It's long, but it's chock full of flirting and random fun (and a surprise!). I felt I had to change the genre to romance/humor. Hope that's okay with you :)
Tali scooted to the edge of the bed and almost had her feet on the floor when an arm reached out and hauled her back.
"Where you going?" Shepard asked groggily.
"Well, if I get a day to order you around I don't want to waste it sleeping."
He was quiet for a minute.
"Technically I said that today, since it was early in the morning. So now we rest and tomorrow you get your day. How's that?"
She was already sinking into his warmth. "Fine."
When they did get up they headed to the shower. On the way they found, sitting on the mini elevator tray, Shepard's bottle of blue wine. Along the side of the glass was a long crack from being thrown off the table when Shepard flipped it.
"Don't even think about it," Tali said quickly.
Shepard laughed. He picked up the bottle and went to the kitchen to set it by Tali's remaining two wine tubes. "I didn't realize how thick the glass was. It doesn't seem like anything spilled out of the crack." What had Mordin expected us to do?
He turned to find Tali staring at him.
"Tali?"
She blinked. A slow smile. "Let's take that shower."
The rest of the day was spent lounging around or napping. Tali surfed the extranet for tourist attractions in Nos Astra.
"What about this one?" The picture included on the page was taken from far away and showed a large, oblong shaped skyscraper with spectacular lighting all over.
"The Carnival. Looks like an amusement park of some kind." Their eyes flicked over the information.
"And there are areas representing different races. Even humans have a place. Shepard, we should go! I want to see what your people do for fun!"
"Alright, we can call up Valeesha to give us a ride tomorrow. Should probably have her bring something other than the limo, though."
Tali nodded absently while her imagination went wild. This would be the perfect place to spend a day with Shepard... and find all kinds of things to make him do.
...
They were waiting outside the hotel when Valeesha, their asari driver, pulled up in a simple red car.
Shepard was wearing casual human clothes with a black leather jacket, a wedding gift from Jack of all things, and an N7 cap pulled low over his eyes. The hat was so common among humans these days that it was probably the best camouflage he wore.
Tali was eyeing him up and down. The jacket accented his already broad shoulders. Armorless and out of uniform made him less intimidating but certainly did not buffer his commanding presence. She slipped her hand in his, almost giddy at the idea that she would get to hold it the whole day.
He glanced at her, flashing a charming smile before allowing her to enter the car first.
Valeesha expertly departed from the hotel and joined in the chaotic traffic.
Shepard put an arm around Tali's shoulders and held her snug against his side.
"So, what's my first order of the day?"
"Hmm..." Tali pretended to give it a great deal of thought, though she'd been ready for this since yesterday. "It's Commander Tali to start with."
"Unh..." Shepard slapped a hand over his face.
Tali laughed. "Don't worry, you don't always have to say it. And I'm sure I'll find plenty of things for you to do at this Carnival."
"Speaking of... Valeesha, anything you can tell us about it?"
Valeesha was kind and professional as she answered. "Actually I use to be a guide there, and I've taken my daughters to it several times. Different races have what are called blocks or parks. Basically, they're sections of the building set off just for that race's attractions." The asari cast frequent looks in the mirror as she talked to them.
"I should warn you that not every race considers it a place to have fun and goof off. For example, the hanar use it mainly to preach about the Enkindlers. Although, they weren't attracting many people that way so they learned to incorporate their teachings into rides and other activities."
"How do they do that?" asked Tali.
"Well, one of their games is called the Enkindler Maze. It's just an overly complicated maze, but they have speakers along the way that are always ranting about the Enkindlers giving them speech and all that. The volus are more into games that make you pay extra to play and are difficult to win... although, I guess other races do that, too, so maybe it's not worth mentioning. The quarians don't have a block, but I hear one might be set up in the near future."
"Do you know much about the human block?"
"I wasn't a guide when they arrived, since they are the most recent to do so. But they've settled in quickly, as seems to be common among them," she said with a friendly glance at Shepard in the rearview mirror. "I hear their most popular ride is what you call a roller coaster. They've named this one Devil's Run."
"Sounds... intense," said Shepard as he cast a sidelong glance at Tali.
She saw it, smiled slyly. "Don't worry Shepard, I'll go with you to hold your hand."
The asari spoke up. "I'd advise using his first name. I'm sure there's plenty of people curious enough to turn at the name of Shepard."
