|
|
AndrAIa leaned back on the blanket, watching Enzo and Frisket play near the water’s edge. Matrix leaned over and kissed her cheek, brushing a stray strand of hair from her forehead. "I know what you're thinking," he said, seeing the wistful expression on her face as she watched the boy. "I can see it in your eyes."
"We decided to wait until we found Mainframe, Enzo. Now we're here."
"That was before we knew about Daemon, AndrAIa."
"What are we supposed to do?" She stared back at him, eyes shining. "If we put our lives on hold for as long as she's lurking around the 'Net, she's already won!"
"Shhhh....it's okay." He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. He stole a glance over at Enzo, who was now chasing Frisket down the length of the beach, then continued. "I know you want a baby, AndrAIa, but this just isn't the right time." She started to say something, but he silenced her with a quick kiss. "We'll talk some more about it...but not here, okay?" She nodded, but the hurt look remained on her face.
----
“Morning, Mouse. Nice of you to join us. Sleep well?” Bob asked as the hacker sauntered into the core control room, a cross look on her face. The annoyance faded into a slight look of embarrassment as she caught the grin on the guardian’s face.
“Yeah, slept just fine. Let’s get working on the defense grid.”
“Well...” Dot began, leaning over the console “We’ve got the standard defenses around the principal office, and the CPUs, but we’re back on the ‘Net again and those aren’t going to be enough if Daemon decides to pay us a visit.” She shook her head. “Bob, viruses are your area of expertise. What do you think?”
He sighed heavily. “Well, from what Matrix and AndrAIa told me, I don’t think anything will stop Daemon if she wants to get in badly enough. She’s got the Guardian Collective at her beck and call, not to mention all the resources the Supercomputer’s armory has to offer."
Dot winced. “That bad, huh? So what are our options? We could close the ports again, but that would leave us cut off. We’d have no way of knowing what Daemon was up to.”
“Not necessarily...” Mouse broke in. “Ray and I could do reconnaissance. It’s a sight easier t’ hide Mainframe’s web address than it is t’ hide the system while we’re on the ‘Net. And if Ah re-set the web defenses t’ respond to a password, Daemon and the guardians’ll have to try and hack it t’ get in. We rig the sensors t’ tell us when someone’s out there and we can scramble our forces before they have a chance to attack.”
Dot nodded. “You’ll check with Ray to see if this is okay? You guys’ll be in a lot of danger out there...”
“Hun, I’m sure that’s nothing new t’ him. But Ah’ll ask.”
“Okay. How long will it take you to set up the password?”
“A cycle at most. It’s not anything too complicated.”
“Right. You can start on that tomorrow. That takes care of the defenses, but it doesn’t get to the root of the problem. Something has to be done about Daemon.”
----
Dot entered the Diner, deep in thought. She knew the only real way to fight Daemon was to take the battle to her, but Bob seemed dead set against the idea. She glanced around the half-empty room and noticed AndrAIa sitting alone in the far booth, looking very upset. With a sigh, Dot walked over and sat down across from her. “Is something wrong, AndrAIa?”
“Oh, hello Dot.” The game sprite looked up at her, wiping tears from her face. “N-no. It’s nothing.”
“If you’re crying, it’s far from nothing. Did you have a fight with Matrix?”
“Sort of...” She related their conversation at the beach.
Dot sat in shocked silence for a moment. “Well,” she began, not sure what to say. “He has a point, AndrAIa. You’re both so young still...”
“Don’t you think we’re responsible?” She asked in a slightly angry tone.
“Of course I think you’re responsible. I just--maybe you should think about getting married first.”
AndrAIa sighed. “We already have.”
“You’ve talked about it? That’s a good step--”
“No, I mean we have. Enzo and I are married.”
“You... are?”
AndrAIa smiled weakly. “That’s what Bob said. We told him last night--don’t be mad.”
Dot sighed. “I’m not mad. I just wish people would tell
me these things. No wonder Matrix is so mad at me. I suppose I’ll have to apologize later.” She rubbed at the side of her head with one hand, then continued. “AndrAIa, becoming a parent is a big step. It’s not a decision to take lightly. I didn’t have a choice. When my parents died, I had to take over as both parents for Enzo. I was young, younger than you are now, and I had to grow up incredibly fast. I missed out on a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I love Enzo--both of him--but my life would be vastly different without him. I might have had children of my own at this point--who can say? You and Matrix already lost part of your lives to the games. I don’t
want you to miss out on the time you have together now by rushing into things.
