Author's Note: Wow! Let me start by thanking everyone who commented on the last chapter: RBurger, Vorcha Girl, gogogeisha, spacecats, PillarsofNormandy, Elissa Theirin, Jules Hawk, energeticjen, and the guests. I am so happy you liked the chapter as much as I loved writing it.
To the guest who asked about Alex's age: Yes, he is 82. Kaidan mentions in the games that his father retired before first contact. I did a little math and for the purposes of my story, Alex is 82 and Kaidan's mom, Lisa, is 74. It was mentioned that the average life span for humans at this point is 150, so I figured even though they are 82 and 74, that doesn't mean the same to us as it does to them.
All that being said, enjoy! - TLC
Chapter Thirty-Four
Kaidan woke early the next morning, well before Shepard's alarm was set to go off. The sun was just rising. She was pressed up against his side and tucked under his arm. Her head resting on his shoulder, her arm draped over his chest and her leg threaded between his. He looked down at her and couldn't help the smile that spread over his face. His hand ran over the soft skin of her back, and she sighed in her sleep, pulling him closer.
He could smell the snow in the air as they'd walked back to her hotel. Their pace set by both her knee and his reluctance to reach their destination. It had felt so natural, normal for him to walk hand in hand with her through his hometown. Part of him wished they could just walk together in silence all night. He looked down sideways at her, "I think my Dad might have fallen for you," He spoke quietly, and she snorted delicately and turned her face into his arm. "Either that, or he wants to adopt you. I'm not entirely sure which." She squeezed his hand and he looked down at her fully meeting her eyes.
"That would be awkward," She teased, and he chuckled softly before turning her attention back out in front of them. Unfortunately, it was a short walk to her hotel, and he stopped at the base of the stairs. She hadn't realized he'd stopped and she'd continued. When she stepped up on the first step, she felt the resistance from his immobility and turned to look at him, question in her eyes. He chewed the inside of his cheek as his blood raced through his veins. "This is my hotel," She said and he interrupted her saying he knew. She smirked and leaned down, her breath slid across his cheek when she continued, "But I believe your dad told you to walk me to my room." She reminded him and when she pulled back he saw the smirk in her eyes and she tugged his hand.
He followed her up the stairs, and they walked hand in hand passed the concierge desk to the elevator bay. They remained silent, but even without words the air between them grew warm. His thumb traced a pattern on her palm. He looked down at her quickly and watched as her tongue darted out to moisten her lips. Once the elevator arrived, they stepped on and stood in the center of the car. They watched the floor indicator lights change. His could feel the heat in his blood as his heartbeat pounded in his ears. He glanced down at her. Her lip was between her teeth, her cheeks pink, and her eyes forward.
The elevator sounded when it reached her floor, and she led him to her door. When they reached it, she dropped his hand and lifted her tool to unlock it. He stepped up behind her and slid his arms around her waist and held her, pressing his lips to her neck. He kissed along her pulse point and moved her ponytail over her shoulder as he left a trail along the back of her neck. She shivered as he passed her implant, and he grinned against her skin. She sighed as the door opened. She turned in his embrace and slid her hands up his arms to wrap around his neck. "Well, good night," She teased in a whisper as she stood on her toes to place a gentle kiss on his cheek. He turned his head slightly and caught her kiss. It wasn't gentle. When their lips touched, it was as if something snapped and he pushed her into the room kicking the door closed behind them and knocking her hat from her head.
She laughed against his mouth, and he felt the heat pool low in his belly when she pushed him back against the door. She stood on her toes and pressed her body into his as their kiss deepened. His hands were everywhere, all at once, skimming over her body. She sighed into his kiss as she gripped his shirt pulling him and backing them to a counter. When they reached it, he lifted her and set her on the edge. Her head fell back as his tongue left a trail down her neck. His hands slid under her sweatshirt and teased the soft skin of her sides and the small of her back. "Wait, wait…" She moaned and instantly, Kaidan pulled his mouth from her skin, dropping his head in front of her, and moving his hands to the counter on either side of her. She laughed softly and he looked up at her. She crossed her arms in front of her and pulled her sweatshirt off over her head. His eyes fell to her chest before she took his hands in hers. He looked back to her eyes as she spoke, "I didn't say stop, I said wait…" She put his hands back on her hips but he wasn't sure why she'd stopped him to begin with. "Listen…" She said, her eyes locked on his.
