Author's note: I'm glad you are liking my fan fic so far. As you know in this point in the fairy tale, Smith has now met the princess. I had been racking my brain as to what romantic song I could usebefore the clock struck twelve. So I chose Brandy's version of Everything I Do. Just to let you all know I am not making one thin dime off of thisfic and the original story of Cinderella belongs to the Brothers Grimm and that The Matrix belongs to The Wachoski Brothers. Enjoy!

Chapter 7

Smith and the princess stood out on the balcony and looked at the stars. Only Smith was looking more at Kestra than he was at the night sky. Meanwhile agents Jackson, Johnson and Thompson were pouting because the princess didn't even utter a simple hello to them ... poor babies ... NOT! But anyway back to the story. Smith and Kestra were on the balcony and they sat and chatted for quite a long time.

"So what brings you to our city princess?" Smith asked her.

"Well it's my birthday tonight." She told him.

"Oh if I had known I would have brought a present."

Kestra just looked into his deep blue eyes and gave him a smile.

"I think your being here and sitting with me is enough." She told him.

"So what's it like?" He asked.

"What is what like?" She answered.

"What is it like to be the future queen of Zion? I mean your life must be so ... exciting."

"It's more like a zoo on some days and on other days ... well ... it's more like a prison." She said sadly.

"Why would you say that?"

"Ever since the day I was born, my whole life has been mapped out. Who I hang out with, what I eat, how I dress, you know typical royal family bullshit."

"Oh?" Smith asked as he raised one eyebrow.

"Yes, it is this royal purpose that has controlled me since they day I was concieved." She answered sadly.

"I think I understand what you mean. It's purpose that controls us and binds us." He said as he took her hand in his.

"Exactly." She said.

And then she turned to face him and planted a quick soft kiss on his lips. Smith had a look of surprise on his face after that very human gesture.

"What was that for?" He asked.

"For understanding where I'm coming from. I'm usually not that forward, but I felt that I needed to kiss you. I hope that you didn't mind. If I offended you, I apologize." She said.

"No princess, you didn't offend me at all." He reassured her.

In fact he wanted to kiss her to kiss him again. She smiled at him and moved her lips to his. But instead of a short soft kiss it was a long one that seemed to last forever. Agents Jackson, Johnson and Thompson looked over towards the balcony as Smith and Kestra were kissing and holding hands. They were obviously pissed off at this mystery man who captured the princess's fancy that evening, now they would never get a chance! Not too far from them was Queen Machina and Queen Switch who also looked towards Smith's and Kestra's direction.

"Who is that young man?" Switch asked Machina.

"I don't know, but Kestra sure took a liking to him the second he walked in the door." Machina said.

"Well he sure is cute ... really cute!" Switch said with a nod as she took a sip of her drink.

Smith and Kestra still sat on the balcony and then a song came over the sound system. It was slow and romantic with a sensual R&B sound. She looked into Smith's eyes as she spoke.

"May I have this dance?"

"I would love to." He answered.

They went back to the dance floor and held each other close.

Look in to my eyes
You will see, what you mean to me
Search your heart, search your soul
And when you find, then you'll search no more

Don't tell me, it's not worth trying for
You can't tell me it's not worth dying for
You know it's true everything I do I do it for you

She looked into his eyes as they continued to dance. The world around them seemed to disappear as they continued to move together to the music.

Look in to your heart, you will find
There is nothing there to hide
Take me as I am, take my life
I would give it all, I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fighting for
I can't help it, there's nothing I want more
You know it's true, everything I do I do it for you

And then they kissed again. But at that moment the bell tolled. Smith looked panicked.

There is no love, like your love
And no other could give me more love
There's nowhere, unless your there
All the time, all the way

"What's wrong?" Kestra asked.

"I have to go! I'm sorry!" Smith said.

The bell continued to toll as he ran out of the club. He ran past his bodyguards who immediately morphed back into mice as they scampered out of sight. Kestra did her best to keep up with him.

"Wait! I don't know your name!" She called out.

Smith continued to run, as he ran his tux turned back into the same wrinkled ash covered suit he had been wearing before. Kestra was out of breath as she ran out the club after him. She kneeled and looked down at the ground as she caught her breath and then she saw it. She bent down to pick it up, it was an earpiece, the same one he had been wearing. She stood there holding it in her hand.

You can't tell me it's not worth trying for
I can't help it, there is nothing I want more
I would fight for you, I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you, yeah I'd die for you

Smith reached the safety of the building and got back before the other agents did. They didn't suspect a thing. They came home from the ball and all he heard were their rantings about the mystery man who captured the princess' attention. Smith could help but smile. Even if he never saw her again, he would have the memory of their short time together and he would treasure it always. Meanwhile Kestra would wonder who this man was and she would set out to find him again.

You know it's true
Everything I do
I do for you