Diablo

"What do you have against Liara?" grinned Joker. "She's really nice."
Jarrett balanced his knife on the tip of his finger. "Nothing, really. I guess I have my full complement of aliens on the ship now. Do I get some kind of prize for that?"
Wrex chuckled, but didn't bother answering Joker's question.
Garrus watched, fascinated as Jarrett played with the blade.
"You're not thinking of attacking her, are you?" asked Ashley.
"Of course I am," protested Jarrett. "Doesn’t mean I'll do it, though."
"Well, she likes you," said Joker. "You and Kaidan are all she ever talks about."
"Yeah, that's great," said Jarrett sourly, and sent his knife into the air, catching it again smoothly. "I'm so glad she was able to make it so my nightmares come in with more clarity and repeat themselves faster. That was just great."
Kaidan walked into the mess hall, Liara holding his arm gently. She had latched onto him after her rescue from Therum, and had managed to hold his attention longer than any other woman on the Normandy.
"Hello," said Liara uncertainly.
Jarrett put his knife away, and everyone else greeted her with more or less enthusiasm. "I'm going to check our ETA to the Citadel." Jarrett brushed past Liara and went upstairs to the CIC.
Liara looked after him, concern evident on her pretty face. "Joker, shouldn't you go check too?"
"He treats you like dirt, and you're worrying about him. What is wrong with you?" demanded Ashley.
Liara looked up at Kaidan, confused, and was reassured by what she saw in his eyes. "Shouldn't everyone be worrying about Shepard?" she asked Ashley. "He's the key to stopping Saren. He might even be the key to something larger, and more dangerous, and he has to carry all that weight alone," she sighed.
Ashley rolled her eyes, Wrex burst into cruel laughter, and Joker got up to follow Shepard. Liara looked at Kaidan in confusion.
"Don't worry about it," advised Kaidan, and started making something to eat for himself and Liara.
The Normandy arrived at the Citadel, and Shepard left to go report to Anderson, taking Ashley and Garrus with him. Kaidan ran the normal ship diagnostics while waiting for them to return, and installed some new parts in the main console with Liara helping him as much as she could.
"Oh, that's so cute, she fetches," grinned Ashley. "Honey, you know you can just tell him to carry his own damn datapads three feet, right?"
"I like to be useful," protested Liara. She looked around. "Where's Shepard?"
"He's not here?" Ashley frowned. "He was ahead of us. Hey, Garrus, where's Shepard?"
Liara stood up nervously.
"Calm down," Kaidan commanded gently. He ran the personnel scan, and confirmed that Jarrett wasn't on the ship. "Ashley, did you pass Chora's Den? You might want to check there."
"Oh, good point," agreed Ashley. She grabbed Garrus, and left the ship again.
"Do you think they'll find him?" asked Liara, almost fearfully. "Is there anywhere else they should look?"
Kaidan sighed, and set down the pads he was working on. "Stay here, I'll go look for him." He wiped most of the grease from his arms and pulled off his gloves.
"All right, and if he shows up, I'll call you right away," Liara promised.
Kaidan decided not to bother putting on his armor, and just walked out in his work clothes. The Citadel was always bigger than he expected it to be. If Jarrett wasn't at Chora's Den, then he was probably in the candy store where he stocked up on bubblegum and flavored sugar sticks. Kaidan went to the upper ward, and walked past the other stores, searching the crowd for any sign of Jarrett.
A flash of shocking pink nails caught his attention, a young Colonial woman wearing the same color of nail polish that Jarrett had been wearing the other day. Kaidan let his eyes rove over the young woman as she walked away. She was tastefully dressed, in a long skirt over serviceable rather than fashionable boots, with an oversized sweater over a comfortable turtleneck, all in pleasant earth tones that subdued her dark hair. She was carrying a shopping bag full of what looked like presents. Kaidan blinked in surprise, and looked at her hands again. He pushed his way through the crowd, trying to get to the elevator before it was too late.
He just made it, and jumped into the elevator as the doors closed. Wide blue eyes looked up at him in shock, tinged with a little fear.