"What am I listening…?"
"Shh…" She shushed him and covered his mouth with her hand. Her eyes were bright with excitement. He kissed her palm and she grinned moving her hand to join the other over his shoulders. "Do you hear that?" She asked, and he was quiet and listened, his hands still caressing her back. She pressed her body closer to his.
"I don't hear anything."
"Exactly," She said and kissed him again. "No echo of soldiers talking through the walls," She said against his mouth as her hands slid between his shirt and coat. "No drive core humming beneath our feet," She added as his coat fell to the floor and she pulled away as he removed his shirt.
"No risk of Joker interrupting," He added with a grin as he pulled her closer to him. She laughed against his kiss and when her hands slid down his back they came in contact with the wrap around his chest.
She pulled away abruptly, "What's this?" She asked, breathing hard, concern darkening her features. "I thought you said you only had scrapes."
"It's fine," He said cupping the back of her head and bringing her lips back to his. Her laugh turned to a moan as his mouth moved to her neck and her back arched as he moved to her chest. With that sound, there was suddenly just them, nothing else mattered. When they were together the first time, it was about catching a few hours together before heading into a mission that might kill them. Now, there was no mission hanging over their heads. There was no threat of death, no risk of running out of time. He moved her from the counter to the bedroom of the suite and they spent the night lost in each other.
Time passed too quickly.
He felt her stir beside him, and he looked down and watched her wake up. Slowly, her eyes opened. They were clouded with sleep, but cleared when they met his. "Yep," She whispered, turning her head and kissing his shoulder. "I was right," She declared.
"About what?" He asked as he watched her lift herself, the sheet falling to her waist and his eyes roamed over her exposed back. He could see the defined muscles shift beneath her skin as she reached and grabbed a rubber band off the bedside table and pulled her hair back into a loose bun. His brow creased when he noticed, surprisingly for the first time, a spot of mottled scar tissue that stretched across her back from one shoulder to the other.
Before he could ask about it, she turned towards him, smiling, and leaned over him. His hands moved to her sides, her eyes sparkling as she leaned down and kissed him, his hands moved up her back. She spoke as she kissed along his jaw, "It is much better waking up with you here," She said and he laughed softly as she kissed his neck. She left a trail along his neck and collar bone and he sighed. With no warning, he rolled them, pinning her beneath him and he kissed her thoroughly. Her hands slid up his arms and her nails dug into his back as her body arched beneath him.
Her alarm sounded from the bedside table and he groaned, disappointed, into her mouth. He felt her reach out to silence the alarm, then her arms went back around his neck. He kissed along her jaw, "Kaidan," She moaned, her intent had been to get him to stop so she could get ready, but the sound of it only encouraged him. "I have to meet Hackett in 90 minutes," She added and he sighed as his kisses ceased and he dropped his head to the crook of her neck.
"That's a surefire way to kill a mood," He added. He placed a relatively chaste kiss against her collar bone and when he breathed in he caught that familiar scent. He pulled back and looked at her, "What do you smell like?" He asked and her face twisted in offense and she pushed against his chest. He laughed and wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her neck once again. "No, it's a good smell," He promised as he inhaled deeply, and she sighed, "I noticed it since the first day on the Normandy," He said as he moved slightly and buried his face in the hair that was pooled on the pillow next to her head, taking another deep breath. "It's familiar, but I can't place it," He added and pulled away to look down at her.
"It's my body wash, my lotion… plum blossoms," She explained, grinning as his face lit up with recognition and he buried his face in her neck again.
