Disclaimer: Still doesn't own Pokémon.

Didn't update for a long time, sorry about that.

Here is FranticShipping, as requested by the three people who commented (haha, thanks guys.) I tried to take Imaminecom's advice and add some more dynamics into it, so tell me if I succeeded? And also, I suck at tenses.

Didn't quite like the way I portrayed Sapphire, but I hope you enjoy it nevertheless.

She still remembers receiving that dreaded phone call.

It came late one night, on a chilly winter evening, right after she had taken a shower. She answered in her usual headstrong tone, pacing impatiently in her room from side to side, grumbling that if they were selling something, she wasn't interested. However, she immediately stopped in her tracks when she heard the grim words, "I'm calling from the hospital." She had frowned slightly, because both her parents were fine and safe, as far as she knew, and who could it be that was hurt? The man on the other side of the line hastened to introduce himself as Dr. Riepp, to explain that a young man by the name of Ruby had gotten into an accident, to add that he was calling to inform her of his condition. Smiling with relief, she carelessly shrugged off her worries when she heard it was the dark-haired coordinator in the hospital. After all, he was strong (not as strong as her, of course), having helped her save the world a few times – how injured could he be? Maybe he just pricked his finger with a needle while he was sewing, something minor like that.

It was horrifying how one simple sentence, which was spoken in such a quiet and reluctant manner, could make her heart shatter and her blood turn cold, as if the whole universe had just decided to come crashing down. No, now that she reflects upon it, that phrase, though only two words long, was anything but simple, because with it comes thousands of conflicting emotions - of shock, of regret, of grief. Yes, now that she reflects upon it, the words, "He's dead," is anything but simple.

First, she thought it was a joke. She waited for Gold to crack up on the other side of the wire, to throw away his faked seriousness, to tease in that carefree tone of his, "Did you believe me? Did we get you?" But there was nothing but silence, and as each second passed, she felt her will drop deeper and deeper into despair.

Then her fingers turned numb, and it felt like all the blood was rushing to her head, making the room spin. She dropped the phone and kicked it to the corner of the room, as if the distance would make this all go away. It bounced off the wall and landed with a soft thump on the carpeted floor next to Toro, but she didn't bother picking it up because she was already out the door, running at full speed towards the hospital, her hair still wet.

As she ran, she couldn't help thinking of the last time she saw him, which was, she admitted regretfully, the last time they fought.

She had met up with him earlier today, dressed reluctantly in a pretty dress that he made for her despite her protesting and threats. They were walking along the Goldenrod City sidewalks, admiring the bright, twinkling lights and the smells of fresh, hot food being sold in vending carts. "Buy me a hot dog!" she had demanded, her mouth watering at the delicious aroma of meat and condiments. He teased her about her appetite, like he always did, and she smacked him on the arm, scowling.

Then they passed by a jewelry shop, and she had pressed her nose against the glass of the display window, gazing at an array of rings, sparkling like the sun. "Look," she breathed.

Ruby had frowned, shoving his hands the pockets of his coat. "I didn't know you were interested in jewelry," he remarked, grinning a bit at this new, shocking discovery. "I thought the only thing that caught your attention was battles, the wilderness …" – here, he wrinkled his nose in distaste, "… and myself, of course."

She glared at him, retorting with, "Battles and the wilderness happen to be exciting … unlike you." Her tone softened slightly, something that rarely happened, as she added, "Besides, it's not the rings I'm interested in. It's the thought of what they represent … you know, marriage."

Ruby blushed slightly, averting his gaze, but he managed to reply, "Marriage? Sapphire Birch is talking about marriage? What has the world come to? You know, marriage involves flowers, and manners, and dresses ..." He paused in his teasing, and added seriously, "And commitment. Love. A vow to spend the rest of your life with somebody."

"I know what it means," she snapped, pulling herself away from the display and turning to face her partner. "But don't you think it's about time …" She stopped, but mentally screamed at herself to get a hold of herself, and she continued, "Don't you think it's time that we … get married? We're not going to be young forever you know; we're already twenty-six …"

Ruby shuffled back uncomfortably, which made her want to scream at Blue for bring the thought of marriage into her mind last night; she knew she shouldn't have encouraged the flirtatious con artist to bring up the subject. She blinked as the coordinator cleared his throat and mumbled that they should go somewhere else, muttering something about a new fabric shop that he'd like to visit.

