Hello, everybody! :)

Next chapter's up. Hope you like it! Reviews would be awesome.

Disclaimer: Pokémon's not mine

…

10 years earlier

Quietly he sneaked through the streets. It was late at night and the city and its inhabitants were already asleep.

But the young man in his black uniform didn't worry about the people or the Pokémon of the town. Strangely enough, he was worried about his own colleagues. If he'd be seen wandering through the deserted streets when he already should be in the HQ in his room, he would be in big trouble. The young man didn't want to imagine his mother's face if she'd knew…

The man ducked behind a wall in a quick movement. Since the last weeks the police officers were more alerted than ever. He waited a few more minutes until he was sure that the danger was over and there wouldn't be any other interruptions.

As fast as a Rattata he ran through the dark alleys – his heartbeat quickened when his destination came finally in sight. Almost there, he would see her again in just a few moments.

Slightly out of breath, he stopped in front of a small house in the outskirts of the town.

Quickly he looked around to make sure that nobody had followed him. He took one reassuring breath and knocked at the door in a short movement.

At first there was silence. After another pounding minute the door was opened slightly and a deep brown eye peeked at the visitor. In the next moment the door was opened wide and a young beautiful woman with long auburn hair and warm brown eyes appeared and smiled happily at her late visitor.

"You made it!" She acknowledged happily and threw her arms around the black clad man. "I was so worried you couldn't come."

The woman let go of the man and pulled him hastily through her front door.

As soon as the door was closed the pair was rather busy with long loving kisses.

"I've missed you so much." The woman breathed as they broke their snogging for some much needed oxygen.

"I've missed you more." Her boyfriend replied with a cheeky grin. "I'd feared I wouldn't get out of the basis…"

"But you're here." She interrupted him with a loving smile. "That's all what matters to me."

The couple finally separated and the woman led her beloved into the living room.

"How are you?" The man asked as soon as they had sat down on the deep red couch. "Is everything alright?"

His girlfriend nodded: "Everything's good. You're the one I'm worried about. My life is rather uneventful but you…"

He brushed her sorrowed away and smiled reassuring at her: "You don't have to worry. My mother just sends me on missions she knows that I'm mostly out of danger. Nothing I couldn't handle."

"Yes but…"

This time it was him who interrupted her.

In a caring move he brushed a few strains of her auburn hair out of her face.

"Hey. I'm fine. I won't leave you ever, you know. Whatever happens I'll be by your side and protect you." He promised with a sincere look in his dark eyes.

"Both of us?" The woman asked quietly after a moment.

"Excuse me? What did you say?"

"Would you also… protect us both?" She asked hesitantly.

The man looked strangely at his girlfriend. What was she talking about?

"Delia…?" He began slightly confused.

A short laugh escaped her and lovingly she stroked the cheek of her love.

"You're sometimes quiet oblivious, Giovanni." Delia told him with a smile and led his hand through her – still – flat stomach.

A look of understanding flashed over his face and a huge grin appeared on his lips.

"You're… We're…" he stammered and gulped. "I'm going to be a father?!"

Delia smiled happily: "Yes. I'm pregnant, Giovanni!"

…

But the happiness didn't last. Giovanni knew he couldn't tell his mother about the child – let alone his relationship with Delia. He couldn't risk losing Delia or his unborn child to Team Rocket.

He was desperate. He couldn't run away because his mother would find him everywhere, but he also couldn't stay with his little almost family. Sooner or later his mother would learn about his chid and eventually he would lose him or her to Team Rocket.

Giovanni could not let that happen!

So he did what he had to do – He sent Delia with their unborn child away.

Of course his girlfriend was everything but happy about his decision. She yelled at him – god she even threw something at him – but Giovanni didn't let her change his mind. He had made a decision and he did promise Delia to protect her – them.

The soon-to-be mother wasn't happy about the situation but she understood at last. Should Giovanni's mother – the current head of Team Rocket – die, than her beloved boyfriend would have to take her place. He wouldn't have much of a choice. So Delia did what was the best. Not just for her but for her child. She knew Giovanni loved her and he always would.

With this thing in mind she travelled back to her home town Pallet Town.

The local Pokémon professor and also a dear friend of Delia's family would support her in every way possible.

After the early death of her parents professor Oak was like a surrogate father to her and had helped her in every way possible. Surely she would find support with him.

…

It was like cruel faith. Just three month after Delia fled out of town 'Madame Boss' died in an unexpected attack and shortly after the funeral Giovanni was the new head of Team Rocket.

He did not hear often from his beloved, it was just too dangerous. But the few times he got a letter from her his heart always jumped in joy. He always breathed in relief when she wrote that everything was fine with her and the baby.

Just a few months after his 'promotion' he got another letter from Delia. It was rather short –

Just a few sentences:

"Dear Giovanni,

A miracle had happened! Congratulations, dad, it's a strong little boy! He has the same raven black hair like you when you were younger. I gave him the name 'Ash' because I have the very strong feeling that he will ascend from the ashes and becomes the world greatest Pokémon trainer. I also hope that he will reunite us one day and we will have the chance to be finally a real family.

Always yours, Delia."