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Dea was walking through the woods, a light breeze messing with her hair. She was walking a lot better, though Eilam was hovering just in case.

"You guys, I am fine,"Dea assured.

"We want to make sure. We don't want you falling,"Fluff piped up from behind them.

"He is right, Dea,"Lucy added her own two cents.

Brenny had caught sight of the group from the tree he had perched in. He had been hoping to catch a glimspe of the skitty boy the vanilite had told him about. Apparently the skitty's trainer had passed away, leaving him wild. And homeless. Brennen had a hard time imagining what it would be like to have had someone who cared about him, and then lose them--with the knowledge that he would never see them again. He had had something similar happen--but he had hope. He climbed down from his tree. "Hi," he greeted Lucy and Dea with a smile. "I'm looking for a skitty. He's probably in tattered clothes. His trainer passed away a few months ago, and a friend's said he's been wild ever since."

"Oh Brenny, it is so good to see you. Hmmm, I do not think any of us have seen any Skittys since we havecome in here,"Lucy spoke, looking at her family who all shook their heads.

Brenny hesitated, and then sighed. "I didn't think so. From what Jacen told me, he's very shy. He's been on his own for about six months..." the boy sighed, shaking his head. He wasn't sure what he felt for the skitty boy who'd lost his trainer. He only knew he wanted to help.

"Well, we can help you look, if you want us to, Brenny,"Dea told him gently.

Brenny flashed Dea a grateful smile. "I just don't like anyone being alone," he said. "Especially not for a long time like that... He needs to know that someone cares about him," he said. "Like I did, when Connie found me. I'm sure he's not too far into the forest," he said. "Jacen said he lived around here..."

There was sudden movement in a nearby bush. A yelp of pain and the sound of tearing clothing before something pink took off into the distance.

"I think that was probably him and sounds like he is in pain,"Dea spoke with worry.

"What do we do?" Brenny asked, tilting his head. "Want to go after him?" he asked Lucy. "We can go to together and see if we can corner him. To help."

"He may get spooked, but we can give it a try,"Lucy replied.

Brenny nodded, making his way towards the injured skitty. "It's alright," he called to the boy. "We're here to help." He went over to him, frowning in concern. "Why were you hiding in a thornbush?" he asked.

The skitty boy made no response, pulling at a piece of his shirt and tying it to his injured arm. "'M fine," he said. "Leave me alone."

Dea walked over carefully, using her cane as leverage to help her kneel near the bush.

"Wouldn't you like something to eat, little one?"she asked gently.

Artemis stared at Dea for a long moment, before silently nodding. He was hungry. When had his last meal been? Yesterday? The day before? He couldn't remember. He frowned and moved away from the group. "I'm okay," he said. "Just a scratch. I'm used to it." No big deal. He'd had worse in battles. "I'm Timmy," he said at last. "Artemis."

"My name is Deanna, Dea for short. I am a Pokemon linguist and trainer who lives in the town near here,"Dea smiled. She motioned for Eilam to grab something out of her bag and he nodded, getting her bag and pulling out a sandwich, before handing it to her.

"Hi Dea," Timmy greeted her curtly, eyes glued to the sandwich. A sandwich! He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen one. He took it from her hands and took several bites before chewing and swallowing. He seemed to think if he didn't eat it quickly, someone would take it from him.

"No one is going to take it from you, so enjoy it,"Dea spoke calmly.

Artemis hesitated for a long moment, swallowing his second bite and nodding in understanding. This woman would protect him, it seemed.

"See, nothing will happen. Take time to enjoy the sandwich, tastes even better when you do,"Dea smiled.

Timmy finished his sandwich and flashed Dea a small smile. He glanced towards Eilam and shivered. It seemed he was still skittish around others; it would take some time for that to wear off. "Thank you," he muttered, returning his gaze to Dea.

"You are very welcome, I figured you might be hungry. I always carry food with me, in case myself or my Poke kids get hungry,"Dea smiled.

Timmy nodded his thanks, flashing her another small smile. He gave a shiver. "I have to go," he muttered, slowly standing up. He averted his gaze and took off.

"You don't have to go,"Dea called after him gently, getting carefully back to her feet with Eilam's help.

Timmy hesitated, looking to Dea. He paused, swallowing audibly. "I don't?" he asked, blinking. "But I have to. I have a home--and it's going to be getting cold soon... I should start a fire..." he gave another shiver, wrapping his arms around himself.

Dea had Lucy hand her a bag and she pulled out a blanket.

"Here, this might help,"Dea spoke gently.

