(Present – 1 day post attack - Batarian ship)
Everything was familiar, yet different. Everything looked the same, yet slightly disproportionate. Everything was smooth, yet the edges were slightly blurred.
Perhaps if you had never seen the Normandy you wouldn't have noticed, but she noticed. She stood in front of a console, running her ungloved fingers over the edge of the counter, watching as it warped and bent in time with her movements.
Her brows drew down over her eyes in curiosity, fascinated with the object. She felt light, like a bird, and giddy. She felt like her movements were in slow motion and it was odd, but hardly disconcerting. Whatever was happening, it was good. There were no worries here, no pain, no suffering.
"Tali'Zorah," EDI said, her body seeming to appear next to her out of thin air, her smooth, slender face breaking out into a smile.
"What is this place?" Her voice sounded foreign to her ears without her face mask, no longer warbled and mechanical. She inhaled and smelled the metal of the Normandy, the recycled oxygen, and a brief whiff of a light, fresh scented perfume. That was odd. EDI didn't wear perfume and to her knowledge she didn't either.
"We're in my network. This is how I see the Normandy or how I would see it, perhaps from your eyes, assuming I was organic."
"It's not seamless. The edges warp, bend and blur when I touch them." EDI shifted her blue eyes downward as Tali spoke, watching as her fingers touched the edges and nothing happened.
"I believe you are experiencing slight hallucinations from the pain killers Doctor Chakwas has you on." She shook her head and giggled at the light headed feeling, forgetting what EDI had just said although it was probably important.
"You're really pretty EDI. Can I-can I touch your hair?" EDI raised a dark blonde eyebrow at Tali and smiled, her rosy lips parting and showed large white teeth. Tali reached her fingers out to touch the soft, flaxen colored hair that flowed past EDI's shoulders, admiring her tanned skin and thin figure, albeit ridiculously tall.
"Is this – this human form – how you see me Tali?" EDI murmured, her head tilting to the side and her cobalt eyes filling with curiosity. Tali gave her a confused look, her jet black brows drawing down over her silver eyes.
"Of course. I've never seen you as a machine. Well, maybe in the beginning but now this is how I see you. This tall, elegant human woman is who you are to me, not your shining platform. I prefer you this way. You're human to me, not an AI. Does-does that make sense?" EDI gave a light, chiming laugh and her cheeks darkened.
"It does. Do not fret Tali." She laid a warm hand on her arm and gave her stern look, as one might look at a child. "But we have work to do."
"Work? But I like just being here." EDI shook her head, her hair waving and touching her face.
"No, Tali. We have to get you better and fix me. Do you remember what happened?" Tali grimaced and closed her eyes, sliding her hands up her arms.
"Yeah, I remember." The effects of the drugs were wearing off and she felt a twinge of pain, but ignored it. There is no pain here, she reminded herself. No worries. But EDI was going to make her work. She didn't want to; she just wanted to stay here, in the peaceful place with the human version of EDI.
"I took disconnected myself from the Normandy to be here with you, to help you get stronger, but until you are strong the Normandy cannot get to Earth, do you understand?" Tali gave her a startled look.
"Why would you do that? We need to get to Earth, EDI!"
"You would have died. Am I to let my squad mate, crew member, and friend die?" EDI asked, fixing her with a defiant look, her azure eyes sparking.
"I would willingly give my life; I did, to save anyone aboard this ship. You cannot make that decision."
"I can. I was given the freedom when Jeff unshackled me and do not forget that you brought me back. A life for a life and I fully intend to repay you for what you did. Now do you want to get to Earth or not?" EDI crossed her tanned arms over her chest and gazed at her.
Tali wanted to argue. She wanted to scream at EDI for being so damn caring, but she didn't. How could she? EDI saved her life and for that she was eternally grateful. She was angry, but humbled. So instead she sighed, popped the bones in her neck and rubbed her face. "Okay, I get it," she said, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Explain why we can't get to Earth while you're disabled." EDI gave her a bright smile, clearly proud of whatever she had done.
"I disabled the jump drives before I went offline. To my knowledge, the crew has yet to figure it out. I also encrypted the data. Not even Dr. T'Soni will be able to crack it." She stared at EDI, her mouth partially gaping at the smug look on EDI's face.
"Remind me never to piss you off. I can only imagine what you'd do." Then she remembered what EDI had said earlier. "Wait, how am I supposed to fix you from here? I don't even know what's wro – er, well, why you're sick," she quickly corrected, seeing the dark look and narrowing of EDI's eyes.
