Shepard blew out a long breath. He was waiting impatiently for the main star of the show to arrive.

So this is finally it, then. All the years and months and days of the…waiting. All of the pain, all of the…bullshit. It's not going to matter after this, is it? It seems silly, I know. Especially since I was never one to really stand on ceremony, but this…this matters. This is important, because it is important to her. And I know that Tali said that it wasn't - and I believe her - but damn it she deserves this. And she will get absolutely everything.

Behind him, Garrus also waited patiently for the other vehicle to arrive which would drop off Raan, Geru, Liara, Kasumi, and of course, Tali'Zorah. There was a rare bit of slight awkwardness between he and Garrus, Shepard thought. He knew that it was because of the current situation with Garrus and Kasumi, so he didn't really blame him. Besides, Shepard was certain that this would go smoothly. None of his friends would do anything to mar this day - for either himself or Tali.

Behind both of them, the assembled guests - Normandy crew (including a noticeably quiet Joker, with Doctor Chakwas nearby), Zaal and Pomii, Daro, Han, the Conclave members and their significant others, Tali's recently reunited friends, and even Veetor - milled about with a quiet murmur. Veetor did so with, of course, far less fanfare than the others. Thankfully, he had arrived with Elan'Shiva, whom Shepard had recognized from Tali's trial as the doctor who had helped the young man immensely. Based on what he saw now, perhaps she was more than just his doctor.

He chuckled.

Good for him.

Standing near the edge of this familiar place, John took in the scene in front of him. In this moment of peace, it looked familiar yet…completely alien to him. The lens through which he viewed it this morning could not have been more diametrically opposed to the one through which it was viewed the last time he was here.

He thought fondly of Legion, who was more human (for lack of a better term) than perhaps any of them realized.

They sure wasted no time in cleaning that piece of shit up, did they? He chuckled to himself at his own phrasing. A little ways off in the distance, the metallic skeletal remains of the vile Reaper lay in ruins. Even now, he knew that there were teams of quarians picking it apart, probably re-purposing the fucker into something constructive. Closer to him, he traced his eyes down the little path that meandered its way down toward the river - he wasn't sure if it was the Ghanxi - that would deposit its contents into a fairly large lake. He watched the light dance and sparkle over the water and let his mind wander. Did it even have a name? He supposed that at some point it had. That is going to be a great place to go swimming…and boating…and fishing. Does Tali even…he was about to wonder if she could swim. He remembered back to the Virmire mission. She had looked so forlorn at the water that lapped against her booted toes. When he offered some stupid reassurance, she had played it off well - like it didn't bother her - but it wouldn't have taken a neyha to understand that the poor girl felt so out-of-place by it all. He snapped his attention back to the present, as he realized that it was something of a pointless thought exercise. After all, what was the point of it if she couldn't feel the water on her skin? He shrugged it off as he idly wondered when - not if - that would be an experience that she would be able to partake in.

He was hopeful, of course. Though he had no idea how any of it would work in the space of reality, he was convinced that the ingenuity of these people would see it through.

"One day…" he muttered. Garrus gave him an inquisitive look, which Shepard brushed off with a smirk and a quick shake of his head.

The last couple of days, as expected, had been something of a whirlwind. Kasumi had somehow procured enough levo food to not only take care of any party they would have after the ceremony was done, but she'd reassured him that everything was "on the up-and-up." She'd also told him that there was plenty still, that it would last for "long enough", or until he could get some levo-crops planted. Or until there were more reliable trade routes again. In either case, he appeared to be well-stocked for the foreseeable future.

The sound of an approaching ground vehicle pulled him back to the present. Turning his attention toward it, he watched and waited to see if it was his saera who had arrived. When the door to the old vehicle opened, it was instead the form of Lano'Tiel that emerged. His eyes fell to something that she held tucked under her arm. Was that a…was she carrying an actual bound book?

