Hi and hello! Chapter 14 has arrived in a flurry of snow (well, at least in the Northeast), and brings a few more potentially pivotal events with it. What's in store this week? Read on and find out, folks!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon; Nintendo and Satoshi Tajiri do.

INCONCEIVABLE

CHAPTER 14-HEARTFELT CONVERSATIONS

Sandra came around to Ash and May's apartment every so often like she'd mentioned, talking May through various strategies to make her pregnancy easier. May was grateful for Sandra's presence and assistance; ideally, she'd have wanted her mother helping her through this, but since she'd left everyone behind in Petalburg City, Sandra was the closest substitute available, and the support would be invaluable down the line.

The discussions weren't restricted to May's pregnancy, though. Although it took a lot of effort, May managed to discuss her relationship with Ash without giving away any incriminating information. These conversations often had May once again wondering whether their flight had been the right thing to do; not only that, but she was also questioning what she and Ash would do once their child was born. Would they be able to stay together? What about their families, would they be able to tell them? May was constantly reminded that they were essentially alone out here, and even though Sandra was a welcome source of help and guidance, she couldn't replace her family. It hurt her to think about it, but it still nagged at her.

A few of the meetings saw Mary and Kathryn accompany their mother to the apartment, mainly because Sandra didn't want them alone in the house. May was secretly glad the girls were there; Kathryn was enthusiastic about possibly becoming a Coordinator, so it gave her a chance to talk about her own specialty without giving herself away. Since Kathryn doubtlessly knew which Pokémon her idol carried, it was a risk, but May didn't think Kathryn would make the connection. Mary was a little more withdrawn than her sister, but May understood what it was like to be her age, and so related just as well to the older girl as the younger. Sandra was careful to send the girls out of the room when the conversation turned to May's pregnancy, and since she knew about the Pokémon the couple had in the apartment, Sandra would have the girls do what May usually did, taking the gang outside for a while until their mother called them.

It was during one of these sessions that the conversation once again turned to the state of May's relationship with Ash.

"To be honest, it's hard to gauge our feelings right now," May told Sandra, her voice low. "Satoshi is gone most of the day, and I'm just trying to get through this whole thing, so we don't usually have many discussions about it. I know he loves me, but I'm still trying to figure out whether I love him with the same intensity."

"Well, he's stuck with you this long," Sandra answered. "If I'm honest, it's kind of reassuring to see that. It upset me so much that my niece was going to grow up without her actual father, so to see that Satoshi did the right thing makes me happy. You should do your best to keep him around, though; just because you're in love right now doesn't mean that won't change later. From what you've told me, he loves you enough to stay with you and do his best to support you. Don't let that spark go out."

"I know," May sighed, looking out the window at the cloudy sky. Ash would be working hard down on the site, and from all indications the job would be done soon. Once it did end, she wondered what he would do next. She knew he'd try to find another job, but it wouldn't be as easy to keep his identity safe. The suggestion that he'd do something rash constantly sat in the back of her mind, but she did her best to quell the panic that always accompanied this thought.

"So, have you done any preliminary shopping for when the baby arrives?" Sandra could tell that her constant discussion of May's relationship was starting to make the young woman uncomfortable, so she though it best to change the subject. "It's never too early to start."

"Honestly, we haven't. We don't even know whether to expect a boy or a girl, and the only baby shopping I can remember was when my cousin was born, so neither of us would know where to start."

"Which would you prefer?" Sandra asked. When May looked confused, she clarified. "Would you want a boy or a girl?"

"I don't know. A girl, I guess. I haven't really thought about it. I figure Satoshi would probably want a boy, but he's never mentioned it."

"I think it should be a girl." A high-pitched voice caused May and Sandra to turn towards the apartment door. There stood Kathryn, an interested look on her face.

"Kathryn, how long have you been standing there?" Sandra stared at her younger daughter with disapproval; she didn't want Kathryn hearing most of what was being said.

"I just came in, Mary forgot her book and sent me up to get it for her. Forget that, though. Since when..."

"Kathryn..." Sandra said in her warning tone. "This is none of your business, so please go back and help your sister."

"But Mom, why didn't you tell us Miss Haruka was having a baby?"

"How did you...?"

"I came in just as you guys started talking about whether Miss Haruka wanted a boy or a girl. I'm not that dumb, Mom." May sighed; yet again, someone had found out before she was ready. She hadn't planned on telling Mary and Kathryn yet; she could trust Sandra to keep her secret, but if Kathryn told the wrong person at this stage they could be in big trouble.

"Alright, here's the deal," she said, looking intently at the girl. "Yes, it's true, I'm going to have a baby. But I need you to do me a big favour, okay?" Kathryn nodded, and May continued. "I need you to keep this to yourself. Your mom is doing the same thing, and she promised not to tell anyone. I need you to do the same; don't tell anyone, not even your dad. Can you do that?"

