A/N: A few years ago I wrote "Expedition". I have re-read it since and I hate this story. It's bland, it has way too many spelling errors, incorrect grammar and swapping point of view from my horrible 'editing'. I wanted to re-write it, and I suppose now is that time. The plot, characters etc. really haven't changed, just a little updated and edited.

...

Steven walked into work. Today everything seemed to be going so well. He was sure that today would be a wonderful day. He waved to the receptionist, who blushed, waving enthusiastically back. Even the cleaners were smiling as they swept the floor and cleaned the windows.

He smiled, feeling oddly proud of his work place. He knew today would be a great day.

That was until he heard his father call out to him.

"Steven!"

He looked at his father, seeing his father's beaming face, and instantly knowing that his father was most definitely up to no good. "What is it?" he asked politely, although he felt a growing dread in his stomach.

"So, about that assistant that I was looking for-"

Steven frowned. "What assistant?" he asked, confused. He had no idea that his father was after an assistant, let alone why it was information that Steven had to know about. Regardless, his father wouldn't tell him if it wasn't important.

Mr. Stone shook his head. "Steven don't you ever listen? The assistant for your expedition, of course!"

Firstly, Steven had no idea what assistant he was talking about. Secondly, he was a man in his mid-twenties! He was 100% sure that he did not need an assistant to help him to do something he had been doing for years and thirdly, why would his father pick someone who he had never met? Didn't he deserve a say in this? Steven definitely had a bad feeling about this. His stomach dropped. "Dad-?"

"So, if you ever listened to me, you would know that I interviewed a bunch of people last week, and I have to admit I might have outdone myself. I definitely found the perfect one. With my skills in interviewing I picked the perfect boy for you."

Steven felt like he would throw up. That line was just not right, no matter the context. He rubbed his temples, exhaling slowly. "Ok, when is he going to be here? And anyway, why do I even need an assistant?"

Mr. Stone rested a hand on Steven's shoulder. "You aren't getting any younger, Steven."

"Really?" He wasn't even twenty seven and apparently needed an assistant. He had no hope once he hit thirty.

"And he will be here any minute now" his father finished. "Isn't that great?"

Hardly.

Mr. Stone patted his shoulder again. "Well, I will see you later today Steven." He walked over to the elevator, having a quick word with one of the cleaners before disappearing into the elevator.

Okay.

"This can't be too bad, right?" he murmured to himself, rubbing his temples. He knew nothing good would come out of having an untrained assistant. He decided the best thing to do would be to finish the last of his work before he finished up at the end of the day. He didn't have a lot of work, as he had finally caught up, but there was always the last minute emails and phone calls that he just had to do.

He walked toward the elevator with the intent of organising his day, when one of the receptionists called out.

"Hi Mr. Stone!"

He looked over, not sure as to why everyone had to undermine his efforts for a good and productive day.

"Are you here to meet your new assistant?" she continued. "He is-"

He was sure he was actually getting a tension headache. "Wait a minute… did you know that I was getting an assistant?" he asked a bit too slowly.

She smiled her usual cheery smile. "Of course, your father, Mr. Stone, has been looking for quite some time."

"Quite some time… and I was the only one who didn't know. Great."

She laughed nervously. "Well, he is here now."

"Who?"

"Your new assistant, of course."

He let out a sharp breath. "Right, of course. My new assistant. Well, I better get this over and done with."

She stepped out from behind the desk. "Right this way" she beckoned, walking towards the waiting area.

Steven followed her, trying his hardest to keep his face deadpan. A young looking teen with jet black hair and the brightest ruby eyes he had ever seen looked up at him. Steven stepped back, feeling cautious. He wasn't sure what to expect.

"So, Steven, this is Ruby" the receptionist announced, her smile still intact.

Ruby stood up, a confident smile plastered on his face. "It's a pleasure to meet you" he said, his voice gentle, holding out his hand.

"Good morning Ruby" Steven replied curtly, politely ignoring his hand. "Firstly I have to thank you for coming all this way. I truly appreciate it, however, I must apologize as you aren't needed to fill this position. Good luck in your future endeavours."

Ruby frowned, obviously not impressed. "Excuse me!? I didn't come all this way to be fired!" his previously gentle voice no longer so gentle and his Johtoian accent becoming more pronounced. He set his delicate hands on his hips. "I demand an explanation-"

"You know what?" he seethed, leaning down to the teen's level. "I didn't ask for an assistant, let alone some teenage brat who is too small to even do half the work I do."

The receptionist smiled awkwardly. "Well, I am glad that this is going well, but… I have to go." She briskly walked away, her high heels clicking on the tiled floor.

Ruby rolled his eyes, obviously not impressed by the display before him. "Wow, what a mess" he scoffed. "What does your father think of you Steven?"

Steven wasn't in the mood. "You're still fired."

Ruby crossed his arms across his body. "I have already signed a contract and only your father can fire me."

Steven's eyes narrowed. "You know, I am going to go and see him about that." Steven turned and quickly walked away. Steven rarely got angry, or even irritated. He was generally a very calm and approachable person. However, he couldn't quite understand what it was about Ruby that irritated him so much. He simply didn't like him and he hadn't even been in the teen's presence for five minutes. There was no way he was going on a three month expedition with that brat. It would drive him insane!

He suddenly felt something heavy hit him in the back and he fell face first to the ground. "Uff-" he gasped, feeling the air escape him, leaving him slightly winded. He had to pause to ensure he hadn't broken a rib or wrist. He looked over his shoulder at a flushed Ruby.

"No! You can't!"

"Wh-what?" he was speechless. The brat had tackled him in his place of work. How humiliating! He could feel every set of eyes in the foyer on him. He swallowed, feeling his face heat up. He quickly regained his composure. "What are you doing? Get off me!" he snapped.

