A/N: Being sick with a bad cold that presents and felt worse than covid (did for me) sucks, it sucked so much I rewrote a scene multiple times because I did not like where it was going. One of them I got very far with but then realized it didn't make sense the next morning still feeling sick. So while I have had time, not all of my thoughts or writing have been good. Hopefully you all do not dislike me too much for what is about to happen. There will be some dealing with PTSD fair warning. Pokemon and the characters outside of Skye, Charlie, and August do not belong to me. If they were I would have had Misty return in Journeys especially when it seems everyone else did.
Skye was looking around Blackthorn enjoying the view after both she and Charlie had won their 8th badge making them now eligible for the Silver Conference. While she looked on she decided to make a call to her mother just as a check in.
"Skye, is everything ok?" Misty asked.
Skye smiled slightly, "Yes everything if good, I got my 8th badge."
"Congratulations honey, I am so proud of you, are you three coming back to Kanto or will you want us to meet you at Silver Town?" Misty asked.
"Probably just meet us in Silver Town as we are about a month and a half away from competition." Skye said. "How are things between you and Ash?"
"They are fine." Misty said.
"So, he still hasn't decided what you both are." Skye said with a bit of a smirk and annoyance.
Misty shook her head and said, "No, he has been talking with Professor Oak more, but we haven't really had a date since Olivine."
"Not really?" Skye asked.
"Every now and then we share a meal together… but…" Misty stopped.
"He won't even try to kiss you." Skye said.
Misty was thankful this call wasn't a facetime call or she would have seen her blushing quite visibly. "Yes, and maybe he just doesn't want us to be a couple."
"Mom, I saw the way you both were looking at each other the next few days we were together in Olivine before we got our badges, just mom, you haven't been one to dance around people." Skye said.
"I know, but I worry about scaring him to be back in the wilderness." Misty said.
"I think if that was what he wanted he would have done that already." Skye said. From there, Skye and Misty just started talking about her Pokemon, how Milotic, Scizor, Lycanroc, Quilava, Seadra, and Crawdaunt. She even went over how Charlie's Nidorino had evolved into Nidoking when they came across a moon stone. Larvitar had become a Pupitar, and Charlie caught a Magmar as well. Eventually they ended the call saying their 'I love yous'.
August made sure they both stayed focused on their goals. August looked at both of them and said, "This should be interesting."
"What will be interesting?" Charlie asked.
"Both of you have been so supportive of the other, yet you cannot be on the sideline supporting each other during the tournament." August said, "And the rules are pretty clear that I cannot be with more than 1 competitor."
Skye just looked at the boys and said, "Guess that means we will just have to cheer loudly from the stands."
At that Charlie stood and he and Skye bumped fists promising to root for the other. Back in Pallet Misty was deciding it was time to ask Ash point blank all the questions she desperately needed answers to. Ash had just gotten back from helping Oak feed all of his Pokemon along with other trainer's Pokemon. Pikachu and Charizard asked to stay behind for the night and stay with their friends. As he finished taking off his boots and put on slippers he sniffed the air asking, "Mom what are you cooking that smells so good?"
Giggling Misty said in response, "I guess you can't believe I can cook that good."
Ash upon walking into the kitchen and only seeing Misty he went, "No, just…" Misty just smiled at him but somehow that seemed scarier than seeing her angry face, "I don't have a good excuse." Ash finished.
"Don't worry Ash, I know I was barely starting to get ok at cooking when you last saw me cook years ago." Misty said, "And besides, your mom was going with Molly and her mom to Celadon today, remember?"
"Sorry," Ash said, "Some of the days are just blurring together. I totally forgot."
"Well hopefully this will help the day not feel blurry." Misty said, putting onto the table, fried chicken, spaghetti, and a custard. Ash looked at the spread and was astounded, looking up and meeting Misty's eyes, she said, "I hope it all tastes good."
"Misty, I am sure it tastes great." Ash said going over to pull out Misty's chair before she sat down. Misty blushed slightly at the gesture but appreciated it all the same. Ash took a bite and when his eyes widened he began to dig in voraciously into the meal. Misty felt that was the best compliment she could get with her cooking. Eating the chicken she was very happy with it, seeing Ash load up his plate with 2nds, then 3rds, and finally a 4th. If she didn't know how much food he could eat, she would be concerned about him. "Misty I am sorry for not saying how good your cooking is." Ash said.
