As exciting as the ride has been we are nearing the end to my lovely tale! I will try not to have any ending cliffhangers. Can make any promises though. xD

She screamed and found herself sitting as far up as she could in her tiny space. If it was one thing, she hated most it was being sick and having to be cooped up like a terran canine. The anti-virus must work quickly because her arms felt stronger, she was able to take in a deep breath without her body quivering and wincing as though she was about to vomit.

She stared into the darkness around her, eyes seeing the area perfectly, the faint green glow of the lock on the AI core. The green lock of the Med Bay neither of which she could go through and for now she simply wished she could be back in her own quarters. Laying back down one arm behind her head, Tali winced as she remembered the IV and quickly looked down. No damage, yet and still that really stung and she rubbed it gently opting to settle her arm beside her after fluffing her pillow.

Rannoch, one of the last things she remembered was being able to go home. Legion had explained that everything on the planet was fine, toxins cleaned up, rubble free. The buildings had been repaired but were just empty, she wondered if walking inside of them would be like setting foot in a haunted house. He said they trimmed back plant life but only around certain areas, other than that, the natural flora and fauna came back voraciously.

She had been told it would take generations and centuries perhaps for their people to walk uncovered as they had once before, for their bodies to equalize themselves with the planet once more. It seemed Rannoch pushed on without them and now they had a chance to be back and, take their places.

She wondered about fields and oceans. Lakes and trees. What color would they be and, how would they smell to her. A part of her wished to be able to take her suit off, toss herself in the nearest flower patch, and pray for the best. It was unlikely but…a nice thought.

The last thing Tali thought about as she drifted back off was the dream. Shepard had beaten back the Reapers and, it would take time for them to recollect their forces. Time for them to launch another strike; find a way into inhabited space to wreak havoc and destruction upon them. She shivered at the thought, but if Shepard lead them into a battle with Saren, and then with the Collectors and they came out alive. She trusted him now.

XxXx

"Still alive I see." Shepard enters her room as she just awakens eating a piece of toast, grinning at her. "I've got some news for you; we have been busy bees while you were sick."

She sits herself up on her arms and yawns. "How so?"

Her voice was pure, not being filtered through her suits systems she sounded quite different. The same Tali, but without the mechanical hinge.

"The Quarians, Hanar, Drell, Batarians, Geth, Elcor, and Krogan will be moving to the Council and effectively after I give a rousing speech be given Council seats." That was stunning news and he smiled as her eyes widened.

"What do you mean? There's no way they will allow that to happen." The Council allow seats for all them? That meant an embassy for each of the races and the Asari were quite pompous with their whole 'first race' deal.

"I don't care what they won't allow to happen. It will happen, no more of this four species speaking on behalf of the rest, not gonna happen. The ambassadors for each race will be arriving in ten days on the Normandy. Guess whose going there with me to represent the Quarians?"

Her? She laughed at the mere thought, causing herself to feel slightly ill as she laid her head on her pillow arm over her face. "No, Shepard. Not me, I can't do this…send Auntie Raan."

A shadow billowed over her and Tali peeked open one eye to see Jason's raised eyebrow bearing down above a blue eye. "Yes you. I know no one better; Legion will speak for the Geth. If we are to defeat the Reapers we need to change, we need a leg up on them. They already know how divided this galaxy is."

He was right and in a way Tali groaned at the very thought of speaking in front of them and trying to make a case for her people. It was what they needed though, to be recognized. Perhaps it was time.

XxXxXx

-Running scans…

-Scan complete. Tali'Zorah's health is back to optimal capacity

"Legion, I swear if you scan me one more time I will smack you." She turns towards us and points her index finger in our face.

"We merely wish to make sure that your body does not lapse." It is logic, of course, her system has recognized the virus and will now fight it, yet we wish to know in advance should that happen again.

"I feel great Legion." She places a hand on our shoulder and we whirr our internal machinery just for her. She smiles at us enjoying the sound and feel.

We have arrived at the Citadel and are waiting to dock, the Council species expect Shepard-Commander and his Geth companion but they did not expect the other species he is bringing. As everyone steps off the Normandy and into the shuttle, there is a mix of species before us now.

All following Commander Shepard as he makes his way past the C-sec customs.

"Excuse me sir!" The human at the counter steps in front of us obviously afraid. "In light of what happened after the Geth infiltration on the Citadel I am afraid you will have to leave your synthetic assistant on your shuttle and transport it back to your ship."

