Solana moaned softly as she clutched her soft warm sheets. She had such a fantastic night with Lunick. Aside from their passionate, amorous play that evening, Solana just enjoyed being in his embrace. Something about lying in his arms in her bed with him was just so comforting and alluring…even moreso last night since they were both au naturel. At one time she may have felt embarrassed about it, but now she didn't. She was content and she was happy. Not a single ounce of her felt dirty. And why should she? She loved Lunick and he loved her. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the fact that they went to bed naked together. They may not have gone all the way but everything they did was heartfelt, sincere, solacing, and just all around good! And if Solana was being honest, if going to bed with Lunick felt this good and was this relaxing, she'd invite him to cuddle and sleep in bed with her every night…even if it did mean going to bed bare-skinned…

Solana hugged the pillow that was under her right arm and held it close to her chest. This so wasn't like her. Usually she would wake up ready for the day. Instead, she wanted to just stay there laying in bed and go back to sleep, desiring to reminisce about her fond night with Lunick. And that's exactly what she did. Or at least what she tried to do. But she couldn't fall back asleep. Some key ingredient to her comfort was missing.

Where was Lunick?

Usually, he would be sacked out, not moving until Minun or herself forced him out of bed. And considering that he enjoyed snuggling with Solana as much as she did, he should've still been in bed.

She craned her neck slightly, surveying the room through her sleep-addled senses. Her eyes spotted the digital clock on the nightstand beside her bed. It read 11:13 AM.

Solana's eyes snapped opened and she shot up out of bed. 11:13?! She was late for work!

"Oh no, oh no, oh no!" she cried as she scrambled throughout her bedroom. Her clothes and Lunick's clothes were sprawled all over the floor, making her travel difficult. How could she let herself oversleep like that? Sure, she was bone-tired but most mornings she was and her biological clock had her up by 5:00. Furthermore, why did Lunick let her sleep in?! He obviously knew what time it was when he got up. Why didn't he wake her?!

Plusle peered inside and casually walked into the bedroom.

"Pla Plah?"

Solana struggled to put on her dress shirt.

"Plusle! Oh, please help me! We're running so late for work! Spenser's gonna be so pissed!"

"Pla Pla?" Plusle ran to Solana's white dresser on the other side of the room and hopped on top of it.

"After the way I just flaked on him yesterday afternoon, he's so not going to be pleased with me!"

She waved her tiny arms. "Pla Plah. Pla Plah Pla."

Solana rushed to put on her socks.

"What? I don't have time for breakfast. We're late! Have you seen my pack? Did I leave it downstairs?"

Solana quickly rushed out of her bedroom, partly dressed.

Plusle sighed and shook her head.

Solana ran down her the flight of stairs, passed her kitchen, into her living room, when she heard the sound of silverware clanging.

…The aroma then reached her nose…

Lunick was in the kitchen!

She turned back around and ran in to find Lunick standing behind her kitchen counter. He was wearing a black vest and the red boxer shorts she had tossed to the floor the previous night during their foreplay. He was humming a tune to some old cartoon as he slid an omelet over from a nonstick pan over onto a plate.

"What the?…Lunick!"

Lunick glanced up and smiled as he finished garnishing the plate with coarse black pepper and parsley.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." He carried two plates over to the kitchen table and rested them down. "Did you sleep well?"

Solana was baffled.

"Lunick, what are you doing? You're cooking?"

"Yeah. I know it's a bit late for breakfast but you still gotta put something in your stomach. It's not quite lunchtime so I guess this is brunch."

"Gah! Lunick, what are you doing cooking?! Have you looked at the time?!"

Lunick glanced at the wall clock as he approached her.

"Yes, I did. I just said it's not quite lunchtime." He gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "You do know you're not wearing any pants, right?"

"What the – Lunick!" Solana blubbered. "Lunick, what is wrong with you? Can't you see we're gonna be late for work?"

She rushed passed him and ran into the living room.

"You shouldn't be cooking right now. You should be getting dressed and helping me get dressed! Where's my pack?…"

Lunick slowly walked into the living room.

"Why didn't you wake me up this morning?"

Lunick looked down at his feet as he crossed his arms.

"Because we're not going in today." He said looking back up at her.

Solana's eyes shot up.

"What?"

He walked over to her again.

"I called in this morning and told Leader we wouldn't be coming in today."

Solana was stunned.

"What? Why did you do that?"

Lunick shrugged slightly. "I just figured it would be best if you stayed home today and took the day off."

"Why?"

Lunick hesitated a little before answering.

"…Because of what you told me last night…" he said slowly.

Solana's mouth dropped.

