- 3 -

Wholehearted

There wasn't much that made Candice nervous. It was useless to get nervous. All it did was ruin her focus and mess things up, and, anyway, she wasn't that type of girl.

Which was why she had no idea how to cope with the overwhelming, dizzying, helplessly weak-in-the-knees feeling that came over her when Volkner looked at her like that.

"Um, about that card…" Her voice was shakier than ever as she tried to find the right words. There had to be a way to explain herself without sounding one Pokémon short of a full team. "I took a Water Pulse in the head yesterday. A big one. And I think it must have hit me a little too hard because this whole valentine thing seemed like such a great idea at the time," she went on, painfully aware that she was rambling faster than Barry on a sugar high, but at a loss for how to stop. "And I know it was totally out of nowhere and I'm sorry if I made things awkward and if you want we can just forget it ever happened—"

"Candice—"

"And I hope we can still be friends—"

"Candice. Shut up."

"You're really rude." She pouted at him. "You know that?"

"Finally. And you're telling me to relax." Smirking, he held up the valentine she'd sent. "You can't honestly think I came all the way here to complain."

Volkner had a point, she realized. He didn't exactly live close by. And it wasn't as if he had nothing else to do. He wouldn't make the trip to not go out with someone he didn't like.

His never-ending confidence seemed to falter a little as he stepped toward her. "You wanted to hang out, didn't you? Well, I'm here."

That was a yes. Definitely a yes. Overcome by sheer relief and something that felt a lot like bliss, she ran to hug Volkner, forgetting for an instant that her gym was made of ice. She lost her footing before she knew it, crashing gracelessly into his chest and nearly knocking him to the ground.

It was lucky he'd managed to catch her. As she scrambled to regain her balance, she found herself tangled in his arms, peering up at his laughing face. "Sorry about that." She giggled. "Happens all the time."

"Take it easy." He steadied her, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Wouldn't want you to hit your head again."

But then something else hit her. If he'd been up for this all along, why hadn't he picked up the phone and said so?

"You could have called, you know." She gave him a playful shove. It turned out harder than she'd intended. "I mean it, Volkner. Do you have any idea what it was like, waiting around for you all day?"

"I didn't think of that," he admitted, meeting her eyes straight on. "Look. I don't do Valentine's Day. I don't even like Valentine's Day. If you want the truth, I almost didn't go through with this."

"With what?" She blinked in confusion. "You might as well live at the Battle Frontier. Is it that big a deal if I go with you for once?"

"That's the thing. I'm not taking you to the Battle Frontier."

"But I thought you loved that place."

"I do." He flashed her that disarming grin of his, and for a moment she wondered if they'd never make it out of the gym because she'd faint right then and there. "But it's Valentine's Day, Candice. This is your day. It's the one day you can be as much of a hopeless romantic as you want and nobody can laugh at you or tell you to get a life. You don't really want to spend it in battle, do you?"

"Well… no."

"Good. Because I've got other ideas."

She could have guessed that they'd end up in Sunyshore. She could even have guessed that he'd take her to the lighthouse. But she never could have guessed what she'd find waiting for her there.

"Volkner, it's… incredible." As she gazed out at the horizon with him at her side, a rainbow of fireworks lit up the sky, coloring the already picturesque view with every shade imaginable. "I have to say, I didn't think you of all people would be into this."

He waved off her remark. "I just like it here. Fireworks or not."

"This is so cool." It wasn't something they did in Snowpoint, that was for sure. "I mean, who knew Valentine's Day was such an event here? Kind of makes me wish I lived in Sunyshore."

Volkner just smiled. "Feel free to visit anytime."

This was turning out to be the most perfect Valentine's Day ever. Volkner had taken her hand in his, and Candice reveled in the feeling and watched with fascination as another firework burst into the air.

And another. And another. Like there was no tomorrow. The whole sky was filled with them, streaking through the heavens in bold ribbons of color. It was the most ridiculous over the top amazing sight she'd ever seen.

"Whoa." She giggled. "Somebody likes fire a little too much."

"No kidding." He moved a touch closer, his arm now around her waist, and she noted happily that he was laughing along with her.

