I'llBeHome3

*Nat King Cole voice* Have yourself a merry little Christmas... Ho ho ho! Hey peeps! Hopefully, you'll love this part and appreciate part 4 when you read it on Christmas eve! Anyways, I'm going to shut up now! Enjoy!


I'll Be Home for Christmas
By Pikashan61


Misty yawned, and snuggled deeper into the warm sleeping form beside her. She

felt safe and protected where she was, even though, being half asleep, she couldn't quite

place in her mind what this comfortable thing she was laying against was. She felt cozy, and

at the moment, it felt too good to get rid of. So she slept on.


Ash slowly opened his eyes, and was greeted by the sight of light snow falling

softly outside the window. Wow... cool... He said with a grin. He felt something leaning

against him, too big to be Pikachu, and turned his head to see what it was. He nearly

gasped. Misty was right there, leaning on him, sleeping soundly. The events of last night

quickly blew through his head. We must have fallen asleep, Ash thought to himself. He

looked at the quilt that was covering them, and it occurred to him that his mom must have put

it on top of them after they fell asleep. Which meant... Ash frowned. What would his mom

say? What would happen when Misty woke up and found herself in extremely close

quarters with him? Well, he thought, I can't just stay here thinking all day. He got up, slowly

and carefully, and managed to get off the couch without waking Misty. There, he thought as

he covered her. With that, he smiled and trotted upstairs.


Ash brushed furiously at his teeth. Am I making way too big a thing out of this? He

thought, I mean, it's not like we meant to do that. It was simple exhaustion, that's all. He

quickly spit and brushed again. The thing that was bothering him most at the moment was

how much he enjoyed it. This wasn't like Misty grabbing him for and then

jumping away, or them holding hands to keep from getting separated. There was definitely

snuggling going on, and it bugged him that he felt so amazingly perfect when Misty was

near him, touching him, anything. She was his weakness, and in a friendship where it was sin

to show weakness, this wasn't good. We were tired. We fell asleep. No... big... deal... He

spit again. She probably doesn't even know it happened. Nothing is gonna change.

Nothing.


When he came down, dressed and showered, Misty was sitting on the couch

flipping through channels. Merry Christmas Eve morning, Ash. She said with a smile. He

studied her a moment, praying that she had no idea what she had slept against last night.

Or, half-praying. Deep down, he kinda wished she would mention it, because then they

could discuss it. Maybe, she had felt the same as he did. Morning Mist. She continued to

change the channel, barely seeing what came on. She talked to him while she stared. I hate

mornings. I mean, you're sleeping, having these wonderful dreams... She paused for a

moment and blushed, which Ash thought was kinda weird, but she recovered rather quickly

and continued. ...and then, BOOM! You're awake, then the only logical thing to do is to

watch TV, but nothing worth watching is ever on in the mornings. Misty flipped off the TV,

stretching and yawning. Shower time. With that, she trotted up the stairs, leaving a

stunned Ash at the bottom. Nothing. Not even a mention of it. He had been expecting he

to ask or say something about the night before. Pikachu came in and jumped onto his

shoulder while he thought. Pikapi? (Ash?) He looked at the electric mouse, and smiled.

Girls are hard to figure out, Pika-pal. Pikachu rolled his eyes. Pika chu chu pikachu pika.

(Amen to that.)


Misty called as she looked around the living room. She was about to check

the kitchen when she noticed a note sitting on the coffee table:

I took Togapi and Pikachu shopping. We had some last presents to buy. See ya when I get back. -Ash

Shopping? Without me? She said with a grin. She yawned and, picking up an old issue

of Trainer Talk, went to the kitchen. Mrs. Ketchem was sitting on the floor, finishing up the

wrapping of the last of her gifts with Mimie. Good morning, Misty! She said with a smile.

Morning Mrs. Ketchem. Misty replied, settling down in a chair to read the magazine.

