Told You I'd update eventually. The Poem finally came in, thanks to DW for finally sending them in. It only took me what…a year to get them? LOL maybe I should have given the reader her address to get them sooner. Anyhoo, thanks again to everyone for being so patient. Now after a year, on with the fic!!

Chapter Five: Highway to Hell &a Handbasket.

Alia briskly walked down the streets that lead to MHHQ. The early morning air felt cool against her skin, she let herself smile enjoying the warmth that the new days sun emitted. It was such a stark contrast to feel both sensations at once; silently she wished X were there to enjoy it with her.

Her smile was immediately replaced with a frown as the events from the past day replayed in her head.

Alia: " Its stunts like this one that piss me off X. Not only did you refuse MP help, but also you decided to go cowboy on me and cause one big mess, literally! And what do you have to show? Why Hawk in a stasis lock! Lifesavor said it take three weeks to bring him back online! What do you have to say for yourself X!?"

X: Sorry?

Alia: Sorry doesn't cut it X!

X: Well that's the best I can do at the moment! If I could go back and change things I could, but you know what? Life's tuff grow up and deal with it!

Alia: …

X: Look…I'm sorry. It's not your fault, I shouldn't have yelled at you. It's just…forget it. Listen I'll make it up to you, I promise."

It was the last comment X had made before he had abruptly cut her off. That one phrase had effectively caught her off guard. For some reason it had made her giddy, angry, and a slew of other emotions she couldn't identify.

" It wasn't like he confessed his love, nothing to get worked up over."

However she knew deep down that wasn't the case. It was how he had said it. Despite it being rushed and informal, X's voice had a hint of genuine warmth in it. She had only heard the tone used once before, it was several years ago when X had held a Human child that was dying. She had heard him speak words of comfort, like a mother to an infant. And when the childe passed away, X too changed. Back to his normal tone while on the battlefield, only after that it was much harsher. Of course he was always friendly, but his voice lacked the tenderness she had heard before.

Deep down she suspected very few people, human and reploid alike had ever witnessed that side of X. The only other person would know was possibly Zero, both of them where like kindred spirits. And here X had displayed it openly towards herself. What did it all mean? Did X harbor the same feelings towards her as she herself had for him? Or was she just being over analytical.

Stopping in front of MMHQ Alia stood in the middle of the outside lobby. Subconsciously Alia had made her way towards the bench that X had sat prior. She smiled as the memories played back in her data bank; the look of anxiety that played across his boyish face was priceless. As much as she hated to admit it, Zero's prank was pretty good.

Something silver caught the corner of Alias sight. Turning to investigate, she found a data pad lying in the grass. Picking it up, Alia wipes off the morning dew that had appeared. Frowning she brought up the display of the last page.

Love is like a river,

Graceful and wide;

Like the deepest, darkest forests,

Like the strongest ocean tide.

Love will always last

Forever and in many ways

Just like your friends

Who'll be there through endless days.

Remember when all seems lost

And you feel the most alone,

Your friends will always love you

And be there to guide you home

Alias eyes widened as she recognized her own poetry, this was the book she had given him earlier that week. Of course X had no idea that the writing was her own. No one did for that matter, like some well-guarded secret Alias hobby was something sacred. She made a mental note to ask him about her writing. Of course it be the guise of idle talk over literature, that way she could hide the pain of rejection towards her work.

She remembered when this poem was written. It was nearly three months after joining the Maverick Hunters, to her this was the beginning. After the hardships with Gates, this was when her knight in blue armor started to chip away at her heart. X had started out as a friend, and gradually evolved to something more. It was that day she made the promises to always ensure that X, along with Zero would return home safely.

Shaking her head Alia rapped herself lightly, " No time to get lost in dreams girl, you have work to do." And a promise to keep. She added silently to herself. Placing the data pad with her own collection, Alia continued on her trek to HQ. Only this time her smile was replaced with the cool mask she normally wore, with the resolve to bring the two home.

======

The midday sun shined brightly across the endless blue sky as heat of the day began to increase. Small animals sought to find shelter from the harsh environment of the wasteland, even after the colony drop the planet still survived. Living conditions may have been harsh for humans, but Mother Nature had dealt with far worse, and with nature only the strongest survived.

SPLAT!

Unfortunately, Mother Nature was never really a match for oncoming traffic.

