Chapter Eight: Aftermath
AndrAIa lay in bed, looking at Frisket in worry. "Where is he, Frisket?" she asked the dog, who seemed to mimic a shrug to the question asked. The game sprite tapped her fingers on the bed spread, waiting anxiously for her friend to return. Enzo hadn't been the same since that game...that game where...she shook her head. She didn't even want to remember it, but how could she forget? He had shot someone and not for protection either. It was an accident, that she was sure of, but every time she thought about it, she asked herself one question.
Was it really an accident?
She had seen the jealously that went through the renegade, the hate he had towards the older, handsome Cody, but did he really mean to delete the boy? AndrAIa wasn't really sure. She didn't know if Matrix had removed the gun because he saw the User or if he removed the gun and then saw the User. It was a complicated question that could only be answered by one person, who just happen to be somewhere else.
They had found the user, of course, and then left with the game, unsure of what to do. They both felt cowardly for the act, but as Enzo had mentioned time and time again, the more time they wasted, the less time they had to finding Mainframe and that was important. One second, they could come back and admit to what had happened, but now, they were on a quest. They had used that game to go to another system, where they hopped to another, then stayed in the game they were now in.
It was a murder mystery game set in a hotel, thankfully. That meant the two game hoppers had a warm bed to sleep in and decent food to eat until they got to the next system. Unfortunately, AndrAIa saw very little of Enzo that entire time. They beat the game of course, but afterwards Enzo would sulk off somewhere and she would never see him until the next morning, already set to go. Well, this time, she was waiting up for him. She knew the events of Cody's deletion weighed heavily on him and she needed him to talk to her.
They couldn't afford to have him turn in on himself.
AndrAIa's head perked up when she heard footsteps coming from the hallway and stopping at the door. Sure enough, it was Matrix, trying to sneak back inside without waking her. He had been out walking, trying to gather his thoughts. Truth be known, he hadn't been himself since...the incident. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get the image out of his head. Cody gasping, clutching his chest, then falling to the ground, slowly fading away. He had felt empty ever since.
He had never deleted anything before.
Oh, he had wanted to delete people, especially viruses. They had run into a few while hopping, but he had never delete any of them. Incapacitated them, yes, but never deletion. He could never bring himself to do it...until Cody came along. It was a freak accident that would haunt the boy turned renegade for life. He had never meant for that to happen, but it did and he hadn't felt right about the whole thing. Now, as he tried to creep back inside, he hoped he didn't have to explain it.
"Enzo?"
He looked up, as the lamp flicked on and he saw her sitting in bed, probably waiting for him. "Go back to sleep." he said, walking over and absently scratching Frisket.
"Not until you tell me what's wrong." she insisted, watching as he removed Gun from his hip. He paused, looking at it, then putting it on the night stand, pushing it as far away from him as possible. "Enzo, I know something's wrong." she whispered, standing and wrapping her arms around his waist. "Talk to me, Enzo. Please."
Matrix just stared down at the gun, his emotions starting to take control. Things seemed to be getting worse and worse out here. He had resolved that they would never find Mainframe and that he, Enzo Matrix, would become a hardened sprite, who's passion was to delete things. AndrAIa was right. He had changed. Gone were the seconds of joy and laughter. Now was the time for constant, overwhelming pain. He was becoming numb, numb to the fact of the world they had just entered.
AndrAIa watched as his face seemed drained of all emotion, but the lone tear that fell didn't escaped. She turned him towards her and embraced him, his head resting on his shoulder. That's when he cried. He had tried to keep that personal, emotional side to himself, but she knew. She knew of the nights he had cried himself to sleep those first nights away from home. No matter how tough he wanted to be, how he wanted to distance himself from the alter ego he thought he needed to abandon...he was still a scared little boy, with only her for company and companionship. Sometimes even she wondered if she was what he needed.
He needed more of course, but what he needed was now far from their grasp.
His sobs quieted, as he hugged her close. It was times like these he knew he loved her, had fallen madly and deeply in love with her. He had enough guilt with knowing that he had returned her to a prison he helped her escape from, but on the upside, what would he do without her? He would've gone random by now, probably been pushed to the ultimate act of self deletion, but with AndrAIa around...those thoughts, however strong at times, could always be lessened with her around. He needed her, it was that simple.
"Pretty basic, huh?" he sniffed, lifting his head and looking at her.
"What?" she asked.
"Me."
"I don't think you're basic."
They looked at each other, an almost unspoken message being broadcast between them. It was if they knew how they felt towards one another, knew that they were falling in love and wanted to be with each other. Matrix couldn't hide the blush that came to his cheeks, as he looked away. User, she was pretty and she smelled pretty and...
"Coming to bed?" she asked. He nodded and released her.
Turning out the light, AndrAIa yawned and laid down, awaiting her friend to join her. She didn't give it a second thought, as he lay next to her, arm around her waist and head resting near her shoulder. They had been sleeping like this since they first entered the games. It had only been awkward after they had awoken that first night. It was as if...as if they were meant to be together, meant to share the same bed.
Her arms wrapped around his neck, gently running a few fingers through his hair and down the back of his neck. "We'll get home, Enzo." she whispered. "And you'll be the one to lead us back and find Bob. I believe in you, Enzo Matrix, I truly do."
"What about...?" he asked, unable to mention what he was thinking.
"It was an accident." she whispered. "You didn't mean to do it."
"I didn't want to hurt him." he sighed. "At least...not like that. Not...not..."
"I know." she said, kissing his cheek. "We can't go back and change things. We have to move forward if we ever want to see Mainframe again."
They were silent for a time, to a point AndrAIa thought he had drifted off to sleep. He turned to look at her and she caressed his cheek. "You need to shave." she said, a small grin on her face.
"I know." he replied. "I'm thinking about just growing a beard. Saves time."
"Hmm..." she said, tracing his jaw with her finger. "I think you'd look sexy with a beard."
"Really?" he whispered, falling under her spell. She nodded.
"The only problem would be keeping the other girls away from you." she joked.
"I don't want any other girl." he blurted, causing her to look at him.
