#kyle shepard

Fire filled his lungs as she dashed, dodged, and lept passed countless obstacles, firing away when he could and hurtled several biotic shocks at any husk or other Repear creations happening across his path. As he was halfway to his destination, the panicked, pained voices of Squad Bats overhwelmed his comm.

“Dammit, those bastards are swarming us!”

“Man down! We lost sight of Feely!” The past chilled Kyle’s blood into ice and prior he could yell back to them and question where they last saw her before the enemy scattered them,  the aforementioned woman’s voice washed over the radio’s frequency like the calm before the storm. Yet her tone was anything but calm.

“The banshee--it’s following me! I swear to God I’m going to riddle it with bullets!” Amidst t he brief portion of static, Kyle heard gunshot as he raced to Squad Bats, his fear inclining each and every second. If he heard her voice again, it meant she was alive and he wasn’t too late. 

“Goddammit! I think it landed a hit on me. Don’t leave me behind--I’m not dead yet, just wounded!”

Visions of Feely, bleeding or hunched over, attempting to avoid or hide from the banshee’s deadly attacks permeated his mind, always leading towards the worst case scenario, despite him trying not to think about it. He would see Feely’s group up ahead--all he had to do now was find Feely and get her and her squad out of this hellhole. “Feely, hang on! I’m coming for you!” he shouted, hoping she could still hear his words despite the occasional bouts of static slicing through their comms. The silence on her end served to quicken his sprint as well and tighten the invisible vice wrapped around his heart. 

Please be safe, Feely. You can’t let the foe, banshee or no, take you down!  

“Kyle! I see you! Look to your left!”

He obeyed those words with ease, snapping his head in the general direction of her command and raced forward when he witnessed a partly running, partly limping Feely heading his way. The banshee was right behind her, mouth gawping open in triumph as its arms reached out, energy swirling around in its lanky, shriveled hands. Eyes widening, Kyle heard an inhuman roar of indignation and fury exploding from his gullet and mouth, slamming the banshee with a wall of biotics, hurtling the creature back several feet in the air as he then grabbed Feely and together, they made a dash back to the rendezvous point, where a couple of shuttles left awaited them. 

“I have Feely. I repeat, I have Feely. She’s wounded and will need medical treatment once she’s on the shuttle.” he spoke into his comm, relieved to witness more of his comrades behind the lines than in front of the enemy right now. 

“Kyle, I’m fiiiine. It’s just a flesh wound. All I need is some rest and cookies--especially your cookies.” she promptly interjected and even though her helmet obscured her visage, he had no trouble at all picturing her impish grin. To her, his cookies where absolute crack, rendering her craving more. Then again, the delectable treats were also an efficient tool to keep her on her best behavior. 

“Very well. If I bake you those cookies you love so much again, will you promise to do everything Doctor Chakwas tells you and not overexert yourself?”

“As long as you visit me and tell Ivan to stop saying ‘bow-chika-wow-wowa’ every time he sees us together.”

The said batarian whipped his head around, six four eyes boring murderously at him as he temporarily forgot about the human singer. “About what?” came the snarl.

“You know of a Miss Seveej? Received a loan from you and later paid you back, including interest. And yet, you claim she still missed a fourth of the payment?” There was no way Miss Seveej neglected to pay in full, she documented all her finances carefully and was known to be meticulous—if her small bonsai plants were any indications of her great attention to detail as well as patience.

The loan shark shrugged. “She made an error with her numbers so she still owes me 4000 credits. And that salarian is lucky I’m not ratcheting up the interest rate.” He gulped down another shot, continuing to keep a few eyes on him. Kyle then noticed the singer hadn’t let and was watching them both, curiosity etched on her fair, sharply structured features. “And what is all of this to you? The arrangement between me and Seveej is none of your damned business!”  

“First of all, Miss Seveej is my neighbor and a good friend of mine so when she became my client, your deal became my business too. Secondly, it’s common knowledge you’re involved in other illicit activities, which I am certain the Ilium authorities would love to hear about if they caught wind of your hidden behavior.” Tulk was a man of vices and besides alcohol, he was also fond of dealing with stolen property on the black marker and illegal gambling—mainly centering around two people duking it out on a fighting ring.

