TDBigJ's message: O_O. Uh oh. I'm two days late with an update. What did I do? Actually, let me explain. I was trying to get the chapter up on Friday, but I couldn't get it up because every time I tried to get the chapter here onto Fanfiction it would say "file upload failed" and I tried and tried to get it up but the same thing would happen every time and I couldn't think of any other way to fix it. I don't know why it was happening. I was trying to upload the chapter the same way I usually do, but yet that happened. It just said it was not in the right format but like I said, I tried to upload the way I usually do. So that's why you're getting the chapter on a Sunday rather than the usual Friday. I'm very sorry about it guys. You probably hate me now. I don't know if Fanfiction had a problem or what, I have no clue. Once again, I'm sorry. I promise, I PROMISE the next chapter will be out this Friday, as long as there are no issues at that time. Okay with that being said, let me get to the rest of the stuff I usually say. Nothing going on with me, yet again. I've had a pretty good weekend. Yesterday I went to a Mariners game (my home team). Sadly, they lost 2-1, even though they should have won. I'm not going into detail, because I'm pretty sure you guys could care less, unless you're from/live in Washington and/or a Mariners fan. I just recently watched a video on Youtube about the upcoming Pokemon Sun and Moon games. Man, those legendaries look pretty wicked (Okay, who says wicked anymore?). I thought they looked pretty cool. But I'll wait to play the games when they come out until I have my final judgment. With all that banter set aside, let's get to the responding of reviews.

Rams30 (Guest #1): Maybe she could get him that. Someone could. Yes. Thanks for the review!

Oliverqueen01: Something happened between Ash and Serena in that episode? Something no one thought would happen? Well, thanks for not spoiling it, even though someone's review might have, but it doesn't matter to me. Even if something is spoiled in an episode that I have not watched yet, it actually doesn't ruin the episode for me. I would watch it anyway. Oh, and don't be so hard on yourself for making that mistake. When you're half awake, you do things, so don't feel bad. You don't like Iris, huh? I guess she's all right. But the "you're such a kid" line wasn't really that clever. I don't know why she would always call him something like that. Thanks for the review!

Espeon44: I hope so too. Thanks for the review!

Klay (Guest #2): The main couple is going on vacation. I wouldn't like to see them broken up. She most likely will. Thanks for the review!

Guest #3: I'm glad you're excited for the crossover fic. I promise I won't disappoint you. I've got a few ideas for it. Thanks for keeping my spirits up for Amourshipping. Thanks for the review!

Mad Ass Dragon: Glad I portrayed Red perfectly. Seriously, I tried my best to make him the way you requested, and it looks like I did a good job according to you. Making him do stunts that would make people think he's insane would be a pretty good challenge. Yeah, it's good that Serena and Pikachu get some time together. I'd like to see that happen in the anime. Thanks for the review!

Wolves22 (Guest #4): We most likely see them make new friends. Maybe that could happen. Thanks for the review!

Bryce (Guest #5): Well, I'll do my best to give you a good chapter. Thanks for the review!

Mixt Number XV: I'm glad you think that Pikachu bonding without Ash really helps his character development. I would have to agree with you on that. Thanks for saying it was a great idea for a chapter. Thanks for the review!

Jaguars5 (Guest #6): We will most likely just see Ash's gift to Serena. Thanks for the review!

Raiders89 (Guest #7): They could. And maybe they might kiss, I will add something in the next chapter. Thanks for the review!

49ers (Guest #8): Of course, just send me the info. Don't worry, I don't think they will ever separate. Thanks for the review!

Shadic4566: Thanks for saying I did a good job with the last chapter. I might add scenes in a chapter of what occurs during that time. Thanks for the review!

