A Romantic Night of Blind Dates and Baby Sitting
By Christine and Adrienne (Salt*N*Pepper)
Summery: A gymshippy/rocketshippy fic. (Part 1) Misty and Brock have high hopes of getting together with some new people they meet during their stay at the String of Pearls Hotel. Little do they know they're the ones being matched up! Meanwhile Team Rocket sneaks into the hotel as a married couple and are forced to pay the consequences….with a kiss?!
"Oh look at all the lights!" Misty said as she clasped her hands together. " It's so beautiful!" "That's Twilight City," Brock said looking at the brilliant place. "Well, what are we waiting for!?" shouted Ash. "I gotta get another badge!" "Wait for us Ash!" Brock and Misty shouted together as he sped towards the city.
Ash, Misty and Brock entered Twilight City just as the sun was beginning to set. Misty zipped up her red sweater. The cold February winds blew on her neck, sending chills down her spine.
"Gee Misty, you look kinda cold!" said Ash walking next to her. "No, really? Y'think!?" she replied through chattering teeth. "I think maybe we should look for a hotel" said Brock looking at the now shivering Misty. "Yea" Ash agreed. "I 'm really tired…and hungry!!" "Wait a minute you two" Misty started, rubbing her arms for warmth. "A hotel in this town will cost a lot of money, money of which we currently have none!"
"Don't worry Misty, we have enough money from Ash's battle at Violet city, remember?" Brock asked while zipping up his own vest. "That was a great Battle!" Ash smiled. "Oh…well alright then" Misty said uncertainly. She never remembered Ash ever getting paid for his battles before. The three trainers walked down the brightly-lit sidewalk, observing their surroundings.
"There sure are a lot of lights around here" Ash said. "If one goes out do they all?" Misty hit Ash for being so stupid. "That hotel looks nice" Brock commented as he pointed to the other side of the street. "The Overlook?" Misty asked looking at the sign. "Oh please, Brock didn't you ever see The Shining before? C'mon, lets keep looking." " It's just a coincidence" mumbled Brock. "What about that one?" Asked Ash pointing to an extremely bright building.
"That one might be good." Brock replied. "Are you kidding?!" Misty cried "I would go blind in that place!" "We never had a tough time choosing a hotel before." Ash started. "We usually just pick the first one we come to, right Pikachu?" "Pika-pi!" The Pokemon cried. It was also tired and hungry. "I just wanna make sure we get the best one, y'know since we have all this money…" Misty looked suspiciously at Ash.
"Don't believe me? See for yourself!" Ash fished out a good wad of cash from his vest pocket. "Gee you have all that money, but can't even pay me back for my bike!" Misty said glaring at him. "All right, all right, that's enough you two." Brock said coming in-between them. "Look, there's a perfectly nice hotel right there." The trainers turned to face a spectacular hotel that was surrounded by fancy-looking street lamps and flowers planted everywhere. It looked like it came straight out of London, with its cobble stone walkways and beautiful wooden park benches.
"String of Pearls" Misty whispered, her eyes twinkling. "It's perfect!" She ran inside, almost disturbing the sleeping Togepi that she kept in her shoulder bag. "Girls" Ash muttered as he followed Brock inside the hotel.
"We'd like a room please." Ash asked the clerk at the desk. "Let me handle this Ash." Brock said when he immediately noticed the clerk was female. "You can check us in, while I check out your beautiful smile." He said smoothly. "Uh, thanks." She replied, sweat-dropping. "I can see by your name tag that you're Casey, aren't you?" Brock continued in a love-struck voice. "Um, yes that's right." She replied "Casey…" Brock started "What a lovely name…tell my Casey, do you have a boyfriend?" "Well, no but I-" "Will choose me as a boy friend!?" Brock asked hopefully. "C'mon Romeo, no more scaring people past nine" Misty said as she dragged him down the hall.
"But I didn't even get an answer yet!" Brock whined. Ash opened the door to their room. "Awesome, we have two king-sized beds!" He shouted and immediately began jumping on them. Brock ran to the phone and called the front desk asking for a "Casey". Misty sighed. "I'll go get some ice." She said and left the room.
