As soon as they returned to base, Espeon collapsed in her grassy nest. Even with the energy of the sun, staying out all night exhausted her. Charizard followed into the door and gave a big stretch.

"Looks like everyone is out and about... must be late in the day."

"Mhm…" Espeon mumbled, with her face nestled in the dry grass. She was too tired to even open her eyes.

Charizard was quiet for a minute. He didn't even move. Espeon listened carefully. Finally, he announced, "Ok, well I'm going to look for everyone else and let them know we are back. Alrighty? You gonna stay here and sleep?"

"…Yeah…" She murmured.

Her ears flicked a bit as she heard Charizard's heavy footfalls leave out of the cabin.

She was starting to drift off into a deep sleep. Sounds started to sound farther and farther away; her self-awareness was slowly floating off.

There was a noise. It sounded like laughter at first. The sound was so slurred and muffled that it was hard to tell. Who was laughing? Were they laughing at her?

"Do you love a ghost?"

What? Espeon couldn't acknowledge this statement. No.

"Ha… Ha ha… HAHAHAHAHA! You're a necrophiliac!"

No I'm not! No, that's not true. I'm not! I'm not!

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Stop it!" Espeon was awake suddenly. She was sitting up in her grassy bed. The sun was pouring in strongly from the windows. It had to be late noon by now.

"Bad dreams?" A voice asked.

Espeon looked around drowsily. She came to the top corner of the room, where Haunter was perched up in his place.

Espeon blinked, trying to shake off the dream. "Uh… yeah. I've been having those a lot lately."

"Heh… well, I promise you… It's not me doing it." He joked.

"No, I know its not you…" Espeon said, nodding.

An awkward silence followed. Espeon then suddenly remembered Charizard's advice.

Gotta be nice, and appreciate him more.

"So, you're looking well." Espeon said with a semi-casual smile.

Haunter cocked his head a bit, giving her a look. "Yeah? Well, apart from being dead you mean? Hee hee hee." He chuckled off his own joke.

Ugh, this might be harder than she thought. "No I mean... you look…" she gulped trying to find a truthful complement about his purple gas-like appearance, "Nicer than usual..."

Haunter didn't reply to this. He only continued to look at her with a puzzled expression, not following what she meant.

"Er… maybe it's the lighting…" Espeon suggested for the cover-up.

Haunter scratched the top of his head with one of his floating claws, looking about at the light. "I guess…"

Espeon started to feel the air around her getting warm and her heart beating rapidly. She became speechless; unable to think of anything else to say. She must have looked ridiculous. Any minute, she knew Haunter would make a remark about how silly she looked. Perhaps he will ask if 'the meowth got her tongue' or if she was choking on her next statement because it was so bad.

Instead, Haunter said nothing. It actually made it worse.

"So… why are you sleeping in so late? It's not like you to miss the morning." Haunter asked, trying to smooth out the awkward situation.

"Oh, I couldn't sleep last night… so I was out all night trying to make myself tired… but it didn't work. Guess I have too much on my mind these days." Espeon answered, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

"What's been on your mind, eh?" Haunter said, trying to seem friendly. He gave off a huge grin.

Espeon couldn't help but stare up at his smile. She loved that smile. It was a contagious smile.

"Uh.." Espeon stuttered, her heart still hammering in her chest, "Oh, its nothing. I just- just a bit out of it."

Haunter cocked his head, his smile fading to a concerned look. "Then perhaps it wasn't a good idea to have a vacation. Maybe you need to go on another rescue mission to get your head in gear." He suggested.

"Oh I don't know about that…" Espeon said, looking down.

"C'mon, it doesn't have to be a difficult mission. We could run down to the Peliper Post Office and see if there are any local rescues that are nice and easy."

Espeon looked up, a bit flushed. We?

"You mean just the two of us?" She asked in a quiet voice.

"Yeah, sure… I'll go with you. It won't take all day so we can be back early so you can get a better night's rest." He grinned down on her.

How odd, Espeon thought. Never has Haunter been so caring before. Perhaps Charizard was right. All he needed was a little attention and he was all over her. This made her heart flutter lightly with tiny little butterflies.

"Ok… let's go to the Post Office then." Espeon said, beaming up at her ghostly companion.

The Post Office was busy today. Many rescue teams were gathering around and looking for missions to do. Even Shiftrey's team was among them.

"Oh dang… lots of pokemon." Haunter said. He turned to Espeon, "Don't worry, I can get to the post board no problem; just wait here one sec."

Haunter became translucent and floated through the pokemon that were crowding around the rescue post board. Some of the pokemon were use to Haunter doing this but others freaked out from the awkward feeling of a ghost fazing through them.

Espeon sat there patiently for Haunter to find them a mission. This is my chance to make a move, I better not mess up. I need to be brave. She chuckled at herself. Look at you, you fool. You've been able to stand up to Groundon, to Rayquaza, even Mewtwo. Why is something as simple as flirting make you so scared?

"Hey, there's a mission open for Lapis Cave! That's not too far away. How about it?" Haunter asked through the crowd of other pokemon.

