"Has he told you the truth?" It was a change of topic, accompanied by wisp thin smoke.
"About what?" She is still.
"The dreams, honey."
"No."
"I can't either."
"I know. He still won't sleep all night."
"And when he wakes up, so do you."
"Yes." A heavy pause, the dark woman took a drag of her cigarette.
"He's going to ask you something, and you're going to try to keep a promise you don't understand."
"To prevent what happens in his dreams?"
"Bingo. But some promises aren't meant to be kept."
"If keeping it means he dies, I'll break it."
"Good girl." A pause, uncovered eyes assess covered ones.
"He's in." The blue eyes, hidden by black glass, scowl.
"Take a cookie and scoot. He's come in looking for you." A kindly smile on her lips she offers the tray.
"I told him not to worry." Treat in hand, she stands.
"But he loves you, and that means more to both of you than you realize."
"I wish he'd say it."
"Actions speak louder than words, honey. Actions are more important than words."
"I know." A slight smile touches the words and the other woman, the one staying, leans her weight back. In silence the strong warrioress departs, having the answers she came for and more. The car glided smoothly along the road, taking her to the man whose words could mend or break the heart that seemed to be of ice. His figure was standing in the doorway as she approached, stopping the black automobile and walking with confident strides towards him. Neither spoke, falling in step with the other as they answered the impetuous ringing of the hard-line. She opened her eyes and for a moment took in his still form, wishing he could sleep as peacefully as he seemed at that moment. His eyes opened and searched for hers, meeting them gratefully. So much could be said in a glance and that was all they needed now. Just eyes meeting eyes and the world made sense, so much said and unsaid. They stood carefully, swinging their legs off the chairs and towards each other. That was all they needed, if their feet pointed at each other or their eyes met, there was a 'them'. Actions were louder than words.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Does it get easier?"
"Does what get easier?"
"Not being able to tell the one you…love… the whole truth." He stumbled over the word.
"I'm afraid not."
"Damn." A slight pause.
"But, with time, you can tell the one you love everything." As usual, words of wisdom from dark lips.
"What if there isn't any time left?"
"Then you have wasted your chance." A pause.
"I want to tell her something, but it's something bad."
"How bad Neo?" His voice is soft, so is the reply.
"My worst nightmare."
"If it is only a nightmare, it will not worry her. But it would be another link between you."
"It scares me Morpheus."
"Has she told you her worst fear?"
"No."
"Maybe you should ask." Measured words, weighed and spoken in a rhythm of knowledge. The enigmatic captain rose on silent feet, leaving the One to contemplate how much he should tell, and how much he could conceal.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Do we have to do this?"
"You're the one who can't sleep."
"So?"
"This will make you sleep, I'm certain."
"Trinity…"
"Are you afraid Neo?"
"No." 'Yes', his mind countered.
"Chose."
"Fine, Dare."
"I dare you to…click your heels when Morpheus gives you an order tomorrow."
"What? No way, he'd spar me for that!"
"Are you a coward Neo?" A pause.
"Alright, I'll do it."
"Good, your turn."
"Truth or Dare."
"Dare."
"I dare you to fly with me."
"I can't fly Neo."
"I'd be right there with you." Weighted silence, he took her hand in his.
"Alright." Her eyes found his. "Truth or Dare."
"Dare."
"I dare you to act like a chicken." He frowned.
"What?"
"Act like a chicken, those strange feathered creatures in the Matrix that lay eggs."
"I've never seen a real chicken."
"Nor have I." She countered.
"Even in the Matrix, I lived in the city all my life."
"You can do it Neo." The silent acceptance of what had been made him smile.
"Don't laugh."
"That was the entire point of the dare." He rolled his eyes, tucking his hands into his armpits.
"Here goes." The One clucked embarrassedly, trying to mimic the sound the bird made.
"You're good at that." She managed with a straight face before lifting her free hand to her mouth.
"Gee, thanks." The laughter was stifled by a soft kiss, his lips replacing her fingers. "Truth or Dare."
"Truth."
"What's your worst fear?" Her eyes went cold, hard, ice.
"No Neo."
"Why not?"
"I'm not afraid of anything anymore."
"You're lying."
"Let me."
"One condition."
"What?"
"We stop playing this game."
"Alright," she agreed with a small smile. "What about…"
"No Trinity, no more games. Just let me hold you."
"I thought you'd never ask." She whispered against his lips, welcoming the suggestions with open arms. They never kissed with the burning desire many others would have, the contact light but infinitely more meaningful. As soldiers, they knew self-control was incredibly important and when they were together, it merely enforced the idea. His hands rested on her flesh, reveling in the silken skin beneath his fingers as she relaxed into him. Eyes closed, they settled into a comfortable position and drifted off into a restful sleep. But it was brief, the nightmares of the past and future haunting them separately.
*~*
A/N: Yes, I know, what on the Neb are they doing playing Truth or Dare… I was wondering that myself, but I thought it was funny. Neo clucking like a chicken *smothers laughter*. Ok, to the reviewers!
Posh Kovac: Your story is good, I'm just a nitpicker, I'm positive that you're underestimating yourself. Stop it or I'll throw this heavy blunt object at you. *Waves said unidentified heavy, blunt object* Ok, I'm kidding, thank you for the reviews and I hope you enjoyed the chapter :)
Sci-Freak GrodySpork: That's what you get when you review every chapter :p I'm glad that you like it. I'm not sure how many questions there are in there or how many there will be, I know all so I'm not sure when I'm being ambiguous, that's what I rely on reviewers for ;p The films are full of explanations to almost all the questions raised, you just have to look into them. Example, Who was Niobe other than the captain of the Logos? I'll tell you next chapter!
Chinchilla-in-a-bowl: Yay! You reviewed! Sorry, I get excited over little things. Glad you like, I hope you review this chapter and tell me if I'm doing the story justice or if I'm heading on the road to 'oh my gods, avoid this story' town. Thanks :)
Trinfan: Is this soon enough? Hehehe, enjoy, I hope to see you review this chapter too :)
Da Buffster: Yay! I'm so glad you like it! (I sound like a broken record, sheesh. Oh well) I hope your New Year will be happy to, same goes for everyone else too by the way :) I review because I feel the story deserves a review, whatever the reason, yours = good, ok? I got my motto from my Drama teacher, he's a director and he expects us not only to learn to act, but to direct a bit too. The Matrix is also based on that principle, example, what does Logos mean, it's more than a hovercraft piloted by Niobe. I'll put that in my next A/N, as well as the history of Niobe :)
Enjoy, and if you haven't reviewed yet, it's not too late, hit the button, write 'I'm reviewing because I want to see my name in an A/N' and send it. Sure enough, by the power vested in me as the Authoress of this piece, ye shall see thy name in an A/N for the next chapter! ;p Ideas welcomed :)