Shepard and Tali just stood in his cabin holding together. Oblivious to time and surroundings. Finally quarian broke the hold and cleared her throat.

"I think you should get you out of this armor John" Tali was still shaky.

"Yeah...wanna help me? I think I got hit in the arm and it'll be hard" John smiled pointing at hole in his pauldron.

"Kheelah! You're hurt! When you got hit?!" Tali freaked out.

"Relax Tals, I'm good, just little stiff with left arm. I'll go to Chakwas later." John ran hand along her veil like he would with her hair. "Still up with helping me with the armor?"

He pointed her hands where to push to unclasp parts. He was always fascinated with her three fingered hands. It felt so different to hold them. So nice at the same time.

Now Johnn stood there in underarmour only. Tali managed to turned her eyes from him. "Get dressed I'll wait." She muttered. John quickly jumped out of undersuit into his jeans and t-shirt. Without telling anything he just walked up to her, and hugged her from behind.

"So, have any plans now Tali?" John rested chin on her shoulder smiling.

"John! Uh...I don't know. It's all so much to process" Tali turned around to him sliding from his hands and wringing hers. John grabbed them.

"You know I always founded cute when you did that..." Shepard chuckled again.

"Kheelah..." Tali blushed so hard she felt wave of heat on her face.

"I know it's a lot. I'm still little shaking." Shepard pulled Tali closer again. "But I think it's more from joy now, than from nerves"

"I guess I can say the same." Tali replied.

"Come sit with me Tali." John led her to his comfy couch and sat her in his lap. They just sat there, holding each other, drifting away in their thoughts. Calming down as they organized mess they had in their heads.

/.../

"Damn, this was a damn farce, I'm telling you 'Sumi" Max was sitting with his asian girlfirend in the medbay. Kasumi was to stay overnight and then she was free.

"Yeah...That was dirty move to play..." Kasumi replied angered on how Tali was to be used by her own people. She was kinda like sister to her so she felt it personally.

"And not in a fun-dirty way." Max tried to calm down little thief.

"About dirty playing...Why didn't you told me what really happened on Tuchanka?" Kasumi's voice was sharp.

"Exactly because of what is happening now..." Max saddened and looked down. "I was so worried that you'll think that I'm a monster... a killer who's just masking as a good guy. I know how it is...Always the same for me. All good until I slip. Then I'm called a liar and...this happens." Max felt tears in his eyes. "I couldn't stand it Kasumi! I've been cheated, lied to and stabbed in the back too many times...Then I've watched how woman I loved died in my hands!" Max looked at Kasumi ignoring tears falling down his face. "I care for you. I really do. When I saw you got hit...I've lost my shit, I wanted to end this. I didn't thought about anything but to make them pay for it. All that time I had only one thought in my mind - Either you survive this or I don't want to!"

"Stop!" Kasumi whispered crying. She reached to him with her arms. He reached for her and they held tightly, sobbing. "I couldn't bare losing you 'Sumi" Max whispered to her ear. "I love you too much."

Kasumi's heart melted at it while her brain frozed. She felt a lot for Max but...Was she in love? It's still new to her. So different even comparing to what she had with Keiji...But wouldn't she agree on that date if she wouldn't have faith in Max? Would she flip out so hard about what he did and that he lied about it? Evidence was here. Him breaking in her arms. Like she was in his before...

"I love you too William" Kasumi whispered and kissed him. Once they parted they both looked on eachother. Tears, scared and emotional stares...two people afraid of losing what little good they just found.

"I'm sorry Kasumi. I shouldn't lie to you" Max spoke.

"I'm sorry too. I just...care for you."

Max smiled and started lightly laughing. No mockery, just genuine happy laugh. "You have no idea how much it means to me koichii" Max kissed her painted lips again.

"Maybe you'll tell me then?" Kasumi chirped happily. She felt at ease now. Little excited and happy that this crazy ride continues.

"How about we have another night out?" Max smiled wider.

"Think you can pull same trick on me twice?" Kasumi laughed.

"The principle would be similar...But nothing else" Jester winked.

"Mmmmm I think this would clean your slate with me...For now" Hooded japanese girl smirked.

"So it's ok? Once we dock somwhere nice, we're having like...a second date?" Max asked.

"Yeah...I'm starting to like them"

They got themsleves back in order when doors opened when Shepard walked with Tali.

