Work Text:
The Chess Room
"You weren’t supposed to relieve me," Cypher greeted her with an accusatory tone as she walked into The Core a few minutes before midnight.
Trinity was in no mood for Cypher's shit. But nor did she feel like arguing with him.
"I know, but I felt like taking your shift," she replied evenly.
"You like him, don’t you? You like chatting with him," Cypher needled her further.
Trinity closed her eyes and inhaled through her nose, willing herself the strength to de-escalate this and get Cypher out of The Core.
"I'm still a little keyed up from today," she offered. "I thought a game or two of chess would help. Besides, I still haven't finished my evaluation."
"Huh," Cypher said, still not leaving the operator's chair. "I remember when you and I used to play chess. Why did we ever stop?"
Trinity turned to stare into the distance, away from Cypher. She bit back her initial thought: We stopped because I kept owning your ass and instead of trying to get better, you just got pissy.
"Look," she said instead, turning a cool gaze on him. "Why don't you just take the chance to get some rest. You're on duty again at 1200 and we can't afford any more mistakes like the one you made last week."
Cypher barked a short, humourless laugh. "All yours," he said, getting up and gesturing magnanimously at the operator's chair.
Trinity was just getting settled when she heard his voice again, coming from near the ladder.
"I just keep wondering, if you're so sure that this Alex Wyler guy is a Potential, why haven't you met with him in the Matrix?" Cypher asked with an air of smugness.
"I will meet with him when he's ready," Trinity told him. Then, levelling him her best don't-fuck-with-with-me-further look, "Goodnight."
She kept her eyes on Cypher until he fully disappeared down the ladder. Then she turned back to the keyboards and monitors. Letting out a sigh, she quickly typed the commands to enter the chess room. She smiled softly when she realised that Alex was already there, as expected.
RedQueen: Good evening, Alex.
TheArchitect: My queen. I believe it's your turn to open.
They played quietly for some time. She and Alex were quite evenly matched and soon Trinity found herself relaxing as she analysed and appreciated his strategy; planned and executed her own attacks and counter-measures.
Just then, Alex made an unexpected move. She raised a finger to her lips and tapped, considering what his plan might be.
RQ: Have I mentioned that I hate your screen name?
TA: You have. And I believe I mentioned that not all architects are old, white megalomaniacs. Just most of them.
RQ: That's right. You're a young, white, idealistic architect.
TA: Not an idealist anymore.
RQ: Could you be one again?
TA: Maybe.
RQ: What would it take?
TA: I'm not sure. Maybe I'll know it when I see it. Or know her when I see her.
Oh, this conversation is taking a dangerous turn, Trinity thought. She forced her full attention back on the game. She still couldn't figure out where Alex was going with his last move, but she cautiously made her own.
After a dozen more moves, it all became clear. He would have her king in four, and there was no way out. That sneaky bastard, she smiled to herself.
RQ: You're a patient man, Alex. Congratulations.
TA: Thank you. Play it out?
RQ: Nah, you got me, you sneaky bastard.
TA: *grin* Play again? You're always better on the defensive.
RQ: Sure. Set it up.
He wasn't wrong about her being more comfortable attacking from a defensive position. A few moves in, she had a clear path to checkmate. It didn't take Alex long to figure out that he couldn't escape her clutches.
TA: The game is yours. Well played, my queen.
RQ: I guess that makes us even.
TA: Indeed.
A few moments passed and Trinity wondered if Alex would want to call it a night. She hoped he was up for a tie-breaker.
TA: I'd love to meet you in person. Do you ever find yourself in Chicago?
RQ: I could find myself almost anywhere.
TA: How about a restaurant this Saturday night? 8pm.
Trinity inhaled sharply, noticing that her heart was beginning to race. How long had he been planning that? Dangerous. Then again, if she was going to finalise her assessment of Alex as a Potential, they would need to meet sometime.
RQ: I can be there.
