The elevator descended to deck 3 with Shepard inside. He leaned his back against the elevator wall and shook his head. Everything had gone down hill ever since he accepted that mission from the Illusive man and brought the Reaper fragment aboard his ship. That one mistake that he couldn't help but feel responsible for in some way, seemed to be the odd domino that would cause the rest to tumble. Sending them into an unfortunate chain of events. Legion's abduction, the recovered Prothean DNA, his bonding with Tali, and now if he wasn't careful, his plans of uniting the Migrant Fleet with that of the rest of Citadel space against the Reapers. He was flooded with burdens.
A soft ding and the elevator hatch slid open allowing its occupant to step off onto the crew deck. The usual banter that came with the crew members in the mess hall eluded his ears. He found it to be empty with the exception of Dr. Chakwas at her terminal in the meb lab, and Gardner cooking something with a rather inviting aroma in the kitchen; most likely a dinner meant for the ceremony for the crew members that were unable to eat the dextro foods of the quarians.
"Commander!" Gardner waved him over. "Good to see you. How's Mrs. Shepard doing?"
"She's not exactly a Mrs. yet, Gardner, but she will be." Replied the Spectre.
"Never too early to get used to saying it, commander. I always knew you'd end up tying the knot with a nice young lady like her." said Gardner.
"What gave you that impression?" asked Shepard.
"It's the natural order of life, commander. Like magnets, we're always attracted to our opposites. You like shoot, she likes to tinker. You're bold, she's timid. Together you form both halves of the puzzle and fit together perfectly. Without the other, your just half a heart." Gardner explained.
Gardner's words brought a smile to Shepard. It was moments like this that reminded him of how dependent of her he really was. That if anything were to separate them, he would surely crumble like a building without a foundation. "Thanks Gardner. That mean's a lot to me."
"Don't mention it. By the way, you wouldn't happen to know how many relatives Mrs. Shepard is gonna have at the wedding would you? I need an idea on how many to cook for." said Gardner.
"You plan on cooking for the crew and over a dozen quarians by yourself?" asked Shepard.
"Cooking for the crew is the hard part. One thing I've learned from Tali is that quarians need less sustenance than we do. It won't take much to satisfy them." said Gardner as he threw diced spices into the boiling pot.
"I'll get back to you as soon as I know. Carry on sergeant."
"That's what I'm here for, commander."
Shepard headed through the corridor to fire control, remembering his purpose for coming down there in the first place. Upon entry he noticed Garrus at his usual station most likely running...dare he say "calibrations." The tall Turian turned rather quickly from his terminal looking flustered.
"Commander, something you need me for?"
Walking over to the bench and taking a seat he replied, "Just here to ask a favor of you Garrus, a big one you might say. Everything OK?"
Garrus sunk his head. "Um yeah. Everything's fine..." Shepard simply responded with a puzzled look followed by a brief pause.
"Actually..." The Turian started. "Well, I kinda need a favor from you too. It's about my mother. I spoke to my sister, Solana, a few weeks ago and apparently things have taken a turn for the worst."
"You never told me you had a sister." said Shepard.
"We haven't spoken since I quit C-sec. But things are different now. My mother has been very sick for a long time. Corpalis Syndrome. It's a neurological disease similar to huntingtons in humans only the neural decay is quicker and...there's no cure..." Garrus explained.
"Is there anything that can help her?" asked Shepard.
"That's where you come in. The Salarians recently developed a promising experimental treatment at the Helos Medical Institute. But the cost of the treatment is more than 10 years of what my C-sec salary was. Now I know we're supposed to be modest with the funding we've collected from Cerberus, but this may be her only chance. I just can't let her suffer anymore Shepard..."
"Garrus, I'll gladly help pay for your mother's treatments. It's no object when it comes to family. I just wish you'd told me this sooner."
"I was going to but my pride told me I should find a way myself. I've exhausted every other option. Thanks Shepard. I owe you one."
"Tell you what, help me with my favor and we'll call it even."
"It's not one of those 'if I don't make it, take care of my wife' favors is it?" Garrus asked.
Laughing a little Shepard replied, "You'll be relieved to know it isn't Garrus. I'd like to have you as my best man in the ceremony today."
Garrus rubbed the back of his neck in slight embarrassment. "Best man? Shepard...I-I don't know what to say..."
