Hello again lovely readers! I just can't seem to let these characters go! This is just a little bit of fun really, but it's going to be the basis of the sequel which, to be honest, might come along sooner than I had initially planned!

For those of you who haven't read 'PTSD' (another of my stories on this site – see my profile) this is set a couple of months afterwards. It isn't necessary to have read 'PTSD' to read this, but I think it'd make more sense to do so first if you haven't already.

This is a lot shorter, and a lot lighter in tone (you may be pleased to note!) but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless, and know that there will be more to come!

As always, I'd love to know your thoughts on it (:

Lots and lots of love,

x

"Don't be so stupid," she laughed as she pushed his dark blond hair from his eyes.

"Stop saying that! This is important –"

"Yes," she conceded, "but so is the Opening Ceremony, and it's your first year as Tarragon's Gym Leader!"

"And this is my first child!" he said dramatically, causing her to burst out laughing again.

"You're not missing the birth," Rose said as she rolled her eyes, "it's just a stupid yoga class."

But Morty still looked unimpressed.

"I feel like some sort of layabout husband…"

"You're working; and I wouldn't want you to miss this!"

He hesitated, chewing on his lower lip as he scrutinised her face.

"I'll try and get away early," he said, "if I can."

Rose sighed in exasperation, but she couldn't help but grin.

"As if you'll get the chance!"

Morty folded his arms; he was clearly unimpressed with the situation, but Rose merely grabbed her bag, kissed him on the cheek, and left their flat with a wink.

-o-

The studio was large, airy, and cool. Rose blushed slightly as she pushed the door gently open. Five couples and the yoga instructor were already present, and sat in a large circle on the wooden floor.

"Rose is it?" the instructor asked warmly as she consulted her list.

"Yes," Rose smiled hesitantly.

"My name's Alison, and I'll be your instructor until the baby's born," she said with a smile, her eyes roving over Rose's small, neat bump, "this here is Mary and Patrick," she said gesturing to a slightly older couple nearest Rose, "Holly and Dylan, Emily and Simon, Lucy and Jake, and Sarah and Brian."

Lucy and Sarah both gave Rose a look that reminded her very much of the one Miki gave her when she was sixteen; i.e. a very unwelcoming one. She blinked in confusion, wondering if she had made some faux pas she wasn't aware of.

"Come and sit down Rose," Alison said, "you're on your own today then?"

"Er – yes," Rose cringed, "my husband had to work today unfortunately."

She could have sworn she heard Sarah give a very quiet snort, and could feel the flush creeping up her neck in response.

"Next time then," Alison beamed, as she gestured Rose take a seat beside Mary and Patrick, "shall we begin?"

As Alison was explaining the importance of the father being involved in the labour, Rose caught Mary's eye. She must have been around forty, and she had a very kind face and wide eyes. Rose gave her a small smile, which she returned.

The first twenty minutes of the class were simple enough: everyone sat on their own separate mat, and Alison took them all through some individual, gentle stretching exercises.

"Now fathers, sit behind your partners with your legs either side of them – Rose, you can come with me for this bit!"

Rose caught Mary's eye once more and both of them had to stifle their giggles.

"You'll have to teach your husband all of this when you get home so he doesn't fall behind!" Alison joked as she positioned herself behind Rose, before saying, "Good gracious girl you're tiny!"

Rose blushed; she had never been very tall and it didn't bother her, but the nasty looks she was being thrown by Lucy and Sarah, who were easily the youngest – and slimmest - after her, made her feel very uncomfortable indeed. Lucy leant over to mutter something to Sarah and, although she couldn't hear what is was, Rose knew it was about her, and she felt her face flame all the more brightly.

They continued to practise breathing exercises for the next forty minutes, until the half hour break was announced. Rose took a seat next to Mary once again.

"How far along are you?"

"Four months," Rose told her, "you?"

"Five," Mary smiled, "you really are tiny aren't you?" she said, "look at your lovely little bump! I suppose it helps being so young…I'm forty-one and this is my first baby!"

"I'm eighteen next month," Rose laughed, "and everyone I know thinks I'm crazy for having one so young…"

"So you're only seventeen? How old were you when you got married?!" she asked as she spotted Rose's simple wedding band.

"Seventeen," Rose grinned, "We were only married in January."

Sarah and Lucy shot Rose scathing looks as they made their way to the toilets.

Mary watched Rose's face as her eyes followed the young women out of the room.

"They don't like you being here," Mary smirked in satisfaction.

"Why not?!" Rose whispered, pleased it wasn't all in her head, "what on earth have I done to them?!"

"Well they're no longer the youngest or best looking," Mary winked, "and you should have seen Sarah's face when her husband caught sight of you…"

Rose blushed.

"Mary! Don't be ridiculous!"

"It's true," Patrick said quietly with a grin, from where he had been listening in, and Mary gave Rose a smug look.

Rose's mouth fell open. She was flattered by their comments, but she couldn't help but feel indignant. Could Sarah and Lucy really be so against her because of her looks?!

"I'm going to the loo," Rose muttered; she felt a little fed up. This always seemed to be the case for her – random females seemed to dislike her suddenly and intensely.

