Disclaimer: Sadly I Do Not Own Megaman X, Capcom Does :(

Chapter 1: X's Great Burden

X slowly trudged through the Maverick Hunter Headquarters. Mavericks had become more ruthless in their attacks to destroy himself, Zero, and Axl. The three hunters were tired and it wouldn't be much longer before the trio gave out. X however much to the chagrin of his comrades forced himself to keep fighting because he felt that achieving world peace came first and foremost and that this burden was his to bear alone. X kept walking not sure of his destination just knowing that he couldn't sit around and do nothing while innocent lives were at risk. However even the legendary Maverick Hunter had his limits and X started feeling so woozy he had to use the wall for support as he kept moving.

"Warning, system temperature and capabilities exceeded, system shutdown activated," his internal systems warned.

"Override," X ordered.

"Failure to shutdown could result in non repairable damage," the system stated.

"Override!" X demanded again.

"Shutdown sequence deactivated," his internal system finally yielded.

X knew it was a bad idea and if anyone found out he did this then he could be forced to take leave of his duties. X however was so tired from the sleepless fighting that he couldn't fight it. As he walked his vision got blurry and before he knew it he hit the ground.

Maverick Hunter Headquarters: Medical Bay

X awoke wondering how long he had been out. He bustled around feeling somewhat refreshed and sat up gaining the attention of the head doctor there. Hydro was the chief medical doctor of the Maverick Hunters npw who had come in when Lifesaver had been reassigned to High Command and was a long time friend of X and Zero's.

"Welcome back Commander X," she said with a smile.

"Hydro, how long have I been in here?" he asked.

"Approximately four days Commander, you were in pretty bad shape when they found you," Hydro replied.

"Who found me?" X asked.

"It was Alia sir, she found you and had Commander Zero bring you here," the Medical Chief said with a grin.

"Whats the deal?" the Azure Hunter asked noticing.

"Alia was really worried about you sir," the medic said in a teasing manner.

Everyone in the H.Q. knew X and Alia had feelings for each other even if they didn't admit them to each other. Alia had admitted to Hydro once that she was just scared to tell X her feelings.

"I guess I will have to go see her then when you clear me," X said.

"Yes yes, until then get some more rest sir," Hydro said walking off.

Maverick Hunter Headquarters: Living Quarters

Alia sat in her room at her computer looking over some files from the past as requested by Signas. She however wasn't focused on her work and was instead looking at a picture of X she had sitting on her computer desk, her secret picture as she called it because only she knew she had it. Looking at the picture caused the hunter spotter to let out a sigh.

"X, you shouldn't do this to yourself, you are allowed to have a normal life as well, just because you want world peace doesn't mean you can't enjoy things, it isn't always about fighting," Alia said to herself or so she thought.

She was startled when she heard a knock on her door and placed the picture on her desk face down.

"Co...come in," she said curious who could be at her door.

Much to her surprise it was Zero, X's best friend who came in.

"Zero, why are you here?" she asked.

"Alia, I was passing by and overheard some of what you said and as X's best friend I couldn't agree more. All X has ever known is fighting and the only person he had up until recently that he could rely on was me, and let's face it, I'm not exactly good at social events," Zero said.

The spotter looked at him curiously, Zero had never been this open with her. The only person the Crimson Hunter ever really talked to about problems was X.

"You need to admit to X how you feel, I know he feels the same about you but I know him, he will never take that first step because he doesn't want anyone else to share his burden with. He feels he has to do it alone, you need to be the one to take those first steps, you need to show him that there is more than fighting, teach him how to have a normal life, show him that he can live without always striving for peace because he will never attain world peace until he has found inner peace and peace with himself," Zero said.

The Red Death then turned to leave then looked back at Alia.

"Think on it Alia, you're the only one who can save him from himself, not I, not Axl, only you," he stated then left.

Alia stared at her door kinda in disbelief that it was Zero that had just talked to her, it was a side to the Crimson Killer that she had never seen even if his words did ring true.

