I don't own Mass Effect. If I did, I'd have gotten a voice actor for male-shep that doesn't sound like (the rest of this sentence has been censored to avoid pissing people off). Seriously, why has it taken three games to get a Fem-Shep Trailer?

Anywho, lots of different viewpoints this chapter.

"Tali, might want to adjust the current on circuit 3" Adam's voice snapped Tali back to reality. She did a quick check on the console she had taken over, and saw the Adams was right.

Oh keelah! I need to focus on what I'm doing. She adjusted the electric current running through the Element Zero core, but her mind still was weighed down. I know what Bourne said, what Garrus said, what everybody said. Even the pilot- Joker, isn't it?- told me I shouldn't blame myself. She double checked the other circuits to make sure she hadn't been distracted and let them get out of balance as well. She looked again at the Massive drive core, bigger than any that she'd ever seen on the flotilla.

But I just can't shake the feeling that I could have avoided that whole mess. She shook her head, grateful that her mask kept the engineers from seeing her conflicting expressions. She tried to refocus on her work, and for a while she succeeded.

Then she heard footsteps coming up behind her. Not nearly loud enough to be Wrex, and much too loud to be Shepard or Bourne. Bourne was almost impossible to hear unless he wanted you to.

She sighed, guessing who it'd be. "Tali, do you have a minute?" She spun around to face Garrus. I guess I was right.

"I suppose I can spare a few" she sighed. Garrus had tried the hardest of all the crew to get her to accept that it wasn't her fault. She had been intimidated by him at first, due to his history at C-sec. She still got a little nervous around him, but they'd gotten to know each other a little better.

"Relax, I'm not going to try to change your mind again."

"I've told you Garrus, it was my fau- wait, what?"

He chuckled. "From now on, that's Bourne and Shepard's problem. I just wanted to see if you were interested in going with the rest of us on the Citadel later?"

"The Citadel?" She asked confused.

"Bourne, Shepard and I were going to go to…Actually I forgot to ask where. We didn't really have much time to talk before they headed out."

"And just, what? Spend time relaxing?"

"Pretty much. That's sort of the whole point of shore leave."

"I don't know Garrus, I'm kind of busy with this..." she trailed off vaugly. Just me spending time with them? What would I even do?

"Tali, I might not be an engineer, but I still know enough about tech to say that you don't have to worry about a Mass Effect core as much when it isn't being used."

Tali looked towards the console, then back at Garrus. "I'll think about it. No promises."

Garrus shook his head. "Alright. Still, hope you do want to come with the rest of us…wait…that expression just went somewhere horrible" Tali just stared at him confused. "Anyway, we'll probably be heading out in just a few hours."

He left the engine room, leaving Tali more unfocused on her work then she'd been before.

Shepard's POV

"So, you and T'soni, huh Shepard?" Shepard spun around from her locker in shock, turning to face Bourne. He looked like he was barely keeping from laughing. So that's why he didn't take the elevator down with Kaiden and Liara.

"What are you talk-"

"Shepard, the only way you two could have been more obvious would have been if you had slipped her some tou-"

"This conversation is over."

Bourne started laughing uncontrollably. "Damn, I gotta get you a mirror. Your face is redder than a Salarian's!" he managed to get out breathlessly between bouts of laughter.

Shepard glanced at the reflective surface of her locker, and saw that he was right. It just made her face turn redder.

"Have you been listening to scuttle butt?"

Bourne got a hold of himself, and straightened back up. He still looked like he was barely keeping his laughter contained. "No, of course not Raptor. You two were practically using each other as pillows." He said with a grin.

"Well, Liara and I became very friendly after we brought her on board."

"Yeah, I could see that."

"That isn't what I meant!" her tone ended up halfway between embarrassed and exasperated, though she'd meant it to be annoyed.

"Shepard, are you trying to convince me, or trying to convince yourself?"

She sighed. Bourne could read her like an open book. Or, really, read anyone like an open book. "You aren't going to drop this, are you?"

"Nope."

