With one second remaining, a bluish glow issued from the tower, washing over the warriors.
"Return to the past now," Jeremy said wearily.
Ulrick woke with a start and sat up in alarm.
"Yumi!" he cried in anguish. His antics had woken Odd and Jeremy, who sat up and looked around, dazed. Afraid of what he might find (or not find), Ulrick looked over to where Yumi had been sleeping before the attack. Though he spotted the raven-haired girl, he was not reassured. Ulrick reached out a trembling hand and touched his fingertips to her cheek. Yumi's eyelids fluttered open and for the moment she looked confused, as if she didn't know where she was. Ulrick let out the breath he had been holding and withdrew his hand. He pulled out his earplugs and Yumi removed hers, along with Jeremy.
"Let's not do that again," Odd said. Jeremy nodded agreement.
"It was too close," Jeremy said, "We only had one second to spare." During this exchange, Yumi sat up and Ulrick stared at her wordlessly. When it finally sank in that she was truly alive, tears streamed down Ulrick's cheeks. He tried to brush them away quickly, but Yumi saw and looked at him tenderly.
"It's ok, Ulrick," she said quietly, "I'm fine and everything is ok."
"I almost lost you for forever," Ulrick said softly, scrubbing at his cheeks with the back of his hand.
"What's going on in here?" Yumi's father asked as he rushed in the room and flicked the light on. "I heard someone shout."
"Ulrick had a nightmare, sir," Jeremy said by way of explanation.
"Ok, you kids go back to sleep," Yumi's father said, turning out the light.
"You heard the man," Odd said lightly, laying back down. In moments, the carefree boy was back to sleep and snoring loud as ever.
"I'm going to check on Aelita first," Jeremy said, moving over to the computer. He brought up the screen and called her and she answered almost immediately.
Giving his cheeks one final swipe, Ulrick laid back down on his side, facing Yumi. She, too, laid down, facing him as before. This time, Ulrick made no move to hid his arm as he wrapped it around her. Using his right hand, he replaced his earplugs and Yumi did the same, smiling.
"Is that love, then?" Aelita asked, watching Yumi and Ulrick as they fell asleep together.
"Yes," Jeremy said, glancing back at the tow. "Part of love is being there for someone even when there seems to be no hope."
"Jeremy?"
"Yes, Aelita?"
"You stayed with me today when it looked hopeless."
"That is correct."
"Why?"
"Ulrick and Yumi are not the only ones who can be in love."
AN: Ok, so I didn't kill anyone. I don't think I have it in me. I hope you liked it. I'm thinking about making another Ulrick x Yumi story later. Or possibly a sequel. Send in reviews to tell me what you think of this story. Possible dedication later.