I am Iron Man

by Colin Cook

"Do not look away." Her head snapped back. His eyes, black and so empty in her view. Yet they were looking into her own soul, it felt. She uneasily stood there as his lips

  purse with slight reflection. "You were standing there Tali. I saw the shift in your hips, the turn of your neck. Every infliction was towards Shepard. You wanted to be with

  him. Yet now, you fear this. As you did every moment before. Do you plan to ignore your heart forever?"

  This was very unexpected. Tali tried to gain her backbone, and point out with an accusatory finger before snarling, "Just a minute you-."

  "Is that it then?" He had snatched her wrist, and softly gave it a squeeze. "Tali'zorah. You know that Shepard has retreated to his cabin alone, with alcohol?"

  "Ah?" Her eyes grew a little. Why did he, do that? "What are you talking about?"

  "The Commander has had a weakness for some time. I've noticed on many missions to Illium, to Omega and so on. If there was a place to purchase a drink he did. If

  there was a place to get a drink, he found one. Perhaps he is using this to numb the pain?" Then, Thane smiled, "Or, just something for him to do. It's hard to tell. His

  actions can be very mysterious."

  Tali lowered her head. Was he drinking that much? He can't be. Shepard wasn't that weak. He was the strongest man she knew. "He wouldn't do that over me."

  Thane, asked her simply, "Would it be so improbable? Can't you see there is a possibility? Why, it could be more than just you? Yet I know it was your position mostly.

  Shepard is up there now. The worst thing you can do is leave him there alone."

  Tali pulled out of the Drell's hand and tore down the hall, but stopped. She held herself thinking about the commander. Tali knew him well. Yet what if the Commander was

  hurting this badly? W-what… what if…?

  Tali turned her head a little. "Do you think it's a good idea? Honestly?"

  "It can not hurt him any more than he is hurting himself."

  Looking back. The Drell was gone. Thane was like that. So easily the most mysterious and allusive. It made sense, he only was there when he felt he must be. Perhaps, he

  felt the strain on Shepard's soul? Or the morale distortion this whole event left? Tali understood the reasons. So she went to the elevator and began to head up where

  Shepard was.

  The Creature spun in place, thrashing data in his hands. "RARGH! It is endless!"

  Legion followed again and this time, he turned at the creature while it stared at him. "What is it you seek?"

  "A way out of this place. Normally, I regenerate from the flesh of my hosts and grow from their internal loathing, hate and fear. Yet you are not like those I've been in

  before. Your every act is mechanical." Clenching a fist, he snarled, "I could have at least been in that Quarian. I would have been able to seduce that Commander, heh. He

  was an attractive one."

  "Are you not a male of your unknown species?"

  "I am the one and the only. There are no other. You stupid machine. Besides, I'm without gender. Such a thing is beneath me."

  As the Creature flew off. Legion's brow showed confusion. He chased after asking, "If it is beneath you then why tempt seducing the Commander?"

  "Because when I ripped from his Quarian friend's chest I would have enjoyed him seeing it. You ask a lot of dumb questions."

  "We do not meet consensus as you do, entity." Legion seemed more aggressive. "We do not accept your freedom if it harms Tali."

  The Creature stopped and spun on him, snapping, "Why do you care what the hell I do to the Quarian?"

  Somehow, this question caused Legion to try and siphon data. What happened then was a data-stream flooding and making a screen, which seemed to be a POV from

  someone's eyes. Legion and the Creature turn seeing the images of Shepard, standing and talking about a mission. The mission as he continued was one on a jungle

  planet somehow being used by Eclipse for a number of experiments.

  "What is this?"

  Legion looked at it, remembering. "That was the mission that we… it is not relevant."

  The data, Legion tried to dismiss. However, the Creature raised a hand and forced it to stay. "Nice try. If it wasn't relevant? You wouldn't say it was not relevant." Glaring

  back at the Geth he gained some amusement from this. Soon the data formed out, and surrounded them. It was not like how Legion remembered. Some how he was

  outside of his body while it, was being played in the data reconstruction. Tali, Mordin and Miranda also were here, while Shepard told more of the mission.

