Midsummer Nights

by Trish

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

39. Chapter 38 With Arms Wide Open

Midsummer Nights

By Trish

Disclaimer I do not own Pokémon or Puck. I do own Poppy, Poptart and the storyline. The lyrics in the title come from "With Arms Wide Open" by Creed.

Chapter Thirty-Eight My Life is Gonna Change

Jenn twirled a golden strand of hair around one finger. "Do you think this'll work? I know I call 'em stupirazzi for a reason, but can they really be that dumb?"

Trish shook her head. "Only for a nanosecond, Jenn. You would have been better to stay dark. Now you are instantly recognisable because you are back to what you were before."

The blonde frowned. "That's totally not the answer I was going for."

"I'm not so sure this was such a great idea, Jenn. By going blonde, you're playing straight into Misty's hands. She'd be able to portray you as this blonde seductress who can't keep her hands to herself."

"But everyone knows I'm not like that!" Jenn protested. "I'm totally angelic."

"I'll take you up on the angelic part later, but yes, the private you is quiet and good. But the public you that you've been either consciously or unconsciously creating is basically that of a badass," Trish reminded her. "And that's not going to help in proving your innocence now."

Jenn sighed, and Kigali snuggled up against her side. "I wonder what, um, I should do to try to prove that I am innocent."

"You could pull a Paris Hilton and be really nice to the paparazzi," Shannon suggested. "Feed them loads of Pichu Bell and let them talk to you and take pictures."

"Yeah, this from someone afraid to stick her nose out the door," Jenn said wryly.

Shannon shrugged sheepishly, "It wouldn't be me doing it, so I don't mind making the suggestion."

"And it wouldn't be you, so you wouldn't have to pay for it, either," Jenn snorted and shook her head. "No thanks, I've got Pokémon and I'm not afraid to use 'em. Someone's got something with teleport. And if not that, then someone's got something that can fly really fast. We can just…use…that suggestion…Why does it seem like no one likes the second suggestion?"

"Because, Jenn, no one likes the second suggestion," Trish said dryly, "There are those of us that like to wear skirts or dresses on occasion, and then there are those of us that like to style our hair or wear contact lenses. None of which are conducive to travelling on really fast flying pokémon."

"Yeah," Shannon said, "And let's not bring up why the guys won't fly on really fast pokémon."

Trish giggled, "They probably would have a few objections there."

"Okay, fine," Jenn rolled her eyes, "So it was a bad idea."

"Yep," Trish said and was about to say something else when Jenn's cell phone started to simultaneously vibrate and ring to a ringtone that had the blonde snatch it from the countertop, except that Trish grabbed it first and let it play. "He's a one stop shop, makes the panties drop. He's a sweet-talkin', sugar coated candy man."

"Wow, Jenn, I'd think you were thinking about a certain Grand Master with this ringtone…"

Jenn snatched the phone off of Trish and flipped it open, "Hello? Yeah, I've seen it and I meant to call you. No, of course none of it's true! Whaddya mean, you wish it was?" The blonde ignored the two girls' confused looks and left the room, talking as she did, "You are really not helping, Mom! Whaddya mean Dad said I should go for it, too? This is so not the conversation I wanted to have with my parents."

Trish watched as the blonde left the kitchen and shook her head, "I wondered when they'd be calling her."

"I'm just surprised they haven't called earlier," Shannon said. "But that's the ringtone she had for her parents? Or is that a general ringtone?"

"It's a general one, I think," Trish said with a grin, "But I think it says a lot about her current situation."

"Yeah, you think?"

ooo

Pallet

Daisy winced and covered her ears as another ear-splitting shriek echoed out from the labour ward. The tall blonde had refused to accompany her youngest sister into the labour ward because childbirth was totally disgusting, and newborn babies were like, so totally red and gross.

If she had ever had doubts of Misty's lung capacity, they were gone now. Daisy wondered if the doctor and nurses would need surgery to repair their eardrums afterwards.

The blonde glanced up as someone entered the room and her jaw nearly dropped to the floor. "You!"

"Yes, Daisy, good to see you too," Ash said easily. From his shoulder, Pikachu gave a little wave.

"How…how did you, like know? I so totally did not tell you."

"You didn't, but hey I'm psychic, or didn't Misty tell you that?" the Grand Master smiled. "And I have every right to be here. This is my child as much as Misty's. He or she is our child no matter what."

"Don't get all, like, preachy on me, Ash," Daisy rolled her eyes and gave a little shudder of pure annoyance, "I know all about kids and how they're made. I totally don't need a lesson on it from you."

Ash gave a shrug, "How long has she been in there?"

"For like, nearly seven hours."

Ash winced, "I guess it's not a good time for me to show up."

Pikachu smacked him on the side of the head, "It's the perfect time."

"Better late than never," Daisy said, "I may not like babies, but like, this is gonna be my niece or nephew. Ash, I can't even believe that you'd be, like, not be there for Mistay when she totally needs you. This is your hour as much as it is hers."

"Let's reverse the insults, Daisy," Ash shook his head, "I don't need a lesson on it from you."

Daisy narrowed her eyes, "Like, listen up, Ash. I'm totally angry with you and I'm gonna totally be a lady because I'm in the maternity ward of a hospital! Yeah it was totally bad that Mistay did what she did with Gary, but you went and did what you did with someone who isn't even famous!"

"Excuse me?"

Daisy ignored Ash's surprised tone and ploughed on, "Like, at least Gary's famous and well known in the Pokémon field. He's like, a good trainer, his grandfather's well known, and he's got some cash. But this Jenn girl? She's, like, got nothing to offer but, like, totally bad hair. You really, like, should dump her faster than a hot potato and get back together with my little sister!"

Ash blinked and looked over at Pikachu. The little mouse looked just as surprised as he felt, though her cheeks belied her true feelings. They sparked just a little.

"Uh, Daisy, maybe you should not be so rude."

Daisy laughed, "Oh, Ash! I'm totally not being rude! I'm just saying what, like, no one else is saying because they're too polite to totally say it. It just needs to be said."

Just then, there was another vigorous yell from the birthing room. It just wasn't the yell of a newborn.

"ASH KETCHUM, WHEN I FIND YOU, YOU'RE NEVER GONNA BE CAPABLE OF MAKING BABIES EVER AGAIN!!!!!"

Ash gulped, and Pikachu gave a little Pika laugh.

"Don't worry, Pikapi," she patted him on his shoulder, "That's what every female says when they're giving birth."

"In Misty's case," Ash murmured, "I think she means it."

"And with the media," Daisy kept on talking and it was apparent that she hadn't heard Ash and Pikachu's exchange, " They've totally, like, overdone it! You and Jenn being the next Brangelina? Puh-leze!!! She looks totally stupid with dark hair! She doesn't look that good with blonde hair either though, if you like ask me. But, like, point being I think you two were totally hooking up before you were even fully divorced." Daisy took a breath and looked like she was thinking.

Pikachu looked down at Ash and patted his shoulder reassuringly, "Don't get mad, Pikapi. It won't be good for you or the light bulbs."

Ash forced himself to calm down, because he was getting more than a little upset at Daisy's comments. He knew that visibly getting upset would only prove to Daisy that she was right, and Lugia help them all if she relayed anything back to Misty about a revelation from Ash himself.

"…so don't you think? Ash?" Daisy stared at him and repeated her question demandingly, "Ash! Like, don't you agree with me?"

"About what?"

"Giving her a test to prove whether she's innocent or not?" Daisy snapped. "I want this proven once and for all."

"Pikapi, don't!"

"Fine, yes," Ash snapped back, "Whatever!"

"Like, thanks!" Daisy said with relief, and then ran off down the hall, "I'll go call Lilly and let her know!"

Ash felt a little sick, "What did I just agree to?"

"You're the psychic."

Ash sighed, "Pik…"

"Oh nothing, genius," Pikachu said wryly, "Just lie detector tests for you and Jenn. That's all."

"Oh, is that all?" Ash sighed again, but wearily this time. "So that would be what you were trying to warn me about?"

"Yep."

"Uh, thanks."

"Yep."

Suddenly, the two felt a burst of energy wash over them with a sharp pins and needles sensation. Ash felt the hairs rise on his arms and the back of his neck, and a ghostly voice ran through his head.

"Daddy…I'm here…"

Ash closed his eyes as the sensations washed over him, and in a second it was gone, only to be replaced by the robust cries of a newborn. He opened his eyes as the doctor yelled out, "It's a girl!"

Pikachu looked up at him, "Congratulations, Ash."

"Thanks, Pik," He smiled softly, "Ready to head back? We can come back a little later."

She nodded, and the two vanished just as Daisy turned from the phones to head back.

ooo

Pummelo

Ash and Pikachu reappeared in the great room of Drake's villa, causing Shannon to jump with a startled eep and drop her book.

"Hey, look who's back," Chris greeted. "Should we say congratulations or commiserations?" This earned him a thwack on the back of the head from Mia.

"Congratulations, of course!!!" she chided. "The birth of the first child is always a great occasion!"

"Is it a boy or a girl?" Trish asked.

"Girl."

"Oh congratulations!" She beamed. "I hope when I have kids that I have a least one girl."

"How many do you want?" Jaime asked the Australian.

"Oh I'm doomed to have four. It runs in my family," Trish grinned. "Two boys and two girls."

"Hope you like kids, Drake!" Chris smirked.

"Did you see Misty?" Brock asked.

"No," Ash admitted guiltily, "I stayed in the hallway and got berated by Daisy."

"I'm guessing not willingly," Brock said, "Anything new or did she actually make a point?"

"Not really," Ash shrugged, then nodded when Pikachu tapped him on his head, "Yeah I know, Pik. What she means is that Daisy went into a huge rant about why I shouldn't be dating Jenn because she's not famous."

"Geeze, that's really shallow," Chris snorted, "Even for Daisy."

"I'll say," Mia agreed, "And just how famous is she to get to say that?"

"Uh, she's pretty famous, Mia," Ash said as kindly as he could, "She's one of the Cerulean Sisters, and she's a Gym leader. "

"And she's a moron!" Mia snapped, "Let's not forget about that!"

"Well I'm the bigger moron," Ash sighed, "I sort of talked to Pikachu for a second and didn't hear what Daisy was saying. I heard the tail end of Daisy's conversation, then tried to hear what Pikachu was warning me about, and as Daisy was bugging me and trying to get me to agree with her, I kind of just agreed with her."

"So?" Brock said, "What's the big deal?"

"So I unintentionally agreed for me and Jenn to take lie detector tests to prove that we weren't cheating on Misty during the marriage and before the divorce was even mentioned," Ash gave a little chuckle, "Kind of…uh…silly of me."

There was a rumble of mixed emotions ranging from disbelief, to anger, to shock. Mia looked angry about it, "How dare she even think about that! Of course Jenn wasn't romantically linked with you! The girl might have had a crush on you, but that was about it!"

"Actually, Mia, that's not entirely true," Trish said cautiously, "Remember when Ash was Satochu?"

There were various nods all around the room.

"That's right," Shannon said, "And that was way before the whole Jenn's an Absol thing."

Trish nodded and continued, "If the questions get really technical," Ash winced at Trish's words, "You had your hands all over her in that form, and in the most inappropriate times and places."

Brock shook his head, "There's more to this though, guys. If news of that part gets out, Gary might have to somehow get reinstated into the League."

"What?" Jenn had walked into the room, "No freaking way!"

Brock shrugged, "Welcome to the conversation."

"Thanks," She said and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, "But no freaking way is porcupine head getting reinstated. He kicked me!"

"You bit him."

"No, I tried to bite him. I didn't get a chance to."

"The point is," Brock spoke up louder, "That his story was true and that he wasn't lying. You were a Pokémon, and Ash did use you in a League sanctioned battle against his pokémon. I don't think the battle would have been disqualified in any way since you were a full pokémon at the time, but he was – for the most part – telling the truth."

Jenn slumped with her bottle of water at the centre island. "We are so completely doomed. I should throw myself off the nearest cliff and save everyone the pain."

"Uh, Jenn, wouldn't that just be causing you all the pain?" Shannon pointed out. "And you don't like pain."

"Yeah but if I do it right, then it would only be for, like, a second."

"What if you don't get it right?"

"I'll make damn sure I get it right the first time!"

"That's not going to solve anything, Jenn," Trish shook her head. "And if you even dare to try that, then I'll find a way to bring you back so I can kick your butt."

"I thought you'd say something like that," the blonde sighed. "And tell me why my idea is not such a good one, when the truth is just gonna get me and Ash into deep shit."

"Because committing suicide would just confirm to the whole world that you are guilty," the Australian explained. "And Gary and Misty would just continue to trash your reputation after you're gone and there won't be anything you can do about it."

"But there isn't anything we can do," Jenn said gloomily. "Once these test results come out, we're done for."

Trish patted her on the back. "What we are going to do, is call a brain storming session with all of our close group, including Callie and Puck, Jessie, James and Meowth and all of the Pokémon. Between all of us, we're sure to come up with something."

Jaime who had been quiet until now, spoke up. "I've got an idea, though it might not be right…"

"I don't care if it's not right as long as it gets us out of this mess!" Jenn growled.

"Anyway," Jaime continued. "I was thinking what if the Fae or Mewtwo wiped everyone's memories of Ash being Satochu and Jenn being an Absol?"

"That wouldn't help with the lie detector tests," Drake shook his head.

"But honestly, who would believe a person who said they were turned into a Pokémon?" Jaime shook her head. "I wouldn't have believed it, except that I'm friends with you guys. And not many people know that Ash is the Chosen One, and who would believe that either?"

"No!" Jenn looked horrified, "For one thing, I don't want anyone messing around with my mind!"

"I have to agree with you, Jenn," Chris said with loads of concern in his voice.

"You do?" The blonde looked shocked. "Really?"

"Oh yeah," He nodded, "Your brain's already too delicate to be messin' with. I don't think they need to go prancing around in it and wiping out anything else. Who knows what those Absol memories are attached to? Could be next to something important like walkin' or…"

But Jenn had had it to her breaking point by then and ran after the doomed Scot, who finally got the point and took off with a laugh. However, Drake caught the angry blonde and held her so she couldn't tear after Chris.

Trish raised an eyebrow, "Now, Jenn, no killing today, alright?"

Jenn sighed, "Okay, I promise."

Trish gave her a pointed look.

"I promise!" Jenn said and shrugged out of Drake's grasp. She walked back over to her seat. "Anyway, my first point was that I don't want anyone messing around with my mind because I really don't like the idea of anyone going through my mind and just cutting out memories. I don't think it's safe."

