A/N: First of all, thank you Kirabaros, Jules Hawk, SerenityFalconNormandy, and Vorcha Girl for your reviews. They absolutely made my day! And I also thank Vorcha Girl for beta reading for me again. Secondly, I'm really nervous about this chapter. It's my first (spoiler alert!) NSFW chapter in a long, long time and I'm very out of practice writing smut. Please be gentle with me! And now without further ado,
... Enjoy!
"Attention, this is the CO speaking. Major Alenko has joined the crew as XO and field medic. That is all."
Kaidan stowed the last of his belongings into an empty locker and shut it firmly as the last sentence faded from the overhead speakers. He paused, resting his hand on the locker as he smiled to himself. If someone had told him that morning he would be on the Normandy before the day was over, he wouldn't have believed it.
What a weird day. It felt almost surreal. He was afraid of waking up, only to find it had been an incredibly vivid dream.
But, he was awake.
And it was real.
Giving himself a shake, he left the crew quarters with the sensation of curious looks following him on his way out. The door closed behind him and he let out a long breath. It was to be expected. The Normandy was a small ship, and someone had surely heard some version of what had happened during the coup. And given the whispered comments behind his back that wasn't the only scuttlebutt going round. Suppressing a sigh he headed for the galley, absently rubbing the back of his neck. A nice mug of coffee would do good.
James and Garrus were in the galley. "Yo, Major!" Vega called out. "You're just in time for a fresh brew. Lola said she wanted coffee. Care for some?"
"You read my mind," Kaidan answered, taking a mug from the cabinet. He hesitated and then asked, "Who's Lola?"
"Oh, I mean Shepard," the lieutenant said, pouring coffee into Kaidan's mug.
Kaidan raised an eyebrow. "You call her Lola?" He picked up the coffee and sniffed at it. It smelled better than the regular Alliance issue.
James cast a short glance his way. "Yeah. She reminds me of this guy's sister I knew back home, Lola. You know, tough. Hot."
"Right," Kaidan mumbled, swirling the coffee. He had to agree; Nick was definitely tough and hot - James would never know exactly how hot - but she was also so much more. He cast a quick glance at Garrus, who appeared to be having a coughing fit, but Kaidan realized his old friend was trying to hide his laughter. Bastard. He watched Vega fill up another mug. On impulse he covered the second one with his hand. "Hold up. I'll take care of Shepard's coffee."
James shrugged and pushed the cup his way.
Kaidan gave a short nod and set his mug down. After foraging through the cabinet, he pulled out a box of dutch-processed cocoa and several spices. Within moments a thick, rich hot chocolate was ready and he poured it in the other mug before filling it up with coffee.
"Do I smell cocoa?" Nick asked walking around toward them from the med bay, rolling her shoulder tentatively. Kaidan held out the steaming cup to her, and she took it with both hands, sniffing at it with half-closed eyes. She let out a content sigh. "Mmmmh, this smells good. For the record, I'm still mad at you for pointing a weapon at me for more than .3 seconds, Alenko. You still have some making up to do."
"What if I throw in dinner?" Kaidan asked.
The corner of her mouth twitched as she met his gaze. "That might work. For starters."
He returned her smile before nodding at her shoulder. "What did Chakwas say?"
"Same thing I told you; it's just a scratch." She blew on her coffee without taking her eyes off him. "She did say to compliment the person that patched me up since I didn't let anyone take a look at it when I swung by Huerta. Also, said person better come by the medbay soon for a check up." She winked.
Kaidan laughed. "I'll be sure to do that. After my coffee."
"Spirits," Garrus groaned, "here we go again. Please tell me there won't be the same amount of awkward dancing around each other like back on the SR-1? I don't think I can handle that."
"Nah," Nick waved her hand dismissively. "We covered that part while Kaidan was holed up at Huerta." She looked at Kaidan and winked.
James' gaze darted back and forth between them for a moment, realization dawning on him. "Wait. You mean -?"
Before James could finish his question Kaidan's omnitool chimed with an incoming message. He quickly opened it and scanned over the message, frowning. Excusing himself he made his way to the starboard observation deck.
The door slid open with a hiss, revealing an empty room lit only by a few reading lamps. He entered, opening his 'tool and began reading the message a second time. His brows knit together as his eyes flew over his mother's message.
Kaidan,
You can't believe my relief hearing you are okay. We were all so worried when the first reports of what happened in Vancouver popped up. I'm so happy you made it out, though you did say something about being at a hospital. I know you have a dangerous job, but be careful out there, sweetie.
He chuckled softly and continued reading. His expression clouded over.
