A/N: Reviewers, you are WONDERFUL! I never got around to thank you all before. You help me to continue writing just by posting… whether short or long I love hearing it all.

Okay, so school sucks, suck, sucks… they won't lay off on the projects. Keeping me busy… all I really wanted to do was write. Well here it is anyways. I hope it's everything everyone hoped for.

Disclaimer: Don't own. Nope, nope.

Chapter 12: Show, Not Tell

--

"Daddy, Odd is really sorry about what he did and my nose will heal. I just over reacted, I mean Odd was just showing me some of the moves he learned from Ulrich… it's my fault that I got hurt, I talked him into it after all."

Was Sissi a compulsive liar?

She did it so naturally that it was almost so believable that it was unbelievable (If that made any sense). And Odd knew about lying, his group had more then enough practice at it but they still made slipups. Sissi on the other hand-- a natural liar.

He wasn't paying attention, just nodding his head.

Delmas was saying something about being more careful around his daughter. That she was a fragile flower or something to that nonsense. That her feelings might be hurt even if she wasn't and Sissi was arguing over him.

Odd really should of paid more attention but he was churning his situation over in his head. His friends wouldn't accept this, they would never accept Sissi… easily. What was he suppose to say to convince them though?

If they were on Lyoko and Sissi fell into the digital sea (no idea why they would be), Odd would jump in after her, but he would do that for any of them if there was even the slightest chance of devitalizing them before they hit bottom.

That's because they were all his friends.

And Sissi was his friend. He had come to realize this now and if he had noticed as much, who's to say XANA hadn't as well? Xana wrote that note to walk Sissi into a trap, not one of them but Sissi. XANA was using her against them already.

Or at least against him.

…

Not good.

She had to know about Lyoko. He decided this the moment Xana had cornered her in that alternative time stream. It was too dangerous for all of them for it to just continue on like this.

Odd could try to deny his connections and shove Sissi away but he already tied lines to her and he was pretty sure they were just as strong as the one tethered to the rest of the group. They wouldn't be coming loose anytime soon.

He just hoped the others understood.

Otherwise he had just fallen head first into a dark pit.

It wasn't looking good.

Odd smiled sheepishly at her and Sissi scowled.

"I have to ask the others first. It's as much their secret as it is mine. Telling you without their permission would be like reading your diary over the intercom." This time he was truly grinning at her and she could feel her scowl deepening.

"How do I know you are really even going to ask them instead of just pretending to and then refusing to tell me your groups big secret?" Not Ulrich's group? Well that was an improvement.

"You're just going have to trust me Sissi Dear." Instinctively he flinched back after saying this, he thought she would slap him, he remembered last time. This time she just snorted at him though and muttered something like 'Scrawny moron', under her breath.

"What was that Sissi Dear?" He dared to say and she snapped back instantly.

"I said: You're a scrawny moron." She snarled rudely, hands cocked at her hips.

Odd couldn't help it he took one long look at her and started laughing. She was alive, why was that still so shocking? It made him strangely happy too. That would be so weird, if he hadn't already decided she was his friend.

"What's your problem?!" Sissi was startled and confused, this boy was insane. "You're messed up Della Robbia." And she left him there laughing.

The next time Sissi saw Odd it was at lunch, only a few minutes later.

This time it was at a distance though. He hadn't so much as touched his heaping tray of food and was instead leaning it over it to speak the computer geek, Jonathan… Jeffrey.. Jeremie, she believed his name was.

He wasn't looking to pleased about what ever the purple boy was saying though and kept pushing his glasses up the brim of his nose, with his brows scrunched up in irritation.

"Sissi?" Sissi ignored Herve and continued to stare at the group, despite not be able to hear them. She could read Odd's expressions well enough to guess what was occurring. He was still smiling, though it had waned slightly since the beginning of the conversation.

Ulrich was speaking now as well, a glass of water at his lips as he tried to appear indifferent.

All of them were trying not to draw attention to themselves except Odd, who was about to fall forward onto the table as he continued to speak to the rest of group.

They didn't even seem to want to look at him as their mouths moved in response.

--

Odd's cousin… Aelita, was fidgeting nervously in her seat. Yumi was leaning her head in her hand staring intensely off somewhere to the right of Ulrich head, who was still sipping from his glass.

Ulrich suddenly put his glass down and probably threatened Odd since he sunk down into his seat, settling for pointing his fork at his roommate instead. Odd was joking with them, teasing. Of course they weren't taking him seriously.

They had to be annoyed.

She wanted to go over there and demand their secret but knew from experience that would do no good.

--

Odd had straightened up again and was speaking to each of his friends in turn. Trying to convince them of something? He was trying to be reasonable but they just kept shaking their heads.

Then suddenly, Jeremie who had been typing, stopped and stood up. He said something rather stiffly as he closed his laptop and stood up. The others followed suit, even Odd who hesitated and looked in Sissi direction for a moment.

Ulrich grabbed his shoulder and turned him around, this ridiculously serious expression on his face. Odd just replied with a grin, gestured to his food and sat back down. Ulrich gave his roommate one more stare down before following the others out the doors.

