AUTHOR'S NOTE: That chapter I wanted to right of stuff on Illium that's not stuff or talks like in game but something to break that up. Next chap will involve shooting. Also, I want to give credit to the idea of a night-club with an aquarium feature to what is one of the first stories I ever read on this site years and years ago. The Author, no idea if he/she is even still active anymore, FsDxRAGE, and the specific story, The Creation of Good memories. And that was finished in May of 2010. I would have read it sometime in... 2016, give or take. I did however build on this idea to give it my own spin. But it wouldn't feel right ignoring that as my original inspiration for the setting. Anyways, hope you enjoy!

Tali'Zorah

It was a mild surprise on our return to the Normandy that Shepard would be taken in for surgery, but there have been worse surprises. It didn't take that terribly long, and John was conscious again a few hours later, but Chakwas wanted to keep him around for the day to make sure things were working smoothly. As well as the following morning, but begrudgingly let him go early since his enhancements keep surprising her with his recovery speed. No combat, but that's not the plan anyways.

At that point, Jack, Zaeed, and Grunt had left almost immediately. EDI reports that they haven't gotten into trouble yet, probably looking for police reports or chatter pertaining to them, and their GPS locations. I had seen Thane go join Samara in the observation library, I couldn't care less about where Miranda or Jacob were, and Kasumi is, well, Kasumi. Everywhere and nowhere and definitely right behind you to overhear you say or see you do something you don't want to be teased about. Garrus had left for the bar last night after Liara gave him a hint that her secretary, Silmia and most of the other workers were going to end the day at the bar. Which Liara apparently nudged them towards. As for any success he might have had? I'm not sure. He returned that night, and at least claims it went well.

But the here and now? John and I were in his quarters and I was enjoying being able to have my mask off while he was getting changed out of the medical garb and into something nicer. It was… difficult to look away at times, which I'm quite sure, John noticed. And I could certainly feel the blush.

"So, um, what's the occasion, John?" I asked to break the silence. He seemed to be getting the same tux from the heist with Kasumi.

"Liara gave me a hint for a place, a safe place, nearby that we can spend the day. Says it's one of the wonders of the city," he answered as he buttoned up his pants, still shirtless. I watched the muscles of his back, and the few scars on there. Including the exit wound from the shot those two weeks ago. The scar is less of a hole and more like a patch of skin with discoloration. There were a few other scars, but from his stories and history, it seemed like there should be more. I suppose his reconstruction got rid of the old ones.

"Well, what is it? This place?"

"A nightclub of some kind. A big domed building. The name she gave was Shimmer Sea. Strange name for a nightclub, but she also says there's more to the place to do than regular club activities. Not really sure what, but I figure we'll know when we get there. Assuming you want to?" He asked, turning around as he buttoned up the shirt, looking right at me with a concerned face."

"Oh! No, no, it sounds interesting. And if Liara suggested it, I'm sure it's at least worth checking out." He smiled, reassured.

"Good. I'm ready to go if you are. I think Garrus mentioned something about going there too, so maybe the three of us can take a cab."

"What's Garrus going there for?"

"I've got two ideas. Either his date attempt went well, or it didn't and he's looking for another opportunity." I stood from my seat on the bed.

"True." I smiled at John, and the way he smiled back, the warmth in it. His smile was there with the mask, of course. It always was. But now it felt so… I don't know. Different. But in the best of ways. "Should we get going?"

"Just a moment. There's something I don't want to forget," he stepped close, gently grabbed my hips as my breath caught. His right hand went up my back and he pulled me in for a kiss that I eagerly returned. It was short, much shorter than I'd want, but we are trying to minimize how sick I might get while the inoculation does its work.

I still want more though. Now. Not later. And John could see the pout on my face as he pulled back. He put his hand on my cheek with a smile. A hand that I leaned into.

"I know. I want more too," he chuckled. "But it would be difficult to enjoy a night out together if you get sick."

"...I know." I looked down for a moment, but back at John. He was still smiling, he reached down and grabbed something. I knew what it was.

"Come on, let's go see what this place is all about, alright?"

"Ok." I leaned my head forward a moment as John slid my helmet on, and I felt it seal along my suit around my neck.

