A few minutes later, the others had joined them. No one spoke. Finally Laura did.
"Close the door."
Tai did.
"So, how did you find out?" Laura asked, while raising her head.
"Um, we went to your school and learned your last name - Li. And from all the research we had been doing on Jenson's we found out that the owner's name was Simon Li. It was too big of a coincidence." explained Izzy.
"Pretty smart. I give you that. So what are you doing here?"
"Isn't that one obvious? We need your help." Davis said.
"Why? All I do is cause trouble."
"What? That's crazy. Why do you say that?" asked Mimi.
"Haven't you figured that one out yet?"
"Well yeah, but we're missing certain pieces. You can fill them in for us." said Joe.
"Fine, but not here. Chelsea, Tyler, and Scott don't know some of these things and I don't want them to learn them."
"Okay, but where will we go?" asked Kari.
"My place. It is the safest."
"Finally I get to see your house."
"It is no big deal. And you mean to tell me you didn't find the address?"
"No, that one still a mystery to me."
"Well. I am glad to know that I can still fool you Izzy. Hold a sec everyone. Chelsea?"
"Yes Laura?"
"I'm going home for awhile. I'll be back sometime tonight. Make sure you and the guys go home sometime tonight and eat? Okay?"
"Sure Lucky. See you later."
"Okay gang, let's go"
The group walked out the front doors, after saying a quick good bye to Chelsea.
"So that is the mysterious Chelsea." said Matt
"Yeah, Chelsea Barnes is like a mother to me. And Tyler Barnaby is my father. They taught me how to run that business."
"Who is Scott?" asked Sora.
"Scott Reed is our computer technician. We used to say that he could fix everything."
"Until that virus?"
"Right, Cody. Are you sure you don t know everything?"
"Yeah Laura, we are."
"So how far is your house from here?" asked Mimi.
"About ten minutes from the café."
"That's a far walk." commented Davis.
"I normally take a bus."
"Oh."
The rest of trip was traveled in silence. Nobody missed that Matt and Lucky were as far from one another as possible. Matt kept stealing glances at her, but Laura kept looking straight ahead, never facing any of them. The other DigiDestineds were deep in thought.
'We really caught Lucky off guard today. But yet, she took it better than I ever thought she would. Maybe this is the start of the team healing.' Cody thought.
'Poor Matt. I can tell he is really upset with himself for saying those things to Laura. Their relationship can't be over yet, can it?' Sora contemplated.
Tai kicked a wad of paper up the street. 'I can t help wondering what other secrets we are going to learn today. Please let me have the courage to accept them and Lucky's reasoning.'
Davis sighed quietly to himself. 'This day has definitely interesting to say the least, and unfortunately it is far from over.'
'I feel so bad for Laura. I know what it is like to keep secrets from your friends. But with the gangs help, I healed and recover and I know she can too. If she'll let us.' Ken reflected.
Mimi rubbed her hand together. She forgot how cold it got here. 'The tension is so thick though, it is actually keeping me warm. I have to find a way to help all of them.'
Joe considered the silence to be a blessing. 'At least Matt, TK and, Laura aren't fighting. It is a step in the right direction.'
'All I want for Christmas is for all of us to be friends again' thought Yolei. 'That is it. I've learned that friendship is the best possible gift. And I want Lucky back as a friend.'
TK felt like crying. This is all my fault. 'If I hadn't said those things to Laura, we may have figured all of this out earlier and maybe Matt and Lucky would still be together. It is strange not seeing them laughing and joking.'
Kari suppressed a smile. Even though a feeling of uneasiness hung in the air, she couldn't help but feel happy. 'The team is back and Lucky is okay. I was so worried when nobody had heard from her. But she's fine and safe. And I know she'll stay that way. We'll protect her.'
'I think everything is going to fall into place now. And maybe I can get a peek at that virus and save Jenson s for Lucky.' Izzy considered.
Matt continued to stare at his ex-girlfriend. She had not even acknowledged his presence yet. 'I don t blame her though. We really didn't leave on the best of terms the last time I saw her. But I swear, I will win her back if it kills me. I will protect her from what ever she is facing, even if she doesn't like it. These last days without her have been unbearable. I never could get my mind off her. She is my life and I know that now.'
