Prompt: Tali - Bite Your Tongue
Tali was amazed at herself in a distant part of her mind. Her mouth said all the proper things to the people that mattered most to her: Aunt Shala, Admiral Han'Gerral, Veetor, Captain Kar'Danna… she even laughed at something Shepard said as they traveled down the corridors to reach the docking station for the Normandy.
"Leaving without goodbye, ma'am?"
Tali turned so quickly her neck hurt. "Kal!"
The crimson armored man folded his arms behind his back. "I, uh, wanted to wish you luck, ma'am. You said you had a mission to complete with Commander Shepard."
Tali closed her eyes. Don't say it. "Yes. I… Thank you, Kal."
"You're welcome… ma'am." He rocked forward on the balls of his feet, as if wanting to step closer or wanting to say something else, but all he did was nod and turn around. Then he was gone.
"Why didn't you say something, Tali?" Shepard's voice was quiet at her back.
"It wouldn't be fair," Tali said her luminescent eyes following the red armor as it retreated through the deck. "We may not return from this little vacation to the Collector base." She turned to face the armored human at her side. "Isn't that why you said so little on Horizon?"
Shepard shifted, the eyes behind the helmet suddenly understanding. "Let's go, Tali. Sooner we get this over with, the sooner we'll both have something to say when we come back."