*Hope you all enjoy this chapter *
''Do you have any idea how long she will have to be kept like this?'' Shala asked as she pulled her gaze from Tali to give Shepard a sad look.
''She will have to remain unconscious for roughly thirty hours after that if your doctor deems it suitable she can be kept awake or given access to the rest of The Manhattan.''
''Yes but for how long Shepard?'' Shala pressed.
John paused slightly and his back stiffened at the question, in truth they hadn't really thought how long Tali would be stuck in The Manhattan, it could be days or weeks, the thought of that long a separation caused a lump to form inside John's throat although he tried his best not to show his stress to Shala. ''I don't honestly know Shala, hopefully it won't be long.''
Clearly she wasn't satisfied with the answer but Shala realised that complaining wouldn't speed things up so she nodded in response and went back to staring solemnly at Tali she amazed that the seemingly small amount of time since she last saw Tali that she wondered how quickly things could turn to ruin.
''Shala?'' Shepard said slowly.
Snapping out of her thoughts she looked towards the man and turned her head slowly in the quarian way of questioning.
''Do you mind if I have a few moments with Tali… alone?''
''Of course, I'll be outside.'' Shala said before slowly stepping out of the chamber.
Silently it seemed that Chakwas also took the advice and have managed to leave the room without attracting Shepard's notice which he was thankful for.
Kneeling down beside the bed he slowly took Tali hand in his own and dipped his head, resting his forehead against her arm.
''Tali, I don't know if you can hear me or even if you want to but I need you to know something'' he said in a low voice. ''I'm sorry, I should have protected you from this, whatever it was I should have been there to help you, maybe if I spotted it sooner ,maybe if I we treated it quicker things would have been different but we didn't.''
Raising his head he gazed into purple visor and dearly wished that he could see the glowing eyes behind them it wouldn't have matter if they expressed love or anger just seeing them was important without them she just seemed like a machine.
Giving a small sad laugh he pondered over the thought and wondered if there was a meaning behind it when he thought about Quarian history and their creation and war with the Geth.
''But don't worry Tali we'll have you back to normal in no time, we have some of the best helping you and I doubt Garrus will let me take a moment's rest while you're in here.'' he said while a small smirk.
''Just hold on and don't worry.'' he finished with a small squeeze to her hand.
''We've been doing some scans Admiral and honestly there's very little wrong with her. We've yet to see her behaviour so I cannot yet judge that.'' explained Dal'Varna as the pair sat down at a small metal desk in his medical office, well office and living area. Natural quarian instinct meant that he kept a small rolled up sleeping mat tucked into one of the corners and various home comforts were kept around the room such as pictures of family members who were aboard different ships.
''So there is something?'' Shala asked, Dal was one of the Migrant Fleet's most experienced doctors and had saved dozens of quarians from infections that other doctors would have administered a sedative to ease the patients passing. So of course he would have been given posting on one of the fleets newest and most advanced medical ships much to Dal's dismay as it meant he would have to serve another tour away from his family who were living aboard the Valesh. Though to his credit the doctor took it well and kept his focus on his work.
''Just some high spiking in certain neural area's I will look into them but I doubt it is anything,'' he said shaking his head.
''Dal.'' Shala said taking hold of his hand ''You're the finest doctor the fleet has.''
''I don't think I'm-''
Shala cut him off. '' Non-sense you are, so what I'm saying is do you have any idea what's wrong with her.''
Dal paused briefly and his eyes looked downward temporarily and Shala could see that he was in thought.
''What? What is it Dal?'' Shala asked eagerly.
''Well, I've been going over a few files, a couple we've managed to save since the exile and I've checked them through with the Geth data Tali's brought us and I think I might have something.''
Opening up a page on his data-pad he handed over to Shala who began to flick through the data her eyes scanning back and forth rapidly the prospect of helping Tali exciting her.
''This is your idea?'' Shala asked disbelief in her voice.
''I know it seems unlikely but her symptoms fit the description.''
''But if this is even right then this condition it hasn't been recorded in centuries not since.''
''The Exile.'' Dal finished.'' But all of her symptoms coincide with the reports.''
''Well if this is that then what's the cure.''
''That's what I'm trying to figure out. Most of this data is centuries old and a lot of the files are corrupted, as of right now I can't tell you.''
''Dal, Tali needs to this cure.''
''Don't worry Shala I've got the best working on it.''
''I only hope it is quick enough.'' whispered Shala wondering if Tali could afford that time or not.
''Shep, do you have a minute?'' asked Kasumi in her usual up-beat voice and she walked across the mess towards him.''
''Sure.'' he replied motioning to one of the chairs nearby.
A brief flash of worry crossed her features before they disappeared. ''Erm, I meant in private please it's kinda important.''
