AN: I am a terrible person. But I swim, right.. and it's 13 and over State week and we're not supposed to be on electronics plus school and swimming is keeping me busy. :C And no inspiration. Worst case of writer's block. Sorry. All I can do is apologize.

But hey, our team won the meet! XD First time winning the 13 and over state meet in like 10 years! yay. It's swimming off season. Such fun. XD

Ikari...Oldrival...XD Lots I guess. A little contest. And if we're lucky...maybe some Poke?

"Do you hear something wrong?" Leaf asked, pausing to listen.

"No, not really," Gary snorted, laughing at Leaf's focused expression.

Leaf's face hardened as she swatted at Gary. "No, I'm serious. Why does it sound like...LaRousse Hall?"

Gary stiffened at the mention of the bloody night. He started focusing and listened harder. Indeed there were honks and yells and faint sounds of gunshots.

Leaf and Gary shared shocked looks before tearing through the thickening crowd.

Identical expressions of disbelief came over them when they saw the rubble in front of the Base, disguised as just another business building. The entire front wall was half-collapsed, and the shattered glass was covering the whole road.

"Arceus," Leaf winced, rubbing at her temples. "My computers..."

Gary shot her a disbelieving look, and snorted bitterly before running towards the crushed building. "Your computer. And I thought I was the arrogant one. What about our friends?"

"Oh, I care about them as well!" Leaf called, racing after him. "At least you finally admit that you're the arrogant one!"

"Just shut up already!" Gary yelled, no playfulness at all. "I'm scared as shit about our friends, okay? I'm arrogant, whatever! What if they all died Leaf? What do you want us to do then, huh?"

Leaf stopped and took a deep breath, reassessing the situation, before starting forward again, determined to do things right, instead of letting things fall apart. And not let the playfulness and the euphoria of what she had admitted, overshadow the fear for her friends, that was hiding inside.

When Leaf stepped through the cracked door, she almost crumpled in relief.

Everyone was safe. But not unharmed.

All of Team Eevee, and all the staff of the EIA currently living in the Base was safe and sound. Including the visitors. Though many had cut and bruises.

May was breathing harshly while leaning heavily on Drew while Dawn fussed. Marina was nursing a bump on her head and a black eye, while Jimmy forlornly apologized for accidentally hitting her with a baseball bat. Ash was rubbing at his forearm, where his past injuries were causing him pain. Misty was scolding him, and Leaf caught something along the lines of 'dumb typical Ash'. Max, Bonnie, and Clemont were herded into a corner by Serena, hushing the blond girl who was full of questions.

Cynthia had a large cut on her forehead, and her gun was cocked at the pair, but she put the pistol down as soon as she realized that it was Leaf and Gary. Lucian's hands were full of the most important programs and data, while Bertha and Flint were toting bags full of expensive equipment.

"Oh my Arceus, Leaf, I was so worried when I couldn't find you," Cynthia gasped, crushing her.

Gary stared at her petulantly. "What about me..."

"Oh, Lucian saw you go out through the cameras. So we weren't worried," Cynthia waved him off.

"What happened?" Leaf asked awkwardly. "I mean, when we were gone."

Cynthia smiled grimly, "Looks like they found out that someone had raided their facility. And Zelo wasn't very happy. He even sent us a video. Well, more like broadcasted it on Poketube, but that doesn't matter. He couldn't find anything wrong with his system, because Calem did too well. But he knew that there was something tampered with, and if the people who know what is tampered with is dead, of course nothing can go wrong then," Cynthia explained wryly.

"So. They knew obviously it was some government attack. I heard from the others. They were attacked at similar times. Solidad and Harley were attacked at the Hoenn Branch of Investigation. They were visiting. Iris and Cilan were attacked over at the EIA base in Unova. Kenny, Lucas, Barry, Brendan, and Wallace have reported no attacks yet but we were definitely hit first," Lucian sighed.