The lines in the batarian’s visage deepened as he scowled, a tic starting in his jaw. “Careful there, human. You’re treading on dangerous territory, threatening me like that. Who do you think you are, Commander Shepard?”

At the opening, Kyle had to grin amusingly. “Well, my last name is Shepard and I’m good terms with the Commander Shepard. Maybe I should have to stop by and see how everything is doing around in Ilium.” Out of the corner of his eye, the dark haired singer smirked, evidently pleased to watch Tulk be outplayed. She even shot a thumbs-up while mouthing ‘thank you’ to him. He smiled back in returned.

The enraged, crossed glower was immediately dropped and a more nervous, serious expression flashed on Tulk’s ridged visage, all four eyes a little bit wider than they previously were. “Wait, you actually know that Spectre? And you’re related to her too?”

Technically. He just so happened to share a last name with Ivy, Ivan, and Izzy but that was irrelevant at the moment. So Kyle continued to smile, unsettling the loan shark even more. He didn’t need to utter anything, the silence alone was enough to provoke Tulk to reconsider his offer. The batarian quickly rummaged for his datapad and once found, punched a few buttons before sliding the holographic pad over to Kyle for him to view.

“See, your friend Miss Seveej is off the hook now. Full payment to me, just like she claimed and you asked for.” Kyle would have been skeptical if he wasn’t witnessing the proof with his own two eyes and there was slight tremor in the thug’s voice when he spoke. Guess he didn’t have to go hard on the criminal after all.

“Good,” he replied, feigning indifference. “And if I hear you’re bothering Miss Seveej again, I’ll come back and next time, I won’t be so nice. Are we clear?” There was an edge in the last part, his dark eyes narrowing as a warning signal towards the rather anxious batarian.

“Crystal, as you humans say,” came the sullen reply. And without another world, Billian Tulk finished his remaining shot, paid his tab, and fled, not before shooting a lecherous fleer at the singer, who scowled in response.

“I’m so glad you chased him off,” she told Kyle promptly once Tulk was gone. “He has been an annoyance to me and all of the singers for about a week.”

“If he returns and continues to harass you or anyone else, let me know.” He handed her his business card and she took with an intrigued look, studying the glossy words imprinted on the front.

“Nice to see people doing good these days.” She ran her thumb over his card, brown eyes peering curiously up at him, as if searching for something. “So Kyle...Shepard, want to stay a little longer and watch my performance? I guaranty you haven’t heard a voice like mine.” The way she uttered his name seemed like there was a private jest between them but only she remembered it while he was in the dark. The corners of her lips tugging up into a playful, witty beam and despite his reservations, Kyle had to admit she had a lovely smile.

“Oh, you don’t have to do anything special and bes—”

She snapped her fingers at a server nearby and flagged him down. “Get this man a drink. It’s on the house. He scared Tulk shitless.” She then turned her attention back on Kyle. “What do you usually or prefer to drink?”

Rather reluctantly, Kyle sat down and answered. “Gin and tonic, please. Nothing too fancy.” The waiter departed briskly to fill out his order, rendering Kyle and the singer by themselves once more. “And I’m sorry but I didn’t catch your name, Ms.—”

“Olympia.” She gifted him another smile, this one completely charming and purely arresting. He wondered why she was spending so much time with him, a virtual stranger who just so happened to shoo a thug and loan shark away? Surely simple goodness or kindness weren’t rare in Ilium, of all places. Or maybe he was reading too much into her behavior and getting him a drink was her way of saying ‘thank you’.

Once his drink arrived, Olympia excused herself to get ready for her shift, all the while telling him to enjoy the shower. After about ten or so minutes later, Oympia appeared on the stage, dressed in a stunning purple and white sequin dress with a matching flower tucked behind her ear.  While her arrival brought on countless of cheers, puckish hollars, and woohooing, all chatter and noise ceased instantly when Olympia began to sing and weave her melodious spell on them all. The song was peppy and sassy, matching her lively, upbeat, and straightforward voice and words, fitting the tone of the song oh so well. She didn’t portray herself as ‘the girl next door’, a sultry temptress, a rowdy, spunky rebel, or a force of nature who destroy you and everything you hold dear should you cross her—simply a young woman who wasn’t perfect nor pretending to be. He liked her style so much to his surprise, he ended staying until her warbling act was over and she had a break. Almost immediately, she made a beeline for him.

