Solana and Leilani entered the Ringtown ranger Base. They saw Lunick feverishly typing away at one of the desktops. Minun sat beside him munching on a PokéSnack.

"You're still working on your report?" asked Leilani.

Lunick nodded without looking up from his journal, occasionally stealing glances at the computer to check for any grammatical or spelling errors.

"Yeah, I've fallen behind these last few days with how busy things have been. I gotta make sure I get all these missions logged and compartmentalized so I can submit my report and close these case files."

"So how is it that Solana finished submitting all of hers but not you?"

"Because Solana is a goddess. She can do anything."

Solana blushed slightly. "Oh, stop it, Lunick. You had time to log all of our missions. You just decided to better spend your time binge watching Pocket Monsters."

"That as well as snoodling with you, Babe. And I enjoyed every minute of it."

"Lunick!" Solana squeaked in embarrassment.

"Oh?" Leilani questioned. "Snoodle? Do tell what all that entails?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Solana uttered.

"I can tell you what it means," Lunick chimed.

"Do it and I'll make sure it never happens again." Solana threatened.

Lunick snarked, "See, usually I'd be tempted to believe you but you so need your Lunshine that I know that isn't a possibility. But I'm sure Leilani can use her imagination, so there's no need for me to reveal anything."

"Oh? Lunshine?" Leilani further teased. "What is that?"

"Use your imagination," Solana said flatly.

"Oh, you bet I will," Leilani giggled. "I knew you two were hot and horny for each other but that takes it to a whole 'nother level, don't you think?"

"Leilani!" They both shouted in embarrassment.

"You see what happens when you encourage her, Lunick?!" Spolana argued.

"I…I should know better by now, but I guess I always feel that for some strange reason Leilani will reel it in some."

Leilani giggled further. "Oh, I have my limits. But watching you two get so unbelievably flustered really is the highlight of my day."

"The things that excite you, Leilani," Lunick muttered.

Leilani sprawled herself over Lunick's work desk and held her head with her hands.

"You really wanna know what excites me?" she said smoothly and quietly.

Lunick flailed his hands, "My God, Leilani!"

Leilani laughed hard as she hopped off of the desk. "I'm kidding, Lunick. Hot damn, do you fluster, boy. I'm just here to get the specs for the Aquamole to take back to Cameron."

"It's about time. That thing's been meaning for a tuneup," Solana remarked as she walked into the storage room to get the blueprint design for Leilani.

"Especially since things have been escalating in Summerland. I don't know why but the pokémon are getting rowdier and wilder. You know, more than usual. Cameron may want to take a look in the sea to check on the aquatic life and make sure nothing is amiss there as well. But you know we gotta get Jerry to fix it first."

Solana reentered the room and handed Leilani the sheet.

"Thank you, Sole."

"Did he ever fix the leak in the between the wingflap and the glass?" asked Lunick as he went back to typing.

Leilani shook her head. "He hasn't even recalibrated the controls. If you ask me, it's high time we retire the Aquamole and invest in an actual fully autonomous submarine, where we don't need a tether from the port and can replenish our own oxygen and breathing supply."

"You know how much it would cost the Union to cover that, including repairs for future installments and maintenance?" commented Solana.

"Well we need something, Sole. Ocean exploration is a major part of our job but especially for us in Summerland. We need a new watercraft. If Jerry wasn't lazing around so much and actually made repairs and upkeep as often as he should, we wouldn't need these new blueprints, would we?"

"I'm not saying you're wrong. Just that it will take a large chunk out of the Union's resources. They've already spent so much on updating the new stylers and the battle suits. I'm not sure how much more funds we have left for the remainder of the year."

"Well, someone needs to get on top of it, that's all I know." Leilani rolled up the blueprints and placed them in her pack on her hip. "I'll see you guys later."

"We still on for tonight, Leil?

"Of course. Hour after shift change. I's been too long since we last did that. Marciano's, okay? Don't forget."

"We'll be there," Lunick answered.

Waving goodbye, Leilani exited the base.

"And done!" Lunick exclaimed as he closed his laptop down and stretched. "Finally. That took much longer than expected."

"You were more on top of things when you were an Area Leader."

"Uh, yeah? I was covering for Spenser and had some majorly large shoes to fill. It was a much bigger workload."

"So what you're saying is you'll procrastinate unless you have to prepare a dissertation," she said as she sat down on his lap.

"Wha? I haven't even gotten my undergrad and you're already talking about a Doctor of Philosophy? Besides, I wasn't procrastinating. I was simply entertaining my girlfriend and catering to her every whim," he said as he snaked his arms around her hips, letting them creep oh so graciously down to cup her backside.

"I was fully capable of entertaining myself. Nobody asked you to cater to me," she replied huskily as she leaned her face closer to his.

