"Wait out here," said Taz as they approached Fathia's gleaming door guarded by three mirror-plated rangers.

"You got it. Those rangers always creep me out. You think they're robots," asked Tsionawit out of the corner of her mouth.

"I'm not protecting jour sorry ass if they hear you," said Taz quietly, covering her mouth to be sure. Tsionawit grinned and shrugged, letting Taz walk into Fathia's office.

"At last," Fathia stood and then quickly sat back down.

"Ah, the famous Captain!" boomed the person sitting just inside the door. Taz reflexively clapped her hand to her hip, but immediately dropped it.

"This is the recently elected councilor! Doctor Space Claw," Fathia swept around her desk and slammed the door closed behind Taz. In a much quieter voice she said, "Take a seat," she lowered her voice to a creak, "manners, Vasquez."

Taz took a seat, barely touching the edge of the plush cushion, "Sir, it's... nice to meet you. But I'm a Commander." She met the councilor's gaze squarely, and he seemed equally interested in her.

"Well, let me be the first to congratulate you then, Captain," Doctor Space Claw's voice was a bit stilted, indicating he used a synthetic voice box.

Taz turned towards Fathia who held an embroidered captain's collar.

Fathia looked annoyed, but she motioned Taz to stand. Taz frowned, "A promotion? Thank you, but I didn't apply-"

"Oh nonsense!" Doctor Space Claw growled, "From what I hear and read, you out of anyone, deserve this promotion."

"You did this?" Taz turned, and stared at Space Claw with revolt.

Fathia grabbed Taz by the lapels and folded the captain's collar on her. Taz balked at the pinch of the collar and Doctor Space Claw chuckled.

"Of course not, I simply read the recommendations of your betters and chose three worthy rangers who deserved to have their applications sped through the bureaucratic red tape. I didn't single you out."

"But I didn't apply," repeated Taz, "I don't want-"

"Don't be ridiculous," Fathia overrode Taz, "You're not inconveniencing anyone. This promotion is already in the system, and you deserve it, end of discussion."

"Fathia is quite right, GLEE needs its best and brightest to be in the know," Doctor Space Claw seemed to mull something over, "Captain, do you really believe that the robot army was defeated?"

Both Taz and Fathia froze. "Well?" Space Claw was eyeing her sharply, abruptly Taz wondered why he was only using her rank to address her.

"I- uh. Well yes. I saw it with my own eyes," Taz heard Fathia sigh softly before returning behind her desk.

Space Claw clicked his tongue, "But did you see the entire artificial armada actually fall?"

"No, impossible. What kind of-" Taz caught Fathia's glare, "What kind of question is that? Why would you even ask that? We haven't heard anything about reorganization."

Space Claw stood, "Well you're not wrong. Well, congratulations for your promotion, Captain."

"Taz."

"Of course, Captain." Space Claw gave them a deep nod and left.

"Is he allergic to names or something?" Taz's hands were shaking, "What an arrogant prick," she rolled her eyes at Fathia, "Oh don't even give me that look, Fathia. I trust you not to call me a traitor for having an opinion."

"You'd have been out on your naked ass a long time ago if that were true," said Fathia, with a deep sigh, "While we're in confidence, in some small corner of my mind I never really believed Quonos was it. It wasn't an easy battle, but this war's been going on for hundreds of years, and one battle decided it? Bullshit."

"Why not? You masterminded the whole thing and at the right time. The robots were already on the run. Why is it so hard to believe?"

"Because they're smart. I don't really believe they would just disappear like this. They're planning something, oh we dealt a huge blow, sure. But it isn't the end. Mark me."

"Marked," said Taz, curling her lip, "I think you're wrong though."

"Yes but-" Fathia shook her head, "You can go. Take the rest of the day off. Feel free to keep this meeting quiet if you value life and limb."

Taz laughed, "Sure."

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"What did Fathia want? Is that a captain's collar?" Tsionawit looked at her, bug eyed.

"Shut up, I need a minute," something about what Space Claw had done made her furious, the arrogance and paternalistic way she had been treated was beyond Taz's comprehension.

"I'd like to tear out his stupid voxxer!" Taz straightened her collar so it fit correctly.

"Who are you killing? Am I really commander now?" Tsionawit demanded.

Taz swept her hair back and drew back her lips, showing all of her teeth; there was nothing she could do about Space Claw, but making Tsionawit commander, now that would be fun to see.

