Chapter 15 – Reflection

Keith sat on one of the sofas in the relatives' room, completely alone. Hayden had left the room when the doctor arrived to tell him his wife had located his daughter, as well as wanting to have a word with him and Lily about Keenan's condition. Keith had decided to stay behind to inform Professor Hastings via a video communication on his styler – a feature that was an upgrade of the voicemail system, which the Professor had decided to install onto the Fine Stylers – in private. Keith had just finished explaining to the professor the shocking turn of events that took place on Mt Mortar, but not before telling him exactly what took place a mere 24 hours beforehand. Professor Hastings was silent as he comprehended the news he had heard from the young Top Ranger.

"...I see. I... I am truly sorry," he apologised solemnly.

"The doctor says he'll be out of hospital by the end of the week," Keith said.

"That is good news," Hastings smiled. "And how is Alexa coping?" The professor's smile was short lived as he noticed the concern plastered to Keith's face.

"She...isn't."

"Hmm. I'm not surprised; we are talking about her younger brother, and she was in hysterics when he returned from Almia Castle." Keith hadn't wanted to be reminded of that moment; Keenan had returned from Almia Castle with Wendy, the Flying Top Ranger, but they were both injured after an encounter with the monstrous Pokémon murderer Cain, in which their efforts to prevent him from capturing the legendary golem Regice were all for nought. The outcome was very similar to Lily and Sven's encounter with the lad, only they failed to protect Registeel from the same fate as Regice and Regirock. Keith was fortunate he, Alexa and Hayden protected Regigigas – the 'master' of the golems – from death.

"Professor, I'm going to keep Alexa off duty until Keenan's out of hospital," Keith said firmly. The professor recognised that Keith was not going to take no for an answer.

"Hmm. Sounds reasonable. Make sure she gets plenty of rest in the meantime," he said.

"Undoubtedly," Keith complied. "I'll take care of her."

"I don't doubt that. I appreciate you telling me all of this, Keith. I will pass this on to Erma." Keith nodded. "Take care."

And with that, Hastings ceased the communication. Keith closed his styler and leaned back in the sofa, sighing as he did so. He began to think of today's events.

Alexa sat at a chair next to a large hospital bed in one of the hospital's recovery rooms. The room looked quaint; the walls were painted in a pale goldenrod yellow – matching the name of the city the hospital was in, with a deep brown laminate floor underneath everyone and everything in the room. The curtains were of a translucent lilac, with a white vase of fake flowers, all of different colours, on the window sill. On the far end of the room was a small wardrobe, presumably for housing a patient's clothes and/or personal belongings while they recovered. A rounded analogue clock hung on the wall, which read '7:35' as the time, with the little square on the face reading 'PM'. It wasn't even 8pm, yet the sky outside was so dark it felt later than it was. It felt especially late for Alexa; all of her panicking, her stressing and her tears wore her out, and looked dreadfully sleep-deprived, even though she wasn't. She stared sadly at her unconscious brother, who seemed to lay peacefully under the covers of the bed, oxygen mask over his face. His arms lay on top of the covers, an IV drip feeding through the tubes connected to the appropriate vein on his right arm. Alexa held Keenan's left hand, careful not to damage his hospital wristband, which displayed his name; 'Keenan L Thorndyke'. Mark, the doctor who'd informed Hayden and Lily of the success of Keenan's surgery, was near the doorway, speaking to Alexa's parents about the boy's condition and what course of action he'll be taking while Keenan recovers. But Alexa paid the conversation little to no heed; she was too grossed into her guilt over her inability to protect him from harm. She didn't look up until she felt the gentle hand of her mother stroking the back of her head.

"Alexa? Sweetheart, we should go," Lily said softly. Alexa shook her head slowly in defiance.

"Lexie..." Hayden worried for his daughter.

"I can't leave him," Alexa said quietly. Mark overlooked the conversation with worry. Lily knelt down to Alexa's level.

"There's nothing you can do for him now," she said kindly. Alexa still refused to leave her brother's side.

"Your mother's right," Hayden said shakily, trying not to let his own worry for his son get in the way of him. "Don't worry, h-he's going to be fine." Alexa knew Hayden was as worried for Keenan as she was, and understood he was trying to make her feel better. But she still refused to move.

"Come on, sweetie, your brother wouldn't want you to wait up on him," Lily said gently. Alexa truly didn't want to leave Keenan alone, but, deep down, she knew Lily was right. Her grip on her brother's hand eventually loosened. "Come on."

