Cassidy sat alone in the Ketchums' living room awaiting the return of the
others who had gone to Professor Oaks Lab to discuss possible resistance
plans. It was decided that someone should stay at the house with James, and
Cassidy, who had not been feeling particularly well, gladly volunteered.
She was so lost in thought that she barely noticed James slowly making his way down the stairs until he stumbled down the last step. She turned her head quickly to face him
"You really shouldn't be up you know" She commented
"Probably not" he answered dryly whilst making his way unsteadily to the front door. She realised what his intentions were and stood
"Where do you think your going?" She questioned
"You know where I'm going… I have to find her" He spoke as he opened the front door.
"You can't be serious?!" she cried incredulously "You heard what the others said, she wasn't there"
"I have to try" he answered solemnly
"Why? So you can get yourself killed!? I'm sure Jessie would be so pleased to know she was the cause of your death!"
It became apparent he wasn't listening to her when he regained his balance and walked out of the house
"James!" She called after him. She sighed and looked around her. She realised there were no other alternatives so she rushed out of the door after him.
He now seemed able to walk steadily and was making his way towards Viridian forest. She had to jog slightly to keep up with his determined pace. Grabbing at his arm she forced him to stop. He turned around to face her
"You're not going to make me change my mind… I'm going after her"
"And what if she's really not there? What are you going to do then?" She sighed knowing that there was no way she could stop him "Look at least wait for the others to come back"
"I can't" He answered "If there's even a chance that she's in there I'm going back" He turned to leave, pulling himself out of Cassidys' grasp. She knew he wouldn't want to hear what she had to say, but it had to be said.
"And what if she's dead?" She questioned.
He turned around slowly and she looked deeply into his grief stricken eyes. Yet he replied more calmly than she had ever known him to be
"At least I'll know".
He turned away from her again and she became desperate "If you go back there you'll be caught and killed"
"I don't care" He replied
"Are you really that stupid!?" She exclaimed
"You don't understand"
"I understand perfectly! You love her and you don't want to lose her, but getting yourself killed isn't going to help!"
"I have to try" He began walking away again.
She was just about to try again when her vision suddenly blurred. She closed her eyes and placed a hand to her head but couldn't shake the dizzy feeling she felt. Her legs buckled from under her and she fell to her knees.
Hearing her fall James turned back "Cassidy?" He questioned.
As he watched her, her whole body just seemed to shut down as she collapsed to the floor. "Cassidy!" he exclaimed, as he ran to her side, gently picking up her head from the ground. She was still conscious, but her eyes had a clouded look to them. She began to sit up slowly.
"Are you okay?" James asked, genuinely worried about her.
She squeezed her eyes shut and answered shakily "I –I think so"
James quickly put an arm around her back and helped her to her feet, helping her back to the house. He brought her back into the living room and lowered her onto the sofa. He went into the kitchen and returned moments later
"Here drink this" He spoke softly as he handed her a glass of water.
She looked up at him and took it meekly "Thanks"
He sat down beside her and watched her, concerned. After a moment he spoke "Are you okay now?"
"Yeah, I'm fine" She responded
Not fully convinced by her response James began to get up. "Maybe I should go and get Butch"
"No!" She exclaimed
Surprised by her response James raised an eyebrow.
"It'll only worry him" She continued, "I'm fine, really"
"Maybe I should call the doctor, just in case"
"There's no need James, please" She insisted
He looked at her unsure of why she was acting so strangely
"People don't just collapse for no reason… I'm calling the doctor" He insisted as he picked up the phone receiver.
She weighed her options in her head. Knowing Butch and the others could be back at any moment she really didn't want the doctor to be around.
"I know what's wrong James" She sighed, seeing no other way around it. But at the same time sort of glad she could have someone else to talk about it with "I'm pregnant"
"Pregnant?" He questioned
"Yeah"
"Are you sure you don't want Butch here?"
She shook her head solemnly and looked at the ground and the realisation hit him
"He doesn't know does he?"
