Almost

Chapter Six

After landing on the Colossus (and Annie practically begging Kaz to touch Tam's hair), the two pilots decided it would be best to take the little Aeosian girl up to the tower, where it would be easy to keep an eye on her.

Or so they thought.

"Get back here!"

"She's as slippery as a gorg!"

Anastasia let out a shriek of joy as she once again escaped Kaz's gloved grip, dodged Tam's bronze arms, and slipped into the opposite hallway.

"I think... she thinks... that this is a... game." Kaz gasped out, trying to suck as much air into his lungs as possible.

"Well at least... she's enjoying her... self." Tam wheezed in agreement.

Annie peaked around the corner, waiting for the two to catch their breath.

"Anastasia... this... isn't funny..."

"I think it is!" Torra giggled, popping around the other side, skipping to a halt. "Kaz, you're as red as a meiloorun."

Kaz collapsed into a heap on the floor, glaring at Torra as he did so. Tam chuckled. "What did the... Captain say?"

"My father said we should keep looking for survivors." Torra said as Annie scampered around the corner and nudged Kaz with her foot, only to shoot off to her nook again. "Apparently all of the ones we found are- ya know."

Tam winced.

Annie came out and poked the somewhat- still Resistance spy. Still not moving, she bent over him and prodded him in the ribs.

Kaz popped up suddenly, and Anastasia squealed and tried to scramble away, but he caught her by her skinny waist.

"Haha! Nothing can outrun Kazuda Xiono!"

The watching girls burst into a fit of giggles and snorts, and Annie wiggled and shimmied in Kazuda's arms until she let out a soft yawn.

"Guess it's time for bed, little one." Kaz said as their tired webbed friend relaxed in his arms.

"Only problem is, where's she gonna sleep?" Tam asked.

Torra hummed. "I think you guys should take her back to Tam's or something. My father has a whole bunch on his plate, and I don't think watching Annie is really the thing to shove on him right now."

"I think Torra's right." Kaz said, turning his head towards Anastasia. "You feel like sleeping right now, Annie?"

The aquatic child gave a lazy nod, and curled into Kaz's chest.

"I guess she can come and stay at my place." Tam looked at Kaz. "As long as you stay to help."

Kaz smiled. "What else would I do?"

"Wizard!" Torra said in her sing- song voice. "I'll go tell my father."

Kaz stood from his place in the floor and followed Tam down the hallway.

"Thanks for coming." Tam said after a moment of silence. "It 's really nice of you to help and stuff."

"Ah it's all good. I like kids- well, most kids. I like this kid, I mean. "

Tam smiled at Kaz 's comment. "I know what you mean."

Kaz looked over at her. "Do you wanna hold her? "

"Later."

"Guess me guess, don't want another 'feel Tam's hair' crisis, huh?"

She chuckled, shaking her head as she walked. "No, that was actually a pleasant experience. She was surprisingly nice with my hair."

"It was really soft, though. "

"Well, it probably feels better than yours."

"Hey!" Kaz said, pretending to be taken back. "I will have you know my hair is naturally this beautiful. "

"Do you mean hair products made from natural ingredients?"

The couple continued their teasing until they got to Tam's flat. Putting Annie to sleep was easier than they thought- she curled up in the only bed and fell right to sleep.

"Guess we're sharing the couch again." Kaz whispered, tucking Annie in the softest blanket the two could find.

"You really don't mind?" Tam joked.

He snorted and rolled his eyes, turning away from her. But she saw a ghost of a smile on his face. "Whatever. You're the one asking me to stay. Adorable."

Tam tried to keep a straight face. "What can I say Xiono, I really enjoy your annoying snore."

"I do not snore."

"You snore. And drool."

"Are you watching me sleep, Ryvora?"

"So you don't deny it?"

"You didn't answer the question."