A/N: Here's the second chapter for today! I honestly almost forgot about Pikachu in the end, so I had to re-edit it. Hopefully it didn't jumble up anything when I did. Thanks for being so patient with me, you guys, and I can honestly say there will only be two more chapters:( While I've considered a sequel, I want your opinion. It may be a while, but it'll be done, I promise. Don't forget to R & R!:D

P.S. To anyone who read this before 3/31/13, I apologize, but I made Giovanni remain boss over Team Rocket. I know it may confuse, but I seriously needed to in order to do what I've planned for my sequel!

Chapter 12: Secret's Out

When Misty finally awoke, she had no recollection of anything. She was in the guest bedroom still, and Iris was snoring quite obnoxiously beside her. Delia had walked in at just the right moment, coming to check on Misty once again. She seemed to have aged four years since Misty last saw her big brown eyes. Eyes that melted with compassion and lovingkindness, that burned with a glint of tenacity and determination. The eyes of a true mother.

"Oh, Misty, you're awake! How are you feeling?" The warmhearted woman asked as she crossed over to Misty's bedside.

"Ngh," Misty muttered, yawning into her pillow. "Tired. What happened?"

"You passed out late last night after finding and saving Ash from drowning. You don't remember?" she wondered, feeling Misty's forehead with the back of her hand. Misty thought for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"I remember…Staryu saving Ash. And then…" she trailed off, remembering the kiss they'd shared before the others had found them. "Coming back here is the last thing I can think of. Are May and Drew…?"

"They left later last night, dear. Soon as the storm was cleared. May's mother was beginning to worry."

"So Max left too?"

"I don't think so. Not sure why, but he argued with her about staying another day. Said something about a girl he planned to see later on today." Umiko.

"Oh" was all she could think to say. "What time is it now?"

"Almost time for breakfast. If you're up for it, you can join us. Iris and Cilan are leaving today, and so is Brock. They wanted to make sure you were okay before they left. In fact, Brock is already up. I'm sure he'd love to see you."

She smiled, a warm, glowing, sunny expression that lit up the entire room in a single moment. Misty nodded, returning the gesture weakly in reply. She tried sitting up, which took an extreme effort on her part since every part of her body was screaming in pain, but she managed. She followed Delia into the kitchen, where she saw Brock sitting at the table, downing a cup of hot coffee. "Well, good morning, Miss Sunshine. Have a good rest?"

She chuckled, glad to see Brock's charming personality had survived the storm as well. "Just a bit," she replied, taking the seat beside his as Delia headed back down the hallway. "You?"

"Not as much as I'd have liked," he admitted, laughing. "Cilan has the tendency to sound like a human Snorlax when he sleeps."

"Hm, sounds familiar," Misty answered, referring to both Ash and Iris.

"Pi, pikachu?" Pikachu murmured, rubbing its sleepy eyes as it walked into the kitchen.

"Morning, Pikachu," Misty said, picking it up and stroking it quietly as it dozed back off.

"I'm guessing Ash will be up soon, by the looks of it," Brock commented dryly.

"Maybe so." Misty sighed. "Brock, do you know why he broke off contact with me all of a sudden six years ago?" Brock's eyes widened, and for once, he looked kind of…guilty?

"Uh, well…" he trailed off, but Misty wasn't having any of it.

"Brock," she pressed, glaring at him evenly.

"It was partly my fault. I caught you kissing Gary at his party, Misty, and as his wingman, it was my job to make sure he knew. So I told him. He didn't exactly seem too happy about it. Kind of crushed him, actually. He denied it at first, but then, when he finally figured it out, he ran off, promising himself he'd never speak to you again. I know, kind of childish for a sixteen-year-old, but this is Ash we're talking about. He'd just given up on it, really. And I know that promise didn't keep him from telling you all these years. He just really thought you were happier off if he never showed back up in your life. Obviously, he was wrong."

Misty sighed. How had they managed to get themselves into such a mess? It just didn't seem fair. She didn't bother asking anymore questions, especially since Iris walked into the room before she could, yawning of course. "Morning, you guys. Is that coffee?" she asked, eyeing Brock's mug mysteriously.