"Don't be, your devouring of it was a pretty worthy compliment." Misty said with a smile. "By the way has Bayleaf stopped following you around like some puppy love teenager?"
Ash laughed and shook his head, "I don't know now if Bayleaf will ever grow out of that now given the nearly decade gap." Misty laughed realizing internally she probably felt very similarly. Though she was happy he was doing more outside of Delia's house, she still liked knowing there was a set place he would return to everynight.
"So, any chance I can get the same treatment as our daughter?" Misty asked.
Confused, Ash looked at her from his last fried chicken, "Huh?" Ash responded.
"I heard when you and her were up in your old room, you answered all her questions honestly and truthfully." Misty said looking at him trying to sound a bit more flirtatious.
"Oh." Ash said, "Of course, I was actually surprised you didn't ask me everything the first week I was back."
Misty looked at him and the smile had gone to a more neutral look, "I was hoping you would start volunteering what happened."
The change in her tone made Ash realize he couldn't hide anymore and said, "You're right Misty…whatever you want to know, I will answer completely or say I am not ready, is that ok?"
Misty's face softened as she nodded, not meeting his gaze before asking, "How did you get captured?"
"That's a long story, I have actually been trying to process all of it, tomorrow I promise I will tell you all about that and what happened while being captured." Ash said looking at her earnestly to not press him further.
Misty smiled and said, "Ok, so what exactly did you do after you saw me and Skye that day you got out?"
"I ran…got aboard Charizard and ended up at the gate to the Safari Zone in Fuschia." Ash said.
"Did you mean to?" Misty asked surprised how far he flew after that.
"No, Charizard stopped there, the gate was closed and I waited there overnight, but I couldn't sleep. I was too afraid Team Rocket would find me." Ash said. "The next morning the warden looked at me and gave me some food and water. He said he helped because I looked like I hadn't been fed in weeks, and I said it had been hard so he offered me a job helping monitor the zone since I had Charizard."
"You stayed in a place for a while?" Misty asked.
"I did on the condition that when I saved up enough I would leave with 2 weeks notice." Ash said. "It took about 3 months before I started feeling like I was back at my old strength."
Misty shook her head wishing she had just ventured to Fuschia City. "Ok, then what did you do?"
"I started wandering, doing an odd job here in Slateport in Hoenn, made it to Lumiose and worked as a janitor. Then I was there when Giovanni stepped into the building I was working at." Ash said.
"I was horrified about what to do, I made sure to keep my face hidden and that Pikachu stayed hidden in the vents till I gave the ok." Ash said, his hands beginning to quiver, "I then realized I couldn't stay at a stagnant spot so I made sure to always be moving from place to place, with no real goal, like we used to at times when we were kids." Ash smiled trying to signal he was ok to Misty. She reached across the table and held one of his quivering hands.
"Were there nightmares?" Misty said looking at his hand, noticing a faint scar that she hadn't noticed on the top of his hand and palm.
"The first month it felt like they happened every night, I avoided sleep as much as I could." Ash said. Misty started to gently rub his hand with her thumb.
"I am sorry I wasn't there to help you." Misty said.
"You're sorry I am sorry I wasn't there holding your hand while you gave birth to Skye for 18 hours." Ash said.
"Ash, you would have been had it not been for Team Rocket." Misty said, "You need to forgive yourself for that. The important thing is you are here now and plan on being here."
"You know all of you keep saying that, my mom, Oak, Tracey, Brock." Ash said.
"Means they all understand I know everything." Misty said.
"I just wish it was easy to do." Ash said a tear dropping from his eye.
Misty came around the table and hugged Ash, "I know, Ash…is it true you didn't see anyone after what you saw on the lookout, I know I don't have any sort of…"
"No." Ash responded.
"No?" Misty asked, confused.
"I didn't date or see anyone Misty. I um…the nightmares only shortly before coming back into your life was when I became somewhat safer to be around." Ash said. Misty kept looking into his eyes trying to see if he was lying. "Misty please say something." The biggest grin erupted across Misty's face before they both leaned their heads against the other. "Misty what are we?" Ash said, suddenly surprising Misty.
