Get Back Up ~ TUp Fanfiction

Chapter 31 - Gone

By the next year, Up was allowed to go back into the dorm rooms, all while doing physical therapy and Taz's injuries healed and was allowed to not go on missions to help Up in is state for the year. Up had now been able to walk and continue his duties as Commander, on the low.

"Up for a movie tonight, Taz?" Up asked.

"As always." She laughed, "but I kind of need to get some of dis stuff done for de students."

"Do it like we used to."

"I guess I can do dat." She jumped over the couch, plopping over next to his side.

They two pretended like the kiss hadn't even happened, after they had been through so much together during the war. They were still flirtatious and awkward, but didn't say anything about it to each other. They sometimes acted like they were a couple when they weren't, but most importantly, kept things professional in public.

Up wasn't one to do so, but Taz always made him anyway. Taz had a poker face usually as Up would try to break it, never seemed to work.

Sometimes, Taz would think back on her past and she would see Parker. His glistening smile and his bright eyes when he talked about the things he enjoyed. His laughter booming through the halls when they'd crack a joke that was only funny to them. The only thing that broke Taz when she would look back was that she could never have these moments again with him.

Taz suddenly buried her face into the crook of Up's neck.

"Taz—"

He heard a whimper.

"Taz..."

She cuddled into him in a little ball and he wrapped his arms around her small body.

"It's okay, Taz." He sighed, "it's okay to cry."

"It's not, Up. It's weak." She sighed, tears not coming out but forming as she thought of her lost friend.

Up had taught her that, as much as it was used against him in times like this, it was still a good lesson to teach others.

"No, you should always let out your feelings." He sighed, "But, this is why you're my little toughy." He smiled and Taz looked up into his eyes, "You're one hell of a Lieutenant, Taz."

"Gracias Up..."

"Taz," he paused, "To be a good Commander... you've got to be okay with death... or even losing someone close to you." He sighed, but this small talk was only hurting Taz internally, "Even though it's hard, I've seen you do it."

Taz looked confused at him, "I remember that day you walked down the stairs of your home, a whole new you came to life that day." He sighed looking up, "I even remember how much of a badass you looked like..." his small chuckle made Taz's heart grow light as he looked back down to her, "how beautiful you were, too." He smiled, "I knew I saved you for a reason Taz." He paused, "And this was the reason."

"What was?" Taz asked on the edge of tears, "me being jour Lieutenant?" She asked.

"Not just that..." he smiled.

"Den what?"

His hand had made its way to her cheek, wiping away the tear that had just fallen and kissed her for what felt like the first time again. Their lips came together again and the reflex that Taz had that came with it was only to kiss back.

"Did that answer your question?" He smiled through a chuckle.

"Sí..." she smiled and cuddled into him more.

After a moment of awkward silence, Taz couldn't help but ask, "So... jou do love me?" She paused, "Like jou said long ago...?"

"I always did Taz," he smiled, "I always did."

Taz closed her eyes as she cuddled into his arms mumbling, "siempre te amaré, Up. Desde el primer día, te he amado." As a smile grew on her face.

Up didn't understand what she had said, but knew it was something about him and good this time. He knows he had grown soft, but Taz only pushed it more. He never wanted to leave Taz's side, nor did Taz want to leave his. Taz looked up to him again and he kissed her lips, needing the taste to satisfy him again until interrupted.

*blink blink* Taz's watch lit up.

She looked down at the message that had just appeared, starting to sit up, "What is it, Taz?" Up asked sitting up too.

"It's de Admiral..." she rereads the message again before standing up fully, "I have to go to his office..." she looks back at him, slowly walking backwards, "I'll be back." She says still walking backwards and trips, "I-SHIT" she screams stepping over the corner of the table before making it to the door, "I'll be back very, very, soon." She opens the door to leave Up in his lonesome once again.

Up looks around the room seeing the bathroom counter. He limps over to it and there laid the foundation bottle and brush... "What the hell... Taz doesn't wear this... or did she...?" He tried to think back, but decided just to shake it off, still confused why she would even wear makeup, she didn't need it, though she was only wearing it to cover her tears that never stopped.

Taz speed down the hallway towards the office until she got to it, "Jou asked for me, sir?" She poked in.

"Taz..." He said slowly, "Come sit." he gestured his hand down to the chair. Taz slowly walked over and sat as we waited so he could go on, "I need you to go on a mission—"

"Should I go get Up? He's in our room—" She stood but the Admiral put his hand out to stop her and she slowly sat back down again.

"—No, Taz." He said calmly, all she did was give a confused look so he continued, "He cannot leave for this mission in his condition. You may be gone for a long period if time Taz... 9-12 months—"

"But dat's a whole year—"

"I know Taz..." He said slowly, pity in his voice, "I'm sorry, but they really need you up in the galaxy—"

"Not without Up—!"

"Up will be fine, we'll take care of him while you're gone."

Taz sighed. She knew he'd be fine, but would she? She knew she had to get the job done, but without Up it seemed pointless. She had never gone on a mission without him before.

"Who will be with me?"

"A few professional Rangers and Private Gomez."

"Okay..."

"Taz, you're going to be in charge of this mission as the Commander other than the Lieutenant. Think you can do that? We have the ship ambassador there too if you need him."

"Sí... I'll go on de mission... Gracias." She gets up and starts to leave.

"Oh, and Taz." He called after her and she turned around to face him. "You leave in three days. Get ready to go."

Taz nodded lightly and walked out of the room. "What am I going to tell Up?"

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A/N: omg the next chapter is the last chapter! Thank you guys so much for reading! <3