I know I said this chapter would be longer, but things have been a bit hectic...

Since the orange "glove" is purely holographic, I've always imagined an omni-tool as a small chip that expands when you do something like press a button. I may be completely wrong - have the game writers said something about it?

Anyway, story...

John

Part 2

The Citadel is crowded and bustling; Shepard, gritting his teeth, pretends not to notice the looks Tali receives as they search for a new omni-tool, hoping that she's oblivious - heck, if this is what's been happening since she started her pilgrimage, no wonder she barely used to talk to any of the crew.

He hopes in vain. "Thirteen," she mutters, so quietly he nearly doesn't hear her.

"Tali?"

"That's the thirteenth stare since we've arrived," she explains, trying to keep her voice steady.

There is a pause, and then he speaks, musing. "You know, I was once told something - a quote from Einstein. Went something like this: 'Only two things are infinite - the universe and stupidity, and I'm not sure about the universe.'" He leaves out the "human" part before stupidity, since they - and it's definitely they, almost like he's committing a crime by being with her - are receiving this treatment from quite a few species.

She catches the short intake of breath at the end of the sentence - almost an attempt at a laugh. She looks at him, and he can sense the question in her body language.

"In this sense, I think it means that there are always prejudices, Tali," he explains, swerving round a completely unaware, loudly swearing salarian. "Whatever people don't understand, there are always some who choose to hate it. I've seen it with the way some people regard humanity - stupid, ignorant. Too young, too quick to reach for a trigger. And I've seen it with your experiences, yet..." (He gestures to her, and she suddenly feels self-conscious) "... you're one of the most honourable people I know. The longer I'm with you, the more stereotypes you prove wrong. I'm glad I met you." He stops, seeming embarrassed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Wow, that was... a lecture. Sorry."

Being called honourable, and him saying he's happy to know her, have brought the biggest smile to her face in weeks, but, of course, he can't see it. She also really wishes that the man who has faced down geth, negotiated Council meetings calmly, and become humanity's first Spectre, normally so confident on the battlefield, would stop apologising for himself. "I... guess that makes sense." She also thinks that she should really do some research on human culture, since she keeps telling him about her own - she has no idea who this "Einstein" is.

As they spot a likely shop and take a look around, he can't help seeing how carefully the salarian at the counter watches them, and the moment Tali picks up a small chip and turns it over to examine it, he is by their side. Watching his eyes keep darting to Tali's hands - does he honestly think she'd try and shoplift with him next to them? - as he talks about its capabilities, Shepard can't help but feel a small flare of annoyance. He doesn't have a short fuse, however, and so pushes it aside easily, trying to listen.

As he pays and Tali walks off to look at some armour, the salarian leans over to him confidentially, saying in a low voice, "I'm sure she's very grateful - at least she hasn't gone the way of the others. I mean, all my stock is still here, right?"

If Saren could be defeated with a look, the battle would be over right here and now. "It's for me, thanks - she was advising me. She earns a good salary; it'd certainly be enough to buy all of your stock..." He stops for a minute, as if calculating something. "... And maybe a small shuttle."

He steps out of the shop, exhaling, knowing he shouldn't have risen to it. But damn, it felt good...

Tali falls into step beside him. "Thanks, Shepard."

But she'd been over there... "Oh." He remembers the radio receivers in their armour. "No problem." He throws her a smile. She's struck with something she can't quite name, and, for the first time since they arrived, she's happy she came here.

Something occurs to him, and he stops. He calls her by her first name, she's not in the Alliance, and they've known each other for weeks - this is getting ridiculous. "Tali," he says in mock exasperation, trying not to laugh, "my name is John."

That night, she thinks. Does anyone else call him that? She's never heard them. Is it a gesture of trust? Searching the extranet for information about Albert Einstein, she has to admit that it's pretty unlikely she'd do this for anyone else. Or obsess over whether to call them their given name. She looks at the time, and sighs. She remembers how happy she felt back on the Citadel, and something she's been trying not to realise for quite a while now hits her.

Oh, keeelaaah...

There are plenty of eligible quarians on the Fleet - and a few have been interested, though she's sure it's only because her father's an Admiral - but no, she has to fall for a human. Not that it matters to her, but...

What will the Fleet think, if they ever find out?

The thought keeps her awake all night.