Learning to Dance

slamming the glass back onto the bar. “But it wouldn’t kill
you to have a little fun once in a while. I haven’t seen you
smile in months.”
She left, and he stared after her. Things had been tough
lately as the Robots had begun renewed attacks on human
colonies – and he had plenty to worry about keeping the
Cazadora intact and in fighting shape. But had he really
forgotten how to smile?
He watched her join the card game, clink glasses, and
laugh at something Pedro said. The lovesick idiot still gave
her the same moony eyes he always had. Up turned his
back and ordered a refill from the bartender.
The night grew louder as it grew later, and the liquor was
flowing freely. Some soldiers started arm wrestling in the
corner, and the karaoke warbling grew so off-key that Up
found himself wishing that Taz would get on stage again
just to put everyone out of their misery. He circled the
room, sharing toasts and jabs with various crew members,
trying to convince himself that he was having fun, but his
heart wasn’t in it. Having made the obligatory rounds and
with nothing else to do, Up found himself at the bar again.
Suddenly Taz was at his elbow, rather tipsier than before.
“Uno más, camarero, y muévete! Tengo sed!” she
barked, swaying a little, and though the bartender clearly
didn’t understand what she’d said, he poured another
tequila and offered it hopefully.
“Are you sure you need that?” said Up. She was leaning
rather heavily on the bar for support.
Her eyes flashed. “You know, Up,” she said, coming
closer and stabbing at his chest with her finger. “I’m not a
little girl anymore.”
“I know that,” he said warily. Experience had taught the
Cazadora crew that Taz on tequila could go one of two
ways: extremely dangerous or extremely flirty. He wasn’t