Chapter Twenty-Three: Hope
X's internal clock beeped insistently, causing him to groan in annoyance and smack his own ear. It didn't work, and through the haze of coming out of hibernation, X figured out how to stop the beeping in his head. He rolled to his other side, tossing an arm and leg over his bedmate, who pulled X close and sighed deeply. Despite his desire to slip back into blissful sleep, X knew he needed to go report in, and knowing Signas, Zero probably didn't get the day off either.
X muttered under his breath as he opened his eyes, greeted by the sunlight from the windows as it danced along Zero's naked body, causing his hair to shine in all its golden glory. With a smile, the brunette kissed Zero's chest, moving his way up to his lips as Zero was slowly roused out of hibernation. Their lips brushed when Zero's eyes opened, and as they registered X in his vision, the blond smiled.
Morning, Zero mouthed. A whisper of a voice came through, and X felt a thrill of excitement. X longed to hear his beloved's voice again, and that small sound filled him with hope.
It surprised Zero, whose eyes widened slightly before he quickly kissed X. When the kiss broke, Zero opened his mouth again, but only the scraping of whispers managed to be produced. The downcast look was kissed away by X, who wrapped his arms around Zero's neck and rested his head on Zero's shoulder.
"It's coming," X reassured him, "just give it time. But we should go report in…"
Zero nodded, letting X out of the bed first before rolling out himself. A heated stare between the two started as they noticed each other's nakedness, but X shook himself and quickly hunted down his suit and armor. Zero mentally chuckled, doing the same. Before X could find his helmet, Zero popped his own on X's head, grinning wickedly as the helmet did not fit properly and covered the brunette's eyes.
"Argh, Zero!" X frowned as Zero tapped the helmet. "Yeah, yeah, shush and give me mine…" He pulled Zero's off, glaring even as Zero handed the blue helmet over.
X put on his helmet, closing his eyes as it sealed to his head and connected to him. When he opened his eyes, Zero was holding a brush out to him. X chuckled, taking the item and proceeded to brush out Zero's hair, even tying it back for him with a black band. When he was done, Zero placed on his helmet and sealed the back up around the tail of gold, standing and flipping the ponytail over his shoulder. Zero bent down, giving X a light kiss before they strode out into the hallway, hand in hand.
Passersby noticed the much-lifted spirits of both elite Hunters, especially Zero's, and greeted them enthusiastically. Much to their surprise and cheerfulness, Zero returned the greetings with a bright smile, although he remained silent. Rumors were quick to spread that Zero was finally okay, or at least looked the part, and everything was going to be all right.
A shout of excitement and the roar of equipment made Zero and X glance up, and Axl came streaking through the air, small but powerful flames keeping him up. X released Zero's hands to wave his arms at his son, already prepared to scold.
"Look at me, Dad, Pops!" Axl called as he moved through the air. Reploids scattered so as to not be under him. "They fixed my hover ability!"
"Axl!" X called, waving his arms. "Axl, get down! You could get hurt or land on someone! Are you listening to me?"
"Lifesaver is awesome!" Axl continued to sail through the air. "He said they're not a hundred percent, but look at them go! This is so awesome!"
"Get down, Axl! Axl!"
The second time X called his name was in panic, for Axl's boots suddenly sputtered. The young Reploid had the audacity to look down in confusion before plummeting to the ground, landing on an unfortunate female Reploid who was trying to get by. Zero and X's mirrored expressions were of shocked horror as they raced over to their fallen son, who was groaning and lifting himself up off the girl he had fallen on in a rather compromising position.
"Eh heh…" Axl blushed slightly at her shocked face, her pale blue eyes widening and her helmet lost in the collision, revealing disheveled dark mahogany hair. "Hey… sorry…"
The girl blinked several times before she realized there was a boy lying on top of her, and her cheeks bore the faintest blush as her shocked expression became one of embarrassed annoyance. "Wh-what are you doing? Get off!"
Axl blinked before rolling off of her, and she shot to her feet, dusting off her black and silver armor before retrieving her helmet, slamming it onto her head. Axl sat up, looking apologetic at her, even as Zero offered his hand to Axl.
"Sorry," Axl muttered again, "I didn't mean to."
The girl huffed in response as she adjusted her helmet, the red jewel on its forehead seeming to shine with her emotions. "Just watch it next time," she said curtly before stomping away, her cheeks still a little red.
