They spent the remainder of Christmas in bed, leaving only long enough for a few, quick meals. It had taken Kaidan a little bit to get back into the swing of things, but they got there together...

...Many times...

Time ceased to mean much to them until the twenty-sixth and Bri's omni-tool beeped. She wiggled away from Kaidan (who grumbled his disapproval) and read the message. She sighed and turned it off.

"Who was it?" he asked, sitting up.

It took Bri a moment to answer. She found her eyes drawn to his bare chest. Now, she had always loved his abs, but, he had gone from having a four pack (which is acceptable), to having an eight pack and she enjoyed the view. It was also covered in a light sheen of sweat which, she was pleased to admit, was because of her and their amorous activities.

"Alarm," she murmured and stood up and began searching for clothes.

He stayed silent for a moment while he appreciated her named form in the low light. "For?"

"Joker'll be in system in about two hours to pick me and the shuttle up," she explained as she found a bra, her underwear, and, exactly, one sock.

"You were only planning on staying until day?" he asked, getting out of bed to find his own clothes.

She cast him an exasperated look over her shoulder. "I didn't think that you'd be here," she pointed out, and saw her sock on the lamp behind Kaidan.

"You could always tell him to stay away," he murmured, taking her into his arms.

She shook her head. "I can't," she whispered, looking away from him and pulling out of his arms. "I have to go to Earth."

"I'll go with you," he insisted.

"No. I'm not going to risk your career like that. No, you'll go do whatever you were planning to do after Christmas." She pulled on her underwear and pants.

"You think it's going to be that bad?" he asked as he, too, dressed.

She stood up, her grim expression was slightly marred by the bra dangling in her hand, but didn't quite ease her words. "I destroyed an entire system of Batarian's, Kaidan." She shook her head. "No, it's going to be worse than bad and I want you to stay away from me the entire time."

"Brianna-"

"No," she snapped, maneuvering herself into her bra. "I promise, if you come anywhere near me, I will never forgive you." She softened her expression as she said, "I'm doing this to protect you."

Kaidan took her chin in his hand and kissed her sweetly. "I know," he murmured.

They finished dressing and packed their bags, not saying much. But, as they loaded up their respective shuttles, Kaidan stopped her before she could begin prep.

"Bri, wait."

"What is it?"

"Six months."

"Hmm?"

"If you're not free in six months, I'm coming to see you- damn the consequences."

She smiled at him. "Only once," she said sternly and hugged him.

"I love you," he murmured into her hair.

"I love you too," she whispered as she stepped from his arms and entered her shuttle.

That was the last time they saw each other until the Reaper attack on Earth...

...six months later...

Author's note: I thank all of you who have been reading and following my five day Christmas story! I hope you all enjoyed it! Thank you for all the lovely comments as well! :) Please feel free to read my other stories (just click on my name). Curious Jealousy is my current story and is updated every Friday (and it has a two chapter Christmas special as well). :) 3