Disclaimer: I don't own anything though I wish I own Smith.

Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait, but work this year is ridiculous. Imagine, so many assignments and homework that I have to no to even study! .:grumbles:.

I think I did rather badly for my mid-term examinations – the papers were friggin' hard. I am beginning to hate Chemistry.

As the rain pattered down incessantly, the lone being lay still. Soaked thoroughly to the bone, crystal raindrops balancing on his eyelashes.

Curling into a foetal ball, he shivered violently. Lips press tightly together, a hard blue line. A lone dry sob lurched from his chest as tears sprouted to his tightly clenched eyes.

Oh God…

The pain his physical being felt was nothing compared to the emotional torment; Trinity.

He cradled his wrist to his chest, crying out softly when his numb fingers touched the splintered bones in his wrist.

'You're not as invincible as you thought you were…'

Smith sneered disdainfully. 'Anomaly you may be, but you are still quintessentially human.'

They fought, hitting each other.

As Smith swung a powerful punch, Neo tried to parry, attempting to block the blow with his Agent-encoded arm.

It disobeyed. Rather, his arm stayed at his side, unwilling. The rebel reeled back from the force of the punch, cradling his bruised chest, gasping through the crimson bubbles of blood that sprouted between his lips. Stumbling to regain his balance, Neo stifled a pain-filled cry as Smith lunged at him again, grabbing his one un-Agent-fied arm and twisted it until a sickening crack was heard as the bones in his wrist were shattered is shards.

Tears forced themselves to his eyes as he fought back a whimper, breathing heavily through his nose, Neo turned to the program, dark eyes riddled with pain and the weight of emotions.

Sneering, Smith parted his lips, 'How do you like it, Mr. Anderson?'

Without waiting for a reply, he yanked brutally on the wrist, relishing in the painful screaming of Neo as several bones popped viciously from their sockets.

As pain consumed his thoughts and being, Neo sank to the pavement, knees weak and chest heaving. Drawing in a laboured breath, he choked as more blood flooded his damaged lungs.

This is not real…

Closing his eyes, he whispered the phrase over and over in his mind, a saving mantra. The hand gripping his shattered wrist tightened, earning a sharp intake of breath from the kneeling man.

This is not real...

Cold rain started to fall, painting the grey pavement with dark circular spots. The gentle patter of the rain lulled over him as rivulets ran down the facial contours of his face and down his neck, slipping under the comfortable mandarin collar. Silently glad for the rain for they hid his salty tears from the heartless machine he knelt before, he lowered his head slightly.

For a while, the two were motionless, ignoring the ticklish sensation as the water dripped and skied down their faces and bodies. The rain grew heavier and Neo listened to the rhythmic beats of the falling rain, eyes closed.

His breathing steadied itself, long and deep, chest rising and falling. Eyes suddenly snapping open, Neo raised his head, meeting the cold penetrating look of the artificial program when an almost inaudible metallic click was heard.

His gaze dropping, Neo's gaze fell on the barrel of the infamous Desert Eagle pointed his way.

This is not real… remember that, Neo… this is not real… I have to save her; I have to save Trinity…

'Goodbye, Mr. Anderson. I think I'll miss you…' The Ex-Agent mocked.

The digit curled around the black trigger tightened slowly, and Neo imagined that he could hear the ominous sounds of the mechanics in the gun turning to release its load.

I am sorry, Trin…

Resignation – he could not save her. He shut his eyes.

The deafening sound of a gun going off resonated in his numb mind and a tiny gasp escaping his lips.

An odd ringing echoed in his ears. Still kneeling, he released a breath he never knew he held. A heavy thud, as if a body crumpling to the ground sounded. Forcing red eyes to open, he stared in disbelief at the lifeless form of Smith, who was staring blankly into the black heavens.

Shifting his weight, Neo turned to look at his saviours…

Impossible… he thought.

Unable to cope, he felt his mind shutting down and sank unconscious to the ground…

The feather touch of consciousness touched his mind and Neo, feeling the wet hard pavement pressed to his cheek, he rolled onto his back and bit back a yelp as he discovered and remembered his broken wrist.

