AN: Sorry for the delay but this chapter was really difficult for me :*)

I want to thank everyone who reviewed, alerted or faved this story! It encourages me a lot!

I don't own Pokemon or this brilliant song from "Tangled"

Enjoy!

Chapter 4 – Memories

Delia stared at the wall of the future baby room. The sunrays of the setting sun lit the two narrow stripes. The color was still fresh and shone from just being painted on the wall of her and her beloved's offspring's room. The mother-to be abated a few steps, examining her selections.

"Which one shall I choose?" she asked herself. " 'Honey' or 'marine breeze'?"

Being on two minds Delia observed the two colors. Not knowing whether the child was going to be a girl or a boy she wanted to have some gender-free color for the room.

Glad to have some liveliness in her life, Delia had already started to choose the furniture and floor cover at the time she wasn't going through crying attacks or throwing up.

Yesterday as she had asked Giovanni for some advice about the colors, he had just smiled and told her to do whatever she wanted not doing lack in money or moral encouragement.

He's so sweet, like always! He's by far the best thing that ever happened to me! Do I really deserve such a gentleman like him? And my mother used to give me permanently warnings of men…

Suddenly Delia found herself being ripped off her thoughts about colors, furniture and her luck in marriage as her baby kicked. Smiling lovingly she rubbed her stomach which currently seemed to grow each passing day. "Hmm, so you're still there little one! Good to know" she cooed softly.

A couple of weeks ago the baby started moving and struggling. All day, all night, at all time Delia started to have more and more the feeling that she wasn't alone anymore.

But not yesterday.

Yesterday nothing happened, no moves, no kicks. Last night she also slept quiet well. At first Delia had been glad but later she started to worry. Did she do something wrong? Was her little one in pain or hurt? Did she kill her baby?

Controlled by fear and worry with horrible thoughts spinning through her head she ran to the doctor as fast as she could. Luckily it was just a false alarm. The doctor comforted the ashamed Delia by telling her this was nothing irregular for future mothers. Fortunately the doctor told her after the second ultrasound that she and her baby were quiet healthy and not to worry about her raging hormones because that was totally normal during a pregnancy.

Now Delia was quiet sure that her child apparently decided to get in touch with his mother again… Slowly but surely a wave of fatigue started to overwhelm Delia. Oh no, not again! A few minutes she tried to fight it but it was impossible as she wasn't even able to hold the brushes anymore and the blue one slipped out of her hand. Deciding it was idiotic to continue her work Delia went to the bedroom she shared with her husband and put herself down on the king-sized bed, sighing in ease.

Up to now the pregnancy had been tearing at her nerves. Somehow it was funny, although she was always tired sleeping soundly had become a rarity for her. Even if she got some sleep it never lasted long and was either filled with strange dreams or she woke up when the baby kicked.

If Delia was lucky when she woke up at night she found herself cradled in her husband's arms what helped her a lot to calm down. Sadly this wasn't always the case, but it was certainly more often than before. As of later Giovanni returned later at night as before. Most likely he has more work than ever with his gym and business. Poor thing! If only I could do something for him to make it better!

Usually Delia tried to help him relax and to come up with her role as his wife, whether with giving him a massage, cooking for him or "other pleasant things"…

Never shying at anything to appeal to Giovanni and even stopped working because he didn't want her to job.

"No sweetie, I don't want you injuring yourself or getting sick! My princess will never have to bend a finger for anything!"

Delia had been a bit sad about having to abort her 'work' (a job requiring training which she had learnt by her uncle) but decided to do it for her beloved. So the past year on her life consisted of accompanying Giovanni to parties and business trips. It had been slightly boring but worth for these few moments she could spend with Giovanni, just the both of them. So for Delia it had been one of the most beautiful moments of her life as the doctor had told her that she and her husband were going to get a third family member

Her family had always been very small. In fact, the Ketchum clan just had contained her and her mother: Danila Ketchum, abandoned by her lover, overprotective mother and pokemon nurse.

Delia never met her father. The only thing Delia knew about him was that he had abandoned Danila after seducing, schmoozing her, and having his way with her. For short he had used her and left her pregnant with twin girls.

