Fandom:Pokemon (Based on the games)

Pairing: Erika/Sabrina

Word Count: 900

Written for femslash bingo.

Erika sighed, for what seemed like the thousandth time.

It had seemed like such a wonderful idea: take the shortcut through the Viridian Forest to Route 16, and then she'd practically be back home in Celadon City. It would be a nice little trip, maybe she could even catch a Grass-type Pokemon or two.

But the surprisingly dense mazelike forest had proved out to be a challenge. The undergrowth was thick, and she had quickly congratulated herself on choosing to wear shorts instead one of her dresses. But as comfy and easy to wear as the khaki shorts might have been when running around on the streets or well-maintained paths, here in the dense undergrowth she found herself wishing she would have chosen to wear long trousers instead.

And there were bugs everywhere. She had been expecting far wonderful Grass-pokemon, not hives of Weedles. Or mosquitoes. Occasionally she'd take her Victreebel out, and at least she got fed...

But Erika's feet hurt, she was exhausted, a little bit lost, and starting to hope she had Pokemon that were big enough to ride. Or even ones that could fly her away, as much as she disliked the flying-type Pokemon that just lacked that certain kind of natural charm...

She patted her Tangela, and smiled. At least she had her, and other trusty Grass-type Pokemon who'd help her clear the way in this pathless jungle. She was starting to realize why no-one ever took this shortcut...

At least her Pokemon kept her on course. She could count on them being in their element.

Even though Erika herself was starting to realize she maybe appreciated nicely managed and kept nature more than this... wild mess.

Finally, she staggered onto the road.

"Thank you," she told her Tangela, summoning her back into a Pokeball. "You can rest now."

Unfortunately, she wouldn't be able to relax just yet.

Erika started to walk towards the North, on the mostly abandoned road. Occasionally a cyclist would pass her by, but cars were rare in Kanto. So it was somewhat of a surprise when a truck going in the same direction as her appeared and slowed down.

And the identity of the driver was even more of a surprise.

"Sabrina!"

The fellow Gym Leader nodded wordlessly.

The truck door opened seemingly by itself, which Erika took as an invitation. She climbed in.

"Thanks. You drive?"

She hadn't even known the psychic ever left her gym except for the rare meetings she had to participate in due to her position.

Sabrina nodded, keeping her eyes on the road. "I had business in Fuschia City."

"Ah."

Erika stretched on the seat, enjoying the opportunity to rest her legs.

She eyed the driver. Wasn't she too warm in that outfit? Although she looked nice, Erika was starting to feel self-conscious about her untidy clothing and scraped knees.

Of course when she'd meet Sabrina outside of Indigo League business it was be when she looked like this.

Actually-

"Why were you in Fuschia City?" she broke the silence. "On a car?" She recalled the psychic simply teleporting away from the meetings, and it was a coincidence...

Sabrina didn't look to her. Instead she stopped the car.

Erika wondered if she had offended her somehow.

"Was it fun? Your trek through the Viridian forest?"

It took a moment for Erika to pick up what her tone of voice was. It wasn't anger... Not just anger anyway. She almost sounded worried.

"Fun?"

Sabrina glanced at Erika's scraped knees. "You're fine? There are many poisonous and venomous creatures in that forest."

"I had Antidotes on me. Besides, I had my Pokemon with me, there was no danger."

"Of course."

Sabrina started the car again, and the trip continued in silence.

On the other hand it was a relief when Celadon City came to view, but on the other hand Erika was not planning on leaving the car before she had it all figured out. She wasn't even sure why she was bothered by this, she did enjoy Sabrina's company...

"I never mentioned I was walking through the forest."

"It was obvious."

Erika could spot a frown on the usually expressionless face. Maybe it had been an easy guess, but it felt like she was close to figuring something out.

"Did you know I was in the forest?"

That certainly was not out of the realm of possibility. She was a psychic, after all, but it didn't explain why she had apparently gone through the trouble of taking the trip there just to come and get Erika and give her a lift home.

"You possess some kind of psychic power I have never sensed in anyone," Sabrina told her.

"Excuse me?"

"You appear in my thoughts and dreams, and sometimes in visions. And when I'm close to you..."

The car stopped.

"This is your stop, isn't it?"

That snapped Erika out of her reverie. "What?"

But Sabrina was right, they were in front of her gym.

The door on the passenger's side opened, and Erika spoke up, afraid she'd be pushed out if she tried to stay in the car.

"So, thanks."

Sabrina nodded.

"Would you like to come and visit my gym sometimes? We have flower-arranging classes."

"That would be nice."

The small smile that barely tugged on the psychic's lips was returned thousandfold.

"It's agreed, then."