You know guys I realized something; I'm not as good as I used to be. I mean I still make good stories, but I feel like my actual way of telling the story is off. I just think I'm out of practice. Don't worry though, this site is great for practicing and I plan on getting better and better. Now enjoy chapter 5.

Shepard brushed his teeth, the mint toothpaste burning his tongue. Tali was beside him, cleaning her helmet, filtering out the old Anti-biotics, and removing gunk from her helmet. Shepard activated his Omni-blade and used it to shave his face. "You know Shepard; most people just use a normal razor." Tali said jokingly. "Yeah but I'm not most people am I?" He replied. "No, no you're not. For one thing most people aren't dating a Quarian." She said, giggling beneath her helmet. "True." He said with a smile, while also applying shaving gel. They finished their morning rituals and left the bathroom. The fish tank glowed in contrast to the more shadowed room. Shepard and Tali walked to the elevator and pressed the button for deck 3. As they headed down, Shepard glanced back at his girlfriends…ample areas. Tali noticed this and smiled playfully. "As you humans say, like what you see?" Shepard blushed and stared forward. "I have no idea as to what you're talking about."

"Sure you don't, that's as convincing as Miranda's breasts." Shepard gasped in playful shock at that comment. "Tali!" He said in a mock shout. "Oh please we all think that." She said laughing. Shepard just shook his head as the elevator doors opened. The light from the deck nearly blinded Shepard, as everyone was bustling about. Garrus was eating with Mordin, Grunt and Zaeed were discussing weaponry and telling stories, Kasumi and Jack were arm wrestling, everyone was busy with something. Garrus looked over and his mandibles lifted into a turian smile. "Well if it isn't the ships main couple."

"I wouldn't say that Garrus, after all Tali and I don't want to take the spot light from you and Grunt." Shepard joked. They laughed as Shepard and Tali sat across from Garrus and Mordin. "Gardner! Mind fixing up the usual for me?"

"Could you also make me some of that Burger nutrient paste I like?" Tali asked. "Coming up you two!" Gardner immediately got to work as all the non-essential personal went back to their stations. "So Mordin, did you get those analysis' I wanted?" Shepard asked the Doctor. A smile spread across Mordin's face and his eyes lit up like Christmas lights. "Certainly Shepard, never fail to disappoint." Mordin activated a data pad and handed it to Shepard. "Just like you asked, it's all there for you to see." Mordin looked rather pleased with himself as Shepard scanned it. Shepard looked excited, handing it back to Mordin. "Mordin this is great! Send me a copy right away."

"Certainly, good day you three." Mordin got up and walked to the elevator and back to his lab. Garrus had a look of confusion on his face, he watched as Shepard was nearly ready to jump out of his seat. "Um Shepard what was that about?" Shepard smiled and got up on top of the table. "Everyone I have an announcement to make." Everyone turned to the commander, who had a very large, very eager smile on his face. "Now I know we've been busy, Tali buying so many decorations, Garrus nearly killing himself getting a tree, and meeting Santa." They all nodded in agreement and kept listening. "So I thought we could use some R&R. We're going to have some time off to just unwind." Shepard sighed happily. "So any questions?" The room was silent, as Garrus raised his hand. "Yes Garrus?" Shepard pointed at him.

"Yeah can it wait? I got some cali-"

"No Garrus! You cannot go make some calibrations." Shepard pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "I swear to god there is always some calibration." Shepard shook his head and looked up. Everyone had raised their hands to ask a question. "Alright any questions that do not end with, can it wait, I got some work, cleaning, meditation, or anything that doesn't pertain to relaxing?" Everyone put their hands down. Shepard face palmed and sighed. "Okay, I guess you all don't want to go to the Citadel Sauna now do you?" Shepard held up a brochure that had a picture of a rather large facility. At that everyone jumped out of their seats and nearly trampled Shepard trying to look at it. Shepard pushed everyone off of him and brushed himself off. "Geez guys calm down. Now we're going there to relax, after that we're going to go to the Amusement park, then a Museum," Several members groaned as the words left Shepard's lips. He glared at them, not appreciating their attitude. "If you would let me finish, it has a new wing dedicated to our exploits, they said it won't be complete for a while, but they are letting visitors see the portions they do have finished, on the condition they don't mess with construction." The crew perked up at that and silently discussed it amongst themselves. "We have a long day ahead of us, so let's go! Shepard jumped off the table and headed to the elevator. He closed his eyes and then was promptly slammed against the wall of the elevator. The whole crew had piled in at once. He sighed, wondering if he had made a mistake. Once the elevator reached deck 2, everyone ran out, through the air lock, and into the outside of the ship. Shepard groaned this was going to be a long day.

