So the little plot bunnies have started turning again with this collection of stories. This all stems from a comment that Wrex makes to Kaidan during ME1. He ask Kaidan if Kaidan and Shepard were to fight who would win? Kaidan's reply is, 'I don't know, I haven't honestly thought about it.' Wrex's response, (paraphasing here), Shepard would because she has at least thought about it. I started thinking about and after everything that's happened with Shepard and Kaidan at this point. I could see the gears working in Shepard's head. I think she would be slightly insulted that Kaidan doesn't want to spar with her. And it has nothing to do with inequality and everything to do with the idea: That Kaidan was able to hold a gun on her, willing to shoot her even, and if she hadn't convinced him...she would have been forced to shoot him. I think she wants to prove to herself and maybe a little him that it would have been a difficult decision to make. I don't know I'm still trying to sort through the motivation, but it makes sense to me. Enjoy and happy reading! Thanks for the reviews, alerts, and favorites!

PE

The Best Day Ever

Garrus watched Shepard as she sat at the Mess Hall table surrounded by stacks of reports and a large mug of coffee. She wasn't in a good mood that much was clear from the way her brow was furrowed and her eyes narrowed slightly every time she read a new report. He was amazed by the way he was picking up on human facial expressions learning even the most subtle of twitches around their eyes could have a hidden depth or meaning to their overall mood.

Saying Shepard was stressed seemed pointless. It was starting to become obviously visible. The dark circles under her eyes, her short snappy remarks, barked orders, even when they had been sparring she didn't hold back her punches and kicks, they were dangerous and accurate. Vega was still nursing a bruised rib or two from their latest match. Garrus had been lucky. Shepard had been called to the War Room shortly before their bout was to begin. His luck she would have ripped off one of his mandibles and tossed it across the room with a snarl and growl. He now understood why Kaidan declined joining in their sparring matches. Though that was a match many would love to see, himself included Kaidan was never going to add to Shepard's worries or habits in that regard.

Garrus' plan for the day was avoid Shepard at all cost, yet he hadn't realized she was going to set up shop literally on his doorstep. He had been planning on visiting Tali he wanted to talk to the quarian see how she was adjusting, maybe ask her to dinner once they reached the Citadel. Of course it would be only to have her politely decline or tell him that she had work to do. Maybe one day she would get the hint, maybe that day would be today. Either way he was enjoying Tali's company and it was good to have her around again.

But now…His mandibles flared in irritation. He wasn't upset with Shepard and he understood she was under more stress than any being should have to be under, but that didn't mean that he wanted her to spoil his good mood. Maybe there was some way he could sneak but her without her noticing. She did seem pretty absorbed in her reports. Maybe…

What he needed was a good distraction…something that would take her mind away from what was irritating her about those reports. His mandibles flared again as he lit upon an idea. He stepped slowly back into the Main Battery, letting the doors slip shut.

Pulling up his omni-tool he sent a brief message to Tali:

"I was on my way down to see you, went confronted with a very flustered Shepard. Any ideas?" He hit 'send' and waited as patiently as his nerves would let him. He had noticed that he was drawn to Tali more and more lately. Something about the way she was maturing into a confident and worldly person was very alluring and attractive. His omni-tool beeped. And Tali's filtered voice echoed softly throughout the room.

"Keehla, don't even try to approach her. Shepard is more irritable than a varren in heat. Liara was just telling me that she snapped at her for asking her a question about how the Crucible was coming along. Ideas, just stay in the Main Battery until she leaves."

"There has to be something more feasible than that. Maybe, Kaidan could help?" Garrus asked hope blossoming in his voice.

"I wouldn't count on that."

"Why?"

"Because he's working with Adams trying to help out with a small electrical problem down here in engineering. I think he is also avoiding Shepard." Tali sounded worried. And this was not good. If Kaidan was avoiding Shepard then something was very, very wrong.

"Then it's more than just reports giving her a bad mood?" Garrus gleamed.

"Yes, but Kaidan won't say what. He's keeping his mouth shut!" Tali's voice picked up in volume on the last sentence which made the turian think that Major Alenko was standing close enough to hear her.

