Since today is supposedly the day of the apocalypse I decided to post another chapter today. For those of you who haven't turned into zombies by Christmas day you can read my special chapter that I'll be posting then. It's actually harder than it seems to create an ending for this story, but I figure I might as well start thinking about it since it's fast approaching! Anyway enough rambling, enjoy!

Chapter 7: Jealously Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

"Aggh, damnit," a young trainer sighed as he hung up his videophone for what seemed like the fifteenth time this week.

"How could I not get in touch with her? Not even once?" He placed his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair. An older woman then walked into the room, showing a little concern for her son.

"Have you heard from Misty, sweetie?" she asked.

"No, she's at work again," Ash answered.

Delia could see the look in his eyes. She wasn't sure whether or not to believe him but at the moment she had no choice, she didn't want to force it out of him.

"Well, don't worry honey," she began to smile, "I'm sure she'll call back."

Ash could only nod as he watched his mother leave the room. He then scratched his beloved Pikachu behind the ears. Pikachu loved it, and it made Ash feel a bit better, but only for a moment.

"I just don't understand…Pikachu, what did I do wrong?" He sat there and began to think, just like he did every night for the past week, wondering what he did to have his beloved fiancée not speak to him for a whole week.

Let's see…I was extra careful not to say anything to piss her off…I know some nights she was at work so there's nothing I can do about that…but there has been one thing that's been bothering me, or should I say one person.

Kai.

Sure I should have nothing against him, but I do, and I can't help that I do. He's been staying with Misty and her sisters at the gym ever since he and Violet came to Cerulean. I know I shouldn't be jealous but…when I think of all the things that Kai and Misty have in common…like the fact that they are both highly skilled water pokemon trainers that love the water, love to go fishing, and love talking about deep problems that happened to plague the society…not to mention the fact that they've been hanging out a lot more together.

For this whole week.

Is she just ditching me to see him? She couldn't be right? I mean even if he is just a friend I'm the fiancée and I'm more important!

Aren't I?

First they went to a movie together, then she takes him to catch some pokemon, and then they go dancing…what's he got that I haven't got?

Don't fool yourself, Ash. He's way better than you.

Ash sighed again. "Am I really…is Kai really better than me?"

"Pikapi…" Pikachu looked at him worriedly.

"Pikachu…what if she's falling for him?"

"Oh Ash, it's just one week of hanging out together, so you shouldn't worry," Dawn spoke to him. Ash was desperate to seek answers, and he figured there was no better way than to ask a woman. Sure Dawn wasn't technically of age yet, but at 8am in the morning he was lucky to talk to anyone at all.

"You really think I shouldn't worry? But she hasn't called me in a week. She usually always calls me. We say goodnight to each other, we talk about our day…I get to see her face…" Ash's eyes began to fill with tears. "Now every time I call she's always with him. It's like I can't compete with the likes of him…"

"Ash, don't even think that way! You're a sweet guy and you're always so caring…Misty would never even think of going for anyone else but you. You mean everything to her…" Dawn began to feel bad for him. She hasn't seen him this depressed in over a year and only after one week of not speaking to his love. She wanted to think that it wasn't that big of a deal but then she began to see it from Ash's point of view, and then it made more sense.

He doesn't think he's good enough for her…

"I want to believe that Dawn, I really do. I mean it's only been a week right? You can't fall in love with someone after only a week right? So then what is it? Is she getting bored with me?"

"I-I don't know…that can't be it! Who would get bored with you?! She must be crazy to think that way! Maybe we should call her," Dawn suggested, much to Ash's dismay.

"No! I-I don't…want to speak to her…" Ash let his head fall.

Am I overreacting? Or is Misty really…?

"Ash…maybe I should come to see you. It would cheer you up!"

"No Dawn, you're too far away, I couldn't put you out like that. Besides…I just want to be alone for now."

"Ash…."

"Thanks, Dawn. I owe you one. I'll talk to you later." He hung up the phone without even giving the chance for Dawn to say goodbye and slowly made his way into the kitchen. His mother was there cooking eggs.

"Hi sweetie," she greeted cheerfully. "I made you breakfast! How about we eat together?"

