The Shuttle ride back to the Normandy was full of welcomes and congratulations as the team was re-united and given a 'job well done' speech by their courageous commander. Soon after, the Kodiak docked in the cargo bay of Normandy SR-2 and the spectre and his team began to step out one by one. Aranya clutched her bleeding arm; her purple blood dripping from her hand. She'd been trying to muster the courage to thank Zaeed for catching her before she fell out of the shuttle, but the look on the gruff bounty hunter's face told her that it probably wasn't the best idea, especially since he was still dwelling on her betrayal from more than a decade ago. The former Eclipse Major was the last to step out of the shuttle where Shepard took notice of her wound.

"I expect an explanation from you as soon as you get that looked at," Shepard's words along with his expression were stern. Turning to Zaeed who tried to make for the elevator, he called out, "Zaeed, mind taking your friend to med bay?" Zaeed's stance stiffened; venom in his voice.

"Find someone else to play wet-nurse," he said looking over his shoulder. "Besides, it would be good to let the poison bleed out of her for a while." With that he quickened his pace for the elevator and stepped in with Jacob and Miranda before the doors closed. Shepard shook his head in disappointment, but was also somewhat puzzled. Whoever this Asari was, she obviously had a history with him, and a bad one at that. Thane however was courteous enough to intervene.

"I will see too it that she receives proper medical attention, Shepard."

"Appreciate it, Thane." The spectre replied. Thane promptly wrapped Aranya's good arm around his neck and helped her limp to the elevator.

He could barely overhear her say, "Has anybody ever told you how sexy your abs are?" Chuckling at the asari's words, Shepard turned to Tali and wrapped his arm around her waist, planting a small kiss on her visor as he did.

"You saved my life again, Ms. Vas Normandy," he said softly as he gave her a loving stare; admiring her luminous eyes.

"You have saved mine many times more, I could never repay you, Shepard," she replied, placing her hand on his armored chest.

"Well, I can think of a few ways you could repay me..." Tali watched as he looked up and down her body and gave her a wink. Tali responded with a gasp and gave him a nudge in the shoulder.

"Shepard!" she said, blushing from his gesture. He chuckled and then took on a more serious but still soft tone.

"Before that, I'd like to pickup on our conversation from earlier." Tali felt her heart sink, remembering what she had told him about how she was trying Mordin's anti-rejection drug in order to try and conceive. Dropping her head in shame, she responded in almost a whisper.

"Alright..."

...

"You wanted to see me Admiral?" The seasoned Quarian Marine asked formally. Admiral Han'Gerrel vas Neema leaned over his desk, planting his elbows firmly on its surface.

"Yes, Reegar, I have a matter of importance to discuss with you," Han motioned with an open hand for Reegar to take a seat opposite of him. Kal'Reegar did so accordingly as Admiral Gerrel continued.

"Our scouts patrolling the borders of the Perseus Veil have reported sighting several Geth frigates leaving the system," the Admiral paused for a moment. "I'd rather not take any chances. I would like you to take team of marines and follow them...discreetly, find out what they are up to," Reegar took a moment to inhale the information before responding.

"Permission to speak freely sir,"

"Granted," Han replied rising from his chair.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't have my suspicions, is there a reason this briefing is taking place in your office and not before the Admiralty board?" Han paced around the desk with his hands folded behind his back, taking on an authoritative stance as he replied.

"A fair question Lieutenant, I have not informed the board of the reports. This mission is to not to be on record. I'd rather not listen to Admiral Korris' protests while the Geth roam free in our Galaxy. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Of course sir,"

Gerrel paced back around and took his seat once again. "You'll depart immediately with a squad of marines at your command. Pursue the geth vessels, discover their intentions, and report back. Avoid engagement if possible," Kal shot up from his chair and gave the Admiral a hardy salute before turning to leave.

"And Reegar..." Gerrel stopped him.

"Sir?"

"...Stay safe out there, Keelah Se'lai,"

"Keelah Se'lai, Admiral." Reegar left the office and began his journey to the Neema's hanger bay, ready to take on the mission his Admiral and Captain had entrusted him with. Han sat silently in his office until he heard the marines footsteps fade out of ear reach. He then rose from his chair slowly and walked over to the window to look out into the void of space, whispering to himself.

"What are you up to?"

...

