Author's Note: Hey!

I'm sorry to report that no one reviewed my last story sniff, which makes me sad because it leads me to believe that no on is reading it. double sniff So, do me a favor, and review!

As promised, I wrote the second chapter, regardless of lack of enthusiasm!

As I also mentioned before, shippings will run rampart in this story. I know they seem kind of concentrated right now, but there's a good chance that's going to change.

Now that you should be sick of my irrelevant babbling, I present to you, my readers, Chapter 2…

Oh, and I know this seems like common sense, but it's recommended that you read part 1 before part 2. Moving on…

Chapter 2

"WHAT?" Misty replied, still in shock.

"You heard me," said Gary. "If you don't go out with me, I'm not helping you guys with your case."

"Oh, but Gary," she began, trying to make up an excuse, "I can't. It's just that---"

"What?" he said, surprised, "Is it someone else?"

"Well, it's just that Ash, he…" she faltered, trying to decide what words would be appropriate.

"What's going on between you and Ash?" he asked, staring at her.

"Well…" she began after a pause. What was going on between her and Ash? "Nothing," she replied at last, wishing it wasn't so true.

"Well then, there's nothing to keep you from going out with me. So, what day's good for you?"

"How about I got out with you after you win us the case."

"Very soon then," he said confidently.

With that, Gary kissed her on the cheek, grabbed his briefcase, and departed.

Later

"No way," whispered May, barely believing what she was hearing.

It was almost midnight, and Misty and May sat up in their room, wide awake. They sat on May's bed, conversing in hushed voices so they wouldn't wake the others. Misty had just filled May in on everything that happened between her and Gary, and May was in shock.

"Why would you say yes?" she exclaimed, still in disbelief.

"I didn't have a choice," Misty said, trying desperately to explain her actions, "It was the only way he was gonna help us."

"Eww… but Gary?"

"Gary's not so bad…" said Misty, trying more to convince herself than May, "He's funny, right?"

"No," said May slowly, "He's really not."

"He told that one joke… you know, about the briefcase?"

"Yeah," said May, shaking her head, "It was the worst joke in the history of jokes. I was embarrassed."

"No…" said Misty, "It was funny. I laughed."

"No you didn't… Nobody laughed."

"Okay, I didn't laugh…" Misty admitted, "But I still thought it was funny."

"No. It was bad."

"Yeah, it was bad."

Misty sighed. Why did stuff like this always happen to her?

Wait. Stuff like this never happened to her…

Well, there's a first time for everything…

Meanwhile, May was still baffled. Gary never expressed an interest in Misty before… why now?

If Misty went out with Gary---

Wait a second, thought May, If Misty went out with Gary, Ash would be all---

"Mine," May said aloud, "Ash would be all…" she faltered, seeing the look on Misty's face. "Ash…" she said, trying desperately to recover, "…would want to be--- a mime!"

"Oh, nice save," said Max, sarcastically.

The girls whipped around to face the bed where Max had appeared to be sleeping only moments before.

"Max!" said May, angrily, "You little runt! Have you been eavesdropping on us?"

"Uh… no."

"Go back to bed," said May, throwing a pillow at him. "Misty," she said, returning to the conversation, "I think it's great your going out with Gary."

"Right," said Misty, feebly, "Uh… thanks, May. Thanks… a lot."

Much Later

"The judge just sent the briefing," said Gary professionally, "It doesn't look too good."

It was just after lunch the next day, and the group sat quietly around the table as Gary explained the details of the case.

"I don't know what the big deal is," Ash said, shaking his head, "All I did was tell Pikachu to send 100 volts of electricity through their bodies… Honestly, we've done that to Team Rocket a thousand times, and they've only had minor injuries."

Gary stared at him.

"Ash?" he said, "A word of advice. That's probably not your best defense."

"What do you think we should do, Gary?" asked Brock.

"I'm glad you asked," said Gary, standing up, "Here's our story. Our heroes," he indicated to Ash, Misty, May, Brock and Max, "were wondering through the woods one day when two figures emerged. After a short discussion, the champions realize that the two were suffering from major heart attacks."

"At the same time?" asked Max, skeptically.

Gary paused, glaring at him.

"Yes," he said. "At the same time."

"Well," said Max, adjusting his glasses, "Two people having heart attacks at exactly the same time is almost---"

"It doesn't matter," said Gary, "Judges aren't that smart…."

"Actually, judges---"

"Trust me. I went to law school."

"Um… no you didn't."

"It doesn't matter," said Gary, "The story's gold. Anyway," he said, trying to get back to the story, "Realizing that the couple's lives were at stake, Ash quickly prompted his Pikachu to send electricity through their bodies, jump-starting their hearts and saving their lives."

Silence followed.

"You're kidding, right?" said Brock.

"Nope," said Gary, "This plan is fool-proof. Not even Ash could screw it up."

"Are you sure about this, Gary?" Ash asked.

"Positive," he said, reassuringly, "Trust me. I want to win this case as much as you do…" he winked at Misty.

Misty rolled her eyes.

"So, Gary," May began, sounding nervous, "What exactly do we do during the case?"

"It's easy," he said, "The bailiff calls you up---"

"Hey!" said Ash excitedly, "I have a bayleef, too!"

Everyone stared at him.

"Ash," Gary began, shaking his head, "A bailiff--- oh, forget it."

"Listen, Gary," said Ash, pointing at him, "If we lose this case, we get sent to jail. We can't lose this case!"

"Ash," said Gary, patiently, "You have to trust me."

"Yeah, but---"

"Ash," Gary interrupted, "You have to trust me."

"Fine," said Ash, slouching in his chair, "I trust you, Gary… I trust you."

Much Much Later

"I hate you, Gary," said Ash, angrily, "I hate you."

It was the next day, and the members of the jury were discussing the case. The group sat nervously in the court room, knowing their chances were slim to none. Gary had brought in witness after witness, elaborating their 'hero' story with every turn. The resulting defense was so idiotic, a three year old wouldn't buy it. Gary alone remained confident.

After several minutes that seemed like hours, the judge appeared.

"After reviewing the case," the judge said solemnly, "The jury has decided that the defendants are guilty of attempted homicide."

"Homicide?" said Ash, standing up, "I thought we were being tried for trying to kill 'em!"

The entire courtroom stared at him.

Hmm… thought Ash, people stare at me a lot…

"Psst! Misty!" he said, quietly, "Want does 'attempted homicide' mean?"

Misty closed her eyes. "It means," she said, slowly, "trying to kill 'em!"

"Oh," he said, comprehending, "Gotcha." He turned to the crowd. "Kidding!" he shouted, "Just Kidding!"

"Right," said the judge, returning to his announcement, "The parties in question will be sentenced to ten years in jail."

Silence.

"Well," said Gary, shrugging, "You win some, you lose some…" He shook his head. "Too bad, Mist."

They all glared at him.

The judge pounded his gavel. "Case dismissed."

To be continued…

So? What'd ya think? Amazing? Completely suckish? Don't say it--- Write it! In a review. How am I supposed to improve if no one tells me what I should do?

I have the next chapter planned out in my mind--- it's gonna be interesting. I can't wait.

So review! I'll update faster!

Thanks for reading!