"Yes!" He said and her hands went to his hair, holding him close as her legs wrapped around his waist. "That's it!" he said, and pulled back to look at her.
"I never knew you had such an affection for plums," She said with a laugh as her hands trailed down his face. He turned his head and kissed her palm.
"It's my family's orchard… plum trees," He said with a smile. He leaned down and kissed her softly. He pulled back and found her eyes, "You smell like home." Once he said it, he realized exactly what he had said and if it had been anyone else, at any other time, he would have regretted it. As she looked up at him, her hands still framing his face, her face softened and her eyes warmed. He realized he was glad he had said it; he liked that it was out there in the universe. She lifted her head and kissed him in response. Before he could register it, she had rolled him and was now straddling him and his hands went to her thighs.
She pulled away after a second, "You're really sweet, Kaidan." She said in response before she climbed off him and out of bed. He watched her as she wrapped a robe around herself and went to the closet pulling out her dress blues. He sat and looked around the room for his boxers. She kicked them to him and he chuckled as he caught them and pulled them on. She disappeared into the bathroom for her shower and Kaidan searched the room for the rest of his clothes.
He was just finishing pulling them on when Shepard emerged from the bathroom in her uniform. He sat at the edge of the bed as he watched her. A cloud of steam followed her out as she brushed out her long hair. "So, what are your plans for today?" She asked him. He told her he was going back to his parents, with nothing particular planned.
She nodded and he watched her pull her hair back and pin it up with the same four pins. She was leaning over the dresser in the bedroom of the suite and she opened a little black bag. He watched as she applied her make up. It didn't take her long, less than five minutes. The change in her appearance was minimal, and Kaidan found he preferred her without it. She turned towards him, blushing. "What?" It was all so normal, almost civilian, even; waking up with her, watching her get ready, do her hair and her make-up. He enjoyed it. He just shook his head and smiled as he stood. He picked up her jacket and held it for her as she slid her arms in. She turned towards him as she buttoned her uniform coat. "Walk out with me?" She asked as she grabbed a few datapads. He followed her out of the room and when they reached the elevator bay, she threaded her fingers through his.
"How long will you be at HQ?" He asked her after they stepped into the car and she looked up at him after pressing the button for the lobby.
"I have no idea. I'm meeting with Hackett first thing, then I'm having lunch with Anderson, followed by a meeting with the Council and Udina. They might even have a press briefing scheduled for me this afternoon," She said, grimacing, and he bit back a chuckle.
"Sounds like a full day," He said, feeling unsure how to proceed. He didn't want to impose, but he wanted to spend as much time with her as he could. He wished he knew if she felt the same. The uncertainty was unnerving, and oddly exciting.
"Should I call when I'm done?" She asked quietly, the hesitation in her voice was surprising, and warmed him inside out. He squeezed her hand and she looked up at him.
He leaned down and kissed her softly, "Yes," He answered her against her mouth and she was smiling when the doors opened in the lobby. They pulled away and she released his hand. They walked together to the doors and stepped outside. With a brief smile she turned from him and he watched her walk away. Once she was lost in the crowd he turned and started walking. He hailed a cab and when it arrived he started the drive back to his parent's house.
He arrived at his parent's house and paid the driver before exiting. He glanced at the time and hoped his parents would still be sleeping. He didn't want to face his mom's third degree, especially when he wasn't sure what his father had told her. He quietly entered the house and luck was on his side as everything was still dark. He went up the stairs and into the bathroom for a quick shower. Afterwards, he went down to the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee and started breakfast. He knew his parents would be up shortly.
It was much later in the day when Kaidan was sitting in the living room with his 'tool open as he absent-mindedly worked on the coding for the information from Vigil. His father entered and sat in the chair to his right and turned on the vid-display. "Alliance Commander Sloan Shepard will be honored Friday at a ceremony here in Vancouver," Kaidan lifted his eyes to the screen and the report continued, "Shepard, the N7 agent and the first human named a Council Spectre, is being called the Savior of the Citadel after thwarting the attempts of a rogue agent whose goal was to overthrow the Council and take control of the Citadel," The reporter from the Alliance News Network announced. The screen filled with her image, a stock photo from her file. They almost had it right, and he sighed as he realized they were already omitting the Reaper threat.