Memories of the fight with Smith flooded his head and he forced his eyes open, looking through fuzzy images as rainwater fell into his eyes. Blinking them away, the rebel's gaze fell on a tailored black material swathed leg. Feeling sick to his stomach, he cast his eyes downward, studying the black leather shoes invading his vision.

'Hello again, Mr. Anderson…'

'I'm going in.'

The ship's operator opened his mouth to protest before he caught the look of determination in his captain's eye.

'Yes, sir.'

As Morpheus made is way to the ancient chair to be jacked in, he furtively glanced at the two forms of his two friends, trapped within the programmed folds of an artificial world. Brushing his coarsened thumb on the white knuckles of his female second in command, he felt a surge of emotion in his chest.

'C'mon,' he grunted to Link, clearing his throat self-consciously when he heard the choked underlying tones of barely suppressed emotions in his voice, 'jack me in.'

Moving away from the two, he clambered onto the red cushions, smelling the familiar musky perfume of old leather the chair emanated. Placing his head on the headrest, he cast a guilty glance at his dreaming friends.

I'm sorry…this is all my fault…

Catching his look, Link patted him comfortingly on is shoulder, 'It's not your fault, Morpheus.'

Jumping slightly, he sighed, 'Just load me up.'

In and out of consciousness she floated; everything in a blurry haze. Every thought and memory melted into the next, disembodied and fragmented.

The Copy stood rigid and unmoving, always staring blankly ahead at the white wall. Trinity shifted slightly, wincing when she felt twin stabs of pain in her knees.

As her conscious state threatened to sweep away once again, the door flew open, startling both her and the program.

Twisting her head around, she took in the figure standing at the doorway, half-buried under an impressive load of various machine guns and other weapons of mass destruction.

Her captain, Morpheus of the Nebuchadnezzar, stood poised and calm, clad in his usual leather trench coat, the famous oval shades balancing precariously on his bridge.

Did she imagine that there was a flicker of eye movement behind those dark lenses? Did he look concern?

As hope inevitably rose in her tight chest, the Copy reached within the folds of his suit to take out his Desert Eagle. As quick as lightning, the captain rebel unleashed a deadly shower of bullets, punching holes in the walls.

Staggering as crimson stains erupted on his chest; the Copy stumbled forward and caught her eye. The message was clear – remember that he lied to you…

Morpheus, the King of Dreams, the King of Lies…

Biting her tongue to release this new found revelation, she turned her head obstinately to the side, refusing to look at her captain.

Soft, calculated steps approached her and she felt the blood rushing to her fingertips as Morpheus undid the choking straps on his wrists.

'I…' he began, shuffling uncomfortably, 'I'm… I'm glad you're safe, Trin…'

Is that all?

Aren't you going to apologise for lying to me?

For fucking lying to all of us?

Are you going to just stand there, putting on this pointless charade of innocence?

God, Morpheus, you had me fooled…

You had all of us fooled…

'Trin?' he prodded softly, voice filled with concern, 'Let's go…'

She remained still, eyes filled with frustrated tears. Bloody hell, how am I supposed to get the hell out of this place? Walk?

Smith blew my kneecaps fucking clean away.

Grimacing, she turned to face him, her pale skin stretched and taut on her skull, pronouncing her high cheekbones more than ever, 'If you hadn't noticed, I can't bloody walk.'

He winced visibly at her scathing tone, dropping his head.

I'm sorry for all this shit that's happened, Trin. I'm really sorry.

God damn it, I wished this had never happened.

I shouldn't have sent you in.

Fuck.

A tide of emotions swelled in his head, pounding against the walls of his mentality to be let out. He wanted to apologise, to be forgiven.

But…

Damnit…

The words refused to leave his tongue, clawing wretchedly to the insides of him, defiant.

Quelling the internal tsunami within, he bent to scoop Trinity in his arms.

'I'll carry you the hell out of here.'