Zero smirked as he hefted Axl to his feet, and X was quick to pounce on the chance. "Aw, Axl… is that how you tell a girl you like her, by falling out of the sky on her head?" X teased.
Axl's blush deepened and his eyes widened. "Wait, what? What? No no no no no…."
Zero snorted and Axl's face was redder than the blond's armor. "Not you, too, Dad! Arrgghh!" The young Reploid ran off, covering his face in embarrassment.
"Careful, Axl," X called after him, "you might run into her again!"
Zero playfully smacked X's shoulder, who simply grinned in response before slipping his hand back into Zero's own. Zero's eyes shimmered as he pulled X close and, in the crowded hall and with no care for staring and prying eyes, kissed X slowly and tenderly. X's face turned beet red, but elation rose in him, and he closed his eyes as he returned the gesture.
Catcalls and whistles broke the moment, and Zero glanced up to glare at the circle of onlookers, many of them dashing off in laughing fits. Once at a safe distance, the teasing crooning began again, and Zero threw his arms up in the air, waving them away, even as a smile cracked his stern look. At that reaction, it was as if the entirety of HQ felt lighter.
Zero had split from X at Signas' office, motioning he needed to see Lifesaver. X let him go, watching him until the blond disappeared from view. X lightly touched his lips, a smile and slight blush appearing on his face.
I'm not sure what happened, X thought as he passed into Signas' office, saluting with proper respect. But he seems so much better…
"Good morning, X," Signas rumbled after he returned the salute. "At ease."
X relaxed, and Signas quirked an eyebrow at the smile still on X's face. "I suppose your good mood is a decent indicator you are not going to explode at me," Signas remarked.
"Maybe later, sir," X said rather brightly, "but I do ask you to let Zero off the hook for the day…"
Signas leaned back slightly in his chair, a knowing look on his face. "Lifesaver has already contacted me. He wants Zero off-duty for the day and to check in frequently."
X's smile faltered at this, and he blinked a few times. "Is there something else wrong with Zero?"
"You tell me, X. He had left the medical bay and was assumed to have spent all day with you."
X's crimson face almost pulled a smile from Signas, but as he was now on duty, Signas kept his poker face and fought down the chuckle. X stuttered and mumbled about how Zero seemed fine and hastily excused himself, practically dashing out of the office. He was so embarrassed X didn't realize he had forgotten to salute until he was down the hall and halfway to Alia's console in the briefing room. X groaned, smacking his face with his palm, the sounds causing Alia to lean back in her chair and stare at him.
"What did you do this time?" Alia asked teasingly.
"Nothing!" X dropped his hand. "So, what's on the agenda today?"
Alia tapped her console's screen. "Mavericks have quieted since Dynamo's death. From what we've salvaged of his data chips, the basic plan was to destroy Zero during his depression stage. From there, it was rinse and repeat for you and Axl… in essence, they planned to use your emotions and bonds against you."
"Sounds like a Maverick plan," X muttered in a disgusted tone. "Any word on that Red Alert group?"
"Not much—I haven't found anything indicating they were involved with Dynamo, so supposedly they aren't Mavericks or in league with them."
X frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "They've been quiet since setting that Mav loose on Axl…"
Alia leaned back in her seat again, hands in her lap. "I suppose they figure he's dead and that's all they wanted." She glanced up at X and shrugged. "I can't do much to track them without more information, and the little that Axl gave us turned out to be old. Double found their hideout, but it was abandoned and completely swept clean."
X frowned deeper, his eyes on Alia's screen of information. He already hated fighting infected Reploids and Mavericks, but now an egotistical non-Maverick group with a bad way of dealing with problems was out and about.
Alia snapped her chair upright as her screen began to flash, and X leaned forward as she began to type furiously. "Maverick readings," Alia hissed. "But they're low. Fresh infection."
X's face fell and he straightened. "I'll go."
Alia glanced at him, arching an eyebrow. "Low class mission, X. The rookies can handle it."
"I want to," X replied firmly. He turned for the door just as it opened. "Zero?"
The blond broke into a wide smile, walking up to X to embrace him. When his eyes caught Alia's screen, however, the smile failed and he frowned, stopping in his tracks.
