It took me a long time to leave that tiny room. I don't even know how long I stayed in there for. Even after I was eventually all cried out, I didn't want to leave until after I was sure it wouldn't be obvious that I had been crying. When I eventually plucked up the courage to sidle out, I was shocked to find that Elliot, Jasmine, Nikki and Scott weren't standing outside waiting for me. Instead, the fat boy from earlier was standing outside, looking concerned and holding a box of tissues.

"Busted." I thought in sheer embarrassment.

I seriously debated about rushing straight back into the room I had just come out from, but Bailey suddenly stepped forward. He pushed the box of tissues towards me. "Uhh… I thought you might need these…"

I blinked, trying to contain my embarrassment. "Oh… thank you…" I murmured, taking them.

I dabbed at my sore eyes, wiping off the final tears and feeling rather foolish. Bailey was good enough to look away as I did so, waiting until I was finished before he spoke again.

"Sienna… I don't mean to be rude or anything…" he began slowly. "But Cal told me about what happened… you know… back then."

I blinked. Dad had told this guy about what had happened back then? Bailey knew about Dad's involvement with that Team Quantum? He knew about their attempts to capture Legendary Pokemon? I couldn't believe it. Why on earth would Dad tell this kid that just so happens to attend the dojo all that private information? Had he told all the kids? Were they all aware of the reasons behind Dad's actions even before I was? I couldn't believe it. I shot Bailey an icy stare, and he seemed to understand what I was trying to communicate.

"I know it's none of my business," Bailey continued blushing furiously. "And I can totally understand why you would be so angry with him for what he did… but if it's any consolation, your dad's been really good to me and my brothers. He's given me chances to get Pokemon and stuff when otherwise I wouldn't be able to. Ever. And for what it's worth, I think he really is sorry for everything he did…"

I wanted to shout at Bailey, yell at him for sticking his nose in things that didn't concern him. The thought of my father telling this boy intimate details about my life sickened me right to the pits of my stomach. I could feel the anger bubbling right at the bottom of my stomach and my hands began to shake slightly.

But I said nothing. Somehow what Bailey had said had resonated with me, even through my anger. Dad really had seemed to do good for these kids. He even, as unbelievable as it sounds, seemed sorry. He seemed genuine. I remembered the look in my father's eyes as he answered my questions. He looked sad, the mistakes of his life eerily and visibly reflected in them. That wasn't the look of a lying man…

He seemed genuine. He seemed a changed man. For real. I could see it.

So why the hell couldn't I accept it?

I tore straight past Bailey, pushing right past him, not even caring as he shouted behind me. I powered through doors, not even knowing where I was going. I pushed through corridor after corridor, door after door, trying to banish any and all thoughts from my head until eventually, I appeared in a very familiar kind of room. A training room.

There were about ten kids there, sitting on their knees in two perfect lines, all with a different Pokemon at their side. I wasn't surprised to see they were all of the Rock, Ground, Fighting and Steel varieties. I saw an Aron, a Makuhita, a Geodude, a Magnemite, a Diglett, a Mankey and a Machop, alongside a few others I wasn't too sure of. And there, right in the middle, was my Dad. He was in full lecture mode; the children were hanging on to his every word. Even the Pokemon were quiet.

"When you and your Pokemon fight, you fight as one." I recognised this infamous speech as he paced up and down. I found it stirred up a lot of memories. Memories of hanging outside the training room doors in the dojo in Pallet Town, secretly watching my father and his training classes hard at work. Memories of being forced to endure this lecture every time Dad attempted me to get into training. "Therefore, whatever pain your Pokemon sustains—"

My mouth opened of its own accord. "Also becomes your pain to bear…" I finished, almost automatically.

The noise of my voice in the room startled both my father and the kids and they all twisted around to look at me. I blushed, suddenly feeling incredibly foolish. "Why did I just do that?" I cringed internally.

Dad looked the most surprised out of anyone. The kids were just staring at me, their faces twisted in confusion. Probably wondering who this strange girl was, and what she was doing interrupting their class.

"Sienna?" Dad asked me slowly.

"W…well," I flustered. "You… you did drum it into me as a kid… um… Dad."

The kids started murmuring excitedly to themselves, and then one of the only two girls in the class stood up. "You're Master Cal's daughter?" she asked, inquisitively cocking her head to one side like a Growlithe.

I swallowed nervously at the question. "Umm… yeah. I guess I am."

"Wow!" she cried out eagerly, the Aron at her side giving a little start at the falsetto pitch of her voice. "You must be really strong then! Just like Master Cal, right?"

I mumbled something incoherently. This kid couldn't be any more than ten years old. Still naïve and innocent about the complicated world of Pokemon. As I struggled for something to say, my Dad called for the kids to take a five minute break. All thoughts of seeing their Master's daughter immediately fled their minds and they started yelling and chatting excitedly, calling for their friends and Pokemon to follow. I breathed out in relief as they started to disappear out the door.

