Author's notes: Hey, all! I did not expect this to become as popular as it had! Thank you all for the support! I wanted to add that I included two Khelish "pet" names in this chapter, that I unfortunately do not remember the fics where they originated. I define them below just in case.

I hope you enjoy reading!

khe'saya: literal, "home of my soul." A phrase spoken only between fully bonded mates.

neh'sah: literal, "the whole." A term used to signify two souls becoming one, whole.

*

"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies," – Aristotle

Personal office of Shala'Raan, PFV Tonbay, January 13, 2185, 12:38 RSC

Her office was cramped, a testament to the tight quarters the Tonbay was know for, but it was a space she called her own. It was a place of business first and foremost where she met with visiting Admirals and Captains or the occasional member for the Conclave, but it also acted as her refuge, her sanctuary against the monotony that were here duties as an Admiral. As illogical as it was, to find comfort in a space where she performed her duties, she found the room soothing. She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath, mechanical humming and whirring filtering in through her auditory receptors. She seemed at peace.

The days events though crowded her mind, in particular the conversation she had just had with the human man who had claimed to be Nate'Shepard. She hadn't trusted the man, death was final, even with significant advances in cybernetics. It seemed that her darling Tali had trusted the man to be who he said he was, her former pilgrimage captain, her first love. A sigh escaped her lips, the woman who she had viewed as her own daughter had fallen for a human rather than a quarian, as was expected of her. She had known of Tali's feelings far before the woman had known herself, the messages sent an indication of her clear infatuation with humanity's first Spectre. She hadn't blamed her it was common practice for quarians to develop crushes and pursue short-term relationships during their pilgrimages, she herself had one with a Turian man for a brief period. To develop feelings for a human though, she understood, considering the near identical similarities mentally and physically that the species shared.

But for these feelings to develop past a fleeting infatuation was rare, even her romance with the Turian hadn't gone beyond physical attraction. Despite the man's pleas for her to reveal her face, and herself, she had remained steadfast in refusing, that was for her future bondmate. She was unsure though on what Tali had shared with the human, the object of her adopted daughter's affections and desires. It was clear that infatuation had escalated far beyond what was deemed appropriate or normal for what had amounted to a pilgrimage crush. It was on the woman's return after the unexpected death of her former captain that Tali's feelings for the man were laid bare. She remembered the presentation of the woman's pilgrimage gift, a normally grandiose occasion however Tali was subdued, withdrawn. The gift was a treasure trove of geth evolution and tactics was well-received, even Tali's father Rael had shown admiration and levied praise on his daughter. In the past Tali would have been ecstatic, thankful for the rare instance of Rael showcasing true emotion, however the woman simply stated her intent to join the Neema and took the next shuttle to her new home.

Rael hadn't noticed too entranced by the prospect of sifting through data, but she had noticed the signs. Sagged shoulders, an emotionless monotone, while the woman's feelings for the man were evident, she had still lost a close friend and was suffering accordingly. She herself had recounted how she had felt in the subsequent weeks and months after the death of Tali's mother. She was downtrodden, barely able to perform her duties, but she had recovered for Tali's sake. But as days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months and the young woman's depression hadn't resolved, the reality had sunk in and perhaps she had refused to believe it. It was clear the woman was suffering from a grief associated only with felz'elt, the death of a close friend was traumatic, but the bonds created between friends were not like those with a bonding pair.

Still, she had naively insisted Tali endure courtship requests hoping that her depression might be resolved in the arms of another. She had made a grave error, causing the woman clear emotional distress. Despite the warnings from her own daughter, Lena and her own bondmate, Garu, she continued, insisting Tali needed the companionship a mate could provide. It culminated in an attack of her mind, of her soul that rendered her catatonic. But still she had insisted on continuing with these requests but had been rebuked roughly by Garu and Lena, forcing her to stop.

It had taken days for Tali to awaken, after which she began sessions with Garu that had shown considerable progress in her demeanor and behavior. Garu hadn't told her what had been said in these meetings despite her pressing, but she had seen the improvement and couldn't deny the results. She still held doubts regarding the true nature of Tali's feelings towards the now supposedly reborn commander, but she trusted in the woman, at least for now.

