by RoeBoot

Author's Note: Okay. There have been "what if" fics about Bob not stopping "The Wedding." I decided to nibble on the concept but in another entire way by paying an homage to Marvel's old What If series. And thank you F.I.T. for being my first victim...uh...contestant in this endeavor.

And now for your host.

Taking the roll of the Watcher... Daemon.

"I am Daemon. I was Daemon. I will be Daemon.

"It is a strange paradox, no?

"Time is itself splinters into many possibilities because one decision made leads to a pathway not taken. But what happens if a sprite took the pathway not chosen?

"There would be a new pathway. A new way untraveled.

"Take my Messenger, Bob. After he helped defeat me, his greatest enemy came back disguised as him. Dot fell love with the virus called Megabyte. To win her back, Bob tried to separate himself from, his keytool. But it almost deleted him. He was removed to ze Supra Comptua, when ze guardians tried to save him. While the virus Megabyte took his place at Dot's side, convincing her to marry him.

"Zis is where the pathway changes. What if the keytools hadn't been able to save Bob as quickly as they had? What if Dot got married to ze virus. So begins a new tale..."

* * *

AndrAIa and Mouse walked into the dinner to an unexpected surprise. Dot sat at one of the booths, alone, pouring over file folders.

"She can't be workin' already?" Mouse said to AndrAIa shaking her head.

"Matrix and I had Phong hide her organizer," AndrAIa replied.

"She's supposed to be on her Honeymoon."

"I know that! Dot probably needs to be reminded."

The girls walked over to the booth. Mouse cleared her throat. Dot jumped, spilling file folders on the floor. She smiled, "Mouse! AndrAIa! Am I glad to see you."

"We're not!" Mouse strummed her fingers on the table. "What are yah doin' here? You're supposed to be with Bob."

"I was, Mouse," Dot sighed. "All night."

The smile on Dot's face melted the girls' sour attitude. How could they stay upset with her? Still Mouse scolded her. "So what are yah doin' here for? You're suppose to stay with him! Not drop him the next cycle to work!"

AndrAIa picked up the stack of file folders and flipped through them. AndrAIa giggled, "This is the kind of work I hope Matrix and I get to do."

Mouse looked at one of the files. They were travel brochures. Mouse blushed, "My bad."

"Our bad," AndrAIa admitted. "We thought you snuck off to do work."

"Do you really think I have work on my mind after last night?" Dot asked.

"Please. We don't need the details," AndrAIa placed the folders on the table.

"Speak for yourself on that one," Mouse said.

"Mouse!" AndrAIa smacked the hacker on the arm, "That's private format!"

"Like you don't want to know!"

"Girls! Shush!" Dot gestured for them to sit down. Dot whispered, "You really want to know what it was like huh?"

They nodded. Dot took deep breath and said, "Bob growls."

"Come again?" Mouse said.

"He growls," Dot repeated with a sly smile.

"Log out!" AndrAIa exclaimed. She then covered her mouth when the few binomes in the diner stared at her. AndrAIa said, "You're joking! She's joking, right?"

Dot kept herself perfectly composed. Mouse admitted, "She's got her poker face on."

"That means she's joking, right?"

Dot finally said, "Why don't you two just help me pick a place to go on our honeymoon? We can't decide."

The girls sat down across from Dot and stared flipping through the brochures, chattering and giggling.

AndrAIa noticed one file folder she hadn't expected, "The Super Computer. Not my idea of romance."

"I know but I always wanted to see it," Dot conceded. "Bob was practically begging to go."

"It's not romantic," AndrAIa repeated.

"I agree," Mouse said. "Try to talk 'em out of it."

"Out of what?" Bob asked.

Now the girls were startled. Bob walked up to the booth. He looked so different not wearing his blue uniform. Instead he had on a white shirt, tan pants, and brown boots. He coyly smiled at the ladies, asking, "Am I interrupting a private conversation?"

"Not at all," AndrAIa said.

"In fact we were leavin'," Mouse slid out of the booth and placed a file folder in Bob's hands, "Remember, it's a honeymoon, not a tourist vacation, lover boy."

Mouse gave Bob a wink.

"Have fun guys," AndrAIa added as she pushed Mouse out the door.

"What was that all about?"

"Nothing Tiger."

"Tiger? So now I've earned a nickname?" Bob looked down at the file folder on the Super Computer. Bob looked at Dot, "Were they trying to change your mind?"

"I thought we hadn't made up our minds," Dot said.

Bob sat down across from her saying, "But I really wanted to visit my old home."

"I know but Mouse and AndrAIa think its not romantic enough. The Super Computer is so business like."

"All the more reason for you to see it."

Well..." Dot focused her eyes on Bob. He was pouting!

She covered her eyes, "Oh no. Not the puppy dog pout."

"Please Dot?" Bob begged. "I promise you'll have a good time."

"You look like little Enzo begging to go in a game! Cut it out!" Dot giggled.

"Please?"

"Were you practicing in a mirror?" Dot peeked between her fingers at him.

"Yes."

Bob eyes were so sad. Dot relented, "Okay we'll go! But we have to stop at Paradise Code first! Promise?"

Bob sighed, "I promise." He reached across the table and held her hands. "This is going to be a honeymoon you will never forget."

* * *

Turbo arrived at Super Computer Medical for what he thought would be the third false alarm. Bob had been in a unconscious for cycles since the keytools saved him. Turbo had told Bob, the other Bob, his copies recovery didn't look good. Now that the other Bob had married Dot, Turbo didn't want to pry them with anymore information on his condition.

Let them be happy, he thought. Even if this Bob will be miserable.

Turbo stood at Bob's bedside as Wayne showed him the progress.

"You see? His processor speed is increased."

Turbo even had to admit, "He's finally coming out of it. Any long term file damage?"

"No. The recovery was slow but he's showing signs of full compile. Glitch is okay, but Bob's code doesn't match what we have on file."

"That would make him the copy," Turbo sighed, "That's gonna hurt."