Mia shook her head, "Puck's really good at what he does, Jenn. I don't think he'd mess up."

Jenn sipped at her water and shrugged, "I liked being an Absol. It was cool, you know? I don't want to lose those kinds of memories."

The room was silent for a little while.

"What if Puck only took the memories away for a little while?" Drake suggested.

"Huh?" Jenn looked up.

"That could work," Trish nodded.

"You mean like just during the test?" Jaime asked.

"That's so unbelievably sneaky!" Jenn's eyes widened, "Drake, that's a great suggestion!"

The Orange Crew Leader grinned and would have said something else, had Trish not given him a warning glare to not push his luck. He thus confined his comments to, "Thanks."

"That way, when you are asked the questions, you will pass with flying colours," Trish continued. "How can you be lying about something you don't know?"

"But what if Gary and Misty insist otherwise?" Mia asked. "They will still remember, or are we getting Puck to wipe their memories permanently?"

"Leave them be," Drake shrugged. "They'll just sound like a bunch of loonies and easily discredited."

"I agree," Brock nodded. "It's common knowledge throughout the League that Gary has a problem with alcohol and you can't deny the fact that he's a convicted Pokémon abuser for kicking his Umbreon after that televised battle."

"And Misty will just sound like a bitter ex-wife," Trish added. "No matter what she says, she chose to have an affair with Gary while still married and pregnant. And she chose to walk out."

"Let's not forget too, that the divorce was finalised way before Jenn even admitted to being in love with Ash," Jaime piped up.

"Yep," Jenn nodded. "Ashy was a free agent, and who am I to knock him back if he says he loves me?"

"Whoa, Jenn," Trish grinned, "That's the biggest admittance I've heard from you yet!"

"Well," Jenn's cheeks turned a slight shade of pink, "It's not like the whole world doesn't already know."

"Yes, but to hear it from you," Trish cocked an eyebrow, "That's the biggest news of all."

"Okay already," Jenn tossed her head, "Anything more from you and I might take it back!"

"Yeah right!" Trish said then squared her shoulders, "Let's get back to business. Drake, you go ahead and get together with Daisy. Set up a time and place for the tests to be conducted. We want to be as much in charge of this thing as we possibly can."

Drake nodded, "I know of a facility that we can arrange it with. I'm personally good friends with the man who runs it."

"Great!" Trish clapped her hands. "I think then you should also arrange for Jenn and Ash to have a practice run on the machine."

Jenn blinked. "What for?"

"To make sure that you don't get flustered when it comes time for the real test," Trish told her.

"The test is gonna be ain't no thang," Jenn declared confidently. "I'll ace it even without Puck removing my memories."

Her best friend raised an eyebrow. "You really think so?"

"Yeah I do."

"Wanna bet on that?"

Jenn's eyes glittered at the challenge, "Believe it!"

"Okay," Trish looked thoughtful, "Your new black patent leather Louboutin heels."

Jenn gasped, "That's insane!"

Trish shrugged, "But you're so certain…"

Jenn narrowed her eyes, "Fine, but you have to give up the platinum at Ruffian."

Drake staggered back, "Not that! Trish, I reallyhope she fails this test!"

"Aww, c'mon, Drake," Jenn teased, "The truth shall set me free! And shopping always motivates me!"

ooo

An hour later in North Pummelo…

"And the lie detector test shows that that was a lie," Thomas read the results, "You slept with Ash at least five times."

Jenn's jaw gaped, "Ohmigod, I am soooo not going shopping."

"I'm so happy," Drake gave Trish a kiss on her forehead, "Looks like you've got a new pair of shoes, hon."

"Not really, sweet," Trish leaned against Drake, "Jenn's got bigger feet than I do."

Jenn made a face at Trish, but sighed happily. "Thank Lugia for that."

"However, it does go to prove that you can't do this without Puck's help," Trish said.

"I know," Jenn muttered.

Thomas gave the results of the test to Drake and sighed, "Too bad with that, huh, Drake?"

"I hear you, Thomas," Drake said, "Thanks for helping us out here."

"Any time, man," the brunette said, "After all, that's what friends are for. When is the real test being planned for?"

"I'm not sure," Drake looked over to Trish, "Hon?"

"I think it was in two weeks," Trish looked over at Ash, "Right?"

"Friday fortnight," Ash nodded, "Nine am. That's just so that Misty will have recovered enough to travel back here. She wants to be able to witness it with her sisters."

Jenn gulped. She hadn't known all of that and it made her nervous. There was nothing less that she wanted than to see Misty. Well, seeing Lu would have possibly topped that list.

"Alright then," Trish said, "Thank you so much, Thomas, and if there's anything we can do for you, just ring us up."

"You're quite welcome, Trish, Drake," Thomas gave each a hand shake, "Grand Master Ash."

Jenn snuck out behind the trio. She liked Thomas, but didn't feel as important as the other three and didn't feel the need to be recognized similarly. She figured she was probably being rude, but she was also tired and almost lost a pair of favourite shoes!

The four walked out of the large testing room and into a deserted hallway. The whole building had been shut down for the day, as it was Sunday, but it had been opened for them for the purpose of a mock lie detector test.

Drake had used Dragonite to teleport himself and Trish in, while Ash had teleported himself and Jenn in. They would go back to the villa in the same manner. Drake detached Dragonite's poké ball from his neck cord and released the pokémon in a flash of white.

The large Pokémon shook its head and snorted softly. He knew better than to be noisy, and looked around as if to ask if they were ready. Drake and Trish walked over to Dragonite and the large Pokémon held them close, as if in a great hug, and the three vanished in a flash of white.

"You ready?" Ash asked it so softly, that Jenn almost missed it.

"Yeah."

He held out his hand and grinned, "You gotta come a little closer. I promise I won't bite."

"I know that," Jenn said with a huff, but she reached out anyway. The second they held hands, he pulled her close and the world disappeared around them. The blonde figured that she'd never get used to this form of transportation.

When their surroundings came back to normal, they were in the centre of the living room of Drake's villa. The room was empty and Jenn was glad because she promptly sank onto the plush leather sofa and groaned. "How do you ever get used to that?"

"It's pretty easy," Ash said in a teasing voice, "For me it's like blinking."

Jenn looked up at him with a glare, "Well for me, it's like being tossed around on the world's nastiest rollercoaster just after eating."

Ash sat down next to her and drew her to him. "Sorry about that. How about next time I carry a pack of Tums with me so you can take it until you get more used to it?"

"Dude, how are Tums gonna help?" Jenn asked dubiously. "They're for heartburn not pukey stomachs."

"Yes, they can settle stomachs as well," Ash said with a smile. "It's a little trick my mom taught me."

"Oh," Jenn looked thoughtful, "I mean, it's a nice idea and all, but I feel too queasy to get them."

"Not a problem," the Grand Master chuckled as a pack of Tums materialized right in Jenn's lap. "There you go."

Jenn blinked. "You and your Freaky Chosen One powers. I bet you never have to buy anything ever again. You can just make them appear."

"Oh I still want to pay for most things," Ash told her. "It be unfair to all those people whose jobs depend on retail, but I like to do normal things like normal people do."

"Uh huh."

"Don't say it, Jenn," Ash warned the blonde, who looked ready to say something in jest, "You're about as far from normal as I am."

"I am not," Jenn popped a Tums into her mouth.

Ash watched her with a wry look, "You were tossed back in time and you were a pokémon. I pretty much figure that qualifies you as being far from normal."

Jenn made a face, "I need something to drink."

Ash opened his mouth.

"No!" Jenn stood up, shook her head, "Ugh, man I really don't want to teleport again. No more freaky power things, okay? I'm doing this the old fashioned way."

The corner of Ash's mouth twitched in a grin. This could be fun. He also got up and called out, "I'm gonna go find Trish and Drake. I'll see you around."

"Yeah, yeah," Jenn said back, sounding bored.

Ash could hear that she'd gotten a bottle of water from the fridge and knew she was avoiding him. He sighed and shook his head. In so many ways, Jenn was vastly different and so much more confusing than Misty ever was. The blonde was open and yet, so defensive. He knew that it was something left over from the break up with Gary, and Ash wished he knew what he could do to reassure Jenn that not every guy would do the same thing in every relationship she'd have.

ooo

The Grand Master found Trish and Drake having a coffee in the glass conservatory out in back of the villa. Puck had cast a psychic shield around the villa and its gardens so that no paparazzi could get in nor could they see what was really going on. To the outside observer it looked like no one was home, but in reality the occupants were moving around quite freely.

That way their Pokémon could go also out and play in the garden and get exercise.

"Hey, guys," Ash greeted the couple. "Mind if I join you?"

"Grab a mug and pull up a chair," Drake grinned. "What's up?"

Ash sighed as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "Actually I was hoping I could get Trish's advice on something."

"Oh?" Trish sipped her own mug. "Something about Jenn?"

Ash blinked. "How did you know?"

"What else would it be about?" the Australian grinned. "You two have just started dating. Of course you would want to know all you can about each other."

"Well…what I want to know is…what do I have to do to get Jenn to trust that I won't do what Gary did to her," Ash admitted. "She's so open, yet so defensive. All of a sudden she just bristles up and avoids me. It's hard to know what to do. You know her best, so I thought you might be able to tell me."

"Why not just use some telepathy?" Drake suggested. "That way you'd know instantly what she'd like and not like."

"Easier said than done," Ash said wryly, "Besides, that'd kinda be cheating. I want to do this the right way. And…I kind of think Jenn doesn't really like all of the flashy powers."

"She's probably still raw about the fire power thing," Drake mused. "It hasn't been that long since she'd been an Absol."

"And let's not forget how long that girl can hold a grudge," Trish set her mug down on the table, "She can hold her own above and beyond any ghost story."

"Um, let's not go there, okay?" Ash winced, "I really didn't like that movie."

Drake's eyes widened, "What?! Something the great Chosen One is freaked out about?!"

"Okay, okay!" Ash rolled his eyes, "Can we keep this between the three of us? Please?"

"We will," Trish said firmly and smacked Drake on his knee, "Especially if someone wants to not sleep on the couch for the rest of the year."

Drake's jaw slacked and he settled down, "Alright, I promise, I won't tell anyone or anything about this. Ever in my life."

"Now, about Jenn," Trish said, "While the girl is easily won over by shallow things like expensive shoes or flashy jewellery or Ho-oh forbid you lavish her with a vehicle or a highly trained pokémon…"

Ash gulped.

"…her heart is really won much the same way you won over your most loyal Pokémon."

It was Ash's turn for his jaw to drop, "Say what?!"

Trish shrugged, "You did ask."

"Yeah, I know, but come on, Trish."

The Australian leaned forward, "There are only a few things in life she holds dear and near, loyalty, honesty, and respect towards others. Heaven forbid if you try to harm something innocent, steal from something that can't protect itself, or fight something that hasn't got a chance in a million."

"So…"

Trish smiled encouragingly, "So be yourself, don't talk about Gary, and buy her something that sparkles."

Drake grinned, "I'm just glad she's not going to be abusing my credit cards anymore."

"You're a true pal, Drake," Ash muttered, "A true pal."

"Nothin' more, nothin' less," Drake said smugly. "My credit cards have suffered enough over the years. Now it's your cards turn."

"They already know what abuse is like, thanks to Misty," the Grand Master muttered.

"Oh and another thing," Trish spoke up. "Don't ever compare her to Misty. She wouldn't appreciate that at all."

"She'd probably dump you in the ocean right then and there," the Orange Crew Leader agreed. "Freaky Chosen One powers or not."

"Thing is Ash, you need to understand where Jenn is coming from," Trish continued. "She's been unlucky in love. She thought she found love with Gary and he treated her like she was nothing. That was her first real relationship. Not exactly a good benchmark for her to judge by."

"I guess…" Ash looked thoughtful, "I could take her to Pallet and have her meet my mom."

"That's a great idea," Trish brightened, "It would be a good change of scenery for her and I know she's always wanted to go there."

"And the peace and quiet we'd get," Drake said hopefully, "The islands would have the most silence since before Lu's hurricane."

Trish glared at him.

"Come on, hon," Drake said amiably, "You know it's true. You deserve some down time as much as she does."

"Yes, but Jenn isn't as noisy as you always make her out to be," the Australian defended her best friend. "I enjoy her company and it's boring when she's not around to hang around with and gossip."

"It won't be as if she's gone forever," Drake chuckled. "There are still the other girls to talk to, and you won't be bored either. We've got wedding preparations to take care of."

"You're right," Trish smiled. "But things are still better when I have my insane best bud around. Which reminds me, I should ask her if she wants to be my chief bridesmaid."

"Jenn's going to be your chief bridesmaid?" Ash asked.

"Duh!" Trish grinned. "Who else?"

"Alright then," Drake broke in with a clap of his hands, "So it's settled. Ash and Jenn will go to Pallet for the week to escape things here and meet his mom, and Trish and I – along with the rest of the Archipelago – will get some well deserved rest and relaxation from Hurricane Jenn."

Ash grinned and shook his head, "She'd probably have a fit if she knew we were talking about her like this."

"Or be flattered," Trish said, "You never know with Jenn."

Drake shrugged, "Who wants to let her know about this?"

Both guys looked at Trish.

"Oh, sure," she said wryly, "Thanks."

ooo

"Huh?"

"You're going to Pallet with Ash," Trish repeated for what felt like the fifth time, but was actually only the second.

"B..but…that's his mom…" Jenn sputtered, "That's like, a totally huge step!"

"Jenn, you know Delia and she knows you," Trish said reassuringly, "It's no big deal."

"I've never actually met her face to face, oh hey let's sit down for some girl talk," Jenn said, "And by the way, I'd like to get down and dirrrty with your son."

Trish blushed a little, "Well you don't really have to put it that way, because I'm sure she knows how you feel about Ash."

"I'm sure the whole world knows how I feel about Ash," Jenn rolled her eyes, "The point is that there are things you don't discuss or hint about to the mom of said person."

"I know that," her best friend chuckled. "There are some things that I won't discuss with Drake's mom even if we do get along really well together."

"That's good," Jenn smiled. "That would suck if she was a real dragon like most mother-in-laws are in the movies. Imagine having to put up with that for the rest of your life."

"Yeah, but thankfully, Sasha isn't like that," Trish curled up in the overstuffed chair at the end of the bed while Jenn was sprawled out over the covers. "Nor is Delia. As bitter and twisted as Misty is at Ash, I don't think even she could find anything bad to say about Delia."

