DISCLAIMER: I don't own Pokémon.

A/N: This chapter is sorta exciting…I mean, more exciting things have happened, but eek, drama baby! They don't call me Drama Queen at school for nothing! ^_^ And by the way, I'm sorry these chapters are going up kinda quickly, but I've said this before, wanna get it up before my holiday. THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR REVIEWS!!! Wow, they're so cool! YOU'RE so cool! I'll let you read now!

Chapter four - My Heartbreaker, My Saviour.

"Bye Mom." I wearily hung up the phone, not waiting for what I knew would be her half-hearted response. She'd been on the rounds, checking up as per usual to ask why I was slacking when it came to my social life. And quite frankly, I didn't care. She couldn't do anything to me when she was 200 miles away.

"Misty, are you, like, done with the phone?" Violet asked from her position on the couch.

"Like, totally" I replied sarcastically.

Violet sent what I think was supposed to be a lethal glare in my direction and grabbed the cordless phone off me. I vaguely heard her chatting to her friend as I absorbed myself in the TV. Not healthy, I know, but it was all I could do to stop myself going crazy.

It was raining. At Washbay Beach in the middle of July. Wrong? Just slightly. So swimming, walking and generally spending any time outdoors was all out. It had been eight days since I had seen Ash, but that didn't mean to say that because he had been vacant from my vision that he was vacant from my mind...

Hey wait! Swimming! It's best in the rain!

I smiled at my genius and ran towards my room, causing Violet to glance strangely at me for a microsecond. The rain made the water warmer and slightly more choppy. But all the more thrills.

So I was finally getting to try out my new bathing suit. A baby blue one piece with white hawaiian flowers. Okay okay, so it lacked originality from what everyone else was wearing, but who would see me swimming in the middle of a downpour?

"Lily, I'm going swimming!" I yelled from my room, grabbing a towel and heading for the front door.

Lily hesitated before she finally yelled back, "Whatever!" Phew. That was confirmation in her language.

At least there was no wind. Wind was a cold blanket I preferred not to be wrapped in. But the rain was actually nice, soothing on my sunburnt skin. A lot of people would call me crazy, as I'm sure my sisters were doing now, but I didn't care.

With a somewhat immature and childish squeal I ran toward the water, discarding my towel on the uppermost part of the beach, keeping it dry by sheltering it in a plastic bag.

The water, as I had suspected it to be, was warm and inviting. The waves were rougher than I expected them to be, but I was used to it. I had been brought up in a water gym, of course I knew how to handle it...

Oh God. I wish I wasn't so goddamn naïve.

After much frolicking and pleasurable head dunks, I ended up lying on my back in happy exhaustion. I hadn't been submerged in water by myself in such a long time. I was always usually with my sisters practicing some stupid water show.

Loneliness isn't healthy, I know. But today I needed it. You've gotta understand, I'm not an extravert at heart - Ash had seen to that. I need time to myself. And spending over a week cooped up in the same house as my sisters was enough to drive anyone out of there as quick as they could.

I had been lying there for about, oh, I dunno, three minutes or so. The waves lapping against my body were the sweetest sound and feeling I had experienced in a long time, and I savoured as much of it as I could. But I knew I had to be heading back. I dunno why, but something was telling me I had to go back. No doubt my sisters could hardly survive by themselves.

With a heavy sigh I hoisted myself up, expecting to feel the swirl of sand around my legs as my feet disrupted the stationary layers of it. But slight panic clutched my heart as my legs felt nothing. No sand, no surface of any kind to stand on.

"Shit" I muttered. So maybe I had drifted out furthur than I should have, but no problem. I'm a strong swimmer and swimming in deep ocean waters was no different to swimming in the deep end of the pool back home. The most important thing was just not to panic and to keep my head above the water.

I could feel the rip surrounding me, willing to drag me under so I could struggle for my life, but I wouldn't let it. I never bowed down to anything, even if mother nature was at the helm. The ocean was no exception.

So why on earth was my energy so rapidly draining out of me? Why did I suddenly feel the need to just stop treading water so desperately and close my eyes in sleep?

But even if energy wasn't there, common sense was. By now I had sussed out that yes, I was in a bit more trouble then I could physically handle. I knew I couldn't close my eyes, even if my eyelids felt like they resembled bricks. I couldn't close them.