Bob moaned and opened his eyes. His vision was blurry at first. When it focused he was surprised to see Turbo. The Prime Guardian smiled, "Welcome back...Bob."

* * *

Matrix, AndrAIa and Mouse were walking Baudway, heading for the Diner. Matrix complained of the boredom. "We haven't had a game cube in cycles."

"It's been quiet thank the User," AndrAIa said.

"You would think this is a good thing," Matrix grumbled.

"We need a break Sparky. You need to relax. Maybe we should go somewhere romantic."

Mouse guessed, "Yaur just not use tah Dot and Bob not bein' around."

"They've never both been gone before," Matrix explained. "It's like something is missing."

"Dot looked nervous about leavin.' She ain't never been away from Mainframe before."

AndrAIa laughed, "She was more nervous then before the wedding."

"I guess I kind of miss her," Matrix conceded.

"Look at the bright side shugah," Mouse said. "Yah just might be an uncle pretty soon."

"Oh man. Don't remind me," Matrix grinned, " Bob is going to have to do everything to keep the kid from taking after me."

The sprites noticed a portal open just outside the diner. Bob, now looking like Interface, stepped into Mainframe and the portal closed behind him. Every binome close by stopped and stared at him in awe. Web Bob heard a faint crash of dropped dishes inside the diner. Web Bob half expected someone to say, 'who-what are you?'

"Bob?!" AndrAIa said, "You're okay."

Web Bob looked very angry. He said, "I wouldn't call being abandoned in the Super Computer okay."

"Turbo wasn't sure yah were gonna make in shugah," Mouse tried to be apologetic, "I was gonna get clearance tah visit yah, but I sort of got lassoed into helpin' out Phong until-."

"Where's Dot?" Web Bob demanded, still sounding harsh.

"She's not here."

"Where is she?"

"On her honeymoon."

Web Bob looked as if he had the wind knocked out of him. He bit his lip. Maybe his hearing was faulty. When he spoke, his dry mouth only allowed for a whisper, "Dot's married?"

The sprites nodded. Web Bob looked down at the ground. While he was dying, Dot had married the copy? The painful rejection caused his anger to grow. Bob wanted to show more of it. But instead her turned away and ordered, "Glitch! Portal!"

The portal to the Super Computer opened again. Web Bob glanced at them one last time before turning to leave. Mouse caught him by the arm. Web Bob wanted to pull away but the hacker wanted to say something.

Bob said, "After everything we went through, I thought you were my friends. I know you still are, but I can't understand this. Why?"

Mouse whispered, "Dot's stoppin' by the SC before she comes home. Look for her if yah gotta. But be careful. I know yah hurtin' Bob. And I'm sorry."

Web Bob walked through the portal, never intending to go back.

* * *

Web Bob decided to call in a little favor. He asked a couple of guardians at the Port Authority about Dot's arrival time. For security and safety reasons, every sprite had to make their arrival and departure time known to the Port Authority. The new rules were sadly the result of Daemon's break in. Every sprite was now under heavier security and Web Bob used it to his advantage.

Web Bob waited just outside the main port, using a light pole and a e-mail server port to obscure himself. He felt like a dipswitch to spy on Dot but Mouse said to be careful.

But he soon understood why.

Dot exited the terminal first, wearing an outfit Web Bob had never expected. The tan colored halter top dress she wore had a pattern of large white daisywheels scattered about it. She had on a pair of matching sandals and sunglasses. She adjusted a scarf on her head and smiled. Web Bob felt awestruck by how beautiful she looked. She appeared so relaxed and happy. Web Bob longed to go to her. He almost gave into it when the other Bob exited the terminal carrying their luggage. Or what was mostly Dot's luggage. His hands were so full he carried a file folder in his mouth. Bob signaled for her to help. She took the file folder from his mouth and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Enticed by her flirting, Dot's husband dropped all the luggage, took her in his arms and kissed her.

Web Bob went numb inside. He had prepared himself for cycles to see this, but no amount had helped. He sat behind the e-mail server and wanted to cry. The woman he loved enough to delete for had married a copy of himself. How would he ever get over the loss?

Web Bob then heard, "There's an e-mail server. I'd better send this port card to Mainframe."

Dot walked over to the e-mail server and inputted the card. She paused a nano, as if she heard someone. Only the light pole stood beside her.

"Dot! I got a cab! Let's go!" Bob called. Dot hurried back to Bob and they climbed in. After the cab had left, Bob decompressed himself from behind the light pole. Bob sighed both in relief at remembering Mouse's trick and in sadness at Dot's choice.

He at least didn't hold a grudge enough to neglect sending her a wedding gift.

* * *

The hotel in the Cosmopolitan Sector of the Super Computer rivaled the one at Paradise Code. When the bellhop opened the door to Bob and Dot's suite and they saw how magnificent the rooms were, Dot let out a gasp. Bob whistled, "Excellent taste you have."

"You could have picked something just as lovely."

"Who me? I couldn't even pick out my wardrobe. May I?"

Bob picked her up in her arms and walked her back over the threshold. Dot giggled, "You've done this two times already."

"I never get tired of it," Bob said kissing her.

"Ahem!" The bellhop cleared his throat. Bob put Dot down and gave the bellhop a couple of credits to supply his vocal demand. The bellhop tipped his hat, "Have a nice stay."

The bellhop closed the door. Bob coyly asked, "Now where were we?"

"Oh look!" Dot went over to the bouquet of flowers and the small white box with a bow on it, "Someone sent us a gift!"

Dot found a small note card. The holovid inside had a generic binome say, "Congratulations on your wedding!"

Dot smiled, "It's anonymous."

Bob opened the box. Inside was a small music box. Bob opened the lid. It played a familiar tune. Dot squealed, "Its Alphanumeric!"

"It most certainly is," Bob remarked.

"You gave this to me!"

"What?! Um no! I didn't."

"The song I sung at Enzo's birthday," Dot put her arms around Bob's neck. "It's such a sweet gift."

