Disclaimer: Once again OUR FIC LOOKS LIKE A COPY OF OTHERS' WORK, BUT THE PLOT WAS WHOLLY DECIDED BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR. The ideas were original at the time. We own Shadow, Curse and Impasse. Neo and Trinity belong to each other.

Jennifer's notes: There is no spoon! There is no fork! There is no school! Ugh, it was worth a try. Sorry for the delay; it's been a month of holidays' and term's starting again anyhow expect more waiting. This chapter was the genius and, I'm guessing, insomniac by-product of Chord, by the way. ^^ 1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you.

Chord's notes: Well, it's done now. Finally. Sorry this took so long. Enjoy! (hopefully.)



~ * ~

Three Shades of Sky
Chapter Five

~ * ~



Trinity was rudely awakened by Tank prodding her back in a most undignified way. Trinity, it's Tank, he whispered. She made to turn away from him but a dull yet unbearable sort of ache shot up the back of her neck, keeping her from doing so. She settled for remaining still, trying to exude the aura of dismissal through as few actions as possible.

Tank tried again. Trinity, Morpheus wants you.

The captain would have to be nocturnal to be up at this insane hour, and Trinity knew for a fact that he wasn't on duty.

Trinity, squiddies are coming.

Trinity kicked him from under the table. Things like that were not supposed to be taken lightly.

Tank squawked. Hey, c'mon, Trinity. I thought you'd appreciate a friend tellin' you to get off the dining table and off into your nice warm bed, mm?

No response.

What's wrong with your room, anyhow? He paused. Ooh, I know, Neo kicked you out of bed.

Trinity lifted her head off her arms and gave Tank such a stare that he shut up at once. Sighing, she tried to let the irritation ebb away. There was no use being mad at Tank. I'm tired, that's all. We have a mission tomorrow, and

We? Who's we? Last I checked you were the only remaining jack in this tin can who could operate reliably.

Trinity snorted in self-deprecation as was expected, and Tank grinned. It was good to see some of the old Trinity still in there somewhere. Tomorrow's Oracle day.

Aw man, Oracle day. He slapped his thigh. Damn, Oracle day's fun. Wonder what Morpheus'll say about the Oracle now... what was it the last time? Curse sat there for a whole hour while Morpheus went on and on about philosophical, prophetic whatssits

It was five minutes, at the most, and Morpheus isn't going.

"Let me get this straight," Tank deadpanned. "You're gonna go into the matrix." Trinity nodded. "You're taking Shadow and Curse to see the Oracle." Nod. "Curse is half-trained and probably won't be able to do anything should you come under attack. You've got no more than a medic to back you up and a greenhorn to look out for." Nod. "You're leaving Morpheus on the ship."

Trinity eyed him coolly. "I don't see why you're so worried"

She was cut off by an amusing combination of splutters and half-choked words, ...oh! Oh, so you can't tell why I'm worrie—you can't... you tell

We have Neo, Tank.

"No, no you don't. You have Neo's evil twin," the operator corrected. "He's been completely... you're - you're..." Tank faltered at the hard expression on Trinity's face, "-you've been avoiding him," he finished lamely.

After a moment's pause, Trinity replied, "That doesn't make much of a difference." Tank noted the difference between any difference and much of a difference.

He figured it would be more practical to sound annoyed at Neo's tendency to slack lately than act concerned. Trinity always had hated when people fell over themselves looking after her and so far, the only man she'd ever willingly permitted to worry openly about her well-being well. He spoke in what he hoped was half a whine, for good measure.

Trinity, sooner or later Curse or somebody will catch you here on night shift. Captain Morpheus won't be happy to hear of this and you know what it's like when he's got steam coming out of his ears. He emphasized the captain's name. It was useful, mentioning things like that occasionally, especially to people like Trinity who respected authority like it was next to absolute.

He paused. I reckon his old crew burnt all his hair off.

Trinity tried to smile at him, but it came out looking more strained and wry than anything else.

Move in one of the extra cabins or something, if you'd rather stretch out. I mean, we have a lot to spare.

Trinity was swift to catch the bitterness of his tone. This was a subject that she – nor anyone else – should cause Tank grief over. Hell if she should let her own stubborn nature get in the way. She got up wordlessly.

