Ash's heart beat nervously as he approached the front door of his house in Pallet Town. He was very tired from the long ferry trip from Hoenn to Kanto, but his desire to see Misty again drove him to push his fatigue to its limits as his legs seemed to move on their own. He learned that the Water Pokémon gym leader was absent from her gym when he called her using one of the video phones in the Ever Grande reception room: she had taken a three-week break to ensure that she could visit Pallet Town to watch his matches on television with his mother. He was given the surprise of his life when Misty was the one to pick up the phone at his house to greet him. What was almost a half-hour conversation felt like mere minutes or seconds as they caught up on all that had happened in one another's lives.

Raising his fist to the door, Ash hesitated a little while Pikachu cheerfully implored him to go ahead.

"I'm going to, buddy, but…I'm just a bit nervous, y'know?" Ash winced at his faithful Pokémon and began to trail off in thought. "Letters and a phone call are one thing – actually meeting her again in person is another. I wonder how she'll react. It's been months since we last saw each other, and—"

"Pikachupi!" Pikachu yelped in shock and leapt up the moment the door lurched open inwards, sending Ash flying forward and into the arms of the redhead who hugged him so tight that he found himself short of breath. She ran her fingers all through his hair, showing just how inadequate a lock of hair was compared to having him back with her.

"Ash! It's really you!" Misty cried out in joy, kissing him lightly numerous times on the face before giving him a meaningful and longer kiss on the lips which he at first returned half-heartedly, but quickly grew into.

"Talk about a first kiss, Mist," Ash chuckled, caressing her hair and face while she smiled at him.

"Pikachupi!" Pikachu enthusiastically jumped into Misty's arms.

"I've missed you too, Pikachu!" Misty laughed.

"Ash? Is my Ashypoo really back?" Delia came running to the door from the kitchen, Mimey hurriedly following after her. "Oh it really is you!" She quickly proceeded to hold both Ash and Misty in a tight hold that they both desperately wanted to free themselves from in order to save their precious bones.

"G-great to see you again, mom," Ash coughed and smiled after she released them.

"Oh, it's so good to finally see you together! You'll make such a lovely couple, I'm sure of it! The two of you remind me of me and Ash's father when we were young!" she continued.

"Glad to hear that," Misty grinned as she put her arms around Ash again.

"C'mon, Mist, you're embarrassing me," Ash whined.

"Umm, excuse me for asking, Delia, but would you mind if I go upstairs with Ash into his room and help him unpack his things? I'd like a moment alone with him so that we can properly catch up," Misty asked.

"Of course, dear," Delia nodded positively. "Lunch will be ready when you come back down."

"Great!" Ash's eyes lit up enthusiastically and his fists flew up to each side of his face.

Misty chuckled and nudged him in the cheek. "Idiot…come on up."

"So how have you been all this time, Ash?" Misty asked him while they both sat on the bed.

"Missing you," Ash joked. "That about sums it up."

Misty laughed and pushed him on the chest, sending him onto the mattress. "Since when have you gotten so mushy all of a sudden?"

"I have no idea. Things just change naturally, I guess. I'm just surprised that you're actually here instead of taking care of the gym."

"Yeah…about that," Misty explained. "I applied for leave to the Pokémon League HQ so that I could come here and stay a bit. I thought they'd say no, but Sabrina helped me out in my application by telling them just what a marvellous job I did over the past few months, and that I was all alone for most of the time and needed a break."

"Talking about Sabrina…" Ash nervously replied, remembering all too well the teasing threats in Misty's previous letters about the psychic Pokémon trainer, "is she…you know…around?"

Misty grinned mischievously. "I don't know…would you like to find out?"

Ash and Pikachu looked around at the same time and in the same direction, peering curiously in every direction. Once they were convinced that there was nothing else in the room, they let out a sigh of relief.

"What, you don't want me here, Ash?" Sabrina suddenly appeared and spoke from behind him with her arms crossed. Ash tensed and froze, a chilling feeling running up and down his spine as he spun around. He completely freaked out soon after when he felt a long, slimy tongue wallow him on the back of the head.

"Geez, you guys are the worst!" Ash joked and rubbed the gunk out of his hair.

"How have you been, Ash?" Sabrina asked. "Sorry in advance for ruining your…private moment."

"Haven't you been listening in on us the whole time, Sabs? I'm pretty sure you have," Misty said dully.

"Yup. Sure have," Sabrina nodded.