" Gahh…HACK!" X momentarily lost control of his land chaser as the small insect shot down his throat to an instant death. A moment later Zero appeared over the con, cackling madly.

" So tell me X, did it taste like chicken?"

X grimaced at his longtime partner; in the background he heard the distinct sound of music. Rolling his eyes X spoke, " I wouldn't know, it plowed straight to my stomach, or at least to what you'd consider a stomach."

Zero nodded as he sped up, " Do we even have stomachs?"

Taking the cue, X let the crimson hunter pass him while keeping enough distance as not to choke on a batch of flowing blond hair. " Well we have to have something there, I mean the food we eat has to go somewhere."

Zero half nodded, his current attention currently divided between driving, talking to X, and flashing his land speeders lights in tune to his internal radio. X on the other hand was listening with half interest as the lights played in sync; finally the curiosity got the better of him.

" Ok I give, what song is that playing?"

Zero smirked, " Only the greatest song ever derived for road trips, Radar Love."

" Never heard of it."

This lead the red reploid to scoff, " That's because you have no social life. It's a 20th century rock song. Roy introduced it to me via eight-track."

" Eight-what?"

" Primitive vocal data storage, very susceptible to water and electromagnets."

X arched an eyebrow, " How archaic."

Zero laughed, " If you think that's bad try finding a working tape deck."

Even though X had no idea what a tape deck was he still nodded like he actually followed the red reploids conversation. He never could understand Zero's fascination with media pop culture of the past.

" So X, you do know that are mission is basically shit disturbers."

While X would have preferred a better choice of wording he nodded, " I'm aware of that."

Zero eyed him threw his rear video monitor, " And you're fine by this?"

A small grimace formed on X's face as his friend asked the question, " I'm not thrilled with the idea, but its something I have to do for myself."

The statement threw Zero off track, " I don't follow."

" I'm trying to discover who I am Zero. I hate violence, but I was obviously designed to dish it out by the truckload. Have you ever noticed that we seem to survive the impossible? That no matter what's thrown our direction somehow, someway, we survive, and in certain circumstances come out without a scratch."

Zero smirked, " Yeah, we must have one hell of a factory warranty."

" Well I don't buy it Zero." By now X's facial expression was serious. " Someone out there knows something, and I'm determined to find him."

Before Zero could respond, a warning indicator light flashed informing of an enemy lock on. Swearing the red reploid swerved to the right, nearly avoiding being hit by a cruse missile. The projectile exploded nearby causing both hunters to be thrown from there bikes.

Zero managed to throw himself close to his own hover bike, using it as a cover from strafing lasers. Gathering his wits, he looked over to his right to spot X in the same position a few feet away. X back was currently pressed against his own vehicle with his buster arm held ready. Glancing over he spotted Zero, who then put his hand near his head receiver.

Zero: "Well this is fun."

X smiled, " I just can't take you anywhere without getting shot at can I?" Although he couldn't see it, X could picture Zero's wry grin.

Zero: " You know me X, always the life of the party."

" Speaking of which…" X paused momentarily to poke up and let loose a charged shot before the return flack forced him to duck. " Any ideas on how were going to crash this party? I'm no genius but I'd say where pinned."

Zero: "What are we up against?"

X stole a peek above his bike to survey the area; in the distance the abandoned Replaforce base was alive with activity. The blue hunter frowned as his optics zoomed in on the structure. The outlining land was riddled with battle droids that ranged from infantry to small drone jets. Hidden beneath the landscape small silos opened revealing anti aircraft and shock troop turrets. X frowned deepened, this wasn't just a group of marauding mavericks, someone was building an army. " I see about twenty advance vector tracking turrets, and at least seven squads of shock troops."

X could pickup a small whistle over his comm. " AVT and combat drones? That's some pretty heavy hardware for a base that supposedly gutted. Whoever's in there been busy."

" Any ideas?"

Zero: " Yeah, CHARGE!"

"Zero wait!" X looked over to see that Zero had already sped off on his hover bike with his Z-saber drawn like some civil war general, all the while firing off shots from his forward blaster. Not wasting any time X hopped on his own bike and did a 180 kicking up dust as his bike sped off.

Both hunters sped across the landscape like a bat out of hell dodging laser fire from multiple angles. A sentry gun popped up a few meters in front of Zero's speeding bike, the red reploid cursed as the rapped deployment weapon opened fire hitting his bike several times. Zero instantly flung himself off moments before the bike exploded, the force sending him skidding along the ground. As he stood his eyes widened in shock as he came face to face with the barrel of another gun turret.

