AN: Hi, I'm finally back with a new chapter! I'm still busy, but I will try to update during the weekend or earlier. Thanks again for your response to the story, it means a lot.

Pokecon88: Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed! Team Rocket sure are "good" at disguises (or maybe our favorite trainers are just a bit blind, lol).

Azrael der Kater: Thank you! I'm happy to hear my character writing has been going well. I hope it will stay that way.

Readingforresearch: Thanks a lot!

Anonymous Person: Thanks, nice to hear you enjoyed! That sure would be a wake-up to remember, haha.

EnderCreeper11: Thanks! Here's more!

Please, ENJOY!

7.

Ash woke up to dark, silent room.

He laid still for a moment, just listening. It must have been the middle of the night, as there was only the moonlight illuminating the world outside his window and the hospital beyond his door was eerily quiet. Ash felt sore, twitchy, uncomfortable. He fumbled for the remote, and raised his bed so he was in a sitting position. It only helped his restlessness the tiniest bit.

Ash pulled his knees up with some effort, leaning his elbows on them and head on his hands. He wanted to scream. He was brimming with energy now, his spirit recovering at much quicker pace than his body. He wanted to train, he wanted to battle, he wanted to run around with Pikachu… With the thought Ash stilled, lifting his head and looking around the room.

Pikachu was nowhere to be seen.

Serena slept really poorly that night.

Her brain was filling up what Ash had left unsaid. In her dreams Ash got electrocuted repeatedly, Pikachu getting possessed by an evil Malamar over and over again. Every time she woke up feeling queasy, and after the third time it happened she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep in a while. Serena got up, sneaked silently out of the quest room where she was now staying at Bonnie and Clemont's house, put on her jacket and shoes and went outside.

The night was warm but windy, and there was no one on the streets as Serena walked around aimlessly, trying to clear her head. She couldn't comprehend what was going on between Ash and that Team Rocket. Why would Ash avoid talking about them, if they were a threat to his Pikachu? Why was he almost defending their actions, even after what happened to him because of them? Also she didn't like how much everything she had heard was affecting her. She knew she got it bad for Ash, and it would only be getting worse.

Slowing down her frantic walking, Serena distantly realized she had ended up outside the hospital without meaning to. She sighed, leaning against the building, trying to get her bearings.

It didn't take long before she got startled by the sudden sound of paws against the pavement and a questioning "Pika?" She looked around and soon noticed Pikachu not far away from her, looking at her in puzzlement. She stared back at Pikachu, equally confused.

"Pikachu? What's going on?" she asked, walking up to the little Pokémon. "Why are you outside?"

Pikachu started to explain with a frantic pace: 'I felt suddenly very anxious in the small room and had to get fresh air. So I sneaked out of the window, but now I can't get back in. The window is too high up to climb up to, and the staff in the hospital won't let me go further than the lobby. But I have to get back to Ash!'

Serena didn't understand what was going on, but she knew Pikachu was agitated about something. She had a bad feeling about it, and knew she had to get up to Ash's room. She picked Pikachu up and hurried inside, heading for the reception desk. She felt relieved to see a familiar receptionist, one that had been there often when Serena came in to visit. She could have a chance.

"Hi Serena", the girl said surprised. "What are you doing here so late? It's not visiting hours, I'm sure you know that."

"Yes, I know", Serena answered quickly. "But I think something's wrong. I found Ash's Pikachu wandering around outside. I don't know why, but even if he just snuck out for air, he needs to get back to his trainer right now. If Ash wakes up and his not there… it's-" Her voice was getting desperate, so she tried to calm down, finishing up with a quiet: "Please."

The girl looked conflicted. "I get it. It sounds bad. But I'm afraid I'll first need to get approval from my manager before I can let you up." She was reaching for the phone. "It might take a while. I'm so sorry."

Pikachu made a frustrated sound, but Serena got an idea. "Hey, wait. There is a police officer outside his room who recognizes me and Pikachu. She is responsible for both of their safety, so I'm sure she will let me go in, and it there is a problem later on because of it, she will take care of it. Please, call her first?"

"All right", said the receptionist, and after a quick search for the officer's number she called her. It only took a second before the officer answered and the girl explained what was going on.

Serena asked to speak to her too, and got the phone. "Hi, it's Serena. I'll be up there in a minute, but please could you make sure right away he's still asleep?"

"Sure." There was a short silence and then the sound of keys opening a lock. Suddenly the officer spoke to someone other than Serena: "Hey, what are you doing? Get back to bed!"

There was a mumbled response from farther away, and the officer answered: "No, you won't." She listened for a second before continuing: "Stop it! Serena is downstairs with Pikachu. They will be here any second."

