Tron stared at the portal for a long moment after Astra had left. His mind was both at peace, and in turmoil. He sighed, resisted pinching the bridge of his nose, and left. He had a lot more to do that cycle, he could think on it later.

Beck met him downstairs as he exited the elevator. "That took longer than usual." He said cryptically. He didn't want to touch on a subject that Tron didn't want to talk about.

Tron nodded, hiding his emotions. "It did. We had some things to discuss." He looked out the window to the side, the garage showed there. "Have Zed and Mara began work on the prototype?"

Beck noticed his guarded facade and nodded, dropping it. "Yeah. I think they're just putting it together now."

Tron nodded, no smile evident on his features. "Good. Let's go have a look." Though his voice was gentle.

They walked out to the garage wordlessly and found Zed and Mara off to the side with a partially built skeleton of a canon with the inner workings shown within it, travelling up through the whole of what the canon would look like when finished.

Mara saw them first and smiled. "Hey! We've got most of it done! It just needs some body work!" She said excitedly.

Zed looked up then and smiled as well, waving them over.

Tron finally smiled then, their happiness infectious, and it was good that the weapon was coming along so quickly. He didn't think he had been that long… "It looks good. You have a compact design that focuses on speed with each shot." He noted as he looked at it. He had learned a thing or two from Yori and Beck. Yori… He would have to think of her later.

Mara nodded and Zed piped up. "Yeah! We wanted to make sure it could get the maximum amount of balls shot per micro! It shoots at least 5 per micro!"

Beck whistled. "That's impressive!" He said, fondly remembering the word used by Paige so often during his Renegade days.

Mara laughed and nodded. "We wanted maximum efficiency! We need to spare as many Programs as possible."

Tron looked pleased as he smiled and nodded to them. "Good work. I hope to test it next cycle. Will it be done then?"

Zed and Mara exchanged looks. "Yeah, it should be. We're about to head for our sleepcycle in a few." Zed said.

Tron nodded. "Alright. You've earned it. See you next cycle." He said with a wave and turned to leave.

They smiled and shouted back at him. "See yah!"

Beck watched his old mentor, knowing something was up, and followed him. "So, if you ever want to talk, you know you can trust me. Right?"

Tron looked back to his friend and sighed. "Yes." He smiled. "Thank you. I just need to deal with this on my own." He said gently and placed a hand upon Beck's shoulder.

Beck nodded, sad, yet trusting of his friend's judgement and turned to go to his own room. "I'll see you next cycle than."

Tron nodded. "Have a good sleepcycle." And walked for his own room at Tron Tower. He was going to do some calculations of his own on that weapon once he got there.

It wasn't until late when Tron finally put down his pad and walked tiredly to his bed. He stood for a moment, just looking at it. The memory of being with Astra upon it made his symbol glow and he let the memory replay in his mind.

He had been completely taken by her, and her feeling of Yori… Her dreams clouded his judgement, he had forgotten who she was.

He ran a hand over where her back had been. It was no longer warm. That upset him, something that surprised him. It had felt so good to be with her! Even if it wasn't love making, something he was glad he hadn't let happen. His spirit fought him. She had to be Yori, it screamed. His mind refused to believe it.

He sighed. His heart was teetering on the verge of believing, but he just couldn't let himself. He thought of how different yet similar she looked in comparison to Yori, how her feeling matched hers, especially in passion.

He closed his eyes. He didn't want to believe she was Yori, when he knew she was dead. Tears squeezed past his guard to flow down his cheeks as he slowly opened his eyes, expression anguished. Losing her was like losing his heart. Yet he had pressed on. He had to. He regretted not being there when she needed him the most. He had heard of what had happened in the System… She had had to fight so hard, in his absence.

Users he missed her! His heart gave a shudder and a sob escaped him. And yet, she seemed to be right there. He felt the same way with Astra as he had with Yori. But they weren't the same.

Pulling back the covers, he laid down, tears still streaming down his cheeks silently, and closed his eyes.

YyYyYy

Astra had a better night, her renewed hope flowing through her, she was starting to believe. Or she believed fully already. It was hard to differentiate herself from Yori, they were the same person, she just knew it.