Alexa stood up, with Lily supporting her as she stood up. She escorted her daughter away from the hospital bed, Alexa keeping her sights on Keenan the whole time, tears beginning to escape her eyes.

"Like I said, we'll check on him every half hour. Why don't you come and visit tomorrow?" Mark's voice bypassed Alexa completely, but she felt Hayden taking her hand in his as everyone left the room.

Jordan opened the door to the house with a huge kick as he, Andy and Gabby entered. Andy closed the door behind him as Jordan dragged the large sack towards the basement door. As Gabby entered the lounge, she glanced back at Jordan, who gave her the coldest glare she had ever seen from him. Andy looked at the flinching Gabby and the glaring Jordan, and looked frustrated with his boss. Jordan made his way into the basement, slamming the door behind him. The door slammed so hard, Gabby almost jumped up onto the ceiling with fright. She had become quick to fear after Jordan's backhand left a bruise on her cheek, underneath her eye and close to her nose.

"Yeesh!" Andy complained. "It was his call to leave, why is he so-"

"He hates me right now," Gabby said quietly as she sat on the sofa she usually sat on. Andy noticed she was sitting on the edge of her seat for a change.

"I dunno. I still think he's taking his anger out on you," he said, looking at the basement door angrily. "He was bloody furious when Alexa got away from him."

"Andy?" Gabby asked shakily. Andy looked back at Gabby in confusion.

"S'up?"

"...d-do you think I'm a slut?" she asked sadly. Andy's eyes widened.

"What? Did Jordan say that?" he asked. Gabby nodded sadly as her eyes began to flood with tears; Jordan's 'punishment' terrified her more than she thought. Andy glared furiously at the basement door.

"No, I don't," he said simply. Gabby looked up at him in confusion. "I think you're a bloodthirsty psychopath, but you're not sleeping with everything with a Y chromosome, so-"

"And I don't want to," Gabby said quickly. "I just flirt because it's fun..." Andy smiled at Gabby.

"There, y'see? Harmless! Except when you're doing your thing with the Pokémon and the chainsaw, but that's besides the point..." Gabby giggled a little at Andy's comment. "You're not a slut, Gabs. That's all that counts." Gabby's happiness died quickly.

"Still...I shouldn't have had Swanna use Hurricane..."

"Gabs, it's done. It's a dead horse, and you know what they say about dead horses. Jordan won't be mad at you forever."

Gabby sighed silently. Instead of sitting in his own sofa, Andy sat next to Gabby and wrapped his arm around her. Gabby rested her head on his shoulder. Andy didn't mind; he was more than happy to be there for her.

Keith lay peacefully in Alexa's bed, sound asleep, but Alexa sat at her laptop, reading the email she had forgotten to read before she made her way to Lavender Tower.

"Alexa. I am impressed Keith and yourself were able to document all of this evidence. At the same time, however, I wish you hadn't had to. I sincerely hope you and Keith are still capable of carrying on with your mission, and request that you both inform me if you feel you cannot continue. Good luck. Hastings. P.S. Erma sends you both her regards."

The small digital clock on the bottom right hand corner of her desktop read '03:08'. Alexa looked more sleep-deprived compared to when she was at the hospital. She closed her email programme and opened up her Internet browser, plugging in her headphones into the laptop as she opened up a video sharing website. Before she did anything else, she looked back at her bed, noticing how content Keith looked in his sleep. Alexa, however, shook her head and opened up a playlist on the video sharing website.

Keith woke up the next morning with a gentle yawn as he stretched. When he opened his eyes properly, he noticed Alexa slumping over her desk, with a video playing silently on the laptop in front of her. Her headphones were around her neck, as if they fell from her head some time since Alexa began watching videos on the Internet. He looked at her side of the bed and felt it with his hand; cold. Keith got out of bed and approached Alexa. Keith wore nothing but a pair of black pyjama pants over his boxers, whereas Alexa wore her lilac pyjamas. He nudged Alexa gently.

"Alexa? Alexa, wake up," he said quietly. Alexa began to stir, moaning as she awoke.

"Mmmnn...mn'uh, wha...?"

"...have you been up all night?" Keith asked worriedly.