  "How is this possible?"

  "I am ageless. What I can do would blow your synthetic mind, board… things." laughing it watched the mission being explained again. "Distorting time within a dream?

  Simple. Forging an illusion that mimics that time and dream, even simpler! Why, I can cast the memories of others into absolute disarray should I desire. For the right

  reasons."

  "Your reasons we do not deem 'right', entity."

  "Settle down machine. I want to see what's so special about this 'mission'."

  Legion watched as Shepard, told that considering the heavy-mech presence they would be best taking a team of himself and techs. The Eclipse mercs can be handled

  easily, Legion with his sniper rifle would be of great use, Tali's skills with electronics as well. The fact they would be heavily tech-based that was a good enough team so it

  was on this mission. It was on this mission, Legion decided because of it. Why he wished to learn more about emotions and make his experiment.

  Garrus heard the door open. Turning up he saw, "Mording? Surprised to see you down here. What about your research?"

  "Research?" Mordin, was curious how he knew. Yet with a smirk, he realized. "Yes, research. I always have research. Very astute Garrus. Was, not here for the same."

  Looking at Legion he asked, "What is his condition?"

  "Uh…" Garrus, looked over and shrugged. "I wish I knew. I mean, I don't have a clue really. He's just laying there and so far, nothing changed."

  Mordin gave a nod and grabbed his chin. "Perhaps in midst of internal repairs? Or rebooting his own systems. Shepard did try to reinstate, but did not. So now is

  attempting other means most likely. Or, rather would. If he did not take all that we had in the Starboard Port Observation to his private quarters for private consumption."

  Looking to Garrus out of the corner of his Salarian eye, he can see the slight alarm. "Will be fine Garrus. Shepard merely 'relieving' stress as it were. I suspect."

  Garrus gave a nod. Looking back to the Geth, Garrus said, "Yeah, he needs it more than anyone I guess?" Standing up he rubbed his shoulder. "You know what? I'm going

  to see if he left the Turian drinks, have a little something-something, you plan on sticking with Legion?"

  "Now? Certainly." A nod, Mordin watched as Garrus left. Walking over Mordin frowned deeply. "Was not expecting this. Your actions, more organic than would imagine.

  Proud, least of your determination. Though concerned, were you so brazen before. Things could have gone much smoother." Mordin, then raised his Omni-tool doing

  some scans. "Still seem in perfect order. Must be, other reasons you are inactive. Could be program instability, or hardware reconfiguration time-out?" Mordin then took a

  moment.

  "Could be, other reason. One I fear. If I am correct?" He looked down with a slight sternness, "Would be dire importance you succeed in purging such an ailment, as swiftly

  as possible. Legion."

  Tali stepped out of the elevator and sadly kicked an empty bottle. Keelah, he started early. Walking into his cabin, she got the sight she never wanted. Shepard, tossing a

  bottle beside the door and yelling, "NOT now! I'm not in th-." He looked up, but smiled stupidly. "Tali! Good to see you."

  "I wish it were the same." Tali stepped in wringing her hands, softly. "I
was worried. Someone told me you ransacked the reserves." Kicking another bottle, she sighed.

  "Might have been a little more like pillaged though."

  Shepard gave a light snort, and sat up on his bed though doing so, he fell back on it again. "Whoa, wait a minute…" Rolling, the Commander fell hard on his chest, and

  grumbled, "Ah, floor's a little lower than I recall."

  Tali stepped past the small office area, and was beside his sofa. Shepard slowly pushing up and asking, "Hey? Tali? Ya' mind me asking? Something?"

  "No Commander. I'll be happy to answer whatever I-."

  "You wanna have sex?"

  Tali's face grew with the flame of embarassment. Stepping back, she softly picked her fingertips. "Uh, not… no. I can't see that being a wise choice. Commander." That

  certainly wasn't what she expected. Shepard, sitting up and coughing as to himself the phlegm in his throat. Stupidly drunk was not the word for what this was.

  Tali looked back to see him, smiling have dazed. Maybe he was stupidly drunk.