Her own reverie was broken by a knock on the door, a smile stretched across her face, only one person had the right to interrupt her thoughts, her work. "Come in, Garu," the happiness in her voice quite apparent. She allowed the man to unlock the door on his own, knowing full well that he had the door's override codes.

"Ah, saera, how'd you know it was me?" A teasing lilt in his tone, "I hope I'm not interrupting. I thought you might enjoy an early lunch and some company?"

She giggled at the man. "To your first question, you are the loudest walking person on this entire ship, anyone knows it's you just by listening." A pair of hands clutched his broad, welcoming chest. "Second, no one else dares interrupt me while my door is locked, or even has the codes to bypass said lock." She hummed pleasantly, giving him a knowing look.

"You wound me, Shala. You know that? And here I was bearing gifts," he reached into his belt pocket and pulled out a few nutrient pastes, placing them on the table.

"And I'm grateful, saera, I am. What can I do to make the pain go away?" Her voice was coy, she stood from her chair and walked toward him, placing an exaggerated sway in her wide hips in the short distance, a pair of widened eyes caught staring. She sat in her bondmates lap, making her heel'rou and adjusting herself purposefully against him, placing her visor against his.

"Keelah, Shala…what were you…thinking about when I came in?" The man struggled to form that coherent though and she took the hint, stopping her gyrating. She let out an unsatisfied sigh and reached for the nutrient pastes on the desk and handed one to him.

"I was thinking of Tali, Garu. You won't believe what has happened," she granted the man the courtesy of attaching the paste to his induction port before she continued. "I spoke with a marine today who told me that Tali was injured on her mission, and that they'd apparently taken aboard a human seeking asylum. But none of those are what is causing me distress, Garu. Guess who that human was who I spoke to?"

The man finished his nutrient paste and detached it from his induction port, "what, no concern for Tali? She was injured, Shala, normally you'd be frantic, instead you're fussing over a human asking for a place on the Fleet."

She had wanted to respond, telling him that Tali's injury was a great concern to her, but she let it slide, she needed him to understand how urgent the matter was to her. Her beloved Garu was an intelligent man, an accomplished psychologist trained at the finest universities during his pilgrimage, but he was slow at times. But he knew her quite well, better than anyone and knew how to cater his responses to her based-on shifts in her body language or her tone. It was a matter of seconds before he registered her excitement and shock.

"Shala…" his white-lidded eyes softly staring back at her, "do you mean to tell me that…it can't be him, can it? Is it Commander Shepard? You wouldn't react like this unless it was him or the human councilor himself…" he trailed off, but she nodded slowly and found herself enveloped in a tight embrace. She found herself lifted off the chair, the room becoming a dazzling blur of faint light while her beloved spun her around in his arms.

"Saera do you know what this means? For Tali, do you understand?" He let her drop from his embrace, "show me the transmission, please. I need to see him."

She shook her head, "no, Garu. This man is not him, and I refuse to indulge in this childish fantasy. I am humoring her for now, for whoever that man is helped our marines but once this mission is done, he will not be welcome."

"But Shala, Tali is sure that-" she cut him off sharply, so much so that it nearly made her physically ill. "Enough! I will not allow for these childish delusions to plague her further. I have accepted that she refuses a mate, fine. If she wants to be seen as cold, heartless and unwelcoming, fine. But seeing him in a man who is clearly a Cerberus agent, Garu? Do you understand how ridiculous that sounds? A man lost to the void of space has come back to life? Only to meet her by chance on an abandoned human colony? Do you, Garu?"

The sound of tightened leather and nano-fiber filled the room, accompanied by her own labored breathing. She stared intensely into the man's eyes, but he remained unmoved, arms crossed leaning against her desk. Three-fingered hands adjusted a veil, allowing the uncomfortable silence to continue, it was pure torture, guilt slowly seeping into her consciousness. Before she could offer an apology, he spoke, his voice calm and clear.

"Shala, close your eyes and imagine that the Ancestors welcomed me home. That I suffered a suit breach or was spaced much like Tali's former captain was. The reasoning doesn't matter, just imagine I am no longer with you." She knew he stood right in front of her, yet she felt it, an unimaginable grief at merely the thought of losing him. She fought to maintain composure, but a pain seared at her consciousness, the synapses of her brain causing each nerve to feel as if they were on fire.

