Before leaving, Shepard had informed the Normandy crew to be ready for a quick departure when she returned, thereby requesting everyone stay shipside. Most take advantage of the couple hour respite after ensuring their normal tasks are complete. Joker checks the Normandy's systems upon arrival at the Presidium, per habit. According to his gauges the lithium heat sinks run a little hotter than usual, but Adams assures him via radio from Engineering that it is a very minor concern and the heat is currently dissipating at an appropriate rate. All in all, his baby is ready, regardless of what awaits them in the Terminus Systems.
Satisfied, Joker decides to made a rare appearance in the mess hall for breakfast. He bends down to grab his crutches, but then thinks better of it. He shakes his head at himself and his hypocrisy. Despite his best efforts and the convincing pep talk he gave Shepard about not caring what others think, Joker still finds walking around the ship during peak hours with his crutches severely humiliating. He opts for an awkward shuffle supported solely by his leg braces instead.
The mess hall is an almost comical mix of humans and aliens with the same degree of diversity on their breakfast plates. The human fare on most plates appears to be rehydrated oatmeal and eggs. Joker fills his tray with the same. He pours a glass of water, but then fears he will spill it on himself on the way to the table. Fortunately, his dilemma is noticed by one of the Normandy's kindest crewmembers.
"Mr. Moreau." Liara says with a smile. "What a pleasure to see our mysterious pilot in the mess hall. Let me help you with this. Would you also like a coffee, as most humans seem to enjoy during the early morning hours?"
"No, thanks." Joker says. As a general rule, Joker never drank any excess fluids to avoid unnecessary trips to the bathroom.
She takes his tray in the hand not holding his glass of water and motions toward the table where Tali sits. "Do join us."
"Okay." He had not expected a saved seat.
The plates before the two girls are empty save a few bites of unidentifiable items. He has lived with and worked with humans predominantly throughout his life, so his knowledge of alien cuisine is limited to knowing that Tali must only eat dextro, whatever that truly means. Liara sets his tray down by her seat.
"What are you doing outside the cockpit? Are you tapping my suit?" Tali asks, a playful lilt in her voice.
"Uh… What?" Joker raises his eyebrows in confusion.
"Oh." Tali says. "It's probably just a Quarian saying."
"I believe the human saying goes: 'Are your ears burning?'" Liara corrects. "We were just talking about you."
"All good things, no doubt." Joker replies.
"Well," Tali lowers her voice a notch. "I spend so much time in Engineering with Adams, I don't see what goes on up here most of the time, but word travels fast even on a human ship."
"Please, do tell." Liara adds. "Is there something between you and the Commander?"
Oh, I'm gonna have to eat fast. Joker thinks to himself.