I apologize abundantly for the very substantial wait, but a lot of meddlesome things have been getting in the way. I also took a little break to work on my A-Team fanfic. Thank you all who reviewed, your ideas really helped my writing. Elidan1012's suggestion got me up and running through my writers block, so you all have him to thank!

Disclaimer: Don't own ME

The soft glow of the ward arms cast a demure light upon the crystalline hull of the Normandy as it sat docked on the Citadel. The poor ship almost looked like it was slumping against the docking arms for support. Kolyat stood next to me, hand in mine, nervous but still. He pulled a small book out of his pocket and held it tight. "What's that?" I asked softly. I thought I knew.

"It's a...Drell prayer book. I thought it appropriate." I frowned. My Shep didn't lose anyone, but I guess you never know. I squeezed his hand tighter in support.

"Aww you guys are soo cute!" Mez'Ralah cried from behind us. We both spun around in opposite directions, breaking our hands apart. I sighed and Kolyat frowned.

"Hey Mez. What are you doing here." She seemed to sober up at this.

"I ah, wanted to say goodbye..." My eye's widened. I quickly shook my head.

"Hey, Kolyat, why don't you run ahead, yeah?" He sighed and nodded, stalking off towards the Normandy. I didn't want him to see me blubbering with Mez like girls tend to do sometimes. "Mez, I didn't know you were leaving so soon."

She wringed her hands together. "I wasn't going to, but a ship from the Migrant Fleet is actually docking on the Citadel! That's so rare, you know? I just can't pass this up."

I nodded. "I-I don't know what to say. I don't want to see you go, Mez."

The little quarian gave a moist laugh. "I never thought I'd be so sad to go. You're like a...sister to me. Or at least what I imagine a sister would be like."

I smiled and took her shoulders in my hands, though tears dripped down my face. "Same here." I swallowed hard. "You will write, won't you? I mean, I don't have an omni-tool, but you could always use Kolyat's."

At that, the quarian perked up a bit. Her voice was coy. "What do you mean you don't have an omni tool?" She tossed me a package that I barely caught. My eyes widened as big as the biggest marbles I had as kid.

"You didn't..."

She crossed her arms, smiling. "I did. Go on, open it!"

I certainly didn't wait any longer. I ripped the package open and sure enough, there was a bona fide omni-too wristband, ready to be attached to armor or slipped over a bare wrist. I squealed, throwing the packaging up and disintegrating it with a little biotic pulse as I snapped it onto my wrist. I tapped it on, startled when it glowed a brilliant purple. If possible, my eyes grew a little wider. "How did you do that."

She shrugged. "I'm a Quarian." She said it like it explained everything. I suppose it did.

I just shook my head. "How did you afford it?! This is a Logic Arrest Tool. Top of the line! And it's purple!"

She shrugged. "I had money saved up for my pilgrimage, which you helped me achieve for free. I did get shot at, but it was free. Besides, I had a little help." She winked.

"Kolyat." I breathed.

She laughed. "As for the color, I figured it would match you quite well, at the rate you discharge blood."

I laughed at that. "Mez, this is the best present I've ever gotten. I think."

She crossed her arms. "You think?"

I put my hands up. "I'm over 200 years old, I can't remember every present I've ever gotten."

She chuckled. "Fair enough. I've loaded some aesthetic modifications you can glance at. You can pick the one you like. I also put your movies on there, as well as your contacts. In fact, most of your old data is there. I hacked into your old omni-tool and downloaded the most I could, then shut it down. Those mercs aren't going to get any use out if it. That is, if they're still alive."

I grinned. "Thanks, Mez. you're the best."

She struck a pose. "I know."

"Heeeeey!" Came a yell from behind Mez. Another Quarian was a ways away. She looked very-holy shiz, It was Tali!

Mez turned around. "Just a second!" She yelled back. Turning to me, she hugged me quickly. "I have to go. I'll message you, I promise!"

"Bye! Have fun with a new name."

She started off, yelling behind her. "I will! Send me wedding invitations!"