"Yeah, Iris, but—"

"Great," she interrupted, taking the cup and downing the rest of its contents. "That hit the spot. Is breakfast ready?"

"Uh…" Brock trailed off, staring at the place where his coffee had been before Iris had stolen it. "Yeah. Fried eggs and bacon, over on the counter."

"Awesome!" she exclaimed, strolling over to the countertop and making herself a plate. "Cilan! Get your butt in here! Breakfast is ready!"

Cilan ambled in shortly after, rubbing his eyes sleepily like Pikachu had done previously. "What's to eat?" he asked, looking over at Iris's plate. "Well, a feast of sorts," he murmured, going over to fill a plate as well. Misty finally decided to eat, and so did Brock, both following Cilan's lead. Soon though, they realized that Ash hadn't made it in yet. And neither had Max.

"Strange. I can understand Ash, but Max isn't one to sleep in like this," mumbled Brock. Misty then remembered what Delia had told her not too long ago.

"I think he went to go see Umiko."

"Ash?"

"No, Brock," Misty face-palmed. "Max."

"Oh, well, I guess that makes sense. What about Ash?"

"I'll go get him," she grumbled, getting up and heading into the living room, where Ash was still peacefully passed out. He looked so serene that she almost felt bad for throwing that pillow in his face. Almost. "Get up, Sleepy. It's breakfast time."

He rolled over, mumbling something equivalent to "I don't wanna," but Misty wasn't going to put up with it. "I said, get up." She tugged on him until he toppled off the couch, taking his covers with him.

"Yow, Mist! You really know how to wake a guy," he exclaimed, rubbing his head in disdain.

"Well, you shouldn't be so impossible to wake up. Lucky you're hardheaded, or that really would've hurt," she smirked. "Now come on, or all the food will be gone." She didn't even have to repeat herself. He hightailed it to the kitchen, grabbing a plate, filling it up, and sitting down before Misty even made it back to the room.

"Hm, you're awfully hungry this morning," Misty muttered, taking a bite. A wave of nausea fell over her, and she darted from the table toward the bathroom door. Ash raced in after her, holding her hair as she threw up what little food she'd eaten that morning.

"You okay?" he asked when she'd finally stopped.

"Do I really look okay to you?" she snapped, putting her face in her hands. "Stupid morning sickness."

"Do I…need to go get Mom?" he wondered, staring down at her curiously.

"No, no, I'm fine," she murmured, slowly getting to her feet. He took her hand, walking her back into the kitchen and sitting her down. Then, he did the most unexpected thing, surprising himself even. He kissed her lightly and went to take his own seat. Iris and Cilan just stared; Brock continued eating with a knowing smirk on his lips.

"Are we missing something here?" Iris demanded, her eyes flicking back and forth between the two.

"What are you talking about, Iris?" Misty asked, feigning innocence.

Iris looked at her and laughed, saying, "You know what I'm talking about, Misty. Don't pretend like you don't. Are you two…together?"

"No, Iris," they muttered sarcastically in unison, Ash rolling his eyes up toward the ceiling, Misty staring at her in surprise. She knew about the ring, so why was this such a big deal?

"But what about"—Misty glared at her, cutting her short—"the present?"

"Nothing's changed, Iris," Misty sighed. "We just haven't gotten around to telling the whole world yet."

"You mean, about the wedding?" Cilan asked, making Brock drop his fork and look up at the two.

"Wedding, what wedding?" he asked, glancing over at Misty and noticing the ring on her finger.

"You told him, Iris?" Ash wondered, shaking his head. "Lord, it was supposed to stay a secret."

"It's not like it's going to happen within the next month, you know," Misty said. "We were going to wait and surprise everyone. But now, Cilan and Brock both know."

"Does Mrs. Ketchum know?" Brock choked out.

Misty nodded, saying, "Of course! Like we'd get engaged without telling his mother first." Though they really didn't tell her first. Oh well, she knew now, regardless.

"Oh" was all Brock had to say about it. He seemed kind of…hurt? Misty couldn't tell, but Ash obviously knew. Brock soon dumped his plate in the sink and stated solemnly, "I think I'll go take a walk for a while. I'll be back soon."


