It took a single trip to the dying Batarian to find out what Shepard was certain of. Balak was docked on the Citadel. Shepards gut told him that Balak had been behind the attack on him. On his brother. On Tali.

Tali.

He couldn't stop thinking about her. He was standing outside the clean room. In a hallway that had a window that peered into the room Tali was held in. A couple of surgeons and nurses in environmental suits were working on Tali without pause. A nurse had been rather blunt with Shepard about the subject of her financial situation. Basically saying that if she couldn't pay. She'd be tossed out.

Shepard took full financial responsibility for Talis care. Shepard also took full responsibility for what happened to Tali. He debated with himself, tried to play it out differently in his head. But nothing changed, it was his fault she was injured. It was his fault she may die on a Citadel that didn't carry large amounts of Quarian blood.

From forgetting to train her, to Balak, to meeting his brother, and where he chose to meet. It all was possible because of him. Iromak stepped up, as if he could hear Shepards thoughts. Looking over to his brother. His rough voice had a tinge of worry. "You know that this isn't your fault right?"

Shepard only stared at Tali who lay motionless on the operating table. They had put her under due to the invasive nature of the surgery. His eyes only moved to occasionally look at her vitals. "I don't know if I can say that."

Iromak was about to say something, halting when a nurse opened a door that led to the hallway they stood in. Kaidan being shown in. "Hey, I came as soon as you messaged..." He stopped, finding it odd a Batarian was standing with Shepard. Slowly stepping up to the window to check on Tali. "Who uh…"

Shepard held a hand up to stop the question. He found himself to be tired, irritated and uninterested in dancing around the truth. It was two in the morning and he felt his fuse burning short. He wanted to get revenge.

"Iromak, meet Kaidan. Kaidan is under my command. You won't find a better soldier in all of the alliance. Kaidan, meet my brother, Iromak." The entire time he spoke, his eyes didn't move from Tali. Kaidan staring at Iromak. Kaidan could feel himself churn through a flurry of confusion as he was smacked in the face with such a sudden truth.

Iromak held out a hand to shake, which took Kaidan off guard. He did oblige though, still partially expecting Joker to pop out with a punchline. Moments later Garrus came through the door Kaidan had entered moments ago. "I heard there was shooting in the wards. Figured it was you. But when Kaidan told me Tali got hurt, I had to show up, she's the reason you guys get the good dextro rations."

Shepard didn't know if Garrus was joking. He didn't care, only taking his eyes off Tali for a moment to look at Garrus. His eyes returned to Tali. "Garrus." His voice was cold and decided. "C-Sec keeps the manifest for all ships that come through. Yes?"

Garrus wasn't used to Shepard having such a cold look. Giving a short nod to his question and answering. "Yeah, they're bad at their jobs but they aren't stupid."

"Time to look through the recent arrivals then." He pushed off the windowsill. Walking out the way the others entered from.

Iromak followed in tow. Garrus and Kaidan watching them both go. Garrus inquired about the Batarian when they were out of earshot. Kaidan shook his head and started walking away. "You'll have to talk to Shepard on that one."

Shepard gave few reasons as to why he wanted the manifests to the ship. He didn't feel like answering questions, he was on a mission. He simply flashed his spectre authority at anyone who bothered to try and stop him. Garrus decided to aid Shepard, being of great help since Shepard had not been familiar with the computer systems. Garrus didn't inquire about Iromak though, Shepard didn't exactly seem to be in the mood for such things.

With Garrus' aid, Shepard acquired the names of two ships and the locations they docked. Both of those ships had been carrying a few of the Batarians he and Iromak had killed. He knew that Balak would be hiding somewhere on one of them.

He had gone to the Normandy to get his armor. Stopping only for a moment to look at the pair of chairs in his room before leaving again. Iromak waited outside, a rather nosy reporter who had taken note of the events in the wards was now trying to get Iromaks comment. He stood with arms crossed, leaning against the wall near the entrance of the elevator. His head tilted slightly to the right as he stared at the reporter with four, unmoving eyes. Never saying a word.