Tali'Zorah moves in front of her blocking her hand from touching this mobile platform. "HE is with us, and that man you are speaking to is Commander Shepard who is also a Spectre." Her tone is firm but the human ignores her, rolling her eyes.

"I would also suggest that you leave this as well, I can have it detained if it keeps me from doing my job." Shepard-Commander's jaw clenches as he moves his way past the Elcor to confront the female human.

Her frame is much smaller than his and obviously her programming requires her to shrink back when a hardier system opposes her own.

"It? This? This female you're speaking to is Tali'Zorah vas Normandy. She saved this Citadel when it was under attack when Sovereign was attacking. She also helped me destroy the Collectors therefore saving your ass. I would suggest talking to her like she's a person and not an item that can be bought and sold. Legion, as well. Just because he isn't organic he isn't worth your time?"

The question is rhetorical yet; she licks drying lips and continues to speak. "I'm just doing my job sir and spectre or not I'm the first line of defense."

Shepard-Commander laughs in her face. "Geth do not intentionally infiltrate and on top of that what about those two asari you tagged as Geth? Get out of my face before you lose this job you call yourself doing."

She backs down allowing the doors to open to the Citadel. As we pass the C-sec office Shepard-Commander turns towards his group. "That kind of thing is exactly what will stop as of today. No one should be a second-class citizen."

The Hanar representative glows silver then pink before speaking to Shepard-Commander. "This one has asked the Citadel AI about these Reapers before."

"As have I." The Drell speaks up. "Something about the term being used in para-historical theories on extinction cycles."

This mobile platform feels the need to respond, as consensus has been achieved on a direct answer. "Social engineering. The Council blames the Geth. Repeat the lie enough and they will not worry about the Reapers."

"Indignant Affirmation. The fact that Commander Shepard has defeated Sovereign has been enough for me. I will listen to what he has to say and trust his judgment. Annoyed tone. No matter what the Council might have to say."

Shepard-Commander smiles and nods his head as the group now waits for transportation to the Presidium. It is the first time this mobile platform has been to the Citadel, the constant movement, the unnecessary lighting and plants in the space…transfix us. The organics need for objects to clutter a space is ignorant to us. "This is not unlike our stations. Far more inefficient. Your organic shells require more space. Information propagation is slow. Many voices speak at once. We do not understand how it functions without consensus. Perhaps study of other hive species will illuminate. Beginning extra-net search protocols."

Tali'Zorah simply grins at us shaking her head. "We like to make things look pretty Legion, so the maximization of space isn't always necessary. On the Flotilla, it is, but being on the Normandy and in my own space, I have learned to enjoy having clutter. Weird, I know."

"You haven't seen my quarters when I get lazy then." Shepard-Commander laughs. "I'm sure you know Legion that we have no need for someone to agree with us, before doing anything. To have someone agree with you is nice depending on the situation, otherwise most organics could give a damn and do what they please."

We still do not understand how confusion is not present within their minds as they struggle to decide what to do. How a daily task is completed a certain way, such things have to be approved by the programs that maintain the platform. It is a mystery to us still.

The shuttle ride is what Tali'Zorah calls a tight fit. She is crammed next to this mobile platform and almost sitting on our lap. Shepard-Commander's efforts to haul everyone in. We hear her heartbeat, and she leans back into us, her mask turning her face so we can see her small smile. A small beep occurs and she patches into our frequency speaking directly to us.

"Gives you some ideas doesn't it?" Voice husky and low she moves her legs about subtly on our leg.

"We understand the context in which you are speaking and see several ways in which to encompass such an action. Stimulating you would only intrigue the other passengers." She laughs a bright sound that we still enjoy hearing.

"True. Maybe later then? Now that I'm all better." Geth speech pours from the frame and she laughs again, retuning to silence.

XxXxXxXx

Finally, in front of the Council Shepard pinches the area between his eyes for the third time. "The Volus were kind enough to let us know of this action you have taken Shepard. Don't you think you are overstepping your boundaries as a Spectre?"

The Turian councilor who always thinks Shepard is wasting his time, waves his hand in a dismissive manner.

"Making sure the galaxy is at peace and obtaining galactic peace? That is my job Councilor. The Elcor and the Volus still share an embassy. The Quarians don't even-"

"We believe the Quarians know why they no longer have an embassy or a council seat Spectre!" The asari lifts her head high.

