Hypothetical audience, have you all read Chapter 1? Yes? Good.

Weeks pass. Maylene trains, takes on challengers, attends an obligatory gym leaders meeting in Hearthome City she can't really see the point of (but the upshot is that the uniform idea's been shot down due to "unprecedented unpopularity". Candice shoots her a thumbs-up from across the room, though it certainly has nothing to do with Maylene). She keeps busy.

And then one day her parents drop by, unexpectedly. They want to see how the gym's looking, know how her training's going, what the challengers are like, the general glamorous reality of being a gym leader.

"It's good," she dutifully tells them, and declines her dad's offer of a battle, saying "Really, a trainer could come in at any minute – my Pokémon need to be ready."

"Yes, I guess so – although it's a shame, a friend of mine's just brought over a Pokémon we really thought you should see. You can never have too many, you know – have you thought about expanding your roster? He has some eggs, and I thought you might be interested…"

"Dad, thanks, but I'm – I'm doing okay with these guys," Maylene replies, glancing over at Meditite and Lucario, out of their Pokéballs for the occasion. They seem fine, but she's not sure they – or she, for that matter – would really want a new Pokémon on the scene. It would be impossible to explain this to her father, though.

"Hmm," he says, reluctantly. "Well, I suppose you know best – and you do seem to be doing great, I have to say. How many challengers yesterday?"

"Seven."

"And how many did you win?"

"Six," she replies, hastily adding "I only lost the last one because it was a girl with an all-Psychic team…"

"Ah," he nods, knowingly, irritatingly. "See, now if you had a Scraggy, that wouldn't be a problem. It's Fighting/Dark, you see – powerful combination. You should learn to cover your weaknesses, Maylene, it's…"

"Part of what being a gym leader's all about." she finishes, starting to feel defensive. "I know, Dad. I'm working on it."

"We're so proud of you, dear," her mom chips in. "You've done so well, hasn't she? Coming to this rank – you've worked so hard and it's paid off. And I know you'll only keep getting stronger."

Maylene mentions, in passing, that she'd been thinking of taking a break – just to go somewhere new, get out of the gym and of Veilstone for a while. She has been considering it, but it always seemed like one of those "maybe, someday, never" type of things. But today's making her realize that she really does want one. She needs to get out of here – as soon as is humanly possible.

Her dad narrows his eyes, like he's suspecting her of neglecting her duties, and Maylene feels guilty for a second, wondering if she really is just running away from it all. She pretends to consider a few possibilities, but really, she knows there's only one place she wants to go. When she says where, her mom asks if she's sure, it really is such a long way from here, and is she definitely prepared for it?

But she reassures them (and herself) that it'll be good for her as a gym leader to try new things, it won't be for long and of course she'll fit in some training while she's away, and eventually her father is pacified.

"Yes, that sounds good – a change of scenery is good for Pokémon, I think. Keeps them at the peak of their powers. And you, of course. It will be good for you all." He turns to address Meditite. "How about you, then? Feel like evolving any time soon?"

Maylene feels Meditite stiffen next to her, and she sighs. "Dad, I toldyou, he doesn't want to evolve yet. And I don't want him to if he's not ready."

He shakes his head, like she's being impossible. "Well, maybe one day. Surely it would make things much easier for you all, though?" Her mom shoots him a warning glance, and he drops it. "Fine, it's fine. You're the gym leader, after all."

Maylene promises her parents she'll call, and eventually she's left alone. She exhales, thinking. It's not that she doesn't like what she does, but it won't hurt anyone to go away – her would-be challengers can stand to wait for a few days. It will be good for her to get out. It's always good to train outside, in the wilderness, and she knows her Pokémon can take it.

And Snowpoint City is supposed to be beautiful this time of year.

A few days later, outside Mt. Coronet. Having made it through the mountain with relative ease, Maylene and Lucario are standing knee-deep in snow. It keeps falling, thick and heavy, and there's a harsh wind blowing in her face.

Maylene has to admit she's not really thought this through.

"It's good for us," she says, determinedly, as much to herself as to Lucario. "That's why I brought us here – it's the ultimate test of our training. It's out in the cold like this that we can really see the results."

Lucario says nothing, but Maylene swears he gives her a knowing look for a moment.

