Stumbling from of his apartment, Morice tripped over the last set of steps.

Glancing out at the island before him, he sighed, his breath billowing through his nostrils like smoke from an angered Torkol.

The temperature was dropping as of late, far worse than he'd ever seen. With windchill as a factor, the nights were dipping to twenty below, sometimes closer to forty. Guard sentries were kept to a minimum and most stayed close to the Organization building. It was too dangerous otherwise.

Ducking into a quiet ally, Morice pulled the collar of his coat up over his mouth.

Usually, the monotony of things was enough to numb his thoughts. However, with the sudden shut down and Riker's orders for no one to leave the island, the monotony of a long shift gave Morice something to focus on.

Turning the corner sharply, he was lost in his imaginings when a small figure smacked into him, toppling to the ground and landing ass first in the snow.

Maddie glanced up from where she sat and sighed. "I'm glad I bumped into you instead."

Morice helped her up, caught on the final word she spoke. "What are you doing back here, the lab's that way." He looked over her shoulder and saw two grunts strolling in their direction. "Those guys giving you trouble?"

Maddie tucked a strand of her coal black hair behind her ear, lowering her head. "Nothing serious..." The heavy breath she released caused her glasses to fog. "I've been taking the long way around...to avoid them."

The two men in particular stopped when they saw Morice standing next to their target. While one seemed smart enough to back down, the other was too dim witted. "Hey honey, you get yourself a guard?"

Morice wasn't too familiar with many on the island. Due to the bitter cold, many grunts would cut their losses early and transfer out before he could learn their names.

When Maddie took a step closer to him, as if to shield herself, he took the initiative. "You idiots have a job to do, get back to your station."

Not swayed, the more vocal of the offenders laughed. "Please, we haven't touched her."

Morice gritted his teeth. He was hoping his threat would work. (It was too damn cold if they called his bluff). "Take another step and I'll drag your sorry ass up to Riker. We'll see what he has to say." That effectively ended things.

As the two guards stalked away he added: "I better not see you talking to her again." Turning towards the lab, he motioned Maddie to follow. Hunching his shoulders, he muttered: "Low lives..."

Maddie chuckled. "Aren't we all though?"

She was answered with a shrug. "Even our kind has limits."

They struggled through the razor sharp winds and spitting snow for a bit longer, trying in vain to make it up the small slope to the main square. Going past the Operation building, the lab was just on the horizon. "D'you hear about the relocation?"

Maddie's question took Morice's mind away from his self loathing. (All he could think about was the last time he had a decent drink). "The what?"

"I guess a bunch of grunts are signing for the first trip out of here. They're heading to Kanto." The lone lab assistant frowned. "With how tough things are, I can see why."

The thought of warmer pastures was always an appetizing prospect, though the thought never crossed Morice's mind. "I don't blame them."

"I didn't know if you were signed on to leave."

"I don't-" Morice paused. "Kanto?"

"Yeah."

He shook his head. "I've got a lot of crap back there. If I'm ever dumb enough to leave here, I'd probably just bury myself in a hole."

"Got a warrant?" As they approached the Lab, Maddie, who had her collar popped to fend off the wind, smoothed it down.

"My old man lives there." Morice opened the door for her. "I don't want to risk making things awkward."

As to be expected, Breccia was already in, looming over paper work and trying her damnedest to stay awake. Before Morice could call out to her, a fast, green blur streaked across his vision. He jumped back. "What the hell was that?"

Breccia glanced up, as if the little streak bolting around the room were nothing more than a gust of wind. "Just Nibs. He finally got his wings going and I haven't been able to stop him." She shook her head. "He was zooming all over the living room last night. He's been going at it for two days." She noticed Maddie. "Did you two meet up outside?"

"Yeah, a couple of guys were giving her a tough time. I walked her here." Approaching the table, Morice received a playful punch to the shoulder.

"Aren't you the perfect gentleman?"

"Please." He tried to pass it off as nothing serious. "If I hadn't done something, my mother would've rolled in her grave." With most of the lights off in the lab save for a few hanging above their heads, Morice took note of the several, stained coffee mugs scattered about the place. There were a few by the sink, one by the coffee pot and another on the floor by the far west wall. Breccia's coat was tossed haphazardly on a stand of beakers and she herself was dressed in a pair of sweatpants. Her tangled, messy hair was piled on her head with one clip holding her sandy, brown locks in place. "You look like hell."

Breccia yawned. "You might want to work on your pick up lines Casanova." She placed a hand to her stomach when it gurgled.

"Have you been eating?" Morice's concern was waved out of hand.

