A/N: Last chapter before the start of ME2. This one is so fluffy, but there is a good bit of angst as well. I will try to get up another chapter or two before the holiday! Tell me if you like the twist in my canon :) Or if you hate it, that's cool. Review as you see fit!

HERS

This wasn't exactly how Shepard had planned to spend her shore leave. She looked over at Kaidan who winked at her and squeezed her hand. He was obviously happy they were going to Vancouver.

"Don't you think it's a little early to be meeting the parents?" Shepard had asked the day before at the bistro. "We're just really getting to know each other."

Kaidan looked at her quizzically. "What better way to get to know me than with the people who know me best?"

Shepard was still skeptical. My parents hardly know me at all. The Shepards just don't do family.

Arriving at the Alenko condo, Shepard felt like an awkward teenager. She was wearing her fatigues and so was Kaidan, but she couldn't have been more uncomfortable. She scratched at her collar as Kaidan unloaded the car.

"Come on, Rachel. They're waiting," said Kaidan, carrying the bags and walking up to the door of the high-rise building. Shepard trudged her way to where Kaidan was holding the elevator.

They reached the floor and walked down a short hallway. Before Kaidan could knock, his mother opened the door. A joyful cry came from the older woman's mouth as she hugged her son. Kaidan had gotten his hair from her. It was curly and thick. What was once black was now a salt and pepper. They shared a nose as well. I always thought Kaidan's nose looked kind of delicate.

"Mom," Kaidan said, still hugging her, "this is Rachel Shepard. She's my commander on the Normandy. We decided to take our shore leave here. Rachel, this is my mom, Emily Alenko."

"Hello, Rachel!" the tall woman said brightly. "We are so glad to have you! I never knew Kaidan worked with such an accomplished woman!" She drew Shepard into a big hug. Oh God, help me!

"Come inside, dinner is almost ready. I'm sure you are both hungry! It's a long trip from Chicago."

"Yes, ma'am," Shepard said blankly. Kaidan has this picture perfect life. No wonder he turned out so well. Me, I can't even function around normal people. Thanks a lot, Mom and Dad.

Kaidan went to drop off their bags, and Shepard was left standing in the living room. It was open and sparsely decorated. A sign of a military family. She noticed some pictures sitting on a table and walked over to look at them.

"Good afternoon, Commander Shepard," a husky voice said.

Shepard turned around to see a picture of Kaidan in about 30 years. He was similarly tall, muscular, but had some weight which older age seems to bring. His eyes were the same shade of whiskey brown. His temples were gray, but a good portion of his hair was still a chocolate brown. His face held the good-natured look of a happy man.

"Hello…"

"I'm Captain Daniel Alenko. It's nice to meet you." He held out his hand and she gave it a firm shake. "We were caught kind of off guard by Kaidan's last minute announcement that he was bringing someone home. I hope you don't mind staying in Kaidan's old room tonight." The older man laughed. "We don't have guests very often, so we never changed the set up. Um, he has bunk beds. They aren't kids' ones, but military issue. Kaidan insisted on them when he was about 12."

Shepard laughed, seeing Capt. Alenko's obvious embarrassment. "That's fine, sir. I'm sure it's better than a ship's sleeper pod." He scratches the back of his neck just like Kaidan does when he's embarrassed.

Kaidan entered the room and Shepard suddenly felt at ease. How does he do that? God, he is glorious.

"Please. Have a seat," the elder Alenko said. "So, Kaidan, tell me about this bright young lady." He smiled warmly at Shepard. Kaidan sat on the couch and wrapped his arm around Shepard's shoulder.

"Dad, I'm sure you've read about her." Kaidan's eyes were looking directly into hers. "I had, but it never registered until we met what an amazing woman she is." He turned to face his dad. "She's brave and smart, always has a plan, and doesn't let setbacks stop her. I doubt the news vids gave her proper due about stopping Saren and Sovereign."

Shepard was blushing. "I'm not that great…I don't need to be sainted."

"Ok," Kaidan smiled, changing his tone. "She's a pain in the ass. She's a taskmaster, a micromanager, and a bitch. I pretty much hate her."

"Hey, now! I didn't say crucify me either! Don't make me throw your ass across the room, Lieutenant." Her hands began to glow blue with biotic power.

Now Kaidan was holding her with both arms. "I'd like to see you try," came his teasing reply.

Capt. Alenko was laughing at the exchange. "Rachel Shepard, I like you. You aren't nearly as calm as Kaidan. He needs some excitement in his life. You are good for him."

A voice from the kitchen called the three to dinner. Shepard was surprised to see the amount of food laid out on the table.

"Kaidan said you were a biotic too, so I hope I made enough. I know you can get really hungry. Please enjoy!"

Shepard ate and talked and laughed. Kaidan's parents were just like she thought they'd be, genuine and kind. When the meal ended, Kaidan asked Shepard to go for a walk down by the beach.

It was May and still pretty chilly. Shepard shivered, "Why did you bring me out here? I don't even have on my armor to keep me warm!"

"I don't know, I guess I just wanted you to see everything I know," replied Kaidan, looking out over the bay. "Don't you have any fond memories of growing up?"

"Not really, bulkheads aren't exactly homey. My mom and dad always made the service more important than family. I became the product of their upbringing, just more noteworthy than they expected."

"Where are they now?"

"Mom's on the Kilimanjaro somewhere in the Traverse. Dad's heading to the Citadel helping with the rebuild." There was a note of sadness in her voice.

