Midsummer Nights

by Trish

The third instalment to the Midsummer Series. Chapter Thirty Nine now up.

38. Chapter 38: Suppose

Midsummer Nights

By Trish

Disclaimer: Pokémon does not belong to me, nor does Puck. The storyline and original characters do belong to me.

A/N: Thanks to Rin for the chapter song title, I drew a mental blank! It's by Secondhand Serenade and really is just a random title.

ooo

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Suppose

Ash grinned at the girl in his arms. "So does that mean that you want to go out with me?"

"Duh!" Jenn rolled her eyes. "Of course I want to! It's just that I'm not so sure about the whole me being a celebrity just by dating you thing."

The Grand Master kissed her forehead. "Unfortunately, that's something that you'll have to learn to get used to. But until you're more comfortable with it, I'll do what I can to keep the paparazzi off your back."

"Can you do that?"

"Sure can," Ash grinned. "The paparazzi have generally left Trish alone, once Drake talked to them."

"By talk, don't you mean threatened in a most totally ominous manner?" Jenn smirked.

"Who knows," Ash chuckled. "Whatever Drake did or said, worked."

"Well I hope it works for you," Jenn shrugged, "Cuz in the end it'll work for me."

He gave her another hug. "We don't have to announce it to the world until you're ready. How about we just start with your friends first?"

"Ohmigod," Jenn blanched all over again. "I totally forgot about them."

"You forgot you had friends? I know you were blonde, but really…"

"No, not that I had friends, dork," Jenn slapped him on his shoulder, "I forgot that most of them didn't know I was here overnight. The rumours have got to be flying."

"But Trish knows," Ash said. "Wouldn't she have told them and set the record straight?"

"Not likely," Jenn shrugged. "I'm betting more that she's told them all something totally outrageous."

"What? You've got to be kidding me," the Grand Master blinked. "Trish would never do something like that. Not after what Rudy did to her."

"You don't know her like I do," Jenn smirked. "Trish loves stirring up trouble. It's all in good fun of course and she'd never try to hurt someone deliberately." She paused and grimaced at the thought. "Except for Rudy and Lu."

"No one liked those two," Jenn said. "Um, Ash, as much as I love hanging around with you, I should be getting back to the villa."

"Why not just stay here?" Ash waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Eew, Ash, c'mon," Jenn rolled her eyes, then looked thoughtful. "There's time for being romantic later."

"Later's good. I like the sound of later," Ash gave her another kiss.

ooo

Ash's Espeon teleported Jenn to appear in the back gardens of Drake's villa. Jenn thanked the Psychic Pokémon and told it to tell Ash that he could come over for dinner later.

After the Pokémon vanished, Jenn took a deep breath and started walking towards the villa. Any hopes of making a quiet entrance, unnoticed by anyone, were soon killed as a pack of canine Pokémon came out of the villa and ran towards her with joyful barks of welcome.

Jenn was soon bowled over by her two Growlithe, Mac and Beth, with Willa and Kigali trying to get in on the act. Anyone who wasn't familiar with the varying types of canine pokémon would have found it strange, if not alarming, to see a Houndour and an Absol succeeding in getting Jenn's attention.

The ruckus brought Trish and Shannon outside to see what all the fuss was about, and matching grins spread across their faces at the sight of Jenn.

"Welcome back, stranger!" Shannon called out.

"Good to see you sneaking back," Trish said wryly.

"For Lugia's sake, people," Jenn sounded annoyed. "You act like I just came back from going off to war."

"Oh no," Trish said as she came down to greet her best friend. "You haven't gone off to war yet."

"Yeah, I know," Jenn sighed, and was immediately surrounded by her pack of Pokémon. The canines pressed around her and she grinned down at them. "Aww, don't worry guys and gals, I've got you to protect me. All I have to worry about are paparazzi and insane Misty fans."

"Well if that's all," Shannon said with a laugh.

"Whaddya mean, 'if that's all'," Jenn's eyes widened. "Dealing with paparazzi and insane Misty fans is dangerous! Especially when it comes to insane Misty fans. Lugia only knows what they'll try to do to me."

"Aww, they can't be that bad," the brunette shook her head.

"You're way too nice for your own good. You know that, right?" Jenn mock grumbled, then sighed with exasperation. "Besides, you simply wouldn't understand. I mean, what, you're just dating Ben, and he's just the brother of the Orange Crew Leader. Dating Ash is like, pun so intended, a whole new league in dealing with the paparazzi."

Shannon blinked, "If I didn't know you well enough to know that you being nervous ended up with you being bitchy, I'd be really and honestly pissed off at you."

"Thanks, Shannon," Jenn grinned, "That's the sign of a true friend."

"So you're actually going to date him," Trish's smile widened to Cheshire cat proportions. "Well, well, it's about bloody time. I thought I'd never see the day."

"Well, you wouldn't have, if you hadn't found a way to get Chris to get me drunk. I can't believe I let my guard down low enough to be tricked that easily. I mean…I was forced into a totally public confession last night," Jenn sent a mock glare the Australian's way. "You know how much I hate being in the limelight. I mean, unless I cause it."

"Hey, I didn't arrange for Chris to get you drunk, but it helped my plan a lot," Trish just grinned shamelessly. "And you have to admit, you are very happy now. I only ever have your very best intentions at heart."

"One day, you're gonna end up getting me killed," Jenn rolled her eyes," And when that day comes, you better believe I'm gonna come back and haunt you for like, forever."

"I'm so scared," Trish said dryly.

"You should be!"

"I'm shaking, Jenn. Really shaking."

"That's better," she sniffed.

Shannon tucked her arm in Jenn's. "So come on inside and we want to hear ALL about it."

"C'mon guys, it's not like anything happened last night," Jenn snorted. "Ash was a perfect gentleman and slept in his own bed. He said he doesn't take advantage of drunk women."

"While that's good to know," Trish took Jenn's other arm. "Something must have happened between you two this morning and that's what we want to know all about. I know you and you wouldn't just decide to date Ash just like that. You need major convincing."

"She's right about that," Shannon chuckled as the three friends made their way towards the villa. "Just think Trish, you'll now have to teach Jenn all about coping with the paparazzi as the lady love of a major celebrity."

"Jenn'll be fine," Trish chuckled. "Especially when the trade off to lack of privacy is designer clothes, designer jewellery and a stylist provided courtesy of the League."

"You say that like it's a good thing," Jenn grimaced, "But all it's doing is giving me a major case of indigestion." She looked behind her and motioned to her little pack. "C'mon guys and biyotches. I need a Tums or something."

ooo

Brock yawned as he stirred sugar into the cup of coffee the waitress had placed in front of him. Ash had arranged to meet his oldest and truest human friend at quiet local café which he knew to have good food and service.

"So, Brocko, did you meet any interesting girls last night?" Ash enquired as he sipped his coffee.

"If you're asking if I was successful with any, the answer is no as usual," the Pokémon breeder slumped in his chair. "You?"

Ash glanced around quickly to reassure himself that they were quite alone where they were sitting, before leaning forward. "Actually, this morning Jenn agreed to start going out with me."

"She did?" Brock grinned. "Hey, way to go, buddy! That's really great. You're finally moving on with your life."

"Yes," Ash smiled genuinely. "But we're going to take things slowly at first. Jenn's understandably a little nervous about all the attention from the paparazzi when word of this leaks out."

"She's gonna have to get used to it, especially dating the most famous man in almost the entire world."

"Yeah, I just hope that she doesn't get spooked enough to run."

ooo

"So you are really gonna date Ash now?" Jaime's eyes were wide. "That's so awesome!"

"Yes, yes, awesome." Jenn had to fight to keep from rolling her eyes. If this was the reaction she was going to keep on getting, she was going to go insane.

Currently, the small group of girls were all in the large kitchen, all crowded around the huge centre island. Brunch was being served in the form of pizza that had been called in from the hurricane spared Pichu Hut down the street.

"Are you going on a date tonight?" Shannon asked, "Because if you are, you shouldn't eat too much pizza!"

Jenn just blinked over a slice of cheese pizza, then ate a bite of it without replying.

"I bet she'll text message him little love notes," Jaime said with a wicked glint in her eyes.

"I bet they'll be calling each other on their cell phones all night," Shannon countered.

Jenn snorted in a most unladylike fashion.

But Trish wasn't about to be left out on the fun, especially since Jenn had had it coming for a long time, "Or since Ash is all with the freaky Chosen One powers, maybe he'll just teleport into her room and…"

Finished with her slice, Jenn wiped her fingers clean on a linen napkin, then wiped at her mouth. "If it wasn't for the fact that I'm hungry and still want a couple of pieces, I'd walk out of this room. You guys really, really need to get lives. Or boyfriends."

"I've got one, a fiancé actually," Trish waggled her engagement ring.

Jenn shrugged, "Yeah, like I said, you need a boyfriend."

"Oh come on, Jenn, you can't complain about all the teasing you're getting now," Trish shook her head with a grin. "You've teased me for years, same goes for Mia. And now you're teasing Shan about Ben. You deserve every bit of teasing you're getting now and then some."

"Trish!" Jenn feigned insult. "That's not a very nice thing to say about your best friend."

"It's true," the Australian smirked. "Karma has finally come back to bite you."

"Karma sucks."

"So are you going out with Ash tonight?' Mia asked as she helped herself to another slice of pizza.

"Nah," Jenn shook her head. "I asked if he would have dinner here with us at the villa. I'd thought that Ash'd enjoy being here more than being stared at in a restaurant."

"Actually, I'd bet that you'd be the one being more comfortable being here," Shannon said wisely.

Jenn paused for a moment, then shrugged, "You're probably not wrong about it"

"I'd say you're exactly right about that," Trish quipped. "I know Drake enjoys going out for dinner, but the staring hordes make it more than a little uncomfortable for me."

"What were you planning on having to eat?" Jaime asked over a piece of pizza.

"Um," Jenn looked down at the pizza.

"No, Jenn, not left over pizza," Trish scolded gently. "It has to be something grand! This is your first dinner after admitting you want to go out together! This is huge!"

"Trish, I don't cook "grand"," Jenn did air quotes with her fingers, "I do hamburger helpers on good nights and baked fish on really good nights. I wouldn't know what to cook!" Jenn frowned. "You think TGI Friday's would count as a swank restaurant?"

