A/N: Well, I had to re-install my laptop. Great. For those of you that didn't read it, I had to sent my laptop away for repairs. Takes weeks these days. Anyway, I'm back. Enjoy the read. Next update will be by next Thursday. Probably no bonus chapters this time. If there will be any, they will be at the end. Byee!

I do not own Code Lyoko! Only my imagination :)!

Yumi was sitting at the desk in her room. She had been trying to research different post-graduation career options she could settle for. In reality she wasn't focused at all and eventually decided to put off reading about it until later. Her thoughts kept drifting to Ulrich. He had managed to convince her to stay at home while he went to visit his parents. Yumi couldn't refuse the steps he was undertaking to face his parents, especially his father, more directly bit by bit. However, she was worried about it not ending well.

She paced through the living room and eyed the book on the coffee table. She had finished reading the book she had borrowed from the library. Yumi tried watching a movie on TV, but the story was so boring she turned off the TV with dismay. She looked at the entrance to the kitchen, but sighed when she realized cooking wasn't going to distract her either. Finding nothing in her apartment that could keep her occupied, she decided to retreat to her bedroom for the day. Yumi plopped down on her bed when she heard a sound.

It was a notification on her phone. Aelita had messaged her about their upcoming meeting tomorrow. They had decided to get together at Yumi's apartment. A place outside wasn't deemed suitable. "Jeremie and I will be there at 10 AM," Yumi read aloud. It made her realize she hadn't prepared anything for her friends. With slight reluctance Yumi got up again, left her phone on the bed and sauntered into the kitchen. "A small cake should do," she told herself. "Flour, flour" she murmured, scanning her store cupboard.

Once she had gathered the ingredients, she began mixing them into proper batter for the cake. Half an hour had passed and the cake was in the oven with the timer set on an hour. Another ten minutes and everything was cleaned up. Yumi washed her hands one more time before going back to her phone in the bedroom. "I've tried baking a cake! I'll bring it tomorrow. Yours are always good, so I hope you can taste mine," Yumi read Aelita's second message aloud. She felt duped by the world's timing. "Oh well, nothing a little exercise can't make up." Yumi shrugged and proceeded to call Aelita.

"Hi Yumi," Aelita cheerily greeted. "Hi Aelita," Yumi started, then checked the time. "Am I disturbing you?" She asked after seeing there was only a little over an hour left until the clock would strike midnight. "No, no, I was reading," the pinkette answered.

"Any recommendations for me?"

"Hmmm, a lot. I'll just send you a list. Makes it easier," Aelita giggled. Yumi smiled.

"Thanks.."

"Is there something wrong?" Aelita asked, a little worried for her friend.

"No. At least, I hope not. Ulrich went to visit his parents. I assume there will be some bad news or plans we wouldn't agree to." Yumi told her. "I haven't heard from Ulrich yet. It's irritating, not being able to do anything at the moment."

"Hopefully it won't be long before his parents start accepting their son. He's very much capable of being independent and making his own decisions."

"Yes, Aelita, he is. I wish I could beat some sense into their heads. Wouldn't put me in favour, but at least I get to vent my anger physically." Yumi balled her fist.

She could hear laughter at the other side. "Let's not undertake actions that will get you arrested."

Yumi heard her doorbell ring and walked towards her front door. "I'll try. Someone's at the door. I'll see you tomorrow Aelita. Good night."

"Good night Yumi."

Frowning at the time, she checked the hole to see who was ringing the bell. Ulrich was out of breath, while standing at her door. Yumi hastily opened it to let him in. "Did you run all the way here?" She only got a nod in response. Yumi didn't like the way he looked. Almost empty. "Come in." Ulrich shuffled inside, after which Yumi locked up again.

"What happened?" She asked him as she got him a glass of water. Ulrich had taken off his shoes and sat on the sofa in the living room. He accepted the clear drink. "Nothing unusual," he bitterly spoke up. Yumi sat next to him. "Meaning?" Ulrich kept his head down. "I got there, he explained some work-related future plans, I disagreed on a few, he got angry, I shouted this and that and then..." Yumi had an inkling of what happened next. "He tried to hit me." Ulrich stoicly revealed. "I blocked the hit." His hand went to the forearm that did the job.

