Curious Jealousy- a F!Shenko Fic

Chapter Forty-Nine: Reporters

The girl's had sent him ahead so that they could finish getting Hope ready and Brooks into some kind of acceptable attire. So, he had arrived alone and been instantly bombarded with questions from reporters. Being only the second human Spectre ever afforded him a sort of fame that he had never sought out- not anywhere close to Hope's fame, but that was more than okay with him.

"Major," one reporter called out, "last heard, you were aboard the Normandy, serving, once again, under Commander Shepard. Is that still true?"

A more childish part of his mind wanted to say, Not yet, but there's still hope and more than a little promise. Luckily, he had more than a little experience of quieting that part of his mind. Of course, the image of her in nothing but her underwear kept sneaking into his brain. "It is," he confirmed, trying not to visualize her as she had been.

"What do all of you aboard the ship think about the problem of the excess of war refugees on the Citadel?"

"Everyone on the Normandy support efforts made to help the refugees of every world. They can no more be blamed for crowding the ports than soldiers can help giving their lives in the hopes to end the war."

"Should we expect an appearance by the Commander?"

That was something that he found interesting. No matter what was happening or who was talking, they always wanted to know about Shepard.

"There is a very good chance that the Commander will show up." He hoped, anyway. Otherwise, he was all dressed up for nothing.

The reporters all murmured excitedly.

"Most of the guests tonight have had dates. Major, did you have trouble finding someone to come with you?"

All of the women reporters giggled, but more than a few shook their head as though they didn't believe that that had been the problem.

"No, nothing like that- she's on her way. You know what it's like," he joked as a new skycar drove up, "women take forever to get ready."

Everyone chuckled as they eyed the new car. Kaidan turned around in time to see Hope step from the skycar, her back to the crowd. The reporters all fell silent as they all tried to figure out who the new, mysterious guest was.

With a small smile, Kaidan walked over to her and rested his hand on the small of her back as the reporters all began taking a multitude of pictures.

He didn't care.

"Hope," he murmured, quiet enough for her ears only. When she tilted her head back to look at him, he captured her lips with his own.

It was probably total career suicide, but he didn't care anymore. He was more than ready to let the entire galaxy know that Commander Hope Ann Shepard was his.

"Kaidan," she gasped when he broke the kiss.

He applied a little pressure on the small of her back to guide her around so that the entire crowd could see her. She was, after all, a gift to be shared.

She looked stunning. He could appreciate that as she smiled at the reporters who were busily murmuring into the omni-tools- no doubt about what they had just witnessed. The sheerness of the blue material gave sight to the gold underneath. It was hard for him to describe, but it was beautiful.

However, she would never have picked it out for herself.

"Commander!" a reporter called out. "How long have you and Major Alenko been together?"

She looked up at Kaidan with a glint in her eye that let him know that he probably wouldn't like the words to come out of her mouth.

"Which time?" she asked with the little half-smile that Kaidan adored.

The reporters all gasped and all began throwing out questions.

"But, that is not why we're here. Major Alenko," she laid a hand on his chest, "and I are here to help raise money for the war refugees." And, with that, she had dismissed them the same as if they were rude, unruly soldiers.

"Come on, Major, we have an event to attend," she reminded him, wrapping her arm around him as he did her.

"You're looking radiant, Commander," Kaidan said loudly enough for everyone to hear as they began the walk to the doors, waving at the crowd and reporters.

"As in beautiful or as in causing invisible damage?" she all but purred, pulling his gaze down to her.

"Why can't it be both?" he wondered, pulling her closer against his side. "Ow, my heart."

"Nice," Brooks interrupted, kind of ruining the small moment they were having. "Oh, can you see my exit wound? The medi-gel is supposed to match skin pigmentation, but it never does."

Shepard sighed, trying to keep her cool with the other woman. "Just smile and wave, Brooks, smile and wave."