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0010010110101000111010Rememberence101010010101001000101001010
Ron stumbled down the walkway toward the apartment he shared with Kim, his head still a little wobbly from the exhilarating yet tiring experience he had with Bonnie. He turned his key on the lock and walked into the dark apartment, expecting Kim to still be asleep.
"Good morning, Ron," came a menacing voice from the kitchen.
"Oh, you're up early …" Ron said, rubbing the back of his head.
"And you're up late," Kim replied, walking toward him, her arms crossed over her chest. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"
"Um … four thirty?" Ron guessed.
"Try six forty five," Kim growled, stalking closer.
"Kim, I can explain …" Ron started, but Kim cut him off.
"I know, I came to check on you an hour ago and saw you were well entertained in the Construct with 'Your Bon-Bon'," Kim snapped angrily.
"Oh so you came to check up on me, huh?" Ron snapped, angry at Kim's apparent lack of trust.
"It was almost six in the morning, Ron," Kim replied, "You are my best friend and –for some reason I can't put my finger on right now- I actually might care whether you were lying in a gutter somewhere dead!"
"I already have one mother, Kim," Ron snapped back, "I'm a big boy, you don't have to fill the job. At least Bonnie trusts and really cares about me, unlike some people."
"Yeah, like she really likes you," Kim chuckled darkly.
"She asked me out, didn't she?"
"She asked you out because you are THE ONE, it has nothing to do with you," Kim replied, her anger growing out of control, "Like anyone would really ask you out for any other reason?" Kim immediately realized what she said, "That didn't come out right," She whispered, but the damage had been done, and Ron's hurt expression confirmed it. "Ron, I really didn't mean that …"
"You said it, Kim, so you must have meant it," Ron stated, walking toward his bedroom, "I know Bon can be hateful to you sometimes, but I can kind of understand what brought that on now." He then walked into his room and slammed the door.
"Ron …" Kim sighed before sitting down on their couch, "I really didn't mean it …"
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Later that morning, Morpheus walked into the office of the Grand Admiral of the Zion Hovership fleet. "You called, Admiral Locke?" Morpheus asked, standing at attention.
"I'd like to know what the hell you are thinking, Captain Morpheus!" Admiral Justin Locke barked angrily, standing up from his desk.
"Right now I am thinking that I have done something to upset you, Admiral," Morpheus replied seriously.
"It was bad enough that you helped that boy, but … you freed him from the Matrix?" Locke snapped, walking out from behind his desk, "Do you realize you possibly have single handedly destroyed the truce that has lasted for SIXTEEN YEARS?"
"He is only a boy, Admiral," Morpheus explained, "He is a boy who is meant for great things. Things that do not include being murdered by Agents."
"I've spoken with the machine reps, Morpheus," Locke retorted, "Do you know what that boy is? Do you? He's not Neo, Morpheus. For God's sake, he's SMITH! Have you forgotten what that monster did?"
"I have not forgotten, Admiral, and you are only half right," Morpheus replied, unaffected, "He is only part Smith, he is also part Neo. That is what the Oracle has told me."
"Yea? Well the Oracle also told you that Neo was destined to stop the war," Locke retorted with a dark laugh.
"And he did."
"And what happens if the Smith side takes over, Morpheus?" Locke all but yelled, "He should be given to the machines and put down, we can't risk another Smith!"
"Put down, Admiral?" Morpheus asked in disbelief, "you speak as if he is an animal. Ronald is a human being, but a child! And you expect me to allow him to be turned over to be dissected like a lab rat because they don't understand why he's here?" Locke merely looked at him unaffected. Morpheus' eyes widened for a moment before he returned to his normal expression, "And you wonder why she left you …"
Morpheus then turned and started walking toward the exit, before stopping. "Ronald is a part of my crew now, and my responsibility. If you wish for his death, you will have to bring about my own first." He said without looking back then walked out of the office.
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"So how did it go, Morpheus?" Niobi asked from the gathering of the crews of the Neb II and the Mad Dog in a dining area of Neo Zion.
"It could have gone better," Morpheus sighed, rubbing his temples, "but it has gone worse before."
"So define 'could have gone better'?" Kim requested, stealing a glance at Ron, who seemed to be sitting as far away from her as possible with Bonnie on his lap.
Bonnie caught her looking and gave Kim an almost sinister smile before winking and looking back toward Morpheus.
"I'm afraid … I cannot tell you," Morpheus sighed, "But I can advise you, Ronald - do not travel alone in Zion, for your own safety. Please."
Ron nodded, "Oh he won't have a problem with that," Bonnie said for him flirtatiously.
Ghost and Link looked at Kim worriedly, but blinked in surprise when she merely looked away sadly.
