Hope and a Fighting Chance, Chap. 2

Chapter 2

Kaidan had arrived at the little café about 45 minutes before the time of their meeting...  And now, he was starting to regret it.  For the last half hour, he had been rehearsing in his head what he was going to say, how Shepard was likely to react, different scenarios with different outcomes...  Some rather good, others nothing short of catastrophic...  The anticipation was simply driving him mad!

It didn't help that this was the very first time that he'd been thinking about getting involved in a serious relationship with another man either...  Not that gender mattered much, as far as he was concerned.  Though many men or women did develop an exclusive attraction to either gender, it was never something that Kaidan had ever really taken the time to consider.

He remembered having watched vids from the early 21st century where people were the victims of discrimination and violence for identifying as gays, lesbians, or even bisexuals...  But it seemed that with the discovery of the mass relays and space exploration, humans had stopped feeling the need to label and categorize love, relationships, and sexual preferences in such a solid and definite manner.

After all, a man being in love with another man seemed like a pretty normal occurrence when people were starting to fall for other species such as the asaris or the turians.  And two women choosing to adopt a baby together didn't seem so unnatural anymore when you took into consideration that there was an entire race out there that not only was all females, but had the ability to procreate with other species.  "Mother" was simply a title given to the one that carried and gave birth to the baby; and "father" was the other partner, no matter his or her race or gender.

People in general had long understood that the need for love, intimacy, partnership, and the sharing of one's self with another went much beyond the notion of simple reproduction instincts.  If you found yourself lucky enough to care for another sentient being to the point where you wanted to share your life with that person, and find some happiness together, why let anything stop you?

Kaidan loved Shepard, and it was pretty clear by now that he also felt strong desires for him.  The fact that he was another man simply added another unknown, and he was determined to try to make things right.  He realized that the reason why Shepard made him feel so nervous was because he already felt a deep connection to him, and wasn't looking for some casual fling or anything short term.

It was one thing to go on a date with someone you'd just met and feel interested in, but without knowing exactly where the relationship would lead you, nor knowing just how far your emotional attachment to that other individual would go.  It was another thing entirely to court someone that you already loved and felt entirely committed to, body and soul, and to wonder how that person would respond to you.  The potential for loss and pain was greater, but thankfully, so was the possibility for incredible joy and happiness.

He took another deep breath and closed his eyes.  Alright, this was Shepard...  No matter what happened, he could at the very least trust him to respect his feelings, and not to say anything that would hurt him on purpose.  Unlike what he did on Horizon when he shut Shepard out...  Not that it was on purpose, but still...  Arrrg!  Thinking wasn't helping at all right now!

Opening his eyes, he saw that Shepard had finally made it to the Presidium, and was on his way towards the café.  As soon as he noticed Kaidan, he offered him a warm smile and a small wave of the hand as he slightly quickened his pace, making his way towards their table.

Kaidan smiled and waved back, taking it as a good sign that Shepard seemed at the very least happy to be here and to come join him.  Thankfully, he also felt his anxiety drop quite a notch.

"Surprised this place can still get supplies for a menu like this..." he casually said as Shepard reached him, trying to draw suspicion away from the unusual fanciness of their menu...  He didn't really feel like having to explain to Shepard how his latest outing at Purgatory ended up providing them with a dinner for two, courtesy of Aria.

"Maybe it's better if we don't ask how...  or where." Shepard replied, much to his relief, while taking the seat to his left and turning the chair a bit towards him.  Kaidan noticed that it made their encounter feel more...  Intimate.  Without the table in between them, all that either of them had to do was lean a bit to the side, and they could almost touch.  He couldn't help but wonder if Shepard had noticed, too, and if he'd purposefully chosen to sit there.

Perhaps it was Shepard's way to let him know that he was interested; to silently encourage him to open up to him and make his move...  Or maybe he was simply reading way too much into it and slowly going mad.

"I'm glad we're taking the time to do this." he said while leaning forward and resting his arms on the table, trying to adopt a relaxed and opened attitude "I could use a sanity check."

