It was two weeks to the day since Shepard, Tali, and the rest of the team had destroyed the Collector base and come away with their lives.
Shepard was busy sterilising his room while Tali got ready in his bathroom, together they had decided that they had to make the most of their last night before the Normandy would arrive at the station where Shepard would be met by Alliance officials.
When Shepard and Tali had both finished getting ready they sat down on the bed together, Tali with her arms around Shepard's chest, and Shepard with an arm round Tali's shoulders, gently stroking her cheek.
They sat there for a while, lost in thought about what might happen tomorrow.
"I know what you're thinking Tali."
"You do?"
"I know you don't want me to leave, but I have to; I belong with the Alliance, not with Cerberus!"
"I understand why you don't trust Cerberus, but…what about me?"
"I'm sorry Tali, but I can't stand working with terrorists, it feels wrong, please understand that"
"I do, I just wish I could follow you to where you belong; why did we have to have such a short amount of time together?"
Shepard gently pressed one finger against Tali's mouth, "Let's make the most of the time we do have...Miss vas Normandy"
"You handsome bosh'tet!"
Within a split second they'd caught each other's eye, and suddenly Tali understood why Shepard had to leave, their lips touched and they relaxed onto the bed, kissing each other passionately.