TA: Great! I was nervous there for a minute. The restaurant is called Il Mare.
RQ: Sounds fancy.
TA: I heard it’s good. But if we’re going to meet, I need to know how to identify you. Should I just look for The Queen of Hearts? I don't even know your real name.
RQ: I have short, dark hair. I'll wear a red leather jacket.
TA: Perfect, I'll just look for the most badass woman in the restaurant.
RQ: You got it. And my name is Trinity, by the way.
TA: Trinity. Like the Holy Trinity? Or Trinity like the path from life to death to rebirth?
RQ: A little of both.
TA: Well, it's nice to meet you, Trinity. It's an unusual name. It suits you.
RQ: Thank you. And I look forward to meeting you, Alex. Saturday at 8.
Alex was handsome. More handsome that Trinity had perceived him to be through the Matrix feed on The Neb. Beneath his turtleneck sweater and corduroy jacket, he had a strong build. His jawline was solid and clean shaven. His eyes were warm brown and impossibly kind.
Dinner together was nice. Too nice, Trinity thought. She normally hated eating food in the Matrix. It tasted like lies and that made it worse than goop. But sitting across from Alex, she didn't mind. He'd ordered a good bottle of red wine and she actually enjoyed it.
After only a short period of nerves, mostly on his part, they fell into comfortable conversation. Their usual blend of light banter and thought-probing question-and-answer flowed easily and there were moments when Trinity forgot that this was not a real date; that she was only there to evaluate Alex as a Potential.
"Can I interest you in a walk?" Alex asked after he'd paid the cheque and they were sipping the last of their coffee. It was the best offer Trinity had heard in a long time. But she had already been jacked in too long. About 10 times longer than she'd ever given any other Potential.
"No, I…" Trinity began, but stopped herself when she saw a wave of disapointment pass over his big, brown eyes just before he turned them away from her.
"I don't really have time for a walk," she tried again. "But maybe we could get some fresh air for a minute. Watch the skaters?"
As they exited the restaurant, Alex's hand moved to rest lightly on the small of her back. Trinity forced herself to remember the conclusion she had come to earlier this evening. Alex was a blue pill. He was brilliant. His spatial-reasoning skills were off-the-charts. He could be an able strategist. But he was also firmly grounded in this world. He cared deeply for his brother. And the way he spoke of architectural design and the interplay of light and space...she could never drag him down to her dark world.
Near the skating rink, they stopped and stood close to each other. Alex wrapped an arm around her waist. She raised one of her hands to touch his chest. Their faces were too close together.
A new song began playing on the loudspeaker. Trinity didn't recognize it, but it sounded like Paul McCartney.
I look high, I look low. I’m looking everywhere I go. Looking for a home in the heart of the country.
Trinity knew what she had to do. But she couldn't bring herself to say the words. She couldn't even bring herself to step away from Alex. Everything about his proximity was warm and comforting.
"You wore boots," he said, surprising her.
"Hmmm? Oh, yeah, I always wear boots," she replied. Their lips were agonisingly near one another’s as they spoke.
"That's...I like that. What's the point of shoes if you can't really walk in them?" he looked into her eyes and Trinity was momentarily lost.
"You're so beautiful, Trinity," he said, and she had to look down. "I'm so glad we finally met in person. It was great just seeing you and talking to you."
Trinity looked back into his eyes. One kiss and she would leave his life forever, she decided.
His lips were buttery soft. The kiss was sweet but firm. Trinity allowed herself one pass of her tongue against his before taking a step back, even as Alex's lips tried to follow hers for another kiss.
"I have to go, Alex," she said with genuine regret. She started to put distance between them, but he held firm to one of her hands.
"Where do you have to go, Trinity?" Alex asked, sounding a bit desperate. "You've never explained where you live, what you do…"
"I...can't, Alex. I swear to you, I would tell you if I could, but I can't."
"If it's your job, if you're in the CIA or something…" he probed.