"Saera please, I'm sorry, I can't…the thought of you…"

He ignored her, continuing to speak. "The pain you're feeling now, Shala, the mere thought of losing me, imagine feeling that, not for mere minutes but for months, even years without reprieve. The mere mention of my name, Shala sends you into a panic, unable to see me, or touch me. You're left alone, your soul wandering through this life without its other half. But one day, one miraculous day your prayers are answered, your suffering ends and I appear before you. Would you question it? Would you question the circumstances of my return? And how would you react if those closest to you doubted you?"

She knew what he was attempting, and it had worked, she was inconsolable, the mere thought of losing him had brought her to tears. Her eyes had remained closed as he requested but she soon felt his arms envelop her, a sense of relief rushed through her and she latched on to him tightly while he lowered them back into the chair. He rocked her back and forth until she had settled enough to speak again.

"Saera I'm sorry, I am but I can't just let that man on to the Fleet…I need to discuss this with Rael and the other Admirals, and there is also the matter of alerting the System's Alliance of his return, as well as notifying the human councilor. It's all a mess, even if it is him, and we harbor him without letting the humans know…the implications."

He shushed her, sliding his hand behind her veil massaging the back of her neck. "Khe'saya, I intended for you to see it from Tali's point of view, to understand how she felt and is perhaps feeling now. I agree, he may not be who he says he is, but we must trust Tali in that judgment. Perhaps we can offer terms to him, in exchange for asylum. I doubt he would harm us, least of all Tali, Shala. Are there reasonable ones you can present to the others, and even to the human authorities?"

She nodded. "Perhaps a thorough medical examination conducted by Lena and yourself to start, but Daro would need to be involved since it appears there was an extensive use of cybernetics in his supposed reconstruction."

The man sighed causing her to laugh. "Shala that woman would want to tear him apart, and I mean that in the most frightening sense. That woman does not have a conscious, I must advise that the man have a mental and physical examination without being poked and prodded excessively. For his sake, and for Tali's." She agreed, including the potential incident it would cause with the Alliance if their first Spectre had been mistreated in their custody.

"I would also recommend detention, the time frame I'm unsure of, but I imagine Rael will want it to be extensive." Garu shook his head, "Shala, Tali will not allow him to be detained for an extended period. I understand the need for it, I do, I'm not ignorant but if he's returned, she will not leave his side."

"I agree," she cupped his helmet with her hands, "it's why I'll recommend Kal'Reegar to stand watch over him. Who better than our best marine and one of Tali's best friends to stand watch, no?"

She could make out the faintest of smiles behind her love's visor, "I like that suggestion. It would temper her reaction, but saera I must insist that he not be detained forcefully. If he's detained without him calming her, she will lash out. That I can guarantee."

She nodded again, "I agree, but I am wary about all of this. What if he's not Shepard, what if Tali's intuition is wrong? Then we let aboard a Cerberus operative on a live-ship, Garu. And on what, the whims of a lovesick woman?"

He shook his head, "don't discount her so quickly, Shala. I know you're an Admiral, and the Fleet comes first but do not allow that to make you short sighted and doubt her. She would not endanger the Fleet nor allow her emotions to dictate her judgment. I can assure you she is now of sound mind now that he's returned. She perhaps is the sole person able to know for certain if that man is the real Shepard."

She placed her visor on his once more, "I hope you're right neh'sah, I truly do. But I trust you, and I trust Tali, so we will allow it to play out." She paused a bit before adding "I love you, saera. Thank you for your counsel, your love and your patience."

He continued to rub the back of her neck, her heel'rou becoming more pronounced, "and I you, saera." He stopped massaging her neck causing the woman to mewl at the lack of touch, he chuckled a bit at her response. "Come, there's much to be done. I imagine you'd want to take the next shuttle to the Rayya, and I will join you once I finish my appointments and contact a human colleague. I will need references on human psychology if I'm to properly speak with the man. I imagine coming back from death will be a traumatizing experience."

"Of course, finish what you need and gather what is required, Ancestors know we will need it. I will be meeting with the others first before reaching out to the human councilor. I will let him decide who he informs on their side. Who he trusts with the information. I imagine this will need to be kept quiet for the foreseeable future."