"It's rushed, but if I'm going to be a captain, I'll need a commander I trust." She clipped her Commander's armband on Tsionawit who puffed her chest out.

"Don't even think I'm going to half-ass this, Taz," said Tsionawit seriously, "You can trust me."

"I hope so," said Taz, "This isn't a game, there are now people who are going to depend on you to make it to another day."

Tsionawit leaned in so close that she could see every individual freckle on Taz's face, " Don't patronize me Vasquez, we're the same age– I checked- I know what this job means. I'm not looking forward to being compared to you- but" Tsionawit stepped back, "I won't screw you over.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Taz made her way to Up's room, she let herself in and swore when she immediately started sweating. "Up? Why is it so fucking hot in here? Jesus, it's like a sauna."

She cranked the cold air on blast and threw herself on the couch, "Ahh, perfect." She threw her jacket on the table. She heard the keys catch on the door's latch, and to her embarrassment, her chest squeezed in pleasure when Up walked in.

"Isa!" Taz leapt off the couch. Up kissed her cheek and frowned at the pile of clothes on his table, "Taz. why are you carrying your heavy jacket around? You being deployed?"

Isa ignored him and waved a manila folder in front of Taz, "I've been in your room waiting for you! Where the hell've you been? I was worried!"

Taz cocked her head, "How'd you get into... Oh, Up let you in."

"Sorry, she said it was life and death," Up scowled at Isa who ignored him.

"I've been wasting my time running around when you've been here-?"

"I was with Fathia!" Taz was annoyed at Isa's tone, "She called me-

"To a secret meeting and Space Claw happened to be there? Sunshine of my heart, I know all this. Anyway, what does the Admiral think of Space Claw?"

Taz gaped at Isa, "How the hell do jou know about that?" She heard Up sigh and walk into the kitchen. "Jou shouldn't even know about that meeting and what do you care what Fathia thinks?"

Isa sniffed delicately, "Well you know perfectly well I've always got an ear out for your wellbeing and meeting Space Claw is dangerous. He's always cooking up some scheme or another. SO. What did he want?"

Taz laughed mockingly, "And what the hell do you think I'm going to tell you? I hated Doctor Freak Claw and –"

"Space Claw had a meeting with you personally?" Up came back munching on an apple.

"No. I was only there to be told I'm captain now, I think Fathia and him had a private meeting before I got there," said Taz, glaring at Isa who immediately snatched Taz's jacket from the table and stared critically at the captain collar.

"Huh, obviously it's important 'r else Isa wouldn't be popping her vein out."

"It's not!" Isa touched her temples and said more quietly, "I just wanted to know if he asked anything of you or Fathia. Anything weird."

"Besides being made field captain without having applied? No. Doctor Space Claw can go fuck himself. And you can too for asking me about Fathia," Taz snarled.

Isa paled and shook her head, "You don't understand, Tazzie. What he's been saying would make your hair stand on end."

"I'd say her hair's pretty close," said Up conversationally. Taz scowled at both of them.

Isa threw Taz's jacket on the table, "Fine! Don't trust me! What the hell do I know, right?" She hesitated as she walked out, but said no more.

"She's getting weirder," muttered Taz, glaring at the door.

Up smiled sheepishly at her and said, "I let her go through yer stuff."

"What?!"

"She had said-"

"-Life and death," groused Taz, "I'm gonna kill her, she's snooping! On me!"

Up finished his apple and tossed the core into the incinerator, "Pers'nally I think she's been goin' through all our stuff. Yesterday I found some of my clothes unfolded, that wasn't you was it?"

"No, I haven't been in here in days. God," Taz rubbed her eyes, "I have to go and tell Fathia about this." She slung her jacket over her and zipped it to her chin, scowling.

"You ready for this?" Up stepped close to her, the toe of his boots nudging hers and Taz remembered how tired she had been, and that she'd been hoping to find comfort and quiet here. She rested her head on Up's chest, "I know, more responsibility, right?"

Up laughed quietly and Taz noticed small purple smudges tinged the skin under his eyes. "Up, what's going on with you? We haven't really talked lately," she reached out and affectionately ran her hand over his scarred eye.

Up grinned, "Th' doctors 've been keeping a close eye on me, it's been almost two weeks and everything seems t' be fine, so they're freaking out." Up looked grave now, "Tazzie, do you think Space Claw is going to start 'nother war?"

