Title: Calm Before the Storm
Fandom: Mass Effect
Rating: PG
Length: 916
Pairings: Kaidan Alenko/male Shepard (pre-relationship), Michael Alenko/Elena Alenko
Content notes: Takes place the night before the beginning of Mass Effect 3. Refers to Shapard's death in ME2.
Author notes: This takes place at the Alenko apartment in Vancouver the evening prior to when Kaidan meets Shepard again before Earth was attacked. This is Elena's voice
Summary: The last peaceful night

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Kaidan is coming home for a visit!

I didn't have a lot of warning, or a lot of food to make dinner for three. Michael and I had been in town to attend a concert last night and were planning to leave for the orchard tomorrow morning, so we hadn't stocked many groceries here at the apartment.

When Kaidan called to tell us he was in town and asked if he could stop by, there was no question that we'd say yes. It's been so long since we've seen him! I sent Michael out to buy some steaks and will put together a dinner that I know Kaidan will enjoy.

From the kitchen, I hear the door opening and Michael greeting Kaidan. I don't hear his reply because I'm running to embrace him. I'm sure he's no taller than before, but he's certainly added muscle, and his arms feel strong around me. When I look up to meet his eyes, I'm a little surprised that he's not clean-shaven, but the shadow of a beard looks good on him, even though it makes him look older.

"Oh, little one, I'm so glad to see you. I was so afraid you'd ship out again before we got to have dinner at least. How long will you be able to stay? It would be nice if you could come out to the orchard with us for a day or two."

He reassures me that he wouldn't have left without seeing us, but explains that he can't stay long. "Just tonight, Mom. I have to be back for a meeting at 0730... so I'll likely be gone before you two wake up."

"Absolutely not. We'll both be up early to see you off, though I can't promise much breakfast beyond coffee at that hour."

He gives me a small smile. "Coffee would be great... and much appreciated. If you're heading out for the orchard you probably don't have much else on hand anyway. No need to apologize."

I catch Kaidan looking toward the balcony. As does Michael. No surprise there - it's always been his favorite spot in this apartment. Michael suggests that they enjoy the view from out there while I finish cooking.

Before going to join Kaidan, Michael rummages through the fridge for a few bottles of beer. "I'm glad we have some lager left. It was always his favorite. I guess the rest of the galaxy hasn't discovered Canadian beer."

Some things don't change, it seems. He loves his Canadian lager, his medium rare steaks... and the view of English Bay. I can't help but wonder how much of the rest of him has been left unchanged by all that's happened to him in the last few years. He's clearly healthy and in good shape, but he hasn't smiled much and I'm not sure his mind isn't partly elsewhere.

As I sear the steaks, I remind myself to just be grateful that he seems to have gotten past the grief and depression we saw all too clearly when we spoke with him on a vid-call a few weeks after his ship had been destroyed.

Michael had been certain that he was suffering from survivor-guilt... having lived when so many of his crewmates – and his commander – had been lost. He said he'd seen it often among his Alliance colleagues when they'd come home from a mission having lost team members.

I couldn't argue with this as a logical explanation, but something bothered me about it – Kaidan's reluctance to talk about it at all. And his refusal to spend some shoreleave back at the orchard with us. It's like he was carrying some more personal grief and wasn't willing to risk talking about it, even to his father or to me.

The thought had crossed my mind that maybe one of the lost crewmembers had been important to him personally. He'd never been one to bring anyone home to meet us, or really even to talk about any relationships... aside from the girl at Jump Zero who had rejected him. Michael told me he didn't know... but that Kaidan was a very private man, and a stubborn one. As if that was news. 'He'll tell us when he's ready to talk or share something like that, Elena.' I had reluctantly agreed that Michael was probably right.

The steaks are done. I dish up the fried onions and potatoes, and then carry the plates to the dining room table.

"Michael, Kaidan... dinner is ready."

Kaidan lingers a little on the balcony after Michael comes inside. And he's quiet for a while, but in the end it's a good dinner. And a good evening, talking mostly about family things and how well the orchard is doing.

Later, after our son has gone to bed – we've kept his old room for him – Michael and I step out onto the balcony ourselves.

"Beautiful night, Elena. Look at the stars and the moon on the water. It's easy to see why Kaidan loves this view so much. I do too."

I slip my arm around my husband's waist and feel his arm wrapping around my shoulder to hold me close to him.

"I'm lucky to have you both here... I almost wish we could stop time for a few days and just be a family again."

Michael leans his cheek against the top of my head. "I think Kaidan relaxed a little at least. But he has a lot on his mind. Things he probably couldn't talk about. Let's just be glad he wanted to spend some time with us."

I nod against his shoulder and we watch the stars together.

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