Tank snickered. There, that wasn't so hard.

~*~

There was a time when dreams for me were so real, so much more real than the world as I knew it. And then I met Morpheus, and that rule stood on its head. He showed me reality. The dreams faded.

I've got my feet planted firmly in reality now, but even the best of us waver; there are times when the bliss of ignorance dances appealingly round the corner of your eyes. I'd never give in, never even consider the possibility that the weak-minded bastard chanced on in what seemed like so long ago, and yet somehow, it seems like these days I'm being perpetually roused from one. Like now.

Surprisingly enough, by a dream as well.

Namely, Neo.

Damn, I haven't seen him this close in what feels like forever. Or felt him this close. I keep my eyes closed, for good measure, let him think I'm asleep. He never could tell, anyway. For a moment I'm inclined to believe he's still spooned next to me, that this is our bed. But he isn't, and this no. Don't think like that, Trinity.



I open my eyes, slowly, feigning sleepiness. He smiles faintly. His adorable face, all innocence, is on. I want to reach out for him. Now.

Breath.

Breathe. Exhale.

So, you're back? I wonder if he can tell my question goes in two separate directions, at the same time. Breathe, exhale.



Breath catches. A rush.

Neo, I

He laughs this off, before I can continue, before I can finish. It isn't a happy laugh, more of something he's kept back, some fit of hysteria bursting out after hours of restraint. I want my shirt back, Trinity. He gestures. You've been wearing it for days.

I take it off and hand it to him unflinchingly. Unblinkingly. Not bothering to turn to the wall or anything. He laughs again, same tone, same manner see you for breakfast, and leaves. Just like that. My head hits the pillow. I want nothing more than to fall asleep again. Any dream will do.

Yes, just a dream.

~*~

Is this really necessary?

Out of the corner of her eye, Trinity could see Curse stare openly and disbelievingly at Neo, who had his arms crossed across his chest. A pout teased the corners of his lips downward, and Trinity might have found the expression endearing, if the attitude that went with it wasn't getting on her nerves the way it was.

Badly.

What kind of a question is that, Neo? asked Morpheus, but he was facing the Matrix monitors and had his back to the crew. Trinity would have given up a bowl of dinner slop to see the expression on his face.

A pointless one. Shadow was good at filling in quiet spaces.

Curse piped up, does the Oracle bake cookies every time a resistance fighter comes to visit?

The cookies aren't real. Shadow was good at being cynical, as well. Trinity let it slide as Curse's shoulders slumped, dejectedly; someone had to keep them grounded in reality, and it might as well be the moody medic.

The alliteration made Trinity smile, slightly. She'd long since left poetry behind, so many years ago, and the thought that she could still recall the different types of figures of speech was a light sort of amusing. She needed that.

Is everything clear? she asked, directing the question at a particularly sour-faced Neo.

Trinity was growing tired of his sarcasm.

Do you need any clarifications on the mission?

Didn't I just say everything was crystal clear', Trinity?

Sometimes repetitions are necessary, just as double-checking everything is a precautionary, standard procedure.

Sometimes people are just too redundant.

It's for the safety of everyone, Neo.

It's a trip to the Oracle, Trinity. How safe do you need to be? Or are you scared I won't protect you? Neo sneered before walking briskly to his chair, sliding down into it and shutting his eyes. Shutting her out.

Trinity sighed and realized that she could no longer count, with the fingers on both hands, how many times he'd been doing that lately.

~*~

So. We're going to see the Oracle? That was Curse. Not as adept as Shadow when it came to mending awkward situations, but then again perhaps Curse attacked things from the wrong side. She tried starting conversations, when Shadow had proved ending them before things got worse was most effective.

Curse was still very much the rookie of the crew; amusingly innocent about some things (the Oracle's cookies, for example) and annoyingly ignorant about others (how Trinity preferred thick silence to skimpy, strained verbal exchanges). She was very much like Neo had been.

Unsettled, Trinity answered in a clipped voice, Not us. You.

An audible gulp was heard, and the rustle of cloth sliding down leather seat covers could be heard as Curse shrank down in her seat. What does she do? I I couldn't catch what Morpheus was trying to explain to me

Not surprising, that one. Trinity frowned at Neo's reflection on the side mirror. Somehow, the face on the glass did not seem like the man she knew so well. Or thought she knew, anyway.

