"All this... it has a name. It's called guilt. It's a feeling, and it's important. But it's not more than that, Buffy... You've carried the weight of the world on your shoulders since high school. And I, I know you didn't ask for this, but... you do it every day. And so, you wanted out for one second. So what?" – Willow in "The Weight of the World"

"You have to be strong. I'm, I'm trying to-"


"Trying to, to what? Desert me? Abandon me? Leave me all alone when I really need somebody?"

"I don't want to leave-"

"So don't. Please don't." – Giles and Buffy in "Tabula Rasa"

It had been two hours since Paz entered the Matrix to meet her father for the first time in ten years. Her brother- after finding out what she had been up to for the past few weeks, was at first furious, but quickly understood, and was standing beside her in Niobe's quarters in Zion. Narcissus sat beside Ghost, who sat next to Sparks, while Haze, Jupiter, Link and Kid were surrounding the One's children.

"All right, I have brought you all here because Paz has just found her father, Neo, the One. Playing a cat-and-mouse game, we are hoping to cause him to come here. The Oracle has told us that the machines will try to attack us again, and Paz must stop them. I need all of you to help us prepare for a launch into 01, with or without Neo. Ghost, I need you to train Haze and Jupiter in the finer areas of the gun turrets. Sparks, you and Link are to watch the Matrix at all times for any chance that Neo will appear. Kid, Emmanuel, and Paz will come with me to prepare for Neo's arrival. Any questions?" Niobe raised her eyebrows, eyes scanning the group. When no one spoke, she nodded. "Good. Get to your jobs."

Paz sat in the room that had once been her parents' in Zion. They had moved to the surface when she was five, but the memories here were still clear. Sitting on the large bed that Neo and Trinity had slept together in, she felt a tear trickle down her cheek. The creak of the door caused her to look up in surprise, wiping the tear away quickly.

"Hey." Emmanuel poked his head in. "Mind if I join you?"

Nodding, Paz watched as her brother shut the door before moving to sit next to her. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he spoke softly, "I know I told you a long time ago to never try to find Dad, and I just want you to know, I'm glad you didn't listen."

"Thanks."

"Hey, it's me." Emmanuel smiled before rubbing Paz's arm. "By the way, I think Haze likes you."

Paz was nodded absentmindedly before snapping her head to face her brother's. "What?"

"Short attention span?" Emmanuel laughed softly, "Haze. I think he likes you."

"What makes you think that?" Paz asked nonchalantly- a cover of the delight within her. She had liked Haze since they met last year in the Temple at a dance.

"I'm your brother, and a guy, I know these things."

"Well, since you know those things, then I will tell you this- ask Narcissus out before she strangles you." Paz smirked at the shocked look on Emmanuel's face before continuing, "I know you like her, and she's told me quite a few times how much she likes you. Just do it already before Niobe notices and does something about it."

Emmanuel sat, dumbstruck before allowing a grin to spread across his face, followed by a chuckle rising in his throat. Shaking his head, he rose, pulling Paz with him.

"Look at us, brother and sister, telling the other which people to be with." A moment passed in comfortable silence as the pair thought over what he had said before Emmanuel took a breath and spoke again, "Come on, I was originally coming here to get you because Niobe wants to speak with us, so we should go before she goes on a rampage."

"Paz, glad you could make it. I would think you of all people would like to know that a small hovercraft was just recently picked up by one of the sensors by Zone 45." Niobe smiled tightly at the arrival of the siblings. "We believe it to be Neo."

"How long until he reaches the closest gate?" Paz inquired, all business.

"Two hours at the speed he's going. He's being damn careful not to be picked up by our scanners often. I guess he's trying for a surprise." Link answered from the consoles.

"Yeah, like that'll happen when entering Zion." Sparks rolled his eyes.

"All right, so we prepare, and keep it quiet. I don't want anyone to know about this except those who must." Paz looked around, a young, yet commanding voice sinking into everyone's ears. "Emmanuel, Haze, Narcissus, Jupiter, and I can ready a docking area in the old dock. No one lands there often- it won't be populated. Link and Sparks, keep me updated, Kid, I need you to go and get our ship ready."

Niobe smiled at Paz, it was impossible not to think of Trinity- or Morpheus for that matter. Swallowing quickly, Niobe moved her gaze to Ghost.

"Ghost, you and I are taking a trip to Zion Command."

"The is Zion command, we have received your ship codes, please enter through Gate 3 to Bay 12. Doors open, beds made. Welcome home."

"Thank you Zion command." A crackling reply from the small hovercraft cut through clearly before the ship moved towards its docking area.

Landing the ship carefully, Neo looked out the cockpit window to see a small group of people awaiting his arrival. Sighing, he knew this had to happen. He couldn't leave now; he would only ruin everything he and Trinity had ever worked for- at least, what was left from his departure. Standing, he entered the main deck and punched the exit ramp button, causing it to lower slowly- yet steadily. He took a breath before beginning his descent. Here I go.

Paz stood at the forefront of the group with Niobe and Emmanuel flanking her on either side. The rest of the group stood in a small arch around them. All eyes watched the man who was known as the One descend from the bowels of the ship. Niobe couldn't help but see the toll that time and heartbreak had taken on Neo. His eyes looked more haunted than when Trinity had first died- perhaps from the guilt over leaving his children, only to return when they were old enough to no longer need him. His hair was slightly messier looking, but was that same length as it had always been, while his jaw and chin were covered in a mass of dark hair that seemed to have been left unshaven for more than three weeks. His frame- always thin- was slightly more filled out, and at the same time- almost skeletal. His clothes were in desperate need of repair or replacement, while his bag proved how little he lived on- wherever he lived.

Niobe could feel the stiffening in Neo's children's bodies and decided to take the initiative. Stepping forward, Niobe stuck out her hand. Neo looked down at it for a moment before shifting his bag to the opposite shoulder so he could clasp hands.

"Neo, long time."

Neo only allowed a ghost of a smile to grace his face before his eyes moved to Paz. In the real world, her similarity to Trinity was even more striking through her haircut and build. Paz kept her face vacant of all emotion as his eyes took her in. She felt her brother move closer to her protectively and broke the gaze her father had leveled at her to look at Emmanuel. His fury was barely controlled, it could be seen in his eyes, and was rolling off of him in waves. She understood his anger, and placed a hand on his arm. Their eyes locked, and the anger dissipated instantly, understanding her and respecting her silent wish with a nod. Turing to look back at Neo, Paz noticed he had taken all of this in, and now his eyes were focused on Emmanuel.

Silence reigning in the empty dock caused Kid to shift feet uncomfortably before moving around the group to Neo, "Neo, it's good to see you again."

Neo shifted his gaze to Kid, taking in the young man before him before his eyes widened in shock.

"Kid?"

Kid smiled and nodded- his hair had been kept short, but he'd allowed stubble to grow as he grew up. At 26, he had finally come into his own- and was a ranking officer in the corps to boot. Niobe, noticing the almost complete unease that was sifting through everyone, began to usher the group away from the docks to go to her quarters.

I know, this was a build-up fic. Kinda like the middle chapter of a trilogy, but I couldn't help it. Maybe more than just two chapters will go up... I cannot guarantee how few or many now though. Bear with me.

To reviewers:

LiMiYa: I hope this chapter answered some of your questions; the rest will come in time.

trinkid07: I too am attached to Neo and Trinity, but I changed the story because it needed a BIG change, or else it would've, well, sucked horribly.