Some Things Never Change
Ash had been going through therapy for about two weeks now. Each day his mobility seemed to improve a little. It still slightly hurt to move his legs while doing the exercises, and he still couldn't move around much due to the pain from his ribs.
A man in a white lab coat entered Ash's hospital room. He carried a clipboard that he was paging through.
"Good morning Dr. Heiner," Mrs. Ketchum said casually.
"A good morning to you to Mrs. Ketchum," said the doctor looking up from his clipboard for a brief moment.
He walked over to Ash and gave a bright smile as he began to speak.
"Well young man it would seem that you are well enough to go back home. We'll have to do a few tests tomorrow and if they check out you can go home, but you'll have to take it easy for a couple months. I recommend that for the first few weeks you stay off of that leg. You must not press yourself too hard otherwise your injuries will get worse than what they are."
"But what about competing in the Johto League?"
"It'll have to wait."
There was a look of disappointment on Ash's face as the doctor's words sank in.
"Don't worry Ash there'll always be next year" said Brock enthusiastically.
"I'll come over and visit, and we can do a little bit of training with the pokémon" said Misty.
"Yeah Misty you can spend your time taking care of little Ashie" Brock said with a big grin on his face.
Misty and Ash looked at each other and blushed from the comment.
"Aw how cute" said Mrs. Ketchum.
"Mom!" Ash whined.
"Now after a few weeks you should check with your local doctor, and you may want to start some therapy at home. I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning."
"Thank you doctor," replied Mrs. Ketchum.
Mrs. Ketchum, Brock, and Misty spent the rest of the day making the preparations for the journey back home. With a few phone calls and a little help from Professor Oak they had reservations for the first flight back to Cerulean City. Tracey and Gary helped pack a few things for the flight back.
Ash was anxious to return home. He longed to get out of the hospital, and the questions that had arisen during the trial still plagued his mind. He figured it would be nice to get away from here and spend some time at home.
Still, he wasn't sure what he'd do once he got home. It would be awhile before he could get up and about again, and the wait would be the hardest part.
Ash had a bit of trouble getting to sleep that night, but once he did he slept soundly. The morning came seemingly quick, and with it the bustle of the hospital's checkout procedures. Dr. Heiner came once again and gave Ash a final check-over before signing the release forms.
The entire group grabbed various bits of luggage and carried them out to the waiting taxi.
Misty walked over to Ash's bedside and offered to help him transfer to the waiting wheelchair. Ash wrapped his arms around Misty's neck as she picked him up out of the bed.
"Uh Misty, I can help Ash" said Brock.
"No thanks. I got him fine" she replied calmly.
"Misty, I feel a little strange doing this" Ash said bashfully.
"Don't worry Ash. I've got you. Don't you trust me?" she said with a grin on her face as she carried him over to a wheelchair.
Ash had mixed emotions about being in this position, he didn't like having to rely on others for help. And having Misty carry him like this in front of Brock and Gary made him feel especially uncomfortable, yet he felt safe in Misty's arms. The two of them had only known each other for two years, but they had become close in their times together. It was true that he was good friends with Brock and Misty, but Ash felt something more when he was with Misty. He couldn't define it, and he tried his best to hide it, yet he knew it was there.
As the group was leaving the hospital Mrs. Ketchum ran back to the reception desk.
"Did we forget something mom?" Ash asked.
"No, you can head out to the taxi. I'll just be a minute."
"Ok" replied Ash, Brock , and Misty as they headed out to the waiting taxi.
"Excuse me do you know the address of Johnathan, the janitor?"
"Why do you want his address?"
"I'd just like to thank him and is wife."
"Well let me see here. Ah here it is."
The receptionist scribbled down the address on a small sheet of paper and handed it to Mrs. Ketchum.
"Thank you" said Mrs. Ketchum as she left to join the others.
They took the taxi to the bus transit, where they would transfer to the bus that would take them to the terminal in Goldenrod City.
Once on the plane most of the group chose to sleep on the flight back, but Mrs. Ketchum, being her motherly self, took it upon herself to stay awake and make sure that everyone was alright.
The first week back at home passed seemingly quickly to Ash, after being used to the slow monotonous pace at the hospital. Misty and Brock had left to go back home for a little, while they were in the area. Although Mrs. Ketchum was happy to have Ash home, she could see that he grew restless and greatly missed his friends.