“I see you decided to stay longer. Was it just my singing?” Olympia bantered, sitting down across the table from. She flagged down a waitress, muttering her drink to them before returning her sparkling gaze at him. “If so, I’m flattered.”

“I’ll admit, I’m not one for music but I didn’t want to leave while you were still singing. I guess your voice entranced me.” Kyle chuckled, swirling the liquid around his glass prior to taking another sip. “It’s been a long time since I enjoyed music like that.”

“Now I am even more flattered.” When her drink arrived, she thanked the waitress and took a huge gulp of champagne, a gasp of relief escaping her as she swallowed and savored the alcohol. “Nothing wets a dry throat better that this club’s champagne. You should try it.”  

“Maybe next time. I already had two drinks of gin and tonic and that’s my limit for today. Besides, I have to head back to Miss Seveej and deliver her the good news in person.” Olympia’s face softened when he mentioned his client’s name, an appreciative gleam in her chocolate brown eyes.

“Of course,” she agreed, nodding, “don’t let me stop you. I’m sure she’ll be happy to learn she’s no longer under that slimebag Tulk’s thumb.” She went back to drinking her champagne as he asked the server from earlier for his check, receiving the bill on his omni-tool. He paid promptly and started to rise from his seat when Olympia swiftly got up to sit down next to him, holding her arm out and halting his actions. Without explaining right away, she simply plucked the white and violet flower from her hair and secured it into his front jacket pocket, tucking the stem of the blossom firmly inside. “A little token to remember me and this club by, in  case you want to return for some fun instead of business.” Flirtation rang coyly in her tone but her winsome, genuine smile was what struck him more and seized him fully. And before he could even reply, she leaned in, hesitating at first, and brushed her lips against his cheek, the kiss light and soft like butterfly’s wings.

When she pulled back, there was a different impression flicking her unwavering gaze, one Kyle couldn’t place but decided not to dwell on the notion right now. The kiss was unexpected, but not unwelcomed. He was more surprised than anything else. “Well, thank you, for the flower and er, the kiss too,” he managed out, feeling his face flush for no reason at all. Why couldn’t he been smoother and in control, like he usually was? He never blushed at a kiss since he was a teenager. “And no worries, I’ll be back. Wouldn’t want to miss any more of your singing.”

Her assertive, amiable, and charming self reappeared, immensely pleased by his words. “I sing on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays and usually in the evening and nights until closing. I hope to see your face this Thursday.” She sent him a little wink and picked up her champagne flute, departing to converse with the singer who was proceeding her prior to waving him farewell as she sauntered away.

“I figured you could use some cheering up. Feeling any better?”

She shrugged, flipping up a few strands of ebony and violet hair away  from her features. “A little bit. Besides the fever going away, nothing much has changed. I was hoping my appetite would come back but so far, I haven’t been really famished lately.”

Inwardly, Kyle kicked himself. How could have forgotten about her lack of appetite? Now, part of his present would make her feel bad and might cause her to force herself to eat just to spare his feelings.

“Well, despite that, I hope you don’t mind that I brought for you. It’s just a get-well gift.” he said sheepishly, going through his idea anyway. Maybe she could use the cookies as a smack for later, if she did start to feel a bit peckish. Out of the bag, Kyle pulled out a vintage Batman cookie jar, his concerns banished immediately when he witnessed the expression on Feely’s visage. Her eyes widen, then lit up, mouth opening up into a toothy, jubilant smile. She looked like a kid at a candy store, completely transformed and positively glowing with pure joy.

“Oh my God. I love it, Kyle!” she squealed, grabbing the cookie jar and cradling it close to her chest, treating the present tantamount to a cherished stuffed animal. “Where did you get this?!”

