Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. This is just for fun.
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Girlfriends
Part 5
by Vickie211
Misty's heart went straight to her throat and all the color left her face, as she looked up to see the doctor standing in the doorway holding her chart. The world stopped all around her, and a roaring sound filled her ears. She couldn't move or breathe. Then, she felt a hand on her back, and the world started up again at its normal pace.
Jessie had naturally turned toward the door when it opened. As soon as she saw the white-coated figure enter, she looked back at Misty, noted the paleness of her face, and immediately placed her hand on Misty's back. When she did, Misty took a deep breath, and a little of her color came back.
The doctor raised his head from the chart as he walked into the room. He met Misty's eyes and smiled. "Misty?" At her nod, he went on, "Hi, I'm Dr. Gannon."
"H'lo," Misty mumbled.
"I'm sorry you've had to wait so long. It's been an unusually hectic day." He kept on smiling. Jessie didn't think he sounded sorry at all. Why did he have to smile so much? Couldn't he just get on with it?
The doctor glanced at Misty's chart again. "Well, Misty," he began, "I'm not sure what results you were hoping for." He raised his eyes to hers once more. "But judging by your age, I think I have good news for you."
Misty inhaled sharply. Did he mean ... ?
"You're not pregnant."
Her breath came out in a whoosh. She slumped forward with her face in her hands. The sense of relief was so overwhelming, she felt numb. She raised her head and turned and flung her arms around Jessie. "Oh, Jessie!" she laughed.
Jessie hugged her tightly. "I'm glad for you, Misty," she whispered. She looked up at the doctor. "Can you explain her symptoms, Doctor? What's wrong with her?" Misty also turned toward him, anxious to hear what he had to say.
Dr. Gannon continued, "I was reading the form you filled out when you came in, Misty. I think maybe you missed your period because you had the flu. It sounds like you were really sick. And the nausea you experienced this morning could have been a coincidence, but it was probably from worrying about all this."
"I didn't know you had the flu, Misty," Jessie said. "When was this?"
"It was about two weeks ago," Misty answered. "He's right. I was very sick. We ended up staying at the Pokemon Center in Maize Town for several days. But I never thought about that being the reason I was late."
"Well, it does happen sometimes," the doctor stated. "Now, I don't think we need to do anything else today, but if you haven't had a period in a couple of months, or if you continue to feel nauseous, come back to see me. Okay?"
"I will. Thank you, Dr. Gannon," Misty said as the doctor left the room. She turned to Jessie. "Let's get out of here."
A couple of minutes later, they climbed into the jeep. But instead of starting the engine, Jessie faced Misty and took a deep breath. "Okay, Misty, it's lecture time."
Misty looked up with a guilty start. "Please Jessie, I ... "
"Quiet!" Jessie snapped. "I know you're going to say you've learned your lesson, and I think you probably have. But I'm going to say this anyway, and you're going to listen. Is that clear?"
Misty dropped her eyes and nodded.
"Good," Jessie asserted. Then her tone softened, "Misty, you were VERY lucky today. You made a big mistake, and you didn't have to pay the price for it. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that you and Ash are too young for this. It's really not any of my business what you two do together." Jessie went on determinedly, "But I AM going to tell you that if you're mature enough to be sexually active, then you're mature enough to be responsible about birth control. And that goes for the twerp, too."
Misty lifted her eyes to Jessie's, her face a deep red. "You're absolutely right, Jessie. We should have been more sensible. I'm sure Ash would agree with me. I'll talk to him when we get back." Then, with a gleam in her eye, she added, "And he's not a twerp."
Jessie grinned, "Sorry, force of habit."
Misty laughed, "You're forgiven." Then, her expression turned serious. "Jessie, why did you do all this for me?"
Jessie was momentarily taken aback. "I'm not sure," she said candidly. "I guess it was just because you needed me, ... and because you trusted me."
Misty smiled. "Thank you, Jessie. And not just for helping me. But for being a friend today."
Jessie's eyes grew moist. She turned away abruptly and started the jeep. "Don't think this means that we'll stop trying to steal Pikachu," she growled.
"It never entered my mind." Misty's smile widened as they left the parking lot and headed back toward camp.
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"James, your Sandshrew is pretty good," Ash flopped down on his back in the grass near the picnic table. "It almost beat my Ponyta." He and James had just finished a Pokemon battle in the field between the road and camp. Ash had emerged as the victor, but just barely. They had fought with three Pokemon each. Ash had used Blastoise, Bulbasaur, and Ponyta. James had, of course, used Weezing and Victreebel, and had then surprised Ash by calling out Sandshrew.
"Thanks," James sat down at the table, fatigued. "I was really proud of it."
"When did you get it?" Ash asked. "I haven't seen it before."
"A couple of months ago. Jessie got an Evee, too." James replied. Then he decided that Ash's question was an insinuation. "Hey, no accusations! We got them honestly!"
"I didn't mean anything like that!" Ash retorted.
"Cut it out, youse two," Meowth said as he and Togepi, followed by Brock and Pikachu, arrived at camp. They had all been spectators at the battle, with Meowth supporting James, and Pikachu rooting for Ash. Brock had been somewhat divided in his loyalties during the match, actually cheering for James' Sandshrew. Togepi had simply yelled for everybody.
