Professor Sycamore decided he wasn't going to sit around any longer.

Gathering up all his determination, he knew he didn't want to wait anymore. He had to see her. Given that he just got wind that Serena won the mega evolution ring, he thought that may be good enough reason to get out of the office and onto the road. It would also be good to meet up with each of the trainers and get a progress report of how they're doing.

He went through the lab to let his assistants know that he would be leaving on a trip to meet the trainers for a few days, then proceeded to his flat to procure clothes and Pokémon to bring with him. He chose the three basics that seemed to hit home with him the most then decided to do some detail grooming before he left, putting final touches of product in his hair and some cologne.

Walking down the stairs and out to the street, he let loose a Charizard from the Pokéball and gave him a good pet on the head and neck before climbing up onto the large creature's back.

"Let's head to Coumarine," he said, loud enough for just Charizard to hear. The Charizard bowed its head in approval before readying itself to jump into the air. The Professor braced himself as Charizard launched into the sky, quickly rising above the Lumiose city streets and up, up past the height of the tower situated in the middle of the city. The Charizard banked to flap its wings into the northwest direction toward Coumarine City.

It took Charizard only a couple hours to fly there with his powerful weight barreling through the air toward the small coastal city. Deftly adjusting to lower itself down into the city without hitting any of the buildings, he slowly landed at a run toward the Pokémon center near the middle of the town. Stopping near the doors of the center, Professor Sycamore dismounted the large orange creature and rubbed the head of the Pokemon once more cooing softly to him "Merci, mon ami," before returning him once again to the Pokéball.

The Professor's heart pounded, wondering where he would encounter Serena on his path to Shalour City. He wanted to see her, but dreaded that she could possibly be disgusted with him or not want to see him at all. Instead of dwelling on the thoughts, he pressed on and turned to the monorail station situated next to the Pokemon center. He walked into the terminal to board the next train that would travel to the station on the peninsula near the river that lay next to Shalour City.

Startled, he sighted a familiar head of brown hair on the train. She had spotted him as well and smiled, waving him over excitedly. "Augustine, how are you? It's been a while!" she exclaimed and pulled his arm to sit next to her on the train.

This was a twist. He hadn't wanted to see or talk to anyone, and he really did not feel enthused to be recognized while he was trying to resolve the conundrums that spun around in his own head. Still, he smiled and obliged her company. "I am great, Diantha, just on my way to meet the trainers. What about you?" While they sat, the train lurched forward and started for its destination.

Diantha gave a bright white smile, "Fantastic, I'm on my way to a photo shoot to do media shots for my next picture. It's so great to see you, what have you been up to?" she said as she leaned an arm on his shoulder, weighing him down a little.

The Professor shared with her the monotony of his daily life in the laboratory, "We are trying to discover what makes mega evolution happen, still. Our hope was to acquire the mega evolution ring to see what effects happen between the Pokémon and the trainer, what material it is made of and how to duplicate its effects. My most prominent trainer has gotten that ring and I'd like to see her in action."

Diantha gave him a raised eyebrow, "Which trainer was the lucky one?"

"Her name is Serena, she came from Unova with her mother Grace," he informed her.

A curious look arose from her, "The Rhyhorn racer? I didn't know Grace was her mother. Lysandre introduced me to her when we ran into her at Café Soleil."

It was the Professor's turn to be curious. "I remember she mentioned that and yes, the very same. How is Lysandre doing?"

Diantha frowned a little. "He was being very strange, asking me unusual questions about beauty. I'm not sure if he was trying to come onto me or if he was just being creepy!"

He laughed, "It could have been a little bit of both, knowing Lysandre."

The two of them talked for the extent of the ride. Diantha helped to ease the anxiety in his mind for the duration, which was allowing him a little release from the torment he had been causing himself for the past few weeks. As the monorail slowed to a stop at the west end of Coumarine, they stood and exited the train, heading into the terminal while still gabbing. Professor Sycamore and Diantha began to leave the little station in the bay town when he walked shoulder first into Serena.

He caught the glimmer of her hair and the full extent of her surprise as her blue eyes lit up. However, surprise turned into scowling eyebrows and a frown when she realized he was there. "Serena, I am sorry, are you okay?" Concern on his face as he apologized. When Serena laid eyes on Diantha, she was confused for a moment but gave them both a forced smile.

"I'm fine, sir," she let the incident roll off, about to continue on. Inside, her mind ran through thoughts of the two together and her chest tightened.

"Where are you going?" the Professor said to Serena.

She gave a subtle shrug, "Just going to the Coumarine City gym."

He turned to Diantha, "Please pardon me, I must take my leave. It was great to see you, ma chére,"

Diantha smiled, "It's quite fine, it was great to see you also! Take care!" and she turned toward the exit to the port.

One arm wrapped around Serena's shoulders and started to push her in the direction of the exit, but she stayed. "I'm sorry, Professor, I should get going,"

Professor Sycamore turned to face her with a hand still on her shoulder, worry lit up in his eyes. "Are you okay? I wanted to congratulate you on obtaining what you needed for mega evolution. Please tell me you have a little time to talk."

