(Gabriel Shepard and Tali Zorah nar Rayya are talking in the Drive Core of the SSV Normandy. Nobody else is there but them. Shepard is sitting on the guard rail while Tali is leaning on it.)
Tali: Do I have to bring up the Geth Prime?
Shepard: We have seen alot of Geth Primes this past month Tali. You'll have to be more specific.
Tali: Keelah Shepard, you know which one I'm talking about. The one that shot through your barriers and had its Plasma Rifle right in your face.
Shepard: Oh...that one.
Tali: Yeah, the one that was about to blow your head off before I came in at the last second, overloaded it shields, and Garrus took it down with his Mantis
Shepard: You two couldn't of done that without me distracting it.
(They both laugh a bit)
Tali: Garrus is so talented with that gun. He could probably even out match Kal Reegar with it.
Shepard: (with just a hint of concern in his voice) Boyfriend back home?
Tali: Oh no. Nothing like that. We're just friends. He's a great soldier though. I think you would like him. Speaking of...those kinds of friends...how's Ashley? I noticed she's upset about something.
Shepard: Yeah...she's still kind of steaming over the fact I didn't pick her to come with me to Illos.
Tali: She's mad about that?
Shepard: Yeah. She said that it made her feel like I didn't trust her or something.
Tali: Did you trust her?
(Shepard thinks about it for a moment)
Shepard: I've seen a lot of things and species that not so many humans have. Ashley has seen a few of them too, but those were threats. Seeing so many of them, I don't think she would be able to tell the difference between a hostile and a ally and Illos was kind of an unknown. That's why I needed calmer heads with me. I couldn't think of anybody better than you and Garrus. Besides it worked out for the best.
Tali: Why is that?
Shepard: Because I imagine she would have shot me in the head when I sacrificed human lives to save the council. She still hasn't let me live that down.
Tali: I have to admit Shepard that even caught me off guard. Why did you save the council?
Shepard: You saw what I saw Tali. You heard what Vigil said. If the reapers are half of the threat they seem to be, we're going to need the council races on our side.
Tali: Well...if I have anything to do with it, you can depend on the Migrant Fleet if the reapers come.
Shepard: Thank you Tali. So, did you learn anything from that Geth data I got for you?
Tali: I did and it's going to be quite helpful for my pilgrimage. I can go back to the Flotilla anytime now. I have you to thank for that.
Shepard: Then why I haven't you gone back yet?
(Tali looks over at Shepard. Her mask hides the worried look on her face)
Shepard: Not that I want you to leave. You're always welcomed on the Normandy while I'm in charge.
(Still hidden, the concern turns to relaxed in Talis face)
Shepard: I just thought you would want to see your family again.
Tali: I do, but I think there are a lot more Geth to take out before then.
Shepard: Well...(jumps down from the guard rail) lets take them out slowly. I would hate to have to lose such a great ally.
(A smile and some blushing shows up on Talis hidden face)
Tali: I'm nothing special Shepard.
Shepard: Nothing special? Let's see...first you almost single handedly took out Sarens assassins, then you provided information that proved that Saren was a traitor that in turn made me the first human Spectre, then you become invaluable to the Normandy...
Tali: (with her head down) It's a Quarian thing...
Shepard: (walking towards Tali while he talks) Then you follow me to almost certain death when we went to Illos to fight who knows how many Geth and Saren, and now you have become invaluable once again in taking out the rest of the Geth, a venture that like you said before, nearly got my head blown off if it wasn't for your intervention.
(Shepard is right in front of Tali at this point. Tali is still looking down. Shepard gently lifts the chin of her helmet, forcing her eyes to meet his)
Shepard: I don't know about you...(in a soft voice) but that makes you pretty damn special in my book.
(They stand there for a few moments, looking into each others eyes. Tali is breathing hard before)
Tali: Shepard...
Shepard: Yes, Miss nar Rayya...
Tali: There has been something I have been wanting to tell you.
(Tali has Shepards complete attention right now)
Tali:I...I...
(Suddenly an explosion is heard and the Normandy violently jerks, sending Tali crashing into Shepard making them both fall to the floor. Shepard looks up to see Tali on top of him. There is fear in Shepards eyes and though he doesn't know, the same look could be seen in Talis eyes.)
Shepard: Joker! What's going on?
(Jokers voice can be heard over the comm system)
Joker: The Normandy's being attacked Commander.
Shepard: Geth?
Joker: No Commander. It's an unidentified vessel and it's weapons are ripping our shields apart.
Tali: Oh Keelah...
(An alarm goes off and red lights turn on as Shepard looks into Talis eyes again. He realizes what he has to do.)
Shepard: We need to get everybody in escape pods now.
Joker: Already underway Commander.
Shepard: We need to get you on one too, Tali.
(They stand up and run out of the Drive Core. Most of the crew members are making way for the escape pods. Explosions are going off, throwing crew members to their deaths. Realizing he could easily lose Tali in this mob of people, Shepard grabs a hold of Talis hand and pushes through the crowd. She follows closely behind. An explosion goes off right beside them, sending them both falling to the ground. Shepard is on top of Tali, holding her body close to him and holding her head against his chest.)
Shepard: Any suit ruptures?
Tali: No, I'm ok Shepard.
Shepard: Ok, lets go.
(Shepard grabs Talis hand again and they start running. They finally get to the escape pods. Shepard runs towards one but the door shuts right in front of him and the escape pod launches. Then a fimiliar voice is heard.)
Wrex: SHEPARD!
(Shepard looks over to one of the escape pods and sees Urdnot Wrex, Garrus Vakarian, and Liara Tsoni are sitting in it. Shepard walks over with Tali)
Shepard: Got room for a few more?
Garrus: I think we can squeeze a few more in if we throw Wrex out.
Wrex: Then it's going to have to be a tight ride Garrus, unless you want to try.
(Liara shakes her head)
Liara: Of course we have room Shepard.
(Shepard helps Tali in. Tali gets in a seat and straps in. She looks over to see a few crew members have joined them but no sign of...)
Tali: Where's Shepard?
(Suddenly the door closes and the pod launches. The window on the door shows the Normandy drifting away from the pod)
Liara: He'll get on one of the other escape pods.
Wrex: Of course he will. He's Shepard after all.
( A few moments go by before Ashleys voice is heard over the radio)
Ashley: I'm away and I have Adams and Chakwas with me. Most of the crew are away as well. Pressly didn't make it.
Garrus: What about Shepard?
Ashley: He went...He went to get Joker.
(Tali unstraps herself and runs to the window, watching the Normandy from a far. The Normandy is drifting in pieces and there is a big hole near where the cockpit would be. Tali watches as another shot from the hostile ship hits the hole. After a few moments, another voice is heard through the radio)
Joker: This is Joker. I'm away but Shepard isn't with me. I repeat, Shepard isn't...
(Suddenly, the Normandy explodes.)
Tali: SHEPARD!
(Nobody talks...the radio is silent...all that can be heard is the cries from Tali...)
After this moment, everything changed. Garrus would go on to become a vigilantee on Omega. Wrex would go on to lead the Krogan. Liara would go to become an information broker. Ashley continued working for the Alliance Military. She mourned Shepard for a while but absorbed herself into her work. As did Tali, who returned to the Flotilla with the data Shepard gave her. The data helped her join the crew of the ship Neema and later became known as Tali Zorah vas Neema. For two years, she allowed only the well being of the Flotilla into her mind but every once in a while, there were talks amongst the crew of the Neema, talks of cries of deep sorrow being heard on the other side of the door to Talis room.