He nudged Garrus next to him. "Hey Garrus, your eyesight is better than mine. What the hell is Lano carrying? Is that a book?"

"Hmm? Let me see here…" The turian had replaced his long-range visor, since he was practicing his marksmanship with the impending mission. With his keen turian eye, he was easily able to determine that -

"Yup. Shepard, it's definitely a book, but I can't read it. What did Tali say that her language was?"

"Khelish, Garrus."

The turian nodded. "Well, that would explain it then. But how did she…?"

"Get an actual, physical bound book, that is apparently quarian in nature? Your guess is as good as mine."

For a silent moment, Shepard indeed pondered how exactly Lano might have gotten ahold of…with a sharp intake of breath, his eyes widened.

I wonder if…?

"Nah."

"What was that, Shepard?"

"Ah, nothing Garrus. Just thinking, that's all."

"Oh, I'm sure that's all you're doing."

"Yeah, well one of us has to."

The turian let out a snorted laugh.

For the next few minutes, Shepard watched as Lano and the others (including the admirals in attendance) milled about among themselves. They would occasionally cast glances his way, but mostly it looked like they were far more interested in this book. He watched as she tucked it closely to her side, as if to protect it. Often, she would shake her head, apparently telling them "no". Interrupting his voyeurism, he watched them all turn their heads toward the same sound that he was turning toward. Another ground vehicle. Shepard's pulse quickened. It stopped, with the dozens of people between he and it, and -

"Tali." His smile grew exponentially. "Garrus, hold the fort down, man. I'll be right back."

Garrus had his eyes trained on the vehicle, of course, but for entirely different reasons. "Mmhmm," was his distracted reply.

He arrived in time for the side doors to vertically lift, revealing its passengers. The smiling face of Liara was the first to exit, grabbing Shepard's hand easily as he helped her down.

She stood before him in a long, dark blue, sparkling dress that extended to just past her knee. There was a short slit that cut up the left side. She wore a thin gold bracelet. In another reality, one might've thought that it was actually her day. "Shepard," she eyed her friend from head to toe as he stood before her in what was quite probably the only non-military suit he now owned, "dashing as ever, I see."

"Well, it is an important day. And you clean up pretty well, too, you know."

She looked away in a fit of bashfulness. "Thank you for saying so. It means a lot - well, more than I thought it would - to be able to 'look nice', I suppose. Tali shared your sentiment. And yes, it is an important day." She had replied with what he thought was the most genuine smile he had ever seen on her face. It fit her well. Liara shuffled away, content to quietly talk to Ashley for a moment. Her eyes never left the vehicle, however.

Geru exited next, foregoing John's extended hand.

"Shepard, I do not believe that we have met in person. I am Geru, Shala's mate."

Shepard shook his hand. "Geru. I've heard a lot about you from Tali."

"Nothing too embarrassing, I hope."

They chuckled easily. "No, no. Nothing like that, I can assure you. If anything, she's quite fond of you."

Geru cleared his throat. "Yes, well. She has not had an easy life, Shepard. I only did what I could."

"Well, I thank you then. It was more than enough."

"She does us proud, Shepard. I am just as certain that a bit of that was your doing."

From the side, they heard an exaggerated cough. "Well, if you two are done making eyes at one another, I would like to get out. Now help me down, Shep." The husky voice could only have belonged to Kasumi. He indeed helped her down, and when she stood up completely, his breath caught in his throat. She had removed her customary hood, and her face and raven black hair were both readily seen. She had even done her hair up in a traditional bun. He didn't know what to say. Wearing a low-hanging strapped blouse and a pair of tight-fitting black pants, she smiled a little awkwardly.

"Now Shep, don't act like you've never seen my face. I just thought, you know, 'special occasion' and all. Besides…I thought that it was time to try something different."

There was something extra in the way that she had said that, and Kasumi did not hide the fleeting glance that she threw Garrus's way. He had not joined them.

