Into the Afternoon
Tali shifted in Shepard's lap opening her eyes looking up at his face. His eyes were squinted shielding them from the potent rays of light from Illium's star.
"What does it feel like Shepard," Tali whispered cuddling up under his chin.
"What does what feel like Tali," he asked her looking into the dull glow of her narrowed eyes.
"The sun, what does it feel like on your skin?" His eyes flashed a quick sign of guilt and sadness, but he quickly recovered with a warm smile.
"Well," he started scratching the back of his head trying to come up with an example that she could comprehend, "It feels like my skin, but warmer." Tali closed her eyes and thought back to the hours before entering the Omega 4 relay; the first time her skin was touched by another. His soft skin rubs against mine, the warmth is foreign, the softness is foreign, and the weight is foreign. But it all feels right.
"That must feel nice," Tali quietly told him thinking back to the wonderful sensation tightening her grip around his hand. Shepard exhaled as a ball of frustration tightened in his stomach. Tali sensed his uneasiness and put an open hand on his chest patting it lightly.
"Shepard, don't worry about it. I have everything, no… I have more than everything I ever wanted right here."
"And what is that Tali," he asked with a grin on his face wanting to hear Tali's answer.
"I have a nice ship to ride in, a multi-tool, and expensive Quarian food," she joked. He laughed at her answer and released another breath of stress. "No really, I have you Shepard," she sincerely told him. He chuckled and grabbed her thin shoulders.
"Tali, I have a secret to tell you." Her head lifted up from leaning on his chest as she excitedly looked into his eyes.
"A secret you say?" He nodded with a gentle smile and pulled her head next to his so he could whisper into her "ear." Her heart fluttered as she could hear him open his mouth getting ready to say something.
"I want to grow old with you Tali." She closed her eyes and grabbed the back of his head and lightly pressed it into her shoulder with the utmost love. I have been dreaming of this moment for years.
"I do too," she whispered back as her heart melted. Shepard's arms wrapped around her back as he gave her a loving hug. Tali's legs wrapped around his waist returned the favor as tears of joy accumulated in the corners of her gentle eyes. "Thank you Shepard… thank you." Her voice quivered with anxiety and excitement along with inexpressible joy. "That was a good secret."
"I had to get that off my chest, but I didn't know how you would react," he said pushing her away staring deep into the dull glow of her eyes that were flickering with passion. Tali's eyes narrowed moving ever so slightly feasting on his features.
"Let's head inside, I am burning up out here," he added wiping beads of sweat off his brow. Tali gave him a quick hug and jumped off his lap. She carefully watched his every move as he grabbed his garbage and tossed it into the trash can feet away. He pressed a small green button and the garbage disappeared being sucked away by Illium's sophisticated garbage disposal system.
"This planet is full of surprises," Tali squeaked observing the small black pillar coming out of the ground reaching waist height mentally breaking it down figuring out how it works. They both walked towards the Normandy's entranced and were decontaminated by the slow moving white beam of light which leisurely went back and forth. The door opened leading into the helm of the Normandy, but they were met by a raging argument.
"EDI, that really wasn't funny what so ever," Joker yelled standing up from his chair shaking.
"Jeff, I had to get even with you."
"Yeah, but still that wasn't cool," he fired back shaking his fist. Tali and Shepard approached from behind curious.
"Joker, you okay," Shepard asked with a grin on his face.
"No, I am not! I was sleeping then freaking EDI brought up a holograph of the Collector general along with an ear splitting scream," he bellowed throwing his hat on the floor running his hands through his hair nervously. Tali and Shepard both laughed at the situation. "It really isn't funny!"
"EDI, that was kind of mean," Shepard informed her through laughter.
"It was a joke Commander."
"Yeah, a cruel one at that," Joker spat," Look at my hands, they are shaking. I have nightmares about the Collectors." Shepard's eyebrows knitted together being able to relate to nightmares Joker mentioned.
"EDI, don't do it again please," he strictly ordered her.
"Yes Commander." Tali turned around hearing footsteps form behind. Kelly smiled at Tali then tapped Shepard on the shoulder.
"Commander," she asked smiling flashing her white teeth. He turned around and looked at her.
"Yes?"
"A couple of us are heading out for a bit. We found something that might be of interest to you three, Joker included."
"What is it," Tali curiously asked. Kelly snapped her head towards Tali paying full attention to her.
"I don't know how to explain it to you Tali, but it is called a beach." Tali peered at Shepard and saw a grin explode on his face; she tugged on his arm.
"What is it Shepard, is it like a shoreline?" He squeezed her hand and looked into her face.
"Uh yeah, kind of like Vermire."
"Okay, let's go then. I am interested!"
"Follow me up to my quarters, I need to get ready." Tali smiled and followed him down the spine of the Normandy.
"We will be waiting for you outside," Kelly shouted to them as they stepped into the elevator. The door hissed shut and climbed its short journey to Shepard's cabin.
"Tali, I think you are going to like this," Shepard told her, his voice laced with excitement.
"I am looking forward to it." She smiled at Shepard from behind her purple veil as anxiety lifted her stomach. The door hissed open and they both cantered into the cabin.
"Tali, is this your doing," Shepard asked pointing at several objects on his desk confused.
"No Shepard, that wasn't me." Shepard walked towards the table and fingered through a pair of colorful shorts, two pairs of odd looking shoes, and a picture frame. He looked at the picture tucked away inside of the frame and his head rolled to the left. Tali came around and grabbed the picture from his hands carefully holding it. A grin ruptured on her face as she stared at the picture of her and Shepard hugging in the markets minutes before meeting up with Liara at the Pulsar Lounge. Her eyes then went to the shorts, which Shepard was holding up to his waist looking down at them. The colors on the shorts popped out with brilliance; the red and white swirling together creating a taboo pattern.
"What is all this stuff," Tali asked dumbfounded. Shepard picked up a note that had bubbly handwriting on it, he read it off.
Shepard and Tali,
I hope you two come to the beach with us. Shepard, I picked up some swimming shorts for you and some sandals for you and Tali! Also, I stole this picture from Joker who was planning of doing something incredibly childish with it; I noticed your cabin can use some more personalization, so here you go!
--Kelly
"That was nice of her," Shepard mumbled looking at the sandals which Tali picked up trying to figure out their usage.
"What are these," she asked trying to put them on her hands like gloves. Shepard snickered and dropped his pair to the floor. He took off his shoes and socks slipping the sandals on his feet.
"They are shoes, but they keep your feet nice and cool." Tali looked back to the sandals and dropped them to the floor just like Shepard did. Her feet slipped inside of them and she curled her toes up then uncurled them inquisitively looking at the odd objects.
"It looks like they have no use for quarians," she chuckled. Shepard slipped into the bathroom and changed out of his N7 pants and into his swimming shorts. He rounded the corner looking at his new apparel.
"Tali, you have to wear those sandals!" He stared at her as she stood in the middle of the room with her hands over her lap wearing the sandals over her feet. He grinned and hugged her.
"Those shorts you are wearing are bright."
"That is the point."
"I don't get it."
"Me either," he concluded with a shrug. "Let's head down to the CIC, they are waiting on us." They trekked back to the lower deck and walked outside meeting the group of people who were going to the beach.
