The Patrol Chapter 1

A warm smile trickled over Shepard's mouth as he stared at her. Everything was blurry but his face. His hand came into focus and his fingers unraveled. His hand was outstretched wanting her to grab it. She did. The hand closed and she could feel the warmth envelope hers. His mouth opened but only a soft beep expelled from it. She cocked her head in confusion.

Suddenly she came to. Tali's eyes opened slowly. "W-what?" Her head rose as she glanced around the room. The soft beep chirped again. She looked off to her right to see a computer blinking at her with aggravated pulses. The medical bay of the SR1 Normandy came into focus. Everything fell into place shortly after. Tali scanned the computer screen in front of her, her eyes frantically searching for the time. 0528 the digital text on the holographic screen shined back to her giving the answer she was looking for. Dr. Chakwas was laying down on a medical bed off to Tali's right, her silver hair fanned out on the pillow. Her eyes drifted back to the computer screen searching for more answers. The Geth data she had found three days ago on an abandoned shuttle in the Horsehead Nebula yielded no new answers. Liara and Tali spent all last night scanning the new piece of Geth technology, but came up with nothing. Frustrated, Tali stood up from the chair she used as her bed the prior night. Throwing her arms above her head, arching her back, and standing on her two toes she stretched relieving all her muscles.

"Oh Keelah," Tali gasped as her back made a satisfying pop. Her thoughts drifted back to the dream she had moments ago. Shepard's hands, his smile… no! She thought to herself. Tali didn't know what to make of these images, so she stowed them to the back of her memory. The doors behind her opened and Tali spun around to see who it was. Liara stood at the door way emerging from the dark room at the back of the medical bay. Her usually bright eyes were red and tired looking. The asari brought a blue fist up to her mouth and yawned into it. Tali always like Liara and was one of her good friends aboard the Normandy.

"Good morning, haaaaaaw….Tali." she polity said through another yawn. She glanced at the chair that was pushed away from the table, "Sleep well?"

"Yes, I did," Tali replied thinking about the dream. Liara smirked and approached the desk that had the holographic monitor up. She pushed Tali's chair under the table as she leaned in to look at the data. Liara shrugged and looked back up at Tali.

"Looks like we found nothing; are you going to send the part back to your father? Maybe he can find something useful," she questioned the quarian in front of her.

"Yeah, I guess so. Thanks for helping me out with this Liara and um," Tali stumbled on her words, "don't mention this to Engineer Adams." Liara chuckled and gracefully nodded understanding that they always were going at each other in friendly competition. Liara wondered out of the medical bay and the doors slid shut. Tali looked back at the Geth device sitting on the desk and swore at it.

"It's not every day I see Tali swear in defeat at a mechanical object." Tali jumped and spun around to meet Dr. Chakwas piercing green eyes.

"Keelah, you startled me doctor," Tali said relieved with her hand over her chest.

"Yeah well, you two woke me up, although we only have another minute 'till we need to go eat," Chakwas responded in a groggy voice.

Five minutes later

Tali walked out of the medi-bay and looked to her right to see her friends sitting around the table eating breakfast. Wrex came lumbering around the corner from the elevator, looked around, and grumbled.

"Hey look at what just woke up, the big ass battle toad!"

"I swear Williams, if you call me that again, wait, is that bacon?" Ashley picked up a slice, ran it under her nose with an audible sniff, and shoveled it into her mouth. Her head cocked back and she rolled her brown eyes to the back of her head. "Oh God, that is devine," she dramatically yelled spitting pieces out of her mouth as she put on her act.

"How do you eat that Ashley, it smells like…death," Garrus remarked sounding revolted. Ashley glared at him and rolled her eyes. Tali noticed Liara set down her piece of bacon and stare at it contemplating whether she should eat it or not.

"Wow Ash, really," a voice said that made Tali's heart jump. Shepard looked at Ashley with an amused yet annoyed look on his face. Williams turned and smiled at back at him with a cocky grin. Tali loved to listen to her friends banter, she found it quite amusing.

"Tali, come on and sit down with us, you're missing out," Shepard ordered Tali waving his arm signaling to come and join the table. Ashley kicked a chair from under the table and it slid out on the opposite side. Tali looked at the chair and jumped at the invitation.

"Hey Wrex, save some bacon," Ash turned and yelled at Wrex who was hovering over the tray.

"Shut the hell up Williams," Wrex screamed back. Tali sat down and Shepard shot an amused look over at her. Tali smiled back under her helmet.

"Hey, I got to shoot Saren in the head, what did you get to do?" Ashley kept egging him on.

"I swear Williams, I am going to eat all this bacon…" Shepard laughed and put an arm around Ashley's shoulders. Tali looked down as jealousy tightened in her chest. The crew knew about Ashley and Shepard, but everyone seemed casual about it. It made Tali feel uncomfortable whenever the two were around each other. Garrus leaned back in the chair, crossed his arms over his chest, and snickered to himself.

"Tali, did you find anything out about the Geth?" Tali looked back up and stared into Shepard's blue eyes. He took his arm off Ashley's shoulder and cupped his hands under his chin focusing all his attention on her. Tali glanced over at Liara, who was purposely not paying attention to the conversation. A small smile crept over her blue lips.

"No, no, uhm… nothing yet," Tali said back fumbling over her words once again. You bosh'tet Tali, stop looking like an idiot in front of him! "I'm going to send it to my father to see if he can help us out." She told her commander with more confidence.

"Okay, we need all the help we can get if we are supposed to clear Geth pockets of resistance," Shepard replied in his usual military tone. Tali shook her head agreeing with him. Wrex walked over to the table, shaking the floor as he did so, with his plate pilled high of bacon. He pulled over a crate, sat on it, and placed the plate on the metallic table. A grin erupted on his face as he looked at Ashley.

"That's cold Wrex," Ash said, her voice laced with amusement. Wrex did his usual deep laugh and dug in. "I hope you die of a heart attack Wrex." Ashley continued to bombard him.

"Remember, I have more than one heart Williams," he fired back. Ashley leaned back in her chair in defeat.

"I'm out of here, watching you eat Wrex is making me sick," Garrus concluded standing up. Tali watched the Turian walk away. She also admired Garrus as he always respected her. He would sometimes come into the engine room and would ask questions about the Normandy, but Tali would bore him in a matter of minutes. She always respected him for trying though.