"Just say you will, Garrus. It would mean a lot to me." said the Spectre.
"Well...I'm honored Shepard, I really am. But I must humbly decline." Shepard was surprised if not a little disappointed by his answer.
"There a problem?" he asked; puzzled.
"No, nothing. I just think that honor belongs to someone else. Someone like...Joker. Besides, I kinda did see your fiance naked that time. That can't be good luck for any wedding." It hit Shepard at that moment. In all his time aboard the Normandy, Joker had always been there. He pulled them out of suicide missions that no other pilot in the galaxy could hope to. He saved the Normandy from Collector control weeks earlier. Even when he awoke after being resurrected, Joker had not abandoned him. Yes, Joker deserved this show of appreciation.
"You're right Garrus. I can't believe I just forgot about him like that. Thanks." Shepard held out his hand which Garrus took and gave a strong handshake.
"Any time, commander. I should get back to tweaking the cannons. See you at ceremony?"
"At the ceremony, Garrus." Shepard took his leave and headed to the helm to offer Joker a most deserved title.
"Halt! No one is allowed to board the shuttle without proper clearance." A single male quarian guard stated to the Asari that approached.
Aranya stepped closer to him while swinging her hips sensually. "Now is that any way to treat a lady? Are you sure we can't work out a deal?"
The guards tone grew erratic. "I-If you cannot present me with the proper clearance then you have no further business here!" The guard flinched slightly as she came within inches of his visor and began seductively tracing her finger down the center of its glass.
"Really? Well then, how about we discuss other forms of...business." With a swift tug, Aranya yanked the guards oxygen supply tube out from the back of his helmet causing him to cough raggedly and collapse to the floor unconscious. She then quickly reconnected it and ran her omni-tool over him to check his vitals. A moment later Zaeed came running down the corridor and leaned down to observe the unconscious quarian.
"He better be alive, love!" he threatened.
"Relax gramps. He'll be out for a while but otherwise he's as alive as it gets." replied Aranya.
"Good, then lets get aboard before his pals come to check on him." With haste, Aranya stepped over to the docking hatch and bypassed the lock with her omni-tool. The hatch slid open seconds later and the two ran inside; Zaeed taking his place in the pilot's seat with Aranya as the co-pilot to his right.
"You know you owe for this right?" said Aranya.
"My ass! After that stunt you pulled 15 years ago? No, we're even now darling..." replied Zaeed as he scrolled through the haptic interface and powered up the shuttle's engines.
"When are you ever gonna let that go, hon?" Zaeed turned to her, giving her a venomous glare. "Whatever...grouch..."
"Shuttle 213, you are not authorized for launch. Transmit clearance and purpose for system start up immediately." Came the voice of a male quarian operator. Zaeed and Aranya glanced at each other for a brief moment before Zaeed responded by retracting the docking clamps and simultaneously hitting the thruster ignition sending the shuttle zooming away from the Neema.
"Shuttle 213, return to dock immediately or be charged with-" Zaeed hit the mute silencing the voice of the operator.
"This better be worth it, love. I'm risking a lot trusting you again." snared Zaeed.
"I promise you this deal is legit. Besides, soon as we take that bastard down, we can go our separate ways and you'll never have to worry about me ever again."A silence filled the cockpit. Zaeed glanced at his former lover in the corner of his eye and wondered: Was this really her trying to make up for past mistakes and earn redemption? Or was this simply another chance for her to sell him out to earn another quick cred? Regardless of which way the situation turned, Vido would die. With, or without her help.
"With respect sir, I demand to know why my monthly psychological evaluation has been moved up." said Kal; hands clasped behind his back.
Han leaned forward in his chair resting his elbows on his desk. "A...source has given me reason to believe that your current mental state may have been jeopardized as of late. Therefor, I took it upon myself to reschedule your appointment."
"I assure you sir, my mental state is combat functional. I don't need to be pried open by a shrink." said Kal.
"I believe otherwise Reegar." Han replied just as the office door slid open revealing the form of Elan'Shiya stepping through. "Dr. Shiya is one of the most revered psychiatrists in the fleet and has offered her professional opinion. She believes you are indeed troubled. I'd like you to give her your utmost cooperation and submit yourself for an interview."
