Ash wasn't coming with her today. He had said he needed to do something in town.
Misty accepted that. She wondered what he was up to, of course, but she didn't want to pry. Misty wheeled into the therapy room where her doctor was waiting. The doctor was a middle-aged woman with light brown hair and a pleasant expression.
"Are you ready, Misty?" she asked. "I'll be your doctor for the next two months or so until you're ready to leave." Misty nodded. She would do anything to seem less helpless in front of Ash. That thought startled her. Blushing fiercely, she pushed all thoughts of Ash to the back of her head. For now.
*~*
Ash stepped into the bank. He slipped his card into the slot in the machine and punched some buttons. Then he got his card back, along with the money, and left the building. Ash walked across town and into a shop. He glanced around but didn't see what he wanted. Finally he spotted it. The perfect one. Ash brought it to the register and paid for it. It took all his money but she was worth it. Besides, he owed it to her. She had been bothering him about it for years. She couldn't use it now but in a few months…Ash grinned and wheeled the bike out of the shop.
Misty was going swimming. She had wondered why, until the doctor told her it was for strengthening up her legs. It would make her strong again with no risk of injury. Misty changed into a bathing suit with the help of a nurse, and was lowered into the pool. A pool in a hospital, how 'bout that? It was in the basement. The water was lukewarm and Misty enjoyed swimming. Of course, it wasn't really swimming. Just floating while she tried to kick her legs. Misty had to swim for an hour, but she liked it. Unlike the massage afterwards. She didn't like that at all, but she didn't know why. Maybe because of the lack of privacy. That thought made her laugh. She was here to get better, not gain a lot of privacy! After, Misty wheeled back to her room. The harder training wouldn't begin until most of the feeling was back in her legs, and she could use crutches. Misty climbed back into her bed (hard using only arm strength) and turned on the TV. Oh, good! Her favourite show was on. Misty soon grew bored, she realized that she hadn't seen this show for a long time, because she had been travelling. Without realizing it, she had grown out of a lot of stuff she used to enjoy. Hmm, maybe a soap opera was on. Her sisters liked watching those. Misty flipped to one. After awhile she liked it. It was incredibly funny! All these supposed "real life" situations, people getting shot, people crying, even an evil villain! The time flew by. She didn't notice when Ash came back, a pleased expression on his face.
"Hi, Misty. Looks like you're having fun," he said, looking amused. Misty looked up and blushed.
"I uh, don't really like soap operas, there was just nothing else on," she wrote, looking sheepish.
"Sure Misty. Anyway, have you seen Brock?"
"He came in about twenty minutes ago, said he had to get a drink," she replied by note. Ash groaned. He turned around and ran out of the room. Several minutes later he pushed Brock in pretty-girl mode into the room.
"He was down in the nurses' station," was all he said. Misty grinned. Brock snapped out of it with a well placed mallet blow to the head.
"Misty, what are you doing in the nurses station?" he asked her. Misty rolled her eyes and hit him with the mallet again.
"Misty, do you want to go outside? We have permission to take you, as long as we stay on the grounds," Ash said. Misty looked at him eagerly. She nodded and they got her wheelchair ready. Ash lifted her into it gently and wheeled her down the hall to the waiting room. Misty waved to some of the nurses, who waved back. Brock lagged behind, staring wistfully at the nurses, who shrunk back at the sight of him. Ash came back, and dragged Brock away. Then they went down to a small park the hospital had outside. Ash parked Misty under a willow tree by a tiny pond. They sat down beside Misty. The trio sat under the tree for hours, Misty out of her wheelchair and sitting propped up against the rough bark. They were silent, mulling over the past few months. Misty wanted to talk to the boys, but couldn't. She could write to them, but her wrists were tired from doing that already. In that moment Misty vowed to get her speech back, no matter what it took.
*~*
Misty collapsed on her hospital bed, exhausted. It had only been a couple of days since she had regained consciousness, and she was so tired. Sleep would be welcome. Ash and Brock stood in the doorway.
