20

He was on the bridge making small chat with Joker and EDI after lunch. Since the discovery of his bug by the Quarrian and the following conversations with the crew deck love birds Kaidan felt oddly optimistic. He wanted to know more about what had happened to Joker after having both legs effectively broken by a sleeping Commander but he had to admit he was also curious about the evolving relationship between his best friend and the AI. What made it even more amusing was Joker had confided in him that EDI had been talking to Shepard of all people about relationships.

"Pot this is kettle, so nice to meet you." The pilot had said with a gleeful smile when he told Kaidan about it.

"Yea but YOU say that to Shepard" He went on good naturedly. "I'd like to keep my bones intact this time around if it's all the same."

"Jeff about that.."

"Aw Shit. "Jeff"? This must be serious."

"Thanks for watching out for her when I was being an ass. Even if it cost you."

"Christ! Loud mouthed Turrian. He's worse than a den mother. Besides I didn't do it for you. I did it for her." The coolness of Joker's voice was uncharacteristic.

" 'sides why should you be the only one to get to see her in her jammies?" He was goading Alenko on now. "As far as I knew you were out of the picture and we were renegades against the law anyway why not make my moves? They gave me new upgrades might as well give them a full physical test. Crawling in her bed seemed like a good trial run."

"If that was the case it is safe to assume the results were conclusive that more improvements need to be made." EDI chimes in innocently.

Kaidan bursts out laughing and Joker scowls under the brim of his cap. They had served together too long for Kaidan to really think the other man was upset but it was damn funny to see him on the receiving end of it from his own ship.

Just as he is about to dig in further with Joker his omni begins to beep. It activates and Shepard's voice calls his attention.

"Kaidan? I just got off the comm with Hackett I got a mission you will want to be a part of. Met me and Liarra in the shuttle bay." The transmission clicked off without waiting for a reply.

Turning to go he heard Joker call out to him.

"Hey Kaidan you really want to get her going ask Shepard how Allison Gunn is doing."