Chapter 25

Sean slowly stirred his meal together on his tray. Anxiety gripped at every muscle in his body.

"Don't feel like eating?" Garrus said taking a seat beside him. He then began to hungrily tear away at his meal.

"How can you eat knowing we're going to our deaths?" Sean asked, astounded by Garrus' appetite.

"I've already done this before, and look how I came out!" Garrus said, taking a large bite from his meal.

"I guess you couldn't have come out any worse." Sean teased.

Garrus let out a loud laugh, "Ah, ouch, that still hurts." He said massaging the pain out of his mandible, "Hey don't worry, you'll come out fine."

"I guess." Sean said, still stirring his meal, "Makes me want to make some final amends with the crew."

"Whatever makes you feel better…" Garrus said, "Need a hug?" He teased.

"I may hold you to that later." Sean said chuckling. He slowly stood up, "See you later, Garrus." He said walking off to the starboard observation.

Sean casually peeked his head into the room. He noticed Kasumi staring silently out the window.

"Hello Sean." Kasumi said not even turning her head away from the window.

"Hello, Kasumi. It's been a while." Sean said sauntering over to one of the barstools. He casually reached for one of the bottles of alcohol and poured himself a drink, quickly downing it.

"Yes it has." Kasumi said slowly turning to face Sean, "Nervous?"

"What gave you that idea?" Sean said sarcastically, downing another drink. "Want some?" He said offering Kasumi a full glass. She waved him off. Shrugging Sean said, "More for me." Before downing that glass as well. "How do you deal with this, you know, the anticipation, the nervousness?" He asked.

"I don't know exactly how to describe it," Kasumi said, drumming her fingers on her chin, "We all have our methods. Just do what you feel comfortable doing, like talking to Tali."

Sean raised his finger and opened his mouth about to protest, but then shut it. He knew she was right. "Excuse me. I've got some things I have to finish." Sean said, leaving the room and entering the elevator.

Kasumi shook her head and smiled, "They're just too cute together, am I right Shepard?"

Shepard paused at the door, "You know that creeps me out." She said. Kasumi lightly chuckled.

Sean slowly walked out of the elevator, listening to the door hiss shut behind him, sauntering into engineering. He briefly noticed that Ken and Gabby were missing from their posts. Taking advantage of the situation, he approached Tali.

"Hey Tali." Sean said smiling as he wrapped his arms around her waist and resting his chin on her shoulder. "We have all engineering to ourselves…" Sean joked. Sean then paused as he realized that Kasumi had been dead-on. It seemed like all his fears and worries were gone.

Tali giggled as she turned in Sean's arms to face him, "It appears so…" She said in a seductive tone, playing along. They stood in silence swaying gently, just enjoying a carefree moment. Sean took a deep breath as he savored the moment.

Finally Sean let Tali go and casually leaned against the wall, "So I hear Shepard is ready to test out the Reaper IFF."

"She says we're going to test it tomorrow." Tali said.

"So soon?" Sean said surprised.

"We need to stop the Collectors as soon as we can."

"Ya, you're right. I guess this is the big mission. The suicide mission." Sean said. There was a long pause then Sean began to shift uncomfortably.

Tali smiled. She knew Sean always became nervous when he was going to talk about their relationship. She found it quite cute.

"It seems like everything is coming to an end so quickly." Sean sighed and paused.

"I feel like I need to make final amends." Tali said, "You know, incase worst comes to worst."

"Tali," Sean began, "I will personally see to it that you make it out alive, even if that means sacrificing myself. I couldn't bear to see anything happen to you." Sean said squeezing Tali tightly against his chest. "So much has gone wrong in my life. Everything has been thrown at me or used against me. I just want something to go right, just once. I want to die knowing that made someone's life better."

"You have." Tali said squeezing him back, "I also want to make amends with you."

"What do you mean?" Sean asked confused.

"I want to show you how much I truly care for you." Tali said taking Sean's hands in hers, "You almost took your life for mine back aboard the Collector ship. You've become so important to me. I just want to show you how truly thankful I am."

"Tali there's no need for that." Sean began.

"After you almost sacrificed your own life for me… I want to show you the same" Tali said, "I want you to see me for what I am, not just through this mask."

"Tali, I don't know what to say." Sean stuttered.

"Then don't. Just give me some time." Tali said.

"I'll wait for you, always." Sean said, releasing Tali's hands. He slowly turned and walked into his quarters.

Later…

Sean spun in his chair, killing time until the final, suicide mission. There was a quiet knock at the door.

"Come in." Sean said. The door slowly swept open as Tali entered, her figure tense and nervous. Sean quickly stood up, "Are you alright?" He asked, worried.

"I'm fine." Tali said smiling. She took a seat at the foot of Sean's bed and motioned for him to sit beside her. Sean obliged, resting his arm on her shoulder. "I never met anyone I could feel this comfortable around, until I met you." Tali began, "I just want this to work, but I'm nervous, even with all the risks minimized. And I'm babbling. It's a defense mechanism for when I get nervous and-"

"Tali, if you're not ready for this I can wait." Sean said, taking her hand in his.

"No! I mean- I want you to see me without this mask. It's just- I-" Tali said stumbling over her words.

Sean smiled, "Here let me help." Sean said slowly lifting his hand up to the bottom of Tali's mask. Tali in turn lifted both of her hands and placed them on Sean's. He lightly applied pressure until the mask lifted off, with a slight hiss. Sean gently set the mask down as he gazed up at Tali's face. He smiled, stunned by the beauty of Tali. Her fears gone, Tali pounced on Sean, passionately kissing him.

Author's Note: About damn time!