Lucky felt like skipping. 'I know that the others are going to kill me. But I can t wait to get all of this off my chest. But what about my stalker? I can t tell them. Or do they already know? They've guessed so much already. Maybe they just need me to confirm everything. I still can't believe that they still want to be friends with me. I've hidden stuff from them, put them in danger, and yet, they are still here. I am so blessed. I can't turn my head and look at them though. Because if I do, I'll look at Matt and totally break down. I miss him so much. But does he miss me? Maybe. He is here, but what if he just here to stop the evil digimon? I can t think about things. I made my decision. Our relationship is over. But is that void now that he knows I m being stalked and did it to protect him? Probably not since he said hasn't said anything about it to me. Admit it girl, you re single again. And nothing is going to change that. But is it so wrong to hope?'
"Okay, everyone were here."
"Huh? There is not house around here!" exclaimed Davis.
"No. But see that dirt road over there?"
"Yeah."
"That is part of my drive way. I told you my house was well concealed. It had to be, it was our summer escape house. "
"Understandable." said Matt coldly. Why am I being so cold and unforgiving? he thought as he watched Laura shiver slightly at the tone of his voice.
They group walked up the dirt path. A large, Victorian style mansion appeared on the hill. It was blue, with white trim. The house was two stories, with a pool in the back. The front had a large porch, and a balcony over a far window. Flowers and shrubs decorated the yard. A stone wall and a black gate stood in the distance.
"That's your house?" shouted Kari.
"Uh, yeah. I told you nothing special."
"We need to discuss your definition of special." said Joe.
"What?"
"Laura, I speak for everyone here when I say Damn."
"Tai!"
"Sorry."
"Who's car is that in the drive way?" asked Ken.
"Mine, once I pass my driving test."
"What kind is it?"
"An Infinity Jeep."
"You really have in all don't you?" said Davis.
"Unfortunately yes. I don't let it go to my head. It's really too much for me. Maybe I'll give it away when this is all over with."
"You must be the black sheep of the family." said Yolei with a laugh.
"Well, I did take after mom, so I guess so. But to be honest, my parents didn't like having all this money either. That is why they donated so much if it to others. Now do you want to come in or just freeze?" Lucky said, walking to the gate.
"In. Before I turn into a Popsicle." TK said, running after Lucky.
Everyone quickly followed. Once they were inside, Lucky made some hot chocolate. She brought it to the living room where everyone was waiting.
"Is that your family?" asked TK, pointing to a picture frame.
"Yeah, that's my mom, dad, my sister Aryn, and my brother Nick. It was taken about two months before my first trip to the DigiWorld."
"I'm surprised that you keep pictures up." said Joe.
"I didn't until recently. I couldn't. The memories were unbearable. But after we defeat Lady Myotismon, I could handle them, so the pictures came out. It still hurts to look at them, but it gets a little easier ever time I see it."
"You're still haunted by your memories?" asked Mimi.
"A little, not nearly as bad as I was before. I don t suffer from flashbacks as often and when I do, they are less serve. I know I can't ever escape them, they are always going to be a part of me. At least now, I can handle them and not be afraid of them."
"That's really good to hear, but I have to ask. What is scaring you so bad this time?" asked Tai.
"Look, I would tell you if I could, but I can't."
"Well, let's see if I can't guess." said Matt, a little irritated. He still couldn't understand why he sounded the way he did. Maybe it was because he still could not grasp why Lucky had lied.
"Okay." Laura said warily. She didn't miss Matt's attitude toward her.
"You inherited Jenson Electronics from your parents Simon and Jenny Li when you were eight years old. You were too young to run the business, so most of the business was run by Chelsea and Tyler. But you showed a remarkable knack for business. You're pretty intelligent too. After all, you are a junior in high school, despite only being fifteen. But Chelsea and Tyler knew that no body would work for a eight year old, so they hired Angela. Or maybe I should say created Angela, since she was actually you. I'm guessing that Angela is your middle name."
"You re right, it is. Isn't it amazing though that the media never discovered that?"
"Honestly yeah. But no body doubted the hiring, except us. We knew better. So I am figuring that things went pretty smoothly for you and your company for a few years. You and the others made the company into a success. Until this year, when the virus came. At first we couldn't understand why only Jenson's was being attacked. Why not other businesses or companies? They were just as rich and powerful. But then Izzy figured out that you owned it. And suddenly, the reason became a lot clearer. You re being stalked aren't you Laura?"