Brig nodrm2347: Yeah, seeing Pikachu and Serena get along is something we haven't seen a lot in stories or the anime and I would like to see that. I think Ash giving Serena a gift symbolizing their relationship would be a good idea and I think I have one for the next chapter. Oh, I guess I made a mistake, huh? I actually haven't seen that episode yet and I am shocked to hear that Ash yelled at Serena. That is not something I would ever expect to hear. Doing that after losing a gym battle is something we have not seen from Ash in a while. But don't worry, you didn't ruin the episode for me. As I said in my response to oliverqueen01's review above even if something is spoiled from an episode I haven't seen yet, it doesn't make me want to watch the episode any less, so when the episode airs in English, I will see what happens. I don't want to know Serena's reaction to Ash yelling at her, I want to see what it is for myself. It's just that Ash getting upset after a loss is something we have not seen from Ash in a while. I remember that he got upset after losing to Brawly in Advance but after that I don't remember him getting upset after a loss, even when he lost in a league. I'll see you in a bit. Thanks for the review!

Cavaliers23 (Guest #9): We could see that. I'll find a way to squeeze it in. Thanks for the review!

Dodgers22 (Guest #10): Maybe we can. Thanks for the review!

76ers (Guest #11): They could kiss. Maybe not that far into the future. No, no one will pick on them. Of course they'll support them. Whoa, I wouldn't go that far. Thanks for the review!

Marlins16 (Guest #12): I'm not sure what pink haired girl you're talking about. Of course. Clemont should get some help from them when Shauna plans to ask him out. I know May isn't that type of character. Thanks for the review!

Lily (Guest #13): I think they already have girlfriends. Dawn and Ally won't break up. Maybe she might. I don't think they're there yet. I wouldn't go that far, even if he is that kind of character. Thanks for the review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon or it's characters, they belong to Game Freak and Nintendo, and… whoever else.

Ash had been spending the last forty minutes packing his bags. He needed to make sure that he had everything he needed for the trip. The trip he was taking was going to be with Serena, his mom, and Grace. They were going to go up to the mountains and spend their whole Christmas vacation at a cabin, and the best part was, they were going to have it all to themselves.

Ash had counted numerous times to see if he had everything he needed and got what he still didn't have in his bag. His bag consisted of clothes, snowgear, toiletries, and some devices to occupy his time when he needed some leisure. He had gotten a couple of his Pokemon from Oak's lab to come with him on the trip.

He had grabbed a few more items from around his room and went over his bag one last time. He had everything this time and he then zipped up his bag. He had also filled a backpack that he had lying around and put anonymous items in that he couldn't fit in his bag. He was set to go.

He put a long sleeve jacket on, the blue one he wore in Kalos whenever it was cold. He actually dressed differently today. Since it was now winter and it was very chilly he had his usual pants and shoes on, but this time he wore a white long sleeve shirt that was currently covered by the jacket that he just put on, and he for on rare occasions was not wearing a hat, even though he was bringing his many hats with him but he decided not to wear one at the moment. Besides, he actually liked the freezing cold wind push his hair.

He grabbed the two bags he had packed and made his way downstairs and put them by the stairs. His mom was with Mr. Mime up in her room preparing herself. Ash went into the family room and sat on the couch and flicked on the tv and took his phone out and looked at it, seeing if any of his friends sent him a text or tried to call him. None of them did, so he surfed some of the other parts of his phone, letting the tv emit in the background. He usually watched tv on most occasions, but sometimes, he needed something going on in the room so it wouldn't be quiet if he was doing something like this.

When he was done doing that, he thought he would go into the kitchen and make some coffee for him and his mom. Within five minutes the coffee was brewed and he took out two mugs and filled them each with joe. He put the extra parts in each coffee, like milk and all that other stuff. He didn't like just plain black coffee, it tasted too disgusting to him, it needed to have at least one extra ingredient in there, that he could handle. Once he had those other necessities and after he stirred it, he took a drink out of it, seriously needing the caffeine. His mom came down the stairs with two bags in her hands with Mr. Mime having another one himself. Due to the weight of the bags, his mom almost tripped and fell over but was able to recover and reach the bottom of the stairs and put her bags next to his with Mr. Mime following suit. His mom walked into the kitchen and he handed her the mug of coffee he had prepared for her. She gladly grabbed it and took a sip.

"Thanks for making this honey." She thanked.

