Authors note- Finally got around to revising this first chapter, a few extra lines/some taken out and hopefully a lot less mistakes. If there are still some mistake no reason for me to not come back again right? Anyway for any new readers hope you enjoy this first chapter and the rest of the story. Peace.
Tali Didn't have much in life, living in a fleet of ships on the verge of breaking down at any given moment ensured that there wouldn't be much in the way of personal belongings. That was fine however as the cramped conditions caused Quarian families to be close so one could forget about the hardships of life, well in most cases. Tali's mother died due to infection when Tali was only eleven years old and her father was distant ever since so Tali was robbed of the felling of comfort that families could have provided. This didn't bother Tali however, she knew life wasn't about what one wanted so she kept growing and kept improving,managing to pass the Quarian marine training that her father provided her and proving to be quite adept at handling technology. She knew she was ready for her pilgrimage, ready to prove that a hard life wasn't enough to stop her from succeeding. With this mindset she left the fleet in search of... will she wasn't sure exactly what yet but she knew she would prove herself and show that she was more than capable of being a useful member of Quarian society
However dead Quarians weren't much use to the fleet and Tali was starting to get more and more frustrated with the thought as Fist's hired thugs were closing in. In theory she could take out the Turian but that would leave her wide open for the two Salarians who at the moment were keeping her suppressed with their pistols and various tech attacks. Tali dared to peek slightly over here cover to assess the situation only to see the Turian right in-front of her, staring her down with the the muzzle of his rifle. There was no time to move, no time to do anything but close her eyes and wait for her world to fade into nothingness. So she did just this with thoughts of what here life could have been, what she could have had in life, and what she could have done for her people filling her mind. One thought stood out more than all of the others however, a selfish thought that made Tali feel ashamed.
What would it have been like to love, to be loved?
Suddenly a thunderous boom erupted and the Turian slumped over,dead with a large hole in his forehead. She heard the panicked cries of the two Salarians before they too were also silenced by the thunderous boom that Tali deduced must have came from a sniper rifle.
But who fired that rifle, who just saved my life? Suddenly a voice called out from behind her, a deep but friendly voice.
"Are you alright miss..."the voice called out.
The whole situation of nearly dying had been surprising for Tali, but this voice...It surprised her far more. She couldn't explain it but she felt like she'd be contempt with life if she could spend the rest of her days listening to it. It surprised her just how much she enjoyed every little detail of that mysterious voice, deep and comforting. It made her feel safe.
Apparently the ancestors decided that Tali hadn't been surprised enough and decided to give the new mystery voice a rather alluring source. Standing there in front of her was a human male and while Tali never really thought of herself as attracted to aliens, or really anyone with her busy lifestyle, she would have to be blind or stupid to ignore this human's charm. He was tall and even with his armor she could tell he was well built and no matter the species muscles were considered attractive. Of course his body wasn't the only thing and Tali was very happy to see that this human had decided against a helmet for he was extremely handsome, a well defined jawline accentuated by a closely shaved stubble and nice buzz cut gave him a appearance that just screamed "manly". However she had little time to marvel his face as she was absolutely captivated by those deep blue eyes, she felt she could just swim in those eyes an-
"Uhhhh... miss?" The human interrupted, most likely confused by her lack of response and prolonged staring.
Suddenly Tali realized she was just standing there gazing at the human and for the first time in her life was happy she was stuck in a suit as it did a marvelous job at hiding the deep blush she was currently sporting.
"ZORAH!" Tali couldn't help but think that maybe it wouldn't have been so bad to have been killed if she was going to make a fool of herself by practically screaming her name and quickly worked to correct her tone "I mean...m-my name is Tali'Zorah nar Rayya."
"Well its a pleasure to meet you miss Rayya, I'm commander Shepard of the alliance navy" He seemed to ponder something for a bit before speaking again "Rayya is your last name correct? I'm sorry but I'm...not really familiar with Quarian culture" He asked with genuine curiosity as he rubbed the back of his head, apparently a little ashamed and embarrassed that he wasn't well versed in alien cultures.
Great so not only was extremely easy on the eyes with a voice to match but he also cared about making sure to respect Tali's culture. Tali wasn't sure she could keep herself from making a absolute fool of herself as her face's temperature was rising to levels that were surely lethal...maybe she did have a tear in her suit or something.
