A/N: I hope all of y'all liked the last chapter. I apologize for not putting anything up once I'd returned to the states. It seems I'd caught the flu on my vacation which forced me to stay in bed and rest. It wasn't exactly what I wanted to do with my week back to not just writing but work, which has me in a crazy situation that will reflect on my future with the company. Anyway! Y'all don't wanna hear my excuses, lol! Here's the long awaited chapter.

By the way everyone, Merry Christmas!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything Code Lyoko.

Sittin' In A Tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Chapter 17: Opening Pandora's Box

Odd couldn't help but be speechless as he stared at the frozen image before him. A different Dahlia has stood in the doorway of Hopper's home. He'd seen the subtle differences from Child Dahlia and Preteen Dahlia, in a way they were different people. Little Dahlia had been carefree with a hopeful outlook on life even after everything her father had put her through. Preteen Dahlia was different with her reserved emotions and indifferent attitude; she was almost a different person. His golden eyes looked between the Preteen and the current Dahlia. Were they the same age? How long was she with Hopper before entering Lyoko? It seemed as if he had more questions than answers on the mystery girl named Dahlia.

"My memories are a bit fuzzy from there…" Dahlia spoke softly, pulling the blond from his thoughts. "I remember gunshots and running for my life."

The images before them were fading, seeping into blurred colors as shots were heard. Black and red flashed before them. There was a brief flash of the sewer and factory before the main computer appeared in view. A voice made them turn to see Jonathan, a gun in one hand and a bottle of booze in the other. "Little Bitch…" the gun raised, another shot went off, and everything went black, but his voice was still there, "Hate me, hate him. Use that hate and fuel it to destroy what he loved." His laugh sent shivers down Odd's spine as he watched the doors of the scanner close.

The bubble suddenly popped as the memories finished and faded, leaving the two where they had started; the desert sector. Dahlia swayed before catching herself. "There… The villain's story."

Odd wanted to help her, to let her lean on him as she spoke. He wanted to take her to a tower to heal, but would that work if she wasn't Aelita? "Why me?"

"What?"

"Why tell me?"

"You were the only one who'd listen."

"But what if you were wrong...?"

A ghost of a smile appeared on the dark haired girl's face, "Was I?"

He stared at her. His mouth opened and closed as he tried to retort, to prove she had been wrong; to prove that he'd never believe her story in account of her actions. Yet he couldn't help but look at her with admiration in his eyes. His heart seemed to skip a beat.

"Odd?!" The voice of Jeremie cut through the thoughts of the virtual Odd. "Odd? Can you hear me? Are you okay? His life points seem intact…" Apparently the blond Einstein was talking not just to Odd in hopes he'd hear him, but to their friends. "Odd, speak if you can hear me."

Dahlia opened a hole in the program and smiled lightly. "I'm sorry for calling to you." She took a step back into the black hole, "You should get back."

The Cat-Odd paused as he watched her. Already he was feeling his heart ache as he saw her take another step into the hole she'd opened up. He felt the words slip out before he could stop them, "What about you…?"

Those bright green eyes glittered in the desert sector light, "What about me?"

"Where…" His foot moved taking a step towards her, his hand rose almost as if to stop her. "Why can't-"

"Odd!" A fan suddenly flew passed him, so close he could feel the wind being cut in two. "Get away from him!"

Those green eyes flickered from the fan to Odd, locking with his golden eyes before the fan and Dahlia disappeared into the dark hole. "Dahlia!" He cries out.

A/N: I hope y'all enjoyed it! R&R, and have a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year!