Behind the Scenes - 10
A/N: Some slightly M stuff this chapter. It's also much shorter than my other ones, but I wanted to get through this part before diving into movie 2. Those scenes will be interspersed with what we see happening in the movies. So one more time jump after this! Hope you enjoy!
"Trinity, I don't think this is a good idea," Morpheus said warily. He shook his head, eyebrows furrowed.
"You don't understand. I need to ask her what is happening with Neo. I know you've seen it too. He's a zombie." Trinity stood up from the co-captains chair in frustration, turning her back to Morpheus.
"I agree with you, something is off with him lately. But I cannot condone you going in there alone."
She whirled on him. "I've gone in alone dozens of times before and you know it."
Morpheus sighed and turned the Neb on auto-pilot. They were slowly gliding through the tunnels headed to their usual route. When Trinity had entered the cockpit moments earlier, nerves and somehow also resolve written all over her face, he knew it couldn't be good. But to ask this of him, now, after losing yet another crewmember… he thought she must be losing her mind.
He also knew she was going to do it anyway, with or without his blessing. She outranked Link and could ask him to load her in when Morpheus wasn't around. Instead, she came to him looking for help.
"Sir, I need to talk to her. You're welcome to accompany me if you wish but I need to do this. I need to try." Her steely glare faltered for a moment and Morpheus could see the pain in her eyes. He sighed once more, looking up at her as she stood behind the co-captain's chair.
"Fine. But if Neo asks me, what do I tell him?"
She bit her lip as she contemplated. "If things go my way, he won't even know I'm gone. But if for some reason he finds out, then I'm tailing a new prospect."
He gave her a curt nod before returning his gaze to the tunnels before him. "I know I don't have to tell you this, but please be careful. I can't…" he cleared his throat. "I can't lose anyone else."
Trinity nodded, understanding in her gaze. He placed a hand on Morpheus' shoulder and gave a small squeeze. "I know. I'll let Link know of my plan. It'll be tonight, when Neo's asleep."
Morpheus turned to look at her, slightly confused. "I thought you said he didn't sleep?"
Trinity blushed slightly. "He usually doesn't. But he will."
Morpheus did not ask for clarification. Trinity was grateful. After all, Morpheus was like a father to her, and fathers did not need those kinds of details.
—-
After their dinner, Morpheus began his shift. Trinity took a deep breath, going over her plan in her head, over and over. She had already filled Link in earlier in the day, and though he was extremely uncomfortable with the secrecy, he agreed to help her. He had started to ask her how she could ensure Neo would sleep during this mission, but her blush and small shake of her head gave him more than enough information. He made a zipping motion across his lips before chuckling nervously and turning back to the monitors. Morpheus would be on standby in case something went wrong, though Trinity felt confident she could handle it herself.
Thankfully, Neo was completely ignorant of everything going on around him. She caught him rubbing his eyes with the heel of his hand multiple times during their post-meal game of cards, and she took it as a good enough reason to call the game early. No one protested, knowing Trinity was a woman on a mission.
She led Neo into their cabin, feeling nervous for some reason. They'd made love, at this point, likely a hundred times, but the deception that would follow was prickling at her conscience. She tried not to let it bother her, knowing this was all for his own good. So she shut off her brain and let her body take over.
Before Neo even knew what was happening, Trinity was pushing him roughly down on the bed and straddling his hips. Not that he minded of course, but he was surprised she was in the mood. Normally he could tell, either by the looks she gave him or when she couldn't keep her hands off him. None of that had been the case this evening. In fact, she had seemed a million miles away, sometimes even avoiding eye contact with him. But before he could wonder about it too long, he became completely distracted by her fervent kisses.
Something was definitely different about her tonight though. She was… energetic. Neo's brain was swimming with endorphins as he struggled to match her pace. He was dead tired, but there was no way he was going to refuse her when she was like this.
Clothes were ripped off, new positions were experimented with, and they had both begun to sweat. Despite her best efforts to make this last as long as possible, Trinity began to shake with need. Neo's breath was ragged as he pinned Trinity below him, locking her wrists above her head as he sucked at the base of her neck. Trinity had to bite her lip to keep from moaning too loud. She felt embarrassed enough that her crewmates more or less figured out what they were doing, she didn't want to make them hear it, too.
Before long, neither could take it anymore and they finally allowed themselves the release they had both desired. Tangled together, covered in sweat, they both breathed heavily, relishing in the afterglow of such a passionate time together. Neo playfully nipped at Trinity's shoulder, which caused an inadvertent giggle to escape her throat.
"Where did that come from?" he choked out, still catching his breath.
She swallowed. "I don't know. I just missed you."
"Missed me? It's only been a couple days since the last time." He rolled over to lie next to her and reached out with his hand to brush away the hair from her face. He propped himself up on his elbow and closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the feel of her.
Trinity noticed his exhaustion, hopeful her plan had worked. "I know. You know I love you. Sometimes I can't help it."