Kaidan could feel his father staring at him. "What?" He asked as he turned his attention back to the work he had started before his father had entered the room. Alex chuckled softly.
"I didn't hear you come in last night," Alex accused gently and Kaidan looked at him without lifting his head.
"That's because I came in this morning," He answered simply before looking back to his 'tool. He was not entirely sure he wanted to have this conversation. He was surprised when his father didn't continue, though the air between them was thick and Kaidan could feel him still staring at him. After a silent moment, Kaidan closed the program and powered down his 'tool. "What did Mom say when you came in last night?" Kaidan was hoping to take the heat off himself.
"She asked where you were and I told her you'd ran into some friends and decided to stay out longer," He answered and Kaidan nodded, glad for the white lie. It's not that he didn't want his Mom to know about Shepard, well, maybe it was a little but it was nothing against Shepard. He just knew his Mom. He knew if she knew he was seeing someone, she would start planning the wedding and knitting gender neutral booties. Truthfully, he didn't even know what there was to tell, and for once he liked that.
"How long is she in Vancouver?" His father inquired and Kaidan gestured to the screen that had just announced the ceremony when he answered that she'd be here until at least Friday. Alex nodded, "Will you be seeing her again while you're here?"
"Hopefully," Kaidan answered honestly. "She's pretty booked this week, though," Kaidan gave a noncommittal shrug. He was hoping for the opportunity, but he wasn't counting on it. He had no claim on her time, he only hoped she wanted to see him again while she was here. Based on their morning, he was cautiously optimistic.
"I like her," Alex stated after a silent moment, and Kaidan lifted his eyes to his Dad's. The honesty in his tone was raw, and Kaidan was moved by it. He wasn't surprised, though, most people liked Shepard. He had a feeling it was more than that. He had a feeling the statement was more like, 'I like her for you.'
"Me, too," Kaidan agreed.
"Don't fuck it up, Kaidan," Alex offered simply and Kaidan let out a soft chuckle. He replied that he wasn't planning on it and Alex nodded, saying nothing else. Alex turned his attention back to the vid screen as he searched for something to watch. Kaidan watched him for a moment, before opening his 'tool and returning to the work his father had interrupted.
It was much later in the evening and Kaidan was sitting at the dining room table with his mom. He could hear the vid his father was watching in the other room, and was momentarily distracted until his Mom dropped her last card and declared she was out. He hung his head. Ever since he was young, she'd loved playing old card games that her grandmother had taught her, games like Gin Rummy and Canasta. Tonight, it was Canasta, and he was losing spectacularly. Granted, it had been a long time since he'd played and he was distracted as he pretended he wasn't waiting to hear from Shepard.
His mom called him on it, asking him what was on his mind. He turned his eyes to her, "Nothing," He answered and she raised an eyebrow at him. He shuffled the deck, and let her pick the cards for him to deal, "I was just falling behind to make it look better when I win." She laughed, her eyes bright as she watched him. He knew he hadn't fooled her, but she let it slide.
An hour later, after she won by more than a thousand points, he shook his head and demanded a rematch. "I'll kick your ass again," She promised and he laughed, "Tomorrow." She stood and leaned down, he angled his head and she kissed his cheek. "Good night, Kaidan."
"Night, Mom," He answered and watched her walk towards the stairs. His Dad met her there, and he let her walk in front of him up the stairs. He waved to Kaidan, "Night, Dad." He glanced at the time. It was after ten. He boxed the cards and stretched. He yawned and realized he hadn't slept much since he returned to Earth. He smiled as he thought of the night before, and decided to get some sleep. Maybe it was better Shepard hadn't called.
