***** Author's Note *****

Chapter drop a day early as my Christmas present to all of you. Thank you for playing a huge part in making this year liveable.


Morning comes too soon when I wake up to Joker yelling my name over the comms. I wanted to wake up the same way I fell asleep, Garrus inside me, but instead we're both startled from sleep by the pilot. "Commander! Oh, for fuck's sake, Garrus, get out of her - "

"Finish that sentence, and I'll shove something in yours, Joker," Garrus growls in response.

At least laughing helps me not want to kill Joker quite as much. I still roll my eyes at Garrus, though. He really is trouble.

"What's wrong, Joker? Better be good." I ask him, sitting up. I stretch with my arms over my head. Garrus leans up behind me, running his tongue up my elongated spine. I have to bite my lip to stifle my moan while Joker is listening.

"Jack and Miranda are in the middle of a...disagreement," Joker tells me, hesitating on that last word. And that tells me he's trying to hide something. "Can you head it off before they tear out a bulkhead?"

"Shit. Yeah, I'm on it, Joker."

I don't need Jack killing Miranda on a Cerberus ship. I'm almost positive it would start problems. And if Miranda attacks Jack, I won't have it in me to tell Jack not to kill her. Besides, crew members in physical battles is not good for missions. And on a mission like this, we can't afford anything driving us apart.

"I'm gonna go deal with this," I tell Garrus, climbing out of bed and heading for the closet. "Let me guess. You're gonna go play with your big canon?"

"You wonder why I feel sexually about that gun when you talk about it like that," he quips. I laugh and turn to roll my eyes at him while pulling on my sweats. It surprises me that he's not getting out of bed and even more when he puts his arms behind his head like he's not going anywhere.

"Sleeping in?" I tease him. "That's not very Turian of you."

"Maybe not," he allows with a shrug. "But I'm very newly engaged and have not spanked my fiance. So I'm gonna stay right here, wait for you to come back, and then..." He laughs. "A big canon pun is too easy even for me."

"Jack and Miranda better get their shit together real quick," I snap, yanking my shirt on and already heading for the door. "Can't wait, big guy."

"You say that now...but I'm gonna make you choose what I spank you with," he calls. I nearly trip up the stairs but I manage to catch myself on the wall. I can hear Garrus chuckling from behind me but can't look at him right now. Holy crap. My fiance makes the best threats.

I'm forced to shake it all off, get in the elevator, and head down to Miranda's office. It's not like I have a choice at the moment. Commander Shepard has a job to do.

Commander Shepard needs a very long honeymoon when the universe is safe and I don't have a team to worry about.

I brace myself before walking through the doors to Miranda's office, but I'm still not prepared for the chair that goes flying right past my face and crashes into the opposite wall. "Touch me, and I will smear the walls with you, bitch!" Jack screams.

"Enough!" I shout, moving far enough into the room that if either of them throws something, they'll hit me. And I dare them to try it. "Stand down, both of you."

"The cheerleader won't admit what Cerberus did to me was wrong!" Jack snaps, pointing at Miranda.

Miranda just scoffs. "It wasn't Cerberus. Not really. But clearly, you were a mistake."

Yikes. If I'd brought Garrus down here, Miranda would be halfway through that wall. Jack has a similar reaction in defense of herself and rushes across the room to get right up in Miranda's face. "Screw you! You've got no idea what they put me through! Maybe it's time I showed you."

I get between them and make eye contact with Jack. She makes a soft growling sound but takes a step backward. Yeah, I still got it.

"You two need to knock your personal shit off right now," I tell them. "Our mission is too important to let personal feelings get in the way. We've all had personal shit lately, and what you do in private is your business. Cry, break anything that isn't vital to the operation of the ship. But I will not tolerate my crew putting the mission in jeopardy because of a grudge."

"Fuck your feelings," Jack snarls. "I just want her dead."

"You both know what we're up against," I press. "Save your anger for the Collectors. And if you have some left over after, you can kill each other all you want."

Miranda smirks and steps forward, moving toward Jack slowly. "I can put aside my differences...until the mission is over."

"Sure," Jack responds with a laugh. "I'll do my part. I'd hate to see her die before I get a chance to filet her myself."

Jack starts out of the room, and I throw my arm out to block her. "You two gonna be okay?" I look between them, waiting and half expecting Jack to shove my arm aside.

"I'm gonna kick the crap outta the Krogan. I'll be fine," she tells me. I nod and drop my arm, letting her out of the room. It's a healthy way of dealing with her problems. Well, healthy by Jack standards anyway.

As soon as the doors close, I can feel the stress drop off Miranda like a physical weight. Of course, she just puts on a cocky smile and heads for her desk, but I can tell she's shaken. She was afraid of Jack, and she probably should be. "It's a good thing you came by when you did. As long as she does her job, we'll be fine. Thanks. Shepard."

"Miranda, don't touch the keyboard. We need to talk." She hesitates but looks up at me and waits. "First of all, Jack always does her job. And even if she didn't, that is none of your business. Your job, however, involves working for a terrorist organization that condoned the torture and murder of innocent children at some level, at any level. You should be ashamed of doing your job, Miranda."

"Commander, I - "

"Don't," I snap, much more worked up than I intended to be when I walked in here or even when I started talking. Jack wasn't kidding about this being a sore spot. "I'm going to look into it, Miranda, and if I find out that you were personally involved in anything to do with that project, I will force the Illusive Man to get you the hell off this mission and my ship. I have tried with you, Miranda, we all have, but I have limits."

Miranda opens her mouth, waits a minute to make sure I'm not doing to hush her, and then lowers her head. "There is no connection between me and what happened on Pragia. I didn't work with Cerberus then, and I wouldn't have participated."

"And calling Jack a mistake crossed about a hundred lines," I press, crossing my arms and cocking my hip.

"Jack was not innocent," Miranda snaps, losing her cool, as rare as that is. "I understand that you need to appease her because she's - "

"No, that is not what this is. I am not appeasing Jack, and I'm not about to make you feel better for the sake of it." I take a breath, trying to at least not scream at her. "Jack earned her spot on this team, and I will not punish her for the trauma Cerberus caused. Be an adult, Miranda. Be the bigger person, however you need to convince yourself, I don't care, but grow up. Get on board or fuck off."

I turn around and leave, way too worked up to stay in that room. I can't believe Miranda said that shit to Jack. And I'm pissed at Jack, too! She knows damn well how powerful she is, the damage that she could have done to the Normandy by attacking Miranda; I'm sure she remembers what happened to Purgatory, and that was a whole station. I've had my share of personal issues while on this mission, but I've gotten my job done. Garrus, too. Hell, almost every person on this ship has asked me to help them deal with a personal favor, and I do it for them and for the mission.

But this bullshit with Miranda and Jack threatens our mission against the Collectors. And I am unbelievably pissed off that they have the nerve to threaten something so important. The next person throwing chairs biotically will be me, and that's an even bigger issue than Jack doing it. My temper is surging, and my biotics want to follow it. I need to beat something or...

Or get beat.

I rush for the elevator and smack the panel to choose our quarters over and over until it finally starts moving. I only feel worse, more anxious and more on edge by the time the doors open. I'm ready to explode in all the bad ways, and I need someone who is an expert at it to funnel these feelings out of me safely. Otherwise, I will destroy something or someone on my own ship.

Garrus is standing at the end of the bed when I walk in, cuddling Monster and wearing absolutely nothing. The sight of him, gorgeous, only gets me going more - even though that seems impossible.

"That was..." Garrus's face falls when he looks up at me. "What's wrong?"

"I need you. I need you right now."

Garrus puts the kitten down and turns to face me, holding out his hands. "I'm yours. What do you need?"

It's a loaded question. Probably more than he realizes. And I don't know how to answer it when it feels like I might just explode. Sparks are leaping between my fingers, my hands are shaking, and I can feel my face getting hot.

And Garrus smiles. "I have you. Come here."

My body moves without my brain giving the command, my instincts completely in control and attuned to what he wants from me. Or maybe it's what I want since Garrus somehow always seems to know. And right now is clearly not the exception.

As soon as I'm in reach, Garrus yanks me up against his chest. His free hand comes up to my throat, our momentums combining so that I hit his palm harder than usual. He squeezes harder than usual too, and nothing inside me wants to resist it. I fall against him instead, compliant and ready. Stress starts sloughing off of me in waves instantly.

"That's my girl," he purrs. "You need a release, huh? Go to the closet and get my belt."

His...belt? That's a lot heavier, a lot harder than his hand. And right now, it sounds perfect.

I hurry to the closet and do as he asks, retrieving his thick black leather belt. I hurry back to him as well and hand it over, placing the belt in his outstretched palm. Garrus accepts it and nods, still grinning at me. And it's that dangerous, deadly grin that gets my heart racing. He's unbearably sexy; now I'm panting along with all the anxiety.

"I need you very naked, right now," he says, surprisingly almost a request. And then I hesitate so he snaps, "Now!" Not so much a request anymore.

I obey him, whipping my shirt off and tossing it aside. I start to shove my pants down just as quickly, desperate for whatever he'll give me and anything that will get him closer to me. But I slow down as much as I can when I feel his eyes on me, those impossibly blue gems trailing my chest and waist, lingering on my hips like a man starving.

Monster meows, and Garrus turns to give the kitten a look. "Hey. Didn't we just have a talk about you cock blocking me? What did we say about Aunt Tali when I need to get laid?"

I almost laugh, but then the kitten gets himself down from the bed, trots his fuzzy ass out the door, and heads for the elevator. I have no doubt he's heading for Tali, too. Between Garrus's ability to influence things and EDI able to help control the elevator and doors for the creature, Monster is almost definitely going to see his 'Aunt Tali.'

"You're really not going to enjoy this belt if you don't finish taking your clothes off right now," Garrus growls at me, snapping me back from reality out of my awe for his ability to train our cat. I didn't think cats were trainable, and definitely not by species that don't have cats or pets at all. But Garrus definitely has me trained, and my clothes are falling to the floor as quickly as I can get them off.

"Sorry," I offer.

He laughs and shakes his head. "Please never say that when you just got naked for me. You have absolutely nothing to be sorry for. This," he motions to my whole body, "means you never need to apologize."

"Oh, my God, you're so ridiculous," I laugh, pushing his hand away playfully. Garrus catches my wrist and pulls me closer, no longer smiling. The look in his eye makes my mouth go dry. I'm in trouble.

"Bend over the bed, head down and forearms flat," he orders, voice soft and a growl building in this throat. He's managing to keep his eyes on mine, though. I love that I can tell how much effort it's taking. He seems totally in control, but he still wants me unreasonably. Wildly.