"Uhm n-no not exactly." Tali smiled to herself as she went on to clarify her name to Shepard. "The nar Rayya part is my ship name, while Zorah is my clan name which would make it my last name in human culture." She gasped slightly as she caught that she was about to start ranting on about her culture, something that she was sure wouldn't have been the most thrilling thing to talk about. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bore you with talk about Quarian cul-"
"Nonsense I find alien cultures quite fascinating and I'd love to hear all about yours." Shepard interrupted with a smile that soon faded. "However it will have to wait as I am currently in the middle of a investigation of Saren Arterius I was told you may have some evidence that could help."
Tali was practically glowing under her suit thinking about what Shepard had just said. He said he wanted to hear about her culture and more importantly said it would "Have to wait" did that mean he wanted to spend more time with her? Oh he also said something about Saren and evidence but she could worry about that another time she had daydreams to get back to, like cuddling into his chiseled body while they talked the day away without a care in the world or maybe even-
"Miss Zorah?"
"O-oh yes right evidence about Saren." She quickly pulled up her omnitool and played the vocal recording of Saren.
"Excellent this is just what we need, that bastard is going down." Said another voice that came from behind Shepard.
Tali was amazed that she had completely failed to notice the two behind Shepard especially as one was Krogan but more importantly was the source of the new voice...a female human, one standing far to close to Shepard for Tali's liking.
She seems like a...a slut intent on ruining relationships or stealing what doesn't belong to her...yeah a horrible person. Tali decided right then and there that she hated whoever this woman was.
Before Tali could put her venomous thoughts in vocal form however Shepard spoke up. "Yeah I agree, this is just what we need" He turned to face Tali again, making eye contact (or at least he assumed he was). "Miss Zorah if you don't mind we need to show this evidence to the human ambassador"
Shooting one last hidden glare towards the woman behind Shepard before turning to face him "I understand, just lead the way and I'll present the evidence to your ambassador as well."
Shepard had intended to simply have her transfer the file but then again they did just meet so maybe she didn't trust him enough to give him extremely incriminating, potentially valuable evidence.
"Yes of course please follow me Miss Zorah"
"Please just call me Tali, Miss Zorah sounds a bit...formal." Tali lied, not really minding when other people called her 'Miss Zorah', but she wanted more from Shepard, to hear just how her name rolled off of his tongue.
First name bases for strangers? Shepard felt he really did need to learn more about Quarian culture "Sorry this way...Tali" he said with a smile.
Yeah...that's alot better. Tali thought to herself as she let Shepard lead the way.
"With pleasure" Tali was all to aware that she could have just simply transferred the file over to his omnitool but that would potentially mean going their separate ways which simply was not a option. Tali smiled to herself while gazing at Shepard as they walked. She Didn't have much in life, but she would have him no matter what happened. After all it was alright to be just a little selfish...right?
Tali's mind was near its snapping point, and she was sure she was about to enter shock. She had just presented the evidence to ambassador udinga or whatever his name was (she was to busy daydreaming to catch it) and now that they had what they needed Shepard was about to be on his merry way out of her life. She needed to think of something because one quick walk to the ambassador's office was not enough time together. She wanted, no needed, more time with him but what could she do? Suddenly an idea hit her.
"Geth!" she exclaimed without really thinking.
"Beg your pardon Tali?" Shepard said with a face of confusion that was mirrored on everyone else in the room.
Tali didn't care about how embarrassing this situation would have been under normal circumstances because this was not normal circumstances, her life with Shepard was on the line...of course that wouldn't help her stuttering.
"eh w-well like I said this recording came from a geth platform I deactivated and I'm sure Saren has plenty more s-so I should come along to help, I'm a expert on them after all, so I'm sure I could be a huge help, plus I have plenty of experience with ships, you know from being a quarian and all, then again I've never been on a human ship...but I'm sure it wont matter! I mean it cant be that different so I can still do repairs and maintena-'
Suddenly she was cut off by a chuckling Shepard. "Okay Tali I get it, point made, and I'd be happy to have your help." He shot her a smile and continued "Besides I remember that you promised me a lesson on Quarian culture and I intend on making you see that promise through."
Tali was awestruck by just how perfect Shepard could be. "Y-yes right, Thank you and don't worry, by the time I'm done with you you'll know Quarian culture better than most Quarians." She said with a small chuckle.
While Tali made friendly banter on the outside her inner thoughts were...more than friendly. He said he intends on making me see my promise through...I wonder what he'd do if I promised some more things.