Ash smiled weakly. "Sorry, mom, but I'm not really hungry." He turned to leave before Delia could even make a reply. "Take care of Pikachu for a while please, I'm going out for a bit."

Delia nodded slowly. "O-ok dear."

She sighed as Ash shut the door behind him. "Oh Ash, I know just how you feel. The week your father died I felt the exact same way. Lost, confused, angry, scared…but most of all…alone."

Maybe I am overreacting…Ash thought to himself. He began to walk along a long dusty road. The sun was still a bit fresh over the horizon and most people were just beginning to wake up and get their morning paper. Some were standing on their porches taking in the fresh air and had waved to Ash as he passed by. Ash waved back and gave a fake smile.

It's only been a week right? It's not like she's dead or anything. Besides, she went at least a year without any contact from me, think of how she felt. A week is nothing compared to what she went through. Maybe I am overreacting a little…

"Hey, Ash, what are you doing up this morning, and without Pikachu?"

Ash looked up from his trance to see Gary at the top of the hill he was climbing. "Gary? What are you doing here?"

He began to laugh. "Me? I live here remember? You're the one who came waltzing up to my grandfather's lab."

"Huh?" Ash looked around to realize Gary was right: he had his head down the entire time and didn't realize he was walking straight to Professor Oak's lab.

"Geez, you're a slow one in the morning aren't you? But then again you were always that way…" he began to laugh again.

Ash could only sigh. He wasn't in the mood to fight off Gary's teasing. "Sorry. I wasn't really paying attention. I was just walking around and it wasn't my intention to come up here."

"Man, you're out of it today aren't you?" Gary patted him on the shoulder a bit too roughly. "Why are you so depressed? It's weird to see you out of it man."

Ash didn't want to tell anyone else of his problems, especially Gary, so he turned and began to walk back down the hill. "It's nothing to be concerned over. Don't worry about it."

"It's about Misty isn't it?"

Ash stopped walking and turned around. "How did you know?" he asked in shock.

"Only a woman could make a man look that way." Gary walked up to him and placed his arm around him. Ash couldn't help but be shocked by this display of concern.

"So, what did she do?"

"I-I think she's seeing someone else…" Ash murmured.

"Damn, that's cold. Wait, didn't you just propose to her? Why would she say yes and then sleep with someone else?"

"She's not sleeping with him! I-I don't know…I just think that…well she's seeing him more than me so…wouldn't you think that too?" Ash asked, finding himself confused again.

"Hell yeah I would. She's seeing the other guy over you after you wasted so much money for the diamond on her finger. I would be fucking pissed!"

"Well, I'm not really sure if she's actually…"

"Listen, Ash, I might have told you some crazy stuff but listen to me on this. Misty is your woman and no one else's. You fought for her so she's yours. If you want her then go get her. Women are never satisfied until they see a man fight for them, and that's what you have to do. Don't just walk around like a freaking zombie or something, she's your woman, Ash! Are you really going to let some random guy just take her away from you? Go punch the guy's lights out! Show him what you're made of! Don't get punked by that jerk!" He pushed Ash a little, nearly causing him to roll down the hill.

Ash luckily caught his balance and looked back at Gary. "I don't know…what if I just piss her off?"

"So freaking what tell her to get over it! She's your woman, and sometimes you just have to force women to see that. Tell her if she wants to keep that diamond she should shut up and spend the whole day naked in bed with you! Don't let her do you like this."

"Hey…maybe you're right…I should do it! I fought for Misty now I have to keep her! I love her too much to let her go so easily! I'm going to Cerulean right now and set things straight!" He clenched his fists in determination. "Yeah! I'm ready now!" He looked back at Gary. "Hey…thanks. How do you know all that stuff anyway?"

"Duh, Ash, I had women around me before you even had your first pokemon! Besides…you looked pretty pathetic walking up here."

"Ha, just you wait Gary! Next time you see me, Misty will be on my arm! I'll show him!" Ash then took off as quickly as he could down the hill, leaving a trail of flying dust in his wake.