"You really are beautiful, never forget that," he murmured. "Mask or no mask." He leaned in and kissed me on my forehead before holding up the mask in front of my face. I sighed, nodding, and John attached the mask to my helmet, sealing me off to the world. "Come on, let's not stay to think about it. Let's go have some fun." He took my hand in his and guided me out of his quarters and to the elevator, and down to CIC. And Garrus, apparently waiting for us.

"And here I was thinking I'd need to drag you two out of bed."

"Bosh'tet."

"Oh relax, I'd put on a Hazmat suit first, wouldn't want to give you a cold," he teased.

"John, do you have any strong human curse words to use on him? I don't feel like sullying my people's tongue on him."

"Hm, hit a nerve," Garrus murmured. As a few curious and humored glances came our way from some of the crew still on duty, including Chambers.

"Well, we called them skullfaces during first contact, but if you're not looking for a racial slur, could just call him a cunt."

"I won't ask what that means," I remarked and then turned to Garrus, staring him down. "Cunt."

"And now the memory of you saying that, with your perfect accent is forever etched into my brain. Thank you, Universe."

"Right, well, even if you're not done insulting me, can we at least start making our way to a cab? I do have someone I'm looking to meet."

"Uh huh," John at least began to walk, myself alongside him, hand in his and Garrus on John's other side. Hand not in his. "I'm not sure finding a hooker counts as looking to meet someone."

"So, am I just the go-to punching bag now? I thought we were friends. Are you sure there's no one else we can just collectively insult? Like friends? I'm already scarred physically, you don't need to make me emotionally," Garrus remarked sarcastically.

"Have you already forgotten that you started this?" I asked, we were near the airlock now. Garrus opened his mouth to speak but after a moment of silence, closed it.

"Damn it, I do have to give you that one."

"Weeeell, if Tali's willing, I'll consider letting you off the hook. For now," John teased. I hummed, mockingly, in thought while the airlock went through its cycle.

"I suppose I might consider it. But I think I'd like an apology. A nice and formal one." The airlock opened and sunlight shone on us from the open doors of the hangar the Normandy was inside.

"Spirits, any other rules to it? Like what to call you or something? Or are you just going to interrupt me several times and make me start from the beginning?"

"You could get started, make some guesses, see how it goes," I prodded.

"Right," Garrus sighed. "Alright, let's see. My dear friend, Tali'Zorah vas Neema. I, Garrus Vakarian, would like to apologize, for the teasing of your love life, and your relationship with my other dear friend and brother, John Shepard." He quickly interrupted himself. "Commander, John Shepard. Now, should I just go ahead and insult myself too? Or have I endured enough punishment already?" John and I shared a glance.

"For now, I suppose," I relented, humor in my voice.

"Name your kids after us?"

"I hate both of you."

"Love you too, buddy," John patted Garrus on his shoulder.

"Yep. I can really feel the love. Just, so much of it. Drowning in it. From my friends who care so much about me, would never do anything to hurt me, care for me and protect me with their lives because I'd do the same to them." We entered another elevator, to a floor a little below the trading floor where the cabs would go back and forth from.

"Try crying, that might sell the guilt trip," John retorted.

"I have to keep what little pride I have left." The elevator doors opened to the cab floor. One lane for arrivals, where skycars would find a parking spot to let their passengers out or wait for a brief moment. As for the lane for picking up passengers, every cab immediately went for a parking spot, all of which were on the left side of the skycars and where we would be in line to wait and catch cabs, while those unable to get a spot would take laps around the building until they got one. So, we just got in line. It was already sizable but shouldn't've taken long. We had been waiting a few minutes when an Asari, not someone I recognized, called out beside us, on Garrus' side.

"Excuse me. The friend you three made on Noveria is relieved that you're alright and would like to get in touch sometime. Here," she handed… a piece of paper? Towards John, he, as did the three of us, looked at the woman with confusion. "Sometimes royalty requests discretion," she hinted. John took the paper and gave it a glance before pocketing it.

"I'll get in contact sometime tomorrow." The Asari smiled and left us as we moved through the line.

"So, who else votes we forget that happened for today?" Garrus remarked.

"Agreed," I answered.