"You had a pretty hectic day yesterday, and after the crowd frenzy…and Iyori…then you told me about Billy and your stepfather and I just –"

"Just…stop," she said sternly as she held up her hands, finally able to regain her voice. "First of all, you have no right to be telling Spenser whether I am capable to do my job. You can't just take off sick days and vacation days for me like that."

"I wasn't trying to –"

"Second of all, you have no right to make decisions for me about my job. You cannot decide whether I will be able to function or not. I do. I decide that. Me! I didn't confess to you what happened to me in the past so you could use it as a hang-up over me. I'm not handicapped! What happened to me does not define me. You didn't tell him, did you?"

"No, I didn't." He was a little taken aback by the edge and sting of her tone and words, "I'm not trying to keep you back, Solana. I'm just looking out for you."

"Well, stop it." She replied sharply. "I was dealing with this before I met you and even three years additionally since that incident with Billy seven years later. I'll admit, it was good to finally get out all that stuff that I'd been harboring inside for so long but that does not give you permission to interfere with my life as it was."

Lunick watched Solana. Her body was slightly shaking and her eyes were very slightly starting to dilate. He knew he hurt her with his actions.

He lowered his eyes slightly before looking back up at her.

"I'm sorry, Solana. I was not trying to take over or take control of your life or disrespect you. That is the very last thing I would want to do. I just know you had a hard day yesterday. You were beating yourself up about Iyori…and after learning all that you had been through in your life, I just thought you deserved a day to just chill out and relax. We seldom use our sick days and I thought it was warranted…But you are right. I should have asked your permission first before going to Spenser and I am sorry."

Lunick shrugged slightly. "I just hate seeing you stressed, Babe. When you're upset, when you're unhappy, sad, or uncomfortable my whole world is not right until you are feeling better and back in your element again. And I would not be a good and caring boyfriend and caregiver if I did not do whatever was in my power to make you happy again."

Solana's features softened ever so slightly.

"I appreciate your concern, Lunick, I do. And I'm glad that you care so much. But you have to allow me to make decisions on my own. And you have to trust that I will tell you when I won't be able to handle something. Because you taking over and making decisions on my behalf without my consent is intrusive, and whether you intend it to be or not, it is disrespectful."

"I understand that now and I am sorry."

"I accept your apology." She walked passed him and started for her staircase. "Now, I gotta go get ready because I owe Iyori an apology too."

Lunick bowed his head and sighed.

"Solana?" he called.

She spun around.

"What?"

He turned around as well, although slower.

"Change your shirt."

Solana squinted her eyes in confusion.

"What?"

"Change your shirt."

Solana raised her hands in frustration and headed back to her room.

"Solana!" he called more forcefully.

"What, Lunick?!"

Lunick glanced down at her shirt then looked her back up in her eyes. Seeing that Solana still wasn't getting it, he pantomimed rubbing his chest.

Looking down at herself, Solana saw and understood what he saying.

She looked back up at him, giving him a lifeless, enervated stare.

He just shook his head and picked up her pack from behind the sofa. Then he walked up to her and handed it to her.

She slowly took it.

"Thank you."

"I'll go call Spenser to tell him we're coming in. Then I'll go change too," he said gently, before turning around to head back to her kitchen.

Before he took a step though, he felt a hand lightly place itself on his right shoulder. He turned back around and saw Solana watching him longingly.

She leaned forward and kissed him gently on his lips. It was brief but still sweet.

Lunick smiled softly and cupped Solana's face lovingly for a moment before walking back into her kitchen.

Solana sighed heavily and then finally made her way back upstairs to her bedroom.


Solana and Lunick knew there was going to be tension when they entered the Ringtown Ranger Base. Spenser was seated behind his desk as usual, but it was just him and Iyori in the base's lobby. Iyori had a white bandage wrapped multiple times around her head, her light baby blonde hair flowing down to around the base of her neck. Usually, all the bases were filled with rangers either doing deskwork or chattering or coming in or going out on missions. Whenever it was this vacant the base was either closed for extreme circumstances, or the Area Leader was having a meeting and vacated all rangers off the premises until further instruction.

…It was clear what the reason was for this vacancy…

Spenser cleared his throat.

"Good Afternoon, rangers. I take it you didn't need to take the full day off after all?"

"No, Leader," Lunick answered, "Half a day was all that was necessary. We're ready to return to work."

"Alright." Spenser put a few paper in a manila folder on his desk and closed it. "Before I get to your assignments I want to speak to each of you separately. I'll have you choose who goes first."

Solana and Lunick looked at each other momentarily. Lunick saw the worry in Solana's eyes and squeezed her hand.

"I'll go first," Lunick answered.

Spenser nodded.

"Okay. Solana, can you give us some privacy, please?"

"Sure, Leader." She answered nervously, still staring at Lunick. He nodded to her and squeezed hand again to try to reassure her. "Um, Iyori, can I talk to you in the kitchenette for a minute, please? If you don't mind?"

