A/N: Ok, so this is set, like before the first chapter. Its how all the rumours and betting started. I don't know if I'll keep writing for this story. Also, a quick note on my other fanfic, Between the Linings – feel free to message me with ideas for the rest. If I don't get anything within the next month or something, I'm taking it down. Cause its annoying me. Tanks guys!

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It was New Year's Eve, exactly three weeks after the mission on Bug World, and the whole crew of Starship 15A2, along with at least three other Starships, were holding a New Year's Eve party in the mess hall.

She was currently standing in front of one of February's multiple full-length mirrors, sneering at her reflection, while on the inside, marvelling at the work the blonde girl had done to her tomboy exterior.

The girl had shoved Taz into a red strapless dress that went to just above her knees with a wide, black belt buckled around her small waist. Underneath the dress she was wearing a pair of black leggings that caressedher ankles, and met the top of a pair of black, heeled boots. Februaryhad managed to get her hair out of the red bandana and it now fell halfway down her back, and was soft and wavy, with a red rose pinned behind one ear.

She didn't look like Taz. She looked like the fifteen year old from six years ago, when Up had found her. And the Taz in front of the mirror didn't like being reminded of what she lost. She hated it.

February – that estúpido girl – grabbed her hand and began pulling her towards the door,

"Come on Taz! It'll be fun! And I know that there's at least one guy out there who would tell you just how pretty you look!"

Taz's head snapped around. Did that dumb blonde actually know? Or was she just saying things to get her out of there?

Nope. Judging from the wide smile on her face February knew exactly what Taz had been working for the past two years to cover up; to push away.

Her feelings about Up.

Wishing she hadn't let her guard down like that, she lifted her chin defiantly and walked past February and out the door, her hands in clenched fists at her sides, wishing she had her knife with her, instead of leaving it on her bedside table three hours before.

She stopped when she heard the gasps from the four men – three men and a bug – and crossed her arms, glaring daggers at them, daring them to say something. No one did.

Taz was soon followed by February, Specs and Mega-Girl who walked straight over to their respective partner, and began walking towards the mess hall. Soon, it was only Taz and Up left.

"So," Up began, looking down at his feet, awkwardly, "you wanna go to the party?"

"No es particularmente. But do jou wanna see dat estúpido girl try throwing a knife at us?"

Up chuckled,

"We'd either die, or the knife would hit the wall a metre away."

The pair were silent for another couple of seconds before Taz said,

"Well? Are we going or not?"

Up smiled, then held out his arm. She took it and they walked down the corridor, towards the sound of music and laughter. Just before they opened the doors, Up leaned down and whispered in her ear,

"You look beautiful, now stop worrying."

Up knew her too well – he knew what this estúpido outfit would remind her of most, and that her mind would be transported back to the day were she lost everything.

She took deep breath and gave Up a small, and surprisingly terrified, smile, and then pushed the door open.

Up never found out what she was so afraid of.

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Three hours later, Up was standing at the makeshift bar, watching over the scene with a parental eye – making sure that alcohol didn't turn the night into a fight.

In one corner, Krayonder had finally managed to succeed in "wooing" Specs into a corner, and was tentatively pressing his lips to hers.

Tootsie was sitting on a bench, yabbering on about horses and haystacks to Mega-Girl who was patiently listening to whatever her husband had to say. She obviously hadn't downloaded the emotion "impatience" yet. Thank Dead-God for that.

As Up scanned the scene, he heard the rising sound of chanting,

"Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

Up shook his head as he made his way over to where Taz was glaring daggers at a drunken ensign who must have done something to offend the fiery lieutenant. Her knife was sticking out of the wall next to where the guy was cowering in terror.

Before Up could stop her, she lunged at the ensign, pummelling him with her tiny fists. Up rolled his eyes and pushed through the crowds to get to Taz.

He wrapped his arms around her small waist and lifted her off the man before she pummelled him to death (she'd done it before – but he refused to go there now) and hoisted her over his shoulder.

"Mierda!" The little Hispanic girl yelled, smacking her hands onto the back of her captor, "Up! Put me down jou idiota! Let me go!"

Up chuckled and continued walking. He marched out of the mess hall and down the corridors till he reached the gym – then Taz could vent some of her anger out on a punching bag or a stuffed dummy instead of the drunken ensign. He walked over to the trampoline and dropped the small girl unceremoniously on the bouncy material.

She was up and on him in less than a second, surprising the surly commanderenough so she could knock him to the ground. The wrestled around on the ground for a while, Taz managing surprisingly well in a dress and a pair of heels – boots or no boots, before Up managed to hoist her up, dangling,one hand wrapped around the girl's ankle.

She shrieked, feeling the blood rushing towards her head, her face going red.

"Ok! Ok! I surrender! Me rindo! Let me go! Put me down! Lo siento! Let me go!" And that's exactly what he did. She fell, her head hitting training mat beneath her. She yelled out in pain,

"Jou hijo de putta! Dat hurt!" Taz glared at the tall man smirking down at her as she rubbed her head

"You're not going soft now are you Taz?" She growled and got ready to pounce again when Up froze, looking up. Taz followed his gaze then swore. Hanging above the pair of them was a lone piece of mistletoe, probably left over from Christmas celebrations.

Only problem was, that with all the special technology available to people nowadays, the mistletoe used on the ship had some sort of electrical parts, cause once you're caught under it with someone else – you're stuck.

Taz slowly stood and tried to back away, hoping that this one was completely normal and technological free.

Sadly – she was wrong. Again.

She stepped backwards onto an electrical force field which pushed her straight into Up's chest. The breath was knocked out of her as she hit the robot side, then she looked up into Up's eyes.

"We're screwed," he murmured. Taz looked down, her hands pressed against his chest, feeling a red blush work its way onto her cheeks. As the warmth in her cheeks fade, Up began to speak,

"Look Taz -"

"Kiss me."

Up looked taken aback, and even Taz was surprised at her words.

"Taz -"

"Up we aren't gonna get out of here unless jou kiss me. Do it." Taz glared at him, almost daring him not to. Up gave her a look, before lowering his head and capturing her lips with his.

The spark was almost immediate

Taz felt her hands wind up around Up's neck, tangling in his hair, pulling him closer. His hands wound around her waist, pressing her to him, deepening the kiss. They could have stood there for hours if it weren't for the small gasp that came from the doorway,

"Oh!"

The pair broke away, Taz's face bearing a scowl not unlike the one she bore when leaving February's room before the party. The blonde head was poking around the door and had a hand covering her gaping mouth

"Oh gosh – sorry guys! I'll just be going. Oh – and Tazzie – I told you so!"

February disappeared around the door and it clanged shut, the sound reverberating across the walls of the room.

Taz took a step back, her face redder than her dress and bit her lip. Up looked down, staring intently at his shoes. All he wanted to do was sweep Taz back up into his arms and press those soft lips to his.

But he couldn't do that – the look on Taz's face told him he wouldn't live to see the New Year if he did.

Speaking of New Year, as they stood there, they could hear the distant chanting,

"Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Happy New Year!" Up chanced a look at Taz. She glanced up at him, and said,

"Feliz año Nuevo Up." She murmured, before backing away, then turning and all but running out the door of the gym.

Up stood there for a few more minutes when he realised something. With February's big mouth, by noon today the whole ship would know what had happened. Collecting himself – Up walked out of the gym, leaving all thought about what had just happened behind him.

Or so he thought.

A/N: So what do you think? Also – all the Spanish is Google translate, so if it's wrong – don't hate me! I know, like, three words in Spanish, so I really need to apologise if I got it wrong. Hope you like!