"Things have been pretty crazy." Shepard acknowledged with a little nod.

"You know, my life flashed in front of my eyes on Mars...  And there weren't enough moments like this, with people I care about."

He'd meant what he'd said casually...  Just a way to let Shepard know how important what they were doing right now was for him; but as soon as he'd mentioned Mars, it seemed that Shepard had immediately tensed ever so slightly, and his expression had become worried.  It was very subtle, but Kaidan caught it and mentally felt like kicking himself.

"How are you feeling these days?" the other man asked, visibly concerned.

"Feeling up to whatever the Reapers throw at me." he replied, keeping his voice as light and carefree as possible, trying to let Shepard know that whatever happened on Mars, he had entirely recovered from it and this wasn't the reason why he had invited him to come and share a moment with him.  "And grateful that I convinced you to sit down for half a second and relax."

"Yeah, I think it's a good time for us to have a heart-to-heart.  Let's talk." Shepard agreed "What are you drinking?"

Kaidan chuckled a bit, remembering that Shepard's last drinking adventure was part of the reason why they both ended up here...  But he quickly managed to cover it.

"If you're trying to butter me up, it might take a nice steak sandwich, too."

"So?"

"Shot of whiskey and a good old Canadian lager.  Think they have it?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.

"More likely to have batarian shard wine".  Shepard replied while taking a look at the menu, his eyebrows slightly going up in a mix of surprise and confusion as he took notice of the rather rich and varied selection of drinks and main courses.  Of course, Shepard didn't comment on it, nor did Kaidan really expect he would.  But that didn't stop him from silently enjoying it.  The Commander wasn't an overtly expressive person, but to Kaidan, he was an open book.  A little twitch of his nose, a crease in his forehead, a small roll of his eyes, a certain variation of tone in his voice...  There were always little signs that could let you easily know what Shepard was feeling, and sometimes even thinking.  If you knew to look for them, of course.

"At my parents' place in Vancouver, drank more than a few beers on their balcony, looking over English Bay..." he said, trying to make some small talk and get the conversation going, before the haunting images of having witnessed Vancouver under attack from the Reapers and burning came back to his mind.  "Yeah, beautiful view..."  He was determined not to let such thoughts ruin their moment, though.  Hadn't he told Shepard that they were here to relax, and take their minds off of these things?

"You know what though, I feel good about our chances." he added, trying to put as much conviction as he could in his words.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah.  Let's me sleep better at night."

Of course, it didn't take much more for Shepard to once again become concerned about his well being.  "You're not sleeping, Kaidan?"

"Maybe a little restless..." Kaidan admitted quietly, looking away.  He knew that as long as he didn't say exactly what was on his mind, tell Shepard the reason why he wanted to have a private talk with him, the Commander would just keep imagining the worst, and worry.  If he wanted them to actually enjoy their dinner together and get pass the "awkward" stage of beating around the bush, he would probably need to say something.  He took a deep breath.

"It's just...  You plan a career, you focus, then suddenly the world's ending and it's too late to...  to find someone." he began explaining, still unable to look at Shepard, feeling both incredibly vulnerable and exposed, and afraid to see what he might "read" there, if he ever dared look.

"Someone?" Shepard prompted, giving him enough courage this time to look in his eyes.

"We've been friends a long time, Shepard.  Have you ever known me to be with anyone?" he asked, but for the first time, he found himself unable to decipher what the other man was thinking.  He was listening attentively, but beyond that...  "But I guess I'm just choosy or patient or...  I don't know..."  he explained while feeling his heart beating incredibly fast, surprised that he was still able to keep his voice so calm and steady.  "Maybe what I've never found, what I want is...  something deeper with someone I already...  care about." Well, that was putting it mildly.  "That's what I want.  What do you want?"

There it was...  He'd finally admitted it and no matter what, there was no turning back or changing his mind now.