"But…it's such a major step to meet his mom," Jenn bit at her lower lip. "Isn't it a bit too soon to be doing that? We've only had a grand total of two dates."

"Meeting Delia is only part of the reason why Ash wants you to go with him to Pallet," the Australian said. "Ash has some League meetings he has to attend, and he thought it would be a great opportunity for both of you to escape the fuss here and relax. So you might as well be introduced to his family."

"But…"

"Think of meeting Ash's mom as a good thing," Trish said patiently. "It means that Ash is extremely serious about this relationship. I've heard a saying which says in men's minds that there are two types of girls. Girls they date, and girls they take home to meet their mom and marry." She looked keenly at her friend. "While I hate to bring up such a horrible topic –did you ever meet Gary's mom during the two years you were dating?"

Jenn sighed. "Trish, you should know better by now that you can't expect me to remember stuff from five minutes ago, much less from two years ago!"

"I think you'd remember meeting Gary's mom for the first time."

"I don't think I did," Jenn frowned, "Does he even have a mom? I mean, one that's still alive…"

"So can I tell Ash you're gonna go?"

"I guess so."

"Oh come on, Jenn….it'll be good," Trish coaxed. "It'll be good for you to be on your own with Ash for a bit. And when you get back, you can help me with stuff for the wedding, as I would like you to be my chief bridesmaid."

Jenn made a face, "Sheesh, thanks for the warning. So if I mysteriously end up disappearing in Pallet, you should know it had nothing to do with that wedding planning stuff."

Trish glared at the blonde, "You, missy, should not sass those who know best for you!"

"I'm not!" Jenn said innocently, "I'm sassing you."

"Why you!" Trish gaped and threw a pillow at the blonde, "You are so rude!"

Jenn, who hadn't ducked in time, rested her head on the pillow, "I know, but at least I'm predictable."

"To a fault," Trish shook her head, "At any rate, you'd best get packing, because you're leaving in two days."

"Two days!" Jenn sat up, "That's…but…"

"And you're leaving your pokémon behind," Trish continued, "They're getting a little rest as well. Don't worry, they'll be well taken care of."

"But separation anxiety…Kigali…Chance…"

"Jenn, they'll be fine," Trish said reassuringly, "Once you're gone, my Pokémon and Shannon and Jaime's will play with them and settle them down. They won't even know you're gone."

"I don't mean they'll have separation anxiety," Jenn grumped, "I was talking about me!"

"You won't have separation anxiety," her best friend scoffed. "You'll be too occupied with Ash and too busy to even think about your Pokémon."

ooo

Jenn flopped down on the couch next to her boyfriend and laid her head on his shoulder. The blonde still had to pinch herself from time to time to make sure that she wasn't dreaming it all and that Ash Ketchum really was her boyfriend and not still married to Misty.

But no, the reality was that the Grand Master was divorced (and the papers were already filed with the courts) and he was free to date Jenn and what's more, he said he was in love with her.

"Any plans for us tomorrow?"

"Actually, I was thinking of going to Pallet."

Jenn was confused. "But aren't we going there in two days?"

"This is to visit my baby daughter, Marina."

Typical, Jenn sighed inwardly. Misty really did have water on the brain. "But will Misty let you see the baby? Especially after what's just happened?"

"She can't prevent me from going into the hospital," Ash shook his head. "I'm the father."

And ouch, Jenn thought, then said, "She still could ask them to not let you in."

"She could, but she's forgetting one important point."

"What's that?"

"I've been a major donor to the hospital over the years. They won't bite the hand that feeds them." He paused. "And I can teleport."

"It's your life you're risking," Jenn grinned. "And as much as I hate being apart from you at the moment, I think I'd better not go with you to Pallet just yet. That would be totally pouring a barrel of oil onto the fire."

"I know," Ash gave her a kiss on the forehead. "But I don't think that's the only reason you don't want to go."

"Maybe because I don't want Misty to kill me on sight?"

"I don't think she'll kill you on sight." He shook his head, obviously amused. "I know that you don't like hospitals."

"Well….who does?" Jenn bit her lip. "Hospitals are nastay places full of germs and sick people. Even so, it would be convenient for Misty to near kill me, since there are so many doctors. I'd just rather not give her an easy pass at me."

"But babies are a happy event associated with hospitals," Ash chuckled. "Would you avoid visiting a new mother and her baby in hospital just because you don't like the place?"

"I'd only go if it was my sisters or Trish, Shannon, Mia, or Jaime," Jenn shook her head. "I don't really like babies either. Until they're about two or three, they're just messy, noisy things that you can't communicate with."

"You don't like babies? There are actually women who don't like babies?" the Grand Master blinked. "From the way you mother Kigali and Tamu, no one would ever know that you weren't a maternal person."

"Animals and Pokémon are different," the blonde shrugged. "For one thing, even though they're furry and can't talk, they're still able to express themselves in ways you can try to understand, and secondly if they get out of hand you can suck 'em up in a poké ball."

"Okay, I can almost understand your reasoning." He sighed. "Anyway, I might go and visit Mom first and see if she wants to go along to the hospital. After all, Marina is her first grandchild."

For Jenn, Delia was an easy person to be enthusiastic about. Even though she hadn't yet met the woman in person, she'd spoken with Ash's mom on several occasions. There never seemed to be an irate or irrational bone in the woman's body. "That's a great idea! That way your mom can see the baby before Misty leaves the hospital for wherever she's going to live."

"Mmhmm," Ash seemed pensive at that last titbit from the blonde.

"That's deep," Jenn said. "Whatcha thinking about?"

"I was thinking about you." Ash ruffled the hair on her head. "So what are you going to do tomorrow?"

"Go shopping with Trish," Jenn grinned. "Especially if she can get hold of Drake's platinum credit card again."

Ash sighed. "I really don't think that'll be possible. I heard he had Gengar take it someplace safe."

"Why some place safe?" Jenn looked at him with confusion in her eyes. "I thought the Villa was the safest place."

"Normally, it is, but there's danger within."

"What?!"

"You." Ash said it simply and had the nerve to tweak the tip of her nose.

She glared at him, but it was ineffective at best. "You're mean."

The dark-haired man grinned. "But you love me right?"

"Right," and anything further he had to say was silenced by Jenn's lips.

ooo

Pallet

Delia hummed a tune as she arranged some flowers in a vase for the hallway. Life was good; she had a loving husband and her beloved only son was soon coming to visit for a few days with his new girlfriend.

She loved it whenever Ash came to visit. Granted, it was never nearly as long or as frequent as she would have liked, but he had his own life and home and she respected that. Still it was nice when he did come, and she got a chance to mother her 'little pumpkin pie'. Even though he would glare daggers at her if she ever called him that in public.

"Mom, I'm not six anymore!" he would groan with a beet-red face.

"No, but you'll always be my baby," Delia would grin and ruffle his hair.

She felt a gentle tap in her mind just before she heard her son's telepathic voice.

:Mom, you home?:

:Yes, Sweetie.:

:I'm going to drop in a few minutes, do you mind?:

:Oh Ash, I never mind when you come over. You know that.:

:Yeah, I do, Mom. Anyone there?: Delia knew that her son would never teleport anywhere if he knew that people who weren't in the know were around. People would talk and Ash didn't want anyone outside his family and close friends to know about his Chosen One powers. It could make things not only difficult but dangerous for him and his family and friends. Who knew if there was someone evil enough to kidnap and hold someone dear to Ash as ransom, in exchange for usage of his Chosen One powers.

:Only Mimey.:

:See you in a few seconds, Mom.:

Ash teleported in and presented her with a big colourful bunch of flowers, "Hi Mom, these are for you."

Delia put them aside before hugging her son, warmly. "Thank you, Sweetie. They're lovely."

"How's Dad?"

"He's fine and at work as usual," Delia smiled as she went into the kitchen to find a vase. "He's really looking forward to your coming home with Jenn in a few days."

"I'm looking forward to it, too," Ash grinned as he looked around the familiar walls hung with paintings and family portraits. It was true, he did enjoy his visits home to his mom and dad, as it evoked happy memories of his childhood and his mother really did spoil him something rotten. When he was home, he could at least forget for a while all the cares of the world and the fact that he was Grand Master.

Not that it was always the case, such as the time he came home fresh from winning the title.

:Flashback:

"It was really nice of your mom to let us stay with you," Brock shifted the strap of his backpack to a more comfortable position on his shoulder as they walked up the pathway to Ash's house in Pallet.

"You know you guys are always welcome here anytime," Ash grinned as he looked fondly around at the familiar whiteboard house where he grew up. "Mom loves having a house full of teenagers. Gives her an excuse to whip up a feast."

And he was planning to experience a lot more of his mom's home cooking for a while. Now that he had won the title of Pokémon Grand Master, he could afford to relax and spend a bit of time at home in Pallet. He also he figured he owed it to his mom to stay home for a while, considering all the years he had spent away from home while on his Pokémon journey. Since his mom had never remarried after Ash's dad had died when he was very young, and that Ash was her only son, his mom must have been very lonely by herself. Mimey helped, but it still wasn't the same as family.

Ash pushed open the front door and called out, "Mom! I'm home!!!"

The only answer was the steady tick tock of the grandfather clock that stood in the hallway.

"Hmm wonder where she could be?" Misty mused as she and Brock followed their friend inside.

"Probably out the back," Ash chuckled. "Mom loves her gardening."

Their steps echoed through the house and into the kitchen and as Ash pushed open the screen door that led to the garden, whatever he was about to say, died on his lips.

"SURPRISE!!!!"

Strung across the two tallest trees in the backyard was a banner that bore the words "WELCOME HOME GRAND MASTER ASH" and gathered underneath was his mom and all his relatives, Professor Oak, all of his Pokémon and practically the whole village.

Ash realised his jaw must have dropped open in a perfect Magikarp imitation and shut it. He felt a sharp elbow in his side from Misty.

"Well, aren't you going to say anything??" she hissed in his ear.

"Um….wow…." Unfortunately, his mind chose to go totally blank at that moment, leaving Ash scrambling to find some appropriate words to say without making him sound like a dumbass. "I mean….what else can I say but thanks for coming?"

"And you're the Grand Master?" Misty sighed. "Eloquence is not your strong suit, obviously."

:End Flashback:

"Mimey's got some fresh coffee brewing," Delia's voice interrupted his reverie. "Would you like some?"

"Yes please."

"So what bring you here today?" the brunette sat down on the lounge next to her son.

"Actually, Mom, there's someone who wants to meet you for the very first time."

"Jenn's here too?"

"No Mom, it's not Jenn," Ash smiled and took her hand in his. "It's your little granddaughter, Marina. Misty gave birth two days ago."

Delia's face broke into a huge smile. "Really?? Oh that's wonderful, Sweetie!!" She threw her arms around him in a warm hug. "Congratulations, Ash."

Ash hugged back. "Thanks Mom. Congratulations to you too, now that you are a grandmother."

"Oh I know!" Delia giggled. "It seems so surreal, me being a grandmother!"

"You'll be a fantastic grandmother, I just know it." He looked at his mother. "I thought we'd pay Misty and the baby a visit."

ooo

Misty was reading a book in her hospital room when an excited commotion broke out in the corridors. She had no time to wonder what was going on when the door swung open to reveal Ash carrying a large bouquet of roses and a pink teddy bear, accompanied by his mother, also carrying flowers and a small parcel wrapped in baby paper.

"Hello, Misty," the dark-haired man smiled pleasantly before proffering the bouquet. "Congratulations and thank you."

"Thanks," Misty managed to stutter. If Ash had been on his own, she would have blasted him as soon as he walked in. But she did not dare with Delia around. She had no quarrel at all with Ash's mother who had been so good to her over the years and was like a second mother.

"Congratulations, Misty," Delia smiled warmly. "I brought you flowers as well as a little outfit for the baby. I just hope it fits!"

"Thank you, Delia," the new mother was touched. She had never expected something from her former mother-in-law, not after the divorce.

"We thought we'd pay a visit to see my daughter," Ash said. Misty caught the slight emphasis on the "my" and knew that Ash was sending her a clear message that Marina was as much his child as hers.

"Despite the fact that we are now divorced, and that there is clearly no love between us," he continued. "Marina was conceived out of love and I would like to keep it that way for her sake. She does not deserve to be dragged into our fights."

"I'm not dragging her into anything!" Misty retorted.

Ash raised one dark eyebrow. "So, trying to instruct the nurses not to let me into maternity ward is not doing anything? It takes two to make a baby, Mist."

"Now now, kids, no fighting!" Delia said sharply. "This is a hospital ward and you two are not the only ones in here! Do you really want this to be splashed over the morning tabloids."

"No..." both Ash and Misty answered, suitably chastised and feeling like a pair of naughty three year olds instead of adults.

"Good," Delia was satisfied. "Now where is my wonderful granddaughter?"

"The nurses have her out in the nursery," Misty informed them. "To give me a bit of a break before they bring her in for the next feed."

Ash and his mom left the room and walked around to the nursery window where Pallet's newest citizens lay bundled in pink and blue blankets in plastic cribs.

A young nurse tending to the newborns, glanced up and saw the Grand Master and his mother looking in through the glass. She smiled and walked around to the entrance to the room. "Mr Ketchum? Would you like to hold your new daughter?"

"I'd love to!"

She led them into an adjoining room where she had the two lather and scrub their arms with antiseptic wash and then down surgical gowns, booties, and caps. "To protect the babies as their immune systems are nonexistent until they start feeding."

As they entered the nursery, Ash smiled as he looked at the mostly slumbering infants. How easy life was back then with nothing to do but eat and sleep and cry. What a pity that one was too young to appreciate it back then.

They arrived at a pink blanketed crib and the nurse gently lifted the sleeping bundle out and placed it in Ash's arms.

The new father looked down and took in his new daughter's appearance. Pale pink skin, a full head of black hair and tiny arms and fingers moving around in the blankets. He gently touched her pudgy cheeks and was amazed at how soft and smooth it felt.

Marina squirmed and squeaked before she opened her eyes to reveal blue-grey depths.

:Hey there,: he thought telepathically so no one else would hear.: I'm your daddy. I'm sorry that your mommy and I are no longer together but we still love you. No matter what your mommy may say in the future, I will always love you. Never forget that.:

The same ghostly voice that had heralded her birth rang in his head. :I know, Daddy. I know.:

ooo

Back on Pummelo, Jenn pirouetted in a slinky teal blue evening dress in front of the boutique mirrors.

