The Tale of Amara Shepard

This is a divergent canon story of Mass Effect. In this version Shepard and Alenko knew each other since childhood. Both still had terrible events shape thier lives, and who they would become - but find each other in the middle and somehow it helps. Amara Shepard has the spacer background, but some twists and turns were added for some story spice. There are stories from thier childhood as well as fighting the Reapers. Each post will be dated and tagged appropriately. Be safe, be kind and enjoy!

[wonders-of-the-cosmos]

Black hole Gargantua

Credit: Interstellar / Paramount Pictures

[agarthium]

[amaraeshepard]

"Yessir."

~ Amara Shepard

[amaraeshepard]

CITADEL - ORDERS TO RESUPPLY, REPAIR AND RELAX - PART THREE

Flux nightclub, Citadel

AMARA

I have had enough drinks to dance. I have had enough drinks to dance badly and blame it on the drink. I have never been able to dance alone. I need a lead, someone to guide me through the beat. Silly really, but the only dance I have ever been good at is the one on the battlefield. 

Breathe. Aim. Shoot.

On the dance floor there were steps and turns and…it just didn’t feel right. The giggles and smiles came almost instantly. Well, we are bonding as a crew, right? I was making a fool of myself willingly, something that would endear me to them as well as just release some of the anger I had lingering from earlier. The rest of the anger melted away when a hand took hers and pulled her close. It took her a moment, but her smile slipped and danced across her lips as she came face to face with Kaidan. 

“Kay..” she whispered, hoping no one could hear her over the music and din of the club. 

Kaiden smiled in return, the dimple she remembered from his youth emerged and she tilted her head as he began to lead her in a dance that matched the music. She was grateful, and nodded before he let go of her for a moment and spun her away from him. 

Amara caught the look in Jokers face as he watched from the table. She knew he had an inkling of what was possibly happening between Kaidan and herself. He had been watching them together since the launch party. They were a puzzle that needed to be solved. She had wanted to talk to him about it, even headed to the bridge a few times to do so - but how do you talk to your pilot about your childhood friend?

With that thought, Kaidan tugged her back to him and continued the dance. Some of the crew had partnered off and started to dance themselves. It seemed that they had started a trend. 

“Mar.”

Her eyes met Kaidan’s instantly. In that moment the club, the crew and the music faded into the background. It was just them, dancing. Moving together perfectly in step. It was a battlefield of sorts for her. She fought with every breath to hide her feelings. Her heart slammed in her chest, threatening to break her ribs, but she forced herself to keep breathing. 

Kaidan pulled her close, pressing her against him and holding her there as they started to slow down. The music had changed. Someone had requested a slow song. A slow love song. 

Shit.

“Commander?”

“Sorry, Kay…Lieutenant.” She closed her eyes and stopped moving. When she opened them, Kaidan had shifted closer, concern in his eyes. “I…should head back to the ship. The lights are…headache.”

Kaidan nodded, the look from the other night repeated again, though this time there was also a hunger in them. 

He didn’t want to stop. 

Then again, neither did she. 

Within minutes, she was in an elevator, alone. The music was nothing like the slow music she had left behind her. It did nothing to calm her heart. It did not soothe her mind. She could still feel his touch on her hips and waist from dancing. She could still smell his cologne, as it hung off of her, keeping her safe, even now. The heat of his touch bled from her as she walked to the dock, finally leaving her cold when she bored the Normandy. By the time she entered her quarters - she felt as though she was made of ice. 

KAIDAN

Just like that, she was gone. He stood in the middle of the floor and watched her leave. He didn’t try to stop her, or say anything. She was still his CO. She was still his Amara. He was still standing in the middle of the dance floor alone. 

“LT?”

“Kaidan?”

“Alenko?”

Ashley, Garrus and Joker stood next to him, partners and dancing forgotten. Concern and worry marred their expressions as they watched him. They spoke, but he couldn’t understand. He had lost contact with Amara so abruptly that he was still reeling. She had felt so right in his arms, so perfect. This wasn’t just some passing fancy or a crush. There was something there between them. Something that he wanted to be real. 

“What did you say, LT, she almost ran out of-”

“Headache.” It was what she had said, but it tasted like a lie. 

“I- See.” Ashley lowered her voice, “Why are you still here then?” If she had been any further from him, he may not have heard her, but he did hear her. 

Why are you standing here, Alenko? Why are you not with her? Follow her, Idiot.

“I need a drink.” Kaidan finally said, moving in the opposite direction, and towards the bar. 

Just a drink. A drink to think about what to do. A drink to forget.

