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“Hey, Major, chow time!” Vega calls from the lift as he holds the door for the rest of the crew to hop on. “Rodriguez is cooking tonight. Mmmm mmm! Some good home cookin’! Almost as good as my abuela would make it!”
“That’s our Mr. Vega. Always thinking with his stomach,” Cortez quips as he sneaks under the lieutenant’s arm while faking a poke into his belly that leaves everyone laughing, even Vega.
“What can I say, Esteban? Everyone needs some home cooking now and then.” Vega sticks his arm back out as the doors to the lift try to close. “You comin’, Blue?”
Kaidan spares them a quick glance from the work bench as he waves them off. “I’ll catch up with you later. I want to finish this, first.”
“Suit yourself,” Vega warns, “but don’t blame me if there’s no leftovers!”
The doors close on good natured laughter, including Kaidan’s, but he bites back a smile and keeps his focus on the task at hand.
Their last mission out had been rough. Too rough, in some respects, but he isn’t about to say that out loud. They’re in the middle of a war; what else can they expect? Still, everyone is doing their part, giving all they can and then a bit more.
For Liara, it’s a combination of utilizing her agents as effectively as possible while keeping them alive and occasionally accompanying Shepard’s team on a mission. Her skills are just as good as ever; better, even. But the Shadow Broker provides a unique advantage that no one else in the overall war can offer, and though it’s rare for her to go out with them, Kaidan won’t argue when she stays behind.
Garrus’ skills are pretty much a duplicate of Shepard’s. But at least the turian is smart enough not to take nearly so many risks. He, too, has a unique connection to resources they might not otherwise have, but it isn’t so specific that he won’t leave it behind for a little ‘fun’ on a mission. Kaidan wonders about that sometimes. He has yet to meet Primarch Victus, but the turian leader has no problem backing Shepard’s plans, and with Garrus stationed on board the Normandy, it’s almost like having an observation camera to keep track of what’s happening; one that you can’t blur the lens with a smudge of grease to keep from seeing too much. Still, the turians have been on their side almost from the beginning – an ironic twist of fate, given how they had viewed things just a few years before. Allies in the truest sense of the word. And right now, they need all the allies they can get.
Tali’s recent return is both advantageous and a delight, as far as Kaidan is concerned. He’s missed the spunky quarian – affectionately nicknamed Sparks by Vega – and having her on board again is almost like having a little sister around to talk with. A little sister who has interest in all things tech and is more than willing to test out crazy ideas to improve that tech. “Nerd talk,” again according to Vega. Kaidan hasn’t been so grateful to have something back in his life in a very long time. Even Joker isn’t afraid to share his full endorsement. Not anything against Adams, but having Tali back, I know the Normandy is in the best hands.
And then there’s Vega. Kaidan’s still trying to figure the burly marine out. From what he’s seen so far, the younger man likes to get up close in his fights, almost as if it’s some sort of personal payback for what’s been happening. It can be a bit worrying at times, especially when Kaidan thinks back to how the fiasco on Mars played out, but Shepard seems good with the kid, so Kaidan holds his tongue. He might hold the highest rank on the Normandy, but he’s not the one in command.
Then again, everyone has a reason to fight, and no doubt most take the reapers presence personally.
Which, if he thinks about it, is an interesting point. Is he really any different? Sure, he hates the reapers being here, and he has any number of reasons behind that. His father missing in action on Earth and presumed dead is high on the list. Then there’s the loss of Bravo Company; from what he’s heard, his students gave everything they had in the hope it would matter. Of course, there’s the worry for his mother back home, too, all alone and by herself now. But deep down, he knows there’s one reason that tops all of those.
Moving across the Cargo Bay, Kaidan searches for the equipment he needs in the crates stacked off in one corner. He’s so focused that he doesn’t even realize he isn’t alone anymore until the static of another biotic field intersects with his while at the same time something solid and strong secures itself around his waist and tugs him backward. There’s no time for shock or fear to take hold as warm breath and a soft huff of lilting amusement reaches his ear.
“Mo ghrá, you’re thinking too hard again.”
The wall of muscle behind him doesn’t move and Kaidan all but melts into the touch. It’s rare for Shepard to initiate moments like this between them as he’s so occupied juggling the demands of trying to save the galaxy. And as much as Kaidan wants to, he isn’t about to break his promise to Shepard either. It’s up to Shepard to decide when and where and how their relationship moves forward. And so, Kaidan does what he can to remind him of that by giving him the necessary space he needs and prays there will be plenty of time later to figure out how a ‘they’ fits into all of this.
Still, every once in a while, Kaidan wishes it could be different.
And it’s usually right around that time that Shepard seeks him out.
Just another reason among the many for why Kaidan loves this man.
Tilting his head to the side so he can glance up at Shepard, Kaidan murmurs, “What makes you say that?” It’s an old argument and, especially of late. Still, no matter how right (or wrong) the assessment is, he isn’t about to give in without protest.
Not surprisingly, Shepard is prepared. “I could hear you all the way up in our cabin.”
Our cabin.
It’s impossible to stop the smile that spreads across Kaidan’s face or the surge of warmth that pulses through him. Honestly, it’s impossible to stop anything except for searching through the boxes. Moving to the side, Kaidan turns to face. In that same moment, his eyes fall upon the lift... still closed and engaged up at the Mess.
As his eyes fall upon Shepard and he realizes that they are very much alone, Kaidan asks, “How did you get down here?”
A full-wattage smile spreads across Shepard’s face, the one that has charmed both councilor and mercenary into cooperating with ease.
Another wave of warmth thrums through Kaidan. Most people don’t see this side of the man, at least not over the years he’s known him. It’s a side that Shepard rarely shares with anyone outside those with whom he’s closest. And right here, right now, it’s leaving Kaidan breathless. “Maintenance shaft,” Shepard replies simply.
Kaidan blinks. Maintenance shaft?
Shepard pulls to the side just enough for Kaidan to notice the opening not fifteen feet away, grate set aside and occasional flashes of light just inside. “Maintenance shaft,” Kaidan echoes. “Of course.”
Shaking his head back and forth, Kaidan manages a somewhat amused smile. He does that a lot with Shepard. He’s never met anyone quite like him before. Looking at him now, Kaidan says, “Well, if I’m thinking so hard you can hear me all the way up there, I must be thinking about something – or someone – important.”
There’s a moment, just a fraction of a second when Shepard’s blue eyes soften, a flash of emotion in response to Kaidan’s statement, and then it’s gone. What they have is new, especially for Shepard, so the fact Kaidan sees that much is enough for now. Before Shepard can do or say anything else, Kaidan leans in to kiss him. Quick. Decisive. A sneak attack the likes of which the infiltrator has never seen before.
Shepard’s soft gasp is exactly the response Kaidan hoped for.
However, the Cargo Bay might be empty now, but it’ll have people all over the place in no time, so it’s time for a change. Pulling back, Shepard’s eyes flare again. Kaidan’s smile slips into smirk territory. That look is something that will require more privacy than they have here.
Kaidan takes a step towards the boxes again thinking to clean up his mess in record time, but he’s stopped again by Shepard’s arm around his waist. “Mo ghrá...”
Protest mixed with resignation fill the commander’s tone. But Kaidan is prepared. “Call the lift,” he murmurs, weighting his words with just enough promise that Shepard sucks in a sharp breath for the second time in as many seconds. “I’m done here for now.”
“You’re sure?”
Kaidan chuckles as he drops the lid back on the crate and dusts his hands off. Winking at Shepard as he tilts his chin in the direction of the lift, he says, “Go press that call button and maybe you’ll find out.”