Chapter Title: Steep

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"So where's Ash headed to these days? He hasn't called in a while," Professor Oak asked politely, gingerly moving the same sachet of tea leaves around his cup.

"He's headed to Fallarbor Town," Delia replied with a grin.

"Oh, I would have figured he'd be headed to Lavaridge Town next," Gary interjected having been dragged along to the afternoon tea at the Ketchum residence by the professor.

Not that Gary minded, Misty was supposed to also be in attendance today and with Ash traveling and not many permanent people in either Pallet or Cerulean City having a competitive interest in pokemon training, Misty and Gary had formed a sort of odd friendship over the past several months.

"He was going to, but I insisted he head to Fallarbor Town instead," Delia gleefully stated.

"Oh no, Delia, what did you do?" Professor Oak shook his head, recognizing the meddlesome look on the brunette woman's face.

"Tsk tsk, Samuel. I think I know what's best for my own son," Delia evasively teased.

"Uh, Mrs. K, not to be rude, but what time is Misty getting here?" Gary asked eager to break up the awkward flirting happening between his grandfather and Ash's mother.

Gary knew he'd only been invited as a distraction for Misty so his grandpa could freely flirt with Mrs. Ketchum without seeming impolite to other guests. Unlike Ash, Gary had long been aware of the unlikely romance between his grandpa and Ash's mom, but no amount of time made it any less weird to him, so the sooner Misty arrived the better.

"Oh Gary, I'm so sorry. I forgot to mention that she's traveling for a few days so she won't be joining us this afternoon…" Delia apologetically stated.

"Where's she headed to?" Gary asked curiously. If it was somewhere in Kanto maybe he'd have Fearow fly him out so he could join her. Anything beat watching his grandpa flirt.

Gary also had to admit if he wasn't so certain of the redhead's feelings for Ash he probably would have taken the chance to ask her out. Practically it seemed like something that would work out with him starting to transition to a researcher role to take over for his grandpa and Misty's newfound success as the established leader of the Cerulean City gym. Proximity aside he also acknowledged her intelligence (why she tolerated someone as dense as Ash was beyond him), her fiery drive, and her beauty. She was exactly the type of person Gary could see himself ending up with, but her hang ups on Ash were still obvious to everyone.

"She's invited to this togepie festival out in the Hoenn region."

"Delia, we've talked about this. You really shouldn't meddle so much. If they're meant to be, they'll be," Samuel chided.

"It's not meddling if my intentions are pure. Besides, I didn't even tell him she'll be in the region and I only offhandedly mentioned to Misty that Ash was headed that way. If Misty happens to coordinate meeting up with him then that's her business. In my opinion, they both needed this opportunity. He's been missing her a lot lately," Delia sagely explained.

"So what did you tell Ash to keep him from bypassing the festival if he happens to arrive early?" Samuel shook his head knowingly.

"I might have given him an impossible shopping list of things I need from that specific area," Delia mischievously grinned.

"You might just be disappointing yourself. Six months is a long time and feelings change pretty rapidly among the younger folks."

"Uh Gramps…not really with those two," Gary sheepishly stated.

"Well she seems to have taken a liking to you recently," Samuel replied with a wink.

"We're friends, Grandpa. There's a lot of things I've beat Ash in, but I know this a losing battle. Ash may be dense, but I think even he knows enough not to mess up a good thing," Gary mumbled in embarrassment.

Somehow this was even more awkward than the older folks flirting. Gary downed his still piping hot and only half steeped tea to try to escape the continued tea time torture.

Gary was just about to excuse himself when the Ketchum residence phone rang.

"I'll get it!" He offered eagerly, darting over to the kitchen wall and rapidly picking up the receiver.

"Hey Gary," Ash grinned from the video screen, "did I accidentally call the lab again? I meant to call my mom."

There was a radiating joy to the way the dark haired trainer spoke, it was obvious to Gary that Misty had found them.

"Uh, er, no this is your mom's. Grandpa and I were just having tea. Misty was supposed to join us today as well, but uh…" Gary inarticulately trailed off.

"She's here," Ash beamed into the phone his face lighting up even more at the mention of the water pokemon trainer.

"I know, bud," Gary sighed.

"Why do you sound so weird about it?" Ash asked curiously.

"Oh...it's just awkward hanging out with your mom and Gramps alone. She tends to help breakup the boredom when she joins us," Gary insisted.

"That makes sense," Ash chuckled, "she's good company. Don't tell her I said this, but I missed her a lot. I kinda wish she was able to stay longer and travel with me again."

"I won't say anything, but Ash…"

"Yeah?"

"Maybe you should tell her yourself."

"Tell her what? The stuff about me missing her?"

"I think you know what I'm talking about."

"Oh," Ash mumbled in response, "if everybody knows don't you think she does too?"

"In this particular topic she's as dense as you," Gary teased before passing the phone to an amused Mrs. Ketchum who'd been spectating from the table.

"Hi Mom!" Ash grinned seeing the elder Ketchum's face on the screen.

"Hi sweetie, did you have a nice visit with Misty?"

"I really did, and Myst said she already picked up the shopping items you needed which is good because I actually didn't know what any of them were," Ash sheepishly laughed.

Mrs. Ketchum grinned to herself. Of course the smart redhead would have taken one look at the list and realized the items were a decoy to keep Ash around.

"I'll have to thank her when she comes over for tea next week," Delia chuckled.

"How do you want me to send the money you gave me for shopping back to you?" Ash curiously asked.

"That's not necessary, why don't you just take Misty to a nice meal before her flight leaves tomorrow?" Delia inquired innocently.

"Thanks mom!"

Samuel could only shake his head in the background.

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I love a meddlesome Delia! These kitchen snapshots have been amusing to write, so I hope you're enjoying. Next up will be "Stir" and I'll have some surprise guests, floundering, and romance for your enjoyment.

Hope you're enjoying reading these as much as I'm enjoying writing them.

-FWFT