Story idea I had for quite some time, but never really getting enough time and motivation to get it down on paper. Until now anyway... I'll try to keep Shepard as vague as I can to not fracture the mental image we all have of Shepard. Though for the story's sake, Shepard will lean a little more on the Dense/witty side...

Hope you keep track, comment, and most importantly enjoy. Cheers

"I can do this…I can do this….I can do this"

Tali'Zorah found herself repeating the phrase over and over in her head as the elevator made its way up towards Shepard's room. She wanted to talk to Shepard after her trial, but coincidentally, Miranda just so happened to have some paperwork Shepard needed to complete by tomorrow. At first she thought she'd wait it out, Shepard always checks in on everyone when he has free time. But she was getting impatient. She needed to talk to Shepard about the recent events.

The elevator finally reached its destination, the noise from the machinery grinding to a halt.

"I can't do this….I can't do this…."

She found herself reach for the button to go back down to engineering, but something in her wants to push forward. She was already here, Shepard was just beyond that door. The sooner she can talk to him, the sooner her mind will be at ease. She took one step forward, and got off the elevator. The doors close behind her. No turning back now.

"Ok…maybe I can do this, just walk in there, start a little conversation, then…ugh! What am I going to say? Hey Shepard, how's the paperwork coming along??"

It's not like she could just waltz in and start a deep conversation about recent events and how it affected her feelings. No, that would be awkward. Almost as awkward as her marching in and bluntly saying "Shepard I love you!!" and he would go "Me too!!". Which Tali admits, has been the subject of her daydreams lately.

"ugh, keelah! I should turn back now…he's probably doing something important. What if the fate of the whole universe relied on Cerberus getting those documents reviewed and signed in time."

Tali found herself feeling a little silly now. The whole universe in the hands of one signature is very unlikely; though it does happen. Tali started playing with her hands a little, a little quirk she does when she's nervous. She started to walk towards the door.

"ok…I just need to open it and…or should I knock first…maybe he already finished and is looking for me down at engineering. Yea that's it, I better go back there now!"

However she is now right in front of the door. Just a button, or a knock away from setting her mind at ease. She has to talk to Shepard. If not now, then her head will kill her for not having anyone to talk with about the events in the trial. Besides, she also wanted to talk to Shepard about her feelings. Tali started to think about the object of her affection. The commander has always been nice to her, treating her just like the he treats the other members of the crew, a rare thing for quarians.

Over time she started to feel infatuated towards Shepard. Jealous when he would talk to Ashely or Liara in the past. Envious when he would respond to the sweet talks of one of the women. Angry at fate for making the first person she had strong feelings for be in "impossible" list for her. She knew deep down that she can never be with him. Despite him being someone who can have just about any woman in the galaxy. Even in the off chance he chose her. She can't provide Shepard the intimate joys of a romantic relationship. Even a kiss would be a risk in her part. So despite her strong feelings, she kept to herself, and for a time it was good.

But then Shepard just had to keep on being the great man he is, causing her adoration and feelings for the man grow 10 fold. Now, she can't even say two words to the man without her being nervous and start playing with her fingers. Even if he will reject her, she has to tell him what she feels and put her heart at rest.

"keelah! This was supposed to be a talk about the trial…not a confession of love…"

Tali found herself wondering how a confession right now would turn out. She would walk in. He would smile at her and ask her situation. She would approach him and….

"Gah! Focus on the topic at hand dammit!" Tali snapped herself out of her train of thought.

Once again, she found herself staring at the front of the door. Still lacking the strength to continue.

"Come on! What's the worst that can happen?! He would say; I'm busy, sorry, I'll talk to you later. This is just to get the events in the flotilla off my mind. No world-ending paperwork would go unassigned. No confessions and feeling needing to be revealed….maybe…"

Tali really did want to get her feelings off her chest. Shepard and her parting ways without him knowing about it just won't do anymore. She wanted him to know. She didn't care if his answer was yes or no, saying it to him was the only thing she needed for her heart to rest. Of course accepting would be really nice. Miranda and the rest of the galaxy being jealous of her for a change would just be a bonus.

*swoosh*

Tali thought she heard a door opening sound , which snapped her back to reality. For a second she thought Shepard was headed out and he would just stare oddly at her as she stood their shocked. Which would be an embarrassment she wouldn't be able to live down.

She had enough of this. Tali was tired of worrying, of pondering worst possible scenarios, which are probably a hundred times worst than what can actually happen. With that thought, she opened the door.

"…"

Tali found herself froze, staring wide. Not believing what she is seeing…

Shepard was only wearing a white towel. With another on his hands wiping himself dry. The sound she heard earlier apparently was him getting out of the shower.

She wanted to look away, or run. But she can't help but stare. Shepard's smooth skin fresh out of the shower, his hair being dried by the towel in his hands, the white towel on him only covering the lower half of his body. Leaving his rather toned upper torso in full view. His eyes staring wide, a mixture of confusion and shock….wait a minute…

Commander Shepard couldn't really explain what's going on. One minute he was enjoying the relaxing effects of a hot shower. The next, he finds himself almost naked in front of one of his crew. First instinct was to scream like a little girl, but it's not in him to do that. Besides it's probably just as awkward and embarrassing for her. Well maybe it's more embarrassing for him, It is his room. So he decided against the first reaction and went with something a little less awkward

"Hey Tali….Need something?"

....