"Such fun, right guys?" Ash laughed nervously, scrubbing harder at his arm.

"I just can't wait until we get this mission over and done with. I'm so done already. Zelo's so annoying," Misty grumbled, leaning against Dawn lightly. Marina laughed lightly.

"Mist, of course you're already bored. This is the most action we've been getting since forever!" she shoved at Misty's shoulder, knocking into Dawn. Dawn shot Marina a dirty look and Marina grinned sheepishly back.

Cynthia sighed and looked around. "Why can't things just go smoothly for once? A mission without a hitch? I guess we're visiting our friends in Sinnoh."

"YES!" Dawn cheered still supporting May.

"Can we even get to our rooms?" Leaf questioned, studying the structure of the room.

"No." Cynthia's voice was sad and tired. "Everything's gone. The bomb went off right at the basic supports. So it just...collapsed. Everyone's okay. Thank God Truman went home for the day, because the kitchen was absolutely ruined."

"Okay, so we're just gonna hop on the private plane? Yeah? I'm calling them now." Gary said slowly. "Everyone let's sit down. It should be able to stay up. Come on...there you go May. Drew watch her, though Dr. Hamilton should have a look a that wrist. It looks sprained. Uh-huh. Yup. Okay. An hour you say? Okay. Thank you. Yup."

"They got it covered. Leaf can you go get us a couple cabs?" Gary asked, motioning towards the door, knowing how much Leaf hated cabs because the drivers were 'strangers'. More like strange Leaf.

Leaf gave him an irritated look. "Of course I can Gary," she muttered sweetly. "But why do we need them anyways? We have the freaking moving sidewalks."

Gary glared at her. "Just do it already."

"Lover's quarrel?" Bertha laughed, nudging Lucian. Lucian nodded in agreement, while Flint stared between the angry couple, and the laughing Bertha and Lucian, shaking his head with disbelief. Gary flushed at that and Leaf gave the old lady the same dirty look she gave Gary. Bertha just cackled harder, ignoring the furious couple.

"Come on May, you can get up," Dawn encouraged, propping May up. "We need to get outside to the cab. We're going to Sinnoh."

"I know!" May snapped, wheezing. "I'm not deaf Dawn! Just...a...little out of shape."

"We know," Drew said dryly, reluctantly helping Dawn. "We're helping you because you're physically impaired June."

"That's true," Jimmy agreed, hovering on the other side of May, just in case May would fall from Dawn and Drew pushing so hard. Marina swatted at Jimmy's head angrily pointing at her own eye.

"You idiot! She was in a coma! Of course she's going to be a little weaker! And the dust on the way up didn't help her breathing at all. She's just having a minor asthma attack! She's already physically exerted enough! Without you dumbass, being mean to her! You too Drew Hayden! And you still owe me for hitting me!" Marina scolded.

"It was an accident! I ran into Paul, who pushed me away, and then the baseball bat in my hand just...flew out of my hand," Jimmy protested, covering his head, though still keeping an eye on May. When May was upright and okay, and Marina looked ready to explode, Jimmy ran out the door, after Leaf who had grumpily gone to call the cabs.

"I thought you were the nice one Jimmy! Out of all you boys!" Marina called, racing after him.

"Though Drew's not helping you because of that May! He has his own reasons!" Marina added before running out, winking at the flushed green-haired boy.

"Marina!" Drew called furiously, wiping at his hot cheeks.

"What reasons?" May asked curiously, her eyes wide as she caught her breath.

Dawn laughed at her friend's bewildered expression. "I don't know...maybe...romantic notions?" Dawn said suggestively, wiggling her eyebrows.

"DAWN!" Drew grumbled. "It's hate on Drew Day, isn't it."

"Nope," Dawn giggled.

"Don't worry Mr. grumpy. We won't tell anyone!" Dawn laughed. Drew continued grumbling as he stalked towards Misty, Ash, and Serena, who had joined them after settling down the visitors.