"Um…No, I don't think so," Trish said.

"Besides, you didn't want to do that whole 'going out with a really famous boyfriend before the whole world got to know you two were going out as a couple' thing," Jaime pointed out. "Remember?"

"Of course not! At least not yet," the former blonde said and seemed to struggle for a sense of peace. "Help me out here, guys! What am I supposed to do?"

"How about asking Jean-Michel to do it for you?" Trish suggested. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind helping you out."

"Jean who?"

"And that way, all you have to do all night, is look pretty and make sure that Ash's attention is fully on you!" Mia grinned.

"I'm sure she won't have any trouble with that," Shannon chuckled. "After what I could see last night, Ash is completely taken with our Jenn."

Jenn blinked, "Why does that really disturb me?"

"Probably because you can't remember a thing of it," Trish said over the rim of her coffee mug. "Isn't that right?"

Jenn sighed, "If I agree to that, I'm in for a lot of teasing, aren't I?"

"Oh yeah," Jaime snickered. "Like nothing you've ever had to endure before."

"It'll be fun," Shannon grinned.

"Sure it'll be fun," Jenn rolled her eyes. "It'll be as much fun as root canals and Satanic Eggs."

"No one said it would be fun for you," Mia smirked. "It'll be fun for the rest of us, that's all that matters."

"So there's no sympathy for a former blonde?"

"Of course not."

"Of course. So who is this Jan-Michelle person?" Jenn asked. "And what does she have to do with helping me with dinner tonight? Is she some long lost magical cousin of Puck's that's gonna help me?"

"No, Jean-Michel is a guy and he is none other than the head chef here at Drake's villa. The poor guy who has had to put up with your specific menu requests and changes for the past few months?" Trish explained. "I think by now he knows automatically what dishes you do and don't like and how it is to be prepared."

"Oh...kay..."

"Or else you could ask Antonio, who is his deputy chef to cook some Italian dishes for you."

"Oh yeah," Jenn sighed dreamily, "Antonio."

Shannon elbowed Jenn, "Hey! Don't forget about Ash!"

Jenn looked sheepish and returned to her pizza.

"Oh!! You could ask him to cook you spaghetti bolognese and it will be just like a scene out of Lady and the Tramp!" Jaime grinned.

"Okay, for one thing, if my hamburger helper isn't good enough for dinner, then bologna isn't gonna cut it," Jenn said, looking a little sullen, "And for another, I've had enough of being a dog. If I'm gonna be stuck being an animal, I want to be a horse. Alright?"

"Um, kay," Shannon looked over at Trish and made a little loopy motion by her ear, "How about me and Jaime clean up the kitchen, while you, Jenn, and Mia go call Antonio and Jean-Michel?"

"What?!" Jaime cried out, then gave a little eep, "I mean, okay, yeah, sure. Go have fun, guys!"

Jenn followed the other two girls with a suspicious look, and once the three were gone, Jaime turned to Shannon. "That was so wrong! Why couldn't Mia be stuck cleaning the kitchen?"

"Please! What could be more boring?" Shannon raised an eyebrow. "Helping Jenn plan a romantic dinner that's got a 99% probability of ending up on the evening news anyway, or cleaning the kitchen, which will be more painless in the end."

"I see your point," Jaime blinked, "I think."

"This'll be faster," Shannon said confidently, "And far less painful. While Jenn hems and haws over possible food choices, we'll be finished with this and out at the beach, sipping iced teas and sodas and waters, and just relaxing."

Jaime sighed, "Now I'm with ya."

ooo

Trish, Mia and Jenn found Jean-Michel and Antonio in the formal kitchen with cookbooks and recipes spread out to plan the evening's meal.

"Jean-Michel, Antonio, just who I wanted to see!" Trish greeted cheerily.

The two men looked up and smiled.

"Miss Trish, now what can I do for you? Does Drake want to order any specific for tonight's dinner?" Jean-Michel was a tall thin man with short sandy blond hair and a cheery smile. In her irreverent Aussie way, Trish had quickly shortened the man's name to JM. Jean-Michel didn't mind…but only Trish or Drake could get away with calling him that.

"Not as far as I know," Trish shook her head. "But I do have a request of you two."

"What is it?" Antonio wiped his hands on a hand towel.

Trish gestured to her best friend beside her. "Jenn here is about to start dating the Grand Master and she's asked him over to the villa for dinner. So we were wondering if you could possibly whip up a really grand dinner for two to celebrate the occasion."

"And where would the dinner be served?"

"Oh I'd say we'll get Henry to get housekeeping to set up a small table for two out on the main balcony overlooking the gardens," Trish grinned.

"It has to be romantic," Mia emphasised. "Candles, roses and all that jazz."

Jenn looked uncomfortable, "Really, it could just be pizza and soda for all I care."

"Really romantic," Trish interrupted, "Don't mind her."

Jenn sighed, "At least have an English translation. Okay? There's a reason I hate fancy food. I can never understand what I'm eating."

"We'll make sure the menu is in plain English," Jean-Michel reassured the former blonde. "Such as rich chocolate cake."

"Loves chocolate cake," Jenn murmured with a dreamy look in her eyes.

"Excellent!" the chef grinned. "So rich chocolate cake it is for the dessert. Now for the main meal. Would you prefer chicken, beef or fish?"

"Fish," Jenn decided without hesitation. "Broiled salmon, not grilled. Steamed vegetables. Whatever you want for Ash, but I want French styled green beans. If it ain't French, I won't eat it."

Jean-Michel raised an eyebrow, "Whatever ma petite wishes."

"Um, yeah. Uh, no parsley flakes," Jenn added, "I always scrape the little buggers off. And no onions or garlic. Other than that, you guys have free rein."

Antonio gave a look to his fellow, and sometimes rival, chef, "She is so generous."

"Generous," Jean-Michel said gravely. "It is in her name."

Jenn's eyes darted from one to the other. "You're making fun of me, aren't you?"

"Never!" Jean-Michel gasped, "That would be…terrible!"

"Simply dreadful," Antonio drawled out, "I would never forgive myself."

Trish smothered a grin by turning her back on the three and going for a cup of water. There was no way she'd be able to keep looking at her friend and keeping a straight face. Not a chance.

"So you're not making fun of me?" Jenn was still a little suspicious.

"We would never make fun of you, ma petite," Jean-Michel flashed her a charming smile.

"Never," Antonio swore with a solemn face. "We wouldn't dare! After all, you are the best friend of our future mistress of the house. We tease you and Trish would make sure our lives would not be worth living. After firing us, of course."

"Uh-huh," Jenn shook her head, "Whatever. As much as I hate to say it, I think we're done here, guys." She turned to her best friend, who still looked like she was trying not to laugh. "Lead on to whatever other torture is next."

"Not a problem," Trish grinned freely. "Not a problem. Gentlemen," she nodded as she led the way out.

The men nodded back and gave Jenn a slightly piteous look. The former blonde looked like she was being dragged off to another torture session.

Aah, the joys of dating a celebrity. How did I miss out on this with Gary? Jenn thought sourly as she was whisked along helplessly in the wake of Hurricane Trish.

ooo

There was no reprieve for Jenn that day. After the menu had been sorted out, Trish had taken her along to see the head butler, Henry, to arrange for housekeeping to set up a small intimate table for two out on the back veranda and to arrange the drinks.

Because she knew that Jenn didn't drink (and the consequences when she did) Trish arranged a compromise on the beverages. Jenn would get ice cold imported water whereas Ash would have some of the best wine from the cellars.

Then it was back to Jenn's bedroom to decide on the all important question of what to wear.

"So what are you going to wear, Jenn?"

Jenn barely raised her head from her prone position on her bed. "Jeans, a tank top, and flip flops."

"Oh no you don't," Trish shook her head. "You've gotta dress up more for the first date! It's not until after you're hitched and have a few demon spawn that you can start to let yourself go. Or so I've heard."

"I'm not about to go all Britney on him," Jenn scowled, "But I'd like to at least be comfortable."

"I didn't say to go wearing a corset," Trish teased, " Though it would be quite fashionable!"

"I don't want to be fashionable! I want to be able to breathe!"

"I'd say you can breathe wearing a pair of dark slacks and a halter top."

Jenn groaned, "That sounds like a work outfit." She dropped her head back onto her bed. "Can't I just stay here?"

"After all the work we just did?" Trish snorted in a most unladylike manner. "I don't think so."

"That's what I thought you'd say."

"I can't believe all the complaining that I'm hearing from you," the Australian shook her head good-naturedly. "One would think you were about to undergo a torture session than finally beginning a relationship with the man you've been seriously crushing on for years."

"I am happy!" Jenn protested. "It's just that I don't know how to show it. Since I was the first born in my family, I just wasn't overly emotional and no one really ever cared that I wasn't. Or at least, that's what they lead me to think. Anyway, all of this stupid, I mean, silly stuff is making everything difficult."

"Stuff? These preparations are going to make this a night to remember! And yes, I know all about your various hang ups," Trish sat down next to her and patted her hand. "And I also know how much you like hiding yourself away from the world. But I would also be a bad friend if I let you sabotage happiness just when it's within your reach."

"You're so cruel."

"Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind," Trish grinned and nudged her friend. "C'mon, let's get you ready. You know you'll end up enjoying yourself. You always do when you're around Ash. You told me so yourself."

"Duh, he's fun to be around," Jenn shrugged, "Gary was, too, at first. But then he just kind of closed himself off to me. I guess I'm worried that Ash'll end up being the same way with me."

"He'll do no such a thing," Trish said confidently.

"Uh-huh," Jenn said dubiously.

"Ash has had a great mum to bring him up, for one thing," Trish nodded, "And she'd give him what for if he even tried to dump you like Gary did."

Jenn flushed, "I'd die if that ever happened again."

"That was embarrassing."

"Oh, no, I mean because I'd have to kill him," Jenn grinned and cocked her head to the side, "And I'd get into real trouble. You know?"

Trish grinned weakly, "You've got a real high perception of yourself. You know that, right?"

"Yep. I know that."

Trish shook her head. "Let's just find an outfit for you."

ooo

Twenty gruelling (for Jenn) minutes (hours … for Jenn) later…

"And finally, we're done," Trish said in a triumphant tone as she led the way down the curving staircase which led into the foyer.

