Chapter 5

" Captain Morpheus."

He heard his name being called out and turned, slinging his backpack steady. He found the person who had called out to him, and smiled. She approached him, her own backpack slung over her shoulders.

" Captain Niobe, " he answered as she took up the pace between him. He had seen them dock, shortly after his own crew had entered and was glad to be home at the same time as them. She looked up at him, but he did not meet her gaze as he kept his eyes steadily on the road in front of him, the road which would soon be leading him into his apartment; and most importantly at the moment- it would lead him to his bed.

" You're also home, I see. For how long, Morpheus?" she asked and he looked down at her, her shortness evident in the difference between them.

" Originally for 48 hours. But my ship has to go through some technical modification due to all the new equipment installed, so that leaves us for at least 72 hours here. Maybe even 96, I'll know for sure tomorrow."

Niobe nodded and smiled, knowing that he always tried to keep his stays here as brief as possible. She knew Morpheus loved being out there, fighting their crusade- especially now after he had found the One. She was still firm in her not believing in the One as their Saviour; she refused that. But she had met Neo and had liked him, and heard about his abilities in the Matrix.

But then again, it could all be bullshit as well.

" I see... Me and my crew are planning to stay for 48 hours, as it is at the moment. Ghost needs a days rest, he injured himself when he went in last time, although he likes to pretend he didn't," she explained and walked the sharp turn to their right, leading them to their apartments. They did not live far from each other, having been freed about the same time. Zion did not believe in keeping special Captain's quarters; all humans were alike, and everyone agreed with this.

" Yes, I heard about that. You could have requested our assistance, we were only a few clicks away. Neo would have gotten their in less than a minute, " he said and caught her fixed, stern stare back at him, knowing what she would have to say. As clever as she was, Captain Niobe had never stopped being single minded and even a bit pig headed as well.

" We can make do on our own… Plus, how would Neo get there in less than a minute? Try to beat the Matrix World Record, huh?" she chuckled, and turned down the small road that would lead to her apartment. Before Morpheus got a chance to defend Neo, she stopped and said goodbye to him, saying she would most likely be seeing him later on.

He smiled and nodded back. " Probably."

" So, what do you want to do tonight?"

" Sleep, " he answered as he sat back in the comfortable chair. She looked at him, seeing him resting his head in the chair, closing his eyes as he did so. She put down the comb she had been holding in their hands and walked over to him, running her long fingers through his delicate hair, and he almost purred from her touch. She chuckled to herself and ruffled his hair some, thinking it had almost gotten too long, now.

But she also knew that Neo never had cared about such trivial things, either.

" We've got at least 2 days here, there's plenty of time for sleep tonight. Plus, I heard that the Logos also is recently docked… how about I round up Ghost, and we can meet him and Sparks and some others in one of the bars? If they've just docked they'll also want to call it a quiet evening," she offered, and he opened his eyes, to find her standing in front of him, hands in his hair. He relished the touch, every touch from her was sacred to him.

" That sounds good, " he answered, " as long as I get to have you for myself afterwards." She smiled and kissed the top of his head, stroking it afterwards. Trinity knew that Neo was never much for social gatherings, but she had seen him relax here in Zion, and actually enjoying himself when they had been here before, so perhaps he found it more amusing nowadays. When his mind wasn't brooding over something, and he relaxed and just let himself live for the moment, he was good social company.

" That is a promise… but I can't imagine you being especially lucid if Sparks tries to pass his ' Special Rocket' shots onto you…" she said and laughed and he had to chuckle, agreeing with her.

" God, he won't pass them on me this time, never, " Neo said but Trinity just shook her head. He stood from the chair, walking over to unpack his bag, remembering how he had felt the last time he had agreed to take those shots.

" But as I recall, I was not the only one affected by them last time…" Trinity looked at him as she opened her bag, tossing out her clothes into the bed.

Neo turned his bag upside down, pouring out the clothes on the bed and then walked over to Trinity, embracing her from behind, smiling into her hair. She leaned into him and held her hands over his; sharing the warmth passing between them.

" But then again, " he said, " I've never seen you dance like that either…" She looked sideways up at him from where she stood and caught the huskiness in his voice and the glint in his eyes. " Like what?" she tested, although she fully knew what his answer would be.

" So sexy… hot. Unstoppable." And he leaned his mouth very close to her ear. " Like a goddess, " he whispered into it, and both could feel the shivers running down her spine, and the effects it took on his body… as well as his own.

" Right answer, Mr. Neo. Right answer."