-o-

"As if she's even married," Rose heard someone say from one of the cubicles.

The girl in the next cubicle snorted.

"Tell me about it – I wonder how many classes she turns up to where her husband's 'working'."

The heavy sarcasm was easily discernible.

"Blatantly a one night stand," the first voice said smugly, "pretty embarrassing though – why wouldn't you just admit it?!"

"She looks about twelve," the second voice answered (Rose was pretty sure it was Sarah), "I'd probably pretend I was married too!"

Lucy and Sarah exited their cubicles and came face to face with Rose who, in her shock, was rooted to the spot. To Rose's astonishment, they did not look ashamed or even surprised to be caught out; they threw her identical scathing looks before leaving the room.

Rose felt the tears spring to her eyes, before she grew annoyed with herself. What did she care what they thought of her? She knew the truth, and she hadn't come here to make friends or to prove anything. Besides, Mary and Patrick were lovely, she'd just concentrate on talking to them.

Back in the studio, Alison was handing out mugs of herbal tea.

"I thought it'd be nice if we got to learn about one another," she said, "after all you're all on a wonderful journey, and I think it's important to connect with those who are undergoing the same experience."

Rose sighed inwardly. Perfect. Another situation in which she could be judged…

Lucy and Sarah's husbands both worked in a big financial company, which did not surprise Rose in the slightest (they were slightly paunchy and, although she felt awful for thinking it, they looked very rich – and dull), and Lucy and Sarah themselves did not work. Emily was a jewellery designer and her husband Simon was a teacher, Holly and Dylan owned a restaurant, Patrick was a pilot, and Mary a florist. It was everyone's first baby.

"And Rose?" Alison asked, turning towards her with a bright smile, "tell us all about you!"

"Er – well," she cleared her throat, "I'm seventeen," she deliberately looked away from Sarah and Lucy whom she knew were giving her dirty looks, "and this is my first baby too."

"And what do you do? Do you work?"

"I'm a trainee doctor," she said stiffly, waiting for the vindictive snort which, sure enough, came from Sarah's direction.

"Lovely!" Alison exclaimed, "a right old clever-clogs you must be!"

Rose gave a pained smile, desperate for the attention to be off her once again.

"Excellent; right then - shall we begin the second half? We'll have another hour of yoga, followed by another half hour break, before a final half hour of class – all right?"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Now Rose, if you'd like to partner me again?"

The next hour was highly uncomfortable for Rose, and she found herself growing more and more furious with Lucy and Sarah's attitudes. She knew they were attempting to bully her for some reason, so she therefore refused to allow herself to lose her temper. Nevertheless, it was getting more and more difficult to keep her composure when, every time Alison mentioned Rose's husband, a snide remark or snigger would come from their direction.

"Shall we have another break?" Alison finally announced.

The group breathed a collective sigh of relief, and made to sit on the chairs at the back of the studio.

"Oh, oh!" Sarah exclaimed suddenly, "Alison? Can we please turn on the television? It's the Opening Ceremony of the League today!"

Alison merely shrugged in confusion, but nodded as she went to make yet another pot of herbal tea for the group.

"I love the Opening Ceremony," Lucy gushed as they changed to the correct channel.

"Me too!" Sarah said, "And they're going to be interviewing that new Gym Leader, Morty."

"Oh my God yes!" Lucy squealed.

"He's so hot!" Sarah said emphatically, and her husband Brian jokingly cleared his throat. "No offence babe, but I wish this child was his!" Sarah continued.

Everyone except Mary, Patrick, and Rose burst out laughing.

"She's so pathetic," Mary muttered, looking over at the blond Sarah with distaste.

"Mhmm," Rose agreed, but she couldn't help but feel a nervous, fluttery excitement at this interesting change of events.

"Are you at all interested in Pokémon training, Rose?" Patrick asked.

"Yeah, I am actually," she smiled, "I was on a journey last year – I got a few badges."

"Oh really?" Mary asked in surprise.

"Yeah…my dad was the Champion until last year too…"

Patrick's mouth fell comically open.

"Fuego's…? He's not your father?!" he gaped.

Rose turned red and regretted saying anything; she wasn't really talking to her parents if she could avoid it, and this certainly wasn't something she wanted to have to explain…luckily she was saved from saying anything else.

"Oh my God there he is!" Sarah shrieked as she turned the volume up.

Rose glanced up at the television suspended on the wall and felt her heart swell with warmth. Morty was on screen, but she could tell he was uncomfortable in the limelight. He kept wetting his lips with his tongue, and attempting to run his hand through his hair; in his discomfort he seemed to have forgotten that he was wearing a headband and that there was no reason for him to do this.

"So Morty!" the newsreader began, "you're the up-and-coming talent of the League this year! How're you finding Sesame?"

"I quite like it…actually yeah – I really like it," he smiled.

"That Johto accent is so cute!" Lucy sighed.

Rose couldn't help but notice that Lucy and Sarah's husbands didn't quite know what to do with themselves whilst their wives so blatantly lusted over the Gym Leader on screen.

"And that hair…"

"He makes earrings look cool," Lucy mused.