She paused for a moment. If it had been found that this man was indeed the late Commander Shepard, he would need to accommodate to life on the Fleet, and that required an environmental suit.

"Garu, before you join me would you be so kind as to reach out to the suit-makers…if this human is to join us, he will need a suit. I don't want to be unprepared, and I trust he wouldn't want to be forced to live on a docked ship, if he's given the opportunity for free movement."

He nodded, turning back from the door "I will reach out to Lena for his measurements. From what Tali told me he was rather large for a human male…" She saw him shake his head, quickly changing the subject. "I assume you want this to be labeled classified for now? At least until he has been granted asylum officially?"

"Yes, Garu. I do not want it known that another human is attempting to seek refuge on the Fleet, at least not yet. Please do your best to ensure that they remain silent." He bowed his head and left, leaving her in silence once more.

She sank into her chair, the object creaking against her weight listening closely to the distant humming and whirring of the aging Tonbay. In a matter of hours, she would reveal to her colleagues that a man that had been thought lost to the void of space had returned, unraveling a series of unresolved contingencies. She leaned back in her chair, she trusted Tali wholeheartedly for the moment after her conversation with Garu, she knew the woman's father would not react in a similar fashion. Then there was also the intricate matter of asylum, which while no formal request had been made by the human man, she knew that if Tali had been injured, he would refuse to part from her, which complicated matters. But she also questioned the man's feelings for her. While she knew Tali had harbored a great love for the man, she had wondered if it had been reciprocated.

It was rare for a one-sided bond to occur, the emotional investment that was required to develop such bonds was taxing, but it happened on occasion. She had known individuals who had suffered from the rejection resulting in levels of grief rivaled only by felz'elt. It was a soul-crushing loneliness, a realization that one's soul was perpetually fractured. And while she had doubted the bond Tali had with the human in the first place she had hoped and prayed to the Ancestors that Tali's soul would not suffer, that it would not spend eternity searching for its other half.

"Oh, Tali what have you gotten yourself into," she muttered to herself, her helmet resting in her hands, not hearing the opening of the door.

"Is everything alright with Tali, ma'am?" It was the voice of her adjutant, Silu'Taamin vas Tonbay, no doubt having just spoken with Garu, if the concern in her tone was an indication. Or maybe she heard her muttering out loud to herself.

"She's fine, Silu. Just injured." The woman gave an inquisitive head tilt, "Admiral, usually when Lena or Tali are injured, even if it's minor, you're frantic. You're oddly calm now…"

She slowly raised her head from her hands, "don't confuse my lack of reaction with a lack of concern, Silu. There are for more pressing issues to address." She raised her hand, "you will find out soon enough. For now, reach out to our mining vessels near Osun, inform them the Apollo will serve as escort."

"Aye, Admiral. Did the Blue Suns walk back on our deal?" The Admiral shook her head, "no, they haven't. But we can't expect them to honor their word, even when established governments don't." Her adjutant nodded, "I will reach out soon, Admiral. Is there anything else I can do?"

"Yes, Silu. Please hail a shuttle, and inform them of my destination, the Rayya. And pray. These next few days will be a trying time for us all." Silu simply nodded again before leaving the room.

She allowed the relative silence to ease her mind, the coming conflict with Rael regarding Shepard's placement on the Fleet was to be contentious. She was not afraid of the man, far from it, but he was tenacious, and she knew he would refuse to offer Shepard refuge. But the human, regardless of Rael's potential arguments, was a quarian citizen, that was not in question. What was in question were the legalities of the situation. The Conclave had granted him citizenship, but the sole way that could be stripped was an accusation of treason, and a subsequent guilty verdict. But the man had no captain, and therefore had no official counsel to defend him, so technically a trial was out of the question. Choosing a vessel, a crew, to join was a right granted to all, and considering that his donations had been considered a pilgrimage gift of sorts, he had earned the right to choose a ship ti live on, to join permanently if he so desired. She knew that was a right he'd need to be granted upon his arrival, regardless of her own feelings or trust in the man, but Quarian law was explicit on the subject. Once he arrived, by their own customs, he'd be allowed to choose a ship and a captain, unquestionably choosing the Neema, Tali's own ship. Perhaps she'd need to invite the Neema's captain to the Rayya…

The questions swirled in her head, causing a dull throb to accompany them, but Shepard's rights were sound. She'd consult with the Speaker of the Conclave on the matter, but she knew he'd acquiesce to the whims of the Admirals. And if she was honest with herself, why would he intervene? Even with a potential Cerberus affiliation Shepard's name was venerated throughout the Fleet, due in large part to his significant contributions and his association with Tali'Zorah, a hero in her own right. To the people, removing Shepard's citizenship without trial, and without a valid reason, was political suicide; ramifications she knew the Speaker would refuse to accept.

