Before I go off into the sunset to take a Biochemistry final I realized I couldn't leave without posting another chapter. There's nothing really to explain about this one actually so I'll let you read while I run away.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4: Unexpected Circumstances

Due to the fact that the bills for the gym were indeed piling up, and since Lily's grand idea was shut down, Misty had no choice but to get an extra job in order to support herself and the gym. Luckily for her, a restaurant down the street from where she lived had given her a job, where she worked as both a waitress and a cook when needed. Unfortunately Ash was missing his favorite red-head dearly.

"Hiya Ash!" Lily had waved to him from the videophone.

"Uh, hi Lily," he couldn't help but blush a little at her, but then realized the reason was because she reminded him a lot of Misty. "Hey, is Misty there? I want to tell her something."

"Oh sorry Ash, she's working late again at the Marina Serena, but she should be here in a couple of hours."

"A couple of hours…" Ash sighed. He hated that she worked nights. "It's after 9pm, isn't it closing time?"

"Usually, but there was a big party there tonight. She probably had to work double duty, but don't worry Daisy went down there to walk her home."

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Well I'm so happy to say that soon she wouldn't have to work anymore."

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"Well, I got a job too! Pallet is planning on building a small mall downtown and I'm going to help build it. With the amount I'm making she won't have to work much at all! Isn't that great?" Ash said excitedly.

"You mean…you're going to be a construction worker?"

"It's only part-time, and only for a few months, but the pay is nice and it will help us a lot. No way my Misty is going to be the only breadwinner of our house! I'm the man and I'm suppose to look out for her!"

"A construction worker huh?" Lily murmured, picturing Ash in a hard hat and a sweaty shirt working under the hot sun. "Mmmmmm…I wouldn't mind that at all," she giggled.

"Uh, Lily? Are you ok?" Ash asked.

Lily nodded, her face turning red, "Oh yes Ash I'm just peachy." She laughed again, "Say Ash, when you come by, can you stay in your work clothes?"

"Why would I do that?" Ash was clueless on what Lily was thinking.

"I would love to make some fresh lemonade for such a strong hard worker like you…"

"I heard that Lily!" A voice yelled from the background.

"Misty!" Ash smiled. "There you are!"

Misty came forward—tired, sweaty, and nearly covered in food and grease. "Lily, quit hitting on Ash!"

"What are you talking about little sister?" Lily tried to look as innocent as possible.

"You can't fool me, you we thinking something dirty weren't you?"

"She was?" Ash asked.

"Oh fine, excuse me for having a little fun. I'll see you around, Ashy darling," Lily laughed again as Misty yanked her from the phone.

"Misty, I was just telling Lily about how I got a job—"

"I know I heard everything," Misty interrupted, "Are you sure you'll be willing to handle that? It seems a lot harder than my job."

"Look, Misty you are working hard for your gym so why can't I work hard for you? Besides, mom and I are almost done with the repairs to the church and since she's paying for the whole wedding, I wanted to pay her back at least half."

"But what about your training?" she asked.

Ash flashed a bright smile. "Don't worry Misty, I'll always have time to train, since it's only part-time. Besides, if I need a little help I can use my pokemon to lift stuff if needed. So see it's like training within training! And for my pokemon to be at their best then I also have to be at my best too, so don't worry I'll be just fine."

Misty furrowed her eyebrows in worry before she finally smiled. "Well alright as long as you think it's right."

"Of course it is! Now you should go and get cleaned up, you don't look so good."

She shook her fist at him, "I always look good, Ketchum!" She then smiled and stuck out her tongue, "You're lucky I love you."

"I love you too, Mist. Take care."

A few days later Misty had gotten another unexpected call.

"What? Are you serious?!" she yelled in shock.

"I'm afraid so," May said sadly over the phone. "The grand festival in Johto starts on the same day as your wedding."

"No way…" Misty whispered. "Talk about a bad coincidence."

"You can say that again. I don't want you two to worry though, I'm still planning on coming to your wedding. Drew hasn't really said anything about it, however," she said this with a bit of resentment in her voice. Misty didn't know that May and Drew had been arguing for a while over the right thing to do.

Misty shook her head. "May, you don't have to change your plans at all. We could always move the wedding back a couple of days."

"No way! You don't have to do that, Misty, after all a wedding is a joyous occasion!"

"And the grand festival is even more joyous," Misty answered back. "Besides, I'm sure that even though he's not here, Ash would also agree that the grand festival is way more important than the wedding."

"Are you sure about that?" May raised an eyebrow. "I see the way he looks at you, sometimes it seems like he's going to devour you at any moment!" she giggled.

Misty laughed. "Oh May I'm serious, in our eyes, Ash and I are already married we just have to make it official. I'm sure it will be ok to put that on hold for a few days while you and your pokemon win the grand festival! And to make sure we mean it, me and Ash are going to try our hardest to be there to cheer you on!"

"Wow that would be so awesome! I would love for you and Ash to cheer me on to victory!" she happily pumped her fist into the air.

"You mean cheer me on to victory," Drew said from behind her.

"Ah! Drew you startled me!" May scowled at him.

"Hmph, you already talk about winning the grand festival, when you haven't even earned your fifth ribbon yet. You do realize the competition is less than three months away and that there's only two contests left right?" he said.

"Oh shut up, I can win the fifth ribbon easy! Quit showing off just because you have all your ribbons already!"

"You always were slow to the punch, May, I'm just trying to encourage you a bit."

"You call making fun of me in front of Misty encouraging?" May yelled.

"No, I call it firing up, and besides you are always cute when you're angry." Drew smiled.

His smile caused May to become flustered, "Why you—you—"

"Ahem," Misty interrupted, "If you two are done flirting be sure to know that the wedding has been moved back, and although I'm not a real big fan of pokemon contests, it would be nice to see one."

"Then you should definitely come to the grand festival and watch me win," May said confidently.

"If you can get past the preliminary rounds," Drew taunted.

"I'll do way more than that Drew, just watch me!"

"Oh yeah?"

"Oh yeah!"

"Oh brother," Misty sighed. "I'll talk to you two later, I have a challenger coming soon."

This one is a little longer so I'm happy about that. If luck is on my side I might have another chapter up later tonight. Until next time, happy readers!