Whispers of a Dead Man
Again, Paige found herself waking from a forgotten nightmare, the lingering terror still haunting her body and mind. A heavy sigh left her as she rested her arm over her sweaty forehead. With her other free hand she squeezed the disc she had started to constantly fall asleep with on her chest. The comforted flooded through her sensitive nerves banishing the horrors of her night terror away. Feeling better, she let out another sigh, this one more content and peaceful than her previous one. She sat up, knowing she wouldn't be able to fall back asleep and started skimming through the memories of the disc as was ritual with her reoccurring nightmares. Deciding on one, she remembered a thought she had forgotten when looking at another memory when she saw the image of her own face in the memory.
The first time we met… she thought as she played the memory.
-disc memory-
"Finally, I've been waiting for you," came the cold yet silky tone of Paige's voice as she looked over to the direction of Beck's kneeling form.
"Wow… Now I really feel special," Beck muttered as he watched the Commander's confident stride to him.
"Don't flatter yourself Program, this isn't just for you, it's for everyone," came her less than friendly response.
"What happened last night was nothing short of sedition," she announced as a video recording of Clu's statue being blown up appeared between the legs of the Recognizer. Murmurs and whispers went through the crowd as they watched the video advance and show a masked Program donning the mark of Tron. Mara and Zed had helped Beck back to his feet as they turned to look at the video.
"If you know this Program, turn him in," the Commander said matter-of-factly. The whispers continued as the video stopped on the image of the disguised mechanic, his chest clearly visible.
"Looks like Tron!" came a voice from the back of the group.
Looks like I'm in the clear Beck thought as she looked to his friends and the mechanics around him, none showing any indication of recognizing him.
"As long as he's free, you won't be," Paige uttered darkly, before moving toward the group, mainly Beck. "I'm here to announce that Tesler is bringing the Games to Argon. In a few cycles we will be rounding up volunteers until this impostor is apprehended," she informed them as she glared at Beck.
Aren't you intimidating? Beck taunted in his head. He kept his gaze neutral as she spun in place before walking off, all the while giving Beck a hard look.
"Now, back to work," she said casually, walking away, and signaling for the sentries to follow. Only giving the smallest linger, Beck turned back to the Light Bike he was supposed to have done the previous cycle and pulled out his recoder with his usual fancy flip of the device, unknowingly catching the eye of Paige. Before he could place it on the bike, his arm was snatched by the opposing grip of the Commander and yanked upward, his body following until he was fully facing Paige.
"Where'd you get that?" she asked curiously.
"Uh… I-I found it!" he stuttered, panicking at the thought he may have blown his cover.
"He got it from the cabinet where we keep all the tools," Able's voice suddenly came from behind Paige as the two turned to look over at the older Program. The wise mechanic looked confident as he rested one of his fists on his hip and lounged against the cabinet he had just opened. Paige turned back to Beck, who's hand she still held and let go of it with a aggravated flick of her wrist.
"Back to it, Program," she huffed before strutting off back to her ship.
"Nice to meet you," Beck called out nicely to her retreating form. He thought he deserved a little fun at her expense since she was so hostile and decided it'd be funny to try and be overly friendly.
"I see the feeling is mutual," Zed commented. The spiky haired mechanic turned to his friend and gave him a cocky grin.
"Alright everyone. The soldiers are gone, let's get back to work," Able called out.
-disc memory-
So that's when I first met him as… him Paige thought, letting her head fall back to the pillow.
What would have been like if I dated him back then? How would I have dated him back then? Paige laughed as she remembered her incredibly cold and stiff attitude towards people.
Why did you start dating me, Renegade? I'm just a cold, heartless Program She mused woefully. Instead of wallowing in her dark feelings, she decided to answer her question and looked back into the memories of a dead man.
-disc memory-
"Hey, glad you could make it," Beck called as Paige entered the small bar. The establishment was nothing too fancy, but it was definitely cozy and seemed quite private. Being on the edge of the industrial and urban areas, it often found a mix of customers but wasn't packed as the clubs down the main road weren't too far of a walk and gathered most of the after work crowd. The pool tables were set up on one side of the bar as the booths and tables were Beck was located was positioned on the other side.
