Disclaimer: I don't own Code Lyoko.

Chapter 7

Yumi found that she couldn't get Ulrich's lyrics out of her head. She thought he was sweet for trying so hard to learn an instrument, but was angry at him for coming so close to admitting his feelings then backing away.

One thing was for certain, though. He did like her, if only a little bit more than friends. Whenever he could look up from his hands he stared at her, and no one else. And all the kissing they'd been doing lately had to mean something, whether he'd say it or not.

"Hi, guys," said Yumi, walking into Naomi's dorm. "Where's your leader?"

"Aelita?" asked Emily. Yumi nodded. "She called and said she was sick or something."

"She was fine last night," said Yumi, her eyes narrowing. If Aelita was sick, Xana had better not attack. "What is it? Just a cold or something, right?"

"She didn't say," said Emily. "Aelita wants us to continue with you, though."

Yumi grudgingly sat down on a chair and listened to the endless lectures. She was more concerned about her friend. It would be Aelita's first time being ill, and she wouldn't know what to do. Jeremie fretting over her at every second wouldn't be of much help, either.

Ulrich woke up to find most of his teachers in his room.

"Could you at least wait until I'm dressed before you start nagging me?" asked Ulrich, throwing a pillow at one of them; who, he didn't know.

"Would kissing Kiwi help you wake up?" offered Bastien.

"I'm up, I'm up," groaned Ulrich, forcing himself to sit up. He looked around for a few seconds. "Where's Jeremie and Theo? Oh, crap."

"Yeah," said Odd, nodding sadly.

"He didn't..." said Ulrich. The rest of the mentors nodded with Odd. "Even after what Jeremie...?"

"We'll tell you what happened," said Thomas. "Jeremie filled us in. But just so you know, Theo's been fired."

Class was over in time for breakfast. Yumi gaped when she sat down. Odd had barely touched his food.

"Does anyone have a camera?" joked Yumi. Odd managed a tiny smile and took a bite of his cereal. "What's up, Odd? Have all those extra servings caught up with you?"

"I'm just not very hungry," said Odd. "When I found out about Aelita and Theo, I lost my appetite."

"What happened with Aelita and Theo?" asked Yumi darkly.

"Morning, everyone," said Ulrich, sitting down next to Yumi. "What are you doing here, Yumi? Aren't you usually at your parents' house?"

"I had to be here before school, so I'm grabbing breakfast, too," explained Yumi. "Ulrich, what happened with Aelita and Theo?"

"She hasn't told you?" asked Ulrich.

"She told me she was sick and wouldn't be coming to school," said Yumi. "Tell me what happened."

"Let's go somewhere where we won't be overheard," said Ulrich. "Somehow it's a secret from the rest of the school, and it's not something I want to get out."

The only close safe place he could think of was his room. He sat her down on the bed and paced back and forth, trying to find some way to tell her without getting her angry. Unfortunately, there was no way.

"Last night when Aelita was leaving Jeremie's room, she ran into Theo," Ulrich started. "He said he wanted to talk so they wouldn't have any bad blood or something. At first she said no, but then Theo pleaded with her and Aelita agreed."

"And she was alone?" asked Yumi.

"Yes," answered Ulrich. "They started walking down the hall, and Theo started apologizing, and complimenting her and Jeremie as a couple. Then he just said nice things about her. And then they were at his dorm."

"She didn't go in, did she?" asked Yumi worriedly.

"He asked her to, but Aelita turned him down," said Ulrich, smiling. It faded just as swiftly as it came. "So he kissed her."

"Just like that?" asked Yumi, frowning. "She said no and he kissed her? Tell me she slapped him or something."

"He was holding her arms in a death grip and stepping on her feet," Ulrich told her. "She had to settle for spitting in his mouth."

"Did it work?" asked Yumi, a little disgusted.

"He pulled back in surprise," answered Ulrich. "Aelita spat in his eye."

"That sounds like her," said Yumi proudly.

"He still didn't let her go, though," continued. "He said he was going to tell Jeremie that she kissed him if she didn't do what he said."

"That...that..." Yumi couldn't find the right words, so instead yelled furiously furiously, "Jeremie wouldn't believe that!"

"They don't hold the record for longest couple in love, Yumi," said Ulrich. "Aelita doesn't want to lose Jeremie, and she'd do anything to keep him."

"So then what?" asked Yumi, a little afraid to find out.

"Then Theo started putting his hands wherever he could on her," said Ulrich. "She went berserk."

"Paint a picture for me," said Yumi, smiling at the thought of Theo in pain.

