Curious Jealousy- a F!Shenko Fic

Chapter Fifteen: The Past

Kaidan leaned heavily against the wall, looking out the window. He knew that he wasn't supposed to stand without either Adria or Dr. Michel in the room, but he didn't much care. The news from the other day still played in his mind.

"This is Diana Allers from the Battle Space. Today, I am joined by the Alliance's very own Commander Shepard," the perky newscaster had introduced.

The camera panned over to Shepard looking uncomfortable (Kaidan doubted that anyone watching would notice her discomfort, but he did). She plastered on a grin that was as fake as Allers' boobs. "It's nice to be here."

"So," Diana said, an intrigued look on her face, "What can you tell us about your latest mission?"

Shepard gave her an easy smile. "I'm sorry to say that a majority of the details is classified, but I'm willing to share what isn't."

"Go ahead," Allers prompted.

The camera focused on Shepard, something that, under normal circumstances would never happen, and she appeared pensive (and Kaidan knew that she was going to choose her words carefully). "Well, my team and I rescued a Krogan female," she finally said. "She was being held in a classified location for treatment," Kaidan knew, just from the look in her eyes, that there was more to the story, "when Cerberus attacked the facility."

"Now, there were rumors that, last year, you worked for the pro-human terrorist group."

Shepard's nose twitched in agitation at Allers' chosen wording. "Once again, my mission last year is classified, but, rest assured, had I actually been working for Cerberus, I would not being wearing an Alliance uniform today."

No, she hadn't worked for Cerberus, the better word would be with, or possibly used, Cerberus.

"Major," a voice commanded as the door to his room opened. As Kaidan struggled to straighten himself and give a salute, the other man waved his hand dismissively. "At ease," he said as he made his way to the window.

"Admiral Hackett, sir," Kaidan greeted him, wondering why the Admiral was visiting him.

They both stared out the window silently for a few minutes silently.

"I lived on Arcturus for a while- after the First Contact War," Hackett said suddenly. "Most career men and women did- with their families if they had them, or alone if they didn't.

"I was on leave for about a month or so- this was back when I was a Captain, I think- and I remember walking the halls of Arcturus. Even three years after First Contact, it was all humans.

"There was this little six-year-old staring out an observation window. She stood ramrod straight, her hands behind her back, and her chin slightly raised." Hackett had a small smile on his lips.

"Sounds like a perfect parade rest," Kaidan noted, wondering why Hackett was telling him the story.

Hackett nodded. "There was a little girl standing there doing what takes cadet's months to learn," he chuckled. "She looked thoughtful and, at the same time, decisive as she looked out at the stars- not in awe.

"'What're you thinking so hard about, marine?" I asked her jokingly.

"The little girl did an about face and threw up a salute that would make even the hardest drill instructor proud. 'Captain Hackett,' she said in greeting.

"I saluted her back as I said, 'At ease, soldier.' Had I not told her to stand at ease, she probably would have stood there at attention until she collapsed.