Your dad joined the resistance as soon as he had word from his old Alliance contacts, and so did Erin, Nate, and Daniel. Erin and Nate both being engineers is useful, even if their specialty isn't combat. They're not too far from here at an Alliance outpost. I know you don't really want to hear what your brother is doing, but Daniel is helping a lot around here.
I really wish you two would put your differences aside and make up.
Now I have to tell you something, and I don't want to do it but there's no use in sugarcoating it. Your dad is MIA. Last week an Alliance marine came by to give me the news that he's presumed dead. The others are alright. Helena was here to keep me company this weekend, and she was thrilled to see I had a message from her favorite uncle.
I'm going to let you go now, because I'm certain you have plenty of duties to take care of. There's one more thing I want you to know. I'm proud of you, and so is everyone else, but especially your dad.
Love,
Mom
He read it again, pacing the room. Finally he stopped in front of the large window. Leaning against it, his forehead resting on his arm, he stared out into the darkness.
A tightness spread through his chest with a turmoil of feelings. Relief that most of his family was safe for now, and worry for his father. He knew too well what happened to humans caught by Reaper forces. He remembered the dragon's teeth on Eden Prime. The thought of his father being turned into a husk turned his stomach.
Better dead than ... that.
There was no sound apart from the low rumble of Normandy's drive core, the quiet whirring of life support, and his own breath against the glass in front of him. Clenching a fist he drew a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
The bulkhead behind him slid open, startling him out of his thoughts. Kaidan turned his head slightly. He swallowed, collecting himself as he straightened up and turned to face Nick.
"Hey," she said, crossing the room, her eyes darting over his face. "I was beginning to wonder where you got to."
"Hey," he replied, smiling briefly. He took another breath. "Just … needed a moment."
Nick stepped closer, eyes narrowing. Her hand sliding up his arm to his shoulder. "Uh-huh. What's up, Kaidan?"
Kaidan glanced back into the void beyond the observation deck. "I heard from my mom. My dad is MIA and presumed dead," he said bluntly. "I feel like I should be there, on Earth, but … I want to be here."
"I'm so sorry, Kaidan," Nick replied quietly. She closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around his waist, her cheek resting against his shoulder. He turned, catching her in a tight embrace, resting his chin on her head. Breathing in the fragrance of her shampoo, he squeezed his eyes shut, suddenly overwhelmed.
They stood in silence for some time before stepping apart.
"What happened?" she asked, slowly easing herself out his embrace without letting go of him. "At the hospital you said your parents were on their way out of Vancouver on the day of the attack. What about the rest of your family?"
Kaidan cleared his throat. "They made it to the orchard. My dad reported to active duty, and so did my sister, her husband, and apparently my brother. Lena spent the past weekend with my mom, so at least she isn't always alone."
"Lena?"
"My niece, Erin's daughter." He fell silent. God, he hoped they were all right.
Nick poked him in the ribs. "You're brooding, Kaidan. Come, join us in the galley again." Her expression became mischievous. "That way I don't have to answer all of James questions." She rose to her tiptoes and kissed him softly. "You know, I'm really happy you're back." She drew back slowly. She paused, biting her lip coyly. "Maybe you'd care to join me later? Upstairs?"
God, he wanted to. Every fibre of his body ached for her.
He pulled her closer, kissing her again. She parted her lips, inviting him to deepen the kiss. His tongue slid over hers, soft and velvety, and his body reacted promptly. Groaning, he broke away. "I'd love to, but maybe we should wait?"
"Why?" she breathed, her lips brushing his.
"I heard some of the crew talking. There were some rumors after - ." He broke off.
"After Alchera," she finished quietly, fingers drawing small circles on his chest. "You think one of our old crew said something?"
He shook his head. "Someone snapped a shot of us at that bar at Port Hanshan while we were waiting for Liara, and it was enough to send tongues wagging," he explained. "It made the news the day after the crash. Luckily the brass believed me when I said it was just battlefield flirting and that we kept things strictly professional on the mission. Vega seemed to put it together quickly enough just now."
"Then we'll wait until everyone gets to know you," she replied, the curves of her body pressed flush against him.
Neither moved.
Kaidan looked down, his gaze trailing along the column of her neck. His hands slid down her back. He knew he should let go, but it was getting harder and harder, and that wasn't the only thing. She gasped softly as he leaned down and ran his tongue along her neck. He dropped one hand lower, kneading her buttock.
He drew back, his eyes meeting hers, pupils blown wide with desire. Blood rushed through his ears as he unclasped her belt, his own want pounding through him with every heartbeat.
"I thought you wanted to wait," Nick gasped as he caught an earlobe between his teeth. "What changed your mind?"
"You," he growled, placing feathery kisses down to her collarbone.
