Hello dear readers. I'm back. I passed my test and I've been walking on clouds ever since *smile*. Now we continue our adventure. I think there will be 10 more chapters, released as always, wednesdays and saturdays.

Have fun! And remember, feedback is always apreciated.

Chapter 14

Shepard woke up as if emerging from a pool full of jell-o. Her dream was thick, its claws held her hostage to the onslaught of memories and feelings it had shown her. It was so vivid, she could still feel Kaidan inside her. That was the last time they were together, before she died.

Shepard placed a hand on her forehead. Sometimes she thought she could almost feel the metal casing that replaced part of her skull. I'm not anything any more, I'm a monster.

She looked at the clock and noticed she had 5 hours until it was time to leave. All but her smallest footlocker had already been sent to the shuttle's cargo area. Apparently Hackett managed to get a shuttle for her and two other high priority personnel. I'm almost home.

Sheppard got up, her pain had somewhat improved, but she still needed her cane today. Maybe tomorrow. With nothing else to do, she got ready, packing the last things she was wearing yesterday and her sleeping clothing. She grabbed the handle of her case and rolled it out of the Normandy and into the shuttle's docking bay.

'Commander.' A man saluted her.

'At ease, pilot. Could you please help me stow my last case?'

The pilot was surprised by her genteelness. He could count the number of people who asked him please on one hand since this whole chaos started. 'Sure, here, let me.'

'So you are taking me and a group of people to Vancouver?'

'Yeah, Hackett specified that I should take you and the other ones to any destination you requested. I'm taking you to Abbotsford and the other two to places in Vancouver.'

'Oh, thank you. I was worrying about going from the headquarters to my apartment.'

'Yeah, that's why. Public transport is working but barely. There's too much to fix for now.'

'Is the city really bouncing back?'

'Yeah, although downtown is pretty much levelled. The surrounding neighbourhoods are pretty much still in place.'

They chatted away for the next hours until a Colonel showed up a bit before they were scheduled to leave, followed soon after by a familiar shape turning the corner to the bay bridge. Shepard knew that shape all too well, and stroboscopic images from her dream began flashing in her mind. She averted her eyes and entered the small ship. The Colonel took the cue and entered behind her, oblivious to what may have happened.

Kaidan didn't know what to think. At the first sight of him, Shepard disappeared into the ship. Did he do something wrong?

Everything ready, the shuttle fitted to carry 9 people in 3 rows of 3 chairs left with Shepard and Kaidan sitting on opposite sides with the Colonel in one of the front seats. The ride was quick; 4 hours later they were gliding over Vancouver and landing at a secondary Alliance building. The pilot came in to open the door for the Colonel.

'I need to refuel, it won't take long. If you please, could you wait here?'

'Alright.', 'Not a problem' Kaidan and Shepard answered at the same time.

Once Kaidan saw they were alone, he turned around. 'Shepard, is there anything wrong?'

'What?' Shepard was startled from her efforts to block the images popping in her head.

'You don't seem too keen on my presence.'

'I'm sorry, Kaidan, my mind was wandering, and you arrived at a moment when I was stuck with some pretty shaking memories.' Do I get a medal for best liar?

'Oh, alright. I don't know why I thought it would have anything to do with me.'

'Maybe it was. I didn't say it wasn't about you, just that the memories shook me.' Shepard tried to make light of it, but guessing from his hurt eyes she could see she sucker punched him.

'Yeah, hopefully I also gave you good memories to balance that out. I know I keep a few close to my heart.'

And there it was. His stark honesty, something she always liked about him. 'I'm not the best person to talk to right now, Major.'

'Ok, I can get the hint. I'll be here if you change your mind, Shepard.'

The pilot couldn't have arrived any faster. He had a worried look on his face.

'I'm sorry, Major, but I have bad news. Your apartment building was condemned and isolated by the authorities. I can't even land on its pad. Do you have anywhere else you can go to?'

'No. I don't know...' Kaidan was lost.

'Yes he does, you can drop him off at my place with me. We'll take care of everything once we get there.'

Kaidan looked at Shepard and thought to himself. Even when she's not ok, she will still do something selfless.

oO0~0Oo

The shuttle dropped them off at her place. The area was completely intact. The shuttle landed on her exterior landing pad, beside her utility skycar.

The apartment's exterior glass was dirty and had murky splashes all over. She was on the 40th floor and she could only imagine what might have done that. The landing pad and balcony had a layer of dust that caught the imprints of their shoes.