The color drained from Lucky s face. 'I can't believe they figured it all out. I should have never doubted them. I should have known that they would try to figure out my secret. And that they would do it too. "Why do you say that Matt."
"It is the most obvious thing Lucky." said Joe. "Your sudden attitude changes set us off. One minute you were ready to tell us the truth, and the next you re as scared as you were facing Lady Myotismon."
"I don't deny having sudden mood swings, but being stalked? Come on."
"Then how do you explain them?" said Cody.
"The stress from work. That's all."
"And the phone calls?"
"From work. Normally Chelsea tell me something else went wrong."
"Why are you lying?"
"What do you mean Izzy."
"You actions are totally contradicting what you are saying. You're pale, shaking, and you won't look any of us in the eyes."
Laura turned away from all of them. 'I guess I should just come clean with them. But, I can't. The threats."
"Well Lucky, we're waiting." Matt said sharply.
Lucky whipped around. She couldn't handle it anymore. She exploded. "Fine you want to know the truth? You're right, all of you. About the virus, the attitude changes, the stalker. Yes, I am being stalked. You happy? I admit it. I am being harassed because I am not a human. This person knows I am digimon and is using it against me. Why you may ask? Because of my parents and siblings. They think I should be punished for killing them. And maybe they re right. I should suffer for murdering my family and friends. I let them die because of my ignorance."
"You don t mean that Lucky. It wasn't your fault. You know that. Don't let this digimon convince you otherwise." exclaimed TK.
"Too late. I mean everything he or she or it said was right. I can't deny that."
"Laura, you were eight. You didn't know the truth. Plus, you did not make that building collapse. Lady Myotismon did. She is the reason why your parents, friends, and family are not here today. You had no control over her actions. It is not your fault at all. You are a victim, not a criminal." argued Joe.
Lucky sighed. She no longer could distinguish the truth from the lies. It was all just a jumbled mess in her head. She gently massaged her forehead. "Maybe. I just don't know. It is all so confusing to me right now. "
"That's okay. Let's change the subject back to your stalker for a moment. Why is he targeting Jenson's?"
"Because I own it. He wants me to suffer. What better way then to make my business suffer? The virus he planted will destroy the computers, causing me to close. He taking the things I love and using them against me."
"How?" asked Yolei.
"It said that if I didn't close the business, that I would pay for it. I didn't want to take chance, so I gave everyone paid vacations, hoping to beat the virus. But according to Scott, that vacation may turn permanent."
"The stalker bought that?"
"Yeah, he liked the idea of me toying with my employees."
"You said that he was using the things you loved against you. What are the others?" questioned Izzy.
"Only one another thing. All of you."
The words hung in the air.
"I didn't know that he would resort to hurting all of you to get to me. When he said close the business and I didn't, I never imaged that someone would get hurt. I never meant for that to happen. I didn't know. What was I supposed to do? Close the business and watch all my workers suffer? The worst I thought that my stalker would do would come after me. I never thought that he would resort to attacking people." Laura sobbed. Tears ran down the side of her face. She didn't try to wipe them away. Instead, she turned away from all of them. She couldn't stand to look at her friends anymore.
Matt stared at her. Suddenly all the pieces snapped into place. "He attacked me to get to you. That's what he meant by saying that you should have obey. You didn't close Jenson's, so I was attacked."
Laura nodded, still unable to look Matt in the eyes.
"Laura, believe me. I don't blame you. I understand now. Trust me, I would rather be beaten everyday than cause hundreds of workers to lose their jobs. I'm sorry that I ever yelled at you and accuse you of deliberately hurting me. I should have known better. Trusted you more."
"It shouldn't have happened though. I should have listened. That's why I can't be seen with all of you, it is safer."
Matt s head snapped up. Everything was perfectly clear now. He moved next to Lucky. He took her into his arms and held her. "That is why you broke up with me. To protect me right?"
"Yes." She cried into Matt's shoulder.
Matt looked down at the girl crying in his arms. Softly he rubbed her back. Then he glanced at his friends.
They just stared back. No one could speak then. Either they were too moved or didn't want to ruin Matt s and Lucky s rekindling. After about ten minutes, Matt finally spoke.
