I was hoping to finish this chapter sooner, but a beloved family member has
passed away. This loss was a terrible blow to me. But she would not want me
to mourn forever, so I am moving on one step at a time. Besides, I can't
handle another interrogation. It isn't exactly good for my throat.
(Ahem!) And now, I am proud to present...
Chapter Six
Agent West runs as fast as his legs can take him, whizzing past stupefied agents who still can't believe that he's still here. He almost rams into the Commander Lemac's secretary's desk.
"Agent West reporting," he huffs and puffs. "Commander Lemac needs to see this immediately."
The secretary is not sure what to make of this, but she informs Lemac of West's arrival. "Commander Lemac will see you now."
West places his report on Lemac's desk. "I'm sorry, sir. But yesterday, Zeta made a purchase you're not going to believe."
Lemac looks at West report, and then he looks at West. "Are you absolutely sure this is correct?"
"Yes, sir. Zeta has been using the name Zee Smith ever since Rowen teamed up with him. I've double-checked and triple-checked. I'm afraid there's no mistake."
Commander Lemac is presently at a loss for words.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
OKAY, FOLKS. HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED!
TWO DAYS AGO...
Zee and Ro had finished their walk through the park, when Zee suggested that they head home for lunch. Zee felt that Casey would feel hurt if Ro did not eat the breakfast he made for her. As they walked back to the apartment, their route took them past various stores, enabling Ro to help Zee practice the fine art of window shopping. Zee remembered when he first thought it was about shopping for windows. He thought it was strange that Ro would want to buy a window. And then Ro had to explain that it's really about looking at items through store windows and wondering whether or not you actually need them.
As they walked past various store windows, Zee couldn't help but wonder about some of these things on display. In most of the clothing stores, the outfits are designed for women with very thin waistlines. And yet, most of the people don't look as though they'll fit in these outfits. Perhaps this was just one of those things that he's not meant to fully understand.
As Ro glanced at some of those slim-waist outfits, Zee saw something else. In a store window across the street, displayed for everyone to see...a mannequin wearing a long, white gown with triangular elbow-length sleeves and a long, white sash around the waist. Zee could not believe what he saw, but there it was: the very same dress Ro wears in his dreams.
"Zee..."
Suddenly the mannequin looked exactly like Ro as she turned to face him. The street turned to mist as this lovely sight began to move toward him and passed through the glass as thought it was never there.
"Zee... Zee! Watch out!"
The blast of a truck horn brought Zee back to reality as it sped by just inches before him as he stepped onto the street. Ro pulled him back onto the sidewalk.
"Zee, are you okay?"
Zee looked again to find the mist has disappeared, and the mannequin was back in the window display, standing there as if nothing happened. And now he faced Ro, and the dazed look on his face created a look of worry on her face. It's a chain reaction that left Zee so ashamed he was unable to face her. He did not like to worry Ro like that. "Ro, I...I'm sorry."
Rather than make a totally big deal about this in front of a growing crowd, she gave him a gentle hug and said, "How about we just head home, okay? You probably just need to rest."
Zee sadly nodded in agreement.
Once they escaped the passer-bys, the walk home became quiet and uneventful. They kept their bodies close to each other, and their thoughts to themselves.
Zee couldn't stop thinking about that store window, and the glowing white gown beckoning from within. For days he had been dreaming of Ro wearing that same dress, and now he found it in a store window. The image of Ro wearing it remained vivid in his mind. This could only mean one thing... (Ro was meant to wear that dress.)
Ro, however, grew more worried about Zee with each moment. First, he has dreams, then he can feel, then his holomorphs activated in his sleep, and now he nearly walked into a truck. (If the NSA hears about this, they'll want him back for sure. I've got no choice... I'll have to let Bucky have a look at him before something else happens.)
When they arrived at the apartment, Ro heated up the breakfast plate, while Zee borrowed Casey's computer to send a message to Bucky explaining that he needs to talk to him as soon as possible. Ro urged Zee not to go into detail until Bucky contacted them. It seemed like the safe thing to do.
Hours later, Casey came home.
Ro was the first to greet him. "Hey, Casey! How was your day?"
Casey dropped his briefcase and gave his sister a huge I'm-so-so-so-glad-I- made-it-home hug. Ro raised an eyebrow and asked, "That rough, huh?"
After a few moments, Casey released Ro and replied, "He won't let up, Ro. He just won't let up."
"You mean your sweet, kind, understanding boss? Mr. Jensen, right?"
"Ever since the 'botched capture', he's been on my case about giving up the chance to be an executive. And now that you and Zee are off the list, he's been 'suggesting' that I arrange an interview."