"Since he wasn't holding her arms anymore she punched him in the neck," said Ulrich.

"Atta girl," said Yumi, grinning.

"Then he slapped her in the face," said Ulrich numbly. "They didn't realize it, but they were making quite a bit of noise. Not enough to wake anyone, but to attract the attention of someone still up at two in the morning."

"Good," said Yumi, getting the drift.

"Finally, Jeremie's stubbornness comes in handy," said Ulrich. "Even though Aelita told him to go to bed, he stayed up. He heard Aelita cry out when Theo smacked her and was out in an instant. When he found them he had Theo tackled down in a few seconds. Then he told Aelita to look away."

"That's definitely Jeremie," said Yumi, nodding.

"Even when Theo was just a bloody mess on the floor Jeremie didn't stop hitting him," said Ulrich. "Einstein knew what Theo was after, and had every intent on killing him. But he didn't. Not with Aelita right there."

"You mean that son of a bitch is still alive?" asked Yumi, seething. "If Jeremie didn't kill him I will!"

"Do you want to get expelled like Theo?" asked Ulrich, setting a hand on her shoulder.

"He got expelled?" asked Yumi blankly.

"Delmas was up late too, I guess," said Ulrich. "He heard the fighting and brought Nurse Yolande with him. She carried Theo to the office and Jeremie and Aelita followed. Theo's been expelled. His parents were notified, and said they wanted to take him out anyway. Theo told them he asked a girl out for pizza and her boyfriend who was quarterback on the football team beat him up."

"That lying little jackass!" yelled Yumi.

"At least he's gone," said Ulrich. "He's moving to America. Aelita was given today out of classes to calm down, and Jeremie has detention for a week for fighting."

"Jeremie gets punished for saving Aelita?" asked Yumi. "That's not fair!"

"Life isn't fair," said Ulrich. "Jeremie was happy to take the detentions if it meant Theo would be gone."

"Is Theo gone already?" asked Yumi.

"His mom picked him up," said Ulrich. "Aelita's in her dorm and Jeremie's with her. Everything is going to be fine."

"I hate him," spat Yumi. "I hate him!"

"We all do," assured Ulrich. "Aelita has Jeremie, she'll be fine. She's got someone to rely on."

"If something like this happened to me...can I rely on you?" asked Yumi sheepishly.

"If something like this happened to you I'd make sure whoever did it was dead by now," said Ulrich, tentatively laying his hand on hers. "Yeah, you can count on me, Yumes."

Yumi blushed. She couldn't believe he still remembered that nickname he gave her. She pulled him into a hug without thinking, but didn't mind when he hugged back. He was right. Things would be okay.

Aelita heard a soft snore and glanced up at Jeremie again. He had dozed off. She squeezed him tightly. She wasn't mad at him for falling asleep, although she knew he would be when he woke up. He had stayed up with her all night and all morning. He deserved an afternoon nap.

Jeremie suddenly jerked awake. Aelita kissed his cheek and set her head on his chest, still deep in thought.

"How long was I asleep?" asked Jeremie quietly.

"Just a few minutes," answered Aelita.

"Sorry," said Jeremie. Aelita hugged him closer.

"No, I'm sorry," said Aelita. "I was being stupid."

"You were giving him the benefit of the doubt," said Jeremie, running his fingers through her hair. "But you have to know that not everyone deserves it."

"You know I would never cheat on you, right?" asked Aelita nervously.

"Of course I do," said Jeremie lovingly. "I trusted Theo about as far as I could throw him."

"It looked like you could throw him pretty far last night," said Aelita.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," said Jeremie. "It's just...he wanted something from you and tried to steal it. I couldn't let that happen."

"Because you're my boyfriend?" asked Aelita, smiling.

"And because I'm your friend," said Jeremie, stroking her face. She winced as he touched the bruise on her cheek. "Are you okay?"

"Not yet," said Aelita. She smiled bravely. "But I will be. You didn't have to skip all of your classes to stay with me."

"I already know the material," said Jeremie, shrugging. "And even if I didn't, you're more important."

"Jeremie, thank you," whispered Aelita, burying herself in him. "I love you."

"I love you too, Princess," said Jeremie. "Someday you'll forget all about this. You're safe now."

Aelita soon fell asleep in his arms, thoroughly exhausted. Jeremie didn't stop holding her, and didn't dare think of how much he loathed Theo. What mattered now more than anything, more than Xana or Lyoko or anything else, was that the person he loved most in the world was hurt. Jeremie kissed her mouth gently and allowed himself to doze off again.

