Curious Jealousy- a F!Shenko Fic

Chapter Thirty-Four: I Don't Fear Death

Shepard sat cross-legged on her couch, her eyes closed. She allowed herself to relax into a sense of peace that Samara had taught her back when she was working with Cerberus. There was so many things racing through her mind and she just needed to relax.

True to her word, she would have taken Kaidan with her and Tali (Admiral Tali'Zorah vas Normandy) if he hadn't been recovering from the beating he had taken from Garrus. So, sense Garrus had been in the wrong, she had taken Liara instead.

However, despite her meditation, her thoughts kept returning to the very beginning of the mission.

Breathe, Hope, Breathe, she thought to herself, all the while talking to Tali about what she was seeing. We're almost at the end.

She hated it- knowing that, at any time, the docking tube could fall out from underneath of her and she would drift off into space. She hoped that the Normandy would be able to rescue her, but she couldn't guarantee it.

"You're almost there," Kaidan said into her private comm channel.

She was thankful that he was there- watching. They still weren't clear on what was going on with each other, but it was wonderful to hear his voice. He had always been a relaxing element.

It was about at that point that the docking tube decided to fall away. She felt herself stop breathing- if only to conserve the oxygen to give herself more time until she was able to get rescued.

"Hope," Kaidan's voice broke into her fear-ridden brain, "You're going to be okay. Disengage your mag boots and let yourself float over to the platform."

She swallowed hard and did as he instructed- what she should have known what to do automatically. As she reached the platform, she reactivated her mag boots and stood there for a few moments to allow herself to calm down.

"Commander," Joker murmured worriedly over the comm.

"No worries, Joker, I made it over, but I don't think the squad's going to be using this docking tube."

The chime of the door halted her thoughts and she tapped her acceptance into her omni-tool without even bothering to figure out who it was.

"Hope," Kaidan's warm voice filled her quarters. "Where're you?"

"Living area," she replied simply- not bothering to change how she was sitting (and also not bothering to open her eyes).

Kaidan stopped at the bottom of the stairs and looked her over. Her short red hair was leaking enough water to leave her think tank plastered to her shoulders and her shorts showcased her tan, toned legs (enough that it took his mind to very dangerous places).

"Is this a bad time?"

Shepard laughed humorously. "No such thing exists if one of the crew needs to talk- you reminded me of that the last time." She paused and cracked a weak smile. "If that comment was about the state of my dress, please remember that there is nothing either of us hasn't seen of each other."

God, he'd missed that- her slightly inappropriate teasing. Only problem he had with it right at that point was her tone of exhaustion.

Sitting down carefully on the coffee table in front of her, Kaidan took her hands (which had previously been resting on her knees) into his and was rewarded with the sight of her eyes.

"Talk to me, Hope," he insisted. When she continued to do nothing but stare, he elaborated, "About the docking tube."

She stared at him expressionlessly- something he absolutely detested- and stated, "There's nothing to talk about."