The pregnant nurse was finished. How would she be able to raise two kids without any help? An abortion had been impossible for Danila due to the fact that she had been raised religiously and had never had the heart to harm such an innocent life. So everything she could do was gritting her teeth together.

During her pregnancy Danila decided to forget about being betrayed and wanted to move on in life to offer her baby daughters named Delia and Desiree a good future. Before they were born she had made herself comfortable in a small house in New Bark Town, ready to offer them everything they needed, love, care, and protection.

Money hadn't been much of a problem. Her ex-lover's brother Professor Samuel Oak felt sorry for Danila and how his idiot brother had behaved towards her, so he always supported her with money. She also helped out at his lab as some kind of reward. But luck had never been truly on the Ketchum-family's side. After just three weeks with her pretty newborn girls Danila's small family had dwindled to mother and just one daughter.

Desiree had suddenly died of a fatal disease so they remained just as two. This had been the point as Danila swore to protect her remaining daughter as best as she could do. She also swore to keep her away from any male beings (except the girl's uncle Samuel) so Delia would never make the same mistake as her.

That was why Delia Ketchum grew up with almost no human contacts. The girl never saw a school building from the inside, she was taught at home -and her mother had made sure the teacher was a female being…

That continued until Delia was fifteen years old as the next stroke of fate had hit her small family.

Danila suddenly died in a car crash leaving her only daughter alone, a girl shut away from any social contact, never had had a sleepover, a boyfriend or met any other girls of her age. She wasn't familiar with men, boys or any typical girlie things.

After her mother's death Delia was completely thrown in at the deep end, into a world she had never seen. Luckily Delia's uncle Professor Oak took care of her so she continued to live at his laboratory in New Bark Town (a few years later said laboratory was handed to young Professor Elm).

Educated by him to become a nurse Delia started to get a few more contacts to the outside world and even managed to befriend a few trainer girls. Her life started to get better everyday although she was still very distraught by her beloved mother's death and never smiling or laughing.

After a few months Professor Oak had to leave for an international research conference for a week and Delia had to watch over the lab for him for this time. But what the niece of the famous researcher had not expected was that one night alone in the laboratory could change her life forever …again.

Taking care of the lab had not been as difficult as Delia had expected it.

But one night as she decided to get up for a glass of water she got a shock for life. The water glass slipped out of her grip and flew into pieces as she found herself suddenly surrounded by a group of brutal looking figures cloaked in dark overalls from tip to toe.

Shouldering black bags all their heads were all turned into the terrified Delia's direction but there was only one of the burglars really catching her eyes and full attention, the only one whose head wasn't hidden by a dark mask.

He was apparently the leader of this mysterious gang, very tall, board-shouldered, his brown hair slicked back and his brown piercing eyes scanning her form tip to toe in a very frightening and for Delia unknown way. As if he intended to devour or even undress her with his eyes!

That was far too much for Delia. Befriending a few trainers had already been a challenge for her, someone who almost never made any social contacts, but dealing with a gang , armed with deathly looking knives and guns sticking in their black leather belts and most of all their leader and the fact that he, a male being was scowling at her in some manner that scared Delia to death. It had been too much for her to handle. Shaking Delia had let out a terrified scream before her world went black.

As Delia woke up she found herself at the headquarters of the gang that had robbed the laboratory. She did not remember all details about the prior night but noticed that she had been kidnapped.

Apparently they had taken her with them since she had been the only witness and their boss Giovanni (the name was given to her by some random agent) had started to set his eyes upon her.

No matter how scared and daunted Delia was at the moment as one of the burglars turning out to be a professional killer told her that the second reason was for sure the sole reason why they, the feared underground organization "Team Rocket" had spared her life. Hearing that she decided to see this mysterious Giovanni to thank him for keeping her alive. Maybe she would be forced to become a member of this crime organization or rot in some cell for the rest of her life but for Delia this was a far better option than death.

