Chapter 13
Beck was wondering why Paige was here, but she seemed to read his mind about that. "I'm so glad you're safe, and I'm sorry that I didn't do anything to help you back in the Coliseum. I… sort of felt guilty, so I followed you to the docks to apologize. I haven't seen you for so long… I've missed you."
What Paige said brought a smile to Beck's face. Maybe I was wrong the whole time, perhaps she really isn't a lost cause. After all, the uprising could use a helping hand. Beck looked at Paige, his smile getting wider.
Paige smiled warmly back, and suddenly said something else. "Beck, when I said that I couldn't be with you and that you were nothing but a distraction, I was wrong, and I know I was wrong. You were actually more like just another program to have fun with."
Beck's confidence grew more, and more. But Beck was letting his guard down, and because of what Paige said next Beck thought he might derez. "I want to spend a lot of time with you, I will again, but I can be with you for even longer once the Renegade is caught and brought to justice."
Beck's smile turned into a quizzical expression. "What specifically, are your feelings about the Renegade?" That question caught Paige off guard, she looked away slightly. "It's sort of personal… and a little complicated."
Beck took Paige's face in his hands; gently he turned her towards him again, giving her eye contact. "Paige, if it's secretive, I promise that I would never tell anyone.
Paige sighed. "If Tesler ever found out what I'm about to tell you, I'll get derezzed or thrown into The Games for sure." Beck looked at her encouragingly.
"Okay. The Renegade is destructive, chaotic, annoying, and…" Beck caught her eye. "And?" He encouraged. Paige let a nervous laugh.
"It gets regrettably bad. When I look at him, I find him curiously… interesting. He is somewhat friendly face to face, maybe handsome, and well, he flirts with me sometimes." Beck grinned mischievously. "Oh really? Wait, what do you mean handsome?"
Paige looked at Beck with a smirk on her face. "Well… I could most certainly imagine you behind the mask." Beck bursted out laughing then looked at Paige with a serious expression. "You're kidding, right?"
Paige shook her head, which made Beck, stop cold. She took a few steps closer to him. "No, I know it's you who was causing all that trouble. You act no different behind the mask than you do now."
Beck was literally speechless; he didn't know what to say. Thinking quickly, Beck played dumb. "What are you talking about?" This time Paige broke out laughing, and didn't stop.
"Oh man, you should have seen the look on your face! You actually thought I wasn't kidding! Hahahahaha!" Beck quickly recovered. "Yeah, I wish I saw the look on my face." Paige looked back at Beck. "Oh don't worry, I've got it on my disk, I'll show you anytime you want me to."
Beck changed the subject. "You know, I probably should be heading home soon before I'm caught breaking Curfew, again." Paige nodded. "Right, I'll go and buy you enough time to head home unseen."
Paige backed off into the shadows, turned, and smiled at Beck. She did like Beck and wanted to be with him, she truly did, but right now wasn't a good time. The Renegade is first priority and has to be caught before Paige spends her free time with Beck.
Beck smiled one last time at Paige one last time before she completely disappeared. When he knew she was gone, he started pacing nervously, thinking. What is wrong with me? Since when did Paige ever want to join me and fight for the uprising?
Beck's thoughts were interrupted when he thought he heard something. He stopped pacing and looked up. Standing right in front of him this time, was Tron. "Oh great! Now you appear. Where in users name have you been? You're late."