Iyori's eyes shifted between Lunick and Solana. She didn't answer but got up from her seat and slowly walked into the kitchenette in the other room

Solana continued to watch Lunick.

"I'll be fine," he whispered.

Solana both nodded and exhaled slowly. She hated to let go of his hand but she forced herself to do so before she entered the other room to meet with Iyori and give Lunick and her Leader some privacy.

Lunick turned back to face his Area Leader.

"You wanted to talk to me, Leader?"

Spenser's look was unwavering as he rested his chin on his hands. At times, Spenser could look like the most genial and welcoming person in the world. But when he was ticked off, he could be more intimidating than Ghetsis, Unova's demented leader of the Seven Sages and Team Plasma before disbandment.

"Lunick, you are an excellent ranger." Spenser began. "You've done many astounding things, many daring and miraculous rescues, and you've truly demonstrated to the region and to the world what being a Pokémon Ranger is all about. And you've made me proud time and time again."

He folded his hands on his desk.

"I try not to get too involved in the personal lives of my rangers but it is my responsibility to watch out for my students as your designated Area Leader and surrogate guardian while you are separated from your parents. I don't have any children, Lunick, but I like to think of you as my son. I care very deeply about you. But I am very concerned about some things that are going on with you recently and I need you to be forthright with me about it."

"Like what, Leader?"

"Well, for one, I have my suspicions about your motivations for hiring Iyori. To be honest, I've had my suspicions from the start. I didn't buy that Iyori wanted to work here from the moment you told me. And even if she expressed to you that she was interested in helping people the way pokémon rangers do…Iyori, with everything that she has gone through, should not be anywhere near the base. You should have known better. What happened to her yesterday was a catastrophe that could have been avoided. Iyori should have been speaking with relief services, getting counseling, and looking for housing, not staying here at the base scared out of her mind with you watching over her like a Day-Care owner or at Leilani's house as her babysitter."

Lunick's body tensed up, which Spenser easily caught sight of and raised his eyebrows.

"Oh, you thought I didn't know? The base has added security for a reason, Lunick. The techs go through the cameras every day and in case you forgot, I resumed my position as Area Leader that same morning Iyori nearly beat you with a bat. As for how I know she's been staying at your house and Leilani's beachhouse, that's unimportant. You don't need to know how I know. Just know that I know and that I seriously disapprove of you and Solana getting so heavily involved with a civilian and not handing her case file over to the proper representatives as you should have and as protocol mandates. I'm disappointed in Leilani too but I'm not her authorized Area Leader. She's also not as heavily involved as you and Solana are so I don't think Cameron will be dealing with her as strongly as I am you and Solana."

"Leader, Iyori would not take the help I kept referring her to. I couldn't just abandon her –"

"Lunick, you let yourself get too close to this case and to this girl and it has heavily affected your judgment. Quite frankly, I'm inclined to take you off of her case all together and ban you from all further contact with her. But at this point, I think that will only hurt her more."

Lunick relaxed his shoulders a little but he still watched his Area Leader.

Spenser continued to stare hard at Lunick.

"You may continue to talk with Iyori. As far as I can tell you are her lifeline right now. But she can no longer stay at your house. That is an order, Lunick. Disobey and lie to me again and you'll be on suspension for insubordination. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Leader."

Spenser relaxed and sighed softly.

"The other thing I want to address with you is your bond with Solana."

Lunick felt himself getting tense again. He did not like where this conversation was going.

"Like I said, I try my best not to get too involved in the personal lives of my rangers but when it starts to interfere with their work I cannot ignore it. Your relationship with Solana is becoming a distraction."

"What are you talking about, Leader?"

"Lunick, I am not a fool. I see how you two behave when you are around here. And I am not just talking about the love-dovey affection you are showing for one another. Though I am not too fond of PDA in the workplace, you two are developing a level of codependency that is starting to impact your efficiency in doing your jobs. If you two are fighting, there is so much tension you can hardly get any work done. But if one of you is broken, specifically Solana, then neither of you get any work done at all. I noticed this back since before you started dating but now it's gotten to the point where I need to say something. Yesterday was a rare occurrence where you were able to finish your work because the situation demanded it, but if Iyori wasn't in distress and that crowd was not out of control I guarantee you would have ran out of here and chased after Solana, just like you did when I put her on suspension just before we learned of the Shadow Pokémon insurgence a few years ago. You cannot do that. You two are Pokémon Rangers. You have a responsibility to this region to be here every day if possible to help citizens in need."

Lunick looked attentively at his Area Leader as he tried to watch his tone.