"You do," she softened and raised a slender finger, lightly touching Tali's temple. "It's all in here. You just need to think Tali'Zorah. I can't tell you," she added, seeing the look on the Quarian woman's face. "since I don't know, but I know that you do. Once you know then you can fix the Geth and even Legion."
"Legion? We could potentially get Legion back?" EDI's lips turned up at the corners, her brows going upwards and she nodded.
Inside her mind was screaming a thousand different praises, but outwardly her face split into a grin. On Rannoch she had asked Shepard how strange it was for her to be mourning a Geth and now, with Shepard's response, she felt ecstatic that she could get Legion back. He, she had admitted to herself a long time ago that she envisioned him as a Quarian male despite what she had said to Raan, was a good friend to her and had done almost as much, if not as much to help her people, as Shepard had.
She felt herself growing tired and light with EDI fading out of view and before she was completely out of it she heard herself promise EDI something.
(Past - 9 weeks post Citadel party)
"Tali?"
She smiled up at the intercom, hearing the slight lilt to the voice that she had come to learn was an "English" accent. At first it was strange that she would call her over the intercom or even come to visit her, especially when her feelings for Shepard were so strong but Elizabeth had just smiled and said that she approved but now it was a welcome distraction.
It had started after Shepard's party in her apartment on the Citadel and now it felt as natural as breathing even if she did had to duck her head in embarrassment at the looks she received from Ken and Gabby.
"Traynor," she answered, biting back a smile and feeling more than a little devious.
"I believe I told you to call me Sam." She could almost hear the frown in hear her voice and she laughed, picturing her dark skinned face turned sour. "Either way," Traynor pushed on. "I heard that we might get some shore leave on the Citadel for a few hours and I was curious to see if you would be up to having dinner."
She paused, her fingers over the console and considered her offer for a moment. It was a big step in their newly established relationship to which they hadn't yet put a name. Were they friends? Lovers? Girlfriends? She wasn't sure and wasn't entirely positive that she wanted to put a name to whatever they had.
"Sure, I'd like that. It'd be nice to get away from these diagnostics."
(Present - 3.5 weeks post attack - Batarian ship)
"EDI, I could really use your help," she said, looking at the AI core that simulated the real one. It seemed like days since she had seen the real one and EDI had told her that it was three weeks and five days since she had been awake aboard the Normandy.
"I'm afraid that I cannot assist you." She threw her head back in annoyance at the blonde woman with an exasperated sigh.
"You can but you are refusing too. A little nudge would be helpful." EDI ignored her as she expected and she continued to stare at the core, her mind coming to a blank abyss of useless information. Deep down she felt it gnawing at her, goading her, but she couldn't reach it.
EDI claimed that she didn't know and despite her frustration she was inclined to believe her. If she did know then why wouldn't she just fix herself? Why go through all of this trouble? She sat back on her feet and gazed at the wires spilling from the wall like noodles, rubbing a hand over her face and through her hair, twisting it and tossing it over her shoulder.
There was nothing, no visible sign of damage. No charred ends, no split cables in need of splicing. There was just a big ole pile of nothing. If she could get her hands on a Reaper then maybe she could get some answers.
"EDI, can you hack into Liara's terminal and get all the information on the Reapers that she has? Post-war I mean," she asked, looking up at the tall human form. Suddenly EDI looked nervous, her eyes shifting down and to the left, her brow wrinkling.
"I do not suggest that we do that."
"Why not?"
"I am the only thing keeping you alive, Tali. Without me integrated, fully, into your suit and without you inside my network I am uncertain if you'll survive. Your body is stronger, but not strong enough to be without me and until you are, you're comatose."
Tali dropped her eyes to the floor and stared. She remembered that EDI had told her that she was helping her get stronger but the impact of those words weren't felt until just now.
"It's that bad?" she whispered, running a trembling hand over her top lip, wiping away the sweat that was beading there. The silence was all the confirmation that she needed.
She sat there for a moment, filtering through all of the emotions and fighting a losing battle with the painkillers that were starting to blur her vision. Damn Chakwas and Liara, she thought as she settled on an emotion.
She would be damned if she would die in a coma without having fixed EDI and the Geth. Her people needed her, Traynor needed her and most importantly she didn't want to die, not like this; it was just insulting. If she was going to die she wanted it to be fighting at Shepard and Garrus' sides. That was how she was supposed to die, not from a damn infection because of a stupid suit.
