Chapter 5

Disclaimer: moi-moi819 does not own Pokémon, or any of their titles therein. This is a nonprofit fan fiction. No copyright infringement was intended.

Moi-Moi: Hey guys. I know it's been a pretty long time. My bad. I've been on Christmas break (Seasons Greetings to you guys btw ;D) for a while now and I took that time to write the chapter. But, I hate what I wrote. So! I rewrote the chapter. At least I wanted to… I got sick for the first time this year. I was doing so well… Sigh. I practically tripped at the finish line. Anyways, I was dog sick and could not bring myself to even get out of bed. But, I'm all better now so I took some time to type up a brand-spanking new chapter for you Gaul fans.

Also, I have a question specifically for the Amourshippers. Anyone feeling totally excited for the upcoming Pokémon XY episode, "Satoshi and Serena's First Date!? The Vow Tree and the Present!"? Personally, I'm not sure who I ship Ash with anymore, but there is a small part of me that's looking forward to the episode. Even though I think that the episode title may be one of those misleading titles meant to pull in more views. I guess we'll have to see. ;)

Also! I don't want to get any if you lovable Gaul Shippers too excited just yet, but a BIG thanks goes to Ichigo0-0Rose for their suggestive review asking for none other than… another Pokémon fanfiction! Yep. But, they specifically requested a sister story to Gabi's story- one from Paul's perspective. Spoiler Alert: I've already started it, but I promised myself that I wouldn't post anything up until I finish some of the other stories I have unfinished. So far, it's proving to be a challenge. I can't begin to tell you guys how many times I've had to cross out and rewrite a line. UGH. I love Paul's complexity, but now I'm kinda wishing he was as straightforward as Ash…

Without further ado, let's get the chapter started!

~:~

"You're giving her more than she deserves," Paul told Gabi as she clutched the glass vase tighter in her hands. She was biting her lip worriedly as her eyes scanned the small plaques on the walls that designated room number.

"But it's my fault that's she's in here. I have to at least apologize to her," Gabi fretted before jogging up to a closed door. She tried to reach for the door handle while balancing the large bouquet of flowers, but it was proving difficult. Before she could drop the bouquet she had spent a small fortune on, Paul held the door open for her. She smiled gratefully before shuffling inside.

They could make out the end of a conversation as they walked in. "Yes but I need to know if my hair looks alright. I need to know if I should make an appointment with my personal stylist!"

"Miss Rhonda…" the nurse started with a slightly worried expression. The nurse stopped when she noticed the two guests in the room. Rhonda stopped as well. It had to be her lucky day! Gabi and Paul had come to visit her in the hospital… together! Where was her good-for-nothing cameraman when she needed him?!

"Gabi and Paul, have you two come to see me? Those flowers are just gorgeous!" Rhonda exclaimed. Paul frowned where he stood but Gabi offered a hesitant smile. The nurse quickly bowed before leaving the room to tend to other patients.

"We brought you flowers and an apology," Gabi started. She shot Paul a glare when he didn't voice his agreement. She rolled her eyes at him with a scoff before placing the large bouquet of red and white roses on the bedside table.

"Oh you two don't have to do that. I'd like to think of us all as friends. Don't you?" Rhonda started. Gabi ignored Paul's scoff from where he stood behind her. "It's obvious that I was intruding on your personal space. But you have to understand. If it were up to me, I wouldn't have been anywhere near that beach. But it's the fans," Rhonda started with a dramatic sigh. Paul felt his eye twitch.

"The… fans?" Gabi started with a dubious look.

"Yes! They all look to me as the number one most reliable source for all the latest Gaul news and gossip! Sometimes, I swear they'll riot if I don't report something," Rhonda continued. Rhonda was making a show of placing her arm over her slightly scraped face. Gabi felt a twinge in her chest when she noticed just how bruised Rhonda was. She had one arm in a sling and too many bandages to count.

"You can report on all the lies you've told," Paul said coldly.