"With all due respect, Leader, Solana and I take our jobs very seriously and we do not just run out all willy-nilly like it is nothing. You said it yourself that we have done many daring and miraculous rescues day in and day out and we've saved the world at least twice already in our lives. We are not ignoring anybody here."

Spenser straightened up in his chair.

"I never said you were ignoring anybody, Lunick. I said you and Solana are reaching an unhealthy level of codependency that is heavily affecting your work. You and Solana took off this morning. That had to do with the swarm from yesterday afternoon and Iyori's meltdown, correct?"

Lunick nodded slowly.

"Okay. Now, I don't know the full extent as to why Solana was upset, but I know that she broke down and you went to take care of her like you always do. And please hear me, I am not saying that it is wrong to care for Solana and I am not chastising you for wanting some time to cool down, but there is a time and a place for everything, and there is a time where enough is enough. Both of you have let your emotions enter into this base and it has brought chaos and disorderliness and I cannot allow that to continue. And this is not the first time this has happened. Many times you both have come in here either angry at each other, or distraught, or have left with emotions all over the place and I have had enough. I don't know what is going on with the two of you but you need to get it under control. You two have been working together for a long time and I get it. On top of that, you are dating and that can complicate things. I understand that you two are close, but if your relationship continues to interfere with your work, I will separate you as partners…Get it together. Keep it out of the workplace. Keep it at home. Am I making myself clear?"

Lunick drew his lips inward and nodded his head in assertion slowly, giving a long, drawn-out, but silent sigh shortly afterwards.

"Yes, Leader."

Spenser relaxed and nodded as well.

"Okay…Good…Go get Solana. Let me speak to her briefly, then I will call you both in for your mission."

Nodding again, Lunick about-faced and headed for the kitchenette to get Solana.

As much as he had grown to be almost an equal to Spenser in some respects, the man still had a way of making his knees buckle and his heart skip two beats.


Solana exhaled softly as she pulled out a chair in the kitchenette for Iyori to sit in.

"How're you feeling, Iyori?"

Iyori sat down slowly.

"I am told my wounds are not too severe. The doctors say that I am fortunate I am not in more trouble than I am. Vertigo is the worst I will face after a relatively mild concussion. So, I suppose that is good news."

Solana sat down across from her.

"I'm glad to hear that, Iyori. Lunick will be happy to hear that as well."

"I suppose. It is not like he does not already know. He already visited me at Miss Leilani's house. He is aware of my condition already."

Solana nodded slowly. She folded her hands and shifted her gaze downward.

"I'm sorry, Iyori," she said softly.

"Whatever for, Solana-san?"

Solana looked back up meekly.

"I owe you an apology for what happened in here yesterday."

Iyori chuckled lightly.

"Oh, Solana-san, you are too modest. It is not like you caused that overflow of people to come into this place. You could not have known they would stampede in here like they did."

"No, but I still indirectly put you in this position to be triggered."

"What do you mean?"

Solana sighed lightly.

"Iyori…I set you up to work here…"

Iyori crinkled her brow.

"What?"

"I…set you up –"

"What are you talking about?!" Iyori cried as she shot to her feet. "What do you mean you set me up?! You mean you tried to get me attacked?!"

"No, no, no!" Solana said quickly as she held up her hands and joined Iyori at her feet. "I would never try to hurt you, you know that."

"Apparently not!" She cried through teary eyes. "I thought Renjās were supposed to protect! Defend! You told me that yourself! Why would you set me up to be killed?!"

"Iyori, I was not setting you up to be mobbed by reporters and frenzied, out of control crowds. Believe me, please. They were all just here for Lunick. I was trying to get you a job at the base. I was trying to get you to work here but I knew you weren't ready for that because you still needed help with everything you have been through. That's what I meant by I was setting you up because you were doomed from the start to breakdown and fail. But it did not come from any place of malice or mean spirit, honest, Iyori, it didn't! And I am sorry if this experience has caused you anymore pain. I am truly, truly sorry."

The tears were starting to well in Solana's eyes but they did not fall. Iyori's tear-stain face was sad but also stern as she sat back down in her seat.

"Why did you do it?" she asked her voice cracked. "Why did you do it? I trusted you, why did you do it?!"

At this point the tears were also starting to stream down Solana's face as well.

