Chapter 2:

It took a few moments for Shepard to fully understand what they had done, destroyed the Collectors, he had not only led a team successfully through the Omega 4 Relay but he had also taken the fight into the heart of the Collector base albeit with Jokers really good piloting skills which still made them crash and then to top it all off destroyed a hybrid human-reaper without even a scratch on any of his team. Damn Shepard thought I am so damn good sometimes I really need to share it with people. He tried to focus his eyes on the button that would let him access decontamination however Grunt had thrown him so hard into the top sill of the Normandy that he felt that his eyes were going to pop out of his skull. Kasumi watched him carefully.

"You ok there Shep?" She asked

"Well apart from feeling like I've been hit by a tonne of bricks I'm fine" was the sarcastic reply

"N'aaaawwwh is my battlemaster suddenly becoming soft?" It was Grunt "do I need to find someone who is worthy of my power?"

"Shut up Grunt and to clarify no you find someone else and I'll find you and cut off your balls and sell them to Wrex as a prize"

Grunt threw a chesty laugh "I like you Shepard, you've got balls even for a puny human"

Shepard finally found the door button, pressed it and they all went into decontamination, all said nothing too each other as they were lost in their own memories, Kasumi was watching Kajie through her grey box for the millionth time, Shepard was so glad to be alive and looking forward to grasping Tali in a warm hug as soon as he got through decontamination and Grunt was wondering when the next time he got to kill something was. Finally decontamination was complete and EDI chimed in in her cool, emotionless voice.

"Welcome back Shepard and may I be the first to offer my congratulations"

As she finished her sentence the doors into the Normandy opened and the trio were snapped out of their thoughts as they were met by a roar of celebration, everyone had abandoned their posts to come and congratulate the hero of the attack, Shepard scanned the mass of people looking for the one person he wanted to see the most; Tali. His eyes finally focused on her and as usual she was stood wringing her hands nervously to see if Shepard was alright, he looked at her visor and could see the glistening streaks of tears falling down her cheeks, he was completely lost in the moment rushing straight up to her regardless of the pains that he had felt before and flung his arms around her neck, she responded by wrapping her arms tightly round his waist and squeezing tightly not ever wanting to let him go. Instantly the crowd went silent surprised that finally the relationship had come to a head before erupting into more cheers and wolf whistles; somewhere in the midst of all the noise Joker made a sarcastic comment.

"Jeeez Commander couldn't you have kept it in your trousers just a little longer?"

"Shut up you fool, I don't see you getting any loving" was Zaeed's reply

"Ooh right so I completely forgot it was picking on the cripple day? Forgive me for not sending out invitations"

"That's not shutting up Joker"

The crowd was now getting edgy with some of the crew members demanding that Shepard give a speech, right now though Shepard just wanted everyone to relax and thank them all later, however the squeeze that followed the gentle caressing of his upper thigh caused him to look at Tali and she was giving him the "Death Glare" as it was fondly known to him persuading him otherwise, he let go of Tali and moved towards the centre of the conclave of people standing on one of the chairs of the crew deck prompting a surge of cursing from the back of the room with the crewmember muttering disapprovingly "You're getting Collector crap on my seat!" followed by a few chuckles and giggles from the rest of the crew.

"Well first I must say thanks for forcing me to do this speech when all what we need to do is just relax and I'll give it later" a few mocking boos were heard in the audience most notably from Jacob, he continued with "this victory doesn't come down to just me today, it belongs to everyone on this ship for doing their duty, whatever race you are, wherever you have come from I can guarantee that you have made your families proud, your races proud and most importantly" he paused for a second for added effect "Me proud" he added finally with a wink.

The vast majority of the noise that followed was that of happiness and cheering, Grunt however felt he needed to express just how proud the tank-bred Krogan was of his battlemaster by charging through the crowd and subsequently head-butting Shepard with all his power, as Shepard lay on the floor gazing slightly comatose at the ceiling he was proud of what he had helped achieve with his elite squad and vowed that next time Grunt tried to do anything like that he would be ready.

He was picked up off the floor helped up by Garrus.

"Thanks Garrus"

"No problem Shepard, hope that lump doesn't come out too bad then you will definitely have no chance with the ladies, can't complain though" he added "just means more ladies for me at the end of the day".

"No chance in hell Garrus, you just damn ugly"

"That hurt Shepard. You have to dig deeper every time don't you"

"Ah well, where would you be without me?"

"Do not get me started on that, so when are you finally going to give the attention that your lover is so obviously pining for right now?" he motioned to Tali across who was staring intently at Shepard wringing her hands together yet again.

"Good point mate, anyways I should go"

"Why do you always say that?"

"Why do you always brag about your reach and flexibility?"