"Thank you Admiral." said Elan bowing slightly in Han's direction before turning to Kal. "Kal'Reegar, please do not see this as a means of discrediting your ability to perform your duty. We only wish the best for your body and mind."
"Admiral I must protest! This is but a waste of her time as well as mine!" Kal retorted.
"Squad leader!" Han shouted and stood up quickly. "I do not wish to make it an order, but if I must I damn well will!"
Kal quickly took a step back and dropped his head. "Sir, my apologies sir."
Elan walked over to Kal's side and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Please try to understand Reegar, the Admiral has provided his personal attention for your well being. You are a valued soul and soldier not just to the fleet but the Admiral himself. Please...do this for yourself."
The room became dead silent. Han and Elan both waited with anticipation for his answer. It seemed the stubborn marine was dead set on his refusal. Nearly a minute passed before a reply came.
"Where and when do you want to do this?"
"Tomorrow. My office. 1300 hours." Kal slowly turned and walked towards the door. "You made the right choice Reegar." said Elan just as the door closed behind Kal.
Tali was nervous. Their time, their celebration, their time to be bonded for life until the day they finally meet the ancestors had finally come. Just minutes and she would be walking down the isle of the plaza with her soon to be husband approaching from the other side. The feelings she experienced could be compared to that of a joyful lucid dream. She wondered if it was a dream; wondered if she would unknowingly wake up from this moment that felt too genuine to be real. She hoped she wasn't. She couldn't wait to marry this man. But at the same time, her happiness was mixed with anxiety but about what, she did not know. Shepard has mentioned a human term to describe the feeling. What was it...cool feet? She began to wring her hands as an outward expression of her nervousness. The soft voice of her aunt who had been helping her dress the only beacon to guide her out of the storm in her mind.
"Child, what are you so nervous about? You look absolutely stunning! Just like your mother." Realizing where she was at that moment, Tali stared into the large mirror in front of her and looked upon her suited self, clothed in a beautiful, transparent violet robe that fit over her suit perfectly. She had forgotten that Shala had been dressing her as she drifted into her frivolous thoughts.
"This feels wrong auntie. Being treated with royalty that no other Quarian alive has ever experienced." replied Tali.
"Nonsense, you must not be afraid to act lady like on the day of your bonding. Your father would sweep you off your feet if he could see you now." responded Shala.
"I seriously doubt that. He would be more likely to execute Shepard in public. You really do have a habit of speaking of him mildly, Shala." said Tali.
"I could say that you have a habit of speaking ill of him, Tali. Rael would have never done anything to upset a moment such as this especially for you." replied Shala.
"I just wish...he could be here...with mother..." Tali sunk her head, holding back tears as Shala stepped closer and embraced her tightly.
"He is here, child, with your mother. They're both watching you together in the hands of the ancestors and they both want you to be happy." Shala broke the embrace, holding her adopted niece gently by her arms. "This day, this moment is for you; for all you have sacrificed for the fleet. This is your reward."
Tali smiled beneath her visor, sniffling slightly to imprison the tears that so desperately yearned to flow from her eyes. "Now let us pray together and thank the ancestors for this most joyous moment. And due try to calm yourself, child. I'm sure Captain Shepard cannot wait to be bonded with you."
"Jesus, chill out commander. What are you so nervous about? You're not going through an uncharted relay with a bunch of aliens with a big ship waiting to blow you apart ya know. Just getting married."
Like Tali, Shepard was experiencing the same nervousness about the bonding. Unlike her though, he wasn't used to wearing a suit all the time. Being wedded to the woman he loved in his armor was more or less humiliating.
"You ever been married before Joker? Try it sometime. Hell, maybe I'll walk you down the isle to EDI and see how nervous you are." said Shepard with a chuckle.
"Oh you're so hilarious." Joker took on his best impression of Shepard and said, "Oh look at me, I'm Commander Shepard. The man with the hardest ass in the galaxy and silaris plating for balls. I can kill a giant human Reaper with one bullet but I can't get married without a cripple to walk me down the isle." Returning to his normal tone he added, "Yeah, I'm the one who had to fly the Normandy away from an exploding base with the fires of hell on my ass."
Shepard smirked and rolled his eyes. "I guess you have me beat there, Joker. Maybe I'll buy you a round next time we hit up Illium."
