Spoilers: obviously content from the games including the Ending.
For the most part this will follow ME lore, just adding and adapting.
Rated M since i don't want to limit what i can and can't do as the story progresses.
Going Home
Kaidan looked at the time again. "Joker how long till he reach Arcturus?"
"Kaidan an hour less then the last time you asked. We should be there in a few hours." Joker' said lightly annoyed.
He had been asking more and more the last few days. But he just finally wanted to get back to Earth. But then what, Shepard was in love with someone. He felt the jealousy rise again. No Kaidan you're not going that route. He told himself. Whoever it is Shepard deserves to be happy and he is your best friend he needs you as a friend he had made that clear enough.
He looked again at his omnitool it had been Eleven solar days since the battle. Two days stranded on the planet Nine days traveling at FTL. Joker had opted for a safer route giving them a chance to discharge the drive core, so they could keep up the prolonged FTL travel longer. Though they might have been faster at top speed no one was willing to risk an uncontrolled drive core discharge that could kill them if the systems didn't hold.
He went through everything again from the last few days, since the had left the System. Now called Shepard had been boring, well except for the debate to name the four planets in the system Liara had won that one. The planets where now called Vengeance, Vendetta, Hope and Victory. But otherwise boring, traveling, keep the ship running, nothing to do. At least he didn't have any dreams anymore. Those must have been his subconsciousness telling him something now obvious.
While he stood there deep in thought James had come to him "Hey Major, got you a sandwich. The doc said she worries you didn't eat enough." James shrugged as if he didn't understand.
"James, no using of ranks. I told you I'm sick of them." Kaidan said with a smile. He knew now Would come a typical James reply.
"Kaidan serious, she said you aren't doing to well. Maybe rest a bit go and sleep, eat. I promise, I will get you the second we are close to the relay."
Damn he must look like shit if even James was starting to get concerned.
"Okay James, I wanted to check on Shepards fish anyway, but the second we have communications you call me."
"Sure, just rest a bit." The marine shrugged and pushed him towards the elevator.
He went towards Shepards cabin, he had been sleeping here the last few days. Reading and looking at the images children had made for Shepard. Somehow it made him feel better, more at peace. But this time he just lay down in bed with the intention to finally sleep.
Shepards apartment everyone was having a great time. Kaidan had made a fool of himself asking Shepard if he could do anything. Such a stupid thing to ask, Shepard was always prepared for everything. In this case that meant he had food and drinks stocked to serve a whole Krogan platoon. But He just wanted that Shepard took a rest himself.
At some point Everyone was teasing Shepard about that ring on his dog tags.
"Who's the lucky woman?", "She stealing our commander?".
Suddenly Shepard turned to Kaidan.
"Look at me!"
"Wait what?"
"Kaidan promise me, LOOK at me!"
"Shepard what do you mean?"
Something golden flashed up and Shepard was gone.
"Hey Kaidan wake up." James called over the comm.
"What's up James?" Kaidan said confused.
"Got near the relay. Something came up. You might want to get down here."
Kaidan stood up, now what was that dream about.
He went to the CIC and hoped the weird could stop for today.
"Kaidan, good you're here we have a connection to Captain Ihad vas Iktomi." Joker burst out he couldn't keep himself from laughing.
Kaidan looked confused until "Oh, ehm well don't mention the name Joker that's to much."
Joker laughed, "You know, I don't think they know what that means. But that makes it even funnier."
"Joker put a sock in it and put the Captain through." Kaidan hopped he wouldn't burst out laughing to the captains face.
"Captain Alenko I presume?" The voice on the other side of the com asked.
"Actually it's Major, the Normandy never has a captain." Now Kaidan wondered about that himself why didn't they make Shepard captain after Anderson was 'promoted' away.
"Yes well whatever your people may call you. Captain we noticed your course is set for the relay. We have to ask you to change your course." Captain Ihad said in a serious tone.
"May I ask what happened? We kind of got stranded. We don't even know what happened to the reapers." Now Kaidan was getting worried.
"I see, well I can send you a copy of the official reports. At least those we have, our last contact with the council was a few days back. Sorry to tell you, but both Charon and Arcturus relays are damaged. Could be even more relays are out of order." Ihads voice sounded a bit desperate.
"I see, we will alter our course appropriately." Damn and the trip to earth would take even longer as assumed.
"Oh and my medical officer asks if it would be possible for you to transport a few injured patients and refugees we picked up to earth."
"Sure, sent the pickup coordinates to my pilot." Injured people weren't a problem maybe someone new to take care of would keep Chakwas of his back.
Kaidan walked towards the cockpit. "Hey, Joker got the update?"
"You mean the don't use relays, but take a detour on foot? Yeah got it. Already recalculating our trajectory. We could discharge the core here and travel at top speed for a change should shave the duration down to 2 days." Jokers voice sounded sarcastic. "BTW Kaidan always funny that the Quarians insist on calling commanding officers Captain. Shepard tried telling them a dozen times he was a commander. Didn't stop them though."
"Yeah, but I always wondered why the Normandy never got a Captain. Look I should inform Dr. Chakwas that she got some work coming her way. Sent me those reports vas iktomi mentioned." Kaidan had to laugh.
"See now your mean, I can't Joke about that but you have to rub it in. Not cool Kaidan." Joker waved his hand. "Just leave me here."
Two hours later they had met up with the Iktomi, now they had 5 refugees in the medbay and a bunch of reports that finally explained what had happened after the crucible had fired. Kaidan had summoned the crew to the mess to inform them.
"Dear passengers of Joker tours, we have to inform you that due to unexpected technical meltdown our trip will take longer then expected. Also note that we will charge extra for the extended stay aboard our luxury holiday ship." Joker said over the comm system.
"Thank you Joker for informing us, but I have a formal complaint the pilot is less then professional and the food is horrible." Garrus Replied.
"People let's be serious just one moment." Kaidan tried to stop the fooling around.
"Kaidan you're getting more and more boring by the day." Joker replied.
"Yeah, I have work to do. Now serious people. It seems that the reapers are defeated. But there was some mayor damage to the relays and the citadel. The Iktomi warned us that travel in the Sol system is difficult with all the fleets stranded there. Also mayor piles of debris floating around. But the good news is we will be home in two days." Kaidan made the update quick answered any questions the crew had and promised they would all have a stiff drink once they where home. Heck the Normady had a big supply of drinks aboard.
That evening Kaidan slept better then in the last months. Finally they knew the war was over.
Shepard Looked at Kaidan "Hey"
"Shepard, need any help?"
"No Kaidan enjoy yourself it's a party."
"I could get some drinks or food or..."
"No Kaidan, just relax. Just one thing you have to do..."
"Anything Shepard just ask."
"Look at me!"
Kaidan woke up.
"Damn this has got to stop."
Somewhere in a dark corner Aria met with a person hidden in the shadows.
"They say you're the best thief in the system."
"Nope, in the galaxy more like it."
"Whatever, I need you to break in to a specific place."
"Just break in? Not steal me the Mona Lisa or something exiting?"
"No, I need something delivered. To a very specific person. Without anyone finding out."
"Okay, but see I'm a thief i normally take things. So I want to know what it is before I decide."
Aria threw the thief a small shinny object. "Just this ring."
The thief looked at the ring. "Hey, that's.."
"That's why I want it delivered in secret. No one else can know."
"Consider it done."