Karen ran through the streets, crossing when necessary. She ran blindly as she panted in exaustion. The sounds of a vehicle's horn honked through the distance and Karen froze in the middle of the road. These sounds were soon followed by screeching tires. Leoko heard this as he hurried up and ran out of the alley. "No!" He ran as fast as he could up to a certain point, but then he stopped as he saw her, his eyes wide with surprise. "...Karen."

To his surprise, she wasn't hurt. She stood there frozen as a statue, facing the halted car in front of her. Her expression was blank as she stared at the automobile that was about four feet away from her. The people in the car rubbed the back of their necks as they stared at her in surprise. Karen slowly turned her head and looked at Leoko, a hint of fear slowly approaching her eyes. She breathed heavily and just stood there, unsure of what to do next. Leoko walked over to her as he put his hands on her shoulders gently. "Come on Karen... it's all right." Horns were beeping around them, wanting them to move out of the way. Leoko slightly glared at them in irritance of their impatience and carelessness as he led Karen out of the streets slowly. "Come on. Everything's going to be okay." Karen almost tried to hesitate and hold back, but Leoko didn't back down as he continued to lead her back to the alley. He could feel her heart thumping hard in her chest from all the startling events.

Leoko helped her sit down as he sat next to her, his hand on her shoulder. "Karen... why did you run?" He didn't get a response from her as she sat there and trembled. Her expression was almost hard to determine as more of sadness or anger, but he knew it was brought on by her stress. The objects in the alley began to rattle again as her stare was flatly focused on the wall before her. Leoko thought for a bit and took off his necklace, putting it around her neck. The vibrations ended and Karen barely reacted in somewhat surprise by it. Leoko sighed lightly and scooted closer to her. "It's going to be okay." She continued to shake and tremble as he noticed tears welling up in her eyes. His eyes narrowed sadly as he looked down, wondering how to help ease her sadness. After a little bit, he looked at her again with an idea. He slowly slipped his arm around her and pulled her closer to him.

Karen seemed surprised at this as she lowly made a quickened noise of surprise like, "Huh?" She looked at him and stared, her eyes shaking. Leoko looked into her eyes. "It's okay now." His aqua colored eyes gazed calmingly into hers, sending feelings of relaxation to her. Karen finally calmed down as she leaned her head on his shoulder. She had only known him for a short period of time, but she already knew she could trust him. She could feel it. The way his arm felt around her made her feel wanted.

Leoko was a bit surprised at seeing her lean on his shoulder. Her touch was so sweet as she snuggled next to him. She needed someone to comfort her, and that's what he wanted to be for her as he held her there close to him. Karen smiled faintly as she remained in her comfort with him. "Thank you Leoko." He smiled at her as he leaned his head on hers. "No problem. I'm glad you're all right now." Karen placed her hand over the pendant on the necklace that he placed on her. It helped her control herself and this was such a relief to her. She took out the pendant from underneath her shirt, the heart locket that had the letters 'KLT' engraved on it, as she held it in her hands. She seemed to slip into a memory as she sat and stared at the wall. Leoko noticed her necklace as he asked, "What does 'KLT' mean?" Karen looked at him and said, "It's my initials. Karen Leanne Tayka. Tayka was my... birth name... from my real parents." She seemed a bit saddened after mentioning this. Leoko could tell. "They gave that to you, didn't they?" Karen looked down at it and nodded, holding it gently in her hand. She stroked the pendant with her thumb as she thought on things.

Leoko looked sadly at her, giving an internal sigh. He kept his arm around her shoulders as he looked aside. He also seemed to be in thought. Karen fiddled with the pendants of both necklaces as she looked at him. "What about you and your family? Do you get along?" Leoko looked at her as he replied, "Not really, no. My father, Zakata, is not much of a fatherly figure and my mother... well, she's no longer here." Karen frowned. "I'm sorry." Leoko gave a sweet smile. "Don't be. Things happen for a reason, no matter how bad they may be." He looked up at the sky as he continued, "There's a day that's meant to be discovered, and that's when you come to realize the reason and truly appreciate it." Karen smiled faintly at this. "That's a good perspective of it." She clutched the pendants as she held the appearance of faint happiness.

