DISCLAIMER: I own nothing and no one from The Zeta Project. I am just a poor college student who also happens to be a rabid Zeta fan and this just happens to be a fanfiction that my mind came up with that I feel like sharing with other fans. I make absolutely NO money from this. It is merely for fun and hopefully the enjoyment of other fans. Please don't sue and fans please enjoy.

Chapter 25: Sleep

Ro clung to Zee, trying to convince herself he was real. She felt if she loosened her grip even for one second he would just disappear. "Zee you're alright. You're alright," she sobbed into his chest.

"Why would I not be?" The synthoid's holographic brow furrowed in worry as he looked down at the girl he held in his arms. "Ro why are you crying?"

"Zeta don't ask. Just hold her," Bennett advised the synthoid.

Zee glanced up at the words. He could see the worry in the other man's eyes and did as he was told, holding the girl in his arms until she quieted. The synthoid also allowed himself a moment to greet Fluffy who had trotted over, happy to see the synthoid awake and back to his 'proper' form, but also worried to see the girl crying. The Fluffy sat and waited uncharacteristically patient for Zee to notice him. The synthoid smiled gently at the dog and held out a hand for the canine to sniff, but when Zee quickly turned his attention back to Ro, the dog, figuring that the girl was in good hands, plopped back down by Bennett with a sigh and closed his eyes. It had been a long day for the big dog and he was tired too.

"Sorry," Ro sniffed, leaning back to wipe tears from her cheeks. "Sometimes us girls just have to cry." She looked up at Zeeand tired to smile even thought tears were still shining in her eyes. "I missed you."

"I'm sorry I worried you," Zee said, gently running a hand through her silky blonde hair. Then his blue eyes widened in alarm and he gasped, or rather made a gasping sound since he didn't really need to breathe. "Ro you're hurt! What happened?"

"Nothing Zee," Ro sighed, knowing that would not be good enough for the synthoid, but too tired to explain everything to him.

"But-"

"Zee it doesn't matter," she said quickly, cutting her friend off. Then she leaned against him again with a sigh. "I'm just happy to see that you are okay."

"But-"

"It was an accident Zee. We've come to an understanding. Just hold me."

"But- "

Ro felt irritation flow through her at the synthoid's incessant badgering and pushed herself away from him, glaring angrily. "Oh Zee stop hovering. I'm fine," she snapped.

Still the IU wasn't satisfied. Ro was never supposed to get hurt. He was supposed to protect her. "But-"

"Ze-ee," the girl whined, thumping her hand on the ground, wanting him to understand just this once. "I'm fine. Really. You don't have to worry so much."

The synthoid didn't look convinced. He opened his mouth to say something again, but Bennett butted in just in time.

"You really do hover Zeta."

The synthoid sighed, his shoulders slouching a little where he sat and he looked just a little guiltily over at Bennett. "I'm not always good at anticipating human needs. I try for Ro, but I know I'm not always right so I stay close. Just in case."

Ro's eyes softened and she reached out to touch Zeta's holographic cheek with a gentle hand, making him glance at her with those beautiful eyes. "Oh Zee," Ro breathed then hugged him. "You're fine. You're better at 'anticipating my needs' than anyone else I've ever lived with."

"But still…" the synthoid said, wrapping his arms around her and resting his cheek on her head.

"Zee that enough," the girl chided lightly, sitting back on her knees. "No more worrying from you. And don't you ever do that to me again without warning me first, you hear?" she demanded, tightly. "I was worried sick."

Zee looks down ashamed. "Sorry… I was… distracted." He looked up at her again, his eyes pleading with her to understand. "I must have been using more energy than I anticipated. I didn't realize heating this place would take so much out of me."

"I know Zee," Ro sighed. "It has been awhile since you recharged. You were just running low."

The IU nodded, relived that the blonde did not seem angry with him anymore. "I am running at optimal capacity now… but I will need to recharge again soon," he added as an afterthought. "I will do it outside tonight so I do not disturb anyone."

"No!" Ro almost shouted in alarm. Then she blushed, realizing how loud she had been, but she just couldn't stand to have Zee out of her sight for that long. Not after all this mess. "You… you can just do it in the kitchen. No one will hear you."

Bennett nodded, knowing the teen didn't want to be far away from the synthoid. "I'm sure that will be fine."

Zee looked over at the commander for a moment before nodding. "Okay… but if I'm too loud please tell me."

Ro reached up to caress the IU's cheek, making him look at her again. "Zee… you shouldn't always spend all of your time caring for others. You need to care for yourself once in a while too you know."

Zee leaned into her touch, covering her hand with his own, his eyes softening with a look he only gave her. "I know," he said gently. "I'm sorry I worried you."

West smiling wickedly as he walked back into the room with Rush. "I see Zeta's back up. You two should really get a room."

Ro started then looked at the redhead shocked. "What? No it's not like that. We're just family."

West gave her a long look eyeing the way the blonde and the synthoid were sitting.

Ro scowled at him. "Oh don't be weird. I'm not a… what would that be anyway? A… techno-phile? Anyway we're not lovers. Zee wouldn't know romance if it bit him on the butt. We're just friends, family."

Bennett closed his eyes with a sighed from where he lay before the fire. "Glad to hear it," he breathed, more to himself then to anyone else. He had started to worry Rosalie had become romantically connected to the IU and was happy to find out those thoughts were unfounded. While considering the synthoid as family wasn't exactly ideal either it sure beat the alternative.

Zee cocked his head at the two agents standing in the doorway to the kitchen, curiously looking at the covered bowl West was carrying. "What's that?" the synthoid asked bluntly.

