John Shepard-

Paragon-

Lion of Elysium-

Spacer-

Alenko Died on Virmire-

Wrex is Alive-

Saved Council-

No romance during ME1-

Romanced Tali during ME2-

All squad members survived-

Destroyed Collector base-

Negotiations between Geth and Quarians for Rannoch have begun-

This story takes place 5 weeks after the events of ME2-

*Note this story follows BUT is not linked to my earlier Fanfic The Decision . The most it will appear here will be a couple references so there is no need to read it

Tali'Zorah nar Rayya vas Normandy once again found herself in the similar position of her and Shepard lying together on his bed. With her head as usual resting on his chest slowly counting his steady breaths and heartbeat, although because of their recent and much repeated 'bonding' Tali was steadily adapting to Shepard, although her immune system was far from healthily she could still lie with Shepard for an evening without a suite and have little to no after affects. Other, more intimate gestures still only resulted in maybe a day or 2 off wooziness.

Taking in a deep breath to remind herself that this was not some vivid fantasy and she wouldn't awake to find herself in her sleeper pod, in the old Normandy or even grieving aboard The Flotilla. Which at those time's she had several 'fantasies' about Shepard, not that she ever told him, as no doubt he would never let her forget it.

Noticing that his lover was not asleep Shepard promptly wrapped his arms around her and give her a gentle squeeze which caused Tali to instinctively nuzzle her head deeper into Shepard, sighing knowing that sleep would not be easily reached tonight Tali slowly slid up Shepard's body until they where face to 'face'. Shepard has seen first hand the horrors of the world, often forced to do such things himself -though he knew he would only do so if there was no other choice. Still many times he felt the weight of responsibility that was thrust upon him was often to great for him , many time's along his journey's he journeyed to the point of breaking. But at every moment be it at Virmire when he had to choose which friend to kill, or on the Collector base there was always something keeping him from falling over the brink into the abyss: unknowingly or not, Tali'Zorah had always been a lifeline for Shepard in his darkest hours all he would have to do was to look at her talk to her, sometimes about Quarian culture, other times about the troubling things done in his past. She was always there by his side, and much more recently in his heart.

''Tali? Why aren't you asleep yet?''

*sigh*''I don't know Shepard its just that , well I haven't seen the Flotilla in a while and we didn't, really leave on the best of terms.''

Shepard clearly remembered that trial, mainly due to the fact that it was the tipping point that then led to the young couple to pronounce their love for each other. Although he was glad that was able to happen he knew Tali found the trial to be a very troubling memory: with her own people, who she had dedicated a majority of her life to- branded her a traitor ,finding her father killed by Geth which he himself reactivated (while he could never forgive Rael for the terrible way he treated her daughter he still sympathised with him nonetheless). Though they had cleared Tali of all charges thanks to the help of Kal'reeger and Vetoor plus some shouting that would have made Samuel Jackson proud they both knew Tali would always feel not welcome in her former home.

''Tali I'm sure once you are inside you will remember all the good times you had aboard the Rayya.'' Shepard assured her, the Rayya was Tali's birth ship which was also one of the three of the Migrant fleets colossal live ships - marvels of engineering that each provided roughly a third of the fleets food. It was also the place where they decided to meet the friendlier Quarians such as : Han'Gerral, Vetoor, Kal and Shala. He hoped the familiar faces and surrounding would help Tali with the homesickness she had been feeling lately.

''I sure hope your right John, I just want to have a friendly talk to some child-hood friends without any Geth nearby or people accusing me of things.'' Tali added in a dejected tone.

Shepard placed his hand under her chin and titled her head so they looked each other in the eye's : Shepard with an intensity that few could match and Tali's who's glowing orbs always mesmerised John and stoked the fire's of love and passion which recently had been burning hot.

''Trust me they won't Tali, this trip will be perfect. After the… incident with Williams'' Shepard said with a visible shudder he still worried about the very drastic encounter between Tali and his former friend, it seemed as soon as she left the Normandy she simply dropted of the grid : there were rumoured reports of a women matching her description stationed at the Alliance garrison on Shanxi. '' and that still does not explain why you can't sleep.''

