A/N

This one is pushing some boundaries.

This is where Mature Content warning applies so if sexual stuff isn't your thing, well I warned ya.

~Enjoy

Chapter 21: The Reconnect

Shepard's POV

No sooner had he been shown his room did his Omni-tool light up. It was from Asa-fum.

"That was fast." he lamented. He wanted some actual privacy for a change.

"No rest for the weary?" asked Liara who had instantly taken to observing every detail of the massive room. Even John found himself wondering around at the very strange features of this place. It didn't lack for comfort.

"No, we are going to have visitors any second. They wish to give us something." said John. Liara came over to him with a soft smile.

"Then we must wait for sleep. It's not like we really have had any since we arrived on this planet?" she asked with a silly smile she only saved for him. John grinned. The make-up sex after the fight they had was amazing.

"I wonder if the other two are gonna get to catch up any." mused John. Liara just smiled back at him.

"If anyone needs it, they do. But, I think Kyson has more things on his mind right now." said Liara with a hint of sadness. John felt the same way, what his friend was going through was beyond tough.

"I don't know. Tali can be very aggressive..." he said trying to keep things lighthearted. Liara shook her head as if saying otherwise.

"When Kyson was in that gang, it was the same one you were in wasn't it? I vaguely remember meeting Finch. You told him to go fuck himself if I remember right." said Liara. John had struggled to keep his calm during Kyson's struggle in the chamber.

"Yeah, Finch and I helped the gang out as kids. We did simple smuggling and muscle work. Nothing like what Finch made Kyson do. I know why Kyson fought so hard when he took the mission on Earth. Finch was brought in to custody because of Kyson. But, that didn't keep the guilt at bay it seems." said John. He wished he had never joined that gang, but just like Kyson he had nowhere to go. No direction in any way.

"What made you leave?" asked Liara.

"I was near starving. Work had become so slow we almost had to join other gangs in hopes of a meal. Then, one day we found a mark. A rich woman who was on a hike. We took her hostage, ransomed her to her family and business. Both didn't communicate with each other because of our orders. We made out like the bandits we were. Finch took his money and began to build up the gang with his new found reputation. I left for the military." said John with a sigh. He had long ago come to terms with why he had done it.

"You couldn't do it again could you?" asked Liara. He nodded.

"The galaxy is grateful for it. It would take a tough life to make a man like you. I'm just glad you didn't have to suffer like Kyson did." said his girl. John felt his muscles tighten as a planet came back into focus for the first time in over a year.

"No, that came later for me. My trial was Akuze." said John with a dark tone. That day would never leave him it seemed.

"That's right, I'm sorry..." she said softly. John was about to say 'its fine' but a knock came at the door.

"Come in!" he shouted and two black cats with red stripes came in.

"Ello' commander. I'm Bez, and this is my brother Lez. We wish to talk with you about today's events." said the Oomari on the left. John nodded and motioned for them to come in.

"Thanks, we were the techs operating the extraction process." said Lez.

"Aye, and we have a full recording of the whole thing. We thought you would want it for future study." added Bez. John was handed a hard drive while the two cats beamed at him with pride. John kept looking at the two with suspicion.

"Twins?" he asked just to make sure.

"Yup." they replied with exact timing and tone together. What made it really eerie was how their smiles widened at the same time as well. He looked at Liara who had a very clear 'okay then...' look.

"So what is it you wanted to discuss?" he asked. The twins were officially creepy.

"Ah, I don't think any of us were in a position to tell Mr. Kyson but..." Lez was cut off by his brother.

"Despite everyone wanting to help Kyson he was really nothing more than a chance for us to study Khoshekh hands on for the first time since we went into hiding." said Bez. John shrugged his shoulders.

"I gathered that by the way all those scientists were holed up in the observation room. So what then? I know that if he couldn't be saved you wouldn't risk being compromised and would have killed him." stated John getting the obvious out in the room. The brother nodded quickly.