Jaime and Shannon were waiting, as the guys had been shooed into the grand outdoors. Ash was still doing League business, or so he had told Trish, and wouldn't be arriving for a half hour more. In reality, he was picking up a little something for the little date that would be a little surprise.

Jenn followed Trish down the stairs, grumbling in her black Christian Louboutin wedge shoes that were just a little borrowed from Jessie. "I can't believe I'm wearing this."

This was a black skirt that ended just above her tanned knees, that was paired with a long red silk tank top that fluttered with every move she made. Gold bangle bracelets graced her wrists and a simple gold necklace with a gold poke ball charm was at her throat. Her hair was pulled back at her temples, leaving the rest to hang straight and loose over her shoulders. Makeup was minimal, but sparkled at her eyes. Obviously, she'd won one battle from Trish.

"Nice," Jaime said appreciatively, and Shannon nodded.

"Yep," the brunette nodded. "Not everyone can do the wedge shoes at that height. And at least the soles match your shirt!"

Jenn looked down at the red soles, "Uh huh. Leave it to a guy designer to have red on the soles of shoes. Brilliant."

"Okay, enough about shoes!" Trish clapped her hands, reclaiming control of the situation, "We have a romantic situation at hand!"

Jenn rolled her eyes. "I think you're enjoying this more than I am, which is rather disturbing."

"No, I'm just making sure that everything goes according to plan so that YOU end up enjoying yourself," Trish corrected her. "Now, follow me."

Jenn sighed and followed her friend to wherever she was leading her. While Trish was mostly sweet and easygoing, Jenn sometimes suspected her friend had a little dark streak inside. A dark streak that manifested itself into Hurricane Trish and what Jenn called "Fuzzy Dictator Mode."

While not a tyrant by any means, there were just times when Trish had to have her way or else. The 'or else' part of the threat seldom came into play because her friend had a way of persuading people into doing things before they realised it.

Though this control freak part of her friend seemed to mainly show itself when it came to Jenn. Even so, Jenn had to admit that her stubbornness was the main reason for the manifestation of that controlling nature. There were times when it was simpler to move a mountain than to try to get Jenn to do something.

At least, until Trish had her way. And then, woe betide the person who didn't get out of Trish's way. You just didn't survive if you didn't give way.

And thusly did Jenn cede to the better judgement of her best friend and thusly was on her way to the back veranda. In no way did she feel like she was a dead woman walking, though she did feel like she had all eyes on her. She did notice that her Absol was discreetly following her through the shadows along the rooms to her right.

The Houndour was with the Growlithe, which were with Trish's pokémon in the great room. She was at least sensible enough. The strange Mightyena was trailing the Absol and looked amused in a canine way.

Jenn sighed, but instead of feeling nervous, she felt a strange mix of determination and anticipation. Now if only she could be alone with Ash instead of having such an audience!

She was interrupted in her internal musings by Trish who led her into a small cosy room, which looked out over the back veranda. "You can wait for Ash here, and I'll get Henry or Thomas or whoever answers the door to take him through to you."

Jenn looked around the room, which was comfortably furnished with a few sofas, bookcases, a top of the range entertainment system and a fireplace. "But what am I supposed to do while I wait here? I hate waiting. It's boring."

"You can read, or you can turn that insane brain of yours into thinking romantic possibilities with Ash after dinner," Trish winked before she was nudged to one side by Little Kigali who looked like she was about to bowl across the floor and leap straight into Jenn's lap.

Or that's what Kigali would have done, had Trish not scooped her up in mid run and held her against her like a small dog. "Oh no you don't, Kigali. Your mommy needs to be left alone for a while tonight."

The little Absol whined and struggled to be put down but Trish had her in an expert hold. "Uh uh uh," the Australian gently scolded the Pokémon. "You are coming with me to go play with the other Pokémon. And you too, mister."

This was addressed to the Mightyena who was peering around the corner. The Pokémon looked up at her with a calm stare and Trish stared right back at him. "Yes, you. In fact I think we'll all leave Jenn and Ash in peace for their date tonight."

"Yeah right," Jenn snorted. "You're just saying that to cover the fact that you'll be spying on me as much as they want to."

"I will not," Trish laughed. "Promise. I do have better things to do with my time than to spend an entire night spying on you."

"Even with you in control freak mode like you are now?"

Trish looked affronted, "I am not."

Kigali snorted and Mightyena nodded.

"I think they think otherwise," Jenn said, and the Mightyena took his chance to bound over to Jenn's side.

"Hey!" Trish gasped, but kept a firm grip on Kigali, who whimpered but gave up with a little whine.

"C'mon, you!" Jenn crouched down, "You're gonna get me in a lot of trouble."

The Mightyena nudged her, let her rub behind his ears, and then bounded off. Kigali finally managed to get out of Trish's grasp and followed after the Mightyena in a white blur.

Trish looked after them, and then looked back at Jenn. "You've got some of the weirdest pokémon."

Jenn's Houndour peeked into the room then, gave a little huff of amusement, and then followed the wayward duo as if to agree.

With a shake of her own head, Jenn laughed, "I know. I don't know why I can't seem to get a normal pokémon, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

Trish chuckled. "You know, that sounded exactly like something Ash would say too. He never seems to get an ordinary pokémon either."

"As long as you don't say that it means that we're perfect match," Jenn rolled her eyes.

"Oh but you are! I've got a good feeling about this."

"Oh you do, do you?" the former blonde raised an eyebrow.

"I do," Trish nodded. "And as you know, I am always right."

"Yeah, sure," Jenn said with the tone of one who is certain there's been a past mishap that's been forgotten about by the other party. "Of course you are."

"And don't you forget it," Trish said. Her tone was that of one who knew her recall was better than the other party's. "I'll go and tell Henry to show Ash in when he arrives."

Jenn watched her friend leave before looking around with a sigh. Waiting really sucked.

ooo

The sun was just beginning to sink below the horizon when Ash walked up the long circular driveway to the Orange Crew Leader's villa. The Grand Master self-consciously patted his blazer pocket for the jewellery box inside.

To tell the truth, Ash was a little nervous about this date. James had come over to help him get ready and his Pokémon were more than happy to assist and offer some good, and some unwanted advice.

Meganium had offered to come over and shower Jenn with her Sweet Scent. Charizard had offered to roast Jenn if she refused to go out with Ash after this.

While Ash was pleased by Meganium's offer, and seriously tempted to let the gentle plant dinosaur's offer go through, he was less than amused by Charizard's offer. He knew that the hot headed dragon carried grudges, but he'd hoped that Charizard would've let this one drop since Jenn was no longer an Absol.

"If you flame even a hair on her head," Ash had warned the orange dragon, "I won't be responsible for what happens after that."

"And what are you afraid of?" Charizard had taunted. "That I might hurt you in a fight?"

"I'm not afraid of you," Ash had said. "I'm afraid of what Jenn might do to you. She'd tear you apart if you burned off her hair."

He paused and gathered himself as he stood on the wide stone covered entrance of Drake's villa. He'd walked by two uniformed men doing work on some of the bushes around the low walls that flanked the walkways near the driveway, and they hadn't noticed him.

Ash grinned and then sighed. He had moments where he loved being the Chosen One. He closed his eyes and allowed his natural powers to pull him into the villa. He trusted them to place him in an area where there would be no person, pokémon, or object. Only once had it ever almost failed him, and that had been horrible enough to be on his list of things to never, ever repeat.

Once he was inside, he saw that he was in the front foyer. There were several maids bustling around under the direction of Trish. Shannon was nearby, looking amused, and Jaime was sitting on a chair looking like she wanted to go to bed.

Ash didn't see who he wanted to see and, instead of seeking her out mentally, figured she was being held somewhere else, secluded in some romantic area. In another time, it probably would've made him think it was something stupid or too girly, but he was actually looking forward to it.

Feeling mischievous, Ash dropped his invisibility mode and said, "Hey guys, when's dinner?"

Every motion froze in mid-stride and Ash couldn't help but to grin a bit more.

A maid dropped a plate and screamed, and commotion went into panic mode.

"IT'S THE GRAND MASTER!"

"OHMIGODHE'SEARLY!"

"WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO!"

"IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD!"

"Can I go to bed now?"

"No you can't!" Trish snapped to attention and took hold of the situation. "EVERYONE CALM DOWN!"

Every maid, butler, and service person froze in place, partially due to Ash and partially due to Trish.

The Australian glared at the Grand Master, who definitely had the grace to look sheepish.

"Sorry," he said. "I wanted to walk but couldn't be seen. You know how paparazzi are."

"Well you could've knocked at the door!" Trish hissed, "Or called on the phone! Knocked at the door? You put these poor people into a fright! Who knows what Jenn's thinking, back in the great room!"

"So take me to her."

"I can't just do that!"

"Why not?" Ash shrugged, "It's not like I'm going to see her in a wedding dress right before the ceremony."

Trish raised an eyebrow, "You say that like it means something. Don't go breaking her heart. I'll have to hurt you if you do."

"I don't plan on it, Trish."

"Fine," she said, "Come with me."

As she led him down the hall, she talked to him. "We'd planned on having Henry or Thomas take you from the door to her, but I guess if you want something done right, et al…"

Ash shook his head, but grinned, "Of course."

They walked into the room, fully expecting to see a bored Jenn. What they found was something just as expected. Ash was almost an hour late, after all, and it was getting late. Kigali was curled up in her lap, and Chance, the strange Mightyena, was at her feet, but Jenn, who was halfway sitting in a leather sofa, was passed out and sound asleep.

The Louboutin peep shoes were on the floor in a heap, the bangle bracelets were on the side table beside the sofa, and a small tube of pink silvery lip-gloss had rolled off the table and fallen onto the floor.

"I guess sleep waits for no one," Ash chuckled.

"That's not funny!" Trish groaned, "We worked really hard on this! This can't be ruined because you were late!"

"Hey, she's the one that fell asleep!"

"Yes, because she got bored waiting for you!" Trish was irritated. "What took you so long anyway? Why didn't you just teleport from wherever you were? Why did you have to walk?"

"I needed some time to think."

Trish scoffed, "Whatever for?!"

"Because," Ash reached into his pocked and took out the small box, "I got her this."

"Oh dear Lugia," Trish's eyes widened.