"Yeah you did," he whispered back as he massaged her.

"How so?"

"Like what you're doing right now," he replied softly. "You're trying to seduce me."

"You're the one gripping my bottom, Sir."

"But you want me to, do you not?"

"I want a lot more," she whispered as she connected her lips with his.

Minun stuck out his tongue in disgust, earning a scornful shove from his female counterpart.

"Somebody's gonna walk in and see us," Lunick breathed between the sensual kisses.

"I don't care."

"Yeah, you do. Don't lie."

"Well, I don't want to care." She countered, her face still close to his.

"Yeah, but we're on the-clock, Babe. No fraternizing."

"But we're so good at it?"

That caused him to chuckle. "I promise you'll get some Lunshine tonight. And we can play some more."

"You promise?"

"I do."

She leaned forward and kissed him longingly on his lips again, sending a shudder up both their spines before she agonizingly pulled away.

"You make it so hard to do the right thing," Lunick uttered.

It was Solana's turn to chuckle. "Am I really that tantalizing?"

"Are you kidding me?"

She caressed his face lovingly, giving him one more quick peck before getting up from his lap.

"I'm gonna go on the video phone in the back and call my parents. It's time for my weekly check-in with them. I told them I'd call around ten."

Lunick stood up and put his laptop away in its case beside the desk. "Okay. I promised Iyori I'd swing by and bring her a pen for her Miltank so she can keep an eye on her while she's at the lab."

Solana crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "She can't buy one herself?"

Lunick stood back up and gave his girlfriend a deadpan look. "Really, Solana?"

"What? She can buy one herself."

Lunick sighed slightly before glancing at his fitness band watch. "I told her I would get it for her, Solana. It's not a big deal."

"Why are you spending money on her when you don't have to?"

"Are we really going down this road again? I thought you weren't threatened by her anymore?"

"That's not the point, Lunick. You're still treating her like she's an invalid who can't take care of herself. Iyori's working now, she can afford to buy her own pen for her own pokémon. She had an apartment before which she was paying rent on. She has money."

Lunick pinched the spot between his eyes, trying to control his frustrated sighs.

"Let's not do this, okay, Babe? I have to go to Fall City anyway to run some errands. I won't be long."

Solana stared at him for a few tense seconds before exhaling loudly and uncrossing her arms.

"Fine. Go. Do what you gotta do."

Lunick pursed his lips, letting her coolness slide and leaned over the desk.

"Hey Solana, I have to tell you something, Babe."

"What is it?"

"The other day I was talking with Professor Lamont. He offered me a –"

Solana's styler started playing a melodious ringtone and vibrating on her hip.

"Oh, that's my alarm. I really gotta call my parents. They're on a time crunch. Can you tell me later tonight?"

Lunick nodded slowly. "Yeah, don't worry about it. It's not urgent. Go call your parents. We'll meet back in about hour. Spenser should be back from his meeting then. Just hold down the fort until then, answer any calls and requests until then."

"I know, Lunick. I've done this before."

Again, Lunick nodded slowly. He straightened up from the desk and grabbed his pack which was resting beside the main desktop computer, snapping it around his waist.

"Let's go, Minun."

"Mai," his partner pokémon replied as he took one last big biscuit from the jar of Pokésnacks and climbed up his ranger's shoulder.

"Minun, how many times do I have to tell you those are for our clients? You gluttonous little gorgefest. I'm gonna have to start hiding those from you."

"Mai Mai!"

"We're gonna have to put in extra training just to make sure you stay in shape."

"Mai…"

Solana watched them leave before walking towards the storage room. "Plusle, call me if anyone comes in and needs help, okay?"

"Pla Plah!" Her partner pokémon gave her a salute and hopped on the front desk.

Closing the door behind her, Solana walked over to the video phone that was in the rear of the room and sat down. She dialed her mother's number and the monitor winked to life when she picked up.

"Solana, dear! Good Morning! It's so good to see you!" replied the woman on the screen. She had deep brown eyes and periwinkle hair done-up in a spiral bun, held together by a brilliant red tsumami kanzashi hairstick with golden sakura blossoms adorning.

"Good Morning, Mom. How is everything?"

"Oh, everything is wonderful, sweetie. I saw the most beautiful lightshow in Agate yesterday evening. I took a lot of pictures for you and your father to see."

"I remember those light shows. Are Eagun and Beluh still running the Spring Solstice and Fall Equinox festivals?"

"Why, yes they are. They asked about you, dear. You know we are so very proud of you here in Orre. You're as famous as our own pristine heroes."

"I know, Mom. I told you I met them before, right? Wes and Michael?"

"Yes, back during that horrid Shadow Pokémon Insurgence a few years ago. I can't believe the Shadow Pokémon crisis spread to Fiore. I hope things have calmed down for you since then."

