A/N: There are a few things that I have to say and an apology that I apparently need to make. I'll do the apology first. I have obviously offended a few of my readers with the last two chapters (which was never my intention- that needs to be made VERY clear) and I'm sorry about that. However, with that said, this is just fiction and it is clearly labeled drama and M. In the future, I'll make sure to clearly label things in chapter if there's even the slightest chance that I will offend people. Also, if you are beginning to have problems with how I'm writing, please feel free to message me with suggestions or constructive criticism. I love it when people give me ideas on what they would like to read. On one hand, I have people telling me that Shep slapping Kaidan was taking things too far and, on the other hand, there're people who say that she should've been harsher. But, in light of the recent complaints, I rewrote this chapter (I'm not saying that the original won't eventually make an appearance, but that'll happen at a later time).

So, if there're people out there still with me, let me know what you do and don't like and give me suggestions. With that said, please enjoy!

Kaidan woke up fairly early- especially given the late hour in which he had finally fell asleep-, got dressed, and went to the mess to get his first cup of coffee for the day (he had a serious belief that it would be a multiple cup kinda day…most were since the attack on Earth).

Surprisingly, Shepard was already at a table with a cup of tea (he'd bet big credits that it was a steaming cup of green tea), a bagel, and a datapad in her hand. She was thoroughly engrossed in whatever it was that she was reading and didn't even look up- he found it mildly surprising that a N7 (not to mention Shepard herself) would be so oblivious to everything around.

He sat down beside of her and noted the small smile on her lips as she read the words.

Well, that ruled out mission debriefs.

"Hope," he greeted her quietly.

It was a shock to see her startle and quickly turn off the datapad with a blush. "Kaidan!" she gasped her greeting.

"Whatever you were reading must have been riveting," he said with more than a little humor.

Her blush darkened as she shrugged and took a bite of her bagel. "Something like that," she said nonchalantly. "How'd you sleep last night?"

"Alone," he stated matter-of-factly, but softened his words with a smile.

She reached out hesitantly and touched his cheek where she had slapped him. "Sorry I slapped you," she murmured.

"I deserved it," he acknowledged, covering her hand with his own.

"Doesn't make it any better. I could have seriously hurt you."

Kaidan thought about that for a long moment. "But you didn't- and, honestly, I don't think you could." As she opened her mouth to argue, he raised a hand to cut her off. "I'm not talking about you being physically capable. I meant that you couldn't because of who you are- who you were raised to be."

She gazed at him as she processed his words. "I had no right to- we never established any sort of relationship and she was drunk."

Kaidan rolled his eyes. "Would it make you feel better if I hit you?"

Her eyes glanced towards her datapad and then back to him. "Would you?"

"No. I just wanted to know what you'd say." He squeezed her hand and pressed it against his chest at his heart. "I'd like us to be exclusive...except you have to do one thing first."

"Oh?" she asked, surprised.

He smiled mischievously. "Tell me what you were reading that had you completely oblivious to the entire galaxy."

Shepard tried to hide a grin and lightly bit her tongue between her front teeth. "Fifty Shades of Grey," she murmured, leaning provocatively into him. "It was a very popular book back in the twenty-first among women."

He stared at her blankly. After a few moments, she stood- leaving her datapad on the table. "Feel free to read some of it while James, Javik, and I are planet side," she suggested. "Later, Major."

As the ground team began to go down to the planet, Kaidan made his way to the helm as was his normal routine when he remained onboard. He'd begin whatever story Shepard left him with after he saw the first few minutes of her mission.

He walked in just in time to hear her voice say (obviously happy), "Grunt!" and he watched as she hugged a Krogan that was nearly as big as Wrex and he greeted her by her last name- seeming just as pleased to see her.

Kaidan sat down in EDI's empty spot. "Looks like there's a story there," he stated.

Joker snorted. "That's an understatement. Those two are like surrogate mother and son. Ever since she 'gave birth' to him from his tank and she worked him through the beginning confusion, they made a strange...bond."

"Really?" Kaidan chuckled, watching James' vidcam to see the interaction between Hope and the Krogan.