"You know," Ash looked thoughtful, "I guess I could've asked his advice. He does give good advice."

Trish rolled her eyes, looking mildly annoyed. "Show-off."

Ash grinned, "Yeah."

"Does that box contain what I think it does?"

"Depends on what you think it does," the Grand Master grinned again.

Trish sighed in mild exasperation. "You know what I mean, Mr Smart Arse. An engagement ring?"

"Oh no," Ash laughed and shook his head. "I don't move that fast Trish, and especially not after what happened with Misty. It's just a little something for Jenn."

"Little little or Orange Islands little?" the Australian smirked. "Because when it comes to bling, I warn you that Jenn likes her rocks big."

She walked over and gently picked up Kigali off Jenn's lap. The little Absol whimpered softly but settled down when Trish cuddled her against her shoulder. "Anyway, we'd all better leave you two alone so you can get on with your date." The Mightyena got up and shook himself and trotted out the door.

Just as Trish was about to leave, she turned to Ash and grinned. "So Prince Charming, you'd best go and wake your Sleeping Beauty. Jenn is going to get a kick out of that!"

Ash crouched down close to Jenn and was about to make a move when he noticed that she was smiling. He moved back a little. "You're awake, aren't you?"

She opened her eyes. "You should know that I prefer movies like Kill Bill to Sleeping Beauty. The sentiment is appreciated though." She stared at him and shook her head. "You're late."

"I know, I got held up and…" He never got to finish because she grabbed him and pulled him in for a kiss. When it broke off, he sat back. "I'll remember to be late more often."

"You do that."

ooo

"You really should just give up and relax kiddo. You're not gonna get let out for a good long while." Chance yawned as he observed Kigali frantically scrabbling at the closed door. Trish had shepherded all the girls' Pokémon in a large spacious room Drake had specially made to cope with rambunctious Pokémon and, after making sure there was plenty of Pokémon chow, fresh water and toys, had left the room and secured the door shut.

But the Mightyena's remark had only served to agitate the little Absol even further. Kigali resumed her scrabbling. "But I have to get out! I want to see my human mom! She's the only mom I've got and I miss not being with her!"

The door remained closed and she could hear no approaching footsteps that signalled freedom. Kigali slumped down against the door in a despairing heap and started to whimper softly. "I want my human mommy…"

Ophelia ran quickly over to the puppy and began to lick her soothingly. "It's okay, little one. Your human mommy will be along in a little while. She's just busy having dinner with the Chosen One at the moment."

Kigali sniffled. "But…why? Why is having dinner with the Chosen One more important than spending time with me?"

Ophelia shared a glance with Beth and paused to think on how best to explain it to the youngster. "Because….if all goes well tonight and in the future…Jenn might give you the Chosen One as a human daddy."

Kigali's tears dried instantly. "Really?"

"Really." Beth nodded.

"Oh boy!!" The little Absol was jumping up and down for joy. "The Chosen One as my human daddy. That would be the bestest!!"

Chance shook his head good-naturedly at Kigali's antics before laying his head down on his outstretched forepaws. Things were going as they were supposed to. He just hoped that the former blonde wouldn't get cold feet and let the Chosen One slip away. He was worried. Mainly because he didn't remember anything in the future about the blonde having had such dark, dark fur. Hair.

He sighed and looked away from the sight of the Growlithe grooming the Absol. Once again, Beth had managed to get a hold of Kigali, much to the little one's dismay. There was a nagging suspicion in his mind at the thought of the blonde getting her hair dyed. If something as little as Jenn getting her hair dyed could change the future, then he didn't want to think about it. What if he went back to the future and found that everything had changed?

Deoxys take it, Celebi. This is why I didn't want to mess with time travel, Chance bit back a growl and instead ground his teeth and fought to get some sleep. He could only hope that his future mistress would come to her senses and not scare Ash away.

His future depended on it.

ooo

Ash put his wine glass down and looked across the table. Candles flickered in the gentle ocean breeze and the same breeze tugged at tendrils of Jenn's hair. She'd tried to readjust it from her impromptu nap, but gave up and instead pulled it back into a casual twist. A few strands had escaped and she hadn't noticed, but he had and had found it endearingly cute.

Of course, after her choice of movies, he wasn't about to tell her how attractive he found those escaped strands of hair, but he did think they were just that.

Her eyes flicked up just then and met his. Her fork froze in mid-hover and for a second her salmon was forgotten. "What's up?"

"Your fish, I guess."

"Huh?"

"Well, your fish is up in the air," Ash grinned, "Kind of, anyway."

Jenn looked down and grinned back, "Yeah, kind of. That's lame, Ash!"

"Is it good?"

"Is it good?" Her fork almost clattered to the plate when she put it down. "Oh God, don't tell me you don't like fish!"

"No, Jenn, I like fish!" Ash forced himself to not laugh. If he laughed, then Jenn would panic and dinner would end on a sour note. "Relax, okay?"

"I'm relaxing!" Jenn bit at her lip, "I am."

From the corner of his eye, Ash caught sight of a flash of yellow. Pikachu had managed to sneak out of Trish's sight and around the villa. She waved to him and gave him a pika thumbs up and then pantomimed digging through pockets.

Of course, Ash thought, and mentally smacked himself. She might relax a lot more if she got a present. He winced inwardly at the reaction Trish had from the size of the box. I doubt Jenn's gonna expect an engagement ring. Right? I guess there's only one way to find out.

It turned out to be perfect timing, since the waiters had come to take away their plates in exchange for dessert. While one of the waiters had Jenn's attention with the tedious decision making of creamy chocolate silk or dark chocolate ice cream with the surprise cake that Jean-Michel and Antonio had created.

"Can you go ahead and put this onto a silk scarf?" Ash asked the waitress. Luckily for him, she nodded and seemed to have a good idea of what he wanted. The woman, who had worked for Drake for years, discreetly took the velvet box under the cover of a linen napkin. "And can you see Trish and the other girls for their advice? I know that they could also help you out if you need. Bring it out with dessert. I know that doesn't give you a lot of time, but I need it for that."

She nodded and smiled, "Of course, Grand Master."

"Ash, please," Ash nodded, "I get enough of that at work."

"Certainly, Ash," She said, "My name is Lucy. I'll be back as soon as possible."

Once Lucy had left, Ash turned back and caught Jenn staring at him with an amused look. "Huh?"

"What was that all about?"

"All what about?" Ash went for nonchalance.

"All that," Jenn said. "That all looked really…special. Like you ordered old wine or something."

"Oh, oh yeah, I did, "Ash took it and went with it. "Really old, uh, Cristal."

"I thought that was just expensive."

"Old wine is expensive," Ash said, and felt really glad that Jenn didn't drink. Especially since Cristal wasn't wine. It was champagne.

"I don't mean to be a prude, but I hope you didn't order any for me," Jenn winced a little. "I don't drink for personal reasons."

"No, it's just for me," the Grand Master reassured her. "I just think that a special occasion like this deserves some really expensive wine."

"If you say so," Jenn smiled a little nervously and shifted her napkin around on her lap. She looked around as if ready to bolt at the slightest noise.

Ash saw Pikachu gesticulating in the background and understood very clearly that the Pokémon wanted him to make small talk until the desserts came out.

"This was a really great suggestion of yours tonight," he smiled at Jenn. "This is a lot nicer and more private than it would have been in a place like Chateau Pidgeot."

"So…you're enjoying yourself?" The tone in her voice was so hopeful that Ash had to bite back a chuckle. The poor girl was thoroughly tying herself in knots over all of this, when she had no reason to worry at all. Ash was already in love with her, and unlike Gary or Brock, he didn't fall out of love at the mere sight of another girl.

"I'm having a wonderful time, Jenn," Ash smiled. "Especially since you're here with me."

Jenn flushed slightly at the compliment and Ash reached over and took her hand. Her eyes widened, and he could feel her tense and he waited for her to take off, but common sense won.

She looked up at him with a flush on her cheeks that he dare to never tease her about, for fear that he never see tomorrow. "Ash, I…"

"Yes?"

"I…" Her gaze flicked behind him and the moment was lost. He knew the second it was because she sat back and pulled away from him and she said, "Dessert's here."

For a second, Ash wished that he dared to just teleport the two of them, plus dessert, to the most deserted part of the Indigo Plateau. Then he realized that the Indigo Plateau wasn't really romantic and sighed. As he stared down at the dessert in front of him, he wondered what Jenn considered to be a romantic location, and realized that he was lost for words. He didn't know!

"You look a little confused there, Ashy boy," Jenn said teasingly, "What's got you so suddenly deep in thought?"

"Oh, uh, nothing," Ash said, and gave a little laugh, "Just thinking about the Indigo Plateau."

"Oh, huh," Jenn looked thoughtful. "Kind of a dark place. It's not bad."

"No?" Ash shrugged. "It's a living."

"That's right! You, ah, you work there. Kind of," Jenn said and frowned, "Don't you?"

"Well, I…" Ash was about to say something when Lucy walked out with a tray in her hands. "Here's your dessert, Jenn. Best for last."

"About time, sheesh!" Jenn joked. "I could've died from lack of chocolate!"

"I wouldn't have let that happened," Ash said seriously, then smiled.

Lucy placed the tray onto a folding rack that she had been carrying, then lifted the plate off of the tray, and set it onto the table in front of Jenn. What the plate held, was not what Jenn expected.

"Ash…What the he…heck is this?"

"Just a little something I picked up for you," Ash shrugged, "It's why I was late."

"Oh, buddy, you've picked up some slang from hanging around here too long, haven't you?"

Ash grinned, "Maybe."

Jenn gently took out the amethyst and diamond platinum ring and slid it onto her right hand and admired it. The amethyst was the size of a large pebble.

"You like it?" Ash asked quietly. He was pretty sure that it was a good choice, since he had rung Trish up the other night and grilled her on what Jenn's favourite gemstones were.

"I love it! It's so beautiful!" It was the first genuine smile he had seen from her all evening. "You really shouldn't have."

"Sure I shoulda."

"Not that I'm complaining…." Jenn held her hand up so that the ring flashed in the candlelight. "But what's this for?"

"Oh just something to mark the occasion of our first date."

"That was way too casually said," Jenn lowered her hand. "And it sounded way too much like you were considering there was going to be a second date."