The door to the Normandy slid open and she turned to see Shepard. Rushing over to him as he walked out. "Commander Shepard. I'm-"

"Do you ever fucking sleep?!" He shouted it at her with a near rage filled voice. She was caught off guard by his anger, stumbling back a couple steps. A strange question, it took her off guard. It was early in the day for her. Shepard was working off the Normandys clock though, and in his anger, he forgot people on the Citadel had much different time frames.

She regained her footing, or at least was trying to after the confusing question. "I-I am here to inquire as to the condition of your close fr-"

He put a hand up quickly, she stopped her question in place. He took a long inhale, closing his eyes as he tried to regain his composure. "Miss Al-Jilani. In light of recent events. I need you." He pointed at the reporter with a single finger. "To stay as far away from my crew as possible." He made a wide sweeping motion with the same hand. "Got it?" The final words were pushed through gritted teeth. She left, not giving any indication that she would oblige though.

John and Iromak left, going to the first of the ships that he had gotten the names of. Outside of the ship was a batarian looking at his Omni tool, he looked up to see only Iromak approaching. He was looking along the ship, gesturing over to it. "I've been fixing ships up for a while, you guys looking to hire?"

The Batarian looked at him for a few moments before back down to his omni tool. "Yeah, just know that you gotta prove you're worth." The wave of his hand with the tool and the door to the freighter opened. With a swift kick to the back of the head, Iromak knocked the batarian unconscious.

A few moments later Shepard came out from around the corner and joined him. Entering the airlock and pulling out his pistol. It slid open, Iromak stepped out first. Getting greeted by yet another Batarian, who was quickly taken at gunpoint.

It took a bit of persuasion, mostly from the butt of his gun. Eventually they got the location of Balak. They picked the right ship. The problem was that it was only a matter of time till someone caught on. After knocking him unconscious and tying him up, he was then left in the airlock.

It was an easy go to the captains quarters. Iromak and John worked like a well oiled machine. One would move up to a cross section in the ship, keep an eye out for anyone while the other made it to the next line of hallways. This ship was cut up into large sections. Mostly storage but there was a mess hall, and an area for the crew.

They were able to avoid most trouble. Following the directions forced out of the Batarian in the airlock to the Captains quarters. Keeping their eyes open and their wits about them made it easy. Up a flight of stairs that had a few signs at the top. Shepard didn't care to read them though, he stayed a few paces down the stairs.

Iromak stepped up to the plate, walking up to the door at the top of the stairs. This was where Balak was hopefully at, if he wasn't inside. Then they made a big mess just for more confusion. Iromak gave two pounds on the door.

"I told you to piss off till I called" Shepard was already certain it was him. Giving another nod to Iromak. He spoke again.

"I was told to speak with you. So are you opening the door or wasting my time?" He snarled the last bit out. Taking a step back from the door as he heard footsteps.

"Who the hell do you think you are!?" His voice could be heard getting closer. The door opened and as Balak stepped through, Iromak grabbed a hold of the front of his armor, pulling him hard forward while simultaneously kicking out one of his legs.

Balaks face smashed against the wall and he let out a pained, and somewhat muffled shout as his face was pressed against the wall. Iromak gave him a hard kick to the stomach, turning Balak onto his side with it. Stepping down the stairs to keep watch as Shepard stepped up the stairs.

"Hey Balak, it's been a while." He said in a rather casual tone. Pulling the pistol out of Balaks holster and tossing it into the cabin. Balak was rubbing some blood off his lips. Looking up at Shepard, he seemed almost surprised.

"Shepard… what, when-" He was cut off by a quick kick to the chest. Leaving him groaning in pain, he had broken at least two ribs. One of his hands was placed on Shepards boot, trying to push it away.

"You tried to have me killed. It didn't pan out. Actually. No." He brought his leg up and stopped down on Balaks knee. A sickening crack as it impacted. This had Balak shouting in pain. The echoes of his shouts going down the halls. "You did worse than that. You missed me and hit someone I care about."

Balak didn't respond, he was trying to get a hold of himself but the pain Shepard was dulling out couldn't be stopped as he started grinding his heel on the shattered knee cap.

"You try to kill me. That's one thing." Gunshots from Iromaks rifle rang out as he killed the crew members that investigated the houls of pain. Turning the thin hallways into a full blown firefight. Shepard shot Balak through the hand as he reached up towards Shepard. The bullet tore through most of his hand and dug itself into Balaks shoulder. "But you hurt Tali." That was all the explanation given to Balak before he pulled the trigger once more. A final shot from his pistol dug in between his upper eyes. Solidifying Balaks death.

