The Citadel's artificial lighting system replicates a late evening. If only there were birds singing and a gentle breeze. I would eat dinner on the porch and enjoy the clean air. That doesn't exist here. I feel sad for the resident's who'll never experience the wonder of real nature. Tali and I are just outside Shepard's new digs. My omnitool ID grants us access. I'm so exhausted I reached for the nonexistent door handle.

Tali asks "what are you doing?"

"Force of habit. Ready to go inside? Ladies first." I gesture her in.

Tali says "My what a gentleman I have. I hate to disappoint you, but we're not actually going to do it in Shepard's home. You know that right?"

A heavy head I wear above my shoulders, lowering for respect of human customs "no. That feels like crossing a line. Maybe we can book a hotel or something after the war. We really should head in. I want to check the sous vide meat and make sure it hasn't cooked for too long."

Tali perks up "Can I eat the dextro poultry early my cherished? I want to eat normally."

"I think you would like the dextro steak better. I don't like sous vide chicken because it tastes sort of raw. It's safe but my stomach says don't. You can try both. Let me see it first. Give me 10 minutes."

I head to my kitchen. My kitchen. I'm cooking, I'm using it, it's my kitchen. First, I turn on a stove burner and let it heat up while I find a small pan. The grocery bag left on the counter contains a small vial of cooking oil safe for both chirality. The main difference between dextro and levo species is the orientation of atoms in proteins. Fortunately, both of our cell membranes, the fatty acids are composed of the same material. I can't use butter because the milk proteins could cause Garrus and Tali an irritated stomach, especially if both of them are lactose intolerant which I expect for Garrus and it's a safe bet Tali is since most non european humans are.

Tali sits across from the island. I rummage through the doors looking for my tools. Tongs for searing. Some people use a special propane torch to sear the meat, but I don't like taking the risk of chemical tastes. I found the forks and knives. I could use a fork, but tongs provide better control. While I have utensils in my hand, I look for the plates. They are in a cabinet near the refrigerator. I give Tali everything she needs. Her visor comes off and I can see those gorgeous gems. I could stand there forever looking at those beauties and would have if the faint smell of smoke didn't take my attention away. Tali looks so excited to eat real food. I grab the dextro pot and bring it over to the sink to drain the water. The meat looks ok. Maybe a bit flakey for my liking. The steaks are seared first. 30 seconds on a high heat for both sides or until it looks seared enough. You have to be careful it doesn't cook all the way through, or it ruins the special texture only sous vide can provide. That is done. Scan to make copies. Scan the poultry before searing to see how it tastes without it, sear, scan, and prepare plates for myself and Tali.

I give the love of my life her plate. Tali fumbles trying to hold the fork and knife. I instruct to cut across the muscle fibers to make it easier for her to chew. Sous vide meat is very tender, but it's good to start habits early on. Tali cuts a small piece, brings it to her cute nose, and takes a Kaiden size whiff. Her moans are getting me worked up. Finally, the big moment. Tali takes a bite and says "I don't like it."

"WHAT!?"

"I LOVE IT! Ancestors this is so AMAZING! Let me try the bird one. Hmm. This one taste good too but I like the steak better."

"I'll try it too." I shapeshift into my quarian body and switch from my environmental suit to a sexy kiss the cook apron. In my human form, I'm over a head taller than Tali while as a quarian, I'm only an inch taller than her. I just discovered something out of this world. Shorter body means food looks bigger! Magically, a plate of the exact same piece of meat prepared by a really handsome human who was just here, pops into existence in front of me. I love how food in the future just does that. Cheers with forks of meat. Tali clinks her fork against mine. At the same time, we chow down. Oh yeah this is good. Of course it is, everything I make tastes good. This dextro steak tastes exactly the same as regular bovine meat. This poultry tastes like quail. Flavor of chicken only more intense.

Tali removes an electrolyte pack from her suit and takes a sip to wash her dinner down. She offers me her spare. I'll take it and try it. It tastes like sea water. Imagine the faintest flavor of Gatorade imaginable. I rather have water because it tastes so different from what I'm used to. Is it melon flavored? I can't distinguish it. I'm not rude and continue to drink it, after I get the taste out with more steak.

