Thanks for all your support! I really need it!

Chapter10: Not even if you kill me

Neo slowed down as he arrived in view of the Oracle's building, then he moved a little higher and remained hanging mid-air. He blinked once, his eyes opening to the confusion of the Matrix green code, and scanned carefully the surrounding underground area.

After a few minutes, he let out a hiss of victory, lifting his hand clenched in a fist in the process. Now he was sure they were there... and that fucking program had the hours - no, minutes - numbered.

He let the gravity overwhelm him and he descended falling at vertiginous speed, landing heavily on the ground of the main street, just in front of the phone booth that should have led him and Trinity to the awaiting Neb.

His cell phone had finished ringing from a while, Morpheus hadn't shoved up anywhere, probably because he knew that Neo wouldn't listen to him. And the captain, despite himself being a respected fighter with many resources, couldn't reach Neo, who had been flying from one place to another without a precise destination.

Neo quickly wandered and glanced around, until his eyes spotted a narrow dark alleyway, that was difficult to notice because at the moment it was half covered by a large blue van. He followed it and, after a bend on the left, he found himself in front of a rusty metal door. Without even trying to open it as a normal person would, he just kicked it and slammed it off of its engines. The door fell to the ground with a loud bang, and he stepped in.

Here I am at last... beware, Hypno.

Trinity struggled furiously than before against Hypno, realizing in the process that her body was now a little stronger, she was starting to feel better, which meant the effect of the sedative he had given her was eventually fading. Boldly, she slipped a knee between his legs, with the intention of kicking him as hard as she could him to then push him away, when, to her surprise - and relief - he himself pulled back.

Yet not because he's breathless... she noticed. While she was gratefully regaining her lost breath, he seemed perfectly fine. He still was gripping her arms and keeping her pressed against the wall, but he had turned his head and was standing firm and silent, his face pinched slightly with focus, as if he was listening to something. Somewhere in the distance, the hyenas were growling quite loudly.

His gaze returned to her. "Uhm... looks like your boyfriend has found us..." He smiled wickedly. "Never mind. I'll take care myself of him. But first, I have to make sure you don't disappear while I'm away... sorry to do this..."

Before she could stop him, he grabbed her face in one hand and squeezed his fingers hard on her temples, his eyes glowing grey for a few seconds. She closed her eyes shut, her head throbbing under his force, raising her hands to catch his wrists, in a vain attempt to fight him.

Shit, right when I was so close to recover my usual strength... she just had the time to think before she blacked out.

Hypno held his grip until he felt her go limp and fall against the wall. For a while he just stood there, thinking while watching her slender figure lie motionless, her candid face in a pleasant contrast with her cerise lips, some locks of raven hair falling on her closed eyes.

It was the first time he had caused such a situation, since he had never taken in consideration the idea of being with someone. He had always been the so-called lonely wolf, who despised almost everyone and everything. Well, almost.

He still didn't really know why he was so attracted to her - well, apart from the fact she was gorgeous and she was full of pep, he loved beautiful and strong women - why he had done all this, why he was caring about it.

About having her. It's not like me. Not really.

Noises coming from somewhere around interrupted his musing. He shook his head thoughtfully and walked away, disappearing into the tunnel.

Neo rushed down a narrow ramp of metal stairs and found himself in a large space, from which started several tunnels, all dark and damp. He didn't look at the code, since he couldn't see through the walls (or he can? Don't think so, but please, lighten me! By MK), yet he could feel Trinity's presence distinctly, and she would be his guide, his light in the tangled labyrinth of the sewers.

Oh God... when it comes to Trinity... I lose all my cold blood...

He started to run trough different passages, making use of her aura like a radar; if he felt it become stronger, then he continued to follow that way, otherwise he changed direction until he would feel her getting closer.

Soon he got into another dim-lighted space, less larger than the one at the entrance, yet still large. He was close now, he knew it. As he was about to re-start his search, he decided to drop his trench coat in front of the tunnel he had come from. It hadn't been a long run until there, yet it would have been easier for him and Trinity to return to the exit.