The Oracle tells you things. Shadow was at the wheel, and from the distracted tone to her voice, Trinity could tell the medic's primary focus was the road.

I don't quite get that either, sorry

Shah, that's alright. The things she tells you are usually- Shadow made a sharp turn, so hard that Curse nearly fell out of her seat, -as vague as I'm being right now. She glanced at Curse in the rear view mirror, who was hastily sweeping her ruby bangs out of her face. Always wear your seatbelt.

Curse said faintly. Apparently, Shadow could be as blunt as she was vague. She fumbled with the seatbelt as if it were quite foreign to her. Neo sighed impatiently from the passenger seat. Trinity's eyes seemed to be boring a hole through the back of his chair.

It was rush hour in the City this afternoon, and the going was slow as taxi cabs and private vehicles clogged up the main street, honking their horns at one another and defying stoplights. They drove in silence, that is, until Neo did something. Something that caused Curse to tilt her head to one side, confused, and even Shadow's eyebrows were raised as she shot Trinity a meaningful look through the rear view mirror.

Neo had been fiddling with the old fashioned window-winders of the Lincoln, and had successfully opened the window on his side, letting in a gust of cold, autumn air. Curse shivered then stopped; she must have just remembered that it wasn't real.

Why did you do that? asked Trinity. Shadow's gaze left the rear view mirror and returned to the road. Curse stared at her lap, blushing crimson. How many times would Trinity have to confront Neo in a day? How many times would missions like these end up tense and awkward, just because he just wouldn't – strange, this word – behave?

It's warm in here, came the reply, as if Neo had done nothing more than comment on the room temperature. Sunshine came flooding in through the gap in the car, and if light could filter through, then those outside would be able to see them. Clearly.

Before Trinity could tell Neo just that, in what would have been a snappish tone, a light gust of air whispered. Shadow had her thumb on a knob, and had just cranked up the air-conditioning to the max. Curse glanced up then glanced back down and didn't say a word, but pulled the sleeves of her jacket down to cover her fingers, which looked as if they were shivering along with her shoulders.

Roll up the windows. They're tinted for a reason, Trinity said, forcing her voice to remain calm. All windows were promptly moved, but in the wrong direction, and Curse let out a surprised half-yelp, half-choke, as a puff of smoke from the cigarette of a passer-by seeped in.

Trinity frowned at Shadow, who had one hand on the wheel while the other flipped switches frantically. She kept it up for at least two minutes and although Trinity kept her eyes on the medic, Neo's smug grin didn't escape her notice. He was hunched up in his seat, arms crossed defiantly across his chest, smirking at a group of people lined up before a bus stop. Finally, Shadow gave up, it's no use. He's interfering.

Curse cringed. Shadow frowned. Trinity pulled out her cellphone and had dialled the first three numbers to contact Morpheus, when Neo made a small, irritating huff of victory. The windows came rolling up, and they drove on.

~ * ~

Trinity felt a lump forming in her throat as she surveyed the scene before her. The Oracle's house. The other potentials were engaged in their usual activities, but today, someone had set a small music box on the floor, a simple hoary box propped open. A glittering silvery melody lulled, like bells, like wind chimes; wrapping itself around the room, somehow very tangible and very far away.

It relaxes the children, the Oracle's priestess smiled knowingly before bustling away again.

She could smell a warm, rich baking kind of smell – it was clear what the Oracle was doing, as always. Always. Just like twelve years ago; when she'd first come.

Trinity glanced at Neo. Somehow she didn't want to think about that now.

Curse had a faint smile playing across her lips as she gazed at the children. Her hands hung loosely by her sides, and it looked as if she were itching to wrap her clumsy fingers around one of the wooden blocks. She probably would have looked a lot less out of place with them than with Trinity.

The Oracle's priestess emerged again. Trinity never could quite undertand what she did. Indeed, she never even seemed to see the Oracle, or make a sound. Curse, the Oracle will see you now.

Virtually trembling, Curse slowly got to her feet from where she had been squatting next to a pile of abandoned silver spoons on the floor. One of them was bent, and another, the one closest to it, shined brighter than the rest, glinting mysteriously as if it held a secret just underneath its deceiving sheen. Trinity frowned. They hadn't been there when she had come. That was the only thing that had changed, really. She was willing to bet that the Oracle didn't look a day older.

