When all is Said and Done

She flipped her long hair back as she tapped her tan flat shoe on the ground. Her glasses, what she called library glasses, hung around her neck in a bead chain. She relaxed her arm on the head of the bench; her forearm still had that lightning scar, though now it looked more like a cool tattoo than a scar. She wore a loose soft pink blouse with a tan khaki skirt as summer was slowly waning but work never stopped. Though warm, the yellow headband in her night-black hair didn't raise the temperature on her head. She was quietly looking at a blueprint paper when-

"BOO!" shouted a 28-year-old man behind her. She didn't flinch. "Aw, I didn't scare you?"

"No, silly," She smirked as he sat down on the bench. "Where are the kids?"

"They're with your dad. I thought it would be nice to get some alone time together," The blonde smirked as he slid his arm around her shoulders. He still had that purple-dyed diamond in his blond hair, but he wore it down in a low-hanging ponytail. The woman rolled her eyes and pushed his arm off of him. "Aww."

"You're so childish," She muttered. The man held up his ring finger that had a silver banded ring on it.

"Then what is this?" He boasted. The 27-year-old woman smiled.

"The sign that I'm a crazy idiot."

"HEY!"

"Haha, I'm kidding," The woman chuckled and sighed. "I didn't think ten years would make such a difference. I mean, I can't believe how tall Milly and Tamiya are."

"That's what happens when you grow up," the man shrugged. "But where are the others? I thought they said they would be here."

Sissi rolled her eyes. "The School Reunion just started and the gym was practically empty. Give them some time. You weren't always on time when you were needed."

"Like when?"

"Shall we take a walk to the factory," She smirked.

"Ok, ok," The blonde man nervously laughed. "Do you think I look good? You know I have to impress the girls that dumped me."

"Odd, they dumped you because you were a player," The woman smirked, raising her eyebrow.

"I was not."

"Really?"

"Okay, maybe a little, but... you know what, I'm just going to shut up," Odd muttered. The woman's smirk grew. "Hey, Sissi."

"Hmm?"

"Do you think that Sam and William are going to come?"

Sissi glanced at him through the corner of her eye. "I would hope so."

"I was just wondering if you were okay with it since-"

"Odd, that was so long ago," Sissi laughed. "We would still be friends even if you didn't choose me."

"Really?"

"Of course." Just then, she noticed a tall brown-haired man next to a beautiful Japanese woman. Sissi smiled and stood up from the bench. "There you two are. We were wondering when you would get here."

"Sorry, I got a little lost," Ulrich said, rubbing the back of his head. He had a dark green dress shirt with the collar unbuttoned while Yumi wore a black leather jacket that hid a small white shirt underneath with black jeans. Her hair was still short around her neck, but she smiled widely and wrapped her arms around Sissi.

"It's so good to see you, again. Ten years was waaay too long," Yumi smiled.

"I know," Sissi smirked, raising her eyebrow, "I had to call you several times to just get you here."

Yumi shrugged, "I'm lazy when it comes to picking up the phone."

"Anyway, how're the kids? Did you bring them to see Uncle Odd?" The blonde smiled.

"Of course not. I don't want my kids getting your stupid ideas," Yumi grumbled.

"You do realize who you're married to, right?" Sissi asked.

"Hey!"

"That was meant for both of you. You two are the most stubborn people I know," Sissi added. Odd laughed while the two sulked.

"Well, as I live and breathe. If it isn't the Dragon Queen herself," said a voice behind her. Sissi spun around, and someone threw their arms around her neck, nearly knocking Sissi back. "It's so good to see you!"

"Sam!" Sissi cried out and hugged her back. "It's good to see you too!" She looked over the dark woman's shoulder. "And guest."

"Ha, ha, ha," William grumbled as Sissi hugged him as well. "It's been a long time." William had grown a lot. Ulrich was just a tiny bit shorter than him. A brown light jacket wrapped around his shoulders hid a dark blue shirt underneath, and pearl river gray jeans were on his legs with stylish brown boots. Sam had a gray shirt with claw marks painted on. Her black short hair had red tips while she wore a pair of dark black pants. Sissi rose her eyebrow.

"What is it with everyone wearing dark clothes?" Sissi murmured. "I know summer is coming to an end but still."

Odd threw his hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, sweetie. It's a nice day. Much better than when we lived further north."

