The next day Astra awoke with a smile upon her lips. Her new friends Dev and Riven had bombarded and teased her endlessly on her trip to the Grid, when they were alone, they couldn't risk anyone finding out about it. They decided to go with her one day that she was on Grid duty, but first, she was going to need to train. There were a lot of User powers to learn and, of course, her training with Tron. She blushed at that. How will that go?... She mused inwardly. She looked forward to it, she had always wanted to learn… And having such a hot teacher didn't hurt.

She stretched and got up, a song humming upon her lips as she went and showered and got ready for the day. Astra was a natural beauty, wearing no makeup, having black eyelashes from birth, which was odd with her almost snow-white blonde hair, so she never took too long, she even let her hair air dry to let it keep its healthiness. She was also thin, standing at 5'6 ¾" high and at 110 lbs. She preferred to be this way, she looked good in everything she wore. She blushed as she looked herself over in her mirror. She was just the right height for Tron.

That done, she got her breakfast and sat on her little balcony with her coffee, watching the people go by, taking in the sights and sounds of the city in her little quiet corner, the wind playing upon her hair. She smiled, this was one of her favourite things to do in the morning. She got to relax and let her mind wander. She thought of different stories for each person as they rushed by as she slowly sipped her coffee. She liked waking up 5 hours early before work, so she had plenty of time. It took that long for her hair to dry. Maybe tomorrow I won't wash my hair… She thought lazily, she didn't wash it every day, but she normally did. She could only go one day without washing it though. She shook her head gently and finished her coffee, letting her mind wander once more.

It didn't take her long from then to get ready and out the door. She had wrote her dreams in her newest dream journal and sketched a bit, but there wasn't much time to finish a complete picture.

Once at the ENCOM building she grinned. She was going to get to train with Tron today! No sooner than she had sat down at her desk to await one of the heads of the Grid team, than she was accosted by Dev and Riven!

"Sooo… You're going to do some more special training today huh?" Riven said slyly.

"Leave the poor girl alone Riven." Dev said, though she had a hint of a smile in her voice. "Did you have fun yesterday?" She asked a question of her own.

Astra just giggled as she took her seat. "Yes as a matter of fact!" She said cheekily. She knew she couldn't give too much away.

"Maybe you'll meet the company's main hacker today." Riven said conspiratorially.

"Hacker?" Astra looked at him incredulously.

"Yeah. Every good tech company has one, they work to keep hackers out." Dev said in her monotone voice.

Astra just shook her head. "I didn't know. I guess it makes sense." She looked up at them both curiously.

Just then Alan walked in, a big smile upon his lips. "Are you ready for your training?" He said mischievously.

Astra only laughed. "Only if my trainer's ready to handle me!" She said cheekily.

Alan laughed at that. "Oh, he will be! I'm glad I'm not him." He shook his head. "Come on, let's get started."

Astra nodded and followed Alan to the rezzing room, as it was so dubbed.

"Now. Be ready for anything." Alan warned with a grin.

Astra looked at him in surprise and confusion. "Anyt-" And she was rezzed into the System. Only to be tackled by 6'2" of sold male Program.

"Gotta keep on your toes! User." Tron said with mischief, the last softer, as Astra could now see that her eyes were open… And she was laying flat on her back on the ground!

"Ooooh you!" She flashed him a mischievous smile herself and pushed against his chest with her hands. He didn't budge. "I'll show you better!" She almost giggled, as it was, she was very aware of their positioning, and it was doing havoc to her heart and mind.

Tron just chuckled, still having her pinned to the ground. He bent down threateningly. "I'll hold you to that." He whispered in a low, gravelly voice in her ear, then got up and offered her a hand.

Astra had to fight not closing her eyes and shudder at that tone in his voice. She managed, barely, but she still held a deep blush upon her cheeks as she took his offered hand and got up.

"I promised you a ride before we started, so, I brought my lightcycle." His eyes twinkled as he stood to the side and held out his hand to show her the much faster and less safe vehicle.

Astra couldn't have been more overjoyed! She immediately perked up and held her hands in front of her as she bounced once, then ran over to it to skim her hands gently along its body and seat. "It's gorgeous!" She gushed.