"Hey, look at who is coming," Shepard excitedly said to Jacob, Garrus, Gabby, Donnelly, Kelly, and Joker. Everyone smiled at the two glaring at the swimming shorts that Kelly picked out for everyone.
"We all look ridiculous," Donnelly commented looking at his shorts.
"Don't even start," Garrus shot back. Everyone looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
"What are you wearing under there Garrus," Joker asked.
"You don't even want to know."
"Is this everyone," Shepard asked.
"Yeah I think so Shepard," Jacob added throwing a small backpack over his shoulders.
"I am surprised to see you coming Jacob," Shepard said looking at him.
"Hey, I haven't had the opportunity to go to the beach in a long time," he said back.
"So, I have three taxi's coming to pick us up in a few minutes," Kelly added with a smile winking at Tali as she noticed her sandals. I have no idea why everyone is amused by me wearing these odd shoes. Everyone else is?
"Ow, stop it Gabby you pikey," Donnelly shouted as Gabby stomped his bare feet.
"Hey, you started it," she fired back with a grin.
"Hey, the taxis are here," Kelly motioned towards two blue vehicles and a familiar white one landing on the pad.
"Have room for one more?" Everyone turned around and lock eyes on Thane who had a small backpack over his shoulders.
"Thane, I didn't think you would come with us," Kelly blurted out blushing slightly. Thane smiled at her.
"Well, I figure I do not have much time left so I might enjoy every second of it," he replied. Everyone smiled at him lighting up the mood making him feel welcome.
"Let's go, we are wasting time," Garrus added walking towards the taxis. Tali grabbed Shepard's hand and anxiously squeezed it.
"I am excited!"
"Yeah, this is going to be fun." They walked up to the pearly white taxi and the doors opened revealing a familiar face.
"Vintiva," Shepard yelled almost laughing. The purple arari smiled bending the genteelly placed orange tattoos on her face.
"Shepard, Tali, good to see you again," she cheerfully said smiling with her arm over the back of her chair. She remembers our names? What kind person.
"So I see you guys are going to Liper'shari," she said in the asari tongue. Shepard raised an eyebrow confused at the native word. Vintiva flashed a smile and laughed. "It means diamond cove. It is the most beautiful beach on Illium." Shepard and Tali climbed into the taxi.
"Have room for me," Thane asked peeking around the corner of the cab. Vintiva let loose a shocked look as she has never seen a Drell in person, but she professionally put on a smile and patted the passenger seat.
"Yes of course!"
"Thane, Vintiva here was just telling us about the beach we are going to," Shepard informed him while introducing them both. Thane looked at the purple asari and nodded his head greeting her. "She said it is the most beautiful beach on Illium." Thane turned around looking at Tali and Shepard in the back seat, his big black eyes scanning their faces.
"Looking forward to seeing it," he said smiling obviously excited. It isn't every day I get to see him smile. I am happy for him. Tali looked out the window and saw the two other taxis close their doors and hum to life. She grabbed Shepard's hand and placed it on her lap excited for another adventure.
"It seems you have quite a talented and mixed crew Shepard," Vintiva said starting the engines again with a wave of her hand.
"Yeah, we are all good friends." Tali's heart raced as the taxi lifted into the air pushing her bottom into the seat. She looked out the window and saw the other two taxis dart below into the stream of traffic. The star was getting higher and higher in the sky causing the colored morning sky to change to a baby blue. The clouds were sharp and wispy being blown in the harsh wind at the higher altitude.
"As I was saying, the beach you are heading to is incredible. It is my favorite place to visit when I have free time, which is like never."
"What makes it so beautiful," Tali asked leaning forward. Vintiva cracked a small laugh and sighed.
"You will have to see it to believe it friends," she said through a sigh.
"Hum, it must be quite a sight then," Thane chimed in. Vintiva looked at him and nodded.
"How far away is it," Shepard asked while playing with Tali's toes with his bare feet.
"Oh, I would say an hour, hour and a half," she replied waving her hand like it was nothing.
"Kelly must have put some thought into this then," Shepard said.
"I she one of your friends," Vintiva asked glancing at them through a mirror.
"Yes, she is in one of the other taxis," Shepard informed her. Tali blocked out the conversation up front between Thane, Vintiva, and Shepard; she began to stare out the window again at the amazing sight as Vintiva turned on some nice background music and depolarized all of the windows letting the bright natural light spill in creating a free, airy sensation. The tall buildings rushed past them in a blur of dazzling white and purple. She felt some positive Gs effect her body and she noticed that they began to gain altitude. She could now see the tips of buildings instead of the middle of them. Soon they broke free from the labyrinth of the city and soared over the tops of them. Putting her hands on the windows, she looked out the window and down at the city of Nos Astra.
"Shepard, look at the view," she almost yelled blindly tugging on his t-shirt.
"Wow, Thane, are you seeing this?"
"Yes I am. It is stunning."
Tali's helmet clapped against the window trying her hardest to look down at a sharper decent. Small lights darted in and out of the colossal structures as the vehicles followed the streams of traffic like schools of fish. After several more minutes of flying, the city began to thin out.
"You see these buildings all around here," Vintiva asked pointing out the window. Tali looked down and saw structures dotting the thinning city. The buildings were smaller, but rose above two thousand feet. The mammoth structures glinted the stars light off the reflective surfaces giving it a god like aura. "This is where the super wealthy live, in these building here." Tali narrowed her eyes looking at the base of the buildings. Green circles rounded the perimeter of the buildings which were mass gardens. Lakes dotted the green carpet which looked like pools of Mercury from above. Tali intertwined her leg with Shepard's pulling him closer to her. Getting a bit nauseated, she stopped looking out the window and leaned her head on Shepard's shoulder. She saw Vintiva glance in her mirror at the two for a split second and smile. Tali grabbed his other hand and played with his fingers. Shepard began to do the same and she could feel his face flex forming a smile. His thumbs brushed against hers and both of their thumbs came together forming a V shape. She observed the wrinkles lining his knuckles and the tip of her finger traced a U on his thumb following the contour of his nail. Tali smiled and closed her eyes leaning against his chest.
"I am just going to take a little nap," she whispered squeezing his hand gently showing her tender love. His hand came around her shoulder and pulled her closer to his body. The hum of the taxi sung its soft melody cooing her to sleep.
His hands creep up under my mask. My heart flickers like a raging flame as the smell of him slips into my nose. The blue light of the fish tank glistens off his face as our bare eyes meet each other for the first time. I smile and he returns one; it was small, but powerful.
"Tali, Tali wake up." Tali opened her gentle eyelids and looked around confused. Everything was tinted blue as her eyes blinked waking up from the nap.
"Yes," she questioned her throat dry.
"Look out the window," Shepard asked her with a smile. She craned her head to look out the window and the sight below was astonishing…
Into the Afternoon Part II
Tali's jaw dropped as Vintiva angled the cab so they could get a better view of the shore. Tali hasn't seen many beaches in her life. She remembers Vermire very well, but didn't have too much time to really soak it in as they were being shot at. But this beach was different; it was beautiful. Her hands came up on the window as she feasted on the view. Her eyes traced the shoreline which had aquamarine water gently lapping up on the shore. The sand was a pearly white with a pink tint to it. She didn't know what the pink was, but she was anxious to find out.