Timmy moved to take the blanket hesitantly, smiling at Dea. "You're very kind," he said. "I've never met a human as kind as you are." Well, that wasn't true, he thought. His trainer had been... He would have liked to talk to Dea more, but there were so many others...

Dea gave a telepathic message to her 'children' and they all nodded their heads.

"Brenny, I thought I saw some berries over there, maybe we should pick them,"Lucy told the other, knowing he didn't get the same memo.

"Oh, I love berries. Maybe Mom can make pie,"Fluff piped up cheerily.

Brenny hesitated for a long moment, before beaming. "I love berries!" he agreed, taking Lucy's hand and leading her away from Dea. "Let's find enough for a pie. Maybe we could make it at my place!"

"Yes, maybe we can. Hopefully there is enough to make some kind of berry jelly too,"Lucy spoke with a smile, before secretly winking at Dea as they left.

"Oooh, jam!" Brenny was delighted. As a wild celebi, he had mostly fed on berries from the trees nearby; and so he knew of several good berry picking spots. "Come on, Lucy. I'll show you some of my favorite spots. Maybe we'll see my sister, too! Do you think she'd be eating berries at the same time?"

"It is always possible, Brenny, you never know what might happen. Oh Eilam is going to stay behind, in case Dea needs him. She is still recovering and she is pregnant,"Lucy explained.

Brenny nodded in understanding. "Artemis seems really skittish," he said. "He must not have met very many friendly pokemon while he was wild. Maybe he'll trust Dea."

"I sure hope so, if anyone can do it, it would be her,"Lucy said with pride in her voice.

"Here we are!" Brenny said, pointing to a berry bush with a smile. "Do you have anywhere to put the berries? I'm sure they'll be fine, as long as you put them somewhere they won't be squished."

Timmy hesitated. "You're a trainer?" he asked. "...Do you think I could come along too? Mine died... Her relatives didn't want to take me in. I reminded them of her."

"I think we have a pail with us,"Lucy replied to him thoughtfully.

"Yes, I am a trainer, have been a long time. Of course, if you wanted, you could come with us,"Dea replied.

"...I'm afraid," the skitty boy admitted. "I don't want to go. Not if they're going... I can't." He turned away from her.

"What's the matter?"Dea asked gently.

"I don't like other pokemon," Timmy confessed. His trainer had preferred a single Pokemon household, so the skitty never really had the chance to form strong bonds with others. He had been kept as a companion, a playmate, something that provided love and affection for a sickly woman. His experiences with Pokemon after the death of his trainer frightened him. They were powerful, terrifying--wild. "I can't come with you."

"Aww, well I am sorry to hear that you do not like other Pokemon. I assure you, my Pokemon are not like any you might have encountered. What if someone builds you a place nearby, til you feel more comfortable around the others? You would not the only Pokemon I have that does not live with me,"Dea spoke gently.

"I can find a place," the skitty boy began awkwardly, "I don't need anything big or fancy... just somewhere I won't get rained on."

"Alright, that is fine,"Dea assured.

Timmy gave a smile and a nod. "Okay," he said, "I'm yours,"

"Alright, welcome to the family,"Dea smiled brightly to him.

How long had he been settled back in the city? A couple of months now he realized. His house that he'd bought hadn't been in great shape when he moved in, so he'd been working hard on getting it back into decent shape. He'd fallen in love with the house when he saw it, it was one of those traditional Korean style homes...though he didn't have a super tall fence and gate for privacy, though it was still pretty tall, and did provide ample privacy. The gate gave way to an inner courtyard where he had lush grass, various plants, a large tree...and it wrapped around to a decent sized backyard. His house had four rooms and a bathroom, not to mention kitchen area, a place to eat, and of course a laundry area. He loved his house even if it kept him busy, and it was a little lonely there.

There was one thing different from the description of Cam's backyard. There was a pair of pink ears hiding behind one of the royal empress trees. The child those ears belonged to was just as pink, but that seemed to be from prolonged exposure to the sun. He was sunburnt, and the boy didn't seem to notice it. He was too busy crying. The skitty boy in question was Artemis, or Timmy, as he preferred to be called. He had recently been adopted by a pokemon linguist, Dea; but she had a large number of others living in her household. He was still adjusting to getting used to the presence of others--and so many tended to overwelm him. She had even offered to build him somewhere to stay, but he had refused saying he'd find somewhere--and so he had! Under the royal empress tree.