"Ok, maybe I have some feelings for her. There, are you happy now?"

"Honestly, I'm just amazed I didn't see it sooner." He sounded almost like he was talking to himself.

"Well, you saw it now. No wait, that isn't what I…God damnit."

Bourne just chuckled. "Shepard, I was pretty sure you were into Asari back on the Citadel before you made your crazy ploy to drag me into the Spectres. Every time I brought up Sha'ira, your face looked like you'd been drinking hot sauce." He smirked. "And I saw you checking out a few Asari when you thought nobody was looking." He jumped back right as Shepard tried to slug him, which just mad him grin more

"I was not!"

"What, are you worried people won't respect you if they know?"

Shepard just stared at him open mouthed. He might be able to read other people, but I can never get a read on him. Half the time he's just a joking buffoon, then the next minute he becomes a totally different person. "Know what? It's not like I'm necessarily into women, just into Asari"

Bourne just stared at her a moment. "Uh Shepard? Last time I checked, they end up being about the same thing."

"Asari only have the one gender. Hell, when I brought it up when we were talking, she said she wasn't 'exactly a women'. How do-"

"Shepard, Asari have high heels, lipstick," He got that annoying smirk again "and pretty much everything else in between. You know what that sounds like to me? A Woman."

"Look, just try to keep it quiet. It'd cause kind of a scandal if word leaked to the press."

"Got it. Tell everybody I see." He held up a hand to stop Shepard's angry response in her tracks. "Kidding, kidding. I just don't get why you're so— …high-strung about it."

"Well, me being involved with an Asari, and being a Spectre? You heard that reporter, people already think we're kissing the Council's ass. Me and Liara dating…it'd just add fuel to the fire."

"You have a point. Though anybody who thinks I kiss anybody's ass deserves a boot up theirass. And when did I mention dating?" Shepard swore as she realized he was right. "I believe that's called a Freudian slip Raptor. Man, I can just imagine the pet names she'll find for -oww!"

He rubbed his arm where Shepard had slugged him.

"Weren't fast enough that time Bourne."

"I let you get that one."

"Uh-huh." She made it obvious that she didn't believe him for a second.

"Look, all I'm saying is that hiding it isn't going to work. Annoying as it is, the press is everywhere. It might just be easier to get it out in the open now, so you're not always trying to keep it a secret. Plus, the fewer reporters I see, the better."

"I- I'll think about it. But for now-"

"Got it. Mum's the word." Shepard stared at him.

"Huh?"

Bourne's face twisted out of the grin. He seemed to be trying to keep his normally veiled expression, and not fully succeeding. "Sorry, old earth term. Those mercs were good fighters, but not really up to date on Human expressions. I ended up with a bunch of culture references that are hundreds of years old."

"You don't really like to talk about your past, do you?" Bourne's face wen to its expressionless look, but his eyes had a trace of panic in them. "I guess I can relate though."

"So, you thought at all about where to take Tali to try to get her out of the dumps?"

"Another old phrase?"

"Damnit, again?"

"What does it even mean?"

"I kinda lost the context, but I mean that she's kind of depressed. Where do you think we should take her?"

"I hadn't really thought about it. Maybe we could ask Garrus. He'd know the Citadel best."

"Good idea, I'll go ask him."

He went over to the Elevator, little bit faster than he normally walks Shepard noted. Guess he must be embarrassed about slipping with the old phrase. She just shook her head at his antics, and went back to storing her gear.

Bourne's POV

(That was way too close.)

)Did you have to actually say that? It's really creepy when we actually agree on something.( I collapsed against the wall of the elevator.

(when do we actually agree on anything? Most of the time I can't stand to listen to you, or you can't stand to listen to me, and we end up blocking each other out.)

)At least I managed to deflect it to the Merc band. Hopefully that will cover up any other slips I might make.(

(Perhaps, although it would be preferable to not 'slip up' in the first place.)

