapped her mind back to the present. She shook off the memory and envisioned her father's smiling face instead. Any time her mind traveled to that dark night, she thought of the good times they had.

For the next week or so after receiving Kaidan's letter, Evelyn found herself checking her message terminal more frequently than usual, hoping from a reply from Kaidan. And each time she did, she reminded herself how ridiculous this was. Shepard's logical mind allowed her to compartmentalize her feelings very well, and soon, she had put Kaidan out of her mind, focused solely on her career. Evelyn wouldn't allow these "distracting feelings" to surface again. Shepard was determined to become a better soldier, engineer, tactician, and leader. She wanted to make her mother and father proud, and no boy was about to get in her way.

A/N: Independent and strong-willed, or stubborn? Maybe a little of both, eh? Only one more chapter of pre-mass effect events left, and then the ball really starts rolling! PS: I love comments and reviews. They seriously make my day!