"That's because I am considering there to be a second date," Ash said it seriously. "And before you say it, I do mean it seriously. I want to go out with you on a second date. You, yes you, only you."

Jenn stared at him in obvious shock. "I…I…"

"Just say you'll go out with me again."

Jenn just gaped.

Ash leaned an elbow on the table, then rested his hand on his palm. "You weren't this difficult to figure out when you were an Absol. Must be a girl thing."

That did it.

"Ash! I can't believe you just said that!" Jenn sat back, "You can't just give a girl a gift, and then compare her to being a dog!"

"Well, it snapped you out of that funk you were in. Didn't it?"

She glared at him and looked away, "Honestly, that was completely superfluous of you."

Ash's eyes widened and he looked over at Pikachu. The little mouse shrugged and looked a little lost for words herself. She gave a wordless little, Pi, and went back to her hiding place in the bushes.

"Hello? Are you even paying attention to me?" Jenn was staring right at him.

Ash felt his face redden, though he knew it wouldn't be very obvious under his tan and the cover of the night sky, "I'm sorry, I was a little distracted."

She rolled her eyes, "I noticed." Jenn gave a little sigh, "Listen, Ash, I'd like to say that this was a really fun little date and all, but it was really boring."

Ash felt his eyes widen a little. He couldn't help it, "Wow, that was harsh."

Jenn laughed, "Well, you were distracted by Pikachu, weren't you?"

"You saw her?"

"She's practically attached to your shoulder," Jenn said with a grin, "Plus, it's hard not to notice when you're getting advice from her. Just tell her to come on over."

Ash motioned for his oldest friend and she didn't hesitate. "I'm sorry that the date was a disappointment."

"It wasn't that, Ash," Jenn said and looked around. "I did like it, but it was too quiet. I think we should go out again, but we shouldn't tell anyone where we're going."

This time, Ash grinned. "What do you have in mind?"

"How do you feel about miniature golf on Navel Island?"

"Sure I like miniature golf," the Grand Master grinned. "I didn't know that Navel Island had a course."

"Well now you do," Jenn said. "So how about it?"

"It's a date," Ash reached over and took her hand in his. Jenn didn't make any attempt to snatch her hand away. "So are you gonna ring Danny up and get him to close the course just for us?"

"Heck no," Jenn shook her head. "I hate calling anyone on the phone. Well, except for my family and totally close friends. Oh, and second, when I said that no one is gonna know where we're going, I meant it."

"And just how are we going to manage that without either getting mobbed by screaming fans or the paparazzi?"

"Duh!" Jenn grinned. "We're gonna go in disguise, of course!"

"Of course."

"I bet if you asked, you could get Jessie and James to help you with yours."

"No thanks," Ash said hastily. He remembered the one time he had asked the former Team Rocket members for their help in disguising him. That was one episode he had made sure never, ever saw the light of day in any autobiographies or articles. Time for a change of topic. "How are you going to get away without telling Trish?"

"I'm not going to not tell her," Jenn snorted and pointed to her head, "I'm blonde, Ash, not stupid."

He gaped at her, "But, I…"

"She's neither a fan nor paparazzi," Jenn said, "Though I will be telling her that she can't have any involvement in that date. She put a lot of hard work into this one, and I really appreciated it, but it was a little quiet."

"Didn't you have any input into this date?"

"Not that much," she shrugged. "I got to pick eating out here and the food on the menu."

"So if you wanted a little bit more excitement, why didn't you take more control?" Ash was confused.

"Because I was more than a little nervous about this whole first date thing, and you never ever get in the way of Trish when she's on a roll. Girl's like a hurricane sometimes. If you don't get out of her way, you'll get flattened."

"Maybe she'll be too busy to involve herself anyway," Ash grinned. "She does have a wedding to plan after all."

"Psh, come on, Ash," Jenn waved him off. "How hard are those things anyway? They're, what, just bigger versions of parties. They can't be that hard to plan or people wouldn't be having them all the time."

"Wow," Ash gawked at her. "Wow, I cannot believe you just said that."

"What?"

"It's just that you're a…"

She glared at him, "A what?"

"It's just that you're a girl, and I'm a guy, and even I know that these things take a lot out of you."

"What things?"

"Weddings, Jenn, weddings take a hell of a lot of planning!" Ash shrugged, trying really hard to keep things simple. "Average weddings are hard enough, and Trish is planning a wedding to Drake. Celebrity weddings are ten times bigger than average weddings."

"And you'd be an expert in this because of what?"

Ash gave her a dry look, and Pikachu gave a little sigh.

"Oh, right," Jenn bit at her lip, "I totally forgot about all of that. Sorry."

"Uh-huh, well, promise to give Trish a little break once things get really hard."

"No problem," Jenn said and sat back in her chair, "I can start tomorrow night, say around seven thirty? I'll walk Chance and Kigali down here by the beach. Who knows? I might end up training them for an hour."

"Nice, but will she buy it?"

"It's that or I sulk in my room," Jenn said, "And I think she'll buy that less."

"So it's a date for tomorrow night then."

"Uh-huh and after a round of miniature golf, we can go for dinner, and finish with a nice long walk along the beach in the moonlight," the former blonde clapped her hands together. "And that would be the perfect end to a perfect evening."

"Where will I meet you?"

"On the beach at seven thirty."

"Would you prefer getting there by Pidgeot or Charizard?" Ash then asked.

"Pidgeot, definitely," Jenn decided. "Charizard creeps me out. He's always glaring at me."

"I don't think he's forgiven you for some of the things you did to him when you were a Pokémon," the Grand Master sighed with a shake of his head. "And that dragon is very good at holding grudges. I should know. I'm pretty much an expert at that subject."

"He needs to get over it," Jenn snorted.

Ash smiled at her, "He sure does."

ooo

Fortune seemed to be smiling on Jenn the next night, as she found it easier than she originally thought to convince her friends of her 'plans' to walk her canine Pokémon along the beach and train them.

Ash had been right. Trish was extremely busy with her wedding plans and had told Jenn that morning that she and Drake were going over to his parents' manor to discuss holding an engagement party and the timing of the upcoming wedding. The pair were going to be gone all day and would possibly be gone well into the night.

Jenn feigned wide-eyed innocence, "You might have to spend the night!"

"Don't give me that, you harlot!" Trish smacked her friend's upper arm, "You know very well that we wouldn't be sharing a room at his parents' home."

"But it would be so dangerous," Jenn winked, "That's hot."

"You just keep yourself here and out of the public eye," Trish warned her. "Train your pokémon, yes, but that's it. Don't even think about anything else. No meeting up with Ash on any public dates. It would be disastrous."

"But Ash's had tons of experience with paparazzi, Trish," Jenn said, "He's an old pro."

"And you're not," Trish said wisely, "They can tweak any pose, any gesture, into something dirty and repulsive. They can make up a story that is completely not true and make the media and public believe it is."

"And you're an expert in that subject how?"

The Australian rolled her eyes. "Hello, don't you remember that completely fabricated lie that Rudy told the media about me and Danny?"

"Oh, oh yeah…." Jenn grinned sheepishly. "That was a totally gross moment."

"If you think that when you weren't the main target, then imagine what you will think when you are."

"Let's not think about that right now, okay?" the former blonde grimaced. "Any other words of wisdom, O Wise One?"

"You also should be careful of what you say in public now. Any flippant remark, however harmless can be overheard and twisted," Trish warned.

"So you're saying that if I said that Drake was a smelly old fart," And Jenn said this with a straight face, "And in public, that any paparazzi would actually take this and twist it into a story and say that he's got an intestinal problem?"

Trish narrowed her eyes, "There is that possibility. Yes, that's a great example of what not to do."

Jenn bit at her lower lip, obviously trying to keep from grinning. Finally she gained some semblance of composure, "Well then, I'll try my best to be on my best behaviour from now on."

"I really don't trust you when you say things like that," Trish sighed wearily.

"Aww, like what?" Jenn asked innocently.

"Like you're about to go more evil than the tip of Lu's pinkie finger," Trish said guardedly. "I'm trusting you, Jenn, behave!"

"I will, Trish, I promise," Jenn said, "I'm gonna train my pokémon by the beach. What else could I want to do?"

ooo

Jenn misted on her favourite perfume as a final touch to her preparations for her date with Ash. She stepped back and studied her reflection critically in the full-length mirror. Her outfit consisted of a lilac tank top, blue jeans, and her favourite pair of silver Manolo slingbacks.

The former blonde felt confident that her actions wouldn't arouse the suspicions of either Jaime, Shannon, or Mia that she had plans other than to train her pokémon. The last thing Jenn wanted to happen was for someone to go and tell Trish.

Jenn had gotten into trouble so many times these past few months by ignoring advice and sneaking off, that she knew that it would only take something else for Trish to go off her rocker. While she had a nagging feeling that this wasn't the best idea she'd ever come up with, she wasn't about to back out now. Ash was counting on her to be there.

Plus, it wasn't like she had his cell phone number or anything. She couldn't back out. She had to go. Not like she was being forced or anything though. Jenn grinned and reached down on her desk for her black leather trainer's belt. Stylish and functional, she thought as she slung it around her waist, then snapped on four poké balls to the magnetic disks.

Jenn felt a twinge of apprehension run through her as she left her room and headed for the stairs. She sensed more than noticed Chance, the really weird Mightyena joined her to trot at her side. Lugia forbid if I get into trouble this time. I'll end up dead. Trish'll kill me.

On her way through the kitchen, Jenn snagged an apple from the bowl of fruit that was in the centre of the table. Luckily, the kitchen area was empty, though there was a lot of noise coming from the living room area. She decided very quickly to avoid that room as carefully as possible.

Only it was impossible. Fate was conspiring against her as Chris came from the living room, intent on getting something to drink. He stared at her and frowned, "Where the hell are you going?"

"To the beach to train my pokémon," she said defensively, "Right, Chance?"

The Mightyena lolled its tongue out and yawned.

"So why is it you look like you're going out on a date, huh?" Chris looked at her suspiciously. "Since when do people train pokémon on the beach, on sand, in three inch stilettos?"

"Since they're me," Jenn said smoothly, "Ciaoness."

"You are so not going training."

"I am too," Jenn grinned and shrugged, "It's what I do after training that's anyone's guess."

