PART FIVE: Misunderstanding's between friends

2 seconds later:

The Base:
AndrAIa walked slowly through the quiet halls, her aquamarine boots gently clicking on the tiles.  Romy had been kind enough to lend her a long black cloak when nothing in her size was found.  AndrAIa had thanked her continuously, and then vowed to incorporate a few more clothing files into her code the next time they stopped off at a system. 
AndrAIa laughed out loud, the sound echoing down the corridors.  Matrix would just hate that!  He had always done everything he could to get out of shopping with her.  But AndrAIa didn't mind, it was one of his quirks that she had become accustomed to, even loved.
There's that word again.  AndrAIa thought with a smile.  Love.  It was such a wonderful word.  So many feelings could be described by it. 
As the seconds had blurred past in this system, she had had a lot of time to gather her emotions, and one thing that occupied most of her thoughts was Enzo. 
AndrAIa reflected back to when she had first met Enzo.  They had both been very young, but AndrAIa had knew the moment that she had met him that she had found a true friend.  Game hopping together brought them closer as the hours flew by.  Never in a game did she ever sleep out of arms reach, that was how attached they were. 
But you never told him how you felt.  AndrAIa's mind reminded her. 
AndrAIa stopped walking and peered into a reflective panel on the wall.  A round pretty face stared back, but gradually a green masculine one replace it.  AndrAIa sighed longingly as she memorized every curve and every feature on Enzo's face.  Images of how it would feel to sleep in Matrix's arms rather than beside him entered her mind, making her smile with utter contentment.
Finally AndrAIa's eyes flew open with realization.  She knew now what she was feeling, and why she had become so distant to Matrix. 
Feelings of shyness and fear dissolved immediately.  A strange sense of courage and confidence swept over her and changed her.
She loved Matrix. 

The battle room :
"Okay let's try this,"  Matrix said tapping a few commands into the panel.
Immediately light's lit up and the system's new virus detector began to hum. 
"Alright!"  Romy clapped happily.  They had been working on this piece of machinery for a while, and now it had finally worked! 
Matrix smiled, amused at Romy's gleeful expression.  Leaning over her shoulder he typed in a few more commands to get the equipment to scan for the virus and bring up his files. 
"Is it working?"  Romy asked eagerly.
"I don't know,"  Matrix replied.  "I downloaded the file for virus scanning from Glitch pretty hastily.  I didn't want to take the chance of a game arriving before even half of it was done.  If this detector works, then we'll be able to read data that even Glitch wouldn't be able to process.  Enough to find a weakness and destroy him."  Matrix looked over his work with a pleased expression.  "We should get a few readouts in about a nano."
Romy smiled up at Matrix, her eyes glowing.  Never had she met a sprite who was so resourceful.  And handsome too, she added to herself with a stifled giggle.  He had taken equipment that was practically decayed, and transformed it into a well-built virus detector.  The game sprite had helped of course, but the two had barely talked, much to Romy's delight.  She had been worried about AndrAIa, but not anymore.  Matrix was clearly not interested in her, nor she in him.  It was such a shame that he would be leaving soon.  With that thought, her spirits immediately plummeted. 
"Matrix,"  Romy began softly, turning around so that she could face him.  "Have you ever wanted to stay in one of the systems you've visited?"
"Nah,"  Matrix replied with a wave of his hand.  "There's only one place I could ever be happy- and that's Mainframe."
"Oh."  Romy said a bit discouraged.  Suddenly an idea came to her.  "Can anyone travel through the games, or is this just a Guardian and Game sprite thing?" 
Matrix shrugged.  He had explained before what their formats were, and how they were able to travel, but he had never gone into detail once.  "I guess anyone could do it.  But only Mouse would be able to break the codes for the download sequence.  And she's back in Mainframe.  Why do you ask anyway?"
Romy ignored his question and pried further.  "So, just you AndrAIa and Frisket travel together?  I'm sure you must have become such close friends over the hours."
Matrix shrugged.  "Yeah I guess."
"But you're not involved?"
Matrix snorted without humor and turned back to the console.  "Technically- no." He said flatly.   
"What would happen if you didn't leave with the next game?"
Matrix looked at her, a bit startled at her question.  He had never missed a game before, nor had he ever considered it.  He also didn't like where this interrogation was heading.  "Uh….I guess I- uh, I mean we- would have to leave with the next one then."  He said slowly.
Romy stepped a bit closer.  "What if you didn't want to leave."
Matrix took a giant step back, becoming very aware of his proximity to her now.  "Well-Uh-I…."
Suddenly the panel began to beep and files filled with information spat out onto the screen.  Both sprites whirled around, and their eyes widened as the data kept pouring out.
"I don't believe this,"  Matrix said, his voice filled awe.  "It worked!"
Romy laughed, delighted, and jumped up in the air.  "We did it Matrix!  We did it!" 
File after file about the virus appeared on the screen:  his name, previous infections, hereditary lines, strengths but more importantly, his weaknesses.
Matrix grinned, satisfied.  They now had a starting point to launch a full scale attack on the virus.  Of course, getting to the Principal Office and destroying the virals would be difficult, but now at least they knew the virus could be deleted. 
Romy's eyes beamed with pride as she stared at him.  Nervously, she licked her lips and moved closer.

