Chapter 12

Author's Notes: Due to that I'm going on vacation for 2 weeks now to a warm, sunny land on another continent I'll be posting two chapters in this update. On my vacation, I'll update... but since it won't be as often, it's most likely to be 2 chapters at a time. Anyone got a problem with that? Didn't think so :)

She stopped outside Ghost's door with determined steps, and her knock likened it. It was not long before he answered, and she knew he had always been like that, attended to the door much faster than others would. But in times like this, when every moment was worth to treasure- maybe only because they were real moments- his haste was welcomed.

" Hey, " he greeted her with and he motioned for her to come in, and she did. None of them bothered to close the door after them, knowing that they would be on their way anyways.

" You ready? " she asked, knowing how well Ghost wanted to prepare for everything. He still, and would always, believed in that same fact, a fact that Trinity had to endure many times when she had questioned how well he prepared for everything, almost too well, I almost irritated people. She could hear it in her head now, and she smiled at the memory.

' No matter how many times you drop a stone to the ground, there's no telling that it won't float into the sky the next time…'

It had been a while since he had expressed it, now.

" Yeah, I'm done, " he said and walked of his quarters, and she followed him suite. She waited for him to lock the door, then they began walking to the elevator, they were going to need to descend quite some floors to get to the training area, with rooms where you could act simulations, much like loading oneself into the Construct when you were on the ships. And it was the same technique, spikes to be out in the head; but these spikes were automatic and locked to a certain position, not like the moveable ones they had on the hovercrafts.

It had become a ritual for them ever since they had become friends, that when they were docked at the same time, they would kill some time by sparring against each other. Usually, it would be an even match, always depending on which simulation they chose. Over the years they had stated that in hand to hand combat, Trinity had the upper hand, but in scenarios where you depended on weapons, Ghost was sharper than her.

It never hindered them from ever stopping fighting against each other, however, and both were happy to take out some frustrations in the simulations, knowing none of it was real.

But now when Trinity had Neo, the times of sparring together had decreased.

Usually, when they were docked at the same time like this, Ghost knew that Trinity wanted to spend some quality time with Neo, and he wished her happiness, even if it was with another man. So he endured.

But the latest times of being docked at the same time, Trinity had always gotten some hours to herself, and she usually sought up Ghost during some of those, to spar. And Ghost was always up for it, he would never dream of passing up a chance of doing something with his favourite resistance fighter.

She had explained to him that Neo was busy being pestered by some of the Counsellors, medical people and others, and that gave her hours alone. But she had also shared that she did not like to be alone, not anymore. She had gotten used to having company all day around, it was not like when they had a full ship and all she could wait to do when the docked was to be alone.

Now, she found herself seeking the company, instead.

Yes, she had changed much during the last year.

It had meant that she grew further and further away from him, but she had also changed to the better. She was softer in attitude now, calmer and not always on the edge, constantly watching her back. Now, she seemed to be more at peace with herself and her life, and no matter how sour the grapes would be, Ghost knew that they had Neo to thank for that.

Wishing that he would some day find a love that great for himself, he opened the door to the simulation room.

The thing is, he thought as he went over to the table with the spike, that it's been found, for me… found un-requited.