Chapter 8 – Recovery

Roll, still held in Rockman's painful embrace, felt a ripple pass over his body. He gasped, and jerked violently, his grip tightening until Roll felt as though he would crush her with his force.

"Rockman!" she choked out, feeling his arms squeeze her further. "Rock!"

He groaned in pain, and clutched her ever tighter. The pain of his unconscious constriction took her breath away, and all Roll could do was gasp and choke, face twisting in agony.

But she didn't ask him to let her go. As long as he needed her, she'd stay in his arms. She loved him – she could do no less.

Abruptly, Rockman's grip loosened, and he collapsed onto her. Roll staggered beneath his unexpected weight, still dazed from his crushing hug, and they wavered tenuously. Roll lowered them both gently to the ground, letting Rockman's head come to rest in her lap, his lax face looking upwards.

Roll's fingertips skimmed across his face, trying to figure out what was wrong with him. At her touch, Rockman drew in a deep, rattling breath, his eyes opening slowly.

And Roll could have danced with joy.

He was himself again – the real Rockman, her Rockman. He looked exhausted, as though he had just fought five battles with Blues and come off worst each time. But his eyes were clear, no longer wild and tortured as he struggled deep inside himself.

"Roll…" he groaned, the sound barely louder than a whisper.

"I'm here," she replied, grinning even though she ached all over – especially where he had grabbed her.

"Not…hurt?" Rockman rasped, though it was obviously a great effort to do so.

"I'm fine," she reassured him, before tipping her head down and kissing his forehead. "Didn't I tell you? I knew you wouldn't hurt me. Rest now, I think you've earned it."

He smiled tiredly up at her, then turned his head to kiss the crook of her elbow before closing his eyes. Roll smiled again, he would be okay, all he needed was some rest.

She smothered a yawn, deciding she needed some rest herself. But she had to stay awake – Hawk might come back. If Rockman was back to normal, it probably meant the data sphere was broken, or he decided he had given Rockman enough time to delete her. Either way, Roll thought it was likely they could expect him back, so she would play the role of sentry.

Glyde and Iceman followed Rush through the streets of Internet City. They had decided on the quiet approach, just in case Rockman wasn't back to himself. Eventually Rush stopped and pointed around the corner of a building.

"Rockman's just around the corner?" Netto asked, watching on the screen.

"So it would seem," Yuuichiro nodded. "Proceed with caution."

Everyone, human and navi alike, held their breaths as Glyde, Iceman and Rush rounded the corner, each expecting the worst.

But what they found was far from the worst. Rockman was lying on the ground, apparently asleep, with his head pillowed in Roll's lap. Roll herself was looking completely spent, but otherwise unharmed.

"Roll!" Meiru cried in delight.

Roll's head whipped around, her face lighting up with a tired smile. "Meiru! Iceman, Glyde! Thank goodness, I didn't know what I was going to do if that was Hawk coming back."

"You don't have to worry about him," Netto said, "Hawk's currently in one of the Sci Lab's detention cells. But how's Rockman?"

"Tired," Roll smiled down at the blue navi in her lap, brushing her hand across his eyelids. "But I think all he needs is rest."

"What about you?" Iceman asked, "Hawk said Rockman would delete you!"

"Didn't even come close," Roll grinned. "He was a bit rough with me, and I'm a little sore in places, but he was never out-and-out violent. Even when Hawk tried to push him into deleting me, he didn't so much as slap me."

Meiru sighed in relief and Netto wiped a hand across his brow.

"Whew!"

"Now," Roll said, "As touching as this reunion is, we may have to postpone it – and any questions you might have – as I feel like I'm about to pass out."

"Oh, of course," Glyde agreed, hurrying forward to lift rockman off of Roll.

Which proved to be more difficult than he expected. As he was lifting the blue navi, Rockman – apparently still asleep – reached out and caught hold of Roll's arm.

"Hmmm…RRRRoll…" he slurred.

Glyde tried to pull him away, but Rockman's grip only tightened. Roll smiled patiently, and laid her other hand on his.

"It's okay, Rock," she said, patting his hand. "I'm not going anywhere, it's quite safe to let go of me. I promise I'll be with you when you wake up."

Rockman mumbled something in his sleep and released her.

"There we go," Roll said, standing on unsteady legs. "He'll be fine."

With Glyde carrying Rockman and Roll leaning on Iceman, the four navis walked away from Net City.