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"What the hell did you just say to me?" Kate fumed. "Did you seriously just ask if I knew anything about these pendejos being on Mars?"

Kaidan shrugged. "Seems convenient is all."

"I am an Alliance Marine, Major Alenko. Why the fuck would I want my own allies dead, executed no less?"

"I don't know who, or what, you are since you came back, Shepard. How do I know you're not still working for Cerberus, that you weren't still talking to the Illusive Man after you came back to Earth?"

Kate answered his allegations with another punch to his jaw, this one not as hard as the one on Horizon, as her injured shoulder protested the sudden violent movement.

James stepped between them, afraid Kaidan might respond in kind, given the anger that burned in the major's eyes.

"Look. I've been with the Commander since a week before she returned to Earth," he said firmly, looking Kaidan dead in the eye. "She hasn't been in contact with anyone outside the Command Centre, except Admiral Hackett, in six months. And I know you're not-"

Kate could see Kaidan grinding his teeth as James spoke. "No, Lieutenant, I'm not accusing the head of the Alliance military of being in league with Cerberus," he said fiercely.

"Just his daughter," she shot back. "But thank Heaven for small miracles. Otherwise, I think I'd just have to shoot you."

James gave her a bewildering look. "Commander, don't take this the wrong way, but shut up, por favor."

"Bite me, James."

He smirked. "Don't tempt me, Lola." He turned to face both of them. "Now, will you two quit trying to kill each other long enough for us to get to this doctor you're looking for?"

Kate rolled her eyes. "Fine."

Kaidan shrugged. "If you insist."

James shook his head as they walked through the doors. "Fuckin' pair of six year-olds," he muttered.

A commotion in the air ducts above them stopped the three Marines in their tracks. Suddenly, Liara and two Cerberus troopers came tumbling through the grate several feet away. James quickly yanked Kate back against him as he ducked behind a crate with Kaidan. She carefully peered around the edge to watch as Liara pulled the two troopers into a singularity and then shot them. When the two men were dead, Kate carefully extracted herself from James' grasp and walked towards Liara.

The asari's face broke into a wide smile when she saw her. "Kate! I am relieved to see you are well," she said as the two friends hugged. "When I heard about Earth, I feared the worst."

"We're fine, Liara," Kate said with a small smile. "Better off than most, anyway."

"We?" Liara looked around in confusion.

"Right. Boys, you can come out now; she's not gonna bite," Kate called over her shoulder. James and Kaidan trudged out from their hiding place.

Liara frowned at the bruise that was darkening on the side of Kaidan's face. "Kate, you didn't..."

Kaidan held up a hand. "Don't start," he said quietly. "I'm just glad to see you in one piece."

Liara gave him a quick hug. "Same to you, Kaidan."

"OK, what is wrong with you two?" Liara asked five minutes later when James left to retrieve the Kodiak. She looked at Kate and Kaidan with a mixture of concern and fury. "You're not the same people you were three years ago. I get that. And in the grand scheme of things, your fight wouldn't matter. But now, we're at war with the Reapers. So for Goddess' sake, pull yourselves together. Leave your fighting for the Reapers. You can hate and distrust each other all you want if and when we live to see the end of this war."

Kaidan and Kate gawked at the normally painfully-shy archaeologist. In all the time they'd known her, she'd never said this many words at once, at least not about personal topics. Nor had she ever spoken so forcefully. They looked at each other and nodded.

"I can do that," Kate said.

"Me too," Kaidan agreed.

"Ok then. Let's get to the Archives," Liara said with a determined look on her face. "I want to get off of Mars."

"Please don't die," Kate said an hour later as she sat in the med-bay next to the cot where Kaidan lay in a coma. She ignored James' attempts to apply medi-gel to her shoulder and the shallow stab wound in her abdomen she'd acquired from the synthetic Cerberus bitch, the Illusive Man's newest toy, who had tried to kill Kaidan.

"Lola, mírame," James said firmly. She flicked her eyes in his direction before returning her attention to Kaidan. The lieutenant sighed. "You're not going to do Alenko or anybody else any favors if you aren't taking care of yourself too. Liara's got this situation well in hand 'til we get to the Citadel. Please, let someone help you for a change."

Before she could respond in any way, EDI's voice interrupted. "Commander, Admiral Hackett is asking for an update on the QEC."

Kate muttered a curse under her breath as she gingerly stood up. "Thank you, EDI. Alright, James, have it your way. You help me not pass out before I finish talking to my dad and you can play doctor all you want 'til we get to the Citadel." She could feel him smirking behind her and turned to glare at him. "You know what I mean."

James held up his hands. "I will be a perfect gentleman."

She rolled her eyes as they continued towards the comm room. I need Zaeed back ASAP.