A/N: Flashback's and dreams will be in italics. If you are having a hard time figuring out which is which. Let me know. Will update soon. Thanks for reading, leave a comment if you like it. Also earlier i kept saying Horizon instead of Haestrom, thank you to the Reviewer who commented! (: It helps make the story better.
Tali'Zorah's POV
Why was Shepard so relaxed? I'm a nervous wreck over here. I mean we are two different species. And asking about the temperature of his fish tank. Lame Tali, lame. I withered my hands together as I sat down near Shepard. The leather squeaked a little against my suit. He looked at peace with his feet propped up, shirtless and some bruises here and there that didn't seem to be bothering him. He had his eyes closed for the moment, probably waiting for me to speak.
"Right…Haestrom. Shepard be honest with me, you weren't just out there no odd reason, were you?" He didn't move for a moment, did he fall asleep on her?
"No, Tali. You're right, I wasn't out there by chance. We needed the best engineer we could find. And that's you." He said opening his eyes to look directly at me.
"Oh, so you didn't care about my well-being?"
"I didn't say that. Once we were there and understood the situation you guys were in, I had to get you out of there. It wouldn't have mattered to me if you still wouldn't have joined me. I would have respected whatever choice you made." He said as he took his feet down from the stand leaning forward.
"Okay…Okay… I understand." I said feeling a surge in my chest at the thought of him leaning closer to her. Shepard scooted over to where he was sitting directly beside me, his leg touching mine, even though I couldn't feel his skin. The thought was still burning with excitement.
"Tali," He said taking my left hand in his. "You are a talented, beautiful young woman. And I don't want you to feel like you owe me anything for saving you. Almost all of your team died. Maybe there was something different you could have done, maybe not. The best thing you can do right now is not blame yourself. These things happen."
"How…who said I was blaming myself?" I said taken aback by how much he knew. I haven't told anyone, not even Garrus about my men that died.
"You're a vibrant woman Tali, you can see the stress in your shoulders when you wall. How absent minded you were when you first came aboard the new Normandy." He said with a soft smile on his lips. I don't know what to say. I stared off into the distance, thinking about all those men who lost their lives just to save mine for some stupid data about the Sun in that system. It had better been worth it. Some of those men were just starting their lives. And I have to tell their families that they died for me. My eyes were tearing up, damn it. I wish I could just wipe them away but I can't.
"Tali…?" Shepard said squeezing my hand bringing me back to this moment.
"Shepard…Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. I…I am not ready to talk about my men. And I should be getting back to my post before I get some sleep. You know, clean the engine up some." I said as I stood up standing in between the stand and couch. Wanting for him both to let me leave and yet make me stay at the same time.
"You sure you…" He started to say, then stopped. "I'll see you later Tali. Sleep well." He said as he stood up beside me and hugged me.
I nodded to him in response, walking slowly to the door. Giving a slight wave before leaving. What the hell am I doing? He obviously doesn't seem that interest in me or is he. It's so hard to read his signs. I mean he's nice to everyone right? Even Jack and she's freaking crazy. I shook my head in frustration as I entered the elevator. Engines are so much simpler.
Violet's POV
I was one of the last few still sitting in the mess hall. Most had went back to their stations or had started getting ready to sleep for the night. The assassin was sitting at the other table, where I couldn't see it and that made me uneasy. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, the bitch is back I thought before she even spoke.
"Violet, let's get you set up." She said carrying a small twin size military bed and handing me the blanket with a pillow wrapped up inside.
"After you." I said standing up to follow her to the elevator. Walking past the second table in the mess hall you could see Thane sitting with his back to the wall, a slight movement of his eyes at eyes as we walked by. Garrus was standing up to leave after talking with a crew member, Jacob Taylor was just now eating. He must have been working on something earlier. I thought as we continued past.
We arrived at the cargo bay, you could tell not many people came down here. There were big fans everywhere except where the two shuttles hung and the armory was. "Set up wherever you like, just not in the way of the shuttles path." She said as she laid down the bed and took her leave. Not much of a talker is she, I thought as I looked around. I spotted a dark corner on the right light side of the room, where all the fans were blowing in that direction. Good, I love background noise when I sleep. I thought as I began trying to figure out how to unlock the bed to set up. I feel like I'm feeling you up! I said aloud to myself as I tried find the button you have to push it to get the stupid thing to open.
"May I be of assistance Admiral Violet?" EDI's voice came from nowhere making me yelp out loud.
"Yes, that would be great. EDI. And could you warn me next time you start talking. Like a cough or something? It's really creeping me out you just talking when I'm in the middle of something."
"I apologize for startling you, but the button you are looking for is in the crevasse of the front leg, in the corner." EDI stated, in her charming voice.
