...I'm baaaack...

Don't

By Harmony283

Summary: Max has been away from home for four years, and, after a year and a half of not communicating with his family he decides to come back because May is pregnant. But will it really be that easy? And why exactly was he away for so long?

Pairings: Multiple Pairings (too many too list) one immediately noticable pairing though is May/Drew

Timeline: Hmm...Max is 15 in this (yes he's the main character as he is in nearly all my Pokemon Fanfics) so it takes place a little over 4 years after May and Max left the group (after the Kanto Battle Frontier Saga). Oh yes and Max started his Pokemon Journey at age 11. And I will TRY to get the ages right, but I'll have to guess for some.

Authors Note: Well it's been a while since I've stepped foot in this section and firstly I have to say I'm sorry to those who like my other fanfics, but they're going to be put on temporary hiatus. Why? Because at the moment I'm working on way too many fanfics for my own good and I'm getting kinda overwhelmed. But don't worry, if I for some reason get a burst of inspiration for one of the other fanfics I WILL WORK ON IT. –cough- Now about this fanfic—it was originally written 3 years ago (and I'm still working on it now) so this is a rewrite. I'm also working on this/uploading it just for fun because this fanfic contains my favorite characters from Pokemon (including the games) as well as my few favorite OC's that I've made up for Pokemon fanfics only. Also I know this might bare a resemblance to Azure Scarlet later on—but this fanfic came first and Azure Scarlet is basically just left over ideas I had for this fanfic. Heck even the original version of this fanfic isn't even over with –mumbles- not that should say that now…-coughs loudly- anyways I hope you enjoy this fanfic so I'll just stop ranting now...

WARNING(S): language, alcohol usage, slightly unstable minds (for some characters), suggestiveness, odd pairings (is this really a warning?); possible drug usage, shonen-ai, mention of rape and violence are ahead! Now do you see why this fanfic is rated M? (though most of these won't be seen till later on)

Pokemon--regular

Pokemon--flashback

'Pokemon'--voices in flashbacks/own voice in head

Pokemon--the 'consciences' voice in head/Pokemon's voice in head (ex. Gardevoir speaking to Max)

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Max's POV

I paused in the doorway of the Pokemon Center room I had decided to stay in as snowflakes began to fall outside. I shivered and pulled my jacket closer around my body, even though the heater was supposedly 'on'. I walked over to the desk placed right underneath the lone window of the room and reached a gloved hand out, touching the glass. It was chilly even though these gloves were thick.

But still…it was snowing in April. That in and of itself was unusual.

I turned away from the window and pulled out the chair pushed under the desk. I dropped my backpack in it before slipping off my jacket and throwing it on the lone bed in the room. I shivered again as I peeled the gloves off my hands, which were sweaty for some odd reason.

Then my gaze fell on the window again. I don't know why but…I reached out again, and touched the glass with my bare hand only to immediately jerk it back again. Yeah it was cold…very cold.

'Then again it is still early in the morning. And it's cloudy out.' I let out a sigh and walked over to the bed, shifting my coat over so that I could lean back against the soft covers, "I hope it stops snowing soon." I mutter up at the ceiling before turning on my side. I grabbed the pillow from somewhere on the bed above my head, and pulled it so that it was under my head.

I let out a soft yawn before nearly burying my head in the pillow, "Mm yeah I hope it does stop snowing soon…I hate the snow…"

For a few seconds I laid there in complete and utter silence. Well, not complete silence, I could hear myself breathing, but it was close enough. I felt my eyes droop slightly and I closed them. After all I did get up way too early this morning. It was only 7AM…two more hours of sleep never hurt anyone…

…

I smiled, 'Yeah I know. Hey Treeko, I'm sure you already know but I'm your new owner now!'

'Treeko!' it cried out as it nuzzled my neck. Something…told me it was a girl. But it did tickle, 'yeah it's nice to meet you too.'

Suddenly the glass doors to the Pokemon center slid open and there, standing in the entry way, was Professor Birch's assistant, 'Professor Birch!' he panted out, 'This…I found a hurt Pokemon outside…and it won't let me touch it.'

This seemed to surprise the Professor, 'What? Which Pokemon is it? Don't tell me it's one of those Poochyena again. They always get hurt.'

His assistant shook his head, 'N-no it's a…Ralts…'

This seemed to catch him off guard but he nodded his head, 'Yes fine. The more the better especially since it's a psychic type. Though I'm sure it doesn't have enough energy to teleport…it might try. Okay then let's go!'

And just like that we ran out the doors of the lab and into the nearby forest. For a moment everything seemed quiet, my Treeko swung from the branches overhead, and that…worried me.

