Okay so maybe things got a little out of hand...
By the way, I've mirrored a particular movie in a few spots of this chapter. See if you can guess the movie. Hint: Starts with an 'M'...well, technically it starts with the word 'The' but that's not important.
Shepard leaned against the counter, a towel wrapped around his waist, and stared at the back of Tali's robe through the mirror. She was standing between him and the bathroom sink, carefully running an electric shaver under his chin.
"Like this?"
"Mmhmm."
Her fingers ran across the bristles on his face, sometimes trailed behind the bare path left by the razor. She wasn't really sure which texture she liked best.
"There." Tali set the razor down.
"Tali, you've only shaved half of my face."
"I know." Tali placed both hands on his cheeks and rubbed gently. One soft and smooth. The other rough and scratchy.
"No, I still can't decide."
"Decide wha-?" The bathroom lights flickered.
They were quiet for a while, but it didn't happen again.
"That was weird. Anyway, what were you doing?"
"I don't know which side I like better," Tali said, still running her hands over Shepard's face.
"Hmm..." Shepard grabbed her wrists and pulled them away. "Maybe I can help." He bent his head and rubbed his face against hers.
Tali laughed. "That tickles."
He ducked his head and rubbed his face along her neck.
"S-stop." Tali couldn't stop giggling. The nerves of her sensitive skin picked up on the slightest touch. She distantly registered her robe loosening.
"How about this?"
Her laughter was cut short. "N-no that... that's not ticklish."
The lights flickered again, but they didn't notice.
...
An asari sat alone in her office, watching the news and shaking her head.
"Goddess..."
Her omni-tool beeped, startling her. Someone was calling.
She answered quickly. "Did you get them?"
"No," came a deep voice. "Traffic is creating a few obstacles. Have they replied to your messages?"
"No, damnit. What the hell are they doing? Nevermind. Do you think you can reach them in time?"
"I don't think so, but I've been studying the layout of the hotel, and I have already found thirty-three flaws I can exploit."
"So you have a plan?"
"Yes."
"Good. Keep me updated."
"One more thing. Do you know how security is handling the situation?"
The asari stared into the news vid, into the chaos.
"They're overrun." She sighed. "Move quickly, those two could be in danger."
The line went dead before she'd finished.
...
Shepard had Tali pinned against the counter, bending her over it as he ravished her mouth.
Eventually a noise pierced through Shepard's senses and he lifted his head. "Do you hear that?"
Tali didn't hear him. She kissed his neck and ran her hands along his arms.
A small tremor vibrated from the counter through Shepard's arms. Tali stopped moving and he knew she felt it too.
Shepard took a deep breath and grabbed her wrists. "I think something's wrong." His instincts were nagging at him.
"I agree." You've stopped kissing me and your towel is still on. But she heard the urgency in his voice, felt the same uneasiness, and somehow managed to regain control of herself. "You'd better get dressed."
Tali readjusted her robe while Shepard put on his clothes. By the time they exited the bathroom, the noise and tremors in the floor had increased.
"I'll get my omni-tool and contact the hotel. Maybe they know what's going on."
Tali nodded and Shepard went into the bedroom. He could already hear the beeping that alerted him of a message. He picked up the small device and activated it.
"Tali!"
She bolted into the room. "What's wrong?" She saw him reading the message and hurried beside him.
"It's from Liara."
-Your identity and location have been compromised. I'm sending an agent immediately. Reply as soon as you get this.
"You've got other messages." Shepard opened them.
-Shepard are you getting this? Have you seen the news? Are you still at the hotel?
-Where are you Shepard? Is Tali with you? Answer me!
-Damnit, Shepard, if you don't reply soon I will flay you alive! WITH MY MIND!
Shepard quickly sent a reply saying they were okay and still at the hotel.
"What was that all about?"
"She asked if we'd seen the news. Let's go turn it on."
"Wait, I think you should put your suit on."
...
Liara T'Soni allowed herself a sigh of relief. "I got their message. They're still in their room."
"Good. I've arrived at the hotel."
"I just hope it's not too late."
...
Tali and Shepard stared opened mouthed at the screen. An asari reporter stood in front of their hotel, where a huge crowd of people were pouring into the entrance, shoving and screaming as they fought their way inside. Cars were whizzing overhead, trying to find places to park. The reporter could barely be heard over the noise.
