"Can
I ask you something?" Trinity looked
up to see Tank in the doorway of the mess
hall, arms crossed and eyebrow raised.
"Sure."
Trinity tried to meet Tank’s gaze, only to
find him staring at the table, obviously bothered.
"You okay? You look sort of ---"
"Yeah,
I’m fine," Tank interrupted. "It’s just that
---" He cut off abruptly. "Me and Kaz are
sort of having problems."
"What
kind of problems?" Trinity raised her eyebrow.
"I
don’t know. Something just doesn’t seem right."
He sighed heavily. "She’s been kind of secluded
and withdrawn, and I can’t figure out why.
She ... I don’t know. Ugh. Women." Trinity
laughed at his final statement.
"You
know, women are just a little different from
men." Trinity smiled.
"Yeah,
I’m figuring that out." Tank sighed.
"Every
now and then we just feel the need to be alone,
like we’re crowded. Just give her time. She’s
got a lot to get used to."
"Trin,
she’s been here for more than four months.
That’s plenty of time to ---"
"Tank,
how long did it take you?" He was quiet for
a second.
"Good
point." He smiled his stunning smile.
"All
I’m saying is give her some space. She’ll
come around eventually."
***
"Let
go of me!" Kaz was screaming at the top of
her lungs. Fritz had her pinned up against
the wall, her feet dangling a foot off
the floor. Fritz was the newest crew person
on the Neb. The crew had freed him a month
earlier and he still had some minor problems.
"Shut
up!" Veins protruded from his forehead as
he yelled between his teeth. He put his hands
around her throat, choking her. Kaz
began to feel herself black out, hoping that
someone would hear her screams. Her face began
to change color from white to blue. Taking
notice of this, Fritz threw her across the
room. She smacked against the wall, her head
hitting a pipe. She fell into a heap on the
floor, blood oozing from the cut she had just
received. Fritz threw her across the room
again, this time into a nearby table. The
table broke in half, making a huge crash.
Hearing
all the noise, Morpheus and Neo ran into the
op station to see what all the commotion was
about. They arrived just in time to see Kaz
go flying into a ladder, making a loud thump
as she hit the floor.
"Fritz!
Cut it out!" Morpheus ran to hold him down
while Neo picked Kaz up out of the floor.
Morpheus could barely hold Fritz down, as
Fritz was twice Morpheus’ size. He yelled
for Blik to come help him. Together, they
dragged him to his room and locked him in,
hoping he wouldn’t cause any more trouble.
They ran back to where they had left Neo and
Kaz.
"Is
she okay?" asked Blik, obviously concerned.
"I
don’t know," answered Neo. "She’s out cold."
He held her gently, trying to revive her.
"Blik,
go get Trinity." Morpheus was worried. If
Fritz reacted violently on a whim, this could
mean trouble. "What could have caused this?"
"I
don’t know," Neo answered. "I didn’t think
Fritz was this unstable. He must have popped
or something."
"Well,
we’re not going to find out from Kaz until
she wakes up."
***
"Hey
Trinity? Morpheus and Neo need you." Blik
stuck his head into the mess hall. He had
a concerned look on his face. Tank nodded
to Trinity and she stood to leave. Tank got
a cup from the shelf and made himself a cup
of coffee. He sat down at the table, alone
again, deep in thought.
***
"What
happened?" Trinity ran to Neo’s side in the
infirmary. Kaz lay on a bed, a huge gash on
her forehead. Several bruises had already
appeared all over her body.
"Fritz."
It was Morpheus who answered. "He went berserk,
evidently without cause." Trinity bandaged
Kaz’s forehead and gave her a painkiller.
They hooked her up to a monitor and IV.
"I’ll
stay," said Trinity. "But how are we gong
to tell Tank? If he finds out, he’ll kill
Fritz." They looked at each other.
"We’ll
do it together," said Morpheus. "After dinner."
***
Neo
climbed the ladder to the op station. It had
been an hour since Fritz snapped and he was
still locked up in his room. He was concerned.