Ash answered. "I've been good, Sabrina. It's good to see you again. How's everything going at Saffron?"

"Quite boring, actually," Sabrina tilted her head to and fro. "My former creepy reputation's still clinging on in people's minds. You won't believe how some trainers still walk into my gym with legs that tremble like toothpicks. Good thing that Haunter's around to lighten things up. I have to thank you in person again for everything you did for me when you guys first came around, Ash."

"Don't mention it, Sabrina. Thanks for looking out for Misty. It means a lot to me," Ash replied.

Sabrina joked. "You mean that she means a lot to you."

Ash blushed. "Well…yeah, that too."

"But really, it was no problem. Honestly, it was actually a lot of fun hanging out with Misty these past few months. We had regular sleepovers at each other's place, and also hung out with Erika every now and then. You should have seen how much Erika laughed when we showed her some of you guys' letters," Sabrina laughed.

"You showed Erika our letters?" Ash freaked out.

Sabrina grinned. "It's a girl thing. You wouldn't understand. You can't imagine just how handy teleportation can be."

Misty shrugged at Ash. "I tried to stop them from reading our letters. It didn't take. They kept on pestering me until I gave in."

Ash gave Sabrina a tired look. "Thanks a lot, Sabrina…"

"Alright then, I'll take that as my cue to leave the two of you alone for now," Sabrina said as she began to walk out of the room. "I'll be downstairs helping your mom with lunch, Ash. And for the record, she knows I'm here because I came in through the front door, so don't worry about her freaking out or anything. See you guys in a short while. Haunter, come along."

"Haunt…" the Pokémon laughed mischievously as it faded away.

"No, Haunter, come along," Sabrina reiterated, and Haunter whined as it reluctantly came back into view and followed her out of the room.

"Ok then, Mist, what do you want to talk about, now that Sabrina and Haunter are go—" Ash was cut off as Misty tackled him on the bed and kissed him.

"Sorry," she childishly giggled to herself. "Always wanted to do that."

Ash raised his eyebrows in pleasant surprise. "Well, I'm not exactly complaining."

Misty drew back and sat kneeling in front of him on the bed. "Ash, I've been thinking about it, and…how would you like to stay with me for a few weeks at the Cerulean Gym? You see, it's kind of lonely there, even with Sabrina dropping by every now and then during the week. I'd really like some company. We can leave together whenever you want, after you've gotten some rest."

Ash's eyes lit up with joy. "You know I'd love to, Mist. I've been gone for so long, and I really want to settle down for a bit. I realize now that that's what I've been missing this whole time. I was so hooked up on adventure and Pokémon that I didn't give enough attention to the most important things in my life: my mom and…you…"

Misty blushed and gently tapped him on the chest. "Oh, stop it, you…But I'm so glad that you said yes. We'll just have to make sure that you don't get seen by the public. Too often, anyways."

"There's still one question that needs answering, though," Ash noted, placing his hand on his chin.

"What's that, Ash?"

"Ahem…" Ash cleared his throat, smiling as he patted his bed.

"Oh…" Misty took note of what he meant. "Ok, umm…I've been thinking, and…"

"…And?"

"I think it'll be alright. I mean, we already know just how close we used to keep our sleeping bags together while we were travelling in Kanto and Johto, that we'd almost touch. So I'm completely fine with sharing the bed with you now. I already told you in my last letter that I wanted to cuddle a bit, didn't I?" Misty smiled assuredly.

"You sure did, Mist," Ash beamed. "Everything's settled, then. I'll stay with you in Cerulean for as long as you want me to stay. For now, let's go downstairs. I'm starving!"

"Stomach always comes first, huh?" Misty chuckled. "Some things never change…"

"Is that true, Misty?" Delia asked at the table while they ate together. "You want to take Ash to live with you?"

"Just for a few weeks! I told you!" Misty blushed, thinking that Delia believed that she wanted Ash to move in with her permanently. She winced as she looked at Ash who was hooving away at a piece of steak and chips. "…I don't think I could handle going to the shops every day for food on top of taking care of the gym…"

"I don't know about you, Misty, but I have a feeling that Ash is going to hang around for a much longer time than that. Or, rather, you're going to cling on to him," Sabrina winked at her across the table.

Misty gave her a joking glare. "Again, food budget, Sabs."

"Oh, but it's such a lovely idea, Misty!" Delia squealed. "It'll give you a great idea on what it's like being a couple. The first few days might be hard, but things will become so much easier in the later days, believe me. And don't worry about the grocery shopping – I can send you weekly allowances, if that's what you want."