But they press on anyway, through the blizzard, up snowy hills, past the few skiers who are crazy enough to be out in this weather, and eventually make it to Snowpoint City. Maylene stops by the Pokémon centre – ostensibly to rest Lucario so he's fit for battle again, but she's so exhausted herself she almost falls asleep waiting.

She's happy, though, partly that she's made it here but also to be somewhere different. The snow has eased off a little, and the city has a certain magical feel that makes Maylene feel oddly excited.

Maylene means to go straight to her motel, really she does. It's just that she sees so many signs for the Snowpoint City Pokémon Gym, and she's curious as to what it looks like inside, and, well, she's sure Candice would like to know she's in town. It's only polite, after all.

The gym doors are open, but no one seems to be around. Maylene enters uncertainly, taking in her surroundings for a minute. The inside looks stunning; all ice pillars, artificial snow and slippery floor. Probably a health hazard, but stunning nonetheless.

She's wondering whether to shout, or just call it a night, when she hears Candice through the back door.

"Hello, someone there? We're really closed, but I guess I could fit one more in for –" Spotting Maylene, she looks amazed for a second, then breaks into a huge grin. "Maylene!"

Maylene waves a little awkwardly, while Candice makes her way across the icy floor, impressively gracefully, to greet her. "What are you doing here? I mean, it's great, but…"

"I was just in town, and – Sorry, are you closed? I can come back tomorrow – "

"No, it's fine – stay." Candice says, authoratively, so Maylene puts her bag down. "I can stay open a little longer for you. So…what are you in town for?"

Maylene gives her the official party line: "I just wanted a break, you know, from Veilstone and everything. Snowpoint's a beautiful city and…I thought it would be nice to come up here."

Candice smiles proudly, like she's personally responsible for the city's architecture. "It is, isn't it? But such a long way. You must be tired – and cold."

"No, it's good training, being out in the snow. I can't be slacking off now. And anyway, I owe you a rematch."

Candice nods. "Yeah, that's great – but seriously, May, you look freezing. Here –" She pulls at the blue sweater around her waist and thrusts it at Maylene. "Put this on."

"I'm fine," Maylene insists, but her point, she fears, is undermined by her being unable to stop shivering. Candice rolls her eyes like she's dealing with a difficult toddler.

"Fine, whatever, it's up to you – your health, after all." A glint appears in Candice's eye. "It'll be your fault when I totally beat you because you can't focus on the battle…"

Maylene knows when she's being played. But it doesn't stop her reluctantly grabbing the sweater, pulling it over her head. "Okay – but just to keep you happy." Seeing Candice's smug look, she adds, "But if you think you're going to win that easy…"

"Uh-huh, yep, we'll see." She smiles, maddeningly. "So, you ready to go now?"

Maylene nods, and when Candice motions, she follows her up onto the platform, where she guesses the official gym battles are supposed to take place. She blinks as Candice flicks a switch, and suddenly harsh lights are glaring down on them.

"If we're going to do this, we should do it properly, right?" she calls, from the other side of what seems like a very long stage (Maylene is definitely notjealous that her own gym is not quite so immaculately furnished. She is totally above these things). "You can even have a badge if you want – I've got tons of the things."

Maylene smiles. "Thanks, I think I'll pass. How shall we do this – the same as last time?"

"Works for me." Candice deepens her voice to an official-sounding boom. "This will be a one-on-one match, no time limit." Then in her normal voice, she amends, "Well, maybe some time limit. I don't want to be here all night. Just try not to make it really ridiculously long, okay?"

Maylene decides her best option is a by-now-refreshed Lucario, Candice sends out Abomasnow, and it's on.

Maylene's already worked out that speed is her best strategy; Abomasnow may be powerful, but they also tend to be slow. That's its weak point, and one she knows Lucario can easily exploit. So she focuses hard, trying to stay in sync with Lucario, anticipating the next move.

Candice is equally determined - Maylene can feel it from all the way across the stage - and Abomasnow looks to be the same way. For a long while the two Pokémon give as good as they get, heavy blows traded on both sides. As Lucario scrambles and skids across the floor, Abomasnow stands its ground, barely moving an inch. Candice knows her home turf well, knows how to manipulate it; one smartly-timed sidestep and Lucario almost crashes into a snowball at the side of the stage.

