Disclaimer: Pokémon, getto daze! That's what I'd say to my lawers if I had a lot of money ... which I don't ...
Ok, again, chapter two has been re-uploaded. Nothing has been changed from chapter one, except, obviously, the title. From "A Year in the Life of AAML" to:
How Much Can Happen In A Year?
Four months later, after travelling back to Pallet Town from Johto, all three of them were sitting in the Ketchum residence at Pallet Town. And why did travelling a small distance like that take such a long time? The well-known and rare "Snowflake Cup" took place in Snowela in February, a strange 3-on-3 trainer battle tournament. Misty and Ash had, after much persuasion, had talked Brock into taking part, and they all three competed, managing to finish in second place. But their teamwork victory hadn't managed to change the situation that had remained since New Years.
Ever since "that night", Brock had been reluctant to leave Ash and Misty alone for too long, although he had granted them some privacy, usually no longer than 30 minutes at a time though. His butting in on them hadn't been well received, but he knew he was doing what a chaperone would do in his situation. But then again, if he left them to themselves, they'd never get up in the morning.
Right now they were sitting inside on a sunny April afternoon, watching, or in Brock's case pretending to watch, a romance film. Misty and Ash monopolised the sofa, lying down, Misty in front of Ash, their fingers intertwined. Ash would often sneak glances down at her, both kissing briefly when the movie got particularly soppy. Pikachu and Togepi weren't there with them, Mrs Ketchum and Mimey taking them out with them to do some shopping.
The film was called "Me, Myself and Eevee", and was about two best friends, both Eevee trainers, who were in love with each other, as well as their Eevee's being in love with each other. Misty chose it, thinking it was a lot like her and Ash. The whole movie followed their friendship over a year, observing their pain over watching the other person date someone else, while the Pokémon tried to get their trainers together. Brock could already tell what would happen. They would have a major fallout, followed by a secret confession to already knowing friends and Pokémon, resulting in them meeting up at the end of the movie, kissing, etcetera, etcetera ... Totally boring to Brock.
About an hour into the movie Misty left the room, saying she needed to 'powder her nose'. Brock took the time to glance up from his "Breeders Digest" and indulge in a little human conversation.
"How can you watch this?" Brock asked him, glancing at the screen. The main couple were laughing with each other, throwing pained glances when the other looked the other way. Trashy and corny ... he wondered why Misty loved it so much.
"I'll let you in on a secret Brock," Ash told him, making sure Misty wasn't insight before continuing. "I have no idea what's going on."
"So, you're watching a movie for no reason?" Brock half asked, half stated.
"I get to spend time with Misty," Ash replied. "There's a reason for ya," he finished as Misty returned and they resumed their previous seating arrangement.
Brock sat and wondered if Ash didn't have a hidden meaning to his words. Get to spend time ... Brock had to admit that he had been smothering them, but he wasn't comfortable with the idea of the two of them ... having sex. His two best friends didn't even bear thinking about. But then again, that would have happened sooner or later, making Brock realise that he wasn't being fair on them.
He put down his magazine and stood up. Ash looked over to him. "Where are you going?" he asked.
"Tracey asked me if I wanted to help him up at the lab today," he replied, walking over to the door. "I'll be back at about 5, and your Mom won't be home until 6," Brock told them, smiling.
Ash caught on what he was allowing them and smiled. "Thanks buddy," he said.
"See ya later, and have fun," he added as he walked out and shut the door behind him.
"Bye Brock!" Misty called. "Well what made him change his tune?" She asked, turning in to face Ash. "He's been mothering us ever since Snowela, why stop now?"
"I think he was worried Mist," Ash said. "I mean, we happened suddenly and he's like a second mother, so he panicked. But I think he's realised we're serious," he told her, kissing her. His free hand travelled down her side, resting on her hip. Ash broke the kiss and turned his attention on her neck.
"Ash ... " she sighed, removing his hat so she could play around with his hair. The hat dropped to the floor, along with her hair bobble, Ash having pulled it out so he could play with her hair.
"We've got 3 hours alone," Ash whispered to her, "for the first time in how many months? Four? I think the damn TV can wait, don't you?" he asked, kissing her nose. "It's not like you don't know what'll happen at the end."
"Yeah ... " she mumbled, kissing him, the film already long forgotten. Misty managed to stand up, taking Ash's hand and leading him to his room, to be together for the second time in weeks ...
*~*
"We're back," Delia called walking in, Mr Mime stumbling through the front door with hands full of shopping bags. Pikachu followed behind them, carrying a sleeping Togepi on his back. Delia, after Mr Mime had put the bags down, shut the door, took her coat off and hung it on one of the coat pegs. Togepi woke up and Pikachu put him down, treading carefully to not make him wail.
"Anyone home?" Delia asked, then noticing the television was on. She walked over and turned it off.
"Pika pi pikachu," Pikachu said as Mr Mime dashed into the kitchen to make some tea.