"Goodnight, Misty. See you tomorrow," Ash said. Misty lifted up an arm and waved goodbye. Her visitors left. Misty was almost asleep when she remembered what she had thought earlier that day. About Ash. She blushed again. Where had that thought come from? She had never thought like that about him before. Okay, maybe a little. But not that strongly. She had always felt a little twinge whenever he was near, that was true, but she had never admitted it was because of Ash. Come to think of it, she had caught herself a couple of times staring at him. I have a problem. Misty thought. Then she fell asleep.
Early the next morning she thought some more. Did Ash feel the same? Unlikely. He had sat by her bed for months, it was true, but he didn't like her more than as a friend. When Ash came in for a visit, she looked up and blushed faintly. Ash didn't seem to notice.
"How are you doing today?" He asked. Misty smiled in reply. Ash seemed nervous and looked away. Misty wondered about that. Ash walked up to her bed and deposited something onto her lap. She looked down.
"Toge-priiiiiiiiii!" Misty's eyes widened and she grabbed the little pokemon and hugged it tightly. Then she set Togepi down and grabbed her notepad. She wrote,
"But aren't pokemon not allowed in here when they are not inside their pokeballs? And you brought Pikachu in here once too." Ash grinned devilishly.
"I thought you needed company," he answered. Misty rolled her eyes. But then she smiled in gratitude. Ash stayed with her for a few hours and then left so Misty could rest before lunch. When he left, instead of resting, she worked on getting her voice back.
1 Month later…
Misty crawled out of bed and rolled into her wheelchair. She was getting stronger every day now. Brock came in the room and saw her all ready. Misty wheeled beside him down the hall. They went outside, to the willow where they had gone a month ago. Ash was already there. He had a walker there beside him. Misty had agreed she would try to walk today. When she was all settled in, she used her arm strength to stand up. A few weeks ago, she had regained most of the feeling in her legs. Now she was going to try to walk. Letting go of the wheelchair, she grabbed the cool metal bars of the walker. Ash stood a few feet away, coaxing Misty to walk towards him. She obliged and took a small, wobbly step. And another. And another until she had walked over to him. Then she collapsed, exhausted but triumphant.
"You did it, Misty, you did it!" Ash cried. He hugged her, then realized what he was doing. Ash blushed yet again, and let go reluctantly. Misty smiled at Ash and Brock.
That day was a good day. But there were also some bad ones.
*~*
Jessie sighed. James was asking why they were there to pay a visit to the girl twerp. Misty. Jessie explained to him,
"James, you idiot, it was OUR fault Misty is even IN here. The least we could do is visit her and say we're sorry!" Meowth snickered at James. That guy was so dense sometimes. Team Rocket had been fined a lot of money for causing the fire and the Boss had been REALLY mad at them. So they had quit, but decided to stay together instead of going home. Jessie and James had reluctantly given up the Rocket uniforms and changed to wearing civilian clothes. But the boss mad at them was nothing compared to what Misty might think. She had been in a COMA because of them. So they were nervous when they knocked on her open hospital door and stepped in. Misty was alone, staring at them with narrow eyes. Before she could order them to get out, Jessie said, "Misty, we are really, really sorry. We just wanted to tell you that. We've quit Team Rocket." Misty smiled faintly. She pointed to a couple of chairs beside the bed and they sat down, Meowth curled up on James' lap, while James petted him. Misty looked amused.
"Oh, we captured him," said Jessie. Meowth glared at her. "I mean, he went willingly and with lots of dignity into a pokeball of ours after Likitung beat him up," Jessie said with a smirk. Meowth stretched and said,
"So how you doin', kid?" meaning Misty. Misty took a notepad out of her nightstand and wrote something down.
"I walked yesterday," she wrote. "With a walker. And I'm trying to get my voice back." So they talked, former enemies, now friends, until Ash came in.
"What are you three doing here?!" Ash demanded with rage in his voice. "Get out!" Jessie looked over at him and said,
"We aren't doing anything bad! We came to say we're sorry!"
"A likely story!" Ash spat out. "It was your fault Misty is in here, and I doubt that you've even changed! You are probably here to steal Togepi!" James got up, fury in his face. Meowth jumped away. James walked over to Ash and leaned over him, saying,
"Say that again. To my face."
