Misty was lying in the hospital bed as she slept peacefully with many covers over her to keep her warm even Ash had placed his jacket under her weary head as she was only given one small pillow.
Ash just sat there in the uncomfortable silence and tried to keep himself amused by muttering a rock song.
Suddenly, the door opened and Ash saw his mother walking in with two cups of water in her hands. She gave one to Ash as she knelt down to his level.
"You okay, Sweetie?"
Ash nodded as he looked into his water; trying to not look in his mother's eyes. Ash knew his mother had figured out he was lying. Hospitals brought back painful reminders of his father as he laid in a hospital bed, just like Misty, but what hurt Ash the most was remembering all the machines, tubes and doctors around his father's beside. Ash never forgot the face of the doctor that came out to report the news of his father's death and the crying that his mother did on that fatal night.
Ash felt his mother's embrace as he closed his eyes; trying to hold the tears back from remembering those dreadful memories.
"Your father is in a better place and he's so proud of you and what you have done to save this young girl's life," whispered his mother, stroking his messy hair and holding him to her chest.
Ms Ketchum was so delighted, she hadn't cuddled her son in ages, since the death of his father and that fact Ash wasn't pushing away was the best moment.
Ash quickly stood up and walked over to the window; wiping his tears away without his mother noticing.
Ash was meant to be a tough guy, raised by his friends and brought into the life of smoking, drinking, drugs and sleeping with as many girls as possible. But even since he had met Misty, he started to become a softie and an emotional wreck. But did that make him a better person?
"What's happening to me?" Ash thought, gazing into the clouds and hoping they would shape into an answer.
"Ash, is that you?"
Ash swiftly turned around and saw Misty sitting in her bed. She looked confused in her current surroundings and became nervous as she noticed a few machines by her side that were attached to her skin.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" greeted Ash.
"Okay, I guess," replied Misty, playing nervously with the blankets.
"It's okay dear, everyone has their down moments. Just thank your lucky stars that my son came to save you, what you did was very stupid," reported Ms Ketchum with her hands on her hips as a sign that she was in 'mother' mode.
"Mum, cut it out," grumbled Ash.
"Oh well, let's see where this doctor has got to," muttered Ms Ketchum before leaving the room.
"Sorry about her, she is just worried about you," smiled Ash, walking to her side.
Misty sadly looked to her wrists and fingered her wounds before bursting into tears.
"Hey hey… it's okay," soothed Ash as he pushed the metal bars around her bed down and cuddled her.
He felt her tears damping his shoulder as he rocked her back and forth hoping it would calm her down soon. They both felt something they had never felt before: love, comfort and most of all true friendship.
Ash and Misty enjoyed being in each other's arms and they felt at peace from the amount of warmth that they were sharing.
An unexpected fake cough was heard in the background, the pair quickly parted, noticing the doctor and Ms Ketchum was grinning at them.
"Err," Ash blushed, "I need to go toilet," and with that he hurried out of the room.
Ms Ketchum couldn't help but giggle under the embarrassment of Ash's actions towards Misty.
"Well Miss Waterflower, I'm sure you know how you got here and it wasn't a wise move you performed on yourself. However, I'm here to help you get through this," reported the Doctor settling down in his seat.
The doctor told her that she would be discharged from the hospital in a few days time, but she will have counseling until she is out of the suicidal thoughts.
However, all the news wasn't over as the doctor became really serious on what he was about to say next.
In the right timing, Ash walked back into the room and sat down beside his mother, trying to not look at her before he became embarrassed again.
"We have informed your sisters, who are your legal guardians, that you are in hospital and we asked whether they can give you the full amount of care and support that is needed. But they have agreed that they can not offer this and believe that an alternative home will be best," informed the doctor.
Misty's eyes began to water.
"What! They can't do that," shrieked Ms Ketchum, making everyone jump. "How can they do that to their own sister!?"
"I'm sorry, Ms Ketchum, but the social workers have visited the Waterflower's house and also believe that Misty will not cared for properly by her sisters so it's the best solution," replied the Doctor.
"This is ridiculous! Why tell the poor girl this now?!" shouted Ms Ketchum.
The doctor sighed and left the room for his own safety and thought he would wait until everyone had calmed down.
Ms Ketchum gently walked to Misty's side and stroked her auburn hair as she was weeping in her pillow. "Shhh, dear, come on."
Ash came to Misty's other side to give her more support in the situation she was placed in.
After sometime thinking things through, Ms Ketchum broke the silence and said, "Misty?"
Misty looked up to Ash's mother and mouthed the word 'Yes', her throat was clumped up from the amount of crying she had been doing.
"How would you like to live with me and Ash?"
Ash's eyes widened and so did Misty's for this matter, they were both speechless and they looked at each other in shock.
Then, Misty looked down and replied, "No, Ms Ketchum, thank you very much for the offer, but I couldn't possibly do that to you or Ash. It will be unfair on you, two, for me to invade your family home."
"Misty, dear, you wouldn't be doing that at all, besides I would like a girl in the house and you could earn your keep by doing some of Ash's chores, which he doesn't do anyway," smiled Ms Ketchum, looking over to Ash; who was silent since his embarrassment. "Well Ash, would you mind if your school friend lived with us?"
Ash was stuck for words until he managed to say, "I think it's a good idea besides I will know that you're safe and hey you will be helping me with my chores."
Misty smiled and let a small tear drip down as Ms Ketchum beamed, "So, it's settled then."
