A/N: So I've been sick otherwise this would have been written sooner. Two specialists later and still not sure what's wrong, but I at least have coherent thoughts once more. Thank God for medications that can mask the symptoms. Enough about me...The story will continue. I will try to update regularly. So back to your regularly scheduled program for those still interested.

The Quarian raised the glass in the air sloshing the Turian brandy around liberally before announcing her toast.

"To Miranda. She was an utter bitch, but effective."

At the mention the name she noticed his eyes flicker from grey to a dark crimson. They'd been doing that since Thessia. Even in her inebriated state of mind she knew to avoid bringing it to his attention.

"I always wondered what happened between the two of you."

He barely shook his head.

"Nothing happened between us."

She couldn't help the giggle that escaped her.

"I know nothing happened, I just don't understand why not. It's not like your relationship with Ashley was serious and then after Horizon…."

She shrugged.

"She was smart and could fight. A lot like Ashley, she seemed like your type."

He stared at her as if he could see every inch of her face. She'd always wondered how he managed to make her feel seen when no one could see beyond her mask.

"Why do you say it wasn't serious?"

Tali moved her hands as she spoke spilling of her drink on the bar.

"It frustrated her that your relationship was purely physical. Who else would she confide in... Liara?"

He chuckled at the comment.

"Good point. I don't like being manipulated. Miranda was there for that express purpose."

He poured himself a drink.

"I must admit I was suspicious of the second most powerful member of Cerberus being on board."

He smiled and slowly sipped his drink.

"Do you think I'm pretty."

He put the glass down and leaned close. His nose nearly touched her mask.

"Tali, you are as beautiful as the sun setting on the waters of Rannoch. I never needed to see you without you mask to see how beautiful you were."

"Why not me? I see the way you look at Liara. It's the way Ashley wished you would look at her…the way I wish someone would look at me?"

Crimson eyes turned soft and grey.

"What about Garrus?"

"I love him…but I still wonder if I didn't have to wear this suit…would you have seen me differently?"

"It was never you… You remind me of someone I've held in my heart since the day she was born. I think if I'd been born never knowing her I might have seen you in a different light. As much as I wish I could give you what you want…I can't imagine a life not knowing her."

Tali looked down.

"If she means that much to you…I wouldn't have it any other way."

He lifted her head.

"That's why I love you like a sister."

His smiled brightened the room.

"Some brother you are…you should be threatening Vakarian to treat me better or you'll beat him senseless."

Tali thought she could hear his laughter still filling the empty room. The glass of Turian brandy still untouched, she could only stare at it. She heard the door open and recognized the sound of Garrus' footsteps.

"I've been looking for you."

"I just needed some time alone."

"Do you want me to go?"

She shook her head. She stood up and nuzzled her head into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her.

"What's wrong?"

"I was just thinking…"

She didn't want to share the memory, it was hers alone. Instead she decided to speak of something else on her mind.

"All those people, how do millions of people just disappear?"

His words vibrated within his chest. She nuzzled closer enjoying the feel.

"It's scary to think they could process so many people in such a short time. You saw the bodies we walked past just to get to him."

She pulled away.

"That doesn't make sense. The Citadel had every species and all the bodies we saw were human. The bodies we saw at the Collector Base were used for experimentation and study. They didn't process the dead."

Her voice became a whisper.

"They processed…the living…"

Garrus stared at her.

"Artificial Intelligence thinks logically, they don't waste anything. What did Javik say…'the walls seemed to move.' What if they are alive, just inaccessible?"

Garrus shook his head.

"The Geth would have picked them up on scans."

Tali started vigorously tapping at her omni-tool.

"Don't you remember? The scans only picked up the energy signatures related to the crucible. What if the energy from the crucible was causing interference? We need to speak with the Geth."

Garrus reluctantly followed.

"Just once I want to be the smart one."

Tali laughed.

"You are…"

Garrus smiled.

"…when you're the only one in the room."

He frowned.

"Its official I now have emotional scars to match my physical ones….so cruel…"

Dr. Chakwas stood in the doorway watching the younger woman. Jack sat on the floor her knees under her chin with arms wrapped around them.

She sat on the floor next to jack and gently nudged her.

"Hey."

"I thought you would have killed him by now."

"I want to…I just.."

She buried her face into her knees. The doctor nodded as she leaned back. She'd been running around treating patients and retrieving uncooperative Asari. It wasn't until that moment she realized she was tired.

"Do you remember that week before the Commander turned himself over to the Alliance?"

No words just a silent nod.

"I didn't understand why he was waiting. I confronted him on his procrastination."

She laughed at the memory. She knew if she turned her head she would see the woman shift her head to look at her.

"He was worried about you. He knew you would be able to take care of yourself, but he didn't' want you in prison or captured by Cerberus. So I called in a few favors. If I'd only known Kahlee was dating Admiral Anderson, it would have been far less expensive. That woman puts me to shame when it comes to consuming liquor."

Jack lifted her head and looked at the doctor.

"Why didn't he say anything?"

"You wouldn't have accepted his help or mine for that matter. You weren't ready to acknowledge that there were good people in the world. Now here we are sitting outside the cell of the man who took your identity from you. You have a choice. Would you prefer to become a better person, or just be another Cerberus monstrosity unleashed?"

"What about all the kids on Pragia? How can I be a good person if I let what happened to them stand?"

The doctor raised an eyebrow.

"How long do you think he will live when the Commander finds out he tried to have Liara killed?"

"I don't see the difference between me killing him and Shepard."

The doctor stood up offered the younger woman a hand. Jack grabbed hold and stood up as well. The doctor placed an arm around the woman's shoulders and started walking her out of the room.

"I promised to try to save your soul. The Commander's is Liara's responsibility."

Jack laughed and leaned into the older woman.