"Is he going to be alright, Doctor?" the Quarian mumbled quietly, trying her best to appear calm. She had been standing over him for what seemed like hours, playing with her hands the way she did so often when she was nervous. Garrus had left about an hour ago, realizing there was no need for him to hover. Shepard had checked in recently, as well as the new team member, Zaeed. Even Operative Lawson had stopped by; for what reason, Tali wasn't sure. She did know, however, that it had little to do with the Lieutenant's well-being.

"Surprisingly, yes he is, Tali. At the rate he's healing I expect him to be ready for action within a few days. If I had any doubts about where the Lieutenant came from, they're gone now; no technology we have available, even the implants in Commander Shepard, would allow a Human to heal so rapidly. Not after the kind of trauma he endured, at least. He took quite a beating down on the planet."

Tali looked down at the floor, seemingly in shame. "I know he did; he was trying to save me after I did something stupid. I should've been more careful, but I…"

"…Did nothing wrong, dear. You can't blame yourself for something like this. Even Shepard was surprised when he learned the jungle was booby-trapped. You shouldn't blame yourself for anything that happened to the Lieutenant. He made his own choice. And I hardly blame you for not looking down each time you step. My dear, sometime bad things just happen to good people. Oh, and he wasn't trying to save you; he did save you."

Chakwas gave Tali a warm smile, and reached to put her hand on Tali's shoulder.

"Just make sure you thank him when he wakes up" she said with a small laugh." I expect him to be alert soon. I'm going to go speak with the Commander in the CIC; if the Lieutenant wakes up, just keep him in here until I can see him, to make sure he checks out. I don't want him wandering the Normandy until I know he's fine."

Tali nodded and the doctor walked out of the med bay, turning the corner into the elevator. The Quarian pulled a chair over to the Spartan's bed, sitting down close to his side. As she looked at him for only the second time without his armor, she noticed how scarred Noble Six was. All over his body, she could see how much he had been through; no doubt it was from his lifetime in the military. Tali didn't know too much about his past, but she did know he "joined" his galaxy's equivalent to the Alliance as a child. Even with how early everyone had to start working in the Flotilla, she had a hard time understanding a child being forced into the military. The Quarians had to fight nature to survive; Noble Six had to fight angry aliens for survival.

She looked back at his face, smiling weakly when she thought of him saving her from that land mine. Tali was still ashamed that she let it happen, but the Doctor's words were at least sinking in. She couldn't account for every possibility, could she? Sometimes bad things just happen. And while she sat there remorsefully, pondering her relationship with this Human, she finally realized something: he was important to her.

Tali had spent her entire life dedicated to the Flotilla, never once considering her own happiness. She still didn't, not really. She was always worried about others first. But for the first time in her life, she realized what she wanted. Or at least, what she wanted to try. And this tall, pasty, scarred Human was the one she wanted to learn more about. Someone she could be selfish with. If nothing else, he could be a great friend to her.

That was something she was willing to try.

Author's Note:

Despite popular belief, I'm actually still alive and well.

I am very sorry about the long wait for this update, and that's why this chapter is so short. I have the next piece planned already, but felt I needed to get something out ASAP.

For all of you still willing to deal with me and my inability to keep to a schedule, thanks.

Suggestions are always welcome. I am always happy to get a different perspective on the story.

And as always, thanks for reading!