To Survive: Terminus Coalition

Chapter 10 : Clearing the Air

Shepard awoke with Tali resting her head to his chest, nuzzled in quite comfortably. She made sweet noises as she slept. Tali didn't snore exactly, Shepard had noticed, however, that she seemed to purr gently. It never failed to boost his spirits when he could hear it, but it wasn't as if he was ever in a bad mood with her in his bed. Over the past few months, he had noticed that if she ever went to bed before him, and had fallen asleep, he would walk in to find her sleeping, curled on her side, and he found adorable however, was her ability to always wind up snuggled into his side or on his chest and purring. John was constantly learning more about her bond to him, and with every new bit of knowledge he gained, the more his love for her grew. It was hard for him to imagine loving her anymore than her already did, but his love seemed to perpetually improve. Even then, it most likely couldn't compare to her own love for him.

Her body moved up and down on his chest as he breathed, and he basked in the moment. The comfort of her warmth and presence was something he'd never tire of. The prior night, they had spent their time talking to each other between bouts of making love. He was extremely sore from Tali's exuberance and his match with Grunt before it. Tali hadn't noticed the many bruises he had covering him until she had taken her first breath. When she did, she became concerned, though not concerned enough to stop, but they slowed night was long and wonderful, and John had noticed that EDI had turned off their alarms, so that they would get some extra rest in the morning.

That was why he was up before Tali. He always woke up on time for duty as his internal clock usually didn't allow him to oversleep. He was still quite tired though, and appreciated EDI's gesture. It was common knowledge that he and Tali were both on edge yesterday, and as long as he was up to see Mordin and Thane off in the evening, being missing would likely go unnoticed by everyone except for Ken, but Gabby might be able to keep his trap shut.

John watched as Tali stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, and when she looked up at John, her face brightened with a smile. John returned the expression, and she pulled her leg over him so that she could climb up closer to his face, while staying on top.

Her face hovered over his, no more than an inch away, and they gazed into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity.

"Hey there beautiful." John said sweetly as he closed the distance with a kiss to Tali's nose.

Tali giggled and put her head over his shoulder and snuggled in. Her voice was muffled when she spoke. "What time is it?"

"Time for a good cuddle, I'd say." John answered in a futile attempt to get more time with her. After being off the ship for the last couple days, they both had work to do. Shepard cringed at the thought of filling out mission reports. It was moments like this when he truly began to feel Miranda's absence. Nonetheless, if he was planning on staying diplomatic with the Council, he should, at the very least, have some records of what's been happening.

Tali snuggled in deeper, but what she said contradicted her actions, "I really need to check on engineering. It's been a while, and I'd love to see how Lana's been handling things."

"Alright. Well I guess that means I have to get up too."

"Mmhmm." Tali replied as she rolled off of him, and began to get ready for the day.


It was after midday, and Shepard had found the day especially boring thus far. His day was occupied with nothing but reports, and it was due time for a break from the monotony; he had just finished a batch and was sitting at the desk in the cabin. The day was not going to be completely uneventful; Mordin and Thane were departing towards the end of the day. Before they said their farewells Mordin had expressed the need to talk about Tali's immuno-booster medication. It likely only entailed Mordin going over a regular dosage schedule of the blue substance, and regular checkups with Dr. Chakwas. At the very least, he didn't have to know how to take the regular readings; instead, poor Chakwas had been in the med-bay with Mordin for the last few hours.

Now's as good a time as any to talk to Ashley. It will also mean I can see Tali for a bit. I'm so bored, if this conversation isn't interesting, I'll have to get her to read me parts of the drive core manual… if such a thing exists. He thought, before speaking to the empty cabin, "EDI, could you call Chief Williams and Tali up to the cabin please. I'd love to hear about the so called 'girl talk', she mentioned." Tali told me that Ashley wanted to speak with her and I, and I'm assuming it has something to do with the little conversation they had earlier.

"Both parties have been notified Captain; they should be arriving shortly." EDI said with her cool voice.

"Thanks EDI."

It only took a couple minutes for Ashley to arrive, and after the decontamination sequence had finished, she walked in with wide eyes.

"Hey Shepard! Damn, this place is amazing!" She gasped, her eyes darting from the large aquarium on the wall to the many model ships placed orderly in their glass display.