Her heart soared as she remembered her times with her Tron, the crystalline streets of the ENCOM System, and house they had lived in. She smiled, her heart in a little turmoil, though he seemed to believe… She held her right hand up to look at her wrist, and gently touched it. It was there, their bond… Somehow though she was reborn and a User, a Human now. Was it something that was etched upon the soul? She wondered.

Lowering her hand, she held it to her chest with a happy smile, eyes closed. She was Yori. The bondmate of Tron! The most loving, wonderful, beautiful man there was! Her happiness flowed through her as she remembered meeting him for the first time both in the ENCOM System and in her life now.

She prefered the ENCOM System version, but she was happy with how they had met here… Though she had to admit, that smile of his got him everywhere. She giggled lovingly.

She thought about him until she fell asleep and happy dreams took over until morning.

YyYyYy

That day brought Sam, Quorra, Alan and Lora to the entrance to meet Astra. She wondered what could be up that the four of them would want to see her.

"We've got something to show you." Alan said with a smile as his wife's eyes glowed with mischievousness.

Quorra stood to the side of the group, a nervousness about her, while Sam looked pleased, a smile upon his face.

Astra looked along the four of them, confused, but excited. "What is it?"

Lora smiled, winking at her with an air of mischievousness. "You'll have to wait and see."

That made Astra smile and shake her head. "Alright." She said as she wondered what it could be. It must be good if Lora-Pri- Lora is so energetic about it! She thought as she looked at the four of them.

Taking a step closer so that he could walk to the elevator, Sam said. "You'll like it." To her as he walked by, starting the group for the elevator to the rezzing room, only, this time, they went even further down once they all had filed in.

Astra looked at them a bit curiously, but remained silent, she thought the rezzing room was on the bottom floor….

The doors opened to reveal yet another hallway, this one went both ways at the end. Astra wasn't surprised to see they led supposedly no-where though, seeing how the rezzing room worked. It must be like it… She thought as Alan spoke to her and they went down the right hallway. "This is even more secret than the Grid. Make sure to keep it safe."

Astra nodded, a heavy seriousness overcoming her, which showed. "I will."

Sam was the one to scan in this time and the door opened to a lab of sorts. It wasn't a scary lab, but one could tell it was one, with the white walls and stainless-steel tables and drawers all over. A few seats strewn throughout, and equipment upon the tables.

Quorra looked around nervously. "This is where they test me." She said, shedding some light on the subject.

Astra's attention snapped to her as surprise overcame her! "You perform tests on Quorra?!" She directed at all of them, her gaze falling on each and every one of them.

Shaking her head, Lora looked at her levelly. She was serious and yet a bit concerned as she spoke. "It's not like that. Being the last ISO, Flynn was right about her DNA. With her blood we were able to make breakthroughs in various cures and technology…"

Alan stepped up to his wife and rose a hand which he waved in front of him gently as he spoke next. "That the world isn't ready for yet. And the cures… Have some… Side effects."

Astra just stared at them incredulously, a bit of relief coursing through her at their words. "So… You don't do more than test her blood?"

Sam nodded and stepped forward, his voice a bit worried yet calm. "Yeah, we wouldn't do anything else."

Astra looked at them, relieved, a question coming to her then. "What kind of side effects?" She directed at all of them.

Alan didn't move, his voice flat as he stated. "They turn you into an ISO. But they cure anything and heal any wound."

Shock flowed through Astra as she shook her head. "That's… Incredible! But, I can see why you're hesitant to use it... It's not something most would be willing to do, and, it would be dangerous for humans to live that long, and be…" She looked around and her eyes fell on Quorra.

She gave her a sympathetic look.

Astra nodded. "I'm glad it's just that."

Sam walked past her then. "We wanted to show you what we've built." And opened a drawer to pull out a device. It was a small black box that seemed to hum with energy. It had a few buttons on it and a screen. He held it out to her.

"This, is a communication and teleportation device!" He said excitedly. "We haven't tried it on people yet, but so far it's been able to transport objects through the wall and to the other room down the hall!"

She took the device and looked at it, eyes wide in awe. "Her DNA really enabled that?!" She said surprised.