Leoko seemed to feel the same as he grinned. "Hey, you want to go swimming?" Karen seemed to like this idea as she said, "That sounds great...! But I don't have a bathingsuit..." Leoko just shrugged. "So?" Karen blinked at him. "So, my clothes will get wet." He just kept his smile. "I can take care of that. Come on. Let's go." He stood up and held his hand out to her. Karen placed her hand into his as she gripped around his hand. The fact of their hands together like that brought rosy hues to both of their cheeks as he helped her stand. Leoko then let her hand go as he turned around, his back to her. He seemed to bend over slightly, suggesting something to her. He smiled as he said, "Hop on. I know an easy way there." Karen blinked. "You want me to ride on your back?" Leoko nodded. "Yep, if you want to." Karen smiled. "Sounds like fun." She hopped on his back as she held onto his shoulders. He grabbed onto her legs in front of him as he said, "Hang on." He grinned back at her and she almost sweatdropped. She knew this wasn't going to be safe.

Leoko then leapt up the stairs, taking a shortcut instead of walking up the stairs normally. Karen's eyes widened in surprise as she held on tight around his chest. Leoko just chuckled as he continued to jump. "I told ya to hold on, did I not?" Karen laughed lightly and nervously. "Yeah, but you never said anything about taking this route." Leoko just smirked as he reached the roof. He kept a quick pace as he ran on toward the edge of the building. Another building was next to the one they were on, though it was a pretty good distance. Karen's eyes widened more. "You're not going to jump are you?" Leoko just grinned sneakily as he ran on. Karen held on tight. She knew he was going to do it. Sure enough, Leoko made the jump, landing safely on the other side and continuing to run. Karen just clung to him as she felt her heart jump into her chest. Leoko laughed as he hopped down from the building and onto a lower branch. He finally got to the ground as he stopped and let her down.

Karen was amazed at the sight. It was a beautiful ocean spot that seemed almost private. No one else was there. She could see water for miles and miles. "Wow..." She walked closer to the water as it flowed gently, nearly reaching her feet. She could smell the fresh air as she took it in and exhaled in a calm manner. "Ahh, it's so nice here." Leoko grinned as he took off his shirt, revealing his creviced abs. "Well we didn't come here just to look at it." Karen's eyes were drawn to his stomach as she stared. He was hot. Leoko smirked slyly, knowing that she was checking him out. Karen shook her head as she snapped out of the stare. She smiled slyly in return, knowing what she was to swim in. She took off her shirt as well, revealing her bra that she wore underneath. Leoko reacted to her just the same as she had reacted to him, just as planned. Her figure was so slender and curved, he couldn't help but stare. She also took off her pants and other clothes until she was down to only a bra and panties.

Leoko blinked and gazed at her, amazed with her beauty. He then slipped off his pants as well, leaving himself in only boxers. Of course, this drew Karen's attention again. He grinned at her and ran to the dock, standing at the edge for a moment as he looked down at the slow moving waters. He then dove in as he submerged completely underwater. Karen walked gracefully to the water on shore, looking down at the water that rushed upon her feet. The sounds were so calming, and on top of the feeling, it was even more of a delight.

She looked at the water in her calm train of thought, unaware that she was slowly rising into the air. When she did feel it and realize it, she looked around and noticed that the water seemed to be controlled as it lifted her like a fountain into the air. She made a sound of amazement as she spotted Leoko down below. He was the one controlling the water. He looked up at her and winked. Karen smiled as she stood on the water. It was surprisingly firm, like a solid surface. She grinned and placed her hands above her head, soon diving down into the water. She splashed near him as she went under and he laughed, wiping the water from his face and releasing his control on the water.

When she came back up, she only brought her head above the water. Leoko raised an eyebrow, sensing something strange in her behavior. Karen smiled nervously. "Heh... give me a sec. I almost lost my bra." Leoko chuckled at her and went for a swim. He did a backstroke as he moved quite fast. Karen fixed her bra under the water as she watched him. Water truly was his element. Leoko stopped swimming as he simply floated on his back, drifting calmly in the water. Karen smiled as she too went for a swim. He watched her swim as he smirked, slowly sinking underwater and out of sight. She didn't notice this as she continued to swim, moving her arms and slowly moving along just in a calm motion. Her calm moment was soon ended however as she felt a tickling sensation on her feet under the water. She let out a squeal as she kicked her feet around, laughing and struggling to get her feet away from the source of the tickles. She stood with her feet on the ocean ground as she looked around. She didn't see anything.