He didn't know what had come over him, but he leaned over and kissed her, savoring the feel of her lips on his. He pulled away slowly, seeing the look of shock and...something else in her eyes. What, he wouldn't be sure of for at least another hour, but he had seen it. But it was the small look of shock that caused him the embarrassment. "Well, I'm tired. Goodnight." he said, once again resting his head on her shoulder, eyes closed and pretending to be asleep.
AndrAIa couldn't stop the playful grin that came to her face. Oh, they had their little pecks here and there, but that was the first time it lasted longer than a peck and the first time he had done it. Maybe he did feel the same. She was certainly hoping this was a new step in their everlasting friendship.
***
Kit sat on a cold, hard bench down in a holding cell. He couldn't believe he was even there. Him! He didn't like it down here and he certainly didn't like that pale yellow sprite that kept staring at him from across the room. If anything, Kit was becoming very claustrophobic. He hadn't been in a cell since the UFL and being here only brought back memories. He shook his head. No, being here didn't bring back memories. Gain had. He couldn't believe Gain had brought up that survival tactic up in the court. Now, not only was his uncle and father accused of murder, so was he.
He looked around him, feeling a headache coming on. He needed to get out of here. Better yet, he needed to work on this case. They were sinking and sinking fast and now him landing in jail for contempt would only make a bigger rift between him and Jet. His own brother. He couldn't believe it. His own brother thought he was screwing up this case. Well, to be perfectly honest, he was. He was a doctor, damn it! Not a FAQing lawyer! He was doing the best he could with all that was being pushed in his face. And his clients were no help.
It be one thing if they all didn't do what they were accused of.
He was now looking at ~at least~ four murder counts, one assault, ~no, make that two~ arson...the list went on and on and on. How the Dell did they get involved in crap like this? They were an ordinary family, very close, well knit. Model, if you were to be perfectly frank. But underneath it all, ha! His father had apparently committed, not one, but two homicides. His uncle had committed a homicide. His cousin was an arsonist. His other cousin was implicated in an assault, as were both of his uncles. He himself was implicated and participated in that very assault and now, he was being accused of murder as well.
Their family reunions should be so exciting.
Kit looked up and saw the pale yellow sprite looking at him again. He turned his head, secretly grimacing. Okay, he thought. Any nano, someone's coming with bail. Oh User, please, let someone be coming with bail because I'm already engaged and I don't make a very good manbi... "Lan!" called the guard, snapping Kit from his thoughts. "Someone posted yur bail." Kit jumped up as Dani and Nikki came around the corner.
"Oh man, you have no idea how happy I am to see you girls." he said, excitedly.
The guard unlocked the doors, yelling at prisoners to settle down and be quiet. The trio was silent as they made their way upstairs and out the doors. Kit didn't know where he had been taken until they got outside. Apparently, the holding cells were housed in a building adjacent to the court where their trial was being held. Kit smiled, as he felt the warmth of the sun on his face. But his smile quickly faded as he saw the girls' faces.
"You are in so much trouble right now." Nikki stated. "Jet's called a family meeting later today."
"Do I look like I give a flying FAQ as to what Jet's doing?" Kit asked.
"You'd better listen, Christopher." Dani replied. "Things aren't going so well."
"Don't you think I know that?"
"Listen up, big brother." Nikki stated, hands on her hips. "You know Jet and I have that...mind thing going...and believe me when I say, things aren't looking up for you."
"I don't believe this." he said, looking back and forth between them. "Have the two of you lost your faith in me? Huh? Is that what you're saying?"
"No." Dani said.
"Possibly." Nikki replied at the same time. She shrugged when Kit gave her a look. "Hey, I was behind you every step of the way before your little temper tantrum in court. You're screwing us over, Kit."
"If that's how you feel, fine." he said, after a moment. "I'm officially kicking you off counsel."
"Oh, like I was doing so much anyways." Nikki retorted. "This whole thing is about you and Jet and who's gonna be the winner. Well, let me tell you something, Doctor. The two of you are going to be so busy trying to screw the other, that you're going to put our parents behind bars. And when that happens, the both of you are going to be looking forward to a major whoop ASCII courtesy of me."
Without no further words, Nikki kicked up her zipboard and flew off.
***
Bob sat, his head in his hands. It had been a cycle since his brothers had been purged and both slipping into comas. He knew that would happen. It would take awhile for their systems to be fully functioning again. It would be touch and go really and once they re-emerged into life, they would still have emotional difficulty. The guardian looked up. So far, Nikki and Jet were curled up on the bench and floor, sleeping. They had been safe, thank the User, but scared out of their wits. And of course, Bob had to explain as gently as he could that Enzo and Matrix were in bad shape.
Nikki had cried for her mother and Jet looked around for Chip, Bob not knowing where either of them was. He had let Mouse watch them while in went in search of at least his wife. He had found her, after looking for what seemed like thirty micros, in a small corner, facing the wall. "Dot?" he asked, approaching her cautiously.
"Go away, Bob." she whispered, her hand bracing herself against the wall.
She was still weak, Phong had said. Though she and Chip had been spared the purge, it was no less traumatic. As Phong explained, at least in part, because Matrix and Enzo weren't viruses by trade, their infection was not permanent and easily receded as they were purged. But the viral pull Dot and Chip still had made it seem as though they themselves had gone through the purge. Phong had pulled the guardian over and said it could be something else, something much deeper that could effect the Matrix clan.
"You know I can't do that, Dot." he whispered.
"Please go."
"Dot," he began, taking a few tentative steps towards her. "Dot, we're really worried about you. Don't push me away, Dottie."
A sob escaped her lips and she leaned against the wall. She was in Bob's arms in no time. "I can't believe..." she sobbed, crying on his shoulder. "Everything is ruined now, Bob. Everything."
He soothed her, kissing the top of her head. "Things aren't ruined, Dot." he said.
"Yes, they are." she cried. "I'm the leader of this system, Bob, and I was an accomplice in trying to take it over." She continued to break down, Bob holding her close. "Our life is ruined."