"Does he know we're here?"
"Probably. He still has some loyal lackeys out on the street doing one errand or another. But, let's forget about him for now. How was your day?"
Ro took a quick look and saw no sign of Zee, which meant he had to be upstairs in the bedroom. She decided it was okay to talk to her brother about their day. She sat Casey into the kitchen and told him about Zee having a problem with his holomorphs, the walk they ad in the park and finally the speeding truck. She did not, however, feel it was her place to mention the nude scenes.
"...And when we came back, Zee sent a message to Bucky to call us back."
Casey was momentarily at a loss for words. All attempts he had made to forget about seeing Zeta the robot cuddling up to his sister last night had failed miserably, and now she was telling him this. But he was not ready to talk about that. At least, not yet.
"Casey? Are you all right?"
"Uh... Yeah, yeah, I'm okay. Bucky... Isn't he the kid that reunited us?"
Ro sighs. "Yeah. He's a bit of a twip, but I am glad for his help."
"But wouldn't it be better if the NSA looked at..."
"No! If they found out about this, they'll take Zee and keep him. I mean, I'm glad they're not chasing us anymore, but they haven't really officially pardoned us. And Zee does not want the NSA to take him back. Besides, he's been taken apart before. He does not want to go through that again."
Then it was Casey's turn to sigh. "You're right. I still find it hard to believe that Zee was a killer robot. Sometimes I forget he's a robot. Speaking of Zee, where is he?"
"He's upstairs. I think he's watching the news."
"Well, in the meantime, have you eaten yet? I'll fix us some dinner."
Zee was indeed upstairs, and he was watching the news. At least until he heard Casey had arrived home. He stayed upstairs, leaving the bedroom door just slightly ajar, and used his advanced hearing to hear Ro talking to her brother. Zee didn't want to interrupt their conversation, and yet he was glad she did not talk about him appearing naked in the kitchen. Casey might not have understood. Zee did not understand it either. (How did it happen? What's wrong with me?)
It was then that Zee decided to try something with his holomorphs while Ro and Casey were having dinner downstairs. After he carefully closed the door, he deactivated his hologram. He stood before the tall, gold-rimmed mirror next to the bed. Even though this is who he really was, it just didn't feel right anymore. In fact, he could barely recognize himself. He then opened his compartments to remove his cred card, his hand-held blow torch and finally, Dr. Selig's pocket watch, and he carefully tucked them away in the safest place he could think of: the pocket pouch in Ro's backpack. He then returned to the mirror and morphed into the nude form. As he examined his body, it seemed he can do everything a human body can do...except wiggle his toes. His robot feet did not include toes. Despite that, it felt so natural in this form, but for him to lose control of his holomorphs worried him. It only started when he began to have dreams of Ro. Then he noticed the mirror in front of him was the same golden-rimmed mirror in his dream.
First he sees the dress, and then the mirror is real, too. It can only mean one thing... This dream he's been having was meant to become real. That dress was meant for Ro. He had to get it for her.
Just the thought of that wonderful dream made Zee feel sleepy, so he climbed into bed. Using the remote placed on the small table near the bed, he turned off the television seconds before the announcer talked about the police continuing their search for Titus Sweete, a dangerous fugitive wanted for the murder of renowned scientist Dr. Eli Selig.
About half-an-hour later, Casey and Ro hugged each other good night. Casey went into his bedroom, and Ro entered her room to find Zee sound asleep...in his nude form again. At least, she assumed he was nude since the blankets were covering him up to his chest. But Ro just kept her eyes on his face. Casey was right. It was so easy to forget that Zee was really a robot. He looked so calm and at peace. The temptation was too much to bear. She slowly moved over to him, and gently kissed his lips.
As she moved back, Zee's lips puckered, as though he was still kissing her. After a few seconds, Ro decided to kiss him again.
The second kiss was longer than expected; not only because Ro was enjoying the moment, but also because one of Zee's hands was stroking the back of Ro's head. His other hand gently pulled Ro by her waist onto his chest, keeping her close, savouring the warmth that came from her body...and her love.
What happened after that was beyond either one's control.
A few hours later, Ro woke up in Zee's embrace once again, but this time she found herself just as naked as Zee. She looked at Zee's face, and found him filled with even more content than before. She also saw some of her clothes scattered near the bed.
She shuddered at the thought of what must have happened.
She needed to get out of the bed, but Zee held her so close to his body, she couldn't move without stirring him, and she did not want to wake him up. Her left hand was free. She wondered... (If he can feel, could he be ticklish as well?) She decided to gently stroke her fingertips on the back of his waist. And just as she hoped, Zee tilted onto his back, and his arms spread open. Ro used this chance to climb out of bed. She covered Zee up to his chest with the blankets, and headed for the adjoining bathroom. She needed to take a shower...a long shower.
