Disclaimer: I don't own Code Lyoko

Chapter 9

"So, the spider says, 'I looked it up on the web!'" said Odd, laughing hysterically. Melanie and Aelita giggled, and even Jeremie managed a chuckle.

After successfully deactivating the tower, and a very close escape from the Scyphozoa, the gang launched the return to the past, and found themselves at the time of the date, and not twenty-four hours previously. It seemed that even the supercomputer itself wanted to nurture the budding romance. Or at least keep Jeremie and Aelita from finding a way out of it.

"Hey, Aelita," whispered Melanie. "Getting any butterflies?"

"Er, no," said Aelita. Why would she be catching insects now?

"Good, 'cause Jeremie seems nervous enough for the both of you," joked Melanie.

Aelita glanced at Jeremie and noticed that he did look a little uncomfortable. She couldn't say she was feeling any better. Going on a date with her best friend wasn't exactly easy. However, when she called Yumi to explain the return to the past while in the bathroom, Yumi said it was a great idea.

"Say, Aelita, have you heard about Theo?" asked Odd, deciding to drop the bomb on her and Jeremie.

"No, what?" asked Aelita curiously. Jeremie held back a growl and listened intently.

"They're releasing him from the hospital early," said Odd knowingly. "I guess it wasn't too serious."

"What?" asked Aelita, fear sinking in.

"Don't worry, I'd bet my dog Jeremie would be thrilled to protect you," said Odd, smirking. "And anyway, I think Theo learned his lesson last time."

"He's never been very bright," muttered Jeremie angrily. Somehow, Mr. Delmas never found out Jeremie was the reason Theo nearly suffocated. He didn't want to risk that by being around Theo.

"Oh, shoot!" said Odd, glancing at his watch. "Jim's bound to catch us! It's ten minutes until curfew!"

"We better get going," said Melanie standing up.

"You girls go ahead, we'll catch up in a minute," said Odd. Jeremie nodded, not sure where this was going, and Aelita smiled at him before running off with Melanie. "Well done, Jeremie."

"What do you mean?" asked Jeremie.

"You could have flipped out over this date like you did last time, but you didn't," said Odd. "Aelita seemed very impressed."

"Yeah, sure," said Jeremie sarcastically.

"I'm serious, keep this up and she'll be yours in no time!" said Odd cheerfully. "I'm gonna go walk Melanie to her dorm. You make sure Aelita gets back safe. Okay?"

Before Jeremie could argue Odd was already dashing out of the restaurant. He sighed and ran after him, finding the girls waiting for them outside.

"Hey, Melanie," said Odd, slinging his arm around her shoulder. She giggled.

"Hey, Odd," said Melanie, leaning forward and pecking him on the lips. He blushed but recovered quickly, kissing her back.

Jeremie and Aelita stood next to them uncomfortably. Were they supposed to be doing something? They stared at anything, the sky, the trees, the road, sometimes looking at each other, before Jeremie cleared his throat.

"Uh, guys, remember, Jim?" said Jeremie nervously.

"Oh, right," said Odd, backing away from Melanie. "Catch you later!"

Odd and Melanie ran towards to the school, leaving Jeremie and Aelita behind. Jeremie smacked his forehead; what else could go wrong?

"Well, we better get moving if we don't want detention," said Aelita, her voice shaking.

Jeremie nodded and they started make their way back to Kadic, thoughts racing inside their heads. Jeremie couldn't believe she was still talking to him after what just happened. He wasn't exactly the perfect date. He finally had the opportunity to go out with her, and he blew it.

Aelita resisted the urge to kick the ground with her foot in anger. Why couldn't she get this flirting business? She had completely forgotten everything her teachers told her, and instead sat there like an idiot! Why did she have to be so dense right when it counted the most?

As they got closer to the dorms they steadily became more nervous. The long awaited end of the date had finally come, but how should they go about it? Apologize profusely? Copy Odd and Melanie? Exchange awkward goodbyes and go to their rooms?

"Um, well, good night, Aelita," said Jeremie, as they had reached her dorm first.

"Sweet dreams, Jeremie," said Aelita, attempting to smile.