I can’t tell you what’s best. You are both adults now and it’s time I started accepting that. This decision is between you and him. But I can tell you what I think, and I think you should wait. Take some time to enjoy being home before you think some more about this. Don’t worry, I’m sure you two will be able to work this out.” She stood to go. “Well, I’ve got some things to take care of in the back.”
AndrAIa nodded, and watched Dot vanish into the back of the diner. A few micros later, Matrix walked in. “There you are.” He sat down across from her. “You’re not still upset with me, are you?”
“A little. I talked with Dot--”
“You told Dot? AndrAIa, this is between us. We don’t need Dot--”
“I told her we’re married, Enzo. She’s not upset.”
“Maybe not with you,” he muttered, “but you can bet I’m going to hear about it later. Just great.”
“I don’t understand why you don’t want to talk about this...”
“Because I don’t!” He slammed his fist down on the table. “And I don’t appreciate you bringing my sister into this! Why can’t you just leave it alone?” He got up and started walking away.
“Where are you going?”
“For a walk. Alone.” From his harsh tone, she knew better than to say anything else and sank back into the booth dejectedly as Matrix stormed out of the diner, brushing past Bob and Mouse who were just entering.
Bob watched Matrix stomp off. “Wonder what that was about.”
“Looks like trouble in paradise t’ me, sugah.” Mouse commented, pointing to AndrAIa huddled in the far booth.
Bob sighed. “I’m going to go find Dot.”
“Ah’ll go check an’ make sure AndrAIa’s okay.”
----
“Dot?”
“I’m here, Bob.” Dot leaned against the wall next to a stack of cardboard cartons.
“Dot, is something going on I don’t know about? Matrix just stormed out of the diner--”
“He did?” She sighed. “How’s AndrAIa?”
“She looked pretty upset. Mouse is with her. What’s going on?”
“They’ve been arguing lately, I guess.” Dot said tiredly. “AndrAIa wants to start a family, but Enzo gets defensive whenever she brings it up.” She shook her head sadly. “I don’t think he’s noticed how much he’s hurting her.”
“Do you want me to talk to him?”
“Could you? I honestly have no idea what goes on in his head. It’s like he’s a stranger, instead of my little brother. Maybe he’ll talk to you, though.”
“Well, it’s worth a try at any rate. I’ll go find him.”
Dot reached out and caught his arm as he turned to go. “Bob, thank you.”
He leaned over and kissed her cheek lightly. “It’s no problem. I’ll see you later.” She nodded and watched as he headed back out into the diner.
----
“Thought I might find you here.”
Matrix was leaning against the fence to the data dump, shoulders slumped, staring at the ground in front of him. “Hello, Bob,” Matrix muttered not looking up. “Dot sent you to find me, huh?”
“No, actually. I came because I wanted to know what’s going on. Dot’s worried about you, and frankly, so am I. This behavior isn’t like you. AndrAIa was in tears when I came into the diner, and the Enzo Matrix I know would never intentionally do anything to hurt her like that. Which means that there’s more going on here than meets the eye.”
Matrix cast a sidelong glance at the guardian. “I guess you’re right,” he said after a moment.
“Want to talk about it?”
“I don’t know what to say, really. I’m just...uncomfortable with the idea. I’m not ready for this.”
“Why haven’t you told AndrAIa that?”
“Because she is ready. And I feel basic because I’m not, like maybe I should agree with her because it will make her happy.”
Bob shook his head. “Don’t do that. This is too important. If you’re not sure, than don’t do it.”
“I should go talk to her, I guess.”
“You should. She’s back at the diner with Dot and Mouse.”
Matrix nodded and stood to go. “Thanks, Bob.”
“All in a cycle’s work.” The guardian flashed him a lopsided smile, “Though if you really want to thank me, there is a favor you could do...”
----
Matrix could feel his sister’s gaze upon him as he walked into the diner. He flinched slightly. He was going to have to apologize to her later. Then again, the favor he was doing for Bob might prove apology enough... Dot, Mouse, and AndrAIa were all sitting in the back booth sipping energy shakes. AndrAIa had stopped crying but still looked rather upset. He walked over and slipped into the seat next to her. Dot and Mouse eyed him warily for a nano before leaving the booth and heading out of the diner.