"Kasumi, how are you and -"

She shushed him before he finished the question, frowning a little. "Now Shep, don't worry about that today," she replied with a wink. She leaned in a little closer to him and whispered. "You think Liara and me were something else, wait 'til your main squeeze gets out here." She clapped him playfully on the shoulder before turning away before joining Liara and the others. Garrus was still at the edge of the group.

Shala emerged next, and with little fanfare (and a little help from Geru), she landed easily.

"Raan."

"Shepard."

It was the only exchange they had; the only one they needed. Both were stated with a smile. Each of them was appreciative of the other and need not say it aloud. Geru grasped her hand gently and they, too, muddled away - but not too far. Clearly, they wanted to see his reaction to the next emerging passenger.

Who was presently fidgeting relentlessly.

Kasumi said you look great. Liara said you look beautiful - keelah, Tali - beautiful. And everyone worked so hard on this, and they all just want me to have - but what if John doesn't like it?

You know that's insane, right?

Oh, shut up. Of course I do.

Then why don't you just -

"Fine, you bosh'tet. I'm going!"

With a huff, Tali'Zorah got up from her seat, hunched over slightly on account of the roof of the vehicle. One foot in front of the other, that's all it would take for her to -

She reached her hand out in front of her, unsure of who was outside. Emerging from the dim interior and into the relatively soft daylight of Rannoch was still enough to jar her eyesight momentarily. A five-fingered hand grasped hers, securing it firmly within his own. First letting out a quiet gasp, Tali then felt the familiar sensation of contentment come over her.

He watched her hop down, of course. And Kasumi was right.

"Hey there, gorgeous."

Please think I look nice. Please think I look nice. Please think -

"What?" She blinked at him dumbly.

With a soft, comforting grin, he replied to her. "You heard me, Tal."

The "gorgeous" would always apply to her, John thought. After all, he knew better than anyone that the quarian suit and realk did precisely zero justice to her physical form (tight-fitting suit notwithstanding). And if Tali was an indication of the overall physical appearance of her people, than the suit was woefully incapable of conveying the beauty that rested in the quarians. As it was, in this instance he was referring to her suit and realk. He wasn't sure who was responsible for what, but her realk was clearly a new one. In place of the swirling purple hood that she had adorned in some capacity since he'd first met her, she now wore one with the familiar violet, but it now contained two prominent black stripes running its length. Inside the black stripes was a slimmer red stripe that ran through the middle. He immediately recognized the style; he only had to look through his own attire to find any number of variations on the color scheme and theme. It would not take a huge effort to discern the implication of the addition of his N7 colors. Furthermore -

"Are those flowers you're wearing?" Indeed, around both of her wrists were what appeared to be bracelets crafted of some native flower. The petals themselves were comprised of purple, white, and yellow. Taking her hands in his, he lifted them to his face. He inhaled deeply, and gave her a huge grin.

"So not only are you stunningly beautiful, Tali, but you also smell terrific." He punctuated this with a breathy laugh.

Her cheeks flushed with warmth. "Keelah, I do?"

"Scout's Honor. Whoever picked these out knows a thing or two."

She giggled. Tali still didn't know what the honor of a scout entailed, but clearly he was impressed. She would be thanking both Kasumi and Liara later.

"Well just so you know, you look delicious, saera."

He smiled mischievously. "Delicious, eh? Are you planning on eat-"

From behind them, someone cleared their throat.

"Excuse me, but is now a bad time?"

It was Lano, of course. And she regarded them with a jovial hint of mischief in her own right. It seemed that she was anxious to get this started.

She wasn't the only one.

"Oh, keelah, I'm sorry Lano! Of course, how do you want to -"

"Just follow me to the front here, and we'll get started, admirals." There was a clear smile evident and John thought that she was markedly different than her son had been.

As they walked (paraded, perhaps?) toward the "front" area, the others that were already gathered circled in behind them. By the time the three of them - Tali, Shepard, and Lano - had reached the edge of this clearing, they were decidedly the center of attention.

