Thank you all for the reviews, alerts and favorites...sorry it took so long to get an update posted...been, busy, busy, busy! This chapter really was weird to write. Once again a chapter I liked/hated writing...at first I saw it going in a completely different direction and then the characters were like screw you...I"m going this way. So after much debating/editing/negotiating this is what I came up with. Enjoy! Next chapter will be up sooner, already started working on it. : ) Happy Reading!

Sincerely,
Prism Elf

"Awkwardness"

Okay, this is awkward. Shepard's gaze altered between Tali and Garrus. The quarian was rambling about getting her helmet caught on his mandible. Shepard chuckled. If she could see Tali's face she knew it would be blushing. Garrus was also rambling and going along with whatever popped out of Tali's mouth. This was turning out to be a bad idea.

Shepard covered the smile tugging at her lips with a hand.

"I wanted to make certain her suit wasn't ruptured. " The turian stated shyly. Shepard shook her head. It honestly didn't bother her. She was quite happy for them. Removing the hand from her lips, she waved at them dismissively. Both ceased their protestations and faced her squarely.

"I'm happy for you both." Shepard's smile was as blinding as the desert sun on a hot summer day.

"Oh, thank you, Shepard." Garrus intoned cocking his head to the right. "It's just with the war coming to a head it's nice to know you have something to come home to."

"What are you talking about, Vakarian, this is just a fling. I'm only using you for your body." Tali teased taking a step closer to Garrus. He laughed at her.

"You're so mean, but I'm okay with that." Garrus replied collecting the lithe quarian into his arms.

Shepard spun away. She really didn't want to know. Okay, while happy for them, she didn't want to watch. Walking by the sleeper pods and back into the Mess Hall, she spotted Kaidan and Dr. Chakawas sitting at a table. Both were drinking coffee, sipping causally at the black ichor, neither seemed to notice Shepard approaching.

"It's was weird, seeing the evidence. Of the human Reaper from the Collector base. To think that Cerberus was studying that thing." Kaidan shook his head. "It's sick."

"One of the scariest times in my life was being abducted by those creatures. Thinking I was going to be turned into a part of that thing." Chakawas spit out harshly. Kaidan nodded again.

"I can't imagine what that was like."

Chakawas shook her head. "No, you can't, I suppose." She took a sip of her coffee. "But enough about that. I've relive it every night in my dreams…let's talk about something else. How is the Commander really doing, Kaidan?"

Shepard balked coming to a stop next to the kitchen counter. Her eyes remained focused on Kaidan. His hands wrapped tightly around his coffee mug flexed. He looked down into the depths of his drink. "She's doing well, considering in a few hours we'll be back on Earth and she'll be leading the largest army in the known galaxy."

"She hasn't been sleeping well though has she?" The doctor asked innocently. Shepard saw Kaidan flinch slightly. "Yes, I know you and Shepard are intimate." The word intimate hung in Shepard's ears. Interesting word choice for the doctor, did she not think that Shepard and Kaidan were more than sex partners? The thought that Chakawas possibly saw their relationship as purely sexual was distressing. Kaidan was more to her than that. So much more. Her chest tightened at the thought that in two hours they would be back on Earth giving the Reapers hell. They had spent last night together, wrapped in each other arms, loving, talking and saying goodbye if it should come to that. Either one of them had said it, but they both had known it. If something were to happen today, they wouldn't regret not spending their last night together.

"She sleeps, but…" His fingers tightened and even from this distance, Shepard could see the little lines around his eyes deepen. "Not restfully, I'm worried about her." His voice cracked slightly. Shepard's heart stopped beating for a moment. A brief jolt of pain seared through her.

"Kaidan," She whispered. She knew he worried about her. He feared she would disappear on him again. But, they were both soldiers. They had to fight. They had to defeat the Reapers. It was their top priority. Nothing else could come first until they were destroyed.

"She'll be alright, she's strong and determined. And you give her hope." Chakawas reached out and placed a gentle hand on Kaidan's wrist. "You two are good together. I've watched you both dance around each other since you first laid eyes on each other on the first Normandy. I was there after Horizon," Kaidan sighed and closed his eyes. "She did look for you, but I think she was proud of you on Horizon. She wasn't angry with you, hurt maybe, but she understood. She's just one of those people. I was also there the moment they wheeled you into the hospital on the Citadel. When she thought she was going to lose you. The look in her eyes was…lost. Commander Shepard looked lost and confused, and suddenly vulnerable. Since you have been back on board, Kaidan, well, look for yourself."

Chakawas' head tilted in Shepard's direction. Shepard jumped as Kaidan's eyes shot open and he followed Chakawas canted head. His eyes widened as they settled on her. A smile split his handsome face and Shepard found herself smiling back. Kaidan raised a hand motioning for her to come join them. Shaking her head, Shepard walked over to join them. She took a seat next to Kaidan.

"Doctor." Shepard greeted as under the table she pressed her leg against Kaidan's. His eyes flickered to her for a moment before landing back on Chakawas.

Dr. Chakawas chuckled and removed her hand from Kaidan's wrist. "As I was saying, you two are good for each other."

Kaidan and Shepard shared another glance. A smile tugged at the corners of both their lips. "Perhaps, though he can be a little stubborn." She threw him a wink.

Kaidan chuckled, the sound vibrating deep in his chest. "Yeah, I'm the stubborn one."

Chakawas laughed pressing a hand to her mouth. "See, this is what I mean."

Shepard snickered as she stood up. "I really should be getting ready. I have a lot to coordinate before we reach Earth. I just wanted to say…" She hesitated. Chakawas stood up.

"Commander, it's been an honor. I just wanted you both to know. It's been a pleasure and honor serving on this ship, with both of you. No matter what happens know that I'm glad to call you both friends." Chakawas saluted both of them. Kaidan stood, returning the salute.

"Thanks, Dr. Chakawas. Same to you."

"Yes, Same to you." Shepard said echoing Kaidan. She felt a great sadness suddenly envelope her. Like a wave on the ocean rolling over her. The emotion was so strong and unexpected. She had a nagging feeling that Chakawas was saying good bye to them. "Don't worry, Doctor. We will be back. You can count on it. And we'll have that drink in celebration of defeating the Reapers."

"I'll hold you to that, Commander."