Disclaimer: I don't own Code Lyoko. I'm still working on the supercomputer.
-Flashback-
'Being human kind of sucks.' Her first thought in a new body popped up right after the blinding light forced her eyes shut again. Light was never a problem on Lyoko. Virtual worlds didn't have such bothersome problems as too much or too little sun. Aelita lay on the bottom of the scanner trying to get used to the million things humans did unconsciously. Flexing her arm, Aelita gasped involuntarily at the feeling of her shirt moving across the skin. So this is what she had been missing her whole life. Aelita knew that taste, touch, and smell weren't available to her but until now she never realized how strong they were.
"Guys, do you think she's all right? After all, this procedure was incredibly risky." Jeremie fretted and stepped towards the scanner. Yumi put a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.
"Of course she's fine. We already know she's breathing. Aelita just needs some time to get used to being human." Aelita smiled at Jeremie's concern for her. "See? Aelita just smiled."
Resolving to at least stand up before another battle with the hated light, Aelita moved her feet outside the scanner. 'They make it look so easy. Now how do I do this…? There's no time to learn like the present.' Decision made, Aelita stood up for the first time. Then promptly fell down for the first time. Luckily flailing her arms found a victim she could use as support. As her hands went around someone's back, her brain was flooded with sensation from the warmth radiating off the body to the smooth feeling of the shirt against her cheek. Aelita heard the shocked gasp that mirrored her own and instantly knew it was Jeremie she grabbed.
Pushing back slightly, Aelita tried once again to see something besides a wall of light. Her emerald eyes opening in a squint, Aelita could make out Jeremie's sweet crimson face. 'He really does blush a lot, doesn't he? It's cute.' Her pupils finally adjusted to the brightness and she stiffened in wonder. Everything was so clear compared to Lyoko. She roamed her eyes across his red face: the strands of blond hair, the metallic gleam of his glasses, and finally through the glasses to those sapphire eyes. After a year of conversation, friendship, and virtual reality, she had made it to Earth. A giant smile appeared and Aelita gave Jeremie her first hug. "Hey."
Jeremie replied with a stammered greeting of his own. Aelita found herself lost in a sea of arms as her friends cheered and rushed in for a group hug. Tears of joy splashed down her face as she could finally be with her friends. They broke apart but Aelita refused to leave Jeremie's arms. Noticing this, Odd sniggered. "Well aren't those two special. Only took a year for you to find a girlfriend, Einstein?" Feeling a blush of her own, Aelita stepped back while Odd, Ulrich, and Yumi started laughing.
Jeremie sighed in mortification and regret then motioned for the group to move up to the supercomputer level. Aelita followed close behind while the rest of the group continued to giggle. 'I'll have to get back at Odd. Somehow.' The clang of the elevator doors made her jump. "Jeremie, how long do you think it will take for me to get used to all these new sensations?"
Turning to look at her, Jeremie replied, "I have no idea. If you find yourself overwhelmed, just tell us and we'll try to help." His sentence finished in a whisper as he was struck by how beautiful she was. Aelita smiled in response and listened in wonder to the clanking of the elevator. Her smile turned impish as she thought of a typical prank kids played on each other. Sticking her leg out perfectly when Odd walked past her, Aelita giggled as Odd hit the floor with an "Oomph!" of surprise. Odd glared daggers at Aelita from the floor then grabbed her ankle and yanked. Aelita let out a yelp and reflexively shot her arms out for something to hold on to as she tumbled to the floor. Her hands closed on two different shirts and pulled. Ulrich and Jeremie joined her and Odd on the floor as Yumi leaned against the wall laughing. The four teens disentangled themselves and mutually decided that was enough…for now.
Aelita ran into the room and gazed at where she once lived. That computer seemed so small now,even though it was her entire world. Now her world was one of her own making on Earth. Today she was not going to worry about anything involving X.A.N.A. or responsibilities. Simply put, Aelita wanted to have fun. Linking her arm in Jeremie's, she turned to the group and asked, "So, what are we doing first?" 'Ah, Jeremie is getting used to me. No blush that time. Won't be hard to bring it back if I want.' Aelita smirked at the thought of Jeremie blushing and relaxed while the other teens argued what they would do for her first day on Earth.
The Lyoko gang meandered through the factory and onto the bridge. Aelita gazed in delight at her first real view of the outside world. The crystal blue sky and puffy clouds hung over the varied buildings and splashes of greenery. Sunlight tinted everything with the barest hint of gold. "It's so beautiful…I've been missing this all along? I will never be able to thank you enough." Yumi gave her a quick hug. "No need, Aelita. Being our friend is all we ask. Now, if you are ready, let's make this day a memorable one for you." Aelita nodded her agreement and tightened her grip on the one who already made it memorable.
Looking up at Jeremie, the bubbly pink-haired girl asked, "So, how good are you at racing? I'll be waiting at the end of the bridge!" With that said Aelita took off and heard a multitude of footsteps. The wind flying through her hair and pounding of unused muscles made running magnificent. Aelita's head start wasn't enough to stop Ulrich from taking first. She noticed Jeremie passing her and pulled on his arm to send him farther back. Aelita laughed at Jeremie's expression and took second. Panting, Odd brought up the rear. "Einstein, when did you get so fast? It's not like you ever go to P.E. class." Odd asked. Jeremie smirked and replied, "I jog occasionally. You just never see me. Aelita, I'm going to get you for that bit of cheating." Aelita winked at him.
"What? No way! Any time spent exercising would be time not talking to Aelita. We all know how much you hate anything that drags you away from the computer." Odd replied.
"To be honest, Aelita is the one who forces me to jog. And eat sometimes. I was too busy working on the materialization program to bother with much else."