"Considerably. The days seem so much lighter nowadays. I don't think we've had to deal with any major events since then."

"That's nice to hear, sweetheart. How is Lunick doing? Still as silly and rambunctious as ever?"

Solana chuckled slightly. "He's still a major goofball but he's really matured these last few years. I think that whole ordeal really had him grow up fast."

"As would any traumatic event. I hope he's still treating you well."

"Oh, he's a perfect gentleman, Mom. Lunick is my whole life here in Fiore. I honestly don't know who I would be without him. He's such a big part of me, you know?"

Solana's mother Celine smiled widely. "You're so in love, Solana. I adore seeing you look and talk about him in such a way. It really calms my nerves knowing that you're in such wonderful, capable, and patient hands."

"Patient?" she questioned.

"Why, yes. Of course, dear. As headstrong and stubborn as you are? You get that from your father, of course. The obstinate fool."

"Hey, I am no way near as hardpressed as I was when I first came here."

"No, but you've still got a long ways to go. Lunick's a good foil and counterpart to you. I can't wait to meet him. Byron still goes on and on about meeting the young man who saved his daughter's life."

"Where is Dad anyway? He hasn't called in yet."

"He said he'd be a little late today. He's running around searching for a last-minute gift."

"Again? He never learns. Does he forget every year?"

"You know how he gets time come for anniversary. I can't tell you how many times that man has had my blood boiling from his forgetfulness."

"Maybe I can give him a few ideas. I do know some things Monika likes."

Just then, a figure appeared beside Solana's mother and came into view. His beige hair bounced from his movements and his jade green eyes seemed to look right through the monitor.

"Hey, Solana," he said smoothly.

Solana's eyes widened. Her heart felt like it leapt right up in her throat as a chill ran up her spine.

"H-Hey, Nate…"

"How're you doing?"

"I-I'm great…Say, Mom?"

"Yes, dear?"

"I've got to get going."

"But your father hasn't called yet?"

"Tell Dad I'll call him later on. I've really got to head out. I hadn't realized how late it's gotten."

"Oh…okay, dear…Well, it was nice talking to –"

Solana disconnected the call and laid back against the chair. She was trembling as panic and fear crept from within her. Why did he have to show his face and interrupt their call?…No, why, was she still having such a visceral reaction to him? It's been years since she last saw Nate. She should be over this by now, surely…Right?

Solana held her face in her hands. "Okay. Get it together, Solana. No need to get so flustered. Nothing happened. You're alright. You're safe. Stop panicking." She tried to reassure herself. But she could feel her anxiety rising. Memories starting creeping back into Solana's consciousness.

"No!" she shouted. "I will not become flooded. I refuse! Keep it together! You are stronger than this!"

She quickly stood to her feet. "A shower. I just need to clear my mind. A shower should help with that. Get the blood pumping."

Running over to the chest of drawers to the right in the storage room, Solana quickly fetched some spare underwear and bolted to the door. As she swung it opened, she saw Tara affectionately giving Plusle a bellyrub. When she noticed Solana standing in the doorframe, she quickly straightened up.

"Solana? You okay? You look like a Haunter is about to steal yer soul away."

"I'm fine," she gushed as she hastily approached her. "Can you man the front desk for me? I've gotta deal with something important."

"Um…Sure, I suppose –"

"Thanks, Tara," she cut off as she hurried to the lower level of the base. Concerned, Plusle followed behind her.

Solana sprinted into the girls' locker room and into the community shower, flicking on the lights.

"Happy thoughts, happy thoughts, happy thoughts," she repeated as she quickly disrobed and turned on the shower.

"Come on, come on," she said impatiently as she waited for the water heat up.

"Plah Pla?"

Solana jumped forward at the sound of her Partner Pokémon's cry. She quickly spun around.

"Plusle, you startled me. Quiet like all the other electric rodent pokémon."

"Plah?"

"I'm fine. Just need to refresh that's all. I won't take long. I promise."

Putting her hand under the flowing water and feeling its warmth, Solana quickly hopped inside. She tried to meditate as the water ran over her body, desperately trying to chase those unwanted thoughts and visuals away.

Reaching for her lavender-scented body wash, she started to lather her body, filling her nostrils with calming stress-relieving scent. She tried taking slow, deep breaths, and could feel her nerves running throughout her body.

Plusle watched worriedly from the side.

As heat filled the room and steam rose from the shower, Solana found herself starting to get light-headed. A queasy filling started to fill her stomach and her head started to ache. The heat was starting to make her feel faint. She tried to put her hand on the wall to support herself, but her hand slipped from the wetness and she fell forward to the ground.

"Pla Plah!" her pokémon cried.

"I'm fine, Plusle," she grunted. "Uhhh! Where did this nausea and dizziness come from?"

