The entire morning, fully clothed, I stayed in the hotel room with a client, talking about random things. He did most of the talking while I just responded with a surprised responds. He traveled through Kanto to become the best trainer, like Blue, and ended up defeating Team Rocket three years ago.

I didn't pay attention enough to the news on how they were defeated, but it relieved so many people in the region, including me.

"Thank you for your service" I bowed my head. He looked at me with the eyes he used to look at me when I first started dancing. There was a light in there I couldn't put together "You did a lot of people good. They were certainly a problem not even the police could handle. Doing it by yourself really shows how legendary you are" he snorted.

"I just did what seemed right. I was a different person 3 years ago. I didn't speak not one word, but I bonded with Pokémon who could understand me without saying anything" he closed his eyes "I take pride in my Pokémon and spend my time with them most" I got up to look out the window at the hospital across the street "I trained with my Pokémon even in the worse situations, so fighting Team Rocket was just to boost our bonds. I didn't care enough about what they did. I realized after they were gone how irritating they were"

"Yeah... All they cared about was stealing Pokémon and getting rich. They wanted to be so powerful that nobody else mattered. They hurt you and the things you cared about. My sweet little Pokémon, even while she was so young, she protected me from those men who wanted to take me" I hugged myself, shaking "She got injured so badly. I took her in my arms as those people took me away. I was a pawn... yet I was able to roam the city whenever I wanted. They said that if I left them or told anyone what happened to me, they were going to hurt my little one who's currently in that hospital" I accidentally sobbed, not expecting myself to open myself like this. It's so early in the morning... I couldn't even function.

"I don't have enough money to pay off the bill... If I don't pay it by the deadline, she'll be gone forever" I pressed my forehead on the glass "I don't get paid enough in the place... and I'm sure it was all done on purpose. Even after three years that they were disbanded, I still see them around that bar..." arms wrapped around my body, giving me the heat that made me want to fall asleep.

"You don't get paid enough in a place like that..?" I nodded.

"I refuse to take help from anyone. The people I work with see how hard I work, and always offered their money or wisdom, but I don't want to be taken advantage of or let my boss find out. I can't risk my little one's safety" he turned me around to look up at him. I let him wipe the tears from my cheeks that eouldn't stop falling.

"Are you hungry?" I snapped out of it when he mentioned food "We can go eat somewhere" I turned away.

"Uh... If the money you'll use to pay for it is part of my payment for last night, no thanks" someone knocked on the door. Red went off to open it, seeing Blue there.

"Oh!" Blue jumped to see Red standing there instead of me, since he had money in his hands. I snorted and walked pass them, taking the money that's mine.

"Thanks for the payment. I hope to see you both soon. Maybe" I looked through the money and noticed it was enough to make the payment be paid off by half. I almost jumped when someone wrapped their arms around me. If it wasn't for the familiar warmth, I would had panicked.

"Now that you have your money, will you have breakfast with me?" I looked up at Red watching me with those serious honest eyes.

"You were serious..?" He nodded. I removed myself from him and put my money in my wallet "Well, it's not like I have anything better to do" I held my hip "Don't you have a hangover?"

"I don't get hangovers. I stopped being drunk as soon as we got into the shower" I blushed, noticing he was acting normal for a drunk person, but now know he was fully aware of everything that was going on. Why does that make me feel embarrassed?

"U-Uh..." my face flushed. I didn't know what to say "Well..." I turned away "As long as you're paying!" He chuckled, making my heart throb hard against my chest.

"Blue, close the door behind you. I'll see you later" Red said to Blue standing there dumbfounded before blinking in confusion as Red took my hand and walked me out the hotel without letting go.

I looked at our hands locked together, feeling sort of strange in my stomach. My lips were quivering while my face was still flushed and my heart was beating faster than before... I had no idea what I was feeling, but somehow I wanted to smile.

There would be days when I'd go without food. My body was use to not eating for a long period of time. The only thing I ate yesterday were those honey buns and pieces of the food I served the girls in the club while I was cooking. I was able to carry heavy things and dance last night.

We sat at a café in silence for awhile. I was told I can pick whatever I want, so I nervously did, and actually got the chance to see a plate of fresh food I never expected to eat in a long time since I was a kid. Pancakes with potatoes, berries, toast with jam, and scrambled white eggs. My arms went heavy and I struggled to eat as fast I wanted to, but I cried with every bite I took, grateful for this meal...

"Thank you..." I sobbed without stopping to chew "this is delicious..." Red smiled and drank his coffee.

"That's good to hear. Eat as much as you want. I'm taking care of the bill" I quickly nodded and kept eating "Want something to go as well?"

"I-If..." I blushed again "If that's not a problem..." he pet my head, surprising me. He looked at me tenderly and caring. I never would let anyone treat me out to food or anything like this. Even Lilly had invited me to her family dinners and such, as well as my other coworkers who wanted to take me to a park and have fun. I can't believe I'm letting this happen...

I told this boy I never met before my situation with my Pokémon and Team Rocket. I even dared to tell him about my hard days as a hard working woman who doesn't even get paid well enough. Earlier in our conversations, we talked about our current housing, and I ended up telling him my apartment status and how I'm living there only because my boss let me have it. That I mainly work to live in that crappy apartment and have nothing else better in my life that means nothing more to me then my own Pokémon he didn't know about until I mention the hospital later in the morning.

By the end of our meal, without saying a word to each other, we got up and I was given my bag of food to take home. The entire time we didn't speak wasn't awkward at all. We were just enjoying the quiet around us.

"Thank you for an interesting time" I bowed to him on the sidewalk "you have some nice friends back in the club. I'm sure they just wanted you to have fun. It's been awhile since I did" I admitted "By the way, the conversation we had back in the hotel never happened" I held my hips "I can handle myself. Don't worry" he didn't look like he was convinced, but shrugged anyways.

