Shenko Chain Fic Headquarters

[shenkochainfics]

Hello!

Welcome to the home of Shenko Chain Fiction!

A chain fic is a collaborative writing effort, shared between a group of authors. Each author writes one chapter and then passes the baton onto the next author, who picks up where they left off!

The fics are themed for cohesion, but each author is free to take it in whatever direction they want when it's their turn... so you never know where the story might go.

Follow this blog to get each new chapter fresh out of the oven!

[cat-the-comet]

devastating: artist who has not practiced fundamentals enough to execute high concept idea eats shit

[shenkochainfics]

Part 6/6 - No One Believes They're Dating

Written by @wardencommandershepard

Part 1 By @chalkituptofate

Part 2 By @spacevixen2024

Part 3 By @reformingclock

Part 4 By @sanguinemoonglitch

Part 5 By @liskade

---

"I was so nervous, getting ready for tonight... but this was actually really nice."

"You sound surprised," he says, enjoying the feeling of her hand in his as he leads her through the labyrinthine maintenance tunnels of the Citadel. She smiles over at him, looking more relaxed than he's seen her in as long as he can remember. He hopes that, in some small way, it's a relief to her not to have to take the lead for once.

"Well, yeah," she says with a laugh, "everyone's been giving us such a hard time about being together. I mean, even the gardener has an opinion? And don't get me started on that car crashing into the restaurant. We can't even have one romantic dinner without lives at stake."

"Yeah… what was that about?" he says, troubled.

"I have no idea," she says, "maybe an engine problem?"

"No," he says with a laugh, "I mean, why is it so hard for everyone to believe we're together? It's…" how can he say this without bringing down the mood? "...discouraging."

"Oh, who cares?" she says, "they'll get over it eventually."

He'd like to adopt her cavalier attitude, but he can't shake the feeling that it would be a mistake not to address this. He has to make sure, one last time, that things are totally good between them; that there isn't a reason everyone except for them seems to think this is a bad idea. 

"Shepard–" he begins, but she cuts him off with an exasperated groan so loud, so drawn out – several seconds longer than what seems necessary to get her point across – that he can't help but to give a short laugh of disbelief. He stops in his tracks. "What's that for?"

She turns to look at him. "Kaidan. Everybody can think what they like; they weren't there at Huerta when we set things right between us, and they weren't at Apollo's to hear how we feel about each other. Hell, most of them weren't even there on Horizon or Mars in the first place. My point is," she says, stepping forward to wrap her arms around his waist, "they aren't privy to the details of our relationship, and they shouldn't be. It's between you and me; we are the only two people who matter right now." She looks up at him with her big beautiful eyes.

"I'm so happy," she says quietly, the sweetest smile radiating from her. "Are you happy, Kaidan?"

"Impossibly happy," he says, his voice as soft as her lips as he leans down to kiss her. She smiles against his mouth.

"Okay, then," she whispers.

They walk along the dark back halls of the Citadel in companionable silence, hand in hand, when suddenly she shivers.

He frowns. I knew I should have worn a jacket to dinner… but I was so worried about overdoing it…

He puts an arm around her, running his hands up and down her arms and hoping that will be enough for now.

"You're so warm," she says, snuggling into him, "and you smell so nice. Is that motor oil I detect?"

He laughs. "Yeah, I guess we're both in need of a shower."

"I can't wait," she purrs. 

---

"It makes no sense," Javik says. "Why would a secret mission in the hydroponic gardens be more important than fighting the war against the Reapers? And why must they pretend to mate?"

"We should know soon enough," Liara says, "I've already tapped the Asari councilor. Hopefully I can get more information, perhaps even help to further their goals."

"It doesn't make sense," James says to Javik, ignoring Liara, "I'm telling you, that's why it could only be a… sexual thing."

Having previously declined to be involved, Traynor can't help but to shout from her station: "Yes, but couldn't they also just… I don't know, be in a healthy, consensual sexual relationship?" 

"No," Joker shouts, not bothering to turn around.

Shaking his head at Joker, Cortez turns to address Traynor properly.

"A long career on the frontlines can really change a person," he shouts, "especially Spec Ops." He turns back around, addressing the rest of the group with a quiet sigh. "They've both been through so much trauma… it's so sad to see them cope this way…"

"Okay, people," Garrus calls out, striding into the room, "I just got word that they've entered the docking bay. Everyone in position, and do not fuck this up." As everyone scrambles to their stations, he turns to face the two junior soldiers loitering on the bridge.

"Guard 1, you and Guard 2 understand your roles?"

"Yes sir," she confirms, snapping bolt-upright and ripping off a salute, "ready and able."

---

"You know, it's funny," he says, pulling his arm away from her shoulders, "despite the war and our Spectre status, whenever we're in visual range of the Normandy I still feel as nervous about fraternization as I did on the SR-1." 

She takes hold of his hand, pulling it back around her as she flashes him a slightly predatory look. "Doesn't that make it all just a little hotter?"

He laughs as they step into the airlock, taking the small delay as an opportunity to kiss her again. When he pulls away, running his eyes down her body admiringly, he's struck by a sudden realization.

"Shepard," he says, "taking the maintenance tunnels meant we avoided any awkward questions on the Citadel… but the last anyone knew, we were going out for drinks. And now we're getting back covered head to toe in blood and debris. Your dress is torn and singed–"

The airlock doors open with a hiss, and he follows her onto the bridge as he continues: "how are we going to explain this?"

