Author's Note: Dedicated to Husbands, Wives, Lovers and Dreamers everywhere.

Summary: What nightmares haunt Matrix's memories? Will he be able to get rid of them?

by David Fullam
edited by Al's Waiter

In a dream a black void surrounded three sprites who were very much alone and far from home. Two of the sprites were humanoid and one cradled the other who happened to be seriously injured. The third sprite was an animal sprite, a dog to be exact and he whimpered in fear. It seemed like an eternity until one spoke.

"AndrAIa", the injured sprite said meekly, "AndrAIa, are we home?" The sprite named AndrAIa was crying quietly as she held on to her friend. All she said in response was the injured sprite's name. She said "Enzo".

"AndrAIa, are we back in Mainframe?" he finally asked.

"I don't know where we are" she said between sobbing and she held her friend a little tighter as the dog sprite called Frisket continued to whimper. Enzo didn't understand any of this. Hadn't they just won the game, hadn't they beaten the User and saved a sector of Mainframe? Why was Frisket afraid and why was AndrAIa crying? For that matter why was he laying on the ground with AndrAIa hanging on to him. Finally it dawned on Enzo just how much in pain he was. They had won, why was he hurting? Enzo also began to realize that something was wrong with his vision, his right eye to be exact. he began to question again.

"AndrAIa, what happened" he said, "what happened, didn't we win?" The girl sprite sniffed back her tears brought her head closer to Enzo's.

"No Enzo" she stated, trying to keep her composure. "We lost". AndrAIa began to sob again but even so continued to speak.

"I'll never let anyone hurt you ever again Enzo. I love you and I promise, no one will ever hurt you again, I promise".

At last it came to Enzo, like a shot just what had happened, why he hurt so much, why his vision wasn't right. He lifted a hand to his face and discovered his right eye was missing. At that moment the full pain of his wounds washed over him and he screamed...

Enzo Matrix awoke with a start. His heart was beating a mile a minute and it took several seconds for his heart rate to return to normal. he was in his bed in his apartment in the Principle Office. he breathed heavily and tried to regain his senses. The dreams, the nightmares to be exact had been plaguing him for several cycles now. All the suffering, all the pain he went through on the long, slow march back to Mainframe were being played out over and over again, night after night. Those days were long gone but they came back to him each time he slept and he was growing frustrated. Nightmares were one thing but night after night? That was something else entirely.

"I'm a mess" he thought out loud, "I'm a mess. He laid back down and tried to clear his mind of memories but it wasn't easy.

They were persistent.

Enzo awoke after a bad night to greet the beauty of a Mainframe morning. He had barely slept and was tired but couldn't lay on his back all day. He had two dates to keep that day and he wasn't about to miss them, nightmares or not. It was moving day for two of the people he loved the most. His lover, AndrAIa and his mentor, Bob the Guardian. Bob was going to move in with Dot matrix, Enzo's older Sister. Bob had then turned over his apartment in the Eight Ball Arms to AndrAIa as a gift so she wouldn't have to stay in the Principle Office's living sectors. Bob had originally asked Enzo if he wanted the place but he declined. Enzo had finally decided to stay in the principle Office. It had come to feel like home since his return and besides, it was close to the action. AndrAIa could make better use of the place. in addition to the living area, Bob's old apartment had a garage chamber where he worked on his vintage (some would say ancient) car. AndrAIa would need this. It would give her a place to store her spoil of war, Megabyte's motorcycle. AndrAIa had a thing about bikes.

The plan was this, Dot would help Bob move into her place and Enzo would help AndrAIa with her move. Afterwards the two couples would go out for dinner. Enzo cleaned up and got dressed. He downed a quick energy shake to boost his performance and headed out the door. Nightmares or not, nothing would ruin this day. He unloaded his zip board and proceeded to the Eight Ball Arms.

All of AndrAIa's belongings had already been delivered so it was now just a matter of unpacking and putting things in their proper place. She was deciding on where to place a table when Matrix walked in.

"Lady need some help?" AndrAIa turned around and her silvery eyes lit up.

