Chapter 4: To Ash's Surprise

All Ash wanted to do was sleep. But the banging on the door prevented that lovely fantasy. He rolled his eyes, stretching his legs as he climbed out of bed.

"Is, uh, Ash here?" he heard a voice ask from inside the kitchen.

"Why, yes, he's asleep in his room. Uh, Misty?" What is she doing here? Ash wondered, creeping out in the hallway to hear her better. He peeked around the corner, if only to see what she looked like after all these years. Her back was turned to him, but he could tell she was upset.

"I knew I shouldn't have come here," she sighed, shaking her head in frustration. "I just came to thank you for the cake. It really was beautiful, and it's sweet of you to remember my birthday, and, and…" she trailed off, unable to express her true feelings of gratitude and love for Delia, her surrogate mother. The one who had taken her in at first, when her sisters broke contact. The one who helped her get on her feet, and tried to convince her that moving in with Gary was a bad idea.

Though Misty never admitted it, she also felt it was a bad decision, but also felt like she had no other choice. He promised something that her unborn child needed in life: A loving father. Delia hugged her, holding her close, whispering something that Ash couldn't quite make out. "You're always welcome here," she told her, and even though Ash couldn't hear it, he understood what his mother was telling her.

"But I couldn't impose on you like that! And, and Ash…" She never told Delia that they hadn't spoken in six years, and to tell her now would feel like a betrayal somehow, a betrayal of her trust, as well as a betrayal of Misty's emotions.

"I know you two haven't exactly been on speaking terms in the past few years. I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it, but you're going to have to face him sooner or later anyway. This time, he's home for good. Until he finds his own place, of course."

"But, what do you…mean?" Misty asked, clearly confused, with her brow furrowed and a slight frown visible. "I thought he was Champion?"

"I mean what I say. Yes, he's still Champion, and will hold that title until he's finally defeated, but he resigned his position to someone else for the year. Someone he found to be very skilled and deserving of the position. He'll start back, but felt like he earned this much of a break, and it at least gave him time to settle down, if only for a short amount of time. And, truth be told, I think he came back for you."

"No, he can't quit for me! He knows I've moved on. He may not know…everything, but still, he knows I'm with Gary now!" Her voice rose in agitation as she took in the meaning of Delia's words. "Wait, he'll be in town all year?"

"He may know all these things, but until he's seen it for himself, I doubt his heart will let him believe it. Besides, he needed the break either way. And maybe it'll give you two some time to actually see each other. Honestly, Misty, why didn't you tell me you haven't spoken to him? You know you can trust me, at least, I hope you do."

His mother looked straight at him, knowing full well he was eavesdropping. Caught, he realized backing away from the corner. "I-I know I should've said something; I just couldn't seem to do it for some reason…What are you looking at?" Misty asked, turning around to where Delia's eyes were focused. Ash had already disappeared from sight, but she still knew he'd been listening.

"Oh, nothing," Delia lied, looking back at Misty, who was preparing to leave. "You don't have to go, you know."

"I know, Mrs. Ketchum, but I really must be on my way. I didn't even plan on staying this long. Sorry to keep you. Um, uh, tell Ash I stopped by, I guess. Whenever he gets his sleepyhead up," she joked, attempting to lighten the mood.

"I will, Misty. Thanks for stopping by, and please, don't hesitate to come back anytime!" Misty walked out the door, Delia shutting it behind her, and suddenly Ash realized just how much he'd truly missed her. "Ash, I know you're up." Like he hadn't already realized that.

"Yeah, Mom. Just getting ready to go out," he lied, hoping she wouldn't ask why he had been eavesdropping on them just a few minutes ago.

"Oh, okay. Misty said to tell you she stopped by."

"Misty stopped by? So that's who you were talking to," he answered, changing into his outfit for the day and walking into the kitchen.

"As if you don't already know," she replied, handing her son an apple as he made for the door. "Forgetting someone?" Pikachu turned the corner, shaking its head sleepily as it looked at Delia in befuddlement.

"Oh, yeah, sorry Pikachu," Ash apologized, picking up the little yellow mouse and letting it jump onto his shoulder.

"Might want to grab a coat, it's supposed to rain later on," Delia urged, handing him his father's old trench coat. "Windy too."

"I'm fine, Mom, honest!"

"Please, honey. At least put it in your backpack."

"Okay then," he relented, stuffing the coat in his bag and getting up to go. "'Bye, Mom, love you!"

"Love you too, sweetie. Have a good day. Please, just try to stop by Misty's before you come home. I'm sure it'd mean a lot." He nodded, unsure whether he was telling another lie or not.

"Yeah, I will." He rushed out the door, heading full speed for nowhere in particular, just knowing he wouldn't be coming back anytime soon.