But before he even got there, Leaf poked her head back through the door, holding onto Jimmy's collar as Marina kicked at him. "Guys! The taxis are here. Time to go on a family road trip!"

Lucian and Flint shared a look. "FAMILY ROAD TRIP!?"

"Cynthia! WHY DO I HAVE TO SIT NEXT TO THE GRASSHEAD!?" May complained loudly, though she heaved afterwards, courtesy of her still quite weak physical condition.

Bertha dropped by, patting May's cheeks sympathetically. "Sweetheart, you all have to sit with your partners because Cynthia knows that you are capable of working together. And so that it doesn't become crazy because Arceus knows how crazy you teenagers get."

May just pouted, glaring at the graying hair at the top of Bertha's head.

Bertha patted her cheek again as Drew just sat back and stretched out his long legs and smirked. "See June? You're stuck with me. What can I say?"

Bertha left the still arguing pair as Flint's Infernape called for the aging lady. "Or maybe even Cynthia wants you two to get together already," she smirked, staring after the angry brunette and the cocky boy.

"Oh give it up already,

"I can't wait to see Kenny and Barry and Lucas, and Wallace...oh! Haven't seen him since the Johto Wallace Cup! Mew! This is so exciting!" Dawn exclaimed, bouncing in her seat as she changed the channels on the TV with speed.

"Calm down Troublesome..." Paul mumbled, shifting and opening one eye into a slit, his mouth tightening into a hard line. "Are you really that excited to see some of your...friends?"

"She's Dawn..." Jimmy mumbled, placing his head in his hand, staring at the TV.

"Yes! Oh! I can't wait!" Dawn giggled, bouncing again. "Why are you so grumpy? Hmm?"

"I...don't like airplanes," Paul fibbed, closing his eyes again.

Marina giggled lightly at that, and nudged Jimmy. Jimmy nodded in agreement, laughing.

"Hmm. You sound like a jealous, irritable person to me. You've flown before," Dawn mused, peering up at Paul curiously.

Paul's cheeks flushed pink, but he just rolled over and pretended not to hear.

"Hmm. Or maybe not. Have a good nap! Oh! Look! It's Glee," Dawn muttered, easily distracted. Paul sighed in relief. Another disaster avoided.

Marina frowned as she turned to the screen, expecting more from Dawn. "You sure you're okay Paul?"

Paul mumbled something under his breath.

Dawn turned in her seat to stare at the 'asleep' Paul, her cobalt eyes narrowing suspiciously. She tentatively touched his forehead, and his cheeks with her fingertips, which were bright red. "Yeah! Are you sure you're okay Paul? You're face is kinda hot."

Dawn reached out to touch his cheeks more firmly, and nodded in agreement with herself. "Yup. You're cheeks are on fire! And you look pale everywhere else. You're eyelids are twitching. Stop pretending you're asleep! I know you're awake! My mom taught me! You look sick! HEY! STOP PRETENDING YOU'RE ASLEEP!"

"PAUL!"

Paul breathed out though his nose, almost desperate to keep up the facade of slumber. But Dawn was acting so strange, that Paul was finding it rather hard to keep a straight face for the first time in a long time.

"Hmph. Fine. I guess if you're going to give me the silent treatment," Dawn huffed. "Then I'm just going to ignore you and watch Glee. They're better than you silent grumpy face any day. Meanie. Grumpy. Hmph. Just not going to talk to you."

"Hn," Paul muttered, rolling back towards Dawn and the TV.

"..."

"Paul?"

"..."

"Paul!?"

"..."

"Hey! You're supposed to answer me! Barry'll fine you when we get to Sinnoh!"

"..."

"Fine then. I'll just ignore you when we get to Sinnoh."

"..."

"Wait a second. Wasn't I supposed to ignore you?"

"Oh dear. Dawn. Maybe...you should just watch Glee with us?" Marina asked with bemusement including herself and Jimmy.