"Oh, you're probably right. I'll work on it."
...
One of the reasons they'd chosen Ilium as their honeymoon destination was because Tali liked big crowds of people, and they weren't disappointed as they left their car and approached the gate.
It seemed every race was represented. Children were running rampant, the noise was horrendously loud.
Shepard tugged his cap lower as they got in line, but it seemed everyone was too busy with their own lives to worry about identifying him.
At least, that's what he thought. Tali was acutely aware of the females ogling her husband. She squeezed his hand, causing him to look at her. His eyes softened under the cap's brim and his lips tilted up at one side. And he's all mine.
"You okay?"
"Yes. I'm just trying not to be overly possessive."
He let go of her hand and his arm wrapped around her waist. With a hand resting over her hip, he pulled her against his side. "Nothing wrong with that. We are married after all."
The love in her eyes couldn't have been any clearer if the word was carved into her visor.
A map of the park was uploaded to their omni-tools as wrist bands were attached and the couple pushed through the gate into a massive chamber... with more lines. On the other side were multiple elevators with signs indicating which block they went to. There were several elevators per block with a capacity for roughly thirty people, transporting them up and down. The line was constantly moving, indicating that at least someone had figured out how to make the lifts travel faster.
There was an even blend of races in each line. Many wanted to experience what other species had to offer.
They navigated through the crowd and fell in line with the human elevators.
"Y'know, Commander, I'm surprised you haven't given me another order."
"I would have, but." Her hand rested on his, which was still on her hip, "You beat me to it."
"Hey! You-sss-cut-sss-in front of-sss-me!"
Slightly annoyed, they looked over their shoulders to see a volus shaking his finger at them.
Tali had a small grudge against rude individuals of this particular species. "I don't remember seeing you here."
"I am Ocus Magnus. Do not-sss-mock me, clanless." Ocus marched forward, as though expecting the couple to move aside. He collided with Shepard's back and bounced away.
Shepard frowned at him, neither turning around nor letting go of his wife. "You can go around if you want, Magnus," he said, barely able to keep a civil tone.
The volus gave a loud "hmph" and brushed past them. He continued to push by people, leaving a trail of irritation in his wake, until he ran straight into a krogan. The nasty glare given as a result glued the volus in place.
"Why did you let him go, John?"
"Like I said before, it's not worth getting angry about. I didn't really want him standing behind us anyway."
"I still agree with you, but I still don't like it. Would it be childish of me to order you to give him a small biotic push?"
"Maybe..." Tali saw the playful look he gave her.
They finally reached the elevator and, as luck would have it, entered the same one as Ocus Magnus. They crammed in with everyone else and the elevator swiftly began its ascent. The volus shoved his way to the front, directly between the doors and the human and quarian couple.
Tali felt a nudge at her hip and discretely looked down. Shepard's clenched fist was coated in a gentle blue light.
As soon as the doors swept open, Ocus took a proud step out right before a force hit him in the back. He stumbled forward several yards, peddling his feet, arms flailing frantically, until finally landing on his face.
Every occupant of the elevator burst out laughing as they poured into the new area, immensely satisfied at such a wonderful start to their adventure. A few humans were sympathetic and tried to help the volus stand, but he batted them away as he rolled on the floor.
Shepard and Tali were still shaking with laughter when a roar thundered over them. Instinct made them look for cover but managed to hold back the urge to run as they looked up.
A track curved elegantly overhead, along which a train rode fiercely, dipping, rising and twisting.
Tali gasped as a section of the wall flipped open and the train shot outside the building. Another section further down slid away as it fired back inside. The sound died out while the train continued along its chaotic route.
The couple stood side by side with a rather blank expression. Earlier they had deceived themselves into believing something like this couldn't scare them. But now that they were actually seeing it...
Tali was the first to speak. "Er, maybe we should look around before trying that one."
Shepard nodded, attempting to sound manly as he responded, "Yeah, sounds... sounds good."
Using their map, they navigated through the park. The entire complex was enormous and the ceiling stretched far above their heads. The map showed it was separated into sections between which wide, defined paths helped guide the visitors wherever they were interested in going. Each section had a title such as Halloween, Old West, Games, Playground, and many others.
The first place they tried was the Halloween section. Tali was interested in the horrid decorations and artificial pumpkins. Unfortunately, the hologram ghosts failed to spook them and they were soon bored.