"This is amazing," she gasped scanning the horizon. The sand went for miles in all directions, but was dotted with small turquoise lakes that scattered the landscape reflecting the bright sun back into the air. There were also rock structures jutting out from the ground like five hundred foot tall mushrooms from. They had skinny bases from where millions of years of water erosion ate away at them and had large round tops to them making the barren landscape seem not so hostile. Tali realized she was holding her breath and flexing all her muscles. She released the stowed up air in her lungs and hunched a bit looking at Shepard. He was smiling at her seeing her excitement. She smiled back and traced her thumb over his lips. He grabbed her hand and leaned over Tali looking out the window gently squeezing her hand gazing at the view. The taxi leveled out and slowed down a bit; Vitniva's hands glided over the holographic dashboard lightly tapping several buttons. The taxi shuddered slightly and began to descend, the negative Gs lifting Tali's stomach.
"Het guys, it was a pleasure to drive you all to Diamond Cove, I hope you all enjoy it," Vintiva said turning around in her seat looking at everyone.
"Thanks you Vintiva, it was nice talking to you the way here," Thane replied nodding his head to the side. Vintiva blushed slightly and flashed her white teeth in a brilliant smile.
"Thank you, how much do I owe you," Shepard asked turning on his omni-tool.
"150 credits." Tali shuddered at the amount that came forth. Shepard tapped his omni-tool four times and a soft chirp expelled from it.
"Have a good day my friends. Oh, do you mind me asking how long you are staying here," she asked slightly nervously. Everyone looked at each other and shrugged.
"I am not sure, a couple hours maybe," Shepard told her unsure of his answer. Vintiva sighed and shook her head.
"Might I suggest you spend the night here, you have to stay here when it gets dark. I am not going to say anything about it, so you have to find out for yourselves."
Everyone eyed each other as the doors split apart and caused hot air to rush inside of the cabin.
"Alright then, we will see you around Vintiva," Shepard happily told her climbing out of the taxi slipping on his sandals to keep the searing pavement of the landing pad from burning his skin. Tali grabbed hers and put them on her feet with an ignorant smile as the heat blasted her in the face; even through her environmental suit she could tell it was hot here. Tali looked around at the landing pad as her heart fluttered getting excited for the adventure ahead. The landing pad was a beige concrete of sorts with pink flakes embedded in its surface. Her foot scratched at the surface curious of the pink dots as two other taxis landed right behind her. A powerful hand grabbed her arm suddenly.
"Tali, I suggest you move out of the way," Thane said to her eyeing the taxis. Embarrassed, she followed his lead.
"Yeah, you are probably right." She watched Vintiva wave at them as the door closed behind her. Tali fired of a friendly wave at her favorite taxi driver as the vehicle hummed and raised high into the sky and shot off into the distance. The two other cabs settled on the pad and the doors shot open. Joker, Garrus, and Kelly got out of one smiling looking around. Jacob jumped out of the other one followed by Gabby and Donnelly who were bickering about some word Tali didn't know. Safe from the taxis she looked around the very foreign landscape. A small town was behind them, the buildings made of light wood, aluminum, and white fabric giving the town a clean contemporary look. Tali was going to focus on that later though as she sound of water crashing onto the shore stole her attention.
"I bet I can kill you in a game of football," Donnelly yelled at Gabby obviously frustrated. Gabby laughed and crossed her arms.
"It is called soccer you idiot."
Donnelly's face got red with frustration.
"We will see about that Gabby you boff!"
Tali ignored them and walked towards the aluminum railing of the landing pad. She gripped the horizontal pole and leaned over it staring at the vista of the beach that was several hundred meters away from them. An arm snaked its way around her waist followed by Shepard's sweet voice.
"So, what do you think so far?" She turned her head and looked up into his eyes.
"We need to get down there and investigate," she anxiously shot back. Her eyes went back towards the massive body of turquoise water as the last two taxis flew back into the air throwing a small sand storm up.
"So commander, we going to hit the beach first," Jacob asked from behind.
"Yeah, if that is fine with everyone else here," Shepard said turning around addressing the party.
"Gabby and I need to take care of something commander. We are going to meet you on the beach; we have to head into town for a bit. I need to find something," Donnelly informed him raising his voice. Shepard shook his head and the two ran off towards the town. Garrus, Thane, Kelly, Joker and Jacob began walking towards the shore as Tali and Shepard stayed behind letting them get ahead a bit putting space between the two groups. Tali let go of the railing and grabbed Shepard's hand making their way towards the edge of the landing pad.
"Is this the first time you have ever been to a beach excluding Vermire Tali," Shepard asked as they started walking.
"Yes it is. I never been to a beach for enjoyment before, I find the idea kind of weird to tell you the truth." Shepard smiled.
"That will all change today. I am going to introduce you to the human way of having fun."
Tali laughed and shook her head.
"Okay, I am looking forward to it." They stepped off the patio and Tali's foot sunk into the sand. She looked down at her foot analyzing the fine silt. She stopped and reached her hand into the sand grabbing a fistful of it bringing it close to her face.
"What is this pink stuff Shepard," she asked letting go of his hand poking the small mound on the palm of her open hand. He brought his head closer to her hand staring at the sand.
"That is chewed up coral mixed up with the sand," he informed Tali taking her hand in his. "Have you ever been in an ocean before," he asked her with a grin on his face.
"Nope." Tali looked away from his face and scrutinized the horizon. The sky was a baby blue cluttered with white pillow like clouds. She could get the hint of a briny scent in the air with what passed through her filters.
"Hold up," Tali told Shepard. He stopped and Tali put a hand on his shoulder balancing herself from falling over as she kicked off her sandals. Her two toes dug into the fine sand. She curled and uncurled them burrowing them deep into the white and pink silt.
"I wish I could feel this with my bare skin," she whispered closing her eyes thinking of what the sensation would feel like. Shepard said nothing but watched her enjoy the moment of the sand between her toes. She opened her eyes as the crashing sound of waves penetrated her ears. She could see white round fabric things off in the distance along with many blue and purple asari skin tones mixed with several tan tones from humans.
"What are those structures over there Shep," she asked pointing at the white circular fabric objects off in the distance while continuing to walk.
"Umbrellas."
"Umbrellas," she asked repeating the funny sounding word. "And what are they?"
"They make shade, the sun here is brutal."
"Okay, that makes sense." They kept on walking and they were soon a hundred meters away from the water. "Oh Keelah, why is everyone half uhm, naked?" Tali glanced at the asari who only wore small pieces of fabric over their breast and waist along with the small population of humans. "Why does everyone have their shirts off too?" She glanced around at the foreign pieces of clothing that the people were all wearing. Shepard chuckled to himself and looked at Tali.
"It is normal. The lack of clothing keeps us cool and it feels good to not wear anything." His smile disappeared as he pondered on the thought that Tali won't really understand this concept. "It is a beach thing Tali," he added making it seem clearer. Nervously, Tali shook her head and looked around at her surroundings. Arasi, humans, and several turians were all lounging under the white umbrellas or were lying on small rugs that they threw out on the sand. Several people took double takes of Tali as the concept of Quarians on a beach for entertainment didn't make much sense.
"Shepard, Tali over here!"
Tali's head wiped towards her noise as she saw Kelly waving her hand. Tali noticed she was wearing the same lack of clothing as everyone else was along with Jacob and Joker. Tali looked away from her slightly embarrassed and still shocked by the way people dressed on the beach. The only time she saw humans without clothing was Shepard when they shared themselves to each other, so the concept was still odd to Tali. Shepard and Tali weaved through the crowd of people who set up their mats on the sand, all of whom were glancing at Tali.