Leoko was behind her, only his eyes above the surface as he snuck up behind her quietly. Karen remained with her back to him for a bit, but then she turned her head and looked at him. "What are you doing?" Leoko popped up out of the water and started laughing loudly, which made her raise an eyebrow as she stared. "What's so funny?" She couldn't help but to giggle a bit herself as she said it. Leoko continued to laugh as he said, "That was hilarious! I was trying to sneak up on you and I didn't scare you at all." Karen grinned. "Well I can sense your aura you know. Plus, I just knew you were there. I could feel it." Leoko's laughter died down a bit as he said, "Yeah, but what was funnier is that I could hear the Jaws theme playing in my head. Haha..." Karen chuckled as she splashed him playfully with the water. Leoko chuckled back as he splashed her as well. He then leaped up above the water's surface as ice formed below him, only in a small portion of the area. He landed on it with his bare feet as he slid across the ice, riding the frozen coldness like waves. The ice spread in front of him like a pathway as he slid across the ice. Karen watched in amazement as he did this, watching as he reached land.

Karen shivered a bit as she held her arms. "It's kinda cold..." Leoko sweatdropped. "Oops, sorry." He used his waterpowers to help bring her back to shore. Karen let out a sigh of relief to be back in the warmth of the sun. She wrung out her hair, squeezing her locks to the ends as the water dripped onto the sand. She still shivered a bit as she said, "I'm still chilly..." Leoko smiled. "Like I said, I can take care of that." He manipulated the water to surround her as it curved all around her. As it dropped and returned to the ocean, Karen was dry. No water remained on her body or in her hair. She was so astonished by this as her jaw dropped, looking at Leoko. "Whoa... I had no idea you could make something dry with water... that sounds so unlogical." Leoko laughed lightly. "Yeah it kinda does, but it's not what it appears. I wasn't placing the water on you, but rather having the water absorb those of its own element." Karen came to a realization as she said, "Ah, so you were practically absorbing the water from me?" Leoko nodded. "Precisely." Karen smiled wide. "That is so cool." He smiled somewhat bashfully at the compliment. "Is it?" Karen nodded as she started getting dressed once more. "Yeah, it is." She looked out at the ocean again as she said, "That ice thing you did was so neat. Are you able to do that to all the water... like an ice skating rink?" Leoko grinned. "Most of it, yes."

Not long after she said that, a large portion of the water began to freeze over as ice. Karen looked out at it in surprise. "Wow... you really can." Leoko smiled and nodded as he slipped his pants on. "Yep. If you'll get your shoes on, I'll get you a pair of skates." Karen smiled wide and put on her shoes. Once she did, Leoko made blades of ice attach to the bottom of her shoes like ice skates. She stared wide eyed in gladness. "This is so amazing! You are so awesome Leoko." Leoko smiled a bit shyly, but not as much as before, as he did the same to his shoes. He stretched a bit as he said, "I'm keeping my shirt off because I like the cold." Karen laughed lightly and shivered as she held her arms. "I sure don't." Leoko held his hand out to her. "Come on. Let's skate." Karen smiled as she allowed him to help her to her feet. She wobbled a bit when she stood. "I haven't done this in years, so I might not be very good at this." After she said that, she almost fell as she let out a brief shout and clung to him. She was practically hugging onto him as she held on for support in standing. Leoko smiled and helped her stand. "I'll help you."

They went out on the ice as they started skating. Leoko made sure that she could keep her balance before he let go of her. Karen stood still as she kept her balance, looking down at her feet. Leoko smiled and went off skating, gliding quickly across the ice. Karen watched him, seeing how he made it look so easy. She decided to give it a try as she took a step, moving a little ways before falling on her butt. "Ow..." Leoko chuckled and skated back over to her, taking her by the hand and helping her up. He slowly helped her start as he held her hand, skating alongside her. He smiled kindly at her and she made eye contact as she gained her balance, returning the warm smile. She looked at their hands as she laced their fingers, skating with him hand-in-hand. Leoko blushed a bit and looked ahead to watch where he was going again.