How were they going to break the news to Tank?
If they told him that Fritz had tried
to kill Kaz, Tank might snap as well.
Just
then, Tank came around the corner.
"Tank
---"
"Hey,
uh, Neo, can I talk to you?" Tank looked concerned.
Neo felt a knot grow in his stomach. Had Tank
found out? "It’s about Kaz." The knot tightened.
"Sure,"
Neo stammered.
"She’s
been acting real weird." The knot released.
He still didn’t know. "I talked to Trin and
she told me not to worry, but I can’t help
it."
"What’s
going on?"
"I
don’t know. Kaz has been acting like she doesn’t
want me around. You know, like she’s withdrawing.
I don’t know what to do."
"She’ll
come around eventually." Neo smiled and put
a hand on his shoulder. "Just give her space.
She has a lot on her mind right now."
"But
I want to be there for her, you know, help
her ---"
"Yeah,
I know. But women are just weird sometimes."
"You’re
telling me. Where is she, by the way?"
"Uh..."
Neo got nervous again.
"Never
mind, I’ll find her." As soon as he was gone,
Neo let his breath out. That was a close call.
***
"Where’s
Kaz?" asked Poz. They were all sitting in
the mess hall for dinner.
"And
Blik and Fritz? Where are they?" Tank posed
a question of his own.
"Tank,
sit down." said Morpheus calmly.
"I
don’t like the sound of this..." Tank muttered
as he slowly sat.
"She
and Fritz had a little encounter this afternoon."
Tank stood up, almost knocking his chair over.
"Tank, sit down." Morpheus repeated. He refused.
"Tank,
Kaz is in the infirmary," said Trinity quietly.
Tank bolted for the door, but luckily Morpheus
was sitting in front of it and jumped up to
stop him.
"Calm
down." Tank struggled a bit more and finally
slumped to the floor. "She’s going to be okay.
She’s got some nasty cuts and bruises, but
she’ll be okay. Blik is sitting with her now."
"So
where’s Fritz?" He asked.
"He’s
locked up in his room." Tank stood. "Where
are you going?" Morpheus tensed, ready to
hold Tank back again.
"I
want to see her. Now."
***
"Oh
my God." Tank fought the tears. Kaz lay on
a bed, the sheets tucked under her arms. She
had a bandage on her forehead and her face
was badly bruised. He sat in the chair next
to her bed and held her hand. She stirred
slightly, but didn’t open her eyes. Tank lowered
his head to rest on the bed.
"Leave
them," said Morpheus softly.
***
"Do
you think he’s going to be okay?" Poz asked
as soon as the door was shut.
"I
hope so. I just hope Fritz lives through what
Tank’s going to dish out when he finds him."
Morpheus sent Blik a look.
"Tank
isn’t going to touch Fritz, do all of you
understand?" They nodded quietly, all worried
about Kaz.
***
"Who
are you?" Tank’s head snapped up. Kaz had
her eyes open and was looking around the room.
"Where am I?"
"In
the infirmary."
"Why?"
She looked confused and lost.
"Fritz
tried to kill you."
"Who
is Fritz? What am I doing here?"
***
"Morpheus,
come quick." They all looked up to see Tank
in the doorway, tears streaming down his face.
"What’s
wrong?" They all jumped up and ran after Tank,
who was sprinting towards the infirmary. They
walked into the infirmary room to see Kaz
sitting up in bed, looking completely lost.
"Who
are you?" She looked at each of them, shaking.
"What am I doing here?"
***
"How
is she?" Trinity stood when Morpheus emerged
from Kaz’s room. They walked together to the
mess hall, where the others were waiting.
Morpheus didn’t answer. Together they entered
the room, silent. Everyone but Tank looked
up, hopeful. Tank was leaning against a wall,
his head lowered.