However as the gun opened fire Zero was quickly whisked up and over to the backside of X's own bike. Looking back Zero sighed, " I owe you one buddy."

In one of the few instanced Zero could remember X smirked, " Don't mention it." Pulling back on the handlebars X sent the front end of his bike up into a dash, using the front high-powered anti-gravity units to rip apart the forward troops.

Zero who was now half standing firing his own buster with one hand while haphazardly swinging his Z-saber with the other, using it to ether deflect incoming blaster shots or hack at droned that got to close for comfort. There was no organization, no tactical plan; the only thing they relied on was instinct, skill, and pure dumb luck.

Unfortunately luck eventually runs out.

One of the AVT further ahead locked on and fired a set of high maneuverability missiles directly towards the hunters. X gave a look of determination as he hit the dash one more time increasing their speed. Zero seeing the missiles yelped,

" What the hell are you doing!?"

X grinned, "Playing chicken." In the time span of seconds X grabbed a hold of Zero and leaped strait up right as the missiles found their mark. The resulting explosions, along with the X's own dash leap sent both reploids soaring high above the battle terrain.

Zero's eyes widened as the dawn that gravity was just about to take over, "Dammit X this is going to hurt!"

X however ignored his friends cries of profanity as he shouted into his receiver, " Falcon Armor activate!"

In a flash of light X's original armor began to glow, transforming itself. His mostly blue appearance changed to white with gold and blue trimming, along his backside a set of boosters appeared. The boots regular dash system was replaced with high performance ion turbines, resulting faster than sound speeds. His helmet also changed; along the side wing trims had placed themselves like a pair of ailerons. Sleek and agile, X was now a predator.

X grabbed hold of Zero as he veered off, narrowly avoiding splattering on the blacktop. Both hunters hung on to each other's arms as they gained altitude. However the Replaforce base defensive picked up, as more anti aircraft weapons came online.

X glared at the new threats, " I can't maneuver well enough with you hanging on Zero!"

The crimson hunter had freed his right arm and was currently taking pot shots at whatever he could aim at, " Then dammit let me drop!"

X looked at his friend in astonishment, " I cant do that!"

" We don't have time to argue X!" Zero spat, " Aim for the base and toss me towards their main gun, NOW!"

" I hope you know what your doing!" With that X started to spin, using the centrifugal force he shot Zero towards the base.

Zero gritted his teeth as he sped down towards the earth at an alarming rate. The wind and force pounded at his face, along with his hair as it flapped wildly in the air. He spotted the large anti airship cannon start to take aim. With a loud battle cry Zero unsheathed his Z-saber and brought it overhead. Slamming it into the cannon Zero held on for dear life as the saber cut along the inner chamber, and eventually coming to a stop.

Zero hung there momentarily as he caught his breath, " Heh…that wasn't to bad."

However to his dismay Zero felt the chamber begin to vibrate, looking down he spotted the base of the gun was powering up. With any indication of the light intensity, when it did go off Zero would be vaporized in the barrel.

"Oh hell no! Eat hot plasma you bastards!" Zero immediately began to fire his buster towards the focal point and was rewarded with the sounds of an explosion. He smiled as the light diminished, however immediately frowned as the fireball shot up from the resulting explosion. " Son of a-!"

Outside the gun platform the resulting backfire sent Maverick gunners flying across the compound. As the fire subsided and the smoke cleared from the area a figure emerged from the debris. The mavericks eyes widened in horror as Zero emerged, his armor was completely covered in soot; scorch marks, loosing its sheen. Areas of his helmet where chipped, along with cracks on head jewel and other areas.

Zeros laughed manically, his face, which was now covered with soot, and blood only added to the frightening affect of his appearance. Gripping his Z-saber Zero grinned toothily, " Ok you somnabitches, you want to play rough? Lets play rough then." With a heart-stopping roar the red maverick hunter dashed forward leaving nothing but carnage in his wake.

The explosion from the base was felt as X dodged another blaster shot. Risking a glance he spotted the smoke rising from the compound and smiled, Hand it to Zero to make that kind of impact.

His thoughts where interrupted however as the digital hub in his upper left field of vision turned red, indicating enemy lock on. Moment's later yellow arrow cones indicated several incoming shots. Gritting his teeth X banked hard right, keeping his focus on the altitude displayed nearby. Pulling his buster arm up X let out a charged shot that pierced several pursuits and resulting in multiple explosions.

