A/N: I am back with chapter two of Play Misty for me and surprise the world is still here. I was really excited waiting for Instrumentality to start but, I guess I'll have to wait. Anyway, now that Ash realizes he loves Misty he must find a way to express his feelings for her.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon
Ash couldn't sleep at all that night. The private investigator spent most of the night lying awake in bed thinking about the beautiful singer he had met last night. He finally got to sleep late and and as usual woke up early dragging himself to work.
"Are you okay sir?" asked Kristi seeing Ash staggering through the door.
"I'm fine just exhausted." answered Ash as Kristi brought him to this desk.
"Rough night?" asked Kristi.
"No. Trouble sleeping." answered Ash obviously distracted.
"What happened?" asked Kristi sitting Ash in his chair.
"I went to Brock's after work and I met this beautiful singer and I took her home." answered Ash.
"Oh, I see why you're so tired." answered Kristi mischievously.
"It's not like that!" replied Ash, "I just dropped her off that's it."
"Yet you're still tired." noted Kristi still not buying the story.
"I kept thinking about her all night. Everytime I tried to sleep she entered my head and I felt my heart racing then I couldn't fall asleep." explained Ash.
"It sounds like you're in love to me." said Kristi.
"Yeah. I know that." said Ash.
"Then go talk to her. If you really like this girl then just ask her on a date." replied Kristi.
"I should it's just, there's something different about Misty." said Ash.
"How so?" asked Kristi.
"She isn't like May or Dawn. Misty is extra special." answered Ash.
"It sounds to me like you're actually nervous." said Kristi.
"To be totally honest I am." replied Ash who quickly added, "If you ever tell Gary I said that you'll be in the unemployment line the next day.
"Don't worry I won't." said Kristi.
"I know I should go but, when I saw it her took my breath away and everything about her was amazing. I know I'll screw up somewhere." said Ash.
"Give yourself more credit. I know you can do it." said Kristi.
"Thanks Kristi, you're really great." said Ash rubbing his cheek.
"You got a kiss." said Kristi.
"Misty kissed me as a thanks before she left." replied Ash.
"Since you rubbed your cheek while talking about her I figured." said Kristi.
"I know were she works so I could go visit her." noted Ash.
"So you know where she works and lives. I knew you had a talent for following people and digging up information but, I never pegged you for a stalker." replied Kristi.
"It's not like that!" snapped Ash taken aback.
"I'm just kidding." said Kristi with a laugh.
"I know were she lives when I dropped her off and were she works because she told me. Singing is something she does part time." said Ash matter-of-fact.
"Okay, clam down." said Kristi, "So, were does this Misty work?"
"Her regular job is at the Vermillion Aquarium." answered Ash proudly.
"You really have taste in women." admitted Kristi.
"Finally some words of praise." said Ash before laughing.
"Well, I think you should get going before you're swamped with work." suggested Kristi.
"Right, hold all my calls. I have no clue when I'll be back." said Ash know full of energy as she headed for the door and quickly headed off.
"Good luck sir!" called Kristi as the man left.
Ash left the building were his apartment and jump in his car. He then took off to the Vermillion Aquarium the whole time thinking of what exactly he'd say to Misty. Ash had butterflies as he exited the car and headed inside.
"How I just need to find Misty." said Ash to himself as he entered the building not sure where to begin so he decided to ask an employee working nearby.
"Excuse me, I was wondering if you were Misty was working." said Ash feeling awkward despite doing this many times on jobs.
"Yeah. She's working with the seals today. It's down the hall and to the right." said the woman named Marina.
"Thanks." replied Ash yawning who took off and found the room quickly grabbing a good seat.
("Hello and welcome to the Vermillion Aquarium and our seal performance. I now present to you Misty who will work with our seals!") said a cheery woman on the speakers inside the room as the redhead emerged in a one piece red and black swimsuit.
"That's here." said Ash feeling flustered at the mere sight of the woman.
"I hope you enjoy the show." said Misty before turning to the collected animals and snapping her fingers at which the seals quickly ran over and applauded.
"What control." marveled Ash as Misty pulled out basketball and two workers set up a basketball hoop.
"Watch the ball." said Misty holding the ball in front of the seals before gently tossing it at the seals who bounced it back and forth to each other before eventually sinking it into the net.
"She's amazing." awed Ash who intently watched the show never taking his eyes of Misty once.
"That's our show. Thank you all for coming and I hope you enjoy the everything else we have to offer." said the redhead who then noticed Ash out of the corner of her eye.
"Oh God, she's coming over here." said Ash getting flustered as Misty walked his way.
"Hello Mr. Ketchum. I'm surprised to see you here." said Misty as Ash gulped.
"I just wanted to see how you were doing." replied the man trying to keep calm.
"Oh, that's so sweet of you." said Misty.
"Well, I'm just type of guy." said Ash rubbing the back of his head and blushing.
"But, don't you have work?" asked Misty.
"I've been working a lot lately so I decided to take the day off." answered Ash which was true.
"I hope you liked the show." said Misty.
"You were amazing. The way you handled those seals was great." replied Ash.
"Thank you." said Misty.
"I hope you'll still work at Brock's." said Ash.
"Don't worry I will be." said Misty.
"I hope you sing that song again." said the man.
"Of course. "Misty" is my specialty there's no way I could get away without singing it." said Misty.
"I see why. You're performance last night was beautiful." said Ash.
"That means so much. Thanks." said Misty, "I'm glad to know you'll be there."
"I'm a regular. Brock is a friend of mine, he moved he from Pewter City shortly after I moved from Pallet Town with my friend Gary Oak. We met on his opening day we've been friends since." explained Ash.
"That's so nice to have such good friends." said Misty.