"She
doesn’t remember a thing. Not even who she
is and where she came from." Trinity saw Tank
grimace and shake his head. A tear fell. "Evidently
while Fritz was on a rampage, she hit her
head and blacked out." Tank stormed out of
the room. Morpheus nodded to Blik, who stood
and followed. They waited in silence until
Blik returned.
"He
just went to his room. He didn’t even go near
Fritz." reported Blik. Morpheus nodded and
continued his update.
"I
told her everything - about the ship, the
Matrix, each of you, her encounter with Fritz,
and that she’s in love with Tank."
"And?"
Trinity looked at Morpheus.
"I
don’t know." The room fell silent again. Morpheus
took a seat and propped his head on his hands.
"All we can do is wait and see if her memory
comes back." Neo shook his head while Trinity
sighed. He looked at her and put his arms
around her. She leaned against him and shook
her head.
"Something
needs to be done about Fritz."
"I
know," said Morpheus. "I’m seeing about transferring
him to another ship, one with a more reliable
cell. Until then I want one of you stationed
outside his cell." They nodded. "Make sure
he is never unguarded." They nodded again.
"I’ll keep an eye on Tank."
"Let
me talk to him, Morpheus." He nodded to Trinity
and she went to find him.
***
"Tank?"
Trinity slowly opened the door to Tank’s room.
He was lying on his back, staring at the ceiling.
He didn’t move, so she sat on the bed next
to him. "Tank, she’s going to be okay." He
shook his head and turned onto his side. Trinity
put a hand on his arm and he sighed.
"She
doesn’t even know who I am, Trinity. How can
you tell me she’s going to be okay?" He sighed
again.
"Tank,
even if she doesn’t remember who you are,
you’re still you. You still love her, and
that means it’s going to be easier for her
to love you again."
"You
think so?" Tank turned back onto his back
again and looked at Trinity.
"Yeah,
I do. You’re a great person. Even if she doesn’t
remember you, it’ll be easy for her to fall
in love with you, especially since she knows
you still love her."
"Thanks,
Trin." He smiled at her, but it faded quickly.
Trinity knew he was still worried about it,
but she also knew he would think about what
she told him.
"Just
be there for her now and she’ll remember you
later." She patted his arm, smiled, and left
his room.
***
"Is
he going to be okay?" Poz was waiting outside
Tank’s room when Trinity emerged. She sighed
and leaned against the wall.
"I
hope so."
***
I
wish I could have been there to stop him.
What was I thinking leaving her alone with
him? I knew this would happen. How could I
be so dumb? Tank was sitting at the computer
watching the matrix, running over what had
happened the past week. He still worried about
Kaz, but now was blaming himself.
"What’s
that?" He turned to see who had interrupted
his thoughts. Kaz stood in a blanket a few
feet away, looking confused.
"This
is the matrix." Tank explained all over how
it worked, thinking deja vu all over again.
He turned away from her, his heart broken.
She looked terrible. Her hair was sticking
up all over the place and her eyes were dull
and drooping. She was pale and thin, as if
she were dying right in front of him. His
heart ached just looking at her.
"Can
I ask you something?" He turned to face her.
"Yeah,
sure." His answer was slow and quiet.
"Will
you tell me about us?" He looked at her, unsure
of what she was asking. "I mean, when we both
lived in Zion, and before this whole thing."
She saw his eyes fill and he turned away from
her. "I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have ---"
"No,
it’s okay." He turned around again and managed
a small smile. "I’ll tell you." She smiled
back and sat on the floor, looking up at him.
He took a deep breath and began his story.
"We
grew up together. I lived a street over from
you and we used to play together when we were
little." Tank glanced at her. She was thoroughly
interested, and she smiled. He looked away
and continued. "Eventually, be became more
than friends, a perfect match. Every one of
our friends was jealous of our relationship.
We were together for four years and not once
had a fight."
"What
happened?" He was surprised at her question.
