Hey everyone, glad to see people reviewing. As always I appreciate the feedback.
Heartless demon wolf, the cut could have been deadly due to possibility of infection.
Anyhow, here is the next chapter. Remember when I promised I wasn't being lazy with the human wedding? Well... Enjoy!
The news of a member of the admiralty board marrying a Human spread rather quickly. The Quarian people were happy for the couple and were very understanding, given Shepard's reputation and deeds. The factor that made ripples in the political pool for the newlyweds was the fact that the couple had not had a proper Quarian wedding. They had chosen to have a Human ceremony and this was upsetting to many Quarians. The happy couple didn't know about the stir they caused until the meeting of the admiralty board one week after the couple returned from their honeymoon.
Tali arrived at the meeting to find Kal'Reeger outside looking nervous. When she stopped to ask what was wrong she heard a loud crash from inside and hurried past him. When she reached the other admirals she found an overturned table and Raan on the floor with Gerrel standing over her, yelling.
"If we don't remove her then we will all look like traitors, just like her!" as Gerrel finished his rant, Raan stood up and gasped at the sight of Tali. Admiral Xen was sitting quietly across the room with an air of sadistic glee. Korris was staring at Gerrel with an angry scowl. Tali was completely dumbstruck.
"What the hell is going on in here?" Tali exclaimed when she had taken in the full scene before her. "Auntie Raan, are you alright?" Tali walked over to Raan to ensure her safety but before Raan had a chance to respond Gerrel turned to Tali and started raving again.
"You have desecrated an honorable Quarian tradition! You have betrayed your people in favor of some Human 'hero!' You are a disgrace to our entire species!" Gerrel had done air quotes around the word hero and was now pointing his finger accusingly in Tali's face.
Tali was completely speechless. I have never betrayed my people, I have done more for our people than anyone in this room ever dreamed of. I'm not a traitor for loving Shepard... Right?...
Tali was drawn from her thoughts when Raan pushed her aside and stuck her finger in Gerrel's face. "How dare you say those things! Tali has never done anything to harm our people. Why does she not deserve a chance at happiness?"
Gerrel slapped Raan's hand away and was about to start up again when Korris stepped in and stood next to Raan. "Shala's right. If anyone deserves to be happy, it's Tali. She has done more for our people than anyone alive."
An hour later the admirals were still arguing over Tali's situation. If she remained an admiral it could look as if all members of the admiralty board were disregarding tradition due to Tali's marriage. However, if they kicked her out they would look bad for the remaining admirals because of all the things Tali had done for her people in her lifetime.
"So what do you propose we do then Gerrel? Because from where I stand I don't see any options." Tali said defiantly as Gerrel paced back and forth.
Shepard had decided to walk into the city to meet Tali for dinner after her meeting. When he arrived to pick her up he was greeted by Kal'Reeger at the door looking frightened. "Reeger? You alright?" Shepard asked, concerned for his friend.
Reeger just shook his head and pointed at the doorway. "I wouldn't go in there if I were you Shepard... They're talking about you... And Tali..." Reeger moved a step from the door and Shepard entered.
Gerrel was pacing infront of Tali "the only option I see here is to have Shepard go through the ritual. That is the only thing that will put all of our people's fears to rest."
Tali spoke up in a dismissive rebuttal "I will not force Shepard to do that. If it is either my seat on the admiralty board or potentially Shepard's life then I will resign." Tali looked past Gerrel and went wide eyed when she saw Shepard standing just inside the door.
"Tali, what's going on? Why are you resigning and what does this have to do with me?" Shepard asked as he approached her with a confused expression.
Before Tali could answer, Xen spoke up "the people are unhappy with Tali getting married in a human ceremony. They believe that the admiralty board is disregarding tradition by allowing it."
"They want you to go through the Quarian marriage ritual..." Tali said dis-heartedly "it's very dangerous and I don't want to lose you. That's why I'm resigning." Tali finished as she hugged him with a pleading expression on her face.
"Tali I'm not letting you give this up because of me. Besides I've killed reapers, Geth, thresher maws, mechs, giant plants, and deranged matriarchs. I'll be ok." Shepard said as he rubbed her back comfortingly.
Shepard then turned to the other admirals inquisitively "so what is this ritual? What makes it so dangerous?" Korris had already snuck off and was out the door. Xen was sitting silently with a malicious grin on her face. Gerrel was smiling at Raan expectantly.
Raan finally spoke up with reluctance "you must survive alone without any assistance or weapons on a planet of the admiralty board's choosing for one week. Neither Tali nor I will be able to vote on the planet because we are so close to you personally."
Shepard was a little off put by the task. "So I need to stay alive for one week on whatever planet Xen, Gerrel, and Korris put me on?" Well at least Korris seems to like me enough that he might put me somewhere survivable...
Before Raan could respond she was cut off by Xen. "Actually by leaving during this session Korris cannot have a say in the matter either. It will be up to me and admiral Gerrel."
"And I know exactly where I want to send you." Gerrel interjected. Shepard was starting to get a bad feeling about this entire situation. Knowing Gerrel, Shepard was likely about to be sent a veritable living hell.
Gerrel and Xen looked at each other with devious smiles. Then they both said, in near unison "Parnack." Shepard had heard the name of the planet before but could not remember the context of the conversation.
"For Tali, I'll do it. When do I leave and how do I get there?" Shepard asked as Tali tightened her grip on him. Raan looked at him morbidly "You will be taken there by shuttle at eight tomorrow morning."
Tali was sitting on the couch in her and Shepard's house weeping when Shepard finally made it home. After Raan had explained the ritual to Shepard she had run off and taken the skycar home. She couldn't face the reality of the situation, the possibility of losing him...
When Shepard walked inside and saw his wife crying he ran over to her immediately. "Tali, honey are you ok?" Shepard reached out to her but she batted his hand away. "You bastard! You said you wouldn't leave again! You promised me!" Tali was yelling at him still crying hysterically.
"You promised to stay with me and now you are going to go get yourself killed! I won't... I can't lose you again!" Shepard felt his heart cracking. Seeing her like this hurt more than any injury he had ever suffered. When he reached out to hold her again she didn't resist. Shepard pulled her into his arms.
"Shhh Tali, it'll be ok. You won't lose me. I meant what I said, I will never leave again. I am going to come home and we are going to live a long, happy life together. I promise I will come home."
Tali looked up at him still sniffling "You mean that?" he simply nodded in response.
Tali perked up slightly and dried her eyes "Good... Because if you don't come home I'll kick your ass" she said with a slight, weak chuckle.
Shepard kissed her and sighed "I love you Tali" She smiled at him and kissed him back. "I love you too Shepard."
