Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or anything they belong to the Wachowski Brothers and the WB, only the plot is mine.
A/N: Ok this is my first Matrix fanfict so please everyone be kind and let me know what you all think; I will try my best to do a great work. Also this is after The Revolutions so there is spoilers, now enjoy.
Chapter One: A New Life
It had been a full year since Neo had finally stopped the war against the machines. Sightless and alone, though he now knew never alone, he fought all his enemies in one final stand. Trinity had fallen, seemingly, and he remembered briefly the explosion of pain that seared his soul. He now understood that was necessary, for her to die in his arms, in order to give him the emotional weaponry to stand against a world of Smiths. Toe to toe, blow to blow, Smith was dead. Gone. Utterly and irrevocably.
In the same moment that the entity known as Smith was forever deleted from the Matrix, Zion had been saved. Many however had died before that day, and any feelings of relief Neo had were tinged with a sadness that would never leave him. Trinity however lived. Not dead at all it seemed, but so close to death that he could not tell the difference.
He went back to her, and kissed her for what he thought to be the final time, to find the tiniest of pulses beating within. She lived. Depending on which time Neo asked, the Oracle's explanation was that while one lived, both would live. Or instead if one DID die, the other would die also. So for an entire year they had lived together, in what was now known as New Zion. Zion with a hope for a future.
Neo wondered if it was maybe the machines that had saved his very life, to give him a second chance. All scars healed, even his sight restored to his damaged eyes. Instead of giving thanks however Neo was torn with rage that seemingly nothing could be done for Trinity. For a year she had remained in a coma. Half dead and not quite alive; a state of vagueness and ambiguity. Still, Neo was with her, day in day out.
Morpheus and Niobe, reunited, were happy, yet lived their lives doing what little they could to ease Neo's suffering; which wasn't much. Likewise, Zee and Link were finally living a life without worry. Without the all consuming fear that either would lose the other to the machines. New Zion had begun again, and though the visible signs of war had been largely repaired, every survivor remembered. Not a single soul did, or ever could forget even a single minute of the horror they endured. Still, in a fashion, each and all took the steps toward a new life together.
All but Neo. As expected he spent every waking hour caring for his one; Trinity. And often he had to be practically sedated in order to rest, however briefly. He had never left her side, and had never given up hope that she would be brought fully back. Not for even a moment that anyone knew did he waiver. But his dreams? Such haunting nightmares gripped the little sleep he had that he always woke up as tired as when he closed his eyes. This was for him a living nightmare.
But as if this wasn't complicated enough things had complicated when they found out that Trinity had been returned just barely alive, but also pregnant. Neo hadn't known, he didn't even know if Trinity had known, so ever since the Doctors had told him he had been left to worry for both Trinity and their unborn child.
Unexpectedly to some Neo reacted to the news with panic. He didn't know what to do or even what would happen. So many questions and no-one to reassure him. Leaving Neo not able to do a thing. What hurt most was that Neo knew he couldn't do much to help her; after all in the real world he was only a human. Just a man he thought, not a magician who could make everything better with a snap of his fingers. He found he still had some of his new found powers, but no where as many as he did in the Matrix.
Morpheus was the one who managed to calm him originally, telling him that Doctors had assured him they could save the baby, even with Trinity in her current state.
"And Trin?" Neo has asked. "What happens to her?"
Morpheus couldn't answer, after all he didn't know. And so it was that Neo lived in what had been set up to function as a hospital room with Trinity.
The time was getting closer, Neo could tell. Monitoring her signs minute by minute. When it was decided the child was finally due, the Doctors took the necessary steps to induce the baby, so as to place as little additional stress as possible upon the mother. For 8 nerve wracking hours Neo waited, wondering if in the end he'd be forced to make the decision as to which life to safe. But in the end it didn't come to that. Through it all, even when Trinity suddenly stopped breathing, and had to be assisted, soundlessly and incredibly a baby daughter had been handed to him. Trinity remained as she had before, alive only thanks to the machines connected to her, yet their baby daughter in his arms, healthy and loud once she had found her lungs. A daughter. Neo cried, and from a place he could not explain came the name Zoey. So it was that Neo had Trinity AND Zoey to care for.