"Morpheus
found me and my brother and we joined the
crew on this ship. I couldn’t tell you, so
I just disappeared. About five months ago,
we needed another hand, so I went back to
Zion and found you. You were a sight for sore
eyes." He smiled, remembering. "I told you
everything Morpheus told you the other night
- about the war and the matrix. You got pretty
mad at me for not telling you I was leaving,"
he chuckled to himself, "but you decided to
come anyway."
She
stood and walked to his side, gazing at the
computer screen, flooding with information
on what was happening that very moment inside
the matrix. He followed her gaze and
was lost in the green characters.
"You
don’t know how odd it is to have people telling
you what you’re supposed to feel and think
and believe." He smiled sympathetically.
"You
don’t know how frustrating it is to have someone
you love with all your heart standing right
next to you, and they don’t know who you are
and can’t love you back anymore." She looked
at him starting at the screen.
"I’m
sorry."
"Don’t
be." For the first time since he started his
story, he looked her in the eye. She stared
back, unsure of what to say. He stood and
started to walk away.
"Tank?"
He turned around to face her again. She walked
to him and put her arms around him. "I really
am sorry." She felt him put his arms around
her timidly. They held each other for a moment,
until she broke away. She saw the tears streaming
down his face and she felt guilty. "I don’t
know what to do."
"There’s
nothing you can do." He smiled weakly and
left the room. She watched him as he
left and went to find Morpheus.
***
"Morpheus?"
He looked up from his coffee to see Kaz in
the room with him.
"It’s
late, Kaz. You’re not tired?"
"No,
just curious." His eyebrow went up.
"About
what?"
"Tank."
"Oh."
His face fell. "He still loves you, you know."
"Yes."
She paused. "But I can’t love him back."
"I
know." He tried to read her face, unsuccessfully.
"Ever
since I woke up, people have been telling
me what I’m supposed to feel and think. That’s
what I thought before. It’s odd."
"Kaz---"
"I
don’t feel anything anymore. Nothing. I feel
like I’m living someone else’s life. I don’t
know what to think. Except what people tell
me." Morpheus’ heart fell. She was in pain
and there was nothing he could say. He went
to her and embraced her. He held her for a
moment. She pulled away from him.
"I’m
tired now." She turned and left.
"Good
night." He watched her leave and went to his
own room for the night.
***
Tank
stared at the ceiling. He was exhausted, but
couldn’t sleep. His eyes were sore and his
body ached, but he was still awake, staring
at the ceiling of his room. He stood, wincing
as his feet made contact with the icy metal
floor.
He
quietly opened the door and walked in. She
was on her side, facing him. He leaned against
the wall and watched her sleep. He listened
to her breathe, watching every movement she
made. He felt a hand on his arm and turned
to see Neo next to him. He turned back to
watching Kaz and a tear spilled onto his cheek.
A few moments later, he found Neo in the mess
hall, waiting for him.
"You’re
killing yourself, Tank."
"I
know." He sat across from Neo and stared at
his hands in his lap.
"Do
you want me to talk to the Oracle?"
"No."
Tank stood. "I know there’s nothing I can
do. What’s the use?"
***
"Morpheus,
come quick," Trinity barged into Morpheus’
room, startling him from a deep sleep. He
looked at her, trying to clear his eyes and
stood, following her out of the room. They
went down the hall to Tank’s room. Tank was
on the floor, a knife protruding from his
side. His face was twisted in agony, writhing
in pain.
"Tank,
who did this?" Morpheus was afraid of the
answer, hoping it wasn’t an attempt on his
own life.
"Fritz."
Tank managed to let the name escape. "He’s
out." Morpheus and Trinity looked at each
other. Morpheus pointed at Neo and Blik and
they ran out of the room.
They
found Fritz in Kaz’s room, just in time. He
had her up against the wall again, and her
face was blue.
"Fritz!"
He turned and pulled Kaz from the wall, using
her for a shield. Keeping her in a choke hold,
he pulled out a knife and held it to her throat.
They immediately backed away. Kaz was on the
brink of passing out again, and she tried
to fight it, unsuccessfully. The blackness
took over and she slumped to the floor, unconscious.