Joker rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah, she babied that big killing machine. No lie, the first time he had a gunshot wound and the shrapnel had to be removed, Shepard had to be there- he wouldn't let anyone near him until she was there." Joker shook his head. "Then she fixed him some kind of soup and stayed with him until the big brute fell asleep. Of course, no one's supposed to know that part."

"And yet, unsurprisingly, you do," Shepard said over the comm. Thankfully she didn't sound too upset over Joker's revelations. "You left comms open again."

Joker chuckled. "Actual accident that time, Commander."

"Uh-huh."

Joker clicked the ship comms off and grinned at Kaidan. "You sure you know what you're getting into with her?"

Kaidan rolled his eyes and left the helm for the observation deck to see what was so enthralling about the story she was reading.

He walked to the mess- still shocked from what he had read. It was clearly aimed towards a female audience, but it had interesting insight into the woman psyche.

Of course, the sudden appearance of a stretcher holding a very beat up and bloody Krogan along with Shepard was enough to jolt him from his inner musings.

Hope held onto Grunt's hand and was murmuring something that was clearly only meant for the Krogan's ears. Kaidan noted that Grunt seldom looked away from her- as though she was a balm amidst all the pain.

They disappeared into the Medbay just as quickly as they appeared in the mess, leaving Kaidan with little more to do than sit and wait to see what was happening.

"Major," Chakwas' voice surprised him from his thoughts as he sat in the mess drinking coffee and thinking about Hope's book and everything that had happened recently.

"Doctor Chakwas, how're Shepard and the Krogan doing?"

"They're asleep in the Medbay. Thankfully I was able to finally give Grunt some relaxants and sleep meds. Commander Shepard is asleep in the chair next to him- after the adrenaline ran its course and she made sure that Grunt was taken care of, she fell asleep."

Kaidan stared at the doctor in horror. "Is she okay?"

"Minor injuries- nothing medigel couldn't handle. Her main worry was about that Krogan in there." When he said nothing, she smiled sympathetically at him. "What she needs is to sleep in her own bed- not in a chair," she hinted.

Kaidan sat with a blank face for a few moments before he understood what she was telling him. He smiled and waited for her to go off to the crew quarters before making his way to Medbay.

As the door opened, he stood there for a good long while and just stared at the sight that was before him.

The Krogan was passed out on a hospital bed covered with cuts and contusions. Hope had one of his massive hands in her own and slept with her head on what little mattress was left.

With a small smile, he walked over to the bed and chair and gently untangled their hands. She muttered something in her sleep as he lifted her into his arms and she buried her face in his neck.

He walked to the elevator and was glad that it was open and waiting for him (a perk, he supposed, from having a fully aware AI) and it closed and headed for the loft space without him even having to say anything.

There was a cut just below her right eye that hadn't been there before she left on the mission and a few bruises that he could see. He wondered if it would be appropriate for him to put her in her pajamas and promptly decided not- things were much too tense and unsure between them.

He exited the elevator and quickly took her to her bed- only allowing himself to take off her shoes before tucking her underneath of the covers.

With a sad smile, he murmured, "G'night, Hope," and started to make his own exit.

"Kaidan," she whispered, "don't."

Her voice stopped him. "What d'you mean?" he asked as he slowly turned around and was faced with her half-closed, tired eyes looking at him.

"Sleep here tonight," she suggested. "Just sleep. We'll work on the rest later."

Kaidan nodded and took off his shoes before making his way back to her bed and lying on the other side of the bed- making a conscious choice not to touch her.

She frowned at him and scooted closer to him, resting her face close to his and her hand on his chest. "'s okay?" she asked, tiredly unsure.

Kaidan carefully laid an arm over her waist and smiled. "More than okay. Go to sleep, Hope,"

She chuckled, "Yes, Sir."

As Shepard drifted to sleep, he kissed the top of her head and smiled.

Yes, they were a passionate couple- as likely to be cuddling as to be fighting with angry words and harsh gestures-, but, at the end of the day, they'd find each other again.

With those thoughts, he too drifted to sleep.