I straightened up, pacing back and forth. I hated talking to Iron, but there were times he had actually been helpful. But still, )Why do you even care? I thought your whole goal was to get me killed, which'd supposedly warp you back to Eden Prime in this body in the same spot I first ended up there.(

(Of course. But,) I noticed he didn't sound as sure of himself as usual (though I'm not completely sure, I believe that I must actually have a hand in you death, or cause it indirectly. Simply allowing you to be put in the nuthouse and die naturally wouldn't work.)

)One thing I don't get though, why do you even want to be in my position? You've seen how hard it is for me to hide what I know from everybody. And you'd also have to hide the fact that you're a pyscopath.(

(True, but the rewards would be worth the gain. I would be able to choose the structure of the galaxy, and bend it to my will.)

)Uh huh. You do remember how often you died during your playthrough? And you were the one you said there are no reloads here.(

(Hmph. I would not be as big a fool as you. You literally just stood there and took a punch.)

) I could have blocked it Biotically if I wanted to.(

(Hmmm. If you say so.)

I felt his presence retreat to the back of my mind. I was grateful that most of the time I couldn't hear him at all, or it'd be impossible to do anything. In fact, most of the time he couldn't talk to me if I was deliberately blocking him. Not once on the shooting range had he made so much as a peep. So the focus of combat must help block him out, I realized. Good. I don't have to worry so much about him then. Otherwise I'd have to block him out that whole time to keep him from getting any funny ideas.

The door slid open, and I went to store my gear. I glanced around the room first and saw that neither Wrex or Garrus was around, so I wouldn't be surprised this time. Ashley wasn't there either, much to my regret. I put away my rifles and shotgun, but when I got out my pistol, I looked at it for a second. I decollapsed it, and set it on Ashley's counter.

It took me about 4 seconds to strip it, and remove the Ammo modifier I had moved from my old pistol. I looked over to the Req-officer, who was shuffling crates around. I went over to ask him about getting a new one.

"Just a minute." He said over his shoulder. "I'm in the middle of something."

I shrugged, and leaned against the wall. I had inherited some degree of patience, but there was still a limit. After I'd been waiting for about 5 minutes, I got annoyed. "What are you doing anyway?"

"I'm looking for a specific crate, but it's somewhere in the middle of this stack."

I just glared at him, though his back was turned so he couldn't see it, and activated my Biotics. Normally I'd have warned a guy, but keeping me waiting that long had worn on my nerves. I tore the stack apart, and left the crates hovering in midair.

"What the hell?" He backed away, his hand dropping to his holstered pistol out of instinct.

"Do you see it now?" I asked, annoyed.

He looked at me with shock for a moment, then he started going through the crates, looking for the right one. "Here it is." I lowered that one to the floor, then piled the rest where they'd been before.

"What the hell was so important anyway?"

"I managed to get a titan five sniper rifle for the Commander. Much more powerful than what she has now."

I just glared at him, until he started shifting uncomfortably. "Whatever." I decided it wasn't worth it. "I need to see what ammo modifiers you have for a pistol."

He gestured to the one I was holding now. "I take it you want to get rid of that one as well?"

I almost said yes, then decided against it. "No, I'll give it to someone else on the ground team."

"Suit yourself. I'm guessing you don't just want a better version of that one?"

"I want something that does a lot of damage, and does it fast. I want to have more punch for each shot."

"Ok, give me a second." He ducked down, going through a crate. "Here, this ought to work"

I was surprised to realize I knew what type it was. "Explosive rounds?"

"They'll increase the damage you do by almost half. Drawback is that your weapon will be able to get off fewer shots before it over heats."

I considered it a moment. "How much?"

"It'll heat it up faster by_

"I meant how much is it?" I thought doing this was annoying in the game.

"Well if you're sure, it'll cost 5000 creds."

I saw that I had just enough to buy it, and transferred the money. He handed it to me, then went back to what he'd been doing before. I just sighed, then went over and installed it. I put the pistol back together then set it back down on the table. I put my armor away, and grabbed my pistol. I holstered it, and went to find the others.

