Chapter Text
Steve stayed in the med bay with the doctors, even though he really had nothing to contribute, and the Kodiak could do with a post-flight check.
But he wouldn't stop worrying even if he was there, and if Vega noticed... that was really not a conversation he wanted to have. Too many people knew about what was going in in the captain's cabin at the moment anyway, and if Vega knew, the rest of the damn ship would know soon. His first “the FUCK?” could probably be heard in neighbouring star systems.
“Can I do anything?” he asked. “Maybe read some of the notes?”
“Thank you, but I think you couldn't make much sense of what's in here without an in-depth knowledge of the Protheans,” Doctor T'Soni said.
Steve was just glad she didn't question his presence. Then the doc shot him a sympathetic glance, and he realised she knew very well why he was there. After all, she could have retreated to her own cabin to read. She probably had reference material there, too, but was choosing to share the wait with the others.
Steve was trying very hard not to think about what they were waiting for. Commander Shepard was... not only was he very attractive – very, very attractive – but he was also the one man that had made Steve think about getting over Robert. Shepard had never been anything but friendly but he couldn't have helped thinking about maybe.
And it's not like the Major was unattractive. The thought of the two of them together... Not going there!
He thought of the small smile on Alenko's face when he said instruction was “not necessary.” A good-looking man (with a great ass) who was confident about his abilities in bed? Yeah, hot.
Which is why he was not thinking about it while stuck in a room with two women, and also... his Commander was fighting for his life. The reminder worked like a cold shower. Yeah, not entirely consensual. Even if Shepard had been fantasising about Alenko and... not. Going. There.
Steve looked at Doctor Chakwas, who was typing up something.
“Anything I can do for you? Stack some shelves? Clean some machinery? Update your procurement list?”
The doctor looked up and smiled. “I'm on the fifth rewrite of my report,” she admitted. “Maybe we could... go through the inventory.”
“I am actually reading the cook's log,” said Doctor T'Soni with a small smile, and the laughter they shared seemed to lighten everyone's mood.
“EDI, how... how are they doing?” she then asked.
“Major Alenko asked me to cut the audio feed but I am still monitoring their vital signs. The Commander's are fluctuating in the figures they have been, and the Major's are also in...”
“We don't need to know, thanks,” Steve said, cutting her off.
So Alenko was enjoying what they were doing. Did that make him feel better or worse? Was that like taking advantage of the situation, or would it be better for Shepard afterwards if it had been mutual? He supposed only Shepard could answer that, and his attitude towards the Major afterwards would be the only clue the rest of them would get.
“Is there anything about a possible timeline, Doctor T'soni?” he asked.
“Liara, please. And no, the scientists obviously didn't see a need to speculate on such things.”
“Steve,” he said, out of habit.
“I think that under the circumstances you can call me Karin,” Doctor Chakwas said, giving them a wicked smile. “I feel like we're a part of a secret society.”
“Keepers of the Secret of the Alien Aphrodisiac Trap,” suggested Steve.
“Order of the Holy Union,” countered Liara, lifting a pad. “It was meant for... mates, after all.”
“I do hope Shepard and Kaidan can get over this,” Karin said, sobering up again.
“Me too,” said Liara. “I... thought there might be something there, and I'm not sure if this will be good or disastrous to a possible future relationship they might have.”
“Really?” Steve asked. “I haven't seen them together often enough to tell. But we did visit the Citadel quite often while the Major was in the hospital.”
“That Shepard would have done for any member of his crew I think,” Karin said. “But now that you mention it... yes, maybe.”
“Then I really hope they can get over this,” Steve said, quietly.
“They have been through so much together already,” Karin said. “Saren and Sovereign, all that. They have gotten over quite a lot, too.”
“Horizon,” said Liara, quietly. “Garrus told me about it.”
“What happened?” Steve asked.
“Not everyone was happy that Shepard seemed to work for Cerberus after he... came back,” Liara explained. “Kaidan saw it as betrayal of the Alliance, of all they'd fought for.”
“Can't really blame him,” Karin said. “The Cerberus we knew before they stepped up to deal with the missing colonies? Nothing good. But the fact he didn't even give Shepard a chance to explain...”
“Maybe, if there really was something, he saw it as a more... personal betrayal?” Steve suggested.
“Maybe,” Karin admitted.
“But they got over that. Mars was... well. But they were so obviously okay after Kaidan came back. And now this,” Liara said, looking worried. “How much more can they...”
“It's over!” EDI's triumphant voice said on the intercom. “Shepard's vitals are returning to normal.”
“Thank the goddess!” Liara said.
Steve closed his eyes in relief and felt his body relax. He hadn't even realised how tense he had been.
“That's wonderful news, EDI,” Karin said. “We should get Shepard back here for a check.”
“Oh,” said EDI. “It seems they are... not done. Shepard's vitals are spiking up again.”
They shared frowns and concerned looks, then Steve started smiling.
“What?” asked Liara.
“I think they'll be okay,” Steve said and Karin smiled as well.
“It can't be a relapse,” she explained. “You said it doesn't work that way – there is no chemical to work out of his system. So they are choosing to continue.”
“Oh,” said Liara, and smiled as well.
“I'll send my report to Shepard and ask him to come down for a check up when he wakes up,” Karin said, still smiling. “And now... I think we deserve a drink.”
“Lounge?” asked Steve.
“We might run into someone and end up having to explain. No, I think we can crack open one of my personal bottles.”
“To the Sacred and Secret Order of the Holy Ancient Alien Aphrodisiac,” he toasted the ladies.
“On our next meeting, I will describe the expression on Shepard's face when he shows up,” Karin promised.
“I can provide a picture,” said EDI.
“You are hereby ordained as an honorary member,” Steve said.
“As long as you remember the 'secret' part of the the title,” Liara reminded.
“You wound me, Shadow Broker.”