(Chapter 10)

It took the small group awhile to get back into the Hoenn region all the way from Johto. That meant that the group was in store for many uncomfortable situations along the way.

By the time the group was even relatively close to the town, Luke had improved from when he had left with Jessie. He worked hard with his Pokemon and soon became a force for Ash to reckon with.

Jessie was secretly starting to have doubts about Luke. They had been together for awhile and she was worried that as soon as they got back home he would just leave her. One night, as the group was camping out together by a small lake, Jessie got up and walked away from them. Luke was really confused and followed her. There, he found her sitting alone in the grass near the water.

"What's wrong," Luke asked her.

"I was just thinking, Luke," she replied and stood up to face him.

"About what," he pried.

"Luke, where do you see this relationship going," she asked him.

"Jessie, I love you," he told her, "Where do you think I see it going?"

"Hopefully in a situation where I don't lose you," she said softly.

"It won't happen," he assured her with his smile.

"Luke, I want more than what we have now," she admitted taking his hands in hers.

"You do," he asked.

"I do," she replied.

"Good, cause so do I," Luke said drawing her closer and kissing her.

Jessie kissed him back and threw her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

After a minute or so, Luke broke away and smiled at her again.

"What happened to the no plans of getting hitched," she asked.

"I didn't know how you felt," he replied.

"I've known for awhile now that I didn't wanna let you go," she said.

"So have I," Luke replied, thinking back to that wish he made on the shooting star.

Jessie was holding onto him closely, her head buried in Luke's chest. Luke wrapped his arms around her tightly. Jessie paused for a moment, and then looked up at him.

"Luke," she began, "Let's make love. Right here, right now."

His eyes went wide as she leaned up and kissed him.

"So, whaddya say?" she asked.

He said nothing; he just pulled her closer and kissed her again.

Awhile later they were lying together in the grass. Jessie had her arm around Luke's waist and the other was running down his chest and came to rest on his stomach.

Luke leaned down and kissed her forehead gently, causing Jessie to look up at him and smile.

"Do you have any idea how long I waited for that," she asked him.

"I think I do," he replied.

"I think the first time I came to your place and you made me dinner I was thinking, "Wow, I hope he makes love as well as he cooks," she said with a small giggle.

He laughed.

"And surprise," said Jessie, "You do."

"I see," he replied still laughing a little, but now blushing as well.

When he finally stopped laughing he leaned down kissing her once more and told her that he loved her. Jessie quietly replied that she loved him back.

The next day, the group headed into another town while on the way back to Cypress Creek. As they headed into the town, Jessie made a mental note of the courthouse there and had a plot brewing inside of her head. As they sat resting in the Pokemon center, Jessie threw the idea on Luke.

"What do you think about us getting married, right now," she asked him.

"Right now," he asked surprised.

"I figure it would be a nice surprise for everyone when we get back," she explained.

"Are you sure," asked Luke.

"Of course I am," Jessie replied, "We love each other don't we, and we don't want to loose one another, so why not?"

"All right," he agreed.

Just as they were about to head out of the Pokemon center, Ash and Lucille approached.

"Where are you two love birds running off to," Lucille asked.

"We're gonna go elope," Luke replied.

"Can we come," Lucille asked, "You have to have a witness."

"What?! No way," exclaimed Ash.

"Oh come on, silly," said Lucille, "Don't tell me you still hold that old grudge. Get over it, Ash."

"We'd love for you guys to come," said Luke, "After all, you are friends of ours."

Jessie paused for a moment looking at Ash, then back at Luke.

"You don't have to force him to come, Lucille," Jessie said, "I'm sure he'd like to distance himself away from me as much as possible."

Just as Ash was about to say something, Pikachu went over to Luke and grabbed his pant's leg. He obviously wanted to go where Luke went.

Ash sighed.

"All right, all right," he said, "I get it, two against one."

In no time at all they were gathered at the courthouse watching as Jessie and Luke took their vows and became husband and wife.