"You and me?  Is that what you're saying, Kaidan?" Shepard asked with a certain amount of awe in his voice, while looking probably just as fragile and exposed as he'd felt a few moments ago.

It occurred to Kaidan that while he'd had some time to really think it through, get used to the idea that the one he loved more than anything might be sharing his feelings, and that the possibility of them sharing a future together may not be such an impossible dream...  Shepard, on the other hand, may not have had the chance to reach that same point yet.  

A few days ago, if their roles had been reversed and Shepard had been the one to tell him that he desired a relationship, Kaidan had to admit that he might have just sat there in complete shock, gapping.  He would have been basically wondering if his head hadn't suffered more damage than it did, and he was now confusing his fantasies with reality.

"It feels right, doesn't it?" he told Shepard with a gentle, caring smile, confirming that "you and me" was indeed what he had in mind.

"Be nice to have someone to turn to when things get grim.  Someone to live for.  Maybe love..." Shepard began to say...  Slowly coming to the realization that this really was what Kaidan was offering him...  And what it could mean for the both of them.

Kaidan chuckled a bit, his previous anxious state gradually giving way to giddiness.  "Someone?"

"You, Kaidan." Shepard said, smiling back at him in wonder, his own heart now beating just as fast.  He could feel all the worry that he'd previously felt wash away, and the mask of control and professionalism that he'd gotten used to wearing with other people start to fall.  He'd always trusted Kaidan, with all his heart, but he'd never been entirely comfortable to show it.  Perhaps because he'd been afraid that the Major would find his attitude inappropriate, and that he would lose the other man's respect if he allowed his true feelings to show.  Kaidan was a good officer, and one that tended to keep everything pretty close to the book.  He didn't know what exactly had convinced him that they might be good together, as more than friends or brothers-in-arms, but he sure wasn't going to waste that opportunity.  "Huh.  It does.  It does feel right.  After all this time...  You and me.  I like that.  A lot."

Kaidan's own smile only grew wider. "And that...  makes me so happy.  And there are benefits to that happiness." he hinted seductively.

"Really?" Shepard flirted back, still trying to wrap his head around the fact that this was all really happening...

"Yes.  Really." he knew he was playing coy, but he just couldn't resist.

"What'd you call it?  A sanity check?"

"Hmmm.  Sanity check."

The waitress chose that moment to arrive with their drinks and appetizers, and for a few minutes, they just sat there in companionable silence, eating and enjoying the view from the Presidium...  Despite the smoke rising here and there from the previous Cerberus attack, it still felt very peaceful, and beautiful.  Or maybe it was the fact that they were simply enjoying the moment together, Kaidan mused.  The setting itself didn't matter much.

"So..." Shepard began.

"So?"

"How do we do this?"  At the confused expression that Kaidan sent him, it suddenly seemed like a good idea to clarify. "I mean, about the others...  Are you comfortable with the crew on the Normandy knowing about us being involved with each other...  Or..."

Kaidan couldn't resist laughing.  Oh, if Shepard only knew.  "I don't think that we would be able to keep it a secret even if we wished to."

It was Shepard's time to frown and look confused "What do you mean?"

"Turns out that Liara, Garrus, Joker, EDI, and probably a few others are very perceptive..."

"Really?"

"Yeah, they might...  And I mean, might...  Have felt like it was a good idea to help me get over a few...  doubts I was having."

"Such as..."

"You know...  the usual...  Will Shepard love me back?  Will I make a total ass of myself?  How would the crew react to me dating their commanding officer?  That sort of thing." he explained, taking a draft from his beer.

Shepard laughed "But you have such a cute ass..."

Kaidan started chocking, prompting the other man to gently pat him on the back...

"You okay?"

"Yeah" *cough* "It's just..." *cough* "That was unexpected..." he started to laugh, too "If you're trying to make me blush, I think it's working."

"Doesn't take you much..." Shepard replied with an amused smirk.

"Yeah, well I might need a few minutes to adjust to the change of pace."

"I could try to go easy on you..." he offered.

"No, I'm good.  Flattered, actually.  I think I could get used to this."

