Joker could've fooled anyone into thinking he was fine. That he was completely sure of what was to come.. However, his heart had picked up its pace and his breathing had quicken as stepped inside. The sliding doors came to a close behind him with a slight thud and small amounts of steam sizzled out from cracks on the pipes that surrounded the walkway. At the end of the walkway, was located what appeared like a small operating table and a computer. Joker took a deep breath, reached for the chip and began to move forward the computer. He was unaware that he was holding his breath as he inserted the chip inside the port. As soon as the computer pinged and recognized the chip, Joker rushed to hide behind a set of pipes in fear of what would happen. The computer began to analyze the chip, and soon the scanner that was placed on top of the operating table begun to move. Suddenly, the room began to fill up with smoke as the scanner reached its full capacity, causing Joker to hide completely behind the pipes. The scanner begun to beep constantly, leading to the intensification of smoke. .
"Oh shit." he mumbled
He wondered if he should do something. If there was even anything he could do. He knew that Shepard would kill him if he burned down the Normandy. But.. Was it safe? How long he should he wait? And if what he had done was mistake? As soon as he was going to head for the door and ask for help, the beeping seized, the scanner had returned to its point of origin and the smoke had begun to stray into the ventilators.
"Jeff..?" Came a familiar voice behind him. He immediately froze. He didn't know if he should believe his ears. Slowly, he turned around. "E..EDI.?" He was able to make out her familiar small figure through the smoke.. Suddenly a laugh escapes him. "EDI..Oh thank God!. It's you!"
"Jeff!' She ran towards him, her arms reaching out for him.
Joker took her into his arms and picked her up into tight embrace. "Oh EDI! I thought I lost you!" He almost couldn't contain his excitement. She was here, in his arms. The tears begin to inch their way out, threatening to stream his face.
"Jeff.." She caressed his cheek. Their eyes met, and for the first time, he slowly leaned in and brought his lips to hers. The coolness of her lips meet the warmness of his for the first time. Almost instinctively, EDI wrapped her arms around his neck as she returned what she realized should've came ages ago. He placed her back on the ground, their lips still slightly locked before coming loose.
"It's so great to see you again Jeff." She said as she let out a huge breath of relief.
" You too.." His voice sways as he leans his head against her forehead. "I was so afraid..."
"Shh. " She lifted his chin up. "I'm here now.." A small smile appeared on her lips.
"Yeah, and I am so grateful." He brought her in for another kiss.
When they pulled apart, EDI spoke up as she looked around. "I suppose Shepard did it. The Normandy seems to remain intact."
"Yeah.. It's one hell of a miracle that she survived. I'm telling you she has more lives than a cat. " He said in his usual joking tone. "She's in the hospital right now. Although people believed she was dead for the last couple of weeks. They only recently found her a few days ago. How she survived is beyond anyone, but she is Commander Shepard. "
"I think it was us. " She said softly.
"What? Us? What do you mean?" He asked, suddenly confused. She straightened herself before answering him. "Us. The crew. You, me, Kaidan, and everyone else. We are each other's fuel to keep going, to keep fighting, so that in the end, we could see each other again."
He smiled and pulled her in closer. His lips inches from hers. "Yeah.. That must've been it." She giggled as he closed the gap, bringing their bodies together as they kissed while the remaining smoke floated around them.