This is my very first fan fic.  It's not finished yet but I hope to get more out soon.  I also hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.  I want to thank everyone that encouraged me to publish this, and also say a HUGE thanks to Claire Hunter for unstopping the writer's block.  I couldn't do this without you.

Disclaimer:  I do not own any of the ReBoot characters, yadda, yadda, yadda; I think you all know how the rest of this goes, so let's get on with the story.

            "Ah," Phong thought to himself, "there's nothing like a good cup of cocoa to start the day with."  The mornings in Mainframe were always so peaceful, and he particularly enjoyed the quiet of the Principal Office before all of the day's business began.  No one had arrived yet, so he went into his office to reflect and enjoy his cocoa.  He hadn't even made it to his desk yet when he heard a commotion coming from the hall.  Phong started toward the door, intent on finding out just what was going on out there, but just before he reached it, it burst open.  He was very surprised to see Hack standing there. 

            "Hack." Said Phong.  "What brings you here so early, my son?"

            "Phong!"  Hack sounded very agitated.  "You gotta help me!  It's Slash!"  Hack pulled a very burnt and charred looking Slash through the office door and laid him in one of the chairs.

            "Oh dear, what has happened?"

            "He… he was… he was making toast!"  Hack cried out as he burst into tears.  "I told him not to stick the fork in the toaster, but did he listen?  No!  Now he's gone and fried most of his circuits!"

            Phong turned to Slash.  "Can you hear me my son?" he said to him with concern in his voice.  Slash tried to respond, but was unable to speak.  Only the normal squeaking and clicking noises could be heard, but no voice. 

            "He hasn't been able to say a word," said Hack.  "I didn't even know anything was wrong until he handed me this note.  That's when I saw the smoke coming out of his head!  It was horrible!"  He burst into tears yet again, pulled out a handkerchief, and blew his nose very loudly into it.  "I had to take his head off to put the fire out!"

            "You say he handed you a note?" Phong inquired.

            "Yep!  Poor Slash.  So brave.  On fire, and still had time to write this note."  Hack handed the note over to Phong.

"Amazing!" Phong said to himself more than to Hack.  He read the note.

I am not able to speak in words, so I'm writing this to tell you how I feel.  My temperature is rising, and I feel like I'm on fire.  I need you now or this fire will consume me.  I'm burning so very deep inside of me.  Please help me to put out these flames.  I will surely delete without you.

            It seemed rather lengthy and a bit ridiculous to go into so much detail when one was on fire.

            "You say Slash wrote this note?" Phong asked.

            "Yes, he did."

            "While he was on fire?"

            "That is correct."

            "And this doesn't seem odd to you?"

            "No."

            "I see."

            "Should it?"

            Phong unscrewed Slash's head and placed it off to the side of his body to take a look inside and assess the damage.  "Good news my son.  It seems that only a few of his circuit boards have been damaged.  The tech boys should be able to repair the damage to his vocal functions in no time."  Phong then picked up Slash's head and looked inside.  "With a little luck, Slash should be back to normal by the end of the cycle.  Just take him down to see Hugh Branch in the lower levels.  Tell him I said it's urgent.  They will be able to take care of him."

            "Oh thank you Phong," Hack said as he grabbed Phong and hugged him tightly.  "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

            Phong gasped for breath as the big red robot held him tight.  "That is quite alright, my son.  Now take him down there, and get him repaired."

            As Hack and Slash headed down to the lower levels of the Principal Office, Phong returned to his desk and set the note down, when something shiny caught his eye.  It was a small seashell earring on the floor. 

            "Oh dear," he said to himself.  "AndrAIa must have dropped this while she was here yesterday."  He picked up the earring and placed it on top of Slash's note, making a mental note to return it to AndrAIa when he saw her.

            A few nanos later, Phong was headed toward the war room to start his day when he ran into AndrAIa in the hall.

            "Good morning, Phong." The young sprite said with a smile.  "Was that Hack and Slash that I just saw?"

"Good morning my child." The old sprite replied.  "Yes, it was.  I'm afraid that one of them is in need of a few repairs."