Still treading the surging water, I vaguely noticed the rain was coming down harder then it had when I had first come out here. Great, just what the fates would do to me at a time like this. You'd think they'd cut me a break after the whole Ash thing, and being forced here by a deranged mother.

"Come on Misty, come on..." My voice was willing me to go on, but my legs were protesting. I didn't have time to be shocked or annoyed at myself before my legs finally stopped moving altogether. I just lay on my back again, thinking the rip would carry me back out to the shore.

Hey, in panicking times people don't think straight, okay?

I had gotten myself into a very bad situation very quickly, and there was no one around to help me at all. My sisters were safely inside, and everyone else was sane enough to stay away from the beach during weather like this.

As these thoughts lurked in my mind, I disgustedly felt tears on my face mingling with the pouring rain. Stop crying, you big baby! But I couldn't stop. I was going to die. The girl who's supposed to be a water pokémon trainer and gym leader is going to drown. The irony of the situation was getting to me badly. How pathetic for someone who loves water and water pokémon to drown.

The last thing I remember thinking was something most people drowning wouldn't even consider. But that was me for you.

Apparently before you drown it's supposed to be very beautiful. What an upside.

My thoughts quickly vanished as my head submerged under the water for what I was certain would be the last time. Then there was nothing but a visual whiteout.

* * * * * * *

I could've sworn my life was flashing before my eyes when I felt someone's lips on mine. With a spluttering cough I found myself opening my eyes and looking straight into the apparently concerned face of Ash Ketchum. Yup, I was definitely dead now. If Ash was kissing me I must've had my life flashing before my eyes.

"Misty? Oh my god, you're alive!" he exclaimed. He was on his knees to my left but his face was only inches above mine. What the hell was he doing kissing me?

I figured that I was lying down and desperately wanted to get up and run, but I was void of all strength. I stared at him with bewildered eyes, my attempts at a glare failing on me.

"W-what are y-y-you doing?" I stuttered in disbelief. "Am I dead?"

"I just said you were alive" Ash smiled. "Because you are." It was at this point I noticed his hair was dripping with salt water, as were all his clothes, and I put two and two together.

"You...you saved me?" I asked weakly.

"Well..." Ash paused. "If you wanna call it that, sure. I saw you out there and it was pretty obvious you were struggling. What were you doing swimming in weather like this?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Swimming's best in the rain" I explained softly.

Ash laughed. "Right, that's why you nearly drowned. S'pose that lifesaving course last year did come in handy after all."

I slowly sat up, coughing all the way and clutching at my chest. It felt too tight to be normal.

"Hey Mist, take it easy, your lungs won't be strong yet" Ash cautioned. I eyed him carefully. Through the never ending rain I could see that he was genuinly worried about me. But why should he be? We were barely on friendly terms.

"Why were you...why did you..." I trailed off, leaving my questions incomplete and impossible to answer.

"You weren't breathing when I brought you back up here. I had to give you mouth to mouth to get you going again" Ash explained with a small smile. It could've been the rain, it could've been my distorted mind, but I couldn't ignore the fact that I thought I had just seen tears in Ash's eyes.

Ash never cried, or even came close to it. And if he did I never heard about it. There were a couple of times when his pokémon were in danger, sure, that was understandable. They were nearly dead, and he cared about them...

Woah. Hold up. He's doing what he did when one of his pokémon, the things he cared about most in the world, nearly died. I nearly died and he was on the verge of tears. Did he honestly care about me that much?

"Misty...god, don't ever be that stupid again, please! I thought I'd lost you for good" Ash said, his voice breaking. The words came out crackled, suffocated by emotion, and I started crying myself. What a wimp I was. Crying in front of Ash.

What he did next was comforting through my shock of his actions, but he wrapped an arm around my shoulders as my whole body convulsed due to the sobs. Without even thinking straight I cried into his shoulder. Maybe this was my weird way of thanking him. I could barely talk as it was, and they say that actions speak louder than words.

"It's okay Mist, you're alive now, that's all that matters. I suspect you've learnt a lesson the hard way" Ash said quietly. "Bad way to learn it though."

"A-Ash, I..." Sniff sniff. Sob. "Thank you" I finally whispered. "I'm so d-d-dumb, I should be dead." More sobs. This had to be the most pathetic display I'd ever put on anywhere.

