Tali stared out her living room window. An ocean breeze snuck through and drew its fingers through her hair. It smelled briny yet crisp. The sun was an emblazoned copper disk settling into the blankets—the waves of the ocean in preparation for bed. All was right in the galaxy.

Tali's eyes rolled in their sockets then fluttered open. The hum of the Normandy medical-bay was an all too familiar noise for her. The pillow under her head was uncomfortable and her neck ached, as did the rest of her battered body.

"Hey."

She felt a hand inside of hers of which was also familiar in shape and form.

Her Captain.

"I am okay, I am okay," said Tali, sitting up. Shepard sat in a chair next to her bed. "How long?"

"About twelve hours."

"I feel embarrassed."

Shepard's face contorted and his brows furrowed: "About what?"

"You got hit by a Reaper beam and you are out of bed. I had a hole in my suit the size of a needle eye and I am the one in bed!"

"Well…"

"That is right, nothing to say." Tali noticed no one else was in the medical-bay. "Don't tell me I am the only one 'hurt.'"

"Everyone was in here at one point in time. Oh, we found Wrex, if you were concerned."

"Is he okay?"

"Is that really a question to be asking? It's… Wrex."

Tali chuckled then asked, "Are you okay?"

"All of my cybernetics and Doc's knowledge got me looking like new."

She scanned her Captain's face.

"You do look damn good… and handsome."

"Thanks. You look, well…" Shepard reached under his seat and pulled out her picture. "I bet you look the same but with a pouty frown on your face. Tali'Zorah vas Medical Bed."

"It is Tali'Zorah vas Rannoch, now."

"What happened to 'Normandy'?"

"Tell me, do you really want to live on this ship for the rest of your life?"

Shepard peered around then said, "No, not really. I like, but not that much."

Tali grabbed his arm and pulled him closer, whispering, "Come with me."

"To where?" he asked playfully.

Giggling, Tali whispered, "Home."

"And where is that?" A big goofy grin was smeared over his face that had healed up fairly well. The word on Tali's tongue had a tantalizing taste to it. It made her stomach quiver with unadulterated excitement. Shepard helped her, mouthing the word Rannoch.

"Rannoch."

"I was just waiting for the invitation, my dear."

"Oh? Did you really think I wouldn't invite you?"

Shepard slid onto the bed, straddling her waist playfully and grabbed her hands.

"Not sure," he said with a grin.

"It is only polite I invite my boyfriend on a planet he gave his girlfriend."

"Heh."

"Best gift ever."

"Tali?"

"Uh-hu?"

"Look at your finger."

"Oh?"

Tali peered at her hand and saw a platinum ring slipped sneakily by Shepard below her knuckle.

Her heart stopped.

"Will you?" asked Shepard.

"I…Keel-Keelah, but…I just, uh…"

"A nod yes or no will do just fine."

Tali's head shook up and down, then she released a squeal. She was very familiar with the human ritual of marriage and knew what the symbolism of a ring meant. Finally, it hit her—the victory of the war accelerated right into her heart. Seeing Harbinger's glorious explosion wasn't nearly as exhilarating as seeing a ring hugging her finger.

"Keelah, yes I do. Yes yes yes!"

The door to their right opened and Chakwas burst in.

"Tali, are you okay? I heard screaming!"

"Are you kidding me? Okay? I am way more than okay!"

Chakwas put a hand over her chest, relieved then caught glimpse of the ring on her finger.

"Shepard, you didn't!"

"Oh, he did," said Tali.

"Chakwas, keep this quiet," said Shepard.

The intercom erupted to life: "Commander, you are a sneaky bastard."

"Joker!" yelled Shepard to the ceiling, "Keep that mouth shut and turn off that damn camera!"

"I like watching you sleep."

"Joker…"

"Roger, Commander."

Shepard sighed. "So much for the word 'discreet.'"

Shepard slid off the bed. "Are you able to walk, Tali?"

"I just have a minor infection and am not crippled."

"I was referring to the shock."

Tali brushed his hand away and hopped off the table. Her head was splitting. "I am perfectly okay. By the way, where is Anderson?"

"He went to a medical ship and should have gotten out of surgery a while ago."

"So he is okay?"

Shepard said, "Yes, he is fine."

Tali noticed Shepard was dressed in his finest blues with a mural of medals pinned to his chest. He noticed Tali's curiosity and said, "The press is coming aboard, along with Admiral Hackett and the leaders of all the races. I even think the Counsel is coming over here. They want to go over some things with us."

"How is the war going? I mean, the Reapers?"

Chakwas scanned Tali with her omni-tool and took some data. She didn't care about anything other than Shepard at the moment, though she slapped his shoulder with a grin on her face mouthing sneaky bastard.

"We've killed everything in this system so far and are wiping up the last of the ground resistance. The Catalyst took out most of the Reaper ground forces from the blast, although there are some stragglers. As for the other systems, the Reapers are fleeing and it seems they are going to be fighting a guerilla war until they are all dead."

