Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer... WB owns the Matrix and blah, blah,
blah, yadda, yadda,
yadda.... and I own this story... No infringement intended... Hope
ya’ll enjoy it.
Note: This story takes place near the end of the movie...
It was a haunting image... The sight of Neo’s once pulsating
heart now abruptly stalled on the viewscreen.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. Could all I ever believed in, all I’ve ever
pursued have been a blatant lie? Yet, the
piercing sound of the flat line on the viewscreen was enough to bring a
ping of doubt into my gut.
I took a quick glance in Morpheus’ direction and saw the
disbelief in his own eyes. We had believed Neo to be
indestructible... Has he proved us wrong??? We had been so sure - so
positive that Neo was the One, the one who would
free all of humanity from it’s servitude to the mechanical race. There
was no way we could be wrong. Everything the
Oracle had spoken had come true.
I didn’t want to tell Neo of what I knew before he became
trapped in that old subway station. I didn’t have
the heart to tell him about what was going to happen. But, I knew. I
knew all of this was going to happen. The Oracle
had told me that Neo would have to sacrifice himself for his destiny
to come true. I just never thought it would happen
so literally.
In an instant, my mind flashed back to the final words the
Oracle had offered me, "It would not be until your
darkest moment that you will truly realize just how deep your love for
this man is." I studied Neo’s face and felt a
deep gut instinct rise from deep within me. Love was no longer an
emotion abused by people in my past life in the
matrix. Love was the feeling I felt for this man lying beside me. I no
longer feared the bitter sting of rejection but
welcomed the radiating passion burning deep within my core. It was then
that I realized that I was no longer afraid.
Despite the deafening crashes and clangs of the sentinels invading our
ship... I was no longer afraid.
I leaned in as close as I could to Neo, realizing that time was
running out. I knew what I had to do. With my
lips nearly brushing his own, I calmly whispered into his ear, “I’m not
afraid anymore.” I looked straight into Neo’s
closed eyes, thinking that somehow he would be staring back at me. “
The Oracle told me that I would fall in love, and
that man, the man that I loved, would be the One... “ I paused for a
second, letting it all sink in. “So you see?...
You can’t be dead... You can’t be... Because I love you... You hear
me??? I love you,” and with that, I leaned in to seal
my words with a tender kiss.
After a second or two I separated from Neo’s lips, waiting for
him to awaken - just as the Oracle had foretold.
sure enough, Neo gasped for a breath of air. A wave of relief washed
over me for a moment before realizing that the
sentinels were getting closer and closer by the second. “ Now, get
up!!!” I watched as the bulkheads of the Nebuchadnezzar
continued to be torn apart by the machines. Neo had to get out of the
matrix before Tank could engage the EMP. I observed
him carefully as the sentinels edged their way closer to Neo. “ NOW!!!”
I screamed over the roar of the sentinels as Neo
awoke. I quickly pulled the head-jack out of Neo’s implant and
instinctively threw my body over him as the EM pulse
migrated through the entire ship. I had to protect him from any
impending harm.
It could have been seconds, or maybe minutes, but it seemed an
eternity before Ifelt Neo’s arm slowly wrap
around my waist, his other hand resting on the nape of my neck. I
looked deep into his soulful brown eyes and succumbed
to the urge stirring inside of me... And I kissed him. Moments later we
parted from our gentle embrace. Neo was
staring straight at me with a penetrating gaze. He too had realized
that destiny hadbrought us together.
“Neo, I...”
“Shhh Trinity, no words.” Neo put a finger to my lips, a
smiled formed on his face, “ I love you too.”
I felt a deep sense of satisfaction rush through my system the
instant I heard those three words. Finally, after
all these years of searching, I have found the one who made me
complete.A faint stirring behind me made me aware of the
presence of two other people in the vicinity.
“Well, if you two are finished,” Tank interrupted, “I’d like to
check how much of the hardware was damaged in
the attack.”
“Of course,” I replied. Then, I turned to Neo appearing more
‘professional’ as there were other people in the
room, “ Let’s get you outta that god damn chair.”
“ I thought you’d never ask.” Neo stepped off the chair only to
nearly stumble face-first onto the deck plates.
I was glad I was nearby to catch his fall.
“ Hey, you okay?”
“ Yeah, I guess.”
“ Well, you’ve been through an awful lot.” I put my arm around
his waist as he supported himself on my shoulders.
“ After all, you did just resurrect from and dead... AND kick some
major ass in the matrix,” I smiled at him seeing the
laughter in his eyes. “I know, let’s get you something to eat. You must
be famished.”