"Explain what, Kaidan?"

With a start, Kaidan turns to see Joker spinning slowly, ominously, around in his chair to face them.

"Well, well, well....." he says with a chuckle, channeling every villain in every old movie he had ever seen.

"Wow," he says, his smug expression turning to surprise as he finally completes his 180 degree turn, "you guys look like shit." He turns and murmurs something to EDI that Kaidan doesn't quite catch, looking bitterly disappointed. EDI seems apologetic.

Kaidan turns back around to see Shepard already halfway to the CIC – evidently sticking by her decision not to explain herself. He can't help but to smile admiringly as he jogs after her, noticing a junior officer speaking quietly into her comm.

"Guard 2," Shepard says, addressing her, "aren't you off-duty?" 

"Private Westmoreland," Kaidan says, "and yeah, she's off til the morning. So's Private Campbell." Seeing the look on Shepard's face, he says under his breath, "Guard 1."

"We were just heading to our bunks, ma'am," Campbell says, executing a textbook salute before heading off with Westmoreland. 

Shepard watches them go, turning to Kaidan once they're out of earshot.

"Something weird is going on."

"Yeah…" he says, looking over his shoulder to see Joker in the far distance, still watching them. He shudders.

"DAMN you two!" Vega says, sauntering up from the back of the CIC. "Must've been one hell of a date! What the hell kind of restaurant did you go to, anyway?"

"He's trying a little too hard to look casual." Shepard mutters under her breath as Vega approaches.

"C'mon!" he says, leaning in conspiratorially, "It's just me. Where'd you guys really go?"

Kaidan opens his mouth to explain about the skycar, but Shepard is quicker.

"Oh, you're right, James... we didn't go to a restaurant," she says, a sexy little smile on her lips with a voice like honey, "we went out to a sleazy little bar down in the Lower Wards – really raunchy place. Turns out it was a sex club…" she says, biting her lip for effect as she throws a burning look back at Kaidan, "things got… a little wild."

James's eyes bug out of his head, and it takes everything in Kaidan not to betray his own shock as Shepard grabs him by the wrist and pulls him to the elevator. When the doors close behind them, he can't help but laugh.

"I can't believe you said that," he says. She shrugs.

"He deserves it."

They step into the heavenly privacy of her quarters. When the doors slide closed behind him, she takes his belt into her hands.

"Let's get you out of those clothes, Major."

---

"Did it work?" Traynor says nervously, leaning over EDI's shoulder.

"You seem very invested in this, Specialist. Given that you've declined to place a bet," Liara observes, keeping her tone neutral.

"I couldn't care less what the Commander does in her spare time!" she says defensively, "but if I'm consulted for my technical expertise, then it becomes a matter of professional interest."

"Traynor's hack was successful," EDI says, "standby for analysis; estimated time: 20 minutes." 

"Not bad," James says under his breath, with a little frown of respect.

"Yes! Thank you," Traynor says, standing up and giving a tiny celebratory fist pump, "Eat it, Alenko. Your blocks are no match for a real techie."

*Oh, I was talking about the Major," James says, eliciting a raised eyebrow from Joker. Looking down and off to the side, he murmurs, "err... Nevermind. Forget it."

"Wait--" Traynor says, a look of realization dawning on her face before James cuts back in.

"Hey, did you guys hear Shepard say they went to a sex club? Down in the Wards?"

The noise level in the cockpit rises to a modest roar, with everyone debating the likelihood of this new development. Just as Steve starts taking a few guesses "for the record" about which ones they may have been, EDI announces that her analysis is complete.

James glances down at his watch, nodding to himself approvingly.

"Okay, so…? What's the verdict? Is this all a cover, or do they have some kind of freaky sex thing?" Joker says, and all eyes turn to the synthetic woman at his side.

"My analysis does not seem to support either conclusion," she says. "After reviewing all data, the most likely explanation appears to be that Shepard and Major Alenko are in a genuine romantic relationship."

"Oh, no way!"

"Horseshit!"

"Everyone, please! Let her talk!"

EDI goes on unfazed.

"I have formed this conclusion based on several factors: upon entering Shepard's private quarters, her conversation with Major Alenko seems to align closely with established norms for romantic partnerships: mutual claims regarding their depth of feeling for one another, expressing feelings of gratitude, and sharing their hopes for the future."

"Aw," Tali says, looking shyly at Garrus.

"Get to the naughty bits!" Donnelly calls from the back.

"Upon engaging in physical intimacy," EDI continues, "no weapons were detected, and no acts of violence or aggression occurred. Moreover, Major Alenko spent an above-average amount of time performing oral sex, indicating–" 

"Ohhhhh YUCK," Joker says, "EDI, that's enough. Jesus!"

"I apologize, Jeff. I only meant to substantiate my claims; I will further decrease my 'T.M.I.' thresholds."

"Yeah, decrease them by a lot," James mutters.

"I could have spared us all this indignity if the purpose of this meeting was made clear to me sooner," Javik says, looking down at his fingertips with a mixture of boredom and disgust.

The room is silent for several moments, the raucous atmosphere totally deflated.