"Commander, I think you want to see this," Joker chimed in over the speaker. Shepard sighed and ran his hand through this buzzed hair.

"Okay, be right up Jeff," Shepard yelled back.

"Don't call me that… Skipper," Joker shot back in a serious tone. The commander looked at Ash and they both shook their heads. Shepard looked back at Tali still smiling. She grinned back at him knowing that he couldn't see, nor will probably ever be able to see her smile. She put a hand up to her face and made a smile. "Do I smell bacon commander? If you could bring some of that mighty fine pig up here that would be great." Shepard looked at Wrex and laughed.

"Wrex has his hands all in it. Also, I don't think he wants to share." Shepard called up to the ceiling.

"Uh…never mind then, Joker out." Shepard got up from his chair, turned around, and piled some dehydrated eggs and a piece of "space toast", as Kaiden once called it, onto a plate. He shook his head in amusement and began to walk towards the stairs with Joker's food.

"Shepard, do you mind if I come up with you?" Tali asked, stunned of what came out of her mouth. The commander turned around and flick his head towards the stairwell.

"I don't mind at all Tali, come on," he responded with warmth in his voice. Tali jumped out of her chair to tag along.

The Patrol Chapter 2

Shepard and Tali ascended up the stairs. "So Shepard," Tali started, but was suddenly cut off from Pressly who was almost running down the stairs. He stopped short of Tali and Shepard viciously eyeballing the plate of food in his hands.

"Did I hear we had bacon commander," Pressly asked almost out of breath.

"Yeah, but Wrex," Shepard began but Pressly squeezed himself past the two and continued his quest with lots of determination.

"I haven't had bacon in forever," he stopped climbing down the stairs and turned to look at Shepard, "Last time I had it was before Eden Prime, since then we have been eating all this dehydrated space food." He turned back around to continue down the stairs, skipping them three at a time.

"Maybe we should have told him," Tali suggested in an amused voice.

"Nah, I don't," Shepard began but was cut short by a scream.

"What in the hell are you doing Pressly," Wrex erupted. There was a roar of laughter from the deck below them. Tali and Shepard turned to each other and snorted. Tali loved this crew more than any, but more importantly, she loved her friends.

"Let's go Miss Tali'Zorah," the commander said in a deep voice to Tali trying really hard not to burst out laughing. He held his arm out like a hook. Tali blushed but put her arm through it and they both started walking. Shepard and Tali both looked at each other and grinned. On the battlefield, Tali noticed that Shepard was ruthless and extremely efficient, but on board the Normandy, he was nicest person to be around. His humor and personality kept everyone's moral in check, especially when they were going after Saren. Tali noticed that he had aged during that time, the stress piled up on his shoulders like a glacier. He never showed any of his emotions that could affect the crew's moral except when they lost Kaiden Alenko on Vermire. His face showed the stress but never his charming personality. The door opened up and they entered the map room. Tali slid her arm out from Shepard's and acted more professional, so did the commander.

"Morning Commander. Morning Tali," the guard off to their left greeted as they entered the room. They both nodded to him.

"Tali, were you trying to say something to me before," Shepard asked in his friendly tone.

"Oh yes, right. How long do you think we are going to be doing this for, hunting Geth?"

"To tell you the truth, I don't know. The Reapers are still out there, but the council is just dismissing that. Once we get any kind of lead, we are pushing towards it." Shepard replied his voice weaved with frustration. Tali looked down at the floor and began to think. "Joker, what do you have for me," Shepard called ahead. Joker's hands were gliding across the holographic screen splayed out in front of him. His chair began spin around to face the commander. Shepard offered the plate of food to Joker, but he just glared at it.

"Eggs and "space toast" again. Did Wrex really have to eat all the bacon? How much did you have to spend to get bacon commander?"

"Enough." He fired back with a smile smeared across his face. Tali crossed he arms and shook her head.

"Anyways commander, I picked up a scan on Loki 591B," Joker pointed out the window. Tali looked out to see a green and blue moon orbiting a larger gas giant. Joker continued, "And it pinged back Geth signals, but they just dropped off the radar suddenly." Joker looked up at Shepard, his eyes full of concern. "They just disappeared." Joker shrugged. Tali looked at Shepard, his face crinkled up in confusion. "Tali, have you seen anything like this?" She quickly looked away from Shepard's face.

"No, I haven't." Tali's arm lit up orange as her Omni-tool fired up. She quickly scanned her data to double check, even though she knew she wouldn't find anything.

"Okay Joker, give us ten minutes to gear up, we will be going in with the Mako to check it out," Shepard concluded. He spun around and began to walk away. Tali looked up from her Omni-tool to discover Shepard walking down the Normandy's fuselage. She waved a hand over the tool to shut it off and perused her commander. He turned his head to check if his friend was coming. Noticing he had accidentally left her behind, he waited for Tali to catch up.

"This isn't right Shepard, this doesn't make any sense," Tali said to Shepard in a harsh whisper.

"I hear you." He looked at the metal grates passing under his feet thinking. Tali peered at his face. Anxiety rose in her stomach. What are these feelings? Is it the mission… or Shepard. No, no. Stop it Tali, cut it out. She looked away from her commander's face. "Tali, I need you to come with me on this mission. I have no idea of what we're going to be facing. I need you with me." Shepard said. Her heart pumped fast with excitement with her commander's order. They both walked down the stairs back to the rest of the crew silently thinking to themselves.

"Skipper, what's up," Ashley asked as they entered the room. The crew looked at the two; they could tell something was wrong by their body language. Ash stood up concerned. Liara spun around and Garrus emerged from the medical bay to see what was going on.

"Ash, I need you to gear up," he said taking long strides over to his locker. "I need you and Tali; we got some suspicious activity going on. I will brief you once we are all down in the cargo hold. We are going in the Mako," Shepard barked. Ashley looked at Tali and walked over to her.

"Let's go get ready Tali," Ashley said just above a whisper. Tali followed Williams around a corner and into the elevator. Ashley hit the button with her fist and they started to descend. They stood silent next to each other for a couple moments and then Ashley spoke. "Is it Geth we are going after?"

Tali looked at Ashley from behind the purple mask.

"We think so, Joker got some Geth signatures, but they just dropped off the radar." Tali shook her head, "It doesn't make any sense."