"So, we are still going to lose people?" asked Chakwas.

"Unfortunately yes, but we have the victory, it is just a matter of clean up. It is a war of attrition as of now. Most military vessels have left Sol and have gone back to theirs to set up a defensive perimeter around their home worlds, then should spread out and systematically eliminate the rest of the Reapers." Shepard noticed concern in both Tali and Chakwas. "Think of it this way: the galaxy was in more danger before the Reapers arrived with the pirates, raiders, gangs, and such. They are running and do not want to fight us. There is no way they can get a light-year close to Rannoch, Tali, or they will be blasted before they even know we were even in their vicinity. Without their shields and barriers, they are like tin-foil ships in space."

Tali felt better when Shepard explained it like that. She trusts him with her life and knows he would never lie to her. Everything had gone better than expected in the end.

"Commander, the Admirals should be here in half an hour. I would get your game face on. Joker out."

"Half an hour?" asked Tali, almost screaming the question. "Are you ready for them?"

"I am, not you, though."

"Me?"

"Yes, I would like you by my side, Tali."

"I… oh. I should probably change out parts of my suit."

"You look… kind of melted."

Chakwas looked at Tali, then to Shepard. Her blank stare twisted to embarrassment: "Oh, how thick of me. I should leave, then."

"Thanks, Chakwas."

"Not a problem, dear."

Chakwas walked towards the door when Tali said, "Maybe, one day, when we can live without our suits, we can invite you over for dinner or something."

Turning around, the Doc smiled. "I'd like that, Tali. I can bring the brandy."

"Sounds like a deal, even though I'd keel over dead if I had some."

"The med-bay is basically a clean room and I know you are becoming more immune to… well, stuff, so you can take off parts of your suit if you wish." Chakwas pressed a button and the windows tinted to black so no one could see in.

Shepard helped Tali replace parts of her suit, discarding sections of her armor, replacing it for her usual purple swirly cloth than hugged her voluptuous body.

"Tali, I have a surprise for you," said Shepard while helping her with her suit.

"Save it for later." Tali stared at her ring. "Too much of something amazing spoils the amazing factor."

"That sounds fair although I wasn't planning on telling you for a while."

"Oh you."

"Seriously though, what do you think about, you know." Shepard pointed at the ring.

"When I find the words to express myself, I will let you know. All I can do now is bounce on my toes."

"I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Tali. Do you remember what the fortune teller told us on Terra Nova?"

"Hair full of gray, wife's hand in hand, watching the sun go down. He will parish of old age, nothing more, nothing less. Peacefully with Tali'Zorah," she recited.

"Let's get ready for this meeting, Tali."

The outside of the medical bay was empty, except for both Tali and Shepard. Tali's heart pounded as they walked toward the elevator, for she knew the eyes of the galaxy would be honed in on them, well hopefully only Shepard—Tali isn't too good in front of a camera and for something that will exist in throughout time and be seen by billions of people—maybe even studied by history classes hundreds of years from now, it was important they act professional, stoic, and true. The elevator opened and both walked inside of it. Tali let go of Shepard's hand.

"Are you ready for this, Tali?"

"Nope."

"Well, when are we ever ready for anything?"

"Occasionally, we are. It is just my nerves."

The door shut.

"It is game time."

The elevator rose towards the CIC of the Normandy and then stuttered to a stop. Both doors opened and the Normandy crew circled the galaxy map, holding a casual conversation before the brass came aboard. Half of the crew turned and gave them a respectable nod.

"Listen up everyone, I want you all to be at the top of your game," started Shepard. "What we have achieved was a pivotal turning point in the galaxy's history that will be remembered, recorded, and scrutinized for the rest of time. Be on your best behavior. That is all."

"Commander, a boarding party is inbound. ETA three minutes," said Joker over the intercom.

"All right everyone, I want you all lined up around the galaxy map in no particular order. I want everyone to see our crew doesn't separate itself based on race. The spotlight of the galaxy is trained on us, remember that. We are a united force."

Garrus walked next to Shepard and Tali.

"I just thought I should be standing by your sides," said Garrus. In a low, cautious voice, Garrus continued, "I hope I am going to be your best man, Shepard." He looked to Tali's ring.

"Keep it down, Vakarian," said Shepard. "Yes, you will, by the way," he hissed ferociously.

"Good. I don't want to see Wrex up there."

"You are my best friend, Garrus."

"That is good to hear, Commander." Tali's turian friend, who was dressed in formal turian military ware, took a spot next to the Commander. Tali looked around the room, noticing everyone was on board. Liara, Kaiden, Wrex, Jack, Grunt, Miranda, Vega, Javik, Kasumi, Zaeed, Samara, Jacob, Adams, Donnelly, Gabby, everyone they have fought with in the past that still stood were back, on the Normandy, their home.

"Commander, they are all here. Letting them board." Joker pressed a button and Tali could see him stand from his seat, with the assistance of EDI.