"Hundreds, if not thousands of people of every known race have come here and more are swarming in by the minute. Nearly half of the hotel has been flooded. Medical personnel are standing by, but if anyone is getting trampled, it may be awhile before help can get to them. The hotel staff have tried blocking off stairways and shutting down the elevators, but people are still attempting to hack into them. I spoke with a hotel resident earlier and she said it was like an earthquake in there.
"Some are asking why. Why are all these people here? Believe it or not, it has been confirmed that Commander Shepard, the first human Spectre, the very man who led us in the fight against the Reapers, is indeed staying on the top floor of this hotel and people desperately want to see him. We've discovered that he is, in fact, married to a quarian named Tali'Zorah."
A picture of Shepard and Tali holding hands after he rode the bull popped up in the corner of the screen.
"Our information tells us that Tali'Zorah actually served on the Normandy, the vessel that was commanded by Shepard. However, there is a lot of controversy over this surprising match and we'll be discussing this later today with-"
Tali shut the monitor off. Shepard could've sworn she was shaking.
"Controversy... surprising match... " It was all she could manage to say.
Shepard reached for Tali's arm. "Hey," he said softly.
Her helmet swiveled toward him, her glowing eyes easy to spot behind the purple mask.
"I love you."
Even through the suit he could feel the tension in her arm relax. She rested her hand over his.
"I love you too."
Shepard hurried down the stairs as the quarian stood up from her cover. She was shaking with anger.
"...knew I couldn't trust him..."
Shepard raised a hand as though to calm her. "Were you hurt in the fight?" he asked quickly.
Her helmet swiveled toward him, her glowing eyes easy to spot behind the purple mask. Her stance relaxed.
"I know how to look after myself..."
"John?"
Shepard didn't answer her. "Déjà vu..." he muttered to himself.
"What did you say?"
"Déjà vu. It's what humans call a moment when we feel like we've seen or... experienced something before."
Tali nodded. "Some of my people believe that's a bad omen. What did you-?"
There was a loud pop and power went out, bathing the couple in darkness.
They stood still for a while. Shepard finally released his breath, didn't realize he'd been holding it, and let go of Tali's arm.
He shrugged. "I'm sure it's nothing. See if you can open the windows. It's still light outside."
Tali brought up her omni-tool. She shook her head, confused. "They're locked down. I could easily override it but... John, I think someone is hacking into our room.
Ding.
The couple twisted around and stared at the mini elevator. A red light was flashing, signaling something was being sent.
Shepard activated the nearby hologram. "It's got Loyalty's signature. Maybe Liara sent something."
"Or it could be from the agent she mentioned."
The elevator opened and a tray slid out with a large envelope resting on top. Shepard picked it up, ripped off the top, and emptied the contents into his hand. It was a headset.
Shepard glanced at Tali before fitting it to his ear and adjusted the mouthpiece. It started ringing a moment later.
I didn't think that ringtone existed anymore...
Tali tapped on her omni-tool and nodded at Shepard when she linked her helmet's radio with the device.
He answered it. "...Hello?"
"Shepard. Do you know who this is?"
"Thane!" The couple exchanged excited looks.
"Yes. I've been trying to get to you, but unfortunately we've run out of time. They're coming for you Shepard, and I don't know what they're going to do."
"Who's coming for me? You mean all those people trying to get into the hotel?"
"You have a balcony, correct? Go there and see for yourself."
"What, right now?"
"Yes, now. Be careful."
Shepard and Tali nervously entered the bar, where light shone through the glass encasing the balcony on the far side of the room. Tall, thin shadows broke the sun's gaze.
On the outside of the glass, staring into the penthouse, were three hanar. Their tentacles rippled slightly as they floated in midair.
Though completely shocked by what she was seeing, Tali couldn't help notice something else. "Er, John... why are they dressed like that?"
Black sunglasses rested atop the front pointed end of their 'body' around which a black tie was wrapped and hung in front of their tentacles. A coiled white wire hung down the side of their glasses.
They're dressed like FBI agents.
Before Shepard had time to say it out loud, their tentacles raised and nearly a dozen pistols were pointed at the couple.