"Well, there is only one way to find out, right," Ashley said, her voice teeming with hate. Tali shook her head in agreement. The elevator stopped and the door hissed open. The two proceeded to their lockers to gear up. Tali pressed a button on the side of her personal locker and the door slid open reveling her armor plates, tech grenades, and a shotgun. Ashley pulled out her Phoenix X armor and began to assemble it, clipping all the plates together. Tali attached her armor pads around her environmental suit, loaded her grenades, and unclipped her shotgun from the weapon rack on the right wall of the locker. Squeezing the handle of her HMWSG X, the high quality weapon unfolded in her hand kicking forward as it did so. She looked to her right to see Williams jumping up and down and shaking her torso right and left trying to get the armor to set in the right place. She unfolded her HMWA X assault rifle, shouldered it a couple of quick time warming herself up for the fight to come, if there was going to be a fight. Ashley turned to face Tali, gave a slight head nod, and glanced over the quarian's shoulder. Tali turned her head to see the commander approaching from behind.

His N7 armor was scuffed up and beat to hell, but it still functioned properly. Tali kept asking Shepard if she could double check his systems to make sure the suit was working properly. He always assured her that it was fine.

"Joker said it's close to 120 degrees on the moon," Shepard yelled from across the cargo bay as he approached. Shepard carried himself with the utmost confidence, as Garrus said, "He is like a machine."

"Two minutes out commander, I'm going to set you down 200 yards from the signatures. Be careful out there, Joker out."

Shepard briefed his squad as they approached the Mako.

"So we really don't know what to expect," he concluded. Tali's heart pounded against chest. She had a bad feeling about this one and by looking at Shepard's face he did to. It was hard to pick out, but he did let down guard sometimes.

"So do we know there are Geth on the moon for sure," Ashley asked.

"That is what I would expect." The Mako's side hatch opened up as they approached it and the team climbed in. The interior of the Mako was cramped; Tali had to duck to get to her seat. She strapped herself into the Kevlar 5-point seat belt and pulled the belts tight around her waist, shoulders, and groin. She proceeded to snap her trusty shotgun into the clips that bordered the bottom of the seat and patted the ceramic weapon. Keelah Se'lai.

"We all ready to go," Shepard asked in a pumped tone.

"Good to go Skipper," Ashley immediately responded. Tali winced at the name but quickly recovered.

"Ready Shepard," Tali yelled back. Ashley made a fist and put it over her head.

"Let's kick some ass," Ashley grumbled. Shepard pounded her fist with his and Tali did the same, but with an extra little juice. Ashley's hand recoiled back. She turned around in her seat and grinned. It felt good to do that.

"Joker, we are strapped in and green across the board. Drop us when you are ready, out," he informed Joker with his fingers pressed against his helmet. Tali didn't know what it was, but her stomach told her something was wrong, really wrong.

The Patrol Chapter 3

Tali double checked her harness by pulling them harder. The fabric made a minute zipping noise as the belts tightened around her body. She has landed on many planets in the Mako, so she knows what she is in for. The inside of the Mako's cramped quarters smelled of krogan blood, as Wrex got hit pretty bad two weeks ago and the seat Tali was sitting in was where Wrex almost bled out from getting hit in the chest by a Geth Armature. Their blood to Tali smells oily and metallic and since it soaked into the seats fabric, she was getting a face full of it each breath.

"Prepare for drop," Joker chimed in over their head sets. The Normandy began to shudder. Tali knew it was only moments away that the cargo door was going to open. She closed he eyes and gave a short prayer. Keelah Se'lai. Her eyes opened to see the door creeping open. Natural sunlight spilled into the normally dark cargo hold. The Mako rolled forward as Shepard pushed throttle. Tali's heart raced as the Mako drove towards a ramp that leads down to a long drop. The vehicle stopped and Shepard put his hands in his lap. Tali did the same because of the immense G-Forces they were about to pull. The Mako attached itself to a hook under the chassis, which in turn was attached to a steam driven piston. This piston throws the Mako out of the bay at the perfect time giving the Mako the ability to do precise and accurate jumps.

Tali felt the Mako surge forward as she was pushed back into her seat. The Mako was now falling towards their LZ. The sun shinned its bright rays into the falling Mako as it tilted upwards. The fall from the sky was bone rattling and Tali always had hard time breathing because of the negative gravity. She closed her eyes until the Mako landed with a harsh thud. The seats had a sophisticated shock absorber built underneath them so when the vehicle landed, all of the occupants wouldn't have broken backs.

"Starting scans," Tali said out of breath. A holographic screen popped open in front of her. She hit a button with a shaky finger and a map opened up on screen. No red dots came up. "Nothing on the scanners Shepard," she informed her commander who was unbuckling himself.

"I thought so," he replied standing up and gathering his gear. Tali closed the holoscreen and released the lever on her harness; all the belts fell out of the buckle and clanked against the titanium seat. Tali grabbed her shotgun and stood up.

"We all ready," Shepard asked with his hand on the door release.

"Do it."

"Ready!"

The door shot open, the squad jumped out, and they fanned out over the LZ. Even through Tali's environmental suit, she could feel the planets heat slam into her. Her mask fogged up, but the suit took care of that problem instantly. The planet's surface was overflowing with lush vegetation. Big pollen spores were hovering in the humid air and the thick jungle canopy only let a few streaks of white light though illuminating the spores to a magnificent green. Shepard sprinted to a fallen over tree for cover as did Ashley. Tali swept the Mako's perimeter as the others gave her cover.

"Clear!"

"Clear over here Shepard," Tali responded from behind the Mako. Tali made her way over to the dead tree where her teammates were spread out.

"Damn it is hot as hell here," Ashley commented. Tali looked over at them and she could see that the ballistic glass that covered their eyes was fogging up.

"Commander, I have some readings of a structure ahead of you. I am sending you the co ordinance of its specific location to you now, over" Joker updated the squad.

"Got them, Shepard out." The commander picked up his assault rifle and placed the stock into his shoulder. "The base in 200 meters out, follow me. You know what to do." With that, Ashley poked out of cover and aimed her rifle down range. Shepard jumped over the rotting tree, his foot sinking deep into the decomposing wood. He landed on the other side and made his way to a tree twenty-five meters out. He crouched on one knee and aimed his rifle into the jungle. Tali was up and over the tree and sprinted through the forest past Shepard. She found a good spot and scanned the jungle for targets. Nothing. Her hand shot in the air signaling Ash's turn. Seconds later she heard footsteps on her six. Ash rushed past her scanning the woods and leaned into her rifle. The squad leapfrogged through several more cycles.

