Twenty four hours later:

I woke up with a pounding headache and bruised body. I yelped as I tried to sit up in bed and found that I couldn't. I slowly opened my eyes and found that I was in an unfamiliar room. A hospital room. I frowned and asked curiously to the doctor standing beside me, "How on earth did I get here?" Daisy seemed like she was crying, "Oh Misty…you like…totally nearly died! You…you're alive!" I nodded and frowned, "Doesn't really answer my…" But then the memories swarmed back and hit me like a ten tone truck. I groaned and then my eyes widened, "Where's Ash?! Is he…"

Violet took my hand, "Oh Misty! Ash…he's like…" she glanced at Lily, not sure how to explain. Lily grimaced, "He's in a critical condition, Misty. He's not well at all." I wanted to jump out of my bed and run to him, but the doctor held me down, "I'm sorry young lady, but he's in ICU right now and I'm not allowing any visitors."

I groaned and said frustrated, "I want to see him! I love him!" It was the first time I had admitted it out loud, to anyone. My sisters glanced at each other nervously and the doctor replied "He's got several cracked ribs and intensive bruising. He's on heavy pain medication. He's currently unconscious." I felt my heart pounding and then asked in a meek whisper, "Will he live?" The doctor nodded, "I think so. If he wakes up in the next twenty four hours. His mother is with him." I grimaced and replied, "Delia! Is she ok? And Professor Oak and Brock?" The doctor smiled, "All are fine. The two men who were with you have just been discharged to get some rest at home."

I smiled slightly, "At least they're ok." I sighed and shook my head, it was pounding. Then I glanced at my sisters, "How's Pikachu?" Lily grimaced and sighed, "Not in a good shape either. It's at the Pokemon centre next door." I sighed and the doctor said, "Get some rest young lady. You're going to need it for the week ahead." I felt my eyes droop closed and I drifted swiftly to sleep.

Brock:

I went back to the hospital the following day to visit Misty. She was not in a good condition, but at least she was doing slightly better than Ash. I hadn't been allowed to see him, but that's what the doctor in charge told me.

I walked to Misty's room and found that she was asleep. I was relieved that Daisy, Lily and Violet weren't here. They had phoned me because they'd been watching the standoff on the TV. They were extremely worried and teary eyed. I'd never seen them so concerned over their younger sister. I was gld they were looking out for her. She needed the support right now.

I sat reading a magazine on Pokemon food when she finally opened her eyes. She glanced around the room and found me sitting there, "Brock! What a pleasant surprise!" I smiled and asked worriedly, "How are you doing, Misty?" She shrugged and replied in a whisper, "Uh…I've been better. How's Ash?" I grimaced and shrugged, "I dunno. Haven't spoken to a doctor yet."

She sighed and fiddled nervously with the sheets. She whispered, "Brock I've realized something, through all of this." I smiled kindly and asked even though I knew the answer, "What is it, Misty?" Misty sighed and placed her head in hands, as if she couldn't believe it, "I love…him. I love Ash." I grinned a smile so big it could stretch around the room and said in a whisper, "I know." She glanced up and frowned, "You…know?"

I nodded and laughed, "It was pretty obvious. Don't forget I'm the one who travelled with you guys everywhere. No one would know that better than me." Misty sat back mumbled, "And I used to call Ash dense. I feel just as stupid now. I thought I had hidden it so well." I grinned and said heartily, "Well I think the fact that he owed you a new bike didn't quite explain the amount of time you spent travelling with us." She blushed furiously and shrugged, "Clearly I wasn't fooling anyone." I nodded and replied, "Except Ash." She smiled, "Yeah, except him."
The doctor walked in then and smiled, "Ah, Misty, glad you're awake." He walked over to me and held out his hand, "I'm Doctor Grant. I'm looking after Misty while she's recovering. And Mr Ketchum too." I stood up and shook his hand, "Thank you, sir. I'm Brock. I used to travel with them to different regions." The doctor smiled and said, "You've got some very brave friends, Brock. I watched the whole showdown between Team Rocket and these two. Quite a battle I must say." Misty frowned and then asked, "Where…where's Mew?"

She was looking at me, guessing I knew the answer. I grimaced and said slowly, "Misty…whatever attack Mew made that you ordered it to do…kind of made it disintegrate and disappear." Misty's eyes widened in shock and surprise! She gasped, "What?! Mew is…gone?!" I nodded and grimaced sadly, "Along with Mew. I think it was the only way to win the battle." Misty frowned and groaned, "Ash is gonna kill me! That was his secret weapon against Gary and the current champion!" The doctor looked uneasy and said, "Well, that's actually why I came in here, Miss. Mr Ketchum has just regained consciousness."

Misty's face grew into one of delight. I'd never seen her look so relieved…except for maybe when Ash was revived after turning into stone. She sat up straight away and asked, "Can I go and see him?" The doctor frowned and said thoughtfully, "Let me just go and check at the information desk. I'll call and see if he's up for visitors." Misty grinned in elation, "Thank you Doctor Grant! Thank you!"