"What – what the hell are you wearing?" blurted Kaidan.
Jarrett stared at the doors, and wished that the elevator would move faster. "I'm going on a quick sidetrip. I'll be back tomorrow."
"Are you out of your damn mind? You can't just walk off like this!"
Jarrett glanced up at Kaidan. "You would have just assumed I got drunk in a bar and was too hungover to make it back."
Kaidan flushed. "Well, that's not - you can't, I mean, why are you dressed as a woman?" he demanded again.
"Because I'm pretending not to be Shepard," snapped Jarrett. "And what are you wearing? You look like an indentured servant."
"Thank you," said Kaidan sharply. He was aware that he looked dirty and disreputable, especially standing next to the prim and neat Colonist that Jarrett appeared to be. The elevator doors opened, and Jarrett stepped out. They were at the domestic shuttle bay, and Jarrett paused at the size of the crowd.
"Oh, hey beautiful, you can keep us company on the flight," leered a drunken mercenary. He backpedaled as Kaidan stepped out of the elevator to stand protectively next to Jarrett. "Oh, sorry, didn't see your hubby. No harm, no foul," the man staggered away.
Jarrett gritted his teeth in frustration.
"Did you buy your tickets already?" asked Kaidan quietly.
Jarrett shook his head.
"Come on, let's get tickets before the shuttle takes off."
"You are not going with me," Jarrett hissed as loudly as he dared.
"You're not stopping me," snarled Kaidan under his breath. He grabbed Jarrett's arm, and dragged him over to the ticket kiosk. With a frustrated sigh, Jarrett gave in and purchased two tickets. Kaidan didn't ask where they were going, but tried to get the worst of the oil and grime off his hands.
"Here," Jarrett led him away from the kiosk, and handed Kaidan a small handkerchief from his pocket. Kaidan accepted it gratefully, and wiped off his hands. They sat silently in the waiting area until the shuttle boarded. The shuttle's final destination was Caleston, and the cabin was crowded with rude miners and bored mercenaries.
Kaidan kept Jarrett close, and got two seats together near one of the doors. He made Jarrett sit by the window.
"Thanks," whispered Jarrett quietly, then lapsed into silence until the second stop, a medical research station. "We're here."
Kaidan again led the way, and this time took the bag from Jarrett. "How were you ever planning to do this alone?" he asked as they walked to the entrance of the medical facility.
"I didn't really plan this," said Jarrett quietly. At some point, he had taken hold of Kaidan's hand from sheer nervousness. He kept letting go when he realized what he was doing, but would do it again if anyone got too close. He let go of Kaidan's hand now, and they entered the crisp white building. Jarrett nervously fished out a letter, and silently handed it over to the security mech at the entrance. The mech summoned a nurse, who took the bag of presents, and led them to a viewing room.
The viewscreen flickered to life, and Kaidan watched Jarrett leap forward at the sight of a young girl, no more than six or seven, lying in a bed. She looked pale and wan, but she sat up easily as the nurse entered and handed over the bag. The little girl's eyes grew wide at the sight and she eagerly pulled out the various toys and candy. Kaidan noted that her eyes were the same color as Jarrett's. A younger sister? Daughter? Niece?
Jarrett stared silently at the girl, his face unreadable as he watched her joyfully opening the presents. When she hugged a little doll, he brushed at his face and Kaidan quickly looked away. He noted a medical console, and checked it. The little girl was only identified as Patient 394, with her real identity classified. She had just recovered from complications associated with surgery to correct a congenital heart defect. He noted that she had the same rare blood type as Jarrett. Probably his daughter, then. Kaidan tried to do the math in his head, but it didn't make sense. He gave up and turned back to Jarrett.
"What is that?"
"Her medical records. The surgery was harder than they anticipated, but she pulled through. Her prognosis looks good. Their biggest problem was finding enough blood for transfusions, but that's over. She'll be fine."
"Are you sure?" asked Jarrett shakily.
"The coordinating physician seems quite competent. His notes are very thorough. It was just a hard surgery."