"My guess is that you're going to meet up with Ash for dinner and a good shag," the Scot smirked.

"No! And get your mind out of the gutter!" Jenn snapped quickly, not wanting to let on to Chris that he had got the first part of it right. "What makes you even think that's gonna happen?"

"C'mon, Jenn! You've just started dating Ash, publicly for all we know, and the first rule of hot and heavy dating is that you can't keep your hands off each other for first few months, ergo a good shag."

"You're unbelievable, you do know that," the former blonde snorted. "If there was ever a research study going on for raging hormone levels, I'd do more than nominate you, I'd FedEx you there myself."

"You think I haven't heard that threat before?" Chris shrugged. "So what are you gonna do after training if you're not meeting Ash?"

"I thought I might go down and catch a movie and have a bite to eat," Jenn tilted her head. "They're showing this film that I've been dying to see."

"Yeah, and what's the name of this film that you're dying to see?" Chris snorted, "Especially since they haven't even rebuilt the theatre yet, genius. If that's the story you came up with to fool Trish, then you better try something a bit smarter than that."

"Oh yeah, then what would you come up with?"

"Given that everyone knows you couldn't hold alcohol in a glass, much less your own system," Chris said breezily, and walked past the bristling American with out so much as a quiver at the glares being aimed in his direction. "I can't say that you might have met me and Callie down at the local pub. And you're not much of an art connoisseur, so you can't drop by that little art gallery Bennie boy is so fond of."

"Gee, talk about running out of options and making me sound like an idiot all at the same time," Jenn muttered, "Thanks a bunch, Chris."

"Oh, it makes my day, Jenn," Chris grinned, "It really does!"

"Keep on talking, Scotty," Jenn grinned back, though thinly and patted Chance on his broad furry head, "And I'll keep on reloading."

The Mightyena, who was startled out of his process of dozing off, looked from Jenn to Chris, back at Jenn, and then growled expectedly at Chris. He looked back at Jenn and then leaned against the American.

"That's a mighty fine guard dog you have there," Chris snickered. "He looks really, uh…"

"He's fierce," Jenn snapped, "Now what's your plan? And it better be good, or else, yeah."

Chris scowled at her, "You're weird."

ooo

Trish walked out on the back balcony at Drake's parents' manor and looked out over the moonlit ocean. The butlers were setting the table for dinner, which would bring a welcome break from all the planning.

She rubbed her temples slightly and sighed. While she knew weddings took a lot out of you from all the family nuptials, this one would be enormous.

Maybe they should just elope, but then again her family would never forgive her. Or her friends, especially Chris. Any excuse for free food and booze.

The Australian's thoughts turned to her friends, and she wondered what Jenn was up to in particular. She had a sneaking suspicion that Jenn hadn't been telling her the whole truth.

Trish sighed, I'm hoping that it's just that I'm really tired and not that she's gone and disregarded my advice. Please don't have gone and done something utterly stupid!

ooo

Sixteen year old Mallory Heath couldn't believe her eyes. The cute couple to her right, who had looked really familiar all through her appetizers, now looked really familiar for a reason and she couldn't believe that no one else had picked up on it.

It was the Mightyena that was sprawled out at the feet of the couple, the big silver furred canine was sleeping right under the table of the booth they were eating at, which must have thrown all the others off base. It wasn't known if the Grand Master had a Mightyena, though certainly he must since he was the Grand Master. That and the fact that the girl he had been teasingly off and on been friends and not dating, a la Angelina Jolie/Brad Pitt, had since dyed her hair black!

Mallory lost all interest in her Balsamic Kingler and pulled out her Blackberry. She stealthily snapped a few shots of the couple and texted them to her favourite entertainment television show with a high priority flag, and a very interesting subject header in all caps.

Then Mallory sat back in her seat and sighed. She waited for her boyfriend to come back from the restroom, and felt somewhat nervous. Her heart was beating rapidly and the sounds of the restaurant were a little muted.

She was excited and a little giddy. The teenager looked back to the couple, who were receiving their main course from their server.

So why was she starting to feel a little guilty?

ooo

It was 11pm when Jenn finally closed her bedroom door behind her and flopped, tired but happy, on her bed.

The date with Ash had gone so well and was so enjoyable. Totally contrary to Trish's worries, there were no paparazzi or fans to disturb them even once during the whole date.

Best of all, Jenn had come home to find that Trish and Drake still weren't back from his parents. And that meant that Jenn had finally pulled one over on her best friend without anything going wrong.

For once, and if that wasn't a relief, she didn't know what was.

ooo

The next morning, Trish yawned as she rolled over and slapped sleepily at the alarm clock. Beside her, Drake was beginning to stir as well.

"Might as well put on the TV to see if anything interesting is going on," he gave her a kiss as he clicked the remote on the bedside stand.

"Probably nothing much…" the Australian muttered and closed her eyes for a few more precious minutes shuteye.

"And in an exclusive sent straight to Entertainment Tonight, the first photos of the Grand Master Ash Ketchum and his new lady love!"

Trish's eyes flew open wide and she sat straight up in bed to stare at the screen. "Oh….My…God."

Onscreen, a very happy looking brunette woman was talking with a co-host, a teal-haired man. "What do you think of that rebroadcast clip, Randy?"

"I'll tell you what, Mara, it was to die for!" Randy gushed, then giggled, "Or maybe I should say to dye for! Did you see her hair? That was a professional job and I want to know who did it! Each strand was meticulously done! You cannot go from dyed blonde to dyed black without a pro to do it for you!"

Mara's smile faltered then strengthened, "That's not what I was going for, but we'll go with it. Yes, Jenn's hair was great. However, the ramifications of this secret date, which was revealed to us by a fan who wishes to remain anonymous, will surely stretch for weeks!"

"She's got that right," Trish glared darkly, and picked up her cell phone. "Drake, either take this phone away from me or let me dial."

Drake looked a little lost. "Do you really want me to take it away from you?"

"I'm not sure."

"While the couple were both in disguise, neither one was in a very good disguise as these two pictures show."

Trish looked up as the pictures the fan had taken were shown. She squinted at them and her eye twitched once. "Okay, that's it. I'm calling her and she's not going to be facing anything other than a growling tiger!"

ooo

Jenn rolled over and sleepily picked up her cell phone. From the tune it was playing, the American knew that it was her best friend on the other end. "I guess she did stay overnight after all," she muttered to herself as she flipped open the phone and put it against her ear.

"Goddess J," she drawled out lazily. "Speak now or forever hold your peace."

"Would you like to die now or later?" Trish said, sounding none too pleased.

The former blonde's eyes opened wide and she sat up in bed. This was totally unexpected! "Excuse me? What on earth are you talking about?"

"You LIED to me, Jenn!" Trish was clearly exasperated. "You went out on a date with Ash despite what I said. How could you do something so incredibly stupid??"

"How…how did you know?" Jenn was totally confused. How on earth could Trish have found out? Did Chris tell on her? She didn't think he would, but honestly, that would be really low!

"Thanks to Entertainment Tonight, photos from your date are being broadcast all over the world."

"The huh?"

"Turn on your TV, Jenn," Trish ground out, "I know you have one in your room, and you'd really better be in your room and not his!"

Jenn's eyes widened with shock, "I'm sorry, I think I was still asleep. What did you just say?"

"Did you turn your TV on yet?"

Jenn found her remote, muttering wordless nitpicks as she did. As the screen came to life, she put the appropriate channel on. "Nothing's on but an infomercial."

"Then put on PNN."

"The PokeNews Network?" Jenn made a face. "That's the…"

"I know what it is. Drake's interviewed by them almost daily," Trish said, "Ash probably is, too. PNN is the Pokémon League version of CNN. Everyone knows that."

"Well I don't watch it because everyone knows they're just as boring as CNN," Jenn sighed. "What channel is it on?"

"45," Trish said, "And I'll know when you have it on."

Jenn rolled her eyes, but put the channel on. She immediately wished she hadn't.

"…following the possible controversy of this date. Paul, what do you think about it? Do you think he was seeing this girl before he was divorced, or do you think it was after?"

"Well, Mark, I think it's possible they were seeing each other before the divorce, but maybe not as lovers. Do I think the spark was there? Absolutely."

"Already Misty supporters are crying out in a Brangelina Affair. Do you think it's possible that we're seeing something similar here in the Orange Islands, or is it just a curious similarity that happens to be going on at the same time as a celebrity divorce is in the process of wrapping up and…"

"Do you see what I mean?" Trish asked loudly, "Jenn? Hello? You still there?"

Jenn slid out of her bed and snapped her phone shut. "This is so not good." She looked around her room and was suddenly very glad for the fact that someone had drawn the blinds and pulled the lilac coloured drapes shut over the windows. She avoided them like the plague, and was relieved that they were located opposite of her bathroom and the hallway door.

Her phone rang again, but she ignored it. Almost methodically, she grabbed a fresh change of clothes and took a quick shower. After she fully dried and straightened her hair, she quietly made her way downstairs. She knew she would be in for a ribbing, but she wasn't without friends. She had Kigali and Chance by her side. The two Pokémon had been sleeping downstairs and had heard her coming.

She smiled when she saw them. Her guardians, and she figured she'd be needing them!

As she feared, there were people up and around. Shannon and Jaime were in the kitchen, and they exchanged looks when they saw her.

"So…was last night good?" Shannon asked casually. "Get a lot of training in?"

"Yup," Jenn replied, just as casual as she walked over to the fridge to get out the container of pulp free orange juice. Maybe, just maybe, she was going to be let off the proverbial hook this time.

Alas, Jaime wasn't in on the 'memo' to act casual. "Trish called a few minutes ago to say that she and Drake were coming back straight away," the Canadian said bluntly. "You'd better be prepared cuz I've never heard her so mad before."

"I already know that," Jenn muttered as she poured herself a glass, then sat down at the centre island.

Jaime nodded sympathetically, "Did she wake you up with an angry phone call?"

"Angry is putting it mild," Jenn snorted, "Really, really mild."

To top things off, Chris sauntered in and had a look that was mixed between uneasy and smug. "Nice going, hotshot. The paparazzi are already camped outside and I bet they're at Ash's place too."

"I don't know," Jenn grumbled and watched as he raided the fridge for something to eat. "I'm debating on going to my room and never leaving it again, or asking Ash to teleport me to Bora Bora. And one of those hopefully before Trish gets back."