The girls were all shopping and Trish had decided that now was as good a time as any to start looking for bridesmaids dresses for her wedding. From past experience with weddings she knew it would be a battle and a half to find a dress that flattered all the girls' figures and would be one that they could use afterwards at other functions.

"Turn around again, Jenn," she instructed as she stood critiquing the gown.

"Does my J-Lo butt look big in this?" the blonde enquired.

"No one's gonna be looking at your butt on the day," Jaime snorted. "Except maybe, Ash."

"Jaime!" Jenn hissed, turning a slight shade of pink at the mention of her boyfriend. She wondered if she would ever get used to her friends mentioning her name and Ash's name together in public like they were just any couple. At the moment she was still trying to get herself used to the idea that from now on, her every movement would be in the public eye; with the press trying to second-guess every stage of their relationship.

What if, what if there was a paparazzo or a fan lurking about and taking a photo right this very moment? Then there would be a photo of her across the front page with the screaming headline that the Grand Master's lady love was trying dresses in a bridal boutique. And this of course meant wedding bells would be ringing, which would bring questions from her folks about why they weren't involved.

Then she told herself she was just being silly. Not only was she not trying on any bridal or white dresses, but Trish was standing close by. Everyone knew that she was definitely getting married and being that they were in the Orange Archipelago, her best friend would be the flavour of the decade and not Jenn.

But then again, Jenn was dating the Grand Master of the international Pokémon League and not just a portion of it. Anything Ash did was major news anywhere.

Then again, there may not be any stupirazzi in sight.

Don't think on it any more, J-girl, she told herself silently. You'll only get your stomach in knots and be totally sick and wouldn't THAT go down well with the boutique!

"How does it feel, Jenn?" Trish's voice brought her back to reality.

Jenn looked at her reflection in the mirror and then down at herself. The halter neck gown was made of the smoothest silk and fitted around the bodice before falling down in an A-line skirt. "It feels comfy, and I can totally breathe and move around in this."

"Think you could stay in it for an entire night?" her best friend grinned.

"Totally," Jenn struck a pose like a starlet and grinned at her reflection. "As long as it's not a strapless dress, I'm gonna be fine."

"What's wrong with strapless?" Mia blinked.

"Less chance of a wardrobe malfunction on the night!"

Trish pulled a face. "Let's try to not have any of those on the actual night, okay? I don't want my wedding to be remembered for the wrong reasons."

"Plus that'd be sure to make the papers," Shannon shuddered.

"It's gonna make the papers anyway," Mia grinned. "Since Trish is going to be marrying the most famous guy in the Archipelago."

Trish sighed, "Don't remind me of that. And the only photos that the press are going to get on the actual day is outside the church and any that we release to them."

"That's just like you see with celebrity weddings," Jaime giggled.

"This is gonna be a celebrity wedding," Jenn grinned. "The biggest one of the year in these parts."

"Again with the 'don't remind me'," the Australian grimaced. "If I wasn't so completely sure that we're meant to be together then I'd have run a mile by now."

"Awww, isn't that sweet," Shannon sighed, At the strange looks her friends were giving her, she then hastily added, "About them being together part, not the running a mile part of course."

"Can I get out of this now?" Jenn asked. "The longer I stay in this the more chance some stupirazzi is gonna come along and spot me."

Trish shook her head good-naturedly. "You're going to have to stop being so paranoid about the paparazzi if you're going to be dating Ash, Jenn. They're going to be an awful fact of life that's not going to go away."

"Well that's just peachy," the blonde scowled. "Can't Ash do something about it, like totally and ominously threaten them with bodily harm?"

"He can and he probably will," Trish grinned. "And as for your original question, yes you can get out of the dress. Now it's Shan's turn to try the dress on."

The brunette blinked. "Why?"

"So I can see if this style suits all shapes," Trish explained. "You're not all the same height nor the same weight, so naturally the dress is going to look different."

"But I hate wearing dresses," Shannon grumbled as the sales assistant went to go and fetch the right size.

"You're wearing a dress, and that's that."

"You're are so mean."

"I know."

A few minutes later Shannon came shyly out of the cubicle for inspection and presentation.

The sales assistant smiled and moved forward. "You look absolutely lovely, dear. How about you step onto the platform so we can have a good look in the mirror."

She turned to Trish, "This sort of style and fabric is flattering for all figures, as you can see. And the best part about this style of gown is that it doesn't need altering should they lose weight or put on weight before the day."

The Australian suppressed the urge to grin at the lady's eagerness to make a sale. All the bridal boutiques would be out to get her patronage, as wouldn't that make for great bragging rights and increased sales?

But then again, the dress did look stunning on both Jenn and Shannon and it was in her favourite colour.

"I think I'll take them," she advised the sales assistant, who beamed. "And I think this deserves a stop off at Starmiebucks for coffee!"

ooo

Pallet

"Oh I can't believe the fact that I'm actually a grandmother!" Delia sighed happily as she placed her cup down.

After the hospital visit to see Misty and Baby Marina, Ash and Delia had decided to drop by Steven's office to give him the good news and the Silph Co President had suggested they go for a cup of coffee at a nearby café.

"Well I can't believe that I'm now a grandfather," Steven smiled. "I can't wait to watch her grow up and take her first steps."

Ash grinned and rose from his chair. "I guess I'd better get going back to Pummelo. Jenn will be wondering where I am." Plus there was one more thing he needed to do before he left Pallet.

Delia's face fell. "So soon, Sweetie?"

Her husband chuckled, "You'll be seeing him again in two days, Del."

"I know, but I love having my son around."

Ash grinned and gave his mother a kiss on the cheek. "I'll be home again soon, Mom." He then gave his stepdad a pat on the back before walking off down the street.

A few minutes later (after stopping off at a florist on the way) he found himself outside brick fence and wrought iron gates of Pallet's Memorial Cemetery. He entered the gates to walk down a path that was so familiar to him after treading it for twenty-four long years.

Beneath the shade of two large trees lay his destination. A simple headstone with a bronze plaque and the epitaph

In Loving Memory of
Matthew James Ketchum

1957 – 1983

Beloved son of Ian and Lisa

Beloved brother of Brendan, Peter, Julie and Alison

Loving husband of Delia and father to Ash.

Ash knelt down on the lush grass in front of the headstone and laid the flowers down. "Hey, Dad, it's me Ash. I just wanted you to know...that you became a grandfather today. That's right, I have a little daughter Marina. And I promise to tell her all about you like I know that you will watch over her from heaven."

He sat back on his heels and looked at the headstone in silence. Twenty-four long year since his father was tragically taken from them. Since Ash was only four at the time, his memories of his father were rather vague and fuzzy of a kind and fun loving dad. Anything else about his father he only ever knew from talking with his mom or his dad's relatives.

He had grown up without a father and his mom had done an excellent job, ensuring that he was never short of male role models with her brothers and his dad's brothers always on hand.

Then his mom met Steven, and Ash had come to consider the man as his second father. And the fact that Steven came into his mom's life around the time that Ash was in his late teens was a blessing. It meant that Ash had some intelligent and steadying advice on how to deal with growing to adulthood and dealing with girls. He certainly wouldn't get wise advice on dealing with girls from Brock.

And he was sure he could turn to his stepdad for advice on fatherhood.

But now it was time to get back to Pummelo and to a new beginning with Jenn.

ooo

Finally the time had come for Ash and Jenn's departure for Pallet. Jenn had packed and repacked her bags at least five times during the night and the morning, completely unsure of what to wear in the presence of Ash's mom.

The method of transportation was teleportation. They couldn't leave by Ash's private jet as that would alert the paparazzi that their prey had flown the coop. So they had to teleport.

Jenn was prepared this time with travel sickness pills. Ash would be teleporting straight into his mother's living room and it would not do for Jenn to be sick upon her first meeting with Delia. The blonde was sure that wouldn't make for a good first impression.

Trish gave her friend a quick hug. "Now you go and have fun. Ring me later tonight, I want to hear all the gossip!"

"I have a feeling that necks will be wrung before phones," Jenn muttered, then sighed at the look Trish gave her, "Okay, okay, joking totally tossed to the curb. I promise I'll call."

"Good," Trish beamed, "Because if you don't, I'll just get worried, and have to have Drake send me and him out to find you!"

"Don't do that, Jenn," Drake said warningly, "I know I'm going to enjoy this peace and quiet."

Trish, who was very close to leaning against him, elbowed him gently, "Hush, hon. She's nervous as it is."

"Yeah, Drake, don't you have any words of advice for lil ol' me?" Jenn gave a tense little laugh, "Everyone else has."

"All in good faith, Jenn," Trish said.

"Taken as such, Trish," Jenn said levelly, "I really have."

"Actually, I do," Drake said, "Try to not be anyone other than yourself."

"Wha?"

"I know how you sometimes pretend to be someone other than yourself when you get nervous or defensive," the Orange Crew Leader said, "Try to not do that, no matter what you feel like."

Jenn frowned, "Okay, Yoda."

Drake shrugged, "Take it or leave it."

Jenn picked up her backpack and slung it over her shoulder, "Actually, I think I'll take it."

Just then, Ash appeared in the centre of the room, just missing the coffee table and Chance, who was sleeping on the floor near Jenn. The Mightyena gave the Chosen One a glare and huffed at him, but fell back asleep.

The Grand Master walked over to his girlfriend and gave her a kiss. "Ready to go?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," Jenn sounded as nervous as she felt.

"Have a great time in Pallet," Shannon grinned.

"Yes, have fun, relax and enjoy the time alone with Ash," Trish advised her best friend. "Forget about all the paparazzi and just chill."

Ash slipped a strong arm around Jenn's waist and held her close. "Ready?"

"Ready," Jenn said and squeezed her eyes shut. She didn't really want to teleport, but they had no other choice.

It was only seconds before she heard Ash say, "You can open your eyes again, Jenn. We're here at Mom's place."

The blonde opened first one eye, then the other, and bit at her lower lip, "Wow, Ash, this is so cool."

"I know, isn't it?" Ash looked at his childhood home with pride, "Mom's really kept up the place."

"No, I mean, I don't feel like puking at all!" Jenn beamed, "I might be able to get used to teleporting!"

Ash gaped, "Oh, Jenn, yeah that's…"

She grinned, "You silly, of course this is a great place! I love it!" She threw her arms around him in a huge hug and kissed him soundly on the mouth.

A discreet cough broke the kiss, and Jenn looked over Ash's shoulder to see a gentle looking middle aged woman standing there. The blonde's face flamed red and she hid back behind Ash, who was also a little red. "Ash, your mom's there," Jenn whispered fiercely.

"Yep, kinda figured that," Ash whispered back. "But we are in her house…"

"Welcome Home, Ashy," Delia's face broke into a wide smile as she came forward and enveloped her son in a warm embrace.

Ash hugged his mother back and enjoyed the moment. "Thanks, Mom."

Delia stepped back and turned her attention to the blonde standing off to one side. "And Jenn, it's wonderful to finally meet you! Ash has told me so much about you!"

Jenn felt her cheeks flush again. "It's wonderful to meet you too," she managed to say. "I've heard so much about you from Ash and Brock."

"Call me Delia," the older woman smiled.

Jenn was secretly relieved. While she knew that Ash's mother had remarried a few years ago, she couldn't for the life of her remember Delia's new last name or her husband's name. "Okay, Delia," Jenn smiled and looked around, "You've got a lovely place."

Delia nodded, "Thank you. I was going to move to something bigger, but I couldn't give up the old place. And when I remarried, I knew I had to keep something from my single days. This was it."

"A perfect choice," Jenn paused, furiously thinking, "Uh, when will we meet S…Sven?"

Ash winced, "Steven."

Jenn's face flamed, "Steven."

Delia giggled like a schoolgirl, "Oh, Jenn, don't worry about it. I promise I won't tease you about it."

Jenn looked relieved, "Great because, you know, me being blonde and mentioning Sven. That's the last thing I need."

"At least your name isn't Inge," Ash grinned as he gave her a kiss on the forehead. He turned to his mom. "So where is Dad?"

"Oh, he's still at work, but he's going to take a half day because he knew you were coming home," Delia smiled.

"Wow, he must have a great boss to let him do that," Jenn grinned. "Wish mine was like that!"

"Actually, he is the boss," Ash said. "He's the President of Silph Co."

Jenn almost whistled low but thought better of it. She was moving around in circles far higher than she was ever used to seeing much less being in. Being friends with the Pokémon Grand Master was one thing, but dating him was a whole other game entirely. And now she was finding out that said Grand Master's stepfather was the president of one of the biggest technological corporations in the world.

It all made her feel more than a little nervous. What if they all thought that she wasn't good enough for him? Not that she ever found Ash to be arrogant or condescending like Gary, but she'd never met Steven. The guy could be a complete evil Stepdad.

Ash never flaunted his position or wealth, and despite the teasing she gave him, neither did Drake. Jenn had to admit that while they definitely dressed well and had the best of everything, the guys were never flashy about it and they never rubbed anyone's faces in it.

"So what's for dinner tonight, Mom?" Ash asked in a hopeful tone of voice. "Your deep dish chilli pot pie?"

"No, that can be for tomorrow night," Delia shook her head. "Tonight, we're having broiled salmon and vegetables, cooked just the way I heard you like it, Jenn."

"Oh, you really shouldn't have gone to so much trouble," the blonde went a little pink.

"It wasn't any trouble at all!" The older woman waved off her concern. "It was a pleasure as you are an honoured guest in our house."

Two pudgy Growlithe puppies romped into the room and tumbled around the Grand Master's feet in a riotous welcome. Ash grinned and knelt down, scratching them gently behind their fluffy ears.

"How about I show you to your room, dear?" Delia turned to Jenn, and the blonde followed the older woman from the room.

She followed the woman up a small flight of stairs and down a short hallway. "Your room is right across from ours, I hope you don't mind."

"Huh?" Jenn had been looking around for Ash's old room, and felt her cheeks heat a little, "Oh, no, that's okay."

"Ash's room is in the centre of the hallway," Delia smiled kindly, "The bathroom is at the end by the stairs, and a linen closet is by the bathroom. We keep all our towels there for when you might want to take a shower."

"Okay, thank you," Jenn nodded politely.

Delia opened the door to Jenn's room and stepped inside, "This used to be a spare room that I had used for a sewing room, but once I remarried I turned it into a spare bedroom as well. I had a feeling I'd be using it as a spare bedroom."