"No, please, Delia! You've already done so much for me in the past few months. I couldn't possibly ask for anything else!" Misty insisted.

"You know I could always zap in every now and then with food for you, Misty. My mom's a very good cook, and I'm not that shabby myself," Sabrina smiled, twirling her fork in her hand.

"That beef stew you made with me last month scalded my tongue. It's still fresh in my memory," Misty grimly recalled.

Sabrina raised her eyebrow. "So? It still tasted good, didn't it?"

"Well…yeah, it did," Misty sighed.

A moment of silence followed, and Delia couldn't help but notice that Ash's expression darkened a little. "Honey, is…something the matter?"

"Hm?" Ash looked up, then began to twirl his fork around. "Oh, nothing, mom…"

"You're disappointed about the Conference, yeah?" Misty took a guess, and Ash nodded with a little hesitance.

"Don't be so hooked up on things like that, Ash. It can lead to really bad things if you're not careful," Sabrina gave her advice. "Believe me – if you let yourself be controlled by your ambitions rather than the other way around, it can destroy you from the inside. I know, because before you guys came along, I lived with the obsession of one day matching and surpassing Will of the Johto Elite Four in terms of power and ability. I would have torn apart my own family if it wasn't for you and Haunter. Just take things easy, Ash."

Ash lightened up after taking in Sabrina's input. "Thanks, Sabrina. I'll take that tip on from now on. Oh by the way, I forgot to ask when I came home…I noticed that Professor Oak wasn't around. Is he gone somewhere?" Ash said.

"As a matter of fact, he is," Delia confirmed. "He's off on a conference with a number of other Pokémon professors. Something about new research? I forget."

"Wonder if Professor Ivy is with them," Misty giggled with Ash. "Maybe we should tell Brock?"

"Are you that cruel, Mist?" Ash grinned.

Misty winked. "Try me."

"So Ash, what do you plan on doing now that you're home? Are you thinking of going on another journey anytime soon?" Delia asked her son.

"Not really, mom," Ash answered. "I know that I used to jump at the idea of traveling before, but now I want to settle down for a bit with Misty before I decide to go somewhere again. I want to stay at home with you for a while as well. I never thought about it before, but the more I exchanged letters with Misty while I was away, I came to realize just how the two of you felt while I was gone. So I want to stay longer this time."

"That's so thoughtful of you, honey," Delia smiled proudly and squeezed Ash's hand. "I'm sure the two of you will be very happy together."

Ash and Misty looked at each other and shared a silent, warm smile. As strange as it was, the few months they spent apart from each other drew them so much closer than the years of traveling.

They had finally come to realize that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Despite agreeing that Ash would stay at the Cerulean Gym for no longer than a month, the two lovers were disappointed at just how fast three months seemed to flow while they took pleasure in each other's company. Ever since Sabrina teleported them to the gym after they bid Delia farewell in Pallet Town, Misty was shocked to see a marked difference in Ash's behavior. The once lazy boy had transformed into something that was barely short of a man as he made regular attempts to help her with various tasks around the gym. With every day that passed, Misty fell deeper in love with Ash and simply did not want to let him go.

Needless to say, a lot of gossip began circulating in public about the two, not long after Ash arrived back with her and was regularly seen with her in both the gym and in public by trainers and townspeople alike. But over time, Misty grew mature enough to ignore the gossiping she noticed around them, and instead focus on living with Ash. She would snicker with embarrassment every time Sabrina would drop in and comment on how "Mr and Mrs Ketchum" were doing a splendid job running the Cerulean Gym.

Deciding to make the most of their final day together, Ash and Misty stood at the top of Cerulean Cape, looking out to the ocean while holding hands. Ash stared reflectively at the sea which glistened with the brilliant orange light of the setting sun, deeply conflicted by the pulling urges of his many dreams.

"You know," Misty said softly, "I always wanted to bring you out here after returning to Cerulean. I was…too embarrassed back then. I also knew that you wouldn't be interested because you wanted to go straight on to your next gym battle."

"We're here now, aren't we?" Ash smiled and put his hand around Misty's waist, holding her warmly against him.

"Yeah, but…I wanted this to be the place where I finally confessed my love for you after summoning up the courage. I never intended for this to be where I…said goodbye…" Misty looked down in sadness.

"We could always keep on exchanging letters, you know. I could call you every now and then, as well," Ash sought to console her.