A minute is taken to stop and smell the roses. A serene smile creeps on my face. Tali continues eating until she spots me just staring at her. "What?" she asks.

"This is so nice. Sharing a real meal with you." I scoot closer towards her.

Tali puts down her cutlery and leans over to me "I know. We should do this more often. I really like this. Terrific food, light music, a handsome man sitting across from me. Only one thing to make it better."

I ask "What's that?"

Tali smiles before proceeding to initiate a kiss. It lasts for 3 seconds. Her chair makes a scratching noise forcing her to pull back. My heavy eyelids shut to prolong the sensory experience of her lips on mine. Tali's vibrations complement my own so well, I feel bliss when we connect.

The doorbell rings. There is only one person that can be. I have to pull away. Tali hurries to finish both our plates while I take my sweet time walking to the door. More doorbell rings. Not even knowing it will work, but I need the annoying energy out of my system, I yell "I'm coming I'm coming Source!"

I press the button on the panel above the light switch that will allow me to communicate to whoever it is on the other side. "I have a gun, who is this?"

"It's Shepard. Are you and Tali finished?"

I glance over to the kitchen and see Tali putting her visor back on. NOOOOO! The day is coming soon where we can enjoy nice normal evening at home.

"Yeah, thanks to you. What do you want? If you're selling girl scout cookies I'm only opening for shortbread."

Shepard replies "Can I come in?"

I ask him "why should I let you?"

Shepard says "Because I own this apartment."

Fair argument. But these days you have to ask.

"How do I know you're not a clone of my former best friend?"

"*********!"

Hahahaha that was the reaction I was hoping for. I open the door for the Commander and welcome into my humble abode. It's my ABODE! Tali and I just made homey abode vibes. It's our abode. The tired Spectre enters the apartment. He's tired and hungry. Shepard looks imposing from down here. Is that what he looks like staring down? Why does Liara like that? Wait a minute… How do I look to Tali?

Shepard tells me "You're going to want to change back. Everyone is waiting for me to give them the all clear signal. Did uh… are you and Tali finished?"

Tali shouts "yes and his meat was the best thing I've ever tasted!" She totally did that on purpose.

I can't help but chuckle "Unfortunately she is being very literal. Come on in. I'll start finishing dinner. I'll set out snacks and need to finish one last thing." I proceed to the dining area and manifest the party platter. Bowls of assorted chips and crackers. Vegetable trays with sweet mini oranges and watermelon slices. Tali has to remind me to transform back into a human. I quickly do then I'm about to head to the kitchen when my intuition tells me to stop. I bend me knees to get close to eye level with Tali.

"Sweetheart, Do I look handsome to you when I'm looking down at you?" I stand back up.

Tali pats my butt "you always look handsome." Damn right.

I click my ankles with the feeling only validation from a beautiful woman will give you and proceed to finish searing the levo meat. Javik and Ashely curiously look at the plastic bags of meat in the warm water.

Ashley says "That doesn't look appetizing."

I tell her "I know which is why I sear it."

Javik says "This preparation method is interesting. As if a cross between cooked and raw meat. Tell me glowing one, does this destroy nutrients like other forms of heating?"

I tell him "Supposedly it's the meat equivalent of steaming vegetables. Only a little is lost. Which is one reason why it tastes better. What do you prefer?"

Javik says "Raw. More nutrients and do not have to spend time cooking as that is time wasted not fighting indoctrinated."

Ashley asks "what about the parasites?"

Javik blinks "Does your body not eliminate them?"

Ashley answers "No. Humans have to cook otherwise we'll get sick."

Javik says "Your ancestors did not normally have that problem and if they did, they'd starve them."

Ashley asks "how would you know?"

Javik says "I was briefly stationed on Earth to bury a beacon which has not been found. I walked among your ancestors for a short time to hide from Reapers. Shining one, what is wrong with her?"

