TITLE: The Highwayman

PART: 5, A Single Drop of Rain

Epilogue

AN: I wrote this part for me. Tali deserved a happy ending. All my ME characters get a happy ending. The song at the end of the story is an old song by Grand Funk Railroad. Heard it on my way to work this morning. Perfect lyrics. Enjoy, but don't let the fluff bunnies get'cha.

"Or I may simply be a single drop of rain

But I will remain

And I'll be back again, and again and again and again"

Tali'Zorah, the poor little 'Fleet girl, turned admiral, turned grieving widow — for this is how she thinks of herself now — stands alone on the mesa she once stood shared with Commander Shepard so many months ago. In her hand is the rock he gave her the first time they were here.

Except for the child in her womb she no longer has a fixed identity for herself. Torn between leaving earth or staying with her own people, the Admiralty made it easy for her by ordering her to accompany them back to Rannoch.

She's forbidden, by the physicians — a few of whom are Geth — to work in the Admiralty, do physical labor, to become stressed or remove her suit. Tali had gained some freedom from her suit, now she is trapped in it, just as she is trapped in her grief and the memories.

A drop of rain falls on the rock and she rubs her thumb over it absentmindedly. Then another splashes on her faceplate. She raises her face to the coming storm and fantasizes that Shepard is here with her. The emotions, which are so close to the surface these days fall from her eyes, wetting her cheeks.

John, I'm pregnant. It's a boy. Now, tell me how to live without you?

Quiet footfalls below the mesa where Tali stands. In a few more minutes a man appears above the edge and walks toward her. Tali chooses to ignore the tall quarian and wishes people would just leave her alone.

"Tali'Zorah vas Normandy...Admiral. Forgive my imposition on your meditation. May I speak to you? I am Iain'Ciobair vas Shellen," he said, introducing himself formally in the language they shared.

Why are you speaking to me. Go away! She screams in her mind and turns her back on him.

"I've waited a long time to be speak to you. I'm glad you survived. Your father must be resting easier too."

"You knew my father?"

"I worked with him for many years on the Alarai. He spoke of you so often, I feel I already know you."

"You don't know anything about me." She is cross and upset and her back ached. Who was this stranger?

"Your hair is black, your eyes are blue, you enjoy turian chocolate and you like to dance. And… you've been crying. Probably still grieving over the death of your Commander Shepard."

"He wasn't my, Commander Shepard!"

"You're right about that. He was a man with a great purpose in his life. Men like him often aren't allowed to live a normal life. He was probably lucky to have you for the short amount of time his destiny allowed."

Her voice comes out in a sob and her shoulders slump. The tears and a grief which knows no end begin again. "I just wanted a little more time."

He stood silently behind her. He intends to do nothing that will push her away or anger her. He has thought about her too many times to carelessly push her away with insensitivity. He's waited many years for this chance. So he waits and a quarian knows how to be patient.

When she is ready to walk back to the settlement, he extends his arm to her.

"Are you a scientist, then?" Tali asks, her curiosity piqued. Her voice stronger in tone.

"I'm an engineer."

"Look, the rain has stopped and there's a rainbow."

A few more feet and she looks up at him, "Maybe...If you have time...I would like to hear more about my father."

Iain'Ciobair = John'Shepard translated into Scottish Gaelic

of the ship: vas

The name of one of the Migrant Fleet's Live Ships: Shellen

~o0o~

"Everybody listen to me

And return me my ship

I'm your Captain, I'm your Captain

Though I'm feeling mighty sick

I've been lost now days uncounted

And it's months since I've seen home

Can you hear me, can you hear me

Or am I all alone

~o~

If you return me to my home port

I will kiss you, mother Earth

Take me back now, take me back now

To the port of my birth

~o~

Am I in my cabin dreaming

Or are you really scheming

To take my ship away from me

You'd better think about it

I just can't live without it

So please don't take my ship from me

~o~

I can feel the hand of a stranger

And it's tightening 'round my throat

Heaven help me, Heaven help me

Take this stranger from my boat

I'm your Captain, I'm your Captain

Though I'm feeling mighty sick

Everybody listen to me

And return me my ship

~o~

I'm your Captain,

I'm getting closer to my home"

-Grand Funk Railroad, I'm Your Captain/Getting Closer to Home

watch?v=Lk3d4ZbWMpc