Hexadecimal began to laugh in her malicious way as she envisioned Mainframe in ruins. Scuzzy began to talk to Hex in his shrieking sounds that only Hex understood.

"What's that Scuzzy? Megabyte! What about that fool of a brother? Oh yes. I have every intention of bringing him back to Mainframe, but he won't be able to take over this system! Not MY system! Wahahaha! What? Of course I have no interest in net domination. I just want to make Megabyte suffer! He shall be my slave like I was once his! I'll ruin this dump then leave him to clean it up! Wahahahahaha! Let the punishment fit the crime! Bwahahahaha!"

Hexadecimal's demonic laughter rose higher and higher until it echoed all over Mainframe, with Scuzzy cowering in a corner.

"Ow. Huh? Oh what?" Bob shook his head trying to clear up his confusion.

"Let me talk to Dot, sugar. Maybe she'll understand better. Afterall, we've been through war together, and got to be pretty good friends."

"OK Mouse. Are you sure you want to do this? Help me and Dot get back together?" Bob searched Mouse's eyes looking for the truth, but Mouse looked away before continuing.

"It'll be no trouble. I'd do anything for you Bob. I love you. You should know that by now."

"Oh Mouse..." Bob gave a sigh of distress. "I love you too, but just as a friend. Dot and I belong together. You know that. Besides, a Hacker and a Guardian? We could never have a real relationship."

"A Hacker? Is that all you think of me as? Just a Hacker? I'm a lot more then just that!" Mouse stood up and started to stride for the door.

"Mouse, that's not what I meant. I just meant that --"

"I'm not good enough for you! But little businesswoman Dot is perfect for a Guardian such as yourself! I get it! I get it just fine."

"Calm down Mouse!" Mouse paced for a few moments growling to herself.

"You're right Bob. I'm jumping to conclusions. But why wouldn't we work? We could make it!"

"Mouse, you know my protocol. You'd have to stop being a Hacker, or I'd have to stop being a Guardian. That's just the way things work."

"So you'd rather give up? Bob, I'd give it all up for you." Mouse sat back down next to Bob and took his hand in hers. "I love you. I know we can make this work. We were together once before, why not now? Just remember Bob. All the happiness and love we had!"

"I remember Mouse, I could never forget. But that's why I've decided that we can't be together. There was too much secrecy. We had to hide everything from the Guardians, we weren't really together. I t would be the same thing all over again. We both know that."

Mouse bit her lip and tried to deny these truths to herself but it just didn't work.

"Fine Bob. If you can't love me again by your own free will. Then I'll find a way. You'll love me and we'll be together. If I have to move the Web and the Net, we'll be together! You'll see!"

Mouse stood up and stormed out of the room. Bob sat there on his couch trying to process everything Mouse just said before bursting out of the door after her.

"Mouse! Wait!"

"Bob!" Matrix saw Bob run out of his apartment building, and without a second thought, threw a fist in Bob's face.

"Enzo! You startled me! What are you doing here?"

"Phong sent me and all the other sprites home. He didn't want us to wait around because he wasn't sure if you were coming."

"Coming? Where? Why?"

"To the Principal Office..." Enzo looked over at Dot's blank face. "You told me to send everyone that thought Bob was cheating on you to the Principal Office and you'd deal with them. Why didn't you come? Did you forget? Is something wrong? Are you all right Dot?"

Dot's face scrunched up and she began to bawl. She collapsed on her bed and tried to calm down but her emotions were too high.

"Dot? What's wrong? Is it something I said? What?"

"-sob- Oh Enzo! -sob- Don't worry, I'll be all right -sob-" Dot stood up and tried to regain her composure, taking a few deep breaths.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am Enzo."

"OK, but what's with the luggage?" Enzo pointed to the bag half full of clothes on Dot's bed.

"Oh, that. I'm going on a small vacation. To get away from the chaos."

"Really? Great! Where are we going? The Supercomputer? Nah, not with those Guardians! Are we going to that new system dedicated to entertainment and relaxation? I bet that's where we're going! The high of the high class! The energy in your shake! The --"

"Enzo! I'm sorry, but it's just me going. Not "we" just me."