"It. Was. All. Your. Fault." Ash said. James exploded, punching Ash. Ash staggered back and then dove at James, punching him again and again. Jessie cried out,
"Stop it! We are not here to fight!" Her cries went unheeded. A couple of orderlys came in and dragged a struggling Ash and James out. Jessie turned to Misty and said, "I'm sorry. James has a temper. We'll come back when he's cooled down." Misty nodded and Jessie walked out of the room with Meowth right behind her.
*~*
Misty smiled to herself. She did it! It was a major triumph for her. Nobody else knew.
"Ash.." her scratchy voice said. She had regained her voice. "Ash."
She had figured it out. And had to tell him.
2 Weeks later
"What is it? Misty?" Ash said. Misty had silently pointed to her wheelchair when he came in. "You want to go outside?" Ash asked. Misty nodded. She hadn't told him she could speak yet. She was going to, but had decided to practice more until she knew what to say to him. Ash thought for a minute. They would have to sneak past the nurses, but…
"Okay, Misty, let's go," he said suddenly. He helped her into her wheelchair, though she didn't need help. He breathed in the smell of her hair, then set her down. They went out the door and down the hall. The corridor was strangely deserted. It WAS "nap time" though. Ash and Misty went through the outside doors and down to the willow that was now their favorite spot. Misty stepped carefully out of her wheelchair. Her legs were still frail and she could collapse if she wasn't careful. With a sigh, she sunk down to the damp ground. It was autumn now and the vibrant red and gold colored leaves floated down from the trees around them. A spicy freshness was in the air, and Misty absently thought of home. Cerulean City. Her sisters would be picking the last bouquets of flowers from the garden, and decorating the house with them. They had always picked the Baby's Breath for her, they said it looked like mist, and that WAS her name. Misty. She sighed and turned to Ash.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" he said softly. Now was her chance.
"Yes, it is," she said quietly, her voice unused for so long. Ash turned and stared at her.
"Misty…you can…"
"Shh…I brought you out here to tell you something," she said slowly, closing her eyes, choosing her words carefully. "I.. well.. have always admired you, Ash. You were determined and caring towards everything and everybody. I came with you, at the beginning, because I admired that about you. I noticed a sort of, spark about you. You were my friend when I needed one. I was so alone. I never would have left you and I never came for the bike. Friends forever, I always thought. Nothing more. But a long time ago, months ago, when the fire surrounded you, I realized you were more than a friend. But I didn't realize HOW much more. Then when I started my therapy, I looked into your eyes and realized. I realized just exactly how much I cared for you. Ash, I love you. I guess I always have," she trailed off. For a long time everything was silent. A cool breeze blew past, and she shivered. I'm afraid, she realized. Afraid of what he'll say. When she couldn't take the silence anymore, she opened her eyes and looked over at him. He was staring at her, eyes watery. He smiled faintly and took her hand in his.
"I love you too, Misty. Always have, always will," and that was all he said. They sat there together, for hours, just sitting silently, holding on to each other. They both needed each other. And they knew that they would never be lonely again.
Later that week..
Misty looked back at the hospital, her hand clasped in Ash's. They looked at each other and smiled. Misty was released. She could leave. The doctors wondered, of course, and marveled at how fast she had recovered. Ash suddenly covered Misty's eyes with his hand and spun her around. When he took his hand away, Misty gaped. There was a bike, a shiny blue one, just like her old one had looked.
"Told you I would give it back," Ash said, somewhat smugly. Misty smiled.
"Never doubted you," she replied.
"Hey, Ash! Misty! You ready to go?" a voice called in the distance. They turned around. Brock was running toward them. They hadn't told Brock. He had guessed from the way they looked at each other. Finally, Brock had thought when they had come back into the hospital where he had been waiting. They finally realized and told each other. And he had picked up Pikachu, who had smiled, in a way, back.
"Yeah, we're ready," Misty called back. She climbed on her new bike and pedaled off slowly with Ash and Brock walking beside her. Pikachu rode in the basket.
"Wait!" They heard voices behind them. Misty wheeled around and faced Jessie, James, and Meowth who were running along behind, trying to catch up to them. Misty rode back to where they were.
