Ladies and Gentlemen... I apologize for taking so long to work on this chapter. But I am pleased to say that after months of deliberation...and other things I had to do, for that matter... Chapter Ten is finally complete! I hope you enjoy my latest creation...
Chapter Ten
This time, Zee is the first to wake up. The sun is not due to rise for at least another hour or so, but he doesn't mind. He uses this time to savour the warmth that comes from holding Ro, caressing her as she sleeps on his chest. It's moments like this that he lives for now, wishing they would last forever. Soon the sun would awaken Ro, and no matter how hard he tries to hide it, he can't bear the idea of her emerging from her slumber, having to leave the bed...and his embrace. It always feels so cold when that happens.
It has been two days since he bought the white dress, but he can't bring himself to give it to her, no matter how much he wants to. He still dreams about her wearing it, and has no regrets about buying it. But the dress remains in its hiding place under the bed because Zee can't help but feel that something's not right; that he's forgetting something. And he needs to figure out what it is before Ro finds the dress.
With his head still on the pillow, he turns his head to glance at the window. The sky is still pitch black, but not for much longer. He does not have much time. He closes his eyes and tries to imagine Ro in the dress once again. (What am I overlooking? What could be missing?)
With Ro still sound asleep on his chest, he lifts a hand to look at a hologram of Ro as he sees her in his dreams. What a sight to behold! A holographic image from Zee's palm is usually in shades of blue, but as Zee stares at the image, he can imagine the vibrant colours of her golden hair, the glowing white dress with its flowing sash, her deep blue eyes, and the blue pendant shining from her neck...
(That's it! The pendant! The outfit is not complete.) Zee now knows what he has to do. Once he finds the pendant, he'll present the entire outfit to her.
After the sun rises Ro, after helping Zee dress up, joins Casey for breakfast. Zee takes this time to make up the bed. He doesn't mind this chore at all. He fears that if Ro takes a turn, she'll find the box. But he knows it's just a matter of time before she sees it. He needs to find the pendant today, but how to do it without Ro finding out?
Downstairs, Casey scrambles the eggs while Ro prepares the toast.
As they sit at the table, Casey clears his throat and asks, "So, uh... How are you feeling?"
Ro scoops up some eggs and answers, "Who, me? I'm okay. How are you doing?"
"It's just that... I missed you at supper last night. I felt awful about lunch earlier. When I came home I heard Zee's snoring. Is it safe to ask if...?"
"...If things have changed between us? After lunch, I took a long walk in the park. I needed time to think about what happened, and how my life turned out this way. There was a time when I had dreams for the future, but the foster homes really made it difficult for me to work on them. It was hard for me to feel at home in a place that constantly reminded me that it wasn't really my home. The girls' home in Maryland was the last straw. They made the street gang look like heaven on earth at first. And then Zee came out of nowhere with a sweet personality and an unlimited cred card. Suddenly my dreams flashed in front of me. Here was my chance to reach for them again. So I made a deal with him. I'd give him a push in the right direction in exchange for five thousand creds..."
Casey raised an eyebrow. "Five thousand? That's not a lot of money when you think about it. How far did you think you'd go with only five thousand creds?"
After a mouthful of eggs, Ro continues, "Just because I was a street kid, doesn't mean I was greedy. I had learned to do without for a long time. My plan was to find a small apartment so I'd have a roof over my head. And then, I'd look for a part-time job so I'd have an income. Finally, I would sign up for some correspondence courses. I figured that would be much easier than trying to enroll in a school without a parent around to answer questions. There's no way I was going back to that girls' home. It's not exactly The Waldorfs."
Casey can't help but admire his little sister. She could have asked for millions, and Zee most likely would have given it to her. "So what happened then?"
"Zee needed me to distract one of the agents so he could impersonate him. The plan was to sneak in, download his file and sneak out before anyone knew the wiser. As fate would have it, Agent West stumbled...yes, stumbled out of the van. I followed him into a restaurant and did my best to keep him busy..."
Casey raises an eyebrow. "Define 'keep him busy' for me, will you, please?"
Ro sighs, "Okay, okay... I spilled his lunch on him. But I did try to clean it up. If he had just held still long enough for me to wipe the food off him, things would have been different. But he made a beeline for the van before Zee could finish. You know, I was almost tempted to just take my money and run, but..."
Casey is so wrapped up in Ro's story; he doesn't even touch his eggs. "But what stopped you?"
"Out of all the people I encountered growing up as a foster kid, Zee was the nicest one ever. Sure, he was a robot with an unlimited cred card, but in that short time, he made me feel...well, important. I wasn't just some stupid kid to him. And it felt nice teaching him how to act like a human. When I saw him being captured, I knew he was going to be reprogrammed. Zee's sweet personality would have been destroyed. And I wanted him to come out of this okay. So even though it meant getting in deep trouble with the NSA, I decided to help Zee escape. We've been looking out for each other since then. It really wasn't so bad. The places we've been to, and the people we've met... and Zee made me feel special. I liked teaching him."
"And I bet Zee liked having you teach him. So, now that the NSA has stopped chasing you, have you thought about what you're going to do now?"