"Glad to hear it!"

"But as I was saying, the other guys seemed pretty uh...  Comfortable with the thought of us being together."  Kaidan said, while Shepard smiled at him and reached across the table to take his hand in his.

"Good, because I really didn't feel like having to hide it..."

It was such a simple, gentle gesture, but Kaidan felt his heart soar.  He didn't think it possible to love this man anymore than he already did, but obviously he was wrong.  If such an innocent show of public affection had that effect on him, he couldn't help but wonder how he would respond to further contact...  He smiled back and gave Shepard's hand a little squeeze, then gently began caressing it with his fingers...

Their moment was interrupted by the waitress coming back with their main orders, and they had to disconnect in order for her to set the plates on the table.

"How about you Shepard, how are you holding up these days?" Kaidan asked, realizing that while Shepard had enquired about him earlier in the conversation, he had yet to return the favor.

Shepard sighed and closed his eyes for a few seconds, and only now did Kaidan notice how very tired he looked.  "You're not the only one having trouble sleeping lately...  Though I suppose that with the war and everything else going on, it's not really surprising..."

"Is this anything a concerned boyfriend should know about?" Kaidan offered compassionately, making the other man smile a bit.

"Remember when we left Earth...  The evacuation shuttles that got shot down by the Reapers, just in front of our eyes..."

Kaidan nodded, this vision was indeed one that he was still struggling with...  Leaving Earth that way had been extremely hard.

"Well, there was a little boy on one of these shuttles...  Couldn't have been more than six or seven...  Before Anderson and I managed to make it to the Normandy, I found him hiding somewhere in the vents...  I tried to coax him out and offered to bring him to safety, but he refused, saying that I couldn't help him...  That no one could...  Watching him die, I couldn't help but believe that I should have gone into these vents after him...  But I let him go..."

"I guess that's something I can relate to..." Kaidan said, remembering the guilt he'd felt following the destruction of the first Normandy, when he'd been the one to let Shepard go...

"Yeah, but there's more to it.  I've been having these dreams...  They feel more like visions, really.  I'm surrounded by groups of people, though they appear only as shadows...  And I keep hearing the voices of the people and friends that I've lost...  But the only tangible person that I can try to follow and catch up to is that little boy.  And when I finally find him, the world around me starts burning...  And then I wake up..." Shepard explained quietly, and Kaidan noticed that his hands were shaking ever so slightly as he recalled his dreams.

Survivor's guilt was something that he was pretty familiar with...  It had nearly taken him the two years that Shepard had been "gone" in order to recover from it.  He remembered having had these nightmares of watching Shepard disintegrate before his very eyes, while blaming him for his death.  In these dreams, he'd felt him going from corporal to dust, while he'd desperately tried to cling onto him.

He'd even had to take some dream suppressants for a while to try to help him get some sleep.  They'd been messing up with his reflexes and his biotics a bit, but since they weren't in a full out war situation back then, it hadn't been a huge issue.  And then, he'd pretty much gone back to feeling emotionally numb, and had remained that way until Shepard had come back.

Also, he'd been lucky enough that everything around him hadn't been a reminder of what he'd lost, or could still loose, in relation to that specific event.

He couldn't even tell Shepard not to worry about it and try to convince him that whatever they were, his fears were unfounded.  Tell him that the danger was gone now, and that he could relax.  The term "post traumatic stress syndrome" implied that the trauma originating it was something of the past.  That it was now resolved...

But the "traumatic stress" that Shepard found himself under right now was still an ongoing thing.  And looking into his love's eyes, it was clear that Shepard was fully aware of it.

"Have you tried talking to Dr. Chakwas about it?" he asked quietly.

"And tell her what?  Everyone in this galaxy seems to be expecting me to be the one to pull them through this war, and to stop the Reapers from consuming everything.  I still don't fully understand how I managed to get myself into this position, but sometimes, I feel more like some symbol of hope than a person.  I can't afford to be human..."

