Author's Note: This chapter took forever to write and it's a bit short for my taste... Oh Well...

Sorry. Lot of stuff on my mind (school and stuff). It will be a while until my next update/chapter, finals and all... bleagh :P

Chapter 22

Sean paced restlessly outside the Med Bay. Only one thing was on his mind, Tali. Chakwas had repeatedly told him that she was going to be fine, but he didn't care. He wanted to be by her side. It was his fault and he couldn't tell himself otherwise. Regret pooled in his mind. He had screwed up and he deserved to be on that bed again, not her.

His eyes snapped to the door as it opened. Chakwas exited. Quickly running up to her, Sean asked, "How is she?"

"She'll be fine." Chakwas sighed, "There's really nothing to be worried about."

"I need to be in there!" Sean demanded waking forward.

"She needs to rest." Chakwas said restraining Sean.

"I need to." Sean said breaking free and opening the door.

"Sean! She-" Chakwas called after him, stopping as she saw that Tali had awoke. She was now sat upright on her bed. Her head snapped towards the door as she heard Sean's voice. Sean couldn't see her face but he assumed she was smiling. Shaking her head, Chakwas quietly walked away, leaving Sean and Tali in the room alone.

"Thank god you're fine!" Sean said giving Tali a tight hug. He chuckled lightly as memories of his own time in the Med Bay returned to him.

"I guess we traded places." Tali said lightly laughing.

"That's exactly what I was thinking!" Sean said a big smile growing on his face as he took a seat at the foot of Tali's bed, "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. It's not that bad, really." Tali said slowly flexing her leg.

Sean leaned forward, his voice growing hoarse, "I'm just glad you're alright. I couldn't live with myself if yo-" Tali lifted a finger to Sean's lips, cutting him off mid sentence.

"I'll be fine." Tali said, smiling. "Did you get what you wanted?"

"Everything." Sean said removing the small drive from his armor, "But that's not important." Sean then took her hand in both of his. His stomach churned as their conversation the previous day jumped to the front of his mind. "I want to continue where we left off." Sean's body began to lightly shake as he struggled to form words, "It's just that, well, when I'm around you I feel truly happy, happier than I've ever felt." Sean paused, taking a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "God, this is so hard!" He said chuckling. He looked up into Tali's eyes, her expression appearing stoic, "I'll just say it." Sean said, "Tali, I deeply and truly love you." Sean let go of her hand as he took a deep breath again. He felt better finally getting that off his chest. He looked up at Tali. Silver tears began to run down her face.

Sean couldn't react fast enough as Tali lunged herself at him, giving him the tightest hug he had ever had. She buried her head deep in Sean's chest as she happily cried. Sean hugged her back, feeling his heart soar. He breathed out slowly, his body still shaking.

"I do too, Sean! I love you too!" Tali said finally looking up into his eyes. They stood there, for what felt like an eternity, lost in the emotion. Sean didn't want it to end.

Outside in the Mess Hall...

"About time." Garrus said chuckling as he watched, from the Mess Hall, Tali and Sean hug each other passionately. "Took them long enough."

"Makes me think…" Shepard began in a playful tone.

"Oh, sorry Shepard, can't talk… In the middle of some calibrations!" Garrus said quickly running back to his post.

Shepard couldn't help but laugh, she took a seat and turned towards the Med Bay.

A Few Hours Later…

Sean and Tali sat quietly in his room. Tali sat cross-legged at Sean's desk while Sean lay on his bed.

"So this is everything?" Tali asked examining the small drive. I was no bigger than a thumb. "Amazing how someone's entire life could fit in such a small object."

"That's everything about me, but I just don't know…" Sean said trailing off. Emotions arose, confusing his thoughts.

"What do you mean?" Tali asked.

"I'm not sure if I really want to see it. I mean, on one hand: It's everything about me, no more questions, but on the other hand: Maybe I don't want to see it. I mean, I'm happy with my life now and knowing my past could ruin my life." Sean said as he slowly began to pace around the room.

"But something inside of you wants to know it though." Tali said, finishing his thought.

"Exactly."

"Here." Tali said handing over the drive, "It's your choice to make."

Sean let out a deep sigh ad he held the drive in front of his face, hoping it would help him decide. Sean then walked over to his computer. Taking a seat, he breathed out a painful sigh. Slowly Sean inserted the drive into his computer. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, deciding what to do.

Author's Note: So I have two ideas running through my mind… and one major question: Will Sean read his file? I really can't decide, so I'll leave it up to you guys… Will Sean read his file or destroy it? Vote in the comments I'll go with the highest voted one.

Anyways, Happy Thanksgiving! (If you don't celebrate that, then Happy November 24th!)