Jarrett nodded, and suddenly sat down, as if his legs would no longer hold him.
"She'll be fine," Kaidan repeated. "She'll probably have to spend the next few months at the hospital, though." Kaidan glanced at the viewscreen. "I think the presents will be a big help. Patients make a better recovery when they think someone is waiting for them." The last present in the bag was a tiny music box, and the little girl was playing the snippet of song over and over. Kaidan didn't recognize the tune.
Jarrett stared at the toes of his boots in silence, and a tear rolled down his face.
"I won't tell anyone," said Kaidan gently. "And I won't ask you anything."
"Thank you, Kaidan." Jarrett wiped his face again. "We should get going, or we won't be able to get back for two days."
Kaidan nodded. They walked back to the spaceport, and he tried to pretend that he couldn't see Jarrett crying. "Where did you change?" he asked, hoping to distract him.
"In the restroom of the candy store. There are no security cameras there."
Kaidan laughed. "I did not know that." He looked curiously at Jarrett. "You do this a lot?"
Jarrett shrugged. "It's convenient for getting away unseen. Besides," he grinned wryly, "I have the body for it."
Kaidan didn't comment on that, and they got onto a shuttle returning to the Citadel. This one wasn't as crowded as the other, and they had a whole row to themselves. Kaidan put up the arms of the middle seat. "Here, you can stretch out, and take a nap."
Jarrett nodded, and curled up on the chairs, staring out the window.
Kaidan stretched out in the aisle seats, and tried to relax. He drifted off a bit, only waking up when the final stop was announced. Kaidan tried to remember where he was, and looked down. His arm was draped protectively over Jarrett, who was curled up with his head in Kaidan's lap. Kaidan took a deep breath, and forced himself to maintain some semblance of self-control, and gently shook Jarrett's shoulder. "Wake up, we're here."
Jarrett stretched, elongating himself like a cat, then draped himself over Kaidan's lap again, mumbling something about not wanting to get up.
"No, really, you have to get up," Kaidan insisted, hoping he didn't sound as disturbed as he felt.
Jarrett twisted sinuously and looked curiously at Kaidan, as if he was expecting to see someone else there. "Oh," he said quietly, and sat up quickly, fixing his skirt and brushing down his hair.
Kaidan stared at the chair in front of him, and didn't look at Jarrett. "Are you ready?"
Jarrett nodded silently. Kaidan took his hand, and Jarrett made no protest as Kaidan led him back to the Citadel.

"What the – " Joker fell silent as Kaidan and Jarrett returned to the Normandy. Jarrett, wearing his uniform again, walked down to the Captain's cabin without saying anything to anyone, and Kaidan, still in his stained and sweaty work clothes, headed for the showers, pausing only to grab a change of clothes from his room.
"You look like you slept in your clothes," observed Wrex from the recreation room as Kaidan walked by without speaking.
"Think bail was involved?" muttered Pressly, and Kaidan shot an angry glare at him. "How many of those icy glares do you have, Lieutenant?"
Kaidan ignored him, and went to the shower. The water was soothing and warm, and he leaned against the wall and just let the water wash over him for a few minutes.
"Oh!" Liara skipped into the shower and threw her arms around him. "You found him! You brought him back!"
Kaidan put his arms around her, and gave her a quick kiss. "I said I would." He kissed her again, seeking relief from the tension that threatened to devour him in the touch of her lips.
"I knew you would," she said softly. "I was just worried."
"Oh, the perils of a public showering space," quipped Jarrett. He was wrapped in a fuzzy white robe, with his hair wrapped in a thick towel. "I'm trying to find a bottle of – oh, there it is. Behind you."
Kaidan looked where Jarrett was pointing and passed over the bottle of conditioner.
"Thanks," said Jarrett cheerfully, "you two can go back to doing whatever it was you were doing."
Liara looked up at Kaidan. "Why can't he join us?"
"I don't share," said Kaidan grimly.
"But, surely you would make an exception for Shepard," she protested.
Kaidan closed and locked the door to the shower, and pulled Liara back into his arms.