Fritz kicked her out of the way and lunged
for the door, but was stopped by Neo. They
fought for a few minutes, Fritz slashing wildly
and missing all but once. He caught Neo’s
arm, ripping it open. Neo screamed in pain,
distracting Fritz so that Blik could take
the knife from him. Blik tackled him and yelled
for Morpheus’ help. Trinity ran to the infirmary
to get a sedative as Blik and Morpheus struggled
to hold Fritz down. Soon, Fritz was out cold.
Blik, Morpheus, and Poz helped get Tank and
Kaz to the infirmary while Trinity tended
to Neo’s wound.
***
Morpheus,
Neo, and Poz stood as Trinity emerged from
the infirmary. Blik looked up, hopeful. Neo
went to her and put his arms around her.
"Tank
is fine. He’s going to be sore and immobile
for a while, but he’s in no danger."
"And
Kaz?" Morpheus asked.
Trinity
took a deep breath. "Kaz is in a coma."
Morpheus closed his eyes and sunk into the
chair. Blik stood in disbelief. "She’s barely
physically hurt - just some scrapes, a broken
rib, and a lot of bruises, but I don’t know
if she’ll pull through it."
"Does
Tank know?"
"No.
Not yet. How long until we can get to Zion
and get Fritz in prison?"
"An
hour," estimated Morpheus.
"The
sedative will wear out by then."
"Can
you give him another?" Blik asked as he looked
at Trinity.
"No.
It might make his heart stop."
"Oh
darn," said Poz sarcastically.
"Poz..."
"Yeah,
I know Morpheus. It’s hard not to think it
though."
"I
know. We’ll have to tie him up. I’ll contact
Zion and let them know we’re coming." Morpheus
stood and went to the op station. Trinity
and Neo sat.
"How
are we going to tell Tank?" Trinity leaned
against Neo, exhausted.
"Tell
me what?" They looked up, startled to see
Tank standing in the doorway.
"Tank
---"
"Tell
me what?" he repeated.
"Tank,
you should be in bed. You’re going to hurt
yourself." Trinity went to him, but he pulled
away weakly. He leaned against the doorway
for support.
"Tell
me what?" he repeated a third time, slowly
sinking to the floor. "Tell me what? What
do you have to tell me?"
***
Tank
floated in and out of consciousness for a
week, unable to hold on to consciousness for
more than fifteen minutes. Morpheus stayed
by his side day and night, never sleeping.
***
The
beeping of Kaz’s heart monitor didn’t phase
Trinity anymore. She had been sitting with
her for a week, unable to eat or sleep. Neo’s
figure appeared behind her. She heard him,
but ignored him.
"You
need a meal and a nap, Trin." She shook her
head and took Kaz’s hand in hers. "Trinity,
listen to me." She turned to face him, stood,
and left the room. He followed right behind
her, all the way to her room. She went to
the bed, tears breaking as soon as she sat.
"I’m
scared, Neo."
"I
know." He sat next to her. "I am too. All
of us are." He put his arms around her and
she leaned into him. They lay down, Neo behind
her. "She’s going to be okay." He stroked
her hair until she finally fell asleep. He
soon followed.
***
Tank
opened his eyes to find Morpheus next to him,
leaning against the wall, asleep. He looked
around the room to orient himself. He was
in his own room and could feel the bandage
around his middle. Morpheus sensed that Tank
was awake and woke up himself. He looked at
Tank sadly.
"Tank,
Kaz is in a coma." Tank looked at Morpheus.
"She has been for two weeks and we don’t know
if she’s going to wake up." Tank slowly stood
and Morpheus jumped up to catch him before
he fell. "Take it easy, okay?"
"I
want to see her." He locked eyes with Morpheus.
Morpheus could do nothing but let him have
his way. He led Tank to the infirmary, where
Kaz lay, unconscious. Tank sat next to her
and took her hand.
"Kaz?"