"TK, call mom. Explain what is going on and tell her that Lucky needs to stay there."
"What?" exclaimed Laura, pushing out of Matt s embrace.
"I don't want you staying here. It worries me to know that the digimon knows where you live. Mom knows about the DigiWorld, she'll understand."
"I can't, I won't."
"Lucky, stop being so stubborn. Let us help you."
"Fine."
"No, I said.. .wait you said fine."
Lucky gave a small laugh. "Yeah, I did."
"Great. Laura, I think we can help with the virus problem. Do you think Ken and I can see it.?"
"Sure Izzy. I'll get you in."
"Mom said it would be okay Matt."
"Thank God. You'll be safe there."
"I hope so. Thanks everyone."
"It is okay Laura. Why don't you pack a bag and then Davis, TK, Yolei, Cody, and I run it to TK's house and then run to the café and tell Mia you re okay? She has been worried. We'll met the rest of you at Jenson's later?" said Kari.
"Sounds fine to me. Scott, Chelsea, and Tyler should be gone by now."
"If they're not, will that cause a problem?"
"Not unless we crack the virus. It may arise a few question we can't answer though."
"Good point."
"I don't think they'll be there though. They normally go home about this time. So I suggest we get going now and make use of the little time that we have."
Fifteen minutes later, the groups were ready to head out. At the end of her driveway, Lucky suddenly remembered something important.
"Davis, I totally forgot to tell you something. I take back every single comment I said about you being annoying."
"Why? My sister worse? See I told you."'
"No, she was really nice. I should call you exasperating."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"Yeah, but it is a stronger word."
"What did my sister tell you because what ever it was, I deny it all."
"Pleading the 5th huh? Always a sign of guilt."
"I swear I didn't do anything!"
"Sure Davis." Laura called over her back as the groups went there separate ways.
"So what did Jun say?" asked Sora.
"Honestly? Nothing. I was just playing with his mind. I can't let him think he can let his guard down now can I?"
"There is the Lucky we all love." said Tai.
"Thanks for making remember that me."
"Thank us when this is all over." said Mimi. "I have a feeling that our problems are far from over."
"Close the door."
Tai did.
"So, how did you find out?" Laura asked, while raising her head.
"Um, we went to your school and learned your last name - Li. And from all the research we had been doing on Jenson's we found out that the owner's name was Simon Li. It was too big of a coincidence." explained Izzy.
"Pretty smart. I give you that. So what are you doing here?"
"Isn't that one obvious? We need your help." Davis said.
"Why? All I do is cause trouble."
"What? That's crazy. Why do you say that?" asked Mimi.
"Haven't you figured that one out yet?"
"Well yeah, but we're missing certain pieces. You can fill them in for us." said Joe.
"Fine, but not here. Chelsea, Tyler, and Scott don't know some of these things and I don't want them to learn them."
"Okay, but where will we go?" asked Kari.
"My place. It is the safest."
"Finally I get to see your house."
"It is no big deal. And you mean to tell me you didn't find the address?"
"No, that one still a mystery to me."
"Well. I am glad to know that I can still fool you Izzy. Hold a sec everyone. Chelsea?"
"Yes Laura?"
"I'm going home for awhile. I'll be back sometime tonight. Make sure you and the guys go home sometime tonight and eat? Okay?"
"Sure Lucky. See you later."
"Okay gang, let's go"
The group walked out the front doors, after saying a quick good bye to Chelsea.
"So that is the mysterious Chelsea." said Matt
"Yeah, Chelsea Barnes is like a mother to me. And Tyler Barnaby is my father. They taught me how to run that business."
"Who is Scott?" asked Sora.
"Scott Reed is our computer technician. We used to say that he could fix everything."
"Until that virus?"
"Right, Cody. Are you sure you don t know everything?"
"Yeah Laura, we are."
"So how far is your house from here?" asked Mimi.
"About ten minutes from the café."
"That's a far walk." commented Davis.
"I normally take a bus."
"Oh."
The rest of trip was traveled in silence. Nobody missed that Matt and Lucky were as far from one another as possible. Matt kept stealing glances at her, but Laura kept looking straight ahead, never facing any of them. The other DigiDestineds were deep in thought.
