Hello readers! Anyway, this actually started as a prompt over on the mass effect livejournal community. It was very short in the beginning, but then I thought about it. And my main Shepard (which is who this story follows) has a Spacer background. Where the heck was her father? So I thought about it and wondered what it would be like for Kaidan to meet Shepard's father. So this chapter was born. It might be AU slightly sense it doesn't happen in game, but I liked the thought. the characters for Shepard and Kaidan were tricky for this...especially over the idea that Shepard's dad can be very unrelenting to say the least. So yeah, hopefully Kaidan stayed in character enough for everyone. Enjoy reading and thanks for the reviews and favorites!

PE

"Shepard's Father"

Shepard sat back in her chair reading over the datapad one more time. She blinked. He would pick a time like this to want to catch up. Shepard tossed the datapad down and pinched the bridge of her nose. She was in the middle of debates with the krogan and turians over shipping arrangements for once their fleets left for Earth. The quarians and geth were cooperating with each other for the moment, but that could change at the drop of a hat. Sighing she rolled her shoulders and thought about her childhood. She had been raised on ships, though mostly she stayed with her mother, her father had pulled himself away from his work long enough to spend time with them whenever her mother's ship was close by.

She could still remember the last time she had seen him. It was almost four years ago right before she had been assigned to the Normandy. They had met briefly for drinks. Shepard opened her eyes and frowned. It had been a very brief visit. They had disagreed on her idea of joining the Alliance. He had wanted her to go to school. Her father had wanted to see her and check to see if she was planning on leaving the Alliance anytime soon. That was it. It didn't matter to him, if she was an Alliance hero. Especially after the Skyillian Blitz...he just didn't want to see his girl in any dangerous situations. He had a hard time believing that she was all grown up.

"Get a degree, Vai. That's the way to go. Don't let those recruiters sweet talk you into anything." She still remembered his words on the day she told him, she had joined up with the Alliance. He had been furious, even threatened to disown her. "I lost your mother to her damn career! I don't want to lose you too."

The doors to her cabin opened and Shepard turned in her chair to face whoever was entering.

"Kaidan." Shepard smiled and stood up stretching her arms above her head.

Kaidan smiled back at her. "You ready to go?"

"There's been a slight change of plan." She lowered her arms and looked him in the eye. Kaidan raised an eyebrow at her but didn't say anything, he just waited patiently. "My father has come to visit."

Kaidan's eyes widened and for a moment he looked like an innocent little kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar.

"Your father?"

Shepard stifled a laugh. "Yeah, good old Dad." She said with an eye roll. "Haven't seen him in four years and he decided now would be a great time to catch up."

Kaidan shook his head. "I knew your mother served in the Alliance," A look of sadness darkened his eyes. "Met her briefly after the first Normandy was destroyed."

Shepard walked up to where she stood just a couple inches away from him their noses just scant inches apart. "I'm sorry, Kaidan." She breathed not wanting to see him in pain, especially pain that she had caused.

He shook his head. "It's nothing, you're here now, and that's all that matters." He caught her around the waist and pulled her close against him. She buried her face into his shoulder, secretly loving the way he smelled.

"So rain check, on dinner then?" Shepard asked lifting her head slightly to judge his reaction.

A little glint of mischievousness twinkled in his dark eyes.

"I don't know, Shepard. I'm pretty hungry. I think I could stomach meeting your father with dinner."

Shepard groaned and put her head back on his shoulder. "Very well, Kaidan, but it's your funeral."

Shepard hesitated on the foot of the stairs leading down into the café. There he was sitting with his back to them. His dark brown hair peppered through with gray was shaggier than she remembered.

"Is that him?" Kaidan asked placing a steady hand on her lower back.

"Yes," Shepard breathed, she squared her shoulders and caught Kaidan's eye. "Let's get this over with."

"You and your father really don't get along?" He asked as they started forward.

Shepard sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "No, it's not that…it's complicated. Dad's not a fan of the Alliance."

"Ah, so even though you're an Alliance hero,"

"I'm the poster child for an 'organization' he can't stand." Shepard wrinkled her nose. "Though he used to be part of the same 'organization``` ."

Kaidan paused and Shepard turned slightly to see what had caused him to stop. "Your father was Alliance as well."

Shepard nodded. "Yes, he was a medical doctor, served a board three ships and on ground-side in two separate Alliance hospitals before he retired."

"If I can ask, why doesn't your father like the Alliance?" Kaidan prompted placing a assuring hand on her upper arm stopping her for a moment. Shepard pursed her lips as she looked at the man across the café from them. He was staring at a menu seeming unaware that he was being watched.

"Dad just got fed up with the politics and bureaucratic bullshit." She said shaking her head. "Mom and him fought over it, his retiring, I mean, but in the end it worked out for the better."

"Your mother, she's like you…military for life." Kaidan stated more than questioned. Shepard nodded her affirmation of his assessment.

They moved forward then walking side by side. Silence enveloped them. Shepard's mind whirled with what she could possibly say to her father. A man she hadn't seen or heard from since before she had died almost three years ago.