"I can't believe they're really back together, after all that's happened," Chakwas says, swirling a small snifter of brandy with a wistful air of romance.

"Yeah…" Joker says, "unless…" 

"Wait," Garrus says, his mandibles suddenly flaring out in realization, "you don't think…?"

"Oh, man," Steve says, crossing his arms as he leans back against the nearest bulkhead, "I knew Shepard was dedicated to the mission, but I wouldn't have guessed she could be so cold."

"Poor bastard," James says, shaking his head, "doesn't even know. Fucked up. Really fucked up."

"I don't understand?" Traynor says, looking around at everyone solemnly shaking their heads.

"Isn't it obvious?" Liara says, "All this time, we have been operating on the assumption that this is a joint mission; but EDI's analysis makes it clear that Shepard is acting alone."

"Keelah," Tali says, "Poor Kaidan."

"Eh, he deserves it," Joker says, "he can be a real asshole. Ask me how I know."

A command barked from just aft of the cockpit sends a chill down every organic spine.

"ENOUGH!" Shepard shouts, "EDI, maintain course. Everyone else, to the CIC. Now."

--

She spins on her heel and marches straight past Kaidan, who's freshly showered and totally baffled. Everyone files past him to gather around the galaxy map, with Joker taking an exceptionally long time to hobble sullenly to his place.

"Cut it out, Joker," she says over her shoulder, "You're only delaying the inevitable, and I don't have all damn day." She mounts the ramp overlooking the map GUI, leaning over the podium in a manner both casual and utterly authoritative.

Kaidan isn't sure where to stand, but since sinking into the floor never to be seen again isn't an option, he stands slightly back from the rest of the crew.

"All of you, listen up. I'm saying this one time, and one time only. And after I've said my peace, it will be discussed no further. Am I clear?"

A scattered blend of "Yes, Ma'am,", "Aye Aye," and "Yes, Shepard" is heard as she surveys the crew. Satisfied, she pushes off from the podium and rises to her full height.

"It has come to my attention," she says dryly, clasping her hands formally behind her back, "that everyone in this fucking galaxy apparently believes that what's transpired between myself and the Major is too much for two people to get past." 

One by one, she makes meaningful eye contact with every single one of the friends in front of her.

"I appreciate your friendly concern for our wellbeing; I do. But I have to call to your attention the fact that it's ultimately none of your fucking business. You can agree with us or not, but I don't want to hear another word about this." Turning around to walk down the ramp, she says without turning around: "Dismissed."

Kaidan is heading toward her when he sees Vega give Garrus a nudge, nodding sagely.

"Pretty aggressive," Vega says under his breath.

"Maybe it's because they didn't have the weapons…?" Garrus murmurs.

Turning to make his reply, Vega doesn't see Shepard reaching out to grab him by the collar.

"Lieutenant," she says through her teeth, "you're on widget duty with Adams for the next month."

"Oh, what did I do to deserve that??" Adams cries mournfully from the crowd.

"Listen to me, all of you!" she says, pushing James out of her grip and stepping deeper into the small sea of people surrounding her on all sides, "We've worked things out between us like adults, and we're happy!" 

She turns to look at Kaidan, a smile spreading across her face that he can't help but to return. She turns to look back at the crew before continuing, "I love him, you idiots! Believe it or not, I just want to have a little happiness, just a little fucking normalcy in my life! I've gone through enough!"

"Sorry, Shepard," Garrus says, "for what it's worth, I'm glad to know you two are back on good terms."

"You two deserve to be happy," Tali cuts in, pulling up her omnitool and typing rapidly, "I'll remotely reinstall the surveillance blocks on your quarters, so you don't have to worry yourselves."

"Wait, what?" Kaidan says as Shepard takes his arm, "no, hold on. What??"

"Let's go," Shepard says to him, pulling toward the elevator, "I could use a nice boring stare out the Starboard Observation deck window right about now."

As everyone disperses, Joker limps back to his chair, spinning to face his console. He looks over at EDI.

"You heard all that, right? Yeah, I don't buy it."

After a short delay, EDI replies, "with Shepard's extensive tissue modifications, any evidence of knife play would be virtually impossible to detect."

Joker throws his hands up in frustration.

"THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING!!!"

---

That's the end of this round -- I have a feeling there will be others :) Thank you everyone for reading along! ❤

[shenkochainfics]

Part 5 of "Nobody Believes They're Dating"

Written by @liskade Part 1 By @chalkituptofate Part 2 By @spacevixen2024 Part 3 By @reformingclock Part 4 By @sanguinemoonglitch

((I did math for this chapter, but I don't think it's accurate so forgive me if I did betting odds wrong lmao))

"You won't believe what I just saw," Liara stood at the end of a mess table, a datapad clutched to her chest.

Garrus and Tali exchanged a glance over their cups of some sort of dextro drink.

"Well?" Tali prompted.

Liara sat down promptly next to Tali and lowered her head a bit to ensure no one else near by could hear. Tali and Garrus leaned in with curiosity.

"I was doing some research on some… well it doesn't matter, when one of my camera feeds recognized Shepard and Major Alenko. They were strolling in the hydroponics gardens,"

"They had left together," Garrus nodded. "Some sort of Spectee bussiness, but Shepard was surprisingly tight lip about it. Kept insisting it was date,"

Tali snorted. "Does she really expect us to believe that?"