"Can we…uh.. come with you guys on your journey?" James asked. Misty nodded.
"Sure. Just two things. One, no trying to capture Pikachu," The former Team Rocket nodded. "Two, you guys, ADMIT it to yourselves that you love each other," Jessie and James looked at one another, then in silent agreement, James held out his hand, which Jessie accepted. They smiled.
"Then yes, of course you can come with us, but you have to catch up!" Misty laughed, and she turned around again and pedaled back to Ash. Jessie stood quietly with James, while Meowth ran ahead.
"I love you, Jessie."
"I love you, James."
Then the pair ran to catch up with their new friends.
~*~
Ash smiled as he thought. Memories from the past floated through his mind. Sighing, he put down his mug of cocoa and stretched out his legs wearily. The experience had turned out all right, and he had realized his love for the ordinary girl who was not so ordinary after all. It had turned out well for Team Rocket too, Jessie and James were now married with two young children, a boy and a girl, who looked remarkably like their parents. The boy looked exactly like James, except for his reddish hair, and the girl looked like Jessie, except for her lavender hair. They were very happy together. As for himself...
"Ash? Why are you out here?" a soft voice called from the doorway. Ash turned around and looked at his wife with love in his eyes. Her carroty hair blew in wisps around her face, and she smiled as she leaned against the doorframe. She walked towards him and sat down with some difficulty. He smiled and took her hand in his. "Just thinking," he told her, and lifted her hand to his lips and gently kissed her fingertips. She smiled. "You've been doing a lot of that lately. Anything in particular?" she asked him. "Memories." He turned to face her, and then worry appeared in his eyes.
"You shouldn't be out here, in your condition. Your doctor says you need plenty of rest," he chided. She rolled her eyes and replied, "I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me." She leaned against him, and placed her head against his shoulder with a sigh. She closed her eyes, and Ash looked down on her with that special sparkle in his eyes, the kind people get when their loved one is near. "Loved ONES, now" Ash thought to himself. As the couple sat in peaceful silence, the small life inside of Misty stirred once in a silent agreement to Ash's thoughts.
Misty accepted that. She wondered what he was up to, of course, but she didn't want to pry. Misty wheeled into the therapy room where her doctor was waiting. The doctor was a middle-aged woman with light brown hair and a pleasant expression.
"Are you ready, Misty?" she asked. "I'll be your doctor for the next two months or so until you're ready to leave." Misty nodded. She would do anything to seem less helpless in front of Ash. That thought startled her. Blushing fiercely, she pushed all thoughts of Ash to the back of her head. For now.
*~*
Ash stepped into the bank. He slipped his card into the slot in the machine and punched some buttons. Then he got his card back, along with the money, and left the building. Ash walked across town and into a shop. He glanced around but didn't see what he wanted. Finally he spotted it. The perfect one. Ash brought it to the register and paid for it. It took all his money but she was worth it. Besides, he owed it to her. She had been bothering him about it for years. She couldn't use it now but in a few months…Ash grinned and wheeled the bike out of the shop.
Misty was going swimming. She had wondered why, until the doctor told her it was for strengthening up her legs. It would make her strong again with no risk of injury. Misty changed into a bathing suit with the help of a nurse, and was lowered into the pool. A pool in a hospital, how 'bout that? It was in the basement. The water was lukewarm and Misty enjoyed swimming. Of course, it wasn't really swimming. Just floating while she tried to kick her legs. Misty had to swim for an hour, but she liked it. Unlike the massage afterwards. She didn't like that at all, but she didn't know why. Maybe because of the lack of privacy. That thought made her laugh. She was here to get better, not gain a lot of privacy! After, Misty wheeled back to her room. The harder training wouldn't begin until most of the feeling was back in her legs, and she could use crutches. Misty climbed back into her bed (hard using only arm strength) and turned on the TV. Oh, good! Her favourite show was on. Misty soon grew bored, she realized that she hadn't seen this show for a long time, because she had been travelling. Without realizing it, she had grown out of a lot of stuff she used to enjoy. Hmm, maybe a soap opera was on. Her sisters liked watching those. Misty flipped to one. After awhile she liked it. It was incredibly funny! All these supposed "real life" situations, people getting shot, people crying, even an evil villain! The time flew by. She didn't notice when Ash came back, a pleased expression on his face.
