A/N: WOW thank you guys so so so much for the support, regarding my last chapter. You don't know how much that means to me. The flood of wonderful reviews and emails seriously made my day. I can't thank you guys enough D':

Also, it's come to my attention that some of you think I'm uploading too quickly...? I have a stock pile of these chapters, up to about 100 written,so I just upload whenever my most recent chapter hits 150+ views, which is about every day and a half. If you think I should slow down, I will. I mean hey, gives me more time to be way ahead of you guys. but otherwise, I'm just going to keep on keepin' on. Whatever you guys are comfortable with.

Songs Listened To -

Have You Got It In You - Imogen Heap

Just For Now - Imogen Heap

(also, I forgot to write it in, but my last chapter, for the second half of it, I listened to Father and Daughter by Paul Simon - that song is a tear jerker Dx )

*Chapter 69*

As quietly as she could, Vanellope lightly peeked into The Loft; she held her breath and was more than delighted to see Tessa curled in her comfortable chair, brooding and thinking about everything going on in her life. Vanellope let a gentle smile sprawl her face as she sat and got a gentle lesson in looking. Much like herself, her daughter wore her heart right on her sleeve. She knew exactly what Tessa was mulling over. Vanellope knew she had similar worries, when it came to her blooming relationship with Ralph, though she was certain Tessa was in a lot more distress; opposing codes wasn't something to mess around with. Vanellope continued to move in and out of her gentle thoughts, though Tessa's crackled, broken voice coated the silence in dark honey.

"Mom," Tessa urged quietly, without even moving. Vanellope raised her eyebrows in stunned surprise and felt her breath catch in her throat.

"Sheesh, Taffyta was right," Vanellope finally dared to enter The Loft, "You've certainly honed that skill, huh. No sneaking up on you."

"I learn from the best," Tessa croaked as she wiped her face. She gently glanced at her mother and, as if she were way to embarrassed to ask, she was almost hoping her mother would pry all the information out of her, for just some sort of relief and reassurance; any sign of hope Tessa could get her hands on.

"Alright," Vanellope said gently, she gave her daughter a kind smile as she moved into the room. She softly crossed her arms and, without seeming too pushy, she stood before her very own work station, in which Tessa was sat at. She lightly cocked an eyebrow, "What's going on?"

"I-It's... It's nothing," Tessa said through a gentle hiss of a sigh, as if she so desperately wanted to open up, though somehow, she knew the topic was way too sensitive; the wound was way too deep.

"Tessa," Vanellope said softly as she unraveled her arms and rested her strong, though dainty, fingertips on the edge of her sturdy work desk. Her eyes slid to her daughter's, "You have a cousin, a brother, a boyfriend, and a dragon downstairs, all very worried about you."

"... Zed's here?" Tessa wondered as she could practically feel the blood leave her face; that immediately cued a wide smile to sprawl Vanellope's face. She side eyed her daughter and knew she'd save the teasing for a few more moments.

"Yes," Vanellope scoffed a small laugh and furrowed her eyebrows, "He's really worried about you... Apparently, you decided to ditch them after Academy."

"...Mom, do you remember those dreams I'd have about those boxes?" Tessa said, though her tone lead to suggest she wasn't purposefully trying to get away from the impending topic; with this, Vanellope lightly followed along.

"Yeah," Vanellope eased as she remained solid, though she knew where this was headed.

"Those dreams... They weren't, dreams," Tessa lightly eyed her mother, as if she was just now realizing this as she spoke, "Those were memories... Weren't they..."

"Yes," Vanellope said softly as she held her honest eyes to her daughter's, "... It really spooked your father and I. We learned that you have these memories because of me... I was there when Rancis reintegrated. I watched it happened. Only reason you 'remember' it is because you were technically alive when it happened. You saw the memory through my eyes, because your coding was only a part of me, at the time."

"I knew it," Tessa said softly through almost scared eyes, "I-I... I was just thinking about all the times I told you guys the dreams about the yellow 'boxes' and stuff, that I had."

"Really tripped us out, lemme tell you," Vanellope mumbled softly, though she gave her daughter a kind smirk, "Definitely weird that you can somehow remember that moment, like all of us can."

"Not technically a moment I want to remember," Tessa worried through a furrowed expression, though she began to feel the subject, they had briefly abandoned, come back to the surface.

"So, are you going to tell me why you're ditching classes?" Vanellope said in a gentle tone, though it had a hint of a stern bite.

"... I only ditched my last hour," Tessa admitted as she looked away, "It's the first time I've ever ditched. Honest."

"Why did you ditch your class, Tess," Vanellope wondered softly, she furrowed her eyebrows lightly and grew mildly confused, "What IS your last hour class?"

Tessa furrowed her eyebrows and kept a hard glare across the room, away from her mother; she knew, with just one simple answer, her worries would be spoiled to the world. She inhaled a slow breath and exhaled her answer.

"Program Ed."

