Warning: Rated for language, violence and references to adult behavior.

The main characters of this story are based on characters from the cartoon 'Code Lyoko.' I do not own, nor do I claim, any copyright to these characters.

Things were quiet after that afternoon in the country. Jeremie would supervise Aelita when she went to visit her father in Lyoko, making sure he didn't try and keep her there against her will. Jeremie even virtualized Desmond Hopper into Lyoko once so he could visit his brother face to face.

Franz Hopper was finally starting to settle down. The years of sensory deprivation had taken their toll on him. He still wasn't totally sane, and there were times when he would suddenly think he was having delusions and start attacking anything and anyone around him. When those times came, Jeremie made sure everyone was pulled out of Lyoko, and let Franz rage on. His fit would pass, and Franz would be remorseful over his actions.

Desmond was talking to a psychiatrist about his brother. Jeremie was afraid of bringing yet another person into the Lyoko world, but they had to help Franz somehow.

But all was not doom and gloom. XANA still hadn't reared its ugly head. School was going well, and Odd, Ulrich and Sissi were even improving their grades.

One day, about a month after the weekend at the air base, there was a knock at Jeremie's door. He opened it and there stood MGySgt. Thompson.

"How've you been doing, Jeremie," he said in greeting.

"Fine," Jeremie replied, shaking his hand, "how have things been going with you?"

"It's almost impossible to explain," the man replied, "I never understood just how much stress I was under until that weekend. I may not have been able to help you much with your problems, but you inadvertently seemed to have helped me with mine."

"How so?"

In reply, MGySgt. Thompson handed Jeremie some envelopes.

Curious, Jeremie opened one. Inside, it read:

GySgt. Anna Maisy Grace, USMC and MGySgt. Taylor Nathan Thompson, USMC

Invite you to share Their Joy

As They join each other in Holy Matrimony

On June 11, 2xxx at 5 pm

At the Chapel, United States Embassy, Paris France.

A Reception will follow at the Embassy.

RSVP by May 11, 2xxx.

"Wow! That's great! Congratulations!" Jeremie exclaimed, "What are these other envelopes?"

"Some are wedding invitations for Aelita and your friends," Thompson replied, "the others are invitations to a ball the Embassy is throwing on May the 7th. It's one of those fancy-smancy shindigs Embassies put on several times a year. Jeanie's invited Herve, and told me to see to it you and your friends got invites too."

"Well, thanks," Jeremie said, "I'll give these to the others and find out what they want to do. I think I can safely RSVP Aelita and myself for the Ball right now, and I can definitely RSVP us for your wedding."

"Good, I'll tell Miss Wilkerson and Ann that."

All the gang was excited about the ball. They all RSVP'd, then spent the next few weeks wondering what they would wear. For the boys, the choice was simple, black-tie tuxedos.

Yumi decided to wear the formal kimono she bought while she was in Japan over the summer.

Sissi started pouring though all of her teen magazines looking for suggestions, then harassed her father to buy her the dress she wanted. He agreed, especially after seeing her try the dress on in the store. He got a wistful look on his face, like he was remembering a fond moment, and bought the dress.

Aelita, on the other hand, didn't have a clue as to what to wear. She had never worried about anything like this before, and was totally bewildered by the choices available. Help came to the pink haired girl in the form of Jeremie's mother and GySgt. Ann Grace.

Both women would be attending the ball too; Grace in her capacity as Jeanie Wilkerson's bodyguard, Jeremie's parents at the invitation of MGySgt. Thompson. Like Aelita, neither woman had a suitable dress for the event, so the three of them went shopping.

When Aelita got back to school from the trip, she told Jeremie that she had found a dress that would knock his eyeballs out. He tried to get her to show him, but she gave him a coy little smile and told him to wait.

There were other people preparing for the ball.

"Were you able to find out who is catering the party?" the first man said.

"Yes, Mr. Stern was very helpful in that matter," replied the second man.

"Good. Now here is what we are going to do..."