A/N: Again, really sorry about how long these chapters have been taking…As my band director says, "There are no excuses!" but unfortunately, I've been stuck in band camp the past two weeks. -_- And along with learning how to march, I had to learn how to play an instrument for the first time…Anyways, enough ranting, on with the story! Thanks for reading it & I appreciate all the reviews! :D
Chapter 9: Heart to Heart
"Ash!" He swerved to face Umiko, the girl who'd talked to Misty earlier in the car. He met her halfway, waving as she came up.
"Hey there. Shouldn't you be at work?" he asked, raising his eyebrows at her.
"I got off, silly! Anyway, how is Misty? She seemed pretty sick when I was talking to her earlier. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, she's fine," he lied. You don't know the half of it. "Just a little under the weather." Pikachu glared down at its trainer, wondering why on earth he'd lie like that.
"Oh. Well, I hope she feels better," she replied, looking up into his eyes. "You don't look very happy, Ash. What's wrong?"
"It's nothing really," he shrugged, averting his gaze to the sidewalk. Again, another lie. Pikachu didn't like where this was going.
"Mhmm. Sure it is. Did you and Misty have a fight?" How did she know? He started to voice the question, but she beat him to the punch.
"Trust me, I know these things. What was it about?" As much as he wanted to hide it, he strangely felt like he could trust the girl. He walked over to the park bench, gesturing for her to sit by him.
"Might want to sit down. It's kind of a long story," he said, looking over at her. She nodded, taking a seat by him and smiling. So he told her everything, starting from the time he walked into the living room to the time he walked out the back door.
"Sounds to me like somebody's got a crush," she cooed, giggling.
"Do not!" he retorted, his cheeks turning hot at the mention of the word crush. Pikachu rolled its eyes.
"Well, maybe not. But you have to admit, you have some feelings for Misty, or none of this would've happened." He hung his head in shame, knowing full well just how right she was.
"What should I do, Umiko? All she does is keep pushing me away. I feel like nothing I ever do is right! Of course, I've felt that way for forever now, ever since day one after meeting her. She turned my whole world upside down."
"Hm, why don't you just tell her how you feel? That might help," Umiko answered, swishing her legs back and forth through the air like a little kid.
"There's the thing. Doing that would either end up getting me smacked in the face or ruin what little friendship we've managed to hold onto. I may not have seen her in six years, but she's still the same feisty redhead I know and…love." His throat caught on the last word, letting him know what he'd just admitted to Umiko. "Um, let me rephrase that—"
"So that's it! You still love her, don't you?" Umiko gasped, noticing the blush on his cheeks.
"No! I mean, I don't know! Maybe?" he sighed, staring up at the moon that now hung brightly in the night sky.
"I think you do," she mumbled, running her fingers through her hair.
"Well, it was nice seeing you, but I guess I should be getting home. Party's tomorrow! Come by if you get the chance. It starts at twelve," he told her, getting up to leave.
"Oh, I'll try to come," she answered, smiling. "And Ash?"
"Mhmm?"
"Don't be afraid to ask." And with that, she walked away.
"May and Drew make it in okay? What about Max? There's another storm heading this way," Ash asked his mother as he sat down at the empty kitchen table.
"Yes, dear. They all went on to Professor Oak's for the night when they heard the storm was coming. Don't worry, you'll get to see them in the morning," she replied, handing him a glass of water. "They haven't seen Misty yet though. She's been in the guest room ever since you left."
"Oh. How is she?" A question he dreaded asking, but had to know the answer to.
"Oh, she…she had a bit of an accident," Delia answered, not meeting his gaze.
"What?! Where is she now? What happened?! Is she okay?" What about the baby?
"Still in the guest room. Iris is staying with her for the night. She fell off the bed after a nightmare she had. Bruised her arm, but otherwise she's fine, honey. No need to worry about it." She was hurt, and he wasn't there to comfort her. How wonderful that made him feel.
"Can I go check on her? Or is she asleep again?"
"Well, I think she finally fell asleep. Oh, and Cilan and Brock took your bunk bed, so I made a place for you on the couch. Is that okay?" she asked, looking over at her worried son.
"Yeah, that's fine," he muttered, getting up from the table. "Night, Mom. Love you."
"Love you too, honey. Now get to sleep; we have a big day tomorrow!" She kissed her son's forehead and headed for her room. He slowly ambled into the living room, falling into the couch like it was as soft and fluffy as a cloud. However, he couldn't seem to sleep.
"Pika, pi, pikapi," Pikachu told him, attempting to comfort his trainer's guilty conscience.
"I know it's not my fault, Pikachu. It just feels like it is," Ash replied, staring up at the ceiling. He shut his eyes, letting a tear escape, as he thought about everything.
"Pika! Pi pi pi," Pikachu angrily retorted.
"I get it, Pikachu. Look, we should get some sleep. Love you, little buddy," Ash mumbled, his mind totally elsewhere.
