Title: The Matrix: Resurrection

Author: AntipodeanOpaleye

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Spoilers/Post Revolutions The machines still owe Neo his peace; peace on levels he didn't intend, couldn't imagine, and had never brought himself to hope for.

Disclaimer: Everything you recognize from any other source either doesn't belong to me or is a purely coincidental occurrence. Anything that you've never seen probably belongs to me. I write for enjoyment and no copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: I believe I said to slap me the last time I neglected this fic. I give you permission to put my in solitary confinement if it happens again. My sincerest apologies for not updating in FOREVER. It was horrible of me. This time, I will honestly make a concerted effort to update with much more haste in future. Again, a very belated, but no less heartfelt, thanks to those who reviewed:

starlit jewel - Thank you, so very much, for your review. You're the reason the update came today, so double thanks for that. I do hope you enjoy this new chapter.

Stargazer - Even thought your review didn't have anything to do with this fic, I want to thank you for it, because I really didn't tihnk there was anyone who enjoyed that fic. It's likely that I'll be getting it back up soon.

Loper - Yes, I do love teasing you with the chapter endings. Not this one though. This one is nice, fluff-ridden, and lacking a cliff-hanger. And again, thank you for the compliments (or lack thereof, in this particular case). They truly make my day.

richard the pedantic - This time, I mean it, I will be updating quicker. I'm very glad you liked the chapter, and thanks a zillion for your comments.

Divamercury - Well… I got half of your request. The continue part is done… the soon part I think I slacked on. Sorry… but I hope this litle bit of romance was worth maybe…An eighth of the wait?

Kal Torak - Glad you liked the last chapter, and I'm glad you think everyone was in character (because I'm always worried that they're not) In any case, thank you a million times over, and I hope you like the chapter.

My apologies if I missed anyone.

Anyway, I don't particularly like the end of this chapter. But I don't think I'll be able to write better any time soon, and I don't feel like waiting, or making you wait, any longer. In so, please bear with the not-so-goodness of it.

As always, do enjoy the chapter, and please review, as not only does it make my day, it also makes me write more… and quicker! ;)

-AO

Chapter Five

"I'll go in," Niobe said confidently. They had already taken too much of the precious time they had arguing over the topic of how, and ultimately who, would enter the Matrix in search of the truth. There were many inconsequential candidates available, restless citizens of Zion who were proficient enough to ascertain the situation but expendable enough to lose if the mission went awry, but Niobe wanted to see for herself; needed to see for herself. Morpheus, who had remained silent through most of the debate, spoke up.

"I will go."

Silence overtook the quartet, and it remained soundless for a time, before Link spoke tentatively up.

"It doesn't matter anyway, we don't have anywhere to plug in."

Morpheus directed his attention now to his operator, his gaze piercing and unwavering. As he spoke, his voice was deep and meticulous, the syllables of his words more punctuated than was characteristic even for him. Each word gnawed faintly away at the very consciousness of those who heard them. "I was informed earlier this morning, and came here with the very intention of telling you, that the ports of the mainframe survived in working condition, and we've been given clearance to utilize them as we see fit. We'll need to connect them to our computer system here, a task which I think Niobe is most suited to accomplish. I will not trust a mission such as this one to anyone outside of our crew and their immediate families," he added with a nod to Zee. "Other than myself, our numbers are unable to enter the Matrix do to either physical or obligatory necessity. Therefore, I will be going in."

There was no discussion; and moreover, no speech uttered at all, as Morpheus left the gathering, swiftly moving to prepare for yet another insertion into the digital erection of the Matrix.

Niobe's eyes followed him with a combination of confusion and annoyance as he left, both emotions overtaken, however, by the worry that accompanied his impending departure.

Trinity froze. She knew the voice better than her own, and it sent chills up her spine as she heard it now. Her pulse raced and her breathing became erratic almost immediately as she looked up at the seemingly familiar figure cloaked in black, contemplating the situation; the what -ifs and hows. It had to be a trap; some sort of evil contrivance devised by Smith or a valid agent. They were preying on her emotions; they had to be. She couldn't give in… but her heart cried out in protest. Something told her that I could be him; that it was him.

He turned slowly, seeming as tentative as she. His sleek black glasses reflected her every move, and she could not discern his reaction to her through their tinted lenses. It wasn't long, however, before he realized that there was no need to do so, for he ad closed the distance between them before she could react similarly, and she was in his arms within moments from that point.

"Trinity," he whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her as he spoke. "Thank God." He felt tears sting his eyes, and let them fall without restraint, so great was his wonder and relief at holding her safely in his arms once again. She sensed his emotions and reacted in kind, allowing herself the bittersweet purgation of the fear she had carried in the prospect of never seeing him again.

"Oh God," she sobbed into his shoulder, clinging to him as if he might slip from her, as if he were merely an illusion sent to soothe her broken heart and battered mind. She felt him beneath her, and his strong, equally fervent embrace surrounding her. She heard his own weeping, and the relief and wonder from whence it came. She breathed in time with him as they began to quiet their emotions into something far more tranquil but no less passionate, her head nestled now upon his chest; his chin lowered to rub lovingly against her exposed cheek.

"I thought I'd lost you," he whispered with an agony that sent daggers through her soul at its utterance. His tears dropped onto her skin at intervals as he attempted to suppress his own tremors in order to calm hers.

"I didn't think we'd ever see each other again," Trinity mumbled into his trench, her tears still flowing freely.

"Shh…" he comforted her gently, rubbing her back as he pulled her ever closer. "We'll never have to fear those things again."

She lifted her head slowly, meeting his beautiful eyes, and ,seeing the warmth and undying love she felt mirrored within them, they leaned simultaneously forward, capturing each others mouths with a fervor even they hadn't known possible. His tongue darted immediately into her mouth, and he drank her in with an intensity that neither had expected, but both welcomed. She began to put up a playful resistance as they dueled, suckling at each other's lips, their passion and desire mingling with the death of their agony and pain at being separated. The salty warmth of their tears dropped into their open mouths as they kissed with ever-increasing zeal, until finally both of them could no longer resist the need for oxygen, and unwillingly parted in favor of avoiding asphyxiation. Lips red and swollen, they feel into each other, Trinity depending on the strength of her lover to hold her upright and she nearly collapsed against him. Her faith in Neo held true, as he held her close with a tightening grasp that may have been painful had she not loved him so, and had she not been cleaving to him in the same manner.

She once again rested her head upon his chest, the emotional nature of the past moments flooding her and threatening to suffocate her in the bliss that had overtaken her consciousness. He was here, the love of her life, and he wasn't going anywhere. The wondrously strong, if somewhat rapid heartbeat that met her ear and warmed her from head to toe was enough to convince her of that much.