"I set our blanket up here Shepard," she informed them when they got close enough. She put her hand on her hips and looked around. "You like this place so far," she asked as Tali eyed her pale skin that was semi-covered by greed and black cloth.
"Yeah, you did a good job Kelly." Kelly smiled and sat down on the blanket next to Garrus and Thane. Tali looked to her right and saw Joker hobbling towards the water and noticed Jacob already in the blue liquid. Shepard took off his shirt and tossed it at Garrus's face, but he batted it away with a grumble and a smile. "Well, I am going to introduce Tali to the ocean," Shepard exclaimed. Her heart raced as she waved good bye at the three and approached the shore. Her jaw was clenched with excitement as she felt the ground under her feet harden as the fine sand was damp with the water.
"What are these, rocks?" Tali went to her knee and picked up a pale yellow hardened thing. Shepard took it away from her and rolled it over his fingers.
"It is a seashell."
"A seashell?"
"Yeah, a small animal used to live in here, but it died or moved on to another shell." Tali's eyes flashed with curiosity as she snatched it back studying it. She looked around and stuffed it into her pocket hoping no one would see her do it. I like this thing!
"Come on, let's head into the water."
"Wait, you go in the water?"
Shepard grinned as they approached the shore line.
"Yeah, it is fun!"
Tali watched a two meter tall waved curl and break sending white foamy water racing toward their feet. Tali took a step back avoiding the water from having it touch her. It stopped inches away from her feet and rolled back into the ocean saturating the sand darkening it. She watched small bubbles spout from the wet sand as the water retreated. A breeze rippled past her helmet as she looked at Shepard who confidently held her hand smiling.
"So we just go in," she questioned still timid.
"Yeah, here, hold on to my hand, we will go in together nice and slow," he said reassuring her. Tali swallowed and nodded her head in agreement. She took several steps forward as another wave broke, sending water towards their feet. The pale white liquid ran over and around her feet as they walked closer towards the water. The ground was firm and riddled with broken seashells that crunched beneath her feet. Another wave rushed towards them and water splashed against her shins. Tali could feel the pressure of the water against her skin, but not the temperature; she still found the new sensation to be invigorating though. The water was sucked back into the ocean pulling sand away from underneath her feet. Adrenaline surged through her veins as she looked up and saw a wave hurdling towards her.
"Shepard!"
"Here we go Tali! Jump into the wave or we can dive under it! What do you want to do?" Tali had to make a split second decision. She pulled on Shepard's arm dragging him under the wall of water. Everything went quiet as she dipped under the wave except for a slight swooshing sound of the air bubbles. Nervous, she shot her head above the water and looked around desperately finally realizing Shepard was still holding on to her.
"Tali, do you know how to swim," he asked quickly looking at another wave coming in wiping off his face. Tali spun her head around and stared at him.
"No, not really!"
Shepard tightened his grip around her hand in a protective manner.
"Keep walking forward, we will ride this next wave." A mound of pale blue water rolled towards them. "Okay, we are just going to jump a little bit and the wave should just go right through us." Tali nodded and tightened her grip staring at the daunting task before her. "Ready…jump!" Tali bent her knees and pushed up with all her strength as the wave lapped against her chest harmlessly. She felt it push her back a bit, but she dug her feet into the slurry like sand under the water and surged forward.
"That one wasn't so bad!" They quickly walked forward a bit and the waves subsided to gentle surges of water.
"Okay, we made it past the waves Tali. What do think," he asked looking out towards the vast body of water. Tali stared out at the horizon and saw nothing but blue for miles; she felt really small.
"This is incredible Shepard!" She looked down at her body and slapped the water that waded against her chest. White arms of bubbly water shot up in the air splashing her face mask. She watched the beads of salty water race each other to the bottom of her mask. Giggling, she looked at Shepard's face and smiled. He chuckled and wiped her visor off with his hand only making it worse. Tali looked over Shepard's bare shoulder at one of the mushroom structures jutting out from the water several hundred feet away. Shepard saw her attention turn to something over his shoulder so he spun around and looked at the massive rock. Coral clung to the base of it and the rest of the structure shot five-hundred feet into the air. It had a massive overhanging head on the top that reminded Tali of an umbrella which was swarmed by white birds that nested in the exotic vegetation growing on the top.
"You want to go check it out," Shepard questioned Tali not looking away from it.
"Yeah, but I am not sure that I can swim over there," she said like she was a burden.
"The water looks like it doesn't get much deeper than this. We could probably walk over there."
"Okay, let's do it then!" They started trudging through the chest deep water towards the colossal rock structure. Tali felt something brush against her legs startling her. She looked down into the clear water and witnessed hundreds of electric blue fish swimming right between and around her legs.
"Oh wow!"
Shepard stared into the water entranced by the school of fish.
"Ah, they are touching me," Tali squeaked. Shepard laughed as the fish darted away following some sporadic line.
"We should keep on moving." The water was getting a bit deeper and was splashing against her face getting Tali a bit nervous.
"Shep, I think we should turn back," she apprehensively suggested grabbing his arm. He stopped and looked around; they were around a hundred feet away from the rock.
"Here Tali stand right there," he ordered her taking her vice like hand off his arm. She grabbed his hand and stood on her toes nervously.
"Shepard?" He grinned and went under the water. "Oh Keelah!" She felt his head come up between her legs and his shoulders bumped against the backs of her thighs. She was lifted in the air while sitting on top of Shepard's broad shoulders.
"Ah ha! Now we can continue!" Tali laughed and her hands weaved with his as she almost lost balance.
"This is Captain Zorah of the starship SR1 Shepard, we need to push forward," she ordered pointing forward towards the rock and her stress and embarrassment was released. The warm breeze ripped through the beach rippling the still water that clung to the base of the rock swooshing past her helmet. This was defiantly one of the best moments of her life. The water level dropped as they approached the rock. Shade enveloped the two caused by the overhanging edge of the immense structure.
"This is the SR1 Shepard; we are out of fuel and are going to crash!" Tali felt him lean to one side threatening to throw Tali off his shoulders.
"No Shepard," she squealed grabbing onto his head trying to keep balance.
"We lost visuals, we are going down!" Tali noticed her hands were over his eyes, but it was too late. Shepard threw himself into the water and Tali was jettisoned off his shoulders. She landed in the shallow water laughing. She looked off to her right and saw Shepard floating on his back with an arm up in the air.
"Distress signal launched," he moaned in a dying voice. Tali covered her mouth with a hand and laughed crawling towards Shepard playing along.
"Don't worry Shepard; I am coming to get you!" She grabbed his arms and pulled him on a small sandy bank that bordered the rock.
"Tali, we are all alone on this island," he murmured closing his eyes but had a crooked smile on his lips. "What are we going to do?" She smiled as she has played adventure games like this when a child. She sat next to Shepard and patted his bare chest with wet slaps.
"Well, I am going to get hungry and I will be forced to eat you," she joked clacking her teeth.
"I wouldn't mind that," he said through a bubbly laugh. "Woah, you see that," he asked sitting up brushing sand off his arms. Tali glanced to her left and saw a cave entrance leading into the rock.
