Epilogue

Tali finished putting sealant around the new glass of the Life Support window. She knew that Engineer Donnelly would have done this for her, but she made it a point of pride to put the finishing touches on anything that might affect the ship.

She worked quickly, trying not to think of why the window had needed replacing. The task wasn't difficult, though, and she couldn't keep her mind from wandering.

She'd heard an unusual sound from one of the new FBA couplings, and had walked over to take a look. When she'd turned to get a different toolkit, her gaze had wandered across the various rooms that overlooked the Core.

She'd seen two figures in the Life support window, and had started to raise her hand in greeting when exactly what she was seeing sank in. Her already activated vocal transmitter had magnified her exclamation. She was fairly certain they had heard her up in the CIC. That was Shepard...and she was...

Stop thinking about it!

She checked the sealant. It was dry. Relieved, she started packing up her tools. Just then, the door slid open and Thane strolled in.

He stopped a few steps away and greeted her. "Tali'Zorah. Did you need something?"

Tali gulped and tried for nonchalance. "No, nothing. I was just finishing repairs to the window..." ...That you and Shepard...

Don't think about it!

"Ah. My apologies for not being here. I was up in Shepard's cabin."

Shepard's cabin? Had he just come from...? Her mind hiccupped to a stop and she took refuge in her explanation. "Oh..it's fine. I was just finishing up. We were going to replace them all anyway. There's a new mix with stronger properties then the old one. It's supposed to be more resistant to gunfire, explosions, biotics. This stuff shouldn't crack or break no matter what you throw at....it..."

She realized what she said and felt her face heat up. She was thankful that he couldn't see the blush through her face-mask.

Then again, from the smirk on his face, maybe he could.

She backed away toward the door as his gaze rested on the new pane of glass. "Indeed? I shall keep that in mind, Tali'Zorah. Thank you."

She barely suppressed a squeak of horror and stammered something about getting back to work. Keelah, I am never looking up again!

Palming open the door, Tali'Zorah turned and fled.

A/N: This was meant as a one-shot, but Tali's reaction tickled me so much I had to go a little further with it. She is just so cute to embarrass. Please R&R.

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