"Holy shit!" Shepard shoved Tali out of the room, quickly following after her, as accelerated rounds peppered the window, cracking and shattering through the glass.
"I didn't know hanar could use guns!" Tali shouted over the noise.
The couple ran into the decontamination room and locked the doors.
"Thane, what's going on? What the hell do they want from me?"
"I don't know, but if you don't want to find out I suggest you get out of there." Though the drell spoke quickly, his voice was as calm and measured as ever.
"How?"
"I can guide you but you must do exactly as I say."
Shepard and Tali nodded to each other.
"Yeah, okay."
"We trust you, Thane."
"I've restored power to the elevator. Take it to the twenty-sixth floor. Hurry, they're almost through the door."
The couple hustled into the lift, but just as the doors were closing, a hanar burst from the decontamination room and joined them in the small space, separating Shepard and Tali on either side of it.
It raised its four guns at them.
Battle reflexes kicked in immediately. With a sweep of their legs, the guns were knocked aside. Tali threw a punch but the hanar ducked under it while simultaneously batting Shepard's arm aside with surprising speed and force.
"What the..."
Two tentacles hit him in the stomach, throwing him against the wall. With a grunt he sank to his knees.
"John!" The hanar turned to Tali, raising its 'fists'.
"This one apologizes for its aggressions and gives you an opportunity to say any last words."
"Just these: You really shouldn't have done that!"
Tali jumped, rising so high in the air it could almost be watched in slow motion. She raised her arms above her head, bending her strong legs until they were level with the hanar's 'head'. With one powerful kick, the hanar flew over Shepard's head and smashed against the wall, its tentacles slapping beside it like a squashed spider. Tali landed on her feet as the pink glob slid to the floor beside her husband. It didn't move.
Tali helped Shepard get up. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. Hanar aren't suppose to be able to move like that, right?"
She just shook her head, equally at a loss. They glanced at the limp jellyfish.
"Think it's dead?"
Shepard smirked. "You want me to check for a pulse?"
"Shepard, Tali. Do you read me?"
Shepard reached for his earpiece. "Loud and clear, Thane. What's going on?"
"Your fans are trying to hack into the elevator. There are too many for me to handle. I'm sorry."
Tali was already working on her omni-tool. "Don't worry, Thane. I'll take care of it."
"Are you sure?"
Shepard placed a hand on Tali's shoulder, who paused long enough to look at him.
"My wife is a quarian." He winked at her. "She can handle it."
Her eyes brightened and he wished he could see that priceless smile on her face.
...
The elevator rumbled as it continued its decent. Shepard and Tali each grabbed one of the hanar's pistols and checked the thermal clips.
Shepard put a finger to his headset. "Thane, are there any civilians on the floor we're going to."
"There are still rooms that are occupied."
"Then we'll have to do this without starting a fight. I don't want to risk getting someone caught in the middle."
"I agree and I will do my best to direct you away from them. These hanar are dangerous."
"Why are they so different?"
"Hanar are equipped with a contra-gravitic levitation pack that use mass effect fields so they can remain mobile outside of water.I assume these hanar are using an upgraded pack that allows their bodies to levitate higher and move at greater speeds. I can explain in more detail when we are under better circumstances."
"Right, we're almost to the twenty-sixth floor." The walls of the elevator shook and the couple could hear muffled screaming and yelling.
"Good. Keep the doors closed until I say it's clear. The hanar are patrolling the halls."
Tali pressed something on her omni-tool. "Why did you choose this floor, Thane?"
"Everything below it is covered with people trying to see Shepard. I don't believe they will make your escape any easier. I'm going to direct you to the twentieth floor. It's a docking bay for supply vessels."
"That's a lot of floors to get through with ninja hanar and crazed civilians wandering around," Shepard said sarcastically.
"In case you've forgotten, I was trained by the hanar."
The elevator stopped. Tali kept the doors closed while the two took positions on either side of the door, keeping their guns ready.
"Remember, do exactly as I say and be as quiet as possible. There is an empty room across the hall to the right."
"How do you know all this?" Shepard asked.
"We don't have time, Shepard." Thane paused. "Go, now."
Tali opened the door. To their left a hanar disappeared around a corner, leaving the hall empty as they made their way to the specified room. It was unlocked.
