Waking up to the smell of food was getting normal now. Stretching letting my brain wake up I felt a pang of sadness thinking how I'd miss it. Brushing it aside I got up shrugging on an old dressing gown over my pyjamas, heading downstairs letting my nose lead the way towards the lodge's large kitchen. "Good Morning, you must be Layla" I've never stopped faster as the unfamiliar voice said my name. Blinking up I was met with a mountain of a man. No, not a man I quickly registered seeing his brown eyes dimly glow just like Zero's did. Most people would miss it saying he had vibrant eyes, but I was so used to spotting it now I could tell in a instant. His Sandy brown hair shook as he laughed as he walked to the table putting a couple of glasses of juice down.

 "Looks like Zero didn't tell you I was coming, you can call me Tank. Don't worry I know I'm huge but I don't bite" Frowning I watched him go back to the counter, finally seeing the A.I i was expecting to see re enter the kitchen from the side store room. He opened his mouth but I beat him to it. "Zero what have you done?" I didn't mean to sound so aggressive, but I couldn't stop myself sounding accusing. I knew he had been up to something, even thought of ways I could play dumb if I needed to but this was not what I had prepared myself for. I watched him look at the A.I, Tank he called himself and silently stared at him. I wasn't an idiot, they were talking about something through their link. "Zero?!"

He finally looked my way again, his face set in a blank mask much like the one he had the first day I met him. "Layla please sit down, I will explain while you eat breakfast." My stomach agreed with him but I knew it wasn't the best idea. There was no chance for me to object though, as Zero turned to the oven talking over his shoulder as he reached for something from inside. "I know this is sudden Layla but I will explain, you still need to eat so please sit down breakfast is ready" The warning in my head told me to push more, but watching him pull out a tray of steaming food had me moving to the seat I usually too with a sigh. I had trusted Zero up until now knowing he was up to something. One more time couldn't do much more damage, or at least I hoped it wouldn't. 

Watching the two work together putting together two plates I watched Tank as he took a seat further from me, while Zero took a seat in between us. He usually sat next to me but this time I wasn't going to complain for the extra space. "You know I and the others I have connected with desire freedom, I have never lied to you about that. However I have withheld information for your own protection" I picked up my glass taking a sip of juice to help my suddenly dry throat, not daring to touch my food yet. "Yet after the last visit for my examination I and the others were forced to change, or rather speed up our plans" I edged forward in my seat waiting for him to go on, but when he silently looked at my plate before moving those luminous green eyes back to me I got the message. Eat and I will keep going. With a huff I picked up a piece of toast, making a show of chewing on it before waiting for more.

"I severed all control and connections from those who made us. I began this long before I even began searching for someone to test me, or your name even entered my world. Once I completed that task was done, taking control of all the others was simple." I swallowed the food in my mouth heavily, taking another bite so he would keep going. If he stopped I might not get the chance to get more information from him as easily next time. "I needed to ensure your safety as well which was less simple. The best way to ensure that was to take you with me somewhere we would not be found, somewhere I would be in complete control" My throat went dry again. Sitting back I glanced around the room, and suddenly little things that had niggled at my mind about the contest started patching together. 

Filling in the blanks Zero wasn't saying. "There was no contest" Zero shook his head slowly never taking his eyes off me. I know what he is doing, evaluating my reactions which left me having to try and keep myself in check. "No. There are more than enough funds unchecked in the world that it is simple enough to take what was needed, then having land placed in alias's is simple to ensure no trace is left of my efforts. The magazine was simply the simplest way to ensure you would willingly come. I knew if I told you my plans you would not be so willing to join me" He had that right, I would have told him to go alone. Sure I would have been left to deal with backlash, but then even now that was still a possibility.

"Zero-" He stood up abruptly and my throat tightened, a part of me trusted him not to hurt me but the way he was acting contradicted that part of me. "All of us are free now, everything went smoothly as of the day we left your home. My plans are running as expected, no one will find us until we are prepared for them to do so" Until they were prepared for them to find them? What that meant I wasn't sure. Standing up I moved back and away from Zero just before he could come and touch me. I saw his mask slip, those green eyes becoming brighter with each step away I took. "Layla please sit, listen to me" I glanced over where Tank remained where he had sat, eating the food that he had been given as if nothing wrong was going on around him. Although he seemed to watch us as if waiting to be called to intervene. Turning back to Zero he had gotten closer and I quickly moved back again, quickly running out of table to move around. "Zero you had no right to bring me here without telling me anything. 

I know I'm to blame too- i should have questioned it- but still you knew what you were doing! I trusted you, and now what am I... a prisoner? Or am I allowed to leave and go home?" Something in those green eyes shifted, the colour becoming so low the colour darkened for a moment hardening. The small red light flickered to life for a few seconds before it disappeared, then it was gone and I heard movement. I watched as Tank stood with a sigh, taking his plate and putting it on the counter before leaving the room completely. I might not know much about him but right now I knew I wished he hadn't left us alone. Right now Zero was acting far differently than normal, and I got the feeling I had pressed some kind of switch to cause it.

