"I can't take all the credit although." Came Shepards voice from a view screen on a desk, it was the day of the Victory Ceremony, the event was being broadcasted galaxy wide over the extranet. "All of my crew, my friends played an important role, and I could never of done any of this without their support" The view screen then went blank and a breath of smoke filled the now blank space, a cigarette was then extinguished in the ash tray beside the blank screen, by a figure sitting in the shadows.

The Illusive Man switched the view screen to transmite a message, after entering commands into the console the view screen flared back into life, it showed the image of a slim white human female in a Cerberus officers uniform.

"Operative." He said, acknowledging her.

"Sir." She stood to attention, she knew the order was about to come.

"It's time we set our plan in motion. Being Project Zorah." He stated clearly.

"It will be my pleasure sir" Her reply was cold and full of malice.

The Illusive Man ended the transmission, he pulled out a new cigarette and lit it. Smirking to himself as he took a draw.

. . .

After the transmission ended, Operative walked over to central command console. She started to review the mission details for the final time, everyone in the room had heard the message and had started making final preparations. One officer was reviewing the schematics of the Alliance Vegas Plaza, a large Alliance recreation strip where the ceremony was taking place."Our target must be of great importance for Operative wanting to snatch her from under the noses of the Alliance. I almost feel sorry for her, I wouldn't wish Operative on anyone."

He glanced over at the stern women, and felt a chill. Everyone in the room feared her and with good reason, no one knew anything about her. Even her name was unknown, just like The Illusive Man she went by her codename "Operative", the only thing people knew is that she's the black hand of Cerberus and that she was utterly ruthless and without mercy. Even towards Cerberus personnel, she shot the last guy who worked at this console in the back of the head, for needing to use the restroom. "And were setting her loose on this Tali." Just then her voice broke his line of thought as she spoke over the intercom.

"This is Operative to all squads. Commence operations."

. . .

Shepard collapsed into the seat next to Tali, sitting at a table with the rest of his friends. "Remind me to never save the galaxy again.." Shepard sighed and rubbed his face. "Facing everyone like that..."

"Keelah don't remind me... I never want to remember today... and that advice you gave me.. it didn't work at all! Bosh'tet!.." Tali pouted.

Shepard chuckled to himself. "What advice did he give you then?" Garrus asked with a smile. "Imagine them with no clothes on?"

"Ha, yeah and covered in chocolate no doubt." Joker added.

"That sounds about right Loco." James said, barely lifting his head of the table.

"I.. err.. that may of... that is basically.. boy, it got hot in here.." Tali said quietly.

The guys laughed and went back to thier drinks. "You boys can be so mean, don't worry Tali, use girls stick together" Ashley said.

"Oh, erm thank you lieutenant commander Williams." Tali said

"Oh come on Tali, I know this is a formal ceremony, but you're here with friends, can drop rank." Ashley said smiling at Tali.

"Thanks Ash.. by the way.. how much longer is this ceremony going to last?"

"Well.. let's put it this way Tali, it will be another 300 years before you return to your homeworld." Joker smirked.

"Keelah.." Tali sighed.

"Don't worry Tali, im sure we can sneak away at some point." Shepard said cheerfully.

"I feel.. odd" EDI blurted out.

Everyone looked at EDI, then looked at the 5 empty bottles of asari vodka.

"Errr EDI.. did you drink all that yourself?" Liara enquired.

"I did not wish to waste it." EDI replied, her words were slightly slurred.

"This may be a erm.. stupid question... but are you.. drunk EDI? Tali asked, her head tilting slightly to the side.

Shepard turned to look at Tali. "And how much have you had to ask that?" Shepard said grinning.

"I adjusted my subsystems to simulate the effects of the alcohol so I could fully appreciate the festivities." EDI replied before resting her head on the table.

"That's my girl, think we'll need to get you of home soon. Your going to have one hell of a hangover." Joker laughed.

There was a round of applause in the plaza as a politician finished his speech only for another one to take his place on stage. Everyone around the table groaned.

Tali leaned her head on Shepard's shoulder and looked at him, she felt his hand touch her leg and stroke slowly, she let out a low moan that only Shepard could hear. He smiled down at her, he was giving her that look that she had been waiting for all night. They locked eyes and she grasped his arm with her hands and giggled softly. They were interrupted by the sound of chairs shuffling she looked up to see that most people in the plaza had got up, and were proceeding to other areas to carry on the festivities.

"Finally" Garrus said, "That's all the politics out of the way, now the real party can begin."

"Ohhh that means they will be showing the screening of the latest Blasto movie" Ashley added. "Whos coming?"

Both Garrus, Liara and James said they would and headed of together to the screening after saying good bye to the rest of the group.

Joker then helped EDI to her feet. "I think I should get EDI back, you know, before you simulates vomit over me." He smiled down at her, "Think she misses the Normandy, we've not been allowed on it for the past few weeks, apprently they are adding some surprise upgrades for us."

Tali got up with Shepard, he had his arm around her waist. She loved it when he could show his affection in public for her, sometimes she wish she could take off her mask and just kiss him for all to see, how much they loved each other. "I'm errr... going to head to our room... but I need to.. erm do some stuff before you come.. so can you.. maybe give me about half an hour?" Tali asked Shepard shyly.

"Oh? Well ofcourse I will Tali.. i'll try not get too impatient" He teased.

"Thank you... this little Quarian... has a surprise for you.." She teased back, she gave him a hug and pulled away slowly to head to thier room, making sure she wiggled her hips as she knew he was watching.

He smiled as he watched her walk away then turned to Joker. "I'll give you a hand getting EDI home then."

As Tali walked away she bumped into a waiter while lost in thought. "Oh, sorry"

"Thats ok miss."He replied, she nodded at him and carried on walking away. The waiters hand moved to his head and activated his ear piece. "Tracer placed."

. . .

Tali had been in her room for about 20 minutes and was fitting the last bits of her suit back on, her mask was the last bit she had to reattach which was laying on the side. She had to take off her whole suit for the surprise she had planned for Shepard but he was worth it and hopefully he'll enjoy what she did for him. She heard her door unlock and open, she didn't turn round to look but guessed it could only be Shepard.

"Keelah Shepard, few minutes earlier and you would of ruined your surprise" She giggled and picked up her mask, she could hear footsteps moving silently towards her. "Guess he thinks he's going to take me sneakily from behind, well I'm ready for you"She thought to herself as she placed her mask back on. "No headstart for you.. your going to have to work for it" She teased seductively then turned round to face him.

The last thing Tali saw, was the butt of a rifle racing toward's her eyes and coming into contact with her visor.