I obey him, quickly and without question. It feels natural. But the moment I'm in position, I remember that Garrus is not bare handed. He's not just spanking me; he going to use a belt on my ass. A thick, heavy, leather belt. And it's gonna hurt. Probably a lot. Oh shit.

My heart starts racing. It's worse because Garrus is silent behind me. I can't tell if he's moving, I don't know if he's preparing, I don't even know where he is. It could come at any moment, and it's going to hurt like hell, and I can barely breathe with the anxiety seizing me like a fist around my heart.

His hand, strong and heavy, lands on my back. "You have to breathe, Shepard. This isn't that sort of scene."

Laughing helps, forcing me to breathe a little, but it ends up turning into heavy panting. My head is spinning, and I'm gripping the sheets for purchase. He hasn't even started yet, and I'm a mess. It's not just what's happening, I know, but also because of how I felt before I got up here. I've been worked up all day. The last time we had sex, I was in control. I haven't...I need him.

I need him to control me, dominate me, take me.

"Garrus, please."

His response is to snap the belt, making the leather crack. The sound surges through my veins like an electrical charge, and arousal sparks deep in my core. I want this. God, I want it so badly.

"You're getting this because you need it," he tells me, voice steady and firm. Just like he always is. Exactly what I needed after the chaos of walking through Jack's hell and learning about the torture of children at the hands of the organization that signs my paychecks and watching two of my crew members try to shred one another. It's what I need with the Collectors on our horizon and the Reapers breathing down our backs. I need this.

"Yes, sir. I need it."

Garrus makes a pleased hum. That helps, too; I need to please him.

"You'll get four since it's your first time with the belt," he tells me. How the fuck does he stay so calm? "You will count, and you will not cum. Do you understand?"

Damn it. I hate when he does that.

"Yes, sir."

He rewards me for it with the first hit, the belt making a fantastic sound as a sharp, ringing pain sears across my ass. He got me square across both my ass cheeks, flat and even and impressively controlled. And painful.

"One."

Fuck. I'm not sure I want that again. It hurts enough that I consider asking him to stop or even safewording. I don't know if I can handle another. But then Garrus cracks that belt across my ass again, just below where he hit last time. And it's just as painful but...somehow a different experience. I almost forget to count it because my mind gets to whirling again.

That time, it was still too painful...and yet somehow arousing too. Really, really arousing.

The third hurts enough to take my breath away and comes with a flood of sensation that leaves me so wet, I can feel it soaking my thighs. And then there's one more. I have to hold on to my senses and my mind desperately to keep from cumming, the pain enough to get me there and combined with the sound to drive me wild.

"Damn, baby," Garrus growls. I hear something I assume is the belt hit the floor, and then Garrus is pressing against my legs, his hands running lightly over my ass. I hiss out a breath between my teeth, my ass sore and the pain sharpening under his touch no matter how gentle. "Fuck, you have no idea how good your ass looks right now. I'm taking a picture."

It's a warning, I know, an opportunity for me to reject that. And part of me hates the idea of Garrus having a picture of my bare ass - freshly beaten - on his Omni-Tool. But thinking about Garrus looking at that picture later and getting hot for it...yeah, that's worth it. The thought makes me hotter, and I have to shift to relieve some of the pressure, which only makes Garrus moan.

"Wiggling for me, baby?" he purrs. "That will get you fucked, you know that?"

"Oh, God, I hope so."

He chuckles and then runs both hands up over my back and into my hair, taking a fistful and yanking my head back. He leans forward to nip my ear and then whispers, "You got me so hot, Elle." His hips finally meet my ass, and I moan at his erection, hot and heavy. "You feel that? You drive me wild." All I can do is whimper and try not to beg when he takes himself in one hand and guides it gently over my sex. "Mmm. And you're all worked up too, huh, baby?"

"Yes, sir." I manage to turn my head enough to nuzzle him, and Garrus growls softly, nipping my jaw.

"Tell me how you need me," he whispers. "Let me give you what you need, my love."

"Garrus." I rock my hips back into him as much as I can with the way he has my spine arched. "You always do. You are what I need."

His erection grinds into me. "I want you slow, baby, and I want you all day. But if I roll you over right now, it's gonna hurt like hell."

A laugh explodes from me and Garrus joins me, releasing my hair so I can collapse and then tucking his face into my neck. His laugh vibrates through his carapace and into me, turning me on even more even while the laughter relaxes me. Garrus must be feeling the same since his chuckle changes into a soft moan, and then he's running his mouth along the back of my shoulders, sliding his hands over my waist, pressing against me.

"One knee up," he purrs, taking the back of my knee and lifting my leg even as he ordered me to do it myself. His cock is pressing against me seconds later, searing hot and throbbing and I want him so, so badly. He stretches over my back, running his hands down my arms to the back of my hands and then interlocking our fingers just as he shifts his hips and slips slowly inside me. I'm aware of every single inch of him stretching me until he's completely buried inside me, and the pressure from the mattress makes me feel even fuller.

He pins my hands with his and holds my hips down firmly with his body weight, stroking steadily inside me. I can feel all of him. His carapace is cool and heavy, completely solid against my spine, his arms are sculpted and his palms are perfectly rough. His tongue, rough and long, explores my shoulders and neck while his sharp teeth score all the flesh he can reach.

And his cock, oh his cock. God.

"Perfect." I don't mean to say that out loud and I don't realize that I did until Garrus chuckles softly into my shoulder. "Cocky son of a - " I cut off in a moan when he nips my neck sharply.

"Are you trying to say I don't have a reason to be cocky?" he purrs. "Am I giving you everything you need, baby? Or do you need more?" Garrus releases one of my hands and presses his finger to my lips. I don't hesitate to let him in, sucking his finger into my mouth and relishing the way he moans.

Garrus pulls his finger back out of my mouth and seconds later, that same finger is pressing into my ass. It's more intense now than usual, my ass still ringing in pain and every shift of his hips making that worse...or better. I can't really decide which. But damn he feels good, and when he takes my ass, he uses his other hand to turn my head and take my mouth with his tongue too. I'm completely filled by him, totally surrounded by him, and it's exactly what I needed.

"I love you," he breathes. And now I have everything I've ever wanted.

It's overwhelming in the best way, and I let the whole week of tension go. The release comes with a rapid escalation toward a shattering orgasm, and Garrus drags three out of me before finishing deep inside me. I feel his cock pulsing while he moans and growls into my shoulder, his body shuddering. But he's not done.

He immediately rolls me over with a hold on my arm, spreads my legs, and sinks inside me with nearly a roar. His first thrust feels incredible but it's not enough to keep me from hissing in pain when my ass slides against the blankets.

"Oh, shit," he breathes, instantly stopping and pulling my legs back in gently. "I'm sorry, baby."

"No, I don't care, I don't want you to stop."

Garrus laughs, and I can't blame him because I was definitely just whining; I'm not ashamed of it. "I don't want to stop either, don't worry. Let's just find a position that isn't going to hurt you for reasons that are far less fun."

I laugh this time and it cuts off in a squeal when Garrus scoops me up, holding the back of my thighs instead of my ass, and moves to the head of the bed with me in his lap. I waste no time getting him back inside me and learn quickly that I need to watch how hard my ass is hitting his thighs. Garrus holds me steady, lays flat, and offers me his hands for balance. He meant what he said about finding a position that worked and damn does this work.

"Spirits, I love watching you take me," he growls, eyes trained firmly where our bodies are joining. It never gets old to watch him watch me, to see the arousal grow in his eyes and the way his mandibles flex. He's impressively in control even from under me and when he's holding himself back from thrusting so that he doesn't hurt my very sore ass.

"You're so sexy," I blurt out, unable to help it. He flashes a cock little grin and it only grows when I rock against him, my clit pressing against that perfectly placed ridge on his groin plates. "I hate that you know it." I hate how breathless I sound, but that can't be helped.

Garrus chuckles, that low and incredibly sexy sound I love. "No, you don't. You love it, and you love showing me off. Just as much as I love knowing everyone wants you...but you are mine." He rolls his hips up into me, perfect aim as always. "All mine." He squeezes my hands and I cling to him, my spine tingling and heat exploding in my veins.

He doesn't just make me feel good, he doesn't just love me. Garrus Vakarian owns me, and it's exactly what I've always needed. It's everything.

"Garrus...I wanna cum."

"I've got you, my love." He lets go of one hand and slips it between us, finding my clit like an absolute pro. Sniper, engineer, mechanic, and fucking master of my entire body. His touch is the edge I need, and I'm falling apart moments later. It's by some miracle alone that I manage to continue for long enough to make him cum, too. Garrus finishes with a low growl, holding me still and buried completely inside me, and when I collapse on top of him, he's still twitching.

"We're really good together," I gasp out, resting my head on that perfect spot on his shoulder.

Garrus makes a soft sound and runs his hands down my spine. "It's amazing," he agrees. "I didn't even know it could be like this."

"I'm still not always convinced it's real. Sometimes I get so scared I'll wake up and this will all be a dream that I can barely breathe. If I'd been brought back without you...none of this would matter."

"Shepard," he whispers, hugging me tighter. I try not to talk about dying and all that much in front of him because I know the topic causes him pain, but it just kind of came out this time. "I lived in that nightmare for two years." That throws me; it's even more rare that Garrus talks about Omega. "You coming back was waking up and coming home all at once."

I push myself up enough to look at him. As much as I don't want to potentially ruin this moment, this might be my only opportunity to get him open enough for this conversation. "With you being bonded to me...Garrus, there's a very real possibility that I don't get out of this mission. I mean, that any of us won't. And if you're bonded to me..."

His face is shuttered and somber in an instant, and he shifts the pillow under his head to face me more firmly. "Bonded Turians only ever have one bondmate. When our bondmates die, we don't get another."

"But all Turians mate for life."

"Yeah, we do. Divorce doesn't exist for Turians, and all married couples mark one another permanently. But the death of your mate allows you to remarry." He shrugs one shoulder but it doesn't look casual. "We're a war-oriented people; a lot of Turians get widowed."

"Not a lot of Turians bond."

He shakes his head. "No. The theory is that we evolved out of it because bonded Turians who lose their mates won't get another, they won't continue to breed. Bad for the species."

"And bad for the Turian left behind."

Garrus takes a breath. "I can't take back our bond."

And now comes the moment of truth. "If you could take it back...would you?"

There's a heavy, almost choking silence for a moment. And then just as he opens his mouth, the chime on the door starts going off. Over and over again. Like the person on the other side is panicked. Like something is wrong.

Garrus clearly feels the same, and we're both up and at least partially dressed in seconds. I hurry to the door and open it only to have a distraught Quarian throw herself at me. "Shepard! They're accusing me of treason."


"This is Tali'Zorah-vas Neema nar Rayya requesting permission to dock with the Rayya."

