The Commander's Lieutenant

Part 3

Taz woke up even earlier than she had the previous morning. She sat up quickly, whacking her head on the shelf above her.

'MIERDA!' She cried, rubbing her head. 'Another estúpido pesadilla.'

She looked around at the clock and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. Taz groaned at the sight of the time and stood up, looking for her bandana. Three AM? Great. I'm never gonna get back to sleep. Might as well just get ready now... Looking around, she realised that this was not where she fell asleep. A shiver went down her spine as she realised that Up must have carried her back to her bed.

Her hand flew to her hip where she normally kept her knife, but couldn't feel it. She ran around the room, hoping she hadn't dropped it when she stood up. When her eyes fell on her bandana, she figured that Up had probably sat it on the nightstand. How did he know I kept it there? She wondered, carefully picking it up.

Which meant that he probably knew she slept with her knife under her pillow. She slipped her hand under the pillow, relieved when her fingers brushed the blade. She grabbed it out and went to slip it back into the pouch, when she realised she was still wearing Up's t-shirt. If he grabbed her knife, he probably saw it.

Taz fell to her knees before dropping onto her face on the floor. She groaned and rolled onto her back. 'I really gotta try harder to hide dese damn feelings.'

Taz jumped when she heard a knock at the door. 'I'm muerto.' She called.

'Nice try, Taz.' Up's voice made her sit up quick. 'If you're dead, you can't speak.'

Taz quickly stood up and zipped the jacket up, trying to cover the pyjamas on the off chance he hadn't seen them. She combed her hair with her fingers and pulled her bandana onto her forehead. The door swung open and Up stood on the other side smiling.

'Mornin' Taz!'

He was far too chirpy for this time of morning. 'What are you doin' here Up? It's three AM.'

'I dunno actually. I woke up a minute ago, and just had the feelin' that you needed-' Up stopped.

Taz looked away sheepishly. She stepped aside and held out her arm, allowing Up into her room. 'I had a pesadilla.'

Up looked a little confused, but clicked when he saw the dark circles under her red eyes.

'Nightmares huh?' Taz nodded at Up. He stepped into her room and put his arms around her. 'Don't worry, Taz. I'll protect ya.'

Taz fell into his hug, ready to burst into tears. 'It's been a year, Up. What if I have disappointed dem?'

Up put his hand on the back of her head. 'I know it's been a year, Taz. But I also know that you would make them proud.'

'I doubt it, Up.' She looked away ashamed, but Up put his hands on her shoulders and her guard dropped.

'You are the finest Starship Ranger I have ever met, and the most amazing person.' Up smiled and looked deep into her eyes.

Taz smiled a little, her spirits slightly lifted. She shut the door behind him and gestured to her couch. 'So, you woke up and wandered down here for no reason?'

Taz smirked as Up tried to find an answer. 'Well I was right, now, wasn't I?'

'You planning on going back to sleep?' She asked casually, hoping he said no.

'Well, I was. But as soon as I saw the state you were in, I knew I couldn't leave ya like that.' Up looked around Taz's room.

It only had the bare essentials- a bed, small kitchenette with a small fridge, an ensuite, a bed, a nightstand, an empty shelf and a tiny couch. Taz looked around too- on her couch was a pile of clothes, a few knives and a set of weights.

She quickly stood up and tried to clean things up, knowing Up was watching her.

'What are ya doin' Taz?' He asked, leaning forward.

'Uh, cleaning. Dere's an inspection today.' Taz wasn't lying- there actually was an inspection. But that wasn't why she was cleaning up.

'Look Taz.' She felt a hand on her shoulder. 'Busy work isn't gonna distract you from today- you gotta face it! You gotta be tough!'

Taz dropped the clothes and turned sadly towards Up. She rushed forward and into his arms again, concealing her face so he couldn't see her cry.

'I miss dem, Up.' She sobbed.

Up held onto the small girl in his arms. Even after a year, he hadn't realised how much tougher she was. He finally did- she wouldn't let him see her cry.

'Taz? You don't need to hide your cryin'.' Up rocked her back and forth.

'But I do Up- you taught me to be tough.' Taz replied weakly.

'Hey now- who said cryin' in front of someone wasn't tough?' He pulled her back a little and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

'Never be sorry for tears, Taz.'

Taz nodded and stepped back, wiping the last few tears from her cheeks. Noticing how sweaty she was, she pulled off the jacket and tossed it onto the pile of clothes by her couch.

'Get some sleep if ya can- I got a few surprises for ya tomorrow.' Up winked at Taz as she sat on her bed.

'For me?'

Up nodded as Taz smiled to herself. 'See you in the mornin'- Bright and early, Lieutenant!' He barked, opening her door.

'Sweet dreams, Up.' Taz dropped onto her bed and cuddled into her blanket.

'Night, Taz.' Up flicked her light switch and wandered back down the hall to his quarters.