When we last left Misty and Gary they left each other on good terms, both of them just beginning to discover the deep feelings they held for one another. Now we can see them as their relationship grows closer and their feelings grow stronger. But what will they do when old friends and new enemies seem to always get in their way?
~X~
Misty let out a sigh of relief when she was finally finished with all of the chores that came with managing the gym. "Who knew being a gym leader could be so much work," she groaned out, reaching into her bag of takeout. After a full day of battling, caring for the Pokémon, and doing the usual chores she was completely exhausted. She had just finished feeding all of the Pokémon residing in the gym when she decided to order from the nearest burger place, having been too tired to cook an actual meal. "Tracey and Daisy better bring me back a desert." she said with a pout. It was no fair that out of all her friends and family that she was the only one stuck doing all the work. Back when she was still traveling she hadn't even thought of how hard a gym leader's life could be. Dealing with whiny trainers day after day, making sure everything in the gym is in working order, and to make sure that they weren't in any code violations. It was very hard and stressful and now she feels a bit bad for thinking all the leaders they meet were nothing but weird people with no lives.
Ring! Ring! Ring! Phone Call!
Misty groaned in despair and pulled a pillow to hide her face in. She was too tired to get up and deal with anymore people. All she wanted was to finish her burger and go to bed, was that so much to ask for? "I'll let the machine get it." she rolled over on the couch, pillow in one hand and her sushi in the other.
"Toge?" Togepi looked up at its mother, wondering why she wasn't answering the phone when it was ringing. "Toge toge pri!" realizing that she must be tired after everything that happened today Togepi decided that it would answer the phone instead. So it took off as fast as its little feet would let it go and with a jump answered the phone with a high chirp.
"Togepi?" Misty noticed her baby Pokémon run off and motherly instincts seemed to take over as she followed after the little baby. "What are you doing?"
"Answer the phone for your lazy butt."
Misty nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard that oh-so familiar voice. "Gary?" she quickly grabbed the phone from Togepi and held it to her ear. "What are you doing calling so late?" she didn't mean to sound rude but she was very tired and wanted nothing more than to just go to bed.
"Well I did call earlier but your sister said you were out and told me to call you later," he informed her with a light shrug. She noticed that he was still wearing his lab coat and couldn't help but think that the look really suited him. "You know if I didn't know any better I'd say you were purposely trying to avoid my calls." He sent her a playful smirk that had her cheeks burning a light pink color.
Misty sent him an apologetic smile. "Yeah, sorry about that. I swear I didn't do it on purpose. Daisy never even mentioned you calling so I had no idea, if I did I would have called you back once I got home." she spoke the truth. If she had known he had called her she would have immediately called him back.
He shrugged, trying to act all nonchalant about things and not show that her words made him really happy on the inside. "I guess, I can forgive you." he gave her a playful smirk and she sent him a smile of her own. "What were you doing all day anyway? Your sister said something about you getting called out?" he finally asked, wondering what had kept her away this time.
She rolled her eyes and had to hold back a groan when she thought of the day she had. "I'd rather not say." she gave him a weak reply, she knew that but honesty she really didn't feel like talking about it. She was still a little surprised at how Georgio asked her out and how the weird day got even weird with Team Rocket showing up and Casey going crazy over the game.
Gary raised an eyebrow, leaning further towards the screen. "Why not? What really happened?" now he was even more curious now than he was before. When he had called earlier he spoke with her eldest sister Daisy who told him that she was busy dealing with other matters. Normally he wouldn't have been so bothered by that piece of information but the look Daisy had been wearing when she told him left a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. Honestly he was going to call her up tomorrow morning but he couldn't forget the weird feeling he had whenever he thought of Daisy's words and decided to call her despite how late it was.
Misty gulped, wondering if she should really tell him. "What am I freaking out about? It's not like I'm with Gary so he can't get too mad." that thought didn't do much for her self-esteem, but she knew that she was acting like a little kid and she needed to get over her fears. "Well you see..." she gulped, trying to decide the best way to tell him.
"Oh, Misty!" Daisy came skipping in with a wide grin on her face and Misty decided that her sister just became her guardian angel. "I hope you're hungry cause that Georgio kid is back and he's asking if you want to join him and Tracey for some ice cream. It looks like he hasn't given up on winning your heart just yet." she practically tackled her in a hug and at that moment Misty decided that Daisy was no angel, she was a devil with a pretty face.
Gary looked between the two sisters, trying to understand the situation that was going on. "Georgio?" he set his gaze on Misty, wanting an answer. His gaze hardened and set solely on her, he wouldn't let up until she gave him what he wanted and that was an answer about who this guy was and what he really wanted.