Tali poked out around Garrus' chest, desperately checking to see who was coming aboard—more importantly, checking to see if Admiral Raan made it through unscathed. To her utter surprise, Andserson was the first to be wheeled aboard, pushed by Admiral Hackett in a wheelchair, followed by Primarch Victus, Admiral Raan, Koris, the Council, and others of importance. The diplomatic and military power of the galaxy was all aboard the Normandy. Tali thought that Harbinger would have loved this situation twelve hours ago. One hit to the Normandy would have spun the war into even more chaos. Shepard saluted Hackett, followed by the rest of his crew; even Tali tapped her two fingers to her tinted veil out of sheer respect. The amount of powerful people on board the Normandy made her feel important. Never in her life has she really like being under the scrutinizing noses of the public, but right now, she felt like a goddamn hero. She loved every minute of it. As the rest of the diplomats cleared out of the decontamination room, a familiar face came through—two in fact: Emily Wong and Gianna Parasini. Tali couldn't help but grin when she saw Gianna. She always really liked her and their history on Illium, their shared experience kicking that checkered ball around on the beach was still fresh in her memory.

"Commnder Shepard, we would not be standing before you if it wasn't for your brave actions," started Hackett, reaching out an extended hand. Shepard firmly shook it and Tali noticed a camera hovering over Wong's shoulder. Tali balled up her fist, hiding the engagement ring for the camera's lens. That news would make it all over those sappy magazines Kasumi liked to read. Tali could see it now: Commander Shepard proposes to a quarian. Tali'Zorah: the luckiest girl in the galaxy? Does Commander Shepard deserve a quarian as a wife? See page 15 for more details!

"Thanking just me is an insult. Thank Garrus Vakarian, the most loyal friend I have ever had." Shepard pointed to Garrus and Hackett extended his friend. "We also have Doctor Liara T'Soni. She is the one who found out about the Crucible and has been fighting by my side since the word "Reaper" was discovered. Major Kaiden Alenko. Once you gain his trust, he never forgets. I owe my life to him many times over. We also have Javik of who is a prothean." Everyone stared at him, slapped in the face by the sudden realization. Tali could sense he wanted to call them all primitives but held his acid tongue."That story is for another day, though." The crows chuckled, nervously. Shepard went down the line.

"Urdnot Wrex, my friend who has been with me for the longest time. He reunited the krogans and helped cure the genophage. His name will go down in history as will his loyalty and unwavering resistance to fear. Kasumi Goto. Never have I met someone who has my back quite like her. She stands strong even when she has lost the most important… thing in life and is also a leader on the Crucible project. Jack over here and her biotic abilities saved the lives of hundreds during the hottest parts of the war. Zaeed Massani is a man who loves a good fight, drinks drain cleaner, then goes out and tries to rifle butt a Reaper in the face—and succeeds. Miranda Lawson helped us track down the Illusive Man's base and helped in the war effort against the Collectors and Reapers. Without her, I don't know where we would be. James Vega, who is going to be one mean SOB in the N7 program, is not going to settle down after today, so the Reapers are going to have something to fear tomorrow. Urdnot Grunt spits in the face of death and defies everything thrown at him. Without him, we would all be lost. Samara over here is a Justicar who helped against the Reapers and follows the Code syllable by syllable. Her loyalty goes beyond the code and ultimately comes down to friendship. Jacob also helped in the Collector attack and kept our crew intact with his sane personality and honest, upfront style. He has my back no matter what. And for my crew, here they are." His hand whipped towards his engineers. "Gabby, Ken, and Adams are our comedic relief. Laughing does a hell of a lot more when compared to bullets. I want to point out Joker, the Normandy's pilot, who has to be the first Reaper ace and EDI, our ship's Artificial Intelligence… and friend. Don't forget the ones we have lost. Dr. Mordin Solus was the one who was able to cure the genophage and gave his life doing so. Legion, our geth friend, was the one who also gave his life to keep peace between the geth and quarians. Don't forget Thane Krios, the dangerous shadow whose loyalty and friendship towards me and my companions saved not only my crew, but a Council member. Do not forget the ones we have lost during this war, for they are the ones who kept us alive." Shepard took a breath. "Finally, this is Tali'Zorah vas Rannoch." Shepard's hand slipped into hers. Tali's face bloomed with flame. "I owe my life to her and everyone here does the same. To be honest, Garrus Vakarian and Tali'Zorah are the heroes we need to recognize. Without them, the Reapers would have killed every single last one of us."

"Commander, I didn't mean to insult you," said Hackett, humbled. "Everyone, I think this crew deserves a round of applause."

The crew all clapped and even though Tali couldn't hear it, she could feel the galactic society applauding on their behalf-billions of hands colliding over and over again. It was a silent thunder rolling through the dark.

"It is true," started Anderson. His voice was weak but Tali knew he wouldn't miss this even for anything in the galaxy. "Tali and Garrus are the heroes of today."

Tali reveled in the compliments given to her by everyone. The brass handed out medals, gave handshakes to the crew, exchanged words, and shared salutes. Tali weaved through the crowds of people, meeting new and old faces.