Things were a bit different around the house. Ash still used a wheelchair to get around due to the fact that he couldn't put much weight on his legs yet. He required assistance with various tasks, which he had a hard time dealing with, but Mrs. Ketchum didn't mind. Sometimes Gary would stop by to keep Ash company and help Mrs. Ketchum.
Tracey and Professor Oak had stopped in a few times during the week. Professor Oak had agreed to look after Ash's pokémon while he had to rest at home.
Mrs. Ketchum walked into Ash's room. He was in bed sound asleep, Pikachu curled up beside him. Mrs. Ketchum gently pulled back the covers causing Pikachu to stir.
"Ash time to get up. We got a lot to do today."
Ash stretched and let out a big yawn. He sat up in the bed and rubbed his eyes.
"But mom it's early."
"It's 9 o'clock. Now get up sleepy head."
She handed Ash his clothes as he changed out of his pajamas. She helped him when he needed it. She had learned the hard way that he preferred to do what he could.
"So what are we doing today that's so important?" asked Ash as Mrs. Ketchum helped him transfer from the bed to the chair.
"Oh it's a surprise" replied Mrs. Ketchum mischievously.
She pushed the chair into the kitchen where a nice plate of eggs and bacon was waiting. After breakfast Gary stopped by.
"Heya Ash, how ya doin' today"
"Hey Gary. I'm fine"
"Would you like to go for a little stroll?" asked Gary.
"Well I don't know…" said Ash.
"It would be good for you to get out of the house for a little Ash" Mrs. Ketchum said.
"See you later Mrs. Ketchum. Be back in a little while" Gary said winking at Mrs. Ketchum as he pushed Ash toward the door.
"Have fun" Mrs. Ketchum replied with a mischievous grin.
Ash had an odd feeling that they were plotting something. Gary pushed Ash down the road at a mild pace as the two of them chatted casually. They walked for about an hour admiring the scenery, Pikachu following alongside with Umbreon.
"Well we probably should head back," Gary said.
"But Lunch isn't for another two hours," replied Ash.
"I have to get back and do something," Gary replied.
Gary pushed Ash back towards the house. When they arrived at the front of the house Gary stopped.
"I gotta go check something quick, be back in a few."
"Gary, wait," Ash said as the other boy ran behind the house.
Gary returned a few seconds later and began pushing Ash taking him behind the house.
"Where are we going?" asked Ash.
"Oh you'll see," Gary replied.
Picnic tables were spread out around the back yard. There was one large table with all sorts of food set out on it. Mrs. Ketchum scurried about bringing out more food, and dishes.
"Let me help you with those," said Brock grabbing a handful of dishes.
"Thank you Brock," replied Mrs. Ketchum.
"Tracey! I see you eyeing up that pie" Mrs. Ketchum said grinning.
"I just can't help myself. Your cooking is so good Mrs. Ketchum" Tracey replied.
Professor Oak sat at one of the tables chatting with an older couple.
"Harriet! Johnathan! So glad you could make it" said Mrs. Ketchum as she walked past one of the table.
"Oh it wasn't too bad of a trip," replied Harriet.
"We should get out of the house more often. Professor Oak offered to show us the pokémon Reserve!" Johnathan added enthusiastically.
"What's going on Mom," Ash asked?
"It's a welcome back party," replied Mrs. Ketchum.
"You had all of us so worried Ash. We didn't know if we'd ever see you again. Then when we found you in the hospital in a coma…" Misty said becoming more distraught as she went on.
"Well there's nothing to worry about Misty. I'm alright now."
"Ah, so you're Ash. It's nice to meet you young man," said Johnathan in a cheerful manner shaking Ash's hand.
Ash had a puzzled look upon his face as he replied "Well … it's uh nice to meet you sir."
"Oh that's right you probably don't know me. The name's Johnathan."
"Johnathan and Harriet helped Brock and Misty while you were in the hospital," commented Mrs. Ketchum.
"You have some very loyal friends young man," commented Harriet.
"Got yerself a nice girl there," Johnathan whispered merrily into Ash's ear.
Ash's cheeks turned bright red at the comment.
"All right everyone diner's ready."
The group gathered around the picnic table. As they sat down Ash noticed that there were some vacant spots at the table.
"Hey Mom who did you set those spots for?"
"What Ash?"
"Whose spots are those?" Ash asked pointing at the three empty placements that were at the table.
"Oh I guess I set a few too many plates," Mrs. Ketchum said chuckling to herself.