For the first time in their lives, they had a friend that they knew they could tell anything to, have fun times with like they were now. For the first time, they belonged.

As a couple weeks went by, Karen kept her job rather well without losing her temper. She wasn't even wearing Leoko's necklace, which meant she was probably doing better. For the moment, the lobby was empty, so she had the chance to restock things. She took a sleeve of napkins out to the drink station as she put them in there little by little. As she did, she cut her finger on a pointy edge as she lowly said, "Ow..." She slung her hand around a bit, then looked at it. A tiny bit of blood came from a thin line puncture as she sighed. Leoko came up behind her as he looked at it. Karen sensed him behind her, so she didn't get startled. She could remember his aura. She turned to him and showed him her finger. Leoko took hold of her hand as he kept her finger pointed out. Water emitted from his hand as it swirled around her finger, healing the scrape. Karen looked into his eyes and smiled, and Leoko returned the smile as he made eye contact.

"Are those napkins stocked Karen?" Kyote asked from behind the counter. He seemed to notice that she was distracted with Leoko. Karen looked back at him and nodded. "Yeah, I got them." Kyote nodded with the appearance of a proud authority figure. "Good, now the tables need to be wiped down." Karen nodded in agreement as she looked at Leoko again, slowly taking her hand back. "Thanks for healing my cut," she said with a light smile. Leoko was staring at Kyote with a near glare. "No problem." Karen noticed this as she said, "Leoko..." This got his attention as intended as he looked at her. "Do you want something to eat?" she asked. Leoko smiled and nodded. "That would be nice."

Karen returned to her register as Leoko approached the front of the register. "What would you like this morning?" she asked. "Would you like your usual, chicken biscuit?" Leoko shook his head. "No... I think I'll try a Bacon Egg and Cheese Biscuit this time." Karen nodded and repeated his order back to him. "Okay, so you want a Bacon Egg and Cheese Biscuit, right?" Leoko shook his head. "No, I want a Sausage Biscuit." "Oh, so you want a Sausage Biscuit?" "No I said a Sausage McGriddle." "You did? Okay a Sausage McGriddle..." "No, a Sausage Gravy Biscuit." Karen could see the smirk on his face as she said, "Would you stop messing with me? You're running up my time here." She laughed lightly and Leoko looked at her seriously again. "I said I wanted a chicken biscuit. Are you hard of hearing?" Karen chuckled as she rung up a chicken biscuit. "Okay, but you're gonna have to stick with that, because that's what I'm ringing you up for." Leoko smiled. "All right. That'll work." Karen shook her head with a disbelieving smile as she said, "That'll be one ten." He nodded and handed her a dollar bill and a dime. When she looked into his eyes and accepted the money, he smirked at her. Karen laughed lightly and looked down, as if trying to make it look like she was looking at her register. Leoko's smirk changed to a normal, kind smile as he watched her react a bit shyly.

"Karen, did you get those tables wiped down yet?" Kyote asked, causing her to look over at him. "No, not just yet. I had an order." Kyote didn't even glance at Leoko as he looked at Karen. "Well you need to get out there and keep our lobby straightened up." Karen rolled her eyes as she took her towel and went out to the lobby. Leoko's glare toward Kyote was more noticeable now, but he just turned away and went with Karen. "That guy is really getting on my nerves," Leoko stated as he walked beside Karen, who was wiping the tables. He was growing more defensive of Karen, and when Kyote ordered her around and aggravated her senselessly like that, it preturbed him. He could tell by how quickly she was wiping the tables down that she was getting agitated. He put his hand on her shoulder as he said, "It's all right. Please don't get mad... Do you need my necklace? Would you like to hit me to relieve your frustration?" Karen looked at him and laughed lightly at this comment. He was trying to make her smile, and it worked. "No, that's all right. I think I can handle it. Thanks anyway." As she turned back to her table, she said, "I'll just hit you later." Leoko grinned back at her and said, "All right then. If it makes you happy."