Vanellope raised her eyebrows in kind surprise, though she gave her daughter a slowly growing smirk.

"Shouldn't you be placed in a higher class?" Vanellope lightly wondered, "Not... Not to be biased or anything, but... You have the code room mapped."

"That's why I left!" Tessa blurted out as she finally gave her mother eye contact, she gestured her hand largely and inhaled a shaky breath, "The teacher was mad at me for skipping ahead in the book, but I have a straight score in the class. She humiliated me in front of the whole class."

"What did she humiliate you for?" Vanellope harshly glared down to her daughter, though in loo of Tessa's feelings. She softened once she noticed Tessa's face turn a hard red, suddenly.

"I-I... Well," Tessa swallowed nervously and glanced away, "I was... I was reading ahead, and she basically made me school the class on 'what I learned'."

"What was so bad about it?" Vanellope asked gently, though she could almost taste where this was headed.

"It... It was about code swapping," Tessa admitted through more than embarrassed eyes. Vanellope raised her eyebrows and wondered just how difficult that was for Tessa to reveal.

"She made you school the class on code swapping?" Vanellope began to feel protective, "Why would she do that?"

"I don't know," Tessa urged through glassy eyes, "I-I was just reading ahead, it's not like I was hurting anyone. I have a perfect grade in the class, I figured skipping to the back of the book would be harmless."

"You know how code swapping works, Tess," Vanellope gave her daughter a confused look, "...Right? Why the need to re-study it?"

"It... It wasn't, just code-swapping," Tessa eased, "Can we just... Not talk about this? It's really uncomfortable."

"Does this involve Zed?" Vanellope wondered, she could easily tell her daughter was becoming agitated.

"No, mom, just... Can we drop it?" Tessa urged as she lightly stood and began to slowly walk over to the orb in the center of The Loft.

"Not so easily, no," Vanellope breathed an annoyed chuckle and only slowly followed Tessa to where she now stood.

"I've already been humiliated enough, today," Tessa's voice began to show it's strength again.

"I'm not here to humiliate you, Tess," Vanellope's voice easily dominated hers.

"Then why are you prying?" Tessa dared, though she flinched once Vanellope's mildly understanding stare sloped to insulted annoyance.

"Because, Tessa, I know exactly why you're worried," Vanellope barked, though she let a sly smile sprawl her face.

"I don't want to talk about it," Tessa argued.

"Of course you do!" Vanellope gestured her arms and laughed, "This is what you always do, when you need to spill. You run away and sulk, and hope someone will chase after you. Only reason I'm chasing after your sorry hide is because I have information that could potentially save your LIFE. Something the lot of us seem to be doing on the daily..."

"... What do you mean, you have information," Tessa dared quietly as her annoyed eyes held true to her mother's.

"I know how wonderfully scary the thought of an 'impending swap' feels," Vanellope said seriously as she gestured to herself, "Not three years ago, Tessa, my coding was blue. Not purple. I may have a few years over you, and two children from the result of swapping, but it doesn't mean I didn't have my own set of fears and worries."

"Well, luckily for you, you and dad just so happen to be user-made gamers," Tessa urged as tears formed in her eyes, "No one understands the confusion, I'm in."

"You couldn't be more wrong, Tessa," Vanellope motioned her hands lightly, "You're an adult, now... And I know you're wise in your choices. I'm so proud of you, for being so cautious with yourself and who you hand your code to... Especially in the midst of a user-made boyfriend..."

"I just wish everyone stopped making a big deal of it," Tessa growled as tears finally billowed in her eyes, "I can't tell you how often I get teased over this. I'm just so confused... And it's not like I can waltz up to Zed and ask what's up. He'd think I was a total loser."

"Quite the contrary," Vanellope pointed lightly, "I know that kid would bend over backwards for you."

"It doesn't matter," Tessa urged, "I tried to learn up on the subject, myself, but it just resulted in me dropping a class I was passing with flying colors."

"Tessa-"

"I'm tired of the theories and hear-say, bullshit," Tessa threatened as she gave her mom a hard glare, "I just wish I could get answers without being reprimanded or humiliated."

"If you want answers, then just shut up and let me talk!" Vanellope hollered as she suddenly grabbed her daughter's upper arms; Tessa jolted in surprise and fixed her stunned gaze to her mother, "You want to go about this mess accurately, while avoiding total DELETION, then listen up, Tessa Von Schweetz."

Tessa raised her eyebrows in pure shock and held her quivering eyes to her mother as she practically got in her face.

"I don't know what kind of theories you've heard, or any other ideas have been put in your head, but I have the solid, real answer for you," Vanellope urged in an annoyed tone, "I know exactly what you have to do in order to avoid any of the horrible things you have heard about faux-codes swapping with user-made gamers."

"Mom," Tessa whimpered nervously, though Vanellope kept her strong vibe planted before Tessa.

