A few days later...

Bianca was back at home after another day at the lab. She had regained all of her enthusiasm for the job she had chosen, the grass seemed greener, and the sun above her shone brighter, just for her.

She close the door behind her and then closed her eyes as she stood in her living room, and started to recapitulate everything she had done that day, all with the intention of keeping the memories of those happy days post-victory intact in her mind, so she could access them any time she wanted in the future. During those happy days, she saw her dad shake Helma's hand with an embarrassing expression of regret and shame on his face, right before he apologized profusely to her and Bianca herself. She also introduced the fully recovered Helma to the professor, who didn't remember biting Helma's arm or getting hit by her with a cane, she even agreed to sign Helma's book of autographs which already had a sizable amount of signatures with very special dedications for Helma's heroic deeds.

Bianca also saw Lucia, fully recovered from the injuries sustained at the giant chasm, looking more radiant than ever before. Bianca even had the honor of giving her friend all the necessary tools to start her own pokemon journey, except for a starter pokemon, as Lucia was already the very happy trainer of a newly acquired hondour, which she always held close to her and took it with her wherever she went.

Bianca also saw Jonny that very day, he was making Cheren, Popito, and Quincey laugh out loud. He had taken the first steps towards becoming a small business owner and seemed absolutely decided, he already had Popito and Quincey working for him.

And yet, even though seeing all those people made her really happy, there was one person missing, someone she hadn't seen since that day at the cave. She saw his face on her mind as the sun hid under the horizon and the moon showed itself, shining brightly right above her house, while she gazed right at it through the window on her living room, all by herself on her otherwise empty home.

Perhaps there was a reason she was thinking of Grimsley at that very moment, because she was able to see his shadow walk all the way from afar to her front door, and then she heard him knocking. She swiftly ran to the door and opened it for him, immediately catching his eyes, they seemed happy and healthy, however, the same couldn't be said about the rest of his body, including his face, he still looked quite decayed and also like he had aged a lot.

"Hey, are your parents home?" He asked Bianca,

"no," she answered,

"good, nothing against them, not even against your dad, but I'd rather not cause a scene, can I come in? I need to sit down I'm not fully recovered yet,"

"of course."

Bianca got out of the way so Grimsley could pass, he was wearing his regular black outfit and was carrying a rather large, equally black bag with him. He sat down on the middle of the couch and left his bag next to him. Bianca stood up right in front of him holding her hands together,

"how do you feel?" She asked Grimsley,

"well, I'll have you know this isn't the worst beatdown I've ever received, by far, but I must admit it's been a while, a long while, honestly I just need to find more comfortable clothes"

"even if you don't look as stylish?"

"I guess so, we all have to make sacrifices,"

"I guess so...so I understand you are ready to go on vacation with the rest of the guys,"

"yeah, and I understand you aren't coming,"

"sadly no, I kind of want to take my job more seriously, I've gained a lot more responsibilities actually, but I wouldn't rule out a weekend escapade, if you all wouldn't mind,"

"I'll ask the rest...anyway, as you aren't going I brought a few things I was hoping you'd look after for me while I'm gone,"

"sure, no problem...she was right you know," Bianca said, hoping Grimsley wouldn't get angry,

"about what?" He calmly asked,

"it doesn't matter what other people think of you, you are a good person,"

"right,"

"I mean it,"

"I know you do,"

"you gave them all a chance and saved their lives,"

"thanks. All I can do is look out for them though, for their safety I mean, I'm not outright malicious but there's nothing I could teach them that wouldn't get them in trouble, I really am a crook,"

"you've already taught them a very valuable lesson, you've taught it to me too, we all look up to you, and they'll always follow you,"

"I really hope they don't,"

"would it really be such a bad thing?"

"I'm not sure, I've spent so much of life looking for something meaningful to do until I get a good death, but I found a good life...speaking of death I have something for you," Grimsley said as he stuck his hand into the black bag. He pulled out the dissecated purrloin from his room, now in a smaller glass case,

"this I don't want you to keep for me, it is more like a gift, it's a gift, for you, I felt like I needed to give you something, I mean I wanted to give you something, but I suck at gifts, regardless, I thought this was rather appropriate after all that's happened,"

"it's perfect, I'll take very good care of it." Bianca approached Grimsley to take the purrloin from him, and she stood closer to him,

"thank you," she added,

"that took most of the space in the bag, however I also have some photographs that I want you to keep for me, those are still mine however,"

"fair enough."

Grimsley had to look away from Bianca, who was giving him a warm and honest smile. It was too much for him, but he knew he had to let her know "...I couldn't have done it without you," he said, looking straight into her eyes. The desire to keep looking into them was much more stronger than the urgency he had to look away,

"thanks, I definitely wouldn't have done it without you, you saved all of us,"

"no, I mean it," he said and she opened her eyes wide,

"I was glad to help," Bianca said before her throat closed from the anxiety that rushed to her chest,

"no, I mean it..." still sitting, Grimsley gently grabbed the purrloin from Bianca's hands and placed it safely on the ground, then he grabbed her right hand and kissed it with his eyes closed, and he didn't let go. Bianca thought she was dreaming, she'd never had a dream explicitly detailing what was seemingly happening, but she knew it was only a matter of time, as he had been dwelling on her subconscious ever since she had met him, and she only didn't let him enter her daydreams because she knew she wouldn't be able to get him out, but all that didn't matter anymore, and she was more than happy about it.

Grimsley finally let go of her hand and stood up rather slowly, it was obvious he wasn't joking about not being fully recovered,

"are you sure you are okay?" Bianca asked genuinely worried,

"I am better than I've been for a long time,"

"...can you tell me her name?"

"If I ever tell anyone, it will be you, I'll tell you...take care Bianca,"

"you too Grimsley..."

Grimsley left the bag and the purrloin on the floor of Bianca's house and walked out. Bianca accompanied him to the door and stood outside watching him walk away into the night, while the moon hanged brightly above them.

The end.