A/N: Hello everybody I am back with the next installment of "Play Misty for me". This chapter is the 2/3rd point of the story so the end is rapidly approaching. In this chapter, Misty and Ash get closer, then the redhead confronts Gary and Todd has trouble.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon
It was a clear, starry night in Vermillion City where Ash Ketchum was busy preparing for a romantic evening. As he made sure the final preparations were ready, the doorbell ran signaling the arrival of his date. He answered the door where he found Misty casually dressed.
"Please, come in." said Ash standing to the side.
"Thank you." replied Misty who stepped in.
"Can I get you anything?" asked Ash closing the door.
"Soda please." answered Misty.
"No problem." replied Ash who grabbed a can of soda from the fridge and gave it to her.
"Ash, you really don't have to try so hard." said Misty.
"I just everything to be perfect." said Ash.
"And I think that's sweet." said Misty who gave him a quick kiss.
"Well...I...um..." stammered Ash.
"So, what are we watching?" asked Misty.
"A classic. The movie Casablanca starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman." answered Ash.
"I love that movie!" exclaimed Misty.
"So do I. It's an absolute masterpiece." said Ash.
"I love the scenes with Bogart and Bergman. Especially the airport scene." said Misty dreamily.
"Wow. I never would have guest you have a soft side." said Ash.
"I just happen to enjoy those scenes!" snapped Misty defensively.
"Okay. Okay." laughed Ash.
"What's your favorite scene?" asked Misty.
"The scene where Bogart leads the rest of the people in his cafe in singing the French national anthem." answered Ash.
"Oh, I like that scene too." laughed Misty.
"The best part is the people, actual French actors, knew they would be singing but, didn't know it would be "La Marseilles" until Humphrey Bogart began singing. So all the emotion shown was real even the woman on the verge of tears." explained Ash.
"It's such a powerful scene." sighed Misty.
"I'll admit I have portions of it memorized." confessed Ash.
"Don't feel bad. I have the airport scene memorized myself." admitted Misty.
"Now, you've got to listen to me. Do you have any idea what you've to look forward to if you stay here?" asked Ash imitating Humphrey Bogart, "Nine chances out of ten, we'd both end up in a concentration camp."
"You're saying this only to make me go." replied Misty playing along.
"I'm saying it because it's true. Inside of us, we both know you belong with Victor. You're part of his work." continued Ash, "If that plane leaves the ground and you're not with him, you'll regret it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life."
"But, what about us?" asked Misty.
"We'll always have Paris." answered Ash quoting the famous line, "We didn't have it before...we'd...we'd lost it until you came to Casablanca. We got it back last night."
"When I said I would never leave you." said Misty.
"And you never will. But, I've got a job to do too. Where I'm going, you can't follow. What I've got to do, you can't be any part of. I'm no good at being noble, but it doesn't take much to see that the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this little world. Someday, you'll understand." replied Ash, "Now, now. Here's looking at you, kid."
"That was fun!" proclaimed Misty as both laughed.
"Normally quoting classic movies isn't something I would do but, I did enjoy that." agreed Ash who added jokingly, "If we ever have some dramatic separation then we could do it again."
"Yeah." said Misty hiding her true feelings.
"Hey, the movie should be starting now." realized Ash.
"Good. I can't wait." said Misty joining him on the couch.
"Misty, I love you." said Ash.
"That was out of the blue." noted Misty.
"I just wanted to make sure you know." replied Ash.
"You don't have to worry, I do." said Misty.
Misty and Ash snuggled together to watch the movies. Once the movie ended, Ash went to bed while Misty stayed on the couch out of his sight. Two hours later and on the other side of Vermillion City, Todd Snap has finished picking up film and was headed home with new pictures. As had been the practice, Officer Pierce was accompanying him as protection. Todd got into the car and looked at the pictures while Pierce began to drive.
"So, what exactly did you take pictures of?" asked Pierce.
"I like to take pictures of animals and I've been taking pictures of animals in an urban environment." answered Todd.
"Oh, sounds interesting." replied Pierce.
"I've had a few pieces published but, not in anything major." confessed Todd.
"That must be your big dream." said Pierce.
"I would love it but, for the most part it's just about capturing animals in their natural habitat." replied Todd smiling.
"Sounds this is what you want to do for the rest of your life." said Pierce.
"It is." smiled Todd.
"How long have you been taking photos?" asked Pierce.
"Since I was a little boy." answered Todd.
"Well plenty of experience does help." said Pierce.
"Within the circles I'm know people say I can capture any animal on film." noted Todd.
"Impressive." replied Pierce.
"Of course I'd like to think it's true." said Todd.
"Sounds like you have quit the future ahead of you." said Pierce.
"Yup. I am going to be great someday." replied Todd.
"We're here." said Pierce.
"Okay, great. Thanks for the ride-" began Todd before realizing he was at the harbor, "This isn't my home."
"I know." replied Pierce pulling out his gun, "Now, get out."
"What's going on?" asked Todd now afraid.
"It should be obvious." answered Pierce with malevolence.
"You're going to die." added a female voice.
"Out." demanded Pierce as a woman emerged from the shadows.
"I don't know what's going on." said Todd frightened.
