That mission led Shepard to her rescue later in the game, and resulted in her re-joining the Normandy's crew to fight the Collector's. Regardless of Shepard's actions during that initial meeting, Tali returned to the Flotilla and carried out a Geth-related mission for the fleet. At first, Tali was overjoyed to learn that Shepard is alive, but given their history with Cerberus, she became immediately wary of his new allegiance to the organization. She and her team were there searching for Veetor'Nara, a Quarian who'd gone missing. Shepard reunites Tali while investigating a Collector attack on Freedom's Progress.

Tali returned to the Migrant Fleet, having completed her pilgrimage, and became a respected member of the Neema. Shepard's death at the hands of the Collectors launched Mass Effect 2, and former companions were forced to scatter. Still, it was obvious Tali had developed a crush on male Shepard, and would have followed him to the ends of the galaxy and back if given the chance. In the first game, the romantic aspect was still very new, and there weren't many options for either male or female Shepard.

Tali without her mask