"No. I am sorry."

"Ruby, for the love of Arceus get off me!"

Ruby quickly stumbled to his feet, holding out a hand to help Steven up, who rejected it, pushing himself up.

Ruby bowed his head. "So-sorry."

"You… ugh…" he shook his head.

"Steven?"

He looked at the large ruby eyes, thin brows were knotted.

"Please don't fire me" he pleaded.

Steven sighed, head in his hand. "Were you lying about the contract?"

"Yes."

"Why on earth did you tackle me?" he asked, not expecting an intelligent response.

"I panicked. I want this job. I want…" his cheeks turned a pretty pink against the ivory skin.

Steven tilted his head to the side, a brow raised. "Hm?"

"I just really wanted a chance to work with you" he finished, looking down at the floor.

"You… want to work… with me?" Steven asked slowly, not believing that some teenager would be interested in working with him.

He nodded. "Yeah. I do."

He had to be steadfast and stick to his plan. "I don't need an assistant."

"How about I carry all your stuff?" he asked way too enthusiastically.

"I wouldn't wish that on you." But then he could admit that he might just expect that from Ruby after the teen had tackled him.

The teen's small hands lightly gripped Steven's broad shoulders, ruby eyes looking straight into his. "Please… please! Let me go on the expedition with you."

Steven sighed. "Fine. We will leave tomorrow at one thirty P.M. from mine. Be on time and you're welcome to join me."

He nodded, a huge grin plastered on his face. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! I promise I'll be there. I won't let you down."

"Do you know my address? I don't live with my father."

He shook his head.

"Ok." He passed him a personal card. "My address."

"Thank you Steven."

He nodded, wanting to get rid of the kid. "Okay Ruby. Thanks for coming in today."

He grinned. "No problems."

Steven shook his hand. "Go home and rest. I will see you tomorrow."

"See you then, Steven." He turned and practically skipped out of the building.

That had been too much for Steven, who now wanted nothing more than to go home. He felt like he had aged ten years just from the stress of it all.

The receptionist looked at him. "According to your schedule, you're leaving tomorrow morning on the ship at eleven twenty A.M. Is that correct?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"Steven!" she scolded. "What about poor Ruby? He came all this way from Littleroot Town thinking he had a job!"

"I don't want him around. I am more than capable of climbing through caves without a fifteen year old-"

"That is horrible. And he is seventeen" she pointed out, which Steven politely ignored.

"I don't feel bad about this. It's dangerous for those who don't know what they're doing."

She sighed, tapping her pen against the desk "Okay. If he calls here tomorrow-?"

"Tell him I left due to an emergency. You don't have to worry yourself with the small details."

"Fine."

"Well, after that I'm sure this headache is just going to give me grief all day so I'm going home. I can't be bothered staying here today. Just forward all my calls to my father until he decides what to do."

"Okay Steven. You take care and enjoy your expedition. And just letting you know your father is in meetings all day anyway so you won't have to worry about seeing him."

He nodded. "Okay. Thank you." He walked outside the building. He was glad he was leaving early. He would able to grab his already packed bags and head to the port. He hoped that there would be room on the cruise out this afternoon. He could get out of Hoenn quicker. Get away from all this.

…

He locked the door, having second thoughts about this. Did he want to leave the kid behind?

Well, absolutely! He wasn't letting someone who knew nothing about caving, about the dangers and the rocks and stones go with him! That was ridiculous! And in his opinion, it would just be a hindrance.

He taped a note to the door, hoping that it would be enough to deter the teen. Although Ruby seemed as stubborn as him.

Sorry, left early due to emergency

Thank you for your application, and I hope that you are successful in the future.

Regards,

Steven Stone

Emergency, or urgency?

Well, he had already wrote emergency, so he supposed that would do. He grabbed his bags and made his way to the port, a good thirty minute walk. He was glad once the dock was in sight. He set his bags down and took a seat, crossing once leg over the other.

He was in the middle of reading some reference material when the owner of the ticket sales and motel came out to see him.

"Ah, hello Steven. You are here early."

"Yes. I thought I would catch the last ship out."

"Sorry my friend, you are almost an hour too late."

"What?" he felt his heart sink.

"But that is fine. The first boat out tomorrow is ten past seven, then eleven twenty, which I believe you have a ticket for, then-"

"I need to be on the ten past seven ship."

"Well, there is space, so you are in luck. I will have you in cabin thirteen."

"Thirteen? Luck? Really?" he asked, incredibly sceptical that either of those things even went together. Not that he was superstitious. He didn't put much stock in these sorts of things, but judging by his day he may not have been wrong in being a little paranoid.

"It's our last room."

He didn't even have to think about his answer. "I will take it."

He nodded. "Okay, I will update your ticket."

Steven passed over the printout, the owner updating the ticket with the time and room numb. He looked over the updated ticket. Cabin 13. He shuddered. He couldn't believe it. How unlucky.

"Well, Steven, you can stay here tonight. Room two." He passed over the key.

"Thank you" he gratefully accepted the key. He stood up, grabbing his bags.

"Saves you having to go back home."

"Indeed. Thank you for your generosity." Although he felt resigned to some sort of disaster happening, was able to feel more relaxed than he had all day. Well, since he had met Ruby.

"No problems Steven. See you tomorrow."

He made his way to the room, unlocking the door and setting the bags down. He couldn't believe that he had missed the last ship out. He was kicking himself! But his mind quickly went back home. What if Ruby caught on? How would he ever explain it to his father? He would be ridiculously disappointed if he found out, which he surely would.

He quickly made the assumption that everything would be okay. He also made the assumption that Ruby didn't seem the bright type.

He sat down, content that he was going to catch the earliest ship out.