  Finally, he opened his eyes looking at the girl who entered his cabin. "You know Tali? I've been thinking a lot. About that ship. I got to thinking about the time there, and all

  the things I saw?" To that, he leaned on his shoulders saying roughly, "I can't be sure where I stand on this thing about you having feelings for me, Tali."

  Tali got that much. She cocked her head down before telling him, "I know Commander. I didn't want you to find out that way."

  "But, you did want me to find out." He blatantly said, and she turned up with a nod. "Mhm, I got that." Shepard, smiled to her. "You're a good person Tali. Always have

  been, why didn't you just say something? I mean…. reaaaally?"

  His way he spoke was dulled. The charm, still is there. Yet it's weighed with the slur and slight tipsy look. Tali sighed before telling him straight forward, "I wished not to be

  selfish Commander. To ask from you something that, you didn't look to want. Something that I couldn't really ever ask you to give me because deep down we both knew

  what it meant." Looking down at her feet she curled her toes a little. The sense of him staring at her got her nervous. "A simple kiss could kill me Shepard. Or it could just

  as easily put me in a hospital. All this, on top with all the other problems I have probably were enough to turn you away anyhow."

  Strangely, Shepard shifted on the base of his bed. There he took some harbored breaths thanks to the dulling of his senses. Then he shook his head grumbling a little, but

  speaking up he told her, "Mmm, that's not true. Damn it Tali. I don't think you ever have been selfish. You've been thinking about everyone else all your life." Grabbing up

  the bed, he tried to pull himself up. Yet he can't since he's already in a stupor. The funny thing was Tali came over and wrapped him around her neck, and started to help

  lifting him. With a dull smile and look the Commander said, "See, you're doing it again."

  Tali looked up but shied her eyes. Then she settled him on the edge of the bed. "Shepard, we Quarians are raised to help our families, our people and the dream of

  returning the home world to the people. That is what drives many of us. It is what makes us who we are. Because of that, I've lived doing everything I can to help my

  people not just because I'm a 'noble person' like you, but because that's just what it is."

  "Right, but deep down." He held her helmet, with an open palm. The sheer act, made her stiffen a little. "You're doing it all because you want to."

  Tali, looked at his eyes. Strangely, they were so close. The sight of him there and his drunken stupor helped. Leaning in a little Shepard even did the same, returning that

  sense. Though, a clunk to her visor. Shepard winced before whispering, "Ow."

  Tali pulled back and shook her head. "You see there are… complications?"

  "Right." A smirk, Shepard laid down sighing. "Ahh… I don't want this anyway." Her heart sunk, fast. "I'm sorry Tali. I'm just not interested in you like that."

  Okay, at least he was being honest. She hung her head all the same. Then slowly, held her hand on his chest. "You can't blame a girl for trying."

  "No, can't do that." He said, with a sigh. "Ashley did. Least, I think she would have. If she'd lived."

  Tali looked down at him. He was sad now, memories like that haunt him. Even now. "Shepard, did you and Ashley ever become intimate?"

  "No." He smiled, "I think maybe, we would have. We just never got that far." Looking at Tali he shrugged, "You know intimacy isn't the most important part of loving a

  person, Tali?"

  "Don't you think I know that?" She almost sounded offended. However, for Tali. There was more to it. "Shepard, on the Flotilla the most intimate we can be is to link our

  suits together. To get sick off one another's very germs. Keelah, it's not the same. You can just lay with anyone and maybe, MAYBE you'll get some kind of disease, but

  me? I could die!" To that, she soon laid on the bed. Shepard looked down as she wrapped her arm over him, laying her hand on his chest and the cheek of her helmet

  beside his rib. Her leg, wrapped into his leg hooking it. "Sometimes I don't just envy you. I damn near hate that every second you live is a million times the dream, I

  have."

  Shepard winced a little as his hand held hers, "Tali, I don't want this."

  "I know." Tali closed her eyes and leaned in closer. "I don't want to force you. I just, let me have this. One moment, here. While you lay still. Give me that much? Please?"