"Of course, kind of hard to miss this place, even though it's so small," she said smoothly, taking a seat across in the booth across from him. Beck couldn't stop his fidgeting as his nervousness battled with his conscious. The first date had gone… well… wonderfully but he couldn't shake the fact that he had been so open about himself and was curious as how Paige felt about it.
"I just wanted to say, about our first date, I don't usually get so emotional about things. I hope I didn't put you off," Beck started awkwardly.
Users… why am I so nervous? I'm the Renegade! Pull it together! He encouraged himself. When he heard Paige's gentle, sweet chuckle he looked up from his hands and found her smiling warmly.
"I fine, Beck. In fact, I found it very… refreshing. It's been a long time since I've talked with a Program who's as passionate about something like you are. It's really sweet," she spoke gently, her voice soothing and enticing to Beck's ears.
"Really? I didn't take you for a… sentimental kind of person," he offered.
"You'd be surprised. Then again, you can't stop seeing me as the Commander of the Army can you?" she teased lightly.
"Sorry, I should stop trying to figure out what you're like until I get to know you more," Beck said slightly abashed. The smile she gave him was comforting.
"I'm flattered," she said once more in a low smooth voice.
"Want to play a game?" Beck suggested, looking over to the pool tables for emphasis.
"Sure," she answered as she followed Beck who had stood up and headed for the tables. Beck quickly set up one of the machines for a round, and grabbed two pool sticks. Paige gave him a curt thanks as he readied his shot to break the balls apart and began their game.
"So you're telling me you've made music before?" Beck asked shocked at Paige's reveal. They had talked through out the few games they had played and he had found it extremely comfortable to talk to the former medic. It was odd for him to think that not too long ago they were hashing it out on rooftops, in the sky, and working together to make it off an island.
"Yes, though my friends said I wasn't cut out for it, I held onto my Monome and play the songs I made to myself," Paige answered, smiling at his amazement.
"Wow, you really are a different Program than I thought you were. I'd love to hear what you made," the mechanic said as he walked around to the side of the table Paige was standing at, giving her a friendly nudge when she purposely stood her ground in the spot he needed to take his shot. She giggled as his hands pressed into her sides and firmly pushed her a step back.
"I'd love to. I think you'd like it. It's like the concert music," she said.
"Really? Now, I'm really curious," he replied as his shot hit but didn't score. His date moved closer as he stood up from his leaning position and found she was nearly pressing herself into him. He let out a small gasp as he locked eyes with her and stared into her dark maple irises.
"I'll make sure to bring it next time," she whispered as two of her fingers began walking up the bottom of his chest and stopping in the middle. Giving a teasing breath that Beck felt against his lips, she pushed him back with her two fingers and moved into position to hit the cue ball on the table. The mechanic was momentarily stunned at her antics and had to shake himself from his daze.
Wow… she really is something else He thought to himself reveling in the feel of the flirty and sparkling mood. It wasn't his first time being close to her, nor was it the first time either had flirted so… dangerously with the other but without the mask in the way Beck couldn't help but feel all of the heat in her words and actions.
A small pinch in his side brought him back to reality as he looked to see Paige smirking at him from her position leaning over the table. Without his intention or knowing, his eyes had found themselves inline with Paige's backside, and it was clear she noticed as her grin turned into a Cheshire smile.
"See something you like Mechanic?" she teased flirtatiously. Beck could feel his face heating up with embarrassment and turned his gaze upward.
"Sorry, I, um, it was an accident," he stuttered his excuse, which technically wasn't a lie.
"Uh huh," Paige sounded, clearly not convinced but not insulted either. Feeling she was taking control far too often, he braced himself and looked toward to her face before he spoke.
"But I do see something I like," he spoke earnestly, his voice compassionate yet firm. She turned back to him, caught off guard by his sudden passion, and felt her own slight blush warm her face as she found his gentle eyes on her own.
"Watch yourself, mechanic," she warned. Said Program raised his eyebrow in confusion. "If you keep acting so sweet, I might just snap," she half joked.
Sounds fun Beck mused as he neared closer until their hips were touching. Paige had yet to take her shot as she kept getting distracted and found her alignment ruined as her hip was tapped. She swiveled her head to see his hip before looking up and finding his playful eyes.
"See something you like, medic?" Beck taunted at her who had inadvertently just looked at his crotch.