My father was chuckling as the kids charged out. "Don't mind Ellie. She's got this thing about women trainers at the moment." Seeing my confused face, he expanded. "She's fed up of men trainers." He stated simply. "She doesn't like how men trainers get farther in Pokemon training than women do. She's out to prove that women can be just as good as men when it comes to Pokemon training. Heh, I think we've got a future feminist on our hands."

I ignored that, and instead looked around the deserted dojo. "Where are my friends?" was the only thing I could think of to say.

"Outside. They're with the other kids. Showing off their Pokemon I think."

I grunted. I didn't make to leave though. However, Dad interpreted my reluctance to move as something else entirely.

"Sienna…" Dad ventured slowly. For some reason, every word that then subsequently spilled out of his mouth increased my anger. "Are you doing okay? You know, after I told you what really happened. Do you believe that I'm—?"

I snapped.

"I'm trying!" I spat at once. "I am trying to understand what's going on here! But you have to understand that it's not that easy for me! I…" my voice started to choke. "I can tell you're different. I knew that when I saw you freak out when Arceus appeared. I knew that when I threw myself in front of that damn Samurott! But it's just— it's just… you! I've only ever known you as that man who hated me and belittled me and was violent to me! I've never known you as that kind man Bailey, these little kids and all the goddamn people in this city know you as! So please! You can't expect me to come around straight away!" I broke off, my voice catching. "Just… just give me a little time, okay?"

I didn't give him time to reply. Instead, I barged outside.

As I stepped into the harsh sunlight of the afternoon, the first thing that came to my attention was the presence of a giant Venusaur plodding around, a couple of eager boys and girls clinging to the massive flower atop its back.

I almost fell over in my fright. "What the hell is that?"

Elliot, Nikki, Jasmine and Scott were standing nearby. Nikki and Jasmine were talking to some young children, there were a few kids practically hanging off Scott (who was doing a spectacular job of pretending they didn't exist), and Elliot was stroking the giant Venusaur as if it was a treasured pet. Upon hearing my outburst, he turned to me, a grin beaming across his face. "Sienna! This is Vino!"

"Vino!" I said in horror, looking at the thing slowly trudging up and down the path, kids hanging on to it happily. "Who the hell is Vino?"

"My… my Venusaur." Elliot looked a little crushed.

I blinked, looking from the Venusaur to Elliot. "Since when did you have a Venusaur?"

"Think about it, Sienna." Scott's voice cut in from nearby. "Elliot started from Pallet Town. He likes Grass type Pokemon. What would be his logical starter?"

I stood there dumbfounded for a few moments. "You never told me you had a Venusaur. I always thought that Jet… you know… was your starter." I finished lamely.

"Well, no. Jet and I have been together for almost as long as Vino and I have, though. But I honestly didn't think it needed to be said," Elliot said with a shrug. "I did think it would be obvious. People don't start with Eevees anymore, you know."

"But you never mentioned him before! I never saw him either!" I protested. It was true! In the entire two years that I had known Elliot, he had never once mentioned Pokemon outside of his main team of six; Umbreon, Tropius, Cacturne, Carnivine, Mightyena and Roserade.

"I gave him to Professor Oak when he evolved into a Venusaur and I finished the Sinnoh Gym Circuit. I had just caught Cacturne and couldn't take him with me, unless I gave in another Pokemon. And Vino was just that strong that I won most battles quite easily with him. I wanted a bit more of a challenge, so I left Vino with Oak and continued on. He's been quite happy with the old Professor, and Oak got a chance to do some research!"

"So… why bring him now?" I found myself asking, tentatively putting a hand on the massive Venusaur. He barely even acknowledged I was touching him. I breathed in the scent wafting down from the massive flower on the Pokemon's back. It smelled nice, sweet, flowery and summery.

"I thought I may need some backup." He said with a smile. "I trust Vino more than any other member of my team."

The Venusaur roared in appreciation at his trainer's comment. I found myself shaking my head. Of course it had been obvious Elliot would have chosen Bulbasaur as his starter. I guess I had just assumed that because he always seemed to favour his Umbreon that he had been Elliot's first Pokemon. I realised how silly that idea had been. Elliot was right. People didn't start with Eevees anymore unless they had good connections or were insanely rich. Heck, people didn't even own Eevees unless they had good connections or were insanely rich. So how on earth did Elliot end up with one…?

I turned my attention back to the giant Venusaur. I'd never seen one in person before, so I had no idea if this was a normal size for the Pokemon. It just seemed massive to me. It could fit at least four or five kids on its back at a time.

"The kids seem to like him," I commented easily. "Though… I'm surprised he's not thrown them off by now. The kids are quite… excitable after all."