" There's too many…"

Before he could even register the explosions another warning indicator appeared, this time in the form of several Surface to air missiles now on approach. X shot off in the opposite direction, pouring all his systems power into his armors thrusters. Unfortunately the missiles kept up with X and continued to gain ground. In one last attempt to escape X veered off, grabbing two drone jets that had happened to venture too close. With a flourish of reploid strength, X hurled both drones towards the missiles, resulting in their detonation.

However X couldn't register the victory as blaster fire found its mark on X's back. Causing the hunter to black out while free falling.

====

The scene below was equally in chaos, the only difference being Zero as the focal point purposely. The hunter had made his way to the inner sanctum of the base; hacking and killing whatever had the misfortune of crossing his path.

Zero's features conveyed a look of malicious content as he bought his Z-saber down on another technician. In truth the lab-tech was running away, but this fact proved uneventful to the crimson hunter. Over the past month, Zero's frustration had built. His destructive tendencies left unattended, now in the mist of battle his rage and ruthlessness had been unleashed. He was no longer Zero the Maverick hunter.

He was now a partial Maverick.

Still, he had not crossed the boundaries to complete madness yet. Zero was still fully aware of his actions, however unlike when he's with X or his own unit, he was fully engrossed in his killer tendencies.

A group of shock troops enter the corridor where Zero is walking, taking aim to stop the intruder. Unfortunately for them, Zero quickly dashed point blank and begins to slash each one. However his attacks where not meant to kill in one fail swoop. Instead he resulted to using his bare hands to rip open their armor, followed by severing their armed limbs. Those who still functioned afterwards felt the full impact of the Crimson Hunters foot as he crushed them like a tin can.

His armor was covered in mech fluid and blood. In truth he did not notice, the only thing on his mind at the moment was an urge to kill.

Across the base laughter echoed threw the corridors, like the devil himself had a front side seat.

However the laughter wasn't Zero's, as much as he savored the battle. He did not once think it was funny. Narrowing his eyes Zero scanned the nearby area, his body poised for action.

" And to think, at one point you where nothing but a pile of parts strewn out on a table. You where everything I imagined you to be."

The crimson hunter only smirked, " I'll take it as a complement. How about showing yourself so I can thank you personally."

Another round of laughter emitted from the speakers. Although Zero didn't recognize the voice, he already found it annoying.

" Fare enough, I'll be waiting in the compound outside."

Zero smiled toothily, " Talk about service, if only all Mavericks where this willing to commit suicide."

" Hardly, I'm more than a match for you. And don't worry about an ambush; you've already killed every person on this base. I must admit, killing your own kind and taking pleasure in it is below even me-"

The transmission was abruptly cut off as Zero slammed his fist into the nearby wall, knocking out the speaker. After sheathing his Z-saber, Zero calmly walked back towards the outside compound.

====

X was standing in a grassy meadow. The Sun shone brightly as blue skies stretched as far as the eye can see. The blue Maverick Hunter stared at the landscape confusingly, not knowing where he was. Laughter rang out across the fields, turning X spotted a group of people playing.

One was a girl with long blond hair, laughing as two others played. The other, a boy who appeared to be twelve ran as he tossed a Frisbee at a red robotic dog. The dog rushed forward to catch, only to trip and fall in a nearby stream. Both parties laughed as they helped out their friend. X felt content to watch the three play, yet at the same time compelled as if he knew them.

" I wonder, where have I seen them before?"

Walking over X yelped in surprise as the girl ran threw him. Standing still X shuddered, " That was creepy."

" You know X you shouldn't be here."

" Huh?" Looking behind him he spotted the boy standing along side.

" You have friends waiting for you, and Alia would be crushed."

The shock in X's eyes where apparent, " Who are you, how do you know Alia?"

The boy only smiled, " That's because she's standing right next to you."

" What?" Looking to his right X was surprised to see Alia now looking at him with a worried expression. " How?"

" She's always there for you X, watching, worrying. Someone like that is hard to come by, don't lose her."

With that the boy took off towards the girl and dog. X was about to follow when a hand grabbed his arm. Alia smiled, " X please don't go, comeback."

X by now was thoroughly confused, " Come back? From where?"

Alia continues to smile, " Look up silly."

X complied and found himself about to hit the ground.