The pilot unloaded her footlockers, and while she opened the glass door for them, he and Kaidan brought them inside. Her living room was a time capsule; it was immaculate. The glass of water she had left on the side table was still there, completely dry now. Her reading pad was next to it, battery probably drained.

Walking in, to her right was the kitchen, dishes probably still in the dishwater, so mundane. The second bedroom door was closed, the only indicative that someone had been in her apartment. Shepard always kept the wide sliding doors open to help the air sweep through the place.

'Here' – She pointed to a corner to her right, next to her bedroom door. 'Thank you. Would you like something to drink or eat? I think I still have some good stuff in my pantry.' She looked at the pilot.

'Thank you, Commander, but no. See you around when you come back to the base.' He saluted her and the Major.

'Alright. See you when I get back.'

It was the middle of the day, and the pilot left her standing alone in the centre of her living room with Kaidan. Alright, I'm not going to make him feel uncomfortable because I have issues.

'Make yourself at home, Kaidan.' Shepard tried her most amicable tone, especially regarding how rude she was to him in the shuttle.

'Thank you, Shepard. I'll just get my bearings and go up to Revelstoke.'

'There is no rush, Kaidan. I'm also leaving. I came here just to organize some things I want to take with me and then go to Lake Bear. I can drop you off at Revelstoke if you want.'

'That would be great, Shepard.' – Kaidan looked at his small backpack at his feet.

'Don't worry. We'll go there and talk to some people. There has to be a way to go in there and get some of your things back.'

'Yeah, we'll see. You know, I was ready to be okay with losing everything, start from zero. But knowing I don't have a home any more... feels surreal.'

'I can understand that, but you are not alone.' - She smiled. - 'Okay, let's do it like this. Do you have any laundry?'

'Yes, the few things I got at a gift shop at the Citadel. I don't have many clothing choices.' He gave a self deprecating smile while pinching his basic blue t-shirt.

'It's settled then, load the washing machine and get them cleaned. And tomorrow we'll go to your apartment. Deal?'

'Deal...' He gave a small pause and looked at her with an open expression. 'Thank you, Shepard.'

'No worry, I would never let you out in the rain, Kaidan.' - Honesty apparently did come across as she wanted to. Welcoming and friendly. – 'Now, let's see what Kasumi meant with "other essentials"'

Shepard went to the spare bedroom door, and as she slid open the door, she was welcomed with a small warehouse. The bed and desk which previously stood there were dismantled and reduced to a pile in the corner. The whole room was divided into rows with piles and piles of crates up to the ceiling, all labelled with their contents. The front crates had labels like "thermal clips" and "mods", one had a label "Quarian suit repairs" and a few others "Turian Apparel" and "Humanoid Apparel".

'Wow, she really thought of everything,' Shepard was amazed.

Kaidan came to her side and whistled. 'She really went all out, hu?'

'Yeah, I gave her about 200k in creds... Look, she even bought dextro chocolate!'

'Garrus will like that.' Kaidan had a calm smile in his voice.

'Yeah. I hope his father and sister like it too.'

'They are coming here?'

'Yes. I couldn't let them living in shelters when I knew I had a place they could use.'

'That is decent of you.'

'Anyone would do it if they could. I just want them safe.'

'Actually no, not many. But how are you going to fit everybody here? I mean, you now only have one more room with what I believe is only one bed.'

'I'm not staying here. But you are right, I need to make room for the second bed.'

'So Garrus will be staying with you at Lake Bear.'

'No… I don't know' - Shepard walked away from him, entering the full room. – 'I think I can take this bed and place it over there in the living room and close it in with these ambient dividers. This way, whoever gets this bed will still have his/her privacy.'

Kaidan didn't pry on her answer. He couldn't deny his insides lightened up a little from hearing it. 'I think it would be more work but better if we moved a few rows of boxes out and placed them on that wall. What do you think?'

'I'll need help. Would you be ok with it?'

'Of course. Besides, I've been idle ever since the last battle. I need something to do, and this looks perfect.'

'Alright. Wait.'

'What?'

'You know what? I really want to listen to music. My music from my personal playlist. Do you mind?

'Of course not. But wait, are you going to dance?'

