A/N: Next chapter finally up, after some intense essays and midterms that got finished this week. Would've done it sooner but I'd rather not fail, y'know? =3 This chapter will be more Dot-centric, but it'll be okay since Dot is awesome like that. She's the kind of cool lady that a child of seven, like me back in the day, could look up to.

Oh, and to the anonymous reviewer, thank you kindly, I'm glad that you're enjoying it. Now that I've been polite, I feel better.

Disclaimer: I don't own Reboot. I also don't own The Cure song I named this chapter after. Such a catchy tune I, totally recommend it.

Taking Off

Dot was relieved as she pushed the exit button of the vid-window that ended both a lengthy and stressful conversation. She had finally managed to hammer out an agreement so that he would provide the building materials to replace the destroyed buildings in sector 17, but also so her funds would not be depleted in the process. She leaned back in her chair and kicked her feet to rest on her desk as she pressed her index fingers to her temples. This was all starting to get on her nerves, never before did she dislike work as she did now. The binome she had just talked with was more stubborn then must, and although he may have been trying to hide it she knew that he was trying to take advantage of the desperation of recent times and her dire need of his services. How could he try to take advantage of what happened during a near viral overtake? Dot thought to herself as she sighed in frustration. He must be heartless.

Dot was heartless too, wasn't she? No matter how much she didn't want to think it was true, it must be. If she wasn't heartless then there was no reason that Bob--no, no, no. She brought a finger to the bridge of her reading glasses to bring them closer to her eyes as she took her organizer in one hand and sorted through files with an absent mind. She could not allow herself to think about those events that were still so fresh in her mind which had sent her life where she had not planned to go. Bob was gone from her life now, and she had to move on with her own, no matter how much it hurt. Dot knew that he must be happier without her, especially after the way she treated him and rejected him in favour of Megabyte. He was--no, not again. She focussed more furiously on the organizer in front of her, and she opened a file of another matter that needed handling. Work. That was what she needed to drive thoughts out of everything that happened, and especially of Bo--of him.

Dot pursed her lips as she read the financial report of Dot's Diner. There was a major discrepancy between the profit and how much product was sold. This matter was going to take some time, maybe she should start by--

"Hello, my child."

Surprise ran through her as her eyes darted from her organizer to in front of her desk where a familiar elderly sprite stood.

"Oh, Phong, hi. Sorry if I kept you waiting, I just didn't see you there," Dot said as she brought her legs from the desk with a light thud, and she placed her organizer on the desk. "What can I do for you?"

"Oh nothing in particular, I was just checking to see how you're doing. Focused on your work, I take it."

"Yes, I am," Dot said, feeling annoyance course through her and Phong did not voice a response. She had no desire to have any personal discussions with Phong, or anyone, at least, not right now. Work was what she planned to do and work was what she was going to do. "If that's all, I'd rather get back to work. There's still a lot that needs to be done."

"Surely you have the time to talk to an old friend, if only for a minute or two," Phong said softly, and his countenance held the air of concern as he moved closer to her desk. Just why was Phong looking at her like that, as if she was an errant child in need of help? Dot was no such thing, she could take care of herself. More frustration built upon what was there before, and she felt her head begin to pound.

"I guess so, as long as it's not too long," Dot finally said with annoyance. She shook her head, attempting to get rid of the frustration, but it only made the pain in her head worsen at the movement. She cursed at herself inwardly at herself. Just what was she doing? This was Phong here, and just because of all her problems was no reason to treat him badly. "So how've you been, Phong?"

"Oh, not too badly all things considered. The viral programming is very hard to shake for an old sprite such as myself. It took some time for me to get used to being disinfected. "

"It has?" Dot asked, inwardly cursing herself at not knowing about Phong. "You're okay, now, right?"

"Oh, yes, yes of course I am. I feel as though I've just been compiled."

"Well that's good," Dot said as she bit her lip and a silence settled between them, but Phong looked at her patiently. All of this work and the newly found headache pounding beneath her temples seemed to affect her conversational skills. An idea then came to mind. "I hope that you could still play your favourite game while you were recovering."

"I wouldn't let a little thing like a virus to stop me from playing that game. I've been playing it for years," Phong said, his face alit with joy at the mention of the game that he loved. "Would you like to play it with me? I bet that you are a worthy competitor."