"Yes but, there is something you should tell your friend." said Bez.

"Every Oomari has seen the recording. Every single one from child to elder. It has rocked our people on their heads." said Lez with apprehension.

"Goddess, why?" gasped Liara who sounded angry. John glared at the two brothers.

"Was his suffering not enough then? You had to parade it around?" asked John who was angry himself. Kyson was going to wake up with millions knowing what he had done. Even if they were an advanced people with amazing secrets, that was a private ordeal.

"Please try and understand, Khoshekh is the reason our race has been in hiding. It was the first example we have had to remind ourselves of why in a long time." Bez tried to explain.

"I know why you did it damn it. But why so soon?" he growled. The brothers who both stood around the ten foot mark began to back away with worry on their features.

"Because it gave us hope. The last time one of our own stepped into the chamber...they didn't make it. They couldn't face themselves the way your friend did." said Lez with admiration in his voice. John threw his hands in the air.

"So are you telling me he is some kind of hero now?" asked John now completely frustrated.

"Yes." said both brothers enthusiastically. John just shook his head.

"Kyson isn't going to see it that way. You saw what he had been through." said Shepard as he crossed his arms.

"From what we have studied over the years, the popular thing in the galaxy today is the anti-hero. A repentant sinner or an underdog yes?" asked Bez. John raised an eyebrow in interest.

"Yeah, how do you know so much? Everyone down here seems to know just about everything that has happened everywhere else." he pointed out. He had heard Asa-fum mentioning how they used planets as listening dishes.

"YouTube." said Lez with a smile. Of all the things to make John's blood run cold, he never saw that one coming.

"Aye, that and any media sites from the current races in power." laughed Bez. Liara looked at John wondering why he looked so baffled.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Of all of the places to learn about Humanity, YouTube was not what I would want to represent us." said John as all the years of people posting the stupidest moments of the Human experience. He buried his face in his hand.

"Oh, it's not just that. It's everything. It's just that my brother and I have a thing for old vids shot on cell phones. And don't look so glum, mate. I can think of many times our people would look like fools to those out there in the galaxy." laughed Lez as he leaned against a table.

"Besides, we are huge fans of your fight against the Reapers. You are all like' Leroy Jenkins' on ass laser shooting space bugs. We really are." the brothers laughed. John didn't know what to say.

Kyson's POV

He was taking the hottest shower he could stand. He was dirty from all of the fighting, the caked blood from his partially opened wounds and the sweat from his exertions. But he was dirty in many other ways, he couldn't stop thinking about how he was still responsible for what his friends had seen. How he wished that they had never seen what he had done. Nothing would ever be the same again.

Tali was acting strange around him after her talk with Dehara. She seemed to be avoiding him as he tried to talk to her. She kept trying to give him short and simple answers. That wasn't like her outside of a fire fight. He had given up and started getting ready for bed by taking a shower.

"I wonder what the leaders want with us tomorrow?" he asked aloud trying to engage his bondmate again. Tali came over to the shower and leaned against the glass.

"I bet it has something to do with the war. I doubt they want to be involved despite their obvious ability to help. They have stayed holed up down here like cowards for so long, they won't change." she said. Kyson frowned.

"You think so? They seem very generous to me." he said.

"They did just save your life. I can see why you would think that. But, there is always a price. No one does things like that for nothing." said Tali. It sounded mean coming from her.

"Hey now, what gives? They gave us a chance to be together again." he said as he tried to figure out her frustration. Whatever the conversation was about in the hall must have been bad.

"I know. I'm just...this almost seems unreal. How convenient is it that there were here all of this time? It just freaks me out is all." said Tali. Kyson tuned the shower of before walking out and looking at his love.

"You ain't the only one. I've had my fill of depressing shit for one day. I'm about ready for a long vacation somewhere with warm breezes and soft sand." he griped. Tali just looked out of the window.

