HERS

After rescuing Eve, the krogan female, from falling into Cerberus' hands, Shepard needed a break. Mordin was still working on the genophage cure, and she was apt to give him time. It had been two weeks since she had visited Kaidan in his hospital room. When she left, she felt like she could take on the Reapers alone. She finally knew where her heart belonged. It's hard to fight for anything when you don't know what, or who, you are fighting for.

Docking at the Citadel, she made transportation arrangements to get to Huerta. She took the familiar elevator and walked in to the lobby. She saw Thane, whom she had talked to last time. Smiling sadly, she walked through, her urgency leading her elsewhere.

Kaidan was fully dressed, she noticed with a slight disappointment. He was looking out the window in his room. Shepard entered quietly, but he still turned and smiled.

"Hey, if you're coming to spring me, you're a little too late. I'm finally getting out soon," Kaidan said as his hand reached out for hers.

She gave his hand a squeeze and they laced their fingers together. "Good to hear!"

"Maybe you already saw the vid, but I accepted the offer from Udina."

"No, I hadn't, we've been really busy trying to broker peace between the krogan and the turians. That's amazing! Spectre Kaidan Alenko. It kind of rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?" Shepard teased.

"Ha, yeah. Only the second human Spectre. It's humbling. Udina thinks they may have a pretty big ceremony, even with the war. He says it'll give folks something to celebrate."

"You ready to take on that responsibility?" she said quietly. Being a Spectre isn't everything it's cracked up to be.

He drew her close into his arms. "You set the bar pretty high, but I'll do my best." Kaidan pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and turned his face to look out the window. "It's strange. On Mars, I should have died. A promotion from Anderson, Spectre status. These are terrible days." He looked back into Shepard's eyes. "But I've been lucky."

"You're perfect for the job. On Eden Prime, I could see there was something special about you."

Shepard felt a low rumble from Kaidan's chest, which soon erupted into a hearty laugh. "I thought there was something special about you too, but I think I'll keep those thoughts to myself for now."

"Seriously, though. You are a good soldier."

"Thanks," said Kaidan bashfully. "I am happy. You know I've always wanted to serve."

"But I thought you'd want to join the Normandy, you know, despite present company." Shepard smiled wickedly.

"Yeah," Kaidan said slowly, not smiling in return. "I thought about that. I'm sorry. There's nothing I want more than to be with you, but I need to get out of here first, take care of some things. I'm trying to locate my Spec Ops squads, my students."

"Oh, any luck?"

"No, they went underground. If they were easy to find, they wouldn't be doing their jobs. I'm thinking having Spectre resources may make it easier to find them."

Shepard broke the embrace and just held his hands, looking down. "It's ok. I understand. You probably need to have a quiet assignment right now anyway." She looked back up with a smile and a cocked eyebrow. "If I had you on the Normandy, it would be anything but quiet."

Kaidan's smile reappeared. "Uh, yeah. I have more than a few ideas for you."

"Is that a promise? How soon are you getting out of here?" I'll jump you right here, if you give me the green light.

"Tomorrow. But let's take things slow, ok?" Kaidan chuckled at Shepard's pout. "Udina wanted to have the ceremony in a week. Can you be here then? I want you there."

HIS

Kaidan tugged at his dress uniform. It had been a while since he had worn it, and he was never a fan of it in the first place. I'm glad I'll be able to wear my armor when I actually start working. He was to be at the Council chambers in an hour, and he hadn't heard from Shepard for a few days. She said she was back on Tuchanka helping the primarch's son.

He was trying to ready himself for her not being there. Just like a little kid waiting for his mom to show up at his Christmas program. He wouldn't be disappointed if she didn't show, he told himself. He sighed and readied himself to leave his apartment. The door swooshed open and just a little distance away was Shepard.

