The Scientific Aerial Combat Advancement Center, or, as it was known among the pilots, the Think Tank, was nearly empty at this hour of the night. The darkness hung over it like a shroud, pinpoints of light from experiments and computers left to run over night. The only sound was the hum of computer fans as they lazily cycled air into processors left on standby. That and the click, clack of fingers on a keyboard in the further corner of the room.

The digital glow of the computer highlighted the youth's face like a cybernetic ghost of sorts, bright against his skin. And still on he worked, in the dark and silence, with no one about to see him make computations and no one there to here the slow sound of him taking in deep even breathes, as if he were asleep, almost.

Mitsuiko liked to pull long hours in the Think Tank. He liked to research things to help make the pilot's lives easier and to earn the praise of his superiors.

"Hmm, is it that late already? I should probably leave...." His eyes drifted back to the screen, the glow of science appealing to him. Just a little bit longer, Mitsuiko. It whispered. You're so close, don't stop just yet.

"A few more minutes won't hurt." He reasoned and silence descended on the Think Tank again as he went back to what had been one of his only true friends for a long time now.

But not his only one.

"Mitsuiko?" called a voice softly in the dark. Light feet padded towards the back where he was sitting and the petite form of Ayumi appeared, dressed in pink pajamas and clutching a teddy bear she'd told him her grandmother had given her long ago. "For luck." She said, when he'd asked.

"Ayumi? What are you doing up so late?" Mitsuiko said, regarding her worriedly.

"You're still up, Mitsuiko. Go to bed now." She said, as if this were an explanation. She walked over closer to him and leaned over his shoulder, quick fingers closing and saving documents and finally shutting down the computer.

"I had more work to do, Ayumi." He protested weakly. She gave him a sleepy glare, grabbing his arm and pulling him up.

"You can do it tomorrow." She mumbled. "It's time for bed now stupid. What am I, your mother?"

She dragged him sluggishly all the way back to his room and keyed open the lock, dragging him in.

"Go put on your pajamas." She commanded, pointing to the little bathroom attached to his room.

"Shouldn't you go-." He started.

"Now." She commanded and he sighed, knowing better than to argue. He gathered his night clothes and went into the bathroom, changing a brushing his teeth. When he exited, she was still there, glaring drowsily.

"Done?" she demanded and he nodded. When she left, he'd just go back and finish. It wouldn't take very long to get done, an hour or two at most.

She snatched his wrist up again, pulling him over to the bed and pushing him down so that he fell. Immediately, she climbed on it after him, tugging up the cover and curling against his side. Mitsuiko squawked and flailed. "Ayumi! What are you doing?"

"You'll leave after I leave, stupid. No sneaking off like this. Now, go to sleep, Mitsuiko." She grumbled, half asleep.

"But Ayumi!" he complained.

"Go to sleep!" she growled, poking him hard in the ribs.

Pouting, Mitsuiko did as he was told. Morning found him feeling more rested than he'd been in a long time. Best friends were good for a lot of things, number one being that they knew what was was best for you whether you liked it or not.


Hmm, I don't know, I'm really liking the idea of Mitsuiko/Ayumi. Just think about it for a moment.......See?

Nah, but still, where is everyone? I'm lonely! Also, anyone remember a while back I told ya'll that I was about to go try for my Driver's License? Well, I kinda failed. But I'm about to try again, really soon! So wish me luck, okay? I need it!

I actually included a Transformers reference in this one without noticing and then when I went back to add one (why not? No reason to break the trend!) noticed it. It was kind of crazy, like what happened in Chapter 2, except this one's much easier. Just think about it! Cybertron. Cyber! Even if you don't know about what happens to Starscream, it's easy! Promise!