When the ocean meets fire

~~~~~~~~~~~~Indecision~~~~~~~~~~~~

By the way, when it says 'did she really have him?' it's not in any way other than friendship and how Taz loves Up- nothing wierd!

Thank you so much for reading,

ThoseSunsetEyes

Xx

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“NOW GET OUT OF HERE!” Taz was agitated to say the least. Up still had to check in at the hospital wing once a week to check his progress ‘medically’ and he was in there doing all sorts of tests all day just because Space-Claw wanted to inspect his ‘project’. She felt like spitting on the ground at even the thought of his name. So anyone who even dared to look at her today was going down.

As the private she’d just probably made pee himself shuffled away, she went back to her thoughts about Up. Si, she’d been thinking about him. Ever since that almost-incident in the gym a month ago it was harder to get him out of her head than it had ever been in that way. Si- in THAT way. She couldn’t bear the thought of Space-Claw sticking tubes into him and connecting him up to machines, just like after... after his injury. She gritted her teeth and practically hissed. She was calmer when he was around- his soft eyes like waves cooling her fiery temper. Those eyes; yet again she found herself getting lost in thoughts of him, and she almost groaned angrily when someone interrupted her, but luckily realised who it was before getting herself into trouble.

“Lieutenant Taz, I need to discuss an important matter with you,” Commander Hibbart said as he stood in front of her (she hadn’t noticed him approaching).

“Si, Commander- what do jou need to talk about?” Ever since she’d gotten something to do of purpose for the G.L.E.E she’d been more relaxed when talking to Commanders, so she wasn’t worried about being rude as she’d normally be, but obviously she didn’t want to lose her job, even if it was just teaching. She looked at Hibbart and there was something in his eyes that suggested it was something he was nervous to tell her... wait- Up was still in the hospital ward!

“Is Up okay?” her heart was racing and she almost grabbed Hibbart by the shoulders when he didn’t answer her for a few seconds.

“He’s fine. This is nothing to do with him, not really.” Not really- what did he mean?

“Can we discuss this in my office please Lieutenant?” She nodded and followed him down the corridor and across the hall to where his office was situated next to all the other commanders’ offices were (Up’s had been taken over since his injury by a newly promoted commander, and Taz tried not to look at the door as they walked past).

Inside Hibbart’s office he sat down behind the desk, and Taz sat at the smaller chair in front of it. He offered her some water and she not so politely refused, anxious to know what he wanted to talk to her about. After a lot of paperwork shuffling from Hibbart’s side of the desk for what seemed like no apparent reason, Hibbart sighed, obviously admitting to himself that he had to tell her some time. He straightened up in his chair and looked her sincerely in the eyes.

“The G.L.E.E have decided that you shall be let off your eight-month probation from missions early because of your recent success with teaching.”

Taz absolutely did not know what to say. She felt hundreds of emotions try to fit the situation, but none came through. She was utterly speechless. Her face must’ve been a strange sight: surprise, realisation, confusion, excitement, grief, guilt, more confusion. Hibbart looked at her with interest- he wasn’t sure how she’d react. This tough son-of-a-bitch ranger was suddenly faced with one of the hardest decisions she’d ever come across, and she looked completely lost.

Suddenly Taz shook her head and resumed her hard Lieutenant glare and she squared her shoulders and looked Hibbart sternly in the eyes.

“I don’t want to go.” Hibbart was worried she’d say that. He sighed, and braced himself for her reaction for what he was about to say.

“I’m afraid, Lieutenant, that if you decide not to go on this mission, then Space- uh, I mean- the G.L.E.E has decided that your class of ensign students shall be taken from your command, and the eight months will be increased to a year” Taz’s face contorted with pain. She yet again was at a loss for words and she put her hands up to her head, rubbing her temples.

“Perhaps you’d like some time to think about this. The mission starts in a week’s time and is for one year.” He stood up and held the door open for her, and Taz slowly got to her feet and walked out into the hall, still rubbing her temples.

She turned the corner and collapsed to the floor against the corridor wall. She’d been devastated when she found out she couldn’t go on missions, but now it was different.

Now she had Up.

But did she really have him? Not in the way she wanted, at least. It would kill her to leave Up like this, when they’d gotten back so much. And she knew it would hurt him too: he’d have no one to train him like she did, and he’d probably be forced to go back to Peter, or at the very least, another air-head rehab ‘trainer’ like him. It was like two halves of her heart having a tug of war, and it sure felt like it inside. She desperately wanted to be on missions again, but she couldn’t leave Up.

Could she?