Again the mask proved to be life saving as it currently hid her drooling and concealed her predatory eyes that were currently locked on Shepard. He had no idea that he was already marked for conquest.
Shepard smiled and continued. "Looking forward to it, but first we need to bring this to the council they cant ignore it."
The other human, ambassador udiniewienie, butted in. "Yes go and present this to the council, Anderson come with me we have a lot of work to do, ship,supplies,crew,and anything else the commander will need."
"I get it Udina, lots of political nonsense." Anderson said before turning to Shepard. "And I'm sure we'll be calling you Spectre Shepard soon." He said with a smile and a nod.
"Commander works just fine." Shepard returned with his own smile and nod. "Wouldn't want you giving me the special treatment, might make Chief Williams jealous."
"Thought we've been over this Shepard, It's Ashley or Ash for short, that whole rank and last name thing is way to uptight for my taste." Ashely said with a rather suggestive look towards Shepard.
Tali didn't know much about this woman other than that she absolutely hated everything about the bosh'tet. Looking at her Shepard,Talking to her Shepard, and just being any where near her Shepard made her blood boil. Tali gritted her teeth and let her mind focus on how much she hated this woman...no this pile of filth.
"I wish she wasn't here,why cant she just disappear? I hope she gets caught in a huge explosion or something and just...vanishes." she mumbled darkly to herself.
"You say something Tali?" Shepard said with his grin that seemed everlasting.
"uhhh j-just thought that we should start heading to the council, I mean I-I don't want to seem pushy or bossy or anything I just thought that we really shouldn't waste time with the whole rouge Spectre thing going on, but you're the commander so its up to you it was just a sugges-"
"You're just too cute"Shepard interrupted with another chuckle then noticed the glare that Tali was pointing his way. "R-right I think that's an excellent idea lets start heading that way." He finished with some more chuckling of the nervous variety.
Shepard had no way of knowing that Tali wasn't glaring at him with anger but rather she was staring at him with pure determination. That "You're too cute" had sealed the deal. He was going to be her's and she wouldn't take no for a answer.
The Normandy was definitely cutting edge as Tali had heard many people describe it. The stealth drive made possible by the Tantalus drive core that was almost the size of half the ship,the slick hull, and the general layout of the ship(minus that infernal elevator) showed that the Turians and Humans knew how to make a good ship. However none of them were as smart as the human known as Anderson because he had made the newest, most important upgrade, making Shepard the captain.
Tali did her job of repairs and maintenance as promised and was genuinely interested in all the guidance chief engineer Adams gave her but she was far more interested in her free time which she was currently using to compare Shepard to the ship.
Well they've both got a smooth exterior, Shepard's definitely got the Normandy beat when it comes to layout...I wonder what his main cannon is like. Tali thought with hot breaths, oddly excited by her own form of innuendos.
Tali continued her less then innocent thoughts as Shepard made his way behind her, walking completely normal but to Tali he may as well have been a ghost because she didn't have the faintest idea that he was behind her.
"How's my newest engineer doing?" He asked with his trademark friendly grin.
"Well she's certainly not doing what she wants to do right now" Tali said without registering that she was currently in a conversation.
"That so? And what would she like to be doing at this moment?" He politely asked, missing the hunger behind her voice, taking it as a genuine request for a break.
"Well that's obvious,Shep-COMMANDER SHEPARD!" Tali had just realized she was talking to someone and more importantly who she was talking to, the very person she was just about to admit to wanting to...
Shepard chuckled. "The one and only." He didn't seem to realize what Tali was about to say as he continued. "Now that we have introductions all sorted out I was wondering how you were doing."
"F-fine." Tali lied. "Just going over some maintenance reports." She lied again. "Can't just sit around daydreaming after all r-right?" Tali was on a role with her lying today.
"Well if you didn't want to daydream in your free time,which I will remind you you do have." Shepard said with a smile that grew as he continued. "I was hoping I could get that lesson you promised me."
"Y-yes of course I would be more than happy to spend some time with you...TEACHING you I mean!" Tali's temperature could surely rival the drive core's at this moment. "What did you want to know?"
"Well earlier you mentioned 'nar Rayya' to be your ship name so I wanted to know the meaning behind that."
"Ah yes you see Quarians have a ship name to let other Quarians know where they come from" Tali's mood dropped a bit "It would be similar to letting one know what planet you come from."