We waited for what felt like hours in silence. In reality it was only ten minutes. Then the doctor came back and nodded, "He wants to see you miss, on your own." I took that as my queue to leave. Misty jumped out of bed and then came and gave me a hug, "Thank you Brock. For everything!" I smiled and hugged her tightly, "No problem, Misty. Give him a pat on the back for me, will you?" Misty nodded and beamed, "Of course, Brock. I'll send him your love." I blanched, "I didn't say…" but then she winked at me and I rolled my eyes as I walked out of the room, the two of us laughing.

Ash:

I slowly opened my eyes. They felt heavy and I couldn't see clearly. My vision was blurred and immense pain shot through my stomach region. I yelled out in surprise and then I heard my mom's voice, "Ash? Ashy-Pie?" I groaned at the nickname that I couldn't stand and finally opened my eyes fully.

She was sitting there, looking pale and worried. I frowned, "Mom…what's going on?" She sighed and said tearfully, "Ash, you're going to be ok. You're alive!" She sounded tired, upset and there was something else in her voice I couldn't quite place…maybe disbelief? I frowned and asked, "Where am I?" I didn't have the energy to sit up yet but it seemed like a hospital room. She confirmed my suspicion, "In a hospital, Ash. There was…a big battle between you and the Team Rocket leader, Giovanni. Do you remember?"

As she said it, the memories came back to me in a flash of a second. I gasped and asked in a panic, "What happened to Misty?! And Pikachu?! And Brock? And Professor Oak?" I groaned in pain as my stomach felt like it was on fire. My mother grimaced, "Misty is in a ward downstairs under surveillance. She's fine though. Just a lot of bruising. And Brock is also ok, as well as the professor." I nodded, wincing in pain as I thought about what could have happened, "Pikachu?" I asked again. I didn't see the Pokemon anywhere.

My mom smiled reassuringly, "Pikachu is fine. It's in the Pokecentre next door. It needs to rest for the week." I nodded and groaned as a doctor came in, "Hi, I'm Dr Sullivan. Misty wants to see you. Are you up for visitors?" I wasn't really. I didn't want her to see me in this pain. But I know I needed to make sure she was ok. So I nodded, "Sure, please bring her in. Mom…do you mind?" My mother smiled and held up her hands, "It's ok, Ash. I got the message. I'm going." I smiled at her gratefully.

As she left, I noticed a red headed figure lurking in the window. I tried to sit up as she rushed in but I couldn't move. She shook her head and whispered, "No Ash! Don't." I smiled gratefully and sat back down, wincing in pain. She grimaced and whispered as she sat down beside me, "How are you doing?" I sighed and shook my head, my body feeling numb as I tried to speak, "Been better. More importantly, how are you?" I smiled as she leant in and kissed my cheek. I hadn't realized until now that I had a whole bunch of needles sticking in my side. It seemed like I was on some sort of a drip. She sighed, "I've been worried sick when I've been conscious. I wanted to come and visit but they said you were asleep."
I nodded and realized now was when I needed to apologize for choosing my dream instead of her. I whispered, "Mist…listen I just need to tell you. I'm sorry for neglecting you. I'm sorry for leaving. I'm sorry for not choosing you." Her face softened and she took a hold of my hand, "No Ash, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not telling you something I should have said all those years ago. I love you Ash Ketchum. You had me thinking for the last twenty four hours that I might lose you. If I didn't say it when I could have then I would have regretted that for the rest of my life. You're not the one who needs to apologize, I am."

I couldn't really believe what I was hearing, "So…does this mean I'm…forgiven?" I asked. Misty nodded and grinned, "Of course. There was nothing to forgive," she said softly as a tear fell down her cheek. I smiled and said with a massive grin on my face, "Come here…"

She got on her knees so she was now eye level with me and leant in so that our lips were pressing against each other softly. My heart started pounding and I wished in that moment I wasn't tied to a whole bunch of monitors and machines. I just wanted to hold her in my arms and never let go. It physically hurt to move this close to her. I winced when one of my ribs felt a searing pain. She jumped back immediately, scared, "Was it something I did?" she asked, wide-eyed. I shook my head, "No…I'm just in a lot of pain still. I love you too, Misty. Thank you for forgiving me. I'm never leaving your side again." She blushed brightly, even in this dark room and I knew that from here on out, she was finally mine.

Misty:

I felt relieved after my visit with Ash. The doctor wanted to come in and put him on some more morpheme medication to ease the pain, so I kissed him on the cheek and knew this was my turn to leave. I was in my pajama's which my sister had bought for me and I was ready to head back to bed, feeling exhausted. I looked forward to what the future might hold with Ash. I dreamt that Ash won the championship league. That he became the Pokemon Master he had dreamed of all his life. I dreamt that he was ready to settle down now, even at the young age of eighteen.

Dream:

I watched as Ash raised the most gigantic trophy I had ever seen in my life in the air with so much pride on his face and if I didn't know any better, I'd say he was almost crying. His dream was now a reality and I yelled and cheered for him from the Oak family box.