"Too late now," Jaime snickered. "Guess who's back."

Trish came striding into the kitchen, followed closely by Drake, and plopped herself in the chair opposite her best friend. "I tell you it is an absolute MADHOUSE out there," she complained. "I sure hope that no one is planning to go out somewhere because you're not going to get through that pack alive. If it hadn't been for Dragonite, we wouldn't have made it inside."

"Great…" Shannon smiled weakly. The shyest member of the group, she was never comfortable being in the spotlight. The last few times they had been bothered by the press, Shannon had refused to poke even her nose outside.

"Since it's too late for I'm sorry, I'll just get straight to the point of whatever it takes to fix this mess," Jenn said bluntly.

"Maybe you should've thought of that before you went out on that premeditated date," Trish glowered.

Drake quickly fixed Trish a cup of coffee and handed it to his fiancée. She accepted it with a tender glance up at him, then turned an angry look at Jenn. "I just can't believe you'd do such a thing! And after I specifically told you not to!"

"First off, quit making it sound like I went off and killed someone," Jenn said calmly, deliberately trying to not get angry. She knew from experience that it wouldn't do any good. "Secondly, everyone's telling me to go off and date him, then telling me not to. It's confusing."

The Australian sighed. "I never said for you to not date Ash. I just said for you not to go out on any public dates with him until you're more comfortable with telling the entire world. You can still date Ash, Jenn. Now everyone thinks you two are the new Brangelina."

Jenn winced, "Please quit reminding me."

"Someone needs to keep reminding you," Trish glanced over the rim of her coffee mug before taking a sip.

"Not like Jenn is quite up to her level," Chris said jauntily, "She ain't quite got Angie's…lips…"

"I'm so gonna kill you!" Jenn seethed and started standing up.

"I don't think so!" Trish said firmly, "As I have dibs on killing you first."

Chris made a face a five-year-old would be proud of and made a hasty retreat from the kitchen.

"I mean, I totally appreciated all the hard work you did the other night, but it was a little too quiet," the former blonde complained. "I thought going out like that would be a little more fun."

"Before that date Trish set up, you didn't know what to do, and you'd said that you didn't want to go out for dinner either," Shannon pointed out.

"I know, I know, but," Jenn looked down at Kigali and Chance, and the Mightyena nuzzled her knee. "This going out secretly just seemed so impulsive and mysterious. It was dangerous."

"See? She is like Angelina. Only without the," Chris had ducked his head back into the kitchen. He made a motion that started to aim towards his chest, and then went towards his mouth. "Lips."

Jenn's eyes widened, "You little jerk! I've got enough cleavage, thank you very much!"

But the Scot only shook his head and vanished back to wherever he was going, and it was back to damage control in the kitchen.

"Now you two are going to have to go public and hold a press conference," Trish said firmly. "It's the only way to clear the facts and calm everything down. Whether you are ready for the limelight or not."

"And here I thought for sure that nothing could go wrong this time," Jenn groaned and buried her face in her hands. "We were in disguise and there were no paparazzi. Ash said he couldn't sense any of them around for miles."

"Next time you're going to sneak off, you tell me first," Trish ordered. "Every time you've snuck off, something bad happens. At least if you had told us, we could have made sure the disguise was a good one."

"I was wearing my good Manolos!" Jenn protested. "And nothing bad really happened. It's not like I died or anything."

Jaime and Shannon groaned, and even Chance whined out in protest. Kigali looked confused and hid behind the larger Pokémon.

"Jenn," Trish said calmly, even though she wanted to throttle her best friend. "You were kidnapped by Lu the last time, you do remember that, right?"

"Duh."

"He did make it look like you were smattered all over a parking lot, right?"

"Duh, part deux."

"You remember being an Absol, right?"

"Tcha, that was totally fun," Jenn grinned evilly, and then glowered. "I still want my fire power back. That was totally cool."

Trish sighed and shook her head, "Okay, I was just checking."

"You know, it would make an awesome birthday present. Just FYI."

"You're impossible, you do know that."

Jenn shrugged, "It's what makes me possible."

ooo

Over at Ash's villa, the paparazzi were camped outside in their hundreds, hoping to get a glimpse of the Grand Master and perhaps his new girlfriend if she was there. Many hoped Jenn had spent the night and they were forgetful enough to leave the blinds and curtains wide open.

It would be a million dollar shot if they were to catch a steamy embrace or an illicit sex photo. The photographer would never have to work again. Tabloids, magazines, TV entertainment shows and websites would pay big bucks for it.

Unfortunately they found they couldn't move into the property beyond the front gate thanks to an invisible wall thrown up by some Psychic Pokémon.

Inside things were a little calmer.

"Meeeeeeooooooowth," Meowth whistled as he came back from risking a peek outside. "Dere must be hundeds of paparazzi out dere. Dey's gonna eat you alive if you step out dat door, Twerp."

"I know that," Ash said calmly as he sipped his coffee.

"Dey must be outside Drake's place too. Betcha Jenn's not too happy about dat."

"I bet that Drake isn't too happy about that either," Pikachu chirped as she popped a piece of Brock's special Pokéchow into her mouth.

"I thought you said that you couldn't sense any paparazzi around," Brock said as he stood at the stove and flipped some pancakes for breakfast.

"I couldn't," Ash said. "What I didn't count on was a fan and her cell phone camera."

"Has that fan come forward and confessed?" Brock transferred some of the pancakes to a plate.

"No," Ash sighed, "But it doesn't really matter. This could really all be good for our relationship."

Brock and Meowth had identical reactions, "WHAAAA??"

Pikachu looked thoughtful, then nodded, "She'd take forever to get to the next step."

Meowth recovered with the speed of his species, "Well yea, she woild, but don't youise think dis is gonna make her go inta hidin?"

Ash's mahogany eyes glimmered, "I won't let her."

"Ash, you can't force a woman into something she doesn't want to do," Brock said wisely, then looked glum, "Trust me, I know what I'm talking about."

Ash watched his friend as he carried a plate heaped with pancakes over to the table, "I won't, Brock, honestly. I'm just going to show her what it could be like if she accepted it, instead of tried to hide from it."

Brock and Meowth exchanged looks and grinned.

"You're a smart man, Ash," Brock said and shook his head.

"That's my Pikapi!" Pikachu said proudly.

ooo

The Mainland

The phone rang incessantly, waking her from a sound sleep. Finally she was unable to ignore it any longer and Misty reached over and ripped the cordless phone from its charger. Without looking her digital alarm clock, because she figured she'd either cry or be really upset if she looked at it, she settled for being angry.

"You'd better have a damn good reason for waking me up…"

"Misty, you'd like, better totally turn on your TV!"

"Daisy?" Misty turned on her bedside lamp and rubbed at her eyes. She squinted at the sudden bright light and silently cursed at herself. "It's only three in the morning. Why did you call?"

"Mistay! Your TV! NOW!"

"Okay, okay," Misty grabbed her remote from her bedside stand and aimed it at her TV. The TV, a 53 inch wall mounted flat screen, was one of the many things that Ash had had provided for her as part of the divorce settlement. It was in the midsized Cerulean City house that overlooked the ocean.

The channel that she'd last had on was the Soap Opera channel. As scheduled, All My Growlithe, was playing. "I don't think I'm seeing what you're seeing," she muttered. "What channel are you going mental over?"

"Like PNN!" Daisy was just about hyperventilating. "Ohmigod, I am so, like, totally sorry, Mistay! I'm, like, so there for you! Do you, like, need me to come over or something?"

"Uh…no."

"Mistay! You still haven't, like, put the channel on!" Daisy wailed, "Put on the, like, stinking channel!"

"Okay, fine," Misty rolled her eyes and rubbed the massive swell of her belly. Any day now, she was due to…

"…experts are agreeing and disagreeing up and down the arena on this story! Whether or not this has been an affair in the making or a love story that's just happened, it's almost beginning to not matter."

Misty blanched and her hand fell from her belly. She heard the remote clatter to the floor. Her heart began to race and her breathing increased.

The two people on the screen laughed. "I don't know about you, but I think they make an adorable couple! They drive Brad and Angelina right off the scale for having a hidden romance, don't you think?"

"Oh, absolutely! In fact, some say this may have begun almost a year ago! Can you imagine?"

"Mistay? I can hear an echo so I, like, totally know you're on, like, the same channel I'm on!" Daisy's voice echoed in her ears, "Do you need me to, like, drop by? Hello? Mistay?"

Then a picture flashed across the screen and Misty's ears began to buzz. The phone slid from her fingers and dropped onto the bed. She could hear her sister's voice, small and tinny, from its place on the bed, but she couldn't understand the words.

The two people in the picture…They were sitting in a booth. The guy was wearing a baseball cap. It was all blue and had an Arabian looking Rapidash head on the cap. If the cap was his old league one, the Rapidash head would be where the L would've been. His hair was short and very black. He wore a black t-shirt and blue jeans. You couldn't see what shoes he was wearing, but Misty was betting they were probably black hiking boots.

And the girl. Her heart skipped a beat and then sped up again. 'Oh Ash, why did you lie? Why were you with her?' Misty's head spun and her mouth went dry. 'How many times were you alone with her when we were still married? I was with Gary and I was practically ostracized; yet you were with her for God only knows how long, and it's okay? You two get to be the new Brangelina?'

It was then that a sharp pain stabbed through her belly. Misty's breath hitched and she clenched her teeth as the pain griped her.

'Wait for it to pass. You've gone through this before. False alarm, false alarm…'

Fifteen minutes later…Twenty minutes later…

Then her water broke, and Misty realized that it wasn't a false alarm.

When the ambulance came to take her away, Misty almost smiled. She knew the delivery room was going to have an earful this night. Her poor sister Daisy, who had stayed on the phone when Misty realized what was going on, had called the ambulance for her and then rushed over until the ambulance got there, was in the back with her little sister.

"It's like, totally okay," Daisy said reassuringly, and sat by Misty's head in the ambulance, "I totally won't leave until you want me to."

Misty would've replied, but the paramedic had fitted her with an oxygen mask.

"Completely regulation," as he had explained.

And so Misty squeezed Daisy's hand in reply.

Of course, Misty had told Daisy to not tell Ash anything about his child being born. She wanted him to find out the same way that she had found out about this little date.