"Yeah! Ignore the...ahh...tired Paul," Jimmy started, but quickly changed tactics when Paul opened one eye and glared at Jimmy. "Yeah! Paul's just tired. It's okay, just watch Glee with us."

Gary grinned as he reached over to yank the blinds quickly, glancing at the sleeping Leaf.

"HEY!" May yelled, turning around in her seat to face the pair on the opposite side of the plane. "Close it! It's much too bright!"

"Gary. Stop it," Leaf groaned, covering her eyes and shutting the blinds quickly.

"But it's so dark!" Gary pouted.

Leaf flicked him across the forehead, glaring.

"What! It is dark..." Gary continued pouting, sticking his upper lip out further. "You're my girlfriend now!"

"Well maybe if you turned on the overhead lights, or the hallways lights, or even you're personalized light. IT WOULDN'T BE SO DARK!" Leaf snapped, her eyes glaring furiously at Gary. "And the guy is supposed to be nice to the girl!"

"She has a point," Drew called from across the plane, swiveling in his seat.

"Shut it Grasshead," Gary muttered, glaring petulantly at him. "You can't even get yourself a girlfriend!"

"Oh shove off," Drew shot back.

"Shut up. Both of you. I want to sleep," Leaf mumbled sleepily, leaning her head against the seat.

"That's right! Now turn around Drew!" May ordered, turning Drew's seat back around and locking it.

Drew glared at her. "Whatever, I guess I'll just take the remote! And watch what I want to watch! Bossy!"

"Drew!" May whined.

Leaf groaned again. "SHUT UP!"

Ash was thinking. Hard. Something that he usually didn't do. And he discovered something when he was thinking. Something that he didn't think could be possible. So he would find out.

"Hey Mist? How do you know when you have a crush?" Ash asked, poking at the sleepy Misty.

"Ash! Go away..." Misty muttered. "Where did this even come from?"

"Vas-y," Calem offered helpfully.

(Vas-y, Go away!) it's slang

"You shut up too..." Misty mumbled, shifting and squinting her eyes.

"Just trying to be helpful," Calem said, raising his hands in defeat.

"I dunno. I was wondering," Ash muttered confusedly.

"You know Ash? A crush...it's when you think about them constantly and feel the need to talk to some person, or that...you would die without that person. No...that would be love. When you have a crush...you blush around them, you are nice to them. It's not the same for everyone," Serena told Ash thoughtfully, noting Ash's pink cheeks and curious eyes as he briefly glanced towards Misty before turning his gaze back to Serena.

"So Ash. Do you have any of those symptoms?" Calem asked quietly, with amusement.

"Uh...I think?" Ash mumbled. "But it's surely not a crush! It's just friends right?"

"Can you guys shut up?" Misty asked irritably, opening one eye.

"Fine, we'll go over there," Serena agreed, pointing towards Jimmy, Marina, Dawn, and Paul.

The three quickly stepped over there, Ash mumbling under his breath.

"What are you guys doing here?" Dawn asked brightly, patting the seat next to her. Serena plopped down and waved lazily at the boys, motioning that they could sit anywhere.

"Yeah! We're watching Glee!" Jimmy added with a smirk.

"Oh, we were discussing the definition of a crush to Ash, and trying to figure out if he has a crush.

"I mean...I like her, but that's because she's like...my best friend! And she's nice when she's not beating me up, and she's fun, and I feel all warm and fuzzy when I fight her...this doesn't make sense!" Ash fretted, his eyes darted around nervously.

Marina paused the episode, rolling her eyes. "Ash sounds like you have a crush on whoever that was."

"Who is he talking about?" Dawn asked curiously.

"Don't know, he won't tell us," Calem shrugged, sitting down next to the stoic Paul, who looked more awake now.

"It's Misty," Paul spoke, motioning to the sleeping girl with flaming hair spread on the headrest.

Ash's face turned red.