Tali blows me away sometimes. She's been accused of treason and is going home to the Migrant Fleet to face those accusations. Understandably, she fell apart right after hearing about the charges. But now she's pulled it together and is collected as we approach the Fleet.

I think I'm more of a mess than she is right now. I can't imagine anyone accusing Tali of a crime but especially one involving disloyalty. She's like my sister, I know her heart as well as I know my own. Tali would never betray her people, her friends, her family. So it's been more than worth it to find the Migrant Fleet and be here to support her. I just hope there's something we can do.

Joker is flying us toward the fleet, slowing to prepare to dock. Tali had to point out the right ship several times because even a system as advanced as the Normandy's has trouble picking just one out. The Migrant Fleet is much larger in scope than I was prepared for, ships of various styles and ages all flying together as one impressive unit.

At least I think they're impressive. Most of the galaxy considers this Migrant Fleet no more than a sad group of homeless thieves. Of course, most of the galaxy has never bothered to get to know a Quarian the way I have. Their loss.

A traffic controller from the Rayya responds, "Our system has your ship flagged as Cerberus. Verify."

Tali pauses in her pace behind Joker's chair. I hear her take a breath and then she answers, "'After time adrift among open stars, along tides of light and through shoals of dust, I will return to where I began.'"

"That's beautiful," Garrus breathes from where he leans on the wall to airlock beside me. I agree. For a moment, my heart aches for Mindior.

"Permission granted," the traffic controller says. "Welcome home, Tali'Zorah."

"We'd like a security and quarantine team to meet us," Tali replies, all business. "Our ship is not clean."

"Understood. Approach exterior docking cradle 17."

Tali takes a sharp breath and shakes out her hands, which she's been wringing for the last three days. She turns back to face me and nods. "Thank you again for this, Shepard. I would have been happy just getting a shuttle to the fleet, but having all of you here..."

When she trails off, I step forward and take her hands between mine. "You're going to get through this. I can't promise the outcome, but I promise we're here for you."

She inhales and nods, straightening her shoulders again. I let her lead us off the ship and onto the docking bay, a long hallway straight ahead of us. We're quickly greeted by a tall Quarian wearing white and red; he's leading several others, and I assume this is that quarantine team. Tali gave us all a heads up that helmets and masks would be required by everyone for the duration of our time with the fleet, even for people staying on the Normandy. No one complained - even Garrus who hates wearing a helmet. It's a wonder he lasted as Archangel.

"Captain Kar'Donna," Tali greets him, simultaneously introducing him to us.

"Welcome home," he says warmly. Surprisingly warm considering I imagine he knows why we're here.

Tali motions to me. "Shepard, this is Captain Kar'Donna, the Captain of the Rayya and a friend of my family for a long time. This is Captain Shepard and Garrus Vakarian, her first officer."

"Captain Shepard. Tali'Zorah told me a lot about you. I wish we could be meeting under more pleasant circumstances."

Tali also gave me a heads up that I would be called 'Captain' among the fleet; anyone who leads a ship and crew is a Captain in Quarian culture. Titles don't make much of a difference to me, so I don't question or correct it. Garrus technically got a promotion today, too.

"Tali helped the Normandy's crew out of many difficult situations. I'm here to return the favor," I tell him.

He nods. "I understand. As the commander of the vessel she serves on, your voice carries weight. I wish I could do more to help, Tali. The trial requires that I be officially neutral, but I'm here if you need to talk."

"Thank you. I need to know what's going on," she urges him. I would be screaming that at this point. Tali received a message that she needed to come home to be tried for treason and was given no further information - including why the charges are being levied at all.

With the way Captain Kar'Donna's shoulders fall, I wonder if we really wanted to know.

"They're charging you with bringing active Geth into the fleet as part of a secret project," he informs us.

My jaw pops open so far, it smacks the bottom of my helmet and I'm fairly certain the people around me hear the clank. Garrus snorts from behind me, sharing my shock and skepticism. Tali reacts with her whole body, taking a startled step back like she's been struck.

"That's insane! I never brought active Geth aboard. I only sent parts and pieces."

I blink at that and turn to her. "You sent Geth materials back to the Migrant Fleet?"

"My father was working on a project, and he needed the materials." I watch her stiffen. "If I sent something back that was only damaged, not permanently inactive...no. No, I checked everything. I was careful."

"Tali, you're always careful," I assure her, resting my hand on my shoulder. "I rely on you as a logical, rational voice when I'm emotional. Even when you were hunting Saren by yourself, you were thinking three steps ahead."

"And you're one hell of an engineer," Garrus chimes in, his voice gentle. "You would know if those Geth pieces were a risk."

Tali nods frantically, definitely trying to convince herself. I squeeze her shoulder and hope she can feel my faith in her at least.

"Technically, I'm under orders to place Tali'Zorah under arrest pending the hearing," Captain Kar'Donna tells us. He hates the words, I can tell. "So, Tali...you're confined to this ship until that is over."

"Thank you, Captain," she replies with a nod.

"My crew and I won't be leaving either. Not without Tali." The Captain looks at me, and I don't need to see his face to know that he understands. The Migrant Fleet cannot keep a Spectre here without taking on the Council, so this is a promise that Tali will be coming with me when and how Tali is ready to leave.

He nods, not challenging it. I think he may actually approve. "Preparations got underway as soon as you arrived. The hearing is being held in the garden plaza. You should speak with Admiral Raan. She's waiting for you up ahead."

We all thank him, and then he lets us continue down the hall. I'm glad no one has tried to restrain Tali; I don't think I could handle that very well.

We pass a few Quarians who are watching us and talking about the trial, about Tali. "I can't believe they're charging, Tali'Zorah with such a thing," one of them says. I hear another say, "If Tali'Zorah can't even get a Quarian captain to stand for her, she's as good as convicted."

Yikes.

We follow Tali down the hallway and to the right, through a set of doors. It opens into another hallway. I'm already feeling the stillness of the air here; I don't think I could live here long term with this staleness, but I'm grateful the Quarians have this solution to keep themselves healthy.

Tali recognizes one of the Quarians standing at the end of the hallway and does a little bounce on her toes. I'm hopeful that all of Tali's friends and family are supportive of her, but I don't imagine her current mission is helping anyone's opinions of her at the moment.

One of the Quarian women at the end of the hall dismisses the other, and then turns to face us. "Tali'Zorah vas Normandy," she says, holding out her arms. "I'm glad you came. I could delay them only so long."

Tali throws her arms around the other woman's neck and holds on tight. "Auntie Raan!" Her voice is full of emotion, and I stop a few feet back with Garrus to give them some privacy. After a moment, Tali pulls away and turns to us. "Shepard vas Normandy, Garrus Vakarian, this is Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay. She's a friend of my father's."

"Good to meet you," I greet her, nodding. We were told not to shake hands or get too close to the Quarians, just in case there's a space in someone's suit that allows an infection through.

Garrus doesn't get a chance to greet her before Tali makes a weird sound, and we all turn to her. "Wait, Raan. You just called me 'vas Normandy.'"

"I'm afraid I did, Tali. The Admiralty Board moved to have you tried under that name, given your departure from the Neema." As she speaks, Tali is backing away from Raan until she's standing between me and Garrus again. I nudge her hand, and Tali clings to mine.

"I take it being associated with a human ship is a bad sign?" I ask.

"They stripped me of my ship name," Tali breathes. "That's as good as declaring me exiled already."

"It's not over yet, Tali," Shala'Raan counters firmly. "You have friends who still know you as Tali'Zorah vas Neema, whatever we must call you legally."

Tali nods but does not seem at all convinced.

"You're an admiral?" Garrus asks. "Does that mean you're one of the judges?"

"I'm afraid not," Shala'Raan answers. "My history with Tali and her father forced me to recuse myself."

"I imagine Father had to do the same," Tali says.

Shala'Raan hesitates, then answers, "You'll see inside, Tali. For my part, I will moderate and ensure that the rules of protocol are followed, but I have no vote in the judgment."

That is not helpful for us at all. I take a breath. "I guess we should get started. Does Tali have a defense counselor, someone who speaks for her side?"

"Indeed she does...Captain Shepard." That might be the most foreboding way anyone has ever said my name. "She is part of your crew now, as recognized by Quarian law. And an accused is always represented by their ship captain."

"So, er..." Tali is wringing her hands again when she looks at me. "You will actually speak for my defense."

"I'm honored, Tali. I'll do everything in my power to help you." I squeeze her hand, finally grateful for my helmet so she doesn't have to see that I do not look as calm as I sound. The thought of Tali's future as a member of the Migrant Fleet resting on my shoulders makes me want to jump through an airlock.

"Thank you, Shepard. I could not ask for a better counselor. Or Captain." She catches me off guard with that, and I know she said it in front of an admiral intentionally. Tali is frustrated by all this, more than she's let on.

"Our legal rules are simple," Shala'Raan says. "There are no tricks or political loopholes for you to worry about. Present the truth as best you can. It will have to be enough. Now come. I promised I would not delay you."

We follow Shala'Raan down the hall and through a few more sections of the ship until we reach a large, open plaza with plants growing. It's a beautiful garden and the one area of the ship so far where I feel like the air is breathable. In the center of the room, a meeting area has been built-in. We have to walk down a few steps to reach it.

There's a platform facing a table and seating in a semi-circle facing the platform. The spacing for seating is full, and there are three Quarians already standing on the platform. Shala'Raan leaves us at the table climbs up onto a raised dias behind the other three Quarians. Instantly, it feels like a courtroom and not a garden. I much prefer the garden.

"The one on the right is Admiral Gerrel," Tali whispers. "He's worked with my father most of my life. In the middle is Admiral Koris. Not a fan of my father. I do not know the other one."

"This Conclave is brought to order," Shala'Raan calls, the room quieting immediately. I notice that none of them have anything to enhance their voices, and Shala'Raan doesn't shout to gain order. The Quarians all settle quickly and calmly. "Blessed are the ancestors who kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season. Keelah se'lai."

The Quarians in the room call back, "Keelah se'lai," in response, voices lowered in reverence.

Shala'Raan continues, "The accused, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, has come with her captain to defend herself against the charge of treason."

"Objection!" Admiral Koris screeches even as he raises his hand. "A human has no business at a hearing involving such sensitive military matters."

"Then you should not have declared Tali crew of the Normandy, Admiral Koris," Shala'Raan retorts calmly. "By right as Tali's captain, Shepard must stay."

I think I like Tali's Auntie Raan.

"Objection withdrawn," Admiral Koris practically growls.

"Shepard vas Normandy," Shala'Raan says, "your crew member Tali'Zorah stands accused of treason. Will you speak for her?"