"Hey, you alright?" he asked. She was acting very odd indeed.

"Yeah. I'm just worried is all." she said.

"About what? If it was about what you saw today it's over now. I don't have that thing in me anymore." he said as he began to dry himself with a towel the size of a comforter. Tali stayed silent.

"I will be fine. I faced my demons and now it's a done deal. Now I'm fighting fit for the rest of the war and we can go on being big goddamn heroes." he laughed as he went to brush his teeth. The joys of modern armor was that all of his essentials were in a neat little capsule under one of the breast plates.

"I know what I did and I will always be guilty for them. I might as live the rest of my days out making up for it. John is no different in that respect." he said. He had come away with one thing from this ordeal. He had to keep his mind sharp and hard for the war was far from over. He had a lot of lost time to make up for as he wallowed in self-pity.

"What do you mean?" asked Tali.

"What I mean is I don't see the commander wallowing in the past like I always have. That's why he is who he is. That is why he can keep so focused. He rolls with the punches I need to learn to do the same. No more of this holding on shit." he said with a grimace.

"So you are just going to let it all go?" asked Tali. Kyson grunted.

"I don't see any other choice. That happened years ago now yet I have never let it go. It is time for me to be a man about my choices and face the music. I've been a little bitch and need to toughen up. This war is going to get worse soon so now it is a matter of getting back in the game. It will be like when Garrus and I took down that cocksucker Finch. I need to focus again." he said as he began to occupy his mind.

Many visions of the last reports of the war were in his thoughts as he began to plan out where the Normandy might go next. He was also trying to figure out how to trap Kerris. It might have to wait after the war but he had his goal now.

"No matter what though, I am going to offer my assistance in tracking down this Khoshekh monster. Nothing fucks with me like that and gets away with it! The damage it caused my loved ones will not go without consequence damn it!" he growled now that he had gotten himself worked up. All he could see now was getting his revenge. He had spent so much time being twisted and led around all that was left was to get that lost time back.

"And what the hell will that accomplish?" scoffed Tali as she looked at him now. Kyson couldn't hear her. He was still thinking about how he should have been part of the team when he went into the N7 program and the difficulties he had caused for so many. He had been relying on his ruthlessness instead of his talents. The worst part was how good it felt at the time.

A click could be heard in the room causing Kyson to look back at the kitchen island. It was Tali rummaging around. She seemed to activate something before she shook her head. A strange sounding voice in what Kyson could only assume was the language of the Oomari filled the room. More clicks could be heard along with a very faint hum. Then the room was quiet again.

"What was that?" he asked. Tali began to take off her helmet, she let her hair out of a tie before looking back at him. She had a very stern looking face. The iridescent eyes adding greatly to the effect.

"A decontamination cycle. What will they think of next?" she asked mockingly. Kyson didn't know what to say to her hostility.

"What is wrong with you, Tali?" he asked this time with anger rising within him. He was too tired to figure this out right now.

"Nothing." she said as she looked away from him.

"I don't buy it. But if you want to play it that way, okay." he grumbled. He walked off to the piles of pillows and let himself drop. He was done. He had had enough of this crazy ride. He just wanted to get back to work and do what needed doing. The Normandy was most surely going to need more work once they got back. He was going to crawl through every part of that damn thing and rip out every single piece left over from Cerberus.

The minutes passed as he began to trace possible places he hadn't looked over yet when he noticed that Tali was still standing. She was leaning against the island and staring out of the window. She glanced at him before frowning and looking away moving her hair to cover her eyes.

"Should I be as stupid to ask what I did wrong?" he said. Tali looked at him with a glance barely visible by her hair. She seemed to be wrestling with something in her head.

"You haven't done anything wrong. I'm just not sure you realize that you can't just walk away from what happened today." she said. Tali

"What do you mean?" he asked. Wasn't the point of that chamber to come to terms with what you have done?

