It had been two weeks since Shepard had recruited Tali on his mission to stop Saren. She was working on the drive core of the Normandy, still amazed by everything and everyone on the ship. The drive core was enormous and gave off a beautiful blue glow. She was excited to work on a ship this advanced. She thought about everyone in the Flotilla and what they would think if they saw her.
The Flotilla. She hadn't been gone from the fleet long, and even though this was the opportunity of a lifetime, she couldn't really enjoy it. She was exhausted after another sleepless night. The thoughts of the only place she knew kept her up every evening. She started to doze, her vision closing like a pair of shutter doors. Inch by inch the darkness spilled over until all she saw was black. She stayed there for a little bit, drifting into the endless abyss of sleep.
"Working hard there?" A friendly voice broke through.
Her eyes shot open as she turned from the console, seeing Shepard standing there in his usual dress blues with a heartwarming smile. Her eyes began to wander, hidden from him by her visor. He always looked handsome in them, and it fit his muscles just right. She quickly snapped her eyes back to his face. Get a grip girl.
"Oh. Hey there, Shepard." Her voice was low and had little energy behind it.
His smile faded, replaced by a look of concern. "Tali, are you okay?"
She sighed, not wanting to worry him. "Honestly, I don't know. I should be happy. Your ship is amazing, and your crew has been great to me. Especially Chief Engineer Adams." She paused and stared into his welcoming green eyes. Her eyes darted back down to the floor. "But I just sort of feel… out of place."
His eyes widened, and the look on his face showed even more concern. "I'm sorry, Tali. Is it the dextro food selection? I told Garrus to ask you the type of food you liked. Is it weapons related? I know you like shotguns, but we can get you anything. Did Joker say something stupid?"
He tried his best to accommodate all the alien members of his crew. Knowing how difficult quarians must have it, he tried to make sure she had what she needed.
A smile broke out from under her helmet. "No, Shepard. It's not any of that. It's just that the Normandy runs so smoothly, it feels like we aren't even moving. And the engines are so quiet. How do you sleep at night?"
"The silence wakes you up?" He leaned against the railing, the blue rays giving a glow to his skin.
She kicked herself up on the cargo crate next to him. Thinking about home, and how all the things that were different since she left for her Pilgrimage. "Back on the Flotilla, the last thing you want to hear is silence. It means an engine died or an air filter has shut down. I guess that's not a problem on a ship like this."
"Maybe I can have Wrex bunk with you. His snoring has been keeping Garrus up all night."
She laughed at Shepard's proposition, and he was happy to see her feel a little better. He was still intrigued, and wanted to hear more about her and her people.
"So, your people must love ships. I can kind of relate. I lived on ships most of my life."
"Really?" Her eyes widened, realizing that they had something in common. "It comes with being a quarian. Ships are our most valuable resource. We usually have to make do with cast-offs or second hand equipment. We usually just try to keep them running for as long as we can."
"So, is that the only reason you were feeling so down earlier?"
Her shoulders slumped as she leaned back and stared at the ceiling. "It's more than just the silence. Back home, I couldn't wait to go on my Pilgrimage. I couldn't wait to get away from the crowds." She looked back at him. He was looking at her with kindness and attention, like those she'd known only from her family. "Now that I'm here, I kind of miss them."
He got up from the railing and walked up to the crate she was sitting on, jumping on top and sitting next to her. "We humans have a saying. 'Home is where the heart is.' And I'm guessing right now your heart is reminding you of all the people you care about back on the Flotilla. And you realize how much you miss them." Shepard put a hand on her shoulder, and gave her a big smile. "Tali, you are doing something amazing here by helping us stop Saren. When we save the galaxy, you'll be able to see the Flotilla again, and you'll be known as a hero to your people. Until then, if you need anything, you let me know."
She blushed at the fact that he was being so kind. She didn't know why she was feeling this way for a human. A part of her wanted to know what his hand felt like on her skin, but she quickly tried to push that idea out of her mind. Why am I thinking this? He is so sweet, charming, and handsome. But, I'm a quarian. There's no way he'd…
A silence fell between them. Shepard pulled his hand back. "My bad. I hope I didn't almost hit something on your suit." He asked, sounding almost nervous.
She shook her head. "No, you're fine. I was just thinking of home, and you're right. I'm going to make the most of this." She looked back at him. "Thanks, Shepard. I really appreciate you coming to talk to me."
The way the light was reflecting on her visor, Shepard could see her eyes clearly. They were a beautiful vibrant white. Angelic. He caught himself staring, and quickly jumped down from the crate.
Putting a hand out to help her down, which she gladly took. "No problem, I think Kaidan wanted to go over the next mission so… I should go."
He left Tali there with thoughts of their talk swirling in her head, and a warm feeling in her chest. She stared at the drive core. The blue glow mixing with the purple tint of her visor like a space nebula. I think I'm gonna like it here.