Hey, everybody!

Summary: So this is going to be a 3 or 4 chapter AAML fic! Yes, it does have some chemistry at the beginning between Ash and May, and it contains a TON of one-sided Advancedshipping, but this fic really is hardcore pokeshipping AAML. This really portrays a differnet, more mature side of Ash. He's not the innocent boy he used to be, he's basically you're typical teenage boy. So this fic takes place somewhere after Misty leaves. I really don't know when. DON'T JUDGE ME! lol. Anyway..

Ages:
Ash:16
Misty:17
May:14
Brock:18
Max:10

"dialogue"
thoughts

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. If i did, Misty would have never left and she would have formed a powerhouse group with her lover, Ash and Brock and May. and Dawn wouldnt have been created.

AND ON TO THE FIC! enjoy, babes!

Ash stared off into the deep, royal blue sky, which at this point looked menacing as it caved into the ground. The ominous moon hung heavy and not a single star was in sight. He felt as if the sky was foreshadowing the outcome of the thoughts that dominated his mind. The thoughts that turned his brain into slime and tore any words from his mouth. His heart would skip a beat, his palms would begin to seep with sweat, his stomach flopped around freely in his body. He was thinking about Misty, and what he wished he could have said to her.

May, Brock and Max watched as Ash settled on a distant hill. The gang was trying to get Ash home in time for Mother's Day, but they were being held up by the human need for sleep. And they knew what was happening when Ash wandered off by himself. They knew what he was thinking about.

During the day, Ash was completely normal. His was as dense as a Golem and as headstrong as his beloved Pikachu. He laughed with Brock and Max and even flirted with May. He seemed like the happiest person in the world. Yet, when night fell upon the gang, Ash would casually distance himself from the group and watch the stars for a few hours. After those few hours were over, he would return to the typical campfire and would usually return to normal. Except on nights like this, where the sky was dark and looming, where the moon seemed to be only miles from crashing into the earth. On such nights, Ash wouldn't even return from his remote spot in the grass.

May had begun to feel jealous and a bit insulted when Ash would get in these moods. Not that she didn't love and support Ash, but she was insulted that she was right here in front of his basically throwing herself at him and he was still obsessing over another girl. But May respected Ash and tried to respect the fact that his heart was broken, but she was determined to mend it and make him better. Yet, she wouldn't dare interrupt his thoughts. Not again. Not after last night.

Flash back

The night was black and the stars were expelled from the sky. May and Brock were keeping the fire going, Max was fast asleep and, as usual, Ash was laying the grass by a small pond about a mile away from the gang. May had noticed his awkward distance and began to wonder what he was always doing.

"Brock," May questioned coyly. "What exactly is wrong with Ash? I've noticed that he seems very.. out of it at night. What's going on?"

Brock, who knew very well how May felt about Ash, did not want to disturb her emotions for he felt that May was the only one who could pull Ash out of his "Misty-slump".

"Well, he's just thinking. He just has some things in his past that are still torturing him today. He's really too hard on himself for it.." Brock carefully stepped around the question. Suddenly, an idea struck him. A way to help Ash move on from Misty. "However..." he started, "maybe you can make him feel better about it? Go on, go see how he is!" Brock smiled inwardly at his brilliance as May's face lit up.

And so, she turned on her heels and floated to Ash. As she slowly approached him, he sat up, sensing her presence.

"Hi, Ash" she chirped sweetly.

"Hi..." Ash trailed off and regained his position in the wet grass.

May, though feeling slightly rejected, was not yet defeated. She fell to the grass and lied down beside him, her hand almost touching his.

"Ash, what are you always thinking about when you're out here? You're kinda scaring me." May started.

But Ash shut her down gently and turned to his side. "Nothing important.. it's just my time to be ALONE and reflect."

More like regret he thought to himself. Regret never saying what I should have.. regret being so thick-headed that I couldn't see what I had...

"Ash, you need to tell me. It's not healthy for you to just sit hre and bottle up your feelings!! Max is worried about you! Brock is worried about you! Heck, even Pikachu is worried about you! Ash, I really care about you and I don't want you sitting out here beating yourself up because of something you won't even talk about!" May calmly insisted. Ash couldn't help but like May. After all, she was beautiful, smart and one of the sweetest girls he had ever met. Not to mention the fact that she always had a way of making him talk about his feelings. He found that because of her, he had more emotions than he had ever known. Yet, she was no Misty. And she knew that.

"Listen, May. I really do care about you and I'm glad you care so much about me.. but I'm not ready to talk about this yet.. I can't talk about.."

"Misty?" May interrupted. Ash flung his body to face May in shock. How did she know?

"Yeah..." Ash started. "Misty.." the name felt so familiar in his mouth. In fact, he felt as if he could almost smell her scent. The wonderful, deep, natural, ocean-like smell of Misty Waterflower.

"She must really be something, isn't she?" May gently said.