"But Dot! We always took vacations together, and I haven't had one in four hours! Not since you took over the business and mom and dad..."

"Oh Enzo. I know, and I'm sorry. I just need some time alone right now. But I'll make it up too you! I promise."

"Sure you will. Just like all the years before!"

"Enzo, please."

"I'm sorry Dot. But I really wanna go! Please!"

"Sorry Enzo. I already made the reservation for one."

"-sigh- All right Dot. But what am I going to do?"

"You're going to stay with Phong until I get back. I've already spoken to him, and he expects you at the Principal Office before I leave. I've already packed you everything you'll need while I'm gone, so you'll have no need to come back here. My transport leaves in half a millisecond, so I need to hurry."

"Dot?"

"Please Enzo. Take your bag to Phong's, and I'll see you in a cycle."

"A whole cycle!"

"I'll be home soon, promise."

"Wait a nano! How are you able to go to that resort with all the Guardians around? Surely they'll be looking for you to get to Bob and Matrix!"

"Don't worry about me Enzo, I called in a favor, so I'll be perfectly safe. But thanks for your concern. I love you very much, and I'll be back as soon as I can. Bye-bye."

"Dot."

"Bye."

"Bye Dot, I'll miss you."

Dot gave a small sniffle and bent down to give Enzo a hug. "I'll miss you too! Try not too have too much fun. Oh! And don't go into any games! And always do what Phong tells you! And--"

"Don't worry Sis." Enzo got up and grabbed his bag.

"And make sure you brush your teeth! And don't be late for school!"

"Bye Dot!" Enzo headed for the door.

"Behave and don't cause any trouble!"

"I will. Have fun sis. Send me an e-mail when you get there."

"I will Enzo. I will." Dot watched Enzo leave their apartment, and quickly finished packing. As Dot put on the Alarm system, she looked around her apartment once more before locking the door and walking away.

Mouse hurried as quick as she could and turned into the next portal on her right. She landed in a desolate, gray environment, with nothing around except a small, yet cozy cottage that had light and music emerge from within. Mouse got out of her Jet and slowly walked up to the place.

"Ow!"

"That ones for my sister!"

"Matrix! What the User was that for!"

"I'm sorry Bob. I just had to do that! When I think about you cheating on my sister I get the urge to just..." Matrix slammed his fist into Bob's stomach before continuing. "Punch you!"

"-cough- Matrix! -groan- I didn't and never would cheat on Dot! I love her!"

"You do? Then why were you with Mouse? And Hexadecimal! I don't understand?"

"Ouch...It's all a misunderstanding. Hex was over here to help me plan a party, and I don't why Mouse and Ray were here. Dot just came at a bad time. And she just won't listen to me explain."

"Oh! So that's what's going on! Sorry Bob." Matrix helped Bob up off the floor. "I guess my temper just got the best of me."

"I can see that. So where is Dot?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen her in a while. But all of Mainframe is buzzing about this! They all think you cheated!"

"You'd think after all this time they'd have a little more respect for me."

"They just don't realize yet that you're the same Bob as before you went to the Web. So you're like the new guy all over again. I'm sorry Bob. They just don't understand."

"Well I got to put a stop this immediately. Matrix. Go find Dot and explain to her what's going on. All right? Good. We should be back together in no time. And everything will be just as it was before this mess."

"Not exactly Bob. Me and AndrAIa had a fight."

"What? Why?"

"It's all that good for nothing Surfr's fault! He just had to interfere with my life!"

"What happened? What did he do?"

"He ... He ... He kissed her! Right in front of my face!! That bas--"

"Whoa! Matrix, hold on there. Are you saying that Surfr kissed her? Then what's the problem? He kissed her not vice versa?"

"Yeah, but--"

"So you're really mad at the Surfr, not AndrAIa."

"Well, when you look at it that way, but she --"

"But really you're just jealous."

"He may have -- Jealous! ME? No WAY!"

"Matrix. Maybe you just feel that AndrAIa may like Surfr more, because he's not, don't take this the wrong way, as insensitive as you. And he's really courteous and charming towards her. Maybe if you took a few lessons from him, you wouldn't have to worry about losing AndrAIa to someone like him."