"Don't tell me Slash tried to make toast again."  She giggled and rolled her eyes.  "They'll never learn, will they?"

Phong shook his head.  "Probably not." He said matter-of-factly, which made AndrAIa giggle more.  "By the way my child, I have something for you on my desk.  I need to check the status of some security codes right now, but you may go and retrieve it if you like."

"Sure thing, Phong.  I'll meet you back in the war room then."  And with that the two sprites went their separate ways.

***

AndrAIa walked into Phong's office and over to the desk.  There she saw an earring that she had lost the day before, and under it was a short note.  She picked up the earring and put it in her ear, then picked up the note and read it.

"I am not able to speak in words…"  She trailed off as she began reading it to herself.  But she could feel herself blush as the last two phrases came out of her mouth out loud.  "Please help me to put out these flames.  I will surely delete without you."  She repeated in mild shock.

            Phong? She thought to herself.  Phong has a thing for me?  It couldn't be.  This was sweet old Phong.  Well, he probably was pretty lonely here in the Principal Office.  They'd been spending a lot of time together in the war room and it was probably only natural that he would develop some feelings towards her.  But who knew that Phong could be so… Passionate?  Matrix had never expressed his adoration quite like this, not with this much feeling. 

            She couldn't face Phong now.  Not like this.  She was going to need some time to regain her composure before she could confront him about his feelings for her.  He was such a sweet and gentle sprite, and she didn't want to hurt him.  She needed to think of an easy way to let him down.  But for the moment, she was going to have to avoid him at all costs.  She decided to make up an excuse to leave.  Maybe she could just say that she wasn't feeling well.  That was it.  She'd head for home and have Matrix vid in for her.

            She made her way to the exit at a fairly good clip, almost at a run.  She was so distracted though, that she didn't see Bob coming from around the corner and ran straight into him, and upon doing so, the note slipped out of her hand. 

            "Whoa!"  Exclaimed Bob.  He didn't seem to notice.  "Where's the fire?"

            AndrAIa started to look around the floor for the missing piece of paper but couldn't seem to locate it.  "Fire?" she replied.  "What fire?  What do you mean?"

            Bob flashed a quizzical look toward her.  "Just wondering why you're in such a hurry, that's all."  She seemed to be rather distracted by something.  "Are you ok?"

            Her eyes continuously patrolled the floor looking for the dropped note.  She couldn't see it anywhere.  Where had it gone?  "Actually Bob, I'm not feeling that well."  She was still looking for the note and was getting frustrated by not being able to find it.  She was in a silent panic.  "If you see Phong, could you tell him I'm not going to be in today?"

            "Sure AndrAIa, I'll tell him."  He still wondered if she was ok.  She seemed so preoccupied for some reason, and couldn't seem to look him in the eye.  "Do you want a lift home?  My car is just outside." 

            "No thanks," she said.  "I think I could really use some fresh air."

            "Well, as long as you're sure…"

            "Yes!  Yes, I'm sure.  I'll see you later."  She hurried out the door.

            "That was weird."  He thought out loud.  He continued to walk down the hall, all the while wondering what it was that had AndrAIa so spooked.  He had never seen her like that before.  She was acting so strange.

            He kept walking towards the war room and realized he had a strange chaffing feeling on his wrist.  When he looked down to see what was causing the irritation, he noticed a small piece of paper had been wedged in his sleeve.  He pulled it out wondering how it had gotten there.  He lifted it to see it better and read what was written on it. 

            When he came to the end of the note, his face had turned almost purple.  He couldn't believe what he had just read.  I will surely delete without you?  So that's why she was acting so strange.  It must have taken a lot to muster up the courage to finally tell him.  How long had she been feeling this way towards him, he wondered?  What about Matrix?  Didn't she love him anymore?  He was such a null most of the time, always so dark and brooding.  Maybe she was just getting tired of how he acted.  Maybe she saw in Bob what she had hoped Matrix would one day be.