"Something isn't even CLOSE to what she is.. I mean. Well I don't mean that. And.. who said I'm even thinking about her?!" Ash became defensive; old habits die slowly.

"You did just a few seconds ago!" May laughed at Ash's carelessness.

"Oh.."

"Ash, you can talk to me about her. You shouldn't keep your feelings bottled up!"

"May, you don't understand. I had an opportunity! I had almost 5 years worth of opportunity!! And she had to leave me, and I could have told her! I could have!! But I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how she would react. Instead I just sat there like a dumb idiot as she rode off saying 'Well, I finally know how you really feel about me, Ash Ketchum!'. and that was it. May, I have regretted that every day since. I know I'm being too hard on myself..but I just don't know what she's doing, who she is with, if she even still remembers my name.. I just don't know how to handle these kinds of feelings!" Ash began to yell. "It's your fault anyway. You've turned me into such a softy.." He joked, trying to break the tension.

"I think a little thing called MATURITY did that to you, Ash. And why don't you just go visit her?" May questioned, though listening to him talk about his love for another girl stung. Supporting him in this was one of the most difficult decisions of May's life.

"I-I don't know if she'll even remember me. And she might even have a boyfriend! I can't deal with that, May!! I'd be so jealous.." Ash said. May understood the feelings perfectly.

"Ash, Cerulean City is only a few hours walk from Pallet Town. Since we'll be there, let's just drop in on her! I'm sure she'll be ecstatic to see you and Brock! Besides, I'd love to finally meet the famous Misty!" May gave Ash a fake smile. Meeting Misty is the LAST thing May wanted. She had never met her before, or even seen her for that matter. May always imagined Misty as a tall, curvy woman with long, flowing, red locks. A model-status beauty who won the heart of Ash. She had no idea..

"...THAT'S A GREAT IDEA!!" Ash's booming voice snapped May from her imagination. "May! You're a genius!! We'll go see Misty tomorrow!! Oh my gosh! You're the best!" Ash rolled on top of May in a friendly matter and hugged her. He quickly rolled off of her and smiled from ear to ear thinking about Misty. The two stayed there looking at the sky in silence.

"Ash?" May whispered.

"Yeah, May?"

"You really love her, don't you?"

"I don't know, May. I've never been in love before.. but if this isn't love, then it's something a hell of a lot like it."

May flinched at his words. She couldn't help but feel pain in her heart. Here they were, two teens lying in the grass under a romantic sky. She was beautiful and he was gorgeous. She loved him and he had taken quite a liking to her as well. Yet, all he could do was fantasize about the girl he loved. Or, not loved, but 'something a hell of a lot like it'. She felt her heart turn cold and she wished desperately that she could take back her words. But she couldn't. She was kind in nature, and her personality forced her to support the one she loved, even if he loved another.

End Flashback

So here they were, restless and excited to make their journey to Pallet town.

The next day, after a few miles travel, the found themselves only minutes from Pallet town. And only hours from seeing Misty. Brock was severely upset that his "get-over-Misty-plan" had fallen flat on it's face. It wasn't that he didn't like Misty, but he didn't think that it would work. After all, the odds were against them. Ash was 16 and not even near his peak as a Pokemon trainer. Misty, on the other hand, was 17 and a gym leader. As most people know, there is a HUGE difference in mind set between a 16 year old boy and a 17 year old girl. Misty was surely assuming responsibility as an adult and looking to settle down with someone in her hometown. Ash was your typical teenage boy who obsessed over sex, Pokemon training and avoiding responsibility for ANYTHING. Their worlds were probably revolving in two different directions, and Brock doubted that Misty would still have interest in little, baby Ash. And he dreaded the day that Misty would break Ash's heart. So, he tried to set Ash and May up so Ash wouldn't have to deal with the pangs of heartbreak. But at least May would be a perfect rebound girl, his plan hadn't completely failed.

Ash lead the gang into Pallet town with the same, goofy grin on his face. He marched up to his front door and began to knock on it until his mother, Delia, opened the door and stepped outside.

"Mom!" Ash ran to hug his mom., "Happy Mother's Day!"

"Ash! Honey! I didn't expect you home so soon!" Delia started nervously while gently pushing her son off of her.

"Sorry, Mrs. Ketchum! Ash basically ran here." May joked sweetly.

"I see.. well, not to be a bad hostess or anything, but you guys can't come in just yet. You..uhhh you really should wait. I mean, it's SUCH lovely day!" Delia stumbled over her words and searched desperately for an excuse to keep them out of the house.

"It's okay, Mrs. Ketchum. I'm ready." that all-too familiar voice echoed down the stairs and out the door. Ash knew exactly who was in his house.

"MISTY?!"

heehe.. cliff-hanger.
So it get's better from here, i promise!

and i might actually bring Drew in cause i'm beginning to feel bad for May.
Cause unlike most Misty-lovers... i ADORE May.. just not with Ash.
Anyway i'll update faster with more reviews! so GO! haha.