Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon or the characters. They are the property of Tajiri Satoshi, Nintendo, etc.

Notes: And to take a break from all of the Starchshipping, here's a fic that has just one pairing: my very first ship for Pokémon ever...of all time. It started when I was only 14 (this is almost 14 years ago!) and heard Misty's Song on my 2.B.A. Master CD that I received for my birthday. Since then, I've forever been a Pokeshipper.

And, naturally, since I'm a fan of Tracey, he has a pretty major part in this story too.

So, to wrap things up...this contains Pokeshipping (Ash x Misty), possible OOC, and lots of Tracey Sketchit. If you don't like any of those things (and I know lots of you don't like at least two out of three), please leave now.

You're still here? Then, enjoy!

There was something there, Tracey knew it. He'd known it since early in the journey. He was a Pokémon Watcher, so it was only natural his observation skills caught onto human behaviour. He once voiced his observation to the two it concerned, but they didn't take it well. That night, he decided to just keep observing silently. Let them speak when the time was right.

Of course, just watching and seeing nothing happen could be painful. He wanted his two friends to be happy.

When Trovita Island's Gym Leader Rudi took a shine to Misty, he noticed that while Misty was flattered at the show of affection, that's really all it was. When she accepted the offer to have dinner, it seemed it was little Mahri's pleading that got her to accept.

Tracey, there's something I need to talk to you about," Misty had said the next morning when Ash went to prepare for his battle. "Last night, Rudi invited me to stay here."

That was not something he expected to hear at all.

"He is a really nice gentleman, and his sister is really sweet too. What should I do?"

"I can't give you an answer, Misty. Only you know what the answer is." He wanted to say stay with Ash! but, that wouldn't be right. Giving Misty the choice would help her find the answer to what she really wanted to do.

Thankfully, she found the answer on her own, and continued travelling with them.

During his days as Professor Oak's assistant, he would continuously find himself wondering if Ash or Misty said anything to the other. He hoped they would. But, when Ash returned from Johto, excepting the company of Pikachu, he was alone. He explained Misty had to take over the Cerulean Gym in her sisters' absence, and Brock had been called back to Pewter City. He also mentioned they gave him parting gifts that came in handy when Team Rocket launched another sneak attack.

"Hold on. So, the lunch and cutlery was from Brock, right?" Tracey asked.

"And Misty's gift to you was..."

"A handkerchief. She said it would make the lunch easier to carry."

Tracey knew Misty had made her confession without words, even if Ash didn't get it. He knew Misty was following a custom in which females present males they love with a handkerchief. "I bet you're gonna miss them, huh?"

Ash nodded as Pikachu let out a sad pika....

"Don't worry; I'm sure you'll see them again." He also hoped that next time, some feelings would be realised.

Some of his duties had him travelling to different towns, including Cerulean City. He'd often go to the gym on errands, but was granted a longer time to stay and catch-up with Misty; even help her tend to the gym.

"So, have you heard from Ash?" she'd ask.

"Yeah, he's doing well."

"So I heard. Brock told me he'd caught up to Ash, and they're travelling with two others, right?"

"Yeah. May and her brother Max."

Misty held Togepi in her arms. "I was sent an invitation to attend a conference for Togepi trainers, and it's in Hoenn. I'll be leaving next week. I made plans to meet up with them."

"I hope it all goes well for you."

"Hey, Trace?"

"What's up?" He noticed Misty appeared a little anxious.

"About what you said. About Ash and I. Well, I think...no, I know it was true. But, how could I admit such a thing while he's so immature?"

"He's grown up a lot, you know."

"I think that when I see him...I'll tell him. I think he might still be unaware."

"Most likely. But, I'm certain that if you tell him, all will be fine."

"How can you be so sure?"

"My observations have yet to be wrong. I noticed a long time ago how much you truly mean to him."

The next time he saw her, things were different. She appeared quieter due to the absence of Togepi. He'd heard that Togepi had evolved into Togetic and stayed in the Mirage Kingdom to protect the Togepi Paradise. Because of that, he chose not to ask her if she said anything. He knew the answer anyway.

There were two other times he knew of when Ash and Misty were reunited. One was when Ash returned from Hoenn, and even May and Max visited. He'd heard them say Misty would travel with them for a short while, at least until near Cerulean City.

He pulled her aside when he had the chance. "It looks like you have the perfect chance now."

She looked uncertain. She shifted Azurill in her arms. "I don't know, Trace. Something tells me the time isn't right."

"But, you may not ever have another chance."

"I know. I'll try to tell him. If not..."

"If not?"

"I'll just have to content myself with the idea of us just being best friends. It's better than nothing."

"Whatever you feel is best. I'm sorry if I seemed pushy."

She shook her head and smiled. "I appreciate all the support you've given me." She shrugged. "Besides, with him travelling all the time, even if he did return my feelings, it would be a long-distance relationship."

He nodded. "Yeah, that's true."

In the end, he knew a verbal confession would never be made. But, he always noticed that Misty and Ash still felt the same way. That was a slight relief. Knowing they were happy, even with things the way they were, that was enough.