After calling Garrus and Wrex from his omni tool, he and Iromak swapped positions since Shepards shields were still full. They were outnumbered and outgunned for a minute. Once Wrex arrived though, it was a quick ordeal. Iromak and John simply gave it a minute before the surprised crew started to retreat deeper into the ship and away from Wrex.

Once the fighting died down, John and Iromak left. Wrex and Garrus returning to the Normandy, Wrex left with little explanation of what was going on. Shepard returned to the hospital.

Shepard could hear the reporter before he saw her. He felt his nose wrinkle in disdain. His eyes squinting slightly as if just her presence repulsed him.. He saw Kaidan, blocking the door that

led to the clean room's observation area. Kaidan was standing at full attention, staring into the middle distance. Acting like she wasn't barraging him with an inordinate amount of questions.

Shepard walked up behind her, he was quite good at keeping his footsteps as silent as a mouse. His eyes glaring at the back of her head, and as if she could feel his eyes. She turned, jumping slightly at him towering over her. "I believe that I told you to leave my crew alone."

She seemed unswayed by the threatening tone laced through his voice. "Commander Shepard. I've been trying to get a comment on the incident in the wards. It is said that-"

"If you do not remove yourself from these premises. Now. Ms. Al-Jilani. I will turn your camera into scrap." He pointed up at the camera with a single, threatening finger, before shifting it to her. "Then I will remove you from the premises myself. Understood?"

She seriously looked like she was going to keep pushing the matter. She had a feeling he wasn't making idle threats to break her camera though, which would make the questions pointless. So she turned on her heel and left.

Shepard had on some level hoped she'd push the matter further. Just to give him a reason to break the floating tin can. He looked over to Kaidan for a moment, who was a bit humored at the sight of Shepard berating the reporter. It also made him worry, usually he would've just told someone to get lost. That was rage, completely untempered.

"Does she know anything?" He pointed a thumb to the reporter as she left. Inquiring to Kaidan as to the her knowledge.

Kaidan stood at ease now with no reason to keep the door blocked. "She guessed that Tali was in there since it's a clean room. She was only grasping for answers though, and didn't get anything from me."

Shepard walked past, patting Kaidan on the shoulder as he entered the door to the hall. "Good man. Now go get some sleep. I'll keep things covered here."

Kaidan turned to let him pass, standing in the doorway, his eyes watched as Shepard returned to the same place as he had before he left. Leaning against the windowsill with both hands. Kaidan could see something in Shepards eyes, concern, guilt, he couldn't place it. Perhaps both.

The doctors had done all they could now. It all relied upon her immune system's ability to fight the contaminants that had gotten into her system. They would keep her on antibiotics for the time being to try and fight oncoming infections. She would also be kept under for at least another day. Leaving Shepard nothing to do but wait. "Shepard, don't you think you ought to get some sleep?"

Shepard shook his head. He wasn't sure if he could sleep at this point. "I gotta make sure that reporter doesn't bother Tali." It was again, a partial truth. He was worried. Plain and simple.

Kaidan stared at Shepard for a moment. Then looking at Iromak who was leaning against the wall. His arms crossed and eyes closed. He still wanted to ask Shepard about it, but knew that there would be a better time for it.

Kaidan left without a word, Shepard and Iromak remained. It wasn't long till there was a soft ping from his omni tool. He could tell by the pitch and rate of beeps it was urgent. After a minute he opened it up.

The council.

They probably wanted to know why he was involved in the bar shootout. He hadn't told anything to C-Sec. They wanted him to go to the council chambers. He waited about ten minutes before he looked at Iromak. "Can you keep an eye on her? Make sure that the reporter doesn't bother her when she wakes up." She wouldn't be up for at least another day, Shepard just wanted to make sure she was in good hands.

Iromak gave him a short nod glancing in Shepards direction. "I'll be here till you come back." Shepard gave him a short nod in return before leaving.

Shepard stood on the platform in the council chambers. His hands held behind him as he waited for the council. He didn't know how long he was waiting, he just knew it was too long. The idea of leaving skirted along the borders of his mind.

