"Mmm! Brock thanks! Dinner was delicious," Dawn complimented. Paul (who was sitting next to her) just nodded. Ash was on her other side. He seemed really depressed. This day had been really rough on him. Dawn talked to Paul a lot more than she did to him. Was there something going on between those two?

Ash got up. "I'm going to go get my tent ready."

"Ditto," Brock said. He didn't want to stay with Paul either. The two friends left leaving Paul and Dawn alone.

"Hey Dawn?"

"Yeah?"

"There is something I want to show you in my tent. It's something for you."

"Me, really?" I can't believe it. He's actually paying attention to me. Maybe he really is the one for me, not Ash. Either way, it's still to early to decide.

"Yeah come on, honey!" Dawn liked Paul even more by the minute. They got up and headed toward Paul's tent. When they got there, both of them went inside. It was fairly large, probably for 2 or 3 people. Paul reached into his backpack and dgot a piece of paper out. He then gave it to Dawn.

When Dawn saw it, she was amazed. It was a picture of her and it was really accurate. The hair, eyes, clothes, all looked like she did in reality.

"Thanks Paul, I think that it's beautiful. With those words, she gave him a little peck on the cheek. Then she giggled and blushed.

"Dawn, can I tell you something?"

"Sure Paul, you can tell me anything." Dawn knew where this was going. It really was true. Paul does love me!

Paul gently took hold of Dawn's left hand. "Dawn, from the moment I saw you, I knew that you were the one for me. I lo..." At that moment, Ash opened the tent.

Paul looked like he was going to explode. "It's called privacy, Ketchum." Ash glared.

"I know what it's called. I just wanted to tell Dawn good-night. 'Cause you know, that what friends do. Oh wait. Never mind. You wouldn't know."

"I'm warning you. Leave right now!"

Ash took Dawn's hand. "Come on, let's go. It's time for all of us to go to sleep."

Paul wasn't going to let Ash take control. He grabbed Dawn's other hand. "No Dawn, stay with me here."

"Dawn, I said let's go!" Ash's face was turning red with rage.

"She can stay here if she wants!" I'm not giving up that easily.

"Hey, don't I get any say in this?" Dawn demanded. Without thinking, Ash automatically answered "No" while Paul said "Yes".

"Wow, thanks Ash. I never expected that from you." Dawn was almost in tears.

Ash realized what he had done and his face expression changed quickly. It now had a sad look. "No Dawn, I didn't mean it. That's not what i meant to say."

Paul didn't want things to get better. "Yes you did!"

Ash was starting to lose patience. "Shut up you mother fucker! Look Dawn, I really don't want you to stay here with Paul. All he is, is a jerk. Trust me."

"Why should I trust you? Paul cares about me. You don't give a damn!" Dawn shouted.

"He just wants to torture you and make you feel awful. I care about you. How can you say that I don't? You are everthing to me. If something ever happened to you, I don't know what I would do. I'd die!" Ash's eyes were tearing up. Dawn was still furious.

"Look Ketchum, stop being so dramatic. She's right. You don't care about her. Just leave. You're just making things worse. She wants to stay with me. I try to make her happy. You just want to be in control of her. Just like all the other girls you raped." Paul said in his calmest voice. Dawn's mouth dropped.

"How much will you lie to get her attention? Don't listen to him, Dawn. You know me. I have never abused or raped anyone in my life..."

Paul knew that he was going to win this war. "Yes you have. What about Misty and May? Whatever happened to them?"

Ash couldn't take it anymore. He shouted at the top of his lungs. "They moved away. I never lay a finger on them. You're the one who raped..."

Paul rolled his eyes. "Ketchum, why would I ever even think about touching young girls? All women need to be treated with respect..."

"ENOUGH OF THIS! PAUL! LEAVE NOW AND NEVER COME BACK! I WANT YOU GONE OFF THE FACE OF THIS PLANET! STOP LYING TO DAWN INTO MAKING HER THINK THAT YOU'RE SO INNOCENT!" That was the last straw for Ash. How could Paul be so cruel? He is such a nasty liar.

Dawn started to talk before anyone else had a chance to. She was crying her sapphire eyes out. "Stop it both of you guys!" She grabbed the tent opening to leave. As a last word she said, "I need some time away from both of you. Good-bye. By the way, Paul... I believe you. Ash, I can't believe that I ever saw you as a friend or even loved you for that matter!" With that being said, she ran out of the tent, went inside her own, grabbed her pokeballs, and ran deep in the forest sobbing.

Well, I guess this chapter was a bit longer. I'll try to post the next one up as soon as I can.