A/N: Sorry if there was any problem with the dividers in the last chapter. For some reason, they didn't come out properly when I checked it on the site. If there's any problem with dividers this time, tell me in your reviews. Thanks for all your reviews by the way, I love getting feedback, especially when I get good comments. Thanks so much to everyone!
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"Neo's recovered amazingly quickly." Switch said as she joined Tank and Trinity at the table in the mess hall. "Considering his age, it's pretty unusual for him to be up and walking around only three days after he was unplugged. Who knows? Maybe Morpheus is right. Maybe this guy really is the One!"
Which means that I'm going to fall in love with him sometime soon. Trinity thought bitterly to herself. Goddamit, why did the Oracle want to tell me that anyway?
"We'll be able to know tomorrow." Tank replied, reaching his arms to the sky and stretching. "I spoke to Morpheus on my way over here. Apparently, Morpheus wants Neo to start his training tomorrow."
"Tomorrow!?" Trinity exclaimed in shock, voicing her thoughts aloud (as she often did anyway). "That's far too soon! He...there's no way he'll be ready!"
"Hey, I know what's going on here." Tank said, quirking his eyebrows seductively and casting her a playful look. "Looks likes Trinity has the hots for our newbie."
Trinity scowled, giving him the 'evil eye' . Tank, having known Trinity for quite some time, knew that it would be safer to back off. However, Trinity seemed keen to continue the conversation, despite the danger lurking in her eyes.
"Look, what would you do if a complete stranger told you that you'd fall in love with someone you hadn't met yet?" Trinity asked forwardly, deciding the moment of truth had come. If I don't tell somebody about my prophecy soon, I'm going to blurt it out at a VERY awkward moment. Besides, Tank and Switch are my closest companions on the ship. They won't laugh at me...will they?
"I'd laugh in their general direction." Tank answered, taking a long swig of the 'drink' his brother makes. "But Switch and I aren't complete strangers."
"I don't mean you." Trinity scoffed, suddenly deciding that she'd found the scratch on the table far more interesting than the faces of her companions. "I mean the Oracle. She....she told me I'd fall in love."
There was a stunned silence, in which Trinity didn't dare to meet with the faces of Tank or Switch. She didn't need to; their expressions were imprinted into her mind to match the reactions she predicted. Sure enough, when she finally gained the courage to raise her head, Tank was mouthing wordlessly and Switch was shaking her head in pure disgust.
"What?" Trinity questioned rudely, looking between the two of them. "What's your problem?"
"You....in love?" Switch asked ignorantly. Trinity nodded curtly, trying to make light of a bad situation as she now regretted even opening her mouth at all. At once, Switch and Tank doubled over laughing, collapsing into a spluttering heap.
"My God!" Tank cried as he regained his composure. "That's the craziest thing I've ever heard! Gees....can you picture Trinity falling in love?" Tank immediately changed to a high-pitched, terrible imitation of Trinity. "Oh Neo, you're ever so manly and hot. Why don't you come over here and kiss me?"
"Shut up!" Trinity bellowed as Tank and Switch collapsed into a laughing heap once again. "I'm just telling you what I heard."
"No wonder you were shooting daggers at Mouse when he tried to guess your prophecy today." Switch said thoughtfully. "And to think he came this close to getting it right!"
"Shut the hell up, or I'll have you all kicked off this ship!" Trinity shouted, once again having to use her higher rank in order to protect her dignity.
"Ok, ok." Tank sighed heavily before an idea flickered into his head, causing a wide smile to spread across his face. "Hey, did the Oracle tell you who you'd fall in love with? Although, I think I have a hunch anyway."
"As a matter of fact, she did." Trinity said seriously, finding her voice had transfigured into a tone no louder than a timid whisper. "I'm meant to fall in love with the One-"
"This is great! With luck, Trinity will be able to tell us if Neo is the One or not before we even need to take him to see the Oracle." Switch said happily.
