Chapter 24: You, Me, And Us

Hey, sorry about my brief hiatus. I had to study for a math test Monday night (which I got back today – 91 Woo! Go me!), then I felt obligated to participate in the "Super Tuesday" caucuses in my home state of Colorado (I won't say who I supported, since I don't want flames that don't pertain to this story – know that it was a choice I felt would ultimately benefit the future of the United States). But I'm back now, so here's the next chapter you've been waiting patiently for! Here we go!

The afternoon began on a pleasant note. Everybody still wanted to be able to do their own thing, so there was no hindering on anybody's end. Of course, May wouldn't be able to do her stuff alone, seeing as she had a bad leg. Somebody would have to endure the torture (or pleasure, depending on circumstances) of going shopping with her for an entire afternoon.

Ultimately, May was to go out with…Ash! (Author's Note: Just for certain effects, and because I'm lazy, I'll only focus on Ash and May in this chapter. Know that everyone else is off on their own, enjoying themselves).

Ash felt ecstatic and nervous at the same time. He hadn't been alone with May in several months at the least, and he always got a weird feeling around her. Especially after he found her again almost a week ago. Besides, he knew he'd changed somehow, and undoubtedly, so too did May.

Getting out of the Pokémon center proved to be an interesting sight for any onlooker. As expected, May, still not totally adjusted to her crutches, was the slowest person to get out of the building. Her movement speed was roughly half of what it had been before the injury. Nonetheless, her friends were patient, and very sympathetic of her situation. They let her take her time leaving the building.

Once everyone was grouped off and took to their respective routes of travel, Ash walked slowly beside May. He felt sad for her to have to move like that. Nobody should have to suffer like May, Ash thought as May slowly fought her way to keep up with Ash. Pikachu walked on the ground in case Ash needed any help.

They were heading to the local shopping outlet mall, which, thankfully, was just a few blocks down the road from the Pokémon center. As they walked, a conversation intricated itself between the two teenagers. Ash was the first to speak.

"Hey May, I'm really sorry about the way I acted the other day. I didn't mean to blow up on you and Pikachu and –"

"Don't worry about it, Ash. If anyone should be apologizing, it's me. If only I'd known that Harley would try to kill us like that…"

"Heh, guess we're both at fault then," Ash chuckled. May giggled, but immediately stopped when she tripped a foot over an unseen rock.

"You sure you're alright, May?" Ash asked after May began losing her balance and nearly fell. Fortunately, Ash caught her and restored her posture before she fell.

"Thank you, Ash. I'm fine. But are you okay? I mean, with finding out that…?"

Ash looked at his feet as he walked. The memory of his encounter with Giovanni still lingered on his mind, and it was still a great deal to take in. A few days had passed since then, though Ash still couldn't believe his father was the very head of Team Rocket. Regardless, facts are facts, and Ash could either accept this twisted fate, or be completely ignorant and look like a fool.

"I guess. I still can't believe that…that…GIOVANNI could be my father. Of all people!"

May gave as sympathetic a smile as she could at Ash.

"Don't worry, Ash. You're still my friend, no matter what!"

Ash returned her smile. "Thanks, May. You're the best friend I could ever ask for!"

Suddenly, Ash acted on an impulse and gave May a hug, almost picking her up off the ground. Surprised, May smiled slightly as she returned the hug as best she could.

"Cha!"a high-pitched voice cooed.

It was only now that the two teens took notice of the small yellow mouse at their feet. Pikachu looked extremely pleased with what he was witnessing. Ash and May promptly broke the embrace and looked at their feet to hide their blushing faces. It was too late, though – their actions had a witness.

"Keep a secret, Pikachu?" Ash whispered to the small electric type as he climbed onto Ash's shoulder.

"Pi Pikachu!" the Pokémon replied, making a victory sign with his tiny fingers.

"Thanks, pal!"

For the next 20 minutes, they walked in relative silence, ever grateful for the other's presence. Eventually, they reached the mall. The excitement and happiness on May's face was unmistakable. If her leg wasn't all bandaged up, she'd have run in and entered the first shop she could. Since she couldn't, though, she just hobbled as quickly as she could through the main entryway into the mall.

As was to be expected, this was where the torment would begin for Ash. He didn't mind helping May get around, and her company was definitely more enjoyable than he remembered. However, shopping was something Ash never really could tolerate, and having to guide May closely in each store they visited, plus carrying all the shopping bags, was a huge strain on his ego.

Inevitably, his worst nightmare came true.

"You know what, Ash?" May announced. "I think it's time for me to get a new bikini swimsuit! After all, I absolutely HAVE to look my best on the beach!"