He glanced over at AndrAIa and then down at the table top. “I’m sorry for being such a jerk,” he sighed. “I was confused. And a bit jealous, I guess. I’m just not ready for this AndrAIa, and I’m sorry. I know how much this means to you but...I just can’t handle this sort of responsibility. Not right now.”
AndrAIa looked over at him, weary expression on her face. “I wish you would have just told me that, Enzo. Do you have any idea how much you hurt me? I honestly thought you didn't love me enough to even want to consider this! And while I can understand why you don't want a baby right now, I can't forgive you for letting me think that. Not yet."
He glanced over at her again. “I suppose I deserve that.”
“Yes, you do.”
He bowed his head sheepishly. “Well, I’ve got to go pick Enzo up from school. I promised Bob I’d keep him out of the house tonight, so I guess we’ll go circuit racing or something. Want to come?”
“No, I’ve got other things to do. I’ll meet you two back here later for dinner.”
“All right.” He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek, thought better of it, slid out of the booth, and left the diner to pick up Enzo.
----
AndrAIa headed back to Bob’s apartment and started looking for something to do. The place was a mess, but that was to be expected with two guys living there. She contemplated picking it up, but just didn’t have the motivation or the energy. She could feel the beginnings of a nasty headache coming on and decided to forgo all cleaning efforts for an nice hot bath. “I wonder if Bob has bubble bath?”
----
Dot found Bob waiting for her outside her house when she got there. “Shouldn’t you be picking Enzo up?”
Bob smiled mischievously. “Matrix said he’d do it.”
“Well, that was nice of him. I take it your talk went well?”
He stood there just watching her in the light of the late afternoon. “Huh?” He snapped back to attention and blushed slightly.
“Your talk? It went well?” She asked, giving him a curious look.
“Oh, that. Yeah. Look...I also convinced Matrix to keep Enzo out of our hair so we could have an evening to ourselves....” He reached out and took her hand. “Just you and me.”
Dot smiled and gave him a quick kiss. “Thank you. I could use a nice quiet evening after all that talking we did about Daemon-”
Bob pressed a finger to her lips to silence her. “We’re not going to talk about work. Not tonight.” He removed his finger and kissed her. “I’m taking you out to dinner, so go get ready and I’ll meet you back here in a millisecond.”
----
AndrAIa slid into the hot water and leaned her head back against the edge of the tub, mounds of bubbles rising almost to her chin. The discovery of the bottle of bubble bath in the back of the Guardian’s bathroom cabinet would make for some great gossip later. She stretched out along the length of the tub and sighed. She was still all worked up over her argument with Matrix. She could see his position clearly enough, she could tell that he was still uneasy here in Mainframe, uncertain of himself--of how he appeared to the people who’d known him as a boy. But it didn’t take the sting out of his rejection of the idea.
She was so caught up in thought she didn’t hear Bob until he’d opened the bathroom door. She saw a flash of blue and silver before the door slammed shut again.
“Uh...sorry about that.” Came his muffled apology.
“My fault. I should have locked the door,” she replied. “This is your apartment after all. Do you need me to leave?”
“No, go ahead. I can shower at the principal office.”
She heard him walk away from the door. “Hey, Bob?”
“Yeah?”
“This is nice bubble bath!” She laughed.
“Uh, thanks.” AndrAIa could practically see him blush as he left the apartment.
----
After the bath water had grown cold, AndrAIa climbed out of the tub, dried off and got dressed again. She towel dried her hair then zipped back over to the Diner to meet up with Matrix and Enzo. The boys were already seated in a booth so she slid in next to Enzo, giving the boy’s cap a playful spin as she sat down. “How was your day?” She asked.
“School was basic,” the boy muttered. “We had this huge history test and I think I got all the dates mixed up.”
“And how much time did you spend studying for this test?”
“Not enough I guess.” He glanced up at AndrAIa. “You’re starting to sound like Dot!”
“Am I?” She laughed. “Sorry. Did you two go circuit racing?”
“Yeah, it was alphanumeric. I think Matrix was letting me win though.”
“No way, Kid. You beat me fair and square. I guess I’m still a bit rusty. Haven’t been circuit racing in hours.”
----
Dot searched around in her closet looking for something to wear, and was quickly discovering that her collection of formal-wear was sorely lacking. Most of the hangers held business suits of some kind, which she wore to important meetings. As she dug farther back into her closet she found the few dresses she had reserved for evenings out, of which she had sparingly few. After looking over the slim assortment, she chose the dark blue one, knee length with thicker straps and a modestly cut neckline. Then she touched up her hair and makeup in the bathroom.
