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[sassguard]

"You've reached Commander Shepard."

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[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.

[kanadian]

What? Why's that?

[ He can hear the consternation in his expression. ]

[sassguard]

It's hard to pick just a few.

[ Biotics. ]

[kanadian]

Well, how about you give me your top five, and I'll see what I can do.

Maybe I can surprise you.

[sassguard]

Good plan.

How about bacon, waffles, sausages, eggs, and you?

[kanadian]

[ BLUSH... ]

W -- well --

I think I can make those happen. You'll need to let me know how you like them, though? Bacon crispy or soft, how you like your eggs -- [ Hes still getting used to...flirting, the pause is awkward. ] How you want me. [ His voice dipped, low over the comm. ]

[sassguard]

Not really the kind of thing we should be talking about over unsecured channels, Major, don't you think? [ Shepard's just as bad at the flirting, honestly, at least when it comes to sounding sexy. Kaidan's got the monopoly on that. He could probably read a grocery list and Shepard's attention would be rapt. ]

I'll give you a ... personal briefing later.

[kanadian]

Yeah, that might be for the best. That way I can...come up with some solutions on my own, too.

Meet somewhere in the middle of that -- [ A pause. ] See you when you get home?

[sassguard]

Sounds like a plan. [ He laughs softly, but he doesn't hang up just yet, lingering on the other end of the line. ]