Chord's Notes: Got it fixed and formatted and all readable now. I apologize for the cliffhanger, but it gets better... plotwise. Reviews are welcome!






Three Shades Of Sky
Chapter Three






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Did you sleep well?

A sheepish smile found its way onto Neo's face as he kept his eyes shut. He knew that if her question did not succeed in getting him out of bed, Trinity would soon enough resort to more effective methods.

He waited.

And waited.

After what could have been eternity as far as Neo was concerned, he opened his eyes, mildly confused. There she was seated on their bunk next to him, looking down at his reclined form with eyes as warm as a pale shade of blue could possibly make them.

Hoping to be quick enough to escape attention, Neo threw a curious look down at the floor and sure enough, Trinity already had her boots on. Unless he wrestled them off of her feet, an activity where his chances at emerging as the victor were undoubtedly slim, there was no chance of a bit of leisurely morning greetings before the day's work.

I asked you a question, and as my subordinate, you are charged with the obligation to answer it, came her voice and Neo returned his gaze to hers.

There was a small smirk on her face as she peered at him through the darkness, teasing and filled with early-morning playfulness. Neo cherished moments like these; moments when Trinity appeared carefree in his company, relaxed enough that duties and constant reminders of the ever-present danger they were in did not worry her.

He loved the fact that moments like these occurred only when he was around her.

His smile evolved into a playful grin of its own and Neo reached out with one hand, suspending it in midair without a particular destination. Trinity eyed it suspiciously, and when she was convinced that his advance would go no further, she took hold of his hand in both of hers.

Since when do you play around with the rank you hardly abuse? Neo inquired as he interlaced their fingers. Her smirk did not disappear, for which he was grateful, and a rush of déjà vu filled him momentarily.

Neo knew that smirk.

He remembered it from that night in the club, when desire for contact of the physical sort seeped into his skin and chilled his bones. Warmth was unimaginable then, and everything from the choking smoke to the blaring lights seemed alien, everything but her.

He remembered it from that ride through the streets, on their way to the Oracle, and the amusement he saw in her entire expression matched his own; it was connection, something shared.

He also felt as if he remembered it from somewhere else entirely, a past life he had lived perhaps, a sense of having had seen her lips curl upward in such a way before.

It made sense that he should know this particular quirk of Trinity's so well; it was a part of her, after all, and a part of who she was. Trinity defined familiarity.

I don't play, was her only response. She leaned in closer to him, over him, until her face was but a breath away from his.

Yeah? Why not?

I win, and it's too early in the morning to kick your ass, Trinity concluded.

I am the One, Neo protested with a lazy grin, my ass is unkickable.

Really now

There was a certain playful air in her voice now as she leaned over him, show me.

And in a single moment of clarity, Neo realized that he could. He didn't need the Oracle's riddles or Morpheus's words of wisdom for him to show Trinity that he was indeed the One, nor would he need to put on a demonstraton of his combat skills in The Matrix or his supernatural ability to alter codes. The One was so much more to her than simply the last remaining hope of humanity or a prophecy fulfilled, and knowing that was all it took, really.

That thought etched in his mind, Neo reached up to kiss her gently.

As he pulled her down to him, he couldn't help but watch her; she looked as if she was breathing him in, eyes half closed, a small smile dancing around the corners of her mouth. The knowledge that he alone could inspire this change in her was completely overwhelming, in good way, and Neo shut his eyes in surrender. His hand slid up from her hips to her chest slowly, and though he couldn't see her, he didn't need to – their lips brushing gently against the other's, the feel of her heart beating under the palm of his hand, the feel of her warm breath on his skin, was more than enough.

Finally, with a trace of reluctance, Neo gave her one last kiss and pulled away and looked up at her, trying his best not to smirk, have I convinced you yet?

Without another word, Trinity got up from her earlier position and moved off in the direction of the door. Instantly worried, Neo sat up and called out to her, what? What's wro--?

A low chuckle from the other end of the room sounded before he could complete his question but it was the shirt that hit him smack on the face that cut him off.

I'll see you at the mess hall, was all she gave, before the sudden opening and shutting of their room's door signalled her departure. Neo allowed himself a childish pout; turns out, as he was left all alone to struggle with his boots and to pull the shirt on, Trinity had won after all.