She put her hands in front of her and tried to push herself up, but her arms were buckling. She was struggling to support herself.

"What the hell?…What is going on?" she breathed out. "Why do I feel so exhausted?"

Again she tried to prop herself up. Her arms straining, Solana continued to breathe heavy underneath the flow of the water from the nozzle. The shower did help to push those unwanted thoughts and memories away, but not in the way Solana was hoping. Her present situation was just ridiculous.

"I can't stay here," she groaned.

She grunted as she fell back down on the shower floor. Her headache was excruciating, and she felt like she had no physical strength at all.

"Come on, Solana…It's just a little heat…Why are you so weak?…Get up!" she muttered to herself.

Solana tried to stand up but she found herself fumbling and being weighed back down in exhaustion.

"Damn it!" she exclaimed.

Plusle's eyes shimmered as tears started to roll down the little pokémon's face.

"Plah Plah Pla! Plah Pla PLa Plah!" she cried tearfully. She turned around and started to run for the bathroom door.'

"Plusle! Solana shouted. "Don't you dare! If you tell Lunick I swear I will never forgive you!"

The bolts of lightning that Plusle had become so used to firing seemed to strike her own heart. The tears fell uncontrollably as she looked pitifully at her ranger. She shook her head vigorously as she ran out of the room, unable to continue to look at her human in such a state.

Solana's eyes glistened as her body shook with rage and frustration. She closed her eyes as tears started to roll down her cheeks as well.

"I'm fine!…Everything's fine!…I have it all under control…Get up, damn it!…Get up!"


Treecko gazed solemnly at her royal Miracle Seed necklace. Her father finally passed the type-enhancing regalia down to her. For so long he would scold and chastise her for her short attention span and playfulness during his teachings and reprove her for constantly wanting to train and battle. Yet, here he had given her the mystical symbol of their sovereignty. Does this mean he finally deemed her worthy?

No that couldn't be it. He still found fault in her many times since then. And perhaps it is no coincidence that moons prior was the unfortunate day when they were attacked by the mysterious unidentifiable creature. Was it merely just to give her comfort during her gloom and fear? So many unanswered questions that unnerved her. Such an intimidating and powerful power-up, yet she was still very limited in her training. Perhaps if she showed that she took her father's lectures and lessons more seriously, he would start to train her in the ways of a fine and highly skilled battler. Maybe even show her some of his special techniques.

Sighing, Ttreecko placed the Miracle Seed down on the ground near her resting spot. It was too overwhelming to mull over everything that holding the royal item meant. For now, she will just have to show herself approved for her father. Then maybe he might start to consider her worthy of bearing the Sekrian crown.

Treecko watched as her father spoke with the other Sekrian leaders on the disturbances that have been arising throughout their various kingdoms.

"Pray tell what adversaries you have faced in recent moons, Brother Swampert?" Sceptile asked his co-leader. "Do they bare any likeness to the winged creature I informed you about?"

"Indeed so," the swamplands ruler answered. "My forest wetlands have been bedeviled by frequent sightings of a terrifying shadowy beast. It has frightened many of the inhabitants of my kingdom."

Sceptile turned to face the other. "What of you, Sister Blakiken? Have these darkened creatures also beset your domain?"

The fire-type queen sighed. "Sadly so I'm afraid. This silhouetted beast has encroached upon our hill range, instilling fear and worry throughout the plains and valley. The uncertainty and fear of the unknown has plagued every beast."

"So…Either this mysterious creature is moving rapidly, or there is more than one beast harrying our land." Sceptile reasoned.

"Every beast is unnerved. Never have we been so distressed since the time of great darkness in over a thousand moons. It would seem I have struggled immensely since my father's abdication."

"Now, now, Sister, there is no need to question your leadership," Swampert interjected. "We have all struggled the first moons after the transfer of power."

"Yes, Brother Swampert is right. Elder Blaziken's health was greatly deteriorating. His time as the sovereign King of the hillands was passed on to you. His last days should be spent resting with his beloved, not fretting over the welfare of his kingdom. I needn't remind you of how tumultuous it was in the days following my father's sudden and lamentable passing."

The female ruler quickly straightened up and raised he claws up.

"Oh, dear me, my sincerest apologies, Brother. I hadn't meant to denounce or invalidate the great struggle you had to endure following the Old One's untimely demise. What I am going through doesn't begin to compare to what all you had to endure after prematurely taking the throne. Please excuse my thoughtless words. I am just questioning my role in the confusion of my land."

Sceptile shook his head. "Always so gracious, Sister. You needn't worry, I am not offended. Revitalizing and restoring faith and assuredness in our inhabitants was a great task itself. But I managed to pull it off with the great help of my council. Always lean on your advisers and loved ones for support when needed. And this is a worrisome situation for us all. However, we need not worry about the state of our nations. This adversary has not attacked us yet, least not in our homelands. I am the only one who had engaged in battle with the beast and even then, it was moreso defensive. We need only to keep monitoring and surveying for now until we can reach a collective judgment on how to best handle this situation."

