Disclaimer: I do not own these characters…Well I own Aaron, but no one else.
A/N: Funny story. I didn't actually type any of this. I'm not typing this right now. I'm sat next to my cousin and telling him what to type:') uh…I kind of went to a New Year's Eve Party and got a lil' bit drunk. We, um, played dares and I was, um, dared to punch a wall. So I, uh, punched it and, like, brutally murdered two knuckles on my right hand and one on my left. My hands look like Taz's did. *facepalm* Actually, no, that hurts…
Anyway, please forgive me if this chapter isn't as good as it could be. I wanted to update because I was really excited for this chapter but it's surprisingly harder to write when you're not actually doing the typing and are just telling someone else what to write. I'm going to improve this chapter once my hands get better…which I hope is soon.
Song of the chapter: Fix me, Mariana's Trench-
"'Cause I still feel all the things I did before, when you used to need it more.
Remember all the ways you fixed me? How will you fix me now?
And if your ever feeling you're bruised and battered, always sore, and I wont tell no one, just breathe, breathe."
"Kill them, then go kill the others."
"But spare the bug," Space-Claw added. Up barely heard him. It all happened so fast. Up flew out of his seat, his hand reaching for his zapper. It took him a second to work out that a. It wasn't there, and b. It was dangling off the index finger of a straw-like haired Ranger at the door. One of the other Rangers had Krayonder's gun. Bug hadn't had one in the first place.
They were unarmed, and doomed.
There was a smirk on the Rangers faces as they held their zappers up, like they knew they'd won. They had five guns between them, Up, Krayonder and Bug had none. Up felt sick.
Krayonder, he was going to die, and it was going to be Up's fault; he was going to get killed, and for no good cause. All because Up was so stupid. Up glanced at his comrades, taking in the fear on Bug's face and the sheer terror on Krayonder's. He felt guiltier than he'd ever felt in his life.
He looked back at the Rangers. The smirks had fallen off their face; they didn't look nearly as confident as they had the second before. Aaron was looking nervous, the straw-like haired guy doubtful and the other dark haired kid purely scared. It took Up a second to work out that their eyes and guns were no longer pointed at him. Up turned his head.
Taz.
"Aren't jou glad dat I always jump out at the last second?" she asked, blowing hair out of her face with a huff.
She was stood next to Space-Claw's desk, her zapper pressed up against Space-Claws head as he sat on his chair. Her hair was falling over her eyes as her bandana slipped back on her head. There was a fine sheen of sweat on her forehead and her brown eyes were glistening with fury.
She looked at the Rangers at the door. "Now jou three had better let my friends out of this room, right now! Or I'll kill dis fucking gilipollas."
"For some reason, I doubt that," the straw-haired guy commented. Taz knew him, she'd taught him when she was off duty. His name was Mitch, and he had been one of the worst Combat students she'd ever had. She frowned, unsure what he meant. He smirked at her as his hand travelled upwards until the zapper held in his fist was pointed at Krayonder.
Taz swallowed and Krayonder looked at her, realising what was going on. His expression was one of terror. Within seconds, both of the other Rangers were raising their guns to point at Krayonder as well.
Panic rose in Taz's chest. "Stop!" she shouted. I'll shoot Space-Claw!"
"You don't step back now, your boyfriend gets it," the Mitch replied warningly.
Taz hit the desk with her hand, growling slightly. Were her and Krayonder the new topic of gossip or something? "He's no-" Taz stopped herself, realising what she was about to do. She had to shut up. If she told them that Krayonder wasn't her boyfriend, it would take them less than ten seconds to work out who they should be pointing their guns at instead. And she didn't know what she would do if they pointed their guns at Up.
Taz knew she was being selfish, putting one life in front of another. But she couldn't live without Up. And she knew Krayonder understood. She could see it in his eyes when he looked at her, the little nod that he gave her despite the terrified expression on his face. Taz didn't even want to look at the expression on Up's face. There was no doubt it would give her away.
"He's what, sorry?" Mitch asked, tilting his head with curiosity.
Taz didn't say anything, keeping her gun next to Space-Claws head and refusing to break eye contact with Mitch. She had to convince him she knew what she was doing long enough to actual figure out what she was going to do.
