4

"Get away from him you Son of a Bitch!" The scream was guttural even over the vid's recording. Shot from the landing deck cameras it gave a wide angle view of the scene. Kaidan unconscious lying broken at the feet of the AI, Liara injured struggling to her feet and Shepard her back to the camera charging the thing.

It would have been suicide if Shepard was wearing heavy armor or a half second slower. The crash had knocked out the majority of EVA's shields But it was still a metallic armor to get through. Shepard ducked and slide across the smooth landing pad on her hip. Momentum and body weight letting her keep her speed as she pulled out a pistol to overwhelm the things armor.

In under a meter the things armor is gone taken down by a pistol Kaidan can count on one hand how many times he had seen Jane use one. The AI had reached for the Commander and you could hear the telltale crack of a rib before Shepard is free again. Her other hand was orange energy of an omnitool. Rolling at the last second using the full force of her inertia and bodyweight to come up she came back within reach. Impaling the thing and lifting it off the ground as she ripped the blade up from navel to whatever served as the things heart.

Throwing it off the same way it had done to Kaidan only seconds before she is again in motion yelling to Vega for the shuttle and yelling his name as Liara limps over trying to pull Shepard away to look at his body.

The vid changes over to the Normandy Med Bay. Liara and Jane over his unconscious form. Jane is still in full armor holding his hand shooting question after question at the asari. Her radio comes to life and she is trying to give directions to Joker, Anderson and more still holding his hand.

The Hospital room appeared and Kaidan was surprised. He was not even aware his room had had a camera. A salurian doctor and Jane still in bloody armor only her helmet removed. The doctor is not optimistic about when he would wake and explained the reasons behind a chemical induced coma before exiting.

She was at his bedside her face streaked with blood and ash from the fire but it was her voice that tore into him. It was ragged with grief but she tried to keep it steady. The tears she had kept at bay in front of all the doctors, the crew on board spilled down her face as she spoke.

"I'm here Kaidan. I don't think you can hear me but the doctors are the best and say you are going to be just fine. Karin is here she is going to look after you but she wants to come when I leave….So is Dr. Mitchel I asked her to look after you.

She pulled off her gloves and is holding his hand between hers.

"I hate seeing you like this Kaidan. You always make me feel like together we can take on the galaxy. I'm so so sorry I was too slow." She pauses looking over his sleeping form, finally taking a shaking hand off his to wipe away the streaks on her face.

"Don't leave me again Kaidan. "She pleaded " I need you." Exhaustion and grief must have taken their toll because she puts her head down next to his hand and falls asleep still holding his.

Hours pass on the vids the camera dulling out between visits only snapping back when someone enters the room. Liara comes in looking at the two of them with a frown. 16 hours since they had left Mars and four since they had arrived in the hospital.

"Shepard will you please let the doctors look at you? And Hackett needs to talk to you on vidcom."

"But what if he wakes up and I am not here?"

"I will stay. The doctors think it will be several more days before he wakes up."

"Thank you Liara." Standing and limping over she gives the asari an awkward hug before hobbling out. The scene resumes several hours later Shepard enters the room leaning in the doorway looking in. Her ribs are tapped and her arm is in soft sling but she is in her civvies. The log shows it is 4am the following day.

"Hey there." She starts as if expecting a reply. She hooks the chair with her foot and limps over. With her good hand she runs her fingers through his hair. "I uh I hope it wasn't to forward of me but I sent a message to Earth. Vancouver got hit pretty hard but your Mom's ok. "

She sighs a mixture of exhaustion and grief and for a second he is afraid she will cry again but she doesn't. She talks to him about anything, about Horizon about Earth, it goes on for hours before the vid greys out again.

The third turned on with voices right outside the door. Karin and Jane discussing him and the hospital.

"Anderson got through he is sending intel when he can. Can Kaidan really be safe here? I mean I should stay Dr. Mitchell has too many other responsibilities."

"Commander he is at one of the best hospitals in the galaxy and C-Sec has been notified. Bailey can verify if you are still afraid. He needs to be here, and Earth needs you out there." Chakwas entered the room first ,checking his vitals before turning back to Shepard.

"I know but we are going to the Traverse. It is so far away if anything were to happen…"

Shepard comes in. Dark hollows still under her eyes but the sling is gone. She goes to the opposite side of the bed, reaching out to touch his cheek.

"Commander he is in the heart of the Citadel. The biggest threat I think the Major is under is waking up with a set of sores on that nice rump you like to stare at."

Jane laughs and then whines her hand going to her injured ribs which makes her laugh all the more. Chakwas puts a comforting arm around Shepard and the vid greys out.