The message came in on all subspace frequencies: A Turian medical frigate was coming to Earth bearing high-priority passengers. When Tali found out who they were, she spent 3 days straight at the hospital, waiting for them to recover. Garrus sat by her side the whole time. *** "Ma'am." The patient grinned weakly at his visitor. "Kal!" Tali said, content not to correct him this time, instead content with leaning over the bed and wrapping him in an enthusiastic hug. "Oof." Kal said in response. "I... thought you were dead, Kal," Tali said, her chin buried in his shoulder, her voice betraying the tears shining behind her mask. "So did I, Tali. Damnedest thing. It was the Geth. They downloaded into our suits. Somehow they managed to seal everything, keep our systems stable. Probably would have died anyway, if that Turian patrol hadn't popped up. But... I guess I'm not gone yet." "I missed you so much, Kal. I got drunk the night I... got the news." "And I missed it? Well, now I'm REALLY mad at the Reapers." "Get yourself out of here, Soldier, and the triple-filtered Turian brandy's on me. I know a guy who'll get us all we want." "I'll consider that an order, Ma'am." *** The nurses finally shoo'd Tali out so they could give Kal his medication and change his bandages. Garrus put his talon on her shoulder out in the hall. "Tali, I just want you to know..." "Garrus," she answered, further words catching in her throat. "It's him, isn't it?" Tali nodded, "I think it is. I think it has been for a while, but when I thought he was dead I..." Garrus' mandibles flexed in a tired smile, "Don't worry, Tali. I knew what this was. Blowing off steam. Using me for my body, right? It was fun being your dirty little secret, but I know when it's over." "Garrus, don't." "Hm?" Tali grabbed him and wrapped her arms around him in a fierce hug, laying her helmet on his chest for a few moments. "It wasn't," she said, finally finding a breath from somewhere in her chest, "It wasn't just for your body, okay? You were there for me, Garrus. You always have been. Whenever I started getting scared, you had a snappy little comment to bring me back to reality. Whenever I was depressed, you were there with a friendly ear. And... you've always been so many things. Smart, funny, loyal. It... you aren't just my dirty little secret. You're my friend. One of my closest." Garrus wrapped his arms around Tali, "And I always will be." "I hope so," Tali said, "I know this is... sudden. I think I love you both, really." "But Kal needs you more," Garrus said. "I'm not his nursemaid, I'm his girlfriend," Tali shot back, slapping Garrus playfully on the arm, "But... I think I do need to be with him. He means so much to me, and to the fleet, and..." Garrus smiled, and pushed Tali gently off his chest, "Then go. Be with him. The Primarch's been begging me to head back to the Embassy anyway. But... you know where I am if you need me." Tali nodded, "Just never doubt it, Garrus. You weren't a dirty little secret. You were somebody loved." "Never will."