"Aelita? How do you feel?" asked Yumi, visiting her friend's dorm. "I thought Jeremie would be here."

"I made him go get some dinner, seeing as he skipped breakfast and lunch," said Aelita. "I've been better, thanks."

"We never thought something like this would happen to you," said Yumi, giving Aelita a one-armed hug.

"He's gone now, though, so we can get our focus back on Xana," said Aelita.

"You don't have to be so practical," said Yumi.

"I've been moping all day, it's time to move on," said Aelita.

"Aelita, no one is forcing you to hold it all in," said Yumi. "Are you trying to be strong for Jeremie?"

"That's partly it," said Aelita. "I just don't like thinking about it, because then I feel like it's my fault and the guilt sinks in."

"How could this be your fault?" asked Yumi, confused. "There are always going to be creeps like Theo out there, and you can't control it. But we're gonna be here for you."

"Thanks," said Aelita.

"Dinner's almost over, so I'll go," said Yumi. "My mom's gonna kill me if I'm late."

Aelita nodded and Yumi left the room. On her way out she saw Ulrich walking to his room.

"Hi, Yumi," said Ulrich, waving. "Heading home?"

"Yeah," said Yumi.

"Would...you like an escort home?" asked Ulrich slowly. "The last time a girl was walking alone at night it didn't turn out well."

"Sure," chirped Yumi.

"Great," said Ulrich. "And maybe we could finally have that talk?"

"I think we should," said Yumi. They stepped out into the cool evening air and an awkward silence settled over them. So much for a great talk.

"Hey, Yumi, have you ever thought of us as being...you know, a couple?" asked Ulrich, trying to break the ice.

"Well, yeah," admitted Yumi. "We've been friends for so long, and we've been through so much."

"I know," said Ulrich. "And you're really pretty, and smart, and you've saved my butt more times than I can keep count on Lyoko."

"There's only one way to find out if there's something between us," said Yumi, biting her lip.

Ulrich took a deep breath and pressed his lips against hers. Tingles ran up and down his spine and he slipped his arms around her waist. Yumi pulled him closer by the neck, elation surging through her. She ran a finger over his warm cheek, and he trembled. Ulrich took her face in his hands and didn't end the kiss until air was absolutely essential.

"Wow," murmured Yumi, covering his hands with hers and basking in their warmth. "Any sparks?"

"Fireworks," said Ulrich, leaning in closer. "You?"

"Fireworks," agreed Yumi, pulling him into another kiss. She felt like she was standing on air!

"So, if you feel something, and if I feel something, maybe we could, um," mumbled Ulrich, his confidence fading fast.

"Spit it out," Yumi egged him on.

"Go steady?" blurted out Ulrich.

"Yes!" said Yumi, unable to refrain from shouting.

"Really?" Ulrich tried to make sure he hadn't misheard her.

Yumi kissed him again, this time breathing for a quick second before continuing. Ulrich was certain that he had heard correctly.

"I guess you're my..." Ulrich faltered.

"Girlfriend," finished Yumi. "That's good, right?"

"It's fantastic," said Ulrich quickly. "I'm just sort of shocked. I was hoping for this for a really long time, and now it's happened. I don't know what to say."

"Me too," said Yumi. "I'm happy, though."

"So am I," said Ulrich. "I guess we're here."

Yumi looked around and saw that they'd been standing in front of her house. "Oh, thanks," said Yumi bashfully.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" said Ulrich nervously. Yumi nodded and pecked him on the cheek.

Ulrich watched her wave goodbye and shut the door, and a feeling of accomplishment welled up inside of him. It took a great deal of self-control not to whoop for joy. His prayers were answered!

"I'll see You on Sunday," said Ulrich, looking up at the sky. He whipped out his cell phone and dialed his smartest friend. "Hey, Jeremie, it happened!"

"What happened?" asked Jeremie.

"Yumi and me, we're going out!" said Ulrich. It was like killing two birds with one stone: He had the greatest girlfriend, and he was out of those torturous lessons.

"You told her you love her?" asked Jeremie.

"And we kissed!" said Ulrich.

"And you told her you love her?" repeated Jeremie.

"She's finally my girlfriend!" said Ulrich.

"Did you tell her you love her?" asked Jeremie impatiently. Ulrich groaned.

"I didn't quite get around to it," confessed Ulrich.

"Not good enough," said Jeremie sternly. Ulrich swore loudly. "And you kissed Yumi with that mouth?"

A/N: Before anyone asks, yes, this is what I call minor JxA, because I can't get a good feel for UxY to save my soul, thus proving sequels are never as good as the original.