Cam had decided to step outback and do some work in his yard he had some thirsty trees and other things, and so with his hose in hand he began the process of watering every where. His mind was wandering however and he didn't notice the pink ears, or they boy they belonged to. No instead he was watering away...and likely right over the crying, sunburnt child.

Artemis hated water almost as much as he hated the sun just then. It seemed to scrape at his skin, forcing him to wrap his arms around himself in order to protect his shoulders from further injury. He sniffled. Maybe this royal empress tree hadn't been the best home for him. He would have to find another--ah! There was another tree! He made his way over to that one, pulling in his legs to his chest as he sat under it.

Of course, the water was following. Cam was watering his precious trees. But he happened to look up as the water got closer, and he adjusted the spray of the hose, blinking at the boy. "Hello there...are you lost?" the hose was set down and left to run, it could soak the area around the trees for now. He instead moved towards the crying boy. "You look sunburnt. You should come under the shade over here."

Timmy gave a sniffle, wiping at his eyes. He seemed to want to bolt at of sight. The boy had been feral for a rather large amount of time after his trainer had died unexpectedly. His trainer's relatives had been unable to take him in due to financial issues--and as he had been bred as a pet, rather than a pokemon ready to battle, they had left him to his own devices. He gave a silent nod in Cam's direction, moving into the shade the teenager indicated.
"There you go. Stay right there and I'll get you something cold to drink. You look like you could need it." he went inside quickly and got some nice cold water before coming back out and back to the boy. "I'm Cam. You alright?" he looked upset.

Timmy took the water and slowly sipped at it. He stared at Cam for a long while. "Timmy," he said, quietly. "I'm Timmy. 'M okay. Been worse. Was almost frozen solid once by an angry polywhirl." He hesitated. Why was it so easy to talk to this teenager? He hadn't opened up like that to his new family. He took another sip of the water. "Thank you."

Cam moved over to one of his plants a slightly prickly looking thing and carefully broke off one of the leaves. "This is aloe...if you put this on your sunburn it will ease the pain." he held the oozing plant out to the boy. "Ouch thats no good. So how did you manage to escape the polywhirl?" he sat crosslegged by the boy, a slight distance away to give space, but still close enough one could talk quietly.

Tristan hesitantly took the aloe leaf from Cam, and started to squeeze the liquid out. He rubbed it on the sunburnt skin. "My trainer saved me," he said, looking away from the teenager. "She was hit with the attack. I was young then, I couldn't--I wasn't--" the skitty boy swallowed. "After that, she took me home. She took care of me. But she died."

Cam frowned softly hearing the pain in the boys voice and he reached out and lightly touched his shoulder. "I'm very, very sorry for your loss. Losing a loved one is never an easy thing." of course it wasn't. "How long ago was that, if you don't mind my asking?" Cam was glad the boy was opening up and talking. It sounded like he needed to.

Tristan nodded at the boy's understanding. Losing his trainer had been one of--no, it had been the most painful thing he'd ever gone through. "Six months," he said. "I've been wild since. Recently, though, someone asked if I'd come home with them. I did, and I tried--I really did!" the skitty boy seemed distressed. "But I can't. There's too many people there. Too many... I can't..."

"Whoa...easy now...deep breath Timmy." words gentle. "Don't get upset. It's a big change going from being on your own to being with a houseful. How long have you been staying there?" he reached for the aloe and smeared some on his fingers and reached out to gently apply some to a few spots the boy had missed. "There..."

"I told her I'd find somewhere for me to live in for a while," Timmy said, wincing at the older boy's touch. He had become skittish, during his months as a whild pokemon. "I don't know how long," he said. "A few days. But being there made me feel like I was being suffocated. I was...so afraid. I can't--I told her I can't."

Cam's hand dropped away after a moment, and he had a thoughtful look. "Well you shouldn't live outside. Getting to be too hot and you'll keep being sunburned. You have anywhere you can stay?" he was retreating a bit again to give the boy the space he seemed to need.

Timmy frowned, shaking his head slightly. "I've been living outside for a long time," he admitted. Granted, for the majority of the time he'd spent on his own, it had been during the cooler months. "I don't have a place to stay," he confessed. "You live alone here? ...Can I stay in the garden?"

"Well, staying outside when its getting so hot out isn't good. It can be as bad for you as cold weather...maybe worse." he gave a nod. "I do live here alone yes...but no you may not live in my garden. There's no where decent for you to stay and be protected from things. However, I have two empty rooms, if you would like to stay in one for awhile. I wouldn't mind."

