Author's Note: Sorry it took so long for me to get this chapter up. It got pretty busy with the holiday this past weekend. Thank you to all those who left a comment, or sent a message letting me know what you think. I can't let you know how much I appreciate it. Please feel free to leave me a comment and let me know what you think. Enjoy. - TLC
Chapter Fifteen
Kaidan made it to the club faster than he thought he would, but he attributed that to the fact that he was quite distracted. His hand felt cool, like Shepard was still holding it. It had been an interesting sensation. It seemed as if the few times he had touched her hands, they had been cool but there was something intriguing about the way his biotics reacted to hers. It had been a long time since he had felt an attraction to a fellow biotic, truthfully, he avoided it. Still, he didn't remember this type of reaction to Rahna. Though, he was still a kid when he had known Rahna. He sighed, this line of thought was bound to give him a headache.
Luckily, the pounding beat and flashing lights distracted him when he entered the club and he went directly to the bar. He ordered a drink, simply asking for something that closely resembled whiskey. He hadn't had good whiskey since the last time he visited his parent's home on Earth. He sipped the beverage and found it to be deliciously smoky and it burned his throat pleasantly on the way down. He turned his back to the bar and scanned the crowd searching for familiar faces.
He spotted Joker with Garrus, Tali and Wrex at a table off to the side of the dance floor. Behind them, there was a table of Engineers from the Normandy. There was a group that worked linguistics in the back corner of the room, and a group of Presley's navigation staff were sitting near them. His eyes continued over the crowded club, and he noticed Ashley on the dance floor. She was alone and her body moved seductively with the music. He started moving towards Joker's table when he noticed they were looking towards Ashley and chuckling. As he walked, he looked over his shoulder and saw a scantily clad Asari making her way closer to Ashley. It was clear the Asari was interested, and it was even clearer that Ashley wasn't. She may have been willing to work with aliens, that didn't mean she wanted to dance with them.
Ashley's eyes met his, and she pleaded silently for his help. Kaidan set his drink on the table with Joker and the others, "You guys are assholes." The table laughed and Kaidan moved over to Ashley. He went up behind her, and met the Asari's eyes over her shoulder. Without looking away, he slid his arm possessively around her slender waist and pulled her flush against the front of him. He felt her sigh, and she slid her hand along his forearm and he turned them around so his back was to the Asari as they continued to move to the pounding beat of the music.
She was softer than he had thought she would have been after seeing her in full armor and handling the heavy rifles she preferred. She turned around and leaned over and kissed his cheek, his hands still on her hips and hers on his arms. "Thank you," She said with a grin. "Those pricks at the table are useless!"
"I just think they were enjoying the show," Kaidan replied and she rolled her eyes as the music changed, and they moved closer as they danced. Ashley was an attractive woman, there was no denying that. In another time, Kaidan may have taken advantage of this opportunity. This time, though, his mind drifted back to the elevator, and the look in Shepard's eyes before they parted ways. He was distracted, and the look on Ashley's face told him it wasn't lost on her.
"You know, Alenko," Ashley said, just loud enough for him to hear and bringing him back to their dance, "I have three sisters, and no brothers."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, so I've never danced with a brother, but I imagine this is exactly what it would feel like," She said, her eyes twinkled with amusement and he dropped his head as he laughed before pulling her in for a hug which she returned. He was surprised, pleasantly, at the friendship that had grown between Ashley and himself. She was able to read him in a way few people could. He was glad it wasn't muddled with sexual tension. Her company was easy and comfortable.
"Well, at least you know your virtue is safe with me," Kaidan spoke into her ear through his laughter and she pulled back letting her hands fall to his and they stopped dancing. She squeezed his hands and grinned up at him.
"Kaidan, I think any woman's virtue would be safe with you," Ashley teased back and he chuckled before leading her off the dance floor. At this point, as much as he hated to admit it, she was right. She glared at Joker as they reached the table, "Thanks for all your help, ass," She shot at the pilot as Kaidan pulled her chair out for her before he sat and lifted his own drink.
"What did you want me to do? Break my arm at her?" Joker defended himself, he had a point. By the time he would have gotten his crutches and gotten over to her it would have been too late to avoid the confrontation.
"So, Ash, three sisters?" Kaidan asked, changing the topic, as he took another drink. He enjoyed the warmth as it traveled down his throat and spread across his shoulders and chest.
"Is that who you get all the messages from?" Wrex asked. Everyone, at some point, had overheard Ashley's vids at the gun station. She liked to listen to her mail while she worked.
A lovely smile spread over her face, "Yeah, three sisters, no brothers-"
"Your poor father!" Joker interrupted, laughing.
Ashley smiled brightly, it was clear she cared about her family a great deal, "Yeah, with four girls dad used to say he felt more outnumbered at home than out on maneuvers." Joker asked where she fell in the lineup, "I'm the oldest, then Abby, then Lynn. Sarah's the youngest, she's still in high school. What about you L.T., you have any siblings?"
"No," Kaidan answered shaking his head, "I'm an only child, but I was close with some cousins growing up." That had changed after the biotics kicked in. Most people were afraid of him once it got out that he had the ability. One would think family would be able to see passed it. It took a long time for his extended family to feel comfortable around him again.
"You didn't miss out on much. Younger siblings are a pain in the ass," Joker answered, "I've got a little sister; she's 12. She was cute when she was younger, but damn now she just grates on my nerves!"
"Ah, you'll get past it," Garrus commented. "I've got a sister, too, I've been there. She'll grow up and settle down and you'll like her again. Remember, she'll be the only one on your side when it's time to gang up on your parents."
"Yeah, we'll see," Joker finished his drink, "but I'm not holding my breath."
