Just Follow Your Heart Chapter 25: It's in the Heart, a mass effect fanfic

It's over 9000! Views that is. XD I'd just like to say thank you again to all my viewers, you're all awesome! And yes, I know I haven't updated in a while… I have excuses! (No excuses, it's a story with Tali! Don't justify yourself for being lazy!) As always, Mass Effect is owned by Bioware, so please enjoy!

Ch. 25: It's in the Heart

Citadel

Javik

Javik walked into the hotel room, cursing to himself; he had asked Liara to meet him in private, but he was certainly unsure of how this would turn out. After thinking it through he could not touch the Echo Shard... he could not do it, and even if he did, it would not change the idea that had been forming in his head. He just hoped Liara would not be angered by this... Was he afraid he might disappoint her? He was Prothean! Fear meant nothing to him when he had faced down the Reapers... but facing the strange feelings that had been growing...

Javik put his hands to his face and rubbed it; he couldn't lie to himself anymore, Liara made him feel something he couldn't describe, and he liked it. He wanted to be with her, to hold her hand, and be seduced by her eyes. Wanting her gave him a purpose, a reason to live on without knowing the secrets of that incessant Echo Shard. Suddenly the door opened, and Javik jerked around, his eyes softening when he saw the woman of his desire walk into the room.

Liara walked up to him with a smile. "Ok Javik, what did you want to talk about?"

Javik motioned her closer to him as the door closed behind her. When she stood only a few feet from him he took a step closer and looked at her eyes. "Liara... I wanted to say something about... about you."

Liara looked at him quizzically, completely unaware of what he was trying to say. "What do you want to say about me?"

Javik took another step closer and continued looking into her eyes. "You are... an interesting primitive, Liara." He turned away, cursing himself for having these wretched feelings.

A confused look appeared on Liara's face. "What do you mean interesting?"

Javik looked at her again, completely lost in her bright blue eyes. After a moment he reached out his arms, wrapped them around her, and pulled her to him. He kissed her, letting all of his repressed feelings spring forth like a river. All of his passion flowed through his lips and onto hers as his fear fizzled away. Liara melted into his arms for a moment before realizing what was happening. She then pushed him away, completely flustered.

"What are you doing, Javik!? We... I... We can't be... I had no idea you..."

Javik realized she was fighting herself; part of her truly did want him, and that only made him want her more. He stepped closer and pulled her back to him, giving her another kiss and looking into her eyes. "I cannot take it anymore, Liara, I cannot hide my feelings any longer! I do not care what the rest would think, you give me purpose, and I have finally realized it. I want to be with you." He stroked her back and felt her melt into him again. "Please, tell me you want the same."

She again tried to push him away, but much more lightly than before. "Javik, we can't do this, I..." She sighed as he pulled her back to him and his hand gently stroked her back, making her back arch. "Oh Goddess..."

Liara looked up at Javik and smiled softly. "I never thought you would want a primitive like me, Javik... I want you too."

Javik felt a small tear form in his eyes. "I've been at war my entire life, Liara. Let me be at peace tonight... with you."

He grabbed her around the waist and began pulling her towards the bed. Liara closed her eyes and leaned her head on his shoulder, allowing him to guide her to the bed. Javik sat down on the bed and Liara got on his lap, kissing him passionately. She opened her eyes with a big grin and pushed him down onto the soft mattress, holding him down with her body. She gave him another kiss and closed her eyes again. Javik nodded happily as her newly darkened eyes opened again. "Embrace eternity…"

Citadel

James Vega

James whistled as he walked through the crowds of people, hands in his pockets. It was amazing, although nothing would ever be the same, he could actually smile while he walked; the galaxy was safe again. He continued walking towards the hotel, happy everything was going to be alright...

A few days later: Citadel

Commander Shepard

Shepard stood in his tuxedo, trying to straighten his tie. Everything had been planned out, every guest had arrived, and the main event was about to start. He let go of the tie for a moment for trying to straighten it again. Garrus suddenly walked into the room, laughing at his obsession with the tie.

"Shepard, if you keep fixing that tie it's going to break off."

Shepard looked at him, partly annoyed. "Garrus, this is important to me, can't you understand Tali deserves the best? I can't mess up!"

Garrus chuckled and patted Shepard on the shoulder. "She already has the best, Shepard, now stop worrying. If you're this flustered imagine how Tali's feeling!"

Shepard laughed and let go of his tie. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I just... she means so much to me, Garrus, sometimes I can't help it."

"It's alright Shepard, you have the right to be a little nervous." Garrus said with a smile.

Shepard nodded and took a deep breath. After checking his suit one last time he walked out of the room with Garrus behind him, heading towards the wedding and his future with her...

Citadel

Tali'Zorah

Tali looked into the mirror again, adjusting her decorative clothing; she looked terrible, she was going to ruin everything! "Keelah, why can't I look good?"

Liara laughed and put a hand on Tali's shoulder. "Tali, you look wonderful, now stop worrying. This is your wedding, nothing can ruin this for either of you as long as you have each other."

Tali smiled and turned from the mirror. "I know, I just... this is the happiest day of my life, I don't want anything to go wrong..."

"Nothing will go wrong, Tali, this is your day. I'll make sure everything works out." Liara promised.

Tali hugged Liara. "Thanks Liara, you're a good friend."

