He ran through the ship, running past frantic marines and staff. He already had his suit on, holding his helmet tightly as he bolted through the ship, looking for Kacey. He hoped with all he had that she wasn't hurt. He could see the ship falling apart; flames spilling up into the Crew Deck, the smoke suffocating him as he pushed through. He nearly tripped over as the Normandy was hit again from the right-hand side. The sirens screeched throughout the vessel, only adding to the chaos.

Everything was so calm a few minutes ago—what could've possibly occurred in those few minutes that caused all this? His mind was racing, he had to find Kacey. He had to.

He kept on running.

The ship shook violently again. The haunting screams of dying marines echoed throughout the ship. He could see Kacey at the end of a long catwalk, through the flames, typing on some sort of screen.

"Shepard!" He shouted as Kacey put her helmet on.

"Distress beacon is ready for launch." She said calmly.

"Will the Alliance get here in time?" Kaidan asked, putting his own helmet on.

Before Kacey could reply, the ship shook again. Kaidan tumbled into Kacey's arms as she kept him steady. The screen behind her turned to static.

"The Alliance won't abandon us!" Kacey said as she let go of Kaidan and grabbed the fire extinguisher, "We just need to hold on!"

She sounded worried. He could tell. Kacey threw the canister at Kaidan as her focus moved elsewhere.

"Get everyone onto the escape shuttles!" She ordered.

"Joker's still in the cockpit!" Kaidan shouted as the ship shook once more. He had started to use the canister on the fire, but it did little to put out the flames, "He won't abandon ship. I'm not leaving either!"

He was defiant. He couldn't leave her in this mess on her own. He couldn't leave her behind.

"There's no time to argue!" Kacey said as a volatile wire dropped down, sparking, "I need you to get the crew onto the evac shuttles."

She grabbed his arm and caught his attention, "I'll take care of Joker."

She started to walk away but was thrown off balance by the ship shaking much more violently.

"Commander! Kacey!" He shouted.

Kacey regained her balance and reached the corner, "Kaidan go!"

She looked at him one last time, "Now!"

"Aye, aye." He said.

He ran off and started ushering the last of the crew into the shuttles.

"Everybody in! Go, go, go!" he said. Once the last member went in, he himself entered. And he hoped Kacey was okay.

…

He had been waiting who knows how long. The shuttles had landed on the nearest habitable planet from their location, which was still in Terminus Space. He was thankful, at least in part, to the few members of the crew that brought guns and thermal clips with them. Who knows what would happen while they waited for the Alliance.

Kaidan had done a brief headcount as the crew started to organise shelter and whatever emergency rations they had in the shuttles; he counted that at least twenty people were still missing not including Joker and Kacey, both of whom still hadn't shown up yet. Garrus, Tali, Liara and Wrex had made it out as well. Kaidan knew he owed them a lot for getting several of the surviving members of the crew into the shuttles. Wrex was patrolling the perimeter of their small encampment while Liara helped Doctor Chakwas attend to the injured. Tali helped with organising the rations while Garrus floated about, doing what he could. Kaidan tried to get the emergency comms on his omni-tool to work.

"Still no sign of Shepard and Joker?" Garrus asked Kaidan.

Kaidan turned to face the turian, "No. And no communications either."

"They'll be okay." Garrus replied, "They're both made of stronger stuff. They'll make it."

"I hope you're right, Garrus." Kaidan said.

By the time evening came around, however, neither of them had appeared. Most of the crew were resting and Kaidan started to fear the worst.

"I think that's them!" Liara shouted.

Kaidan looked up to see one of the shuttles land not too far from the camp. Leaving Dr Chakwas in charge of the rest, Kaidan ran off to investigate. Garrus, Liara, Tali and Wrex followed the biotic as they reached the shuttle. It opened and Joker hopped out, crestfallen.

"Joker! We're glad to see you!" Tali said, "But…where's Commander Shepard?"

Kaidan already knew. He knew once he saw that only Joker was in the shuttle. His heart sank.

Garrus had clearly noticed his change in mood, "She could've taken another shuttle, right?"

"Why would she?" Wrex said, "It's not like that one is full."

"I was trying to be optimistic."

"Well, you failed. Miserably."