"No"
"Why not?" He questioned
"Timings not exactly been perfect. I mean look at us, we have no home, no jobs and no money. How on earth are we supposed to raise and support a baby?"
"You are going to tell him though… right?"
"If it means losing him… I don't know"
"But surely he has a right to know!? You can't keep this from him, you don't have the right!"
Angry at his response she placed a hand on her stomach
"This is my baby, and my problem! Let me deal with it"
"It's not just your baby Cassidy!. If you don't tell him I will!" He threatened
"You wouldn't dare!?" She shot back
"He has a right to know"
"You can't. James please don't" She pleaded
He looked into her scared violet eyes as they heard voices from outside the door
"Please James! She asked again before the front door opened and Butch walked in followed by Ash, Misty, Brock and Gary. He immediately sensed something was wrong when he looked at her face
"Is everything okay Cass?" He questioned
She looked at James for a moment longer before turning to him and answering
"Yeah, everything's fine"
Pikachu scurried past the group and ran to the entrance of the kitchen
"Pika!" He exclaimed impatiently
"Yes we know you're hungry Pikachu" Brock sighed "You have been telling us for the past hour!"
"He wasn't the only one" Misty muttered, sending a glare in Ashs' direction.
"I can't help it" He whined "I haven't eaten for ages!"
"You ate 10 minutes ago at Professor Oaks!" Misty yelled
Brock, as always, had to step in before a fight started out "Just calm down, I'll go and make us something"
Brock, Ash, Misty and Gary left the living room as Butch slipped an arm around Cassidys' waist. She looked up at him, smiling slightly, as she leaned against him.
"So how are you feeling?" Butch addressed James
"Like I've been hit by a truck" he muttered
Butch smirked at his response, as James continued "Do you mind if I have a word with you Butch?"
"Okay" Butch replied, a little unsure. He turned to Cassidy "Cass, can you do me a favour?"
"What is it?"
"Can you go and get me something to drink?"
She hesitated, not really wanting to leave the two alone. But it would look too suspicious if she didn't comply "Sure" She replied
Butch gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as she slipped from his grasp, and she shot an imploring look to James as she passed him.
"Pikachu, how many times do I have to tell you not to drink from the ketchup bottle!?" Ash demanded "Give it to me!"
As he went to take it from the Pokemon, his cheeks began to spark
"PIKAACHUUUUU!!!!!" he yelled, as he electrocuted Ash, turning him quite an interesting shade of black.
Gary laughed from his seated position at the table "That's it Ash, you show him who's boss!"
Cassidy numbly walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of juice. Brock who was now very familiar with Pikachu's tendency to shock his trainer, stepped over a very burnt Ash and went to the fridge. He smiled at Cassidy and addressed her
"Will you and Butch be wanting anything for lunch?"
She looked up at him, snapped out of her daydream "Erm… I'm sure Butch is probably hungry, but nothing for me, thanks"
"Are you sure you don't want anything Cassidy? You didn't have any breakfast either"
"I said NO didn't I?!" she exclaimed.
She saw the look on his face and immediately apologised "Sorry. I didn't mean to snap"
Brock smiled at her again "It's okay. You've been through a lot recently, and I never did know when to keep my mouth shut, I must be getting it from Ash" he mused
Cassidy smiled slightly at his response as Ash sprung up from his position on the floor
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?!" He demanded
"Luckily his lack of brains hasn't rubbed off on me yet" Brock whispered jokingly to Cassidy, who smiled further in response
"What are you whispering about?!" Ash whined
"Oh Ash calm down. You know I'm only kidding" Brock stated
Ash proceeded to mumble something under his breath and began to sulk. Brock rolled his eyes (lol) at this response and proceeded to hand Cassidy a glass out of one of the cupboards.
"Thanks"
"Anytime" He replied as he went back to preparing lunch.
She filled the glass and took a couple of deep breaths before entering the living room again.
