Previously, on Ash's dad returns
"How long have you been there?" Ash asks
"Not long but long enough to catch you two in the act"
"Oh man"
"Brock, there is a thing called knocking" Misty says a little angry
"I did, three times to be exact"
"Oh man"
"Ash. Stop freaking out"
"I'll be back in a bit. Just going to go clear my head" Ash says
"Did we do something?"
"No. it's not you guys. I'll be back before dinner"
"Alright Ash. But if something was wrong you know you could tell me right? I can keep a secret"
"I'll keep that in mind Misty. But I'll be back in a bit" Ash says as he walks out of his room and out the front door.
And the story continues
"Oh man oh man this is bad. This is very bad. Jackson is going to kill me if he suspects anything"
"Ashy boy?"
"AHH! GARY! Not funny."
"What did I do?"
"Nothing, sorry. It's just that I've got a lot on my mind"
"Anything you want to talk about?"
"Nah"
"OK. Oh yeah, is your dad here yet? I want to introduce myself"
"That's not a good idea Gary. You don't know him like I do"
"I'm still introducing myself"
"Alright. I'll head back with you."
"Cool. So what's his name?" Gary asks trying to make small talk on the way to Ash's house
"Jackson"
"Jackson huh? I always thought your dad would be a David or Mason or something along those lines"
"Surprise, he's not"
"Why are you so angry all of a sudden? Are you sure I didn't do anything?"
"It's got nothing to do with you Gary"
"So something is up"
"Never said there wasn't. Anyways, we're here."
"Ash, when you said you were going to go clear your head, I didn't think you meant Gary"
"Ashy-boy is a scaredy cat"
"That's only because I was lost in thought when you said my name"
"Was not"
"Was too"
"Can you two stop for just a minute? I need to steal Ash for moment"
"Oh Ashy-boy, you finally got your act together huh?"
"Yeah I did"
"Congratulations you two. Now I'm going to go find Jackson and introduce myself"
"Don't tell him about me and Misty being together"
"Why not?" Gary inquires
"Because we are going to tell him at dinner?" Ash asks looking towards Misty for an answer
"Fine. We can tell everyone at dinner"
"Alright you two, I'll leave you to talk"
"Thanks Gary" they both say together
"Why did you just throw me under the bus?" Misty asks angrily
"I needed Gary to change the topic and it's not like he's going to be staying for dinner"
"Alright Ash, just don't do it again"
"I won't. Why did you want to talk to me?"
"How many rooms are in this house?" Misty asks
"3. Why?"
"Think about the sleeping arrangements for a second."
"OK. Mum and Jackson would probably be in the same room; Brock will probably want the spare/guest bedroom and- wait a sec. Where are you sleeping Misty?"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about"
"Did you want my room? I could sleep on the couch"
"Ash, we're together now. Use your head"
"You want to stay in my room?"
"With you." Misty says blushing a bit
"Oh, Alright. Uh, do you want the bed and I'll have the floor?"
"Or better yet, we could both have the bed" Misty says flirtatiously
"Then it's settled"
"It sure is"
- A few hours later -
"Kids, dinner" Delia calls out
"We're coming" Ash replies following Brock and Misty to the kitchen. When they arrive, Gary and Jackson are talking and Pikachu is happily devouring a bottle of ketchup.
"Hey Ash?"
"Yeah Misty?"
"Remember when you said Gary wouldn't be staying for dinner?"
"I remember, shit. If he says anything, we are fucked"
"Relax Ash"
"I've been having a hard time doing that lately"
"Me and Brock have realised that"
"Are you two going to just stand there whispering to each other or are you going to sit down?" Brock asks with a small grin
As the trio sit down, conversation turns to Ash's recent behaviour.
"So Ash, why have you been so angry towards me since I returned?" Jackson asks
"I have my reasons"
"You keep saying that"
"Because it's true"
"Well, enlighten us on these reasons"
"No"
"Why not? Are you chicken?"