"Joker, where is the Commander?" Liara asked.

Kaidan watched as Joker limped towards him, sorrowfully, "Kaidan, I'm so sorry…"

Joker saying that, made it real. He stormed off, he couldn't face it. He didn't want to believe it. Commander Kacey Shepard—dead? No, it couldn't be. As he walked off, he could hear the rest talking.

"Joker?" Liara said.

"She's dead." Joker said, mournfully, "Commander Shepard is dead."

…

Kaidan gasped, his heart racing. He awoke from his very real nightmare to find himself in the Captain's Cabin of the Normandy. He saw Kacey, still asleep in his arms, in nothing but her lingerie, sleeping soundly. He took a deep breath; everything was fine now. She was here, right next to him, not floating through space as a corpse. She was okay. Everything was okay.

He lied his head back onto the pillow, trying to recollect his thoughts. He had that same nightmare for over two years now. It kept repeating, over and over. It had stopped recently during his stay at the hospital and since he returned to the Normandy. But it seems that his return to the ship hadn't stopped them entirely.

He wondered if he could've been able to prevent Kacey's death had he been more adamant about staying. Other times, he assumed he would've died in her place. Neither of which seemed appealing. That day…it haunted him. It was when everything had gone wrong for them.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of…whimpering? He looked over towards Kacey to see her shaking, muttering incoherently and quietly; Kaidan could barely make out what she was saying. He sat up and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Kacey?" he said as he shook her gently, "Kacey? Kacey, wake up."

Kacey's eyes snapped open as she gasped. She coughed and Kaidan rubbed her back until she was done.

"Are you okay?" He asked. It was a stupid question.

"Yeah, kinda." Kacey replied, "Just a bad dream, that's all."

Bad dream? It felt like an understatement.

"How long have you been having bad dreams?" Kaidan asked, "Cause it sounds like you've had bad dreams before."

"A while." Kacey replied, "It's nothing serious though, so don't worry."

"Are you sure?" Kaidan persisted, "You seemed upset by it before I woke you up. You were even whimpering—"

"Whimpering?" Kacey said in disbelief, "I don't whimper."

"You were not even two minutes ago." Kaidan replied, "You can tell me these things."

"I know." Kacey said, sitting up straight, "I just—I don't know—I don't really know how to talk about these things."

"Hey, just take your time." Kaidan said, "There's no rush."

"Thanks." Kacey said solemnly, "I…I been having some difficulty sleeping lately. Those dreams…they're the reason."

"You sure?" Kaidan asked.

"Must be." Kacey replied, "I can't think of anything else that could've caused them."

"Are they…bad? Like really distressing?" Kaidan asked tentatively.

"I'm…not sure? They're a bit…unnerving. Creepy and unsettling. I can't really describe it."

"It's fine." Kaidan replied.

The pair were interrupted by the beeping of Kacey's terminal. Kacey stood and walked over, with Kaidan observing her beautiful figure. She quickly typed away before sighing.

"We're nearly at Eden Prime." Kacey sighed, "And Hackett wants a word as well."

"Well, it was fun while it lasted." Kaidan said, slyly, "Though this bed is really comfy—well, comfier than the bunks down on the Crew Deck."

"You just want to lie there all day, don't you?" Kacey laughed, "And besides, who said you had to stay here one night?"

"Pretty sure that's against the rules.

"My ship, my rules." Kacey replied, "Plus we're both Council Spectres, we can do whatever we want so long as we save the galaxy."

"I can't believe you said that with a straight face." Kaidan laughed, "We're saving the galaxy by sleeping together."

"It sounds ridiculous when you say it like that." Kacey laughed.

"Maybe." Kaidan said, standing up and walking over to Kacey, "But if that's what will save the galaxy, then I suppose I will have to take you up on that offer, Commander."

"Mmm hmm, are you this flirty with all your superior officers, Alenko?"

"Only the ones I like," Kaidan replied, "Can't say I liked all of them."

"Oh? So, just me?"

"Yeah, you're pretty special Kacey."

Kaidan leaned in and kissed Kacey passionately. Kacey returned the sentiment as Kaidan traced her hips with his fingers. She had her hands pressed against his chest. The kiss lasted several minutes before Kacey pulled away, blushing.