"Woah Shepard I only have one of those traits, god you never listen to me"

"Catch up with you later Garrus"

With that Garrus walked away entering the elevator pressing 3, after the doors had closed Shepard now had to think of a way to get rid of everyone else who wanted to speak to him, he wanted to show Tali just how much he had missed her even during that small time aboard the Collector vessel; he thought of something that might just work.

"Alright guys LISTEN UP" his voice bellowed being channelled through the relatively small corridor structure of the Normandy; the crowd stopped chatting and watched him.

"To celebrate just how much I appreciated your help with this mission I've decided our next stop is going to be the Citadel in which I've booked the entire of Pleasant Moons rooms"

Suddenly all the female on deck started giggling and gossiping amongst themselves, Pleasant Moons was the highest order of luxury on the Citadel, only incredibly wealthy people were found there and were pampered to their hearts content. Yeoman Kelly Chambers started to formulate how she was going to "persuade" one of the male members of the crew to "treat her like a proper lady" Thane was her first thought , but then there was Jacob, perhaps the Commander wouldn't mind a bit on the side? She pouted. So many men so little time to prepare.

"ANYWAY" the Commander continued "The hotel is on me, however all of your workstations need to be spotless and all work needs to be completed, if one of you fails to pass we all won't go" a sudden abrupt silence followed "so now let's all get down to business and get that well deserved break that we ne.." he voice was drowned out mid-sentence by all the women on the CIC rushing towards their quarters attempting to prepare for what lay ahead of them; as the rest of the crew members sloped off back to their workstations attempting to look as though it didn't bother them when it secretly did; Shepard heard Grunts voice "Hmmmph… weaklings" and then he thumped off back down to his tank on deck 4.

Finally Shepard thought, I can see the one person that I love, he glanced over at Tali who was still even now wringing her hands together, does she ever stop? Shepard left that question unanswered because he truly didn't know; hell it was so damn cute but then again everything was perfect about Tali. He snuck up on her from behind as she was conversing with Joker.

"So Joker"

"Jeez Tali what are you going to rib me about now? I've had enough of your disingenuous assertions…"

Tali let out a small yelp as Shepard put his arms around her waist, wanting to return her affections she turned to face her Commander and placed her arms around his shoulders, she looked up into those iodine blue eyes, he was so perfect and he had chosen her, all those years ago when they were fighting Saren and Sovereign she honestly never believed he would have seen past that bosh'tet of a suit that she was shackled in but he had; and boy was she glad and wanting to return the favour….

Shepard broke the silence "Hey honey" Tali's heart fluttered and butterflies immediately settled themselves in her stomach, Oh Keelah she thought why does he always have to embarrass me?

"I just wanted to say that even the small time we've been away I…" he broke off into a murmur

"What's that John? I didn't catch it fully?" She asked innocently

"Well….. I….. Errr" Jesus Shepard he thought you've destroyed millions of Geth persuaded a Quarian Admiralty board, charmed your way in every situation and now your lost for words? You complete and utter basta..

Tali interrupted his thought process.

"Come on John you can tell me" while she said this her hand moved from his shoulder and made its way down his chest stopping on his stomach and making circular motions around his six pack.

"Well basically it was that even in that small space of time I…. I missed you Miss Vas Normandy"

"Oh…. Wow John… I.. I missed you too" She nuzzles her mask against his face attempting a makeshift kiss.

"Do you fancy spending some time together tonight…?" He let the question drift off and let Tali's mind take care of the rest.

Oh KEELAH what does he mean? Does he want to have a night like before the Omega 4 Relay again or just like we used to before when we were getting to know each other when he came to see me once every so often, Tali hadn't said anything in a long time and started to wring her hands together again.

"Miss Vas Normandy…. Are you ok?"

"I'm a little confused John, I'm sorry but I don't really get what you mean"

Shepard looked her straight in the eyes, and with that same old smile that made her melt inside said

"It can mean whatever you want it to mean Miss Vas Normandy" He then winked at her which made her heart jump into orbit.

"Oh…. Right… Ok… I'll have a think" She summoned up enough courage and tried her best sultry voice "Commander" returning the wink which caught Shepard off guard and sent him reeling inside.

"FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PEOPLE" this time it was Joker who was admittedly only a few feet away "I AM SITTING RIGHT HERE, TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE"

Shepard turned to Joker "Don't take my lines then"

He then turns back to Tali and lifts her up one arm under her back and then one under her legs, giving a soft moan for being taken off guard she snuggles into Shepard's chest and watches him carry her into the elevator and out of the corner of her eye she sees him press level 1; her heart almost jumping completely out of her chest.

The elevator doors closed and Joker turned back to his control panel, he was about to ask EDI something but she had got in first.

"That's going to be the last physical contact you see in a while Mr Moreau"