"He's just a big dope, aren't you Vino?" Elliot grinned.

Vino just yawned. He seemed totally oblivious to the kids yelling and screaming around him. I stifled a giggle. "Wow…" was all I could say.

"Don't let him fool ya though," Elliot grinned. "He may be a big softy and a bit on the slow side, but he could cut you in half with one razor leaf attack."

The kids chose the wrong moment to listen in to our conversation. At the mere mention of being cut in half b a Pokemon's attack, the kids immediately stopped, looking horrified. They turned their terrified faces first to Elliot and then shot frightened looks at the dopey Venusaur they were riding.

"Uhh…" was all Elliot could come out with before the kids took off like a Zubat out of hell.

I had to laugh as the kids stampeded off like a herd of Tauros into the safety of the dojo. "You have no skill with kids, Elliot."

Elliot had a disappointed look on his face at that. "I know…" he said with a sigh.

"You're hopeless," I said, tousling his hair and giving him a quick kiss. But no sooner had my lips touched his that I weakened again, and I found myself clinging on to him, desperate for some sort of reassurance.

"How was it with your dad?" he murmured softly, knowing immediately what I was getting at.

"Hard." I replied with difficulty. "He… he… he really is different, Elliot. I can see it. I can see that's he… reformed like Officer Jenny had said. But I just… I can't believe it! Even though it's right in front of me and it's so obvious, I just… It's like I need him to be what I've always known him as."

"It's understandable," Elliot murmured softly into my ear, his breath tickling me as he spoke. "Things will work out okay in the end. You just gotta give it a chance and a little time okay?"

I couldn't say anything.

"Okay?" Elliot pressed me.

"… okay…" I murmured back.

"That's my girl." Elliot kissed the top of my head and gave me a tight squeeze. "Now, come on. Shall we head back? I think I need to go and do some damage control before those kids tell your Dad I threatened to cut them in half with my Venusaur."

I couldn't help but laugh. "You're a fool, Elliot Wood," I called after him happily as he disappeared back into the dojo after the kids. I waited until after he was gone before I let my hands fall to my sides and exhale deeply. "But not a big of a fool as me…"

The boy called Bailey Gray cooked us dinner that night. It turned out that he frequently stayed at the dojo with Dad, often staying to help out with Pokemon and take care of various chores that needed doing. Dad paid him for this work. He started explaining, whilst the boy was in the kitchen, that Bailey was unable to leave home to be a Pokemon trainer due to the fact his father had four other kids to support. Bailey, being the eldest, and whose mother had died years earlier, was left to provide additional income. So, he and Dad had worked out a deal. Dad would give Bailey free room and board in exchange for help with the dojo and carrying out work. He would also give Bailey a small wage packet which Bailey would send back to his family.

I had no idea that poverty was that big a deal in big cities. Living in Pallet Town, I was under the impression everyone lived comfortably and most people had chances to get Pokemon of their own. That wasn't the case in Goldenrod. Many families were poor, and not many kids (unless they won a scholarship to a prestigious Pokemon school) simply couldn't afford to become trainers. They had no helpful Professor offering to give Pokemon free in exchange for research data either…

I had to admit, I was dreading dinner. The idea of me, my friends and boyfriend sitting at the same table as Dad and that Bailey boy terrified me. It would be so awkward! I foretold a terrible atmosphere alongside disgusting food.

However, I was proved to be pleasantly surprised. The food Bailey served up was actually really delicious! He didn't make anything fancy, a simple home-cooked lasagne with a fresh garden salad, a homemade coleslaw and hunks of garlic bread. It wasn't at all like a formal sit down meal. Bailey plonked the steaming dishes of lasagne, the bowls of salad and coleslaw and the garlic bread on the table and simply told us to help ourselves.

As my father began dishing out, I found myself catching Jasmine and Nikki's eyes across the table. Nikki looked white-faced and terrified. Jasmine looked angry, a thin frown twitching at the side of her face. I couldn't imagine how awkward this was. Sitting down for a meal with the man that two years ago had attempted to take over the world by capturing Legendary Pokemon! The idea was so surreal and ridiculous that I had to bite back a giggle. Of course, I had told Jasmine and Nikki that I genuinely believed, as difficult and horrible it was for me to grasp it, that Dad was a changed man, but that still didn't make what happened two years ago just magically disappear.

It was then that I was grateful for Bailey. He was a perpetually cheerful soul, sitting down next to Jasmine and chatting away in a comforting, booming voice like he'd known us all for years. He engaged everyone, even managing to get Scott and Dad to speak. As I watched conversation tentatively come along, I put a piece of lasagne to my mouth.

I was shocked. It was delicious. In my surprise, I looked across to Bailey. "This is really good." I said in astonishment. "It tastes like restaurant quality food."