"Do you want to go see him? We can, we don't have to stay here the whole time."

"Sure, but in a few days, ok?" Shepard tried to smile, but it still looked sad.

They walked a little longer in silence, holding hands. For the first time in her life, Shepard felt like a normal person in a normal relationship.

HIS

Kaidan watched Shepard pace nervously as the ship reached the Citadel docking bay. He stood up, grabbed her shoulders and sat her down in a seat. "For God's sake, Rachel, you are making me nervous!"

"Sorry, I just don't really feel that a happy reunion is in the works."

"Why?"

"Kaidan, you know the oath we swore to the Alliance? The Shepard family has that oath written in our blood. Our ships are more important than homes, our crew more important than family. Just don't expect that my dad will be friendly."

Shepard took Kaidan's hand and held it until the ship finished docking and the airlock was opened. Then she dropped it and walked straight out, shoulders back. Like a soldier.

A thin, severe looking man wearing a military uniform stood near the elevator. He nodded toward Shepard. "Rachel," a sharp voice said.

"Dad," Shepard sighed. "This is Lt. Kaidan Alenko. He's a Sentinel specialist like me and has received over a dozen commendations." I didn't know this was going to be like a military briefing. Kaidan wished he weren't wearing his civilian clothes.

"Lieutenant?" Shepard's father eyed Kaidan skeptically. "I'm Colonel Grant Shepard. Pleased to meet you." His voice betrayed no emotion.

The colonel turned toward the elevator. "Follow me. Your mother just arrived as well. She is waiting on us in the apartment."

Kaidan wasn't a man given to lots of chatter, but this elevator ride was disturbingly quiet. Both Shepards faced straight forward, while Kaidan tried to look toward them out of the corner of his eyes. She's built slim and athletic like her father, same brown hair. Thankfully, she doesn't seem to have his entire attitude. Kaidan worried what her mother would be like.

When they reached the Shepards' apartment, the door whooshed open and Kaidan's nose burned with the lemon scent of military issue cleaner. The living room was pristine with no pictures or personal touches anywhere.

"I'll go get your mother. She was resting." Col. Shepard left the room, leaving Kaidan looking at an indiscernible Rachel Shepard.

"I told you this wasn't going to be pleasant," Shepard whispered. "Hopefully Mom will be in a better mood." Her face said she wasn't optimistic. Then she resumed her military posture as a woman entered the room.

"Hello, Lt. Alenko, I'm Capt. Hannah Shepard. I've read a lot about you." She held out her hand and Kaidan shook it. The woman smiled. Read a lot about me? Has she been reading my military files?

"I wish this place actually looked lived in," Hannah Shepard sighed, "but this is just a temporary place while Grant helps oversee the rebuilding of the Presidium. I guess there's nothing like the familiar feel of bulkheads, is there?"

"No, ma'am." Kaidan realized these were the first words he had spoken to Shepard's parents.

"Well, I just arrived today, your father the day before yesterday, so we have no food. To be honest, I do not cook anyway, so let's go get something to eat before I start munching on a Keeper!" Hannah Shepard chuckled and Kaidan finally smiled.

The meal was uneventful with Kaidan answering questions about himself and believing this was an interview. He had decided that Hannah Shepard was actually kind, but battle-hardened, and Grant Shepard was an ass. When the meal was finally over and they returned to the sterile apartment, Kaidan excused himself to the balcony.

He leaned against the railing and sighed. She deserves so much better than this. He turned back to see a still sad smile gracing the face of the woman he loved. She looks like a lost little girl.

"I'm sorry, Kaidan. Mom wasn't so bad, but the interrogation at dinner…"

"Wasn't that big of a deal," he said, taking her in his arms. "I thought I was going to have the anti-fraternization regs stated to me when I first met your dad."

"Yeah, he saved that lecture for me just a little bit ago. I just don't understand…" Shepard's voice began to break. "Why can't I have a normal family? I always knew something was wrong with mine, but until I saw yours…I never knew what I was missing." Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she turned away.

"Hey, I know I can't fix your family, but…" Kaidan stopped as the implications of what he wanted to say weighed on his mind. Is it too soon?

Shepard looked up at him with her tear-stained face. "But what?"

Kaidan gently wiped the tears from her cheeks with this thumbs. He sighed and went ahead with his heart. "But I want to help you build a better one. A happy one."

"Are you…proposing?" Shepard asked incredulously.

"Maybe. It depends on the answer."

"Kaidan, I'm pretty sure that your 'always leave a way out' is just your code for 'cover your ass.' Can't you just say something outright? Can't you just commit?"

"Are you proposing to me?" Kaidan asked cheekily.

This caught Shepard off-guard. She looked lost for a second, and then her snappy green eyes looked right into his. "You know what, Mr. Alenko, yes, I am. I don't do things halfway. Ball's in your court now." Her suddenly daring smile turned Kaidan on.

"Well, I wouldn't dare disappoint a superior officer, so I'll accept," he whispered. His face moved in closer while he spoke those words until his lips were just brushing hers.

"Kaidan…" was all she could speak before he interrupted her with a sweet, tender kiss. They lost themselves in several long moments until finally she pulled them apart.

"We tell no one." Shepard's voice was deadly serious. "Not parents, not crew. We have some security on the Normandy to have a relationship, but we wait until the end of this next tour of duty to make it official. Agreed?"