After taking a sip of orange juice, she answers, "Actually, I have been thinking about it. It's been weeks since Bennet called off the search. Maybe now, I can concentrate on enrolling in some classes. It'd be nice to finally get my high school diploma."
Casey knew better than to make a big deal out of it, but deep down he is thrilled for Ro's decision...
...And so is Zee.
Even though he seems to be turning into a human, he still has his advanced robotic hearing. With the bedroom door slightly open, he listens in on their conversation. He couldn't ask her if she had any plans for today without raising suspicion. Thanks to Casey, that problem has been solved. Now he can shop for the pendant without her knowing. And the fact that she's signing up for courses makes him so proud of her. He carefully closes the door and begins to prepare himself for his quest.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Casey washes the dishes, while Ro dries and packs them up in the overhead cupboard.
"So, Ro... Once you get your high school diploma, do you know what kind of a career you want? Sounds like you'd make a great teacher."
"Yeah, right! I'm sure a lot of parents would love to have their children in a classroom run by one of the most famous fugitives to ever escape prosecution. No, I was thinking of something more low-profile. Sure, it would probably mean taking a couple more classes, but I like to think that by the time I finish them, the heat would have completely blown over. I could probably become a travel agent. I do have some experience in the field, after all."
Casey snickers while scrubbing the frying pan. "True. How about...something in robotics? I mean, you've been looking after a highly-advanced robot for over two years..."
"Yeah, but I really wasn't much help when it came to making repairs. Whenever Zee was damaged, he was able to repair himself. But when he fell into a coma after Bennet nearly erased his brain, I couldn't do anything to fix him. I had no choice but to call on Bucky. I still wish he had helped me when Zee was captured."
"But when you needed his help the most, he came through. I've seen the disk you gave me. You protected him as many times as he protected you. I remember seeing how Zee passed out while on a motorbike when that bounty hunter was out to get him. You were the one who carried him to safety, and you were willing to call Bucky because you wanted to help Zee the only way you could. You said that Zee was the best thing that ever happened to you. Well, you're probably the best thing that ever happened to Zee. Heck, you two might as well get married." He finishes rubbing the pan and places it in the cabinet under the sink. "Well, I'd better get going. I'll call you later, okay?" He gives her a gentle hug, grabs his briefcase and heads out the door.
Ro is frozen on the spot with her dish on the verge of slipping from her grasp. She can't believe what her brother just said...
(Married?) There's a thought that never crossed her mind...although that isn't entirely true. She remembers walking past a bridal shop yesterday, and there was that one dress in the window; a long, white dress with a sash at the waist. She can almost imagine herself in that dress. (Would being married to Zee really be such a bad thing?) She sighs as she dries the last dish and stores it away.
"Ro?"
It takes a moment for Ro to realize that Zee is right behind her. He must have arrived downstairs right after Casey left. "Hey, Zee. How're you feeling?"
He wants to tell her how much he loves her, and how proud he is of her plans to enroll in courses and find a job. But he can't risk arousing her suspicions. So he gently hugs her and answers, "I feel...great." After a minute or two, he finally releases her and asks, "So...do you have any plans for today?"
"Yes, I do in fact. I'd like to see someone about some correspondence courses, so I may be gone for a bit. Would you like to come?"
"Thank you, but... I think I should stay close to home...just in case Bucky has my test results. I haven't heard from him since he was last here."
Ro can't help but smirk. "Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. I'm sure your present condition was a shock to him."
"It was...to both of us. Piercing the probe wires through my hologram proved to be...painful."
Ro's eyes are wide in shock. "Painful...? Zee... You felt...pain? When did this happen?"
"It was when Bucky was examining me. He had to insert his probe wires through my hologram since I can't deactivate it. Doing so sent surges through my body. It didn't feel good at all."
"Zee... Why didn't you say anything earlier...? Oh...wait, I remember. I had problems of my own, didn't I? Zee, I'm so sorry..."
"No... No, Ro. Don't..." Zee holds her in her arms once again. "It wasn't your fault. What happened between us was...wonderful. I've never experienced anything like it before. Everything that's happened...all of these sensations... It only proves you were right, Ro. I'm becoming human. How could these things be happening if I'm an ordinary robot?"
Ro sighs. "Zee, you were never an ordinary robot. Dr. Selig made sure of that. I think that your module has something to do with your evolving."
"Bucky thinks so, too."
After another minute, Ro manages to pry herself from Zee's gentle embrace. "Well, I should get going. Registration deadlines wait for no one. I'll see you later, okay?"
"Okay." He keeps his loving gaze on her as she leaves the apartment.
A moment later, he heads straight to Casey's computer, using it to locate the nearest jewelry stores. He narrows it down to three stores in the general area. The closest one, a store named Ashford, is just two buildings away. After storing this information in his memory, he turns off the computer, leaves the apartment and makes his way down the street.
Upon arrival, Zee stops outside the store window. He takes a quick glance at some of the pieces on display: a few necklaces, some earrings and even a couple of rings; but none of them seem to give off the loving glow from his dream. So he decides to go inside, unaware that someone is watching him from across the street.