"They should turn the TV off if they go out," Delia said to the Pokémon as she turned back round. "Electricity isn't-" she cut off, noticing something lying on the floor. She bent down and picked it up.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked, looking up to see.
"It's Ash's hat," Delia said. "And a bobble as well," she added, picking it up. "Misty's bobble. Hmm ... Ash? Misty?" she asked again, heading towards the stairs.
"Toge toge?" Togepi asked, looking at Pikachu. Pikachu's eyes almost fell out of his head, realising where Ash and Misty were and what they would be doing.
"Pi ka chu!" Pikachu shouted out, chasing after Mrs Ketchum, who was now at the top of the stairs.
"Ash?" she whispered, opening the door to his room.
"Pikapi," Pikachu murmured, watching. Ash's Mom would no doubt flip, and who'd blame her? Finding your 17-year-old son in bed with his 17-year-old best friend was not something you did everyday. They hadn't told her outright they were a couple, only holding hands or kissing when she wasn't in the room. But, judging by her conversation topic all day, she had a very good idea that they at least had a crush on each other.
"Oh!" Delia exclaimed, observing a standing, and fully clothed, Ash and Misty sharing a kiss, Ash's arms wrapped round Misty's waist, her hands locked in his hair. When they noticed they had an audience they ripped apart.
"Mom! Haven't you heard of knocking?" Ash moaned, his cheeks flaring.
"Haven't you heard of turning the TV off?" she replied sternly, her frown quickly melting into a wide smile. "My little boy!" she cried, moving and clutching him against her. "You're growing up so fast!"
"Mom!" he shouted, muffled against her chest. Gasping, he managed to free himself. "Don't do that!"
"Pika pika!" Pikachu called, laughing in fits. Ash shot him a look.
"Misty," Delia said seriously, turning to her. Misty didn't know what to expect.
"Mrs Ketchum I-" she began before she was interrupted.
"I'm so glad it's you!" she exclaimed, pulling her into a gentle hug. Misty, surprised, returned it, smiling at Ash who was staring at them funnily. "At least I know you'll treat Ash alright!"
"Always Mrs Ketchum," Misty assured her, their hug separating.
"Please, call me Delia!" she insisted. Heading towards the door she stopped and turned around. "Now, dinner will be ready in about an hour. Where's Brock?" she asked them.
"He went up to Oak's," Misty said. "We'll go fetch him."
"Have fun!" Delia said as she headed down the stairs, Pikachu glancing back before following her.
Finally gone, Ash closed the door and leaned against it, sighing in relief. "That was too close," he said. Misty moved over to him and hugged against him. Ash wrapped his arms around her.
"She was back early," Misty whispered. "Nearly 2 hours early. 10 minutes earlier and she would have walked in on us!"
"Hey, but she didn't, so no point dwelling over it," he concluded, kissing the top of her head.
"Still, it's hard not to think of what she would have said," Misty murmured, chuckling at the thought.
"She would have skinned me," Ash informed her. "But that would be after she had screamed her head off," he joked.
Misty sighed against him, lifting her head up. "We'd better go and get Brock," she said.
"All right," Ash agreed, kissing her. They broke apart and Ash took her hand, leading the way.
*~*
"Wow, what's the occasion?" Brock asked, sitting down at the food-laden table. Ash and Misty sat next to each other, Delia and, after an inviting phone call, Professor Oak at the opposite ends of the table, and Tracey next to Brock. Pikachu and Togepi sat at a miniature table to the side of them, their table full of Pokémon food provided by Brock.
"We're celebrating!" Delia cheerfully announced, glancing at Ash and Misty.
"I don't think we're gonna like this," Ash whispered to Misty, making her smile slightly.
"What are we celebrating?" Tracey asked, staring hungrily at the food.
"My little boy's got a girlfriend!" she announced happily, Tracey choking on his water. Ash hid himself behind his hands, blushing. Misty looked down at her feet under the table.
"Ash has a girlfriend!?" Tracey shouted after he finished coughing. "Nice one buddy!"
"Good for you Ash," Oak congratulated. "And who is she?"
"Mom, don't ... " Ash warned her, throwing a glance at Misty.
"Ok Ash," his mother conceded. "I know! I'll give you a clue," Delia said, thinking what to say before Ash stopped her. "Erm ... she's sitting in this room right now."
"Mom! How many other girls are in this room!?" Ash cried despairingly.
"Misty!?" Tracey shouted out, switching his gaze from one to the other. "You mean it's taken you six years to finally listen to me?" he asked them.
"Six years?" Brock asked, working it out to be when he wasn't with them, when they were in the Orange Islands. "Tracey, you've got some stories to tell me."
"Tracey don't tell him anything," Misty warned.
"Mom, can we just eat now?" Ash asked, feeling his stomach growl.
"Sure, tuck in!" she said, as everyone attacked the food.
