So, my first fanfic.

It follows on from StarKids Starship. About how Taz and Ups relationship might turn out to be more than just friendship.

Look at her. She always seems so tough. I know it's just a mask, though; she never shows her emotions.

But when she's around me, she lets her guard down. When we're watching a movie or sitting and talking, she drops the facade. Sometimes I even catch her laughing.

Everything would change if she knew how I truly felt about her. She's so beautiful... and perfect… and her eyes are so—No!I can't think of her like that! I'm her superior officer! I look old enough to be her father!

She obviously doesn't feel the same way about me. She doesn't think of me as anything more than a friend and mentor. Doesn't she?

We'refriends, nothing more.

We'll never be anything more.

Taz spent most of her time training in the gym, always pushing herself to be better and stronger than everyone else. The environment of the gym was comforting to her; usually Taz could focus on her progress and tune out her fellow Rangers.

But today, Taz was having a little trouble focusing on her training. Something else had caught her attention—Up.

Like always, he began his workout with a few passes through the military-style obstacle course, then 100 sit-ups and 100 push-ups. His shirt, which was now damp with sweat, usually came off at this point.

Taz's eyes strayed again to Up's well-muscled back as he pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it to the floor near a weight bench.

A sweaty, shirtless Up was the only thing that could pry her eyes away from her own workout.

Taz grunted and turned her attention back to her punching bag for a few moments.

Okay, focus on the punching bag. Just focus.

For Dead God's sake, this is totally useless. I keep looking over at him..

I do this every time he's in here! Just stop it! What if the other Rangers see? There are already enough rumors floating all over the ship!

But he's just so perfect: His bright blue eyes, those muscles, and the way his right cheek dimples slightly when he smiles…MIERDA! Ugh, this is getting ridiculous.

He's never going to feel the same way about me. He probably thinks I'm just a child, una niña tonta.

And by feeling like this, all I'm doing is proving him right.

It was nearing lights out when the two of them finished their workouts.

Up had noticed that Taz seemed slightly distracted tonight; he had noticed her glancing at him when he was using the weight bench. He figured she was just mad that he hadn't offered her a turn to use it.

Up decided that he would just ask her what's bothering her, but he would wait until everyone else was gone. He and Taz were always the last to leave, anyways.

"Hey, Taz?" asked Up with a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

What does he want? Taz thought. Did he notice me staring? Mierda!

"Is anything was bothering you? You seemed a little distracted tonight," Up paused. "I— I saw you looking at me when I was using the weights…" his voice trailed off.

Shit, he did notice! Quick, what's a good excuse?Taz's mind worked frantically to make up an explanation, but then she realized that Up was speaking again.

"…So yeah, I was just wondering if you were annoyed with me, I would've let you use the weights if you had asked to, Taz," Up said. He nudged her shoulder. "Hey, say something."

"Uh… don't worry about it, Up. I've just got a lot on my mind," Taz mumbled. "Yeah, there's a mission coming up soon and I was hoping to get a place on the crew…" Her voice shook slightly. "…and well, I was going to ask you something but I didn't know if I should or not…" Taz didn't know what else to say; she couldn't just be like, "Oh, yeah, I was distracted because I was staring at your marvellous body and I'm in love with you."

"You know you can tell me anything, don't you, Taz?" He took her hand. "Come on, there's only five minutes left until lights out, come back to my room and we can watch Karate Kid! The good one, with Jackie Chan!"

So they left the gym, hand in hand, and headed towards Up's room, neither of them knowing that tonight would change their friendship entirely.

There will be a few more chapters hopefully coming soon, review and tell me what you think, and thanks to Kaitlyn who helped me with the structure!