"Jeremy, that'll never work. We just don't have that kind of power." Aelita said, standing next to the blond who sat at the computer.

"Well... maybe Franz and I can just re-route power from other locations in the factory. That could be enough. I think he's looking into something like that now down at the core." He replied, light from the monitor reflecting off his glasses, his eyes only silhouetted behind them.

Aelita sighed, placing her hand on the arm of the chair. She got down on her knees, their heads now level with each other.

"Jeremy... I know you have high hopes for this program, but it just doesn't seem like it'll work. You can't send something that powerful through the entire internet at once, it's just not realistic."

Jeremy turned to face her, his eyes finally visible. Aelita noticed how tired he looked, his eyes half-open, lines carved underneath them. They seemed empty, as though the lights were on but no one was home. Jeremy had been like this since they first met, but now something seemed different to her. He seemed more exhausted all the time, and he took every opportunity to work at the lab or in his room he could get. This was a growing concern for her as she felt like she was loosing him, loosing him to his workaholic nature.

"Well, for our sake, I hope we can eventually make it realistic." Jeremy replied, turning back to the illuminated screen, his fingers going back to work.

—

"Yumi, I really wish things were different for you." William said, sitting in a bench near the forest, Yumi next to him. "Family problems are tough, but you gotta remember, you're not alone. You've got a lot of great friends who will be there for you no matter what, so don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it."

Yumi turned to face him, giving him a friendly smile. "Thanks, William. I hope things get better between them, but I doubt it. All they do is fight, throw things at each other, yell, scream. They just seem so different. I know they've had fights in the past, but they have always resolved their issues until now. My dad is just under so much stress with his work; he comes home late and tired, and when he is home all he does is complain about everything: my grades, my moms cooking, the TV, everything. I just wish it would all end."

A single fear streamed down her face, the area so silent William could have sworn he heard it hit the ground.

"Don't cry, Yumi." William said, reaching into his backpack and pulling out a tissue. "Here." He said handing it to her. She dabbed it on her eyes, then lowered her hands to her lap.

"I really think you need to talk to Ulrich about this." William said, zipping-up his backpack.

Yumi tilted her head down slightly, her focus on the ground below her. "I know... I'll tell him later today. It's just... whenever I come to him with a problem he always tries to come up with a solution or answer the question, practically ignoring me after I tell him."

William looked down at his phone, the time displayed on the screen.

"Yumi, I'm sorry, but I gotta go make up a test in history." William stood up and grabbed his backpack, Yumi standing up with him.

"William, thank you for all of your help. I'm glad I have friends like you and the others to help me." She said, going in to hug him out of thanks.

"Unbelievable!" Ulrich said, standing a moderate distance away from the two, only just seeing them that moment.

He walked up to the two as they broke their quick embrace, both looking at him quietly.

"At first I didn't believe it, I thought 'no, they would never do anything like that', but now, I don't know what to believe." Ulrich scoffed.

William and Yumi stood their confused, both looking strangely at Ulrich who was obviously angry.

"Ulrich, what are you talking about?" Yumi asked.

"Incredible, just incredible." Ulrich said, turning sideways to face away from them, unable to continue looking. "First you go behind my back with him and then you act like nothing happened. I just can't deal with that."

Ulrich looked up at the two, not giving then time to speak.

"I love you, and I thought you loved me, but I guess I was wrong." Ulrich said, turning away from them, walking away at a brisk pace.

"Ulrich, wait!" Yumi yelled, running after him. William stood behind her, still stunned by what he had just heard.

As she ran after Ulrich, Odd bumped into Ulrich ahead of her, but he continued to walk away even as he tried talking to him.

"Odd, what's going on with Ulrich?" Yumi asked, catching up with him as Ulrich continued to move away from them.

"This." Odd said, handing her the paper.

She was shocked, unable to speak after seeing it. She had been sad for so much over the last few days, the only emotion she had left to express over the image was anger, pure rage.

"Odd, who gave them this picture?" Yumi asked, giving him an agitated glare.

"I don't know, but Ulrich sure is worked up about it." Odd replied. "I tried convincing him it was fake, but he wouldn't believe me."

"Well, I'll just have to go convince him myself." Yumi said, headed off to find Ulrich who by now was almost out of sight.

—

Well, this was late (but hey, maybe late is the new on-time). This one took some thought, as I hope you guys are fine with the wait. Make sure to review and comments you have on the series!