Zoey had dark hair and Trinity's beautiful blue eyes. It hurt Neo sometimes to see how much she looked like her mother, though he had little doubt that she would be as strong as her mother too. Now however Neo needed no-one to tell him that he had someone else that depended on him besides Trinity. Someone that needed all his love and attention. While Niobe and Zee were always ready to help with the baby, they never took it personally when Neo declined. As the days became weeks and a few more months Neo still hadn't stopped visiting Trinity. He would now tell her about their baby girl and how strong and beautiful she was.
It started like just another morning. Like all the ones before it after Zoey was born. Neo; watching little Zoey sleeping and his heart ached that Trinity wasn't there to share it with him. She was almost a whole year old now, and getting more beautiful with each passing day. Looking more and more like her mother. Neo been teaching Zoey to walk, and was even trying to urge her to say 'daddy' and 'mummy'. So lost in his thoughts that he didn't immediately notice a knock at his door. It took a second harder knock to bring him back from his thoughts. Slowly he stood from where he sat in Zoey's room and quietly walked to the door; opening it to be greeted by Morpheus.
"Neo." Morpheus nodded.
"Morpheus, is everything ok?" Neo asked now. He could tell, could FEEL it was something. Emotion traced its way into Morpheus' eyes.
He nodded. "Neo something's happened. It's... Trinity. She's woken, finally."
The look on his friend's face indicated there was more news to deliver yet.
"Tell me all of it, PLEASE," Neo said in a half-whisper. "Is she asking for me?"
"Neo ...the truth of it is that it looks like she has amnesia. But it may be only temporary." Morpheus sighed and looked away.
"You mean she doesn't remember anything?" Neo couldn't believe it, he may have his soul-mate back from the dead, but she might not remember a moment of them.
"Yes, she doesn't remember most of the past. But... Well you were right. All those hours you sat by her side and talked to her; she remembers a lot of what you told her. She knows about Zoey and a lot of what you said to her. She wants to see Zoey but I suggested you should talk with her first."
"We don't know if she will get her memory back?" Neo's eyes could show how much he hoped that the answer was yes.
Morpheus understood Neo's anguish and did his best to reassure him. "That, only time will tell my friend. She went through more than you and I can imagine. She's physically fine but a little weak. You can fill her in about everything that's happened. Neo when I left her she was scared and very confused. Everything will have to be done very carefully." Morpheus explained looking directly into Neo's eyes.
His worried look became a half smile. "But she's back. I got her back?"
Morpheus' former look of worry completely faded. "We all did Neo. All our prayers have been answered."
Neo was not yet prepared to let his worry ease completely. "Can I see her?"
"Of course. I came not just to give you the news but as well as to take care of Zoey while you go see Trinity."
"Zoey is s still sleeping," Neo said, once more becoming the doting, caring father. "The bottles are in the kitchen and her bag is…" Neo didn't get the chance to finish what he was saying.
"I know where everything is, now go."
Neo nodded, not waiting to be told twice. He ran off in the direction of the Zion hospital, knowing the layout so well he could have found Trinity's room with his eyes closed. It took only a few minutes to reach her room and he found her sitting on the bed looking at the Doctor as he walked in the room.
"Trin are you ok?" Neo stopped his approach toward her at the foot of her bed. His brown eyes searching her face and eyes for any sign that she knew who he was.
"Sorry but do I know you?" she asked looking at him. She looked tired but otherwise exactly as he left her so many days, weeks, and months before.
"Yes," Neo nodded as he sighed. "I was with you when you were brought in. I've been by your side ever since, talking to you."
He waited to see what reaction this small piece of information might have.
She smiled slightly. "Oh, I knew your voice was familiar to me. You are...," she searched among the information she had taken in since she awakened. "Neo; is that right?"
For the way she asked Neo could see she wasn't 100 sure who he was. Her blue eyes showed how confused she was.
Neo nodded; at least she remembered his name. Or someone had told her.
The doctor smiled at them "Well Trinity, so far your results are good. But we are going to have to insist you stay a while longer for observation and more tests. I need to see how you react to everything around you."
She nodded understanding. "What about my memory?" she asked looking at the doctor.
He gave a slight shrug before he could stop himself. "Only time will tell, you'll have to be patient. Many times it comes back completely."
"And the other times?" she asked quickly.
Neo grinned inwardly; she still had her sharpness about her. "Don't try to force it," the Doctor replied. "Please, take it easy." Looking towards Neo the Doctor continued. "She'll have lots of questions, but you'll have to take it slow, give her time to absorb everything and above all don't do or say anything that will cause her distress."
