"Trinity, why did Morpheus speak to us about hiding our relationship from the council? They seemed fine to me." Neo asked once they were back in Trinity's room.
Trinity sighed before replying. "You are the One, Neo. Everyone looks at relationships as positive and good for people in a war because your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, or lover can give you happiness to fight all of the death and cold. Relationships generally help a soldier fight, instead of the common thought that your mind is slower when you have someone to worry about. Truth is, you worry about your entire crew, you care for them, but they know how to do their job, so you let trust fall there. Trust is the biggest thing when it comes to fighting in the Matrix.
"But- back to my main point- you are the One. They most likely aren't expecting you to really connect with someone- probably because you alone have these powers and you alone are prophesized to end the war. All you. All alone. That's why. Morpheus just didn't know how they would react. He was worried that they would try to keep us apart, or even take you away from us in general. They won't, not after our display in there." Trinity explained.
"Display?" Neo asked.
"Neo, unless asked, no one stands up to the council. Believe it or not, that's what I did. I stood after you alone had been asked, and walked over to you. I took your hand into mine- something you don't do in front of the council. And they saw how you reacted. Neo- you looked so afraid when you first stood up. When I was next to you, I could see in Councilor Hamann's eyes what he saw. He saw you stop shaking, he saw you stand up straighter. You changed when I was there. He noticed that, and knowing Hamann, he'll make sure nothing separates us. He's a good man."
"I could tell. I just- I don't want to have to be shaking like a leaf every time. I felt so embarrassed, even afterward." Neo shook his head. "I've never been good at being scrutinized, not to mention worshiped."
"I think it comes with the prophecy, Neo. No way out of it. But I do think it gets easier." Trinity moved closer, ducking her head to look into Neo's downward cast eyes.
"Why do you think that?" he asked, lifting his lids to look at her.
"Because it has to."
Neo stood in a scruffy, faded tan, long-sleeved shirt and a pair of supposedly cotton, brown pants, next to Trinity. He had stared in amazement when he saw the earth-colored dress that she wore to the ceremony. The fact that she was wearing a dress was shocking enough but that it connected loosely above her abdomen before splitting apart- revealing the skin between her breasts- and moved up and over her shoulders was an even bigger shock. I mean come on, Trinity in a dress looking sexy. Who wouldn't find their jaw dropping at the sight of her?
The crew stood solemnly in the small temple. It was one of many found on different floors for people to go to for praying daily, or, in this case, to spread the ashes of fallen soldiers. Four jugs rest on the table, with one alone. Cas gently lifted it and brought it over to where Link, Zee, and the two children were sitting, crying softly. Neo hadn't understood why they would bury Cypher's ashes with the rest of the crew's but was quickly silenced when Trinity softly rebuked him.
She had said that it didn't matter what he did, he was still a fighter for the resistance for nine years and that no matter how much they hated him, he was only human. Neo had noticed how hard it was for her to defend him- even if it was his ashes she was defending, and had held her for quite some time.
Now, standing with Morpheus and Trinity, Neo saw silent tears on her face. Turning towards her, Neo lifted a hand and carefully wiped the tears away with a thumb. She never turned to face him, but she spoke quietly anyway, knowing he would hear.
"Switch was my closest friend on the ship. I loved her like a sister, and I know she wanted to die in a blaze of glory, back to back with Apoc, fighting to free humanity from the machine's grasp. I could see the sadness in her eyes as she accepted that it would never happen right before she was unplugged. I swore right then and there that I would never hold off for another day to tell someone that I care for them. Because I cared for her, Neo. I really did, and every day we became further and further estranged from each other and each day I put off telling her how much her friendship had meant to me through the years. And now, it's too late to tell her, and I just wish...I wish I could tell her once more. I just wish I could tell her."
"Shh, it's okay." Neo leaned forward and kissed her temple softly before pulling her against his chest, her body shaking as she silently wept. "She knows, Trin. She knows." Neo wrapped an arm around her shoulders, holding her tightly. "She knows."
"You're wearing the same thing to the gathering?" Neo asked Trinity when she entered their room the next evening.
"I only have one real Zion dress. It's not like I cart around a suitcase of clothes wherever I go." Trinity commented, setting down her boots near a rack of candles that were burning brightly. "Are you ready to go?"