“ As a matter of fact, I am.”
In silence, I led Neo to the mess hall where I poured him a
bowl of our infamous goop.“ Here you go, everything the body needs,” I
offered him a bowl, adopting Dozer’s saying. I sat next to him,
straddling the bench.
“ Not exactly,” Neo reached over, touched my face with his
fingertips, and pulled me in for a gentle kiss.
I pulled away bashfully. I couldn’t believe the whole slew of
events that have presented themselves to me. But,
right now all that mattered was that I had Neo and Neo had me.
“ What’s the matter Trin?”
“ What do you mean?”
“ Why’d you pull away like that?” Neo inquired, his eyes
showing a hint of concern.
“ I supposed I’m not used to anyone treating me this way. No
one’s ever really
seen this side of me.”
“ Why do you say that?”
I lowered my eyes to the bench and began to speak. “ It’s just
that my life in the matrix was nothing to be envied.
I realize that it’s been nearly a decade since I was actually connected
to the matrix but these kinds of experiences stick with you and follow
you wherever you go.” I finally looked up realizing that I had Neo’s
full attention. I knew
he was interested in hearing my story, unlike other people... “ Both of
my parents
abandoned me when I was eight. My aunt was supposed to take care of me
but I was
always running away to this dark, abandoned warehouse. I suppose I was
just trying to
seek some kind of comfort in my world of despair.
“When I turned thirteen, I was introduced to the world of
hacking. I found an old
computer near a rundown apartment building and rebuilt the entire thing
using stolen
parts. After I had cracked my first code, I was hooked.” I paused,
unsure as to how I was
going to continue. I looked into Neo’s eyes, finding all the
reassurance that I needed to
continue. “ I was rebellious in my teens. I was always getting involved
in the wrong
crowd, always letting older men to take advantage of my ‘love’ for
them. Eventually, I
learned not to love because every single time I had given that part of
me away, I have been
hurt. I’ve been hurt too many times. I taught myself to always present
a hard, callused
exterior to everyone. I suppose I stayed that way because I was
constantly hiding behind
my computer. When Morpheus rescued me and brought me onto this ship,
everyone
thought I was all business. All everyone saw was my drive to find you -
the One. Tank’s
even mentioned that I was almost as intense as Morpheus - especially
after I discovered
you. I couldn’t let anyone know how much I was hurting inside. And when
the Oracle said
that I was going to fall in love, the idea scared me. I didn’t want to
hurt anymore. That’s
why you’re the only person who’s seen me like this.” I looked deep into
his eyes,
searching for a reaction - any indication as to what he was feeling.
“ Seen you like what?” Neo looked at me with those playful
eyes.
“ Like this...” I moved closer to him, held him close and
kissed him - kissed him as
hard as I could. I needed this man to know just how much I really cared
for him. I wanted
him to know that despite my unforgiving past, I still believed in
him... In us. “Neo... No
one can truly understand how much you mean to me - how you make me
complete. This
part of me, this whole piece of me belongs to you and you alone. I
could never show
anyone else - even Morpheus - that.”
Neo continued to look straight into my eyes - probing the
depths of my souls - not
even saying a word.
“ Neo, what is it? Why are you just looking at me like that?..
Say something.”
After a few more seconds of silence he responded, “ Trin, what
did I ever do to
deserve you?”
“ Okay Neo, I think you’re becoming delirious. It’s about time
you go to bed.
You’ve had a long day and you’ll have another on coming up once we’ve
repaired the
systems so we can send you back into the matrix.”
“ Only if you come with me.”
“ Where? The matrix or you quarters?”
“ Both...” he simply responded.
I looked at Neo, have we already become this inseparable? “ I
guess I could do
that,” I smiled at him, “ You think you can walk by yourself without
falling flat on you
face?”
“ We’re about to see.” I carefully watched as Neo rose from the
bench cautiously
trying out his legs. I nearly sat him back down when his face made an
unbearable wince.
“On second thought, I might need your help.”
Without words I positioned myself at his side, just as I had
only minutes ago. We
silently made our way to his sleeping quarters occasionally pausing for
a quick break. Half
way to the crew quarters, I noticed Morpheus was sitting at a computer
terminal staring
straight at us. I didn’t say anything. I don’t even think Morpheus had
any idea that I knew
he was there. But I knew - I knew that piercing gaze all too well.
Morpheus was happy - I
could sense that. He had succeeded in finding the One. Still, I think
he was even more
elated by the fact that Neo and I were finally together. It makes me
wonder, did he
know...
