Thank you once again, everyone :D
I can't really think of anything else to put here, so...here 'tis. Ch11.
Up smiled as he looked through the open glass door onto the balcony. Taz was leaning over the edge, watching the few rays of sun poking out from the clouds and dancing across the water below. The angle of her face was softened in the early morning light, her eyes wide and doe-like, the corners of her mouth turned up into a small smile. The gentle breeze tossed a few stray strands of hair lightly around her cheeks, and her eyelashes fluttered slightly as she daydreamed. She looked so pretty, an embodiment of the side of her only he saw, contently and serenely immersed in her own thoughts, and Up suddenly wished he had artistic talent- he'd like to paint her like that.
Knowing that was impossible, he went for the next best thing, creeping up on her and snapping his cameraphone in her face.
'Hey!' she lunged for it, and he had to hold it over his head to stop her destroying it. 'Hijo de puta! Give me that!' She tackled him to the ground, grabbing hold of the phone and trying to pry it out of his hands.
'Give me dat, jou idiota! Give it to me!'
'Aw, Taz, I want it!'
She yanked at the phone, twisting Up's wrist painfully in her attempts.
'Ow! Okay, I'll delete it, just let go…'
'No chance, idiota. I don't believe jou, give it now!'
Up knew this struggle could go on all day, and gave up trying to rescue his phone by force, resulting to alternative measures of persuasion and planting a row of little kisses down the side of her neck.
'Come on, Taz…'
He could see her trying to remain steely, but her resolve was crumbling with each kiss.
'Jou don't play fair…'
Up chuckled. 'Hey, I'll tell you what else ain't fair, if I have to take that phone off you I'll print that picture out and put a poster-sized copy on the ceiling…'
She glared down at him. 'Don't jou dare.'
He couldn't resist her then, she looked so viciously adorable when she was pretending to be mad at him, he reached his head up and kissed her, letting his guard down for long enough for Taz to snatch the phone and hurl it off the balcony.
They'd spent three weeks in this sort of happy state, a small block of time out of time in which they could enjoy each other's company. They'd found an apartment in a quiet corner of earth that had never been touched by the robots to spend their planet leave in, and allowed themselves to forget about the G.L.E.E., about the second reconstruction, about everything, and just spend time together in their new relationship. With the pressure of the robots and the army and their responsibilities gone, both were more relaxed than they'd been in months. The first night they'd gone to dinner in a small Mexican restaurant they'd chanced to pass, and Up had wondered why their waitress had been suppressing an uncontrollable urge to laugh until he'd noticed Taz, ordering with a deadpan expression and wearing his moustache.
Their apartment had two bedrooms, which, after watching a movie together (usually the good 'Karate Kid' with Jackie Chan, although they had tried and scoffed at a few different versions made before and since) they would leave for faithfully. Up knew, however, that although he went to sleep with his arms empty when he woke up Taz would be in them, and she was, every morning, some nights not even bothering to wait til she thought he was asleep before she came in (although, Krayonder and Criss would be annoyed to know, they were still no closer to winning their bet).
Up didn't want this vacation to ever end, but he couldn't help noticing as the days marched closer to their return to the G.L.E.E., and to his dangerous operation. It annoyed him that the best times of his life had to speed past as though they were desperate to get out of the way, and he found himself wishing, as he woke up on the last morning to the sound of Taz's breathing, that she hadn't destroyed his phone. He'd wanted that memento of this little piece of his life- he'd planned to take a copy of the picture with him into the reconstruction. He wanted Taz with him during that, even if she wasn't allowed to actually be in the room.
They returned to find the rest of the 15A2 crew had already gone on their own planet leave, but the nine days remaining before the reconstruction had to be spent in official duties. There were still new recruits to be trained, mission logs to be filled out and a whole bunch of seminars to attend. On top of that, both had, in their peaceful time alone, forgotten the effect hundreds of others constantly around them had on their relationship. Gone were the times when they could just stop whatever they were doing for a kiss; now they fell back under the scrutiny of prying eyes, of whoops and cheers and the rustle of exchanging money every time they held hands.