"Because I still didn't completely trust you," she finally said quietly. "With the language barrier, I mistook admiration and veneration for adoration and infatuation. You came on real strong with Lunick at first and you were so very clingy to him. Logically, I know it's because he rescued you, Iyori. I know that, I know. But emotionally it still hurts! It hurts inside. And you're cute! And that is not meant to sound shallow at all but beauty and physical attraction does play a part in these things. Don't deny it, it does. And you've been staying at his house; he's been staying at the base watching over you. When you panic, you run to him and he's there for you and…and…and you know what? He's my BOYFRIEND, Iyori?! Okay? MINE! There! I finally said it! I finally expressed it. And I am not trying to be mean. I am not. But I am having so many emotions right now. I am trying to be an understanding and caring friend. I am trying to do my job as a ranger and get you the proper support and help that you need. But I also need to be a respectful young woman who will not tolerate another young girl needing my Lunick to cradle and coddle her all the rest of her life. I know it sounds possessive. Maybe it is. But that is how I feel. I feel like you are taking him away from me. At least, I did feel that way until I got to know you a little better and see who you are…And Iyori…You're not the person I initially thought you were…"

The tears were streaming full force down Solana's face now, like an unrelenting waterfall.

Plusle cringed and her ears perked downward in seeing her human so emotionally upset. Iyori's face remained stoic through her tears.

Solana sat back down and folded her hands.

"Iyori, you're kind and thoughtful and nice. You're very shy and naïve but you are exceptionally brilliant. You have an astounding mathematical and scientific mind that comes so naturally it's just so mind-blowing how gifted you are in that area. You are afraid of the dangers of humanity and this world but you care about pokémon, at the very least, small ones like Plusle and Minun. Maybe a service pokémon can help you with your anxiety. That can be an option for you maybe?…I may be getting a little off-track here for a moment but do you see?…I've learned some things about you. About what you like, about areas you are skilled in, and things that can help calm you perhaps. These are things you can work on in your recovery that can help you."

Iyori was still silent and Solana knew why.

Solana sighed and looked down at her hands.

"I'm sorry, Iyori. I'm sorry I let my insecurities take control of me and put you in a place where you did not feel safe. I know I hurt our relationship immensely and I hope that you can forgive me for my selfish actions and behavior, however long that will take. But believe me when I say, I did not wish for you to get hurt or to die. I only want the best for you, Iyori."

Iyori stared at Solana hard for a long time. The tears had dried from her face but the hurt could still be seen in her eyes.

She finally answered.

"I gave you my word that I was not a threat to you and I honored that. I only wish that you did the same."

Solana's heart sank. Of all the things Iyori could have said…This one…This one alone…just…

"Hey…" A voice called softly from the entrance to the kitchenette. "Spenser's, uh…He's ready to see you, Solana…" Lunick said as he and Minun stepped inside.

Lunick could sense the mental stress traversing through the atmosphere and knew something had transpired between the two girls. That and Iyori's detached facial expression and body language and Solana's tear-stained wistful longing countenance told him all he needed to know.

He walked up to Solana and rubbed her gently on her shoulders.

"Babe, Spenser wants to talk to you."

She sniffled.

"I…I don't know if I can –"

"Yes, you can. Pull yourself together. Wipe your nose, clean your face, and talk to him. I know what he's going to want to talk to you about. It's going to be fine. We have a mission after this so we can't keep him too long, okay?"

He let go of her shoulders and walked over to the sink just on the other side of the table a couple feet by Iyori and ran the faucet. He took a washcloth from a short towel rack, dampened lightly, then turned off the faucet and walked back over to Solana. He crouched down in front of her and cleaned her face, wiping off the tears and mucus from her nose, making sure he wiped all over before her told her to…

"Blow."

Solana complied, getting the last of the slippery secretions out of her system and Lunick pinched it away. He then wiped her face with the unused dry part of the washcloth before wrapping it carefully and passing it to Minun to put in the laundry.

He turned back around to face her.

"Okay, we alright now? Better?"

Solana nodded slowly.

"We're gonna go address Spenser now and see what he has to say, and then we are going to report for our briefing for our mission, okay?"

Again, Solana nodded.

"Okay."

Lunick stood up and held Solana's right hand to help her up. Plusle hopped on her right shoulder.

"I'll be right in here. Just come get me when you are done and I'll come right in for our briefing, okay?"

"Okay." She said softly.

She glanced over at Iyori. The younger teenager just stared at her, neither hard nor soft.

Lunick did not acknowledge it.

"Okay, Babe. Get in there."

"I love you." She said quietly.

"I love you too." He replied back with a reassuring smile. He gave her a light kiss on the forehead then gave her a little nudge into the lobby so she would go meet with Spenser.

He then partially turned around.

"Iyori," he said gently.

She barely turned to face him

He slowly walked up to the chair Solana was sitting in and sat down. Minun returned from the laundry room and sat down beside him.

"You and I need to talk…Right now."


Solana held her breath slightly as she stepped up to Spenser's desk in the lobby. His pose was relaxed but not too relaxed. There was still a slight erectness to his back that conveyed his authority and reminded her that he was in charge. His pastel jade green eyes seemingly contained no emotion and were apathetic, but there was just a hint of irritation in the creases between his eyebrows. And he was able to put her in place without him so much as making a single sound or utterance.