"I think you might not... oh I don't know what I'm trying to say." she said as she became more flustered. Tali looked at him before deciding something in her mind. She quickly stormed off towards the shower. She was losing pieces of her armor as she went. He kept silent as she got into the shower and washed.

He sat there in the pillows watching as she scrubbed down. He was trying to figure out her frustration towards him. Was she angry with the things he had done in his past? Or was it that he didn't say much on it in the first place. He felt sick as another thought came to him. What if she was upset the he had almost had a child with Cynthia and couldn't stand the fact that they couldn't do the same? He remembered talking about how it didn't bother him but what of her?

Tali had finished her shower, she was drying her hair as she walked up to him.

"I'm sorry, I had forgotten how those images must hurt you. I wasn't alone in that chamber. You were there the whole time." he said in shame.

"They did hurt me. But that is not what is troubling me. What worries is the crusade you will go on after we leave this planet. You stayed buried in battle and drink with Khoshekh. Before that you escaped through your work, that we are both guilty of. What I am worried I will see that happen again." said Tali. Kyson couldn't deny what she was saying.

"And I know you would try and make up for the time you lost. But I now know how much time that is. You can't just take back fifteen years. It isn't coming back no matter how hard you try. You won't be able to resist falling back into the same cycle; working and numbing out. You will need to do something different." she said. Kyson stared into her eyes as he let the info sink in. He looked away in shame as he began to lose his nerve.

"I want you to be wrong." he said. He didn't want to admit that there was a problem. Sitting next to him Tali wrapped her arms around his waist.

"I know. You do what you can to make things work. That's all anyone can ask of a person, all that I ask is for you to stay open to me." she said softly in his ear. Kyson could feel her warmth on his back as she held him.

"I have been wondering for so long, and I never knew. I have been held down by so much resentment, tied down by my hate. I am so tired, Tali." said Kyson as he struggled to lift his head.

"I Know. But you can change that." she said as she kissed the back of his neck. She began to nip lightly at his ears while he tried forget his life before the Normandy. Tali meanwhile kept gently comforting him as she traced his body with her fingers causing him to tremble in the cool air.

He turned to see her hands running up his arms, lightly massaging as they went. He could feel every knot she came across.

"You can relax now. It is over and you are with me, we are safe." she said. Kyson turned and kissed her. It was just enough pressure to get the point across. Not a simple peck nor the ravenous hunger that came with unchecked lust. It was just right.

He began to lightly grip Tali's calf as they kissed yet again. In some ways, the touch felt new to him. It was different in a way, no words could describe as his fingers tried to remember her. It had been so long since they had been able to reconnect in such a way. (Not With Haste: by Mumford & Sons)

[Your eyes they tie me down so hard.]

He could feel the muscles under her smooth skin as he felt her press against him with more force.

[I'll never learn to put up a guard.]

They looked in each other's eyes for a moment, with Tali giving a slight smile in return. She leaned in and began to kiss along his collar bone making Kyson arch his head back, welcoming the sensation.

[So keep my love, my candle bright.]

She tried to get closer by sitting in his lap. He began to raise a brow in question, but she pulled his arms out from under him causing them to fall back into the pillows. She smiled warmly from on top.

[Learn me hard, oh learn me right.]

He was worried all of this time that she wouldn't want to be near him again. Not after what she had seen from his memories.

[This ain't no sham.]

Tali began to nip at his ears again causing his taught body to relax as she found all of the places he hurt.

[I am what I am.]

They began to trace each other once again. Fingers found more scars than the last time, and remembering the old ones. Each time they were together something new was to be found. Kyson could feel her breath on his chest as she began to find more places to find pleasure.

[Though I may speak some tongue of old.]

Kyson groaned softly as she found a nipple, she began to tease him as she moved her hips over his sex causing his hands to grip Tali's thighs with slightly more enthusiasm.

[Or even spit out some holy word.]