"Um, I don't know, at this point casually dating without the casual part." Misty said not fully sure that was the best or right answer.
"Oh, is that what you want us to be?" Ash asked.
"No." Misty said.
Completely unsure why she said no Ash asked, "No?"
"No, ideally I would want us to be…well where we were almost 13 years ago." Misty said blushing slightly, "Now I would just want to be in a committed relationship with you." Pulling Misty closer to where she was sitting in Ash's lap, her legs outside of his keeping their foreheads together. Ash then kissed Misty as she wrapped her hands in his messy black hair out of breath and faces became flushed. Then Ash said, "I want to be with you Misty. I just worry that if these nightmares are not mostly behind me…"
"Ash, all I want is you, come what may." Misty said, pushing his duster off shoulders and wrapping her arms around his neck. Ash's hands moved up and down her sides before one strayed down to her hip. The other teased near the underside of her breast. Suddenly Ash moved one hand to her ass the other to her breast and massaged both before making his tongue battle Misty's tongue. Picking Misty up by her ass as she wrapped her legs around his waist Ash sat Misty on the table pulling off her top and kissing her neck as she moaned, gripping Ash's thick black hair. Just as she laid back on the table, feeling Ash's lips trail kisses down to her breasts that he massaged. Then a loud vibrating noise went off both Ash and Misty grunted and separated as Misty knew it was her phone. Pulling it out seeing it was Skye she picked up expecting to hear Skye when, "MISTY SOMETHINGS WRONG WITH SKYE!?" Charlie exclaimed through the phone. "Are you all still in Blackthorn?" Misty asked, trying to keep her voice calm to help Charlie calm down.
"Yes, she is thrashing a bit, August and Milotic are trying their best to soothe her." Charlie said, already beginning to calm down. Ash heard that and immediately was out the door heading back to Oak's lab to get Charizard and Pikachu.
"Ok, Ash and I are on our way, we will get to you as soon as we can." Hanging up the call, Misty waited for Ash to return. Misty knew it didn't take Ash that long to return but it felt too long as she waited on the porch for Ash. When he did she without saying anything climbed onto Charizard who took off with her, Ash, and Pikachu. About halfway to Blackthorn, Ash kept trying to spur Charizard on faster, leading Misty to say, "Ash, we can't over exhaust Charizard."
"You're right." Ash said, apologizing to Charizard. Ash looked back seeing a focused Misty. Inside Ash's guts were wrenching; he just hoped everyone was ok when they landed.
"Ash, is this my fault?" Misty asked.
"Huh, no Mist it is definitely not your fault." Ash said.
"What if we just got her into counseling before letting her back out." Misty stated.
"If she is having what we fear it is, it wouldn't have been a guarantee it wouldn't happen." Ash said. Realizing he never really checked on Misty because she had been taking care of him. Ash asked, "Have you had any nightmares?"
"No, none that I can remember." Misty said, holding onto Ash a little tighter.
Landing in front of Blackthorn's Pokemon Center. Misty bolted off of Charizard looking for Skye. Ash began recalling Charizard to hustle after Misty with Pikachu hanging onto Ash's shoulder. They found Charlie and August sitting in a waiting area, Charlie walked Misty up towards their room where Skye was now asleep. Ash followed and when they got there they found Skye peacefully sleeping. Misty feeling her head began to stroke her hair not wanting to wake her. "Thank you, Charlie, for calling us." Misty said calmly.
Ash came over and was looking for any self injuries, thankful not to find any. Misty and Ash went to the couches downstairs and went to sleep telling August how thankful they were for him being there. The next morning Skye woke before everyone found her mother and father asleep on the separate couches holding hands. "Well should I pop the champagne?" Skye asked rather loudly.
Causing both Ash and Misty to stir seeing Skye they dropped the others hand and ran up squeezing Skye. Over asking her if she was ok. What happened, did she run into Domino, etc.
"No, guys, wow I am fine, just had a really bad nightmare, that apparently I didn't wake up from right away." Skye said. "When did you get here by the way?"
"Very early this morning, Charlie and August met us while you were sleeping." Misty said, planting kisses to Skye's face like she would never see her again.
"Ok, mom, while I appreciate all the effort you both came and I am happy to know you care." Skye said like a teenager who felt touched that they had traveled to check on her, but also a tad over loved.
