A/N: This was such a big chapter that I'm surprised I finished it so fast. And the next chapter is going to be even bigger.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Aelita gasped when she read the alert on her phone. "Odd, Ulrich, we have to go. Now."

Ulrich frowned. "But we just got here and my celebratory burgers."

Aelita shoved her phone in front of his face, making him read the alert.

"Shit. Odd, let's go," Ulrich cried, standing up and giving Odd a look.

Odd looked at him confused. Aelita's eyes narrowed as she rotated her phone back and forth. Ulrich raised his eyebrows, motioning his head. Odd's eyes widen, realizing what was going on. "Oh. Oh! Okay."

"I'm so sorry, Nicolette, but we have to go," Aelita apologized as she threw her purse over her shoulder.

"I get it. Secret gang stuff," Nicolette waved her off. She noticed Ulrich pulling money out of his wallet and added, "Don't worry about the beer, Ulrich, it's on me."

"Thanks, Nicolette," Ulrich smiled. "Ready?"

Aelita nodded and the three of them ran out of the bar. Aelita called Yumi as they ran to Odd's car. "Pick up, pick up, pick up. Ugh, Yumi, come on!" Aelita yelled, throwing her phone down as she climbed into the car.

"Here, call from mine," Odd said, handing Aelita his phone before cranking the car and speeding off.

Aelita dialed Yumi's number and waited for her to answer, her leg shaking. "Come on, Yumi."

"What, Odd?"

"Yumi! Look, I know you're mad at me and Ulrich but the alert for Lyoko went off on my phone. I need you to grab my laptop and meet us at the factory," Aelita said.

"What? Oh my god, I'll be right there!" Yumi hung up the phone.

Aelita pulled up the alert on her phone, seeing if there was a way to track the computer but she couldn't. She groaned, hitting Odd's shoulder to go faster.

"Calm down, princess, we're almost there," Odd assured her, pressing down on the gas.

They made it to the factory in record time. Odd parked the car in a hiding place and the three ran out the door where Yumi was waiting at the entrance. She handed Aelita her laptop bag, panting a little.

"Thanks. Let's go," Aelita said, making her way to the supercomputer.

"So, what do we know?" Yumi asked as Aelita settled next to the supercomputer.

"I couldn't do anything from my phone that's why I needed my laptop," Aelita responded, typing away. "I'm going to pull up when the program was opened and track the computer they used. And it was opened only thirty minutes ago."

"Right after my game," Ulrich said, crossing his arms.

Aelita hummed, still typing.

"What does this mean? Is XANA back?" Yumi asked.

Aelita shook her head. "No, Tyron destroyed XANA. We're safe."

"Wait, what?" Ulrich questioned. "You never mentioned that when Tyron contacted you."

"I don't want to talk about that now, Ulrich. We have to find this Lyoko or Tyron will hurt my mother," Aelita snapped, typing as fast as she could.

"Aelita," Odd started.

"Odd, not. Now."

Odd backed away from the girl, letting her focus on her laptop. A few minutes, later she stopped typing and leaned back.

"I'm tracking the IP address but it's going to take away. Why don't you guys go back to the Hermitage? I don't Jeremy to get suspicious of us being gone," Aelita said.

"No. There's no way we are leaving you here alone," Ulrich told her. "I'll stay."

"No offense, buddy, but you stink. You need a shower," Odd scrunched his nose and waved his hand to get Ulrich away. "I'll stay with the princess. You and Yumi go back to the Hermitage and make sure Jeremy doesn't find out."

"Okay, but you guys keep the car," Ulrich nodded.

Yumi looked at Ulrich, trying to decide what she wanted to do.

"Come on, Yum, we need to talk," Ulrich said, grabbing her arm. "Stay safe guys."

Odd waved to them, watching them climb up the ladder. He turned to Aelita when they left, smirking. "You think they'll actually talk this time."

"God, I hope so," Aelita rolled her eyes. "I'm so sick of them acting like that."

"We all are," Odd nodded. "Hey, you should probably text Nicolette and apologize again. I feel terrible leaving her like that and yet she was so cool about it."

"Yeah, she is," Aelita responded. "She's pretty awesome."

Odd narrowed his eyes at her. "Aelita, does she know about Lyoko?"

"No, Odd!" Aelita exclaimed. "I would never tell her about Lyoko. I can't believe you would accuse me of that."

"I'm just making sure you didn't break our pact cause I'm pretty sure Vivien knows," Odd mentioned.

"Wait, what?"