Neo nodded. "I won't." The Doctor nodded, satisfied, and left Neo and Trinity to be alone.
"It's odd that I don't remember you," Trinity said with a smile. "After all the time you spent with me, and the fact that we have a daughter together."
"You know about that?"
She nodded. "The Doctor told me.
"Trinity...," he started. "I understand that all this is going to be a little hard for you." He walked closer to her and took a seat on the bed next to her.
"Neo," she said, trying his name again, and felt something familiar in its tone. "I remember most of what you told me while I was asleep. You said how much in love we were. As well as all the stories."
"Trin I never stopped loving you. I loved you all that time, I still do. You are my world; you and our daughter are everything to me. Everyone here knows our story; they know how in love we were." He slowly took her hands in his making her look up at him.
"Neo, what if I don't remember?"
"That doesn't matter," he replied simply.
"So you're saying you'll stay with me even knowing that I don't remember almost anything that happened before?" she asked her blue eyes locked upon his brown.
He nodded "The idea of leaving you never crossed my mind. We went through so much together. Trin, nothing will stop me from being there and for you, unless you yourself ask me to go."
She gently stroked his cheek, Neo leaned in her touch, how he missed her soft and gentle touch.
"I feel something, just being with you."
"What?"
She smiled "Something good."
"So you're happy for me to …?" he started, but Trinity didn't let him finish.
"Yes, I want you to stay with me, I feel something, I really do and you really showed me how much you love me. If you can please just be patient..."
Neo grinned and kissed her cheek "I have plenty of patience. After all I waited all my life for you."
She grinned with him "Was that a long time?"
"Not as long as the forever we'll have together," he answered. "Found you again, and I don't intend to let you go ever again."
Trinity stroked his cheek again and smiled, yet Neo could see she seemed a little nervous about something. She slowly started to lean in close to him, their lips just inches apart, Neo moved too and soon their lips touched and locked in a sweet and gentle kiss that lasted many minutes.
"I remember that," she said. Their lips met again.
Morpheus smiled, contentedly. He was worried enough about how this meeting that Neo had prayed for would go. From the open doorway of her hospital room he watched them kiss again. At his side Link, also nervous and relieved that Trinity had awoken likewise smiled.
"There are some things in this world that will never change," Morpheus whispered, still smiling.
Link nodded and smiled too "We better go, leave them alone for a little."
Morpheus nodded agreement and they left Neo and Trinity alone. Neither had any idea they had been watched, and right now didn't care. After a few minutes the kiss ended; their foreheads pressed together, eyes closed.
"I missed you," Neo whispered slowly opening his eyes to look at her.
"I can tell." She laughed, her eyes still locked on his.
He grinned remembering the last time they shared these same words, and Trinity stroked his cheek, all the while her eyes never leaving his.
"Neo……."
"You want to see our daughter."
She nodded. For Neo it was just like before when they could read each other's thoughts, but this time he knew that after waking and being told you had a child it was only natural.
"You will see her." His smile became a beam. "She is beautiful Trin," he continued proudly. "She looks SO much like you; she even has your beautiful eyes." Neo grinned now stroking her cheek too.
"I can't wait to see her," Trinity smiled back, enjoying his gentle touch.
"She is a princess, our princess. I will bring her in later so you can finally meet her."
Trinity smiled and hugged him tight. After the initial shock she was now feeling so happy and safe. Just a few minutes before she recalled feeling frightened and lost but now she was feeling as if everything made sense. Just been with him and in his arms, she felt as if this was her natural place. She felt complete.
Neo smiled and hugged her back kissing her cheek gently.
"I'm never letting go, "he whispered.
"I'm never letting go either." She smiled and kissed his cheek.
Morpheus returned back at Neo's home; Niobe had a now awake Zoey resting on her lap. Zoey was very calm and smiled as she hugged her teddy bear. Niobe looked up when the door opened.
"How is Trinity?" she asked, as concerned yet hopeful.
"For what we saw very well," Morpheus grinned.
"Why do you say that?" she raised a curious eyebrow.
"Just like before, their lips were locked tight together."
Niobe grinned now understanding "That has to be a great sign. I'm sure she will want to see Zoe soon."
