Hey guys! I'm back after being gone for so long which I apologize for and I know I said I wouldn't do it anymore…. BUT… with that being said, I have some exciting news! In the time that I was gone, I actually found out that I am pregnant, and as of right now, I'm 11 weeks and 4 days along. So yeah, it was a pretty big surprise. Lol. Well enjoy this chapter!

Cassville Airport

Kaitlyn's POV

It had been several weeks since the tornado hit Joplin. I was still wobbly on my feet, but, all in all, I was okay. I had several days' worth of clothes. I was listening to Martina McBride's "Happy Girl" on my iPhone. It had a kick-ass theme that the woman was a wallflower, but she grew into a stronger woman, no matter what had happened in her youth. I was waiting for the airport to announce our number. It was nighttime. The occasional yawn still came around, but I was so excited.

"Are you excited?" Ma asked.

"About seeing my cousin again? You betcha," I agreed.

"About seeing France again?"

I paused at the line "That's how it goes…!" My mouth went ajar. "Again? What do you mean, Ma?"

She cocked her head to one side. "You don't remember, do you?"

"What?"

"Oh, you were four and a half years old at the time. Of course, you wouldn't remember," Dad chimed in. "You had been to France before when you were younger."

My jaw unhinged. "I did?"

"Yep. You met your cousin Jeremie there. You two had fun finger painting together. It was so cute."

My brain seemed to short circuit. "Why don't I remember any of it?"

"94K is now boarding to Paris. 94K is now boarding to Paris."

"That's us," Ma said.

No [choice of word], Sherlock, I thought tiredly. I never cursed in front of my parents unless I got too angry. It would land me grounded for years. I pack up my iPhone (I wouldn't be able to use the net there anyway) and follow my Ma and Dad. I hope Jeremie will be happy to see me…

Paris, France

Jeremie's POV

I pace around the room, getting worried. No, no, our little secret was safe and sound. I was worried about Kaitlyn. I got word from my dad that she, my uncle Mark, and my aunt Natalie had just boarded the plane.

Aelita watched. "Don't pace around too much, Jeremie. I'm sure Kaitlyn will come over safe and sound."

"But what if XANA attacks her plane? She might not come alive at all."

"You're blowing this out of contortion."

I stopped in my tracks. "What?"

She looked at me sheepishly. "I was researching idioms of your world. Did I get it wrong?"

I smiled a bit. "A little. You got only one word wrong. It's 'blowing this' or things 'out of proportion.' You were very close."

"I got 83% of the words right."

"Yeah. Plus I think Kaitlyn will like you."

"But that's going to put her in danger and you know it. Plus, could we trust her with our secret?"

I understood her worry. We didn't know what Kaitlyn would do if she found out about it. I hadn't seen her in years. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"I do have faith in you, Jeremie. If she does find out and doesn't betray us, then she would be a great addition to our team."

"Let's just hope she doesn't for now."

"Jeremie! You aren't going to miss breakfast now. Your cousin will not like it if you're skipping meals," Odd said shrilly.

"Okay, Odd. I'm coming." I turned to see Aelita with a flabbergasted expression on her face.

"You've been skipping meals?"

I blushed. That wasn't the secret that I was hoping would come out.

She sighed. "Jeremie, you know that meals are necessary."

"I know. I've been so worried about Kaitlyn since the tornado. She had lost so much lately."

She sighed. "You still need to eat something. Maybe you'll have the energy to tell me more about Kaitlyn."

"JEREMIE!" Ulrich, not Odd this time, yelled into my door. "Rosa will give your portion away to Odd if you don't get a move on. Come on!"

"Be right there," I said softly.

She giggled and placed a palm on her cheek, tilting her face slightly. That melted my heart. She knew how to charm me. We have been fighting against XANA for months.

"Okay, Aelita. I'll go down to breakfast for you. See ya later."

Breakfast consisted of toast and bananas. Croissants were on the menu, but I wasn't hungry for them. Aelita would love them. Rosa makes them buttery and so warm. And they aren't the flash-frozen type, either. Once, before I became friends with Aelita, Odd, Ulrich, and Yumi, I worked behind the counter to earn some extra credit for Mr. Fumet. And I saw how Rosa made the croissants for breakfast, but she made me keep that a secret.

Before I could eat my second slice of toast while I read my book, Odd was already eating more than I was. "Ah. Eight slices of toast and three bananas. Not bad, huh? Hey! Are you skipping gym class again?"