"Keep dreaming," she shot back, taking aim on the cue ball for the fourth time. Right as she started to move her stick, she was nudged once again, this time more deliberate, and found her shot hitting the edge of her target, causing it to spin in place. She rounded on Beck with incredible speed and glared pointedly at him.
"You won't get far playing dirty," she growled. Their faces only inches apart, Beck could see she was genuinely angry at him for the nudge but only returned her hateful gaze with a charming smile, which apparently worked as she visibly cooled.
"Just helping you out, you were aiming for my ball," he smoothly stated, pointing to the ball she was, in fact, aiming at. Hearing a quick inhale of air, he saw Paige's frustration turn to embarrassment.
"How about I help you with the shot anyway," he smoothly added pointing toward the ball again. She simply raised an eyebrow and studied him.
"Pretend you're going to take the shot," he told her. She complied in resignation and leaned over the table she had previously been in, preparing the shot. Beck slowly leaned over and melded his body over hers, taking his right arm and crossing it over hers to grab the pool stick. He felt her body shiver from the contact and felt himself smile cheekily. Taking a moment to settle himself comfortably, he placed his left hand next to hers on the table and helped position the stick.
"You know, I can take the shot myself," she muttered, but sounded mirthful. A small deep chuckle escaped the mechanic as realized how easy it was to get lost with the flow that was created when he was with her, no doubt she was feeling the same.
"Oh, do you want me to step back?" he whispered into her left ear. Once again, he was rewarded with a shiver from her body.
"Just this once, I'll let you show me," she answered in a sultry tone. Continuing as planned, he took a few practice nudged of the pool stick, his date still secured and molded to the inside of his body as he did so.
How do I go from a panicking nervous wreck to this? He grinned at his thoughts. He knew his answer, of course, it was obvious. The former medic pressing herself into his chest and assaulting his senses with pleasure was half of it. The other half was himself. How they reacted to each other was so consuming and smooth. It was a conjunction they were still working with and exploring together, and as time went on it was becoming clearer how their relationship was… different. While complicated beyond either's realization yet incredibly heart warming and enlightening to new passion and emotions.
"Beck…?" she asked softly when he hadn't made a move.
"Sorry, just thinking," he reassured pleasantly before making to take his shot. He felt her hum against his chest as she confirmed his words.
When the sound of the ball being scored on emitted from the table top and the voice rang out as scoring a single zed, the mechanic stepped away from his date and gave a flashy smile. When she looked up to him, he found a impish aiming pair of brown orbs accompanied by a matching smirk. He watched as she stood straighter and slowly moved around him for her shot, feeling a small finger jab playfully into his side when she was behind him and causing him to let out a small yelp of surprise. Her intoxicating sweet laugh came to his ears as he turned to look at her with a raised eyebrow. He was going to enjoy the evening, knowing he had forgotten for his initial worry.
Close to curfew, they were rounding down after their first two games the bar had thinned as it was becoming later in the evening. They had moved into the corner for more privacy but were the only ones left playing. The Programs left were at the bar at the opposite end of the establishment, too far to hear or bother the couple.
"So what made you write music?" Beck asked as he scored on his last ball.
"I don't really know," Paige answered lightly, momentarily pausing to think it over. "I just remember when I young I heard music coming from a building. It was…"
"Breath taking?" the mechanic supplied while looking directly at his date. She turned to him and he was soon lost in her brown maple eyes.
"…no, mesmerizing," she corrected, her voice airy and her gaze almost trance like.
"But…" she began, nearing Beck. "I did lose my breath," she whispered. It was hard for him to think as she neared him and the soft tickling wind of her breath beat against his lips. He hummed gently as he moved just a bit forward so that their lips were brushing against each other but they weren't officially locked together. Wanting to focusing on the feelings, he shut his eyes, knowing she had done the same, and concentrated on the smooth warmth of her smile.
"I hope I can take more than just your breath," he whispered, his lips soaking up the sensation of hers with hungry desire. A soft giggle escaped her partially open lips, and he could feel her smile become just the tiniest bit wider.
"Keep doing this, and you will," she breathed back. He let them stand like that for another small moment before he moved forward.
-disc memory-
This time the Doctor of Death wasn't crying, as she ended the memory. Their second date wasn't out of the ordinary, but it was still special in her heart. Seeing and hearing Beck's emotions throughout the date reassured her that everything to him was real. It wasn't some ruse thought up to be played out by Tron or him to help bring her farther down an already dark and foggy hole of lies and deception.