"Keep it together, Lucario!" Maylene yells, desperately.

Abomasnow grunts. Candice clenches her fists.

"We've got them – Seed Bomb!"

Abomasnow looses a fast, steady stream of seeds; they ping off the ice, but glance off Lucario. He's already in the air, shooting right over Abomasnow's head. It staggers, momentarily confused, and then…

"Lucario, now – it's time for the Aura Sphere!"

Lucario lands the blow right on target; Abomasnow cries out, Candice gasps, and Maylene holds her breath.

But it's not over yet; still reeling from the blow, Abomasnow manages to stay upright, and stomps hard on the ice. Lucario, startled, slides off-course.

The battle rages on, and it's intense. Even though there's nothing official about this match, even though Candice is her friend, her natural competitive instinct kicks in and Maylene will not, cannot back down now. Candice isn't giving an inch, either; Maylene sneaks a glance while the Pokémon are staring each other down and her eyes are blazing, concentrating fiercely.

Maylene's had plenty of battles in her time, though, and inevitably, all of them must end. As much as she sticks to the plan, she can sense Lucario's growing exhaustion as he dodges heavy blizzards, giving all he can. Abomasnow may be slow, but it's resilient; still barely moving, but always getting up when Lucario smacks it to the floor.

The two Pokémon struggle to keep going, but aren't giving in any more than their trainers are. Eventually, though, Lucario can't take it; Abomasnow unleashes a blizzard that seems to chill the whole room (Candice visibly shivers, although Maylene isn't sure if it's just dramatic effect – she's like that) and there's no way he can dodge it in time.

Lucario kneels, drops to the floor, and it's over.

"You did great," Maylene tells him, returning him to the Pokéball straight away for a well-earned rest. We lost, she thinks, and with the type advantage. But it doesn't feel like such a loss, strangely – it was a real match, a battle between equals. Watching Candice hug Abomasnow, she realizes she doesn't feel so bad.

Candice comes over to her side of the stage, beaming, and extends a hand. "Hey, May – great match, right?"

Maylene smiles, takes her hand and shakes it enthusiastically. "Great match. Well done – you too." she adds, looking at Abomasnow. The Pokémon is slumped on the floor, exhausted, but it claps its hands in appreciation.

Candice hops down off the stage, and sits on a bench at the side. Maylene, after a moment's hesitation, follows her. It feels good to get away from the harsh light, sitting together in the semi-darkness.

"Phew." Candice wipes her brow theatrically. "That was…"

"Tough?"

"Amazing. Best battle I've had in a long time, seriously – I mean that."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Even if I do say it to all my challengers after," she grins, and after a second's thought, Maylene frowns.

"Did you just call me a challenger?"

"Of course not – would I do that to you?" Candice demands, faux-indignantly.

Maylene just looks at her.

"Anyway, I don't really say that to everyone. Or do I?" She tilts her head like she's thinking about it. "Maybe occasionally. But only the cute ones." Maylene shoots her a warning glance. "Kidding! Oooh, you're scary when you're like this. But anyway, I did mean it just now."

"Sure." Maylene shakes her head disbelievingly, but she's still secretly pleased. "It was a great battle, though." After a moment's silence, she adds, "I guess you've been training…"

Candice tuts. "Is that so hard to believe? Yes, I have been training."

Maylene thinks she's still kidding. "I mean…"

Candice shakes her head, as if to say "forget it", and pats Maylene on the arm. "It's okay, May, I know what you mean. And thanks, I guess."

There's definitely a shift in the atmosphere – Candice is quiet, for one thing. She's looking into the distance with an unreadable expression. Mentally, Maylene congratulates herself on her spectacular conversation-killing skills.

Eventually, Candice says, "I get that people think I'm kind of a ditz."

"No, come on, they don't…" Maylene starts, but clearly she isn't convincing because Candice just shrugs.

"It's fine – I'm okay with it, really. Let's face it, I can be one, some of…maybe a lot of the time." She smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm not as serious as some of the other guys are, but whatever, that's how I am – I can't help that. But…"

"But?" Maylene prompts her, softly.