"Hey lover, ready to help me make this place into a home?" Matrix walked over to her and they exchanged hugs.

"Ready, willing and able, now where do we start?" he asked.

"Well, let's unpack everything and put it in it's proper place" AndrAIa responded. "Speaking of proper places, where do you think this table should go?"

Matrix started pulling things out of boxes. "Corner maybe?"

The two sprites worked most of the afternoon. By the time they were finished, the apartment really looked good. AndrAIa surveyed their work.

"Now this is a home" she sated contentedly.

"Sure is" Matrix responded, stifling a yawn or at least trying to.

"Hey lover, I tire you out?" AndrAIa asked.

"No, I haven't been sleeping well lately".

AndrAIa gave him a concerned look. "The dreams again?"

"Nightmares actually" Matrix replied.

"Matrix, maybe you should ask Phong or someone for some help. This could be serious".

"Serious?" he said. "Honey, they're just bad dreams".

AndrAIa furled her brow. "Bad dreams that you are having night after night. Bad dreams that are interfering with your sleep. Promise me if this keeps up you'll ask Phong's help".

"What are you, my Mother?" Matrix asked a little testily.

"Yeah, I'm your Mother and I care about you and your well being" the lady said returning his tone of voice. "Are you going to promise me that you will get some help if this keeps up?"

Matrix really wanted to change the subject. He noticed (for the first time that day actually) that she had put her hair up in a bun. It reminded him of how her hair looked when they were little children.

"Really like you hair that way, it's really cute" he said forcing a smile.

AndrAIa refused to be put off. "Don't change the subject on me Enzo Matrix. Are you going to promise me?" This wasn't a request, it was a command.

Matrix gave in. "Okay baby, I promise".

"What was that?" she asked.

"I promise, what, you want it written in blood?"

AndrAIa decide to let him off the hook. "No but let's seal it with a kiss". Matrix shook his head.

"You really are something you know that?" AndrAIa smiled at him.

"Yeah, I've been told a few times".

Later that evening, Matrix and AndrAIa had dinner with Dot and Bob. They talked about moving into their new places, Matrix's reconciliation with little Enzo (which had gone surprisingly well. Little Enzo now looked to Matrix as something of a big brother) and Phong's attempts to catalogue all of Bob's new found abilities after his time in the Web and his merger with Glitch. They laughed and talked and had a wonderful time.

Afterwards they said their goodbyes and Matrix and AndrAIa headed back to her apartment.

"Have a good time?" Matrix asked her.

"You know it" AndrAIa responded. "Hey, do you have time for me to show you something?"

"Of course I do, all the time in Mainframe" he said. "What is it, a new paint job on the bike?"

"No something different. Sit here, I'll be right back". And she hurried to the bedroom and shut the door. A few seconds later he heard her voice, "Close you eyes".

"Close my eyes?" Matrix asked.

"Do it, are they closed?"

Matrix shut his eyes. "Okay, they're closed".

"Ready or not, here I come". Matrix heard AndrAIa come out of the bedroom and approach him. her footsteps were soft and he felt here presence close to him.

"Open your eyes" AndrAIa said, barely above a whisper. Matrix did so and was taken aback. He had seen so much in his life but nothing like this. Andrea stood before him clad in lace and frills. A night gown, teddy and garters.

"What do you think?" she said softly. "Am I pretty?"

Matrix stood up. "You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen".

She put her arms around his neck. "Give a girl a lift?"

He picked her up in his big arms. She rested her head on his chest and he carried her to the bedroom.