"Yeah, just some of things she says makes me think Jeremy told her."

Aelita shook her head. "Jeremy would never."

"I wouldn't bet against it, princess," Odd shrugged.

Aelita shook her head again. "No, he couldn't."

Back on campus, in Vivien's dorm, Jeremy had his laptop open on Vivien's bed, checking out the new Lyoko while Vivien watched from behind him.

"It's too bad we can't go inside and explore like the others," Vivien said. "It looks so awesome and peaceful without all the monsters."

"Sorry, Viv, I don't want to risk going back to the factory," Jeremy said.

"I get it. It would just be super cool to see with my actual eyes what we recreated," Vivien pointed out. "Why didn't you ever go with the others?"

"I did once, remember?"

"Yeah, but why didn't you go back?"

Jeremy shrugged. "I wasn't a fighter like the others. I was better behind the desk. It was fine. I could keep my eyes on them."

Vivien hummed. "It's just so amazing what you guys went through. Horrible but amazing at the same time. And to think, you guys saved the world and no one will never know."

Jeremy shrugged, like it was no big deal. "More horrible than amazing, Viv."

Vivien smiled, rubbing his shoulder. "I know and I'm sorry you went through that."

"I'm okay, Viv, really."

"You aren't but I'll be here when you realize that," Vivien said, tilting her head to the side and smiling when Jeremy turned to look at her.

"You're amazing," He said, tossing his laptop aside. He grabbed her waist, pulling her down so she was laying down. She giggled as he kissed her, his hands pulling her shirt up a bit.

Vivien put her arms around his waist, pulling him closer to her, her hands making their way under his shirt. She hooked her legs around his waist, bringing him down to her, wanting to show him how amazing she was.

Yumi stomped up the stairs of the Hermitage, slamming her door when Ulrich tried to follow her in. "I don't want to talk."

"Yumi, come on!" Ulrich pounded on the door.

"I said no!" She screamed. "And Odd's right. You smell!"

Ulrich sighed, knowing she was right. He turned away from door, going in to the bathroom instead. The hot water from the shower helped him clear his thoughts. The past weeks have been catching up to him. His shoulders and back have been hurting and working out the knots have been impossible. He let the water run down his back, the pain easing a bit. He finished his shower several long minutes later and made his way to his room, a towel around his waist. He jumped when he saw Yumi on his bed.

"Yumi? What are you doing in here?" He asked, pulling his towel tighter.

"You said you wanted to talk. I'm listening," Yumi stated, her notebook in her lap.

"Can I get dress first?"

"You called Aelita."

Ulrich sighed, realizing he wasn't getting dressed first. "I called you too, Yumi. And you didn't pick up. I called you first."

"I was on a plane to Japan. You should've called more than once," Yumi spat.

"I did! I called you almost twenty times, Yumi, and you didn't answer. I couldn't wait. I needed help! Aelita answered and Aelita came to help me," Ulrich yelled.

"And I haven't helped you!" Yumi cried, jumping up, her notebook falling to the floor. "I was there every night last semester. Every nightmare. Every vision you had, I was there. But that didn't matter, did it?"

"Damn it, Yumi. I couldn't reach you! I tried so I called the one person I knew would answer. And what is your problem with Aelita all the sudden? She's your best friend. Just because she helped me, all the sudden you hate her? That doesn't sound like you, Yumi."

"Maybe you don't know me then!"

"Bullshit, Yumi. I know you better than anyone in this house. You think you're helping me? What about me helping you? I've stayed awake with you when the nightmares wouldn't ease. I held you while you cried yourself to sleep. I've helped you too and you can't deny that," Ulrich yelled.

"Then why are you all the sudden so close to Aelia?" Yumi counted.

"What are you talking about?"

"I saw you with her yesterday and today. The little touch on the leg and back. The forehead kisses. You picked her up today and spun her around," Yumi hissed.

"Because I just won the game and was excited!" Ulrich threw his hands up to his hair, yanking it. "You are so infuriating!"

Yumi scoffed, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes. "Yeah, well you aren't a walk in the park either."

Ulrich growled. "Why are you like this? Why do you bottle everything up? And push me away?"

"Me? Bottle things up? Push you away?" Yumi laughed, stalking towards him. "I can never tell how you are feeling. I never have been."

"I told you time and again how I felt about you in high school but you kept pushing me away," Ulrich accused, pointing his finger at her. "You are the one that would always get confused when William was around."

