Chapter Twenty-One

Healing

After just three days, Taz was utterly sick of the hospital. If it wasn't for Rosie, Up knew she would have broken out on the first day. Her neck was slowly recovering, although the deep scar would never fade, and she was adamant that she was fit enough to leave. But that didn't stop all the tests she was put though. Nearly every day a doctor would want another blood test or piss sample, all of which made Taz feel queasy, but she knew she didn't have to put up with it for much longer. Up hadn't really talked to Taz since she arrived at the hospital, even though they really didn't have a chance what with the rest of the crew visiting three times a day.

'You're looking great girlfriend; I know you will be back with us in no time!' February said as she offered out the box of chocolates that she'd brought for everyone.

'I mean, once you're better, we can have the whole team back together man, and then we will be back in business!' Krayonder added. It was true, Up had been demoted, hours after Taz was sent to Rosie, for purposely disobeying orders, but Up didn't care. He was glad of it, he sat back and watched his crew in the corner of the room, feeling immensely proud of all of them, and had to work hard to stop a smile creeping onto his face.

'Are they feeding you well?' Tootsie asked as he held up the box February had passed round.

'Well enough.' Taz said grumpily. 'I'm just tired-'

'Come now, I think Taz needs to rest.' Rosie had entered the room with her clipboard. 'I'm sure you can come and see her again tomorrow.' Tootsie, February and Krayonder said their goodbyes, leaving the chocolates on the side.

'Thanks Rosie.' Taz smiled.

'Not at all, you just get some sleep, and please don't try and leave again!' She chuckled. Rosie turned round to see Up still sitting there staring out the window. 'Up.' he soon broke out of his trance. 'Can I talk to you a moment?' They left Taz to sleep, and Up followed Rosie to the corridor outside, sliding the door shut behind them. Rosie turned to face him.

'I've her test results back today.'

'And?'

'It seems like Taz is recovering so well because, before receiving the substance from Specs, she had already imbibed some, several weeks previously according to the results.'

'But how? I mean I don't even know what this 'substance' is.' Up hadn't really been informed with this discovery, Li hadn't bothered to trouble him with the information before demoting him. 'Well your crew will be able to give you the finer details, but simply, it's a sort of a life stimulator. The water on Bug World had an undiscovered element, that, in essence, enables life to be extended. I'm guessing Taz must have been in contact with the water before her kidnap.' Up looked over to the door.

'But she's gonna be fine now?'

'Yes, definitely. We just need to keep her in for another few days. The crew will all be happy to see her come out.'

'Yeah, they sure will.' he chuckled, he didn't want to tell Taz but Bug, Mega Girl and February had organised a surprise party for her when she was discharged. Up knew that she would hate the thought, she hated being centre of attention. Once Taz had discovered that she was alive because she was in the lake down on Bug World, Taz began to remember swallowing a mouthful when she heard someone calling her name, and she spent most of that day thanking an utterly bemused Krayonder. The substance itself had been hailed as the most important scientific discovery of mankind. Up was just so relieved to have everything back to the way it was. He knew Tyler would make a great Rear Admiral, and he didn't envy the endless paperwork. Up thought about the events of the past week as he sat by Taz's bedside, looking forward to when Taz got discharged, about the party, and being able to truly spend quality time with the people he loved.

'What are you smiling at?' Taz demanded.

'Nothing.' Up replied, trying not to laugh. 'I just wish you could get discharged now.'

'Yeah, well I suppose I've only got to put up with one more hediondo week in here. I swear hospital dinners are made out

of recycled dog food.'

Taz knew something was up when Up had covered her sight with her own headband.

'Where the hell are you-'

'Trust me, you'll see' he lead her across the halls of the 15 A2 until they reached the mess hall.

'If you think I'm going to hit a piñata or something, you can think again.' Taz grumbled, as they turned into the mess hall.

'Now promise you won't kill me.' he said quietly as he lifted the band off her eyes.

She saw the scene that was laid out, and turned back to Up, with something between alarm and exasperation in her eyes.

'I can't promise anything.'

