~*A Lonely Road of Faith*~

A small and strange alarm rang in 003's head. She ignored it though, for right now nothing could ruin the moment built by 009 and herself, save for that small alarm in her head. The alarm felt like a light buzzing sound, that was getting closer and closer with each passing second. What was it?

009 felt Francoise's back stiffen a bit and he couldn't help but wonder as too why. Suddenly the same small alarm that rang in Francoise's head rang in his own. It was like this slight buzzing sound that got closer and closer. Joe wondered if that's what made Francoise so tense.

The two cyborgs were still on the top of the cliff, nestled in the others arms.

"Françoise. do you hear that?" Joe's husky voice whispered into her ear.

Francoise shut her eyes slightly, trying too focus on Joe and the noise at the same time. "Yes. I can hear it." she whispered softly.

The hand that was wrapped around Francoise's back held her a little tighter as Joe spoke. "What do you think it is?"

"I-I honestly don't know." Francoise trailed off in despair.

Joe shook his head, trying too shake the sound out of his head. It didn't work. Nothing stopped the sound from getting closer and closer.nothing.

Suddenly a thick blanket of smock covered the sky. The sun had now fully set but the smoke in the sky was still outlined with a fiery glaze. Suddenly a huge crash was heard and part of the cliff, that connected the rest of the cliff too the land was cut off.

009 rose too his feet immediately, still holding 003 close too him. Then, a dark black ship rounded the corner, coming into 009's line of vision, and his worst fears were confirmed: Black Ghost had once again come too take Francoise away from him.

"Give it up 009! Save you and 003 the pain and struggle and just give her up too me!" Black ghost said from inside off the ship.

009 didn't say anything back, he only became more determined and hugged the girl he loved tighter to him.

Suddenly a missile shot out from the dark ship and shot the middle of the cliff, causing it too crumble too bits.

"Jump!" 009 commanded. He didn't wait for Francoise too answer. He jumped off the now crumbling cliff and into the mighty sea.

Then, he suddenly felt lighter, and he feel faster into the sea. Wasn't Francoise with him anymore? Joe couldn't feel her in his arms any more. All he felt was the feel of the sharp air cutting him as he fell.

Suddenly he came in contact with freezing water. No cyborg not even him could stand that cold water.

Joe felt himself falling.

.falling.

.then.everything was dark.

~*~

"Got any 3's?" 007 asked 006 while looking at the hopeless deck of cards in his hand.

"No. Go fish." 006 replied in a board tone.

That's when 007 threw down his cards with huge 'humph' and crossed his arms over his chest.

"THIS IS SO BOARING!!!" 007 exclaimed.

006 sighed and shook his head. "Yes I know.Hey..where are 003 and 009?" 006 asked while pointing to the window located behind 007.

The old English stage actor quickly turned around. His gaze went out the window and fell on the spot where the cliff used to stand. 007 squinted his eyes a bit then widened them when he saw that the cliff no longer stood, and that the sky was covered in smoke.

"006 I do believe we need too find Dr. Gilmore."

006 nodded his head affirmatively, and the two cyborgs then walked out of the room silently.

~*~

The entire 00 cyborg team, plus Dr. Gilmore, and minus 009 and 003, were standing on the shore of the beach staring helplessly into the ocean.

Dr. Gilmore was the first too speak, and break the deadly silence. "Alright then." a heavy sigh involuntarily escaped his lips, ".lets find them. 008 I want you to do an underwater sweep, and then I want you, 002, to search and see what you can from the air."

With a quick nod of their heads, the two cyborg's depart for air and sea. Leaving their team mates to wander, and hope that their lost team mates would be found.

~*~

003 opened her blurry eyes, and took in her surroundings. She was obviously laying down on a table of some sort, but that was all. Everything around her was black. It seemed like she was laying in an endless eternity of darkness. She vaguely remembered being in Joes safe embrace.

.and then.

....and then everything went dark..

.just like now.

~*~

008 wearily dragged 009's limp body up, and onto the shore. 002 was just now landing on the sandy beach as well, ready to help with anything at all.

008 heavily dropped 009's limp body onto the musty shore. As soon as the cyborg leaders body came in contact with the warm sand, he began to cough immensely, getting all the salty water out of his system as he slowly came to his senses.

"Francoise." Joe whispered softly, his voice hoarse.

This immediately caught the attention of Dr. Gilmore. "003.009 where is 003?!" the doctor said hurriedly.