            He was going to have to talk to Matrix.  He didn't want to let him know about the note or what AndrAIa was feeling, but he had to talk to him.  He had to find out if Matrix sensed any trouble in their relationship.  But he had the sinking feeling that Matrix had no clue as to what was on her mind.  He never really was the sensitive type.  He opened a vid window to Phong.

            "Ah, good morning young guardian."  The old sprite exclaimed.  "How are you?"

            "Good Phong."  He replied.  "I just wanted to let you know that AndrAIa wasn't feeling too well, so she went home."

            "Oh, that is too bad."  Phong sounded saddened.  "I hope she gets over it soon."

            Bob paused for a nano before he replied thoughtfully.  "So do I, Phong.  So do I."

***

            Bob figured that at this time of the morning, Matrix was probably still at the diner having breakfast.  He walked in and glanced around, but he was nowhere to be found.  He did however see Mouse and Ray in a corner booth just finishing up their breakfast.  Mouse took notice and waved the guardian over.

            "Hey guys," Bob said, still rather unsettled.  "What's up?"

            "Not a lot here, Sugah," the hacker replied.  "Just getting a relaxing start to a busy day."

            "Speaking of busy days," the surfer said as he checked the clock above the counter, "I better get going.  I have a lot of surfing to do today.  Hexadecimal wants me to find some sort of playmate for Skuzzy.  She thinks he might be getting a bit lonely."  He got up from the table and gave Mouse a kiss on the cheek.  He went to grab the check that was lying there but got a quick slap on the hand from Mouse.  Bob looked on curiously.

            "Leave it there."  The redhead looked rather serious.  "I told you, breakfast was on me.  You won that bet fair and square."

            Ray gave Mouse a sly look and said, "I did, didn't I?"

            "Just get outta here and let me retain some of my dignity, will ya?"  She quipped with a grin.

            Ray snickered and gave her a small peck on the lips.  "Later, Love."

            "Later, Darlin."  She replied with a smile.

            He turned to go and patted Bob on the shoulder.  "See ya, Bob."  He picked up his surf baud as Bob slid into the seat opposite Mouse.  "And watch your back, mate.  She's tricky." 

            This made both Bob and Mouse laugh.  "I'll keep that in mind, Ray.  Thanks."  He replied with a grin as Ray made his way to the door.  He turned his attention to Mouse.  "I really don't want to know what that was about, do I?"  He asked her, amused by the couples exchange.

            Mouse just shook her head, grinned and said, "No, you don't."  He gave her a grin back.  "So, what's on your mind, guardian?"  She asked.  "You seem a little uneasy 'bout something."

            "Me?  No… I was just looking for Matrix is all." He replied stiffly.  "Have you seen him this morning?"

            "Sorry Sugah, afraid I haven't."  The hacker replied.  "Although I have seen Dot run back and forth through here a few times."

            Bob all of a sudden thought about Dot and how this thing with AndrAIa might affect them as a couple.  How would she be able to handle this if she found out?  AndrAIa was like family to her, almost her sister.  Would she hold AndrAIa's crush on him against him if she found out?  This opened up a whole new can of nulls, and Bob's concerns seemed to be growing by the nano. 

            Mouse was reading something on Bob's face, although she wasn't quite sure what it was.  "Alright, honey.  Don't tell me that there ain't nothing on your mind.  I can practically see your processors turning from here.  What's going on?"

            Bob always had a hard time keeping things from Mouse.  She was just one of those sprites that just seemed to have a knack for getting inside your head.  It was the main reason she and Dot had become such close friends.  She was easy to open up to.  But this was just one of those things he couldn't confide, no matter how easy it would be.  She and Dot were so close, there was a good chance that she might tell her if cornered.  He decided to change the subject.

            "How are you and Ray doing?" he asked, "I don't see you two together very often.  You getting along alright?"

            Mouse raised an eyebrow at him.  He seemed so tense and fidgety.  "We're doing fine, Sugah.  Why do you ask?"

            "It's just that both of you are so busy all the time, you never seem to have any time to yourselves is all."  He hoped she was buying it.  "It must be pretty hard on you two to be apart all the time."