They ate the meal without talking, Ash and Misty glancing at each other periodically. When they were finished, Delia collected the plates up, to the protests of everyone, and took them into the kitchen, bringing out a huge chocolate gateau for desert.
"Wow!" they all exclaimed as she set it down on the table. Everyone stared at it with drooling mouths, apart from Misty, who turned white.
"Misty, are you alright?" Delia asked, noticing her colour change.
"I don't think I can eat anymore," she murmured, placing her hand over her mouth.
"Ash, why don't you take her into the other room?" Brock suggested. "She doesn't look good."
"Yeah," Ash agreed, standing up and easing her up as well. He led her into the lounge with his arms around her and placed her lying down on the sofa.
"Thanks," Misty murmured as Ash placed a nearby throw on her.
"Shhh," he hushed, kneeling on the floor near her head. He raised a hand to her head and brushed some of her hair away, stroking her cheek tenderly.
"I'll be alright," she reassured him, throwing a smile.
"I'm worried," he confessed. "I mean, we made love today and then you get ill ... I just hope I didn't hurt you," he whispered.
"You didn't," she said, moving her hand to grasp the one caressing her face. "Trust me. Don't worry."
"Ok," he murmured, kissing her lips gently. "Just relax, go to sleep, and I'll take you up to bed in a while, ok?" he asked her.
"Go have your cake," she ordered quietly. He raised his hand in a mock salute before kissing her again and going back into the kitchen.
Hearing the concerned murmurs coming from the kitchen, Misty smiled and sighed, turning so she could see the TV, although it was switched off. She lay and wondered what was wrong.
"You probably ate something funny," a thought said in her head.
"But what if Ash's right? What if he did hurt you?" a different thought added.
Misty stared ahead of her, wondering if that was it. But if Ash had hurt her, wouldn't she have felt pain?
"Nothing like this happened last time," the "friendly" thought countered.
Misty nodded her head. The first time she had felt a little sore, but not sick.
"Maybe it's a disease," the "bad" thought sneered. "It's not like you used a condom, is it?"
Misty was confused for a moment. They had used a condom earlier on ... Then a realisation hit her.
Snowela! They were so swept up in the moment ... they forgot!
"Oh god," Misty said out loud. She then panicked, wondering what she had, if Ash had given her anything. But a voice inside stopped her.
"How can you think of Ash doing that!?" a voice, her conscience, screamed inside. "He hasn't been with anyone but you! If it was inherited, Delia would have known and Ash would have said!"
Misty sat up quickly, closing her eyes tightly as a wave of nausea crashed over her. She stood up and quietly and quickly went upstairs to the bathroom.
From the kitchen, Ash saw her go up the stairs. Concerned, he stood up.
"Ash?" Delia asked, concerned.
"I'm going to Misty," he said quickly, walking out the room and heading up the stairs.
In the bathroom, Ash found Misty with her head over the toilet, regurgitating her meal. Suddenly extremely concerned, Ash bent down besides her and stroked her back gently, comforting her.
"Misty ... " he sighed. When she had finished and flushed the toilet handle, Ash pulled her to him, not caring about getting his clothes dirty.
"Oh God Ash," she said into his clothes, beginning to sob. Ash placed his arms tightly round her and rocked the pair of them to and fro.
When she had stopped crying, Ash handed her a towel and used another one to help her clean herself up. "There, that's better," he said when they had finished.
"Ash," Misty began, taking his hand firmly in her own. "I need to see a doctor."
"Doctor? Misty, how bad is it?" Ash said worriedly.
"I don't know if anything's bad," she said. "But I wanna make sure."
"This is today, isn't it?" Ash said. "I've ripped or torn or broken-" he began listing, before she cut him off.
"No!" she shouted a little more harshly than she would have liked. "It's just ... I might need medicine. I think it's just a bug," she lied reassuringly.
"Well, its Sunday tomorrow," Ash told her. "So you won't be able to get in until Monday, or even Tuesday."
"Well, Doctor Ketchum will have to look after me tomorrow, won't he?" Misty played with him.
"I think he's available now," he teased, standing up and picking her up in his arms. "Whoa, you gotten heavier?"
"Don't push it," Misty said as he carried her to his room, placing her on the bed.
"Now sleep," Ash ordered, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"By myself?" she asked innocently, pulling a "puppy-dog" face.
"Alright," he sighed, lying down next to her. Her back to him, he placed his arms around her waist. "But I heard doctors can't fraternise with their patients," Ash told her.
"I'm not a patient, I'm a nurse," Misty said, her eyes closed.
"Not now, sick girl."
"Night Ash," Misty sighed, drifting off to sleep.
Ash's original plan was to leave her there to sleep, but he found his eyes drifting shut as well. "Night," he whispered as he fell asleep next to her.
*~*
END PART TWO
Ooooh ... what's wrong with Misty?
Skip along to part 3 and find out!