"What!? What are you-? This doesn't...what?!" Ash spluttered.

"It's Misty," Paul repeated before sitting back and closing his eyes.

"Sounds about right to me," Serena grinned.

"But how!? She's like my...best friend! Excluding Gary of course, but...how can I have a crush? I don't...like girls! They're icky!" Ash complained, still shocked.

"Pfft," Jimmy snorted. "Yeah right Ash. You're in the denial stage. You blush when you talk to her, or when you touch her hand, and you only let her hit you, but if May or Dawn hits you, you almost always make sure to retaliate. You guys have always liked each other I think. You're just so...oblivious."

"Well thanks. Am I not supposed to be offended?" Ash asked, flushing redder.

"It's true," Dawn agreed sagely. "I think your scared and don't want to admit it!"

"Oh shut it Dawn...you can't say it like that when..." Serena trailed off, staring briefly at Paul.

"But this...doesn't make sense!" Ash whined, glancing at the sleeping Mist. "How can I have a crush on Mist?! It doesn't make sense. You don't just...suddenly fall in love with your best friend, right? It doesn't make sense!"

"Oh Ash," Serena laughed. "Having a crush doesn't mean you're in love with Misty. It just means you like her as a person and think that she's really awesome and that you could possibly spend the rest of your life with her, or date her. Either way."

"Going to far 'Rena," Calem laughed, shaking his head.

"So...if I have a crush on Misty...what do I do?" Ash asked, finally coming to terms with it.

"Ask her out of course!" Dawn exclaimed bouncing in her seat.

"Yes, that would be wise, but tell her that you like her first, otherwise she'll kill you," Marina agreed.

"But what if she doesn't like me? I'm...dumb?" Ash asked.

Paul shook his head sadly. "This is why you're dumb Ash. It's so obvious that she likes you. She's just old fashioned and doesn't want to tell you with the possibility of you not liking her back."

"Huh," Ash said, "That actually makes sense!"

"Yes, Ash, it's supposed to make sense," Dawn laughing, sweat-dropping.

"So I guess I'll tell her later?" Ash asked.

"Yup, now go back over there, I want to watch Glee," Jimmy guided the invaders back towards their own area.

After they left with a slightly shyer Ash, Dawn turned around and poked Paul. "Hey, maybe his dumbness will help! He will so be confused when Misty threatens to castrate him! And Misty will find it so endearing, she might actually think about it!"

Paul sighed and glared a bit. "I don't care about Ash and Misty's relationship.

"Oh?" Marina questioned with an raised eyebrow. "You don't? How come we saw you...trying to help us get through to Ash?"

Paul shrugged and turned over, burning holes into the TV. "Whatever."

Dawn and Marina shared triumphant looks while Jimmy rolled his eyes. "Come on. I'm turning Glee back on."

"Stay together, little ones!" Bertha cackled, strolling ahead of the stumbling group.

"I'm not little!" Ash complained, squinting at the bright light.

"Bertha, lighten up. They really aren't little," Flint amended, placing a hand on Bertha's shoulder.

"Ahh, but to me you're all little ones, see?" Bertha retorted sagely, smiling. "Little ones. Just like 90% of the population."

May grumbled as she tugged her bag along, rubbing at her eyes. "I got one hour of sleep in. That's...IT!"

"Stop complaining May," Lucian shot back, cleaning his own glasses and wheeling his luggage behind him. "It's life of an agent."

"No, not really," May mumbled, blinking blearily.

"Girl, we've been agents for a loooong time!" Dawn exclaimed, bumping May's shoulder lightly. "We should know!"

Lucian glared at Dawn, offended. "I'm not a girl!"

"I wasn't talking to you," Dawn rolled her eyes, glaring back at Lucian sassily. "Four eyes."

"Hey!" Lucian protested. "My glasses are really good technology!"