Her mind then drifted back to Tali, and to what Garu had said regarding Shepard's potential detention. She thought of possible solutions to avoid such a problem all of which centered on the presence of her closest friends Kal and Lena. But she knew that their presence wouldn't matter if Shepard himself hadn't cooperated. If what Garu had said was right, Shepard would be the only one able to calm her.

A notification from her omnitool tore her from her reverie, alerting her of the arrival of her shuttle. She took what few belongings she'd need for the extended visit to the Rayya and head towards the door, extending her arm to activate the door's opening mechanism. It slid open with a mechanical whir, but before she stepped out, she took one last glance into the empty room savoring the "quiet" that she had come to cherish, soon to be replaced by constant arguments and bickering. Despite that she would fight for Tali, ignoring her own misgivings regarding the situation knowing the woman desperately needed support. She would air her own grievances later, but for now, Tali had her unwavering approval.

She sighed, muttering to herself once more "I hope this was all worth it, child." She paused before turning to exit the room, locking the door behind her, "but I will do what I can to ensure he stays with you and does not leave your side again. That much I promise you…"

Kal's quarters, HFV Neema, January 13th, 2185, 12:22 RSC

The results of the recent training session flooded his terminal, the numbers rolling across the holographic interface with mind-numbing speed. It showcased the performances of the new batch of recruits to the Migrant Fleet marines, each tested to gauge a baseline for further training and the results were abysmal, despite his lowered expectations. He hadn't expected these individuals to be blessed with the circumstances or opportunities that he had with regards to extensive weapons training. For the most part pre-pilgrimage training focused on topics such as first-aid, how to act under interrogation by law enforcement, and the grim subject of avoiding capture by slavers. It had not offered proper weapons training and if it had, it was granted to those whose families were able to afford the excess expenditure. He had been fortunate, as had Lena and Tali, who had received the basic weapons training before their own departures. Tali however had the added benefit of receiving additional combat and weapons training from her human pilgrimage captain, an elite special forces marine, and a centuries old Krogan battle-master.

While he wasn't that fortunate, the training he had received before joining the marines all those years before had guaranteed his inclusion on the roster and had been a boon to his career to this point. But looking at the data he knew that none of these recruits were trained, nor had prior experience with holding a weapon. He hadn't expected much, his expectations were tempered but based on the data it was going to be a long, arduous road to get these men and women into fighting shape. Perhaps he could convince Tali to abandon her engineering duties for a few mornings and afternoons a week, or maybe he could convince Lena to join him.

The thought filled him with an indescribable warmth, his heart fluttering at the mere thought of spending time with her. He shook his head, but he couldn't deny how she made him feel, it was far different than the relationship he had with Tali. He thought about it for a moment, thinking of the closeness that he shared with his closest friend, his sister in all but name. While his bond with Tali had developed into one that transcended typical friendship he hadn't expressed, nor harbored, romantic feelings for her, and to his relief she hadn't developed an attraction to him either. Rather she had told him years before that she had no interest in either him or quarian men in general, to which he had assumed she had meant that she was attracted to quarian women instead. He had no issue with it same-sex bonding's weren't common but weren't a rare occurrence either and therefore each of these bonding's were seen as legitimate, for who were officials or individuals to question the will of the Ancestors in guiding two souls together.

But she clarified what she meant, that she wasn't attracted to quarians but to non-quarians, and he found that he had no issue with that either, feeling thankful that she had been comfortable with him, had trusted him enough, to tell him what might be considered a difficult truth. Attraction to other species wasn't new, even bonding's occurred on occasion, but to be of a member of a prominent clan, the daughter of an Admiral and express such feelings was tantamount to exile. Of course, it was all rubbish, the blathering of racist isolationists, but still the stigma remained, her reputation unfairly tarnished in the eyes of a token few. It was a "secret" he held for years until she returned from her pilgrimage, mourning the death of her late human captain, her open grief causing whispers, but she hadn't cared, and neither had he.

