The Commander's Lieutenant

Part 22

She stared for a moment, trying to take it in. It was a small photo of her curled up on his couch, hiding behind a book as he squeezed into the photo. It was nine months ago, but Taz couldn't remember. I hate dis! Why can't I remember? She dropped the photo on the ground, and ran back to her room. The door slammed shut, leaving Up confused and desperate.

Taz slammed onto her bed face-first. Her pose seemed familiar, but she was too upset to care. She flipped onto her back, staring up at the ceiling and watching the stars whirl by. Up had made sure she got the only room with a glass ceiling so she could watch the stars, but Taz never knew. There were a lot of things that she never knew about Up, but she never cared. He protected her, made her tough.

For the first month after waking up, he taught her everything about zappers and aliens and Starships, but he didn't bother with combat. He knew Toni had been doing combat since he was a child, and never would have left his little sister defenceless. He taught her the powers and dangers of technology, how the robot wars started, all the good movies and books- but she taught him a few things.

Up snatched the photo up and put it back in his pocket, hoping he hadn't upset Taz too much or over-whelmed her. He pulled two large trays out from underneath the sink and piled them up with food, one for him and one for Taz. Up put her tray just outside her door, knocked, and bolted back to the kitchen.

Taz peeked her head out the door, looking down the hallway. She smelt food, and looked down to see all of her favourite foods on a tray at her door. She picked it up and dragged it into her room, digging in straight away. As she reached the bottom, she saw a note tucked under the plate. "Taz, join me in the control room when you feel a little better- Up."

Up paced the control room for an hour, ignoring Kitt's cries as Ruth thrashed him at poker.

'Would you three stop acting like children and go do your duties or somethin'? I'm tryin' to think!' Up barked, sending Kitt to the floor as he scrambled for the kitchen.

Ruth dragged herself out of her chair, grabbing Alex's collar as she passed him. 'Why do I have to go?' He whined. 'I already did my chores!'

'Just shut up and let's go before he shoots us... or worse- makes us do another training session with the Lieutenant!' Ruth threatened, winking at Up.

He nodded in appreciation, and the three ensigns had now left him alone. Sure hope Taz is feelin' alright. It's never taken her this long to eat before.

'Comandante!'

Up turned to see Taz saluting with a weak smile. 'Lieutenant- I was hopin' you'd show up.'

'Well here I am, sir. What do you need?' She asked plainly.

Up's heart fell as soon as she said "sir". 'To talk, Taz. I just finished a call from the Corps about your... issue. There's only two ways to fix it, and we have two days.' He moved down one step, coming slightly closer to Taz.

'And dey are what?'

'Eatin' an extremely dangerous flower that would kill any human who dared to try it-'

Taz's mouth dropped open and she whacked Up's chest. Her eyes flickered with a hint of recognition, but it was gone too fast. She turned to him. 'What is de other way Up? I'd do anything!'

Up stared down into the hopeful face of the teenage girl in front of him. In any society, her experiences would have made her a woman. In her own, she already was. But in Up's eyes, she was that much more.

'You have to remember something that you love- a memory, for example. Like Toni.' He watched her eyes shift, locking onto his.

'How can I do dat, Up? He's not here to remind me.' Taz dropped into the seat behind her, her eyes still on Up's.

He took the seat next to her. 'Recreate a memory, Taz. Any memory.'

'I can't Up! Can't you see dat? I'm trying to remember! How can I recreate something I don't remember?' Tears once again threatened Taz, but Up grabbed her hand. 'I feel everything, Up. Everything but love. Please- ayudame.'

Up hated seeing Taz so upset, but hated it even more that she didn't know how she felt. He sighed and stood, stretching his hand to Taz. 'Just, don't slap me, alright?'

'I can't promise dat, Up.' Taz replied warily.

He guided her up the stairs towards the window, and turned to her. Up tried his hardest to replicate her accent and recreate what she had said. 'Nunca pensé que viviría para ver esto.'

Taz went stiff. She squinted, trying to bring the memory forward. 'I remember dat... I never thought I'd go to space, but I did thanks to-' She stopped, turning to Up. 'You.'

Everything came back in waves, hitting Taz like a ton of bricks. She stepped back, almost falling off the steps behind her. A small cry escaped her, and another when she felt Up grab her arms.