I nodded with a smile. "Yep. It gives me time to work on Aelita's materialization."

"How's Kaitlyn?"

"She's doing fine, Odd. She'll come in from Missouri later on today. I don't know when, but it will be somewhere in the afternoon. I can't wait to see her."

"You act as if you two are long distance lovers. Aelita will be jealous."

I glared at him. Odd meant well, but he knew that I don't love Kaitlyn in that way. She might kick my butt for even thinking of having a relationship with her like that. Plus, her family and mine are against incest. So even if we wanted to, we weren't allowed. "Not. Funny. Odd!"

"I was only kidding. You don't have to be all defensive like that."

After breakfast, we hung out near the tree, wondering where Ulrich was at. He yelled at me this morning, so I figured he would at least come over to breakfast. Instead, we saw a raven-haired friend walk by. Odd waved his hand in the air. "Hi, Yumi!"

She looked over in our direction and smiled. She walked up to us. "Hello!"

She then looked past us, gasping. "Hey, look over there! It's Ulrich!"

We looked behind the tree. There our friend was, looking as though someone broke his emotions, with the school brat. "But—what's he doing with Sissi?" Odd asked. "Hey, Ulrich!" He waved his arm in the air.

However, he didn't answer. Sissi moved in close to him, almost as if she was going to kiss him (someone give me brain bleach). Ulrich backed away defensively. Even though we weren't too far off, we couldn't hear what they were saying. She then changed position and leaned into his ear. She grabbed his hand and walked away with him, leaving us shocked.

During class, Odd and I sat together. Usually, I would sit with Ulrich unless his seat were taken. In my place was Sissi, so I sat with Odd instead. Our friend was writing notes while Mr. Fumet taught the class about European states in the 17th Century.

"Hey, what's going on with them? I'm seeing things," Odd said, flabbergasted. "Ulrich and Sissi? That's weird." Then he smiled. "On the brighter side, check out how jealous Hervé is." He then chuckled to himself until…

"Odd! Are you listening to me, Odd?" Mr. Fumet had heard us. Or rather, he heard my friend.

Odd just smiled widely and scratched the back of his head.

After class, Odd and I hid each other on either side of the door. Then Ulrich and Sissi came out. I still was worried about Kaitlyn, but I also wanted to know what happened to my friend.

Odd hooked his hand through Sissi's arm. "We've got some things to talk about, Sissi. Come on. Hurry up."

"Hey! But—" She gave Ulrich a last look before Odd dragged her away.

It was then that I took my chance. "'Mind explaining?"

He at first looked at me and let out a sound, but nodded. "Okay, but let's go under the arches, alright? I don't want Sissi to get suspicious."

We walked to the arches, a little ways away from where Sissi and Odd were talking. Ulrich sighed, keeping his teeth clenched. "Okay, here it goes. I'm in a—I'm in a jam, big time. For years, I've been keeping…" he mumbled the rest.

"A what?" I asked.

His shoulders shot up. "A diary! And Sissi found it, and—now she's blackmailing me. I have to go out with her." He looked back at her with Odd. "If she thinks she can win me over that way, she's wrong."

I kept my arms folded on my chest. "Hold on a second. In this diary of yours, did you talk about XANA? Or Lyoko?"

"Well, yeah, and if I don't do what Sissi says, she's going to tell everybody. I don't know what to do." He sounded worn down as he closed his eyes.

I put a hand on his shoulder, a sign of comfort. "Don't worry, Ulrich. While you're all at the pool, Yumi and I will look around. We'll find your diary, you'll see."

"THE ANSWER IS NO! For the last time, I did not have a nose job!" Sissi screeched at Odd. "So stop asking, huh?!"

Ulrich turned around. "Cut it out, Odd! Leave her alone, will ya?"

My phone beeped at me. I picked it up, turning myself away. "Hello?"

"Jeremie, it's me, your father."

"Dad! How's Kaitlyn? Is she okay?"

"She's okay. She's halfway there. Just relax. You'll see Kaitlyn this afternoon. She'll be a little woozy from jet lag. We will discuss having her stay in your room until a dorm opens up."

That might be complicated. I smiled. "Thanks, Dad."

"You're welcome, son. Your mother and I will be at the airport to help them."

"Wish I could be there."

"I understand, Jeremie."

"Well, talk to you later."

I hung up, looking at Odd's confused expression. "Don't worry. I'll explain."