Curious Jealousy- a F!Shenko Fic

Chapter Fifty-Nine: Deal?

If it wasn’t one mission, it was another. The ground-team cycled with each mission.

All but one.

When she wasn’t groundside, she was either playing diplomat or reviews the morbid war numbers that were pouring in- sometimes by the hour.

Anymore, Kaidan was lucky if he fell asleep with her- there was next to no chance to waking up with her.

Even the chances of sitting down and talking were fading away.

Despite all of that, Kaidan made sure that he would be there when her weighed-down shoulders and wry eyes became too much and she needed a shoulder- or, at least, an ear.

There were times when all he could do for her was make her a fresh cup of tea and put food in front of her. More often than not, the tea would grow cold before she was even halfway through it and the food would go to waste.

“Major,” Chakwas greeted him as she finished wrapping the wrist of one of the engineers.

Rubbing his temples, he spared a wave in way of greeting before going to his all-but-reserved bed. It was in the furthest, dimmest corner of the med bay.

After a few minutes, he felt the doctor’s cool hands pressed against his forehead.

“Give me the scale- you know the drill,” she reminded him quietly.

Taking a deep breath, he took silent stock of all of his facilities. He had had worse migraines.

“Seven and a half- maybe eight,” he murmured.

He heard her moving things around in one of the cupboards before coming back. Once she cleaned his arm, she poked it with a needle.

Kaidan breathed an instant sigh of relief as some of the pressure faded.

“How is she?” Chakwas asked quietly after a few moments.

“Pushing herself too hard. Not enough food or sleep.” He paused before adding, “This war is going to kill her.”

He heard the doctor sit down. “It already has once,” she pointed out.

“I highly doubt that Cerberus will spend the money for a second revival.” Finally, he opened his eyes and looked at the doctor. “This war is draining the life out of her. She’s not eating. She’s not sleeping- and, when she does, it’s not restful. And she won’t let anyone take some of the pressure off.”

“And you- how are you?”

“The migraines are more frequent. Could be because of the stress of the war and trying to help Shepard.”