It was Tron's turn to blush now, via his symbol flaring lightly, seeing her touch his bike in such a sexy manner. She probably doesn't realize she's doing it. He thought as he controlled his processor and walked over beside her. "Ready to take a spin?" He leaned against his lightcycle with a mischievous grin.

"You bet!" She exclaimed and looked over at him, stopping her exploration of the vehicle.

Tron got on at that, all graceful movements and nodded to the rest of the seat behind him with a smile. She really is beautiful when she smiles. He thought.

Astra blushed. Watching him move should be illegal! She thought as she watched him get on his lightcycle in front of her, his leg had just barely brushed hers, and if they had've both just looked down, they would have noticed her lightlines had glowed brighter.

She slid on easily behind him and awkwardly wrapped her arms around him, trying to keep some distance. I have my dignity! She inwardly chanted.

Tron chuckled and rezzed up his helmet as he looked back at her. Which had earned him another blush from Astra. "You might want to hold on tight." He didn't give her warning as he disengaged the kickstand and took off at full speed!

Astra squeaked in surprise as her flight or fight response made her grip onto him with full force!

Tron grinned at that and chuckled low in his throat. Inwardly, he liked the feeling of her pressed against him so tightly. I'm glad she can't see my chest. He thought as his symbol flared once more. Programs didn't blush, they didn't possess blood, instead, it was energy, therefore, their emotions were shown through their circuitry glowing different colours or simply glowing brighter. Lightlines dampened this effect as the circuitry connected to them, giving them more control over who saw their emotions. Tron saw no reason to hide how he felt at this time, no-one could see it, and Astra didn't know anything about how lightlines and circuitry worked.

Now that she was holding on properly, he jerked his lightcycle up on its back wheel and picked up speed, earning a delighted squee from Astra this time! "You certainly know how to impress!" She laughed.

"Just wait." He said conspiratorially as he tilted his head to barely glimpse her in the side of his helmet.

Astra laughed in delight and squeezed him tighter.

They got to the main street, and, true to his word, Tron pulled off impressive feats! Weaving in and between other vehicles, picking up speed, racing through areas they simply shouldn't have been able to fit but did! And eventually… Racing against a new bike with blue lightlines! The driver looked male but had his helmet down. Astra couldn't make out his front lines, so she didn't know who it could possibly be.

Tron and the other driver overtook each other and made a game out of showing off and keeping ahead! Astra laughed and smiled in pure delight! I've never had this much fun in my life! She thought happily.

Soon though, they came to stop in front of Tron Tower and Tron got off his bike, offering Astra his hand to help her off.

She took it delightedly and promptly stumbled when she touched the ground. "I'm not used to riding one of these things." She said with embarrassment.

Tron chuckled and steadied her. "You will." His voice seemed a touch softer than usual.

The other rider had gotten off his bike too, and now was walking over to them, retracting his helmet as he did so.

Astra's eyes widened. "Beck!" She said in surprise and happiness. Someone she knew had been the other rider!

Tron looked back at his former apprentice and chuckled. "Thank you for helping me impress the lady." He nodded to Astra as he let go of her hand now that she was steady.

"No problem. Soo… You begin training today." Beck grinned widely.

"Why does everyone say that today?" Astra laughed. "Yes, I do. Is he really that bad of a teacher?" She jabbed a thumb at Tron with a smile.

Beck simply looked at Tron and chuckled. "I'll see you guys later!" He said as he walked to the tower.

Tron smiled after him. Wise choice. He thought at Beck's lack of words and turned to the tower himself. "We'd best get started." He said with a hint of mirth in his voice.

Astra only shook her head and breathed out a laugh as she followed him. "I can hardly wait."

Tron outright laughed at that, throwing his head back, then turned to look at her as he made his way to the tower. "You may not be saying that soon!"

Astra only grinned at him with glittering eyes.

They got to the tower and took the elevator up, to the 4th floor. Astra looked around in curiosity. The room they entered was large, empty, with a secondary room off to the side, though the doorway was open, she had a suspicion you wouldn't be able to see it if it were shut. The whole thing was outlined on top and bottom with a blue grid design which lit the room.

