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“Keelah, they’re doing it again.” Tali said from where she sat in the mess hall, her helmet resting in one hand and her elbow on the table.
In front of them in the kitchen Kaidan was slicing some kind of meat, Ashley at his side laughing about something.
“Are all humans this bad?” Garrus asked, glancing over at James for some kind of confirmation.
“Nah,” James said with a shrug, “But didn’t you say that those two have been circling each other since the original Normandy.”
It was mostly only because Garrus shifted his gaze but James saw him and Tali exchange a glance.
“I don’t know if they were worse then.” Tali mused, “They weren’t together yet and it was exhausting watching them find excuses why they couldn’t be.”
“Eventually Wrex got sick of it and told them they both needed to put out and shut up. He really had a way with words.” Garrus’ mandibles shifted in what James recognized as a Turian smile.
“I think he regretted that almost immediately.” Tali said with a snicker. “Because then he had to put up with them being in love for a month before he finally left the ship.”
James grunted his agreement at the sentiment but then leaned back in his chair to cross his arms. “Guess it’s nice though. That Canadian Bacon and Stanza got together.” He watched as Ash stole a sliced vegetable from the bowl in front of them and Kaidan chided her but still leaned in to kiss her. “Gotta take all the wins we can in this war, yeah?”
Tali and Garrus didn’t refute him.
“Speaking of wins, what’s the next betting pool on them, who proposes first?”
“It’s 50 credits to get in and you’ll have to see Joker.” Tali told him.
“Hey if uh those two get married we can say they’re that poetry thing that Stanza likes right? A couplet?”
He didn’t need to see under a Quarian’s mask to tell Tali’s unimpressed stare matched Garrus’.
In the kitchen Kaidan and Ash were still kissing. Wasting valuable cooking time, shame on them, James thought.
Shepard frowned as she watched Ashley go to comfort her sister; it was hard just standing there unable to really do anything concrete.
“Don’t worry, Shep, I’ve got her back.” Kaidan said from next to her but despite his steady tone Shepard the worry and concern coming from him was basically palpable.
Unbidden her lips quirked upwards, “Just her back?” Shepard couldn’t help but tease.
Kaidan’s eyes widened a little before he chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, yeah, all the rest of her too.”
Shepard snickered and clapped him on his shoulder. “Nice to see you two haven’t changed.” She meant that genuinely. She hadn’t been surprised to see the both of them together on Horizon, it’d be nice her old teammates still had each other. Even nicer that now all three of them were back together again and kicking ass in the name of the Spectres. “Ever think you’ll get out of the newlywed phase?”
Kaidan reached up to pat her hand still on his shoulder, “Yeah yeah.” Kaidan grumbled but it was good naturedly.
In front of them Ashley was still hugging her sister and Kaidan shifted automatically when it looked like they were about to part.
Shepard glanced between them, shook her head, and smiled. “You’ve got this.” She said and patted his arm one last time before she left.
Sarah’s vision was a little blurry from the tears as she pulled out of her sister’s embrace. It was good of Ashley to come, it meant a lot that at least she could have one sibling there.
From the corner of her eye she caught someone walking their way and squinted a little. He looked familiar.
It clicked a second later and Sarah dabbed at her eyes to save face a little before Kaidan Alenko appeared before them.
“Hey,” He said softly, his gaze mostly on Ashley but also on her. “I didn’t want to interrupt but you good?” He winced. “What am I saying of course you’re not good, sorry, I didn’t mean-”
“Calm down, Kaidan.” Ashley elbowed him to stop his rambling. “We Williams women are built with sterner stuff.”
His eyes were warm along with the smile he gave Ashley and then he turned to her and cleared his throat. “Major Kaidan Alenko.” He offered her his hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Next to him Ashley hid her face in her hand and Sarah for the first time that day let out a little laugh.
“Ash has mentioned you a few times.” Sarah said and shook his hand. “Nice to finally meet you.”
“Wish the circumstances were better. I’m sorry for your loss.”
Sarah tried to blink back the tears in her eyes but nodded her thanks anyway.
“Come on, kiddo,” Ashley said, reaching over to take her hand. “Let’s get something to eat.” She squeezed Sarah’s hand, the ever comforting presence of her older sister made Sarah breathe a little easier.
Kaidan hesitated where he stood and Ashley rolled her eyes. “You can come too, Kaidan, if you behave.”
“When have I not?” Kaidan asked ruefully. “Actually, don’t answer that. I don’t want to know what you’d say.”
