Armor still under repairs from the firefights on Haestrom, Shepard and his ragtag group have just recruited Tali to become part of the crew that would take down the Collectors. The exemplary quarian has just finished getting settled in on the Normandy and is currently studying the new upgrades the Normandy from the Humanist group Cerberus. Amazed at the Tantalus drive core's size and capability compared to the SR1's, Tali stands in awe of the new technology laying before her. With a glisten in her eyes, she pores over system specs on the monitor closest to the door that leads to Starboard Cargo.

Practically giddy with excitement, her eyes skim over the recorded hardware and software, excitement clenching her gut as ideas for improvements and modifications spark through her mind like lightning. Then, the door hisses open and both Shepard and Garrus walk through it, laughing at some raucous joke. Tali's head and mind still focus on the monitor before her, luminescent eyes glowing eagerly. Shepard and Garrus pause their conversation and greet Tali, to no reply. Garrus' face cracks a cheeky grin and he sneaks up behind Tali, with Shepard close behind.

Garrus leans against the wall and says, "So! Like what you see?"

"Ah!" Tali exclaims, "Don't do that!"

Laughing, Garrus says, "Sorry, Tali. Couldn't help it."

"Uh-huh," she replies sarcastically, folding her arms. However, she still has yet to notice the Commander's presence and returns to the wonders of the engineering monitor. With a mild sneer, she asks, "I don't suppose you came down here to ask me about my immune system or something?"

"Now is that any way to treat an old friend you haven't seen in years," Garrus asks coyly."

"Well, it's you, so I'll make an exception," Tali quips.

Garrus smiles and says, "I wasn't talking about me, Tali."

Puzzled, Tali asks, "Then who were you talking about?"

Garrus simply turns towards Shepard and asks, "Is it me or has Tali become a bit more passive-aggressive since we last saw her?"

Shepard laughs a little and says, "Well...we did just save her from those crazed geth on Haestrom, Garrus. She's bound to be a little high-strung."

At Shepard's voice, Tali spun around in what seemed like an instant and stuttered for a moment, saying, "Sh-Shepard! I...I didn't know you were there too. I'm sorry. I would have greeted you sooner." She looks at Garrus with a bit of a scowl and asks, "Why didn't you tell me Shepard was right behind me?"

"I tried!" Garrus replies humorously.

With a blank stare, Tali groans, "...Right. Anyways..."

Shepard smiles and asks Tali, "So, how are you adjusting to the new Normandy? Do you like the upgrades?"

With excitement, Tali says, "Oh yes! It's incredible! I had no idea Cerberus could build something like this."

"Speaking of which," Shepard interjects, "Is the crew giving you any trouble?"

Tali replies, "No, in fact they've been very helpful. Engineer Daniels and Engineer Donnelly have been very nice."

Across the room, Kenneth Donnelly smiles and says, "Aye, I'm always theah to help a ladeh in need."

Gabriella Daniels pipes up and says, "You're such a dog." Cheerful laughter rang out across the Engineering deck, sported by Shepard and his old comrades.

After a short while, Shepard, Garrus and Tali caught up a bit on lost years. There was talks of family, friends and such.

Garrus had just brought up the topic of relationships, saying, "Dr. Michel recently sent me an email talking about how she was thankful that Shepard and I were still alive and helping save the galaxy once more. She was always so nice to me..."

Amused, Shepard says, "She was, huh? You should ask her out the next time we get some R & R."

Garrus laughs a little and asks, "A turian and a human? Would that even work?"

Tali happily says, "Well sure, relationships can go cross-species sometimes. Love finds a way." Unbeknownst to Tali, Shepard smiled and watched her carefully as she said that, seeing that she may have an interest in someone from another species.

Garrus folds his arms and says, "I'm not sure. I never really thought about it. The only relationships I've ever had were with other turians. Quarians are pretty close to turians, DNA-wise though. That's at least closer to home." Looking at Shepard, Garrus says, "There was that one turian and quarian couple talking about 'Fleet and Flotilla' back on Illium. "

Tali blushes a little, lowering her head, assuming Garrus was talking about her when he mentioned quarians. There was a slight tension in the air, although Shepard was the only one to feel it. There was a little clenching in his heart, and he wondered at its source.

After a pause in conversation between the three of them, Shepard bluntly says, "Anyways, Tali, it was great to see you again. I'm glad you're settling in well enough. And I'm glad to have you aboard again."

Garrus stops leaning on the wall and nods, saying, "Right, we should probably let you get to work. Nice seeing you again though."

Tali smiles at both of them and says, "Glad to be back. Talk to you later." Shepard smiles and begins to leave, with Garrus following suit.

Before the door hisses shut, Garrus asks Shepard with a puzzled look, "Was it something I said?" Laughing a little, Tali turns back to the monitor, the conversation and implications thereof buzzing in her thoughts. Shoving it somewhat successfully to the back of her mind, she resumes her study of the new ship and begins the arduous process of engine-cleaning.