As the lukewarm water sprayed down upon her, she thought long and hard about what happened. There was no doubt about it: she and Zee...made love.
For as long as she can remember, she was a stranger to love. Being an outcast takes a toll on the heart. Casey had told her about their grandparents, and how proud they were of the little girl they called their 'little bulldozer', but no matter how hard she tried, she had no memory of them.
She had no memory of being loved.
She had been tossed from one foster home to another, being 'the other child', until finally landing on the streets. She may not have had much of an identity, but at least she had her principles. She knew how to keep her pants on. Ro Rowen was not afraid to save herself for marriage. And yet, last night, she gave herself to Zee; completely and unconditionally.
So why was she feeling so awful?
Because she gave herself completely and unconditionally. She had broken her own vow, and no long shower was going to change that.
After her shower, she donned on her bathrobe and opened the bathroom door, only to find Zee waiting for her. And the worried look on his face overshadowed his nudity.
"Ro, are you all right?"
Ro's every attempt to put on a brave face failed. The tears were beyond her control. Zee held her close and whispered, "I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. This is my fault. I thought I was dreaming. I thought...it was just...my dream again."
Ro was not mad at Zee. How could she be mad at the one person who doted on her ever since they first met? And here he stood, so eager to take responsibility for her actions. She kissed him because she wanted to. She wanted him. And no matter how unlikely it sounds...they actually made love together. She felt the kind of love she never thought she could have. But Ro was still too emotional to talk, and she did not want to risk Casey hearing her cry. So she hugged Zee's waist, massaging his back in the process. She hoped this would put him at ease, and make him understand that she was not mad at him.
Zee decided to say no more after that. It was still dark outside, and Ro needed her sleep. When Ro released her hug, he gently scooped her up and carried her to the bed. The remainder of the night was spent with Ro safely cuddled in Zee's arms. Zee did not concentrate on the dream, because he wanted Ro to feel safe and warm again, so she wouldn't need to cry any longer. But as Ro drifted off to sleep, tears still flowed down her cheeks.
(I promise you, Ro. I will redeem myself. I'll make you happy again. You'll see.)
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Don't worry, Folks! The second half of this flashback will continue in the next chapter. It's coming soon, so stay tuned! A lot can happen in just two days.
(Ahem!) And now, I am proud to present...
Chapter Six
Agent West runs as fast as his legs can take him, whizzing past stupefied agents who still can't believe that he's still here. He almost rams into the Commander Lemac's secretary's desk.
"Agent West reporting," he huffs and puffs. "Commander Lemac needs to see this immediately."
The secretary is not sure what to make of this, but she informs Lemac of West's arrival. "Commander Lemac will see you now."
West places his report on Lemac's desk. "I'm sorry, sir. But yesterday, Zeta made a purchase you're not going to believe."
Lemac looks at West report, and then he looks at West. "Are you absolutely sure this is correct?"
"Yes, sir. Zeta has been using the name Zee Smith ever since Rowen teamed up with him. I've double-checked and triple-checked. I'm afraid there's no mistake."
Commander Lemac is presently at a loss for words.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
OKAY, FOLKS. HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED!
TWO DAYS AGO...
Zee and Ro had finished their walk through the park, when Zee suggested that they head home for lunch. Zee felt that Casey would feel hurt if Ro did not eat the breakfast he made for her. As they walked back to the apartment, their route took them past various stores, enabling Ro to help Zee practice the fine art of window shopping. Zee remembered when he first thought it was about shopping for windows. He thought it was strange that Ro would want to buy a window. And then Ro had to explain that it's really about looking at items through store windows and wondering whether or not you actually need them.
As they walked past various store windows, Zee couldn't help but wonder about some of these things on display. In most of the clothing stores, the outfits are designed for women with very thin waistlines. And yet, most of the people don't look as though they'll fit in these outfits. Perhaps this was just one of those things that he's not meant to fully understand.
As Ro glanced at some of those slim-waist outfits, Zee saw something else. In a store window across the street, displayed for everyone to see...a mannequin wearing a long, white gown with triangular elbow-length sleeves and a long, white sash around the waist. Zee could not believe what he saw, but there it was: the very same dress Ro wears in his dreams.
"Zee..."
Suddenly the mannequin looked exactly like Ro as she turned to face him. The street turned to mist as this lovely sight began to move toward him and passed through the glass as thought it was never there.
"Zee... Zee! Watch out!"