Shepard watched a couple nearby as the woman practically leaped into her boyfriend's arms when a snake slithered by. For some reason he was slightly frustrated with Tali's calm demeanor.
When a black cat shot past them, Shepard grabbed Tali's arm and pulled her against him, perhaps too hard as she released an 'oomph' when she collided with his chest.
"Don't be scared, Tali."
"I'm not scared," she said defiantly, pulling away, only then realizing what he was doing. "Oh... okay maybe a little." She hugged him tightly. Waited several heart beats.
"That was pretty smooth, John."
He ran a hand tenderly over her back. "I do my best."
...
Games was the center section and the most open. It also happened to be where Devil's Run started and ended. Scattered throughout were tents of various sizes, offering all kinds of games to play and prizes to win.
Holding hands, the two meandered between the tents, occasionally stopping to watch someone play.
"Look, Shep-er, John." She was pointing at the prizes, wanting to say more, but it might give them away.
Hanging from the top of several tents was a Commander Shepard doll. Dressed in N7 armor, the face was set in what was probably meant to be a serious expression. Some were very small while others were nearly life sized.
"Want me to get you one?"
Tali tilted her head. "It's tempting, but since I have the real thing right here, and it can carry itself, I think I'll pass."
"Okay, but I want to get you something."
"John, it's really hard to order you around when you're so willing to do things for me anyway."
Another smile. She thought her heart would be immune to its effects by now, that her legs would be better prepared to keep her standing.
"I would do anything for you. Just to make you laugh, see you smile."
They stared at each other, oblivious to the crowd moving around them. He leaned closer, eyes piercing through her mask.
"Hear you moan."
A small gasp escaped her, unconsciously tightening her grip on his hand. Though it was the only part of them that touched, there was a definite spark of energy dancing between their bodies.
A loud rumbling broke them from their trance. The train for Devil's Run had returned.
...
How they managed to be near the front of the line was beyond him, but Shepard wasn't about to question their luck. He noticed only bipedal races were present. Shepard smirked at the idea of an elcor getting on the ride.
They were almost there when the line abruptly stopped moving. Looking toward the front they saw a volus arguing with the staff. Ocus Magnus.
The attendant stabbed a finger at a nearby board. "Sorry pal, you gotta be this tall to ride."
The volus was fuming, throwing his arms around, but all Shepard could make out was the hissing of his suit's communicator. Finally he stormed away, still ranting to himself and insulting 'those Earth-clan'.
When they got to the front the attendant was shaking his head.
"Think he'll cause any trouble?" Shepard asked him.
"Naw, damn volus think they're bigger than everyone until you set a ruler to'em. Here, you have to put on this helmet. You can wear it over your hat. And it looks like you're already covered, miss." He gave Tali a nice smile. A little too nice in Shepard's opinion. He pulled Tali with him as they entered the train.
"You okay, John?"
"Yeah, just trying not to be overly possessive." Tali giggled as he mimicked her earlier words.
They took their seats and strapped in. Those who hadn't ridden before were extremely tense while veterans prepared to brace themselves. Once the train was packed to full capacity and the staff checked that everyone was secure, the gate opened and they began a slow climb to the top of a steep hill.
"I should have asked earlier," Tali said, trying to sound calm as the hum and clicks beneath the train beat steadily, her heart out of sync as it increased its tempo. "Have you, uh, ridden one of these before?"
"Once."
"And?"
"I threw up."
Tali remembered watching the previous riders hobble away. She wondered if it was possible for Shepard to see the blood drain from her face.
"But I was a lot younger then. I mean, I'm tougher now. Both of us are tougher. We've been through worse, right?" Shepard wasn't sure which of them he was trying to reassure. They were near the top.
Tali swallowed. "If you say so, John."
They reached the crest.
"Oh, Keelah..."
Below them was a long, almost straight vertical drop that led right into a loop, ending in a long series of banked turns and corkscrews.
They clutched the braces that held them in their seat as they crept over the hill.
"John."
"Tali."
"John."
They repeated the chant to each other, the pitch of their voices increasing.
Everyone screamed as the train jolted forward and rushed down the hill, playing havoc with the g forces on their bodies as they entered the loop.
Tali realized her scream was filled with laughter. Both of them were charged with an adrenaline rush completely opposite from what they were used to. It was thrilling, electrifying. Excitement thrummed through them as they were wrenched and torn in a multitude of directions.
