A/N: Thank you for your constant support on FAE. (Flame and ember) xD I appreciate it! Very much! And since I am going away for the weekend, I'll leave you this early update! Enjoy!

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Chapter 9

It was time to do what embarrassed females were good at times like those. Avoiding. It was only morning, but she felt her heart pounding in her chest as if it were aching to claw its way out. Misty sighed in dismay; however nervous she was, she deep down knew she would have to face him again. Of course it didn't mean she would get up and go do that just then, even if she knew it was bound to come sooner or later, she still preferred the later over the sooner.

So it was in times like those when Misty felt anxious; when she was alone. It was when the questions came; what would Ash have to say about kissing his former rival? What would May have to say about kissing her brother, right after she denied anything going on between them? For the short time Misty had known May, she knew she would probably get hurt after hearing such news, not for being overprotective of her own brother, but for the lack of complicity and trust Misty had in her. They had become good friends in the last days, and she would hate to see that friendship weakened in the least.

She also knew that Gary would probably avoid any comment on last night, as far as she was accompanied. He wasn't one to come and share with everyone personal matters, and she would be relieved as soon as May came down for breakfast. Her plea was heard by apparently someone, for May hurriedly pushed the kitchen door and smiled at her, greeting. "Hey Mist, whatcha doin' in the kitchen? Come on, slob, to the dining room!"

Misty felt a wave of relief come over her. She hadn't even dared to go to the dining room, expecting him to be there alone. She let May guide the way and they soon arrived to the wooden room with the chandelier and a table that was way too big for just four people.

He was there, perhaps for the first time in the house, recently showered and dressed at 8am. At the head of the table, was Samuel Oak, maybe for the first time there not hidden behind a newspaper, and for the very first time, making small talk with his grandson. As soon as the girls entered, Gary Oak's attention was focused mainly on her. She would have stayed in the doorway, not moving if she hadn't reminded herself she was walking and probably had to keep on walking if she didn't want to stand out. So letting out a shaky breath, she avoided his eyes and scurried to her usual chair, at May's right.

"Grandson?" Samuel Oak tried to get Gary's attention, currently absorbed by Misty's sight. "Gary?" He seemed to snap out and looked at Professor Oak with a startled expression tainting his usual features. Misty lowered her sight and concentrated on her tea trying to disguise the intense blush in her face. "Pass the syrup, would you?" Professor Oak asked, motioning to the bottle of syrup next to Gary. Gary seemed to take the words in quite slowly, but reacted soon enough, and left it nearer to his grandfather.

"What up with ya, bro?" May's voice broke through, sneering. "You seemed to get pass the pig phase of yours, but lost a braincase or two in the process?" she commented raising an eyebrow to irk him out. However, Gary did not appear to loose his cool.

"Didn't sleep too well last night" He said dryly, and even though Misty was still overly-preoccupied with her cup of tea, her eyes widened as she felt herself blush a deeper red. Closing her eyes to curse at herself and her unconscious reactions, she tried to avoid the temptation to look up. Even though she wasn't looking at him, she could feel his glance burn over her skin. At least May was with her, it made her feel a little more protected.

"And why's that?" May insisted and Misty felt the beating of her heart come to an abrupt halt. May snickered. "Oh wait, I don't care" she said winking at her brother, who had raised a sarcastic eyebrow at her. The second wave of relief brought to Misty by May washed over her as she exhaled. May abruptly stood up slamming her hand against the table. Misty finally looked up at such startling sound, and May thrived in the spotlight. "Well, I'm out" She announced.

"Wh—what! Why? Where!" Misty mumbled out, almost incoherently.

May seemed to blink a couple of times but regained her composure like an Oak always did. "Hun, you better try these breakfast dates. The morning light makes you look great". And with that May turned around, waving everyone goodbye and left in a triumphal scene. The dining room fell suddenly quiet as Misty felt herself sink in her usual seat. Seeing Professor Oak still there, eating and blissfully oblivious to the tension in her room made her sigh, as she felt his eyes burn into her again.

This time she looked up. They established the feared eye contact again as he looked at her so concentrated he seemed to be drinking her sight. His face, however, serious and brought together, not letting even an inkling of emotion get out. She would have staggered back if she hadn't been seated by the mere intensity of his eyes. They remained silent, until he mentioned the back door with his head. "We need to talk" he mouthed silently to her and she winced. Gary got up from the table and looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to do the same.

His eyes persuaded her. Nonchalantly she left her cup of tea in the plate and got up slowly from her seat. Gary was the first one out. And she considered escaping, but realised it would be too cheap of her to do. Slumping her shoulders, she made her way to the back door. "Have a good day, Misty" Oblivious Samuel Oak said to her in good spirit.

Misty smiled meekly at the old man. "Thank you sir, I'll try"

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"So?" Misty said casually as she closed the door after her entrance. Gary who had been leaning against a wall, approached her, but she took a step back. Noticing the reluctance, his eyes wavered and he tilted his head, halting in the middle of the back hall. "Look, Misty—"

"Gary" She dryly interrupted him, as he raised an eyebrow. "About last night. It's just that..." He stared as she struggled for words with a slight smirk in his face. "It was a mistake" her shaky voice gained strength. "A mistake. It won't happen again" she repeated.

Gary was taken aback. He could almost feel the ice barrier she was building around her, and it was chilling him to the bone. He had certainly not been expecting that, so as he stood flabbergasted feeling what seemed to be a punch in the gut, he made the decision he wasn't going to let the flame die out without a fight. "A mistake!" he pronounced the word in disbelief. "How can you call THAT a mistake?" the emphasis on the word made it impossible for her to hide a soft hue of pink rising to her cheeks. It was enough to bring a half smirk to his face, making her start to lose her temper.