TBC…

Response to Reviewers:

Well, I know that everybody wants to read the story, and not the response to reviewers and seeing that I took so long in putting this chapter up, I won't waste anymore time.

Thank you, everyone, for being so supportive to this fic, and reading and reviewing so faithfully.

I am afraid that being hard pressed for time, I will answer the questions and comments given by you (fantastic) guys a bit differently.

Yes, Solia, I told Neo that you said he was gorgeous, Trinity that she's your idol and Smith to leave her alone. Neo said that he knows that he's gorgeous (how egoistic!) and Trinity was flattered that you were her idol (Neo had to physically pry her away from the mirror which she was preening in front) and Smith to leave the leather clad female alone. Unfortunately, Smith gave me this dirty look and told me to tell you to mind your own affairs, and that he will do as he please with Trinity.

Bailey, in answer to your question, yes, this fic will be finished!

BadAssGirl, Smith acknowledges that you love him and is somewhat pleased with this proclamation.

To Tari Troi, both Agent Jones and Agent Browns can recommend you a highly "respectable" hospital were you may recover from your fit of insanity. Agent Smith graciously accepts your cookies and your hug and says his thanks on calling him "awesome" and "cool".

AgentKippers, thank you for taking the time to review all the previous chapters written. I love to hear your comments.

KristieHahn, thank you most graciously for your kind words. The (borrowed) cast and I hope that you'd enjoyed this chapter as much as the rest.

Dear Yami Maleci, you are one of my faithful reviewers! Thank you for supporting me all this while and patiently waiting for this chapter. Also, Smith refuses to get his programming redone. He says he likes it the way it is.

Thanks, Aneadriel. I did think that Smith and Gollum went pretty well together.

SummersDay24, I can see that you are very loyal to the Resistance. But thanks anyway for the lovely review!

Serkis Phreak, thanks for the review, and sorry about taking so long for this chapter!

Jamie, so many questions! Neo? Read and find out, Will Trin escape? Who knows? Will Smith get over his Dessert Eagle? Perhaps. And will you ever stop drinking coffee? Only the Oracle knows the answer!!

Nice twist in the plot, wasn't it, Matrixation02? I thought you might like it!

Smith is rather pouty on why you dislike him, Heather. And Trinity says she's really confused between who is the bad guy – Morpheus or Smith?

TrinitysBitch, Smith doesn't appreciate the effect the Desert Eagle had on him. Accuses you of doing it on purpose!

Calm down, SammyAngel, here, Neo sends his love and a get well card.

Beguile, Smith certainly adored your review. Nodding and murmuring that if he wasn't so set against the stink of humanity, he might have just rush to your house and marry you. Seems like you've impressed him and fed his ego beautifully.

Trinity and Neo never let go, I have to say, both Trinity and Neo are positively crooning over your penname! Thank you so much for reviewing!

Dearest Da Buffster, Smith has taken it into him to watch me closely whenever I converse with you via MSN. I think he is secretly afraid that you might turn me to be a Pro-Resistance! As for the yoga move to get rid of period pains, is it where you lie down, bend your knees, and plant the soles of your feet on the ground? Because that's what I do, my ballet teacher taught me that.

Agent-Diva, well, Smith enjoys the fact that you like him. Neo sends his love, and Trinity hanks you for reviewing.

I think you and I see things in the same light, alocin! I completely agree to the fact that Morpheus cannot be trusted and unfortunately for Morpheus, Trinity loved the voodoo doll you sent her. (she has it nailed through the head on the wall of her bedroom)

Protectress of Dalidon, of course, Morpheus is very flattered with your display of obvious affection towards him, but as for promising not to harm him, I can't say anything about it…

Wintergirl, I never really got to thank you for your strong support through the whole "plagiarism from Stormhawk" issue. I think you were the only person who saw that I should stand for what I felt was right. Thanks for listening and for being there and believing in me when I told you that the plagiarism thing was unintended.

Trialia, sorry for spelling your name wrong the last chapter, I fixed it though. And thank you so much for reviewing!

Well, that's everybody. Sorry for the long delay in the uploading this chapter. Hope you guys will forgive me!