"You're welcome. Thought you might need it." He replied.

"Did you put the usual stuff in it?"

"Yes mom. I know how you like your coffee."

He took another drink out of his. "So, when do we plan on leaving?"

"About another hour. Serena and her mom got up fifteen minutes ago and they need to pack themselves and do, you know, their girl routine of getting ready in the morning." Delia explained.

"All right. Is there anything I need to do before we go?" Ash asked.

"Nothing comes to mind, so you can go do whatever. Just be ready to go when the time comes. You never know, they might get done sooner than you think."

"Okay." Ash responded and took his mug of coffee and went into the family room.

Over at the other house, Serena had been packing her bag hastily for twenty minutes now. She basically needed the same things Ash had packed for the trip. She had a smaller suitcase filled already and was currently filling another one up and it was almost full. The only thing she didn't pack in the bags were her usual clothes, since the weather was freezing cold out she didn't feel the need to pack those clothes. She needed all the warm clothes she could pack. She already had Fennekin squared away and she planned on getting her Pancham and Eevee from Oak's before they left, she didn't want them missing out on this. She knew that Ash was going to bring a couple of his Pokemon but she didn't know which. He didn't tell her last night. But she didn't mind, she wanted it to surprise her, which she liked.

She crammed whatever else she could fit in her bags and closed it. Luckily it wasn't too stuffed to the point that she couldn't close it. She was wearing a different outfit today. She was wearing a pink long sleeve shirt with some jeans and sneakers. But just so she wouldn't forget, she took the blue ribbon from her usual attire and tied it to the top of the shirt she was wearing. She wanted to know what Ash would say when she wore it on something else other than her everyday outfit. It probably wouldn't change, she knew it would be something positive.

She took both her bags that she had and carried them downstairs and put them by the staircase. She looked around the downstairs and didn't see her mom anywhere, so she must have not been done yet. So she roamed around downstairs. She went to the front window and looked outside. It was snowing. It must have been doing that since early this morning a few hours before she woke up. It was completely covered outside. Talk about white out.

Fennekin came running into the room. Serena looked down and picked her up so she could let Fennekin look at what she was looking at. Fennekin liked it when it snowed. She would frolic around the snow and play around in it until she was completely covered in the powdery substance. She did that once, and when she did, Serena couldn't even find her. Fennekin liked to mess around with Serena once in a while. Pokemon could do this too, right?

"Isn't it beautiful, Fennekin?"

"Fenne."

"I remember that one time when you were out in the snow and I couldn't find you. You were a little mischievous one, weren't you?"

"Fen."

"Yeah, I looked for you for about fifteen minutes before I found you."

Fennekin smirked after that. Serena didn't notice it so she got off it scotch free. It was one of the times Fennekin got away with something from her trainer, and it really wasn't that bad.

Serena sighed. "Just to think Fennekin, this will be my first Christmas with Ash, our first Christmas with Ash. I'm so happy that I get to spend it with him as his girlfriend."

Serena imagined how this trip would go. They were going to spend two and a half weeks up in the mountains in a lodge. Since it was Christmas break, school was over for the year. Well, the calendar year that is. Every student was excited for the break, and Serena was no exception. She knew that Ash was hyped up for it as well, but she had to admit she was more. Her mom came downstairs with three bags in her hands.

"Serena, could you give me a hand with these bags?"

Serena looked over. "Oh, sure thing mom."

She rushed over and took one of the bags her mom had carried down and put it at the foot of the stairs. Her mom had no trouble getting the other two bags down.

"Okay, just so you know, I just called Ash's mom, we will be leaving in about fifty minutes. So during that time, do whatever and get anything else you need for this trip." Grace explained.

"All right mom."

Serena thought this would be a good time to get some coffee ready for her and her mom. So she went and did so. When it was done within a few minutes, she poured a mug for her and her mom. She took a sip out of hers when her mom came into the room, then she gave her mom her cup, who then took a sip out of hers.

"Honey, I'm going back up into my room to finish up. Do whatever you need to do until we have to leave." Grace said and went up to her room to finish preparing.