Rhonda nearly smirked. Paul was by far the toughest case she'd ever had. But like any good detective, she'd crack this case wide open. And she knew just how to do it… "You know what? You've just given me an idea Paul," Rhonda started with a gleeful smile. Paul raised a brow at her while Gabi looked between the two of them, utterly confused. "I say, we give the fans what they want. Obviously, it's to see you and Gabi together!" Rhonda finished with a satisfied smile. Paul's cheeks burst into flames instantly at Rhonda's words. His heart skipped a beat before slowly starting to pick up its pace. Paul couldn't find the words. This woman was insufferable.

"Oh, hear me out. I know what you're going to say. But, that doesn't matter. You just need to go out some more. You know… Like a romantic stroll or a fancy dinner. If I can get the two of you to reveal to the world the "truth" about your relationship, everyone wins. The fans get what they want, I get the story of the year, and I won't need to bother you for months. I can bother Flint some more. The rumor is that that "Malva" girl was once a Team Flare member you know…" Rhonda smirked at her knowledge of the latest gossip.

"You… want us to pretend to be dating and let you "catch" us in public just so you can get some views and a boost in your career?" Gabi surmised. Paul watched he arms cross haughtily. Paul had his own list of things he wanted to say to Rhonda, but he was more than happy to stand back and let Gabi have her say. She could be quite intimidating when she wanted… Paul smirked.

"Oh don't give me that look, Gabi. You would barely be pretending. Based on what I saw on the beach not too long ago, you two seem pretty close as it is. I'm only asking that you get a little closer for about an hour or so. I think it's a fair trade for a few months of peace from me," Rhonda says with a scoff.

Paul was at a loss. He didn't know what to say- what he could say. But one thing was sure in his mind: he couldn't pretend to be Gabi's… boyfriend. Paul crossed his arms as his eyes slid to the floor in thought. It's not like he'd never entertained the thought… but he'd quickly shut down that idea as soon as it'd popped up. He couldn't be with Gabi. Gabi was an intelligent, kind, likeable, attractive girl. She deserved someone more like her. She had more than enough males in her life that would be a better match for her than him. No matter how much Paul hated to admit it, even Stephan was a better match for Gabi. At least he was able to show Gabi just how he felt and treat her like a boyfriend would treat their girlfriend. No. Paul had already decided long ago that a relationship wasn't for him. He simply wasn't equipped for the types of emotion that a relationship required. It had taken him years to even make friends. And he cherished Gabi's friendship. Subjecting her to a relationship with him would be like torture. It was better to keep things as they were.

"Paul?" Gabi spoke up again while snapping her fingers in front of his dark, onyx eyes. Paul blinked at her in confusion before looking between her and Rhonda in question. "I said that Rhonda has a point," Gabi repeated. Paul's eyes widened. His jaw hung slightly while Gabi's cheeks flamed. "I, for one, would love to be free from Rhonda for the next few months. No offense Rhonda," Gabi offered quickly to the reporter. Rhonda shrugged carelessly as she examined her nails. "If you don't want to do it, I'll understand."

"Although I would rather stick to the plan, I can make it work with just Gabi. She could come on my show for a one-on-one interview. We could try to turn this on its ear and say that you two are Splitsville and Gabi has her eye on a new guy. I heard from a little birdie that you once spent a significant amount of time with a very attractive young man named Virgil," Rhonda hinted. Rhonda was exaggerating, but it had the desired effect. "So it is true!"

Paul felt his eyes narrow. Virgil? That name sounded familiar… "Virgil is just a friend. I haven't seen him in months anyways," Paul heard Gabi deny. Yes. Paul had met Virgil once years ago. Was that the type of guy that Gabi liked? Paul scoffed. If he was, it shouldn't bother him. When Paul felt confused eyes on him, he shot them both expressionless stares. "If it means getting rid of Rhonda, why not?" Paul tried to play off the quickening of his heart and tingling in his gut.

