*Chapter 11*

Vanellope woke up later in the day. After the long night of laughs, blushes, tears and confusion, Vanellope was glad she got a good nights reset. She eagerly boarded Power Strip's train and headed for Game Central Station, excited to hang out with Ralph again. She could feel her heart drop at the thought of losing Rancis. She felt terrible for having mixed feelings on the subject matter. She figured if one of her racers was crazy enough to nearly murder on of her best friends, it was best he was out of the picture. Vanellope knew she would have to explain to her racers exactly what was up, but for now, she figured slipping out of her kingdom for the day off wasn't such a bad idea. She knew getting out of her station for a little while, to see her wrecker, would clear her mind. She still held onto the little stunt Ralph pulled last night, however. She felt her heart throb in pain at the thought of him still viewing her as a little kid. She figured, by the way he was acting about it last night, that it was an honest mistake. Nonetheless, she was eager to get a real answer out of him.

She trucked into Ralph's and Felix's game cabinet on their game train. She hopped out and took a look around. The whole game was quiet, but wasn't lifeless. She knew everyone was probably still sound asleep, though it was late morning. Vanellope silently chuckled and made her way to the small town east of the Niceland building. She looked at every house, each having a name plate on the door. She stopped at Ralph's house and beamed, slowly inviting herself in, hoping not to startle Ralph if he was awake.

She was greeted by a small living room with furniture big enough for Ralph. He had a quaint kitchen, the appliances and dishware were likewise to his furniture's size. She chuckled and shook her head as she walked down a small hallway which led to Ralph's bedroom. Quietly but surely, she opened his door and peered in. The noon sun was delicately warming the room from outside their game cabinet.

Ralph was peacefully sleeping the day away, a large red blanket gently laid on top of him, pulled down to his chest. He was in his usual orange plaid shirt and a comfortable pair of pants, his hair even more of a mess than usual. Vanellope silently chuckled at the sight and shook her head.

Vanellope very carefully sat on the edge of Ralph's high bed, she scoot close to his shoulder. She examined his sleeping form; even when unconscious, he still exuded power. It showed with his powerful chest rising and falling slowly. His breathing was soft but steady, he was obviously deep in sleep. Vanellope gazed long and hard at his innocent, sleeping state. She felt her heart swell at the sight, his facial expression sweet and blank. She tilted her head and wondered how anyone could be scared of such a big softy. He was half laying on his side, his head faced towards Vanellope. She slowly and cautiously reached her hand out towards him, placing it on his forehead with care. She gently began to pet his forehead and the tufts of hair on the crown of his head. She took this time to really study his features, to give herself a lesson in looking.

Her hand was almost dwarfed by the sheer size of Ralph. Though she had grown a lot because of her update, Ralph was still a lot bigger than her. She lovingly pet his hair, feeling the softness of his medium brown hair between her fingers. She tended to him as if he was her very own. As she sat in silence, minus Ralph's gentle breathing, she pondered the idea of him and her. She let a small smile break across her face at the thought, knowing that there is no deeper love than falling in love with your best friend. She didn't know whether or not she could call it love yet. She figured she'd find out sooner or later, now that they were on speaking terms. Or more than so.

Ralph very slowly, but suddenly, inhaled deeply; he took in more air than the last few minutes. He groaned a little and stretched his arm out, his warm eyes blinked open. Vanellope smiled and gently continued to pet his forehead. She met eyes with Ralph, his being soft and innocent. He blinked a few times in surprised happiness before relaxing and un-tensing. He closed his eyes and exhaled a raspy breath. He let a small smile spread across his face, which was progressively turning red. Vanellope chuckled and ruffled his hair lovingly.

"Wake up, stink brain," Vanellope chuckled before removing her hand to pat Ralph's shoulder, "This is one of the only few amount of days, throughout the whole year, that the arcade is closed, we should really take advantage of it."

"By sleeping," Ralph's voice hoarsely croaked as he breathed a small chuckle.

"You can sleep when you game over," Vanellope said, nudging him.

"How long have you been here?" Ralph asked, his voice still groggy. His eyes were still closed as his face reddened even more so.

"About five minutes," Vanellope said gently as she sat still, gazing down at Ralph with a smile.

"Please don't tell me I was snoring," Ralph uttered as he scrunched his tired face. Vanellope blew a silent raspberry before giggling.

"No, no snoring," Vanellope chuckled, "Not that I know of anyways."

"Good," Ralph grumbled, still smiling. He peeked one eye open and stared up at Vanellope, "That would've been embarrassing."