***
Down the hall, in a small med room, AndrAIa sat looking over Matrix. She had just come from seeing Enzo and trying to calm a hysterical Alex down. With the help of Phong, they managed to get her a cot and put her to sleep herself. Now it was AndrAIa's turn to break down. Things were just closing in on each other and the young wife and mother couldn't really take it. She had nearly lost Matrix too many times to be sitting here, watching him sweat and pant. She touched his cheek, trying to calm him, but it wasn't working.
He thrashed about, his face contorted in horrible pain. When he calmed, he opened his eyes, somewhat confused as to where he was. "AndrAIa?" he asked, his voice horse and dry.
"I'm here, Sparky." she whispered, kissing his forehead. He was burning up with a fever and probably hallucinating.
"I'm sorry." he choked, tears running down his face. "I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it."
"Everything's going to be okay, Enzo." she said, trying to calm him.
He choked back more tears before becoming still again and going back to sleep. The game sprite couldn't help but sob, resting her head on his chest.
***
Chip waited until his mother had gone to the cafeteria before he entered the room of his father. The young boy had seen many things, but his father hooked up to machines and looking very pale was not one of them. He crept inside and walked to the bed. He used the chair AndrAIa sat in to climb up next to the bed and lay on his father's chest and stomach. He felt a large hand rest on his back and even he couldn't hold back his small tears.
"It was Gain, huh?" he asked, sniffing. When he didn't get an answer, he set his mouth in a grim line. "Don't worry, Pop. I'll get him. If I ever see that two-bit virus again...I'll destroy him. I'll erase him and he'll be the one who ends up in the med ward. I promise, Dad. He'll pay. He'll pay dearly."
***
A minute passed with the boys recovering nicely...at least physically. Phong decided as soon as they had been officially released, to call the entire senior staff into his office for a talk. More specifically, to talk about what would be done with those who had led the viral takeover. In normal circumstances, the virus would be taken to the Super Computer and left to the guardians there, but this case was...special. Viruses weren't involved, though not really, in this case. It was more than having mere sprites infected. It was members of the senior staff, not to mention friends, lovers, family.
Phong had thought long and hard about what he would do. Yes, he needed to be strict about the situation, but yet he couldn't bring himself to dispose of the very sprites that meant so much to him. He had made a promise to James Matrix that he would look after his children and he had done that for hours upon hours. He didn't want to turn them over to the Academy for...testing, was the lack of a better word. So he had called the meeting for that morning. Everyone in Mainframe wanted to know what would be done with the sprites gone bad.
Most supported their leaders, knowing their actions were not on their own accord. Some visitors during this time had cleared out, fearing repercussions from the very leaders they had feared. Business for that minute hadn't gone good for any Matrix owned endeavor, including the Diner. No no, especially the Diner. Most of the time, it was a ghost town whenever Dot walked in. If it wasn't for her family, she would've closed the eatery down for good. The guilt over letting her system down, once again, was gnawing away at her, at them. She and her brothers were out, she knew it. She had already packed, knowing this meeting would signal the end of leadership, the end of happy times.
Everyone, except Ray and the twins were present in Phong's office that morning. Most knew, or thought they knew, what would be the outcome of that second's meeting. The Matrixes would be gone by the afternoon. Both Bob and AndrAIa also had plans of their own. If their spouses left, they too would leave, taking their children with them. It was the same for Alex. The trio had their own little talk the night before and had made their decisions. Ones, though hard to make, would be carried through.
"I am glad you could all see me this fine morning." Phong began, with his normal cheeriness. "I was afraid some of you would be out playing." He looked at Chip and smiled. The boy did not return the gesture. The wise sprite sighed and rolled in front of the desk to face everyone. "I assume you all know the reason I have called you in today."
Everyone nodded.
"Let's get it over with." Matrix whispered.
"It was a hard decision for me to make," Phong began. "With the situation as it was. But a decision I have indeed come to." He looked up at the group and asked, "Do you wish for all of you to know it now or for me to tell the Matrixes and then you?"
"We're already here, Phong." Chip managed to say. "Like Dad said, let's get this over with."
Phong nodded and rubbed his chin. "I have decided it is perhaps time for a small vacation." he said, thoughtfully.
"I knew it." Dot whispered, wiping fruitlessly at her eyes. "When do you want us out of here, Phong?"
"Hmmm?" he asked.
"When do you want us to leave?" Enzo asked.
"Are you going somewhere?" he asked.
"You just said you wanted us to go." Matrix replied.
"When did I say that?"
"Just now!" Chip exclaimed.
"Whoa, whoa." Bob said, bringing quiet to the room. "Phong, you just said it was time for a vacation."
"Yes." Phong replied. "I had been thinking about a cycle or two, in sunny Patagonia. It is lovely this time of season."
Everyone looked at him.
"Oh!" he said, in realization. "You thought I meant...no. No, though now that I think of it, a vacation isn't such a bad idea."
"Phong, what in the horned stripped null are you talkin' about?" Mouse asked.
"A vacation." he repeated. "Were you not listening, my child?"
"I can't believe I got up at 0500 this morning for this." Chip muttered.
"As I said, I had been thinking." Phong once again said. "I think things have created quite a hardship upon our leadership. I think it is in the best interest of everyone if we take the time to wind down. Hence why a vacation is in order. I also think talking and perhaps counseling is in order to further quell deep insecurities that might be plaguing us." He turned to look at the Matrixes, who nodded in response. "I'm glad we understand each other, my children." he continued. "Now, if the rest of you could possibly leave the Matrixes and myself?"
The others nodded and started to leave, AndrAIa taking Chip with her. "What the Dell just happened here?" the boy could be heard asking.
***
Matrix sat near the door, head resting on his arms. So many painful memories were coming back to him and this trial was just the can opener to open old wounds. And the only thing he could of was his marriage and how they had managed to keep it alive for so long, just to have it nearly fall apart. The renegade ran a hand over his face. User, he still remembered that. Remembered how everything had fallen apart between them...
So the decision had been made. Dot was going on a vacation, while the boys stayed there. It was an agreement the siblings and Phong made while in his office. Dot would stay in Patagonia for however long she needed ~and Phong said she needed at least 2 to 3 cycles~ and the boys would stay with him and seek his counsel for that time. The Matrix brothers agreed, if not somewhat reluctantly, and the sessions began.
