Author's Note: All right, so I apologize for the fact that this is only half a chapter. I'm going out of town and won't have a chance to update again until early next week, so I figured I'd post what I have so you wouldn't all think I'd died. I'll post the end as soon as I get a chance.

Also, I just posted a one-shot for Constantine, so check that out if you're interested.

Michelle

Chapter 10-1 –Risk Assessment

The beeping of the machines sounded like the ticking counter of a time bomb. Green lights flickered and pulsated on the displays like a million watchful, prying eyes. There was a mesh of wires leading to the bed. Trinity sighed and forced herself not to look away. The wires and machines gave Morpheus the appearance of a fly trapped in a spiderweb, helpless and unable to get free.

"Talk to me," said Neo coming to her side on the way back from his own appointment with the Zion medical staff. He'd insisted on coming into the quarantine ward with her even though he couldn't see. "Anything new?"

Trinity shook her head, then realized he couldn't see. She grabbed his hand and brought it to her lips, feeling unusually emotional. Morpheus had always been like a father to her; seeing her captain so utterly helpless was faith-shattering.

"No," she said softly. "Nothing. They're still watching. Trying to make sure that no one's going to hack into his mind and get the Zion access codes. I think they would try to change them, but that would require jacking in, and, well, that would go against the peace. You know that."

Neo sighed and slipped an arm around her waist. It occurred to her suddenly that she should ask him about his own news, but somehow she only felt exhausted.

Get a grip, she ordered herself. You're in charge now. Get a grip or the price will be much, much higher.

"What did the doctors tell you?" she asked softly at last. "About your eyes?"

He sighed again, and Trinity knew that the news had not been what he was hoping for.

"They tried one more laser operation…helped a little…not enough."

She turned abruptly toward him, staring into the depths of unseeing hazel eyes.

"What are your options now?"

His hand found hers, wrapped around her fingers, tracing the shape of her palm. It was a long time before he answered, it seemed an eternity—almost long enough for her to lose her composure.

"There's one more operation they can try. Real surgery. But it's risky."

"How risky?"

"There…could be brain damage. I could lose my sight completely…worse…"

"Neo…" Trinity turned toward him, her fingers playing over his shoulders. She was struck by a wave of shyness momentarily—it suddenly seemed disrespectful to be having such a personal conversation in front of her albeit unconscious captain—but she shook it off quickly and forced herself to focus on Neo. "You don't have to do it, you know. I mean, I'll always be here for you."

He pulled away abruptly, as if sensing her discomfort.

"Trinity…I know that. And…without this sounding horrible, my decision isn't about you. It's about what I can and can't live with. Going on like this…I just don't think I could do it."

"So you're going to go ahead with the operation, then. For you." It came out more harshly than she'd intended, and she instantly regretted it.

"Yes," he muttered. "I have to."

"Neo…at least wait until…all this is over."

He nodded slowly, but didn't say anything—it was not exactly an agreement. She was about to say something else when they were interrupted by the sound of the door being flung open. She turned just in time to see one of Lock's assisstants entering.

"Captain? The Commander needs to see you in his office at once. He has…issues he would like to discuss with you."