"Tali?"

She turned around to meet Gianna.

"Gianna! I saw you enter, how did get a ticket to come aboard?"

"I talked to Shepard. He let me come and I know Emily Wong."

"Well, it is good to see you."

"Did he really ask you?" questioned Gianna.

"Huh?"

"Un-ball your fist, Tali."

"Oh, that. I take it your saw the ring?"

"Well, it isn't very subtle, Tali."

"Well… I thought we should keep it low key."

"Okay, that is fine," said Gianna, placing a hand on her hip.

"Are you sticking around after the brass leaves?"

"Is that an invitation, Tali?"

"I think there are celebrations that will happen onboard here."

"I am up it."

Tali's eyes sparkled and stared over Gianna's shoulder at Admiral Raan.

"Hey, Gianna, I will catch up with you later."

"Yeah, okay."

The mood in Normandy was electric—everyone was high from the fumes of victory. Tali has always loved the mood in the Normandy yet despised it at the same time. It was more of the waiting game feel that she hated than anything else. There are so many memories from the Normandy, both horrific and beautiful, that have been scorched and messaged into the armored walls of this damn brilliant ship. She was going to miss it. It had basically become her home over the past years and is where she had fallen for the best thing ever to appear into her life: Commander Shepard.

"Tali, my dear, I have been waiting to see you," said Aunt Raan to Tali.

"Auntie Raan."

Both embraced in a hug.

"Our shots landed on Harbinger first," she told Tali. "We got a little itchy on the triggers out there. Sorry if your ship captain noticed or got angry."

"We didn't notice a thing. Keelah, I am so happy you made it out alive."

"Same goes for you, Tali. Your father… your mother would be proud of your actions."

"I hope they would."

"Of course they would, Tali. Rumor has it that you killed the Illusive Man. Is that right?"

"I landed an ambulance on him."

"Keelah, Tali," she gasped. "Way to go."

"Any news from Rannoch?" asked Tali.

"The geth have begun construction on housing for the quarian population. Many of our old structures still stand, but there is lots of work to be done. I heard an asari architect has been hired for some special project."

"Huh, interesting."

"Anyways, there is a network where you can upload updates into your suit that will help our immune system. Within a couple of years, we can walk around without our suits. Tali, can you believe that? There should be no need of our suits within our lifetime."

Tali clearly remember what the air feels like against her skin and needs to feel that sensation more often. Sparks of excitement swelled in her stomach and pushed against the walls of her organs, threatening to pop her like a balloon sapped in joy.

Admiral Rann pointed at Tali's finger—more importantly the ring and viciously asked, "What's that?"

"Tali?"

To Tali's relief, Anderson's voice shattered the awkwardness between Tali's aunt and herself.

"Anderson, how is the bullet wound?"

Tali stared down at Anderson who was in his wheelchair. She kneeled to be face level with him.

"Actually, not that bad as it went in and out, along with the miracles of modern medical science. I literally had to sneak out of the hospital and past the nurses. A covert operation, I'd say. Admiral Raan, how is your fleet?"

"Oh, we took damage but killed a lot more Reapers than they did us."

"You can thank your nephew for that. I have never seen more ballsy flying than what Tali did."

"She takes after her father."

"I see. Well, Tali, we as a galactic whole are in your debt."

"Are you two staying after hours?"

"Tali, I really need to get back to the fleet."

"Understandable, Auntie Raan. Anderson, are you staying?"

"I'd love to, but I think if I stay for a few drinks, it will leak through the hole in my gut."

"That… is gross."

"That is what I am here for."

The brass on the CIC began to thin as hours pass by and Tali noticed some of the old Normandy crew disappearing. Where they went, she didn't really know. Tali walked up behind Shepard of who was talking to the Council, whispered that she was heading for the bar, and walked into the elevator to the crew quarters. All the people who were once on the CIC had left. Now, there was a bunch of gray haired humans who sound monotone and spoke politics of which Tali could care less about. The bar called to Tali—a gyrating light calling her home like a lost ship at sea. As the door opened to the bar, Tali noticed most of the crew that had been missing up in the CIC had taken shelter in Kasumi's old room. Zaeed and Wrex were at the bar with Jack mixing drinks for them.

"Tali, welcome to the guddamn party!"

Zaeed spun around on his chair and raised a cup to Tali.

"Little quarian, come join us," requested Wrex. Tali reluctantly pulled a seat up.

"I was just telling Wrex over 'ere about my war stories. Care to listen in, you might learn something, little quarian."

The mercenary threw a shot back into his head and hissed. Tali now understood why they did such a thing after taking a shot-the hiss felt good.

"Tali, long time no see."

"Jack, it has indeed been a while. Mix me a turian brandy," said Tali.

"Oh-ho! Big girl over here. You've changed since I last saw you," said Zaeed, quickly becoming inebriated.

"Did I ever tell you about the time I arm wrestled Tali back on the SR1, Zaeed?"

