I smiled as I reached the entrance into the South Boulevard of Lumiose from Route 4. My Ninetales standing next to me as we walked into the City, having to jump away instantly for a passing cyclist going a million miles an hour.

I let off a laugh "Oh, I've missed it here" I looked around happily "where should we go first, buddy?" I looked at him and he yawned widely "Pokemon centre sounds like a good idea? Or a Cafe? or should we head straight to Sycamore's Lab, I'm sure he's got plenty of pokepuffs"

Ninetales nodded happily at the last suggestion, leaning down to nuzzle my hand. I smiled as I ran a couple fingers through it's mane as we took a left in the direction of the Lab. I was a little concerned it was slightly late in the day and he might be busy but I still headed there anyway. I was itching to see his progression, after e'd trusted me with a Mega evolution ring for my Ninetales I really wanted to see if he'd made progress. Okay, so I also enjoyed his company, even if it had been a while. I guess I'd changed a lot - would he even recognise me? I barely had time to think about it as I's pushed the door open while deep in though.

"Hailey!" came a happy call as I did, I turned to see Jessica, one of the researchers, smiling from behind the counter.

"Oh, hey Jessica" I smiled happily

"I didn't know you'd be dropping in" she said, reaching out to pet Ninetales, who happily let her.

"On somewhat of a vacation" I shrugged "if the Professor here?"

"In his office, go on up - I'm sure he'll love to see you" she said, pushing her glasses up her nose and holding her hand out towards the elevator.

"Thanks" I said, walking away - Ninetales following a moment later after getting a suitable amount of attention out of Jessica and followed me to the elevator, where we found we couldn't fit both of us so I retracted him back inside his PokeBall and putting him back in my bag. The elevator slid up to the third floor and I found myself feeling nervous. I frowned at that as the doors slid open.

Why was I so nervous? I stopped outside of Sycamore's office. Pausing for a moment before pushing it open. My hand shaking a little - what was wrong with me? When I opened the door my face instantly pulled into a frown.

He wasn't there.

I was about to turn and leave when a soft snore sounded through the room. I turned back around to the couch that was facing the opposite way and walked over. I leaned over the back to see him fast asleep in the chair. I almost jumped out my skin as something brushed my leg, when I looked down I saw it was just Bubasaur and I breathed a sigh of relief. Crouching down to pet im as I saw Charmander curled up beside Sycamore and Squirtle was sitting on the arm of the chair.

"Hey there guys" I smiled to his Pokemon, talking in a whisper "long time no see, huh?"

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur sounded indignantly as I stood up and stopped stroking it. I walked round and crouched down in front of the sleeping man, my lips tugging into a small smile at the pile of work that was next to him and a discarded PokeBall.

"Sycamore?" I said quietly, shaking his shoulder lightly, He stirred but didn't wake up and I rolled my eyes "Sycamore" I repeated, giving his shoulder a harder shake. He snapped awake suddenly, sitting bolt upright, his forehead cracking into mine and sending me back agaisnt my butt on the floor.

"Jesus, Augustine" I groaned, rubbing my forehead

"Hailey?" he frowned then smiled "what a nice surprise"

"Until the possible broken skull, yes" I rolled my eyes "but I should of known better to wake a man while he's sleeping"

"Ah, but I wasn't sleeping" he shot back, standing up "just resting my eyes as all"

"Of course" I huffed but took out his outstretched hand as he tugged me to my feet.

"How about a cup of tea as an apology?" he smiled and I felt a little heat creep into my cheeks.

"I was going more for diamonds but I suppose tea will do" I smiled as we walked towards th kitchen, he let off a laugh.

"You've barely changed" he sighed happily as we walked into the empty laboratory kitchen. He walked over to the kettle to make some tea. I sat quietly as he worked, I watched the back of his unruly, black hair as he worked. He turned and met my eyes and I blushed as he met my gaze, placing the mug down in front of me.