"Hi, Misty. Looks like you're having fun," he said, looking amused. Misty looked up and blushed.
"I uh, don't really like soap operas, there was just nothing else on," she wrote, looking sheepish.
"Sure Misty. Anyway, have you seen Brock?"
"He came in about twenty minutes ago, said he had to get a drink," she replied by note. Ash groaned. He turned around and ran out of the room. Several minutes later he pushed Brock in pretty-girl mode into the room.
"He was down in the nurses' station," was all he said. Misty grinned. Brock snapped out of it with a well placed mallet blow to the head.
"Misty, what are you doing in the nurses station?" he asked her. Misty rolled her eyes and hit him with the mallet again.
"Misty, do you want to go outside? We have permission to take you, as long as we stay on the grounds," Ash said. Misty looked at him eagerly. She nodded and they got her wheelchair ready. Ash lifted her into it gently and wheeled her down the hall to the waiting room. Misty waved to some of the nurses, who waved back. Brock lagged behind, staring wistfully at the nurses, who shrunk back at the sight of him. Ash came back, and dragged Brock away. Then they went down to a small park the hospital had outside. Ash parked Misty under a willow tree by a tiny pond. They sat down beside Misty. The trio sat under the tree for hours, Misty out of her wheelchair and sitting propped up against the rough bark. They were silent, mulling over the past few months. Misty wanted to talk to the boys, but couldn't. She could write to them, but her wrists were tired from doing that already. In that moment Misty vowed to get her speech back, no matter what it took.
*~*
Misty collapsed on her hospital bed, exhausted. It had only been a couple of days since she had regained consciousness, and she was so tired. Sleep would be welcome. Ash and Brock stood in the doorway.
"Goodnight, Misty. See you tomorrow," Ash said. Misty lifted up an arm and waved goodbye. Her visitors left. Misty was almost asleep when she remembered what she had thought earlier that day. About Ash. She blushed again. Where had that thought come from? She had never thought like that about him before. Okay, maybe a little. But not that strongly. She had always felt a little twinge whenever he was near, that was true, but she had never admitted it was because of Ash. Come to think of it, she had caught herself a couple of times staring at him. I have a problem. Misty thought. Then she fell asleep.
Early the next morning she thought some more. Did Ash feel the same? Unlikely. He had sat by her bed for months, it was true, but he didn't like her more than as a friend. When Ash came in for a visit, she looked up and blushed faintly. Ash didn't seem to notice.
"How are you doing today?" He asked. Misty smiled in reply. Ash seemed nervous and looked away. Misty wondered about that. Ash walked up to her bed and deposited something onto her lap. She looked down.
"Toge-priiiiiiiiii!" Misty's eyes widened and she grabbed the little pokemon and hugged it tightly. Then she set Togepi down and grabbed her notepad. She wrote,
"But aren't pokemon not allowed in here when they are not inside their pokeballs? And you brought Pikachu in here once too." Ash grinned devilishly.
"I thought you needed company," he answered. Misty rolled her eyes. But then she smiled in gratitude. Ash stayed with her for a few hours and then left so Misty could rest before lunch. When he left, instead of resting, she worked on getting her voice back.
1 Month later…
Misty crawled out of bed and rolled into her wheelchair. She was getting stronger every day now. Brock came in the room and saw her all ready. Misty wheeled beside him down the hall. They went outside, to the willow where they had gone a month ago. Ash was already there. He had a walker there beside him. Misty had agreed she would try to walk today. When she was all settled in, she used her arm strength to stand up. A few weeks ago, she had regained most of the feeling in her legs. Now she was going to try to walk. Letting go of the wheelchair, she grabbed the cool metal bars of the walker. Ash stood a few feet away, coaxing Misty to walk towards him. She obliged and took a small, wobbly step. And another. And another until she had walked over to him. Then she collapsed, exhausted but triumphant.
