Sleepless Nights

Not a single Ranger pretended not to stare. Taz was once again failing miserably during training. She was the second toughest Ranger everyone knew, always at Up's heels. She could deliver a bone-breaking kick to a man twice her size, hell, she could stare at a man twice her size and he wouldn't think twice about leaving.

But here was the situation: Taz had bags under her eyes that were so big it looked like someone punched her. She was pale, tired and weak. They had only been training for an hour and Taz looked like she would faint at any second.

Commander Up was frustrated. Taz was training to be his Lieutenant. She had to be tougher, stronger.

As she was struggling to keep up with the other Rangers when they practiced hand-to-hand combat, he grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her aside.

"What is wrong with you, Taz?" Even though he used her first name, it didn't soften his words. In fact, it made him sound twice as menacing. "Did you get any sleep last night?"

Taz shook her head, "No sir."

"Why the hell not? You expect to function without any sleep?"

"No sir." she replied submissively.

Commander Up groaned, "Answer me. Why have you not slept?"

"I can't sleep Commander."

"Is this about the robots?"

Taz flinched and turned her head away from his.

Up didn't admit it, but he had a soft spot for Taz. Only for her. After all the countless times he had rescued her. After all the battles they had endured, and the ones they had yet to endure…

"Listen Taz." he said firmly, "The robots can't hurt you now. I know you lost everything, but be tough. You're working to be my Lieutenant remember?"

"Yes, Commander. But… it's just nightmares."

He grabbed her chin gently with his thumb and index finger, making her face him. Taz refused to meet his blue eyes, mostly because her cheeks had turned scarlet from shame. Up spoke slowly, "Listen to me now. Nothing will hurt you. I promise you that as your Commander. Do you understand that?" He lowered his voice, "As long as I'm around, I'll protect you no matter what. Now go and jog around the track until training is over. Next time you'll have to work a hundred times harder than everyone else. Understood?"

He dropped his hand slowly and touched her shoulder affectionately for a few seconds.

She smiled and nodded once, "Yes sir!" She saluted him and ran off.

Commander Up, the toughest man that anyone had encountered, pressed his fingers unconsciously to his lips. His thumb and his index finger.