"What?" she demanded. "Why are you avoiding the subject? Are you scared?"

Her partner steeled himself and answered, "No! It's just … because of your headstrong personality … no, that's not what I meant. But, I don't think I'm ready –"

"You see? You're always like this! Because of my personality? Is it all of a sudden my fault now? Why don't you face something straight on!"

"W-what?! I do face things straight on: I helped you keep Groudon and Kyogre from destroying the world, have you forgotten that? Maybe I actually think things through, unlike some people who just do what they want! Marriage isn't some game or some battle – it's not something you can rush into!"

"Maybe you don't want to marry me, is that it? Why don't you go marry some lady, who has manners, who doesn't go around all day swinging around vines, and doesn't mess up your wonderful clothes!"

"Maybe so!"

And they had stalked away, with not another word spoken, their anger hanging in the air as they left in opposite directions.

But to think, that that had been their last conversation …

She arrived at the hospital, pushing through the glass doors with more force than she intended to, her heart about to burst but not from the exhaustion of running. A nurse looked up from her desk and asked how she could help. But Sapphire Birch was beyond the point of help.

She demanded for the room number of a male named Ruby, practically screaming that she was in a hurry and that she should hurry up and tell her. The nurse, taken back, promptly responded with, "Room 324, it's on the third floor to your right."

She took off, not even stopping for the elevator, but straight for the stairs, her heart frantic and chaotic. As she neared the room – a small door with the numbers "324" glued on it – her steps slowed and her breathing became quick and shallow, like there wasn't enough air. The thought of seeing Ruby, his scarlet eyes closed, his body unmoving, made her sick and made her want to run and escape.

The doctor stepped out, as if he's been waiting, and solemnly asked her if she was Sapphire. She nodded, breathless, her eyes dull with despair, and he asked if she'd like to see the body. Her words got caught in her throat, and she blinked because she always said what she needed to say, and nothing held her back. Finally, she nodded again, and staggered towards the open door, where, on the other side, lay her dead lover.

The doctor proceeded to murmur, "I'm so sorry for your loss … We did everything we could," but it seemed rehearsed and distant. She didn't care for his sympathies, though. As she walked into the room, she saw his body, covered by a white sheet, immobile and peaceful.

"It was a hit and run," the doctor explained quietly, gazing at the body. "It was said he crossed the street without thinking, and didn't notice an oncoming truck. The truck hit him squarely, and the driver drove away before anyone had noticed."

She barely heard his words, but the thought of, "What if it's my fault that he died? What if he was so angry that he didn't notice the car?" flashed through her head. She lifted, with shaking hands, the sheet that covered his face. His hat had been removed, so the scar that he had gotten so many years ago was visible on his forehead, and his eyes were closed, so it looked like he was sleeping and he might wake up at any moment, demanding why he was covered with dirt and gripping how long it would take to wash it out of his clothes.

"I'm sorry," she finally moaned. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! This is my fault, isn't it? It's my … my fault …" She trailed off, and took his stone cold hands in hers, refusing to let go. And then, when it finally sunk in that he was gone, truly gone, she began to wail and cry, tears pouring down her cheeks as her chest felt tight and strangled by grief. For the first time in years, she cried without stopping, waves and waves of sadness washing over her.

The doctor and the nurse left the room, deciding to let this poor girl spend her final moment with her partner. She didn't notice them leaving.

Then she started to laugh through her tears, just slightly. If only he could see her now, the strong Sapphire Birch, crying her heart out, he'd no doubt tease her about her rare feminine side, and put those warm arms around her.

"Oh, yes." The doctor came back, slowly, reluctantly, into the room, his hand gripping a small, square box in his hand. "He was found with this in his pocket …You should keep it."

She snatched the box away, as if it was the most precious thing in the world, and it is, and she gently cracked it open. His final gift. Inside, a deep blue gem sat, a sapphire, nestled in velvet and a silver band. She choked back a sob, though somehow, she felt his comforting presence next to her. It was a ring.