"Is that a cave or something," she asked getting to her feet wading into the water as her curiosity spiked. Shepard followed her looking at a small moving stream of water flowing in and out of the hole. The warm salty water lapped against her shins as they both walked closer to the entrance. Tali put her hand on the warm rock peeking into the hole; Shepard dove in the water and swam several feet into the hole.
"Shepard," Tali nervously said jumping into the water waiting by the cave entrance for him to come up for a breath of air. His head came up and he wiped his face with both hand. He looked at her with a grin and squeezed his nose.
"Tali, look in the hole," he told her, his voice laced with anxiety. Tali cocked her head and took another step into the deeper water. Shepard grabbed her arms keeping her safe as she looked into the hole. It was feint, but what she saw took her breath away.
"What is going on in there," she asked grabbing his shoulders as the deeper water made her nervous. Shepard shrugged. Tali looked back into the dark hole to study what she was seeing was actually right. The cave went deep into the rock and there was only space for a head that ran a span of twenty or so feet then the cave angled down dipping into the water. The water seemed to eradiated a subtle pale blue light like something was illuminating it from the inside. Tali looked back at Shepard smiling from her curiosity.
"You want to go in and find out what is in there," he asked her bringing her over to the shallower water. Tali nervously played with her hands timid to answer the question.
"Yeah, why not."
Shepard could sense she was nervous.
"What is it?"
Tali sighed and didn't feel like hiding the truth anymore.
"I, I uhm, how do I put this. I don't know how to swim at all," she told him breaking eye contact looking down at Shepard's red swimming shorts. Shepard chortled to himself.
"I will teach you really fast, it really isn't as hard as you think." Tali looked back into his eyes and grinned. She looked around and checked if anyone was close to them as she was embarrassed by her lack of skill. The beach was quite far away and the place they were at was secluded from the bustle of the populated beach.
"Okay, let's do it." She walked towards Shepard with her two hands on his shoulders. He led her back into the deeper section of the water where it was chest high. Tali's heart pumped faster and faster the deeper they got.
"Okay, all you need to do is curl you knees up like this." Tali watched him bend his legs and he started moving his arms in the water in an up and down motion.
"You are floating!"
"Yeah, now do the same."
Tali curled her legs up and frantically started to flap her arms above the water splashing Shepard in the face with a fury of water. He started to laugh but grabbed her arms and gave her clearer instructions. "Flap your arms under the water." Tali tried again and she started to pant with excitement and anxiety as she began to float in the water without the help of her legs. Shepard started to clap celebrating the wall she just climbed over.
"It worked!" She tiptoed over to him and gave him a big hug of appreciation. Shepard hugged back and led her over to the entrance.
"Okay, I go under first and you bring up the rear. To swim under water, just lie horizontally and kick your arms and legs and you should propel forward." Tali repeated his instructions and swallowed nervously. "You ready?'
"You lead, I follow." Shepard took a big gulp of air and disappeared under the water. Tali breathed in a breath and submerged herself under the water. Wait, I didn't need to do that, I have an environmental suit on. She followed Shepard's bright red shorts through the clear water as all she could hear was the quick breathing pattern of her lungs and her nervous swallowing. The water became brighter and brighter the deeper they went. Tali saw Shepard point towards the surface and witnessed him kick his legs rocketing him towards the surface. She did the same and the feeling of her body cutting through the water was satisfying. Her head broke the surface and she could hear Shepard gasping for air as he wiped his face. They found a small pocket of air in the underwater tunnel as Shepard needed some fresh oxygen. The pocket they found was no more than a cubed meter.
"Shepard, you okay," Tali asked him touching his face with her hands.
"Yeah yeah I am fine. It is getting brighter ahead," he added.
"This is dangerous Shepard, you sure you want to continue," Tali asked wiping beads of water off his forehead.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go." He inhaled and disappeared under the water. Tali followed him using his red shorts as her guide. Again, Shepard turned around and pointed towards the ceiling. Tali nodded and pushed her body through the water. Her head broke the surface and what she saw took her breath away.
"Oh Keelah!"
Shepard gasped in amazement as he looked around the cavernous room they had just discovered. The colossal rock had an internal cavity that shot up in the air for a hundred meters and it was just as wide as it was tall. The walls of the cavern were lined in crystals which sparkled in the blue light that the coral emanated at the bottom of the shallow pool of water on the floor that Tali and Shepard were floating in. "This is breath taking," Tali yelled, her voice echoing off the walls.
"Tali, over here," Shepard said to her pointing at a protruding flat rock. Shepard climbed on top of it and grabbed Tali's hand lifting her wet suited body on top of the natural platform. Water pattered off Tali and landed on the rock causing it to glow light blue. They both looked at the changing rock entranced by the colors.
"Hello," Tali yelled into the cavern listening to her voice echo back.
"Tali has nice hips," Shepard comically screamed up at the ceiling as the echo repeated his short sentence for several seconds.
"Shepard," Tali blurted out punching his arm. He laughed and looked into the shallow pool of water below them. Orange and blue bioluminescent fish darted in and out of the glowing carpet of coral giving the water animated movement.
"Have you ever seen anything like this before Shepard," Tali asked enthralled by the beauty of the cavern. Shepard's arm came around her back and he pulled her closer to him.
"No. We have seen a lot, but this has to be at the top of my list." Tali leaned into his shoulder and stared at the walls, the light clinging onto the beads of water that were attached to her face shield. Tali's omni-tool came to life and she took a picture of the interior of the cavern. She then put her arm in front of Shepard and herself.
"Smile Shep." Her omni-tool hummed then went quiet.
"What is that for," he asked curious. Tali smiled and finally spilt her master plan to him.
"Well, I thought we should start taking pictures of places we go. I wouldn't mind having a collection of photos of us together," she whispered not sure how he was going to take it. "You know, so we can look back on all the good times we had together years from now," she said humbly, her voice like sugar.
"That sounds great. I can see it now," he began joking putting an arm out panning it across the cavern, "have our pictures on the mantel above the fire place in the study and in our bedroom sitting on our bedside tables." Tali blushed and thought of these images.
"Yes, I would like that." Shepard and Tali shared a laugh, but were cut off by Jacob's voice.
"Shepard and Tali, you read me, over." Tali looked at her lit up omni-tool startled by his voice.
"Yeah, loud and clear and Jacob, we are on vacation, don't be so formal," Shepard fired back.
"Understood Commander, Donnelly just radioed me and told me he is coming back with a surprise. He said you two should meet up with us on the beach."
Shepard sighed and nodded his head.
"Okay, be there shortly, Shepard out." He smiled at Tali and gave her a quick hug. "Shall we?"
How can this day get any better…
Into the Afternoon Part III
Tali's saw white streams of light penetrate the ocean's surface gyrating as the water rippled and sloshed above. Her head broke the surface and Illium's start shined its efficacious beams of concentrated light into Tali's face polarizing her mask. Shepard's head came erupting next to hers as he inhaled a monstrous breath of air rubbing the salty water out of his eyes.
"Damn it Tali, I couldn't keep up with you girl," he yelled breathing rapidly.
"Well I do have bigger feet that you," she commented boosting his morale from the race they had. "I see you did it all in one breath too. I am proud of you Shepard." Her voice was cocky and confident in a joking manner. Shepard splashed water into her face with a grin.