"Pika, pikapi." Pikachu curled up beside him, breathing softly as he fell into a deep sleep. Ash glanced over at him, seeing the serene peace on his furry friend's face, and wished for once that he was as worry-free as his best friend. He rolled back over and closed his eyes, ready for sleep to take him away. I hope you're okay Misty. I'm so sorry I wasn't there, were his last thoughts as he quietly drifted into a deep slumber, awaiting the great day to come.
Morning couldn't come any sooner, at least, as far as Ash was concerned. He was anxious to see Misty, to know for sure she was okay. He'd woken up around four, and swirling thoughts prevented him from any sleep, so he waited and waited until dawn to go check on her. When daybreak finally came, he crawled quietly out of the covers, not wanting to wake Pikachu. "Cha," the little Pokémon yawned, looking up at its trainer.
"Everything's fine, Pikachu. Go back to sleep," he said, ruffling Pikachu's fur. Pikachu heedlessly obeyed, shutting its eyes and curling back into a ball. Ash sighed silently and headed straight for the guest room, where he knew Iris and Misty would be. He tiptoed inside, careful not to make a sound, and made his way over to Misty.
She stirred slightly at his touch, mumbling a word that sounded vaguely like his name. He raised an eyebrow, wondering what she could be dreaming about that would involve him of all people, and looked over her arm, trying to find the bruise his mother had been talking about. But there wasn't just one bruise, he noticed, there were many of them. He brushed her cheek with his lips, hoping not to wake her, and quietly started to head out. Until Iris stopped him, that is.
"What are you doing in here?" she snapped, rubbing her eyes in disbelief.
"Um, I was just, uh, I was just leaving," he replied, turning his face toward the peacefully sleeping redhead.
"Well, I can see that! I mean what are you doing in this room?" she pressed on, glaring at him boldly.
"I came to check on Misty, jeesh! Why else would I want to be in here? Certainly not to be called a little kid again," he retorted, staring straight back at her in defiance.
"But why would you come check on her? Oh…Mrs. Ketchum told you what happened, didn't she?" Iris asked, turning to glance back at Misty, who seemed to be struggling for some reason.
"Mhmm." He looked over at her, surprised by the furrowing of her brows and the clenching of her teeth.
"Looks to me like she's having—"
"Another nightmare," Ash finished, crossing back over to stand by her. "Should we wake her?"
"Well, duh. Would you want to be stuck in a nightmare like that? I don't think so," Iris shook her head in disgust.
"Alright then. She better not kill me for this," he answered, giving Iris a baleful glance. "Or I'll tell her it was your idea." Iris smirked at him, annoyed by his timeless immaturity.
"Just get on with it!"
"Alright, alright," Ash sighed, holding his hands up in surrender. He rested his hand on her uninjured arm, and tried shaking her awake. "Misty, Misty, wake up! Misty!" She swatted him away, mumbling something about being sorry.
"Mist, you gotta wake up! It's me, Ash! Please get up. Don't make me bring Pikachu in here!" She shot up, her heart racing ninety to nothing as she flew out of her dreams and back into reality.
"Ash! Don't scare me like that!" she exclaimed, popping him on the arm as she glared at him.
"Yow! Gee, Misty, I was only trying to help! You were having another nightmare!" he retorted, glancing over at Iris. "Besides, it was Iris's idea!" But she didn't bother to hear the last sentence. She was still hung up on the word nightmare.
"Wait, how did you know I was having another nightmare? And why are you even in here in the first place?" she questioned, squinting up at him angrily.
"Mom, she told me what happened last night…" he trailed off, staring down at his feet. "I, uh, came to check on you…I guess I'll go now." He turned to walk away, but felt a weak tugging at his arm to come back.
"You came…to check on me?" Misty asked incredulously, not totally believing what he'd said.
"Well, yeah, Mist. Why else would I be in here? As I told Iris, I didn't come in here to be called a kid again," he replied, glaring over at the giggling Dragon trainer.
"Oh." Misty looked away, ruffling her covers absentmindedly as he stood there silently, unsure of what else to say.
"So, uh, what was your nightmare about?" Ash wondered, making Iris face-palm.
"Seriously? Why would you ask someone a question like that?! She probably doesn't—"
"It's fine, Iris. I mean, it wasn't that bad really. Just like all the others. I run into the same guy every time, when everything suddenly goes black. Not that big a deal," Misty answered, shrugging her shoulders nonchalantly.
"Wait, you've had more nightmares than this? And what guy?" Ash asked, raising an eyebrow at her. "It's not like you to hide something like that from me."
"It isn't? Hm, sure could've fooled me," Iris remarked, making Misty roll her eyes in aggravation.
"Yeah, I've had a few more…and it was nobody, Ash. Just somebody I once had a crush on," she mumbled, barely loud enough for him to catch the last few words. He cocked his head to the side, wondering who in the world she could be talking about.
Hmmm, Rudy? No, why would he be in there? She's only met him once! At least, as far as I know… What about, oh, what's his name? Danny?