Yumi took his hand and wanted to say something when Ulrich interrupted her. "Can I use the bathroom?" He got up and shook off her hand. "Yeah.. go ahead. Take your time," she replied, a little taken by surprise. She hadn't seen this mood in a long time. She lifted her feet onto the sofa and wrapped her arms around her legs. Her thoughts wandered to tomorrow once again. Yumi hoped they would come up with a plan so fantastic they would be able to permanently put a stop to his father's tyranny.

Ulrich was trying to cool himself, literally. He hated the side of himself that completely shut down, even in the presence of his girlfriend. He had come here to be comforted, but on the way he started thinking too hard. Why should he burden Yumi with this? It was his choice to go by himself. Now, she had to deal with the aftermath. Again. Yet, he still showed up at her doorstep. Ulrich understood it was selfish. But he knew she would understand and always be there with him.

He turned the knob and the cold water stopped running. After he had dried himself off, he heard a knock on the door. "I don't have any large clothes, except the ones you gave me last time. They're washed and all clean, so I'll just put them on the table," Yumi said, while blocking her sight with one hand. Ulrich laughed. Seeing the silly scene made him forget about his previous train of thought. "What are you doing?" Yumi turned to the sound of his voice. "Being polite," she stated, then exited the bathroom. Ulrich kept chuckling as he wore the clothes and laughed hard again when he saw Odd's ridiculous socks.

Yumi smiled at the door. She was glad that he had cheered up a bit. Ulrich came out of the bathroom. "You looked better in these," he eyed himself. She was amused. "It's all in the socks," he stared at them, "they just don't work for me." Yumi walked towards him. "At least you can proudly say you've worn them," Yumi pointed out. "I don't think they add to my pride," Ulrich plainly said, then stilled when Yumi hugged him. "Are you okay?" She quietly asked. "Slightly better than before," he whispered. She rubbed his back softly. "Thank you Yumi." She shook her head and patted his. "Anytime," she said.

They stood there for a few minutes. Ulrich had calmed completely and slowly pulled back from Yumi. "I should go home, it's getting late." He headed for the hallway, but Yumi held on to his wrist. "Do you want to stay here tonight?" She didn't want him to start feeling bad about himself late at night. "I don't want you to catch a cold. It's very chilly out there," he said. Ulrich thought about the next day. "Aren't Aelita and Jeremie coming in the morning?" Yumi had already forgotten that once more. "Ah." Ulrich turned to walk away again. "But," Yumi held him back, "Aelita texted me, saying they'd be here around ten. So it shouldn't be a problem." Yumi then let go. "Sorry, I'm not pushing you. I felt frustrated because I couldn't be there at the crucial moment. You'll start worrying all by yourself again as soon as you go out. Of course I'm happy that you want to face them on your own. That takes guts. But today, I just.. wanted to be there to support you." Yumi looked down.

Ulrich sighed. "I understand," he began. "In turn, I'm afraid you'll get hurt too much and will have to bear a larger weight than necessary. For all that I know, you would've received his to-be hit. I wouldn't be able to hold myself back and do something I'll regret forever." He took her hand. It was silent for thirty seconds.

"I want to," he said eventually." Yumi looked up at him. "You want to what?" She was confused. "Do you have amnesia?" He knocked her head with one finger. "Ouch." Ulrich chuckled. "I mean, it's useless to dwell on details that don't really matter," he said, more to himself than to Yumi. "I'm saying, do I get the bed or the floor?" He asked.

Yumi smiled. "The bed. I'm used to the floor," she answered. "Hey, all those nights spent at the factory on an ice cold and hard floor were enough experience. It can't be that bad. You've got a thin matras there right?" He asked. She chuckled. "Yeah." They walked to the bedroom. "Okay, that will do," he pointed at the arrangements on the floor. He lifted Yumi, who protested at the sudden attack. "Hey!" She said after Ulrich had forcefully tucked her in. He kissed her forehead. "Wish me luck," Ulrich said, as he retreated to the floor. "Good luck," she played along, then snuggled in some more.

After a few minutes had passed, Yumi checked whether Ulrich was comfortable. "Are you cold?" She asked. "Nope," Ulrich replied. "Are you sure?" Ulrich hummed his assurance. "Okay, good night." Ulrich hummed again and managed to whisper a "good night" back. She actually wanted to inquire after the conversation he had, had with his father today, but decided against it. He had calmed down and deserved a proper rest. She would ask him tomorrow morning.