They were mad at Odd?

He was fidgeting now. Weird.

Had they made him stay behind when they ran off like they always did? Was that punishment for suggesting that she know their secret. That wasn't fair.

--

Sissi stood up startling her two cronies as she headed across the lunchroom to the table where Odd was currently sitting alone, seemingly extremely nervous about something.

The school population would probably spread rumors about this. She had no reason to go to that table if Ulrich wasn't there. Everyone knew that.

"Odd."

He didn't reply and instead started shoveling down his food so he wouldn't have to.

Annoying. "Can I sit down?"

She noticed he nearly choked as his face snapped up to look at her. What was his problem? "You might want to rephrase that Sissi, people might just start thinking you're a human being if you ask people permission before taking what you want."

Dumb boy really loved pushing his luck. Did he enjoy dancing with danger or something? She could easily ruin what little reputation he had at this school. She wouldn't though. Did he know that?

She sat down across from him. Might as well jump straight in. "So are you going to tell me or not?"

"I… can't." Just like that?

"What?"

"I can't tell you." For a moment annoyance flickered across his features. "It's dangerous to leave it like this though." She wasn't sure she understood. What was dangerous? "I can't tell you." He smiled. "But I can show you."

For some reason Sissi was certain his friends wouldn't be too happy about that.

"After all they only said I can't tell you." He stood up. "So meet me by the vending machines after curfew. If you want to know." Then he left.

They were going to be so angry when they found out.

A part of him was already regretting betraying their trust like this.

Sissi needed to know though. Or so he kept telling himself.

Would she even show up?

He was already standing by the vending machines and there was no sign of her. The only life he could see aside from himself was Kiwi, darting back and forth between the shadows.

Maybe she chickened out. That didn't seem like Sissi at all.

Maybe she just forgot…

Maybe something happened to her-

"Scrawny." It was a good thing Sissi showed up then, his thoughts had been headed to dark places. Now most of his attention was focused on her as she strutted her way over. "This better be good."

He shushed her, amused by the anger gracing her features.

"First…" He knew Sissi couldn't keep a secret and blabbed about Lyoko in previous timelines, she blabbed about everything. Unless… (and this was where things got tricky) it would ruin her reputation to tell.

"You have to keep this a secret." She looked as if she was about to retort so he clapped his hand over her mouth. "What's the one thing you care about most?" And he stepped back.

"Ulrich." She said simply and Odd had to roll his eyes.

"I want you to swear on Ulrich's life you won't tell a single soul."

Sissi pursed her bottom lip. "Is it really that serious?" Disbelief

Odd picked up his dog. He didn't need to say it, it was obvious. "You can go back to your room if you want." She couldn't really turn her back on this now. She was a part of it whether she wanted to be or not.

"No way." And she wanted to be.

If she hadn't waited so long for this secret she wouldn't of let herself be lead down a sewer grate. No, on normal standards she would never tread in such a dirty place with such obnoxious company.

Here she was though, walking past the skateboards and scooters leaning against the wall. There was five-- one for each member of the group, she noted mentally as they continued forward.

Sissi had decided not to say anything, she didn't want Odd to change his mind. It was clear he was at least partially hesitant about this. His friends would probably be furious because they obviously hadn't approved. These were Odd's problems though,

she didn't care.

Odd disappeared into the opening above her, one arm tucked around his dog as he climbed over the top of the latter and into the dark night above. Cautiously she followed-- what if this was all just some stupid prank of his?

"We are almost there."

They were on the bridge over the Seine, a busted looking building looming on the other side of the murky water. "There?" She muttered in distaste. It wasn't much to look at and it was kind of… eerie.

Odd must of caught the slight edge to her tone because he said; "you aren't afraid are you Elisabeth?"

How dare he mock her? She flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Of course not."

"Good."

"Are you sure about this?"

Odd tried not to meet Sissi's eyes, staring intently at the keyboard in front of him. Honestly… he was having second thoughts about this whole thing. "Of course I am." He said confidentially.

He'd seen Jeremie do it enough times.

If he messed up though… but he wouldn't! That's all needed to know.

He had shown Sissi the scanners a few minutes previous and now directed her to go down into one. "I…" She was whispering weakly. Of course… she had refused going with even Ulrich when they first went to Lyoko-

Why would this be any different?

"You want to know our secret, don't you?"

She hummed softly. "Well…" Then she snapped at him "Can it Scrawny! I don't have to do anything!"

This was a mistake.

It was a mistake.

His friend would never forgive him for this one.

Odd stood up, by no means was he threatening in structure, he barely reached her chin at full height-- he was (despite all denial) scrawny but he hoped that Sissi understood anyways, his patience was running thin.

They'd been going in circles far to long. He saved Sissi life the first time and then she turned around and saved his but she didn't remember, that time they were even. Then he risked his life again, to save hers (she didn't remember) but she owed him one.