'We really caught Lucky off guard today. But yet, she took it better than I ever thought she would. Maybe this is the start of the team healing.' Cody thought.
'Poor Matt. I can tell he is really upset with himself for saying those things to Laura. Their relationship can't be over yet, can it?' Sora contemplated.
Tai kicked a wad of paper up the street. 'I can t help wondering what other secrets we are going to learn today. Please let me have the courage to accept them and Lucky's reasoning.'
Davis sighed quietly to himself. 'This day has definitely interesting to say the least, and unfortunately it is far from over.'
'I feel so bad for Laura. I know what it is like to keep secrets from your friends. But with the gangs help, I healed and recover and I know she can too. If she'll let us.' Ken reflected.
Mimi rubbed her hand together. She forgot how cold it got here. 'The tension is so thick though, it is actually keeping me warm. I have to find a way to help all of them.'
Joe considered the silence to be a blessing. 'At least Matt, TK and, Laura aren't fighting. It is a step in the right direction.'
'All I want for Christmas is for all of us to be friends again' thought Yolei. 'That is it. I've learned that friendship is the best possible gift. And I want Lucky back as a friend.'
TK felt like crying. This is all my fault. 'If I hadn't said those things to Laura, we may have figured all of this out earlier and maybe Matt and Lucky would still be together. It is strange not seeing them laughing and joking.'
Kari suppressed a smile. Even though a feeling of uneasiness hung in the air, she couldn't help but feel happy. 'The team is back and Lucky is okay. I was so worried when nobody had heard from her. But she's fine and safe. And I know she'll stay that way. We'll protect her.'
'I think everything is going to fall into place now. And maybe I can get a peek at that virus and save Jenson s for Lucky.' Izzy considered.
Matt continued to stare at his ex-girlfriend. She had not even acknowledged his presence yet. 'I don t blame her though. We really didn't leave on the best of terms the last time I saw her. But I swear, I will win her back if it kills me. I will protect her from what ever she is facing, even if she doesn't like it. These last days without her have been unbearable. I never could get my mind off her. She is my life and I know that now.'
Lucky felt like skipping. 'I know that the others are going to kill me. But I can t wait to get all of this off my chest. But what about my stalker? I can t tell them. Or do they already know? They've guessed so much already. Maybe they just need me to confirm everything. I still can't believe that they still want to be friends with me. I've hidden stuff from them, put them in danger, and yet, they are still here. I am so blessed. I can't turn my head and look at them though. Because if I do, I'll look at Matt and totally break down. I miss him so much. But does he miss me? Maybe. He is here, but what if he just here to stop the evil digimon? I can t think about things. I made my decision. Our relationship is over. But is that void now that he knows I m being stalked and did it to protect him? Probably not since he said hasn't said anything about it to me. Admit it girl, you re single again. And nothing is going to change that. But is it so wrong to hope?'
"Okay, everyone were here."
"Huh? There is not house around here!" exclaimed Davis.
"No. But see that dirt road over there?"
"Yeah."
"That is part of my drive way. I told you my house was well concealed. It had to be, it was our summer escape house. "
"Understandable." said Matt coldly. Why am I being so cold and unforgiving? he thought as he watched Laura shiver slightly at the tone of his voice.
They group walked up the dirt path. A large, Victorian style mansion appeared on the hill. It was blue, with white trim. The house was two stories, with a pool in the back. The front had a large porch, and a balcony over a far window. Flowers and shrubs decorated the yard. A stone wall and a black gate stood in the distance.
"That's your house?" shouted Kari.
"Uh, yeah. I told you nothing special."
"We need to discuss your definition of special." said Joe.
"What?"
"Laura, I speak for everyone here when I say Damn."
"Tai!"
"Sorry."
"Who's car is that in the drive way?" asked Ken.
"Mine, once I pass my driving test."
"What kind is it?"
"An Infinity Jeep."
"You really have in all don't you?" said Davis.
"Unfortunately yes. I don't let it go to my head. It's really too much for me. Maybe I'll give it away when this is all over with."
"You must be the black sheep of the family." said Yolei with a laugh.
"Well, I did take after mom, so I guess so. But to be honest, my parents didn't like having all this money either. That is why they donated so much if it to others. Now do you want to come in or just freeze?" Lucky said, walking to the gate.