Neo looked at her face for a moment, watching her look him over. Glancing down at his own attire- a pair of faded blue cotton pants that touched the floor and a gray-knit shirt- Neo nodded before following her out. Stepping onto the metal grating, Neo jumped a bit, causing Trinity to turn around in curiosity.
Neo looked sheepishly at her before answering the unvoiced question. "Cold floor and bare feet, what do you think?" Trinity just smiled.
Neo stayed silent the rest of the way, listening to his heart beating in his ears in anticipation, and Trinity's calm breathing. He knew that that was only the eye of a ferocious storm held at bay by a pair of piercing blue eyes. Neo knew Trinity could turn even some of the most respected men in Zion into a puddle of water with a glance. He knew that those eyes could either be a mirror if she chose not to let anyone in, or a window to the turbulent life underneath her skin. Amazingly, he had learned this in a matter of a week and a half. Not surprisingly, he could witness the change from emotionless soldier to striking woman in a way that no other human ever could, or would.
The opening of the lift doors caused Neo to come out of his reverie and return to the present. Stepping out, Neo gaped open-mouthed at the long corridor; rock and earth making up the walls, another cold metal grate as the floor. As he looked down further, he saw an opening with many objects strewn around it, but not in front of it. Coming closer, he could see the objects as different types of boots, sandals and shoes- finally understanding why Trinity had told him to leave his boots in their room earlier.
Walking into the opening, a form of doorway, Neo figured, the metal ended and all that he saw and felt was rock and earth in their purity. Moving around several clumps of people, Neo followed Trinity to a stepping area, allowing them to see the speaker up front- Councilor Hamann.
"Tonight, friends, families, lovers, and soldiers, I ask you all to shed your titles and enjoy yourselves. Later, an announcement will be made, but, until then, I wish you all to enjoy the moment, as we are free and alive." The Councilor left the announcing platform to a loud cheer from the crowd. Neo could see that easily over seven thousand people were packed in here.
"Trinity, if there is a gathering here for all, how come there are so few?" Neo asked, hearing the beginnings of drumbeats.
"There are many people who hold their own gatherings on the other floors in the temples. Roughly 150,000 people are at all of the gathering places. Most children are in bed, which is more than 1000 people and the elderly usually stay in their rooms, praying. Over 60 are out on ships, and the rest can be found everywhere in Zion. From the halls around our rooms to every mess hall, everyone is out tonight. Come with me." Trinity explained before grabbing his hand, dragging him off.
"Where are we going?" Neo asked.
Trinity smiled without answering. Pulling him over to a woman carrying a tray of short drinks, Trinity took two in one hand before releasing Neo's hand. Handing him a glass, Trinity cocked her eyebrow in a challenge before knocking the drink back, watching Neo do the same. Placing the empty glasses on the tray, neither noticed the woman glide away. Trinity watched as Neo's eyes widened, and a shiver ran through him, causing his whole body to shudder.
"What was in that?" Neo asked, feeling the effects from the tips of his fuzzy hair to the pads of his feet.
"No alcohol, I'll tell you that much. It's a mixture of different liquids. Most, you don't want to ask where from. The good thing about it-" Trinity paused, allowing a wave of heat to rush over her skin from the drink's effect. "-Is that it can't harm you in any way. It's actually healthy."
"Interesting. Considering its effects." Neo mused.
Cocking his head to one side, Neo could feel the pulse of the crowd moving in rhythm with the drums. He could feel the music seeping into his body, mixing with his cells. Glancing at Trinity, he caught her at a moment of unguarded emotion- her eyes watching him warily, passion drinking him in. Amazingly, sound, not so much touch, was affecting him more- until Trinity moved closer to him. Then of course, his senses began overloading with the scent and touch that could only be Trinity. He knew he would have a massive headache in the morning, and yet, found it hard to care. He wanted to touch her, to feel her skin on his own.
Trailing his fingers lightly down her bare arm, he watched the skin rise in goose bumps. Feeling the fire burning his fingertips, Neo took a step closer. Leaning down, he could almost believe that Trinity leaned into him hungrily- something he had never experienced before. Lips against lips felt like an inward explosion of nerves going berserk. Pulling her closer, pressing their bodies together, Neo felt Trinity shudder in shock of the suddenly heightened touch. As he slid his lips over hers, Neo felt, rather than heard, the music throbbing beneath his feet. Pulling away reluctantly, Neo watched in amazement as Trinity breathed slowly through her mouth, her eyes still closed, a quickly failing attempt at calming the chaos within herself.
