A short time later the Admiral came walking out with a very disapproving look on his face. "Commander, i'm not happy."

Shepard clenched his fists. "That sounds like a fairly common occurrence sir."

Admiral Mikhailovich tensed. "Commander, I suggest you secure your mouth. It's going to get you in trouble. What were you thinking Commander? Letting aliens have access to the Alliances most advanced warship! Krogan, Turian, Quarians!"

Shepard's Biotics flared causing the Admiral to flinch. "With all due respect. This is a Council warship now, and I'm a Council SPECTRE. So if the ship met with your inspection standards, don't try to tell me who I have on my team, or how to run it."

The Admiral stepped forward, "Commander my superiors are going to hear about this!" his speech stalled when the crew came walking out to stand next to Shepard.

"Lets go team, we have business to attend to." Shepard led everyone into the elevator. As the elevator descended the team talked among themselves, Shepard took notice that Williams's racial comments seemed to stop. When it finally arrived he turned back "Thanks Sis"

Ochoa smiled "That's what I'm here for little Brother."

"That, and spending all my hard-earned money?" he smirked, earning himself a punch in his back. As the team exited the elevator he took Ochoa aside "Make sure she knows that whatever you get her, is hers. We also need to figure out just how much a consulting job like this should pay. Package deal."

She nodded before dragging Tali off to go shopping. Kaidan headed off to get the tech upgrades. Ashley and Garrus went off to get the long-range weapons and upgrades the two of them mostly used. While Wrex and Shepard went down to SPECTRE requisitions to gather the weapon upgrades for the rest of the team. He and Wrex were practically drooling over the heavy weapons when something caught their eye.

"Look at that shotgun! Man she could do some damage with that!" Shepard didn't even ask how much the weapon was, he knew he had to get it for Tali. He got a good pistol for Kaidan, Wrex and he discussing how much more important it was for the non combat oriented people to have the best equipment first. Before he ran out of money, when it dawned on them. "Shit, almost forgot the armor!"

Shepard asked the req. officer about Quarian armor for his 'Specialist'. The officer showed him the stock which contained a Kassa Fabrication made set of Quarian Colossus armor. He purchased the armor, forgoing buying himself a better weapon for now just to make sure they had the funds to cover any immediate future needs. He radioed Ochoa "Sis, got Tali some colossus armor, make sure she gets whatever upgrades for it she needs."

He got back "Awww, how sweet. Or are you trying to get into her pants another way Brother?"

Wrex smiled at him."Family Huh! What a kick in the quad!" They finished the shopping spree, and after dealing with the upset Turian General who was bad mouthing the Consort, and one very irritating fan of Shepard's, the team all met back aboard the Normandy. Shepard and Wrex put on the air of being upset about something and went into the comm room.

Shepard contacted Admiral Hackett, once the connection was made he asked about putting together a contract for Tali. Ochoa listened in since Shepard had left his comm open to her during the call. She smiled to herself as Hackett agreed with Shepard and Wrex. The expert consultant should be on the payroll. Only thing to decide was how much, and weather or not it should be in a lump sum or a smaller regular pay schedule. Shepard suggested that they leave that part to her. But on the subject of the amount, it was unanimous that she be paid a small fortune, due to the obvious fact that without her and her Intel they would still be trying to find any link between Saren and the Geth at all. Then there was the matter of risk. As a Quarian she was at greater risk than any other member of the crew. Any injury no matter how seemingly insignificant, any suit puncture could be the one that killed her.

Hackett finalized their agreement and sent them the data for Tali to authorize when they sprung it on her. Finishing the call Shepard asked Ochoa "Get all that Sis? We need to get the team together for an impromptu party in her honor."

"The whole team?" was her reply.

He looked to Wrex who only shrugged. "Yeah, the whole team." He and Wrex headed down the stairwell toward Tali's quarters. Still keeping up the look of anger. "Everyone on me, we have something to discuss." As Wrex left to go get her 'gifts' Shepard started talking to the team, explaining that there had been a Gross Oversight that was to be rectified immediately. He ranted on, stalling until Wrex came back with the packages they had procured for Tali. "Miss Tali'Zorah, will you please step forward." Everyone looked on in shock, wondering just what the hell he was doing.