Karen smiled at him, but then she looked out the window and noticed that they had a busload of kids pulling into the lot. Karen sweatdropped and so did Leoko. "Oi, this is really what you needed right now Karen," Leoko stated with sarcasm. He took off his necklace as he put it around her neck. "Here, you'll need this. Have fun." He walked off and Karen sighed. "All right everyone, get in your places and make sure you have everything ready to go," Kyote commanded. The employees felt as if they were in the army as they did what they were told. Karen went back to her register, not even getting to wipe down all the tables. Arina walked over to the register next to Karen's as she smiled nervously and said, "Now I know you'll need my help." Karen just sighed and said, "Awww man, and I was supposed to get off in ten minutes." Arina looked at her. "Heh, doesn't look like that's gonna happen."

An hour and a half after her shift was meant to be over, Karen walked out of the restaurant exausted and sore. She limped out the door and saw Leoko waiting nearby. He noticed her coming out as he walked over to her. "You all right? You sure look tired." Karen nodded with narrow eyes that were too tired to keep open. "Yeah... I am." She carried a bag of something as she walked toward him. Leoko noticed her limping on her right leg as he turned around. "Here, hop on. I'll carry you." Karen smiled lightly and climbed on his back. He situated her and helped her up as he held her legs. He then asked, "You want me to carry the bag for you so you can hold on?" Karen smiled and nodded. "Sure. When we get back, we can eat." Leoko smiled back at her. "Ah, so what did you get this time?" Karen smiled back as she rested her head on his shoulder. "You'll just have to wait and see." Leoko nodded as he started walking. He liked the feeling of her resting her head on him. It made him feel so close to her, and that's how she felt as well.

Their friendship was always growing, and they seemed to tell each other everything. They were so attached that they even seemed to be quite affectionate, leaning on each other and holding hands. They almost seemed to be acting like... a couple. Once in the alley again, Karen sat beside him as she opened her bag. Leoko looked at it in anticipation of what she might have gotten. She pulled out a box as she said, "I got us some Cinnamon Melts." Leoko seemed surprised as he accepted the box. "You bought two?" Karen shook her head. "No, I only bought one." After she said this, she took out another box with the same thing in it. Leoko blinked in confusion. "Yeah, but... you have two." Karen grinned, seeing that she confused him. "Buy one, get one free." Leoko nodded. "Ohhhh... I get it. Haha, you're just trying to confuse me for what I did to you earlier." Karen smirked. "Yep, and that reminds me..." She punched his arm and he held it. "Ow... What'd you do that for?" She grinned and replied, "You told me I could, so I said I would." Leoko then laughed. "Oh yeah."

He opened his box as he took the fork and poked a piece of the treat. He took a bite of it as he smiled. "Mmmm... it's so delicious." Karen was also eating hers as she smiled. "Yeah... It's better than the original Cinnamon Rolls." Leoko nodded. "Hell yeah it is." Karen leaned closer against him as she ate hers. Leoko smiled and leaned against her as well. He then said, "I like being this close to you Karen." She smiled as she swallowed her bite. "Me too." He poked his food with his fork, not intending to actually stab a piece. "It's almost as if we're... dating," he said as his cheeks flushed. Karen stopped eating and blushed too. "Hmmm..." was the only sound she made. She seemed to notice it too. She then just continued to eat her Cinnamon Melt as she took her last bite. Leoko did the same as he set his box down, not knowing what to say or do now that he had said that.

"I used to have a boyfriend," Karen said as she looked in front of her. Leoko looked at her. "Really? Did you like him?" Karen giggled. "I don't know. I was only in first grade, so it was just puppy love." Leoko laughed. "Puppy love hmm? Why, did he lick you and wag his tail?" Karen laughed and playfully shoved him on the shoulder. "Haha, very funny." Leoko just chuckled as he shoved her lightly back. They met up again as their arms touched. They were sitting that close to each other. They had already established such a close bond, and they were both quite shy. Leoko looked aside and twiddled his thumbs, and Karen's eyes also averted as she bit her lower lip. She had never felt so nervous around him. Leoko felt the same way, for he hadn't been that shy to speak to her. "So..." he finally said, letting his eyes wander a bit. "Yeah..." Karen stated as she tapped her finger on her work pants.