Shadow, who had been standing there quietly all along, gripped Curse quite suddenly around the bicep and steered her along. Her eyes were quite round.

Curse disappeared from the room at about the same time as Trinity turned around and found Neo to be missing. She definitely hadn't heard him go, but then if he could force car windows to roll down, he could probably coat his boots in furry Scooby-Doo bedroom slippers and they wouldn't make a sound on the floor's polished tiles. She gritted her teeth. Better not go looking for him; if Curse came out and couldn't find her she'd probably have a heart attack. Trinity settled down in one of the chairs by the door. She could wait.

Neo, if you go one damn step beyond the car

~*~

Curse felt her heart beating so hard she was almost afraid that it would leap out of her chest. Drawing breath was suddenly like breathing under water. Had Shadow not been gripping her so tightly, she probably would have dropped there and then.

What was an oracle? Some tall, robed entity, like her priestess? What exactly did she say? What would she do to her? How-

They stopped at a kitchen.

A voice drifted from inside, smooth and somehow soothing. Been a long time, hasn't it Shadow? followed by a low murmur of assent. Then the first voice --an old, grandmotherly woman from the sound of it – laughed richly and Curse found herself face to face with Shadow, who had just exited the kitchen. The medic looked different, somehow. Happier. Reassured.

Curse took a deep breath and nodded meekly when Shadow beckoned at her to go on ahead. She followed behind silently.

It must have been the ambience. A warm, baking kind of smell filled the entire room, though the over was not on, mingling with a faint trace of stronger, harsher smoke. Curse's insides flipped once over as she exchanged wary glances with the older woman leaning nonchalantly on the kitchen counter, a pot of honey sitting on the tiles behind her. Winnie the Pooh, thought Curse, and the butterflies ceased their assault on her stomach. The quivering stopped. The Oracle smiled.

Hello, Shadow.

Shadow coughed, suddenly and quite pathetically, hiding her mouth behind her hand.

And now I'm supposed to say, hmm, let's see what you're here for-

-but you already know. Shadow started to grin. Curse watched somewhat anxiously. Were the two in cahoots?

Oh, Shadow. You haven't changed, not one bit English a bit better since I last saw you, but still the same, still the same. The oracle reached for a plain brown paper lunch bag on the table behind her. Shadow pouted.

You are just going to give it to me?

The oracle chuckled. Too easy, huh. But I've got things to do with this little one here. Curse had frozen like a statue. You go on, oh, take the back way, Trinity's out in the front and my, she's in a temper. I gave you some extra. That's for you to keep Neo busy.

Why is he-



Shadow went. Still smiling, she disappeared out the door and turned the opposite direction, taking the bag with her. The oracle sighed, turning in her seat to face Curse.

So. Curse, is it?

There was a pause. That's me, she said slightly louder, thinking the oracle had not heard. Another pause. Curse was about to say something again, before she realized the oracle was trying to get a look at her. She appeared to be checking around her eyes.

Finally she answered, I am sorry. It's so rude of me to keep you standing there but you don't feel like sitting anyhow, do you. Before she could say anything, the oracle continued. how's it like to be on the same ship as Neo? Good place to start. She laughed, lighting a cigarette.

scary, Curse mumbled, fidgeting. She did not like cigarettes.

The oracle placed her lighter back on the table. Now why is that?

he's the One, after all. He's awfully good at what he does. I mean, he fights like a mach- really well. And Tank told me he can fly.

I know what you're thinking. Tank was serious. Curse's eyes widened. She hadn't told anyone that, least of all Trinity, and Neo simply hadn't been in a questionable mood lately.

I tried he tried to lead me on the jump simulation Trinity and Morpheus had to too. But they didn't match up to him, not at all.

So his abilities make him the One? Leaving that question unanswered, she continued. Has anyone ever told you about the other Ones?

What other ones? I I think I remember what Morpheus said, about Neo not being the first One is that what you mean?

I mean the others Morpheus freed. People mistaken to be the One but weren't. That's my definition, mind. Of course, after Neo was found

I- I've never heard of that.