Shepard entered his cabin with Tali following slowly behind. She never lifted her gaze from the floor, wringing her hands the entire time. Shepard walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge of it then motioned for her to come sit next to him. Tali hesitated but found the courage to comply with the gesture and took a seat next to him. Shepard brought his arm around her waist and pulled her close. She made an almost unnoticeable attempt to pull away but found comfort in his embrace. He stared at her with a look of concern as she averted her eyes from his gaze.

"You ok?" he asked softly.

"I...I'm so sorry Shepard..." Tali instantly broke down in tears and threw herself into his chest, sobbing quietly.

"Hey, hey, what's wrong?"

"You...hate—please, Shepard, I'm so sorry—please don't leave me!" Shepard lifted her head back and looked into her eyes while he spoke, the tears almost clearly visible even behind the opaque visor.

"Tali...I'll never leave you..." He brought her in for another tight embrace before pulling away again to gaze into the purple veil that hid her face.

"I'm sorry I didn't trust you with this..." said Tali seeming noticeably calmer. "If you don't want to have—I mean I know raising a child is..." Shepard took her hand in his and brought it to his chest as he curled his fingers into hers.

"Tali..." Shepard inhaled deeply, trying to gather all his thoughts before he spoke his next words. "Nothing in this galaxy would make me a happier man than to have children with you," Tali felt her heart nearly burst from her chest. Was this real? Was it even possible that he felt this deep of a connection with her? She didn't know whether to cry tears of joy, or rip off her visor and kiss him till his skin turned red.

"But..." Suddenly her joyful thoughts came to a pause. "I can't, and I won't do it..." Her thoughts were immediately replaced by fearful suspense. But he wasn't done speaking yet. "...Unless this child is born into a proper family," Tali placed her gloved hand over her chest, feeling her heart rate quicken as Shepard slowly rose from the bed and knelt down on the floor in front of her.

"Family? Is he—oh Keelah!" she thought.

Shepard took both of her hands and laced them together as he held them with his own. "Tali'Zorah vas Normandy..." Tali bit her lower lip as he began to speak. She was overwhelmed with anticipation. "When we first met on the Citadel, when I first looked into your eyes, I felt something awaken in my heart. Something I never knew could exist until I got to know you."

"Shepard..." she said, trying to hold back tears as her lip quivered.

"In the time we spent together hunting Saren, that feeling only grew stronger. I was a fool to not have realized what that feeling was until the day the void claimed my soul. But I was given another chance, I was able to redeem myself. And when I saw you again on Freedom's progress, I knew this storm in my heart was something more than a simple infatuation. When I came for you on Haestrom, your safety was the only thing that drove me to slaughter the Geth colossus, to be bold enough to stand up for you at your trial..."

"Shepard, I-"

"Tali, from then on I knew this feeling was love eternal, unshakable, unbreakable. And now, if you will have me...I want to stand by you forever, through better or worse, and through sickness and in health..." Leaning a little closer to her, Shepard spoke the words she had only heard in her happiest of dreams. "Will you marry-" Before he could finish his most noble and loving speech, Tali pounced on him, shouting as she did.

"Yes, yes, yes!" Shepard found himself on the floor lying on his back. Upon hitting the floorm he lightly hit his head on the cold metal.

"Ow!" he yelped reaching to rub the back of his head.

"Oh Keelah!" she quickly drew back and stammered an apology. "I—are you hurt? I didn't mean-"

"Shh, get back down her beautiful!" His words quickly brought a smile to her face as she knelt down and crawled on top of him. He looked up at her to see her quickly unseal her visor and lean in to give him a kiss with passion she had never expressed before. Breaking away for only a second, he pulled her back in for another, and another. Finally taking a breather to tell her something.

"Tali, if you want...we can keep trying...starting now," he said as he moved his hand down her chest; stopping at her belly. Tali met his touch with her gloved hand and gently squeezed his fingers.

"For you..." she gave him another soft kiss. "Of course," and slowly slid off him and helped him to his feet. Giving each other a loving stare, they led each other back to the bed. Shepard began to undo the straps that held her suits mid-section in place. As the last strap snapped off and the purple cloth that ran the length of her suit fell to floor, Shepard gazed through her eyes down to her very soul and said what was going through his mind at that very moment.

"I love you, Tali'Zorah..."

"I love you, Shepard..."