"So how's the coast," Sissi smirked at William. "Are you okay with being on a boat yet?"

"Ugh, you told her about that?" William groaned to his wife. Sam giggled. "Yes, I did get a little seasick the first time."

"Oh please, he was as sick as a dog," Sam replied, betraying her husband's confidence. "But he's gotten better."

"Speaking of riding," Ulrich spoke up, "Have you four given up skateboarding? I barely hear about Odd doing new tricks."

"Of course not," Sissi grumbled, "Who's going to teach the kids skateboarding when they're old enough?"

"They would be old enough if someone allowed me to-"

"No, Odd," Sissi growled with crossed arms. He was about four inches taller than her, so her height made her glare a little less threatening... a little. "Anyway, why don't we go in the gym where the party is, hmm?" So they did. Sissi re-met so many of her acquaintances and saw her old friends Nicolas and Herb. The place became crowded soon, so Sissi walked outside to get some fresh air. She aimlessly walked around the front, hands in pockets and head to the clouds. She sighed. There was one person she hoped to see at this reunion, but they might not come. After finding his wife again, Doc, as Sissi called him, was very animate about being safe from his enemies, so the team made sure that their existence was very hush-hush. Sissi's shoulders sagged.

Then someone's heavy hand rested on her head and quickly ruffled her hair. "Alright, Odd, if this is some sick joke, I'm going to-" She spun around, and her mouth dropped. "No... it can't be."

"Hehe, missed us?" said the blonde man with round-rimmed glasses. "Thought I would surprise you." Sissi looked up at Einstein. He had to be the tallest of all the guys. Next to him was the pink-haired woman that she was looking for. Her hair was still short, unlike her mother's. Sissi jumped and hugged Aelita tightly.

"Ohhh my goodness!" Sissi exclaimed, releasing her, "You're here! Oh my goodness! I thought you guys wouldn't come."

"Why?" Jeremie asked.

"Because, you and Hopper were so paranoid about the guys in black coming back that we thought you went straight into protective services," Sissi replied.

"No, no," Aelita smiled, "My father was able to get a pardon from all of those secret businesses. Jeremie's been his part-time assistant at a new research tech."

"And other times?"

"A teacher." Sissi rose her eyebrow. "What?"

"Einstein isn't really the best explainer, remember?"

"I'm right here, you know," Jeremie griped.

"We know," the women said in unison. Jeremie grumbled under his breath. Suddenly, he felt a hand ruffle his blonde hair.

"Hey," Jeremie protested.

Sissi smiled widely, "Remember, Jer, height doesn't matter. I'll still treat you like you're my little brother." Though he grumbled, Jeremie couldn't help but grin. "So both your mom and dad are fine?"

"Like nothing ever happened," Aelita smiled. "Of course, my mom's a little upset that she's now older than dad."

"Really? But wait, how old is Doc?" Sissi asked.

"Sissi!"

"I'm just asking, Aelita. I've never actually thought about asking," Sissi said. Rolling her eyes, Aelita smirked and stood closer to Jeremie's side. "But it's great to see you guys again."

"Yeah, sorry we're late," Jeremie smiled nervously.

"No need," Sissi smirked, "I'm just glad that you're here. Come on. Let's go see the others."

Jeremie bowed low and swept the air with his hands. "After you, Dragon Queen." Aelita giggled while Sissi rose her eyebrow with a small smug smile, tossing her black hair back as she held her head up high.

"That's the Mechanist to you," Sissi smiled.

The End

Hello everyone, I hope you were able to enjoy the story. I have to be honest, I did not know the turn that this would take when I was writing it, but I hope that I did the story enough justice. But the main point about this little comment is that I want to try and bring attention to some people about a struggle I'm having:

I have no idea what's good or bad about my writing. When authors want reviews, they're not really just asking for good comments or flames. No, they're asking for, "This is awesome, I really like how you yadda yadda." Or "I didn't really like this part. I think you could have yadda yadda yadda." Just saying something is good is great and fine. We authors typically ignore the hateful ones. But what we're really looking for from you guys is, "Does the craft look great?"

So yes, we love and deeply need your reviews and comments. But I ask that when you do comment, tell us what you specifically liked or disliked about it. Thank you and I greatly appreciate everyone of you.