Chapter 19: The Wheel of Love

They pulled into shore and made their way into the festival. They huddled together once they got through the entrance.

"We should split up in groups. We shouldn't have to worry about restrictions. We need to have fun." 007 said. 006 glanced wearily at 002, as if expecting a complaint of fiery temper. However, that was the opposite of his reaction. 002 shrugged lightly and nodded. 0016 looked warily at them but accepted it and nodded as well. She looked around.

"Who is going with who?" She asked, she looked a little hesitant to even wonder. She instinctively moved closer to 002 and farther from 007.

"We should split equally." 003 noted.

"I think I'll go to the concessions." 006 said.

"I'll join you!" 007 called out triumphantly, as if it were some sort of prize.

"Then I'm going to the rides!" 0016 said a little to frantically. She was determined to stay away from 007. He wasn't the best person to be around when he was having to much fun.

"I'll go with 0016." 003 said, walking over with a reassuring smile.

"I will take 001 with me. 005, I'll come with you." Professor Gilmore said. 005 nodded. 002 walked over to 0016.

"I'm with you." 0016 smiled.

"Wonderful." 009 walked over to 003 while 006 followed 008 behind 005. 004 nodded and joined 0016's group. 0016 tried to hide a giddy smile. So, 002, 3, 4, 9, and 16 made their way to the rides. The first was a roller coaster. They sat three to a seat. 0016 blushed furiously as 002 sat to her left and 004 to her right. 003 and 9 sat behind them with a strange but kind looking female. She smiled at both of them, surprising 004. She looked forward and held tight to the metal front of the seat. The ride started with a jolt.

004 watched the excitement on 0016's face. She was having a great time. She was happy and she was smiling. She looked over her shoulder at him. He was expecting her usual hateful glare or nonchalant stare. However, to his delight, a smile was on her face. Her eyes were lit up with joy. She twinkled and shined with pure delight. She was happy and she was happy with him.

There was nothing sweeter than being stuck between her newest best friend and her crush. 0016 was happy as the wind whipped through her hair. The sun fell over the landscape and washed a beautiful array of colors across the sky. 0016 sat back and laid her arms along the back of the seat, her bare arms lightly brushing the backs of 002 and 4. It felt like it had lasted forever but it came to its end. 002 stepped out and lent a hand to 0016. She took it, making her way to a stand. And then turned offering her hand to 004 in the same manner 002 had just done for her. 004 looked surprised but the warmth in her eyes made him give in. He reached out his gloved hand, the one that he could no longer show to the public due to its cyborg mentality. 0016 took his hand in hers. Her face lit up with glee at the meeting and silently worshiped this moment. The moment when she could be with 004 and there was not tension. She pulled him to a stand and spent a moment longer to stare at him. Then, with hesitance, she released his hand, his fingers dangling and sliding from her grasp. 0016 pushed back the urge to blush. She nodded toward the exit.

"Time to go" She rushed off to the exit and climbed down. The five wandered on. 0016 kewed over the sights. 002 walked closely beside 0016 in an almost protective fashion. 0016's eyes lit up when she saw a watergun game. Actually, it wasn't the game itself that had gotten her attention but the excellent first place prize: a huge stuffed black dog. She quickly grabbed 002 and 004's hands before rushing up to the stand, 003 and 9 following. "Look! Look! Snuffles!" She said, bouncing on her toes. She glanced at both of 'her boys' with a smile. "Let's play!" 0016 said. 002 nodded with a laugh. Then 0016 looked at 004. Ever since they got here she had relaxed around him much more than she had. 0016 knew that it must be strange for 004 to witness her 'change' but 007 had instructed that she be care free, right? 004 nodded blankly. 002, 4, and 16 lined up in front of the targets and prepared to race. "Now don't you dare go easy on me." 0016 said.

"Go!" The three pulled the triggers on their guns but only 0016's shot out water, and at a very fast rate. She easily beat both boys, their guns regaing their water power at the very end. Both shot a 0016 glares. 0016, however, just gleamed back at them as she claimed her prize.

"What? I told you not to be easy on me. I mean, you didn't think I would be easy on you, did you?" She asked, before bouncing back to 003 and 9 to show off her new cuddly stuffed puppy. 002 and 4 exchanged looks before shrugging it off and following up behind the others.

0016 had lost the others when she had been drawn into a stand of glowing necklaces. She glanced around frantically for them. Panic was starting to get to her. Her heart began to beat faster as she looked around.

"002! 003! 004! 009! GUYS!" She cried. She looked around. She jumped as a hand clamped around her wrist. She turned to see a worried 004. She smiled slightly.

"Hey, you ok?" He asked. 0016 blushed a little as she looked around at the passing crowd that no longer seemed so frightening.

"I...don't like to be alone." The corner of her lip twitched and then lifted into a smile. A smile that was so clearly fake to 004.

"Come on, we're getting on another ride." He said. He continued to hold her hand so that she didn't get lost again until they met back up with the others. 002 glared at his friend once he spotted her.

"Where did you go?" He asked. 0016 smiled lightly.

"I got caught up looking at some stuff...sorry. I wont let my mind wander anymore." 002 nodded. 0016 followed silently behind the other four. Suddenly, she looked up and saw where they were heading. "No! No! No! I don't do scary-houses!" The others had now turned to look at her.

"Come on." 002 urged.

"No! I don't like them! I never have!" The others exchanged looks. 0016 saw the disappointment in their eyes. She knew she would regret this. She balled her fist at her side and put on a smile. "Fine, but just this once." They all smiled and walked up to the fear-ride. It was a ride-through house. At least I don't have to walk through it slowly or anything. I'll just close my eyes and open them when I come back out. She nodded to herself. She had it all figured out. 003 and 9 sat in the first cart. 0016 climbed into the second cart after 002 offered to hold Snuffles. Suddenly, her eyes widened as 004 sat beside her and 002 and Snuffles sat in the third cart. The look on 002's face was clearly devilish. She shot a look to kill, or get revenge before the ride started out. Great. Now I can't close my eyes or 004 will think I'm a wimp! She slid a little closer to 004. Her hands tightened around the bar over her lap as she dissoved into darkness.

003 and 9 rushed out of their cart once the ride ended to get to 0016, who was screaming in fear. Once the light came over her cart, 0016 could be seen clinging onto 004 for dear life. She even had a bit of tears in her eyes. She quickly jumped out of the cart and ran off into the crowd. She REALLY hated scary-rides.

A/N: Sorry this took so long. I really haven't seen anymore episodes, I'm not sure that there are anymore for me to see. Thanks to Starlight and yes, I'm afraid you will probably have to keep a fire burning under my.....to keep me going. I really do like this story, it's just that I've got so much going on and so many other great ideas. Also, I need a poll on this, do you all think I should stick with my plan of 004/0016 or should I make it 002/0016? Also, I got some major plans that are supposed to happen in this story, but I haven't even come close to them yet. A lot of things will get really WOW when I do. ^.^ Anyway, thanks if you read this after all that time.

Also: Thanks to everybody who is still willing to read this story after all this time! I love you guys!