"This is so neat!" She breathed.

Tron looked pleased. "It's my own design, inspired by… Someone." He trailed off. Yori.

Astra noticed the sad look in his eyes and placed a hand on his arm. "Hey, are you ok?" She wanted to help in any way she could.

Tron simply stood straighter, flashing her a sad smile. "I'm fine. Now! Let's get started!" He said with enthusiasm as he walked into the middle of the room. "This is the Simulation Room. We do training here to hone our skills or keep them up. The room will show any number of simulated situations, so nothing you see is real, but the Programs you go against will seem real. They even talk. It's all controlled by the person in that room over there." He pointed to the room off to the right of where they had entered. "Or the thoughts of the one who has accessed the main room controls. Like this." He smiles as he walks over to the room and hits a few buttons on a glowing screen, and the environment immediately changes!

Astra now stands at the docs of a city she hadn't seen before, surrounded by crates and doc equipment! Her eyes widen in astonishment and she turns in a circle, arms partially stretched out as she takes it all in. "This is SO COOL!" She exclaims happily. "It's like a hologram from Star Trek!" Though, inwardly, something pulls at her. This is so familiar somehow…

Tron chuckles and walks back into the room. "I'm glad you like it. Now. Prepare yourself!" He says just as he tosses his hand out which rezzes a simulated baton that acts as though it had been thrown by him at Astra.

Astra squeaks and reaches out to grab it, bringing it close to her chest, at the sudden action.

No sooner than she had grabbed it, then he was at her with one of his own, only his was black where hers was white.

Still in shock, she rose her small weapon to meet his, only, the action flowed through her, she suddenly knew what to do as the baton leapt to life and formed a white glowing staff with a pink outer glow. She barely managed to block the attack!

Tron looked at her, impressed. "You caught on, on how to use these faster than most Users." He praised her as he extended his own baton into a black staff of his own. This time, he attacked her with more testing attacks, gauging what her weaknesses and strengths were, her reflex time, and overall prowess. To be honest, he was surprised she was as good as she was with her weapon. She seemed to know how to use it at a beginner's level and wasn't afraid to hit back.

After the initial shock wore off, Astra concentrated on defending herself. Tron hit her more times than she could count, but she was able to put a good defence against his attacks. She smiled, thoroughly enjoying the challenge.

Sometime through the testing, Tron spoke. "You seem to have a good knowledge of the staff."

"Yes, I-" She tried to block another attack, and missed. "I used to practice using one. I've always-" Block. "Wanted to learn how to fight." Hit. "So I thought-" Hit. "That if I were to fight with a weapon." Hit. "It would be the staff, because you can't kill easily with it." Block.

Tron stopped attacking her now, pleased with his assessment. "You practised alone?"

"Yes." She smiled. "I've never got to fight against someone before! This was fun!" She was breathing hard now.

Tron looked at her, impressed, and smiled. "You did well for your first time. You have a long ways to go however." He said as the room turned to an open, grassy field.

Astra swayed. The grass all moved in time to a "wind" though it was in a repeated pattern… Her memories jogged and she put a hand to her forehead.

Tron was quick to steady her. "What's wrong?"

Astra just shook her head and looked up at him. "A… Memory. I feel like I know a place similar to this." Her eyes were downturned, staring at the moving grass, and clouded.

Tron just looked at her, not knowing what could be familiar about a scene like this. He'd never known a place like this himself. "I made it in memory of… My dead Bondmate." He finally admitted. "She used to love the User World… And I'd heard, she had created a place similar to this."

Astra looked up at him now, eyes sad. "I'm sorry." Bondmate. It rung through her mind. I feel like I should know what that means… But I do know, it's someone important.

Tron shook his head. "It's alright. No-one will ever be able to replace her." He said sadly and took a few steps away. "We should continue your training."

Astra nodded and assumed what she thought was a good fighting position.

Tron just smiled a bit sadly and shook his head. "No, you want to move your right leg a little more left, bend your knees more, stand straighter, shoulders back. Like this." He stood in the main fighting stance first taught to all his trainees.