"He makes anything look cool," Sarah said with a girlish giggle.

Rose couldn't help but feel surprised – she didn't realise that Morty had quite such a fan base…she continued to smile softly at his image on the screen.

"Do you fancy him too or something?" Mary whispered, nudging Rose in the ribs, "gonna join the fan club?" she winked, and jerked her head in Sarah and Lucy's direction.

It seemed like such an absurd question that Rose couldn't help but laugh loudly – much to Sarah and Lucy's annoyance.

"It's been a busy year for you all around, hasn't it Morty?" the newsreader continued, "Are we right in thinking you were married earlier this year?"

Morty nodded and gave a small smile, before attempting to run a hand through his bound hair once again.

"He's married?!" Sarah whined from the other side of the group.

"Yeah – to me secretly!" Lucy laughed.

"He's very young to be married…" Mary mused quietly, "What is he? Twenty-three? Four?"

"He was twenty-two in August," Rose supplied quickly, before blushing.

Mary gave her a strange look.

"Now are you sure you don't want to go and join the fan-club?" she asked teasingly.

Rose simply gave a half-shrug, unsure what to say. If she was honest, she was enjoying watching them make fools of themselves over her husband. She couldn't help but grin to herself.

She could tell that Morty was preoccupied because she knew him so well, but even the newsreader couldn't help but notice there was something other than the League's Opening Ceremony on his mind.

"Morty?" he repeated, "How does Tarragon Gym differ from Ecruteak's?"

"I-I'm sorry," Morty gave a sheepish smile, realising he hadn't answered the question, "well, in actual fact…"

"Watch this," Rose whispered to Mary as she took her mobile phone from her pocket. She sent a quick text, and Mary gave her a puzzled look, "just keep watching the telly," she said, unable to keep the grin from her face.

"Why, why, why is he so attractive?!" Sarah groaned, and Lucy nodded wide-eyed in agreement.

Meanwhile, on the television, Morty stopped speaking mid-answer, and reached into his own pocket to retrieve his phone.

Mary cottoned on pretty quickly, and her head snapped in Rose's direction. She surveyed her with wide green eyes – an ecstatic, triumphant smile on her face.

"Please tell me he's your -?"

Rose nodded gleefully.

"And this whole time they've been -?"

Rose nodded again, tears of laughter springing to her eyes.

Mary sat back in utter satisfaction, before she turned to Rose once again.

"What did you just text him?!"

"I just said if he wanted an excuse to leave he should come here," she said, her bright brown eyes shining, "I know he hates publicity…"

"I can't help but think you have something else on your mind, Morty?" the newsreader said with a half laugh.

"Yeah…I'm sorry," Morty grinned, "it's just…I think there's somewhere else I ought to be…y'know?"

The newsreader gave a knowing smile.

"If it's anything to do with what we've recently heard, I say get on your way son!"

Morty gave a bashful laugh and, with a final goodbye, he left the screen.

"Morty of Tarragon Gym," the reader announced again, "a fantastic trainer and, from what we've seen this morning, he's probably going to be a fantastic father too! Good luck to him and his wife!"

"He's having a baby?!" Sarah said in disgust. She sat back heavily in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest moodily.

"He's so young though," Lucy said in awe, "and it's pretty cute that he's just left the ceremony isn't it? To see his wife?"

Sarah sighed dreamily, and Lucy giggled along with her.

Brian and Jake continued to shift awkwardly in their chairs, both feeling like third wheels in their own relationships.

"Please God tell me that husband of yours is on his way here?" Mary muttered, a smile of pure glee on her face.

"I think he probably is," Rose grinned.

"How long?!"

"It could be a matter of minutes," Rose laughed, thinking of Gengar.

Lucy and Sarah continued to discuss all of Morty's 'fine assets' for the final five minutes of the break, and Rose could feel her excitement – and apprehension – mounting.

"Right everyone!" Alison called, clapping her hands together, "shall we get in our positions for the final half hour? Rose, if you'd like to partner me again?"

Just as they all sat comfortably on their mats, and Rose had stood to join Alison, there was a gentle knock on the studio door.

Everyone's head turned towards it.

The door opened slowly and carefully, and Morty flushed pink when he saw the sea of faces staring at him. Rose risked a glance at Sarah and Lucy and was pleased to see that their mouths were perfect 'o's of surprise and shock.

"Can I help you?" Alison asked kindly, although she looked rather confused; she clearly did not follow the Pokémon League.

"Er –"

"It's okay Alison," Rose grinned, "this is Morty – my husband."

"Ah bravo! Lovely to meet you, Morty – do come and take a seat beside Rose!"

Morty flashed Rose a quick wink as he made his way through the room towards her. His smile dropped from his face, however, when he noted the way that everyone was staring at him.

"Shall we continue then?" Alison suggested.

"Why is everyone staring at me?" Morty muttered through his teeth.

"Oh no reason," Rose whispered back breezily. She desperately wanted to look over at Sarah and Lucy, but managed to refrain. It would only look childish, and anyway, she was sure that Mary would be only too willing to fill her in later…revenge was sweet.