Chapter 2
Hours after everyone returned to the Normandy, everyone had gotten comfortable and found where they would be most useful. Tali had decided to work in engineering. Garrus had taken up making calibrations and tweaks to improve the Mako. Wrex just sat in the cargo hold doing really nothing,but at least the krogan wasn't causing any trouble on the ship.
Shepard and some of the crew had returned from getting supplies for the celebration. Even though it was Shepard who had become a Spectre he thought it would be great for morale if everyone at the end of their shifts could come together and unwind before they start the hunt for Saren. They had returned with of course all sorts of alcohol including dextro drinks so everyone could enjoy themselves. They set everything up in the mess and Shepard sent out the message over the ship's pi system. "Attention Normandy Crew. When you finish your shifts feel welcomed to come to the mess and enjoy some drinks on me."
After making his announcement Shepard watched as some of the crew slowly made their way into the mess. One of the first individuals to enter the mess was of course Wrex. The krogan was ecstatic when he found that Shepard had brought some ryncol aboard the ship, which is a heavy liquor that really only krogan can down with no problem. Shepard had been dared by some of his old buddies back in the day after they had completed basic and he was out of commission for days feeling like total shit.
"Shepard, you really do know a way to the old krogan's heart." Wrex laughed as he approached the Commander.
"Well Wrex all I can say is you better not drink too much. I don't need a drunk and out of control krogan running around on my ship."
Wrex slapped Shepard on the back and with a guttural and toothy grin only a krogan could show "Do not worry Shepard, I know my limits. The last thing I'll be doing is running around your ship headbutting everyone here… even know that would be pretty fun."
Shaking his head and smiling "Alright Wrex go have some fun. When we start the hunt, everyone will have to be at their best."
"Of course Shepard." Wrex replied and approached the krogan ryncol.
Shepard grabbed a beer and took his seat alongside Lieutenant Kaiden Alenko and Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams. "Hope you two are enjoying yourselves."
"Well Commander it's always nice to have some time to relax, even if it's something as simple as this." Kaiden replied.
"Kaiden seriously, we are taking a little downtime we don't need the rank regulation crap right now. I would prefer Shepard over Commander anyways."
"Sorry Shepard, it's just a habit."
"It's fine, what about you Ash enjoying yourself?" Shepard asked.
"Skipper, you brought us all drinks. How could I complain? But really, do you think that it's a good idea bringing a bunch of aliens onto an experimental Alliance ship?"
Shepard frowned "Ash we have talked about this before. We need the best to go after Saren and I will not stand for any racism on my ship so drop it."
"No but really…"
"Now Williams." Shepard growled and gave the Gunnery Chief an icy glare. "All I can say is why don't you get to know them before you judge them on stereotypes."
Ashley nodded and looked down at the table. Ash needs to get over the way she thinks about the non-Alliance crew if they are gonna take Saren down. We need everyone to trust each other if we are gonna succeed at this mission. Shepard looked up towards the lift and saw Garrus entering the mess immediately stopping his train of thought. He got up and went to greet the ex c-sec detective.
"Garrus how's the mako?" Shepard asked.
"Well Commander, I did increase the overall performance of the guns on her. So now she punches a lot harder."
"That's good to hear and Garrus you know we aren't on a mission so you can call me Shepard, I'm not the biggest fan of rank regulation. I like to run a more relaxed ship."
"Right Commander… I'll try, but you know how we turians are when it comes to our service."
Shepard patted Garrus on the shoulder and pointed in the direction of the dextro drinks. "Garrus I made sure to go out and get some turian wines, beers, and brandy. If you drink please help yourself this is a time for everyone to get together, relax, and get to know one another."
"I think I will help myself. Thank you Commander." Garrus replied.
"Of course Garrus and if you need anything please never hesitate to ask me."
Garrus nodded and made his way over to the alcohol. Shepard looked over to see the engineering crew making their way into the mess, noticing Tali entered last with her hand around her arm walking in very slowly. She looks a little nervous. Not that I can blame her never being around anything other than her own people, well guess I better go make her feel welcomed. Shepard made his way over to the obviously uncomfortable and nervous quarian.
Before He could get to Tali Chief Engineer Adams stopped in front of the Commander. "Adams I see you've come to loosen up a bit as well."
Adams stood at attention and gave the Commander a sharp salute. "Yes Commander, thought that us grease monkeys could use a little time to relax."
"That's good to hear. How's our newest engineer doing?" Shepard asked with a smile.
"Well Commander from the few hours I've spent showing her everything, well lets just say give it a few months and the girl will know more about the ship then I do. Probably could even do my job blind folded. She's one of a kind Commander, you definitely have an eye for talent." Adams explained with a smile.
Shepard returned the smile. "Ya she definitely is. Good I'm glad you're happy with her skills, I'm happy to hear it. Alright Adams I'll let you go enjoy the fun."
Adams gave another sharp salute. "Thanks Commander." And Shepard gave a much more lazily done one back. Shepard's attention then went back to Tali and he made his way over to her.
Tali entered the elevator with the other engineers, but she just still felt like she didn't belong amongst the crew of the Normandy. Everyone had been very nice to her but she couldn't shake her feelings. Finally the elevator had come to a stop, everyone stepped off and made their way to the mess hall. After everyone had left she followed behind them, making her way into the mess. She looked around and spotted Shepard approaching her.
"Hey Tali."
"Hey Shepard! How are you doing?" Tali exclaimed. Her demeanor completely changed when talking to the Commander.
"I'm doing fine, see everyone from engineering finally decided to join the fun. So how are you enjoying the ship?" He asked.