Kaidan frowned "That's very dangerous thinking..."

Shepard let out a bitter laugh "Is it?  You've had your own command; you know what it feels like to have to make the tough calls.  But most people in this war are still fighting because they think that the ones protecting them are some invincible heroes with unshakable morals that will come up with some miraculous solution at the very last minute.  I can't let them down..."

"As opposed to letting yourself down?" Kaidan asked, reaching back to take Shepard's hand.  He was glad when Shepard didn't try to remove it, but instead tightened his grasp, as if trying to draw strength from the simple contact.

"Sacrifice one to save the many..."

"Shepard..." Kaidan warned, his voice pained...  He really didn't like where this was going...

"I know, and I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to worry you...  I guess I just needed someone to know..."

"And I am glad that you told me..." he replied sincerely.  Actually, the fact that Shepard trusted him enough to share these thoughts and feelings with him meant the world to him.  "But you're no longer alone in this...  I seem to recall that there's this guy with a really cute butt that now has a very personal interest in making sure that you make it through this war in one piece..."

Shepard chuckled a bit "So I've heard...  But you know that these types of commitments go both ways, right?"

"Well, I'm still drinking that horrible concoction that the doctor ordered me to keep taking for a few months..." he said with a small wince "And you can ask Chakwas, but I haven't missed a single implant checkup with her."

"Good to know."

"Would having someone by your side while you're sleeping help in keeping the nightmares at bay?" he offered helpfully, without realizing the full implications of what he'd just said.

"Well Major, so eager to secure your place in my quarters already?" Shepard replied, making Kaidan laugh.

"Oh, my stuff can stay in the observation deck...  All I want is the bed, seeing as I don't have one." he teased.

"We will definitely have to remedy that..." Shepard agreed.

He then spent a good part of their dinner telling Kaidan all about the things that he had missed while he'd been recovering in the hospital.  Curing the genophage and facing the mother of all thresher maws.  How his good friend Mordin had befriended the female krogan Bakara, then nicknamed "Eve", and had ultimately sacrificed his own life in order to give the krogans a chance at a better future.  How she and Wrex had vowed not to squander the hope that Mordin had given them.

They both spoke about some of the dreams that they had managed to fulfil in their lives so far, and some of the things that they would still like to accomplish when the war was over.  All the while realizing that many of these projects, they could now happily share together.

Once their meal was over, Shepard announced that there were still a few articles that he needed to go buy before they left for the Perseus Veil on the next day, and suggested that Kaidan accompany him.

Unable to resist, Kaidan asked if he was planning on going to his "favorite store" first; teasing him on the fact that it had taken nearly 6 months for the clerks to notice that most of the stores on the Citadel had received the same endorsement, and to take his now infamous voice announcement down.  Some of them had still kept it nevertheless, claiming that it made their customers happy.

It was refreshing...  Being able to just chat, relax and go shopping with your partner...  Doing what most regular couples that usually weren't engaged in an epic struggle against invading Reaper forces would do.  Well, besides the part about shopping for weapons and armors upgrades, he supposed.

Having the spectres requisition office glitch by saying "Welcome spectre Kaidan Shepard" as they both stepped into it at the same time threw them in a fit of laughter, and made them realize that they were both getting pretty tired.  Well that, and that it was probably a pretty rare occurrence to have two spectres trying to access their terminals at the same time.

Once they were done getting what they needed and making sure that there were no pressing matters in Citadel space that required their immediate attention, they made their way back to the Normandy.

As they stepped together into the elevator, Kaidan saw Shepard press the button to the first deck and wait for the door to close before taking both of his hands in his, preventing him from pressing the button to deck 3.  As their eyes met, he felt his heartbeat quicken and his breath catch in his chest.  Shepard was looking at him with so much tenderness and longing...  And yet, he also seemed so unsure, as if waiting for Kaidan to give him permission to take things further...

Trying to remember how to breathe, he offered him a gentle smile and a little nod; and, as they reached the first deck and the door opened, let Shepard lead him slowly towards the door of his cabin...

