The corridor was lit brightly, the light reflecting off the white linoleum as Alec hurried down it. The receptionist had pointed him in the general direction of the waiting room; he didn't even bother to hear the rest of what she had to say as soon as she lifted her finger.
Rounding the corner, he saw a dimly lit room with glass windows and a glass door separating it from the bustle of the hallway. There was only one person sitting inside it, but it was only that person that Alec wanted to see.
Throwing open the door, Alec quickly paced over to Tali, who was sitting with her hands clasped across her lap, head hanging. From time to time, he could hear the occasional sniffle escape her voice modulator.
Alec's heart went out to the poor girl. He had never known the pain of losing someone close to him, but seeing someone in that state of distress now tore him up inside. He wanted nothing more than to lock her in an embrace and tell her that everything would be all right. Instead, he grabbed a chair and pulled himself up across from her.
Tali, sounding miserable, lifted her head slightly, "You didn't have to come."
"Yes I did," Alec argued, refusing to let her beat herself up, "I wanted to make sure that you were okay."
Tali shook her head, "I'll…I'll be fine," her voice was giving as she spoke, "It- It's going to be all right…I just-"
Reaching forward, Alec grabbed both of her hands and squeezed them in comfort, "You don't have to lie to me, Tali. I can't imagine the thought of losing my own father. I cannot imagine the pain you're going through right now. But please, tell me what's on your mind. Talk to me."
Tali wilted, not speaking for a minute. She continued to hold Alec's hands, her trembling had subsided greatly.
"I…was never close to him…my father," she started, "He was always concerned about…the Fleet. You understand, of course."
Alec did indeed understand. He understood the duties an admiral had to their people. He understood that being an admiral was a full-time commitment. He understood that even with all of his power, the man most likely never had time for his own daughter.
Not waiting for a response, she continued, "I…don't even remember the last thing I said to him…I don't think it was very nice. I remember shouting at him all the time…trying to make him pay attention to me…trying to understand if he even loved me. But now…he- he's gone…and I can- can't even…"
A small cry escaped her lips, head descending again. Her fingers had begun to loosen in his grasp. Alec gaped at her, confused.
Abruptly, she stood up, breaking free of his hands and walked towards the far corner of the room. Alec, concerned, followed, but she held up a hand when he tried to get close to him.
"You should go," She said, wavering on the spot.
"Why?" Alec said, cocking his head.
"Just…just go…please…" she faltered, "I- I will be fine in the morning…I'll- I'll see you at work…"
Having none of that, Alec kneeled beside her, "I'm not going, Tali. Don't do this to me. I'm begging you, talk to me."
Slowly, her hood raised to meet him at eye level. She lifted a three-fingered hand to rest against his cheek, "Please…just leave me alone."
Now Alec was at a loss for words. For a minute he just sat there, trying to comprehend the words he'd just heard. Tali had turned away from him now, the horrible sniffing noises continued. He reached for her shoulder but she simply shrugged his hand off, pushing him away.
Dumbfounded, Alec sat there, totally lost. Unknowing of what to do next.
Now he noticed that his vision was starting to blur slightly. He didn't bother to wipe away the tears that were starting to form. Instead, he stood up, adjusting his posture so that he stood at his tallest.
"Tali," he began softly, voice slightly cracking, "I care about you too much to see you beat yourself up like this. From the moment I've met you you've been a wonderful friend, a person who has been never acted selfishly, a person that I'm glad to have run into five years ago. I understand the hurt that you must be feeling and I will respect your decision. But, the fact of the matter is, I really do care about you. And if you ever get lonely, if you ever want someone to talk to, please…let me know. I'll always be right here."
Unable to stop the tears from falling, Alec started backing away towards the door, hoping, praying that she'd turn and acknowledge him again. Chocking back a strangled sob, he reached the door, but as he opened it, he shifted his head to face her one last time.
"Keelah se'lai, Tali'Zorah."
Swinging the door outward, he exited the room and slowly started trudging back to the entrance.
Hands in his pockets, head tilted downward, Alec was completely and utterly lost. What was he to do now? What would happen to her? Would he be able to see her in a situation outside of work? Why didn't he say more to her? He should have refused outright to leave her side. He was weak. He didn't deserve to be with her.
Lifting his head, he saw the automatic doors of the entrance to the station. He sighed and continued on his way. Maybe this was for the best. Quarians didn't belong on Earth. It was a strange place for them. It was only natural that some of its inhabitants would react badly. With that being said, it was a stupid idea in the first place that he'd ever thought-
Suddenly, his pant leg vibrated. Alec stopped in his tracks, alerted at the new stimuli.
Fumbling in his pocket, Alec pulled out his phone, which the display read that he'd received a message. Unknown number.
Flicking the lock screen, Alec clicked on the mail icon, depressing the touch screen to view the message contained within. Alec stood on the spot for several seconds before reading the five little words that made his breath catch in his chest.
I care about you too.
All time on the planet stopped for Alec Lee. Everything felt murky and in slow-motion. He looked around the hall, hardly daring to believe it. The entrance was just ahead, mere feet away. He ran a hand through his scalp, as if the motion would cause him to snap back into reality.
