Holding It In

Part 6

The Matrix does NOT belong to me. Sure, I want it and all, but it's not happening. Judging by all the money they're raking in, I don't think the Wachowskis will ever be willing to give it up to a person like me.

"You know I love you, Trinity. You can't say I haven't told you enough."

Cypher was lying next to her in bed, his arms wrapped around her. She tried to slip out of his grasp.

"Don't fight it. You know you love me back."

Trinity tried harder but his arms held her, like a cage.

"That's gonna be one handsome baby. Hope he gets my smile. Maybe my eyes."

No! She wasn't pregnant with his baby. It was Neo's. She loved Neo.

"Then why are you in bed with me?"

"Neo." She gasped, sitting up in bed, her eyes darting around, searching for Neo. He wasn't with her. But neither was Cypher. Her breath coming in short, ragged gasps, she fell back against the pillow, her face sweaty.

It was just a dream. Just a nightmare. Cypher was dead. Trinity's hands moved over her stomach, feeling the baby was still there. If only that was a dream as well. If only she would wake up and everything would be fine. There would be no Cypher. No baby. No Matrix. Just Neo. And none of the raised voices outside in the hall that woke her up.

"Do you really think she is?"

"Of course. We all know Neo's horrible liar."

"I never would have thought Kane would notice. Of all people, he hardly ever leaves his room, let alone take his eyes off the floor."

"He's scared, Dion. I shouldn't need to remind you of when you were new."

"Shut up. He's been here a while. He might at least try and say something."

"He said something last night."

"Do you think he meant it?"

"Sure."

"What did Kane say?" The two girls were surprised to find Trinity standing in the doorway of her room, looking them over like a hawk watches its prey.

Glitch nudged Dion, hoping to get her message across. Don't tell Trinity. Dion roller her eyes, knowing exactly what Glitch wanted to say. Why would she be so stupid and tell Trinity?

She stood, unmoving in the door, waiting for the answer that never came. "Did Kane tell you something…" She stepped out of the doorframe, the two girls frozen in their places. "That you weren't supposed to know?" Glitch nodded.

"Y-yeah, but we can't tell, your shirt being loose and-"

Trinity held up a hand. "Kane didn't tell you anything." She held onto the doorframe with her other hand for support. "Whatever he said will be forgotten. Is that clear?"

Glitch and Dion looked scared out of their wits. They both began speaking at the same time, agreeing with Trinity before making a mad dash to the ladder, their escape route. That's where people always went when they wanted to be away from a certain someone, in this case Trinity.

Trinity sighed, her shoulders slumping as she let go of the door and slowly, cautiously, made her way to the ladder to look for Neo. The baby was still small, but it hurt like she was carrying around a living boulder in her stomach.

So now everyone knew about the baby. No, that wasn't entirely true. They all knew she was pregnant, that's all. Tank was good at keeping secrets; Nobody knew it was Cypher's baby. Nobody knew and nobody would know until the time was right. But in a world where you are trapped in a metal cage surrounded by the same people 24/7 and are fighting to save the human race, the time is never right.

Neo was sitting in the galley when Trinity found him, tracing lazy circles in his goop with his rusted eating utensil, whether it was a fork or spoon was beyond anyone's knowledge. But what good was a spork unless the goop froze up from the cold? Kane was seated across from him, his head in his arms. No words were being exchanged - was Kane asleep? On such a cold table? Trinity could only imagine how uncomfortable that might be.

She slid into the vacant seat next to Neo, who snapped out of his daze with a start, dropping his spork. It hit the table with a loud metal clang. Kane shifted, but didn't show any signs of being awake. Neo let out a breath of relief, turning to face Trinity. He was holding back laughter, letting Kane sleep.

"You're always creeping around, sneaking up on people." He nudged Trinity's shoulder playfully.

She smirked. "Well I'm sorry I don't stomp around the ship like an ape. It's taken me twelve years of practice to be able to walk so quietly."

"Well maybe you might consider being a bit louder next time." He suggested, shoveling a sporkful of goop into his mouth. "It scares me when you do that." He sent bits of food flying from his mouth, having not finished his mouthful.

Trinity slid away from Neo and the flying goop. "I'll do whatever you say," She waited for Neo to stop talking before moving back next to him. "As long as you swallow before you talk. Honestly, it's like you're five."

Neo laughed, but quickly slapped his hand over his mouth, both his and Trinity's eyes on Kane, who thankfully made no movements. Trinity shook her head disapprovingly. "He really should be in a bed."

Neo held up a hand and shook his head. Trinity had found him in one of his moods. "Why? Cold metal tables are much more comfortable than beds." Even though the mattresses were so hard they could almost pass as tables. Fluffy tables with a pillow at the end, covered with a blanket in case it got cold.

Neo took Trinity's hand beneath the table, giving it a light squeeze. It was moments like these that they took for granted, being alone. Well, almost alone. If it weren't for Kane's heavy breathing, and the cold, the moment would have been perfect. Trinity rested her head on Neo's shoulder, his hand touching her arm.

She sighed deeply, forgetting all her inner demons for the time being, letting Neo comfort her. "My god, I love you…" Neo spoke softly, but words didn't matter. Words would only work against her when it came down to finally telling Neo the truth. But Trinity tried not to think about that. All she had was Neo.

And then it was like a bomb exploded in her stomach, and she tensed, squeezing Neo's hand like a stress ball. Neo sat up, watching Trinity struggling to regain composure. She looked like she was going to be sick. "Jesus, Trinity, what's wrong? Is it the baby?"

Of course it was the baby, Trinity wanted to say, but her full concentration was on keeping her food inside her stomach. Neo's fingers began to grow numb, but Trinity did not loosen her hold as her breathing sped up.

"Neo." She managed to get the words out. Words, not the contents of her stomach. "Get help." She almost sounded scared.

~~*~~*~~

Sorry this pointless/aimless waste of space disguised as a chapter. But ever since I wrote that crappy agent poem (which I am NOT posting as of now) I feel I can actually write again. If only others would do the same. The baby comes next chapter! Yay! And also something else happens too.