"Agreed, though we may want to develop a contingency plan nevertheless." Replied Swampert.

"Sceptile nodded. "Yes. Let us discuss our options and formulate a plan of action should things begin to spiral."

"We should start with all that we have observed as well as your battle against the beast, Brother." Added Blaziken.

Treecko was only half-listening to their conversation. Her mind was clouded with too many invasive thoughts and questions to focus on anything her father and the other dignitaries were discussing.

Signing, she held her tail close and curled up tightly, hoping that sleep would take her away from her troubling thoughts.


Lunick rushed into the Ringtown Ranger base. He spotted Solana sitting down in one of the lounge chairs in the lobby.

"Solana!" he called out as he and Minun ran over to her and Plusle. He knelt down and held her hands.

"Tara, told me you collapsed in the shower."

Solana sighed slightly. "She should not have called you. I'm fine, really, Lunick. I just got a little dizzy."

"How did that happen? Did you faint?"

"No, I didn't faint. I just got really tired and slipped and fell. It was just a little heat exhaustion."

"Were you dehydrated?"

"I don't think so, but I suppose it's possible."

Lunick stood up and started to pull her along.

"I'm taking you to the ER right now."

"Lunick," she breathed, removing her hands from his grasp and placing them on top of his. "Listen to me. I am fine.

"Solana, I know you like to push yourself, but there's something going on. Feeling that weak in the bathroom is abnormal."

"Lunick, I just got overheated. That's all. Nothing is wrong with me. I may have been a little dehydrated like you said and stayed in the shower too long. It got really hot in there and I started to feel lightheaded. I was just enjoying the hot water and decompressing."

"Why were you in there anyway? Didn't you already bathe this morning?"

"Yes, but I was self-soothing. I was feeling a little overwhelmed and I just needed to clear my head."

"Overwhelmed by what?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does, Solana."

Again, she sighed. "I was on a video call with my mom and Nate showed up and interrupted us."

"Nate?"

"My stepfather."

Lunick's eyes stretched slighter wider. "You saw him?"

"He walked right up to the screen and said 'Hi'," she said sadly, "Seeing him brought back some unpleasant memories.

"You were triggered. A trauma trigger."

"I just needed to clear my head and thought the shower would help."

Lunick shook his head slowly.

"Oh, Solana."

"I'm fine now. Plusle got Tara and she helped me out and cool down. I just needed some electrolytes in me and some fresh air, that's all."

Lunick continued to frown. "Do you need anything? I mean, is there anything I can do for you?"

"Yes. We can go on our next mission." She rested her hand on the manila folder on the table. "We got a few requests in while you were helping Iyori."

"Solana, are you sure you wanna do these now? I mean –"

"Yes. I am sure," she cut in. "I need to get out of here and do my job."

Lunick took a deep breath. He knew he wasn't going to win this one. "Okay. Just promise me you will let me know if you start to feel weird or tired or sick. And that you won't push yourself too hard."

"I promise."


Aria took a long draw of her cigarette. Of more than a sixth of Fall City's population, perhaps half of them were packed into Spinda's Tavern. She had arrived just before dusk and it seemed it was just as rowdy as ever. Music was being blasted throughout the building with expensive looking stereo systems. The driving EDM was so loud it was difficult to even carry on a conversation. Many folks were swaying and gyrating to the beat. Those who weren't were either seated at a table drinking, making out, carrying on wild conversations in corners, or outside smoking like she was.

She had just finished her last mission and didn't feel like going straight home.

"Hey there," a voice called from beside her.

Aria turned to her left to see what was possibly the most beautiful man she had ever seen. He was taller than her, towering above her 5'6". His golden blonde hair was a color only nature could create. Deep brown eyes, a strong square jaw, and a large protruding Adam's apple. He was perhaps just an inch over six feet and his shoulders were wide and broad, complementing his muscular physique. He was smiling at her and his toothy grin was nothing short of dazzling.

She puffed out the smoke she was holding in her mouth from the cigarette slowly.

"Hello," he said quietly.

"I think I know you, don't I? You're a Pokémon Ranger, right?" he had a sort of neutral, Midwestern accent that could have come from anywhere in the country. His voice was deep, just a shade away from maturity. He didn't once stop smiling while he spoke to her.

"Uh, yeah, I am."

"I knew I recognized your face. You were the one who rescued my grandmother's Persian a few months ago."

"You're Mrs. Johansson's grandson?"

"Yeah, I am. She was really grateful to you for getting Sassy back to her. I know she can be a bit difficult to work with."