After thanking him to for saving her life Delia wanted to get out of his office as fast as possible. Although she had to admit that Giovanni was a quiet handsome man, he still scared her to death with his lustful glances. And the Rocket leader didn't keep it that way. He visited the room she was locked in countless times, trying to get her better to know but in no "Let's be friends"-way…

Lustful… until then this word had just been something her mother always used to tell her about.. "If a man ever looks at you this way, hit the road! This was exactly how your father began to diddle me! Men are all the same and fixated on the one thing! They drag you into a dark corner, a black ally or anything else and rape you senseless 'till they get what they want!"

First Delia thought Giovanni was exactly the type of man Danila had told her about. But she couldn't have been more wrong.

After a week Giovanni apparently noticed that his behavior was truly scaring the inexperienced Delia., anyway he decided to change his tactic. So the young mafia lord started to talk to her instead of raping her lips with his own and pinning her down on her bed.

They talked about their families, likes and dislikes and everything they could talk about for getting to know about the other one. At first Delia was very shy but trusted him more and more. After a while Giovanni even started to show Delia more of the outside world and allowed her to go around of her own free will to explore everything, as long as she returned on time and he was able to make sure that she was unharmed.

Time passed and Delia was less afraid of other human beings than ever, nearly able to be characterized as 'normal'.

But most important she managed to overcome her fear of Giovanni. Her mother's words still sounded in her ears but the urge to leave these old days and teenage fears behind was much stronger.

Wanting to begin a new life and looking wide-eyed at the world the now young woman started to trust Giovanni more and more. He was her guide, her bridge over troubled water, showing her everything without pushing her into doing something she did not want or wasn't ready for and most of all: always sweet and charming.

As she was courageous enough for something more they started dating. Even kissing and hugging wasn't a problem anymore. During the passed time the two of them had gotten quiet close. And after an intensive passionate kiss on the beach as the sun went down Delia couldn't deny it anymore, she loved Giovanni.

But soon after that she received some very angry calls on the answering machine by the few trainers she had managed to befriend. They had been furious, because Delia didn't keep contact with them so they made quick work of the confused Delia: calling her, scolding her (Delia never imagined her few friends knowing so many cuss words...) and abrogating their friendship. Post hearing this Giovanni was the only one for her to rely on and loving her.

He comforted her, let her cry on his shoulder and never left her alone, in exactly the same way as he had promised her. This was the final point as Delia decided to trust him totally, even with her life. And she wasn't disappointed. As Giovanni took her to a romantic candlelight dinner to celebrate her seventeenth birthday Delia got the biggest surprise and the best birthday gift of her life: Giovanni went on his knees, while opening a small red velvet box, and asked for her hand in marriage. of course her answer was 'yes'.

The best time of her life followed to that evening. On a quickly arranged but giant white wedding followed their honeymoon and a complete new life. It was a life in wealth and luxury with the man of her dreams by her side, as a couple ensured to receive envious glances in publicity.

Him, the strong ruthless mafia lord and her, his innocent sweet angel. Sure, it sounded pretty cheesy but this was exactly the way it was… well Giovanni always kept telling her so.

Despite their lucky marriage and trust in each other Delia was still slightly intimidated by the appearance of her husband, much less than the time they met but still a bit. But honestly, who wouldn't be daunted by the appearance of a ruthless crime lord like him? In Delia's opinion it was just something natural and quiet normal.

RIIING!

Delia jumped immediately off the bed as fast as her current condition allowed it, being ripped off her sleep and out of her thoughts.

What's that?

RING! RING! RING! PHONE CALL! PHONE CALL! RING! RING! RING!

Ah, the videophone! Looking on the videophone's display Delia knew at once who called her. Smiling she took the receiver in her hand being happy about the small encouragement and activated the screen to answer her husband's call.

"Hi honey!"

"Hello sleepyhead!" answered her smiling husband. "How are you? Did you sleep again? "

"I think so. I was really tired and decided to lie down. And then the ringing woke me up" she said rubbing her eyes and yawning.

Giovanni just continued to smile lovingly at her.

"Did you finally choose the color and the furniture? How was your day my love?"

"I still don't know how to paint the room. I can't decide whether I want to take the yellow or the blue. Apropos, how do you think about the baby? Do you want the child to be a girl or a boy?" asked Delia.

