So, this is just a short, sweet, little thing I wrote, just because. I hope you enjoy it! (It'll be 3 parts, probably released all within a day of one another.)
April 12th, 2193
To: John Shepard
Your story is renowned throughout the galaxy,
Savior of the Council,
Destroyer of the Reapers,
Soldier of peace,
Beater of impossible odds.
But, will you spare this a second glance?
.
I do not wish to interview you about your mission,
Which I have heard so many times,
I wish to ask for advice,
Advice about love,
how you and she managed discover it,
in the midst of War,
And to see if it could offer me any respite for my own dilemma.
.
Did you pepper her with glances of affection while her head was turned?
Did she embrace you warmly when she found out you were alive?
Did she look to you for guidance when her father was killed?
Did you hold her close and confort her while arduously trekking the final leg of your journey to fight the Collectors, together?
Did you whisper tenderly in her uncovered ear, "I love you," as you laid in bed with one another after you both survived?
.
Did you fight for her?
A chance to see her again?
A chance to share your love with her once more?
Did you stare into each other's eyes when you met, yet again?
Did you relish in her company before attacking the Cerberus base?
.
When the battle for Earth,
Your crowning achievement,
As well as your terrible curse,
Reared its ugly head,
Was she right there beside you?
Strengthened by your fortitude,
And boundless affection for her?
.
What did you say to her after her injury?
Did you look her in the eyes and tell her that this was the only way?
As you called the Normandy down,
And saw it blink off in the distance,
Did a tear glisten down your cheek?
Knowing that might be the last time you'd ever see her?
.
As you made your final decision,
were your last thoughts of her,
The love you and she shared?
.
Oh what joy must've spread across her face,
As you,
The valiant savior,
The destined soldier,
Her passionate lover,
Returned back to her,
Alive and well,
And met one another in a ecstatic embrace.
.
You loved Tali'Zorah vas Normandy with all of your heart.
She was not even a member of your own species,
She was of a species which was disregarded in stature and disrespected by the rest of the galaxy,
A species which could die from a single kiss bestowed,
A species which you did not even know the physical appearance of until much later,
Yet, love her you did.
.
Now, I require some advice,
I think you will find that we're both in a very similar situation that you were in eight years ago,
And that you are still in today.
Inside your lovely home on Rannoch,
With your beautiful wife,
And two adopted children,
My question is, how?
How can I love mine, as you do yours?