"Code: Insomnia"
By cdc100
Summary: Jeremie is having fits in his sleep. Aelita wants to know what's wrong with him and he insists that nothing is wrong. Find out what happens.
Disclaimer: This is a work of pure non-profit fan fiction. I do not own any of the characters, their weapons, their abilities, or any of their universes, nor do I own any of the lyrics that will appear in later chapters, or any of the products mentioned in the story such as Coca-Cola, or Playstation. If anybody is wondering about the night terror thing, I got it from Boston Legal. I might use more story points from Boston Legal.
Note: I don't know if I'm spelling Jeremie's name right. I've seen it spelled, "Jeremie," and "Jeremy," so just bear with me. If anyone thinks I should change the spelling, send me a review. Yolande is pronounced, "Yo-lawn-duh." And if you're going to read this story, PLEASE at least have the decency to leave a review!
Chapter Six
"Not Again!"
Jeremie tried to stand up, but as he did so, he had a dizzy spell, and fell back to the ground. He got back up again, steadied himself against the wall, and then stood up, only then to fall back down yet again.
"Jeremie, here," Aelita said, extending her hand.
Jeremie took her hand, and she lifted him up off of the ground. She put his arm over her shoulder, and led him out of the computer room.
"Aelita, I need to tell you something," said Jeremie as they were getting into the elevator.
"What is it, Jeremie?" asked Aelita as she punched in the code.
Jeremie took his arm off Aelita and sat while the elevator took them up. He looked at the ground and tried to think. Finally, he spoke.
"I'm sorry I took so long to tell you how I feel," he said.
Aelita just looked at him with her mouth open.
"Are you mad?" he asked.
Aelita bent down, smiled, and kissed the love of her life right square on the lips.
"No, Jeremie. I'm not. And I forgive you."
Jeremie smiled at this.
The elevator door opened, and just outside stood their friends. Aelita stood Jeremie up, and Ulrich came over to help her steady him.
"I'm sorry I shut you guys out," said Jeremie.
"Aw, it's fine, Einstein," said Odd.
They carried him over to the door leading to the storage room in Kadic, and Jeremie finally spoke.
"Hey, Aelita?" he asked.
"Yes, Jeremie?" she responded.
"Why don't you go ahead and walk with Yumi? I think I'll be fine with just Ulrich," he said.
Aelita looked at him. He had an exhausted look on his face. She couldn't bear to see him like this.
"No, Jeremie. I'll stay here with you."
Jeremie was surprised.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
"I'm sure," she replied.
When she was sure that the others were not looking, she stood up a little higher and gave Jeremie a kiss on the cheek. Jeremie blushed crimson. He was not used to this… yet. He looked back at the pink-haired girl standing next to him. She looked so beautiful.
The gang led Jeremie down the tunnel to the Kadic Academy boiler room. Jeremie kept insisting that he could walk, only to be proven wrong by his uneasy stomach. Whenever they let him go, he stood where he was momentarily, and then started to crash to the ground. He finally gave up and let them lead him to the infirmary. At one moment, they encountered Mr. Delmas.
"What's going on here?" he asked.
"Jeremie passed out, sir. We're taking him to the infirmary," explained Aelita.
Mr. Delmas looked at Jeremie and saw that he looked a bit pale.
"Is everything alright, Belpois?" he asked.
"I've had better days, sir," said Jeremie.
Mr. Delmas took a quick scan of Jeremie.
"Thank you for finding him and bringing him here. You children need not carry him any further. Ah, Jim!"
Just then, Jim came from behind a door, and spoke to Mr. Delmas.
"Yes, sir?" asked Jim.
"Carry Belpois to the infirmary."
"You've got it, Jean-Pierre."
Jim relieved Ulrich and Odd of Jeremie and began walking to the infirmary. Mr. Delmas motioned for the group to follow him. When they finally reached the infirmary, Yolande took Jeremie's blood pressure and his temperature.
"Your temperature is seven degrees below normal, your blood pressure is slightly lower, and you've suffered a minor blow to your head. I would suggest that you drink plenty of liquids, stay in bed, and keep this ice pack on your head. The principal has given you permission to stay in your dorm room and away from class. Also, your friends tell me that you have been having night terrors. I think that you should have someone move into your dorm room with you."
"Good idea, Yolande," said Jim.
"Hmm. Would you mind elaborating on the incident, Miss Stones?" asked Mr. Delmas.
Aelita looked at Jeremie. She thought about telling Mr. Delmas what happened, just not where it happened. When she saw Jeremie nod her head, she spoke.
"We found Jeremie standing against a tree as if he was trying to keep his balance. He lost his balance, and he fell to the ground. He then vomited and fell unconscious. We walked up to him at the point where he passed out."
"We began trying to wake him up. Aelita finally managed to rouse Jeremie and he threw up again. When he was fully awakened, he was cold as ice, and shaking. We took him back to his dorm room and laid him down, but after he fell asleep, he had another night terror," said Yumi.