Back to Tali. (Told you there were a lot of viewpoints this chapter.)

Tali jumped as Bourne said her name her get her attention.

"Yes?" She said, trying to ignore the embarrassing reaction Bourne had gotten from her. She spun around to face him. His face was hard to read, even for a human, but he seemed amused.

"Garrus ask you about going somewhere on the Citadel?"

"Yes, he did. I told him I was unsure, then he got embarrassed and left."

Ok, even I can tell he's confused. He raised his eyebrows in shock, and his mouth twisted into what looked like a reverse smile. What's it called? A crown? No wait, fown? Bosh'tet, that's not it either.

"Why would he get embarrassed?"

"He said something about hoping I'd come with the rest of you, then said that the expression had gone the wrong way?"

He chuckled. "Of course he did."

Tali stared at him, then shrugged. "I didn't really get it."

"I'll explain some other time. Anyway, are you interested in tagging along? Probably be less eventful than last time."

Tali's face twisted inside the Helmet, and she looked away.

He slapped himself in the face. "Ok, I'm an idiot for bringing that up." He sighed and removed his hand. "You do realize that I don't blame you at all?"

"I know. But I do."

"Well, it might have been just a little bit your fault when you opened the gate on me, " he chuckled, "but I don't know how you figure that the whole place collapsing is your fault. I'm the moron who thought'd be a good idea in the first place."

Tali glanced at him, then turned to her console. "I don't know… I'd like to see the Citadel, but last time I was there, everybody treated me like a thief. C-sec held me for hours before they let me wander freely. It took me almost half an hour just to allow me to keep my guns!"

He kept his face even, but his body language told Tali that he was clearly angry about it. Being around people she'd never seen the faces of, body language was much easier for her to read. It was only a little more difficult to read alien body language.

"Huh, no wonder Garrus left." He muttered. He raised his voice slightly, and said "But that's not going to happen this time."

"People always think I'm a thief just because I'm a quar-"

"Tali, you're going to be with a pair of Spectres. More specifically, the only two human Spectres. And depending on how many other people come along, with up to four people who are highly trained killers. I doubt anybody will even notice what race you are….And I just now realized how the part about highly trained killers sounded when I said it out loud." Tali fought back a shudder. He's right about that. Wrex is just intimidating. When he looks at you, he seems to be also looking for the best way to kill you. Though, with him, that might actually be true.

"I appreciate the offer Bourne, but I'm needed here."

He- it wasn't a smile, but it was close. "Oh really?" I get the feeling I'm not going to love what he's going to do next.

He turned to the head engineer. "Say Adams, you think you spare Tali for a bit?"

He glanced over at Bourne and said "Yeah, I think we can manage. This core doesn't require nearly as much maintenance when the ship isn't moving."

Bourne turned back to face her "What were you saying?"

But I just told him a few seconds ago, how could he have forgotten? Unless he means that Engineer Adams just said I was wrong. Keelah, of course that's what he means! "I suppose I'll come along then" I can't disobey a direct order.

Bourne seemed to catch what little expression could be seen through her helmet. "Tali, if you really don't want to come, than you can stay here. I'm not going to order you along, It's your choice."

My choice? "But which one would benefit the ship more?"

He slapped his face again. Doesn't that hurt? Tali wondered. He took a deep breath and took his hand away from his face. "Tali, it's not about which is better for the ship- heck, it's shore leave, so you're supposed to not worry about it unless you're on duty. It's whatever you'd rather do."

"But I'm duty right now." I might actually want to go now, but still…

"Not anymore. Your shore leave started as of right now. So if you want to spend time on the Citadel with the rest of us, you're more than welcome too. Or, you can spend your time on doing the same thing you've been doing for over a week instead of doing something you won't even have the chance to do for probably twice as long." He shrugged and turned back towards the door. "Your choice," He said as he walked out. Tali hesitated, then followed him. She could tell he wasn't even surprised a little bit. He only stopped long enough to see if anybody else was on this level, while Tali grabbed her Shotgun and Pistol and stored them on her suit. She decided against grabbing most of her armor, but she did grab a small shield generator and plug it into her suit.

