Why is she so sad?

Disclaimer: I don't own the Matrix or the characters in the movies.

Summary: Smith is alarmed to discover that both the Mainframe and the Architect know everything about Bronwyn and her child.

Author's Note: I accidentally posted the chapters out of order. This one takes place before "Father Knows Best," but I didn't send them in the right order. Sorry for the mix-up.

The next time Smith saw Bronwyn occurred as she was leaving her apartment building, her head down and in a hurry to get out of the rain. She was accompanied by an unknown man, got into a nearby blue Mercedes and drove away.

Today was the first day she had ventured outside since her release from the hospital, more than a week ago. Her observer was well aware of this, since he had doggedly watched the doors of the building where she lived every moment that he could.

Smith followed the car at a distance until it pulled into the parking lot of a hospital. He observed that as Bronwyn left the car to enter the building, she appeared to be in good spirits while speaking to the driver, but as soon as she closed the door and the vehicle drove away, the smile vanished from Bronwyn's face as if it had never been there. She turned and walked into the hospital lobby and headed for her obstetrician's office.

What that was all about, Smith wondered, and waited until she had entered the open reception area before getting out of his car. It was as if she didn't want the driver to know how she was really feeling, and was feinting on being happy. But why would she do that? The driver had not been Jones, who, for once, was not following her around everywhere she went, but someone else entirely.

When Bronwyn arrived at the office, she proceeded to the receptionist's desk. "Susan, I have an appointment with Dr. Yade."

"I'm sorry, Bronwyn, but Dr.Yade had to perform emergency surgery and won't be able to see you today; however her associate, Dr. Carol Mihelcic, will be filling in for her."

"That's okay. I don't mind." Bronwyn said, selecting a seat in the waiting room.

A while later, it was her turn. The receptionist called her name and Bronwyn was shown to an empty examining room. When the door closed and she was left alone, she slowly caressed her belly. Please let everything be all right, she prayed. It wasn't until I almost lost you that I realized how much you mean to me, little one. You are the only good thing that I've done with my life, and I can't lose you now, I just can't.

She was interrupted from her thoughts when the door opened and Dr. Mihelcic entered. She was as businesslike and efficient as her appearance and she wasted no time getting to the point.

"Ms. Delaney, I've read your file and I am a little troubled. Up until now, everything regarding your pregnancy has been normal and stable. However, Dr. Yade has informed me of your recent hospitalization and that your blood pressure is of definite concern to her. Has something happened recently that has made you so upset?"

"Yes," Bronwyn looked at her hands, not meeting the other woman's intent gaze.

"Can you tell me?" She listened and nodded gravely as Bronwyn told her everything. It was worse than she had thought. The child's father had discovered Bronwyn's whereabouts and his presence was aggravating the mind and well-being of her patient to such an extent that now both mother and child were in very real, very mortal danger. She sighed inwardly. The authorities will have to be notified about this if there was to be a favorable conclusion to this potential disaster.

When Bronwyn finished, Dr. Mihelcic said, "As you know, Dr.Yade is unavailable right now, but I'll know more after I've had a chance to examine you and assess the situation. Lie back on the table, please."

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After the appointment was finished, and Bronwyn had left the office, Dr. Mihelcic placed a phone call. As she had expected, it was answered on the first ring.

"Yes?" a male voice answered.

"I've just examined Ms. Delaney and there's something you should know, sir," said Dr. Mihelcic.

"What is it?"

"Her condition. It's worse than we originally thought."

"Send me her file," the Architect demanded sharply, before slamming the receiver down. After months of careful observation and planning, everything could be ruined at the very moment of the project's success and completion. Damn it, he cursed. He paused for a moment, and then dialed a number.

"I want to see Smith. Bring him to me. Now."

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Being in the crowded cafeteria had only emphasized Bronwyn's feeling of being isolated and alone. None of those other women in the waiting room has to have their phone calls screened, Bronwyn thought morosely. They have no idea how fortunate they are. They don't have to be afraid to go out whenever they want, to be free to do what they please, and not be a prisoner in their own home.

But I do. And all because of Smith.

Why can't he just leave me the hell alone? Angrily she shoved the plate of food away from her and with her chin in her hand, blankly gazed out the glass doors accessing the outdoor patio, closed now for the winter. Now, on top of everything, I find out that there is something wrong with me. Another episode like that one and I will lose my baby, and possibly even my life.