Since most of the salespeople are dealing with other customers, Zee uses this time to browse. He doesn't waste any time looking at watches or pearls. He begins his search at a glass counter filled with gemstone pieces. Many of them are grouped together based on the similar colours. The pendant he's looking for gives off a bright blue glow. It matches Ro's eyes perfectly. That means the stone should be either a sapphire or...
"Can I help you, sir?"
Now Zee is face-to-face with a middle-aged woman with slightly-graying curly hair. The ID tag pinned on her blue jacket states that she's the head salesperson, and yet she seems to bear more resemblance to a high-school headmistress. He clears his throat and answers, "Uh, yes. I'm looking for a pendant, please."
"Why yes, sir. We have quite a few to select from. Is there a particular stone you're looking for?"
"Actually, I was looking for something in a bright blue."
The salesperson takes a moment to think. "Well, let's see now... We do have some sapphire pendants over here in the next counter, although these gems give off a deep blue. But let's have a look anyway, shall we?" She guides Zee over to the counter on his left, which appears to be dedicated to the sapphire gemstone. He sees quite a few blue sapphires, along with some pink ones and even a pair of white earrings. But it's the blue sapphires that he inspects, and the two necklaces in the counter don't seem to give of the glow he's looking for. The salesperson, determined to make a sale, decides to help him out a bit more. "Hmmm... You did say you were looking for something in a bright blue, yes? Well... we do have some blue topaz pieces. They're right over here. This way, please."
Zee follows the sales person three counters down, past emeralds and garnets. At the topaz counter, there are indeed blue topazes as well as some yellowish ones. After a careful look, one particular pendant catches his eye. It's a beautiful heart-shaped blue topaz set in a heart of 14-karat white gold. As he stares at it, it casts a magical glow...the same glow matching Ro's eyes. Next to the pendant is a card stating that the topaz is known as the stone of strength, and also the symbol of love and affection. Zee is more than convinced... This is the pendant.
After a few moments, the salesperson puts on her best smile and goes in for the sale. "Do you see something you like, sir?"
Zee does not waste another second. "Yes, please. I'd like this one here." He points at the heart-shaped topaz.
The salesperson unlocks the counter and, with a little guidance from Zee, carefully maneuvers her hand to the pendant. "Ah, you've made an excellent choice, sir." She reaches into her jacket for her pocket calculator and begins punching numbers. "That comes to...150 creds, sir."
"I'll take it." He hands her his cred card and lets her make the transaction. As she hands him back the card he adds, "And could you gift-wrap it, please? It's for someone very special to me."
"Of course, sir." The salesperson carefully holds the pendant by its 18-inch chain and selects a small box for its package, and then she makes her way to the gift-wrapping table. A minute later she returns with Zee's purchase. It's wrapped in shiny gold paper and tied with a bright blue ribbon. "I'm sure she will love it."
He graciously accepts the gift. "Thank you." He leaves the store, securing the gift in his pocket. He knows Ro cannot be home yet, but he still wants to hurry back before she does. He has the dress, and now he has the pendant. When Ro returns, he plans to give her the dress first; once she tries it on, he would place the pendant around her neck.
Zee enters the apartment building. While he waits for one of the elevators, he takes another look at his purchase. The wrapping paper matches Ro's hair, and the blue ribbon matches her eyes, just like the pendant inside. It feels as though it's another sign that this is meant to happen. The thought of his dream becoming a reality fills him with a warm sensation.
A moment later, the nearest elevator opens, and a small family of a wife, husband and a child exits. Zee lets them leave the elevator before he enters, but just before the doors close, he notices that the child is a young girl wearing her light brown hair in two ponytails...
...It's the same hairstyle as Becky Dolan's.
As the elevator rises, he remembers helping Becky ride her bike for the first time, and the smile on her face as she saw him watching her, believing it was her father. It was a happy moment for her, and for him. Zee has been wanting his freedom for so long, even before he met Ro. And for Zee, having his freedom means being able to live like a human...like Eugene Dolan. He has a good, respectable job and a family who loves him. Zee could become an accountant or something like that. Accountants are not required to kill anyone. Ro wants her high school degree so she can have a career. If Zee was to get a job...he would have a career as well, and he wouldn't need to use the NSA cred card anymore. He will most likely have to reimburse some of the things he purchased with it; the dress, the pendant and the clothes Ro bought for him. But once he gets a job, he'd be able to pay it all back.
The elevator stops at his floor, and as he walks down the corridor and approaches Casey's apartment, his decision is final. He will start looking for a job, and then all ties to his former life would be cut off altogether.
"Zeta."
Zee freezes in his tracks. A terrible chill runs down his back. He recognizes that voice. A moment later he turns around, and finds himself face-to-face with a plain-clothed Agent James Bennet.
"Zeta, we need to talk."
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Well, that's all for now, folks! Chapter Eleven is on its way. So please stay tuned!
One more thing... I wish to acknowledge Ashford for the blue topaz heart pendant used in this story. This website has some very nice jewelry available.