Authors Notes: This is an Alternate Universe fanfic with a Femshep/Kal'Reegar romance.

This starts after ME2 and before the Reapers arrive (Alliance decided not to incarcerate Shepard and gave her a new crew) a few notable ME3 moments will feature.

Disclaimer: Its all Bioware.

Based on a prompt on Mass Effect Kink from last year.

I'll work on that, Ma'am

When Shepard walked into the comm room, Admiral Gerrel came into view.

"Commander Shepard, Tali suggested I get in contact with you. She said you'd be willing to help."

"What's the situation Admiral?"

"Our fleet has suffered heavily after we stumbled across that lone Reaper. We cannot go anywhere until we are back to full strength. The reapers are coming Commander, we all know it now and we need to be ready. One of our fighter shuttles, full of our best marines disappeared, we believe it crash landed. A beacon was activated, leading us to believe someone survived the crash."

"You want me to check it out?"

"Please Commander. We are deeply vulnerable at present. The Geth have been engaged in unusual activity around the Tikkun Relay. Anything you can do for us Commander, will be repaid."

"Keep me updated on the Relay situation Admiral, I believe that the Reapers will use them to invade the home systems first."

"I will Commander, Thank you."

Shepard stood over the galaxy map, "Joker, set a course for Noveria, track the beacon once we are in orbit."

"Aye Aye Commander."

Shepard headed down to Engineering, "Tali, do you know who was on the shuttle?"

"Kal'Reegar was squad leader. We might be too late."

"Maybe, but I'd rather know I was too late."

"Better get Chakwas ready, just in case."

"I got Mordin working on some better Immune stabilizers."

"Commander, we're approaching Noveria."

"Be right up Joker, start scanning for the beacon."

Shepard got to the cockpit, "Anything yet Joker?"

"Yeah, found it. They landed in a totally isolated place."

"Tell Vega and Kaidan to suit up."

"Aye Aye."

The shuttle landed on the frozen planet, "I hope we find the shuttle quick, I'm freezing," Shepard shivered in the icy cold wind.

"Yeah. I wouldn't wanna live here." Kaidan agreed.

Approaching the crashed shuttle, it seemed utterly hopeless anyone survived. Shepard opened the shuttle, finding a body under some sheets obviously making a vain attempt at survival. She lifted the sheets, recognising the red suit of Kal'Reegar. She turned him over, half his face mask was missing, revealing his face. Shepard's heart sunk a little, he was beautiful, not just handsome, but beautiful. Kal'Reegar's eyes fluttered, Shepard checked his breathing, he was still alive!

"James, Kaidan, I found a survivor." Shepard ran the back of her finger over his cheek, "Hold on Kal," She soothed.

Back on the Normandy, Shepard let Chakwas work on Kal. She headed to Engineering to inform Tali, "Tali, we found Kal'Reegar. He's in a bad way."

"No one else survived?"

"No, I'm going to inform the Admiralty now."

Shepard placed a call to the Admirals. Admiral Koris came into view, "Did you find any survivors Commander?"

"Just one Admiral, Kal'Reegar. I warn you, he may not survive"

"We aren't in a position to look after him, we have so many wounded."

"I'm happy to keep him on board Admiral. Are you in need of anything?"

"Our supplies of medical equipment are sparse Commander. Every other species has ample supplies in preparation. We'll have nothing when the Reapers finally strike"

"I might able to help Admiral. I could convince the council to recognise you as an Allied Fleet"

"We are willing to help when the time comes Commander. We just aren't ready yet."

"I'll see what I can do Admiral."

"Thank you Commander."

Shepard ended the call, heading down to the med bay, "How is he Doc?"

"Hypothermia has set in, several cuts and bruises, broken ribs, clavicle and fibula, trauma to the head, a burn on his chest that medigel wont fix instantly. I can fix all that, but with the low immune system, I have no idea what infections he could've contracted."

"Mordin is nearly done with the immune stabilizers, he has an experimental therapy he wants to test."

"Its worth a try, his chances are bleak."

"I've agreed to keep him on board, the fleet aren't in a position right now to offer long term care."

"Wise decision, his chances are better here."

Shepard walked over to Kal, "I've never seen a Quarian without the suit."

"Nor have I. He's very striking isn't he?"

Shepard stroked his black shoulder length hair, "He's beautiful. I cant tell if his skin is very light purple or grey."