Thane's work. He's nearby. Shepard was comforted by the knowledge.
They hurried inside and closed the door.
Thane's response was immediate. "Good. Wait here a moment."
It felt like the people under them were pounding on the ceiling.
Shepard looked at Tali. "Are you worried?"
"You're kidding, right?"
Shepard snorted. "Yeah."
Tali wasn't finished. "If the hanar touch you, I'll jack their levitation packs and send them flying into orbit. If those people downstairs touch you, then Chiktikka is going to have a few words with them."
Shepard smiled. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."
He watched his wife's eyes travel all the way down to his toes and back up.
"Trust me, John," she purred. "You're never on my bad side."
Shepard took a step toward her when the headset buzzed.
His eyes locked with hers. "What is it, Thane?"
"There have been some... complications. Stay where you are until you hear from me."
"Copy that."
...
Thane jumped down a flight of stairs, spinning in midair to catch the hanar with his foot, sending it back upstairs. He landed safely on his feet and rolled to the side as another hanar hurtled toward him. Its tentacles whipped out.
Thane evaded the attack and found an opening. His fist connected with the hanar's 'nose', crunching into its glasses. He followed through with a strong uppercut to the 'chin', sending the hanar upward where it smashed into the staircase above. The hanar stuck to it momentarily and Thane rushed under before it dropped to the floor.
Thane hurried back up the stairs only to run face to jelly with the hanar he'd kicked. Behind him, the other hanar was closing in again.
A whirlwind of tentacles lashed out and he had to bend, stretch, and twist his torso to dodge the onslaught. The fight effectively ended when the hanar found their limbs completely tangled together in a knot.
There was a momentary pause as they looked at each other, then back at Thane, who raised an eyebrow.
The drell grabbed them by their black ties, wrenched the hanar around and chucked both down the stairwell, quickly launching a biotic throw in their wake. There was a distant thud when they collided with the floor several stories down.
Without pausing to view his work, Thane turned to go up the stairs.
In the hall of the twenty-sixth floor was another hanar, its guns already drawn as Thane came into view.
Amonkira. Grant that my aim be true and my body swift.
Blue fire lanced from Thane's hand as gunfire thundered. He dropped his shoulder and his collar fluttered as the first metal slug sailed past. His body descended backward, knees bending as he went down. The deadly particles whipped overhead, coming closer until Thane's back connected with the floor. The noise stopped and Thane immediately hopped to his feet to see the hanar flailing from the biotic attack.
The assassin surged down the hallway. He jumped to the side and sprinted across the wall. The dazed hanar floated up as Thane whirled toward it, bringing his foot down with the combined force of momentum and gravity. The kick connected and the hanar was bashed into the wall. Thane landed silently on his feet, turned away from the pink form.
His stance set, hands ready, breathing quiet. When the hanar didn't move he relaxed, brought his hands together and bowed his head.
His eyes closed just as the door behind him flew open and banged against the wall. Shepard and Tali burst from the room, guns out, clothes disoriented, breathing heavily.
"W-where... Thane! We heard gunshots."
Thane silently continued his prayer, keeping his back to the two.
Shepard's shirt was partially unbuttoned and half untucked. Tali's hood was off of her head, one of her belts hung loosely around her hips, and the cloth that was suppose to wrap around her left thigh trailed off to the side. The couple looked at each other before hastily resetting their clothes.
Thane finally raised his head. He spoke without turning around. "Shepard, your right shoe is untied. Tali, I believe you're missing something."
"What... oh." One of the belts that wrapped around her midsection. "John I think you, um, dropped it on the floor."
Shepard disappeared into the room, returning a second later with the thin band. He ignored her outstretched hand and wrapped it around her himself, taking his time as he buckled it. His hands lingered. Tali looked up at him. He smiled at her and she ducked her head shyly. Lord, she was cute.
At last Shepard dropped his hands. He put some distance between them and cleared his throat. "You can turn around now."
The drell, poised with the utmost of patience, turned toward them. His face was void of expression, open, black eyes betraying no emotion.
His head tilted slightly in a respectful bow to Tali. "If I may?"
"Uhm, sure."