"Yeah," Brock agreed. "You called a truce, remember?"
"Sorry," James apologized. "I guess I overreacted."
Ash made a conciliatory gesture. "That's okay. Forget about it."
"Anyway," James continued, "We rescued Sandshrew and Evee from a storm. We've been working with them a lot."
"I can tell Sandshrew is really loyal to you," Ash said affably.
"Dat's better." Meowth grinned. "See, youse two can get along just fine when ya try." He turned to Pikachu and Togepi. "Hey, let's play tag. And Pikachu, no fair shockin' anybody when ya tag 'em."
"Kachu! Pika!" Pikachu denied even thinking about it.
The three humans laughed. Brock glanced at his watch, then turned to Ash and James. "It's almost five o'clock. I think I'll go see what I can come up with for dinner."
Ash jumped up in alarm. "Five o'clock! James, they should've been back by now!"
James paled. He hadn't realized how late it was either. "You're right! Something must have happened! We should go after them!"
"Right!" Ash agreed. "Let's go!" They both started toward the road.
"Ash! Wait!" Brock shouted from the other side of the camp. "You can't just go running off this way!"
Ash and James turned and glared at Brock. "Yes, we can," James insisted, as the two set off again.
Brock ran ahead of them and placed himself squarely in their path. "Now just hold it, guys. Think for a minute. You don't even know where in town they were going."
"The town can't be that big. We'll find them." Ash said with determination. He moved forward again.
"Ash, don't be so reckless. I'm sure they'll be back soon." Brock put up his hands like a traffic cop signaling a stop.
Ash scowled. "Get out of the way, Brock!"
"Just calm down," Brock tried to placate his friend "You know how girls are. If they're shopping, they've probably just lost track of the time."
Ash and James looked at each other, unconvinced. Brock went on, "And anyway, since they're in the jeep, I don't think you should go looking for them on foot. At least not yet. Give them a little while longer. I'm sure they're alright."
Ash reluctantly agreed that this made sense. "Alright. We'll wait for another hour. But that's all. Right, James?"
James sighed. "Okay. I don't like it, but I'll agree to one more hour."
"Good," Brock said. "I think that ... "
Just then, they all heard the sound of a car, and looked to see the jeep pulling into camp. Ash and James shoved past Brock and ran toward the vehicle, just as they had done that morning. This time, however, both girls opened the doors and stepped out.
Ash pulled Misty tightly into his arms. He couldn't speak around the lump in his throat. He just knew he didn't plan on ever letting go.
Meanwhile, James stood gazing into Jessie's eyes. "Jessica?"
That one word told Jessie a lot. He only called her 'Jessica' when he was really scared for her, or when he was making love to her. She felt a twinge of guilt when she realized how worried he must have been today. She hurried to reassure him. "Everything's fine, James."
Relief flooded through him. "You're sure?"
"Yes." She reached for his hand. "Let's go back to camp." She leaned close to him and breathed into his ear. "And then you can call me 'Jessica' again."
He looked baffled for a moment. Then a flash of understanding caused his face to light up. He nodded eagerly and jumped into the jeep. "Come on, Meowth! We have to go! Now!"
"Who put a Beedrill in your bonnet? Geez, we wait around here all day doin' nuttin'. Now it's 'Hurry up, Meowth!' " Meowth continued to grumble as he hopped into the back of the jeep.
Jessie shook her head in amusement. As she climbed into the driver's seat, she saw Ash still holding Misty as if his life depended on it.
"I'm okay, Ash," Misty was finally able to whisper in his ear. He had been holding her so close, she could barely breathe. She drew away a little and smiled at him, tears shining in her eyes. "Really, I'm alright."
He could see that she meant it. "Are you going to tell me what this was all about?" he asked, rubbing his knuckles gently down her cheek.
"In a minute," she said, giving him an affectionate kiss. Keeping an arm around his waist, she turned and offered Jessie a broad grin. "Will you be back tomorrow to try to steal Pikachu?"
"Misty!" Ash looked at her in shock.
"I don't think so." Jessie returned the grin. "We have another assignment, so we'll probably be leaving early. We should be back in a few days, though."
"Jessie!" James mirrored Ash's look.
Misty grew serious. "Thank you, Jessie," she said quietly.
"You're welcome, Misty." Jessie started the engine.
"Ash?" Misty gave his waist a slight squeeze. "Let's go down by the lake. We need to have a long talk."
"It's about time," Ash muttered as he started to turn toward the path.
"Hey, Twerp!" Jessie shouted. Ash paused and looked back at her. She went on, "Misty's had a rough day. Listen to her." Ash nodded once, then walked slowly away with Misty.
Jessie turned the jeep around and drove away, while James and Meowth waved to Brock, Pikachu, and Togepi.
The three watched as Team Rocket disappeared in one direction, while Ash and Misty disappeared in the other. "Pika pika, chu pikachu?"
Brock just shook his head. "No, Pikachu. I don't have a clue either." He shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, well. Come on. You and Togepi can help me make dinner."
"Pika?"
"Yes, you can have ketchup."
"Kaaa ... "
The End
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Author's Note: I appreciate any reviews and helpful comments. I hope y'all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.