…...

Twenty-one

That morning Touko woke staring at the wall Ghetsis was laying close behind her, arms tight around her waist. He was breathing evenly, she shifted slightly at least there hadn't been any dreams to keep her awake. It hadn't gone any further than a kiss here and there he did want to assure but it wasn't like he was going to pretend he didn't enjoy how comfortable she could be in his arms. He felt he could lower one wall. Even before when he kissed her there was still the thought in his mind that she wasn't really herself. He didn't have much control there and he didn't care one bit.

He seemed peaceful and she didn't want to wake him up but when he didn't move she had to shake his shoulder needing to go to the bathroom. He let go of her as he shifted to rub his eyes slowly he watched her blurry form clear as she walked into the bathroom and almost settled to drift off again. Though he remembered she'd be leaving today. That was a bigger wake up call than being splashed with hot coffee.

He was going to miss her, even more so not there to monitor the return of her memories it worried him.

Ghetsis moved to stand up slowly it was already ten normally he was up much earlier but she let him hold her it was nice. He hadn't cared about sleeping alone..at least as far as he convinced himself...for a few years now. After one night he knew he was going to have to keep himself busy if she made him leave her room. He took out his phone to check for messages he would have gotten at six as he heard her get in the shower. He moved to call Mars he was still irritated with her, he didn't tend to let his grudges go easily but it was still easier to have a few numbers than one for every Grunt.

"Morning sir, what did you need me to do?"

"Where is Paul?"

"He's in charge of the feeding tanks today, I can call him on the intercom for you."

The feeding 'tank' was a mix of rooms to feed all the groups they kept here it was a quick enough chore with the auto feeders it was more a matter of feeling the containers.

"When did he start?"

"I...oh wait here he comes must have just finish Grunt 232 the boss is looking for you did you touch his woman again?" she snapped, he rolled his eyes as he heard his voice.

"No I didn't I swear."

"Well I know she's been with me, she has proven trustworthy is all and she's supposed to be visiting some friends I want you to escort her there, and I'll need a number to keep in contact."

"Yes sir, is she leaving now?"

"She's getting ready, so I'll meet you in the office to get information."

Sure he had the Triad but he wanted someone with her, he moved to make his way to his office no matter how he felt about her not simply being here.

….

Touko stretched, she had a simple pink jacket that fell just above her thighs and boots, it was a little warmer today. Not enough to melt snow but it was the type of snowday kids would be free to play. She had taken Ro as she said goodbye to N and Anthea . She met Concordia on her way out of the kitchen, she cocked her head.

"I heard you were leaving..you haven't taken much." she said, her smile seemed a little off.

Seeing her father looked on edge while she was slowly working on being a friend to Touko she didn't like it much. It was a strange feeling they were trying to add her to the family, and family didn't leave she brushed it off as a little mood and tried to stay friendly none the less. Toukp shook her head.

"I'll..uh be back I'm just visiting."

She cocked her head.

"You're not leaving for good...?"

"Well no I'm still here for the same thing." though now she wouldn't have minded trying to get to know him.

As she showered she almost thought she heard his laugh, closing her eyes she pictured another calm day just sitting and talking with him. She couldn't help but think that while he...obviously wasn't any sort of golden citizen that had never done wrong, she wasn't blinded by what memories she did have of course. He wasn't as bad a guy as she thought, and it hadn't been completely fair to think he was at least on her end.

"Well good..then maybe I'll see you later, have a nice trip." she said giving her a hug.

"Thanks."

Touko smiled at her seeing more of a genuine smile on her face this time she patted her shoulder gently and moved out to the car. Ghetsis made sure to stop by insisting she take some money he put in her account and he told her just for light security who was going with her. Not that she minded it was a small rule she was still leaving the day already seemed nicer for that. She paused seeing Paul out of his uniform of course the obvious condition was loud and clear, she was not to talk about anything with them concerning his group. While she was convinced that the Triad had something to do with the way the law handled them, it was only the bosses that were untouchable.

Sure if he was ahead anyone who worked for him could be fine, but it was a precaution for the paranoid...not to mention it was safer that way.