Jenn smiled genuinely. The room was modest, but warm and cosy feeling. A bed rested against a wall and had a bedside table next to it, with a lamp and small clock on it. A desk rested against the far wall underneath a window overlooking a wooded backyard. The floor of the room was wood, with a light blue area rug in the centre.

"I hope it isn't too…" Delia shrugged. "Country."

"Oh, it's perfect," Jenn clapped her hands and grinned, "I love it!"

"Wonderful!" the older woman smiled and turned to leave the room. She paused in the doorway. "I'll leave you to get settled in and then if you will come downstairs, I'll have lunch ready for the three of us. I hope you'll enjoy your stay here with us, Jenn. Our home is your home."

"Thank you, Delia," Jenn smiled in return. "I'm already loving it here."

Delia left the room and the sound of her footsteps faded down the hallway. She'd looked for a closet, but saw that there was just a wardrobe instead. She smiled at the country feel to the whole of the home, and at the childhood memories the feelings evoked, and she dropped her backpack on the bed.

After staring out into the backyard for a moment at a pair of playful pidgeys, Jenn busied herself by unpacking her backpack and putting her clothes and the now empty backpack away in the wardrobe.

Her task completed, the blonde sat down on the neatly made bed and drew out her cell phone and stared at it for a few minutes. To call or not to call, that was the question. She knew that Trish had said to call, but would she want to be called this quickly?

Jenn found herself already liking Delia a lot and was totally feeling comfortable around the older woman. She could see so many similarities between Ash and his mom personality wise. Ash had totally been well raised.

But what she wasn't sure about was his stepfather and her stomach flipped at the thought of meeting Ash's mysterious steppoppa, What if he doesn't like me? What if he thinks I'm a gold-digger? I'm not even a good Pokémon trainer.

With a shrug, Jenn flipped open her phone and pressed the speed-dial for a certain friend's phone number. She waited impatiently as it rang for a few minutes before it was picked up on the other end.

"Hello?"

"Trish! I was waiting for forever for you to pick up the phone!" Jenn said teasingly. "What were you doing?"

"I was in the middle of training my Dratini," Trish said. "And you were not waiting for forever. It only rang twice."

"Tcha, I just wanted to let you know that I'm sitting here in Ashy's mom's house safe and sound," Jenn told her friend.

"Great! How's things?"

"Good! Delia's really nice and sweet, and she's totally made me feel so welcome already. And Ash's stepdad is coming home early for a special welcome dinner."

"His name is Steven right?"

"Yeah," Jenn wisely decided not to say that she'd guessed on his name being Sven, "But, oh!!! Ohmigod…..did you know that he is the President of Silph Co? The big kahuna, the big cheese…"

"Really?" Trish was surprised. "Wow…you are really moving in exalted circles now, Sis."

"What if he doesn't think I'm good enough for Ash? What if he's really evil and turns Ashy-boy against me?"

"I think you need to lay off watching Snow White and Sleeping Beauty," Trish said dryly. "Not all stepparents are evil, and I'm sure Ash wouldn't let his beloved mum marry someone who was evil and wicked."

"I don't think he has that kind of power, Trish," Jenn said seriously, "He's the Chosen One for protecting Pokémon and saving the world, but not for choosing who his mom marries."

"…Uh…you may have a point," Trish sounded a little flabbergasted, "Okay. Well, so what's going on next?"

"There's some sort of dinner," Jenn sounded a little dismayed, "Delia said it's a salmon dinner made just how I like it. I didn't want anyone making something in my honour, Trish! I'm not worth it!"

"Jenn! You are too!" Trish said firmly, "And if Ash chose you, then you are worth it in his eyes."

"I guess."

"No guessing, Jenn," Trish said, "Just accept it. Just realize that there's a possibility that somewhere out there, there's a guy who wants you for who you are, and that he won't pull a Gary on you."

Jenn sighed, "I don't see why you have to be so smart."

Trish laughed, "You're silly and I'm smart. We balance each other out. It's why we're such good friends."

"The best!"

"Exactly," There was a rustling on Trish's end of the phone, "I gotta go, Jenn. My Dratini's about to be taken on by two Growlithe…or maybe it's the other way around. Call me tomorrow, alright?"

"Okay, I will," Jenn said with more cheer than when she'd called. "Bye!"

"Bye!"

The blonde flipped her phone shut and placed it on the bedside table with a smile. When she was feeling down or a little nervous, all it took was a phone call or a talk with her best friend to make things better.

Trish was right. Jenn knew she shouldn't be so hard on herself or this potential relationship. She needed to start giving things a chance to go right instead of looking for ways it might self-destruct. It was just still so hard for her to realize that it could go right. She snorted. It was a little hard to let go of that Cinderella, before the ball, feeling she always had.

Eh, and at that, maybe Ash's stepfather wouldn't be so bad.

ooo

Pummelo

The butler finished serving the coffees and hot chocolates, and Drake smiled his thanks at the man.

"So, have you heard from Jenn yet?" Mia asked Trish who had just returned from her training session.

"Yeah," the Australian said as she sat down beside Drake and reached for a chocolate chip cookie. "Jenn rang me about twenty minutes ago when I was training Clio."

"What'd she say?" Jaime wanted to know. "How's she liking it?"

"She's been made to feel really welcome by Delia and apparently Delia's prepared a special dinner in her honour. That's kinda freaked Jenn out a little."

"It's going to be one fantastic dinner then," Brock grinned. "Ash's mom is a far better cook than I could ever be!"

Trish sipped her coffee. "Jenn also is a bit freaked out by the fact that Ash's stepdad happens to be the President of Silph Co."

"The President of Silph Co?" Shannon's eyes were wide. "Oh man…can you imagine all the top of the range Pokémon gear he'd have access to?"

"Yeah, but knowing Ash, I doubt he'd take advantage of it," Brock said and set his mug down.

"I second that," Drake nodded.

"But I bet Jenn would," Jaime teased.

"Yeah," Shannon laughed, "Once she got over her fear of someone really famous being the stepfather of someone she's dating!"

Everyone laughed at that.

"Now guys," Trish shook her head, but smiled, "At least she finally got someone who isn't about to take advantage of her, and he's got her best interests at heart."

"Hear, hear," Drake said, then shrugged at the look Trish gave him. "What? At least she can finally move out."

Trish gave him a look, "Even though she might possibly move out, that's only if they actually pick things up in their relationship. Jenn's got some serious relationship issues to overcome."

"Ash really has his work cut out for him," Drake nodded.

ooo

Jenn straightened her top for the billionth time and bit her lip as she studied her reflection in the mirror. The blonde was stressing over what to wear for this special dinner with Ash's mom and stepdad.

She wanted to make the right impression on them the first time. There was only ever one first time. That was so very why they called it the first time. But what should she wear? The slightly low cut Miss Sixty shirt Jenn liked and thought looked trendy might be found to look slightly hooker on the corner by Ash's stepdad. On the other hand, if she wore the twin hiding, yet somewhat form fitting black Juicy Couture sparkle hoodie outfit (aka Jenn speak for conservative), Sven, er, Steven might think she was too schoolmarm of the year for his famous stepson.

Jenn bit back a frustrated groan. She had already changed her outfit three times. She really wished Trish was here to give her some sage advice. Or at least calm her down. Jenn was on the verge of being a nervous wreck. She eyed her cell phone sitting on the bedside table. Should she call her friend again?

"Trish'll just say you're depending on her too much," Jenn sighed, "Right? Oh I'm not sure."

She pulled on the black dress pants that went with the red low cut Miss Sixty shirt. They were really long and had to be worn with a pair of red heels that she bought just for the shirt. She slipped on a red resin bangle bracelet, dabbled some mascara on her upper lashes, dusted some gold shadow on her eyelids, and stepped back.

"It'll have to do," she murmured worriedly, then lightly sprayed on some Victoria's Secret Heavenly, "Too much of you will never do! Just a little goes a heavenly long way."

She peered close to the mirror, "Ah hah!" Jenn pulled out some special two step lipcolour, in a deep red shade, and put it on. "This stuff lasts through everything. It just dries out like no one's business." Instead of using the second part, she dropped some chapstick into her pants pocket after using it. Smacking her lips together, she nodded. "I'm ready."

She left the room and headed down the hallway. The closer she got the head of the stairs, the more noise she heard from down below, most inclusively a new male voice. It had to be Sven.

Jenn groaned and whispered fiercely to herself, "I've got to think of him as Steven!"

"And then I said, I said," Steven laughed, "Of course I want fifty thousand of them, who do you think I am? The president of slip co?!"

Jenn paled, "Oh no no no! I can't do this!"

"Yes you can," Ash's voice floated up the stairs. He said it gently, so as not to spook her.

She startled a bit anyway, "Ash!"

Ash walked up the stairs and around the landing. He held out his hand, "Come on. I promise, it's not as scary as you think it is."

She took his hand, "Somehow, I think you're so very wrong."

"I know you're scared and that's natural," Ash smiled to reassure her. "But Dad, Steven, really is nothing but a great guy. He's an ordinary guy who just happens to be the President of Silph Co. He wouldn't want you to treat him any differently than the next guy on the street."

"But he's the President of a huge corporation!" Jenn said in a low voice, "He's not what I'm used to dealing with!"

"So he's the President," Ash shrugged. "All it is a title, Jenn, just like I have the title of Grand Master. It doesn't mean that he or I are any better as a person than you are."

"I just don't want to mess this up," Jenn bit at her lower lip. "I don't want him to think that I'm a gold-digging ditz or that I'm not good enough for you."

Ash drew her to him and kissed her gently. "That will never happen. Who I date or marry is no one's business but my own. And I'm in love with you, Jenn and no one else."

She hesitated for a moment before smiling and kissing him back. "I love you too, Ash."

"So, are you ready to go and enjoy this dinner?"

Jenn sighed and mockingly rolled her eyes, "Sure, but you'd better not leave me there."

He held her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze of reassurance.

The couple walked downstairs hand in hand and Ash led her to the living room whereupon Delia and Steven rose to greet them.

Steven Taylor looked exactly how Jenn thought a corporate president would look like. Clean-cut, clean-shaven, and immaculately dressed in a tailored business suit which Jenn guessed was Italian made.

The blonde gulped a little. Appearances aside, she hoped that Ash's stepfather wouldn't be as totally corporate with his emotions and actions as his clothes and hair were, because if he was, dinner was going to be totally uncomfortable. Most business people were already emotionless sharks, but CEO's and president level people reached those particular stress-filled levels of that seemed to guarantee to make them utterly ruthless and devoid of compassion.

Jenn was so nervous that she wished she had taken some Tums before she came downstairs. Did Trish feel the same way when she first met Drake's parents? The Orange Crew Leader hailed from one of the most prominent and wealthy families in the Archipelago, and as Drake had said, they'd been one of the first to settle on Pummelo. Like Jenn, Trish wasn't used to moving in such highflying social circles.

Steven gave an easy smile and walked over to them with an outstretched hand. "Jenn, it's great to finally meet you. I've heard Ash talk so much about you that I knew that I just had to meet you. Only love or Pokémon can turn Ash into a one track mind."

'Pokémon…turn Ash into…Steven…His name starts with an S. Oh, God, do not say Satochu!!!'

:Jenn, you'll be fine, just settle down.: It was Ash, and he sounded calmly amused.

For a second, Jenn just stood there. Then Ash nudged her, released her hand, and Jenn reached out and took Steven's hand in hers and shook, "Nice to meet you, too, Steven."

Ash's stepfather shook her hand warmly. "Now I hope that you will make yourself entirely at home during your stay here, Jenn. Our home is your home."

"Thank you," the blonde said humbly. "And thank you for letting me stay here with you."

"No worries," Steven smiled. "It's a pleasure. Any girlfriend, heck any friend of Ash's is welcome to stay here with us while in Pallet. There's plenty of room here."

Jenn returned the smile, though the beginning of the man's last sentence sounded eerily like something a certain Down Under friend of hers was quite fond of saying.

As if he read her mind, Ash chuckled. "Dad was actually born in Australia but moved to Kanto with his family when he was a teenager."

Well that pretty much explains the slight accent, but it would've been nice to know before I got tossed to the wolves, but Jenn nodded as she filed that piece of information away. If she remembered, and she figured she would, she'd share it with Trish when the blonde called her tomorrow. She was sure that her best friend would be totally geeked to know that there was another Crazy Aussie around, especially one that had totally scaled the dizzying heights of success.

"I often go back there for holidays to visit friends and relatives," Steven said. "I've got a nice little place there by the beach. Feel free to use it next time you're down there."

"Little, huh," Jenn slanted a sideways glance at Ash, "If it's as small as Drake's villa, I bet it's nice."

Steven looked momentarily confused, but nodded, "Ah, yes, I've been to Drake's villa. It's very nice, but not small at all."

Jenn nodded, "Yeah, it isn't."

Delia clapped her hands together, "Who wants to start with appetizers?"

"Me!!" Ash cheered. "I'm starved and Mom's cooking is absolutely the best!"

"Gee Ash, one would think you weren't being fed properly in the Islands," Steven ribbed the younger man.

Delia was instantly concerned. "Are you taking good care of yourself, young man? You eating properly, getting enough sleep? Are you remembering to change your…"

"Mom, I'm fine!" Ash cut in hastily before she could finish the humiliating underwear line. He smiled in an attempt to reassure her. "Brock's been staying over and cooking enough delicious meals to feed a small army, and the rest of the time, we're over at Drake's place where his chefs serve terrific meals any time of day. It's a wonder I haven't stacked on the pounds!"

Jenn looked enviously at her boyfriend's trim and toned figure. Ash could eat like a Snorlax but he never ever put on any weight. It was really so unfair. It always seemed to Jenn that all she had to do was look at a chocolate to put on weight. Same went for Trish and all the other girls.

She only hoped that she wouldn't stack on the weight after this dinner, which was sure to be delicious.

ooo

Dinner turned out nowhere near as bad or uncomfortable as Jenn had feared. After a while she found herself relaxed enough around Steven and Delia to actively join in conversations ranging from Pokémon to horses to the latest technological gadgets.

Ash's stepfather was a cool and relaxed guy after all. He had a great sense of humour and told stories against himself with as much glee as a story against Ash. And it was very clear to Jenn that Ash and Steven got along very much like she thought a father and son would.

Since Ash's real father had died when he was little, Jenn supposed that Ash had welcomed the chance to have another father figure in his life, and one who was a lot closer to the age that his real father would have been if had he lived was a really cool thing.