"This can't be good." Garrus mumbled his mandibles flaring in worry.

"Look, I didn't do anything wrong. You can all stop staring at me like a just bioticly kicked a puppy! We haven't fought, argued and we aren't having a lover's spat or quarrel. Shepard's stressed, she's worried. That's all." Kaidan's voice resonated across Garrus' omni-tool.

"He sounds really defensive for someone who hasn't pissed off the Commander." Garrus retorted chuckling.

He heard Kaidan sigh. "Look, once again I haven't done anything. She's wants to be left alone that's it."

"Then way is she sitting in the Mess Hall writing and reading reports?" Tali asked him.

"She's what?" Kaidan sounded genuinely confused. "She told me that she was going to stay in her cabin most of the day."

"That's not the case." Garrus chimed. "I'm trapped at the main gun, while it sounds like you all are having a party down in Engineering."

"Well, it wouldn't be a party without you, Garrus." Tali adventured and Garrus found himself genuinely happy and confused at the same moment.

"I'm coming up to talk to her." Kaidan said. And his sigh was audible across Garrus' omni-tool.

"Kaidan, hold on a moment." Garrus intoned.

"What is it, Garrus?" Kaidan sounded miffed…well, at least not looking forward to speaking with Shepard. But the turian did have to admire his bravery.

"What would you like me to say at your funeral?" Tali's laugh carried across the omni-tool as did Garrus' chuckle. He could even heard Gabby and Donnely snickering in the background.

"She isn't that bad." Kaidan replied though he sounded like he was trying to convince himself of the truth of it.

Garrus' mandibles flared in amusement. Teasing Kaidan was pretty fun, almost as fun as one uping James. "Ah, come on, Kaidan, we all know the Commander shoots first and ask questions later type, at least when she pissed. You are unfortunate causality in this war your sacrifice has been noted and know that you will be remembered. Save a seat for me at the bar."

Kaidan didn't respond. The others chuckled and Garrus chatted with Tali a bit longer. The talk about everything, there wasn't a subject that they didn't seem to idly speak about. After what seemed like forever, Kaidan entered the main gun room. He looked pale. He leaned against the work bench station Garrus had set up for himself.

"Uh, Tali, I have to go. We'll speak again shortly." He disconnected from their call and turned to face Kaidan.

"So, you're not dead I see."

Kaidan shook his head. "Nope,"

"Then why do you…what's the human phrase…seen a specter?"

"Ghost?"

"Yeah,"

"Because I think Shepard just challenged me to a sparring match."

Garrus felt his eyes go wide and his mandibles flared. "Uh, and what did you say?"

"I think I accepted."

"Oh."

"Yeah." Kaidan rubbed the back of his neck.

"Well, you could always back out of it." Garrus volunteered.

Kaidan shook his head. "No, apparently that's what's been bothering her."

"What? She wants to fight you?"

Kaidan sighed and dropped his hand looking down at it with a frown. "It's not the whole reason she stressed, but she seems to think that I…don't think I should fight her." Kaidan's brow wrinkled in thought. "Does that make any sense to you?"

Garrus shrugged. " I guess." He wasn't certain himself. "Maybe she just thinks that you don't want to fight her because you'll hurt her or vice versa."

"But I don't want to fight her. I don't want to think about fighting her. Having my gun drawn on her was enough. I never want to experience that again." Kaidan snapped his voice deepening with anger.

"Look, you probably should talk to Shepard about this first." Garrus stopped speaking Kaidan was already shaking his head.

"No, I tried to explain it. But she wasn't listening. It's one of the few times she wasn't listening to me." He sighed and shoved his hands into his pants pockets. "The fights in a couple hours. You might want to tell James. I know he'll want to see it."

"No offense, but I can't think of a person on this ship that doesn't want to see you two fight. Not to mention place a bet on who will win. The first two human Spectres duking it out. Will be quite a match." Garrus replied turning to the main gun's computer. He had quite a bit of calibrating to do if he was going to watch the match.

Kaidan sighed again and walked out. Garrus' mandibles flared again in what was the closest thing to a human smile. This is going to be the best day ever. He thought humming with excitement.