"EDI," Nick said, undoing the buckles of her boots and kicking them off, "lock the door and activate privacy protocol."
"Understood, Commander. Logging you out."
Tugging at each others clothes they undressed, laughing as they stumbled to the nearest couch shedding their garments amid hungry kisses.
Kaidan pushed her onto the couch gently but firmly and leaned over her, drinking in the sight. She was beautiful. He traced his fingers just below her ribs where an old scar used to be. He would have to get to know her body again; every scar and every blemish. Entranced he cupped a breast, swirling his tongue around its rosy bud. His other hand slipped between her legs, teasing the apex of her thighs. He dragged a finger through her velvety folds finding her wet with arousal.
Nick moaned softly and tried pushing him further down.
"Patience, Nick," he whispered huskily. running a finger along her slit. "I want to take my time."
"Fuck patience," she groaned, arching her back as he rubbed his thumb in small circles over her sensitive nub. "I've been waiting long enough."
Grinning he obliged, leaving a trail of wet, open-mouthed kisses down her taut stomach. Finally he placed his mouth over her sex, tasting her. Nick wrapped her thighs around his head, shuddering with pleasure as he licked and sucked, his tongue flicking over the bundle of nerves.
He slipped two fingers into her, curling them lightly as he pumped them slowly in and out. A low, throaty moan escaped her and her hips buckled at the combined movement of his fingers and tongue.
"Kaidan," she whimpered, her fingernails scraping over his skull. "I need you."
He was relentless, bringing her closer and closer to her release. Her voice trailed away to a keening mewl as she fell to pieces, her inner walls clenching around his fingers. He waited for her waves of pleasure to subside before slowly kissing his way back up her body to capture her mouth in a passionate kiss.
"You'd better fuck me now or I'm gonna toss you on the floor and ride you there," she panted.
"I'm not sure, if that's supposed to be a threat or a promise," he growled, the tip of his cock brushing over her slick entrance.
His erection throbbed and three years of yearning, of unfulfilled dreams of feeling her around him came crashing over him. Three years of satisfying himself. He positioned himself at her entrance and hilted himself in her hot, wet core with one swift stroke. Nick gasped as he filled her completely. She felt so incredibly good. This was pure bliss. He closed his eyes briefly and began rolling his hips. Soon they fell into a steady rhythm, their bodies moving against each other as if they had never done anything else.
She urged him on, her fingernails dug into his back, breaking skin. Gritting his teeth he picked up the pace.
His muscles tensed as his orgasm approached and his biotics danced under his skin, ready to erupt in a cascade of dark energy. Kaidan squeezed his eyes shut, trying to keep at least one thing under control, but it was too late; he was too close. He came hard, his biotics crackling around him and he flared brightly as his orgasm tore through him.
He collapsed onto her and for a short time neither of them moved. Panting he buried his face in the crook of her.
"Fuck me, I needed that," Nick rasped, sounding as breathless as he felt. He chuckled and off of her. She rolled onto one side, giving him room to lay behind her.
"Me too," he admitted, wrapping an arm around her. "It's been a long time."
"What about that doctor you told me about?" she asked after a few minutes.
Kaidan creased his brow, confused. "Which -, oh. That doctor," he laughed out loud, slowly retrieving his clothes from the floor. "He and I went out for drinks, Nick. Drinks. That was it."
She shrugged apologetically and began getting dressed. "You thought I was dead. I couldn't exactly have blamed you for getting your release elsewhere. But there is another thing I'd like to know," she went on. "Why haven't you ever flared during sex before?"
"I lost control," he admitted, giving her a worried look. "Did it bother you?"
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Nick scoffed. "It was awesome! I had no idea biotics could feel so arousing. I mean, you look sexy as hell when you use your biotics but so far I've only felt them in combat situations. Like when you spread your barrier to cover me, too. But this felt so different. In combat, your barrier is like," she hesitated, searching for the fitting words, "like a cool wave that washes over me. This … this was just hot. So, why did you hold out on me?"
"Bad experience." Kaidan pulled his shirt on. "I lost control once before, and the woman I was with at the time looked at me as if I had done something absolutely revolting and asked me to leave. Ever since I've tried to keep my biotics under strict control in all situations. "
Nick got up and sauntered over to him, buckling her belt. "Kaid, that woman obviously didn't know the value of this very special biotic. Her loss, my gain," she smirked, gently placing her hand on his cheek. She nodded her head toward the door. "Coffee? Let's see if the others are still in the mess."
Kaidan returned a lopsided grin. "Sounds like a plan."
All the bad news aside, right now he was happier than he had been in a long time. They could worry about the war again in the morning.
A/N: I really hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Reviews are most welcome! :)