Thank you for all of my reviews, favorites and alerts! I'm glad people are still following the story...it's been fun. This chapter was fun to write. It went a completely different direction than what I thought originally. Anyway, enjoy!

Sincerely,
Prism Elf

"Falling Down"

London Bridge is falling down, falling down

London Bridge is falling down, my fair lady.

Shepard hummed the ancient nursery rhyme as she watched the vid feeds from the fall of Earth. She wasn't certain why she was watching the vid recordings. They were depressing, yet motivational. Watching them reminded her of what she was fighting toward. She wasn't born on Earth, besides staying in Vancouver for the eight months she had been grounded was the most time she had spent on Earth in years. Shepard was more comfortable on a ship than on the ground. On the ground she started to feel restless and cooped up. Strange most people felt that way about being on a ship for a period of time, but not her.

Earth was still her home-world. She hadn't been born there, but it was a source of inspiration. Alliance soldiers were taught that Earth was what they fought for, to defend, protect and die for. Earth was burning. The planet wasn't lost, not yet. Yet, watching the vids that people had managed to sneak out on encoded comm channels. The videos were shot from omni-tools and were rough unedited footage of Reapers blowing up buildings and husks chasing people through buildings. Most of the vids were like watching horror vids. People walking down dark corridors with only their omni-tool lights to guide their way, but even as they rounded the corner a husk would grab someone from behind or leap upon the person mauling them to death with teeth, claws and electrical currents.

"You know, if you keep watching all those vids you are just going to drive yourself crazy." Kaidan said from directly behind her.

Shepard jumped despite her training. "Jeez, Kaidan, don't do that." Shepard placed a hand over her heart. "I think my heart stopped beating for a moment."

Kaidan chuckled. "I wasn't trying to scare you."

Shepard pushed back from the desk, hitting the pause button on her computer's vid screen. She spun her chair around to face him. "I'm not going to go crazy, according to James I'm already there." She crossed her arms. Her lips peeled back in a lopsided display of glee. Kaidan shook his head and closed the distance between them. Leaning forward he placed a hand on each armrest, boxing her effectively in her own chair. His breath was warm on her face. She met his eyes with her own. Those eyes, she could lose herself for hours in those dark warm eyes.

"You're not crazy, but you will be if you keep making yourself watch those vids." Kaidan replied.

Shepard tilted her head bringing her face scant centimeters away from his. "I know, but I need to see it. I need to remember." She whispered letting her lips ghost over his.

"Hmm…" He purred as he reached up with his right hand to gently cup her face. "Shepard, there are better ways to remember. Don't punish yourself. You are doing everything you can to get back to Earth." His thumb caressed her cheek.

Shepard closed her eyes savoring the warmth of his nearness. His touch and words a more powerful reminder than any fear she could conjure up.

She was fighting to stay alive. She was fighting so that the galaxy and all the people in it, good and bad, could have a chance at what she was experiencing right at the moment with Kaidan. It was a beautiful worthwhile dream; a future with no threat of Reapers destroying everything. The galaxy would always need saving from itself, but someone else could take up the mantel once she was done with it. She had a reason to fight this war, but once it was finished she also had a reason to stop fighting too. In all her years of being in the Alliance never had she thought about what her life would be like if she where to quit? Never before had the thought crossed her mind. Now, it buzzed around her mind like an annoying fly hovering around an open wound.

"It isn't punishment. Just motivation to keep fighting." She replied opening her eyes. She slumped back against her chair. His fingers grazed long her jaw and lightly down her throat. Gently he brought his fingers across her shoulder and flitting down her arm. He leaned forward pressing his forehead against hers. Their noses were almost touching. Shepard could smell the sweet tanginess of his breath. Even through her clothing she could feel the heat of his touch.

"Since when is torture motivational?" He asked, his lips brushing against hers. Shepard's heart picked up speed, thudding almost painfully against her ribs. His hand reached her wrist. His hand was hot as he gently grasped her wrist. "Enough, Shepard," he breathed against her lips.