No answer.
"Kaz,
I want to tell you something. I still love
you, but I know you can’t love me. I can accept
that now. I’m so scared right now. I’m scared
that you’ll never wake up. You have to fight,
Kaz. Fight to live, you hear me? Fight for
me. Please." Tank broke down and sobbed, unaware
that Morpheus had left the room. "Please."
He looked at her face, still and emotionless.
He stood and returned to his room.
***
Tank
had fallen asleep, holding Kaz’s hand and
leaning against the wall. He hadn’t dreamt
since Kaz had slipped into a coma.
"Tank?"
"Go
away Trinity." He kept his eyes closed.
"Tank?"
He realized that it wasn’t Trinity’s voice
calling his name. He opened his eyes and looked
around the room, searching for the voice.
He felt his hand being squeezed gently and
looked at Kaz, now awake and looking at him.
"Kaz?"
She smiled her answer. He let go of her hand
and ran to the door, yelling for the others
to join him, hoping they could prove it wasn’t
a dream. They came running down the hall to
see what was wrong. He went back to her bed
and took her hand again. He asked the others
if he was dreaming, but didn’t get a direct
answer. They were all busy hugging Kaz and
each other. Tears came to his eyes. She sat
up in bed and leaned against the wall. She
looked at Morpheus and he nodded. He herded
the others out of the room, leaving Tank and
Kaz alone.
"Is
this a dream?" Kaz laughed and shook her head.
She was pale, but her eyes twinkled, brighter
than he ever remembered. He sat next to her
on the bed and touched her face, tears flowing
down his cheeks. She touched his hand and
leaned forward, her lips catching his. Moments
later, they parted and he searched her eyes.
She smiled and leaned against the wall again.
"Why
do you look so confused?" She asked, the smile
fading from her face. He didn’t answer. "Are
you okay?" He nodded, but she wasn’t convinced.
"Tank, what’s wrong?"
"Nothing.
I just keep waiting to wake up." She smiled
and squeezed his hand again.
"Could
you do me a favor?" He nodded. "I’m starving!"
She wriggled her way under the covers, her
face completely covered except for her eyes
and forehead, and smiled. He laughed.
"Yeah,
sure. I’ll go get you something." She thanked
him and rested her head on the pillow. When
he returned, she was on her side, the covers
tucked under her chin, fast asleep. He smiled
at her, kissed her forehead, and returned
to his room.
***
Kaz
awoke, slowly opening her eyes and realizing
she was back in her own room. She sat up and
shivered as the cold air hit her back. Yelping
as her feet touched the cold floor, she grabbed
the tattered blanket to take with her.
She walked down the dimly lit hall to Tank’s
room and slowly opened the door, hoping she
wouldn’t wake him. He was breathing deeply
when she entered the room, kneeling beside
his bed. She smiled at him, sleeping peacefully.
He didn’t stir as she traced the features
of his face. She stroked his cheek. He slowly
opened his eyes and smiled.
"I
couldn’t pretend anymore." She laughed quietly,
careful not to wake the others in the nearby
rooms. "Would you like to join me?" He patted
the bed in front of him and raised his eyebrow.
She
raised her eyebrow, mirroring him and he laughed
at her attempt to look offended. She smiled
and shrugged. He scooted over on the bed as
she climbed in next to him.
"Only
if you keep me warm." He laughed and agreed.
He put his arm around her, his hand resting
on her stomach.
"No
problem, missy." She laughed and sighed.
"I
love you, Tank."
"You
do?"
"Mm-hmm."
"You
have your memory back?"
"No."
Tank just smiled.
Kaz
yawned. Tank laughed and kissed her neck.
She sighed and soon fell asleep. Tank was
right behind her on her quest to dream land.
***
Poz
was surprised to find his room dark when he
awoke. Tank was usually up before him. He
yawned and stretched. He figured that he was
sleeping in since he hadn’t gotten much lately.