"We obviously know that much, Jeremie. You were a ghost for a while" says Ulrich. "Glad to see Aelita is keeping you in line."
Never passing up an opportunity to tease Jeremie, Odd wisecracks, "Yeah well, that's what girlfriends are for, right Einstein? Ow!" He rubs his sore shoulder where Aelita punched him for the remark. "Great, it's another Yumi. My day is ruined." Yumi punches the other shoulder. "Hey! What is with all this abuse? Jeremie, Ulrich, a little help here?" Both guys shook their heads and backed away a step.
Yumi and Aelita shared a grin. "See Odd? These two actually have common sense. Which is why we like them and not you!" jokes Yumi. Odd pretends a hurt look but immediately laughs. "Yeah you like those two don't you girls? At least you just admitted it." Both girls turn slightly pink and continue walking. Shaking their heads, Jeremie and Ulrich grab Odd and head into the city.
The sights and sounds of the city amazed Aelita as the group spent the afternoon walking aimlessly. Cars, conversations, merchants hawking their wares, and the hundred other little sounds that were background noise to other people created a rich cacophony for her. The three times Aelita became overwhelmed a few seconds in Jeremie's arms soothed the edges of panic. Besides, she quite liked seeing him turn pink. It was definitely her color. Crossing a busy intersection, Aelita notices a strange hollow sensation in her abdomen. She puts a hand to her stomach, stops, and turns to Jeremie. "Umm, what's this empty feeling I'm having right now?"
Odd turns to look at her. "Princess, you're feeling what I always feel. Hunger! Speaking of which, I need some food right now. There's even a burger joint over there. We'll get you set up." With a yell Odd beckons for the group to follow him to the restaurant across the street.
"Oh Aelita, I totally forgot about food. I'm sorry, let's follow Odd." With that said Jeremie grabs her hand and pulls her through the intersection right before the light changes. It was Aelita's turn to blush as she felt the warmth of his hand surge up her arm. 'Why is he the only one that feels so warm?' Shaking it off, she followed him inside the restaurant.
"Well, this is a cute little place," observed Aelita. The place was set up like an old time diner with plenty of memorabilia from America. "What do they serve here again?"
"Only the best burgers around! I suggest the bacon cheeseburger, bacon makes everything better." answers Odd. The group sighs with exasperation. "Yes, we know bacon makes everything better. Didn't you put that on cereal once? Or was it a peach? Either way, nasty." Yumi shudders at the thought.
Odd thinks a bit. "Yeah, it was definitely a peach. Delicious. Anyway, what will Aelita order for her first meal?" The waitress comes by and asks what the group would like to drink before heading to a nearby table. "Aelita, why don't you try a soda or something? Water is nice but it doesn't have much taste." Jeremie suggests.
Aelita's eyes roam the menu, but find nothing that jumps out at her. 'Well, might as well go with both their suggestions. I wonder how good bacon is. Odd seems to love it.' Aelita folded the menu closed and snuggled closer to Jeremie who put an arm around her shoulders. Yumi stopped the upcoming joke from Odd with a punch. He closed his mouth and winced.
Oblivious to the taunt she just avoided, Aelita listens to Jeremie explain a program he is working on for fun. Judging by the bemused expressions on everyone else's face, she was the only one who understood. A smile grew on her face as she thought about how easy it was to be with Jeremie. The waitress startled her out of the reverie and asked for Aelita's order. "Oh! Err…a coca cola and a bacon cheeseburger?" Wondering if she did that correctly, Aelita paid close attention to how the others ordered. Apparent she had done it well; Aelita relaxed once more and winced at a loud growl from her stomach. 'That food better be done fast.'
After ten minutes that stretched into infinity, the sandwiches arrived. The waitress efficiently dropped off the steaming burgers and left them to eat the meal. Aelita's stomach let out a deafening noise as the scents reached her nose. Ulrich chuckled and said, "Well, looks like we have another Odd in the group. The lunch lady will have to whip up twice as much now!" Sharing a laugh, the teens leaned towards Aelita as she picked up the juicy burger and took her first bite.
Aelita thought everything was wonderful so far but nothing could top taste. 'Now I realize why society seems to revolve around food.' The taste of the burger seemed to explode in her mouth, from the fresh lettuce to the deliciously crisp bacon. 'Odd has a point. Bacon is amazing.' Jeremie motioned towards the soda and she took a sip. Cloying sweetness enveloped her mouth and she closed her eyes. Barely giving herself time to breathe, she chomps down while the others turn to their respective meals.
Odd leaned across the table and nudged Jeremie with an elbow. "Hey Einstein, Aelita there seems to really enjoy her meat, right?" Aelita looked up from her plate and nodded enthusiastically, then realized Jeremie was beet red and Odd, Ulrich, and Yumi were slumped in their booths laughing. "What did I miss?" she asked.
Yumi quickly shook her head. "Trust me Aelita, you don't want to know. That was pretty bad, even by Odd's standards."
"Hey, at least my shoulders were spared abuse this ti-ow! Okay Jeremie, I deserved that." said Odd, rubbing his shoulder at yet another blow delivered by Jeremie.
Ulrich joined in. "You know Odd, at this rate you'll be spending a lot of time in the infirmary. Perhaps hold back?"
"What's the fun in that? These two are just ripe for the picking. Anyway, I'm hungry. Enough talking!" With those parting words Odd battled his burger to the death and won handily.
Curious at the whole exchange, Aelita looked at Jeremie. His shrug let her know that it was just Odd being...well...odd. Smiling at the horrible pun, Aelita leaned against his shoulder and dug back into the food. 'Can this day get any better?'