It felt like in some small way they were taking hold of themselves for the first time since Kyson had gotten separated from Tali. All of the time away began to melt into a forgotten shape that was to be left behind.

[I have no strength from which to speak.]

He had been blind to the important things for so long. He had missed Tali so much he had almost forgotten what it was like to have her.

[When you sit me down, and see I'm weak.]

"I have missed you." he gasped as she kissed him right above his member. Tali brought herself up to look him in the eyes.

"And I, you." she breathed before kissing him deeply this time.

[We will run and scream. You will dance with me.]

Kyson clasped her to him causing Tali's nipples to brush against his as they tried to find more. Kyson could feel his tongue in her mouth as she sucked at it wanting more. Kyson was fully aroused as he began to press against Tali with more force.

[They'll fulfill our dreams and we'll be free.]

She pushed down on his shoulders separating their upper torsos. She looked down at him with those fiery eyes. She licked her lips as she began to slide down his torso, making sure the tip of his cock could gently feel every second of it.

[And we will be who we are.]

Kyson could feel her lips finish the descent, causing his body to ache in a way he had truly forgotten. He looked down with eyes wide. He was met by a gentle smile just before his member was quickly enveloped. He nearly bucked.

[And they'll heal our scars.]

It was difficult to form thoughts, it was quickly becoming unimportant. Images tried to flash in Kyson's mind but with each movement of Tali's tongue ripped them away.

[Sadness will be far away.]

She had decided to change pace sending him near the brink. It had been a long time. He bolted up before the jig was up. Tali laughed as she jumped on him. There in the folds of the blankets Kyson kissed her passionately.

"My turn." he managed to grunt in anticipation. Tali dug her fingers into his chest.

"Yes!" she almost cheered.

[So as we walked through fields of green.]

He wouldn't let her have all of the fun. He began to move slowly down just like she had, he could see the anticipation on her face. With the use of his toned muscles, he got his arms under her thighs and brought her to him.

[Was the fairest sun I'd ever seen.]

Tali beamed at him with tensed muscle that he could feel on his cheeks. He sent his tongue out slowly, causing her to gasp. He forced his way in deeper between her folds causing her face to become the image of pleasure. Kyson stayed there until he felt satisfied, which meant she was doubly so. It was the responsible thing to do after all.

[And I was broke, I was on my knees.]

Tali was the one to push back this time. She pulled herself up with a bit of a struggle. Propped on one hand she grinned at him with eyes now brighter than the sun back home. She was panting with drying hair running down over her shoulders. Kyson could feel a burning in his soul that his lifemate could see.

[And you said yes as I said please.]

Kyson brought her in as they kissed at each other. They couldn't be kept away not even the forces of the universe could get in the way. They had won.

[This ain't no sham.]

Tali pushed him back before laying her head in the crook of his neck. She began to inhale sharply taking in her own scent that was now on him. They both quivered as they began to bond as one, maybe for the first time in earnest.

[I am what I am.]

"You have always been mine." said Kyson as he gripped her waist.

"Damn right." she breathed behind his ear.

[I leave no time.]

"There is one thing you must do, though." said Tali with a devilish grin. Kyson tilted his head in question.

[For a cynic's mind.]

Tali pushed herself out of the pillows, laughing as she turned around. He could see how ready she was for he couldn't look away from her waiting sex. His own was more than ready. He got up trumpeting his manhood as she took a step back giving him a coy look.

[We will run and scream.]

Kyson chased her all over the room as Tali teased him. She would let him catch her just long enough to grasp his shaft only to get him weak in the knees before bolting again.

[You will dance with me.]

A tugging sensation could be felt at the back of his mind. Kyson didn't even have a barrier to stop Tali from entering even if he tried.

[Fulfill our dreams and we'll be free.]

Not a single thought was used with words between them as they 'danced' around. Emotions flew wildly as Kyson kept up the chase.

[We will be who we are.]