"If it helps, I will," I answer. I can play this role, but I am not going to be the puppet here. Not when Tali's dignity and her home are at risk. "But in her heart, she remains Tali'Zorah vas Neema, a proud member of the Migrant Fleet. I regret that her captain is forbidden to stand at her side today."

"Nobody has been forbidden from anything," Koris replies, waving his hand dismissively. "It is a simple - "

"Lie to them if you must, Zaal'Koris," Admiral Gerrel snaps, "but don't lie to me and expect me to stay silent. The human is right!"

Oh, I just love how often aliens refer to me as 'the human.' At least around human soldiers, it's 'the woman' or 'the redhead.' Actually, I think I prefer 'the human.'

"Admirals, please," Shala'Raan cuts in. She has a tone that makes me think of when my mother got sick of referring arguments with my brother and I. "Shepard's willingness to represent Tali'Zorah in this hearing is appreciated. Tali, you are accused of bringing active Geth to the Migrant Fleet. What say you?"

"How could Tali have brought Geth to the Fleet while serving on the Normandy?" I ask, this whole thing bothering me. It doesn't seem possible these people have known Tali for more than two minutes, nonetheless her whole life.

"To clarify, Shepard," the one admiral that Tali didn't recognize says, "Tali isn't accused of bringing back entire units. Only parts that could spontaneously reactivate."

"But I would never send active Geth to the Fleet!" Tali protests, throwing up her hands. "Everything I sent was disabled and harmless!"

Admiral Koris scoffs. "Then explain how Geth seized the lab where your father was working!"

I feel Garrus stiffen behind me, and Tali gasps sharply, her entire body shuddering. She knew nothing about this, and she shares my shock. The crowd around us seems surprised as well, murmuring to themselves.

"What are you talking about?" Tali asks, her voice softer with fear. "What happened?"

"As far as we can tell, Tali..." Admiral Gerrel pauses and shakes his head. "The Geth have killed everyone on the Alarei...your father included."

"What?!" Tali cries. "Oh, Keelah!" Her legs give, and I reach for her, but Garrus is faster. He pulls Tali into his arms, tucking her against his chest, and gives me a firm nod before dropping his head to whisper to her. I don't know what he's saying, but I know she's in good hands. He has her so I can keep going and figure out what the hell is going on here.

"I appreciate the need for this trial, Admirals," I tell them, "but right now our first concern must be the safety of the Migrant Fleet. The Normandy stands ready to assist in whatever capacity necessary."

"Thank you," Shala'Raan replies, bowing her head a little. "Quarian strike teams have attempted to retake the ship, so far without success."

"Shepard, we have to take back the Alarei!" Tali cries from within Garrus's arms.

"The safest course would be to simply destroy the ship," Admiral Koris says, way too calm for the topic at hand. "But if you are looking for an honorable death instead of exile - "

Tali leaps toward the admirals platform and screams, "I'm looking for my father, you bosh'tet!"

She only doesn't rush up there, I'm sure, because Garrus catches her and is smart enough to keep hold. "Easy, easy," I hear him murmur to her. "Kill him, we don't get to find your father. Leave it to Shepard."

"You intend to retake the Alarei from the Geth?" Shala'Raan asks, her tone surprised. "This proposal is extremely dangerous."

"With your permission, Admirals, yes," I reply. "The good of the Fleet must come first, and Tali needs to find her father."

"To be fair, if there is anyone in the galaxy more experienced and equipped for fighting Geth than Quarians, it's Shepard and our crew," Garrus notes. He has an excellent point. We have to be the only people who have fought more of them.

Admiral Gerrel nods. "Agreed. And if you die on this worthy mission, Tali, we will see that your name is cleared of these charges."

"We can discuss that later," Koris chimes in. I can practically hear his scowl.

"Then it is decided," Shala'Raan announces. "You will attempt to retake the Alarei. You are hereby given leave to depart the Rayya. A shuttle will be waiting at the secondary docking hangar. This hearing will resume upon your return or upon determination that you have been killed in action."

The admirals and crowd start to disperse for now, and we wait for a moment to talk alone. I realize that I just signed on for a mission that we'll have to walk into fairly blind, but there was no other option. Tali deserves to find her father, and the entire Migrant Fleet is at risk if we leave a ship controlled by Geth among them.

Tali has pulled herself together a bit, but she's still wringing her hands. "Thank you for agreeing to take back the Alarei, Shepard. The admirals sound sure that my father is already dead, but...I don't know. We won't know anything until we get there."

"How are you holding up?" I ask, reaching for her. She takes my hand and squeezes. I hate that I couldn't hold or comfort her during the trial. "They just threw a lot of fire at you, even before telling you about your father."

Tali shakes her head. "I knew this would be bad, but I guess you're never really prepared to be charged with treason. And my father..."

She releases my hand and starts to pace. Garrus comes to stand closer at my side and I can feel that he's worried even if I can't see his face. Tali is very anxious, much more than we've seen her even on Haestrom, and her father is in a horrible situation. If we get onto the Alarei and he is gone...

"He could still be alive," she says, as if she can read my mind. "They don't know for certain that he's dead. I just don't know, Shepard. And I need to find out."

"I get it, Tali," I assure her. "If I hadn't seen what happened to my parents and my brother, I never would have believed it. You have to see, you can't just accept it. And I don't want to leave any of the Quarians on the Alarei there if there's a chance they survived the Geth attack."

"Not knowing is worse," Garrus breathes, his voice low. "Having something like this dropped on you when you're helpless..."

He shakes his head, and Tali takes his hand while my heart breaks for both of them. It's not hard to figure out what Garrus is talking about, and I can see Tali's hand shaking in his. We need to do this.

"I'd like more information on the Alarei and what happened before we go over there. And learning more about the trial couldn't hurt. Is there anyone we could talk to?"

Tali nods at me. "We can talk with the admirals. It might help us to see what their viewpoints are. But I don't doubt we'll change anyone's mind by talking to them."

She's probably right, but it's worth a shot. "Let's go."

"Right," Tali agrees. "The sooner we get to the Alarei, the sooner we'll know what happened."

We leave the garden plaza and go back into the courtyard just on the other side of the doors. This must be the center of the ship, and it seems big enough to fit most of the Quarians on board here. A good number of them are dwelling around now. Just outside the door, Tali spots Shala'Raan and her spine goes stiff. I can tell she's going to take off, but I don't stop her. She deserves to be able to confront the people responsible for how she's feeling right now.

"You set me up, Shala!" Tali shouts, pointing a finger in Shala'Raan's face. The other Quarians in the area give them a wide berth. Garrus and I catch up to stand at Tali's six; we won't let her go too far. "You told Captain Danna not to say anything. I don't hear that my father may be dead until I'm in the trial? Why?"

"The admirals needed to hear the shock in your voice, Tali," Shala'Raan replies, still entirely calm. Or at least she sounds calm. "Otherwise, they might not have let you try to retake the Alarei. That is your best chance at recovering evidence that can exonerate you. I'm sorry. We cannot afford sensitivity, Tali."

I shake my head. "I know you're trying to help her, Admiral, but that was over the line."

"She has nobody else to speak for her here, Shepard. I'm doing everything in my power." Shala'Raan lowers her head a little and adds, "That's what her father would have wanted."

"Don't say it like that!" Tali snaps, shaking again. "He could still be alive on that ship."

Shala'Raan nods. "You should get to the Alarei soon. Is there anything else I can tell you?"

"How long have you known Tali's family?" I ask. We need to know our allies, and I want to keep Tali - the way they've known and loved her for her entire life - fresh in all of the admiral's minds.

"Since before Rael was an admiral - twenty-five or thirty years, I'd guess." I can see Shala'Raan soften a bit. "I was there when Tali was born. Her mother and I had synced up our suits so we could be in the same open-air room. I was sick for a week, but it was worth it. I was the one who took Tali from her mother and put her in the bubble. She cried so hard."

I frown at that. "I apologize for my ignorance here but...bubble?"

"Environmental units," Shala'Raan explains. "It's a step between the mother's immune system through nursing and getting a suit of one's own."

Tali adds, "The bubbles let parents take their children out of the clean rooms safely. We don't wear suits until adolescence."

"There's a celebration when a child gets their first suit. It's a coming of age."

"Kind of brilliant," Garrus mutters. It's hard to argue.

"But you were there when Tali was born...not Rael," I note. I know from past conversations with Tali that her father was never around much and Tali was never very close to him. Obviously, Tali doesn't want her father dead and Rael is the only parent Tali has left, but it leaves open how much Rael would have shared with Tali.

"It's difficult to explain," Shala'Raan offers. "I shouldn't..."

She glances at Tali who nods. "It's alright. No secrets between shipmates. I've talked to Shepard and Garrus about my father."

"If you say so," Shala'Raan replies. I can tell from the tone she would prefer that sort of thing had stayed within the Fleet. "Rael was...committed to the Quarian cause. That didn't leave him a lot of time for his family. He wanted to give Tali and her mother the homeworld...or a strong Fleet at least. That was how he showed his love."

Garrus makes a sound. I don't need to look or even be able to see him to know what that means. Priorities matter, and Garrus does not approve of his father's or Tali's. If nothing else, it's made certain that Garrus knows how important priorities are. Somehow I got to the top of his.

The only issue with that is how easily he can distract me.

"What can you tell us about the Alarei?" I ask, getting back on target.

"Not much, I'm afraid," she answers. "Rael'Zorah only said that he was researching new defense technology."

Tali chimes in, "He only told me that he needed any Geth parts or pieces I found. I assumed he was testing weapons on Geth components."

"We knew nothing until the Alarei sent a distress signal, then went dead," Shala'Raan continues. "We didn't even know about the Geth until a boarding team was attacked."

So whatever Rael was doing on the Alarei, he wanted to keep secret from absolutely everyone. And for an admiral, that's got to be pretty serious.

"You're saying there's no data about the inside of the ship?" I press.

"And we have no idea what we're walking into," Garrus adds.

Shala'Raan nods. "That's exactly what I'm saying. The marines who survived and escaped saw bodies in the hall. We must assume the worst."

"No, we don't," Tali snaps before I have to.

We are not going to assume anything at all about the Alarei; we assume survivors until all other options are exhausted. But that doesn't mean I'm feeling good about this. What the hell was Rael doing over there? Like Garrus said, what are we walking into? More importantly in this case...what am I walking Tali into?

"We should move on," I say, hoping we can get something better elsewhere. Shala'Raan might be Tali's aunt but she's already grieving Rael, and that's not what we need right now. Besides, Tali has a right to be frustrated with Shala, and I'm not pushing her emotions.

"Good luck on the Alarei," Shala'Raan offers before we walk away.

