Untold But Unforgotten (Taz/Up Fanfiction) EDITING PERIOD COMPLETE!

Chapter 2

That night was perfect for an outdoor party. The moon hung brightly overhead, giving enough light that the lamps situated around the yard were practically unnecessary. Gabriela stood just inside the house, taking deep breaths. Her dress was dark red and her shoes accented the gold beading. Her hair was loose around her back and her make-up was done so intricately that Gabriela was afraid to blink. She peered out the doorway to see dozens of people. Friends and family alike, but she knew there were strangers lurking in the shadows. There were always at least two Rangers at large gatherings. They were always out of earshot, and sight, but they were always there.

Of course, they respected privacy. They didn't listen to a single word anyone said, unless it was a scream of, "Ah! Killer robots are attacking!" which was more common than one would think. They stayed in range just enough so that they could watch, but not hear or be intrusive. They were courteous like that.

"Jou look beautiful, Gabriela," her mother said. "Amazing."

She blushed. "Thank jou, mama.” It was then that she decided to share her fears with her mother, the fear that had been eating her up all day. “I have a bad feeling."

            Her mother straightened her dress and smiled. "Everyone gets that feeling when they're going to be the center of attention. Don't worry." As much as Gabriela wanted to believe her mother, she couldn't help but feel that the twist in her stomach was something bigger than nerves. But she didn't have time to dwell on it as she was pushed her lightly out the door, into the crowd of people.

After many greetings she finally got over to Tacito, who extended his hand. Traditionally, the first dance was between father and daughter, but since her father had died in the Robot War five years ago, Tacito was the stand in.

After a few minutes of dancing a few other dancers came out on the floor. It seemed like Gabriela danced with everyone before she had a chance to sit.

"God!" she panted, sitting next to her brother, who had been lounging around since their first dance ended. "My feet are killing me." She smiled slyly. "It's my birthday. Jou know what a good brother would do? Rub them," she demanded, pulling one foot out of its shoe and setting it on Tacito's lap.

He put on a disgusted face. "I love jou, Gabi, but I'm not rubbing jour feet," he said, grabbing her toe and lifting her foot up, only to drop it to the floor. She stuck her tongue out at him.

“Jerk,” she muttered, pouting.

"Excuse me?" her brother said, grinning. He put his hand out to tickle her again, when there was a loud crash. Both of them stood up instantly, Gabriela lopsided, as she was still in only one shoe.

That's when the screams began.

Gabriela now realized what the feeling in her stomach was. She had had a feeling all day and now here was the reason. Robots were flooding her party, slashing down guests, tearing apart decorations.

She turned to her brother, who looked at her. His eyes widened and he lunged forward, but not fast enough. She was grabbed from behind. She screamed. Tacito ran at her and her metal captor, but the robot was already ten feet away. Twenty. Thirty.

"Help me! Help me!" she wailed. But then her brother was lost in a sea of chaos. She cried and screamed and struggled, but it was useless.

She was going to die, and she knew it.

Lieutenant Up ran down as soon as he heard the first scream. The others ran down with him. He ran in and began shooting every robot he saw. But there were only three Rangers there, him and two Privates. Then, above every other scream, he heard it.

"Help me! Help me!" He looked up and saw her. A teenage girl in a red dress was being dragged away by a robot. Everyone else was too busy fighting or being killed to come to her aid.

He didn't know why he did it. It was stupid, and was probably caused the outcome of that night. But he couldn't help himself. A little voice kept nudging him in his head. Help her, Up, it whispered. Help her. And so he shot a clear path through the middle of the fray, and ran across to the other end of the yard.

They had disappeared into the woods behind the house, but it was easy to follow her screams. When he finally caught up to them he saw a sight that made him want to puke.

The cries of “Help me! Please! Help!" had morphed into agonized whimpers and screams, and now Up could see why.

The girl was tied to a tree, hanging several feet in the air. The robots had taken out long, metal rods and repeatedly hit her with them. Up nearly puked as he realized what was happening. They were using her as a piñata, busting her open so they could have what was inside.

Up let out a huge war cry, then ran in, shooting the robots until they were nothing more than bits and pieces scattered around. He stood under the girl and shot the rope above her, causing her to land right in his arms. He ran back to the house. As he got closer he realized how quiet it was. The battle was over, and he had a pretty good idea who had won.

He stepped into the yard and tried not to look too closely at the well-dressed bodies. He stepped inside the house, did a quick scan for any robots left there, and then set the girl down on the couch.

He clicked his watch. "Lieutenant Up, calling to report a robot attack. A large party with only three Rangers and, as far as I currently know, one teenage girl and I are the only survivors. Please send help immediately." He clicked it again. He knew that, despite their technology, help wouldn't be there until at least tomorrow afternoon. He sat on the armchair, keeping watch for more robots and waiting for the girl to wake up.

-----------------------------------13 hours later---------------------------------

Up dozed lightly. It was ten ‘o’clock in the morning, the girl hadn't yet woken up, and he was waiting for help still.

"Tacito, mama, no. No, please!" the girl mumbled. Up looked over to see tears streaming down her face. She looked so... broken. Physically and emotionally. He wished he could help, but he didn't know what to do.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, her eyes flew open. She didn't move, but she eyed him warily.

“Who are jou?" she said, clearly nervous.

Up cleared his throat, trying to muster up the courage to talk to this girl, this poor girl who had just lost everything. He had faced killer robots and aliens and all sorts of crazy, violent things, but this one terrified young girl shook him to the core. He took a deep breath. "Lieutenant Up. And you are?”

Gabriela had passed out as she fell, just before she landed in her savior's arms. When she opened her eyes she was in a white room. Before her she saw her mother and brother.

"Thank God!" she cried in relief. They were okay!

They didn't respond. They just continued what they were doing. Her mother was washing dishes, her brother eating breakfast. Neither gave any notice that they knew she was there.

Then all of a sudden, they began to fade away. "Tacito, mama, no! No, please!" she begged, tears streaming down her face.

She was alone. All alone.

Gabriela's eyes snapped open. She hurt so much. She looked around, and saw she was in her living room. She saw a strange man in the armchair near the couch. Tacito's favorite chair. She felt a pang in her heart. If Tacito and her mom were okay, they'd be by her as well. She knew immediately that they hadn't made it. They had left her, just like in her dream.

But she put on a brave face, just as her brother would've done. "Who are jou?" she asked the man. She realized her voice was huskier, her accent more pronounced. She guessed that tragedy could do that to you.

The man hesitated. "Lieutenant Up. And you are?"

Alone. Helpless. Broken. All of these words raced through her mind. But then she saw Tacito's letter on the table. His words from earlier raced through her mind. They only know my name. They don't even know if I'm a boy or a girl! Tacito would be unable to join the Rangers now, and she knew that he had wanted that more than anything. It took her only a second to make this decision.

"I am Tacito Lopez. But jou can call me Taz."