Early September

Aftermath

Upon hearing her name, Yumi gripped the man's shirt tighter while he rocked her gently. Several silent moments went by before Yumi let her grip slack and pulled her face away. After wiping the tears from her eyes to see clearly, she looked up into the most beautiful chocolate brown eyes she'd ever seen... eyes she'd recognize anywhere.

"Ulrich," she uttered breathlessly. He smiled down at her and she laid her head back down on his chest. "Thanks for saving me..."

"I'd do anything for you, you know that." Yumi smiled with her face buried once again in his shirt while he continued rocking her. Her enjoyment of the moment was cut short though when the thought that he wasn't hers anymore hit her like cold water to the face. She pulled her head away and looked toward the ground. Getting the impression that she wanted down, Ulrich lowered her to a standing position.

"So, what happened?" He asked, gesturing to her mostly unconscious assailants.

Yumi winced. "Remember that guy that got violent at the end of that first date I went on?" Ulrich nodded and Yumi pointed at Jacques. "That's him." Ulrich scowled.

"I should have hit him harder."

"Probably, but I'm just glad you came when you did." Ulrich opened his mouth, but then closed it again without saying anything. "What is it?" Asked Yumi.

Ulrich looked away. "It's nothing..." Yumi smiled wryly when she figured out what he must have been thinking.

"Don't worry." Ulrich looked back at her. "I am definitely pressing charges this time!"

"Good." Yumi reached for her phone to discover that it wasn't there.

"I tried calling you earlier but you didn't answer, so I just kinda made my way here. That's when I heard you call for help," and he came running. The thought made her smile a little.

"I must have left it at home then." Ulrich pulled out his own phone and called the police.

When they arrived, the police took Jacques and his friends away and got statements from both Yumi and Ulrich. Apparently all five of them had prior arrests and Beanie even had a warrant out for him, which bode very well for the likelihood of conviction.

"I think we need to go somewhere to get you cleaned up." Ulrich said when the police left a while later. Yumi sighed. Her face ached terribly and her left eye was nearly swollen shut, but she didn't want to go home right now. She wasn't ready for her family to see her like this, nor for them to see her with Ulrich either for that matter! Then she got an idea. "How about Sissi's apartment? She's out with Odd and her father, but I've still got a key and she won't mind." Yumi was grateful for her friend's earlier offer.

When they arrived, Ulrich had her sit down on the couch and he left the room. A couple minutes later he came back with a glass of water and some small pills.

"I found some pain medicine, hopefully it helps," he said as he handed them to her before leaving the room again. Yumi took the medicine and a few minutes later Ulrich came back with some ice in a plastic bag, wrapped in washcloth. He knelt down in front of her and despite being very gentle, the sting of the cold against her tender skin caused her to recoil. "I know it hurts, but it'll help, I promise." He brought the impromptu cold pack to her face again and this time she managed to stay still. He took her hand and placed it over the pack then pulled his own away. "There, is that better?" Yumi nodded. He'd always treated her so well. When she thought about how stupid she was to have been to have thrown this away she started to cry again. She tried not to, but it was as if the floodgates had broken earlier and she couldn't hold back anymore. Ulrich reached out his and wiped away the tears from under the eye that wasn't already covered. "It's going to be alright, I promise," Ulrich soothed. Looking into Ulrich's big brown eyes, Yumi knew that this was the moment to talk to him. She gathered her courage, but just as she opened her mouth to do so the doorknob started rattling. Yumi put the washcloth down just before the door opened revealing Sissi with Odd behind her. Seeing the bruises on Yumi's tear-streaked face and Ulrich kneeling in front of her, both of their eyes shot wide open.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!" Sissi screamed and charged, Ulrich's beard and size keeping her from recognizing her friend! He deflected a punch and wrapped her in a large bear hug, lifting her off the ground while pinning her arms. "Let go of me!" She yelled.

"Sissi, it's me!" She kept struggling against him, ignoring his attempts at getting her to recognize him.

"Sissi, that's Ulrich!" Odd shouted, causing Sissi to finally stop struggling. Ulrich put her down and she backed away.

"Ulrich?" She looked up at him. "You're huge!"

"Yeah... I had a pretty extreme late growth spurt!"

"No kidding, I'm really glad I didn't have to fight you for real! And what's with this?" She stroked her chin to indicate his beard.