"You did it, Misty, you did it!" Ash cried. He hugged her, then realized what he was doing. Ash blushed yet again, and let go reluctantly. Misty smiled at Ash and Brock.
That day was a good day. But there were also some bad ones.
*~*
Jessie sighed. James was asking why they were there to pay a visit to the girl twerp. Misty. Jessie explained to him,
"James, you idiot, it was OUR fault Misty is even IN here. The least we could do is visit her and say we're sorry!" Meowth snickered at James. That guy was so dense sometimes. Team Rocket had been fined a lot of money for causing the fire and the Boss had been REALLY mad at them. So they had quit, but decided to stay together instead of going home. Jessie and James had reluctantly given up the Rocket uniforms and changed to wearing civilian clothes. But the boss mad at them was nothing compared to what Misty might think. She had been in a COMA because of them. So they were nervous when they knocked on her open hospital door and stepped in. Misty was alone, staring at them with narrow eyes. Before she could order them to get out, Jessie said, "Misty, we are really, really sorry. We just wanted to tell you that. We've quit Team Rocket." Misty smiled faintly. She pointed to a couple of chairs beside the bed and they sat down, Meowth curled up on James' lap, while James petted him. Misty looked amused.
"Oh, we captured him," said Jessie. Meowth glared at her. "I mean, he went willingly and with lots of dignity into a pokeball of ours after Likitung beat him up," Jessie said with a smirk. Meowth stretched and said,
"So how you doin', kid?" meaning Misty. Misty took a notepad out of her nightstand and wrote something down.
"I walked yesterday," she wrote. "With a walker. And I'm trying to get my voice back." So they talked, former enemies, now friends, until Ash came in.
"What are you three doing here?!" Ash demanded with rage in his voice. "Get out!" Jessie looked over at him and said,
"We aren't doing anything bad! We came to say we're sorry!"
"A likely story!" Ash spat out. "It was your fault Misty is in here, and I doubt that you've even changed! You are probably here to steal Togepi!" James got up, fury in his face. Meowth jumped away. James walked over to Ash and leaned over him, saying,
"Say that again. To my face."
"It. Was. All. Your. Fault." Ash said. James exploded, punching Ash. Ash staggered back and then dove at James, punching him again and again. Jessie cried out,
"Stop it! We are not here to fight!" Her cries went unheeded. A couple of orderlys came in and dragged a struggling Ash and James out. Jessie turned to Misty and said, "I'm sorry. James has a temper. We'll come back when he's cooled down." Misty nodded and Jessie walked out of the room with Meowth right behind her.
*~*
Misty smiled to herself. She did it! It was a major triumph for her. Nobody else knew.
"Ash.." her scratchy voice said. She had regained her voice. "Ash."
She had figured it out. And had to tell him.
2 Weeks later
"What is it? Misty?" Ash said. Misty had silently pointed to her wheelchair when he came in. "You want to go outside?" Ash asked. Misty nodded. She hadn't told him she could speak yet. She was going to, but had decided to practice more until she knew what to say to him. Ash thought for a minute. They would have to sneak past the nurses, but…
"Okay, Misty, let's go," he said suddenly. He helped her into her wheelchair, though she didn't need help. He breathed in the smell of her hair, then set her down. They went out the door and down the hall. The corridor was strangely deserted. It WAS "nap time" though. Ash and Misty went through the outside doors and down to the willow that was now their favorite spot. Misty stepped carefully out of her wheelchair. Her legs were still frail and she could collapse if she wasn't careful. With a sigh, she sunk down to the damp ground. It was autumn now and the vibrant red and gold colored leaves floated down from the trees around them. A spicy freshness was in the air, and Misty absently thought of home. Cerulean City. Her sisters would be picking the last bouquets of flowers from the garden, and decorating the house with them. They had always picked the Baby's Breath for her, they said it looked like mist, and that WAS her name. Misty. She sighed and turned to Ash.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" he said softly. Now was her chance.
"Yes, it is," she said quietly, her voice unused for so long. Ash turned and stared at her.
