Shepard blinked a couple of times before her eyes fluttered open to find two figures standing front of her as they spoke to one another. She was able to make one to the familiar figure of Kaidan, as for the other figure, she ended up recognizing as Admiral Hackett. She immediately attempted to sit up in order to properly greet the admiral when suddenly Kaidan called her out.
"Shepard!" He rushed to her side."You're awake!"
She grumbled. "How long was I out this time?"
Kaidan chuckled, his body relaxing as he realized Shepard was fine. "Well.. For about two days."
Shepard sprung up. "Two days!?" She exclaimed. " I need to get back out there!"
She made a slight attempt to get out of the bed but it led to no avail due to Kaidan interference.
"Not quite." He said softly.
Admiral Hackett chuckled as he walked toward them "Listen to him Shepard.".
"Admiral Hackett!.Sir-." He waved her off.
"You risked your life so that we could live ours. That is a debt we will never be able to repay. I told Joker, and Kaidan here." He motioned to Kaidan. "That I don't expect you or anyone from your team to return to the Alliance, and know that the whole galaxy looks up to you." He took a seat at the edge of her bed. "Joker said that the crew will come back, because of what they have become. Because of what you have become to them. However, you all deserve a long break and therefore are free to take all the time you need, and if you feel like you want to come back to the Alliance in the end, then we would be honored to have you. Kaidan says he would only come back if you return, and I respect that." Kaidan reached for Shepard's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"With all due respect sir." He began. "I just can't risk losing her again. Not without me by her side."
Hackett smiled. "I know son. I know and I understand. Anderson would be beyond proud of what you two have accomplished." At the mention of Anderson, Shepard attempts to fight back the tears that started to burn the corners of her eyes. "It is for Anderson and my team, the people who have become my family, that I will remain with the Alliance. It's in my blood, in my heart and soul to protect not only humans, but every race out there. As Anderson would've."
Hackett turns to face her. "Deep inside, I knew you would stay. Hell even when you were restrained you tried to get on the Alliance." He chuckled. "But as I told the others, you all need a break. Those are orders. The Normandy needs work anyways. The rest of the time.. Spend it recovering and with those you care about."
Shepard nodded. "Guess I can't disobey an order." She joked.
He nodded in agreement. "That's right, you can't. " He took a deep breath before continuing. "So Shepard, I heard that you are all spoken for." .
"What do you mean sir?" Shepard asked, seemingly confused..
He chuckled and looked at Kaidan. "Congratulations, Major Alenko, you are indeed a lucky man."
Kaidan let out a half laugh. "Thank you sir." He turns to look at Shepard. "That I am."
Shepard gently shook her head, as she finally understood what Hackett was talking about. "Oh.. Yeah." She sheepishly smiled, trying to hide her embarrassment. She squeezed Kaidan's hand. "I am beyond thankful to have met Kaidan. To have him be by my side all these years. And to have the amazing opportunity to spend the rest of my life with him."
Kaidan fought to keep his emotions at bay as she let out her feelings for him. What Shepard just said made him feel extremely happy, yet it also brought him down . He still beats himself up for when he left her the first time they reunited back in Horizon. She had told him that Cerberus brought her back and that was a reason she was with them. Not only that, she was investigating issues involving Collectors that were not only affecting the human race, but other races as well. She needed his help, it was a time she needed him the most, and he had left her to fend for herself. He knew she had forgiven him already. She even understood why he did what he did. But deep inside he knew should've been there. Had the tables been turned, she would've gone with him. He cleared his mind and instead offered a small smile, not trusting his voice to carry him without falling apart. Unaware that Shepard was longingly staring at him, wondering what was on his mind when Hackett spoke up.
"Next to Anderson, you two are the greatest soldiers the Alliance has had the honor of having in service." They both mumbled a humble "Thank you sir." before Shepard cleared her throat.
"Admiral, me and Kaidan would be honored if you could attend our wedding." She said slightly nervous of his response.
He beamed at her. "It would be my honor. It's the least I can do after what you two have done for us. Besides," His voice toned down. "Anderson told me to take care of you two if something were to happen to him.."
Kaidan left his seat and walked up to the admiral, patting his shoulder. "Thank you sir. That means alot to us."
Hackett simply nodded. "Well, I need to head back to Earth. Much to do to get everything back and running. The mass relays need to be looked after as well..Bah." He shook it off. "Take care of her Kaidan."
Kaidan bowed. "Will do sir."
Hackett turned to take one last look at Shepard. "It's great to see you made it, Shepard."
She nodded at him. "You too Admiral." Kaidan followed the Admiral out and as soon as the sliding doors come to a close, Kaiden placed his hands on the wall next to the door, and turned to face the floor.
"Kaidan..?" Shepard's soft voice echoed in the quiet room. After not getting a response, she slowly got up and walked towards him. "Hey.." she wrapped her arms around his waist. "What's wrong..?" She felt his body shiver as he held in his tears.