The party went on for quite awhile. There was plenty of food to go around. Even the pokémon were special guests at the party, for they had helped search for Ash on the mountain. Various Pallet town residents would show up and say how glad they were to see that Ash was back safe and sound, and of course Mrs. Ketchum would invite them to stay. The party began to wind down around sunset. Most of the guests had already left. Brock and Misty were still around talking with Ash.
"Well thanks for all you've done for me. So when do you think we can get back to our travels."
"Now Ash, remember what the doctor said. It will be awhile before you can go off again," said Mrs. Ketchum in a motherly tone.
"Don't worry Ash, we'll come and visit," said Misty reassuringly.
The party lasted for about two hours before Harriet and Johnathan had to leave.
"We are glad that you could make it."
"Why yes, we had a great time. We haven't gotten out of the house much since our daughter left seventeen years ago," commented Harriet in her gentle tone.
"I know what you mean. It felt kind of lonely around the house when Ash went off on his journey."
"Well we really must be going. It's a long flight back."
"Well thanks again for coming. I hope to hear from you soon," Mrs. Ketchum said waving to the couple as they left
As Mrs. Ketchum cleared the tables Ash sat talking with Misty and Brock. They were reminiscing about their travels together, and some of the great times they had shared.
"Once my leg heals up the first thing I'll do is set out for Johoto, and I'll win that badge myself."
"Oh really, by yourself?" Brock said sarcastically.
"That'll be the day," said Misty.
"I can win it by myself," Ash whined.
"I seem to recall a headstrong boy getting into trouble and having to be bailed out by his two companions," jostled Mrs. Ketchum.
"Mom, stay out of this."
"Well if he can win the badge by himself, let's see if he can make it to the house by himself," said Brock.
"Sounds good to me," said Misty.
The group got up from the bench and began walking towards the house. Ash watched as they walked away. They reached the door without turning back.
"Alright guys, very funny, now would you help me?"
"Hey Misty did you just hear somebody calling for help?"
"Nope."
"Come on!"
Brock and Misty began stepping through the threshold of the door.
"Alright, I admit it. If it hadn't been for you guys I don't know where I would be or what I'd have done."
"That's good enough for me," said Brock as he and Misty began walking back towards Ash. They pushed his chair up to the doorstep. Misty lifted Ash out of the chair while Brock carried it inside. Once Brock had the chair ready Misty gently placed him back in the chair.
"Now Ash it's about time that you got to bed."
"But Mom it's only 9:30."
"Now young man you have to get plenty of rest."
Ash groaned slightly.
"Now march straight to bed young man," said Brock mimicking Mrs. Ketchum.
Ash glared at him.
"Don't worry Ash we'll come see you first thing in the morning," said Misty.
"But first Misty will sweep the love of her life off his feet and carry him to his bed, where she will tuck him in with a kiss on the cheek," Brock said doing a romantic pose.
Ash rolled his eyes at the comment.
"What?" said Brock. "That's my dream to be carried away by the love of my life. Except for I can't decide whether it would be Officer Jenny or Nurse Joy."
"That's the silliest thing I've ever heard," said Ash, but he was cut off mid-sentence as he was being lifted from his chair.
"Misty what are you doing?" Ash asked.
"Your bed awaits my love," Misty said giggling.
Brock was stupefied by the sight as Misty carried Ash towards his bedroom.
"Well I am the master of love," Brock said laughing to himself.
Misty gently set Ash down upon the bed. She pulled the covers up.
"Did you see the look on Brock's face? It was priceless," commented Misty jollily.
"You were just kidding around, right?"
"Yeah, I just wanted to see how Brock would react."
"That was pretty funny. Now how about that kiss?"
Misty was a bit taken aback by the question.
"I was just kidding. Goodnight Misty."
"Good night Ash," said Misty turning off the lights and closing the door.
Ash lay there recollecting the party. He couldn't believe that his Mom had thrown it all together without him knowing. The party had brought up some things about his hospital stay that he hadn't heard about due to the fact that he had been in a coma for most of the time. As he lay there thinking about his stay memories of the trial crept back into his head. He clearly remembered the defense insisting that Team Rocket had looked after him after the mountain incident. He tried to recall anything memory that would answer the question that plagued his mind. Did Team Rocket really help him? He recalled the mountain, waking up from the coma, and there were some events that he vaguely remembered. There was a tent. He had been unable to move. He remembered seeing faces, he just couldn't make them out.
Gentle, blissful sleep cradled Ash soothingly carrying away all of his worries.