Tali listened to Wrex and Zaeed interact. They became quick friends fast, which was odd. She would have thought Zaeed might have spilled some stories of him killing krogans for sport. She imagined Wrex throwing Zaeed out the airlock all the while Zaeed is saying this takes me back while floating away.

"No," said Zaeed.

"Well, Alenko put 100 credits on Tali to win this bet, but Tali being a quarian, she found a way around this. Sneaky little space rats."

"Hey!"

Wrex grinned.

"Anyways, Tali couldn't even beat me with both of her arms. It took Garrus' help to win and by them, it just didn't count."

"We had some good times on the SR1," said Tali, grabbing her drink from Jack.

"That isn't going to kill you, is it, Tali?"

"No Jack, I should be fine."

"Okay, I just don't want to be blamed when you are convulsing on the floor and foaming at the mouth, then Shepard walks in. I'd be dead. Killing his girlfriend isn't the smartest thing to do."

Tali put a hand in her lap, concealing the ring.

"Yeah, girlfriend…"

Tali set up her straw and linked it to her mask. Jack, Zaeed, and Wrex both cautiously stared at her.

"Trust me I will be fine, guys."

The door behind them hissed open and many voices, all of which Tali knew, spilled into the room. The rest of the Normandy crew that were still alive, walked in, following Shepard's wake, including EDI and Joker.

"I finally escaped from the brass and politicians," said Shepard, unbuttoning the collar to his blues. "Before we break out the alcohol, I need to get something off my chest." Tali spun around in her chair and listened, keen on hearing what Shepard had to say.

"This war has taken the lives of many and will continue to do so for several months to a couple of years. This war... it is not yet over." The door behind them closed and Tali could see everyone from the past Normandy tours were here, plus a few extra faces, Gianna Parasini and Emily Wong included. They were past friends and deserve to be here. They will be the writing momentum-well maybe not Gianna, but Emily Wong-for the war to come.

Shepard continued: "The Normandy is well equipped and I have made the decision to continue fighting the Reapers on the front line until it is safe enough for us to be called off. Now, to the tough part. I know a lot of you have plan of your own-futures you want to live out, and I understand that." Tali scanned the room and noticed eagerness etched into everyone's faces waiting to hear Shepard's punch line and Tali had a sneaking suspicion as to what he was going to say.

"The Normandy will still be in service until it is called off by the Alliance, which means I will still be the Commander. I extend a hand to all of you who wish to join, rejoin, or to stay on this crew to finish the fight against the Reapers. This should be a simple mopping of the galaxy but to a lot of you, I know this ship is home to you and I will keep its doors open. You are all welcome at any time. Now, here is the big question: who wants to join me in finishing the Reapers? I know not all of you will rejoin and I want to let you know that your choice is for the best."

Tali stood up from the chair and Garrus walked right next to her.

"We are coming with you, Commander," said Garrus.

"Shepard, I would love to rejoin, but Tuchanka needs me. Grunt, on the other hand, will be joining you," said Wrex. Grunt chuckled and Shepard nodded.

"That is understandable, Wrex. Your planet needs you."

"Commander, I won't let you go out into the galaxy and become a big guddamn hero without me," sputtered Zaeed. The mercenary stood up and drank a shot and slammed his cup on the counter. "Count me in."

"I noticed you need a cook, Shepard," started Kasumi. "I can cook you all stuff if need be, so I am in."

"Commander, if it is okay with you, I need to talk with Oriana first to see if I can join. I do want to join, but I want my sister's permission."

"That is okay, Miranda."

"Thanks, Commander."

"You already know my answer, Commander," said Dr. Chakwas. "And Jeff said he is staying with the Normandy until it is retired, same with EDI."

"Thanks for speaking for me, Doc," snapped Joker, who limped to the couch.

"It is what I do, Jeff."

Joker brought his hat lower on his face and frowned.

The rest of the crew followed, every damn last one of them were here to finish the fight with their surrogate family, and in some of their cases, their real family. Tali's blood coursed through this ship-her DNA flowed with the coolant, the lubricants, and the beating heart of the ship that was Commander Shepard.

The room all stood, including Joker, at the attention of their commander in preparation to take orders from him.

"I see in all of your faces the eagerness I was used to seeing all those years ago, though right now, every single one of need to line up at the bar and get a drink, that's an order. Those worried creases in your faces need to be put at ease with the help of alcohol," barked Shepard. "We have a busy day tomorrow, so if you do not want a hangover, feel free to retire to your bunks or play a game of poker."

The crowd in the room detonated with an applause and was quickly chased out by friendly conversation, war stories, Vega giving out new nicknames, and Reaper kill counts.

"Come pull on up 'uh chair, Shepard," sputtered Zaeed. "Come sit at the big boy table with us-let all 'da little kiddies play pokuh' 'nd sit around talkin'. We've got some drinkin' to do, 'ey?"

"Jack, give me whatever Wrex is drinking," sighed Shepard, plopping himself on the last free bar stool.