Reluctantly, she obliged him and began to walk out the terminal door. "I guess I have a little time, I'm sorry if I interrupted you and Diantha," a slight frown showed on Serena's lips.

He shook his head, "You didn't interrupt anything, I happened to see her on the train. We are old friends. I came here to meet with you and the other trainers."

They walked west toward route 12 together. Serena didn't dare say anything so she wouldn't risk bursting with emotions she wanted to express all at once. "How are you doing? I haven't heard much of anything from you since you were in Lumiose."

Serena frowned, "I'm fine, I just thought you might be too busy for someone like me."

The Professor shook his head again, "Never, I just didn't want to bother you while you were traveling. I am sorry for not calling you, I just…"

She looked up at him, concerned about what he might say, "What is it?"

"I want to apologize for acting inappropriately. I should never have done what I did, especially being my age I should know better. I am sorry if I bothered you."

Serena wasn't sure what to think, but she tried to tread the ice that was this conversation. She wanted that interaction with him, but worried he might be involved or using her. "I um—"

She stopped short as they entered the woods. The Professor touched her hair, his gray eyes meeting hers. She found the words hard to come by to explain what she felt. "I like you, but I'm just so worried, Professor," she said as she looked around the wooded path, scanning the area for any nearby people.

"What are you worried about?" A confused look in his eyes.

"I just don't know if maybe you're married and you're toying with me, or if you're just using me or—" she began to get frantic.

"Shhhh," he tried to quiet her and pulled her closer to him, running a hand through her hair. "None of those things. I used to be married a long time ago, but no more. I wouldn't dream of playing games with you, but I do care for you even if I did not expect to care so much," he said as he pulled her into an embrace.

Serena's eyes were a little wet, her head against his chest. "I'm sorry, I just didn't expect any of this."

The Professor pulled back from her, a finger running down her jaw line and pulling her chin up to look her in the eyes. "I like you, Serena, I have not stopped thinking about you since you left." He began to lean down and press his lips to hers.

Serena felt relieved. His touch felt comforting and she wanted more. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled herself into deeper and longer kisses with him. As soon as he pulled away, she would pull him back in again. When she finally stopped and looked him in the eyes again, he spoke, "I am sorry if I worried you. I was worried myself that you would think me too old or too ugly for you."

She giggled and smiled up at him, "Too ugly, oh I am so sure."

He smiled at her, crows feet and all. He finally felt sweet release from the weeks of pent up questions he'd had. He hugged her in a tight embrace again and kissed her passionately. Feeling his heart beat harder and harder, he kissed her ear and neck, his hands caressing her gentle curves down to her hips.

Pure bliss are the only words Serena could come up with to describe how she felt right now. arms around him with his face buried in her neck. When he was done biting and kissing her neck and ears, he gazed over her face and caressed her. "We have to do something about this 'sir' and 'professor' business. I have a name, you know,"

She was a little surprised, thinking back to the time he introduced himself to her and the other trainers. "It's… Augustine, right?"

An entertained smile passed over his face. "Yes, Augustine Sycamore. Say it with me: Au-gus-tine," he chided her, his accent showing thickly as he pronounced his own name.

Smiling, she said his name back to him all drawn out in mocking, "Auuu-guusss-tiiiine. I like you a lot, Augustine." He only replied to her with a kiss on the forehead and a consecutive kiss on the lips.

They held each other there for a little while longer, sheltered away from the other people and trainers that might see them in the city. Eventually, he piped up, "I should probably go to meet the other trainers. Congratulations again on your winning the mega evolution ring, you will have to let me see you use it sometime."

Serena frowned. She didn't want to leave him. "When will I get to see you again? Will you call me?" trying not to sound too pleading.

He ran a hand over her hair, "When will you be in Lumiose again?"

She thought about it for a moment. "I guess I'm going there after Coumarine gym, so I will arrive in a few days?"

Augustine remembered, "Oh right! I came here to give you this, too." He pulled a small disc out of his bag to hand to her. "It's the hidden machine fly. You can use it to get back whenever you need to."

"I can fly back to you whenever I want," she smiled up at him.

He nodded and then thought of something. "Do you want to stay in Lumiose for a couple days? I am sure you could use the rest and I have a spare room."

She bit her lip at the question. She'd love that, but… "Are you sure? I don't want to intrude on you."

"Please, ma chére, I am sure and I have nothing for you to intrude on. Besides, it is getting cold, yes?" he insisted.

Hesitantly, she agreed, "I'd like that."

Brushing her cheeks with his finger tips, he kissed her gently and then again very amorously. When did finally pull away, he noticed Serena's slight red blush. Squeezing her one last time and letting her go, he asked "Will you call me when you arrive in Lumiose?"

She nodded. "Of course I will."

"Au revoir, Serena. I will see you soon, my dear," he said as he bid her fare well. She waved at him as he went to continue to the other trainers and she turned back toward Coumarine City.

She had things to do, but soon she would get to spend some time with him. Nothing could darken her day now.