Misty walked down the twisting turning hallways admiring the paintings of majestic water pokemon that decorated the brightly colored walls. Just as she turned another corner, Misty crashed into a huge silver dinner cart and food was spilled everywhere, including on herself.
"Oh miss I'm so sorry! Here let me help you." Misty lifted a silver pot of her head and looked up to see a young boy holding out his hand to help her. Misty took his hand and stood up. "I'm really sorry." The boy apologized again. "No it was my fault, I should have been watching where I was going." Misty replied blushing. She got a good look at the boy's face. Through Misty's eyes bubbles, stars and rainbows seemed to appear where he stood. He had brown eyes and hair, and was a little taller than she. He wore a "String of Pearls" uniform, and had a kind, caring smile across his face. "My name's Brian" he said holding out his hand to shake.
"I-I'm Misty" she replied in a trance like voice. "Nice to meet you Misty," Brian said. "And sorry about the cart." "Anytime" she continued, still lost in his deep brown eyes. Brian pushed the cart down the hall. Misty watched him until he was out of site. A minute later Brock came down the hall. "Hey, I've been looking all over- What happened to you!" he said looking at Misty covered in food. "The best thing ever…" she replied, still in her love-trance. "Okay…" Brock said, giving her a confused look. He literally had to pull Misty by her ear to get her moving.
"I saw them- they went in there!" pointed Jesse from behind a bush. "Wow!" Meowth whispered. "Dat's some fancy-smancy place!" "I used to stay in places like that all the time when we went on family vacations." James said crossing his arms. "The service was always slow and the food was always too rich for me." At least you got to go on vacation!" Jesse yelled at James. "Oh how I would love to stay in a place as grand as this one!" she continued sadly. "Wait a minute" Meowth started. "How could da twerps afford a place like dis?" "That's a good question Meowth, how did the twerps afford a place like this Jess?" "We've got to get inside that hotel!" Jesse suddenly shouted causing James to jump back. She turned around to see a bride and groom walking towards the elegant hotel. "And I just know how…"
"Move it Brock - I gotta call room service!" Misty shouted pushing him aside. "What?! "No way I gotta call the front desk!!" yelled Brock. "Actually," Ash interrupted "I am in the mood for food" He said smiling. "Oh, all you think about is food!" Misty said angrily. Then her expression softened. "I just wanna see…him" Misty suddenly clamped her mouth shut with her hands. "Uhh..I mean I just wanna eat din…dinner! Yea that's it! I want some dinner!" "Yea right!" said Brock playfully pushing Misty aside. "You met some guy in the hallway didn't you!" "Huh?!" Misty cried, blushing. "No I didn't! I'm just hungry, that's all- really!" "Sure said Brock.
"Well you're not getting this phone until you tell me who it is!" Brock held the phone high above his head. "Hey gimmie that!!" Misty laughed as she jumped up, desperately trying to grab the phone. "C'mon - it's not funny Brock!!" "Yea it is, Misty!" laughed Ash, enjoying watching her struggle. "Shut-up Ash!" Misty growled. "Fine, Brock I'll just have to MAKE you give me that phone!" and with that, Misty grabbed Brock's waste and started to tickle him. She moved her delicate fingers up and down his chest, across his stomach and up and down his spine. "HAHAHAHAHA-MISTY!!" Brock gasped. "HAHAHAHAH - STOP!!!!"
"Give me the phone!" she yelled and started ticking the back of his neck. "Never!" replied Brock through clenched teeth. But Misty was able to grab the phone from Brock after he doubled over in laughter and dropped it to the floor. Misty immediately picked up the phone and quickly dialed room service. "Oh no you don't!" Brock cried, rushing towards her. He picked her up and held her so that she couldn't move. "Brock! Let go of me!" Misty cried, but try as she might, Misty couldn't free herself from his strong arms. "Grab the phone Ash!" He shouted and Ash happily bounced over to Misty. "Yoink!" he said as he jerked the phone out of her hands.