Before I knew it, we arrived at Neo’s quarters. I wouldn’t have
noticed at all
except Neo stepped straight in front of me, stopping me in my tracks
saying, “ We ARE
going to my quarters right?”
“ Oh... Yeah.” I looked up at him, interrupted from my musings.
I led him to the
doorway and let my arm loosen from his side. I lifted my hand to
quickly and gently
caress his face. “ I better get back to the main deck. I should help
Tank and Morpheus
repair the systems. “ I had presented my unyielding exterior to Neo
again. Realizing this, I
quickly softened, “ Sleep well, okay?” I offered him a smile and began
to walk away.
“Trin...” Neo touched my shoulder, catching me in mid-turn. “
Please, come to bed
with me. I need to be with you.”
I turned to the man I loved and saw the need in his eyes. “ I
will Neo. Just give me
an hour or two. Okay?” Neo coyly smiled at me and nodded in resignation
as he turned to
enter his quarters. “Hey...” He turned to me once again, not expecting
what I was going to
say. “ I promise,” I reached up to pull his face in for a gentle kiss.
With that, I left him in
his quarters and made my way to the main deck.
As I wandered the corridors of the Nebuchadnezzar, I couldn’t
help but feel like I
was seeing the world through different eyes. Has being in love with Neo
changed the way
I perceived the world? Myself??? All I know is that I’ve never felt
this way before - in the
real world or in the matrix.
“ Hey Trinity, are you gonna help me fix this damned computer
or are you just
gonna stand there?” Tank asked, interrupting my train of thought.
I looked around me, not realizing that I had already reached
the main deck, “
Yeah, sure. Hand me that torch will you.”
Tank handed me the torch and face shield with a knowing smile.
“ So, how’s Neo
doing?”
“ He’s exhausted but otherwise okay. His ankle might need a
little work though.
He can’t quite put his weight on it yet.”
“ Come on Trinity, you know what I mean.”
Tank was the worst of the whole crew... when they were alive.
“Tank, I believe
this is mine and Neo’s business and ours alone.” I had to show Tank
that I was the same
Trinity he knew before Neo came along. I had to let him know that I was
still a person
who could get the job done - despite any ‘distractions’ that pop up
along the way.
“Okay, I know when I’ve reached my boundaries,” Tank backed
down.
I looked at Tank with a smirk on my face. “ Thanks. By the way,
where’s
Morpheus?”
“ He’s in his quarters resting. He’s had a long day as well.”
“Of course.”
“Well, since you’re still up and about, I might as well put you
to work. Neo’s
interface took a beating while he was in the matrix. Could you work on
the circuitry? Oh,
and while you’re at it, could you weld some parts on the chair
together? Those squidies
really did a number on the place.”
“ Tank, if I knew you any better, I’d think you we’re trying to
keep me up all
night.”
“Now, why would I do that?” Tank looked at me with a knowing
eye.
I glanced at Tank and continued with my work. I had immersed
myself so much in
my repairs that I didn’t notice when Tank left the room. “ Neo!” I said
to myself when I
realized I had no idea how much time had passed. I hope he wasn’t
waiting up for me.
I gently sat down my torch and removed the face guard. I stood
up and quickly
caught myself doing something I haven’t done in a long time - and
technically haven’t
done at all. I was looking at my reflection in a piece of shiny metal,
attempting to mend
my disheveled hair. “ This is crazy,” I thought to myself. I haven’t
done this since I was in
the matrix. Ever since I was freed, I stopped worrying about such
trivial things. the fight
for the freedom of all humanity became so much more important - and
rightfully so. But,
being with Neo has changed that. He WAS our fight for humanity. Or
maybe, have I just
discovered who I am?
I shrugged and made my way back to Neo’s quarters... To our
quarters - for the
night anyway. Hopefully he was already asleep. It would make me feel so
guilty if I kept
him up this long. I opened the cold metal door only to discover my
worst fears were true.
Neo was sitting on our metal bed, his eyes wide open. “Neo, what the
hell are you still
doing up?”
“ I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
I sat next to him and took his hand in mine. “My god, how long
were you waiting
for me?”
“ An hour, maybe two.”
I looked at him in disbelief. No one had ever done such a thing
for me before.
“Why didn’t you come out and get me?”
“ I didn’t want to interrupt you. I know how involved you get
when you’re
working.”
I locked my eyes on his own chocolate brown ones and began to
stroke his hair.
“Well, I’m through working. Right now, all I want to do is fall asleep
in you arms.”