I said "I know what he is talking about. A Lot of humans actually have nutrient deficiencies. You can tell by looking at their eyes. The soft tissue provides a glimpse into their biochemistry. Glossy bright white eyes and prominent black rings around the irises are indicators of good health. Also, bright pink nail beds which women unconsciously cover up with paint if there are not. Anyways, uh the idea is having more nutrients provides a better environment for your cells which bolsters the immune system. It's why I rarely get sick and if I do, the symptoms are less severe, plus it makes it easier to fast which supercharges the immune system even more which is why I survived matriarch flu. Thank you pine pollen."

Ashley asks "weren't you vaccinated as a kid?"

I remind her "Asari weren't around when I was a kid. We didn't even know about alien life."

Ashley says "Oh yeah. I can't imagine what that must have been like. Thinking you're all alone."

I tell her "It was normal life."

Javik asks "what causes their corruption?"

I answer honestly "I don't know. I heard pesticides leach vitamins and minerals, or maybe farmers don't let the soil recover, maybe something went wrong with domestication of crops or alcohol chelates it out. That would explain why babies had a much higher survival rate before humans starting farming and it steadily dropped as humans advanced."

Ashley explains "For most of human history alot babies died. So much as a paper scratch could lead to an infection and kill you."

Javik screams "how did your people survive with those levels of degradation? Your early ancestors healed quickly when injured. Could they not feel the hollowness in their bodies?"

Ashley asks "what?"

Javik says "the sensation your body produces urges for more until your stores are satisfied. It doesn't go away until you do."

I tell Javik "most people don't realize it and distract themselves from it. Careers, purpose, religion, drugs, whatever to fill the hole."

Javik utters "It is a miracle your people survived."

"Enough talk. Let's eat." Head count. Myself, ash, Jay, three steaks. Kaiden, Cortez, Shepard, Liara, seven steaks. Joker, Taylor, Mordin, 10 steaks. Grunt and Wrex. 20 steaks. Make loads of copies and equal amounts of chicken breast just in case. Set everything on a cookie sheet, leave out salad, and everyone can grab their share.

I grab some celery to go with my food and take a seat next to Tali. Garrus comes find us and asks where his food is. I tell him to wait for everyone else because we want to see his reaction. One by one the room fills with happy people. Everyone loves the steak. I get a few comments asking if the chicken is safe to eat. Yes, it is and there is no hard feeling if you don't want to eat it. I understand if the unusual texture is too much. It's fun watching the krogan eat. To them it's practically chicken nuggets. Now that everyone except our resident turian has a plate, I pretend to go to the kitchen to get Garrus food. Visualize delicious dextro meat and bring it to G-man.

Garrus stares at his food. Unsure what to do.

James asks "Is something wrong? Are you allergic or something?"

Garrus says "No. Turians are supposed to eat meat raw, but a bacterium causing food poisoning at our meat processors are a concern for us, so we cook, although it makes it unappetizing. I'm skeptical this will taste good."

Taylor says "It's really good."

James says "Yeah. I don't even have to add hot sauce which I add on everything. Wait, do we have hot sauce?"

Garrus slowly picks up the knife and the fork. His large reptilian eyes examine at the little cutting tool wrapped in his talons. He starts cutting into the steak. He brings the piece close to his mouth. The cautious turian stops. His mandibles are moving in a way I have never seen before. He's giving himself a pep talk. Garrus tightly shuts his eyes, quickly forces it into his mouth, slowly chewing. I wait in anticipation.

Garrus's jaw relaxes, opening his eyes. "Not bad he says."

"Try the bird. Wait, is that insensitive?" I ask.

Kaiden asks "would that be cannabalism?"

Wrex says "Nah this is more a human eating a chimpanzee."

Shepard says "Don't put that image in my head when I'm eating."

Mordin says "I thought that was considered a delicacy in human cultures."

Garrus says "I'm not a bird." Garrus smells the dextro quail or whatever it came from. His eyes dilate, his mandibles twitching. The turian tries it and…

He hovers his head above the plate. Furiously tearing apart his meal faster than he can chew. It's easy to forget turians don't have lips as the juices fall from his mouth onto the remainder of his dish. It's actually kind of gross. We all watch with a weird feeling of curiosity, horror, and a bit of disgust. A third of the original amount remains. Garrus shovels the rest, munching down like a dog. Barely having enough time to taste before swallowing. He turns for me, ordering for more. I'm hesitant to do so. Garrus scans the room, witnessing our shocked faces to his eating habits. Even Wrex is disgusted, and I've seen him eat spaghetti only using his fingers.

