A/N: Just one or two more I think, and then we'll be at the 'Aelita is finally materialised' arc which will be lots of fun. Thanks everyone for your continued interest. :)

-The Princess and the Genius-

Bucket List

The sun shone brightly in Jérémie's room, casting slanted squares of light onto the carpet. He had left the window open, welcoming in birdsong and a soft breeze which occasionally swept by to rustle the papers on his desk, cheerfully reminding him of the homework he was neglecting in favour of enjoying the day.

Jérémie leaned back in his computer chair, sleeves rolled up to the elbow, laughing with Aelita over some joke they had just shared. The laughter gave way to contented sighs and they both sat for a moment with silly grins on their faces. It never crossed Jérémie's mind to regret missing out on the warm outdoor weather, not when Aelita's smile lit up the room from his computer screen, brighter than sunbeams.

There was a knock on the door and a second later Yumi entered, awkwardly clutching two ice-cream cones in one hand.

"You still in here, Jérémie?" And then, peering over his shoulder, added, "Hey Aelita!"

"Hello Yumi," she greeted in kind. "What's that you've got there?"

"Ice cream. None for you I'm afraid, unless we can get it to a scanner before it melts." Yumi winked and offered the cone to the boy before her. "Here Jér. Strawberry, your favourite."

Jérémie took the ice-cream gratefully and took a bite from the top, wincing as the frozen treat chilled his teeth but giving a nod of satisfaction.

"Mmm. Thanks Yumi!"

"No problem. We're going down by the park in a minute if you want to join us."

"I'm fine right here, thanks Yumi. You guys have fun."

Yumi shrugged. "Okay Einstein. Say, don't keep him in here too long will you Aelita? It's a gorgeous day out."

The elf-girl laughed. "Don't worry, I'll shoo him outdoors sooner or later," she teased.

Grinning and backing towards the door with a wave, Yumi said goodbye and disappeared off again in pursuit of her other friends. There was yet more silence in Jérémie's room as he ate his ice-cream, and Aelita stared at it thoughtfully, wondering what it tasted like.

"Will I be able to try some ice-cream when I get to Earth?" she asked.

"Of course! I'll buy you some. You'll love it!" Just a moment." Carefully holding the cone aloft in one hand, Jérémie searched his desk drawer for a small notebook and pen. Flicking to a page already covered with writing, a bullet-pointed list in his own untidy scrawl, he added a few short words to the bottom.

"Are you adding to the list Jérémie?"

"I certainly am. It's getting long now; we're going to do so many things once you're materialised! Latest addition: Find out which ice-cream flavour you like best."

"I can't wait."

Her gaze softened and strawberry ice-cream dripped down Jérémie's hand as he lost himself for a moment in those deep green eyes.

"Me too."