Serena couldn't explain it. How could she fall for HIM? Of all people it had to be him.

Ash Ketchum. He was practically the complete opposite of her. Cowardly, quick to cry and very very shy. She shouldn't have any feelings for him beyond friendship and yet...she did. She found him to be pretty cute when he wasn't crying...not that Serena would ever admit it to anyone, even Fennekin. She had a reputation she had to keep.

Even if she did say something, she doubted he felt the same way, considering she was always making fun of him. No, he'd probably be really sweet about it and shyly tell her that he didn't feel the same but that they would always be friends.

She didn't make fun of him for the heck of it though…she was just trying to toughen him up a bit. She new he had the potential to be just as good if not better than her if he only had more confidence in himself, like that Ash from the other dimension. She wanted her Ash to be a bit more like him. Just a bit. She enjoyed being the dominant one after all.

Serena looked over to the boy occupying her thoughts. He was currently sound asleep in his sleeping bag. Serena looked over to her other two friends to see they were asleep as well. Seeing that the coast was clear, she lifted her hand up and kissed it. Serena lightly placed her hand on top of Ash's head, only to remove it a few short seconds later.

Feeling satisfied, Serena rolled over and went to sleep.

Ash woke up in a cold sweat. Unsure of where he was, he looked around and got his barrings. Ash sat up.

'that…..that was just terrrible….'Ash thought.'I was trapped….with noway out...no friends….' He could feel tears coming to his eyes, he tried his best to hold them back. He sure didnt want to wake the others.

'I'd better get back to sleep…..'He thought swallowing the lump in his throat. Ash laid back down and tried to fall asleep again. He laid with his eyes closed for what felt like and hour but his dream kept coming back to haunt him. Sighing in frustration Ash sat up.

'What do I do now?' he thought.'I need to get to sleep'

He looked over to the girl sleeping in her own bag just a few feet away from him…..Serena…..A blush came to his face as he dismissed his terrible terrible idea. She would kill him for even asking but….he had to try.

Mustering up every ounce of courage he had (which wasn't much) he left his bag and knelt next to her's.

"Serena...Serena..." Ash whispered as he lightly shook the sleeping girl.

"Wha? What is it?" Serena said as she sat up in her sleeping bag. She looked at Ash, who immediately lost his courage.

"Never mind it's stupid...ill just go back to bed..." He said quickly. He turned around and was about to start walking back to his sleeping bag, when he felt something grab his arm. He looked back toward Serena.

"Ash, you've already woken me up, what is it you want?" She asked.

Ash replied in a smaller voice than normal. "I-I had a nightmare...I don't want to sleep alone...I wanted to know if I could sleep in your bed tonight" he said, staring at his shoes.

Serena's curious expression changed to surprise and a small blush covered her cheeks.

"You have got to be kidding me" she said harshly. Ash flinched and gave her a pleating look.

She watched him for a minute, contemplating the situation. On one hand, Ash wanted to sleep next to her for his own comfort. Which was a real confidence boost on her part. But on the other hand, she wanted him to become less of a coward….Serena decided to throw caution to the wind, she made sure to sound reluctant.

"Fine. But just for tonight OK? I'm not your babysitter." Ash nodded and crawled into the bag next to her.

"T-thank you Serena" Ash mumbled.

She grunted as she turned on her side, as much as she wanted to snuggle him she knew she had to control herself. Ash watched her for a few moments, until he was sure she was asleep.

"Night...Serena...sweet dreams..." He whispered, as quietly as he could. He turned on to his side and closed his eyes. Feeling much safer with Serena near.

When the morning came Serena could feel something soft and warm on her stomach. At first she ignored it. Trying to pass it off as one of her pillows. But eventually her curiosity got to her.

Serena opened her eyes and focused her gaze on her stomach. She could see a black lump of...something. Serena brought her hands up and moved her hair out of her eyes and mouth.

She looked back at the lump and almost had a heart attack.

The soft, warm lump turned out to be Ash's head.

She was about to push him off, when the events of last night came to her mind. She looked down at him again. He looked like he was really comfy...

She could see his chest rise and fall with each breath.

'He looks kinda cute there...' Serena thought as she watched him. Serena slowly place her hand on top of his head, lightly playing with his hair. She felt Ash's head lift off her stomach, she quickly removed her hand just in time for ash to turn his head and look at her.

They were both silent for a few seconds. Until Ash realized the situation and leaped out of the bag, apologizing rapidly.

"Serena! I'm so so so so sorry! Please don't be mad at me!" He said frantically as his eyes started to water. He knew he should have done this! Now Serena was mad at him!

"Ash calm down!" She said sternly.

"Serena please please don't be mad! It was an accident!" He sobbed.

"Ash! I'm not even mad!"

Ash looked at her with watery eyes "You're not?"

Serena shook her head.

Ash wiped his face dry. "Oh..." He said embarrassed.

Silence once again came over them until Serena got an idea, her lips curled into a smirk. Ash trembled a little, wondering what she was going to do.

"How was it?" She asked.

"H-how was what?" He said already knowing the answer.

"My stomach. Did it make a nice pillow for you?" She said teasingly.

Ash's face was overtaken by a blush. He tried to come up with a half decent response.

"I uhhhh it...well I-i uhhh" He stuttered.

"Come on Ash...I'm waiting." She let herself take pride in his blush.

"I-i well...i-it" Ash stopped, closed his eyes and took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. reopening his eyes, he looked back at Serena.

"Serena I…." Ash started but was interrupted by Clemont and Bonnie yelling that breakfast was ready. He immediately took his chance and ran off toward the siblings.

Serena giggled and went to join the three for breakfast.