So thank you once again for all the reviews, alerts, and favorites. Sorry, the last chapter was short. This chapter is a bit longer and well...definitely fluffy. I'm nervous about putting up anything too mature. It's not really my writing area. I prefer to leave up some things to the imagination. I love it when writers do that. Anyway, thanks again and happy reading!

Sincerely,
Prism Elf

"Evil, but Necessary"

Shepard awoke with a jolt. She had fallen asleep at her desk. Again. Exhaling she sat up, stretching her arms high above her. Her neck cracked at the movement. Ugh, I have to stop doing this. She thought as she pushed her chair back from the desk and stood. Grabbing a glass for the desktop she headed into the bathroom to fill it with water. Her mouth tasted dry and salty.

Something was bugging her. In the back of her mind she felt like she was forgetting to do something. Something slightly important. Taking a sip of water she walked back over to her desk and placed the glass down. Pulling over her chair again she sat. Reports where scattered around her desk like little tumbleweeds in an old western vid, heaving a heavy sigh she started picking through them again.

Everyone depended so much on her being able to juggle several things at once. She wasn't certain half the time if she could. She was only one human. But, that didn't stop her from trying. She didn't want to let anyone down.

The doors to her cabin opened with a faint swish.

"Commander, I have plotted out the fastest course to reach Sanctuary. The course will…" Traynor reported as she entered the room.

Shepard waved her hand. "Just tell Joker to follow the course you have plotted out for him." She motioned to the pile of reports on her desk. "Add your findings to the rest. I'll get to it." She commented taking another drink of water as she picked up another report. This one looked to be an update on the transports for the turian and quarian fleets. Good news.

"Aye, ma'am." Traynor said. She placed the report on top of the others. "Ma'am, I have a question for you. If I may?"

Shepard shrugged. "Sure, Traynor, go ahead." Eyes poured over the numbers and statics mentally calculating the data. She barely heard Traynor talk. Not that she was being rude, but she was busy.

"Well, how are you feeling?" Shepard glanced up sharply. She hadn't expected that sort of question out of Traynor.

"What do you mean?" Her eyes narrowed.

"It's just that the crew is talking and there's a lot riding on your shoulders. I just wanted to know how you were holding up." Traynor wrung her hands. "I'm sorry, Commander, it was a stupid…"

Shepard shook her head. "No, it's not a bad question, Traynor." She tossed down the datapad. "Truly, I feel like shit. There's a real good chance the Normandy won't make it through the next couple of hours. I'm doing everything in my power to see to it that the galaxy doesn't fall apart on us." She sighed leaning her head back until the base of her skull rested on the upper part of her chair. She closed her eyes.

"Why don't you get some rest, Commander?" Traynor asked.

"Because, Specialist, you see all these reports." She swept her hand out gesturing to the three stacks of datapads piled on her desk. Even with her eyes closed she could see the stacks. Sitting there ridiculing her ineffectiveness. "I have to read over them, give approval or deny it and then ship them out to my superiors."

"You could ask for help with those." Traynor suggested. But Shepard raised her head opening her eyes.

"Some of these are time sensitive and some are special clearances required you would need a N7 operations and identification code." Shepard threw her a half-hearted grin. "Thanks for the offer though."

Traynor blushed slightly and nodded. "Well, if you ever need help just let me know."

Shepard chuckled. Traynor was a sweet kid, but she wasn't quite cut out for the N7 life. Smart, funny and quick on her feet, which Shepard liked, but she needed to grow a bit of stomach and backbone. She was almost there, but not quite. She had some room for improvement.

"I have to get back to these reports." Shepard jerked a thumb over to the pile of desk work.

"I'll leave you to it, Commander." Traynor started to back out by as she did the doors opened and Kaidan stepped into the cabin.

"Oh, Specialist Traynor, I didn't see you there." He said taking a step to the side to let her pass.

"Hello, Major, I was just leaving." Traynor offered him a warm smile. As she passed by him she leaned toward him and lowered her voice. "The commander needs to sleep. Joker said her stress levels are through the roof again. I came up to check on her, but she's pouring over reports." She straightened and winked at him. "Have a good night, Commander and you too Major." She stated louder.

"Night, Traynor." Shepard lifted a hand in farewell, though she was distracted by the newest calculations in front of her.

Kaidan nodded at her. "I'll see what I can do."

Traynor nodded and walked out the doors closing behind her.

Kaidan watched Shepard for a moment. Her brow was knitted in concentration. To the point where he was certain she didn't even realize he was there. He cleared his throat as he approached her.

Her eyes roamed the datapad she was reading. "I know you're here, Kaidan. Give me a moment to finish this up."

"Shepard, the reports aren't going anywhere." He stated coming to stand behind her. He leaned forward his eyes flickered once to the report she held. He didn't even bother to read it. He nuzzled her neck, kissing it softly. "You need to relax," he whispered.

"Kaidan, I don't have time to." She replied indifferently. Kaidan chuckled then quickly reached out and plucked the datapad from her hands. He stepped away from her quickly. She stood up with fury written on her face. "Kaidan Alenko! I suggest you hand that back this insist!"

Kaidan laughed and didn't move. She took a step toward him and he didn't budge. "Come and get it." He stated calmly. His eyes locked with hers and for a moment, the fury reflected in her eyes and face vanished replaced by amusement and longing. Then her face blanked and she crossed her arms.

"Major, I don't have time for games." She stated motionlessly. Kaidan's lips twitched into a grin.

"Shepard," he lowered his voice as he reached out to hand her the datapad. Shepard took hold of it, but as her hand grasp it, he clasped her wrist gently but soundly with his free hand yanking her toward him. "I'm not playing." He said pressing his lips firmly against hers. Her released her wrist and slipped his arms around her waist. Placing his hands on her hips, he pulled her snug against him. Her hands flattened out on his chest. She was warm. He could feel her body heat even through their clothes. He deepened his kiss. His tongue twisting with hers. She moaned. Kaidan removed his hands from her hips; one hand reached up to clasp the back of her head. His fingers grazed over her amp and implants. A small shock jolted his fingertips as he entwined his finger into her hair.

"Kaidan," Shepard whispered her breath hot against his lips. Her hands slipped across his shoulders. "You're an evil distraction." She purred. He leaned forward slightly, touching his forehead to hers.

"Yeah, evil, but necessary." He said huskily, causing goose-bumps to break out across her skin. Tilting his head, his lips found hers again. Shepard threw her arms around his neck and kissed him back reckless. The datapad slipped from Kaidan's grasp and fell to the floor as Shepard started backwards leading him down the stairs to bed.