"You going to continue lecturing me, Major, or are you going to kiss me?" She asked playfully.

Kaidan laughed quietly. His lips found hers milliseconds after she asked the question. It was a passionate kiss shared equally on both sides. Shepard lost herself it in. Not wanting to think about the past, the present or even the future had in store for either of them. She just left herself be absorbed by Kaidan's presence. She reacted letting her heart take control of her body; her mind could rest for a while. Kaidan would take all of her worries and fears away for a few hours.

She was briefly aware of Kaidan pulling her up out of the chair, though his lips never left hers. She kissed him back. Placing a hand on his chest as he wrapped a strong arm around her waist. He pressed her closer to him. His hand that had grasped her was now entwined with hers. Fingers clasped together like the strands of rope, twisted and knotted.

Kaidan broke the kiss first. His eyes danced with joy, sparkled and heated with it. Shepard's spirits rose with his. The thought that she made him happy, elated her. She wanted him to be happy above all else. She smiled at him, and placed her head on his shoulder. Her fingers smoothed the fabric of his shirt. He turned his face toward hers and placed a delicate kiss on her forehead.

They stood there like that for several long minutes just holding each other, savoring the support and security of the others arms.

Shepard awoke from a black sleep. A form of deep comfortable sleep she didn't get very often. She usually only got that kind of much needed rest when Kaidan stayed.

She could still feel his warm body pressed against her back. Her eyes roamed over to her bedside table where her alarm clock was buzzing softly. So that is the culprit. She thought as she reached out a hand to shut the blasted thing off. She didn't want to get up, just yet. She knew the galaxy needed her and Kaidan, but right now…right now they were together. She wanted this to last. Turning she faced him, cuddling deeper into his chest. The arm he had draped across her body tightened holding her closer. Yet, his eyes remained firmly shut. She smiled as she let her fingers glide through his hair. He exhaled and a little smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

Watching him peaceful and content…she wished….

I wish we could have meant under better circumstances. She placed a quick kiss on the end of his nose. His face scrunched up and Shepard's laughter twittered across her cabin. "Not asleep, huh?"

"I was." He groaned. "Until your alarm went off."

"Sorry," She snuggled closer burying her face into his shoulder. "I just don't want to get up." She mumbled.

Kaidan squeezed his arm. Shepard sighed contentedly. Her breath tickled his skin sending goosebumps prickling along his arms. "I can't blame you, honestly, I don't want to either."

Shepard let her fingers trail down his chest to rest on his stomach. Her eyes glanced upward and she saw Kaidan was staring at her. The look on his face was…hard to decipher. He loved her. Admired her…cherished her. His looks and words just his touch sent shivers of pleasure coursing through her frame. Seeing him every day and having him besides her through all of this meant the world and more to her: why couldn't she say she loved him? She had tried several times, but the words always choked themselves in her throat.

Because I don't want to hurt him. She was shocked by the thought. If she were to die again, what would his life be like? What would her life be like if he died? She blinked. Another thought she didn't like to dwell on…she had pushed the thought aside after he had been injured. She didn't want to think about her life without him. Dammit, I can't lose him. She smiled and lifted her face up to his. "I've...fallen for you." She cringed knowing it sounded ridiculous and cliché. Why couldn't she say it? She really did love him…then why? And now he was staring at her again.

Kaidan blinked.

Shepard felt her cheeks grow hot. She ducked head. Embarrassment flooded through her. "I…mean…" Kaidan placed a finger to her lips. Letting his finger slide down he drew her face up toward his.

"I love you too." He whispered before kissing her deeply on the mouth. He pulled her closer wrapping both arms soundly around her. Shepard once again let herself be lost in his embrace. All too soon they both would have to go back to their respective duties, but right then…she just wanted to fall even further in love with him.