Mitch lips curled into a smirk. "Step back, Lieutenant," he said, shaking his head slightly. "You're never going to win."
"I'll step back when you let them out," Taz growled.
"Taz, I don't think you understand," Mitch said slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "We have your boyfriend here, with a gun held to his head. Are you really sure you want to be saying this?"
"I'm not going to give in."
"You do realise we're just going to kill him, right?"
Taz looked at Krayonder, and then back at Mitch. She swallowed slowly, her throat feeling like paper. She could barely breathe. "I know," she choked out.
Mitch raised his other eyebrow. "You're willing to lose him, in order to expose Dr. Space-Claw?"
No. No, she wasn't. Bug, yes. Tootsie, yes. Specs, yes. Mega-girl, most definitely yes. Even February she would be able to deal with killing for this cause. But not Krayonder, not after all he'd done for her. And most definitely not Up.
Taz looked down, forcing herself to nod.
"You idiot, just kill him! She's buying for time," Space-Claw yelled from beside Taz. She shoved the barrel of her zapper further into his temple and he winced slightly.
"Shut the fuck up, jou," Taz growled. "You've got a gun to jour head. Jou're not in the position to be making orders."
Space-Claw glared at her, his black eyes burning into her. She glared back.
"When I'm free, I'm going to give you hell Ticiana Castro," he muttered.
Taz felt like she'd just been punched in the stomach. Her blood boiled and before she knew what she'd done, Space-Claw was on the floor holding his jaw and yelping in agony. "JOU CALL ME DAT AGAIN AND JOU'RE GOING TO GET SO MUCH MORE DEN A PUNCH IN DE FACE!" she screamed. "Cazzo traditore."
"STEP AWAY FROM HIM!" Mitch bellowed, stepping closer to Krayonder.
Taz panicked, her head shooting left to look at Mitch. "NOT UNTIL YOU LET THEM GO!"
"What, so they can go and expose Dr. Space-Claw? Not likely!"
There was a moment of silence, like everyone knew exactly what was going to happen. Mitch's finger clenched on the trigger slowly.
Up felt like his life flashed before his eyes in a millisecond. He saw all the years at the orphanage, his friend Ben, and Cat. He saw himself going to the Academy and meeting Pryce and Janice, graduating, getting promoted to Leuitenant, defending Mexico City. He saw Taz's Quinceañera and the little fifteen year old girl with the frumpy pink dress, he saw himself taking her to the Academy, watching her graduate, dancing with her, fighting with her, saving her dad, kissing her. He saw Cal die and felt himself be ripped in half. He saw Taz turn and leave his room in the hospital, saw her above his face as he lay on the ground on Bug World.
He blinked, his eyes watching Taz's face as the Ranger pulled the trigger. She screamed Krayonder's name, looking as though she was about to charge forwards. Up flashed back to when he found her in Krayonder's room, the destroyed look on her face as he yelled at Krayonder, he saw the twinkle in her eye as she talked to him at the dining room table, and the conversation with her coming off the Starship, his promise to keep Krayonder safe.
He'd promised to keep Krayonder safe.
For Taz, because she loved him. Up wouldn't be able to live with himself if he caused her pain again. He loved her more than anything, and he'd failed her so many times. He couldn't fail her again. He couldn't break his promise.
Before Up knew what he was doing he'd charged towards Krayonder.
Taz watched as Mitch pulled the trigger, a horrified scream sounding from her lips. Krayonder's face had gone deathly pale, she'd never seem him so afraid. Her voice screamed his name, her feet only just managing to stay where they were on the ground. Then suddenly it her scream cut short, Taz's heart almost stopping with it. Up ran forwards from where he was stood, his eyes wild as he got closer and closer to Krayonder.
The world suddenly turned upside down.
"UP!" Taz screamed, her heart clenching itself into a knot as she watched him. Was he insane? Before she could even think about it she'd dropped her zapper on the floor and was running towards him. It was stupid, she'd just abandoned her entire plan, but she couldn't let Up do this. In the back of her mind, there was a voice telling Taz that she would never make it, but she ignored it. She had to try. Faintly, she heard Space-Claw laugh and make some form of snide comment, but she was to busy running after Up to care. Taz was about half way across the room when Up shoved Krayonder onto the floor. Krayonder skidded onto the carpet, spinning and lying on the floor in a terrified, shaking pile.