But somewhere during those first few seconds, Matrix had been unbearable, a raging inferno of emotions. One nano, he'd be angry for something as small as a piece of lint on the floor and the next, he'd be sitting in a corner crying. Worse yet, the renegade didn't know what was wrong with him. Physically, he was still sore and his body ached, mentally he was just...lost, was the word he had said to Phong in one of their sessions. And he didn't know why. He didn't know why he'd blow up at his wife or son. He didn't know why he'd break down and cry in the morning. He was just...lost. And about to become even more so.
AndrAIa, for her part, had tried to be there for him, despite everything, but even she was going through the motions. Things were just way too close together right now. First the incident with McMillian and his henchmen had almost taken him out permanently, then Gain arriving and attacking their children, and now Matrix being infected, taking over the P.O. and infecting their son...there was so much even she could take. And despite the fact that she would anything for him, go anywhere with him, she just couldn't live with him.
That fateful second saw Matrix sitting on their bed, already upset over something, something AndrAIa didn't even know. Then they started to argue, over what the two of them couldn't tell you. And that's when she said it, told him what she intended on doing. "I can't, Matrix." she said. "I can't take this anymore. I'm gonna move out and I'm taking Chip with me."
He had been floored, as if the bottom of his stomach had dropped, the glue that held him together had melted. That's when he saw the suitcase by the side of the bed. How could he have missed that? "Please Enzo, you have to understand..." she said, watching as he started to crumble in front of her. "Enzo..."
A sob escaped his lips. "You're leaving me?" he asked.
"No." she said, bending down in front of him. "At least not permanently. I just...I just think we need to be apart right now. I'm not helping you any, I can see that."
That didn't stop him from gasping or the tears from falling.
"Enzo, listen to me." she said, wiping away her own tears. "I love you, I will always love you. And I'll be back. I promise. I promise." She kissed his forehead and then his lips, before picking up the suitcase and exiting their room, probably for the last time.
Matrix fell to his knees, head buried in his hands. She was gone. Gone forever probably. Now he was truly "lost". Dot was gone to User knew where, Enzo was having his own battles, and AndrAIa had walked out on him, taking their son with her. He couldn't call Sabrina, he didn't want to. He couldn't tell her that they were now apart from each other. It was hard enough knowing Chip knew. Everything was over now, everything. All he could do was cry.
***
Sabrina Matrix sat in her chair by the desk, still shocked. She didn't even hear her boyfriend walk in and kiss her cheek. Roscoe knew something was wrong. Very wrong. "Bri?" he asked, noticing her stone wall face. "Sabrina, what's wrong?"
"I just got a call from my baby brother." she whispered. "My parents are now separated and Chip is living with Mom. My Dad has finally lost it and is probably going to do something drastic. My Aunt Dot is laying on some FAQing beach somewhere, while my Uncle Enzo is probably going to have his own system crash sometime this cycle. Other than that, I'm perfectly fine."
Roscoe looked at her in concern. He couldn't have heard her right. Did she say that Matrix and AndrAIa were separated? Wasn't that the first step before a couple got divorced? His eyes widened. Of all the couples and parents he knew, the Matrixes were not the ones he could see getting divorced. Never was the actual word. Never in a million days could they even consider the possibility. His thoughts stopped, when Sabrina flung herself into his arms, crying hysterically.
What the Dell was happening in Mainframe?
***
AndrAIa and Chip had moved into one of the many vacant rooms inside the Principal Office. AndrAIa didn't enjoy it, but it was something that had to be done. She and Matrix had never, ever been apart in their hours together, so this was as tough on her as it was for him. That and the fact she had to constantly explain to people that this was a temporary thing. Poor Chip, she had to explain it to him every nano that their marriage wasn't over, they just needed time away from each other, that was all.
Chip just went back and forth between the P.O. and home. Most of their stuff was there, it was just like being on a vacation, just in the same system and only a few blocks from your house. Chip hated it. He was old enough to understand that the whole viral thing had put a strain on his parents. He could see that. What he didn't understand was why they had to work things out apart from each other. No matter how many times his mother tried to explain it, Chip just couldn't get the image out of his head. They were going to get divorced. Chip knew sprites and binomes alike whose parents had done the "separating" thing and then got divorced. That's what was happening.
He just couldn't take it, so he had to tell someone, talk to someone. He couldn't talk to Nikki and Jet, they were downright scared of him now. After he had protected them from Gain, he had gone to trying to infect them both. Bob had said they were really distraught over it, especially with Dot gone and they needed sometime alone and time together with him. Chip nodded, able to read between the lines. His own uncle didn't even want him near his children. He noticed that Bob and his Dad didn't really talk anymore. The only person who came to see Matrix was Enzo and Chip, but Chip figured it was because they shared so much anyway, they were in the same boat more or less.
So Chip turned to the one person he felt the closest to. Sabrina. In all the chaotic events, no one had even told her about what had happened. Not even Kit knew and Chip was afraid the young scientist would be upset if he told him. So Chip called his sister at the Academy. To say she was stunned was the least of it. But she was strong and listened as her brother broke down in tears, dreading the same thing she was. That their parents' marriage was over. After consoling Chip, Sabrina broke down with Roscoe holding her in his arms.
AndrAIa really did feel awful about the whole thing, especially with the way Sabrina had called up, in tears, begging and pleading with her mother not to divorce her father. The game sprite calmed the girl down, repeating what she had been saying all cycle. She and Matrix were not divorcing each other. The move out was just temporary, that she's be back within a cycle or two, even a minute. As soon as she got off with her, there was a knock at the door. Opening it, she sighed.
Enzo.
"Hey." he said.
"Hey yourself." she answered, moving so he could walk in. "How are you?"
"A little sore." he said. "Little emotional, I guess." He paused, looking down at the floor. "I went to see Matrix today."
AndrAIa sighed. "Enzo, listen to me." she said, approaching him. "We are not getting a divorce." He looked at her, surprised she knew what he was thinking. "And yes, I knew that's what you were thinking." she smirked. "You know I love your brother more than anything in this entire Net, but right I can't...I can't be there for him and it hurts me as much as it hurts him."