'Max…'

I nearly tripped over a large root sticking up from the ground as I heard a familiar voice in my head.

'Max is that you…? I'm hurt again…please help me.'

I bit my lip and nodded my head, not wanting to say anything out loud. That…would be odd. But Treeko seemed to notice and hopped back on my shoulder from the tree branch above.

This really did make me fall.

Professor Birch turned back to face me, 'Are you okay?'

I nodded my head; 'Y-yeah I'm fine.'

'We're getting closer,' the assistant said, he had also paused at a tree up ahead, 'actually…there, see,' he pointed somewhere ahead of him, 'There's the Ralts.'

I got up quickly and ran over to where he was standing. Sure enough, there in the clearing was a Ralts…a Ralts that looked extremely hurt…

'Max are you here?'

I moved away from the tree I had been hiding behind and walked towards the wounded Ralts, 'Yeah it's me.'

Ralts tried to raise its head, 'Please…I'm hurt…can you heal me like before?'

I nodded my head, 'Yeah just come with me…' I reached down to pick up Ralts but then, when I turned around…it was gone…as was Professor Birch and his assistant. In their place soft snow was falling and I was standing at the edge of a river frozen over with ice.

But…as my eyes traveled along the iced over river, following it to the bridge someways down…I saw that it was cracked. Then I looked up so that I could see the actual bridge. And there, sprawled out right under the bridge was…

Pryce, the Gym Leader.


He had pieces of ice sticking into his flesh, and his head and blood was seeping from the back of his head, causing the ice to turn a deep crimson red beneath him.

He was dead.

…

My eyes jolt open and I sit up, breathing hard. I-I hadn't had that dream in a while. My eyes drifted towards the window, it was still snowing but not as hard as it was before, 'Yeah it must've been the snow.'

I shakily stand up and shake my head, "But still…that dream…Pryce…I wonder," my eyes drifted to the clock on the desk, it read 10:45AM, "did mom and dad hear about his death? They didn't call me or anything…not that they could but," I let out a sigh, "I really hope they don't bring it up."

'Not that that was the worst dream I've ever had, nor the worst memory.'

'Max'

I flinched at the concerned sounding voice of Gardevoir, "Yeah, yeah I know. I won't think about that. I know what happens when I do."

'As long as you know, it's fine. Not that you would forget but you're going to be late.'

I stuck out my tongue at the air around me, "Right, right I know." I picked up my jacket and slipped it on. I stared at my bag for a few seconds; then I turned around and left. I'd actually be coming back here later, so I could leave it here without worrying.

But wait…

I reach a hand in my pocket and pull out my PDA, "Good, I still have it with me. Okay I'm ready to go." I glanced once more back at the room, not that anything was going to move, before walking out and shutting the door behind me.

I walked through the front lobby, smiling at Nurse Joy, who smiled brightly back, "It's so nice to see you're back, Max."

I nodded my head, "Yeah, I haven't been back in a while…I've been busy." I rubbed the back of my head, putting on what I hoped was a sheepish and apologetic grin. Thankfully Nurse Joy seemed to buy it, "So how have mom and dad been doing? And what about May? They…I found out that she's pregnant."

Nurse Joy's face fell a little at that, "I…I really shouldn't know this, but you know how good of friends I am with your father. Um," she shifted and looked past me out the front doors of the lobby to check if anyone was coming, "Well I'm not entirely sure but Caroline doesn't seem to be doing well. I've only seen her a few times when I went to do checkups on Norman's pokemon but other than that…" she paused and shook her head.

I sighed, "I see…and what about dad? He's still running the Gym okay?"

Nurse Joy smiled at this, "Yes, he's been getting so much better lately. That's actually good though since the Pokemon Trainers seem to get that much tougher. I wonder what would happen if you challenged him to a Pokemon battle?"

I shook my head, "I beat him once and I don't wanna do it again. Too much pressure. I'm glad he's doing okay though--what about May?"

Nurse Joy nodded her head, but she seemed almost nervous now, "I think you should go see her. She came back a few months ago with…her boyfriend. Um, at first nothing seemed out of the ordinary but it wasn't like her to just stay here. Then we found out she was pregnant."

Ah, "So she didn't tell mom and dad right away? That's not like her. Not that I can blame her I'm sure she was really nervous."

Nurse Joy seemed shocked at this, "You mean…you aren't upset either? She's only seventeen."

I shrugged, "Well at least she isn't thirteen."

Nurse Joy's hand flies to her mouth, "What…?"