"Misty…you can…"
"Shh…I brought you out here to tell you something," she said slowly, closing her eyes, choosing her words carefully. "I.. well.. have always admired you, Ash. You were determined and caring towards everything and everybody. I came with you, at the beginning, because I admired that about you. I noticed a sort of, spark about you. You were my friend when I needed one. I was so alone. I never would have left you and I never came for the bike. Friends forever, I always thought. Nothing more. But a long time ago, months ago, when the fire surrounded you, I realized you were more than a friend. But I didn't realize HOW much more. Then when I started my therapy, I looked into your eyes and realized. I realized just exactly how much I cared for you. Ash, I love you. I guess I always have," she trailed off. For a long time everything was silent. A cool breeze blew past, and she shivered. I'm afraid, she realized. Afraid of what he'll say. When she couldn't take the silence anymore, she opened her eyes and looked over at him. He was staring at her, eyes watery. He smiled faintly and took her hand in his.
"I love you too, Misty. Always have, always will," and that was all he said. They sat there together, for hours, just sitting silently, holding on to each other. They both needed each other. And they knew that they would never be lonely again.
Later that week..
Misty looked back at the hospital, her hand clasped in Ash's. They looked at each other and smiled. Misty was released. She could leave. The doctors wondered, of course, and marveled at how fast she had recovered. Ash suddenly covered Misty's eyes with his hand and spun her around. When he took his hand away, Misty gaped. There was a bike, a shiny blue one, just like her old one had looked.
"Told you I would give it back," Ash said, somewhat smugly. Misty smiled.
"Never doubted you," she replied.
"Hey, Ash! Misty! You ready to go?" a voice called in the distance. They turned around. Brock was running toward them. They hadn't told Brock. He had guessed from the way they looked at each other. Finally, Brock had thought when they had come back into the hospital where he had been waiting. They finally realized and told each other. And he had picked up Pikachu, who had smiled, in a way, back.
"Yeah, we're ready," Misty called back. She climbed on her new bike and pedaled off slowly with Ash and Brock walking beside her. Pikachu rode in the basket.
"Wait!" They heard voices behind them. Misty wheeled around and faced Jessie, James, and Meowth who were running along behind, trying to catch up to them. Misty rode back to where they were.
"Can we…uh.. come with you guys on your journey?" James asked. Misty nodded.
"Sure. Just two things. One, no trying to capture Pikachu," The former Team Rocket nodded. "Two, you guys, ADMIT it to yourselves that you love each other," Jessie and James looked at one another, then in silent agreement, James held out his hand, which Jessie accepted. They smiled.
"Then yes, of course you can come with us, but you have to catch up!" Misty laughed, and she turned around again and pedaled back to Ash. Jessie stood quietly with James, while Meowth ran ahead.
"I love you, Jessie."
"I love you, James."
Then the pair ran to catch up with their new friends.
~*~
Ash smiled as he thought. Memories from the past floated through his mind. Sighing, he put down his mug of cocoa and stretched out his legs wearily. The experience had turned out all right, and he had realized his love for the ordinary girl who was not so ordinary after all. It had turned out well for Team Rocket too, Jessie and James were now married with two young children, a boy and a girl, who looked remarkably like their parents. The boy looked exactly like James, except for his reddish hair, and the girl looked like Jessie, except for her lavender hair. They were very happy together. As for himself...
"Ash? Why are you out here?" a soft voice called from the doorway. Ash turned around and looked at his wife with love in his eyes. Her carroty hair blew in wisps around her face, and she smiled as she leaned against the doorframe. She walked towards him and sat down with some difficulty. He smiled and took her hand in his. "Just thinking," he told her, and lifted her hand to his lips and gently kissed her fingertips. She smiled. "You've been doing a lot of that lately. Anything in particular?" she asked him. "Memories." He turned to face her, and then worry appeared in his eyes.
"You shouldn't be out here, in your condition. Your doctor says you need plenty of rest," he chided. She rolled her eyes and replied, "I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me." She leaned against him, and placed her head against his shoulder with a sigh. She closed her eyes, and Ash looked down on her with that special sparkle in his eyes, the kind people get when their loved one is near. "Loved ONES, now" Ash thought to himself. As the couple sat in peaceful silence, the small life inside of Misty stirred once in a silent agreement to Ash's thoughts.