Rogen suggested I format this as Overlord, Citadel Date, Shadow Broker. Sounds about right.

Phil, I was just being playful. It can be hard to put emotion into these words.

So, date night eh? Can't guarantee it'll be something grand but I'll do my best.

Suggestions for Shadow Broker DLC? Maybe tones of jealousy/possessiveness over Liara being along for the ride? A little overdone but always fun to see.

I wish these dividing lines showed up in the finished product.

Ciao


The doors to Life Support slid open with their usual mechanical hiss, Thane always taking note of this in preparation for another chat with one of the crew.

Seeing Shepard round the corner of his table though made him smile.

"Do you need something Shepard?" The Commander stood in front of the window in the room, looking through it but not truly. He was silent and Thane let him take his time.

"I'll be blunt Thane. How did you court Irikah?" Well that he wasn't expecting to hear.

"Not conventionally I assure you." Shepard's shoulders moved with laughter.

"Yes I imagine having her in your scope sights would not be a good conversation starter." Thane chuckled as well.

"Why do you ask Shepard?"

"Call it curiosity."

"I would call it preparedness Commander."

"Dare I ask why?" Thane was quiet was he slipped into a memory.

"Soft giggles echo around the drive core, steady gazes pierce through a purple mask, a three fingered hand lingers before parting from its chosen mate." Shepard looked over at him now.

"You see and hear much evidently."

"I am an assassin Shepard. My eyes and ears must always be open and aware. Personally, it is good to see two people so happy together."

"Well then mister assassin, are we discreet about it at all?" Thane laughed, a wide smile on his face.

"Not in the least. Tali's exuberance is even more infectious now than usual. It is a clear giveaway." Shepard grinned and looked back through the window.

"Happy to oblige then." Thane stood up and looked out the window with him, now seeing Tali working at the console below.

"You still seem troubled."

"Lots of things to fret over. Still got those Reapers to stop and whatnot. Little things."

"Your tone feels hollow Shepard. What is actually bothering you right now?"

"If you're that good, then you probably know what it is already." At this, Thane paused. Both men looked at the Quarian down below in silence for a while.

"No matter how it ended and how poorly I handled it, I never regretted a second with Irikah. Never regret the time you spend with those you love Shepard. It will bring you unequaled happiness as long as you hold it dear." Shepard chuckled, looking at Thane with a grin.

"This mean I bring you some serious joy or are you just humoring me?" The Drell laughed and moved back to his seat.

"I do appreciate these chats we have Shepard. It is nice to have a friend again." He smiled at Shepard, folding his hands in front of him like always. "I would suggest entertainment over a dinner given her immune system."

Nodding, Shepard said his thanks and left the Life Support only to be quickly yanked into Kasumi's room and pushed onto her couch.

"Kasumi, this is rather forward don't you think?" The thief had her usual mischievous smirk on as she sat next to him.

"Dream on Shep. I know you've already got your eyes on someone else." Shepard smirked back at her.

"Curses! My secret's out!" She laughed softly and whapped him on the head.

"You really make her happy Shepard. She loves you." He nodded, his expression turning to his "Tali-Business" face as Kasumi would affectionately dub it in due time.

"I love her too. I really do." She smiled, remembering the same words Keiji said to her many times. "Hah, it's frightening sometimes. Then I just hold her close and there's no fear."

"Congrats Shep, you're in love."

"Good. I'd hate to think there was something wrong with me. Other than being crazy, reckless, dangerous, suicidal-"

"Guess Tali must be attracted to danger." Shepard barked out a laugh and grinned at the hooded woman.

"Does it get any more dangerous than loving a zombie full of metal who killed a god?"

"If it does, I'll let her know so she can dump your decaying ass." They shared a good laugh at this, chatting a while longer before Shepard got up to go.

"Not to diminish this wonderful chat we've had Kasumi but why did you call me in here?" She smiled and handed him a datapad.

"A list of great date locations. Take your pick loverboy." He chuckled and took it.

"Much obliged. Please don't try and steal from these places in case she likes them."

"What about what you think of them?"

"As long as Tali's there, nothing else matters." The Commander left Kasumi's room, heading back up to his cabin to look over the locations Kasumi had given him. He had an hour to do this before the doors to his cabin opened and surprisingly, in stepped his favorite Quarian.

"Tali? Something wrong?" She shook her head, sitting down next to him and resting her head on his shoulder.

"If you can believe it, I've got no work to do and I felt like spending time with you." He smiled, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close.

"Now that sounds like a plan Miss vas Normandy." He moved them into a better position, him stretching his legs out on the couch while she was rested against him, her head on his chest. She purred all the while, holding his hands in hers happily.

"Mmm is this a human thing John or are am I just special?" He smiled and kissed the top of her helmet.

"You are indeed special but this what we humans call cuddling. We do it with those we love very much." She purred deeply at that word as she always did.

"I'd do the same for you but you are too heavy John." He laughed and held her closer.

"You are getting better at this every day huh?"

"I had a good teacher." Her eyes caught the datapad suddenly and she picked it up. "Did I interrupt you in the middle of work?" He chuckled and pressed another kiss to her helmet.

"Nope. Locations on the Citadel where I could take you for a date actually." Excited, she began looking through the list herself. "You can thank Kasumi for it."

"If we have a good time, I will. Otherwise I'm going to confiscate her cloak." He grinned and looked through the list with her. They eventually found a theater that was friendly to all races and booked tickets, putting the datapad aside and resuming their cuddle. Shepard dimmed the lights through his omni-tool, closing his eyes alongside Tali for a well-deserved break.

The sounds of the Normandy being held in place by the magnetic clamps woke them both. Shepard rubbed his eyes open while Tali stretched awake, unintentionally giving her boyfriend quite the show. Which he rather enjoyed naturally when he wrapped his arms around her again. She giggled softly and craned her head back to look up at him.

"John, we are here for our date remember?" He grinned and tightened his grip.

"Can't. Need to grope you first." She laughed and began playfully pushing him away.

"Ack! Somebody save me from this fiend!" He smirked and kept her close, pleased when she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Sorry Tali. Couldn't help it."

"At least it means I'm attractive to you."

"You ever doubted that?"

"This suit hides much John. You don't even-ack! Watch your hands!"

"I'm making a point."

"What point could that be?" He smiled softly and kissed her vocalizer.

"That you're always beautiful, no matter what." She blushed madly, wrapping her arms around him again in a tight embrace.

"Bosh'tet."

"Your bosh'tet Tali." She smiled and snuggled down into his chest. Their date wasn't for hours yet anyway. They could wait rather happily in each other's arms. They talked, they laughed, they played and pretty much acted like kids in love always do. Eventually they broke apart, Shepard changing into something that wasn't a Cerberus uniform or armor. He linked arms with his girlfriend as they left the now empty Normandy for their date.

They took a skycab to the theater they had picked, getting their tickets to, what else, the new Blasto film. Of course it was cheesy and overacted but hey, it was a good date in the end. They had a great time, happily holding hands on the way back to the Normandy.


Sorry. Not good at writing dates. I should get some help with that. I hope the build up was good though.

So, Shadow Broker next eh? That may take time. Both in writing and in personal matters.

Suggestions and criticisms are always welcome ladies and gentlemen.

Ciao