Trinity shook her head.
"If there's someone else…" Alex tried again and Trinity raised her eyes back to his, sharply. "Of course there's not, I'm sorry I said that."
"No, Alex, I'm sorry. It's just impossible to…"
"You were right, last night, when you said that I'm a patient man," he blurted out, interrupting her. "I can wait. Even if we're far apart, I'll find a way to be close to you and take care of you."
Take care of me, Trinity repeated in her mind. She shook her head sadly then retrieved her hand.
"This was a lovely evening Alex. I mean that. Thank you. Goodnight," she said, turning to walk towards an exit.
"Trinity!" he called after her. She should be terrified of being identified in public, but she was more afraid of the feelings she was working to suppress.
"Chess tomorrow?" he asked, when she turned her head to look at him again.
Trinity inhaled a breath and said what she shouldn't: "Yeah. Tomorrow. My turn to open."
She saw his soft smile reach his eyes before she turned again and strode purposefully away.
The next day, Trinity spent 14 hours straight in front of a monitor in The Core, completely focused on her task. There was a lot of work to be done around the ship, but for today, the crew would have to handle it. This was important.
Tank came to find her after she didn't show up for dinner.
"Hey, mama," he greeted her, taking a seat next to Trinity and looking at her screen.
"Hey, Tank," she answered, offering him a small smile. "How did everything go today?"
"Oh, the usual," he said, lifting his arms above his head to stretch. "Degreasing engines and dodging sentinels."
Trinity looked up a bit sharply. "There weren't any alarms," she stated.
"No sentinels within a kilometre. And Switch has the engine purring like a cat who got into the cream," Tank assured her. Letting out a breath, Trinity turned back to the monitor.
"Whatcha got cookin' here, anyways?" he asked, leaning closer to get a better look. "More Potentials? Oh, lady Potentials. I hope they can kick as much ass as you can."
Trinity rolled her eyes good-naturedly.
"So, are you having any luck?" he wondered.
"Yes, actually," Trinity answered, but didn’t elaborate.
"Well, then, I'll leave you to it," Tank said, standing. "But can I grab you a bowl of the chef's special? Goop’s extra tasty today."
"No, thank you, Tank," Trinity responded with a genuine smile. "I'll eat soon, I promise."
And Trinity was true to her word. Twenty minutes later, she whispered "she's perfect" and smiled to herself as she tapped out of the program.
She had time for a meal and a shower before joining Alex in the chess room at their usual time.
They started playing without a word, which wasn't too unusual. Alex chimed in during middlegame.
TheArchitect: I hope you had a good reason for giving me that bishop.
RedQueen: Of course. You know I always have a plan.
A dozen moves later, Alex saw it.
TA: Well done, my queen. The game is yours.
RQ: You never should have taken that bishop.
TA: Obviously not, but I couldn't resist. Play it out?
RQ: If you like.
They continued the game through Trinity's anticipated victory. Another game board flashed up. It was Alex's turn to open but nothing changed on the screen for several minutes.
RQ: Alex?
TA: Trinity, I need to know. Will I ever see you again?
RQ: Yes. But only once more. There's something I need to tell you in person.
TA: Are you in danger, Trinity?
RQ: Please don't worry about me. Can we meet in private this time?
TA: Of course. My apartment? When?
RQ: Tomorrow. Midnight?
TA: I don't suppose I can pick you up at the airport or something?
RQ: No. I'll come to you. But I need you to understand that this will be the last time. And you can't ask me to stay or see you again after.
The radio silence went on for a long time and Trinity refused to be the one to break it. Alex was truly too tender-hearted. She would not move an inch on this.
TA: As you wish, my queen.
RQ: See you tomorrow.
Trinity arrived at Alex's doorstep dressed head-to-toe in black patent leather. Hair slicked back. Sunglasses on.
