Welcome to the fifth revised iteration of my first Fanfiction story! APS holds an interesting legacy among my work as being one of the oldest and most popular fics on my profile, and has undergone a lot of proofreading and revising and evolution with a lot of hours sunk into it, with even more now from another voluntary facelift/update completed as of 6/7/2017. APS is also the starting point for a decidedly lengthy and slowly-updated series I've had in my head and partially written over the years. (Yes, years. Have loved Code Lyoko since I was ten or so when it was first really getting somewhere in season two! Twelve years of dedication so far!) All in all, this story has seen a lot of improvement, and I hope readers past and present will still enjoy it as much as I enjoy writing these stories.

This story is set in an alternately structured timeline with elements of seasons two and three, but lacking the hasty escalation of season four, to the point of the battle against Xana dragging into high school classes and the glorious, tumultuous chaos of later teenage years and all the drama, heart-throbs and heartache mixed in.

HAVE FUN!

~SMPG394

Odd, Aelita, Ulrich and Yumi sat around their usual table in the school cafeteria, finishing another of Rosa's suppers as the late evening sky outside brooded with the darkness of a steady rainstorm. Eyes drew back and forth from the patter of rain on the windows with apprehension, and with the others looking on, Odd paused from his ramble of confused mutterings about Parisian economics, lifting a bowl of soup, nearly empty, to his lips.

With a swallow, and swipe of a napkin across his face, he dropped the bowl to the tray with an unintended clatter, watching then as a slightly startled Aelita wrinkled her nose at him, causing him to stick out his tongue at her playfully, to which she countered with a roll of her eyes, and a warm smile.

Admiring her lips for a moment, his vision rose up to her nose, and then met her eyes with calm curiosity.

Same lovely emerald green, of the same pretty girl...

Having met her eyes in the past, however, something seemed different when the normal drifting of their glances didn't happen. Instead, she remained focused, keeping him locked in an invisible, emotional data exchange that made his heart race.

His mouth opened, and the smallest of eyebrow movements between them confirmed something was definitely out of the ordinary.

Does she want to talk? She has to. I've never seen her keep that up so long. I wonder...

His eyes sank, and then rose back up, but her head was turned towards the window, propped upon her arm.

Looking at his other friends, and with the noted absence of Jeremy, he cautiously glanced back at Aelita, heartbeat spiking again when he saw her watching him in the corner of her eye, with a sad, pensive expression just out of sight of the others.

Alright, princess. What's going on in that kingdom of yours?

Looking at Yumi as she stood out of the chair, Odd then watched as Ulrich slowly stood up beside her.

"Getting late, should probably head home before the rain gets worse."

"Right behind you."

"Hiroki got a ride home so he doesn't have to walk in the weather... Spoiled little dork."

A flash of white light illuminated the windows from outside, but then for a moment, the power blinked in the cafeteria, bringing all conversation within to a silent halt as the small student body braced for the coming sound.

*KA-BOOM*

A concerningly close, loud clap of thunder vibrated the windows, startling everybody inside from its ferocity, and then bringing a rise of murmurs as static electricity lifted hair and caused small arcs between metal utensils and chair legs.

Gathering wits, the group exchanged a look, and then another flash of lightning ensued, this time cutting out the power completely in the small building.

"Uhh."

Jumping from another blast of thunder, an apprehensive rise and hustle towards the doors in the darkness brought the students together with heated discussion.

"Too coincidental to be just be a bad storm." Yumi whispered, causing the four of them to nod in unfortunate agreement.

Xana, playing with lightning like Zeus. Lovely.

The cafeteria's doors opened suddenly, and the group watched with alarm as the rest of the students filtered out, covering their heads from the ensuing rain as they hustled towards the dormitories in an apparent search for protection.

With nothing resulting besides distant rumbles in the sky, the warriors traded looks and shakes of their heads.

"Figures, right? What should we do now?"

"Somebody contact Jeremy for starters. I doubt he knows what's going on down there."

Watching Aelita roll her eyes, Odd then pursed his lips in contemplation.

"Why don't we split up, and head for the factory. If we're all in one group, we'll be an easy target."

Eying him with consideration, Ulrich and Yumi then looked at Aelita as she nodded, realizing the blonde's unspoken intent.

"Odd's right. It'll be harder for us to be struck by lightning if we aren't concentrated as a group."

"Alright. You two head one way, Yumi and I will go another."

"Okay. The manhole in the park, or the boiler room?"

"Park is too dangerous with all the trees. Lets head to the boiler room and give few minutes between pairs."