Neo gently kissed my forehead and laid back onto the cold,
metal bed. He turned
on his side, motioning for me to lay beside him. I complied, slowly
curling my body next
to his. Behind me, I could feel his arms slowly snaking their way
around my waist, his lips
nearly touching the base of my neck. The sensation of his rhythmic
breathing against my
neck was enough to send shivers down my spine.
Neo must’ve fallen asleep immediately because his breaths
quickly fell into a slow,
rhythmic pattern. I almost wished he hadn’t because I felt the need to
talk. Today was far
from being an ordinary day. Sure, we had succeeded in finding the One
but that didn’t
overshadow the fact I had lost three friends...Three people who had
sacrificed their lives
just so Neo could fulfill his destiny.
I couldn’t help but lay still in the cold, darkness of the
ship. Everything that
happened today had completely turned my life around. I moved my hands
to where Neo
was holding me and clasped his in mine. It was an amazing sensation.
Despite everything I
was feeling at the moment - all the fear, all the sadness - it could
all be so easily dissipated
by the man holding me ever-so-tightly in his arms. It felt so amazingly
good to sense his
entire body completely molded against mine. It was enough to let
reality fly away.
I sighed and whispered, “ Sleep well, my love, ” and I finally
let sleep overwhelm
my exhausted body and mind.
Hours later I awoke, the lights of the Neb haven’t even come on
yet. I quietly
stepped out of bed, being sure not to disturb my love’s peaceful
repose. I stood before the
bed in awe. Neo looked so kind, so gentle - contrary to the Neo I’ve
seen inside the
matrix. He almost seemed to be an angel in the flesh.
I thought back to the day I had brought Neo his first of many
dinners on the Neb. I
remembered how I just kneeled next to his bed studying his face. Even
then, I knew there
was something special about him. I could sense it. He wasn’t like any
of the other people
in my life. He just lay there, oblivious to the fact that he could be
someone so important -
so crucial to our fight for freedom. And now, that man has given
himself completely and
unconditionally to me. As I watched him right now I realized that he
looked exactly as he
did that night - perfect.
I sat back on the bed and faced Neo, my knees tucked up to my
chest. I felt so
perfectly content to just sit here for hours and watch him sleep. It
was the most beautiful
thing I have ever seen.
I had no idea how much time had passed but I came to realize
that the lights on the
Neb had already turned on. I watched as Neo began to stir and use his
arm to search the
spot where I had fallen asleep next to him. Realizing that I wasn’t
there, his eyes opened
only to discover that I was staring straight back at him.
“Trinity, what the hell are you doing?” Neo asked groggily.
“I wanted to watch you sleep.”
Neo sat up and put his arms around my waist, “I hope I didn’t
bore you.”
“No,” I said positioning my arms around his neck, “You didn’t.”
I brought Neo in
for a simple kiss. “Hey, we better get out of here. Tank’s going to
start thinking things if
we don’t show up for breakfast.”
“Like what?” Neo asked playfully.
I quickly jumped off the bed and began searching for my boots.
“ You know what
I mean!” I finally located my boots underneath the bed. I sat back down
and slipped them
on. “ Neo, put on your boots so we can get out of here.” I reached down
to grab his boots
and presented them to him. “ We’ve got a lot of work to do.” In truth,
all I wanted to do
was stay right here in Neo’s quarters and just spend the whole day with
him, laying in bed
and kissing him. But I knew that if we didn’t get out of here soon, we
probably never
would.
“Okay Trin. But first, you owe me a kiss.”
“Only after you put on those god damn boots.” I replied
defensively. Neo was
asking exactly for what I was trying to avoid.
I smiled at him as he grabbed his boots from my hands and
quickly slipped them
on. He took me by the hand and stood up off the bed, taking me with
him. “I believe you
owe me something.”
I looked at Neo and leaned in for a gentle kiss. I quickly
parted from his lips
saying, “ Come on, let’s get out of here.”
Neo took my hand in his and led the way to the mess hall. We
never really said a
word to one another. We just occasionally gave each other intense
glances. The sensation
of Neo’s hand in mine felt so good - so right. I knew that this is
where I belonged.
When we got to the mess hall we were greeted with a pair of
inquisitive eyes -
Tank’s eyes. I couldn’t help but notice the funny look strewn across
his face. I supposed
he was still not used to seeing us together. “Hey tank, you get those
eyes of your checked
lately?”
Tank, who had been mesmerized at the sight of us finally
responded, “ I don’t
know what you’re talking about.”
I gave him a knowing glance as I sat down at the bench opposite
his side of the
table.