"But I wonder sometimes if people think that…I'm notserious about this. That I don't want it enough, that I'm not – worthy of being a gym leader, or something. You know, kids are always telling me I'm not what they expected an Ice gym leader to be like…"

"Screw the kids," Maylene says immediately. "They don't know anything – there's no right way to be a gym leader of a certain type. That's why we're doing this and they're not. You shouldn't listen to the kids."

Candice smiles faintly, which Maylene considers a victory – even among the guilt she feels because Candice just described her exact first impressions. "I guess not. But it made me think – I don't want people to think that, because I do want this, and I work hard for it. Maybe not in the exact same way as some of you guys, but I do." And then she shakes herself suddenly, like a Growlithe coming in from a rainstorm. "You know what, I'm sorry – I'm being ridiculous. I'm not usually like this…"

The thing is, Maylene's coming to realize, she doesn't want to be just "some of you guys". So now would probably be the time to say something.

"Candice, you're not…We don't…" Try again. "We all have different ways of doing things – not just gym leaders, you know, I mean every Pokémon trainer, ever. If anything, I'm probably too serious – um, but that's not the point. Anyone who's seen you battle could never think that you're not , because you're – well, you're really strong, you don't need me to tell you that. But when you battle, it's – you can tell you mean it, and that you love your Pokémon. Which is the most important thing, really…"

There's a long silence, until Maylene makes herself press on.

"But you're not a ditz, no one – no one who matters – thinks that. They think…" Gulp. "I think you're amazing."

It's not exactly the world's greatest pep talk – Maylene's more used to being on the receiving end, for one thing. But the smile that spreads across Candice's face makes her feel like she's just delivered the speech of the century.

"May, that's really…thanks." She grabs hold of Maylene's hand, folded in her lap, and squeezes it. "It means a lot to me to hear that. From you, I mean – cause you're pretty amazing too, you know that, right?" Maylene smiles, shrugs modestly.

"Well, I…"

"Seriously – I've learned a lot from you. About Pokémon and battling and stuff." But after a second, she evidently can't resist adding, "Even though, look at that - we still beat your ass."

Maylene elbows her in the side, possibly a bit harder than she intended, and Candice slides sideways off the bench, laughing – but she still has hold of Maylene's hand, so tugs her along, both of them landing on the floor.

It's not real ice, but it's cold and hard enough. "Ow."

Still giggling, Candice sits up, brushing herself off. "That was all your fault."

"No way, you started it."

"You did." She's rubbing her elbow as she repositions herself, but Maylene's pretty sure it's just for show. "I should have known, you Fighting leaders – so violent."

"At least we can…crack the ice." Maylene returns, but she knows it's a painfully lame comeback, and can't help laughing at the way Candice raises her eyebrows, as if to say really?

"Snowpoint's a long way from home."

Maylene doesn't actually realize she's said it out loud until she notices Candice looking at her quizzically. "Um…yeah."

She flushes – what is the matter with her? "Oh, um…nothing, sorry. I was just thinking."

"That you want to go home now?"

"No – no." She's trying to sound as casual as possible, but Maylene can feel her heart thudding, considering what she might be – maybe – possibly – about to say. "I meant that it's a long way, but…I'm glad I'm here."

"Even though…"

"Yes, even though you beat me, well done," Maylene cuts her off, smiling. "Whatever people think of me, I don't only think of Pokémon battles all the time."

There's a pause – she's letting that sink in? What was that, anyway? – during which Maylene's very aware of how close they're sitting. In the cold of their icy surroundings, she can almost feel the warmth from Candice's body. And maybe it is just the cold - but neither of them moves away.

"So, um," Candice's voice is soft - softer than Maylene's ever heard it - and there's something in her eyes that Maylene can't quite read, but she thinks, maybe…

"So what were you thinking about?"

"Well," Maylene starts to say, but then she shuts up, because – almost imperceptibly, yet very perceptibly, they're moving towards each other. Faces inches apart, Candice's knee just barely brushes against her own, and then…

And then, out of the corner of her eye, she sees something move – a huge, unidentifiable shape, looming ominously in the shadows. She catches sight of something – an arm, a leg? – barely visible from the battling arena – and instinctively, she jerks back.