Silence.

After a few moments of thinking Giovanni replied:

"I want it to be a girl. She'd look exactly like you Delia"

Surprised Delia had to giggle.

"That's a bit similar to what I'm thinking"

"What?"

"Well, I hope the baby will be a boy. He would be an absolute image of you!" So charming like always!. But that also means that one of us will be slightly disappointed…

"That's why I'm calling my angel". His expression sharpened. "I have to work through tonight to get through all this damn paperwork. There's also a special affair I have to deal with and this will take a lot of time."

"Oh no!" Being a bit disappointed the expecting mother sighed. But most of all she felt sorry for her husband. "You're working too hard darling!" said Delia quietly. "If you continue like that you'll end up with burning out yourself you poor thing!"

"I know, I tried everything to avoid it!"

"Is there anything I can do to make it easier for you honey?"

"No I'm fine. But I also got some good news. When our child will be born, I'll be able to help you a few days!"

"Really? You must be joking!" her mouth clapped open in disbelief as if it hung on hinges.

The longest vacation they had spent together had been their two weeklong honeymoon and after that she had accompanied him to a few important business trips and parties. But any mutual activities were rare and when the baby was born Giovanni wanted to set aside his work, if only for a few days? This was just impossible! But Delia already knew it was possible as her husbands' lips curled up again to that smile she loved so much.

"Ok" Delia was still very sad about her husband's full datebook. Trying to cheer Giovanni up she put on her most cheery smile "See you the day after tomorrow! I love you!"

"I love you too!"

Giovanni sighed as he put the receiver of his phone back on its holder. Glancing at his expensive watch he could just focus on what was going to happen tonight. Only a few minutes left… In about five minutes May, her companions, Professor Sebastian senior, and Giovanni's personal medics were about to arrive.

Sitting in the prepared room he waited for the ones intending to get rid of the little parasite once and for all and thought about the passed phone conversation. He had been lying a bit. As Giovanni told Delia he hoped their child to be a girl the only reason hadn't been that their daughter would look like her mother. Of course a bit but the gender wouldn't change a thing. The true reason had been that Delia had already decided that she wanted to breastfeed the small love thief. And another male being instead of him doing something in 'special places' of his wife… NO!

Only the thought set Giovanni's mind on flames with rage and jealousy. He didn't want this child, no matter whether the little love stealer would turn out to be a girl or a boy. Luckily the problem was going to be taken care of tonight.

Suddenly Giovanni remembered Delia's wish about the baby's gender. Somehow it was sweet by her but also confirmed Giovanni's assumption that the parasite already managed to brainwash its sweet and innocent mother.

My poor angel, already too manipulated and blind to see the truth!

Giovanni was very enraged. Not only about the growing love-thief but also about his dwindling success with Delia. He had managed to turn the once scared and isolated girl into a beautiful blossoming flower and now the growing monster even dared to steal that away from him.

Everything begun a few weeks after he had murdered his devilish mother. As he and a few other agents read in the papers that the famous Prof Oak went away to the annual research conference. And as far as some spies had told him there wasn't a student or assistant to watch over the lab this time.

Every criminal knew the laboratory of Prof Oak was a true goldmine, so Giovanni did not hesitate long, gathered his best agents and took the first night that came along to sneak on the estate to take hold of all pokemon there. First it had been easier than he thought. There had not been any other gangs with who could have been competing with the small squad of Top Rocket agents and he for the lab's pokemon. After stuffing all pokeballs in their bags he ordered to run off as fast and quiet as their legs could carry them.

But what Giovanni did not expect was that there was in fact some other human being in the laboratory.

As they sneaked out of the basement, already grinning in victory, they ran into a very frightened teenager girl. Apparently she had been asleep and got up for a glass of water or something like that.

Whatever had been going on in that pretty little head of hers Giovanni was quiet sure by himself that she had been totally frightened and confused. Giovanni still remembered every detail of her face as their eyes met for the first time vividly: Her beautiful chocolate brown eyes widened sparkling with fear, her mouth hanging open as if she was a carp and most of all: her strange behavior.

