Title: Shadow Stalkers

Author: trin_chardin

Summary: What if viruses were vampires?

Categories: Action/Original Character

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews, people! ^_^ Here's some mush for the romantics out there. Now, excuse me while I brainstorm for a Morpheus-Niobe fic. ^_~

Disclaimer: I don't own the Matrix concept or anyone/anything in it - but I do own the original characters.

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Shadow Stalkers

Chapter 11

Zaa watched from half-lidded eyes as his lover walked about his room. He'd been asleep when she returned from her shift. When he woke, she was curled up in a chair, chin on her knees as she watched him. He'd blinked sleepily at her and started to speak, but she was suddenly on top of him. A slender finger silence him, and then her mouth was taking over his. He'd never seen her like that. There had been something frantic about their love-making.

Now, he saw her nudge his pants aside to get hers off the floor. She found her top next and yanked it on. One of the snaps popped out and flew across the room to hit the door. At the broken silence, she suddenly started to cry. Only then did he push himself up and reach out to her. He took her by the waist and sat her on his lap. Leaning against the wall, he enveloped her in his embrace and gently stroked her hair.

They could hear the shuffle of footsteps from the deck above. And down below, Rak's tinkering echoed from the engine room. But, except for the muffled sobs, the room was silent. For once, Zaa disliked the stillness. He'd grown used to hearing Avi's lilting voice, her laughter. He missed that now.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Even to himself, it sounded odd.

He was never the one to ask that question. It was always Avi. She was the one who knew when a fellow crew member needed someone to talk to. He'd never been any good at it. For a moment, he thought she'd started to answer him. Then, her lips pursed and she shook her head. He kept quiet and continued to hold her. He could wait until she was ready. Finally, her tears ceased and she pulled away to sit at the other end of the cot. Although she faced him, her eyes were fixed on the ground.

"Did you know I was recruited by another ship?"

He shook his head. No. She'd been at the Neb before him. He'd always assumed they'd been the ones to unplug her.

"Their equipment had been destroyed," she explained as if she'd read his mind. "The Baltazar recruited me. A sister ship. His name was Mercury." Zaa froze, uncertain whether he wanted to hear the rest of her story. But, she continued. "I was the stereotypical computer nerd inside the Matrix. The girl with the glasses that no one noticed."

"But, he noticed you."

"Yes," she agreed wistfully, ignorant of his flat tone. "I was looking for answers, and he gave them. He came up to me one day and asked if I wanted to know the truth about the Matrix. I followed him and he freed me. Then, he disappeared. They lost track of him, and his body...it just died. The viruses had taken him. But, I didn't know that then. I cried every night after that. It was like the one constant in my life was gone."

"You loved him."

"Yes."

"...I'm sorry."

Zaa forced his voice to remain emotionless as he started to dress. He didn't know what to else to say. It had been stupid of him to think that she'd never been with anyone else before him. In the Matrix, fine. But, in the Real World... Why was she bringing this up just now? Was he suppose to compete with the memory of a dead man? Then, suddenly, he felt her slender arms wrap around him and she buried her face in his shoulder.

"I didn't want to fall in love with you. I didn't want to lose someone else. But, you made it hard. You've always been so sure of yourself...finally, I didn't think it could happen. I got over the fear. ...But, seeing him again...those dead eyes... It reminded me that each time we go inside the Matrix I can lose you somehow. ...And I don't want to be alone, Zaa. Not again," she whispered.

He didn't know what to say in reply. He longed to reassure her, give her the words she needed to hear. But, he didn't want to lie to her. So, he just turned around and held her close, wishing it could be enough.

The screech of the unoiled door jarred the silence a second time. Rak stuck his head inside. He didn't even blink at the sight of them. That was the thing about living aboard a ship. Hardly any privacy existed. Everyone knew who was sleeping with who, and what happened when.

"Morpheus wants everyone on deck."

And just like that it was over. She moved away from him and slipped on her shoes. He did the same and started to follow her out the door. Then, on a wild impulse, he took her hand and whispered into her ear.

"I love you, Avi."

A smile lit up her face.

And that was enough.

*****

Tank was behind the computers as usual. What was odd was Neo being plugged in with only Del. And why was Alt at her side?

"Tank...I thought it was Rak's shift?"

"Change of plans." Tank smiled grimly.

"...What happened?"

"We had to enter the Matrix," Avi explained, her voice subdued. "Del needed a sample of the new virus strain. We were ambushed."

"But, Del - "

"She's fine," Tank said. "At least, physically. Neo toasted the vamps, but they'd already messed with Del and Brown's code." At Zaa's confused look, he continued. "Brown over-rode her RSI, so she could get close to the upgrades. When they messed with his code, it got mixed with hers."

"Can't Neo - "

Tank just shook his head. The entrance of Morpheus and Trinity cut off any further conversation. As Trinity watched the view screen over Tank's shoulder, Morpheus called for the others' attention.

"Together, Agent Brown and Del have found an anti-virus solution."

"But?" Rak retorted flatly.

"Del could die in the process."