Garrus was in the middle of his daily calibrations of the ship's weapon systems when Joker spoke over the ship's loudspeaker. "Attention, all critical personnel report to the CIC."

"Awww crap..." Garrus was incredibly anxious, worried that Tali may have spoken to Shepard about their little "encounter." What could he possibly say to Shepard to keep him from freaking out? He leaned over the console, lowered his head and sighed. "Just play it cool..." With that he regained his composure and left the main battery. When he took his first step down the steps into the mess hall he halted and his eyes scanned the room, noticing the many bits of shattered plates, broken glass, and chairs that had been flung around the room. Though surprised by the scene, he still managed to make a joke out of it.

"Why wasn't I invited to this party?" He said. Gardener looked in Garrus' direction upon hearing him speak.

"I'll remember to send you an invitation the next time I'm not being choked by a pissed off Krogan." replied Gardner.

"He didn't like your food either huh?" Garrus commented. The mess sergeant rolled his eyes and shot Garrus an annoyed expression.

"You should get up to the CIC Garrus. I wouldn't wanna be on the commander's bad side." Garrus looked down and shook his head.

"Might be a little late for that..." He thought.

He continued his brisk walk over to the elevator and called it to the crew deck. A few seconds passed and when the hatch opened Garrus nearly jumped out of his armor at what he saw. "T-Tali..." The Quarian mechanic narrowed her eyes and folded her arms.

"Garrus, on your way to the CIC too I suppose?" she said with a evil intent in her tone.

"Y-yeah, but if it's all good with you I think I'll catch the next one." Garrus replied.

Tali pointed to the floor of the elevator beside her. "Oh no...I insist." She said with great malevolence.

"No really I think I'm go-" Tali drew her shotgun and pointed it at Garrus.

"I INCIST." The Turian threw his hands up defensively and gulped as he slowly stepped into the elevator standing beside her. Tali kept her gaze forward at the hatch as Garrus proceeded to do the same. There was a long pause as neither of them dared to look at each other. Garrus could feel the tension as he was carefully taking his time to reach over and push the elevator controls for deck 2.

"This is so awkward..." he thought.

The hatched sealed in front of them and they continued to stand in silence. The Turian did not dare move a muscle, though occasionally directed his eyes in the young engineer's direction. Sweat continued to form around his forehead. The anxiety was overwhelming. His mandibles twitched constantly.

He turned to Tali to say something but before the words could escape his mouth the Quarian lunged at him pinning his back to the wall and held a knife to his throat. "If a single word of what you saw this morning makes it to Shepard, I promise you I will make sure your odds of conceiving are less than a Krogan!" The Turian could swear her eyes turned crimson behind her visor as she hissed the words to his face. "Clear?"

Garrus made a loud gulp and replied "Crystal."

A soft ding was heard confirming that they had reached deck 2 and Tali released her grip on the Turian as fast as she had pinned him and regained her normal stance. The hatch unsealed and the Quarian casually walked out and turned the corner to make her way to the briefing room. Garrus was still in a slight state of shock and seemed to be glued to the wall where she had threatened him.

"I am so screwed..."

...

Meanwhile in the CIC, the team had assembled at Shepard's request. All but Grunt and a certain Turian. Tali happily walked over to Shepard and took her place by his side as he briefed the team. He wanted to make his speech as quick as possible, wanting to avoid any comments that may be said in an attempt to make him change his mind. When Shepard made a decision, he stuck to it till the end. His will was in every since of the word...unbending.

Shepard leaned over the table using to hands to support his weight. "Glad you're all here. Now to business. As you've all probably noticed, our Krogan comrade has been a little on edge lately..." He was trying his best to not make the situation sound worse than it was.

"You can say that again..." Jack said rolling her eyes and rubbing her swelled lip. Shepard paused and shut his eyes for a few seconds. Hard to have a nice day with Grunt's fit and Jack's constant negativity.

Shepard cleared his throat and continued. "I had Joker lay in a course for Tuchanka, where I will participate in a duel with Grunt."

The entire room fell silent and Tali gasped as she turned to Shepard. He returned the gaze to her then back at the rest of the team and spoke. "Now this isn't exactly official business, but it needs to be done. We'll be passing Illium on our way there and I've booked rooms for all of you plus any non-critical personnel desiring R&R. If you want to, we can drop you off while I get this matter settled and come back to pick you up once we're finished." He didn't expect his crew to follow him on this one, after all, even to Shepard it felt like a waste of time.

"Pffft. You're not the only one that wants a shot at lizard head's ass, I'm stayi-" Jack started.

"You on the other hand don't have a choice in the matter Jack." Shepard retorted.

"Fuck... tch, whatever..." Jack stomped her way out of the briefing room in a fit of anger, not bothering to wait until the commander had finished.

"All who want shore leave, speak to Yeoman Chambers and she'll register you as on-leave. Dismissed." Shepard finished.

The team dispersed, all but Tali who had stayed at her love's side. "Shepard do you even know what you're getting yourself into?" It bothered him even more that he was making Tali fear for his life, even though he was fully confident that he could win. He wasn't expecting the worst from this whole ordeal.

"Barely, but I think I'm the only one strong enough to give him the battle he wants." Shepard said as he brought her hands together in his.

"You know he will not stop until one of you is dead Shepard!" Tali had hoped that after destroying the Collector base she wouldn't have to worry for his life anymore. At least, not until the Reapers showed up.

"I know, but it's either this, or let him run wild all over the ship." he replied softly.

"Shepard you can't do this, you promised me nothing would happen to you!" she exclaimed.

"And I keep my promises. Trust me, I don't plan on dying again..." He said making an attempt to embrace her before she backed away.

Tali directed her gaze away from Shepard, pulled her hands away from him and stormed out of the room. "Tali wait!" Shepard ran in to the hallway to try to catch her but was stopped by Miranda.

"I guess Tali didn't take it too well." she said.

"I don't expect anyone too." Shepard replied with anger growing in his tone.

"Shepard I must protest against this, a duel with Grunt is foolish. One or both of you won't be coming out alive in this. I'd recommend simply leaving him on some uncharted world." Miranda suggested.

Shepard raised his arm pointing at Miranda. "Grunt is still part of my crew. I would never abandon him, or any of you for that matter."

"But you'd rather kill him and possibly yourself in some feeble match just for his pleasure?" She retorted.

"I didn't say I was gonna kill him, I'm hoping it won't come to that." He replied. Miranda paused and turned around to leave the hall when she stopped and spoke while keeping her back facing him.

"I hope you know what you're doing Shepard." Miranda then continued her pace and exited the hallway to the armory.

Shepard's next thought was to catch up with Tali and try to apologize for the mess he would soon be in, but decided against it. She needed time to wrap her head-err helmet around this.

"I won't leave you Tali, not even in the next life..."