Name Cypher sound familiar? The oracle raised an eyebrow, scanning her
expression.

She'd definitely heard it before, whispered somewhere or other. Nothing completely familiar though.

Oh, that was a hard one they don't talk about him. Let's see what about Trinity?



The oracle's cigarette had gone out. She lit another one. Well, never mind that, we're not here to discuss this sort of thing... You could ask Morpheus for a history lesson, or, oh yes, ask Tank but now that you're here, you're wondering what your prophecy will be, arencha.

Curse shuffled her feet. Well... yeah...

Now, about all those prophecy fulfillers. Some are told they will help them, some are told they will find them. Some are even told – well, special things. Curse looked at her with the question written all over her face, but the Oracle shook her head. A clear reply of You'll see.' But you She shook her head. Kiddo, you're different. I've never had to give out this prophecy before.

I'm not special, or different what about all those simulations? How will the real thing go?

I hear you're having trouble with your training.

Curse wanted to groan. Was there something the oracle didn't know? She was having her head read like a book. Fear of tight spaces and fear of heights. She expected a simple reply of I know.'

Oh, I'm not so sure, kid.

you've seen me, Curse burst out. I can't I can't do anything!

the Oracle spoke firmly, is the quality of mind that makes us forget how afraid we are. The room was absolutely still, the dim humming of the kitchen appliances was almost inaudible. Curse was struck by how the older woman's – woman's? – presence seemed to command the entire atmosphere. Bravery is fear sneering at itself.

Maxwell Bodenham, Curse said automatically.

Curse blushed.

I mean, Maxwell Bodenham said that. My old mum, she used to write these little messages on cards she made me go memorize them



It's not done me any- much good, Curse answered meekly.

No surprises there. Curse, has Morpheus ever mentioned knowing the path? It's the same with words. Useless! The Oracle chuckled lightly. That is, until you put these words into practise.

Is that what Morpheus understood?

No, hon', that's what Trinity learned. Yes, I know you know all about Trinity, we're getting to that now. The Oracle clicked her lighter again, a delicate flare igniting the end of another cigarette. Curse suddenly realized that she'd never smelled any smoke in the room. It's time for your prophecy. You remember those potential prophecy fulfillers we were talking about just now?

Curse realized she was holding her breath.

Thickly, the Oracle replied, You're gonna kill one.

Curse started. Wha- but- Trinity?

How many of them are left? the Oracle asked darkly. Cypher, he's dead



Ghost, Niobe, Trinity, Neo oh, there are a few more

a few more? Curse's tone was unusually high. I-I'm not going to- to

Just one, hon'.

Curse almost looked relieved.

D-Do I know the person I'm going to

the Oracle sighed, you're a good kid, really you are. I'm telling you, your role might not be critical in the whole picture, but you'll make a very special difference to some people.

But what if they're all dead! wailed Curse. I'm sorry, Miss Oracle, you've got the wrong person, I can't I can't She trailed off, evidently waiting for the Oracle to cut her off. The room was silent. Curse's fingers twisted the material of the navy jacket she was wearing. Her throat burned.

Finally the Oracle spoke again. Remember, Curse, a man, or girl, of courage is also full of faith. And faith is one of those things in life that you can hold on to.

Curse felt as if she'd suddenly swallowed a whole ladle of vegetable soup, or her mum's old chicken soup, or just better. she whispered. Cicero said that. The oracle nodded.

You take care now. And remember, you're not alone.

Numbly, Curse got up from her chair. She concentrated on placing one foot in front of another without wobbling, though her legs felt like they were going to give way beneath her. She barely noticed that only Trinity was there in the hall.

Trinity's eyes deliberately strayed from hers. Neo's gone down. Oracle done with you? Nod. Vague prophesy or life changing?

Curse tried to speak, but her voice came out as a squeak.

Trinity blinked a few times in quick succession, and suddenly looked straight at her. You're kind of pale. Are you feeling alright?

You're not alone.

That's what Trinity learned.

You're gonna kill one of them.



Trinity.

For the second time that day, Curse felt her throat tightening. She nodded her head quickly, keeping her face to the ground as she followed Trinity down. She was afraid that if she looked anyone in the eye ever again, she would start to cry and never stop.