So lost were they in their new found connection Tali found herself cornered by the shower. He grabbed her hands and pinned her against the glass wall. Both were nearly out of breath as they laughed.

[And they'll heal our scars.]

Kyson pressed against her making sure his tip pressed firmly against her clit. She shuddered with a low growl coming from deep in Tali's chest. He found that he could barely contain his urge to take Tali.

[Sadness will be far away.]

Her last move before Kyson lost all sense of his composed self was when Tali parted her legs allowing her weight to slowly make her folds to cover his tip. Kyson was losing his ability to see straight as the sensation shot lightning up his spine.

[Do not let my fickle flesh go to waste.]

"Kyson, you are mine." said Tali with a gasp. Kyson was staring into her eyes; the ones that held the entire galaxy. He laid his lips on hers.

[As it keeps my heart and soul in its place.]

Tali was losing her ability to stand causing him to penetrate deeper. She moaned through his lips before wrapping her hands around his head. Kyson breathed slowly as she began to fit around him. All of the months separated disappeared in an instant. Yet the time had changed Tali. She bit down on his lower lip as her toes just barely left the floor. Her body was no longer used to the act.

[And I will love with urgency but not with haste.]

They had all of the time in the universe. He was buried inside of Tali causing the Quarian woman to arch her back. They semi dry tussled hair covered them both as Kyson slowly took her again and again.

Her face only told him one thing.

More.

So he did.

It wasn't until Kyson's legs were about to give out did Tali make a move for the bedding. That was where she rocked his fucking world. Again and again.

-An hour later-

Tali's POV

She could feel the soft blanket covering her body. She had been too hot for it a few moments ago for she hadn't exerted that amount of energy in a long time. Kyson was still sprawled out with half lidded eyes staring through thousands of miles.

"That was awesome." she purred. Kyson tried to put his hand on hers but it fell short. He could barely move. Tali laughed as she rubbed her thighs together, they were still moist from Kyson and her own body. She trembled lightly for she was still in a daze as well.

"How long has it been since you got one off?" she managed to ask. She rolled into his side bringing the blanket with her.

"When was the last time we had sex?" he mumbled. Tali had to think through her sluggish memories, she was still rolling in endorphins.

"Just before you got spaced?" she tried to recall. Kyson grunted before his hand found her belly.

"Not even once since did you...well you know." said Tali. She had her stimulation programs for her suit. She wondered if Kyson had something similar.

"Don't care. I want this to last forever." mumbled her love. She kissed him again before she began to slip in and out of sleep. She didn't know how much time had passed but a chime kept ringing in her head. She began to wake up with muscles that didn't seem to respond.

"What is that noise?" she groaned. Why the hell should she have to move after such a night? If she was ever given a seat on the council after this war she would outlaw work after a night of great sex.

The chime came again.

"Kyson, get the door." she said as she pulled the blanket over her head.

Another chime. Kyson had begun snoring. She wanted sleep, so she kicked Kyson in his ass.

"Get the door." she grunted this time.

"Unh..." was the only noise Kyson made as he slowly got up. She could hear his bare feet make their way to the door. If her eyes had been open she would have rolled them.

"Put on clothes." she warned.

"Wha? Oh, shit. Maybe that would be..." Tali couldn't make out the rest of his muttering as his underwear was put on. Then he answered the door. She fell fast asleep the moment Kyson opened the door. The rest of her night was filled with thoughts of Rannoch with sprawling cities and Kyson smiling in the sun.

Kyson's POV

Kyson opened the door totally forgetting about how Tali wasn't in her suit. It was the farthest thing from his mind right now for he had just had the best sex in his life and someone was interrupting his sleep. The best sleep a man could get was the after fuck nap.

Then there was this nine foot tall yahoo of a cat smiling at him. This creature had white clothing that starkly contrasted his yellowish fur.

"I was sent up here with the drink you requested sir." said what Kyson assumed was room service. He could only keep one eye open as he tried to adjust to the bright lights of the hallway.