"He misses you, you know." he whispered.
"I miss him like crazy." she replied. She put her arms around him and hugged him tight. "You're too much like him, you know." she whispered. "So are Chip and Sabrina. I will always love Matrix, always, but right now I just can't live with him when he's like this. I didn't want to move out, but I thought it best if I did. I hate what this is doing to us, to him. I've come so close to losing him and you too for that matter. I couldn't risk it again, I couldn't risk the hurt. Understand?"
Enzo nodded. He pulled away and sighed. "So...everything is okay between you two?" he asked.
"As okay as things can be right now." she said.
He nodded and turned to the door. Opening it, she said, "If you see him, make sure you tell him that as well." He nodded again and left.
A few seconds turned into a cycle and then another before Matrix had the courage to visit the room his wife and son were staying in. He had been in the P.O. plenty of times, talking to Phong, but he never had the courage or the circuits to see them. For some reason, he just needed to see her that second. It had been hard living in a house that was theirs, looking at jpegs of them, staying and sleeping in their room...the loneliness was deleting him. He stood outside the door, contemplating if he should really knock. Enzo had come by, telling him what she had said, giving Matrix renewed hope, but as he stood there, he wondered if maybe she had found someone else, found someone who could make her happier than he could.
Taking a deep breath, he knocked quietly ~or as quiet as he could~ and waited. After a nano, he was about to turn around and walk away, when the door opened. "Hi." she said, a smile coming to her face.
"Hi." he whispered, his voice sounding scratchy and dry. "I...I was in the neighborhood...well...you know, the P.O. and..."
"Do you want to come in?" she asked, knowing what he wanted to say. She only got a nod.
"How are you?" he asked, turning as she closed the door.
"Good." she replied, walking over to him and placing her hands on his chest. "You?"
"Better." he said.
"Seeing Phong?"
He nodded.
She rested her head on his chest, her arms going around his waist. "I miss you." she whispered.
He lay his head on top of hers, wrapping his arms around her. "User, I miss you." he said. They held each other, reveling in each other's warmth. When the door opened unexpectantly, they released each other, just to see it was Chip who had entered.
"Dad!" the boy exclaimed, running and hugging the large sprite's leg.
"Hey." he whispered, ruffling his hair through his hat.
"What're you doing here?" he asked. "Are you staying? Can I come over and spend the night? You said I could some time. Mom, can I?"
"I came over to say hi." Matrix replied. "No, I'm not staying, ask your mother, I know I did, and AndrAIa, could he?"
She giggled, getting stereo puppy looks. "Okay," she laughed. "Go get your stuff."
Chip shouted in excitement and ran around, getting various things he wanted to take back home. Matrix turned to her and said, "Thanks. I really wanted to see him tonight."
"Why shouldn't you?" she asked. "He's your son."
"He's our son." he corrected.
She smiled. "Our son." she repeated. "So do you mind calling our daughter and calming her down?"
"I don't mind." he said. He kissed her cheek and headed for the door, Chip already waiting for him.
"Have a good time, boys." she said, kissing Chip on the forehead and Matrix lightly on the lips. "You'll come by tomorrow?" she whispered.
"Sure." he said, repeating her action.
"Hey, are you two gonna make out in front of our door?" Chip asked.
"Ever the charming little boy, aren't you sweetie?" AndrAIa asked sarcastically.
Matrix remembered how they had reconciled. She and Chip moved back in and things had been nothing but wonderful ever since. Until this, until this whole trial. This trial was going to ruin him, them, everyone. It was already the breaking point between his nephews. He had never seen Jet so mad before and Kit never got into trouble. Things were falling apart all around them and this time, they wouldn't be able to rise from this.
***
Turbo had called an emergency meeting with five of the nine counsel members that night. The trial during that second, the whole trial itself, had disturbed him beyond anything. He needed to meet with those guardian counsel members. They all met in the former prime's hotel room, surprised as to why Turbo had called them. The former head of the Guardian Collective seemed stressed, agitated. He began to pace as he made his address to them.
"The reason I brought you five here, instead of the whole counsel, was to ask you about the state the Academy is in." he started.
"Excuse me?" asked one sprite.
"I didn't think we were here to talk about the Academy, sir." said another.
"Not the Academy itself." he continued. "I'm talking about the people who are in it, run it."
They group looked at each other. "I don't think..."
"As you know," Turbo said, ignoring the confused looks he got. "Robert Lan is the new Prime Guardian. And during the course of this trial, has been accused of two murders, one in which I know is false. And then of course, there are his own students. The Matrix brothers. Both have been accused of assault and one of them has admitted to at least an accidental manslaughter. Then Sabrina Matrix, teacher and guardian in her own right. Accused of assault. Not to mention her cousin, Dr. Christopher Lan, though not a member of our core, did take an internship at the Academy, went to the prestigious Science Institute. He too has been accused of assault and just today, murder, as well as being jailed for contempt." He paused in his speech and pace.
"I can't begin to tell you how this worries me." he whispered.
"Sir," asked one sprite. "Are you considering...releasing Bob from his duties as Prime Guardian?"
Turbo sighed. "I don't know." he said. "It is Bob's duty, of course, to reprimand his students. I can't do that. But if or perhaps when, news of this trial gets out and their deeds known..." he trailed off, remembering a painful past. "We took a great pain of effort to bounce back after Daemon. I can't allow accusations like this to ruin us."
"So what exactly are you asking, Turbo?"
The former prime finally stood to face his council. "We're either going to see this family get off or they'll be heading to their own gallows." he said, grimly. "Personally, I'm torn. I don't know the whole story to any of this, but I want to find out. If this is something being cooked up by their enemies, I want those enemies caught. If any of this is true..." he trailed off again. "I want immediate action. I refuse to have the Academy and the Collective be a laughing stock again."
***
AndrAIa had waited at least a millisecond before going to look for her husband. She knew him well enough to know he needed his brooding time alone and that she would find him eventually, hopefully not having hurt himself. She sided up next to Enzo, whispering in his ear, "Where's your brother?"