They went back at the car in silence. Curse and Trinity sat in their original places. To Trinity's relief, Neo was too, dully drumming his fingers on the dashboard. Shadow was holding the paper bag from the oracle, and apparently chewing something. She offered the bag to Neo with the air of having done it many times before, and Neo declined. She passed the bag to Trinity, who passed it to Curse. She opened it dubiously.

Inside rested about half a dozen cookies, each the size of her palm.

She took one, glancing at Shadow suspiciously.

Cookie? No one makes them like the oracle. She smiled.

So what was all that about, then, back there?

Shadow snickered. In our day- She looked over at Trinity, who was apparently resistant to the rather delicious charm of the cookies, Curse had to admit- it was a big thing, to steal cookies from the oracle.

How times have changed, remarked Neo dryly. Trinity's mouth tightened.

They drove.

~*~

It wasn't supposed to end this way. Tank had promised her that Oracle Days were not particularly dangerous missions. Normally safe trips, most of time even fun—Curse released a frightened yelp as another ear-splitting crack broke a few feet behind them. To her right, she heard Shadow swear under her breath, and a few meters ahead, Trinity and Neo kept right on running. Most Oracle Days were fun. Just her luck that she got stuck on the day that didn't belong under most'. Curse through and through, right on the money.

Are you holding up okay? Just around the corner, kid, almost there panted Shadow, as she slowed her run to match Curse's pace. Curse wanted to scream at her to go, go and get moving, obviously Trinity and Neo weren't sticking around, but her lungs could barely suck in enough oxygen to keep her alive as it was. Telling Shadow off for her strangely comforting, newly-acquired motherly complex was completely out of the question.

okay so far one block gorgeous she choked out. Shadow's almost sighed; it was impossible to tell if Curse was being sarcastic, or just outright hopelessly optimistic.

That was Trinity. Her command rang clear, bouncing off the concrete walls that closed in on them from both sides of the alley. Pigeons cooed from the laundry lines overhead. There are no noisy pigeons, Curse groaned inwardly, there are only pigeons that coo noisily. Argh.

Neo had disappeared around the corner, followed promptly by Trinity. The sound of someone loading a magazine haunted Curse's ears and she winced, fists clenched. Nopleasenopleasenoplease, her vision began to cloud over, Lord, oh no, pleaseLord, notnownotyetnopleaseno Another gun shot. Curse screamed and stumbled, courtesy of a hand pushing her roughly onwards.

Go, and don't run, fly! Don't care about me, just move your ass, and faster than you are now! Coarse accent, distinctly Russian. Curse didn't know if she was crying because of the ache from Shadow's shove, or because Shadow had spun around, dropped to one knee, taken aim and was now shooting furiously at the pursuing agents.

Agents. More than one.

Curse rounded the corner, and heard a swift scuffle of boots, signifying that Shadow had resumed flight as well. The sight before her brought her feet to a screeching halt.

Trinity and Neo stood two feet in front of her, guns out and pointed at a grim looking agent in a smart, crisp business suit. Highly polished leather shoes. Rectangular shades. Relatively unarmed, perhaps deadlier that way. A body of Matrix code and programmed hostility blocking them from the exit, a dusty phone booth tucked inconspicuously in between a dustbin and the backdoor to a bar.

Ring. Ring. Ring. Nobody could answer the phone's insistent ringing.

This was bad. An agent in between them and escape. Then Curse did a double-take and realized that it was more than bad; it was wrong. Trinity stood in between the agent and Neo.

Trinity! No, get out of there, get out of range! Curse leapt forward but somebody grasped her shoulder and tugged her back. Shadow. Curse felt like crying all over again. Maddening medic, couldn't she see they were all in danger?

The agent smirked, not reaching his eyes or any other part of him. Mister Anderson. Trinity rapidly drew her gun, aiming at his temple. The agent met Trinity's impenetrable dark lenses, not entirely unlike his own. And you, he continued, trying to save him?

No need, Neo acknowledged, stepping swiftly out from behind Trinity. Curse cheered silently. Maybe Neo was going to blow the agent to frickin' pieces' as Tank had once said he-

Quick as a flash, Neo strode to the phone booth.

He was gone.

~*~

The world stopped. Curse's heartbeat swelled to fill her head, pulsating like a jackhammer until she thought her skull might burst. Her lungs seemed to have caved in.