As he made his way down the hall, he decided
he’d better check on Kaz, just to make sure
she was okay. He stopped in her room only
to find it empty. That’s odd, he thought.
"Something
wrong, Poz?" Poz jumped at Morpheus’ words.
"Yeah,
Kaz isn’t in her room."
"What?"
"Look.
She’s not there." He gestured into her room
and Morpheus glanced in.
"Wake
the others."
"Well,
she could be in the mess hall ---"
"It’s
empty"
"---
or in the op station"
"It’s
empty as well."
"---
or I could go get the others..." Poz pirouetted
and jogged off to wake everyone else. Soon
Trinity and Neo were up and looking. Blik
was sleeping so hard that not even dragging
him to the floor would wake him. Poz shrugged
and exited the room, leaving Blik in a heap
of body and blankets on the floor.
"Tank---"
Trinity stopped dead in her tracks, a small
smile finding its way to her face. She turned
and got the others, telling them to be quiet.
They followed her into Tank’s room, where
they saw Kaz curled up with Tank behind her,
her head resting against his chest just under
his chin. Tank’s arms were around her, his
left under her head with his hand dangling
off the cot, the right under hers with his
hand resting on her stomach. Kaz’s fingers
were intertwined with Tank’s right hand.
"I
knew it." Trinity smiled.
"Did
she get her memory back?" Neo asked as he
put his arms around Trinity.
"No,"
replied Morpheus. "She just fell in love with
him again."
***
As
soon as he heard the door shut, a smile broke
on Tank’s face. He opened his eyes and looked
at Kaz, lying in his arms. She was fast asleep,
her breathing deep and even. He stroked her
hair and played with her fingers, kissing
her on the forehead. She smiled in her sleep
and hunkered deeper into the covers. He smiled
and drifted back off to sleep.
An
hour later, Tank awoke alone. He looked around
the room, only to find it empty. She must
have gone to get something to eat, he thought
to himself. He sat up and stretched, smiling
at the latest events. He rolled out of bed
and onto the floor with the grace of an elephant.
He made his way to the mess hall, hoping to
find Kaz.
She
was sitting at the table, drinking a cup of
water. She smiled up at him as he entered
the room. He planted a kiss on her cheek and
got himself some coffee.
"Are
the others up?" She nodded her answer and
stretched, yawning. He laughed and she stuck
her tongue out at him, then smiled. He sat
next to her and she leaned her head on his
shoulder.
"Evidently
we were discovered early this morning." He
paused in the middle of a slurp. "Poz was
the first up and surprised that you didn’t
beat him to he lights. He stopped in to check
on me and didn’t see me there, of course,
so he had everyone looking for me. The last
place Trinity looked was in your room."
"Oh
man." Tank smiled, embarrassed as Trinity
walked into the mess hall.
"Sleep
well?" She smiled deviously, her eyebrow raised.
"Yeah,
actually." She laughed and shook her head.
"We slept more than you probably did."
"It’s
none of my business."
"Oh
come on, Trin, you know me better than that."
Tank whined.
"Yeah,
I know." She tousled his hair. "It’s messed
up, dear." He ran a hand through it, trying
to straighten it, to no avail. Kaz looked
up at him and smiled.
"What?"
"Nothing."
She returned her attention to her water, but
still smiled. Tank saw his opportunity and
tackled her (gently, of course), tickling
her. She shrieked and laughed uncontrollably,
both of them in a heap on the floor.
"Ahem."
Neither of them had noticed Morpheus in the
door way. "When you’re finished," he said
with a hint of a smile, "take us up to broadcast
depth. Neo thinks he found another one." Tank
nodded and Morpheus left, chuckling to himself.
Tank looked back at Kaz.
"Let
me up." He shook his head and she smacked
him on the arm.
"Owww!"
"Baby!"
He
stuck his tongue out. "I’m not a baby."
"Yes
you are, and you need to get up there or Morpheus
will make you stand in the corner." Tank laughed.