"I..I should've been there." His voice quivered as his hand suddenly turned into a fist.
Shepard turned him around, making him face her. "What are you talking about..? You're here now."
He shook his head. "No.. I mean back then.. At Horizon.. When you asked me to go with you.. I should've went with you." His eyes fell back to the ground.. She let out a sigh and placed her hand on his cheek and kissed him softly before slowly pulling back.
"We've talked about this before Kaidan. I understand why. You were an Alliance soldier and-"
He cut her off before she could finish. "But I loved you.. You.. You should've came first.. Before anything."
She took a deep breath. "We knew it would be difficult.. In our line of work...Granted, things are different now.. I couldn't risk losing you.." Her body shivered at the thought. "But I hate seeing you like this.. I hate how it affects you.." She let out another sigh and walked away from him, and towards the window that oversaw the Citadel. "But honestly Kaidan.. I don't know what more you want me to say to make you believe me." She said, ultimately feeling defeated.
She hugged herself as she stared into the skycars that buzzed by. It hurt her whenever he beat himself up because of the past. While she wished he would've came with her, the important thing is they came back into each other's life again. She stood there for a moment. Her eyes taking the city that she has come to know like the back of her hand. She wondered if maybe they needed to spend some time apart after everything that's happened. As she's about to turn around and speak her mind, she is pleasantly surprised to find herself suddenly in Kaidan's warm embrace. Anguished, his lips searched for hers, losing himself in her kiss for a minute before pulling back.
"I am sorry.." He said softly, his voice wavering. "You're right. We are here now. You're here now. And that's more than I could ever ask for."
She wiped the single tear that had formed at the corner of his eye away and smiled. "Mmhm. And you know I love you regardless of what happened in the past. " He returned her smile and pulled her close once more.
"I know, and I will never question it again." He kissed her forehead before she placed her head against his shoulder.
They stayed like this for few minutes, enjoying each other's embrace and presence before Kaiden spoke up.
"How are you feeling by the way?"
She stepped out of their embrace to stretch out her arms. "A lot better. Still a little tired, but better." She said as she smiled at him. "Did you wait all those two days for me? Oh please tell you didn't."
He scuffed. " I told you I will never leave your side." He brought her hand in his lips and kissed it softly. "And I wasn't going to break that promise."
She couldn't help but smile at him. "Did the doctors tell you when I could leave by any chance?" She asked.
"Yeah, they came in sometime before Hackett arrived. They said you can be discharged tomorrow. They are going to make sure tonight that you are okay to leave, then tomorrow we can head to your apartment."
Shepard let out a sigh of relief. "Thank God." Then her face changed to a more curious expression. "Kaidan.. Have you heard if Joker has tried the chip yet?"
He instantly beamed back at her. "Yes! Joker..Managed to bring EDI back to us." Shepard's jaw dropped. "That's... incredible.. Oh thank God!" She squealed as she hugged Kaidan tightly. He let out a small laugh and returned the embrace.
"Yeah, they came by some time ago to see how you were doing. But none of us had the heart to wake you."
Shepard wiped her eyes and playfully smacked Kaidan on his shoulder. "You should've woken me up!"
He chuckled as they walked back towards her bed, hand in hand. God did he feel lucky. He had never felt more in love with her than in that moment. Regardless of the state she was in
Interrupting his thoughts, he turned to Shepard as she spoke. "So, how did Joker and EDI look?"
Kaidan let out a tired sigh. He still hadn't had the best of sleep. He just couldn't wait till he could take Shepard home, and sleep with her in his arms. "Joker is the happiest I have seen him since the battle. And EDI seemed pretty good. I think they finally decided to go public with their relationship. " He sneaked a peek at their intertwined hands. "They were holding hands when they came in."
Shepard grinned. "I'm proud of them. They have also gone through so many obstacles.." Her gaze turn to face the ground."I felt the most at fault for how Joker was feeling.. Because I was the one who encouraged him to try.."
He props her face back up to his. "And it's because of you that they are back together." He said softly before kissing her.
"Well, I should get some sleep." She added reluctantly.
She wanted to spend more time with him. To be In his arms. To get lost in his kisses. But she could feel her body begin to tire as this was the first time she's walked around since the incident.
"Alright sweetie. I will be here waiting for you."
She shook her head. "No. Go to sleep. On a proper bed. You need sleep. " It was his turn to shake his head. "Please.." She pleaded. "Do it for me?."
He again shook his head. Not wanting to give up, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Please..?" She teased him.
A wry smile appeared on his lips. "Fine. As you say, Commander." He leaned in to kiss her as she smiled.
"Ah I love winning." She said joyfully.
He tucked her in and took his soon to be bride in. He was ever so grateful to have her again. He made a promise to himself right there, to never let her go.
"I love you." He said before kissing her forehead one last time. She beamed at him. "I love you too." He gave her hand a last squeeze and headed towards door, eventually exiting the hospital and heading towards her apartment.