The agent seemed completely unaffected. Trinity gritted her teeth. Goddamned machines. Not taking her eyes off from him, she shouted, Get out, I'll- Shadow cut her off with something between a wordless bleat and a babble. She shoved Curse forward.

Trinity started to fire. Bullets stitched the air, but the clip emptied until she was dry firing, and the agent was still there. Unarmed. Smirking.

Clutching a stitch at her side (it isn't real) Curse was propelled to the phone staggering could barely breathe feet were lead getting heavier by the minute no breath left in her body something's ringing Shadow's shouting shrilling ringing alliteration and rhyme and phone box and four walls walls walls walls and there's something in her hand there's something in my head-

Swaggering. Drunk? Never a drink in my life, not one beer, not one shot, not one lemon Lemons. Sour and tangy and fresh. Yellow. Like the sun, shining. Through clouds, in clear skies. Sunshine in streams and beams of bright light, yellow, sometimes, others, orange. Orange. Carrots are. Carrot cake, with tiny white rabbit frosting, sweet. Follow the white rabbit, Curse, to get to the bridge, to the car, to the building, to the phone, to the sewers, to the ship in the middle of nowhere, somewhere in the middle of reality that doesn't feel real at all Orange, the color of her first sweater, pale and patched and morethansecond-hand. Lent by Tank. Orange. Her hair color, when it grows back, or was it red? Red, can't remember, like cherries, or the EMP switch, a scary switch, flipping on or off and meaning life or death, and ohsoredlikeherhair red like the apple, theapplefed to Snow White, childhood fairytale, SnowWhite had skin as white as as snow and lips as red. Red redasblood blood

The data spike was snatched from the back of her head sharply, far too sharply it. The shock of it all threw her forward and out of her seat. She hit the ground and scraped her palms against something rough. Releasing the scream she could not bite back, she felt heat rise to her face. I must be the only idiot alive who has it in me to blush in a crisis such as this—

Two strong hands grasped her arms and gently but firmly helped her to her feet. Shadow's?

Curse. Curse you're hurt, you're—blushing? A male voice. Tank's. Gorgeous.

she mumbled, her voice hitching in her throat partly from exhaustion, partly from humiliation, it's nothing there was metal my handsnot so big a deal nothing special the Oracle, she told me

Tank, ignoring her protests, pressed a scrunched up blanket hard against Curse's ribcage as she let out another cry, muffled by the palm she'd pressed to her lips. The left side of her shirt was soaked in blood, where a bullet had grazed her skin.

~*~

The minute the kid got out, Shadow ducked into the booth and slammed the receiver back into place. Glancing around, an empty magazine at her feet and the fingers of her right hand still bunched around her gun's trigger, Shadow paled.

Somewhere amidst the confusion of practically driving Curse to the exit while trying to maintain at least a feet's worth of distance in between themselves and the Agent, Shadow had forgotten to check on Trinity. She felt like hitting herself with a wrench, or something equally hard, heavy, and frighteningly solid. Surely dysfunctional medics deserved the same treatment dished out to stubborn mess hall thermostats.

When stupid machines don't do their job, everybody's dinner suffers. When stupid medics don't do their job, somebody's life is at stake.

This time, the unlucky victim of Shadow's mishap was Trinity.

The woman had kept up a considerable defence with what must have been her spare bullet casing, distracting the agent enough to allow for Shadow to sneak Curse past and out. Apparently, in the few seconds it had taken Shadow to press the detachable phone to the nauseated kid's ear, Trinity had run out of shot, taken to using the knife she always kept tucked away in her right boot, had somehow managed to keep herself alive during an arm-to-arm combat with an unarmed agent –Shadow gawked at the sight what looked to be the latter's gun, on the floor a few inches to the left of the dustbin. Trinity must have kicked it clear out of his grip, a feat that went beyond impressive. She now sported a bruise on her left cheek for her troubles, not to mention she seemed to Shadow to be limping slightly.

With all the strength she could muster, Shadow heaved and chucked her gun right at the Agent. Missed. He had Trinity up against the wall, a hand to her neck while both of hers gripped a wrist that technically wasn't even there.



That wasn't me, and Shadow whirled around. Morpheus. Oh captain, my captain.