Yumi screamed, throwing her arms out. "Seriously? We're bringing William up again. Damn it, Ulrich, let it go. I never liked William. I liked you." She turned her back towards him, her fingers curling into a fist.

Ulrich scoffed, rolling his eyes at the back of her head. "Yeah, well you never acted like you did. Always sending me mix signals. You still are."

Yumi whipped back around and crossed her arms. "I'm sending mix signals? Did we not forget about the hug with Aelita? The spinning? The touching?"

"Oh my god, Yumi, she is my friend! There is nothing and will there ever be anything between me and Aelita!"

"And why not? She's pretty and nice and not infuriating."

"Because she's not you!"

Yumi's arms fell at his confession as Ulrich breathed heavily. "What?"

"Aelita's not you and she will never be you," Ulrich repeated.

Yumi closed her eyes, listening to heavy breathing. She shook her head and opened her eyes, walking towards him. She grabbed his biceps, pulling herself up on her toes, and pulled his lips towards hers. Everything she had been feeling these past few weeks, all the tension, was being released. She walked him backwards, his back hitting the door. His arms circled her waist, pulling her closer. His hands shook as they grabbed the hem of her shirt. He wanted this, wanted her for so long now. He flipped her around where she was against the door, his hands went under her shirt. His hands were cold and Yumi shivered at the touch.

She pulled away, looking him in the eyes. They were both panting, his hands still under her shirt, his thumb stroking her stomach lightly. She could feel her heart beating fast and knew she wanted this. She wanted to keep going. She wanted him. She grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head. Ulrich grinned, pulling her for another kiss. He slowly moved his way down to her neck as she ran her hands over his chest. She jumped up, her legs circling his waist.

"The door? Is it locked?" She asked, her voice shaking as he continued to kiss her neck.

Ulrich pulled away, giving her a look. "That's what you're worried about now?"

"Check please."

Ulrich rolled his eyes, using one hand to check the lock on the door and the other hand to hold her up. Once he locked the door, he wrapped his arm back around her and lifted her up a little more, kissing her neck once more.

"Bed. Now," She moaned.

Ulrich groaned at her demand, carrying her to the bed and laying her down. Yumi grinned, feeling happier than she has felt in a long time as he hovered over her. She sat up on her elbows, grabbing his towel and throwing it aside. "We don't really need that anymore."

Ulrich smirked. "No, I guess we don't."

Yumi's thoughts started feeling her head again. She knew she shouldn't be feeling like this. She was so happy and wanted Ulrich for so long but all her doubts filled her head again.

"Are you okay?" Ulrich asked, turning on his side to look at Yumi.

"Yeah, why?" Yumi replied, looking up at the ceiling. She didn't want to avoid eye contact with him and yet she was.

"You haven't said two words to me since we went a second round." She could hear his smile in voice. He was so happy. "What's wrong?"

Yumi released the breath she was holding and turned to face him. "Tell me the truth. No yelling this time. What's really going on with you and Aelita?"

Ulrich groaned. "Not again, Yumi. We just went over this. Very loudly too. And I thought the sex was pretty clear how I feel about you.

Yumi made a noise and went back to staring at the ceiling.

Ulrich groaned, throwing his arm around her stomach, pulling her close. "Yumi, nothing is going on between us. She helped me with my visions. That's it."

"And I haven't!" Yumi screamed, sitting up and pushing his arm off her.

"We just went over this," Ulrich assured, sitting up as well. "That's not what I meant."

"Well that's what you made it sound like."

"Yumi, you know that's not true. You've helped me more than anyone. Without you, I can't sleep. I can barely breathe. I need you, Yumi." He reached up, cupping her cheek in his hand.

Yumi stared at him, not letting any emotions show on her face. She got up, taking the sheet with her and picking up the notebook that had fallen on the floor at the beginning off their fight. She handed it to him. "Read it. Please. I need you to read it."

"Okay," Ulrich nodded, taking the journal. "I will."

Yumi sighed, grabbing her underwear and shirt off the floor. "I need you to read it alone. I'll be in the kitchen."

"Yumi-" Ulrich tried to stop her.

"Read it." Yumi smiled slightly and left the room.

Ulrich quietly made it way down to the kitchen, hoping Yumi kept true to her promise. He had checked and made sure the others weren't back yet, in case Yumi decided to start yelling yet. Yumi sat at the island, her hand wrapped around a mug, looking beautiful as always in just her underwear and shirt.

He bit his lip, taking a breath. He could do this. He walked into the kitchen and sat down beside her. She handed him an extra mug.