Morpheus, why are you so sure this is going to work? Curse piped up as she resumed her
favourite pastime of hovering behind him, Neo's mind is going to be in the construct

Do not doubt Neo's mind, came the reply, along with a wry chuckle as Neo started to relax in the chair he used to jack into the Matrix. Neo shook his head and the smile he was wearing vanished abruptly as if he had flicked it off.

I don't know, really. But Morpheus thinks it's worth a shot.

Wordlessly, Trinity bent over him, lips just grazing his skin ending in a soft, reassuring kiss with her mouth to his. Curse swore under her breath at the bad time she had chosen to look in his direction, and colouring slightly, looked away just as quickly. Trinity and Neo. How could she not have noticed before?

Trinity slid the data spike into Neo's head plug in one fluid motion. Curse watched her turn to the monitor beside Neo's chair, checking his vital statistics. Tank swivelled in his chair to look at Morpheus, who maintained a straight expression, eyes set as he spoke the name,

With an impatient sigh, Curse strode over to Neo's monitor beside Trinity, taking care not to meet the other woman's gaze. Tank revived the screens showing the construct ad Neo, standing alone in full Matrix gear, minus the weapons.

We're good, called Curse, letting go of her own dubious thoughts to snap into a more professional mode. She knew as much as the others to trust Morpheus. Shadow, who was currently doing duty in the cockpit, had taught her to read the health monitors, something that a crewmember simply could not do without.

Tank took charge. Okay Neo, we're gonna try it once first, you okay with that?

Neo nodded into the cellphone he held up to his ear, then shut his eyes slowly. In deep concentration, his breathing slowed, hands hanging by his sides with his palms loosely fisted.

What're we looking for? Tank asked. He'd taken off his earpiece so that he wouldn't disturb Neo in the construct.

Twitching, movement, vocals, anything, Morpheus answered and it was evident from his posture that he was having trouble containing his excitement, remember, we're trying to see if he can control his movements in the real world at the same time as he is in the construct

but does Neo's abilities as the One include the construct in its scope? Trinity asked from the side, as she alternated between watching Neo's monitors, his RSI on Tank's screens and his body strapped to the chair.

That's what we're trying to find out.

We could ditch the cellphones, Tank observed. Morpheus nodded in agreement and Curse watched as Tank punched in a few commands: Neo's unit dissolved into white nothingness but he himself seemed to be oblivious to it.

It could be a much easier way of figuring out what happens in the Matrix, the captain murmured thoughtfully.

But why do you think it will work? The Matrix codes may be so much more complex than the construct's but whatever it is making Neo the One surely doesn't apply to our programs— Curse persisted but she shut up the minute she sensed Trinity tense up next to her. Every fibre of the second - in - command's being was focused on Neo. She seemed to have gone as still as he had, in her close scrutiny and vigilant watch.

Neo's breathing remained steady, and he didn't move a muscle as was expected.

On the monitors, his RSI relaxed and he opened his eyes. Shaking his head, shoulders slumping, they watched his expression crumple into one of slight defeat. Tank put his earpiece back on.

Didn't work, came Neo's voice, give me another minute

So they waited as Neo tried four more times. Each time the tension mounted and fell, again and again. Trinity could've sworn he jerked slightly, but it was unlikely. That was when she couldn't help herself – she drew up a stool next to Neo's chair. Her hand found his wrist and she curled her fingers around it, squeezing lightly, willing him to feel her.

At that exact moment, Neo's RSI swore repeatedly, frustrated at his lack of progress. Trinity wished he wouldn't be so hard on himself all the time and she tightened her grip on his wrist; it was then that Curse noticed the Neo on Tank's monitors ease up lightly, as his left hand moved up a bit, forming an awkward position he wasn't even aware of. A fist?

Glancing at Trinity, Curse eyes widened in disbelief; Trinity's hand had moved lower down and now held his.



Not now, Curse.

—but Morpheus I really think that you should

Curse, surely whatever you have to say can wait.

Not it can't, look, I really think you should take a look at—

And for third time, the rookie's sentence was interrupted by Neo's voice on the speakers that Tank had activated earlier on; Trinity stood up and moved to watch his RSI over the operator's soldier and Curse released a low, irritated growl at the lost chance.

