The tables had filled up in the past few hours since their initial coffee break at arrival. The smells of various dishes from various systems mingled together as did the din of conversation. Joker was right people really were trying to pretend there was no war in Ba-Sing-Se. All they had to do was look around for the extra C-Sec rifles or head down to Zakera to understand it was an illusion that became thinner every day. Scorch marks and empty windowpanes showed the lingering damages of the attack but cleaned up people needed a sense of normalcy.
Blind. They are all blind. No wonder Shep gets pissed whenever she comes here. She has lost good people to try to prevent this day from ever happening and they pretend like everything is fine.
He hazards a glance over at her and sees that her posture has changed. He also notices several tables stop and look at her when she walks by. This only makes her pace quicken and the line appear between her brows. She of course had noticed their gapes before Kaidan had. No one said anything outright nasty that he could hear but the gawks were not concealed. They were busy pretending there was no war but when the (in)famous Commander Shepard needed a cup of coffee that was an unacceptable waste of time.
Without hesitation Kaidan reaches out to her now clenched fist and slips his hand into hers. She does not look over at him but her march slows and her expression softens just at the edges. She gives one squeeze as show of her gratitude. Her gaze is flowing over the crowd and he can feel her displeasure. She had commented that he was no fan of crowds but having her face plastered on every vid screen from here to the Terminus had clearly not made her much of one either.
Not that she ever had been much of one to crave the limelight anyway. The Commander Shepard is what people see not her. Not Jane who likes to sit barefoot in the grass. Or flings her oatmeal.
"Shepard over here!" A voice calls from a ways off and Kaidan sees a hand wave behind a group of Krogan and Turrians. Turing on her heels she follows that way and a genuine smile flashes over her face.
"Bailey! Are you sure you should be out of the hospital like that?" She gestures to the cane that the C-Sec officer is heavily leaning on.
"If I'm breathing I'm working, told you that. But that's awful funny coming from someone back from the dead."
Turing awkwardly with the cane the Security Commander motions to the table he had saved. It has 4 chairs but only two places set. Kaidan notices with a smile the seat across from Bailey already has a large coffee cup and a double shot of liquor at it.
Well it's a start.
"So how are you mending? I don't think Dr. Mitchell would let you out with two slugs still in your gut." Shepard says grabbing for the menus.
"Crap Shepard take a minute. Drink your damn drink." The blond man says chuckling.
"This bitty thing? " She holds up the glass and frowns. "This isn't even a drink. Don't think I'm letting you off that easy Bailey."
"Well if you don't want it." Kaidan makes a grab for the glass knowing it might result in his broken digits. But she downs it and flips upside down before he even gets close.
Making eye contact with the Asari waiting tables she points to the coffee and the empty glass then making a two gesture before turning her attention back to the other Commander. With all the menus neatly pinned under her elbows Shepard is clearly up to something.
But when isn't Shep up to something?
"Come on Bailey I didn't track all this way across the galaxy to see you slump over on me. There must have been someone else you could trust. "
The other man attempts to sit up straighter obviously hiding his discomfort.
"Will you give it a rest Shepard? I didn't bringing up the holes I saw in your armor while you went elevator surfing."
Kaidan gives Shepard a sideways glance but keeps silent. Hearing the C-Sec officer talk about the stupid risks Shepard had taken that day to save the council (yet again) made Alenko feel oddly guilty. Looking at the cop who was still obviously on the mend didn't exactly help either.
When doesn't Shepard take stupid risks? He hadn't even seen her until he staked out the Normandy port. She had gone to visit Thane but could have sought medical attention while there.
"I'm a soldier I at least was wearing my armor when we showed up. But seriously Bailey how are you? I could have just as easily gone to badger Chellick about the Defense Force if you aren't back on active duty yet."
"Comm'on Shepard we both know I am useless behind a desk. It's even worse in the hospital. All those errands you been running to keep the civilians here safe got a lot going on. I might as well make myself useful. Heck you got those kids working I am not gonna sit by idle "The man's voice firm
Shepard holds up her hands palms out in a motion of surrender.
"I wouldn't worry about that. There is always plenty for you to do if you know where to look." The right side of Shepard's mouth quirks up as the Asari returns with a tray of drinks. In front of Shepard and Kaidan mugs of coffee and double shots of liquor. Also in front of Kaidan was a lager, the same went to Bailey and two sat at the empty seat next to Bailey.
As the Asari woman walked away the two men looked at their drinks before them. Eyes met and went to the empty seat before simultaneously turning to Sheaprd who had a barely contained smirk. The term the cat who ate the canary came to Kaidan's mind looking at her as she sipped her Irish coffee.
A/N Slow Chapter I know but if I didn't split it it would have gotten WAYYY to big. Oh the bright side I should be getting 41 up Monday. Yeah for Federal Holidays :) Have a great weekend all and thanks for the great R&R's!