Chapter 3

The next morning, Fiona still felt uneasy about what she had heard last night outside her window. She had quickly fallen asleep when she was in the safety of her parents room, but her dreams were still filled of images of ghosts and goblins. She never got to watch scary movies, and was always put in bed before her parents would watch them, but there were some nights that she would sneak down and catch glimpses of terrifying things on television, and then regret it when she was finally too tired to stay awake any longer.

Rose had awoken early, and had put on a pot of coffee. Brock was pleased that his coffee was ready for him before he was even out of bed, and he decided Misty's mother wasn't such a bad houseguest. He truly felt like she was committed to fixing things with Misty.

"Well goodmorning, Fiona," Rose said, as she sat at the table with her parents. Fiona climbed up in a chair, Eevee by her side.

"Good morning," she said, shyly. Misty put a waffle and a cup of applejuice in front of her and then sat down to enjoy a cup of coffee before taking her off to school.

"I heard you had a bad dream last night," Rose said to her, and Brock wondered if she could also hear what they were doing. He blushed at the thought.

Fiona nodded, mutely. It must have been a bad dream. The noises, Eevee scratching at the window, the creepiness she felt in the hall and the inability to get into her parents' bedroom. It all must have just been a horrible dream. That's always what her parents would say when she crawled into bed with them.

"Tell me about it, Fiona," Rose said. "What happened?"

Misty saw the worried look on Fiona's face. "Fiona, honey, won't don't you go upstairs and grab your bag? We have to leave soon."

The little girl climbed down out of her chair and raced up the stairs to her room, peeking behind the drawn drapes that cast the room in a dim blue hue of morning. The backyard was bathed in sunlight. The pool glistened, it's water clear and clean and cool. Her swingset glared brightly with all of it's different colors. The grill where her Dad made hamburgers was off in the corner. Everything looked normal.

But something was out there last night. Well, at least in her dream it was.

Back down in the kitchen, Misty stood up from the table, and Brock had already gotten the vibe that Rose had done something to offend Misty. She hadn't liked her pushing Fiona to retell her dreams.

"Perhaps you shouldn't allow Fiona to sleep with you two at night," Rose said. "Not that I'm telling you how to parent, it's just...that can cause a child to develope some attachment issues. She needs to learn how to self soothe."

Brock opened his mouth to say something, but Misty was faster.

"I will comfort my child anyway I see fit, Rose," Misty saw the look on her face when she chose to forego the word "Mom". "All I did as a child was self soothe, and I don't want my child to feel that emptiness that I felt growing up."

Brock cleared his throat and stood up. "I better get to the gym."

"I'm sorry," Rose said, finally, and Brock gave her a look that said 'Don't piss Misty off'. He knew once she was pissed off, there was really no coming back from it. He had been on that end of her once -when he had stayed on the island with Felina Ivy- and the only reason she forgave him was because he begged her, and she was in love with him.

However, with Rose, there wasn't too much love there and he didn't want Rose to dig herself into a whole she couldn't get out of.

"It's just..." Rose spoke again, and Brock's shoulders slumped. She hadn't gotten his silent message. "Do you think she has anxiety? A lot of children can get that at a young age, and I just want her to develope normal coping skills. You don't want her to be 10 years old and still sleeping in your bed, do you?"

"She can sleep in our bed as much as she needs to! She's four years old!" Misty slammed a fork down into the sink and Brock winced. She angrily stomped over to the staircase where Fiona was coming down the stairs, her backpack strapped to her.

"Come on, Sweety," her tone had changed towards her daughter, but a note of annoyance and anger was still evident. Brock heard the front door slam shut and he stood in silence with Rose for a long moment.

"Like I told you yesterday," he said, shaking his head. "She's just...Misty. You probably don't want to make her mad. She's got a very short temper."

"That's a redhead for you," Rose said, smiling. "I didn't mean any harm. I guess I shouldn't be giving parenting advice. Misty never had a room to run to if she had a bad dream. She tried a few times, but some of the men I would have in there thought she was some kind of offering. So I would send her away, back to her room and tell her to keep her door locked. And that the real monsters didn't hide in her closet."

Brock shuddered. "Child molesters?"

Rose nodded, shamefully. "I didn't know until later. I hung out at this bar in Cerulean, the bad part of Cerulean, and we were all in kind of a ring together. I had a friend, who also had a daughter, and she and I were after this one guy named Don." She paused of moment, took a sip of coffee. "Well, Don was about 35, really handsome, and we both really liked him. He used to sleep with both of us. Anyway, one night they spent together, her daughter was raped. She was Misty's age. She was only 3."

Brock felt sick to his stomach. Anger quelled within him, not at Rose, particuarly, but that someone could do that to a child. That it could have happened to Misty. That someone out there right now could do that to Fiona. It made him want to actually kill someone.

And Brock didn't like or own guns. But he would buy one just to blow the head off of anyone who touched his wife or daughter.

