Disclaimer: Yeah I don't own Code Lyoko. Wow shocker! XD

Chapter 1

Rain drops pelted the rooftop above me relentlessly. The sound was calming somehow, though the weather outside was intensifying to the point of a full blown thunder storm. But of course, the world outside my room never really mattered much. I let go of a sigh as I filled the air with familiar clicks and key strokes. No...not when there was so much to be done. The image of my computer screen glared in my weary eyes as I fumbled to hold my mind steady.

It was only about 6:00 in the evening, but with so many sleepless nights wearing on me, I felt it might as well have been much later. Removing my glasses I wiped clean the lens, hoping to somehow clear my thoughts as easily. But it was no use, I was unable to focus for the sheer sleep deprivation I had made a habit as of late. I leaned back in my chair as my eyes slipped shut. I'd just rest for a minute or so, then I'd be good as new and back to work. Or so I told myself as an excuse to finally let sleep overtake me.

Knock, knock.

I heard the sound but my fading mind didn't really know if it was real or coming from a dream waiting to meet me at long last. That was until I gently heard my door creep open and her voice spill over the room.

"Jeremie?"

Throwing myself from sleep I quickly spun my chair around to greet her. "Aelita... I'm sorry I must have nodded off for a second there." I said as an incriminating yawn overtook me.

She smiled softly at me. "No I'm sorry Jeremie, I didn't mean to wake you. It's just you missed dinner again, and I wanted to see if you were alright."

I forced a smile onto my tired face. "Yeah I guess I just lost track of the time. But don't worry I'm fine. Really Aelita, I'll be as good as new by tomorrow!" I was trying to reassure her yes, but I almost felt like I was hoping to convince myself at the same time. Her eyes narrowed as a tiny frown spread across her lovely face. "But you haven't eaten anything have you?" I fell silent for a moment before I again forced a small smile, that seemed to ask her to understand.

"I'm just busy with so much Aelita... You know how hard it's been lately. That's why I have to make sure we're always two steps ahead of Xana." Her concerned expression grew, and it seemed she wasn't as reassured as I hoped she'd be. "Jeremie... Promise me something..." She began as she placed a gentle hand on my shoulder. "Promise you'll go to sleep on time tonight." The sensation of her hand on my shoulder connected to my heart and filled me with enough energy to last me the rest of the evening, and late into the night, but all the same I knew this was one promise I had to keep. I fought to dismiss the heat from my cheeks as I looked up into her eyes, they were firmed by her concern for me. "I promise Aelita."

Slowly her face lightened and that usual warm smile returned. "Thanks Jeremie." She said before hesitantly walking toward the doorway. But before leaving she turned back to me. Her eyes seemed to be searching for something, but finally she smiled and spoke one last time. "Goodnight." I nodded and returned her expression. "Goodnight..." Without another word she walked out and pulled the door close behind her.

Now with the light from the hallway filtered out, my room fell into a gloomy sort of darkness. I exhaled slowly as I ran my fingers over the place on my shoulder where her hand had been. After choking back the confused emotions I felt drifting around inside of me I slid my glasses off my nose and laid them next to the keyboard. Without giving another thought to anything other than fulfilling the promise I had made, I fell onto my seldom used bed as my damp eyes drifted shut.

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