She owed him a favor and he wanted it now. "Sissi." He gritted through his teeth, one had to wonder if some of his roommate's personality rubbed off on him. "Get in the scanner."

She took a step back from him, her body language speaking of disbelief. "What's this really all about anyways? You guys have been keeping this secret so long. Why are you so determined to tell me now?"

That was understandable but Odd wasn't sure he wanted to deal with this right now. He allowed his shoulders to sag shifting from foot to foot. "I swear Sissi…" He mumbled under his breath.

"Or is that not it all? What if really you're just planning to leave me here. What if this all just a trick to keep me from getting Ulrich?!" Odd had to believe she was mostly just talking to herself now-- out loud. She wasn't listening to him anyways.

"As if I could ever trust such a scrawny shrimp to allow me to get closer to perfect Ulrich. I thought for sure he would get jealous, I mean… who can refuse me?" Well, that was conceited.

"And if not I could at least get close to him and convince him to be with me. But no… Things just had to happen like this." She glared Odd momentarily. This news wasn't new to him, he figured Sissi would just be using him to get at Ulrich.

Was she done talking to herself yet?

--

He walked over to her grabbing her arm, surprised she didn't immediately shove him away. No she was content to just insult him in her shock as he pulled her towards the elevator. "Let me go scrawny."

She pushed him aside and he pointed toward the closest scanner. "Get in already. Think of it like your own personal tanning bed Sissi Dear."

She glared at him then turned and stomped over to the closest capsule. She stared at it, then continued to stare it for the following 120 seconds. Odd rolled his eyes and clacked his tongue against the roof of his mouth.

"It isn't going to bite Sissi."

"Like I believe you." But she stepped in anyways.

Sissi was less than comfortable with this situation.

In fact she was almost positive that her breathing had quickened.

And she was certain it had the moment the doors swooshed shut, shutting her into this small enclosed space. A part of her wanted to scream but she bit that part back. What if Odd just left here?

What had she done to deserve this?…

No. She swallowed a shaky gulp of air. Odd wasn't that sadistic, she at least had to believe this much.

--

First a soft gust lifted under her feet and Sissi took it as her imagination but then it became an all out wind and her hair flipped up towards the ceiling and she was forced to close her eyes when they began to water from the stinging air.

Then…

It stopped.

Momentarily, she felt almost weightless-- it was as if only her mind remained, she couldn't feel anything not even her own breath. She thought that this should probably be a frightening sensation but instead it was… wonderful.

THUD!

She realized a sharp cry as suddenly she was butt down on the floor, legs sprawled out in front of her. What the?!

I should of warned you of this fall.

Came this snickering voice from the… sky?

It sounded familiar, strangely like-- "Odd? Where are you?" She looked around, first at the sky which was a clear azure blue, as it seemed the voice was coming from the there. The ridiculously tall treetops prevented her from seeing it clearly though.

Slowly she stood up walking to the nearest one and placing her hand on the trunk. It felt like bark, grainy… hard… She knelt down sweeping her hand over the grass-- dewy.

How do you like it?

He sounded so amused.

This was their secret? What was this place? "What's this all about?" Apart of her was annoyed the other amazed. Was this even physically possible?

They sky snorted.

Didn't I say I can't tell you? If I remember correctly I did.

She looked around again. It was so… empty. No life, no movement, not even wind; she suddenly had the instinctive urge to get away from this place as quickly as she could. "Can you… get me out of here?"

Ready to leave already?

She squinted her eyes, something was emerging from around the trees, she couldn't quite make out what it was. It's form was unfamiliar with her-- it seemed all arms and it was floating.

For someone that wanted to know so bad, you sure are in a rush to leave.

It was coming towards and she stepped back. Unsure what to do, it was reaching towards her and she stepped back once more. Then she stumbled, "back off-" she yelled at it and it caught her.

Her body was tingling, she thought she was thrashing but her limbs didn't even sway. Her vision was blurring and red light was flickering around her. She felt a sort of pulling, sort of like the airy feeling she felt when first arriving but more forceful.

She didn't like it.

--

Scyphozoa!

That was Odd's voice. She wanted to yell, she wanted out! This was a nightmare and she wanted out!

It seemed like forever. She seemed further and further away.

She heard the thud though, the soft cry and she felt the sharp jabs, that didn't seem as painful as they should be, hitting her over and over again and then… it happened. All the feeling went away.

How could this happen?

Sissi fell away to wireframe and that jellyfish backed up. He shot at the retreating monster again and again though the clear dome just absorbed the shots. He chased it to the edge and watched it disappear into the shimmering sea below.

Xana had been waiting for this?

Were they really that predictable?

It wasn't just a coincidence, that much was clear.

He sat down examining his purple paw, he didn't imagine he could just devitalize himself could he? He sighed heavily hoping Sissi was alright and for once hoping for Xana to attack so he could get out of here and make sure.

With a long whoosh and gust of warm air Sissi fell in a boneless manner, from the scanner. The floor catching her fall none to gracefully and yet she did not stir from it.

A/N: This is a long one...