West grinned, opening the bowl to reveal it's contents. "Cookies. What's better then comfort food?" He sat down then passed the bowl over to Ro almost shyly. "Want some?"

The blonde's eyes locked on the baked goods and she stared at them like they were evil incarnate, horrified by their presence.

"They're just cookies Rosalie," Rush ventured to say. "They're not poisoned."

"No it's not that..." Ro visibly started to green at the sight of the food. She covered her mouth with a hand, looking away from them as the taste of bile flooded her mouth. "Oh god I think I'm going to hurl."

"Shit," West quickly covered the bowl again. "I didn't realize you were nauseous."

"Not your fault." The girl swallowed hard. "I didn't tell anyone. Trashcan please… Now!"

Zee came to the rescue, pushing the small metal trashcan that had been sitting in the corner into the girl's outstretched hands, having sensed something wasn't right with his friend. Ro's body heaved seconds later and she puked up what little she had left in her stomach. Then again. Finally the bout of sickness passed and shed coughed and spat the last of the vile stuff into the trashcan, panting roughly. "Dinner round two. How delightful."

"So much for comfort food," West mumbled under his breath.

"Can I worry now?"

She smiled weakly up at Zee's words. The IU sat beside the girl again then gathered her protectively into his lap. Ro sighed, leaning back against him. Oh she felt shaky and so hot, but she felt a bit better just being near Zee.

Rush quietly put the garbage can outside before the smell of the vomit could get to anyone else. By the time the woman got back Ro was starting to feel a little dizzy…

Zee rested a cool hand against her forehead as he held her in his arms. "Rest Ro," he whispered into her ear. "You're a little feverish. You need some sleep."

Ro nodded and closed her eyes. She was almost asleep when West's voice suddenly broke the quiet.

"Ah! Fluffy, no cookies for you."

Ro's eyes started open to find the redhead sitting on the floor trying to hold the bowl away from a very insistent dog. Fluffy had snuck around to the food while no one was looking. Canines could really be single minded sometimes.

"You'll end up as sick as Rosalie." West patted the dog's mane as Fluffy finally gave up his quest for food. Then the boy looked up to find everyone staring. "Oh sorry." He blushed. "That was really loud wasn't it?"

Ro smiled softly, feeling better. "It's okay West."

"Are you feeling any better?" the young man ventured to ask in a hopeful tone.

Ro sighed, relaxing back against Zee. "A bit."

"We should really get a bowl of water out for you before everyone goes to bed," West said, ruffling the dog's furry neck. "Be back in a minute. But I'm taking the cookies with me," the redhead added pointily. The dogs ears drooped at that news and he looked longingly up at West as the young agent stood up. "Ah! Puppydog eyes don't work on me."

Soon enough West was back with the bowl of water, but he left the cookies back in the kitchen and hopefully high enough up that Fluffy wouldn't be able to get into them. The dog drank half the water then plopped down right where he was and curled up exhausted. West smiled. "Have we tuckered you out boy?" he asked rubbing the canine's soft ears.

Zee looked around at all the agents then down at Ro with sudden concern. "You haven't slept yet have you?"

Ro sighed and leaned against him. "No… None of us really has."

Zee's brow wrinkles in further worry. "I'm sorry." He looked around with regretful eyes. "I didn't mean to keep all of you up."

West shrugged a shoulder. "It's just the way things go sometimes. We're used to all nighters anyway… it comes with the job."

Rush nods and Bennett smiles at the redhead's words even though it was clear the synthoid was more worried about Ro then anyone else..

Zee brushed a messy strand of bright blonde hair off the girl's hot forehead as he looked down at her, his concern growing. "Ro you look so tired."

The girl smiled sleepily. "That's because I am."

"Then come," Zee said, effortlessly picking the blonde up in his arms and carrying her over to the bed in the corner. "Let us get you to bed."

Ro hesitates as the IU laid her on the covers, worry flashing in her eyes.

Zee knelt by the girl bed talking to her softly. "I'm fine Ro really," the synthoid said, for once rightly guessing the root of her concern. "You need your rest. You'll feel better after you sleep."

" 'Kay," she said with a tired nod, crawling under the covers to snuggle in the think warm blankets. "I'll see you in the morning."

Zee smiled and nodded, tucking her into the bed. "In the morning. I will just be in the other room Ro. Get some rest. I know you are running low on energy too."

She shut her eyes with a soft sigh and heard the synthoid get up and his footsteps slowly recede towards the kitchen.

Bennett's voice broke through the darkness of Ro's closed eyes. "He really cares about you, doesn't he?"

"Yes," the girl smiled, already drifting half asleep. "He's the only person who ever has."

Bennett frowned at that, thinking deep and troubling thoughts as the teenager fell into a deep, restful sleep, happy her friend was finally alright…

TBC…

Hey all. Sorry it took so long. Anyway, got a new chapter up now so YAY :). Hope you enjoy and please review.

CampionSayn: I'm so glad you think my story is deep enough to have 'plot dynamics and reasons.' I really do try, but it's so wonderful hearing you say it :) Sorry it's been awhile. School and homework and so on… Still I'm glad you're enjoying and I hope I manage to continue to make this little fic entertaining.

Wtchcool: I'm so glad you liked the last chapter. Things should get a little more interesting now that Zee's going to be up and about again :) and I really am happy to hear you liked Ro and Bennett's talk. I really look forward to developing their 'relationship,' as strange as it might be, further.

P.S. Chapter title: "Sleep" from song with same title by Poets of the Fall. Great song. I would highly suggest a listen to if you have a moment.