The lazer beam shot straight through Up's chest, and he fell to the floor, blood pouring out of his stomach. Up opened his mouth, only managing to sound a breathy yelp. He held his hands to his stomach, looking at the blood seeping from the gaps in his hands with terror.
Taz fell to the ground beside Up, tears filling up her eyes as she looking at his wound. He couldn't die, not now. He'd almost died on her three times, he could manage to survive a forth, surely. She put her hands over Up's hands, putting more pressure on the wound in an attempt to slow the bleeding down. Up looked up at her, and she tried to hide the tears that were clouding her vision. She couldn't, she couldn't force them back, and blinking only succeeded in causing one to fall on their hands. Up looked down and stared at the swirling drip of water that was gradually being turning red.
"Why are you crying?" he asked, looking back at Taz's face. His eyes had never looked so blue.
Taz shook her head, lifting a now bloodied finger and holding it to his lips, silently telling him to be quiet. He ignored her, lifting his hand and taking it into his, lowering their hands down together.
"Why are you crying?" he repeated. He looked pained, like her tears were hurting him. Taz tried to stop but as she looked at him, one of the swirling tears in her eyes fell onto her cheek again.
"What were jou thinking?" Taz demanded, her voice shaky, but angry never the less. "What the hell did jou do dat for idiota?"
Up looked at her bewildered. "Krayonder, he would have died," he breathed. "I couldn't- I- you need him, you love him. I couldn't- I couldn't hurt you by letting him die." He sounded heart broken, and Taz only just managed to bite back the sob that threatened to escape from her lips. He watched her for a second, watching yet another tear fall onto her cheek. "I promised you I'd keep him safe."
"Why I ever let you promise me anything?" Taz asked, losing her composure and sobbing slightly. "Up, I'm so sorry. So, so, so, so, sorry." She looked down, tears streaming down her face.
"Taz, I don't understand," Up said, wincing slightly as he spoke. Taz's attention was immediately on his wound again.
Taz shook her head, still crying. She pressed down further on Up's stomach, in a desperate attempt to stop it bleeding. She couldn't tell whether it was working. Why couldn't she be better at first aid?
"No, don't shoot."
Taz looked over to see that Mitch, Aaron and the other dark haired had their guns held up and pointed at her, Up and Krayonder. Space-Claw was just behind them, holding a terrified Bug by the scuff of his neck.
"What, Ambassador?" Mitch asked, turning to look at Space-Claw.
"We can use this to our advantage," Space-Claw explained. "Aaron, Kyal, take Krayonder, Taz and the bug down to the cells. Lock them up. Mitch, you're coming with me."
Aaron came over, picking Taz up with one arm and grabbing Krayonder with the other. Taz struggled madly, kicking at Aaron and trying to free her arms and get to Up. There was a clipping sound and Taz stopped struggling immediately. She glanced behind her and her suspicions were confirmed. The latest range of handcuffs. One move to attempt to escape or struggle and you're instantly mildly electrocuted. She glared at her captor with venom.
Aaron ignored her, pulling her across the room with Krayonder and shoving them towards the door where the dark haired Ranger had hold of Bug. Space-Claw and Mitch were just behind them, carrying Up between them like some kind of rag doll.
Taz hated being walked down the corridors by a senior officer as it was. Being dragged handcuffed down the corridor was one million times worse. Especially since she'd been crying, which meant that she looked almost dead. People were staring, whispering about them and about what they had done. Taz tried to hide her face, but she knew in her heart that she was never going to live this down. Every now and again she would hear Up wincing behind her and every wince made Taz sob slightly. She tried not to, but no matter how much she tried, she couldn't control it. She must have got electrocuted at least ten times on the way, every time trying to get to Up.
Aaron shoved her through the door of the cell, releasing her from her handcuffs and throwing her onto the floor. She hit the stone hard and yelped slightly as he knee scraped against it. Krayonder collapsed behind her and Bug just to the left. Taz looked back and saw that Up was still in his handcuffs, Mitch and Space-Claw making no attempt to bring him any closer to the cell.