He hadn't noticed how or when, but Garrus and Shala'Raan had taken their places standing behind John. Conversely, Zaal'Koris had been joined by Kasumi behind Tali.

Lano, who stood in front of and between them, looked up with a satisfied "Hmm". She nodded her assent that she was about to begin.

The crowd, which had held the anticipatory murmur that so many crowds possess before the start of an event, quieted at the sound. Tali glanced for a moment at the item under Lano's arm. Was that a…a book? She was about to ask - to burst out with the question - when John gently squeezed her hand. With that, Lano began.

"Well, good morning to you all. I would like to welcome our off-world guests to Rannoch." She nodded first to Garrus, then to Kasumi. She then gave another angled nod in the general direction of Liara and the crew of the Normandy. "I would also like to take a moment to thank all of you - and of course Admiral Shepard - for everything that you all have done and sacrificed to stop the Reaper invasion. We all have a fresh lease on life thanks, in large part, to your actions." She paused, giving the admirals and the fellow Conclave members (and their guests) a chance to serenade them with raucous applause. Almost every one of them - especially Shepard, Kasumi (who looked like she was ready to activate her cloak),Tali, Garrus, and Liara - greeted the applause with embarrassed expressions. "Nothing to see here," their reactions said. They had just done what needed doing; none moreso than John Shepard himself. Eventually, the applause died back down on its own.

"Good. Well, now that that is done, let us come to the matter at hand." Solemnly, she tilted her head toward Van'Relai, who stood near the end of the front row with his mate and the other representatives. "Van'Relai, if you would begin recording for the official log, please?" He gave her a nod and tapped a few keys on his omnitool.

"Log open and recording, Lano."

"Good. Thank you. Let the record state that this is an official entry made by Lano'Tiel, current Speaker of the Conclave and representative of the Rannoch settlement of Nurtilla. Present here are my fellow representatives, the Admiralty Board, various quarian guests and the crew of the human Systems Alliance vessel Normandy." She looked down for a moment and, despite the mask, John could tell that she was gathering herself for what was likely a memorable occasion. "Okay," she whispered to herself before taking a deep breath.

"For the record, please state your name," she said to John.

"I am John Shepard vas Normandy," he replied confidently. Shala had prepared him for this.

"And your reason for the opening of the log?"

"To declare my bond and join my life with Tali'Zorah's."

As he said this, Tali was watching him unsteadily. Outwardly, she was a rock, unmoving. But inside, she was shaking with nervous anticipation. It was that sweet, tingling feeling in the pit of her stomach, those "butterflies" that John spoke of sometimes. But she could feel his conviction through the way his hand held hers, the way he stood at full attention, and the inflection in his voice that dripped with his love for her. Ten words. That's all it was, yet they were so much more.

"Very good," was her simple acknowledgment. Lano turned her attention to Tali.

"For the record, please state your name." Was that a smile that Tali heard?

"Tali'Zorah vas Normandy nar Rayya," came her answer. There was no hint of any nervousness.

"And your reason for the opening of the log?"

"To declare my bond and join my life with John'Shepard's."

John had caught that she stated his name in the quarian-specific way that they tended to say his, and likely all aliens' names. He did not give away his recognition, they would laugh about it later.

"Good, Tali'Zorah."

She turned her attention to Shala.

"Admiral Shala'Raan vas Tonbay, is this a true and complete bonding?"

Shala placed her hand on John's shoulder. "It is, Speaker."

A simple nod, before she turned her attention to the other admiral. "Admiral Zaal'Koris vas Rannoch, is this a true and complete bonding?"

He cleared his throat as he placed his hand on Tali's shoulder. "Yes, Speaker. It is."

"Now," she said as she looked from Tali to John, "I understand that there is no pal'tec vis surden to be presented?"