Serena had put the extra necessities in her coffee and went downstairs to watch tv until she had to leave. She wanted to leave now so she could have as much fun for two and a half weeks as she could.

Yep, this was going to be one hell of a Christmas break.

Fifty minutes later, Ash had started packing his mom's car with their bags, since it was now time to leave. Since there was only four bags between him and his mom, it didn't take him long. Once he was done, he took the travel mug he had filled with coffee and took a swig out of it. He needed all the caffeine he could consume to stay awake during the long car ride to the cabin. It was a three hour drive to the cabin so he wanted to stay awake for at least most of the ride, although he wouldn't mind if he fell asleep for the ride, but for now, he just focused on staying awake.

"Got all our stuff in there, honey?" Delia asked.

"It's all in there mom." Ash replied.

Serena and Grace had seen the two and came over with their bags. Ash took each of them and put them in the back of his mom's car and closed it. Ash picked up his mug and took another gulp out of it.

"Getting your buzz?" Serena asked.

"Yep. Definitely going to need it for the trip up there." Ash responded.

"Well, don't drink too much. You could end up crashing."

"Eh, either way, I'll be fine."

Serena raised an eyebrow. "Either way?"

"Whether I stay awake or fall asleep, I don't care. I will try to stay awake if I can." Ash stated.

"I see. That's why I'm having some myself." Serena said, showing him her travel mug.

"Good to be prepared, huh?"

"Mm hm."

Grace came over and put her hand on both their shoulders for a brief moment. "Come on you two, we're going to be heading out. Get in the car."

After that notification, the two of them got in the car. All packed and ready to go, Delia started the car and drove off, starting their trek.

An hour and a half later, they reached the halfway point of their trip. Delia and Grace had been conversing the whole time. Since they didn't want to interrupt anything their mothers had to say, Ash and Serena just quietly whispered their words to each other. But recently, since the car ride was becoming long, Serena had fallen asleep. She hadn't drank as much coffee as Ash had and he surprisingly didn't crash from the caffeine, but she was still a little drowsy since she woke up so early this morning. It was only 9:22 in the morning but they all had been up since before 7:30. Serena was the only one asleep right now, and she was resting her head on Ash's shoulder. Since they got into a relationship, Ash didn't mind this sort of thing. Not that he ever would. Even if they weren't, he wouldn't have cared regardless. He slightly moved his head to the left to see her sleeping peacefully. He smiled and stroked her hair with the back of his hand.

"She's kind of cute sleeping like that." He thought to himself. Delia looked back at them in the rearview mirror.

"You two doing okay back there?"

"We're doing fine mom. Serena fell asleep though." He replied.

"She must have still been a little tired from waking up early this morning." Grace stated.

With that, Delia looked forward and continued driving. Since he really had nothing to do for the rest of the ride, Ash planted a kiss on Serena's forehead and fell asleep himself.

An hour and a half later, they reached the lodge. Everyone carried their bags in and placed them down near the front door. They all shook the snow off their shoes before Delia closed the door behind them.

"Get comfortable, because it'll be a long two weeks." Grace stated.

"Oh, I hope so." Ash said to himself as he picked up his two bags and carried them up to the room he was staying in. He opened the door and was amazed by what he saw. The room was huge. It had a master size bed, a flat screen tv, two bathrooms, a DVD player, etc. It was perfect. He went to go check the other rooms to see if they were any different and to make sure that the room he checked out wasn't the master bedroom. And to his luck, it was true. He placed the bags next to the closet and ran over and jumped onto the bed. He let himself sink into the bed. It was magic. The mattress was so comfortable that it felt like he was laying on a cloud of Swablu feathers. He turned around on the mattress so that he was face first in it. He didn't care if anyone saw him doing this. It wouldn't bother him.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Ash's head popped up from the mattress. He looked over at who asked that question. He didn't expect anyone to pop in the room, much less Serena.

"Yeah, I am." He replied.