Astra attempted the pose, and failed. "Like this?"

Tron shook his head. "No, like this." He showed her again.

She failed, and furrowed her brow when he shook his head.

"Here." He said and walked around her to stand behind her, and lightly moved his arms and legs to be flush against hers.

She blushed furiously but tried to keep her composure as he moved her limbs and posture for her.

"There." He said finally, happy with her stance now. "Do you think you can you remember that?"

Astra could only nod. If he's going to teach me like this I don't think I'll ever forget a single pose! She squeaked in her mind.

Tron smiled, satisfied, and moved into the same position himself. "Now, I want to work on your defence. You have strength there, it's your attack that's weak, but you're not afraid to hit me. Which is good. I want you to attack me and watch me block it carefully."

Astra nodded and swung her staff down, as he was within reach.

He blocked it deftly. "Now, try that again, but slower."

Astra did so, this time, she could see his movements easily. She made note of them. "I could see it this time! Thank you." She said in concentration.

Tron nodded and stood back in the stance again. "I'm going to attack you. Block!" He gave her no warning! Just swung his staff down, albeit much slower than he would if he were in a fight, but to a newbie, it came as a surprise!

She failed to block the attack and it hit her left shoulder. She narrowed her eyes in frustration. "I'll get it next time!" She said with determination.

He got back into position, and hit her again. He tried this a few more times, but when she didn't match his original defensive move, he stood and walked around her. "I think you need to learn through touch." He said, his symbol flaring a bit as he realized exactly what this meant, and conjured up a Program simulation before Astra just as he moved his arms and legs to be flush with hers.

Astra's eyes went wide as her cheeks tinted red! "I-You don't have to!" She stammered.

"It's alright. Now, I'm going to move with you, block the Program's attack!" He said just as the Program attacked her. He moved her arms and legs and posture with ease, she was completely pliable beneath his touch.

She blocked the attack. With a huge smile she looked back at Tron, only to have her breath hitch when her nose almost became in contact with his. He's so close! She blushed harder. "I- I did it!" She said as he smiled and moved her back into position.

He stood then and walked in front of her as the Program disappeared. "Let's try it again!" He grinned and came at her!

She knew the moves now, his touch imprinted on her very soul. She recalled how he had felt against her, his warm body, gentle touch, breath upon her neck, how he moved each part of her. And she blocked the attack!

"Good!" Tron smiled and stood back, pleased. "We'll try this again until you can block every one of my attacks!" He had noted the look in her eyes, her blush… It's likely she's remembering… Me… Just like, Yori. His thoughts turned to the times when he had taught his Bondmate, his own eyes became hazy as he attacked Astra, this time comparing their stances. She's a bit more experienced than Yori was when I first taught her… He trailed off in thought, then pushed the memories aside and continued to train her.

At the end of the training that cycle, Astra stood up straight with a moan. "I don't think I want to block another attack my whole life!"

Tron laughed. "You did get hit quite a bit."

"Oh you!" Astra just smiled and hit him lightly on the arm.

Tron smiled, impressed. She really knows no fear. He laughed in his mind. That someone would hit him playfully, was a feat, just like when she had done it in the breakroom that day.

"Let's get some energy into you." He said as he took her baton and made both of the weapons disappear and walked toward the small room, powering the Simulation Room down, returning it to the grid it held when they walked in.

"That'll be interesting." Astra said as she followed him to the exit. "What's it like?"

Tron laughed. "It's like nothing in the User world." His eyes glittered. I'd like to see her reaction to it. He smiled in his mind.

It wasn't long before they were on the 3rd floor and sitting at a bar outfitted with many stools around it. Tron had went behind the counter to prepare the drinks and set them in front of her and where he would be sitting.

Astra eyed it curiously, turning it this way and that. "I have such a… Nostalgic? Feeling about this."

Tron eyed her curiously. "A dream again?" He asked suspiciously as he took a sip from his drink.