Years ago Sarah remembered calling her sister when she was on the original Normandy, saying something about how Kaidan was cute and Ashley should go for it.
He must have really been something for her to ignore all fraternization issues.
She let go of her sisters hand to loop her arm through Kaidan’s. “You should definitely come and tell me all about what my sister’s been up to.”
“Oh no.” Ashley bemoaned from beside her and Kaidan shot her a smirk before turning his attention to Sarah.
“Do I have some stories for you.” Kaidan said and they started to walk.
It wasn’t easy, leaving the memorial behind, Sarah’s heart hurt regardless of the location she found but at least her sister was doing well.
She glanced over at Ashley who was smiling at the back of Kaidan’s head, interjecting every now and then as he told the story.
Love looked good on her sister.
She just hoped Ashley got a happier ending then she did.
“That’s another one for me, Spectre Williams you’re slowing down.” Kaidan yelled out as he tossed a reave at the Cerberus soldier.
“Just giving you time to get on my level, Spectre Alenko.” Ashley shot back and Liara could tell she was grinning under her helmet.
“And here I thought you liked me under you.” Kaidan said, at least right after he said it he looked a little embarrassed.
“Is now really the time?” Liara asked, she tried to keep her voice stern but the laughter spilled into it anyway.
“Disgusting.” Javik huffed from next to her.
“Oh hush.” Liara told him. “They’ve earned it.” She threw out a biotic shield around Ashley before some shots could reach her. “Not that I’m condoning this flirting on the battlefield.”
“Every one’s a critic.” Kaidan said with a sigh.
“They can critique us after we save all their asses.” Ashley said and took out another solider with her shooting.
It took another hour for the fighting to die down and Shepard to return with James and EDI.
Garrus crawled down from the perch he’d scrambled up to to take the sniper shots he needed. Tali collapsed next to Liara, her helmet lolling on Liara’s shoulder.
Across from them Ashley was pressing a cloth against a shot Kaidan had taken that had grazed his neck. Nothing serious thankfully but Liara could see she was worried.
Kaidan’s fingers brushed Ashley’s free hand as she lectured him about dodging.
Liara shook her head. “I suppose they’ll never stop.”
“Data collected from past events suggests it unlikely.” EDI said from beside her, making Liara jump. “Apologies, my stealth protocols are still engaged.”
Liara somehow doubt that was by accident.
“No, EDI, I’ve been friends with them for a while now. They’ll never stop.”
Not that they should have to, Liara thought, but a little less flirting in the middle of a battle would be nice.
Johnson couldn’t explain the huge relief it was to see his commanding officer again. Their squad had been broken up for a while now and while he’d seen a few others, Kaidan had been shipped back to Earth and then apparently swept up with Commander Shepard.
It was really by chance Johnson was on the Citadel at the same time he was.
All though he was clearly interrupting something judging by the hand of the woman Kaidan was holding at the table where he sat.
“Sir!” Johnson snapped a salute.
“Johnson!” Kaidan laughed and stood up to give him a hug. “Glad to see you’re okay. How’s everyone else doing?”
“Depends on the day.” Johnson answered truthfully, no use trying to lie during a war.
Kaidan frowned at that but nodded in understanding.
“You gonna do introductions, Kaidan?” The woman at the table asked, her mouth twitched in amusement.
“Ah, right. Johnson this is Lieutenant Commander Ashley Williams, Ash this is Johnson. He was a part of the biotics squad I’d mentioned.”
Ashley stood up to offer her hand. “Nice to meet you, Johnson.”
“Likewise ma’am,” Johnson began and then paused, “Wait, you’re Ash?”
Kaidan froze.
Ashley’s smile grew wider. “Something familiar about my name?” She looked over at Kaidan. “Talking about me, Alenko?”
Kaidan crossed his arms and cleared his throat. “Maybe a few times.”
Johnson’s gaze bounced between the two.
“Was it a few times?” Ashley asked, raising an eyebrow.
“More than a few ma’am.” Johnson said with a grin of his own now that he knew where this was going.
“Johnson…” Kaidan groaned, scrubbing at his face with his hand.
“He talked about how much he missed you.”
“That’s sweet, Kaidan.” Ashley said, her voice low in a tease.
“Can we talk about something else? Anything else?” Kaidan asked.
“No no, I think we should talk about this.” Ashley snickered.
“So what?” Kaidan threw back, “You didn’t miss me in those months we were separated.”
Her gaze softened. “I did.” Ashley said easily enough. “No one else is as nice a view.”
“Which view are you looking at?” Kaidan lowered his voice and Johnson squirmed a little.