"What, me? No, I can't do that, I don't have the time."

"I'm sure that you could make the time," before dot could voice a response in protest, Phong beat her to it. "How has your progress in rebuilding Mainframe been going?"

"Great, actually," Dot said, inwardly wondering why he changed the subject so readily. "I just got the final person on board so we can start rebuilding Sector 17."

"You have, oh, well that's good news then. I'd say that's worth the rest of the day off."

"A break? No way, there's still so much more to do," Dot said, feeling a mixture of annoyance and panic. Phong was being really transparent in these attempts to get her to relax, but she would not give in. She had everything all planned out and she was not going to let these plans of working the pain away to fall through. "I don't think I'll have time for a real break in at least another year."

"All of your work can wait for another day. You need time to relax, my child, you've been pushing yourself too hard."

"No I haven't, I'm just fine. There's no time for me to relax."

"Yes there is, my child. You don't need to rush anything, there's no time limit on bringing Mainframe back to it's formal glory. The viral threat is gone and has been for some time, there's no reason for you to be in here all this time."

"I know that, but there's no reason for me to stop. This should be finished as quickly as possible for the sprites of Mainframe. It shouldn't be in constant construction for years just because I so happen to not want to work as hard."

It was a lie and she knew by the way that Phong was looking at her that he knew as well. She couldn't lie to this sprite, he didn't deserve it. As Phong remained silent and looked up at her beneath those semi-circle glasses, a guilt at the lie overwhelmed her. She was torn. All she wanted to do was to hide from everything through her work. It's what she did best, after all, and it at least made her feel useful. Yet should she really be cutting off her friends just because of B--of him?

"You've been working too hard," Phong finally broke the silence that had settled between them, yet continued as if it did not happen. "Perhaps you should see your friends and family and forget about all of this work for today."

"But I have been seeing them. I just saw Matrix a few days ago."

"Yet he was the one that had to come to you, in this room while you were working I might add. I was the one to lead him to you, after all."

"So?" before Phong could voice a response, Dot knew what he was going to say and so she began again. "It's not that big of a deal, really. I've been busy. Mainframe needs their command .com more then anyone needs Dot Matrix right now."

"But perhaps some people have been missing Dot. Even the command .com needs a break every now and then. Perhaps Bob--"

"No, not him, I can't see him," it hurt her to say that but it was the truth. "He's better off without me."

"I doubt that, my child, I know that he's been missing you," Phong said and Dot's interest perked, yet she strangled the hope that uncoiled inside of her. "The question is how are you without him?"

"I'm doing just fine without him. I was perfectly okay before you came up here and started bugging me about things that you think I should be doing! If all you came here to do is make small talk and try to help me like I'm some sort of little sprite, you can do it with someone else. I--" Dot stopped herself mid-sentence at the subtle change in Phong's features. There still was the calm and patient expression, but there was the hint of hurt in his eyes. Instantly familiar regret and guilt mingled inside of her. Cursors, why did she let all of those weeks of pent-up frustration on this sprite of all sprites? "I'm so sorry, Phong, I just--I'm sorry."

"I understand, my child, it's alright. I know that you how much what has happened has affected you."

"It really is that obvious, isn't it?" Dot said, relieved that the old sprite had forgiven her for her outbreak so readily.

"Well, maybe just a little," Phong said with a small smile as he brought his hand up and squeezed an something imaginary with two digits. "I don't think I've seen you leave the Principal's Office in--"

"Dot!" came a voice that brought surprise through Dot and she saw a green blur fly through the doors, run past Phong and place both hands on her desk as he leaned across it. "You've gotta listen to me! It's--"

"Enzo," Dot's tone was reprimanding, and she leaned back in her chair. "You know that you shouldn't bother me when I'm working."

"I know, but this is really important."

"I'm sure that you could go and tell AndrAIa or Matrix, there's no reason to bother me about it, you know I'm busy."

"I know," Enzo's voice was dejected and Dot looked into his eyes before she sighed. She was doing it again, just like she was acting to Phong earlier and she imagined that she had acted to Matrix when she had seen him before.

"Tell you what, how about I listen to what you have to say. I've been meaning to have a break soon anyway," Dot said as she rose and exchanged a glance with Phong and he looked at her with a small smile, pleased at her decision.