"I'm fine."

A horrible liar at best, her friend wasn't convinced. Instead of confronting her, (as he knew that would get him no where), he reached into his pocket. Pulling out what was left of his breakfast (a half eaten Ragecandybar) he called upwards. "Hey peanut, get down here."

Nibs fluttered down, giving his wings a second of respite and balancing his tiny body on top of the coffee pot. Turning his little eye-less face towards Morice, he leaned in, mouth agape.

Morice broke off a small edge and dropped in the Zubat's mouth. He did so like a coin in a vending machine.

Once the proper offering was given, Nibbles was open to questioning.

"Has she been eating?"

Nibs chewed and swallowed. After which, he shook his head and jumped back into the air once more.

Breccia put a hand on her hip. "You little traitor." Before she could object, what was left of the candy bar was thrust in her grasp. "Morice I don't need-"

"Eat it." Her friend reached back into his pocket. "I'll bring you lunch on my break."

Not fond of being given orders (as of late anyway), Breccia was tempted to argue. However, the moment she took a nibble, it lit a fire in her gut and she swallowed the rest without tasting it.

It wasn't that she chose to starve herself, she simply forgot with everything else that had been on her mind. Her main diet as of late had been coffee and the occasional granola bar. "You don't have to bring me lunch, I'll go out and get something if I have the time."

"Keyword: If. Let me bring you lunch." Morice added. "Or else."

Breccia rose an eyebrow. "Or else what?"

There was a second of deep contemplation. "Or else I'm...going to stuff Peanut full of sugar and leave you to deal with him."

"You wouldn't dare..."

"Try me." Pulling out his Pokeball, he added: "Anyway, aside from blackmail, I need help with Pecks."

Breccia put down her fifth cup of coffee, concerned. "What's wrong?" She paused when she heard Maddie struggle out of the utility closet, show shovel in hand.

"Well..." Morice sent Pecks out.

Instead of the tiny Spearow Breccia had come to know (and even babysit) over the course of the last few months, a large, mighty Fearow came out instead. Plopping down on the table among all the papers, the Pokemon started preening herself.

"Woah." The Lab technician's eyes widened. "When did that happen?"

"Last night." Morice crossed his arms. "I asked if she was hungry and I guess she was super stoked about dinner." Pecks picked at the top of her trainer's head, in a show of affection. "If you have a clue, I'd like to hear it."

Stroking her chin, Breccia watched the Pokemon groom her trainer. (This was something Morice must've been use to because he didn't bother to swat her away). "Sometimes Pokemon evolve when they get to be too powerful."

Morice scoffed. "Who knew microwave ramen encouraged so much power."

Thinking back to her time at her father's clinic, Breccia continued: "Dad had a Charmeleon evolve at the clinic once. It's tail flame almost went out and he was in critical condition for days. After he came to, I guess he had a surge of strength and it pushed him to the limit." She stroked the top of Peck's head when the Pokemon turned to her. "I've also heard stories of Pokemon evolving in times of crisis. Like, their trainers are in danger and they can't save them in their current state. For example, a little boy is drowning and his Polywag can't help, so he forces himself to evolve. I've never seen it myself but I've heard about it." When Pecks expanded her wings, Breccia took notice of several bald patches on her stomach. "What's going on here?"

"That's the other reason." Morice said. "She molts every year, but it's never been this bad."

Breccia touched one of the raw, red area's, taking note when the Fearow started to gnaw on it. "It looks like she's over-grooming. She might just be stressed."

"I usually let her fly around on the hill to burn off energy, but with the weather..."

"I'd say let her fly around your place, but she's a little too big for that now." Breccia opened a drawer underneath the coffee pot, pulling out a stash of poffins she kept for Nibs (when he behaved). She took out a blue one and placed it on the table for Pecks to eat. "You say every year, how long have you had her?"

Letting his Pokemon finish her snack, Morice waited until she was ready before putting her back in her ball. "About three. On my first trip through the mainland, I found her underneath a tree. She was injured trying to defend her nest, something attacked her and stole all of her eggs. Once I nursed her back to health, she chose to stick around."

"She chose, huh?" Breccia snickered. "You know, maybe she evolved because she was happy? She was grateful for all you've done and that was her only way of showing you." Her smile clicked off rather quickly when Maddie came back in, almost as if her coworker coming in served as a reminder. "I better get back to work. I have to contact the other Lab and see how things are going."

A master of seeing right through her ruse, Morice asked: "You sure that's all that's bugging you?"

