A/N: yeah…this has been a while, but what can I say? Sometimes life is a bitch. This story is dedicated to Mystic Kyra and Kirsten, because they reviewed and supported this .

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in the Matrix movies; I'm only borrowing them…

Wide-Eyed Escape

By Ragdolli

That First Year

Life takes funny turns sometimes. I'd always thought that turn would come when I was bound and gagged and taken away; when my father decided to marry me off. What I got, I decided, was much better. I was learning, and learning quickly- everything from healing to tumbling to self defense to assassination.

I was deadly, dangerous, and finally coming in to my own. That was when I found myself joining the entourage. I sat in my wagon with Switch, my skirts up around my knees as she painted signs on my feet with henna; red and blue, the colors intertwining like the hot and cold of my nerves.

"…just simply remember what this means. You're part of a family now-you have sisters, brothers, and a father. A real one, not the piece of horse manure you left behind."

I grinned. Sisters? Definitely. If anyone knew just who to insult, it was Switch. "Switch, how did you choose your name?" I made sure to keep my voice without emotion. If there was one thing I had learned, emotion was too valuable to dispense.

Switch seemed to have been expecting the question. "My marksmanship. I could switch cartridges…never mind. I could switch weapons very quickly, just like I had switched homes."

"Oh." Something wasn't right there, and I knew Switch would eventually tell me, so I kept myself composed-though my curiosity didn't leave. There were places I wasn't allowed to go-certain wagons I wasn't allowed to enter. The rest of the entourage was, so I guessed I would have to pass some test, and then I would be allowed in too.

"Come forth, what thine eye's hold bright. Leave behind your self and join as one with us."

Morpheus's voice filled the caravan's circle, and I realized in my musings Switch had left and gone to the fireside. I stepped with my newly trained, measured stride, each step one more towards a new life. Reaching Morpheus, I knelt on the ground before the fire and faced to cups; one filled with a blue liquid and one filled with a red. The symbols on the cups matched the symbols on my feet- everything was themed flawlessly in harmony.

"There are two brews. In one, the recipe for a gypsy tumbler, who will remember nothing of skills once taught. In the other, the birth of a personal guard and assistant to Morpheus, leader of this caravan. You, the past Adrienne of Lyon, must choose your door to open."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I had never had any doubts about becoming Morpheus's personal guard, yet something held me back. There was some piece of truth there- something I needed to see. I looked at the cups and held the blood-red liquid to my lips. It was…horrible; the taste a mix between marrow and iron, I rushing sensation filled me. It took everything I had not to spit the mouthful out onto Morpheus's feet. Calming my stomach, I took Morpheus's hand and stood; while he turned me to face the caravan's inhabitants gathered before us.

"To those present from the staff of the Moulin Rouge home the Nebuchadnezzar, I give you…Trinity."

I felt Morpheus's smile as the music started. My head felt light and heavy, as I a great weight wanted me to shut my eyes. An odd ringing filled my ears, as I drifted off…to…

Sleep.

"Trinity! Trinity! TRINITY!"

"She's still a heavy sleeper, I told you Switch. Let me…"

"No! Apoc, the red mix's affects!"

Cold water hit my face, splashing down my shoulders to wash running red and blue swirls from my ankles and feet. Gasping, I shot off my bedroll to my feet, a knife already in my hand from its resting place under my pillow. "Apoc!" I gasped out as I saw the perpetrator put down a bucket next to an angry Switch's feet. Somebody would be sleeping in their own wagon tonight.

He grinned. "You needed to get up. Morpheus wants to see you- he has a hangover from last night."

I laughed at that, and then stopped. Why didn't I remember last night? I kept my face cool and nodded. "I'll need a package of dried herbs numéro catre, and a glass of boiled water with sugar dissolved in it." I pulled on a dry skirt and blouse and headed off towards the grand wagon. My stomach kept butterflies as I picked up my pace- even though I had made a hangover cure thousands of times, this was my first time doing the simple chore as Morpheus's personal guard and healer- I couldn't help feeling as if it was a test.