"Upstairs I think." he replied, in a hushed tone. Everyone's nerves were already on edge, the young guardian didn't want people to freak out at knowing someone was missing. "He needs you, Dre. More than ever."
"I know." she said, planting a kiss on his cheek.
She left to go upstairs. As she walked down the hall, she listened closely for any screaming, yelling...crying, pounding of objects...basically all the things that screamed Matrix when he was upset. But she didn't hear any of that. A small part of her caused a lump in her throat. What if he had taken the ultimate steps to ensure he wouldn't have to go through any... She shook her head. Matrix had been distraught before, sometimes on that very edge of living and deleting, but he had never gone through it. She hoped he wouldn't now.
Reaching their bedroom, she knocked softly. Not hearing a reply to the knock, she went in. The room was as they left it, bed made, light shining in through the window. She didn't see any signs of...well...deletion, which was an obvious good sign. "Enzo?" she called, looking around. She didn't see him. Their bathroom door was slightly open and AndrAIa feared the worse. Closing the door, she was about to head for the ajar bathroom door when she heard sniffing coming behind her. Turning, she let out a small sigh.
He was sitting behind the door, hence why she hadn't seen him the first time. His knees were to his chest, his arms across them and his head resting on his arms. His jacket lay next to him and his sleeves were rolled up. She walked over and knelt by his side, laying a hand on his shoulder. She did a quick check to make sure there weren't any marks on his wrists and arms, before whispering, "Enzo?" He sniffed again, but didn't lift his head. Instead, she heard him mumbled a small, "I'm sorry." She wrapped her arms around him in a hug and soothed him.
"I didn't mean to do it." he sobbed. "I really didn't. I just wanted him to leave you alone, that's all. I was gonna scare him if anything. I didn't mean to shoot him. I didn't, AndrAIa, I swear."
He continued to cry, reliving a memory they both thought they had gotten over. Obviously it was something that haunted Matrix and probably would until the second he deleted. That moment had changed their lives. Matrix was never the same after that. His hate and rage seemed to grow, even though he struggled with the knowledge that he had, in some instances, deleted people. But it had been that second in the game, the murder of Cody, that triggered everything that followed.
When his cries had dwindled to sobs and then down to a few sniffs, AndrAIa kissed his temple. "Why don't you go lay down for a bit?" she asked. "Some rest will do you good." He shook his head, but she stopped him. "I know you haven't been sleeping, so just this once listen to me and have a quick nap. You'll feel better, I promise."
He sighed. She was right, of course. He was tired and the whole trial was just draining. Maybe some sleep could help, at least calm him slightly and take the edge off. "Okay." he whispered, standing with her help. She lead him to the bed, as he removed his tie and unbuttoned the top four buttons of his shirt. She pushed him back slightly and watched as he closed his eyes. She stood by and watched as he began a peaceful trip into slumber, then kissed his forehead, and left the room.
A few milliseconds later, Matrix knew he was coming out of a dream, one he didn't want to leave. He was surrounded by light and a sweet voice had been calling his name. He had looked around, but hadn't found the voice. That's when it started singing, soft, light, heavenly...he had tried calling to it to no avail. The voice again called his name, then kissed him lightly on the forehead. That's when he began to awaken. Opening his eyes slowly, he noted the lights were dim, signaling nighttime had arrived in the system. He blinked a few more times, stretching as he did. That's when he heard the voice again, the one from his dream. It was closer this time and asking for him. Looking up, he finally saw a face to match the voice.
AndrAIa.
"Hey Sparky." she whispered, running a hand through his hair. "You were really out, you know? I tried waking you, but you must've been more exhausted than you let on."
He blinked sleepily, trying to process the words she was saying. "You missed dinner," she continued. "So I went ahead and brought yours up. I figured you'd be hungry."
He turned, seeing a small tray with a plate on top of it to his left. He yawned again, causing a giggle from his wife. "You better get up before it gets cold."
He sighed, closing his eyes again and wishing he was asleep once more, but the pulling hunger pain from his stomach told him he needed to eat. Sitting up, he yawned again and rubbed his eyes. He sat on the side of the bed, coming out of sleep and looked over at dinner. A well done steak looked back at him, the peas pleading to be eaten, the mashed potatoes needing the love and good home in the lining of his stomach, and a cookie with a heart on it. Matrix smiled, knowing that the little treat had been meant for him alone. Scooting over and pulling the tray and food towards him, he began to slice into the meat.
"Hey Angelfish?" he asked.
She stood next to him, wondering what was wrong.
"Thank you." he whispered, looking up at her.
"You're welcome." she said, kissing his cheek.
He watched as she went back to whatever task she was doing. As he ate, he couldn't help watching as she went about her work, going back and forth, seemingly looking for something. He watched as she looked through the closet, then the drawer and then exclaimed in happiness as she pulled out a nail file. Soon, his observation of her took away his appetite for his food, but began a greater appetite for something else.
Every time he saw her, he fell deeper and deeper in love with her. Even after thirty-five hours together ~had they really known each other for that long?~ she was still as beautiful to him as she had been when they had met. And it wasn't even her beauty that made him fall for her. He overall sense of loyalty and kindness, even when he was a royal pain in the ASCII, never waived. Oh sure, she had been frustrated with him, angered by him, had even left him for a brief period, but she never gave up on him. She always pushed for him to be the person he was now, more of his former self returning after all this time, and he truly had her to thank for it.
Suddenly, his thoughts of love soon turned to thoughts of desire. He watched as she bit one fingernail, skimming over some brochure she had found on the dresser. He studied her face, her lips, her eyes, scanning all over her and then back to her face. By this time, her eyes had met his and he could see the same wanting reflected in her eyes as well. Putting the brochure down, she headed towards the bathroom. "I think I'll take a shower." she said, turning from the door. "How was dinner?"
Matrix gave a shrug. "It was all right." he said, standing and facing her. "Nothing like my steaks though. Best in the entire Net."
AndrAIa rolled her eyes at him. He made a few good steaks in his life time, people praising him for his cooking, and now she would never hear the end of it. "Has anyone ever told you that your ego has gotten way too big for you?" she asked, sarcastically.