She put her bags down next to his and walked up to the bed. She stood there for a few seconds, then she jumped onto the bed herself backwards. Unluckily for Ash, she landed roughly on him, narrowly making him lose his breath in the process, mainly because her back slammed into his stomach. Fortunately, the pain only lasted a few seconds. Serena scooted down so that her head was on his stomach. She folded her hands and looked at the ceiling.

"Don't worry, I wasn't concerned. I've just never seen you do something like that before." She said.

"I just had a moment. I know it's not like me to do that."

Serena felt around the bed. "But seeing as to what your moment was, I can't help but see why you're doing it. This bed is pretty soft."

"Okay, are you going to have a moment too?" Ash chuckled.

Serena just giggled. "Very funny." She looked back up. "Looks like we will be having this room to ourselves, since there are three rooms in this cabin and our moms will each have their own room."

"I like the sound of that."

She then got up and pulled him up. "Come on, let's see the rest of the cabin." And with that she pulled his hand and led him out of the room.

Yep. This was going to be a good two and a half weeks.

Later on that night, the two were laying on the bed, watching the tv. Serena was curled up and laying her head on Ash's chest. Ash had his left arm around her. Serena was feeling pretty tired, and her eyes started closing. Ash had noticed her eyelids drooping.

"Serena, you okay?"

Serena swiftly opened her eyelids, only for them to fall again. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired."

"Long day?"

"No. I'm just feeling tired."

"Well, if you want to go to sleep, you can. I don't mind you falling asleep on me." Ash stated.

"No, I'm fine. I can sleep on the pillow. Don't worry about me." Serena said.

"Serena, I insist. If you want to fall asleep where you are, go ahead. When you fall into a deep enough sleep, I'll put you under the covers so you can stay warm. Okay?"

Serena smiled. "Okay." And then she took Ash's hand and kissed it and fell off to sleep.

He let her drift off to sleep. He didn't want to bug her while she slept so he kept his movement to a minimum. He looked down at her sleeping form.

"Yep. She really is cute when she's asleep." He thought to himself and focused his eyes on the tv again. Pikachu was looking at his buddy from a chair he was laying in with Fennekin from the other side of the room. Pikachu liked that Ash was enjoying the start of the vacation with Serena, and he himself liked that he was spending it with one of his best friends in Fennekin. Pikachu started feeling drowsy and fell to sleep as well.

A few days later, the four of them decided to go Christmas shopping at the shopping center in town. Since they wanted to switch things up a little, Delia and Serena went together, and Grace and Ash went together. Ash and Serena's respective Pokemon went with the other as well so the surprise was still intact.

After they split, Serena immediately went to thinking of what to get Ash. Ash liked all sorts of things, but she wanted to go down a different road. What could she get Ash?

"Hm, what would Ash like for a gift? I want it to surprise him, but what will do it?" She thought to herself. Delia took notice of this.

"Serena, what's on your mind?"

"Oh, I'm just thinking of something different to get Ash. I don't want to be plain and boring. I want to think of something special." Serena answered.

"Oh honey, I'm pretty sure Ash will accept anything you get him. If you get him something that comes from the heart, I think he will be happy with it." Delia explained.

Pikachu climbed up onto Serena's shoulder. "Pika pika."

"You know what, you guys are right. If I put some thought into it, I think Ash will like what I get him." Serena stated.

"Right on. Now go see what you can think of."

Serena's confidence boosted a little. She had a good feeling she would get the perfect gift for Ash. And with that she went off searching, confident that she could get this right.

Meanwhile, over with Ash and Grace, Ash had started doing the same thing. He was walking along with Grace and Fennekin when he had begun.

Ash was thinking what he gift he could get for Serena for Christmas. He had known her for almost a whole year and dated her for six months, but he didn't have an idea of what he could get her. He had never gotten a gift for her before.

"Man, what kind of gift would Serena like? I know what kind of things she likes but I want to go out of the ordinary. What could that be?" Ash thought to himself. Grace looked over at him and noticed he was stuck in thought.

"Ash, you doing okay? It seems like you're thinking too hard." Grace stated, concerned for Ash's current state.