X sighed, striding to his boyfriend and touching his arm. "I'll take care of it," he murmured. "You stay here; you're off duty til Lifesaver says you're fine. I'll be back soon, promise." X tried to push past Zero, but the elite Hunter grabbed his arm. X looked over his shoulder, and Zero bent down to gently kiss his lips, the smaller Hunter smiling when Zero pulled back. "I'll be careful," X assured as he patted Zero's cheek and ran out of the room, dashing for the teleport pads.
Zero sighed, and Alia wondered why he was so disappointed.
~*~
Axl flopped on the grass ungracefully, closing his eyes and focusing on the sunlight warming his armor. Although he didn't mean to, old memories of Red Alert began to filter into his thought process and he scrunched up his face, rolling to his side and curling up into a ball.
Red Alert had its good times, Axl couldn't deny. The few days he spent with Red, one on one, were the best of the lot. Axl never had anyone to care about him until Red came into his life, and the bigger Reploid had taken an instant liking to him. Until he met X, the gunner never thought he'd find anyone kinder or more caring than Red was. But then…
Axl opened his eyes with a sigh. Red Alert subtly started to change—instead of destroying the Mavericks, they began to keep them like demented pets. Members started to take his copy ability for granted, even abusing it at times, and that sick, disgusting feeling swept through him again as he thought of the times he went on missions for his 'brothers', the shit he went through, and not even a single thanks… It really hurt when Red started doing it, even threatening him at times.
Leaving was the only option, but Red wasn't going to let him go easily. It took all of his wits just to get out of the hideout, but that Maverick Red set on him… the fact Red would rather have him dead… what happened to his 'big brother'? What changed everyone so much but somehow completely skipped over him?
Damn it, Axl mentally growled. Who knows what's going on with Red and the others… and they're out there somewhere, planning something with all that data I had to get. I told the Hunters, but nothing's happened…
Axl rolled onto his back again, his eyes widening and gasping as he realized someone had knelt near his head and was now bent over him. He flushed as the woman smiled and brushed pale green hair behind an ear.
"You okay? You looked upset…" Magenta eyes looked worried.
Axl closed his mouth with an audible snap, taking a moment to answer her. "Y-yeah… just… just peachy!" he laughed nervously.
The pretty face lit up with a gorgeous smile. "I'm glad. What's your name, cutie?"
Axl's blush deepened and he clasped his hands over his stomach to stop their nervous trembling. "I'm Axl. You?"
The woman giggled, tilting her head as she looked down at him. "I'm Delia."
~*~
X returned, disheartened, from the mission. True to Alia's words, the Maverick in question was a freshly infected one and easily could have been dispatched by anyone, but X wanted to salvage him, actually save him. But even the short time between Alia finding him and X teleporting in, the Reploid was beyond saving. Was the Virus now so advanced that the window for rescuing--truly rescuing—the Infected had all but disappeared?
Was there no hope left?
X sighed as he reported the Maverick's destruction and went off to the Recharge room, wanting to be left alone to settle his thoughts. It did not surprise him when Zero was sitting on his pod, waiting for him. Yet, despite the desire to be alone, X felt himself be filled with relief, especially as Zero gathered him in his arms and held him close.
"How do you do it?" X breathed as he embraced his lover. "How can just looking at you put me at ease?"
Zero shook his head slightly, smiling, and X could only sigh. "I guess that's why I love you, eh?" X asked, smiling slightly.
Zero's smile grew and he kissed the jewel on X's helmet. "I love you, too."
X jerked back from Zero, eyes wide and almost frantically looking all over Zero's face. "Z-Zero…?"
"Yes, love?"
"Y-your voice!" X hugged him again, tighter than ever before. "What happened? How? Not that I'm not happy, but…"
"All thanks to you," Zero replied. X then noticed a slight difference with his voice—it was deeper, much more masculine… much more fitting than before. "From last night…" Zero's smile briefly became a leer, and X blushed.
"I don't think I'm following…"
Zero pulled X with him to his open pod, sitting in it and pulling X into his lap. X had to straddle him to sit comfortably in the pod, as both were fully armored, and Zero nuzzled X's stomach.
"The connection," Zero murmured. "At some point, you uploaded something into me."
X gasped, remembering all too well the last time data sharing between them had occurred. "How is that a good thing? Last time it—"
"Last time I downloaded and tried to decode your data. This time, you uploaded into me willingly. I never noticed until I got to Lifesaver's office and he ran a scan… But when it was found, your data activated." Zero pulled away from X a bit, looking up at him. "Cain ever explain to you my own anti-hacking mechanisms?"