"Don't take her for granted, Joker. I've always wanted a sister, but unfortunately, it wasn't allowed," Tali added quietly. Ashley's voice was surprised when she asked why. Kaidan was startled to learn the Quarians had to petition for the right to have children. It made sense though, population control would have to be monitored closely on the Flotilla. "Hopefully, someday, we'll have Rannoch back and we won't have to be worried about it." Tali commented, wistfully. Kaidan wanted to hope it would be a possibility, but Rannoch was occupied by the geth and had been for the last 300 years. It would take a massive attack, or a full on war, to take back the homeworld; like Tali said, though, hopefully someday.
The night melted away with drinks and laughter. Kaidan found he was truly enjoying himself. They spoke of family; Kaidan's parents in Vancouver, Joker's father and sister on the colony Tiptree, Ashley's father had passed away, but not before saluting the daughter that had outranked him. Garrus's father didn't approve of his leaving C-Sec, but his sister backed him. Wrex's history with his family was strained to say the least, having killed his own father, and they were all shocked to learn that Tali was the daughter of an Admiral within the Fleet. This only made the Fleet's expectation of her and her Pilgrimage that much greater. As the night wound down, Kaidan was glad they had the opportunity for this. For a crew to work well together, it was good to know what motivated them; to know what they were fighting for. The fact that they could relate to each other across species lines over something as basic as family was unexpected, yet refreshing to Kaidan.
Wrex had gone to the bar when he saw a familiar face. Tali and Garrus had gone back to the ship already; the bar had run out of dextro alcohol. This left Kaidan with Joker and Ashley at the table. Kaidan had paid the tab, and they were finishing up the last round when Joker turned to Ashley. His voice had a fun slur to it and Kaidan grinned. "So, Ashley, if your sisters are anything like you I bet they get into a lot of trouble back home. I think I know where I'm going to take my next leave," Joker teased, and she declared he wouldn't have a chance with any of them. "I couldn't even get a pity date? Someone to show the cripple around town?"
"You wouldn't even register on their radar," She added, as she toyed with her straw.
"Alright, not their radar? But maybe… nevermind," He said, and Kaidan watched as Ashley blushed and Joker finished his drink. "Man, it got late fast," Joker commented changing the subject and checking his 'tool. Kaidan chuckled and knocked back the rest of his drink. He stood, and pulled out Ashley's chair for her. She smiled up at him and he fetched Joker's crutches from behind the bar.
Joker struggled when he stood, his leg brace had come loose during the night. Kaidan had offered to help, but Joker cursed at him, insisting he didn't it. So, Ashley and Kaidan were standing off to the side waiting for Joker to make the necessary adjustment. "He doesn't like needing help," Ashley commented absently. "He's afraid he'll be seen as a burden. I told him, there is no one who can handle the Normandy better than he can. She dances when he's at the helm, still, he's so damn stubborn," She turned her attention away from Joker, and Kaidan bumped his hip into hers. She looked up at his smirking face and rolled her eyes with a simple chuckle. "Yeah, I know, you don't have to say anything, Alenko," she answered simply and he laughed.
"Alright, let's get out of here," Joker declared as he made his way over to them. Their walk back to the ship was slow going. Between the pace they needed to keep for Joker, and the fun buzz they were experiencing they let themselves take their time. They had a few hours left before they shipped out again, just enough time to sleep it off.
As they made their way through the station, Kaidan's thoughts slipped back to Shepard and he dug his hands deep into his pockets. He knew he didn't have to worry about her. She had already survived a lot, but the desperation she had emitted was unnerving. He just hoped she was getting whatever it was that she needed from Anderson. He felt the growl of irrational jealousy deep in his core, and sighed. Kaidan let himself fall behind Ashley and Joker, to give them the illusion of privacy. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but he could hear that Joker was making her laugh. When she laughed, Joker would look at her and watch the way the grin would spread across her face and she would laugh, unafraid of who would hear. Her eyes twinkling mischievously. Kaidan liked the way Joker looked at her. He suddenly felt like he was a chaperone at his little sister's school dance.
They reached the elevator at C-Sec academy that would take them down to the docking bay and the three of them piled in. Once they reached the bay, they moved quickly and quietly to the airlock, the soft buzzing in their ears from the club's music was a pleasant reminder of the fun they had. They entered and started the decontamination process. Ashley placed her hand over Joker's on his crutch as she leaned over to take off her shoes. It was brief, but Kaidan noticed Joker stood a little taller at the contact. She wasn't afraid to touch him; she wasn't afraid she would break him. Once the decontamination was complete, they went down to the crew deck together.
They said goodnight at the mess as they went their separate ways. Kaidan logged into his terminal to check his messages. He deleted a few that weren't worth his time. He opened the one from his mother and read it as he removed his coat. She was hoping he would be able to stop home soon. She is always hoping he will be able to stop home. She had written about the Orchard, and how the crops had been. She told him his father was well. She ended the message by informing him she had someone she wanted to introduce him to. She had to know the prospect of a set-up was enough to keep him away. He sighed, and replied without giving her an answer to the request for a visit, and told her he loved her and he was safe.
He made his way to the showers, knowing it would help him sleep. Afterwards, he drank a large glass of water before climbing into his sleeper pod. He turned off the small light, and closed his eyes. Unbidden, thoughts of Shepard came to the forefront again. He saw her standing before him, outside the elevator. She was looking up at him, and she seemed so fragile. He remembered the way his name had sounded when she spoke it. It was his new favorite sound. Thankfully, he drifted off quickly while trying not to think about Shepard.
Author's Note: If you haven't already, and are curious about when you should, now would be the time to read my one shot titled, Yes, We Do. In it, On their way back to the Normandy, after a night at Flux, Ashley and Joker have an intriguing conversation. - I'd love to hear what you think! - TLC