Propping herself up, she slid her legs off the bed and sat hunched over, starring hollowly at his disc. Would he approve of her actions? Not in the slightest. Thinking of her question she felt the two dueling emotions that usually associated the inquiry rise up to her heart, guilt and comfort. Guilt because she knew how Beck would feel if he knew she was out kill 'innocent' guards without reason. Comfort, because it released some of her anguish and fury when she did it. Most of the time she would just lessen the guilt by looking at the ugly reality. He was gone.
It doesn't mean you should kill, Paige! Came a voice that sound as if it was right behind her. Flipping around madly, she found no one. She looked back to the disc ignited in her hand, let out a heavy sigh, and turned off the heated spinning energy. It was happening more often, his voice would sound in her dreams, while she was on patrol, and when she was looking through the memories. Almost as if he was next to her looking over her and protecting her. It was maddening, yet calming. She wasn't alone, at least that's how she felt. If she was going crazy she didn't care, she had nothing left to live for, but at the same time, nothing to die for. Dying would only show her defeat, her giving up, and even while she was in the darkest of thoughts, she would not give up.
That's why I fell in love with you. His haunting whisper lingered in the air.
Placing her disc back on her port, Paige turned back to look at the damage she just caused.
It was another one of her usual trips through Argon, where any patrols or soldiers she happened to cross paths with were derezzed. She often ran into multiple patrols and blockades, not by accident as she planned out her path accordingly. Her most recent encounter happened to be outside the coliseum.
Realizing she wasn't alone, she paused and turned around to face a trio of regular Programs. In the back of her mind she could tell they weren't just regular Programs. It was after curfew and they all had their helmets up hiding their faces. She prepared to attack, gripping her secondary disc harder while reaching for her own.
"Hey, isn't that the medic everyone's talking about?" one of them asked in a hushed tone, which Paige still heard.
"Yes, it is," the leader of the group answered, his voice was clearly on guard.
"Then that means…" the third one trailed off, the only one who was female.
"Paige," hearing her name come from one in charge made her freeze. Was her helmet down? How did they know it was her? Were the part of the Occupation?
"Who are you?" she asked in a dark tone. The middle Program looked around before he removed his mask. The older Program that greeted her eyes was not familiar.
"My name's Gavistan. We're part of the Defiance, or Uprising if that's what you still call it," Though he took of his visor as a show of good faith, the fact that he was part of Beck's Uprising did not help to ease the medic's nerves. She illustrated her feelings by showing them Beck's disc and igniting it.
"Wait! Wait! We're not here to fight! I just want to talk," he pleaded with his open palms facing toward her. There was tense stalemate as Paige thought over his words before placing Beck's disc back into the darkness of her cloak.
"Thanks," he sighed out while relaxing his body, while the Program to his left took of her helmet and took a few paces forward.
"I want Beck's disc back," the cyan haired girl nearly shouted. Gav was first to reach her and pull her back, before the other Program grabbed her other arm and the two held the fuming girl back. She protested against them while also throwing enraged threats at the green circuited woman.
Mara… She recognized the girl from the few meetings she had with her when Beck brought her to the club so she could meet his friends. It was always something she hated, because she couldn't offer the same to him.
"Mara, calm down!" the other Defiance member called out as he lowered his helmet to reveal his level cut brown hair.
Zed… she heard Beck's voice murmur in her head. Paige closed her eyes and let out a small growl of frustration.
"Paige, Tron's told me about you," Gavistan continued when Mara cooled enough for Zed to be able to handle her on his own. The medic simply waited for him to continue. "I know about you and Beck. I'm sorry you lost him, but you don't have to do this alone," he pleaded gently.
"I'm not fighting for him!" she yelled.
Lying to yourself? Paige…
"Shut up!" she screamed to the sky, causing the others to freeze in place. "I don't need your joke of a defiance! I can handle them myself!"
"I wasn't talking about the Occupation," Gav spoke again in his softer tone.
