So, here is the second chapter. I hope you enjoy it! I know it's rather short, but I wanted to end the scene where I did. I have a few ideas for the second chapter, so I'm going to get started on that. Tell me if you like where the story is going, and any suggestions you have would be wonderful! Please review!

Disclaimer: I do not own The Matrix.


As soon as Lux was outside (well as outside as it could be underground), she immediately felt better. She took off down the row of identical doors towards the stairs that led to the other side of the building. Lux loved spending time with just her and Ana, but she hoped Mode was back today, she missed him. Of course, not half as much as Ana did.

Lux stopped when she reached her destination, and knocked twice on the door. A few seconds later the door opened, revealing a smiling Morpheus.

"Lux, come in! My you look more and more like your beautiful mother every day. How are you?"

"I'm good thanks, how are you?" said Lux, smiling broadly at the compliment she often got from people.

"I'm… late for a meeting actually," he replied. "Ana's in her room. Maybe you could convince her to clean it up a bit before Niobe gets home, for both our sakes."

Lux laughed, "sure thing! Have a good meeting!"

Morpheus smiled as he left. Lux turned and headed down the hallway of the apartment identical to her own, just backwards. When she got to Ana's room, the door was slightly ajar. Peeking inside, Lux saw the horrific mess of clothes, books, and papers littering the floor. Ana was sitting on her bed, typing on her laptop. Her long dark wavy hair was covering her face, and she looked to be in deep concentration. She looked up however, when Lux knocked softly on the door and walked in.

"Hey girl, how's it going?" she asked.

"Mmm not bad. What're you working on? I don't remember having any homework this weekend?"

"Oh, no it's um… well I was just sending Mode an email. We've been writing to each other since he left." Ana was now blushing quite profusely, and was shyly pushing her hair behind her ears, a silly looking smile on her face.

"Oooooh! You've been writing to each other huh? That's funny since he hasn't written me one word since he left. If I didn't know any better I'd say he likes you more than me," replied Lux, a smile playing on her lips.

Ana laughed, still blushing and said "…do you think he likes me… that way?"

Lux scoffed, "Oh Ana, of course he does. You two are as in love as Romeo and Juliet"

Ana smiled broadly, then asked in a puzzled tone, "Romeo and who?"

"Oh, nevermind," replied Lux.

She forgot that Ana didn't read nearly as much as she did. Lux read anything she could get her hands on. Some books were recovered from the surface, and Zion had a small library where Lux frequented. She'd read almost every book they had, which wasn't that many, but enough to keep her up each night for hours. She devoured stories of passionate romances, desert islands, and beautiful wilderness. She hoped one day she could visit the surface on one of the Neb's reconstruction missions that her parents were routinely going on. Both her parents and Ana's parents were part of the Neb's crew still, along with Link and a few others. While they assured her that much of what used to be was now nothing more than fields of scrap metal and wastelands, Lux still knew it was more exciting that Zion. Zion just wasn't big enough for her.

Lux was thinking now of how exciting the surface would be, when she suddently realized that Ana was talking, about Mode of course.

"Oh my god! I'm so excited Lux! He'll be home tonight! We're going to the rave together! Are you coming?"

"Oh, well I have to work tonight. I won't be off until late tonight," answered Lux.

"So?," said Ana, "raves go untill dawn, you know that. Mode won't be home until late, so I'll be there until at least two or three."

"Your parents will let you stay out that late?" asked Lux skeptically.

"Pfft, probably not, but tonight I don't care. I have to be with him Lux. You have no idea how much I've missed him," replied Ana.

Lux laughed, "Yes Ana, actually I do, he's all you talk about!"

Ana looked completely elated. "Oh Lux, he's so wonderful. You need to find a man of your own so you can stop making fun of me. Is there anyone you have your eye on? Heaven knows you could have practially anyone you want with that gorgeous face and fantastic body you have," said Ana, reaching over to tickle her best friend.

Lux pulled away laughing, "Oh Ana, you're my number one fan."

The two girls erupted into laughter.

"So, you're coming tonight after work? To the rave?" asked Ana, between bouts of laughter.

Lux smiled, gaining her composure. "I suppose I will. Maybe I can meet a wonderful Mode of my own, just as you wish."

Lux knew her parents wouldn't be happy. They strongly disapproved of Lux attending raves, especially with Ana, as the girls together had a reputation for being a bit daring and crazy. Sometimes they were allowed to go, but only if they were home by eleven. Lux knew Ana's parents felt the same way. However, when Ana beamed back at her, and slipped into that daydreamy smile when she was thinking of Mode, Lux too felt uncaring. Maybe there would be a special someone there for her. Lux couldn't help but hope as she too became lost in a reverie of daydreams of her own. Suddenly Lux remembered something very important.

"Oh! Your dad told me that we have to clean your room before your mom gets home!" exclaimed Lux.

"Urgh" replied Ana, looking downcast. She sighed loudly. "Well, let's get started!"