So I've pretty much written out the ending. Wanted to give you a little tenderness. Sorry it's so short!

The arena was empty and dark. ZOE's blue light swirled in strands as she darted in a heated battle with herself. She twisted and turned, leaving streaks in the air with her speed. Her feet made barely any sound as she leapt and landed; she was nearly flying. Lightning flashed in the distance and she met the ground, falling to a crouch. ZOE loved being alone in the shadows. Eyes were on her always now; being CLU's guard had made her distinguished. Thunder rumbled.

She put her palms to the ground and pushed off with her legs, straightening into a handstand. Her arms grew warm with strength, energy rushing to the muscles. She threw her legs back, arching her spine and landed on her toes, flexing to pull herself into another crouch. ZOE rolled and tucked an arm back to her disc, retracting it and swinging as she shot up from the maneuver.

Her disc was blocked with another, the yellow light flooding her senses. She withdrew immediately as her heart pounded in her chest.

"CLU." She puffed, retracting the black helmet over her face. He didn't react. She was surprised to see him there. He'd kept himself in the tower for many cycles. CLU broadened his shoulders. ZOE cocked her head and watched as he lowered his stance. The predator-like look about him made her stomach ache.

"Fight me." He growled. His expression was masked but she could feel his anger. Something had drawn him here, looking for an answer in a battle. She shook her head.

"No." This wasn't about winning or losing. ZOE would never raise a weapon to CLU and she'd told him so before. She wasn't afraid of hurting him but there was meaning behind it; she could never go against him. He pondered for a moment then lashed out. She blocked his attack easily, hardly moving.

"NO." She repeated, pushing him away. He only increased his momentum, swinging with great strength. ZOE blocked him again and rolled between his legs. As CLU whirled around, she threw her disc to the ground. He approached her slowly, his disc still humming in his hand. Her pulse surged and she planted her feet, aware of how utterly exposed she was in this moment. CLU didn't halt until his chest was touching hers, the heat from his weapon warming her thigh as it dangled at his hip, gripped firmly in his palm.

The ISO's had made CLU different with each passing cycle, harder to reach. She'd come to his chamber many nights, hoping to find him changed, happy to hold her again. Instead, she'd found a cold shell. He'd withdrawn into a robotic state, revealing no emotion to anyone. ZOE had prayed for him to touch her, talk to her, or even hurt her. Anything to prove he was still alive under his dulled eyes.

"Not with you." She whispered, looking up at her own reflection in the black helmet. The disc vanished from his hand as he tossed it with hers on the arena floor.

"I command it." ZOE shook her head, set in her resolve.

"Then I am forced to disobey." She retorted, meeting his stare with a glare of her own. The symbolism of fighting her leader and lover was wrong.

His helmet retracted and ZOE was stunned at the pain on CLU's face. He was in a silent anguish, staring at her with dark eyes.

"Why?" He murmured. This wasn't about a little scrimmage. She put a palm against his face, drawing her head closer.

"I could never…" She whispered. CLU closed his eyes, a lone tear dripping down his cheek. The shock that ran through ZOE's system was acute. She cupped his cheek with her other hand, wiping away the watery trail. "…never oppose you." He opened his eyes and studied her face. ZOE couldn't stand the sadness she saw, the utter devastation. CLU's hands covered her own, taking them away.

"Betrayal is easier than you think." He whispered, kissing one of her palms as he lowered it. ZOE couldn't believe his words. CLU had endured so much and now he was crumbling before her eyes. She tugged from his hands and clasped his face again, bringing her lips to his. She kissed him deeply, showing him with soft movements the extent of her devotion. If he were to fall, she would go with him. His arms encased her body and their suits glowed brighter. ZOE trailed her kiss to his cheek, brushing her mouth over his light stubble.

"Never." She whispered. "CLU." He leaned back and looked into her eyes. "Never." She repeated. He rubbed her back and kissed her lips gently. ZOE reciprocated, opening her mouth to allow his tongue to glide with hers. CLU's arms tightened around her and they molded into each other.

"I need your help." He finally said, pulling away. ZOE nodded, agreeing before he'd even told her. She would never abandon him; she would do anything. He searched her face as he spoke.

"We have to stop Flynn."

The end is coming! LOL. I'm sad =( Leave me something.