She then stood up and said, "I forgot to change out of my uniform. Heh... I'm just that lazy." Leoko smiled at her and said, "No you're not. You're just tired." His hands began to glow blue as he said, "Shall I do the honors?" Karen nodded. "Yeah. Thanks." Leoko made the icy dressing room for her privacy as he let her change her clothes. While she changed her outfit, Leoko sat there and leaned his head back on the wall, a slight smile on his face as he thought, What if she likes me? Does she want to be my...? He blushed lightly at the thoughts. What if she was growing to like him just as he liked her? "Done," Karen stated from behind the ice barrier. Leoko did his best to get rid of his blushing as he took down the barrier. When he saw her in her new jeans and tight t-shirt that she had bought with her earned job money, he looked at her in admiration. She looked so beautiful standing there in that outfit and messing with her hair. She was pulling part of her hair back as she smoothed out the creases. Leoko watched as she took the hairbow from around her wrist and tied her hair back with it.

"Ahh, that's better," she said as she sighed contently. Leoko stared at her with a light smile as he said, "Yeah it is." Karen looked at him and smiled big. "Are you... checking me out?" His cheeks flushed again as he said, "I was just... complimenting you. That's all... You are very pretty." Karen blushed as well. She had never blushed so many times in one day. "Thanks." She tapped her toes together fidgety. "You're not so bad yourself." Leoko's blush became more pronounced as he looked aside nervously. Karen then felt soreness in her feet as she sat down. "Ugh, today was such a long day." Leoko looked at her as his blush was replaced with concern. "Are your feet sore?" Karen nodded as she rubbed her bare feet. "Yeah..." Leoko smiled at her. "I can fix that." He got up and went over to her, sitting in front of her as her legs were stretched out straight in front of her. He then emitted water from his hands as the water flowed around and over her feet.

Karen smiled and leaned her head back. It was so relaxing since the water was massaging her feet. She wiggled her toes and made a low moan of contentment. "Mmmm... Your powers are so amazing." Leoko smiled at her as he continued to let his powers massage her. "Yours are too. I wish I had telekinesis." Karen looked at him. "You do when it comes to water. You can manipulate it to do almost anything." Leoko smiled. "Yeah, that's true, but I can't control everything like you can. Hey, I bet you could control water too." Karen thought for a second. "Yeah, I bet I could. I'll have to try it sometime."

Leoko then asked, "Can you control something and keep it under control while you do something else, like this?" His waterpowers were still massaging her feet as he got up, walking behind her and sitting down behind her. He then began massaging her shoulders with his hands. Karen seemed so relaxed and happy now. "Mmmmm... no I can't. You are so nice to me. Thank you so much Leoko." He smiled as he continued to massage her tense shoulder muscles. "You're welcome. You deserve it... and you need it." Karen nodded. "Yes I did need it... so much." Leoko continued to massage her, working his way down her mid back as his thumbs pressed her pressure points and tension areas. Karen made a low noise every once in a while, keeping her eyes closed as she relaxed and enjoyed the sweet pampering.

After a little while, she leaned back against him subconsciously in her relaxation, her back against his stomach and her head against his chest. Leoko paused for a second, but then smiled as he nuzzled the side of her head. He stopped massaging and the water around her feet disappeared as he slipped his arms around her. He laid one of his hands on top of the other on her stomach as he rested his head on hers, enjoying the closeness and belonging. Karen remained in her state of relaxation as she placed her hands over his that were on her stomach. Leoko smiled and closed his eyes, relaxing with her happily. Karen also had her eyes closed, soon falling asleep since she had a hard day.

Leoko noticed her breathing even out and felt her fingers twitch as he observed her. He smiled tenderly as he created an object of water behind his back to prop himself against. This way, he could relax and not disturb her. She seemed too comfortable and content. Leoko looked up at the sky as he smiled and leaned back on his watery support behind him, relaxing with Karen. He was glad to have satisfied her and helped her out. His own words played around in his head: There's a day that's meant to be discovered, and that's when you come to realize the reason and truly appreciate it.