"Yeah, yeah I'd rather do that." Shortly we finally got to the cab, John and I in the back together, as I immediately leaned on his shoulder while Garrus sat in the passenger seat.

Our driver was an Asari and gave us some insight on the Club, but without spoiling the real show, she explained. While it's a nightclub by definition, it also serves as an attraction. It isn't exactly a place that you'd still want to bring your kids, but considering the money that has been invested in Shimmer Sea, they didn't want to alienate the crowds who like the… less reputable aspects of many nightclubs, nor those who don't.

It has its own self-contained red-light district while still being able to enjoy what makes Shimmer Sea, Shimmer Sea, the same experience in that aspect as those outside the red-light. It also has several floors with a significant degree of separation, apparently. The only way to get from floor to floor is by elevator. Beyond that, while each floor does have spaces for dancing, as well as bars or game rooms, lounges there's even restaurants and shops.

Well, it seems like we'll have plenty to do.

After a few minutes, we began to descend towards a dome-like structure along Illium's surface. As much of a surface as the city has, that is. There seemed to be large windows closer to the top of the dome, not the entire top, but for some amount of sunlight to filter in. We were close now to an entrance, likely one of several, though this might be the main. A large, holographic neon sign with the name strewn across above a wide entryway with waves of water animated into the lettering. There were people coming and going, but not as much as you'd expect. Then again, I'm sure the main crowds are during the night. The Asari cab driver set the skycar down along a curbside, and John paid the fare as we disembarked, the Asari wishing for us to enjoy ourselves.

"I'm supposed to be meeting Silmia on the second floor, so I'll be sure to leave you two to your fun once we're inside."

"No worries," Shepard reassured as we crossed under the threshold, like a wide tube and few lights as up ahead were booths and some smaller lines of people looking for entrance. "Hope it goes well with her. Maybe we could double date."

"Maybe not for the first one, I'm not looking to intimidate her." When we reached the booths, I wasn't really paying attention until after the Human working it asked if it was our first time there.

"Welcome to Shimmer Sea," he began. "The glass of the tanks is rated for military starships so there's no need to be afraid of it breaking, and it's constantly monitored. And we must ask that you avoid touching the glass with your skin where you can. And finally, don't worry about the effects of the flashing lights on the fish, their side is heavily tinted to minimize the amount of light that gets through to them while leaving them fully visible to our guests. Enjoy!" Strange that they had to put such emphasis on this as to bring it up. We were allowed through and then down an escalator, and a path leading to… a gap? No, a platform that was just now returning. Like a slower monorail.

And what's that noise from the sound system? I feel like I heard it somewhere before. "John, what's that sound?"

"What's that? Oh, right. Crashing waves, you remember those from Virmire, right?"

"Ah, thanks, I knew I heard it somewhere before." The monorail platform reattached to our side and we stepped on alongside plenty of other people. The Soundsystem came over with a voice now, the platform moving along.

"Welcome to Shimmer Sea, for an experience like no other. Bask in the tide of the beat, drown in the waves of the lights, and shine in spectacle of the hidden worlds from the heart of Council Space to the farthest and deepest regions of the Terminus Systems. Hidden worlds once known only to the Hanar, brought to us all."

A bulkhead behind us now closed, as one ahead began to open, lights and music creeping through. The beauty of the deep Shimmering Seas.

With the bulkhead now open, it all made sense. This place is within a gigantic aquarium. The vast majority of walls were glass, support beams were glass with shining bioluminescent fish swimming in large schools or bioluminescent underwater plants within them, or even a large, lumbering behemoth of a sea creature slowly swimming along alone, but shining just as bright or any of the others. Even the floor was glass, with more fish and coral. A sprawling ecosystem to lend itself to the life of the club. My eyes caught more movement from an elevator tube that in transit would, instead of being perhaps only half in the club and half in the tank would breach through to be surrounded by water before reaching the next floor, which was easily several dozen meters up.

"Alright, not a bad suggestion Liara," John mused beside me as the platform attached to the other side, allowing us to disembark. Garrus took his leave, heading for an elevator, saying he might see us again later tonight while John and I were a little aimless. Just, taking it all in. So many different colors. The music was ever present, and I was enjoying it, my head bobbing to the beat.