Jeremie paused and racked his brain, trying to figure out what to do. He'd love to kiss her, but would love it more if she didn't hate him. But, like Ulrich said, didn't Aelita kiss him because she liked him? Taking this point into consideration, Jeremie grabbed Aelita's arm before she walked into her room.

"Wait, Aelita," said Jeremie, hoping he wouldn't regret his decision.

"What is it, Jeremie?" asked Aelita, concerned.

Jeremie shook his head and let her go, feeling foolish. What was he thinking? He had already caused enough damage tonight.

"Tell me, Jeremie," said Aelita, turning away from her door.

"It's nothing," said Jeremie, moving to walk to his own dorm. He heard Aelita's door shut and sighed. She must have gone to sleep. The next few minutes passed by in silence as Jeremie felt worse and worse, wishing he wasn't such a blundering imbecile.

"What's on your mind?" asked Aelita abruptly. Jeremie jumped and spun around. She had been following him the whole time!

"Aelita!" exclaimed Jeremie, his heart racing. "I-I, uh, nothing."

"Come on, Jeremie, I know it's something," said Aelita.

"Aelita, I'm just worried about Xana, you know that," said Jeremie, berating himself on the inside for lying to her.

"Right," said Aelita, nodding. She knew better, though. "Well, goodnight."

Jeremie gave her a small smile and turned around, feeling that the sooner he was in his room, the better. He tensed when he sensed Aelita coming closer. He squeezed his eyes shut, as if bracing for impact. Was she going to yell at him?

Aelita closed her eyes and delicately grabbed Jeremie's chin. She could feel Jeremie stiffen under her touch and frowned slightly. She pressed her lips on his cheek and waited for him to react. She heard a sharp intake of breath and backed away, blushing.

Jeremie's head was spinning. He was an awful date, got attacked by dining utensils, and she kissed him? How did that work out? Jeremie blushed and managed to smile at her, making her blush as well. Very quietly, Aelita began walking away, waving goodbye and heading for her room. Tonight was almost ruined by Xana, she didn't want Jim to be thrown in as well.


"Okay, Jer, open up right now!"

"Wha-" mumbled Jeremie, sitting straight up and reaching for his glasses. It was already morning.

"Thanks for the warm welcome, Einstein," said Odd, opening the door and marching into Jeremie's dorm.

"What's going on?" asked Jeremie, yawning.

"Okay, does 'Odd left you and Aelita to walk Melanie back to her dorm' ring a bell?" asked Ulrich, smirking.

"Oh, yeah," said Jeremie, his face heating up. "Thanks a lot, Odd."

"My pleasure," replied Odd smartly. "So, give us the details!"

"I walked her back, went to my room, and worked on the, uh, math worksheet," said Jeremie, noting the rest of his teachers walking in.

"Did anything happen?" asked Bastien.

"Well, yes," answered Jeremie,realizing he wasn't getting off easy. "When we got to the dorm I was about to kiss her, but I lost my nerve."

"Jeremie!" groaned Romain. "What did you think she was going to do if you did? Slap you?"

"Maybe!" said Jeremie angrily. "I just want her to keep speaking to me!"

"Jeremie, there's not even the tiniest chance that Aelita doesn't like you as more than a friend," said Thomas. "What's the risk in telling her you feel the same way?"

Jeremie didn't answer, and Ulrich sighed.

"Did anything else happen?" Ulrich asked.

"Well, I left for my room, she had been following me, asked me what was wrong, I told her it was school, she said goodnight, kissed me, and walked away," said Jeremie, not stopping for breath.

"Great, now you're lying to her, too!" scolded Jean-Baptiste.

"Who's side are you on?" asked Jeremie heatedly.

"Jeremie, face it, you're chicken," said Odd solemnly.

"What?" asked Jeremie, surprised. "I am not!"

"Prove it!" countered Odd, crossing his fingers behind his back and hoping his plan worked. "Go and show us that we're not wasting our time!"

"Odd, this is ridiculous!" said Jeremie, but he was interrupted.

"Bawk, bawk!" clucked Odd, flapping his elbows in a chicken-like manner. "Chicken!"

"Odd, what are you doing?" hissed Ulrich, watching Jeremie sweat uncomfortably.