Ash let her have a head start into the small clothing store. He let out something between a sigh and a groan. Pikachu did the same.

Here goes nothing…

Together, Ash and May (and Pikachu, though he mostly rested inside Ash's pack) spent what felt (to Ash) like an eternity browsing all the one-piece swimsuits and two-piece bikinis. Ash would have felt marginally more comfortable in the men's swimwear section, but this was for May (at least, for the time being), so it HAD to be women's swimwear.

As Ash held up each piece of swimwear for May to inspect, Ash took several nervous glances around the store. The women who were also browsing swimsuits occasionally looked at him. Some had sympathetic expressions; others had looks that said "what a pervert".

Hurry up, May! I can't take this much longer…

Eventually, Ash sighed a breath of relief when May found a two-piece pink bikini that she wanted to try on. For obvious reasons, Ash accompanied her only as far as the dressing rooms, before leaving her to fend for her own stability. About five minutes later, May came out wearing the bikini.

"So, Ash, how do I look?"

Ash's jaw nearly dropped at the sight. She was breathtakingly beautiful in the swimwear. So much, that Ash literally had no breath to speak with at first. He took a few seconds to respond.

"Uh…um…y-y-you l-look…"

May giggled loudly. "Glad ya like it, Ashy! I'm gonna buy it!"

Ash could feel his face heat up as May retreated back into the changing room. He had no idea his friend had changed so much physically in so short a time. Yep, no doubt about it in his mind. His crush on May Maple…was back, perhaps even stronger than before. But how did she feel about him?

He recomposed himself in time to see May come back, dressed in her regular outfit, with the bikini wrapped around one arm. Once again, Ash walked beside May as he escorted her towards the men's swimwear section (Ash spontaneously decided to get a new swimsuit as well, just to be able to show himself off to May). Grabbing the first blue-and-black swimsuit he saw, he went to his respective dressing room and changed.

When May saw him, her look was priceless to Ash. Her mouth opened to gasp (which she covered with a gloved hand), and her face blushed visibly. Now feeling a bit cocky, Ash made some poses and flexed his arms.

"You look great in that, Ash!" May laughed.

"I appreciate the compliments!" Ash chuckled.

Ash smiled at her before going into the dressing room to change back into his normal outfit. Meanwhile, May smiled as she thought just how much Ash had changed.

My God, he's handsome. And those arms! That body, even! So strong…But is he confident? How would he react if he knew how I felt? Wait! How does he feel…about me?

Once the two had purchased their respective swimming garments, they set off for other adventures within the mall. At this time, Ash looked at the clock. 4:17 PM. He decided to head back with May to the Pokémon center in about 45 minutes. For now, they would use the time they had, to enjoy being with each other.

Presently, they were finished with the main load of shopping, and came upon an ice cream store. Deciding to enjoy a bit of frozen refreshment, they both walked up to the guy behind the counter and placed their orders.

"Okay, your total comes to $9.06," the clerk said as he checked the bill for each of their treats (Ash got a chocolate cream cone, May got a vanilla cream cone, and Pikachu had a small banana split (he also helped himself to several ketchup packets)).

"I'll get it, May," Ash said as he pulled his wallet out of his pocket.

"But Ash, you really don't have to do this! I can pay for me and Pikachu!"

"My treat," Ash said smiling. May smiled as she slowly returned her own wallet to the pack resting on her hips.

"Thank you, Ash!"

May grabbed the treats and carried them to a sitting area while Ash finished the transaction. A moment later, the three of them were sitting side by side, with Pikachu in between. In silence, they began licking at the frozen goodness in their hands.

May got an idea at that instant. As Ash was about to take another lick from his cone, May shoved hers into his mouth. Ash, surprised, took a small bite and swallowed before speaking.

"What's the deal, May?" he whined. He then smiled as he thrust his own cone into her mouth right as she was about to reply. She too also took a small bite before looking at Ash.

"You've got vanilla on your face, Ash," May giggled.

"And you've got chocolate on yours, May!" Ash chuckled.

The two of them laughed, soon joined by Pikachu, who laughed but didn't really get the joke, as he hadn't been paying attention. May turned to Pikachu.

"And how's your…WHAT IS THAT?!" May asked, her smiling face warping into one of confusion and disgust.

Ash looked and saw that the contents of Pikachu's bowl were completely red.

"Pika, Pikachu!" the mouse smiled, his face entirely covered in red. Ash looked at the floor and saw several empty and carelessly disposed-of ketchup packets. Understanding, Ash now looked at the confused May. He smiled embarrassedly.