Alan chuckled. "Yup! Her DNA has a lot of potential! Look, here are the connected communication devices." He picks up a few earpieces that would go well in a spy movie.

"Oooh!" She says as she looks at them.

"They connect directly to that device using an encoding no-one should be able to decode in this century!" Lora pipes up excitedly as she watches Astra inspect the earpieces. "It will enable us to be in direct connection to the user of this device." She points to the black box in Astra's hand.

Astra just stares, taking it all in. "This would be very useful for a rescue mission…" She trailed off in thought.

"That's what we thought too. That's why they built it." Quorra says as she steps forward. "I'm glad I could help. If anyone got a hold of a Program, I wanted to do something." Then she smiled. "They," She pointed to the others. "Won't let me go on missions User side in case I get captured."

Astra smiled up at her, and then the others. "I understand that, you're a good person Quorra. Thank you for showing me." She said happily.

"It was something we've thought about for a few days now." Sam said as she handed the device to him and he took it.

"We wanted you to know about this room. If something happened with a Program here, we'll have a means to deal with it… We haven't tried it on the Grid yet." Lora said.

"Hmmm… If it worked on the Grid, it could prove to be very useful in attacks… But then, the other Programs could get it, and then the Users on the other side would have the technology. It's risky." Astra thought aloud, concern welled up within her. If a malicious Use- human, got a hold of these devices, the whole world could be in trouble, every System included.

"Precisely." Alan nodded in approval. "That's why we only want it here, for emergencies only."

"Good idea." Astra smiled up at them, relieved.

Sam spoke then, walking past them to sign them out of the room. "Tron's probably looking for you by now, we'll head back."

"Double security, just in case." Alan whispered to Astra.

Astra smiled. She was impressed with how much protection they put forth for the Programs and technology they've developed. She hoped nothing would ever happen to put it to the test.

They went up to the rezzing room floor and let Astra off. "Have fun today!" Lora waved teasingly.

Astra laughed. "I will!" And they were gone.

Tron was waiting for her near the door to the room with the laser. He grinned at her. No nightmares had come that sleepcycle, only memories… And he was happy to see her, that teetering on the verge of believing who she was affecting him more. "Where were you?" His eyes sparkled.

Astra looked up at him cheekily and poked his chest. "In a secret room." She teased.

"Ooh, so they showed you that." He smiled down at her. "I wonder if they've finished the prototype." He wondered out loud, trying to get her to tell him.

"Maybe I'll tell you, if you give me something." Astra challenged teasingly.

"Hmmmm, what could I possibly give you?" Tron's eyes lit up. Users he loved her challenges and teasing!

Her eyes lit up as she traced where his symbol would have been on his chest. "I, want, a…" She paused for dramatic effect.

He waited in anticipation, his heart pounding, as he had in the User World. He blushed here too, which showed lightly as he leaned in. She's going to ask for a kiss. He wasn't sure if he didn't want to give one to her. But he secretly hoped she would ask.

"Dance with Eckert!" She teased mercilessly and ran, giggling the whole way into the rezzing room.

Tron was scandalized at first, and then he caught on the moment she ran. "Ooh you!" He growled and chased after her.

She squeaked and ran around the room until he finally caught her up in his arms.

"You won't escape that easily!" He purred into her neck, though it wasn't like on the Grid, he couldn't actually purr in the User World.

"Oh? And what will you do with me?" She giggled as she looked up and back at him, a happy blush upon her cheeks. Her back was against his chest.

"Oh… I don't know…" He grinned into her neck, his teeth grazing there. He just couldn't help himself! "Tease you endlessly." He caught the innuendo of that, though he half meant it.

She blushed furiously, picking up on the double meaning. "And what if I resist?" She said cheekily up at him, suppressing a shudder as his teeth grazed her skin.

"Kiss you." He decided finally. He didn't think she would accept.

Her eyes went dark. "I'd like that." She all but whispered.

He stood there, holding her for some time, until he finally let go, pressing his lips to her neck once before he did so. "We have a lot planned this cycle." And he walked over to the laser controls.

Her eyes closed as his lips touched her skin. It wasn't the kiss she wanted so badly, but it was definitely something she was glad to have.