They finally arrived, Shepard gave a short nod as they arrived. It was more of a courtesy than a respect to them. His hands moving to his sides. "Councilors." He addressed the three before speaking. "I assume this about the incident in the wards."

"Your barfight is hardly of importance to us. C-Sec handles such things." Sparatus spoke up, crossing his arms. "No, This is about the ship captain you killed and the portion of its crew that are now dead."

Shepard glared at Sparatus for a few moments, slowly nodding and mimicking the councilors movement of crossing his arms. "So it's the Batarians rotting in a ship that matters, not bars. I'll keep that in mind."

Sparatus was about to respond. Councilor Tevos interjected though. "While we hope to keep fighting on the Citadel to a minimum. We understand that some situations aren't avoidable. However, boarding and killing the captain of a vessel docked on the Citadel is another matter."

Shepard looked at Tevos, she had at least a small portion of his respect. It was more than the other two could say though. "The captain of that ship was Ka'Hairal Balak. The terrorist who tried to destroy Terra Nova with an asteroid."

He expected at least feigned surprise from one of them. Tevos spoke again, slowly at first. Like she had been hoping to avoid that topic. "Yes… we were aware of who he was. The-"

What little respect he had for Tevos drained out of him in a second. "You KNEW?!" He stepped forward and let his anger loose upon them. "You just allow a terrorist who put an entire planet at risk. On the Citadel?" He was speaking at such a volume, anyone in the council chambers could hear. Shepard felt a hand land on his shoulder.

His head spun around. Assuming it was a guard, but relieved to see it was Anderson. "Shepard, calm down." Calm, he was not. He did fall silent in the presence of the man he respected. "Now then." Anderson turned to the council. "What's this about a terrorist on the Citadel?"

"This doesn't-" Sparatus was about to try and get Anderson to leave. But he was abruptly cut off by Shepard filling him in.

"Terrorist, Balak. He tried to drop an asteroid on Terra Nova. A pack of his men jumped me and my squad in a bar. I'm certain he set it up. He's been docked on the Citadel for a couple days now. They knew about him." He looked over towards the council, gesturing to the three of them. "Some of the most powerful people on the Citadel. Housing a fucking terrorist."

"Language." Anderson reminded him quietly. Anderson turned his gaze to the three standing high on their platforms. "Well?" Anderson at least wanted to know what they had to say on the subject.

Tevos continued again, looking at Shepard for a moment before resting her eyes on Anderson. "As I was trying to say. We were aware of his presence. The hegemony showed a vested interest in Balak and those aboard his ship, returning to Khar'shan. As a sign of good will, we were going to let him return. Hoping that it would at least help stabilize relations."

Shepard shook his head, turning away from the council and started walking away. Stopping as he heard Sparatus speak. "This is not yet resolved Shepard. Come back." He did so, only for Andersons sake though.

Speaking up again as Shepard glared at Sparatus. "Well, he can return, maybe not how they were hoping but they get him just the same." Anderson looked between the turian councilor and Shepard for a moment, obviously getting the picture.

"So, Balaks dead, how did it happen?" He looked at Shepard mainly since he obviously knew.

"I killed him outside of the captain's quarters on his own ship. No, it was not a quick ordeal. A number of his crew were killed as well." Anderson stared at Shepard for a few moments. Turning over to face him. Andersons eyebrows furrowed slightly as he listened.

"You boarded his ship? How did you even know what ship he was on?" Shepard let out a long sigh. Starting from when he, Tali and Iromak had gotten attacked in the bar. Leading to the interrogation of a now dead Batarian. Followed up by Shepard and Garrus going through the ship manifests. Then, he and Iromak finished the job, being supported by Garrus and Wrex.

Then came a question that Shepard hadn't expected. It came from Valern who had been waiting patiently to speak. "What proof do you have that Balak set up the attack in the bar? How did you know Balak was on the station?"

Shepard fell short, he stated that one of Balaks men from asteroid X-57 had been present in the bar. The council decided that alone was not enough. Sparatus pointed out that Shepard was responsible for several dozen Batarians in their graves.

They suggested that perhaps, the one to organize it, had been involved in the altercation and died as a result. They pointed out that Shepards questions to the dying Batarian had been about Balaks location. Not about who tried to get him killed.

