Reignited

Part 4

An hour later Kaidan entered Anderson's office. Admiral was sitting at his desk, his expression serious.

"Good to see you, son." Anderson was never big on formalities. "I have some intel on Cerberus. I need you to check it."

Kaidan nodded. "Yes, sir. May I know the source?" A few other tips they had from the same anonymous source paid off and they learned a lot about Cerberus and their goals, but he never asked who was sending the info.

Anderson tapped his fingers on the desk and regarded the younger man with interest. "I thought you would figure it out by now, major. It's from Shepard."

Kaidan's brow furrowed. So it was her? All this time she was helping the Alliance this way? Now it made sense though.

He took a deep breath and admitted. "I didn't think about it." Because I was too blinded by my anger to see the bigger picture.

Anderson stood up from the desk and turned to the panoramic window. "I believe you two meet yesterday." He glanced over his shoulder at the major. "Don't worry son, I know you two are close. You make quite a pair."

"Yes, sir." Kaidan couldn't help the blush on his cheek. He stayed for the whole night and woke up, clothes on, on the sofa with Lynn curled in his arms. And for the first time in the last two years he felt whole again.

"Did she say where they are going?" Admiral asked, his voice sober.

"No, sir. I didn't ask." Neither of them wanted to bring up the subject. "I am not sure if she would tell me."

Anderson signed quietly. "No, I don't think she would, but not because she doesn't trust you." He stopped for a moment and looked through the window. When he looked back his expression was grave. "Shepard is taking Normandy through the Omega 4 Relay. To the Collectors home world."

Kaidan's heart stopped for a moment. It's going to be tough. Joker's voice rang in his head. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

He closed his eyes for a few seconds trying to compose himself. When he opened them again Anderson was still watching him with concern. The older man smiled sadly. "I only found out an hour ago, Shepard sent me a message. She has a good crew, some of your old squad mates are there too. Stil, it's a suicide mission." He shook his head.

"She will come back, sir." Kaidan was surprised by the certainty of his own voice.

Anderson nodded slowly. "Yes. If anyone can pull it off and live to tell the story it would be her."

Both men stood for a long while in silence, submerged in their own thoughts.