Daisy finally noticed that her little sister was on the phone and she smiled sweetly when she saw who was on the line. "Hey Gary, how are you? I see you finally got to talk with Misty."
"Yeah, thanks for telling me he called." Misty said with a voice full of sarcasm. If she had known Gary had called her before than she would have called him back before she completely exhausted herself with chores.
Daisy merely giggled and continued to hold her younger sister. "I'm sorry but I forgot to mention it in all the excitement," she set her own set of sea green eyes on Gary and her grin seemed to widen in size. "Did she tell you yet, Gary? Our little Misty just got asked out on her very first date today and I must say in a very romantic way."
"Daisy!" Misty cried, cheeks burning and heart racing. She had been planning on telling Gary what had happened today but she wasn't going to do it like that.
"A date?" Gary blinked, his mind trying to register what he had just been told. "I see, well I guess that does take up a lot of your time." he tried not to show it but he was very bothered by this information. He was wearing an amused grin on his face but on the inside he was boiling mad and very tempted to swim back to Cerulean on his Blastoise and tell this kid to back off. He knew that he and Misty weren't official, they weren't anything really, but he knew what his feelings for her were and he was annoyed that some stupid kid was trying to make a move on her. "That kid better not still be there when I get back." he thought bitterly, breaking a pen in two at the very thought, shocking his Umbreon who had been resting underneath his desk. If that guy was still hanging around Misty when he got back then he was going to personally get him to back off.
Misty finally had enough of her sister and with a low growl pushed her off and glared. "Daisy, stop making it sound like something happened when nothing did. Now if you don't mind will you please tell them that I'm really tired and once I'm finished talking with Gary I'm going to bed." she was setting her foot down, having had enough of sister making the situation so much worse than it really was.
Daisy merely laughed at her little sister's angry face and walked off. "Whatever you say baby sister." with a small wave she walked out of the room and went to inform their guest that Misty would not be joining them.
Once she was gone Misty let out a sigh of relief and turned her attention back onto Gary. "Sorry about that. My sister gets really weird when stuff like this happens," she said with a weak chuckle, trying to lighten the mood but she noticed that it didn't do any good. Gary was still sitting on the other side of the screen and looking quite annoyed. "Anyway, as I was saying before..."
"You mean before your sister announced that you got asked out on a date in the most romantic way possible." he tried to mimic her sister's voice but the bitter tone that he had wasn't helping his mimicking skills.
Misty gulped, even more aware of how angry her was. "Right...that," she bite her lower lip, trying to decide how to go about this so not to make him even angrier. "While it is true that Georgio asked me out I turned him down. He was a nice guy but I don't really know him and I would rather go out with somebody that I already like." she explained, hoping he wasn't angry anymore. "Not that he has any right to be." she thought bitterly. She knew that they weren't officially going out but it was obvious that they liked each other. They talked everyday for hours on end, sent e-mails daily, and after the way they acted towards each other when they found Pidgeotto screamed that they had feelings for each other. By now they should have been confessing instead of arguing about some guy asking her out. "Of course that's easier said than done." even though Misty wanted to take things further there was still that slight doubt in her heart that she was reading too much into this and she could end up looking like a total fool if that's the case.
Gary cleared his throat, trying to not show how relieved he was at her answer. He would never admit it but he was worried about her getting asked out with him not there. "I see, well I guess that's good." he tried to act nonchalant about the whole thing but Misty could see right through his act.
It was so strange. Before when she was traveling with Ash she didn't know what to expect from Gary, she hadn't been able to read him at all, but now he was like an open book to her. The simple gestures he did, his speech pattern, and his overall behavior told her all she needed to know about how he was feeling and what he was thinking. "So not to sound rude or anything but why did you call? Last time we talked you said you were really busy with the fossil egg and amber that you and your group found." she had talked to him just yesterday and it hadn't been as long as their usually talks. He had told her some stuff about his research but then he had to sign off to finish up some paperwork and she had been left wondering what exactly was going on the island.
He perked up at her questioned and sent her a wide grin. "Actually I was calling to ask if you wanted to come and visit us here on the island,"
Misty blinked, trying to hide the fact that her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her chest. "Does this count as a date?" she had just dealt with another guy asking her out but her heart hadn't acted the way it was now that she was talking with Gary. Her heart seemed to just take over and she was already mentally packing everything she would need when she looked down at her Togepi and reality came rushing back to her.
"We just set up this huge new exhibit about ancient Pokémon and I thought you might like to see even more about Omanyte and how they lived." he knew her love for the ancient water Pokémon and knew this was the perfect excuse to get her to come to the island so he could finally see her again. It was great talking with her everyday but he missed being able to experience her whole presence face to face. He wanted her to be right there with him, to feel her hand in his as they went and explored the island together. It was amazing how one encounter of being together could make him feel this way. He felt a passion that he hasn't ever felt. He loved battling and he loved even more about researching Pokémon but when it came to his feelings for Misty it was like a fire just exploded inside him and not even the strongest storm could put it out.
