You're Right

Reunion On The Horizon

As Kaidan removed himself from me, he shifted to lay behind me, our bodies pressed together. Lacing our fingers together, I bring his hand up to kiss the back of his hand before leaning back against him with a content sigh. I feel him nuzzle my neck and I smile.

After stopping Saren and Sovereign following their attack on the Citadel, The Council had decided that after a very short shore leave to lick our wounds and celebrate our victory, my crew and I were charged with the responsibility of combing the galaxy for any remaining geth and getting rid of them. Despite staying busy, Kaidan and I often found time for some alone time tucked away in my private cabin at night while the rest of the crew slept. These times were the only moments I had to myself and I prized more than anything.

"I could get used to this," Kaidan mutters near my neck.

I turn my head. "Hmm?"

"I mean this." He says, pulling me close. "Us."

I smile to myself. "Me too. Although I'm pretty sure Joker has been listening in the last few times."

"Probably." He chuckles. There's a short silence before he speaks again. "I've been thinking about us, Shepard... a lot."

"Oh?"

I feel him grab my hand, his thumb moving over the back thoughtfully. "Yeah... I love you." Pulling away from him slightly, I shift so I can face him. I look him over, taking in his kind eyes and the faint scar near his lip from an old sparring lesson back during basic training. His lips curl up into a smile.

"Really?" I smile.

"I do." He whispers. He reaches up to touch my hair, pushing a rogue section away from my face as his eyes meet mine. "So much."

I reach up to touch his cheek. "I love you too, Kaidan."

He smiles, leaning forward to capture my lips in a slow, yet tender kiss as his hand moves down my back and rests on my waist as he pulls me closer to him.

"Commander?"

Joker's voice cuts through my thoughts as the shuttle abruptly jostles, pulling me from my thoughts. I feel my cheeks burn beneath my helmet as Garrus shoots me a curious glance.

"What's going on, Joker?" I ask, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand.

Ever since his name came up in the mission debriefing, I had thought of little else. How would Kaidan react? Last he knew, I had died two years ago. He probably even went to my memorial service and dealt with the various people constantly telling him how I died a hero and what a great soldier and commander I was. Maybe after two years, he had moved on. While I would understand if he did, the very thought of it felt like a knife lodged in my chest.

I knew things would be awkward with the whole dying thing but what I mostly feared was how he would react to me being a part of Cerberus. Sure, I'm not a full fledged member of the damned organization but it certainly didn't look good to be allied with them.

"Commander, we're nearing Horizon but you're not going to like what you see."

I frown. "What's happening?"

With just one word, fear gripped my heart and I felt my blood run cold. "Collectors."

"Get us in as close as you can."

"You got it, Commander."

"Why am I not surprised?" Garrus mutters nearby. He meets my gaze, a slight grin forming. "Into the thick of it; Just like old times, eh Shepard?"