…...

Fifteen

She mostly remained quiet she couldn't lift him but the Triad had stopped to assist her to at least get back to bed. She only thought she should stay by him for now, she looked up when the door opened seeing Colress she frowned.

"Looking at your expression I see things changed I heard from N how he lost it."

"What really happened Colress?..."

"When he lost it earlier? Or when you first met him?" he said slyly as he walked over to examine Ghetsis.

She frowned.

"Both...no the second first, why am I getting these images in my head?"

"The Triad had to train some individuals to join their work just to scare people off but they are bonded to the artificial side of Ghetsis. Meaning of the people he doesn't trust he has to trust them they can't go against him.. So they have limitations when messing with your memory since you're his partner, things that come back are not you losing your mind but getting it back. So to speak."

He pulled out a stethoscope eyeing her as he went to work she rubbed her temples her thoughts felt even more jumbled.

"...But if that's true what was going on that they would have to mess with my head at all?"

"Since you were staying outside of the testing facility we just didn't want any information escaping with you. Now that you're meant to stay no real need to keep you monitored...well I did see the camera footage so maybe someone should watch you should let him know when nothing happened. He can be very possessive when it comes to you. While he's had his kids for some time...they are still just his kids you are the only one he ever warmed up to in that light."

"...Romantic."

"Right."

She felt dazed like she was the only drunk girl at the party getting hazed.

"You understand that their powers are not normal, they are beyond that of a pokemon, and forcing their actions...and them in turn out of the way has proven to be dangerous mentally for those effected. Some things I won't say that will come back to you. Just let me know if you have any problems I was meant to watch over your progress."

She rubbed her head, she knew that, it was in the back of her mind that she knew to trust Colress was just looking out for her because of what they didn't know about the Triad. However she didn't know the specifics because of the loss she experienced memory wise it was a strange...foggy area to be in.

"Tell me the truth...this ingredient..in pill form, powder form, whatever it's always the same you didn't completely work out the bugs on the Grunts you tested, it can still kill you can't it?"

He paused as he felt Ghetsis's forehead for a temperature.

"Well, you and Ghetsis surpassed the danger area but yes."

"And you're here because we're the only ones that did."

He sighed, not something she just knew but an actual guess.

"Well..."

"Colress..."

"It's just, N and his sisters had a bit of treatment they didn't get the full dose that you two had but if they've ever seen off...beyond their years their tests were much more successful. Though for those in your group yes, you two are all that's left."

"..Figured, why did they need to be tested?"

"They were sickly, Ghetsis wanted to help and he knew that while some of our experiments were dangerous we had completed several we, my company, were worth the risk. Concordia couldn't sleep without a breathing machine, Anthea was unable to walk as she weakened bit by bit her body seemed to be breaking down and N, well his weak heart made it very difficult to guess if he could even make it through each night we had more than a few trips to the ER for that."

She swallowed thickly thinking of his concern, it wasn't just loneliness there was the idea that they wouldn't make it without him, a proper connection to Colress if one thing went wrong. Her head ached as she looked at Ghetsis. She moved toward the door.

"They know why they love him, but this..." she started pointing from him to her.

"Is a mess, I can't be in this fog, maybe I should just keep my distance I don't want to aggravate him."

"Now remember that could be just as bad..but I get your thinking I'll give you a chance and see how things go. If he can't control himself I'll tell him you're getting your memory back alright?"

She nodded, she didn't feel right she didn't know what to say to him it felt a little different than simply leading a person on. To see him break down, and feel without knowing for sure why she cared. Why she wanted him to say how he felt about her. It just made her feel shitty, sure it wasn't her fault but that didn't change her mood on it.

Colress watched her fiddle a bit before deciding to leave he cocked his head remembering her original response to Ghetsis. He smiled slightly while it did please him to see an experiment going well, truth be told if anyone else had been in charge of their well being no one else on the team would have cared.

They were friends, not projects anyone could argue.

Though if they did, it could be assumed they didn't know anything about him at all.

…...

"Ah Touko you're awake, that last dose was a little much for you huh?"

Touko groaned as she rubbed her temples rather than her bedroom, she was laying on a soft memory foam mattress. She pushed herself up that was all that was in the room the door to the bathroom was open so she had privacy there but they just remained in a glass cage. There were a few holes where he sat near the wall so she could hear him. He didn't look the same aside from the white jumpsuit he wore he smiled, even his gaze was lighter. He did still look tired but not as drained. She stood up and walked over to sit on the crate close to the holes.

"I think...I'm still out of it.."

"Well it won't be for much longer, and you still have your life ahead of you."

"So do you."

"Maybe, people get jumpy around me, not sure why."

"Probably because you're the only sky scraper in town."

He chuckled.

"Colress is tall too."

"Well taller than me but you have a different air around you than he does."

"So I'm scary and he isn't?"

"Not until he's waving those damn syringes around."

He smirked.

"I don't mind a needle or two."

"See there you go being scary again, what's next you want to be tied up too?"

He laughed then, much deeper, she blushed slightly he was a good looking man even when he was stern though happier he looked even better.

"Well maybe if you're in charge of it."

She smiled and leaned against the glass, it was shatter proof though she wasn't sure if it was for a good reason or not.

"If they ever take this glass down..why do we need it anyways?"

"He said his boss is concerned about you being free with me."

"You wouldn't hurt me."

"Of course not, but they tested that when we met in the rec room."

"So what's the worry?"

"They don't know the effect the ingredient could have on offspring."

She shook her head.

"But I thought you were sterile."

"I was, they tested me in every way they could...but it seems to have changed that."

"Really...?"

"And they think it's more...pokemon like."

"Pokemon like...as in you could produce litters?" she asked with a laugh.

"We are still human Touko so no but multiples sure."

She shook her head.

"I am not carrying multiples."

"You may have no choice...I think I'm nearly irresistable."

She laughed as he winked at her.

"As if."

"Oh I'm hurt Touko, throw a man a bone once in a while." he smiled at her though he was glad to see her able to rest but he preferred having time to talk to her.

"Well I guess you're cute...sometimes."

"Fine fine I'll take that."

She grinned wider though it faded...

As the scene did.

…..

Touko opened her eyes and sat up she ran her hands through her hair she was sweating a bit as her thoughts waved a bit.

That was supposed to be Ghetsis...right? She couldn't be sure.