James was seated on one of the sofas' and beside him Butch had just got up and was speaking in a determined tone
"I'm going"
Cassidy heard this and realised that her worst nightmare was coming true. Butch was leaving and she'd be left alone. She dropped the glass she had been carrying in shock and it smashed against the hard wooden floor.
Butch turned his head to face her as he heard the glass break. He looked into her eyes which were wide and full of fear. She was breathing rapidly as she spoke quietly
"You're leaving?" she questioned
He looked at her, unsure of why she was acting so strangely
"Yeah" He spoke "But only for a few days" She looked at him confused and he explained "I'm going with James to Viridian, to help find Jessie"
"Jessie?" She asked, still shocked
"Yeah" he confirmed, walking over to her.
He cupped her chin with one of his hands and stroked her cheek with his thumb, looking intently into her eyes
"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked suspiciously
"Y-yeah, I'm just a little tired, that's all"
He smiled sadly at her and gently kissed her cheek
"Why don't you go upstairs and get some rest? I'll sort this mess out" He offered
She nodded slowly, smiling at him, relieved.
He pulled away from her and went into the kitchen to get something to clean up the spilt juice with. Cassidy looked over to James and spoke quietly
"You didn't tell him?"
"No –but that doesn't mean I wont… I just think you should be the one to tell him"
"I will" she conceded "I just need some time"
"Cassidy, you do understand why I have to do this, don't you?"
She nodded "Yeah, I know. He does deserve to know, no matter what his reaction may be, It's just-" She paused as Butch entered the room
"Cassie, I mean it" he insisted "I'll clean up down here, go" He pointed towards the stairs and she smiled at him.
As she walked past James to go up the stairs she mouthed the words 'Thank you' to him.
To be continued…
Well that was longer than the other ones, but it did take awhile! Especially since I've had loads of exams recently. I've still got some more to go, so I don't know when I'll be able to update next.
I apologise for the serious Ash bashing to anyone who's a twerp fan, but he drives me MAD!!! But I will not turn this into a rant _
As always please review! Bring some joy into a very sad 18 year olds life : )
She was so lost in thought that she barely noticed James slowly making his way down the stairs until he stumbled down the last step. She turned her head quickly to face him
"You really shouldn't be up you know" She commented
"Probably not" he answered dryly whilst making his way unsteadily to the front door. She realised what his intentions were and stood
"Where do you think your going?" She questioned
"You know where I'm going… I have to find her" He spoke as he opened the front door.
"You can't be serious?!" she cried incredulously "You heard what the others said, she wasn't there"
"I have to try" he answered solemnly
"Why? So you can get yourself killed!? I'm sure Jessie would be so pleased to know she was the cause of your death!"
It became apparent he wasn't listening to her when he regained his balance and walked out of the house
"James!" She called after him. She sighed and looked around her. She realised there were no other alternatives so she rushed out of the door after him.
He now seemed able to walk steadily and was making his way towards Viridian forest. She had to jog slightly to keep up with his determined pace. Grabbing at his arm she forced him to stop. He turned around to face her
"You're not going to make me change my mind… I'm going after her"
"And what if she's really not there? What are you going to do then?" She sighed knowing that there was no way she could stop him "Look at least wait for the others to come back"
"I can't" He answered "If there's even a chance that she's in there I'm going back" He turned to leave, pulling himself out of Cassidys' grasp. She knew he wouldn't want to hear what she had to say, but it had to be said.
"And what if she's dead?" She questioned.
He turned around slowly and she looked deeply into his grief stricken eyes. Yet he replied more calmly than she had ever known him to be
"At least I'll know".
He turned away from her again and she became desperate "If you go back there you'll be caught and killed"
"I don't care" He replied
"Are you really that stupid!?" She exclaimed
"You don't understand"
"I understand perfectly! You love her and you don't want to lose her, but getting yourself killed isn't going to help!"
"I have to try" He began walking away again.