Shepard grew a grin, forgetting, until now, that Ashley hadn't seen the upgrade since the original Normandy. She only knew that the cabin was now on deck 1. Also, he noticed that she had called him Shepard as opposed to 'Captain', which was a welcome, if a bit of a surprising, change. At least she seems more comfortable around me, even if she hasn't earned my trust back. I've clearly earned some of hers.

"I thought it was pretty extravagant at first, as, I'm assuming, you do now. Cerberus obviously didn't know that sucking up to me was a waste of time. Now though, I've come to like it. Tali enjoys the fish, and the space hamster." Shepard said without much emotion.

Ashley turned at Shepard's gesture to see the small glass container. The hamster slowly made its way out of its cove, sniffing at the glass. Squeak! And it turned and ran back into its home. Ashley's face lit up from the little guy. "You know Captain, I'm not sure if you remember me telling you about my sisters and all–"

"Of course I do Chief, I don't forget things that are important to my friends, whether or not they still think of me as such." Shepard interrupted with his tone unchanging.

"Right, I'm sorry. I hope to change that Captain, and if you're comfortable with it, you don't have to call me Chief. I was just going to say that my sisters and I weren't allowed pets growing up." Ashley said with sobriety.

Shepard nodded his head slowly, and his eyes never left contact with hers. It was as if he could study her motives through them. The door whooshed open, and Tali stepped forth out of the decon chamber, not taking her mask off in the presence of company.

Tali immediately sensed the slight tension, and broke the ice on behalf of John, "Um, John? Ashley wanted to tell you something about her reasons for coming aboard the Normandy. You should also know that, from what I've heard from her already, I believe her." Tali vouched. John's demeanour softened, but she knew that he'd judge her motives and character on his own. John was not one to trust based on someone else's report, instead, he liked to see for himself, and then refine his trust after seeing them act. Ashley had served with him before, but it would take time for her to prove to him both her resolve and her reason for being on the ship, through her actions.

"Alright Ashley, lay it on me."

Ashley let out a focused breath and said, "I think I was tricked into coming here. More or less, at least."

"What do you mean? Did you want to come help defeat the Reapers or not?"

"Honestly, I had no idea where you were. I was completely happy to do my duty to humanity, and hope you were telling me at least some of the truth back on Horizon." She took a moment to breathe again, thinking about what she'd said back on Horizon, "Anderson contacted me, said you were in trouble, or, at least, that you couldn't trust your 'Cerberus crew'. Basically, he told me everything I needed to come to the conclusion that you needed people beside you that you could trust, and you didn't have many who fit that description. I came to help because I care about you, and how important it is that you aren't being deceived…. Not to mention he left out you had a wife to confide in. If I'd known, I might have been less worried." Ashley paused for a second and turned to give Tali a smirk. Tali returned the gesture, not that Ashley could tell.

Shepard knew what Ashley meant, it was not unknown to him that Ashley had developed at least an interest in him back on the SR1, and if Anderson had used that to get her here, it wasn't surprising he'd not tell her about his bonding. However, it was best not to dwell on those motives. "So did Anderson say he wanted you to spy on me? That seems to be where this conversation is going."

"I think so. He gave me an encrypted link to him, and asked me to keep in touch. It was subtle, but I think he knows that I'd make regular reports on anything that concerned me. He is your friend after all, so I wouldn't normally think too much of it."

"As sad as it is to admit, I believe you." Shepard sighed, "Whether Anderson actually distrusts me or not is harder to tell. He could be trying to shield me from new scheme of the Council's. The goddamn Council doesn't want to hear from me, because I just yell at them to get their act together. Maybe it's not the worst idea to ease their concerns indirectly." He said with his eyes looking down at his feet and his arms on his hips. "So Ash, am I as crazy as they think I am?"He asked with an analytical look.

"Well, I don't know how crazy they think you are, but if it's anything like what they thought of you after you released the Rachni on Noveria, then I'd still say they're crazier not to listen to you." Ashley said with her usual 'casual' soldier's tone. Shepard referring to her as Ash again meant worlds to her, even if it was only a nickname.

"Well, good. What have you told 'em so far? If you don't mind me asking."

"Actually, I haven't gotten a message out. No time really. This place you have here is a zoo, and I honestly hardly had a moment to myself before I'd be interrupted, up until my chat with Tali."

"Alright then." Shepard said crossing his arms and leaning back.

"What would you like me to do Shepard? I don't have to send him anything, or I can run what I send him by you." Ashley said. It was not like her to forge something to send, and if Shepard wanted her to do that, she'd likely decline. However, she thought it'd be prudent to use this as another way to earn more trust from him.