She raised one eyebrow at him. Music. It had been so long since she could just enjoy it. Shepard turned on the stereo and ditched her cane, starting an even clumsier two-step due to her injured leg. (Just a suggestion, go here... goo DOT gl SLASH 7gL5lc and listen with them - YT playlist link - Just remove the DOT for . and SLASH for / it'll take you to a YouTube playlist)

'Shepard, the enemies were defeated, no need to do your scary dance.'

'Ha ha ha. Very funny. At least I go for it. You, on the other hand, are just standing there too afraid of letting go.' She continued with what she had been told wasn't dance in any other culture but her own. And her own were always worrying she would make it rain or something.

Kaidan joined in with his own version of dancing. He moved well and freely. He grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him. She followed, and they were swaying through the hills and valleys of the songs.

Kaidan took a chance and pulled her towards him. She bumped into him quite graciously and laughed. Her laugh was carefree and reminded him of his dream the night before. Before she died, before his stupid reaction at Horizon. He felt his heart warming and couldn't stop himself embracing her waist and taking a small pleasure from the small contact between their bodies.

Shepard looked up at Kaidan, and she sighed. Things could have been so different. So many paths took her away from him. A few he laid for her, and the rest she trailed for herself.

'I really missed your company, Kaidan' - She was looking into his eyes.

'I missed you too, Joan' - He braced his instincts. She had always been open and to the point with her feelings. If she wanted to say more, she would. There wasn't ever a need to guess with her.

'What? Lost your groove? The music won't wait for us! Hahaha' She spun out of his arms, and he caught her hand.

'Oh, I'm just warming up, Shepard.' Kaidan couldn't look away from her face; it was open and happy, a first in a very long time. After a few songs, they parted and followed through with their task.

Moving the boxes was a good way to keep themselves occupied. With barriers and biotic fields, they took hours to carefully clear half of the room and organize the boxes out in the living room, along the wall opposite to the balcony's glass wall. Kaidan made quick work of assembling the bed back into place, and once it was pushed against the far wall next to the bathroom entrance, the place actually looked like a room, albeit a very small room, again. Half of the boxes were still there, the corridors a bit more crammed, but a person could still access everything.

Shepard went to her fridge and silently thanked Kasumi for packing it with some other types of essentials. Picking up a longneck for Kaidan and a juice pack for herself, she approached his sweating form. He had taken his shirt off part way through the organizing, and she had no complaints about it. The place was hot but outside was so filthy she didn't dare open the glass door to the balcony.

'Here. I'll clean the balcony tomorrow, and this place won't be as hot. Promise.' She had a joking smile on her face while she offered him the beer.

'Don't worry. Give me a few minutes, and I'll do it.'

'Kaidan, you don't have to work for your stay here, you know?'

'Haha, I hear ya. But again, I need to move. You have no idea how I like to feel real gravity under my feet.'

Kaidan went to the landing pad armed with a broom, mop, bucket and cleaning cloths. The beats soundtracked the scene, and Shepard sat in the lounge chair facing the view. Shirtless and sweaty, no shoes, and pants rolled up his calves, he made progress on the glass wall and wooden floor. Even holding a broom, he was, for a lack of better words, dreamy. When he moved towards her car, she called him out.

'Hey, great intentions, but no.'

'Why not?'

'I have a plan. Leave the girl dirty for just one more day. By the way, be ready tomorrow at oh six hundred.'

'Alright, Commander.' His smile was heartwarming.

Once they were done and the clothes were also done, Kaidan installed himself in the guest room and went for a shower. Shepard followed suit and took care of herself. Now, dressed in her beloved t-shirt and shorts and Kaidan in the same fashion, they turned on the television and sat to watch the news.

There was more bad than good things. The sun set and they made dinner. Switching to a movie, they enjoyed the peace until it was turn out time. Wrapping up the long day, each one went to their respective room and let sleep take them.

oO0~0Oo

Waking up in her own bed was bliss. After all the morning rituals were observed, shower/breakfast they went to her skycar. The dark blue flying vehicle was a bit old but she liked that it had a lot of room, kind of like an old SUV. Shepard used to carry all things in it, and at one point actually moved from her last place to this one using the old girl.

'Huh...' The incredulous sound came from Kaidan.

'What?'

'Can this thing fly?'

'Don't bash the old girl! She's a loyal supporter. Aren't you, sweetie?' Shepard patted the vehicle's hood.

'It's just... I never pictured you with a car like this.'

'What? Why? She's seen battle, she's reliable. She's a car me.'