Timmy frowned when the teenager said he wouldn't be allowed to live in the garden. He had been hoping the garden would be a safe place from the elements and other pokemon. "I can't?" he asked, frowning. "But I--" he stopped as the older boy invited him to stay in a spare room. He stared at him for a long moment. "Okay," he said. "But I don't have anything to fill a room with."

"Well I have a bed in the rooms, and dressers and such. You said you'd been staying somewhere a few days. Do you have anything there? You should probably let the person know where you are too so no one worries." that would be bad. "Want a tour of the house?" Cam had been in this kids shoes once, no where to do and all. It was why he was helping.

Timmy hesitantly took Cam's hand and followed him. "I can tell her later," he said."She said I could stay somewhere on my own for a while. I don't think she'll worry much." he hadn't had someone worry over him in months. 'I'll tell her though. After you show me around?"

Cam let his hand be taken and gave a smile. "That's fine. Alright well first things first, we take our shoes off before we go inside. It keeps the wood floors cleaner." once they were off he stepped inside and began to point things out. "The kitchen, you're welcome to help yourself to anything you'd like. Over here is the dining room though I usually just stand at the kitchen counter since it's just me. Over here is the living room..." he continued to walk and pointed out the bathroom, laundry room, and the bedrooms. "This is my room here...and the others are over here. You can pick which ever of these two you'd like."

Timmy stepped into one of the rooms indicated by Cam. He studied it for a long moment. It was pretty empty, he thought, by human standards. But a bed and dresser were really all he needed. "Can I have this one?" he asked.

Cam nodded with a smile. "You sure can Timmy, I don't mind." of course not. "Do you have any extra clothes? I might have a few things you can borrow, though they'll be a bit big on you. But they might work till I can go buy you a few things of your own."

Timmy shook his head. "No," he said. "These are all I have," he gestured to his clothing. "I found my star after my trainer died," he said. "I struggled to find anything... But someone gave me these. They were nice. But they left."

"Hang on...I'm sure I have a few extra tshirts you can have. You can go wash up in the bathroom if you want, and I can wash these for you, and you can wear the shirt till they're clean. Then we, or I can go get you more clothes that fit you." he stepped from the room and into his own and found a few tshirts, and a pair of shorts that had a drawstring so they could be tightened. "Here, you can keep them if you'd like. I'll get you everything you'll need."

Surprise! Or what happened after Cam lost his temper?


Cam stretched with a groan. He ached to a point, always did when his temper got the best of him and he worked it out of his system. His knuckles on both hands had been cleaned and wrapped up securely and were still aching as they would for a few days.

Timmy had mostly recuperated pretty well the night before but he was still worried about the boy and so when Timmy had asked if Cam would read to him he didn't hesitate...and eventually realized the boy had fallen asleep cuddled up. Cam merely let him stay it meant he could keep an eye on him.

So he was carefully stretching this morning feeling Timmy still against him. One of his arms was wrapped around the other holding him close and he swore he heard loud purring which was a nice sound. Meant Timmy was doing okay. He started to gently rub the others back only to realize he was rubbing something a lot more fleshy than a back....what was his hand rubbing?

Timmy was indeed purring. He had scooted against Cam and though more than half asleep, the boy was alert enough to find that--whatever Cam was doing, it felt nice. "Mornin," he muttered, oblivious to the change in his voice. That could wait until later. Maybe his voice had fallen asleep, and that was what it sounded like when it just got up? He moved closer to Cam, snuggling. Sleeping with Cam was nice, he decided. Maybe he'd ask him to read more often.

Cam noticed a change in Timmy's voice. It sounded deeper and he wondered if it was due to the boy being half asleep. He'd never seen Timmy when he'd first woken up after all. His hand continued to stroke the others back and the fleshy spot, still not realizing what he was rubbing, he thought it was the others leg or something. "How are you feeling this morning? No lingering pain or anything?" words concerned as he stretched slightly and yawned trying to wake his mind up. He'd treated Timmy with stuff he had on hand to help the slight paralysis effect being zapped like he had, had brought about.

"'M okay," Timmy muttered, turning around to face Cam. Instead of looking at the older teen, he burrowed his face into the boy's chest. "Mmm. You even smell nice in the morning." he hesitated, blinking for a moment. "You're smaller today," he observed. "Did you shrink over night?" Come to think of it, his clothes felt smaller too. His shirt had hiked up over his belly. Maybe he'd grown over night.