"So, what should we do first?

"Well, how about we walk around, see what's here, and either grab some food if we're hungry or a drink or, something?" I suggested.

"Whatever you want. Lead the way." I gave John a grin under my mask and we began to explore.

A little over an hour later we had decided to stop at a restaurant that facilitates Quarians on the third floor. Unsurprisingly, the main staples of all restaurants here is seafood. And of course, we've stayed away from the red-light district, but despite that, we still passed by two lingerie shops. The other shops have been more normal clothes or jewelry, or souvenirs. And also, unsurprisingly, a shop dedicated to aquariums and fish. It can be strange at times, looking through the glass just to see a dark space, that's likely because of the tints that keep the fish from seeing the bright flashing lights. But others just are walls, like blocking off the red-light district or allowing privacy even in the private rooms on our side. Or to prevent looking into kitchens or what are likely management areas. John and I had stopped a while after our meal in one of the aquarium shops, in which John picked out a few fish to be sent to the Normandy and added to the tank, and he also had me pick one. It wasn't exactly easy, as I was hardly expecting to pick one, or even thought about picking out a fish for the tank. But eventually, I did find one that I liked. It was from Kahje, and had rings around its eyes that would light up in the dark, purple scales, and the fins a gold-like color. It was called an Imperial Seer fish. At least as a rough translation.

And we did see Garrus in passing earlier, but from a distance, sitting at a bar with a Turian woman, and we let them be. For all the teasing, we obviously don't want to actually give Garrus trouble. And so as it was starting to get dark outside, slowly but surely, given the hint of sunset through the windows near the top of the dome, John and I left the second floor to Garrus, while he and I had the fourth, sitting on seats at a bar beside one of the dance floors, nursing some light drinks, tapping my foot or bobbing my head to the music.

"Been enjoying yourself?" John asked.

"I have! The music, the atmosphere, and of course, it's beautiful seeing the movements of the fish."

"It's sure as hell unique, I'll give this place that. I like it. Anything else you'd like to do? Or should we just head back early?"

"W-Well," I paused for a moment. There was one thing. "Are you done with your drink?" John raised his brow curiously, then downed the rest of it in one swig.

"Am now." I smiled under my mask and took him by the hand as another song began, leading him towards the dance floor.

"Woah, Tali, are you sure?" he laughed, a hint of nerves. Something that makes the great Commander Shepard nervous, I smirked at the thought. "I'm not exactly a great dancer."

"So? Just dance with me, John! It'll be fun!"

"Alright, for you," he relented, no longer struggling against my pull. "But what brought this on? You seem a bit reserved for this."

"No one from the crew is around. And maybe my drinks emboldened me." John seemed to accept that as we moved through the crowds on the dance floor to a good spot for us, as I couldn't help but giggle. Letting the music move me more now that I was standing. My hips starting to sway, bobbing my body to the beat. While John was struggling not to look embarrassed, only tapping his foot at the moment, watching me.

The music picked up and I began to move more. Taking steps, widening the sway of my hips, moving my arms all in fluid motions. It reminded me of better times back on the Fleet. Times I've missed. Times with mother. John was letting himself rock back and forth now.

Alright, the drink was definitely getting to me. Because I just had an idea to help get him moving, and I can't believe I'm about to go through with it. I anticipated a shift in the music and took it as an opportunity to spin my back into him, pressing myself up against him, shaking my hips against his. His hands instinctively went to hold onto my hips, and his head leaned down to my right to speak into my ear. Well, helmet, but, that doesn't matter.

"This might be the most pleasant surprise of the evening." I just smiled; I couldn't help it. It felt good to do that. Not even out of anything physical just, I did that. I did that to my boyfriend. My human boyfriend. John Shepard. Mine. And I'm shaking my butt against him. In a club! I shifted with the music to face him again.

"You willing to dance now?" I asked, a tease to my voice. The look he gave almost froze me in place.

"Call me motivated," he murmured, causing me to gulp as my throat went dry, but with a breath I was able to return to my dance as he started to do more than tap his feet. It was still awkward movements, rather close to what Joker had called "The Shepard Shuffle" but I didn't care. I was just glad to be dancing with my boyfriend.