He kissed her, and felt her hand reach behind
him, holding him in place. He smiled against
her, still lip-locked. He finally broke free
and planted another one on her. He picked
himself up out of the floor, helped Kaz up,
and headed to the op station, with Kaz right
behind him, hand-in-hand. Moments later, they
were alone, both watching the screens intently.
Kaz planted a kiss on his cheek, and he smiled.
"Red
pill?"
"I
hope so."
They
watched, both tense, hoping she would take
the bait. They jumped up as she swallowed
the red pill.
"Yeah!"
They yelled in unison. Soon they sent a signal
and were plucking Isis out of the sewers.
***
ONE WEEK
LATER
***
"Isis?"
Kaz poked a head in Isis’ room.
"I’m
so confused, Kaz."
"I
know."
"How
can you know? You’re from Zion. You wouldn’t
understand. You couldn’t."
"A
while ago I had an encounter with an angry
crew member. He beat me up pretty bad and
I ended up in a coma. I woke up, only to remember
nothing. I still don’t remember anything."
"Nothing?"
The teenager’s voice had grown weak.
"Not
a thing. Not even Tank. But I eventually fell
in love with him again, and everything worked
out fine. But every day I wonder what would
have happened if I hadn’t fallen in love with
him again." Isis looked at her. "Isis, all
you have to do is let things work out on their
own. It’ll take some time, but it will eventually
happen. Get some sleep. Trust me, you’ll need
it."
"What
for?"
"Training."
***
"Is
she okay?" Trinity sat next to Kaz in the
mess hall.
"Yeah,
she’ll be fine. Just confused at the moment."
"I
can relate," Trinity said, nodding her head.
"Me
too," replied Kaz. Trinity looked up at her.
"Are
you and Tank having problems?"
"No,
nothing like that. It’s just that ---" Trinity
nodded, encouraging her to go on. "Every morning
I wake up thinking, ‘What if I never woke
up?’ and every time I see Tank, I think, ‘What
if I never fell in love with him again?’ And
it’s still so frustrating not being able to
remember my family. I’m beginning to remember
bits and pieces, but nothing worth much."
"Did
you ever think that maybe it’s better that
way?"
"Yeah.
But I’d like to remember what they were like,
you know?"
"Mm-hmm.
Think of it this way ---"
"Things
are going better now than they ever were before,
so why---"
"Search
for the past?" They giggled as they finished
each others’ sentences.
"Well,"
Kaz stood. "I’m off to bed."
"Tank’s
room?"
"Yeah."
She blushed at the implication. "Nothing like
that though. Just sleeping."
"I
know." Trinity smiled.
***
Kaz
looked at Tank, fast asleep in his bed. He
had grown used to sleeping with her, and had
made room for her next to him. He was lying
on his back, his arms outstretched, feet dangling
off the edge of the bed. Kaz shook her head
and chuckled at the sight. She quietly climbed
into bed with him and lay her head on his
chest, her hand on his stomach. She listened
to his heart beat and his even breathing.
"I
love you." She nuzzled against him, feeling
the muscle under the sheets.
"I
love you too."
"I
thought you were asleep."
"I
was."
"I’m
sorry." He kissed her forehead.
"Don’t
be." She looked up at him and smiled. He propped
himself up and kissed her on the lips. "What
would I do without you?" She smiled.
"Probably
get in a lot less trouble." He chuckled and
ran his fingers through her short hair, his
hand coming to rest on her shoulder, his thumb
caressing her cheek. She closed her eyes and
rested her head on the pillow. He shifted
onto his side and she did the same as he folded
her into his arms. He saw his opportunity
and kissed her neck, just below the jaw and
watched the goose bumps rise. He laughed.
"It
still works."
"Still?"
"I
used to do that every day."
"I’m
sorry I don’t remember." She sighed. "I wish
I could."
"Maybe
it’s better this way." She turned onto her
back, looking up at him. She smiled and he
leaned in to kiss her. Moments later they
fell asleep in each others’ arms.