A/N: We are nearing Horizon. I'm not sure how many chapters are left before it, but there will be a few and likely short drabbles. I'm filling in some story for what Kaidan was doing during that time. Enjoy!
HIS
Work was harder than Kaidan had anticipated, but he was glad for it. He poured himself into every detail of repairing the defense matrix around the Presidium. When I work hard, it hurts less. He would work 10 to 14 hours a day then retreated to a sparse apartment in Zakera Ward. It wasn't the nice part of the Citadel, but it was predominantly human. There was some comfort of home in that.
Over time, Kaidan made a few friends. There was Cam and Wendy Dennison. They were newlyweds around the same age as Shepard. Friendly and outgoing. Cam often worked tandem with Kaidan, so they talked a lot. Kaidan liked Cam, but he could get annoying.
"Come on, Kaidan. I cannot believe that there isn't one woman in your life? How do you live?" pestered Cam one day.
"It isn't something I like to talk about. Can we just drop it?" Kaidan pleaded.
"Not this time, Alenko." Cam turned off his omni-tool and faced Kaidan. "There is a major issue here and you're never going to get past it if you don't deal with it. I'm here for you, man. What's the deal?"
Kaidan sighed. Very few people would he talk with about his relationship with Shepard. His parents, occasionally Liara, but she seemed to be more and more out of touch, and even Grant Shepard, who was less of an ass than he previously thought. Kaidan was content with compartmentalizing that part of his life, and not opening it up to others. He hated the sorrowful looks. That was the worst part. Seeing people's pity. He didn't want to be pitied. I just want her back.
"I was in a relationship, Cam. Engaged, but she's gone now," Kaidan said quietly.
"Her loss! She isn't worth it, Alenko. There's somebody better out there!" Cam's misguided attempt at comfort struck Kaidan right in the heart, and he flared in anger.
"Cam, she's DEAD! And she was 100% worth it, and there will NEVER be anyone better," Kaidan shouted.
Cam stared gaping at the now teary-eyed Kaidan. "I'm sorry, man. I had no idea. I just-well, Wendy wanted to see if you would be interested in meeting her friend, Danica Temple. She's a doctor and she's really nice. Sorry, Kaidan, we just wanted to see you happy. You can say no."
"No, I'm sorry, Cam. It's been more than a year, almost two. I'm going to have to move on some time. Tell Wendy it's ok. I'll be there. I need to have some fun. Have a life again." Kaidan couldn't believe the words that were coming out of his mouth. He felt like such a traitor, but his heart knew she wasn't coming back. I have to move on, even if I have to drag my heart kicking and screaming.