Leaf laughed at them, slinging an arm around Gary(she was no longer grumpy and sleep-deprived), "I should know Lucian, I helped design them. But still, I agree with Dawn that you definitely have four eyes Lucian. Plus, Bertha told us the oooold story. Sometimes we forget how old you are Lucian! But then Lucian tells us about the good old days. When you were a baby!"

"He-ey! I'm only like thirty! What is she talking about? I'm young! Plus, I did not come out of the womb with glasses, or am obsessed with glasses. So why am I called four eyes?" Lucian protested grumpily.

Bertha laughed melodically, grinning slyly. "Because I said you are Four eyes. And I'm always right. You can't argue with that!"

"I thought it was 'mother's always right'?" Ash asked confusedly.

"Yes, Ash, it is," Gary deadpanned. "But Bertha is not only a mother, she's a grandmother. Which makes the chance of her being right, even more. She's very wise, see? And not even that old!"

Bertha turned around and kicked Gary in the knee with right leg, wagging a finger threatening. "Don't tell me I'm not that old when you're smirking Gary Oak!"

"Oh, they're just asking for trouble now," Cynthia laughed to Aaron and Flint, walking out of the sliding doors, nodding to the security guard. "Hey! Lucas! Over here! You know where there are a lot of people?"

"Really Cynthia? A lot of people? This is la aeroport," Serena told her lightly, grinning as she pulled Paul, Calem, and Misty onto the sidewalk, out of the airport. "There's always a lot of people.

(la areoport-the airport)

"True, but hey, Lucas can be a doofus sometimes," Aaron agreed, motioning towards the blond boy who was still spinning wildly, looking for them.

"Hey! There's Barry! And Brendan! They're all here!" Dawn squealed right into May's ear, jumping up and down, shaking both May and Drew's shoulders.

"Please don't," Jimmy groaned, covering his ears and hiding behind Marina. "Please make her stop."

Marina gave a sheepish smile towards Dawn, who looked slightly offended. "Isn't it okay to express my excitement?"

"Yeah...but not that high pitch," Jimmy muttered. Dawn looked indignantly towards May, Drew, Marina, Aaron, Flint, and Paul's general

"You're too loud sometimes," Paul commented, shrugging.

Dawn looked even more offended.

"Sokay Dawn...ignore them," May whispered, ushering her towards Lucas and Barry who finally noticed them and had ran over to take luggage from Cynthia and the other FLL people.

"LUCAS! BARRY! AAHH! BRENDAN! ARCEUS COME HERE!" Dawn grinned widely when she got distracted and turned back her first source of interest.

"I've missed you guys! Brendan!" May added, holding her arms out for a hug, giving her childhood best friend a tight hug. "I swear! You've grown another three inches and is...you're so tall now!"

"This isn't fair!" Misty agreed, standing on her tip toes and still not managing to match Barry's height.

"Yes it is," Lucas grinned, patting Dawn on the head.

"Hey..." Dawn complained, turning her head without letting go of Barry.

"Dawn! Let me go before I fine you!" Barry mumbled half-heartedly, pushing Dawn away with affection.

"Come on guys, let's go," Lucas laughed again, guiding everyone towards the cars waiting for them.

"That was a good movie. Movie night was a good choice," Dawn yawned, "I've forgot what it means to just...relax."

"Mm," Serena agreed, her head drooping onto Marina's shoulder. The blue beauty gently shook her, and offered to take Serena upstairs and back to their temporary rooms.

"Yeah...I'm going up to. Anyone else? I'll take Ash with me," Gary agreed, pulling his cousin, who was drooling onto the sofa.

"I'm going up," Lucas said sleepily, rubbing at his eyes.

"Me too."

"It's late."

"Yup, I'm coming."

"Wait up Jimmy!"

Soon, it was just May, Dawn, Drew, Misty and Paul.

Misty stayed till they finished the first half of the 7th movie, before she drowsily left for her bed. May fell asleep half way through the movie, and Drew quietly carried her upstairs, and Dawn and Paul finished the last movie together.

