"No thanks." he waved the cigarettes away.

Trying to quit was difficult, especially with all the stress going on in his life right now. But he'd been managing so far. Well, aside from that slip-up with Lex the other day.

Of course, Lulu wanted to see the fragment.

"What's the matter? Don't believe me?" he smiled but signaled for Loveless to reach out the Rattata within the halls.

Her eyes flashed a bright light. A few minutes later and there was a scratching at the door. Killian didn't wait for permission to open it. When he did, a Rattata with a curled mustache scampered into the room. Balanced perfectly on its back sat a small metallic case. Retrieving it, Killian shooed the rodent away and shut the door.

"Here you are."

He set the case down on Lulu's desk facing toward him. Sealed by a numbered combination lock, Killian quickly entered the password and spun the container around to her.

The stolen fragment sat on a cushion of velvet.

"I didn't lie, Lulu." not about this.

"Deoxys, I want it." he needed it. "Help me find it."

Lulu Flint

"Depends." He shut the case and locked it.

"Where are we headed?"

Lulu Flint

Killian blinked, unable to hide his surprise.

"That's unexpected." and slightly suspicious. Did she plan to kill him and take the fragment for herself? Paranoia screamed for him to say no.

Another voice said it was worth the risk.

Without a word, the admin pulled his phone from his pocket. Pulling up his messages with Alexandra Briarwood, he shot the redhead a quick text.

"Hey, Lulu invited me to her house. She's helping me with that thing we talked about. If you don't hear from me you know why."

Send.

The phone returned to his pocket and he nodded.

"Okay, let's go."

Lulu Flint