Gary just laughed to himself and shook his head. "He better hang on to that woman. I would hate to see his face if he lost her…"

After about three hours of fierce bike pedaling, Ash finally made it to Cerulean Gym. He was tired and wanted to rest, but every moment spent resting was a moment lost to be with Misty. He barged in without a second thought.

"A-Ash?!" Daisy stood shocked as she watched him walk past her. "What are you doing here?"

"What do you think? I came to see Misty," he answered back. His voice was a bit hoarse from not talking for a while but his angry eyes were enough to effectively cause Daisy to stagger back a bit.

"B-but she's busy right now…c-can't you…"

"No! She's my fiancée and if I want to see her now I will! Not even Misty can keep me away from her!" He turned around and kept walking, stomping his feet on the ground, ignoring Daisy's calls for him.

He turned the corner and instantly froze at the sound of Misty's laughter.

"Oh this is a great idea!" she exclaimed.

Ash wasn't ready to be caught just yet, and hid behind the corner.

"See I told you. And you said it wasn't a good idea," Kai said.

"Hm, well I was a bit apprehensive, but you did have a good way of convincing me," she giggled. "And it came out so beautiful, I could cry!"

"I'm good at this sort of thing. Lily isn't the only one who's an artist," he laughed.

Misty giggled again. "Well, I say we go out for breakfast to celebrate our union. Then we can come back here and you can show me that technique you were talking about."

"I'd love to," Kai replied.

This nearly tore Ash's heart in two. He had no idea what they were talking about but knew it had to end here.

"That's it!"

Kai and Misty jumped as they saw Ash come from behind the corner and barge into her office.

"Ash? What are you doing here?" Kai asked.

"What, did I interrupt something? Oh forgive me if I was interrupting a sweet moment between you two."

"Ash, what's wrong? Why are you so angry?" Misty asked.

"Why am I so angry?! I wouldn't be angry at all if my one true love wasn't here cheating on me with another man!"

"What?!" they both exclaimed.

"Oh please, no need to lie about it, I heard everything. I can't believe this…I-I thought…" Ash began to cry for the second time that morning.

Misty had never seen Ash this angry. "Ash, you don't understand…"

"No. I understand this is bullshit, that's what I understand."

"No really Ash," Kai said softly, "You really don't understand—"

"Alright then so explain it to me then! How else am I suppose to understand that you stole the one thing I had to live for, huh? Explain that to me!"

Kai shook his head. "Ash, I would never do that to you. You see, Misty and I, we were just…planning a surprise…for you."

Ash's head began to spin. "What?"

"It's true, Ash," Misty spoke up. "Me and Kai had been planning it for a week now, and took a lot of effort, which is why I couldn't really talk to you. For that, I am sorry."

She lifted up a giant picture frame that was on top of her desk. "I wanted to show this to you later today, but since you're here…"

Ash's eyes widened. "I-I can't believe it…"

Inside the picture frame was a giant collage. It had to be at least a thousand pictures of Ash and Misty, but mostly Ash and his pokemon canvassed the background. From far away the images seemed to merge together, creating a landscape of a hill. At the top was a picture of Pallet Town just as if a person were walking to the town and seeing it from a hill a few miles away.

"I…I—I…" Ash stuttered. He truly didn't know what to say.

Misty was still nervous to talk to him based on how angry he was a few seconds ago. "D-do you like it? Ash…don't you remember what today is? Today is the first day we met, do you remember? I wanted to plan something for you, so I gathered all these pictures together. It was a good thing Brock had a camera throughout his journey, but it took us all ages to get all the pictures together. I wanted to surprise you, but I was afraid I would ruin the surprise if I talked to you, so that's why I didn't…I'm still so amazed we finished it today. Doesn't it look absolutely beautiful? Lily and Kai helped me, ha ha, if it wasn't for them I would have gotten fed up ages ago. Ash? Don't you like it?"

Ash was still in shock and couldn't say a word.

Kai laughed. "Well would you look at that, Misty he's speechless!"

"Yeah, never would have thought I seen the day…" Misty said.