The blast of a truck horn brought Zee back to reality as it sped by just inches before him as he stepped onto the street. Ro pulled him back onto the sidewalk.
"Zee, are you okay?"
Zee looked again to find the mist has disappeared, and the mannequin was back in the window display, standing there as if nothing happened. And now he faced Ro, and the dazed look on his face created a look of worry on her face. It's a chain reaction that left Zee so ashamed he was unable to face her. He did not like to worry Ro like that. "Ro, I...I'm sorry."
Rather than make a totally big deal about this in front of a growing crowd, she gave him a gentle hug and said, "How about we just head home, okay? You probably just need to rest."
Zee sadly nodded in agreement.
Once they escaped the passer-bys, the walk home became quiet and uneventful. They kept their bodies close to each other, and their thoughts to themselves.
Zee couldn't stop thinking about that store window, and the glowing white gown beckoning from within. For days he had been dreaming of Ro wearing that same dress, and now he found it in a store window. The image of Ro wearing it remained vivid in his mind. This could only mean one thing... (Ro was meant to wear that dress.)
Ro, however, grew more worried about Zee with each moment. First, he has dreams, then he can feel, then his holomorphs activated in his sleep, and now he nearly walked into a truck. (If the NSA hears about this, they'll want him back for sure. I've got no choice... I'll have to let Bucky have a look at him before something else happens.)
When they arrived at the apartment, Ro heated up the breakfast plate, while Zee borrowed Casey's computer to send a message to Bucky explaining that he needs to talk to him as soon as possible. Ro urged Zee not to go into detail until Bucky contacted them. It seemed like the safe thing to do.
Hours later, Casey came home.
Ro was the first to greet him. "Hey, Casey! How was your day?"
Casey dropped his briefcase and gave his sister a huge I'm-so-so-so-glad-I- made-it-home hug. Ro raised an eyebrow and asked, "That rough, huh?"
After a few moments, Casey released Ro and replied, "He won't let up, Ro. He just won't let up."
"You mean your sweet, kind, understanding boss? Mr. Jensen, right?"
"Ever since the 'botched capture', he's been on my case about giving up the chance to be an executive. And now that you and Zee are off the list, he's been 'suggesting' that I arrange an interview."
"Does he know we're here?"
"Probably. He still has some loyal lackeys out on the street doing one errand or another. But, let's forget about him for now. How was your day?"
Ro took a quick look and saw no sign of Zee, which meant he had to be upstairs in the bedroom. She decided it was okay to talk to her brother about their day. She sat Casey into the kitchen and told him about Zee having a problem with his holomorphs, the walk they ad in the park and finally the speeding truck. She did not, however, feel it was her place to mention the nude scenes.
"...And when we came back, Zee sent a message to Bucky to call us back."
Casey was momentarily at a loss for words. All attempts he had made to forget about seeing Zeta the robot cuddling up to his sister last night had failed miserably, and now she was telling him this. But he was not ready to talk about that. At least, not yet.
"Casey? Are you all right?"
"Uh... Yeah, yeah, I'm okay. Bucky... Isn't he the kid that reunited us?"
Ro sighs. "Yeah. He's a bit of a twip, but I am glad for his help."
"But wouldn't it be better if the NSA looked at..."
"No! If they found out about this, they'll take Zee and keep him. I mean, I'm glad they're not chasing us anymore, but they haven't really officially pardoned us. And Zee does not want the NSA to take him back. Besides, he's been taken apart before. He does not want to go through that again."
Then it was Casey's turn to sigh. "You're right. I still find it hard to believe that Zee was a killer robot. Sometimes I forget he's a robot. Speaking of Zee, where is he?"
"He's upstairs. I think he's watching the news."
"Well, in the meantime, have you eaten yet? I'll fix us some dinner."
Zee was indeed upstairs, and he was watching the news. At least until he heard Casey had arrived home. He stayed upstairs, leaving the bedroom door just slightly ajar, and used his advanced hearing to hear Ro talking to her brother. Zee didn't want to interrupt their conversation, and yet he was glad she did not talk about him appearing naked in the kitchen. Casey might not have understood. Zee did not understand it either. (How did it happen? What's wrong with me?)
It was then that Zee decided to try something with his holomorphs while Ro and Casey were having dinner downstairs. After he carefully closed the door, he deactivated his hologram. He stood before the tall, gold-rimmed mirror next to the bed. Even though this is who he really was, it just didn't feel right anymore. In fact, he could barely recognize himself. He then opened his compartments to remove his cred card, his hand-held blow torch and finally, Dr. Selig's pocket watch, and he carefully tucked them away in the safest place he could think of: the pocket pouch in Ro's backpack. He then returned to the mirror and morphed into the nude form. As he examined his body, it seemed he can do everything a human body can do...except wiggle his toes. His robot feet did not include toes. Despite that, it felt so natural in this form, but for him to lose control of his holomorphs worried him. It only started when he began to have dreams of Ro. Then he noticed the mirror in front of him was the same golden-rimmed mirror in his dream.
