Disclaimer: Enlisting Odd to help take over Moonscoop was a horrible idea. No, I don't own Code Lyoko.

-continued flashback-

The waning sun cast a pall of twilight over the city as the teenagers headed for the park. They had to be at Kadic Academy before full dark but the group decided they could sneak in after curfew. Aelita was torn between seeing as much as she could in one day and getting a chance to rest. She enjoyed the easy conversation as the kids wandered towards a deserted section of the park. Aelita spied a picturesque fountain in between the trees and motioned for the others to follow. Listening to the continuous spray, Aelita dipped her hand in the cool liquid. "Wow, water is so awesome. You swim in it?"

Jeremie sat next to her. "Yep, swimming is definitely one of the highlights of summer. We don't swim in the winter, since it's too cold." Engrossed in the tiny ripples playing about her fingers, Aelita didn't notice the grin on Jeremie's face. "Speaking of which, why don't you take your first swim?" Aelita wrenched her head towards him and scooted farther away.

"You wouldn't throw me in…right?" Before she could do anything Jeremie picked her up. "Hey, put me down!" Her protest dwindled away along with her breath as she twined her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes. 'I think have the same effect on him.' A good ten seconds passed before Ulrich decided to break up their moment. He ran up and pushed the bedazzled couple into the fountain. Their shared scream of surprise and the resulting splash sent the other three into the grass breathless with laughter. The merriment faded as a drenched Jeremie helped an equally dripping Aelita out of the water. "Ulrich!" Jeremie growled and headed for the three miscreants.

Aelita enjoyed the sensation of water running down her body and into a puddle on the concrete. Deciding it was too quiet for her tastes, she wiped the sodden pink hair out of her eyes and pushed Jeremie back in before he could take a step. Yumi and Ulrich grabbed each other to keep from falling down laughing. Odd whooped. "Way to go princess! Nothing like adding insult to injury!"

Aelita grinned at the soaked boy sitting in the fountain. "Need a little help?" she cooed. Jeremie looked at her with revenge dancing in his blue eyes as he replied: "Aelita, I'm perfectly fine. You, on the other hand, could use some help of your own."

"I'm out of your reach though, ha!" taunted Aelita. Jeremie shook his head. "True, you're out of my reach. But the three people behind you can grab you easily." Finishing that statement, Jeremie chuckled as Aelita whirled to see Ulrich, Odd, and Yumi sneaking up on her. The chuckle morphed into a wheeze as Aelita landed on him with another splash.

For the second time in as many minutes, Aelita found herself breathless when looking into Jeremie's eyes. 'I know he's breathless too. But this time it's because of my weight landing on him.' Figuring she should make the most of it, Aelita arranged herself comfortably in his arms. The combination of the cool water and his warm chest closed her eyes and sent the tired girl into a land of dreams.

Odd, Yumi, and Ulrich walked up to the fountain and wondered what to do. Jeremie didn't look like he was about to move anytime soon with Aelita curled in sleep on top of him. Yumi broke the silence. "Jeremie, you know where I live right?" He pondered her question for a second then understanding burst in his eyes and he nodded. "Alright then, try to be quiet when you drop her off. I'm going to make sure Ulrich and Odd get back safely."

The trio walked back towards Kadic Academy, leaving a slightly bemused boy sitting in water. Jeremie watched the fountain flow for fifteen minutes while lost in thought about the girl on top of him. Aelita stirred, wondering why she was still laying on Jeremie. 'Oops. I think I fell asleep. Guess I conked out faster than I thought possible.' Feigning sleep, Aelita relished the feeling of Jeremie's arms as he daydreamed. After a little while, his hand brushed back her hair and his whispered "Aelita. Time to get up." made her sigh with regret.

Her muscles complained at having to work at such a late hour but Aelita managed to stand up and leave the fountain. A cold breeze ruffled her sodden clothing and Aelita shivered. Snuggling close to Jeremie, the pink haired girl found the warmth she was looking for. Resting her head on his shoulder while he slipped a hand about her waist, the couple walked under the glowing stars back to the city.