End

So...that happened. More to come. Yeah I know...I am drawing it out. There are issues and regs and stuff....right?

[eternalshiva]

What? You wanted more Kaidan Alenko? No? Oh, that’s a shame. 

[mallaidhsomo]

🙋‍♀️I did!

[quotemadness]

“Eye contact is way more intimate than words will ever be.”

— Faraaz Kazi

[andrafantino]

[not-withoutyou]

battle couples has gotta be one of my favorite tropes though. The “you got me?” “Yeah, I got you.” The kiss for good luck. Fighting alongside each other for so long they know every strength and weakness. The dichotomy of being fucking terrifying to their enemies, but so soft with each other. When one is in danger and the other goes feral, protects them at any cost. When everything is over and done, it’s all “let me see where you’re hurt,” and washing off the dirt and blood.

[me1onmi1k]

kaidan again between stu ff

[deseos-de-la-via-lactea]

source

[amaraeshepard]

CITADEL - ORDERS TO RESUPPLY, REPAIR AND RELAX - PART TWO

Flux Nightclub Aroch Ward, Citadel

KAIDAN It was usually busy, but tonight half of the crew of the Normandy had decided that a night of shore leave meant a night of drinking, dancing and when the music transitioned, conversation. Though some drank and laughed, the table that Kaidan found himself sitting at was quieter. Not somber but still carrying the weight of their mission. He found himself glaring at the beer bottle in his hand while Garrus, a Turian that he had come to know and respect let his sub-vocals growl in anger even as he kept his words to himself.

Joker on the other hand was vocal. Very vocal. As was Ashley, the other human soldier that had joined the crew after the nightmare that was Eden Prime.

“It’s all bullshit!” Ashley growled, thumping her own beer bottle on the table. “The Commander did everything she could and saved the team so you could get them out and they still-”

“Just another council moment. Be a Spectre and do what you have to do, but please don’t break anything. I mean…why bother giving her a rank if she can’t use it?” Joker growled and sat further back in his chair. “Shepard is good. Good person good. She doesn’t need this shit.”

“She does what is needed to get it done. I respect her for that.” Garrus finally spoke, his own dextro beer bottle hitting the table. “I have never met anyone like her. Selfless.”

“She’s always been like that. Brave beyond reason and kind…” Kaidan absently stated.

“That’s right! You knew her as a kid!” Joker smiled, his attention locking on Kaidan.

The frustration of the conversation vanished and now, Kaidan had three pairs of eyes watching him closely. He had been asked several times for a clarification on the nature of his relationship with Shepard, and each time he had refused to answer by dodging the question or shifting the narrative enough for the answer to be lost in some vague answer he had thought of. It wasn’t lying but omitting. He wasn’t sure how to answer if he was truthful with himself. They had a moment in her quarters the other night. Something that could have been something more but she was still his CO and he was still her subordinate. Once the search for Saren was over, they would have a chance to figure it out. He would leave the Normandy if he had to…She was worth it.

“Come on, Lieutenant, spill! I’ve been dying to know since the launch party! Help us out!” Joker leaned closer as though a secret could be whispered to him amidst the loud music and flashing lights safely.

Music and lights that are going to blossom into a headache soon, I should go back to the Normandy and sleep.

“It’s nothing special. Our families knew each other and-” His words hung in the air as though frozen. He was frozen as well, locked into place as his eyes caught a familiar figure that cut its way through the crowd.

Spectre Amara Shepard, wearing that damn white dress, had arrived. Both her Normandy crew as well as strangers parted before her, eyes widening as they focused on her form while some dry swallowed or let their jaws drop. She was always beautiful to him, but it was her confidence that drew such a reaction from others. She was unapologetically herself and her confidence was just as felt as it was seen. She knew who and what she was in a way that most of the galaxy could only wish to learn, and she never felt the need to demean or bring others down to feel that way. She instead brought others around herself up and helped them find that confidence in themselves.

Her eyes, seas of molten gold, had locked on their table and then on his own gaze as he watched her. He was to distracted to notice anything around him any longer and found himself smiling as she arrived at the table.

“Hope I didn’t miss too much fun.” She teased.

“You look amazing Commander!” Ashley said in near-awe.

“You clean up well, Shepard.” Garrus chimed in, a soothing subvocal accompanying his words. “Good to see you out here.”

Amara smiled, “May as well make the most of it, we are on leave regardless.”

“That we are, Commander.” Kaidan suddenly found himself saying.

“So how many drinks do I need to catch up?” She asked, pulling a chair from another table to her left. She pushed it between Kaidan and Garrus and took a seat. “Can’t have my crew leaving me behind.”

