In My Heart: Live For Today

By: TheFifthCharmedOne

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Summary: Third and final part of In My Heart trilogy. The road of love never did run smooth, but it seems things may finally be going the way they were meant to go. Though as the old saying goes, everything is not what it seems. Poke and Contest ships.

-X-X-X-

Chapter 4: So Desperately

Something 'bout the way you looked at me
Made me think for a moment,
That maybe we were meant to be
Living our lives separately
And it's strange that things change
But not me wanting you so desperately

Oh why can't I ignore it?
I keep giving it in but I should know better
'Cause there was something 'bout the way you looked at me
and it's strange that things change
but not me wanting you so desperately

Desperately, Michelle Branch

-X-X-X-

MISTY POV

"No way, they seriously did that?" Will said, still laughing over something my sisters had done over the years. We had started sharing life stories, and now we were laughing like old friends. It felt nice, and natural.

"They definitely did," I said as I wiped a tear from my eye. The twins were clapping and laughing too, mostly because they saw me doing it. Pichu was sitting on the table, looking out the window, and Togetic was floating beside him. They looked like they were searching for someone.

We lapsed into an awkward silence, and I stared at my coffee, deep in thought.

Could a relationship between me and Will actually work out? My first impression was that he was a normal guy with a little brother and a fondness for kids and Pokemon, but I didn't know anything else about him. Could I really trust him? Could I ever open my heart to him? Somehow I don't think I can; because the only person that has the key to unlock my heart is Ash. (1)

I didn't want to be tied down, but at the same time, I don't want to get over Ash. He was and is my first love, possibly the love of my life. I'll never understand just how I came to fall in love with him, but I did, and I don't think I'll ever stop.

That thought made me feel bad, because in a sense, by holding on to Ash, I was leading Will on. And that wasn't right; he seemed like a nice guy, I couldn't be cruel enough to let that go to waste on someone like me.

"So…" Will said, snapping me from my daydreams. "About the twins' father…"

I bit my lip. "Do you talk to him?" he asked me, and suddenly I felt very insecure in my own skin, just by the way he was looking at me.

"Yes, well, sort of. It's complicated." I said, getting annoyed with my inability to talk properly. I blew my bangs out of my eyes and tried to keep calm. No need to get freaked out.

"Complicated how? Did he treat you right?" He seemed really interested in me, and my life. That made my heart beat a little faster, but nowhere near as fast as it does when Ash is around.

"Yes, but…I…" I didn't really know what to say; I didn't want to spill my guts, we barely knew each other! "It's complicated; can we just leave it at that?" I glanced at my watch, and then heard the twins yawn. I realized it was almost time for their usual nap. Eventually they would grow out of naps, but until then, I had to keep them on their usual schedule. "I'm sorry, I have to take the twins home. It's time for their nap."

"Need some help?" he sounded like he really wanted me to stay.

"No, no, I'm fine, it's okay." I took out a few bills and put them on the table.

"No need, it's my treat." he pushed the money back toward me and took out his wallet, after calculating the check on his PokéGear. I took the money back and hoisted the twins from the high chairs that the restaurant offered. Pichu and Togetic realized we were leaving and while Togetic floated beside me and Pichu sat on my head, we walked out of the café.

ASH POV

"By going to the Hoenn region, you do understand that you will still be the Kanto Regional Master, but you will not have any jurisdiction there. Of course, your fans," I cringed. "Will follow you, but once they realize you are not coming back to Kanto, at least for the time being, they will most likely leave you alone."

"I understand." I said, and I met each of their eyes. The members of the Indigo Plateau Pokemon League Advisors consisted of elder Masters and Elite Fours from the past. They were basically mine and the other Elite Four's bosses.

"Good. Then we grant you permission to leave Kanto for an extended vacation."

I felt like cheering as they gave me the document that would grant me permission to leave. They hadn't cared that I'd left without permission in the past, and they appreciated I had come to them this time, especially since I wasn't sure when I would be coming back.

If I would be coming back at all.

As I left the Council Hall, Brock was waiting for me. I must have been grinning, because his face lit up.

"Read it and weep." I said, showing him the paper.

He smiled.

"Go get her." he encouraged.

I'm coming Misty. I promise.

-X-X-X-

MISTY POV

Three weeks later, I got a phone call from Ash.

"Hey Mist," he greeted me, and my heart jumped a few feet out of my chest. There was a major difference between how I felt around Will and how I felt around Ash. Speaking of Will, we hadn't spoken in a while, and as bad as I felt for how things had been left between us, there was nothing I could do. I love Ash. I always will. (2)

"Hi Ash," I said slowly. "How's it going?"

"Great actually. I have awesome news." he said, holding up a paper. "I'm allowed to come to Hoenn! I talked to the League Advisors and they gave me permission to come to see you and the twins!"

He sounded really happy about it, and I felt a huge smile come to my face, despite the confusion they lay underneath.

"That's great Ash, it'll be good for the twins to see you on a regular basis," I said.

"What about you?" he asked me. "Do you want me to come?"

"Of course I do," I said, not meeting his eyes. Then, as if on cue, May came up the steps and saw Ash on the phone.

"Ash!" she said happily. "Good to see you, what's up?" she said as she put her bags down.

"He's coming to visit." I said, smiling. "He got permission this time."

"That's cool! Are you staying for the holidays?"

"Probably, if it's okay with you guys," Ash said uncomfortably. I got the feeling he was upset May had shown up. I, on the other hand, was not. I didn't really want to talk to him about anything.

"It's fine," I said, looking into his eyes and begging him to believe me. "We'll all be happy to see you again."

-X-X-X-

With Christmas closing in, I knew that the twins would be happy to see Ash again, and Togetic and Pichu loved him. May would want to talk about the wedding, and he and Drew would catch up. Uncle Norman would ask about his achievements as Pokemon Master, and Caroline would make sure nothing went wrong.

But what about me? I'm so confused about my feelings that I don't know what to believe. I'm excited to see Ash again, but what about Will? I know things aren't serious between us, we're hardly even friends, but somehow I feel like I need to set the record straight.

If I only knew how.

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A/N: So, Ash is going to visit! =D Which can only mean…. POKESHIPPY FLUFF! I know, you're all excited too. xD. So, yeah. The Will thing will be settled within the next few chapters, and I'm planning May and Drew's wedding to be in March or April after Christmas, and then some filler-y stuff, and then the end. Well, I'm not sure what'll all happen in between, but I have a basic outline. ^-^'

Anyway, until next time, don't forget to review!

(1 and 2) Pokeshippers rejoice!

~Charmed