Disclaimer: I do not own pokemon.

A/N: Hi all! It's been a while since thelast installment - sorry! Busywith work and all that. Anyway, here's the next chapter. Don't forget to review and let me know what you think. Also, suggestions on Eevee's name would be great (remember, it's a male Eevee). Enjoy!

Chapter Four: A friend in need

"Eevee! Stop that!" Kamari scolded as the Eevee tried to bite the man's hand. A couple had come into the adoption agency looking for a pokemon to surprise their son with. The man laughed.

"I think he's become quite attached to you," he said with a wink. "We wouldn't want him to be unhappy."

His wife spotted a Poochyena over in one corner. "Oh look honey, this one's PERFECT! Leigh will just love him!"

The pair gushed over the Poochyena for a time before signing the adoption papers. "We'll pick him up tomorrow," the man told Kamari. "Keep looking after that Eevee – you're doing a great job!" He winked at her once more before walking out the door.

Kamari slumped in her seat. "It's been a whole month," she wailed in despair. "Why can't you be NICE when people come in to look at you? You could end up in a wonderful home with an amazing trainer instead of being stuck in here!"

The Eevee cocked his head at her before letting out a loud "VEEE!". Kamari sighed. She was getting nowhere finding a home for this Eevee. Nurse Joy stuck her head in through the door. "No luck?"

"Negative," said Kamari sadly. Nurse Joy leaned against the doorframe looking at Kamari and the Eevee.

"What?"

"Oh nothing," Nurse Joy replied, a smile playing on her lips. "Is your mother going to be home this afternoon? I wanted to drop in for a catch-up chat."

Kamari frowned. "No, she's busy tonight working. But she'll be home all day tomorrow."

"Great!" Nurse Joy clapped her hands together. "Tell her I'll see her tomorrow around lunch."

A knock on the door signalled Nurse Joy's arrival. Varuna opened the door. "Joy, how wonderful to see you! It's been a while!" She ushered Joy into the kitchen. As Joy took a seat, Varuna poured them both some coffee. They chatted about everything and anything, until finally Nurse Joy leaned forward seriously.

"I wanted to talk to you about Kamari," she told Varuna. Varuna looked surprised. "She's not causing any problems at the centre is she?"

"No no no!" Joy laughed. "Far from it. She's a very energetic worker. I'll be sorry to see her go."

"See her go?" Varuna looked blankly at Joy.

"Well, Alyssandra is heading off on her pokemon journey on a couple of weeks, and I was hoping you would let Kamari go with her." Joy paused. Varuna gestured for her to continue.

"Kamari tells me you've been saving up for a pokemon and trainer registration for her."

"Well naturally," Varuna replied. "I know how desperately she wants one, but I've only got $300 saved so far – just enough to cover her registration fees. I still can't afford the medical or adoption costs yet." She sighed. "I know it's hard for Kamari, especially since her brother and sister both have a pokemon. She's been so good about the whole thing. I feel I've let her down terribly."

Joy patted Varuna's hand. "No you haven't, not at all. You've been doing your best, and I know Kamari appreciates that. Well!" Nurse Joy clapped her hands together. "I have another problem I thought you might also be able to help me with."

Varuna raised an eyebrow.

"That Eevee Kamari rescued five weeks ago – I can't find a home for it," Joy explained. "It's never happened before. All the other pokemon I've had in the agency have found a home within three to four weeks. He's growing fast, and I need the room he's taking up for injured pokemon." Nurse Joy crossed her fingers behind her back for the little white lie.

"But what can I do?" Varuna said. "I just told you I can't afford to adopt it, much as I would love to."

"I know that, however Kamari is the only person that Eevee has bonded with. Thus," and Nurse Joy winked, "you would be doing me a great service if I could give you the eevee to look after, as it is obvious I will be unable to find a home for it and it would be wrong to try when he has such a close bond with Kamari. So," Joy reached across the table to grab Varuna's hand, "would it be an AWFUL disadvantage if I dropped the Eevee into your lap? He's been vaccinated and everything. All you need is the registration fee."

Varuna's eyes shone with tears. "Oh Joy," she cried. "Of course I'll take him! Kamari will be so happy, thank you so very much."

Joy patted her hand. "It wasn't an entirely unselfish act," she grinned. "I was also hoping you'd say yes to Kamari accompanying Alyssandra on her pokemon journey. I don't want her going alone."

Varuna grinned through her tears. "I think we can arrange that. Don't tell Kamari about the Eevee – I'd like it to be a surprise. When can I pick him up?"

"Right now if you like. I'll even throw in a couple packets of pokemon food and an Eevee brush."

"Oh no you won't," Varuna countered as they walked out the door. "I'll pay for those! You've done too much already!" Her face softened into a smile. "You're a wonderful friend Joy. If I can pay you back in any way I will."

"Don't worry, since you're letting Kamari travel with Alyssandra, it's even," Joy said. They both laughed as they walked toward the pokemon centre.

A/N: Sorry, shorter chapter there. But it was needed so Joy and Varuna could organise Kamari's Eevee (aren't friends great like that?). The next chapter will be longer. Like I said earlier, some ideas on Eevee's name would be great! Hope you enjoyed and please review!