"You know," he whispered grabbing her thin waist speaking into her ear, "I let you win." Tali gasped and slapped his chest.
"I don't believe you!"
A devious smile broke across his lips.
"Okay, you caught me."
"You always were a bad liar," she quipped putting her two hands on the back of his head pulling him closer. Shepard quickly kissed her face plate and dipped under the water taking Tali's legs out from underneath her. She flew back splashing into the water, her legs shooting up in the air.
"You bosh'tet," she yelled amused crawling to the sand bar. She turned around and saw his head peeking above the water like an amphibious predator, his blue eyes camouflaged with the water.
"Oh, is it that time for the rematch," she asked standing up looking down at him crossing her arms. Shepard said nothing but floated backwards a bit still prowling in the warm water. She started tapping her foot waiting for an answer. "You know I can breathe underwater, I am obviously going to win." Shepard stood out of the water.
"You are right, this will continue. Let's head back to the beach," he said offering Tali a hand. She grabbed it, but his grip was strong. Her arm was yanked as he pulled her into the water. She squealed as her body slammed into the liberating liquid with a slap.
"You love getting me wet, don't you," she bellowed wiping spherules of water off her mask. He beamed back at her, his face wavy from the streaks of water that rolled down her face bending his features.
"Maybe." Tali smiled and grabbed onto his arm as they made their way back to the beach. The playful yells from the people on the beach broke past the sound of the crashing waves. Tali looked around at the beach seeing hundreds of people lying under the baking sun. Tali understood that the sun changes the skin color of humans, but she didn't understand why they like to do it. She glanced at Shepard to her immediate left and observed his skin. His chest was paler that his arms, but the whiter parts of his skin were becoming pink and looked painful.
"Shepard, your skin is burning up," she commented with her hand hovering over his shoulders.
"Don't worry about it; my t-shirt is on the towel. Speaking of which, where is our towel, ow, damn it!"
Tali jumped at his outburst of pain scanning his body for a wound.
"You okay?" Shepard reached his hand under the water and lifted a massive seashell from under the water. Tali's eyes flashed with curiosity eyeing the alien object. "Put it down, it hurt you didn't it," she yelled swatting at it. Shepard laughed and grabbed her hand keeping them away from the shell. The object was a royal blue with pinpricks of white covering it. Its hard surface coiled together like a strand of DNA and had a small pointy tip on the end. Shepard stuck his finger inside of it. Tali let lose an uncomfortable moan watching him do this nervous of what lurked inside.
"Here Tali, for you." He handed her the shell and she held it with both hands spellbound by its natural beauty.
"Thank, thank you Shepard, it is wonderful!" His arm came across her back and he led her towards the sand as she stared at the shell that was now hers. A wave crashed on her back breaking her concentration of her analysis of the shell. She spun around and eyed another wave accelerating towards them. Still unsure about these mounds of traveling water, she yelled.
"Run Shepard!" She tried her hardest to escape the wave, but the water was too thick to spring through. She closed her eyes as the wave hit her in the back toppling her end over end. Her vision flashed white from the water that ambushed her, but Tali quickly recovered as she saw her two hands flat against the sand; the water pulling the pellets of crushed rock and coral from under her hands. Two powerful arms scooped her up from the belly and she heard a raspy laugh. She spun her head around to see Shepard narrow his eyes snickering. "It got me Sehaprd," she dramatically told him putting a hand over her forehead. He set her down on the sand and sat next to her grabbing her hand playfully.
"Don't die on me!" Tali smiled and closed her eyes releasing a long breath of air. She went limp and smiled. She could hear his chuckling along with the crashing of water and the hundreds of people enjoying themselves.
"Shepard," a foreign yet familiar female voice said from behind them. Tali opened her eyes and saw a presumptuous familiar face staring down at her upside down.
"Parasini," both Shepard and Tali exclaimed bewildered. They both got up to their feet scanning their old friends face.
"This is the last place I imagine to see you two. Tali'Zorah, am I right," Gianna said nodding towards the quarian.
"Yes, you may call me Tali." Gianna smiled and pressed her cheek against Shepard's making a kissing sound.
"How are you two, I thought you were going after the Collectors," she exclaimed baffled by the bizarre meeting.
"Yeah, we did," Shepard told her flatly.
"And," she asked curiously.
"We kicked their ass," he fired back filling the gap.
"Ah, well that's great news. Kicking ass and the name Shepard go together I suppose." Tali smiled and grabbed Shepard's hand. Gianna stole a quick glance at the occurrence and blushed.
"Hey Shepard, over here!"
Tali turned towards the voice and saw Donnelly and Gabby making their way down a stone path.
"Oh wow, I see what they were doing," Shepard muttered entertained as he saw Donnelly kicking a soccer ball down the path.
"Are they part of your crew," Gianna pointed towards the two.
"Yeah," Tali stated looking at the odd object her friends were kicking back and forth to each other as they approached.
"Hey Shepard, oh," Donnelly stopped mid sentence eyeballing Gianna. She crossed her arm over her chest and locked her right leg defensively. Gabby looked at her partner in crime and shook her head embarrassed. "And who might this be," he asked twirling the ball on his finger.
"Gianna, this is Donnelly and Gabby," Shepard introduced the two. Gianna stood there and nodded at Gabby, but ignored Donnelly completely. Gianna's eyes flicked over Shepard's shoulder as someone caught her attention.
"Commander, ah there Donnelly is," Jacob said out of breath staring at the soccer ball Donnelly was holding.
"And this is Jacob, Gianna." Shepard introduced her to his friend. Jacob cocked his head slightly confused. "We have known each other for some time Jacob."
"You are standing in my sun Quarian," an aggravated voice sounded from behind Tali. Tali spun around and saw a leathery old man lying on a towel peering up at her.
"Oh sorry." He put his hand up to his forehead shading his eyes from the relentless sun peering at her with a piercing gaze that made her uncomfortable.
"Tali, don't apologize to him," Shepard blurted putting an arm around her back. "And you need to not talk to her like that," he coldly whispered to him pointing a finger at the man. The old hermit grumbled and waved him off lying back down on his towel closing his eyes letting the sun cook his worn out skin.
"Well then," Donnelly started changing the subject, "I got this football here. We should play a game, you know, to strengthen the bond between our team," he playfully added.
"Gianna, you want to join us," Shepard asked looking at his old friend. She looked away from Donnelly and her face wrinkled together.
"I am not a sport type of person." She rubbed her hands together then clapped them. "What the hell, why not; I am here alone," she said finally resolving her dilemma. Shepard clapped her on the shoulder and the group followed Jacob back to the towel Kelly set up.
"Hey Tali," Gianna whispered tapping her on the shoulder. "Can you come here for a moment?" Shepard let go of her hand and Tali walked next to Gianna weaving in and out of the crowds of people basking in the sun. "Hey, the kiss thing, I noticed it made you uncomfortable. It is an Italian thing, it is like a hand shake, nothing intimate," she explained to Tali. Tali looked into her brown eyes understanding.
"What is an Italian," she asked. Gianna laughed and shook her head.
"It is a country on Earth and they do things differently."
"Hmm, okay. I understand. Thanks for clearing it up with me."
"No problem Tali. Oh, hey…that Donnelly character," she started, but Tali cut her off with a laugh.