She had turned around and grabbed a small frying pan from the eat-in-kitchen's table, apparently in a desperate attempt to defend herself against an armed to the teeth criminal gang. Aiming the grabbed kitchen ware at the intruders the young woman looked at each of them like a scared animal who had never seen a human being in it's entire lifetime.

As Giovanni made the mistake to pull out his gun from his belt she had let out a terrified scream and fainted, out of nothing! This beautiful little creature was truly something he had to get to know more.

Usually he never made any captives and made sure that all witnesses of his troops actions kept silent. But Giovanni had been struck by the strange girl's appearance at once and decided that she was far too pretty to die. After taking the unconscious beauty with him to the Rocket headquarters and tucking her in an unoccupied bed Giovanni told his secretaries to find out more about her.

With some face detection software it wasn't much of a problem to find out everything about Delia Ketchum. As the one-centimeter thick file of hers was finally completely printed Giovanni made himself comfortable on his bed in the evening and read everything about her. Her CV, her basic details but also her wishes and goals in life and kept reading it all over and over again with fascination.

Her wishes were very humble but thanks to this file Giovanni already knew everything about the object of his desire before they spoke to each other for the very first time.

Primarily Delia was very cynical and scared about his attempts to seduce her and make her fall for him. She had been very difficult to talk to but quiet lovely and shy.

No wonder! After what I've read about her mother… What a psycho this Danila must have been! If she hadn't died in that accident I would have got rid of her for Delia!

However as he began simply talking with Delia she had started to get used to his presence and simple things him touching her hand very quickly. It didn't matter how long it would take to make her fall for him, for Giovanni it was indispensable for life that Delia returned this feeling that had been total folklore to him as long as he hadn't seen her: love. Finally, after long years under the dictatorship of his mother he had someone to love, someone to care about.

And after a few months, step by step, Giovanni succeeded.

Even when he would conquer the world and the whole universe, conquering Delia's heart, helping her to overcome her fear of contact with other human beings, making her smile again and making her his and his all alone was always going to be his greatest achievement in life.

The thought of him managing to turn a frightened girl that had been shut away from civilization for life into a blossoming cheery and 'normal' woman made Giovanni burst with pride. As he proposed to Delia and she threw herself into his arms, saying "yes" in tears of joy, it was the point as the crime emperor awakened happily to his greatest victory in lifetime.

What followed to this evening was the reward of Giovanni's hard work. A giant white wedding, a two-week long honeymoon on the private island he had 'inherited' from his mother and a life with his angelic Delia by his side.

Everything was perfect.

But his perfect world started to get ruined more and more with each passing moment. But the passed phone conversation with his beloved just had born Giovanni out in his most horrible apprehension: The person he had managed to turn Delia into, his sweet cheery angel was changing- thanks to the little parasite inside her!

A wave of blind rage overwhelmed Giovanni making him see crimson red. Trying to calm down he quickly emptied his whole drink in one single draft and crushed the glass in his hand. A few drops ran over Giovanni's fist. In his fantasy it was the little monster he just had crushed in his fist and it's blood running over his fingers…

Suddenly the speaker on his desk cracked.

"Giovanni, Sir, some brutal looking creepers just have arrived. They say you've set up an important meeting for this evening."

Finally! I've thought they would never come!

Rubbing his temples Giovanni smiled in anticipation for tonight's activities.

"Good. I'm waiting in the prepared conference room. And don't dare to let anybody bother us, it's important and top secret!"

"Understood, Sir."

This is going to be interesting!

Mother knows best

Listen to your mother

It's a scary world out there

Mother knows best

One way or another

Something will go wrong i swear

Ruffians, thugs

Poison ivy quicksand

Cannibals and snakes the plague

Also large bugs

Men with pointy teeth and

Stop no more you'll just upset me

Mother's right here

Mother will protect you

Darling here's what i suggest

Skip the drama

Stay with mama

Mother knows best

To be continued

Hope you liked it!

I brought "mother knows best " from "Tangled" as a little joke. Danila was the name of the last role I've played in a school play (an arrogant fisher).

Please review!