"Now if you'll excuse me," Morpheus spoke up again, "I must prepare for the celebration tonight. And I suggest you all do the same. Expect a long night."
They all nodded. Kim stood up and started walking toward the tram station.
"Hey, Kimmie, where are you going?" Niobi asked, catching up to the girl.
"Just got some steam to work off," Kim said coldly, keeping her back to the older woman. "Figured I'd work out in the Construct a bit before I start getting ready."
"Want me to come with you?" Niobi asked, but Kim quickly shook her head.
"Na, I have a lot to think about," Kim smiled weakly.
"Ok, just remember to turn on the safety settings," Niobi instructed, and waited for Kim to reply before going back to Morpheus.
Kim smiled and shook her head before running on to the Tram to Trin Zion.
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Kim ran through a routine of punches and kicks in a martial arts dojo-training program, her hair dancing around her as she moved, before she came to a stop to catch her breath.
"Not bad, Kimmie," a voice Kim really didn't want to hear came from behind her.
"Have a nice date with Ron, Bon-Bon?" Kim asked not looking back.
"Oh, beyond nice, Kim," Bonnie said dreamily, "I don't understand why you didn't grab him up while you had the chance!"
Kim turned to find Bonnie with slightly longer hair then she was used to, and in an almost identical gi. "Best friends don't date best friends, it's an unwritten rule, and also I don't like people using my friends like you did."
"Oh, is what I did any different then using a friend for a decoy in missions?" Bonnie retorted, smiling evilly.
"I never made Ron do anything he didn't want to," Kim snapped as the girls started to circle each other, "Ron had no idea what he was getting into last night."
"Oh trust me, Kimmie," Bonnie smiled contently, "He knew EXACTLY what he was doing, and knew it very, very well."
"I hate you," Kim growled.
"The feeling's mutual," Bonnie hissed in response, "So are we going to fight or walk in circles?"
Kim answered by jumping all the way across the room in one leap and kicking at Bonnie's head.
Bonnie easily side stepped the kick and returned a roundhouse kick that connected with Kim's back and knocked her to the ground.
"Not bad, Bon-Bon," Kim growled, jumping to her feet.
"You aren't so bad yourself, KP," Bonnie retorted, smiling.
"Only Ron's allowed to call me that," Kim hissed, and threw a punch at Bonnie's face. The punch connected with Bonnie's jaw sending her spiraling in the air before hitting the ground with a thud.
The girls then dove at each other with a barrage of punches and kicks. They finally leapt back to opposite sides of the dojo and each of them grabbed a katana sword from the weapon racks.
The two girls dove at each other and clashed swords in mid flight before landing and spinning to face each other. "I've waited a long time to put you in your place, Kim," Bonnie smiled, holding her sword toward her opponent.
"Many have tried, Bonnie," Kim smirked, "And many have failed."
The two ran toward one another and their swords met with such force that sparks flew through the air. Kim spun in place and swiped her blade low, barely missing Bonnie's legs as she jumped it. Kim barely had time to pull her sword up to block Bonnie's strike, and then retaliated with a kick to her opponent's gut.
The two locked swords and held each other at bay in the center of the dojo, "I see what it is, you're jealous," Bonnie smiled, pushing into her sword.
"Jealous of what? You? You and Ron?" Kim asked, trying to gain leverage, "As if!"
"You are, Kim," Bonnie laughed, "You want to know the truth, sleeping with Ron last night had nothing to do with him being the One." Bonnie smiled brighter at the disbelief that crossed Kim's features, "Don't get me wrong, the geek was better then I thought he would be -beat the hell out of Brick and Josh- but that wasn't what it was about either. Do you know what it really was about, Kimmie?"
"It was all about you," Bonnie laughed louder, "The whole world knows your most treasured possession is your friendship with Ron. You revel in the fact you mean something to him. But you know what, Kimmie, now I mean more to him then you do. After all, what's a best friend compared to a lover?"
Kim's eyes widened and her grip on her sword slipped. Her blade went flying backwards through the air and Bonnie prepared for a winning blow. Kim closed her eyes, half out of expectation of the temporary pain that losing the 'game' would bring before it reloaded, and half to try and force what Bonnie had just said out of her mind.
"KP means more to me then you ever will, Bonnie," Kim heard and opened her eyes to see Bonnie's sword bent at the hilt the blade pointed straight up.
"Ron?" They both asked in shock, turning to see the blonde standing there in his martial arts gi. "How … how much did you hear, Ronniekens?"
"The name's Ron," he replied, "And I heard enough. Thanks for a night to remember, Bonnie, but after hearing that, you won't get another."
Bonnie back-stepped a bit, glancing back and forth between Ron and Kim, "Log out," she said loudly before blinking out of the dojo.
"You ok, KP?" Ron asked, holding his hand out to help his friend up.
