The Commander's Lieutenant

Part 54

Up moved over to the door, pushing it closed. 'We didn't tell anyone- not even jour aunt. We didn't-'

Taz turned around to face him, desperate.

'Tell me what happened. I know you know.' Up reached forward with his right hand, but Taz flinched. He shook it out, and tried again with his left. 'Please.'

'No. I have to go.' Taz pushed down on the handle and disappeared out the door. Up tried to chase after her, but his left leg tripped and he slammed into the doorway.

'Where?' He called weakly.

Up hit his fists against the door, calling through to Taz. 'Let me in!'

There was no response, except a few heavy thuds. Inside the gym, Taz was putting every ounce of energy into the punching bags. She threw punch after punch, kick after kick, and finally, herself. She slid to the ground, knuckles torn open and bleeding. Taz crawled into the corner, hiding in a ball until Up eventually broke down the door.

He gave a final kick, and the doors opened. Up rushed in, almost tripping over his feet. He whipped around, and heard a heavy breathing. He was at her side, running his left thumb over the splits in her knuckles.

'I told ya to bind your hands, Taz.' Up's voice was desperate.

'I can't feel it. I haven't felt anything since- jou died.' Taz had tried to not tell him, but she couldn't face it alone. 'I couldn't fight when I woke up- I knew nada. Dey sent me here every day, trying to toughen me up and teach me to fight again. I stayed here every night, until my hands bled. But every night, I heard jour voice. My head raced with memories, and I beat dem away. I can't remember, Up. I won't.'

Up pulled a small bag from behind his back, opened it, and quickly bandaged her up. She looked at him pitifully, the memories of the last year weighing down on her. Disgust built up in her chest, and she pulled away.

'Get up.' She looked down at him.

He climbed to his knees, and grabbed her hand to pull himself up. Taz pointed to the gym bag and did a mock bow, sneering angrily. 'I'm jour rehab trainer now. Fight.'

Up looked between her and the bag- his own trainer hadn't let him lay a single punch, not counting the few Up laid on him. He clenched his fists, and took a mighty swing at the bag. His knuckles cracked, and Up's hand flew to his chest. Taz's expression didn't change.

'Hit it de nuevo.' Taz ordered.

Two hours later, Taz was at her wits' end. Up had barely landed a couple hundred punches, and they were so weak. He was out of shape, and his left side was seriously deteriorating.

'If jou are going to get another mission, jou need to build back up jour muscle. Jou... need to be tough.' She struggled with the last word, but if he was going to be the Up she fell in love with, she needed him to be tough.

Up looked towards her, but his head was hanging low. 'I am tough, Taz. As tough as calcul-'

'No. Jou used to be. Dey took it away from jou. But jou will get back, Up. I'll help jou, no matter what it takes.' Her hand lingered on his shoulder, but she turned away.