Liara hugged Tali back with a small smile. "You're welcome Tali, now stop worrying, it's time to go!"

Tali drew away from Liara and straitened her clothing once more. She looked at the mirror, taking in each article of clothing once more, hoping Shepard would appreciate it. She then turned from the mirror and began walking out of the room, heading towards the wedding and her future with him...

Citadel

Commander Shepard

The room was enormous; the ceiling was arched high above him, the platform he stood on was raised high like an alter, and the sheer number of the guests was astonishing. Everyone he knew and their families were sitting near the front, but almost every dignitary, politician, and random fan was squeezed into the rest of the gargantuan meeting hall. Shepard stood next to Garrus, looking down the aisle, awaiting the love of his life to come through the doorway.

Music began playing and Shepard watched as Tali walked into the hall. She wore her usual purple veil over her helmet, but she wore another white veil on top of it that fell over her face mask. Her suit decorations were also different; she had a long purple dress that went from her neck to her feet on instead of her usual clothing. Her clan patterns spiraled around the dress as she began walking towards Shepard with Liara behind her. Shepard had a huge lopsided grin on his face as he watched her dress swish back and forth as she walked, his mind completely lost in her beauty...

She walked up the stairs and stood next to him, looking into his eyes. Shepard continued to grin at her as the music stopped and the speaker walked up to the microphone; the speaker wore a simple brown robe over his business suit.

The speaker cleared his throat and began his speech. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to bind together the lives of the Savior of the Galaxy and his soon to be wife, Tali'Zorah Vas Normandy. Conflict, war, and terror are what brought them here today, but in that fire of turmoil a love was born. This love has survived the conflict, the hate, and the prejudice of others to bring these two souls together as one. They have given us hope for a future, and today we give them hope for theirs. In the name of peace and hope we shall official tie these souls together in the presence of their friends, family, and fans."

The speaker motioned to Garrus and Liara to bring the rings forward. With a smile they both handed the rings to the respective people, eager to continue. Shepard held the ring in his hand, studying it for a moment before looking at Tali again.

The speaker smiled and continued. "They have asked me to use edited vows to show each other how much they care for one another. I shall read them per their instructions."

The speaker pulled out a datapad and set it on his podium. He looked at the datapad and began reading it, turning towards Tali. "Tali'Zorah vas Normandy nar Rayya, you have been at the Commander's side since the beginning. You have courageously stayed with him no matter the adventure, and today he asks you to embark on one more with him, one that he wants to share only with you. Tali, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Tali nodded happily, tears rolling down her cheek. "I do."

The speaker turned to Shepard, continuing to read the datapad. "Commander John William Shepard Jr., you have been at war your entire life. For so long you have been alone, fighting the horrors of the galaxy with determination, no matter who was behind. Today, you are not alone anymore. Today you can choose to not be alone, to have someone who will remain at your side forever. Someone who will not stay behind, no matter what the future brings you. Shepard, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Shepard nodded, looking deep into Tali's teary eyes. "I do."

The speaker smiled and set the datapad down. "Then by the power invested in me by the Galactic Senate I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now exchange rings and kiss the bride."

Shepard put the ring on Tali's finger after Tali put the other ring on his. For a moment they stared into each other's eyes, taking in everything that had just happened. Then Shepard lifted the veil from her face plate and planted a kiss on it, causing the room to roar in cheers and thunderous applause…

Orbital Despoina

Rear Admiral Jacqueline Smith

Jacqueline Smith, a rear admiral in the Alliance Navy, stood in the helm of her ship, smiling as Despoina came into view; her fleet was ready to take the Leviathans out and end any chance of further conflict. She turned away, ready to talk to her pilot, before suddenly feeling a great power begin to take hold of her mind; she desperately tried to fight the influence, but the strain was too great! After a moment she stopped fighting, allowing herself and her ship to become pawns of the Leviathans. Behind her in an abandoned locker was an artifact, sending its signal of control to the entire fleet of ships…

Author's endnote: Daww… Anyway, here's a link to the song I was parodying last chapter: watch?v=SB0K65CAnxE

It's called 'The Yellow Rose of Texas' but I think it's quite easy to change into a sweet Tali love song XD

(Completely made this up in my head, enjoy and maybe sing along?) Purple Rose of Rannoch: 'There's a purple rose on Rannoch, that I am gonna see! Nobody else could miss her, not half as much as me. She cried so when I left her, it damn near broke my heart. And when I go and find her, we nevermore will part.

She's the sweetest little rosebud this soldier ever knew! Her eyes are bright as diamonds, they sparkle like the dew. You may talk about your Liara girl, or sing of Ashley, but the purple rose of Rannoch is the only girl for me.

Where the Eezo just keeps flowing, and drive core pulses bright, she walks along the catwalk, such a determined sight. I know that she remembers, when we parted long ago! I promised to return, and not to leave her so.

Oh now I'm gonna find her, cause my heart is full of love! We'll do the things together, we did so long ago. We'll fight the Reapers proudly, she'll love me like before! And the purple rose of Rannoch shall be mine forever more!

God, I'm such a sap! XD Oh well, I wouldn't trade it for anything! So, hopefully I don't take a week to update like I did before… Sorry about that, but at least the new chapter's here! (And I revealed Shepard's real name! :O 'John'… I'm so original XD) See you next time you awesome people you! :)