She'd tell the paparazzi. After selling the first photo rights. Of course. In her eyes, she was doing all the labor, she at least deserved some compensation. And the first photos of the first child of the Grand Master and Legendary Chosen One should fetch a very pretty penny.

Several million pretty pennies!

And if anyone dared to call Misty greedy, she would just tell them that she was keeping the welfare of her child in mind. Who would know how long Ash would be in power?

ooo

Pummelo

"What am I gonna do to fix this?" Jenn asked her friends. "I can't even go outside the house since everyone's saying we're the next Brangelina."

Chris snickered. "I think you need a few cosmetic enhancements before you can call yourself that."

Jenn's face flushed scarlet and if looks could kill, Chris would have dropped dead on the spot. "I'm just going to kill you, preferably now. Kay?"

"Before we all kill each other," Drake interrupted before the fight could escalate further. "I think the best thing would be to talk to Ash and have a strategy meeting about what to do."

There was a sudden popping noise before Ash, Brock, James, Jessie, Meowth and Pikachu all appeared in the kitchen. Shannon and Jaime jumped a little while Trish grabbed Jenn's arm to ensure she did not run.

"Speak of the devil," the Orange Crew Leader said cheerfully. "So how about we all go into the great room where we can talk without any fear of the paparazzi?"

"Sure," Ash nodded before his cell phone rang. The Grand Master fished it out of his jacket pocket and handed it over to Brock. "Could you answer it, please?"

The Pokémon Breeder flipped the phone open. "Hello, Brock speaking."

'Who is it?' Ash mouthed to his friend.

'Lily' Brock mouthed back before speaking. "Is that so? Well I'll let him know straight away. Thanks for calling." He flipped the phone shut.

"That was Lily," Brock informed the group. "Ash, you'd better get over to Cerulean City fast. Misty's gone into labor."

Ash's eyes widened. "You're right. C'mon Pik." The agile electric mouse leapt onto his shoulder and the two vanished.

"Well…this certainly makes things more complicated," Drake said with a sigh. "Misty will almost certainly use the baby as a way to get the sympathy vote. The pregnant wife abandoned by a cheating husband."

"That's such a total lie," Jenn ground out. "We only had a grand total of two dates and we haven't gotten to the sex part yet."

"Then you'll have to get friends who would be prepared to stand up for you in public and declare that you are innocent."

Jenn cast a pleading look at her best friend opposite the table. "I mean, I know that's not gonna be the difficult part."

"No, but the difficult part is going to be proving other things," Drake said smoothly. "And proving them, if need be, without repercussion on other people's behalf."

"Mmhmm," Trish nodded, "I agree."

"Could someone slip me the script," Jenn said, and waved a hand, "Because I totally forgot my lines."

"What Drake and I meant was this," Trish said, "If it came down to Misty saying that you and Ash were together before the divorce was final, and you took a lie detector test, you would end up with the results being a lie."

"But I wasn't with him!"

"You slept with Ash before the divorce was final, Jenn," Drake said, "And you've been naked around him."

Chris choked on his beverage of choice, "She what?!"

"I did not!" Jenn said hotly. "I would know if I had sex with him!"

"And he's been naked with you before, too," Trish reminded her, to which Drake nodded. "Ringing any bells at all?"

"NO!"

"Then it's a good thing I dug this out of your drawers this morning," Trish said and pulled something out of her purse. She maximized it and threw it at her friend.

Jenn caught the red and white object and stared at it. Her eyes widened and she gaped at Trish, "You…"

It was about that time that Kigali and Chance trotted into the kitchen. They had squeezed in through the doggie door system that Trish had put in for the canine pokémon. The two had come in fast, to escape the paparazzi. Apparently, they had snuck into the back yard area as well.

Jenn's eyes widened a little more, "You're talking about when I was an Absol."

"See, hun, the wheels are clicking," Drake chuckled. "It only takes a little time for things up there to warm up."

"I'm not going to degrade my poke ball with throwing it at you," Jenn stuck her nose in the air, "I simply won't." She got serious, "But if they do try to give me a lie detector test, that's gonna seriously blow. They'll catch me in a lie. I did sleep with him before the marriage was over. I swam in the ocean and when I came back in, I shook my fur out all over him and Misty."

Jenn looked up and saw everyone staring at her. She shrugged, "It was fun, you should ask Pikachu about it. Or ask Meowth to ask Pikachu about it. Um…Kigali, Chance, let's go do…something."

Jenn vacated the kitchen rather quickly, leaving her friends in a rather confused state.

"Is it just me," Drake looked after the dark haired girl, "Or does she get weirder by the day?"

"It's not just you, Drake," Chris said, "It's definitely not just you."

ooo

When Trish walked into Jenn's bedroom, she found the former blonde lying down on her bed, face first, Kigali snuggled into her side while Chance lay on the floor.

The Mightyena shifted over a little to allow the Australian to sit down on the corner of the bed that was unoccupied.

"I'm never gonna leave this room, ever again, for the rest of my life," Jenn's muffled voice came from the pillows. "My life is over. Ruined."

"It's not that bad," Trish said gently.

Jenn peeked up from one side of the pillow, "You've got to be kidding me."

"I mean, well yes, it's bad," Trish admitted, "But it could be worse."

Jenn snorted, "I don't want it to be worse. We've been through worse."

"There is that."

"And even Chris is right," Jenn sighed. "The stupirazzi is comparing me and Ash to Brad and Angelina, and only one of us are anywhere near celebrity status."

"Hey, now."

"It's true!" Jenn sat up so suddenly that she startled Kigali into shooting off a small ice beam. "Oops, sorry, Allie."

All three missed seeing Chance's eyes widen at the nickname. Strange to them, but oh so familiar to him. He settled back on the floor by Jenn's feet and opted for watching the ice frosted chair defrost.

"Well have to get some towels for that later," Trish murmured.

"I mean, I'm not even Cinderella status. I'm not even mouse that gets turned into a horse to take Cinderella to the ball status."

"You're just a little too overdramatic, you know."

Chance nodded his agreement, though it went unseen by the humans.

Jenn rolled her eyes, "C'mon, Trish! No one even likes my hair being dark. Except me."

"I'm sure Ash likes it."

"I don't know." Jenn sighed and shrugged. "I mean, this is a baby, Trish! It's a totally visible reminder that they were married and had plans to be together forever. I wasn't in his plans, she was. The only reason Ash isn't with Misty now is because she couldn't keep her hands off of my ex-boyfriend."

Trish nodded, "But Ash is with you now, Jenn, so there really isn't anything much she can do about it."

Jenn blanched, "Trish, what if she forces me to take a lie detector test? What if she somehow finds out I was that Absol that was at their house? She didn't like me, and I was really…"

"Obnoxious?"

"To say the least," Jenn said glumly, "I don't even like my hair dark."

"Now this is a conversation that is going in all different directions," Trish shook her head. "You've got to calm down, Jenn. You're falling apart on me!"

"No, I'm not," Jenn gritted her teeth, "I'm totally together. PUCK!!!"

"Huh? You call that 'totally together?'!!" Trish looked surprised. "What's going on? The conversation wasn't even on Puck? You're saying that Puck did your hair? I thought James did your hair?"

"Well, he tried, really hard, but he called in a favour," Jenn explained.

"And that would be me," Puck materialized in the centre of Jenn's room. "Got tired of the dark side, blondie?"

"Not yet," Jenn said wickedly, "Just the dark hair."

Puck rolled his eyes, "Get over here."

Jenn got up and walked over to the annoyed looking Fae, "Just like it was before, kay?"

"Trust me, I've got better things to be doing today than to be messing around with annoying mortals like you." Puck held his hands over her head. "I was allowed to retain at least a large fraction of my powers, not all but a great deal of them."

"And you'd waste them on parlour tricks like this?" Trish raised an eyebrow.

"My lady Trish, she'll owe me in the end, but for one thing," Puck's hands shone with a brilliant intensity for a brief second before fading to reveal glistening blonde strands. He stepped away and looked satisfied. "And secondly, it definitely beats hearing her moping and whining if she'd have this done the mortal way in a salon."

Jenn's eyes widened, "I'd never!"

Puck looked evil, "Why, one would almost think you were an Absol, with the way you went about whining."

Her eyes narrowed, "You do overstay your welcome, errant Puck!"

"Tsk, tsk," Puck chuckled, "Your attempts at sounding learned are vastly overrated." He sketched a bow, "But they are immeasurably amusing. I bid thee adieu…"

And with that, he faded out of sight and out of the room.

"There is trouble that comes with asking him for help," Trish shook her head, but smiled, "You do know that, don't you?"

"I needed the help," Jenn shrugged, then studied a strand of now golden blonde hair, "Besides, it looks good, and it was fast, and not expensive."

"And it's going to throw the media for a loop," Trish sighed and shook her head again, "You're really going to irritate them."

"Then my work is off to a good start!"

ooo

Cerulean City

Ash and Pikachu materialised in a quiet park adjacent to the Cerulean City Hospital. Luckily for the Grand Master, no one was around, especially no paparazzi.

Ash looked up at the tall grey building for a moment and hesitated. "I'm not so sure this was such a wise idea to come here."

"No backing out now, Pikapi," Pikachu clucked her tongue disapprovingly. "Not only would you kick yourself for the rest of your life if you missed the birth of your first child, but it will also deny Misty the chance to depict you as a uncaring ex-husband and father."

"You think I should just waltz on in?"

"I think you'd be a fool not to," she said, and patted his head with her paw, "And if you don't, I'll just shock you until you walk in there."

"Pikachu…"

A low voltage jolt ran through him, and Ash bit back a grin until she let up. Then he smoothed down the hair he knew was standing on end and sighed. "Okay, okay, let's go and welcome my…child."

And before the press and paparazzi had any clue that the Grand Master's child was being born, Ash walked under the overhang of Cerulean City Hospital's main entrance, and into the main lobby. As the doors closed behind him, he felt a separation of one part of his life, and the beginning of a new one.

In some ways, it was scarier than facing Lu, and he only hoped he was ready to face it.

To be continued…..

Author's Note: Ah this global financial crisis is causing so much stress (for many parents and for those of us adults currently in full time employment. Keyword – currently. All you can do is keep a sense of humour!

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