Curious Jealousy- a F!Shenko Fic

Chapter Thirty-Five: Change

Kaidan sighed as he settled himself into his room. He began to check his messages via his omni-tool and was unsurprised by the lack of messages he had received: a few from Alliance Commander, one from Jack, one from Adria, and two from two different Spectres.

"Major, I've received data on your biotics team. Download to a datapad will take approximately one hour."

"Thank you, EDI."

Shepard stood quietly in the doorway and watched the Prothean curiously. Part of her yearned to touch him- to understand his pain while letting him have experiences that weren't solely based on war. Another part wanted to just understand him- who he was.

"I do not want your pity, Commander," he informed her without turning around.

She entered and walked up to his water basins. "I don't pity you, Javik. You wouldn't be who you are were if not for what you have experienced," she informed him matter-of-factly.

"I was born in a time of war. Mine was not a conception born from love, but of a need for future soldiers. There isn't a memory that I have that doesn't consist of learning to be or being a soldier."

His opening up to her would probably become a rare occurrence, so she decided to seize the opportunity. "That is no way for a child to be raised."

"Could anything else be truly expected? We were forced to adapt- to change- as the galaxy shattered around us." He turned around and looked at her with an intensity that almost surprised her. "Did you not notice change when you were brought back after two years?" Before she could answer, he continued on with his thoughts. "For you, the changes were sudden- noticeable-. But, when you evolve with the change or are born after, you don't notice as much or realize what might have been.

"So, for this, I pity you, Commander. You have not been given such an opportunity to change- whether that is for the better remains to be seen."

Kaidan,

Things are slowly getting back to normal. There's more C-Sec patrolling everywhere on the Citadel, but, otherwise, it's fine. I thought that maybe the war wouldn't touch here, but I guess I was wrong.

I heard about what you all did. I'm very surprised that Commander Shepard was able to broker a peace between the Quarians and Geth. I don't know what you would've done, but I'd've been tempted to let the Quarian's defeat the Geth.

I know that things between us didn't work out. However, I don't think it'd do well to focus so strongly on your commander. If you play your cards right, I could set you up with a pretty redhead that I met not so long ago.

Take Care,

Adria

Kaidan knew that he only wanted one pretty redhead and she was currently making her normal, post-mission rounds on the Normandy. She would start out at the helm and then head down to the cargo bay and work her way up. Garrus would be next to last and he would be last.

KA: Just got done with my post-mission routine and read your message. I'm going to decline your offer to set me up on a date.

AM: Commander Shepard is lucky to have you. Despite everything, you're loyal to her. Most men would have given up.

KA: I was the one in the wrong. The only thing that is difficult about her is what makes her who she is- her personality.

AM: I still think you should consider Lia- she definitely seems like your type.

KA: I didn't realize that I had a type. Not that it matters, because I'm not looking for a date.

AM: Sorry, Kaidan, I've got to go- patient just arrived that requires intensive brain surgery. We'll talk later.