"Are you sure about that, Commander?" asked Wrex, his baritone voice reverberating deep in Tali's chest. She swore she could see ripples in Zaeed's drink that quickly disappeared into his mouth.

"I want to be knocked on my ass tonight," said Shepard.

"I thought Tali usually does that for you," said Wrex.

Tali punched her krogan brother with in the chest.

"That is none of your business, Wrex!" she laughed. "It's true, though," she whispered, rolling her eyes.

Jack, Zaeed, Wrex, and Shepard howled, the alcohol clearly getting to their heads. Tali could feel it hitting her hard as well. She was a cheap date.

"Garrus, come join us," said Shepard with a wave of his hand, unbuttoning his Alliance coat and throwing it over the back of his chair.

"Hmmm, I could smell quarian on you right before out final push, Commander," said Wrex. "It has been a long time since I have smelled that scent. It took me about ten seconds to figure out what the hell I was smelling."

"Wot do 'dey smell like, Wrex?" asked Zaeed, his lips glistening with either alcohol of saliva, Tali could not tell.

Wrex thought for a moment then grumbled, "Cinnamon."

"I wasn't going to say anything because I thought I was going crazy, but Tali, you do smell like cinnamon."

Tali shrugged after taking a sip of booze and asked, "What in the hell is cinnamon?"

Her vision blurred as she stared at Shepard.

These side effects were all too familiar.

"Uhg, I feel woozy," she grumbled.

"Good, then it will soften the blow, Tali," said Garrus walking over.

"What blow?"

"I got more kills that you. I win the competition."

Tali felt a strong sense of vertigo like she was freefalling backwards off her chair. The vertigo must be reconstituted as rage.

"By how uhmm... much did you win by?" she asked.

"By. One. Kill."

"Nah nah nah nah! That means we tied," she sputtered, the alcohol slamming her with torrents of raging confusion. "I killed urrrrrp."

"You killed what?" asked Garrus, profoundly perplexed.

"I'm soooorry, before I was rudely interrupted by that burp, I was going to say I killed the Illusive Man, that means we are tied."

Garrus slammed a fist on the countertop and yelled, "Damn it! I forgot about that!"

Tali tried to twist her fingers into an L shape on her forehead.

"Loser. Garrus Vakarian is a big bosh'tet of a loser. Shotgun wins."

"Shotgun always wins," said Wrex and Jack at the same time.

"Yeah, I see what is going on here. I am outnumbered by shotgun fanatics. Damn both of you, Jack and Wrex. My you rot in hell with snipers shooting at you for eternity."

"That sounds like heaven to me," said Wrex.

"I prefer to use my assault rifle, Jesse. Dat 'ol bitch has killed more things that all of your shitty close range spray 'nd pray weapons combined." Zaeed poked his finger into Tali's chest. "I bet 'ol Jesse has killed more... things with her rifle butt'dan your shotgun and let me tell you, she has one fine ass. Jack, anotha'!"

Zaeed picked up an imaginary shot glass offered it to Jack who kindly poured it onto his actual shot glass that was nowhere close to his hand.

"I lost Jesse in 'da war, though. Those guddamn Reapers jumped me. I had to leave 'er behind."

Tali caught a savage glimpse of sadness in Zaeed's eye as a single tear rolled down his cheek. Tali heard somewhere that alcohol has a tendency to bring our your true self and at this very priceless moment, Tali realized behind the tattoos, the weird accent, and the scars, Zaeed was in fact a big softy-an armor plated bear filled with cotton balls on the inside. This war has taken may lives, but for Zaeed, his big loss was of his weapon, Jessie.

"I say we toast to Jessie," shouted Tali, grabbing her safety glass. "To the fallen firearms that have saved and taken the lives of many."

"Here here," they all chanted at the bar, ignoring what the rest of the crew was doing behind them.

"Now Jack," said Tali, staggering to her feet off the stool. Shepard's arm braced her from falling backwards. "Show me how to make drinks."

"I'll let you all in on a secret about me," said Jack, stepping aside for Tali. "I was a bartender for about a month when I was younger. For a short while, I said fuck it, I am going to bend my life back into a coherent path instead of having all this squiggly shit going on."

"Squiggly," repeated inebriated Tali, finding enjoyment in the funny sounding word.

Ignoring Tali, Jack continued: "It worked out for about a month and I was good at it."

"But something happened," said Garrus, crossing his arms.

"Yeah."

"Let me guess," he said, "Oh... was it a bar fight?"

"Some drunk Marine grabbed me, so I yanked him on the bar and smashed his head in with a vodka bottle, putting his stupid ass into a coma. Got fired on the spot by my boss so I punched him out too."

"That sounds like my little Jacqueline," said Garrus, mildly amused at Tali fumbling with the ice cube tong.

"I can punch you out too, princess."

"How 'bout we all just... make love, not war," mumbled Zaeed as he stared into his imaginary glass.

Everyone glared at him, bewildered and unable to speak.