The cyborg leader coughed a bit more, his eyes still refusing to open. "Franciose." Joe repeated once more.

Suddenly.Joe seemed to realize something. His eyes snapped wide open and he sprang to life. His head searched the beach franticly, as he searched for the lovely French dancer that he adored.

"FRANCOSIE!!!" he shouted at the top of his lungs. "NO!!!"

Joe felt like he was on the brink of despair, as he helplessly let himself fall too his knees. 009's fist brutally slammed against the sand as he cursed loudly.

"Clam down 009.now where is 003?" Dr. Gilmore said gently, trying to calm down the enraged cyborg leader. The doctor laid a comforting hand on the juvenile's shoulder, only to have it pushed away brusquely.

009's shoulders relaxed a bit as he griped the sand fearsomely. "She's gone." he whispered emotionless.

"Now 009 what are you talking about?!" Dr. Gilmore demanded once again.

Joe ignored it though and continued looking at the sand blankly. ".I couldn't protect her." then, by surprise, Joe's voice once again roared with anger. "I SWORE I WOULD PROTECT HER!!! NOW SHE'S GONE!" and with one more louder curse the cyborg leader hit the sand.

The rest of the team looked at 009 with such sympathy. They all new what 003 meant to him, and they all new how it felt to lose someone you love. It was that feeling of helplessness and desperateness.like you were so small compared to the rest of the world.

"Francoise." her name once again escaped Joe's lips.

Would he ever see her again?

Did she know how much he loved her?

So many questions filled his mind.

But for now they went unanswered.

~*~

Joe leaned heavily against the closed door of his room. He had explained everything to Dr. Gilmore when the team had gone back to the dolphin. After he was finished explaining, the team had looked at him with such pity and sympathy he thought he would completely crack and spill out all the pain he was feeling at the moment.

So now.here he was leaning against a cold door, wishing, just wishing that Francoise was still in his arms.

Was she alright?

What would happen to her?

Was she thinking of him?

So.for the first time, since the night the father died, Joe broke down and cried. [A.n. sorry.maybe that was a little too dramatic. Hey I cant say I've ever lost someone that dear to me.]

~*~

The next morning on the dolphin was very quiet and solitaire. Joe had denied any food that morning, and was currently staring off into the endless sea, oblivious to everything around him.

009 hadn't gotten much sleep that night and he couldn't help but wonder whether or not Francoise had either.

Then, something caught the cyborg soldiers eye. Off some distance was a cave, a very well hidden cave. Maybe there he could get some peace, and room to think. Ya, that sounded realy good to 009 right now.

With that Joe clicked the switch behind his tooth and accelerated.

~*~

The closer 009 got to the cave, the clearer he heard voices. They seemed too be coming from inside the cave. One voice was deep and sinister, but the other.

.the other voice sounded like clear bells and an angels song. It was so familiar too Joe.he recognized that voice from anywhere that sweet, serine voice! Oh.did he even dare to hope?

The cyborg leader covered his gun with his hand by instinct, as he crouched down next to the entrance of the cave. Then.carefully, and very slowly, 009 leaned over slightly so that he could see inside the cave.

Inside there was one person, with their back turned to him. They appeared to be talking to someone on some sort of walkie-talkie. 009 could just barely hear what they were saying.

"Yes sir.yes its.no.no." the person was saying into the walkie-talkie. They seemed to be evilly happy about something.

009 couldn't at all hear what the other person was saying, but after they talked they quickly hung up.

Suddenly the person turned around so abruptly, 009 almost jumped.

That's when he finally saw the other persons face. Joe thought for a moment that his heart had completely stopped and he inhaled a sharp breath.

!!!FRANCOISE!!!

~*To Be Continued*~

A.n. sorry.this chapter took a long time to update. The next chapter hopefully won't take as long. Well.it might because I realy have too update 'Watching You' soon. Just cheek my authors pages frequently for any changes.

Here's a preview for the next chapter~*

~*Joe and Francoise confront each other, and Joe finds out that she is now on black ghosts side. Suddenly she shoots and tries to kill Joe. 009 notices how she has the perfect opportunity to kill him but she doesn't. Why? Now, Joe is on a mission to get the girl he loves back.no matter what.*~

well what do you think? I haven't yet begun to type that chapter yet, so if there is anything you don't like about it just tell me `Kay? Suggestions are always welcome!

Well thank you so much for all the reviews!

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~*Chibikins*~