"Hello, Solana."

"H-Hello." She replied nervously.

"Don't worry. I won't drag this out." He said nonchalantly as he finished filling out some paperwork that was on his desk, signed it, and put it away in a folder in his desk. She hoped it was not a disciplinary form for her or Lunick.

He folded his hands on his desk and looked up.

"Solana, you're an exceptional ranger. That goes without saying. You've saved Fiore and even the world at least twice now from destruction and we owe you our lives. You and Lunick are always pushing the limits and redefining just what it means to be a Pokémon Ranger almost every day and I am proud to have been assigned the honor of being your Area Leader for seven years now, and being able to help nurture you and teach you and help you grow into who you are today. I'm in no way taking credit for any of your heroism, I'm just saying I'm glad I was able to see your maturation and progression over the years. But at the same time, even though you have grown a lot and have accomplished a lot in an exponentially short span of time in your career as a ranger, you have also fumbled a lot. And every now and again you and Lunick do some things to remind me that you are flawed individuals just like the rest of us."

Spenser lifted his head slightly above his clasped hands.

"Solana, what were your true motivations for hiring Iyori? Be forthright with me, please."

Solana was stunned. She struggled for words.

"I…I…um –"

"If you are concerned about Lunick, don't be. Lunick didn't tell me anything. He didn't have to tell me anything. I've had my suspicions from the start. From the moment I saw how the three of you interacted in this base when Iyori was discharged from the hospital, I knew. All the years I've spent watching over you kids as your Area Leader, you're all like practically my own…So tell me, Solana, why did you encourage Iyori to work here?"

"I…wanted to keep an eye on her."

Spenser didn't blink.

"That's it? You just wanted to keep an eye on her?"

"I…wanted to help her?"

"Are you asking me?"

"No."

"Then why does it sound like you are? Solana, I told you I wanted you to be honest with me."

"I am," she cried, "I mean, I'm still trying to understand myself, Leader. All I know for certain is, initially, yes, my intentions were not without their underlying emotions and there was an ulterior motive behind them to get Iyori away from Lunick by having her work here at the base so she wasn't clinging onto him like an adhesive Muk caught in a large Sticky Web with no way of escape!…I don't like having these feelings, Leader, believe me, I don't! But I couldn't help it. Something in me didn't trust Iyori. Maybe it was the language barrier and how just adorably cute and innocent she talked, looked, and seemed but whatever it was just didn't gel well with me. But then by sheer necessity I had to spend time with her…and I got to know her a little better. Not a lot, just a little, but that little bit of her that I got to know…it quelled whatever suspicions I had of her. She's paranoid, yeah, but it's not an act, like perhaps I was thinking before. She's so innocent because she's so sheltered on one hand and been through complete hell on the other. She clings onto Lunick because he's the single one good thing that happened to her in her life and he saved her from something so horrendous she can't even bring herself to talk about it. So…yeah, I put Iyori in a place that could have been extremely detrimental to her considering all that she has gone through, not just in the past few months but in her life, and I let my insecurities affect my professional judgment. I pressured Lunick into going along with my plan and have Iyori work here, believing that it really was for the best, and I nearly cost Iyori her life. And that is not what a Pokémon Ranger is supposed to do. Lunick said it best. 'We save lives. We don't settle for casualties.' So, I am prepared for whatever punishment you deem is appropriate for my irresponsible and unacceptable behavior, Leader."

Spenser stared at Solana for a while, rolling his tongue around in his mouth as he pondered upon all that she had said to him.

"If I may say one more thing, Leader?"

"You may."

"I know my intentions were ill at first, I fully admit that. But I really do think that Iyori's been doing well since she's been working here. And I'm not saying that to cover my ass, Leader. Pardon my language. She's really been helping the professor out in Fall City, and he desperately needed help, Leader. Murph will tell you that. I saw his lab. It was terrible."

"I know."

"And her scientific and mathematical knowledge is astounding. Mind-blowing. She can compete with the techs, even though she's not operating as one. She's really been an asset just working as an analyst while Lunick was filling in for you –"

"Solana…"

"I was really thinking about maybe even having her IQ tested because I really think she has a brilliant mind –"

"Okay, now you are covering your ass." He said with a very slight grin.

Solana chuckled weakly.

"I'm sorry."

Spenser shook his head.

"I've seen the professor's lab and I'm glad he was able to get some help. As far as Iyori is concerned, that is not my decision to make anymore. You on the other hand…We've got some more talking to do…"


"Iyori, I cannot watch over you the way I have in the past. That is overcomplicating things in my relationship with Solana and she does not deserve that."

"I told Solana-san that I am not trying to take you away from her."