The Grand Master had also told her, not long after they arrived, that Steven had also experienced a great tragedy in his late twenties; he'd lost his young wife and son in a car accident.

"…plans for tomorrow?"

Jenn looked over the rim of her water glass and blinked, "Huh?"

Steven also blinked, "I, ah, asked if you and Ash had any plans for tomorrow."

Jenn blanched slightly, feeling that sensation of being busted by a teacher for daydreaming in class. Did they have any plans? She couldn't remember.

"We thought we might pay a visit to Professor Oak and say hello to some of my Pokémon like my herd of Tauros, and maybe Muk," Ash informed his stepfather.

"That will be nice, dear," Delia smiled. "And do you have any Pokémon, Jenn?"

"Yes, I do," Jenn smiled. "Though totally nowhere near as many as Ash has. I've got two Growlithe, a Houndour, a Pichu, a Dratini, a Rapidash, an Absol, and a Mightyena."

"That's a nice varied group," Steven grinned. "So, like Ash you don't have any particular Type preference?"

"Well…I really love Fire Pokémon because they're so powerful, but I guess I really just like all Pokémon," the blonde admitted.

"You sound just like Ash, with the exception that my son has a soft spot for Electric Pokémon," Delia giggled.

"After all that me and Pikachu have been through, can you really blame me?" Ash chuckled. "I owe that little yellow fur ball everything."

"Plus Pikachu is totally adorable too," Jenn grinned. "Who could resist her? Besides if she doesn't get her own way she'd probably just shock you to get it."

"You got that right," the Grand Master sighed.

ooo

Back on Pummelo, a tired Mightyena yawned and stretched as he walked from the shade of a low slung palm tree back into the open rear door of the villa. It had been yet another day of boredom, relieved only by Kigali's constant worrying about her human mom still not returning.

The large dark Pokémon fought to keep from rolling his eyes at the thought. He knew darned well what was going to happen and wasn't worried at all. Ash and Jenn would go to Pummelo, meet the Chosen One's parents, have a fun little time in Pallet, and come back. Nothing out of the ordinary would happen other than Jenn finally admitting that she was madly in love with the Grand Master.

Well, there was one little incident where Ash did surprise her with something special that really won her over, but Chance never really did find out what it was.

"Hey, you!"

The Mightyena paused with a slight sigh. It was one of Trish's Growlithe, though he could never figure out which was which. "My name is Chance."

"He finally talks beyond grunts and growls."

"It's a lot less irritating than having someone shouting 'Hey you' at me."

"Then you should have thought of that and told us your name when we tried talking to you before," Ophelia said easily. "It's not as if we haven't tried to be friendly to you, but you just keep on rebuffing us."

"I ain't that good at socialising."

"Yeah, well we can see that…"

"If you don't have anything to say t'me other than insults, then go away," Chance lifted his upper lip in a snarl.

"What's going on?" Kigali had bounded up, but slowed down to a trot when she saw the two adult pokémon staring each other down.

Ophelia turned toward the young pokémon and nodded at her, "Nothing, little one, I'm just talking with, er, Chance here."

Kigali's eyes widened, "You found out his name!"

Chance sighed patiently. Maybe things would've been easier if he had left when Jenn told him to, but he knew she was gonna need him later on. It was the only reason why Ash had agreed to let him go back.

"It wasn't a big secret," he growled out defensively, "But since no one ever bothered to ask, I wasn't gonna offer it."

Ophelia looked taken aback by his attitude, "I really wish you would be less snappy. I would like to know where you came from and what you intend to do here. Jenn hasn't caught you, has she?"

"I ain't bein' snappy, lady, it's called defensive," Chance said, "I'm from the outskirts of Viridian city," Which was true, it was just that he wouldn't be born for quite a few years yet. "And I'm here to guard Jenn an' make sure she don't get into any trouble. I know I can't do that since she's over at Pallet, but she's got the Chosen One. She'll be okay with him."

"Did my momma catch ya?"

Chance and Ophelia looked at Kigali, but Chance shook his head. He had to lie, because Jenn hadn't caught him yet. He was hers in the future, but not now. "She ain't caught me, pup. I'm a free Pokémon."

Ophelia eyed him both warily and with curiosity, "You're guarding a human you don't even know, one who hasn't caught you, for no reason!"

Kigali looked from the Growlithe to the Mightyena, and her dark eyes were wide with nervous excitement. What would her fellow dark pokémon's answer be? She really liked the Mightyena and hoped he wouldn't turn out to be bad. She had a good feeling about him.

Chance felt a ripple of dark energy wash through him. It was power rising in defence, but he worried that the Growlithe would see it as offensive. He shook his fur as if he'd taken a bath and he felt it settle down, "I do it because she saved me. After the hurricane, I was trapped and if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be alive. I'd be dead because I got stupid and I ain't got a soul around who'd care about me on these islands."

Ophelia took a step back. "But…"

"But nothin' fire dog," the Mightyena shook his head, "I'd just be another hurricane victim if it wasn't for blondie. I figure the least I can do is guard her until she gets sick of me. And then, she can just get rid o' me just like my last trainer did. I jus' hope she won't leave me tied out in the sun like he did."

Kigali whimpered and hid behind Ophelia. The Growlithe nuzzled the smaller pokémon and stared up at Chance. "You did not need to say something that graphic in front of a fellow, and younger, dark pokémon!"

"I'm sorry, pu…Kigali," Chance apologized to the Absol, "I should've taken your age into consideration. But that's my story an' that's how things are. If I ain't answered all your questions, then you better ask 'em now."

"No, you answered them," Ophelia said, then turned her head to nuzzle Kigali once again. "Come on, little one, let's go and get you a snack."

"Yay! I want some ice cream!"

"Now, that's not good for you!"

"But Momma lets me have it all the time. I want chocolate ice cream."

Ophelia watched Kigali run down the hall towards the kitchen. She was aghast. "Chocolate can kill you!"

"I'm getting chocolate ice cream! I always get chocolate ice cream!" Kigali's voice was fainter.

"You'd better go after her," Chance snorted in amusement. "She'd try to learn how to open the freezer on her own just to get to it. Isn't the freezer part on the bottom anyway?"

"By the Sacred Fires," Ophelia muttered and ran off after the puppy.

Chance bared his teeth in a grin and sauntered off towards the darkness of the media room. He was definitely glad for its dark and cool location, even though his future mistress wasn't.

ooo

Pallet

After dinner, Ash and Jenn took a stroll around the gardens arm in arm.

"Well that went well," Jenn sighed her relief. "I was so nervous beforehand that I was sure I was gonna mess up big time with your parents."

"But you didn't, and I think that they are very impressed with you," Ash grinned as he drew her closer. "Dad told me after dinner that he really liked you."

"Really?" Jenn blinked. "You're not just saying that to make me feel good, are you?"

"I'm telling you the truth," the Grand Master said. "And now that that's all over, you can relax and enjoy yourself here. There's no paparazzi, it's just you and me."

"About the visit to Professor Oak's tomorrow," Jenn asked a little nervously. "We're…we're not going to run into Gary are we?"

"No, the Professor hasn't seen him for a long while, so you don't need to worry."

She leaned against Ash with a sigh, "You have no idea how much of a relief that is! I mean, the last thing I want to do here is run into him. I don't even know what I'd do."

"I do," Ash smiled down at her.

Jenn looked up, "What?"

"You'd go all Xena on him and kick him right out of Pallet," Ash grinned, "And whoever was around would have to call Officer Jenny just to make sure you weren't some sort of Avenging Angel out to destroy Pallet."

"Ash!" Jenn slapped playfully at his arm, "You make me sound like some sort of mutant freak!"

"You don't mind though."

"No," she rolled her eyes, "You know me far too well."

ooo

Pummelo

"I wonder how Jenn is doing," Trish mused as she leant back against Drake. The couple were out on the private balcony just outside Drake's bedroom suite. "She told me earlier that Delia was cooking a special dinner just for her and that his stepdad was coming home early from work for the occasion."

"I'm sure she did just fine," Drake said lazily as he wrapped his arms around her. "Jenn's a big girl after all."

The Australian turned to look at him. "Yes she is a big girl, but this is Jenn we are talking about after all. And she was really nervous when I spoke to her and a nervous Jenn is not always a wise Jenn."

"What do you mean?"

"When Jenn gets nervous, she acts all bitchy," Trish explained. "She would be nervous too, because this is such a big, huge, occasion for her!"

"It's just a dinner with his parents…" Drake blinked. "Not like she's marrying Ash yet."

"Ah but you don't understand," Trish shook her head. "Jenn's never reached that stage before. This is huge!"

"Don't worry about her, Trish," Drake said with certainty, "Why not get together with Mia and the others?"

"I…We were planning something," Trish admitted. "I hate to say we're having so much fun without Jenn around. Mia's been a little down with Puck having been called away."

Drake frowned, "He had work to do? I didn't know he had a job."

"Mia said that Puck called it a little Fae required work," Trish shrugged, "So we were all getting together to get Mia's mind off of Puck being away. He said it could take a few days and that he wasn't quite sure really how long, but no longer than a week."

"Well there you go," Drake said with a little stretch of his arms, "Besides, I've got a lot of stuff to do myself."

"Are you giving me the boot?" Trish asked with some incredulity – some mock and some not.

"Of course not!" Drake said quickly, "But there are Pokémon to train, gyms to oversee, and storm damage to take care of. Some things haven't been fully restored yet, babe, and I've got to make sure they are as quickly as possible. I won't have any of the residents of the Archipelago in any sort of lingering distress."

Trish smiled, "I know you wouldn't. That's what I love about you the most. You're so compassionate."

He grinned, "Just don't let Jenn know. I've got a big bad reputation to uphold."

ooo

Pallet

The delicious aroma of frying bacon and eggs wafted up from the kitchen and through the house. The smell reached the nostrils of one slumbering blonde in a guest bedroom.

Jenn wrinkled her nose and slowly opened her eyes. It took her a moment or two to remember where she was. She was staying with Ash at his parent's house in Pallet!

She stretched luxuriously in bed before slowly crawling out from under the covers. After stretching away the remains of the sleep from her system, she quickly made her bed. She knew she was a guest, but she didn't want to overburden Delia. Padding over to the closet, Jenn pondered what to wear for the day.

Ash had suggested they visit Professor Oak at his lab in the morning before going to one of the local cafés for lunch. Ash had said their claim to fame was that it produced Kanto's best homemade ice cream, and she had told him that they'd better not be lying. She really loved dark chocolate ice cream!

Finally deciding on a long white tank top and a decent pair of shorts, Jenn was about to leave the room when she decided to layer on a purple tank top over the white one. Then she saw her favourite pair of flip flops and slipped them on before leaving the room.

Still feeling a bit nervous, she quietly descended the stairs and listened to the animated conversation between Ash and Steven. She shook her head, amazed that either one, especially Ash, would be up at – she looked down at her watch (which was her cell phone) and wrinkled her nose – the butt crack of dawn. It was only ten after eight! How dare such delicious breakfast scents wake her up!

If I wasn't well within sight of Ash and Sven…er…Steven, I'd go right back upstairs, Jenn grumbled to herself. But since she was, she walked into the kitchen and slipped into one of the chairs.

"Good morning, sunshine," Ash said brightly.

The corner of Jenn's mouth twitched. She knew that he knew darned well that she wanted to say something back at him, but wouldn't because of the other two adults. "Morning, Ashy-boy," she said, though lacking any of the lively chirpiness that he poured on so thickly. "Mind passing some of the bowl of sugar you've been dipping into?"

Steven almost choked on the coffee he'd been drinking, "Wow, Ash, quite the firecracker you've got."

Ash grinned, "She sure is, Dad. You wouldn't believe how she handles the paparazzi."

"I bet he would," Jenn smiled back in such a brilliantly polite way that it gave Steven the shivers.

"I wouldn't want to see it, for some reason," he said, "But I bet they get the message."

"Oh, Steven, I'm just the nicest in the world to them!" Jenn said candidly, "Really I am."

"I believe you," the Silph Co President said, though his expression was rather doubtful.

"Who's ready for some breakfast?" Delia said, as she carried in a platter full of crispy bacon. Mimey was right behind her with a platter of fried eggs in one hand and a platter of golden toast in the other.

"Me!!!" All three at the table cheered.

"Wonderful!" The brunette smiled. "Ash, would you mind seeing that everyone has their beverage of choice? There's some pulp free orange juice in the fridge for Jenn."

"Sure Mom," the Grand Master rose from his chair and went over to the fridge. He poured a glass for Jenn and brought it over to his girlfriend. She smiled her thanks.

Ash then poured fresh cups of coffee for his stepfather, mother and himself.

"You don't drink tea or coffee, Jenn?" Steven asked.

"I don't like the taste," Jenn explained. "Trish can't understand it. But then again, that girl has coffee running through her veins. She's addicted! We can't go through a single day without her going into a Starmiebucks or Jigglypuff Jeans at least twice."

"What's her record?" Ash asked.

Jenn thought for a bit. "Well Trish did say one time that she had six cups of coffee in one day. But then again she was working away from home. That would make anyone drink more!"

Delia blinked. "Six cups? Did she even sleep that night?"

"Oh yeah, she said that she slept like a baby," Jenn grinned. "Me, the hardest stuff I will ever drink is hot chocolate."

ooo

After breakfast was finished, Ash took Jenn to go and visit Professor Oak. The dark-haired Trainer insisted on walking there, which Jenn didn't mind at all. She loved walking!

"But what about the stupi…paparazzi?" the blonde asked. "What if they're around?"

"I can't sense any around," Ash shrugged. "And if there are, so what? I'm in my home town for a break, I should be able to walk around where I like, unmolested, like anyone else."

"And I'm kinda nervous about meeting Professor Oak," Jenn confessed as they started walking.

"Why? He's always been just like a grandfather to me."

"But he's Gary's grandfather," Jenn pointed out. "He's got blood ties to my very extremely ex! What if he hates me just because Gary does? And especially now that I'm dating you!"

"I think you'll find that Professor Oak isn't as close to Gary as you might think, or as Gary wanted you to think," Ash gave a wry smile. "Didn't Gary ever take you to meet his grandfather?"

Jenn snorted, "No. I never even got to come here. When I think about it, when we dated, we never left the Archipelago."

Ash let out a low whistle, "Whoa, that's really weird, even for Gary."

"You say it like he didn't want anyone here to know he was dating me," she slanted a look at him, "Is that what you're saying?"