Tali leads us to Admiral Gerrel who is waving us over. "He's an engineering expert, like my father," she tells us quietly on the way. "I've always liked him. Though I do think he had an affair with my mom before I was born but I don't want to talk about that."

I glance up at Garrus and can just about feel the look on his face. Migrant Fleet drama. They should make a soap opera.

"Tali!" the admiral greets us. "I'm glad Admiral Raan got you leave to hit the Alarei. Hopefully you'll find something that clears your name."

He seems truly genuine, and I appreciate it.

"I'm more concerned with finding my father, Admiral," Tali breathes.

"I wish you luck. Blow up some Geth on the way." He turns to look at me and extends a hand; I accept his forearm. "And you're Captain Shepard? Admiral Han-Gerrel vas Neema."

"A pleasure," I reply. "This is Garrus Vakarian." I refuse to introduce him as my fiance to a Quarian admiral before doing it with the Vakarian family.

"You've got Admiral Koris backing up worse than a Krogan toilet," Gerrel chuckles. "Glad to see Tali's captain knows how to handle a courtroom."

I scoff at that. "I'm glad one of our judges is inclined to believe the defense."

"If you were only giving Rael inactive equipment for weapons tests, I've got no problem," he assures us. "We need to test weapons against Geth material. I know you and your father. You've put too much of yourselves into this fleet to do anything to jeopardize our safety. And you're both smart enough not to make mistakes like the ones they're saying you made."

Tali straightens up a little. It helps to hear someone in charge around here is on her side, I'm sure. It's only one though, and we have a lot of hurdles ahead of us.

"Can you tell me about the other admirals?" I ask him. "Anything that might help me change their minds about Tali?"

He nods and leads us toward the side of the room to keep our conversation private. "The one you didn't recognize, Tali, is Admiral Xen. She's on the fence. She takes Fleet safety very seriously, but she's always been in favor of studying the Geth. I hope she sees the benefit of Rael's research. Admiral Koris is the same whining suit-wetter he always was."

"You disagree with Admiral Koris's policies, I'm guessing?" I ask. "Or is it personal?"

"The man is a damn Geth apologist. Thinks we were wrong to try to destroy them centuries ago." He scoffs and shakes his head. "He wants us to search for new colony possibilities instead of taking back the homeworld. Any research on the Geth makes him angry. You don't have much of a chance with him, I'm afraid."

"Two to one is still a win," Garrus notes.

I agree, and it's good to know our weaknesses. "You and Tali's father go back a long ways?"

"We served together on the gunship Yaska during a bad Batarian raid," he begins, getting that reminiscing voice everyone from every species has. "We were kids, serving pre-Pilgrimage as trainees. A crew of ten, and six were dead. Kinetic barriers were down. Rael and I were along the bridge, and the Batarians had drawn off a tramp freighter."

"Did you save the freighter?" Garrus asks, always eager for a war story.

"Our ship was under orders to hold position," Gerrel continues, almost definitely grinning inside his mask, "but Rael looked at me and said, 'We're underage. They can't charge us for breaking formation.' He took the helm, I took the weapons, and we brought that freighter back. The crew called us heroes, the brass called us idiots. They slapped medals on our suits, then kicked us off to Pilgrimage a bit earlier than usual." He laughs sadly and shakes his head, mourning. "That's Rael for you."

"We appreciate the help," I tell him.

He nods, and then touches Tali's elbow. "Hang in there, kid."

"Thank you, Admiral."

We leave him, and I realize quickly that our conversations have been noticed. Everyone is aware that we spoke to at least two of the other admirals, and with Admiral Koris nearby, it would look like a slight if we avoided him. "You know we have to," Garrus mutters, reading my mind.

"This is gonna suck," I groan, leading them toward the admiral who is making it his business to wreck my best friend's life.

"Judging by your ability to play to a crowd, human," Koris begins, speaking while he turns around to face me, "I have done Tali a favor by stripping 'vas Neema' from her name."

Tali makes a soft growling noise. Very Turian of her. "Commander Shepard, Garrus Vakarian, this is Admiral Zaal'Koris vas Qwib-Qwib. Do not ask about the name," she adds quietly.

Garrus is almost definitely going to ask about the same.

"I take no pleasure in this, Tali, truly," Koris says, his tone haughty and annoying. "But you have gravely endangered and dishonored our Fleet."

"You have a ship named Qwib-Qwib?" Garrus asks, not even bothering to hide the way he's chuckling. Tali groans, and I'm finally glad for the helmet so that I can smile. I love this guy.

Admiral Koris puffs himself up, preparing to preach. "Our people have, during difficult periods, purchased pro-owned vessels from other cultures! And have, on occasion, had difficulty altering the ships registry information. The citizens of these foreign-named ships have borne the stigma of these names with grace and honor."

"If it bothers you, why haven't you found another ship?" I ask. He's clearly got some pride issues about it. Not that I can blame him...especially when he's standing in front of someone as badass as a 'vas Normandy.'

"I've occasionally entertained the idea of requesting a transfer," he admits. "Something with a nice, respectable name like the Defrahnz or the Iktomi. But I am proud of the Qwib-Qwib, and I will not flee because of the petty insults."

"Mmhmm, fascinating, and what exactly is your problem with my crew member, Admiral?" I demand, crossing my arms over my chest and cocking my hip. I don't have to tolerate this douchebag and neither should Tali.

"I respect Tali immensely," he replies, still puffed up like a fool. "Her actions against Saren are to be lauded. But like her father, she wants nothing but the destruction of the Geth - the people we created. The people we wronged."

"The Geth drove us from our homeworld!" Tali protests.

He looks at her and replies, "Of course they did. We tried to kill them."

Oh, crap. The douchebag has a really good point. But the last thing I need is to admit that or to start an argument with Tali - and maybe Garrus - so I force myself to focus again.

"Can you tell me anything about the Alarei?" I ask.

"Only that you should have let us destroy it," he snarks in response. "When we find the evidence of what Tali and her father did there, any hope of convincing the other admirals will die."

I regret asking. I don't think I'd regret punching him in the face, though.

Tali is fed up too, and she snaps, "I did not bring active Geth to the Alarei, Admiral! I know how dangerous that would be! I only brought pieces."

"The captured ship with its crew slaughtered by living beings in pain belies your argument."

Damn.

"We should go," I interject. Tali doesn't need to get into an argument with him right now either. Priorities.

"Goodbye, Tali'Zorah," Admiral Koris calls as we start to move away. "Be well."

Tali turns back and cocks her head at him. "I'm surprised to hear you say that."

"I don't hate you, Tali. I just think your father's plans for war were wrong."

She just shakes her head and lets us keep walking away. Smart move. Unfortunately, it leaves me with too much time to consider exactly what he said. He's the only person I've ever heard call the Geth people. He talked about them being in pain, being wronged. Before meeting David and Archer, I might have ignored it completely. But now...

If the Geth do feel pain, if they feel loss, the war and every battle with the Geth gains an entire new level of complexity.

"Okay, you two are engineers," I note, keeping my voice down so I don't start a debate with the entire ship. "Are AIs sentient? Is there any value to what Koris said?"

"Shepard, no," Tali answers firmly, her voice squeaking a little. "They have some intelligence, but they are not people."

"I told you about David and Project Overlord, Tali. You know that Archer said David wasn't a person either, and he was suffering horribly," I remind her. "And what about EDI? Tell me you've never noticed any emotion in EDI's voice or thoughts."

"That's not the same as Geth!"

"Why? Because Geth are an enemy? That makes them incapable of being people?"

"Okay, alright," Garrus breathes, stepping between us and placing a hand on my shoulder. "Let's not do this right here, not right now. It's a debate worth having another day. For now, one thing matters."

"He's right." I reach in front of him and take Tali's hand. "We're going to find out what happened to your dad. We can talk Geth philosophy later. I'm sorry I brought it up now."

"I'm sorry I snapped at you," she replies, squeezing my hand.

Garrus scoffs. "I have argued with both of you, and neither of you has ever apologized that quickly. This is bullshit."

We laugh at him, and Tali elbows his side, the tension easing immediately. Garrus keeps his arm around me, pulling me a little closer. It's a silent appreciation, a promise that he understands where I was coming from. And that helps a little, knowing that I'm not completely off-base here. But he was also right that this is not the time.

Tali leads us through halls that feel like a maze with no problem. I could live here and still get lost, I'm sure. "You know this ship like the back of your hand, Tali," I note.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Tali asks, giggling at me.

"That's one of the worst human idioms I've heard yet, Shepard," Garrus times in. I know for a fact he's rolling his eyes, and I hope he's just as aware that I'm doing the same. Jerks.

We approach the docking bay where the shuttle is waiting, guarded. The guard turns to greet us. "Tali'Zorah vas Neema...oh, sorry. I mean 'vas Normandy.'"

"No offense taken. The change in name was not my choice."

He nods. "Per Admiral Raan's orders, the shuttle is prepared for you and Captain Shepard vas Normandy."

"And I'm just baggage," Garrus quips.

Tali laughs. "You should consider taking her name when you get married."

My cheeks heat instantly, and Garrus shifts a little even though he laughs casually. Taking names, that's...well, that's a conversation we need to have. We have to get used to people talking about us getting married too, I think.

"Let's get to the Alarei," I blurt, determined to get this thing moving along.

Garrus chuckles, definitely on to me, but he doesn't say a word. The shuttle guard offers us luck and allows us onto the shuttle, opening the door. Garrus pilots it, taking us to another, smaller ship in the fleet that has already been programmed into the navigational system.

"How did they know I wouldn't just run?" Tali muses. "They won't let us back on the Normandy until after the trial, but this is okay?"

"If you run, it shows your guilt," I reply. "That makes their job easier; they don't even have to try you."

Tali scoffs. "I'm not making any of this easy for them."

I give her an approving nod as Garrus docks us onto the Alarei. We climb out, locked and loaded since there's a dead Quarian not three free away. It cannot be a good sign, especially since he was definitely shot. I signal for Garrus to open the door, and we take position, Tali and I prepared to give him cover.

The moment the doors are open, leading into a kitchen, we're faced with several Geth on the other side of the room. We hurry for cover behind counters and start what promises to be one of many fights here. Fortunately, Tali and Garrus are extremely effective against Geth; she can hack them, and he can make them useless. I'm basically just shooting fish in a barrel when they're gone.

But the number of Geth here is already alarming. This ship is entirely overrun. This the first room, and I'm already wondering how much extra ammo we should have brought. We're going to need to scavenge the dead Quarians.

Once the room is clear, we search it. In the far corner, Tali finds a log and plays it, a woman's voice coming on and playing clearly. "Something's slowing down the systems. We're taking down the firewalls to rebalance load distribution. Rael'Zorah ordered us to bypass standard safeties. Following security protocols will take too long."