He took a passage on the left, running as fast as he could without going to crash into a wall, hearing his own heavy footsteps echo around him. Suddenly, after a bend, a shadow jumped in front of him, causing him to stop abruptly and take a couple of steps backward.

Gotcha. Neo thought as he checked the code, eyeing Hypno trough the half-darkness.

"Well, I have to admit you've got some skill..." the program said in a hiss. "... to be just a human."

Neo just glared at him. Then, in a matter of a second, Hypno found himself being slammed against the wall, held by the throat. He could feel the cold fury of the One through his steel grip.

"Where is she?" his voice was suffocated from the rage.

"If you want her... you have to earn her!"

The program hit him in the stomach and pushed him away, then shoved a knife in his hand. He rushed at him and attempted to stab him over and over again, but Neo dodged easily, despite the fastness of the blows. As he retreated backward to evade Hynpo's attacks, Neo noticed that there was a big hole on his right; obviously, the narrow and uncomfortable passage in which they were fighting ramified in two other direction, so he took the unexpected advantage and ran into the found tunnel, turning to face his enemy, who just in that moment rounded the corner.

Hypno approached again and tried another stab to his shoulder and, when the other bent his torso to avoid it, he kicked his leg, causing him to fall heavily on the ground, and aimed down at him. Lying on his side, Neo rolled away from his reach, just in time, as the knife hit the ground and ran into it.

Then he rolled back faster toward Hypno, aiming at his legs, and made him fall forward, while he quickly jumped up with agility. The program turned and raised on his knees, lifting a hand swiftly to punch him, but Neo caught the fist into his palm and squeezed hard, until it made a crunching sound, while the face of his enemy contorted in pain, even if no sound escape from his mouth.

Yet it didn't end there.

Still holding his fist, Neo twisted Hypno's arm painfully behind his back until the elbow broke, causing him to let out an irritated hiss of pain, and grabbed his throat, squeezing. He lifted him from the ground and slammed him against the wall, his natural strength multiplied from his anger.

Then, finally, Neo let the program's almost limp body go and, even before it hit the ground, he picked up the knife and stabbed him in the chest, running the blade inside till the hilt. Hypno's dark eyes widened in a instant and he uttered a choked sound, blood spitting copiously from his mouth and from the deep wound provoked.

Neo stared at him, as he heard hurried steps, a voice, her voice.

"Neo!"

Then a sudden dazzling light, desperate cries, darkness... and no more.

A candid wave crashed on the sand, the tepid water slightly grazing a pair of feet. Trinity stepped back a little, walking barefoot across the sand, then she suddenly stopped and looked out over the ocean. She closed her eyes and raised her head, to just feel the warm sun on her face and listen to sound of the waves coming in. Warmth... sounds...

Then suddenly, as from out of nowhere, a pair of hands reached around her and clasped gently in front of her waist, yet she wasn't startled, since she knew perfectly who it was. Instead she covered them with hers, letting out a brief sigh, that reflected clearly her peaceful state.

She glanced back at Neo and leaned her head slightly against his shoulder, then, without turning, she reached up with her hand and brushed it on his cheek.

"How did you find me here?" Her voice was soft, dreamy.

His lips nuzzled her hair. "Even blind, I would see you."

He could hear her laugh, light and pleasant like a breeze. He loved her laugh, although he didn't hear it often.

"... I love you..."

Trinity lowered her hand to take his at her waist and closed her eyes again, embracing his arms tightly to her.

"Stay with me..." she murmured.

He rested his chin on her shoulder, his cheek grazing hers. "Forever. I'm never letting go..." He moved his lips closer to whisper into her ear. "... not even if you kill me."

At his ambiguous words, her contented expression changed into one of dismay. She turned abruptly, but Neo wasn't there anymore. She was completely alone.

"Oh, no... Nooo!"

A.N. I'm depressed, action isn't my strong point, and this chappie is too short. I was constantly interrupted by my sisters, so I couldn't write in peace. And school is going to start soon - growls in frustration - help!

However, doesn't the last scene remind you of someone? I love it!

Please, review!