"Like I just said, you're going to die. I hate to repeat myself." said the woman.
"Who are you?" asked Todd scared lifeless.
"You should know especially since you took my picture." answered the woman.
"I think we should tell him since he won't be alive much longer anyway." said Pierce.
"You're right. We're being rude." said the woman, "We are with Team Rocket."
"Team...Rocket...is...dead." noted Todd stammering.
"We have been out of commission but, we're making a comeback." replied Pierce.
"This whole time you've been a Team Rocket agent." said Todd feeling sick.
"Yup. You're the first person outside of Team Rocket to find out." said Pierce.
"However, we can't let you expose either of us so you must die." said the woman.
"Especially since she's offed two other people recently." added Pierce.
"You're the one behind these recent murders. I knew it." said Todd.
"Guilty as charged." said the woman.
"If you're going to kill me than do it." said Todd.
"Oh defiant." said Pierce, "He's got balls."
"Too bad that won't save his ass." scoffed the woman pulling out her gun.
"Just finish this so I can mislead the real cops and so you sneak back and establish your alibi." said Pierce.
"You're right." said the woman aiming the gun.
"Fuck you both." spat Todd before being shot dead.
The next morning the sun rose high above Vermillion City. In his apartment, Ash awoke and got out of his bed. He then headed into the living room where Misty was soundly sleeping while on the couch though something seemed different about her. However, he didn't really care as he headed to the kitchen to make coffee and breakfast.
"What time is it?" asked Misty rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Almost quarter past eight in the morning." answered Ash.
"Good thing that I have the day off." yawned Misty, "I'm starved."
"Scrambled eggs and coffee will be ready soon." replied Ash when a knock came on the door.
"I'm coming!" called Ash when the door opened.
"Well, well. I though you would be safe enough to lock your own door." said Gary entering the apartment.
"I did lock it." said Ash surprised.
"Well it ain't locked now." said Gary who saw Misty giving him a dirty look, "If looks could kill."
"I'm pissed at you" huffed Misty.
"Well that's pretty obvious." said Gary.
"I'm sorry for being angry at somebody calling me a killer!" cried Misty.
"Look, I'm just doing my freaking job." said Gary.
"You're job is to find killers, not frame innocent people!" snapped Misty.
"Misty, calm down." said Ash trying to defuse the situation.
"I'm following the evidence we have and that doesn't lie." said Gary.
"Look, I don't give a damn what the evidence has to say." replied Misty.
"I figured." sighed Gary.
"Just leave." said Misty bitterly.
"Ash is my childhood friend. I shouldn't have to go because you say so." replied Gary.
"Well he's my boyfriend and he knows I'm innocent too." said Misty.
"Guys, don't drag me into this." begged Ash.
"Ash, was she out of your sight at all?" asked Gary accusingly.
"Not until the movie was over." answered Ash, "Misty slept on the couch after she let her hair down-that's it Misty. You had let your hair down but, now it's back up. I knew something looked off."
"Care to explain." said Gary.
"I don't need to explain a damn thing to you!" cried Misty angrily.
"Hey Gary, I know you're doing your job but, cut Misty some slack." said Ash.
"Not if the evidence in the case points to her." replied Gary.
"Dammit! You do believe she's guilty!" cried Ash angered.
"Look, her story is inconsistent, she can't give an alibi and her background is sketchy at best." said Gary defensively.
"You looked up my history!" screamed Misty outraged.
"I had to. It's protocol." said Gary.
"That still gives you no right!" yelled Misty.
"Actually it does and don't worry, I didn't find much. You're quit the enigma." said Gary.
"I guess that could be a compliment." huffed Misty.
"Well, only if you take it that way." shrugged Gary.
"Gary, I want you to promise to stop investigating Misty." said Ash.
"I can't." said Gary.
"You know that I will never believe she's guilty." replied Ash.
"I know." said Gary.
"He won't stop." scoffed Misty.
"Ash, what proof do you need?" asked Gary.
"Nothing can make me believe Misty is guilty." answered Ash.
"Supposes I bring DNA evidence." said Gary.
"No." said Ash coldly.
"I see." sighed Gary, "Then, it's best if I leave."
"Agreed." huffed Misty.
Gary left Ash's apartment, got into his car and drove off. As he was driving his phone rang and when Gary answered it was Jenny on the other end. She dropped a bombshell: Todd Snap had been murdered. After hearing this, Gary quickly headed to the harbor. Once there, he saw the crime scene.
"Dammit!" cried Gary frustrated.
"I can't believe it, two murders on my watch. I'm a disgrace." sighed Jenny sadly.
"It's not you fault Jenny." replied Gary sympathetic.
"Thanks." said Jenny, "Pierce dropped him off and saw him enter his home. The officers we sent there found evidence of a break-in."
"The same person as before." sighed Gary.
"Yes indeed." sighed Jenny.
"What time was he killed?" asked Gary.
"Pierce dropped him off shortly after ten so the killer was waiting for Todd." answered Jenny.
"Ash's door was unlocked and Misty had her hair up again. I wonder if this will be enough evidence." thought Gary to himself.
A/N: So there we go, Todd is dead and Gary is now convinced Misty is guilty. Next time, Ash tries to clear Misty's name while another murder occurs. Please review.