"Who does these, anyway?"

Volkner just shrugged. "How would I know?"

It was just the two of them. Just her and Volkner and the breathtaking view, though she didn't think anything could compare to those piercing blue eyes of his.

"It's almost like a movie," she mused. Like the ending to a Pokéstar Studios romance, but real. And much, much better.

"What, this?"

Realizing she'd been thinking out loud, Candice felt a warm blush spread across her cheeks. "Sure. Too beautiful to believe, right? And isn't it strange how we're the only ones here? You'd think this place would be packed with couples."

He grinned at her. "Not that strange."

"Why do I get the feeling you know something I don't?"

Volkner stared off into the distance for what seemed like an eternity before he finally spoke. "It's closed. Closed for repairs."

"Ooh, you're such a rebel," she joked. "Wait till the repairman finds us here."

"That'd be me."

"Lucky for us. So what's wrong with the lighthouse, anyway?"

Volkner averted his eyes once more, and she began to wonder if this was some top secret Sunyshore business he wasn't allowed to discuss. But then a look of resignation crossed his features.

She'd never forget what he said next.

"Nothing at all."

Her heart skipped a beat as it dawned on her. He'd closed the lighthouse so they could be there together. Alone.

"Wow," she whispered. "That's really romantic, Volkner."

"Well, yeah." He was nonchalant even then. "That's kind of what I was going for."

"Know what would make it even more romantic?" she hazarded, her gaze locked on his smile.

"You know, I think I do."

The kiss he gave her made even the fireworks seem dull.

She drew back from him but didn't let go, holding tight to the sleeves of his jacket. The moment had only just passed, and she could already imagine herself playing it over and over a million times in her head.

"I was actually going to ask if we could dim the lights," she teased, still slightly breathless. "But I liked your idea better."

Volkner just laughed. "Happy Valentine's Day, Candice."

Sooner or later, she'd known it would have to end. The last of the fireworks were fading from the horizon, and Candice watched wistfully as they disappeared, not wanting the night to be over just yet.

"So this is it." She cast a glance at Volkner, silently hoping it wasn't.

"This is it." His expression mirrored what she felt. "Unless… you wanted to see the beach?"

"I'd love to."

As they descended upon the beach, Candice caught sight of a man approaching, his figure obscured by the moonlit shadows—all but a vibrant red head of hair.

Volkner turned back at once. "How about seeing the city instead?"

But that looked like—

"Isn't that Flint?" There was no mistaking him. Not many people had hair like that. "What's he doing here?"

"Don't ask." Volkner's voice took on a guarded tone. "Let's go. The beach gets cold at night, anyway."

"Hey, Flint!" she called out. Something was definitely up.

Sure enough, Flint ran to meet them. "Hey, you two! How'd you like the fireworks?"

"Loved them." Candice beamed as Volkner stood beside her in tense silence. "You saw them too?"

"Saw them?" Flint's eyes lit up with mischief. "More like set them off. Most fun I've had all year."

"That was you with the fireworks?" Now it made sense. If there was anyone she knew who was a little too fond of fire…

"Yeah. And believe me, it wasn't easy. Volkner and I had a hell of a time smuggling them over from Kanto last Friday."

Candice looked from Flint to Volkner and back to Flint again as the meaning of his words sunk in. "You guys planned this?"

"Are you kidding?" Flint shook his head incredulously. "Volkner's been planning this for weeks."

"Flint." Volkner glared at him.

"What, you didn't tell her?"

And as Flint found himself the recipient of a lengthy verbal attack from his furious best friend, Candice couldn't help but smile. After tonight, there was no denying that even Volkner had a romantic side.

No matter how hard he tried to hide it.

A/N: Go ahead. Tell me anything. Even if it's "No way, Volkner and Jasmine forever!" or "Oh, god, not another lighthouse story." What did you like? What didn't you like? Which valentine was your favorite? How evil was that cliffhanger at the end of chapter two? Did the ending take you by surprise, or did you see it coming a million miles away? Is anyone even reading this now that the Black/White sequels are out?

As always, I can't thank you all enough for the reviews… you guys are awesome! :)