"Really? You mean it?"

"Yes, I do," Dot said, smiling at the enthusiasm that had risen in his voice while she took her organizer, just in case she could squeeze in some sort of work, and pinned it to her leg. The organizer reminded her of something that she had worked on before and an idea formed in her mind so spontaneously, in the back of her head she was reminded of Bob's spontaneity. "You know, I think that the extension to the energy park is finished by now. It's got all new rides and a pretty big roller coaster. How about you tell me what you want to say on the way there?"

"Alphanumeric! That sounds so awesome, I've been wanting to go there but no one wants to take me," Enzo said and if possible his enthusiasm quadrupled, but with Enzo she shouldn't be surprised. She disapproved of herself because of the latter statement, but that only meant that she needed to be there for him again now. "Can I go on all the rides? Can we stay there all day? Can Frisket come too? I think he's with Matrix now, but we can go get him. Can we get something to eat there, like dinner and snacks and stuff? I bet there's gotta be some candy or something there."

"Okay, okay, you nut, I think that we can do all that. I don't think I'd mind paying Matrix and AndrAIa a visit to get Frisket either," Dot said with a wry smile.

"This is going to be so much fun!" Enzo said, and he turned and ran straight through the automatic door.

"Phong, I…" Dot said, turning to him. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome. Now go on, I think you have a full day ahead of you."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Dot said and she walked slowly to the door, but paused. She regretted that she had neglected Enzo before, and Phong and, well, everybody. No, she wasn't going to think like that anymore. She had to press forward and make up for all the time she lost while she locked herself up. Even if that meant that her new life didn't include him and even if life without that sprite was hard to imagine, she would have to make do. She bit her lower lip. She did not want to make do. No, she could not think about this. Not now.

"I believe that you're leaving Enzo waiting."

"Hm?" Dot brought her gaze to Phong. "Oh, yes, you're right."

Dot crossed the short space to the door in quick strides, and saw Phong come to her side in her peripheral vision and follow her outside of the automatic doors. The familiar surroundings of the gray war room with the various monitors flickering in the background filled her vision.

"Took you long enough," said Enzo, and Dot turned to him and saw his features etched in impatience.

"It wasn't that long, Enzo."

"What do you mean Phong isn't expecting me? I got a message from him right here," came a voice that carried from the bottom level. It was a voice that she had no wish to hear and Dot felt shock course through her as she froze.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I haven't heard anything from him about this."

"Well, where is he then?" Annoyance rose in his voice, and Dot rose an eyebrow. Since when was Bob annoyed about something so trivial?

"Bob!" called Enzo's excited voice and he rushed to the metallic railing and leaned over, waving one arm. "Hi, Bob!"

"Hey, Enzo. Do you know where Phong is?"

"Yep, he's right up here with me and so is Dot."

Cursors. Why did Enzo go and say that?

"Dot's up there?" Bob sounded surprised.

"Yeah, she is."

She heard the loud and clumsy footsteps that were so distinctly Bob's and she knew that he was coming up to meet them.

Dot had to get out of there. Enzo was too young to understand why they shouldn't talk to each other. She had betrayed--no, not again, she couldn't think about this now. She turned around and made a break for the door to her office.

"Hey Dot, where you going? I thought we could talk," came Bob's tone and she grimaced, as her movements stilled.

"One should not run away from their problems," Phong said. Dot suddenly became very aware of her headache. Now is not the time for advice, Phong.

"Yeah, Dot, we were supposed to go to the energy park."

"Oh yeah?" came Bob's voice, perked in interest. "I heard that they added all kinds of new stuff to it."

"I know, that's what Dot was telling me before."

"I believe that she was the one that issued the orders to expand the energy park," Phong said. "A good idea, I think that it's doing wonders to Mainframe's economy, not to mention lifting the people of Mainframe's spirits."

"I'm game for checking this place out."

Oh no. Not this. Anything but this. Dot did not want to spend anytime with the one that she had wronged so much. There was a silence and she turned around slowly and looked from Enzo to Phong and finally to Bob's expectant expressions. These were the people that she knew that she could not turn away from, not after so many months of seclusion. It was official, she was trapped.