A/N: Hey back with a little fic that is for Misty Appreciation day, I know its a few days late but the day of Misty Appreciation day I hated how the characters were interacting so I did away with a mostly complete fic. Does not take place in any universe I have setup, I will be clear if I do one. Just an idea that came into my head.

It was a somber mood for Ash, he was alone overlooking Pallet Town. As he was thinking back on what Korrina said to him.

"Ash, you seem distracted as of late." Korrina said.

"I am not distracted, I am just thinking." Ash responded. Korrina came over and held his hand intertwining their fingers. Her light gray eyes met his brown eyes. Squeezing it back lightly he broke his hand from hers and stared out over the water that protected her gym. Though he noticed how beautiful it was there he didn't feel like he truly belonged. Not even after almost a year of dating Korrina. After the coronation tournament when Ash overcame Cynthia with his Mega Lucario, Korrina was so bold as to ask if he would like to go on a date. He accepted after being a little shocked that someone so bold and beautiful would be into him. Pikachu was happy there too, but he himself wasn't and he felt guilty that he couldn't get over this mental block.

"Are you still thinking of that nightmare?" Korrina asked.

"Huh?" Ash responded looking confused.

"You just said it was something bad, but…I heard you call out her name." Korrina said now not meeting his eyes and looking back over the water.

"I don't remember." Ash lied.

At that Korrina looked back at him and responded, "Misty, you called out her name like something terrible happened to her." Korrina said.

Ash blinked trying to lie before he said, "I am sorry. I really don't know where that came from."

Korrina just leaned in and kissed his cheek, "Ash, like my grandfather said, all things happen for a reason." Sighing before she continued, "I think until you figure out what it is you feel about her, it would be selfish of me to keep you in a relationship."

"But Korrina I love spending time with you." Ash said a little irritated and confused.

"I know you do, and you are sweet Ash Ketchum, its why so many girls like you." Korrina said. "But go home and figure it out and if you find I am still that person you want to be with let me know."

Ash blushed, "It's not that many girls who like me."

Giggling Korrina said, "Let's see Melody, Bianca, Macey, Serena…"

"Ok, I get the picture." Ash said, "I will head home in the morning and thank you for being there for me." Korrina just smiled and left for her room. Ash just stood there staring at the water wondering what he should do when he got back home.

Even now he wasn't sure it had anything to do with Misty. His mother had been rather un-inquisitive about what led to him returning home. She merely said, "You and Korrina are being rather mature about your relationship and no matter who you end up with. That it be based on true partnership." Ash decided to just punch the ground yelling. Pikachu came and said, "Pika-pika."

"Sorry, Pikachu." Ash said, petting Pikachu behind his ears.

"I thought I heard someone yelling." a red orange haired girl said coming into Ash's view.

"Oh, hi Misty." Ash said looking away. "Pika-chu-pi!" Pikachu exclaimed jumping into Misty's arms. Misty nuzzled Pikachu.

"So Ash, trouble in paradise with Korrina?" Misty asked winking at Ash.

Surprised Ash asked, "How did you know?"

Misty's smile faded and her joking attitude changed to a more empathetic tone, "Uh…I didn't…Ash I was only trying to-"

"Joke around, its ok." Ash finished, looking away from her and Pikachu, he rubbed his finger under his nose trying to keep the tears in.

Misty came up and put a hand on his shoulder causing him to meet her viridian eyes. Ash then realized, "Hey Misty you're a girl."

"Yeah…" Misty said a little offended, "only took you 10 years to notice…"

Ash grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the river nearby, surprising her and Pikachu. "Ash, are you going crazy?"

"No, just why does it matter what I dream?" Ash asked, clearly frustrated.

Misty kept moving her tongue in her mouth pondering the question. "Ok Ash, walk me through this."

Ash hesitated before stating, "I apparently had a dream…about you." Now meeting Misty's eyes he noticed a fairly obvious blush look on her face.

"Oh…um…wow." Pikachu hopped down out of Misty's arms staring up at the two of them. Misty now looked away and asked, "Was it a..?"