The council gave Shepard access to intercepted messages. They had been monitoring communications on Balaks ship. Nothing he had done while there suggested that he was even aware of Shepards presence. Much less setting up an assassination attempt on him.

In the end, they waved him off, it was a situation that the council would have to take responsibility for. The deed was carried out by a spectre and his team. They had no choice but to take responsibility, and the blowback. Anderson had pointed out before the meeting was closed, that the whole situation may have been avoided if they alerted Shepard instead of keeping him in the dark.

Shepard faced the facts. Balak may very well have been innocent of that particular event, but considering Balaks history. Shepard was not sorry he had killed the terrorist.

Anderson and Shepard spoke for but a minute. Mostly for Anderson to ask about Shepard and his brother. Anderson knew because Shepard told him of his own accord while serving under Anderson.

Shepard had reasoned with himself early into his third year in the alliance, that if he would continue to climb the ranks, it'd be better to get things out of the way sooner rather than later. He chose to tell Anderson in particular because of his calm demeanor. They parted ways and Shepard left the Council chambers.

Shepard was soon, once again, at the hospital that Tali was in. He couldn't bear to bring himself to enter though. Instead, sitting on a bench outside of the medical center. He had messaged his brother over his omni tool and soon the pair sat outside the hospital.

There were four trees spaced evenly apart. Between the trees, landing pads for emergency vehicles. Bushes lined the front of the building, split up by various benches. One of which, the pair was sitting on

"Thanks. For meeting Tali, and actually talking to her instead of being quiet." Shepard didn't look at Iromak, only looking ahead at the emergency landing zones.

"No problem." Iromak looked at Shepard, he could see how tired Shepard was. Speaking again. "I don't think that the reporter will be getting into the clean room. So she won't be able to bother Tali." All Iromak got in return was a half-hearted grunt.

Iromak reached over and placed a hand on Shepards shoulder. Shepard looked forward now, avoiding his brother's gaze. "But you aren't worried about the reporter bothering her, are you?"

Shepard found a low sigh escaping from between his lips. His brother knew him too well. It would be one thing to put someone in his squad at risk, it was much more than just someone in his squad though. "No. I'm not worried about the reporter." He leaned forward, putting his elbows against his knees for support.

He had gotten so lost in his anger, in his want for revenge. He lashed out at the wrong person. He didn't care that Balak was dead, he was a terrorist that nearly destroyed Terra Nova. It was the implications that worried Shepard. The ability to get so lost in what had happened, that he couldn't step back and observe it in a new light before making such a rash decision. He had probably made situations more tense with the hegemony as well but that was hardly a new occurrence.

The hand on his shoulder gave him a shake. "You get lost in your own thoughts so often, I'm gonna have to make you a map to help you get back out." The rough voice of Iromak seemed to burn the loose thoughts out of his mind.

Shepard straightened his posture, shaking his head lightly. "I'm not sure about what to do, I don't want to just leave her here." He looked at the doorway of the hospital for a moment before out in front of them. Looking at the trees leaves swaying ever so slightly from the fake wind.

"I still need to search for Saren though, I can't just let him get further ahead. He'll get the conduit. We don't even know what that is. What-" His train of rambling was cut short by Iromak holding a hand up to him.

"Stop, you're over complicating things." Iromak let go of Shepards shoulder and put his hand down. Looking up to the trees. "You go do what you need to, I'll make sure no one bothers your girl."

"Than- I, hold on, You don't think we're-" Shepard started stumbling over his words, he knew this was going to happen. Iromak only started laughing at him.

"I know a few things. You haven't introduced me to anyone out of your personal crew before. I also know we don't meet unless something big happens." He leaned back onto the bench.

"I became a spectre, that's pretty big." Shepard turned over to him. Placing a hand down on his own knee to support himself. Iromak shook his head and crossed his arms.

"Doesn't count, you told me about that, and her at the same time. Actually, I remember the message being that you wanted to introduce me to your new squad mate." Shepard groaned lightly as he dragged his free hand down his face. He never was able to step around truths with Iromak. "So, you've got an interest in quarians? Or just a quarian?"

Shepard stood up, shaking his head. "I think we both know the answer to that. Are you sure about keeping an eye on her? I'm now sure when I'll be back on the Citadel."