Turning towards the Asian girl, Ulrich then produced a confident nod as he shoved the door open.

"Okay. You ready?"

"Yep."

Blasting out of the doorway into the rain, the pair swiftly disappeared into the darkness.

"Good luck!"

Odd then pulled the door shut with haste, and Aelita released an exhale, leaning back against a nearby wall, and watching as he peered around them, listening for any possible eavesdroppers.

Then, folding his arms, he also leaned against an adjacent wall, eying her with interest.

"Alright Aelita... Is something going on?"

Her mouth opened with a default response ready, but as soon as she met his eyes, it was swiftly discarded, leaving a void to fill in her train of thought.

"...Yeah. Could say that."

Piquing his curiosity, he pushed himself off the wall.

"Mind if I ask what?"

Turning her head for a moment, her lips tightened.

Of course I don't mind. You don't seem to notice I'll talk to you about anything in the world, because you'll always listen and understand.

Or maybe you do notice.

Looking directly at him, his focus remained steadfast, confirming her thought.

You always notice. Always have. Alright you...

"Its Jeremy." She blurted, recoiling slightly from her abruptness at first, only then to seal it with a grimace.

His expression grew pensive, leaving a silent moment of eyes studying the floor, pain and emotion welling up from deep inside.

"I kinda figured." He spoke quietly.

"I just... I've been so confused lately. I don't know what to think about what he and I are anymore."

"You and him have been dating for a while now... Are you two not happy?"

A light, sarcastic laugh escaped her lungs.

"If by happy, you mean sitting around and doing computer work? Studying? Then yes. I'm ecstatic. I look forward to every moment of quality time doing nothing fun. Not going on dates..."

Heart sinking from her glum expression, Odd's mouth opened, but instead he let her continue.

"You know, it's been over a year. Since we've done anything. Gone anywhere. I guess I keep pretending I'm alright with doing nothing, so he thinks i'm having fun with it all. I don't know."

Shrugging, she smiled weakly.

"Guess that's my fault huh? Didn't press the issue, so now its just normal routine."

Odd watched her intently, heart on fire from what was slowly being realized.

"Aelita, you know it would be alright... If you end it. Especially if you aren't happy."

Their eyes met with equal seriousness.

"I mean... I know I'm no expert on relationships. But I know that its never good to keep dragging on something that's not working out."

"I feel like I'm the only one that feels like its not working."

"Then you're going to have to be the one that pulls the plug."

A breath left her lungs, and her shoulders sank.

"I know. Its always on me. Everything's on me, it seems."

"Well, it shouldn't be that way. Relationships are a two way street. If one person is trying and the other isn't, what's the point, right?"

"Right." She breathed.

Rain pattered relentlessly against the glass in the following silence.

"Aelita."

Head rising as he stepped closer, her heartbeat rose in a rush as he gently gripped her shoulders.

"I'm going to be honest. And by that, I mean, I really, truthfully, don't know how else to tell you this."

Watching him with intent, a blush crept across her skin. From the uncertainty, his closeness, and his thumbs caressing her shoulders with a calming rhythm.

Go ahead. Tell me. Even though I can probably guess what you're about to say. Even though you always surprise me. Maybe that's one th-

"I love you, Aelita."

Her mouth opened with genuine surprise.

"I love you, and I think you deserve so much better than this."

Watching her expression settle into a gentle, emotion-riddled stare, he continued.

"You're my best friend, and I know its probably not my place to say so, but I'd do anything to be someone better. For you."

A heavy inhale turned into a sweet sob, and her head turned, eyes following his arm back up to his face.

"Odd, how long have you... Felt this way?"

His eyes lowered, filtering through memories.

"A while. I've just never showed it, really. I always figured you and Jeremy were bound to be together forever, so I guess I just shoved it down... But that's probably why it really started to hit me hard seeing you being let down and blown off. You've always meant so much to me, even if we are probably never meant to be."

She laughed sadly.

"Who says?"

Odd's eyebrows rose.

"What do you mean?"

"Who says we couldn't be something?"

This time, she watched him with unwavering focus.

"Who's to say anything about that?"

Odd swallowed, a bit astonished.

"I, well... I guess nobody, really."

A hesitant breath left her lungs in contemplation.

What are you thinking, me? When did this become a path to take?

"Aelita, I'm not going to tell you to do anything, and I don't want you to make any hasty decisions -."

"With what, ending a sad, stale relationship? If anything, I'm glad you've spoken from the heart. Because I've realized I've been too busy neglecting and ignoring my own."

"Aelita."

