Author's note: Well, this chapter was…interesting to write. I hope somebody out there likes it. If you do, please review if you get the chance. I'd really appreciate some feedback.
After Ash had finished wolfing down his food and Misty had finished nibbling her sandwich, they left the restaurant and headed out into the cool night air, Misty still carrying the rose. Ash glanced once at the mysterious man sitting behind him. Evidently, Giovanni saw it, because he grinned widely and waved, as if greeting a friend. The sarcasm there was plain even to Ash. Angry, he and Misty headed out into the quiet streets.
"I guess most people have gone to bed now", Misty remarked, noting that the streets were almost empty.
"Yeah, but I still got energy", Ash moaned, "I gotta do something before I go to bed. Hey, what's this?"
He had spotted a sign on a gate. Misty walked over and read it.
"'Pokémon Park. Open all hours, people and Pokémon welcome, but please keep large Pokémon under control'".
"Hey, you want to stop here?" Ash asked, "I think my Pokémon deserve a break for an hour or two".
"Uh…sure, I guess".
They entered and found it to be a huge, lush park with water fountains, streams, groves of flowers, trees and large lawns.
"Wow, this looks great!" Ash enthused, "Come on out guys!"
He threw his Pokéballs and they burst open to reveal Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charizard, Snorlax and Lapras. Misty did the same, releasing Staryu, Goldeen and Psyduck. The water types headed for a large pond surrounded by flowers, and the others happily relaxed or played around the water. Pikachu and Togepi tottered off to join them.
Tired, Misty sat down on a bench and yawned, "Wow, I'm tired all of a sudden".
"Hah, well a good meal always does that to you", Ash observed, "I think I need to sit down too".
He sat down on the bench, two feet away from Misty. She tried to avoid flinching.
Recalling Brock's words from earlier, she realized now was her chance. She had to do it now.
A hundred meters behind the two friends, the bushes rustled and Jessie, James and Meowth poked their heads out, spying on them. After having missed them completely in the restaurant, an aerial scan by Weezing had soon relocated them. They followed them into the park by leaping over a hedge, and now continued sneaking up on them.
"I can't hear what they's saying", Meowth grumbled.
"Me neither", James said, "Shall we get closer?"
"Yeah!" Meowth agreed, but he was stopped by the gloved hand of Jessie.
"Wait", she considered, "I think…yes…aww. Aren't they romantic?"
"What!" the other two exclaimed.
"Those two are obviously making sweet talk", Jessie said with infuriating surety, "I think we should leave them alone".
"Why?" Meowth demanded to know.
Jessie sighed, "They just make such a perfect couple. How sweet!" she clasped her hands together and her eyes misted.
"Um…so?" James was gormless as usual.
Jessie turned to go, "Come on, we're leaving. I wouldn't like someone sneaking up on me and listening in on me when I was having a romantic evening".
"You wouldn't like it if someone tried to steal your Pokémon, but we do that to them all the time!" Meowth pointed out.
"Yes, but this is different. They just make me go all mushy inside!" she grinned.
"I think you'se gone mushy in the head!" Meowth snapped.
In response, she whacked him over the head, "No, we're leaving. Right now. Come on, James".
Jessie led the way out of the park, followed by James, and grudgingly, a muttering Meowth.
Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Psyduck and Togepi were playing in amongst the flowers, frolicking happily, leaping over the fast asleep Snorlax's legs for fun.
"I wonder what they're saying?" Squirtle remarked, looking at Ash and Misty.
"Does it matter?" Goldeen called out, "It's not any of our business".
"I think it is", Pikachu replied, "They are our masters".
Charizard looked up at Ash and Misty, "I knew this would happen".
"Oh, you always say that", Bulbasaur grumbled.
The flame type yawned, "If you don't want to listen to me, don't listen to me. Your decision".
"I'm listening", Pikachu replied.
Charizard looked surprised, "You are?"
"Yup. What do you think is going on?"
Stunned for a moment, Charizard regained his composure and ruffled his wings, "Well, if I am right, those two like each other. Or at least one of them has a crush on the other".
The other Pokémon, with the exception of Snorlax, stared, "Are you serious?" Lapras asked.
"Sure am".
"…No, that can't be right", Bulbasaur shook his head, "That can't be".
"Why not?" Charizard looked at the smaller Pokémon.
"Actually, I think Charizard might be right", Pikachu nodded slowly.
The others looked at him, "You do?" they said all at once.
He nodded, "Yeah. I think he may be. We'll find out. In the meantime, let's not stare at Ash huh? Let's just leave them alone".
The other Pokémon nodded their agreement.
"I wonder what they're saying?" Ash was saying, looking at the Pokémon who appeared to be huddled together in conference.