The two of them piled into the Elevator. Tali squeezed herself into the corner out of habit, as room was scare on the Rayya. Bourne leaned against the wall, his arms crossed.

"So, how did your meeting with the politician go?" Tali asked, uncomfortable with the silence yet unable to think of something else to say.

Bourne chuckled. "Well, first an Alliance Admiral stopped us on our way there to make an unneeded inspection of the ship-"

"That was an Admiral? Bosh'tet, I wish I'd known so I could have greeted him properly"

"Tali, Admirals are important in the Alliance too, but it's not like he was on the Admiralty board. And to be honest, he wasn't happy to see non-humans in the crew."

"I noticed. Wrex didn't seem to like him either. The Admiral tried talking to him about why he was here, and Wrex eventually got mad and told him that he'd kill him if he kept- pestering him I think?- which made the Admiral leave in a hurry."

"He threatened to kill him?"

"Well, actually he threatened to bite his head off."

"Of course he did."

The elevator doors slid open, and Bourne nearly walked right into the Krogan in question.

"There you are. Shepard sent me down here to find you"

This is probably the first time I've seen Bourne be surprised like that. His hand was hovering near his holstered pistol. He moved his hand away somewhat reluctantly.

Wrex had obviously noticed. "Bourne, be realistic. Do you really think you could kill me with a hand gun?"

Bourne shrugged. "Well, I just upgraded it, but I haven't had a chance to test it out yet."

"What sort of upgrade?"

"Explosive rounds." Explosive rounds? If the Migrant fleet marines had those, we'd have much less of a pirate theat.

"Hpph. Powerful, but you can't get that many shots off before it'll overheat." Then again, maybe not

Bourne moved past him out of the Elevator, Wrex turning to face him. "You're going out with just that, and not even with a shield generator?"

"I'm trying to avoid a fight this time. Besides, if worse comes to worse, I know how to make a Biotic Barrier."

"Hah! A few good shots bring it down in seconds."

Bourne turned to face him, Biotically sending his gun into his hand. He fired straight at Wrex, surprising him and taking down his shields in two shots. Wrex staggered back, then his face twisted in anger. Tali had been thinking about trying to squeeze past like Bourne had, but that seemed like a much worse idea now.

Bourne smiled and lowered his gun. "The same could be said of your shields."

Wrex stared a moment, then rumbled. Or as Tali realized a moment later, chuckling. "Good point. Though next time you think about shooting me, think again. Doing something like that makes you a fool. Though I'll admit, a fool with one hell of a quad."

Bourne sent his Pistol back to its holster Biotically. "But who's the bigger fool? The Fool, or the Fool who follows him?"

Wrex rumbled again. "Well said. You're pretty smart- for a human." He seemed to be joking about the last part, but Tali wasn't sure. She risked squeezing past him. Wrex glanced at her, but his full attention was on Bourne.

"Actually, I stole it from a vid I saw once. But thanks." Bourne said with a grin. "Come on, like you said, Shepard's waiting for us." He started heading upstairs, followed by the other two. "Plus, I should probably let her know that I wasn't actually killing somebody. Huh, maybe I should have thought that out a little further."

That's going to do it for this Chapter. And if you were annoyed about the lack of fighting, I'll make it up to you next chapter.

How did you think I did at portraying Tali? I want to do some more from her POV, for reasons that'll become clear later on. But if anyone has some advice on how to improve, I'd appreciate it.

Until next time, I hope you've enjoyed this doubly long chapter of "Stuck in a World of Fiction"

Please review if you haven't already, even if it's just to tell me that I need to update more. Though just to give fair warning, I'm probably only going to be able to update on weekends for the next while. But luckily, I still have two more days I can spend writing. And believe me, I do want to get this monster done. My goal is to have both this and the Sequel done by the time ME3 comes out. I'm rambling now so I'm just going to shut up.

Until next time, sayonara.