Serena had frozen with the phone to her ear, listening to the officer speak to Ash. She snapped out of it, handed the phone back to the worried-looking receptionist and bolted for the stairs. Pikachu jumped out of her arms and ran ahead, leaping up the stairs. Serena had never run so fast in her life, and she was gasping for air when she finally arrived at the open door leading to Ash's room. She stared at the scene.

Ash was standing by an open closet, wearing only his underwear and a shirt halfway on like he hadn't quite figured out how to get the hand with the IV-line through the armhole. The officer was beside him, holding him up, and Pikachu was on the bed, talking frantically to Ash. Ash looked like he was in pain, and Serena rushed to them, helping the officer to lead him back to his bed.

Ash sat heavily on the edge of his bed and after the officer got his shirt back off, Pikachu jumped on his lap and stared up at him. Ash hugged the Pokémon before turning to look at Serena warily. "What's going on? Why was Pikachu with you?"

"Thank you officer. It's all right now", Serena said, moving to sit in front of Ash. The woman left them alone after a final confused look. Serena turned to Ash. "What were you thinking?" she asked instead, not answering his question. "Trying to go find Pikachu by yourself?"

Ash got pissed. "Of course I would go find Pikachu", he snapped. "Why was he with you?"

Serena sighed. It would be no use being angry at him. "I don't know, Ash", she said quietly. "I slept badly, so I went for a walk. That's when I ran into Pikachu, outside the hospital."

Ash stared at her for a while, his body deflating as the suspicion left him. He stopped frowning at Serena, instead turning to Pikachu. "Why would you go outside without telling me?" he asked. "I was so worried."

Pikachu looked really resentful. 'I'm sorry', he said sadly. 'I couldn't sleep the whole night, and the room was making me anxious. I didn't think you would wake up before I got back.'

Ash seemed to understand some of it, and nodded resigned. "You really need to spend more time outside with Serena and the others. You will go crazy in here." He laughed shortly, seeming self-conscious about his own appearance. "Have you seen me? I'm going crazy too."

Serena too was starting to realize the fact he was almost naked in front of her. She tried her best not to stare, but couldn't not notice how thin he looked, and how many half-healed bruises there were all over his body.

"Thanks, Serena", Ash said suddenly, and Serena jumped slightly, hoping her watching wasn't obvious. Ash was still holding Pikachu on his lap, smiling at her, but he looked exhausted. "I don't know what I was thinking. I'm just getting really tired of laying still. I guess this was a good enough excuse for me to get up."

"I understand", Serena said and smiled too. "But I did nothing. It was only good luck I ran into Pikachu."

'You did everything you could so I would get back into this room', argued Pikachu, and Ash's gaze was intense. "Yeah. You got Pikachu back to me."

Serena avoided the look, fighting a blush. "You should lay back down", she said, and Pikachu agreed, moving to make space for him.

"Maybe", Ash said, but didn't move. He stared at the hospital gown he had discarded on the floor, next to some of his other personal belongings that had fallen off of the shelf while he had searched for his clothing. Serena noticed a red cap and a belt for the Poké Balls, and still in the closet was a green backpack. He didn't have much else than that.

When Ash stayed still, Serena grew concerned. "Do you… do you need help?"

Ash jumped and raised his head. "No, um… I'm just thinking how good it felt the first few seconds. Standing up I mean." He's legs hanging over the edge of the bed were swinging slightly, like he was about to do it again. "But it was only a few seconds. After that it was awful. Feels like I'm never getting better."

Serena felt really bad for him. She watched as he struggled to move backwards on the bed, lifting his legs one at the time on it and slipping under the sheet. He leaned against the elevated bed, sighing and closing his eyes.

"You know Ash, I remember what you said the first time we met. You never give up until the end", Ash opened his eyes, surprised. Serena smiled encouragingly. "It's only your second week here and you have been recovering faster than expected. You will get to walk around soon, I'm sure!"

Ash chuckled. "You are right, I won't give up. Instead, I will heal even quicker!" His look went from depressed to determined in seconds. "Thanks Serena. You really know what to say."

"Sure", she said, stunned.

"I guess I will need to rest if I want to get better faster", Ash mused. He frowned then, looking at Serena. "Why couldn't you sleep anyway? It's after midnight, you must be really tired."

Like on cue, Serena yawned. She laughed shortly. "Yeah, a bit. I got nightmares earlier. I guess none of us slept well today."

"True", said Ash amused. Then he yawned too. He was clearly fighting to keep his eyes open. Pikachu stepped on the remote, making the bed lower down. Ash grinned. "Clearly it's my time to sleep. Thanks again, for everything you have done for Pikachu and me."

"Sleep well", Serena said with a flustered smile. "You too, Pikachu. We will be back later today."

