Picking up the pieces.

unbxwed:

He thought it best to leave her alone when they returned from the Alarei. Mourning came in a variety of ways and giving her the necessary time to grieve was part of his policy. After a while Buck descended to the engineer deck to see how she was doing. He entered the room and saw her plugging away at her terminal — he had to assume there was some comfort in routine. God knows it worked for him.

Shepard leaned against the wall with his hands in his combat jeans. He dressed in a grey tank top and his sandy tresses were brushed back over his ears. The more he thought about her old man doing what he did he couldn’t help but think about what he would for his own son. He’d go above and beyond to give Niall a better life in a heartbeat. But there were better ways to go about it than jeopardising innocent lives.

The Irishman leaned against a mesh of piping and spoke up. “Y'look pretty engrossed. Surprised ya’ didn’t hear me, what with these boots a’mine.” He motioned to his heavy footwear and cracked a faint smile, determined to keep the mood light.

“How’re you feeling?” He knew a few hours wouldn’t lessen the blow any further. But it was about letting her know she wasn’t alone, that she could talk about it if she wanted to.

           ❝ Life in the Flotilla required being partial to
            distracting sounds. ❞ Tali breathes, gaze
            never parting from the terminal – work was
            all she wanted to focus on at that moment.
            The Quarian had to focus her thoughts, or
            like a broken machine she’d fall apart. It
            was prudent she remained engaged, or risk
            her stability, & she had to be at her most
            efficient for the Normandy.  

            ❝ I don’t know how to feel, Shepard. ❞ The
            mechanic finally says, pulling back from the
            terminal to turn & look at him. Her shoulders
            sag a bit, arms crossing over her chest as
            her head drops, heavy with a residual shame.
            ❝ I know things could have been different, &
            for that I am grateful you helped at the trial. I
            just… I will never outlive my father, will I? ❞