She was just about to try again when her vision suddenly blurred. She closed her eyes and placed a hand to her head but couldn't shake the dizzy feeling she felt. Her legs buckled from under her and she fell to her knees.
Hearing her fall James turned back "Cassidy?" He questioned.
As he watched her, her whole body just seemed to shut down as she collapsed to the floor. "Cassidy!" he exclaimed, as he ran to her side, gently picking up her head from the ground. She was still conscious, but her eyes had a clouded look to them. She began to sit up slowly.
"Are you okay?" James asked, genuinely worried about her.
She squeezed her eyes shut and answered shakily "I –I think so"
James quickly put an arm around her back and helped her to her feet, helping her back to the house. He brought her back into the living room and lowered her onto the sofa. He went into the kitchen and returned moments later
"Here drink this" He spoke softly as he handed her a glass of water.
She looked up at him and took it meekly "Thanks"
He sat down beside her and watched her, concerned. After a moment he spoke "Are you okay now?"
"Yeah, I'm fine" She responded
Not fully convinced by her response James began to get up. "Maybe I should go and get Butch"
"No!" She exclaimed
Surprised by her response James raised an eyebrow.
"It'll only worry him" She continued, "I'm fine, really"
"Maybe I should call the doctor, just in case"
"There's no need James, please" She insisted
He looked at her unsure of why she was acting so strangely
"People don't just collapse for no reason… I'm calling the doctor" He insisted as he picked up the phone receiver.
She weighed her options in her head. Knowing Butch and the others could be back at any moment she really didn't want the doctor to be around.
"I know what's wrong James" She sighed, seeing no other way around it. But at the same time sort of glad she could have someone else to talk about it with "I'm pregnant"
"Pregnant?" He questioned
"Yeah"
"Are you sure you don't want Butch here?"
She shook her head solemnly and looked at the ground and the realisation hit him
"He doesn't know does he?"
"No"
"Why not?" He questioned
"Timings not exactly been perfect. I mean look at us, we have no home, no jobs and no money. How on earth are we supposed to raise and support a baby?"
"You are going to tell him though… right?"
"If it means losing him… I don't know"
"But surely he has a right to know!? You can't keep this from him, you don't have the right!"
Angry at his response she placed a hand on her stomach
"This is my baby, and my problem! Let me deal with it"
"It's not just your baby Cassidy!. If you don't tell him I will!" He threatened
"You wouldn't dare!?" She shot back
"He has a right to know"
"You can't. James please don't" She pleaded
He looked into her scared violet eyes as they heard voices from outside the door
"Please James! She asked again before the front door opened and Butch walked in followed by Ash, Misty, Brock and Gary. He immediately sensed something was wrong when he looked at her face
"Is everything okay Cass?" He questioned
She looked at James for a moment longer before turning to him and answering
"Yeah, everything's fine"
Pikachu scurried past the group and ran to the entrance of the kitchen
"Pika!" He exclaimed impatiently
"Yes we know you're hungry Pikachu" Brock sighed "You have been telling us for the past hour!"
"He wasn't the only one" Misty muttered, sending a glare in Ashs' direction.
"I can't help it" He whined "I haven't eaten for ages!"
"You ate 10 minutes ago at Professor Oaks!" Misty yelled
Brock, as always, had to step in before a fight started out "Just calm down, I'll go and make us something"
Brock, Ash, Misty and Gary left the living room as Butch slipped an arm around Cassidys' waist. She looked up at him, smiling slightly, as she leaned against him.
"So how are you feeling?" Butch addressed James
"Like I've been hit by a truck" he muttered
Butch smirked at his response, as James continued "Do you mind if I have a word with you Butch?"
"Okay" Butch replied, a little unsure. He turned to Cassidy "Cass, can you do me a favour?"
"What is it?"
"Can you go and get me something to drink?"
She hesitated, not really wanting to leave the two alone. But it would look too suspicious if she didn't comply "Sure" She replied
Butch gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as she slipped from his grasp, and she shot an imploring look to James as she passed him.
