Title: Storm Shadow
Fandom: Mass Effect
Rating: PG
Length: 253
Pairing: Kaidan Alenko/male Shepard
Content notes: Takes place 8 months after the end of the Reaper war. Flashback to Mass Effect 3 - destroy ending).
Author notes: John and Kaidan have just moved into a house near Vancouver. This is Shepard's voice.
Summary: The past is never really past.

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It's quiet now after the thunderstorm and lightning that split the sky.

"Hell of a first night here, Shepard."

"Pretty dramatic light show. I guess we had a front row seat."

We've been out on the deck watching the storm. Kaidan wraps his arm around my shoulder and hugs me close. "Still sure you want to live here?"

"Hell, yes."

Kaidan gently turns my face toward him, meeting my eyes. "I was watching your face. Something about it bothered you."

Can't hide anything from him. "It just stirred up some memories. I'll be fine." I kiss him. "You're here with me... this time."

"If you want to talk about it... You know I'm here."

Burrowing my face against his chest, I'm sure my voice is muffled. But his arms wrap me in a safe place... this time. But I can't still the trembling. "Flashback... the Citadel..." I gulp a breath. "At the end... the sky splitting apart..."

He rests his cheek against the top of my head and rocks me gently. "I can't even imagine it, John... One hell of an explosion, and you were all alone there."

I try to shake my head without actually moving away from his chest. His heartbeat helps to steady me. My next words surprise me, and the realization brings a calm I've never felt at the memory of those moments.

"I wasn't alone, Kaidan... you were with me."

"You thought of me then... in the middle of everything happening around you?"

"I'd never leave you behind."

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