"It's not about that," Lunick said firmly. "I cannot put you over Solana, Iyori. She is my girlfriend...Strike that. She is more than my girlfriend – she is the girl I'm going to spend the rest of my life with. And I have to respect that. I have to respect her. Waiting hand-and-foot on another girl is not respectful to her, and I should have realized that before I made you that promise. You need to stay here tonight."

"If I stay in this base, I will kill myself before he gets the chance."

Lunick closed his eyes briefly.

"Iyori, you say something like that and I'll have to take you to a psychiatric hospital."

"What good will that do? I'll just kill myself there."

"If you keep saying that, I'm going to take you to the ER and admit you myself. Don't make me do that, Iyori. The people in the mental institution have issues just like yours and worse, and being in that environment can further exacerbate your symptoms. You don't need that. You need peace."

She slammed her hands on the table.

"I need you! You promised to keep me safe!"

"I did!" Lunick yelled back. "But you are misunderstanding and misconstruing what that means!"

Iyori folded her arms and turned away from him.

Minun rubbed his human gently on his right ankle and Lunick tried to calm himself.

"Iyori, I have dropped everything for you. I let you sleep in my house against my partner's wishes, I risked my job and career for you by going behind my boss' back and lying to him about you. I cannot keep doing this. It's not just putting a strain on my relationships, it is putting a strain on my mind. That is not fair, Iyori."

"Not fair?" Iyori cried incredulously as she turned back around to face him. "I lost my home, my security, almost my sanity and I'm damn near about to lose my life! You all think I'm crazy but I am not! Seven times this man tried to kill me. Seven! And this last one he nearly succeeded! There is a violent sociopathic madman out to get me, and all I ever did was be kind to him. And this last time he nearly succeeded! And now I am homeless, alone, frightened, and losing my sanity. And I'm being chastised for it. That is not fair!"

Lunick sighed heavily.

"Iyori, I cannot imagine what you must be going through. I know it is a lot. I want to be a good person and help you, and I will continue to help you the best way I can. But that no longer entails me dropping everything at the drop of a hat because you are struggling. You have plenty of resources available to you. You are just not taking them. I rescued you but I am not your lifeline. Do you understand?"

Iyori's eyes lowered as she bowed her head.

"Watashi wa eien ni hitoribotchi?" She whispered softly, nearly inaudibly. Why am I forever alone?

Lunick's features softened considerably.

"You are not alone, Iyori. You have to stop the all-or-none, black-and-white thinking. You have a whole team here to support you. You've just got to remove your blinders and adjust your eyes. Reprogram your mind. I'm not leaving you. I just can't do everything that I was doing for you before."

Iyori sniffled and looked back up.

"So what now?"

Lunick shrugged slightly.

"Well, that depends on you, Iyori. On what you're willing to do. My Leader kind of passed the reins along to me concerning you."

Iyori perked up slightly.

"So then you now make the decisions?"

"I've made my decision. I've told you. I'm not doing things the way I did before."

Iyori slumped back down in her chair.

"That's not to say I'm not going to help you. I'm not abandoning you."

"Yeah…I've heard that line before." She said quietly as she turned away slightly.

Lunick sighed quietly to himself. Minun patted Lunick on his leg to ask if he should go to try to comfort her and Lunick shook his head 'No'.

"Iyori, this isn't going to work if you don't trust me. I want to help you, but I'm not going to force you to do anything."

He waited patiently for her to turn back around before he continued.

"You saved me. You're about the only person I do trust. If I can trust you with my life, I can trust you with anything."

"Does this mean you are willing to accept my help? Even if it may not be the kind of help you imagine it to be, or the kind you were receiving before?"

Lunick could see the tears welling in her eyes.

"These people –"

"Are my friends and colleagues. Fellow Pokémon Rangers. They aren't going to hurt you. They will protect you just like I will."

"…Your girlfriend –"

"Nonnegotiable. You need to be able to trust her. I'll admit, she was wrong about you before. She admitted that. I forgave her. You need to forgive her too, or this isn't going to work. She's not going to hurt you, Iyori. She's a Pokémon Ranger too. The same way you trust me with your life, I trust her with mine. I know she feels bad about what she did and you know that too. You can't hold that over her head forever."

Iyori looked down at the table and pursued her lips for a moment.

"I forgave her. I just retain the right to be angry with her for a little while longer."

"Okay. You're entitled to feel how you feel. Just make sure you tell her soon, okay?"

Iyori nodded and swallowed hard.

"One more thing, Iyori," Lunick added. "I need you to keep working here."

Iyori straightened up.