For a moment, both of them shared a brief distress. Even though Lano had explained that she would have to go through this part, the way that she had asked the rhetorical question placed the smallest grain of doubt into each of their minds.

Would she deny them this -

"That is correct, Speaker," Shala'Raan began, right on schedule. "John'Shepard, being unfamiliar with our customs and out of respect for what it symbolized, has chosen to forgo the pal'tec vis surden in favor of a ring, which is a more human custom, at least until such time that one may be constructed in a manner befitting those made by our Ancestors. His choice has met my approval, as it symbolizes all that a pal'tec vis surden would have."

"Do you concur, Admiral Koris?"

"Yes, Speaker. I concur that it is an acceptable substitute."

So far, so good.

"Very well. John'Shepard, please present your ring."

From behind him, Garrus removed from his satchel one of the necklaces, still wrapped in its protective cloth. He gave John a wordless nod of approval as the human removed the necklace from the cloth. Turning back to her, John held the necklace with the chain apart, grasped between the thumb and forefinger on each hand.

"Tali'Zorah, I present to you this ring forged of Earth and Rannoch, as a symbol of our union together - the two becoming one."

Keelah.

She leaned her head forward slightly, closing her eyes in order to focus on the feeling of his hands draping the chain and ring around her neck. Before they'd gotten started, she'd remembered to turn the sensitivity level on the NerveStim much higher - just for this purpose.

As Shepard leaned in to place the necklace on her, he brought his face close to the location of her auditory sensors. "I love you, Tali," was all that he said, but everything in his voice told her that there was so much more than just his words. Once done, he stood upright again, and admired his handiwork. The ring had settled neatly between her breasts, and it had managed to capture the light of Tikkun and sparkled as a result. Tali had to resist the urge to hold it in her own fingers.

Now it was Tali's turn.

She cleared her throat, trying to make sure that she'd actually be able to speak as required.

"Now, Tali'Zorah, please present your ring."

Tali heard the shifting and movement as she faced Kasumi, watching her carefully remove from her own pouch the second cloth-wrapped ring and chain. As Kasumi placed it in her hands she mouthed a simple "I'm proud of you" to her friend. The crescents of the quarian admiral's eyes gave away the smile that she was wearing in appreciation of her friend.

She turned back to face him, holding the chain delicately but firmly between her fingers. Locking her eyes with his, she spoke her part.

"John'Shepard, I present to you this ring forged of Rannoch and Earth, as a symbol of our union together - the two becoming one."

Holy shit. This is really happening.

He leaned forward and down slightly - to make it easier for her to reach above him. He did not close his eyes. Instead, he made a point to find hers, and stay within her own eyes as long as he could. He was going to stay there as long as the moment allowed.

As for Tali, when she placed the necklace around his neck, she came very close to simply wrapping her arms fully around him. She would throw off this damned mask, and kiss him - really kiss him - until her blaring lungs forced her to take breath once again. That done, she would return her lips to his and commence with round two. Instead, she did as he had done.

"John…keelah, do I love you," she whispered into his ear.

She stepped back, momentarily admiring the glint of light that shone off of the necklace and ring that he now wore.

That done, they faced each other, with John taking her hands in his.

It was John's turn once again.

"Tali, I offer to you this ring and my name as symbols of our lives joined together as one. Will you accept them?"

Here it is. The moment of truth.

"John'Shepard, I accept them both, and will journey through life with you, as one."

From behind them, there was more than small sniffle to be heard.

Probably Liara, John figured. It would surprise him greatly when Traynor would later tell him that it was, in fact, Ashley who had nearly lost it.

"Excellent. Then you shall be recognized as Tali'Shepard vas Rannoch, and you," she faced John now, who had lifted his chin and stood as tall as he had ever stood in his life, "you are now John'Shepard vas Rannoch. Walk as one in life, and may your journey through life with each other be long and full. Keelah se'lai."

"Keelah se'lai," they replied in unison.

With a satisfied nod, Lano faced the couple once more, but said nothing for a moment.