Kai walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder to get him back to reality. "I can't believe you actually thought Misty would cheat on you, with me of all people! Did you forget I'm in love with Violet? I would never do that to you, or Vi, and I wouldn't let Misty do that to you either. I respect you too much to betray you like that Ash."

Ash slowly looked at him. "I—I'm…"

"I understand so it's ok. Hey I would think the same thing if Vi was hanging out with some other guy. It's just the way the heart goes right?" Kai said with a smile. "Well I'll leave you two alone. Hey Misty I'll teach you that technique later. Besides, I think I smell Vi's cooking."

Misty nodded. "Okay Kai. Thanks." After he left, she walked past Ash, who was still frozen solid, and closed the door. She then walked back over to the picture leaning against the wall.

"I'm really glad how this turned out," she said happily. "Ash, come on take a closer look honey."

Ash slowly walked over to the picture and ended up standing next to Misty. They stood there in silence for a few moments, taking it all in. Most were pictures of Ash as he was starting his journey; pictures of Misty and Pikachu filled the top of the picture, all of the Ash pictures made up the 'hill' of the collage, his pokemon and a few pictures of other friends were towards the bottom of the collage, and more pictures of Ash and Misty decorated the very bottom—some even sinking from view into the picture frame.

"Do you want to know my favorite picture?" Misty asked. After a second of searching she pointed to a picture of Ash, Misty, Brock, holding joined hands in the air as they were celebrating one of Ash's early victories in his first pokemon league tournament. Pikachu was seen cheering on Ash's head and his Squirtle was down beside him. It was a bit worn from the years of being carried around in Misty's pocket, but it was able to stand the test of time.

"I must have spent ages trying to figure out why was that picture my favorite. After we all separated and you went to Hoenn I finally figured out my answer. That day was one of the proudest days of my life. It was also one of the first days I remember when all of the pride I had was for you. I realized that on that day, you showed to me, and to everyone else at that tournament, that you were there to win and you were willing to go all the way relying on the strength and bonds you had with your pokemon. I was so proud of you. You came a long way from that ignorant kid who trashed my bike. You really came into your own style and it fit. I realized that at that day, you had the potential to become a great trainer." She turned to look at him.

"And I was right."

Ash finally found his words. "M-Misty…I'm sorry I—"

"Shhhh…" Misty silenced him by putting her finger to his lips. She blushed a little as she whispered, "Don't say a word…" She leaned forward and kissed him. It was a simple gentle kiss that Ash was willing to accept. Anything in his eyes was better than angry shouts in his ears.

After the kiss Ash was still confused but Misty turned around before he said anything.

"I'm sorry, Ash. I was just so focused on getting this together for you, I didn't realize that you would take me and Kai hanging out together the wrong way. But I guess it would make sense, like Kai said I would feel the same if you were with some other girl and started to neglect me…"

"I'm sorry Misty. It was wrong of me to overreact like that," Ash murmured.

"Maybe…" Misty turned back around to face him, "But I kind of liked it when you barged in here like that. I was more scared for Kai than I was for me." She laughed.

"I was more scared for myself than angry," Ash replied. "I thought for a second I had lost you. I guess I picked the wrong conversation to eavesdrop on."

Misty placed her hands on her hips and moved closer to him. "That technique Kai was talking about concerned pokemon battling only. All the other techniques I rather learn together with you…you know, when we're alone…like we are now…" She began to blush as she kissed him again.

Ash smiled softly and deepened the kiss and then wrapped his arms around her waist, while she placed her arms on his shoulders. After a moment he pulled away. "So you're not mad?" he whispered to her.

Misty shook her head. "No. Like I said I know how you feel and I'm sorry for making you feel that way. Besides, if you ever cheated on me you better pray to God I never find out."

Ash laughed. "I never will. I love you."

Misty smiled and said, "I love you too, honey, and I always will. Don't ever forget that." She kissed his cheek. "Now that I'm thinking about it, I have one more picture that I didn't put in this collage, a secret picture that I've kept to myself when Nurse Joy from Viridian gave it to me a few years back…"

"What is it?" Ash asked, getting excited again.

Misty turned and went to her desk. She pulled out the long middle drawer and finally found her old photo hidden underneath some papers. She still wondered how this picture was even kept preserved for so long. After smiling at it softly, she walked back over to Ash and showed it to him.

