A/N: This is my first attempt at a Thane/Shepard storyline. Please let me know if you think it's believable. As well as what you think and of any spelling mistakes and Grammar problems (Not my strong points so... Bare with me) Enjoy :D
Shepard was sitting in the mess hall, playing with her lunch as she debated the idea of getting up and getting back to work. She sighed just as she heard a crocky, yet smooth voice say
"May I sit with you Siha?" Shepard looked up to see Thane standing there with a tray of food in his hand, she nod at him givin him permission to sit down opposite her. He sat down and slowly started to eat as an easy silence feel around them as it usual did. Thane was one of the one people Shepard felt comfortable around to be silent for hours just enjoying each others company.
She then looked from the scattered remains of her salad on her plate to Thane. Looking at him for the first time in a while, the way his green scales seemed to glow in the light, the way he's voice drew her in but made her want to run for hill too. The way she knew if he needed or wanted to be he could be gone from her vision in the blink of an eye. The Commander realised she was staring at him, she shook her head and took another bit of her salad. That's when the Drell spoke startling Shepard from her deep thoughts
"Siha? Is something the matter?" Shepard met his eyes wondering how Thane always seemed to know when something was wrong, even when she acted totally normal. She sighed once again
"Yes but it's a private matter that I'll come and talk to you about later... if you're willing to listen?" Thane grabbed the Commander's left hand, making her drop her folk at the sudden contact to his scaly hand, stroked her hand playing with the ring on her ring finger. An engagement ring. Shepard looked at the scaly hand on hers.
"Siha..." Making her look him in the eye. "It's my duty to listen when you need me Siha, don't you ever forget that. I apologize if I startled you Siha... But you need to know I'm here for you Siha" she smiled at him and rest my other hand on top of his. She loved how he managed to call her Siha four times in one sentence... She loved what the nickname meant and that he was consensually reminded her of how much he thought of her with just one word.
"Thanks Thane... Come up to my chamber when shifts change and we'll talk... I need to ask you something very personal. Call it a favour if you will" Thane only nodded.
"My prays will be with you until then Siha" Shepard smiled and got up, tray in her hand. As Shepard headed to the kitchen to put the tray in the sink.
Mean while Tali was coming out of the elevator and started to walk pass the mess hall on her way to the kitchen to get her lunch and take it down to engineering. She looked around, smiling and nodding at anyone who caught her eye. She didn't like working with this team but after having to trust them with her life she had some respect for the things some of them did to help her. She was looking around, taking in another peaceful day to see Thane grab Shepard's hand.
She was so shocked seeing this act not only because Thane was touching someone, Thane has always been reserved in his movement to keep himself at least a few feet away from anyone who was talking or walking near him. But the fact that Shepard started to smile after the shock of the contact, she seemed to relax into the contact sub-consciously stroking his hand. But then Tali saw something even more shocking. Shepard rested her other hand on top of the one that was holding hers.
Tali shook her head trying to make rational sense of what she just saw. The only thing that became clear in her head as she got her lunch was that Thane and Shepard had a romantic relationship in secret. Why they'd kept it secret Tali intended to find out or maybe he was just being friendly about something sensitive she'd told him. She didn't want to prey but something Tali had to be nosy for Shepards own good. And this time was no different. She was going to need the help of her founded friendship in Gabby, Ken and Kelly for help.
Tali grabbed her tray that was already set out on the table. The chef had gotten use to Tali's ways pretty much as soon as she joined the crew and so he'd always leave her lunch out on the side with a little riddle for her to solve. It was the chef's way of keeping relations with the team members who don't socialise while they eat and Tali loved how much he tried. Shepard had just placed her tray down when she saw Tali smiling at note
"Got another admirer Tali'zorah Vas Normandy?" Shepard laughed as she placed her tray down in the sink. Shepard sometimes used her full name when she was either joking or trying to make a point. Tali blushed inside her suit, this being one of rare moment she was glad for it.
"No no Just The sergeant wishing me a good lunch as he does almost every day with a note" Handing Shepard the note. Shepard read over it and laughed, but Tali could hear a sigh in the laughter. But she didn't question it. Shepard said
"Well if you and Gurras ever did admit your feeling for each other you wouldn't need love letters from the Sergeant" Tali shook her head
"I'm not even going to ask how you knew I liked Gurras... I'm not sure I want to know. But I know too you like someone. I am yet to find out who. I shall find out though Shepard I promise you" Of course she knew who. But if Shepard knew she knew, she'd proberly come up with some unarguable excuse. Even if it was a complete lie. But if Tali could get evidence before she had the chance, Shepad wouldn' argue. Shepard laughed as she and Tali started to walk towards the elevator.
"I look forward to it Tali" Shepard hadn't meant to keep her relationship with Thane a secret but after the Collector mission she decided the crew shouldn't be able to use her personal relationship as a way to gossip and it's just remained a secret ever since. Thane had not said anything about it, Shepard was sure that if her boyfriend had a problem with it he'd say something; he was never one for keeping his opinions to himself if it were worrying him. But Shepard also knew that if it was protecting her, he'd keep his feeling hidden because he always said 'what goods a gun, if it can't protect you, so what good am I to my partner if I can't protect her?' Shepard of course never knew what to reply. She ended up kissed him to shut him up. The thought brought a deep smile to her face as she looked back to Tali
Tali had a smug smile on her face and said
"You're smitten Shepard... It's nice to see. I'm heading down to engineering, if you have a spear moment come down and talk to me and we can talk about the things we really need to discuss... No rush though" Shepard nodded and watched the Elevator door shut in front of her.
Taking in what Tali said, was she really smitten with Thane? Was she happier now she knew that he'd be there for her as long as she lived? Was she happy to know he was cured because of his son's research into his disease and a determined 2 years of straving himself and determination for his father to live. Well of bloody course she was.
Thane had been sceptical said that the Ocean chose when it was him time to go. Shepard then told him she wouldn't be able to live without him and that if his life needed purpose then it could be to protect, to love and hold Rachel Francis Shepard for the rest of his Drell life. Thane had accepted and slowly come to accept what the perpose of his life was now. Shepard of course had been happy that he'd be in her life for alot longer. They were together for months after Thane cured. Shepard had come to accept that she loved Thane and couldn't live without him. Thane of course had accepted the same things.
So when Shepard stepped into chambers one afternoon. A little annoyed about another arguement that Miranda and Jack had gotten into. She had to use her biotic' on Jack, shoving her against the door. Making her calm down before she released her. Miranda had been dragged away by Jacob and Shepard had spent the reason of the afternoon makng up with Jack and Miranda. It really was getting stupid.
Thane was standing at the base of her bed. Look at the picture of him with Shepard that Shepard had asked for on their 3 year annersiary. Shepard asked
"Thane honey? what are you doing in here?" Thane jumped a little.
"Oh nothing... I just had someting to ask you" Shepard nodded waiting for him to continue
"Okay... don't feel you have to answer now Siha... take your time" He waited until Shepard had once again nodded before coming to stand in front of her. He took a deep breath and slowly bend down on one knee and pulled out a ring. Saying
"Siha... Rachel Francis Shepard would you consider loving me till the end of time? sharing me with no one? calling me your husband. Will you Marry me?" Shepard starred at the ring in shock. Complete and utter shock. How was she to see this comind especially if Thane didn't want her to see it coming. Shepard had ran from her chamber shaking her head and saying
"I don't know Thane. I don't know... I'm sorry... I'm so so so sorry" And she ran. Thane stood theree staring at the door his non so future wife ran out of.