Tali approached them almost in tears, fidgeting and wringing her hands. "Shepard I..."

He cut her off with a wave of his hand. "Tali'Zorah the fact that you have been on this mission, and my team as acting consultant has gone on too long." He held out the data-pad that had the forms from Hackett for her to sign. "As representative of the Systems Alliance, I welcome you officially to the team. Here is your contract. Please sign once you've read it. And Wrex and I got you some welcome gifts."

Wrex held out the rather bulky packages to her. She looked at him stunned. "Shepard I... I... Thank you Cmdr." she jumped into his arms wrapping him in a fierce hug.

After a short time he pulled her away. "Don't forget your presents Tali." She looked at him and Wrex, then gave Wrex a hug just as fierce even if it wasn't as long. Taking her gifts she sat down at the mess table and began opening them, the crowd gathering around clearly hearing the emotion in her voice.

"A new pistol!" She set it aside then marveled at the wrapping cloth on the next one. Shepard throwing a glance over to Wrex who just grinned at him. "Wrex! Isn't this Clan Urdnot Tartan?!" She asked while running her hands along the edges of the well-worn cloth, her actions showing the reverence she held for this act of love from the gruff adopted father figure.

Shepard patted her on the shoulder. "Open it up Tali, can't wait to see what your Dad got you."

She broke free from her thoughts for the moment, and unwrapped the massive shotgun. Her breath hitched in her throat. "It's beautiful Wrex!" She lunged and wrapped him in another massive hug.

Wrex picked her up. Holding her up to eye level "Nothing is too good for my girl!" He boomed. Putting her back down he pointed to the sleek black case with the red pinstripe. "Your Brother got you the most important one of all, besides that big fat paycheck."

She looked at the case, slowly letting out the breath she didn't know she was holding. Her eyes darted back to Shepard, who only nodded for her to open it. Hesitantly releasing each latch, Tali noticed that it had fallen eerily quiet in the room. As she pulled the lid open revealing the sleek black armor with the crimson under-suit, there was a collective ghasp. Tali sniffed back tears that were starting to flow. Ochoa practically danced. "That's Kassa Colossus Armor!" Sobbing could be heard from Tali's vocal processor.

Luckily Wrex chimed in "Well kid! Go try it on!"

Kat grabbed Tali in a hug. "Come on Sis, let's go get you suited up before our Brother and you're Dad there, make you do it right here."

"Ok" was all Tali could manage.

They grabbed the weapons and armor and headed into Tali's room to get her changed. Wrex patted Shepard on the back "Ha! I knew she would like that armor you bought her!"

Garrus stiffened slightly. "You bought her the armor Shepard? Isn't that the most expensive armor made?"

Wrex looked over at Garrus as if sizing him up. "He bought it all Turian! Hell he even passed up buying himself a new weapon, just to make sure she had the best of everything! Besides who do you all think payed for your weapons? Because it sure as hell wasn't the Council or the Alliance!" This brought an uneasy silence to the room, with everyone looking much more guilty than was truly necessary.

A voice broke through the silence that was hollow, and rang of danger. "You disapprove Garrus?" Most of them flinched slightly.

Garrus finally spoke up. "No Shepard, I just didn't realize that you had to pay the bill as it were."

No one heard the Tali's door open while Ashley was spewing stupidity. "But Shepard, why would you buy her all that expensive stuff. Passing up the chance to replace that crappy pistol you always car..." She never got to finish, no one even saw the hit coming. Ashley was laid out at Kat's feet. Kat visibly calmed herself then leaned down and whispered something to Ash. The blush was visible, even around the ever blackening eye Kat had given her. Kat held out her hand and helped her up then folded her arms across her chest.