"Oh shi-!"
At random the track ahead disconnected and swung towards the wall. A section noisily flipped away and they shot outside. They twisted, lights from the city flickered past. Ilium's star greeted them and waved goodbye as they were rammed back inside.
They flew around the park, never letting up for a second. No one knew when they would be tossed outside again, completely surprised and exhilarated when they were.
Just as their screams turned hoarse and breathing became near impossible, it was over. The train reduced its speed, lazily completing the last turn as it was guided to a stop.
...
They stumbled out, exaggerating how beat they were as they leaned against each other.
"I have to admit, John... you humans really know how to have a good time."
"To think you ever doubted us."
They stopped to catch their breath.
"You're a little wobbly, Commander Tali. I thought your legs were stronger than that."
She laughed as he teased her. "Well, I would order you to carry me, but you're probably worse off than me."
Shepard hastily swept her into his arms. "Madam, I am a Spectre." He staggered slightly as he tried to walk. "I can do anything."
Despite what he said, Tali clung tightly to his neck.
He set her down on a bench and said he'd be right back. Tali was content to watch him walk away, knowing he'd return soon.
Broad shoulders... slim waist... confident steps...nice b-
"Hey you, quarian."
Tali didn't reply or look away until someone stepped right in front of her.
"I'm talking to you."
Tali, though angry at having her view blocked, kept it in check as she tilted her head back.
It was a blonde human woman with two other women flanking behind her, one another human and the other an asari. The blonde was tall and gorgeous, with curves that would make Miranda jealous. Although, Tali thought, this woman probably had them of her choosing, not because she was made that way. Even her hair looked dyed.
"So, ogling a human are we? Not that I blame you, even if he isn't one of your kind." She gave a suggestive look at the man as he disappeared around a corner. "He is quite handsome."
Tali's fingers curled slightly on the bench. Where's my shotgun...
The blonde chattered on while her cronies glared over her shoulders.
"Unfortunately for you, being stuck in that suit and all," she looked Tali over with a mocking eye, looking utterly supreme, "You'll never have him." The blonde gave Tali a sad frown, pouting her lips, as if thinking that's how Tali looked behind her mask. Her friends giggled.
If Tali had heard that comment before she knew Shepard returned her feelings, she would have socked the bitch in the eye. As it was, she was absolutely confident in their relationship and took quiet comfort in secretly knowing that, in spite of being 'stuck in a suit', she not only could be with Shepard, but already had been with him.
"You know, you're right," Tali began, almost failing to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. "I'm sure that women such as yourselves would have much more luck with him than a quarian like me."
"Of course we would. In fact, I'm going to talk to him right now. Come on, girls." She turned with a flourish and the group headed in Shepard's direction.
Tali waited until they rounded the corner, then followed after them, peeking around the side of a tent to watch. She brought up her omni-tool.
...
"No, I want five-sss-scoops. Can you-sss-handle that-sss-Earth-clan?"
Shepard sighed impatiently as none other than Ocus Magnus stood in front of him at the ice cream stand. Must be pay back for knocking him out of the elevator.
"But sir, you can't eat ice cream like this."
"Bah, I tire of your-sss-ignorance. Give me-sss-the ice cream."
Thankfully the staff gave in and quickly stacked a cone for him. Shepard felt something brush his arm.
"Hey, handsome."
He knew immediately that it wasn't Tali and stepped away, glancing over to see it was a human woman.
"Uh, can I help-" A pink orb flashed by.
"AAAH!" Ocus yelped, tossing his ice cream cone behind him as he stumbled backwards. All five scoops flew through the air and plastered themselves against the blonde woman in a jagged line from her face down her chest. She screamed as the volus tumbled into her and they staggered back into her friends, causing all of them to fall down in a big heap.
Shepard rushed up to the stand, whipping out his credit chit. "How fast are you?"
...
He returned to find Tali sitting on the bench, swinging her legs and looking immensely pleased with herself.
"Sorry that took so long, you wouldn't believe what happened."
"Oh really?"
Shepard handed her a tube and sat down. "Yeah, I didn't even know Chiktikka liked ice cream."
Tali snorted, fighting not to laugh. "Gee, me either."
She looked curiously at the tube. "So what is it?"
