Author's Note: Well, I just threw a huge wrench into Sean's life. Here's the aftermath.

Once again, another short chapter. I tried to extend it, but I feel like I have said all that I needed to say.

Chapter 14

Tali winced as she heard Sean's screams of pain echoed through the entire Crew Deck. The doctors had been working on him for two hours so far. Members of the crew glanced through the windows of the Med Bay, curious of what was the cause of all the commotion. Sean had sustained an enormous amount of damage during the mission, and all that damage was all meant for Tali. He had done something completely drastic to save her life.

Tali pulled Sean's jacket close to her, hugging it tightly and clinging to his memory. She had been meaning to return it to him sometime soon, but now she just held it close, praying. The screams subsided and minutes later Tali saw Dr Chakwas exit the med bay and immediately ran over to her.

"How is he?" Tali asked worried.

"He took a lot of damage," Chakwas warned, "but we managed to fix him up."

"Can I- can I see him?" Tali asked feebly, trying to peak around the doctor's body.

"He's in a deep medical coma." Chakwas stated. She paused, "Well I guess letting you see him won't do any harm…" Shrugging, she then escorted Tali to Sean's bedside.

"Keelah!" Tali gasped as she looked at Sean resting body.

The rhythmic drip of morphine slowly ran through the IV connected to Sean's arm. He seemed to be at peace, well as much peace as a man that had gone through so much hell could be at. Tali felt a tear roll down her face. He had taken his own life for the safety of hers. If that beam had hit her she would be already dead from the exposure, but that wasn't what affected her the most. Sean looked horrible. Most of his right torso was badly burnt and charred from the concussive blast, but the worst was his right arm, or what was left of it. The combined fire between the beam and the concussive shot had damaged his right arm beyond repair. Tali guessed that through surgery they removed what was left of his arm. His right arm now ended at his elbow. Petri dishes, containing skin grafts, rested on a table beside Sean, slowly growing.

Tali legs felt weak. Sean truly felt for her, but now she couldn't tell him that she did too. She let out a sigh as she sat down on a chair by Sean's side, burying her face in her hands.

"How's he doing, doctor?" Shepard asked appearing in the doorway of the med bay, her expression flat.

"Not so well, but he is recovering." Chakwas replied, scanning Sean's body.

Shepard stepped in and stood by Sean's bed. She cringed as she saw the aftermath of the wounds. Tali looked up at Shepard, more tears rolling down from her eyes.

"He'll be fine, he's strong." Shepard said comforting Tali.

"I know, but-" Tali began. Her voice slowly faded as she returned her attention to Sean's body.

"He cared about you deeply. He may have not been able to say that, but his actions yesterday spoke louder than anything he could have possibly said." Shepard said. A quivering smile came to Tali's face as she reached up and gingerly touched Sean's hand. She held his limp hand in hers and looked up at Sean's face. There was a long silence. "Come on, let's let him rest." Shepard finally said.

"Just give me a moment." Tali said. She sat quietly rubbing Sean's hand in hers. She didn't want to leave his side, she wanted to be there to tell him exactly how she felt the moment he awoke. She wanted to embrace him, feel his warmth, and feel his heartbeat against her chest. But most of all she wanted him back. Tali sighed, she knew it would take weeks for him to heal, but she wanted to be there. She unfolded the jacket and gingerly placed it upon his body.

"Alright. I'm ready." Tali said weakly. Shepard helped Tali up. She placed an arm across Tali's back and walked out of the med bay with her.

"How- how's he doing?" Garrus asked as he noticed Shepard and Tali exiting. Tali turned to see Garrus and Kasumi standing by the doorway, waiting to see Sean as well.

"He took a hard hit, but he'll be alright." Shepard reassured.

"We- We'll." Garrus stuttered.

"-Pay our respects." Kasumi finished. Shepard nodded as she watched them enter the med bay.

Shepard then led Tali to the tables and took a seat. Tali's attention quickly darted to the windows that looked inside the medical bay. She saw Garrus' and Kasumi's worried faces as they looked at Sean. She lightly smiled. Sean hadn't made many friends, but the friends that he had made truly cared about him and his wellbeing.

"Commander," Chakwas said quickly walking up to Shepard, "His arm is not showing signs of healing. I need your authorization to graft a cybernetic arm adaptor to his arm."

"Is that the only choice?" Shepard asked, concerned.

"Yes Commander, unfortunately it is." Chakwas responded

Shepard nodded, "Do everything you can to keep him alive."

Tali's head perked up as an idea jumped into her mind. She quickly stood up and ran off to Engineering.

"What was that about?" Chakwas asked.

Shepard only smiled. She knew what Tali was going off to do.