"She is quite the jokester," Garrus conceded.

"I was thinking that too, but then they kissed!" Liara said. "They were kissing quite a lot actually,"

Garrus' mandibles twitched in surprise. "Was anyone near by?"

"There was a Gardner at some point," Liara said.

"There you go," Tali nodded. "Their cover was probably almost blown,"

"Hey, amigos!" They looked up to see Vega and Steve stroll out of the elevator. They came over and took seats at the mess table. Vega leaned in comically in a parody of the scene he had walked in on.

"What's the secret meeting about?" He said with a small mischievous smile and a loud whisper.

"Secret meeting? We're not having a secret meeting!" Liara said a little anxiously.

"Thats why you all are huddled together?" Steve chuckled.

"Liara saw Shepard and Alenko kiss on some security footage," Tali explained.

"The Commander and the Major?" Vega scoffed. "Mr. 'Don't-Kaidan-me-this-is-business'," he mimic'd Kaidan's pointing and then gave a short laugh.

"Didn't they have guns to each other's head, like, yesterday?" Steve furrowed his brows.

"Yes, they did," Garrus nodded.

"God, on Mars it was so awkward. Like watching mom and dad fight in the middle of a grocery store," Vega rubbed the back of his neck at the memory.

Steve shrugged. "Maybe they're into that sort of thing,"

"What? Fighting?" Vega said with some surprise. "Oh.. you know what, you might be on to something," he seemed to consider this rather intently with a small smile.

"No, Shepard wouldn't…." Garrus' paused and his mandibles twitched in thought. "Hm... She does seem to attract a lot of violence…"

"I don't want to think about Shepard and Alenko like that," Tali said shifting in her seat. "I think I'll go with, its a cover story,"

Vega drummed the table. "You know what this means don't you?"

"Uh-oh," Steve laughed. "What are you cooking up now?"

"Clearly we need to make a bet," Vega proposed.

"A bet? What would the bet be?" Liara asked.

"Weather or not Alenko and Shepard are under cover, or if it's a some sort of kink arrangement," Vega said folding his arms behind his head. "We'll get everyone in on it! And then when they come back, if it was mission they'd be clear to tell us. If they keep denying it…" he smirked. "Well…"

Garrus hummed. "Maybe I don't understand human relationships, but if it's some sort of kink, what exactly is the arrangement?"

"Well they might get off on being angry with each other," Steve explained. "They know they can't stand each other, so they hang around each other until a spark sets off and the next thing you know they're fighting. Throw in a little knife or gun play in there…" Steve said rather blasè.

He shrugged. "It's a little toxic, but I'm sure Shepard and Kaidan are both the kind of people to set down some ground rules. Gotta blow off steam somehow, after all,"

Vega shifted in his seat as if it had suddenly become uncomfortable. "You sure are knowledgeable about this kind of stuff, Estaban"

"Had some friends who were into this kind of thing. Don't think into it too much," Steve said crossing his arms and leaning back in his own seat.

"Alright," Liara's cheeks were flushed with a slight purple hue. "All in favor of them being in some sort of…" she hesitated "Arrangement?"

"I'll put my money on that!" Vega said excitedly.

"Of course you would. You're adding that imagery to your arsenal now, aren't you?" Steve gave him a coy smile. Vega made a sound his throat.

"Put me down for Arrangement too," He added after ribbing Vega.

"Hmmm," Garrus crossed his arms in thought. "As much as I can see the reasoning, I still think it's a cover,"

"I'm going for cover as well," Tali nodded. "If for no other reason, because I do not want that imagery in my head,"

Liara nodded and wrote this down on a datapad. "Well, I suppose we should ask around…"

"Its a cover," Joker said to the small group that had crowded into the bridge. "Really guys? A sex thing? Thats the best you can come up with?"

"You're the last person I thought who would be against that idea," Vega pointed out, leaning against one of the side chairs.

"Who else have you asked?" Joker inquired. "Maybe I'll change my bet if the odds are better that way,"

"Let's see," Liara looked down at the datapad. "So far the odds are 2:1 in favor of Cover," she scrolled down a bit. "Chakwas, Tali, Garrus, Gabby, Adams, Gaurd 2, and Marching Mike are in favor of Cover. Vega, Steve, Donnell, and Gaurd 1 are for Arrangement; with the rest of the crew declining to participate,"

"Of course Donnell thinks its a sex thing," Joker shook his head.

"Put me down for Arrangement as well," EDI said folding her arms in her lap polietly.

"Really, EDI?" Joker looked shocked. She tilted her silver head at him.

"It makes the most logical sense. They have been spending a lot of time together, and turned off my sensors in the Starboard Observation as well as the Commander's Quarters when they do. Since I'm sure of this being the case, with the 2:1 odds I'm almost entirely guaranteed to double my bet," she explained.

"I feel like that's cheating," Joker said. "But I know the Commander, and there's absolutely no way…" he paused and thought for a moment.

"Actually. Yeah put me down for Arrangement,"

[shenkochainfics]

Part 4

Written by @sanguinemoonglitch

Part 1 by @chalkituptofate Part 2 by @spacevixen2024 Part 3 by @reformingclock

---

Kaidan walked over to Shepard and helped her get rid of the glass. His eyes kept meeting hers, amusement dancing in them. "You attract chaos, Shepard," he finally said, unable to keep the laughter out of his tone.

