The Commander's Lieutenant

Part 4

A few hours later, Taz woke up fresh. She neglected all thoughts of the day and just decided to roll with the punches. After hopping out of the shower, she looked in the mirror at her hair. It was starting to get too long, and was always in her way. Taz filed through her drawers before finding what she needed- a pair of shiny, silver scissors. Working her way around her head, her hair was finally exactly how she wanted it.

She pulled on her white singlet, a pair of khakis and her combat boots. She was about to look for a belt when Up knocked on her door. She forgot all about it and rushed to the door, beaming when she saw a brightly coloured package in his arms. She grabbed it out of his hands and ran excitedly to her bed.

'Can I open it, Up?' Taz begged.

'Course ya can! It's yours, after all.' Up smiled down at her as she ripped the wrapping apart.

A long black belt fell out- there were a few pockets attached to it, as well as a sheath for her knife. Taz stared down at it in awe.

'Do ya like it, Taz?' Up stared at her, waiting for her to look up.

'It's exactly what I needed Up!' Taz ran forward and quickly hugged him- only pulling away to attach the belt around her waist. She spun around. 'Do I look ready, Up?'

Her smiled dropped when she saw Up's face. 'Not yet.' He stepped around her and grabbed the red bandana off her bed, slipping it over her hair.

Taz blushed and smiled, wondering if he had noticed her haircut. Up held his arm out the same way he had the day before, leading her to the cafeteria. With each step, she lost more and more hope that Up would notice her hair. Before they reached the doors, Up leaned down and whispered in her ear.

'And if you don't mind my sayin', I am lovin' the new hair. It's more... you.' Up smiled.

Taz lightly blushed again, sweeping one of the two long side parts behind her ear. He pushed the door and gave Taz a gentle push into the cafeteria. She stumbled forward, awkwardly walking over to the cafeteria line. After filling her tray, she followed Up to their table. She sat in silence, wondering what else Up had in store for her. Today was Taz's day off from classes, and she was hoping she could spend the whole day with Up.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a few sniggers from girls behind her. Taz turned around to glare at them, shooting icy glances at each of them. Three of the four girls looked at their food, but the blonde one smiled at Taz and waved. She turned to Up and flicked her hair over her shoulder.

'You got a fan, Up.' She said grumpily, a mouth full of bacon.

Up shook his head. 'Not me, Taz.' He nodded his head, motioning for Taz to turn around.

She cautiously looked behind her to see the girl standing there. 'Can I help you?' Taz asked.

'Yeah! I'm February.' The girl had a slight accent, but her perkiness got on Taz's nerves.

'Right. I'm Taz.' She replied, turning back to her food.

'I think you're in my calculator class!' February tried to keep the conversation going.

'Uh... if you mean calculus, den yeah. I guess so.'

February had to think for a minute. 'Right! You aced the last test, right? And that means you're a Ranger?'

Taz was starting to get sick of February already. 'Sí. What are you training to be?'

February smiled and flicked her short hair over her shoulder. 'A schience officer!'

'Of course. Well good luck.' Taz smiled as politely as she could and waved- only slightly sarcastically.

'Happy birthday!' February called as she ran back to her table, blonde hair bouncing.

'Damn she's annoying.' Taz sighed into another piece of bacon. She dangled it in the air and gulped it down, Up just watching it disappear.

After breakfast, Up and Taz went back to his room to watch a movie. As soon as Taz stepped into his room, she froze. Even more balloons and streamers decorated the room, and Taz's favourite song played over Up's speakers.

'U-Up...' Taz stammered, barely able to comprehend the sight before her.

Up put his arm around her shoulder and guided her to the couch, sitting her next to a large box. Her name was carefully written in the corner of the box. She opened the box, and slowly pulled out a giant Starship Academy shirt to replace Up's old one, a book and a smaller, flatter, rectangle box. She opened it and saw a stack of papers with questions and a small chain with two dog-tags reading "Teniente Taz".

After flicking through the questions, she realised it was the Lieutenant application. She dropped them on the seat next to her and ran into Up, almost tackling him.

'Thank you Up!' She whispered into his chest.

Taz backed away quickly, realising that she'd been hugging him for an extremely long time. 'Lo siento! My bad...'

'Happy birthday, Taz.' He held out his hand, Taz cautiously grabbing it.

Up twirled her, pulled her close and stepped into position.

'Now what?' She asked, dazed.

'Now we dance.'

The music picked up, Up and Taz spinning around the room. Neither knew how to dance, but it was like they knew exactly what the other would do. As Taz's right foot stepped back, Up's left followed and they danced for hours. Finally, Taz was completely exhausted. She collapsed on the couch and swiped her arm across her forehead.

'Feelin' better Taz?' Up asked, sipping water from his drink bottle.

Taz nodded and sat up a little. She pointed at the application. 'Can I do it now?'

'Course ya can, Taz! I need a break from dancing before-'

Taz's gaze shifted to him. 'Before what, Up?'

Up waved his hand and passed it off. 'Nothin, Taz.' He smiled.

'Up... tell me!' She jumped up and begged him.

Her huge brown eyes made him melt. 'If you finish that by five, we'll take it in together- just in time for the ceremony!'

Taz jumped up. 'The ceremony is today? Ay Mierda! I forgot!'

She quickly looked around for a pencil before realising Up was holding one out. 'Right- gracias Up!'

Sitting at the bench, Taz quickly worked her way through the application. After an hour, she looked up with a huge smile on her face. 'Done!'

The two of them raced to the reception desk and Taz practically threw the application. 'I'm ready to be a lieutenant!' She cried, hugging Up once again.

The lady flicked through the application, and stopped on the last page. 'Everything seems to be in order, but we need a signature from a guardian, teacher or relative.'

Taz's heart dropped. Up saw her face and nudged her, smiling. 'I'm her Combat teacher.'

He snatched the paper and hastily scribbled his signature.

The lady at the desk smiled at the both of them. 'You think she can handle it? She's barely sixteen!'

Taz's face grew hot, and she was about to utter some crude words, but Up put his hand on her shoulder.

'She's tougher than calculus.' At this, he winked and Taz beamed.

'Alright then- you two better get ready for the ceremony! Off you go now!' She shooed them away, locking the office down for the day.