He felt like in a daze, as if walking underwater...  Neither of them noticed that the door to the cabin had both opened and closed on its own, being too lost in each other to really acknowledge their surroundings.  Eventually, Shepard encountered an obstacle as he backed up against his desk, knocking his laptop out of the way…  But Kaidan kept advancing, closing in the distance between them until Shepard's hands let go of his own in order to wrap his arms around his lower back, pulling him closer, their pelvis now touching…  Kaidan gasped, all too aware of the intimate contact, and trying his best not to lose all self control right here and there.  He wanted to savor this, take it slow, and so he lovingly caressed the side of Shepard's cheek with his right hand before letting it slide behind his neck, pulling him closer and into their very first kiss...

Time stood still…  In that moment, there were no longer any Reapers, nor war, nor horrors, nor people fighting or dying…  Nothing mattered anymore besides Shepard and himself, here and now, in this very moment.  The feel of his lips against his…  His tongue gently following his lead…  Roaming hands sliding beneath his shirt…  Alternating between caressing his stomach and his lower back…  Trying to reach for his butt cheeks but being hindered by the tightness of his waistband.  He heard Shepard grunt in annoyance and couldn't help but chuckle a bit against his mouth…

Shepard began moving his hips from side to side, deliciously teasing him, as his mouth finally left his to go explore his shoulders…  His neck…  Unable to resist kissing and nipping every inch of flesh that he could manage to expose by pulling his shirt to the sides…  That's it…  The clothes would definitely need to come off...  Soon.

"Shepard, I have taken the liberty to lock the door of your personal quarters, if that is okay with you…"

"Yes." Shepard replied breathlessly, while Kaidan began gently suckling on his ear…

"Also, would you like me to ask specialist Traynor to hold back any messages that aren't a priority, and let key members of the crew know that you aren't to be disturbed until further notice?"

"Yes"

"Very well.  Can I trust that you will be perfectly safe for the next few hours, and thus, that I can deactivate any audio or video feed from your cabin until you indicate otherwise?"

"Yes, please…"

"If you keep saying "yes" to EDI like that, I might start getting jealous." Kaidan said, making Shepard laugh.

"Shut up and kiss me, Major."

"Aye aye." he replied, once again capturing Shepard's mouth with his.

"EDI, out."

"Oh, and EDI…"

"I know.  No peeking."

"Thanks." Shepard replied, though he had to wonder if the AI would truly keep her promise.  However, the hungry look and mischievous smile that Kaidan was giving him soon captured his attention...  He felt something in the air around him shift as his lover activated his biotics and the familiar blue glowing aura surrounded him.

"What are you…"  Seconds later, his arms flew up in the air as their shirts were swiftly flown away from their bodies, and he suddenly found himself naked from the waist up, pressed against Kaidan's very warm and muscular chest…  The energy from his charged up biotic powers enveloping them both and tickling him, leaving Shepard feeling oddly delighted...  As an entirely "normal" human, biotics had always fascinated and even thrilled him.

"Do you have any other tricks like that?" he asked, while holding Kaidan closer and enjoying the scent and the feel of his skin against his…

"I might…" he whispered back seductively, making him shiver.  He had to wonder if Kaidan had any idea just how very sexy and plain irresistible he looked right now…  And just how much he wanted him…  "But unless you want me to make love to you against that desk...  I suggest we make our way to the bed first..."

Considering that his knees had nearly buckled at the mention of making love...  This was probably a very good idea.  However, considering that neither of them felt inclined to sever the physical contact, walking while not looking at all at where they were going, too occupied with the kissing, caressing, tasting and touching, this ended up being quite a bit of a challenge.

Finally, they half landed, half collapsed on the bed, succumbing to their desire, love, and passion for one another...

And later that evening, as they fell asleep into each other's arms, thoroughly spent, but happier than they'd ever remembered being...  They slept soundly, no dark visions or nightmares haunting Shepard's dreams...  Only the peaceful, lingering feeling of being safe, protected, and loved in his lover's embrace...