"I know about the Geth and if you don't want to talk about it I understand." Shepard put a hand on her shoulder, something that made Tali scream internally. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable...I should go."
Tali laughed slightly. "Oh no you don't. You're not going anywhere, I'm not done with you." She looked him in the eyes before continuing "You didn't think you could skip out a lesson by talking about the Geth did you?" Tali did get depressed whenever thoughts of the morning war came up but her desire to be with Shepard overruled any feelings concerning the Geth, by far.
Shepard eyes slightly widened before going back to their normal relaxed state. "Wouldn't dream of it." He winked at her. "Wouldn't want an angry Quarian teacher hunting me down now would I?"
A wink like that was surely illegal for it made Tali feel amazing,all thoughts about Geth and lost home-worlds vanished as they were replaced with more carnal thoughts, involving the commander of course.
This Quarian is already hunting you, you just don't know it yet. Tali thought while grinning. Time to change that.
"No,no you wouldn't." She chuckled, both at Shepard'h humor and how clueless he was about the situation."Now anyway our ship names change after we complete our pilgrimage. We become adults and pick a new ship to make our home, taking that as our new ship name. Instead of nar rayya it would change to vas nomrandy for example." That was the first hint.
"Wait I still don't fully understand the concept of the pilgrimage." Shepard said with a slight look of confusion. "I mean I would appreciate knowing what that's all about if it plays a important part in the naming of Quarians."
"Last I checked I was the teacher here so I plan out the lessons." Tali said with a small laugh. "I appreciate the enthusiasm but please one lesson at a time" Of course Tali understood wanting to know about the pilgrimage but she couldn't be derailed, she still had some more hints to drop.
"Of course, we can always go over it next time." Shepard looked at her with a smile. "And yes as your commanding officer I demand that there will be a next time." He lightly teased.
Tali didn't have to be ordered for a next time, she'd hunt the man down for a next time regardless of orders or not, but that wont stop her from some teasing.
"Oh I suppose I don't have a choice in the matter." Time for hint two. "As your subordinate I'm completely at your mercy." She said with her best attempt at a seductive tone.
"Yep under the rule of the ruthless tyrant Shepard." Shepard chuckled some more. "I demand tribute in the form of lessons and repair work." Shepard laughed along with his own joke, oddly pleased with himself.
"uhh yes of course." There's no way that just happened, there's no way he missed that."Well anyway ship names aren't the only names subject to change." Here comes hint three, and it was about as subtle as a dreadnought. "Our clan names also change when Quarians find a bondmate,the equivalent of marriage in human terms, for example if we we're to get b-bonded my clan name would change from Zorah to Shepard."
Shepard smiled. "I understand, it's interesting to see that cultures that developed light years away have some similarities." He seemed to ponder something a bit before asking. "You're first name is also similar right? Given by parents and with you for life...unless you legally change it of course I mean."
Tali was lost. There was just no way, she refused to believe it. There's no way a man could be so dense."R-right and in Quarian society we don't have a way to change first names, they're with us for life like you said." Tali was still having a mental breakdown inside. How can a man hear someone say they'd be alright with bonding with them and not think anything?
"Well I appreciated the lesson and I look forward to next time but I should go." he began walking away but suddenly stopped and turned around " Oh and Tali? It's John." He smiled then continued on his merry way.
Tali's heart skipped a beat. John...he told me his first name... and I didn't even have to ask! There was no significance in Quarian culture behind telling one your first name but that didn't stop Tali from seeing it that way. "John...I could say it over and over again and never be satisfied it's just so...perfect. Tali was breathing hard and her eyes had slightly glazed over. "John John John John John John" she muttered to herself as she wickedly smiled. Maybe he is a little dense but he'll understand soon enough, I'll make sure of it.
Meanwhile Shepard was in the elevator heading towards the galaxy map to plot out a route to Ferros, the first stop on his quest to find Saren. Of course right now his thoughts were not currently on Saren, rather he was thinking about a certain Quarian engineer and what she had just said. There's...there's just no way. His mind had stopped working for a bit when Tali had mentioned bondmates and the changing of the clan name. It was just a example, there's no way she meant it like that, need to stop thinking about it. He was sure Tali had simply made a slight error in judgement when she said something so suggestive. There's just no way she could be interested in me right? I mean we just met! He had gotten to the galaxy map by this point. "There's just no way." He mumbled to himself.
He truly had no idea.