“We are on our second round, Commander.” Ashley finally said. “You have plenty of time.”

“Not as much as you would think, Chief, I plan on hitting the dance floor. I didn’t get dressed up for nothing.” **Sorry posts have been slow this past week. Tis the season of real life issues and seasonal survival runs to stores for food, baking supplies and gifts! Thank you for reading! Hope you like it and be safe out there! ♥**

[amaraeshepard]

Citadel - Orders to Resupply, Repair and Relax - Part One

“- Resupply and relax, Commander. That’s an order.”

Amara’s anger bubbled in her chest. The words she wanted to say boiled inside her. She was just a pawn for the Human presence on the Citadel. In her work to save everyone, she became the one thing she dreaded more than anyone else - a pawn. 

She didn’t blame Anderson. He was just as stuck as she was. It was Udina throwing his weight around at the moment. Through Amara Shepard he had the ear of the council and a taste of what he wanted. A council seat for himself. His interests may have been for the good of humanity, but there was always that feeling of ownership around him. He wanted the power for the Alliance and himself. He would enjoy the benefits of his position regardless of what happened around him, or who he had to step on to get it. 

This was one of those times. After the Council recalled them to the citadel to explain why they had destroyed a Prothean ruin, and in a show of power, Udina had grounded the Normandy for a day of maintenance - just in case the lava had indeed damaged the ship.

It was all bullshit, of course, but she had no choice but to deal with it. Her first act before she left the Normandy, was to get Tali to override her quarters locks and make sure that no one would be able to get in. Amara also warned everyone to take anything personal with them or lock it up. Udina wanted a way to have her and her crew under his thumb. Amara was not going to let him have it. 

Anderson sighed and shook his head. “Listen, Shepard, just refuel, have them check over the Normandy and then get back out there and do what you need to do.”

“The ruins were collapsing. We had to leave. If it wasn’t for Joker we wouldn’t have made it.”

“I know that. I also know that you are doing everything you can, but the Normandy needs some repairs and you need time to cool off. I know that look in your eye, Commander.” 

“What look?” she growled, turning away from her mentor and glaring down at the rest of the Presidium. At least the view from the Human Embassy office was nice. It didn’t help the rage that still screamed to be set free. 

“The look that says you have a need to shoot something, or someone.”

His words didn’t draw the smile to her lips, it was how he said them. There was a tickle of humor in the delivery and she couldn’t help but smile - a little. “Either shoot them or arrange a mishap in an airlock.”

It was Andersons turn. He didn’t smile though, he laughed a deep rich laugh that then drew out Amara’s own. Within a few minutes they were both sitting back on one of the office couches, sharing a drink from the bottle Udina had hidden away. 

“Seriously, Shepard. You do the same thing that your father did. You dwell. Don’t.” he took a long pull from the bottle and sighed, “Take a night and go out with the crew. Remember what you are fighting for…I have a feeling you are going to need this break. This thing with Saren is just a part of something bigger. It has to be, wouldn’t make sense otherwise.”

Amara closed her eyes and laid back, pressing her back into the couch. “I hate this. I have a job. I should be out there before the trail goes cold. What if this wasted time is exactly what Saren wants? He is out there-”

“Shepard. I have known you for years. You will find a way. You always have. You always will. Now have one more drink, get off this couch and go out and relax. That’s an order.”

After a silent pause. Amara found herself following orders. She took one last swig from the bottle before rising to her feet. “Thanks…for fighting him and making this leave only two days long as opposed to the week Udina wanted." 

“You owe me, Shepard.” 

“I usually do, Anderson.” she called back to him before walking out the door.

To be continued in part two!

[quotemadness]

“I’ll always remember that look on your face. You saw me. You’ve always seen me. And I think that’s all that anyone wants.”

— Benjamin Alire Sáenz

[spectrealenko]

i saw the original tweet and couldn’t stop my hands from making this

evidence:

and the MOST relatable line:

[whatmyhobbiteyessee]

i realized your health bar goes from 1 to 3 when you first meet your LI during citadel dlc's beginning and the obvious implication is that they've given you medigel. but im choosing to believe that seeing kaidan strut along in his biotic glow while saying "seems like you're having a bad day shepard" was so fucking powerful that it healed shepard.

[jaca-s]

[kaidans-alenko]

A couple of my favorite shenko things is Kaidan’s tendency to pick Shepard up during both his love scenes and how he lets her use his arm as a pillow. Is his arm asleep by the time they wake up? Probably. Does he care? Absolutely not, his girl needed a pillow and he was happy to be of service 🫡