"Night terror?" asked Mr. Delmas.
"I just recently diagnosed him, Jean-Pierre," said Yolande.
"All right, children, you can go out into the hall and wait with Belpois," said Mr. Delmas.
The gang went outside, and Yolande locked the door.
"Hmph. Reminds me of when I worked as a psychiatrist," commented Jim.
"You used to work as a psychiatrist, Jim?" asked Mr. Delmas.
"I'd rather not talk about it," said Jim.
"Enough about that, could you explain, Yolande?" asked Mr. Delmas.
Yolande began explaining night terrors to the principal. After the explanation, he just stood there, aghast. He then called Ms. Hertz, and some of the other teachers.
"That's what's been causing Jeremie to try and kill himself?!" asked Mr. Delmas.
"We obviously need to notify the hospital," said Ms. Hertz.
"No, we can't have that. If it got out to the public that a student here at Kadic Academy starts banging on his window in the middle of the night…" said Yolande.
"Yeah, God forbid," said Jim.
"He runs up on the roof when he's asleep?!" asked Mr. Delmas.
"It just doesn't make any sense," began Ms. Hertz. "What could be causing him to have them?"
"They have been known to be brought on by stress," said Yolande. "You remember my friend from Massachusetts?"
"Alan Shore?" asked Jim.
"Yes," answered Yolande.
"The scumbag?" asked Ms. Hertz.
"Yes," answered Yolande.
"We remember," said Ms. Hertz and Jim, simultaneously.
"He suffers from the exact same thing," said Yolande.
"He just tries to kill himself?" asked Mr. Delmas.
"Yes, Jean-Pierre, he tries to kill himself when he's asleep, can we move on?" asked Ms. Hertz.
"We need to move somebody into his room for when he's asleep," said Yolande.
"No, we have to tell the hospital," said Mr. Delmas.
"That would only be used in the event of an emergency," said Jim.
"He's a suicidal sleeper!" yelled Mr. Delmas.
"SHHH!" said Ms. Hertz.
"Don't shush me, Suzanne!"
"Are there any medications for this sort of thing, Yolande?" asked Jim.
"Well, yes, but the FDA has yet to approve it."
"How long does it take for them to approve it?" asked Suzanne.
"It could take anywhere from half a year to two years."
"We certainly can't wait that long," said Mr. Delmas.
"Exactly. That's why I think that it would probably be best if we move someone into his dorm room to stop him from jumping off anything," said Yolande.
"Well, who would you suggest?" asked Mr. Delmas.
"Well, you did give her the job the first night Jeremie had a night terror."
"Stones?" he asked.
He then thought back, he remembered that he did indeed put her to the task.
"All right, if this works, we won't tell the hospital. But, in the event that it becomes serious…"
"We sing like a canary," said Jim.
"Wonder what they're talking about in there," said Odd.
Everyone else just shrugged. Two seconds later, Mr. Delmas came out followed by Jim.
"Stones, go up to your dorm and grab your belongings," said Jim.
Aelita looked up at Jim. She was frightened. Had they found out that she wasn't really Odd's cousin?
"Yes, sir."
She went up to her room and got every last bit of paper and all of her belongings.
"Good, now follow me," said Jim.
She followed him down to the bottom floor and into Jeremie's bedroom.
"Miss Stones, you will be living in Belpois' room until further notice."
"What?" asked Aelita. She had long dreamed of this, but she never dreamt that it would happen while they were in school!
"Is there a problem?" asked Jim.
"No, sir. No problem."
With that, Jim nodded his head and walked off. Aelita spent the rest of the afternoon setting her stuff up on the other bed.
Jeremie came walking in at the end of the day to find one half of his room plastered with pink. He stood there with a frightened look on his face.
"What the?!"
"Jeremie?"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" yelled Jeremie, jumping up ten feet in the air.
"Sorry!" said the voice.
"Aelita?" asked Jeremie.
"Yeah, it's me."
"Aelita, you scared me," said Jeremie.
"Sorry, Jeremie. Can you forgive me?"
"Of course I can."
Aelita smiled at her prince's deep blue eyes.
"So, uh, what're all of your belongings doing in my room?" asked Jeremie.
Aelita looked at the bed opposite Jeremie's. It had posters of popular musicians on the walls.
"Oh, right. Um… the principal has told me that I'm to stay in your room with you to keep you safe."
Jeremie's heart jumped. He was sharing a room with the love of his life!
"Jeremie? Are you all right?" asked the pink-haired girl standing in front of him.
"Huh? Oh, yeah! I'm all right."
"Good, I'll be back in the dorm around eight. By the way, the principal and the nurse say that it's important for you to stay in bed. He'll have all homework sent to your room."
She grabbed his arm and began leading him over to the bed.
"In the meantime, why don't you get some rest?"
She laid Jeremie down in his bed, and pulled the covers over him.
"Thanks, Princess," said Jeremie.
"You're welcome, Jeremie," she said, kissing him on the cheek before heading downstairs.