Even so, the 29th seemed to creep up on them at lightning speed. Up nearly had a heart attack when he glanced up at the calendar and saw the huge, bold 28 staring at him. Tomorrow. Tomorrow.
That evening was a quiet affair. They'd started watching the old Harry Potter movies during planet leave, and they'd gotten out the second part of Deathly Hallows to watch this evening, but neither were really in the mood. More than once Taz found herself just staring, openly staring at Up, trying to memorise every inch of his face, of the way he leaned on the arm of the sofa, trying to freeze him in time with her eyes, trying to will him not to go, not to do it, not to take such a risk.
She wondered for a moment whether she should tell him. She'd been toying with the idea since the night they'd first kissed- of telling him, of giving him something that proved how much she cared for him. She was considering telling him her name.
Taz just hadn't found an appropriate moment to do that yet. Jou could never see him again after tomorrow, jou know. Jou might never get another chance…
'Up…'
'Hmm?' he blinked and turned to her.
She bit her lower lip, trying to bring herself to do it. 'Up, I…' the words were on the tip of her tongue, but what she said instead was 'don't go.'
He said nothing, but pulled her up into his lap, something that, over the past few weeks, she'd grown more accustomed to (although if anyone asked she still hated it and thought it was for little sissies). She could feel the fear in his embrace; his left arm, wrapped tightly round her waist was trembling slightly.
'I gotta, Taz. You know I ain't got a choice…'he smiled down at her, but she knew him well enough to see through it. 'After it's over, Taz, promise you'll be tough on me, make me get back up if I start goin' soft on ya again.'
She gave her own tentative smile. 'Por supuesto, idiota. Jou are one tough sonovabitch, jou know, jou'll recover fast- well jou will, or I will kill jou.'
When this is over, she told herself. Because he will get back up.
Taz could see from the glint in his eye that he was determined to stick it out, that despite his fear he would try to hold on, if he could. He'd come a long way from the cowardly spayed little puppy he'd been two months ago, and she was proud of him.
She didn't hesitate to acquiesce when he asked if she would stay with him tonight- neither of them wanted to be alone. She lay beside him, head in the crook of his shoulder, both of them staring through the darkness at nothing. His breathing patterns told her he was still awake, and they lay there for hours, just thinking.
Taz drifted in and out of sleep for a few moments, opening her eyes and shutting them to form a transition between her waking and dreaming thoughts.
She hadn't even realised she had fallen asleep until now, with the orange morning light touching her face. Her pupils dilated as she lifted her lids, instantly snapping them shut again as the thought came rushing to her brain.
No, no, it can't be morning. If I don't despertarse then it can't be morning. If it isn't morning it can't happen.
Taz lay very still, the anxiety gathering in the pit of her stomach, her mind screaming at her heart to stop hammering so hard.
Shut up, estupido. Jou'll wake Up.
Even as she thought the words she felt the man beside her twitch and stir, felt the tickle of his moustache as his lips found her forehead.
'I know you're awake,' the familiar voice drawled in her ear. She said nothing and refused to move.
'Aw, Taz. Puttin' it off won't change anything. I gotta go through with this damn reconstruction no matter how long you keep pretendin' to be asleep.'
She knew that. Knew it, and knew she was being ridiculo, that she couldn't stop it, but she couldn't help herself. She was acting weak, but when he might be...no, she wouldn't think it.
Taz groaned and sat up, leaning into Up's side as his arms snaked around her waist.
'Hey, hon.'
'Hola, idiota,' she replied, trying to keep her tone light. He saw through it.
''s gonna be okay, Taz- remember, you promised to be tough on me.'
'Hey, jou don' have to remind me to be tough,' she shoved him lightly, and he caught her arm and leaned in to kiss her.
'That's my girl.'
They'd walked to the medibay together, neither looking at the other for fear that they'd lose their self-control and shed a tear or two. Now, standing in the doorway, Taz just wanted to slam the door shut, kill every damn doctor in the place and take Up somewhere they couldn't touch him, where none of the hijos de puta could try to break him up and put him together like a jigsaw puzzle. He'd already been cut up by the robots, why did he have to go through it again?
She didn't say or do anything, though. Up was being brave about it, and he taught her to be tough. She couldn't let him down.