"Brock, are you okay?" Ash trailed in after him. He didn't say anything for a while, making Ash begin to wonder whether he'd answer or not. Finally, he spoke up.

"Why didn't you say anything, Ash? Misty I understand, since it's been a few years, but you? You know you can trust me, right?" Ash nodded, feeling stupid for even attempting to hide it from Brock, his best friend.

"Of course I do, Brock! We just…wanted to wait until after the baby is born. Is that too much to ask?"

"I guess not…especially when it's not even your ba—" he cut himself short, noticing the look of disdain in Ash's eyes, and decided to change the subject. "Have you seen Max?"

Ash shrugged his shoulders. "Probably went to meet Umiko somewhere."

"Oh," Brock sighed. "Misty said the same thing."

"Speak of the devil..." Ash trailed off, noticing the two up ahead. "Umiko! Max!" He waved in their direction as he ran toward them.

"Oh, Ash," Max muttered, his face turning red as a Magmar's. "It's you."

"Who else would it be, Brainiac?" Ash smirked, looking over at Umiko. "Nice to see you again."

"Uh, you too," she replied, smiling her big happy smile. "How's Misty?"

"Doing fine, actually. Aside from the morning sickness and all," he answered, glancing down at his watch. "In fact, I'd better go check on her. See you guys later! Come on, Brock." He grabbed him by the ear, pulling him back toward the house.

"Ash! What was that for?!"

"Don't think for one second I didn't see you gawking all over Umiko. You were going to start flirting with her too, if I hadn't dragged you out of there!"

"Your point?" Brock asked, clearly unconvinced that that was a problem.

"Brock, you have Cecilia, remember? And Max has finally found a girl even remotely interested in his photographic Pokémemory. Get over it. Besides, if it doesn't work out with you and Cecilia, there's always Susie Stiles, as well as about a billion other girls on this planet aside from Umiko Lin." Ash sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

"You know I'm right, Brock."

"Yeah, Ash. I know." They kept walking toward the house, where Iris and Cilan were waiting to depart.

"You're leaving already?" Ash asked, running over to them.

"Well, Ash, it's a pretty long way to Unova, don't you think? We would've already split, but we just had to wait till you got home so we could say goodbye," Iris remarked. "Well, see you 'round, kid."

"You too, Iris," he answered. She flung her arms around him, giving him one last hug.

"Take care, and I better not get any midnight calls over something stupid you did, you hear?" She wouldn't admit it (to him, anyway), but she was about to cry. She'd really missed seeing him over the years, and getting so close to Misty the past few days sure wasn't helping her emotions either.

"You can count on it," Ash winked at Misty, who was standing at the door with Pikachu on her shoulder. "Good seeing you again, Cilan."

"Always a pleasure," he replied, giving Ash a thumbs up and shaking Brock's hand. "Great working with you again, Brock. I look forward to it next year." He smiled, turning to face Misty. "Both of you better behave. No need for a little Ash to start running around anytime soon," he smirked.

"Oh, don't worry. One's enough for right now," Misty answered, clucking her tongue nervously. Ash gulped.

"Hehe, yeah," he mumbled, pulling away from Iris. "See you later."

"'Bye," Iris said, taking Cilan's hand in hers and walking away. Going back home.


"Well, Ash, it's about time, I got going too," Brock said, hugging his best friend.

"You don't have to go yet, you know," Ash told him, but his words fell on deaf ears.

"Trust me, Ash. And besides, my brothers and sisters have probably torn the house down by now."

"But Flint and Lola…?"

"Ash." Brock was determined to leave, and Ash wasn't about to argue anymore.

"Well, I'm going to miss you."

"I'll miss you, too. Hey, there's always New Year's, right? I'll bring Cecilia, too, so you can meet her. Is Max ready yet? Max!" he called out to the kid genius. "I promised your sister I'd take you with me, now come on!"

"Fine, fine, I'm coming, I'm coming," he remarked, walking down the hallway as he adjusted his glasses. "See you later, Umiko. Call you when I get home?"

"Sure," she giggled, giving him a hug as she said goodbye.

"Smooth move, Brainiac. Now let's go!"

"Jeez, so pushy! Alright, bye you guys, see you soon!"

"'Bye, Max," Misty replied, smiling brightly at him.