They wished each other good night, and Serena left the room quietly. Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it for a moment, gathering her thoughts.

"Boys, right?" said the officer, making Serena jump again.

She chuckled embarrassed. "He can be reckless." She sighed, straightening up. "I appreciate your help today. Good night."

"Good night. Try to get some sleep."

Serena walked back slowly, going over the events over and over again. And when she finally fell asleep, her dreams were filled with Ash's smiles.

There was a visitor, Brock, with Ash the following day, so Serena, Bonnie and Clemont went out to the park with all of their and Ash's Pokémon. Even Pikachu came with them, having learned something from last night. Serena had explained the siblings briefly what had happened during the night, after they had wondered why she seemed so tired.

Bonnie was petting Pikachu. "Yeah, Pikachu", she said after Serena's story. "Hasn't anyone told you that you will sleep poorly if you stay inside all the time?"

"I don't think it has been a problem before", laughed Clemont. Pikachu agreed. He was tired too, having not gotten much sleep at all that night. He hadn't really slept even after he was returned to Ash's room, feeling guilty for what he almost had caused.

Bonnie looked thoughtful. "Probably. When we were smaller that was all our father ever said to us. Clemont especially was spending all his time in his room!"

Clemont paused his tinkering, turning to her. "Hey! I had so many great ideas all the time so I didn't have time to waste hanging around outside!"

"Or you just were lazy", she mumbled and he threw a handful of grass at her.

Serena laughed, leaning backwards against her arm and shielding her eyes from the midday sun with her other hand. "I didn't have much of a choice. I have spent my whole life outside caring for Rhyhorn and other Pokémon with my mom."

Bonnie laid back on the grass too. "That doesn't sound so bad to me."

Serena smiled wistfully. "I guess. I love all of the Pokémon we have at home, but maybe it was the fact I got no say in it. I was to become a Rhyhorn racer and that was it."

"So, what do you want to become?" asked Clemont. He was watching the Pokémon roam around the park, enjoying the warm, sunny day.

Serena was watching the Pokémon too, feeling almost lost. "That's the problem. I really don't know yet. That's part of the reason why I took this job in the first place. I just know I can't spend my whole life in one place."

"I understand", Clemont said. "In a way, I'm yearning an adventure myself too. Being a gym leader isn't always that exciting, and now that I have seen how much Ash has already experienced… I want it too. I think only that way I could actually learn more about Pokémon and myself."

Bonnie suddenly sat up, looking at them excitedly. "When Ash is better, we could join him on his journey! Right big brother? Could we travel with him?"

"I guess", said Clemont hesitantly. "We would have to ask him, of course."

Bonnie wasn't bothered. "Let's just ask Pikachu." She turned to Pikachu, who had been running around in circles with Bunnelby and Fennekin. He stopped, hearing his name. Bonnie grinned. "What do you think Pikachu? Could we travel with you and Ash?"

Pikachu made a happy sound, nodding. Bonnie cheered in joy. "We are going on a journey!" She turned to Serena, who was getting nervous. "Will you join us too, Serena? Please, you should come too!"

"Um…" Serena looked from Bonnie to Clemont to Pikachu, who all were staring at her expectantly. She smiled, feeling warm inside. "Sure. If it's fine with Ash, I would love to come with you!"

They all felt good about it, resuming their relaxed lounging. Just as they were contemplating their lunch plans, a pair of scientist in lab coats appeared before them; a woman with a bright pink hair and a man with purple hair. With them was also a very tiny, weird-looking person with a tiny lab coat, glasses and a hat.

"Excuse us", said the man. "Would you happen to be the owners of all of these Pokémon?"

The kids were staring at the three of them, confused. Clemont shook his head slowly. "No, most of them are our friend's, who is not here."

"Oh, well, how about that Pikachu?" said the woman, staring almost hungrily at the baffled Pokémon. Pikachu jumped closer to Serena.

Clemont shrugged. "He's our friends, too."

"Yeah, we are taking care of Pikachu and his other Pokémon for him", said Bonnie, now holding Goomy on her lap. Frogadier, Hawlucha and Fletchinder had also gathered around them, eyeing the intruders.

"That's all fine and all", said the woman frustrated. "The thing is, we are researchers from a nearby facility, and we are specializing on how Pokémon native to other regions fare in Kalos."

"Pikachu are from Kanto, and that's very far away. We would love to do some research on him", said the little guy.

"Our lab is not far away, please follow us!" the man urged, pointing to a direction across the park and away from the hospital.

The kids hesitated. "That does sound very interesting", said Clemont apologetically. "But we were just about to go eat. After that we are going back to the hospital to see that friend."

"Yeah, maybe some other day?" offered Serena. "I think Ash would love to come with us to the lab too."