They didn't say any goodbyes. Up's hand left hers, and he turned, taking one step through the door, not stopping to look at her. Taz steeled herself, and moved to do likewise, when she found his lips pressed firmly against hers.
'For the road,' Up said when they broke apart, and then he stepped through the door and was out of sight.
General Holden couldn't say he wasn't concerned about Up. The Commander had been in the medibay for two days, the surgeons devoting every waking hour to the operation, and several throughout the night, and though the reports so far had been positive, the hardest part, he had heard, was still to come. He hoped sincerely that Up would pull through, it would be such a loss to the G.L.E.E. should he not last the operation. And he would, though as the second-highest ranking officer only to Space-Claw he was unable to admit it, miss Up around the place. He was a good ranger, a good Commander, a good friend- not just to him but to the whole League. Every hour on the hour groups of ensigns, recruits and higher officers alike were asking after him.
Holden had a lot of work to get on with- it was training day for the new recruits- and they were supposed to be learning from the best- the Commanders were to be instructing them in the vitals- combat, weaponry, et cetera. Without Up they were short one brilliant mind, and he had already decided who should fill the position- there was no-one else, really.
Holden sighed. She was there again. Every time he walked past the infirmary, Taz was outside, forehead against the door. She had to pick herself up; there were two days to go before they completed the reconstruction, and much as he felt for her, he had a duty, as General of the whole G.L.E.E., to ensure that when a ranger had a job to do they got it done. And right now, whether she liked it or not, Taz had a job to do.
'Lieutenant!'
Taz jumped, turning and giving Holden a salute.
'I don't recall giving you the day off- if I recall correctly you're on weapons training with the new recruits- now stop skulking around the medibay, find where you're assigned and go there.'
The anger flashed across her face, and she looked like she was about to shout at him, or hurl something, but Holden had the power to hire and fire, so she clenched her fists and gave him a furious look instead.
He sighed again. 'Lieutenant…Taz, look, I know this is hard for you- hell, we're all concerned about the Commander's surgery, but…'
'Don't jou realise, jou idiota, he could…'
Holden raised one eyebrow at being called an idiota by a lower-ranking officer, but under the circumstances, he let it slide. 'I am aware of the-minimal- risks, Taz, but it's not gonna get any less risky with you standing there all day. You do remember what I said to you when this…thing between the two of you started- relationships are not supposed to get in the way of your official duties.'
'Si, senor,' Taz muttered.
'Come on, then.'
Taz followed him reluctantly, each step killing her, making her feel like a traitor. She had vowed she wouldn't leave until they let her in- something she had furiously told the doctors, despite their insistence that someone would notify her the second there was anything to be notified about.
She hadn't realised it was going to take three days- three solid days of waiting and worrying. Last night she'd sat in Up's room all night, wrapped in his blankets and clutching her zapper in some estupido hope that this might help both her and him somehow. Maybe Holden was right, maybe it would be better to take her mind off it for a while, and if she kept up like this she might be in danger of losing her tough reputation.
And so it was that while Commander Up was holed up in the medibay, the hapless task of teaching the new recruits their first combat lesson fell to Taz. It was a stifling mid-morning, and the hopeful new rangers were gathered in groups across the courtyard, listening intently to instructions bestowed upon them by their superiors.
General Holden led Taz across the grounds, indicating her group and highlighting her duties for the day.
'You'll be teaching them the basic blocks and punches- you have an hour to get them as proficient as you can before we switch over. Commander Up generally demonstrates with volunteers.' He twirled his rifle about in his hand as he spoke; his job was to teach the recruits how to use a number of ceremonial weapons for official ceremonies.
Taz nodded.
'Oh, and I'd advise you not to pay too much attention to Reilly. He's got a smart mouth on him, and he needs discipline, but I know how you …tend to react to rangers who offend you, so I would ask you not to rise to his bait.'
The Lieutenant growled under her breath. Gran, she was going to have to deal with some hijo de puta with some smart mouth called Reilly on top of all her worries. The few strands of patience she had suddenly felt even thinner.
She recognised Reilly before she saw or even heard his voice; he whistled as she walked out in front of the group. She shot a seething stare in his general direction.