"I thought you were mad at me?" Kim asked taking his hand and getting to her feet.
"I am, but you're still my best friend," Ron smiled, "Nobody messes with my friends."
"Even your lov … girlfriend?" Kim said, looking away slightly.
"Girlfriends come and go, KP," Ron smiled his trademark goofy grin, "You went through boyfriends before and did that break us up?"
Kim answered by throwing her arms around his neck and burying her face into his chest. "Thanks," She whispered, snuggled close, "I don't know what I'd do without you, especially now."
"Best buds forever, right, KP?" Ron asked wrapping arms around her waist. Kim let out a high-pitched 'eep' when Ron leaned back and raised her off the ground.
"Right, right," Kim choked out, "now put me down, silly! I can't breath!"
"As Morpheus said," Ron pointed out as he sat her back down on her feet, "Is that air you're breathing?" Ron then sighed and his smile faded.
"You ok?" Kim asked worriedly.
"I had a girlfriend for approximately half a day …" Ron sighed sadly.
"Bonnie wasn't worth it," Kim smiled sympathetically, "About what I said this morning … I really didn't mean that, not at all. A girl would have to be insane to pass you up, Ron, and I know you'll make a girl very happy one day."
"Thanks, KP," Ron smiled, then straightened up, "Niobi sent me to get you, she has some old dress robes she wants you to try on for the celebration this evening. So you ready to go? Link's waiting for us."
"After you," Kim nodded and the two logged out of the Construct.
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Several hours later, in Niobi and Morpheus' apartment, Kim stood looking at herself nervously in the mirror. "I don't know about this …" Kim said uncertainly, eyeing her reflection.
She was wearing white loose-fitting pants and what appeared to be a matching sash that went around her neck down into her pants covering her essentials only.
"It was a friend of mine's from a few years ago," Niobi said, adjusting Kim's sash, "I'm sure she'd like you to have it."
"Isn't it a little revealing?" Kim asked, looking up as a faint blush crossing her cheeks. "I mean … aren't children going to be there?"
"No, dear, the kids have their own celebration at the school," Niobi explained, "The celebration we're going to is all adults. Most of the time it breaks out into a rave, so it might not be a good place for young ones." She then smiled at the teen, "And it might be a little revealing, but Neo never complained and I doubt Ron will either."
"We're not like that …" Kim blushed again, "We're just best friends. That's all we've ever been and all we'll ever will be."
"Never say never," Niobi smiled before they were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Is everyone decent?" Ron's muffled voice came from the other side.
"We're fine, Ron," Niobi said, as the door opened and Morpheus and Ron walked in. Ron took one look at Kim and froze solid, his face turning crimson.
"I see you gave her Trinity's favorite dress clothes," Morpheus smiled. "She would have liked that. You look amazing in them, Kimberly."
"Thank you, sir," Kim blushed before looking at Ron, who shook himself out of his brain freeze, "So Ron, what do you think?" she asked, twirling around giving him a full view of herself.
"Um … um …" Ron stammered, trying to stay focused on her face, "Wow … I mean … you look … wow …"
"Well the celebration is to start soon," Morpheus spoke up, "Shall we?"
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Ron stood in front of the Temple, wearing one of Morpheus' old dress robes. He brushed nervously at the unfamiliar attire, which hung loosely on his thin frame. The 'Temple' was actually a strange type of cave, composed of both rock and metal. In the center of the cave was a tremendous gathering of people. Almost everyone who had been freed or born outside the Matrix had gathered there. Ron looked up at the large rock formation that was being used as a stage, and noticed an older man walking out in bright blue robes.
"That's Councilman Harmann," Niobi pointed out to Ron and Kim.
"May I have your attention," Harmann spoke up. The massive crowd slowly became silent. "We are gathered here as we have for the last sixteen years, to celebrate the peace two young people gave their lives to give us. Today we celebrate the freedom that has been given to us by Neo and Trinity. May their sacrifices long be remembered, and the peace they gave us never forsaken." He then turned to the left, "Now, as tradition, we call Morpheus to speak. Captain Morpheus?"
Councilman Harmann nodded as Morpheus walked up and stood before the cheering multitude.
"Zion! Hear me!" Morpheus called out, "Sixteen years ago today, we were facing death itself. Sixteen years ago today, while we were fighting for our own lives, two others were selflessly fighting to save us all. Today we remember them, our heroes, our friends, our … family …" Morpheus had to stop due to his emotions. "For them we live still, and for them, within this generation, Mankind will see Sunlight –REAL Sunlight- for the first time in countless generations!"
"Now, Zion, let us rejoice and make a noise that Neo and Trinity may hear from wherever they may be," Morpheus said, glancing down to Ron and Kim, "Let them know we remember them! Let them know we will remember them until the last man stands on the Earth!" Morpheus waved as the drums and instruments began to echo through the cave and the dancing began.