"Sure, that's fine by me." She answered him.

Haunter grabbed the rescue plead and floated back over to her.

"Says that a baby Pichu went missing near the 5th floor. Wow, that won't be hard at all."

"Alright then lets go save her." Espeon said, smiling excitedly. She was in a good mood now. She felt ready, felt prepared. Watch out, Haunter. This Espeon was going to show you how much you mattered to her.

Espeon dashed through the town square and towards the wood trail, Haunter quickly flying after her. The two of them moved with such grace and speed, they must have been two different shades of purple blurs chasing each other.

Espeon could herar Haunter laughing behind her. She quickly looked back to see Haunter smiling his large haunting smile. "Don't get ahead of yourself, Captain." He continued to laugh.

Espeon smiled back at him and nodded. "Thank you…" Espeon told him with a sincere voice.

Haunter looked her square in the eyes, and he could tell she meant it. He was about to make a smart comment back but he stopped to stare. Espeon knew why. She was looking hard into him, sending her feelings to him. With her psychic powers she told him;

Thank you for everything. You brought my spirits up.

"Your welcome." Haunter said finally, with a softer smile than usual.

As the two of them continued to race down the wood trails, they could see the Lapis Cave coming into view. It was now just over the hills.

"Before we go in, I heard from Bellsprout that the Zubats in the cave are being a bit more fussy than normal. We better be cautious of their Supersonic attacks."

Espeon nodded, even though she paid his words barely any heed. She was too anxious to get into the cave. To be alone. Alone with Haunter.

What was this? This weird feeling that suddenly came over her. This feeling wanted her to do such terrible and bad things. She ignored it though.

…

Lapis Cave. Floor 3.

"Not too bad so far. Haven't even seen one rogue pokemon." Haunter chuckled glancing around.

Espeon didn't say a word. She had frozen up, lost her courage suddenly. Damnit, Damnit Damnit! She was so ready. But once they were in the cave, she lost it. Completely lost it. She would start off by saying "Hey Haunter…" But once he looked in her direction or answered her she would shrug it off with a "Nevermind."

She was sure he was a bit suspicious of her actions but he didn't say anything about it.

"You know, if you get a hit from a Zubat's supersonic, supposively you start blabbering on about random things, but they are always truthful things." Haunter said, smiling at the thought.

"Really?" Espeon asked in a normal as possible tone.

"Yeah. I've never actually gotten confused by one before so I wouldn't know. But it's suppose to be just like being intoxicated or drunk."

Espeon knew what he meant. She remembered the human world enough to recall alcohol.

"Can't it also get addictive too; being under the ray of a supersonic?" She asked Haunter.

"I suppose so. Eh he he.." Haunter cackled. "Not exactly the smartest thing to get hooked on. It'd be pretty dangerous after a while."

The stairs were just in front of them now. One more floor until they reached Pichu. She was running out of time. Come on, she told herself, swallow your fear.

Up the stairs they ascended.

"You know, you're being awfully quiet still. Everything ok?" Haunter asked her once they cleared the staircase.

"Uh, yeah.. I guess so… I'm just a lil-" Just before she could make up some bullshit excuse, a zubat came flying around the corner at them, screeching angrily.

"Watch out!" Haunter dove in front of her and used a psychic blast. The move stopped the Zubat in its wake and caused it to tumble to the ground, out cold. Espeon gasped from the surprise.

"Eh he he! Well it's about time we saw one of those boogers." Haunter chuckled loudly.

"Yeah, well… Bellsprout did warn us."

Espeon started for the next tunnel when suddenly a loud noise filled her ears. She looked up quickly to see another Zubat hovering over her, screeching loudly.

Shit! It's supersonic attack was being cast on her. Before she could react to attack back or get away, her vision began to smear together and the whole cave looked like it was swaying. Her head began to feel light and high. She looked around frantically, trying to keep herself stable. She heard a voice, and then the Zubat cry out in pain. But she couldn't seem to focus or take anything seriously. She was laughing. She wasn't quite sure why, but she was laughing. She felt happy and hysterical.

A fuzzy vision of Haunter was floating in front of her now, very close. She stared up at him and grinned. Oh, how she loved that ghost. "Haunter…" She whispered, her cheeks feeling a bit warm. She leaned forward, nuzzling his face with her nose and swaying a bit. "God, I love you…" She whispered to him.

It was the last thing she could remember, because after that the waves of confusion took her and wiped her out from consciousness.

…

"Oh.. what hit me… I…. shit!" Espeon squirmed awake from her awful attack. She was back in the rescue base. It was almost night; the sun was slowly descending into the horizon. This was the time of day that made her vulnerable.

"How are you feeling?" Haunter appeared next to her.

Espeon jumped from his sudden appearance. "Augh!" Her head began to painfully throb when she jerked away. "..It feels like I got hammered…"

Haunter chuckled a bit. "Yeah, I would assume so. You took a direct hit of supersonic."

"What happened to the Zubat? And the Pichu; did you get her out safely?"

"Don't worry, all has been taking care of. And the Pichu was safely returned to her mother." Haunter assured her.