She came within a few feet of him before she stopped again. She stared at the back of his head waiting.

"I was wondering when you would come over and say 'hi', Vai." Her father's voice was even and controlled. Like he calculated everything he said before he said it.

He probably does. Shepard thought moving around the table so she could see his face. She pulled a chair out and sat down. "Hello, Dad." She said tersely. She motioned for Kaidan to have a seat in the chair next to her. He looked quickly over at her father before pulling out his chair and sitting as well.

An awkward silence fell over the table then. Shepard stared down at the datapad with the menu selections on it. She was not very hungry, but she could feel the need for a strong drink coming on.

"Huh, Vai, why don't you introduce me to your friend?" Her father's voice faltered slightly in curiosity and confusion.

Shepard glanced at Kaidan who wore a blank face, but she could see the amusement twinkling in his dark eyes as his met hers. She sighed and gestured toward Kaidan. "Major Kaidan Alenko, meet Dr. William B. Shepard." Her hand gestured to her father.

Kaidan extended his hand, "Pleasure to meet you, sir." Her dad looked at Kaidan's proffered hand and then his face crossing his over his chest. He studied Kaidan like he was a particularly interesting growth he had discovered in petri dish. Shepard groaned and covered her eyes with her hand.

"Dad, don't." She growled. Her father raised an eyebrow at her tone. Kaidan retracted his hand and sat straighter in his chair.

"So, you're the second human Spectre?" William asked still eying Kaidan up.

Kaidan nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Polite, handsome, Alliance officer, Spectre and a biotic too." Kaidan narrowed his eyes at the assessment.

"How did…?"

Her father tapped the back of his neck. "Your amp, lad. I caught a glance of it as you walked by."

"Dad," Shepard growled again shooting him a withering glance. "Behave." She commanded.

William shot her his own look and rolled his eyes. "Vai, your being defensive over my simple observations…"

Shepard sat back abruptly and stared at him. "Don't," She pressed a button on the datapad ordering a shot of whiskey. Kaidan furrowed his brow at her choice. But didn't say anything.

"What? You don't want me jumping to the conclusion that you two are sleeping together?" Kaidan's eyes widened slightly but he kept his gaze directed toward Shepard who remained surprisingly still.

"No, it's not that! I don't want you analyzing him." Shepard spoke in a low dangerous voice. "Leave it at that."

William looked at his daughter and then blinked slowly as if he wasn't certain how to respond. Then his eyes narrowed and his gaze swung to Kaidan who returned his stare without flinching. A smile tugged at the corners of Shepard's mouth.

"So, lad, you in love with my daughter? Or you really just after the prestige of being attached to Vai's name?" Shepard groaned crossed her arms leaning back in her chair.

"Really?" she mumbled looking around. "Where is my drink?"

Kaidan raised an eyebrow and smiled. "You want the truth or some fancy regulation denial on both accounts, because I can give you both. Though I don't think you'll like either answer."

William blew out a breath and considered Kaidan for a moment more. "Gutsy, I'll give you that, well, guess you have to be with being a Spectre and all. Why don't you tell me about yourself. We'll start there and I'll form my own opinion."

Kaidan nodded and leaned forward placing his elbows on the table. "There's a lot to tell, where would you like to start?"

"Kaidan…" Shepard muttered rolling her eyes in much the same fashion her father had done just minutes before. Surprisingly enough Kaidan noticed they had the same color of eyes.

"How did you and Vai meet?" William dead panned his voice neutral.

"On board the Normandy. "

"You were her subordinate?"

Kaidan nodded. "Yes."

This is turning into an interrogation. Shepard thought darkly bristling at her father's seemingly innocence curious nature. She knew what was really going on. And yes, it might as well have been an interrogation.

"You're a biotic?"

"Yes,"

"What configuration of implant?"

Kaidan didn't even flinch. "L2."

"Fascinating." Her father's awed voice rang in her ears. A waitress came over to the table with their drinks. Shepard sipped tentatively at her drink to keep herself from downing it in one sitting and ordering another. She continued to watch the exchange between Kaidan and her father. Neither of which noticed their drinks. A duel of wills was taking place she was certain of it. She had tried to warn Kaidan, but he hadn't seemed to notice or care. She had even tried to stop her father from doing this ridiculous examination of Kaidan, but he would until he was satisfied with the results. Her best bet was to just drink and sit back and watch. There would be no stopping him now that he had started. She could thank her father for her stubborn streak as her mother reminded her constantly.

"Side effects?"

"Huh…headaches mostly. Sensitivity to light and loud noises."

"That's it?"

"Yeah, I don't think I would have been able to join the Alliance otherwise." Kaidan replied. William snorted.

"You'd be surprised who they let in." Kaidan didn't bat an eyelash at her father's verbal jab of the Alliance. Even though he waited a few seconds to see if Kaidan would, "Family?" he continued.

