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[sassguard]

"You've reached Commander Shepard."

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[sassguard]

Uh-oh. Do I want to know the rest?

[ A pause, and a thought occurs-- ]

I didn't know she knew when my birthday was.

[kanadian]

Uh, well, we talked about it -- [ A sheepish pause. ]

I kind of asked for her help.

[sassguard]

[ Immediately, Shepard becomes alert. ]

Her help? What did you need help with?

[kanadian]

With your birthday?

[ Good job, Kaidan. ]

I mean, ah, I didn't really know where to start? With taking you out.

[sassguard]

So you decided to ask Kasumi.

[ He's not angry, just... perplexed. And then, he snorts. ]

Wish I'd been there to hear that conversation.

[kanadian]

She had some...ideas.

[ A wry laugh. ]

Some good ones, but I had to go through all the muck.

[sassguard]

Oh really. Like what?

[kanadian]

Well there was the birthday party, and the briefs, and --

[ A pause. Shit. ]

I think I'll leave what I actually get you to be a surprise.

[sassguard]

Hold on.

[ You're not getting off the hook that easily, Alenko. ]

What's this about a party?

[kanadian]

Did I --

I mean --

She just suggested it -- [ Stammering doesn't help things, honestly. Good job, Kaidan. ]

[sassguard]

Kaidan...

[ Despite the valiant effort at sounding severe, Shepard can't help laughing. Really, Kaidan... ]

All right, what did you do?

[kanadian]

[ Dammit ]

It might not just be us for dinner. But you have to act surprised.

[sassguard]

How many people is 'not us'?

[kanadian]

[ Now he's starting to sound a little downtrodden. This was not what he wanted. ]

I'm not...really sure? Friends, I assume. Normandy crew? Maybe a few others.

[sassguard]

[ Don't do this to him, Kaidan... ]

That... sounds like a lot. [ Until now, a quiet night out had sounded pretty good, actually. Shepard sighs, then seems to perk up a bit. ]

As long as there's plenty of food, I guess I don't really mind.

[kanadian]

Well, there's always food --

[ There's a pause. ]

We could always...do breakfast, morning after? Just me and you?

[sassguard]

I was counting on it.

[ Slyly: ]

I made sure I had the day off.

[kanadian]

Oh -- Ah --

[ BLUSHU ]

I'll try not to let you down.

[sassguard]

You never have.

[kanadian]

You say that like the pressure isn't on --

[ A pause. ]

I'll pick someplace really nice.

[sassguard]

No need to get too fancy.

[kanadian]

No? I could always, uh, make breakfast at home. But I was kind of aiming to treat you.

[sassguard]

Your idea of a treat, or mine?

[kanadian]

Well? Ah -- ideally your idea.

[sassguard]

That makes things a little difficult.