"Mmm… I love you, too." His eyes were still closed as he stroked her hair.
Trinity gently eased Neo on his side facing the wall and cuddled up against his back, pressing every inch of the front of her body against him. She brought the blankets up from where they had been kicked off and settled them around their shoulders.
"It's too early to go to sleep," Neo mumbled, trying to argue.
"No, we've been in here for a while. Please go to sleep, Neo. I'm here with you. I'll keep the dreams away," she murmured into the back of his neck. He stiffened when she brought up the dreams, but she soothed his hair the same way he had soothed hers. Soon enough, he had relaxed again and she could feel his body succumbing to sleep.
She waited patiently for almost a half hour before Neo had finally begun to snore softly. She knew this was her chance. Slowly, being careful not to wake him, she extricated herself from the bed, tucking the blankets around Neo's back. She put on her clothes from earlier, ran her hands through her mussed hair, took a deep breath, and quietly left the room.
She found Link in the Core, as expected. He had already gotten everything up and running, waiting for her. She thanked him softly before settling down into the chair nearest him. He nodded once at her before inserting the plug. No going back now, Trinity thought to herself.
—-
Trinity arrived at the Oracle's apartment not long after her insertion into the matrix. It had been an easy trip so far, but she knew not to count her chickens before they hatched. She had been looking over her shoulder quite a bit along the way, but luckily she had not yet seen any agents.
Before Trinity could even knock on the door, Seraph opened it. Trinity should have expected that the Oracle would know she was coming, but it surprised her nonetheless.
"Ah, right on time. Please, this way," Seraph told her before ushering her inside.
"Is she expecting me?" Trinity asked warily.
Seraph nodded once. "But of course."
He led her deeper into the apartment, where Trinity was surprised to see the Oracle packing her belongings into a floral suitcase.
"Going somewhere?" she asked, confusion etching into her face the more she watched.
"Hello dear. Yes, in fact, I am. You're just in time." She continued packing before Trinity cleared her throat. "Yes, yes, I know, you'd like to have a little chat. I suppose I can pause my packing to take a break for dessert. Would you like some cookies?"
Trinity shook her head and followed the Oracle from the living room into the kitchen. They sat down at the kitchen table, the Oracle pulling a chocolate chip cookie out of the jar in the center.
"So, you know why I've come?" Trinity asked, getting right to the point.
The Oracle chewed her bite of cookie thoughtfully before swallowing. "I had Seraph meet you at the door, didn't I?"
"That doesn't mean you know why I've come." Trinity tried to keep the ire out of her tone.
"I suppose so. But, you have come to talk about Neo, have you not?"
"Yes, I have. I'm worried about him."
"I'm sure you are. Something is happening with him, and he won't tell you what it is."
Trinity tapped her fingers on the table in steady rhythm, trying to keep her nerves in check. "He's been having these dreams. I don't know what they are and he won't tell me. But lately he hasn't been sleeping and he's been more quiet, more withdrawn than usual. I don't know what to do to fix this."
The Oracle laughed, which startled Trinity. "Dear, there isn't anything you can do."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that what Neo is going through is solely his problem. He isn't ready to tell you what he sees, so you are just going to have to be patient and let him work through it."
Trinity stood up from the table suddenly, anger making her stomach clench. "You must be joking. I didn't come all this way to be told there's nothing I can do! I came here to get answers."
The Oracle just smiled up at Trinity. "Honey, he is working this all out on his own. You're going to have to let him. In time, you will understand. Neo has made a choice, and he is experiencing the consequences of that choice. He must understand it on his own, it's important that you understand that. You mustn't push him or you will only push him further away."
Trinity was flabbergasted. What choice did Neo make? He certainly wasn't choosing to have these chronic nightmares. He wasn't choosing to be miserable.
Trinity sat back down, annoyance clear in her face. "I don't understand."
"You don't need to. You just need to listen."
"I'm trying to, but basically you're telling me to do nothing. I've been doing nothing, and he isn't getting any better. I don't want this affecting a mission - he cannot put his life at risk because he can't focus."
The Oracle finished her cookie and wiped her hand on a nearby napkin. She chewed happily for a few seconds before swallowing and wiping her mouth. "Trinity dear, patience is a virtue. And in this case, a very important one. I know it isn't what you want to hear, but you must trust in him. Have faith that he will find his own answers in due time. You won't be in the dark forever, if that brings you any comfort."
It didn't.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I must return to my packing. I'm… going away… for a little while. Please let Morpheus know I'll be in touch." She stood, silently dismissing Trinity. But Trinity felt glued to her seat. Her rage boiled in her blood. This was not going the way she thought it would.
"Wait," she pleaded softly, trying not to let her voice betray how she truly felt. "You said I would fall in love with the One. And I have. You were right." She turned in her chair to look over her shoulder at the Oracle's retreating form. She had stopped in her tracks to watch Trinity, a hint of sympathy in her guarded expression.