"Keelah Shepard it's just… it's amazing! I can't believe how advanced you the Alliance is. The size of the drive core I mean it's crazy that you got such a big one in such a small ship. The flotilla has nothing like this."
"I'm glad to hear Tali. I suppose the crew is treating you well then?"
"Ya the crew been very kind but well I don't know, I mean…" Tali's said as her demeanor totally changed from all uppity to kind of down.
Shepard's face grew in concern "Tali what's the problem?"
"I-I just uhh… it's nothing don't worry." Tali replied, her voice getting more quiet as she spoke.
Shepard put a hand on her hand on her shoulder, catching her attention and bringing her head back up to his. "Tali you can tell me please. I hate seeing any of my crew like this so whatever your issues are they became mine the second you joined my crew."
Wow he really does care. No one I've met has treated me this way, always saying rude and hurtful things and running me out of places because I'm a quarian. But looking into his eyes, his deep blue eyes and reading his body language all I'm getting is that he's concerned about the way I feel. He truly is one of a kind.
Tali stared a little longer into the Commander's eyes and finally she sighed. "Shepard, I don't know… I j-just don't feel like I belong. Like I shouldn't be on this ship."
Shepard chuckled and gave Tali's shoulder a light squeeze. "You Tali by far have proven to me that you belong on the Normandy and her crew. You are the one who even got us to the point we are at now with the evidence that you and I both presented to the council. We are hunting Saren down because of you. Your tech skills are by far better than anyone I've ever met and to top it all off I hear that you are killing it down in engineering. Adams had nothing but positive things to say about you. So Tali do me a favor and stop bringing yourself down. You already have proven to me that you belong here."
Tali was taken back by his words a little, but all she could do under her visor was smile. She came in and wrapped her arms tightly around Shepard giving him a tight hug. The sudden action surprised him but he quickly followed in by just wrapping one of his arms around her.
"Thank you Shepard, for everything. You really do know how to cheer a girl up." Tali said releasing the hug and taking a step back.
"Well what can I say. I hate seeing my favorite quarian down in the dumps like that."
Favorite huh. "Again thank you, I always feel comfortable around you." Tali replied with a big smile on her face.
Shepard smirked "Good, just know if you need anything you can come to me for before I forget I made sure to have drinks available for you and Garrus since you can't have what we drink. There's some turian whines, beers, and brandy if you do drink."
"Oh so now you're trying to get me drunk now hmm?" Tali replied with a playful tone. Really Tali are you trying to make things awkward?
"Alright then, I'll be over there at that table. You're more than welcomed to join us."
"I think I will, but first I'm gonna get a drink… or maybe two." Shepard shook his head and began walking over to his table.
After a couple of hours only Shepard, Tali, and Garrus remained at the table. Shepard had been watching what he drank, putting a limit on it, setting the example as the ship's Captain. Garrus might have had a little too much but he seemed fine. Tali on the other hand had way too much, she was slurring her words and could barely keep herself leveled while sitting at the table.
"Sooo Shepard," hiccup "Do you treat allll the ladies you meeeet like meee. Or am I a special case?" Tali asked in a flirtatious tone.
Oh great this is starting to get out of hand I should probably end this now. Shepard thought to himself.
Before Shepard could even reply to Tali, Garrus chimed in. "Well tali you never know, the Commander could be well you know interested."
Tali giggled "Youuuu think soooo," hiccup "Garrusss." The both of them started laughing.
"Ya ya ya laugh it up. I think it's time we wrap this up now."
"Whatsss wrong Captain? Afraid to admit youuu love this quarian?"
Shepard's face reddened. Jesus this is past the point of crazy. How did this even start? Garrus had begun to make some sort of comment but Shepard cut him off. "Can it Vakarian! It's time for that stick to go back your turian ass, now go to your sleeping pod. The both of you have had enough to drink."
Garrus stood up and the stick must have returned to its rightful spot. "Yes Commander I think you're right. Guess I'll catch ya later then." Garrus walked away and was finally out of sight.
Well that's a small portion of this battle one. Shepard thought to himself. "Alright Tali, it's time you do the same and get some shut eye."
"Whaaat isss the Greaaat Commander Shepard afraid of a girl?"
"Tali I mean it. I doubt you can even get to your pod on your own to begin with. As a matter of fact you probably drink anymore and you'll probably pass out."
"Whaaat isss that a challenge?" Tali asked.
Shepard sighed "Tali please the last thing I need you to do is go and damage your suit or hurt yourself. Your visor is already damaged from the Citadel."
Tali got stood up and attempted to get her wobbly legs to function but she immediately collapsed on the floor. Shepard sprung up and ran to her side checking her over for any damage. Not finding any he sighed "Dammit Tali, this is what I was talking about."
"Ohhhh keelah Shepard… w-whyyyy is the ship spinning? Keelah my head hurtsss." Tali moaned.
Shepard smiled "It's alright Tali. I've got you." He picked up the drunk quarian and began walking to her pod. Immediately after picking her up, Tali rested her head against Shepard's chest.
Shepard reached her pod and opened it up, gently putting her inside it. While putting her inside the pod he heard her say very quietly "I'm sorry Shepard."
Shepard smiled at her and replied it's alright Tali." And he closed her pod. Shepard then decided that maybe he should get some rest as well so he made his way to his quarters.
Maybe I can get a few hours without having a nightmare for once. Shepard reached his quarters and entered them, closing the door behind him.
Author's Notes
Well like I said I didn't like the original chapter 2, so I rewrote it. And I am much more satisfied with this version. I am in the middle of chapter 3 and I hope to get that one out as soon as possible once again thank you all for taking the time to read this if you have any criticism please don't be afraid to say it. And again thank you for all the people following this story.
-Insaiyan01