"I got eyes on the target," Shepard finally came through Tali's helmet. "Have some cover, so meet up with me, out." The vegetation was getting immensely thick on the jungle floor. Finally Tali caught sight of Shepard's red strip on is N7 armor. He was lying down behind a mud pile and Ashley was to the right of him watching his three-o-clock. Tali slipped through some vines and crouched beside her team.

"Shepard, are you okay," Tali asked in a serious tone as she swept his nine-o-clock. Shepard was caked in red mud and pollen. He took off his helmet and sweat poured out of his head gear.

"I have never been so hot in my life," he said out of breath. His chest was heaving and his voice sounded raspy. "I think the oxygen levels here are really low. It's hard to breath." Tali looked behind her to check on Ashley. Her back was facing Tali, but she could see her body rising up and down trying to catch her breath. Shepard wiped his brow and poked out of cover and looked towards his twelve. "Hey Ash, you okay," he asked not looking away from his rifles scope.

"I'm feeling dizzy and I am really hot, but I am good Skipper."

That name is getting on my nerves… stay focused Tali'Zorah! Tali looked over the dirt pile at the structure. It looked more like a metallic tunnel entrance than anything else.

"It looks unlike anything I have ever seen Shepard," Tali whispered curiously. She looked over at Shepard's beat red face. Tali's hand stretched out and grabbed his shoulder. His breathing slowed and he calmed down. "Are you sure you are okay," Tali once again questioned him. He opened his left eye and stared at Tali. She could feel his eyes penetrate her polarized face mask. She blinked and quickly took her hand off his broad shoulder.

"Yeah, thanks for asking Tali," he whispered. "Ash, see anything?"

"Nope!"

"Hop on over our cover and approach the entrance. Tali you follow once Ash is behind cover." Shepard's head snapped back behind his optics. His rifle was steady and had it trained at the opening of the tunnel. Once Ashley was safe, she nodded at Tali signaling she was ready and then leaned her torso out from behind the wall pointing her rifle into the entrance. Tali jumped up and approached the other side of the entrance making sure not to cross though Shepard's line of fire. She made it to cover and peered into the tunnel. It smelled metallic, damp, and of rotten vegetation. Shepard's heavy footsteps approached from behind.

"We are doing well so far, keep it guys," he said confidently boosting his team's moral exponentially. Shepard eyes scrutinized the interior of the tunnel.

"Now that is a CQB death trap," Ashley commented. Tali examined the tunnel. It was a five meter diameter cylindrical tube. "I don't like this at all Shepard. Is it really worth going in," Ashley moaned.

"Let us just take a peek, if anything goes wrong, we are calling it off," Shepard replied instantly. He spun around the corner and entered the tunnel. Ashley followed and Tali took up the rear covering their six. The tunnel was old; parts of the metallic walls were decomposing letting rays of intense sunlight in illuminating the tunnel with an eerie glow. The walls were lined with grey tubes, wires, and metal poles. Condensation was gathered on all the surfaces making the tunnel appear to be alive as if walking though a giant animal and the pollen was thick in the unknown structure.

"It is getting dangerously hot in here," Shepard pointed out. Tali couldn't tell because of her environmental suit was keeping her cool.

"What is this place?"

"Tali, can you fill Ash in?"

"You should have brought Liara here, maybe she could help all of us out," Tali responded.

"We have corners up ahead! Ash, watch the right, I have the left! Keep sharp." The uneven ground was giving Shepard and Ashley trouble, but Tali's feet made it easier to walk on the slippery curved surface. The rusted out holes in the ceiling had vines and ivy spewing into the tunnel and they were growing along the walls and floor. This also made walking and keeping their weapons at eye level almost impossible. They had to look at the ground to keep themselves from falling over.

"Right clear!"

"Left clear!"

Shepard pointed his hand down the right tunnel. The squad proceeded down clearing all corners and forks.

"There is nothing here Shepard," Ashley hissed at the commander over her shoulder. "Don't think there has been anything here for centuries."

"Okay, let's hump it back to the exit," Shepard said exhausted. "Ash, switch up with Tali. Get up front and don't let your guard down. Tali watch our six," Shepard professionally ordered his team.

The squad turned around and headed down the tunnel which was around 150 meters long.

"How big is this place… wait I got something," Ash yelled out behind her. The team was exposed, so they pushed themselves in between the vines and the metal tubes hanging from the walls. At the end of the tunnel there was a small blue light. A light flashed below the one they saw and at the same time there was a supersonic crack that snapped right by Tali's face shortly followed by a rifle shot.

"Fire, fire, fire!" Shepard roared. Ashley's kinetic barriers lit up blue. She stumbled back a little then leaned into her assault rifle firing short bursts. The sound of the two rifles going off was incredibly loud in the metal tube. Shepard and Ashley leapfrogged up suppressing the sniper finally killing it.

"Tali, watch our back! We cleared that section where the fire came from," Shepard screamed over the echoes of gunfire. Tali's heart was pounding, wanting to emerge from her chest. She turned around to double check her friends on her flank. Her heart stopped. Blue lights began to emerge down the hall from everywhere.

"They are in the walls! They were hiding in the walls! We got set up," Shepard yelled. For the first time, Tali was scared when she had Shepard by her side.

The Patrol Chapter 4

Tali all of a sudden felt heat wash over her and her vision got blurry. Fear hit her like she has never felt before. Her eyes locked on to the blue lights that appeared from nowhere down the tunnel.

"Ash push back, I will cover you," Shepard screamed at the top of his lungs, his voice cracking with fear. His rifle lit up blue as he frantically fired down the hallway. Ash backed up towards Tali shooting as she strategically retreated. Tali spun her head around to check her sector. A blue light turned on off to her left only feet away. Adrenaline tore through her veins as she saw the Geth climb out of the perfectly camouflaged wall reciting its lines of code through electronic mumbles. Tali froze for a split second but quickly regained her posture. Standing up she took one big stride over to the Geth. The machine's rifle unfolded as it pointed it at Tali's head. Her face was only inches away from the Geth's; the light closed up partially as it knew it was going to be terminated. Her shotgun slipped under the arm pit and she pulled the trigger. Tungsten pellets slashed though the tubes and metal plates. Its kinetic barriers were not able to defend the Geth's metal shell. White oily liquid atomized onto her mask along with metal splinters nicking up the face plate.