She sighed heavily. "Apparently so."

She looked regretfully up at him and in response he reached for and squeezed her hand before swinging an arm around her shoulders. "Come on," he said, "let's get out of here. I'm sure we can salvage what's left of the night."

As they walked, Kaidan could feel the tension gradually bleeding away from Shepard and he grinned. "I think I know exactly where we can go."

Shepard looked up at him skeptically. "Where?"

"You'll see," he replied.

He led her through a maze of a route. Shepard was pretty sure that if the Keepers had it in them to be looking at them askance they would be. But they didn't so she gave Kaidan the look instead. "Are you sure we should be here?" she asked.

"Spectre privilege, remember?"

Shepard had her doubts on that one, but continued to follow him until he finally led her to a door where he stopped. She glanced dubiously at the lock. "It's locked."

He shot her an amused look. "Yes—and I can unlock it. So can you for that matter." He pulled out his omni-tool and waved it in front of the door.

The door unlocked.

Shepard blinked. "That worked."

"I told you so," Kaidan replied with a laugh. He grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him through the door."

The hallways they'd gone through had been tight and increasingly dark, so when they stepped through into a room so large Shepard couldn't even see where it ended, she couldn't help the surprised gasp that left her lips.

"Did you know the Citadel actually has a lot of hydroponics gardens?" Kaidan murmured into her ear.

She turned and looked at him. "No, not at all."

He smiled. "The Citadel isn't exactly self-sustaining, but it's surprisingly close. I don't know if it has a larger population than previous cycles or if it's our combination of species or—"

Shepard leaned in and kissed him, having discovered that it was the most effective way to interrupt him when he really got started on a subject.

Kaidan laughed gently against her lips. "Don't think I don't know what you're up to when you do that," he replied.

She pulled back and grabbed his hand again. "Well, you can talk while we walk, since I assume that's why you brought me here," she replied as she started doing just that.

"How did you find this place?" Shepard asked as she took in the sights.

"I got a little bored in the hospital," Kaidan explained. "I'm still sure the docs could've let me go earlier. But, well, they didn't, so I did some digging in the Citadel's files."

Shepard stopped short and yanked on his hand to get him to face her. "You what?" she exclaimed with an incredulous grin. "Kaidan Alenko, of all people, digging around in files that he shouldn't?"

Laughter danced in his eyes. "I have my moments," he said. "Remember that time we stole the Alliance's cutting edge frigate?" He paused and looked around. "Besides, after all the things we've learned—about the Citadel's history, I wanted to see what else we didn't know about it. Just in case."

Kaidan pulled his hand free from hers and stepped back to have room to open his arms and gesture at their surroundings. "Isn't it reassuring to know?"

"You looked like you knew what you were doing—how many times have you been by?"

"Just once before," Kaidan admitted quietly. "After the coup."

"No wonder I couldn't find you," Shepard murmured to herself.

He heard her, though, and nodded silently before taking her hand again. They walked on in silence for several minutes. Memories followed them and Shepard decided she wasn't ready to deal with them just yet.

"So tell me more about this place," she finally said.

Kaidan glanced at her. "There's an extensive array of environmental emitters and filters designed to allow each of the major species grow the foods they need. It's not a perfect system—I doubt there's space for every single species. In fact, they had to make room when humans came along. I found the debates about how much we should be allowed to have."

"You really did dig deeply," Shepard replied.

Kaidan grinned sheepishly but began to warm to the topic. As they walked, he pointed out the various features that enabled such a variety of plants to grow in the same place. Shepard felt herself relaxing further as they walked, her worries fading entirely into the background.

Finally, she spotted a bench. "Let's sit," she declared, shamelessly interrupting him.

Kaidan couldn't even be annoyed. He allowed her to lead him to the bench and sat beside her. They looked around the garden and he felt as though Shepard had something she wanted to talk about but couldn't bring herself to do so. He took her hand in his, threading their fingers together.

"We've really been through it, haven't we?"

A smiled tugged at Shepard's lips. "Yeah. We have."

"And yet we're still here."

She looked at him, her eyes roaming over his face. "We are," she said after a moment.

Kaidan suddenly chuckled. "You're the only person who can say she's survived dying. That—well, that's a hell of a thing, Shepard."

"Cerberus really believed I was the only one who could defeat the Reapers," she replied. She turned away and looked out over the garden. "And here we are—where I think Hackett agrees with them in a way."

Kaidan was silent as he considered what she said. To his distress, he found he couldn't dispute the notion. He turned towards her and brought up his hand, gently turning her face to his, cupping her cheek. "We're all here with you," he said. "And I've got your back." He leaned in and punctuated his declaration with a kiss.

One that she happily returned, and they sat together like that, enjoying the moment, the exchanges of gentle kisses that conveyed a depth of feeling that words never could.

They could have carried on so all night, but they were eventually interrupted by the arrival of a gardener. Shepard had questions about the heavy sigh he let out upon seeing them, given how very locked the the gardens had been.

She looked up at the man who was frowning at them. "Aren't you two the human Spectres?" he asked. Then he shook his head. "Can't be. Everyone knows you two barely tolerate each other."