Neo filled two bowls of our goop and handed one to me saying,”
One bowl with
our infamous goop poured especially for you.”
“Thanks.” I took the bowl from his hand as he sat down. Neo
looked at me as my
hand brushed his own. I guess he didn’t expect me to show any sign of
affection towards
him in public. He had gotten so used to seeing the other side of me.
We sat at the table in silence, occasionally taking a spoonful
of the soup and eating
it. There was tension in the air. I could sense it. I guess I wasn’t
used to Tank seeing this
side of me as well. A few minutes passed and the tell-tale creek of the
door alerted us of
Morpheus’ presence.
“How are you feeling Neo?” he asked as he stepped through the
threshold of the
door.
“Good sir.”
“Excellent,” Morpheus smiled, ”The ship’s systems are close to
being fully
repaired. As soon as you three are done with breakfast, I’d like to
bring us up to
broadcasting range. Neo, it’s time for you to go back into the matrix.”
Neo nodded in agreement as Morpheus left the mess hall.
I turned to Neo, “Neo, I better help Morpheus bring the rest of
the systems
online.”
I began to get up off the bench but Neo’s hand quickly grabbed
my own. “But you
haven’t finished your breakfast yet.” he looked at me with child-like
eyes.
“I know,” I turned and looked him straight in his eyes, “But,
getting you back into
the matrix is more important than anything else. Finish your breakfast
and then you can
meet us back at the main deck. You’re going to need your strength.” I
gave Neo’s hand a
little squeeze and proceeded out the door.
Halfway to the main deck, I heard quick footsteps coming my
way. I turned and
discovered Tank trying to catch up with me. “Why in such a hurry Tank?”
“No reason in particular. I just wanted to ask you something.”
We continued on
our way to the main deck.
“What?”
“I was wondering how things were between you and Neo. I mean,
you were up at
the main deck pretty late last night. Did you even get any sleep?” Tank
looked at me with
a suggestive glance.
“As a matter of fact I did and that’s all I’m going to say.” I
quickened my pace,
attempting to make my trip to the main deck a little shorter. Tank
really did have an
inquisitive mind. But, I know he meant well.
“That’s all?” Tank asked, disappointed.
“Yes Tank...That’s all.” Tank and I entered the main deck and
found Morpheus
tapping away at a keyboard. “Okay Morpheus,” I quickly slipped into
professional mode,
“What needs to be done.”
“Tank, I want you to continue working on the main frame. Let’s
see if we can set
up another hard line at another location in the matrix.”
“Yes sir.”
“I will alert you when we’re ready to bring the Neb up to
broadcasting depth.”
Morpheus turned to me. “Trinity, I need you to prepare Neo’s interface
for his journey
into the matrix. There are still a few more circuits that need
configuring.”
I nodded as I proceeded to Neo’s interface and began to busily
tap equations and
commands into the keyboard. I must’ve been completely engulfed in my
work because the
next thing I knew, I felt a familiar touch on my shoulder. I turned and
my eyes met his
own. “ Neo, shouldn’t you be finishing your breakfast?”
“Trin, it’s almost been a whole hour since you left the mess
hall.” He glanced at
my work on the monitor. “I can see you’ve busied yourself with your
work, as usual,”
Neo broke his eyes from mine knowing that what he was going to say
might upset me,
“Trinity, it’s time for me to go back into the matrix.”
I turned away from him, continuing to type things into the
interface. I could not
stand the idea of Neo going back into the matrix, not yet. The sentient
programs have a
score to settle with him. I couldn’t even begin to think of the things
they were planning for
my Neo... My love.
“Trin, we’ve already brought the Neb up to broadcasting
depth... I have to go,”
Neo said to me gently.
Not being able to turn to face him I simply responded, “I
know.”
Neo sat in his chair and I strapped his body in not letting my
eyes meet his own.
When I was done, I finally summed up the courage to look at his
beautiful brown eyes. “I
wish I were going in with you.”
“So do I.”
“Neo...” I trailed off, not knowing how to continue.
“What is it Trin?” Neo slowly brought his hand up to my face,
caressing it.
“You come back to me... Okay?” I replied softly.
Without words, Neo pulled me in for a soft, reassuring kiss.
“Why would I not?”
I smiled at him, placing his hand down by his side. “ We’re
ready,” I announced to
Tank and Morpheus.
“Great,” Morpheus replied, “Tank, load Neo into the matrix.”
“Yes sir.” Tank replied typing in the various computer
commands.
I stood by Neo’s chair and took his hand in mine as I stared at
his monitor,
carefully watching his as he ventured back into the matrix.
---The End