"That's putting it lightly," Aria muttered, irritated.

He laughed, almost musically. "I know my gran. She adores her Persian. Treats her better than she does any of her kids and grandkids. I just wanted to thank you on her behalf."

"I appreciate the acknowledgment and gratitude."

He extended his hand. "Name's Aiden. Aiden Dalton."

She shook it gently with her free hand. His skin was warm and soft but she could feel gentle strength in his fingertips. "Aria Striker."

"Yeah, I know."

"You do?"

"Yeah. I mean I should know the names of the folks protecting my city, right?"

Aria turned away slightly, blushing faintly. "I guess. No one's ever really paid attention to me before. Lunick and Safaria usually are the ones getting all the praise."

Aiden chuckled. "Yeah, I know who they are. But like I said, it's good to know those of my hometown."

Aria glanced back at him.

Aiden put his hands in his coat pockets. "So, Miss Aria, I know we just met and you don't know me any better than you'd your average Joe, but I was thinking maybe I could take you out to lunch or something sometime?"

Aria's eyebrows shot up as a number of unexpected emotions surged through her. For one thing, she had never been asked out on a date since that Wailord timidly did a few years ago. Guys simply did not ask Aria out. Many of them either feared her or labeled her a mean bitch and didn't wish to socialize with her. The very thought that she could garner the attention of a young man this golden sent her heart aflutter. It made her feel so…appreciated.

Then one last emotion roared through her soul. She hesitated like she was even considering his request. She was even the slightest bit ashamed that the one possible answer had not immediately escaped her lips.

"I have a boyfriend."

"Oh okay. Cool. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I didn't think to ask."

"Because I looked single?"

Again, he chuckled lightly, sending a shiver down Aria's spine. "Well, I don't think anyone can look single, less you count the absence of an engagement or wedding ring, but you seem a bit young for that. Then again, I guess you can get married at any legal age. Really it didn't cross my mind to inquire about it because I just was focused on working up the nerve to ask you out. But thinking about it, of course you're already dating someone. You're beautiful, how could you not already be taken?"

A floaty feeling descended upon Aria like a light mist. No guy had ever been so kind, so…welcoming and accepting of her. They were always quick to run away. Even Murph was more like a scared Lillipup cowering and following behind her than an actual man pining for her. But this guy, he was actually engaging with her. And attracted to her! Complimenting her! It was unusual. It was foreign. But it felt so…nice.

What was it about him? That's all there was to him, wasn't it? A pretty face. She didn't know him. He's just a pretty face…A pretty face with cocoa brown eyes, bright, lustrous metallic hair like gold, a square jaw, a strong athletic build with broad shoulders, with muscles bulging ever so slightly from the lining of his jacket. A face that was sitting in the highest level of class. And he smelled nice…He smelled good and was polite and treated her like another human being and not some monster out for his blood.

"Well, it was still nice talking with you, Aria. I got to thank you on behalf of my gran, which is what I came here to do initially. You have a good night, okay?"

He waved her off and started to walk away when she called out to him.

"Wait!" Aria gushed quickly, holding up her free hand. "I mean, it's just lunch, right? There's no harm in going out and chatting a bit over a nice meal? Plus, it'll help get my mind off my crazy work schedule.

Aiden smiled widely, flashing his shiny white, nearly perfect teeth.

"Alright then. There's a nice bistro up on seventh street. They have the best yaki udon and cassoulet in the city. I'll see you soon Miss Aria. Good Night."

"Good Night," she replied back softly as she watched him disappear out of her sight.

She was a Mareep. A crushing Mareep. Just that realization made her shudder. And it also filled her center with the warmest feeling she's felt in a long while.


The late-night moon shone brightly as Solana stepped out of Lunick's car in front of Marciano's Ristorante. She tried to her best to maintain the visage of calmness and cheerfulness throughout the remainder of the day with Lunick. Despite her protests earlier, she was still feeling weak and her head was splitting in the back of her head. It was all she could to keep from stumbling on their missions. Lunick was already wary of her, and she didn't want to give him a reason to go into domestic mode and parent her, anymore than he already was at his baseline. She just had to get through the rest f the evening. Then she could loll around and rest behind the safeguard of her house, far away from inquiring eyes.

They followed behind the maitre d' the table where their party was waiting. Leilani was wearing a low-cut, cleavage revealing pale-pink fitted dress that wasn't as classy as she would usually wear on dinner dates. She may have had a bit of a teasing side, but even this dress was little much for her vibrant friend, she thought. Alejandro was wearing a loose lapel embroidery paisley print dress shirt and black jeans. He was nursing a glass of Amarone red wine.

"Well, it's about time," Alejandro said as he brought his glass up for another swing, "I gave you two up for lost."

The maitre d' placed two menus on the table.