The woman suddenly looked mad. "No! Today is the best day! It has to be today!"

"Wait, some other day is fine!" said the man hastily. He grabbed his partner's arm, turning her around for some private talk. Soon, the woman emerged, smiling widely again. "He is right!" she said. "Maybe tomorrow will do? We are very busy you see. Also, it won't take long, so I'm sure your friend doesn't have to come along for it if he's sick."

"That's right. Just tell him the results later!" the little person proceeded. The kids looked at each other, shrugging.

"We will think about it", said Serena. Her stomach screamed for food, and she shifted her weight. "We really have to go now. Where can we find you again?"

"Just come to this park at sunset tomorrow. We will find you", advised the purple-haired man. "No need to worry about anything, we are professionals!"

They were retreating while they spoke. "Bye bye! See you tomorrow!" they cried, turning around and quickly disappearing down the path.

"They seemed… nice", Bonnie said to the silence that followed. They all laughed, gathered their belongings and headed for lunch.

Ash was super happy to see Brock again.

Brock had heard from Misty and Dawn, and told Ash they were very sorry to not be able to visit just yet. Ash would have loved to see them too, but understood it wasn't easy to travel long distances. It was only luck Brock had a chance to visit – he was meeting the local Nurse Joy for a talk about new Pokémon medication. He had put aside some time on his schedule to visit Ash, too.

It had taken them a while to go over everything they had experienced after Sinnoh. Brock wasn't too happy about the fact Ash had decided to travel alone in Kalos but Ash just shrugged, saying it had been a different experience.

"I must admit though", he was saying. "It's much more fun to travel with friends. Even though I had my Pokémon, it's not the same."

Brock nodded understanding. "I would have thought so too", he agreed. "So, what do you plan to do after you have challenged the Lumiose City gym? Where a you heading next? And will you go with those new friends on yours? They seem great."

"I'm thinking Laverre City, it has a fairy-type gym", answered Ash. "And yeah, it would be awesome to go with Serena, Clemont and Bonnie! I don't know if they want to come, though. I will have to ask them."

"I'm sure they want to", smiled Brock. "I'm impressed Pikachu trusts them so much too."

Ash chuckled. "It did take a while. But it's great now. He couldn't stand staying inside all the time."

Brock looked at him. "Can you?"

Ash quieted, staring down at his hands. The IV was finally off, and he was getting back to eating solid foods. It was a small joy, but what he really wanted was to go outside. He was told it wouldn't be long now, if he just contained himself a while longer. "Barely", he admitted. "I'm really bored of doing nothing."

"I can believe that", said Brock sympathetically. "It's good you have friends here to keep you company."

"Yeah, Serena is awesome", agreed Ash, but added quickly: "Bonnie and Clemont too. I don't know what I would do without them."

Brock smirked. "Serena, huh?"

Ash didn't know why he felt so nervous all of a sudden. "Well… She has spent the most time with me."

"Sure", said Brock, still smiling knowingly. Ash felt flustered for no apparent reason, wanting to change the subject. He didn't have to though, since there was a knock on the door and the girl in question came in followed by the blond siblings and an army of Pokémon.

"Hi Ash, hi again Brock", Serena greeted. "We just had lunch, so we are free now if you have to go."

Brock stood up. "Yes, unfortunately I do have things to do. It was great to see you Ash and Pikachu. I might come to say hey again before I leave."

"Great to see you too, Brock", answered Ash, sad to see his friend go so soon.

Brock turned to the Kalos friends. "You too Serena, Bonnie and Clemont. Look after Ash. Don't let him do anything stupid." He grinned at the boy, who looked offended. "He does know how to do that."

"We won't", smiled Clemont. "Take care."

After Brock left, Ash's Pokémon rushed on and around the bed, excited to see him. Ash was excited too, and they spent a while just playing with the Pokémon and talking with Ash about his history with Brock. After that Bonnie asked how he met all of his Kalos Pokémon, and they were especially amused to hear Goomy had just dropped from the sky directly on Ash.

They were having a great time, their conversation flowing endlessly, when finally a nurse peeked his head through the door, announcing it was time for Ash's dinner, shower and medicine.

Ash went serious instantly. "And after that it's mom-time", he groaned. "Then sleep."

The nurse nodded, unwavering. "That's right. I will have to ask your friends to leave."

The kids agreed resentfully. "All right. We will see you tomorrow."

"Yeah… see you", said Ash.

It was only after they had closed the hospital door behind them that they realized they had forgot to mention the researchers interested in Pikachu. Well, they would just tell Ash about it tomorrow. Those researchers had said it would only be a quick thing.

It would be fine.

Poor, innocent kids. They will learn.

There's big changes happening in our heroes' lives. Next time we shall see how they manage one of Team Rocket's schemes.