A few weeks later, an excited Tracey came running into the lab with a letter.
"Professor! They've accepted your research paper at the Pokémon Biology Conference! They want you to present it at this year's meeting!"
Professor Oak snatched the letter from Tracey and quickly read it. "Oh my. This is good news."
"What good news?" said Delia as she came into the lab with an armful of pumpkin muffins. Tracey eagerly took them from her and proceeded to eat one.
"I've been asked to present the results of my research at this year's Pokémon Biology Conference," Professor Oak told her. "It's the project that you helped me out with."
"Oh my, that must be a great honor for you," Delia said admiringly.
"Well, I did have a helpful test subject," he smiled at her, causing her to blush.
"Hey, Professor," Tracey said between bites of muffin as he read the letter. "It says that this year's conference is going to be held at the Cairo Hotel on Cleopatra Island. That's a pretty nice place. It's a great getaway for couples," Tracey said with a wink in his boss's direction.
Professor Oak felt his face go red.
"I've heard that Cleopatra Island is really pretty," said Delia. "I've always wanted to go there."
Tracey gave his boss a "go for it" look.
Professor Oak hesitated for a moment.
Well, why not? Delia and I often travel together. This wouldn't be any different.
And the thought of spending a few days in a tropical paradise with a pretty woman was rather appealing, too. Especially if Delia brought along that green bikini that she wore when the two of them went to Porto Vista…
Tracey noticed that his boss's eyes had glazed over. "Hey, Professor?"
Tracey's voice snapped him out of his fantasizing. "Oh. Sorry. Um, Delia…would you like to come with me to Cleopatra Island?"
Delia's eyes grew wide with surprise. "Really?"
"Yes. After all, if it weren't for your participation, I wouldn't even be presenting this paper at the conference. And I know that my colleagues would be very interested in meeting you."
"Oh, I'd love to go, but I just can't afford it right now."
"Don't worry about that. You'd be my guest. It would be my way of saying 'thank you' for helping me out with my research."
Delia grinned broadly. "In that case, I'll go home and pack right now."
"It sure took you long enough to ask her, Professor," Tracey mentioned as soon as Delia left.
Professor Oak turned to his assistant. "Advice coming from someone who spends his off-hours hanging around Mimic Mansion but still hasn't asked Duplica out yet?"
Tracey's face turned bright red.