"I know, but…now that you're here, I…This may sound crazy and possessive, Ash, but…I don't want you to leave. I wanted for you to stay with me. Every time I got a letter from you, my heart leapt with joy, but in the days between one letter and the next, I felt so…empty. I'd read each of your letters several times a day and couldn't help but want to be with you again. I…I miss the old days," Misty wept softly.

"Misty…" Ash whispered as he hugged her and kissed her on the head.

"I don't want to be alone…I don't want to feel torn on the inside…A lock of your hair and a photograph will never be enough…" Misty gripped the back of Ash's jacket.

Not being able to contain himself any longer, Ash made his decision. "Mist, if it means that much to you, then…then I'll stay."

Misty slowly looked up with her tear-filled cerulean eyes at him. "…What?"

"I know that my dream was to become a Pokémon Master, but…I've learned so many things about life in the past few months and weeks. That not everything is about Pokémon and winning battles. That there's more to life than just doing what feels good for me. Sometimes you need to make sacrifices for others you love and care about. It took me a while, but…I learned that in the end. So I'm staying. I won't go on to the Sinnoh region, even though that's what I wanted. I won't leave you to feel sad and alone anymore."

Misty cried tears of joy as she caressed Ash's cheek and whispered his name. But just as she was on the brink of accepting his offer, Ash's words suddenly resonated within her mind.

"Sometimes you need to make sacrifices for others you love and care about…"

Making peace with her own emotions, Misty smiled as she leaned in and kissed Ash gently on the lips before speaking to him. "Ash, I change my mind."

"What?"

"I change my mind. Go on – go to Sinnoh."

"Mist, I thought that you—" Ash said in surprise before Misty cut him off with a soft finger on his lips.

"I know what I said, and I take it all back. You just said it yourself, didn't you? Sometimes sacrifices are necessary if you truly care for somebody. So go on, Ash. Live your dream. I'd only feel guilty knowing that I'm holding you back from achieving what you want. And besides, you really think that we're ready to live with each other over the long term just yet? We're not married, Ash – we're both 14. You'll only come to regret it later on in life if you let these opportunities slip through your fingers. Just do me a small favor."

"What's that, Mist?"

Misty joked. "Don't fall in love with the next girl that you meet and travel with, if you do indeed end up traveling together. I won't go as far as force you to carry my handkerchief or lure around, but…you know what I mean. Keep on writing to me as well."

Ash grinned back. "You know I'll be taking both of them, along with your photo and lock of hair."

Misty laughed. "I guess we're both a little creepy in that respect, yeah?"

Ash chuckled as they shared another kiss and embrace. After a few more minutes of sharing words while enjoying the view and scenery, he took her hand and spoke to her again.

"It's growing dark now, Mist. Let me take you back to the gym on Charizard," he offered, taking out the Pokéball of the Pokémon which returned the previous week from the Charicific Valley.

"Actually, no," she declined with a smile. "It…it feels good saying goodbye to you this way, Ash. I want to look back and remember this day for months to come until we meet again. The sound of the ocean…the radiant sunset…it's a perfect way to remember you by. So I want to stay here for just a while longer by myself after you leave. I just don't think I'd look back on this day as fondly if I said goodbye to you at the front of the gym and then dragged myself back in to cry on my bed, do you?"

"But Mist…"

"It's ok. I can find my way back home from here. Besides, the sun's still up and there'll be enough light for me to see. Your belongings are already packed and lying just inside the gym at the front door. You can pick them up as you leave."

"The sun may be up still, but that doesn't mean that things won't get chilly," Ash said, removing his jacket and putting it around her. "Here, keep it. Think of it as another thing to remember me by."

Misty grinned and leaned forward. "What else could it be?"

Ash smiled silently at her, then released Charizard from its Pokéball. The large dragon roared proudly and crouched down to let Ash mount on it. Sharing a final kiss with Misty, Ash walked slowly towards Charizard and got on. The dragon lifted off and soared through the air back towards them gym while Ash looked back at Misty, never taking his eyes off her until she was no longer visible.

Misty smiled as she watched Ash and Charizard slowly disappear into the horizon. She gently squeezed the fabric of Ash's jacket, taking pleasure at the warmth it brought her.