That was news to Shepard and she rolled her eyes, prepared to protest, but the man continued—

"We're about to spray all sorts of mysterious substances around here," he announced. "Stay if you'd like, but I suggest not," he added dryly.

Shepard looked at Kaidan and giggled. "I guess we should get out of here."

"Oh I don't know," he said, "I've always wondered—"

She laughed and stood up, pulling him with her. "I get quite enough of that out on the battlefield, thankyouverymuch. Hurry up." She took a few steps forward before she realized that she didn't know how to get out of the area. "Um, maybe you should lead us out of here," she said.

Kaidan chuckled and pulled up his omni-tool again. "Here. I've got a map."

And as she followed him out of the hydroponics garden, she realized that she'd added yet one more thing to the list of things no one would ever believe her about.

[shenkochainfics]

Part 3 of "Nobody Believes They're Dating"

Written by @ReformingClock

Following up on: Part 1 written by @chalkituptofate Part 2 written by @spacevixen2024

----------------------------------------------------------------- Kaidan and Shepard picked a back corner where the shadows gave them a little bit of privacy. A Turian waiter appeared almost immediately to tell them about the menu.

Shepard marveled at the atmosphere: So calm, so dark, so…unlike the Normandy. “I’ve never been here before. Looks fancy.”

Kaidan smiled. “So do you, by the way.”

Shepard felt the heat rise to her ears. The last time they went to a ‘fancy’ restaurant together was almost 3 years ago. She’d been in a coma for most of that but… “How many times have you been here?” She blurted out. And instantly regretted it.

Kaidan looked down at his hands. He knew what she was really asking. “You know, I have been here once before.” She couldn’t see his face but could tell his voice sounded strained.

“You don’t have to…”

“The second anniversary of your death I came here and tried to imagine what a date would be like. So I could say goodbye.” A shadow passed across his features. “It had mixed results.”

“Really, you don’t have to talk about it.” She felt a pang of guilt lance through her core, right past her heart.

He put his hands on hers and raised his eyes. “I want to. I want to replace that weird mournful memory with one of us actually being together in the same place without any armor or weapons or enemies. I wanted to come here with the real you. Not the one I imagined.”

Immediately she felt the guilt replaced with a coil of desire. The familiarity of her love for him mixed with the sweetness of their reconciliation. When did it get so warm in here?

Kaidan got the fairytale dinner that he’d wanted for so long. They savored some Illium seafood and a dense dessert invented by Chef Urun, the famous Volus. The low tones of their conversation never stopped; the ease of their friendship falling back into place effortlessly.

Shepard closed her eyes, savoring the last bite. “So good,” Shepard fluttered her eyelashes. She found Kaidan gazing at her with burning intensity. “What? Is there something on my face?”

Kaidan reached toward her and brushed a thumb across her lips. He lingered on her cheek. Then he gave her a mischievous wink. “No,” he said.

Shepard reached up to cradle his hand against her face.

Kaidan continued, “I just really need to ask you for something.”

Shepard knew he could feel the blush radiating across her cheek. “Oh?”

“Please….” He took a deep breath, “Please. If you ever need to leave again, please, Shepard… Give me a chance to come with you.”

Shepard’s breath caught. The few moments they shared on Horizon & Mars playing back in her head involuntarily.

When she remembered to breathe again she said, “Are you sure about that, Kaidan?”

“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my entire life.”

Shepard closed her eyes and turned into his hand, landing a soft kiss against his palm. “I promise.”

****

Right as they stepped out onto the walkway, a shiny new skycar dropped from the top lanes through the traffic. Shepard & Kaidan heard honks and scrapes as cars tried to avoid the falling vehicle.

They both clocked the trajectory of the smoking car. It was headed for the restaurant they just left.

“Kaidan!” Shepard squeezed his hand.

“Go!”

They jumped away from the storefront as the luxury skycar careened into the glass. Smoke billowed out from the shattered picture window.

"I left my comm on the ship!” Shepard yelled at Kaidan, her eyes wide.

A goofy grin spread across his face. “Wowwww.” He drew it out. “No gun AND no comm. You must REALLY like me.”

Shepard smirked at him, “No shit, Sherlock.”

A small explosion went off inside.

“Everyone out!” Shepard dove back through the door, recalling the faces she’d seen as they left. The smoke was getting thicker, but her enhanced senses helped her find the coughing victims. She paired up stunned people with those who were more lucid and directed them to the door.

“Here! The exit is this way!” Kaidan bellowed from the doorway. Once the restaurant was clear, she turned her attention to the vehicle. Yes, there was fire, there was smoke, & the chasse of the skycar was twisted and bent; but there was a chance whoever was inside might still be alive. Gingerly she tried to touch the metal. “Ahh!” Her fingertips were burned immediately.

Kaidan yelled through the smoke to her, “Shepard? I think that’s everybody! You need to get out of there.”

“I have to check on the driver!”

She tried to see through the overly tinted windows but couldn’t make out anything. She didn’t hear anyone moving around. She folded up a tablecloth and tried to muscle open the emergency release for the car door. The latch wouldn’t budge. And then the tablecloth caught on fire. She threw it off to the side. “God, if only I had my armor!”

She bolted for Kaidan and pulled him out of the smoke with her. “The driver is stuck. I’m going to call Bailey.”

