Chapter Text
"Kaidan! I'm glad you could find time for a visit. It's not often you get back to Vancouver. You're looking good, son."
I'm surprised to see him still dressed in his fatigues... he must have just come off-duty. Or maybe he doesn't own much in the way of civvies. Not a lot of storage space on a frigate.
"Hey Dad. Yeah, it would be a shame to be in town and not get a chance to see you both."
Elena must have heard the door opening and runs to wrap her arms around Kaidan. "Oh, little one, I was so afraid you'd ship out again before we even had a chance to see you. How long can you stay?"
They share a long hug before he slipped out of her arms to deposit a small duffle next to the closet.
"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 his mother a small smile, reassuring her that coffee would be welcome and sufficient.
"Join me on the balcony, son? I think your mother has a few things to finish up before dinner is ready."
"Uh. Sure, Dad. Do you have any beer? I've been wanting a good lager. Hard to find in most places."
"We do. I'll meet you out there."
When I step onto the balcony, Kaidan is leaning on the railing, looking out over English Bay. He takes the opened bottle and raises it in a mock toast. "To Canadian beer!"
We make some small talk about the weather, but it seems like Kaidan is a little distracted. Probably work-related. Very likely something he can't discuss. I sip at my beer, watching him enjoying the sailboats on the bay.
"Beautiful sight. I'm really glad to see it again. Good to see some things don't change."
I want to say 'but you have' but I don't. He's changed a lot from the young man who stood on this balcony and told me he planned to join the Marines. That had been welcome news after spending over a year of living here in Vancouver, careless of his health, when he'd returned from the fiasco at Jump Zero. I'd told him I was proud of him and had shaken his hand... before reaching out to hug him.
But at least he's here now. I'm sure he was offered shoreleave and a trip home to Earth after his ship – the Normandy – was attacked and destroyed. After Commander Shepard had been killed along with over twenty crewmembers. A terrible loss.
Elena and I sent our condolences and had invited him to spend some time with us at the orchard before his next posting. He'd refused every offer. From me, from his mother... We spoke with him once by vid-comm and he looked lost, his eyes haunted, his forehead furrowed like it used to be when he was fighting off a migraine. His mother and I both knew he was grieving, but he had been determined to do it alone. This is the first time we've seen him since before that happened almost three years ago.
"Kaidan, I know you probably don't care about hearing it from your old man, but you do look good, like you've been taking care of yourself."
"Yeah... working out some, I guess. Keeps me from thinking too much."
"Well, somebody is impressed with your work... that promotion to Major came through pretty quickly."
He wipes a forearm across his brow, sighing as he does. "I guess so. Admiral Anderson thought I did a good job on the last assignment he gave me."
"So what brings you to Vancouver? Anything you can talk about?"
His casual posture stiffens and he seems to withdraw into himself. His reply is brief and to the point. And more direct that I expected.
"Commander Shepard's hearing... I might have to testify."
He reaches for another beer and drains half the bottle in one swallow. Something feels very wrong. I've heard all kind of rumors but discounted most of them.
"Kaidan, that sounds like it could be rough. I'm sorry I asked – I don't mean to pry. Let's just try to enjoy the evening together as a family."
"Yeah. Okay, Dad. Could you maybe not mention that to Mom?"
I nod agreement.
"Thanks, I appreciate it. I don't want her to worry."
The sun is going down and the light is changing. Standing at the railing, Kaidan's face is suddenly shadowed. I reach out to clasp his shoulder.
"I don't know much about the whole situation, but the best thing you can do for Shepard is to tell them the truth you know about the man and his integrity. You'll do fine... And know that I'm always proud of you, son."
"Thanks, Dad. That means a lot."