Hi all,

I'm so sorry this is late, but thank you all for just taking the time to read this and providing me with any feedback, it is appreciated.

Chapter 6

Sitting in the hallway of the hospital, May watched as various doctors and nurses rushed past them. If she hadn't been so worried about her father, she might have found it amusing to watch them all do a double take upon noticing Steven Stone's distinctively pale hair in their hospital hallway. However, she was in no shape or form alert enough to notice any of it. Instead, she was gripping her knees so hard that her knuckles had turned white, her teeth furiously nibbling on her lower lip.

'It'll be fine,' Brendan muttered, though it seemed mostly to himself. He'd been whispering assurances to himself since Caroline had subtly requested they leave so she could have a discussion with her husband, who looked exhausted. It wasn't just his physical exhaustion that concerned his family, and they both knew it.

'Brendan, dear, shut up!' May hissed at her friend, her eyes narrowed in anger. The last thing she needed was for him to panic beside her. The two were practically siblings, and she knew he would be much more vocal in his reassurances if he believed his words. This quiet reassurances did absolutely nothing to comfort her.

'What? What'd I do?' The man questioned, his ruby eyes widened in feigned disbelief that didn't fool May in the slightest.

The trio had left Caroline alone with Norman to discuss some affairs, though May knew precisely what those very concerns were—her. It seemed that all her parents ever seemed to worry about was her, never Max. On top of her father's cancer, she just felt all the more anxiety.

She wasn't delusional, she knew that her parents were worried about her leaving her goals aside for the Gym, but she didn't want them to discuss it quite so obviously. Especially with her boss, Steven, sitting so close to her.

'May, dear, your father wants to see you,' Caroline's soft voice smiled, though May detected a slight edge to it. Once again, she felt her anxieties increase at the prospect of spending time with her family. She couldn't remember why she'd been avoiding them, maybe it was a mixture of all the nights she spent worrying with them about her parents' health, their savings and how much they harassed her to live her life, sort out her career goals and maybe even consider settling down if she was going to stay in Petalburg. She was sick of it and just wanted space, even if she was terrified for her father. She was exhausted, as surely as any grass type's mega drain.

Glancing at the men on either side of her, May blanched, 'come with me?'

She didn't know who she'd directed the request to, but Brendan stood beside her, his back straighter than before, and the Champion climbed out of his seat too, his expression perfectly impassive, though his eyes flickered to her undoubtedly anxious countenance.

'Come on, diaper buddy. Chin up,' Brendan chuckled as he gave the woman a gentle push towards the door.

With a soft sigh, May turned the handle and entered the pristine room.

Seeing her father's stern gaze, as well as her mother's hesitant one, May knew that she wasn't going to like whatever they were here to discuss. She'd seen them give her those same expressions when she was a young child, trying to overcome her fear of pokémon. Needless to say, her father hadn't listened to her fears and arguments, nor had he deigned to acknowledge her tearful trauma. As for her mother, she'd return into her shell, as surely as any Cloyster.

'Yes?' The youngest woman questioned, crossing her arms as she glanced from one parent to the next.

'May, honey, are you sure this is what you want? I'm sure the Gym can be closed while your father overcomes his illness,' Caroline said, getting straight to the point. She gave Brendan a glance, and the youngest man grimaced in response.

'I'm not abandoning the Gym, or Kenny. We're like his second family, and keeping the Gym running is one of the only things keeping him going,' the woman responded, clenching her fist at her side as she saw her father's small smile.

'Atta girl, I knew you'd make the right choice,' Norman chuckled, though May felt none of his pleasure.

'What about your wishes? Don't you appreciate Coordinating anymore? What about your friends, Drew and Harley, Solidad?' Caroline questioned before sending her husband a reproving glance that wasn't missed by their daughter.

'Mum, drop it, please,' May sighed as she heard Brendan clear his throat nervously. The man covered his mouth awkwardly when she sent him a sly glance, seeing the corner of his lip twitch slightly at the mention of her old rivals.

'I just want you to be happy,' Caroline whispered with a soft pout, though her daughter chose to ignore the guilt she felt at her mother's clear dejection—once again, caused by her.

'I am happy, right Brendan?' May grinned brightly before turning her gaze on the man.

'What? Oh yeah, happy as can be with me there,' Brendan smiled, though he faltered at Caroline's disbelieving expression.

'Caroline, I have seen first-hand what May can do. I assure you, she is quite happy with her current status. She has prowess in battling challengers and has kept not just the Gym, but also your home in excellent shape. The moment I find out that she is no longer happy, then I will request the League take care of Petalburg's affairs,' Steven smiled at the older couple, his eyes flitting from Caroline to Norman, registering the unease in the older man's face.

'That won't be necessary, Champion. I've said I'll look after the Gym, and I will,' May scowled at the man, her sapphire eyes narrowed in anger that made the older man blink in shock.

'Come on, May, don't start taking out your anger issues on the Champion of Hoenn. That's not a good idea, with him being extremely powerful and all,' Brendan hissed at his friend, sending the other Hoenn native an apologetic glance.

'I don't care what his job is! Who is he to say that I can just quit? I'm not a quitter, and I don't have anger issues!' May growled as she turned her fiery anger onto the man, not noticing Steven's amused smile at her anger.

'May, his pokémon can slaughter yours without even breaking a sweat!' Brendan cried, raising his hands in exasperation, though his childhood friend didn't appreciate it.

'Then I'll just have to train harder until I'm at his level! Who is he to say any of that about me?' May snapped back at her childhood friend, who muttered, 'she's lost it. She's officially lost it. I can't believe it.'

'What's that meant to mean?' May glowered at the man, taking a menacing step towards him, not noticing the amusement on the expression of the man with light, steel blue hair.

'Mrs C., do you have Drew's Xtransceiver details? I think he needs to come here to pick on her and un-fry her brain,' Brendan frowned at the woman, who shook her head in disbelief.

'Hey! Leave him out of it! Besides, he's been gone for years!' May cried as Brendan jumped out of her way.

'May, it sounds to me like you need a goal. I'll battle you if you want,' Steven smiled, causing the younger man to trip over his feet and collide noisily into the hospital equipment.

'You will?' May gasped, turning to stare at the man in disbelief, not seeing Norman's surprise.

'Sure I will. However, I'll let you know when I think you're ready,' Steven mused with a small smile as his Xtransceiver began to ring.

'That will be Wallace. May, I recommend you return to the Gym in case you have challengers. I'll have the League send you a car,' Steven spoke, his light blue eyes lingering on Brendan's flushed face before leaving the room.

'Brendan, we're training! I need to win that battle!' May growled at her friend, whose limbs were completely tangled in the electrical wires.

'What? But we just got here!' Brendan yelped as Caroline helped him out of the precarious scenario with only the faintest hint of dismay.

'Yes, genius, but think about how much you and Steven have trained for battling! I have some serious catching up to do!' May scowled, stomping her foot impatiently.

Norman, upon hearing his daughter's statement, let out a small smile, his eyes lingering on his wife's expression, who pursed her lips in clear thought.