"It's chamomile."

"Thanks," He replied, wrapping his hands around the mug. "I read it."

Yumi looked up and stared at him. "And?"

"I get it. We've been through so much. I put you through hell but Yumi, you put me through hell."

Yumi bowed her head, knowing he was right. "I know. We hurt each other."

"But we also had something else that hurt us more and now that same pain we went through is helping us heal together. We need each other, Yumi. And I know you're scared of finally giving us a chance but so am I. But we're not in high school anymore."

Yumi looked up in surprised. "Are you sure?"

"No but we have to try."

Yumi smiled. "I love you, Ulrich."

"I love you," He grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

"Are we finally doing this?" She asked.

"Looks like it."

Yumi smiled, leaning in and kissing him. She pulled away and raised her eyebrows. "Are you sure? I'm kind of a handful. I come with a lot of ghosts."

"As long as you can handle my ghosts."

"We can help each other," Yumi smiled, entwining her fingers with his.

"Yeah, we can and will," He promised, pulling her in for another kiss.

The two didn't hear the front door open or close. They didn't hear Odd yell at Kiwi or Aelita come in the kitchen. They did her gasp loudly and broke apart quickly.

Odd came up behind Aelita with Kiwi in his arms. "What is this?"

"Ulrich and Yumi were kissing!" Aelita exclaimed, grabbing Odd's arm and jumping up and down.

"Yeah, it looks like they did more than that," Odd smirked, looking at Yumi's bare legs. Kiwi squirmed in his arms, making Odd put the dog back down.

Ulrich gave him a look and jumped in front of her.

"Now we know why they weren't answering their phones, princess," Odd said, nudging her. "Please don't tell me you two had sex in the kitchen."

"Oh god," Yumi cried, burying her head in her hands.

"Did you track the computer?" Ulrich asked, changing the subject.

"No, it's taking longer than I thought it would. We came to get some food and some sleeping bags," Aelita answered, going over to the fridge and getting out some food.

"You guys are staying over at the factory?" Yumi asked.

"Yeah, I have to keep watch of the program and find whoever created Lyoko," Aelita responded. "I need to find it and tell Tyron."

"Okay, well we're joining you," Yumi said, looking at Ulrich who nodded in agreement.

"That's okay. You two should stay here. We'll be fine."

"Aelita, we're coming with you," Ulrich told her. "We'll go get dressed and grab some sleeping bags. You two get food."

Aelita smiled slightly and nodded.

Yumi hopped off the stool and followed Ulrich out of the kitchen, trying to block Odd's view of her underwear. Odd laughed and went over to the cabinets, pulling out snacks. Once he made sure Yumi and Ulrich were safety upstairs, he burst out laughing.

"Odd!" Aelita scolded.

"I'm sorry! I'm excited for them but they were both half naked!"

"Odd!"

"Sorry. Sorry," Odd laughed, shaking his head. "I am happy for them. It's about damn time."

Aelita nodded in agreement as she packed the cold food in a cooler.

Yumi and Ulrich came back down a few minutes, both dressed holding two backpacks each.

"Ready?" Odd asked. "Or do you two need another fifteen minutes?"

"Odd!" Aelita scolded again, slapping him on the shoulder as Yumi and Ulrich both blushed.

"Kidding. Jeez, no one can take a joke around here," He mumbled, walking out of the Hermitage.

By the time they made their way back to the factory, it was almost midnight. Aelita sent Odd and Ulrich to bed since they both had classes the next day while she only had lab and Yumi's class was cancelled. The boys argued but finally agreed when Aelita gave them her "teacher" look as Odd liked to call it. They went to the corner of the room that was the darkest and set up a blanket pallet. Aelita and Yumi leaned up against the supercomputer with Aelita's laptop in front of them and the tracking program still on. They stayed silent for awhile until Aelita finally broke, turning towards her friend.

"I'm sorry but I have to know. You and Ulrich, huh? Finally," She grinned, bumping her shoulder against Yumi's.

Yumi blushed, pushing her hair away. "Yeah."

"How did it happen?"

"We were fighting actually and he said something and I kissed him. One thing led to another and here we are," Yumi said, not looking Aelita in the eyes. She couldn't tell her what they were fighting about.

"Here you are," Aelita grinned. "What did he say that made you kiss him?"

Yumi took a deep breath. Of course, Aelita would ask the one question Yumi didn't want to answer. "We were fighting about you and him, Aelita. I was mad that he called you over Christmas instead of me and I just had it in my head that there was something going on between you two." Aelita shook her head, opening her mouth to interrupt but Yumi held up her hand. "He assured me there isn't anything go on between you two. And I just kissed him."