"Couldn't sleep," Alexa said groggily. "Every time I tried to sleep, all I could see was Keenan falling down the cliff." Keith looked at the video she was allegedly watching while he slept; it was one video of a small series of videos called a 'Let's Play', with the video game in question being a Pokémon RPG, in which there were two Pokémon – one being a Shinx, the other a Vulpix – battling their way through a plain looking dungeon with a Bidoof NPC as their ally. The trio were supposedly travelling through a dungeon in a mountain. Keith looked back at Alexa.

"And you thought staying up all night would help?"

"Dunno..." Keith sighed as he took control of the mouse next to the laptop.

"Alexa, you're not doing yourself any favours by watching random videos on the Internet in the early hours of the morning," he said as he closed the Internet browser and commanded the laptop to shut down. "You need to rest."

"But I-"

"Nope, no arguing, come on, up you get," Keith said quickly, helping Alexa out of her seat. The laptop powered off.

"Keith..!"

"Nope, you're staying right here and actually getting some sleep."

"But-" Keith stepped in front of her and looked at her straight in the eye. Not that he needed to see the dark circles under her eyes to recognised she needed proper rest.

"Hey. I'm asking you nicely, don't make me order you." Alexa looked away from Keith; she was still feeling terrible for what happened with Keenan. Keith grew worried. "Come on, babe, you need it."

"...okay." Keith smiled sweetly; he was glad she decided to do the right thing.

"Good girl."

Keith escorted her to the bed and helped her onto it. Keith made his way to the wardrobe to change into his uniform while Alexa tried to make herself comfortable. It took her a few seconds for her to finally get comfy, and Keith, by then, already had his shorts on, and was putting on his white and black shirt when Alexa began to speak.

"Keith?"

"M'yes?" Keith asked as he zipped up his shirt.

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?" Keith froze where he stood. He hadn't thought to tell Alexa about his own family; he was too busy appreciating hers. He decided to answer quickly, in case his silence gave Alexa more to worry, and that was the last thing he wanted.

"No. It was just me. So...I can't imagine how you're feeling right now," he said as he placed his red jacket on. "Why do you ask?"

"Curious." With only his boots to put on, Keith walked over to Alexa and smiled down at her.

"Just get some sleep, okay? Skywing's going to be on hand if you need anything. But if you need to talk, I have my styler. Okay, Kitten?" Alexa nodded slowly, her tiredness finally catching up with her. "Get some sleep, babe..."

Keith noticed Alexa already fell asleep before he had told her to. He smiled kindly and gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead. He proceeded to put his boots on his feet and silently left the room, picking up his styler on his way out. He looked back at Alexa before closing the door behind him silently. As soon as the door closed, Lupin appeared in the room in a small flash of light. He approached Alexa and looked at her with guilt and regret written all over his face.

Keith made his way down the stairs. Robbie and Reese were lying unenthusiastically on the carpet with Layla, Ryder, Xavier and Lucky. Skywing was roosting on a shelf near the television and watched as Keith approached the kitchen, where Lily was preparing breakfast. Ian was reading the morning's newspaper, but had acknowledged Keith's arrival.

"Morning, Keith," he said politely. Hayden noticed Alexa's absence.

"Is Alexa still in bed?" he asked.

"Just gone," Keith replied. Lily faced him with surprise.

"She...she's been up all night?"

"Yeah, her laptop was on," Keith nodded. Hayden sighed.

"Still worried for her brother, I take it?"

"So are you," Ian remarked. Hayden knew his father was correct, but hid his worry as best he could.

"Keenan's only had his appendix out, he hasn't broken anything!"

"And he was very lucky not to have broken anything," Skywing commented. "Regardless of the severity of the accident, it does not change the fact that Alexa is worried about him."

"Hayden, I know you're as worried as Lexie is. But she was there when it happened, so she's probably feeling guilty as well as worried. Remember that." Hayden sighed almost silently.

"Yeah...I know..." Keith made his way to the front door, which confused Lily.

"Keith, where're you going?" Hayden and Ian watched Keith as he stood at the front door, hand on the handle.

"Patrol. I want to see if I can find Jordan," he explained simply.

"But-" Keith had already left the house before Lily could argue. Robbie stood up and followed Keith out the door, Reese riding on the Sawsbuck's head. Being the one with paws, Reese opened the front door, allowing Robbie to exit the house. Lily approached the door and looked outside, in hopes of catching up with Keith, but Robbie had already galloped off, Keith and his Buizel companion on his back. Lily sighed as she closed the door.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Keith was worried about Keenan as well," Ian said, breaking the silence.