"Hey guys!" Kasumi welcomed them. There was something new about them. They both were...flustered?

"Hey Kass! Doc's here? I need little patch." John pointed at his arm.

"That bosh'tet was hiding a bullet wound!" Tali shooked her head behind him. She couldn't believe how good everybody here was at hiding emotions. She was close to burst with hers.

"What is that commotion in my bay?" Karin walked into room holding a cup of tea.

"Hey doc. Feeling like patching me up quick? Got grazed by geth back on the Fleet" Shepard shrugged with one arm.

"Sit yourself Commander and we may proceed. Max, Tali would you mind leaving for some time? It's getting crowdy here." Karin in her usual maternal manner kicked unneccesary guests from her sanctuary.

As Max and Tali walked out and waited outside the doors, Jester noticed quarian wringing her hands.

"You okay Tali?"

"Y-yes of course! It's great actually!" She chirped.

"It would be 'good' if it was just for the trial..."

"Shepard saved me from another trial. Admirals tried to exile me again for using Cyclonic Barriers on the Normandy, but John found somwhere ancient tablets containing quarian history! He just pulled them out of the bag and told Admirals to get off me or he'll destroy them!"

"Hardcore Logan...Told ya he would do something like that for you... He would burn whole galaxy for you Tali." Max was ready to lay it plain fo Tali if his brother didn't have the guts to do it. But then he noticed. 'John' Tali said...

"I know...I-We-" Tali stuttered and silenced.

Max looked at her closely and smiled. "You both made a little confession finally?"

Tali blushed again. Hard. "I-"

"That's great Tali. I'm happy for both of you. But it's about damn time! I thought I'm gonna have to do it for you guys!" Max smiled wide. "I'm sure this'll be good for you. Rough at first but you'll iron it out. Just stay true and follow your heart. Both of you."

"Thanks Max. I'm sure you'll be fine with Kasumi too." Tali tried to repay for this praise.

"I hope so. She's more than everything I could wish for, so I'll do my best." Max sighed.

"This is still a lot to process..." Tali muttered.

"You think so? Tell you what, get comfortable with Logan, 'cause he's staying with you no matter what. Only downside of the whole deal? You're gonna have to meet our mom."

"WHAT?!"

"Hey, don't freak out! Not like now but one day...Logan is in better position anyway - a revered hero brings talented machinist...While denied infiltrator brings anti-social hooded thief. Thank Odin our mother is considerate and forgiving woman..."

"I'm still lost here Max."

"What? Quarian don't have that custom? At some point, humans present their significant others to their parents. It's not like it's obligatory. Just a show of respect and chance to show off, make good impression and all that. It's not like he'll suggest it tommorow. Perhaps never if you're against it."

"No I'm not... just it's all new to me..."

"Don't sweat it. You're just started the good stuff. We're still on a mission. Take whatever you can. Enjoy and seize every day." Max smiled.

"I will, thanks Max."

"My pleasure. I'll be doing the same anyway. With a smile on my face!" Jester laughed.

/.../

John walked out of med bay and ordered EDI to go to the Citadel. Screw the Council, whole team needed some shore leave...And he needs some time with Tali.

"Hey, bro. Let's chat" Jester motioned at John.

"Tali left?"

"Yeah, I guess it was too much for her. She went to burst all that happiness somwhere quiet." Max chuckled. "Finally things fell in huh? Damn..."

"Yeah, that was tough. I hope that Fleet won't try anything now." John mused at his stunts at the trials.

"I was more talking about our situation. You finally got on with Tali. I just had heart-to-heart with 'Sumi. She was really pissed that I didn't told her initially what I did on Tuchanka."

"She's used to be a keeper of secrets not being out of the loop I take it."

"Yup. But it's good now. Actually we could dock somwhere you know? I should smooth her over with some time together..."

"I just ordered ride to Citadel. Been thinking the same about Tali. Shit, I can kill a thresher maw and save the galaxy but thinking about date with my new found quarian girlfriend...terrifies me." John shivered and walked with Max into Armory.

"And that's why you should be thankful I'm here. We'll think of something. I still have to set up a surprise for 'Sumi. And before she'll be up an' running in a cloak." Max laughed. "After little tweaking of course to avoid repeating I can suggest you arranging something like..."