"Anyway," Rose went on after a moment of thinking about those days in her past. "After that, I didn't trust anyone I brought home. I could have just not brought anyone home, but I was young and beautiful and I loved sex. I honestly had no business even being a parent."

"You know, before Misty and I really got together, she was with some idiot named Tracey, and he tried to hurt her," Brock paused for a moment. "I've blamed myself for years, for putting her in danger. If I hadn't played with heart and dated that other woman, she wouldn't have gotten with Tracey."

"But she wasn't hurt," Rose said, nodding. "That's what important. She still had you to love her and protect her. I always hoped my girls would find guys just like you to marry."

"Listen, Rose," Brock said, leaning across the kitchen table. "I'm gonna have a cook out here Saturday evening. Fiona has a little friend at school that wants to come over and play, so I decided it would be a good opportunity to maybe invite my family over as well, and maybe you can talk to them about getting a job."

Rose's eyes lit up. "Oh, Brock, you would do that for me?"

Brock smiled that handsome, charming smile, and Rose could certainly see how Misty had fallen for him. "Well, our secretary quit a couple months ago. All you would really have to do is schedule matches, and take the fee. Handle payroll. On the off chance, I lose a match, you might have to give out some money." He winked and Rose giggled.

"Oh, honey, I ran a gym. Of course my girls usually handled the office work. They weren't much for battling," she said. "Except for Misty. When she was battling trainers, we barely lost a single match. I bet Fiona's got the genes in her to be a really good trainer."

Brock chuckled. "Yea, she's taken an interest in fire Pokemon. I don't really like the idea of her holding matches in a volcano though. What do you want to bet that she grows up to marry a water pokemon trainer though? We Harrisons' have a knack for marrying our weaknesses."

The older woman giggled again. "They do say that oppsites attract." Her eyes sparkled at him and he watched her place her hand over his. He finished off his coffee and stood up.

"Well, uh, I have to...I have to get to the gym," he checked his watch. "It's almost time for my first battle of the day. Just try to stay on Misty's good side."

He flashed her another smile and Rose nodded her head, wondering how Misty ever got to be so lucky.

...

Misty walked with Fiona to her classroom, and saw her immediately sit with another little girl and felt relief when she saw that she was making friends. She was about to turn away when she heard Mrs. Castillo's voice.

"Mrs. Harrison?" She called out, and Misty turned around, smiling.

"Hi, Mrs. Castillo," she said, offering her hand. The other woman shook her hand.

"I just wanted to see if we were still on for Saturday. Your husband was in here yesterday to pick up your daughter, and he said it would be alright if Holly came over and played with Fiona for a while," She said, and Misty looked surprised, but she hoped that didn't come across in her response.

"Oh, of course," Misty replied. "I'd love to have you and Holly over."

"Great!" Eve Castillo replied. "Well, I have to get class started. Fiona is doing so well, Mrs. Harrison. You have a wonderful daughter."

"Thank you," Misty said, nodding her head and turning away.

...

Kimberly Roberts stepped into the Pewter City Gym, five minutes before her match with the leader was supposed to start. She was a young girl, just 18 years old, and had already entered a few leagues in Johto and Hoenn, but it was her first couple of days in Kanto and her first gym match there.

Her twin brother, Jared, and her friend, Kelly were also with her. The Pewter Gym was a gray, cool place. The entire gym was made of stone, and the ground was covered in a dusty, gritty dirt. Jared looked at his guide book.

"It's a rock gym. I heard the gym leader is extremely tough and has a lot of experience." Jared said, still looking through the guide book.

"I'll use a Blastoise and finish this match quick," Kimberly said, popping her gum, casually.

Kelly smirked at her friend. "I heard he's married to the former Cerulean City gym leader. He's probably got his rock Pokemon resistant to water."

"It's still a rock Pokemon. It's weak against water," Kimberly shot back, over confidently. She tied her long blond hair into a ponytail and checked her watch. Right on the dot she heard a door open and a tall, broad, strong figure stepped out and into the light.

Kimberly's confidence suddenly drained. Rock Pokemon she could deal with. Attractive males tended to make her knees weaken. Kelly let out a giggle and nudged Jared, knowingly.

"I think Kim just wet herself," she and Jared both giggled, and Kimberly blushed, glaring at the two of them.

"Your fee, please?" Brock asked, and Kimberly forced her brain to start working correctly, and handed him a wad of cash. After counting it, he stuck in a safe, and reminded himself that it really would be nice if Rose could take care of this before the match.

"If you win, your fee will be completely refunded, plus 20%. If you lose, you will receive no refund and can not challenge this gym again for 15 days from today's date. We will use two Pokemon," Brock spoke out, his voice echoing in the gym. Kimberly stood mezmerized. The guidebook didn't say a thing about Pewter City's gym leader being so attractive.

"Do you understand the rules and conditions?" He asked, and waited for Kimberly's reply.

Kelly nudged her and the girl suddenly shook her head. "Y-yes, Sir."

Brock sent out Geodude and Kimberly felt some of her confidence come back. If she didn't look directly at him, maybe she wouldn't get shy and be able to beat him and win that badge. She sent out a Marril she had caught about a year ago.