"What…?" Candice jumps too, a worried expression crumpling her face. "Oh, I – I'm sorry, I didn't – I thought…" Maylene only shakes her head, still transfixed by the stage, and Candice follows her gaze.

Then she yells, "Abomasnow!"

And she reaches to turn on another switch, Maylene can't see where – the lights flare again and she blinks, like a spell's been broken, and yes, the Pokémon's still there on the stage, looking equal parts guilty and amused. She's relieved – of course, it must have been there the whole time, and of course she should have known that – but also a bit annoyed at herself, because really…

"What have I toldyou about listening in to other people's conversations?" Candice reprimands her Pokémon before, finally, pulling out the Pokéball until it disappears in a familiar stream of red light. "Sorry about that. Did she scare you?"

"No," Maylene lies quickly, feeling her blush must be amplified under the lights. "Just…surprised."

"Me too, believe me. I had no idea she was still there."

There's a moment's awkward silence, and Candice says, "That was so not smooth."

Maylene blinks, but when she catches Candice's eye, there's something about the expression on her face that makes them both giggle stupidly.

Composing herself, Candice manages to say, "I'm sorry about that. She's so nosy, it's really a problem…"

"It's okay, it's fine – it wasn't your fault, and it was nothing," Trying to affect a casual tone, Maylene adds "Pokémon, huh?"

"I know, right? There was this one time…"

It's not exactly premeditated – it's more like Maylene has a feeling that if she doesn't kiss Candice, it's possible she might not ever shut up.

It's soft, tentative at first, their lips just gently bumping. For a second – that feels like a lifetime – they're both just kind of hovering, and Maylene can't really process that this is happening.

Then she feels Candice murmur "Oh", softly, against her lips. She opens her eyes, and Candice's eyes are huge, and soft, and Maylene's…well, no one has ever looked at her like that before, and she couldn't begin to describe what it does to her.

So she settles for shifting, pulling Candice closer, and then Candice's hands are cupping her face, stroking her hair, and Maylene has no more coherent thoughts.

They draw apart, and Maylene – for some reason, it's like she can't make her mouth stop working – says "Um."

Candice says, "Yeah."

They sit there for a second, just grinning at each other like idiots, and Maylene has to stop herself from saying something dumb like thanks or that was fun, can we do it again?

Instead, she says, "I should…It's late. I should probably…"

"Yeah," Candice says again. As they head for the gym doors, Maylene allows herself a second's smug satisfaction that she – she! – appears to have rendered Candice – Candice! – temporarily speechless.

"So, your…this," Maylene pulls at Candice's sweater, which she must grudgingly admit has done a good job of keeping her warm. "Do you want it back?"

Candice shakes her head. "No – you can keep it for now. I'll see you tomorrow and anyway, I bet you didn't bring anything warmer. Did you?"

She hates when Candice is right.

"Tomorrow," Maylene repeats.

"Yeah – I mean. You are staying a few days, aren't you?" Candice suddenly looks unsure of herself. "Like you said, it's a long way back to Veilstone and…"

"No – yes – I am staying," Maylene interrupts, nodding her head possibly a little too vigorously. Candice smiles, clapping her hands together and slightly resembling an overexcited Spheal.

"Great, it'll be awesome – there's so many things I have to show you. I mean…" A mischievous glint suddenly appears in her eye. "In the city, of course."

Maylene coughs, feeling her face grow hot – and yeah, even though she's wearing her patented who, me? innocent expression, Candice totally did that on purpose. Maylene will get her back. Somehow.

"Sure, okay," she manages, and before Maylene can think about what the appropriate goodbye would be in these circumstances, Candice is hugging her.

"I will see you tomorrow, okay? Be safe." She says the last part right up against Maylene's ear, and it makes her shiver a little – and not just because of the cold, now she's out and Candice has disappeared behind the heavy gym doors.

So she's left to make her own way to her motel (it's called The Friendly Snover or something, she thinks). The night is dark, even with the lampposts that light the path to the gym. Another harsh Snowpoint blizzard is raging. Maylene is ankle-deep in snow as she trudges on, pulling Candice's sweater tight around her.

She still can't stop smiling.

Thank you for reading! Any thoughts, comments, constructive criticism, flames etc. will be very much appreciated. (Well, maybe not flames. But I've never had a flame before, so it would at least be an experience...)