'Well, when you put it like that...' He gave a quiet laugh.

'Oh, just help me lower the back seats to get the footlockers in the back, and get in!'

'How do you plan to get into my building?'

'Oh, I have a few plans. You do remember we are Alliance and SPECTRES, right?'

'Fair point.'

They left for Kaidan's apartment and were presented with a terrifying sight. His 60 story building was at a scary angle. Probably a 25-30 degree inclination leaning on the adjacent side building. The other building was the only thing keeping both structures up. The area around it was completely isolated.

'Shepard, I can't believe it!'

'How is that thing still standing?'

'Your guess is as good as mine.'

'Which apartment is yours?'

'It's on the 33rd floor. There, that's my balcony.'

Kaidan's apartment was facing out, opposite to the inclination; his balcony was accessible and empty.

'Kaidan...' Shepard's voice was full of mischief.

'What?'

'Do you see anyone around?'

'No, why?'

'What are the main things you need from there?'

'Well, first of all clothing, and a few other things. Important things.'

'I have an idea, but we have to be quick.'

'Shepard, what are you thinking?' His tone was slightly worried.

'You can see there's still some skycars on a few floors right? Well, will they notice one more?'

'Shepard, are you insane? That's why you wanted the car dirty. So people who looked up would think the car was has always been there and there is nothing going on.'

'Very astute, Major.' Shepard just gave him a level look. He knew that look. It was the same look she gave him before going to Ilos, before they raided the Geth base only 3 against a whole ship.

'Alright, what's the plan?' Kaidan assumed mission mode.

'I'm going to park at the centre of your balcony. It's a good thing the girl is filthy and will blend perfectly. We are going to slide the car door open and leave it like that, get the footlockers, and take them to the places where the things you need to pack are. What are your main targets?'

'Bedroom needs 2 footlockers, living room one footlocker near the bookcase. There is nothing in the kitchen.'

'Only one bedroom?'

'Yes.'

'Alright. Let's go around and do a visual sweep for any lookouts. You check right, I left.'

'Alright, Commander.' He looked at her, his face alight with good humour.

'Let's do this, Major.' She mimicked his expression. The small thrill of this little "mission" was actually pleasant.

She parked, the hovering skycar didn't add any weight to the building's structure and their added weight wasn't really an issue when considering the scale of the structure.

The balcony was as dirty as hers, even more so. There was little wind, but the soft breeze made the whole structure groan. - 'If they don't demolish this soon, this building is going to demolish itself!' - Shepard noted.

'Agreed. See the fracture lines on this balcony? This is not going to last much longer. We better hurry.'

The inclination angle made the apartment's tiled floor even more slippery, but like clockwork, they went to their goals. She was still in pain but didn't need her cane any more.

They opened his closet, and the smell of him enveloped her. Her devious mind bombarded her with luscious images that made her blush. But no matter how good her time with him was, she loved Garrus and that levelled her mind back to reality.

Clearing out his essentials, roughly fitting as much as possible in the footlockers, they managed to get most of his things. Some things were of clear value, pieces of expensive clothing, watches, computer and external drives. Shepard approached his bed and picked up a wooden box.

'Kaidan, this looks important.' She held the box to him.

'Thank you, I was actually looking for it.' He took it and carefully placed it inside the footlocker.

'Alright, anything else from here?'

'No. I'm going to take these to the car, can you start packing the bookcase, please?'

Shepard paid attention to each step she took. She managed to reach the bookcase and quickly packed its sparse contents. There was still room in the box, but after making sure with him there was nothing else, they were ready to leave.

The building gave a loud groan, and they made haste. Kaidan had the footlocker, and Shepard maneuvered through his furniture as fast as she could. They reached the skycar and only now noticed that the balconies from the second apartment on this floor had collapsed.

'Let's get out of here! NOW!' Shepard ordered.

When the car lifted off, the balcony where they stood seconds ago gave in and was hanging by threads of steel, oddly levelling out the inclination.

'Oh, now that we left, the balcony decides to help out and level out for us…'

'Shepard, you are insane at times, did you know that?'

Her answer was a cheshire grin. Their laughter filled the car. Shepard and Kaidan went back to her place, and the excitement was still with them while they made lunch.

'Shepard, do you have any idea what would have happened if we had gotten caught? If the building had started to collapse?'

'We would have made it. We always do.' She gave a somber laugh.

'Just crazy.'

oO0~0Oo