"I'm sure you have friends too." replied Ash.
"No. I haven't had friends in a while." said Misty sadly.
"That's sad." said Ash now saddened himself, "I'll be friends with you."
"Wow. That really means so much to me." replied Misty.
"It's no problem." said Ash who decided to shift the direction of their conversation, "I'm guessing you probably don't have a boyfriend either."
"No. I've never been able to find someone." replied Misty.
"Sorry to hear that." said Ash.
"I'm sure you have a girlfriend." replied Misty.
"Actually no. I had two but, I've broken up with both of them. The only girl in my life right now is my assistant Kristi but, our relationship is business and nothing more." said Ash.
"A sweet guy like you I would have imagine plenty of girls would want a relationship." said Misty.
"Everybody has told me the same thing but, the girls fall for Gary the womanizer." replied Ash who added, "By the way, if he asks you to see his girth tell him no."
"I have a pretty good idea what that is." said Misty, "Besides, I can't stand guys like that."
"It always seems to work for him." sighed Ash.
"It'll catch up to him in the end." replied Misty.
"Probably." laughed Ash.
"I actually need to get going now." said Misty who turned to leave.
"Wait!" cried out Ash not wanting to blow this chance.
"Yes." said Misty turning back to face him.
"I was wondering, if you want to go out sometime." proposed Ash.
"You mean...like a date?" asked Misty.
"Um...yeah." answered Ash feeling butterflies.
"That's so sweet but, I have to say no." replied Misty frowning.
"Oh I see." said Ash disappointed.
"It's not you. I have my own reason." said Misty.
"Really." said Ash.
"Yes. It's just, I have other things going on right now." replied Misty feeling guilty.
"Like what?" asked Ash.
"Just some personal stuff. Nothing too exciting." answered Misty who added to herself, "Luckily he doesn't know that last part isn't totally true."
"I see." said Ash still clearly upset.
"Look, it's not that I don't like you're amazing but, I'm just not looking for that type of relationship." said Misty sympathetically.
"Okay then." said Ash trying to accept this.
"I'm sure you'll find someone great for you. You said you had two girlfriends before so you'll find somebody, it just won't be me." replied Misty trying her hardest to be gentle.
"I guess so." sighed Ash.
"I'm really sorry if this hurts you." said Misty.
"No, it's okay. If you don't want a relationship then you don't. I can't change you." replied Ash half-smiling.
"I hope we can stay friends." said the redhead.
"Of course we can and I'll always been if you need me." said Ash.
"Thank you so much." said Misty as Ash turned around.
"See ya at Brock's." said Ash who turned and left trying to hold back tears.
"Poor guy." said Misty feeling bad for Ash as she watched him go.
Outside Ash was feeling very distraught at the moment as he reached his car. He hopped in but, just could bring himself to leave.
"Dammit!" cried Ash pounding the steeling wheel with his fist.
"Why the hell did she have to say no?" asked the sad private investigator to himself.
"It's not like I could have changed her mind. If she says no I can't change things." Ash sighed to himself.
"But still, I'm madly in love with her." said Ash rubbing his face.
"I just need to buck up and move on! I'll still be friends with Misty and in the meantime I can look for somebody else and..."
"Oh who am I kidding?" asked Ash after trailing off.
"I need to move on but, I just can't. I love Misty." murmured Ash sadly to himself.
"I'm really screwed." said Ash figuring out his next plan of action.
"Man, I need a drink." sighed Ash who then left to figure out what was next.
Inside the aquarium, Misty taking a break before her next show. As she sat in a chair waited her mind was too pre-occupied with Ash. That's why she didn't notice the person coming up behind her.
"Hey Misty." said Marina causing the redhead to nearly hit the ceiling.
"Don't do that!" snapped Misty her heart racing.
"Sorry." laughed Marina, "By the way, a guy was looking for you."
"I know." replied Misty trying to come off as fine.
"Did you find him?" asked Marina sitting next to the redhead.
"Yes, he found me and we talked after the show." answered Misty.
"He seemed like like he really wanted to see you." said Marina clearly with innuendo.
"It's not like that. At least, it won't be." replied Misty.
"What do you mean?" asked Marina.
"Since you insisted I sing part time, I did of course find a bar/lounge to sing at and he knows the owner. He visited last night which is how I meet him then we offered me a ride home." answered Misty.
"Oh, I see. So, that's why he yawned." replied Marina smiling like a Cheshire cat.
"I didn't sleep with him!" snapped Misty.
"Okay. Calm down." said Marina.
"Sorry." laughed Misty scratching the back of her head, "But, it's true. Ash just dropped me off at my home and that's it."
"Then why did he come by today?" asked Marina.
"Just to make sure things were okay." answered Misty but, Marina wasn't buying it.
"There had to be something else to it." said Marina.
"He did ask me on a date but, I said no." replied Misty knowing Marina wouldn't give up.
"Oh. He sure seemed nice." noted Marina surprised.
"He was which I told him. And I said we'll still be friends but, I'm just not ready for a relationship right now. He seemed upset but, understood." said Misty.
"Well, okay then. At least you're still be friends. I have to get ready now. Talk later." replied Marina who left.
"I'm taking a chance with a friend. If I had a boyfriend that would comprise everything. It's a risk I can't." said Misty to herself.
A/N: I'm ending things with some intrigue here. Marina is the Marina who is from the Orange Islands who appeared in the episode "Bye, bye Psyduck". However, like most of the other characters who appear, with the exception of Gary and Brock, she'll have only a very minor role in this story. Anyway, next time the aftermath of this chapter. I should mention the the next chapter of this and my other story will be early February but, then it'll go back to one chapter of each a month for the foreseeable future. Please review.