After a successful mission saving Daniel from Cerberus base and from committing suicide. Daniel had to spend time in doctor Chakwas' medical bay so she could take a tissue sample from his skin and start a research for an antidote that would reverse his transformation. Legion promised Daniel not to leave him anytime he could be there for him. Liara was taking care of Javik's injuries caused by Daniel in the Cerberus base. Tali and Veetor remained in the engineering deck and Shepard was talking to the counselors.
"We've heard what you accomplished, commander Shepard. Cerberus is past and we have free hands to deal with war." Said the salarian counselor.
"That was not me but one of my crew… counselors, what happened to Udina? We haven't heard a word from him."
"This matter is quite complicated, commander. It appears that Donnel Udina was collaborator with Cerberus. We found his private communications with the Illusive man and obviously he had a great overview about your crewmember Daniel Husk." Said the turian counselor.
"We believe that Udina was planning this so he could profit from obtaining the information about project Soma. Fortunately, that project will never be used as we understood." Added the asari.
"What is with Udina now?"
"Dead. Once we found him, he was accused of treason, cooperation on organized crime and for attempt to start an intergalactic war." Explained the asari.
"Actions caused by Udina as counselor made his punishment even worse. He was executed." The salarian completed.
"Is there going to be new human counselor anytime soon?"
"We have contacted David Anderson and offered him his previous post. We will expect his answer and hopefully he will join us." Said asari.
"Commander, before you go. We owe you an apology." Started the turian.
"Apology?"
"Yes… Palaven has been compromised by a Reaper attack. Turians gave detailed description and Reapers match to your description. The annihilation process has started."
"We have already made an agreement with council races. You have full support of turians, asari and salarians."
"I'll try to talk to other species willing to fight against the Reapers."
"Good luck, commander." The turian counselor said and vid-com was switched off. Shepard wanted to go and check on Daniel in the medical bay. The door opened and Shepard saw Dr. Chakwas sitting next to the bed while Daniel was sitting on there.
"Shepard." Daniel said and others turned towards him.
"Daniel. How is your transformation doing?" Shepard asked and Chakwas stood up, walking towards Shepard.
"I took a sample of his tissue, Shepard. That transformation seems to be stopped, but I cannot make an antidote with my abilities. We will need a help with this."
"Who comes up to your mind?"
"If we're lucky and Mordin is alive after the attack on the Citadel, maybe he could help us."
"Just being curious… what will happen if we don't give Daniel antidote?"
"The transformation will rapidly take over his body, converting him into a husk, physically and mentally." The doctor explained and Daniel with Legion looked at each other. Legion quickly stood from his chair.
"Shepard-commander!"
"Yes, Legion, I know… we'll go to the Citadel. I think we also need a time to rest. There was a lot to deal with." Shepard suggested and everyone gave him nod in sign of acceptance. Shepard made his decision and the course was set to the Citadel. In the meantime, Garrus worked in the main battery on calibrations of the Normandy's firepower. Soon he was invited by one member of the crew. Tali'Zorah came from behind, clearing her throat to let Garrus know she was there.
"Ah, Tali. I'm sorry I didn't notice… I'm-"
"In the middle of some calibrations, I know Garrus. Shepard's got on his table written how many times your said that." Tali said and Garrus laughed at that point.
"Really? Oh, I guess I must have pissed Shepard off then!"
"What did you want from me, Garrus?" Tali asked and Garrus shut his console off and faced her.
"I've been thinking, Tali."
"Thinking? About what?"
"About our upcoming mission. Reapers have invaded Palaven, my home planet…"
"Oh, Garrus that's… horrible. I'm sorry to hear that."
"You don't need to be sorry, Tali. You didn't cause anything." Garrus took a deep breath, "See, we've been through a lot together. We've met on the Citadel, I saved your ass along with Shepard and Wrex and you helped us defeat Saren, then Collectors and on the suicide mission I started to realize that it is getting more difficult with enemies. We're going to encounter Reapers and I don't know if we're going to make it out alive, Tali."
"That doesn't sound like you, Garrus. Usually you put on the 'Let's kick their asses, Shepard. Just like old times!' face. When did your self-confidence die?"
"I do that just so Shepard can be sure I'm there to fight. Honestly, I have my concerns and I think it's the right time to tell you in case we won't survive…" Garrus said and walked closer to Tali, "I want you to know that with you on board, there was a sense in fighting. I want to be with you, by your side, on the battle field to make sure nothing will happen to you." Garrus explained and Tali slowly took both of his talons.
