Author's note: See you next time! I thank everyone who read the (entire) story:D, for the support:D, the tips:D, and the kind words:D! I could have written an ending in chapter 7, but I didn't feel like ending it there. Hence this is the last chapter, which is longer than expected! Enjoy! If you didn't get something, feel free to ask:D.

Disclaimer: I do not own Code Lyoko! Only my imagination:)!

Chapter 8: Time makes us realize

In the normal world...

Odd and Aelita waited for their friends to return and for their other friend, Jeremy, to wake up. Odd felt guilty because he knocked out Jeremy after Aelita's hurried decision. But he saw this as a chance to talk to her about the feelings. He knew what the result would be, but he could always ask her. "Let's play a game. It seems to be taking hours," Odd sighed. "Alright. But it's only been one minute, Odd,"Aelita said, laughing at Odd's impatience. "I ask you a question and you answer with the truth," Odd dared Aelita. "Isn't that just like truth or dare?"Aelita asked. "Yes, but we leave out the 'dare'," he replied, as he started smiling. Aelita shrugged and nodded afterwards. "Okay then, you're up first," he said. Aelita smiled.

"Don't you think it's funny how Yumi and Ulrich always deny that they want to be more than just good friends?"Aelita laughed at the thoughts. "Of course I do! There is not one moment Ulrich can ignore my comments. I never skip an opportunity to tease the guy," Odd smiled broadly. "Your turn,"Aelita said. "If Jeremy and I were hanging from a cliff and you only had enough time to save one of us, who would you save?" Odd asked, scolding himself for the question he just asked. "Odd? What kind of question is that? I would be forced to choose between two of my best friends. No doubt, I would rescue you both. I would not let you die!"Aelita exclaimed angrily. "Sorry, Princess. But I had to know," Odd said. "You had to know what, exactly?"Aelita said, still annoyed by the question, but then it struck her. She decided to wait for Odd to ask the right question and looked at him expectantly. She followed his gaze and ended up seeing Jeremy.

"You know, I always see the two of you staring at one another. I somehow sense that you two are crazy about each other, but you don't really admit it. You two remind me of Yumi and Ulrich sometimes," Odd said as he looked at Aelita. She remained silent. Odd decided to continue. "I honestly don't understand why, but you and I always seem to have a connection. And it just bothers me, not in a bad way, but it's haunting me that I don't know your true feelings," Odd said, relieved he had spoken his mind instead of joking around. "I often recall all those moments we had together. And I am confused myself as well. My feelings for Jeremy and you are somewhat similar. I really like you Odd, I do, but it's better if we remain friends. Best friends, that is. I need someone to distract me from the outside world, from the current events in our lives, and when necessary from Jeremy. You have always done that, and I appreciate that. Therefore I really like you. However, not in the way I like Jeremy. I can't lose that friend I see in you,"Aelita sighed as she finished speaking.

"Well, that is that then. I will be honoured to be your hero and you will stay my guardian angel. Besides, it would get complicated if we were actually together. I mean everybody at school thinks you're my cousin," Odd said as he rose from the bow he made. Aelita felt flattered and nodded in agreement. "Promise," she said, fingers crossed. "Promise," Odd replied, fingers crossed. They had both squeezed their eyes shut for a moment because they crossed fingers. "Now Princess, if I can be as free as to ask you: may I have this dance with you?" He held his hand in front of Aelita. "It would be difficult to refuse, would it not? I'd be honoured to have this dance with you,"Aelita smiled as she responded and took his hand.

Eleven minutes had passed since the end of the conversation and the beginning of the dance in the lab. Meanwhile Jeremy woke up and tried to stand up. But he felt dizzy and sat on the ground again. That is when he noticed two of his friends dancing with each other. He did not know why, but he felt immensely jealous when he saw the way Aelita and Odd stared at each other. "Having fun there, I see," Jeremy said, deciding to break the magical act of honouring. Almost immediately, Aelita and Odd stopped dancing. "Why not? I had to keep her company when you were taking a nap. Besides, having fun is part of our life, you should try it some time. Instead of sitting in front of that computer, you could ask Aelita out on a date," Odd spoke firmly and smiled at him after winking at Aelita. She smiled at the remark of her hero.

Jeremy blushed and shove away his jealousy. As if Odd would ever fall for Aelita. He is always trying to get a girl to like him for more than three days. "Aren't Yumi and Ulrich back yet?" He asked. Aelita remembered and walked towards the computer. "It's been sixteen minutes since her departure. I hope they'll make it back in time."Aelita said worried about the little time that was left. Just then a flash appeared revealing Ulrich and Yumi standing in the middle of the lab.

Finally, Yumi and Ulrich had been transported back. Due to the fact that Ulrich was harmed in the past and not in the present, his wounds seemed to have healed. Actually they disappeared since he never was injured in the present. They still stood there hugging each other, with Ulrich using two arms for a change.

Odd, Aelita and Jeremy all looked at each other. After what seemed to be an eternity, their best friends had given up. Yumi and Ulrich had lost the war of friendship. That too without saying 'I love you'.

