I Do Not Own Mass Effect
Chapter Ten: For My Sake
Nearly a week had passed without any change in his condition. Midday had come and gone. Now Tali sat alone in the med bay with her hand cradled in Wayne's. A silent vigil was all she could offer. She had sat bedside with Wayne every day, praying for him. Wayne had given her so much. He handed over military sensitive data of the geth without question, gave her the strength to overcome the Admiralty board. Most of all he had loved her. Not a day went by without Wayne Shepard holding Tali in his firm muscular arms, whispering soothing words and confessions of love. Tali had no right to question his love… he was perfect. At least that was what she wanted to believe. No…he was perfect because Wayne was hers…and hers alone. She cradled his hand in hers and lightly squeezed it. Tali had felt them held them, actually held his rough, callous hands with her own outside of her bio-suit. These were her hands. Wayne belonged to her.
Finally Tali let go, Wayne's hand falling back to his side. He drew breath lowly and in sync with the monitoring equipment. He was alive. That was all Tali knew. He would be with her again soon. They would continue their lives together, they would love one another. He was alive. Tali didn't care about anything else. They had been through so much together…laughed and cried with one another. It was unfair to be angry. Whatever happened in the past with Liara, whatever they shared was gone. Tali was Wayne's and he was hers.
"I love you." Tali managed quietly. She refused to cry anymore. She was going to be strong, she had to be strong. Looking at Wayne Tali again took his hand and whispered.
"Please come back. You have to stop the Reapers. The galaxy needs you, Shepard." Tali tightened her grasp and pleaded.
"If not for that…than for me. For my sake." There was no answer. Only the blip of the machines that kept a silent watch over the Commander. It was then and there Tali made up her mind. She would a make a promise to Shepard, to the Home World that she would keep a silent vigil over the Commander. Tali removed her mask, the internal warning of bacterial contamination chiming in her ear but it did not matter. She placed his hand to her cheek and hers to his, she whispered.
"In my culture when loved ones ask for blessings or to vow our love, we remove our masks and hold each other just like this…please come back to me…so we can do this one day. So I can hold you as my own." Again there was silence. Tali remained with Shepard's warm hand resting on her cheek. She remained to keep a silent vigil until Shepard would return.
"I bless you." A low raspy voice called sending a dark chill down Tali's spine. Shepard was awake! His eyes were hazy and his voice was hoarse. He tried to sit up but Tali forced him to lie back down.
"Keelah! Don't move!" Tali demanded with her voice cracking.
"It's alright. I feel fine." Shepard protested. His argument invalidated as he went into a fit of coughing. Tali began to fret, propping his pillows, holding his hands as Wayne became more animated. After he settled and his vision was no longer hazy Wayne exclaimed.
"Are you trying to get sick! Put on your mask!"
"If it means I get to stay here and kiss you, I'll risk it." Tali reprimanded. Shepard tried to protest but found Tali's lips planted on his own. Both were enwrapped in a long passionate kiss. When she pulled away Tali placed her mask back into place. Her suit bathing Tali in antibiotics. Shortly after that Mordin and Chakwas entered. A look of pure shock and joy quickly painted across their faces.