Here lies a lot of drama, so be prepared. There's not much action in the next few chapters, sorry about that!

ENJOY!

Chapter Fourteen

Austin

"Remind me why I agreed to this," I mutter. Jay has found himself an office to start his therapy thing in, and somehow managed to arrange for my mother, Rose, and I to both be here. We've locked the door and closed the window so that Jay and I could be our pokemon selves. That way it wouldn't be so awkward considering that my mother is not a morph. Or, I don't think she is, anyway.

Now she's sitting across from me on a purple couch thing. I'm glad she didn't sit next to me, that's for sure. Now Jay is floating around with a clipboard and pen in his little pink paws.

"What did you say, honey?" my mother asks. I shoot her a glare before crossing my arms and looking away.

"Austin, not helpful," Jay says. He turns to my mother. "Now, you should know that I am first of all a mind-reader and second can go through memories. While you were avoiding each other's gazes I did some leafing and am now totally aware of what happened between you two when Austin was fourteen."

I smile at my mother's horror regarding this. She takes a deep breath, trying to calm down. "Let's get started," she suggests. I think about saying "Let's not," but I let it go.

"Okay. Austin, how did you feel when your mother told you to leave when you were fourteen?" Jay asks me.

I almost flinch at the memory.

Austin

Twenty-Five Years Ago

"Morning, Mom," I say to my mother the morning of my fourteen birthday.

"What do you want?" She, of course, was engrossed in a book my father had left behind. The Art Of War, I believe it's called.

"Just saying 'hello,'" I say before continuing into the back of our cave, where our food was hidden.

"How much did you eat yesterday?" my mother's voice rings over here and I stop.

"Seven berries," I say. "Why?"

"I did some math. That's too much. Get out," she says, no emotion in her voice. "Otherwise I won't last the winter."

"What?" I demand. "Get out?" We had plenty of berries! Her favorite kind even grew in the Winter!

"For good, Austin. I want to live. So get out," she says.

I walk over to her. "Mom, but-"

"Get OUT!" she screams.

I back away slowly. "O-okay. I-"

"GET OUT!" she screeches.

I run as fast as I can.

Austin

Present

Without thinking, I stand up, fists clenched, and shout. "How do you think I felt, Jay?" Then, realizing I had just yelled at one of my best friends, I slapped a paw over my mouth and sat down. "I'm so sorry!"

"Anger, okay," Jay writes that down. "Now translate that into words and tell your mother."

"You... aren't angry?" I ask.

"Austin, do you know how many people yell at me in one day? My job is to basically ask questions and listen to people yell at me all day long," Jay says, smiling. I could sense no anger in his aura, either. "Plus, I know exactly what was running through your mind right then."

"Okay," I say, collecting myself. "I felt indescribably angry that you kicked me, even more so because you did it without good reason or a full explanation."

"I-" my mother starts.

"Don't make up an excuse. Austin knows what you did, I know what you did, and most importantly you know what you did," Jay says. He floats down to the ground and puts everything down. He stands on the ground, arms crossed, and looks sternly up at my mother. "You know what you have to do."

"Austin," she looks at me with hopeful yet sad eyes. "I'm truly sorry. Please forgive me."

I want to. I really do want to just forgive her and get on with my life. But I just can't do it. I'm still angry. I feel like that emotion in her eyes is all fake. "I can't," I whisper, looking at the floor. "I'm still angry."

"Then tell her what she can do so you'll forgive her," Jay says, beginning to float around the room again.

"I..." I think about it. "Why do you suddenly care so much?"

"Me?" Jay asks, looking confused.

"No, you're my best friend! I know perfectly well why you care about me," I say to Jay, smiling. My smile fades as I look at my mother. "I was talking to you."

"I've always-"

"No, you haven't," Jay puts in. "Mind reader. Remember. But," Jay continues, "first I want to ask why you, Austin, never call her 'Mother.'"

"Well, because in my opinion 'mother' is a title you earn," I state. "And she has not earned it."

Jay picks his clipboard back up and writes something down. "I see." He turns to my mother. "Your reaction?"

"I think that's untrue," she says. "But-"

"I'm out," I decide, getting up. She seems to like pissing me off.

"Austin," Jay warns. "Sit." He turns to look sternly at Rose.

"Fine. I'm sorry. I've been a terrible mother. I heard what you said to Diane, and it's all totally true. How can I make it up to you?" Rose asks hopefully.

"Let's go back to the previous question. Why have you decided to see your son so suddenly?" Jay asks.

"Because... Because right before I was captured I saw a mother and her children. While they did not have a father with them, they were so... happy. I wanted that chance. Then I realized I had it... then I lost it," my mother says sadly. "I know you have a family now. I know that I wasn't there, and that you don't need me to care for you anymore. But... you... you don't need me at all?"

"No," I say. "Not whatsoever."

She looks sad, and Jay gives me a look. I ignore it. "Oh... okay. I wanted a chance to start over and help you with your new family."

"Well, thanks, I guess," I tell her. "My kids are already in high school though. All they need from my wife and I is money and the occasional help with math."

"Now let's go back to the over question," Jay decides. "What can she do to be forgiven, Austin?"

I think about it. She had been totally sincere, otherwise Jay would've said something. Was I really mad? Well, yeah, I was still pretty annoyed. Not quite mad, though. Jay's right. I need to give her a chance. "I guess... I guess that you can prove to me you'd be good with my kids. Only problem... you're a lucario."

"I can turn into a human as well, you know," Rose says.

"What?" Jay and I both shout.

"Yes. I was told your father and I are connections," my mother says.

"What?" I gasp. "You found my father?"

"Well, yes. He belongs to Dayton," Rose says.

"Man, that's a whole other issue," I mutter.

Jay smiles. "I'll go get him."

Damn!

Well, there's part one. Get ready for the second!