What is it, Neo? Trinity spoke quietly and Tank, after programming another cellphone to replace the one he had deleted a while back, repeated Trinity's question.

I want to try this in the Matrix.

Absolutely not was the instant response from Trinity.

Tank looked to Morpheus for permission, resignation written all over his features, and the captain gave his consent with an equally amused smile hidden behind one hand. Wordlessly, Tank took off the earpiece and handed it to Trinity, who took it without hesitation and put it on.

Tank? Tank, are you there--?

You are not going into the Matrix, Neo, and that is final.

Trinity? Where's Tank? Where's Morpheus, for that matter, can you put him on? I think I can actually make it work if—

—if what, exactly? If you go off and risk yourself for a minor experiment?

Curse fingered her sweater uneasily and cast a quick glance at Morpheus to see what he thought of Trinity's outburst; the man stood calmly and seemed perfectly content to let Trinity handle this one.

We need this, Trinity, if it proves to be successful, think of the advantage we could gain over the machines, think of the possibilities

The only possibility that will come of this, Neo, would be you getting injured and maybe even killed. I won't allow it.

I'm sorry, Trinity but Morpheus?

The captain lay one hand on Tank's shoulder and the operator, after sliding as far away from the seething Trinity as his chair would allow, began to work on the connection. Trinity whipped around and glared defiantly at Morpheus, eyes flashing dangerously.

You could get him killed!

The captain was about to reply when two things occurred within a span of less than a second: a new code that could only be Neo appeared among the downward scroll of green numbers, symbols and digits and just as the faint ringing of a phone signalled Neo's entrance into the Matrix, a much louder clanging of alarm bells filled the entire core.

Shadow's voice erupted from a separate speaker on the bank of computers that was wired to the Neb's cockpit. Morpheus, we've been stationary too long. The sentinels have tracked down our signal. I don't understand, no one went into the Matrix today –

The rest of Shadow's agitated words were lost in the insistent clanging and Morpheus was about to head off when Trinity reached out, grabbed him, and surprisingly forced their captain to turn around. Curse backed away.

Ring, ring.

Morpheus, get Neo out. Now. There was no doubt that she was directing a command at their captain, give the order, or I will.

But Tank wasn't waiting for an order. He was already yelling frantically into his earpiece, pick up the phone, Neo, dammit! Pick up the phone!

Morpheus made for the ladder as Trinity stood, torn between going after the captain to keep from using the EMP and shoving Tank out of the chair to take over and get Neo out.

Just give me a few minutes, Tank a few more minutes, I think I might be able to—

Trinity's boots heralded her decision as she moved towards Tank, flicking a sign over her shoulder at Curse, Get Morpheus! Keep him off the Switch until Neo's out and you receive my command.

Ring, ring.

Without so much as a nod, Curse disappeared down the ladder and made for the cockpit. In a matter of seconds, the sound of crinkling static filled the core, a sure sign that Curse had switched on the two-way communicators, which would assist Trinity if she found the need to talk ( yell? ) at Morpheus.

Ring ring.

Neo. We've got sentinels on our tail. You don't have an option. Tank swore. Trinity swore. Morpheus didn't make a sound which went rather well with Curse's shallow, rapid, inhaling and exhaling. Shadow, evidently the calmer one of the two new crewmembers, was holding her breath.

Ring ring.

Tank, I can see the sentinels coming- Curse gasped, somewhere between a breath and a sob.

Ring ring.

Neo you can not afford to push this!

Trinity's voice. Neo's eyes snapped open, instantly apologetic, worried, frantic and afraid for her all at once.

Ring ring.

The phone. The alarm bells. The communications. Yelling. Swearing. Voices and noise, melting into the other. All too loud.

Ring ring.

Neo's RSI picked up the phone.



And his fingers slipped.

Three hands dive for the glass cover, flipping it open. Skin. Fingers. Palms. The shiny red switch.

Bright light.



Abrupt pause in activities. No more actions. Immobile. Stationary. Disbelief.

Shit. Morpheus don't!

Too late.



Sobbing. Someone crying.

Bright light recedes



Silence. Total silence.



* ~ *