Sleep good last night? Mrs. Ketchem causally asked, trying to make herself seem

unimposing, and not really interested. Misty looked up from the magazine,

...yeah. You guys have a really comfy couch. Mrs. Ketchem was quite surprised. Surely

she knew... Yes, I guess we do. She went back to her wrapping. There was comfortable

silence for awhile, until... Misty? Do you mind if I ask you a question? Misty looked up

again and smiled. Of course not. Mrs. Ketchem paused. Why did you decide to

come all the way here for Christmas? Didn't you want to spend it with your family? Misty

looked down at her hands, embarrassed, and blushed. I...I guess... I am spending it with

my family. Mrs. Ketchem looked confused, and Misty couldn't say that she blamed her.

Misty herself wasn't sure what she meant by it. She tried to work it out in her head, and tell

Ash's mom at the same time. Your... your family's where your heart is, I suppose. My

heart's always been with Ash... I dunno... I just feel so... She struggled for the right word.

...alive when I'm with him! It's amazing... he's more family then anyone I call family back in

Cerulean... he and Pikachu. She was lost in her own thoughts, a sideways smile on her

face. I guess it is kinda weird... I mean, he's my best friend, and yet... She paused, and

her voice dropped to a virtual whisper. They always say that you're not supposed to fall

for your best friend... Suddenly she looked up, like she was just realizing what she was

saying and, more importantly, who she was saying it to. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have... Mrs.

Ketchem quickly interrupted her, a grin teasing the sides of her lips. You have a crush on

Ash? Misty looked horrified. A crush?! Are you kidding?! I don't get crushes on people...

that's for schoolgirls that have too much time on their hands and decide that they need to

spend that time obsessing over someone that they hardly know! She sounded panicked.

Almost scared. Not a crush! I know him too well! I've fought with him, seen him laugh, seen

him cry, saved his life... It isn't that simple! I mean...it just isn't!

Misty! Calm down! Again, Mrs. Ketchem was interrupting. Poor Misty looked like she was

about to cry. It really is okay to like someone like that. You don't have to defend yourself.

Misty shook her head like it ached. You don't understand. I mean, this is Ash that we're

discussing here. If it was anyone else... anyone, it would be different. Everything would be

different. Instead, this is the person that I know better then I know myself, and you can't fall in

love with... She gasped and clasped her hands over her mouth. Oh my gosh! I didn't just

say that! Not out loud! I CAN'T BE 16 AND IN LOVE WITH MY BEST FRIEND!!! Misty

cried. Mrs. Ketchem looked stunned, and reached for her's hand to comfort her. It was her

gentle hand on Misty's that finally settled her down. Misty was breathing hard, thoughts

racing through her head. It's okay, Misty... it's okay. Mrs. Ketchem said, trying desperately

to calm her down. Misty was taking deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling, trying to relax.

Please, you can't tell Ash about this. It would change everything. Mrs. Ketchem frowned.

Is that such a bad thing? She asked gently. Misty thought about that for a moment. If I

acted on these feelings, I'd risk losing him... and I don't think I have the courage to take that

risk.


What about this one Pikachu? The electric mouse shook his head. Ash was

frustrated. He wasn't good at this jewelry stuff. As you may have guessed, Ash was

searching for another present for Misty, to accent the Poliwag stuffed animal that lay

wrapped under the tree. A muzak version of Jingle Bells began to play over the noise of

the department store, and that was enough to put the poor guy over the edge. Jeez,

Pikachu, who am I kidding? I can't do this! Pikachu raised an eyebrow. Pikapi, pika pika chu

pi chu chu. (Ash, we've only been here for a half an hour.) Togapi cooed. What's

your point buddy? Pikachu rolled his eyes. Pika pika pikachu pika chu. Pi pi. (It may take a

little longer then 30 minutes to pick out the prefect necklace.' Sorry.) Ash sighed and

looked around for somebody who could at least show him where to look. As luck would

have it though, a young woman wearing a store uniform walked by them at that very

moment. Ash practically leaped to her side. Excuse me Miss! Could you help me? The

woman smiled. Of course I can. What do you need? Ash sighed with relief. Maybe they

would get out of there fast after all. We're trying to pick out...