I just shrug again, "I've been traveling in Orre for the past year and a half, you see things like that…and it's a lot more common there than it will ever be anywhere else."

She brings her hand away from her mouth and sighs, "I-I see. Yes there's always something worse that could happen. Y-yes she's still young but at least she loves her boyfriend and he loves her." She smiled, but it seemed forced, "Though your father on the other hand--"

Suddenly the sliding glass doors of the Pokemon Center open and a trainer rushes in, "Nurse Joy! My Pokemon got stung by a Wurmple!" The trainer--a girl with short cropped pale pink hair and grey eyes--said, holding out a pokeball.

"Oh…oh my, okay here let me see it." Nurse Joy takes it into her hands, shooting me an apologetic look before walking into the back room.

And that was my cue to leave. I turned around swiftly and walked out, not even looking at the girl--though I knew she was staring at me. Of course if anyone even traveled through this town they'd probably hear about May and me. Probably more about May now that she was, what, eight months pregnant? Close to nine?

I let out a sigh and walked out into the bitter morning air. I could see my breath, which was normal, but…I shivered, "Jeez, at least I don't have to walk far."

And really I didn't. My home--the Gym--was at the end of this road--and the greenhouse took up most of the space between the Pokemon Center and there. I actually reached it in a matter of minutes.

What surprised me, though, was that the door to the Greenhouse was open. That meant someone was in there either feeding the pokemon or training. But dad was the only one who had the key to the outside door…and he wouldn't leave it open unless...

'Unless he was waiting for someone.'

Now I wished the walk hadn't been too short. I could see dad kneeling down next to his Slakoth, patting its head and telling it good work, or something like that. He looked happy.

'But he's not going to be happy with me.' I flinched at the thought. But it wasn't like I could turn around and run away. I had actually sent them an e-mail back saying I'd come visit before the baby was due.

I took a deep breath and walked up to the open door, peering inside. Dad noticed me and immediately stood up. His eyes locked with mine and for a second I saw joy—he was happy to see me. But then they glazed over…

Oh crud, he was mad…very mad.

"Hello there, son, it's nice to see you finally came back." His voice was oddly calm though, which made me even more worried.

I opened my mouth to respond, "Hey—"

But he cut me off, "Might I ask what you've been doing for the past year in a half?"

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May's POV

Morning Sickness. It was probably the only thing I hated about being pregnant. I washed my mouth out once more with water before straightening up and touching my stomach. I was eight months pregnant; my baby would be due in a few weeks. I couldn't help but smile, "My baby…my—"

"May, are you okay?" A muffled voice asked from the other side of the door. I turned my head towards it and smiled, "Yes I'm fine, Drew." I walked over to the door and opened it.

There standing right in front of the doorway was Drew, his hair slightly askew from just waking up. He looked relieved when he saw me and his eyes traveled down to my stomach, "The baby…?"

I giggled, "She's actually kicking now…ouch." I winced as the baby kicked again; she had been doing that a lot lately. Drew walked over to my and placed a hand on my stomach, he smiled when he felt the baby kick again; "She wants to come out doesn't she?"

I nodded my head, "Yeah…but she'll have to wait at least three more weeks. But I'm sure they'll go by quickly," I placed my hand over Drew's, "so sweetie you'll just have to wait."

Drew nodded his head, "Yes, Erin, you'll just have to wait."

"Oh! May, Drew you're up?" I blinked and turned my head towards the living room where mom was standing in front of the couch with a bright smile on her face. She walked over to us and smiled even brighter, "Morning sickness again?"

I nodded my head, "Well hopefully it won't last much longer. It's just something that happens with being pregnant and all."

"Ah, yeah mom, I know." I tried to smile back, but it wasn't as bright. I didn't even know how mom could attempt such a bright smile—especially when Max said he'd come home.

I mentally shook my head, 'No, Max coming home is a good thing. Yeah he hasn't been home for a while but that doesn't mean he's cut himself off from the family! He wouldn't do that.'

Or at least I hope he wouldn't do that. He isn't that kind of person. In fact he seems more like the person who would keep a family together…not tear them apart by not contacting them at all.

"Oh—where's dad?"

Mom blinked, looking slightly confused, "Well…he was in the Gym. But I think he might be out in the greenhouse now taking care of Slakoth since you know how much that…trainer…beat it up."

I winced, "Mom…"

"Hmm?"

Suddenly there was a loud whistling in the distance which seemed to catch mom's attention, "Oh! The water's done boiling. I'll go get that. May why don't you be a dear and go get your father? Drew would you mind helping me serve the tea? After all Max," her voice cracked a bit as she said his name, "Max said he'd be here in a bit."