"Alright, Marril, spray that chuck of dirt with your water gun!" She said, and Marril obeyed spraying a steady stream of water at the Geodude.

"Geodude, resist it!" Brock called out. "Give it some payback with a megapunch!"

Geodude obeyed, and fought through the water attack, then slammed the tiny mouse with a megapunch attack, leaving Marril very badly wounded. Kimberly was shocked, but Kelly wasn't.

"See? I told ya," she said to Jared as they watched from the sidelines.

Brock grinned and looked over Kimberly. "You're a cute girl. I'm sure if you went home now, you could get a job as a model somewhere."

Kimberly blushed, and Brock knew he had some kind of effect on her. He could tell from the moment he laid eyes on her that she was shying away from him.

"I'll win!" She said. "Marril, get up! Use your quick attack!"

Marril quickly charged at Geodude, sending it back a bit, but Geodude seemed almost uneffected by it.

"Geodude, rock throw!" Brock commanded, and Geodude picked up a huge rock, chucking it at the Marril, knocking it out cold.

Kimberly returned her Marril and looked at Brock, figuring out what she could do next. If his Geodude wouldn't be effected by water, than whatever else he had probably wouldn't be either. All she had was a Blastoise and a Charmeleon...maybe fire would effect it. Maybe.

She quickly made a decision and sent out Charmeleon, as Brock returned Geodude and sent out Onix. The giant Rock Pokemon roared to life, and Kelly and Jared huddled together in terror.

Brock smiled. "Onix, dig a hole underground!" He demanded, and onix burrowed a huge hole in the middle of the gym. Kimberly was caught off guard.

"Charmeleon...don't let it trick you. Stay on your guard!" She said, and Charmeleon nodded its head. Suddenly, Onix burst through the ground, sending Charmeleon flying until it slammed hard back against the wall, knocking it out.

Kimberly stood there in shock and furrowed her brow, returning her Pokemon.

Brock grinned and stood proudly at his post. Onix obediently stayed beside him. "Maybe I can take a look at your pokemon. Give you some healing medicine and some training tips?"

Kimberly was angry, and she almost flat out refused until she looked up at him and blushed. Her anger dissolved and she forced a smile.

The injured Marril and Charmeleon went up to Brock and he gave them some healing medication on their wounds. They both winced at the stinging, and Kimberly was amazed at how her Pokemon were reacting to him.

"Most people can't even get near my Charmeleon without being burned," she said. "But you...you're not having a problem."

"It's all in how you act," Brock told her. "Let them know you are there to help them. Your training skills will reflect directly on the battlefield."

Kelly nudged her friend and smiled. "Are you going to ask him out?"

Blushing, Kimberly shoved her away. "Shh! He'll hear you!" She tried to lower her voice, but Brock had heard her.

"Don't feel bad about losing," Brock said, standing up. "To be honest with you, I don't really like battling. I raise Pokemon and study them. I'm kind of the brainy one in my family. My dad's got a rock in his head."

They both laughed and Kimberly hesitated as Brock reached out his hand.

"Fifteen days. Train hard, and come back." He winked at her and she felt her heart race. She watched him retreat into the back.

Jared stood up, sighing. "I bet you're just going to keep losing so you can come back and oogle him all the time."

She glared at her brother. "I'm not oogling him!"

"You were undressing him with your eyes!" Her brother argued.

Brock stood in the backroom of the gym, a room he had made his office. He heard the three teenagers arguing as they walked out the door and he couldn't help but laugh. Why didn't girls fall all over him like that when he as fifteen?

Then again, Misty had liked him, and she was definitely more than enough.

A moment later, he heard his wife's voice ring out across the gym. "Brock? Honey, are you here?"

He raced out of the backroom and saw her standing there, just where Kimberly had stood a minute ago and he smiled.

"Hey sexy," he scooped her up in his arms and gave her a sensual kiss. "Did you come by to cheer me up before my next match?"

Misty smiled, and then pushed him back. "Brock, did you invite Mrs. Castillo over for a cook out on Saturday?"

"Well, yea," he shrugged and separated himself from her, reluctantly. "Holly and Fiona are friends, and plus I thought it would be a great opportunity for my family to meet Rose so that we can look into giving her a job."

He paused for a moment, seeing the look on her face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't even ask you if it was alright..." he winced. "I just really want Fiona to make some friends. And help your mom out."

"I know you do, honey," she said, her eyes held forgiveness. "I just really don't know if I want my mother settling down in Pewter City. She's already trying to tell me how to raise Fiona...and if we have another child, she's going to tell me how to raise that one, too."

She scoffed and folded her arms. "She'll probably even dictate how I give birth."

Brock chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I had a talk with her after you left. Look, she's not the best at being a mother, but you are. And we should show Fiona that forgiveness is a good thing and something to strive for. We always say that we lead by example."

"I know," Misty said, still unsure if she had made the right decision to let Rose stay there. "I'm going to run to the market and get some things for the cookout."