"A little," X admitted. "I can't say I remember right now."
"I either destroy the hacker or assimilate it. Lucky me, your data was absorbed by mine… and it actually overpowered my previous voice modulation program." Zero smirked. "I guess your intense need to hear my voice got through the connection and, well… here it is, fixed. My fragments were discarded and it's fully functional now."
X's smile could not be any happier and he kissed Zero deeply, pressing him back against the pod. Zero's chuckle was muffled and he tightened his hold on X, closing his eyes.
Thank you, X. More than just your data was given to me last night…
Zero eventually left X to recharge in peace, returning to his room to gather some leftover work he had meant to give to Signas earlier. He moved swiftly to his bedroom's desk, picking up the sheaf of papers and tucking them safely in a folder. As he turned, his eyes fell on his nightstand, where Iris and Colonel's holographic picture sat.
His heart clenched painfully and Zero took a deep breath, closing his eyes. He set the papers down and walked to the phone, his hand hovering over the button.
Iris… Colonel…
Zero pressed the call button. Seven rings later, Iris' voice drifted through the speakers.
"You've reached the American residence of Colonel and Iris of Repliforce. I apologize, but we can't answer right now. If it's important, please call us via our cell phones. If it can wait, please leave a message and we will call you back."
Zero sat heavily on the bed, staring at the phone, his head in his hands. Tears threatened his eyes, and he closed them tightly, fighting them off.
"I'm sorry, Iris," Zero choked out. "And I'm sorry, Colonel. I couldn't save you… I couldn't make it all okay like you said. I failed in the very thing I swore to do… I failed you both. But I won't fail X, and I won't fail Axl. The tomorrow you two died for has been stretching out before me, and I've been a horrible friend by letting it waste away. You would have never wanted to see me waste myself as I have, and I should have known better than to let myself fall into a pit. I… I felt so lost, so useless. But I know better now… Your deaths will not be vain, Iris, Colonel. I'll preserve the world, the peace, and the beauty you fought and died for. It's the least I can do for all you've done for me. I love you guys… I miss you. But I'm going to be okay now, so you don't have to worry… Goodbye."
The phone clicked off.
<--- PREVIOUS CHAPTER NEXT CHAPTER --->
X's internal clock beeped insistently, causing him to groan in annoyance and smack his own ear. It didn't work, and through the haze of coming out of hibernation, X figured out how to stop the beeping in his head. He rolled to his other side, tossing an arm and leg over his bedmate, who pulled X close and sighed deeply. Despite his desire to slip back into blissful sleep, X knew he needed to go report in, and knowing Signas, Zero probably didn't get the day off either.
X muttered under his breath as he opened his eyes, greeted by the sunlight from the windows as it danced along Zero's naked body, causing his hair to shine in all its golden glory. With a smile, the brunette kissed Zero's chest, moving his way up to his lips as Zero was slowly roused out of hibernation. Their lips brushed when Zero's eyes opened, and as they registered X in his vision, the blond smiled.
Morning, Zero mouthed. A whisper of a voice came through, and X felt a thrill of excitement. X longed to hear his beloved's voice again, and that small sound filled him with hope.
It surprised Zero, whose eyes widened slightly before he quickly kissed X. When the kiss broke, Zero opened his mouth again, but only the scraping of whispers managed to be produced. The downcast look was kissed away by X, who wrapped his arms around Zero's neck and rested his head on Zero's shoulder.
"It's coming," X reassured him, "just give it time. But we should go report in…"
Zero nodded, letting X out of the bed first before rolling out himself. A heated stare between the two started as they noticed each other's nakedness, but X shook himself and quickly hunted down his suit and armor. Zero mentally chuckled, doing the same. Before X could find his helmet, Zero popped his own on X's head, grinning wickedly as the helmet did not fit properly and covered the brunette's eyes.
"Argh, Zero!" X frowned as Zero tapped the helmet. "Yeah, yeah, shush and give me mine…" He pulled Zero's off, glaring even as Zero handed the blue helmet over.
X put on his helmet, closing his eyes as it sealed to his head and connected to him. When he opened his eyes, Zero was holding a brush out to him. X chuckled, taking the item and proceeded to brush out Zero's hair, even tying it back for him with a black band. When he was done, Zero placed on his helmet and sealed the back up around the tail of gold, standing and flipping the ponytail over his shoulder. Zero bent down, giving X a light kiss before they strode out into the hallway, hand in hand.