"And you're not?" Xavier asked rudely.

"I'm not dwelling on what happened; I'm concentrating on the fact that Keenan is going to be fine. Everyone else should, too."

"Absol," Lucky huffed. "Sol, Absol, sol-absol."

"I know it's not as simple as that, Lucky. But that doesn't mean they shouldn't try," Ian said calmly. Layla and Ryder looked at one another, mutually concerned for Keenan and Alexa.

Robbie galloped through the region of Johto, avoiding any and all wild Pokémon who so much as looked at them. Robbie was galloping slower than usual, allowing Keith to survey the areas they were passing through. Throughout the day, Robbie ran gracefully through the entire region – save for Cianwood City, which was inaccessible to Robbie, as a Sawsbuck cannot walk on water, and Keith didn't know of the city's existence. Throughout the day, Robbie, Reese and Keith took occasional breaks, mostly to help Robbie keep his stamina up. During each break, Keith had the time to gather his thoughts on Keenan's accident. What if it was Alexa who fell down the cliff instead? Would it be Keith who exploded with anger instead of Alexa? Or would it have been Keenan? Or would Alexa have reacted the same if Keith were the one who fell instead? Or all three of them? He shuddered at the possibilities. He also had the time to think about everything that happened since he and Alexa arrived in Johto, ultimately reminding himself of his least favourite moment; when he and Alexa were arguing. He didn't think about the matter too much, as he was happy that he and Alexa were okay.

At the same time, Hayden, Lily and Ian decided to visit Keenan at the hospital. Keenan awoke to see his parents and grandfather around him. He was happy until he realised Keith and Alexa weren't around. Hayden and Ian, between them, had to explain that Keith was out patrolling Johto, and Alexa was resting, after having stayed up the entire night for reasons Keith hadn't specified, but they assumed it was because she was feeling guilty over Keenan's accident. Keenan remembered very little about the incident itself, and, thus, couldn't understand why Alexa felt so terrible. Even when his parents reminded him of what had happened before the accident, he still couldn't understand Alexa's guilt; she had nothing to feel guilty about, or so he believed. Lily agreed whole-heartedly with her son, but Hayden was just happy to see Keenan awake and talking again.

Lucky, meanwhile, walked into Alexa's bedroom, only to find Lupin hovering near her with what looked like a book in his hands. The Absol growled violently, yet quietly, so as to not disturb Alexa's slumber. Lupin, not wanting to argue with the Dark type, simply disappeared in a small flash of light. Satisfied, Lucky proceeded to approach Alexa, and looked at how peaceful she looked as she slept. He lay down in front of her side of the bed and relaxed; he hadn't wanted to leave her side at the hospital, so he felt obligated to remain at her side while she rested. He understood she'd be completely safe in her own home, he merely wanted to stay with her, like he wanted to at the hospital. He closed his eyes and rested.

Skywing, Xavier, Ryder and Layla all remained in the sitting room, discussing how they could help Alexa. Skywing argued they should leave Alexa alone, but provide support and comfort to her should she seek it. Ryder was the only one arguing against the Chatot, claiming they should follow Lucky's example and be with her, even if she doesn't need the support, claiming it to be there in case she did need it after all. Still under the impression that Lupin was being a cold-hearted bully, Xavier argued they should make sure the Alakazam stayed away from Alexa, at least until Keenan was out of the hospital. Skywing was inclined to agree, but Layla argued that Lupin already felt bad about abandoning Alexa when Jordan desired to hurt her severely, and that everyone should leave him alone as well. It was true Lupin hadn't liked Alexa since Lydia's passing, but he was in no way a bully who would pick on Alexa for every little thing that went wrong. The discussion even continued when Hayden, Lily and Ian returned home from the hospital; the adults stayed clear of the discussion, not wanting to interrupt a meeting that seemed to be important to the four Pokémon. Lily noticed, however, how Ryder had Layla's shining blue claws in his paw.

It was evening by the time Keith returned to the Thorndyke household, a drained Robbie and Reese dragging themselves behind him. The discussion Skywing had with Xavier, Ryder and Layla before now turned into a more friendly conversation with the Sawsbuck and Buizel, who informed the group there was no sign of Jordan anywhere, much to everyone's disappointment. Keith made his way up to Alexa's bedroom, where he found Alexa exactly as he left her; sleeping peacefully in bed. He was somewhat surprised; she slept through the entire day?