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever!" I chuckled to myself. I started off to the Normandy, scrolling through the things on my Tool. I smiled. Mez had downloaded some old earth music, which included some Beatles, Seals and Crofts, Billy Joel, and the Soundtrack to American Graffiti. She had also put on some Quarian Jazz. I shook my head. She had wanted me to listen to that for an age.

The door to the airlock opened, but the door to the Normandy did not. A beam of light came out and scanned me. "May I ask your name?" Came a cultured computer voice. EDI.

"Oh, ah, yeah. Teleya T'Leri."

"Ah. Mister Krios informed me that you would be passing through. One moment, the decontamination sequence will take a short time."

"Um, thank you. Where is Kolyat now?"

"Kolyat Krios and Thane Krios are in the elevator, and are about to emerge on the CIC level."

"Thanks, uh, Normandy VI." I had almost, almost, called her EDI.

"You may call me EDI."

"Alright EDI." I resumed searching my Tool. I grinned when I saw a handful of Star Trek shows and movies had been downloaded. I had mentioned I had liked it, but I didn't know she had really noticed. The doors opened.

"Have a nice day, Miss T'Leri."

I smiled. "You too, EDI." I looked back down to my omni-tool, moving forward with half a mind. "Yesh! Nemesis!" One moment, I was reveling in one of my favorite Star Trek movies, and the next, face planting on the cold floor of the Normandy.

"Ouch." I heard Garrus say to my right.

"Nice face plant." Said Joker. For a moment I forgot those two were some of my favorite characters, and my mind growled. Throw them out the airlock! Honestly, what does EDI see in him?

I winced. "Oh yes, thank you for helping me up. You're such gentlemen." I stated mockingly. I grabbed onto a sturdy looking wire to help me up, but it snapped, and I fell back down.

"Hey, that's my ship!" Cried Joker.

"Well, if one of you would HELP ME UP-"

"S-Teleya!" I heard thumping boots running towards me. Thank the Goddess he didn't call me Siha in front of Thane. That would be all kinds of awkward. Kolyat grabbed my arm and my waist firmly, helping me up. "Are you alright?" He was still holding me, and I knew I was blushing.

"Y-Yeah. Fine." I stepped away and glared at the cockpit. "It's nice to see there are some gentlemen aboard this ship."

Joker threw his arms in the air. "Ah, yeah. Blame the cripple." I almost laughed. Joker reminded me of Wash, you know, minus the dinosaur collection.

Garrus shrugged. "It was funny."

I rolled my eyes. Then I remembered Thane. I turned to where the Drell was patiently standing. "H-Hello Mr. Krios." I held back a wince at my flustered voice. Thane was very observant, and I wondered if he could see that we were together. How much had Kolyat told him about me, anyway? Oh gosh oh gosh, I'm going to die!

He held out a hand, which I politely shook. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Lt. Commander."

"The pleasure's all mine." I was going to have a panic attack. Why was I so worried about this? Thane was a nice guy. I guess it was just the fact that any way we did this was going to be awkward.

"I believe Bailey wanted to talk to you." I shot Kolyat a grateful look for changing the subject.

Thane nodded. "Of course." We headed out of the airlock into a very awkward decontamination sequence, which I suspected the newly unshackled EDI sped up sympathetically.

When Thane was talking with Bailey, I ushered Kolyat away. "You haven't told him?"

He blinked and the pause was noticeable. "No."

I bit my lip and massaged my temples. "We have to." I said after a moment. He nodded. "Like, soon." He studied my nervous features. Finally, he grinned. "What." I stated warily.

"How does dinner sound?" I blinked. Dinner? That was pretty much right now! I wasn't ready, I wasn't mentally prepared...He sighed. "You look fine, and you'll do fine."

I frowned. "B-But, how are we gonna tell him?"

Kolyat shrugged. "We'll make it up as we go along." The look on my face must've been complete horror. I did not 'make it up as I went along'. I was the meticulous nitpicker when it came to social contact. I was inept at it, so I tried to be prepared for anything beforehand. "It'll work out, Siha."

I gave up with a large sigh. "All right. We should go talk to him about dinner then, huh?"

"Did you two have plans for dinner?" I jumped about a foot in the air, heart instantly at double pace. Thane had come up at the side, slightly behind me. Kolyat was hiding a snicker. I would have smacked him, but instead I just sent him a mini-glare. "I did not mean to startle you, Miss T'Leri."