"Garrus, I love you too." She said it first. Garrus was about to say something, but his faceplates rather slid back to their normal position, "I never had the courage to say that because there were other things to do, but now when there's only you and me here, and that you were about to say that… yes. I am glad I can say that I love you."
"Are you sure you will be fine with this, Tali? I mean… I know that you quarians have problems with your suppressed immunity and I really want this."
"I want this too, Garrus, believe me. Don't worry, when I find a way how to boost up my immunity I will come right to you," Tali took Garrus' talon and placed it on her mask, "Because I want this the same way. You deserve to feel my skin and I want to feel my skin against yours. If we're going to die in this war, I want to have a sex with you… maybe go further and have children."
"Heh, I don't think I'd make a good dad." Garrus chuckled and looked back at Tali, "But if that'd be your wish, I'll do it for you." Both of them smiled, looking into each other's eyes. Meanwhile Daniel and Legion were together in the life support room and Daniel wanted to draw. However, he noticed Legion was holding something in his right hand.
"What is it, Legion?" Daniel asked and Legion looked to the right hand, giving Daniel the data pads. When he took them, he could see pictures.
"I saw what you were doing and I thought that I could try it too since I discovered that this platform can express emotions. When I tried to define it, I found a word art." Legion explained and Daniel smiled at Legion's attempts to draw. Legion wasn't very skillful in this because his drawing of galaxy was more dice and angular than a smooth curve but Daniel didn't mind it.
"Yes, art. But art is also music, dance, literature… art can also mean that what you created is unique and amazing."
"Can this be considered as art?" Legion asked and Daniel smiled.
"I like it, Legion. I like it because it's yours and that it shows you want to try to be like organic. It's not a masterpiece of art. It really looks like you're new to drawing but I don't mind it."
"Can you teach me?" Legion asked, his faceplates opening in excitement.
"Teach? What you mean?"
"I see my drawing is more linear and it's not as smooth as yours." Legion said and Daniel spread his legs on the chair.
"Ok, Legion. Have a seat, I will coordinate your hand." Daniel said and Legion sat between his thighs, pressing the human back to the armrest a little. Once Legion's buttock met Daniel's sex organs hidden under the uniform, Daniel could feel an explosion of hormones coming from his reproductive system. Daniel leaned his head against Legion's shoulder so he could see his hands.
"Isn't that uncomfortable for you, Daniel?"
"I'm fine, Legion. Take the stylus pen in your right hand." Daniel said softly, almost in relaxed way. Legion picked the stylus pen in his right three-fingered hand, "Now, I saw you are not at drawing curves. Drawing curves means that you let your hand move freely, not maintaining one direction like drawing line. Just let your hand be free, don't make points or peaks." Daniel said and Legion started drawing without thinking about drawing a line. His Geth precision still told him to keep drawing a line.
"It still has edges."
"Ok… let me lead your hand." Daniel grasped Legion's right three-fingered hand. Legion was sensing how firmly Daniel held his hand, feeling like being protected and wanted. Daniel was moving with Legion's hand randomly, creating curves of various looks, "Now I'll let your hand go. Try to continue and don't think of directions." Daniel said and after a while of random doodling, he let Legion's hand go. Legion was successfully drawing curves with random directions. He couldn't believe it himself.
"I can… I can draw a curve!" Legion exclaimed and Daniel smiled. His joy was interrupted as he started drawing edges again.
"Never mind, Legion. Now… let's make a new page. I want to show you something." Daniel took Legion's wrist again and on the new page he was drawing. The drawing was simple but it was a symbol.
"What is it? It is curved but it has peaks too? Is that an art?" Legion asked curiously, suddenly feeling how Daniel's hands closed around Legion's belt and head resting on Legion's neck.
"It's a symbol, Legion. This is a simple drawing of heart. It's not anatomic though. This heart has different purpose. When humans draw this heart, it usually represents love and when I drew this, I wanted you to know that love can be expressed with drawing as well. I love you, Legion." Daniel said and Legion stared at the heart with curiosity. He placed his hands on Daniel's, holding them on own belt.
"I love you too, Daniel. Thank you for being with me."
"And thank you for saving me from solitude, Legion." Daniel thanked Legion and they remained together for a long while. If there was something Legion relied on, it was Daniel who was like a guide to him and helped him in wide world of emotions which replaced world of algorithms and logical assumptions.