A blush tinged Bailey's already cheery red cheeks. "Well, thanks."

"How do you make it like this?" I asked, genuinely amazed.

"It's… well, I dunno. It's just how my mum used to make it." He said with an airy shrug. He spoke a lot more casually and cheerfully about his dead mother than I expected him to. He stated things so easily it was like she was still living. "I guess I ate so much of it that I just learned the recipe from taste alone! Not that I care anyway; mum always used to say "never trust a skinny chef"! I guess she was right, huh?" he grinned, patting his own voluptuous belly.

From next to him on the table, Jasmine choked on a shred of lettuce. She had taken only the tiniest square of lasagne with a helping of salad and had refused the coleslaw and garlic bread claiming it was "laden with fat".

"Oh gee, Jasmine. You're hurting my feelings," Bailey grinned across at Jasmine who was slicing up her food into tiny pieces. Compared to the massive portions everyone else along the table had, Jasmine's portion looked practically anorexic. "Do you not like it?"

"Nothing against you. I'm just watching what I eat." She replied deftly.

"Why? There's nothing on you!" he protested in a good-natured manner.

Bailey was right. Jasmine had one of those figures that was as close to perfect as any girl could get. A perfect hourglass shape. Well rounded, perky boobs, cinching into a skinny waist and then fleshing out into perfectly proportioned hips and legs. She wasn't conventionally skinny, but neither was she plump, not at all. She was a beautiful slim shape. Granted not skinny and willowy, but a glorious womanly shape. I found myself looking down at my tiny boobs resting on a small Buddha belly and legs that went curvy in the wrong places and let out a deep sigh. It wasn't fair…

"And I intend to keep it that way." She replied primly. "I don't want to be fat."

I almost dropped my fork. A deep cringe came over me. I wholly expected Bailey to be offended at the obvious gripe, but he took it easily in his stride. "There's nothing wrong with being fat, you know? At least I've got a comfy seat wherever I go!"

This time it was my turn to choke.

"Bailey." My dad's voice cut through me and everyone around the table stopped. "Maybe now isn't the best time?"

I realised this was my dad doing his best attempt to delicately diffuse a situation and I quickly stepped in, engaging Jasmine in a conversation about something meaningless.

Once dinner was finished, it was starting to get dark. My father cast an eye towards the darkening skies and then turned his attention to me. "It's late," he announced.

"I can tell that." I said, without really meaning to.

He didn't bite back, surprisingly. "Do you have some place to stay?"

"We'll stay at the Pokemon Centre." Jasmine cut in immediately.

My dad simply stared. "You could all stay here if you want to save money."

"Actually, staying at Pokemon Centres is free so long as you present a trainer license." I pointed out.

"Oh." Dad said slowly. "W…well. You can sill stay if you want."

I cast a glance back at the others. "I… I think it would be a better idea if we stayed at the Pokemon Centre tonight."

Dad nodded, but he still looked a little disappointed. "I understand. But… how long are you going to be here for?"

"Uh…" I faltered. "Well, I only took two weeks off from school… It's already almost been a week. I can't really stick around too long."

"Come over tomorrow," Dad told me. "I'd like to… speak with you a little more about some things. And I think you'd like to see more of the work I'm doing."

I looked back at the others. They all returned me similar blank looks. Eventually Elliot spoke up. "Your decision,"

I turned back to Dad. He was looking hopeful. What on earth could he still want from me? I was already feeling pretty good about the fact I had gotten through one day without any major upsets. It had been a day of complete revelations, some confusing, some unbelievable and some just downright amazing. I was exhausted, mentally and physically crippled and quite frankly looking forward to simply taking a rest. Could I really handle putting myself through even more torture?

My mouth opened and I was speaking before I could even contemplate what I was doing. "Yeah. Fine. I'll see you tomorrow then."

Author's Note

Hey, well here's another chapter! :)

You know the strangest thing happened to me last night. One of my friends tagged a friend of their's in a facebook post. What was the name of their friend? Senna Volbeda. Like Sienna Volbeda, without the "i". I swear on my life this is true! I almost died!

Thanks to my regular reviewers; Sniper Mudkip, TwewyReaperGirl, WarriorSwift, Zoeten, WOWFan123, May and Dawn are the best, I have a dictionary here, Aeroga (I actually named Bailey after a dog AND the Irish cream liqueur I'm all too fond of), WildCroconaw, Chaison and Manser77. I actually can't believe how many reviews I've gotten. Almost ninety for a nine chapter story! :O

Things to look out for in the coming chapters!

Cal issues Sienna a challenge...

Sienna takes on Whitney of Goldenrod Gym!

Lance and Elliot get drunk and have a Monty Python moment...

That's all for this chapter! Thank you! Please read and review!