AndrAIa smiled broadly as she just imagined Matrix's expression when she told him how she felt.  The conviction that Matrix felt the same way burned deep within her.  Wonderful images of her and Matrix together entered her mind, and AndrAIa hugged herself, elated.  She *would* have him.
The battle room door came into sight, and AndrAIa stopped to take a deep breath.  She knew that Matrix would be in there, working on the detector.  All she had to do was walk in and tell him.  No,  she chided herself.  That was way to brazen.  She would get him to go with her somewhere, like the bluffs, and then she would tell him.
AndrAIa closed her eyes and raised her chin.  Walking briskly to the door, she suddenly halted when the sound of laughter interrupted. 
Matrix and Romy's laughter. 
AndrAIa frowned.  Her sensitive hearing was never wrong; what in the net was Matrix so happy about? 
AndrAIa shook the jealous thoughts that entered her head, out.  With a determined look, she shoved open the doors.

Romy stared at Matrix mesmerized.  Impulsively, she threw her arms around him and pulled his head down.  Before he knew it, her lips were on his, warm and moist.  Romy moaned gently in his mouth and raked her hands down his back. 
Matrix had no idea what to do and was overcome with shock.  He had never been kissed before, and was utterly confused.
Suddenly, like lighting, the utter impropriety of this hit him.  Pulling away from Romy, he looked away not knowing what to say. 
It was then that the slim figure in the doorway caught his eye. 
Matrix swore under his breath, angry at himself, as a tears of hurt and betrayal streamed down AndrAIa's face.  With a disgusted shake of her head, she turned and left.
"No, AndrAIa!  Wait!"  Matrix yelled after her, but the door had already closed with a echoing clang.  Matrix buried his face in his hands with shame.
For milliseconds, it seemed like he just stood there, not knowing what to do or say.   
Romy came up behind him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
He angrily faced her.  Because of her rampaging hormones, she had cost the one good thing in his life.  AndrAIa.  Matrix looked at her with pure hatred.   
Romy gazed back at him with burning sincerity.  Regret and sorrow was evident in the way she clasped his shoulder.  "I'm so sorry Matrix.  I didn't think- I didn't know."
Matrix narrowed his eyes suspiciously at first, but then gradually his anger steamed away into sadness.  "No, it's okay.  You did ask after all.  It's just that, me and Andy have always been together.  She's………my everything.  We just haven't said it that's all, but we both know it's there."
"What's there?"  Romy asked softly.
Matrix looked away, and for the first time, admitted it out loud.  "Love- I guess."  He whispered.
Silence filled the room, and Romy took a step back giving Matrix a watery smile.  "I hope you get her.  She's a lucky woman."
"No,"  Matrix said staring at the door that AndrAIa had disappeared through.  "I'm the lucky one." 
Romy bit back the feelings of hurt that blossomed in her heart, and forced a smile. 
"So go get her.  Why are you still here?"  She said lightly.
Matrix glanced at her with pity, knowing what game she was trying to play.  "Listen Romy, I-"   
"No, no, no."  Romy interrupted.  "I don't want any sympathy.  Just go.  I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself."  Romy chuckled as Matrix looked doubtfully at her.  "Well, when it comes to matters like this I can."  Gently, she pushed him towards the door.  "Go."
Matrix took one last look at Romy, and then dashed out through the door.  Romy watched his figure disappear, and closed her eyes just as the system's voice boomed:
WARNING INCOMING GAME, WARNING INCOMING GAME…..
"Good-bye, Matrix."  Romy whispered, knowing that she would never see that sprite ever again.  "Good-bye."