"And I assume other things happened after that," Aelita teased.

Yumi giggled. "Yes, those things happened. Twice actually."

Aelita gasped, giving Yumi a look that clearly said You go, girl. Yumi laughed at her face and soon both of them were crying they were laughing so hard. Yumi leaned against Aelita, putting her head on her shoulder.

"I think something's wrong with me, Aelita," She admitted, her voice growing quiet.

"What do you mean?"

"After the second time around, all my feelings and thoughts came flooding back. He just assured me nothing happened between you two and basically told me he loved me, but I just kept doubting it. I laid there, not regretting what we just did, but worrying about this little thing that we went through already. I just don't know why my mind would not believe what he was saying. Why I had to be assured a third time that it was nothing," Yumi explained.

Aelita closed her eyes. "Oh, Yumi." Aelita placed her head on top of Yumi's, rubbing circles on her shoulders. Everything Yumi just told her sounded exactly like her thoughts over the last four years. When she found her family, she would wake up in the middle of night afraid they would leave her. She was terrified she wasn't good enough or they wouldn't accept her. When she finally told her aunt what she was thinking, Alida told her that she might be experiencing some PTS and suggested a doctor. But Aelita could never work up the courage to go. "I think you have PTS. Actually, I think all of us do."

Yumi shook her head. "No, I'm fine. I can't have that, it's for soldiers."

"No, it's not and I think maybe we should consider seeing someone about it."

"Aelita, we can't tell them about Lyoko."

"I didn't say we tell them. Just what we're feeling," Aelita suggested. She felt Yumi sigh under her and agree. The two stayed in their position for awhile until Yumi heard Ulrich jump awake. Aelita lifted her head off Yumi's and let her go to him.

Yumi walked over to the corner of the room. Ulrich was sitting up, panting, his hands tugging his hair. She immediately sat down behind him, wrapping her arms around him. "You're okay. You're okay," she repeated, kissing his shoulder between the mantra. After a few minutes, his breathing slowed down and his arms came down. He placed his hand over hers, squeezing it.

"Thanks," He said.

"Anytime."

He turned around to face her, one of his hands reached out to cup her cheek. She smiled, turning her head so she could kiss his hand.

"Lay with me?" His voice trembled, showing his vulnerability and how much he needed her.

Yumi kissed the inside of his palm and pulled him down on the blankets so her back was against his chest. He wrapped his arms around, pulling her even closer, immediately falling back to sleep.

Aelita watched their moment from across the room. Her heart wept watching her friends in pain but she was so glad they have each other.

Laura sat on a train to Switzerland with her laptop opened. She was able to figure it out where the program was coming from. She hoped once she showed this to Tyron, she would somehow get her memories back. She hated that William might be hurt in the process. She actually grew fond of him in their time together but she knew he was somehow involved.

Four long hours later, Laura got off the train and was greeted by one of Tyron's men. He drove her to the lab and immediately took her back to see Tyron.

Tyron sat behind his desk, smiling a smile that gave Laura the creeps but she pushed that feeling aside and showed him what was on her laptop. Tyron pulled it closer, reading it over. Once he was done, he pushed it back and leaned back in his chair, smiling that smile again.

"So, Jeremy and his new little girlfriend decided to have some fun and recreate Lyoko. Right under Aelita's nose," He smirked. "Well done, my dear."

Laura perked up at the compliment, hoping for more. "And my memories?"

Tyron stroked his chin, thinking. "I'll give you back your memories if you promise to go back and steal this program."

"Of course," She agreed immediately.

"Excellent." He snapped his fingers and the door open. One of his men walked in and asked him what he needed. "Take Miss Gauthier to my wife."

"Yes, sir."

Laura followed the man down the hall of the very white lab and into a room with a larger TV. A woman with long pink hair that reminded Laura of Aelita stood by a chair, holding a tablet. The woman smiled slightly, Laura noticed it was a very fake smile but she greeted her anyways. The woman asked her to sit in the chair. Laura agreed, following the woman's instructions. Once she was settled in the chair, the woman typed on her tablet and told Laura to watch the screen. The screen filled with clips and pictures of four years ago when Laura was at Kadic. Everything she missed, the supposed friendship, the XANA fights, the Lyoko visits, her betrayal, and finally a blast to the past that erased everything appeared on the screen. And as it appeared, Laura remembered it all.