My own head still felt slightly woozy, and it worried me I couldn't remember anything from the night before. "You know, it's natural you don't remember last night. That red drink is supposed to knock you out…you aren't, erm, allowed to partake in your acceptance celebration." It seemed Switch had finally caught up with me.

"Oh? Thanks Switch." The older girl smiled as I gave her a hug (a rare thing for me, in case you hadn't guessed) and entered Morpheus's sleeping wagon.

That first task took less than half an hour to complete, and was by far the easiest task I faced that first year. I never passed whatever test Morpheus set for me, or so I thought. It turned out I already had, but that even tests for the truth took time. Oh, excuse me-I'm getting ahead of myself.

That year was daunting, but I managed. I came to love Morpheus as the father Switch had told me I would have. I killed for him, I healed for him, and I bled for him. I watched over everyone and became Morpheus's eyes in places the caravan couldn't always go. I even (around my morals which were slowly disappearing) came to terms with the more…naturally caravan aspects of our troop. Yet even so, facing the busy bar and stage that was home was the biggest challenge I would ever face…yet I precede myself again. Please, forgive me-I'll continue.

"Monsieur, we're entering Paris."

That was my cue. I jumped from the moving cart and knocked twice on each cart that passed, then mounted my horse and rode around to the front. The moment of truth, it seemed, had arrived. I would make my final introduction; I would meet the rest of the troupe that resided at the Nebuchadnezzar in the Moulin Rouge.

As we dismounted the wagons and entered the center of the night world of Paris, I took my place at the head near Morpheus. Long dark cloak, long dark skirt and the tight-topped mark of a brothel resident of Paris (black, or course). I was dressed to kill, with a literal meaning that last year would have terrified me. In each layer, seam, and possible place in my clothing a knife, poison vial, herb packet, or other implement was hidden. So naturally, knowing this, I expected the people of the cabaret known as the Nebuchadnezzar to, run from me, I suppose. Yet when I approached the door a Morpheus's side, I found myself being introduced to "…Mouse," Morpheus smiled as Mouse's eyes traveled down and up my body, and then back down to glance at my corseted front.

"It's pleasant to meet you," I smiled tightly and stepped hard on the man's foot with my heeled boot as I offered my hand. He blinked and took the hand, kissing it.

"I'm Mouse. Follow me, Morpheus, Trinity. Morpheus, He's waiting."

I looked at Morpheus with raised eyebrows. I had no idea what they were talking about, and assumed I could add it to the list of things Morpheus kept a secret from me. As we passed through the upper rooms of the cabaret I bumped into someone.

He was tall, wearing a dark suit over pale skin. My eyes met his brown ones and there were-

sparks.

My heart pounded as I apologized and moved on. I could have sworn I saw Morpheus smiling, but as we entered what must have been His chambers, became distracted by the conversation with Mouse. "Trinity, you'll meet the woman in red tonight-she's performing."

"Who?"

"Oh, the woman in red. She is one of our most…popular with the customers. Her show is wonderful."

Morpheus coughed into his hand, and I was positive he had been laughing. Against my better judgment, I liked Mouse. He seemed genuine, though working for Morpheus he must have seen more than his share of everything possible. Yet even as we talked, I found my thoughts drifting back to the man in the corridor. Some things, I had long since found, were hard to let go of. Most of them were mysteries, but some-like Switch-were people.

"…Trinity?"

"Yes?" I turned at Morpheus's command…and suddenly, once again, I met large, brown eyes.

Sparks.

"Trinity, I would like you to meet Neo."

number 4, in French

A/N: Well, that's the next chapter for you. I wasn't quite sure I was ready to bring in Neo, but I decided Trinity was ready to meet him. Are my mysteries to obvious? Are things making sense now? Please, tell me what you think. .