"I hate to spoil the moment, guys, but we need to launch a return to the past. For real this time. Our certainties about the people at school are not based on actual sights or messages. Therefore I need to launch it," Jeremy whispered, directing his words at Aelita and Odd. "Leave them, it's been such a long time. We can't spoil it for them,"Aelita said, smiling for a reason only she knew. "Alright, are you ready?" Jeremy asked. "Ready," Odd and Aelita responded.

Meanwhile Ulrich had released Yumi and he had heard every word that had been said. He decided to make the moment special, just like the first time. He turned to Yumi, who had apparently also overheard everything. She looked in his eyes and he did the same. Their faces came closer to each other, soon there was only an inch between their lips. Then, as expected, they heard, "return to the past now!" A white flash spread across the room and Yumi and Ulrich still didn't have their first kiss. However, they had both known the return would spoil it. Ulrich succeeded into bringing back the same feelings as he had the first attempt. He was sure nothing would separate them anymore.

At the start of that same day...again...

Four Lyoko warriors were sitting on the bench. "Guys, we finally managed to defeat XANA, again," Jeremy said. "You mean, we countered XANA once again. After all, it was just an attack. Right, Aelita?" Odd asked, obviously referring to the moments he had spent with Aelita. However, no one but them knew about it. "Just an attack?! Are you serious, Odd? This was by far the most complicated attack ever!" Ulrich shouted. "Keep it down, will you?" Jeremy warned him. "But some things turned out fine, didn't they?" Odd poked Ulrich with his elbow. Ulrich was quiet, but he did smile. He was thinking about Yumi. "Ahh lost in deep thoughts, aren't you?"Aelita said curiously. "I am just glad it is over. If there is one thing I realized most, it would be that time is very precious. We need to be cautious all the time. But time also makes us realize things we never knew before." She eyed Jeremy first, who for some reason didn't understand the look in her eyes. Then she eyed Odd, who immediately got what she meant and he winked at her, but he made sure Jeremy didn't notice. Finally, she eyed Ulrich, who also understood what she meant. "I have to go," Ulrich said, as he got up from the bench. Odd was about to make a teasing remark, but Aelita kicked him, forcing him to hold back. Ulrich shrugged and walked away, hands pocketed, gaze down. After a while, he bumped into someone. "Watch where you're going!" They said in unison. Ulrich saw William, who smirked. Ulrich was confused.

"What is your problem? Are you blind or what?" William asked. "I could be asking you the same question, you know," Ulrich said. "Don't try me, Stern. You don't know who you're dealing with," William began, but he decided to deviate from the conversation. "I think you'll change your tone after hearing that Yumi and I will be spending the coming three weeks together, working on a big project," William finished. "You are what?!" Ulrich demanded to know. "You heard me. Besides it's unlikely that Yumi will ever respect you in that way. She'd rather be with someone mature and not with a little kid," William referred to himself, when speaking of maturity. "Look who is talking," Ulrich responded. William tried to strike him with his fist, but Ulrich managed to dodge. William figured out beating up Ulrich would be a waste of time and walked away. Also Ulrich decided there were more important things to focus on. Annoyed and angered by his enemy, Ulrich went to search for Yumi.

Yumi walked out of the classroom, after having talked to the teacher about the subject and her partner for the school project. "Ulrich will be angered if I tell him that I have been partnered up with William," she thought. Suddenly someone fiercely grabbed her hand. She turned around only to see Ulrich across from her, but she didn't look in his eyes. "Ulrich I have to tell you something.." She began. "You are forced into working with William on a project and you are afraid I will kick him until he will leave you alone?" Ulrich continued. Yumi had to laugh at his remark. "I wouldn't call it 'forcing', but yes, how do you know?" She questioned him. "I ran into him a few minutes ago. He explained it all and tried to rub it in my face," Ulrich replied. "You didn't kick him, did you?" Yumi asked amazed by his words. "Well no, but the thought had crossed my mind," Ulrich said, then he looked serious.

"What is wrong?" Yumi asked. "I thought about something that Aelita said a few minutes ago. Then it struck me that it was the truth. After that all sorts of memories played in my head, including the recent events," Ulrich explained. "It sounds a bit vague, what is your point? What did Aelita tell you? Which memories? This remembers me of Odd," Yumi said. Ulrich frowned at the last remark, but decided to let it be. "They were memories about us. Aelita said that a lot had happened in that mission. However, according to her it led to good things. I agree on that," Ulrich paused for a few seconds, during which his eyes met Yumi's. "Time does make us realize," Ulrich said. Yumi smiled softly. She was left speechless by the words, just like the others had been a while ago.

After the short silence, Ulrich hesitantly took the initiative, leaned forward, gently touched Yumi's cheek and they finally shared their first sweet, soft, long-awaited kiss. It lasted only a few seconds, but the Lyoko warriors now knew how important every second was. And these two eternal 'good friends' were finally scattered into pieces that linked them by their hearts.