There was a knock on the front door as she was giving herself one last glance in the mirror. She grabbed her purse off the couch on her way to the front door.
“Wow, Dot, you look...Wow,” Bob commented, taking her arm.
“Thank you,” She smiled shyly and blushed slightly. “You look good too.” Bob had changed into a white collar-less shirt and slate grey slacks. He grinned at her and Dot felt a bit weak in the knees. His smile never failed to do that to her.
----
“Ray, you in here?” Mouse called, sticking her head through Ship’s entryway.
“Right here luv,” he replied, appearing from the rear cabin of the craft. He walked over to where she was now leaning in the doorway.
“You busy, sugah?”
“Was just headin’ out t’ do a bit of surfing.” He gestured to the board tucked under one arm. He noticed the troubled look on her face and leaned the board against the wall. “Somethin’ on y’r mind, pretty lady?” He reached out and cupped the side of her face in his hand.
“Ray,” she began, reaching up and grasping his hand in her own, “we need t’ talk.”
He frowned slightly at her tone. “Sure thing, luv.” They dropped hands and took seats in the cockpit chairs, turning them inward to face each other. Mouse leaned forward, elbows resting on knees, fixing Ray with a look devoid of her normal playfulness. “Y’know Ah had that meetin’ with the others this mornin’, ‘bout what we’re gonna do about Daemon and the Guardians.”
“Things looking bad, Mouse?”
“Yeah, from what Bob told us.” She took a deep breath. “We decided that t’ best thing we can do for Mainframe is t’ shut down all the ports to the ‘Net again. Problem is, that leaves us isolated. No way t’ know what Daemon is up to.”
“Unless you’ve got someone on the outside to report back. Y’ know I’ll do it, luv. All y’ had to do is ask. When do you need me t’ leave?”
“Ah ain’t askin’ ya t’ do this alone, Ray. If we do this, we do it together. An’ that ain’t debatable.”
“Mouse, the web is a dangerous place...”
“Hun, Ah’ve seen more than my fair share o’ danger. Tryin’ t’ be protective is cute, but it ain’t gonna work.”
Ray chuckled. “Should ‘ave known better than to even try. Okay, when do *we* leave?”
----
Dot pushed her plate away, meal only half eaten. She was still feeling too uneasy to be very hungry. She gazed across the table at Bob and smiled wistfully. He was talking animatedly about an incident that had occurred during his years at the academy, and though it was an admittedly interesting story, her mind kept wandering thoughts lingering on the half smile on his face that was there even when he was talking, his warm inviting eyes, even the way the candle light glinted off his hair. She sighed, realizing, not for the first time, how badly she wanted to run her hands back through that hair, how badly she wanted him. When had this happened? When had they gone form good friends to...to what? They’d shared a kiss. One kiss. That was it. But she wanted it to be so much more.
“-go?”
“What? I’m sorry Bob, my mind was wandering,” she said, cheeks burning with embarrassment.
If he noticed her discomfort, he pretended he hadn’t and smiled warmly at her. “I asked if you were ready to go.”
She nodded. “I wasn’t very hungry, I’m afraid.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it.” He reached across the table and covered her hand with his own. “I’m just glad you agreed to come along.”
“I’d go anywhere with you. Besides, this is certainly a lot better than that time you hauled me into the sewers to escape Megabyte’s troops,” she laughed.
Bob watched her laugh at the memory with quiet admiration. At the time, there’d been nothing funny about the incident, which had ended up being an elaborate set up. That betrayal had left Dot shaken, doubting her leadership abilities, and the fact that she could laugh about it now was a testament to just how strong she was. He’d know Guardians who would have cracked under the pressure she’d been under during his absence, but not Dot. That inner fortitude only added more radiance to her outward beauty. And she was so beautiful...
“Now who’s mind is wandering?” She teased, amethyst eyes sparkling with merriment.
“Sorry,” he murmured. “You had me spellbound.” He grinned as he saw her blush.
----
“It’s been such a nice night,” Dot commented as they left the restaurant. “It’d be a shame to end it now.”
“We could go back to your place,” Bob replied, not missing the mischievous glint in Dot’s eyes. It was a look he was more accustom to seeing on Enzo when the boy was up to no good.
“Let’s,” she replied, linking arms with him.
End Part Two