It had been a grueling year and half, but it seemed that she had become better, still gripped by felz'elt but no longer in a constant state of depression. He had done what he could but that tremendous effort, of bringing her back from the brink had belonged to Lena. Her father had assisted but she had been so caring, so loving, placing the needs of Tali ahead of her own to offer her the slightest hope that life was worth living, and it had been, even if it had taken his grief-stricken friend time to reach such a conclusion on her own. Such devotion was what drew him to Lena in the first place, what caused what had been a close friendship to develop into what he had hoped would become something more.

A ringing pulled him from his thoughts, a smile creeping across his face as the name scrolled across his omnitool, a warmth spreading through him once more. He answered the call, a cheerful lilt present in his tone. "Hello, Lena. To what do I owe the pleasure?" She hadn't answered immediately, which concerned him. "Lena, is everything alright? What happened?" Concern now replacing the happiness that had once been there.

"Kal, are you alone? There's been a development, one I'm sure my mother would rather be kept classified until she alerted the proper people."

He knew she couldn't see it but he grimaced, "Lena what happened on that human colony?" He heard a long, drawn out breath.

"Kal, he's back. He saved our lives, he saved Tali's. Keelah, it's so weird saying it out loud, Kal. Shepard is alive. And he's now captain of the Apollo."

He sat in silence for a moment, then his eyes flitted around inside his helmet checking his vitals. His heart rate was normal, his blood oxygen level was normal. No suit punctures that caused a fever-induced delirium. His thoughts settled, his worries about his health dissipated and he allowed himself to react how he had wanted to originally.

"Keelah! He's alive, but how…? Is it really him?"

The thought of her suffering had been seared into his psyche, her wailing, her pleas for the human's return. A raw anger coursed through his veins, the thought of the man abandoning Tali for that long without communication drew an atypical outburst from him.

"What kind of friend does that, Lena? Keelah, was his death faked? How long has he been alive for? Ancestors when I see him, I'm going to be-"

He heard a drawn-out sigh escape the woman's vocal output, a hand gingerly caressing her visor in frustration. A calming sensation flooded through him, his anger now withdrawing into the recesses of his mind for the moment to allow the frustrated woman the chance to speak.

"Kal, that man would shred you. And that's not even mentioning what Tali would do if you even attempted to fight him. No, she's accepted him, even without knowing the entire story, which we will get at some point. He came back but with Cerberus operatives."

Before he could interrupt she cut him off.

"All I know, based on what my father has told me, is that he's the real Shepard, regardless of who he's affiliated with." She paused before continuing, "Kal, she made heel'rou, she was asleep, but she made it. According to my father that only happens when your mate is nearby. So, I assume that means he's not a clone, or an advanced VI. Keelah, he comforted her during a nightmare. It took us hours to do that, Kal, it took him minutes and without resorting sedatives. I honestly don't think a Cerberus infiltrator or spy would take the time to console a distraught quarian."

He let what she had said to sink in, the long-winded explanation slowly seeping through the plethora of questions he still had. But he placed those concerns aside for now, he'd introduce himself to Shepard later, but now it seems that Tali's parters answered. Her other half had returned. It was bittersweet considering the progress she had made in accepting Shepard's death, but it was all façade and he knew it. He knew that she would never be the same, a shell of a person, without that man being by her side. And now, here he was alive and well supposedly.

"Lena, is she at peace?"

It was a simple question, he knew it, but he still felt compelled to ask it, wanting to know how his closest friend had reacted to the sight of her once late captain.

She nodded, "yes, Kal, she is much better." She paused for a moment, "You should have seen her when she realized it was him. Kal, when he spoke Khelish I thought she was going to faint. And how it almost ended, Keelah, a marine almost shot him point blank in the head."

He couldn't hold back the gasp that escaped. The idea that he would die once she had seen him again, he knew she wouldn't come back from losing him a second time.

"Keelah, is Shepard alright? How did Tali react? Please tell me the gen'rosa was detained."