Impossible thought Tali.

"Am I really drunk, or did Zaeed just say something warm and fuzzy?" asked Tali, going cross-eyed while trying to focus in on Zaeed.

"Nope, he said something warm and fuzzy," reconfirmed Shepard, mouth parted and eyes blank.

"Oh, you're just so adorable when drunk, Zaeed," said Tali, reaching over and pinching his cheek.

"The commander is thinking the same for you, Tali," stated Garrus.

"I know he is. I just know it. Now Jack, how do you do that flipping thing with the thing where the ice goes?"

A glass under the counter that held a bunch of pretty colors caught Tali's barely functioning eyes.

"What are these?" she squeaked, blindly groping for the cup.

"You put those in fruity drinks that are made for pansies," said Jack. "They are umbrellas."

Jack pinched one in her fingers and opened the paper umbrella.

"So it is a... solar shielding apparatus for your drink?" Tali asked.

"Yes."

"Why do you need that? It's not like your fruity drink is going to get skin cancer."

Tali noticed Shepard's hand go to his face, embarrassed, and that was the very last thing Tali remembers except for falling backwards and hitting her head on a cabinet.

Then black.

Blue light percolated from under Tali's eyelids and the subtle hum of her baby, the Normandy, whispered sweet nothings into her ear.

"Keelah, my skull," she whispered, her throat counterattacking her voice with dry, brittle assaults.

"Good morning, Tali."

Tali was swaddled in blankets, head pressed deeply into pillows as her hangover pounded a slow, continuous beat against the back of her eyes. The dull throbbing pain was soon washed away by the pure and untainted sudden rush of we... we finally did it.

"How's the head?" came the familiar voice of commander Shepard from somewhere in the darkened captain's quarters.

"Feels like I was kicked by a varren."

Tali peeled her eyes open, her lids fighting a crusty film that sealed them shut. She guessed she cried in her sleep after hitting her head. On the black leather couch, Tali traced the outline of Shepard looking over a data pad, the orange glow permeating his now smiling face-filling the voids under his eyes and creases folded into his once desperate face. Sure his fresh wounds were stitched into his skin and his bruises were like purple ink smeared on his face but Keelah, he looked a million trillion times better than before. It was a smile that she has never seen on him before, and hoped to see again.

"Do you want to see something cool?" asked the outline-the new Shepard.

"Well, yeah," she whispered.

Shepard crawled on the bed and laid on his side, flinching, then getting comfortable with Tali.

"So, what do you think?" he asked, pushing the data pad under her chin. On screen was a 3D rendering of a building-a mansion by the looks of it. It's architecture was heavily quarian influenced, subtly laced with asari grace which looked out over an sandy patch of coastline where the tan sand disappeared into the sapphire waters of an ocean.

"It's big, whatever it is."

Shepard grinned and grabbed Tali's hand, playing with the wedding ring.

It suddenly hit her.

"You bosh'tet!" she tried screaming, but only a whistle escaped her sore throat. "We are living in that? That is our house-our home? How much was it? We could fit fifty quarian families in there! Keelah I hate you-Keelah I love you!" she whistled, punching him in the arm.

"Don't worry about any of that, Tali. I set up an asari architect to build the house and you must remember, your kind has a home to live on. Seventeen million quarians is not a lot of people, so I thought it would just be a waste of land if we didn't build something of a nice size. By the way, it is only four-thousand square feet."

"Only Four-thousand? We can lose each other in there!"

"Calm down there."

"I..." she sighed. "You get me a home world and now a house. How can I repay you?"

"Just... grow old with me."

"I can do that," she purred.

Shepard leaned back on the pillow while Tali rested her head on his arm.

"We are a five minute drive from the city, as the Normandy flies and we have a private beach and guess who is going to be our neighbor?" asked Shepard.

Tali leaned over to look him in the face and asked, "Who?"

"I was talking to Garrus and he wants to settle down on Rannoch as well. I think he has a thing for quarians after talking to him while drunk last night."

"I thought he has family on Palaven?"

"He does, but he doesn't want to go back to Palaven since it is destroyed-too many painful memories. Besides, us three are family, so he will be close to us at least."

Tali sighed, relinquishing the last of her stress. The cleanup of the Reapers is going to be a piece of cake and she was not worried in the least. The war was over and the ending came out to be good. They all made it out alive.

"I still need to make up for all that you have done for me," sighed Tali.

"Well there is one thing..."

Tali turned and eagerly looked up into Shepard's face.

"Go on..."

"We have three hours until we need to be in the CIC."

"Oh?" exclaimed Tali, poking Shepard on the nose. "Let's make that time totally worth it..."

Two years later.

A breeze danced a tango with the white curtains behind Tali's chair. Her sunglasses were pressed into her face as the morning sun painted her skin red. It was soft to the touch-gentle and considerate. Tali had been woken by the palm's dry rustle as Mother Nature ran her fingers through the long, thick leaves. Tali had fallen asleep reading the thriller, Deception, which was based on the true story of a human and his quarian family being hunted by a Spectre and C-Sec on the Citadel back in 2170. It was a great read.