Taz flinched and looked away, "I hope not." She picked up the rest of her clothes, " I wish I could stay."

Up hugged her tightly, "We'll can talk later."

Taz buried her face in his shoulder for only a moment before rushing out the door.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Taz stomped all the way back to Fathia's office, and was rewarded with stony silence.

Finally, Fathia said, "I didn't know you were one to tattle on friends."

Taz blushed a furious red, "I don't want you to accuse her of something; I want you to stop her from catching Space Claw's attention. She doesn't listen to me. I'm worried about her." Taz sagged into a chair, "I'm worried about Up, I'm worried about my brother, Krayonder, and now Isa? I can't." The words stuck in her throat, Taz rubbed the heel of her hand on her mouth, "Mostly I'm worried about Up. Everyone else is doing ok, and if something happens to Isa. I-I'll-"

"Oh, enough of your sob story, Taz," said Fathia in disgust, "I'll see what snake crawled down Isa's throat. You keep worrying about everything, it'll eat you from the inside out."

Taz blinked quickly, "If I don't then it would be worse. Fathia, I don't want to be captain. I'm fine-"

"I'm going to stop you right there," Fathia held out a slim, brown hand, "You are going to be captain unless you up and die right here, right now. Seeing as you are as healthy as the proverbial horse, you will be captain and help me quash whatever war Councilor Space Claw currently wants to wage."

"But the training-" Taz rose out of her chair, "And Up-"

"Enough!" Fathia blew out a huge sigh and relented, "If you accept your post then I will waive the three month's course to two weeks, and I'll give Up a desk job. Agreed? Consider it a personal favor, just get me the pertinent files from your previous missions."

Taz nodded slowly, "Fine. But you realize that Space Claw's playing us."

"Don't be ridiculous." Fathia stood and quickly dismissed her.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

It was late, later than usual, but Up was tired of following his doctor's orders left and right. The gym was flooded in brightness and Up was on his fifth rep on the row machine; he was doing pretty good, considering everything. What Doctor Santos had told him today was frightening, it was like having to face his death again.

"Here jou are!"

Up's grip on the bar slipped, the bar pin-wheeled and hit him in the ribs with a crack. "Damn!" He held his ribs and laughed, "You scared me."

Taz frowned, "I... scared you?" She leaned on the head of the machine.

"Yes. Oh hell, that hurt. You think I broke 'em?"

Taz looked puzzled, she held a roll of papers in her hand, "Wha-? Broke what?"

"My ribs!" Up gingerly pressed down on his side.

Taz looked at him like he'd gone insane. "How the fuck should I know, Up? Just sleep it off.," Taz unrolled the set of papers and didn't see Up wince at the tone of her voice. "Look, Fathia's shipping me out for a couple of days-"

"What?! She can't-"

Taz snapped her mouth shut at the high whine in Up's voice.

He cleared his voice, "She can't be serious. You didn't even want the position."

"Are jou okay? You seem... weird." Taz looked him down, scrutinizing him closely.

"I'm fine... Just jumpy I guess. Santos gave me some... bad news about my prosthetics." Up barely kept a pleading tone out of his voice.

Taz's face cleared in understanding, "You should have told me! You dumb asshole! What's wrong?"

Up shook his head, trying to figure out how much information would be too much. "I have to get new prosthetics, and Santos says that since they're going to be long term I have to get them all wired in permanently."

"Permanently." Taz chewed and swallowed the words like a bitter pill, "Like a cyborg, jou mean."

Up felt the raw fear claw into his heart again, he clutched his chest, his knees buckling. Taz's strong hands caught him and slowly lowered him to the ground, Up felt tears burn his face. Taz murmured into his ear; Up finally caught his breath and the world came back into focus.

"Up, I don't care if you have the shittiest prosthetics ever. If what you have works-"

"They don't," gasped Up, "I'm rejecting them. I need the hecking cyborg implants or I'll die."

Taz wrapped him in a tighter hug, "Don't worry. We'll work through it."

Up sagged against her, "I'm really tired Taz. I'm tired of fighting, aren't you?"

"God, I hope not," Taz roughly wiped his tears away, "You're scared."

"Of course I'm scared!" Up pulled back and pulled Taz's arms down, "Either I accept I'll be a monster or I'll die." He covered his face, trying not to openly sob in front of Taz.