Thane reached to the skewed hood on her helmet and tugged slightly on one side so that it was as perfectly aligned as it always was.
"Thanks."
His lips twitched ever so slightly as he gave her another bow.
"We should-"
The door to the stairway broke clear off its hinges and bashed against the wall on the other side.
"Keelah..."
"Oh shit."
A huge female krogan emerged. Behind her were numerous women of other races flooding into the hall like water from a broken dam.
"Go." The drell brushed by his friends and whipped around the corner. Shepard and Tali were right on his heels.
"There he is, girls!" boomed the krogan.
"Oh my God, it's Shepard!"
The screaming was deafening, the thundering stampede shook the entire complex, punctuated with the heavy pounding of the krogan's feet.
"John!" Tali yelled over the noise.
"What!"
"I'm worried now!"
The three hurtled down the hallway. Thane fired a biotic warp straight ahead, disintegrating the window at the end. He dove out the new opening, Shepard and Tali following without thinking.
They fell onto an awning and rolled down. It dumped them on the large balcony of an empty restaurant.
Thane landed gracefully on his feet, and Tali would have if Shepard hadn't stumbled into her.
"Hey! You did that on purpose."
Shepard laughed. "Sorry." He looked at Thane. "Lucky that awning was there. Did you know it would be?"
"Do not question luck when it grants you favor." Thane looked up at the window they'd fallen out of. A hand went to his radio. "Valeesha, change of plans-"
Shepard couldn't hear the rest of what he said because the female krogan standing at the window roared.
She jumped out, ripping straight through the awning and her feet crashed through a table.
"Shepard! I gave you a breeding request! We krogan fight for our mates!"
Tali stepped in front of her husband. "Just try and take him!"
The krogan lit with blue power.
"She's a biotic." A touch of worry entered Thane's voice.
"Tali!"
Shepard bumped into her. His body was encased in the same blue light and his feet slid along the floor.
"She's pulling me!" The krogan rumbled with laughter.
Tali grabbed Shepard's arm, Thane already hurrying to his other side.
"D-don't let me go, Tali!"
"I'm not letting you go!" Tali dug her fingers into his arm and braced her legs.
Behind them a black car flew over the lip of the balcony. The door opened and a man jumped out. As soon as his feet touched the floor he rushed over to the three.
"I'll take care of it! You guys get in the car!"
"Jacob?" Shepard craned his head around. "What are you-?"
The man zipped by, running straight for the krogan.
"Wait, Jacob, that's suicide!"
Jacob attacked the krogan with his biotics, causing her to stagger back and release her hold on Shepard. The three fell over, grunting as they landed on their backs.
Thane rolled to his feet as another form, this one much larger, hopped from the car, which wobbled dangerously from the weight change.
"Hah! My battlemaster sure knows how to pick'em!"
The massive alien walked over to the two still on the floor, looking upside down at them.
"Shepard."
"Grunt."
"You've already got a mate. Can I have this one?"
"Be my guest."
The krogan did a little hop, bashing his fists together. His huge feet landed dangerously close to their heads. He hurried over to face the female krogan as she sent a chair crashing into Jacob, throwing him aside.
Her eyes met Grunt's. "Now this is a prize!"
Thane helped his friends to their feet.
"We should leave before the other women get here."
"Don't have to tell me twice."
They hurried over to the car and jumped in.
"Hey, Valeesha."
"Hey, guys," she greeted pleasantly. "Nice seeing you again."
Thane took the passenger seat while Tali and Shepard collapsed in the back. The doors closed and they lifted off into safety.
"Thanks for getting us out of there, Thane."
"Of course. You are my friends, after all."
They were quiet for a while as they rested. Shepard thought about asking Thane what was going on and why his teammates were here but decided to save it for later. He put an arm around Tali and they leaned against each other.
Thane twisted around to look at the couple. "Shepard. I've been wanting to ask you something."
"Shoot."
"I have never seen a human with that particular type of beard. Is it a new style?"
Shepard's hand went to his chin. Felt the stubble on one side, nothing on the other. Tali's expression was unreadable.
"Err, no. I was, uh, shaving when you called and didn't finish."
"Ah." Thane turned back to the front.
Tali tilted her head so she could whisper in Shepard's ear.
"I still don't know which side I like better."