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"Shepard..."

"Hmmm..." Shepard moaned, sleepily tightening his hold on the warm body in his arms...  Nuzzling the back of his neck.

"Shepard..."

"Hmmm..." he moaned again, sounding more irritated...  He could feel the warm body slowly turning around in his arms to face him, and plant a light kiss on his nose, as a hand began tracing undulating patterns up and down his chest...  This was rather pleasant...

"SHEPARD!"

This, however, was not.  He'd better say something now, or he had a feeling the AI would end up sending someone in to rouse them.

"What's up, EDI?" he asked, trying to hide the annoyance in his voice.

"I could ask you the same question..." he heard Kaidan whisper in his ear, making him chuckle.

"Shhh...  Trying to get rid of an annoying AI..." he answered back, apparently a bit louder than he'd intended to.

"I heard that.  Is grumpiness upon awakening a common human trait?  I thought that was only Jeff."

He heard Kaidan try to stifle a laugh.

"Sorry EDI." he replied, sitting up "You were saying?"

"We'll be reaching the Perseus Veil in about 4 hours, and Admiral Hackett has requested to speak to you on vid. com. before we meet with the Migrant Fleet's Admirals."

"Wait, 4 hours...  What time is it?"  Shepard asked, completely shocked.

"Passed 14 hundred."

"Are you serious?"  Beside him Kaidan was now making the whole bed shake as he kept laughing while trying not to be heard.  "Stop that..." Shepard said while giving him a slight slap on the shoulder.  Which, of course, only made it more difficult for the Major to get a hold of himself.

"Considering the recent disturbances in your sleep patterns, we thought that both of you could use a bit more rest, especially considering what lies ahead.  I estimated that 4 hours should be more than sufficient in order for you to get ready to meet with the Quarians Fleet's representatives." she explained.

"I...  Thank you EDI."  This was actually very kind and considerate of her.  Or "we"...  He had to wonder how many people had been consulted on this.  Hopefully, she only meant she and Joker.

"My pleasure.  I will restore the video feed of your quarters later at your command.  EDI, out."

"Well, someone sure seems to be enjoying himself..." Shepard said as he laid back down, facing Kaidan, who was still trying to recover from his laughing fit.

"Oh my god...  I'm so sorry Shepard, it's just...  I can't believe we slept in like that.  I feel like such a teenager!" he said, still feeling a bit giddy.

"Well, you sure had the stamina of one last night..." Shepard answered with a teasing smile...

"Are you complaining, Commander?"  Kaidan teased back, reaching underneath the other man's shoulders to draw him closer to his chest as he rolled on his back.

"Definitely not..." Shepard replied, resting his head underneath Kaidan's chin, and snuggling closer.  They stayed like this for a few minutes, simply enjoying each other's presence, until something occurred to Kaidan.

"You realize that Joker is never going to let us live this one down, do you?"

Shepard laughed.  Though he suspected that his lover might be right, he realized that it was a pretty small price to pay considering how very happy he felt right now.

"I could always throw him out the airlock if it made you feel any better..." he offered, making Kaidan laugh back.

"Nah.  I'm good!" he said, kissing the top of Shepard's head.

"On the bright side, I can't remember the last time I slept so well...  Had I known before that all I needed to get rid of the nightmares was to have you in my bed..."

"...you would have come back to Huerta every night to sleep in that small hospital bed of mine?"

Considering that they had spent a grand total of one night on their own ever since Kaidan came back on the Normandy, this made way too much sense.  Shepard guessed that his brain probably hadn't fully awakened yet.

"Good point!" he agreed, before looking at the time on his bedside clock.   "I guess I really should start to get ready though..."

"Yeah.  You really should..." Kaidan replied, while giving absolutely no indication that he was planning on releasing his hold on Shepard's body...  Instead moving in for a kiss...

"Definitely..."  Leaning into the kiss, the Commander decided that EDI made a computational mistake...   3 hours should be more than sufficient.