A/N I wrote the first chapter and still had some words to get out, so here's a second chapter. It will not be like this probably ever. Life as a busy mom will do that to you.
HERS
Shepard busied herself with going over work detail and daily assignments for the crew. She was doing her usual, working through lunch, sitting in the mess with a stack of data pads. She may not have been always the most punctual person, as she thought back to Anderson's chastisement, but she worked harder than a crewman on his first assignment. Her eyes looked up for just a moment, right as Anderson approached.
"Shepard, I hope you are familiarizing yourself with the crew. These are some of the Alliance's best, but we need them in the right places. I can't have a crew that isn't efficient," he said, the twinkle in his eyes belying the sternness in his voice.
"Don't worry, sir. I've got a good grasp on most of them already. Pretty standard stuff."
Anderson grunted his approval and turned to move on when he stopped and motioned for that dark haired man to come over.
Oh, God, no. He looks even better from the front. Maybe I can excuse myself, maybe I can pretend to be sick. Maybe...
"Shepard, I wanted to introduce you. This is Lt. Kaidan Alenko. He's got his hand on many things in this ship. If it needs repaired, patched, or rebooted, likely Alenko is your man. I think you'll find that he's an honest sounding board on the crew as well. He's also excellent in combat, and a biotic, like you. A damn fine marine."
Damn fine is right. Shepard stood up as her mind wandered, thinking where she would like this lieutenant's hands to be.
"Hello. You're Commander Shepard." The voice that came out was like velvet. He held out his hand.
"Lieutenant," Shepard said sternly, taking his hand in a firm shake. She felt a hum in the back of her neck. Must be his biotics clashing with hers. She could smell his cologne again, and she began to feel clumsy.
I need to get out of here! Think of something! I need to talk to my mom, uh, I ate yesterday's meatloaf...anything!
She smiled and said calmly, "I need to get back to my work. Gentlemen." And she sat back down.
HIS
It was way past his normal lunch break, and Kaidan was ravenous. He made his way down the stairs to the mess. Nothing smelled good.
That's the one bad thing about space duty. Food sucks.
He reluctantly made his way to the line. Another mystery meat with a mystery green vegetable beaten into oblivion and swirled with gravy. He knew he had to eat. His biotics burned through his meals every 3 hours and even then he needed snacks, and that was when he wasn't in combat. The mess hall chef gave him two helpings. "Biotics get extra, lucky you," she said sarcastically.
Sitting down, he didn't notice the woman sitting at the far end of the table. Kaidan ate quickly because he still had to help Joker with the shielding, and they were to be picking up a passenger before they hit the Charon relay. He got up, and put his tray into the auto-wash. Walking quickly, he almost didn't hear Capt. Anderson's booming voice calling him.
"Lieutenant, come here please."
"Sir?" Kaidan could see that Anderson was talking to the woman he had almost run into in the stairway. Her hair was no longer a mess, but rather in a regulation bun. Her furrowed brow made him wonder what he had done wrong.
"Shepard, I wanted to introduce you. This is Lt. Kaidan Alenko..." said Anderson. He wondered why Anderson made it a point to introduce him to...her.
Oh. My. God. This is Commander Shepard?! She had that footlocker and I just walked right by. No one ever said anything about her being on the ship! No salute or anything for my superior officer. Damnit, she's probably writing me up right now.
"Hello. You're Commander Shepard," Kaidan managed to squeak out. Real smooth. She knows her own goddamn name.
Shepard gave a faint smile, and took his offered hand. Her grip was firm, but her hand surprisingly soft. He felt the back of his neck tingle. Didn't Anderson say she was a biotic too?
"Lieutenant." It sounded like a curse in his ears. God, I probably look like such a fool. And to my XO!
She excused herself to her work and Kaidan and Anderson walked away. Kaidan kicked himself the whole way back to the cockpit.On the way, his thoughts were suddenly captured by the green of her eyes. Oh no, I can't be star struck already.