Kaidan breath caught in his throat as he looked at her. She was in her dress uniform as well, the skirted one. He had never seen in her in a dress, save that one day they met at the bistro in Chicago. Her brown hair was pulled back in its usual bun, but today she wore some makeup. It was light, natural-looking, but just enhanced her green eyes and high cheekbones. She'd never had full lips, but the light color she had on them, well, Kaidan couldn't help but involuntarily lick his own.

He was well aware that he had known more beautiful women. Rahna, though not technically a woman at the time, was a dark haired beauty with eyes that were of a light sea green color, standing in stark contrast to the rest of her dark features. Shepard was fair, but not pale. As she came toward him, he couldn't help but try to figure out what about her made her take his breath away.

She has a great body, no doubt. Lightly muscled, deceptively strong. Her eyes are large and expressive. She's a fierce warrior and deathly loyal. Even to me. Then with all that, I've seen her insecurities. Her fears of being alone or forgotten. Kaidan stopped his reverie when she stopped in front of him.

"I'm not late, am I?" Shepard leaned in to kiss his cheek. You know, all this time and our lips still haven't met since before she…died.

"No, not at all." Kaidan cleared his throat. "You look great."

Shepard's face pinched in a frown. "I feel like a stuffed turkey, and I'm roasting like one. I hate these uniforms."

Kaidan held out his arm. "Let's go. I'm sure it'll be over soon. Yours didn't take very long, as I recall."

More than three hours later, Kaidan sat and tried not to fidget. Udina had been talking for at least a half hour, before that, the other three councilors spoke at least 20 minutes apiece. He kept sneaking looks at Shepard, who looked more than bored. At least she could sneak out from where she's sitting. He felt bad that there were a few people missing the hoopla. Anderson, Hackett. They were fighting a war on Earth, and here he was sitting on his ass listening to one talk.

He looked over again at Shepard, who was now picking at her nails. A small smile came to his face when she looked his way. She made a gun with one hand and covered it with the other and pretended to shoot in Udina's direction. Kaidan made a fake stern look at her, but then smiled broadly. He was taken a bit by surprise when Udina's droning finally stopped and he heard him say, "Commander Shepard, as the first human Spectre, we are honored by your presence. Could you please come and say a few words about the newest inductee into your ranks?"

Shepard's face registered shock. The audience rose to its feet in applause, Kaidan included. She started to blush and made her way to the platform. Kaidan was in awe of the way all of these races; turians, asari, salarians and of course, humans were cheering her. Even the few elcor in attendance were uncharacteristically loud. This is what it is about her that takes my breath away. Her ability to transcend cultures and overlook differences to bring people of all kinds together. It always seems like she genuinely cares about every person she meets. She overlooked my faults and even decided to love me in spite of them. That's what makes her beautiful.

Shepard made it to the podium and cleared her throat. "Um, I don't really do speeches. I'm sure you've all heard plenty today. Plus, many of you know, I'm a biotic, it's been a while since I've eaten and it won't be long 'til my stomach is speaking louder than my voice." The audience lightly laughed.

"Major Kaidan Alenko is a good man. One more than deserving of being called a Spectre. In duty, he is unfailingly loyal, but doesn't fear calling out his commanding officers if he believes something could be done better, as I know personally." She made a sly smile in his direction. "I've never known him to not act with integrity, and given the sometimes shady operations that have and must take place within the Spectre organization; he is a welcome breath of fresh air. I've been proud to call him a friend, and I'm even more proud to call him a fellow Spectre."

The crowd rose to its feet again, and this time Kaidan was embarrassed by the cheering. There's no way I could measure up to Rachel's example. Udina guided him up to the podium. Kaidan was relieved that it was finally time to administer the oath.

He kept his gaze forward as the councilors spoke, but he could see Shepard out of the corner of his eye. He did feel proud for this accomplishment, but he felt the most happy for the support of the woman standing just a few feet away.

A/N: Thank you all so much for the favorites and follows and such over the weekend! I love you guys and you have made this little journey so fun! Please let me know what you like and don't like, and if you happen to have any ideas for a first, please share!