A/N: Y'all, I know I've been really bad about writing lately. I'm going through some...issues that are making it hard to write. And the muse is fickle. It's really not the best combo.

This chapter is pretty short, and a bit NSFW. Originally, this scene was going to be part of the previous chapter (but it would have made it too long) and, well, what happens next just needs a proper chapter break after this section. :) Hopefully I get the next part up sooner than this one.

Kaidan's warm, rough hands found the straps of Evelyn's tank top and gently peeled them down, careful to not let the clothes touch any wounds. Her soft pale skin glowed, and the desire to kiss every inch of it became almost more than Kaidan could bear. He sighed uncomfortably. "It feels kind of wrong, you know? I'm trying to tend to your wounds, but looking at you just…"

Shepard turned around to face him, resting her body against his for support, but also purposely leaning in towards him with familiarity and confidence. "Kaidan, you aren't here as my medic right now. There's nothing inappropriate about any thoughts you might be having." She took his stubble-covered chin into her pale, delicate fingers and tilted his full lips towards hers, planting a short, tender kiss on them.

He nuzzled his nose against hers, exhaling his tension away. "If you say so."

She pulled back slightly, looking upon his face. "I do." She smiled coyly.

Kaidan's hands moved to her waist and he carefully peeled her soft grey pants over her hips. His whisky-colored eyes trained on her legs, flitting away only to follow the sound of the soft impact of her bra hitting the floor. He moved his gaze up to find her breasts free and exposed to him. His whisky eyes trailed upward where he found a slight blush and hopelessly innocent expression plastered across Evelyn's face. Slowly, Kaidan stood, his hands carefully tracing uninjured areas of her torso and breasts. Cool soft fingers hooked inside of his waistband, curled around his shirt, and lifted it over his head. Another soft impact filled the tiled room as his pants fell to the ground. He stepped outside of them, his hands finding Shepard's last remaining undergarment as hers found his waist.

Golden and silver eyes met as they simultaneously removed each other's underwear. Their bare bodies carefully, but passionately pressed together, their lips colliding hungrily. Kaidan's hands cupped Shepard's bottom and lifted her gently into the air. He placed her on top of the counter, supporting her back with his arms as he stepped in closely and kissed her collarbone, neck, and nibbled on her earlobe. His nose nuzzled the skin just behind her tiny ear as he whispered into it. "Let me get the water started."

Evelyn groaned reluctantly as Kaidan stepped away. Her sparkling eyes followed his bare form, admiring the incredible curve of his ass as he walked away from her. He reached towards the shower, opened the clear glass door, and twisted the knob, water hissing as it filled the stall. Kaidan looked back and noticed Shepard leering at him; he chuckled as she blushed and smirked upon being caught. His hand tested the water, turned the knob slightly more, and tested it again. "Perfect," he announced as soft steam began to fog the glass and fill the room.

He turned to retrieve Shepard from the counter, his arousal evident. As he carefully collected her bruised and currently delicate form, his erection brushed against Shepard's center, eliciting a breathy gasp from her. Gingerly he carried her into the shower and set her on the bench, closing the now nearly opaque door behind him.

The scent of oranges and ginger filled the steamy shower as Kaidan squeezed some of Shepard's shampoo into his hands. Carefully, he worked it into a lather and massaged it into her scalp. Shepard moaned quietly; she never would have thought such a simple gesture could be so intimate. Warm water met her head as Kaidan moved the hand-held showerhead over to rinse the shampoo out of her hair, and then grabbed the conditioner.

Once Shepard's hair was saturated with conditioner, Kaidan took the bar of soap into his hands and glided it across Evelyn's skin, careful not to put soap directly into her wounds. Warm water followed each area the soap had touched, each wound shielded from it by Kaidan's other hand.

When he was finished with her, he began to wash himself. Silver eyes followed the movement of his strong hands and the trails the soap and water left along his taut muscles. Evelyn bit her lip gently as heat pooled between her legs – and it was not from the steam.

But Kaidan never made a move on her. Evelyn's unfulfilled desires left her feeling somewhat frustrated, but her logical side knew why her lover had chosen to keep things more innocent - He doesn't want to accidentally hurt me. He just wants to take care of me and be here for me. A large grin drew across Evelyn's face. Intimacy was something she was new at, after all, and the practice of having it without sex was something she found herself enjoying. But when I'm better... she wet her lips, keeping her devious thoughts to herself while Kaidan continued to bathe himself in front of her.

After he washed his hair, Kaidan rinsed the conditioner from Shepard's. Then he carefully removed her bandages, dropping them to the wet floor of the shower. Kaidan grabbed a washcloth, wet it, and gingerly cleansed Shepard's wounds. She winced only twice, and each time she did, Kaidan kissed her forehead and apologized for it hurting.

With a twist and a squeak, the hiss of the shower and the flow of the water ceased. Kaidan quickly grabbed the dry towels, closing the shower door quickly behind him to keep as much of the warm steam in the stall as possible.

"Thank you, Kaidan," Evelyn breathed as he carefully patted her skin dry.

"Anytime, Evelyn," his husky voice replied.