"Strawberry, or the turian equivalent, I guess. They've recently had more quarians coming in so they found a way to sterilize and package it."
Shepard watched intently as she tasted it, surprised at the flare of satisfaction he felt when she released an approving sigh.
For a long time they sat together, enjoying their ice cream and chatting about this and that. Everything but each other was quickly forgotten.
"What flavor is yours?"
"Vanilla."
"Hmm, I bet mine is better."
"Actually, I know mine is better. Know why?" The look he gave her as he licked the ice cream made her very suspicious.
"...Why?"
"Because I can do this."
Tali tried to grab his arm, but it was too late. The ice cream smeared all over her mask.
Shepard laughed at her as she wiped at it with her hand, only to jump off the bench when she reached for his face.
She went after him, vision slightly blurred as they ran through the park, laughing like teenagers.
Tali rounded a corner only to be grabbed and pulled into a small niche between several tents.
"Got you."
She had to reign in on her reflexes to keep from breaking his hold as he pulled her against his chest. "Wait, I don't want to get ice cream on your jacket."
Shepard cupped her helmet in both hands. "Let me take care of that for you."
Slow and methodical, Shepard ran his tongue over the mask, sometimes kissing and sucking in places.
Tali held on to his wrists as he continued to kiss the mask even after it was clean. She remembered the way his lips felt on her skin, could almost feel it now. When he finished she slipped her arms beneath the jacket and hugged him, tucking her head under his chin.
Shepard pulled the edges of his jacket around her.
They stood there in silence. The love of their embrace and gentle heart beat spoke volumes.
...
The Old West section was a single street lined with what looked like cardboard buildings. Staff members dressed up as cowboys and Indians, or Native Americans, as Shepard explained to Tali. Their costumes were greatly exaggerated and nobody was able to act anywhere close to how things really were back then. A pair of gunslingers were pretending to draw on each other, their fake, primitive guns giving off a puff of smoke with a loud crack. Those dressed up as Indians were trying to dance around a makeshift campfire.
The couple went through an open door on one side to find a rather empty saloon. But Tali's eyes latched onto the center attraction and finally found the thing she would have to order Shepard to do.
An asari sat on top of the thing, dressed in skimpy cowgirl clothes. It was rocking back and forth, turning, gently at first before picking up speed. People on the sidelines cheered as the asari was tossed onto a cushioned mat.
"John, what is that?"
"It's a mechanical bull. Back on Earth, humans ride real bulls for... entertainment. They're bigger and meaner than varren, but... wait, you're not gonna ask me to..."
Tali squared her shoulders, wanting to make the most of this. "John, I order you to ride that bull."
He snapped to attention and gave a crisp salute. "Yes, Commander. Here, hold my jacket."
Tali laughed, folding the jacket over her arms as Shepard strode over to the bull's manager.
"You have to wear this hat if you want to ride, sir." The man held up a fancy white cowboy hat.
"Er, that's okay. I'll just keep mine."
"I'm sorry, sir, but those are the rules. Have to keep up appearances, y'know."
Shepard glanced back at Tali, who gave him a nod. As swiftly as he could, he switched hats and turned toward the bull, but it wasn't enough. The manager eyed him suspiciously.
"Wait... I'll be damned... Commander Shepard?"
Heads turned, whispers throughout the saloon repeated the name.
Shepard didn't have time to deny it as the man bolted for the door.
Leaning outside he yelled at the top of his lungs. "COMMANDER SHEPARD'S RIDING THE BULL!"
At first it was the curious, people not really believing but not wanting to pass up the chance. Word spread like wildfire as it was confirmed. Tali firmly held her ground as swarms of people filled the saloon.
Security was brought in as more bold people clawed at Shepard and a ring of guards was positioned around the mat.
The manager found a mike, a mike of all things, and started giving an energetic speech as Shepard stood, slightly embarrassed, next to the machine.
In a secret room with a one way mirror lay the controls for the bull. A flash of a Spectre badge, the controller evicted. Three-fingered hands moved busily over the buttons and switches, familiarizing themselves. Mandibles fluttered gently, concentrating.
Shepard found Tali in the crowd. These people were all here to see him ride on some damn bull. But he was here for her. It was all for her.
He pulled down on the brim of the ridiculous cowboy hat and winked at her. She winked back, one glowing eye flashing.
"Did you see that? He winked at me!"
Oh Keelah...