"And what if I don't fall in love with Neo? Then what?" Trinity asked.
"Then he isn't the One and we'll just have to look elsewhere." Switch shrugged. "You can point us in the right direction....you should start searching the Matrix for guys you're attracted to."
"Oh, sure. I'd be thrilled to play the part of a human compass." Trinity said sarcastically.
"Anyway, that was inhumane, Switch." Tank frowned, for once displaying an expression of seriousness. "This isn't about the war, it's about Trinity. Sure, the war might be a part of it, but I think that Trinity's happiness is more important. Trinity, I think you should forget about the prophecy and just go with your gut instinct. Don't think you have to fall in love with Neo just because he's the One."
"I can't believe Tank is giving me advice with my love life." Trinity said darkly. "Especially when the only woman that's ever loved him is his mother."
"Excuse me?" Tank exclaimed in disbelief, buffing out his chest proudly. "I happen to be the envy of all the men in Zion when it comes to the ladies. It's a fact that I was voted to have Zion's most kissable lips by the female residence."
"Tank, you're too positive to be attractive." Switch retorted.
"Just because you fell for the dark, deep-thinking type, doesn't mean every woman in Zion will." Tank said slyly. "Take Trinity for example. She went for the naïve, shy, boyish type."
"I AM NOT IN LOVE WITH NEO!" Trinity shouted, pounding the table in frustration.
"Maybe you aren't yet." Switch said as he got to her feet and headed for the door. "Face it, Trinity. The Oracle is never wrong. You're going to fall in love, whether you want to or not."
"Well that's comforting." Trinity said bitterly.
"Look on the bright side of things." Switch grinned. "As you so adequately put it, you'd be like a human compass. With you on board, we'll be able to find the One much faster than expected. So if you find yourself becoming attracted to someone on board the ship, make sure you tell us, ok? I'm going to bed, goodnight."
Trinity scowled as Switch left the Mess Hall. The second she was gone, Tank yawned widely as he too, got to his feet, and began to scoff. "You pod-borns....all you ever care about is war. Look, don't listen to her, Trinity. Take my advice and just go with what feels right. You shouldn't have to love someone just because of their title."
"When did you become an expert on love?" Trinity asked with a faint smile quivering in the corners of her lips.
"When my brother married Cas, when my sister married Link, and when Switch started seeing Apoc. Trust me, when it comes to love, I've seen it all." Tank grinned before moving to the door. "You coming to bed or what?"
"No." Trinity shook her head. "I'm not too tired....I've got a lot to think about anyway."
"Suit yourself." Tank shrugged, wrenching the door open and calling out before it closed behind him. "Night, Trinity."
"Night." Trinity called in reply, but Tank was already retreating towards his room.
Neo shivered, trying and failing to ignore the numbness in his body as he pulled his blankets around him tightly. His teeth chattering in the frosty air, Neo decided it would be wiser to simply abandon his attempt to sleep. He had so much on his mind right now...
Sure, he had always loved philosophy. He had played with the idea of challenging his own existence in high school, but he hadn't ever imagined that those thoughts had been close to the truth. What was even more unnerving was having the knowledge that he would one day have to save the world...at least according to Morpheus he was.
"How the hell am I supposed to do that?" Neo asked himself in the darkness of his tiny room. He often voiced his thoughts aloud when he was alone in order to get them off his chest. Neo considered this the saner way to say that he talked to himself. "I haven't even been able to keep a goldfish alive for more than a few days, let alone determine the fate of every human being on the planet. And what if I fail? What if I let down the entire human race? Even worse, what if I'm not even the One at all?"
His usual tactics to relieve stress were failing to work as well as they had when he was still plugged into the Matrix. If anything, they were only increasing the tension in his shoulders. Eventually, seeing as he hadn't had a chance to fully explore the ship yet, Neo decided to take a walk and perhaps find something to drink in order to sooth the dry sensation in his throat.