            Mouse looked at Bob quizzically.  He was being evasive about something and she knew it.  "Why do I get the feeling that this ain't about me and Ray?" she asked. 

            Bob looked stunned that she had said this.  "What do you mean, Mouse?  Of course it is."

            It wasn't working.  She was good.  She could read a sprite like a book and if there were anything to hide, guaranteed, she would be the one to get to the bottom of it.  It was best to just cut his losses now and turn tail.

            "I… I have to… go to the bathroom."  He stood up and walked toward the restroom leaving a puzzled Mouse sitting at the booth.

            "Now just wait a nano…" she started, but it was too late.  He had already disappeared into the men's room.  Just what in blazes was up with him?  What was he hiding, and what was with all those questions?

            She decided to take care of the check and forget about what just happened, when she saw a small piece of paper sitting on the table in front of where Bob had been sitting.  She seemed to recall him fidgeting with it during their brief conversation.  He must have dropped it on his way to the bathroom.  She picked it up and considered just putting it on her empty plate and leaving it there but curiosity got the better of her.  She unfolded it and began to read.  She mouthed the words silently, I need you now or this fire will consume me… I'm burning so very deep inside of me.  Please help me to put out these flames.  I will surely delete without you. 

            Her jaw almost hit the table.  That must be why he was asking all those questions about her and Ray?  Was he hoping that maybe they had grown apart?  How could she have missed this?  He must have been feeling like this for quite some time for it to come out so passionately.  She knew about the crush he had on her while they were at the academy, but as far as she knew, he had gotten over that and moved on.  And what about Dot?  Poor Dot.  How could she tell her best friend that her own boyfriend had the hots for her?  She didn't have the heart to tell her.  But still, could she let her go on thinking that Bob was the perfect sprite for her, when it was now obvious that he didn't share those feelings?  For the first time in her life, she wasn't quite sure how to handle the situation.

            "Hey Mouse, you still here?"  Mouse had been so distracted that she hadn't noticed Dot come in the front door.  She looked up, startled.  She saw her coming toward the booth, so she slid the note under the check and tried her best to just pretend everything was normal.

            "Uh… yeah, just getting ready to leave actually."  She replied, hoping that Dot wouldn't notice anything wrong.  She laid some units on top of the check to cover her bill and a hefty tip.  Cecil had been spilling things on Ray on purpose lately, and she thought it was time to maybe start correcting this behavior with bribery.  It seemed to work for his preferred customers.  Threatening him with disembowelment just didn't seem to have an affect.

            Dot slid into the booth opposite Mouse.  "That's too bad," she said, "I was hoping we could talk for a bit.  We hardly ever get to see each other anymore."

            "Dot, we work together at the Principal Office."  She replied.  "We see each other all the time."

            "I know that, but it's just not the same.  We don't ever really get to talk like we used to any more."

            "Excuse me Madame," Cecil interrupted and looked down at Mouse, who was trying desperately to figure out a way to leave without hurting Dot's feelings.  "Do you plan on vacating zis table sometime today, or are you going to sit here and let ze waiting customers starve to deletion?"  He asked with a smirk.

            "Cecil," Dot said, looking around the diner.  "There are only two other binomes in here, and the lunch crowd doesn't get here for another three milliseconds. 

            "That's quite alright, Dot."  Mouse replied getting up from the booth.  "I've taken up enough of the poor man's time."  She said almost relieved.  She turned to Cecil.  "And I left a little something special for ya, Cecil."  She said referring to the tip.  She patted him on the side of his screen as she walked by.  She turned back to Dot who looked a little disappointed by her leaving.  She seemed to really want to talk about something.  Maybe she sensed some trouble in her relationship with Bob.  It was going to have to wait though.  Mouse still hadn't made heads or tails of the situation herself and was going to need some time to think about it.  Let alone decide if she should tell her or not.  Either way, she was still going to have to be there for her friend.  "Dot, honey?"  She said to her friend.  "We'll talk later."  Dot nodded to her, and with that, Mouse was gone.