Passersby noticed the much-lifted spirits of both elite Hunters, especially Zero's, and greeted them enthusiastically. Much to their surprise and cheerfulness, Zero returned the greetings with a bright smile, although he remained silent. Rumors were quick to spread that Zero was finally okay, or at least looked the part, and everything was going to be all right.
A shout of excitement and the roar of equipment made Zero and X glance up, and Axl came streaking through the air, small but powerful flames keeping him up. X released Zero's hands to wave his arms at his son, already prepared to scold.
"Look at me, Dad, Pops!" Axl called as he moved through the air. Reploids scattered so as to not be under him. "They fixed my hover ability!"
"Axl!" X called, waving his arms. "Axl, get down! You could get hurt or land on someone! Are you listening to me?"
"Lifesaver is awesome!" Axl continued to sail through the air. "He said they're not a hundred percent, but look at them go! This is so awesome!"
"Get down, Axl! Axl!"
The second time X called his name was in panic, for Axl's boots suddenly sputtered. The young Reploid had the audacity to look down in confusion before plummeting to the ground, landing on an unfortunate female Reploid who was trying to get by. Zero and X's mirrored expressions were of shocked horror as they raced over to their fallen son, who was groaning and lifting himself up off the girl he had fallen on in a rather compromising position.
"Eh heh…" Axl blushed slightly at her shocked face, her pale blue eyes widening and her helmet lost in the collision, revealing disheveled dark mahogany hair. "Hey… sorry…"
The girl blinked several times before she realized there was a boy lying on top of her, and her cheeks bore the faintest blush as her shocked expression became one of embarrassed annoyance. "Wh-what are you doing? Get off!"
Axl blinked before rolling off of her, and she shot to her feet, dusting off her black and silver armor before retrieving her helmet, slamming it onto her head. Axl sat up, looking apologetic at her, even as Zero offered his hand to Axl.
"Sorry," Axl muttered again, "I didn't mean to."
The girl huffed in response as she adjusted her helmet, the red jewel on its forehead seeming to shine with her emotions. "Just watch it next time," she said curtly before stomping away, her cheeks still a little red.
Zero smirked as he hefted Axl to his feet, and X was quick to pounce on the chance. "Aw, Axl… is that how you tell a girl you like her, by falling out of the sky on her head?" X teased.
Axl's blush deepened and his eyes widened. "Wait, what? What? No no no no no…."
Zero snorted and Axl's face was redder than the blond's armor. "Not you, too, Dad! Arrgghh!" The young Reploid ran off, covering his face in embarrassment.
"Careful, Axl," X called after him, "you might run into her again!"
Zero playfully smacked X's shoulder, who simply grinned in response before slipping his hand back into Zero's own. Zero's eyes shimmered as he pulled X close and, in the crowded hall and with no care for staring and prying eyes, kissed X slowly and tenderly. X's face turned beet red, but elation rose in him, and he closed his eyes as he returned the gesture.
Catcalls and whistles broke the moment, and Zero glanced up to glare at the circle of onlookers, many of them dashing off in laughing fits. Once at a safe distance, the teasing crooning began again, and Zero threw his arms up in the air, waving them away, even as a smile cracked his stern look. At that reaction, it was as if the entirety of HQ felt lighter.
Zero had split from X at Signas' office, motioning he needed to see Lifesaver. X let him go, watching him until the blond disappeared from view. X lightly touched his lips, a smile and slight blush appearing on his face.
I'm not sure what happened, X thought as he passed into Signas' office, saluting with proper respect. But he seems so much better…
"Good morning, X," Signas rumbled after he returned the salute. "At ease."
X relaxed, and Signas quirked an eyebrow at the smile still on X's face. "I suppose your good mood is a decent indicator you are not going to explode at me," Signas remarked.
"Maybe later, sir," X said rather brightly, "but I do ask you to let Zero off the hook for the day…"
Signas leaned back slightly in his chair, a knowing look on his face. "Lifesaver has already contacted me. He wants Zero off-duty for the day and to check in frequently."
X's smile faltered at this, and he blinked a few times. "Is there something else wrong with Zero?"
"You tell me, X. He had left the medical bay and was assumed to have spent all day with you."