"C'mon sleepy," Vanellope urged as she stood and straightened out her green hoody. Ralph groaned and slowly sat up, rubbing his face with his large hands, "I'll put a pot of coffee on," She added as she gently left Ralph's room. Ralph turned his head in surprise and smiled sleepily. He slowly got out of bed and stepped into the kitchen shortly after Vanellope did. Vanellope quickly waved her hands at Ralph, shooing him out.

"No, out out, go sit down," Vanellope giggled softly, "I'll get it, you go sit. Shoo."

"But, Vanellope," Ralph croaked as he stepped out of the kitchen. Vanellope shooed him away with her hands.

"No buts," She smiled as she softly nudged him out of the kitchen. Ralph made himself comfortable at the bar ledge of his kitchen. He slumped his face into his hand and smiled at Vanellope.

"Thank you," Ralph smiled as he closed his eyes.

"You're welcome sleepy face," Vanellope sighed as she got the pot of coffee to brew. She brushed her hands off and came to the counter where Ralph was. She faced him and gave him an eager look.

"What do you want to do today?" Vanellope smiled. Ralph groaned playfully and rubbed his face.

"I don't know," Ralph breathed, "I think I need to let my mind catch up from last night still."

"It was a doozy," Vanellope sighed before eyeing Ralph, "How, exactly, did you learn to smoothly dance like that?"

"Um," Ralph's face turned red, "Felix gave me pointers. The smoothness was all me, however. Where it came from, I have no idea." Ralph beamed nervously.

"Wow," Vanellope raised her eyebrows, her face red as well, "Well, you did great. For a second there I was worried the dance floor was going to be shred to bits."

"I can be a gentle giant when needed," Ralph said as he raised one eyebrow.

"It's true," Vanellope smiled as she looked down at the tiled counter, her face lightly blushed. She turned around and readied Ralph's cup of coffee.

"You decided not to wear your usual racing attire today?" Ralph asked gently, noticing her comfy pants and lack of shoes. Her hair was also down. Vanellope shared a chuckle with Ralph as she nervously brought his cup of coffee over; she having had to hold it with both hands to steady the large cup. She set it before Ralph and brushed her hands.

"Naw," She breathed as she set the milk and sugar down in front of Ralph, "No racing on a closed arcade day."

"I noticed you're keeping up with my trend of no shoes," Ralph chuckled as he fixed his cup of coffee his usual way.

"I wish I could do this more often," Vanellope laughed, "It's comfortable."

"That it is," Ralph beamed as he took a slow drink of his coffee. Vanellope smiled and watched him for a moment before looking down to the counter, letting her smile drop.

"Ralph," Vanellope started, her eyes rested on the counter below her, "I feel terrible about Rancis."

"I do too," Ralph croaked as, he too, looked down.

"He's gone, Ralph," Vanellope said softly, "If Vanilla Lake claims you, you don't regenerate."

"Well," Ralph said softly, looking down at his cup, "I-I guess it's my fault he's gone."

"Well, I could say the same thing for myself," she said seriously, "He begged for my help, but I didn't offer it," Vanellope gently leaned on the counter and put her face into her hands, "I'm a horrible person, aren't I?"

"Well, if you're horrible than that makes me ten times that," Ralph chuckled before giving Vanellope a calm, serious look, "Honestly, he had it coming… He tried to kill Felix. If he had his way, he would've ended me as well."

"I don't know what I would've done," Vanellope said, almost in a whisper, as she held her head in her hands. Ralph smiled a little.

"You'd literally have to carry my sorry hide back to this game, just like I did with Felix," Ralph chuckled, "All six hundred and forty three pounds of me."

"Ralph, it's safe to say you'd game over for the sheer fact that I'd be helpless," Vanellope chuckled with a grin. Ralph joined her and beamed.

"What was his problem, anyways?" Ralph wrinkled his nose, his coffee half gone, "Did he just not like me? He admitted himself that he was the one that wrote those confusing notes to us… The very notes that separated us for nearly two years."

"He was jealous of you," Vanellope admitted, avoiding eye contact with Ralph. Ralph blinked a few times.

"Why?" He asked.

"Because we were best friends, Ralph," Vanellope sighed and looked around, searching for the right words, "He was worried that you'd, I-I don't know…"

"O-oh, like," Ralph stuttered, urging Vanellope to continue through the awkward sentence.

"Like boyfriend, girlfriend status," Vanellope said in a louder, slightly annoyed tone. She heaved a long sigh and looked away, her face hot, "He wanted a share of the kingdom."

"Did he truly love you? Or was that just a nice front?" Ralph questioned gently.

"I think he loved me like a sister," Vanellope frowned, "There was no romance. I think he just really fantasized about being King."

"Does Sugar Rush really need a King that badly?" Ralph asked curiously with a chuckle.