"Yeah!" Kathryn gave May a thumbs-up, indicating that she would do as May asked. "I can keep a secret, no problem! I'll never tell anyone, not even if..."
"Okay, we get it, Kathryn. Haruka knows you won't tell." Sandra didn't like the idea of her daughter knowing about this, but if Haruka trusted her, that made all the difference. "Okay, Kathryn, please go get your sister and tell her we need to go. I've got to get dinner on for when your father gets home."

"Aw, can't we stay a bit longer? I want to play with Miss Haruka's Glaceon a little more..."

"I'm sorry, Kathryn, but we really need to go. Please go get your sister now." Kathryn huffed a little, but ran out the door to do as her mother asked. Sandra watched her leave, then turned to May. "I'm so sorry about Kathryn, Haruka. I know you wanted to keep this a secret..."

"It's okay, Sandra. To be honest, I was going to have you tell them later on anyway. I remember how curious I always was when I was their age, so I understand why Kathryn's doing what she's doing."

"Well, as long as you're okay with it." At that moment, the girls reappeared, with Mary carrying the Pokéballs while Pikachu and Glaceon followed Kathryn. After some quick good-byes, Sandra and the girls headed out while May sat down to ponder what had just happened.

Later that evening, Ash came home and took a quick shower before throwing dinner together. The meal itself was spent mostly in silence, and May considered what she was about to tell him.

"Ash?" she said as they started to clear the dishes from the table.

"Hm?" Ash paused in his work to turn and look at her. "What's up, May?"

"Well..." May stopped mid-sentence, wondering if what she was going to do was wise. "Ash, there's something I want to do, but I wanted to tell you first."

"What is it?"

"I...I want to send a note to my mom." Ash stared at her, not understanding what he was hearing.

"Say again?"

"I want to send a note to my mom. Talking to Sandra has gotten me thinking hard about this whole thing, what with us running off and all. I hate that my mom doesn't know where I am, and that she's going to become a grandmother without even knowing it."

"May, I see what you're saying, but why? Wasn't the point of running to prevent anyone finding out?"

"I know what the point was. But I've been thinking, and I'm really torn up about it. Ash," she continued, seeing his hesitancy, "I promise, no-one but her will find out. I'll make sure of it."

"But May..." Ash considered; he didn't like the idea of anyone else finding out about this. At the same time, he understood where May was coming from. "Are you positive no-one else will know?"

"I trust my mom, she'll keep it to herself if I ask her to. Please, Ash? You asked me to trust you when we started this whole thing; now I'm asking you to trust me." She looked at him with a fervent gaze, and he sighed as he conceded the point.

"Okay. I see what you're going through, and I understand. As long as only your mom knows, we'll still be okay. Go ahead and write out the note, and I'll send Pidgeot to Hoenn with it when you're ready."

"Thanks, Ash. I really appreciate it." May hugged Ash and kissed his cheek, then moved off to write her note.

Fifteen minutes later, May tied the note to Pidgeot's leg, and Ash gave his Flying-type strict orders to ensure Caroline was alone before approaching. Pidgeot nodded and took off, relying on his species' natural sense of direction to find his way to Hoenn. May watched him disappear over the horizon, then turned back to Ash.

"Are you sure he can do it? I know Pidgeot's a strong flyer, but Petalburg's a long way from here."

"He'll be fine. It may take a few days, but Hoenn is actually closer to Johto than you think. As long as he remembers to make sure your mom's by herself when he delivers the note, it'll be okay."

"I know. Thanks for letting me do this, Ash. It's been bothering me for a while now."

"You miss your family, it's natural. Not a day goes by that I don't miss my mom. Someday we'll let everyone know, just not today." Ash drew May into another hug, hoping the gesture would reassure her. May just let him, her own thoughts twisting through her head. How long could they keep this up?

Days later in Petalburg, Caroline Maple was surprised to see a Pidgeot come swooping down from the air, landing right in front of her. The surprise was mostly from seeing the bird itself; there were very few Pidgeot in the region, and most of them belonged to out-of-region trainers. Pidgeot eyed her curiously, then extended his leg towards her.

"Um, what's all this about?" Caroline saw the note tied to Pidgeot's leg, and she untied it carefully before stepping back, allowing Pidgeot to take off again. Once she saw the bird disappear, she opened the note and read it quickly, her eyes widening as she did so. Tears came as she re-read the note, and Caroline looked into the sky as she realized what was going on.

"May," she whispered, closing her hand around the note. "Please be okay."

Oh dear, that was unexpected, huh? Yeah, I'll admit it, this whole exchange was part of the plan all along, but whether it will come to anything remains to be seen. The network is starting to form whether Ash or May want it to or not, and they've almost certainly turned a corner. One wonders how long they can keep this going, though.

Alright, enough out of me. Standard operating procedure remains in effect, so please read, REVIEW and tell me how it went! Also, check out my other story, Double-J Adventures, which has also reached Ecruteak (although there will be no crossover between them). Until next time, namárië!