"Yeah. It is. I wish I'd thought of it," Bob closed the lid and put it on the table before placing his arms around her waist, "since it's made you so happy."

"If you didn't send it, who did?"

"It must be Enzo."

"Enzo?"

"I meant Matrix. I'm thinking of when he was a little boy. Hmm? What did he ever do with the guitar Megabyte gave him?"

"Smashed it to pieces."

"Ah! Figures."

"I should e-mail him a thank you."

"Not yet," Bob flipped open the music box lid open, "It's playing our song. Shall we dance?"

* * *

Later that night, the Megabyte in Bob's clothing sat at the same table, reading a map of the Super Computer. He had been taking every sneaky moment it study the map, not only to fool Dot into thinking he knew where he was going, but to plot the quickest route to the Armory. His anticipation at infecting the Armory made this whole charade worth the long wait. Once he possessed the people and the equipment, the entire Super Computer would fall to him. Then he'd erase Mainframe from the code of the Net like he originally wanted. No more grand dreams of Megaframe. No. This was about revenge. Every soul in that Web forsaken system he'd been caged in would pay for his defeats and humiliation. And Dot Matrix would see it all before he erased her.

Megabyte sighed. The longer it took to end this game, the more his bit of regret about doing her in grew. Dot was so... gratifying.
Dot helped ruin his plans of conquest far too many times. His conquest of her turned into an additional prize. How crushed she'd be when the truth come out. That would surpass any of his previous attempts to break her spirit. This would be Dot's ultimate punishment. And worth his efforts of having to submit himself to learning how to pout.

How... humiliating.

Megabyte smiled. Everything was going so smoothly. Tomorrow, he and Dot were gong to do a little shopping, a perfect day for him to go slip away and begin his attack.

Only one thing nagged him. The real Bob. Megabyte caught a glimpse of him at the terminal spying on them. If Megabyte had hoped anyone's spirit had been crushed, it must have been Bob's. The kiss he gave Dot must have hurt worse than any physical pain he could give. But if Bob tried to interfere-.

Megabyte glanced at the music box. Perhaps Bob already had.

Megabyte smiled. He had the most wicked idea. The virus would put a stop to Bob's meddling.

Very publicly.

* * *

The Cosmopolitan Sector contained some of the best shopping in the entire Net. And it seemed Dot wanted to visit every store in it. She wanted to buy thank you gifts for everyone she knew, especially little Enzo, who deserved to own something from the Super Computer. Megabyte tried to stay as patient as possible. Dot burdened him with so many packages that were somehow heavier than her luggage. MegaBob finally whined, "Are we done yet?"

"Don't tell me you're tired already?" Dot asked smiling sweetly.

"Oh no. I just love pretending to be a pack mule," MegaBob gritted his teeth, wishing he could strangle her.

"Okay. There's a bench over there. Why don't you sit down while I vidwindow shop for a few more nanos?"

"Okay by me."

Dot watched Bob stagger away. She laughed. Now was her best chance to buy him a surprise. Something he'd like. Or perhaps something he'd like to see her in.

As Dot walked along the promenade, she saw a familiar looking music box in a vidwindow. She took a closer look. It was the same music box. She grinned. Bob had bought it for her! Why hadn't he confessed to the deed?

Dot walked into the store to speak to the clerk.

"May I help you miss?"

"My husband bought me a gift recently. I was just curious when he purchased it?"

"What did he look like?"

"Blue skin, silver hair, hazel eyes."

The clerk thought about it, "There was a gentlemen like that in her a few cycles ago buying a wedding gift. He said it was for an old friend."

"A few cycles ago?" Dot thought that odd. She and Bob were at Paradise Code. How did he come here without her?

"What was he wearing?"

"His guardian uniform has definitely seen better days. It was all worn out like-."

"He'd been in the Web?"

"Yes. That's what he told me."

"Interface?" Dot whispered. The other Bob survived the separation from Glitch. But why hadn't her Bob told her? She thanked the clerk and walked out, thinking of what to say or ask her husband. Or if she should say anything at all.

* * *

Dot ended the shopping trip and her Bob's relief overwrote any concern about how troubled she looked. The couple dropped off the packages at the hotel and took a taxi to Monument Park outside the Guardian Academy. They sat at a bench to take in the beautiful view. Bob pointed out the sectors to her.

Dot asked, "How can you tell the difference? They all look the same."

"It's a guardian thing," MegaBob lied. He had banked on Dot not questioning his knowledge. He might have made a mistake. But one place he remained certain of, the Armory. All he needed were the nanoseconds to slip away.

But Megabyte couldn't help but notice the joy Dot possessed during their shopping exposé had evaporated. He asked, "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing much," Dot decided to lie too, "I had hoped to find you a wedding gift..."

"What? You haven't been enough?" MegaBob kissed her forehead. "Would you like a data cone?"

"That sounds good," she smiled.

"I'll be right back."

She watched him walk away for a few nanos before returning her gaze to the Super Computer. Someone walked up to her from behind, "Hi Dot."

She jumped up at the sound of the voice. Web Bob hadn't intended on startling Dot so badly. He quickly apologized, "I'm sorry Dot. I didn't mean to scare you."

"What-?!" Dot said a bit too loud before lowering her voice, "What are you doing here?"

"I live here," Web Bob said. "Work here too now. It's just like the old days. Almost."

"Bob. I-I thought-. I mean-."

"You thought I deleted?"

"I'm sorry."

Bob sighed, "I'm hurt Dot. You left me all alone."

"Bob - my Bob - thought it was the better thing to do."

"And get married?"

"Bob. Please understand-."

"I don't Dot. I love you."

Dot expected there to be anger but the way he spoke had only endearment and tenderness. Dot chose to ignore it, "So does Bob - I mean my Bob. He loves me."

Bob asked, "Did you like the gift?"

"Yes. It's lovely."

"Really? I mean, you know?"

"I sort of found out. It brought back great memories."