"I told you he was growing it out," said Odd.

"Oh yeah... I forgot." Sissi admitted sheepishly.

"Anya recommended I try it and I kinda like it." He replied.

"I liked you better without it," muttered Yumi, instantly regretting it when Ulrich turned to look at her with an expression that she didn't quite recognize.

"What happened to you anyway?" Asked Odd, breaking the tension.

Yumi sighed. "You all remember that first date I went on? With the guy that tried to get violent?" Odd and Sissi nodded. "Him and some of his friends ambushed me."

"Oh no! Are you ok!?" Sissi sat next to Yumi and gently placed her arms around her friend in a soft hug.

"Yeah, this is the worst of it. Ulrich showed up before they could do anything... permanant," she gestured to her bruised face and shuddered at what almost happened.

"Way to go, good buddy! I hope you really clobbered them!" Chirped Odd, giving Ulrich a playful punch on the shoulder.

Sissi pulled away from Yumi. "Well, what did happen to Jacques and his goons?"

"Ulrich took them out, then we called the police and they have them now. I'm pressing charges." Yumi put the cold pack back on her face.

"Good."

Sissi looked to Ulrich. "How about you, are you alright?" He lifted the side of his shirt, showing some moderate bruising where Creepy Mustache had hit him causing Yumi to cringe.

"I'll be fine."

"You know," began Odd, "when Mr and soon-to-be Mrs. Einstein get here, maybe they could virtualize you two. You know, just to fix you guys up."

"That sounds like a good idea to me," answered Ulrich. "What about you, Yumi?" Yumi thought about it for a moment. As much as she didn't like starting up the supercomputer, it'd be nice to quickly get rid of the soreness in her face... and belly for that matter, though there were some problems with the idea.

"What am I going to tell my family when I have this giant bruise on my face one day and it's gone the next!"

"You can stay here tonight?" Offered Sissi.

As grateful as she was for the offer, Yumi didn't want to intrude. "No, I couldn't do that. This is your time with Odd." Odd cuddled up into his fiancé's lap and she snaked her arms around his middle, causing both Ulrich and Yumi to roll their eyes.

"It's ok with me. It's just one day and I'm here all week," added Odd. He glanced slyly to Yumi, up at Sissi, and back to Yumi. "Just ignore any noises you hear from the bedroom!"

"ODD!" Yelled Sissi. She pushed him off her lap and he hit the floor with a loud THUMP! With a groan he rolled into a sitting position

"Ok, I deserved that!" Everyone started laughing, even Sissi.

With the arrangements set for Yumi to stay at Sissi's apartment. She let her parents know that she wasn't going to be coming home using Sissi's phone and the next few hours were enjoyed by everyone there. Yumi didn't feel like the extra wheel like she did during spring break, and Odd's jokes and crazy stories kept things from getting too heavy or serious. Sissi once shot Yumi a wink upon catching her stealing glances at Ulrich, which made her blush. Eventually though, it started getting late and everything started to wind down. Ulrich left for his hotel, and everyone else started to get ready to go to sleep.

When Odd was taking his turn in the shower, Sissi started leering at Yumi and she instantly knew why.

"Before you even ask, you guys have the worst timing ever!" Yumi accused her friend.

"What?" Sissi exclaimed, taken aback.

"We got here less than ten minutes before you did and right when I was going to start talking, you opened the door!" Sissi looked at the floor.

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright. Maybe I'll be able to talk to him sometime tomorrow." Yumi pulled the taller woman into a hug to show that she harbored no ill feelings.

"If you want help making that happen, just let me know."

"Thanks. I still don't think I can afford to let my hopes get too high." Yumi looked at the floor. Sissi gave her friend a reassuring squeeze.

"Whatever happens, I'm sure you'll be alright."

The shower stopped running and they both looked in the direction of the bathroom after breaking the hug.

"You can go next if you want." Sissi offered.

"Thanks."

"Let's find you some clothes to sleep in first though."

Later that night, after Odd and Sissi went to bed, Yumi laid awake on the couch. Tired and sore as she was, her anxiety about the next day had sleep remaining just as illusive as ever.

A/N: SURPRISE! This chapter came out so easily that I had the rough draft done by Wednesday so I figured I might as well post it! I know it's a little shorter than most, but I hope you liked it anyway!