Misty really wanted to say yes, she truly wanted to see him in person again. She missed being in his presences, to just be able to run her hands through his hair and laugh with him. She missed it all and despite wanting so badly to see him in person she knew she couldn't accept his offer. "I want to, I really do but I already have other plans," she dug through her pocket and pulled out a invitation with a Togepi picture on it. "I got this in the mail in this morning. They're having a Togepi festival in Hoenn and they want me to come. I already told them that I would be attending and I can't back out now." she frowned, more upset with herself than anything. If only she hadn't gotten the invitation, she would have jumped at the chance to visit him and not even care about the invite.
"I see," he sighed, disappointed that she wouldn't be able to come. "I understand, you made a commitment and you have to keep it." He understood that she had to keep her word and go. Yet even as he understood her reasoning he was still upset that she couldn't come to join him on the island. It was great talking with her on the phone but he wanted to see her in person, to feel her warmth as they laughed and joked with each other. "You do realize that you owe me for this." he sent her a playful smirk, trying to lighten the mood and not let her see just how upset he really was that she couldn't come.
Misty nodded instantly. "Of course, I promise next chance I get to have a day off I'll devote that whole day to you." she grinned, already knowing what kind of reply she would get.
He grinned right back at her, "And that's how it should be. After all, I, the great Gary Oak deserve nothing but the utmost best." he had to laugh, glad that even miles apart they could still continue with their playful banter. "That reminds me, when do you leave for Hoenn?"
Misty thought about this, "In a about a week. I still have a lot of packing to do and I want to do some research on the Hoenn region. I'm hoping to find some good spots to catch some new water Pokémon." she let out a dreamy sigh, thinking of all the amazing water Pokémon that are just waiting for her to capture. She's read many emails from Brock about all the new kinds that they have been seeing and she's been wanting to get out there to try and capture a few for herself.
Gary leaned his cheek in his hand and grinned at her. She always did look cute when she thought of water Pokémon. "If you liked I'd be happy to help you look up some great spots that are known for water Pokémon," he grinned even more when he saw the excited look in her eyes. "So does this mean you're going to be traveling with Ash again?" he bit his lower lip, letting out his question that had entered his mind the moment she said Hoenn. He knew his friend/rival was traveling in that region right now and she was probably wanting to travel with her friends again. He had no problems with that but he was just worried that if she meet up with Ash again then old feeling may emerge and he may lose her before he even had her.
"I hope so," Misty said, "I'm going to be calling them tomorrow to see if they'll be traveling through that area. If so then it would be nice to see everyone again and I would like to meet their new friends too," she held a thoughtful smile on her face as she thought of all their old journeys together and how great it will be to be able to travel with them all over again. She was about to talk more with him about her upcoming trip when she saw the look in Gary's eyes. He was trying to appear as he always did, but she could see that he was worried and it was gnawing at him on the inside. "He's probably worried about Ash." she had confessed to him about her feelings for Ash when they two of them traveled to his grandfather's lab. She had said that she felt only brotherly feelings for him now, but she had to admit that she would be worried too if Gray was going to visit a girl he used to have feelings for. "But you know it would be a lot more fun if you could come too. It was a lot of fun traveling together." she sent him a smile that belonged solely to him. She would only smile this way when she was with him and she wanted to let him know that despite any old feelings that she may have had for Ash, he was the one that held a special place in her heart now.
Gary felt his heart give its own sigh of relief when he heard her words. He knew now that he had no reason to worry. "But of course. When anyone's in my presence how can they not help but enjoy themselves." he gave her a flirtatious smirk, waiting for her comeback. He always had fun when they joked together like this.
Misty giggled, a wide smile on her face as she listened to their banter. She needed to just have some good old fun after the day she had. "You know Gary, it's really great talking with you." she confessed, cheeks turning a light shade of red. "I refuse to let my fears stop me." she knew what her feelings for him were and she also knew what her fears were as well. Yet despite the thought of rejection and humiliation she was going to go for it. The next time he was back she was going to tell him how she felt, no more would she worry about what ifs and so on. But for now she would keep their relationship in a good light and try to get things moving along the road that she wants to be on.
Gary was taken back by that reply. He had expected some sort of line how she would pummel him with her famous mallet, not her to say something like that. "It's great talking to you too." he wasn't expecting it but that doesn't mean it was unpleasant. In fact he was glad to hear her say that, it just meant things were working in his favor. "The next time I'm back home I'm going to tell her." he promised that once he's finished up on the island he was going to head straight for Cerulean City and tell Misty what he's been wanting to say for a long time now.
