Borrowing a lab table for the night, X engaged in his familiar struggle of initiating his shutdown sequence. He needed the rest; his systems hitched and his eyes drooped. Yet his mind whirled. Should he have just told Zero the truth? Should he have simply allowed him to make his own decision- including whether or not he wanted to join the Hunters? Would Zero still be his friend? He blinked wearily, wishing Dr. Cain was still there. X's internal clock made him aware of every second that passed. The doctor, however, had left the lab hours ago in order to take a well-deserved rest himself.
As the hour approached dawn, X gave up. His systems could hold out for another day. He hoisted himself up from the table and onto his feet. Looking around, he decided to busy himself with cleaning up, a task he neglected since Zero awoke. He wondered if Dr. Cain needed the lab space any longer.
A sound then caught his ears. A yell. Then another. They came from beyond the closed door separating the two lab chambers. Zero was already awake and...practicing? X listened intently, moving to pick up various instuments and spent supplies. When his curiosity grew too much, he approached the lab door connecting to the stasis chamber. Zero's yelling grew louder.
The door swished open. The sight of Zero flexing his shoulders, then his knees greeted him. Zero then tested retracting his hand into his buster arm and back again. Then, with a deep breath, he bared his teeth, lunged forward and ferociously pointed his weapon all around him in lightning swift, powerful strokes as though he were surrounded by Mavericks. He then slowed, pivoting gracefully and executing more deliberate, measured aiming. Rushing air swept over his cheeks and through his hair, his eyes alive with spirit. At the end of his final stance, he pointed his buster straight at X with a terrible yell.
The items in X's arms tumbled out and onto the floor. Zero winced as the sound of clanging metal rang throughout the lab. X froze, staring down the barrel of Zero's buster.
"Are you okay?" Zero said, relaxing his stance. He walked over to where X stood, careful to avoid the mess of spanners, soldering pieces, and fiberglass scattered everywhere.
"Sorry," X said. He dropped to his knees and began to scoop up the parts.
Zero furrowed his brow sharply. "Is your motor circuitry malfunctioning?" Zero asked.
"Um," X stammered. At first, X was not quite sure what his friend meant. Then he followed Zero's gaze to his quivering hands. "Oh."
"You ought to have Dr. Cain check that out, along with your leaking problem," Zero said.
"Don't worry about it," X said, smiling. "This always happens when I'm a little nervous. I can't help it."
"Nervous? About what?" Zero asked, bending down to pick up a spanner at X's feet.
X hesitated. He then blurted, "About your test today." Although Zero was up and running normally right now, X also realized during the night that there was no way to tell if Zero's mind and body could endure the rigor that the aptitude test required. Would Zero even be half as battle-ready as he was as a Maverick? Would he even make C-rank? Worse, if Zero's Maverick side was not fully cured...
Zero chuckled, picking another piece up. "Well, my combat programming seems to have survived despite my accident. In fact, it feels good- like I'm doing what I'm meant to. You shouldn't worry."
X was unsure of how to explain his trepidation. "You just came back from that horrible accident. What if you're just not as good right now as you think?" X said.
"Right. You should worry that I'll be a whole lot better than you think I am," Zero answered with a smirk.
"It's not like this is the Class A test. I just think that maybe you shouldn't push yourself too far."
Zero laughed. "And risk coming in at Class C? I'd rather be shot down like a Maverick."
X flinched at the comparison. "Be serious," X insisted.
"Fine," Zero said, his laughter ceasing immediately. He studied X for a beat and replied, "Then let me be serious with you. I've been thinking, and although the doc might say your worrying makes you unique, I consider it a unique flaw."
"What?" X breathed, standing up.
Zero sighed. He stood up as well and continued, "I'm sure I must have told you this before. Maybe 'flaw' isn't the best word. Glitch, maybe?"
X frowned.
Zero held up his hands. "Not that your concern is bad. I appreciate it, but perhaps it is too much of good thing. You said you hesitate too much. I think it's the worrying that holds you back, weighs you down. Like now, you're too worried to trust me right now. That kind of worry can get you or someone else hurt."
X's mouth fell open. He was astonished at Zero's cutting words. X shook his head and spat, "You sound just like Sigma!"
Zero donned a serious, deadly glare. "Maybe he's not wrong, X. Maybe the truth is the truth, no matter who says it. You can ignore it and be Class B for the rest of your life. It doesn't make a difference to me. Yet I sense you could do so much better, and I've only known you for less than a day." Zero then moved to hold out the tools he picked up. X rudely snatched them from Zero. Why was Zero suddenly saying these things? Did his original programming include insensitivity and rudeness? X ground his teeth at the gall.
Zero went on. "Just this once, I want you to practice not worrying and believe in me."
X continued to say nothing. He kneeled down and hurriedly scooped up the rest of the lab materials.
"X," Zero said, exasperated. "I may not totally understand the way you think, but as my comrade, it sure would be nice having you cheer me on is all."
X's anger cooled slightly as he paused to consider that request. Cheer him on? X wished he could make Zero could understand how harrowing his recovery was, and how precarious his situation still is. That if Zero's body doesn't fail him, the satisfaction of the Commander might!
X realized, though, he was not in the practice of hoping for the best. He thought back to when he made the decision to cut Zero's power, believing him lost forever. He allowed himself to give up then, too, just as if he were facing the Class A test. Tears entered his eyes, and he shook his head, willing them away.
Zero knelt down beside him. "X, I'm sorry. I must still be feeling a little aggressive after practice."
"No, Zero. You're right." X rotated to look at Zero. "It's just when I think about how you were lying there, so close to death, I was too afraid to cheer you on. I was afraid of the pain if-" X stopped, shaking away more tears. "But you proved me wrong. You never stopped fighting. Against the odds, you survived." X looked away. "Zero, I'm-...I think I'm ashamed."
Zero placed a gentle hand on X's back. "You've been through a lot of disappointment, I know. I promise you, that will change."
X looked back up at him and smiled. He wiped a tear away with the back of his hand. "Then I might stop leaking."
Zero chuckled. He then moved to help pick up the rest of the clutter. In silence, they cleaned the rest of the lab.
When they finished, X turned to Zero and said, "I believe in you, Zero."
Appearing somewhat taken aback by X's frankness, Zero then smiled and said, "About time."
"Really! I feel a lot lighter, too."
Zero put a hand on his shoulder, then moved past X towards the exit. He said, "Well, I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be, and I don't want to be late. I'd hate to disappoint the big guy upstairs." He moved slowly, then stopped to turn and ask, "Where am I supposed to go?"
X said, "Take the elevator to the 8th floor. Take the first right, then go to the very end of the walkway and turn left. Should be bots along the way you can ask for directions."
"Um, thanks," Zero said. He then ducked out the door. However, Zero did not get even halfway to the lift before X's voice stopped him. Zero looked over his shoulder to see X entering the hallway.
"Wait! Zero, I'll take you," X yelled to Zero as he ran toward him.
"Great," Zero said before resuming his stride.
Once they got on the elevator, X looked over at Zero sheepishly and said, "I'm sorry. I should at least see you off at the testing wing, should I?"
Zero replied with a soft smile. X averted his eyes, feeling that uncomfortable, pleasant heat rise within him once more.
A/N: Took out the Z-saber with this rewrite. Shouldn't have split from canon. I will get to rewriting Zero's test soon since right now, it doesn't make sense.