AN: BELCH.

Setting is ME2, Tali's loyalty mission.

The premise? Tali has said that some of their ships are 300 years old. They work hard to keep them together though.

I'm not saying the damn thing is going to burst into flames or anything.

Anyway, here's another blender induced drabble. Shut up it lasts a while.

Ciao

Tali still had trouble coming to terms with it really. She had come to the Rayya thinking she'd be exiled from her home. Instead her Captain had shouted down the Admiralty and won her trial. If she somehow didn't love the man before, she sure did now.

The trial ended shortly after that but she hadn't been paying attention. She focused on his last comment.

"With all due respect Admirals, I didn't represent one of your people. I represented one of mine."

She thought she had heard the possessiveness in his tone there. Could it be that he felt the same way? Or was it really the stress of the day catching up to her…

"Tali…"

She looked up into the visor of Shala'Raan and somehow she knew Raan was upset behind her mask. Not at the trial's outcome, but at the trial itself.

The uncomfortable silence hung between them for too long. Regardless of the trial and hiding her father's status at first, Raan was still her aunt and a trusted family member. Tali opened her mouth to speak-

There was a very loud and very worrying thud as the entire ship rocked suddenly, throwing everyone to the ground. Tali's fall was surprisingly cushioned and when she saw why, she blushed deeply as she found that Shepard had caught her.

When no second thud came, everyone got back up and started running around the ship checking for any damages. Tali stood in the plaza with Raan and Shepard, confusion and worry gripping her tightly. Shepard put his hand to his ear, well his helmet really, and opened the comm channel to the Normandy.

"Joker! What the hell happened?" Despite his loud tone he wasn't mad, only worried. This could get ugly real fast.

"The docking cradle we were hooked up to broke off. We only realized too late and the head of the Normandy smacked into the Rayya's side. We've got control, but that is one bad dent."

Shepard growled to himself, this was the last thing they needed.

"What's the damage?" EDI's cool voice replied this time.

"The Normandy's kinetic barriers prevented any damage to us. With no velocity on the Normandy the damage to the Rayya was minimal. It has suffered a small dent of 3 meters to the side. The damage is negligible and easily repairable. However there are now Quarian Heavy Fleet ships with weapons trained on us."

Given the suddenness of this, Shepard could understand their reaction. Still, this needed damage control immediately.

"Do not engage them or attempt escape. We must show that this was an accident and nothing more. Submit to any restraints they need but don't allow them on the ship Joker. They'll find EDI and things will only get worse."

"Aye aye Commander. What about you and Tali?"

Shepard looked around the plaza, seeing many Quarians checking for damages while the marines and Kal'Reegar worked to maintain order.

"We'll stay on the Rayya Joker. The more we cooperate the sooner we'll have this sorted out."

"Be careful then Shepard. They're not exactly letting us move to another docking cradle so try not to piss them off. Joker out."

Shepard groaned internally, wishing he hadn't yelled at the Admiralty right about now. Still, he had a job to do so he pulled his hand back from the communicator and looked to Tali and Raan already having a chat of their own.

"Raan you know we'll comply. Plus we just saved the Alarei at our own cost! There's no way we would do this intentionally!"

Raan raised her hands in a gesture of harmlessness and Tali visibly cooled down.

"Tali I believe you. I just need to make sure as an Admiral does." Tali let out a frustrated huff but she knew Raan was right. Damn politics…now she saw why Shepard hated it so much.

Another thing in common with John…if only it could be love as well…

Distracted by her thoughts, she hadn't heard Raan speaking. Luckily, Shepard had.

"We'll comply with you Admiral Raan. Tali and I will remain here as collateral if need be."

Raan thought Shepard shouting down the Admiralty was surprising already. She never thought he would comply with such lengths over a simple accident.

"I appreciate your cooperation Captain Shepard. Please follow me to a…well…a holding space for the time being. I am sorry to do this-"

"It's alright Admiral. I'd rather do this than have your people calling out for my head." This drew a soft giggle from Tali.

"Commander Shepard felled by a Quarian mob over an accident. Keelah the galaxy would have a field day with this."

They all had a good laugh as they proceeded to the makeshift holding cell, Tali subtly inching herself closer to Shepard along the way. Not subtly for the Admiral however, who grinned silently behind her mask. They were locked in the room with another apology from Raan and then left alone, barring the two marine guards outside the room however.

Tali had only just realized that she was sealed inside a small room with her secret beloved. A room with a purifier in it…and she still had some antibiotics she brought with her.

No no that's crazy. I can't risk that. Plus Shepard…Shepard doesn't love me. He can't.

That still put daggers in her heart, enough to make her noticeably recoil.

"Tali? Are you alright?"

Oops. Guess I did that literally…

"I-I'm fine Shepard. Just a little shaken is all." Her voice wavered and it only concerned Shepard further. Wordlessly, he stood up and wrapped his arms around her again in a hug. Tali gasped softly in surprise but quickly returned the embrace, burying herself in Shepard.

Damn you Shepard…why do you have to make this so hard? Why do you keep-ohhhh that feels good…

Unaware of her thoughts, Shepard had taken to rubbing Tali's back soothingly, assuming her state had been caused by her father's death. He just held her close, whispering tender reassurance in her ear. It was a nice, quiet moment for the two of them. One he felt she deserved, and one she knew she couldn't refuse. Shepard pulled back, eliciting a whimper from Tali only for her to gasp again, louder this time, as she was pulled into Shepard's lap and held close again, her head pulled in close to his chest.

Keelah! What is he doing! I'm not complaining but-

"Tali, if you need to cry go ahead. I'm here for you."

