Title: Chance Encounters
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Championshipping (Lance x Ash/Red)
Fandom: Pokémon
Theme: #7, Dance Club
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and Shogakukan Comics. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Notes: <> for telepathy, ** for thoughts, italics if a pokemon talks

Warnings: AU, Alcohol, het

The disco ball flickered as multicolored spotlights danced over the darkened room, occasionally illuminating parts of the dancer’s bodies. The air smelled of smoke and sweat, and as Lance glanced down into his glass of Blue Eyes Special, he had to admit that hanging out at this club was proving to be a bad idea. For one, he was bored. For another, the strippers weren’t even good-looking.

He sighed, slapped a few bills on the counter, hearing the barkeep grunt in affirmation, and prepared to leave. As he was walking out the door, he literally bumped into a very familiar face, sending her crashing to the ground.

“Well, what are you doing here, Red?”

Red blinked, before recognizing his voice. “Ah… nothing that important, Lance. I just wanted something to drink.”

“You’re underage,” He stated, deadpan.

“Meh, does it matter? It’s better than smoking, and it’s not like I drink myself to death. Besides, why do you care?”

“Because if you die, I have to do your paperwork.”

Red smirked. “Point taken.”

“Besides, some of the people in there don’t know the meaning of… hands off.” Lance purred. “How about we head back to the Plateau? I’ll whip you up something.”

Red considered. If she went into the bar, she ran the risk of being identified. Boy would the tabloids have a field day with that little tidbit of information.

She was fairly sure Lance wouldn’t poison her.

“Sure.”

They walked two blocks to the Plateau, swiped their card keys through the security desk in the front, and headed to Lance’s room. The Dragon Master popped his alcohol cabinet open, revealing a dazzling array of fine wines.

“…”

“So, what would you like?”

“This is too surreal.” Red said, smoothing down her black jeans. With the makeup on her face, the slinky tank top, and the hip-hugging jeans and ankle boots, she did look older than her real age.

Lance poured red wine for both of them, handed the fuller glass to Red, and sat down across from her.

“Cheers.”

The alcohol hit her instantly, and she sighed, feeling the edge of tension fade from her mind. “Do you think I did badly this afternoon?”

“Your battle against Jeremy, you mean?”

“Yes.”

Lance frowned, setting his glass down as he studied her profile. She looked quite feminine at the moment, even… desirable. He licked his lips.

Red didn’t notice, still staring into her half-empty glass.

“No.”

“But my Pikachu almost died…”

“You managed to recall him, and Umbreon took out the rest of Jeremy’s pokémon, didn’t he?”

“Yes, but… I feel as though I messed up somehow.”

“You didn’t. We all have to make hard decisions when we train.”

“I guess…”

Red closed her eyes, before she nodded. “It’s… funny that we’re having this conversation.”

“Oh, and why is that?”

“I don’t know. We’re all living here at the Plateau, but we’re always too busy with other things to talk. Heck, we don’t even eat together. It’s lonely.”

Lance glanced up, startled. “You’re lonely?”

“A little… is that bad?”

“I’m lonely too.” Lance confessed.

“Really?” Red glanced at him, as if she was seeing him for the first time. Her eyes traced the lines of his body through his elegant dark eveningwear, and she blushed, looking down.

She was not checking him out! Really!

Lance cracked a smile. “Like what you see, Champion?”

“Well yes, but…”

“Don’t worry. I’m not asking you to jump in bed with me right this minute, unless you’re feeling up to it.” Lance replied flippantly. “It’s just that… well, we could spend time together. That way, neither of us would be lonely, right?”

Red nodded, her mind processing the idea and liking it. She walked over and impulsively gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

Lance accepted them, and then kissed her the same way, purely friendship for now.

But maybe, after they got used to things, they could be more?

Life suddenly seemed just a little bit brighter, and as Red sashayed back to her room, she had to admit, going out tonight had been a good idea.

Meanwhile, Lance touched a finger to his lips, and wondered.

End Fic

Completed 9/13/06

Do your eyes deceive you? No, it is het! I decided to try a bit harder writing it, so here’s an attempt! My first attempt for this theme set, actually…

Lance: Hey, I’m not the girl!
Red: *Why* am I a girl?
Phantomness: Why not?
Pika-chan: Maybe you should warn your readers

Phantomness: I’ll consider it!