Squishy/Beir – Present.

"So, this is where you've been holed up, huh?" It's Reegar, I know it straight away. My heart quickens immediately and I take a deep breath, but keep my eyes on my omni-tool and the machine in front of me. Figured I'd try and help Saul out as much as I can before we leave tomorrow for the radio tower, poor turian could use it. He's not here at the moment, I insisted he give himself a break for once.

"Yeah," I reply to Reegar's question.

I can hear him walking across the ground. "I figured you'd be here saying good bye to your precious machines."

I laugh nervously and I hate myself for it. I sound so pathetic, weak, hesitant, when what I really want to do is grab that arrogant sod behind me by the shoulders and kiss him so hard he doesn't have something smartassy to say afterwards.

Reegar picks up on my nervousness, and I feel his hand touch my shoulder. "What's wrong-"

I grab him before I can stop myself, pull him forward until he's pressing into my back and I'm holding his hand against my visor.

There's nothing that needs to be said, we've both danced around each other like this for long enough now that we both know we want it. Reegar's unmasked me in what feels like seconds, and I feel his lips against the back of my neck, his hand pushing away my black hair. I don't know when he took his own mask off, or if he even had it on when he came in here, but I don't care.

Someone's making noises, soft moans and I think it's him, until I realise I'm doing it, too. His arms curl around my chest, holding me tight, possessively, and I succumb.

We've both wanted this for too long, we've both needed this. Maybe it's only happening now because we're not with the fleet, we're with some aliens who don't give a damn as long as we're doing our jobs properly. Maybe it's because we both know we're probably not going to make it out of here alive, so we might as well screw the rules now while we still have a chance.

Maybe it's because we've both waited long enough, or, maybe, it doesn't matter either way.

I know it doesn't to me, and I highly doubt it does to Reegar either, because he's not even the slightest bit concerned his naked body is pressing up against mine in a fairly public tent, or that we're knocking things over that I've just spent all day trying to get working again.

Tali'Zorah – Migrant Fleet.

After Shepard brokered a truce between the geth and the quarians, he needed a day or so of official business to sort out with the admirals before leaving the system. Shepard encouraged me to tie up anything I needed within the fleet before leaving again. We could discuss anything important back on the Normandy later.

So this is why I find myself here, in this elevator (I really had enough of elevators back when we were chasing Saren) with Kal and Beir heading up to a higher deck of the Tonbay. I'm going to the captain's quarters to say goodbye to Admiral Raan. Shepard doesn't need her at the moment, I think he's speaking with Koris somewhere or maybe Xen. I think Kal and Beir are getting off at the command deck to leave the ship, but that's only my assumption by their discuss about organising military matters on another vessel and work within the marines.

It's been silent for a bit, the elevator just closed after one of the Tonbay's engineers left. I didn't know him, but now it's just the three of us. Beir breaks the silence with a thoughtful hum.

Kal chuckles. He's been surprisingly teasing towards Beir today, almost as if... I frown and wonder. "Oh no," Kal starts, "he's thinking again."

Beir probably scowls at him. "It's just we're all together here before Tali leaves, makes me wonder if we shouldn't be having a meaningful conversation."

"Alright." There's something in Kal's voice which betrays the seriousness he's trying to put on. "The colours of your suit look like something a vorcha retched up."

"And the colours of your suit just reinforces that your only good for firing guns," Beir retorts. I can't help a laugh.

Kal huffs but I know it's forced. "Hmph. My gun is the only person that understands me."

The elevator announces the arrival to the command deck and the doors open. Beir glances at Kal and there's a knowing moment between the two of them, before they head out, then turn back to me. They give me their farewells and then, just before the doors close again, Beir gives Kal a little nudge and he seems to remember something.

"Oh, yeah, Tali?"

I put my hand forward to keep the doors open a moment longer. "Yes?"

"You screwing that turian yet?" I gape at him, but soon turn to fury when he adds a polite, "ma'am," at the end of it.

"I hate you both!" I slam the elevator shut and cross my hands grumpily over my chest, refusing to admit that maybe the thought has crossed my mind more than once but so help me I'll never let those two know that's the case.

Squishy/Beir – Neema.

I think my father expected me to lead our people like Tali does in this war, maybe even replace her given she's gone off with Shepard. I'd be awful at it, I think he knows that deep down, whether he will admit it or not. My place is not in high command, it's on the battlefield, doing what I trained to do. Reegar's being sent to Palaven with a small squad, I agreed to go with him. I came here to tell my father before we leave tomorrow, but the words are stuck in my throat.

My father stares at me, then figures it out on his own. "You're leaving."

"Yes."

His posture stiffens and he crosses his arms defensively. "Why?"

I think he's maybe given up trying to keep me from Reegar these days, and this is the final straw. He seems resigned already. "To do my job in this war."

"You have a duty to your people-"

I snap. I've had enough of being lectured on what my duty is for one life time. "My duty to our people will mean nothing if they are not alive because the reapers killed them! Find someone else to play politics with, I won't do it."

I turn on my heel despite his threats. "Beir'Gerrel! If you leave-"

"Then exile me if that's what you want!" I spit over my shoulder. "It's not like you haven't thought of it before."

He hesitates and I snarl at him, stomping out of his quarters as he whispers my name. I don't think I'll see him again, and I tell myself I don't want to.