She had been too comfortable last time, she’d decided, in a pair of dark jeans, a black t-shirt, and a broken-in leather jacket. She had looked too much like she belonged in this world.
"Trinity, uh, hi," Alex greeted her when he opened the door. His mouth hung open, his eyes looking her up and down repeatedly.
"Can I come in?" she asked when he didn't move.
"Yes, of course, of course," he said, giving his head a small shake and stepping aside, gesturing for her to enter.
He closed the door, then turned to look at Trinity as she glanced around the apartment.
"Uh...can I ask...what's with the outfit?" Alex questioned.
"I'm from the future, Alex. We all wear shiny jumpsuits," she answered. Then, seeing a bit of hurt in his eyes, she softened and took off her glasses. "Believe it or not, I'm more comfortable like this."
"Okay," he said, nodding to himself. "Will you come sit down? Can I get you a glass of wine or something?"
"Nothing for me," Trinity said. She considered the furniture. She should really choose the armchair, but she knew he'd be more comfortable if she sat next to him on the couch, so she did.
He took a long drink from his own glass of wine and turned to face her. His eyes were desperately yearning. Slightly bewildered. She got right to the point.
"Alex, I came to tell you something important," she said. When he nodded, she continued. "I need you to do something for me."
"Anything," he said.
"Good," Trinity said. "You know the lake house where you grew up?"
"Yeah, sure. Why? Do you want to stay there? Do you need a place to stay?" he asked. Alex inched closer to her, searching her face, trying to understand.
"This isn't about me, Alex," Trinity said, adjusting her posture so that she was squarely upright. "This is about you."
Alex shook his head, looking helpless. She had to get through to him. It was the only thing she could do for him and it was important.
"Just listen," Trinity said. "The lake house has been sitting empty for years, has it not?"
Alex's mouth formed a questioning "o". "How do you even…"
"You need to buy it," Trinity said, looking directly into his eyes. "It doesn't have to be tomorrow. It doesn't even have to be this year. But you need to buy it and you need to go live there. Do you understand?"
"Why on earth would you ask me to do that? I've never even owned a house. I don't even like that house. It just reminds me of how shitty my father was to my mom. And the design…"
"It's on a beautiful piece of land, isn't it?" she probed, encouragingly. "And you could alter the design. Turn it into something that feels like home."
Alex just shook his head from side-to-side. "Trinity," he said. "I know we've only technically met once. But how many hours have we spent in the chess room? I know you, Trinity. I...I'd like to make a home with you."
"We can't talk like that Alex. I told you…" Trinity's frustration almost erupted but she couldn't be angry when she looked at his face. She took his hands in hers and met his eyes again.
"You shouldn't live alone, Alex. You shouldn't spend night after night on your computer. You have a beautiful heart and you should give it to someone who can take care of it. Someone who can share your home.”
"And you can't," he stated.
Trinity shook her head. "I can't," she confirmed.
"So, you just came here tonight to…to tell me to buy my family's old lake house," Alex said, looking around, as if speaking to no one in particular.
Trinity answered him in earnest. "Yes, you need to buy the lake house. And be sure to check the old mailbox."
Without warning, Alex broke into hysterical laughter. "What, is it a special mailbox?" he asked in all sarcasm.
Trinity indulged them both in sharing the laugh, but then answered him seriously. "It is, actually," she said with an earnest smile. In fact, she had spent several hours programming the mailbox herself.
Alex laughed some more, then made an effort to compose himself. Taking in a deep breath, he said on an exhale, "Yeah, whenever I live somewhere, I usually check the mail."
"Perfect," she said. "So you'll buy the lake house."
Alex looked back at her. He started nodding, then picked up his wine glass and lifted it towards her in a silent "cheers" before downing the remainder in one gulp. "For you, Trinity, I will buy that fucking lake house."
"And?" she pressed.
"And I will check the mailbox. The special mailbox," he looked at her with a heartbreakingly boyish grin. "I'll check it every goddamn day."