"Lose AndrAIa to Surfr! No way! It'll never happen!...Did she say something to you? Is something going on that I don't know about? Bob?"

"Matrix...AndrAIa would never leave you for anyone or anything. She loves you entirely too much. You can count on that."

"Really, Bob?"

"Really. Now I think you need to find a certain Surfr and apologize for your behavior."

"What! No way! I'd rather be deleted then apologize to him!"

"Matrix. Try being more caring. Do you think AndrAIa would approve of this behavior?"

"No. But --!"

"Matrix. If you want to be sure you've won her over, then you have to be willing to make certain sacrifices to please her."

Matrix shuffled his feet in thought before giving a disgusted sigh. "Alright Bob. I'll apologize to the Surfr."

"And to AndrAIa for your insensitive and uncaring behavior."

"What -- Alright. You know best Bob."

"Not always Enzo. Not always."

"Surfr?"

"Well isn't this a lovely surprise. And what brings you out to the docks? Business trip?"

"Ah, well...No. I'm taking a small vacation. You know...Some alone time." Dot looked away from the Surfr and hoped he'd get the hint to leave her alone for a while.

"Ah. I understand perfectly what you mean. I'm going away for a little alone time myself. Going to that new resort that just opened up on the Alpha system. Lovely place for some R&R with a little entertainment on the side. You should come. Great place to unwind."

"Is the name of that place Centari?"

"Yeah! You heard of it? Saw a brochure somewhere and thought that'd be a great place to hide out -- I mean hang out."

"Great. This is just great."

"Something wrong Dot? You seem a little distressed."

"That's the same place I'm going."

"Well excellent! Nothing like being alone with a friend. They say misery loves company. Don't ya think?"

"No. I think when people want to be alone, they should just be alone. With no one else. Alone. Do you follow?"

"I'm sensing some hostility here. Would you like me to leave?"

"Yes actually."

"No? Well then would you like to talk about it?"

"I just said --"

"Sometimes it helps to let it all out to a third party."

"Surfr. No offence to you, but I just don't want to talk to you or anybody else about my problems. I don't go bothering you about yours."

"Ah. Well since you asked. I don't really have a problem. It's just that your kindly ol' brother wants to dance on the grave he plans to make me."

"What? Enzo? No way. He's not like --"

"Not Enzo. Matrix. Your lovely older brother. Apparently he thinks I was making a move on AndrAIa, and now --"

"Were you?"

"Excuse-me?"

"Were you making a move for his girlfriend?"

"Of course not, love." Ray gave an uncomfortable cough as Dot gave a cynical stare. "Ok, it was one kiss. And not even. I was planning on leaving the system, because...well that's not important. So I give AndrAIa this little goodbye kiss, and Matrix walks in at the wrong moment and the next thing is know I'm dodging bullets! Surely you can understand my position. It was all a great big understanding. Maybe you could explain that to your brother. I mean come on, it was just a kiss!"

"Matrix does have quite a temper. Are you sure it was nothing more then that? Did it look like an innocent little kiss? That is what it was, right?"

"Of course Dot. Do I look like a fool who would mess with Matrix' girl? No siree bob!"

Dot looked away at the mention of Bob's name. She knew the Surfr had no idea what that meant to her, but she just needed to be alone for a while. Sort out her emotions.

"Dot? Are you all right? Was it something I said?"

"No. No, I'm fine. Really. I just would really like to be alone right now, if you don't mind."

"No, of course not. Don't mind at all. Have a safe trip."

The two sprites stood there for a few moments, dabbling in their own thoughts when they both spoke up at once.

" "So how are you able to travel outside Mainframe with the Guardians on the loose?" " The two gave a nervous chuckle before Dot decided to answer.

"Uh. I called in a favor of a friend of mine, and he was able to get me the reservation and transportation and all."

"Uh, yeah. Me too. But if anyone asks, you haven't heard of me...ever. Got it?"

"Oh yeah, totally. The same goes for me."

"Why wouldn't you want anyone to know who you are?"

"I could ask you the same question."

"Well you know that Guardians are out looking for me, and it's my back if I'm caught. And I'm sure they'd try and use you to get to me or something like that if they found out you knew where I was. So it's for your safety as much as it is for my own. So why are you on the run? Excuse-me, I mean taking a vacation."