The party was one big gathering, Bug had even invited some of the locals from Bug World over. There was dancing, and lots of food, which Tootsie rather enjoyed. Taz sat next to Up as they watched February and Bug attempting to dance around the hall. Despite the fact that she hated parties, Taz was beginning to enjoy herself for the first time in months. She looked over at the dancing crew, feeling doubly fond of all of them. February and Bug came over, panting. February slipped off her shoes and rubbed her soles.

'Oh my dead God, I feel totally whacked!'

'Hey Feb.' said Up, smiling.

Krayonder and Specs joined them soon after, both red in the face.

'What's up guys?' Krayonder puffed. Specs leaned over to where February and Bug were busy rubbing noses.

'Hey Bug? Can I talk to you for a second?' Bug prised himself

from February's grasp and followed Specs out of the mess hall.

The party continued to get louder as the drinks were consumed, and Tootsies face got redder by the hour. Taz stood by the edge of the makeshift dance floor, swaying to the beat, tequila in hand. She thought she had earned it for one night, but was careful to only have the one glass. The lights dimmed as the slow song came on. Tootsie and Mega Girl were the first onto the floor, rotating and cuddling closely. February and Krayonder went up next, and Taz watched them ruefully. A hand appeared in front of her, and she looked to Up, who gestured towards the dance floor. She smiled, dumped the rest of the tequila on a nearby table, and followed him onto the floor as they began to rotate slowly.

The dance seemed to last forever, but it was so perfect. Taz pressed into Up as they swayed to the beat. Well, he was much better at this than salsa. At last, the song played its last note and the couples left the dance floor as a much faster, jazzier number came on. The floor was then swarmed by bugs who began to dance crazily, and Up, Taz, February, Krayonder, Tootsie and Mega Girl collapsed on nearby seats. February seemed quite subdued, she sat in silence watching Roach attempting to break dance as the rest of the bugs cheered and applauded. She closed her eyes momentarily, and then looked over at Krayonder.

'Have you seen Buggy lately?'

'No I haven't.' he replied a worried look on his face. 'I ain't seen Specs either.' February sat back in her seat, looking desperately unhappy.

'I'm sure they'll turn up soon!' Tootsie said comfortingly. February looked like she was about to burst out crying.

'That was meant to be our first dance!' she choked, holding back tears. There was a hiss as the smoke machine kicked into life and the lights flashed crazily, sending the bugs into a dancing frenzy. There was a sliding sound, and Specs appeared through the mist. Krayonder jumped up.

'Specs! Where the hell were you?' Specs smiled, but she seemed to be a bit out of breath, beads of sweat were starting to appear on her forehead.

'You'll see.' she panted. Everyone was a bit perplexed at her response, but the sound of the door sliding open again drew away their attention. A figure was appearing through the mist, and there was murmurings of confusion.

'Who is that?' Taz said, forehead creased.

'I'm not sure.' said Mega Girl, seemingly equally confused.

February stood up, and made her way over to the figure.

'Who are you?'

There was a flash of silver as the figure stepped forward.

'It's me! A Starship Ranger.'

There was a moment of silence as the crew stood there, not

daring to believe what they were seeing. Bug emerged from

the mist, Krayonder jumped a foot into the air, and February screamed, slopping her drink all over herself. Bug stepped towards them, looking a little taken aback at their reaction, straightening his Rangers uniform nervously. His black hair, held in perfect place above his blue headband, bounced slowly as he walked forward, and the lights reflected off his light brown eyes.

'People, for the love of dead God, calm yourselves down!' shouted Specs. February looked as though she was on the point of collapsing.

'Buggy? Is that you?'

'Yes February, it's me! I know I look a little different, but I'm still the same old Bug!'

Everyone looked from Bug to Specs in amazement. Specs was trying her best not to look smug, but Krayonder pulled her into a tight hug and shouted.

'My girl is a fucking genius!'

There was a general cry of approval from the crew and bugs, and Specs's face became a deep beetroot red. Up leaned over to her.

'You did good there, Ranger.' he muttered, smiling from ear to ear. Specs smiled, and gave him a small salute, which he returned.

'Oh Buggy!' February cried. 'I love you so much!' and she leapt forward and kissed him with all his might. Bug responded with such enthusiasm that February was lifted off her feet, and the cheers from the humans and the bugs could have been heard for miles around.