Taz sighed in exasperation, "Get the fucking prosthetics, Up. Just get them, who the fuck even has to know they're hooked directly into your fucking skull. No one, that's who. I don't give a shit, I don't give two shits. And even if you go killer robot on me, you know I'll kill you before you do any harm."

Taz said this so seriously that Up hiccoughed and laughed. He hugged Taz tightly and laughed, "Don't let anyone tell you that your pep talks are horrible."

Taz dug her chin into his shoulder, "I love you, you stupid, stupid-"

"I'm startin' t' understand."

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

-Two weeks and a few days later-

"You have a plant in here." Taz toed the small potted plant in Up's new office.

Up jumped at the sound of her voice, "Taz! You didn't call, I thought you'd be here tomorrow!" Taz grinned, she felt foolish but still she ran around the desk and jumped into Up's arms.

She kissed his cheeks, his nose, his jaw. Up started giggling and pulled her close, worming is fingers under the collar of her jacket to pull the zipper down, he trailed soft kisses across her shoulders, noticing some pink new scars.

"Taz, Taz. You should come home unannounced more often," Up's breath caught in his throat when Taz slid onto the chair with him and pressed herself against him. Up trailed his fingers along the corner of Taz's jaw as they kissed, his fingers skimmed the skin of her neck to the crook of her elbow, the bend of her wrist, the calloused palm inching towards his belt. Up laughed into the kiss, eliciting a growl from Taz when he hugged her close by the waist, trapping her hand between them.

"Inappropriate," teased Up, laughing quietly.

Taz smirked and pressed her hand against him, "Lying through your teeth." Up laughed and loosened his hold on her, enough for Taz to retrieve her hand. Taz settled closer, sighing, and Up curved himself towards her.

"Jou said that when I came back we'd talk," murmured Taz. Up almost jumped at the gentleness of her voice.

"But you're in no mood to talk right now," protested Up, hooking a finger in her belt loops, "You've made that clear."

"Hm," Taz lifted her head and regarded Up seriously, "Maybe. But I'm slowly remembering some stuff you said about surgeries. Is there a due date for that or...?"

Up took a moment to look at Taz, really just to appreciate her tenacity. "No, it was a standing offer."

"Oh," Taz dipped her head to one side, Up admired the shadows on her eyelids, the curves of her eyebrows in thought.

"I love you," Up said without preamble, Taz looked startled. "We should get hitched."

"You know I love you, but," Taz stared at him for a long time, "Up, I don't think it's a good time."

"Why not?"

Taz almost got mad, kind of mad, she was definitely mad. She slowly stood, stretching her knees to get the pins and needles out, "Because I'm still not sure what you think of this whole-" she waved at themselves in general, "-thing."

Up chewed over what she said, "I don't get you."

"I'm not trying to throw your words in your face," said Taz slowly, carefully measuring her words, "But about a year ago you said that nothing was more important than ending this war, then you immediately get cut in half, and now you're trying to recover. I'm still getting a handle of being responsible for a lot more than I wanted, and you-"

Up looked down at his hands, his face was burning, there were tears and snot building in his throat, "You're right. I'm just getting ahead of myself, you're right to be mad."

"I'm not mad," said Taz, exasperated.

Up looked at her shrewdly and sneered at her, Taz laughed and rubbed her eyes, "Okay, I'm a little mad."

Up sighed and grinned, "I'm a mess."

Taz agreed, "You need to worry about getting your shit together and I need to worry about keeping my people alive. There are," a wicked glint and a sharp smile cut across her face, "more important things right now." Up couldn't think of a better way to shut her up than to kiss her; he shoved his computer and papers and mug and little lamp onto the floor to make room for them on the desk.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Up, looking pale, stood in the doorway of Taz's room. There was a small spot of red on the crook of his elbow and the medic had pressed a monitoring band around his other arm.

"Well," demanded Taz, "When's it gonna be?"

"Three months, in the mean time I'm supposed to be a walking cocktail of meds," he sat down heavily on the bed next to her, "What about you? What's Fathia's plan for you." He took Taz's hand, turning her hand over.

"I'm just waiting for Space Claw to deploy me somewhere, but I got no idea when or where." She sighed, frustrated.

"I hate not knowin' either," Up rubbed his rough cheek across the back of her hand, "wears me down."

Taz grimaced at the stubble rasping her hand and Up laughed at her.

