Final stretch, here we go.

Darkness and Light, Into the Chaos!

Andre heard a knock on his door. "Come in." he called, used to the occurrence. Ash's gang was always cycling through his office offering help, asking advice, or challenging him to a battle (The last one was mostly Ash, kid was tenacious). He wasn't used to seeing the purplette that came in. "Paul? This is a surprise." the black-clad boy chuckled. "What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you could help me figure something out." Paul replied nervously, coming in and sitting in one of the chairs.

Andre was sure if he was drinking something he would have done a spit take. He felt Tails' eyes widen more than saw it as she hopped from her trainer's shoulder. "Come again?" the trainer asked.

"You heard me. Can you help me figure something out?" Paul repeated in his usual annoyed tone.

Andre shook his head and chuckled, sitting across from his guest. "Depends. If it's something about training I can definitely help. If you want to take a trip to one of the regions I can help. If you're finally realizing you've got the hots for Cera I don't know how much help I can be."

Paul almost fell out of his chair anime style. "How did you-?"

Andre barely contained his laughter. "Paul. You're a completely different person since she came into your life. Good different, mind you. But let's list the facts. One: You two are pretty much joined at the hip. This is the first time since you two met that I've even seen you without her. Two: You pretty much dote on her, reading her stories, helping manage her blindness and grow stronger, and spend any and all free time doing something she enjoys. I remember the picnic last week." Paul blushed slightly at having been caught, but Andre wasn't done. "Three: Everyone has noticed it. Hell, Ash noticed you're starting to develop feelings for your gardevoir."

Paul almost facepalmed. If oblivious Ash noticed the way he's been acting, it must have been obvious. "And the fact she is a gardevoir doesn't bother you?"

That time Andre laughed aloud, Tails soon following as she rolled onto her back and kicked her legs. "Paul, I'd be the biggest hypocrite in the world if I said that was wrong in my eyes!" the black-clad boy managed to get out between his laughs. After calming down slightly, he continued, "And would anyone on this island really be all that off-put?"

Paul thought it over. Ash would probably go into a speech about how "If your heart says it's okay, then go for it." Serena would think it was romantic in a forbidden love kind of way, the girl was hopeless. Clemont and Bonnie already suspected him, and had admitted they didn't care about something like that. The only possible problems he could see were with Max and Brock, and even then he doubted the thought. A wry grin on his face, he stood. "I guess you have a point, thanks Andre."

"You're welcome." the hybrid replied, watching the purplette go. "Just don't forget to tell Cera how you feel." he added. Paul jerked slightly before glaring at Andre and slammed the door, prompting a laughing fit from the dynamic duo of the room.

..At the same time..

Cera was admiring the flowers around the training grounds. Paul had asked her to keep an eye on the team's training while he talked to Andre about something important, but she knew the others would keep training as hard as they could without her supervision. She still glanced over now and again but they didn't capture her attention.

"Hey Cera!" the gardevoir extended her powers to "see" Bonnie approaching. "How are you?" the blonde asked.

"I'm well. How about you?" Cera replied. People still made her nervous, but Bonnie's energy and innocence seemed to put the Pokémon at ease more often than not.

"I'm great! I was kinda bored, so Squishy and I decided to come to the training grounds to see how Paul was doing. Where is he anyway?" Bonnie wondered, plopping down on the grass.

Cera giggled. "He said he had to talk to Andre about something. I imagine he'll be back soon." she replied. She heard the blonde mutter something but didn't catch it. "I'm a little surprised to find you without Max. Where is he?"

Cera knew Bonnie was blushing as she replied, "H-he's helping Rebecca and Clemont with something. I still don't understand the technobabble those three spout sometimes."

The two chatted for a few minutes before Cera felt Paul's approach. "As lovely as it's been to talk to you, Bonnie, I have to get back to my training."

"Oh come on! Everyone knows you're Paul's ace at this point." Bonnie grumbled. Cera had to admit the girl was right. She had been training non-stop, even challenging Torterra, Ursaring, and Electivire three-on-one to improve herself. She wasn't interested in being an ace, she just wanted to be powerful enough not to disappoint the first person to believe in her.

"Even so, if I take it too easy I'll lose my edge." Cera countered, focusing on the boulder she knew to be a few feet away from her. It was a simple warm-up exercise, she had done it a million times, but this time she took a deep breath before gathering her power and lifting the rock. It was heavy, it always was, but she still lifted it about a foot above her head before moving it in a figure eight a few times.

"Cera, can I talk to you for a moment?" Paul's voice cut her concentration and she dropped the boulder, causing the ground to shake and catching the attention of the other Pokémon training.

"S-sure, just give me a second." Cera replied, lifting the boulder and placing it back in it's usual spot before joining her trainer's side. "What's up?"

"Not here, come on." he replied, taking her hand and leading her away.

Cera was sure she was blushing. She knew she loved Paul, there was no doubt in her mind about that, but she couldn't help the fluttering of her heart whenever he showed any affection for her. She was sure she was reading too much into it. He's a human after all, how could he ever love a Pokémon? That was why she never told him. She was worried he'd reject her, or worse release her. She was happy by his side, she didn't have to be in his heart. She was snapped from her thoughts as Paul stopped abruptly. She felt his hand let go of hers and silently bemoaned the loss of heat. "So what was so important that you had to pull me away from the others?" she asked playfully.

Though she couldn't see it, Paul rubbed the back of his head nervously. "I needed to tell you something and I didn't want that blonde demon overhearing and broadcasting it to the world." he admitted. Cera giggled at her trainer's description of Bonnie. The girl was a hopeless romantic and often tried to play matchmaker, usually with Andre's help. "Cera, I want to know exactly how you feel about me."

Cera's confusion at the request was evident. How she felt? Did he know? Best to play it safe for now. "I think you're harsh but fair, that you're the greatest trainer I could ask for, and I've always wanted to be a Pokémon you could be proud to have on your team despite the fact I'm blind. Is that all you wanted?"

"No." Paul replied, shaking his head. "I know you're hiding something from me, Cera. And I think I know what it is."

Cera was close to panicking. He couldn't know, could he? Was this why he had brought her aside? Was he going to release her? Of course, who would want some blind gardevior for a mate? Paul could see the beginnings of a panic attack come over his ace and he did as he always did, pulling her in for a tight hug. Cera's chest spike poked him slightly but he couldn't find it in him to care. "Cera, I'm about to do something completely crazy and out of character. Feel free to stop me at any time." he whispered into her ear before tilting her head to face him. Paul began to move his face closer to hers.

Cera couldn't believe it. Was this really happening? Was Paul about to...YES! He was kissing her! The embrace Pokémon felt happy tears form in her eyes as she returned the kiss. She could sense the relief in Paul as the two basically made out wherever they were(In a hall near his room). After the need for air overtook them, the two separated, panting heavily. "You were right, there was something I was hiding because I was afraid of what you would do. But now those fears are gone." Cera admitted, pulling her trainer close. "I love you, Paul. And I have for a long time now."

Paul smiled against his Pokémon's forehead as he placed a soft kiss. "I love you too, Cera." he whispered.

And done! This concludes How I met my Girlfriend, but reviews are always welcome. I'm also probably going to get back to My Ash Betrayal fic soon, so be on the lookout for that, but otherwise leave a review on what you thought, no flames or Pikachu will hit you with a thunderbolt, and I'll see you all later.