To offset the tragedy of the previous installment, here's some more fluff.

Coming up next, Rael perhaps.

Ciao

Commander Shepard was a very skilled combat engineer. He graduated at the top of his class on Grissom Academy and received accolades of all kinds for his skill and knowledge. He had even managed to hack into Collector and Reaper tech, further proving his capabilities.

However, for all these things that he was, one thing he was not was patient when tech proved to be uncooperative.

See this scenario here as the Hero of the Galaxy was getting increasingly frustrated while trying to modify his combat drone. Oh it wasn't like it was malfunctioning or wasn't a handy asset to have or anything.

No it was the color settings oddly enough.

Tali had made her drone a purple and orange mix and Legion had his green and red. Shepard had affectionately dubbed it "Little Santa," finding it more hilarious than cute when Legion started doing the same. Then again, she was a technical prodigy and he was an advanced AI so perhaps it was just easier for them.

But he was Commander goddamn Shepard. He could beat impossible odds daily but he couldn't change the color of his drone? Needless to say, this did not sit well with him.

While he was fuming over this, his beloved wasn't doing much better herself. Now in charge of "Suit Monitoring" as the Admiralty had called it, Tali's new job was to make sure the Geth weren't doing anything sneaky while they were uploaded inside the suits of Quarians. A rather pointless job as Legion kept in constant contact with all Geth at a speed faster than any organic and thus could tell if something was wrong before anyone else.

But then again, they still didn't trust Legion.

Incidentally, bosh'tets.

So while she and (secretly) Legion monitored this whole process, they remained oblivious to Shepard's problems. Some several hours later, Tali simply called it quits, echoing a phrase she had heard one too many times from Jack.

If she wasn't so tired, she'd have indulged Legion in asking as to why she loudly proclaimed, "Fuck it!"

Desperate for bed and her lover's tender embrace, she none too subtly pushed up to their bedroom and keyed the door open. She saw him sitting his desk, fiddling with something, but she wasn't really concerned.

It was more a matter of wondering why his bare ass wasn't in bed yet and calling her in with that sexy, sultry tone of his.

Still, at least he was here and she wouldn't have to hunt him down. She stood behind him rested her head…well right on his, smiling at the amused chuckle he made.

"Long day my love?" She snorted and put her hands on his shoulders.

"They always are. No rest for the wicked right?" Tapping away on his omni-tool, he sealed the door and initiated the decontaminator.

"The wicked sexy only. Ergo why you're worked so damn much." He could still make her blush the bosh'tet.

"Mmm tell me that in the bed. Whatever you're doing can wait. Admiral's orders." He grinned and put his hands over hers.

"5 more minutes Admiral Zorah?"

"That's 6 too many. In the bed or I'll demote you."

"Not in your military sweetheart."

"Who said anything about military? I'll demote you from bed-warmer to couch-warmer."

They both had a good laugh at that, the day's worries shaking away as they did so.

Not giving him much say in the matter, she moved into his lap and leaned against him, her head in the crook of his neck.

When his arms wrapped around her, he clearly must not have minded.

"What are you working on John?" An angry snort left him and he glared at his omni-tool.

"Nothing I can't handle Tali." Stubborn man…

"Tell me or I'm not taking off my mask tonight."

"Foul play. I can't change my drone's shell color like yours and Legion's."

No time for teasing, they were both too tired for it. She simply held his arm that contained his omni-tool and tapped away, a minute later the drone now sporting a blue core with a red shell.

"There you go John." She was grinning and he knew it. She also knew that he knew that she didn't care.

"Showoff."

"Mhm. Bed, now." Chuckling, he picked her up and carried them to their bed, laying down with her and pulling her close immediately. She happily complied, removing her mask and wrapping her arms around him.

"How was work with Legion today?" She rolled her eyes and snuggled in closer to him.

"Boring and unnecessary. I am very tempted to tell the Admirals to kiss my ass over this nonsense."

"Mmm tempting offer." She felt his hands slide down and end on her previously mentioned ass.

"It's always a sex thing with you isn't it?"

"I seem to recall it was you who pounced on me before the Omega 4 Relay Tali." She blushed deeply, keeping her head down so he wouldn't see.

He probably knows anyway the perceptive jerk.

"That was different. Way different. Not even worth discussing. Goodnight Shepard." Reluctantly, she turned away from him and immediately felt cold with without his arms around her.

"Tali."

"Shepard."

Arms around her again, spooning her close. That blush returning full force.

"I never said I didn't like it."

She chose not to respond, too busy enjoying the moment and her memories of their first night together.

Apparently, he had been doing the same as she felt him poke her behind.

"John?"

"We don't have to."

She turned to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck and looking right into his eyes.

"Still beautiful I see."

Well, there goes any hope of sleep we're getting tonight.

She pulled him close and immediately latched her lips onto his. Their night had just begun.

Currently in an ME2 run through as an Engineer. Very fun to play. Love the drone, wish I could change the color though.

It's very cute to watch my drone and Tali's kill across the battlefield. Just like their owners, they never drifted apart.

Seriously.

New tack on to the suggestion rule. It doesn't have to be an in-game event or something mentioned in the game or anything like that. If you have an idea, regardless of what it is, I'll give it a whirl.

Ciao