X's crimson face almost pulled a smile from Signas, but as he was now on duty, Signas kept his poker face and fought down the chuckle. X stuttered and mumbled about how Zero seemed fine and hastily excused himself, practically dashing out of the office. He was so embarrassed X didn't realize he had forgotten to salute until he was down the hall and halfway to Alia's console in the briefing room. X groaned, smacking his face with his palm, the sounds causing Alia to lean back in her chair and stare at him.
"What did you do this time?" Alia asked teasingly.
"Nothing!" X dropped his hand. "So, what's on the agenda today?"
Alia tapped her console's screen. "Mavericks have quieted since Dynamo's death. From what we've salvaged of his data chips, the basic plan was to destroy Zero during his depression stage. From there, it was rinse and repeat for you and Axl… in essence, they planned to use your emotions and bonds against you."
"Sounds like a Maverick plan," X muttered in a disgusted tone. "Any word on that Red Alert group?"
"Not much—I haven't found anything indicating they were involved with Dynamo, so supposedly they aren't Mavericks or in league with them."
X frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "They've been quiet since setting that Mav loose on Axl…"
Alia leaned back in her seat again, hands in her lap. "I suppose they figure he's dead and that's all they wanted." She glanced up at X and shrugged. "I can't do much to track them without more information, and the little that Axl gave us turned out to be old. Double found their hideout, but it was abandoned and completely swept clean."
X frowned deeper, his eyes on Alia's screen of information. He already hated fighting infected Reploids and Mavericks, but now an egotistical non-Maverick group with a bad way of dealing with problems was out and about.
Alia snapped her chair upright as her screen began to flash, and X leaned forward as she began to type furiously. "Maverick readings," Alia hissed. "But they're low. Fresh infection."
X's face fell and he straightened. "I'll go."
Alia glanced at him, arching an eyebrow. "Low class mission, X. The rookies can handle it."
"I want to," X replied firmly. He turned for the door just as it opened. "Zero?"
The blond broke into a wide smile, walking up to X to embrace him. When his eyes caught Alia's screen, however, the smile failed and he frowned, stopping in his tracks.
X sighed, striding to his boyfriend and touching his arm. "I'll take care of it," he murmured. "You stay here; you're off duty til Lifesaver says you're fine. I'll be back soon, promise." X tried to push past Zero, but the elite Hunter grabbed his arm. X looked over his shoulder, and Zero bent down to gently kiss his lips, the smaller Hunter smiling when Zero pulled back. "I'll be careful," X assured as he patted Zero's cheek and ran out of the room, dashing for the teleport pads.
Zero sighed, and Alia wondered why he was so disappointed.
~*~
Axl flopped on the grass ungracefully, closing his eyes and focusing on the sunlight warming his armor. Although he didn't mean to, old memories of Red Alert began to filter into his thought process and he scrunched up his face, rolling to his side and curling up into a ball.
Red Alert had its good times, Axl couldn't deny. The few days he spent with Red, one on one, were the best of the lot. Axl never had anyone to care about him until Red came into his life, and the bigger Reploid had taken an instant liking to him. Until he met X, the gunner never thought he'd find anyone kinder or more caring than Red was. But then…
Axl opened his eyes with a sigh. Red Alert subtly started to change—instead of destroying the Mavericks, they began to keep them like demented pets. Members started to take his copy ability for granted, even abusing it at times, and that sick, disgusting feeling swept through him again as he thought of the times he went on missions for his 'brothers', the shit he went through, and not even a single thanks… It really hurt when Red started doing it, even threatening him at times.
Leaving was the only option, but Red wasn't going to let him go easily. It took all of his wits just to get out of the hideout, but that Maverick Red set on him… the fact Red would rather have him dead… what happened to his 'big brother'? What changed everyone so much but somehow completely skipped over him?
Damn it, Axl mentally growled. Who knows what's going on with Red and the others… and they're out there somewhere, planning something with all that data I had to get. I told the Hunters, but nothing's happened…
Axl rolled onto his back again, his eyes widening and gasping as he realized someone had knelt near his head and was now bent over him. He flushed as the woman smiled and brushed pale green hair behind an ear.
"You okay? You looked upset…" Magenta eyes looked worried.
Axl closed his mouth with an audible snap, taking a moment to answer her. "Y-yeah… just… just peachy!" he laughed nervously.
The pretty face lit up with a gorgeous smile. "I'm glad. What's your name, cutie?"
Axl's blush deepened and he clasped his hands over his stomach to stop their nervous trembling. "I'm Axl. You?"
