Tori knew all about liking someone and not being able to talk about it. She listened to Mei Lien as they walked along the shops in the mall. She didn’t make it a habit to hang with random students outside of class, but when Mei Lien had asked about help with Valentine’s Day shopping, she couldn’t resist. This was her chance to shop for Blake without the commentary. Even though everyone knew about her and Blake, she didn’t always want to fend off all of the suggestions and insinuations that Shane would give. Dustin, he’d be oblivious and snicker at whatever Shane said. No, Mei Lien was perfect because to her the fact that Blake and Tori were together was a fact, a truth, and an envious notion. Only a girl could understand.

And Mei Lien obviously needed the girl time as well. She was venting.

“It was so strange, what I remember. Here I was a cat. The supposed man-of-my-dreams was caring for me. All should have been perfect. If only I hadn’t had the insatiable fear that the longer I stayed a cat, the more likely I’d be stuck as a cat.”

“Lucky you felt that way.” Tori glanced at her and smirked.

“Yeah. Though now I feel like I’ve lost that closeness we were developing. I mean he still wants me around and all, but I think he liked me better as a cat.”

“So Cam’s into cats?” Tori couldn’t help but giggle.

“Well, so much as he’s told me, he’s not into me. He said he’d like to keep us as friends.”

“And CyberCam’s really in your class?”

“Yeah.” Mei Lien sighed.

Tori giggled again. “So how is that working for you?”

Mei Lien blushed. “Huh? I … uh… is it wrong to… I mean… he IS his cybertwin. Sensei Hiro says he’s a person because he thinks for himself.”

“Mei Lien, you don’t have to defend CyberCam. It was a joke.”

“It is wrong, isn’t it? But it’s not like it’s some freaky Sci-Fi special where if the girl can’t have the guy, she makes the cyber clone. He is his own entity now. He thinks for himself. He picks his own path. He’s developing past his programming.

“Mei Lien, I’ve never said it was wrong.”

“Yeah, I guess I’m just… I just needed to hear I’m not crazy. Especially, since I’m trying to shop for something for him.”

“In our world, even all of this is sane.”

It had been fun hanging with Tori. She had given a lot of insight. Blake was sure going to be surprised when he saw her show up in the Shock Proof moto jersey they had found. Tori had gone all out, spending a good portion of her shopping money to make a wonderful night for her and Blake, complete with two tickets to an all-night film festival of Kung Fu movies.

Mei Lien had not done as well. Nothing had stood out for her simply because she wasn’t sure what CyberCam would want. What do you buy for a cyber being? She had stumbled onto a few things in an Asian art store. It was tough because CyberCam simply made whatever he needed. She didn’t know much about his hobbies. She didn’t want to get something too big or relationshippy so soon. She had finally chosen to get some India ink, parchment, and a bamboo brush. Sensei Hiro had instructed that they all pick up some form of creative outlet since a samurai was to be well rounded. Yes, she would get him these. Maybe he would do calligraphy, like Kanji, or perhaps he would do those watercolor paintings, like the ones she’d seen of Mount Fuji.

Sneaking back to the school with their purchased bounty, Tori and Mei Lien stumbled upon an unusual scene. Cy was sitting by the waterfall. That wasn’t quite the unusual part. Blake was strolling up to where Cy sat. That made both Tori and Mei Lien’s eyes widen. Blake plopped down beside Cy and handed him a cola. Tori signaled and both girls snuck closer. Blake sighed just as Tori and Mei Lien had found a comfortable spot.

“So I thought I might pick your brain?”

“Wassup?” The bright green hat bobbed in the moonlight as Cy accepted the cola.

“Well, considering you have access to your database in there and all. I thought you might know what Tori might be surprised by for V-day.”

Cy hid his sulk as best as he could. “Why would THAT be in the database?”

“Because Cam takes notes on everything. Dustin has even compared him to Batman. I can only guess that might mean something if I read the comics. But Dustin’s sure that Cam has files on all of us just like Batman has on the Justice guys.”

“Justice League. And it’s not in there? Why don’t you ask Dustin what she’d like?”

“Because she’ll expect what Dustin suggests. They’ve been friends for too long.”

“Well, I don’t have any hidden info on her Toriness.”

“Ooh-kay.” Silence swallowed them. Blake let the silence have a good taste and then shook it off. “Look. I didn’t know cyberbeings could mope. You’re almost brooding as bad as Hunter.”

“Take her out to eat?”

“Dude, that’s boring.”

“Not for a girl.” Cy watched the water. Tori still owned a soft spot in his heart. His eyes drifted to where the water met the land. Mei Lien suddenly filled his mind. Was she replacing Tori? No. Was she obtainable? Possibly. Could he like Mei Lien more? Maybe.

Yes. Cy nodded his head.

“What?” Blake was suddenly looking at him.

“I’m falling for Mei Lien. I need to get her something. I need to do something. I need to make it real.”

“I know what you mean.” Blake’s head lowered.

“Tell her you love her at dinner.”

“What?” The Thunder seemed instantly tense… and possibly panicked. Cy looked at him and watched him resume his breathing… watched the shock wear off.

“It won’t work for me. Mei Lien and I are too soon. I have to make this real first. Win her from my brother or from her image of my brother, since Cam’s not really interested in her. But you… and Tori… you’re both beyond that.”

“You sound weird… you're talking…”

“I’m thinking aloud… my brain is IBM, you know. Well, not really. I don’t crash that often.”

“Huh?”

“Computer joke, T-dude. Look, take her out to eat and tell her.”

The girls looked at each other, eyes wide. Simultaneously, they slipped back into the night and back to Tori’s van. As soon as the doors shut… the whispering ensued.

Back at the falls…

“I kind of wished I hadn’t let the girls sneak up now.” Blake shook his head.

“Yeah. It was soo easier to confess… but now it’s going to be like uber weird. I’m not sure if it’ll help or not.