"Thank you," Trinity responded, holding his gaze long enough to know that he was serious before looking away.
She was mentally preparing herself to leave when he spoke again. "I can't believe I'm about to ask this," Alex said. "But…" he let out a chuckle and shook his head once more. "Are you really from the future?"
Trinity smiled softly at him. She looked down, then up at the ceiling. Closed her eyes and slowly let out a breath. "In a manner of speaking. Yes," she said.
Surprisingly, Alex seemed to take this confirmation in stride. He nodded and then shook his head once again. Refilled his wine glass and motioned to Trinity to ask if she was sure she didn't want any. She declined with a single headshake. He took another long drink.
"I know I can't see you again after tonight," he began, then looked back to Trinity. She nodded. "But will you stay the night?"
Oh, no. His eyes were too earnest. The memory of his soft kiss was too fresh. This would be a mistake…
"I...I can't stay the night," she looked at him, sadly. "But I think I could stay for an hour or so."
She saw the light shine in his eyes and had to tamp it down. "Alex, this will only make it more difficult…" she tried, but then his hands were on her face and his lips were on hers and she knew she could not deny him, or herself, this hour.
Trinity pulled herself out of Alex's arms long enough to make a call to Tank. She confirmed that no one else was in The Core that night -- and, in particular, that Cypher wasn't poking around where he had no business, which he was making a habit of lately.
She asked Tank to turn off the monitors for an hour. She assured him that she was certain she knew what she was doing, knowing that he wasn't just asking about the risk posed by agents.
Trinity stood by the window across the room while she spoke to Tank, not really caring at this point if Alex would overhear.
She took a deep breath and began to walk towards him. Then he was on his feet and rushing towards her. Her arms flew around his neck and his wrapped around her body, one settling around her waist, while the other rose up so his hand could cup the back of her head.
It was so easy to do this, so easy to enjoy the tender strength of his arms and the soft eagerness of his lips. When they broke their kiss to take a breath he smiled at her and she couldn't resist smiling back.
She was surprised when he bent to sweep her into his arms and even more surprised that she let him, keeping her arms around his neck as he walked. He planted kisses all over her face, a little awkwardly, as he tried to do too many things at once.
"Let me help you with that," she said, when he set her on the bed and looked at her boots as if they were a puzzle. Smiling, sometimes laughing, always stopping to kiss and to touch new areas exposed, they undressed each other.
He was beautiful, with long, lean muscles sculpting his frame. Trinity grabbed his face to pull him down on top of her, promising herself this would be worth it. Comforting herself with the knowledge that she had a plan to take care of him forever.
She allowed herself to enjoy it all as he kissed and suckled on her neck and down to her breasts. At one point, he stopped abruptly with a breast in each hand. He looked up at her with a goofy grin. Like a boy who has found a box of cracker jacks. Then he suddenly pinched both nipples at once and continued to work them with his fingers, sending jolts of painful pleasure through her entire body. Sneaky bastard, she thought.
Several long minutes later he finally relinquished her breasts and trailed kisses down her stomach. When he reached her core he began by brushing his nose against her folds then touched her tentatively with his tongue. He started to lap at her confidently and it was too good, too delicious, too vulnerable.
She lifted her upper body and drew his face towards hers again, even as she used her weight to turn them both until he was on his back and she could straddle his hips. Alex looked like he wanted to say something but she gave him a small smile, placed a finger on his lips and said "shhh".
He smiled up at her with glazed eyes and Trinity felt that she could love his body without reservation, if only for tonight. She found the right way to nibble and lick at his ears, to avoid the ticklish spots and hit the ones that made him groan and buck his hips. She lavished kisses on the strong lines of his jaw, neck, and collarbone. Rubbing her wetness against his cock, she felt and sucked the shape of his chest and ab muscles.