"You know I bet this festival won't last more than a few days, maybe I can stop by on my way home." she suggested, hoping that the offer to visit him still stands. She really did miss him and she wanted to see him so she hoped he would agree with her plan.
Gary grinned at her words. "That's good with me." he was glad that he was going to see her again. It had been too long since he was able to just reach out and hold her hand and he missed it. He missed her and now he would finally get to be with her again.
And so with their promise to meet up the two continued to talk for the next few hours. They told each other about what happened that day, Misty even told him of her little bet with Georgio and had to keep herself from laughing at the look he had. It was fun to tease him, to watch as he tried to hide the fact that he was jealous when his eyes just screamed it. Yet even with that touchy subject they were still able to laugh and joke with each other, talking into the very night and saying goodbye only when their eyes could no longer stay open.
~X~
Daisy let out a soft yawn as she packed and got ready for her photo shoot. They had called and told her to be at the shoot at five in the morning and now she was paying for going to bed so late. With her bag packed and a cup of coffee she headed for the door but stopped when she spotted her sister and she couldn't help but giggle at the sight. There was Misty, head resting in her arms, light snores escaping her as lay there sleeping in front of their phone."Looks like I'm not the only one who went to bed late," she smiled softly, setting her stuff down and with some effort lifted Misty onto her back to take her to bed. They passed through the quite halls of the gym, Misty sleeping soundly on her sister's back and Daisy smiling at how nostalgic this all was. It has been a very long time since Misty had to be carried to her room. Usually she would go straight to bed no matter how tired she was so she wouldn't worry her family. She had always been trying her hardest to appear strong and brave to not worry her sisters, Daisy could see this, but now it seems like her little sister was beginning to change.
As gently as she could Daisy but her young sister into her bed, making sure that she was wrapped up in the warm blankets to get a proper rest. "It looks like our little Misty isn't so little anymore. Isn't that right, mom?" Turning her head she faced an old photo of her family resting on Misty's nightstand. She, Violet, and Lily were standing together in a big group making a peace sign in front of their parents while Misty was resting happily on their father's shoulders. Their father was a good looking man with tan skin and bright blonde hair while their mother was a petite woman with long flowing red hair and sea green eyes. In their big family it was only her and Misty who had inherited her mother's eyes. Yet out of all of them Misty was the one who resembled their mother the most, she was spitting image but she had been born with their father's soul for battling. It was their mother who brought water ballet to their gym but it was their father who lived for battling. "Our little girl has fallen in love," she picked up the photo and stared at it longingly, she had missed their parents dearly and she wished they were here right now. "Oh mom, I'm not sure if I'm ready for this. For so long Misty has always been my little sister but now she's becoming a woman right before my eyes and I'm a little scared. Misty is so much like you that I'm worried she'll leave us just like you did when you met dad," tears slowly began to gather in her eyes as she spoke to the picture of their deceased mother. "I know it's going to happen. When it came down to you leaving not even grandmother could stop you from going with dad and I know Misty will be the same. She'll go with him," a single tear fell down her cheek, she knew it was the truth. One day Misty would leave them to be with the one she loves and there was nothing she could do to stop it. "I wish you were here to see this mom. You were always saying how sure you were that we would find a love like yours and dad's, and from what I'm seeing it looks like our baby girl has finally found it." she turned her gaze onto her younger sibling and watched the small but happy smile that was sealed on her face, telling her that she was dreaming a very happy dream.
She stared at the photo for a moment longer, looking at the picture of their family and how happy they all were back then. Even back then they had teased Misty but it was always in good nature, their parents would often laugh as they went around chasing each other. They had been so happy back then but then their happiness was shattered. Their father was lost at sea and not a year later their mother had died. The doctors said that it was from a disease but Daisy knew, she could see it in her mother's eyes whenever she looked out at the sea that she had died from a broken heart. Their parents love was so strong that when one was gone so was the other and that's what worried Daisy. Misty was just like their mother and if anything happened to her like with their mother she wasn't sure if she could handle it.
That's why she was going to do her part as her older sister. She would make sure that this guy treated her sister right and did nothing that could hurt her. "Alright, it's like time to get going!" putting a joyful grin she placed the picture back on the stand and walked out of the room, humming a light tune as she went for her photo shoot. She was happy for her sister, she really was, but she still couldn't help but worry about her future. Depending on things go these newfound feelings could either completely shatter Misty's heart or help it grow even more. "I guess all I can do for now is wait and see what happens next." Daisy set her gaze on the sky, her mind flashing her back to when they were little and how brightly Misty used to smile when they were with their parents. It's been a long time but she was finally starting to see that smile again.