Shepard ran to a public comm access and dialed C-Sec. “Bailey, there’s a car sticking out of a building at this location. The driver could have survived, but there’s bound to be injuries.”

Sounds of alarmed people running and yelling came to him through the connection. “I’m sending a med unit and back-up. Can you get ‘em out of there?”

“Bailey, I don’t have my armor. This isn’t even my comm. We got the people out of the room, but the car is on fire and jammed closed. We need help to get the driver to safety. Not to mention the explosion and fires will spread through the building.”

“You don’t….you don’t have your armor?” He seemed to struggle with the concept.

“No. I’m on a date.” It still thrilled her to say so.

A beat of silence. Then: “With who?” suspicion in his tone.

“Oh my god Bailey! Send help! I’m with Major Alenko, and he doesn’t have his equipment either.”

Another long beat. “A date?” He seemed incredulous. “The guy who almost sided with Udina like, yesterday?”

Shepard pinched the bridge of her nose. “Yes!” She hissed, hoping Kaidan wasn’t hearing this.

Then she heard laughing. She looked around at the panicked crowd. It was the most incongruous sound to hear in this chaotic environment. Kaidan was valiantly trying to direct the crowds away to a safer distance. No one was laughing here. Then she realized: it wasn’t coming from the crowd.

“HahahaHAA! Is this whole call a prank? I already sent out the units, Shepard, but goddam… this is hilarious! There is no way you are on an actual date with that idiot HAHAHAHAWHOO…”

Shepard did not have time for this. “We are together!” She hissed into the comm.

Bailey’s laughter continued. “Sure. Sure! Look, whatever cover you need for whatever Spectre nonsense you’ve got going on…Just ask me next time. Hahaha…or, you know what? This has been delightful. Do this again! Pahaha…” The line clicked off.

She could practically feel the steam coming from her ears and not because of the fire she’d just run through.

Shepard looked down. Her outfit was a mess. Blood and soot were smeared across her, and the edge of her dress was singed. She picked a piece of broken glass out of her hair. “Garrus is going to have a field day,” she muttered to herself.

TO BE CONTINUED in Part 4!

[shenkochainfics]

Part Two

Following on from the wonderful @chalkituptofate who wrote a great part one which can be found here.

I give you the second part, written by @spacevixen2024

****

Although he was pretty skeptical about going on an actual date, Kaidan Alenko had tried to look his best even though he didn't have a lot to work with. Thanks to the coup, a lot of places on the Citadel were still closed to the public and fashion wasn't a priority when there was an ongoing war.

However, he managed to find a nice shirt and pants. The look he was going for was smart but casual, and as he waited anxiously at the airlock, he hoped he had achieved the vision.

Joker turned slowly around in his luxurious leather seat, staring at the nervous biotic from his position in the cockpit.

“What's got you so hyper?” he asked.

Kaidan didn't realise how antsy he was until the pilot pointed it out. He stopped shuffling his overly polished boots and ran a hand through his hair. His mouth opened and closed like many of the fish in Shepard's tank. It had been a weird addition to the new Normandy, but she seemed enamoured with it and she looked gorgeous in the glow of it.

“It's been a while since I've been on an actual date,” Kaidan murmured. His friends had pressured him into meeting with some sort of doctor on the Citadel for drinks, but he kept putting it off as he still hadn't felt ready. In hindsight, it was a good thing as he had run into his former lover and everything shifted hard to Port.

Beneath the cap that seemed surgically attached to his head, Joker's eyebrows rose. “Who's the unfortunate soul?”

Kaidan gave him a withering look.

“What?” Joker continued, perplexed as Hell.

“You really have to ask?” he murmured, folding his arms and leaning against the bulkhead. Him and Shepard weren't exactly subtle, she had all but dragged him back to Normandy after their date at Apollo’s.

Lunch was one thing, but an evening out with her was another thing entirely. It seemed a lot more formal, and made their relationship all the more real as it existed beyond the hull of Normandy. Kaidan was nervous but looking forward to spending more quality time with her.

Joker looked him up and down, his expression just as clueless before offering him a shrug.

Before Kaidan could even utter a response, he heard the subtle click of heels against the deck to spot Shepard marching towards him with Garrus in tow.

She was an absolute vision and whiskey coloured eyes roamed up and down the length of her body. Kaidan gave her an appreciative smile. Shepard gave a particularly shy one in response, reaching up and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

It was cute as Hell.

Green eyes went from Kaidan to Shepard and back again. The realisation seemed to dawn on him but then reality struck him in the face and he gave a loud snort.

“Oh come on!” Joker exclaimed.

Shepard had been far too busy ogling Kaidan to pay attention to Joker's reaction, but when he snorted like that she shifted her gaze over to him. “Something wrong, Joker?”

Joker wasn't entirely certain as to whether or not he wanted to answer the question. Kaidan and Shepard were dressed all fancy but that could have meant they were going anywhere.

He looked beyond her to where Garrus was standing just beside her.

“You going along for moral support?”

The Turian blinked slowly, glancing to Shepard and back again. “I'm not going anywhere.”

“Yeah, we don't need a third wheel,” Shepard answered firmly, eyes still on Kaidan as he looked so damned good.

“On your date,” Joker said slowly, his eyes narrowing.

Shepard looked to her left at Garrus, to Kaidan and then back at Joker. “Why is it so hard for you guys to believe that we are together?”

