A/N: Sorry about how much of a rewrite of the game this chapter is. It was important to include. Thank yous go out to all my new followers and to tccarty and Jules Hawk for your encouraging words and reviews! You guys are making this so fun for this FF virgin!
HERS
"Scuttlebutt says he's sweet on someone else," Ash said knowingly into a vid call, when Shepard overheard Ash's sister gush over a certain lieutenant.
After Ash's little revelation on Kaidan's feelings for her, Shepard had an even harder time keeping the dark haired man off her mind. In fact, she decided to stop trying. Plus, Anderson had recommended Kaidan so highly as a sounding board. She was finally going to take his advice.
As much as Shepard respected and admired Anderson, she never liked how hands off he was with the crew. Shepard decided to rectify that by having a typical debriefing with the team, but then go seek out personal opinions afterward. The crew was in this for an unknown amount of time and she wanted them to not only trust her as their commander, but also as a friend.
This is a good idea, Shepard told herself, as she nervously stood in the elevator to the crew deck. It'll give me a chance to test out Ash's theory too. If she's wrong, then I can finally put this craziness about him to rest.
Kaidan had moved his workstation from the cockpit to beside the sleeping area and the mess. He had asked her permission about the move not long after she took command, saying it kept him close to the med bay. Dr. Chakwas had told Shepard he was an L2, so she knew about his migraines.
The elevator door hissed open, masking Shepard's sighing breath. Why the hell am I so nervous? I talk to men every day. Steeling herself, she walked directly to his station.
"Lieutenant, do you have a few minutes to talk?" He turned to look at her, and his eyes said everything Ash said was true.
HIS
In the debriefing room, Kaidan fidgeted uncomfortably as he listened to their asari teammate, Dr. Liara T'Soni, compliment Shepard. He had seen them join minds so Liara could try to decipher the visions from the Prothean beacon. It looked intimate, and he was undeniably jealous.
Back at his station, he went through his usual routine, trying desperately not to notice when Liara walked to the back of the med bay. I wonder what she saw in Shepard's mind. Was there a place with me in it? He thought back on to what Joker had said. Could Shepard possibly, remotely, be interested in me?
Kaidan decided that he needed to press his luck with her. His chance came quickly when Shepard approached him.
"Lieutenant, do you have a few minutes to talk?" Her voice was soft, almost apprehensive.
"I was hoping for a chance to speak with you," he said, all too honestly. He warned her about cutting corners on the mission and to leave herself a way out.
"I've seen what cutting corners can do, and I'd hate to have that happen to you, Shepard." Shit.
Her eyebrows rose, "That's not the appropriate way to address your commanding officer, Lieutenant."
"Sorry, ma'am," Kaidan said lamely. "Maybe I got a bad signal- if there's someone else you'd rather confide in. Ma'am." Knew it. She'd rather be with Liara. I'm a damn fool.
"Are you talking about our young Prothean expert?" Shepard questioned.
Kaidan knew he had shot himself with this honesty, but he saw no reason to lie now. "Uh, yeah, lower deck rumors say she's interested in more than just your, uh, mind, ma'am." The words just fumbled out of his lips and he couldn't stop them now. "She's a very interesting lady, but not to my tastes. I was never really big into alien culture."
Shepard continued to look at him with a look denoting, was she amused by this?
"You seem awfully worried about my personal affairs." She sure knows how to cut to the heart of the matter, goddamnit. I've got to cover my ass now.
"It's just we don't have a lot of down time. I like being around you," Kaidan said as coolly as he could. "I just don't want to waste your personal time."
"There's nothing between Liara and me. What's your real issue, Kaidan?" Relief and fear rushed through Kaidan's body. He really did have a point about cutting corners, so he decided to make it by opening up to her about his Vyrnnus and his time at BAaT.
"Why are you telling me this? Do you think I'm cutting corners?" Shepard started to eye him suspiciously.
"I'm saying it's probably inevitable that you'll have to, and I want to be there to help you. When someone important to you is near the ledge, you have to help them not make a mistake a kid would."
Her expression softened. "Important, huh?"
Kaidan knew his hand was shown and all his chips were on the table. "If I'm out of line, just say the word." His words hung in the air.
"You're not out of line, Kaidan," Shepard smiled. Then she added quickly, "But there are regs."
Kaidan knew something came out of his mouth just then, but all he could see was the light of mutual attraction shining in her eyes.