Scrambling to his feet and stuffing them into his boots, Neo fumbled with the unfamiliar clasps before tugging a blanket about his shoulders and opening the door with a soft creek.
As he had expected, the hall outside his room was completely abandoned. Treading softly on the frosty iron floor, Neo tiptoed away from the other rooms and shuffled up the ladder that led him to the next floor. Upon emerging in the core, Neo felt his cheeks reddening as he remembered the 'display' he had put on earlier that day when Morpheus told him about the Matrix and wished he had managed to uphold enough sense to keep his dignity.
Typical, Neo thought as he laughed softly to himself. I get a fresh start in a new world, and I ruin my reputation before I've even had a chance to build it up. I'm such an idiot...and what's worst about it is that Trinity probably thinks I'm mentally retarded or something after I carried on like that...gee, why does her opinion matter to me so much anyway?...probably because she's so smart...and head-strong...and beautiful...
Wondering around the ship aimlessly now and peering into empty rooms, Neo focused on other things, his thoughts carrying him along the darkened corridors. Finally, he wondered idly into a large room which contained taps, sinks, benches, cupboards and a large, metal table positioned directly in the middle of the room.
Neo retreated back a step when he pushed the door open as he had not expected to find it occupied by the very woman who was on his mind at the moment. Trinity was sitting alone at the side table, dressed exactly as she had been earlier that day and clutching the mug of water that rested on the table with elegant white fingers, trembling with cold. Staring at him transfixededly with those piercing ice blue eyes of hers, she coaxed her head to the side as a single strand of deepest brown hair slipped onto the front of her face.
"Hi." She said curiously, watching him intently.
"Oh." Neo mumbled as he reentered the room. "Hi."
Shutting the door behind him and moving into the seat opposite her, Neo pretended to be fascinated with the objects in the rest of the room, feeling her eyes remain upon him and not wavering for a moment. She must think I'm such an idiot. Maybe it was a mistake to come in here in the first place...
"I thought you'd be exhausted." Trinity stated, breaking the uncomfortable silence between them. "What are you doing up?"
"I-I couldn't sleep." Neo stuttered, finally meeting her gaze directly. Big mistake, was the first thought that entered the mind of the pair, especially Trinity. She hadn't had a chance to look Neo directly in the eye in the real world, and found beauty in them that the machines would never be able to captivate when he was in the Matrix.
Trinity had always hated anyone who said they first fell in love with someone's eyes. It just sounded so pathetic, so feminine, so soppy and unlike her. How could anyone fall in love with eyes when you hardly knew the owner of them? Finally, she knew what others meant when they said this. Neo's chestnut shaded eyes glowed with a radiant beauty that could only be described as enchanting. Definitely, she now saw that his eyes were the feature on his face that stood out more than any other, the hidden knowledge masked only by the brilliant glare illuminating from them. It was then that she realized his eyes would be her only weakness.
"What about you?" Neo asked, breaking Trinity's thoughts. Blinking back into reality, Trinity focused directly on Neo's pupils and, by some miracle, was able to form words.
"I have too much on my mind to focus on sleep right now." Trinity said openly, wishing that she had kept her mouth shut. How suspicious does that sound?
"So do I." Neo smiled shyly, eyeing the water glass resting on the table and remembering how thirsty he had been earlier, but finding himself too embarrassed to ask for a drink.
"It's hard finding out the truth, isn't it?" Trinity answered, returning the smile with her own.
"Not to mention embarrassing." Neo muttered softly, once again, thinking out loud. Unfortunately, Trinity overheard him and was overcome with a sense of pity once more.
"Don't worry about it." Trinity said comfortingly. "I've been on this ship for eleven years and I've seen similar behavior from everyone when Morpheus takes them through the whole explanation. Trust me, you're not the first to react the way you did. My first trip into the console is definitely something I'd rather forget."