"What are jou doing with Up?" she demanded, pulling herself to her feet and ignoring the aches in her body from the electrocution.
Space-Claw smirked at her, not saying a word.
"WHAT ARE JOU DOING WITH UP?" Taz screamed, panic rising in her chest. She could see it in Space-Claw's eyes; they were definitely not going to be helping him. She felt sick. What were they planning to do with him? He was hurt, he couldn't defend himself. Fear clenched at Taz's heart.
Space-Claw smirked again. "IF JOU DARE HURT HIM I'LL FUCKING KILL JOU SPACE-CLAW!" She charged towards the cell door. It slid shut before she got there, leaving only the tiniest of windows.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" Space-Claw asked.
Taz could see Up. His face was contorted with pain and his entire shirt was covered in blood. "I'm going to fucking kill jou if jou dare hurt him," Taz repeated, her face stuck through the window, barely an inch away from Space-Claws. Her eyes were filling up with tears again, memories of Up's screams filling her mind. She didn't think she'd be able to deal with that again.
"This coming from the girl that's got a boyfriend?"
Taz had never glared at anyone as harshly as she glared at Space-Claw. She'd never been so angry. She heard a slight sound from Up's direction and looked to see that he was looking at the floor again. He still believed...that's why he'd...
Taz's eyes narrowed, her face pained.
"He's not my boyfriend," Taz said coldly, looking back at Space-Claw. She couldn't bear to look at Up for a second longer.
"Oh, so Up jumped in front of zapper for nothing?"
Taz had never been so angry.
She felt on fire, screaming and throwing her entire body weight into the door. She wanted to break it down, to rip Space-Claw apart and break every bone in his body. Tears spilled over from her eyes but she wasn't sure whether she was upset or angry.
"I'M GOING TO KILL JOU, SPACE-CLAW!" she screamed, her eyes blazing and her teeth gritted together as she breath aggressively, almost animal-like. She hated him. She hated him like she hated robots. She hated him like she hated her Aunt Clara. She hated him so much more.
Space-Claw just smirked and turned away. Taz screamed out in anger as he walked back to his Rangers.
"Let's take Up somewhere more private, shall we?" Space-Claw asked.
"NO! DON'T JOU DARE!" Taz screamed. She looked at Up and found that he was staring at her, his eyes wide. She was crying again, before she even knew it. "DON'T JOU DARE!" she repeated, a sob escaping from her throat. Space-Claw turned and smirked at her. She couldn't deal with it, she let out another scream.
"Come on," he said, walking off down the corridor. Tears blurred Taz's vision. She couldn't see them walking.
She screamed, hitting the door with her fists as Up was walked off. She couldn't see through her tears and she couldn't hear anything over her own screams. Her heart was clenching in her chest, they were going to hurt him even more. And she was stuck in a goddamn cell. She sobbed and fell away from the door, collapsing on the floor in a heap. She hit the floor with the side of her fist, sobbing and curling her legs up slightly. Her tears were turning the dust on the stone into mud as she watched, little spots of mud appearing where her tears fell. She hit the floor again, even harder. She was so angry, so hurt. This was all her fucking fault again! Was she just doomed? She sobbed and hit the floor as hard as she could.
"Stop it," a voice said sternly. She looked round to find Krayonder and Bug on either side of her. Gently, Bug took one hand and Krayonder took the other. "You're going to hurt yourself," Krayonder finished. She looked at him and promptly burst into tears again, tearing her hands out of her friends grips and wrapping herself up into a ball, crying into her arms.
"Go away," she muttered angrily. There was a silence, and Bug moved away to the back of the cell, but Krayonder refused to move. He didn't speak as Taz sat and cried, he was just there, just in case she needed him. He knew she wouldn't, it wasn't him that she needed right now, but he was all there was and he was better than nothing.
A/N: Please don't hate me. I think you'll either hate me or love me, but I'm not really sure. Falconflight, I have a feeling you might like me…because I did what you asked, but…I'm not sure…Hope you all liked it anyway (Again please excuse me if this isn't as good as it probably should be…)