He attempted to reciprocate every touch. Sweet man, she thought. Too sweet by half for my world. When it was too much, she grabbed his wrists and held them securely over his head with one hand while using the other to guide him inside of her.
Trinity rode him hard, closing her eyes and focusing on her own pleasure. But as the tension built, he broke free of her hold and took her face in his hands. Drawing her down, he dragged his lips over hers then pressed their foreheads together. The intensity of his gaze forced her eyes to stay open and focused on his as they crashed together and came all at once.
Trinity rested her head against Alex's chest now. Her arm draped comfortably around his waist. One of his hands stroked her hair while the other held her firmly at the small of her back. In another world, this would be perfection.
Just moments earlier, coming down from their orgasms, they had laid face-to-face. Opening her eyes, Trinity saw something frighteningly like love in Alex's. He looked at her earnestly and raised a hand to touch her cheek. "Trinity, I…"
"No, no, no," she cut him off. "Just hold me for a few more minutes and then I have to go."
And so they found themselves in their current positions.
"Any other parting advice?" Alex asked.
"Hmmm?" was her reply. She was still trying to savour the moment.
"Well, I've promised to buy the lake house. And check the mail. Do you have any more tips from the future? Which stocks to buy? Which president to vote for?"
"Let's see," Trinity said, and she did give it some thought. "Maybe get a dog? There are no dogs where I come from, and it's a real shame."
"Get a dog, sure. I've been thinking about that, actually. I could call him...Jack," Alex said. "But there's not much room for a dog in this apartment. I don't even know where the nearest dog park is."
"There'll be lots of room for a dog at the lake house," she said.
She heard Alex almost laugh and then felt him tap her temple playfully. Trinity was glad to feel the mood lightening.
"But what if it's a girl dog?" she asked.
"Hmmm? Oh...then I'll call her Jack," he said.
"Nice choice," Trinity observed. And after another moment or two, "What about you? Do you have any parting advice for me?"
"Oh, yeah," he said. "Um...definitely stay away from architects. And if you can't avoid them, just be careful not to trust them. We're all sneaky bastards."
"Don't trust architects, got it," she replied. "Except you, of course. Because you're an idealist architect...or will be again."
Silence fell and Trinity began to feel restless.
"Trinity?" Alex said suddenly, sounding more serious and putting her on her guard. "You have a beautiful heart, too. I hope one day you'll let someone take care of it."
She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent once more. Then rose a moment later and began to get dressed. This had been a beautiful fantasy, but it was time to focus on reality again; the war and her work.
Trinity avoided Alex's soulful eyes until she was fully dressed, boots buckled, glasses on, ready to go.
"I don't suppose we could still play chess?" he asked, when she turned to face him. She held his gaze and shook her head firmly.
"Yeah, well, just be sure to work on your openings," he said. "Sometimes you're too hesitant. You have good instincts. You should trust them."
"Right, good tip," she said. "And you work on your End Game. You can be a very patient man. Remember to use that in your favour."
"I'll never forget you, my queen," he said, and she could hear the tears in his throat.
"Nor I you, my idealist," she said. Trinity crossed the room quickly and kissed Alex one final time before turning to walk swiftly out of his apartment, and his life, forever.
There was one more task to complete and it was the key to everything. The next time she had a simple mission in the Matrix, she asked Tank to discreetly plug her in near a lab where a certain medical resident was hard at work.
Kate Forster. She was the same age as Alex. Smart, very smart. Top of her class. Also very loyal. She made time for a meal with her mom at least once a week. She loved long walks, beautiful spaces, and classic novels. She lived her life in the light.
Watching her meet with patients, Trinity thought that Kate almost cared too much. Yet another reason why she would be perfect for Alex. Of course, she was also very pretty. And not half bad at chess, though certainly not as good as Trinity or Alex.
"Take good care of him, Kate," Trinity said under her breath as she posted a single print ad for a lake house rental outside the lab. "Because if you break his heart, I'm coming to rip yours out."