A/N: This chapter is brand spanking new for the story! But it's a heavy one, or at least it felt heavy to write. Hopefully, that does not mean 'boring'.

I also introduced a concept about the A Class test in this one, too, with the intention of raising the stakes a bit once I get to rewriting that chapter. I hope it makes sense how it's explained.

One last thing, I cannot for the life of me recall if Dr. Cain has an official first name. Please correct me, otherwise his first name is "Doctor" for now. LOL

The long day dwindled, and X retired to his quarters for the evening. He entered the dark room, and leaned back as the doorway shut behind him. His argument with Zero weighed on him. He intended to repair the friendship between them, not damage it further.

A flashing green light on his communications console beckoned his attention. He pushed off from the door and headed to it. After he punched in his access code, the dark screen flashed to life, presenting X with a handful of new message alerts. He tapped the console again, and the first one opened for his review.

A training blitz: Something something quickness and agility class. Instructor: Armored Armadillo. X detested group classes. He trashed the message.

Second message. Sender: Doctor Cain. X smiled and opened it:

Good day X,

I hope you have been taking care of yourself. I know you will find a way past your difficulties.

I must let you know that since my expertise in the laboratory is no longer necessary, I have returned to my home here in the city. I also brought the data we have collected on Zero. While that is safe and sound, but I have taken the precaution of purging it from the laboratory. I have informed Sigma of this as well.

Be sure to get your rest. Remember what I told you about focusing on your goals.
That will guide you through all the noise and confusion that life brings. If you ever want to talk, you may still reach me at anytime through video call.

If you can, give Zero my best.

- Cain

X read over the message once more. That the doctor no longer stayed at headquarters saddened him, but not as much as the fate of the lab. With the construction of newer facilities above ground, the lab stood little chance against falling into disrepair. It pained him to imagine it in such a state given that his first memories of Zero took place there.

His mood shifted when he glanced at the next message. Sender: Test Registration Office. X grimaced, recalling his argument with Zero earlier. He moved his hand to delete the message without reading it, but froze when he saw the subject. It read: NOTIFICATION OF SPONSORED TESTING.

"No," X said. He opened the message:

CONGRATULATIONS, HUNTER. YOU HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY REGISTERED FOR A CLASS TESTING BY Zero, A CLASS. Zero, A CLASS, HAS ELECTED TO SPONSOR YOU FOR THIS TEST. YOU ARE HEREBY ORDERED TO REPORT TO TESTING ROOM Alpha-3b ON XX DAY, ELEVENTH MONTH, 20XX AT 0800. BECAUSE THIS IS A SPONSORED TEST, FAILURE TO REPORT WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE WILL RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION UP TO AND INCLUDING DISCHARGE FROM SERVICE.

GOOD LUCK.

X stepped back from the console, overcome with irritation. As a first in their relationship, X felt the urge to find Zero and challenge him to an anything-goes duel. X wondered grimly if that was the only kind of communication style Zero might understand. This 'sponsorship' gave him no other way out. He moved to the console again and with a stab of his finger, he deleted the offending message. The one remaining - Dr. Cain's - hovered before him. He leaned on the console and hung his head. He felt sick.

Slowly, he began dialing into the console. He crushed the last digit, then looked up to watch as the machine worked to patch him through. A yellow light switched on. STANDBY... the screen said. After a full minute, the screen flickered, and the image of Dr. Cain appeared.

"Oh, X. Pardon my delay. I didn't expect a call from you so soon," Dr. Cain said.

"I hate to bother you like this. I got your message. Thanks for letting me know."

"Of course. What seems to be the trouble? You look ghastly."

X swallowed. He then said, "It's Zero."

The doctor smiled. "Naturally. What's he done now?"

"Zero signed me up for the A Class test. But he didn't just sign me up. He sponsored it."

The doctor scratched his chin. "I'm afraid I don't quite understand what that means."

X said, "It means he's guaranteeing that I will pass the test at the risk of his own standing." X shook his head. "Even though he's already been disciplined once because of me."

"Sounds like he's pretty confident in you."

"He's being stupid. Or he's teasing me. Or both."

Dr. Cain said, "Nonsense. After all, there is still a great deal of mystery about your capabilities. Perhaps Zero has what we humans call a sixth sense about you."

"Sixth sense?"

"An intuition. A gut feeling. Or perhaps your programming can reach out and gauge one another in a way we cannot yet detect."

X paused to consider the doctor's words. "Even if that's true, I don't know what he actually expects," he said.

"That you do your best, I imagine. Even though you're angry with him, try to see from his perspective."

"His perspective?"

Dr. Cain put a finger to his lips before saying, "I think he truly sees you as an equal. Or you would be, except that you are holding yourself back."

X glared. "And is that what you think, too?"

"Dear me, X. I meant it as an observation, not a judgment."

"Thank you for your advice, doctor," X said.