“I did some searching around on the extranet. I know how much you love Batman so I thought you might want a dark knight to watch over you while you recover. A Batman cookie jar seemed so you.” Just as Feely turned the lid around to open it and peer inside for curiosity’s sake, he quickly added, “Oh, I also baked you your favorite chocolate chip cookies. You know, in case you get hungry later on.”

“You baked me cookies too?!” The note of pleasant surprise was evident in her exclamation. “And are you kidding, I am so hungry now!”

Before he could stop or reassure Feely that she did not have to eat if she wasn’t in the mood to do so, she proceeded to stuff at least half of a chocolate chip cookie into her mouth and asked it down with a glass of water. Without missing a beat, she merrily munched on the remaining half, gazing down fondly at all the cookies piled up inside her special cookie jar. Simply seeing her acting so energetic and delighted instigated a soft, content smile on Kyle’s dark features, brown eyes twinkling with mirth as the row of crumbs continued to grow all around and on her mouth. He was so relieved and happy that his visit gave back some of her energy.

“How many cookies did you bake?” she queried curiously, still investigating her loot with a wide beam.

“Er, I think about 24 or 26. I can’t recall off the top of my head but I may have made you too many cookies.”

She shook her head fiercely. “There is no such thing as too many chocolate chip cookies.”

Kyle chuckled, nodding his head in agreement. “If you say so.” He then noticed a small smear of chocolate on her cheek and without even thinking, he reacted. Reaching his hand out, he gently brushed his thumb against the chocolate chip stain to rub it off. “Oh, sorry, you just had a bit of chocolate over there and I just wanted—”

He never got around to finishing his sentence for Feely dove forward, the Batman cookie jar still in her lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and planted a chaste but lingering kiss against his lips, her nose nuzzling with his. The taste of cookies nearly exploded into his mouth and he grinned, enjoying her boldness so he leaned forward, closing the gap between them while resting a hand on her side. Closing his eyes, Kyle enjoyed this quiet, blissful moment, even after the kiss ended. He rested his forehead against hers, saying nothing at first, for he merely content to listen to her breathing.

“I take it that was a thank you of sorts?” he remarked lightly, a smile identity to Feely’s gigging one dragged itself across his visage.

She nodded, brushing the crumbs off her mouth with the sleeve of her shirt. “Definitely. Thank you so much  for the cookies and the Batman jar, Kyle. These gifts and you simply being here mean the world to me. I already feel a little better than I was a few minutes ago.”

“That’s what I was hoping for.” He pulled away slowly, wishing he could stay longer but there was some assignments he had to finish before the end of the day. “I wish I could stay longer but I have a few tasks I have to finish. If you’re up for it, I can always stop by later in the day and see how you’re doing.”

Nodding, she hugged the Batman cookie jar tightly, resting her head on its lid. “Okay, but I’m warning, there is a chance I’ll need more cookies when you come back.”

He chuckled, mentally adding to bake more cookies for Feely tomorrow or the day after. If cookies kept her spirits up, he would make her thousands of them—regardless if Dr. Chakwas frowned on his methods or stressed a more healthy diet for his friend. “No problem. If you need more, I’ll gladly provide you with more.”

Another smile, this one brighter than the others but still just as appreciative, spread itself across her rosy pink lips, a few traces of small tan crumbles clinging to them. “Thanks, Kyle. You’re the best. I owe you big time for this.”

“You don’t owe me anything, Feely,” he replied, patting her head and folding up the empty paper bag before he started to leave. “Just rest up as usual and take care of yourself, that’s I’ll ask.” She nodded once more, clutching her treasure cookie jar more so than ever and honestly, the sight touched him but also caused him to feel elated that his gift could please her so much. He wouldn’t be shocked if she decided to sleep with the Batman cookie jar.

Whether it was from that soft, caring kiss  from Feely or there was a bug going around but the very next day, Kyle woke up with a tumultuous cough and sapped energy. The minuted he went to his post, Ivy Shepard took one good, hard glance at him and sent him to Dr. Chakwas, stating he wasn’t looking too well. The doctor supported the first human Spectre’s claim and said it was possible he might have caught an exhausting cold or a minor flu. Either way, he told to stay in his room and take it easy. Which was why, on his first day of being sick in the Normandy, Feely came to visit him.