I tried to smile. "No harm done."

"Believe me, she does it a lot." Kolyat glanced at me playfully. I rolled my eyes.

"Anyway, we were thinking about going to dinner. Do you want to join?"

He thought for a moment. "Shepard and I made plans." Kolyat stiffened next to me. I bit my lip.

"Ah, I see." I didn't know what else to say.

"I do not see why she would object to us eating together." I blinked.

"Like a double date?" Blurted Kolyat.

My face flushed instantly. "No! No, Kolyat. Just four people, eating dinner...together..." OH. GOOD. AND. FLUFFY. LORD. Did I just say that, out loud? I practically yelled it! Silence.

"So, would you two like to come?" I glanced at Kolyat. His gaze said no. Actually, it said, 'Do not say yes, for the love of all things in this universe. DO NOT SAY YES!'

"You said yes. Why did you say yes?"

I studied my outfit in the mirror. "What was I supposed to do, refuse?"

Kolyat threw his arms up. "Yes! Refusing would have been nice."

I sighed. "I couldn't just say no, Kolyat. Thane thought it was a good idea and...and...look, I dunno. I just couldn't say no to him, okay." I spun around in the mirror, frowning.

"You look fine."

I looked back at the girl in the mirror, remembering the first time I looked in it, screaming at the Asari I saw. This time, she was wearing a white tank top under an orange cardigan. I was also wearing an old cream skirt that belonged to my mother. "Great. I look fine. I was kinda going for beautiful, but you know, fine's good too." I placed my hands on my hips. Sarcasm wasn't something I used a lot, but it was one of the finer points of human satire.

Kolyat blinked at his mistake. "I'm sorry if I-"

"No, no. I'm just stressed out, is all." I plopped down on my bed. "I'm so awkward with people."

"You're not awkward around me." Kolyat countered.

I sighed. "Sure, but I know you. Kolyat, did you see me bumbling around back there with your father?" I rested my chin in my hands. "I mean, I'm better now that I'm...older, but you should have seen me before." I smiled at the perfect quote to use. "I'm the girl who stands in the corner, trying to look comfortable examining a potted plant."

He sat down next to me. "Well, you weren't like that when you first met me. Maybe you're psyching yourself out a little."

I shrugged. "Maybe. But...you were just so easy to talk to. I mean...I guess I don't know what I mean. I'm just a woman really. And what do women do?" I threw my arms into the air, smiling falsely. "WORRY!" My arms fell down in my lap, and I scowled.

"Well, you said yes." I turned to look at his smirking face, raising my eyebrow.

"I suppose I did."

He put his arm around me. "Siha?"

"Hmmm?"

"Siha, you look beautiful." I looked into his dark eyes. I smiled and let out a breath.

For once, I didn't argue with that, like I was inclined to do for no reason. I just took it as it was, knowing it was true in his eyes. I was beautiful. "Thank you, love." I stood up, twirling to face him. "I'm ready. I'm ready to go make a fool out of my self. Wait, no negative self talk. That's bad. Positive self talk. I'm ready to go not make a fool out of myself." I grinned.

Kolyat shook his head and stood up, towering over me. "You're crazy, siha."

I smiled sweetly. "I know. Let's go."

We both stood outside of the restaurant, equally freaking out. "Deep breaths dear." I said shakily.

"That's easy for you to say. I'm going to have to sit and eat with my father's siha! And she's not my mother!"

I raised an eyebrow. "And he's going to have to sit and eat with his son's." A pause. "Um, is it too late to say I don't feel good." Kolyat gave me a look. "No really, I don't feel good."

"Hello." I screeched and jumped. Keelah freaking se'lai! I gathered myself and turned to face Thane.

"H-Hello." I tried to smile. "Nice to see you again Thane, Commander."

Thane nodded to me, and Shepard smiled. "I'm off duty, T'Leri. Just call me Idalia." I blinked. Well, there goes programming.

I nodded back. "Of course. And you to can call me Teleya." Shepard-Idalia-was wearing a longer black dress with three-quarter sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. It was really pretty, and not ugly like the in-game fancy-wear.