Kaidan's expression darkened briefly and he looked away. "I'm an only child." He stated. Shepard wanted to reach out and place a comforting hand on his shoulder. He was thinking about his own father missing back on Earth. Presumed dead. Her father had to notice something was wrong, nothing escaped his notice.

"You and your parents get along?"

"Yeah, for the most part."

"Most part? Curious."

Kaidan sighed and sat back. "My parents are back on Earth." He stated with a hint of bitterness edging his voice.

"On Earth…" William mused for a moment and then closed his eyes. "Sorry, lad, I didn't realize. Must be tough being out here knowing…" Her father left the thought unfinished. He shook his head. "Just know that my sympathies are with you." He cocked his head. "When did you join the Alliance?"

Kaidan's eyes narrowed and Shepard took another sip of her whiskey. "Almost thirteen years ago."

"Career man. Any plans for afterwards?" Now William sat back and sipped from his drink. Shepard's brow wrinkled in confusion. Strange, he's never relaxed that quickly before.

Kaidan canted his head to the side and regarded her father with interest and puzzlement. "You mean after we defeat the Reapers, because I can't see pass that."

"The Reapers…you aren't certain we can beat them?" Her father took another sip.

Kaidan glanced at Shepard who pointedly looked away from their table uncomfortable with this new side to her father. "I believe Shepard can do it." Kaidan stated with conviction.

"You have a lot of faith placed in my daughter."

Kaidan nodded. "I do. The galaxy has placed it all on her shoulders. But I'm stupid nor crazy, I know Shepard can't do this alone. And she won't have too."

"You'll be there?"

"Me and the rest of the Normandy crew. We'll support her no matter what." Shepard met Kaidan's eyes then. His eyes softened as he looked at her and a small smile appeared on his lips. "You asked if I loved your daughter. Truth is I more than love her. I respect her. She's one of the most courageous people I know." Kaidan shrugged. "I have faith in her."

Shepard blinked at his statement and so too did her father. He watched Kaidan like a hawk for a minute more then he chuckled. "Gutsy and smart. This one has potential, Vai."

Kaidan raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest. "Did I just pass some type of test?"

Shepard sighed and drained the rest of her shot as her father laughed. "Well, lad, that remains to be seen. But I would say you've earned my approval. Even if I don't agreed with the Alliance end of it, that's never stopped Vai before. She joined her mother in service before I knew it. Now both my girls, fly through space on giant metal death traps." He sighed again. "I even thought I'd lost Vai." He turned to Shepard then and in a very stern voice said. "Your mother told me you had been killed in action. We had a service for you and everything. And then two years later she tells that you're not dead!" He shook his head. "I try to contact you, but by then you were in Alliance custody and up for court-marshal." He drained his shot as well. "You're lucky I don't hug you in front of everyone here."

"Dad, I'm sorry," Shepard twisted her empty glass in her hands.

William waved and shook his head. "Don't need to hear it your mother filled me in on most of it. Look, Vai, I just wanted to see you again. In case, despite popular belief this war goes south. I wanted to meet him." He nodded toward Kaidan.

"Mom said something to you." Her father nodded.

"She didn't have any particulars, but she told me that you might be involved." His eyes flickered over to Kaidan. "I wanted to see and hear it for myself." He raised his hand up to stop whatever retort she had been about to make. "I don't care for the Alliance you know that, your mother knows that we avoid every time we meet or talk. And I'm not getting into the politics right now. I just wanted to see you. And I was hoping to meet you, lad, as well." His eyes glistened suddenly. "There isn't much I can do about this war, but I've been helping the refugees that come in here. I've also been volunteering time at some the local hospitals and medical clinics. It's all I can do, Vai. I'm not a soldier. I might have the training from basic, but I've never had to use it. I'm a doctor. My job is to help people, not hurt them."

"Dad, I…" He waved a hand again.

"No, you made your choice…I'll live with it." He smiled then. "This war might take you away from us again. I don't want there to be harsh words. So truce, for now?" He held out his hand to her.

Shepard stared at it for a moment and sighed. "Alright," she shook it and he pulled her in for a brief shoulder hug. She didn't know what to do. Her father wasn't the normal touchy-feely type. He was more stoic and calculated than this. "Mom must have really talked to you." Shepard commented as she pulled away from him.

He shook his head. "She did. But you dying, Vai, or not dying, whatever it was is what really hit me. I looked back on the conversations we had and I could only cringed. We had fought the last time we spoke. I regretted it." A crestfallen look crossed his face. "So I don't want to fight. I just want to know about you. What have you been up to?"

Shepard sighed and looked at her which were now folded together on the table in front of her. She pushed the button on her datapad to order something to eat and another drink this could end up taking a while she had a feeling. She glanced at Kaidan who smiled up at her from his own datapad.

"Where would you like me to begin?" She echoed Kaidan's words from earlier.

William waved a dismissive hand. "I don't care, Vai, anywhere you like." He pointed a finger at Kaidan. "And feel free to add to the conversation, lad. I might have given my approval, but that doesn't mean that I like you yet."

Shepard sighed and looked back down at her datapad. At least some things never change.