Learning to Dance

was his own. “Whatever happens, I have to admit it’s nice
to be on Earth again, even if we have to stick to the ships
and bunkers.”
Taz froze, halfway to standing. “We’re on Earth?”
“You didn’t know?”
“Why would I know, Pedro? I’ve been stuck here with
no viewscreen, no radio contact since Up got the call from
Tripp!”
Pedro looked at her accusingly. “Why was Commander
Up here when he got the call?”
Taz crossed her arms and didn’t answer.
They glared at each other for a moment, then finally
Pedro pushed himself up out of her bed. “You’d better
watch yourself, Taz, you know the G.L.E.E. doesn’t have
much tolerance for unauthorized relationships between
commanding officers and their subordinates.”
“You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about,”
Taz spat, feeling herself grow red. “There is no
relationship. But if you go and start shooting your mouth
off-”
“Do you really think I would do that?” There was hurt in
Pedro’s voice. “Up’s the best commander in the fleet, and
you-” The rest of that thought hung in the air between them.
Pedro sighed. “I don’t want to see either of you lose your
jobs. But you’re kidding yourself if you don’t see the way
he looks at you.” He looked angry now, too. “Enjoy your
solitary confinement, Taz. I’ll let you know how it all turns
out.”
“Wait-” she said, her brain still trying to take in
everything he’d just said. “At least tell me where we are –
where on Earth did we land?”
He stopped in the doorway, and turned, a strange look on
his face. “Why, mi hermana,” he said. “We’re in Mexico.
We’ve finally come home.”