"Why don't you come over here and I'll show you my ego." he replied, hand resting on his pant waistband.
AndrAIa tried to contain the small smile that was threatening to form on her lips. He was being playful, something she was actually extremely grateful for. He had been on edge for the first cycle of this trial, she was afraid he wouldn't be able to be the sprite that had existed in Mainframe before this whole thing started. "No." she said, raising an eyebrow. "Besides, I don't know where you've been."
"I'll give you three guesses." he smirked. "And I'll even give you a hint. All three belong to you."
The game sprite's eyes widen in amusement and she cleared her throat. Now he was just being bold. "I'm going to take a shower now." she said.
"You do that."
"I will."
"Fine."
"Fine."
She turned, opened the door, and closed it behind her. Standing on the other side of the door, AndrAIa couldn't help but giggle. He'd be in soon enough. As for Matrix, he stood staring at the door, a grin on his face. She was most certainly waiting for him, why should he disappoint her? Strolling with intent, he moved towards the door. She had just started the water for the shower when she heard him open the door. Turning her head, she saw him - leaning against the door, his shirt unbuttoned. "Can I help you?" she asked, turning back to the running facet.
"Just admiring the view." he said, watching as she bent over to check the water.
She stood up and started to remove the halter top, being excessively slow in order to put on a show for him. She needn't turn around, his imagination was already going wild at the mere thought of the view he was missing. Stopping short, hoisting the item of clothing to her chest, she looked at him over her shoulder. "Could you close the door?" she asked in all sweetness. "There's a bit of a draft."
Matrix smiled, closing and locking the door behind him. He watched as she continued to tease him, undressing slowly and causing the bulge in his pants to become very uncomfortable. Seemingly ignoring him, she took the first step into the shower, closing the door slightly. She counted silently in her head and by the time she got down to one, his hands wrapped around her waist and his lips kissed her neck.
"What took you so long?" she asked, playfully.
"I had to watch you get undressed." he retorted, biting her neck. "It's not nice to tease you know."
AndrAIa blew out a breath. "You like it and you know it." she said, leaning back against him.
"I'll show you something you'll like." he whispered, his hand making small circles around her belly button before going lower. She made a small chuckle, which quickly turned to a moan as his finger entered her. With her head back, Matrix had more access to her neck, which he kissed and nibbled on. He moaned slowly in her ear, as her hand reached around to stroke him. "Why, Mr. Matrix," she giggled. "What a large ego you have."
"All the better to..." he whispered the rest in her ear, causing her to giggle even more. "Here." she said, handing him the wash cloth. "Do something productive."
"I thought I was." he said, taking the cloth.
"Productive, not reproductive." she quipped.
"Ha ha." he mumbled, running the cloth over her shoulders and then down her back. He kissed her neck, his hands dropping the cloth in order to finish by hand. His fingers ran over her stomach, brushing across her abdomen, then traveling upwards to her chest. She arched towards him, her moans and cries egging his actions on. She turned in his arms, their lips meeting together in a passionate kiss. They spent some time just like that, tongues exploring each other's mouths, hands and fingers exploring flesh, until the renegade lifted his wife, his body pressing her against the shower stall wall.
"You know what comes next, don't you?" he murmured against her lips.
She smiled. "I have a vague idea." she said. "Though I might need a demonstration."
He chuckled before kissing her lightly, then more passionately as he began to move insider her. She gasped as he held her, his movement purposefully slow. Matrix steadied himself against the wall, one hand pushing against the porcelain, the other arm wrapped around her waist as his movements increased in speed. She cried his name, her nails extending into his back. After their time together, he was immune from the poison that now coursed through his system, if anything, building his already enflamed desire.
Moments later, their passion came to a head, both crying out in ecstasy. He held on to her, his other hand searching for the facet nozzle to turn the water off. He lowered to her feet, her arms dropping to wrap around his waist. He rested his cheek on her head and they stood like that for several micros. "We only have one towel, you know." he whispered, looking at the large white and gray towel that hung outside on the towel rack. AndrAIa turned her head to see and also saw a smaller hand towel next to it. She smiled. Kissing his chest, she stepped out and grabbed a towel from the rack and walked out.
Watching her leave, Matrix took his turn, grabbing a towel and finding it was the hand towel. "Hey!" he said, trying to wrap it around as best as he could. He came out into the bedroom to stare at her. "That wasn't very nice." he pouted.
"All's fair in love and towels, Lover." she chuckled. Seeing the puppy dog face he gave her, she sighed and opened the towel for him to join her. He smiled, as she wrapped the towel around his waist and gazed up at him.
"I was kinda chilly." he said, caressing her cheek.
"I know how to keep you warm." she replied, a seductive gleam in her eye. He bent down to kiss her, his hands running over her. Putting his hand on the back of her neck, he kissed the sensitive spot near her adam's apple, while his other hand parted her legs. He slipped one finger, then two inside of her, causing her gasp and arch forward. He had her where he wanted her, helpless. Her hands clung to the towel as his ministrations went deeper and faster. The skin on her throat was starting to redden as he left his mark on her. He could feel the climax starting to build for her. Right as she began the climb, there was a knock on the door.
"Damn." he cursed, trying to curb his own desire. "What?" he shouted.
"Sorry to bother." came a voice from the other side. Whether it was Chip or Enzo, Matrix couldn't decided, nor did he care. "But Jet wants us downstairs. Big family meeting."
"Fine." he said through gritted teeth. "We'll be right down."
"Looks like we'll have to continue this later." AndrAIa whispered, her head resting on his chest.
"Looks like." he whispered, raising her head to kiss her lips. He let out a frustrated sigh, before leaving the warmth of her and their towel to retrieve the baby one he left on the floor. "Better go take a shower." he mumbled.
"We just took a shower." she said, looking at him in confusion.
"I meant a cold one." he said. "For me."
She giggled, watching him walk into the bathroom and close the door.