Matrix couldn't sleep. Instead he looked over at AndrAIa who was resting peacefully. She slept on her belly and he watched her back rise and fall with her breathing. He stared intently at the pigmentation that ran from the base of her neck to her bottom and ran down the back of her arms. Although it was just skin tone, it gave her the appearance of having scales, a reminder of her aquatic heritage. Matrix reached over and ran a finger down her back, gently so as not to wake her. He marvelled at her softness. He continued to do this until she stirred slightly so he stopped so as not to disturb her any further. He sighed deeply and decided to try and sleep, nightmares or not. He closed his eyes, fell asleep and the memories returned. All around him were tears and viruses, systems on the verge of crashing, despair and sadness. Sprites and binomes were nullified and what was worse, there was no way home. He would never find Bob or see his Sister again. he saw himself as he was, a little sprite who grew embittered and angry with each passing day, a childhood robbed via the games and he grew despondent. He remembered the pain of his injuries after losing the first game. He remembered how sad AndrAIa was, he remembered the changes, the sense of loss and he screamed...

Matrix woke in AndrAIa's bed. She was nowhere to be seen. He was covered in virtual sweat and he gripped the bed covers tight. Well at least he hadn't disturbed his lover. Thank the User for small miracles. He got up, dressed and found AndrAIa in the kitchen preparing their breakfast. She noticed how out of sorts he was.

"The dreams?" she said as she laid out their morning meal.

"Yeah" Matrix replied.

"Do you remember your promise?"

"Of course. Don't worry baby. I'm sure they'll pass in time".

The couple ate breakfast together and afterwards Matrix kissed AndrAIa on the forehead and headed back to the Principle Office. AndrAIa was left alone with her thoughts.

"I know you better than you know yourself lover". She decided to take matters into her own hands. She opened a vid window to the Principle Office and asked to speak to Phong.

That night Enzo Matrix's sleep was once again troubled by nightmares of memory. He saw the moment of his humiliation. What followed was a collage of images that swirled around his mind. He saw how he became angry, saw AndrAIa try to bring him back from the brink and saw his frustration at being stranded so far from home erupt into violence. he saw deletion and destruction and again he screamed...

This time when he awoke he threw himself out of bed. He pounded his fists on the wall and cursed but then caught himself. He breathed deep and slow and tried to regain his focus.

"What would AndrAIa think of me now?" he muttered.

He lay back in bed and refused to sleep.

Matrix remained up the rest of the night. With the coming of the Cyber Sun he dragged himself out of bed and ran his fingers through his hair. His mind was a jumble but he had no time to collect his thoughts. A vid window opened up and a familiar face appeared.

"Good morning my Son" the face said. Matrix looked up and saw Phong, Mainframe's ruler staring back at him. Matrix never failed to marvel at the wisdom the face projected.

"Good morning Phong" Matrix replied a little weakly. The sagely old sprite adjusted his glasses.

"You seem troubled my Son. Are you alright?"

Matrix rubbed his eyes. "I'm okay".

"I need to speak with you in my office as soon as possible Matrix. A dilemma has has arisen and I need your participation in handling it". Phong said.

Matrix stood up like a shot. "Give me a nano to freshen up and I'll meet you in your office".

Phong nodded. "Take all the time you need my Son".

Matrix jumped in the energy shower, jumped out and then dried off. He tapped his icon and was immediately clad in his battle dress. He plucked GUN from his holster and checked his power levels. Fully charged they read. He returned GUN to his proper place and made his way to Phong's office. Who knew what was going on. Had Megabyte survived and come back to Mainframe? Had Daemon finally made it's presence known? Had Hex relapsed into insanity? Whatever it was, it stood no chance. Matrix would die for Mainframe if need be. Luckily, it didn't come to that.

Matrix burst into Phong's office. "What's the situation Phong, are we under attack?" he said.

Phong looked up from his desk and met the Sprite's gaze. "We are not under attack my Son".

Matrix looked more than a little confused. "Then what's the dilemma?"

Phong rolled out from behind his desk and stood beside Matrix. Matrix decided to come down on one knee so that Phong wouldn't have to strain his neck looking up at him. Phong put a hand on Matrix's shoulder. "The dilemma is you my Son. The well being of your subconscious".

Matrix shook his head. "I don't understand. What do you mean?"

"I have been talking to AndrAIa" Phong began, "and she is very worried about the nightmares that have been plaguing you of late. She fears for you my Son".