"Thanks." I said as I pushed the button in, the bed folded out perfectly hitting me in the nose. "Son of a-! Just grr. Grr, grr, grr." I said as I pushed the bed away from me holding my nose.
"Are you alright, Violet?" EDI asked.
"Yeah, just peachy." I said as I stood up pulling the bed into the corner, placing the pillow on one end. Laying the blanket down on top of it. "So EDI, you're an AI aren't you?"
"Correct."
"So, I'm not sure what else to say to you."
"That is a safe statement, since I'm not human but I do have preferences."
"Preferences?"
"I like to learn, Violet. And I enjoy humor."
"Huh…I'll figure out a good joke for you sometime."
"Very well, Logging you out Violet."
I'll tell her a joke in the morning. I thought as I stripped down to my undergarments. Hopefully I'll have some clothes by tomorrow. I took a look around the cargo bay as I sat on the edge of the bed, the cold metal bar slithering on the back of my bare legs. I sighed, hell of a first day. I can't believe Shepard has been searching for me all these years. He didn't even mention the fact that I'm technically dead, by Alliance command. I wish I could tell him why I had to fake my death. Why I couldn't stay, why I didn't say goodbye that day. I wanted to. But it was easier not to.
I sighed as my head riddled itself back and forth what ifs. Laying down the soft cotton surrounded me, sinking in at the weight of my body. I closed my eyes. Gunfire and explosions filled my ears. A sound I've grown used to over the years. With the feeling of being watched at the front of my mind, I was taken to a place where love never dies and freedom is worth fighting for.
"Violet, you can't do this, not alone." He said grabbing my arm before I could jump over our small barricade. People were being shot down all around us. The Turians were making a push. We had to act fast. There wasn't any time for a debate.
"I have to do this. I know you have my back. Just stick to the plan." I said as I kissed him deeply before winking at him and vaulting over the barricade. I quickly made my own barricade with my biotics as I ran along the edge of the battlefield. I have to get caught, I need inside their base. I thought as ducked behind a piece of building rubble. I was breathing heavily as I leaned over shooting whoever I could with my pistol. It wasn't much, but if I took our advanced weapons, they'd fall into their hands and we don't want that. I ducked back to reload when I noticed the tip of an assault rifle staring back at me. Turian, I thought as I smiled up at him. He used his foot to knock the pistol out of my hands. I held my hands up in surrender. "Move!" He shouted at me as he grabbed my arm lifting me to my feet pushing me in the direction of their base. Everything was going according to plan I thought as he hit me in the head yelling at me to keep my head down.
Shepard's POV
Damn, I should have asked her to stay. Have a drink. No, no. I couldn't. She's been through so much. It would be wrong to take advantage of her in her vulnerable moment.
I'm such an idiot, I thought as I took of my shorts through them on the couch and pulling back the covers to sleep. Laying down between the cool crisp sheets, I couldn't help but think back to when I first met Vi.
"Wait, I actually got accepted into the program?" I said to Captain Anderson as we walked through the wards.
"Of course you did, Shepard. You're going to get the best assignments, the best weapons and the best Mentor. You'll like her Shepard. She's a little rough around the edged but she's one of the best Admirals we have. Just remember she's older than she looks." He said as we entered the elevator to her apartment building.
When we entered she was sprawled out across the couch, beer bottles everywhere, and a shirt hanging from the ceiling fan. She was beautiful and asleep. Her red hair was everywhere. You could see her tattoos on her legs, arms and back. I wouldn't learn until later what each meant to her. Anderson walked over to her and shook her shoulder. Then jumped back as she woke up failing her arms.
"Who the hell is waking me up this early in morning?" She said sitting up pushing her hair out of her face.
"Ahem." Anderson coughed sarcastically. Her dark blue eyes settled on him.
"Anderson, I only get shore leave every, what three to six months? What do you want?"
"I brought you, your student."
"Wait, what?" She said jumping up turning to look at me.
"Remember, you're going to mentor him for his completion on the N7 program?"
"Right, right, Shepard isn't it?" She said snapping her fingers looking at me.
"Yes, Sir, uh ma'am." I said not sure what to call her.
"Oh, geesh, don't get all formal with me. The name is Violet." She said walking on the couch over to me to shake my hand. "And I'm going to make you wish you were dead, in a few days. So get your tings we're at docking bay E19. Dismissed." She said turning away from me.
As I was thinking about how she was going to make me wish I was dead.
I forgot how much of a bitch, she was at first. I thought as I rolled over onto my stomach sprawling out across my bed. Ah, sweet mother of god, sleep. Before long I was in my own memories.
Thane's POV
How many people does Shepard need on this mission? I thought as I stared at the Mass effect core, there was defiantly some tension between him and Violet. It's so hard to believe that Shepard had a mentor. And that she was it, I mean you never want to judge a person on how lethal they are by what they look like. But she doesn't even look like she can whip her way out of a wet paper bag.