Neo grinned, relief spreading throughout him. At least I'm not the only one. Running fingers subconsciously through the bristles of dark hair that prickled his skull, he half expected to feel thick strands of messy brunette hair instead. He pulled his hands away in shock, but regained his composure quickly.
Trinity was also recovering from shock, but for different reasons. He's so easy to talk to. The only other people I can speak with in this relaxed fashion are Tank and Switch, but it took years to build up that relationship. I've only really known Neo a few days and already I'm speaking with him as if I've known him my whole life.
"I just couldn't believe it." Neo sighed, letting his head droop as he shook it sadly. "How can everything I've ever known be a lie? I've never really been sure of anything in life, and it always takes me a long time to make my mind up about things. And now that I know that my existence, the one thing I was certain of, wasn't real...I-I just don't know what to think."
"Once you recover from the shock, it's good to try and think of everything in a positive way." Trinity suggested as she lifted the water to her lips. "Just see this as a fresh start, a chance to become a different person. A chance to change who you used to be and become what you truly are."
"That's a nice way of looking at it." Neo complimented, smiling faintly before he added, "Err...you wouldn't mind telling me where I could go to get some water, could you?"
"There are mugs in that cupboard over there." Trinity gestured. "Just fill them up with water from that tap."
"Oh. Thanks." Neo said before getting to his feet and moving to the cupboard Trinity had directed him to. As he filled his mug with water, he tried to think of something to say of that the two of them wouldn't need to sit in awkward silence once he moved back to the table. However, Neo had never prided himself on being able to speak well in a social situation, especially when someone like Trinity was involved.
"One thing's for sure." Neo said quietly as he lifted the water to his lips gratefully. "I'm glad I ended up on a ship with such a great bunch of people."
"I wouldn't count on that." Trinity said with an inward laugh. "Cypher really isn't the greatest one for company. Apoc and Dozer don't really talk much, where as Mouse never really shuts up. Switch is alright, but it takes a long time to gain her friendship and trust. But Tank's very social. No doubt he'll be eager to make friends with you straight away."
Trinity could scarcely believe she was telling him this! She had never been a great conversationalist herself and only really spoke when she needed to give orders, or it was absolutely necessary, like when she spoke with Switch and Tank. Now, she found herself speaking thoughts she carried with her or only spoke alone to a man she hardly knew! Yet somehow, speaking with Neo gave her comfort. He listened to everything she had to say, and knew when it was appropriate to speak. Perhaps he was going to prove to be better company than expected.
"Maybe you should try and get some sleep." Trinity finally said after a long pause in which Neo drained his glass of water. "Tank says Morpheus plans to start training you tomorrow."
"Yeah, he did mention that." Neo said thoughtfully. "What is training anyway?"
"You'll find out tomorrow. All I can tell you is that it isn't going to be any walk in the park. You need all the rest you can get."
"I'll take your advice." Neo smiled and stood to leave. Trinity decided now wasn't the time to point out that he needed to wash his own mug. Neo paused at the open door, turning to look over his shoulder at the woman who watched him so intently.
"We can talk again sometime, right?" Neo asked hopefully.
Trinity was at once taken aback by this comment, but also flattered by it. It was the way he said it that provoked deeper feelings inside her. Luckily for her, she managed to keep these feelings under control.
"Well, it's hard to avoid talking to you if we're going to be working on the same ship." Trinity replied.
"Great." Neo smiled. "I like talking to you."
It was only later that he realized just how corny and lame this statement sounded. However, Trinity was yet again flattered by his words. He likes talking to me! Shit, I'm sounding like some teenager on the brink of puberty. Bad thought, bad thought, bad thought.
"Well," Trinity mumbled uncomfortably. "Goodnight, Neo."
"Goodnight, Trinity." Neo said with a smile before retreating back to his room in order to spend what remained of the night sitting alone in darkness.
A/N: I'm not sure about Trinity's personality in this chapter. I think she sounds too girly. Tell me what you think.