"I have to report to the admiral," Kacey said, "before we end up in trouble."

"I'm sure he'd understand if you're a few minutes late." Kaidan replied, clasping her hand.

"Maybe, although I've been dishonourably discharged once, rather not get us both kicked out."

"Fair enough." Kaidan replied, "To be continued?"

"Absolutely." Kacey smirked as she threw Kaidan's trousers over to him, "Come on, get dressed."

"Aye, aye" Kaidan said, causing them both to laugh.

…

Kacey and Kaidan scrambled to the elevator, laughing the whole way. They spent the short ride in the elevator trying to calm themselves down. Once they arrived on the CIC, Kacey made her way to the War Room, but not before telling Kaidan they could chat after the mission. Kaidan remained on the elevator, deciding to go to the Mess Hall for breakfast.

Once he arrived, he found the Mess Hall empty. It seemed that everyone was still asleep or elsewhere. Good. He wasn't interested in explaining where he had been for the past several hours. He quickly whipped up some breakfast and sat himself down at one of the tables. He ate there quietly for some time before Garrus arrived.

"I see you have reappeared." Garrus snickered, "Have fun last night?"

Kaidan nearly choked, "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean." Garrus said as he made up his plate, "I know you both well enough to know something's going on between you two."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, and I'm happy for you both." Garrus replied, "At the very least you can both stop making the crew uneasy. But, why the secrecy?"

"Kacey thinks Joker and EDI are spying on the cameras."

"I wouldn't be surprised." Garrus said, sitting down in front of Kaidan, "I'm pretty sure there's a betting pool on whether or not you and Kacey were going to get together."

"A betting pool? Why?"

"No idea. Ask James."

"I will. Don't worry." Kaidan said, "Garrus…can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"What happened with you and Kacey after Horizon?" Kaidan asked.

"You mean after you and Kacey had your argument?" Garrus said to which Kaidan nodded, "Well, it wasn't exactly pleasant…"

…

"Garrus, just the guy I wanted to see!" Joker said as Garrus approached, "What the hell happened down there?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well," Joker looked about cautiously, "The Commander doesn't look happy. Plus, she kinda snapped at Chambers."

"Chambers?" Garrus looked down the CIC towards the human, "Why?"

"Dunno, she just said the Illusive Man wanted to—ohhhh. That explains it." Joker said, "The Illusive Man wants to talk to Shepard. That might be why. Now your turn, what happened?"

"Kaidan was down there." Garrus explained, "He…wasn't exactly thrilled to see Shepard."

"Funny, I thought he would've been."

"He was for a couple of seconds. Then he got angry, Shepard got defensive, and they both had a fight."

"That explains the Commander's mood." Joker mused, "I've never seen her so worked up before. And Kaidan…well I kinda figured he be a bit pissed."

"Still, it isn't entirely Shepard's fault."

"I know but," Joker mused, "Hey, do you mind talking to Shepard? So she doesn't bite anyone else's head off?"

"You mean yours?"

"Same thing!"

"Fine, fine. Where is she?"

"The first deck." EDI chimed in, "She is currently in her quarters."

…

Garrus knocked twice on the door. He knew it wasn't like Shepard to snap at people like that. For as long as he knew her, she was always a calming and level-headed presence. He knew it had something to do with Horizon.

"Who is it?" Kacey's voice came from behind the door.

"Garrus." The turian replied.

"Come in."

Garrus entered and found Kacey lying on her bed, staring at the skylight. Garrus made his way to the small seating area and sat down.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

"Don't know." Kacey sighed, "I just…don't know."

"It's not your fault." Garrus said, "You couldn't have known that this was going to happen."

"I know but," Kacey sat up, "It still feels like my fault. I should've tried to contact him. I should've tried harder to escape Cerberus."

"You were dead. You had no idea that Cerberus were going to revive you." Garrus replied, "You can't keep blaming yourself."

"Yeah?" Kacey scoffed, "I don't think everyone sees it that way."

"Look," Garrus said, "Kaidan shouldn't have snapped at you like that. He should've at least let you explain what happened."

"I don't blame him for being angry with me though." Kacey sighed, "I don't even hate him for it. Hell, I would've been pissed off in his shoes, but…it still hurts though."