She opened her eyes and she walked to the middle of the room before the laser. Tron soon joined her and they were on the Grid.

The lightcycle ride there was quiet but fast and enjoyable. They basked in each other's company, until they heard the sirens going off at Tron Tower!

Tron picked up speed and didn't stop as he compressed his lightcycle and ran into the Tower!

Astra squeaked and barely managed to run without falling after him, having never gotten off a lightcycle that way before.

"What's going on?!" Tron barked at the nearest guard. Everyone was rushing either around or at their stations, most heading for the elevator.

"An Infinitas Program escaped! He's running a riot down in the containment cells!" The male Program reported.

Tron's expression turned fearful, he looked back at Yor-Astra, and said worriedly. "Stay here." He didn't want her hurt. This was exactly why he kept up security there himself!

Astra looked at him sternly, a switch from her surprised expression before. "I'm coming with you."

"I don't have time to argue." He said, she wasn't trained, she was a User and far more easily damaged than Programs, he didn't want her down there. But there was no time. He ran for the elevator.

Astra followed quickly behind him and soon they were in the containment area. It was chaos! The guards tried to subdue the singular Program who had escaped, but he was good with his disk and had taken down a few of them! None were derezzed, only wounded, and the guards had their shields up.

Tron took command. "Shields only! No disks! Keep him blocked!" Then he went to the front of the group, rezzing up a shield of his own. "We don't mean you harm, but if you don't get back in your cell there will be consequences!" He shouted to the renegade Program.

"Yeah, like you mean for all of the other Systems out there too!" It was the same Program he had interrogated a few cycles before.

"No! We don't mean harm to any System!" Tron shouted back.

Astra came up beside him and stood tall. "I'm a User from ENCOM. I vouch for what he says. Now please! Stop this before someone dies!" Her voice held all the fear and sadness she felt, yet it was also commanding and sure.

The Program with the blue hair and eyes stopped, and watched her. "What's your designation?" He said flatly.

"I'm Astraica Devinlight." She said firmly.

His eyes flickered. "The new User… They, our Users did research on you. You care about Programs."

She nodded. "Yes."

He seemed to think for a moment.

Tron just looked between them, his expression that of surprise and awe with how Astra handled the situation. She wasn't afraid at all, save for the lives of the ones around her. Her days in the System without me shows… He couldn't stop the thought before it finished.

"I believe you mean no harm." The male Program finally said. But then a monitor reached for him. Big mistake! "But I don't believe anyone else!" And with that he flung his disk at the monitor, cutting off his leg!

Astra screamed! "NO!" And ran for the monitor! She barely had time to remember how to do this, her dreams, no, memories, of her past life taking over along with her User power training with her Tron as she took the monitor's disk and frantically tried to piece him back together again!

"His systems are failing!" She cried out in anguish. She didn't know if she could save him!

Tron acted immediately and pounced on the Program! He fought with him, disks clashing, but the other Program was no match for Tron, as Tron finally subdued him and took his disk. "Don't ever put another life in danger again!" He growled out at the Program.

The Program huffed as Tron cuffed him and pulled him to his feet. "It's better than all lives being lost." He scowled at him.

Tron just looked firm, yet sadness flashed in his eyes. He locked the Program up again and put an extra security measure on his cell. "How did he get his disk unlocked?" He asked the first guard beside him.

"He tricked one of us, grabbed the key from him and unlocked it… I'm sorry, sir," She said sadly.

Tron just put a hand on her shoulder. "You did well, everyone did." He reassured her, then turned to all of the other guards. "Good work everyone." And hurried over to Astra. "Astra. How his he?"

Astra's hands flew across the interface of the monitor's disk as she even called up her own energy to heal him. "Not good! He needs an energy transfusion and he's derezzing at an alarming rate! I can barely keep up!" She had tears in her eyes. "I'm currently using my own energy to heal him."

Tron looked from her to the monitor in surprise. She was working with her hands, but her knee was pressed against the other Program's leg. It was glowing… Just how is she transferring energy without her hands?! He thought with wonder. Even Flynn wasn't able to do that! He looked back to her and decided to help any way he could.