"How long ago was that?" he asked.

"Five minutes ago." was the answer. He knew that it had been much longer since he had first asked for the drink.

"What took Dehara so long...never mind. I'll take it off of your hands." he said. He would see if there was a fridge or somethin' to put it in. He reached out for the drink but the size of it made both of his eyes open wide.

"Holy hell." said Kyson as the drink was offered to him. It was the size of a two liter bottle. Inside of it was an opaque pink soup like substance.

"What is that?" he asked with question. He was beginning to smell the foul odor it seemed to be producing.

"It is one of our finest drinks. We call it Zim-Zam." said the yellow cat.

"Is it made with alcohol?" he asked. If he was going to drink something that smelled like that it better be the very tears of the gods.

"Oh yes. We have a type of krill we cultivate in vast caverns. We crush them down whole and let it ferment for thirty years before serving. It is hard to come by." said the guy. Kyson felt his stomach do a backflip in disgust. He was about to refuse but the last thing he wanted to do was insult this guy's obvious reverence of the drink.

"He took the drink with both hands, and took a small sip. He almost dropped the glass as the wretched chum met his taste buds. It burned with alcohol and something else he couldn't place as he struggled not to hurl.

"How is it my friend?" asked the cat who was trying not to laugh. Kyson couldn't really tell but it was what he would be doing.

"How rare is this drink?" asked Kyson with a dry mouth full. If 'hate' had been made a drink this had been it.

"It takes most of us two years of saving for one bottle." replied his new 'friend'.

"Could you afford this?" asked the now fully awake engineer. The attendant looked away as if ashamed of something.

"No. I have yet to be able to buy it myself. I was given some by a friend years ago. I have longed for it since." was the reply. Kyson offered the cup back.

"It is a very interesting concoction you have here. Very original, but I have since lost my want for any alcohol. Please take it, for your troubles." said Kyson trying to get rid of the thing before the smell seeped into his skin. The cat looked horrified.

"I couldn't, sir! I am on the clock. If my boss found out, oh I can't think of what might happen." said the attendant with hairs beginning to stand on end. Kyson walked up close to the cat.

"Whoa, clam down bud. Listen, I want you to have this in appreciation for going through all of the trouble. Do you ever take sick days?" he asked. The cat puffed up his chest looking tall and proud.

"Not once in my many years of service." was the proud answer.

"And when is the next chance you are going to get this drink?" asked Kyson. The cat seemed to deflate a bit.

"I dunno to be honest. But I couldn't." the cat continued.

"This is what you need to do. Drink this thing here and now, then leave a note that I told you to go enjoy the rest of your day. If anything comes up tell him I suggested it for I have no way to pay you back. This is my tip." said Kyson who desperately wanted to go back to bed.

The cat mulled it over in his head before nodding.

"Ya know, I do need a break. I have been at this place for a long time." said the attendant. No sooner had the decision been made did the giant snatch the glass from Kyson and slurped it down. A long tongue sought out the last little bits of slop before the cat began to quiver.

"I must go! I only have about ten minutes before I taste colors. Thank you Mr. Sorley. I owe you, and so do our entire people!" said the cat with a very low bow. Kyson nodded with confusion before the cat began to walk off.

"Hey!" he barked quickly to get the cats attention. The attendant stopped to look at him.

"Let me keep the glass. It will be more convincing." he said. The guy looked at him like he had made a new best friend. Many "thank you's" later and the cat was gone with Kyson desperately trying to wash the glass in the kitchenette.

"Strange folk be in these here mountains." he muttered while Tali rolled around obliviously under the blanket.

A/N

And this is where I round up the downer of chapter 21. Never forget that time and good people will always be there to help you. And even better there are those who do love you. Don't close your heart as I did for so many years and don't let the calluses get to thick.

Thank you all for hanging in there with me as I figured my shit out.

Review as you will as always and thank you.

~RJ