Joker didn't even hesitate. “It was only yesterday you guys were pointing guns at one another!”

Folding her arms, Shepard tilted her head to one side as if to ask “Really” and then he backtracked a little.

“You know what I mean, Shepard.”

“Don't forget Horizon,” Garrus added.

“And Vega said you and Kaidan were really laying into each other on Mars,” Joker said, following on from Garrus. “Hell, if you hadn't been knocked unconscious…”. A glance at Kaidan. “Shepard probably would have done it.”

What happened on Mars was a painful memory, both literally and emotionally, but he and Shepard had agreed that everything that happened prior to the coup would be reset. Kaidan was looking forward to falling in love with her all over again and no longer taking each day for granted.

“Let's go, Shepard,” he said, holding out his hand to her with a soft smile. They could probably stay here all evening debating the situation and neither would believe them.

Shepard grasped his hand, enjoying the warmth it provided and took a few steps closer towards him.

Shooting one last look over her shoulder, Shepard shook her head then led Kaidan over to the airlock.

“Those two are fooling no one,” Garrus stated, still firmly believing that this was sort of an undercover assignment.

“Secret assignment?” Joker asked.

“That's the only explanation,” Garrus uttered, his mandibles flaring a little.

Joker made a small guttural noise that was meant to be agreement as he slowly turned back to face the console.

The door closed behind them and Shepard sighed deeply.

“Is it really that hard to believe that we are together?” she asked quietly.

Kaidan reached up and brushed her cheek softly with the back of his hand, still in disbelief that she allowed him to get so close to her after everything that had happened.

“I guess I'd have a hard time believing it too,” he whispered, then looked down at her outfit then back up to her face with a smile as he dropped his hand. “Let's forget about them, and have a nice evening.”

“What did you have in mind, Major?” she asked, her voice a little lower, a little more sultry.

His smile grew a little wider as he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss upon her lips. “I promise you'll like it.”

She smiled against his lips then pulled back, eyes sparkling. “Better than Apollo's?”

“Much better than Apollo's,” he promised, then took a few steps back as the outer hatch opened to allow them access to the docking bay. Ever the gentleman, Kaidan gave a little bow and motioned for her to go ahead of him.

Feeling a little bolder, Shepard stepped out to find that it was a lot quieter this time of night and she let out a contented sigh as he placed a hand at the small of her back.

Yes, she was ready to escape the reality of the situation for a while and enjoy some quality time with her man.

[shenkochainfics]

Part 1

Prompt: Nobody believes they're dating By: @chalkituptofate

Shepard pivoted in front of the bathroom mirror, trying to reacquaint herself with how her reflection looked in civilian clothes. She couldn't tell if it felt almost wrong because she was unused to it, or because she was nervous. If it was he latter, she hoped Kaidan wouldn't notice. 

EDI's voice broke into her thoughts: "Garrus Vakarian is requesting entry, Commander." 

"Send him up," Shepard answered. She was almost finished getting ready, and she had a few minutes to spare. 

She heard the elevator doors open, but when Garrus saw her he abandoned his greeting and looked at her, incredulous. "Why are you dressed like that?"

Shepard's face fell. "Is it bad?" She asked, trying to catch the reflection of her back.

"No! No, you just look like you're going…somewhere not here." 

"I'm going out with Maj— with Kaidan."

"Oh, something for Anderson. Got it." 

Shepard held the back of her hand to her face to check if she was blushing. "Uh, no, it's actually just a date." 

"Right," Garrus said, elongating the word and inclining his head conspiratorially. "Top-secret Spectre assignment. Message received. I'll find out from Liara."

Shepard laughed. "No, it's true! We both took the night off."

Garrus chuckled. "So you want me to believe the only two human Spectres in the whole galaxy are 'Just going on a date.'"

"That's… what I said!" Shepard answered brightly. 

"Come on, Shepard. You can tell me. Is it part of the investigation into Udina?" 

"No, we're… getting drinks?" 

"Kind of like the last time we 'got drinks' with Anderson at Flux and then stole an Alliance ship?"

Shepard grinned. "I promise we're not stealing the SR-2, although maybe I'll bring that up as an idea for our anniversary."

"Shepard." Garrus was suddenly serious. "I was there on Horizon, remember? Saw the whole thing." 

Shepard sighed. "I said we patched it up, Garrus. We talked about it at Huerta."

Garrus leaned against the door frame. "I just… I know it must be really hard for you two to work together after everything that happened. I don't think everybody would be able to put their feelings aside for the sake of the mission. I really respect that." 

"We're not putting anything aside." Shepard edged past him out of the bathroom, opened the closet doors, and started pulling out shoes. "Did you need something? I'm going to be late." 

"It's just about the weapons loadout, it can wait until you get back." He gave her one last searching look. "I just want you to know that you can talk to me about anything." 

Matching shoes found, Shepard stood on one foot, then the other, and braced herself against the wall of the entryway as she put them on. "You're obviously beyond convincing, but as an act of friendship, I think I'll keep the gory details to myself. You'll thank me later." She hit the elevator button. 

"I understand," Garrus said as they stepped inside. "Unwavering commitment to the assignment, as always. Well, I'm here if you change your mind." They rode the rest of the way in silence, until the doors opened on the main level.