***
Everyone, well almost everyone, was now gathered in front lobby/living quarters of the bed and breakfast. Jet stood at the front, waiting for everyone to arrive. Matrix and AndrAIa were the last, earning a knowing look from Chip. "I called this meeting to discuss certain...boundaries that we seem to be crossing here." Jet began. "We're losing the edge we came in here with. Everything's falling apart." No one contradicted him. "And I for one think there needs to be some changes around here."
"Having a party?" a voice said from behind. "Pity I wasn't invited."
Jet didn't bother to turn around. He knew the voice well. "I was actually waiting for you." he said. "How was your stay?"
Kit smirked. "As well as any stay in a holding cell can be." he retorted. "What's all this?"
"A family meeting." Jet replied. "I was actually just coming to a part that concerns you."
"Don't I feel special?"
"As I was saying," the teen continued, again addressing his family. "We need to start making some changes around here, starting with our defense." Turning to Kit, he replied calmly, "You're fired."
Kit laughed out loud. "You're kidding me, right?" he asked. "You can't possibly fire me."
"Oh yes I can." Jet hissed. "For endangering our very case, not to mention landing yourself in contempt, I have every right to fire you from this team."
Kit just stared at the boy, someone he didn't recognize as his brother anymore. "You think you are so grown right now, don't you?" he whispered.
"Boys..." Bob began, knowing a showdown was emanate.
"All hail little boy Faunteroy." he continued. "The king of kings."
"We don't need you on this case, Kit." Jet replied, through gritted teeth.
"Don't need me, huh?" Kit asked, advancing on his brother.
"Boys, please." Dot said.
"Fine." Kit continued. "I'll see you when you get back to Mainframe, if indeed you all return to Mainframe." Kit turned to leave, then stopped. Turning back to Jet, he smiled. "Your big boy antics are going to land our parents in the slammer, little brother." he said. "Why don't you stop playing adult and let a real adult handle this?"
Jet had heard enough. Within a nano, his fist flew, connecting with Kit's jaw. The doctor stumbled a bit before charging at Jet in a fit of fury. Both boys landed with a loud crack, as the table they encountered broke their fall. As the two rolled away from the wreckage, Jet was on top, able to hit Kit again, this time square in the face. Suddenly, he was jerked back as Matrix and Enzo grabbed him, kicking and screaming. Bob helped Kit, who wrenched away from his father's grasp. Walking over to Jet, he said, "You're going to regret this, I promise." then punched him hard in the gut, causing the boy to fall to his knees.
"Christopher, stop it!" Dot exclaimed.
Jet rose, grabbing for Kit, starting another half attempt fight, before he was grabbed again. "I'm outta here." Kit proclaimed, pushing past the melee and heading upstairs, Dani right behind him. Jet shrugged off the hands and arms that touched him and stormed out of the lobby, going through the kitchen, and out the back.
The teen stumbled distraught down the hill that overlooked a small lake in the back of the property. Jet coughed a few times, the pain in his stomach starting to subside and his gasps becoming less and less...cry baby-ish. He regained his senses, wiped his eyes and began searching for the one thing that could relive his stress. Finding the pack of ten fire wires, he removed one, then placed the pack back in his shirt pocket. Taking his first puff, he already started to relax, until he heard footsteps behind him.
"You know, you really shouldn't be doing that." the voice said. "Especially when you're so close to the hotel. Mom and Dad would delete you if they caught you."
"That's why I have you." he retorted, reaching for his pack again. "To keep my secret."
Nikki smirked, taking a fire wire and the lighter from his hand. Lighting the small stick, she handed back the lighter, taking a puff before saying, "We'll both be in deep null shit if Mom and Dad ever find out." She regarded him for a moment, when he didn't answer. "What's the file, Jet?" she asked. "Between you and Kit. What's going on?"
He sighed, taking another puff on his wire. "Do you ever feel out of place?" he asked. "Like...like you're at the far end of the spectrum?" He looked at her for some acknowledgment, but all he got was a blank stare. "You and Kit..." he started, trying to form how he felt in terms of words and was failing. "You two don't have that problem, do you? Kit's the oldest, the first initialized, you're the only girl...you know what Dad calls Kit, as a nickname?" Nikki shook her head. "Bobby." he said. "Grandma used to call Dad that when he was little. Mom calls him Kitten. Dad calls you Princess and Baby Cakes..."
"Are you saying you're being anal because you don't have a nickname?" she asked, incredulously.
"No!" he exclaimed, then sighed. "All my life, I've been...the little brother. Someone who had to live in the mighty Christopher Lan's shadow. You know that time when Phong had us in those rooms when Gain was there? Phong told me, said it to my face almost, that he couldn't tell the difference between Kit and I. Everything I do or say is always measured up against the all powerful Kit." He turned to her, anger boiling in his eyes. "Do I look like Enzo FAQing Matrix to you?" he cried. "I'm not a copy, a back up of Kit. But that's who everyone sees me as. A carbon copy. A little Kit in the making. Well, consider this my official 'kiss my ASCII' resignation from that. And this trial is it, Nikki. This trial is my ticket in getting into Mom and Dad's eyes. It was even easier than I thought. I never imagined the son of a null would land in contempt. That was the best thing that's ever happened during this damn trial."
He took another long puff, nearly finishing off the fire wire, before flickering it out into the lake. "I know I can win this trial, I know it." he whispered. "But I need help." He again turned to her. "I need your help, Nikki." he said. "We're gonna show everyone, especially Kit, that he's not only smart one in this family. Will you help me?"
Nikki made a face. She had never known about these feelings from her brother, even though the two shared a somewhat, psychic bond with each other, she had no idea the feelings he harbored. Smiling slowly, she nodded. "It's about time I got some work done." she said. When Jet looked at her questioningly, she said, "What else? His royal highness, King Pain in the ASCII fired me basically."
"Figures." he grumbled. "So you'll help me?"
She looked at him. "I'll help you with getting Mom and the boys off the hook." she stated. "As for your feelings about Kit...leave me out of it. I think we have enough on our minds right now."
"Agreed." he said.
"It shouldn't matter though." she continued, taking her last puff and repeating her twin's earlier action. "He's leaving."
Jet shook his head. "He also said he was quitting." he remarked. "He's not leaving. Not by a long shot."