"Maybe he should've blamed me instead of lashing out at you."

Garrus turned as he saw Joker enter the room. Kacey had sat up, crossed legged on the bed, looking up at Joker as he made his way towards her.

"It's my fault, okay?" Joker continued, "It's my fault that Kaidan lashed out at you, and you died."

"You didn't cause my death." Kacey replied.

"I did. If I had just went to the evac shuttles instead of trying to save the ship…maybe, you wouldn't of…"

"You didn't destroy the ship." Kacey said.

"It's the Collectors fault." Garrus added, "And if you want to get technical, the Reapers are to blame."

"Hah, blame the Reapers?" Joker laughed, "Yeah like we need another reason to kick their ass."

Garrus laughed lightly and saw the faintest smile on Kacey's face. Her thoughts were clearly elsewhere. He thought back to the events of a few hours ago and decided to change the subject.

"Shepard?"

"What's wrong Garrus?"

"When we were down there," Garrus said, "Kaidan called you 'Kacey'…"

"Oh that." Kacey replied surprised, "That's my name. My first name."

"Wait, your full name is Kacey Shepard?" Joker said.

"Yeah, like how yours is Jeff Moreau." Kacey replied.

"Well, I didn't expect that." Garrus interjected.

"Yeah, well a lot of people only know me as Commander Shepard. My first name never really comes up."

"I've known you for a long time and I didn't know." Joker said, "I'm offended by that."

"You never asked."

"I didn't think I had to."

"Well, this conversation took a completely different turn." Garrus laughed.

"Don't laugh!" Kacey said while laughing herself, "I thought we were bonding!"

All three of them laughed. Garrus was at least happy that Kacey's mood had improved.

"Do you feel a bit better?" he asked.

"A bit." Kacey replied, "I should really apologise to Chambers."

"Yeah, although I think she would understand that you don't want to talk to the Illusive Man." Joker said, "He's a dick."

"Yep." Kacey sighed, "But as crazy as all this is, I'm happy you're both here."

"Amen to that." Joker said.

"Yeah, I've always wanted to go on a suicide mission with my best friend and her wise-cracking pilot." Garrus laughed.

…

Garrus finished it there. Kaidan tried to process what the turian had said.

"You know," Garrus spoke up after a few minutes of silence, "I didn't entirely disagree with you back on Horizon. You were right in the end."

"But I seemed to have missed the bigger picture." Kaidan replied, "You all saved the galaxy again while I sat on the sidelines."

"It was probably for the best." Garrus explained, "What we saw there…it wasn't pleasant."

"Why's that?"

"I'm afraid to say that's spoilers." Garrus smirked, "I'll let Kacey fill you in."

"Speaking of the Commander," Kaidan said, "I know why Kacey is tired."

"Did you? What's going on?"

"Nightmares." Kaidan simply replied, "She didn't go into detail but—its clearly causing a problem."

"I wonder what the dreams are about." Garrus mused.

"Same here." Kaidan replied.

…

"So what's the plan?" Kaidan asked.

"Hackett's concerned about the prothean artefact that Cerberus has found." Kacey explained, "Eden Prime isn't near the frontlines and Hackett reckons that the artefact may have something to do with the Crucible."

"Okay but that doesn't explain why there's five of us." James said.

Kaidan was wondering the same thing. He was asked to head down to the shuttle bay with Garrus, only for Liara and James to arrive shortly after. Kacey had explained that it wasn't a mistake and that all four of them were supposed to be there.

"I've brought the four of you not only because we need to get that artefact away from Cerberus," Kacey explained, "But it is also possible that Cerberus have put plenty of their elite troops on the colony to guard it."

"So we should expect lots of phantoms and nemesis troops then?" Garrus said.

"Alongside the normal cannon fodder?" James added.

"Yeah basically." Kacey replied, "Plus, Liara is our prothean expert, so she was coming regardless."

"I wasn't going to miss the discovery of a lifetime." Liara replied.

"Okay, so do we have any idea what this thing actually is?" Kaidan asked.

"Not really." Kacey replied, "All we know is that its prothean and Cerberus wants it. That's good enough for me."

"Yeah, sounds about right." Kaidan replied.