"Go get em', tiger…"

At night back in Pallet Town, Delia Ketchum sat on her bed with a peaceful smile on her face as she held in her hand a box which she took out of her closet. Upon slowly opening the box, she took out a pile of small pieces of paper which were of great sentimental value to her. Unbeknownst to Ash and Misty, Delia was also regularly exchanging letters with her husband who was away on a Pokémon journey of his own.

Unfolding the letter, she re-read words which brought great warmth to her heart.

Dearest Delia,

It gives me so much joy to hear how our son has grown and developed in the past few months. He and I are so alike, in a way. We were both so hooked up on our journey and quest to become a Pokémon Master, that we failed to recognize what is truly important in life. It took years of your constant presence to show me just what I truly loved in my life, and it's been the same with Ash and Misty. Although I have never had the pleasure of meeting Misty, I'm sure that she is a lovely person who will provide Ash the same happiness that you had gifted me.

I must thank you again for looking out for Misty after her sisters left for their world trip. Clarissa will be able to rest in peace knowing that her beloved daughter is under the care of loving hands. My heart is warmed to hear that Ash has been caring for her in the Cerulean Gym. No matter whether he chooses to settle down or begin another journey, I am proud of everything he has and will achieve in life.

I'll be arriving soon in Homebreeze Town. It's a relatively small town on the southern coast of Sinnoh. It's been quite roughed up following a serious monsoon some weeks ago, so I've got a lot of work cut out ahead of me and unfortunately don't have much time at all to write to you again for a few days. Nevertheless, it gives me great joy to work alongside my Pokémon to help others. And the great charm of it? Nobody here really knows who I am. Here, I can be just another ordinary guy who works with the desire to help others, instead of putting on an act as the former Champion of Kanto. My deeds out here have given me more fulfilment than all the battles and all the badges that I had ever won in my lifetime. Hopefully that will also be something that Ash learns with time.

One day, when I am ready to, I will return to you and Ash. Until then, I will continue to commit myself to protecting and helping others wherever I may meet them.

I love you, my darling.

Chris.

Delia folded the letter again and held it close to her heart, a small tear escaping her eye and falling onto her lap. She put back the letter into the box and placed it in its original place, then slipped beneath the covers of her bed and drifted off into a peaceful state of sleep. As always, she dreamed of her husband and son.

Having lost all sense of time, Misty stayed at the peak of Cerulean Cape for hours, silently reminiscing about her last embrace and kiss with Ash. The sun had already set, and darkness had settled by the time that she returned to the gym. She shuddered slightly at the cold as she opened the door with her key and closed it behind her. But immediately upon hearing the click of the door, she took notice of a red object which fell from the handle.

Looking down, her eyes widened after she saw just what it was.

"A…Ash's…hat?" she murmured, getting down on one knee to pick it up by its peak. Raising the hat, she took sight of a small, folded piece of paper which remained on the floor. Tucking the hat between her chest and forearm, she knelt down and unfolded the paper with both hands. She could feel the tears seeping again from her eyes as soon as she finished reading the short handwritten message.

Thought you might like something extra.

I love you, Mist.

Misty firmly grasped Ash's hat and held it against her heart, smiling as tears rolled down her face. A jacket; perfume; a photograph…even a lock of his own hair couldn't compare to an item which Ash had always treasured and held so much sentimental value for. Misty always believed that she could never love anyone besides Ash in her life, and now any and all doubts that had once settled in her heart and mind were gone.

She would wait for him.

She would wait for him, no matter how long it took for him to return to her.

The End

A/N: Well, that's it for this fic. I know it feels kind of premature for it to end with this chapter because you'd have expected another letter-style chapter before everything got wrapped up, but I thought that Ash would have liked to directly contact Misty for once instead of writing another letter. Nevertheless, I hope you've enjoyed it.

I know that May, Max and Professor Birch later came to visit in the actual episode, but I left them out in this fic as I just wanted to focus on Ash and Misty.

I was initially thinking of somehow linking it with my main Pokéshipping 'The Chosen One' series, but decided against it because of overly-significant plot differences. I still kept Ash's dad/Delia's husband's name the same from those fics, though. Ideally, I'd like to write a journey-fic featuring Ash's parents, but that'd take well over a year to start, given that I've currently put Book IV of the 'Chosen One' series on hold (and a total of six books are in that series, with the 'prequel' of Delia and Chris's journeys to come afterwards) and am writing fics in other genres besides Pokémon.

Thanks for all your reviews to date. I'm still working on my other fics outside the Pokémon genre at the moment, so I'll get back to my main Pokémon series as soon as I finish up on those.