"In. Before I turn into a Popsicle." TK said, running after Lucky.
Everyone quickly followed. Once they were inside, Lucky made some hot chocolate. She brought it to the living room where everyone was waiting.
"Is that your family?" asked TK, pointing to a picture frame.
"Yeah, that's my mom, dad, my sister Aryn, and my brother Nick. It was taken about two months before my first trip to the DigiWorld."
"I'm surprised that you keep pictures up." said Joe.
"I didn't until recently. I couldn't. The memories were unbearable. But after we defeat Lady Myotismon, I could handle them, so the pictures came out. It still hurts to look at them, but it gets a little easier ever time I see it."
"You're still haunted by your memories?" asked Mimi.
"A little, not nearly as bad as I was before. I don t suffer from flashbacks as often and when I do, they are less serve. I know I can't ever escape them, they are always going to be a part of me. At least now, I can handle them and not be afraid of them."
"That's really good to hear, but I have to ask. What is scaring you so bad this time?" asked Tai.
"Look, I would tell you if I could, but I can't."
"Well, let's see if I can't guess." said Matt, a little irritated. He still couldn't understand why he sounded the way he did. Maybe it was because he still could not grasp why Lucky had lied.
"Okay." Laura said warily. She didn't miss Matt's attitude toward her.
"You inherited Jenson Electronics from your parents Simon and Jenny Li when you were eight years old. You were too young to run the business, so most of the business was run by Chelsea and Tyler. But you showed a remarkable knack for business. You're pretty intelligent too. After all, you are a junior in high school, despite only being fifteen. But Chelsea and Tyler knew that no body would work for a eight year old, so they hired Angela. Or maybe I should say created Angela, since she was actually you. I'm guessing that Angela is your middle name."
"You re right, it is. Isn't it amazing though that the media never discovered that?"
"Honestly yeah. But no body doubted the hiring, except us. We knew better. So I am figuring that things went pretty smoothly for you and your company for a few years. You and the others made the company into a success. Until this year, when the virus came. At first we couldn't understand why only Jenson's was being attacked. Why not other businesses or companies? They were just as rich and powerful. But then Izzy figured out that you owned it. And suddenly, the reason became a lot clearer. You re being stalked aren't you Laura?"
The color drained from Lucky s face. 'I can't believe they figured it all out. I should have never doubted them. I should have known that they would try to figure out my secret. And that they would do it too. "Why do you say that Matt."
"It is the most obvious thing Lucky." said Joe. "Your sudden attitude changes set us off. One minute you were ready to tell us the truth, and the next you re as scared as you were facing Lady Myotismon."
"I don't deny having sudden mood swings, but being stalked? Come on."
"Then how do you explain them?" said Cody.
"The stress from work. That's all."
"And the phone calls?"
"From work. Normally Chelsea tell me something else went wrong."
"Why are you lying?"
"What do you mean Izzy."
"You actions are totally contradicting what you are saying. You're pale, shaking, and you won't look any of us in the eyes."
Laura turned away from all of them. 'I guess I should just come clean with them. But, I can't. The threats."
"Well Lucky, we're waiting." Matt said sharply.
Lucky whipped around. She couldn't handle it anymore. She exploded. "Fine you want to know the truth? You're right, all of you. About the virus, the attitude changes, the stalker. Yes, I am being stalked. You happy? I admit it. I am being harassed because I am not a human. This person knows I am digimon and is using it against me. Why you may ask? Because of my parents and siblings. They think I should be punished for killing them. And maybe they re right. I should suffer for murdering my family and friends. I let them die because of my ignorance."
"You don t mean that Lucky. It wasn't your fault. You know that. Don't let this digimon convince you otherwise." exclaimed TK.
"Too late. I mean everything he or she or it said was right. I can't deny that."
"Laura, you were eight. You didn't know the truth. Plus, you did not make that building collapse. Lady Myotismon did. She is the reason why your parents, friends, and family are not here today. You had no control over her actions. It is not your fault at all. You are a victim, not a criminal." argued Joe.
Lucky sighed. She no longer could distinguish the truth from the lies. It was all just a jumbled mess in her head. She gently massaged her forehead. "Maybe. I just don't know. It is all so confusing to me right now. "
"That's okay. Let's change the subject back to your stalker for a moment. Why is he targeting Jenson's?"