I saw him search the box and his eyes landed on me, happy and determined. Then he announced through the microphone, "Will Misty Clearwater please come to the front of the stadium?" I frowned and glanced at Brock, perplexed! What was Ash thinking?! He laughed and cheered, "Go Misty!" The crowd began cheering my name too, "MISTY! MISTY! MISTY!" I shrugged and slowly but surely made my way down to the front of the pitch and through the crowd to get there. He smiled at me widely as I reached him and he was practically beaming it was so bright, "Misty. I know I made a horrible mistake when I was sixteen years old. I chose my dream instead of you. But I've come to realize that my love for you will never die. Misty Clearwater…" here the crowd gasped as he got down on one knee, "Will you do me the honor of marrying me?" My eyes filled with tears and he looked at me hopefully. I could see he was nervous, but my heart was pounding. It was everything I wanted and more. I screamed suddenly, "Yes! Of course I will, you dimwit!" He laughed loudly and the sound sent my heart soaring. The crowd cheered and I'd never felt happier in my life.

End of dream

I woke up, heart pounding, and found it was the middle of the night. Nobody was around and I was in a room all on my own. I tried to go back to sleep but I simply couldn't. Not after that dream I had. A moment had never felt so perfect. Ash had declared his love for me in front of the world. Who wouldn't have wanted that dream?!

I felt an intense longing for Ash then. I decided to sneak upstairs. I was lucky there was no nurse at the reception desk on my floor, or the floor above me. I hurried on down the passage and found Ash's room easily, having mentally remembered the number there. I opened the door softly and now that I was here, I wasn't sure why I had come. He was sleeping of course.

I sighed and was about to turn away when he whispered, "Misty…?" I smiled at his half asleep state and nodded, "Yeah Ash…sorry to bother you. I uh…" I glanced at the digital nightstand. It was now 4am. I smiled, "I just had a dream that's all." He tried to sit up but I forced him back down. He sighed, "What kind of a dream?" I shrugged and sighed, "One that involved…um…" I thought quickly. Did I really want to tell him what the dream was about? I had only just confessed my love to him. I didn't want to scare him off as soon as I had him! I smiled sweetly, "It's nothing. Just Team Rocket."
Ash raised his eyebrows, and even though he was half-drugged he knew I was lying, "Come on Mist, I know you better than that. What's this really about?" I sighed and came and sat in the chair beside him. He shifted over even though it caused him pain and I gratefully climbed onto the bed beside him. I cuddled under the duvet and whispered, "Ash, I dreamt that well…you had won the championship and then…" I bit my lip, blushing brightly. Even in this dark room I was sure he could see the blush. He smiled and whispered, "Go on."
I swallowed hard and gulped, "Well I dreamt that you uh…called me onto the stage and got down on one knee." I closed my eyes in utter embarrassment. I never dreamt of confessing this to Ash. Never ever. I was still surprised myself. I had a feeling I should have just lied about it. He could run away and just forget about me. It would make things much easier for both of us.

He chuckled and I opened my eyes in confusion. He slowly placed a hand against my cheek and whispered, "Misty, I would love to propose to you. I just don't think now, while both of us are still in pain, is the most brilliant idea." I gasped, completely shocked by this news. I stuttered, "S…sorry what…what was that?" Ash laughed at my awestruck expression and replied, "I love you, Misty. And I want to marry you. But I want to do everything in the right way. Not when I'm half alive." I felt tears forming in my eyes and leant in to kiss his cheek softly. He moved so that his lips touched mine and I kissed him feverishly. I was careful though, I didn't want to cause him more pain than he was already in.

When I pulled away for air, I smiled, "What about travelling? What about winning the championship?" Ash shrugged and replied in a whisper, "Nearly dying has made me realize what a grave mistake I made when I was sixteen. Besides, if I win or lose, it won't matter. You're more important." I would have done a little weep of joy if it weren't for the hospital bed I was currently cramped in. I sighed in happiness, "I love you, Ash Ketchum. I snuggled as close as I could get to him without moving any of the needles poking into him. He kissed my cheek and whispered, "Love you too Misty Clearwater." And with that, I fell soundly asleep.

Ash:

I woke up to a searing pain in the side of my stomach. I groaned and tried to move. Then I realized that there was a sleeping figure beside me. A sleeping figure named Misty. I smiled at her hair and its messiness. Then I recalled the events of early this morning when she had snuck in here. I'd told her I'd wanted to marry her. I thought about it now. Was that the medication making me so soppy and romancy? My heart pounded away at her proximity. No. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I was certain of this.

I checked my alarm clock. Seven am. The sun was just beginning to rise and she looked like an angel sleeping beside me. She had a small smile on her face and it I loved the sight. I could watch he sleep for days. My doctor walked in and jumped in surprise when he saw Misty lying beside me. He cleared his throat and said seriously, "Mr Ketchum, I'm sorry but that bed is only big enough for one." I sighed and whispered, "I know, doctor. But she had a bad nightmare about the battle with Team Rocket and me dying. Can she stay a little while longer, please?" My doctor knew how I had ended up in this situation. He'd watched it on TV like everyone else. He nodded and without another word, closed the door behind him. I sighed in relief. I got to watch Misty sleep in peace for a little while longer.

A/N: Hi All! So sorry for the delay but I hope this chapter was finally worth it! Hope you enjoy and thanks to all those who have commented their thoughts!