A/N: Here's a nice fluffy one for you :) Thank you to my new followers and favorites! You guys seriously bring a huge smile to my face! Um, sort of off topic though...I found a fabulously done Shenko video on YouTube. Let me know and I'll send you the link! :) Enjoy, review!

HERS

Shepard hated meal times. She always had so much to do, and meals were just an inconvenient, yet necessary, interruption. Being a damn biotic isn't all it's cracked up to be. Amazing phenomenal powers and a faster than light speed metabolism to go with it.

However, it had been hours since she even had a protein bar as a snack and her growling stomach was relentless. Getting up from her desk, she walked to the mess. The mess hall chef was standing there, smirking as usual. I swear that woman is some kind of masochist. She loves to torture us, Shepard thought as she stared at the stuff was supposedly passing for food.

Sitting down at the table, Shepard sighed and resigned herself to the fate of eating this, whatever it was.

"May I join you, ma'am?" a smoky voice asked. It was Kaidan. Shepard nodded stupidly, her mouth full of food. Sexy, Rachel. Show him how full you can stuff your cheeks. It's definitely the way to win a man's heart.

Kaidan sat down beside her at the crowded table, his face registering the same disgust she had. "You'd think the Alliance could afford better rations than this. I mean, are we the pride of the fleet or not? You'd think we were on a garbage scowl, and this was our cargo." he said, jokingly.

Shepard smirked and tried to laugh, but she was still chewing, so instead it came out as a loud snort. She clapped her hands to her mouth, and her face went red. Kaidan chuckled and scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably. Oh my God, he thinks I'm a pig.

"If you don't mind, ma'am, a little advice. Something my mom told me. Never let yourself be embarrassed alone." Then Kaidan proceeded to smear a mashed potato-like substance on his nose, looking at her as seriously as possible. A wide grin came to Shepard's face.

Their eyes caught, and she forgot all about being embarrassed. It was then she noticed how close they were sitting. She could feel the warmth of his thigh touching hers, she noticed her implant humming and her stomach twirled.

"Hey L-T, got something on your face there!" Ash's resounding voice broke through. She sat down across from them and heartily laughed. "You might need a napkin."

"Here, I've got one," smiled Shepard, handing it to him. He gently took it, his fingers brushing hers. A thrill ran through her again. I want to know what it's like to touch him willingly. I'm going to leave my hand right here in my lap. This is so junior high, but God, I need this.

Shepard's left hand stayed in her lap, never quite daring to move further to her left to where Kaidan's right arm was. Shepard, Kaidan and Ash continued eating and talking. Ash told an off-color joke about Garrus and a batarian. Shepard laughed, but Kaidan shifted where he sat. He moved his arm only to brush hers right above her wrist. He stopped, and his touch lingered, his thumb making a slight pass over her forearm. His fingers moved toward hers until they were lightly touching. Shepard turned her wrist, and Kaidan laced his fingers with hers. I want to stay here forever. Lunch didn't look quite so bad anymore.

HIS

Kaidan saw Shepard standing in the mess line a few people in front of him. Without trying to be obvious, he watched her stroll to the table and sit down. She is so goddamn fine.

"Hey sweetie, meal's over here. You want dessert? Well, that's your business," the mess hall chef guffawed, looking over toward Shepard. Kaidan glared and took the tray. The chef's snarky attitude was quickly forgotten when he stood beside his commander.

"May I join you, ma'am?" He remembered protocol. Kaidan was encouraged by his last interaction with Shepard, but he still knew regulations ruled. When Shepard nodded, he sat beside her, ignoring the empty seat across from her. He was feeling bold.

Kaidan looked at his food and his stomach heaved. "You'd think the Alliance could afford better rations than this. I mean, are we the pride of the fleet or not? You'd think we were on a garbage scowl, and this was our cargo." He was hoping to get a good laugh from Shepard, instead she gave a loud snort. I've embarrassed her…I've got to make her not feel stupid. He looked down at his tray did the first thing that came into his head. He picked up a fingertip full of potatoes.

Kaidan cleared his throat, "If you don't mind, ma'am, a little advice. Something my mom told me. Never let yourself be embarrassed alone," and smeared potatoes on his nose. The smile that crossed her face was intoxicating. He smiled in return, forgetting the mess he had made.

"Hey L-T, got something on your face there!" Ash's unwelcome voice bellowed. Now I feel like a dumbass. "You might need a napkin."

"Here, I've got one," Shepard quietly chortled. His fingers felt a small shock when they brushed hers. Ash sat down and Kaidan was slightly annoyed by her presence. You can never get alone on this ship.

"Ok, guys, Adams told me this joke and I have to tell you. What's the difference between a batarian and Garrus? One has a spiky dick and the other is a dick with spikes!" Ash rolled with laughter. Kaidan looked at Shepard who burst out laughing as well. How does Adams know anything about batarians? The thought made Kaidan fidget uncomfortably.

His eyes glanced down ever so quickly to see that his hand was now touching Shepard's arm. Should I remove my hand? Should I try to hold hers? Should I apologize? Am I breathing?

His hand slid gently down, and without a look or an acknowledgement, her wrist turned and accepted his touch. He slipped his fingers in with hers. This has to be right. Her hand fits mine. Regs be damned.