"I'll give you some of mine until we can get some down here." He said as he knelt behind her and placed his hands upon her neck, right where Yori's circuitry-nexus was at the base of her throat that would take in new power. It was a reflex to put his hands there for this, he knew it, but it seemed to help as his hands glowed as he carefully controlled the flow of his energy into her.

"Get an energy transfuser down here!" He called behind him, it wasn't harsh, but it was an order.

The guards rushed to do as he commanded, some stayed behind to guard the cells, but a group of 3 headed out to get the transfuser.

"It won't be long now." He said softly to Yor-Astra. "Hold tight Program. You're going to make it!" He said with encouragement to the monitor, he knew this Program, he was an old friend he thought would never be saved from repurposing. The ENCOM team really did their best to fix those affected.

Astra worked quickly and hard, at one point, the Program's wound began to re-grow! But she quickly tamped it down and worked to repair it. And she did repair it! Soon, like an ISO, the monitor's leg began to rerez into being, fixing itself as Astra worked!

Tron looked on in awe even as he had the Program talking so that he would remain conscious. His name was Reeve, a Program from the beginning of the Grid who had worked alongside Tron back then. He had a Bondmate, her name was Kethra, and he was planning on going to the EoL after his shift.

Astra noted it all in the back of her mind as she focused upon his disk.

Finally, the energy transfuser came and hooked up to the Program.

Tron let go of Astra, holding in a sigh of relief. He was tired, they both had spent a lot of energy on this.

Astra released her leg from the Program and sighed, slumped a bit, and finished her work within nanos.

Reeve sat up. "Thank you. I didn't think I would make it."

Astra leaned into Tron and smiled. "I'm glad you did." And her eyes shut.

"I'll get her to rest. You rest yourself and take it easy the next few cycles." Tron said to Reeve.

Reeve nodded. "Will do. Get some energy into the both of you yourselves, ok?" He knew Tron, he wasn't likely to rest.

Tron grunted and nodded. "I will." And picked Astra up to take her to his room.

She was asleep the whole trip up, so once he had her laying on his bed, he went to get some energy for the both of them, stopping at the bar for a moment to get it and heading back up.

"Astra, wake up, you need this." He sat beside her and tried to raise her head, glass in hand.

"Mmnh." She moaned groggily, but her eyes fluttered open. "Tron?" She was expecting to see her room.

Tron chuckled. "Yes. You remember what happened?" He handed her the energy.

She took it as she sat up and nodded as her memory came back to her. "Reeve's alright." She smiled and took a sip. The energy flowed through her and immediately she felt more awake and lively.

Tron nodded. "How did you do it? I've never taught you how to heal a Program."

Astra took another long, slow sip and swallowed. "I, remembered." She blushed. "My memories are stronger now, it's like I can't tell who I am anymore." She said truthfully.

Tron's heart wrenched within his chest. She's Yori... No! She's not! But she has her memories. He fought with himself like that as he stared at her. Finally, he said. "You should rest. I'm going to handle the situation downstairs."

Astra looked at him worriedly. "No training today. After, I want you to rest too." She held a hand out to touch his arm.

He felt her concern and love and smiled. "Deal. Now. Finish that and rest." He said with a pat to her hand and got up.

She smiled after him and finished her energy quickly, then laid down and went to sleep wrapped in his blankets.

It took him some microcycles to handle the situation, there was a lot to do, and many Programs who had been hurt - guards doing their duty. Luckily, none had died, something he was very grateful for.

Finally, he trudged back to his room, finding Astra still asleep. He smiled down at her and decided he had a choice. He chose to lift the covers and rest along side her. Really, all he needed was energy, but she had made him promise to rest. He didn't hold her, but he did close his eyes.

Some microcycles later, he awoke to someone stroking his hair. Opening his eyes with a purr and a smile, he met Astra's warm and loving gaze.

"You slept too long." She held a giggle in her voice.

"Oh? I thought it wasn't long enough." He teased right back.

She leaned over and booped his nose. "You. Slept. Too. Long." She teased.

He laughed and took her hand in his to hold it away from his nose. Users she's just like Yori. He thought, his mind and soul fighting again. It must have showed, because Astra looked down at him with an unreadable expression. "We should get downstairs, the others will be waiting for us at the End of Line club."