Shepard led his crew through the crowds, trying to keep them from trampling and running over everyone. The light shined through the glass windows, landing on the side of his face. The metal glistening from the beams. Normally he would take the time to appreciate the beauty that surrounded him, but now wasn't one of those normal times; he was too busy keeping a Krogan from stealing a bunch of banana's. "GRUNT I SAID NO BANANAS!"

"Shepard, bananas make me a stronger warrior, they make me better than all krogan! That and they taste amazing."

"Fine but at least buy them legally." Shepard groaned again, he was starting to regret this decision. Finally they reached the spa and sauna. Its sign glowed brightly, The Flotilla Sauna was written on it. "Alright everyone wait out here while I sign us in, Samara you're in charge." Shepard walked inside before anyone could say anything, and proceeded to the register. He checked over the counter but no one was there, not a single soul. "Hello? Anyone there?" He called. "JUST A MINUTE!" Someone yelled back in a synthesized voice. Shepard shrugged and sat down in one of the waiting chairs, this gave him the chance to actually get a look around of the room. It had plain gray metal walls, but there were decorations plastering them. They were ranging from photos of Quarians on the flotilla, to Krogan on the battlefield. Then he saw one photo that really got his attention. It was one of him and Tali when they were visiting the Citadel. He got up and walked over to the picture, getting a closer look at it. It appeared to be that it was when he tried to pose for a fan photo. He smiled and recalled what happened.

"Ooh Shepard! Look they installed a new fountain! And it has fish!" Tali squealed with glee. Shepard just smiled and shook his head at Tali's excitement. They had been here for only five minutes and she was already checking out everything that has changed on the Citadel. He tried to keep up with Tali but she was busy checking out all the new technology the Citadel had to offer. "Shepard look! They even have gerbils! And they're so cute!" She pressed her visor against the glass and just watched the rodents scurry about in their environments.

Okay maybe not…Shepard jogged over to her and leaned over to get a look. There were three gerbils in the tank, a black one with red stripes, an orange one with a tan spot on its back, and a white one.

He smiled and just stared at her, watching her faun over the little cute animals. He felt someone tap his shoulder and turned around. There stood a teenage boy; around 5'2, red hair, brown eyes, and he had a big smile on his face. "Oh my god are you Commander Shepard!?" He smiled and squatted down. "Is there any other?" He said with a cocky smile. "I'm a huge fan of you sir! If you don't mind, can I take a photo?" He said hopefully. Shepard nodded and stood up. The boy's grin grew wider, as if the smile itself was bigger than his face. "Your friend can also be in the picture if she wants Commander."

Shepard turned to retrieve Tali and saw that she was covered in gerbils. "Shepard! These things got of their cages; it may or may not be my fault, but their swarming me!" The Commander said nothing as he laughed at the sheer silliness of what was happening. Suddenly there was a clicking noise and the photo was taken. Shepard had asked for his own copy, and the photo was posted on the extranet.

"You like that photo? I got it off the extranet." Shepard turned around and there stood a female Quarian, she was very tall, she had a red faceplate, with a very slim figure, gold trimming around her hood, and two blue stripes down her torso. "Oh yeah I do, especially since it's one of me." He said with a smile on his face. "You must be Commander Shepard then, you're appointment is scheduled for," The lady checked her Omni tool and schedule. "Right now."

An employee led them down to the room where the saunas were kept. The walls were made of wood and there were ten rooms. She led them to two doors which stood side by side. "Everyone to the door on the right, and wear these towels please. You may change into them in the changing room over there." She explained pointing to the door on the far left. "Shepard as you requested, you get one extra room suited for Quarians." She turned to Tali and smiled under her mask. "You're lucky to have such a thoughtful captain leading you." She said as she looked Shepard over. "And not a bad looking one at that." She said under breath and walked away. Tali was really tempted to hiss at her, but she just decided to hack her computer later. "Gee I wonder why Shepard wanted a sauna room alone with Tali." Jacob said rolling his eyes jokingly. "Hey! Tali needs a special room due to her Quarian immune system. As her captain I must acc-"

"You just want to see her naked again don't you."

"Yeah…." Shepard admitted.

"Not that I mind." Tali said winking. She giggled and grabbed a towel. "You coming my captain?" She said flirtatiously.

Garrus leaned over and whispered in Kasumi's ear, "She's getting braver isn't she?"

"Well she is trying to be sexy for Shepard, she's doing that quite well….that is until he leaves the room then she becomes a puddle of love goop." She says jokingly.

"I can hear you, you know." Shepard said glaring at them.

"We know." The two said simultaneously. Shepard just rolled his eyes and grabbed his towel. Everyone changed and entered the Sauna rooms.

