After.
Chapter Twenty-Six: Bleeding
"We need a transfusion – he's lost too much blood."
"Get more medi-gel – he's going into shock!"
"Dammit – we're losing him. Get the crash-cart in here!"
"Shepard."
Gaz's eyes pulled away from the two gurney's that were being wheeled quickly back into the depths of the hospital, and landed on a very familiar face.
"Doctor Chakwas?"
"Can't stay out of trouble, I see," she smiled, guiding Shepard to take a seat within the waiting room.
"We've been here for a barely a day – how are you already working again?"
"The Alliance is strange about medical staff. There's such a desperate need for us, they pretty much throw you into work the second you're not busy with something else," she sighed, "Are you alright?"
Gaz thumbed the sleeve of her plaid over-shirt, eyes distant, "Not really."
"What happened?"
"Kaidan saw Joker and I...and decided to beat the living hell out of him. Then...Joker shot him."
"They fought over you?"
"I think Joker was just pissed that Kaidan was beating the shit out of him."
"Gaz..."
Shepard's eyes slid to Chakwas, waiting for her to continue.
"Those two have always been at each-other's throats over you."
"What?"
"You know I'm quite close with both boys, yes?"
"Yeah."
"Kaidan spent extended periods of time in my care because of his L2 implants and constant migraines. Joker – well he always seemed to break something," she smiled warmly at the memory, "They would both always talk of you with such...passion, it was touching."
Gaz remained silent – her eyes on the floor.
"In the end, of course, Kaidan was the bolder of the two boys. I always had a feeling something like this would happen. Joker has such a smart mouth and Kaidan tends to wear his emotions on his sleeve. It was inevitable, really."
"Are they going to die?" Shepard's voice was small.
Chakwas leaned forward, setting a hand on Gaz's arm.
"I'm tired of hurting people..." her voice distant, "All I do is kill. I've killed thousands. I just want it to stop."
"Gaz."
"Sorry – I'm just really tired..."
"I'll go check on your boys."
Chakwas disappeared behind the swinging door. Gaz pulled her knees against her chest – leaning her forehead against them.
–
"Kaidan."
The Spectre opened his eyes – which widened slightly at the sight of Shepard.
"Gaz?"
"You could have handled that a little better," she folded her arms across her chest.
Kaidan laughed slightly before grunting at sudden pain in his stomach, "Yeah...you could say that. So...you're seeing Joker now?"
"If he ever wakes up – yes I am."
Kaidan's eyes drifted to his bandage, "Gaz...I am so sorry."
"I don't know what to think of you, Kaidan. I was at least hoping I could be your friend," her words filled with more emotion than he was expecting from the woman, "You fuck Miranda. You fuck-up Joker. How am I supposed to not hate you right now?"
"I don't know."
Gaz sighed as she leaned her back against the wall – covering her eyes with her hand.
"Gaz..." Kaidan whispered, reaching a hand towards Shepard.
"What?" she kept her face hidden behind her hand.
"I know there's nothing I can say to make this better..."
"Damn straight."
"I wish there was..."
"There isn't."
"Then why did you come here in, Gaz?"
Shepard lowered her hand. Light browns eyes blinked several times to hide their glassy nature.
"Oh...Gaz..."
"Today I lost everything, Kaidan. Not sure if you heard. They took my ship. They took my crew. They took my rank. They took...everything."
Kaidan remained silent – eyes glued to Shepard.
"I just..." she sighed, eyes glancing at the door, "I should go."
"No...don't go."
"Kaidan. I can't do this anymore. We're done, okay?" she whispered, watching the bandaged man from against the opposite wall.
"I know. I'm...sorry. I lost you because I fucked up...now I have to deal with the consequences."
Shepard continued to watch him – arms cross in front of her chest.
"I hope Joker recovers soon. He's a very lucky man for having you."
"Goodbye Kaidan."
"Goodbye Gaz."
–
"He's coming-to."
"Easy now."
"Monitor his levels. We can't let anything to get too high or we'll lose him."
"Jeff – can you hear me?"
Joker blinked, focusing on a gray-haired woman who was leaning over him, "Mom?"
A low chuckle came from the woman, "Close enough."
"Chakwas?"
"There you go, kiddo," her face slowly came into focus as Joker blinked.
"Wha...? Wha?"
"Shh...shh..." her warm smile calmed him slightly, "Relax, Jeff. How are you feeling?"
"Really...really drugged," he mumbled, as he attempted to lift his left arm to scratch his nose. Chakwas quickly moved her hand to stop the motion.
"I wouldn't do that."
"Why?"
"What do you remember?"
"I..." Joker paused, "I was in a bar."
"Good. What happened there?"
"I...was with Shepard...and people...and...Kaidan?"
Chakwas remained silent.
"Why was Kaidan...?"
Joker's eyes widened, as monitors began beeping loudly.
"He's peaking!"
"Jeff...take a deep breath..."
"He tried to kill me! That bastard tried to kill me!"
"Jeff, you're safe now. Kaidan is not here."
Joker's eyes scanned blankly in front of him, "I...I shot him. Oh god...did I kill him? I didn't mean to kill him. Oh god..."
"Jeff! Calm down! You're safe."
"Sedate him or we lose him!"
"I killed Kaidan!" Joker's breathing was ragged, his heart pounding. Chakwas eyes slammed shut as her hand signaled someone out of sight. All at once, everything began to get quiet. Faces blurred. Sounds muffled. Everything just...faded out of existence.
–
AN: I'm really sorry it's been awhile since I posted a new chapter. I had a stupidly busy week, then today I was the sickest I've been in years. So clearly I played ME3 all day long. For two days now. Literally in the final battle – but felt the need to write more of this. Well...proof more of this. I tend to write like four chapters in one sitting, then I go through them and proof-read them in order to avoid random typos. I know I've probably missed a few but I try. But...that was a lot of emotions in one chapter. I want to hug Shepard so bad. She's been through so much in one day...gah. Poor woman.
Rated M for: Language, future sexual situations, future violence, and so I can have freedom without fear of scarring a teen for life.
Oh – and I don't own anything ever.