Tali sighs crossing her arms over her chest. She is tired of hearing this. "Yes, because of the Geth! We know! How many times does Shepard have to tell you that peace has been achieved? That we are going back to our home world and that the Geth want nothing more than to be left alone to make a future for themselves."

"Sentient AI's tend to present problems! Do I have to remind you of Saren and his Geth?" The Turian once again.

"Legion told you, that they were heretics and have now been re-written to see the error in their ways. I see no reason why a thinking and calculating mind cannot be allowed to share their opinion."

The Salarian had been surprisingly quiet up until now. "They'll turn out like their makers."

The room went silent as Shepard groaned. "Look you have made no points as to why these respective races who give so much to Council space and to your respective races don't deserve a seat and a say in global politics."

Tali had been biting her tongue the entire time, listening to the three talk down to her, listening to Anderson argue on their behalf only to be turned over by the three aliens who believed they were some all powerful beings.

"Bosh'tet's! Are your heads so far up your asses that you can't see straight?" She had picked up some dirty language from Shepard along the way it seemed. "You are denying the best engineers the galaxy has ever seen because we used to live on a Flotilla and because we created the Geth? You think you're better than everyone! The asari are haughty and snobby because of their long lives. You were here first so you think everything should be directed through you! Natural biotics and mind melding and suddenly the world should kiss your blue behinds!"

She was breathing hard now, stepping forward as she pointed out her next victim, and to her surprise Shepard wasn't stopping her. "Salarians! Quick minds and short mortality rates. Do you honestly believe that there is no one smarter in the universe? The Elcor take a long time to go over their decisions but at least they can see what you have missed. Yet, you look down on everyone else because we are too slow for you."

"Ah, yes the Turians. A few good examples I have seen from your people. Other than that because of military might and dominance, you believe yourself to be the muscle of this whole thing. Do you not remember humans? They excel you at times and are level with your skills. The Geth outnumber you and have just as much prowess. We Quarians have an impressive marine fleet, and the Drell have turned out mastermind infiltrators and snipers. What if we all form our own Councils? Everyone has a say and it's a true democracy? You'll be outnumbered and soon outsourced."

The three stood gasping, faces etched in anger and disgust as to what Tali just spewed. She was right of course and they knew it, but to give up power and share it? To have everyone give their say and the weight of words have meaning? Not even Anderson had that at times. They simply used him to show good faith towards humanity.

Shepard clapped his hands slowly coming over to place a hand on Tali's shoulder squeezing it gently. "This is Tali'Zorah vas Normandy. Formally known as Tali'Zorah vas Neema. She saved your behinds when Sovereign was attacking, and from the Collectors who worked for the Reapers."

The room remained silent as the asari councilor's eyes gleamed down on Tali. "We will need to take a recess and decide over your words Spectre."

"No." Councilor Anderson spoke up hands coming down hard on his table. "Did you all not just hear what Tali'Zorah vas Normandy had to say? Or Shepard? Or any of these ambassadors? They are tired of being second-class citizens to every race out there. If this is truly a democracy than each race needs to have someone to speak up for them. I for one agree wholeheartedly and say every race here today, gets an embassy and a council seat."

They could always count on Anderson for a quick decision and one that agreed with Shepard. The Salarian put a hand to his head before opening his mouth. "I agree as well. Galactic stability…depends on everyone we see before us."

The Turian visibly twitched as the Salarian spoke. Mandibles twitching as he groaned inwardly. "Fine. I agree as well then."

It was the Asari who seemed to give them the most trouble and she growled her jaw muscles clenching as she glared at Tali. "We Asari were here first and we shall still be here when the rest of you standing here are in your graves."

It seemed Shepard was the only one who wasn't taken aback. "You won't be here for long with that attitude. Not to be rude councilors and though my actions today might be show otherwise it was never up to you whether or not my fellow ambassadors here today got a seat or not. It was going to happen."

"The building of embassies shall begin this week Spectre; I assume each race will be setting up how things will be dealt in their societies. Other than that, you all today represent your people. Welcome to the Citadel Council." Anderson's words boomed in the small room they stood in.

Perhaps whooping for joy was the wrong thing to do at this time but Tali grinned from ear to ear, nodding her head towards the councilors before walking over to Shepard giving him a hug. "You did it!"

As Legion walked up, he shook the Geth's hand. "We did it."