Disclaimer: -Insert standar disclaimer note in here-

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Chapter fourteen: The surprise.

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On the consequent days after the mind separation, everybody noticed how things had changed between 003 and 009. Now it was not strange finding them walking together by the hallways, chatting and laughing about who knows what, or just sitting on the deck, which appeared to be now their favorite spot.

They could be seen even holding hands shyly when they thought no one was looking. Some times, the others noticed, their eyes would meet and they would blush and smile goofily.

Chang swore that he even saw them kissing once, right outside the kitchen.

The team was happy for them. Really. The two youths had lost so much, and now it seemed fair that they could find some happiness at last. In most opinions it was about damn time! They all knew there was something going on between them, and all that constant tension was annoying at times, but now that apparently they had worked their feelings out, 009 seemed more cheerful than ever, and 003 radiated her smile non-stop.

002 suggested teasing them both to death, and even if this was more than appealing for the others, they decided to leave the poor kids alone... just for a while.

Finally a week after 003 and 009 had their secret meeting at the deck, the Dolphin arrived to the beach house. Everyone started descending happily after being so many days on the sea, but when 003 was about to enter the house, 009 grabbed her by the arm and spoke to her ear. "I have a surprise for you tonight. Will you meet me here at ten o'clock?"

She bit her lower lip and smiled to him in that secret roguish way that 009 had just recently discovered. He also discovered that that smile drove him nuts.

"Alright. I'll be here."

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That day passed slowly for 003, the words of 009 floating in her head, but there was a lot to do in the house and she distracted herself by helping 005 and 006 by cleaning and dusting, 007 and 008 were washing the windows and sweeping and 004 and a very reluctant 002 went downtown to do the groceries. 001, as usual, was sleeping.

But there was no sign of 009.

He left the house as soon as they had arrived and he hadn't come back since then. It was not until noon that he appeared, and after being yelled at by the others for not helping out, he was designated to wash the dishes from dinner.

He frowned. That would ruin his surprise! In fact, he wasn't even planning on showing up for dinner. He needed time to prepare everything! He had to do something.

Latter that day, 009 approached 007.

"Hey, G.B. Can I have a word with you?"

007 raised his eyebrows and said before 009 had any chance to voice his request: "No way 009, you deserve it."

"Aw man! I really need you to make this favor for me. I'll do the dishes for two days if you want, but I have something important to do. Please, cover for me tonight."

"No. I have things to do."

"Like what?"

"Hamlet will be aired on Hallmark Channel," answered 007, as if it was the most understandable thing in the world.

"Surely that can wait. They'll repeat it another day!"

"Shakespeare is never to be left waiting you, insolent boy! Besides, I have to rehearse some lines. I might get a part in a play this summer, and Hamlet will help me concentrate."

009 let his shoulders fall and gave a sigh. 007 scratched his bald head.

"Anyway, what is this important thing you have to do that can't wait until you finish the dishes?"

"Eh... well, uhm. It's personal."

"Personal, huh? Does it have something to do with…"

007 touched his belly and transformed into 003, holding her hands in front of her --in what was supposed to be a tender way-- and batting her eyelashes seductively. He spoke with her voice.

"...This French beauty girlfriend of yours?"

009´s face burned.

"Eh… girlfriend? W-what do you mean?"

007 started sending him kisses with his hand.

"Ah, stop doing that 007! It's not funny at all!"

007 went back to his original shape and grinned.

"Yeah, girlfriend I said, or do you think no one noticed you are together now? That you have been discreet? Come on guys... you should give us more credit."

009 sighed with his hand on his forehead. He answered in a defeated voice as he moved his head. "Alright alright... I guess you could say we are dating."

"Dating? Like just for a try or something?" 007 teased. 009 placed his hands in his pockets, feeling a little nervous. How had they gotten into that conversation?

"Well, no, I mean... we are seeing each other."

"Ah, more like a casual relationship, I see." The morphing cyborg scratched his chin. He would get the words out of him, oh yeah.

"No, not that, I... she... we... we are together." Joe injected a little more heat to his voice than he had intended.

007 chuckled, crossing his arms in front of him. "Oh now I understand! Just for the biological needs huh?"

009's cheeks burned at the suggestion; his voice raised, his fists went into balls. "Of course not! Not at all! She is much more than that!"

007 knew he had caught him in his net. "More than that? How?"

The frustrating interrogation paid off for 007 as 009 screamed his answer, his hands on the air. "I love her, alright!?"

009 stared at his team-mate while he contemplated his own words in disbelief. Not that he didn't know he loved 003, but it was so awkward to say it to someone else. Anyway --009 thought-- it should not be a secret. Those kinds of feelings should be screamed at the four winds. He was just really shy about the theme.

007 had the hugest grin plastered in his face. He chuckled, no doubt pleased with himself. "Well, well, well."

009 was getting tired of this, he needed an answer!

"Yes 007, I love Francoise. There it is. I said it. Are you happy? Will you do the dishes now?"

"Oh no. I will not be completely happy until I tell everyone!"

"What? No! Wait!"

But 007 didn't wait, with those last words he started to leave. 009 shouted after him. "What about the dishes! Will you do it?"

The man turned his shiny head and said with a satisfying smile.

"Ok, but you will wash my clothes for three weeks."

009 groaned, but nodded his head. 007 left the room singing loud enough for the entire house to hear.

"Joe and Francoise sitting on a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G..."

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Dinner was taking place but 003 had lost interest in her food. The fork in her hand travelled by the plate, drawing senseless patterns on the tomato sauce as her owner kept throwing 'discreet' glances at the only empty chair around the table. Once she confirmed one more time it remained empty, she resumed her task with a sigh.

Where could he be? Surely he was preparing the surprise. The thought made her vibrate with anticipation.

A voice interrupted her reverie. "Where is your boyfriend, 003? He might not be thinking about escaping his punishment, right?" Asked 004.

003 dropped her fork as her face matched the sauce on her plate. Small laughter and snickers were heard around the table.

She had already coped --she had to-- with the fact that they all knew already about their relationship. And if she had any doubts, she just had to remember 007 following her around all afternoon singing: "Joe and Francoise sitting on a tree."

She didn't strangle him only because every time she tried to do something to him, 007 kept changing into 009, pretending to want to kiss her. That was low, she thought, but she'd get back at him.

Somehow. Someday.

And she made sure he knew about her resolution.

Anyway, she still felt a little embarrassed and it reflected in the shy voice she used to answer. "I... I don't know."

007 informed them then. "No, he didn't escape. He traded places with me. Now I will not have to do the laundry for three weeks heh heh. He said he had something important to do tonight. I thought it had something to do with you 003, but I guess I was wrong." 007 said with an arched brow, pointing his fork to 003.

"I wouldn't know, really." She lied, and then she picked up her dishes quickly and put them in the sink. She then said her good nights and went straight to her room.

"Now, that was fishy." 006 commented.

"Leave those two alone. I thought you were not gonna tease them." Said Dr. Gilmore disapprovingly as he fed 001 his bottle.

002 answered, "Nah… we meant Yet. But truce is over, this is way too much fun to let go and we'll get tired of it soon enough anyway."

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I'd love if you went and checked on my new one-shot: The drawing and Shards. Thanks so much for the ones who already reviewed it! You are great! :D

And as Always, my immense gratitude for GoldAngel2 for helping me with this fic.