"But I thought you said it was—" Misty quickly put a hand over Iris's mouth, making sure Ash couldn't hear what she was about to say. She glared over at her, making Iris swiftly take back what she'd said. "I mean, never mind."
"No, I want to know, Misty. Who was it? I can't think of anybody you'd have a crush on. Except Danny or Rudy…" he grumbled, looking away.
"It…wasn't either of them, Ash," she answered, face-palming. "You really want to know?" He nodded, knowing it'd kill him if he didn't find out sooner or later. Iris gave her a confused expression, wondering where this was going.
"Well, I'll give you a hint. The guy never knows when to quit while he's ahead. He's stubborn, absolutely hates being wrong, especially when he's arguing with me. He always does things without thinking, and I honestly think he's kind of a jinx during some of the craziest situations. But, he also loves his Pokémon like they're family, and would do anything for them. He's caring through all that stubbornness, and sweeter than almost anybody I know. He's totally clueless, and has a tendency to get lost in the woods. Plus, he kind of destroyed my bike, oh, I don't know, twelve, thirteen years ago?" She laughed a bit, all those memories returning after years of forcing herself to forget them. He, however, was still seemingly oblivious.
Hmmm…None of those describe anybody we've ever met on our journeys! And who else decided to destroy that bike Nurse Joy got fixed for her?! "Still don't know?" Misty asked, face-palming once again. Iris was readier than ever to blurt out "It was you, idiot!" but she knew Misty would have her head for doing something like that.
Ash shook his head. "Nope. Not a clue. Only person I could possibly think of that destroyed your bike was me, but none of that other stuff fits right."
"You don't think so? I always thought you were too stubborn for your own good, and seriously?! You got us lost in the woods way too many times for you to say that doesn't 'fit right'! And you're just about the most clueless person I've ever met!"
"Ouch, Mist. That last one really hit the spot. But then I go back to this question: Why on earth would you have a crush on me?! What's so special about the kid who fried your bike all those years ago and still hasn't paid you back?"
"Do you really want me to answer that?" she retorted, glaring back at him. It became strangely quiet in the room as Ash pondered what to do next. He finally decided to sit on the bed, as far away from Misty as he could stand.
"Anyway, was it me or not?" he sighed, staring up at the ceiling. He was ninety percent sure she'd never answer him, but she proved him wrong once again as she slowly stood up.
"It was you," she told him. "It really was you."
"It's partying time!" Cilan exclaimed, crossing over to the dining room table.
"Mommy, can't we open our presents first?" Kyle asked, giving Dawn his signature pouty look.
"No, honey. We have to eat first," Dawn answered, setting him and Dana down beside her.
"Good, because I'm starving!" May yelled, going over to sit across from Dawn.
"You're always starving May," Max muttered, rolling his eyes as he sat beside her and Mine.
"She always did have the appetite of a Munchlax," Drew remarked, teasing his fiancée playfully. May glowered at the two, wishing she had a free hand to smack them both with. She finally managed to coo Mine to sleep and laid her in a small red stroller for her afternoon nap. May then proceeded with whacking Max in the head, but stopped short of hitting Drew when Delia entered the room with the food.
"Time to eat!" Brock called out, helping Delia and Ash set the food on the table for everyone.
"Finally," May grumbled, staring down at her empty plate. She then looked over at Misty, still feeling the shock of finding out the girl was pregnant. With Gary's baby, too! She, like everyone else, had assumed the child to be Ash's, but the idea was quickly shot down by none other than the Champion himself. Misty seemed incredibly shocked by the confession, but didn't bother to question it.
They were both still feeling awkward about what she'd told him earlier that day, which explained the uneasiness Misty felt when the last seat ended up being right beside her. Though unexpectedly, he carried on normally, as if nothing had even happened. This not only made Misty slightly curious, but also surprisingly a bit angry at his reaction. It's not like she expected him to go into an endless rant of his undying love for her or anything; but still, she anticipated something quite a bit different from this. After all the plates were passed around and grace was said, Ash nudged her in the arm and whispered, "You okay? You look kinda sick."
"Oh, I'm fine," she muttered, scraping around her plate uneasily.
"You don't seem to have much of an appetite. Sure you'll be fine?" She nodded, taking a bite to appease her friend. Er, whatever he was right now. She still wasn't totally sure what he considered her right now.
He smiled thoughtfully, seeing through her act, but soon gave up and decided to talk about something else. But before he could get anything out, he heard a rough knocking at the door. "Hm, I wonder who that is?" Ms. Ketchum stated, shifting her eyes to Professor Oak to see if he'd by chance invited any other guests to the Christmas dinner. He shrugged, also curious about the knock.
"I'll go check," Ash offered, thinking it might just be Umiko. He crossed over toward the door, not bothering to ask who it was. But instead of the petite brunette, it was none other than the cheater himself, Gary Oak. And Ash was less than pleased to see him.