Ash didn't take long to get the hint before she apologized to Shepard, who didn't buy it one bit. He waved his hand to cut her off. "Not interested."

He turned. "Tali! good of you to join us! How's the fit? Will it work ok? Is the color, or lack there of going to be a problem?"

Tali stepped into the middle of the group and stood with her hands on her hips, earning a whistle from Kat, and some slack-jawed stares from the males in the group. "It's wonderful commander. It ties into my suits on-board computer as well as my omnitool, and boosts my shielding over 600 percent!"

"And the mobility?" Shepard asked her.

She gushed on about the new armor for a while. As she was showing it off for the team. No one seemed to notice, or maybe just didn't care that Ashley had slunk away down to the armory. When the modeling seemed to slow down Kat suggested they check out Tali's room. Walking into the formerly sparse room they were stunned.

"What's the matter little Brother? Thinking of the bill?" Kat nudged Shepard.

He looked around in awe. "No. You know I don't care about that Sis, just nice to see you express yourself personally Tali."

Kat smiled at him with a sparkle in her eyes, then she looked just past him. "What do you think Mom?"

Dr. Chakwas walked in and put a hand on Shepard's shoulder. "I think that you are all contaminating Tali's clean room! Now that aside, very not bad Tali."

"Yes! Thank you. I love my new possessions. All of them." Tali jumped over and gave him a similar hug.

He turned to walk out "Doc's right, everyone out before we contaminate it beyond repair and Tali, When you're done reading that contract, if it's acceptable then sign it and send it to either Hackett or myself. Now let's all get back to work people."

Shepard left the group to go down to the pit and review the newest Intel and mission related data. He decided that they should follow-up on a lead having to do with one of Saren's top people, well her daughter more specifically.

Dr Liara T'Soni is Matriarch Benezia's daughter. An archaeologist who specializes in the history of the Protheans. The ancient alien race that left the legacy of the Mass Relays and the Citadel. He was aware of Ash constantly battling the need to come tell him something.

After a few hours of pouring over details and reports on Dr T'Soni's last known location, as well as the plans and permits she filed for her dig, looking for anything that might illuminate the reason for Saren's interest in her. He decided to get up from his desk and stretch his legs for a bit, maybe go check on Stubbs since as soon as Tali came down for her shift he followed her into engineering.

Shepard stopped and talked to Wrex who was gently rocking in the Hammock Shepard had lent him, taking notice of the trust Wrex was showing by falling asleep on an active ship. They had a good time talking about how Tali had reacted to her gifts. Then he made his way to engineering. He asked engineer Adams how the ship was holding up, then he walked over to where Tali had stationed herself.

He was Instantly concerned when she spoke. "Oh. Hello Shepard."

He tensed "Tali, You ok? You sound down."

She seemed to try to put on a brave face, so to speak. "Oh, sorry Shepard, It's been a wonderful day. I appreciate all the nice things you have all done for me, but i'm exhausted. This ship is soo quiet, How do you sleep?"

He relaxed, but only slightly. "It's to quiet for you to sleep?"

"Back on the Flotilla, quiet is bad. It means and air filter shutdown or an engine has failed. I guess I'm just not used to the Normandy yet." Tali seemed to perk up when talking about her home.

He smiled trying to think of ways he could help her get over her homesickness. "Hmm, I will have to see what I can do about that. Maybe more explosions and gunfire? We could set up a firing range in the hold? Record Wrex's snoring then pipe the audio into your room." His tone sarcastic.

She smiled although he couldn't see it. "Thank you, but I think I will just try to adjust on my own." She managed to get out around the fit of giggles.

"Ok. If you want to be that way. But I'm always here if you need to talk, or vent."

She hugged him tight. "Thank you big Brother." Tali whispered so quiet he almost missed it. He gave Stubbs a scritch, then left engineering and talked to the requisitions officer to see how the 'store' was going.

After purchasing some new upgrades he neglected to buy on the Citadel he went to talk to Garrus who was busy working on the Mako. He and Garrus discussed a disturbing case Garrus had in which a doctor was cloning organs inside people. Shepard quickly offered to help find him if they get the chance, then went back to the pit to check the feasibility of adding this mission to the workload.