Immediately X's eyes flashed open, with only moments from impact he did a mid air flip righting himself. With impact imminent X gritted his teeth in determination as the Falcon armors shuddered back to life, the powerful engines giving lift once again. As X slowly began to clime his scanner once again detected the familiar signature of weapons being locked on.

Grimacing X again sent the signal to increase his speed. Surprise took him however as warning indicators began to flash internally.

Warning Warning: Falcon Armor System Failure!

Thrust Vectoring: Damaged: 63% efficiency.

Armor integrity: 72% -Critical Systems Damaged!

Power output: 43%

System Status: Intermediate: Dash Systems and Charged Shot Offline.

System recovery: 32min.

X cursed as the readout was displayed as he glanced towards the direction of missiles rapidly approaching him. For the first time doubt of his survival appeared in his mind. Is this it? The targets closed in along with an emotion X hadn't faced sense his first days on the battlefield, fear.

However it wasn't fear of death, something else that plagued X. Was it regret? He didn't understand, images of his dream flashed by. Who where they? More importantly, why was Alia among them?

Alia…

Images of Alia flashed in X's mind as he continued to stare at imminent death, his red jewel began to glow lightly. No! I will not die here! Fear turned to anger, anger turned to determination as X's jewel began to pulse along with his armor that began to glow lightly.

" I will survive!!"

X's cry of determination was met as the missiles hit him dead on and exploded on impact. A cloud of dust circled the area as the robotic drones silenced their onslaught. For a split second all was quiet. Then the drone armies locked on to another power source, as it shot out from the cloud of debris.

X soared at incredible speeds shooting well beyond anything to track. His Falcon armor shined brightly as it brimmed with energy, as if it was trying to release a hatchling from an egg. Hovering above the battlefield X glared at his opponents, one by one each drone and turret was rapidly targeted by some unknown system. Once the task had finished X shot his arms strait out from his side.

" NOVA MISSLE STRIKE!"

Instantly the blue light shot out in various directions, each one following a select path that led to one of the targets. All along both the ground and sky explosions could be seen as the battlefield quickly turned into a scrap yard.

====

Zero calmly strolled outside to the courtyard. As promised no opposition had been met, which disturbed the Maverick hunter to no end. As heavily fortified as the base had been on the outside, quite the opposite had taken place inside the compound. Indeed the Ex-Replaforce base had the capacity to house three times the troop count he had encountered. So for Zero the next question was obvious, what did the enemy have planned?

" So glad you could make it Zero!"

From the middle of the court a purple reploid stood waiting with violate saber in hand. Zero smirked as he recognized the Maverick, " Well if it isn't Agile, you look pretty spry for a guy whose suppose to be dead."

Agile, former X-Hunter grinned as his red eyes glared cockily back. " You're one to talk. Last I heard the infamous Zero was nothing but a ghost reeking havoc amongst the populous."

Zero regarded the X-Hunter as he continued his walk across the field. Agile stood ready daring the Red Hunter to strike. Zero recalled the memory file of Agile. Using his own body parts as tools to lure X into a trap. The thought as bait was humiliating itself, but to be brought on by an idiot such as Agile brought Zero to new levels of seething.

Inwardly Zero smirked as he pulled out his Z-saber, one would soon learn that using the Crimson Hunter as a hostage could prove hazardous to ones health.

Agile only regarded the move with amusement, " What this? No witty comeback? No declaration of bodily harm? Honestly I expected more from-whoa!" His speech was quickly interrupted as Zero dashed forward swinging his Z-saber in an upward diagonal arch. Agile barely had enough time to deflect the powerful blow with his own saber as two more slashes where strewn in his direction. Like his namesake Agile blocked each blow, abet barely.

Only when the two combatants blades where locked did Zero speak, " In my years of experience I've found that for smart asses like you actions speak louder than words." Using his greater strength Zero pushed forward forcing the X-hunter to leap backwards, " Besides, I owe you one bonafied ass-whooping."

A smile played across Agiles face, " Izzat so?" Swinging his saber over his head in an en guard position as he taunted the Red Hunter, " Then by all means whoop my ass!"

Needing no other incentive Zero dashed towards his intend target letting forth a mighty swing of his Z-saber. However much to his surprise he found that his intended target had disappeared, instincts told him immediately to look up. As he did Zero was greeted with the view of Agile bearing down for a strike, using the sunlight for cover. Immediately the crimson hunter rolled away, instinctively bringing his Z-saber across his back to deflect an invisible blow from nowhere.