Ash just grinned, "You're trying to get me to let you go back to mom's place, aren't you?"

"Maybe only a little," Jenn admitted wryly, "It's just scary to meet the grandfather of your ex."

"True," Ash squeezed her hand. "But just because he's related to Gary by blood doesn't mean he's automatically going to hate you without ever having met you."

"You never know."

"The Professor doesn't strike me as that type," Ash shook his head. "He's a researcher, a scientist. He'd want to meet you and see for himself before reaching a judgement."

"Geeze, Ash you make me sound like some kind of scientific experiment," Jenn said wryly. "Why not just stick a few electrical monitors on me while you're at it."

"Relax Jenn," Ash grinned and gave her a quick kiss. "It'll just be like meeting my stepdad. Ain't no thang, like you enjoy saying. Just be your sweet, charming self."

Jenn made a face, "Lots of people, namely Drake, say that's normally what scare people off."

Ash shook his head and grinned, "Well I know Professor Oak, and as long as you love Pokémon and aren't cruel to them, you'll be on his good side. If there's one thing that he can't stand, it's Pokémon abuse."

"Gee, I guess Gary should've remembered that only about a billion times," Jenn snorted.

"Well, we'll find out soon enough," Ash motioned to a steep set of stairs, "We're here."

Jenn looked at the long flight of stairs, which seemed to climb a mountain, and looked over at Ash. "You gotta be kidding me."

Ash shook his head.

"This is an escalator, right?"

"Oh, sure," Ash nodded and walked over to the stairs, "It's just one of those non-moving types."

Jenn blinked for a second before it dawned on her, then she rolled her eyes, "You just think you're so funny."

Ash chuckled.

ooo

On the High Seas in the Orange Archipelago

"Oh man, this is a great day to be out on the ocean," Mia grinned as she stood at the prow of the boat.

"It is, isn't it?" Trish agreed as she lounged on a deck chair. The skies were clear and blue, the temperature balmy and the ocean an inviting turquoise hue.

Mia, Trish, Shannon and Jaime were on Drake's luxury cruiser, headed towards Kumquat Island for the day.

Phase One of the 'Cheer Up Mia Day' was a boat trip from Pummelo to Kumquat on Drake's private yacht with one of his staff to drive the boat. As in none of the girls quite knew how, and wasn't it better to have someone do the driving for you anyway?!

Phase Two, Trish had arranged with Luana, the Kumquat Island Gym Leader for a private buffet lunch and afterwards a massage and facial in the hotel beauty salon.

Trish knew that Jenn would be insanely jealous when she heard about this day trip when she came back, and that she would have to promise her best friend a day trip equally as good.

Perhaps a visit to Tangelo Island would be in order, there was a theme/fun park. Or perhaps a trip to the bustling metropolis on Mandarin Island where the order of the day would be shopping, shopping and more shopping.

There was nothing more that Jenn loved than shopping. Only difference this time is that Jenn would be using Ash's credit cards instead of Drake's.

Trish grinned at the thought. She knew that Drake had let out a huge sigh of relief at the very thought. She just hoped that Jenn's natural tendencies to keep a comfort zone around her wouldn't push Ash away.

Ash was one of the best things to ever happen to Jenn, if not the best. Guys like Ash were about as rare as Ho-oh. Trish only hoped that Jenn realised that.

ooo

Pallet

"Finally made it!" Jenn breathed as she and Ash paused at the front steps of Professor Oak's laboratory.

"You sound like you just conquered Everest," Ash grinned. "It wasn't that steep."

"Easy for you to say, Mr. I'm So Super Fit," Jenn mock-scowled. "But there are some of us who like to get to places with as little exertion as possible."

"But I thought you liked walking…"

"Walking, yes. Climbing a gabillion stairs, hells no," Jenn corrected him. "This reminds me of the time that Trish and I climbed Diamond Head in Hawaii and there was a 'little' steep set of stairs at the end of a long trek. Yeah, uh huh. I think whoever said it was a little set must've been from Pummelo."

Ash grinned and shook his head, "Shall we ring the door bell?"

"No!" Jenn quickly held up her hand. "If you value your life, then you will not ring that door bell until I recover my breath and compunction and fix my hair. I am not gonna be introduced to the World's Greatest Pokémon Researcher looking like a mess!"

Not about to correct her compunction slash composure mix-up, the Grand Master waited patiently until his girlfriend had patted down her hair and adjusted her eyeliner. After she put away her slim black compact, he sighed patiently. "Now will you let me press the door bell?"

"Sure thing, Ashy Boy."

A few seconds after the door bell rang, it was opened by one of Professor Oak's many assistants, a young brunette by the name of Rachel.

"Hi Rachel," Ash said cheerily. "Is the good Professor in today? I thought I'd drop by to introduce my new girlfriend, Jenn and to see some of my Pokémon."

Jenn found herself colouring slightly under the girl's knowing smile. It was the first time that she had ever heard Ash introduce herself to strangers as his girlfriend. It was going to take a lot of getting used to.

"Hi Ash, it's good to see you back in Pallet," Rachel grinned. "And nice of you to bring Jenn along as well. The Professor is out the back, tending to the Growlithe."

The couple walked in, Rachel closing the door behind them. She led them down the polished wooden hallways and out the back.

Jenn held her breath as the huge expanse of the laboratories grounds extended to the horizon. Everywhere she looked, there were Pokémon of all regions, types and varieties.

A herd of Rapidash and Ponyta galloped across the distant meadows, while a flock of Swablu flew overhead.

A small family of Buneary hopped across their path, on their way back to their warrens.

"Muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuk," came a low rumble from behind them. Jenn just had time to step out of the way before Ash was engulfed by a big purple blob. She almost shrieked in horror at the sight of Ash disappearing under all of that stinky purple blobbiness until she remembered that Ash owned the overly friendly Muk. And there was nothing Muk liked better than giving those humans it loved a big Mukky hug.

She stepped back when Muk released a slightly red faced Ash, "Oh, heck no, Ash. I don't even think so."

"What?" Ash looked a little confused.

"Muk muuuuk!" The Pokémon said cheerfully.

"I'm gonna step in this direction," Jenn raised an eyebrow, "And that guy's gonna step in the other direction. I just fixed up my hair and I'm not about to be doing it again. Capice?"

"Oh, he's not that bad, Jenn!"

"I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, Ash," Jenn said as gently as she could, "But I didn't really come here to get slimed."

"Neither did I," the Grand Master said wryly as he picked himself off the ground and dusted himself off. "But then again Muk's such a friendly soul that it's hard to get mad at him."

"Muuuuuuuuk Muk!" Muk beamed.

"Even though he probably stains every inch of your clothes?" Jenn raised an eyebrow.

"Surprisingly he doesn't," Ash grinned as he patted the blob on the head. "My clothes always come back from the laundry as good as new even if Muk greets me in his usual affectionate way."

"Is that the same for all Muks?"

"No just this one. He's a little less toxic than the others. Professor Oak says Muk is on a vegetarian and fruit diet."

"A healthy Muk??"

"Muk!!! Muuuuuuuuuuk!!' The Pokémon nodded.

"Yeah, but, hello he's still toxic," Jenn winced, "Sorry, Muk, but…toxic."

The Pokémon looked down and a little sad.

"Can I just admire your toxicity and purple loveliness from here?" Jenn tried to be diplomatic. "Purple's my favourite colour, it's just the whole toxic slime thing I can't get around."

Ash grinned when Muk preened at the praise. "Alright then, you two. Muk, it's been really great to see you, but we're looking for Professor Oak. Have you seen him?"

Muk nodded, and pointed a slimy paw towards a row of sheds on the right. "Muuuukkkkk."

"Thanks, Muk! I'll see you later okay?"

Ash took Jenn's hand and they walked to the sheds in question.

"So what are these for?" Jenn asked.

"These are for the canine Pokémon, especially the Fire Types like Growlithe and Arcanine, and the Dark Types like Poochyena, Mightyena, Houndour and Houndoom. Keeps the Growlithe dry when it rains, and gives the Dark Pokémon shelter from the sun."

Jenn brightened. "Hey, maybe I could ask the Professor about Chance. I've never really figured out much about that strange Mightyena I sorta have but never caught."

Ash looked amused, "You could."

They found the elderly researcher in the Growlithe compound, pouring something into the myriad of food bowls. Whatever it was, the Fire puppies loved it, bounding up to the bowls and tucking right in.

"Hey, doesn't the Professor have lowly assistants or even Tracey to do that type of job?" Jenn whispered to her boyfriend.

"He does, but the Professor has always been a hands on sort of guy," Ash whispered back.

Sensitive canine ears pricked up at the Chosen One's voice, and those that were not eating came running over to greet him. The unusual movement from the Pokémon caught the Professor's attention and he watched the fire dogs.

"Ash!" The older man didn't seem surprised to see the Grand Master being approached by numerous Pokémon. Those that were eating looked tempted to chose between the food and the human; several took the food option, and several chose the human.

Professor Oak walked over calmly, stepping around those that chose to eat and walking with those that ran towards Ash. "It's good to see you, my boy!" When he got close enough, the two shook hands and clasped in a quick man hug over the waist high chain link fence.

Stepping back, Professor Oak smiled, "It's really good to see you, Ash."

"You, too, Professor," Ash nudged Jenn with his elbow, "I brought Jenn over with me so she could see your lab."

"Ah, I've heard a lot about you," Professor Oak reached out and clasped the girl in a quick hug and released her, "All good, never fear, my girl. I've heard it all from Delia and Ash, so you needn't fear about rumours or lies."

"I…oh," Jenn blushed and bit at her lip, then grinned, "Well, that's a relief."

"You were probably worried that Gary had gotten to me first and told me a mess of lies," Professor Oak nodded knowingly, "But don't worry about that. As a researcher, I automatically look at things from both sides and investigate all data." He frowned, "And I need to make sure my data isn't corrupt. I'm sorry to say that my grandson hasn't been the most reliable lately."

"Lately?" Jenn snorted, "Try for the last few years."

"Oh, my yes," Professor Oak nodded, "I'd have to agree with you whole heartedly. Pains me to have to agree with you, though. Gary hasn't always been like this and I cannot for the life of me understand why he changed."

Ash saw an evil glimmer go up in Jenn's eyes and he frantically thought towards her, :Jenn, I'm tellin' ya right now, don't say anything you think might be witty. Please! Professor Oak has had enough to deal with when it comes to Gary as it is.:

:Okay, okay,: Jenn visualized a mental white flag, :I promise that I won't say anything.:

"I'm sure it's just a phase," Jenn shrugged, "Everyone goes through them. Maybe he's mid-life crisising early or…something."

Professor Oak blinked and then shook his head, "You're a very understanding person, Jenn, especially considering that he'd dated you and dumped you so very publicly."

"Huh?" Jenn's eyes widened, "You knew about that?"

"Everyone knew about that," Professor Oak shrugged, "Gary bragged about it here for weeks until he dumped that girlfriend and got a new one a few weeks later. Then he repeated that cycle a few months later, et cetera."

"Uh huh," Jenn looked over at Ash and her eye twitched, "Well, that's something I guess you couldn't say anything about…unless you were Gary."

Ash caught her meaning full well, but simply shrugged. Then he caught a mental visualization of the white flag being snapped in half and tossed aside. He glared at Jenn, to which she shrugged and grinned, and he knew she would keep her word and not say anything.

But he knew she was tempted. Oh, so tempted.

ooo

Kumquat

"I can't believe I'm actually admitting this," Mia said as they were led to a private dining room overlooking the ocean. "But I really did enjoy that bit of shopping."

Trish looked triumphant as she sat down next to Shannon. "I knew you would! It's a proven fact among womankind that nothing cures the blues like a spot of retail therapy. It does the soul good."

"Not so sure if it does one's purse any good," Shannon shook her head. "That's why I hate shopping."

"So it doesn't, but so what?" Trish shrugged. "You've got to lash out and treat yourself from time to time. Otherwise there's nothing to look forward to. Besides, last I heard – you can't take it with you when you go."

"And that makes me feel better how?" Shannon looked dubious.

"Aww, Shan!" Trish laughed, "Don't fret so much! Just treat yourself at least a little. No one said you had to break the bank."

"I guess I could get that manga I was eyeing at the bookstore," Shannon murmured.

"That's a good idea," Trish nodded.

"Well I'm thinking more about food," Mia said as they were seated. "What kind of food does this place serve, anyway?"

"Fancy food, I'm guessing by the looks of this place," Jaime said as she looked around at the elegant décor and table settings.

"Fancy but delicious," Trish added. "I've been here twice before with Drake."

"Oooh, someone's been spoilt," Mia teased but the Australian merely grinned.

Shannon scanned the menu, "Oooh, this sounds nice, grilled salmon."

"Jenn would order that if she was here," Jaime looked thoughtful. "However she would totally complain about the fancy food names."

"That's something she's just going to have to get used to," Trish grinned evilly. "Dating the Grand Master doesn't mean dining on the cheap, like MacDonphans or Burger Kingler."

Mia shook her head, "Knowing that girl, she's going to drag him to Pichu Bell any chance she gets."

Trish nodded, "She can try, but I doubt she's going to get very far with that kind of strategy!"

The girls laughed and were interrupted by a demure cough. They turned and saw a demure looking woman standing there. She smiled, "If you ladies are ready, I'm here to take your order."

ooo

Pallet

After a tour of the laboratory grounds, the Professor had Tracey prepare some hot beverages and cake.

"So tell me, Jenn," Professor Oak said as he sat back on the sofa with a cup of coffee. "What do you think of Pallet? It's probably very different from where you hail from, I would suppose."

"Not really," Jenn said as she reached for her hot chocolate. "My hometown is kind of like this, but it's a little bigger. The real difference between the two would be the air quality. It's really clean and clear here, almost like being in the country. Where I'm from isn't as bad as a big city, but it's not country fresh."

"Ah yes, Pallet's town planners have always been very careful to preserve the village like atmosphere here," the Professor sipped his coffee.

"Do you have any Pokémon, Jenn?" Tracey asked.

Jenn resisted the urge to kick out a 'duh.' She figured Ash wouldn't be happy about it. Even so, it irked her that Tracey would have to ask her, as if she wasn't a Trainer. "Yeah, I've got two Growlithe, a Houndour, an Absol, a Pichu, a Rapidash, a Dratini and a Mightyena in a pear tree."

The two men exchanged looks, while Ash groaned and rubbed at his temples.

Jenn grinned at the reaction. "The Mightyena's really weird though."