"Ash you are DEAD!!" Misty screamed. She tried to take a swing at him, but she was still trapped in Brock's arms. "If you don't let go of me right now Brock, I'm gonna kick you where it hurts!" Brock decided that Misty was very close to "where it hurts" so he let go. Misty ran to the door. "If you two aren't gonna let me talk on the phone - then I'll just talk to him myself in person!!!" and she ran down the hall. "Wait-up!" Brock called to her. "Are you gonna pass the front desk?!" Ash jumped back on the bed next to Pikachu and Togepi. 'Teenagers" he mumbled and switched on the TV
" I think the bride was a little smaller than me." James whispered to Jesse. "I can't fit in this dress!" Jesse sighed angrily. "You're always ruining our plans! Here, take this then!" She tossed him the groom's outfit. "Well isn't James supposed ta be da groom anyway? Hard ta believe, but he is a guy y'know." Meowth said, poking his head out of a basket of flowers. "Be quiet Meowth!" Jesse hissed as she adjusted her vail. "James, are you ready yet?!" James emerged out from behind a tree, holding his rose in a dramatic way. "How do I look?" he asked. "Perfect! Just like a real groom!" Jesse said smiling. "What about me?" "Great! We'll fool everyone!" James replied. Team Rocket looked at the newlyweds in their underwear. "Happy Honeymoon!" she laughed cruelly. James gave Jesse his arm and they walked into the hotel. "The tings we do to capture dat Pikachu." Meowth sighed inside the flower basket Jesse was holding.
"Hello." James said to Casey as him and Jesse walked up to the front desk. "We're Mr. and Mrs…." He whipped out a credit card. "Berkeley." James finished. "Oh congratulations to you two!" Casey said as she began typing. "Yep, you're rooms are all ready Mr. and Mrs. Berkeley…I'll just take that-" Casey said as she took the card from James and swiped it. "Thank-you" she said handing the card back. "Here's the key and enjoy your stay at the String of Pearls Hotel" Jesse and James started up the stairs. "And the photographer will be right up!" Casey called after them. Jesse and James exchanged looks. "Photographer?" They asked each other. "Just play along." Jesse whispered. "Right!" said James.
Meanwhile Brock and Misty were headed for the first floor, each looking forward to see their crushes. "Y'know," Misty started as she ran her hand across the floral patterned wall. "I've never met anyone like Brian before…" "Oh so that's who it is, eh?" Brock replied smiling. "Yea…" sighed Misty, slightly blushing. I just wish I didn't meet him by crashing into a dinner cart.
"Oh that's nothing!" Brock cried. "Remember the time Ash said I had a bed-time? Right in-front of Officer Jenny!" Misty giggled and rolled her eyes. "Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny." She muttered. "Hey Brock, why do you go after every girl you see?" "Aw Misty, I just can't help it!" Brock said blushing. "I know it looks like I want every girl on the planet, but what I really want is just one, who shares the same feelings as me and I'll find her. Watch it'll be someone you and I least expect!" "Yea, like Jesse from Team Rocket!" Misty laughed as they started down the stairs to the second floor.
"Okay it says here that you requested an 8 by 10 glossy of bride and groom "over the threshold", correct?" "Uh, yes t-that's right" Jesse stammered. "Great, alright then let me just get the equipment setup…there we go! Whenever you're ready Mr. and Mrs.Berkeley." James walked over to Jesse and blushing furiously, slowly wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her into his arms. Jesse laughed nervously as she wrapped her arms around James' neck. The photographer bent down to take the picture, but suddenly stopped. "You guys are way to tense, loosen up will ya - you just got married! You should be happy! C'mon I wanna see some smiles!" The photographer pushed Jesse and James' faces so close together that they were touching cheek to cheek. Jesse could feel the heat leaping off of James' face as she herself, was turning crimson.