Maverick Hunter Headquarters: Medical Bay

X finally found the energy to stand up and move around. He also knew that he was in trouble because of what he had tried. He had risked his entire life just to keep moving. The Blue Bomber was greeted by a huge surprise though when Zero and Axl came into his room.

"X, good to finally see ya movin around, how ya feelin?" Axl asked chipper as always.

"Better Axl, by far," X replied

"It's kinda funny, it wasn't some powerful Maverick and it wasn't Sigma that beat X, just good old plane exhaustion," Zero said with a huge grin.

Axl however found it totally hilarious and collapsed to the ground laughing so hard.

"Yeah yeah, yuk it up you two," X said.

"Seriously though X, now that you're able to move about you need to go visit Alia, she's been the most worried about you outta all of us, she thought you were never going to wake up," Zero said.

X regarded his best friend and long time partner for a minute then nodded.

"Hey X, give her a big kiss, that should keep you outta trouble with her," Axl said as X left the room wanting to smack Axl for his comment.

Maverick Hunter Headquarters: Living Quarters

Alia sat on her bed with X's picture clutched tightly to her chest thinking hard on Zero's words and was startled for the second time that day when she heard a light tapping on her door. She quickly got up and hurried to her desk setting the picture face down once more.

"Come in," Alia said.

Again to her surprise it was X who entered this time, she hadn't even been informed that he had woke up.

"Hi Alia," the Azure Hunter said sheepishly.

The spotter couldn't control herself and she ran up and started beating on X's chest as tears welled up in her eyes.

"You stupid fool!" Alia yelled sobbing.

X wrapped his arms clumsily around her unsure of what to say or do trying to comfort her as best he could.

"Don't you ever do something like that again, you could have been put into permanent stasis lock," she said furiously through her sobs as her strength dwindled and she stopped pounding on X's chest.

"I'm sorry Alia, but there's no time for rest while the Mavericks are constantly disrupting peace," X said firmly.

"X, you don't have to this alone all the time, you have people who care about you deeply that are willing to help," Alia said finally calming down.

"Of course Alia, I couldn't ask for better friends than you, Zero, and Axl. I just, it's on me to bring world peace, I mean, look at us. Zero is a fighter and will be till the very end, Axl is just a teenage rookie still yet, and you, you're a scientist and computer expert, not a fighter," X said.

All of X's words stung as he said them and a revelation came to her then that Zero was right about his best friend. Only she could save him from self disaster.

"X, I, we need to talk," Alia said.

As if it had known and had the worse timing in the world a warning alarm went off.

"All available hunters report to your stations," Signas's voice rang out.

"As always, that talk will have to wait Alia," X said running off.

With a sigh the spotter followed behind him. It didn't take too long for X, Zero, Axl, and Alia to make it to the Command Chamber and when they arrived they approached and stood before Signas waiting for their mission briefing.

"Okay you four, this is one of the worse attacks we've seen by a Maverick yet, the casualties are estimated at a couple thousand plus already and rising, he has attacked the heart of the city. Hunters, you know what to do," Signas said.

X, Zero, and Axl nodded and teleported out ready for action as Alia went over to her computer station and put on her headset.

Mega City: Downtown

The trio appeared and stared at the giant mechaniloid who was easily two stories tall and about and just as wide up and down.

"Okay, first time we've seen one this big, the Mavericks must be getting desperate," X said.

"Okay you three, I've been analyzing this Maverick left and right and can't seem to find a weak spot," came Alia's voice through their headsets.

"Great, that just adds to the challenge," Zero said kind of excitedly.

"Be careful you three, especially you Megaman X," Alia said, making her point by calling X by his full name.

Axl kinda laughed and Zero smirked at his best friend which got them curious stares from X.

~A/N~

Well, here it is, chapter 1 of my very first fanfic. Please R&R no matter if it's good or bad.