"Nah. Just had an experience once before with a guy who would be around your age right now. It kind of left a scar"
"In the metaphoric way of course"
"Nothing gets by you huh?"
"No. And no need for sarcasm"
"It's sarcasm or anger again, pick wisely"
"Pikapi pikachu (Ash, relax)"
"You too Pikachu?"
"Pika pikachu ka. Pika pichu (It happened a while ago, just forget about it)"
"I'm not forgetting anything! Not when I have a daily reminder"
"What are you doing Ash? This isn't you and you're scaring us" Misty interjects
"Yeah Ashy-boy. You never yell at Pikachu" Gary says
"Son, behave or leave the table"
"My brain mustn't be working too well right now; it sounded like you just gave me an order"
"I did. Now sit down and behave or leave"
"Later guys" Ash says getting up from the table
"Pikapi- (Ash-)"
"No! (A/N: anyone else imaging the 'NO' meme?) I can't believe you chose his side Pikachu, not after what you saw that night. I thought you would know better than to side with him."
"Pika pika (Watch it)"
"Or what? You'll shock me? You'd better hit me with a thunder attack if you do"
"PI PIKAPI?! (WHAT ASH?!)"
"Did you just say what I think you just said?" Gary asks
"No takers? Good. Now it is time I do my father's wish and leave you to eat together"
"Stop being fucking drama queens! Both of you sit down, shut the fuck up and eat quietly or so help me not even Arceus will stop me from flipping your fucking tables" Delia Ketchum says finally reaching her breaking point
"Yes ma'am" both Ash and Jackson say in unison with a hint of fear in their voice
(A/N: The whole flipping a table reference is when you're so angry you just take it out on things like tables, walls, etc.)
After Delia's little speech, everyone eats dinner without another word uttered or even a glance at one another. Once dinner is finished, everyone heads into the living room to watch a movie, everyone but Ash that is.
"Come on Ketchum, you're better than this. You've pretty much put in big, bold writing that there is something seriously bothering you. It won't be long before-"
"Did you even hear me boy?"
"No. What do you want?"
"Don't take that tone with me boy. Your mother asked if you want to watch the Kanto Master tournament or the Hoenn Master Tournament?"
"Watch whatever you want. I'm going to bed"
"It's only 7:30 at night Ash" Misty cuts in
"Feels like 3:30 in the morning. Now I'm going to sleep and there will be no further discussion on this matter" Ash says trying to stay calm and walking up to his room
"That goddamn kid"
"Jackson, shut up" Misty says finally losing it with him
"Or what? You gonna tell on me? Going to tell Ash I said something?"
"That's not a bad idea. Thanks Jackson" Misty says leaving the group to go to Ash's room. When she gets there, she just opens the door without knocking or calling out
"Hi Ash, I-" Misty starts off with but stops almost as quick as she started
"Misty?! Why didn't you knock?!" Ash yells as he pulls down his shirt again at the same time
"Lift that shirt back up"
"No"
"Do it or I'll do it for you"
"You won't get close enough"
"Then just tell me, what was that scar from?"
"It's just an old scar" Ash says trying to not give anything away
"Looks like it. How did you get it?"
"I don't remember"
"Ash, you remember"
"No I don't"
"These were your exact words at dinner, 'I'm not forgetting anything! Not when I have a daily reminder'. Sound familiar?"
"Was your memory always that good?"
"Yes it was"
"Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?"
"Don't change the topic. Is this why you're holding a grudge against Jackson?"
"What makes you think Jackson is involved?"
"PIKAPI, PIKA PIKACHU PIK KACHU (ASH, JUST TELL HER THE TRUTH)"
"Pikachu, you were there when I told you what could happen"
"PIKA PIKA. PIKACHU PIKA, CHU (I DON'T CARE. JUST TELL HER, NOW)"
"Very persuasive Pikachu"
"So do I get in on the secret or should I just leave?"
"Alright. I'll tell you once you make sure no one else is listening and shut the door"