First he sees the dress, and then the mirror is real, too. It can only mean one thing... This dream he's been having was meant to become real. That dress was meant for Ro. He had to get it for her.
Just the thought of that wonderful dream made Zee feel sleepy, so he climbed into bed. Using the remote placed on the small table near the bed, he turned off the television seconds before the announcer talked about the police continuing their search for Titus Sweete, a dangerous fugitive wanted for the murder of renowned scientist Dr. Eli Selig.
About half-an-hour later, Casey and Ro hugged each other good night. Casey went into his bedroom, and Ro entered her room to find Zee sound asleep...in his nude form again. At least, she assumed he was nude since the blankets were covering him up to his chest. But Ro just kept her eyes on his face. Casey was right. It was so easy to forget that Zee was really a robot. He looked so calm and at peace. The temptation was too much to bear. She slowly moved over to him, and gently kissed his lips.
As she moved back, Zee's lips puckered, as though he was still kissing her. After a few seconds, Ro decided to kiss him again.
The second kiss was longer than expected; not only because Ro was enjoying the moment, but also because one of Zee's hands was stroking the back of Ro's head. His other hand gently pulled Ro by her waist onto his chest, keeping her close, savouring the warmth that came from her body...and her love.
What happened after that was beyond either one's control.
A few hours later, Ro woke up in Zee's embrace once again, but this time she found herself just as naked as Zee. She looked at Zee's face, and found him filled with even more content than before. She also saw some of her clothes scattered near the bed.
She shuddered at the thought of what must have happened.
She needed to get out of the bed, but Zee held her so close to his body, she couldn't move without stirring him, and she did not want to wake him up. Her left hand was free. She wondered... (If he can feel, could he be ticklish as well?) She decided to gently stroke her fingertips on the back of his waist. And just as she hoped, Zee tilted onto his back, and his arms spread open. Ro used this chance to climb out of bed. She covered Zee up to his chest with the blankets, and headed for the adjoining bathroom. She needed to take a shower...a long shower.
As the lukewarm water sprayed down upon her, she thought long and hard about what happened. There was no doubt about it: she and Zee...made love.
For as long as she can remember, she was a stranger to love. Being an outcast takes a toll on the heart. Casey had told her about their grandparents, and how proud they were of the little girl they called their 'little bulldozer', but no matter how hard she tried, she had no memory of them.
She had no memory of being loved.
She had been tossed from one foster home to another, being 'the other child', until finally landing on the streets. She may not have had much of an identity, but at least she had her principles. She knew how to keep her pants on. Ro Rowen was not afraid to save herself for marriage. And yet, last night, she gave herself to Zee; completely and unconditionally.
So why was she feeling so awful?
Because she gave herself completely and unconditionally. She had broken her own vow, and no long shower was going to change that.
After her shower, she donned on her bathrobe and opened the bathroom door, only to find Zee waiting for her. And the worried look on his face overshadowed his nudity.
"Ro, are you all right?"
Ro's every attempt to put on a brave face failed. The tears were beyond her control. Zee held her close and whispered, "I'm so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you. This is my fault. I thought I was dreaming. I thought...it was just...my dream again."
Ro was not mad at Zee. How could she be mad at the one person who doted on her ever since they first met? And here he stood, so eager to take responsibility for her actions. She kissed him because she wanted to. She wanted him. And no matter how unlikely it sounds...they actually made love together. She felt the kind of love she never thought she could have. But Ro was still too emotional to talk, and she did not want to risk Casey hearing her cry. So she hugged Zee's waist, massaging his back in the process. She hoped this would put him at ease, and make him understand that she was not mad at him.
Zee decided to say no more after that. It was still dark outside, and Ro needed her sleep. When Ro released her hug, he gently scooped her up and carried her to the bed. The remainder of the night was spent with Ro safely cuddled in Zee's arms. Zee did not concentrate on the dream, because he wanted Ro to feel safe and warm again, so she wouldn't need to cry any longer. But as Ro drifted off to sleep, tears still flowed down her cheeks.
(I promise you, Ro. I will redeem myself. I'll make you happy again. You'll see.)
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
Don't worry, Folks! The second half of this flashback will continue in the next chapter. It's coming soon, so stay tuned! A lot can happen in just two days.