Gabi's eyes widened in shock. Paul had actually agreed? Paul tried to avoid her gaze, but failed. After some time, Gabi gained an understanding look tinged with sadness? Before Paul could determine whether or not his eyes were playing tricks on him, Gabi turned back to Rhonda. Sadness? Did the thought of being with him sadden her? Paul felt the mask of cold indifference slip over his face as Rhonda let out an excited squeal. "I'll call my producers to let them know the good news! This will be the biggest story since I started that rumor about- I mean since that ridiculous rumor about Wallace and Cynthia started up," Rhonda grinned. Paul rolled his eyes.

When Gabi and Paul left Rhonda to her giggly squeals, they shut the door behind them and let out exasperated breaths. "Why do I feel like we just signed a deal with the devil?" Gabi mused.

"Because we did," Paul answered her plainly.

Gabi groaned loudly. "I should have listened to you and just had the flowers delivered to her," Gabi shook her head. Paul decided not to acknowledge the fact that he had really suggested that Gabi not waste her time or money on Rhonda to begin with. "Paul, if you don't want to do this, I'll understand. I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

"The only thing that would make me uncomfortable would be sitting in Rhonda's presence for an hour," Paul responded. He carefully chose not to give her any sort of direct response to her. They only had to pretend to be in love. Even if Gabi was feigning the feeling, he could try to dredge up some of the feelings he'd been trying to bury for months. Pulled out of his musings, Paul felt Gabi slip her arm through his and begin to lead him away from Rhonda's room with a smile.

"It'll only be one date. Think of it this way: you may have to deal with Rhonda, but I'll be right there to hold your hand… literally," she smiled at him brightly before slipping her hand into his to show him. "Just let me do all the talking. All you have to do is sit next to me, look pretty, and act completely head-over-heels in love with me. It shouldn't be too hard. I'm adorable," Gabi snickered as her head came to rest on his shoulder and her fingers intertwined with his.

"Adorable?" Paul scoffed. He ignored how nice her softer, smaller hand felt in his. He hoped that his hand didn't feel as clammy to her as it did to him. "That's not the word I'd use. You're more annoying, bossy, hot-headed, and a bit of a know-it-all." Paul almost regretted his words when Gabi suddenly pulled away from him. He looked down at her to see her shooting him an irritated look before letting out a delicate 'humph!' noise. Paul snickered.

"Well you're not perfect either, mister. You're very sarcastic, so serious and indifferent that it borderlines on cold, and a bit of a party pooper," Gabi said before sticking her tongue out at Paul.

"Oh yeah. I forgot to add "immature" to the list," Paul smirked.

"Don't tell me that you're going to break up with me now. I don't think so, boyfriend. You're stuck with me," Gabi said with a triumphant, "Ha!"

"Oh joy…"

~:~

"I never thought I'd see the day that my baby brother went out on his first date," Reggie started as he laid out some decent clothes on the bed for Paul. He paired a white sweater with a pair of dark wash jeans and dark blazer. It was a bit chilly tonight. Reggie left Paul's sneakers on the floor at the foot of the bed.

"It's not a real date. We're only doing this to get Rhonda to leave us alone. Gabi wouldn't have agreed if she hadn't felt guilty for Luxray putting Rhonda in the hospital," Paul scoffed.

"That may be true… But, you don't feel guilty. So why did you agree?" Reggie asked with an innocently curious tone. Reggie would pay anything just to hear his brother say those words. If Paul would only say the words aloud…

Paul stayed quiet as he combed through his hair. What could he tell Reggie? That he agreed to go out with one of his only friends just so he wouldn't have to see her all over the tabloids tomorrow with some guy she hadn't "spoken to in months"? Or that he agreed because he wasn't able to pass up the opportunity to at least pretend to be Gabi's boyfriend. Not likely. "Although Rhonda is a nuisance, she didn't deserve to be put in the hospital," Paul chose to say after some time.