"I should have known you'd be the last one awake with me, huh?" Dawn laughed nervously as the credits rolled.

"Hmm. It's not like I can sleep anyways. At least Voldemort is entertaining," Paul offered, slightly more talkative than normal.

Dawn was so glad the bluish glow of the large flat screen covered any trace of blush on her cheeks, wishing she was anywhere but there, yet at the same times feeling an exhilarated rush.

"I suppose so," Dawn agreed, rolling onto her back and finishing the last of her popcorn.

"Ugh. This is going to make me so fat."

"Hn, you're not fat."

"Yes I am! And I will become more and more if I can't control my appetite for junk food. This is the last movie night in my life with popcorn, soda, and candy. Next time, I'll make something organic and healthy. Yes, no more junk food for us."

"You're not fat Dawn."

"But a girl has to keep her figure!"

"You're not fat!"

"We've got to be healthy!"

"You're not fat."

"This is not okay."

"Dawn! What do you want me to say? You're not fat. Stop fussing. Do you see May fussing? She eats like a pig! Like Ash!" Paul told her, showing more passion and hand gestures that Dawn has ever seen from him.

"Did you just compare Ash to a pig?" Dawn asked incredulously.

"Yes," Paul mumbled.

"Huh. Never thought of it that way. Guess it works," Dawn pondered, nodding. "Anyways that's because May has a crazy metabolism. Not everybody else is like that Paul."

"You're fine Dawn. You and you're figure is just fine," Paul said practically, unconsciously looking at the subject of the conversation. Dawn's figure.

Her face illuminated by the screen, and Paul felt like pushing that stray strand of hair behind Dawn's ear, but was way too shy and conscious of the consequences of his actions, to do that.

Dawn flushed more than she had been before and even in the bad lighting, Paul could glimpse some of the pinkish-purpley look on her skin, and guessed that without the blue lighting, it would be red, because Dawn was blushing.

"You blushing?" Paul muttered, raising an eyebrow.

"Uh...what?! No! Of course not!" Dawn shook her head, rolling over again.

Paul sighed, sitting back. "Stop rolling around. And yes, you're blushing."

"No I'm not!" Dawn argued, pushing herself onto her elbows, glaring as the blush faded away. "I'm not! You're just mean and annoying. Go away."

"Uh...I can't really?" Paul said skeptically, leaning back on the couch.

"Yes you can! You can go up with the other people," Dawn muttered indignantly. "You're real talkative tonight Paul."

"Hn?" Paul muttered, realizing how right Dawn was. He hadn't spoke a single word for the past four hours, but when it was just Dawn and Paul, he found himself talking, and even...bantering with her.

"This is all wrong," he muttered below his breath, eyes dilated in the dark, and breath slightly faster than normal. This wasn't right. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Paul didn't react to people, well...girls! Like this. It was all wrong.

"It's not like I like talking to you, troublesome."

It must have shown on his face, the panic, because after Dawn's face fell and turned back towards the TV to turn it off, she looked back at Paul hopefully. But a thick blanket of awkward silence ensured.

"If you're not going upstairs, I'm going to," Dawn finally said, standing up and walking towards the staircase. Her bare feet padded across the soft carpeting, pausing at the first step.

Paul opened his mouth to ask her to stop and to come back. To tell her that he was wrong and he had no idea what was going on, but for her not to go and-

And he closed his mouth.

Dawn took her second step. And didn't look back.

AN: YAY! It's FINALLY OVER! ;) BTW remember, this is a fanfic, not a book. So I get to go crazy if i want. ;P I guess I'm just crazy about ikari right? But this is a mainly ikari/contest. Though there a lot of these out there. :D

There might be some typos or mistakes, but I wrote this as fast as possible today, because I've procrastinating(sorry) and struggling with ideas so...

Hey, 3000 words in like an hour! Achievement! XD

-Ange