He heard her laugh, a soothing sound to his ears. "I thought she was going to lose it, but thankfully Shepard placed him in stasis and he was detained before she got a chance to do something. Apparently, he lost family on the Idenna, but still, you don't just execute an unarmed man without the facts."

Now he laughed, the idea that a low-ranking marine thought he could intimidate or out muscle individuals of Shepard's or Tali's caliber was humorous. But a certain part of him understood, loss of loved ones tended to cloud one's own judgment during times of great stress. So, confronting a man who had appeared to be a part of the organization who had killed those loved ones, well, he acted within reason.

"Lena, let Tali know I'll talk to the man. Should he have threatened Shepard, no. But I get why he did it. Maybe you should have him talk with your father once you're back, to process that trauma he has lingering still, can't afford him reacting like that in the future." He noticed the woman nodding, impatience visible in her body language.

"I will, Kal, but I wasn't done telling you about Tali's reunion with Shepard. Can I continue, or do you want to be left in suspense?"

He raised his hands, feigning surrender. He had wanted to know how the reunion had played out, but had an urge to tease her about it, he refrained though considering the nature of the topic.

"You're right, Lena, I'm sorry. How did it go after the marine was detained? Did Tali accept Shepard before that or did it take convincing?"

"It took a bit, but once he started talking and asking about her, she knew. It was the saddest thing, he thought she might've died, Kal. Ancestors, the pain he held in his eyes was just…I almost cried, but once he knew it was her it was replaced with a happiness I could only dream of."

He noticed that she sighed, but not out of frustration but one of pure amusement.

"Kal, humans are so expressive. Did you know that? We go our entire lives learning to read body language, becoming adept at discerning each other's moods with it. We go decades without showing most people how we feel with our faces and humans can just…do it on a whim."

He cocked his head to the side. "Lena, what are you trying to say? I'm not following, I'm sorry."

"That man showed a full range of emotions in that few minutes that I only wish I could hope are directed at me some day. There was anguish, sorrow, but once she started talking to him, Keelah, the love in his eyes. She always told me his eyes softened when he spoke to her, a human phrase apparently, and I never knew what that meant but now, I know. He was at peace, and she was the reason."

A comfortable silence then settled between the two. He admired her mannerisms, a subtle fidgeting, her fingers adjusting her veil, he found it endearing. But he knew she was nervous, about what he hadn't known.

"Lena, are you okay?"

"I am, Kal. I was just thinking. My mother had expressed doubts to me about Tali and her grief, refusing to believe it was felz'elt. 'How can she bond to a human,' she said. My father accepted it for what I was right away. I came around to it shortly thereafter, accepting Tali had started bonding to a human, but then I wondered, can humans even bond with us? Do the same changes that occur in our minds during a bonding happen in the human mind? Do they express their love how we do?"

He knew what she was getting at, that Shepard had began the path with a Tali, or what the human equivalent might be. He had to admit he had thought little of what Shepard's own feelings for Tali might be, so focused on her grief. But as he thought about it, he wondered if the man had developed similar feelings for her. It was then he remembered all the conversations he had with Tali about the man, how she had shown him all the messages, the voicemails, the personal vids, all the pictures she had of him, with him.

Each snapshot showed a man with what he now could describe as soft eyes, as Lena had mentioned. He recalled one picture, one that Tali had told him was the last one she had taken with Shepard. The human had a warm smile stretched across his face, his arm wrapped tightly around the woman's shoulders, his head resting against her helmet. Tali herself held the man right around the collar, leaning deeply into his side.

It was after seeing this picture that he understood how much Shepard had cared for her, to the point that he had considered the thought that the human male had himself started to develop feelings for Tali. It had crossed his mind to ask Tali if she had thought Shepard had felt the same about her, had started to develop feelings for her but he hadn't dared to ask her in fear that asking such a question might cause her to spiral further than she had. But now, it was a valid question, leading to a conversation that he had now considered having with Tali once the events of the coming days had settled.

"Lena, are you insinuating what I think you are? That Shepard himself has started to bond with Tali, or at least as much as a human can."

She nodded. "I do. There's something there, and I don't know if he's repressing it or if he's like Tali once was, unwilling to accept that she might feel the same as he does. Look, I don't know him, but I hope to, and perhaps then we can better gauge who is, how he feels about her. But for now, all I know is that he cares deeply about her, and that's good enough for me."

