Kaidan tried to ignore the wide eyed looks from the few crew members in the mess. He had offered to get himself and Shepard some breakfast (even though it would be 1200 before they actually got to eat it) while she cleaned up and made her rounds for the day. Few people were allowed to eat at their posts and Kaidan bringing up breakfast to a notoriously early rising Commander was sure to draw attention.

It never ceased to amaze Kaidan how once she gave her word how steadfast Shepard could be. Once she had told him about Thessia and he had expressed wanting to help she had jumped into motion. She would look over the battle reports and talk with Liara but it did not look like it would be difficult to arrange extra support. The Asari were still reeling from the attack and any aid would be welcome.

She had said there was a stop she had to make before they ate and she would meet him back upstairs. He had wanted to question but something in her expression made him realize small steps here were much better than none and had gone about getting them food.

Given the events of the past few days it was easy to feel the tension in the crew. Shepard had been so swallowed up by her own guilt and failure she had almost forgotten what had mattered most. Having Kaidan point out to her how much he actually knew told her there could only be one source.

Before the attack on Earth Shepard would always stop on the bridge after each mission, a habit that had carried over to the SR-2 but had fallen off since Shepard's attempted court marshaling and reinstatement. One of a hundred tiny habits that had made Jane feel human that she had lost and now needed to rectify.

Without even turning around Joker begins to speak. Years of working together he knew her approach and his shield of sarcastic humor was in rare form.

"So Thessia, huh? Guess the Asari are wishing they had fewer dancers and more commandos right about now."

The words had barely left his mouth as he gives a quick check over his shoulder. Even EDI looked surprised at his bluntness, glancing between the pilot and the Commander.

"Too soon?"

Surprised by his harshness Shepard knew there was something he was trying to deflect with his grim joke. Hell she was the master of that, one of the reasons she had Jeff had hit it off so well from the beginning. Her tone harsher then she meant it Shepard informs him how many lives were lost planetside. Lives that were on her hands but she did not tell him that.

Without so much as turning to look at her Joker pulls up an aerial of a small human settlement. The image could be one of a thousand small colonies. For all she knew it could have been Mindoir.

"You see this? Tiptree. My dad lives there, so does my sister. Reapers rolled in about two weeks ago. So you can assume that I'm generally aware there's a war on Commander."

"Then why the jokes? Even for you that is dark."

"Cuz EDI says you are under more pressure now then during the Blitz, than back on Elysim where 10,000 Batarians were gunning for you. AND the last time I had a briefing with Anderson, he told me to take care of YOU."

He pauses to let that sink in.

"The guy leading the resistance –on Earth is worried about you and somehow I am supposed to help!"

The cracks in her armor had been showing and everyone knew it. The problem had been no one had known what to do about it. The last time Jeff had tried to help she had repaid him with a trip to the medbay and weeks of physical therapy even after the Cerberus upgrades.

Trying to convince him what they both knew to be bullshit was her duty.

"I appreciate it but really. I'm FINE."

"Like hell. And it's my fault. You died coming back to save me when the Collectors hit and now I'm supposed to watch you fall deeper and somehow help."

Quirking an eyebrow at him she gathers her words carefully.

"And how many broken bones have you taken trying to help me Jeff?"

"Bringing up my Vrolik's is hardly the way to win back my favor Shepard."

"No, it speaks of your character. I can't name any damn pilots that have answered the call of duty the way you have. Both for ship and crew. My count is 3, 4 if you count the clavicle from rifle recoil at the Collector's Base. "

"Well my CO has this crazy knack for getting her ass in too deep and needing to be pulled out sometimes." In spite of himself a small smile appears under the brim of his hat. Like always when the situation gets too serious the humor and ballcap hide his reactions.

"On your feet soldier." A command she has never given Joker since taking the Normandy from Anderson.

"What? Shepard I …."

"EDI has the helm. On your feet!" Her best DI voice without needing to yell in the small room. She had been getting a lot of use out of it since taking Vega on in his pre N7 training. But Moreau was a soldier and he knew to obey a command. Even the ones he really didn't like let alone understand.

Struggling to his feet, conscientious of Shepard's gaze on him he attempts to stand at attention. With one fluid motion she wraps her arms around his torso and hugs him tight but not too much to hurt him. For once they are almost on eye level. Standing even with his bowed legs Joker is slightly taller than Shepard but that was the point, he had nowhere to hide behind. Cap and sarcasm kept at bay by Shepard's intent gaze.

"Thank you Jeff. Thank you for everything. For believing in me when no one else did. For knowing me when I didn't even, back with Cerberus. For not letting me fall too far down the fucking rabbits hole in this mess. Hell for making sure I was still human even when it cost you."

She shifts, putting her forearms underneath his arms, taking his weight off his legs but keeping her gaze locked on his.

"Have Liara look into your family. We have one hell of a shuttle pilot and Vega has been itching for a fight. I'm sure EDI would be willing to go if we find anything, anything at all."

"Thanks Shepard."

A/N: I love this scene in ME3. As usual I took some liberties but I think this has a better feel then "We have work to do."