"It's my way of forgetting you," Web Bob admitted. Dot stared at him. His eyes were grief filled. He said, "I'll never be seeing you again once you leave."

"What? We can be friends, can't we?"

"It would be awkward. I just wanted to say goodbye."

Bob felt someone grab him by the shoulder, spin him around and hit him on the jaw. Bob landed across the bench. He looked up to see the other Bob standing over him. The rival sprite yelled, "Keep your vile hands off my wife!"

Web Bob lost his composer. He aimed Glitch at MegaBob. Dot put herself between the two, fearing the brawl to get worse with someone being injured. "STOP IT! PLEASE!"

"But Dot!" MegaBob said, "He's been stalking you! I saw him at the terminal yesterday!"

Dot glared at Web Bob. He tried to explain, "Mouse told me you were coming. I wanted to see you but-."

"You've seen her!" MegaBob pulled Dot into a protective hug. "Now you're going to leave her alone!"

Bob noticed Turbo and two guardians just beyond them. Crowds of curious binomes and sprites were watching as well. His rival made the "Game Over" move. This would be the last time Bob would be allowed to see Dot. As MegaBob guided Dot away, Dot looked back at Web Bob, showing the lost guardian some sympathy. Turbo walked up to Web-Bob saying, "Bob. We have to have a little talk."

* * *

Dot and her false Bob arrived back at their hotel room. MegaBob picked up the music box off the table. He started to walk it over to the garbage disposal.

Dot intervened, "What are you doing!?"

"What does it look like? I'm getting rid of this idiotic gift!"

"No! He gave it to me!" Dot wrestled it from his hand.

MegaBob got even more infuriated. "What did he say to you that you would want to keep it?!"

"It's his way of saying goodbye! It's not like I'm ever going to see him again!"

"And good riddance to him too! That guardian has interfered with me for the last time!"

Dot stared at him, "What did you say?"

MegaBob must have caught onto his own words as well. He took a deep breath and tried to correct his mistake, "Oh sweetheart. I - I'm sorry. I must sound like- like a virus right now."

"You did," Dot took a step away from him.

MegaBob shook his head, "Dot. I am so sorry. This is no way to start a marriage. Having a Tiff like this? Let me make it up to you. I know a great restaurant in town. Its quite intimate. You'll have such a good time. I promise. Please?"

He looked at her the same way when he begged to some to the Super Computer. It melted her a little. Dot relented, "Only if we can leave tomorrow. I don't feel comfortable staying here anymore."

"That's fine by me," MegaBob hugged Dot.

Megabyte's plan had to take place tonight. But at least the guardian had no way to stop him.

* * *

Bob went for a little trip to Guardian High Command in the heart of the Super Computer. Turbo sat him down on the other side of his desk. Bob remarked, "I feel like I'm back in the Academy about to be reprimanded."

"You should feel that way," Turbo sat behind his desk. "Bob. I think this whole incident doesn't have you thinking clearly."

"Having a copy of me show up and marry my girl isn't my idea of just a simple thing I have to overlook the rest of my life."

"Well you have to," Turbo said. "The other Bob has logged a formal complaint."

Bob almost wanted to laugh, "So I'm a threat?"

"Are you?"

"I'd never hurt Dot."

"It's not a about hurting Dot. It's about attacking Bob."

"He punched me! The only reason I didn't use Glitch is because Dot stopped me!"

"You would have assaulted another guardian!"

"To me he's not another guardian! He's - he's just a copy."

Turbo sighed, "Bob. You haven't seen Wayne's medical report on your compile, have you?"

Bob didn't have to guess what Turbo hinted at, "I'm...the copy?"

"It's what the scans say."

Bob swallowed. Now his loss included the security of who he was. Bob said, "Then she really is better off."

"Bob. I want to permanently assign you to the Super Computer. Unless you want to go somewhere else."

"No," Web-Bob sighed. "This was my home. I'll stay here."

"I guess saying welcome back doesn't help?"

"No. But thanks for saying it anyway."

* * *

Dot had rebooted into a strapless little black dress. She still felt uneasy about Bob's outburst. It seemed quite creepy but for a moment she thought-.

The chilling notion made her pull her shawl around her shoulders. Dot sat on the small couch in the living room to wait for Bob. Her hand brushed something hidden between the seat cushions. She pulled out a file folder. Dot looked at its contents. A map around the Super Computer? Why would Bob need a map? One area highlighted caught her eye the most. The Armory. The Armory wasn't a tourist spot! The map had highlighted direction everywhere but every path had a route to the Armory.

Dot's heartdrive started to spin rapidly. She pushed the file back between the cushions. She got up and quickly called out, "Tiger. I have to go to the front desk. I'll be right back."

Dot rushed out, leaving her shall behind. MegaBob stuck his head out of the bedroom after Dot left.

What was that all about?

MegaBob walked out dressed in a suit. He ran his finger around the collar. Sprite clothing always felt too tight. MegaBob saw Dot's shawl on the couch. The corner of the shawl had been pushed in the cushions. When he pulled it out, the file folder came with it. MegaBob sighed. She had gotten too suspicious. His own temper had done him in.

Looks like dinner had to be canceled.

* * *

Bob walked along the Guardian High Command hallways, feeling very alone. Now he had to consider if staying in the Super Computer was a good idea.

Glitch stared to chirp. Bob looked at the keytool. What was up with him? He made a small noise before, when I confronted the other Bob. Glitch wanted to go to him? Bob felt crushed.

He asked, "You want to leave me too?"

Glitch beeped. A call? When Glitch answered Bob had another surprise. Dot's image appeared in the the window. She whispered, "Bob."

"Dot. Where are you?"

"In the lobby of the hotel. I told the other Bob I had to go to the front desk. I needed to talk to you."

"Dot. You could get me in trouble. Turbo ordered me to stay away from you."

"I know but Bob... I'm worried."

"Worried?" Bob asked, "What happened?"