Ash realizing what she was asking felt hot with embarrassment. "Oh…no."

Misty looked back at him, "No?"

Ash, now looking at Misty more closely, noticed she still looked really pretty. Not that he really admitted that to her cept in the mermaid outfit and the goldeen dress. "If it was, I would understand Korrina's decision better."

Misty blinked before saying, "Ok, what were these dreams?"

"Truthfully I do not really remember them, Korrina only told me I would wake up suddenly saying your name, like something bad had happened." Ash lied though his face felt hot.

Misty blushed despite it not being very romantic she felt it sweet even subconsciously he cared. "Well its nice to know despite your minimal reaching out you still care about me."

"Huh, Misty of course I care about you, you're my first best friend." Ash said a little hurt by her comment. "You taught me all the things I taught to May, Dawn, and Serena."

Misty blushed again, "Well thank you Ash, its nice to hear that from time to time. Why don't we head back to your mom's for lunch?"

"Sure." Ash said. The walk back was a little more relaxed than their earlier interactions. Getting into the house he was surprised to hear his mom showering up in her room. Ash started "Oh, I guess we will have to wait for…"

Misty, barely putting on her slippers, began to chop up potatoes while also pulling out some chicken legs and all the ingredients to make fried chicken. Ash, looking a little surprised along with Pikachu, just blinked at the familiarity she had with Delia's kitchen. Without noticing his mom entered the room fully clothed and said, "Oh thank you Misty." Ash shook himself out of his trance.

Misty looking back at him said, "Ash take the potatoes and strain them in the sink." Ash just nodded and getting some oven mitts put the now soft potatoes into the strainer in the sink. Pikachu got up on the table looking rather excited for the food. "Should I assume you've been taking cooking lessons from my mom?" Ash asked.

"Oh, darn." Delia said before Misty could respond. Before Ash could inquire Misty held out her hand as Delia put some money into her hand. "What just happened here?" Ash said gesturing between the two women.

"I bet Misty that you, honey, would assume she learned how to cook from Brock." Delia said.

"I had a little more faith in you Ash, betting you were not that dense." Misty said winking as she pulled out the last of the fried chicken. Delia gave Misty a look that was between upset and laughing at the comment. Everyone sat at the table and enjoyed the fried chicken and mashed potatoes, Ash was really munching down, impressed by Misty's cooking. Delia merely smirked to herself seeing the old friends talking and enjoying the meal. Pikachu enjoyed the food and strolled off taking a bottle of ketchup. Delia was about to do the dishes when Ash got up and began to do them telling his mom to go relax. Misty decided to hang out in the kitchen with Ash and said, "Something you picked up while with Korrina."

Ash shook his head smirking, "You know I did chores when we traveled. I just didn't particularly enjoy it."

"Guess you're right." Misty said then taking a deep breath she got up the nerve before it left to ask, "I don't know if you know this Ash but when we were on our adventure I sorta had a crush on you."

Ash let a plate hit the sink looking up, "Um, I wondered at times…I just figured you were serious whenever you denied it."

Misty blushed a bit, "Oh well, I wasn't sure how you felt about me."

"I wasn't at the start but," Ash put his hand on the counter saying, "Like I said we were meant to meet. I always thought you just saw me as a stupid dense friend."

Misty politely said, "I did."

"Oh, well um…" Ash started not meeting her eyes working on the dishes, "try not to let my extreme vulnerability play any factor into this…would it be ok if I asked you out sometime later?"

Misty tried to play it cool though inside her stomach was doing summersaults. "Yeah, that would be good." Ash didn't realize but she leaned in kissing his cheek.

"Hey, Misty." Ash said, causing Misty to stop from leaving the kitchen, "Thanks for being a great friend all these years."

With that Misty smiled saying "Your welcome." Misty then walked out the door as Ash just looked on. Unbeknownst to them Delia and Pikachu were listening to the whole exchange thinking in their heads finally they told each other something.