"You two are gonna be happy together for a very long time" The photographer said as he snapped away. "I take a lot of wedding pictures and sometimes I can just tell." More nervous laughter came from Jesse and James. "Alright, I know you're dying to get out of these cloths, but I just have one more shot left. I want you two to give each-other the most romantic, magical, passionate kiss you have ever given each-other before." Meowth, who had been hearing the whole thing inside the flower basket, burst out laughing. "What was that?" The photographer asked. "Nothing!" Jesse said quickly dropping the basket to the floor and kicking it into a corner. She watched James carefully as he darted his eyes from the photographer to her, a look of shock and embarrassment on his face. James watched Jesse turn a dark shade of red as he stepped closer to her.
"Brock you're kidding! When did Ash tell you that!" Misty laughed as the two walked down the second floor hallway. "Awhile ago - and he still sleeps with it every night!" Brock said smiling. Brock and Misty passed an open door. They immediately stopped and fell deadly silent. They both took exactly three steps backwards and peered into the doorway.
Jesse closed her eyes and slowly grazed James' lips with her own. All of a sudden a shrill cry startled Jesse and she whipped around to find Brock and Misty staring at her and James in shock. "Its Team Rocket!!" Misty cried. "The Twerps!" James yelled. Jesse clamped her hand over his mouth and started dragging James away. "We're not Team Rocket, we're Mr. and Mrs. Berkeley!" she said quickly and slamming the door. "Who's Team Rocket?" The confused photographer asked. Brock and Misty just shook their heads. "The resemblance is uncanny." Brock said rubbing his chin. "Yea…" Misty said suspiciously. The two continued to the first floor. Inside the room Jesse refused to talk to anyone. She wasn't mad at her teammates, but she defiantly despised the Twerps. "Always ruin everything!" Jesse muttered as she slammed the bathroom door.
Misty continued along side Brock on the first floor hallways. "There's the lobby!" she cried. "I can see it from here!" Misty ran ahead towards the lobby, but something blocked her path. A huge, hideous spinarak came out from behind the wall and faced her. Misty let out a blood-curling scream and jumped onto Brock's shoulders. "Misty, what the-I can't see, cut it out!!!" Brock cried as she tightly held his head. Brock stumbled out into the lobby, knocking over plants and furniture. He stumbled and tripped across the floor with Misty on top of him, still screaming. Brock came crashing down with Misty now underneath him. The two looked up to see both Brian and Casey looking down at them in shock. Misty jumped up, knocking Brock off her. "Oh, uh…hi Brian!" she said scratching the back of her head. "I was just, we were um, uhh…" Brock jumped up interrupting Misty
"We're really sorry for knocking down your pants - I mean your plants!!" he said blushing. "Yea, so we'll be on our way!" Misty said quickly, grabbing Brock's shirt and pulling him away. "Nice going "Mr. knocking down your pants!!" "Well at least I can handle a little spinarak!"Brock said in defense. "Little! that thing….." Misty and Brock disappeared behind a corner.
"That was weird." Casey said as she watched them leave. "Yea, sure was!" replied Brian. "Y'know, I think that Brock kid has a little thing for me." Casey giggled. "Really?" Brian asked. "Do I detect a hint of jealousy?" Casey asked playfully. "No!" shouted Brian. "I was just gonna say that I thought Misty had a thing for me too." "Are you going to go out with her?" Casey quickly asked. "Now who's the jealous one?" Brian smiled. "Nah, she 'aint my type. Would you go out with Brock?" "I don't think so." Casey replied. "But I was kinda hoping for someone to ask me out for Valentine's Day." She added. "Well then…" Brian started. "What would you say to us going out?"
"Are you asking me on a date?" Casey asked in surprise. "Haven't you ever heard the saying "Never date anyone at work?" Brian just grinned sheepishly. "Oh, I'd love too." Casey said giving in. "But I'd feel just awful about Brock and Misty, what if they ask us out? I can't stand to turn him down on Valentine's day." She said sadly. "Well I was thinking, why don't we play a little matchmaker?" Brian said slyly. "Why don't we give them a blind date…with each other!" "What?!" Casey cried. "Aw they'll have a great time, they look like they're best friends, so who knows, maybe they'll find something more…" replied Brian. "Well," Casey started hesitantly. "Okay, why not?!" And the two began plotting the evening.