The light shut off and the body dropped like an anvil. A strong hand grabbed Tali's dainty arm.

"Go, get around the corner," Shepard yelled over the gun fire. Tali began to run towards Ashley who was firing accurate burst down the tunnel; her Tungsten rounds lit up blue as they arched down the tunnel finding targets. Run towards Ash! Keelah, run! A light emerged from the wall behind Ashley.

"Ashley!" she screamed. The Chief was totally focused on giving her team covering fire and the noise was barbaric. She knew what she had to do. Sprinting with all her might she left Shepard in the dust. Her powerful legs propelling her forward, she had to get close enough to the Geth to bring down its barriers. Firing a shot, its shields lit up as it recoiled back; it didn't go down. Its head snapped back and targeted Tali, but before it could do anything, the quarian was right on top of the Geth. Tali slammed into it, both collapsed on the ground. In pure rage, Tali shoved her hand into the Geth's neck clawing at the tubes like an animal. The Geth's face plates fanned out aggressively and stared into her face plate. The light from its head illuminated the white oil that covered her face. She reached for the knife on her leg attempting to finish it off. The Geth's targeting system locked onto the knife and assessed it as the immediate threat. Its powerful hand grabbed onto Tali's arm. She let out a blood curdling scream mixed with intense pain and indescribable anger.

"Ash, help," Tali yelled her voice shaking. She glanced off to her left to see Shepard approaching at full sprint. He fired shots at the AI, its shields erupting in to brilliant blue. The stock of his gun crashed into the Geth's head. Its head kicked back as white oil sputtered from its broken tubes but the Geth held on to Tali's arm like a vice still. Shepard grabbed its head and pushed his thumbs into its optics. Finally it let go and Tali slashed at the tubes in its throat twisting the knife severing all of its vital circuits. Shepard's face was filled with rage as he grimaced at the Geth he was barbarically squeezing. He dropped its lifeless shell and checked on Tali.

"Are you okay," he yelled grabbing Tali from under the arms and hoisting her up. Tali nodded and searched for her shotgun. She grabbed it with her quivering hands. She looked back up at her commander. His hand came across her face mask wiping off the milky substance. He nodded his head and tuned to Ash who was laying down a constant stream of fire. "We are going to have to fight our way out of here," he shouted over the fire. Tali peered around the corner to situate herself with the situation. Hot Geth rounds snapped by Tali's head breaking the sound barrier as they passed only inches away and the heat of the ammunition bubbled the armor plate on her arm.

"Joker, come in," Shepard desperately asked pressing his fingers against his helmet.

"Joker here! My scanner just lit up like a Christmas tree, what in the hell is going down there commander?"

"Send the rest of the team down here now! We got set up and we need help, over," he roared over the noise.

"Got it, Joker out."

"We have a Destroyer coming our way," Ashley shouted over her shoulder. Tali unhooked an overload grenade and armed it. She stood up and tapped Shepard on the shoulder. He spun around and looked at the device Tali was holding.

"Covering fire, Ash, cover Tali!" Ashley knelt down on a knee while Shepard stood over her. The both leaned out from behind cover and suppressed the Geth. Tali threw the grenade down range and bought herself back behind cover. "THAM!" It went off directly on target. The concussion of the blast knocked the breath out of Ashley and Shepard. They recoiled behind cover gasping for air. Tali switched positions with them and began to pick off targets with her pistol. The Geth were taking cover behind the tubes and metal sheets making it hard to see them except for their flashlight heads.

"We need to push forward," Shepard ordered showing more confidence. Tali's adrenaline was still surging through her veins. "The rest of our team will be here in several minutes, so we might as well close the gap a little between us and them. My kinetic shields are at seventy-five percent. Ash what's yours," he questioned with his hand on Ashley's shoulder.

"Thirty percent, that sniper hit me hard Skipper," she fired back. Shepard eyes fell to the ground as his face wrinkled up thinking. Tali had faith in her leader. She stared at him as he was thinking of their next move. Ashley leaned out from behind over to send some more rounds down range. Her assault rifle thundered and she squeezed the trigger in precise bursts.

"Okay, let's just take it nice and slow. We have gotten this far, let's not screw up now. Tali, I want you on my ass. Ash, stay here and give us covering fire. We are going in low. You see these vines on the ground? We can use these as cover if we crawl." Tali looked at her commander from behind her mask. "Tali, do you trust me?" he asked. The question took her by complete surprise.

"Yes. With my life Shepard," she said back. Her put his hand on her shoulder and affectionately squeezed it.

"Trust me on this one Tali, I won't let you down." With that, he cupped his ceramic rifle in his shoulder. Tali looked down at her shotgun and closed her eyes. Keelah, watch over us. Watch over Shepard.

"Now!" Shepard ran from cover and Tali kept on his heels. Ashley's tungsten rounds cracked by her side as the two rushed into the fray. Her heart raced like pistons as more adrenaline pumped ferociously into her blood stream. Shepard dropped down on his stomach at this first bit of cover that was large enough to shield them. Tali slid to her knee and dropped on her belly sliding right into Shepard's legs. Everything flashed white from the impact, but she shook it off quickly. A powerful hand grabbed Tali's arm and hauled her behind cover. Shepard began to fire at a Geth Shock Trooper punching past its shields and sawing it in half. The torso squirmed in a puddle of its oil as its legs kicked beside it. Tali gave it a face full of pellets splitting the head in three pieces. It squealed then stopped moving. Tali then caught movement off to her right about a meter away. The wires on the wall began to shift and a light came on. Tali fired three shots into the wires knowing that there was a Geth hiding behind all of the cords and tubes. The light shut off. Gotcha you bosh'tet!

"Tali, keep it up. You are doing so well," Shepard reinforced her. She felt her stomach lift up with excitement as her moral rose. But then, she saw something that pushed all that worked up moral back. A Geth Armature was tunneling itself through the pipe.

"Tali!" Both the Armature and Tali locked eyes as a purple-blue orb charged up. Her mind went blank as the two looked at each other.

"Oh Keelah," she gently whispered. The charge was released and it accelerated right at Tali. Suddenly there was a weight on top of her.

"No Tali!" It was Shepard. Their eyes locked and Tali could see his breath fog up on her mask.