"Bob-The Bob I married got so mad at me for wanting to keep the music box. It was like- It wasn't you anymore. You've gotten mad before but not like this. It didn't seem like you anymore. And I found a map to the Armory hidden in the room. It looks like he's been planning this trip for cycles. Like he came here for another reason. Something is wrong. Bob I-I think I made a mistake."

"Can you stay there until I meet you?"

"I'll try. Please hurry."

Dot cut off the conversation. Whatever happened, he hoped he could get Dot out of it.

* * *

Dot reached the elevators as the first one opened. She startled when the other Bob walked out.

"Bob," she gasped. "I'd told you I'd be right back."

"I know. You forgot your shawl," MegaBob held it up for her. Dot turned around to let him place it on her shoulders. He drew her closer, rubbing her arms and asking, "So what has my lovely lady been up too?"

Dot acted naive, "Can't a lady keep an after dinner surprise for her husband a secret?"

"Well if that's what you wish. Let's be on our way."

"But I'm hardly finished getting ready."

"You look fine to me. Let's go."

Bob put her arm around her waist and led her towards the exit doors. Dot searched for an excuse to go back to her room. Of all the times to be running short on plans.

As they reach the curb to get in their rented aircar, Dot glimpsed Web Bob ducking behind a shrub that seemed too small to hide behind. User bless Mouse and her teaching him hide and seek.

MegaBob nudged her in the car and they drove away.

* * *

Web Bob aimed Glitch at the departing vehicle, "Glitch. Tracer."

The small disc shot out of the keytool and planted itself on the bumper. Now the guardian could follow at a safe distance.

Don't worry Dot. I'm right behind you.

* * *

"What's wrong Dot? You seem nervous."

MegaBob's words snapped Dot out of her distracted gazing through the car's wind shield. "I'm having one of those moments as if I forgot something." Dot asked, "Where are we going?"

"To dinner, Dot. Remember?"

"No. I meant where?"

"La Cie. I am told it's quite good."

"But this isn't the way. I-." Dot stopped herself. "I mean. It doesn't look like were heading for the Cosmopolitan district."

"You mean you don't have a map?" MegaBob pulled the file folder from inside his jacket pocket and flipped it onto her lap. "You can borrow mine."

Dot kept herself as calm as possible, asking the question, "What do you need the map of the Super Computer for?"

"You expected me to know where I was going. So I needed a map."

"What?" Dot faked surprise as an act. "Did you lose more of your memory in the Web? Because if you have, we should pull over and ask for directions."

"Oh I remember how to get where I'm going. The Armory is close by. Thanks to Bob, I have all the access I ever need. Poor fool."

Fool?

"Bob. Whatever problem you're having with Bob, can't we discuss it over dinner? I mean, you're acting a little odd."

"Wouldn't you if he wasn't trying to follow us?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Dot. Really. I know you went talk to him. You told him about the map. Now I'm going to have to delete Bob."

"What?! Okay now I know you've gone completely random! Stop the car right now!"

MegaBob pitched the car to one side. Dot ended up leaning up against MegaBob. He wrapped his arm around her neck and whispered, "Mrs. Matrix. Our time together has been quite pleasurable. However, your Tiger needs to show his teeth. If you hadn't made that call, you wouldn't be putting Bob in danger. Now I'll do worse than send him to the Web."

Dot choked up, not only from the straining of her airway but from the need to cry. She gasped, "This can't be possible! Not you!"

"Yes Dot. It is me," MegaBob growled. "You had a choice between the guardian and the tiger. You picked the tiger."

* * *

Bob noticed the aircar had stopped moving. After a few nanos he looked up to see the car had been left on the side of the road.

Bob looked into the front of the car, and picked up Dot's shawl. Green Point Park was close by. A romantic, power down walk? Maybe Dot had been overreacting. Bob then spied the map and looked over it. The pathways were tagged not only to the Armory but key sectors of the Super Computer's defenses.

This was bad. This was very bad.

* * *

MegaBob dragged Dot along a secluded park path, cursing the lack of strength this sprite form had. Megabyte heard Dot's crying but couldn't see it. The temptation got to great for him to resist. Megabyte had to look at her. He released his choke hold around Dot's neck. Dot pulled away. Megabyte grabbed her arms and pushed her against a tree trunk. He saw her humiliation. How beautiful it looked on her face.

"Oh Dot. What's wrong?" MegaBob mocked. "You don't love me anymore?"

"How can you be Megabyte?" Dot asked though the sobbing.

"The Web made me this way. And so did Bob. I had a piece of his code. I ripped it away from Bob when I sent him to the Web. How ironic. The process changed both of us. I got the better part!"

"Why?" Dot whaled. "Why did you do this?"

"I found it amusing. When I realized how intent you were to marry Bob, I figured this deception would be worth much more than causing simple confusion. I could have you as well. Like I always wanted to."

"You were jealous!?" Dot snapped at him in sudden anger.

"Jealous?!" MegaBob retorted. "What do I have to be jealous of now?! I have taken the only thing Bob's even wanted! And you let me take it, Dot! Every lovely pixel. Thank you so much. It's been a great pleasure."

The last bit of Megabyte's verbal jab brought back Dot's tears. She had done this to herself, her friends, and the real Bob, who had said those three words to her. What point did her own existence have now?

* * *

"Hey buddy!" A binome couple walked up beside them. "You want to have a fight with the lady take it somewhere else. You're spoiling the view."

"Sorry," MegaBob tried to act polite.

Dot suddenly cried out, "He's a virus!"

The female binome replied, "Most men are, sweetie."

The male binome glared at his wife.

MegaBob's fiendish smile got wiped off by Dot punching him in the jaw with her free hand. Dot yelled at the binomes, "Run!"
The binomes looked at MegaBob. He roared. The binomes screamed ran in the other direction. MegaBob cared a little less about being caught now. His predator nature kicked in. Time for the tiger to hunt.