Instead of lying, Breccia decided there was no point. Rather then blurt out how she was feeling though, she leaned against the table, taking her hair down and running her fingers through her scalp. "It's a bunch of little things..."

"Like?"

Even knowing she could speak without fear of judgment, it was still difficult to find the words. "It's...been a year since dad died." She refused to look up at her friend when she said it. Instead, she cased her vision towards the ground. "All I've been able to think of is that phone call... the warden said my lawyer was on the line. I was a week from getting out." Her voice shook a little. "I was so excited to see him again..." She stiffened when her friend put an arm around her. Even though there was discomfort, she leaned into the contact and put her head against his shoulder. "Then all this stuff with the gala-"

Morice cut her off. "When is that by the way?"

"Next weekend." Breccia grumbled. "We were able to make a prototype, something small that can fit into the cuff on a suit jacket. It should emit the frequency, we've tested it numerous times. I sent the results to Sanchez's lab. They have more money to toss around so they made a couple more." She inhaled, observing Morice's faint cologne. "It's just frustrating. I keep worrying something will go wrong. What if Lars found the flaw and fixed it? If they show at the ball and this doesn't work, we're screwed...and then there's everything with Tess."

"How is she?" Morice noticed a rash of goosebumps running along her skin.

"As good as she can be. She's eating and sleeping, like nothing's wrong. I stayed with her Monday, and Maddie's been with her for the rest of the week." Still tugging at her hair, what can only be called a growl of frustration escaped from her. "Riker asked for me to go on that trip but she wanted to get off the damn island for a couple of days." Cradling her face in her hands, she mumbled. "She didn't deserve that. It should've been me."

A mess of emotions, Breccia tried to steady her breathing. She was so focused on calming her nerves that she didn't see when Morice approached and took her by the wrists.

Gently pulling them down to free her vision, he ordered. "Look at me." He waited until she did so before continuing. "What happened to Tess is awful, and every piece of crap involved is going to get one hell of a beating if I ever get my hands on them." Clenching his grip, Morice chose his next words carefully. "But if that had been you, I wouldn't have stopped until they were dead."

Surprisingly, Breccia smiled a little, the left side of her mouth turning up. "You know." She chuckled. "I don't deserve you."

Morice managed one final sentence. "I'll be the judge of that."

In the second that followed, the lab door flung open, slamming into the wall behind.

Arlia stood in the opening, taking a moment to shake the accumulation of snow from her feathers. She saw the two by the table and narrowed her eyes. This was less towards Breccia and more towards Morice. (Especially since he still had Breccia by the arms).

Breccia shook herself loose, surprised to see the Blaiziken without her trainer. "Where's Riker?" She received an answer when Arlia motioned behind herself.

"If I didn't know any better-" Morice took the initiative to leave, but not before giving his friend an affectionate pat on the back. "I'd say she wants to chuck me out a window."

"You can go out the back if you want." Breccia whispered, capturing Arlia's attention so Morice could dodge the scorn she was laying upon him. "...Can I help you?"

Reaching out, Arlia pointed to her left claw. Breccia took notice and (gingerly) took hold, rotating it to get a better look. She sighed when she saw a great deal of swelling. "Looks like a sprain. Have you been punching walls again?"

Arlia nodded.

"Better than people, I guess."

Riker shut the door when he finally made it in. It was obvious by the thin, corduroy coat about his shoulders, that he was almost frozen through. (Even with the stocking cap keeping his ears warm). "That's what I told her. We can't afford any more broken bones." Instead of speaking further to Breccia, Riker spotted Maddie and addressed her instead. "Did you get my text?"

Maddie, still bundled from outside, nodded. "Yeah, I decided not to tell her. I figured you wanted to."

Dumping the last of the ground laden coffee into the trash, Breccia sat the pot in the sink. "Tell me what?" She added. "Wait, since when did she have your number?"

"Just to keep an eye on the lab." Maddie said. "In case he can't get ahold of you." Taking a hold of the Pokeball she kept in her lab coat, she sighed. "Considering how stressed you've been, he figured I was a better option."

"Stressed or not, you can still speak to me." Breccia watched as Maddie let good ol' Buzz out. Every day, she made several, vain attempts to connect with her Pokemon. But, no matter how hard she tried, it would blow it's top in a matter of seconds.

When it began to glow however, Breccia was having none of it. "Don't you even." She snapped, catching the Pokemon's attention. "You blow your top in this lab one more time, I'll roll you into the sea." She folded her arms once the Electrode calmed itself. "Maddie, if you want to train him, take him outside."