"Do you think you should come home and see a therapist before the Silver Conference?" Misty asked.
"No, last night was just a particularly bad night." Skye said, "I didn't hurt Charlie or August did I?"
"No." Ash said quickly, "They were just… worried. Was this the first time you were thrashing?"
Misty heard the ask and noted it before Skye responded, "Yes, like I said back in Olivine, I just had a few of them waking up disoriented but not like this."
Ash hugged his daughter and said, "Maybe you should come home with us and we can help get you someone to talk to, maybe have better coping strategies."
"No, I am fine, if I have another one this bad before the Silver Conference I promise I will come home." Skye said looking at her mom who was looking at the two of them quite intently, "Is that ok mom?"
"Ok Skye, but call me if it happens again please." Misty pleaded. Both Charlie and August woke up and were coming down towards the couches and saw the three of them. Happy they embraced. Having breakfast Skye noticed her mom keeping some distance with Ash. She wasn't sure why, but because nothing really came of it when they felt they had enough food and supplies to begin heading towards Silver Town. Skye said her goodbyes to her mom and Ash, this time hugging Ash goodbye and whispering, "Thanks for not telling mom." Waving bye to the trio as they began their journey to Silver Town.
Once they were out of sight Misty stood in front of Ash with fire in her eyes as she demanded, "Did you know she was having nightmares?"
"What?" Ash asked, a little surprised by the look and anger he saw behind Misty's viridian eyes.
"WHY CAN'T YOU GIVE ME A FUCKING STRAIGHT ANSWER?!" Misty yelled, "DID YOU KNOW?" Pikachu was trying to soothe Misty by rubbing her leg.
Ash knew at that moment he had to be honest, "Yes, she told me in Olivine." At that Misty's head felt like it had shattered.
"You didn't tell me?" Misty asked.
"No, she asked me not to." Ash said hands raised like he was ready for her wrath.
Misty just hung her face turning around saying, "We can't be a couple right now Ash, go home."
"What?" Ash started, "Misty I should have told you, why does this mean–"
"This means you aren't ready to be a parent." Misty said, turning around and coming up to his face all the fire back behind her eyes. "When our child had a problem that you knew I didn't know about. You did not tell me like a good co-parent should."
"Misty, she asked me not to, how can I betray Skye's trust like that?" Ash asked incredulously.
This set off Misty even more, "Her trust? Ash you are not her friend, you are her father, she is a child, you have to do the right thing even if she doesn't like you for doing it." Now tears of both anger and sadness were streaming down Misty's face, "That is why we are not getting back together Ash Ketchum and to think…" Misty trailed off realizing they almost were completely back together hours ago. Looking back into Ash's eyes which were lost and confused, "You broke my trust in you as a co parent, and I can't have a partner, who values being liked by our child more than being a good parent with me, whether we are a couple or not."
"Misty, I…" Ash started reaching for her.
She avoided his hand, and said, "Go home, I am not going to see you again till the Silver Conference, I hope you will be there to support our daughter, and last night forget what I said, I can't trust you to be all in with me." Ash had tears running down his face as Misty started walking away from him Pikachu just looked off at her then at Ash who was now on his knees tears streaming down his face. Ash knew he had just screwed up his 2nd chance with Misty, hearing all she said he knew as true. He just wished he could do it all over again and just tell Misty that night in Olivine.
Misty called Delia, explaining what happened and why when Ash returned home he would be alone. Misty half expected Delia to be mad at her but was shocked when Delia said, "Misty, I think you are better for telling him that. It wasn't like he just found out and hadn't found a moment to tell you, he literally didn't tell you intentionally." A tone on her voice changed, "No matter what happens between you and him, you will always be welcome in my house whenever you need, even if you never become my daughter-in-law, you will always be family to me."
Calling out Charizard who looked around expecting to see Misty, Ash just said, "She isn't coming with us Charizard." Ash then pulled out his phone and found the number he was looking for. Waiting for it to ring, ring, ring, "Hello?" a man's voice came through the phone.
"I think I screwed up any chance with Misty. Can I stay with you for a couple of days?" Ash asked.
"Of course, we can talk about it when you get here." Brock said ending the call.