He pulled her close, curving to her shoulder for a kiss, "You sure you don't wanna get married or somethin'?" He asked against her mouth, she rubbed her forehead on his.

Taz grinned, "Don't give up, huh?"

Up felt drunk and dizzy and happy, "Maybe I learned somethin' from you, marry me Tazzie. Someday at least. You, me, a bunk. It'll be great."

"Hah, at least let's go somewhere nice. A beach, some liquor."

"I promise," Up cradled her close, his mouth lingering over old scars, new ones.

Taz let Up trail his hand around her waist, she shivered as his thumb trailed the soft skin of her stomach and back, "Mm, what are we even talking about."

"The future," said Up. He let Taz sit and she stretched again. "Why are you really saying no, Tazzie. Don't want a shotgun wedding?"

Taz shrugged, her mouth twisted into a knot, "I don't know."

Up sighed, "Is this a bad idea then, us being together?"

Taz rolled her tongue in her mouth, "No. I guess not."

"You guess not? You aren't still angry about how I, uh, shot you down? Why I did it?"

Taz rubbed her neck, "You were an asshole, and I would have happily killed you. And now you want to marry me? What the fuck? I know we talked about this before but I don't understand what's changed. Why it should."

"So what, we're gonna just drift around?" asked Up bitterly.

Taz snarled, "Better than you deciding that being together isn't important enough than the next war, the next mission, whatever the next thing is! I know for a fact you wouldn't value our relationship!"

Up felt like he got slapped, the air swept out of his lungs. Taz shook her head, "You've done it before to- to Isa, to me, why will it be different next time? This war's over but there'll be another one, too many robots have escaped to uncharted planets, there'll be revolutions and other uprisings. And you'll be out there again-"

"You're out there right now!" Up curled his hands into fists, "You could die on any stupid mission for any stupid reason!" Up couldn't stop his voice from cracking.

Taz screamed, "So you know what I'm talking about! The difference is that I don't let it consume me! I don't want to be captain because I am exhausted and there are enough missions to work for three lifetimes that are half as dangerous as what Fathia will have me doing, but the prestige doesn't matter to me! You! You would have been on that team in a heartbeat! And I would've been right there with you, but things are different now, I value other things more than some fucking elite military bullshit. You're-"

"But I'm here: the surgery. And you decided to stay," Up closed his eyes, and clenched his hands tighter, he opened his eyes. His voice shook, his hands shook, and his mouth was full of thorns, "Yer not wrong. I would've left weeks ago, so many have suffered in this war, I would do anything to end it. Anything."

"I know," Taz rubbed her eyes, "I have to get some sleep. Leave."

"But, I don't-"

She sounded defeated, "Get out, I have shit to do tomorrow. I'll see you later."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Taz dragged her feet when she knocked on Tsionawit's door. Bleary-eyed, Tsionawit opened it.

"Wha'zit Vasquez? 'Ttack? Fire?"

"I need you right now, get dressed, we're going to see the Admiral."

Taz had a murderous tilt to her eyebrows, Tsionawit nodded slowly, "Gotcha. Gimme a minute."

"Sooo, that boyfriend of yours is in trouble, right?" They had been walking in silence, Taz fuming and snarling obscenities under her breath.

"He's dead meat," agreed Taz, "He's gonna wish he never heard my name."

"Yikes." Tsionawit grinned. There was blood in the air, tucked in the creases of Taz's mouth, dripping out through her angry breaths. Up was definitely dead meat.

Fathia looked startled at the early visit, "Good morning, Vasquez. I didn't think you'd want to report in so early."

"Fathia, I've reconsidered my request. I want to finish the captain's training and I want to be deployed immediately afterwards. Tsionawit should be deployed with me as well as a few others."

Fathia dropped the pen she was holding and flicked her eyes to where Up was standing beside her. Taz was making such an effort to look at nothing other than Fathia, that it was obvious she was only there to avoid Up's gaze.

"You want to be instated in that three month's long course? I already have a reasonable schedule of recon missions lined up for you. Fathia glanced at Taz's unconcerned face and then at Tsionawit, who licked her lips and was smiling too widely for a normal human mouth. Fathia realized what had probably happened.

