"It's difficult. All things worth keeping are." An oddly familiar voice played over Shepard's data screen.

Kaidan looked up from the couch questioningly. Since their first ill-timed elevator run in he had come up to her quarters only after mission debriefings and even then their interactions were ….Well he hadn't come up with a term for it yet exactly. It was clear the rift had not been mended between the two but neither was quite sure how to make the necessary steps.

"I recognize that voice." He started hoping she would let the walls down just a little. He had been invited up but she was still seated at her desk while he sat at the table. She didn't know how to turn off. Kaidan had begun to wonder if there was much of Jane left under all the Commander Shepard but times likes these shone through.

"Thane." A simple sadness in her voice as she looked at what he could only assume was a vid of the Drell who had died soon after Udina's betrayal.

When he had first woken in the hospital at the Citadel he had noticed the Drell keeping careful watch over him. It was only after a week of pestering that Chloe had told Kaidan who the Drell really was. Shepard had more than one set of eyes making sure he was cared for. At the time he had been suspicious but given Udina's betrayal Shepard had been wise to be paranoid. After viewing the vids from Mars he now saw her actions as signs of affection.

"We spoke in the hospital often. He was very insightful." Kaidan had a sinking feeling in his stomach from the tone of her voice. It was not jealously exactly but slight resentment that the man had bonded with Shepard when he had been unwilling to.

But what had their relationship been? A dying pious assassin was just the type of broken individual that Shepard would bring close to her in her unending efforts to save everyone in the galaxy except herself.

"I keep that recording as my manta now. Reminds me what I am fighting for I guess. Mordin was right, giving it a personal face helps keep it real somehow."

He nods not wanting to break her memories. Both Mordin and Thane had been lost and getting her to talk about them was a good sign. Across the model ships he sees her running a hand along the edge of the holo with a sad smile.

When he had finally been able to leave the hospital bed he made it a point to talk to the assassin. To say he was impressed was an understatement. The man made no effort to hide his intentions, leave it to Shepard to find the one straight forward assassin in the galaxy.

"Good to finally meet you Mr. Alenko. I recognized you from the photo. Commander Shepard speaks highly of you." He extended his four fingered hand the other still behind his back.

"I beg your pardon?" Dr. Mitchelle had told Kaidan about the Drell having worked with Shepard during the Collectors but she would not give an assassin his info would she?

"I overstep myself. Forgive me." The Drell blinks with two separate sets of eyelids. Tilting his head to one side.

"Drell have perfect memories and my experiences amongst the crew of your Normandy are ones I remember fondly."

Not my Normandy. He did not bother to correct the other man.

"You said a photo?"

The Drell turns his head clearly recalling the events in a stream of narrative.

"Captains quarters she brings every member up to thank them personally one by one before the final jump. I falter, confide in her that I now know fear. She bolsters me confiding she too is afraid but things are worth fighting for beyond ourselves. She looks to a photo on her desk, violet eyes darken. Human male dark hair light brown eyes SR1 logo on collar. She smiles turning back to me. "Thane you helped me find peace in a world that no longer had a place for me. I intend to return the favor." I look down at her quizzically. "You already have." I assure her. I take my leave."

The Drell comes out of his trance a smile on his lips. He looks up at Kaidan. "The photo was you of course. I knew it before Shepard found me and asked me to watch over you."

Even after Horizon she had kept a photo of him?

"It was supposed to be my last mission. Shepard had other plans. She always has other plans it would seem."

"Yea she is something else alright." Alenko stumbled. He was unsure what to say to this man he had just met who knew more about Shepard than he possibly did.

A/N Ok after admitting to myself there are clearly two distinct stories here I have to admit that this one will go in a completely different direction :) I am attempting for 2-3 chapters every few days for this one and holding off the muses for the other as yet unnamed story for later. As always thanks for the amazing support R&R appreciated-Raven