Reggie nearly pulled his hair out. How was he supposed to help Paul when he insisted on being so stubborn!? Thank goodness Gabi was so patient with him or Paul might have to spend the rest of his life alone. Reggie decided to try a different approach. "You wouldn't have happened to agree because you have feelings for Gabi?" Reggie started. When Paul's hands stilled in his hair, Reggie smirked and took over. Paul was momentarily frozen with his hair only half done. "It's perfectly normal to feel this way. You're getting older. It's only natural."

"Reggie," Paul stopped his brother with flaming cheeks. Paul kept his eyes shut as his cheeks flamed. "I know how puberty works. You don't need to..." Paul trailed off.

"I know. I was just trying to help. I'm sure that Christiana gave Gabi the same talk about you," Reggie said. If Paul's face was warm before, he was on fire now. Paul glanced at the sweater and blazer. The way he was going, he wouldn't need any help keeping warm tonight. "It seemed fitting that I give you "the talk" now that you have a girlfriend."

"Gabi's not my-," Paul started, but Reggie cut him off.

"I think I heard the doorbell. That must be Gabi now. I'll go let her in. Just come on down when you're dressed Paul," Reggie said before leaving. Paul let out a hefty breath before pulling on his clothes. It would only be an hour or two- an hour of feigning a relationship with the girl he… admired. Yes. "Admired" was a good word for whatever it was that Paul felt for Gabi. She'd more than earned his respect over the years as a Trainer. She was intelligent as well as resourceful. He admired her. Once his natural color had returned, Paul made his way out of the room.

"Finally!I was beginning to get worried about you," Reggie said once he spotted his brother at the foot of the stairs. Paul scoffed at his brother quietly before his eyes took in Gabi's outfit. It wasn't anything too extravagant. She wore a loose, large, light brown wool sweater with dark skinny jeans, and knee-high, brown boots. She topped off the outfit with a light brown beret and a white, wool scarf. "Alright Gabi. He's all yours. Just have him back by curfew."

"I will, Reggie. Don't worry about a thing. I'll get him back in one piece," Gabi smiled pleasantly. Reggie nodded once before leaving to tend to some Pokémon. Gabi took Paul's hand in hers with a smile before pulling him out of the door. "I hope you don't mind, but I have some things to pick up before we start our date," Gabi told Paul. As far as Paul knew, he had no idea what they would be doing for their "date". He was comfortable with following Gabi wherever she led him, but wasn't it customary for the boy to make the plans? Perhaps this was his chance? He could do something out of character and special for Gabi… despite the fact that this wasn't a real date and that he wasn't really her boyfriend. Even if he wanted to do something romantic, he had no idea where to begin. Maybe a compliment? It was a decent place to start. Just as Paul was about to speak up, Gabi spoke first. "Here we are. I just need to get some small things for my Pokémon: just a couple of ingredients for their food. Would you believe that every store in Sandgem Town was out of Pecha berries? It's unbelievable."

Paul didn't answer her. Instead, he stuffed his hands into his pockets as he followed Gabi as she shopped. She was a girl on a mission armed with a shopping cart and a grocery list. While Gabi busied herself with shopping, Paul couldn't help but notice the small amount of attention they were receiving. It was only hushed whispers and light giggles, but it was enough annoy Paul. They were only shopping!

"Oh. I love these," Gabi announced, drawing Paul's attention. He frowned at her selection. It was a brightly decorated package of sugar gummies shaped as different Bug Pokémon. She dropped a bag into the cart. "Why are you getting those?" Paul said, unable to keep the revulsion out of his tone.

Gabi blinked at him owlishly. "Because I like them," she told him.

"But they're nothing but sugar and artificial flavoring. It's junk," Paul argued.

"But, I like them," Gabi argued back.

"They're not good for you."

"But, they taste good," Gabi said simply. Paul sighed. "We just started dating and you're already trying to change me," Gabi huffed and started to push the cart away.

He couldn't help it. The rebuttal slipped from his lips before he could stop it. "And what have you been doing these past few years?"