Chakwas joined Shepard at his beside, "I think its a mixture. He has really cute ears."

Shepard chuckled, "I know," Shepard touched his skin, "It feels like velvet."

"Are you getting a crush Commander?" Chakwas teased her.

"Just admiring a work of art. You cant deny your doing the same Doc." Shepard smirked at her friend's blush, "Keep me posted Doc."

Shepard went into the AI core, finding Legion working away on something, "Legion?"

"Shepard-Commander, How can I be of assistance?"

"Admiral Gerrel said the Geth fleet have been lingering around the Tikkun Relay, any idea why."

"No, but if you wish, I can investigate Shepard-Commander."

"Thank you Legion. Let me know if you find anything."

"Yes, Shepard-Commander"

Two weeks after picking Kal up from Noveria, Shepard got called down to the med bay for an update, "How's he doing?"

"Treatment working. Better than expected. No infections." Mordin informed her.

"No infections at all?"

"Nope, none. We exposed him to several infections in minor doses, using the immune stabilizers to aid the recovery, his body managed to build immunity to them." Chakwas answered.

"Wasn't that dangerous, exposing him to so many in one hit?"

"Under normal circumstances yes. But in a controlled environment, we could administer treatments quickly if it was getting too dangerous."

"What if he picks up an infection he's not had before?"

"Hopefully, when that happens, his own immune system should have the strength to fight off the infection, much like any other species can."

"So he can go without the suit?"

"Yes, but that will be an adjustment. He's had the suit on since his adolescence."

"Have you informed Tali?"

"Yes, she was going to seek your permission to have the therapy. She will be out of action for 2 weeks."

"I'll go speak to her." Shepard left the room, bumping into Tali in the mess.

"Hi Shepard, I need to ask you something." Tali fiddle with her hands, she was nervous.

"You can have the treatment Tali. I would never stop you, its completely your choice."

"Thanks Shepard."

"I wont tell the Admiralty board yet. Would like to see it work on you before I give hope to seventeen million Quarians."

Shepard decided to head for a midnight snack. The ship was quiet, aside from the night crew. She looked into the med bay, she saw Kal move slightly. Shepard walked into the medbay, standing by Kal's bedside, "Kal'Reegar, can you hear me?"

Kal opened his eyes, looking at her through glowing orbs, he was confused and slightly alarmed.

"Its OK, your on the Normandy." Shepard stroked his hair, "EDI, can you wake up Doctor Chakwas please?"

"Yes Commander."

A few minutes later Chakwas walked in, immediately checking him over, "Are you in pain?" She asked gently.

"Yes." Kal managed with a raspy voice.

"Commander, get him some water?" Chakwas asked, administering more pain relief.

Shepard nodded to Chakwas, leaving to get water and a straw to make it easier for him to drink. Shepard returned to the med bay. She held the straw to his mouth, while Chakwas lifted him up slightly.

Kal eagerly drunk the water, "My Squad?"

"I'm sorry Kal, they didn't make it." Shepard soothed.

Kal closed his eyes, guilt seeping in. He blamed himself, although the situation was out of his control, he still felt he could have prevented it.

"Kal, would you like to see Tali?"

Kal shook his head, apparently too ashamed to face her. Tears formed in his eyes. He gripped the tender hand of Shepard.

"Chakwas, go back to bed, I'm gonna stay and talk to him."

Chakwas nodded handing her a medi cloth to wash the burn on his chest.

Shepard waited until Chakwas left before pulling down the blanket slightly, "This might sting a little," Shepard placed the cloth on his chest, watching him wince slightly.

Shepard washed his burn tenderly, she felt like she should tell him about the therapy, "We tried an experimental treatment on you. It was worked better than expected, being suit-less isn't a huge risk any more."

"I thought I was gonna die."

"We got to you in time, Admiral Gerrel ask me to find you."

"Thank you Commander." Kal lifted his uninjured arm gingerly to touch her long caramel coloured hair.

"Any time and call me Shepard."

"I'll work on that, Ma'am."

Shepard laughed, "Always the gentlemanly marine. Its a dangerous combination."

"Second time you've saved my life."

"Oh yeah, I yelled at you."

"Yeah, and slapped down a Colossus, you have guts."

"No, I'm pretty sure I'm just crazy, I took on a thresher maw on foot."