Dr. Cain grew severe, saying, "I'm sorry if my counsel disagrees with you. If I were you, I would think about why that is. Now, if there's nothing else, I have some analysis to work on."

X put a hand to his forehead, sighing. "I didn't mean to snap. I'm sorry. I won't disturb you any longer."

The doctor softened. "Quite alright. Let me know how things work out."

"I will."

X switched the console off and moved to pace his quarters. As he moved to and fro, he wrung his hands, upset with himself and the way he reacted. He knew the doctor intended to help him.

He supposed Zero intended to help him, too. Did Zero deserve his anger for that?

He supposed not. X misplaced his anger, and he knew it. Both Zero and the doctor struck on a sensitive truth. Zero's insistence in particular threatened to unearth one unsettling fact that X loathed to admit, even to himself: his specs were not suboptimal. Not even close. His pattern of hesitation emerged the moment he realized combat felt too easy. He predicted movements, trajectories, and vulnerabilities with such precision that it interrupted his focus during testing.

He hated himself for it. He hated being skilled in the very violence he wanted to end. Before he met Zero, he lived in a glad existence where he could downplay his capabilities. He decided he could live in denial if it meant less violence, and one less weapon in the world. Eventually, he believed his own lie.

Now, Zero threatened to reverse his cozy self-deception. If Zero saw him as an equal, then X recognized the same in Zero. Zero presented a glimpse of what was possible. The idea that X could be as quick, as strong - or better - terrified him. He wiped away a tear forming in his eye.

Then, his doorbell chimed.

X paused mid-step and snapped his head around. He composed himself, then approached the door. The doorbell blared again, and he paused to look over to the release panel. After a deep breath, he pressed it.

The door moved aside, bringing X face-to-face with Zero.

"I didn't wake you again, did I?" Zero asked.

"What are you doing!" X grabbed Zero by the wrist and pulled. Zero stumbled past the door, which X shut and locked.

"Take it easy," Zero said.

"Take it easy? What if someone saw you? Your appearance isn't exactly subtle!" X hissed.

"Then I'll say I have 'business' with you. Because I do."

"And just what is that?"

"Well, see-," Zero began. He settled, then looked down towards his feet. "First of all, I'm sorry I upset you today." He paused again, then looked up to X. "After thinking about what you said, it's not my place to decide this for you. If you don't want to take the test, then I'll go cancel it right now."

X blinked. He thought to say yes immediately, but he held back. Instead he pushed out, "Why?"

"I thought I was doing you a favor. I thought that by inviting you up to the A Class quarters that it would make you want it for yourself."

"Oh. Well, it was nice."

Zero shrugged. "Not nice enough, apparently. When that didn't work, I took the opportunity to try more, well, forceful persuasion."

"The stick instead of the carrot," X said.

"What?"

"Human saying."

"Whatever you call it, I wasn't thinking about how you felt. I only thought about how I felt. I want to be selfish, but-," He paused, slowing down his next sentence. "But your trust is more important to me. So, nevermind. I'll go cancel the test." As Zero finished, he turned to the door.

"Wait!" X said, touching him on the arm. Zero froze. X froze, too, unsure of what just came over him. He should have been overjoyed, especially since Zero relented on the subject without a fight.

Zero turned back around, allowing X to search his face. "I'm not sure I want you to do that," X said. Zero cocked his head, waiting for X to continue. X then said, "Does it mean that much to you if I try?"

Zero's lips curved into a smile. "Yes. Yes it does."

"You really believe I will pass?"

"Absolutely."

The conviction in his voice shot straight to his core. The piercing look in Zero's eyes made his breath quicken. After allowing a moment for the feeling to linger, X dropped his arm. With feigned annoyance he said, "Alright. You've persuaded me. I'll be there, 0800 sharp."

Zero's smile broke into a full grin. "And I don't care if you're knocked out at 0801. I'm thrilled."

"Hey!" X said. Once again, X's heavy feelings released him, and he returned the smile. "Just how bad would it have looked if I made you cancel it?"

Zero chuckled. "I'm not sure. I think I'm the first officer to ever sponsor a Hunter. They seemed surprised when I made the request."

"Sponsorships weren't around in the Anti-Maverick Police," X said. He shifted on his feet when he felt Zero staring at him.

"Well, I should leave before I risk another tongue-lashing from Sigma," Zero said, turning to the door. "I hear Armadillo is offering some special courses for Bs. You should check it out."

"Oh, really?" X said, pretending he never saw the blitz earlier. He then remembered the second message. "Oh, wait. Dr. Cain told me he moved out of the lab."

"I know," Zero said. "He keeps in touch with me, too." Nonplussed, X only watched as the door swished open and Zero exited, saying, "See you in a few weeks!"

Once the darkness and quiet returned, X lowered himself into a crouch and grasped his helmet. The realization of what he had done left him lightheaded.