Captain's cabin, 2 hours prior suicide run

Commander Alex Shepard stood by his work terminal up in his quarters, examining the schematics of the collector base. He was looking at the datapad but his mind was elsewhere, thinking about his previous talk with Tali.

"Don't worry Shepard, I'll find a way to make this work." Tali put her three fingered hand on his. But he just stood there, unsure of what to say or do.

"Shepard, are you alright? If you don't want this, just tell me."

"Tali, you know that I love you and I'll do anything for you." Mustering all the strength he had "I just don't know what to say, but I want both of us to be happy."

"I'm glad to hear that, I'll do the necessary research before we-"

"Bridge to Commander Shepard, ETA to the Omega 4 relay is 2 hours." Joker's voice sounded over the intercom

"You sure know how to break my thoughts Joker. Maybe EDI should shut you up."

EDI's figure popped up on the console, "Reasonable suggestion Commander, if you want, I am able to disable communication between the captains quarters and the cockpit."

"Thank you EDI, but that won't be neccasary", he flicked the image off, and resumed studying the schematics, this time focused on it. He was in fact so focused on it that he did not hear his door slide open.

"Erm, Shepard, I have taken some herbal supplements, and... anti-biotics that should bolster my immune system." THe sound of Tali's voice made Shepard instinctively turn around. So she was serious about this. "I was going to bring music" she took the OSD from his hands and put it on the table, "but I didn't know what you like… and I'm so sorry, I'm babbling again like an idiot."

"It's ok Tali," pressing one finger against where her mouth should be, "It's your choice, you don't have to if you don't want to"

A quick nod from Tali allowed Shepard to lead her to the bed where the two of them sat , just looking at each other akwardly. Shepard decided to make the first move and started activating the lock mechanism for Tali's face mask.

"It's just that I'm worried if this will work, what if –" there was a small hiss as Shepard carefully removed the mask. As if both of them were frozen in time, they did nothing but stared at each other. Shepard took his time to admire the beauty that was locked behind the mask for years but the same person who had faced the impossible, looked death in the face and spat at it, did not have any idea how to continue.

Without warning, Tali jumped onto him, locking her lips with his, not stopping until they had to breathe.

"I never thought this day would come. I mean, I've been with you through Noveria, Ilos, Saren, Horizon. But I never had the courage."

"Really? Since then? That was so long ago." slowing running his fingers through her dark brown hair.

"I suppose. It was just that, at that time I never knew you well."

"As long as you're happy, I'm happy."