"Pi pi pi!" Pikachu called, waving.

"Uh—yow! 'Bye, Max! Sheesh, what was that for, Mist?" he exclaimed, rubbing his side.

"You were the one off in la-la-land," she commented dryly. Ash rolled his eyes. "When is your mom supposed to be back, anyway?"

"Well, should be soon. She only went to the store."

"Great." Suddenly, she didn't feel so well. "Wait, where did you get those?" she asked, pointing to the scars on his arm.

He pulled away, saying, "Oh. Those. Well…here, there, everywhere. Not really sure I remember, actually," he lied. He knew full well where he'd gotten them.

"Ash?" she pushed. "What happened?"

"Team Rocket happened, Mist! They aren't the petty thieves we used to blast away when we were younger! In fact, Jesse and James aren't even apart of them anymore. Neither is Meowth. Not since Giovanni changed. All Giovanni wanted was to steal until every Pokémon in the world belonged to him when we were kids. Now he's this bloodthirsty creep that'll stop at nothing until he has my head on a silver platter, after all the damage I've done. I'm seriously Public Enemy #1. That's why I took some time off, Mist. That's why I never visited you, or called you. If they found out about you, my entire world would be over."

"But…why didn't you tell me this sooner? Why did you lie to me, Ash?! What if they came for you now? Don't they know where you went?"

"They won't come after me, Mist. They have no idea where I'm at. As far as the world is concerned, I'm MIA. I planned it that way. Mom knows, and our friends, but no one else does. And now that I've officially resigned, they're not going to be as concerned about finding me. I'm no longer a threat to them. And Mist, I couldn't tell you. Not without getting you hurt. I shouldn't have lied, but I had to. To protect you."

"To protect me. As if I haven't heard that before," she replied acidly. "You could've trusted me, Ash! You know that!"

"It isn't that I didn't trust you, Misty! I trust you more than anyone on this planet! I just…I was scared of losing you. I'm sorry." She cried out in pain before he could say anymore. "Misty, Misty are you okay?!" he exclaimed, alarmed by her cry.

"Ash!" she yelled, panting. "I think it's time!" He gave her a confused look, which was apparently the wrong thing to do. "The baby!"

"Oh," he sighed. "Oh! Wh-what do I do?!"

"Car," she breathed. "Hospital. Now!"

"But, I don't know how to drive!" Misty shook her head.

"Better learn fast," she muttered under her breath.

"Pikachu, go get me the keys!" Pikachu nodded, running toward his mom's room.

"Gah, how do I manage to get into these messes?" he wondered, helping her outside and into his mom's car. Lucky she thought it was nice enough out to walk to the store. He cranked the car as soon as Pikachu came back and began to pray. "God, if you're out there somewhere, please, don't let me kill us today. I knew I should've spent more time on this!"

"Great, Ash. What twenty-two-year-old doesn't know how to drive?!"

"As you can see, this one," he answered, backing out of the garage haphazardly. He jerked to a stop, and Misty could feel the blood draining from her face.

"Ash, are you trying to give me a heart attack?! Just drive!" After fumbling around on the console a few minutes, he tried again. It took more time to pull out than it did for him to pull in, it seemed. As soon as they got there, he jumped out and helped Misty inside. Pikachu followed.

"Miss, Miss!" he exclaimed, tapping on the desk, trying to get the receptionist's attention.

"Yes, yes, what is it?" she snapped, not particularly caring for Ash's tone.

"My"—his what, fiancé? Girlfriend? Wife? He didn't know what to say—"she's about to have a baby!" He pointed at Misty. "Can you help her?"

"Right this way," she said, gesturing for Misty to follow her. Ash tried to, but she stopped him. "Not you, sir. You'll need to wait—"

"Why?" he groaned, "Why can't I see her?"

"Is she your wife?" He shook his head reluctantly.

"Then I'm sorry. Rules are rules. Just take a seat and we'll be right with you."

"Ash," she said. "Please don't leave me."

"I won't, Mist. I promise, I'll be right here when they come for me. You can be sure of that."

"I…love you, Ash." There, she'd finally said it. The big L word.

"I love you too, Misty," he answered, kissing her hand one last time and letting her go.