Then he decided that there was only one thing that he should do. Only one thing he could do.
With a horrid squeal of soles on the floor, Alec wheeled and ran back down the hall, phone still clenched in his hand. He wasn't aware of how late it was, he wasn't aware of how he looked, sprinting down a police station hallway. He wasn't even aware of the multitude of people he'd nearly barreled over in his eagerness to reach the room up ahead. Flinging the door open, he ran towards the far corner, spread his arms, and embraced the quarian in a tender, yet firm hug.
Tali was shaking horribly as she reciprocated the hug, noticeably crying. His own tears were falling in earnest, dampening his cheeks. They stood like this for a few minutes as she openly cried into his shoulder, Alec keeping her close for fear he might never feel her again. It was only after a little while did he realize that she was saying something so softly it barely amounted to a whisper.
"Don't leave me, you bosh'tet. Don't leave me…don't leave me…don't leave me…"
It took every ounce of concentration for Alec not to break down at her words. Trying unsuccessfully to cover up a sob, he clutched her tighter, which managed to calm her down a little. Her hands were running up and down his back, soaking in every detail. He laid a hand across the back of her head and patted it. This had the effect of her swaying on the spot, about to fall. Alarmed, he carefully moved over to the nearby bench and slowly lowered himself so that they were sitting next to each other, still tangled in the hug.
Feeling movement in his side, he looked to see her visor staring up at him, "Y- you said…'Keelah se'lai.' Where did you hear that? I- I never said that to you… a- at least I- I don't think…"
Another cry racked her body and Alec pulled her in so close that both their heads were touching. He listened to her for a moment before answering simply.
"The quarians made the effort to study and translate our language. It seemed only fair that I made a similar effort to study your own."
"D- do you e- even know what you just said?" Tali asked, eyes shining behind the purple visor.
"An old saying, I believe. 'By the homeworld I hope to see someday.' You'd be amazed at what you'd find on the internet, I was particularly struck by that passage. It's rather beautiful."
Tali, despite her sadness, nodded eagerly, "That's correct. I've never heard a human speak our language before…I- I didn't know…"
A small laugh elicited from her mouth, "I didn't know a great many things about humans before coming here, Alec. But, I never expected to learn that they are capable of caring about us…about me…"
Extracting herself from the hug after a while, albeit reluctantly, she sat up to face Alec directly, "I want you to promise me something, Alec Lee."
"What is it?" He asked, all attention diverted to her.
She leaned forward, as if in prayer, "That you never leave me again."
He laughed and embraced her once more, to which she giddily responded to.
"Never."
The dial tone sounded thrice before the familiar click was heard. Luke adjusted his position in the car so that he was more comfortable.
"Yes?" Daniel's voice wafted through the speaker, smooth and quiet as ever.
"There has been a new development."
"Go on."
"The Feds are now involved. They've locked down the crime scene."
If Luke could guess the reaction of his mentor to his own words, he assumed that Daniel would still have the same stone-faced expression, completely unreadable. The fact that he was speaking on a phone wasn't helping matters.
The voice slid through, "Not entirely unexpected. We did hit the demons hard." The voice paused for a second while its owner mused at the news, "We will have to wind down our plans until the investigation is over. No sense in creating unnecessary risk when good work has already been accomplished."
This was his chance. Unable to suppress his grin, Luke piped up, "There is something else. I have it from my police contacts that a recall will be in effect."
"A recall?" The tone changed for the first time in the conversation, laced with curiosity and hope.
"Yes, a recall. I am told it will be in effect within two months."
"Do they know the circumstances?"
"Not entirely. They assume that the bulk of the demons will be affected, it would also be safe to assume that some of our fellow man might accompany them on their journey."
The voice spoke with clarity and finality, "If they choose not to slow their descent then that is on their heads."
Luke swallowed before the voice continued, "This is splendid news, my son. We may be able to accomplish a few more cleansings before they depart our world for good."
Luke ran a hand across the back of his head, nervously, "I would guess that some of them may wish to stay. The recall may not be mandatory and it is well known that some of the filth have expressed interest in laying down roots."
"Then they'll be taken care of in time. Do you have anything else?"
Luke sighed; he needed to sell this properly, "The house I visited the other night. The one that contained one of…them with a man."
"The one you failed to accomplish."
Luke silently winced at the rebuke, "Yes. That one. They both know that someone was going after them. They have firsthand experience of our actions. We will need to take steps to contain it."
"Are you saying that they should be our next targets?"
Luke straightened in his seat, "Yes. It was my mistake and I know I have no right to ask this of you, but I humbly request that we work to show the both of them the way down."
"Even though that their house is probably now guarded heavily and the fact that they both work for a government-contracted corporation?
"They cannot remain protected forever," Luke implored, "One day they will make a mistake and when that day comes, we will be there."
Luke waited for what seemed like an eternity. What if his request was refused? Would he have to go into hiding with the rest? He didn't like the idea of cowering with fear, waiting to be snuffed out by the Feds. He would rather go out in a blaze of glory, on his ascent to Heaven.
"You have my permission," Daniel replied, "Get a tail on them, record their movements and report back to me by the end of the week."
"It will be done, Father." Luke hung up.
