Authors note: This chapter was kind of inspired by a hangout in Portland, Oregon called The Roxy. And the terms you are about to read exchanged between Red and Dawnna are actual things drag queens and fag hags greet each other with so please don't take offense. Also you will see a gay couple getting engaged. Some of thecharacters in this chapter that you will see are actually based on people I know. Soif you're offended by gay themes in this point in the story, tough shit! Otherwise, happy reading!

Chapter 17

Smith and Indigo were dancing and having great time. How he loved having her in his arms, when she was with him everything seemed alright with the world. Finally the club shut down for the night and it was a sign for everyone to leave. Both Red and Seraph as well Smith and Indigo stepped out into the night air, the evening was calm.

And then Seraph chimed in. "I'm famished, all that partying has made me hungry."

"I know a place just up the street." said Red.

And then she turned to Smith and Indigo.

"Seraph and I are heading to The Roxy. You're more than welcome to join us."

"I am a little hungry myself." was Indigo's reply.

Smith took her hand and the four of them walked up the street, it had started to rain. Smith hated the rain because it brought too many bad memories of the program he was so long ago. But he continued to walk with her holding her hand. She could tell something was wrong with him.

"Are you okay?" she asked him.

"I just don't like the rain that's all." he told her. He squeezed her hand and smiled at her.

Then she remembered the story of the last battle with Neo and she really couldn't blame him for hating it, she only wished she could make new memories for him when it came to the rain. But she could tell he was content just holding her hand as droplets of water splashed down on them. Thankfully it was only a light sprinkling and not a downpour. As they kept walking Smith observed Seraph with his arm around Red and he followed suit by doing the same with Indigo and her arm would wrap itself around his back. As they walked up the street Red said hello to everyone she knew including the drag queens and the street kids. This street had one bar after another and it was obvious that they were closing for the night when patrons by the groups were piling out and on their way home.

Smith noticed that some were coupled up like he and Indigo were but most of them were men embracing with men and he saw a few women embracing with women. This was fascinating to him even though he knew he liked girls. But he seemed comfortable enough to walking through this gay mecca. The people here were obviously full of love and acceptance and he got a warm fuzzy feeling inside just by watching them and by observing how happy they were just by being themselves. And for the first time ever in his exsistence he finally felt like he could be himself especially now that he was with her.

Finally they reached The Roxy and was the most interesting place Smith had ever seen, when they went inside they were greeted by a waitress by the name of Dawnna. Dawnna was about the same height as Indigo and she was quite attractive with her full red lips and long red hair, she noticed Red right away.

"Hey hooker!" was Dawnna's greeting.

Smith and Indigo look confused at that comment. Seraph and Red chuckled because they knew Dawnna's twisted sense of humor.

"Hey bitch!" was Red's reply.

"How many will be joining you this evening?"

"Well there's Seraph, Indigo and Smith, that makes four." said Red.

Dawnna eyeballed Smith and then gave a slight grin. Smith being polite smiled back at her.

"I don't if anyone has told you this, but you're really cute." said Dawnna.

Smith felt like he was blushing from that comment. No one ever thought that an agent of the matrix was attractive let alone cute. Of course a long time ago humans and programs alike would see them on the other side of a Dessert eagle shooting at them. So of course the comment surprised him. Indigo giggled at the comment and his reaction.

"Hey what about me?" said Seraph in flirting tone.

"Oh baby," Dawnna purred "you know you'll always have a place in my heart."

"Hey can we still smoke in here?" Red asked.

"No." said Dawnna.

Red sighed, "Let me guess? The Architect?"

"Yeah." was Dawnna's reply. "The old bastard passed an ordinance that prohibits smoking in all restaurants in the matrix. Didn't even let us vote on it either."

"That sucks!" said Seraph.

"We do have a smoking section outside. But it's not the same." Dawnna replied.

"Well what do you expect from The Architect." said Red with a smirk. "So anyway how long for a table?"

"Not long at all. Follow me."

The group followed Dawnna to a booth at the far end corner of the restaurant where directly in front of them was a life sized statue of Jesus hanging on the cross with a bright neon pink halo encircling it's head. Smith stared at it for a long time, it wasn't everyday he saw such things. He also studied the interior of the establishment. Poster from Quentin Tarrantino movies covered every wall as well as autographed pictures of local drag queens and famous celebrities. And on the shelves were different types of Barbie dolls. The decor itself was very interesting to him. Dawnna handed them their menus and announced she would give them a few minutes to decide. She went back to seating her customers. He was reading over the descriptions of the sandwiches and dishes named after famous people. He chuckled at names like The Lovely Suzanne-Witch, Tonya Harding Double Decker Club and the Vagetarian Omlette with the caption that read 'Girls dig it!'. They even had creative names for the beverages as well. Finally after a few minutes Dawnna came back and took their order.