"Because I own it. He wants me to suffer. What better way then to make my business suffer? The virus he planted will destroy the computers, causing me to close. He taking the things I love and using them against me."
"How?" asked Yolei.
"It said that if I didn't close the business, that I would pay for it. I didn't want to take chance, so I gave everyone paid vacations, hoping to beat the virus. But according to Scott, that vacation may turn permanent."
"The stalker bought that?"
"Yeah, he liked the idea of me toying with my employees."
"You said that he was using the things you loved against you. What are the others?" questioned Izzy.
"Only one another thing. All of you."
The words hung in the air.
"I didn't know that he would resort to hurting all of you to get to me. When he said close the business and I didn't, I never imaged that someone would get hurt. I never meant for that to happen. I didn't know. What was I supposed to do? Close the business and watch all my workers suffer? The worst I thought that my stalker would do would come after me. I never thought that he would resort to attacking people." Laura sobbed. Tears ran down the side of her face. She didn't try to wipe them away. Instead, she turned away from all of them. She couldn't stand to look at her friends anymore.
Matt stared at her. Suddenly all the pieces snapped into place. "He attacked me to get to you. That's what he meant by saying that you should have obey. You didn't close Jenson's, so I was attacked."
Laura nodded, still unable to look Matt in the eyes.
"Laura, believe me. I don't blame you. I understand now. Trust me, I would rather be beaten everyday than cause hundreds of workers to lose their jobs. I'm sorry that I ever yelled at you and accuse you of deliberately hurting me. I should have known better. Trusted you more."
"It shouldn't have happened though. I should have listened. That's why I can't be seen with all of you, it is safer."
Matt s head snapped up. Everything was perfectly clear now. He moved next to Lucky. He took her into his arms and held her. "That is why you broke up with me. To protect me right?"
"Yes." She cried into Matt's shoulder.
Matt looked down at the girl crying in his arms. Softly he rubbed her back. Then he glanced at his friends.
They just stared back. No one could speak then. Either they were too moved or didn't want to ruin Matt s and Lucky s rekindling. After about ten minutes, Matt finally spoke.
"TK, call mom. Explain what is going on and tell her that Lucky needs to stay there."
"What?" exclaimed Laura, pushing out of Matt s embrace.
"I don't want you staying here. It worries me to know that the digimon knows where you live. Mom knows about the DigiWorld, she'll understand."
"I can't, I won't."
"Lucky, stop being so stubborn. Let us help you."
"Fine."
"No, I said.. .wait you said fine."
Lucky gave a small laugh. "Yeah, I did."
"Great. Laura, I think we can help with the virus problem. Do you think Ken and I can see it.?"
"Sure Izzy. I'll get you in."
"Mom said it would be okay Matt."
"Thank God. You'll be safe there."
"I hope so. Thanks everyone."
"It is okay Laura. Why don't you pack a bag and then Davis, TK, Yolei, Cody, and I run it to TK's house and then run to the café and tell Mia you re okay? She has been worried. We'll met the rest of you at Jenson's later?" said Kari.
"Sounds fine to me. Scott, Chelsea, and Tyler should be gone by now."
"If they're not, will that cause a problem?"
"Not unless we crack the virus. It may arise a few question we can't answer though."
"Good point."
"I don't think they'll be there though. They normally go home about this time. So I suggest we get going now and make use of the little time that we have."
Fifteen minutes later, the groups were ready to head out. At the end of her driveway, Lucky suddenly remembered something important.
"Davis, I totally forgot to tell you something. I take back every single comment I said about you being annoying."
"Why? My sister worse? See I told you."'
"No, she was really nice. I should call you exasperating."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"Yeah, but it is a stronger word."
"What did my sister tell you because what ever it was, I deny it all."
"Pleading the 5th huh? Always a sign of guilt."
"I swear I didn't do anything!"
"Sure Davis." Laura called over her back as the groups went there separate ways.
"So what did Jun say?" asked Sora.
"Honestly? Nothing. I was just playing with his mind. I can't let him think he can let his guard down now can I?"
"There is the Lucky we all love." said Tai.
"Thanks for making remember that me."
"Thank us when this is all over." said Mimi. "I have a feeling that our problems are far from over."