Disclaimer: I don't own Code Lyoko(sigh).

Chapter 3

"Why don't we grab a bite to eat in town?" asked Jeremie as the bell rang.

"What?" asked Ulrich, surprised. "You aren't rushing to the factory?"

"He's taking a break," said Aelita firmly. "Right, Jeremie?"

Jeremie nodded, and Aelita pecked him on the cheek.

"I can't go," said Odd, frowning. "Jim gave me detention."

"Well, what do you expect?" asked Jeremie. "You stole his whistle and made him chase you around the school for it!"

"It was just a joke!" said Odd defensively. "He has no sense of humor!"

"I wouldn't be laughing at it, either," said Yumi, joining them.

"Hey, Yumi," greeted Aelita. "Want to go get a burger?"

"Sure, why not?" asked Yumi. "Let's go."

When they walked into the fast food restaurant, Aelita pulled Yumi to the side. Jeremie did the same with Ulrich. They gave the same piece of advice.

"This is your first date. Don't mess it up!"

Ulrich was shocked. They were just getting a burger; it wasn't a date, was it? And the fact that Jeremie sat on the opposite side of the booth only confused him more.

"Hey!" hissed Ulrich. "When you went on the double-date with Odd and Melanie, you sat next to him!"

"Come on, you're a big boy," mocked Jeremie, smirking. "You're not afraid of Yumi, are you?"

"No!" retorted Ulrich, blushing.

"Food's here!" announced Aelita, sliding next to Jeremie. "We even bought Odd a few meals."

"He'll be pleased," said Jeremie, smiling.

"Dig in," said Yumi, squirting ketchup next to her fries.

Ulrich and Yumi were halfway through their food when they noticed Jeremie and Aelita staring at each other, having some kind of silent conversation. Then Jeremie turned his head to the side and pulled her in to a kiss. She complied by fastening her arms around his neck.

Ulrich immediately lost his appetite. If this was Jeremie's way of telling him to make a move, the genius was in for a lot of pain. He glanced at Yumi, and discovered she had been looking at him with a strange expression on her face.

"Um, Yumi, are you okay?" asked Ulrich nervously.

Yumi, who had been imagining her and Ulrich participating in the same activities Aelita and Jeremie were, woke up from her daze and tried to swallow her fry. It caught in her throat and she started to cough. It began to get harder to breath, and Ulrich jumped up.

"Yumi!" yelled Ulrich worriedly.

He tried to remember everything he had ever heard about the Heimlich maneuver, then wrapped his arms around her stomach. The fried potato strip popped out and surrounding diners clapped.

"Are you alright?" asked Ulrich, watching her catch her breath.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine," said Yumi. "Thanks."

"Anytime," said Ulrich sheepishly.

And then he realized he still hadn't let her go. Yumi's hands were resting over his arms, warm and comforting.

"Oh, er, sorry," said Ulrich, releasing her. Her face fell at first, but she smiled when Ulrich handed her a soda.

"Maybe we should go," said Aelita, standing up. "We've all got homework."

The others nodded and left the building.

"Okay, Jeremie, what were you thinking?" asked Ulrich angrily.

"I was thinking that you'd take the hint and kiss Yumi," said Jeremie, shrugging. "And I don't know if you noticed, but you came pretty close."

"It was humiliating!" said Ulrich, going red. "Yumi was probably more embarrassed than she's ever been!"

"Or, grateful that you saved her from choking," said Odd, smiling.

"Did you plan that or something?" asked Ulrich.

"No, but it worked out nicely," said Thomas, shrugging.

"Ulrich, did half the plans you used for me turn out the way they were supposed to?" asked Jeremie quizzically.

"Well, no," said Ulrich, scratching the back of his head.

"And what happened in the end?" prodded Odd.

"They confessed," said Ulrich dully.

"So, if it happened to me, it can happen to you," said Jeremie. "But, if you really don't want any tutors, there is another option."

"What?" asked Ulrich.

"Go and tell Yumi," said Jeremie. "Let her know."

"But what if she doesn't like me back?" asked Ulrich.

"What if she does?" countered Theo.

"Our friendship means more than anything to me," said Ulrich. "I don't want that ruined."

"What if she came in here and said she wanted to go out with you?" asked Jean-Baptiste. "Wouldn't that ruin your friendship? You know, turn it into something else?"

"That's different," said Ulrich, flushed.

"Let's call it a night," said Bastien, yawning. "I've still got an essay to write before bed."

Odd showed them out the door, fed Kiwi, then fell asleep on his bed. Ulrich stayed awake a little while longer, then he too drifted off.

"So, Yumi, what was it like?" asked Aelita, perched on her bed.

"What was what like?" asked Yumi inquisitively.

"Having Ulrich's big, strong arms around you?" asked Heidi teasingly, smirking.

"It was...nice," said Yumi finally. What was she supposed to say? Aelita stared at her disbelievingly.

"Nice?" asked Aelita. "Just nice?"

"Okay, okay!" said Yumi. "It was most likely one of the best things I've ever felt!"

"That's better," said Azra. "Now, do you have any ideas on how to feel that again?"

"Um, well, no," said Yumi, blushing.

"That's okay," said Emily, nodding. "Because we do."

"I'm really starting to wonder why I agreed to these lessons," said Yumi, shaking her head.

"Hey, you don't have to if you don't want to," said Aelita. "On one condition."

"And what would that be?" asked Yumi curiously.

"Tell Ulrich you're head over heels for him," answered Aelita casually. "You won't really need instruction after that, would you?"

"No way," said Yumi. "Ulrich could get any girl in this school; he'd laugh in my face if I told him that!"

"He wasn't laughing in your face earlier today when he was saving you," said Camille. "Nor was he complaining when he was hugging you."

"He was worried about me," said Yumi firmly.

"Ugh, I actually think you're worse than I was," said Aelita, sighing. "Ulrich is wrapped around your finger. He's looking at you when you don't notice, and he's hoping you do the same. For the last time, he's in love with you!"

"What would it take for you to tell him?" asked Claire wearily.

"He would have to say it first," said Yumi.

"Then we'll have to crank up our efforts," said Lola seriously. "Since you didn't kiss Ulrich like you were supposed to today, we'll just have to go on to Plan C tomorrow."

"Joy," said Yumi sarcastically. "Well, it's getting late. I'm gonna head home. Night."

"Night," chorused her mentors.

"Jeremie, I don't know if I feel comfortable doing this," said Aelita worriedly.

"It's only natural," said Jeremie assuringly. "But don't think of it as an invasion of privacy. Think of it as doing a favor for our friends."

"Still, they'll swear revenge if they find out," said Aelita.

"Didn't we do the same?" asked Jeremie, holding her tighter. "But we forgave them."

"I guess there's no use in worrying," said Aelita. "Here."

Aelita handed Jeremie a book, and he gave her another. She slipped it into her backpack slowly, not completely concern-free.

"Everything's going to be fine," said Jeremie, slipping her hand in his. "I trust you told her of the way out?"

"Yes, and she declined," said Aelita. "Did Ulrich?"

"Of course," said Jeremie. "It's not really a tempting offer, is it?"

"No, but it's for the best," said Aelita. "Well, good night, Jeremie."

"Sweet dreams, Princess."

Their plan was simple. They gave Yumi and Ulrich a choice: continue with the lessons, or confess outright. As expected, the almost-couple picked the first. Jeremie and Aelita intended on making the plans so annoying, so unbearable, the other option sounded like bliss. It was not kind, and probably wouldn't be considered fair, but it was foolproof. And, they'd share a few laughs along the way.