"I'll just have the house salad, please, with a light vinaigrette dressing and some water," Solana said quickly as she handed him back the menu.

"And you, Sir?" he asked Lunick.

"Carbonara. And a ginger ale, please. Thank you."

Nodding, the waiter took the menus and walked away.

"No meatballs today, Lunick?" Leilani asked, jovially.

"Not really feeling it tonight," he replied as he let Solana in the booth before him.

"Well, you could have been a bit more courteous," Alejandro snarked. "Yah'll had us waiting damn near twenty minutes. I should be stuffed right about now."

"Alejandro!"

"Lani, please. Don't you start with me. Shouldn't keep a man waiting when he's hungry. So damn disrespectful, I'll tell you," he remarked as he took another gulp of his expensive wine.

Leilani sighed to herself as she said a silent prayer – Lord, please give me the strength to get through tonight.

Solana and Lunick exchanged awkward glances between themselves as the waiter returned with all food entrees – salad for Solana, carbonara for Lunick, seafood alfredo for Leilani, and a neapolitan pizza for Alejandro.

"Alright, finally," Alejandro expressed as he immediately dove into his margherita pizza and took large bites.

"If you were so hungry, you should have started on the breadbasket," Leilani remarked.

"It's not very good manners to eat before all the dinner guests are seated."

"But if you were hungry, there was no need to make yourself wait."

"Excuse me, are you giving me attitude, Leilani?" he asked, long strings of cheese from the hot pizza hanging loosely on his lips.

"No, of course not. Let's just have a nice evening, okay?"

"I'm sorry, am I making it difficult? Solana, Lunick, am I offending you?"

"No," Solana quickly answered for both of them.

"See? Let me eat my food! I'm hungry damn it! You know I hate to be kept waiting, especially when I'm hungry. I ain't apologizing for your misplaced embarrassment because your damn friends were late and disrespectful."

A few tense moments of silence passed between the group.

Alejandro sighed irritated. "I'm sorry you two." He said even though he stated he would not. "I get all testy when I'm hungry. This ain't no way to behave in front of guests, especially my girl's friends. It's just been hours since I last ate anything."

"It's okay, Alejandro. We understand," Solana said as she pushed her half-eaten plate of salad away. "Lunick, can you let me through please? I need to use the restroom."

"Sure, Babe," he said as he stood up and let Solana pass by him.

"Murph told me your last trial run with the super suit went well, Leilani," Lunick said as he sat back down and continued to eat his pasta.

"Oh, yeah. No shortages or shocks. There was a tad bit of resistance when I tried to do more defensive moves, but I also wasn't as focused as I should have been at the time."

"Who is, Murph?" Alejandro interrupted.

"Friend and colleague of ours," Lunick answered.

"You were alone with him?" he asked Leilani pointly.

"We were training."

"What the f –…Training? Are you kidding me?" he exclaimed.

Lunick glanced between the two of them and tried to interject. "So, Alejandro, how long are you planning on staying in town?"

"I haven't decided yet," he said without taking his eyes off of Leilani. "Why you didn't tell me about this? You keeping things from me?"

"What, no! Alejandro, I was working."

"Mira, you think I'm stupid? ¿Me tomas por tonto?" Look…Do you take me for a fool?

"No! Please stop."

"You doing to him what you doing to that tubby ginger? Huh? ¡Chica dime! ¡Dimelo ahora!" Girl tell me! Tell me now!

Lunick held out his hands. "Hey, dude. Calm yourself right now."

"Excuse me," Leilani breathed as she quickly got up from the table and ran towards the bathroom.

"¡Perra!" Bitch!

"Hey!" Lunick called out more firmly to Alejandro.

Leilani entered the bathroom and hurried over to the sink. She placed her purse on the counter and started to gather water in the palms of her two hands as she splashed her face. She could hear several flopping noises coming from one of the stalls, informing her that someone was praying to the porcelain god. She continued to splash cold water on her face. His anger was increasing. He was becoming more temperamental and Leilani had no idea why. Why was he behaving this way? Why was he accusing her of cheating on him? And why did he always seem to look so incensed at her? Why were his eyes filled with so much vexation and animosity towards her? It didn't make any sense…This was a stark contrast to how he presented when they first met. Was she doing something wrong? Was it jealousy? Was his suppression of his painful past finally unwinding?

Moving her hands from the automatic sink, Leilani wiped her face and stared in the mirror. No, it couldn't have been her. She hadn't done a thing to him. It had t be something else bubbling beneath the surface, fueling his rage. And he didn't know how to cope with it, so he was taking it out on her. That had to be it. She just had to be patient with him, she reasoned.

Signing softly, Leilani took a paper towel from the dispenser and dried her face. After she dried her face, she saw the person coming out of stall she heard earlier was actually Solana. They both paused for a few seconds of processing.

