Kinda short and meant to wrap up the short mini-plot that occurs before the actual Pyrite action. It's a bit messily written but after spending quite a while trying to tweak it, this was the best I could come up with :|

Chapter Eight: Impasse

At first, Wes was aware of dim lighting. Of a cool atmosphere. Of something beneath him. Rather firm, but still with some give. Something hard underneath his head. Something supporting his back.

Where was the pain?

There was no pain.

Wake up, Wes…wake up.

Come on…you can do it. Just open your eyes and say hi to whoever you greet. Ask where you are. Is it really that difficult?

Wes took a deep breath.

Still, there was no pain.

What happened to him?

"Wake up…Wes…"

A pleading voice for him to return from his half-sleep.

There was no other way out.

Dreading what he was about to meet, he opened his eyes and attempted a wry smile. "Hello, there," he said calmly.

Rui's face was abnormally close to his.

He didn't feel any rush of surprise or fear. In fact, he felt nothing. Only an unusual sense of peace and calm.

"You're…awake." A smile of relief pulled at Rui's lips. "You're okay."

"What happened?" he asked. "Where…am I?" He tried to sit up, but Rui pushed him back down.

"We're in Pyrite City. We had to stop here for you because you were in a…a bad condition… Got a hotel room at the Pyrite Hotel, it's okay I guess. Tolerable. And now you're awake…and you're all better."

Unconsciously, Wes lifted his head and allowed himself to drift closer to Rui. "I guess we're even now."

"I guess we are."

Espeon and Umbreon watched excitedly. They could hardly contain themselves, but knew that if they moved, the moment would be ruined.

Now was the time, Espeon thought, for her dear master to learn of the beauties of life…

"Thank you," Wes breathed.

Rui leaned over him. Her hair wasn't up anymore and cascaded like a shimmering copper waterfall over her shoulders.

"I…guess there wasn't much else for me to do, you know," she stammered quietly. "I didn't want to lose you. Dunno why…I guess no one would want to lose a friend of theirs, right? I don't know what…what I'd do without you."

It was the first time anyone had ever said that to Wes. He could feel his eyes burning and he willed himself not to cry. Orre did not treat the soft hearted well.

"But…Wes…" Rui continued, almost relentlessly. "I'm glad that what I did was enough…and you're okay…and you're, well, you. I wouldn't like for you to be anyone else…"

"No one?" Wes thought his heart was forgetting how to beat. His lungs were forgetting how to breathe for sure.

"No one." Rui was a bit closer now, and Wes realized that he had been very much unobservant during their quiet conversation how much closer he'd moved as well. He was still laying on the bed, of course, now that Rui wasn't cradling him anymore (so that's what it had been, that sensation…), with his back comfortably against the pillows. But now he was propping himself up a bit with his elbows so that he could lift his head. Rui was sitting next to him, her legs bent and her arms stretched out right above his shoulders so that her face was directly above his.

Without thinking, Wes took a lock of her hair and curled it mindlessly with a finger. Rui smiled sheepishly and looked away. "You've never seen it down before, huh?"

"No…I haven't. You should do it more often."

"It's hot outside, though." Rui looked back at him. Silence fell.

Come on…come on…

Espeon wished she could leap forward and shove Rui's head down.

Umbreon had to stifle a loud laugh.

"Rui…I…" Wes didn't know what to say next. Everything he wanted to say had twisted itself up into many knots and it was impossible for him to untangle everything into coherent speech. He closed his eyes, wondering what to say next.

Like twin magnets, they were draw closer together.

This was…meant to be…

Wes felt her lips on his. And still, there was no fear. No retaliation of battle reflexes. There was surprise. At how it felt. At how tender a human being could be to another. Wes didn't want to lose this. He allowed himself to give in to his emotions, hoping that he could remember this feeling forever.

He felt…

Loved.

Is this what a kiss is supposed to feel like?

Rui had never kissed a guy before, and her parents had always threatened her with all sorts of whimsical and extremely creative punishments if they caught her in the act. She felt almost rebellious, doing this.

But she hadn't done it deliberately. It had happened on its own. Everything had happened so perfectly. What kind of moron would miss this opportunity?

For the first time, there was a hole in her heart that felt mended. The hole that Team Snagem had dug, the spot in her soul that they had torn away. At last, it was being refilled and replaced with something that wasn't temporary. Something that didn't last only a few moments and then leave her more empty than before.

It was Wes, she realized.

Sure, he was being a bit sloppy. But did it matter anymore to her? All her fantasies of being given a perfect, drool-free kiss by some handsome Prince Charming as they rode upon a beautiful white horse. Farfetch'd, of course.

She had seen Wes selflessly protect her from Russo despite his own injuries. She had seen the pain in his eyes when she confronted him about his past as a top Snagger working under that evil Gonzap. He was genuine, he was pure…

He was Wes.

For the first time, she felt cared for. As if there was someone else besides Rayquaza that gave a damn about where she was and what she did.

And there was.

There was Wes.

Is this what it feels like to be loved?

Espeon and Umbreon watched, fixing the memory in their minds.

We are proud of you, Wisteria… We will help you as our wounds heal. You have been redeemed many times over. Maybe you will know now. And if not, we will always be here for you.

A curious quietness had settled upon the hotel room. Wes was cooking some lunch using the small stove that was in the room and Rui was sorting through Pokémon supplies and making sure that they had everything. Right after breakfast, they had received a small gift package from Mr. Kiffster containing ten Great Balls as a gift to their fabulous defeat of Russo and the other underlings of Miror B.

Espeon and Umbreon were opening up cans of Pokémon food for Makuhita and Quilava after they felt like waking up.

"Do I have any Super Potions in there?" asked Wes, breaking the silence.

"Yes, you still have five," Rui replied, laying them out on the bed. "I'll put them right on top so you can see them. You also have five Full heals, but only four Antidotes. You have five of all the other status-curing potions, and you have two Potions. Will that be enough?"

"I think the Colosseum here has a Healing Station," Wes said. "Here's some lunch. Grilled cheese sandwiches."

"Ummm!" cried Rui. "My favorite kind! Thanks!" She dove at her share and began wolfing it down like a Beartic. "Where are we headed to today? I don't want to leave to Agate yet…you're still recovering."

"I realize," Wes replied slowly, finishing his sandwich. "Suns and Stells need some exercise… Perhaps there's some trainers around to battle."

"Perhaps." Rui finished what was left of her food as well and leapt up. Wes donned his Snagging Machine and they left the room together.

Next chapter continues the Joseph arc :)