Drew pulled his hand away from my stomach and nodded his head, "Of course." He gave me a half-worried half apologetic glance before following mom into the living room. I let out a sigh and walked back down the hallway towards the 'back door' of the greenhouse.

What I saw when I walked through the door surprised me though. There, standing in the front entrance, wearing a navy blue jacket covering what looked like a black turtle neck and black pants, was…was…

Max.

And he looked nervous, 'But why wouldn't he be nervous? After all he hasn't been home in a year. He probably knew dad was going to ask him what he had been doing. How could he not ask him what he had been doing?'

"Well…? Aren't you going to answer me?" he asked Max, neither seemed to notice I was in the room yet.

"I've been busy," Max said with a shrug of his shoulders, his voice had gotten much deeper since the last time I heard it when he was ten, "and coming home is hard especially when half of the time I'm no where near a port City when you want me to come home." He sounded almost annoyed, but he seemed to catch that himself, "I-I thought just calling you would be fine…I mean Ash never went home much."

Dad let out an annoyed sigh, "Well that's because Ash is the Pokemon Champion of the Kanto region, and he's an adult. But he did go home at least once after each region to say hello to his mother. Whereas you only came home once after the Hoenn finals—then you disappeared."

Max went rigid, and averted his gaze…towards me, his eyes widened slightly and he smiled, "Hey May!"

Dad whirled around at this, "May…?"

I smiled nervously and walked forward, "Um…h-hey Dad, Max," I suddenly had the urge to run over to Max but whether or not it was to hug the living daylights out of him or yell at him I didn't know, "Mom's getting some tea ready if you w-want some."

Max's eyes seemed to soften at this, "Really? That's nice of her. So you guys really did expect me to come?" He immediately flinched at the words. And I knew he wanted to take them back. But before he could dad spoke up.

"Why yes, we were expecting you. And oddly enough you actually came." His voice was overly bitter, and his eyes…were extremely cold, "And it's good that you came since as you can see May is about to have her child."

Now I was the one who flinched as dad's eyes fell on me, or rather they focused in on my stomach. I already knew he disapproved of my relationship with Drew but…the fact that he was so against it scared me.

Max seemed to notice this as well, "Hey…it's getting kinda cold in here, why don't we go inside?" it was just a suggestion—I could tell that's all he meant by it from the attempted smile on his face—but it came out almost as an order.

"I wasn't finished out here though." Dad stated, turning back to look at Max, who looked back easily. In a second their eyes locked…and it got…very…tense…

So tense to the point that I just wanted to leave. But if I did then dad probably would get mad at me. And I didn't need that.

"Well then you could always stay in here, though mom would probably wonder why you didn't want to come inside." Max's voice even sounded tense…and like he had some sort of authority over dad.

'But how is that possible? I mean Max isn't a Gym Leader or anything, though he isn't exactly looking away like I thought he would.'

And he really wasn't looking away. His eyes still stayed locked with dads; like this was some sort of staring contest he was determined to win.

But what would be the prize?

Obviously I didn't know and I didn't want to know. Especially since at the moment it looked like dad was losing.

Max seemed to notice this too, but instead of looking happy about it he almost looked sad, "Well if you want to stay out here you can." He closed his eyes and walked past dad, "I'm going in. Besides." He walked up to me and smiled, "I want to meet your boyfriend."

Oh wait…that's right. He didn't know.

"Y-yeah o-okay, um," I looked back over at dad who was just staring at where Max had been standing. He looked hurt.

"I'll wait inside then."

I blinked and turned back to look at Max just as he disappeared through the doorway.

I turned back to look at dad and sighed, "Mom really wants you to come in, dad. And Max is right; it is getting cold in here."

Dad just shook his head, "I'll be fine. If Caroline's still worried just tell her where to find me. I need," he raised his pokeball and returned Slakoth to it, "I need to think…"

I shook my head silently and turned around, 'If he wants to think, let him think. I'd better hurry up—or else Max'll be surprised about who—'

I didn't even get a chance to finish my thought as I heard mom cry out, "Max! You finally came home!"

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A/N: And there's the first chapter of Don't. As I said in the beginning this is a rewrite and…so far this chapter is significantly shorter than the original (which was a little over 16 pages long). Though IMO shorter chapters makes it easier read. Also as I said in the beginning I'm writing this for fun but that doesn't mean that REVIEWS, CC, & Flames (as long as you've read the chapter first) can't be accepted. In fact I LOVE them! So please REVIEW!

-Harmony283