"No Shepard!" she screamed. A heat wave exploded over her and Tali could feel the super heated orb eating away at her suit. A white flash and intense pain was all she could see and feel. Her whole body felt as if it were crushed and seared. Can't breath. Need air! All she could see was black. A type of darkness that she didn't even know existed. She felt alone, as if she was in between dimensions or floating through the vacuum of space. Don't give up Tali'Zorah nar Rayya. You can't. Don't give up…. don't give up. Images came into her head. Images of Liara's friendly smile, Kaiden scrutinizing his breakfast food with Dr. Chakwas looking over his shoulder, Wrex and Ashley arm wrestling, Garrus throwing his head back laughing at Joker when he was ambushed by Ashley attempting to shave his beard, and Shepard with his warm smile. I am not giving up on my friends. Never! She opened her eyes and inhaled. The air that penetrated deep into her lungs was the most liberating feeling she has ever had. Pain tugged at every nerve in her body. A face stared back at her. Shepards face. His blue eyes pierced through her helmet. His mouth moved, saying something. She couldn't make it out. Her hand was grabbing his, the warmth passing though her suit. Shepard. Another familiar face appeared behind his. Liara. The asari had a blue biotic aura around her gentle form. My friends came for me. Tears dripped off of Shepard's nose and landed on Tali's purple mask. My friends love me. Tali's hand reached up to Shepard's face, her three fingers sliding under his helmet. He closed his eyes and melted into her hand. Tears streaked down his face. Tali closed her eyes and was consumed by black. Shepard.

The Patrol Chapter 5

Tali dipped in and out of consciousness, her eyes opening every once in a while. She was on her back looking up. She could feel an arm under her legs and a hand cupping the back of her head. Pollen spores rushed past her visor and the metal tunnels ceiling was moving. She could feel her legs dangling over the arms that carried her battered body swaying back and forth. Turning her head to the left her eyes met gray armor with a red stripe. Shepard. Her eyes flicked up to see his face. Their eyes locked and his mouth moved. She couldn't make anything out, everything sounded like she was submerged in water. His eyes were red and his face was smeared with white oil. Her eyes focused on two beads of liquid on her mask. They rolled close to each other as her helmet rocked back and forth. One was a clear bead, water from Shepard's tear and the other was the Geth's lubricant. They approached each other and attached, the two liquids swirling together in a beautiful orb.

The two liquids danced with each other serenely. Tali closed her eyes as images took over the darkness. Music pulsed into her head, the throbbing sound of the night club Flux. Tali stood in a corner as she observed the holographic streams of text slide up the wall bordering the dance floor. Shepard and Ashley were on the dance floor having a go at it. Wrex and Garrus were at the bar joking with each other and Liara was having a deep conversation with Councilor Anderson. Tali crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the vibrating wall and shut her eyes to feel the music. One day after the attack at the Citidel and the bars open back up… astonishing. Tali did notice that the bar was full of laborers and C-Sec, so it was logical that it would open right back up to support the cleanup crew and take their minds off things.

"Tali," a deep voice broke her thought at mind. Her eyes shot open to meet Shepard's face, a smile broke across his lips. He held his hand out for Tali to grab. "Would you mind teaching me to dance, Ashley is dreadful." Tali looked over to Williams. She turned around and blew a kiss to Shepard with her middle finger. Shepard chuckled and turned his attention back to Tali. "If I remember correctly, you said you were quite a good dancer." He said to Tali, his voice filled with drama.

"Oh, um," she tripped on the words coming from her mouth, "I think I was just joking about that commander," her voice rose struggling to be heard over the music. Shepard shook his head and grabbed Tali's hand.

"Liar." She was then dragged off to the dance floor. "We only have another hour left until we leave. I want to know how to dance," he yelled over his shoulder. Tali can remember showing him how to dance; she also remembers he was quite poor at it.

"Thanks Tali," he said out of breath.

"I'm going to go sit down commander," she said bent over with her hands on her knees gasping for air trying not to laughing anymore. Tali approached a table and sat down next to Liara. Something poked into her side. She can remember sliding her hand into her pocket and finding an OSD. Curious, she took it out and looked at it. It was the Flux soundtrack. I didn't think he would remember me saying I wanted Flux's music to bring back to the Flotilla! She looked up at Shepard who was leaning against the bar talking to Garrus. He peered over at Tali and winked. She could feel her cheeks blush and swore that Shepard could see them through her mask.

"We need to get Tali out of here right now!" Reality crashed down on her as she came back to the real world. She opened her eyes and saw Wrex looking at her. He cocked his head and slapped Shepard on the shoulder. He said something to the commander but couldn't make it out. Shepard continued to walk forward as he pressed Tali's body tight against his chest protecting it. Tali gave Shepard's hand a slight squeeze telling him she was still with him. His hand tightened up around hers and he picked up the pace. The gray ceiling above her head stopped rushing by as they broke free of the deadly labyrinth. The green canopy of the forest was all that was over her head. Sweat trickled off of Shepard's chin as he stopped and set her down gingerly. Her vision got blurry and black began to appear in the corners of her eyes. Got give up Tali you stubborn bosh'tet. The black closed up even more. You can't let your friends down. You can't let Shepard down. His face was the only thing in focus. A warm smile trickled across his face and he held his hand out. Tali used the last of her strength to clasp onto his warm hand. His mouth moved, but she couldn't hear what came out of it. She stared at his dry lips as they were the only thing in focus. "I'm sorry." She let go of his hand to put a finger on his lips. Everything went black.

Voices, like whispers climbed into her head. The whispers clumped together and created static. It was all white noise. Lights flashed like fan blades passing in front of a burning bulb. The light swirled together then dissipated to a fine mist like stars against the midnight black vacuum of space. A cool gentle breeze whipped against her as she stared at the stars in the sky. Eyes closed, she took the opportunity to feel the wind brush against her bare face. The feeling was like no other. Then black again.

Air passed into Tali's lungs as she took her first breath as a conscious being. Her face muscles flexed as she opened her heavy eye lids. Everything was blurry. The room she was in was basked in gentle blue light casting long dark shadows. The room hummed with electrical equipment. She began blinking slowly attempting to knock off the blur from her sleep. This room felt like home to her; the comforting feeling wrapped around her body. I am safe. She swiveled her head around the room; she could feel a friendly presence. A man was sitting in a chair, his arms folded on a table with his head burrowed in between them. Shepard. Tali moved her two toes. She could feel the tendons in her legs pull tight as they obviously haven't moved in some time. She sat up on the medical bed and swung her legs over the edge. They dangled there for a moment as she curled and uncurled her toes loosening up the muscles. She hopped off of the bed and landed on the floor with a thud. She felt extremely dizzy and had to brace herself by holding onto the table next to her. She slowly approached Shepard on her wobbly legs from behind. His back was slowly rising up and down as he slept. Tali gently put her hand on his back to wake him. Her hand didn't shake him though; she just left it there on his back just enjoying the contact.