"Yes'm..." As the uncontrollable Electrode and his frustrated owner left, they were only outside a total of five seconds before a loud explosion rocked the side of the building. Breccia rolled her eyes. "I love that girl, but she needs to grow a spine." Expecting Riker to agree, as he was always complaining about the pathetic grunts, she was taken back when he shrugged.

"She'll learn." From his side of things, Riker was weak in the knees after the conversation with his grandfather. It had been a couple of days and his stress levels were still elevated. Dealing with the current threat was bad enough, but knowing the Boss' days were numbered and that he was now responsible for garnering what respect he could from the Executives was mind wracking.

All he wanted at this point was a stiff drink and a long nap.

He tried to talk things out with Arlia. She was the only one who ever understood him. But, she was just as stressed as he was.

"She'll learn?" Breccia teased. "Why, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you were going soft Mr. Executive."

Riker gave a forced laugh, mostly out of contempt. "Not Mr. Executive for very long." He figured, of all people, Breccia was golden when it came to keeping her mouth shut. She hadn't let him down yet.

The smile fell from Breccia's face, and an odd worry took it's place. "What do you mean?..." She thought of her word choice, wondering it if sounded ridiculous. "Did they fire you?"

"Promoted, I guess." Her superior muttered. "When the Boss passes, I'll...you know."

"So you're gonna be-"

"Yeah..."

Breccia's eyes widened. "Woah..."

Arlia, who had been strolling around the lab flippantly, swatted at Nibs when he swooped down and smacked into her shoulder.

Breccia pursed her lips. "Neither of you seem very happy."

Hands clenched, Riker ran his fingers through his hair. Hair that, as the Lab coordinator noticed, had been freshly dyed. "Because I don't deserve it."

"Says who?"

"Says me." He exhaled, his breath sharp enough to cut glass. "Ever since I was a boy he planned for it. If he had told me, maybe I'd have tried harder to prove myself."

Breccia frowned. "Clearly you already have if he chose you." Trying to defuse the situation, she added: "I mean, he was willing to pick you instead of his own son-" Before the words left her tongue, a frantic inhale from Arlia could be heard.

Riker snapped from anxious to threatening, waving the conversation away with the same sternness Breccia remembered from their first interaction. "Do not. Mention him."

The rage that flashed across his face left Breccia scared, almost as if a rabid creature had overtaken him. In the silent moment that followed, she felt an unfamiliar terror and wondered if she had just screwed herself out of a job.

"I-I'm sorry."

Riker felt a twinge of guilt at his anger and tried to talk down the ire bubbling in his stomach. Never had his father been brought up in his time with the Organization. Even the Boss and the other Executives knew better then to speak of him.

"It's fine." He said. "You didn't know." What was once tense turned to awkward very quickly. "Whatever you do, don't encourage his mention around here. Got it?"

There was a nod.

"Good." Taking a moment to breath, his shoulders relaxed. Reaching into the front pocket of his jacket, he retrieved a folded piece of paper. "Here. Sorry to make the situation terse. My intention was to give you this." His underling reached out and took it with unsure hands. "When I was away, I contacted Maddie to check on you. She mentioned you weren't doing well, so I decided to make a stop to the capital." He smirked. "Pay a visit to the gym."

The color drained from Breccia's face, remembering that her brother was the gym leader in Birtan City. "...What did you do?"

"Nothing major." Riker teased. "Threatened to have my men tare the building apart board by board...unless he gave me what I wanted." He motioned towards the note.

Breccia unfolded it, smoothing it over her knee. It was a hastily scribbled map, drawn in frantic handwriting on lined paper.

"There's another island, about ten minutes from here. It's been deserted for years. Before I called them back, I had some men search the place, just to make sure none of our enemies were hold up there." Riker continued despite Breccia's confusion. "There's a large tree at the center. An ancient oak from what I was told. Your father's buried at the base."

It didn't seem to click with Breccia at first. She stared at the map, digesting Riker's words like an Ekans swallowing a large meal.

It was only when a droplet landed in the center of the page that she realized she was crying.

Her next reaction was automatic. She embraced her boss in a sudden hug, wrapping her arms around his neck as tears poured down her cheeks.

Unsure how to react, Riker allowed the action to continue, but didn't respond.

He glanced to Arlia who, in turn, shrugged.

"Th-thank you so much." Breccia sobbed, her voice hitching.

There was never a day in the last year that she forgot her father. She often wondered where he was. She also wondered, if there was heaven, how he'd feel about her current situation.

She and her brother's relationship had always been stringent. In his bitterness, he tried to take her past life away.

Maybe now, she could finally tell her father goodbye.