Morpheus, what the—

Exit, Shadow. Now. A direct order. Only Trinity had the guts to defy one of those, when she was in the mood for it. Trinity, who was getting beaten up by the agent. Badly. Framed against brick and stone and dust. Eyes blazing. Gasping for breath— no. Never gasping. Breathing, hard, but it's there.

Fight, Trinity. I know you can. And with that, Shadow reluctantly made for the phone booth. Exit.

~ * ~

Bang.

Left arm, limp under a crisply ironed business suit. Oh, good shot, Morpheus—get OFF Tank, I'm FINE! Trinity's in there getting clobbered, leave my wound BE and let me WATCH THE MONITORS—

Bang.

Shit. Shit, sir. Sir, how can you be such an idiot, an Agent won't get taken out by a gun, get closer, shitshitshit she's bleeding now, more than one agent, a bullet to her leg, CURSE YOU'RE BLEEDING I NEED TO FIX THAT, Shadow, get OVER here and FIX THIS, you're the medic, I'm the operator—

Bang.

Tank. Shut up. Curse. Sit back. Sit BACK. Good. Hold this up to your side, good. Press, press HARD, you're not pressing and breathe, count to ten one two four six seven nine good, again, I'm going back in to get those two fools out of there before—

Bang.

Goodness! Ohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohpleaseohplease

Bang.

There's two of them! Sir you're an idiot, a fu- idiot, sir, she took a BULLET to her LEFT LEG and she's supposed to RUN, limping, shit this is not good, Morpheus, sir, get OUT OF THERE—

Bang.

I don't believe this. Go. Run.

Bang.

Hurry, Morpheus! Hurryhurryhurryup, oh please please oh please, hurry

Bang.

You can make it, sir! Go, sir! Go! Ah, shit, ahshitahshitahshitashit, SHIT! No!

Bang.

Keep her head up, Morpheus. Keep her awake. She can't pass out, fool woman, stay awake. No, DON'T try to stop the bleeding like that. Go. GO. Curse, PRESS–

Bang.

Isaiah Isaiah, somewhere Isaiah s-said, don't be afraid for I am with you do not be dismayed for I am your God I will strengthen you I will help you I will uphold you with my victorious right hand–

Bang.

HE'S GOT HER NOW HE HAS TO HANG ON TO HER, Morpheus, you–

Bang.

Curse, try to calm down. Tank, CALM DOWN, you're not HELPI NG. Curse, the bleeding is stopping slightly, let me see your hands–

Bang.

Four more steps, come on, Trinity come on, you can do it oh, please hurry three more steps, that's it, that's it, oh hurry, please please

Bang.

Shit. You're an idiot, sir, a fucking idiot—A BRILLIANT IDIOT!

Bang.

Yes.

Bang.

Well, it took them long enough.

Curse hovered next to the monitors with a rag clasped firmly to her side, looking as if part of her wanted to scream; whether from happiness or from frustration or from pain nobody was to find out. Shadow remained quiet, lips pursed, her entire being tense, as she gently grasped Trinity's shoulder and lower back and helped her out of her chair the minute Tank unplugged her. Without a backward glance, the badly limping woman was led out of the Core to get her wounds treated, with one arm around the operator, and another around the medic for support. Her eyes were closed but her expression was not.

They had gone barely four steps before Trinity started leaning her whole weight on Tank. A thin thread of blood trailed from her mouth. She only whimpered, faintly, when Tank tried to gently carry her and found an enormous blossom of blood across her chest. Crimson on his hands, grey on the worn fabric that Shadow was quickly rolling up to check for the source of the blood and actually shuddering at what she found there. Deeming that she was strong enough to survive the journey to the med bay, Shadow and Tank somehow found a compromise between the earlier two positions and began walking again. Solemnity written all over his face, Tank shifted his hand for just a moment to wipe the blood from her lips.

Morpheus sat up after Curse moved over to unplug him, grimly staring after his second-in-command. Curse made a move to examine his left wrist, which was hanging rather limply, but he waved her off with his good hand. Rubbing the back of his neck, he eyed the man who stood before him, feathers unruffled, cool as a cucumber, obviously undisturbed by the series of events that had just taken place.

One question, Neo. Why?

Shrug.


~ * ~