Archie was a psychopath no doubt about it, but even he left people alone that didn't deal with the bosses...meaning they owed them something; or didn't know anything. They were a waste of time as far as he was concerned Ghetsis was clear on that he had enough to rough up without bothering people that couldn't fatten his pockets.

She wouldn't say a word.

She couldn't imagine what her friends would think, a boss's wife...her involved with anything Plasma or Circle related, not a chance.

The last thing she wanted to do was attract the wrong type of attention to her friends, she didn't even want to visit too much just to see them once would be fine. Paul shifted in his jacket it was strange to be in normal clothes on his way out. He wondered if he had somehow messed up with his arm he was in the way he was sure. This was easy to do.

"Paul I didn't recognize you." Touko said as she waved.

He rubbed the back of his head.

"Yeah I didn't either in the mirror...we should get going it's supposed to snow again." he said fussing with his purple hair.

She smiled as he opened the door, Ghetsis watched them take off from his bedroom window he grit his teeth a bit hoping the coming snow didn't stop her from coming back.

…..

Paul laughed as Touko impersonated an pikachu something she tended to find adorable though he thought she was a happy dork...granted he liked that. As they turned a corner onto a street she squealed seeing the simple building covered in christmas lights Bianca always went overboard but it kept her busy and out of trouble so it worked. She was their friend but the airhead was sometimes more trouble than any tiny happy woman should be...which was usually most of the time. With the snow thickening up they hurried to the door there was a card number to put in in case of forgotten keys something for Bianca and Brock but Touko was glad that she could remember the number for now.

Granted she never thought she wouldn't have her key because she was taken without it.

It was fairly dark as stomped their shoes out on the carpet she locked it and grabbed one of the spare keys from another lock box. Cheren set up most of it their security measures with Max, the boy was one of their younger members but he had grown into a fine little trainer and as their arguing seemed to stop his attachment to his sister grew. His parents allowed him to stay after he proved even with friends that he could take care of himself. Both of them were smart but Cheren was a lot more paranoid than Max could be.

The keys weren't even normal they responded to the security code so if it needed to be changed they couldn't be used until they were recoded.

Though after the times Team Rocket had been there to steal pokemon it was just as well they couldn't get in here even if Giovanni changed how he worked. They went to the back and she flipped on the light she screamed as the party poppers was pulled and she was covered in glitter from the party bomb Bianca broke.

"Welcome home Touko!"

She sniffed as the tears gathered, Mei came to hug her with the others.

"...You guys...knew I was coming...?" she asked seeing the buffet and large triple chocolate cake Brock no doubt prepared.

"Of course we did silly, your boyfriend was worried about the weather and said that you meant to surprise us but he wanted to make sure you got here safely. We had to prepare something." Bianca said with a squeal.

She squeaked as Aurea pinched her cheeks, Professor Juniper was their resident adult just to handle a few things where nessecary...especially when it came to caring for the different pokemon free research as she saw it.

"And how dare you get a responsible boyfriend without consulting me first? I'm the mother of the house and I am to lecture you on proper dating habits." she said firmly, though with a grin.

She didn't normally stay unless one of them or the pokemon were sick but she was their connection to law enforcement, pokemon the rangers couldn't help, and was there to help with supplies any time they needed them. Though with the weather there were some guest rooms just for that. Paul felt out of place as he was welcomed just as warmly. Touko wiped her eyes and figured she ought to at least call Ghetsis and let him know the drive was fine. She let them get aquainted with Paul and left Ro to play with the other pokemon as she grabbed her phone.

She only just arrived...would be picking glitter out of her hair for weeks...it never did wash out properly. Though she was glad to be here.

He answered quickly enough.

"We're here...I see you warned them."

"Of course I did, just in case the storm got too bad before you could meet them, the Triad got the information I needed."

"I figured."

"I'll let you get back to them but..have a good time alright."

"Yeah sure." though she wondered as he hung up if he really wanted her to she smiled slightly not like he couldn't just say he'd suck it up but was going to miss or anything. She could tell.

"Touko come on Brock won't let us have cake till you're in here!" Bianca called.

"Coming."

It was nice to just sit with them again.

…..

(I never knew Juniper had a first name...either I didn't pay attention...or I didn't pay attention and it wasn't mentioned lol.)