The crowd gathered behind them - especially the quarians - began to glance at each other uncertainly. There should be more to the ceremony.

That moment was all it took for Tali to question. She looked at Lano uncertainly. "Is that…all?" Lano hadn't invoked the prayer.

She shook her head emphatically. "No, of course not, Tali." The Speaker tilted her head, gesturing that she would be speaking to the crowd in general. "Everyone, thank you. The…technical part is complete. Normally, the ceremony would end with the reciting of the Ancestors' Prayer," she glanced at Tali, "which Tali was right to question. However, I have chosen to try something new, in light of recent events."

Lano produced the bound book that John had noticed earlier, pulling it from one of her suit's typically impossible hiding places.

A smile grew on Kasumi's face. John noticed it, and gave her a knowing look. With a smirk, she mouthed "stop it" back at him.

He returned his attention to Lano just in time to hear her address the crowd once more.

"Recently, an anonymous individual," she looked directly at Kasumi, holding her gaze for barely a moment - but it was enough, "was gracious enough to leave at my doorstep a copy - keelah, a physical copy - of the Completed Works of Zeso'Thal vas Rannoch." She stopped because Lano knew that the audible gasps would be forthcoming.

"Lano, how did you -"

She raised her hand to Han'Gerrel. "Han, do not ask me, because I do not know. I only know what I have already said. An anonymous patron had somehow come into possession of the physical, bound copy of this great work, and simply left it for me. He or she has claimed no responsibility, nor has anyone asked for payment. I can only say…" Lano's sniffles were audible as the gravity of what she held in her hands hit her fully. Somehow, saying it out loud made it more real, and it was overwhelming. "I can only say 'thank you' for returning this old treasure to us."

"Lano," Tali began, "is that really the -"

The Speaker said nothing. Instead, she grabbed Tali's arm and nodded her head, eyes wide. Retracting her hand, she gathered herself and addressed them again.

"Everyone, please, allow me to continue." The din had grown steadily since she had announced what she had held in her possession. Even the humans were talking amongst themselves - Tali had told them enough for them to know that this was monumental. Within seconds, the crowd had quieted again.

"Good, thank you. Now, in light of this, I thought that it would be appropriate to read a poem that is found in this book in lieu of the Ancestor's Prayer. It is one of my favorites, and I believe that it is appropriate." She paused and looked at Tali. "Unless, Tali, you would prefer that I use the prayer? I apologize for this indulgence."

"Ancestors! Of course, Lano!" Tali looked a little uncertainly at John. "Um, that's okay with you, right?"

He reached up and placed a hand on the side of her visor. "Of course it is, Tali." He let the "Anything for you" remain unspoken. Tali heard it and felt it just the same.

He turned to Lano. "Whenever you're ready, Speaker."

Nodding, she took a calming breath, and opened the book to page 778.

"As some of you may be aware, Zeso'Thal did not title his works. This piece is simply called '126'."

After a few moments when she simply looked at the text, Lano took one more deep breath, and spoke.

Today I have reached the

pinnacle of my Soul that stood in

darkness.

Alone and unwieldy

I had not found the piece that I'd left in the

Void upon my Birth.

The contentment of eternity was lost

to me and I began searching – my Soul began

searching,

for I'd not known I'd lost this

Most Important

Piece.

And here you are before me,

within me;

this Soul that Touches,

Caresses,

Eases,

Completes.

Two spirits floundering as Chance would

have us, as

Fate would

have us. As

I find your Eyes and feel

the Universe

slow and

hum;

and it is my Soul that is no longer in the Void,

but created and found in

You.

Oh the days and nights of yearning for what

my conscious Self could not pronounce

are over.

Instead, it is Bliss.

It is Happiness.

It is

Peace.

My Soul reflected on yours.

Yours on mine,

and the Ancestors smile upon the

Union.

The Two once lost,

the Two now found,

the Two now One.