"This isn't a game Captain Vasquez. I expect you to be in service for at least four years. The training and resources you will get are the best and I expect-"

Taz waved her down, "I was thinking of that and that's why I changed my mind. I'm tired of

being... I would like to do what's best for my career at this moment." Taz's voice dropped in volume, "There's nothing for me to do here. I won't be missed."

If Fathia's face was concrete, it would have cracked under the pressure. "Obviously... I accept your application...pending the paperwork... it should give you some time to think... until the paperwork is confirmed."

Taz shook her head, "Do it electronically, I'm committed to this first. When can I leave?"

Up had disappeared and Tsionawit looked like she wanted to bite her own arm off.

"You can leave tomorrow; I recommend you leave next week. You don't need any equipment except yourselves."

"That sounds about right," said Taz grimly, "Admiral, excuse me."

Once in the hallway, Tsionawit grabbed Taz's arm and clutched her own stomach, "You're absolutely ruthless Vasquez. You should've seen Commander Up's face. You'd a thought you killed his own mother. Oh Lord!"

"Fuck him," said Taz without venom, "He's an idiot. He'll die on the field and thank God for it."

"Ah, so he's a tragic hero," Tsionawit wiped her eyes, relishing the anger boiling off Taz.

"What?"

"You know, thinks that martyrdom is the best thing. That it's harder to die than live."

"Oh," Taz was startled at the apt description.

"You love him?"

"He's my best friend," said Taz, "But he doesn't listen, he let's us worry over him but he doesn't give a fuck, like you said. A martyr. Well, it's done. I'm done."

Tsionawit slung a companionable arm around Taz. "Some advice, from me to you? Don't let what has to be done interfere with letting yourself mourn this. It's natural to not be able to shut feelings off right away, we're not robots after all."

"No," agreed Taz, "You're right. But I would if I could."

"Ah, the lover's plight," sighed Tsionawit, laying a mocking hand over her own heart.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Taz simultaneously did and did not expect Up to look for her that night. So when he let himself into her room, she scowled and pretended to keep working.

"Kinda fucked up, right?" Up took a chair, "But you don't have to go just to spite me."

Taz slammed the computer shut, "I'm not going just to spite you, I'm going because you have no idea what you're doing and I'm collateral damage when you do figure yourself out."

Up shook his head, he was trying so hard to keep himself from losing his temper, "I have it all figured out. You just don't want to believe me."

Taz's scowl softened, "If I could believe you, I would, but... jou're ignoring what's changed. You can't just forget about what's happened before."

"It's called forgiving someone," said Up quietly.

Taz squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, "I-" She felt her stomach cramp hard, as if she was going to throw up. Up crossed the room to her, he grabbed her hands.

"I can't," choked out Taz, "Jou're exactly the same. You put yourself in danger and let everyone else deal with the damage. It's not fair, Up. It's not."

Up gazed at Taz steadily, "Yes. Yer right. But what else am I suppose t' do?"

Taz gripped his hands tightly, squeezing and popping his knuckles, "Jou're suppose to be careful! War isn't won by a soldier. It's won by lots of us doing a little. One person doesn't turn the tide of war, Up!" She leapt to her feet, dragging Up with her. Up grazed his lips along Taz's knuckles, "But y' did. You stopped Optimus Prime."

"Stop that!" she head butted him, "I did that with your help, with Tsionawit's help, with lots of people's help! I didn't do it alone! I would have died without help, without other people's work."

Up ruefully rubbed his mouth, "Anythin' else I should know before I get kicked out again?"

A little bemused at Up's reaction, Taz sat back down again, flinging her arms out, "I don't know. Yes? No?" She swept her long bangs back, "I thought I was gonna have to kick jour ass or something. You don't have to leave."

Up rubbed his arms, he felt dragged along by a riptide, but also felt like he had just downed a tube of blitz powder, " Good, 'cause I wanted t' stay. Taz, I'm glad yer going, it'll be great for you."

"Sure."

"But uhm, just remember that y' gotta be careful." Up grinned at the murderous glint in Taz's eyes, "don't do anythin' too crazy."

Taz laughed with derision, "I'm getting tired of fighting with you Up, it's annoying."

"Yeah, it's gettin' hard rememberin' if I'm suppose to be angry with you, and why." He sat down on her bed, "I really do love you Taz-"

"So you've said," said Taz impatiently.

Up clamped his mouth shut and Taz sighed, she sat down on the bed next to him, "You think we'll ever not be fighting about something."

"We'll figure it out."