Wait, let me guess! A present for your girlfriend! That came so unexpectedly to the trio

that Pikachu burst out laughing and almost fell off Ash's shoulder. Ash looked a little

confused, and tried desperately to explain. NO! I mean... uh, she's a girl, and she's a friend,

but she's not...well, not in that... I mean...Wa! The girl nodded. I understand. What does

she like? Ash thought for a moment. Water pokemon... eating... mallets... the water in

general, I guess. She smiled. Well, we do have some water pokemon pendants over

here... She led Ash over to another set of counters and showed him the pendants.

Immediately, Ash saw the perfect one. Could...could I see that one? It was simple and

small, no bigger then Ash's thumbnail, but it really was pretty. It was a small tentacruel, with

tiny rubies where it's jewels of the sea would be. Misty would love it. How much is it?

Ash said, looking hopefully up at the woman. She grinned. Well, how much do you have?

He reached into his pocket and pulled out 25 G. She nodded. That's how much it is. The

sixteen year old boy's eyes lit up. Really?! Wow! I'll take it! Misty's gonna love it! The

woman wrapped it for him, and watched as he ran out of the store, practically leaping. She

looked down at the 55 G price tag and smiled. Merry Christmas kid. I hope Misty adores

it.


Wow Mom! This looks great! Delicious, Mrs. Ketchem! Pika pika! (Yummy!)

Mrs. Ketchem blushed as she and Mr. Mime brought in the last part of the

Christmas Eve feast. Thanks, you guys. She slid into her seat and raised a glass. A toast!

To health, to heart... she paused. ...and to family. Misty grinned, and so did Ash. They all

clinked glasses, began to talk excitedly and dug in.


Ugg... I feel like a bloated ekans. Hopefully I'll be able to move again by next

Christmas. Ash said, sprawled out on the couch. I would probably say something mean

any other time, but I can't move either. Misty groaned, sitting on the floor with her back

against the couch. Your mom can sure cook, Ash. He nodded, and propped himself up.

Yeah, no kidding. Ash slid down next to Misty on the floor, and smiled at her. She smiled

too. What time is it anyway? Misty asked. I think it's around nine or so. Santa's gonna

pass up the house if we don't go to bed soon. Misty laughed. You can go to bed. I can't

move, remember? Ash nodded. I guess we'll have to sleep here, then. The two of them

were silent, thoughts of Christmas swirling through their heads. It sure is pretty, isn't it. Ash

said, staring at the tree. Misty nodded. It was too. The tree was a mishmash of colors, and it

was a strangely magical effect. I think this is the most beautiful tree I've ever had at

Christmas. Misty added. Neither of them quite realized how close they were to each other,

or how they were almost leaning on one another. It didn't feel out of the ordinary. It was too

comfortable, too right. Simple fate must have been at work, because they both turned their

heads toward each other at the same time, and realized that their faces were inches apart. It

only seemed natural at that point to get them a little closer then that... Kids! It's time to call it

a night... The reaction of the two teens was like a bolt of lightning. They jumped away from

each other, the euphoric spell broken. Ash's eyes were wide, and so were Misty's. Uh..

uh... Misty stammered, not quite sure what to do. A tinny little voice kept repeating over

and over again in her head, You almost kissed Ash! You almost kissed Ash! They both

looked panicked and half-afraid, staring at each other, wide-eyed. Misty said hastily,

Goodnight! See ya tomorrow! With agility that would put Pikachu's attack to shame, she

ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time, and leaving a stunned Ash behind.

-To be continued!

Tingling with anticipation, right? Lol, you know the drill, please review! Pokeshippers Rule, and Merry Christmas!


©Pikashan61 2000, Don't take!