Hey people, here's another chapter after all this wait, I'm sorry, but due to Christmas, lack of inspiration and Borderlands 2, and my main fic this story has been put on the 'back-burner' so to speak. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it now it's finally done, so read on…

Shepard POV

Garrus wasn't kidding when he said she'd have to explain this to a few people. Fortunately it hadn't been 'that' difficult, Jack had pretty much just laughed at everything she said as if it was amusing, she had probably gone through it all herself.

The Geth platform had been somewhat of a 'question mark' with its response, Legion just started flashing and shifting its face plates. She enquired about what it was doing, but it just replied with that annoying 'building a consensus' nonsense. She just hoped the Geth Consensus was reasonable enough to know how it was her fault.

But Thane however, that was a different situation entirely. Shepard was almost scared of the mysterious Drell, never knowing quite how he would react to things. She was half afraid that he'd take it worse than Garrus did and just snap her neck.

Strangely he didn't seem to react that much, she wasn't really listening to what he was saying due to the mental preparation for any onslaught he might attack her with. But it was something along the lines of how 'everyone gets what's coming to them' or some other nonsense like that.

The Commander was actually quite satisfied after all that, of course she wasn't happy that she'd lost Tali, but at least the others hadn't presumed the worst and gotten it all wrong, that would have been dreadful for her reputation.

She doubted Cerberus would care, but she'd never be able to try and rejoin the Alliance if the (false) rumour got out that she molested a crew member. And then she'd never be able to try and stop the Reapers.

As for where Tali had run off to it was fairly obvious to Shepard, the engineer she wanted so dearly had returned back to the Migrant Fleet. Which she could totally understand given the circumstances, she was fighting the Collectors, it was a suicide mission at best so it was clear Tali didn't want to get involved romantically beforehand because it would be too hard for her emotionally to cope if things went wrong.

And if Tali couldn't cope with that then Shepard shouldn't have tried to seduce her, now knowing the poor Quarian only said no to avoid getting romantically involved. It was so obvious now! and that was why she had left the ship, to avoid getting attached to her Commander in such an important time. That engineer was really something else, always putting others before emotional feelings, Shepard couldn't wait until the Collector mission was done with and they could meet again and have a proper relationship.

The moment she was done with Cerberus the first thing Shepard planned on doing was meeting with the Migrant Fleet. Afterall, she didn't want to let down Tali, who was likely devastated for having to cast her aside like that for the sake of the mission and would no doubt be waiting intently for her to return.

Days and Weeks of fighting Collectors, and numerous other missions on the Normandy.

Garrus POV

Over time the incident with Tali was forgotten by the crew, mostly because the majority of the people on the ship didn't know all of what had happened, but he guessed time also healed all wounds, so eventually people came to the conclusion that whatever the reason Tali had left it couldn't have been 'that' bad.

Despite Garrus knowing the truth about how terrible the reason really was, he was still motivated by the other people thinking of Shepard as 'good'. It was making the team work well together even if the view was misplaced, and he was sure that if they kept up the good work they could take down these Collectors for good through the relay in a few hours.

In many ways Shepard was still a paragon of good, always doing what she thought was morally right, which the Turian respected. But Shepard's actions to Tali had been unforgivable, although then again the Commander seemed genuinely upset, as if she wasn't actually aware Tali didn't like her in return.

He would have thought about it some more had his omni-tool not suddenly started flashing, distracting him from his previous thoughts about whether or not Shepard was still a good person or not. He looked at the name that showed up and smirked, co-incidences were very common indeed.

Omni-tool messaging service. Conversation started.

Tali'Zorah vas Neema (Location: Neema- Private Quarters)

Garrus Vakarian (Location: Normandy SR2- Main Battery)

G- Hey Tali, what's with the call? you know I have to prepare for the suicide mission in a few hours.

G- Also did you really have to change your name just because you wanted to leave?

T- Yes, I did. We both know my reasons, I don't want any association with being in this ship until Shepard can sort things out with her psyche.

G- Yeah, okay, that makes sense. But I think you should go easy on her, she really seems hurt and confused about your actions, you need to have a proper talk with her one day.

T- I know, but that won't be for a while. And if you actually come back from this mission…

T- Which brings me to why I messaged you. This is really hard to say Garrus, especially given the circumstances and current situations, but I really don't want you to die out there.

G- You know me better than that Tali, I'm Archangel, if I can survive what Omega throws at me then a few insects won't stand a chance.

T- So arrogant Garrus, one of the many things I've always liked about you. When you get back we really need to talk, I'm having a lot of feelings, and I want to try and sort them out. Do me a favour though and don't mention this to Shepard, I don't know how she'll react.

G- I don't quite understand, but okay. I haven't seen you in so long either so that'll be great.

T- The Migrant Fleet probably doesn't want me spending all my time in my quarters doing nothing but messaging you, and you need to get ready for the Collectors. So just promise me you'll come back alive.

G- I promise Tali. For you that is.

T- Thank you, that's all I could ever want for now.

Conversation Ended.

Okay, I'm really sorry for the delay, but it was brought up that I should continue this, and I just thought 'hey, why not?' so here it is. I don't really have much inspiration for this though, mostly as I didn't play ME2 very recently or that often, so I can't remember it. ME3 I played a lot, so when I reach that part the chapter will flow from me like water from something containing water.

I hope you enjoyed it, I purposely made Shepard really deluded and obsessive refusing to see the truth, that is her character, a bit messed up. Also I'm starting the in-game ME3 Tali/Garrus romance early as it seemed appropriate for the story, I did Garrus's niavity done well I think… right?

So please follow, favourite and review. Thanks.