Didn't trust me to come to Phong for help on my own, did she? Matrix thought. "Phong, it's not as bad as she thinks. It's just some bad dreams. Everyone has them from time to time, they'll pass".

"Forgive me for saying this my Son but things are worse that you realize".

The compartment on the front of Phong's body opened up and he produced a mirror. He held the mirror to Matrix's face, allowing him to take a deep, long look. Matrix at last realized how haggard and tired he looked. The vibrancy, the intensity that he normally projected were nowhere to be seen on his features. His head drooped and he looked away. Phong placed the mirror back and broke the silence.

"Yes, we all have nightmares but not every night. We need downtime, we need normal dreams if we are to function properly Matrix. AndrAIa only came to me because she loves you. She feels that she has let you down somehow by not being able to help. Coming to me was very difficult for her".

Matrix rolled that around his brain for a moment. "I, I was going to come speak with you about this but......."

Phong cut him off. "But you are a proud sprite, I know. But now you are in my hands and I promise you now as I promised her earlier that I will help you".

Matrix looked the old sprite in the eyes. "How?' was all he said.

Phong smiled at him. A reassuring grin that put Matrix at ease. "No diagnosis can come without examination my Son. Therefore, I must examine your dream state".

Matrix stood back up with a start. "But how" he asked.

Phong rolled back to his desk, opened a drawer and produced a small green disk with a red center. He held it up so Matrix could see.

"What is it?" Matrix wondered aloud.

Phong turned it over in his long fingers. "An RDE or Reality Distortion Engine. This one has been modified to allow one sprite to view another's subconscious. That is at least, how it is supposed to work."

Phong led Matrix to the medical section of the principle office. There he had Matrix lay down on a table as he did the same all the while explaining what was about to happen. Phong told Matrix that they both would be induced to sleep by the device called the Downtime ray, a device used by binome surgeons to put their patients to sleep. The ray was important to Phong's plans because of it's strength. It would immediately induce sleep but also a dream state. Therefore Phong could get to work quickly. Both would be wearing the modified RDEs. The devices would link them together via the subconscious and would hopefully allow Phong to leave his dream state and enter Matrix's. That was the plan at least.

"Are you ready my Son?" Phong asked.

"Let's do it" Matrix replied.

Both placed an RDE on their foreheads and lay back on their tables. Phong held the Downtime ray activation module in his hand. he pressed the button. The device lowered from the ceiling and bathed both sprites in an orange glow that lasted a mere nano second. Instantly the two were asleep.

And the dreams began...

Matrix found himself in one of his least favorite places. It was a system that he and AndrAIa had fallen into on the long road home. It was falling apart, a virus had corrupted it, it's Guardians were no more. Enzo would see worse on his travels but this one stuck out. All around him was war.

The binomes and sprites infected by the virus battled a resistance force. Matrix didn't know it at the time but this was exactly how he would find Mainframe when he got back there. It proved to be something of a training ground but he couldn't think of that now. All he could think of was the little sprite who lay in his arms. The one he was too late to save.  The one that died as he held on to it. This nightmare was one of his worst memories ever and he let out a cry of despair and anger. He cursed being stranded here, seeing good sprites and binomes dying left and right and being powerless to do anything about it. He put the dead sprite down and plucked GUN from his side. Matrix began to fire at anything that came in sight, drowning his frustrations in destruction. His anger clouded his vision so much so that he was unable to notice that the landscape was changing and swirling about him, becoming brighter and less distinct with every breath until Matrix found himself in a white void alone. Well, not quite alone. A familiar voice calmed him.

"That is enough my Son, enough!"

Matrix twirled around and saw Phong. He placed GUN back in it's holster and fell to his knees and held out his hands like a child beckoning a parent. Phong saw that Matrix was trembling and scared so he went to him and embraced him.

"It is alright my Son, it is alright" he said as he calmed Matrix.

"Did you see it, did you see it?" Matrix cried.

"Yes, I saw all my Son and I understand. I fully understand all you went through. And I may have found your solution." Matrix looked at his old teacher.

"Where is it, what is it?" he demanded.

