Chapter 26
Author's Notes: Whoa, MysticKyra, thanks so much for your review of every posted chapter! A shout out to every reviewer out there, of course. You make my day.
Trinity could see that the Agents obviously, although she did not know how, had gotten better as if they were upgraded; and she couldn't stand the feeling of being the voyeur anymore, so she began running in Neo's direction. She did not hesitate for a moment, although the thought of it was such a wise choice or not flickered through her mind as she ran towards him, but she forced the inch of the thought out.
Neo caught Trinity running towards them in the corner of his eye, panicking at the sight of her. He knew that this was just what Smith had wanted; a weakness he could use against Neo- why had she run back to him, he could handle himself? Now he would have to handle her, too, he thought as worry filled his whole body, especially as he saw that one of Smith's allies had seen Trinity and left Neo for her.
Having two on him now, and Smith in the far from his kick, he knew that the third could take Trinity out with their new upgrades, no matter how much better Trinity had gotten in the last few months. He inhaled sharply and with all his might he managed to grab one's arm, and the other's leg and throw them away, which would give him some time space, although not much.
He used it wisely and ran over to Trinity and the third Agent, landing behind the Agent. He kicked him in the backside of the knee, causing his leg to fall together, and Neo used his fall to kick him in the side of his head, and he even could hear the neck snap before them. Trinity just looked at him, and in that instant he knew that Smith was behind him, and as he turned around he shouted:
" Trinity! Get away from here, now!"
Even though he was the damned One, even though he knew the Matrix much, much better than she ever would, he was also her lover. Hers. And there was no way in hell she would leave him now, even though her common sense told her that she should listen to him.
She watched for s short moment as Smith landed a punch to his throat, causing him to back a step, and she could hear his cough, and it clenched her heart. She knew in that instant why soldiers in love were a danger to each other and the people around them; but it didn't make here care any more than it had done a few minutes ago. She was here to help him, and that was that.
She rushed forward to him, and was just about to land a blow to Smith's face when she felt a hand gripping her from the back, pulling her close. Although she could have wished it was Neo, it was one of the other two Agents, and the bastard even had a smile plastered on his lips, which made Trinity churn. He grabbed her arm and snaked it behind her back, pulling it upwards and she felt the pain course throughout it, and she tried to concentrate on that the pain wasn't real… but is sure felt real.
Neo felt the emotions coming from Trinity and after a quick but powerful punch from him against Smith he turned ever so slightly, and could see the Agent's lock in her. Just when he expected a blow from Smith, he could instead hear his voice.
" You see, Mr. Anderson, there's always a way of persuading you humans… especially those of you who are idiotic enough to let your emotions, that sentimental lie, get to the better of you." Neo stood only a few feet away from Trinity, and Smith was approaching him as he talked.
" Let her go, Smith. This is between you and me, " Neo told him, and Smith smiled.
" It is. But as you are refusing to cooperate with me, I have to persuade you… is it working?"
Neo looked at Smith, then at the Agent that was holding Trinity. He looked into her shaded eyes, and could see through them as if nothing had covered them, and knew that she could see his reflection as well; that was the way it was between them; they could always see through any shadows.
He saw the slight shake of her head, not wanting him to give himself up in benefit for her… but she also knew him too well, and knew that there was no way he would let them get her, either.
He jumped up into the air from standing completely still, and everything that happened next seemed to go in slow motion, even for the Agents remaining.
He swirled in the air, stretching out a leg and then another, successfully snaking both around the Agent that held Trinity, and a kick later he began falling to the ground, his neck snapped liked the other Agent before him, and Neo shot himself outwards into the air again from his body. Knowing Trinity was free, but that Smith and another Agent was left he found no peace, and as he continued to spin he kicked Smith in the head with his left outstretched leg, causing him to stumble backwards, clumsily as a dense machine would.
Landing, he looked at Trinity, and she remained still as he took the last Agent out after a few swift punched in the torso, a kick to the throat and one to the gut making the Agent double over later, Neo finished him off by a well planted kick to his back; and he knew that there was no time for both taking Smith out and getting Trinity out of here, so he chose quick and ran over towards Trinity.
Smith followed him, but Neo and Trinity paired up this time against him. Trinity used her swiftness and agility, landing her famous scorpio-kick on Smith's head, and Neo used his strength to swivel around, landing a kick in his stomach, causing him flying backwards, landing into the concrete wall, smashing through it.
" He won't come back, not alone, " Neo said and grabbed Trinity's hand, as they ran towards the building they had been about to enter.
They greeted the man sitting in the entrance, and walked into the elevator. As the doors closed, Trinity lifted her arm, checking it, knowing nothing was broken. As she let it go by her side she could feel Neo's eyes gaze intently upon her, and a second later she found him embracing her tightly, hugging her. Although surprised, she responded, waiting for him to explain.
He let her go, taking of his shades, and then keeping his hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes.
" Trinity, don't ever do that again." He even sounded angry now… " I know that you are more than capable to handle yourself in here, but..." she heard his voice trail off, and his eyes fell to the floor. She followed his gaze, trying to get him to look into hers again, and she touched the side of his face with her gloved hands.
" But what?"
He lifted his gaze then, and she could see all the raw emotions in them, and it made the breath go out of her lungs. His eyes were even moist, as if he was about to cry, as he looked at her, and she knew in an instant that she had given him a real scare back there.
He blinked a few times, thinking of how silly he was, letting his emotions get so much to the better of him in the moment. But as he answered, he could not keep the falter; all the emotions out of his own voice.
" It's just that if anything happened to you… Trin, I…" and instead of letting him keep up his random ramble, she kissed his forehead, closing her eyes as she savoured the contact.
She thought of how precious he was in that moment. Thought of how lucky she was to have him in her life.
And as she hugged him tightly, she knew her feelings and thoughts were responded.