''Sure'' Shepard replied unsure as to what Kasumi wanted to ask him, the few hours that Tali had been gone left an awkward silence throughout the ship as very few of the crew members would look Shepard in the eye and a few mumbled condolences were the most he got.
Depositing his food tray in the disposal unit he followed Kasumi towards her quarters.
''So what is it exactly?'' Shepard asked as he leaned against the wall opposite the book shelf. ''I'm guessing it's about Tali?''
''Well sort of.'' Kasumi said hesitantly. ''For a few days the crew's been talking.''
''About?'' pressed Shepard impatience clear, it wasn't like Kasumi to dance around anything in this way so he guessed it must be something sensitive.
''Well people have been talking about Tali's condition and it's cause.''
''Which we don't know yet.'' Shepard answered.
''Of course.'' said Kasumi. ''Although as always rumours have started to spread a bit and well…'' Kasumi trailed off.
''Kasumi listen whatever it is just tell me, if it's something that could help Tali then I need to know and if it's not then it will probably be some idle backroom talk.''
''Well they are talking about how it's someone's fault that this has happened to Tali, someone on the ship.''
Instantly Shepard eye's hardened and he leaned forward his voice like stone. ''What?''
''Well the crew have been talking…''
''Yeah I heard that bit what else.''
''A rumour been around that Miranda may have been the cause of what's happened to Tali.''
''Who started these rumours?'' Shepard pressed.
Kasumi paused slightly unsure of herself, she knew that she was betraying the others trust by telling Shepard this and she didn't know whether or not she should point names, absently chewing her lip Kasumi's mind swung back and forth and she tried to come to a decision.
''I'm not sure Shepard, right now everyone's muttering it so hard to tell where it came from.''
''Try your best.'' Shepard said clearly sceptical.
Kasumi cursed inwardly and realised that Shepard wasn't stupid enough to believe that she knew nothing and cursed the common knowledge that she was a bit of a eavesdropper and a gossip girl, realising she would have to tell Shepard something she decided to go with a half lie
''It was probably one of the ground crew they tend to keep tabs on each other and they are normally the people who have the most contact with others.''
''Anything more specific?'' asked Shepard as he mulled over her words.
''No I'm sorry, I'll keep and ear out if I hear anything.'' Kasumi lied.
''Thanks.'' Shepard muttered clearly troubled by the news he has just heard, without saying another word Shepard turned his back and stalked out of the room.
When the doors closed with a hushed swish Kasumi let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding in quickly she tried to think about what she just did and how it would impact everyone else. She wondered what exactly Shepard would do and how far he would go to pursue these rumours, wearily walking towards her couch she slumped down and propped her head into her hands and tried to think of way that this can be over without someone getting their arms ripped off.
''Jeff I have finished with my data searching.'' came EDI's monotone reply as it played in Joker's ear piece, he had already asked that anything relating to Tali be said over his private comm in case anyone happened to walk near the cockpit.
''And?'' he asked quietly.
''The most likely match is known as 'The shard of the Veil', the compounds it is made from and excrete are a 66% match to be known to cause the symptoms crew member Zorah exhibited before her removal.''
''Is this a good thing?'' asked Joker his voice slightly trembling at the prospect that they could finally help Tali and Shepard.
''Define 'good' Jeff.'' EDI responded.
''Is this 'Shard of the Veil' some sort of ultra-poison plant or what?''
''I am unsure Jeff, available data does not suggest that is it fatal although reports have been made of deaths occurring after certain exposure to it.''
'Why so sketchy on the details EDI I thought you were meant to be smart.''
''I'm an Artificial Intelligence Jeff.'' replied EDI almost sounding smug. ''I can calculate hundreds of equations and algorithms in fractions of a second.''
''So?''
''The reason the details are so 'sketchy' is that very little information exists, it has been centuries since these flowers have been spotted my organics.''
''So how on earth could Tali get this?'' asked Joker.
''Just because organics haven't seen them doesn't mean they do not exist, currently the only known location of the Shard of the Veil is on a few planets located within the Perseus Veil hence the flowers name, so currently the only known species with easy access to the flower would be the Geth.''
''So how the hell did Miranda get access to it?'' he said raising his voice before he clamped his mouth down and cast a conspiratorially glance over his shoulder to see if anyone spotted his outburst, thankfully no one did so he turned around and whispered. ''I doubt Cerberus are currently on good terms in Geth, I mean Legions only here because of Shepard.''
''I do not know Jeff.'' came EDI response and Joker was dumbfounded at the bluntness of it.
''Garrus, we need to talk.'' said Shepard storming into the room his face like thunder.
