Shepard sighed as she stood in the elevator, her eyes on the datapad in her hands. Another report from Earth. A lot of casualties. Few wins against the Reapers. Shepard had foolishly hoped for some good news after the Cerberus coup on the Citadel.

The elevator door slid open with a hiss and Shepard stepped out without looking up from the datapad. Before she knew it, she bumped into someone, the sudden motion jolting her out of her thoughts.

"Whoa," Kaidan smiled wryly, "easy there, Commander."

Shepard stared at her ex-boyfriend — or whatever they were. It was still strange to have him onboard the Normandy again since he rejoined just recently.