Tali walks away without a word. I look up at Garrus, and he's already looking down at me. There's not much we can say. This is going to be a tough day for Tali no matter how this goes.

We follow Tali out of the kitchen at the other side of the room and through another set of doors in the hall. It's a medical lab of some kind, including several beds and one with a Geth piece on it. Tali approaches it slowly.

"This is one of the storage units I sent to Father," she explains. "Looks like parts from a disabled repair drone, plus a reflex algorithm I didn't recognize. I got this on Haestrom."

"Haestrom was a war zone. How did you salvage gear in the middle of all that?" I ask, equal parts impressed and horrified at the thought of Tali trying to collect gear while being shot at.

Tali laughs. "These suits have more pockets than you think. Quarians have learned how to salvage whatever we can whenever we can. Well...within reason. We're not Vorcha. But we repair what most people would throw away. Hundreds of the ships in our fleet were salvaged wrecks, either found dead in space or purchased for next to nothing."

Garrus approaches, examining the Geth piece for himself. "What made a part worth sending back to your father?" he asks.

"It had to be in working order. Something that could be analyzed and integrated into other technology. Anything new had priority. Technology the Geth developed themselves. Signs of modification, clues to their thinking."

That all makes sense. They need to prepare to evolve along with their enemy, I get that. And their enemy has been evolving beyond the way they were created, which also makes a lot of sense. It doesn't sound like a war that's ever going to end.

"How did you get these things to your father?" I ask.

"Sometimes I left packages at secure drops in civilized areas," she explains. "Someone on Pilgrimage would see that it was shipped home. For very valuable finds, I'd signal home, and Father would send a small ship."

"Okay, well, does this salvaged gear give you a clue as to what happened here?"

Tali shakes her head. "No. I don't know! Shepard, I checked everything I sent here. I passed up great finds because they might be too dangerous, prone to uncontrolled reactivation or self-repair. I don't know which possibility is worse: that I got sloppy and sent something dangerous, or that Father actually did all this."

She starts marching out of the room, but I catch her wrist to stop her. "Slow down. Take a moment. Tali, this sucks. You're allowed to let it suck."

"We don't have time to - "

"Tali. You can stop now and let this suck, or you can break down later when we might need you pulled together. So take a moment. I can make it an order if you need."

She nods slowly, and then sniffles. I know what happens next, and I open my arms just before she leaps into them and throws her arms around my neck. She sobs, the floodgates open, and I just hold her.

I give it a minute, rub her back while she cries, and then guide her to straighten up by her shoulders. "You ready now?"

"Yes. I'm better. Thank you." One more hug, and then Tali leads us out of the room. Her shoulders are lower but looser, so I'm a little more convinced that she can handle this.

"You know I think you're amazing," Garrus murmurs from behind me, throwing me way off. I turn and frown at him only to realize he can't see me frown. He just shrugs, though. "There's no explanation needed. You just need to know I think you're amazing and I'm really excited to not take your name."

I laugh and shove him away playfully, walking backward toward the door to follow Tali out. "You're ridiculous. And I'm just gonna change my first name to Shepard since that's all anyone calls me anyway."

"Oh, and I'm ridiculous," he laughs, following me out. In the hall, he swats my ass and I love the way it feels through my armor. It makes staying calm on my feet a little odd, but I manage it.

We follow Tali down the hallway and through another door nearby. There's a desk inside with a monitor system. It's locked, but with Tali and Garrus around, getting through won't be a problem. Except that they both motion me toward it.

"Do we have time for this?" I protest. A Quarian lock is probably going to be fairly complex. I don't know if I want the first time I try it to be right here.

"We have time. Do it." Tali giving orders is new, and I feel like it's important enough that I move the console without even considering another argument. I do flip Garrus off when I hear him laugh right behind me, though.

I was right, it's hard. I'm not sure whether it's good or not that everytime I nearly get tripped up on a hack, the only way I can keep myself calm enough to get through it is by thinking about Garrus's hands up my shirt. But it gets the job done, and with barely a second to spare, I get through the lock and open up the entire system.

"Very nice," Garrus purrs. He totally knows what my method is, the cocky bastard.

"You've got real hacker potential, Shepard," Tali chirps. "Better watch, Garrus, we know this one has criminal tendencies."

I scowl and try not to smile while they laugh and download the Geth shield data from the console. At least this will be worth it if I'm getting teased.

We leave the room and continue back down the hall. Halfway down is a console where we can play a video log. There are several Quarians on the log, deep in conversation and not noticing the camera.

"Who's running this system diagnostic?" one of them, a woman, asks. "I didn't authorize...oh, Keelah. How many Geth are networked?"

"All of them," a man with her answers. His pacing is making me anxious and I'm not even watching in real time. "Rael'Zorah - "

"Shut it down!" she shouts. "Shut everything down! They're in the system."

The log ends and leaves all of us feeling anxious. It's not a good sign, especially not with Rael's name mentioned. Networking Geth is a bad thing, I know that without any advanced knowledge of them or engineering or AI at all.

We continue through the doors at the end of the hall and into another lab. There are more Geth in here, including Hunters that very nearly sneak up on us. We clear the room and push through it. At the end of the room is a flight of stairs, and there's a log on the console at the bottom. We play it, even though I'm not sure I want to hear more.

A Quarian woman is talking directly to the camera, looking between the screen and something to her right. I can see her chest heaving. We can hear gunfire in the background. "We locked down navigation. Weapons are offline. Our mistake won't endanger the Fleet. They're burning through the door. I don't have much time. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Jona, if you get this, be strong for Daddy. Mommy loves you very much!"

I flinch and Tali jumps almost completely out of her skin when gunfire explodes and she's shot down. "Keelah," Tali groans, covering her mouthpiece.

"That was..."

"Awful," I finish for Garrus. I don't think any of us could have been prepared for that. No matter what happens as a result of our search through this ship, the Quarians have a lot to talk about a deal with after this.

We manage to gather ourselves after a moment and proceed into the next room, only to be ambushed instantly. There are Geth coming through doors at both sides of the other end of the room, and a lot of them. We take cover and hunker down, but the Geth have either gotten reckless or pissed - if Geth can be pissed - and they're rushing through the room while shooting.

It's one of the more difficult fights we've had recently, and that's really saying something, all things considered. The Geth Hunters that can cloak are especially frustrating. A smoke grenade helps, forcing them into an outline, but it's not fun on a Quarian ship with little air movement. I hate it.

I especially hate that now I'm considered the Geth's feelings and motives, their emotions. These fights used to be so simple. Now...damn it. Now I have to worry about robotic feelings. For fuck's sake, why can't I be mindless like Zaeed?

When we finally get through the battle, we're clear to access the consoles at the end of the room. Most of them seem to have nothing but data, but Tali finds something and calls us over.

"This console might have something. Most of the data is corrupted, but a few bits are left." She uses her Omni-Tool to do something that lets her into the system, and then downloads the data onto her 'Tool. "They were performing experiments on Geth systems, looking for new ways to overcome Geth resistance to reprogramming."

Performing experiments. On things that were unable to consent to the experiments. Crap, Koris really got in my head.

"What do you think about all this?" I ask her, trying to sound as neutral as possible. "Do you think testing weapons on the Geth is right?"

"It's not testing weapons on prisoners, Shepard," she says, apparently also capable of reading my mind. "I only sent Father parts. Even if he assembled them, they wouldn't be sapient. You saw what Saren and Sovereign did with the Geth. Any research that gives us an advantage is important."

I hold back the urge to argue and just continue, choosing information instead of a fight. "Do you know what kind of tests your father was running?"

"No." It's easy to believe her and not just because Tali is always honest. "Father just told me to send back any Geth technology I could find that wasn't a direct danger to the Fleet. I suspected he might be testing weapons, but I thought he was just working on new ways to bypass shields or armor."

I motion toward her Omni-Tool, referring to the data, and ask, "Could any of that clear your name?"

She shakes her head. "Doubtful. This is mostly results data. Effects of different disruptive hacking techniques. I don't understand all of it, but...they may have been activating the Geth deliberately. I don't know. Nothing here says specifically. But if they were...Father was doing something terrible."

I don't know if she means it's terrible that her father and this team brought Geth to life only to torture them for experiments, or if she means terrible because of the risk to the crew of the Alarei and the entire Fleet. I don't know how to ask either. This is a whole mess.

Tali turns back to the console, her shoulders falling while she grips both sides of it and starts muttering to herself...and her father. "What was all this, Father? You promised you'd build me a house on the homeworld. Was this going to bring us back home?"

By the end she's shouting at her father - who is not here - and Garrus has the good sense to move in and guide her away from the console. "Let's keep moving, Tal, let's figure out what's going on before we start punching consoles," he says softly to her.

"Wasn't gonna punch it," she mutters, letting him push her out of the room. He's right; she needed to break down earlier, but now she needs to keep going.

When we go through the door at the end of the room, it takes us out onto a balcony in a room where the Geth are entering from below. We take cover behind the barrier and get into another firefight. At first, we have the vantage point, Garrus covering the stairs to prevent Geth from getting up, but then more Geth appear on the second level. Eventually, enough Geth appear that I have to pair with Garrus to keep them down the stairs. Fortunately, my biotics and his tech skills work perfectly together. But it's not enough. Something was bound to get through, and it happens with a bullet to Garrus's shoulder.

My heart falls into my stomach when I see the hit. He groans and ducks back behind cover, pushing his head into the barrier and holding his breath. "I'm okay," he growls out, obviously aware that I'm watching him.

"Not convincing, big guy."

"Don't do anything stupid, I'm fine," he snaps. "And don't tell me you never do anything stupid, I can practically see you thinking about going all wild."

"I thought you liked me wild," I quip with a grin.

Garrus laughs and even though he winces, it makes me feel a little better than he's at least kept his sense of humor. "It got through my shields but not my armor. Just my bad shoulder so..."

"So it hurt like a Krogan stomping on your balls?"

He looks at me. "What is wrong with your mind?"

That gets me laughing, and I ride the high to wipe out the Geth trying to get up the stairs with a shockwave blast. Jack just taught me to control that one last week, and it's a good thing she did.

"I'm okay," he repeats, more firmly this time. "I'm switching to my assault rifle or my other shoulder for now, but I'm okay."

I want to argue it. I want to tell him to sit out the rest of the fight. But in reality, we probably can't win this fight without him. And more importantly, I hate when he does overprotective shit to me, so I'm not going to do it to him. No matter how badly I want to.

"I trust you," I tell him. "But you have to promise to let me baby the shit out of you when we get home."

"You're really twisting my arm here, kid." He pulls out his assault rifle, takes a breath, and then Garrus is back is the game - bum shoulder or no. And I get to snuggle him to my heart's content tonight.