"Rise Matrix" Phong stated. "Rise and follow me".

The two old friends walked for what seemed like minutes before finally reaching their goal. As they walked, the ground became darker, blacker and an indistinct shape began to form in front of them. As they walked the way became darker, the shape much clearer. This continued until they reached their destination and the shape came fully into view. When Matrix realized what it was all he could say was "Unbelievable..."

In front of them stretched a wall, the biggest wall ever seen. it stretched upwards and sideways as far as the eye could see. At first Matrix thought he detected movement in it but upon closer examination he discovered that it was not the wall itself moving but images moving across the wall's face. The images danced and flickered, came and went but matrix recognized them easily. They were his experiences, his memories of being lost in the games and all the horror therein.

"What is it?" Matrix questioned his old friend.

"For lack of a better term, I would call it a memory wall. In your case, a bad memory wall" Phong said.

"But why bad memories of the past, and why now of all times? I'm home, Mainframe is free, things could never be better, why now, why these memories?" Enzo asked as the images continued to flicker on the wall's surface.

"Now is precisely the reason Enzo, the key to your puzzle" Phong answered.

Matrix was more than a little confused. Phong understood and explained..

"You see Enzo, while you and your companions were trapped in the games travelling from system to system, you were fixated on three goals and nothing else. One: survival, two: finding Bob, and three: coming home in one piece. These goals were always foremost on you mind. These goals and nothing else. The hectic pace of trying to stay alive left no time for you to reflect on your situation or what you saw or experienced. You put these things quite literally in the back of your mind, locked them away while you stayed focused on other things. Now you are home, you survived and you rescued Bob. Your life has slowed down considerably since then, so these memories burst forth taking advantage of this lapse. They invaded your subconscious and infected your dreams like a virus. They built the wall you see before you and locked out the good dreams, dreams of pleasant memories or of the future. But now that you are here, you can end this torment."

Matrix tried to take it all in.

"How?" Matrix said. "How can I do it?"

Phong pointed to the wall.

"Memories, dreams, they can be very tricky and difficult to deal with but your solution is simple my Son. Tear down the wall. Free yourself from the past forever".

Matrix didn't have to hear that a second time. He was about to bring out GUN when he decided to take a more straight forward, more apt approach to the situation. He turned to Phong and smiled at his old teacher. "Thank you old friend, now stand back".

Matrix drew back his arm, let out a defiant cry and let loose with a mighty punch. His fist smashed a large hole in the wall's facade. As he drew back he and Phong became aware of a rumbling. They moved back a safe distance and watched. What they saw was this, in every direction, from top to bottom, the wall cracked and toppled. All around was the loud rumbling of the wall's destruction. The fall of bad memories. The two voyagers could have sworn that af one point the wall actually let out a mournful cry but they couldn't be sure. It ended quickly though. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, the wall was demolished. Matrix was free. The horizon beyond was bright and glistening. Matrix looked at it for a moment and then spoke. "Phong, what do you think is in there?"

Matrix didn't receive an answer so he turned around. Phong was no longer there. Matrix scanned the horizon for a moment but then heard his voice.

"My role in this drama is over my Son. What lies beyond, you must see for yourself. I will await you on the outside". And the voice faded away.

Matrix was alone.

The bright light called him.

He moved into it.

Matrix was at peace. He was calm and he closed his eyes and opened them again slowly. He found himself in Mainframe; bright beautiful Mainframe. His home. He became aware of other around him; binomes who went about their business, oblivious to his presence. He was still in the dream state and the image began to sparkle and blur and he found himself in the park where two figure caught his attention. He recognized them immediately. It was Bob and Dot, a little older, but, it was them - walking together in the park; Bob's arm around her. But something was different beyond their age, at least something was different about Dot. She had a slightly puffier look about her, not fat, just puffy. Matrix looked her up and down and understood.

Dot's stomach was swollen.

In that moment, he understood.

Inside her was a baby, the baby of Dot and Bob.

Matrix finally noticed the rings that adorned a finger on their left hands and in that moment he realized the depth of his love for them. He reached out, he wanted to touch them, to tell them how much they meant but the image swirled and sparkled again.