"Solana?" Leilani finally said.

Solana blinked a few times then tried to regain her composure.

"Oh…Hi, Leilani." Hearing how hoarse she sounded, she tried to clear her throat, "I didn't hear anyone else come in."

"I just came to wash my face…Were you just throwing up?"

"I…was…I started to feel nauseous. I guess my food didn't agree with me."

"But you seemed fine a few minutes ago when we were sitting down?"

"Yeah well, when I came in here it really hit me. Guess the wafting scents got to me a bit." She said as she walked over to the sink beside Leilani.

Leilani eyed her for a few fleeting moments before crossing her arms in front of her.

"Solana, are you lying to me?" Leilani asked seriously.

Solana scrunched up her face as she went to go wash her hands. "What? No. Of course not. Why would you even ask?"

"Because your story doesn't make a lick of sense. You were perfectly fine just a second ago when we were having dinner. No indications that you were starting to feel sick or unwell at all. No dizziness, no headache, no nausea. I come in here and I hear you spilling your guts out? Something doesn't seem kosher here."

"I told you it hit me when I came in," she said a little more firmly as she turned off the faucet and reached for a paper towel to dry her hands.

"Yeah, you did, but I don't understand how. There are no lingering scents in here. Not even the hint that somebody ate some really bad spicy food. The air fresheners are doing their job. What scent wafted in here to make you suddenly feel sick?"

Solana sighed as she went to throw the used paper towel away in the trash can beneath the dispenser. "Leilani, we are in a restaurant. There are all kinds of scents wafting in and out of here."

Again, Leilani crossed her arms as she rolled her tongue around in her mouth and chuckled dryly.

"Do I look like an idiot to you, Sole?"

"Excuse me, Leilani?"

"Your story doesn't make any sense."

"Why do I have to explain myself to you? Why are you getting so worked up over this? I feel better now, so obviously whatever was making me feel bad has passed."

"What was making you feel bad?…You had a salad, Sole. What, the tomatoes were soggy and rotten, is that what you're saying? Because if something was wrong with it, you wouldn't have eaten it, would you? You'd send the plate back."

"Leilani!" she cried, her arms stiffening at her sides. "Get off my back. I'm fine. I just had some momentary nausea and started vomiting a little. It's no big deal."

"No big deal, huh? So maybe I should just confirm with Lunick that this is all not big deal."

Solana's eyes flared slightly. "Why would you do that? You know he'll overact."

"If you have nothing to hide, why is it a problem?"

"Hide?"

"Yes, hide. You are incredibly defensive for something that is supposedly menial and isn't a big deal."

Solana scoffed. "Defensive. You have the nerve to call me defensive. After the way you've been acting for the past couple of weeks?"

"How I have been acting?"

"You don't think we noticed? You're incredibly jumpy, easily startled. And Murph told us about that bruise on your ribcage."

Leilani's eyes widened slightly as she wrapped her arms around herself.

"You forget that I've seen Alejandro's anger? How he stares at you?"

Leilani turned away. "You don't know what you're talking about. Alejandro loves me. That injury was from a work-related accident."

"That's what you told Murph. But I'm not so gullible."

"Solana, stop. You don't know what you're saying. I'm fine."

"And so am I," she retorted. "Regardless of what you think is happening, I'm fine. I'm feeling much better now, that's the truth. So stop projecting."

"I am not projecting, Solana. I find it strange that you can suddenly become so sick that you start to barf when you seemed perfectly fine a few minutes ago."

"Don't you think I would tell you if something was wrong?"

Leilani looked her straight in her eyes to continue to read her.

"Yes…I do believe you would tell me if something was wrong."

"Then, believe me when I say I'm fine, Leilani."

Inhaling deeply, Leilani took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

"Okay, Sole. I believe you. I'm sorry. I'm sleep-deprived and I'm a little wound up."

Solana's expression also softened considerably. "It's okay. And you're certain that things are okay between you and Alejandro?"

"Yes. We're fine, Sole. He can get a bit heated at times but he loves me. I guarantee that."

"Okay."

Again, Leilani took a deep breath. "Let's get on out of here and get back to our beaus, okay?"

"Sounds good."

Turning around, Leilani threw her used paper towel away in the trashcan and started for the bathroom door. Closing her eyes, Solana exhaled deeply but quietly as she followed behind her and told herself, "You got this, Solana."


AN: Finally updated this story. Didn't go as I planned, but these things happen in creativity. Really gonna try to get into the meat of the story and everyone's own individual arcs from now on, with little fillers. We'll see how things go.

Meanwhile, everyone I pray you are all safe and well. Please take care of yourselves during this difficult time for the nation and the world.

Please don't forget to review.

Always do Everything with Love

XyKPfan