A New Friend

Chapter 10

Learning

Disclaimer: I still don't own the show.

"Welcome to the world."

XANA surprised everyone, not at all near what expected.

She was a girl, for starters, and very obviously related to Michalys and Aelita, with Michalys blond hair and wiry musculature, while she had Aelita's green eyes and facial features.

She quickly jumped back from Odd's arms and dusted herself off, looking embarrassed.

"Sorry about that," she said, "walking is sort of a new experience to me."

Michalys laughed, a sound that was abruptly cut off as Aelita elbowed him in the ribs, "Be nice," she hissed, "she's new to this."

"Yes, honey." This was said in a strange combination of a condescending and charming tone, which made Aelita both blush and scowl.

"Wow," Yumi said, desperate for payback, "the married couple and their daughter act already, I was expecting it in a few weeks."

XANA grinned slightly behind her hand, "I guessed it would be those two, somehow."

"You didn't check whose DNA it was?" Ulrich said in surprise.

"Not necessary, to do it as fast as you wanted it had to turn out random, I didn't have time to pick and choose features, so I didn't check." She looked down and started moving her arms and legs experimentally, "Though I have to say, I like the result."

"Good to know I have decent genes." Michalys said dryly.

"Maybe you don't, I might be covering up the horror of your inheritance with my genes." Aelita said with narrowed eyes and a look that was slightly ruined by the slow smile creepy onto her face.

"How long have you two been dating?" XANA asked.

This prompted a blush from Aelita and a suggestive jerk of the head towards the ladder that led to Jeremy's computer.

"Oh," XANA had the grace to look abashed, "he's still on that, is he?"

"In all honesty I'm not sure I can blame him," Michalys grimaced, "but that's not going to stop me from smacking him all over the place when he does something stupid."

"You know he can probably hear you, right?" Aelita said sharply.

Michalys grinned, "He already knows all this; he and I had a little heart to heart in our room a couple of nights ago."

"You mean you threatening me blatantly." Jeremy said as he climbed down the ladder.

"Yes, that," Michalys said bluntly, "although I do believe I forced at least a few self-revelations on you."

Jeremy continued muttering for a time, but he soon got over it.

"So, what name will you be going by?"

"Xana Anthis," she shrugged, "Greek name, the last was convenient, the first seems particularly appropriate now." She ruffled her long blond hair, "Xana actually means golden-haired."

"Perfect," Michalys rubbed his hands together, "one question, do I get to threaten your first boyfriend."

Xana blushed rather spectacularly, "Dad," she whined, "at least give me a shot."

Michalys chuckled, "I could get used to this."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

"You've already called me 'dad', which gives me full rights as the father figure."

"Michalys," Aelita said sharply, "you will go easy on her."

"Yes, dear."

"Good boy."

"Are we going to finish figuring this out," Ulrich interrupted, "or do we need to stop by a chapel for you two first."

Michalys tilted his hand back and forth, "Maybe, you up for it?" This was directed towards Aelita, which prompted one of her easy blushes.

"Is that how you propose to a girl?" She asked with an attempt at a thunderous frown.

"Only jokingly, when the day comes you can expect something rather extensive."

Aelita's blush deepened, but that didn't stop the rather pleased smile from appearing on her face.

Jeremy let out a resigned sigh, "Flirting not necessary, at least not in front of me, please."

Michalys grinned and slapped Jeremy on the back, knocking his glasses askew, "You're finally learning, kid."

Everyone rolled their eyes, but spared a slightly prideful glace at Jeremy, it had been a long time since he had gone anywhere in his relationship status.

"I took the liberty of getting my papers taken care of, including records of my becoming an orphan and getting exceptional enough scores to get a scholarship to Kadic." Xana said casually.

Odd groaned, "Great, another hacker."

Xana rolled her eyes, "Only when necessary."

"So you won't add a couple zeros to my bank account?"

"Not so much, no."

"Odd," Michalys interrupted, "if you start flirting with her now, I really hope you're up for a chase, because you vs. wolf, equals a nice meal for me."

Odd backed away slowly, mild fear showing in his eyes, "You wouldn't dare."

Michalys grinned evilly, "That old rivalry between cats and dogs; it's ten times worse between cats and wolves."

"Michalys," Aelita said, "at least wait until they actually start dating before you go all slightly insane protective on us."

"Why is this a given?" Xana said exasperatedly, "Don't I have any choice?"

"Of course," Aelita said, "but do you really want to have to explain this whole thing to a guy."

Xana groaned, "I hate it when you're right."

Aelita grinned, "I'm a mom, that's my job."

Michalys just smiled, and helped lead his two new favorite ladies to the elevator, still talking as he put his hands lightly on the small of their backs.

"Where'll you stay tonight while the paperwork goes through?" Aelita asked.

"I'm not sure, I thought here at the factory."

"Without anyone else," she said sharply, "not a chance."

"No worries Aelita," Michalys said, "I'll stay here tonight as well, as a wolf. I'll keep her warm and make sure nothing happens."

Xana muttered something about 'overprotective parents', but she also had a large smile gracing her lips.

Aelita gave them a flat stare, "If you're staying, so am I."

Michalys sighed, "I'd argue with that, but I know it's useless."

"You learn fast."

"You want me to run back and get you ladies a blanket?"

Aelita smiled, "Thank you, that'd be great."

Michalys let go of the girls and started running off, "Back in a flash." He shifted to a wolf in mid-stride and began to run even faster.

The others all looked in the direction he disappeared with affectionate glances, "That boy's really in love." Yumi said.

Aelita smiled, "Well, I just hope he and I can have some peace."

"She's got it bad," Ulrich said slyly, "doesn't she?"

"No point teasing her about it, Ulrich," Yumi said, "I think she's rather proud."

"You realize it took those two a couple of days to get where you two haven't in years?" Odd asked teasingly.

"Shut up, Odd." The two said in sync.

Odd groaned dramatically, "Ah, the life of a starving artist."

Xana let out a small giggle, then quickly covered her mouth in embarrassment.

"Odd, stop charming my daughter so fast, I'd rather Michalys not have to get a warrant out on him for murder before we even start to really date." Aelita gave him a flat glare.

"It's scary how fast you two have gotten into the role of parents."

Michalys interrupted by arriving with a duffel bag over one shoulder.

"I got a few blankets and some food, since I figure you'd be hungry at some point sooner or later."

"Aw, you're such a good father and boyfriend." Aelita pulled him into a hug.

"Boyfriend, huh, I thought I was just the funny guy who follows you around too much."

"Same thing."

"We need to get back," Jeremy said abruptly, "sneaking back in to the dorms in much easier before dark."

He walked off, and all of them rolled their eyes, "We have got to get that boy a girlfriend." Yumi said.

"We could just pick a few different girls and lock him in a closet with them one at a time." Odd said, only half-jokingly.

Michalys shook his head, but didn't dismiss the possibility, "You guys get back; these ladies need to get settled down now if we want them to fall asleep by midnight."

The others left, and Michalys, Aelita and Xana went back down to the lab.

Michalys transformed into a wolf and lay down obligingly, the two of them took the blankets out of the bag and lay down, using him as a pillow. He lay his head gently on top of Aelita's and listened as the two of them talked late into the night.

So, Xana is here, very human, very normal, next chapter she starts Kadic, and they finally shut down the stinking super-computer. I also have a new character coming in soon, but his role isn't flushed out yet. Read, review, review, review, even multiple reviews are encouraged. And happy fourth of July to those of you who celebrate.