He was just climbing into his bed when his 'tool sounded and he felt the rush of anxiety as he opened it. It was from Shepard, 'Just got out of HQ. Headed to the hotel. Are you still up? – Shep.' He waited a minute to send a reply that he was awake, and asked how her day had gone. Her response came quickly. 'My day was hell. I'm starving. Can you recommend any place good around here?' He thought for a moment about the location of her hotel. He knew of a great Chinese place he could pass on the way. She sent another message before he could reply. 'And I know it's late, but if you wanted to stop by for awhile, I wouldn't turn away the company.'
He couldn't help the smile that spread over his lips, and he replied that he was on his way and he would be bringing food. He called ahead to the Chinese place and ordered before calling for his cab. He got a response from her that said only, 'Perfect.' He dressed simply and by the time he was ready, the cab was waiting. It didn't take him long to get to the hotel, and when he knocked on her door she opened it a minute later still in her dress pants and white tank she wore under her blouse. Her feet were bare.
Her face brightened when she looked to the bags, and she took them from him and turned back into the room. He closed and locked the door behind him as he shrugged out of his coat. She set the bags on the counter and started pulling the boxes and containers of food out. The Chinese restaurant was familiar with Kaidan, so they weren't surprised by the amount of food he had ordered. They moved around each other easily in the kitchenette as they pulled plates and glasses out of the cupboard. Once they settled on the couch in the living area, with the plates of different foods in front of them on the coffee table, she turned to him, "Hey."
He leaned over and kissed her quickly, and soundly, on the lips just because he could, "Hey." She smiled, blushing, and looked back to the food. Once their plates were full they sat back on the couch and turned towards each other. She had one leg tucked up under her and Kaidan smiled at the familiar pose. "So, what happened today?" He asked her around a mouth full of food. She sighed as she ate.
"Well, it started with Hackett telling me about the ceremony this Friday, which is fine. Then I met with the Council and Udina," She looked at him and he winced. A meeting with Udina was never pleasant. "The Council thanked me for saving their lives, and then stated that they're going to appoint a Human Councilor. They asked for my recommendation," She sighed deeply before taking a long drink of her water. "Udina seemed to think I should name him," She said and Kaidan scoffed, nearly choking on his food. "Exactly. So, I recommended Anderson."
"That's a fantastic idea," Kaidan commented. "He's seen battle and knows what's required when we're at war," He added and Shepard nodded.
"That was my thought. I know we stopped Sovereign, but the Reapers are still out there and they're not going to be happy that Sovereign is gone. Who knows how they communicate but I can't believe that this is the end of it, and that's what I told the Council," She explained and he was glad he wasn't the only one who was not so sure they weren't done with the Reapers. They spoke a little more about the meeting she had then she turned her questions to him asking what he had done with his day.
"Nothing exciting," He answered as he cleared his plate. "When I copied the code from Vigil, I copied some other files, too," He confessed and she grinned.
"Of course you did," She chuckled as she set her empty plate on top of the empty containers on the table and stretched her legs out in front of her with a deep sigh.
"I don't know if I'll ever be able to crack the coding, but that's what I worked on today," He explained. She reminded him he's supposed to be on vacation. He laughed, "It's fun for me." He reminded her and she rolled her eyes.
"Your day sounds much better than mine," She commented and he shrugged. They were silent then. It was a new experience for them. To sit, and not have anything pressing to do. It was nice, comfortable. She stretched and her tank rose up exposing her abdomen. She noticed his eyes move to her midsection and back to her face. "It's late," She said, her voice soft, but there was mischief in her eyes as she stood. He leaned forward and rested his arms on his knees as he watched her walk towards the bedroom.
"Yeah," He agreed quietly, loving the way she was looking at him as she walked backwards.
"I seem to recall someone telling me they had experience with hot showers," She said as her hands moved to undo her pants. He watched as she slowly undid the zipper and slid them over her hips. She turned and stepped out of them as she crossed the threshold into the bedroom, "I'm pretty sure he promised to talk to me about it another time, but if it's easier he could just show me." He heard the shower turn on in the bathroom and was on his feet before she finished speaking.