She looked to her right and found the blonde and her pack. Tali's lips twitched at the stains on the woman's shirt.
"Oh, look girls, it's the quarian. Why don't you give it up. That man would be wasted on you. He deserves a real woman."
"I'm sure he'd love to have someone wearing, err, what is that... Chocolate? Strawberry?"
The blonde's cheeks turned pink as she looked away with a huff. "Bitch."
At last Shepard got on the bull. People whistled and jeered. As a result of being the Commander Shepard, the normal eight second ride was pushed to twelve seconds.
His form was awkward, having never done this before, but he gripped the rope tightly with his hand and squeezed his legs. One arm raised. Waiting. Ready.
It couldn't have been any more anticlimactic when the bull dipped lazily down. It slowly twisted around, bobbing gently.
Everyone laughed. Wolf whistles and screaming girls responded to Shepard's muscles rippling before them.
Though a modest smile played on his lips, Tali watched his eyes. They were set. Intense. Someone was trying to catch him off guard.
Four seconds in and the bull did a sharp twist, swinging low as if putting most of its weight on front hooves and bucking its back legs wildly. Shepard's hat flew off and his butt slid to the side, barely managing to reset himself for the next move.
Eight seconds.
People cheered, some were quiet and tense. Tali forced herself to stop clutching at the jacket in her hands.
Twelve seconds passed. The buzzer went off, but the bull didn't stop. Still twisting and bucking, throwing Shepard around in ways no normal bull could.
It reached thirty seconds and he was still going, sweat building on his shirt. His form may have been off, but he was the embodiment of control, his strength was legendary, and his reflexes perfection.
At roughly a minute sparks lashed from under the bull's 'body'. Steam rose, gears grinded. Seconds later the bull ripped from its support.
The crowd was screaming, throwing their hands in the air. Chaos ensued as Shepard rolled away from the defeated bull and came up on his feet.
"Shepard! Shepard!"
"Humans kick ass!"
The guards, who'd been watching Shepard, were shoved aside. In a desperate struggle they barely managed to hold people back and pried the ones that got through away from the exhausted man.
Tali's heart felt like it was about to explode. Almost did when Shepard looked for her as soon as he had room to breathe.
The manager stepped up onto the mat, carrying his mike.
"Let's hear it again for Commander Shepard!"
The answering roar shook the complex, was probably heard in all the other blocks of the Carnival.
"Not only has he defeated the Reapers! He has also defeated the bull!"
Some people choked as their screams switched abruptly to laughter.
"Commander Shepard." The man turned to him. "I think, as your prize, you should be allowed to pick one woman from this whole audience, and spend the rest of the day with her. What do you think, ladies?"
Before he'd even finished, girls were cramming themselves to the front, pushing each other in a frenzy to make themselves seen. Tali's eyes widened considerably. They make fighting geth seem like a vacation.
"You know..." It was the blonde again, and this time she had more venom in her voice. "It's a shame really, that he can't see you. I guess all you'll get to do is dream about him."
"Yes, dreaming about him would be nice..." Tali adjusted her hold on the jacket, drawing the blonde's eyes to it. It was oddly familiar...
Shepard spoke to the manager, loud enough for people to hear. "Actually, I'm already taken."
Tali watched his hand beckon to her. People quieted, looking for the one.
"Thankfully, I don't have to." With one last glare fired at the blonde's shocked face, Tali pushed through the crowd, past the line of guards and firmly grabbed Shepard's hand. He pulled her up onto the mat with him.
A sharp whistle from the back broke the silence and people cheered and hollered at the couple.
They laughed, embarrassed but happy to be standing with each other.
People jumped when an alarm resounded throughout the park. A VI's warning voice spoke over the blaring noise.
"Noxious gas detected. Evacuate immediately. This is not a drill."
The voice repeated several times before people registered what was going on. The guards helped rush people out, heading for the exit.
"Shepard, we need to-"
"No." He held tightly to her hands, not moving. "It's okay."
She eyed him questioningly but stayed with him. He was watching her intently, as though the whole chaotic scene after the bull ride never happened.
The entire room was quiet and -almost- deserted when Shepard looked over her shoulder.
She turned.
He was leaning against a wooden post like some lone ranger in an old human vid, arms and legs crossed, head bowed. He looked up, familiar blue tattoos covered his face.
"Shepard. Tali."
It was Garrus.