Astra nodded, finally picking up the glass. "Yeah." And promptly took a testing sip. Immediately her eyes grew wide and her lightlines flared! "WOW!" She blushed, the feeling of energy rushing through her was… Amazing! It revitalized her and gave her, for lack of a better word, energy! And… It felt good! She could feel it coursing along her lightlines and through her body. "This is just what I needed!" She said happily as she took a long sip from her drink.

Tron watched her curiously. She reminds me so much of Yori. He thought even as he pondered her dreams. I really want to have a look at them. He mused as he took another slow sip and watched her as she delighted in her drink, finally swaying a bit from the full force of the effects. "Woah there! Users take some time getting used to energy. You might want to slow down!" He chuckled.

Astra just shook her head, her lines glowing brightly then dying down from the energy. "I'm fine! This is just like something from a dream I'd had! I, can't explain it, it just feels so good to have this again!" She looked to him happily.

He faltered and stayed with his hand upon her back for a nano before slowly pulling it back. "Tell me more about these dreams?" He asked her curiously, and a bit suspiciously.

"Well…" She started as she looked at her now almost empty glass. "The one I remember most, is when a man I loved left the place I was at… I was sad and lonely… I drank this." She lifted her glass up. "But not enough… There was discourse there… I had to protect the people… My people, in the end… I- It's hazy." She puts a hand to her head and shakes it slowly. "I wish I could remember." Then she jolted her head up. "It's probably in one of my old dream journals!" She said happily, looking to him again.

Tron looked at her confused. "You document your dreams?"

Astra nodded. "Yes. I always have such grand adventures in them, I always want to preserve them! Maybe I can find it… I'll have to do some digging." She looked back at her energy now, and finished it with a sip.

"I would like to read it, if you find it." I wonder why she would dream of something so similar to… He trailed off as his mind wandered and he took another sip from his energy. "Is there anything else you want to do before you head back to the User World?"

Astra nodded and looked at him with a seriousness that stopped him. "I want to learn how to protect this place. And not like from the outside, but from the inside. I want to learn how the Users use their powers here to help the people and System."

Tron just stared at her. Her determination… I know that look. His mind was far away as he nodded slowly. "That will come after training… But." He said at her downtrodden look. "I can show you how the simulation room works. That's a start."

She brightened at that. "Thank you." She smiled and watched him while he finished his drink.

"Come. It shouldn't take long." Tron said as he got up, her following close behind.

Once back in the room Tron showed Astra the control room this time. "This is where you log in and get registered by the System." He walked up to the glowing screen and pointed to it. "You put your hand on this screen, it will scan you in. I will register you." He instructed.

Astra nodded and walked up to the screen, which glowed blue, and put her hand upon it. Immediately a band of light came down from the screen's top and ran over her hand upon the screen as the female System's voice sounded from around them. "New User. Scanning in… Scan complete."

Tron nodded once and walked over to the controls on the screen just as Astra had removed her hand. He pressed his own hand against it and let it scan him. "Register new User. User Name: Astraica." He said and looked to her again. "Now put your hand back on the screen." He said and gestured to the screen.

Astra did as he said and the screen flashed white under her hand and the System's voice came back over them. "Registration complete. New User: Astraica now ready to use Simulation Room."

Tron nodded and smiled. "Now you can create anything that comes to your mind, or, activate any of the training simulations pre-made within the System."

Astra smiled widely at him. "Thank you! I think I know just what I'll create first! It was something that the energy reminded me of!"

"Oh?" Tron laughed. "Let's see."

They exited the room and Astra stood in the centre of the grid, closing her eyes to concentrate.

"Remember to let your mind connect to the System. It should be there, in the back of your mind, Program or User. Though it's easier for Programs to "hear" the System at first, it's Users who can access it." He educated her. He thought of how the Simulation Room worked as he watched her. When Yori created in the ENCOM System, she used her own energy through her hands. Now, with the Simulation Room to create for the user, it was the one that took up the energy to create.