We all stood there awkwardly. Shepard cleared her throat. "Well, ah, anyone else hungry?" Our answers of 'sure' 'of course' and 'yeah' mingled together, and we headed for the entrance. Oh Lord, help me please. I took a deep breath. I was going to need all the help I could get.

An Asari waitress took us to our seats. She had been eyeing me! Kolyat sent her a glare that made me giggle. Our table was in the middle, and I sat, of course, in the seat that faced the entrance. Thane paused, and I could tell he was going to sit there. I think he was contemplating sitting next to me for a spell, so he could se the entrance too, but he sat down next to Shepard, who was sitting across from me. Kolyat sunk down in the chair next to mine until I nudged him to sit up straighter. I knew that if conversation didn't start soon it would be really awkward.

"So how did-" "Has anything-" Shepard and I had started talking at the same time. It seems our human (sort of, in my case) tolerance for awkwardness was pretty much spent. "You can-" "I'll wait" We blinked. Shepard smiled and I took a deep breath to indicate I was going to talk. "Go ahead, Idalia."

Shepard nodded. "Has anything interesting happened at the precinct lately? Besides drug busts?"

I laughed, but it sounded a little nervous. Just then, a waitress came up with menus. We said thank you and she left. We all opened them up, scanning them for something good. I really didn't want to try alien food, but I couldn't see anything Human on the menu...oh, wait, I was looking at the Dextro side. Gorram it... I flipped it over and Kolyat sniggered. I leaned to him. "You weren't going to actually let me order that, right?" I whispered.

He returned to reading his menu with a raised eyebrow. When his faced was obscured from the across the table people, he winked at me. I rolled my eyes. I quickly found the Human food. No spaghetti, because that gets all over my face...hmmm...Italian does sound good though...OH! Ricotta filled ravioli in sweet marinara sauce! Score! I put the menu down to see the others had too. We gathered them together and placed them on the side of the table. "Well, besides botched drug busts and vengeful mercenaries, I'd say it's been peachy." At least I was comfortable enough to half-joke. The waitress came and took our orders. As usual, I stammered when it came to me. That always happens when I was ordering food!

"So, what's this about mercenaries?" Asked Shepard. Thane looked interested too. So, Kolyat hadn't talked about that in his reply. He looked uncomfortable.

I shrugged, nervous now. "Well, I was sorta kidnapped by some mercenaries that were angry that I killed the Krogan drug runner. Kolyat, Bailey, and my friend Mez'Ralah broke me out."

Thane and Shepard exchanged glances. Thane looked genuinely concerned. "Are you unhurt from the kidnapping?"

Now it was time for Kolyat and I to exchange glances. "Umm...Mostly." I got out roughly. "I mean, I'm still a little sore and my hand..." I winced and held up my bandaged hand. "Biotic punch meets mass effect propelled bullet."

Shepard whistled. "Ouch. Can you still use it for biotics?"

I smiled sadly. "That's yet to be determined." The waitress came back and set down our food that she had been bioticly carrying. My ravioli looked so good. Kolyat and Thane had ordered something that looked a lot like...a giant bug. I took one look at it and looked at Shepard. She was staring at me like 'what the crap' before she shrugged and started on her teriyaki noodles. We took breaks between eating and talking, thankfully. "So. How was the mission?"

Shepard swallowed, looking thoughtful. "We all made it back. We're a little banged up, but we stopped the Collectors."

I nodded. I was curious to see who she picked for each role in the Suicide mission, but I suppose there was no way that was going to happen. "That's good." I literally said that. Yay everybody lives! That's good. Kolyat said nothing pretty much the whole time. Thane was equally quiet. Shepard and I started small-talk conversations for the most part. It was really getting super awkward by now.

After getting fed up, I flicked Kolyat's hand under the table; it had been resting on his leg. For a moment I didn't know if he had got the message after I slipped my hand away, but he came forward quickly afterwards.

"What are you going to do now?" He rasped.

Shepard looked up and smiled sourly. "Go back to earth to face a court martial."

Kolyat looked to Thane. "Father?"

Thane paused. "I was thinking of settling down on the Citadel, somewhere nearby."

