By Bluemuse

Author's Note: This is from a spring fic contest over at the Mayhem boards. It won first place, heh heh...*ahem* anyhow, hope you enjoy.

Disclamer: I don't own the rights to anything ReBoot-related, though it's fun to pretend.

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Mainframe Messaging System

To: Guardian 452 
From: Command.com 
Subject: Running Late

Hi, Bob; I have a bit more work at the Principal Office to finish up than I thought. I may not get out of here until late this downtime, so our date may have to be postponed. So sorry...I hope you didn't go to too much trouble. -Dot

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To: Command.com 
From: Guardian 452 
Subject: Somehow I figured as much

Aha! I had a feeling you'd get bogged down in work, so I planned a simple dinner at my apartment. How good am I? I may just have to drag you out of that office to get some fresh air, though. You've been cooped up too much to be able to enjoy the spring weather. Don't worry about it- you'll just have to make it up to me later. -your very wise, and somewhat mischievous Guardian

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To: Guardian 452 
From: Command.com 
Subject: En Garde

Make it up to you? What did you have in mind? It'll take more than some nice weather to drag me away from my desk, rest assured. However, if it's a reward you want, I'll present you with a challenge- say something wonderfully beautiful and romantic about spring and I'll leave right now to enjoy it with you. Perhaps we can make a trip to that special little spot in Floating Point? -your equally 
mischievous Dot 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To: Command.com 
From: Guardian 452 
Subject: Just you wait

Challenge accepted! I'll come up with something so poetic you'll have to spend the rest of the second outdoors. Um, I'll go write it now...I'm not stalling, really...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To: Guardian 452 
From: Command.com 
Subject: We'll See

I'll be waiting...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(Some time later)

To: Command.com 
From: Guardian 452 
Subject: Wonderfully romantic prose

Here we are! Prepare to be dazzled... High above the city of Mainframe, the bright blue sky shone with the first hints of fine weather. Formerly barren trees were being crowned with garlands of greenery. The air was thick with the scent of budding plants, and the melting snow formed limpid puddles as if shedding last winter's chill. Songbirds welcomed nature's renewal with lilting melodies. And a guardian named Bob was in love with the most enchanting sprite in the Net. -your enamoured Bob

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To: Guardian 452 
From: Command.com 
Subject: I'm Speechless

That was...beautiful. I never knew you could be so poetic! I have to concede that you have won the challenge. Alright; meet me outside the P.O. in five nanos. As much as I hate to leave my work, I'll even stop by the Diner and pack us a picnic. Maybe you'll delight me with more of that beautiful speech of yours? -your impressed Dot

~ ~ ~ ~

To: Phong 
From: Guardian 452 
Subject: Thank you

Thanks for all your help in writing that thing about spring, Phong. I couldn't have done it without your suggestions- everything I tried to write kept sounding a bit dorky. It worked, though; she's coming on a picnic with me! I have to go meet her now, but I'll remember to return your dictionary as soon as I can. 
Eternally grateful, Bob

~ ~ ~ ~

To: Guardian 452 
From: Command.com 
Subject: Had a Great Time

Oh Bob, I had a wonderful time on our picnic. Too bad that you couldn't remember more of what you wanted to say about spring, but it was still very romantic. You must drag me out of my office more often. You know, the funniest thing happened earlier this second. I went to get a cup of java and met Phong in the P.O. read-only room. I commented on how beautiful it was outside, and he said 
something that sounded almost identical to what you wrote to me last second. Your poetic tendencies must be contagious. -your enchanting Dot

END.