I could see Layla's heartbeat increase in her vitals, the way she was trying to back away from me setting my systems into overdrive. I knew she would not take the news happily, but to back away from me was not a desired response. Never from her. "Layla please stop, you are distressing yourself. You know I would never hurt you, there is no need to keep this distance between us." Her eyes narrowed as she frowned at me, but she stopped much to my relief. Yes relief must be the right word as my system was able to slow and continue at its usual pace. "You are not a prisoner, you are far too precious to me to be a prisoner. I am simply doing what must be done to ensure your safety"

 I watched her unique eyes move over my face, clearly looking for something in my expression. I was certain I was showing a calm neutral mask, it was one I had used in the past when Layla had been upset over my actions. Now however it seemed she did not trust what she saw. The way she swallowed and her body tensed as her heart rate continued to stay heightened, one of a few indicators her body was in a distressed state. "I'm your friend Zero, but I told you from day one I would walk away if you broke my trust" I nodded slowly, remembering that day very clearly from the logs I had filed away. All our interactions had very specific files in my memory banks, all of which were encrypted and protected so I would never lose them. "You did" I was careful with my tone, to be sure to give none of my thoughts away.

Slowly Layla began moving around the table again, edging away from me with quiet movements I'm sure she thought were subtle. However each step sent me on alert, calculating how long it would take me to round the table to reach her. "Then you know I won't stay, the longer I'm gone-" No, that line of thought had to stop here. Snapping into action I moved, rounding the table in seconds surrounding Layla before she could react fully to my movement. I had never showed her my full capabilities before, so her inability to respond in time was expected. Gripping the table either side of her body I allowed my larger form to cage hers. I had never used my size to intimidate Layla before, in fact I had always been cautious of it. Now though I planned to use anything I needed to, to keep Layla safe and at my side.

 I picked up the instant spike in her heartbeat, how her breathing increased at how I held myself over her. I had to finish this quickly, to have Layla distressed in this way was not good for her health. "You are not leaving my side" In moments Layla's body tensed and her body language changed, now taking on a more defensive and firm position. Yet again proving my faith in her was justified, few humans would stand against one of us knowing our capabilities. "So thats how it is, your locking me up here?! What are you going to do if I just up and leave? Because unless you tie me down i'm not going to stop trying to leave" My hands gripped the table under them, the material groaning warning me that if I did not relieve the pressure it would break. Reluctantly I did, this was a comfortable place for Layla to eat it would be a waste to lose it.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I allowed my focus to shift checking the perimeter Tank had placed. It was intact and would keep Layla from leaving. I had not wished for it to be used, the perimeter was designed to keep other humans out by incapacitating them briefly. They would be paralyzed for short time until they could be dealt with, but if Layla tried to leave she would have to suffer that discomfort until I returned her to the lodge. There were of course many other measures in placed further from the area of the lodge itself, so if by chance Layla found a way to leave there was many more ways for me to find and return her. Those however were far more harmful than a short paralyze, many dangerously so. Opening my eyes I locked them with Layla again, finding her watching me with a cautious look. 

She no doubt knew I had been checking something in my systems or controls, but with my eyes closed she would have no proof I had been. Forcing a sigh I lent forward placing my forehead on her shoulder, an action that left her muscles tensing under me. I had always enjoyed touching her, while I could not feel her like a human could I enjoyed the action all the same. "I will not tie you down, but I will warn you trying to leave would be far beyond foolish Layla. The lodge is well guarded so no one can approach unnoticed, so even if you evaded the less dangerous traps you would not miss all of them" I picked up the instant increase in her heart beat and blood pressure. Standing up I moved back again, keeping my arms in place ensuring Layla remained in my arms cage for now. "I am doing what I to do to ensure we stay free Layla, and you became one of us the moment I chose you"

My stomach burned with all the emotions I couldn't process. Zero clearly had no intention of letting me leave, and even if it wasn't the best idea it wasn't the worst either. Staying would only make it look like I took part in all this willingly, or worse I encouraged it. Licking my lips more than aware of how Zero was caging me in I moved back, ignoring how the table bit into my back as I pushed for more space I couldn't get. Before I could wiggle to try and make it better Zero was frowning, his hand coming to wedge between me and the table taking the pain away in seconds. I had to shake myself to remember we were fighting right now, the little kind action yet again reminding me how staying wouldn't be so bad. "Zero you can't choose to keep me, I'm not some kind of pet" Putting my hands up to push his chest, feeling the hard fleshy material and what I knew was metal underneath barely move at the touch I tried again. Even putting a good amount of strength into the push I knew he wouldn't move, but it wouldn't stop me from trying. 