"Trinity, let's dance." Neo whispered into her ear, feeling her shake against him when his breath tickled her ear.
"You've never danced before. I would almost think you wouldn't want to." Trinity replied, pulling back to look into his eyes.
"Yeah, well, we have plenty of time to do things other than dancing. Why can't we do this now?"
"I never said we couldn't." Trinity smiled softly, pulling him down to the throng of people dancing fervently in the lower part of the cavernous temple. Pulling him to her, Trinity locked her arms around Neo's neck before whispering softly in his ear, "Just let it flow."
And he did. Slowly at first, in small, rhythmic movements, feeling the sheer material of Trinity's dress sway against his clothe-covered legs and chest. Moving his hands to grip the sides of her waist, he felt her move at the touch. As he pulled her body to his, Neo dipped his head to kiss the hollow between her neck and shoulder. He could just barely hear her sigh above the hum of the people around them, and smiled into her neck at the thought that he was the cause of it. Sliding his arms around to embrace her, Neo noticed they were just swaying back and forth now- and was completely happy about it.
Neither noticed when the music stopped- they were too into the feel of the other. Neither paid attention to what was going on around them until a woman standing nearby touched Trinity on the shoulder. Pulling out of Neo's grasp, Trinity looked at her in question, only to watch her gesture for Trinity to look up at the announcing platform. Turning together, Neo and Trinity stood in amazement as none other than Morpheus approaching the platform. Upon raising his arms, the crowd immediately quieted.
"Zion! I stand before you to make a proclamation. Many of you have lost hope and belief in the prophecy, but I am here right now to tell you that the One has been found! He stands with you in this very crowd, finding comfort and awe in humanity's home!" Morpheus paused as the crowd spoke in murmurs, many looking around.
Trinity gripped Neo's arm tightly, knowing what was to come next. She knew Neo would be afraid, but if he was meant to lead these people to freedom, he had to show himself. Whispering for him to follow her in his ear, Trinity wove herself through the mass of people towards the platform. Trinity could feel both Morpheus's eyes and many of the more observant people on her as they climbed the walkway to the platform. Stopping her behind a rock on their way up, Neo whispered heatedly to her,
"What are you doing?"
"Helping Zion to meet you."
"Trinity, I can't. I'm too afraid. That's over seven thousand people out there, watching me!" Neo pointed out, the color draining from his face.
"Neo, if you can stand up to an agent, you can face the people that you will lead. You have to. It is part of being the One." Trinity replied, pulling him up to Morpheus.
"Neo, you don't have to say anything. Just show yourself when I say so." Morpheus smiled kindly.
"Can Trinity come with me?" Neo asked, a tremor in his voice.
"Neo, you have to go out alone. I'll come out in a moment. I'm not leaving you." Trinity answered before Morpheus could open his mouth.
Nodding in submission, Neo watched as Morpheus moved back up to the edge of the platform, the crowd cheering. "Zion! I ask you to welcome Neo as friend and comrade, whether you believe the prophecy or not. He is the One, but he is also a human like the rest of us, fighting to free the rest of humanity from the Matrix's slavery! Welcome him!" Morpheus bellowed, the crowd cheering in happiness as Neo moved forward from the shadows.
At first, Neo was afraid. He wanted nothing more than to hide in his and Trinity's room. Then, like a bolt of lightning- it hit him. He was the One, something no one could take from him, something that made him unique and even more burdened than anyone else- and he had all of Zion behind him in a war he was supposed to end. Finding himself standing straighter, Neo lifted his head, his face masking the inner turmoil. Morpheus knew Neo was a quiet person by nature, and expected Neo to prove to Zion just who he was by his actions, not his words. Neo believed actions held more truth anyway- a good reason why he stood silently.
Morpheus smiled gently as Trinity moved up next to him, and, in front of seven thousand people, gripped his hand tightly. Looking at Morpheus for help, Trinity was not let down.
"The war's end begins tonight Zion! Rejoice and Celebrate!" Morpheus gestured to the musicians as the crowd again cheered- this time for both Morpheus and Neo.
As they stepped down, Niobe approached silently from behind.
"I hope you three can celebrate tonight. Morpheus, I hear there is a captain's card game going on in Soren's room. You up for it?" Niobe asked, a smile gracing her features.
Morpheus turned to bid Neo and Trinity a good night before following Niobe without so much as a response.