She simply breathed out and let the picture in her mind flow… She searched, and then, there! That bright patch of light within her mind! It spoke… She couldn't make out what it was saying at first, but as she concentrated, it got clearer. She still wasn't able to pick up more than a few words when the room around her flashed! And when she opened her eyes, before her stood a grand crystal cavern made of what looked like clear crystal with a pastel iridescent sheen, but they were opaque! Energy, light, ran across the edges as soft "sheen!" noises sounded at each band of energy that zoomed across an edge. At its centre stood a glowing energy pool that sat a few inches below the opening for the pool. It rippled with no wind.

She smiled happily and turned to see Tron's reaction, and immediately, her face fell.

Tron stood there, frozen on the spot. His look one of surprise and disbelief! He couldn't believe what he was seeing! This was the energy pool he had taken Yori to eons ago in the ENCOM System! The one he had discovered with Ram and Flynn!

He stood there unblinking until she spoke.

"Tron? What's wrong?" She asked hesitantly, reaching out for him. "Oh…" She said mortified. "Did I create something that hurts you? A bad memory?" She ran up to him and looked up at him.

He blinked then, and slowly looked down. When he spoke, his voice was barely a whisper. "How, did you know about this place?"

Astra looked sad. "It was in another dream I'd had… It felt so real… I was with someone… In the energy pool, but I can't remember his face." She looked down. "I'm sorry I don't remember."

Tron blinked again and slowly placed a hand on her shoulder. "May I see your disk?"

Astra looked up at him, confused.

"I want to see if I can access the memory of your dream." He said gently.

"Oh. Alright." She said as she took her disk from her back and handed it to him.

Right away he loaded up the viewscreen and flipped through the controls, soon, a screen appeared before them showing flashes of her memories of the day, until, he rested on the one that was dominating her thoughts at that moment.

His eyes widened at what he saw. The man had white hair spiked at the top of his head above his face which went into a braid that fell like a stripe down the centre of his brown hair, to the back of his neck, tied off at the end to form a slight poofy tail that went two inches below his hair at the back of his neck. But… The face and circuitry were blurred. There was blue circuitry on the man who wore a white suit, that much he could tell, but from the suit and hair alone, he knew exactly who it was.

The woman, who was her, was barely seen in a blurry white and deep pink circuited suit, her cape off to the side of the energy pool they stood in. The disk dropped. The window holding the scene closed.

"Tron?" Astra tried to place a hand on his shoulder, but he turned under her grasp.

"You had more dreams like this?" He said as he took both of her shoulders in his hands.

"Ye-Yes. Tron, you're scaring me! What's wrong?" She worriedly tried to get through to him.

"I-" His eyes glazed over in thought, as though he was going to tell her something, but thought better of it. "I need some time to think. You should go home." It's just a coincidence… But if it isn't? He was in complete denial. She can't be. He thought sadly. "Come on, I'll take you to the portal." And with that he headed to the exit of the room.

Astra had tears in her eyes as she watched after him, the room shimmered, and she willed the crystal caves away. The room reset to the grid once more. Then, having enough of feeling like there was nothing she could do, she screwed a determined look onto her face and marched right up to him, grabbing up her fallen disk on the way. "I know you don't want to tell me what's wrong, but I can't help you if you don't tell me." She told him in a stern yet gentle voice, something tugged at her, a love suddenly flaring within her for this man… To always be there for him, to see him through the hard times and smile with him during the good. Her symbol brightened with that love unbeknownst to her, but Tron caught it as he turned to say something, and paused.

"I want to help you, you're a wonderful person, you deserve happiness and peace of mind. So when you've figured out what you need to, talk to me. Let me know. I, don't want to make you feel bad bringing up memories that are painful." Her eyes glowed with love and warmth as a tear fell from her left eye.

Tron watched that tear fall. She sounds so much like her… But she's gone. He thought sadly as he gently reached up to brush the tear away with the back of his index finger. "I will. I promise." He said quietly, then turned and walked out the door, his processor panging at the familiarity of her words.

Astra nodded solemnly, accepting that and believing his words fully.

Once they were at the Portal Room, Astra turned to say goodbye, and instead, gave him a big hug. "See you tomorrow?"

"See you next cycle." Tron nodded, a bit stunned at the action, but allowed her to hug him, and watched as she left.

A/N: ((The next chapter will feature feisty Astra against Tron in training! And some insight into her University days!))