Kal laughed and winced in pain.

"No laughing yet, you have broken ribs." Shepard jokingly admonished, "Are you hungry?"

"A little."

"I'll get some nutrient paste for you." Shepard left the room again.

Kal watched the beautiful Human walking out to the mess. She was so affectionate and tender, totally different from the hardened solider she was in battle. She moved gracefully, hair falling around her shoulders. Her eyes, blue-grey eyes that he'd seen before. He saw them when she ordered him to stay down on Haestrom, her voice harsh, but her eyes glowed with concern, he knew it was mainly for Tali, but she was worried about him too.

Shepard walked back in carrying the paste, she smiled at him, "Forgive me, but I'm gonna have to feed it to you."

Kal let her feed it to him, he was no position to feed himself. He studied her, while she did it. She had sandy coloured skin with small darker spots dotted along her cheeks and nose, full pink lips. He now understand why other male Quarians had talked about her so much, she was exquisite, like a work of art you couldnt help but admire. Defending Tali so fiercely won her a lot of respect. She treated Quarians with respect, helping out when she could. She would direct them to valuable resources that she had encountered.

After the paste was finished, Shepard helped him drink more water, "You need to get some rest. Galaxy will need one of its best marines back in action."

"Night Ma'am," Kal smiled at her.

"Night Kal, talk to Tali in the morning." Shepard walked out of the med bay leaving Kal thinking about her.

Kal woke in the morning to find Tali entering the med bay, "Good Morning Ma'am."

"Hi Kal, how are you feeling?"

"Sore but OK."

"Shepard said you were feeling guilty. Don't deny it, Shepard knows."

Kal sighed, "I should have done better."

"Don't blame yourself, you couldnt have known."

"Shepard saved me."

"You like her." Tali teased.

"She's unique, beautiful."

"She's also unattached. I'll help you win her heart."

"Maybe when I'm not so broken."

"Commander Shepard, how is Kal'Reegar?" Admiral Gerrel asked.

"He's awake and lucid Admiral."

"Thank you for taking care of one of ours Commander."

"Admiral, I have something that might be of interest to you. Keep it between the other Admirals for now."

"What is it Commander?"

"My resident scientist likes challenges, one challenge was to see if he could strengthen Quarian immune systems. It appears to have worked."

"I...I'm speechless, the other admirals want to join the call." Raan, Xen, Koris and Zorah came into view.

"Did I hear right? You have a therapy that could help us?" Koris asked incredulous.

"Yes, Kal is clear of infection, he has no suit on. Tali is planning to take the treatment next."

"How does it work?" Xen enquired.

"In a controlled environment, Kal was exposed to several types of infection. While he was under a medically induced coma, his body had time to build immunity. Its risky, thats why its done in a controlled way."

"We wont be able to do seventeen million of us, its not quick enough."

"Admirals, Dr Solus is continuing his work on it, its early days. That's why it should be kept quiet for now. It's hope Admirals."

"Commander Shepard, thank you. Did you manage to secure Allied status for us?" Koris asked.

"Yes, it wasn't easy, but they are willing to send supplies and resources to repair the fleet."

"Thank you Commander, keep us informed on the treatment status."

"I will Admirals, Keelah Se'Lai."

Shepard ended the call, heading to the med bay. "Morning Kal, feeling better?"

"Still sore Ma'am. Still adjusting being out of a suit."

"At least now you have the choice of wearing it or not."

"Are you taking me back to fleet?" Secretly, Kal didn't want to leave the Normandy, he enjoyed watching the crew out of the med bay windows. Shepard was a perk too.

"No, we can offer you better long term care. The Admirals agreed your better off here while your recovering. Your not sick of this crazy human and her travelling freak show already, are you?"

Kal chuckled, "No, I like watching them, Lieutenant Vega came in to talk. He gave me a new name, Rocket"

Shepard laughed, "That means he likes you, he's a gentlemanly marine too."

"What does he call you and Tali?"

"He calls me Lola, Tali is Sparks."

"What's your real name?"

"Lily-Rose, a very girly name for a crazy bitch like me. They are both flowers indigenous to Earth."

"Flowers are beautiful."

Shepard blushed, "I got you data pad so you have entertainment. I'll come back later." Shepard left still blushing, he called her beautiful, get a grip woman, your Commander Shepard, you Don't blush.