Misty's POV

Ash! It really is you! I'm not seeing things! I'm running so fast now that my heart's banging against my ribs like they're some kind of cage holding it captive. I finally see Ash in the distance, sprawled out on the ground, apparently having fainted from something.

Chase is behind me for some reason, concern on his face. Why should he be concerned? The jerk tried to kiss me so I wouldn't see Ash waving at me! It worked, but his suspicious look made me turn, just to see Ash red-faced and teary-eyed, running as fast as his legs could carry him, away from us. Away from me.

I make it to him, and kneel on the ground beside him, noticing the tears that streaked his miserable face. Oh Ash! Please be okay! Please wake up! I check his breathing and pulse, noticing that his vitals are okay, but he won't wake up.

I look into his blank eyes, and wonder why he was crying so hard. He came looking for me; I know that much, but why cry because he saw me with Chase? Suddenly, it clicks, like a belt to its buckle. He likes me. That simple sentence changes the rest of my life. Forever.

I turn back, and notice Chase has stopped following. And good riddance too! I cradle Ash's head in my hands for what seems like an eternity, and then lean over, ever so slowly, and delicately kiss him. I feel a little jolt course through me as I stop, and know it's so much more than Chase could ever offer. Just that one kiss would be enough to last me a lifetime.

His eyelashes quietly flutter up and down a few times, and then he gently leans up, trying to balance himself. I help him up, and he looks around, apparently confused. "What did I miss? You were just kissing Ch—" I never give him time to finish the sentence, but what I do next definitely surprises me more than it does him. I give him the biggest hug I've ever given anybody, and then kiss him, for real.

It lasts a few seconds, and after it's over, he stares off into space, completely in a daze. "Wow," he finally says, after a few minutes of silence.

"Double wow," I say, agreeing for the first time in ages with the boy I fell so hard for four years ago. Then I slap him. Hard, straight across the face.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"For making me worry like that! Don't you ever black out again on me, Ash Ketchum, you hear?" He nods, rubbing his sore cheek as he winces in pain. We then walk, hand in hand, to the Gym, not really saying anymore, just happy to be with each other once again. When we walk in, Daisy drops everything, comes over, and gives me the biggest hug ever.

"I'm so happy for you," she whispers in my ear, and I nod, thanking her silently. We walk over to the couch, and sit, waiting on who will be brave enough to speak first.

"Well, I guess I don't have to explain why I came all this way, now do I?" Ash says, speaking up first.

"I wouldn't think so…but what about your journey?"

"Oh…that…well, I have to be back in Pallet Town in a matter of five days, or I can't go on my next journey…"

"Then why come all this way, if only to see me for one day?"

"Because, I couldn't stand holding this in any longer…because, I was hoping you'd go with me…because, I care, a lot, about you…"

"Oh, you were going to ask me to come with you? Well, I don't know what to say…"

"I know it's selfish of me to ask you to drop your duties at this Gym just to come with me, but I just can't take it anymore! If I don't ask you, it's gonna torment me night and day for the rest of my life! Please, say yes…"

"I really want to, but I have to think about it at least…when do you have to leave?"

"Early Friday morning, at the latest."

"Well, that's most definitely not much time to think…I promise to give you an answer tomorrow night, and for the next two days you can stay here, in our spare room. Will that be okay?" He nods, a half-smile plastered across his now more angular face. Wow, Misty. Just look at what you've been missing. He's grown up to be such a great person. Cute, too.

"Uh, one more thing…Where's the spare room at?"

"Don't worry; I'll show you." Same old quirky Ash. No matter how much he's changed, he'll always be the same old Ashyboy we all know and love. At least, the same old Ashyboy I know and love. I smile at the thought, and show him to the room he'll be staying in, careful to skip over my room. (It is a mess, after all!) He kisses me good night, and I joyfully skip to my watery sanctum, where I drift off to sleep, dreaming of my hopeful future with the boy of my dreams.