AN: Hey, thanks for all the reviews and suggestions! I'll keep them all in mind as I write my next chapters. Keep sending them in and I'll keep writing as often as I can! Also, I don't know what they eat and anything about Yumi's family, so don't hurt me if I'm wrong.
Jeremy smiled at Aelita and shook his head. "I don't really think I can explain it," he said, "Maybe if you watch Ulrick and Yumi for a while you'll understand better."
"Oh, are they in love?" Aelita asked.
"I think so," Jeremy replied quietly so only Aelita could hear, "But neither of them will admit it."
"Do you love me?" Aelita asked innocently.
Jeremy blushed and cleared his throat. Fortunately for him, the doorbell rang again and this time he offered to get it.
"What did you ask him, Aelita?" Yumi asked, "I've never seen his face turn so red...."
"I asked him if he loves me," Aelita replied, "Did I say something wrong?"
"No," Yumi said, chuckling, "You probably just surprised him." Not wishing to take part in this conversation, Ulrick went to find Jeremy and Odd.
"Does Ulrick love you?" Aelita asked once Ulrick left the room.
Yumi looked down at the floor, frowning. "Sometimes I'm not sure," she confessed, "He has never told me he loves me, but there's been times both here and in Lyoko when I can't help but think he does..."
"Think he does what?" Odd asked, walking into the room carrying his sleeping bag and a huge duffel bag.
"Nothing," Yumi said nonchalantly as Ulrick and Jeremy followed Odd in. "Once you get all of your stuff set up, we'll have supper."
"What's on the menu tonight?" Odd asked.
"My parents said we could order out from any restaurant in town," Yumi replied, "What do you guys want?"
"Why don't we try that new pizza place?" Ulrick suggested.
"Sounds good to me," Odd said.
"Ok, it's settled then," Yumi said, "Once you get your stuff set up, Odd, we'll order." Needing no further prompting other than the thought of food, Odd laid out his sleeping bag against the wall with the top of his sleeping bag touching the top of Yumi's.
"Done," Odd announced, setting his duffle bag at the foot of his makeshift bed.
"That was quick," Yumi said, smiling. As she left the room to order the pizza, Jeremy sat down by his computer to talk to Aelita again. Odd and Ulrick found places on the floor on either side of him while they waited.
"How are things in Lyoko, Aelita?" Ulrick asked.
"Unusually quiet," she replied with a frown.
"I'll start a scan after supper," Jeremy promised.
"Maybe X.A.N.A. has given up," Odd suggested hopefully.
"I doubt it," Ulrick replied, "He's probably using the time to plan his next attack."
"Whatever it is, we'll stop him," Odd said confidently, "We always do." Yumi rejoined the group and sat down between Jeremy and Ulrick. The team then chatted about school and Lyoko until the pizza arrived.
True to his word, after supper Jeremy launched a scan to find and infected towers. The group talked late into the night until finally Yumi's father poked his head in the room and told them it was time to quiet down. Jeremy's scan was taking longer than usual so he left the computer up and stayed connected with Aelita. After they said their goodnights, they fell asleep, one by one. The first one asleep was Odd. Ulrick suppressed a groan as Odd began a light snore and he dug out his earplugs. He indicated Yumi and Jeremy should do the same and they followed suit. Soon after, Jeremy succumbed to sleep, followed by a yawning Yumi. Ulrick propped himself up on his elbow, facing Yumi and watched her sleep for a while. A slight smile formed on his lips and he reached out his hand tentatively to brush some loose hairs away from her face. When his fingers lingered slightly on her temple, the sleeping Yumi let out a small sigh and he withdrew his hand quickly. After watching her for a few moments longer, Ulrick laid back down and slowly drifted to sleep.
Little did Ulrick know, Aelita had witnessed his touch, and later noticed the sleeping Ulrick wrap his arm lightly around Yumi's waist. Aelita turned her attention to Jeremy and smiled at the restful expression on his face. Seeing she was not needed at the moment, she quietly logged off to leave them to their dreams.