"Ignore that bosh'tet Gianna, he is always like that," Tali informed her through a laugh. Tali looked up and saw Garrus, Thane, Joker, and Kelly all standing up around the massive towel covering the hot sand.
"Okay, I see a good spot over there," Donnelly said pointing at an unpopulated strip of beach bordering one of the mushroom structures. "Garrus and Thane, you going to join us?"
"Yeah, why not," Garrus said shrugging. "I am very competitive though."
"I will play your game Donnelly," Thane informed him. Donnelly nodded and threw his arm over his head leading the group towards their designated spot. Tali jogged next to Shepard and poked his arm grabbing his attention.
"What are we doing?"
"We are going to play a team based human game." Tali gazed at the white and black ball Donnelly was juggling with his feet and bouncing off his head. Impressed, she turned back to Shepard who slipped on his shirt and sandals. "All you do is kick the ball into the other teams goal, which is just a space that you need to get it into. You also can't use your hands." Tali tightened her hands into a fist and peered at her feet. They slipped into a shaded veil cast from the giant rock structure. Tali looked up at the colossal edifice that seemed to sprout from the ground observing the bizarre ivy that snaked down the exterior of the rock as her mask depolarized.
"Shepard, you do realize I will kill myself if I play," Joker quipped coming up from behind as Donnelly threw the ball on the ground satisfied with the playing field.
"You can be our ref."
"Oh, that is just great," he said throwing his hands up in the air.
"Okay, we need two team captains," Donnelly shouted raising two arms in the air. "I say we split Shepard and me up into the captains." Shepard grinned and let go of Tali's hand standing next to Donnelly. He winked at Tali and grinned at his crew.
"Who picks first," Gabby asked crossing her arms like a six year old. Donnelly looked at Shepard nervously. Shepard snapped his head to Donnelly giving him an amused smile.
"I do," Donnelly blurted out hopping on his feet. "Well, I defiantly want Thane." Thane walked over to Donnelly like an efficient machine and stood behind him.
"Tali, come here," Shepard called out immediately. Tali's heart fluttered with excitement looking forward to playing this game.
"I know you love her and all, but don't you want to win commander," Donnelly joked peering at Tali in his competitive zone.
"What do you mean exactly," Shepard shot back. Tali smiled under her helmet ready to shoot the next words that came from of his mouth out of the air.
"I mean, look at her feet. I can't imagine she can kick a ball." Tali looked at her feet slightly insulted. "She had two toes!"
"Donnelly, look at how flat my foot is. I guarantee you I can out run all of you on this loose sand." Donnelly looked down at the sand and thought what he said about. "Also, you have five toes and bare human feet look like a Thresher Maw's face with all of those extra digits," she finished crossing her arms standing in front of Shepard waiting for him to say something back. Garrus snickered and put his face in his hands. Donnelly's face turned red and he sniffled stroking his chin.
"Anyways, I now want Jacob." Jacob jogged over to his team and slapped all their hands pumping them up.
"Garrus get your ass over here," Shepard ordered next.
"Oh my, I would love to have Gianna on my team," Donnelly said through his thick accent Tali found entertaining to listen too.
"No way," she fired back and walked over to Shepard high fiving everyone.
"Okay then, Kelly, Gabby come here!" Kelly giggled and approached Donnelly with a smile and Gabby stood next to Thane.
"Now why do you get more people Donnelly," Tali asked sensing something unfair.
"You have Shepard," was his answer.
"Haha, think if Legion came with us, it would be like playing with a big walking toaster," Joker kidded grabbing the ball from Donnelly. Everyone laughed and went to their positions as Shepard explained the rules to Garrus. Shepard put his sandals ten feet away from each other creating a goal.
"Garrus, all you need to do is keep the ball from getting in between the sandals. You can switch up when you learn the rules better." Garrus nodded at Shepard and got into a low position. "Let's go Tali, Gianna." They threesome walked towards the center. Shepard ordered Tali to fan out to the left and Gianna to the right. Tali stood fifteen feet from Shepard, her heart beating rapidly as adrenaline slowly seeped into her veins. She eyed the ball as Joker tossed it up in the air and the rest passed in an instant. Donnelly quickly kicked the ball behind him and cradled it between his feet. Tali saw Jacob and Gabby go after Shepard leaving their flank exposed. She rushed behind Donnelly and closed on his unguarded six.
"Donnelly, behind you," Thane shouted getting involved in the game. Donnelly spun around, but was too late as Tali kicked the ball with all her strength. Yes! The ball went flying way over Thane's head and off in the distance. Everyone stopped and looked at her.
"What was that Tali," Donnelly shouted.
"What was what," she fired back throwing her arms in the air.
"You blind?" Tali shrugged and attacked him with words.
"I have never played this game before neither have I ever kicked a dumb ball!"
"It isn't a dumb ball, this is the ball of life," he shot back running off in the distance retrieving the ball before it rolled in the ocean. Thane looked around confused as everyone started laughing. Tali chuckled with them as Jacob approached her with a raised hand.
"Psychological warfare, I like it," he snickered with a splayed hand in front of her face. Tali knew the human tradition of a "high-five." She slapped his hand with hers and grinned.
"Tali, kick with the inside of your foot next time," Gabby told Tali tapping her bare foot. "It isn't just about brute force, it is also about accuracy," she added.
"Yeah, but with Thane's reflexes you need brute force and speed," Kelly added. Everyone looked at the Drell assassin's stoic face, his black eyes blinking in the shade.
"Do I need to make a remark or something," he asked everyone looking at him. They all shared a laugh as Donnelly approached. Tali got back in her position and hunkered down as a breeze tore though their field. This time Shepard got the ball and he passed it to Gianna. Tali ran past Gabby trying to flank everyone again, but was cut off by Jacob who started to fake Tali out by strafing in front of her every move.
"Tali, take it!" Gianna kicked the ball to Tali.
"No, I can't!" She was saved by Shepard who came from nowhere and intercepted the ball from falling into enemy "hands." Tali saw Jacob become distracted, so she ran past him finding a gap to where Shepard could kick the ball to her. She clenched her jaw and out maneuvered Donnelly with lightning fast speed.
"I am open," she screeched to Shepard. He kicked the ball sending it hurdling towards her. Donnelly tried to deflect its direct path to Tali by sliding into it. Luckily, he missed and cursed under his breath. Using the inside of her foot, she stopped the ball and it popped up in the air. It was her moment to shine and show everyone what she was made of. She spun on the spot and kicked the ball towards Thane who was lowered with his hand out in front of him. It hit the inside of her foot and it spiraled directly towards him, but it stopped before it got anywhere. Jacob decided to be a hero and jump in front of the ball using the top of his head to deflect the ball, but his action was a mistake. He miscalculated the ball's height and it slammed into his face with a slap. The white and black ball fell short of the two sandals and noticing Thane was distracted, Tali lightly kicked the ball into the goal. Tali cheered raising two fists in the air along with Shepard and Gianna. There was some clapping off to their left along with some whistles.
Her head snapped to the sound and she witnessed a small crowd of people watching them.
"Damn it, my face just came off," Jacob commented lying on the sand with his two thick hands over his face.
"Jacob!" Tali went to her knees and her shaky adrenaline filled hands hovered over his wheezing form. "Are you okay," she asked genuinely concerned for her friend. His hands revealed his face and Tali gasped at the sight of blood trickling from his nose washing into his mouth staining his white teeth pink.