"Paige!" Mara called out, this time just trying to get her attention. "You know us, it's me, Mara, and Zed," she started. "I-I'm sorry about yelling at you, but ever since we lost Beck it's been hard on us," the female mechanic expressed her sorrow and pain on her face. "You don't have to be alone. It's not your fault,"
"I know it's not my fault!" she barked, while lowering her helmet to glare openly at the mechanic. "It's their fault!" she pointed upward to the command ship that was high in the sky.
"So why are you doing this to yourself?" Mara asked gravely.
"Why do you care?"
"Because Beck cared about you," Paige's face went blank for a brief second as if the words themselves have robbed her emotion.
"Why shouldn't I?" Mara continued, bringing the medic's anger back.
"I'm…" memories of Beck flashed through her mind. "…a lost cause," she muttered to herself. The others kept their gazed held on her not having heard her answer and still waiting expectantly.
"Tell Tron I'm keeping Beck's disc," she growled loud enough for them to hear before twisting around and walking off.
"Pai-" Mara called only to stop when Zed put a hand on her shoulder.
"Mara, she'll be okay," he voiced, trying to reassure his girlfriend and himself.
"But…" she trailed as her words died in her throat. It was a hopeless situation. They couldn't force her to come with them, even if they tried she'd most likely derez them. As much as she wanted Beck's disc back, there was nothing they could do. Only Tron himself would be able to stop the medic.
Still praying for Paige, Mara started to catch up with Zed and Gav who continued the patrol. It was going to be the one thing Mara worried about for the rest of the kilo.
Paige ignored the chilling high airs of Argon blowing from the sea. She was too consumed in her mind to have her body react to the fridged air.
Beck…
She looked down over the edge of the tall structure she was sitting on, below her lie part of the sea that branched inland. Both of her legs were dangling off the edge as she mindlessly moved them to bump against each other softly.
Beck…
The world around her always seemed to dissipate to nothing when she was on top of the bridge. Her favorite and only sanctuary of Argon, of the war. Sadly, even this sanctuary could not keep her pained memories of Beck away.
Beck…
She had slammed her discs into the edges of the structure she was on, one on either side of her. She was quick to put Beck's disc out of her mind allowing her to peacefully, or at least attempt, not think of Beck.
I…
The clouds were unusually low as they drifted near meters above Paige. Because of their placement Paige had to use the ladder to climb up to her spot as diving from a Light Copter would have been far to risky.
I…
Her still fully charged parachute stuck to her back. It was light enough where it was barely noticed and form fitting enough to not cause discomfort.
I miss you…
The medic glided the tips of her fingers against the palm of her right hand. Focusing on the small tingling it brought to her and letting her mind drift off into emptiness.
Paige.
Paige's head was now cleared of her empty fog she had carefully placed herself in. Whether it was a trick of her subconscious or she was starting to drift off into a sleep like state again she wasn't sure. She quickly grabbed her discs and stood up, staying next to the edge.
No, no, no! I can't be losing it, not yet!
She held Beck's disc to her chest as the feelings of hollowness started to take over her core. Her mind started racing and her body felt as if it had grid bugs crawling over and under her skin. The sounds of her breaths drowned out the sounds of the winds as they quickened. Her mind was swarming with ideas and thoughts, all of them going too fast and too rapid for her to consciously focus on.
Paige, it's me, Beck!
The whisper sounded as if it was mere centimeters from behind her head. Paige wurled around on reaction, panic filling her circulator. Her breathing becoming more ragged and shallow.
Am I really this weak? I'm hearing his voice. Just his voice and i'm losing the only sanity and calm I have left?
The medic forced herself to take deep long breaths. This soothed her racing mind and quivering body to an extent. However, she now felt as if she had woken from a horrible nightmare, glad it was over but the thoughts still lingered in her over sensitive body and mind. These feelings were becoming familiar to her, so much so that she was finding it easier to cope with them. Whether it was a good thing she wasn't sure, but was to mentally exhausted to think about it.
After finding more peace, she stepped away from the edge and moved closer to the center of the tower. When she was satisfied with the distance from the ends of the building she laid down supine and let her discs lie by themselves next to her.
Her thoughts centered on her location as she tried to think back to the last time she was there.
Of course she thought in agitation. The last time she was there was with Beck on their third date. The killer doctor looked lazily over to Beck's disc at her left side and wondered if she should look at the memory. Why not? She had looked at all the other ones, what was different about this one?