Ashley walked up to him, constantly checking to see if Stubbs was coming to maul her other leg, and just how close Alenko was to finishing his workout just in case she needed backup again.

When she got close enough to Shepard, Alenko stopped his exercising and began watching Shepard's body language carefully. Without looking up, he grit his teeth. Hoping that whatever stupidity she was about to spew wouldn't get all over him. "What is it Williams? Noticed you left Tali's party without saying a fucking word. Pretty damn rude if you ask me."

She flinched. A guilty look passing over her face. "Commander, do you have a minute? I have some concerns. Do you think it's ok to give access to the ship's vital systems sensors, weapons, and the drive core. To the aliens Vakarian, Wrex, and Tali? They're not even..."

But she didn't get to finish her racist comments this time. Tombstone had charged her. Slamming her into the equipment lockers. He had his hand around her throat. Her eyes were wide, showing absolute terror.

Kaidan tried to come to her aid. As soon as he took two steps toward them Shepard's hand twitched, putting him in a stasis field. Tombstone leaned in very close to her. Revealing the smile on his face, as he squeezed the breath from her.

When he spoke she knew that this was to be her last mistake. "You listen to me you stupid racist bitch. I will not have you question my orders, decisions, command, and my friends. You are a waste of the air you breathe. So what I will do is laugh as you slowly die from lack of oxygen. Then I will throw your corpse out the fucking airlock, and make up whatever story I like! So you should make your peace with your god, for you're about to meet her." Her face was bright red, and her lips were starting to turn blue. Kaidan was struggling in vain to break free from the stasis.

His smile grew more and more menacing, as Ash kicked and struggled against his vise like grip. As her struggling seemed to slow.

A slender three-fingered hand gently came to rest on his shoulder, as Tali came up behind him. "Shepard I know I said it was too quiet. But how is choking Chief Williams to death going to help me sleep?" He started to turn toward Tali when a hand with three talons was gripping his other shoulder.

"Yeah Shepard. Just how is killing Ashley going to help anyone sleep better?" Sarcasm dripping from Garrus' voice.

He looked back at Ash, enjoying the way her eyes bulged from the strain. Wrex walked over much more silently than anyone thought possible, and laid his hand on Shepard's arm. "I know why kid, and I understand. But I believe your Father would have said 'Then how will she learn?' She hasn't earned this John."

Shepard looked down for a second, then released his hand as quickly as he had grabbed her. In a voice that was as hollow as the man himself. "You owe them an apology. And your miserable life." With a snap of his fingers, he released the stasis.

Kaidan ran to Ashley, who was now on the floor trying to catch her breath He added. "Get that racist bitch off my ship Alenko. Or the next time, there will be no stopping me!"

Kaidan glared at Shepard's back as much as he dare. Then he and Garrus helped her up and headed for the med bay. Shepard went over to the workout area to try and get some of the anger out of his system.

He was laying on the weight bench when Kat came running up. Tali not far behind her, wringing her hands and looking downcast. Stubbs was following Tali looking from her to his dad and whining. "Are you ok? Tali said that she caused some kind of problem with..." Kat stopped talking when he stood up and threw the weight bar across the hold, destroying the weights and folding the bar like it was made of plastic.

Everyone tensed as he started pacing back and forth not seeming to notice Kat, or anyone for that matter. He finally stopped and faced them. "That's exactly what I was trying to keep that racist bitch from doing!" He pointed up in the general direction of the med bay. "That ignorant bitch had the balls to question Tali, Tali! As if she did anything but run while the Geth killed her whole squad!" He was pacing again. Tali had stopped wringing her hands seeming to piece together just what had set him off. "Here is a girl on her Pilgrimage, who had the brains, balls, and skill to take on the Geth. And not just live, but actually get data from it! Oh and lets not forget. Helping us hunt down a fucking rogue SPECTRE!"