Startled at the sudden entrance and the way Shepard spoke Garrus spun round and suddenly he didn't know what to say to him and for a second wondered what he had done wrong recently and if this was some sort of punishment on his part, as nothing particularly bad sprung to mind he guessed it must have been someone else.
''What's wrong boss?'' hoping to calm him down a bit.
''Apparently there have been rumours going around that Miranda's done this to Tali and all of this originated from one of the ground team.''
A look of shock passed over Garrus's face at the fact that Shepard had known about their theory although he was somewhat thankful that he didn't have all the pieces yet, Garrus inwardly cringed at the thought of how Shepard would react that it was himself who came up with the idea of Miranda being the cause.
Briefly he considered lying to Shepard though he quickly crushed the thought, while he may not tell Shepard everything he would never directly lie to him, not only does it go against his Turian honour but he couldn't bring himself to lie to a man who had done so much for him in the past.
''It was me Shepard.'' he said straightening his back and looking at Shepard directly in his eye's.
Shepard eye's widened slightly and he took an involuntary step back at the news. ''What?'' he said.
''I was the one who first started thinking it.''
''But, why Garrus? Why on earth would Miranda cause harm to another member of crew?'' said Shepard.
At first Garrus thought Shepard would be angered at what Garrus had done, he prepared himself for the shouting and verbal abuse he suspected he would get so he was taken off-guard and how Shepard just asked him a question. He was somewhat grateful that the only reason things happened like this is how Shepard regarded him and so answering the man was made all the harder.
''Because the evidence fits.''
''What evidence?'' Shepard asked.
''The evidence I've gathered.'' came EDI's voice over the speakers and Garrus was surprised the AI had backed him up at this time.
''Great!'' said Shepard throwing his hands up. ''Is the entire crew going behind my back on this?''
''Not all.'' came EDI's reply.
Not pressing any further as to who exactly was also part of it he pointed at EDI holo-pad where the familiar eye like orb just flickered in existence.
''And what evidence is this that you've collected?'' he asked.
''From what I have compiled there is a 66% percent chance that crew member Zorah's symptoms are the result of exposure to a rare breed of flower called 'Shard of the Veil''
''Right.'' said Shepard gripping his nose in-between his fingers. ''Suppose i go along with this, how does this flower being the cause make you assume it is Miranda?''
''Because of the extreme rarity of this flower and the difficulty in which it is acquired means that only someone with considerable funds could acquire it.''
''Someone like a high-ranking Cerberus operative.'' added Garrus.
''Ex-operative remember?'' Shepard retorted. ''She left Cerberus along with the rest of us.''
''And how do we know that's what really happened, before Omega 4 she was undoubtedly on Cerberus's side do you think that all that changed over the course of one mission? For all we know she could be on -the Illusive man pay-roll and elbow deep in credits.'' said Garrus
''So let me get this straight, your evidence is a plant that might be the cause of what's happened and since only rich people can get it that means it must be Miranda?'' said Shepard a confused look on his face. ''Stop me if I'm wrong but there are people richer than Miranda in this galaxy.''
''But how many have access to the Normandy and Tali?''
''And what on earth would be her motive?''
At that Garrus paused his mouth slightly open as he considered that he would have to tell Shepard his theory and he wondered just how far he was in Shepard's good graces and if this would finally push him out.
''Well, you've obviously noticed that Miranda been a bit more than friendly…'' said Garrus although he was quickly cut off.
''Enough!'' barked Shepard. ''I'm not going to have accuse another member of the crew based on wild accusations I want everyone on this ship to be able to work together and goldsmith Garrus this isn't helping.''
''But Shepard!'' Garrus almost pleaded.
''I said enough!'' Shepard shouted, briefly a look of regret passed over his face at the outburst he directed at his friend and his face took a softer tone. ''Enough Garrus, I've got enough to deal with ,so having my crew pointing fingers isn't what I need right now.'' turning his back on Garrus he walked out of the battery and his retreating form was quickly blocked from view by the closing doors.
''Well EDI.'' said Garrus to the room. ''That could have gone better.'' curious and how Shepard suddenly became unwilling to continue to talk when he mentioned Miranda personal interests.
''Yes John, can I help with something?'' asked Miranda a smile on her face.
To his credit Shepard did well to hide his feelings at what Garrus and EDI had both said though his body did seem somewhat withdrawn although Miranda put that down to the stress of leaving Tali with the fleet.
''Hi Miranda, can we talk?'' Shepard said before stepping into the room.
*Taking inspiration from another fan-fic on this site I'm going to try and link the ending of this story to Mass effect 3 and give my interpretations of what we knows happening in ME3 of course when the game does come out all this will be wrong but that's not for a few months.
I hope you all enjoy this chapter*