Shepard sat comfortably on the bench in the room. It was a simple room that was styled to look like it was made of wood, but was really made of metal. The benches seemed to be made of a soft material that was made of something that Shepard couldn't name. In the center was a series of tubes that were made to shoot off steam. He was already stripped and in a towel, he was just waiting for Tali.

Meanwhile Tali was attempting to change out of her suit. 'Its easy Tali, you can do this just….damn it how do humans even do this!?' Tali tried hopelessly to wrap the towel around her. "Keelah this is impossible!" She threw it down in frustration and crossed her arms. Give her a broken T-9K11 and she could make it go faster than a Salarian STG stealth ship, but give her a towel and she was worse at putting it on than Grunt and math. She sighed and tried again. She wrapped it around her waist, and then brings it up over her breasts and….she gets confused and gives up. Then she got an idea. She grabbed the towel, wrapped it around her back, and then just held it in front of her boobs. "Perfect." She said unconvinced.

She shifted her waist and tried to make herself look sexy. Trying different poses in which to walk in with. She was so glad Kasumi spent two hours teaching her this; she could final put it to good use. She took a deep breath, walked in biting her lower lip…and that's when her towel fell off.

Garrus sighed in relaxation and let the steam take over, placing his arms behind his head. The crew was in a very large room and the steam was pumping in. He swore he thought it wouldn't relax him, but to his pleasant surprise, the steam seamed to seep into his plates. Thane seemed to enjoy it the most, the water hydrating his arid lungs. Even Grunt was enjoying it, the steam relaxing his muscles. Everyone seemed to just be in peace. "Ah there's only one thing that can make this better," Zaeed said, as he grabbed his towel and ripped it off, revealing his well….endowed body. The crew jumped at backed away from his naked form. "WHAT THE HELL ZAEED!?" Miranda shouted. "What? It's not like we haven't seen each other in the showers, well the guys have seen the guys and the girls have seen the girls."

"Yeah but not everyone wants to see your…admittedly well-endowed body. It's just indecent." Kasumi stated.

"Why should that matter? We all know what Shepard and Tali are more than likely doing back there, so why should it matter if we just leave our towels off?"

"But they're a couple, of course their going to be doing that."

"And don't we know each another well enough and are comrades enough to not be bothered by it?" They all looked at each other, thinking it over. "Hmm I see no problem with that." Samara removed her towel and sat down next to Zaeed. Grunt threw his off next, and soon they all threw their towels off and sat down on the benches. "Oh my god Zaeed you had the right idea, this is fucking amazing." Jack said, moaning with pleasure.

"I must say even I don't mind this one bit." Miranda said her eyes closed.

"You know Zaeed; this was one hell of a good idea." Garrus said, letting his muscles relax. His eyes closed and he let the steam take him away.

Tali could not describe the color of her face. All she knew it was some form of deep deep red. She was blushing hard, almost as much when Shepard first kissed her visor. She covered her face and curled up. She could also hear Shepard holding back a laugh at her shyness. He wrapped his strong arms around her body and held her close to him. "Hey don't be so shy Tali, not like I haven't seen you like this before." He said with a genuine smile.

"I know but that doesn't make it any less embarrassing!" She said her face still in her hands. Shepard cradled her and rested her head against his chest. "You know, you're really adorable when you blush." He cooed. She looked up at him shyly. "Really?"

"Yeah really." He said smiling. "Now come here." He pulled her into a playful kiss, now she was on top of him. She kissed back, her arms wrapping around him. Her boyfriend, her human boyfriend. 'He He, dad would have hated him.' She thought to herself. 'Then again I don't care.' She laid her head in the crook of his neck, her finger tracing down his torso. "Tali?"

"Yes Shepard?" She purred relishing herself in the beautiful moment they were having. "Is it ethically right to have sex with a zombie?" And then the moment was gone…

Shepard paid the receptionist and led his crew out of the spa, although they were all grumpy from having to leave. "Alright guys what do you want to do next? We can go to the Citadel Amusement park, the Arcade, steak house, beautiful gar-"

"HOME!" Everyone except Tali yelled. "What? Why do you want to go back to the Normandy?" Shepard asked confused. "It's only like three and we got plenty of time."

"Sorry Shepard but we are exhausted. That Sauna really takes the energy out of you." Miranda said.

"But…but I had the whole day planned…"

"Nope, sorry Commander but I just want to go back to the Normandy and take a nap." Jacob said yawning

Shepard grumbled and crossed his arms. "Fine." Shepard put an arm around Tali and the crew walked back to the Normandy.

Sorry guys for not getting this out sooner! I went on vacation and my schedule got all screwed up and yeah….sorry. Don't worry I'm back and here is a new chapter in the story of Normandy's first Christmas.