"Pretty much for the same reasons. But not for my protection. For Bob, and Matrix. If they found out who I was they'd probably use me to get to them. So, you'know."

"Don't sound to thrilled about the whole thing."

"I'm not. I feel like everyone wants to use me for some reason or another."

"You should feel like --"

"The ships here. You two should be boarding now if you don't want to miss your ride." A small one binome pointed towards the ship that would take Surfr and Dot to Centauri.

"Of course, sir."

"Your tickets please." Ray and Dot handed the binome their tickets and got their luggage ready for take off. “"Thank-you very much, Mr. Chip and Ms. Base. Please make sure to return --"

"Ms. Base?"

"Mr. Chip?"

"Well, well, it seems we have a case of mistaken identity."

"I can say the same about you."

"I suppose you're right. So allow me the pleasure of introducing myself. Chip. Micro Chip." Dot gave a weary look at the Surfr before deciding to continue with his little game.

"And my name, good sir is Base. Data Base."

"Well good evening lovely lady. Will you do me the pleasure of escorting you to your room here on the ship?"

"Why certainly."

The two walked around the ship in silence for a moment, before Dot began to ask her questions.

"Surfr. Why do you need a different identity? Why can't you just hide out in the web?"

"The web isn't exactly a vacation spot. Besides, if I went around as Ray Tracer, the Guardians would be hot on my tail, and the next thing I'd know I'd be in jail again! Or worse..."

"Yes. That's right. So how long will you be on Centauri?"

"Just long enough to forget."

"Forget what?"

"Of all people, Dot. I'd expect you to know most of all. After all, we're both leaving for the same reason, more or less."

"You have no idea why I'm leaving."

"If that's so, then neither do you."

Dot looked away and tried to justify her new feelings of spite towards Ray. She knew that logic would prevail as always and she knew there was no sense in keeping a grudge. The whole reason she went on vacation was to sort out and deal with her feelings. If she closed up to Surfr, then she was sure she'd close up to herself. Ray was right. They were both here for the same reason.

"I guess so. You were there, and you saw them together. Tell me it's not true, and that it was all a big misunderstanding."

"I wish I could, love. But I heard the words from her own lips. She said that she was with Bob and that he was cheating on her! And really she was cheating on him just as much! Hypocrite!"

Dot looked away as Surfr's words cut through her like a razor blade.

"You know. I always knew this day would come. I always knew she had this thing for Bob. I always thought that he was too faithful to you to even consider dating Mouse! I guess I was wrong. But it'’s not that big of a loss, I suppose. We were really just using each other. She used me as a replacement for Bob and I used her as a replacement for AndrAIa! But I thought we were so perfect together! We're both so adventurous and outgoing! But I guess those were her faults as much as her strengths."

"What do you mean by replacement?"

"Oh. I knew that she wanted Bob, and since she couldn't have him, she settled for me! Makes me sound like the free T-shirt instead of the million bits!"

"T-shirt?"

"But I guess we're even. I always thought that I'd leave her. Not the other way around."

"What about AndrAIa?"

"Oh her. Well I knew I could never have her, what with Matrix and his bloody gun on the loose."

"So you do have a thing for her!"

"I won't deny my feelings for AndrAIa, Dot. I loved her from the nano I first saw her. I knew that we were so right for each other. But if she feels that Matrix can make her happy, then the best of luck to them both."

"But you kissed her."

"I admit that too, but like a said before, Dot. It was just an innocent kiss among friends. I would never try to break them up. If I'm to win AndrAIa over, it won't be that way. I wouldn't hurt her like that. Not now, not ever."

"Oh Surfr. That's beautiful. If she only knew, I'm sure she'd --"

"She knows. And I respect her choice."

"Well maybe someday, you two could -- what am I saying! She's my brother's girlfriend! She's better off with him, not you! No offence of course."

"None taken, but thanks for the "constructive" criticism."

Dot gave a small uncomfortable chuckle as she turned and looked for Mainframe. But it could no longer be seen from the ship. She thought of Bob and how their relationship was almost the same.