Lucky stood up and gave Keith a slight smile as he left the room. Keith silently closed the door behind Lucky and sat next to Alexa, where he waited for her to awaken. While he waited, he looked at the girl with a loving smile; he was glad to see she looked better than she did when he found her slumped in front of her laptop hours ago. It wasn't until she opened her eyes that Keith realised she actually got the sleep she needed. Alexa smiled sweetly at him.

"Keith.."

"Hey, Kitten."

"Y-you're still here...?" Keith laughed quietly.

"No, I've been back for a few minutes now," he explained softly. "You must've been sleeping all day."

"Maybe," Alexa said quietly. Keith momentarily grew worried.

"Are you all right?" he asked, noticing Alexa's lack of enthusiasm. Granted, she had just woken up, and enthusiasm would be minimal at best, but he couldn't help but worry all the same.

"...I'm hungry," Alexa replied. Keith cheered up and laughed at the simplicity of her answer.

"I'm not surprised; you haven't eaten anything since yesterday!" Alexa smiled nervously at him. "Come on, let's go see your Mom and Dad."

"...think I should get dressed first?" Alexa asked. Keith consulted the digital clock on the chest of drawers nearest to him; the time read '17:42'.

"If you want to," Keith replied. "I mean, you'll probably be going to bed in about 4 hours' time anyway."

"I know. I just don't want to be in my pyjamas all day," Alexa said as she pulled herself out of bed. Keith smiled at her as she headed for her wardrobe.

"I wouldn't complain if you did," he smirked. Alexa gave him a sarcastic smile as he laughed. She pulled out a random green T-shirt and leggings.

Lily was in the kitchen, thinking about what to cook for dinner; while it wasn't because of what had happened to Alexa and Keenan that she forgot to prepare a menu for the week, she mentally slapped herself for forgetting anyway. Hayden and Ian were having their own little discussion until they heard footsteps from the stairs. The adults and Pokémon watched as Keith and a rested Alexa approached the kitchen, Alexa dressed in a simple green T-shirt with a black logo of a small leaf on the left hand corner and her black leggings. Ian smiled.

"Hey! Look who it is! How are you feeling, Sleeping Beauty?"

"Hungry," Alexa replied simply. Lily laughed.

"I'm trying to think about what to make for dinner. Is there anything you fancy?" she asked.

"As long as I can eat it, I won't complain," Alexa shrugged. Lily laughed again.

"Fair enough."

"Hey, why not just leave the cooking for now and get something from The Hammer Arm?" Ian asked as he approached Lily. Hayden laughed quietly, but smiled lovingly at his daughter; her improved state hadn't escaped his notice.

"Alexa?"

"Hm?" Alexa looked at her father in confusion.

"You look better, darling." Alexa smiled warmly at him.

"Thanks, Dad." Before Hayden could reply, Alexa had approached him and gave him a hug. Hayden was only too glad to return his daughter's hug. Keith admired the sentimental moment between Alexa and Hayden before he looked towards Ian discussing dinner with Lily. He spontaneously looked towards the Pokémon and decided to talk with them.

In the lounge, Lupin sat on his own, in one corner, looking through the book he picked up from Alexa's bedroom. The lounge was a more peaceful room, with two sets of three seater sofas in parallel to each other and two seater sofas in parallel to each other near the smaller walls. There were family portraits hanging around on the walls of the room, all of which were different; the oldest portrait was from when Alexa was only three years old, with her parents both next to her. The next was of the entire family, with a baby Keenan in Lily's arms and a five year old Alexa on Hayden's knee. After that, the portraits all looked similar, the only difference is the ages of Alexa and Keenan. The most recent portrait, taken just after Alexa returned home for her compassionate leave after Ollie and Elaine's wedding, hung on the wall directly in front of Lupin. The glass coffee table was in the centre of the room, but it was vacant of any glasses or coasters. All of the sofas were black and made of faux leather. Lupin looked at certain photographs in the brown faux leather photo album, particularly ones depicting a ten year old Alexa with a Butterfree with blue wing markings and a familiar-looking amulet around her neck, as well as a young Abra, and photos of the young Alexa, Butterfree and a Kadabra; these photos showed him, Alexa and Lydia prior to the Butterfree's cruel demise. Back then, Lupin was as faithful to Alexa as Lydia was. The Alakazam reflected on his past actions and behaviour, which brought tears to his eyes. He shivered as he thought more and more of the past, until he finally submitted to his tears and wept silently.

To be continued...