Soft drum beats and synthesized tones echoed throughout the Captain's Cabin. Shepard had carefully selected the range of music and its pleasing tone was comforting at the edges of the Commander's hearing. Shepard hummed the tune to himself as he set down plates of Levo and Dextro food on a red tablecloth set up in the midst of the cabin. It had taken some re-arrangement of furniture, but the date with one certain Quarian was all but prepared for. As Shepard added a few more finishing touches, his mind drifted to the sensations the Quarian had brought into his heart and soul.
What was once a close friendship turned into something...more. An intimacy both Shepard and Tali have never known occurred with one another. It was a kind of intimacy that reached across boundaries of species and culture, and placed equality on each of their shoulders. She had moved him so deeply. There was something about her that cut through all his formalities and responsibilities, something that made him more than he was, and made him what he had always hoped to be. He was a better man because of her, and he was proud of this fact.
Before he realized it, the Commander had finished preparations for the meal, the setting and the mood.
"This should do nicely, " Shepard said out loud as he stood back and peered over the scene, proud of the work he accomplished, he nodded and said, "One last thing to do..." He briskly walked over to his personal terminal and buzzed Tali to come up, saying, "Alright Tali. Everything's ready. Come up whenever you can."
After a short pause, Tali's voice responded with the words, "Okay, Shepard. I'll be up shortly."
A few quiet moments passed as Shepard patiently waited for the young Quarian to appear. The sound of the elevator arriving buzzed faintly and the Commander turned towards the door as he saw Tali elegantly walk through it. She was quite literally breathtaking. Shepard's breath caught in his throat as he watched her make her way towards him. Halfway there, she paused and stared at the dinner arrangements.
"This...this is perfect," She said with a smile, her eyes glistening at the sight.
Shepard felt warmth rise up in his chest at her response, that alone making his efforts worthwhile. He simply smiled and reached out for her hand. The pair walked over to the food and sat down. Shepard reached over to reveal food he believed Tali would find enjoyable, pulling off its cover with a flourish. She giggled at the action and Shepard found himself mesmerized at the noise. The angle of the overhead lighting brought about a soothing feeling when he peered into her eyes.
Tali looked down for a moment, then back up at Shepard, asking, "Is... is something wrong?"
"N-no..." Shepard said as he realized how long he was staring, "The way you looked just then was...beautiful."
Tali laughed a little before saying, "What? But I always look like this!"
"Well, sure, but I love the way you look," Shepard remarked. "Anyway, here, I made this for you. I hope I got it right..."
Returning to the food cover, he revealed one of Tali's favorite Quarian delicacies, a food that had taken a bit of running around between politicians and merchants to attain. The name was hard to pronounce, but it was similar in taste and texture to the finest steak on Earth. Most Quarians are vegan, but Shepard knew Tali was an exception.
When Tali saw what Shepard had revealed, she gasped, and covered her mouthpiece with her hands in excited surprise. She licked her lips and exclaimed, "This...this is amazing! Did Auntie Raan tell you about this?"
The Commander smiled and nodded as he said, "Yes, I hope it is to your liking."
With an excited tone, Tali asked, "Well, let's put these immunoboosters to work, shall we?"
Shepard gazed upon Tali as the visor of her mask was slowly removed, air rushing out as the locks were undone. She lay down her hood and let her long, brunette hair flow freely once again. She paused for a moment before looking at Shepard once more without her mask hindering her.
Before she could say anything, Shepard regained his genuine look of affection and simply said, "I love it when you do that."
Giggling a little, Tali grabbed food utensils and peered upwards Shepard, asking, "Well, shall we eat?"
Minutes turned into hours as the two regaled stories of their childhood, reliving happy memories and enjoying one another's company once again. After finishing dinner, the couple laid down and rested on the couch as they continued talking to one another. The enjoyable time began to come to a close however as Shepard glanced at the clock on the nightstand and recalled that his crew would soon disband. Tali, enjoying the time she was spending with Shepard, smiled and turned to look at Shepard's face.
The smile soon turned into a slight frown as she asked with a sigh, "Thinking about the crew?"
Shepard snapped back to reality as he heard her voice. He turned to see curious eyes that were waiting for a response.
"Mm... yeah," He mumbled, "It's just that... I want to stop the Reapers from destroying everything but no one besides us believes they exist. How am I supposed to fight something so monstrous when the galaxy itself doesn't even acknowledge it?"
The young Quarian's hand gently rested upon the Commander's. She paused, trying to collect her thoughts before speaking.
Finally having an inkling of what to say, she rose her head and gazed into Shepard's eyes as she said, "You must make them acknowledge it. You can't give up. And even if that fails… No matter what happens to the crew...to us. Know that I'll always be with you."
After hearing that, Shepard held Tali ever so tightly in a hug. She gasped at the sudden gesture, but relaxed and returned it a moment after. He kissed her on the cheek and coupled his hand with hers.
"And I with you. Thank you, Tali," He said as he gently tightened his grip of her hand.
The two laid there embracing one another for a few sweet moments longer until Tali began to sit up. She rose from the couch and put her mask back on. The short hissing sound that indicated the suit was sealed once again slightly echoed throughout the room. She turned and locked eyes with the Commander who now sat upright on the couch. His expression was melancholic as he saw Tali's face filtered and obscured once again through the purple visor. Tali began to walk towards Shepard as he stood from the couch and began to walk towards her. The two embraced one more time.
Tali grinned slightly in an attempt to cheer Shepard up, saying, "You know, one day I won't have to wear this mask anymore..."
Shepard smiled in response, saying, "Hey, I'm looking forward to it."
Soon after, the two let each other go. As Tali began walking towards the elevator, Shepard walked over to his office space on the upper level of his quarters and leaned on the edge of the desk as he watched her leave.
She reached the door, turned to Shepard, smiled and gently said, "Thank you for the wonderful evening, Commander Shepard. Goodnight."
"And goodnight to you, Miss Vas Normandy," Shepard said with a smile of his own.
The door hissed shut after Tali left to go to her quarters to sleep. Shepard walked over to his bed and fell on it with a heavy sigh. His consciousness began to leave him as his eyes began to feel heavy.
Before he faded away into a deep sleep, he smiled and mumbled, "Thank you, Tali..."