STOP! If you haven't read the re-edited version of chapter 13 "Tell Me" do that now before you forget! I've added a chunk of the main plot in the middle.

Icy-chan- Thank you for the suggestions! They've really helped.

Kanta- It's nice to know that others, including you, enjoys the fiction I've written. I'm also glad that you were able to pick up on the little hints I've dropped throughout the story. Yes, I could have put this story under mystery but then genre keeps changing a bit too often. One minute it's mystery, then romance, then angst, then horror…so I just keep it at general for the most part.

Oranges 'n Onions/All Drifty- Thanks for the review(s)! I'm sorry that I'm not continuing "I Think It's Love Actually"…for now. Chances are I will, but I honestly don't know how to continue it…for now.

As you all know, I do not own Pokemon or the song "Final Distance" by Utada Hikaru. Credits for the English translated lyrics go to Icy-chan and Sandoishi!

OK, now onward to what you really want to read:

Chapter Fourteen "This Dance Shall Be My Last Chance"

The rain continued to fall. However, to Phoebe it complimented her mood. She looked back to the people under the brightly lit ball with longing eyes. With their formal gowns they danced so lively and happily. Phoebe couldn't stand it anymore that she separated herself from them and fled to the dark gazebo in the gardens. She rested her back against the cold columns with vines of bleeding hearts and pink roses of sympathy and grace.

"Heaven, cry for me," Phoebe whispered. She could still hear the rain fall in a comforting voice through the trees.

Time was not being kind to her. In fact, time was of the essence. Phoebe knew how true that was. She was almost afraid to even look at the ground and see the crystals shine brighter with each passing moment.

"Perhaps if I stay away from everyone it won't hurt so much when I leave," Phoebe thought to herself as she watched the droplets of rain distort her image on the shinning waters.

"Phoebe?"

She jumped slightly at the touch on her shoulder. When she looked up her eyes were met with playful yet concerned brown eyes. The owner of those eyes offered an apologetic smile.

"Ricko, what are you doing here?"

"I was looking for you. I couldn't find you anywhere in the ball so I thought I'd try my luck here. And here you are, safe from the rain," Ricko answered that was followed by a short nervous laugh. The lively music began to die down.

At the heart of the ball, Misa seated herself on the piano bench with her fingers positioned over the glistening black and white keys. Getting over her nervousness, she took a deep breath and began to play the first chords of the melody. Her voice started to sing its song, while she played the score onto the keys of the piano.

Even though I worry about it, I can not ask

I'm tired of swimming, even you've become silent.

Ricko offered his hand out to Phoebe. She looked up to his pleading eyes not knowing what to do. Hesitantly, she placed her hands in his.

I want to see you, but an invisible wave pushes us

Again, just a little more distance

'I feel so nervous but there's something else I feel,' Misa thought.

We can't dismiss this if we want to keep it going baby

If you don't feel the same way then tell me

Even if your principle is not to try

It's alright to try a little

With one hand on her hip and his other hand tenderly holding her hand, Ricko held Phoebe close but in a respectable way. They took a step to the left then to the right. Their steps mirrored each other's movement into a graceful waltz. Glassy eyes were locked but something inside still separated them apart.

I wanna be with you now

Believe in us together through the distance

"I feel so uncertain but I don't even know why," Misa further thought to herself as she continued to play the song on the piano.

Now is the time

We can start over

Because I don't want to be alone

One day, even the distance

Will embrace me, but I'll get used to it

Because after all, I wanna be with you

Ricko led Phoebe away into a turn. Her charismatic movement caused her dazzling dress to shimmer in the light. Phoebe came back to him, closer. They danced so lightly that their feet barely grazed the floor but their hearts were heavily weighted.

Can a single word hurt this much?

Teach me loneliness and then come back to me

"I feel that there are more people I want to protect. But sometimes I feel like it's all out of my hands," the emotions of someone floods into Misa's mind.

When you can't protect me keep on trying baby

It's not as I promised but trust me

My principle is not to try but

I would do it for you

Phoebe and Ricko danced cheek to cheek. It all seemed like a dream, a very happy dream. If only such a dream could last forever.

I wanna be with you now

Fix your eyes on us through the distance

Now is the time

We can start over

Because I don't want to be alone

I want to tell you with words

Ricko reluctantly pulled away to see Phoebe's face. She looked at him as if this was the last time she'd ever see him again. Unable to strictly stay with her decision earlier, she painfully averted her gaze. But Ricko gently lifted her chin and slowly narrowed the gap between them. He hesitantly stopped before her lips while Phoebe could feel his soft breath against her lips.

Unexpectedly, Phoebe pushed away from Ricko. She looked down shaking her head from side to side.

"I can't…I can't…" she choked out, slowly pulling away from Ricko's touch.

"Phoebe," Ricko softly called but she turned away from him and ran out of the sheltered gazebo and into the pouring rain.

I wanna be with you now

One day, even the distance

I'll be able to embrace

We should stay together

After all, I need to be with you

The song Misa played ended on a sad note. She got up from the piano and bowed to her applaud keeping her face hidden in the shadow. Quickly getting off stage Misa wiped away the sorrowful tears before anyone caught sight of it.

"I've played this song so many times. Not once did I ever shed a tear. So why is this happening now?" Misa pondered.

The raindrops fell against Phoebe's skin, trying to provide a comforting hand. But rain was just rain. It would never be enough to drown out the remorse she felt.

"I can't…I can't be in love with you, Ricko" Phoebe silently confessed as she cried in the cold rain.

End of Chapter

"Um… Isn't she in love with Ricko, Marichi?"

Work with me Eefi. It's one of those I love you but I don't want to admit it kind of scenario.

"Aa…so basically Phoebe's in denial and is trying to fool herself?"

Yes, pretty much.

I know the song didn't really seem to match this time and I apologize for that. Later in the story I hope you'll be able to see that this song/chapter foretells what will happen in the future chapter.

"Hey, you just defeated my whole purpose!"

Well, I still have to figure out what I'm going to do in the very next chapter.

"Yes, you have the last couple of chapters planned out, but how exactly are you going to get there?"

Oy, this is going nowhere.

Anyways, if there's something specific you'd like me to touch on, like some sort of line or theme, let me know and I'll try to fit it somewhere in the next chapter.