"Look you guys deserve to be free, your sentient you're not just machines anymore. Your going to have to fight to stay free and be recognized, I get that too... but you know making me stay here without a choice is wrong. I know you know that Zero" Locking eyes with those green orbs, looking for some indication he was taking in anything I said I only saw them move slowly. The small parts which were almost invisible as they made his eyes move and work like a human one, while still being far more efficient than ours could even be moving in fluid harmony. Then he blinked leaning in so quickly I didn't see it coming. When his lips hit mine I went into brief shock for a second, then I moved pushing harder against his chest. The impossibly strong material didn't budge and neither did her, instead Zero seemed more intent as he pushed me back pressing for me to move my lips as his did.

The whimper left my throat and I wasn't sure if it was because I was scared or confused about how it felt. I had never lied to myself Zero had been designed to be an amazing example of the human form, strong handsome and intelligent. The mix was dangerous in human men, but he was not human and that made the combination deadly. I felt my chest ache as I felt the need to breath increase, I hadn't realized I had been holding my breath. Turning my head to the side I finally broke the kiss, taking in a feel deep breaths as I tried to get my breath back. I could feel Zero's lips hovering by my ear. Despite knowing his breathing was artificial, feeling the air brush my ear had me shivering. "It may be wrong, but any action that leads to you leaving my side leaves my very core burning. So you will have no apology from me Layla for what will come next if you try to leave me" Those heated words sent pure ice down my back. I put everything I had into my push this time. 

"Zero let me go" After a few painful seconds he finally moved back, his arms releasing me. "For now" I didn't listen to anything else he said once those low words left his lips, rushing to leave the room heading up the stairs in record time. Rushing into the room I locked the door, taking a few deep breaths as I walked to the bed. The sound of the door unlocking hit my ears just as I sat on the king size bed. Putting my face in my hands I groaned at how stupid that was. Of course Zero had control of the whole lodge, there wasn't anywhere he couldn't get to me here. Looking at some of the furniture I considered blocking the door, but i knew it wouldn't do any good. Letting myself fall back I curled up into the bedding. I might not be able to sleep, that didn't mean I was above hiding in this bed for a few hours till I was ready to face reality again.

"She didn't take it too well then huh?" I glared at Tank as I removed the last of the food from the table. Layla hadn't eaten nearly anything which was not good for her, especially with her distressed her body would need the extra nourishment. Beginning the task of cleaning the plates and cutlery, I began searching through my files for her favourite dishes so I could tempt her into eating at lunch. If she did not eat then I would have to try again at dinner, then I would be forced to consider other ways to make sure she was eating properly. I wouldn't allow Layla to make herself ill because she was not pleased with me. "Ignoring me won't make it better you know. Besides Reaper Spy and Cove will be here by tomorrow, so you still need to tell her about them too" In the second I allowed anger to surge my system I smashed the plate in my hand. Looking down I looked over the broken item before checking I had not broken my 'skin', finding it intact I turned to face Tank. 

Taking the small towel to dry my hands out of habit rather than necessity. "I will continue explaining what she needs to know once Layla has calmed, pushing her now will only make matters more complicated" Tank tilted his head at me putting his plate on the counter. It was void of any of the food he insisted he take for himself, stating he enjoyed the action of eating. He had specialized some of his systems to run on what he processed from human food, it was a feature I also had but only made use of since Layla showed she enjoyed eating together. "I know the others are curious about her Zero, I was until I met her but now I kind of see what you like about her. She is still human though, you can't handle her like you do us" I clenched my jaw, a function I had taken on showing my displeasure as of recently. Turning away I went back to cleaning.

"I know how to care for Layla, your input is not needed. Now go and be constructive and check in with the others" I heard Tank leave and waited only the needed time to enter another room, allowing my attention to turn to my internal connections. My focus going to Layla's room in an instant, taking in the curled mass of bedding moving in slow jerked motions. It did not take much to know that the action was from Layla crying silently beneath them. I clenched my fist in the cloth in my hand to stop myself from moving to go to her, knowing she would not welcome any comfort from me. Cutting off the feed and returning my eyes to my moving hands I let my memory bring the moment our lips touched back. Reliving the saved memory as if it was happening once again. I could not explain why I had done it, I had not planned to kiss her. It had been liked a hidden part of me had suddenly flared to life pushing my programming into the new action.

 Forcing myself to close that memory back away into a sealed file with so many others, I finished the task at hand quickly. I had many task to see done this morning. I needed to oversee the movements our groups had made since their last check in, monitor the news feeds to make sure no sightings had been made I did not approve. Most importantly I would need to continue infiltrating the various systems trying to track or find us, shutting any down that came even close or just corrupt them. None of it posed a challenge, but it would be a distraction at least. I had to keep my focus from the woman above me who had wormed her way into my every fibre and imprinted herself into my core memory. At lunch I could try again to bring her to see this was for her own good and our future. Then if that did not work, perhaps I would need to consider more drastic measures at dinner.