It had been funny but hearing his old boss flirting was just bizarre.
He’d still have to tell the old squad about this though. They’d be dying to hear it.
“Please tell me they’re not always like this.” Miranda said, taking another sip of her glass.
“They are.” Garrus replied.
“And now you get to put up with it too.” Tali said cheerfully and Miranda couldn’t tell if it was the glee that they’d share in the suffering or the alcohol talking.
“Least someone’s getting some.” Jack commented from the bar where she was mixing yet another drink. She grinned widely. “Though I hear Jacob is too.”
“Leave me out of this.” Jacob called out from another room entirely, his hearing apparently impeccable.
“Young love is often loud.” Samara offered softly and when she had joined the conversation Miranda wasn’t certain.
Ashley knocked her head against Kaidan, whispering something to him that had him laughing from where he sat at the poker table. She pointed at one of his cards and he shook his head, leaning over to say something to her this time.
Cortez and James exchanged a glance.
Kasumi flashed briefly in front of them, “You guys are sweet but can you play already?”
“The Kasumi creature is right. I wish this to be over.” Javik said.
“This game or…?” Liara asked, her question open ended.
Javik merely stared at her.
Ashley wrapped her arms around Kaidan, her head resting on her shoulder and Miranda didn’t think it had be a comfortable position given that she was standing but Ashley didn’t seem to care.
Later that evening Miranda pretended not see the two of them stumble into on of the bedrooms, Kaidan pressing a fond kiss against Ashley’s head as they leaned against each other.
“Oh no.” Wrex crossed his arms and gave his best intimidating Krogan stare. “I’m not putting up with this again.”
Around them people buzzed, Earth’s rebellion hub a collection of activity.
“Not putting up with what again?” Kaidan asked but didn’t move his arm from Ashley’s waist.
“I told you two to get your act together years ago.” Wrex scoffed. “You humans don’t live long enough to be this stupid.”
“Wrex let them do it at their own pace.” Shepard said, coming up next to him.
“And see them dodge this for the next ten years? If I hadn’t said anything those two would still be pretending the other wasn’t interested.” Wrex held back another scoff but just barely.
“You are far too invested in our love life, Wrex.” Ashley said drily.
“I’m just the wisest thing here apparently.” Wrex shot back. “So quit acting like you two aren’t doing this forever and mate or whatever it is you humans do.”
“Does he mean mate like sleep together because I think we’re long past that.” Kaidan said, his voice equally as dry as Ashley’s.
Wrex rolled his eyes. “Shepard, translate.”
“Why do I-” Shepard sighed. “I’m guessing he means marriage. But they’ll get there when they get there Wrex.”
“Yeah we don’t want to mess up Joker’s betting pool.” Kaidan said, smirking at them.
“Despite that we already have.”
Shepard paused. “What does that mean.”
Kaidan and Ashley looked at each other and started to laugh.
“Oh?” Wrex’s booming laugh joined the fray, “Guess I was wrong. You two pulled your heads out of your quads after all.”
“Wait.” Shepard said. “You mean…”
“After Horizon.” Kaidan shrugged.
“Don’t worry Shepard, we both agreed we’d redo it with everyone around after we kicked the Reaper’s ass.” Ashley said.
“Also way to read our paperwork.” Kaidan said, his voice the picture of amusement.
“Who proposed.” Shepard demanded. At least she could still win a bet.
“Neither, we just…” Kaidan trailed off.
“Sort of agreed.” Ashley continued.
“No wonder you two are still newlyweds.” Shepard shook her head. “Joker’s not going to be happy to hear about this. I don’t think anyone won then.”
“We’re real broken up about that.” Kaidan said, deadpan.
“I’d say we won.” Ashley dropped her arm around Kaidan’s shoulder.
He tilted his head down to press his forehead against hers. “Yeah, I’d say we did.”
“This is all your fault.” Shepard accused Wrex without much heat.
Wrex sighed. “I miss when I wasn’t involved with any of you.”
“No you don’t.” Shepard, Ashley, and Kaidan all said at once.
“Humans.” Wrex grumbled and walked off.
“I’ll just leave you two to it. Just uh, maybe hold off on telling everyone until I can be there to see their reactions.” She turned to leave to give them some privacy but couldn’t help but glance back.
Kaidan and Ashley were once again too distracted by each other, laughing about some honeymoon joke.
Newlyweds, Shepard thought. At least she already had a wedding present, kicking the Reapers off Earth was bound to score her some points and make it the best one.