“Feely! Aren’t you suppose to be asleep or resting?!” Not even before he could finish his exclamation did a hacking fit erupted, his throat burning with such raw intensity while his chest rumbled painfully from each cough. Concerned, she handed him a glass of water and he accepted it gladly, gulping half of its contents down. “Thanks.”

“I heard you came down with something and I was afraid I passed my infection, or whatever I had, onto you.” she explained and it was then he noticed she held the cookie jar in her hands prior to rest it down on his nightstand. “I’m sorry, Kyle.”

“Don’t worry, Feely, this isn’t your fault. I probably caught this from someone else but then again, I haven’t been gaining enough sleep these days. Perhaps this is my body’s way of telling me to slow down and catch up some slumbering.” As if on cue, a yawn started to break free and he rapidly covered his mouth. “See? A few goodnight’s sleeps will have me back on my feet in no time.”

“If you say so.” The black and purple haired woman then reached over to unscrew the jar’s lid, reaching in to produce a chocolate chip cookie and presented the dessert to him. “For you. These cookies made me feel better so now, I’m hoping they do the same for you. What is the secret ingredient to them, anyway? They’re so addicting!”

Feely’s voice washed over him and his body heeded her order, limbs moving as if there were strings attached to them and pulled by Feely’s tone. A grenade sailed over him, granting him enough time to channel his biotics at the incendiary weapon, pushing it away from the Alliance soldiers and back at Cerberus, detonating several seconds later. Debris and a blast of heat showered down on them all and Kyle immediately erected a barrier up to protect anyone close to him from the cascading shards of glass, metal, and other materials. Yet he missed his blindspot, for something hard and sharp pierced through his armor, slicing his side. Feely’s horrific scream of fury echoed in his hears as he turned to face his assailant: a Phantom. Almost sluggishly, a biotic sphere suddenly appeared and swirled over the palm of his hand. Just as he about to smack the Cerberus fighter before she could attempt to stab him again–a shot tang out and the Phantom fell dead at his feet, a gaping hole at the back of her helmet. Ophelia stood in front of him, pistol raised. 

“They shouldn’t have brought a measly sword to a gunfight.” she said grimly, rushing to his side as he began to sag a little. Her mood then shifted quickly to concern. “Kyle! How bad is the wound?”

Wincing, the said man pressed a hand against the bleeding laceration, his chest heaving laboriously. Sweat beaded all around his face. Glancing down, patches of scarlet awarded his spotted vision. “I’m okay, it’s not that deep.”

Feely frowned, the knot growing inside her stomach even more as she witnessed Kyle already bleeding heavily. Even if he was right and the slash wasn’t so severe as he claimed, his movements seemed slower than usual, his breathing sporadic and haggard. Yet his grip on her was tight as she leaned him against her. Shaking her head, Feely pulled him close, ruminating through her supply for med-gel. “Still, that was horrible to watch! Like– oh my God, I thought you were going to die! Please don’t scare me like that every again!” She finally found a vial of medi-gel and without warning, rapidly injected the medicine near the injury. Kyle grunted, jerking slightly in pain. His fingers tightened, digging into her shoulder before loosening his grasp on her a minute later. 

“I promise, I’ll be more careful,” he vowed, taking her free hand and squeezing it gently to reassure Feely. “I won’t let one Cerberus soldier dispatch me..”

The weight on her shoulders and squirming in her gut was lifted, even if only a little. Cerberus still was attacking the Citadel so who knew what else they had up their sleeves? Yet, she reasoned, as long as they were together, they would keep each other safe. 

“Good. Because you promised me a Batman movie marathon and dying to get out of it is not an option!” She tried smiling the motion felt forced, making her seem silly for even attempting to lighten the mood. But the dry chuckle from Kyle banished her uncertainty and peering into his translucent visor, she could see him grinning, eyes alight with mirth.

“I would never try to get out of a promise with you, Feely. I’m actually looking forward to hear your commentary on the different Batman portrayals.”