"What'll ya have?" she asked the group with a pen and pad in her hand.

Red went first. "I'll have the Bad Breath Bagel. That looks good."

Seraph looked at her and wrinkled his nose. Because he knew the Bad Breath Bagel had onions.

"It looks like I won't be kissing you anymore tonight." there was a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Red just grinned at him and finished her order.

"I'll also take a raspberry Italian soda please. And I'll take that with half and half with whipped cream."

"Okay. What about you Seraph?"

"I'll take the Poo Poo Platter. And I'll also take a raspberry Italian soda no cream in mine thanks."

"Poo Poo Platter?" Smith asked.

Seraph explained, "Don't let the name fool you, it's far from it."

"Okay how you?" it was Indigo's turn.

"I'll have a diet soda and a Royale with extra cheese, no pickles. And a side of blue cheese dressing."

"Fries, or potato salad with that?"

"Fries please."

And then it was Smith's turn.

"What'll you have handsome?" Dawnna asked with a sly wink.

"I'll just take the cheesy fries and a pot of coffee."

Dawnna repeated the order back and told them that their food would be coming right up. A few moments later she would arrive with their drinks. Smith didn't say a word he just watched the patrons with interest. Out the corner a pair of men caught his eye. It was obvious they were very much in love with each other. The man on the right was had a shaved head and had very happy smile on his face the other who was obviously his partner was a few inches shorter than him and had short cropped red hair and he was very fair skinned with freckles. They walked in holding hands and took a seat at their table right across from them. Smith and Indigo looked at them laughing and talking and giving each other short pecks on the lips. A smile crept across Indigo's lips. Dawnna arrived with their food and Smith was still observing the gay couple with interest in front of them as they ate. Finally when the redhead least expected it the bald man got down on one knee and took out something out his pocket what resembled an engagement ring. Finally all eyes were on them and the redhead cried when he nodded his head yes. Cheers were heard all over the restaurant when they embraced.

"What just happened? And why was that man crying when he was given the ring?" Smith asked.

Indigo explained. "Well he just asked for his hand in marriage?"

"What is marriage?"

Indigo took his hand. "It's something two beings do when they love each other very much."

"You mean, like us?"

"Yeah. Like us." she said as she took his hand in hers.

"But these are two men I just saw. Does this custom also apply to men and women as well?"

"It can but when two beings love each other and it doesn't even matter what color or gender you are."

"Does that also apply to us since you are human and I'm an A.I.?"

Indigo looked into his eyes.

"I don't see why not."

Smith liked that answer and squeezed her hand lightly and then looked away from her.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"How can you love me? Even after everything I've done? In the past I've killed countless humans, I even tried to control the matrix itself by copying myself and becoming a virus. So for someone to even love me is just overwhelming. Hell, there's some days where I am shocked that I even have friends like Seraph and the other agents, even after what I did so long ago. I mean ... I would hate me too."

"Maybe they know you're not that program anymore."

Smith knew she was right. Seraph and Red excused themselves and headed home leaving Indigo and Smith alone to talk more. As they talked Indigo had a bad feeling that something was going to happen. The hairs on her back stood up and then finally there was a crashing sound behind her. They quickly turned around, it was Cutter.

"Hey asshole! You're gonna have to pay for that!" Dawnna shouted.

Cutter just grabbed Dawnna and threw her across the room like a rag doll making her crash into the wall and knocking her out. Cutter was walking towards them with a menacing look on his face and his eyes seething of hatred. Instinctively Smith shot up out of his seat and got into a defense posture, just in time to see Cutter's fist heading straight for him. Lightening quick, Smith darted to the side resulting in Cutter smashing the jukebox behind him.

Cutter had a crazed look about him.

"You just had to take her didn't you?"

Patrons started scrambling out of The Roxy as fast as they could.

"I don't want to fight you!"

Cutter scoffed at Smith.

"Look at you ... big bad Agent Smith!" he laughed "Are you too much of a pussy to fight me? That's okay! I wouldn't wanna fight me either!"

A crowd slowly formed outside the restaurant, watching the spectacle as Cutter was throwing punches at Smith and Smith ducking each blow. Enraged, Cutter lunged at him. Smith was so fast he was almost a blur to the naked eye. Cutter kicked and punched but he kept missing his mark. Finally Smith did a lightening fast high kick sending Cutter flying through the window and landing him on the sidewalk unconscious. He grabbed Indigo and ran like hell from the restaurant. By this time it was raining just like the night of the final battle with Neo.