"I'm glad you're okay. I'm still so sorry I zapped you." Cam sighed and brushed a soft kiss to the top of Timmy's head. Not a first when the two were settled together. "Smaller?" Cam blinked a moment, and there went his eyes opening fully...and he blinked. "Holy crap...Timmy...you're...you grew!" Surprised? Just a smidge. Cam lifted the blankets and peered down realizing the shirt that was being worn was extremely small on the other, and he was rubbing the others bare a**. He noticed a bit of cloth off to the sides, and realized it had to be the undies the boy had been wearing...that had broken from the strain.

Well as out of it as they'd both been it was no wonder they hadn't heard the tearing fabric. "That explains the deeper voice....go look in the mirror I have on the back of my door Timmy..." it was one of those full length ones. Though of course Cam wasn't thinking that with Timmy's shirt being small, and undies broken...nothing would be kept from sight.

Timmy stood, wandering towards the mirror. He was still half asleep, and so was oblivious to the consequences of his actions. He stared at himself in the mirror for a long moment. He really had grown! "I'm almost as tall as you!" he exclaimed.

Cam woke up quicker, and saw the others butt peeking under that shirt...well more than peeking. Cam could see front and back of Timmy thanks to the mirror...and the boy...well no longer was a boy! He'd grown up...and nicely.

He tore his eyes away after a few moments, a slight pinkness to his cheeks, and cleared his throat. "You're getting there. Maybe you'll grow a little taller still." Cam looked back over with a gentle smile. "I'll loan you some of my clothes again till I can go get you new ones."

Timmy blinked, turning to face Cam. He nodded in thanks. "Thank you," he said. "It's really kind of you to share so much with me." Maybe now, he thought, Cam would pay attention to him. He had been upset with the older boy, when he'd noticed him casting his eyes to the girls on the beach. But now that Timmy was older--surely he was as good looking as any girl? Or would he have to wear a bikini to get Cam's attention?

Cam was still looking at Timmy...really looking at him, and he sat up slowly...and opened his arms out to the other. "Come here? I need to talk to you." oh dear.

"Last night when I went to get some books from your room, I saw your journal laying open...and I saw your most recent entry about what happened at the beach and how I made you feel...and I want to apologize. I didn't realize I made you jealous."

His voice was sincere as he spoke, a soft smile on his lips. "I didn't realize when you told me you loved me...you meant as more than friends and such...that you were in love with me...and I apologize so much for upsetting you like I did."

Timmy blushed, skin going a dark pink as he looked away from Cam. "That's why I asked Urban how I could get your attention," he said. "All those girls had it, and they hadn't done anything. It wasn't fair. I didn't know how I felt, really... It just--" he frowned, crossing his arms. "That's why I was so upset at the beach. I didn't mean to make a scene. But--" he wasn't sure how to explain it. How could girls whom Cam had never met deserve his attention more than Timmy did? Because they had those big lumps on their chests? Timmy wrinkled his nose at the thought.

"That explains that. I couldn't understand why..." he sighed quietly and gave a wry smile still feeling bad about his loss of temper. "Well Timmy...you were a kid...not a teen...it was more natural to look at the girls and guys there in that way than you...." he felt horrible saying it, but he was trying to explain the age difference had been the issue.

"Big lumps...oh their breasts...they're nice but you know what? You're nicer. I'm sorry I made you upset Timmy. I won't do it again."

Timmy hesitated for a long moment, before moving into Cam's arms and hugging him. "I'm sorry I upset you," he said. "I upset you by asking Urban when I really should have just told you how I was feeling. Then you wouldn't have lost your temper." He paused, blinking. "Really?" he asked. "That was the only reason? Because I was a kid?"

"I can understand asking Urban for advice...but he could have been more careful in what he told you." a wry smile was given as he wrapped his arms around Timmy and hugged him close. Though there was a slight blush on his face. "That was the biggest issue yes. I thought that what you were feeling was a childish crush you'd grow out of...that you weren't serious..." well it was true!

"But now that you know my feelings are serious, what are we going to do?" Timmy asked, tilting his head slightly as he leaned against the boy. "Will I have to move out? I know you dated Urban before... Do you still have feelings for him?"

"We'll have to take this one step at a time. No, I'm not going to have you move out. This is your home after all." though look at him blink and give a low laugh arms tightening. "Ahhh Timmy, no. Urban is just a good friend now. We broke up years ago, and while we may have still had sex once in awhile we haven't done that in years either. Now, well he has Solange who he's serious about."

He smiled and brushed his hand through the others hair. "And it seems I have you...I'm willing to try dating...if you want. I can't promise things will work out but we never know unless we try, right?" and there he went, dipping his head...and softly brushing his lips against Timmy's, kissing him gently.