"Yeah, me too", Misty replied, looking up at the starry night, "The night sure I beautiful, huh Ash?"
"Uh…yeah. I guess", Ash could rarely tell what was a beautiful night and what wasn't.
Misty was tentatively trying to strike up a suitable conversation, "We've been friends for so long now Ash, haven't we?"
"Um…yeah. Sure have".
She attempted a lighthearted giggle, "Do you remember how it all started?"
Ash groaned, believing he saw where this conversation was heading, "Look, Misty, I told you enough times, you'll get your stupid bike back!"
"That's not what I was driving at!" she snapped, irritated by his thick-headedness.
"It sure sounded like it to me".
"Well, I don't care about the stupid bike".
"You don't? Then why do you hang around with me?" he sounded genuinely surprised.
She exhaled sharply in poorly suppressed annoyance, "You don't know? You're my best friend, Ash".
"I am?"
"Yes!" Misty felt like dashing her head against the bench in frustration.
"Oh. Well, you're my best friend too. You and Pikachu and Brock".
She managed a smile, "Thanks, Ash".
Gently, she placed the rose between them on the bench. Her arms were shaking. It might have been the cold, or it might have been nerves. She forced herself to remain steady.
As the seconds stretched on for what seemed like hours, it occurred to her that all the times she had planned this and recited it in her mind were now irrelevant. She just had to say it, without any premeditation, straight from the heart.
"Um…Ash. I have to tell you something important. Please try not to freak out".
Ash started, "Oh no! Don't tell me our free food voucher for the League town restaurants has expired!"
A few seconds from being driven to insanity by Ash's idiocy, Misty just managed to maintain control. She tried again.
"No, nothing like that".
"Oh. Phew. I thought for a moment it was something serious!"
She gritted her teeth, "This is serious!"
"Oh. Well go on. What is it?"
Turning to face him on the bench, she knew she had gone too far to back out now. She had to carry on, regardless of the consequences, and do what she should have done years ago.
"I'm sorry Ash. I know this may be hard for you. But I…I…"
She faltered in her speech, and as Ash looked at her he realized she had tears in her eyes. At last, she had his full, undivided and serious attention.
"What is it, Misty?"
"I…I love you".
Ash almost fell off the bench. His head was reeling and he felt like he'd been struck in the face.
"You what!"
"I love you", a tear ran down her smooth cheek and fell noiselessly to the floor, "And I'm sorry. But there's something I have to do".
Before he could react, she took his hand in hers, leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. The sensation was like nothing Ash had felt before. It was almost like a tiny, delicate songbird had landed on his lips.
Their Pokémon stared from by the pond. They were gawping in disbelief, but were silent. Except of course for Togepi, who was too young to understand what was going on, Psyduck who was wandering off, and Snorlax, who was asleep.
Misty pulled away. They looked at each other a moment, both blushing. Ash didn't move, his mouth slightly open and looking confused. Misty looked away.
"I really am sorry, Ash. I can go away if you like. If you don't want to travel with me any more, I'll understand. I'll go back to the Cerulean City Gym and you never have to see me again. It's up to you…"
She was cut off as she felt Ash's hand on her face, gently turning her to face him again. He closed his eyes and kissed her tenderly. Her own eyes fluttered shut and she kissed him back.
The Pokémon had managed to recover from their shock, and were clapping, and those that couldn't were leaping into the air happily. A few had to brush tears from their eyes. Much to Pikachu's amusement, Charizard was actually openly crying, until he realized the others were staring at him and he tried to look and act tough again.
After a few seconds, Ash and Misty pulled away again. This time, neither was blushing, but Misty looked as if she was ready to cry. Ash placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her to him, hugging her tightly. She buried her head in his chest, and he stroked her hair gently with one hand.
After a while, Misty murmured, "Does…does this mean…?"
Ash nodded, "Yeah. I love you too".
"Oh Ash…I don't know what to say".
"Neither do I. So let's not say anything", he whispered with a gentle wisdom she had rarely heard before.
In a moment of pure rapture, Misty pressed herself closer to Ash and heeded his words.
The Pokémon were still cheering.
"Told you", Charizard sneered.
"Guess so", Squirtle mumbled, still not quite believing what he had just seen.
Pikachu grinned cheekily, "Aww, little Charizard's such a romantic!"
Charizard frowned, "Shut up".
Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Pikachu fell about laughing, "Aww, how sweet!"
Blushing furiously, Charizard groaned, "I'll never live this down".
Psyduck approached, looking at Ash and Misty, "Hey, I wonder if this means Misty'll be less grumpy now.…"
A shrill voice called out, "What are you staring at, you little freaks!"
The Pokémon laughed, knowing the remark had been in good humour.
"I guess not", Pikachu observed.