The trip towards Yumi's house flickered by far too fast. Her time with him was drawing to a close but Aelita smiled at the thought of more days to spend with Jeremie. 'Hopefully more days spent dry rather than soaked!' They reached the wrought-iron gate in front of Yumi's dark living space and Aelita pulled away towards the path. "Thanks so much Jeremie. You truly gave me a gift I can never repay you for. Today was simply…magical."

Aelita put her hand on the gate. 'I really don't want to go just yet.' She tucks a stray strand of hair behind her ear and relishes the still-new sensation of touch. Feeling Jeremie draw closer, she turns around to face him. She knows that words will never be able to express the gratitude, happiness, and other emotions that roil inside her. Instead Aelita pours everything she feels into a bone-crushing hug. Jeremie groans in pain and she quickly loosens her hug. "Oh! I'm sorry, did I hurt you?"

"Nothing I can't handle Aelita. What was that for?" Jeremie asks as he rubs his back.

Aelita blushes just in time for a passing vehicle to reveal her crimson face. Jeremie laughs and pulls her closer to him. "Well, looks like I'm not the only one who does that a lot." For the third time that day the world dwindles down to nothing but his twinkling blue eyes. Seemingly of their own accord, Aelita's hands roam his shoulders and then start playing with his fine blond hair. Jeremie's grin widens.

"Interesting. We get to this point and I'm not blushing at all. Instead it's you!" says Jeremie. Aelita laughs and then gives him a sultry look. "You really think I couldn't make you blush somehow?" she replies.

A bit of the usual Jeremie creeps into his voice as he responds to that statement. "I-I-…well, I'm sure you could."

"In that case, let's put my boast to the test, shall we?" Aelita smirks and carefully explores his face with her hands. 'His skin is so smooth…and I said taste was the best sense? Touch is moving up…' Her smirk widens into a smile of delight as his skin turns pink under her hands. "Aha! There we go. Now, what do I win?" she whispers into his ear.

Jeremie cups her face in his hands and gazes steadily into her emerald eyes. Aelita's breathing speeds up the longer he stares at her. 'These human emotions mess with me but are so exhilarating.' She could already feel rationality begin to slip away. A loud honk from a passing car sends the two a foot into the air with fright as the outside world rushes in unpleasantly. Aelita begins to shake off the mental fog that Jeremie put her in and then decides against it.

'Well, it's now or never.' Her composure mostly restored from the honking incident, Aelita puts her arms in their accustomed position around his neck and gazes back into that captivating face. "Let's not let another noise interrupt us this time." That was all that needed to be said as Jeremie leans down and presses his lips to hers. Aelita closed her eyes and focused solely on the delectable sensation.

She melted into him as all thought fled and time seemed to stretch out like a string. This was what she had wanted throughout a year of falling for him: to finally be human and with Jeremie. Unfortunately another all too human function, breathing, intervenes with her wish to kiss him forever. Aelita breaks away and chuckles at the completely stunned look in his eyes. "Not bad, eh?" Jeremie could only nod his agreement.

The flood of emotions within her receded and lethargy replaced it. Cracking a huge yawn, Aelita hangs onto Jeremie for support. "Aelita, you need to get some sleep. Slip quietly into the extra bedroom Yumi told you about alright? Don't need her parents getting angry at you for staying out so late."

Stifling another yawn with her hand, Aelita nods her head sleepily. 'Wow, today really took it out of me. Not that I'm complaining.' She kisses Jeremie again for a few seconds then gives him another hug. "Good night Jeremie. See you tomorrow." Jeremie snaps back to reality and walks toward Kadic Academy. "Good night, princess." Aelita smiles at the term of endearment and slips through the iron gate towards the house.

She tiptoes to her room, having to cover her mouth several times to keep from yawning loudly. Aelita is too tired to even bother changing out of her damp clothes and crashes onto the soft bed. 'Oh this feels so good. This day definitely got a whole lot better after lunch.' Sleep finds her with a smile on her face and curled under the sheets. Her first dreams are dreams of Jeremie.