Several slashes where met by both parties as each one fought to gain tactical supremacy. Like some ballet each saber danced vibrantly as the warriors moved with the fluency of a river. While trading blows Agile snuck in a punch to Zero's mid section sending him reeling backward,

" And here I thought you meant you where going to kick my ass, terribly sorry for the mistake!" Not wasting a second Agile sent his blade flying with the intent of decapitating the crimson hunter.

Ignoring the slight pain Zero did a back flip narrowly missing the violate saber as it flew past his chest area. As his hands touched the ground Zero immediately sent his legs soaring upwards in a kick, connecting to Agiles face. The force sent the X-hunter upward from the impact. Zero not wasting any time sprinted forward as soon as he landed.

Agile barely registered the green blade as it almost made contact with his abdomen. Thankfully his reflexes took over swinging his own blade to parry. Looking at his foe he could clearly see the smile across Zero's face.

" I know its not your ass, but it spouts out enough shit that its close enough."

Agile glared at Zero venomously. No longer was this considered fun as he charged the hunter. Zero equally fed up with the antics of the X-hunter complied by dashing off head on. However before ether could gain ground a bright light filled the sky, causing both combatants to halt. Moments later several arching beams came flying towards there general direction. Within moments the base was under heavy assault.

Zero dodged one of the mysterious blue beams as it careened into the ground. Around him several explosions resulted in massive fires. Glancing to his right Zero noted that Agile hadn't moved from his spot. The X-Hunter stood by in shock unable to move, Zero peered closer and realized the gaping hole in Agile's chest and shoulder. The Maverick slowly fell to his knees as the background continued to erupt in flames. Zero calmly walked over to where the purple reploid kneeled and swiftly decapitated him.

The whine of an engine caused Zero to turn, inwardly he smiled as he picked out the form of X as he set known near by. Walking over he regarded the black mark where X's armor had been hit and winced, " Geez X you look like hell."

X regarded his comrades current state as he arched an eyebrow, " And your one to talk?"

" What can I say, I'm a workaholic." scoffed Zero.

" If you're a workaholic than I must be a freaking addict." Looking around X surveyed the damage, structures where beginning to crumble as the fire continues to spread. Letting out a whistle X regarded Zero, " Don't you think you went a little overboard?"

"Me!?" Yelped Zero, " Nah-uh you can't pin this one on me buddy. This Barbecue is all you." In an afterthought Zero knelt down and picked up Agiles head and firmly planted it on the tip of his Z-saber then turned to beam brightly at X, " See I only bought a shish kabob!"

X eyed the lifeless head of Agile and shook his own in disgust, " Zero, you have a sick sense of humor."

" You think that's twisted watch this." Turning Zero walked over to where the rest of Agiles prone body lay, ironically the Maverick's posterior was facing skyward. Swiftly Zero brought his foot to bear and swung, hitting his target. The body went sailing into the fire where it promptly exploded. Turning around satisfied Zero clasped his hands on a job well done, " Never say I don't keep my promises."

Before X could muster a response the ground began to violently shake as several large explosions rocked the entire compound. " This base is about to blow!" Another explosion sent both hunters flying towards the wall. As X and Zero stood the ground began to once again shake. Zero groaned,

" Not again."

On cue the ground gave way as both hunters fell. The base erupted in a massive explosion as a white light engulfed both parties. Letting their cries drown out in the background.

" Shiiiiii…."

Author Note:

WS: Mwahaha cliffhanger! I know I know its evil! But worry not, they do survive!

Alia: Obviously

WS: Woman, would you quit raining on my parade!

Alia: Pulls out whip

X: uh oh! Somebody getting the smack down!

WS: Yipe! 00 runs behind X Do something she's your girlfriend!

X: Well…not technically, you still haven't written that part.

WS: Damn technicalities… Zero help!…uh…Zero?

Zero: reading fic …heh, heh, I kicked his ass good. Looks at WS Get to work Slacker!

Alia drags author back towards the computer and looks at the readers

Alia: Don't worry he'll have the next chapter out by the end of the week. Gives wicked look towards WS who whimpers And please R&R, that way I know how much I need motivate him. smiles with whip

WS: grumbling Who knew she was a masochist --

Alia: What was that!?

WS: Mommy 00