"Just watch," replied Odd, still flapping. "Come on, Jeremie, admit it!"

"I am not chicken!" said Jeremie, storming out of the room. The boys waited a moment before quickly and quietly following, while Odd and Ulrich lagged behind.

"Ah, the powers of male pride," said Odd, looking satisfied. Ulrich looked at his friend quizzically before shaking his head. There was just no understanding Odd.


Aelita tied the laces to her boot as she heard a loud knock on her door. She sighed; she had hoped her mentors would give her a brief vacation after the fiasco last night. Reluctantly Aelita stood up and opened the door. It was Jeremie, still in his pajamas, with a distressed look on his face.

"Is something wrong, Jeremie?" asked Aelita. His face paled, then grew red, then Aelita could have sworn she heard odd clucking noises.

"No, nothing-" began Jeremie, then the clucking grew louder and he frowned.

Jeremie knew he would have to somehow cause Odd three hours of pain the next time he saw the boy, but right now he had to show he had a spine, and he had to fix last night. Jeremie took a breath and grabbed hold of Aelita's arms, claiming her lips before his shyness could kick in.

Aelita let out a muffled gasp and felt her knees shake. The one thing she had spent countless hours dreaming about was happening right now, when she least expected it. And she wasn't doing anything about it. Realizing this, Aelita closed her eyes and moved towards him, but-

"Belpois! Stones!"

Jeremie spent a fraction of a second wishing those words had never sounded before opening his eyes and restoring the normal gap between him and Aelita. Jim was marching down the hallway, looked furious.

"You know public displays of affection are not allowed!" bellowed Jim, grabbing their elbows. "I bet Mr. Delmas would love to have a little chat with you in his office!"

Aelita grew more and more confused as she was jerked out of the dorm building. Kadic had a rule called "Get a kiss, get in trouble?" Why did she get a kiss in the first place?

"Ah, Mr. Delmas, these two were caught kissing on the Girls' Dorm Level," said Jim, bringing Jeremie and Aelita into the principal's office. They felt the blood rush to their faces as they sat in the chairs in front of Mr. Delmas's desk.

"Well well well," said Mr. Delmas, peering at them both in turn. "What do you have to say for yourselves?"

"Please, sir, it's my fault," said Jeremie, sitting up straighter. "Aelita had nothing to do with it."

"That may be so, but I'm trying to keep Kadic a respectable school," said Mr. Delmas sternly. "Jim, did Aelita make any protest at all against Belpois's actions?"

"No she did not, sir," said Jim, smiling while Aelita blushed. "In fact, by the time I caught them, she appeared to be trying to taking it further!"

"You will each serve three hours of detention tomorrow afternoon," said Mr. Delmas crossly. "Understood?"

"Yes, sir," said Aelita, trying to become fascinated with the carpet. This morning was just a giant blur to her, she could barely understand what was happening.

"Very well," said Mr. Delmas. "That will be all. You may continue getting ready for class."

"Thank you, sir," said Jeremie and Aelita, standing up and leaving the office, nodding to Nicole on their way out.

As soon as they were in the hallway Jeremie felt words gush out of his mouth, trying to form a suitable apology, but it was mostly babbling. Short phrases like "I'm so sorry," "Please forgive me," "I don't know what came over me," and "I'm really, really sorry" kept Aelita from speaking, until after two minutes when it was growing slightly annoying.

"Jeremie," said Aelita, covering his mouth abruptly. "It's okay. I'm not angry with you. I...I actually kind of liked you kissing me."

"Y-You did?" stammered Jeremie, his eyes widening. "But-"

"Aelita!" yelled a voice, making Aelita wince. They just had to come now. Her "helpers" stopped and Naomi stepped forward. "Oh, uh, sorry, Jeremie, but we're going to have to borrow Aelita."

Jeremie nodded, not bothering to wonder why they wanted Aelita. He knew it was only natural for her to gain popularity the longer she stayed on Earth. Anyway, he could always talk to her during a Xana attack or something. Then again, that might not be the best time to do it.

Aelita sighed and waved goodbye to Jeremie, attempting but failing to smile. She followed them back to her dorm and sat down on the bed, waiting for whatever else they might have in store for her.