* * *

Bob heard the panicked cries of the binomes. He ran in the direction of the sounds, finding the entrance to the park. The binomes ran out. Bob called to them, "Wait! What's going on!?"

"There's a sprite in there being chased by a virus!"

"Virus!?" Bob yelled into Glitch. "This is Guardian 452. I have a reported virus in Green Point Park! Requesting backup!"

* * *

Dot could hear him. Megabyte didn't quiet his steps or silence his snarls. The virus wanted her to know he pursued her, following her every turn and step waiting to attack. Dot wanted to stop and let Megabyte erase her. But what if he didn't? The idea of being tormented further frightened her more. Dot ran into a clearing. By some miracle, a small guardian spider tank sat in the center of lawn. She ran towards it, screaming for help. The two helmeted guardians came towards her, both were armed with PCUs. One of them spoke into a communicator.

"Central dispatch. I think we've found someone."

The guardian's partner took Dot by the arm. Dot trembled and sobbed, her attempts to speak were hindered by her own hysteria.

"Muh-me- Meg-," she stammered.

The guardian tried to hush her. "Calm down miss. You're safe now."

They escorted her to the rear of the tank to put her inside. A deep roar made them turn. Megabyte now in his degraded Web form leaped from the edge of the clearing and landed on the roof of the vehicle. The guardians reached for their weapons as the virus jumped down on them. Megabyte's claws slashed one guardian, badly wounding him. He grabbed the other by the neck. Dot heard an ugly snapping sound as the virus crushed the guardian's life away. Megabyte then pounced on her. Dot shrieked as the virus held her down. She waited for the worst. Megabyte growled and forcibly kissed Dot's mouth. The virus grinned as he looked at her distraught face one more time. "If Bob wants you back so much, perhaps I should give you to him."

* * *

Bob reached the scene of the attack. The one guardian still alive gasped to breathe. Bob saw Dot sitting on the ground a few paces away from him, disheveled and shaking. Bob saw a spider tank, viral blue in color, flying away from the park. Bob used Glitch to call for help.

"I've got a guardian down at Green Point Park. The virus has stolen a spider tank."

Dispatch replied. "Med team and guardian forces en route."

Bob wanted to go after the spider tank but he had to help the injured. Bob had Glitch file path the guardian's wound. Bob told him, "You're going to be all right."

The guardian wheezed, "Big blue freak...killed my partner."

Bob asked, "This virus had green skull markings? And a red crest?"

The guardian nodded.

So it was Megabyte! How in the Net had he gotten here?!

Bob looked at Dot. Of course! The other Bob came from the Web! Megabyte could shape-shift! Bob kneeled beside Dot. She clung to Bob, crying uncontrollably. She managed to finally managed to speak coherently, "Megabyte."

"I know."

"I married him! He got the power in the Web! He tricked me, Bob! I'm so sorry!"

Dot could barely look in Bob's eyes and when he glimpsed them, they were overflowing with shame. The woman he loved had been mentally destroyed. Dot said, "I gave him everything Bob. What do I have left for you? I'm-I'm not worth it anymore."

Bob shook his head realizing Dot would have preferred he let her erase. He hugged her even tighter, fighting the mixing intense rage and sorrow overwhelming him.

He whispered to her, "No. I still love you Dot. He hasn't taken that."

Bob stood up and warned dispatch. "The virus is called Megabyte. The virus can shape-shift! He's a Trojan Horse virus! Repeat. This virus can shape shift! He maybe en route to the Armory!"

"Intercepts deployed," Dispatch replied. "Tank in process of being forced down."

The Med Vac ambulance arrived with another pair of patrol spider tanks as escorts. Bob told her, "Go with the Med Team. You need to be treated."

"No. I want to stay with you," Dot hugged him again. "I'll feel safer."

"Okay. I'll take you to Disc Ops myself."

What Megabyte had done gave Bob a hate he never imagined. He felt the same rage Matrix described to him after the Virus War. The slow painful delete of Megabyte no longer looked so immoral.

The Med Vac loaded the injured guardian inside took off. A guardian approached Bob informing him, "The tank's been forced down in the Industrial Sector."

"Any sign of Megabyte?" Bob asked. They're scanning the wreckage now."

"I'll wait for an update. I'm not leaving this lady's side ever again," Bob put his arm around Dot. The spider tanks lifted off for the Industrial Sector. Bob watched them fly away. They walked to the edge of the low chained fence, looking at the distant lights beyond the park.

Bob told Dot, "I should be there to make sure he's deleted."

"That makes you look happy," Dot remarked.

"He has to pay for what he's done to you. I would have rather erased then see this happen. In fact, I wish you had married a real copy of me. Then you'd be better off."

"I was happy. I never felt so much joy in my life," Dot admitted. "I can see why you were willing to sacrifice everything. The love of a sprite can be very...intimate."

Bob noticed the oddness in Dot's tone. He suggested, "Dot? Are you feeling all right?"

"I've felt better," Dot purred. "But this outfit doesn't suit me. I think I need to change."

Dot seemed to reach for her icon but instead pushed Bob over the fence. The guardian tumbled down the embankment. Glitch incased him in a bubble of energy, making the otherwise injuring journey a dizzying one instead. Bob landed at the edge of the playground. He stood up, trying to unscramble his mind. Dot had just pushed him over a fence.

No! That wasn't Dot.

"No," Bob whispered.

A laser shot cut across his shoulder, tearing his body armor and the flesh beneath. Bob used Glitch's shield to block the next volley of shots. Bob dashed across the playground and ducked behind the brick faced lavatory building. Bob called Central, "This is guardian 452! The virus is with me at Green Point Park! The tank was a diversion!" Bob thought of the tank. It had crashed and likely been destroyed. Bob added, "Central! A sprite might be trapped inside! What's the status?!"

"She's dead, Bob!"

Bob hadn't heard the announcement over Glitch. It came from a familiar voice on the other side of the playground. He peeked around the corner to see what he had thought to be Dot. The virus taunted, "I tied her up in the driver's seat, infected the autopilot and sent it on its way. You know the guardian's shot it down. It's over."

