CHAPTER SEVEN

The rest of the crew could tell something was going on between Neo and Trinity, but nobody was brave enough to ask. Dozer kept eyeing them both suspiciously and curiously, as though wondering if they were hatching some kind of secret plan. Morpheus observed them closely, watching Trinity's more and more frequent tears, observing the often-closed door of Trinity's (and now Neo's, too) bedroom, and Neo's over-protectiveness towards Trinity. Even Niobe, usually so attentive to 'business' and not much else, noticed that something strange was going on. But nobody suspected the truth. The truth was so simple yet so unbelievable.

For to admit the truth would mean admitting that something incredible would happen to all on the matrix. The impending truth was the likes of which had never been contemplated let alone seen on the ship or within the matrix. It defied all the boundaries of the war, defied all the laws of the machines. And, most surprisingly, it was as simple as the result of love.

Now that Trinity knew the real reason for Neo's hesitation when it came to accepting her pregnancy, she softened considerably, and spent more time talking to him. Over the course of a few days, she'd managed to understand more about his past, and in the process, help him to become more open with expressing his feelings.

They often excused themselves from meetings and from gatherings onboard the ship, in order to talk and to spend time planning their approach. When would they tell everybody else, for they were bound to find out at some point? Where would they get the items they needed to look after a baby? Neo refused to let Trinity go on any more missions, even though she put up a rather convincing argument.

'I have to go, Neo,' she said to him one afternoon, after Morpheus had informed them that Trinity needed to plug in and stake out an alleyway in the city, waiting for the agents, who were supposedly due there. 'I can't just give up my duty because of a baby.'

'Yes, you can,' he said. 'And you will. I'm not letting you go. I'm not letting you endanger the baby, or yourself.'

'Neo, stop this. I don't want to be told what to do. I'll go if I damn well want to go.'

'Trin, you can't. I have to look after you. You're becoming more fragile. I don't want to risk the agents finding out, either, assuming they don't already know. If they do, who knows what they will try and do to you, to the baby?'

Trinity considered this. 'But Neo…how would they know?'

'I don't know,' he admitted. 'They might sense it. Or see code around you that is affected by the pregnancy. Look, I just want to be safe. I don't want to see you hurt.'

'Neo, I'm not a paraplegic…I'm only pregnant, and about three weeks gone, at that.'

'Come on, Trin,' he said. 'Do you trust me?'

'Yes,' she answered, with no hesitation, staring into his eyes. 'I believe in you. And I trust you, with my life.'

'Then don't go. For me. Trust me. Trust me when I sense that you going will only see you or the baby hurt.'

It took several minutes for Trinity to give in, but she soon did. 'All right,' she said. 'I'll stay.'

He wrapped his arms tightly around her. 'I love this baby of ours,' he said, 'and I love you.'

Trinity closed her eyes and smiled, hugging him tighter.

'I'll never get used to eating this muck,' Dozer said, his face wrinkling as he let his sludgy food drip from his spoon.

'It's the best we can do considering the circumstances,' Morpheus said.

'Well, then, good ain't good enough,' Dozer said, feigning offence, pushing his plate towards Neo. 'You eat the rest of mine, if you like it so much.' Everybody at the table erupted in laughter. Dozer was always joking, always cheering everybody up. At least, when he was away from the mainframe. When around the mainframe, he was quiet, determined and serious. Away from it, he took the opportunity to relax and enjoy the company of his friends.

Neo laughed. 'Don't look so shocked, Morpheus,' he said, grinning.

Morpheus smiled slightly, raising his eyebrows. 'You're welcome to it,' he returned to Dozer. 'I'd rather not eat it, if that's all right.'

Dozer let out a stream of strange noises and banged his fists on the table. 'Aw, aw, look at that! Morpheus doesn't like it either!' The insanely comical look on his face made everybody burst into new peals of laughter. Tears began streaming down Neo's cheek from the strain of such laughter.

Trinity suddenly clutched her stomach. Her eyes bulged. Neo was the only one who noticed, He bent his head low and whispered urgently, 'What's wrong, Trin?' His eyes were full of concern. 'Are you okay? Is the baby okay?'

The silence that fell upon the table at that moment was palpable.

Trinity gritted her teeth as Neo looked up, alarmed.

'Baby?' said Niobe, finally.

Neo felt his mouth open, but couldn't find words. Or his vocal chords. In the end, he gave up and closed it again.

It was difficult to read the expressions on their faces. There was confusion, shock, amazement. Their brows were knitted, as though contemplating the comment Neo had just made. On the other hand, Neo could not read their reactions beyond this superficiality.

'What do you mean, baby?' Morpheus asked.

Trinity squeezed Neo's hand and nodded slightly. 'It's time,' she whispered, so that only Neo could hear.

'Well…uh…Trinity's…she's…uh…pregnant.' He swallowed, flustered. 'She's going to have a baby. Our baby.'

Dozer was the first to react, letting out an amazed and excited whoop that rattled the bowls on the table.

The others just sat, staring, mouths open.