"Yeah, I'm okay. I'm still trying to think of what I could get for Serena. I don't want to disappoint her." Ash stated.

Grace placed her hand on Ash's shoulder. "Ash, I think Serena could care less of what you get her. She'd be fine with whatever you get her. She's not a picky girl. As long as you get her something, she would be fine with it." Grace explained.

"You think so?"

"I know so. Come on. She's been my daughter for seventeen years, I know what kind of person she is."

Ash took a deep breath to calm himself. "Okay Grace, I think I might have an easier time doing this."

She smiled and patted the shoulder she had her hand on. "Now that's what I like to hear."

With that, Ash resumed thinking of what he could get Serena. A little pep talk from Grace smoothed things out quite a bit. Now, he was more determined and confident to make his first Christmas with Serena one to be treasured forever, that he was sure about.

"All right Ash, let's do this." Ash thought to himself and he and Grace continued walking, ready to see what they could think of.

Ash spent the next ten minutes, trying to come up with as many ideas as he could. None of them stood out, but then…

"Wait, she could like that. I'll give it a shot." He thought to himself.

"Grace, I think I know what to get Serena." He said.

"You do?"

"Yeah. I'm going to go get it for her. I'll be right back."

"Just meet me by the escalators when you're done, okay?"

Ash gave her a thumbs up and walked off to get what he thought would be perfect for Serena. Once he got to his destination, he went to work.

Fifteen minutes later he had gotten his gift for Serena. He hoped that Serena would like what he got her. He crossed his fingers for it.

Serena on the other hand, had gotten her gift for Ash. She also was hoping for the best. Hoping that Ash would like what she got him. This was a gift that came from her heart, and there was no doubt he would like that sort of thing. They each looked at their gifts.

"Serena, I hope you like this." Ash thought to himself.

"Ash, I hope you like this." Serena thought to herself.

They both thought that simultaneously. They wanted to make this first Christmas together memorable, and hopes were high that it would be something to be treasured forever.

Oh, let's hope so.

Author's note: Well how about that? A good start to the Christmas vacation. I also hope that their first Christmas will be memorable. Will it? Well, we'll find out in a week. I thought this was a pretty good chapter. One of my favorites so far, but I think next week's chapter will be even better. We'll see, right? Anyway, enough of my blabbering, let's get to the preview.

It was now the time to exchange gifts. Everyone present went to get their gifts. Two of them went at a time so they wouldn't spoil what they got each other.

Ash and Serena were both excited to see what they got for each other. They both had told each other it was a great gift. They of course didn't give any hints as to what it was. They didn't want to ruin it.

When all the gifts were downstairs and organized to each person, they started and went in order of rotation. Ash and Serena both held their gifts to one another in their hands, hopes high in their minds. They were going to open each other's gifts last.

"Serena, I hope you like this. I put a lot of thought into it."

"Ash, I hope you like this. I don't want to disappoint you."

When all but Ash and Serena's gift to each other were open, now it was time. They each were a little nervous about how the other's response would be. They stood in front of each other and took a deep breath. Now it was the moment of truth.

Ash handed his gift to Serena. "Here, I hope you like it."

Serena took hers then handed Ash his. "I hope you like yours too."

They both looked at their gifts for a moment. Ash thought he would be a gentleman and let Serena go first.

"Why don't you go first?" He asked.

"Actually, how about you?" She asked.

"Come on, ladies first."

She sighed. "All right."

Serena started unwrapping her gift. When she finished tearing off all the paper, there were two small white boxes. She was wondering what Ash was up to. What kind of items would be in these boxes?

"Aren't you going to open them?" He asked.

Serena snapped back into her focus. "Oh, right, sorry." She then placed both the boxes down in front of her and opened them both at the same time. Once she saw what they were, she gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.

Author's note: Ooh, what is Ash up to? What kinds of items did he get her? What did she get him? Will they both be pleased with what they got for each other? Will I ever stop asking so many questions? All this will be answered in the next chapter. Until then…

TDBigJ out!

I want to get chocolate wasted!

-Becky Feder, Grown Ups