  Having her plead with him. Shepard closed his eyes and leaned back. "Tali you should find someone else you can be intimate with, a person you can love however you

  damn well choose."

  "Shepard, I can't think of anyone that has done as much as you have for me. Someone that could love me, the ways you could." Looking out over his stomach as it rose

  and fell. She just sighed, deeply. "If I ever found someone that I could love like this? I would. So long as I could feel the same way I do for you. Which, I'm worried I'll

  never do that again."

  "If we were together you could die."

  "I know." Tali smiled a little, tickling his stomach. He chuckled, and she giggled. "Maybe it'd be worth it?" His hand stiffened, and she closed her eyes. "Also, there are

  supplements, imuno-boosters and such. They would enhance my chances of being out of my suit for a prolonged period of time."

  When Shepard didn't talk. Tali looked up, and saw his eyes were closed. Sleep took him. With that, she sighed and just looked at him sleeping like this. This felt right. "In

  another world, another time… maybe another galaxy." She closed her eyes, cuddling closer. "I think this could have worked Commander."

  Laying with him Tali now thought about other things. Legion, for example. Tali opened her eyes a little biting her bottom lip. Keelah, she hoped he was doing better.

  The jungle was thick and alive. Shepard, motioned ahead. "Legion, to the right."

  "Affirmative." Legion ran to the cover of a large boulder. Tali, was behind Shepard.

  From the center of them. The creature slithered along. Looking around. Legion, the 'real' Legion followed himself watching him, then turned to Tali as she's sent forward as

  well. He watched how different it was seeing himself still moving in the old path. A moment, Shepard ran right past him, like he wasn't there. It was a disturbing matter.

  "When does something good happen?"

  Suddenly the sound of gunfire. The Creature looked around as clips shot right into him, but were passing him and hitting the cover of the targets. Shepard screamed out,

  "They spotted us!"

  From ahead, a small group of Eclipse moved back. A Salarian, covered with armor and shields snapped back, "Whoever the hell you are? You're not getting the alien! I've

  lost too many men on this mission!"

  Shepard called out, "W
e're not here for an alien! We're here because of the beacon! Someone let out a distress call, calling for assistance!" He moved, slowly from cover

  holding up his pistol. "Hold on! We can work this out!"

  There was silence. Legion, watched the commander as he somehow got the mercenaries to lower their guns. The one Salarian walked out, motioning his men to hold

  firm. "Alright… Alright, let's talk this out?" He made his move forward. "Listen, we're on a mission to capture an alien life form on this planet. The thing is, the thing keeps

  hunting us and picking us off. Like it can read our minds." Looking down, he shook his head. "We thought it was our imaginations, but, Cerberus never mentioned…"

  "Cerberus?" Shepard frowned. "It figures."

  "You know of them?"

  "We have had dealings under Cerberus previously." Legion's old self stood and spoke, telling the mercs. "They fund our missions."

  Some how the Eclipse merc felt better. "Okay, good. We can really use your help. Is there any chance you can maybe call in a ship? Or something? We need to get out of

  here. The camp is just ahead though, would you come with us?"

  Shepard gave a nod. They follow but Shepard warned as they fell back a little. "Keep your eyes open for tricks."

  Tali, seemed to cock her shotgun. "Planning on it Commander." However, she saw Legion come too close. "Careful Geth. I wouldn't want to discharge a round into your

  side by accident."

  "Agreed, however we assume this was a remark in meaning to the intent to do so."

  Shepard frowned, "Both of you this is serious."

  "Yes, sorry Commander."

  "Understood. Shepard-Commander."

  The groups followed forward yet, it wasn't long before something happened. A large rockslide came rumbling down nearly crushing everyone. Screaming, the Eclipse men

  were crushed. Shepard pushed Tali out of the way of a rock, and Legion dropped back. After it was over, the Salarian screamed, "Damn it! It was a trap!"

  However, he only screamed that for so long before a large body flew past him and his form fell sputtering Salarian blood. Shepard stood seeing another and another fall

  the same. Large marks across their bodies that ripped past shields, armor and flesh. With a wince, he snapped out his orders. "Tali! Legion! Get together!"