We finally clear out the room and then go down the stairs to the lower level. There's a console in the corner, and I play the log. It's the same Quarian woman as the last log, the one the Geth killed...the one with a baby and a husband.

"First entry," she begins. Garrus heads out of the room ahead of us, checking through the door and staying in sight so I don't object. "Our hacking attempts failed. The Geth have an adaptive consciousness. Hack one process and the other auto-corrects. Still we're making progress. Rael'Zorah is convinced we'll have a viable system in less than a year. This weapon will put our people back on the homeworld. And it's all because of Rael'Zorah."

"Hacking the Geth for this...they must have known something," Tali mutters, shaking her head. She's trying to make sense of everything we've learned, and I wish I had an answer for her. "Let's just keep moving."

I follow Tali for the door, but Garrus whirls around and blocks her. "Tali...I don't think you should."

"Should...what?" she asks.

"Let's..." Garrus looks at me, but I don't know what's going on so I don't know how to help him. All I can do is shake my head. "Maybe there's another way through, Tali."

It hits me that he doesn't want her to find whatever she did through that door, and my heart stops when I realize what's going on. I reach for Tali but she's gone stiff. She knows, too.

"Oh...no." Tali forces her way out of Garrus's arms - he can't restrain her forever - and she rushes through the door. I close my eyes when she screams, "Father!"

We hurry out behind her, Tali on the floor beside the body of her father. She's shaking him, patting him down like she expects to find something. "No, no, no! You always had a plan. Masked life signs or-or an onboard medical stasis program. You...you wouldn't!"

Tali throws herself on top of him, and I hear Garrus make a soft keening sound in the back of his throat. His pain is audible, mine is choking me. It's hard to watch Tali like this, I can't stand it.

"They're wrong!" she cries. "You wouldn't just die like this! You wouldn't leave me to clean up your mess! You can't!"

I reach down and take her arm, unable to watch her cry literally on top of her dead father's body. "Hey, hey, come here."

She doesn't hesitate, coming into my arms and sinking against me. She clings and sobs hard on my shoulder, her entire body shaking. I know what this pain is like, losing your family. I've lived this pain, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Especially not Tali, and especially not since she's also dealing with the aftermath of what Rael did. I'll be damned if she has to feel like she's dealing with it alone.

"Damn it," she swears, sniffling and pulling away a little. "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry about, Tali," I assure her, rubbing her back. She nods and takes another minute, her sobs slowing into sniffles and the full-body tremors stomping eventually. We don't rush her, Garrus staying close and quiet.

When she's ready, Tali turns back to look down at her father, still holding my hand. "Maybe...he would have known I'd come. Maybe he left a message."

"Let me," Garrus offers, kneeling. He's gentle when he moves Rael'Zorah enough to access his Omni-Tool and scan it. "There's a final recording."

Rael's voice plays, a little out of breath and panicked. "Their main hub will be on the bridge. You'll need to destroy it to stop their VI processes from forming new neural links. Make sure Han'Gerrel and Daro'Xen see the data. They must - "

Tali grips my hand tighter when gunshots erupt on the recording, and then it ends abruptly.

"He knew you'd come for him," Garrus notes, standing and taking Tali's other hand. "He was trying to help."

"It's not perfect," I add, reading that on the way she's holding my fingers. "It's not what you wanted. But it's the best he could do."

Tali takes a breath. "I don't know what's worse: thinking he never cared, or thinking that he did and this was the only way he could show it." She takes another breath and then straightens her spine. "It doesn't matter. One way or the other, I cared. And I'm here. And we're ending this."

She looks at me, seeking support from her friend or her commander or both, and I give it to her with a firm nod. We move on, through the door just beside his body. There's not much in here, but I notice a wall safe and notice Garrus noticing it much more firmly. He does not like leaving rocks unturned.

"You can hack it," Tali tells him, also seeing what I am. "The Fleet is probably going to screw me anyway, so you might as well get them first."

"Good enough for me," Garrus agrees, going over and getting through the lock in barely a second. There isn't much of value, but it's better that we know.

We go up the stairs on the other side of the room and through the door at the top. It opens into a large room with an open central area and not a lot of cover but - because this is our luck - it's full of Geth, including several Prime.

Garrus starts with his rifle, using his other arm, but the fight goes on long enough that he's forced to abandon it. Tali's shields are far too low through way too much of the fight for my liking, and I end up having to stop using my biotics because it's exhausting. It feels like this is the end, the Geth's final stand, and that gives us all the motivation we need to push through, but it doesn't make for an easy battle.

Finally, it's done, the last Geth Prime going down in flames from one final Overload that Garrus lands perfectly.

At the very end of the room, there's a large console, and Tali wastes no time getting into it. "The console is linked to the main hub Father mentioned," she tells us. I'm trying not to be distracted by the way Garrus is holding his injured shoulder. "I disabled it, shutting down any Geth we might have missed."

"So it's done? The Alarei is safe?"

"And the Fleet," she agrees with a nod. She's still just staring at the screen, though. This is definitely not done. "It looks like some of the recording remained intact. They'll tell us how this happened, what Father did."

I touch her shoulder. "You sound like you don't really want to hear it."

"We have to, I know," she allows. "I just...this is terrible, Shepard. I don't want to know that he was part of this."

I nod and wait, prepared to give her time, but I'm proud when she only needs a moment before pushing the button to play it. Rael'Zorah and a couple other Quarians appear on the screen. "Do we have enough parts to bring more online?" he asks.

"Yes," another Quarian man answers. "The new shipment from your daughter will let us add two more geth to the network."

"We're nearing a breakthrough on systemic viral attacks," the woman from before chimes in. "Perhaps we should inform the Admiralty Board, just to be safe."

Rael'Zorah reacts viscerally to that. "No! We're too close. I promised to build my daughter on the homeworld. I am not going to sit and wait while politicians argue."

"We'd have an easier time of it if Tali'Zorah could send back more working material."

"Absolutely not," Rael answers quickly, almost like he was expecting this. Or like they'd had this conversation before. "I don't want Tali exposed to any political blowback. Leave Tali out of this. Assemble new Geth with what we have. Bypass security protocols if need be."

The recording cuts out and Tali heaves out a heavy breath. "It sounds like he was doing this for you," I note. I only want her to feel a little better, but we all know this is proof he was doing terrible, illegal things.

"I never wanted this, Shepard," she moans. "Keelah, I never wanted this." She starts pacing, wringing her hands yet again. "Everything here is his fault! I tried to pretend it didn't point to him, but this...when this comes up in the trial, they'll..." She stops suddenly and spins back to us. "We can't tell them. Not the admirals, not anyone."

"Oh, Tali..."

I stop myself. I want to argue it, but what could I say? She's right. This will ruin the reputation of her entire family, destroy her father's legacy, and could hurt Tali as much as it helps. Besides, anything I could say now would sound like turning on her, and I do not want Tali to be anything but confident going into the trial.

"We're not going to decide anything here. Let's just see what the admirals say once we get back."

"You're my captain in this hearing, Shepard," she presses. "It's your decision. But please. Don't destroy what my father was."

I don't answer her. I can't.

"Come on," she breathes after a moment, nodding to herself more than me I think. "If we wait too long, they'll decide we're already dead, and none of this will matter."

We make the shuttle ride back in heavy silence. I'd give anything for a couple minutes to talk this out with Garrus, my head spinning. If I don't tell the admirals everything that we've found, if I don't turn over our evidence, they could easily decide to exile Tali. Without the proof, we don't have much going for us. But if I do tell them, if I make this confession on Rael'Zorah's behalf, it will be a betrayal. Tali might never forgive me, and I wouldn't blame her.

And then we're back on the Rayya, and I have no more time. Especially considering what we hear of the trial being broadcast over the comms. We rush back toward the garden plaza while listening.

"We need to face facts," a voice I recognize as Admiral Koris says. "There has been no word. There is no reason to think Tali'Zorah survived."

"He sounds choked up about it too," Garrus growls.

"We must trust Shepard's offer of assistance!" Shala'Raan protests. "It has only been a few hours!"

"The Quarian marines lasted less than five minutes," Admiral Gerrel notes. He sounds sad at least. "Call it."

We're so close, just feet away.

Shala'Raan hesitates, then breathes, "Very well. Is the Admiralty Board prepared to render judgment?"

I reach the door side by side with Tali, and we step through at that moment, the eyes of everyone in the room snapping to us. Gasps and murmurs break out, giving us a minute while the admirals gather themselves. Garrus leans down to my ear and whispers, "What are you going to do?"

"I have no idea," I confess, my voice cracking with the same stress that is about to break me in half.

"Hey." He turns me toward him. "I trust you to make the right decision, and so does Tali. And I'll support you no matter what."

It's enough to let me take a breath, and that's enough to let me face the table and the rest of the trial.

"Sorry we're late," Tali offers, her voice hard again. I can hear her snark again, too. This is the Tali we need right now.

And I'm going to be the Shepard that Tali needs.

"Tali'Zorah vas Normandy saved the Alarei," I announce. "I hope this proves her loyalty to Quarian people."

"Her loyalty was never in doubt," Koris counters, sounding tired. "Only her judgment."

"Perhaps Tali'Zorah can offer something to encourage more trust in her judgment," Shala'Raan says, sounding hopeful.

Tali turns to me, waiting, and I know she's just as hopeful. I can feel her pleading silently. I take a moment, solidifying my decision, and then step closer to the table. I plant my palms on it and ground myself, wishing I was actually prepared for this.

"Shepard," Tali whispers. "Please."

"Does Captain Shepard have any new evidence to submit to this hearing?" Shala'Raan asks. She sounds less hopeful now.

"I don't need evidence," I inform them all, the truth coming to me like a lightbulb going on in my brain. "Tali helped me defeat Saren and the Geth at the Citadel. That should be all the evidence you need."

Admiral Koris scoffs because of course he does. "I fail to see what relevance - "

"You're not really interested in Tali, are you?" I demand. "This trial isn't about her. It's about the Geth."

"This hearing has nothing to do with the Geth!" Koris practically screams. Getting under his skin should not be this easy.

"You want people to sympathize with them," I charge. "Han'Garrel wants to go to war! None of you care about Tali. She knows more about the Geth than any other Quarian alive. You should be listening to her, not putting her on trial." I motion to Tali and continue, "Tali'Zorah saved the Citadel. She saved the Alarei. She showed the galaxy the value of the Quarian people. I can't think of stronger evidence than that."

A tense silence falls, and my hands are shaking. Tali reaches out and grabs my fingers, squeezing hard. Garrus steps forward as well, planting his hands on Tali's shoulders. We wait. I've done everything I can and have to hope it's enough.

"Are the admirals prepared to render judgement?" Shala'Raan asks.