Astra nodded and got up.

Tron wanted to grab her by the waist as she got up, and drag her back down! But, he would only do that with Yori… And yet. No. He wouldn't believe.

He got up then and they both made his bed, and headed to the elevator. It wasn't long before they found themselves at the EoL and sat among their friends.

"Took you guys long enough!" Zed half joked with them. He had heard of what had happened.

"Astra needed her rest." Tron smirked at them, anticipating what was to come.

Astra looked at him, mouth in an outraged yet teasing "O" and a smile. "Oh?! You were the one who slept in!" She giggled and batted at his arm.

The four at the table looked surprised. "Tron slept?" Beck teased.

"I sleep sometimes." Tron grinned back, eyes alight with Astra's reaction.

"Pfft. Like hardly ever." Zed half-joked.

Mara hit him on the arm.

Beck laughed and Tron chuckled and shook his head.

Paige just watched on with a smile.

"We should probably get some energy first." Tron said as he ushered Astra into her seat.

"Sounds like a good idea." She smiles and sits beside him, also next to Beck.

The group always seemed to sit in the same formation. She liked the familiarity.

Once drinks were ordered and placed before them, the group fell into talking again, mostly about the break out that had happened. It was sad, but they joked here and there too.

Finally, Astra decided it was time for a dance. She looked to Tron with a gleam in her eyes. "I have something a bit more tame in mind for today, and it requires only one."

Tron met her gaze with equal emotion and smiled. "Oh? What is it?"

She smiles and motions for him to let her out. "You'll have to find out." She all but whispers in his ear as they slide free and she heads to the DJ booth where she requests a song.

As soon as she touched the dancefloor, the song began, a haunting melody with a violin that became lovely, upbeat and then slow. (Underground, By: Lindsey Stirling)

She danced beautifully to it, gracefully, with long, stretched out movements, until the chorus came which made her heart soar, and her movements became even more graceful, as though she were giving her heart to the very music itself.

Tron watched on, entranced. He had never seen anyone dance like that before. So beautiful and expressive, creative, just like her. Just like Yori… His vision blurred as he watched her, her baby pink and white lines with her white balls of light changing to all pink at times, and her lines upon her body becoming stars of their own trailing down her frame. He blinked. She was Astra again.

The music ended and she stopped, hand in the air gracefully, her face turned toward it as she slowly lowered it, and looked back at Tron. His expression made her heart soar more than the song!

But he wasn't the only Program to have noticed, and she had been dancing alone this time. As she walked by a table on the way to theirs, a male Program reached out from her right and grabbed her right wrist, in a "touch".

She screamed! And jerked her hand back to hold it against her chest!

The Program looked utterly frightened. She had a bondmark there! He had no idea!

Tron reacted immediately, bursting from his seat to come between the Program and his Bondma-Astra. He glared at the Program and growled out. "No-one touches Astra." He bent lower. "Never do that again."

The Program just nodded and ran from his seat. No-one challenged Tron! And he had severely pissed him off! He left the club, probably never to return to it.

Astra just silently cried and leaned into his back.

He turned to her with a sad and concerned expression and took her into his arms. "Shh. It's ok. You're ok now." He rested his head on hers and held her.

"Tron." She cried, burying her face in his chest. "I need…" She didn't quite know what she needed, but she knew she wanted his own hand on her bondmark.

He guessed as much and whispered. "I know. Come on." And lead her to one of the rooms at the back of the club.

Once there, he closed and locked the door and held her, standing, in the middle of the room.

Astra cried into his chest. The moment that Program's hand came in contact with her wrist, she felt immense violation! Pain, unpleasantness, it wasn't her Tron. Only him. Only he was allowed to touch her like that, especially there. She didn't understand it fully.

She pulled away enough to look up at her Tron and gently grabbed his left hand, raising it to her right wrist, but not touching. "I need. I'm so sorry Tron, please forgive me. I don't know why, I just need you to hold my wrist, to hold me. For a very long time and never let go." She closed her eyes and rested her head upon his chest, then opened them and looked back up at him. "Please. I need this."