"No," Vanellope laughed and sighed, "I-I think, I was just so in love with the idea of having a 'side kick'. Rancis was a good friend, but he always tried to pretend we were on the road to romance. I just was floored at the nice things he got for me. He spoiled me with gifts, but that was about it."

Ralph opened his mouth to speak before there was a knock on the door. Before he could reposition himself to get up, Vanellope quickly waved her hands at him and darted from the kitchen to the front door. Ralph sighed and smiled as he rolled his eyes. Vanellope opened the door with a happy smile.

"Felix!" Vanellope chimed, ever so happy to see him after last night's episode, "Good morning, friend."

"I thought I saw you enter our game," Felix beamed as he stepped inside Ralph's house. He was in his gaming clothes, but his gloves and hat were off. He looked just as comfortable as Vanellope and Ralph. The three were stoked to have a lazy day.

"Yeah," Vanellope smiled, "I couldn't sleep any longer, so I figured I'd come over early and get Ralph up."

"Was it near impossible to get him up?" Felix laughed as he pat Ralph's arm, as a way to say hello, as he sat down next to him at the counter; the bar stools almost too big for Felix.

"No," Vanellope said with a loving smile as she assumed her position on the other side of the counter from the two boys, "It wasn't difficult." Vanellope caught eyes with Ralph, both smiling. Ralph looked down and sipped the rest of his drink.

"Thats a surprise," Felix chuckled, "Calhoun should be over sometime soon."

"Sorry that your guys' New Year's celebration got interrupted and cut short," Vanellope frowned.

"Ohh it didn't," Felix chuckled, waving his hand as if to motion it wasn't a big deal, "I had my own New Year's celebration, with my bride, after the party."

"Oh really now," Ralph chuckled, eyeing Felix. Felix rolled his eyes and innocently laughed.

"Yeah, we celebrated the fact that I didn't game over for good," Felix laughed, his facial expression pleased. He shook his head and cleared his throat, giving Vanellope a serious, apologetic look, "I'm really sorry about your friend Rancis."

"You heard what happened?" Vanellope asked gently.

"I was there, albeit laying on the ground in agonizing pain," Felix chuckled and shrugged, "But I still saw him drown. I guess he didn't regenerate?"

"I guess if you drown in Vanilla Lake, you don't regenerate," Ralph added.

"Yeah," Vanellope looked down, "I don't really know how to feel about it. The arcade lost a racer, I lost a friend, even if he wasn't very friendly towards the last few weeks of his life."

"If he were to stay around, Ralph and I would likely be dead," Felix said gently, looking at Vanellope, hoping she'd weigh the pros and cons. Vanellope nodded as Felix took in a breath to continue, "No one ever wants someone to die in order for others to live and be happy, but I have a feeling if you lost Ralph for good, you'd never forgive Rancis."

"I wouldn't," Vanellope agreed as she shook her head, "I wouldn't forgive him if his stunt even killed you last night. I wouldn't speak to him ever again."

"I'm glad to know you both care," Felix said before gently nudging Ralph, "You really DO have a heart, Wreck-It."

"I'm not a cybug," Ralph chuffed, feeling embarrassed.

"I knew he had a heart the day he taught me how to drive," Vanellope said sweetly, giving Felix a knowing smile, Felix stifled a laugh. Ralph chuffed and quickly stood.

"Stop being sappy, you guys," Ralph quietly barked as he moved into the kitchen, nudging Vanellope playfully on the way to the kitchen sink.

"Oh," Felix chimed as he turned towards Ralph's window, "I think I hear the train. That must be Calhoun," Felix said as he got off of his barstool and headed for the door, "I have a lunch date today. I'll be seeing you guys later, ok?"

"See you Felix," Vanellope smiled with a friendly wave, Ralph waved as well before Felix left Ralph's house, closing the door behind him.

"Ralph?" Vanellope chimed softly, Ralph turned around and rested against the counter behind him, his large hands on the counter on either side of him. He raised his eyebrows to show that he was listening, "I-I know it sounds weird, but I want to go back to Vanilla

Lake."

"You want to go back to the crime scene?" Ralph chuckled.

"It doesn't have to be like that," Vanellope breathed as she looked around, her cheeks pink, "I really didn't get a chance to take it all in."

"You want to go back, today?" Ralph asked softly, Vanellope nodded with a smile.

"There's something I want to try," Vanellope stated softly, Ralph looked at her curiously.

"What is it?" He asked.

"You'll see," Vanellope beamed as she straightened out her hoody,

"Should we get going?"

"Sure," Ralph smiled as him and Vanellope quickly made their way out of the kitchen.