"Spencer, you won't believe this! Task a look at this letter that just arrived from Professor Alder. He's so impressed by the work you've done lately on the genetic similarities of Moltres, Zapdos, and Articuno that he wants you to come with him on a six-week expedition to the Orange Islands."
"Oh, Spencer, that's wonderful!" Delia congratulated her friend.
Spencer was stunned by Professor Oak's announcement. "Professor Alder? Really?"
"Really." Professor Oak beamed as he handed Spencer the letter. "Professor Alder is the leading authority on legendary Pokémon," he explained to Delia. "It's quite an honor for you, Spencer."
"I'll say!" Spencer read, then re-read the letter just to make certain this wasn't some kind of trick. "And he wants me there in two days? Oh, man."
"You'd better get home and pack right away, Spencer. Don't worry about your work here at the lab. Delia and I will take care of everything until you get back."
Spencer froze. Going away would mean that Delia and Professor Oak would be working together exclusively for over a month. Even though he didn't think that Professor Oak would be foolish enough to jeopardize his career by seducing one of his students, he wasn't entirely sure. Even the strongest man eventually wouldn't be able to resist a pretty young woman living under the same roof with him. And Delia obviously cared for Professor Oak since she was still cooking for him every night.
But Spencer knew that he couldn't stay. To study with the legendary Professor Alder was a dream come true for him. There was no way he was going to turn down an opportunity like this, not even for Delia.
The morning Spencer left for the Orange Islands, Delia surprised him by baking him a batch of cookies.
"Be sure to tell me everything that happens. I can't wait to see you again!" she said as she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Good luck, Spencer," Professor Oak said as he shook his assistant's hand. "We'll expect a full report on your expedition when you get back."
"Oh, wait." Delia pulled out a small camera from the pocket of her lab coat. "I think I have one picture left on this roll." All morning she had been taking pictures of the grass-type Pokémon so Professor Oak could add them to his database. "Let's take a picture so we can remember Spencer as he used to be…before he became a world famous expert on legendary Pokémon."
Delia set the camera's timer and ran to stand next to Professor Oak. "Everybody smile!"
As the flash went off, Spencer noticed that Delia had moved her hand so that it was touching Professor Oak's shoulder.
I hope I'm just seeing things, Spencer thought as the taxi arrived to take him to the airport.