Tali stretched and blew a black wisp of hair out of her face as she greeted Rannoch on the back porch of her home. The ocean was calm and polished like a mirror. Traces of sand were felt between her toes and under her bra strap of her two piece swimsuit.

"Good morning, sweetie."

"Don't sneak up on me like that, Commander."

Tali looked up and gave Shepard a quick peck on the lips, kissing him upside down.

"You taste like coffee," she said.

Shepard held up his mug and grinned.

"You should really wear sunscreen," said Shepard, pulling a patio chair up next to Tali. "I don't want you burning up."

"After a year of living here and waking up to the morning sun, I think I am doing okay."

Tali grabbed his hand, able to feel his skin and warmth. It was much like the sun-gentle and soft. Shepard pulled a loose strand of jet-black hair behind her ear, wanting to see her face clearly.

"I got lucky with you, Mrs. Shepard."

"I think the same thing." Tali sat up. "Do you know how many women desire you? Do you know how many women probably hate my guts?"

"Billions."

"That's right, billions. I've seen your face show up in I don't know how many magazines."

"My face is not the important one, Tali," he said, putting a finger under her chin. Tali bit her lip and looked down, bashful of his compliments. Even after all these years, she still has not gotten used to his compliments.

"Anyways, we should hop in the shower and get groceries for the reunion tomorrow. Are you going to... you know, wear the mask when everyone shows up, Tali?" asked Shepard. "The old crew has not seen your face in person yet."

"The mask will be off."

"I think a purple dress would look nice on you," he said, pinching her bare, supple thigh.

"I am dressing casual."

"You're not wearing your two piece bikini now," he joked, staring at her, losing himself in her beauty.

"I think a nice purple top with jeans will do."

Shepard nodded and said, "I like jeans on you. Hair pulled back or loose and al natural?"

She loved talking appearance with Shepard. He realized she loved it.

"Loose," she giggled.

"I love your natural wavy hair. I think it'll be perfect," he said, pushing a purple Rannoch flower behind her ear.

"You're too much, Shepard."

"Let's get ready. Garrus and Lia'Vael... I mean Lia'Vakarian should be showing up on our doorstep in an hour. They are coming with us."

"Just don't let Garrus cook. Last weekend was a nightmare. How does one burn water?" asked Tali.

"Only Garrus can do that."

She chuckled as Shepard walked back inside. She brushed a bit of sand off her bellybutton and placed a bookmark on the novel she was reading. The reunion with everyone was going to be exciting and she was glad that everyone was staying in touch after they eradicated every last Reaper in the galaxy. Almost everyone in the crew had a growing family and they all brought them to the reunion. Tali sighed and closed her eyes, picturing everyone who served on the Normandy.

They have survived the volley of Reaper conceits, political egotism, and achieved a crude victory. Shepard's crew was unstoppable when the Reapers were mighty-unbeatable and took the form of invincibility to many, including herself, yet Shepard stood strong and relentlessly threw himself at the enemy without pressing on the issue that he could take a stray bullet to the skull in any one of his fights. He fought not for himself, but for others around him that he knew and did not know. Commander Shepard carries all the traits of an altruist, yet philosophers say one cannot achieve such a privileged status. Tali looked down at the ring laced around her slender finger and for once, actually agreed with these philosophers. Shepard is the closest thing to an altruist, yet this ring denied that from him. This vow, this promise proved he was human for this is the one thing in his life that he has done not only for Tali, but for himself. This was the one course of action that the repercussions did not matter to him; for once, he came to a fork in his road of fate and he did not even have to stop and think about which path he should venture. The final destination of the road he chose lay happiness. The rest of the known galaxy will tell stories about Commander Shepard to their children, that generation will then spread the tales of the galaxy's Shepard to their children until his heroic and already smooth image is polished into myth, and is seen as the altruistic futurist.

Surprise! I hope you all enjoyed this one now that I finally finished it. I feel this was a hurdle for me to get over after hearing of/playing the extended ending and I just had to get this over with. I wrote half of this chapter back in March and I couldn't finish it. It being three in the morning and I just finished "editing" it, I am sorry for the mistakes. So, you ask me about future fanfic? Yes, there will be more and I am currently 60,000 words into my new story called The Aurora Prophecy which follows the events of Deception. I know not many of you have read Deception, but I urge you to give it a shot since I know you will love this next one I am writing (and it will include lots of art work!). It is ambitious and I sometimes tell myself, "What in the hell are you doing, man?"

Again, if anyone out there still reads Mass Effect fanfic, and this one in particular after BioWare's writing team (or just rumored Mac Walters and Casey Hudson) eviscerated Mass Effect 3, then you have my utmost respect. I love you all and I enjoy hearing your opinions on this one! Feel free to ask about my next story to. It is going to be big in both scope and word count!

-FsDxRAGE

P.S. - I am always a jolly fellow and not angry at anything!