He was about to offer a response, but found that she herself was preparing to speak, so he granted her the courtesy mulling on the response while the light on her vocal output began to glow.

"I think she's waking up, Kal. I have to go, but I will keep you posted on how she is and when we're returning. Shepard mentioned in passing something about my mother asking us to serve as an escort for the mining ships. I don't know, but it's something I should start preparing for, see you soon. Be well."

He offered only a brief nod of his head before she disconnected, leaving him alone once more, the silence now feeling far more burdensome than it had been than before she had called. A dull ache swept through him, a need for her presence that he found that soon became a nagging itch in his mind. He shook his head free of the distracting thoughts, focusing now on the potential arrival of Commander Shepard.

He knew that the Commander's arrival would not be one that was cordial or warm, it was going to be tense, considering the circumstances and his supposed affiliation with Cerberus. There was still obvious animosity towards the organization and Shepard's sudden return would cause doubt to foment, regardless of Tali's vouching of the human war hero. He knew the Admirals, in particular Rael'Zorah, would not accept Shepard's presence in any capacity, the others he was certain would accept him, but with various forms of persuasion. Han'Gerrel, despite his friendship with Rael, could be persuaded if Shepard offered his militaristic expertise, perhaps even helping to train the Fleet's own marines and offer counsel when and if required. Zaal'Koris might rely on assurances that Shepard was willing to be diplomatic, willing to be a bridge between Quarians and the System's Alliance, a proposal that itself wasn't entirely farfetched or unreasonable. Shala'Raan he knew would trust in Tali, offering her outward support but making her own demands, perhaps in a similar vein to Gerrel, requesting Shepard's services as a Captain in her Patrol Fleet. Daro'Xen, well, he wasn't entirely sure.

But despite such hope, regardless of the potential support for the man, he knew each of the Admiral would acquiesce to Rael's insistence Shepard be detained, examined, questioned. But Tali's response to that would be harsh, resolute. She would refuse to accept that Shepard be poked and prodded, potentially harmed, and even isolated after the fact due to her own father's insistence. He realized how, if slightly, he could ease such a response. He'd reach out to Admiral Raan, offer to serve as a guard for Shepard. It was an act that was beneath his stature in most circumstances, but he knew it was what Tali needed, an assurance that Shepard would not be harmed, or be alone.

He would do what he could to ensure that Tali knew that the man she loved was safe. He rose from his chair, gathering his belongings, deciding now was the best time to depart for the Rayya. He was unsure how he would broach the subject with Admiral Raan, hoping he wouldn't put Lena in trouble for broaching what he now knew was a classified subject, but it had to be done, for Tali's sake.

He adjusted his belt and veil, hoping to appear presentable before his inevitable encounter, feeling and hearing a buzzing coming from the omnitool on his desk. He placed it on his wrist and tightened the object, swiping through the holographic interface searching for his messaging application. He opened it seeing an unread message from one Shala'Raan, quickly opening the correspondence his eyes scanned across the message and he smiled.

AdmShala_Raan: Kal'Reegar, I do hope I am not disturbing you, however, I shall be arriving to the Neema shortly. There is a matter I wish to discuss with you that is of great importance. Please meet me in the Neema's docking bay at 1315 RSC. Do not be late, and gather what belongings you require, we will be headed to the Rayya shortly thereafter.

He hastily made his way towards the mentioned docking bay, fingers tapping at the holographic keyboard.

Kal_Reegar: Admiral Raan, it is a pleasure. I will meet you at the requested docking bay. If the matter is of great urgency, we may proceed to the Rayya immediately.

He waited for a reply, getting one almost immediately.

AdmShala_Raan: Understood.

He had made it to the docking bay, now sitting on a bench leaning his helmet against the wall behind him, his eyes staring at the ceiling. He counted the cables, the boxes stored on top of taut netting, finding his mind settling from the plethora of questions and scenarios that had swarmed his mind the call with Lena. While he wasn't entirely sure what would happen in the coming days, he knew he'd offer his undying support to Tali, ensuring that she would not revert back to the grief-stricken woman that she had been for so long when she returned to the Fleet.

Yes, he'd guarantee her happiness even if it meant his own suffered as a result. She would not see those dark days again, of that, he was absolutely certain.