I could feel Kolyat tense, physically and mentally. Thane was watching him intently, and Shepard had even stopped chewing. "I think that's wonderful." I put in awkwardly.

"Thank you."

We all looked away and started eating again. I think we all wanted our food gone so this night could be over.

Finally, Shepard paid our bill and we stood up to leave. We were walking out when we heard a scream in the alley next to us. All of us instantly started towards it, glowing in biotics. We got sight of some thugs harassing a group of young human women.

"Hey, Slimeballs!" Cried Shepard. I blinked. Okay, Hannibal Smith. The men all looked to us, grinning cockily.

"Hey, sweetheart, you wanna play?" Shepard slammed the guy against the wall. Thane took one of the others and Kolyat did the same. I pulled up a weak biotic barrier with my good hand and beckoned the girls over. They all ran to cover and I started to usher them away.

"Where do ya think you're going, cupcake?" A disgusting voice echoed behind me. I whirled around, abandoning my barrier and shoving the girls away with a wave of biotics with my good hand. I heard them all scurrying away. The man came at me so fast, my action was governed entirely by instinct. I threw a biotic punch. With my bad hand. A wave came up my arm, into my hand, and time seemed to stand still. The blocked energy blew outwards painfully and it forced both me and my attacker backwards. I cried out as my hand throbbed in terribly agony. I didn't even feel my back hitting the ground. My vision blurred from the pain as I clutched at my fist. It was still bandaged, but it felt like it was torn apart.

And through the fog, I heard his voice. "SIHA!" I heard running, and I felt hands on my shoulders. Everything was quiet, and in slow motion. Suddenly, it all came rushing back, and I could feel myself being shook, and the frantic hands that pulled me closer.

"I'm fine." I croaked. "It just...it hurts. Oh, God, it hurts!" I closed my eyes and tried to curl up. I vaguely heard something about 'the ship being closer' and I felt myself being picked up. Then I slid into darkness.

An infernal beeping filled my ears as I came to. Man, I keep falling unconscious! I blinked my eyes open. I couldn't feel my hand. In fact, I couldn't really feel anything. I tried to move, but I couldn't. The beeping sped up as my heat rate increased. "Calm down, you're alright. I gave you a neuro-supressor to keep you from damaging your spine until it's repaired. It'll only take a little longer. I can sedate you until it's finished if you'd like that."

I looked up at the older medical lady. "Where's..." My throat was parched.

"Your Drell friend is probably with his father."

"Kolyat and Thane Krios have been informed of your status Miss T'Leri. They are on there way." Chimed EDI.

Just then, the door opened and in walked the two Drell. The doctor informed them of the situation. Kolyat came to sit by me, while Thane kept talking to the lady. Kolyat gently caressed my forehead with his hand. "I'm glad you are all right, siha."

I smiled. "Me...too." I choked out. Kolyat frowned, got up, and came back with a glass of water. He gingerly helped me to drink. "I love you." I murmured softly after I had drained the whole glass. I looked up at Thane. "He knows?"

Kolyat nodded. "Yes. I kind of screamed Siha in the alley. When we had gotten you in here, he pulled me aside and started asking me all of these questions." He sighed and rolled his eyes.

I laughed weakly. "You mean, he was being a father?"

He thought for a moment. "Yes, he was."

Thane walked over to my bed. "How are you feeling?"

I smiled weakly. "Um...numb? I must've hurt my back, huh?"

Thane nodded. "A small percent of the biotic pulse you sent through your hand was dissipated in your nervous system, damaging your spinal cord. The damage can be repaired easily enough."

I smiled. "That's good to hear..." I took in a breath. "I'm just a magnet for trouble, aren't I?"

Kolyat chuckled. "I think you got it from me."

"All right, you two, out. I need to sedate her for the final step of the procedure."

Thane nodded. "Sleep well." He stepped away.

Kolyat took my hand and, after a moment, kissed my forehead. "I'll be waiting for you."

I nodded, and my heavy eyelids drooped. I hadn't even felt the doctor administer the sedative.

There we are. That took me a really long time to write, and I apologize. I don't know when the next chapter will be out, but I really only get time to write on the weekends, so that would be a good time to check if you're still following this.