She grabbed a screwdriver and jammed it into a screw that was holding the entire AI core together and looked at EDI, shaking her head to try and rid it of the dizzy feeling. "I'm going to make this right."
(Past – 10 weeks post Citadel party)
Since the sushi place was still under construction due to Shepard's clone, Traynor had suggested a nice dextro-levo restaurant near the Presidium. She hadn't even known about it until Traynor had bounded into engineering and excitedly showed her pictures that she had pulled up on her omni-tool of the restaurant as well as a copy of the menu stating, "And we can share this appetizer! It's friendly for both of our systems! Isn't that wonderful?"
In person it was much nicer than the pictures had portrayed. It was dimly lit, with old-fashioned wrought iron candelabras on the walls complete with dark red, intricately designed candles. The waiters wore suits and the floor was made of a light marble that clicked every time she took a step. As she walked up to the wooden podium, the Maitre-D greeted her with a smile gracing his handsome human face.
"Good evening," he greeted his voice deep, rich and warm. "Are you meeting someone or are you here to dine alone in one of our private areas?"
"I'm meeting someone." He raised an eyebrow, tilting his head and smiled.
"Name?"
"Tali'Zorah." He laughed and shook his head.
"No, not yours. The one you're meeting."
"Oh, um, Samantha Traynor." He looked down at the display and nodded, motioning her to follow him.
"Is this a first date? You seem nervous." She laughed and nodded, wringing her hands together.
"You could say that."
"Ah. Don't worry I will make sure that any friends of Commander Shepard and Garrus Vakarian are more than taken care of. You are, of course, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy, correct?" She gave him a startled look and he laughed again. "Shepard and Garrus visit here often whenever they get the chance and she speaks very highly of you and who could forget the famous Quarian who helped bring down Saren and the Geth?"
She felt her cheeks heat up and was thankful for her mask. "Oh, well. Thank you."
"It's an honor to serve anyone who is aboard the Normandy. Ah, here we are. Enjoy your night," he said, winking at her as she slid into the booth in front of Traynor and walked off, pausing to speak to the waiter who was headed their direction. Based on the look of the waiter he was just told that he was waiting on Commander Shepard's crew and friends.
"So, what do you think?" Traynor gave her a nervous smile, her hand flitting up to her hair.
"It's really nice," she said, reaching for the drink menu, her eyes scanning and trying to find something familiar. She settled on a tropical Turian beverage, hoping it was better than the brandy that Garrus tried to hide from her, but she was good at find alcohol she had learned, much to Garrus' dismay.
"It's not too much is it? If it is then we can go somewhere else, it's no big deal. I'm sure there are other dextro-levo friendly places around." Tali smiled and shook her head, feeling some of her nervousness melt away.
"Sam, its fine. I really like it." The waiter came up to them, fidgeting with his omni-tool and blushed when he looked at Tali.
"What'll you be having tonight? Would you like to start with an appetizer? I strongly suggest the asari dish, Spiratchio, as it is both non-toxic to dextro and levo based people. If you're into alcoholic beverages I have gotten awesome feedback on the Turian drink, Chiraska; it is a blend of fruits native to Palaven with a mix of Turian Vodka, Gin and Rum," he said, nervously looking at Tali and shifting his weight. Traynor's lips pulled up at the corners and Tali ignored her, nodding her head at the young human male.
"That sounds great. We'll take that and I definitely want to try that drink." He gave a small smile and turned to Traynor who didn't even bother to look at the menu.
"I'll have a Tasty Tankard with double Irish Cream and whipped cream on top, thank you." He punched the order into his omni-tool and nodded, saying he'd have their drinks in just a few moments. "I think he likes you," she said, hiding her smile behind her glass of water. Tali rolled her eyes, something she had learned from Shepard. "Anyway, I'm really glad that you agreed to have this date with me." She reached out a small, dark hand and squeezed Tali's.
"Me too."
After that they had fallen into easy conversation, swapping stories about their childhoods and just enjoying the company of one another while eating. Once they were done they decided to talk a quiet walk around the Presidium before heading back to the Normandy.
As they walked, stopped to admire the large Krogan monument Traynor slid her arm around Tali's waist and leaned her head against her shoulder. Tali reciprocated the act, her heart beating faster and looked down to find Traynor looking up at her, her eyes curious with a smile playing at the edges of her lips.