The rage Bob started to feel before now intensified. Bob tried to keep his eyes from tearing over. Bob yelled, "Why did you do this to her?!"

"I told Miss - Mrs. Matrix it amused me. I will admit even though I never got to the Armory, the effort was worth the look on Dot's face when she found out. I destroyed her before she died. Trust me Bob. I put her out of her misery."

Bob screamed and rolled out from behind the building shooting energy beams. MegaDot fired in return. Bob's keytool got the better hit, knocking the PCU from MegaDot's hands. MegaDot looked at his injured hand. He spoke in his real voice, "You broke my nail."
Megabyte shifted to his virus form. Glitch formed an energy saber on Bob's arm. The guardian had a look in his eyes Megabyte never saw before on him. Megabyte snickered, "So much hate, Bob. If I didn't know any better, I would think you want to delete me."

Bob snarled, "It's overdue! My partner! The Twin City! All the suffering you've caused my friends! No more nice guardian! It's personal!"

Roaring like the tiger he emulated, Megabyte charged at the guardian. Bob met him halfway across the playground. The blow from the energy saber was far stronger then the virus expected, deflecting him into the lavatory building. The virus left an imprint of his body in the brick facing. Megabyte's claws had raked Bob's body armor, ripping it to the skin. Bob ignored the pain, turned and lunged at Megabyte.

The virus swiped at him again and again. Bob had to duck and backpedaled out of the way. Viral tentacles suddenly shot out of Megabyte's hand, trapping Bob within the coils. Megabyte flung Bob around, smashing him through the monkey bars, a swing set and throwing him in the sandbox. Bob moaned and tired to get up only to feel the full weight of Megabyte land on him. The virus pushed his face in the sand. Megabyte mocked him, "All this fuss over a woman, Bob! How pathetic! Why would Dot want to have someone like you, after having someone like me?"

Glitch energized the sand. The particles swirled up like an enormous dust devil, sucking up Megabyte and sending him spinning around. He crashed into the data slide and crushed the seesaws. Bob got up slowly, wiping sand out of his eyes, nose and mouth. He sneezed and coughed before staggering across the playground to where Megabyte had landed. The virus played possum only long enough for Bob to move in closer. Megabyte struck Bob with the broken seesaw plank, knocking him out of the playground. Megabyte watched the guardian land in a grove of trees. Megabyte tossed the plank away, "They warned people seesaws were dangerous."

Glitch broke Bob's fall by forming a bubble of energy. Bob staggered to his feet. His body ached. His wounds burned with pain but he had to finish this. Bob heard a crunching sound. Bob focused his eyes and listened. The sound of growling came from the woods.

Predator virus. That's what you've become. And now I'm the prey.

Bob caught a glimpse of Megabyte's green and red glowing eyes. The guardian fired a tremendous volley of laser blots before ducking behind a tree. Bob looked at Glitch's display. A compass point gave him the exact location of Megabyte. He had to end this before any other guardians got in the way.

"Bob?" Megabyte called. "The only way to be with Dot is for you to join her."

Bob opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself. He let Megabyte continue his verbal barbs as if the virus had copied his read only memory. "You would rather send me to oblivion? Is that your only passion now? It's the only passion you have to enjoy. You'll never know Dot the way I did."

Bob's vision blurred from the anguishing tears he couldn't cry. The verbal assault hurt worse then the physical one. His poor, sweet Dot had suffered so horribly. Bob blinked his eyes to clear his vision. Megabyte had moved in closer.

"My deletion will never undo what I've done, Bob. Spare yourself the pain of living without her. Dot would want that."

"Like DELL she would!" Bob shouted.

Bob ducked as Megabyte smashed his fist straight through the trunk. Glitch wrapped Bob's fist in a glove of energy. He punch Megabyte in the jaw. The virus pushed the remains of the tree on top of Bob. The guardian stayed pinned under the tree as Megabyte moved in to finish Bob.

"Say hello to Dot for me."

"Glitch! Pile driver!"

The beam hit Megabyte square in the chest. The virus crashed through the woods and beyond.

SPLASH!

Bob heard the sound of gagging cries and splashing. He forgot about the lake. They were closer than he figured.

Glitch lifted the tree off him. Bob struggled to stand up and limped to the shore line. Megabyte had landed in the middle of the lake. He massive weight now doomed him.

Megabyte screamed, choking on the data filling his mouth, flailing to stay up. Bob sat down, tucked his knees to his chest and and crossed his arms. He put his head down. The sounds of Megabyte's struggle faded. Bob closed his eyes, thinking of Dot in the beautiful floral dress, so relaxed and happy. The sound music box playing her favorite song replaced Megabyte's drowning screams. Bob danced with her in the dream. Dot nudged her face up to his. They shared a lover's kiss.

Bob felt a hand touch the top of his head. He then heard Turbo's voice, "Bob?"

Bob picked his head up. Turbo must have gotten here only nanos ago. Bob saw the spider tanks hovering over the lake. One used a tractor beam to pull Megabyte up from the data. The virus's lifeless-looking body hung under the vehicle. Bob had no idea if Megabyte still functioned. Bob put his head down once more. Like he cared Megabyte was alive. Turbo told him, "You need to go to Disc Ops."

"Leave me alone," Bob requested. "Please. I just-."

"Dot's being treated there already. You need to be with her."

Bob picked his head up and stared at Turbo. The Prime Guardian explained, "Funny thing how Megabyte strapped her in. If he hadn't, her chances would have been slim when we shot the tank down. And I almost ordered it vaporized. I can't figure out what stopped me. There must be a User up there who likes you."

Bob pushed himself to stand up. The cramping in his limbs with the sharp pains from his wounds made him stumble. Turbo caught Bob by the arm and put it around his shoulder.

Bob paused to watch two tanks came towing a file locker. They lowered Megabyte inside to transport him to disposal.

"It's over," Turbo said.

He led Bob away.