"I've been offering you small suggestions on improvements to your already dazzling character," Gabi smiled. Paul rolled his eyes. Before he could continue the pointless argument with her, Gabi placed a quick peck to his cheek. At his stunned expression, she grinned smugly before tossing another bag of candy gummy into the cart. Paul rolled his eyes with a huff and proceeded to ignore the increase in whispers and giggles.

~:~

After leaving the groceries at Paul's home, the two teens were finally ready to begin their "date". They were walking towards the city's biggest landmark and tourist attraction: its meteorites. Tonight only, the hit movie Brycen-Man Strikes Back Even Harder, the final installment of the Brycen-Man series, was being shown in the park near the meteorites. "This movie is going to be great. Brycen-Man movies are always the best," Gabi enthused happily. A large portion of Veilstone's population agreed with Gabi as they all made their way to the showing under the stars. "And aren't you happy I got my snacks? Now we don't have to buy any," Gabi pointed out and held up a bag of the gummies for Paul to see. He shook his head with a small smirk. Remaining quiet, he let Gabi go on about the previous Brycen-Man movies in incredible detail.

What had he been so worried about? It was more than easy to be with Gabi. He would never admit it out loud, but Rhonda had been right. Barely any effort on his part had been put into feigning a relationship with Gabi. It was almost like they were still friends spending time together. Almost.

"Let's sit here," Gabi said and sat down on one of the many blankets laid out on the ground. Paul sat next to her and didn't even flinch when Gabi leaned into his side. Adjusting himself to support them both, they waited patiently for the movie to begin. The smell of buttered popcorn and sugary cotton candy hung in the air from the concession stands. Some children were running about the grass. At the front of the park, the large, inflatable movie screen was set up and ready to go.

"Oh! Gabi! Paul! What a surprise!" Paul heard Rhonda's telltale squeal. He could see her walking across the grass with a sly grin on her face.

"If I have to behave, so do you," Gabi whispered to Paul when she hear him scoff. "We agreed to this."

"I have to say, I wasn't expecting you two to be seen out in public so soon," Rhonda winked and rested on the corner of the blanket with Paul and Gabi. Surprisingly, Rhonda was without her cameraman or makeup team. She was dressed in a stylish sweater and slacks. It was surprisingly informal.

"What can we say? It's a great movie," Gabi smiled. Rhonda laughed even though nothing funny had been said before she gave Gabi a playful shove to the shoulder. Paul and Gabi exchanged a look.

"I didn't get to say this at the hospital, but thank you both. You're going to make my career. I'm heading towards prime time viewing!" Rhonda whispered giddily before rising with a giggle. "See you love-birds after the movie!" Rhonda called out loudly as she left. Rhonda's exclamation caused a few more people to look the couple's way, thus sparking more whispers.

"She wasn't so bad when I first met her. I kind of miss the old Rhonda," Gabi mused. Paul didn't respond. Taking advantage of the quiet, Gabi spoke up again. "For what it's worth, you make a decent boyfriend, Paul."

Paul tried to keep the blush and grin off his face at her words. "I'm still determining whether or not I want to continue this relationship with you," Paul smirked. Gabi rolled her eyes as a particularly chilly breeze swept through the clearing. Paul felt her shiver at his side and shook his head fondly. Without a second thought, he placed his jacket around her shoulders. At Gabi's surprised expression, he rolled his eyes at her. "Infernape's not here to keep you warm," was his explanation.

"Okay. I change my mind. You're a wonderful boyfriend," Gabi sighed and placed his arm around her. Paul smirked just as the large screen that had been set up for the movie came to life.

~:~

Moi-Moi: There you go folks. I find the idea of Paul and Gabi shopping to be hilarious. I imagine Paul to be the one who does the shopping for the house. Gabi would buy a bunch of junk food along with some real food. So until then, stay awesome and review! ^.^ Happy New Year!

Edited: 1/1/15