"An Evening At the Casino"

MaleShep/Tali

Written for "Mass Effect Relationships Week" - Prompt - A night on the town.

Summary: An infiltration mission at the Silver Coast Casino gives Shepard and Tali the opportunity to share a little sweet talk. Cheesy flirting ensues.


Tali'Zorah felt like a queen ever since she arrived at the Silver Coast Casino. She and her boyfriend, Commander Adam Shepard, went out on a couple of dates before, but this was the first time they ever went someplace fancy. It wasn't that they never wanted to - although there were a lot of places that had both levo and dextro menus, not many had quarian-friendly options. Neither of them knew about the casino until they had to go on an infiltration mission with Maya Brooks.

Of course a week-long shore leave just had to start with trouble in the form of a identity thief with a mercenary band, property damage in a restaurant and a car dealership, and the infiltration of C-Sec. And that was all within an hour during lunch time!

Shepard let her purchase the nicest shawl she had ever owned for the gala. It was light and made with real silk and patterned with black and white swirls. The next time she was in Shepard's cabin, she planned to wrap the shawl around her body and feel the silk with her bare hands.

When they arrived, they received what humans called 'the red carpet treatment.' Tali didn't fully understand the concept and the whys, but she didn't care. Strolling in on Shepard's arm, dressed in their best, and waving to those who watched them walk by – not to mention the beaming smile he gave her – it all made Tali feel like royalty.

At the moment, Brooks was somewhere in the ventilation shaft above their heads The plan was to shut down security to the panic room where they expected to find the casino owner Elijah Khan - an arms dealer who may or may not know who Shepard's identity thief was. Brooks only ran into a small problem in the beginning, but otherwise things were going according to plan so far.

All Shepard and Tali had to do was provide support… and mingle with the crowd in between to ward off suspicion. They did talk to a few people and danced a little (Tali always found Shepard's… eccentric dancing endearing), but they eventually decided to grab a booth. Shepard offered to get both of their drinks while Tali relaxed in their chosen booth, one located in a quiet corner and away from prying eyes. It didn't take him long to return. He gave her a beaming smile. Despite wearing her helmet, she did the same.

"Here's your triple filtered turian champagne, miss," Shepard said in that pleasant way most servers spoke as he placed the container of wine in front of her on the table. He then placed down a long, thin sterilized bag next to it. "And here is your… emergency induction port." He ended that last sentence with a wink.

Tali groaned. "I'm guessing you're never going to let me live that down."

"Nope," Shepard bemused as he sat down next her. He placed his own drink down on the table. "I figured it was fair since I'll likely never live down accidentally closing what is now apparently everyone's favorite sushi place. Even my Mom sent a message telling me, and I quote, 'I'm not mad about my favorite sushi spot being destroyed. I'm just disappointed.'"

"Well," Tali began to tease. "You did break their floor before I could fulfill my childhood dream of going there for a nice dinner."

Shepard raised a single eyebrow at her. "Did they even have anything you can eat there?"

Tali leaned into him to whisper in his ear. "Not. The point. Dear."

Shepard sighed. "If it makes you feel any better, I didn't get the chance to even place an order."

Tali folded her arms as she quickly shook her head. She also turned her nose up at him. "Nope. That doesn't make me feel better at all. Not even close."

Shepard took a sip of his champagne before he scooted closer and leaned his head towards her ear. "I can make it up to you."

Tali didn't bother to turn to him. She tried to sound indifferent as she replied, "How?"

Shepard leaned in just a little closer until his face was just a few inches away from her. "Well…" he whispered. "I was going to surprise you with this news much later, but… the master bedroom and bathroom have a full working de-contaminator and sterilizer unit."

That made Tali's eyes go wide as she turned to look at Shepard. "Really?" she squeaked.

Shepard grinned as he nodded. "Really. It was Anderson's gift to us. He had a company install it just before he gave me his apartment."

Tali tilted her head, astonished by Anderson's sweet gesture. "That's… really generous of him."

Shepard simply nodded, and Tali didn't miss the small frown on his face. She knew that he was thinking about his mentor, who was fighting the war on Earth as of this moment. He always felt guilty about leaving Anderson behind despite the fact that the Admiral himself pushed him to leave.

Tali brought his attention back by brushing a single finger along his jawline. "When this thing with the identity thief is over," she murmured. "I'll take my herbal supplements."

Her words weren't exactly the most flirt-worthy thing she ever said, but it still made him grin nevertheless. He wrapped one arm around her shoulders before he gently pulled her in closer to him. "Herbal supplements… just the very words every guy wants to hear."

That somehow made Tali giggle. As charming and handsome as Shepard was, he was definitely not the most graceful at flirting. Still, she found it very endearing because, well… it's Shepard.

"You know what I want to hear more?" Shepard whispered as he leaned closer to his lover. He lowered his voice even more at his next words. "I want to hear you shout my name as I take you on the new bed over and over until you are completely satiated."

Tali's suit suddenly felt too warm… and too snug. "Oh I bet you do," she managed to say as she looked directly into his blue eyes – and oh, how he looked at her with such love and adoration. It made her grin so wide it nearly made her cheeks hurt.

"You're smiling," Shepard suddenly mentioned as he grinned at her. "And it's a big smile, too."

Tali tried to act like she didn't know what he was talking about. "Oh? And how do you know this?"

"The way your eyes curve," Shepard mentioned. "It makes your eyes look like a pair of crescent moons." The hand that was on Tali's shoulders moved a little down her arm. "Did I ever tell you that of all your beautiful curves, your smile is my favorite one?"

His words were both sweet and… what was the human word? Oh, right! Cheesy. And yet, she was blushing like a young quarian who just earned their new suit and who tried to talk to her crush. Speaking of suits, she really wished it came with an air conditioner right at this moment.

Tali moved closer to Shepard until her visor gently pressed against his forehead, the closest to a kiss they could manage while she was in her suit. She still had a big smiled as she said to him in an alluring voice, "You know people are probably watching us right now."

"Good, let them," Shepard replied, his own voice low and husky. "Let them watch and be envy of you. Let them wish they were as gorgeous as you are right now."

Those words sent a pleasant shiver down her spine as Shepard's free hand moved to rest around her waist. One more inch closer and Tali knew she'd be right on top of him. The thought of sitting on his lap with her long legs around his waist in this booth, in view of the other patrons, sent a thrill through Tali's core. She was very tempted to do just that.

She was about to respond when suddenly, their comm crackled to life and the sound nearly startling them both. "Uh… Commander…" the voice of Maya Brooks whispered, her voice hinted with worry. "I think I tripped a wire… help!"

Tali groaned… she almost forgot about Brooks and why they were at the casino in the first place! Shepard groaned as well as they pulled away from each other. "Did I ever tell you how amazing of a hacker you are? You would've never tripped a wire."

Tali giggled as she lightly tapped a finger at the tip of his nose. "You better never forget that, mister."

"That would be such a crime," Shepard said with a grin. He then took a moment to gulp down what remained of his champagne before he placed the glass down back on the table. "Come on, let's get this over with. Then we can get back to what's more important." He gave her a wink at that last sentence before he slid out of the booth with Tali following not too far.