"Don't say that" Ash said firmly. The words hung in the air along with the silence that followed, and it was a minute later that I began to feel half human again as I realised how cold it actually was.

"Ash, I think I should go back" I suggested quietly. He nodded and helped me stand up. I noticed he even had the towel I had been planning to use and that he was now wrapping it around me in an attempt to get my body temperature up a bit.

"Shit, you're so pale...you might wanna go to the doctor or something" Ash advised.

"I'll be alright" I said with a confirming nod. We reached the front porch of my bach and I desperatly wanted to let my weak knees take a break. Even the less than a minute walk to the bach had taken a toll on me and I turned to face his concerned eyes.

"You take it easy, okay? I'll be back to check up on you tomorrow" Ash announced.

"You don't have to do that" I said, leaning against the closed door. "I'll be fine."

Ash raised an eyebrow. "You can't stop me" he said mischeviously. I smiled weakly at him.

"Thank you, Ash. I'll never be able to repay you for what you did today."

"Don't worry about that, just get in there and rest. I'll see you tomorrow."

"See ya, Ash" I farewelled, and gratefully opened the door to meet my sister's shocked faces.

"Was that you...coming back here with Ash?" Lily asked with obvious awe in her tone.

"And why was he soaking wet?" Daisy added.

I shakily sat down on one of the couches and coughed again, bringing up a bit more saltwater. God, I must've swallowed more than I realised.

"Oh my God! You got caught in a rip, didn't you?!" Violet correctly accused.

I nodded. "Ash...he saved me, I nearly drowned" I explained, closing my eyes at the memory.

"Shit, Misty!" Daisy yelled suddenly, causing me to jump slightly in surprise. "Do you know how totally embarrassing that would be if it leaked out to the press? Why don't you, like, think before you do something?" she asked in exasperation.

"Yeah Mist, that's pretty dumb" Violet added.

"Well I'm sorry I'm not as smart and full of common sense as you three" I said sarcastically.

"Guys, give her a break" Lily said, sending me into even more shock. What on earth was she doing going on my side? "She's just been through a huge ordeal, let her rest or something."

I smiled gratefully at Lily and she discreetly winked at me. So discreetly that my other gaping sisters didn't even notice.

"Just rest up and we'll go call Mom. She has to know" Lily said, moving from the couch so I could lie down.

"No!" I shouted. "Please, don't tell Mom. Please." I gave Lily my best puppy eyes but it didn't work.

"Sorry Mist. She'll call tonight wondering why you haven't gone out and what are we gonna say then? She's gonna want to know why" Lily pointed out.

She was right. I had actually been out a couple of times this last week and Mom had told my sisters she was slightly impressed. If I didn't go out she'd get suspicious. Too suspicious. Think the wrong thing. Nearly drowning was not what my mother would think could happen to any of her daughters.

I closed my eyes and heard my sisters walk away, Daisy and Violet muttering to themselves about how unfair it all was. Unfair? They had it easy. They could get away with a night or two in, they could've even got away with nearly drowning if my role had been reversed.

With my thoughts practically cramping my brain into a headache, I felt myself being taken over by sleep, and made no attempt to stop that takeover.

* * * * * * *

I woke up when someone started shaking my shoulder. I had a fair idea of who it would be. No doubt Violet and Daisy were still sulking at me and I wasn't surprised to open my eyes and be staring at Lily with fuzzy vision.

"Hey" she said softly. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine" I said honestly. "I feel like normal."

Lily smiled. "Cool. Here, made you some hot chocolate." She handed me the steaming mug as I eyed her in confusion.

"Lily...why are you being so nice to me?" I asked quietly.

She sighed and fiddled with the blanket that had been wrapped around me all night as she spoke. "Yesterday when you came home like that, when you said you nearly drowned, it...it really got to me. You know we act like bitches to you most of the time but goddammit, if we ever lost you I don't think any

of us would ever truly get over it."

I stared at her with wide, shocked eyes. "R-really?" I stammered.

Lily nodded. "We're your sisters, Misty. We love you. Daisy and Violet are using their bad moods as a cover up for compassion, trust me."

I took a sip of the inviting hot chocolate and smiled weakly at my older sister. "Thank you."

"Oh sweetie, you don't have to thank me" Lily said with a laugh. "It's sisterly instincts. We can't help it, even if we wanted to."

