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Tali had told Ken and Gabby everything that had happened the night before. They were as shocked as she had been that Miranda had done that. They had known she was work before personal but not to that extent. Tali couldn't quite believe it had happened. She thought it was all a dream and at any moment she would wake up. A small part of her didn't want to wake up. Shepard was finally free of Miranda. Tali hadn't liked her since the start, she often wondered what Shepard saw in her.
"On the bright at least the Commander's single now," Ken said with a cocky grin. Gabby hit and he yelled out in surprise.
"Kenneth." She hissed as Shepard entered. Tali's heart began to race as she looked at him.
"Tali how are you?" he asked. Tali could tell he was upset about last night.
"I'm fine," she said. "What about you?"
"I've been better," he admitted. "Garrus dropped her off today."
"Keelah," Tali breathed. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I'll be fine," Shepard shrugged scratching where his scar had been.
"I can't believe that got rid of that," Tali said trying to change the subject.
"I liked it," Shepard agreed. "But things change."
"They do," Tali said. An awkward silence fell between them. Tali couldn't bring herself to ask the question that almost seemed to fuel her.
"I shouldn't have trusted her," Shepard said hanging his head.
"You didn't know, you never could have." She said not knowing what to say.
"I should have," he groaned. "She used me."
"You can never be sure of that," Tali tried to assure him. She knew that he loved Miranda and would never love her.
"Maybe I used her," he mused. Tali's heart skipped a beat. What was he talking about? "I thought I was in love with her I was too blind to see the truth."
"What do you mean?" Tali asked confused trying not to get her hopes up.
"I needed comfort not love after what Ash said. I ignored the fact I was already in love with someone."
"Who?" Tali asked her voice trembling.
"You," Shepard answered. Tali couldn't say anything her mind had gone blank. He couldn't love her, he had told her he didn't. "I didn't know what I felt Tali. When I died I regretted not telling you how I felt. When I came back I thought you would have found someone even when you told me I didn't believe it. I was stupid, I love you not Miranda not Ashley you." Tali looked at Shepard. He was saying he loved her but what if he didn't. She wouldn't be able to bear it.
"I've always loved you Shepard," she said after a brief moment of silence. "From the moment I saw you. But you've just lost someone you cared about, I don't want to be rebound."
"Tali I..." Shepard started but his voice faltered. "I've always loved you but we're a different species I didn't know if it would work and I didn't want to hurt you." Tali smiled beneath her helmet. He hadn't said anything for her safety. He had tried to find comfort not love. She couldn't get her head round it. It was just too impossible.
"I... It's a lot to think about, I'm going to need some time."
"Fair enough," he smiled. "Don't ever forget that I will always love you."