"I know how you feel, Tessa... Y-You, you love someone so much, you have so much in common and you've done a good chunk of life with said person," Vanellope eased her position and shook her head lightly, "All you want to do is share everything you are with them... You want them, and only them, to have an inside look on everything that you are made of, and vice versa."

Tessa remained quiet and trained her whole being to every single word that fell from her mother's wise mind, her eyes were trained to Vanellope's, as if she was simply being schooled by the master of the game.

"... As much as it makes me want to shell you away and not share you with anyone, I know you're an adult now... You will, and have, made wise choices, and you've held your own a lot better than your father and I gave you credit for, which we deeply regret... You've made us very proud," Vanellope's grip on Tessa's arms quickly turned firm and loving, "... It's obvious, your's and Zed's bloom is rapidly blossoming and becoming something great. It's clear, by the way you two look at each other. I recognize it, Tess... Your father and I were in your guys' shoes, not very long ago."

"I don't want you to be mad," Tessa uttered sadly as tears slipped down her cheeks; Vanellope slumped her shoulders and finally let a wide smile grace her cheeks.

"Tessa," Vanellope hissed, "I'm not mad... Why would I be mad?"

"I-I didn't want you to think I was trying to cheat the system, just because I wanted to," Tessa lightly shrugged, "I... I really like Zed. I'm no where near ready to swap codes, but... I'm just worried... I guess, I'm just scared he-"

"He'll find the lack of education, on opposing-code swaps, on your end, a turn off, and leave you?" Vanellope finished in a dull tone and a cocked eyebrow; Tessa nodded, in which Vanellope exhaled a scoff of opposition for, "Tessa... Do you even take a good look at that kid? He has the major googly eyes for you. You could straight up tell him you had no idea how eating works... Not only would he explain to you how it worked, but he'd STILL find you a total delight to be around."

Tessa, for the first time all day, exhaled a scoff of a laugh and looked down to the ground in shy embarrassment. Vanellope joined her and lightly cupped Tessa's cheek in her soft, motherly hand.

"Tessa, you've got a real gem on your hands," Vanellope eased, "You can't spoil it by fear of communication. You need to be clear with him, where you two stand."

"How will I know when we're... Well, ready?" Tessa's face turned hot red, though Vanellope smiled through and through with a shrug.

"I really can't tell you, Tess," Vanellope eased, "You will just know... Everything will line up, and it will just unfold, and no questions will be asked. It'll feel right."

"Is that how you felt with dad?" Tessa innocently wondered, Vanellope gently tucked some hair behind Tessa's ear and gave her a wide, kind smile.

"Yes," Vanellope breathed, "It was pure magic... As it should have been."

"So... You know the secret to the opposed-code swap?" Tessa wondered softly.

"I do," Vanellope nodded with a gentle smile, "... Though, I don't know if I should tell you, or if you should brave this conversation with Zed."

"I don't want to come across as stupid," Tessa suddenly frowned, though Vanellope furrowed her eyebrows and beamed a loving smile.

"You won't," Vanellope assured, "He knows this is new... To both of you."

"What if he doesn't know the answer?" Tessa worried.

"Tessa... You won't know unless you ask," Vanellope urged quietly as she slid her hands into her daughter's, "Most user-made gamers know the odds and ends to Arcade life. You have to brave these topics with him. If you're going to trust him with your code one day, you have to trust him with your feelings, both good and bad, beforehand."

"I guess you're right," Tessa eased in a gentle tone of nervous defeat as she looked down.

"Aren't I always," Vanellope uttered through a sigh, she lightly brushed Tessa's warm hair out of her eyes and forehead, "Just promise me... Promise me you think this through, thoroughly. That swap is permanent. Your's and Zed's is more detrimental because of the risks..."

"I promise, mom," Tessa said sincerely through a humbled gaze, "I'm just so tired of the teasing."

"Well," Vanellope furrowed her eyebrows, "I got on Penny and Oliver's case for teasing you about it."

"In front of Zed?" Tessa worried, though Vanellope rolled her eyes and laughed.

"Tessa, if he's going to be in this family, he's going to have to be used to the dozens of eyes and ears in the castle," Vanellope breathed a soft giggle, "He was fine about it. Sorta sided with me, in regards to your feelings. I know he's feeling the tension, too."

"Yeah, it's pretty palpable," Tessa said through a sigh as she looked down, though Vanellope bent down gently and caught eyes with her daughter.

"You should see about getting placed in a higher coding class, huh?" Vanellope encouraged, "You know the code room front and back... It's about time you learn about everything that lies in The Loft and The Hull, yeah?"

"I'd like that," Tessa meeped.

"You're on your way to being a coding master," Vanellope chuckled as she shook Tessa's hands around, "I think you'll be surprised, as to just who works in the scheduling department of Academy, anyhow."

"Who is it?" Tessa gave her mom a confused smile.

"You'll just have to find out, tomorrow, won't you," Vanellope wrinkled her nose.