"So, do what do I owe the pleasure, Mademoiselle" he sipped his tea

"I can't drop in on my favourite professor?" I grinned

He laughed "you can, it's just not like you"

"I'm just on a vacation, at Siebold's demmand anyway" I smiled into my mug.

"So you've come to Lumisoe for a holiday?" he grinned "and you thought a science lab was the way to go"

I giggled, choking a little on my tea "I like it here" I answered "I rarely get to leave the Radiant Room as it is, so taking time out to learn is not something I get to do" I sighed, then felt a little embarrassed at complaining about being a league champion "plus I barely got to see Lumiose last time I was here, I was too busy battling the Gym"

"Well, I'll have to show you around" he chuckled "the Cafe's here are something you'd like, I'm sure of it"

I smiled, tucking a light hair behind my ear then remembering something "Oh, yeah, someone wants to see you" I chuckled, grabbing my Charmander Pokeball, letting it out into the room.

"Char!" he chirped happily

"Ah, the starter I gave you" he kneeled down, running his slender fingers across Charmander's head "still a Charmander I see?"

"I guess" I shrugged "he never really felt the need to evolve, plus it's fun to see contenders faces when they think he's little and weak and then burns them to a crisp"

Sycamore chuckled "that's very you - small and cute but will burn you to a crisp"

I flushed bright red at him calling me cute "that was always the goal" I managed as I took a couple big gulps of my tea and it burned the back of my throat.

"Where are you thinking of staying while you're here?" he asked and I was glad of the subject change.

"I don't know" I frowned

"The Hotel Richissme is nice but I don't think you could get a room on short notice" he said, mostly to himself "you could stay here if you like?"

"Here?" I asked, baffled at the fact there were rooms

"Where did you think I stayed?" he chuckled

"I though you were less of a workaholic and had a home" I teased

"I'm going to ignore that last statement" he smiled as he crossed his arms "but there's plenty free rooms, we have them for the interns in the summer but they're empty right now"

"If it's not to much of a bother?" I asked

"Don't be silly" he shook his head "of course it's not a bother"

"Well, then thank you" I smiled as Charmander curled up in my lap to go to sleep "hey buddy, not yet"

"I can show you if you want" he leaned over to stroke the Charmander and my heart race quickened at his close proximity. Why was I getting so flustered all of a sudden - I mean, sure, he was an attractive man, I couldn't deny that. But I'd known him a long time and I'd never had this before...

"Hailey?" his voice snapped me from my thoughs as he waved a palm in front of my face.

"Sorry" I blushed "I tuned out"

"You must be tired, it's a long journey from the League" he said in a kind tone and I suddenly realised how exhausted I was.

"Now that you mention it" I stifled a yawn

"I'll show you to your room" he smiled and I jumped from my chair, following him from the room. He stuffed his hands in his pockets as we walked, I suddenly realised how much taller he actually was than me. Probably a clear foot. He took me up to level five and we stepped out to what looked like an endless dormitory. I followed him for what seemed like forever through a maze of corridors before he stopped at the end of a corridor.

"Here, this is probably the nicest room we have" he held his hand to the door.

"Thanks" I grinned, Charmander falling asleep in my arms.

"If you need anything my rooms just down the hall on the left" he said "sleep well, mademoiselle" he said before disappearing down the hall. With my face a little flushed I pushed open the door, still clutching Charmander in the other. I let off a happy squeal - the room was lovely. There were huge windows and I gasped, running over to see the view of Lumiose City. I could see the Prism Tower blinking in the distance. and I fully grinned as I flopped back on to the bed. It felt softed than a marshmallow, the sheets thick and warm and there were more pillows than I could count. I reached to let me Pokemon out - I liked to let them roam free, making up a few make shift beds for Lapras and Ninetales. My Lapras taking up half the room as I curled into the sheets. Glaceon and Charmander settling down at the foot of the bed. It was always more comforting to have them there and I found myself slipping into a deeo sleep.