The difference was the voice that was starting to stalk her like a ghost anytime she finished a memory. It didn't take a genius to look at the disc for the cause. Whether it was in her head or some strange manipulation on the disc's part it was too dangerous to keep going.
So instead of using either of the discs she possessed, she decided to replay the memory in her head.
-memory-
"It's incredible,"
She glanced back at him just in time to see him avert his gaze towards the city. The thought of what just happened sends a spark of joy through her recently pounding heart.
"When you said hang out, I thought you meant go to Argon Square or the club or you know… somewhere closer to the ground," Beck said as he casually sat on the edge of the large bridge tower. For any other Program it would have scared them to death to imagine sitting so high up.
"You don't like it?" Paige asked slightly astonished. The mechanic turned his head to her and smiled brilliantly. A smile filled with honest joy and ease.
"Oh! This is way more fun. I love it," he answered softly as he raised one leg so it was propped against the edge for his arm to rest against. The smile on Paige's face was the only image in his mind as he looked back towards Argon's blue haze of sharp lines.
"I had a feeling you would," Paige said with a confident joy in her voice. Though, he couldn't see it, her face was slightly strained as the problems of her work came back to her mind, as she followed his gaze over the distant city.
"This is where I come to be alone… when I need to think," she gently stated, her voice caring the weight of her stress in it.
"I know what you mean. It's good to get away from it all," he agreed lightly. "It's like you can see things from a fresh perspective," she peered over at him with a single eyebrow raised.
"Yeah... It's just like that," she whispered.
"I do something else though," he turned to look at her with a boyish smirk. Standing to his feet, Paige watched as her mechanic walked toward the center of the tower and laid down so his head was facing upward. It was late in the evening and the distance space above the Grid was becoming dark with little time. She followed after him and was standing over him in less than a minute. His eyes were open and focused on the nearly cloudless sky above.
"Lay down," he coaxed gently, flicking his eyes over to her and patting the floor next to him. Following his suggestion, she laid down next to him, only a foot lengths away from him. Before she could start gazing upward, she felt his arm wrap around her shoulders and pull her closer, into his side. The warmth of his body came rushing into her own and she could help but let out a small sigh of contentment as she felt the cold leaving her.
"Such a gentleman," she teased lightly as she rested her head against the floor, his arm now snaked between their bodies and holding her hand. She almost laughed when his fingers found her equally as frozen ones and interlaced together to form a frozen ball squished between to large heated masses.
"Anything for the lovely lady," he countered with a grin.
They stared up toward the empyreal night sky and were lost in the tiny sparkles of white lights sprinkles high above. The clouds left were diaphanous, adding a mystic sensation to the already tranquil mood.
Paige couldn't help but melt into Beck's body and started to fight her eyes and keeping them open. Not wanting to fall asleep and let the setting slip by, she thought of something to talk about.
"Have you ever wondered what those lights are?" She pondered softly.
"I've heard them called 'stars' before," he answered softly. "A friend of mine told me that Flynn made them, brought them over from the User world,"
"Did he say what they are?"
"No, his guess was that they were other worlds," he said in a laughing tone. "I'm sure he was joking,"
"What if he's right?"
"Who knows. How'd we get there? What's out there? Can Flynn go to those worlds?"
"I hope they're more peaceful than our Grid," she spoke sadly and felt his hand squeeze hers tighter. It was silent after that as neither really wanted to talk about the Renegade or the stressful city that was Argon.
"Who was your friend?" She asked perkily, happy to change the mood.
"Bodhi. He, uh, we were best friends," Beck answered in strain, as if it was physically hard to say the words.
"What's wrong? What happened?" The Commander asked softly, knowing the tone in his voice.
"When Tesler came, he was derezzed," he said solemnly. The words hit Paige like a baton to the gut, removing the air in her lungs.
"I- I'm sorry," she muttered unsurely. It had been a long time since was ever close to someone when they told them of a lost loved one.
"We were close. Can't tell you how many times we'd fight in disc battles. We were always pushing each other," the mechanic let out a humorless laugh. "Most of the time I'd win our competitions but that just made him try harder,"
"You're lucky," Paige whispered, almost inaudible. "I never had that,"
"Even when you were a medic?" He asked in his own frangible whisper.