* * *

Dot sat on a bench along the plant lined waiting room at the Super Computer Transport Terminal. Mouse planned to arrive any nano to pick her up. Dot could have easily had Bob use a portal to bring her home. But Dot wanted to take a scenic way home. The peaceful trip would hardly ease her tormented mind. The physical damage to her body had been repaired but her emotional scarring would take longer. A therapist had been assigned to Dot until she wanted to return home. Phong would likely take over. And whatever she felt uncomfortable about, Mouse had volunteered to be her council. Going home had been a problem itself. Why go home to a system full of people who knew what she had done?

Dot shuttered. She could hardly eat or sleep, not with a memory of what happened between her and Megabyte. Dot told the therapist how sick it made her. Dot wanted to crawl into the Web and delete. The therapist reminded her she had people to live for, a family who loved her and a boyfriend who needed her.

The therapist told her Bob suffered too. The act of revenge on Megabyte failed to remove Bob's own guilt. Dot wondered how Bob felt responsible for her mistake but the answer was obvious. If he had deleted Megabyte a long time ago, this wouldn't have happened to her. Yet, the thoughts of how Dot betrayed Bob again brought more tears to her eyes. Her Guardian angel. How she had hurt him so badly.

Dot looked up to see Bob coming towards her, she quickly recomposed herself. Bob tried to smile sincerely but it looked forced. Dot attempted the same gesture of joy but it to seemed fruitless. Bob sat beside her saying, "Hey Dot."

"Hi," she mustered.

"I just talked to Wayne. He gave you a clean bill of health."

"Yes. It's a relief," Dot stared at the tiles, not wanting to think about what could have been. Wayne had been careful in explaining the need for scans of infection from Megabyte. Even worse, the notion of some sort of compiling between her and the virus. Thankfully, nothing had occurred.

Bob held out a small cylinder for her to see. She asked, "What is that?"

My missing code," Bob announced with little enthusiasm.

"They got it back?"

"Extracted it. It's not like Megabyte needed it anymore," Bob said.

"When did he...?"

"Shortly after they took him out of the lake. His shut down left his body intact long enough to retrieve the code."

The bitterness in Bob's tone made Dot more uneasy. She changed the subject, "So when are you going to put your code back?"

"I'm not sure I want to."

"What?" Dot figured Bob was repulsed by how the code had been used. Maybe it seemed as tainted as she felt. She asked, "Why would you want to do this?"

Bob explained as he held the cylinder in his hands. "Once I put the missing code back, I'll look...normal again. Like before I got shot into the Web."

"You'll be your old self again," Dot said.

"Pretty much."

"But.. that's how you should be."

"No!" Bob clinched the cylinder making Dot think he might crush it. "That Bob hurt you."

"You didn't do it," Dot put her hand over Bob's closed fist. "Megabyte tricked me and I fell for it. Because I saw the past in his face."

"Exactly. I want you to forget it. The only way is to stay this way. As Interface."

"You'd do that for me?"

"Yes."

"Even after I betrayed you?"

"Dot. I told Megabyte I still love you. That hasn't changed. He didn't take it away. All that matters is making you better Dot."

"No."

"Huh?"

"No. That's not all that matters. You have to repair yourself. Just like I have to. That means you put your code back were it belongs."

Bob looked at the tile now, "I can't."

Dot didn't want to push him. Like her own journey out of the dark mire she lived in, Bob had to be willing to come out of it too. Dot snuggled up against his chest. Bob gently put his arm around her. Dot asked, "What's the point of you not putting the code back if you won't come with me?"

Bob said, "Looking in the mirror won't be easy. It doesn't feel right now."

"It won't be the same without you there. Everyone will miss you."

Bob stayed firm, "You need some time away from me. And I need to be away from you. What I've done I can't forgive."

Dot ran her hand along the scales on his neck and touched his long strands of hair. Would this be worth getting used to? Or would Bob ever be whole again?

Dot heard a voice call, "Shugah! You call for a cab?"

"Mouse!" Dot got up and ran to her. The friends hugged and cried. Bob figured this would be the best time to slip away.

"Everybody misses yah shugah."

"Hospital visits didn't do me justice."

"At least that smile looks good," Mouse said. "Where's Bob?"

"Bob's right-." Dot turned to see he had left. Dot's heart sank. "He was right here."

"He's not comin'?"

"I tried to talk him into it, one last time, but..." Dot picked up her bag. "He needs time Mouse. So do I. I know he still loves me but as long as Megabyte's memory stands in the way, we'll never be happy."

"But you should go after him!"

"I know. But I can't. I think this time, he has to come back to me."

Mouse put her arm around Dot's shoulder and they walked towards Ship...

* * *

Daemon sighed and closed the portal. "A very smart sprite once told me, 'love concurs al zings'. Perhaps Bob and Dot will conquer the demons Megabyte's horror caused them. But only time will tell."

End.

Yes. I know. Bittersweet. Some people prefer the other ending I wrote in my beta test draft so I decided to put it her too so you can compare. I have wavered between the two, Either way a follow up might be in order. I just couldn't disappoint some people by not posting it.

Ending 2:

"I tried to talk him into it, one last time, but..." Dot picked up her bag from the bench. Dot heard a jingling sound. Dot unzipped it and took out the music box. She opened it, listening to the song. Dot told Mouse, "Bob gave this to me."

Mouse shut the lid. "What are you still doing here?"

"What?"

"You know what I mean shugah."

"But-but I can't stay here! Bob won't leave! It-it's so far away."

"E-mail me everyday."

"But Phong-."

"Will have my help 'til yah come back."

"And Enzo-!"

"Got yah dad and Matrix and AndrAIa. They'll be fine, sweetie. You won't. Not without Bob."

Dot hugged Mouse. The hacker said, "I'll see yah 'round shugah. And give Bob a big old kiss for me."

Dot ran off toting the bag along behind her.

It was a great big Super Computer out there. But she wasn't going to let Bob get away again.

End.