In an instant, everything seemed to come back to him. "Oh wow, I remember this…" he whispered.

It didn't take long for Ash to think back to nearly ten years ago…the day after the first day he met Misty.

They were both still in Viridian, trying to comprehend how a little Pikachu, mixed with a smokescreen attack from Team Rocket's Koffing, could be able to destroy over half of the massive pokemon center that they were just in.

"Wow, I'm too late…" an officer Jenny had skidded onto the scene on her motorbike, just in time to see the flames. After a team of water pokemon managed to put out the fire, and Team Rocket used the diversion to effectively disappear, Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny, Ash, Misty, and Pikachu were standing near the piled rubble.

"So much power…and all from just a few Pikachu…makes you never want to take that power for granted," Nurse Joy stated, just happy that she still managed to come out of the fray.

Officer Jenny stood next to her and nodded, "Yes, but it's a shame we didn't catch those thieves that were trying to steal the pokemon."

"Don't worry Jenny," Misty replied, "I'm sure they will get caught sooner or later."

"Let's just hope for sooner rather than later," Jenny said.

"Well I'm just happy we're all ok, right Pikachu?" The young and tired trainer from Pallet finally spoke, carrying a sleeping looking Pikachu in his arms.

"Pikachu…" Pikachu sighed into his arms and began to fall asleep. Misty rolled her eyes. She would have scolded the boy for using such a dangerous move in a closed area, but she knew that there was probably no other choice. Besides that, she couldn't help but admire the boy's foolish bravery.

"Well, I have to take a picture for the police report," Jenny took a small handheld camera from her pocket. "Since I have to make a note of the witnesses as well, why don't you all stand in front of the building…or what's left of it," she began to giggle.

Nurse Joy stood in the middle, in front of the only thing that was left in somewhat one piece: her computer. Ash with his now sleeping Pikachu cradled in his arms stood on her left, while Misty stood on her right.

Officer Jenny smiled as she brought the camera up to her eyes. "Alright now, everyone say cheese!"

And that's how the picture that Ash now held in his hands came to be, after the Officer Jenny made a copy for Nurse Joy, and Joy made a copy for Misty.

"Wow you look irritated, Mist. I guess I really pissed you off," Ash chuckled.

"Well after you destroyed my bike and a pokemon center in two days I guess anyone would be a bit frazzled," she laughed. "I knew from that moment that you were just a walking disaster waiting to happen."

"So why did you follow me for so long then?" Ash asked as he winked at her.

"Duh, to get my bike back! And besides, someone had to keep you in line from destroying anything else," Misty folded her arms and looked away, pretending to be annoyed.

"So either you were my good luck charm or a thorn in my side…hmm, which was it I wonder?"

Misty narrowed her eyes and was about to comment, but Ash had switched the subject. "I really thank you for this, Misty. This has to be one of the most thoughtful and meaningful things I've ever received." He looked down at the picture again. "I'll never forget this."

Misty smiled sweetly. "I'm glad I could make you happy."

Ash looked to her and blushed. "Every day you make me happy." He gave the picture back to her and began to walk out of the room. "Now I just have to go and apologize to Daisy and Kai."

Misty nodded, but then remembered Ash's question, "Hey wait a second! Was I your good luck charm or a thorn in your side?"

Ash only laughed and kept walking.

"Ash!" She gritted her teeth and ran out of her office after him.

Later on, Misty herself had a lot of apologizing to do, one for Delia, one for Dawn, and even one for Gary—after bugging her about it for days and insisting that he make it up to Ash by cooking naked for him for a week. After a furious blush came upon her cheeks she suggested that she should kick him in a place he would never see naked again.

Gary abruptly ended the call.

And that's the end of this chapter! To be perfectly honest, I'm not really satisfied with it, but due to my lack of knowledge on relationships I didn't know a great gift you would give someone for the anniversary of the first day you met that person. Plus I wanted to bring Gary in the story too. Anyway the next chapter is a bit more closer to my heart so be sure to tell me how I'm doing so far!