Iromak waved a hand through the air, trying to wave Shepards worries away. "Go. I'll look after her till you come back." They both gave a short nod to each other before Shepard turned and left. His worries eased, but not forgotten.

Shepard did not return to the ship, but instead to Barla Von. After some long talks, he got Barla to act as a relay for information he would hope to get. He was interested in any information regarding Matriarch Benezia. After over an hour of waiting, he left. He had been able to discover that in the past few days, the Matriarch had been spotted on Noveria. So he had his new target.

Shepard had few words for his crew when he entered the Normandy. Once the next course was plotted. Shepard went to tell Engineer Adams that he would have to take Talis' responsibilities back onto his shoulders.

Adams didn't complain, he also didn't ask what happened. He did however, find himself working harder than ever, losing some of the free time he had gotten used to.

The first thing Shepard did when he entered the captains quarters, was take the large bottle of faintly green liquor in hand, and shove it behind his bed. Far back into the corner out of sight, but not out of mind. He could feel something worming in his mind, telling him to have a drink. He shoved it as far out of mind as he could.

Opening some files to read through to keep his mind busy. Shepard would have slept, but the day cycle took the ship. He didn't have to stay up, but he felt a responsibility to at least be available to the crew members of his ship.

An hour after he had sat down, a knock came at his door. He didn't take his eyes off the tablet in his hand. Clearing his throat before speaking. "Come in." The door slid open and Kaidan took a step in. Shepard looked up for just a moment.

Here we go...

Shepard gestured to the seat for Kaidan, not saying anything till he set the tablet down. "So… I suppose you have a couple questions." Kaidan had one of his elbows propped up on Shepards desk. Simply nodding at his statement.

"Kind of, I suppose. I'm really here to check in on how you're doing." Shepard raised an eyebrow slightly. This wasn't what he had been expecting.

"What? I, I'm fine." He had an almost questioning tone in his statement. Looking down and double checking he didn't get shot when he wasn't looking. Returning his eyes to Kaidan. Pointing at his left arm. "I got lucky, a bullet grazed me but it just took a little medi gel from a C-Sec officer to cover that."

Kaidan blinked a couple times and simply looked at Shepard, leaning forward a bit. "I'm talking about Tali and how… you reacted." For the first time in a long while, Kaidan had an uncomfortable time approaching a subject with Shepard.

The two of them had been friends for almost three years now, Kaidan had seen Shepard angry. But that level of irrationality was a different subject, boarding a ship with just a two man team was not exactly a smart move.

"I'm fine. I was…" Shepard paused, clearing his throat to take a second and consider his words. He only saw one way to put it though. "I lost control for a moment. It's over though."

Kaidan raised an eyebrow, leaning back into the chair and crossing his arms. "A moment, huh? Garrus told me he and Wrex backed you up on some ship." Shepard groaned as he knew what was coming. "You didn't even tell Wrex what you were doing. That you just had him come in and pull you and your… brother, out of the fire"

Shepard shook his head as he stood up, finding that pacing back and forth suited him to sitting. "It was Balak, Kaidan. Even if I was acting rash, he deserved to die."

"Yeah, I'm not here to debate what happened to Balak. I'm sure he deserved it. I'm here to ask you to examine the situation now that it's over. Why did you act so rashly, and how can you

avoid it." Kaidan stood up, walking to leave. Stopping before he opened the door. "You didn't act like this when Jenkins got hit on Eden Prime."

Shepard turned away, still pacing back and forth. "Jenkins went through boot camp like the rest of us. Jenkins signed up to fight, Jenkins had actual body armor. We were also able to contact his family to deliver the unfortunate news." He turned back around to look at Kaidan. "I have no clue as to how one would get into contact with the Migrant Fleet. What would I say? Who would I tell?"

Kaidan stopped his line of rambling questions. "You don't, you need to realize that Tali is going to be fine. It'll take time, she might have to stay in the hospital for a while. Who knows. But driving yourself crazy over it will only make you more irritated. More prone to rash decisions. Get some damn sleep, you need it. I'll make sure no one bothers you." With that, Kaidan left.

Shepard found that his recommendation of sleep was a good one. Within the next half-hour, Shepard was in a deep sleep. The Normandy set to arrive at Noveria in the next few days.