Morpheus nodded and took a seat next to her "I believe she will." He picked the little girl and kissed her cheek "Is she ok? She seems very quiet."
"She's been like that since she woke. She's had her breakfast, but as she's been a little unusually quiet," Niobe explained watching the little girl rest her head on Morpheus shoulder.
"Do you think it may be because Trinity is back?" Morpheus asked.
"Maybe somehow Zoey has some kind of connection with her mother, even though she wasn't there. I wouldn't be at all surprised."
"Yes, I remember Neo suggesting that. Do you think we should take her to them?"
"I don't know, maybe we should let them have some time alone, Neo will come for her when its time." Niobe smiled and stood up "I need to go to the market. Shall I take her or leave her with you?"
Morpheus looked at Zoey and smiled, an unexpected soft side coming through as he addressed the little girl. "What you say angel? Do you want to go with Aunt Niobe?"
Zoey giggled as if this were her way of answering, and in response Morpheus and Niobe laughed.
The three left the house towards the market while back at the hospital Neo and Trinity were still lost in each other; Neo catching her up on a little of what she missed. As per Doctor's orders he tried not to overload her. Eventually Trinity asked about how they were together and he started explaining how it was that they met, how their relationship started, how they saved each other's life and of course about the war. He also told her his fear that her would never hold her again.
"Now I can't believe that I don't remember anything of that but thank you for telling me all this."
"You will remember, I'm sure your memory will be back just give it some time and everything will come back to you." Neo smiled.
"I know, I will try to be patient." She smiled.
"Now how are you feeling? Tired?"
Trinity shook her head "I'm ok, not tired. You?" she asked looking at him in the eyes once again.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me." He stroked her cheek smiling back.
"It must have been hard to take care of Zoey all this time."
"I had some help, Zee and Niobe helped me a lot with her, even Morpheus did. He loves her like she was his own; you know he always looked at you like you were his own daughter so you can imagine how much he loves our little girl." Neo explained.
Trinity smiled "He seems to be a great man, kind and with a huge heart but also very strong."
"Yes he is also he doesn't care what other people think about him."
She smiled "I want to meet everyone."
"And they will all want to know you're back. But take it easy." Neo kissed her forehead gently.
In the market Niobe and Morpheus where enjoying the open air, smiling. Morpheus still holding Zoey, the little girl was looking everywhere, Niobe smiled as she thought what a good father Morpheus would make.
Zee saw them and walked over. She smiled and stroked Zoey's cheek making the little girl smile.
"Hi Zee, how are you?" Niobe smiled.
"I'm good, how about you?"
"Great. You've heard?"
Zee grinned. "Everyone has. I can't believe it! Neo must be jumping out of his skin."
"And that means," Morpheus said, "This little one has her mummy back." Zee smiled as Zoey, centre of attention as ever giggled.
"Yes, it will be a very emotional moment when these two finally meet." Link said and all agreed.
"Which will be?" Zee started to ask. "When are they going to meet?" Zee was now choosing a few fruits too.
Link answered. "If it were me I'd want it straight away."
Morpheus agreed. "I'm sure Neo will think the same way."
It was a few hours later when Trinity was resting slightly that Neo returned. As soon as they saw him his friends filled him with questions.
"She's okay, really. A little tired, and missing someone." Neo watched his daughter and grinned.
"What does she know?" Morpheus asked.
"Pretty much everything," Neo replied. "As per Doctor's orders I took it slow. Still she seemed to deal with it all well and wants to see everyone."
"I'm happy to know that." Niobe started to gather Zoey's things. "What does she remember?"
Neo frowned. "Almost nothing."
"Give it time," Morpheus said reassuringly and Neo nodded. "How did this little one behave?" he asked.
"She was quiet the whole time, just started to fuss when she saw you. I think she knows that Trinity is back." Niobe said.
"That wouldn't surprise me," Neo said and picked her up. Niobe and Morpheus kissed Zoey's cheek and Neo left with the little girl, Morpheus was sure that this moment was going to be very special for the three of them, even more for Trinity and Zoey. The girl was still very little but he was almost sure that she understands what was happening, that she could feel that her mummy was awake. Neo smiled and once again kissed Zoey's cheek as he walked to the hospital, when he left to pick Zoey he saw how Trinity was anxious, he knew she was looking forward for this moment, to finally meet their daughter.