The woman giggled, tilting her head as she looked down at him. "I'm Delia."
~*~
X returned, disheartened, from the mission. True to Alia's words, the Maverick in question was a freshly infected one and easily could have been dispatched by anyone, but X wanted to salvage him, actually save him. But even the short time between Alia finding him and X teleporting in, the Reploid was beyond saving. Was the Virus now so advanced that the window for rescuing--truly rescuing—the Infected had all but disappeared?
Was there no hope left?
X sighed as he reported the Maverick's destruction and went off to the Recharge room, wanting to be left alone to settle his thoughts. It did not surprise him when Zero was sitting on his pod, waiting for him. Yet, despite the desire to be alone, X felt himself be filled with relief, especially as Zero gathered him in his arms and held him close.
"How do you do it?" X breathed as he embraced his lover. "How can just looking at you put me at ease?"
Zero shook his head slightly, smiling, and X could only sigh. "I guess that's why I love you, eh?" X asked, smiling slightly.
Zero's smile grew and he kissed the jewel on X's helmet. "I love you, too."
X jerked back from Zero, eyes wide and almost frantically looking all over Zero's face. "Z-Zero…?"
"Yes, love?"
"Y-your voice!" X hugged him again, tighter than ever before. "What happened? How? Not that I'm not happy, but…"
"All thanks to you," Zero replied. X then noticed a slight difference with his voice—it was deeper, much more masculine… much more fitting than before. "From last night…" Zero's smile briefly became a leer, and X blushed.
"I don't think I'm following…"
Zero pulled X with him to his open pod, sitting in it and pulling X into his lap. X had to straddle him to sit comfortably in the pod, as both were fully armored, and Zero nuzzled X's stomach.
"The connection," Zero murmured. "At some point, you uploaded something into me."
X gasped, remembering all too well the last time data sharing between them had occurred. "How is that a good thing? Last time it—"
"Last time I downloaded and tried to decode your data. This time, you uploaded into me willingly. I never noticed until I got to Lifesaver's office and he ran a scan… But when it was found, your data activated." Zero pulled away from X a bit, looking up at him. "Cain ever explain to you my own anti-hacking mechanisms?"
"A little," X admitted. "I can't say I remember right now."
"I either destroy the hacker or assimilate it. Lucky me, your data was absorbed by mine… and it actually overpowered my previous voice modulation program." Zero smirked. "I guess your intense need to hear my voice got through the connection and, well… here it is, fixed. My fragments were discarded and it's fully functional now."
X's smile could not be any happier and he kissed Zero deeply, pressing him back against the pod. Zero's chuckle was muffled and he tightened his hold on X, closing his eyes.
Thank you, X. More than just your data was given to me last night…
Zero eventually left X to recharge in peace, returning to his room to gather some leftover work he had meant to give to Signas earlier. He moved swiftly to his bedroom's desk, picking up the sheaf of papers and tucking them safely in a folder. As he turned, his eyes fell on his nightstand, where Iris and Colonel's holographic picture sat.
His heart clenched painfully and Zero took a deep breath, closing his eyes. He set the papers down and walked to the phone, his hand hovering over the button.
Iris… Colonel…
Zero pressed the call button. Seven rings later, Iris' voice drifted through the speakers.
"You've reached the American residence of Colonel and Iris of Repliforce. I apologize, but we can't answer right now. If it's important, please call us via our cell phones. If it can wait, please leave a message and we will call you back."
Zero sat heavily on the bed, staring at the phone, his head in his hands. Tears threatened his eyes, and he closed them tightly, fighting them off.
"I'm sorry, Iris," Zero choked out. "And I'm sorry, Colonel. I couldn't save you… I couldn't make it all okay like you said. I failed in the very thing I swore to do… I failed you both. But I won't fail X, and I won't fail Axl. The tomorrow you two died for has been stretching out before me, and I've been a horrible friend by letting it waste away. You would have never wanted to see me waste myself as I have, and I should have known better than to let myself fall into a pit. I… I felt so lost, so useless. But I know better now… Your deaths will not be vain, Iris, Colonel. I'll preserve the world, the peace, and the beauty you fought and died for. It's the least I can do for all you've done for me. I love you guys… I miss you. But I'm going to be okay now, so you don't have to worry… Goodbye."
The phone clicked off.
<--- PREVIOUS CHAPTER NEXT CHAPTER --->