Admiral Gerrel starts doing something on his Omni-Tool immediately, and Xen follows shortly. Koris looks at both other admirals, then at Tali, and then finally lifts his own Omni-Tool. Shala'Raan checks her 'Tool for the result.

"Tali'Zorah, in light of your history of service, we do not find sufficient evidence to convict. You are cleared of all charges." Tali squeaks and squeezes my hand so hard it almost hurts. "Commander Shepard, please accept these gifts in appreciation for taking the time to represent one of our people."

"With all due respect, Admiral," I shake my head, "I didn't represent one of your people. I represented one of mine."

I can see it makes all of the admirals uncomfortable and that makes me even happier that I said it. "So you did, Shepard," Admiral Gerrel agrees.

"This hearing is concluded," Shala'Raan announces. "Go in peace, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy. Keelah se'lai." The room repeats the phrase back to her and once again, as the room starts to clear, we pause and stay together.

"I can't believe you pulled that off," Tali sighs deeply. "What you said...I've never had anyone speak like that on my behalf. Thank you for being there for my father and me, even when..." She shakes that off. "Thank you."

"You sound disappointed," I tease. "We can still go back and get you exiled if you want."

She laughs. "Thanks, but I'm fine with things like this. It's fun watching you shout."

"Agreed," Garrus chimes in. I narrow my eyes at him even though he can't see it, my concern about his shoulder growing since he's holding it again. He drops his hand, aware that I'm watching it. I'll deal with him later.

"Come on, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy." I put my arm around her shoulder and start out of the garden plaza. "Let's go back to our ship."

"Thank you, Captain," she replies, leaning heavily into my side.

When we reach the courtyard, Shala'Raan waves us over. Tali looks at me for approval and I nod, releasing her. We can't be that rude, not now that Tali is going to remain part of the Migrant Fleet.

"The admirals thought they were hobbling Tali by forcing you to represent her, Shepard. I'm glad they were wrong," Shala'Raan says to me. She turns to Tali. "You didn't mention survivors. Did you find Rael, Tali? I'm sure he would have left you a message if he'd had time."

Tali just sniffs, still too emotional about that to answer. Garrus pulls her into a hug, and I step in. "We found Rael's body. He did leave a message for Tali."

"I can only imagine how horrible this is for you, child," Shala'Raan offers, taking one of Tali's hands, "but at least you got to hear your father tell you he loved you."
I wince and can see Garrus tense, but Tali just nods. "Yes. Thank you, Admiral." That's probably easier than explaining the truth, so I don't blame her.

"Good luck on your mission," she says. "No matter how dark it gets, the Fleet is always with you. Keelah se'lai."

We start to walk away from her, and then Garrus laughs before tugging both of us in another direction. "I just spotted someone we must say hello to."

I follow his gaze and laugh as well when I spot none other than Kal'Reegar in full marine gear, leaning casually against a wall. I've never had a thing for a Quarian, but this one is objectively attractive. Good for Tali.

Who is trying to run.

Fortunately for us - unless you ask Tali - Kal'Reegar spots us first and approaches slowly. "Nice talking, Shepard. Funny how it takes a commander to remind admirals about military honor."

"Adding 'Quarian lawyer' to my resume," I joke. "Good to see you, Kal'Reegar."

"And you." He shakes Garrus's hand, and then nods to Tali. The most awkward nod I've ever seen. "Glad they're off your back. And that you didn't have to give them the evidence you found on the Alarei."

Tali cocks her head. "I didn't say anything about finding evidence, Kal."

"Noticed that, Tali," he replies, voices suddenly deeper and a whole bunch sexier. Damn, go Tali.

"Any idea what your next assignment is going to be?" Tali must be onto me because she throws her elbow into my side.

Kal'Reegar either doesn't notice or doesn't comment. "I'm going to be escorting more techs around to look for signs of dark energy build up. Maybe see if they can figure out what's causing it. Wherever they send me, it'll have to be less exciting than Haestom."

Tali's responding giggle is hands down the girliest, sweetest giggle I have ever heard from her. I have to catch myself before I bust out laughing. I deserve Tali's elbow in the ribs for that one.

"What's your take on the war?" Garrus asks. He sounds serious even as he's poking Tali in the side and making her giggle again. She is going to freak out on us when she recovers from today, and it will be worth it. "Are the admirals going to try to retake the homeworld?"

"I won't shy away from a fight, but if the admirals throw the Fleet at the Geth, all they'll get back is scrap metal." It's instantly sobering for all of us. We kept the Fleet safe today and we're doing our best against the Reapers, but the Quarians have an exceptionally shaky future.

We're forced to part from him and say our goodbyes. If Tali accuses me of physically shoving her into a hug with Kal'Reegar, I'll deny it, but I am not sorry or ashamed. And neither of them is sorry either judging by the length of the hug. God, they're cute.

I hear them mumble something about calling each other, and as we walk away, I lean into Tali and murmur, "If you don't call him, I will have Garrus hack your 'Tool, and I swear I'll send him sexy texts from you."

"You're the worst," she snaps at me in a whisper. All I can do is laugh. And I will totally follow through on the threat.

Admiral Gerrel is nearby, so we gather ourselves into the professional soldiers that we are, then approach him. He bounces onto his toes lightly which has to be a good sign. "You called us out on the carpet there, Shepard," he greets us, nodding at me. "And you were right. Thank you. Tali shouldn't have been involved in that argument."

He steps a little closer, and before he says a word, I know what he's going to say. "Tell me, though, honestly," he mutters. "What did you find over there. You spoke well, but I know a feint when I see it."

That's not my call, so I look to Tali. She considers it for a second and then nods. Thank God the decision wasn't left up to me again; I'm done making big decisions today.

"Off the record?" I warn him. "Rael'Zorah was bringing the Geth online and networking them for weapons tests."

"Keelah!" he breathes, bringing a hand to cover his mouth.

Tali grabs his arm. "You can never tell anyone, Han."

"You have my word," he promises, shifting to catch her hand for a brief squeeze. "Thank you for keeping that quiet. That would have hurt what your father wanted for the Fleet. I'm just glad you didn't have to pay for his mistakes." He pats her shoulder again. "Be well, Tali. Fly safe."

We say our goodbyes to him and move away, heading for the Normandy. Until we spot Admiral Koris. I really want to avoid him, maybe flip him off on the way. "Someone will notice if we avoid him, won't they?"

"Yeah, but we can't get in trouble for it now," Garrus replies.

"I want to rub his nose in it," Tali announces.

"Well, that's good enough for me. Let's do it."

We approach Admiral Koris, and when he spots us coming, he dismisses the people he was talking to and turns to greet us. "Very impressive, Shepard. Thank you for your help on the Alarei. And thank you for helping Rael'Zorah's daughter. You stood for her when we failed. We were wrong to let our own concerns about the war overshadow Tali's trial."

I blink, pretty damn surprised about how sincere he sounds. He actually cares about Tali. But he cares about the Geth too, and that makes him someone I want to keep an eye on in the coming years. It may be Koris and his philosophy that saves the Quarian.

Tali is eager to go to Admiral Xen all of a sudden, and I don't blame her, but I wait for them to get a step away before turning back to Koris. "The galaxy needs more people saying what you're saying, Admiral. Good luck."

This time, I can tell he's the surprised one. "Thank you, Commander."

I leave him and catch up with Admiral Xen who also has to dismiss people to talk to us. I hope I'm never someone who gets regularly dismissed because someone else is somehow more interesting to talk to. "Very impressive speech, Commander Shepard. But tell me truly: did you recover any of Rael'Zorah's research on the Alarei?"

"Nothing that will help you, Admiral," Tali jumps in.

"Pity. Ah, well. Whatever is created can be recreated." She looks back to me. "I greatly enjoyed seeing you call out the other admirals on their politicking. And I am pleased Tali was not exiled."

"I hope your people find a solution that is not a devastating war with the Geth," I offer.

"As do I, Commander. As do I."

We're free to go from there, and we head back to the Normandy - home for all of us, in name and our hearts. Joker lets us in and then takes off quickly like he knows Tali needs to be away from this place and the memories here. Or maybe EDI told him. Either way, it's what we need. It's what Tali needs, and that's what I'm going to do.

"Hey." I pull off my helmet on the way to the elevator, Garrus doing the same. "Come upstairs with me. Let's break into my private stash, drink too much, maybe cry a little."

"Can we watch something with a lot of explosions, too?" Tali asks, eager. This is why we make for such good friends.

"Have we met? Of course we can."

She laughs and then looks at Garrus. He narrows his eyes playfully. "Don't worry, I'm not planning on crashing this. I just want a shower and then I'm sure I can find something to calibrate to stay out of my own bedroom."

"I don't watch Blasto with him anymore anyway, he's so rude," I tease. I get narrowed eyes too but Garrus can't hold that for long with me, and he breaks into a sweet grin. God, he's beautiful. Definitely beautiful enough that a big part of me wants to get into the shower with him, but Tali is my priority right now. And she absolutely deserves to be.

Garrus tugs me in for a kiss as soon as we walk through our doors while Tali is distracted by scooping up Monster and squealing over him. His mouth lingers against mine and I let myself melt against him, trusting him to hold me up. "I'm so tempted to drag you into this shower with me," he purrs, brushing his plates against my lips and sending tingles down my spine.

"I'm so tempted to let you," I admit. "But we'll just have to make up for the lost time later."

His smile grows. "Mmm I like that idea. There's some rope down in Engineering. I think I'll make good use of that."

Those promises make my heart skip, they still take my breath away with fear, but they make me more excited, more turned on than ever. Heat rushes right to my core, and I slump even heavier against him, which Garrus loves of course. He kisses me soundly and then bumps his forehead against mine; it's a promise for intimacy and orgasms all in one.

"I'll gladly accept the rope if you see Chakwas before calibrating any damn thing."

He growls but nods to agree and kisses me briefly.

I have to let him go, much as I don't want to, and Garrus throws me a wink before heading into the bathroom for a shower. I stop by the bar for a bottle of whiskey that Tali and I can share without danger, snagging a sterilized straw for her that I keep up here just for this purpose, and then join Tali and Monster on the couch. Moments later, we have blankets and pillows and a purring kitten and a low-budget movie with bad CGI and even worse acting. Plus it's a romance. I only tolerate these things for Tali.

I'm rescued from the entire movie within an hour and one glass of whiskey when Tali falls asleep. I tuck her in under a blanket and quickly text Garrus, warning him that he's not getting laid tonight with my best friend passed out ten feet away. And he's definitely not tying me up. He replies with the sort of sexy, teasing message only Garrus could pull off. Perfect.

I end one hell of a mission and my night with my best friend finding her smile and some peace, and getting to feel like a very normal woman in love.