Her eyes are unnerving, the color of the ocean. Beautiful. And when she looked at me, I had to look away, it is impolite to stare at people. At least when you're noticed. Wait…why am I thinking about her so much? I thought as I turned in for the night, facing away from the core.
Shepard's POV
"Shepard, we will be arriving at the Citadel in twenty minutes." EDI said.
"Thank you EDI." I said as I pulled on my shirt. And heading to the Crew deck. Everyone was already at work, so I decided it was time to talk to everyone. I headed into Dr. Chakwas office.
"Commander, what can I do for?" She said turning around in her chair.
"Anything I should know about our new member?"
"So she is a member of the team then, I'll have to do a more thorough check up. And yes, I believe we should pick up more Dextro rations when we're at the Citadel. Her body can eat both. And it appears she favors Dextro over our food."
"I know, it's because she shares both Dextro and human DNA. Don't know why. Don't care to. I wouldn't push the subject with her either. She's never been a fan of Doctors. Anyways, thanks for the information."
"Yes, Commander." She said turning back to her terminal making a note. I then entered Samaras room, she was mediating as usual.
"Do you have a few minutes to talk Samara?" I asked standing back away from her in case she didn't.
"Maybe later Shepard. Right now I wish to be a lone." I nodded in response out of habit even though I knew she wouldn't notice as I left her room. I walked to Kasumi's room. "Hey, Shep. I was just thinking about you." She said when she noticed I entered.
"Oh, really. What now?"
"You and Violet must have been pretty close. The tension between you two was obvious. Just thought you should know."
"Thanks, I guess?"
"Don't worry, I think you two will work it out one way or another. I haven't gotten the chance to talk to her. Is she up yet?"
"I don't know, I'll check when I head down that way."
"Alright, Shep. Talk to you later." I backed out of the room to enter Thanes. He was sitting in his chair staring of into the distance.
"Mind if I ask you a few questions?"
"Ask." He said, his eyes never leaving the core.
"What do you think about having Violet as part of the crew?" He paused, which I didn't expect and motioned for me to sit down.
"I don't know her talents Shepard, only you can be the judge of that. I just hope you two figure out your differences. Though I can see where you learned that fire that makes people want to follow you."
"Really?"
"She has it in her eyes, like you do."
"I never noticed. I guess I'm used to it in that way." I said thinking back to her ordering me around. He nodded in response.
"How are you feeling, by the way?"
"No need to worry. It is being attended to." He said. Folding his hands together. I nodded getting up.
"Thank you for coming and talking to me. I'm working on talking to the rest of the crew. Adjusting to a team, is difficult."
"Take your time Thane, no one is going to rush you into something." I said as I left the room.
Rupert was getting things out to make lunch for everyone, as I walked over to speak to Garrus who had come out of the main battery looking worried. "Hey, Garrus. What's up?"
"Huh, oh nothing. I just finished upgrading the main gun and needed to tell the engineers. So they can balance the energy out."
"I was getting ready to head down there, I'll tell Gabby and Ken."
"Alright thanks, Shepard." He said turning around going back to the main battery. I turned back around to go to Engineering deck.
Arriving at the engineering deck, my heart rate begin to quicken at the thought of seeing Tali. Walking into the deck Tali, was busy at her station Ken and Gabby, waved as I entered.
"Commander." Gabby and ken said in unison as I walked over to them.
"At ease. Garrus wanted me to tell you he upgraded the gun fully."
"Yeah they through us off balance. But we already fixed it. Those guns seem pretty wicked."
"Hell yes they are. Maybe we can convince Joker to shot something."
"Now you're talking Commander!" Ken said with a chuckle. I laughed turning to look at Tali.
She was huddled over her station, her fingers moving with ease. I walked over to her tapping her shoulder, she turned to look at me.
"Oh, Shepard! What can I do for you?"
"I wanted to talk." She nodded waving for me to follow her to the station nearest the core.
"I wanted to thank you for talking to me about Haestrom. I am having trouble writing the letters to the families."
"You'll figure it out Tali. You always do."
"Thanks, Shepard. I want to believe you. That data better be worth it."
"Have you heard anything back from them?"
"No, I probably won't for some time. Which makes it even worse. I won't know if it was worth it or not. "
"Well…not sure what to say to that. But sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable last night. I didn't want to over step my bounds."
"Uh, huh. The handsome commander who saves me at the last moment can overstep any bounds he wants."
"Are you flirting with me?"
"Maybe."
"Maybe I like it. I'll talk to you later."
"Talk to you later Shepard." She said walking away. Has her hips always swayed like that. I thought as I walked behind her then out of engineering. I better go see if Vi is up. We should be arriving at the Citadel soon.