"Pikachu, how many times do I have to tell you not to drink from the ketchup bottle!?" Ash demanded "Give it to me!"
As he went to take it from the Pokemon, his cheeks began to spark
"PIKAACHUUUUU!!!!!" he yelled, as he electrocuted Ash, turning him quite an interesting shade of black.
Gary laughed from his seated position at the table "That's it Ash, you show him who's boss!"
Cassidy numbly walked over to the refrigerator and pulled out a carton of juice. Brock who was now very familiar with Pikachu's tendency to shock his trainer, stepped over a very burnt Ash and went to the fridge. He smiled at Cassidy and addressed her
"Will you and Butch be wanting anything for lunch?"
She looked up at him, snapped out of her daydream "Erm… I'm sure Butch is probably hungry, but nothing for me, thanks"
"Are you sure you don't want anything Cassidy? You didn't have any breakfast either"
"I said NO didn't I?!" she exclaimed.
She saw the look on his face and immediately apologised "Sorry. I didn't mean to snap"
Brock smiled at her again "It's okay. You've been through a lot recently, and I never did know when to keep my mouth shut, I must be getting it from Ash" he mused
Cassidy smiled slightly at his response as Ash sprung up from his position on the floor
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?!" He demanded
"Luckily his lack of brains hasn't rubbed off on me yet" Brock whispered jokingly to Cassidy, who smiled further in response
"What are you whispering about?!" Ash whined
"Oh Ash calm down. You know I'm only kidding" Brock stated
Ash proceeded to mumble something under his breath and began to sulk. Brock rolled his eyes (lol) at this response and proceeded to hand Cassidy a glass out of one of the cupboards.
"Thanks"
"Anytime" He replied as he went back to preparing lunch.
She filled the glass and took a couple of deep breaths before entering the living room again.
James was seated on one of the sofas' and beside him Butch had just got up and was speaking in a determined tone
"I'm going"
Cassidy heard this and realised that her worst nightmare was coming true. Butch was leaving and she'd be left alone. She dropped the glass she had been carrying in shock and it smashed against the hard wooden floor.
Butch turned his head to face her as he heard the glass break. He looked into her eyes which were wide and full of fear. She was breathing rapidly as she spoke quietly
"You're leaving?" she questioned
He looked at her, unsure of why she was acting so strangely
"Yeah" He spoke "But only for a few days" She looked at him confused and he explained "I'm going with James to Viridian, to help find Jessie"
"Jessie?" She asked, still shocked
"Yeah" he confirmed, walking over to her.
He cupped her chin with one of his hands and stroked her cheek with his thumb, looking intently into her eyes
"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked suspiciously
"Y-yeah, I'm just a little tired, that's all"
He smiled sadly at her and gently kissed her cheek
"Why don't you go upstairs and get some rest? I'll sort this mess out" He offered
She nodded slowly, smiling at him, relieved.
He pulled away from her and went into the kitchen to get something to clean up the spilt juice with. Cassidy looked over to James and spoke quietly
"You didn't tell him?"
"No –but that doesn't mean I wont… I just think you should be the one to tell him"
"I will" she conceded "I just need some time"
"Cassidy, you do understand why I have to do this, don't you?"
She nodded "Yeah, I know. He does deserve to know, no matter what his reaction may be, It's just-" She paused as Butch entered the room
"Cassie, I mean it" he insisted "I'll clean up down here, go" He pointed towards the stairs and she smiled at him.
As she walked past James to go up the stairs she mouthed the words 'Thank you' to him.
To be continued…
Well that was longer than the other ones, but it did take awhile! Especially since I've had loads of exams recently. I've still got some more to go, so I don't know when I'll be able to update next.
I apologise for the serious Ash bashing to anyone who's a twerp fan, but he drives me MAD!!! But I will not turn this into a rant _
As always please review! Bring some joy into a very sad 18 year olds life : )