Encounter: Chapter 7

Title:  Encounter
Author:  Loraine95
Game:  Mass Effect 2
Characters:  Kaidan Alenko, Kasumi Goto, Female Shepard
Disclaimer:  All characters are the property of Bioware.


I stood staring at the place Kasumi had disappeared.  Was she even listening when I said I was leading this mission?

I faced Kaidan, trying to keep a look of indifference despite the emotional ache I felt.  "I'm headed to Hock's quarters.  If you still want to talk, come along.  Otherwise, good luck.  Stay safe."  With a lump in my throat, I began walking away.

Why do I feel so defensive when I'm around him?  Like I have to prove myself, show him that I know what I'm doing.  After Horizon, I had vowed to tell him my feelings if I ever saw him again.  Now that the moment had come, I found it was harder than I imagined.  It's never the right time.

It's not too late.  I wanted to stop and turn around, to see if he was still standing there.  I slowed my pace, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it.  My stubbornness was in the way.  Showing my emotions was not my strong suit.

The further I walked, the more my heart sank.  If he doesn't follow me, maybe we're not meant to be.  I had reached the bottom of the stairwell.  As I began to ascend to the main hall, I felt what I had been praying for.  A hand grabbed mine.  I looked to see Kaidan beside me with that piercing gaze that always broke down my resistance.

"I'm coming with you."  

I smiled at him for the first time since Horizon.  "I'm glad."

He intertwined is fingers in mine.  "I think we'd look less suspicious if we acted like a couple.  There aren't many solitary guests at this party."

As much as I tried to fight it, my smile widened.  "I could fetch you an asari for that."

He smiled back.  "I prefer what I've got."

"Before we go, we need a plan.  The main entrance to Hock's quarters is guarded.  We'll have to find another way in."

Kaidan thought for a moment.  "I have an idea.  Follow my lead."

We walked up the stairway, hand in hand.  He led us onto the back deck overlooking the peaceful terrain, which was in direct contrast to the present company at Hock's mansion. Mountains soared over the undulating ocean, and a soft breeze tousled my hair.  The sound of the waves brought back memories of the beach house.  Kaidan brought his hand to my face, tucking the wayward strands behind my ear.  If only this were a different place, a different time...

He gestured at a window beside the deck.  "Through there is Hock's bedroom.  A couple of guards are in the way, but they're out of sight.  If we immobilize them discretely, we'd be in without anyone knowing."

"One guard for each of us."  I unsnapped my pistol holster.  "On my mark."

I walked over to the balcony and casually leaned over the side to get a better view of our targets.  Two mercs were facing away from us with relaxed postures.  I'm sure they thought it would be easy money when they signed up for this job.  When I felt Kaidan squeeze my shoulder, I knew we were clear.  Just like old times.

I quietly vaulted over the deck and took cover by the nearest beam.  Kaidan was right beside me.  I nodded once, then pointed to his position.  He nodded in return.

A flash of blue - warp - and the first guard was in the air.  I fired two shots.  He was down.  Before the second guard could react, Kaidan had him pinned.  Headshot.  We froze in position, pistols ready.  No alarms sounded, no noise of backup.  I breathed a sigh of relief.  We were clear.  He leaned over and whispered, "Bag 'em and tag 'em."  I rolled my eyes.  For all the things that change...

I put a clean shot through the window and it broke easily.  Careful of broken glass, Kaidan helped me climb through.  Once inside, we took stock of our surroundings.

I expected Hock's private quarters to be elaborate, but this was over the top.  Antiques hung on the wall, with large seating areas.  He could host another entire party in here.  A giant bed was directly in the middle of the room.  I guess we know Hock's main focus.

So here we are, I thought to myself.  Here to play the game of giving just enough information without saying too much while trying to trap the other into spilling their mission objective.  It was a game I was good at with con men and politicians, but with Kaidan?  It's too personal.  Whereas minutes before, I felt like melting into his gaze, I could now feel my defenses starting to return.

He was facing away from me, leaning with his arms on the back of the leather couch.  "You kept the necklace."

I had forgotten that I was wearing it.  "It's one of the only things I have left from before the crash."

Kaidan's voice was barely a whisper.  "Is what she said true?"

Is what true?  About our mission?  The vault?  That I was here on her request?  I was confused.  "Excuse me?"

He stood in silence, his head bowed.  Finally, he spoke.  

"Do you care for me?"