"Yeah, Pikachu's still got a major obsession with ketchup. He raids every bottle he sees!" Ash's explanation caused May to have a temporary burst of uncontrollable laughter, which Ash accompanied her in. Pikachu laughed, not feeling the least bit ashamed of enjoying a food that many people would find repulsive. Only he could truly appreciate a banana split entirely covered in ketchup!

The time went by quickly, and soon it was 5:00 PM. Getting May back to the Pokémon center was still laborious, and still took about 20 minutes to get back. However, it felt easier on the both of them, due to the bonding opportunities they'd taken advantage of earlier. There was definitely something there, as Pikachu knew too well. It was only a matter of time now…

The reception couldn't have been better for either of them. All of their friends were there with some kind of story to share about their day. Ash and May's was, by far, the best of them all.

"Sounds like you had fun, sis," Max complimented. Then, under his breath, he said, "almost like a blonde!"

"Max, you take that back!" May scolded. She knew he was just playing, as he always did. Still, she thought his own Hoenn adventures would mature him more. Ah, well, maybe he'd be a late-bloomer.

Not much had happened to Drew and Dawn that was too different from the afternoon Ash and May had. They made the announcement, a little hesitantly, that they were now officially going out. Their horror dissolved, however, when both Ash and May smiled approvingly at the new couple. Ash looked at May's sapphire eyes at the same time May looked at Ash's auburn eyes. They blushed and looked away. Those who saw the display chuckled quietly to themselves.

Brock was silent. He looked at Pikachu with a look almost like horror.

"What's the matter, Brock?" Ash asked his longtime friend.

Brock, still horrified beyond wits end, pointed at Pikachu. Unlike his trainers, he neglected to clean his face off after the scene in the mall.

"Pikachu! You've still got ketchup on your face!" both Ash and May cried in unison.

Everybody laughed, even Brock, whose face now looked relieved.

Since everybody was here and had traded stories, a twin rumbling (Ash and May's stomachs) indicated it was now time to consume the evening meal.

Later that night, May lay in her bed in the room she was sharing with Dawn. She carefully rolled to the side, being cautious to move her injured leg slowly. She looked at the bedside clock. 10:24 PM.

May was still awake. She knew that because she had to get up early to catch her ferry, she needed to be asleep by now. But something was troubling her, and it wasn't her leg.

She thought back to the day Ash had busted her out of the crude cell the criminals had kept her in. Then she thought of those little moments when Ash had been there for her. How he'd let her cry on his shoulder (and he on hers). How she'd returned the favor by leading an assault on the criminals compound and freeing Ash. Then, about how he'd been with her in her time of need and peril. He risked himself to save her from the insane Harley. And it was Ash who got her to the hospital, where he then said very meaningful words to her (she wasn't entirely asleep at that time, but was unable to respond to him in any way). Last, but not least, he'd sacrificed a whole afternoon of training his Pokémon to help her with shopping. And what an experience that turned out to be.

May's mind raced with thoughts. They all told her one distinct thing: she was madly in love with Ash Ketchum. She smiled at the thought of his image. Then she thought of Johto, and her smile faded.

Tomorrow, she'd be heading back to Johto, where she would pick up where she and Drew left off. However, May believed there was a reason she had been brought here besides what the evildoers wanted with her. She felt that the reason for her being here was so that she could be reunited with Ash.

Her crush on him had never died, though it had dwindled down to the point of being nearly forgotten. When she saw him, it returned, but with more tenacity than ever before. Now, it was likely beyond a silly girlish crush on some cute boy. It was love, and she knew it.

May comforted herself by saying she'd do something to Ash before getting on her boat tomorrow. She sighed happily before letting sleep take her into the dreamworld.

Ash, too, had seen more relaxing nights. He felt as sad now as he did when Dawn broke up with him about a week ago. But that wasn't the reason for his sadness – he'd since dried his tears from that account.

Tomorrow marked the day he, Brock, and Dawn would be flown towards Pastoria City, where their original plans would be resumed. Ash supposed he should be excited, yet something was definitely bothering him, and he could only think of one thing.

May.

Ever since he found her in the prison-like basement of the Viridian City office building, he felt his crush on her return with an unusual vigor. Maybe it was that he was older, or that she was more attractive. Regardless, he was sad she'd be leaving him again.

Thinking hard, Ash then thought of the perfect way to solve his dilemma. It was a small thing, but he thought it would be better than how he'd been going it before. With a small smile, he fell into a deep sleep.

Sweet, I got a decent-length chapter posted! Again, sorry for the wait. To sort of make amends, I also posted another fanfic for you to enjoy – see my profile. Now the conclusion!