"What? Excuse me?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Well, yes, but –"

"Then I need you to trust me on this, Iyori. Since you've been working for us as an analyst, you've been less antsy and a little more stable. Since you've been Professor Hastings' assistant, you've been more focused and having less panic attacks, at least while you are at the base or at his lab. En route to either is another story and I'll try to come up with something. Solana has already made a suggestion worth considering, but Iyori, the point is…working for the Pokémon Rangers has been a great and healthy distraction from your troubles and has made a considerable impact on your mental health, at least from my viewpoint, and even though I am not a counselor, I am going with the little training I've had in referring and advising and with my gut instinct, which is to encourage you to continue to work here because I believe it to be for your benefit. Now, it is your right to completely ignore everything that I am saying and walk right on out of here, and maybe try and reach out to those other resources I was telling you about before? But those are my two cents. I couldn't let our conversation end without letting you know how I feel about this."

Iyori sat there in silence for what felt like several long moments before she finally found her voice to speak.

"How long?"

"That's entirely up to you, Iyori."

She sat back in her chair and thought for another moment.

"Do you trust me?"

He scrunched up his face in confusion.

"Come again?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Why do you ask?"

"You keep asking me if I trust you. But do you trust me?"

"I ask you that question for your own security."

"And I am asking you for very same thing. You said you need me to continue working here. Do you trust that I can do that? Do you trust that I can continue to be an analyst and not break down? That I can continue to help the Professor and not fall apart? You know my weaknesses. You know what will break me. I threatened to kill myself earlier and tried to do so yesterday, yet you still want me to work here, even though I may be a major liability. So, yes, I must ask. Do you trust me?"

Lunick nodded, understanding her reasoning.

"Yes, I do."

"Are you sure?"

"I would not have asked you if I did not trust you, Iyori. Yes, I am sure. I trust you."

Iyori smiled.

"Then I suppose you still have an employee, Mister Renjā."

Lunick smiled back.

"Thank you, Iyori. Really. The Professor has been able to focus more on his Union obligations since you took on the responsibility of upkeeping his lab and helping him with his scientific and technological research. And you've helped us out a lot working as an analyst. You really have been doing a lot better since you started working here, Iyori…And uh, it's colleague. I'm not Area Leader anymore. We're cohorts now. Equals."

Iyori shrugged. "Whatever. You are still my Kyūjo-sha, Lunick-sama. I am still in your debt." Rescuer.

"If that's how you wish to word for now. Let's just start trying to take these new steps forward, okay? Agreed?"

"Agreed."

"And we understand that things are no longer going to be as they were in the past?"

Iyori nodded.

"Yes. I understand you are tossing me to the side just like that."

Lunick frowned and shook his head.

"It's not like that at all, Iyori. It's just it can't be as it was."

"I am joking, Lunick-sama."

Lunick chuckled lightly.

"You jest? So you do have a sense of humor?"

"I see you have an abundance of it," Iyori fired back.

Just then, Solana reentered the kitchenette. Lunick could see the anguish in her features and he immediately sobered up.

He quickly shot out of his chair and ran to her side.

"Oh, Babe, was it that bad? What did he say?"

Solana shook her head slowly.

"I don't really want to talk about it. Can we discuss it later? Spenser wants to brief us on our mission anyway and send us out."

"Of course." He kissed her lightly on her forehead before turning back around to face Iyori, "So we're gonna head out. I guess you could take the elevator upstairs and see if there's any data left from yesterday that maybe you didn't get to finish extracting or polymerizing or…something on the molecular level?…I'm not a scientist. You get what I'm saying, right?"

Iyori giggled softly.

"Yes, Lunick-sama. Alright. I may just relax here for a while longer, though."

"Okay. Take your time. Let's go, Solana."

The two girls watched each other for what felt like hours but was in reality just a few short seconds. It took Lunick nudging Solana and calling her twice to snap her out of it before the two rangers and their pokémon turned back around and headed to the lobby for their Leader's instruction.

Iyori remained there in the kitchenette. She rolled back in her chair, then she walked over to the stovetop and made herself a hot cup of matcha tea.


A/N: A belated Happy New Year everyone! I hope you've all had a great new year so far. And I pray and wish only the best for all of us the rest of this year and many more to come afterwards.

The updates probably may not be coming as often for a while now. I'm in classes again this semester so I'm going to be very busy but I will try to update this story as I am able to. They just won't be as often, as you've probably already noticed with this chapter.

Also, be prepared for this story to be a long story. How long? I'm not quite sure yet. Not ready to assign a number value just yet but longer than Inevitable Love, I'm certain. Just wanted to make sure I stated this as well, I've been wanting to say this for quite some time.

I think that's all the announcements I have to make. I've also been under the weather lately, (so sick :#), so please pardon the mistakes. I will try to fix any and all errors as soon as possible.

Always Do Everything With Love.

Please Don't Forget to Review!

XyKPfan