'Okay, idiotas,' she began, ignoring Holden's characteristic raised eyebrow of disapproval at her methods. 'Jou tink jou got what it takes to be tough?'
Taz threw herself into her assigned task; anything to take her mind off Up, being cut up and sewn together somewhere within the main building. She demonstrated sparring tactics with a few volunteers, mentally singling out her favourites fairly early on- a few scrawny little scrappers who reminded her somewhat of herself, and one stocky boy whose reflexes impressed her, and who, though she refused to consciously think it, seemed rather like Up when she first met him.
Her thoughts were focused squarely on the work at hand, as she rattled off instructions and demonstrated, but as she proceeded to severely tell off a recruit for disrespecting her, she noticed, out of the corner of her eye, that her favourites had somehow gravitated to sit near one another, and were watching her demonstration with the utmost interest.
Reilly, on the other hand, was getting under her skin. He couldn't be older than fifteen, but his attitude made her forget her strictly threaten-but-don't-actually-injure-the-kids policy- Twice he had disputed her commands, loudly and in front of everyone as if he didn't care what anyone else thought, and several times he had disobeyed her instructions. It was becoming harder and harder not to raise her fist to his face (at the very least; she hadn't ruled out her knife).
'Reilly, if Commander Up heard you speaking like that, he'd have your ass,' Holden had appeared just as the urge to grab her knife was becoming uncontrollable, twirling his rifle and stopping to stand beside Taz. 'Getting on all right, Lieutenant?'
'Commander Up?' Reilly just didn't know when to stop.
'Yes, ranger, Commander Up. I trust you've heard of him?'
Estupido question, Taz thought. Everyone had heard of him. Her heart twisted as his name was mentioned, the thought of what might be happening to him now returning with sudden horror to her mind. She shook it away fiercely. No. No. She would not act weak and worry- not in front of Holden, when she was trying to prove herself, not in front of that hijo de puta Reilly, not in front of her favourites, whom she wouldn't mind seeing on her ship serving under her some day.
'Yeah,' Reilly snorted. Taz didn't have to look at him to know Holden's left eyebrow was approaching the centre of his forehead.
'Yes sir,' Holden corrected sternly, 'well then you should know that one of the toughest commanders in the League would not appreciate you being so disrespectful towards his Lieutenant.' Taz wasn't sure whether he'd laid special stress on the word 'his', but either way it didn't matter- any ranger in their right mind knew not to mess with Commander Up. Reilly wasn't the type to desist, though.
'What could that guy do to me? I don't see him around, do you? And I heard that, you know, he was soft now…'
Taz's knife had appeared from her belt. 'He was never soft,jou lil cabron. Jou wanna take a walk…on my knife?'
'Taz…' Holden warned.
'I heard he cried before that operation thing he's doin' now, 'cause he was too weak even to…'
There was no restraining Taz then, and before Holden knew what had happened the rifle had been snatched from his hands and was being aimed at his chest.
'TAZ!' Holden shouted. She took no notice.
'I'll shoot jou, hijo de puta, I'll shoot jou straight through de heart, I swear…'
'TAZ!' Holden wrested the rifle from her as she took aim. 'That is not acceptable behaviour! You do not threaten the cadets with weapons!'
Taz gave him a scathing look.
'Fine.' And with that, she raised her right fist and heaved it with all her might into his gut.
'TAZ!' Holden shouted, grabbing her roughly by the arm and escorting her towards the main building.
Taz knew she was in for it, but she'd be damned if she'd let anyone attack Up like that, especially when he could be in a life-or-death situation.
She couldn't help noticing, as she was marched off in disgrace, and as Reilly crawled off towards the infirmary that her four favourites were gazing after her in admiration.
Hmm. She could make use of those kids. She loved being feared, but being respected would definitely have its advantages.
Just stepping through the door into Holden's office drained her mood again, and her stomach twisted up again as she remembered.
Up. The reconstruction. Mierda.
Yeah, to be honest I'm not that happy with this chapter. I promise the next one shall be better, and I know I keep saying this, but it shall have a lot more plot in it *guilty smile*