"What?" Traynor shook her head and bit her lower lip, bringing up her other hand to touch Tali's hood.
"I just wonder what you're skin looks like and how your hair feels, that's all." For a minute Tali was quiet, wondering what she should say.
"Once we get back onto the Normandy I could show you." Briefly she wondered if she should tell her about the night she spent with Garrus and Shepard, but decided that since it was before her relationship with the human woman at her side she would ignore it for now. Traynor pulled back, worry lining her face.
"Wouldn't you get sick though?"
"Not if it's for just a minute, I'll be okay." Traynor seemed satisfied by that and nodded, happily resting her head against her shoulder again.
"Then I'd really like that."
Tali smiled and grabbed her hand, lacing their fingers together and tugged her towards the rapid transit, brushing away the nervous butterflies that were dancing in her stomach. This was definitely the best date, ever.
(Present – Real Normandy; 5 weeks post attack – Batarian ship)
"How is she?"
"Still comatose but Chakwas and Liara say that her vitals are strong and her body is fighting the infection. I can even see the visible healing of her injuries. She's going to be fine, Shepard," Garrus said, leaning back against his bed and shifting the omni-tool so he could see Eliza better.
In the five weeks that Tali had been out of commission the Alliance as well as the Hierarchy and all volunteers had been able to get the majority of coms working across the major home planets and a few colonies. Hackett had said that they were close to getting a few of the Mass Relays working.
"How're you, Garrus? I've been worried sick and I hate being stuck here while you are light years away, in the middle of space with no way to get home." His mandibles twitched and he sighed, rolling his healing arm.
"I don't think I'll be very useful in a firefight anymore," he looked away, clenching his mandibles close to his jaw.
"You're Primarch now, I don't think you'd have been doing much fighting anyway," she said, her voice softening, trying to light the mood. He glanced at her and smiled.
"Perhaps, but it doesn't make it any better. I've been fighting for Spirits only know how long. It's the only thing I know how to do and not being able to have your six anymore is just-I don't like it." She smiled at him and flashed him her new, shiny rank before bringing the omni-tool back up to her face.
"Hey! Don't forget that I'm an Admiral now and my job consists of zero firefights so I don't need anyone at my six, unless we're in the bedroom and I'm assuming that you're okay in that respect?" He laughed and shook his head. "Do you know how long it will take Liara to crack EDI's encrypted data on the jump drives?"
"No. Liara's been pounding away at it for weeks and hasn't even made a chip in the encryption so we're stuck here until EDI comes out of hiding." Shepard frowned, her brows drawing down over her eyes and turned at Wrex's voice.
"Okay well keep me updated. I need to go. Duty calls," she sighed and the omni-tool shifted at her movements.
"Will do. And Shepard?"
"Yeah?
"I love you." She smiled and blushed.
"I love you too Garrus."
(Present – 10 weeks post attack – Batarian ship)
"EDI?" Tali said, shifting her body as she fiddled with the wires.
"Yes?"
"I know what's wrong." She pulled herself out of the AI core and looked at EDI. The problem was complicated yet simple but she could do it. After weeks of running diagnostic after diagnostic, wracking her brain for any answers and getting so frustrated that she had just about given up, she knew, without a doubt what was wrong and was angry at herself for not figuring it out sooner. "I have to warn you that it will be unpleasant, but once you're back you'll be one hundred percent EDI."
"How unpleasant?" EDI's face crinkled in worry.
"I don't know, but you have to trust me. Do you trust me?" EDI nodded and Tali took a deep breath before sliding into the AI core again.
This was it. It was now or never, she thought and went through the process, pulling here and there, shifting objects and wires then suddenly EDI was gone and she was sitting up in the Med-Bay, gasping and looking around in confusion as Garrus, Liara, Traynor and Chakwas gathered around her bed speaking all at once.
She waved her hands, coughing. "EDI," she croaked from not having used her actual voice in so long.
The lights of the ship blinked off and on, the consoles flickered and the sound of the engines was gone. The only thing left was the sound of everyone's ragged breathing until the lights came back on and they felt the familiar hum of the engines of the Normandy.
"I'm here, Tali."
The people in the room looked up around as EDI's platform spoke and back to Tali, not understanding what was going on.
"How are you feeling?"
"I am perfect." Tali gave a weak smile. "Shall I jump us?" EDI's platform smiled at her.
"How many will it take?"
"With me at one hundred percent and my Reaper upgrades, just one."
"Do it. Take us to Earth EDI."