[center]Jorie smiled brightly at the Professor and made a whistling sound directed at Maren as the group pushed forward through the double doors. The small Mareep closed its large eyes happily and darted after his doting trainer. The heavy doors swung open effortlessly as if Michael had passed in and out of them hundreds of times. Jorie tilted her head curiously to one side as the bundles of multi-colored wires came into her vision. The gentle humming of the machines tingled in her ears and Maren bounced about playfully beneath her feet. The electricity surging throughout this enclosed space was causing his own electric fur to prickle with excitement. 

As the others fell into place at her sides, Professor Michael began to address them once more. She focused on his facial features and body language as he spoke. When he spoke of the late Professor Krane, his demeanor seemed comforting and calm, but when his speech turned to the topic of Shadow Pokemon something about his posture changed. Jorie was a very perceptive girl and could see the distinct differences overtaking his features. Maren was struggling to contain his energy and sent a small shock through Jorie's body as he rubbed against her leg. She jumped instinctively and gave her partner a stern, but gentle, look. The Pokemon tucked into himself and sat anxiously between her feet. 

Jorie's bright eyes glazed over momentarily as a memory seeped into her mind.

---
[i]Officer Beckett crossed her hands in her lap and inhaled deeply. The interrogation room was eerily quiet as she prepared to speak with the victim's child. She ran a gloved hand through her spiky brown hair and closed her eyes in thought. She envisioned the crime scene under investigation. Just on the outskirts of Agata Forest, seemingly abandoned path, no reports of disturbance in the past... Beckett tensed her body as the metallic door swiped open. A young girl with wide, frightened eyes stepped shyly inside. Beckett directed her to the seat in front of her own, but the girl kept looking behind her at the other officer. Beckett's eyebrows furrowed at the man and he shrugged his burly shoulders. A tiny ball of fluff cautiously crept into the room behind the girl. It stayed obediently at her feet as she made her way to the chair. 

The officer outside looked at Beckett for approval and she nodded her head curtly as he closed the door to the room. Beckett examined the little girl thoroughly. Small, fair-skinned, green eyes, long blonde hair... She stopped and sat up straighter in her own chair. [b]She's not an object Beckett, she's a child.[/b] The Mareep put two hooves into the girl's lap and she gathered him into her lap clumsily. 

"My name is Officer Beckett, and I'm here to help you. There's no need to be afraid. You're safe here."

The girl's eyes misted over with tears, and Beckett bit the inside of her cheek hard. [b]Dammit. Don't get emotional. Just do your job and the rest will work itself out.[/b] Beckett's inner conscience attempted to sever any attachments with the girl, but this one was different. She stared at Beckett with a fragile strength as her Mareep nuzzled into her stomach anxiously, sensing the girl's sadness. 

"I'm Jorie and this is Maren. I'm not afraid of you. I'm afraid of what you won't say."[/i]
---

Jorie blinked hard, the beginnings of tears erased by the gesture, and came back to her senses. She couldn't imagine her life without Maren, and the thought of a Pokemon being devoid of any emotions brought on painful memories of her past. She looked towards the others in her group, unable to come up with any clever words. She knew this wasn't the time to joke and instead looked up at Professor Michael and nodded in understanding at his words.[/center]