The evidently starving turian wipes his face, returning to civilized dining. "I should have warned you how turian eat our prey. Its instincts. ********* that was the best thing I've ever eaten. I am begging you to show me how you cooked this. Whatever it is… I NEED IT!"

"I-I have more if you'd like. All it is really cooking in a temperature-controlled water bath. Super simple. Your mandibles are twitching again. I'll prepare a plate, but if you are going to eat like that, please do it in the kitchen."

"Deal. Guys I'm sure what you saw was very strange to your culture but that is normal to my race. ********* kitchen now."

Frightened, I respond "yeah."

Garrus excuses himself from the dining table, the moment he walks past me, i let my jaw drop. That was insane. Silently, my lips mouth 'can you believe that." The collection of freak out vision balls share what they are feeling with me. Garrus calls my name. When a hungry bipedal 7 ft tall alien wants food, I better not keep him waiting.

I don't think I'll be eating chicken for a very long time. Garrus absolutely devoured them. The noises I heard nearly made me throw up. I feel horrified for Scott if this is what he has to watch every night assuming he ends up with Vetra. When he is finished, Garrus sets his plate in the sink and pats my arm before proceeding to sleep it off on the couch.

Dinner for everyone else ends about 10 minutes later. Kaiden and Cortez holding hands thanks me for cooking. The two lovebirds set up a projector for the live biotic ball match. Tali, Taylor, and Liara bring me the dishes. Taylor says "here you go."

"Nuh uh. I cooked. Someone else cleans the dishes. Fair is fair." I said.

Tali volunteers "I'll do it." Love her to death.

Liara offers to teach Tali how to operate the dishwasher. She asks Tali to put the soap in a special box which she retrieves from under the sink. Liara instructs Tali to put the plates in the bottom racks and drinking glasses on top while she scrapes the food off.

Tali asks "why are you doing that? Won't the dishwasher remove it?"

Liara says "the dishwasher sterilizes everything, but we still have to remove the food beforehand."

Who knew watching a blue chick and a violent gal doing chores would be such an experience. I observe and wait for the highlights. Liara accidentally knocks a cloth off the counter and squats down. Tali bends down to put something in the utensil bin. Yes, take your time. Men designed it to be on the floor for a reason. Tali says "hey this is kind of fun." Please, Liara, encourage her. I hate washing dishes and I love seeing this.

Shepard stands next to me, seeing what I'm seeing. Entranced like myself. My instincts are delayed before I snap myself out of it and block his view. Need to change subjects.

"When is the crucible finishing construction?"

Shepard said "It should only be two more weeks. It's hard to believe the end is coming close. I want to throw one last hurrah before… whatever will happen. I'm going to invite everyone. Jacob, Miranda, Jack, Thane, Samara, Kelly, even Zaheed. It'll take them a few days at least to get here."

I reply "That sounds like a blast. How do you feel about it? The finale is coming up soon. What do you think you'll do afterwards?"

Shepard thinks "I never really thought about it. Ever since I met you, I've been on this crazy ride. I guess I'll continue living my life with Liara and see what happens. Maybe retire from the Alliance."

I say "Really? You don't want to stay in the service and become an admiral?"

Shepard says "I haven't decided. I'm still pissed for neglecting the colonists being abducted from the collectors. One step at a time. What do you want after this?"

"I made alot of progress on myself these past years with your help. What I really want to do is have a normal low stress life with a girl who makes me happier every day."

Shepard asks "do you think you'll be able to handle civilian life?"

"I worked so hard my entire life, overcame too many obstacles, fought off every kind of attack imaginable, conquered my senses, and built myself to my fullest potential just to have a normal life. I'm going to have it and enjoy every moment of it."

Shepard says "I wish you'll well. You deserve it."

"Yeah… I do. It's coming… I know it."

Shepard asks "will you keep in touch?"

"Always."