"Shepard," Tali whispered. "Shepard," she repeated moving her hand down his spine. He inhaled a deep breath of air and lifted his head. His head slowly turned to face Tali who was bending over, her head even with his. He blinked a couple of times and stared into Tali's purple face mask. He had a big red spot on his forehead from where he was leaning it against his arm and his eyes were red. He quickly stood up and embraced Tali.

"I am so sorry Tali, I am so sorry," he said in a hoarse whisper. Tali was taken by complete surprise by his feelings. She wrapped her arms around him enjoying every second of it.

"I can't go through losing another teammate again," she felt his body start jerking slightly as he sobbed into her shoulder. "It was my entire fault, I'm so sorry Tali," he repeated.

"Don't worry Shepard, I am here. I'm not dead." She squeezed him back. Shepard let go and grabbed her shoulders to stare into her face plate. He smiled as tears accumulated between the wrinkles on his face

"I know," he said barely audible. He put a hand on her back and led her over to the bed. "You need to keep resting Tali. We need you to get better. You took a hell of a beating out there, now lie down and rest," he ordered her like a caring father would. She climbed back in bed and set her head down on the pillow. Shepard grabbed a blanket and threw it over Tali. A smile crept over her lips. I have an environmental suit on. She didn't want to spoil the moment though because she thought it was cutest thing ever.

"Night Tali," he murmured. He turned around and sat back in his chair and fell asleep. Tali closed her eyes and did the same.

Tali awoke to some whispers. She turned over and saw three figures standing at the opposite end of the room. They all stopped and stared at Tali, the blue light adding to their mystery. Tali used her elbow to leverage her body up. She stared at them curiously cocking her head to the side

"How are you feeling Tali?" A voice said from the shadow, its tone unmistakable.

"I'm feeling great Doctor."

"Hmmm… that's interesting. You recovered remarkably fast," Dr. Chakwas replied. Tali nodded her head in agreement as she took off the blanket. Liara, who was standing next to Shepard in the corner, noticed the blanket. She looked at Shepard and smiled. Looks like I'm not the only one who thought it was cute. Shepard unfolded his arms and anxiously walked over to her bed. He held his hands out for Tali to grab. Her three fingers wrapped around them as he pulled her off the bed.

"Thanks Shepard," Tali whispered humbled. The medical bay door opened and a huge figure cantered into the room. Wrex's imposing form set off the medical bays motion sensed lights. Tali shielded her eyes from the sun like orbs above her head.

"You pulled through," he yelled raising his colossal arms in the air. Everyone in the room burst into laughter.

"Now that is one tough quarian," Ashley said appearing behind Wrex's tree trunk like body grinning from ear to ear. Tali immediately let go of Shepard's hands when she saw Williams face and looked away from her. Garrus appeared at the doors opening nodding his head towards Tali; he crossed his arms and leaned against the frame. She looked back towards her commander, her savior. His eyes were red, from what, she didn't know. She looked around the room and at all the smiling faces. Tali wasn't used to this kind of attention before.

"Speech, speech, speech," Ashley yelled from behind Wrex. The group erupted with laughter. Liara looked at the floor shaking her head with a smile slapped on her face.

"Thanks guys, for coming after me."

"Whoohoo," Ashley erupted pumping her fists in the air. The team applauded along with some slaps on the back.

"Wrex! Don't hit her too hard, she is still healing," Chakwas yelled at Wrex like an aggravated mother. He grumbled at her response.

"Thanks Wrex," Tali told her favorite krogan through teary eyes and a throbbing shoulder. Wrex glared at the Doc and meandered out the door. Shepard, Liara, and Dr. Chakwas were left standing in the room and their smiles dissolved. "What's wrong," Tali asked as her heart raced.

"Tali, the part that you brought back to the ship, you remember that," Shepard asked.

"Yeah," she responded her voice filled with dread.

"That piece is what almost got you guys kill," Liara interrupted. Tali's legs went limp as she collapsed on the table. She shook her head in disbelief. She looked at Shepard's face, scanning it for answers. Oh Keelah, what have I done?

The Patrol Chapter 6

Her vision blurred as what came out of Liara's mouth smacked her in the face. Tali looked at her hands as they trembled.

"What have I done," Tali murmured her voice quivering.

"It is not your fault Tali. You have done so much for this crew," Shepard crouched down on his knee and looked up into her face plate.

"Don't blame yourself, I didn't even know Tali," Liara came over to reassure her putting a delicate blue hand on her shoulder. Tali didn't want to open her eyes. She wanted to return back to the darkness from which she once was part of. Shepard grabbed her hands and shook them affectionately.

"Tali, look at me," his voice was stern. She opened her eyes and stared at Shepard's face as guilt weighed her stomach down. "We couldn't have known anything."

"What happened," she finally got the courage to ask. Liara took her hand off her shoulder and began to pace in front of her.

"We think the piece activated the Geth. That or it somehow was jamming the Normandy's scanners. Liara walked into her room and returned with the piece.

"You still have it aboard," Tali yelled and jumped off the bed. Liara took a step back startled, her eyes widening. Tali stared at the device. It was a perfectly smooth gray sphere about four inches in diameter. Liara cupped it in her hand like a baby.

"When you were on the ground," Liara continued walking towards Tali, "I was running some last minute scans on it before packing it up and sending it to your father." She paused and looked up from the object and stared at Tali, "Suddenly it broke open and emanated a pulsing light." Tali walked over and held her hands out wanting to hold the device. Timidly, Liara handed it over to Tali. She stared at the object, rolling it over in her hands.

"But… I don't see any seams. We scanned it multiple times and found nothing," Tali rose her voice in frustration.

"I know, that is where we are stuck," Shepard came into the conversation, "But we have an idea of how this happened and you Tali are the only one who can possibly answer our question." Tali stared into his face. "Remember the abandoned shuttle where we found the device?" Tali closed her eyes and nodded. Images appeared in her head.

Tali looked off to her right into the vacuum of space. A huge hole was torn in the shuttles wall, most likely from a Geth cannon. The metal was melted around the gaping hole signaling a Geth attack from their super heated weapons.

