After we cleaned up, we returned all of our Pokémon to ther Pokéballs. “Ready to walk back to the City?” I asked. “Ugggh, I guess. This lunch was too relaxing. I don’t know how I am going to focus at work after this” Jenny said as she caught up to me. I took her hand and gave it a kiss, “if you aren’t working though, who will protect Viridian City and Pallet Town?” I asked. “I guess it’s up to me. Wait a minute, you handled 10 Team Rocket Grunts all by yourself. You don’t even need me to protect Pallet Town” Jenny said while blushing and giving me side-eye. “But I need an excuse to see you” I said teasingly. Jenny didn’t pull away as we walked together holding hands “Do you really think I can be a Pokémon Trainer?” she asked quietly. “Jenny, I haven’t known you for very long, but I bet you could do whatever you put your mind too. I mean, even just being Officer Jenny is hard work I bet. Filling your Mom’s shoes can’t have been easy. I’m sure people still compare you to her all time right? Yet, I bet you are doing the absolute best you can” I said staring ahead at Viridian City. Jenny stopped and let my hand slip from hers. “How can you be so sweet to me? Like you said, you barely know me and yet it’s like you can see right through me. I like how you treat me like a friend even though I am “Officer Jenny.” Most people can’t get past the uniform and just assume things about me. In one week, you have already done and offered to do more nice things for me than the entire city combined” Jenny said looking a little misty eyed. “Thank you for giving me a chance Jenny. I can’t wait to get to get to know the real Jenny even more. Training together, planning together, and going on dates sounds like an awesome way to prepare for a grand adventure together” I said taking both of her hands gently in mine. “Uggggh I can’t go back to work like this! I’m going to be an air head all day” Jenny said trying to hide her face. “I have to go pick up an Ekans from Nurse Joy when we get back. Why don’t you come with me and I will come to the station with you after and volunteer to help clean up or help sort things for you?” I offered to Jenny. “That sounds wonderful, let’s do it” she said taking my hand and leading the way to the Pokémon Center.

  “Well look at you two” Nurse Joy said as we entered. “I think I am going to be sick” she said with a smile. “Geez Nurse Joy, no need to harsh our vibe. I’m here to grab that Ekans now that needs a trainer” I reminded her. “Oh yes, thought you two were here to rub it in” Nurse Joy said reaching under the counter to grab Ekans Pokéball. “So anything new I should know about Ekans before I begin working with him?” I asked. “No, I think you nailed the diagnosis initially and he is going to need a steady and calm hand to help him grow and become a good Pokémon. I’m not sure how he will develop, but I bet if it’s someone like you with lab resources that he can pull through” Nurse Joy said as she typed up Ekans information. “Thank you Nurse Joy, I’ll make sure he gets some rest and rehabilitation. When he’s ready, I’ll give him all the love and affection he deserves and has missed out on” I said while equipping Ekans Pokéball to my belt. “Okay, let’s head to the station” I said turning to leave the Pokémon Center.

  “I can only stay till dinner time and then I have to head back to feed the Lab Pokémon” I said as we entered the station. “Okay, sounds good. Having someone else here will help keep me on task” Jenny said as she went to go change in the restroom. While she was away, I began by sweeping up the entrance area, and then grabbed an old looking vacuum and gave everything a once over. I found some window cleaning solution that happened to be blue like a famous product I knew from Earth. I got to work wiping down the windows and making them shine. Jenny came back out and stopped, “did you already clean the whole floor?” she asked looking around. “Yeah, and just finishing up the inside part of the front windows. I’ll do the outside next” I said while I kept wiping. “Wow, you’re the fastest cleaner I have ever seen! This usually takes me half an hour just to get the front area done” Jenny said while watching me work. “I was raised to help cook and clean. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid. No playing or having fun till everything is clean and ready for company” I told Jenny as I finished the last window. “Be right back, I’ll finish the outside windows real quick” I said as I stepped outside.

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  After about an hour, I had cleaned all the floors, washed down the counters, scrubbed the windows, and even gave the cells a complete washing. “Austin, you’re going to make a great housewife someday!” Jenny said from her desk where she was doing paperwork. “I need a ring first before you get this all the time” I snapped back in my sassiest voice. Jenny just started laughing and covered her face. “I’m still thinking about it, but maybe some day I’ll save up enough to get you that ring you’ve always wanted” she said playing along. “Okay, now that everything is clean, I’m going to bring out Ekans so I can talk to him. Are you good?” I asked. “Yeah, go for it! Let me know if you need anything or any help” Jenny said giving me a thumbs up from her desk.

  “Come on out Ekans!” I said holding up his Pokéball. In front of me appeared the coiled up Ekans, who immediately started looking around. “Hey buddy, do you remember me?” I asked looking at him. “Ek ek” Ekans said as he looked around more. “You’re not at the Pokémon Center anymore. I’m going to be your new trainer going forward, and also hopefully your new forever friend” I said pointing to myself. Ekans started tilting it’s head back and forth looking confused. “Are you hungry at all bud?” I asked Ekans as I started going through my bag. Ekans nodded a bit still looking confused. I put on a glove and pulled out a deceased Rattata and threw it to Ekans. Immediately it must have triggered a natural instinct in Ekans as it caught it in the air and coiled around it squeezing like a normal snake. In just two minutes, the Rattata was gone and Ekans looked much happier. “You know what, you seem like a fun guy, and you need a fun name!” I said looking at Ekans. “You seem like a sweet guy as well, how about Taco?” I asked. Ekans seemed to nod as he got more comfortable and slowly started to unwind. “All right, from now on your name is Taco, and you shall be my friend. Put it there” I said putting my hand out. Taco, looked unsure and just put his head on the palm of hand and sat there. “I’ll take that as a yes” I said chuckiling to myself. “Taco, would you like to meet some more of your new friends?” I asked while getting a Pokéball ready. Taco nodded his head and coiled up to make himself look taller. “Come on out Po!” I said letting Po meet Taco first. “Lick lick” Po said as he sat down next to me looking at Taco. Taco flicked his tongue towards Po, and then slithered over and wrapped himself around Po’s mid section. “I think he likes you Po!” I said while watching Taco get comfortable on Po’s belly.

  I let them talk for about 10 minutes before I called Jenny over. “Taco, this is my friend Jenny. I hope you two can be friends too” I said pointing at Jenny. “Hi Taco, it’s very nice to meet you” Jenny said while offering her hand for Taco to see. Taco put his head on her hand the same way he had with mine. “Wow Taco, you’re very good at making friends” I said stroking his scales. He really seemed to like all the attention and began to relax. Jenny let her Pokémon out to play, and I let out the rest of the team besides Tremor.

  We ended up staying there and letting everyone play together till it was finally time for me to walk back to Pallet Town. “Good bye Officer Jenny, hopefully we didn’t interrupt your work too much!” I said jokingly. “Good bye Researcher Austin, thank you for cleaning my whole station and playing with my Pokémon while I did paperwork” she said in the same tone as me. We both laughed, and gave each other a hug. “Thank you for today” I said to Jenny holding her hands. “No, thank you for today Austin. I hope I get a letter tomorrow?” Jenny asked with a blush. “As long as Cha is willing to fly back and forth, you’ll get a letter at least every other day minimum” I said with a smile. “That sounds perfect!” Jenny said. “Just let me know your schedule and we can schedule some dates and training time” I said still holding her hands. “I’m already looking forward to it she said” leaning in and giving me a kiss on the cheek. “Talk to you soon” she said giving a me a wink. I was speechless and as red as a tomato as I walked back to Pallet Town.