She shook her head against his chest, the gesture making her blush.

"I don't need to cry Shepard. I'm out of tears for now." But I wouldn't mind you holding me some more…

He chuckled softly and looked up at the ceiling.

"So much for being skilled at reading body language. Anderson would have laughed at me." She giggled in reply, pulling back reluctantly to look Shepard in the eye, a gesture he returned.

"Don't be sad John, I'm sure that happens to lots of humans." He groaned loudly and she laughed hard.

"Why did Gabby ever tell you that!" Tali had just burned him big time and yet he laughed right with her. Eventually they stopped, their quick breathing the only noise in the room…until Tali sneezed and Shepard went right back into concerned mode.

"Tali?"

Crap.

"It's not a big deal. I took some fire back on the Alarei and it punctured my suit. It's not fatal but it is annoying."

Instinctively Shepard pressed a hand to her head only to realize she still had a helmet on. That suit may accentuate her body's beauty but it could not be an easy life to have. She had again blushed at the gesture, finding it sweet despite her suit.

"I don't know how you do it Tali. You're stuck in that suit and yet you can be so happy."

Tali sighed sadly, knowing that for all the suit did to keep her alive, she still hated it with a passion.

"It is a hard life. We are in our suits even amongst close family. The most intimate thing we can do with another Quarian is link our suit environments. We get sick at first and then we adapt. It's our most important symbol of trust."

"I can imagine…well I can try to anyway. But how does the linking even work?" He'd scratch his head if he could right now.

"It's basically a lot of cables connecting our suits to each other. We get to breathe in each other's air. It's like being in an unclean room without a mask on. It's more about showing that you trust them with your life than anything else though."

Shepard took this in and mulled it over, making them descend into silence until Tali moved to speak up again.

"I don't think I could live in a suit my whole life. You're a lot stronger than I am for enduring that Tali."

She blushed at the compliment and, feeling bold, took his hands in hers.

"I'm not strong for it. If anything I'm weak for it. It keeps me alive. I have to stay in it."

They simply sat in silence for a while before Shepard began rubbing her hands with his thumbs gently.

"Soooo…have you ever had another Quarian's environment before?"

Tali's blush covered her whole body for a minute there.

"What?! No! No no no no no! I haven't trusted anyone enough to do that! Except for…well…no Quarians anyway…"

If she could see his face beyond the Recon Hood, she'd have seen quite the smile on his face.

"I feel the same way Tali. You're the only one I'd trust like that."

Tali was elated at first until she remembered that he didn't understand what he just said. Sighing, she shook her head sadly and looked down at the floor.

"You don't get it. There's a tradition when it comes to linking suits. It signifies a willingness for…um…intimacy." The last word came out as a whisper and Tali was sure her blush could be seen through the mask.

Another silence descended upon them, Tali wishing she could take her words back and Shepard not doing much of anything. Eventually, Tali decided to risk it.

"Sh-Shepard?"

He stood up suddenly and moved to the door, making Tali's heart drop in the process.

Oh no, I've ruined it! I've ruined everything! Tali you stupid bosh'tet!

The sound of the room's purifier caught her attention however and she looked at Shepard, wishing she could read his mind.

He made it a lot easier for her.

The Recon Hood was pulled off and thrown to the floor and Tali opened her mouth to voice her worries when he turned to face her.

Are those…tears?

"Tali, what are you suggesting?"

Tali had solved a lot of problems in her life. This was looking to be her hardest one though.

Deep breaths Tali…

"What could I possibly be suggesting? I mean a young woman gets rescued by a dashing commander who lets her join his crew then goes off to save the galaxy?"

She stood up and moved to him, taking his hands in hers again.

"How couldn't I be interested in you John?"

For the first time since he had met her back on the Citadel, Shepard was speechless. They stood there, staring right into each other's eyes for a while before he pulled his hands up to her mask seals.

Instinctively, she reached up to stop him.

He moved too fast for her though.

They heard the seals pop open and Tali became terrified instantly. She opened her mouth to scream at him to stop…only for his lips to crush hers passionately. Her eyes were wide open and his were shut tightly. She wondered why but it quickly didn't matter.

Moaning into his lips, she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close, blushing as she felt his wrap around her waist. Their kiss never broke though, getting increasingly passionate and-

Keelah…he's good…

Their heated moment was ruined when they had to pull away for air, Shepard hanging his head low oddly enough.

"John? D-did I do something wrong?"

She could feel him stiffen and bark out a laugh.

"Wrong? Tali that was the best kiss I have ever had in my entire life. Make that both lives actually." Another laugh. "You did absolutely nothing wrong."

She gulped, fear gripping her as she asked her next question.

"W-why aren't you looking at me then?"

There was no delay this time.

"Because I want you to show me your face on your own accord, not mine. I was already selfish and I took a kiss from you. I won't rob you of that gesture." He passed the mask to her, still looking away in the process. Though she understood his reasons, she still hated that mask. Especially now that she couldn't kiss him with it on. Still, she obliged, the mask clicking back into place with a hiss, making Shepard finally look back at her with the biggest smile she had ever seen on his face.

It was a couple hours later when they were finally cleared to leave. Surprisingly the entire Admiralty had apologized despite the verbal beat-down Shepard had handed them earlier. As Shepard and Tali stood in the Normandy's airlock, he turned to her and smiled.

"Thank you Tali."

"Thank you? For what?"

He kissed her vocalizer, eliciting another blush.

"Everything."

Have an idea for the next one? I'm all ears. It's either that or having a fun day with helium.

As always, read and review.

Ciao