Chapter Ten

The dining room table was filled with a family, chatting away as though nothing in the world was wrong. Side by side Misty and Gary shared pleasant glances as they held hands under the table; however it was obvious that the two were together but it still felt so strange to the new couple. Professor Oak's old eyes smiled happily in their direction as he sipped his coffee and mentioned the new project he was soon to start on. Meanwhile Jake couldn't help but smile at the warm atmosphere around him, everything finally fitting into place, a whole family. The teenager talked about his new friends, the one he had attained thanks to the help of his new hero Misty. He also explained how they'd all planned on going camping next weekend, Gary's response had been quick as he expressed his upmost sincerest glee at the fact that his son was finally socialising like a normal boy his age. Yet this didn't stop him from setting strong conditions to his son's adventure. After a while the natter died down and a peaceful air calmed the group.

"I've noticed you've been wearing your glasses a lot, old man." The brunette's eyebrows shot up, warning the young boy.

"Firstly, I am not an old man. I am just as hip as the all the kids!" With widened eyes the boy questioned whether his father had really just said that. A second passed and he erupted into a loud laughter that made his father lean back on his chair with his arms crossed tightly across his chest.

"Hip? Dad you're about as bad as Gramps over here!" The boy spoke in between flits of laughter that he was unable to overcome. Gary's eye twitched whilst he stared down the boy, still laughing at his unfortunate mistake. A soothing hand claimed his shoulder; he looked over to the redhead and instantly relaxed.

"Anyways," he drawled out. "I was once told that I look very sexy with these bad boys on." He glanced over at his newly acquired girlfriend who carried a light blush across her cheeks. His cheeky smile only intensified the heat playing on her high cheekbones. With a slim finger she traced his jaw line and his own blush magnified like crazy. The two remembered exactly where they were when a fifteen year old boy interrupted their little moment.

"Ewww. Get a room you two!" After taking a second to realise what he had just said he displayed a look of disgust upon his face. "Wait- don't. Don't wanna' know! Urgh! Disgusting..." The disgruntled boy mumbled as he strode away knowing he'd just dodged his father's snide comment still lodged in the back of his throat. A smug look overcame the young researcher. And his partner simply rolled her eyes and began to clear up.

A strong knock sounded at the door and the female abandoned her cleaning duties to attend to their guest. She supposed it to be Mrs. Ketchum who'd spent a lot of time around the Oak mansion the last couple of days, Misty had overheard her complain to her dearest friend how her son, Misty's ex, was becoming unbearable with some scheme he had created. Misty had left the conversation, she did not want to intrude and felt deceitful for listening in on the conversation, especially when it had no concern to her...

Gary happily watched the woman's hips sway as he gnawed on his triangle shaped piece of toast. Soon he was snapped from his happy daze when he heard the gruff voice of an old friend. Suddenly feeling unease scramble his insides. He crept close to the door so that his back was against the wall, his ear could easily pick up the melodious tones of his girlfriend and the grunts of their visitor.

"I just want to say I'm sorry, I had no right to shout at you like that, it was very immature of me. I know that what I did was inexcusable so I understand if you don't accept this apology. I'd really appreciate it if we could go back to being friends, like we use to. You know, before any of this got messed up?" Filled with anxiety the spiky haired male inched closer to hear what the female would reply with.

"I think..." Gary found himself holding his breath as he waited for the response. "I think that we have been through so much together as a couple." At that moment everything started to spin. "And I think that it was really brave of you coming here." The brunette was swimming in a flood of emotions.

"This is it; she's going to leave me for him..."

"And I really appreciate the apology."

"I can't believe this; I don't know what I'm going to do without her..."

"And I think it's a really great idea if we're friends again, but you have to understand we'll probably never be as close as we use to. You do understand, don't you?"

A wave of relief washed over him as he let out the breath he'd been holding. He began to take note of how ridiculous he had been, doubting Misty, and soon he was swamped by a whole new emotion- guilt.

"I understand Mist." The redhead didn't seem to notice the undertone of disappointment in his voice but it did not escape the attention of one anguished boyfriend, even Ash's cute little nickname for the woman did not go unnoticed. Ash leant in to hug Gary's girlfriend and she gracefully accepted. A low growl slipped unknowingly from his lips. The sound of the door closing knocked Gary from his feet and to such a close proximity to the redhead that his nose nearly touched her pumps. The anger in her face made him want to curl up into a small ball... The death glare he received only want to pursue this quicker. So he did the only thing he could think of.