It was at this point there was a knock at the door and Lily stood up from her kneeling position. "Better go get that. Dunno who would be calling round here though" she said as she walked towards the door.

I took a huge gulp of the hot chocolate, loving the warm sensation it was spreading through my throat. With a contented sigh I snuggled back into what had been my bed for the night and pulled the covers around me.

"Uh, Misty" Lily started, making my eyes spring open in half-fright, half-curiousness. "You got a visitor."

She didn't need to say that. Ash was standing right in front of me. He only had his hands clasped behind his back for a second before they revealed themselves in front of me, clutching a bunch of tulips.

"Tulips?!" I screeched with delight. "I LOVE tulips!"

"I know" Ash grinned. "Just a little get well soon thingy."

"Ash, how did you remember?" I asked in astonishment.

"I just have a very good memory, that's all" he explained with a laugh.

"Lily, can you put them in a vase?" I asked politely. Lily nodded and, with a broad grin that made me a little nervous, took the tulips off Ash and walked towards the kitchen.

"How are you?" Ash asked, pulling up a small chair next to the couch and sitting down.

I shrugged. "Not bad actually. A bit more weary of the ocean..."

"I should think so" Ash said wisely.

I sighed. "Ash, what are you doing here?" I asked, totally changing the mood in the room. "I told you it would take time before I -"

"I know" Ash cut me short. "But it has been a week since I last saw you. Well, before I last saw you in no danger" he added.

I paused. "Good point" I finally muttered. "Well I'm sorry Ash, but I'm not up to doing anything today."

"I never asked if you wanted to do anything" Ash pointed out. "I came to see how you were feeling."

With a sigh only one word came to my head and escaped my lips. "Thank you" I whispered.

Ash's eyes widened in shock and I couldn't blame him. I was secretly shocked at my own actions. It had only been a week ago that I was screaming at him in nothing but pure rage, and now here we were. Him my lifesaver. Me in eternal gratitude. What the hell was going on?

We sat there in a kind of tranced silence before he stood up with a small smile. "I'd better get going. You need to rest up some more."

Yeah, maybe I did. Maybe my brain had engulfed more salt water than my lungs had.

"Okay" I agreed quietly. "Ash..." I sighed and thought about my words very carefully. "You know I'm forever in your debt for what you did yesterday. But..."

"But you can't forgive me" Ash finished sadly.

I paused. "I don't know" I said honestly. "Look, I'll give you a call or something. The friends thing is still not completely out of the picture."

"Sure thing" Ash smiled. "I'll see you later." And with that he left, shutting the front door behind him and bringing out my sister as he did.

"Ash brought you flowers!" Lily shrieked in excitement. "Like, oh my god, how can you resist him now! He totally saved your life and he obviously likes you..."

"Stop! Please Lily, just shut up" I muttered in exasperation. It was all I had heard from her since Ash had entered the scene and quite frankly I was getting sick of it. What had happened to her kind, concerning mood? She was going back to normal now. Dang. I should've taken more advantage of her nice mood while I could.

"Okay okay" Lily mumbled. "But it's true" she added with a devious grin.

"I don't care" I said firmly. "What did Mom say when you called her last night?" I asked, hastily changing the subject.

"Well..." Lily hesitated. "She, she...god Mist, she almost sounded ashamed" she admitted.

I gulped. That would be the perfect word to describe Mom at the prospect of one of her daughters nearly drowning. Ashamed. I should've known.

"Yeah" I said flatly. It was all I could say. I had no idea how to respond to Lily's news otherwise.

"She wants you out tonight, or tomorrow at the very latest. She's not happy. We've gotta keep this under wraps or the press could have a field day" Lily warned. She was right. Us four Waterflowers were known for our awesome swimming abilities, and to hear that one had nearly drowned would send the paparazzi into a frenzy.

"I know" I agreed. I yawned and snuggled back into my covers. "I think I might hit another hour or so of sleep. Do you mind?"

"Like, not at all, sis. Sleep well" Lily said kindly, and I slowly closed my eyes as I tried to keep my head clear.

A/N: Okay not much to say, just review review, oh please, I will get down on my knees or dance on top of my school roof or whatever! Sorry, that was a bit desperate, do what you like! But yes, anyways, I'll go now and leave you pondering on where this is going…unless it's too predictable…well, I'll only know what you think if you review! Sorry, I'll stop saying that word. Later peeps!