"No Ash. I'm not going to dictate what you write, and your personal messages are your own business. As long as you're not selling out me or my crew, I think whatever you tell him is your concern only. Just a heads up though, I wasn't planning on notifying the Council of the deal with the geth. But again, your call."

Ashley was a little confused, even if not really alarmed, "Why'd you want to keep them in the dark on something so big, Captain?"

"It's not about the Council. Assuming that the Reapers try to get information on the galaxy's populace by securing the Citadel early on in their invasion, I think it'd be smart to not let them know about our alliance with the geth. It might give us the upper hand. But, again, if you're concerned about them, or feel that it's your duty to tell Anderson all of that intel, it's your call." Shepard said with his unvarying conviction.

"Alright Shepard, thanks. I hope I can earn my place here. The more I talk with the crew, the more I realize they all have earned their place here. I want to do the same." Ashley said as she turned to leave.

"Ash, you've always got a place on our ship." Shepard responded as he took Tali's hand in his and drew her to his side.

Ashley smiled, "Your home is beautiful Tali. Thank you both."


The chat with Mordin was less than pleasant to sit through. It wasn't long exactly, but since he could hardly keep up with the guy when he spoke at the speed of light, on a topic he hardly understands in the first place, it got annoying rather quickly. Everything was running smoothly though: Garrus and Miranda had reported that they had gotten embedded, without a hitch, and would likely take off soon. Also, there were plenty of abandoned ships left from the dead, or dying, merc organizations. As a result, both Mordin and Thane would be able to pick any ship they wanted. Moreover, Hadr had even lent one of his best pilots to be used to shuttle them to the Citadel.

Everyone seemed a bit more relaxed, now that they had gotten their proper rest and had gotten back into the daily routine of things. Overall, the Normandy felt a little empty with four of the ground team missing, but other than that, the atmosphere was pleasant.

Even Ashley seemed less snappy, probably due to the fact that she now had something to occupy her time: working up a draft to send to Councilor Anderson.

Shepard and Tali were at a different docking bay than the Normandy's. They were there to say their final farewells to Thane, and best wishes to Mordin on his mission to contact Hardon.

"Farewell Shepard, you have given me opportunities at atonement that I could not have received by any other means." Thane said.

"Take care of Kolyat." Shepard said with a pat to Thane's shoulder.

"I will. Without you, my son would be farther from me than Kalahira's waves. You have blessed me with peace, and your cause has laid my soul to rest."

"Enjoy it Thane." He said firmly, biting his lip afterward. The goodbye obviously pained him, but he was never particularly good at them.

"I remain in your debt Shepard, and it is a good end to a life like mine."

"You're more than an asset to me Thane, you're a companion... and a friend. And, um, thank you Thane. I'll... visit when I'm next on the Citadel."

Thane nodded his head. Tali stood by Shepard and said her goodbyes to the two. She knew Thane a lot less than Shepard did, but she had grown to like him. Thane was always quiet, and didn't often seek company. Shepard was the only person he ever really spoke to in private, but he never felt cold or distant. If anything, it brought her to respect him more.

Shepard and Tali backed off of the docking ramp, and watched as it retracted. The ship pulled gracefully out of its berth and turned to fly through the stars. Shepard was quiet, and his face displayed hidden emotions that only Tali would be able to pick up on. He would miss Thane, and leaving a friend you had fought and bled with was always difficult. His arm wrapped around Tali's shoulders and he pulled her close.

"I'm gonna miss him… but I'm glad he found peace." He turned to face her, "Someday we will too."

"I'm already at peace John." She whispered as she rested her head on his shoulder; looking back to meet his eyes.

"Mmmm… then so am I."


Author's Note:

Hello readers! I hope you're all enjoying the continuation so far. I'd really like more feedback, whether positive or negative, so don't be afraid to give a review. I know how much "To Survive" meant to a lot of you, just as it did for me, and I'm doing this for that reason. So give me your advice, or PM me if you'd like to. For those of you that haven't seen my Foreword since I updated it, I want to give a big thanks here to my beta reviewers Bahoogasmif and wanako. They've both been vital to this story's success so far.
Enough of me though. Thanks for all of your support. Enjoy the rest!

Yeah, the forward was updated to include more of this stuff, but no one re-looks at the foreword. Tell me what you think.