Ice blue eyes scanned the pitch black abyss, looking aimlessly for an end to the darkness. With a stifled sigh, the eyes looked back down to the ground, or, what he could make of it. He could vaguely remember that he wasn't here before. It was supposed to be, a field. Fighting off… Black Ghost forces. But, the last thing he could recollect from that incident was the squadrons of Black Ghost tanks, firing countless rounds of ammunitions at them… And then here, in the blackness.

That's when the outfit was noticed. He had completely expected to see the crimson and gold uniform that he wore, what seemed like minutes ago, into battle. Instead, he was garbed in a black jacket, barely visible against the blackness of where he stood, instead of a deep crimson tunic accented with the four golden buttons. His pants were a dingy tan, instead of the identical scarlet. Around his neck, was no flowing scarf, but in its place was an ascot with a dark shade of green.

"Was I wearing this before?" His question was lost to silence, or so he thought.

"Of course you were, my love." He turned around to the voice, only for icy orbs to lock with azure ones. They looked over the features of the one that stood behind him, as though not believing that they were seen. Short blonde hair, a fair face, lit up by the all too familiar smile… The smile he longed to see for over 40 years…

His voice seemed to be caught in his throat, but he managed to force out a choked, "Hilda?"

Her smiled remained in place, as she walked over to him. "Albert, we made it. We're free at last. You and I together." Her arms reached out, and gently embraced him. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around her, realizing little by little that she was really there, holding him once more.

Something warm flowed out of his eyes and it took him a moment to grasp that fact that he was crying. "…Hilda…"

It may have been the blurriness the tears caused, but he could swear that the scenery around them was changing. Contorting, shifting, but to what?

Rain… The downpour of rain was on them… And nearby, he could make out thick smoke. The wreckage of the truck, right there… From before, when it…

No, he wasn't going to remember that now. Because it didn't happen. His love, was right there, unscathed from the crash. Was that possible? His mind dulled, under the deluge of ecstasy. It was enough for him to not question how this was possible, after witnessing the horrible event that took his love in the first place. The event that made him what he was. There were vague remembrances of his friends, blurred images within his mind, and what they were doing…

But because of the surge of emotions, only a few chosen thoughts came to mind.

We're free… She's here… At last… He opened his eyes, several of the tears falling on to his love's face. She in turn, was also crying her tears of happiness.

"I love you Albert…"

"I love you too, Hilda. Now and forever."

"Now and forever, my love."

Inside the infirmary, the group surrounded the bed that held their friend. His face, seemed so serene, in contrast to the despair deeply reflected in the others' faces. Each one was still garbed in their uniform, just as the figure on the bed was.

"Dr. Gilmore, can't you help him?" 006 looked over his comrade, then fully faced the doctor.

Said doctor looked them all over, before closing his eyes. "I'm afraid, that I cannot. When dealing with cases of suspended animation, the only thing to do is to keep the body alive the best as possible."

"But for how long doctor?" Dr. Gilmore wished he didn't look into the youth's eyes. They always seem to pierce him on the spot whenever they brimmed with emotion.

"That, I'm not certain on, 009… But if he does not regain consciousness within a set time, then we will be certain that…" His words diminished into a whisper, witnessing the expressions on the remaining cyborgs' faces. On one side, aquamarine eyes silently wept near the bed, the aerialist muttered several coarse words, and their natural leader resumed his poignant gaze on the floor.

On the other side, the strongman's eyes clearly betrayed their owner's stoic expression. The pilot looked at the bed, fists clenched. The flamethrower and the shapeshifter both looked glumly at the bed, at the silver topped head, and the eyelids that would conceal those ice blue eyes, forever.

Just like how he and his love would be free together.How eternal sleep and dream would consume that man, as time passed. And how all his friends would mourn over him.

Forever.

I seriously can't tell if the bodice of their uniform is a tunic or not… Vaguely reminded me of one…

Dark: Comments? Suggestions? Maybe insults? Send them in. And now for the responses.

To GoldAngel2: Really? Thanks a lot! Pouts slightly Just wish I could actually think of a good plot, for another story. A good one… But all I can think up are nightmares… All I can ever really think of are short ones for some reason.

To Cyborg0021: You think so? I can't believe it… I'll try work harder on the chapters, but writer's block and school get in the way…

To Maritta: I almost thought people wouldn't like it… For being a collection of anecdotes and such… But you did really think it was beautiful?

To CC1F: I don't if this counts as fluff, but I'm working on one for 009 and 003. Does that sound good to you?

To Holli: I really did wish there was a way to make that one longer… But… Sigh Well, at least this got a bit of length. Almost.

To Demon Darkchild: Thanks! And don't worry, I'll sure try!

To ravenf6: This was your first Cyborg 009 fic? I'm honored. And yeah, people do dislike the series, for being old, and other things… Or even its characters… Which is worse. But I agree with you about it being something different. Thanks for the review, and making me feel that I'm not all that weird. (Don't know why, but I'm just… Attached to this anime… Like it's more then a show… Okay, now people will probably think of me as weird.)

Dark: And in the immortal words of… well, myself, "Viva la Cyborgs!" (I need to work on that line… Something just isn't right.)