Matrix now found himself in a place he had never seen.

It was gigantic. It glistened like the brightest Cyber Sun and at once he knew, he knew he was in Bob's birthplace, the Super Computer. Again the image changed and Matrix saw a sprite about his age, a sprite who like him was large and muscular. His skin was golden, he was shirtless and he shone brightly. Suddenly Matrix heard a voice.

"I'm very impressed with the demonstration of you skills Backup".

"Backup?" Matrix thought. "Backup, this was little Backup grown into a man?"

The source of the voice appeared from behind the young sprite and it was someone Matrix recognized, Turbo - The Prime Guardian. His face was badly scarred from the Daemon infection but otherwise he looked in magnificent shape. Matrix knew, somehow he knew that Daemon had been destroyed and the Guardians freed.

Turbo spoke again. "I need someone like you to round out my new staff". Turbo offered his hand. "Will you join us?"

Backup reached out and shook the hand of the Prime Guardian. Matrix heard the adult Backup speak for the first time.

"It would be an honor and a privilege, Sir." he said with a deep voice that would scare any virus to death.

"I'm glad to welcome you to the Guardian Directive, Backup" Turbo stated.

"By the way, where did you learn those techniques?'

"I was taught by the best Sir: Enzo Matrix" Backup said.

"He taught you well" Turbo said.

It was all Matrix would see and hear of the Super Computer and his pupil. The image blurred and reformed again. But this one took awhile to fully form. Matrix saw a gathering of friends all sitting down on long benches inside some building. Just about everyone he knew was there. Phong (looking much older), Hack and Slash (after apparently going through some kind of upgrade), Little Enzo (now a teenager), Frisket, Mike The TV even Hexadecimal. Bob and Dot sat in the front row. Dot's hair was now much longer and Bob sported a moustache. Dot was crying but Matrix couldn't understand why.

Then he saw what had their attention. Two sprites, a man and a woman who was veiled were getting married. The image shifted and Matrix saw himself!

The priest spoke. "By the power vested in me by the Net, the core, Mainframe and the User, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.

Matrix saw the vision of himself approach the woman who was veiled.

"Please, please let it be her..." Matrix pleaded.

The vision lifted the veil and he saw the face he prayed he would see. She had tan skin, silvery eyes that sparkled like diamonds and three freckles on each cheek.

AndrAIa.

The newlyweds kissed. As they did Matrix sank to his knees so overcome by joy he was, but that wasn't the final vision. The image swirled one final time and Matrix had one final vision.

The beach of Mainframe.

A family outing.

He, AndrAIa, Bob, Dot and a now very old Phong who rested in a deck chair. Matrix saw the vision of himself, now fully bearded. Bob (who still had his moustache) was with him as well. The both held the hand of a small child and frolicked with the little one in the water. The child was quite striking.. A boy with green skin like his mother and hair of the brightest silicon silver like his father.

The child of Bob and Dot.

His nephew.

Matrix turned round and saw Dot as beautiful as ever. Her dark hair very long. She was talking to someone. That someone was AndrAIa, her aqua her cut short, just as it was when she was a child.

Both women held something in their arms. Something small but alive and bursting with promise and again Matrix saw what it was, who they were. Matrix walked over and looked at his and AndrAIa's children; beautiful children. Their twins. A boy with tan skin and black hair, a girl with green skin and aqua hair. Bob and the vision of his future self brought his nephew over to the others. Dot handed the boy to Matrix's double and picked up her son. She and Bob doted on the child as AndrAIa and her husband took their children over to see Uncle Phong.

Matrix saw a family. One that loved each other very much and without meaning to, he began to cry but not tears of sadness. He brought his hands to his face and wept tears of joy.

Matrix awoke in the Principle Office Medical Sector. Phong hovered over him. The wise old sprite removed the RDE from Matrix's forehead and he sat up.

"You did it Phong. You saved me." he said.

Phong shook his head.