"Yes, I suppose I was."
Trinity paused, trying to find the words she was looking for. "Am I going to lose him?" Trinity whispered, barely wanting to even speak the question out loud.
The Oracle just sighed, and gave Trinity a comforting smile. "Trinity, just because something is lost doesn't mean it cannot be found. No one will live forever - you know this. But you're letting fear control you. If fear is in control, you won't be able to make rational decisions, will you?"
"What does that even mean? You didn't answer my question." Trinity rose from her seat and followed the Oracle back into the living room.
"I suppose I didn't. Or maybe I did. Either way, you cannot let fear control you. If you do, you will lose him. He needs you to be strong for him right now. I cannot tell you exactly what is going to happen, which I know is what you're looking for. I can only tell you this final piece of advice: If Neo asks you to do something, do it; unless that action results in Neo failing his mission. Then you must protect him at all costs." Her tone was grave as she zipped up her suitcase.
Trinity scoffed. "Not much of an Oracle, are you? I would give my life for Neo, I made that choice a long time ago. I don't need to be told to protect him at all costs when I already do."
The Oracle smiled to herself and lifted her suitcase from the coffee table and stood it up on the floor, extending the handle. "I know, dear. But Neo must believe you when you agree to do what he asks. Just as you would do anything to save him, he would do anything to protect you. All will be lost if he doesn't believe you will follow through with what he says."
Trinity sighed in frustration. She had been here before, she knew the Oracle's ways. This was all the information she was going to get, and she didn't feel any better about Neo's current state.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, dear, I must get going," the Oracle said. Seraph joined her and collected her bags. Trinity turned towards the door, mulling over everything she had been told. She absolutely hated how cryptic the Oracle could be. Still, she truly thought she'd get more out of this conversation than she actually had.
"I promise all will make sense in time. Please tell Neo and Morpheus I said hello." They escorted Trinity out of the apartment and Trinity muttered her thanks before racing down the stairs. The stale air felt suffocating. Her panic and anger were warring inside her - did she take what she said literally or figuratively? Clearly sometime soon Neo was going to ask her to do something and she was supposed to what - lie about her intention of doing it? She was so confused. All she wanted was a way to help Neo, and to be told there is nothing that could be done aggravated her.
She finally hit the ground floor and called Link, asking for an exit. Somehow she was able to find it with zero interference, and she was grateful for it. She was unplugged on the Neb and she tried to calm her racing heart.
"How did it go?" Link asked quietly.
Trinity just shook her head. "I didn't get what I was looking for."
"From what I hear about the Oracle, that doesn't surprise me."
Trinity laughed shakily. "Yeah, it shouldn't surprise me either. I should have known. Nothing with her is ever straightforward."
Morpheus entered the room, after having heard Trinity's voice. "Do you know what you need to do next? To help Neo?" he asked.
Trinity swallowed. "Not really, no. She just said to be patient. Normally that isn't one of my strong suits." Morpheus couldn't help but chuckle. He knew that all too well. "So, I am going to try and just do what she said… I guess." She stood up from the chair, stretching out her muscles. "By the way, Morpheus, she was packing when I arrived."
"Packing? Where is she going?"
Trinity shrugged. "She didn't say. She just wanted me to tell you that she would be in touch."
Morpheus nodded. "Thanks for letting me know. You should go back to bed, Neo might be wondering where you are."
"Thank you both, for your discretion." Trinity inclined her head at each of them before turning around. She used the bathroom before heading back to their cabin.
When she opened the door, she peaked inside and saw Neo's head right where she left it. She sighed in relief. As soon as the door closed, she slipped off her pants and crawled into bed alongside Neo. He rolled over to face her, squinting in the dark. She clearly had just woken him up.
"Hey… where'd ya go…?" he murmured, voice thick with sleep.
Trinity stroked his cheek and kissed the tip of his nose. "I was just in the bathroom. I'm sorry I woke you. Go back to sleep," she whispered.
Neo grunted his acceptance of her proposal and wrapped his arms around her. He pulled her tightly to him and kissed the top of her head. Trinity's heart squeezed in her chest at his gentleness. She would do anything for this man. And if the Oracle said she needed to be patient, then she supposed she didn't have much of a choice in the matter.
Soon, Neo's chest was rising and falling in steady rhythm, soft snores ruffling the top of her head.
The irony of the situation was not lost on Trinity. Now she was the one lying. Now she was the one staying awake. Thoughts of her interaction with the Oracle swirled in her mind. She replayed the conversation over and over until finally, sleep overtook her.
But before she finally succumbed, she had one final thought. Will my patience be enough to save him?
A/N: Yes, sorry, much shorter than usual. But please review if you so choose! If you like the M stuff- hit me up! I'm definitely in angsty territory now but I hope to throw more romance in since movie 2 is so spicy :)