"I- uh, had friends… but no one that close," she stammered sadly. The warmth of his hand grew as he tightened it with her own. She felt a small spark run up to her heart front the contact and felt oddly calmed by the small gesture.
"Well… what about me?" Beck asked, bringing the conversation to a happier atmosphere. His lighthearted words and usual casual demeanor was more than enough to help bring her from the lonely memories and brought a laugh with it.
"I don't really see you as a friend, Mechanic," she answered sweetly while rolling her head to rest against his chest, partially snuggling on him.
"Oh? What do you see me as, Medic?" Beck teased back, his breath tickling her hair as he spoke.
"You're a smart Program. Figure it out," she whispered as she turned her body over so her front was flush against him. While half of her body was on top of his she slide her left arm over his abdomen and slide her hand under his chest. The warmth she was after was soon flowing through her body as her heat source seemed to be frozen in shock by her sudden actions.
"I take it you're done stargazing," the mechanic chuckled almost nervously as his new cuddle companion made micro movements to be completely comfortable.
"Rather be warm," she sighed, further relaxing and melding to his body.
"Do I still have to answer your question?" he joked, the rumble sounding like the destructive force of a distant thunder to Paige. Not wanting to talk, she gave him a small laugh for his answer and resumed basking in his warmth, while the problems of Argon, her job, and the Renegade were swept away in the whispering wind. Luckily, he stayed silent as the message was received. It felt like millicycles for the two as they forgot their worries and slipped into a blissful ignorance of the Grid's issues and dilemmas.
"So when do I get to listen to your music?" Beck asked quietly, as if testing to see if she was awake.
"Next time," she answered cleanly.
"What's it like? Making music?" the Commander thought it over for a moment.
"Depends. Sometimes it can be addicting just playing simple notes. Other times you're just inspired… to make art," she said breathlessly.
"Can only imagine,"
"You don't have to. It's the same feeling when we helped those people on the train," she ushered.
"Really?" he asked almost in disbelief. Again, the two fell into a silence as he was clearly thinking something.
"Instead of saving a life, you're creating it," he vocalized his theory.
"That's, well… a different perspective," the orange circuited woman balked awkwardly. The two fell silent before bursting out into a fit of laughs and giggles.
"I guess it is. What do I know? Just a mechanic," was his jovial response.
"And I'm just a medic," was her immediate response before her error in wording dawned on her. Not missing a beat, her boyfriend had also caught her slip of tongue and squeezed the arm that was around her shoulders harder.
"You'll always be a medic, Paige. At least to me,"
-memory-
Beck's last words continued to ring in her head as she gazed out at the expansive night sky. Unlike her other delving of past events, this time she was unusually calm, stuck in some strange ambiance. She figured it to be because she wasn't using his identity disc to remember it and continued her random musings.
It was another cloudless night in Argon which granted a great view of the stars above. Paige allowed herself to enjoy the dancing lights in front of her for the first time. Unlike the stars on Earth, these stars dimmed and brightened irregularly, but only in slight ranges. Another difference from their origin copy was the fact that they didn't move through out the night and merely faded when the day cycle had started.
Only when her mind had become empty of thoughts had the cold air made its way into Paige's brain as she felt her it reaching her bones. Shivering and in a downtrodden mood, she made her way to the edge of the tower with her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her hands were tucked under her armpits as she peered down at the blackened water of the sea below her. The thought of swimming caused a large shiver to run through her body. Taking a quick breath, she jumped off the structure and opened her arms against their frozen will. She was gliding through the air for a short, but with the low temperature she was happy to be grounded and wrapping herself in her cloak.
Sleep… sounds nice… She thought heading back to her hideout.
AN: So it's clear I'm getting burnt on this story. I think my initial drive is completely drained so now I'm progressing much slower. I imagine 2-3 week updates, at least once a update will specifically be longer than the rest just because I rather leave off on a Beck and Paige moment than anything else while I get some more ground work on the story.
I hope you like how I'm progressing these two. Yes, Beck's still… not with us, but as the great Dr. Suess once said "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" so remember the good times. It's hard to write about the two because I don't know how'd they'd act when intimate. At times I think they're both out of character but then I tell myself how we've never really seen them in this setting.
Thanks to Krisdaughter of Athena for helping me sort out this chapter. :)
I hope you enjoyed!
-Rose's Requiem