However, a twinkle of indignation shone within her cerulean eyes. "Yes. A mistake. Don't you even try to blame this on me, Oak. You kissed me, not the other way around" she spat out, bitterly, thinking that maybe, if she sounded angry enough he would believe her. However, her accusation only seemed to infuriate him more and he clenched his jaw, tilting his head to regain his cool.

He proceeded, as he approached her. Wither every step he took forward, she took a step backward. "If it was a mistake" He seethed. "Why... didn't you... stop me?" Misty widened her eyes when she felt her back hit the wall, she was cornered and her heart was beating so loudly she couldn't even hear her own thoughts.

She shook her head trying to get herself to react and push him away but failed. She glared up at him, trying to will him away. "That was the mistake, you idiot". It would have been more convincing if it hadn't been just a whisper escaping her lips. He let out an amused chuckle, so huskily she was dazed for the time it lasted. He drew closer to her as she tried to look away, but found her body to be incredibly stiff. "...A mistake..." He said, pretending to ponder its meanings. They were so closely knit she could feel his breathing tingle in her ear and shuddered. He shifted his face trying to find hers as she drew in a shaky breath. Their lips were only inches apart from each other "..really...?" he whispered. Their lips hadn't met but they were dangerously close to doing so; it was mind-numbing.

Misty felt her body relax into his and rested one hand against his chest. But she wasn't pushing him away, which was instantly noticed by him. She perched her last hand on the back of his neck, inviting him to close the gap that even if was no bigger than a couple of centimetres, was silently torturing her in anticipation.

Blame an Oak's flawless timing.

The door was flung open, as Gary and Misty instantly broke apart and jumped in opposite directions in a rush. "Hey Bro, have you seen my car ke—" May's sentence was cut in half as she took notice of the exact position they had been when she had walked in. Her jaw dropped open at the scene of a flustered Misty looking anxious and playing with the edge of her shirt, and Gary, back to leaning against the wall, looking everything but pleased with her presence there.

"What" his aggravated voice replied as he ran a hand through his hair and let out a breath. He clenched his fists as he recalled the proximity of their lips and bodies. She hadn't pulled away, she hadn't pushed him away, and that fact was circling around his mind like a constant nag. It had all been interrupted by his sister, always meddling when she shouldn't. The mere fact made him clench his fist and throw his head back. But May was still there, looking stunned, looking at Misty and Gary, her mind drawing blanks.

"Nothin'" May replied instantly. "I just remembered I have to speak to my gal here" she said looking intently at Misty, who looked guilty. As Misty coyly looked at May she didn't know whether she felt relieved or frustrated. Maybe she was feeling both conflicted emotions. She looked at Gary one last time and let out a breath. Giving out on the impulse of unknown precedence that made her want to stay, send May away, and go back on time to that exact moment with him, she walked away, trying to discard her inner turmoil. May lead her through the same old hallways in silence, as Misty willed herself not to look back.

She felt bizarre. As if she had forgotten something in that room, or had left a part of herself behind. She tried to lie to herself mentally scolding and repeating to herself that it wasn't him. That it had been a mistake that it could never happen again and that May walking in had been her salvation. That she was better off, that she shouldn't feel so sad about something that didn't even happen.

She tried to lie to herself, saying that she didn't feel sad. That she didn't want to go back. But her heart was still pounding, and she could still feel his breath lingering on her neck, sending chills down her spine. Wasn't she the girl that always put her heart before her mind? What had happened? What was she so afraid of?

It's funny how time manages to smother all attempts of epiphanies, and as they reached their destination, the unanswered questions faded to nothing.

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Gratitude towards:

Maia's Pen: Ah! The wonders of photoshop! xD I found the picture of the characters and decided they looked too alike not to use them for a picture. So I just recolored her hair and clothing (Which used to be brown) and added a firey background! It was really a 5 minutes work. xD Wahh I'm so extremely happy you enjoyed the last chapter! I, seriously, must have read your awesome review about 10 times! It keeps me writing, it does! I cannot thank you enough for your support! Update uber fast! I miss reading on the edge of my seat your new chappies! And I'm DYING to know what happens next!

Michelicious: I'm so glad you liked my chapter! I'm boosting from happiness at the positive reaction chapter 8 got. I don't want to be responsible for your death, so here's the update! xD. I hope you like it, and thank you for your always kind words that keep making my day! Thanks! Plus all those reviews had me literally jumping around my room in glee. –hugs-

DarkAngelTorchic: ha ha ha, it does not sound like a retarded pun! And do write another egoshipper soon, You write very well! And yes, I will continue to write on, even though I seem to be going through some minor Writer's block. xD Cheers!

librastar: You're back! I'm glad you thought my fic rocks. I love rock and roll! xD so it's a great compliment. I hope you enjoy this chappie!

MagCat: Yes! The bonfire is them, the flame and the ember, the fuel, the passion! –overly excited- xD Yeah, I should probably calm down. –sigh- And yes, Misty had some sort of panic attack. The foolish, foolish girl. But everything in its due time! And the thank yous? Ah, I didn't do them last chapter so there would be more attention to the pic I photoshoped of Gary and Misty. I hope you saw it. And here they are again! I will never stop being thankful to my reviewers.

A/N: Stay tuned for the next chapter; Gary's birthday! Yes, it was mentioned before, and it takes place in the next chapter. Not really the best timing, eh? Oh well, stay tuned and find out! xD

Thank you for everything!

Midnight Mist

Your horse bit me in the review!