"Listen, Odd. Why do you think I always come to you about these things? You always seem to understand me, and I understand you. I don't know how, but its so easy. I guess it makes sense now why you're always so willing to listen and talk to me."

He looked away bashfully, but her hands slowly rose up to her shoulders, settling upon his fingers.

"We get along so well. And to be honest, I've thought about this over the past year or so. Probably was the same feeling you had though, not sure it would work or what people would think. And that's assuming I end it with Jeremy."

Breathing a deep sigh from the warmth of her hands, he then watched as her hands gingerly collected his.

"But after all that, and now talking about this, something inside me really, really wants to find out anyway."

Odd blinked.

"Wait, what?"

She produced a slow nod.

"You heard me."

"I, uhh..."

"Do I need to spell it out? You sure did to me."

Odd's mind ran in a million directions.

She's serious. Can't be. Definitely serious. How did this happen?

"Aelita, wait, its not that easy."

"You sure? You just told me you love me, and you'd do anything to be my number one. Didn't seem that hard for you to admit."

"Actually... It was."

And its been eating me alive for years. But you don't know that.

Reading his softening voice, she curled his hands inside her own.

"Alright, how about this. I break it off with Jeremy tomorrow or so, and then you take me on a date later on, and we'll see how it goes."

Odd bit his lip.

This sounds silly. Ridiculous. Is she actually being serious? If she is, I guess I'm not used to her being like this.

This doesn't even seem real. But man I hope it is.

"I... I just feel bad that you suddenly want to dump Jeremy."

Sharing an equally pensive moment, their eyes met.

"I guess we're both coming to terms with things that have been a long time coming."

"Yeah."

Even though I didn't expect this to actually happen. Besides daydreams and silly thoughts.

Standing together in the darkness, lost in a moment of silence, they both sighed.

Where do we even begin with this anyway? Isn't this a rebound? Or is it different because we're so close...?

Aelita's head then tilted with curiosity.

"Odd."

His eyebrow rose.

"If we do go on a date, where would you take me?"

A laugh left his nose, chasing away the earlier seriousness.

"If I told you, it would spoil the fun and surprises."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. And considering you'd be my date, It'd have to be extra creative and fun anyway."

"I already like the sound of that."

He beamed with a light blush.

"Me too."

Eyes wandering around with slowly re-surging romantic elation, she exhaled, looking up at him through her locks of red hair.

"If the date goes well, would you give me a kiss?"

"Of course."

Her eyebrow rose.

"What kind of kiss?

The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile.

I know what you're up to, Princess.

"I could show you."

Oh yeah...?

"Maybe you should." She purred.

Watching the other carefully, they slowly drifted closer, noses touching gently, and then slowly drifting past as their mouths drew closer, issuing excited breath back and forth.

Eyes fluttered shut in anticipation, and unseen smiles flashed briefly, only to withdraw as their lips gently pressed together with sweet simplicity. Relaxing into an embrace, with arms drifting around their sides, a long, single kiss lingered, and their faces flushed red with mirth and emotion.

Ohhh wow. Fireworks.

Been a while since felt I've these, uhh...

Drifting apart, nurturing a fiery new connection inside, Odd slowly produced a smile, watching as she giddily twisted back and forth, producing a murmur as she gripped his hands tighter.

Yeeaaahhhh. Can we do that again?

Reading her expression and behavior, he laughed lightly.

Ohhh Aelita my dear, there's plenty more where that came from...

Jumping from the buzz of his cell phone in his pocket, he fished it out, and both of their mouths opened as the moment faded back into reality.

"Oops."

"How long has it been?"

"Not sure."

Answering the call, his mouth opened.

"Hey Ulrich, we're both ready to..."

"Yeah. Didn't know how long you two wanted us to wait."

"Right. We'll go now, uh, go ahead and get to the sewers. We won't be long."

Hanging up, he then nodded at Aelita, and they both exhaled.

"So, umm, Aelita."

Her eyebrow rose.

"I have no idea what the future will hold. But from now on, I want to go through it by your side."

She touched her hand to her face, glancing towards the the window.

"There's still a few steps to take... And I know you understand."

Looking over at him, a cautious smile lifted her face.

"But I guess we'll see what happens anyway."

Pushing open the door nearby and squinting into the darkness of rainfall, they prepared for a sprint, trading a look in a fleeting moment.

This is insane. But its alright. I guess we're just used to crazy stuff like this by now.

Bursting outside into the steady rainfall, water splashing from their hasty footfall, the pair ran in tandem, staying close to the buildings of the academy in an effort to stay out of harm's way as thunder rumbled ominously above.

Just another day at Kadic, right?