Lano faced Van'Relai once more, clearing her throat. "Van'Relai, please close the log and transfer the updated information to the archives."

It took him a few brief moments to realize that he'd been spoken to. Once he did, he tapped a few buttons on the omnitool once more. "Log closed and transfer sent, Speaker."

Afterward, the first thing that Tali noticed was the silence. She watched Lano close the book, and tuck it back into her suit's pocket from whence it had come. But there was no sound - from anyone. Strangely worried, she found John's eyes and they bore into her with passion. She hadn't realized it, but he held both of her hands now.

"Ancestors, Lano. That was…keelah…" Shala had finally shaken from the haze and said what they all were thinking.

The Speaker cleared her throat. "Yes, well…I fear that some of that may have gotten 'lost in translation' among our non-quarian friends - after all, it was written in Old Khelish. Some of the words may not have been interpreted correctly by your translators, and for that I apologize because -"

"Lano, it was wonderful. Thank you." She stopped her rambling at the sound of John's calming voice.

"Oh right. Thank you." She put her hands together in a muted clap. "That is all that the ceremony entails, friends. John and Tali are recognized under quarian law. Go in peace."

Lano quietly stepped away from them - out of Tali's view. Behind them, a low rumble - the kinetic energy only felt in anticipation - was building among the people gathered to bear witness.

John discreetly turned Tali's back to them. When she started to look back over her shoulder - keelah, what was going on? - he guided her face back toward his.

He was smiling with such love. And his eyes, keelah, Tali felt like she could dive right into the deep blue and just stay there, safe and secure within him.

"Hey you."

Just like that, they were alone again - despite the audience. The noise became a low hum.

She slung her arms around his neck. "Hey," she cooed back at him.

"Question, Tali: Did you," he snaked an arm around her back to pull her close, "take your -"

Her grin was plastered full-force. "Yes, I took them."

"Good." He reached his other hand toward her mask, but Tali stopped him.

"No, John. I…I'll get it."

He caught the hint of trepidation, but would not show it. "Whatever you want, Miss vas Rannoch," he replied with a grin.

"Anything?"

"Yes, and you know it, my love."

She hummed in pleasure. "Not just 'vas Rannoch', you know." She pulled her arms from around his neck and pressed the two buttons to release the mask. After the faint hiss, her fingers lingered, still holding it in place.

"They can't see me, right?" It was a whisper.

Whipping his eyes past her realk for effect, he confirmed. "No, my dear. It's just you and me."

"Mmm. Good," she cooed before pulling the mask - the obstruction, the prison - away from her face.

Without thinking, he ran his fingers across her cheek, which was now flushed deep purple. She pressed her face into his caress, letting out a heavy, shaky breath. "You're so beautiful, Tali." His words slurred together, intoxicated as he was by this woman.

"So kiss me, saera."

He cupped her chin with one hand, holding her cheek with the other. For a moment, he just…admired her and was thankful. He leaned in, his lips millimeters from hers. He inhaled deeply, not only to give her an extended kiss, but to take in everything about her in this moment - including (especially?) her scent. She smelled sweet. It smelled like…was it lilac? He couldn't remember her ever smelling quite like this, but it fired synapses that were happy to be cracking to life. Finally, with an arm wrapped around her waist and the other hand still cupping her cheek, their lips met in a soft, most meaningful kiss.

Tali moaned quietly into his mouth, slipping her tongue into his. She felt his lips curl into a smirk - as did her own. John pulled back for just a moment.

"You're so naughty, Tali'Shepard."

She was giggling lightly until she registered what he'd said. Tali's eyes widened.

That's who she was now. And it was wonderful.

"John," she whispered, "we're going to do that again."

"Yeah," he breathed, "you bet your ass we are."

Their lips came together once more, all passion and no grace this time. Tali ran fingers through John's hair, he ran his hands across her back.

The applause was deafening, and neither of them even noticed that it was there.