A/N: C'mon, guys. Only one review? I know I got more hits than that. I'm pretty sure the phrase "please respond" was in my last A/N a couple of times. Even if you didn't like what I wrote, I'd still like you to let me know what you think could've been better.

Oh, well. Thanks again to LAM for commenting, and to Dawnshadow1228 for fave-ing. And to the rest of you who didn't comment, please do so this time. Otherwise, you will make me very sad.

And as for the song, it's called "Patience" by Guns 'N Roses. Look it up and listen to it, pleez. It'll help you understand how I wrote this a lot better.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon, the characters, or the song.


"Welcome home, Kate!"

Kate smiled as her friends all greeted her at the Almia Regional Airport. She put down her suitcase and ran over to them, ensuing a happy group hug.

"So?" Rhythmi asked. "How was Hoenn?"

"Oh, it was amazing! I got to meet all kinds of new people and Pokemon, and I taught all the kids there about what we do here. They all loved it."

Prof. Hastings stepped forward. "Yes, well, there'll be quite enough time for all this chit-chat later. For now, we've something special planned for your return today, Kate."

"Yeah," Rhythmi said excitedly, "a party!"

Everyone groaned. "Rhythmi," Sven said, "why'd you have to spoil it?"

"Yeah," Wendy added, "it was supposed to be a surprise!"

"It was?"

"YES!"

"Oh... so that's why nobody was talking about it..."

Kate laughed a little. "It's alright, guys. It's the thought that counts, anyway." Kate picked up her suitcase. "So, are we gonna stand here all day, or are we going to the Union any time soon?"

"Of course!" Hastings said. "Let us not waste any more time!"


The day was full of plenty of festivities – eating, drinking, and generally being merry. Everyone was happy, worry-free. Erma even baked Kate a chocolate "Welcome-Home" cake filled with pudding – "Just the way I like it; thanks, Erma!" – that made everyone feel absolutely stuffed. It was a wonderful day, and it led to an even more wonderful night. The land itself seemed at peace – quiet, calm, no disturbances, no disruptions.

The Ranger Union was also unusually quiet that night. Everyone was relaxing, softly chatting with a nearby co-worker. The Operating Room was the most unusually quiet. Normally there were lights flashing, alarms going off alerting the Union of any emergency missions. Tonight, though, there were no emergencies. Therefore, no alarms, no lights, and no activity. Everyone was relaxed, at peace.

Everyone, that is, except Keith.

Then again, nobody knew how Keith was feeling, because nobody could find him.

Kate was busy reading a novel in her room, relaxed in her favorite chair, when she heard a knock on her door. "It's open," she called.

"Hey, Kate." It was Wendy. "Have you seen Keith?"

She looked up. "Hm? No, sorry."

A smug look came across Wendy's face. She turned behind her. "Hah!" she called. "See? She doesn't know where he is, either, Sven! You owe me five bucks!" ("Aw, man!")

"Why? You need him for something?"

Wendy turned back to face Kate. "No. Nobody does. We're just worried about him. D'you know where he might be right now?"

"No, I don't. I'll help look, though." WIth a sigh, Kate bookmarked her page and got up. Wendy let her through, and Kate closed the door behind her.

She checked Keith's room.

"No Keith here."

She checked the Research Room.

"Nope. Nothing."

She checked in the lobby.

"Not here, either."

She even checked behind the Union building.

Still no Keith, though.

Kate was becoming extremely worried. What if something happened to him? If he hurt himself, or got knocked unconscious, or... She stopped herself there before she could let her mind wander any further on the subject.

"Keith! Where are you!?" she shouted at the top of her lungs.

Above her, she heard a faint voice. "Up here!" it called.

She looked up at the roof of the building, where the great Tree of Harmony had been planted, and saw Keith bent over the balcony. "Come here!" he said. "And don't let anyone know I'm here, either!"

With a smile, she nodded and headed into the building.

As she headed for the roof, Wendy passed by her. "Hey," she said, stopping Kate. "Where's Keith?"

"I don't know," she said, trying her best to sound unhappy. "I'm just gonna head up to the roof and sit under the Tree of Harmony for a little bit."

"Oh," she said. "You... need to talk to someone?"

"Nah," she grunted. "I'm fine. I'd rather be alone."

"Well, OK," Wendy said. "Hope you feel better."

But Kate was already on her way to the roof.


"Hey."

"Hey!" Kate whispered. "What are you doing up here all by yourself?"

"Y'know, you don't have to whisper," Keith said matter-of-factly. "And I wanted to show you something."