Espeon weakly looked up at him to study his expressions. He wasn't looking at her; he was looking down and seemed to be deep in thought.

"Listen, uh.. I don't think you remember, but… what you said to me after you got hit by that Zubat's supersonic…"

"No, I remember." Espeon said quietly, looking down a bit flushed. " 'if you get a hit from a Zubat's supersonic, you start blabbering on about random but truthful things.'" She quoted him.

Haunter fell silent, a smile of interest creeping slowly up his face. "You said you… loved me?"

Espeon could feel her heart beating so fast. Now was the time to tell him.

"I-"

Charizard came bursting in. "Heeeey! Oh! You're awake, Espeon. Damn, when Haunter brought you in, you were completely out of it. How do you feel?"

Espeon sighed. "I'm a bit better.. thank you, Charizard."

Charizard grinned happily. "Just checking on my ol' buddy. Can I get you anything? Food?"

"No, I'm fine, thanks."

Charizard nodded his head. "Well then, I guess I will leave you two alone…" The tone of his voice gave her chills as he walked out of the cabin.

"Espeon…"

"Yeah?"

"You love me."

"I know." She finally admitted it. But she couldn't look him in the face. She could, however, hear him chuckling softly to himself. Was he making fun of her? Did he really not take her seriously? She was looked up quickly, about to fuss to him about how rude and immature he was acting.

He was laughing with joy. "Oh, I can't even begin to express how happy that makes me."

Espeon blinked at him, dumbfounded. "Huh?"

Haunter silenced his laughter and grinned his large grin. "I've been fond of you since the moment I laid my ghostly eyes on you. But never did I imagine I'd get you to feel the same, let alone have even a chance. But you… just now…" Haunter was starting to advance; moving closer. "I felt something…"

This caused Espeon's tail to shoot straight out and the fur on the back of her neck bristled. "I.. uh.." She mumbled. The feeling… the dark feeling was arising in her again. Was it instincts causing this? Haunter's grin grew larger. "I felt it again. There is a dark side in you that's stirring."

Espeon could feel her face warming up again. "Wh-what do you.."

"Ssh…" Haunter put a long finger to her lips. He then whispered in her ear. "How much do you love me?"

Espeon's tongue was caught. She froze up again, her eyes widely staring up into his. "I… I.." The dark feeling lashed at her. It made her want to do so many terrible and unforgiving things. She couldn't let that happen… could she?

"Show me, Espeon." Haunter taunted her. His finger that was on her lips began to push on her mouth. It slipped in. His finger was cold against her warm tongue. But she liked it.

"You can't hide those feelings from me. I can see them clearly as day. I can see it expressed all over your face." Haunter beamed at her lustfully.

This felt like it was happening so fast. But nothing in her wanted it to stop or slow down.

Espeon gripped his finger in his mouth firmly. She caressed it with her tongue and gave it a sucking motion. Her eyes heavily closed, enjoying this moment. It was new. And she wanted more.

Suddenly, Haunter jerked his finger out of her mouth. She opened her eyes just to see him vanish. "Wha?"

"Espeeeeeeeoooon!" A sudden burst of joy seemed to tackle her down to the ground. "You're ok! I was so worried, you looked terrible a while ago." Mew hugged her tightly, nuzzling her face into Espeon's fur.

It took Espeon a minute to snap out of her lustful crave. "Yes.. yes, Mew, I'm alright." Espeon smiled down at her, hugging her back.

"It's good to see that you're better. Now we can play!" Mew began to fly about, like the child she was.

"Now, now…" A lush, crystal voice said. "It's too late. We must rest and keep our strength." Suicune emerged into the hut, her long mane flowing gracefully like waves in a river.

"Ahh, Suicune… but-" Mew dared not say any more after Suicune gave her a harsh scowl. She meant well though, and was right, Espeon thought to herself.

"Now go on up to bed." Suicune said, as she relaxed her gaze.

"But where his Haunter?"

"He will be in later… he's a ghost after all; the night is his world." Suicune reminded them.

That is also right, Espeon thought. Espeon who was strong in the sunlight, but weak to the darkness, Haunter's domain. She swallowed the lump in her throat.

Suicune looked over to Espeon, who was staring off in a daze. "You alright?"

"Yeah.. I'm just a little tired still."

Just then, Charizard came wondering into the cabin, giving off a loud yawn. "I dunno about you guys, but I'm hitting the hay early…" With that, he plopped down, causing their house to shake a bit.

"Well, I guess I will see you all in the morning." Suicune whispered as she took off into the night air. Espeon blinked after her, still gnawing at the thoughts in her head.

She wanted to run away. Run far off into the woods. It was a stupid idea; to be completely surrounded by her weakness. To be consumed by the black night. But that is what she wanted. She wanted him to find her there. To be alone together.

"Where are you going, Espeon?" Mew asked curiously.

Espeon had stopped at the doorway of their base to turn back to her companion. "I'm… I'm gonna go look for Haunter." She heard herself reply.

"Are you sure? You might still be a bit weak…"

"I will be fine. Go ahead and get to bed, I won't be long."