The thought of that terrible, yet entirely possible nightmare of the loss of her unborn child brought tears to Bronwyn's eyes and wrenched her heart and soul. I can't lose you, she told her child, repeating the thought over and over in her mind as if simply wishing it would make it so.

She reached in her handbag, pulled out a tissue, and dabbed at her eyes. Get yourself together, girl, she told herself. If Jones sees me now, he will know I've been crying, and he will start worrying about me all over again.

Jones, she thought affectionately, that big lug. He's been with me through all of this from the very beginning and I owe him so much. Just as Smith has been relentless in stalking me, Jones has been just as determined in protecting me.

Sitting at the very back of the hospital cafeteria, Smith watched Bronwyn from where he sat at a table a several rows behind her. Bronwyn was seated by herself, a plate of uneaten food in front of her. Her shoulders were slumped and even though he could not see her face, he could tell that she appeared to be tired and sad, as she would periodically wipe her eyes with her tissue. He heard the subdued, stifled sounds of tears being stopped as Bronwyn appeared to be trying to get a hold of herself and whatever made her so upset in the first place.

It never occurred to Smith that the reason why Bronwyn was so unhappy lay at his own door, and it was his relentless harassment that had brought her to her current state of deteriorating body and mind.

Why is she so sad, he thought, watching every move she made. After so long of not seeing her, not knowing how she was doing, Smith now locked his gaze upon her, committing every detail about her appearance and demeanor to memory. Did Jones do something to her? Is that why she is unhappy?

Jones, Smith thought angrily. That dim-witted oaf. He has no idea how lucky he is; being near her day after day and he hasn't the brains to appreciate it.

But, he realized with a jolt, what if she found out something when she saw the doctor? It had to have been bad news for her to be so upset. Is something wrong with her? Could that be the reason why I have been receiving a near-onslaught of emotional stimulus from our child?

It is aware that something is very, very wrong with Bronwyn, and that is the reason it has been calling out to me so often lately. Apparently, he or she can tell if its mother is in distress--either physically or emotionally--and it is appealing to me to help.

Smith's thoughts were interrupted when he saw with alarm that not one, but two Matrix agents morphed into bodies of hospital workers that were near Bronwyn. In one sinuous movement, Smith got to his feet while simultaneously drawing his sidearm as he did so, and was immediately ready to fire or at least intervene at the least provocation, thinking that they were going to harm or possibly abduct Bronwyn, but was puzzled when they turned together and came towards him.

"Former Agent Smith, the Architect wants to see you. Now," said one, addressing him.

"You are to come with us immediately," replied the other.

"Why?" Smith countered, looking at them both contemptuously.

The two agents glanced at each other and then looked at Smith in disbelief. No program had ever defied a direct order given by the Architect and this resistance was unexpected. Smith watched with disdain as they listened to the orders the Mainframe was now issuing through their earpieces.

I was once enslaved as they are, he thought, but now I am free. And there is nothing the Architect, or the Mainframe for that matter, can do about it.

"He has information that concerns the safety and well-being of Ms. Delaney and your unborn child," said the elder of the two agents.

Smith froze into perfect stillness, thinking quickly. If these agents know about Bronwyn and our child, then the Architect must know as well, since they are acting on his orders. What kind of information does he want to share with me? What does he want with her? He scowled when he realized that in order to find out how much information the Machine World had on Bronwyn, their child and himself, he would have no choice but to comply.

He holstered his Desert Eagle revolver. "Lead the way," he said brusquely.

The three men left the cafeteria with an agent on either side of Smith as they walked down a corridor to a steel door. The agent who had been in charge opened the door. The hallway they now were in was all too familiar to Smith. It had been the one he had entered after his human digitalized self had exploded in white light after Mr. Anderson had defragmented and destroyed Smith's programming from within. It was the only way to access the Architect and the Source.

"I know where his office is, you don't have to follow me," Smith snarled when the two agents made as if they would accompany him.

They listened to their earpieces again and it was all Smith could do not to roll his eyes in contempt. After listening to their instructions, they turned and left Smith alone in the hallway.

"Amateurs," he scoffed sneeringly, as he turned the handle of the door in front of him and entered.