"Yeah yeah, I am fine." His glazed over eyes looked at Tali's. "Damn, those meaty thighs pack a punch," he exclaimed slapping Tali's massive Quarian legs. She grabbed his hands and pulled him to his feet. He put an open palm on his forehead and sighed.
"Looks like we now have an audience," Shepard commented gazing out at all the asari and humans sitting about fifty meters away from the field.
"Shepard's Flock for the win," a human teenage boy yelled from the group. Tali snickered and looked at Shepard.
"Looks like you have some fans Shepard," Tali whispered in a flirty manner. He groaned with embarrassment and put his face in his hand.
"It looks like we have a team name too: Shepard's Flock. I like it," he shot back.
"Hey, what about The Dream Team," Donnelly yelled to the crowd pumping his arms in the air wanting attention. Most of everyone booed them except for several shrill screams from a couple of rouge asari.
"No no, their team is called The Cupcakes," Garrus yelled waving his arms flaring his mandibles. Donnelly punched him in the arm.
"Stop it Garrus, you are embarrassing me," he told him though a hiss.
"I know."
"Go Cupcakes," the rouge asari screamed.
"You see, we have fans too!" With that, Donnelly stomped off and huddled with his team going over strategies. Tali followed Garrus, Shepard, and Gianna back to their goal.
"Hey Garrus, how do you even know what a cupcake is," Shepard asked laughing.
"I heard Jack call Miranda it one time, I liked the sound of it."
"You know a cupcake is a small sweet pastry with icing on top of it," Gianna informed Garrus. Tali's turian friend looked over to the other team and a sneer crept across his lips.
"Well, it fits them."
"How exactly does it fit them Garrus," Tali asked. Garrus looked at the other team again and grumbled.
"I don't know exactly."
Everyone laughed and huddled together talking about their next plan of attack.
The game was going strong and was tied six to six. The group watching them grew into the hundreds as word spread around that Commander Shepard was playing a game of soccer with a bunch of aliens. It was late afternoon, but the sun was still strong and high in the sky showering everyone with its robust rays. The blue sky was littered with puffy intimidating white clouds that flourished high in the sky. Tali was breathing heavily as they huddled together for the last time as this was going to be the tie breaker. Everyone put their hands on each other's back and got their faces close together. Tali could hear everyone panting trying to catch their breaths as Shepard tried to speak through his cotton mouth.
"Okay, we are all doing really well. Gianna, you have actually impressed me. Garrus, the crowd loves you giving us that extra edge and Tali," he gulped catching his breath as his eyebrows knitted together, "Tali, you have to most energy out of anyone I have ever known. Your four goals and your kicks are ridiculous. I need to ask you one more favor Tali," Shepard finished his small pep talk.
"Anything Shep."
"I need you to do one more kick. Use all those leg muscles and punch a hole into Jacob again, can you do that?"
"Yeah, of course!"
Gianna wiped sweat off her face and pulled a wisp of hair behind her ear. Shepard squeezed Tali and Garrus with his powerful arms.
"Let's get it done my flock," Shepard yelled pumping them up. They broke their circle and approached the center of the field with smug looks getting into position. Shepard winked at Tali and the crowd went nuts. Tali could feel her face glow and get hot from the most embarrassing moment in her life. Shepard looked back at her and shook his head grinning from the awkward situation.
Now that is just perfect! Thane took position in front of Tali. The Cupcakes pitted their best player to keep Tali out of their flank. Her stomach rose high in her chest from the anxiety as this whole game rested on her shoulders. The round began and Donnelly stole the ball from Gianna. Tali ran right for Thane taking him off guard she slipped past him, but he kept on her tail as she could hear him breathing methodically, utilizing is breath. She quickly shifted position strafing to the right flanking Donnelly and almost losing Thane, but like a machine, he was still right behind her. Donnelly caught a glimpse of Tali and desperately kicked the ball halfway across the field trying to get a miracle shot. Garrus batted away the ball and sloppily kicked it to Tali who chased after the white and black ball. He was off by several meters, but Tali quickly cradled the ball spinning around. Damn it, there's Thane!
She fired the ball straight ahead trying to lose Thane as her feet worked well in the sand.
"Quar-i-an, Quar-i-an, Quar-i-an," the crowd cheered Tali along as she lost Thane. No! Donnelly captured the ball that she kicked ahead and was about to kick it over to Kelly who was in perfect position to score.
"Shepard, watch Kelly!" Like a train, Tali sprinted full speed at her engineering friend, she caught a glimpse of fear in his eyes and she surged towards him.
"Kick Tali, kick," Shepard screamed above the cheering crowd. This is for you Shepard! She wound her leg up and released it at the ball before Donnelly could react. She felt the fabric flex enveloping her foot followed by it shooting forward at an unnatural velocity. In slow motion, she watched the ball go to the far left of the goal. Jacob dove for it; his finger tips tapping the ball, but it punched though his hand and sailed through the goal as the crowd erupted into a roar.
"I did it Shepard, I did it all for you," Tali screamed jumping in the air. She felt two muscular arms scoop her petite body up. She looked into the face of Commander Shepard as he yelled sprinting towards the ocean.
"We won, we won!" He dove into the aquamarine water with Tali in his arms dunking her in the refreshing ocean. She shrieked playfully and stuck her head above the surface grabbing onto Shepard's arms pressing her body against his. The two embraced and laughed uncontrollably scanning the crowd that was dispersing back to the main beach like leaves being blown in the wind.
"I am not going to lie, but the beach along with human activities has to be my favorite thing to do!"
"Is it even better than working with engines Tali?"
Tali shook her head then nodded it up and down shutting her eyes.
"I, I don't know! Stop it Shepard," she laughed taking his hand off her bottom. He laughed and respected her order. She wrapped her shaky legs around his waist and embraced him yet again putting his head into the curve of her neck. He stood up and twirled her around as she laughed. "Stop it please, I…I can't breathe and I feel like I and going to throw up!" He stood still and Tali leaned forward shifting his center of gravity pushing him backwards into the sand. They landed with a thud and Tali had her legs on either side of his waist pinning him to the ground. She put her three fingered hands on his shoulders and stared deep into his eyes. They both grinned as water trickled off her mask dotting his face with salty beads of water. Affectionately, he wiped the veins of water off her face with a tender finger staring into the dull glow of her eyes. He grinned displaying his white teeth. Tali's stomach bubbled and churned with excitement and love as she laughed at him. They both had no reason to giggle except for the funny feeling they both felt in their chest. Shepard let go of her waist and pulled his arms behind his head just staring into her purple veil brandishing images of her face replacing the polarized blocker. He sighed listened to his stomach grumble from hunger over the soft noise of the water brushing against the sandy beach. Tali poked his stomach with a stretched out finger winking her left eye.
"Sounds like someone is hungry."
Shepard chuckled and patted his stomach playfully.
"Let's head into town and find something to eat Tali." She nodded her hooded head in agreement and pulled her legs out from around Shepard's waist. "We shall dine in the shadow of our momentous victory," he jeered grabbing another seashell handing it to Tali while walking out of the water. She selfishly grabbed it and turned it over in her fingers. She eyes scrutinized the oily swirls of purple and lavender natural designs of the shell. Tali put her arm around his back comforting him. And now off on another adventure…