He did as he was told, and eventually fell asleep. He was filled with thoughts of Aelita, and what they would do after they finally defeated XANA.
He woke up to a small shake on his shoulder.
"Jeremie?" asked a voice.
Jeremie moaned and stirred slightly.
"Jeremie?" asked the voice again.
He yawned and then sat all the way up.
"What?" he asked. He let his eyes focus, and saw the pink-haired girl he had been dreaming about.
"I brought you some dinner. Yolande says it's important to keep your stomach full," said Aelita.
He looked down. Indeed, she was holding a tray of assorted foods. There was an apple, a croissant, a cup of hot chocolate, and a small bowl of oatmeal.
"Thanks, princess," said Jeremie.
She nodded, and then sat down on the other bed. Jeremie looked down at his tray. After a few minutes, he spoke up.
"Hey, Aelita?"
"Yes, Jeremie?"
"Would you like to piece off of this with me?" he asked.
"Oh, no. The nurse said you had to eat it."
"I know, I just don't think I could eat this all by myself. And, seeing as you and I are roommates now, I wondered if maybe you wouldn't mind my sharing with you."
Aelita looked at the tray, and then at the boy holding it.
"Okay," she finally said, walking over to the side of the bed and sitting on her knees.
Jeremie picked up the apple and split it for the two of them to eat. He gave one half to Aelita, and bit into the other half. Jeremie then took his spoon and fed some of his oatmeal to Aelita. After about a half hour, they were in their beds. Aelita was reading a pamphlet that Yolande had given her, and Jeremie was reading a copy of "HTML 4 For Dummies."
"Well, I guess I've got it all figured out," said Aelita.
"Let's hope so," said Jeremie, putting a bookmark in his book and then closing it.
Aelita looked over at Jeremie. When she did so, she had a horrifying image in her mind.
"Let me see your homework, shrimp!" said a boy about Aelita's age.
"No, I worked really hard on this!" said a squeaky voice.
"I said, give it here!" said the boy again.
"No, give it back!"
She heard a thud, and the boy groaned.
"You're gonna pay for that, four-eyed small fry!"
He wheeled his hand back, and Aelita heard the squeaky voice again.
"No! Stop! Please!"
BAM! The boy's fist had just made contact. Aelita could hear the squeaky voice break down crying. The boy walked off, and, right there, laying on the ground in the fetal position, Aelita saw a boy with blond hair and glasses. One of the lenses was busted, and he had a black eye.
Aelita felt tears in her eyes. She got out of bed and knelt near Jeremie.
"I'm so sorry, Jeremie."
Tears were now streaming down her face. She leaned forward and hugged him. After a moment, she felt him put his hand on her back.
"It's all right, Princess."
When Aelita had finished hugging Jeremie, she walked back over to her bed and turned off her light. Jeremie then took off his glasses and turned off his light. They both fell asleep after about another hour.
Huff Puff Huff Puff
Aelita woke up to these sounds. She rubbed her eyes, and looked around for the source of the noise.
She looked over and saw Jeremie sitting up in his bed.
"Jeremie?" she asked, cautiously.
He had the same glazed look in his eye, and his eyebrows were furrowed.
"Jeremie…?" she asked again, slowly.
He looked over at her, his breath quickened, and his eyes widened.
"Jeremie!"
He threw his covers back, got up and walked fast to the window.
"Jeremie? Oh, no," Aelita said.
She got out the pamphlet that Yolande gave her and began saying things to Jeremie.
"Jeremie, come back to bed!"
Jeremie was moving his computer aside so that he could reach the window. He then began banging on it.
"Jeremie, it's me!"
Jeremie looked back at Aelita, his breath quickened again, he wheeled his arm and lunged his fist forward.
"OW!" yelled Aelita. She touched her face, there was a strange pressure when she touched her eye.
Jeremie continued banging on the window again.
"Jeremie, It's me, Aelita. Everything is all right. I'm here for you. You're going to be okay."
Jeremie looked in her direction, and his eyes seemed to focus. He then shook his head.
"Aelita?" he said, looking at her.
She stepped forward and hugged Jeremie. After a little bit, he hugged back.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Jeremie."
"No need to worry, Aelita."
Aelita stepped back. Jeremie was smiling. However, the smile was short-lived. He had a look of fear in his eye.
Jeremie looked at Aelita. There was a dark blue mark around Aelita's eye.
"Oh, no," said Jeremie. He was crying now.
"What's wrong?" asked Aelita.
Jeremie wanted to kill himself. He had hurt Aelita while he was sleeping! He turned around and took off out the door.
"Jeremie! Wait!"
Jeremie didn't look back. He had to get away. He needed to go someplace where he could harm her no further. Tears were now raining from his eyes. He ran and ran and ran. He found the manhole that led to the factory, opened it and climbed down. He took one of the scooters leaned up against the wall. The whole thing went by fast. Jeremie didn't stop until he made it to the factory. He took the elevator down to the core. He laid down against the wall and cried himself to sleep.
To Be Continued…