Tali laid a hand on Shepard's chest and a resounding purring sounds could be heard '' Maybe its because we are alone in a bed , and I've suddenly felt a very animalistic urge to rip away at your clothes and make sweet alien love to you that could possible last hours if not days.''

''Well Tali I'm sure that sounds lovely, but I'm quite tired right now, though if you hurry I am quite sure Garrus could happily oblige.'' said Shepard with a cocky grin obviously catching Tali's intent to divert attention away from his question.

Tali growled in mock rage and playfully slapped Shepard chest before sighing and saying '' Bosh'tet , well then I guess you wouldn't have fallen for that , I bet in your old age your still tired from our 'session' the other day.'' replied Tali which Shepard knew had a large smile plastered across her masked face.

Shepard feigned hurt'' I'm not that older than you!'' replied Shepard , he still found it rather cute how Tali still sometimes had trouble talking directly about how her and Shepard had been sleeping with each other.

''Tali you know you have nothing to be embarrassed about that were having sex.'' said Shepard off- handily.

At that Tali sat bolt-up right and she did one of the now rare treasure's of wringing her hands together. ''well its not that… Erm.. Keelah, its getting hot or is it my fever?.. Its just that your COMMANDER SHEPARD and well if people knew you where .. Having sex with a Quarian..'' she whispered the last part as if the mere mention of it would cause a public frenzy at what many considered an 'abomination'

A hard edge entered Shepard's eye as he quickly grabbed Tali's arms and rather to forcefully turned her to face him, his tone took on a hard edge '' Tali listen to me! You are not some hidden secret, to be shunned and hidden in public, if anyone be it some bigots, a stranger or hell that bitch from the news. I will proudly state without hesitation that I'm in love with Tali'Zorah vas Normandy.''

Although it still felt heart-warming when he said such selfless things Tali always had a bastion of doubt in her mind that would always come to the fore whenever people gave hated glances towards her Shepard - which she knew should be directed at her-.

''Its just that.. Well.. When ever were walking down the Citadel , people give you such hateful looks none of which you deserve, I'm a Quarian so I'm used to it but you shouldn't have to suffer as well.'' Muttered Tali as she hung her head in shame - there she said it - hopefully he will leave it be, of course that was a fools hope as Shepard would move the heavens themselves for Tali so some bigots were not going to stop him from comforting her.

''Tali, sadly I can't stop all those ignorant ***holes from clinging to their untrue prejudices. Someday I know it will happen the Quarians will have a chance to show to Galaxy just how selfless and communal they are, until then let me be your shelter. I will always be here Tali , I will always protect you be it a Reaper or a hateful comment.'' Shepard added with a fire in his voice as he gently rotated Tali's body towards him and kissed the top of her helmet.

''Oh Shepard, how did I ever manage to find you?'' Tali asked dreamily

''Heh, I could ask myself the same thing.''

Tali leaned forward and placed her head against Shepard gently pushing him back until they were lying down on the bed together.

''I must admit , I will be nice to see the Rayya and the whole Fleet again.'' Said Tali before releasing a content sigh.

''Yeah I would really like to see a Quarian community, you know without the whole exile and trial thing looming over us.'' suddenly a thought entered Shepard's mind. ''Tali, since Shala was pretty much your second mother.'' after a nod from Tali he continued ''So just curios but have you told her that your together with me?''

Tali attempted to remain clam and relaxed but inside her mind was reeling Keelah , how could I be so stupid to forget to mention to her, I just hope she will accept him. ''Erm, no… But I'm sure will you approve and even if she doesn't what harm can she do?''

''*sigh* Ok Tali lets just hope your right.''

*Yeah so new story and I'm going to try and make each Chapter longer, sadly this means I'll need another day to think of idea's type them out and double check. Please leave reviews and comments after reading.*

*Plus, yes I know the Samuel Jackson comment is very much against cannon but I just couldn't help myself*