Author's note: I forgot to mention in the last author's note, Beware of new characterizations. Some might even be OOC, But I like adding new twists here and there. xD Sue me. Ah yes, another short-ish chapter. Please bare with me. At least I updated soon, right?

------------------------

Chapter 2

It had certainly been an odd week. His grandfather had locked himself up in the research lab, forcing him to go on some kind of holiday from researching, since he was hogging the whole damn laboratory. There was something odd in that particular morning, it was in the air, but he dismissed it. He was probably going insane. Gary felt like he was rotting there, in his own living room, holding onto a bowl of popcorn in one hand, holding the remote in the other, wearing baggy pyjama pants and a grey shirt. It was insanely early, but time didn't matter to him that much anymore

Gary Oak was the kind of person that didn't care too much of being unoccupied. It made him fidget, count the hours, stare out of the window, eat things he didn't like before, like popcorn, and watch the weather channel at 6am, but he wasn't even tired. These days seemed to stretch in such an obnoxious way he felt like he slept 25 hours and then wake up, and face the remaining 67 hours of the day. He sighed, running a hand through the mess that was his hair in the morning. Spikes of brown strands were going everywhere, back, forth, onto his face, upwards, it was the jungle. But no one got up at 6am on Pallet on the weekends anyway.

A pound on the door made him jostle awake from the state of slumber. He rubbed his eyes groggily and set the bowl of popcorn in the coffee table. As he opened the door, carefree, he almost jumped back as he saw, standing in the porch, the same red head he had been speaking to two days before.

Misty stared at him before trying to speak up. Seeing Gary Oak with the cutest bed-hair she had seen wasn't something she was planning on witnessing, ever. However, he was starting to get overly self-conscious and took a step back, opportunity she took to come into the house. "Nice hair" she said sarcastically as she walked past him.

Gary ran a hand through his hair and smirked again "Nice as—" She turned around and glared fiercely. He gulped. "Aspect… of you… to notice?" He finished meekly, still tired. He yawned. "Anyway, are you nuts? It's 6am!"

Misty looked honestly guilty, but determined. "I need to speak to your grandfather" she said heading to the living room. Gary jogged to the entrance of the backside of the house and barricaded the door with himself. "Not gonna happen. Barely lets anyone meet him in the middle of a research"

"He told me to come by the minute I arrived here" she insisted.

He didn't budge. She squinted her eyes in rage. "Don't make me pound on you"

"Wow, aren't you lovely" He said ironically, rolling his eyes.

They remained in that tense silence for a second. Their eyes were locked in a silent battle that absorbed every ounce of concentration. Misty was silently taping her foot against the wooden floor and he snickered. But as she continued to stand there, arms crossed, he groaned, giving in. "Fine. I'm going too though. Have to get that old man out of there before he goes wonkers"

Misty glared but gave up. "Fine, just don't get in the way" He shrugged as he led her down the hallway, decorated with vases, and seemingly expensive works of art in the walls. Misty's eyes went from one corner to the other, taking in all the luxuries a simple hallway could withhold. Soon enough they were at the door leading down to the laboratory; the only metal door in the entire Oak mansion.

He banged on a door. "Hey old man, you still alive there?"

No response.

"Gramps?" He banged his fist against the door again, urging for a reply. His riot was met with a deeper silence.

Gary raised an eyebrow. "Can I keep your car, then?"

"No!" Samuel Oak's voice said instantly. Gary smiled. "Open up". Inside, he Samuel seemed to drag some furniture around, and drag himself to the door, opening one lock right after the other. As the last one was unlocked, Misty winced as the door opened, doing a high pitched sound against the iron floor. Samuel Oak looked at his grandson, but as Gary pointed with his head at the girl besides him, his eyes glistened as he smiled.

"I'm sorry for the hour"

Samuel Oak nodded. "Nonsense! The Oaks rise early". Misty raised an eyebrow, looking accusingly at Gary, who glared back at her. "It's 6am for god's sake!" He said in his own behalf.

Samuel Oak's eye bags were dark and noticeable, and he hadn't shaved in some days. He seemed… much older than he was. She winced. "I assume you want to see Togetic right away" Misty nodded fervently. They walked inside, where several papers were scattered on the room. Even though Professor Oak seemed comfortable in his mess and knew his way around as if he had a map tattooed to the back of his hand, Gary and Misty shifted uncomfortable as if they had walked into a mad man's scene. Watching Samuel walk around, talking to himself, looking the way he did suggested they were not that far away from the truth.

"You do know you could get some more decent rest if you STOP hogging the entire damn investigation?" Gary scolded, bitterly. He raised an eyebrow at the old man who looked at him mockingly. Gary huffed, it had been him who had mostly taken care of Togepi, him who had fed her, and Togepi had evolved in his arms. However, in scientific breakthroughs, everything became a battlefield.

A soft buzzing sound interrupted them. Togetic flew right into Misty's arms, the surprise and happiness in her face was making her glow, and Gary stopped bickering for a moment to observe the tender reunion with a glint of intrigue. It was almost… sweet.

Misty cuddled Togepi and turned around to look at the pair of Oaks silently standing by. Gary rapidly looked away, seemingly annoyed.

"Gary can show you the room where you'll be staying." Professor Oak said to her as she slightly nodded. "Gary, take her to room 17" He addressed to his grandson now, who was still gaping back at him with disbelief.

Gary looked at Misty and back at his grandfather. "She's…staying?" he looked at Misty with somewhat of a scowl on his morning face. "Here?" And Gary Oak was far from being polite. He slumped his shoulders. "Aw, gramps, why here?"

Samuel Oak rolled his eyes, used to his grandson complaints. ""She'll be bliss to have around for a month!" Misty beamed at his kind words, and smiled at Gary sweetly trying her best to piss him off. It worked. Gary glared at her and threw his head forward, rubbing his neck in advance for the pain she was going to be. He reluctantly walked over the lab's front door, Misty walking a few feet behind him with Togetic fluttering around her. He held the door open.

"Hellhounds first" he seethed motioning her to go through. She seethed clenching her fists but she was far too tired to start another staring war. She stomped by him, going through the door, and tried not to kill him as he snickered.

This month was going proving to be one hell of a ride.

------------------------

Thanks to:

Maia's Pen: Thanks! I usually always try to be ahead when I post the grand premier of a fic. It's been that way for almost all of my fics. I just panic if I don't, I'm weird like that. I know the beginning is kinda sad. This is after all, a Drama/Romance! As usual, thank you for your generous review! I know you're always there supporting me and I can't tell you how much that means to me! Thank you!

Ashley J Potter: Well, that is certainly bewildering. Hehe. Thanks for adding me to fav author's though ;

DarkAngelTorchic: Makeover! Heh, aren't those fun! Thanks for always reviewing my fics, You've always been so kind! And we all love Gary so much. Gaah. That's one good character for us crazy fan girls, eh?

Michelicious: Togepi already evolved? Hehe, see? That's what I meant by discordances with the actual show. I just haven't watched it in ages. I guess It's just another view on it. Good luck on your fic! I'm rooting for ya!

MagCat: His eyes? Hehe, how so? xD Anyway, Er.. let's say that Misty didn't have Togepi with her becaaause... er.. she wanted some solo time. xD Hey, It could happen!

megs626: Thank you for your encouraging words! They always motivate me to keep writing. This is chappie two? What do ya think?

Author's Note: Okay, still a setting chapter. Wah! Sorry ;; But all stories must have an established beginning. xD Let's see how this month develops in the Oak mansion!

I eat reviews for a living!