I clench my fists and unclench them.  I feel pretty well prepared, actually.  The only program I hadn't mastered completely yet was the jump.  I was close.  I was always really close…But it seemed I'd never quite been able to let go of all my fear and doubt.

We walk single file down the mildewy corridor and then out the door of the dim lobby into the gleaming white winter light.  There's a harsh bite in the air that blows into the north this time of year, and I put my hands into my pockets, in the back of my mind knowing that I'm just being told it's chilly by a plug through my brain.

For some days now we've been prepared in case an opening was found.  Sherin would be notified, we'd head to the city at a meeting point, and I ran over the plan in my head for the millionth time since we'd begun training for it.

We walked to the back parking lot of the motel.  Little brown blades of grass poked up from the cracks in the asphalt, and the ground was scattered with the now-dull foliage.  Everything is stark and bare.  I look up at an overcast sky of threatening clouds, full to bursting with a load of soft white flakes to blanket the false land.

There was a large black car parked in the lot.   We slipped into our respective seats.  Apoch and Morpheus sat up front, while Trinity, Switch and I were comfortably seated on the large bench seat in the back.  My guns dug uncomfortably into my sides and I squirmed to slightly loosen the holsters and pulled at my sleeves nervously. 

Apoch drives smoothly down the highway, the traffic lazy, as the clock on the dashboard flashes a green "1:47".

I stare out the window in wonder….as programmed trees and hillsides I'd grown up with flash by.   We enter the city and cruise through the streets, until we reach a shabbier side of town.  We're meeting her in an overgrown old cemetery behind a little church.  She's going to stop on the way to get some flowers.  If they're red she thinks she's being followed.  If they're white, it's all clear, and if she doesn't have any, it's an abort mission. 

We glide slowly through the streets, moving closer toward our destination.  We make a pass of the front of the church, and round the block to the back of the cemetery.  I see Sherin standing there and my heart leaps in my chest, and I feel my breath catch in my throat.  She's wearing black, standing stock still before a crumbly old gravestone, and carrying a bouquet of white chrysanthemums. 

It's all I can do to not throw open the door, run out and embrace her. I think Trinity notices my tenseness, because she puts a hand on my elbow and looks at me gently.  I smile and bite my lip anxiously.  Apoch steers up near the curb and parks the car.  Morpheus looks back at me.  It's time.

I get out of the car slowly, trying to restrain my urge to run to her as fast as I can.  I close the door, swallow, and then turn.   At the sound of my car door closing, Sherin turns and sees me moving toward her.   But it seems she doesn't see me at first and looks away…Then after a brief moment she does a double-take and a smile breaks out onto her beautiful face.  And we both can't help but run the last few steps into each others arms. 

"Oh Em. Oh Em Oh Em Oh Em." She says again and again, as I hold her tightly, swearing to myself in that moment I'll never let her go.  She pulls herself away to look into my eyes, both of us with tears falling freely…and in this moment, I can't not kiss her.

I hold her for a moment longer, and then I take her hands in mine.  "I missed you."  I say gently, choking on tears.   "I love you."

"I love you, too." she sniffs, a relief filled watery smile breaking through. 

We embrace a moment longer and then I pull her by the hand.  "Come on, Sher.  It's time to go."

We hurry back to the car and I open the door for her and then slide into the seat next to her and slam the door behind me.  Apoch starts the engine and pulls away smoothly.  I grip Sherin's hand tightly in mine, intertwining our fingers.  There's so much we have to tell one another, but with the listening ears and watching eyes, I'm satisfied for now just drinking in her presence, both of us grinning widely.  I try to pull a straight face, although, when I notice the stony stares from all around me.  Now is really when the hard part comes.  Transporting Sherin undetected back to the motel, where Tank will have things set up for us unplugging her.  I squeeze her hand as we drive down the streets at a steady pace.  It's finally happening. 

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a/n: HERE IT COMES YOU GUYSS!! THE CLIMACTIC 25th chapter!!! Thrills!!! Chills!!! Stay tuned—and keep reviewing!!! (-;