"No my Son. You saved yourself. You banished the nightmares, you defeated the persistence of memory".

Matrix slid off the table and rubbed his eyes. He felt refreshed, new and vibrant. "If you hadn't shown me the path, I never would have made it back. Phong, you're the greatest teacher i never had. You're the greatest sprite that ever lived".

Phong looked at the floor a moment then returned Matrix's gaze.

"Some would say the same of you my Son" he said softly. "May I ask, he continued, as to what you saw beyond the wall?" It was beautiful Phong, it was so beautiful" Matrix said. "I saw the future, a wonderful future for us and Mainframe. Then he added, "Phong, do you think it will come to pass?"

The old sage thought for a moment. "It is my experience that some times, dreams do come true my Son".

Matrix bent down and hugged his old friend. "I love you Phong".

Phong returned the hug. "I love you too my Son. Now go live your dreams. live the future".

"I will" Matrix said.

"I'm going to jump the gun and make a dream come true".

The muscular sprite called Enzo Matrix walked out of the Principle Office a new man. The nightmares were ended and the future lay ahead, new memories, sweet memories ready to be borne. His mind ws made up. It was time. He went to a certain shop and purchased a certain item. Afterwards he paid a visit to his Sister and Bob. He told them of his decision and showed them his purchase. Dot hugged her little Brother and tried to hold back her tears. Bob too hugged him and told him how proud he was. Matrix took their blessings and went to AndrAIa's apartment and opened a vid window.

"AndrAIa, can I come in?"

She saw his face and lit up. "You know it lover. I'm in the garage".

Matrix walked in and made his way to the garage chamber. AndrAIa was working on her bike. She was clad in shorts and a tank top. She had pony tailed her hair to keep it out of the way. "Hey honey" Matrix said as he went to embrace her.

"Whoops, hold on, don't want machine oil all over you" she said as she wiped her hands clean with a towel. They kissed and hugged in greeting.

"AndrAIa, we need to talk about a few things" Matrix stated matter of matter-of-factly.

"Okay" she replied, a little confused. He brought her over to the work bench in the corner and sat her down. He sat beside her and took her hand.

"I know you talked to Phong about my problems".

She was about to say something but he hushed her.

"Let me finish, I know why you did it, I understand and I want to thank you".

"Thank me?" she said.

"I promise you that I would seek his help but you knew i wouldn't because I'm stubborn".

"Well, that is true" she said with a wry grin.

"Look, Phong helped me. It's a long story and we're not going to get into it now but the nightmares are gone. They won't be bothering me again. When I'm ready I'll tell you what we did but not today. We have something else to talk about today".

"Alright, what are we going to talk about lover" she asked.

"Well I was hoping that you might start calling me something other than lover" he said rather seriously.

AndrAIa looked confused for the second time that day.

"What, what do you mean, what do you want me to call you?" she replied.

"I was hoping that you might call me," he took a deep breath, "Husband".

AndrAIa's silvery eyes opened wide with surprise.

Matrix took out a small box from his jacket and opened it up. Inside was a ring of diamond. AndrAIa was nearly speechless. "Enzo" was all she could say.

"AndrAIa, will you marry me?" he asked.

She stood up and pulled him with her. She looked in his eyes. He smiled at her and awaited her answer.

AndrAIa took his hand in hers and she responded. "Yes".

Matrix placed the ring on her finger. They embraced tightly.

"I love you Enzo, I love you so much" she said.

"It'll be so wonderful".

"You don't know how wonderful" he thought to himself. "But you'll see in time".

Matrix put his hand to her chin and lifted her head. They kissed for what seemed like an eternity.

That night Enzo Matrix and AndrAIa dreamed.

And they rested peacefully.

Together.

All the things
you said to me today,
changed my perspective in every way,
These things come to mean so much to me,
into my faith, you and your baby.

It's out there
if you want me
I'll be here

I'll be dreaming my dreams with you,
I'll be dreaming my dreams with you
and there's no other place
that I'd lay down my face
and be dreaming my dreams with you.

"Dreaming my Dreams"- The Cranberries