"Are you wanting to leave already?" Huh? "I would had thought you wanted to go see Erica" I gasped.

"Oh right! I almost forgot!" He took my hand and walked me across the street to go through the hospital. I didn't have the heart to say that I'm not allowed to enter any of the higher floors of the building, mainly due to lack of payments. They want to make sure a hooligan like me doesn't try and take my Pokémon back illegally.

Red walked up to the front desk to ask where Erica is staying at while I kept my distance to make sure the ones working here doesn't get suspicious of me.

Looking to my left, I saw Miss Black walking out her office and notice me standing there, staring before noticing it was me wearing normal clothes.

"Valerie!" She gasped happily and made her way over "It's good to see you! I just saw you yesterday, and I'm sure you didn't come to visit me" she winked, playfully. I nodded and took out my wallet to hand her the money. She stared at it without taking it "Oh..."

"I have enough to make things easier on me now! Please take it!" She frowned at me.

"Sweet heart... You gave me all the money you had yesterday. I won't ask how you got all this in a short amount of time, but don't you worry about yourself?" I looked down.

"Nothing else matters... I just want her back in my life!" I tried giving her the money, she just raised her hands "Please take it!"

"I cannot... I'm becoming really concerned about you, Valerie. Look at you" she gently took my cheeks "You're sickly pale..." I flinched "Are you eating at all? Have you been sleeping?" I took a step back, understanding why I've been so emotional lately. I no longer had the ability to care for myself, and it's making my body suffer.

"Please..." I started shaking "Nothing matters to me more... Please take the money. I'm fine. Really..." she still didn't take it "Please..." I sobbed more and more "Please! Please!" I begged "I won't be able to get more money if I spend it on myself! I eat and I sleep! That's enough! Isn't it!?" My knees were getting weak. With all the strength my body had held on for this long, I've broken myself and could no longer stand.

"Valerie!" She caught me before I could fall on my knees. I laid on her shoulder weakly.

"Nothing else matters... Just take it" I pushed her away and waved the money around "Take it..." my throat was hurting from the force I was using to stop my sobs "Come on!" I glared "Why won't you just take it!" I stopped when someone took my shoulders from behind, terrifying me to know it could be security, but my body froze when I saw someone's trainer card with Red's face on it being handed over to Miss Black.

"Here" he spoke. I looked at him horrified, getting the hint of what he was doing "This should be enough to pay for the entire thing" I turned back at him.

"What are you doing?!" I glared "Mind your business! I told you! Forget what we talked about! This is my problem!"

"I want to help" Miss Black took the card and looked through it.

"You have no idea how much I owe for this payment!" I cried.

"Money isn't an issue" I gulped "A bond with a Pokémon is powerful. My Pokémon mean everything to me. I wouldn't want them being taken away from me" I wanted to fight back, but I couldn't. I was too weak and all I could do was sob into my hands.

Miss Black whispered something to Red, and all he did was nodded before she walked away to her office "W-Wait..." I cried, reaching out to her "Take my money instead..."

"Don't worry... You don't have to feel like you're going to be taken advantage of" Red told me, looking at me with a frown, and wiped away my tears over and over "If you don't ever want to see me again, we can walk away as acquaintances after this visit" he stroked his fingers through my damp hair "I just thought it'll make me feel better to help someone who doesn't want to take anyone's help. I know how that is. I use to be like you" he carried me to a near by couch and sat me down "Though I don't know what you've been through, I took on Team Rocket down to help those who were scared of them. After living as a legend, or whatever, you were still suffering. I want you to be with your Pokémon and be free" he softly smiled "this had been the first time talking to someone for a long time, talking over and over. I'm more than willing to help you"

"You won't get nothing out of this if you suggest we walk away as acquaintances..."

"Anything to convince you I'm doing this out of my own will and heart" something yellow jumped onto Red's lap and looked at me. A cute little pikachu looked up at me and smiled. This is the one I saw that night when the party was starting..

"You're too kind..." I looked down "I don't deserve any of it" he put my head.

"Well, make a life with that money you have there and prove to me you do deserve it" I looked back at his confident smile I wanted to melt to "I expect nothing but great things for you. If you ever need me, don't hesitate. Any of my friends will know where I am" he stood up "I know we haven't known each other very long, but thank you for listening to me. I look forward to the next time we meet" I stared at him while Miss Black handed him back his card. He accepted it and waved me goodbye.

Trying to get back on my feet to chase after him was impossible. I couldn't stand on my own anymore "I can't accept this!" I yelled at him "I went this long without anyone's help!" He stopped walking, but didn't look at me "Even so... If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be able to walk any longer. I get to see my little one again... I don't want to thank you because I didn't ask for this, but I'll thank you for giving me the opportunity to show you that I will be able to repay you and became thankful to meet a stranger like you..." I cried "I didn't ask for any of this... You did this on your own, even if you didn't even know. I'm thankful... and I'll show you I can make it on my own with this new life. I will keep walking, and never look back at the disaster you learned I went through" he turned back at me and gave the most jolly smile I've ever seen. I held my heart, watching in admiration. All he did was wave and leave with his Pikachu.

"You got yourself a good friend there" Miss Black smiled "It's time for a new life. Let's go get your Pokémon" someone came over with a wheelchair "But not before getting you treated. Don't worry, I got it" I panicked again "that young man showed you that accepting help from others who care about you isn't so bad. You won't regret those moments, because you learn and drive with them" I frowned "Lets get you upstairs. You're going to be fine now, Sweetheart" I closed my eyes, shedding the last of my tears.

"Thank you, Auntie..."