"Straight up, and don't you forget it! But in all seriousness...I'm really happy for you, commander. Congratulations." said Joker.
"I appreciate that Joker. Though it sounds strange coming from you." said Shepard.
"Awww, don't gimme that mushy, emotional stuff. I gotta admit. I never thought you'd end up with a Quarian, not like Tali anyways. Don't get me wrong though, she's pretty hot in her own little way. Can't complain about the hips or the a-" said Joker with a smirk.
Shepard turned and glared at comical pilot. "Joker."
"Alright, alright! I'm done. Keep your grenades strapped." Both suddenly heard what sounded like music muffled from beyond the room. They both knew exactly what that meant. A male quarian entered the room a moment later.
"Excuse me Captain Shepard, they are ready for you." Shepard nodded to the quarian and took a deep breath as Joker came to his side and the two proceeded out into the main corridor leading to the plaza where the ceremony had just began. The music became louder and louder the closer he came to the plaza. As he came into the main plaza, he was truly awestruck at what stood before his eyes. The room was brightly lit. Various cloth of many colors woven with Quarian patterns adorned the walls. On each balcony, Quarian musicians played eerie, yet soothing soothing music that seemed to capture the nature of the essence of their race. Female quarian dancers gracefully twirled a translucent piece of cloth in each hand as they danced around the walking path in a way that closely resembled ballet with a slight hint of belly dancing. The Normandy's crew as well as Tali's friends and family both made up the majority of the attending crowd.
The music picked up slightly causing the human to direct his gaze forward. On the opposite end of the path, the dancers parted revealing what he could only describe as an angel in the flesh. Tali approached with the most dazzling violet robe he had ever seen. Shala followed closely behind her. Even from the short distance that separated them, the two could still clearly sense the passionate fire that was building in their hearts. This was truly happening. The distance between them quickly closed until they came within arms reach and took each others hands. The two then turned and walked down the steps to the center of the plaza and approached what he suspected to be the quarian version of an alter. Shala and Joker halted on opposite sides of the steps leading up to alter and both kneeled while placing both hands over their chests; the crowd followed suite.
The couple arrived at the foot of the alter and both sat down on their knees. The music suddenly halted and started again a few seconds later in a softer tone. Tali then began the Quarian tradition of expressing vows in their sigh language. She had explained to him that because her people could not see the emotion in each others faces during a bonding, they had deemed it more appropriate to say them using their bodies; a practice taken on several years after their exile from Rannoch.
Tali began moving her hands in a variety of swift motions that symbolized each word that came from her very soul; ending with her hands resting on her chest. She then locked eyes with him and allowed him to begin with his vows; slightly nervous that he would forget the lessons she had given him. Her fears were relieved as he started with the first series of hand signs with as much precision as she had shown. After displaying the final symbol which represented unity, he too rested his hands on his chest. The music halted altogether as Tali extended a small tube from her belt. Now it was time for them to link suits thereby finalizing their marriage. Shepard slowly extended a tube from the belt of his armored suit and connected it with Tali's. A quiet hiss followed as the air in their suits became synced. They had done it.
The entire crowd arose with thunderous cheers. The couple however, seemed unware; becoming lost in each others eyes. It seemed as if reality itself had slipped away and had been generous enough to leave them their own little world with nothing but the love they shared. Tali'Zorah, would now be forever known as Tali'Shepard vas Normandy nar Rayya. Wife of Commander John Shepard vas Normandy.
In a most unexpected turn of events, the rooms lighting suddenly turned to a flashing bright red and the alert sirens began to sound. There were gasps among the crowd as well as the newly weds. Han'Gerrel, who was among the crowd, quickly summoned his omni-tool.
"Admiral Gerrel to the bridge, what the hell is going on?"
"Admiral! We've detected a Geth dreadnaught at the edge of the system! It's powering weapons!" replied the distressed Neema's Captain.
Running through the crowd, Han made his way to the center of the plaza. "Shala, we need to get to the bridge now!"
The star glowed a sapphire blue, illuminating the pitch black interior of the hidden Cerberus space station. The Illusive man sat content in his chair and felt confident that his plan would succeed. A soft beep sounded from the arm of his chair and with a few taps of the keys, a holographic display appeared before him with two words that brought him a smirk.
"Target Terminated."