He walked down to stand beside Niobi and the nervous Ron and Kim. "You did good as always, Babe," Niobi smiled, hugging her husband.
"You know … this is really freaky …" Ron gulped, looking around at the massive crowd, the majority of them dancing very provocatively.
Kim on the other hand was starting to relax and tap her foot to the drumbeat, "hmm, not bad …" Kim nodded, listening to the rhythm. She then glanced to her left and saw a timid-looking Bonnie, who was in something even more revealing then she was in. 'Oh, no you don't, Bon,' Kim thought before grabbing Ron's hand.
"C'mon, Ron, lets dance!" Kim chirped happily, then giggled at the terrified expression that crossed Ron's features.
"K-Kim … I don't know … I mean … you know I really can't …" Ron stammered, before Kim jerked his arm, "KP! KIM! L'GO! NOOO!!" He wailed as she dragged him into the mob.
Niobi laughed as Ron and Kim disappeared into the sea of people, "Remind you of anybody?" she asked her husband with a smirk.
"Neo never fought that hard to stay out of a dance, and Trinity wasn't quite that territorial," Morpheus mused.
"I wasn't talking about Neo and Trin, love," Niobi smiled.
"If not them then who?" Morpheus asked, uncharacteristically confused.
"Oh, just reminds me of a boy I used to know," Niobi said, her smile growing, "A shy little guy, just woken up, first temple party, and he was stuttering so much when I asked him to dance with me, it took him well over a minute to get my name out."
"I don't know w-what you're talking about," Morpheus flushed, before turning his attention back to the rave, where containers of water was being dumped on the crowd for 'cooling down' purposes.
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Kim and Ron ran back to their apartment several hours later, giggling like they did when they were six. They had left the party early, mostly because Morpheus told them they were leaving early the next morning to get more information from the Merovingian. Both Kim and Ron were dripping wet from head to toe, they were standing right under a water container when it was released.
"That was the most fun I've had in a long time," Kim laughed leaning against the wall, trying to catch her breath.
"I know, KP, that was … was … was …" Ron started, but his mind froze when he noticed that Kim's clothing had become almost completely transparent from their soaking.
"What's wrong, Ron?" Kim asked worriedly. Ron realized she didn't notice he could see way more then he should be allowed to see.
"N-Nothing, KP, just a little out of breast." Ron muttered, before catching himself. "Breath! I mean I'm a little out of breath."
"Did you sneak into the wine, despite Niobi telling us not to?" Kim smiled playfully, only making Ron blush deeper.
"No, just tired I guess," Ron choked out while he tried futilely to keep his mind from turning to raw teenaged hormone mush. "Morpheus said we're leaving early in the morning, so I think I'll crash for the night."
"Ok, Ron, I probably will soon too," Kim said. She hesitated a moment before adding, "Oh Ron, one more thing."
"Yeah, KP?" Ron asked, then took in a sharp breath when she brought both her hands to rest on his shoulders and raised up on the tips of her toes. "What are you doing?" he asked just before she laid a gentle kiss on his cheek.
She smiled and stepped back, "Happy Birthday, Ron," She grinned happily at her best friend and wondered why she hadn't noticed him growing a head taller then her.
"Birthday?" Ron asked, still dazed from the kiss. "It's my birthday!" he gasped in realization, "I completely forgot."
"I'm not surprised," Kim smiled sympathetically before moving in to hug him, "You've had more thrown on you then I have, and I know I've had a lot to take in."
Ron hugged her back. He pulled back almost immediately. "Well, I really need to … get to bed, night, KP," Ron said quickly before retreating to his room.
She almost asked him to stay. Instead she watched him go, fighting back an unexpectedly intense desire to follow him. She turned and quickly walked into her own room, closing the door behind her, not quite sure what to make of Ron's hasty retreat, and her own reaction to it.
'Ron's my best friend. Why am I thinking about him like that?' She caught sight of her reflection in a nearby mirror. 'What the...? Oh my God!' She spun and gaped at what she saw. 'Oh. My. GOD!' She flushed red, from a combination of both embarrassment and anger.
'How could he not tell me? I look naked!' The blush deepened, spreading over her body, which only served to intensify her already seething emotions. Breathing deeply to try and calm herself, she ran her hands down her sides, smoothing the damp cloth. Cocking her head slightly, she found herself wondering if Ron had liked what he saw.
From his reaction, she thought that perhaps he did. 'At least he didn't laugh himself silly or something.'
She shook her head. 'Damn, why am I even thinking about this?' She sighed.
'I need a shower. A really, really cold shower.' she walked to the bathroom but stopped at the door. Turning to glance at the mirror one last time, she allowed herself a small smile.
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