"I was looking forward to killing something," Wrex chimed in over Tali's helmet.

"Keep your eyes sharp, don't let your guard down," Shepard's voice came through next. Geth bodies were suspended in mid air all over the ship, along with several human ones too. What the vacuum of space did to organic bodies was awful. Tali looked away whenever she saw one floating in a corner or stuck in between debris.

"We have a door up ahead! Wrex get to the left of it, Tali, take the right," he ordered. Wrex slammed his body against the wall next to the door. Tali got in her position as Shepard crouched behind a metal beam, his rifle trained on the door. Wrex looked at Tali. She could tell he was grinning behind his helm. He punched the holograph and the door silently opened.

"Clear, go in." Tali and Wrex followed Shepard's order. Tali quickly scanned the center then turned to her immediate right to check the corners. Shepard lagged into the doorway bringing up the rear sweeping the center of the room.

"Clear!" All three said at once. A Geth Prime was the only thing floating in the room, broken into a dozen pieces. Little globules of the Geth's lubricant were the only things moving in the small quarters.

"What in the hell happened here," Wrex commented.

"This doesn't add up Shepard," Tali whispered into her helmet, "How could a few Marines defend themselves against several dozen Geth and what are the Geth doing in Council space?" She looked over at her commander. His rifle lowered as he stared at something. "Tali," he said looking over at her waving two of his fingers, "Come here." She walked over to Shepard and stood beside him, both of them puzzled.

"What is that," Shepard pointed at the strange sight. There was a grey spherical ball that was wrapped in a blue field suspended above a Geth terminal.

"The terminal or the ball," Tali responded confused at both. She slowly yet curiously approached both objects.

"Why would the Geth bring a terminal onto a human shuttle," Wrex asked looking over Shepard's shoulder. The commander turned around and shrugged.

"Tali, you have an answer for Wrex?" Tali was utterly confused. She shook her hooded head back and forth. As Tali stared at the sphere, Shepard approached the ships main console. His omni-tool lit up as he scanned the computer.

"Uh, guys," he started, "The distress beacon was sent after the attack directly to the Normandy," Shepard stated emphasizing the words after and directly.

"So, the Geth sent a distress beacon to us? Is that even possible," Wrex asked confused scratching his arm with his shotgun.

"Tali?"

"I… I don't know Shepard," she responded, fear laced in her voice. She reached for the sphere, her three fingers cutting through the blue shield that held the mysterious ball stationary. The field disappeared leaving the room dark. Shepard's light flicked on as he walked over to Tali and stared at the sphere.

"Do you know what that is," he asked not inches away from Tali's face. The shiny surface reflected his light as they both stared at it. Tali shook her head once more.

"Let's get back to the ship, I'm starving," Wrex grumbled walking away losing his curiosity. Shepard stood still for several seconds. He looked up at Tali and nodded his head in agreement.

"Bring that with you Tali," he motioned his fingers toward the ball, "We will go over this in the de-brief."

The images disappeared. She opened her eyes.

"Yes, I remember," she answered Shepard's question.

"I told you to bring that aboard Tali. It is my fault, don't blame yourself," he came behind Tali and put a hand on her shoulder. Her heart stopped beating and she calmed down. She laid her hand on his and turned around clasping it.

"Thanks Shepard," she whispered barely audible staring into his caring eyes. She let go of his hand as she could feel an awkward stare coming from Dr. Chakwas. You bosh'tet Tali, why did you do that!

"Do you think this," she held up the mysterious ball, "was meant to come aboard the Normandy?"

"We believe so," Liara responded, he voice light and airy.

"Did this activate the Geth in the tunnel," Tali asked even though she knew the answer. Shepard nodded his head, his face full of guilt.

"Somehow they set a trap," Laira informed them.

"But the Geth are no smarter than a Varren, it doesn't make sense," Tali exclaimed almost yelling. She walked back over to her bed and sat down. She stared at the ball; anger pulsated through her veins as she began to squeeze it.

"I need time to think…about all of this," Tali looked up. All her friends were staring at her with friendly smiles. "I am sorry for creating the Geth," she said as a lump crept up in her throat.

"Don't say that Tali, you hear me? I don't want you to say that again," Shepard angrily said to Tali as he approached her. I can't look at my friends. Because of what we did almost killed all of them. A hand grabbed the back of her head tilting it up. "Tali, open your eyes and look at me," Shepard ordered her. She shook her head as tears streamed down her face.

"I can't," Tali responded through a whimper holding back her sobs. Liara's hand began to gently pat her on the back. I don't even understand why they let me aboard this ship. I created what we had to fight. "I am so sorry Shepard, I am so sorry for everything," she finally couldn't hold back her feelings anymore. "Everything is my fault, I almost got all my friends killed," she yelled. Tali's hands came up to her mask to wipe the tears off her face, but the mask cut that action short. She stood up and threw the ball against the floor. "Damn it," she screamed through her sobs, "Damn it!" Her body collapsed on the floor. "I'm sorry for everything." She opened her eyes. Shepard went to his knees and crawled towards her.

"Shepard!" She threw herself at him as she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, her head melting into his neck.

"There is nothing to be sorry about," he whispered, "We all would be dead if you weren't with us, you know that. You gave us the Geth data, you helped me save Feros, and you were the one to kill Saren. Remember that? My rifle overheated, Ashley was hiding behind some debris, and you stepped up to the plate. Remember? You were the one to put the last shot into him. He went down right after you shot him. You were the one to save the galaxy that day and I got all the credit for that." He squeezed her body tighter. "Tali'Zorah nar Rayya, the savior of the Citadel, the woman who defeated Saren. You are the best goddamned friend I have ever had, and don't you forget that." These words sunk into Tali. "I almost lost you out there two days ago. I would have never forgiven myself for that."

The two sat there on the cold floor as they poured their feeling out to each other. Nothing mattered to Tali at the moment. The Geth, the Reapers, or the device they brought aboard. Nothing. She closed her eyes and was happy to be alive, she was happy to have the best friends in the galaxy. She was happy to have Shepard. Keelah Se'lai….

Thank you all my friends, fans, and readers for the support you have given me. Thank you BioWare for giving me all of these great characters to work with, this wouldn't have been possible without you. The universe and characters you guys/gals have created is loved by millions!

With my readers support, I will be making more FanFics. The Tali thread made this possible, thank you!