"Okay. What?"

"This." He held up the acoustic guitar. Even in the dark, it seemed to radiate emotion.

"So? It's your guitar. Which, might I add, you haven't even bothered to learn to play since I bought it for you."

"Yet," Keith corrected.

"Yet?"

"Yeah. I decided to learn a song to play for you. My special gift to you for when you returned from your trip."

"Okay. Have I... heard the song before?"

"You may have," Keith said slyly. "I heard it on the radio a few days ago, so I don't know." He picked up the guitar, leaned against the Tree of Harmony, and breathed deeply for a few moments.

After a brief pause, he picked up the white guitar pick laying at his side. "Okay... here goes." He counted down to himself, mouthing the numbers.

1, 2, 1-2-3-4.

And then he began to play.

It was a simple chord progression, nothing more than a few basic chords repeated. But it made Kate's eyes light up.

Keith began to whistle the familiar lullaby. He closed his eyes and simply played, blocking out everything else going on around him. The music that flowed from his hands, and the melody that flew through his lips, instantly made both of them feel calm. Kate rested against the tree and just listened to Keith playing.

Then, Keith began to sing. It was soft, low singing, but smooth. The words seemed to flow from some vessel, deep inside of him.

Shed a tear 'cause I'm missing you,
I'm still alright to smile.
Girl, I think about you every day now.

Was a time when I wasn't sure,
But you set my mind at ease.
There is no doubt you're in my heart now.

Said, woman, take it slow,
It'll work itself out fine.
All we need is just a little patience.
Said sugar, make it slow,
And we'll come together fine.
All we need is just a little patience.

Kate's foot started tapping the beat out into the dirt, a soft, steady metronome, as Keith hummed to himself a little bit before beginning again.

I sit here on the stairs,
cause I'd rather be alone.
If I can't have you right now, I'll wait, dear.

Sometimes, I get so pissed,
But I can't speed up the time,
But you know love is one more thing to consider.

Said woman, take it slow,
Things will be just fine.
You and I'll just use a little patience.
Said sugar, take the time,
'cause the lights are shining bright.
You and I've got what it takes to make it.
We won't fake it,
Oh, I'll never break it,
'Cause I can't take it...

Keith kept playing the rhythm chords as he spoke. "When I first heard this song, I thought of you, Kate. About how you set my mind at ease, and I shed a tear missing you, and all that stuff. But it's all true." For the first time, Keith opened his eyes and looked at Kate, but kept playing. He spoke sincerely.

"Kate, I love you. And it took me a week away from you for me to realize that, but I get it now. I really love you."

Kate looked off in the distance, up at the stars through the thick canopy of green, as she sat in the shadow the tree cast over the two. She smiled a little before she spoke. "It's funny, Keith. Because I heard this song on the radio the same time you did. A few days ago, after I talked to you on the phone. It's a beautiful song. And I love it, too." She closed her eyes, and took in a deep breath.

I been walking the streets at night,
Just tryin' to get it right.
It's hard to see with so many around,
Y'know I don't like bein' stuck in the crowd.
And the streets don't change, but maybe the name.
I ain't got time for the game
'cause I need you.
Yeah, yeah, well, I need you.

Keith had joined in.

Ooh, whoa, I need you,
Whoah, I need you
Ooh, this time...

Keith finished the final closing chords. He let the strings ring out in the night, reverberating against the horizon and returning as an echo, a natural amplification, nature's way of showing her approval.

Keith looked over at Kate, and to her surprise, found that she was crying. He laid the guitar down by his side, leaned over and wrapped his arm around her. "You sounded beautiful, Kate. Thank you."

She looked into his eyes, and smiled. "No, Keith. We sounded beautiful."

And she closed her eyes and leaned in to kiss him. She wrapped her arms around him and pulled himself deeper into her. She could feel him, his warmth, the comfort in his embrace. She enjoyed the moment. She enjoyed him. She didn't want it to end.

He responded by returning the emotion. He felt the flame that forever burned inside of her, consuming them, bringing them closer together than ever, the flame that only fueled his own emotions even more. He pulled them together, sealing the bonds that had formed over their years together.

Together, they sat, wrapped in eachother's arms, blanketed in the passion that culminated in this kiss, this sign of true love, burning together in the night.

When they finally separated, Kate looked into his eyes. Keith looked back into hers. And they both understood.

She smiled and laid her head in his lap, and looked up at the stars. He placed his hand in hers. And they stayed that way, wrapped in eachother's arms, sleeping through the night together.


Well? I can haz reviewz?

-G3