Tron was moved deeply by the emotion in her eyes and her words. He knew, he knew exactly why it had to be him, and only him to hold her like that. He couldn't deny her. He nodded and held her wrist with his left hand and held her tight around the waist with his right.

They stood like that for a long time. It might have been nanos, it might have been a millicycle, but it seemed it was around a microcycle until Astra decided she was fine and could go home.

Tron frowned down at her and kissed her hair. "You'll be alright. I'm sorry. I should have told you about that, after our first dance. Programs don't usually do that, but it does happen." He said apologetically.

Astra just shook her head and dried her tears. "It's ok. You didn't think of it, you didn't think you had to." She sighed sadly and stepped back, not letting go of him. "We should head back now."

"You're right. Come on." He said gently and walked to the door. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry this happened."

"It's alright." She said softly and followed him out.

It seemed their friends and the club's hosts were waiting for them, a little ways away mind you, but close enough.

The hosts came up first. "We're so sorry that happened. It's inexcusable. He won't be allowed here again." Zuse said for the three of them. All held sad and worried expressions upon their faces.

Astra gave a tired smile and nodded. "Thank you. I'm alright now. Please, don't worry about me."

"On the contrary! We have to! You're a patron here at our club, a friend to Tron and a User! We must!" Eckert chimed in with hurt.

Astra smiled at that and teased. "Oh? It's not because we're friends?" Her eyes alight.

He sputtered and looked amongst his siblings. "Oh I'm sure we're friends dear." Ada spoke up tactfully, though, she did mean it.

Astra smiled. "I'm glad." Her eyes closed and she leaned her head on Tron's shoulder, who was beaming down at her, she had recovered enough to tease. This was a good sign.

"I'm going to see her to the portal. Thank you for your concern." He said glad they had cared enough to worry over her.

Their friends got up then and headed for them. "We'll all go, if that's ok." Zed said.

"That's fine." Tron said looking down at Astra who looked happy with it.

"Alright, have a safe walk back then." Zuse said and ushered them out.

Once they were in the elevator, Astra looked around at Tron and their friends. "I feel bad. Every time I go there it seems something happens. Because of me."

"No!" Mara said.

"It's not your fault!" Zed said at the same time.

"Don't worry about it!" Beck said as well and Paige said, "You're not the one who touched you!"

Tron held her tighter. "They're right lo-Astra. It's not your fault. Don't worry." He barely caught himself that time.

Astra looked up at him with a smile, and then at the rest. "Thank you. Alright, I won't worry." She said and held that "lo-" in her heart as they neared the bottom.

Soon, they were at Tron Tower and the portal room, Astra waving goodbye for the cycle as she stepped into the beam. They all watched on, still concerned.

"Do you think she should have stayed the User night?" Beck asked Tron.

Tron shook his head. "The last thing she needs is a reminder for the next few microcycles. She needs rest."

Beck sighed and nodded. "Alright. But if she comes back, don't deny her." He said firmly.

Tron looked to his friend with mild surprise. Beck was being serious with him instead of the other way around! That rarely happened. He nodded, respecting his friend. "I won't."

Astra never returned that night, but she had wanted to. Alan and Lora had both been waiting in the rezzing room for her, as she was later than usual.

"What happened?" Lora asked worriedly, feeling like a mother looking after her daughter.

"Please, tell us." Alan said after, feeling much the same.

Astra couldn't help but feel as though she were in the presence of her parents and nodded, wrist in her left hand. "A Program escaped the containment cells, I had to heal one of our own… And a male Program touched me, in the Program sense…" She looked down.

Both of them immediately held expressions of protectiveness and worry as Lora went over to hug her and Alan placed a hand upon her back comfortingly.

"You're going home. And don't come in to work tomorrow until you feel ready. That's horrible. I'm so sorry." Lora said comfortingly.

"I'll kill whoever did it!" Alan said with a gruff voice.

Astra nodded. "Thank you. I will. And no need." Astra half-laughed. "I think Tron scared him enough that he won't come near Tron City again for a while."

Alan nodded with pride, that was his Program. "Good."

Astra smiled at that and untangled herself from them to head home. She had a lot to recover from.