"You know if you were wearing a skirt this would be a pretty sweet view!" The woman's mouth opened slowly and then shut a second later. A smirk graced his chiselled features as he got himself back into a standing position, towering over the woman before him. Still she had not spoken. Gary was not sure whether his dirty humour had angered her more or whether it had managed to calm her a little.

"I don't know how to reply to that..."

"It was most definitely a compliment!" The male felt a need to reassure his girlfriend and held his hands up in innocence. She walked away without another word. The brunette quickly began to worry and chased after the girl apologising every two seconds. What Gary did not see was the sly smile Misty beheld as she walked away; it only grew once she heard her loving boyfriend's sincere apologies.

The next morning Misty was met with a postal delivery man knocking upon the door. After signing for her gift she wandered back into the comfort of the mansion- a bouquet of sunflowers in hand. After calculating what was needed she left the home for the weekly shopping trip. Gary strolled down the stairs with hands behind his head in a leisurely fashion. Once coming across the arrangement of flowers he stopped dead in his tracks. Slowly he picked up the tiny card smothered in the yellow petals. It read:

'Mist,

I can't tell you how glad I am that you and I are friends again.

I hope these sunflowers help bring you a great start to your day.

Ash'

A dissatisfied grunt demonstrated his clear dislike for his 'ex' rival's 'kind' gesture. Just as he was about to launch the bouquet into the bin nearby he thought of Misty's reaction and flinched away from the pretty yellow petals. Although unimpressed and immensely jealous he was not about to ruin his relationship, something he had not failed to do in the past. With a sigh he retracted his arms to the side and stalked away. When his girlfriend returned home he aided her in the task of unpacking the shopping she had brought in with her. After doing so he wrapped his arms around his unsuspecting victim, trapping her.

"So the flowers are nice, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess it starts to make up for his mistakes. I'm glad we're finally friends." The word 'friend' brought some comfort to the brunette and he found himself kissing the crown of her head absentmindedly. He loosened his grip and the girl twirled so that she was facing Gary, but was still encaptured by her boyfriend. He didn't look to her, as a matter of fact he was caught in his own little world, evaluating the situation with Ash. Misty gently placed her lips against the brunettes and felt him kiss back intensely. Soon she was sat upon the countertop clutching onto the boy's shirt collar. However the boy had not objections, his own hands firmly leant on the stark marble of the countertop just behind his partner.

Just then a loud slam separated the two's lips. Gary looked to the floor, pushing against the countertop ledge. Cautiously Misty looked over his shoulder to see the distraught expression of the fifteen year old.

"That. That I something I did not need to see..." Slowly the boy sulked from the scene. Embarrassed Misty flushed pink. The man lifted his head, smiling. Before given the chance to question his sudden happiness she was caught in his kiss once again. She found herself smiling into the kiss but didn't let it last too long. After a minute or so she pushed him away but did not remove her hands from his chest as though to keep a distance between them.

"You heard the boy. No more public displays." A mischievous smile occupied his face.

"Okay." He delicately grasped one of her hands and pressed his lips into the palm.

"I'm serious Gary." His smile and gaze unwavering he grabbed her other petite hand and repeated the action.

"I know." His fingers intertwined with hers and he took a slight set forward towards her.

"Gary..." his hands dropped her tentatively in her lap and he placed his hands on either side of her.

"Yes?" She bit her lip as he neared his face to hers.

"I..." When chocolate met cerulean, she lost her voice. Her heart pace quickened and she could feel herself loosen when his rough hands grazed her arm.

In an unforeseen twist of events the man grabbed a mug from the rack behind the redhead and stood straight once again. His attempt not to giggle at the woman's priceless facial expression, failed and a long fit of laughter immersed. In a flash the redhead slid from the counter and stormed to the archway that separated the kitchen from the dining room under a watchful eye but not before giving the prankster a hard slap to the back of his head. On her heel, she spun around, smiling seductively in the way she knew Gray liked.

"Well, guess who won't be getting some for a long, long time." And with that she left. All sound came to a halt and the man's smile dropped. Dashing after the young woman he persisted to apologise, just as he had done yesterday. It was strange, he hadn't apologised to anyone in a long time and suddenly he found it to be his new maxim. But for some strange reason, he didn't seem to mind...