Disclaimer: Don't own Code Lyoko

Chapter 1

I frowned as my nervous hands fumbled to straighten the necktie I unfortunately was gagged with. "I can't imagine who invented these dreadful things!?" I breathed sternly as my frustration built.

"You're just nervous Jeremie." Aelita calmly stated before coming and fixing the tie herself. I slowly released a heavy sigh, her voice seeming to unwind me somewhat. "I admit I'm scared half to death..." She shot me a playful grin. "Well if you weren't so brilliant, you wouldn't have to worry about being considered for promotions." I smiled as a tiny laugh almost escaped my lips.

I couldn't deny a part of me wished I had just blended in with everyone else at the company. But no... I had to suggest a better way. There was just something about being lost in code that made me strive for perfection. And now that motivation had landed me a dinner invitation with none other than the head of my department. I knew he was trying to make the evening seem more casual by asking me to bring Aelita, since his wife would be there too, but... Well I still got the feeling I was going to be under close inspection.

"Are you nervous at all?" I asked seeming puzzled by her calmness. She thought for a moment before nodding slightly. "Yes a little. But only for you Jeremie." I rubbed the back of my neck as I let go of another sigh. "Well one thing is for sure...there isn't any way for me to get out of tonight whether I'm nervous or not." She grinned wider as a laugh she couldn't contain escaped. "So that means you won't be running for the exits as soon as we get there?"

I playfully rolled my eyes. "Very funny..." She laughed again before reaching out to straighten my coat. "Besides, together we've faced a lot scarier things than your boss Jeremie." My shoulders dropped as I let her statement calm me. "Yeah...I guess you're right about that." For a second my mind gently drifted back in time, where a million memories greeted me. That was until a certain realization zapped my brain.

"But wait!" I suddenly shouted as my eyes went wide. "What if he or his wife asks how we met?" Aelita was silent for a few moments before speaking. "I hadn't thought of that actually..." She then shrugged as a smile crept over her face. "Maybe I should be nervous after all?" I turned to take one last look in the mirror, before accepting that my appearance was in as much order as it would get tonight. "We could say you had a lot to do with my love of programing I guess..." Her smile took on greater warmth as she placed a hand on my shoulder and leaned to kiss me on the cheek. "Whatever happens, you'll be wonderful Jeremie. I have the upmost faith in you..."

Our one year wedding anniversary was only about a month away, yet when she kissed me...I still felt like the same giddy and awkward schoolboy I had been all those years ago. I figured I'd never lose that feeling.

And for that I was really thankful.

Soon enough though, we found ourselves standing outside the restaurant and I again felt my heartbeat lunge in my chest. I guess Aelita knew that all too well, so she squeezed my hand and took the first step inside, pulling me along with her. It only took a few moments before my boss caught sight of me and motioned us over. "G-Good evening sir!" I stammered as I pulled out Aelita's chair before sitting down myself.

He smiled kindly from across the table. "Ah, good to see you again Jeremie. May I presume this is the lovely Mrs. Belpois I've heard so much about?" I smiled though I was sure my face must have been flinching somewhat. "Um yes sir, this is Aelita." She then gave her usual beautiful smile. "It's nice to meet you sir." He nodded. "The pleasure is mine. Here let me introduce you to my wife Kathryn." He then gestured to the middle aged woman beside him. She smiled. "My husband has mentioned a lot about you Mr. Belpois, he says you've got quite the head on your shoulders when it comes to programing."

My boss grinned wider. "Indeed you do Jeremie. So I just wanted to let you know that this dinner is really just my way of thanking you for everything you've done for our company. That is to say...I've already chosen you for the position of my head programmer." My heart dropped in my chest. "Sir do you mean that!?" He nodded. "Skill like yours only comes around once in a life time, I'd be foolish not to take advantage of it." Aelita reached for my hand as she looked up into my eyes. "Oh Jeremie that's wonderful, congratulations!" My boss's wife simply smiled. "Good, now that's enough business, let's just relax and enjoy the evening." My face beamed with joy as a small bit of laughter left my throat. "Yes ma'am!"

All in all when everything was said and done, I couldn't believe I had been nervous in the first place. Again Aelita was right about everything. So with the starry sky above us, and autumn colored leaves drifting on and off our path, we walked home that night. All the while her arm was wrapped tightly about my own, as she leaned gently into my shoulder.

Somehow I didn't quite know what I had done to deserve being the happiest man alive...

But without a doubt...I was.

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