"Like Trainer, like Pokémon," Tracey muttered.

"What's that?" Jenn asked, though she'd heard him clear enough.

"Nothing!" Tracey said, "Uh, what's with the Mightyena?"

"Don't worry about the Mightyena," Ash said quickly, "Jenn rescued him after the hurricane. He kind of followed her back to Drake's villa."

"He's neat, but such a pest sometimes," Jenn shook her head, "I really don't know why he glues himself to my side."

Samuel looked confused, "Are you saying you haven't caught this Pokémon? And yet he follows you around anyway?"

"That's kind of the story on him," Jenn nodded, "He's harmless though. I think."

"Ash, I'm surprised you let an unknown Pokémon follow her around like that," Professor Oak said with a raised eyebrow. "Have you at least scanned this Mightyena? Do you know its power levels? Know any of its attacks or any previous owners?"

Jenn's eyes widened, "You know, I never really thought about doing that. But didn't Nurse Joy say that he was abandoned or something? I can't remember."

"I don't think there was any record of any previous owner," Ash thought hard. "Nurse Joy scanned the Pokémon three times and nothing came up. She concluded he must be a wild Pokémon. Yet he doesn't act like a wild Pokémon."

"What about his power levels?" Tracey asked.

"He's pretty high," Ash shrugged. "But he's not any level even remotely like Pikachu, Charizard, Meganium or Drake's Pokémon. If he tries anything, you can be sure that Pikachu or Dragonite would take him down fast."

"But still…you need to be careful," the Professor warned. "It is extremely unusual that a wild Pokémon would follow a human around without having been captured. It's not in their nature."

"He goes everywhere I go. Uh, well, almost everywhere," Jenn said. "I totally draw the line at him following me into the bathroom. It's like he's keeping watch on me."

"Oh, come on," Tracey put his drink down and made a face, "Hearing about your bathroom habits isn't what I need to hear when I'm drinking."

Jenn made a face right back at him, "That's not the point I was making, genius! I meant to say that he totally follows me everywhere I go. Pallet totally notwithstanding."

Tracey looked surprised, "I'm surprised. Hearing you saying a word like notwithstanding…"

"You're misjudging me, Tracey," Jenn grinned, "That's silly of you."

"Tracey, please," Professor Oak said, somewhat irritated, "There are more important things to discuss here."

"Sorry, Professor," Tracey flushed, "I don't know how I got so carried away. I'm sorry, Jenn."

"It's okay, Tracey," Jenn said, "I tend to have that effect on people. Don't I, Ash?"

"Oh yeah," Ash nodded, "She sure does."

"Have any of your Pokémon or Drake's Pokémon tried to talk to this Mightyena, Ash?" Samuel resumed.

"I'm not sure," Ash confessed. "I'd have to ask Pikachu about it, and I left her back in Pummelo."

The Pokémon Watcher blinked for the second time in as many minutes. "You left Pikachu back in Pummelo? Ash, you never go anywhere without Pikachu!"

"I have this time," Ash shrugged. "Pikachu was having so much fun with the other Pokémon that I didn't want to take her away."

"That's quite peculiar," Samuel looked confused, "Did you bring any Pokémon with you?"

Ash looked a little uncomfortable, "No, this is just a little vacation. I really didn't see the need to bring anyone with me."

Tracey shook his head, but grinned, "Ash, that's just like you. Every time you took off for a new league adventure, you'd go off without any of your pokémon." He looked thoughtful, "Well you'd at least take Pikachu."

"It's like I said," Ash sat back, "She was having fun. I didn't want to take her from that."

"Besides, you've got a lot to chose from here," Professor Oak said with a smile, "Should you need to, you've got a very large herd of Tauros…"

"Ur, ah…That's okay, Professor…" Ash sat up, "Oh man, I really need to get them moved to a larger reserve."

Jenn looked confused when Tracey and Professor Oak laughed heartily. "What is it? What's the joke?" The blonde looked around. "What?"

"Don't worry about it," Ash shook his head. "Just a private in-house joke."

"Oh," Jenn settled back against him. "Like the in-house jokes that Trish and I have."

"Like those."

"Perhaps Ash may like to show you some of his other Pokémon that are here," the Professor suggested.

"That's a great idea!" the Grand Master grinned. "They can meet you and you can meet them."

"And maybe if you don't want one of a wickedly rare and or Legendary pokémon, you could give it to me, couldn't you?" Jenn looked at him with her blue-grey eyes.

"Uh…" Ash winced inwardly at the thought of Jenn getting her hands on anything anywhere near legendary. "I don't have any of the Legendary Pokémon."

"No way!"

"Oh yes, Jenn," Samuel nodded, "It would be disastrous if Ash were to capture any of the Legendary Pokémon. And to take one of them out of their habitats would border on catastrophic, not for him, but for the entire planet."

Jenn's eyes widened. "You're kidding."

"Not a chance," Ash said, "That's what the whole disaster was when I went to the Orange Islands and first discovered I was the Chosen One."

"Seeing Lugia was awe inspiring," Tracey breathed out, "It still gives me chills."

"Okay, so when it comes to Legendary Pokémon, you never cross the beams," Jenn nodded, "I got it."

"What beams?" Professor Oak blinked in confusion.

"Movie reference," Jenn sat back and crossed her arms over her chest, "You don't get it, I'm not gonna tell you what it is."

"Jenn's a real movie buff," Ash grinned. "But yes, with Legendary Pokémon, you leave them well alone unless you want to bring about the end of the world."

"But Ash does have some unusual Pokémon in his collection," Tracey quipped. "Like a shiny Mightyena and a Noctowl."

"So all of Ash's Pokémon live here in your ranch place, Professor Oak?"

"Actually, it's more of a reserve," the Professor corrected her gently.

"Oh, okay," Jenn said. "Well, a reserve then. And I guess those pokémon that aren't with him all the time."

"That's right," the elderly researcher nodded. "Ash has at least 4 large holding barns full of just his Pokéballs. The Pokémon are allowed to roam free, unless Ash needs me to send them to him. Only then do they go in their Poké Balls."

"I don't blame them for not wanting to go into those things," Jenn gave a slight shiver. "Talk about totally suffering from claustrophobia!"

"You sound like you speak from experience!" Tracey shook his head with amusement.

"And you sound like you want to speak from experience," Jenn looked annoyed.

:Jenn, c'mon,: Ash said in a lazy, telepathic voice, :It's not like you're ever gonna be in one again. Try to not sound so defensive about the subject. People are gonna get suspicious.:

:What, like Tracey's about to put two and two together?:

:He might. He's pretty darned smart.: He gave her a devious grin that he hid behind his coffee cup. :Don't let looks fool you.:

Jenn sighed with irritation, "Anyway, they just look like they'd be able to make the pokémon claustrophobic, if any of them should suffer from claustrophobia."

"It's nice to see that someone could be empathetic with pokémon," Samuel Oak smiled at the blonde, "It's very refreshing, Jenn."

"Thank you, Professor," Jenn beamed.

ooo

An hour later, Jenn plopped on the neatly made bed in the guest room with her cell phone in hand. She really had a great time at the Professor's. Despite Ash's totally unfounded fears, Jenn felt like she got along really well with the Professor and she could understand why Ash looked up to the researcher as a mentor and a role model.

Professor Samuel Oak really knew all there was to know and then some when it came to Pokémon. In the blonde's eyes, it was almost freaky.

In fact, the Professor had asked her to bring the strange Mightyena with her the next time she came so he could have a look at it.

Now that they were back at Ash's parents' house, it was time for a little gossip session with her best friend. The blonde checked her watch. It was now 3pm in Pallet and the Archipelago was five hours ahead. Not like she would be disturbing Trish in the middle of anything.

She flipped open the phone and pressed the speed dial number for her friend. After a few minutes the line was picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey T-vizzie! Guess who?" Jenn greeted cheerfully.

"One certifiably insane blonde Goddess," was the droll reply.

"Who else?" the blonde grinned as she sprawled on her back. "Am I disturbing ya?"

"Not really," Trish said. "So what's up? How did the dinner with Ash's parents go? What's this stepdaddy person like?"

"It was great! Sven's a really cool guy."

"….don't you mean Steven?"

"Uh…yeah, Steven," Jenn felt her face flame even though she knew her friend couldn't see her. "Not a huge difference between those two names, really."

"Only about two letters."

"Trish…"

"Two letters and whole cultures…"

Jenn sighed, "Okay, okay, so I bungled his name, but not in front of him."

"Really?"

"Only when I first met him," Jenn said, "But he didn't mind."

"I bet you made it endearing," Trish said teasingly.

"Of course," Jenn grinned, "I'm nothing but endearing!"

"You're having fun, aren't you?"

"Whaaa?"

"Because if you're not, I'll be on the first teleport over," Trish said threateningly, "Drake knows Pokémon who know teleport. I'll be there for you, Jenn, and knock some sense into Ash. Grand Master and Chosen One, or not!"

Jenn gulped at the visual. No doubt, Ash wouldn't stand a chance! "Uh…no, that's okay. I'm fine, really!"

"Really?"

"Absol's honour!"

"You'd better not be!"

Jenn winced, "I just meant that I'm telling the truth. Pokémon can't lie."

"Really?"

"Yeah," Jenn shivered at the curious lilt to her best friend's voice. "It brings on the absolute mother of all migraines if they break a promise or lie about something."

"I never knew that."

"Well now you do," Jenn felt wary at the suddenly smug sensation she felt from Trish. "What are you plotting now, oh Evil One?"

"Me? Jenn, you've been hanging around with…Oh, well you can't hang around with yourself," Trish chuckled, "Stop being so suspicious. Go on now, and have fun. Relax! It's your time to have a vacation. If you don't have fun, I'm going to be quite angry with you."

"And I wouldn't like it if you were angry," Jenn made little spooky motions with her hands, forgetting that Trish couldn't see her.

Trish apparently understood, "Oh har, har, that's not funny. I do not turn green when I get angry."

Jenn smiled, "Yeah, I know. How are my Pokémon doing? I miss 'em."

"Where to start?" Trish chuckled. "Mac, Beth, Willa, Satochu and Tamu are doing just fine and are having great fun with my Growlithe, Pichu and Dratini. Chance is just the same as ever, however Little Kigali is a little off her food. I think she misses her human mommy."

The blonde played with the edge of her pillow. "Awww, tell her I miss her too. I hope she's eating something though."

"Oh she eats her food, but only after much persuasion by Ophie and Beth. Those two female Growlithe have really taken to mothering Kigali. They take turns in grooming her, and making sure she eats. Kigali's always got one or the other on hand to supervise her in the gardens. Makes me wonder whether I should find a suitable male Growlithe for Ophie to breed with. That way she can mother her own puppies."

"Uh, okay," Jenn made a face, "That's a little more than I needed to know, but okay. Well, as long as she's eating, that's great."

"Well…" Trish's voice faded for a moment then strengthened. "She's actually right here."

Jenn grinned, "Put her on!"

There was a rustling sound on the other end, and then a confused sounding, "Sol?"

"Kigali, you'd better not be giving Trish a hard time!" Jenn tried her best to sound like she was scolding, but she knew there was a teasing quality that she could never lose. "You silly puppy."

"Absol ab!" There was an instant excitement to the young Absol's voice that Jenn could almost translate to, "Mommy!" or something like that. "Sol ab absol!"

"Calm down, okay? I have to go pretty soon and I just wanted to let you know I was okay," Jenn said it a little reluctantly. If there was one pokémon she wished she could talk to, it was the little puppy. After finding the Absol under such a horrible circumstance, it would make things easier for the both of them if she could understand the little one.

There was a brief moment of silence, then a determined sounding, "Sol."

"That's a good thing, right?"

"Absol!" This time the puppy sounded amused.

There was a rustling from the phone and then Trish came back on the phone, "I'm not sure what you said, but she looks really mischievous, Jenn!"

"That wasn't what I was aiming for," Jenn rolled her eyes, "But it's better than angst. I think maybe she'll behave better for you now though. Call me tomorrow after you feed them breakfast, okay?"

"You want me to call you at five in the morning?"

"Kick out that amusement in your voice," Jenn glared at her cell phone, "You can call me, like, when it's lunch time or something more of a humane hour. You're so witty."

"But you did say for me to call you after I've fed them breakfast," Trish was all innocence. "And as you know, I'm a fairly early riser."

"You knew what I meant," the blonde rolled her eyes. "Howzabout not getting up so early for a change? Stay in bed awhile. Get Drake to bring you breakfast in bed."

"I don't do breakfast in bed," Trish laughed. "It's rather awkward and I hate getting crumbs in the bed. The only times I do breakfast in bed is if I'm sick."

"You are sick," Jenn teased.

"Takes one to know one," was the immediate retort.

"Oh, Trish, stop!" Jenn feigned a giggle, "You'll have me blushin', you know!"

"You're just one step short of a straight jacket sometimes," Trish sighed.

"For you or me?"

"I really couldn't say," Trish chuckled, "But I have to go. Drake's taking me out and if I don't get ready, I'm going to be a little upset if I end up wearing something too casual because I didn't have enough time to get ready."

Jenn nodded, "Okay, fine, I get the hint. I'll call you later. I think Ash said something about going out tomorrow and doing something. I'm not sure if we were going out tonight or just doing something tomorrow."

"Well whatever it is, I hope you two have fun," Trish said warmly, "You two deserve it."

"Thanks, Trish," Jenn grinned, "You guys have fun, too."

"Oh we will. Talk to you tomorrow!"

"Ciaoness!"

ooo

Pummelo

Kigali curled up with a satisfied sigh next to Beth and closed her eyes. The young Absol puppy had taken to sleeping in amongst the small pack of Growlithe for warmth and company. Sometimes Kigali had nightmares and she had always found either of the two female Growlithe willing to soothe her and stay with her until she fell back to sleep.

Kigali felt much more happier and relaxed now that she'd heard her human momma's voice and knew that she hadn't just disappeared and left her. Auntie Trish had held a strange device against her ear through which her momma's voice spoke to her. While it was not the same thing as actually seeing her, Kigali was content. She knew it was her momma talking to her, and that it wasn't a trick that Auntie Trish was playing on her. Not that Auntie Trish would do such a thing to her. She was too nice.

Beth had told the young puppy that a Pokémon could always tell who was their real Trainer. Bad humans and other Pokémon might try to trick them, but a loyal Pokémon always knew, no matter what.

The Chosen One's Pikachu also told her the same thing. The electric mouse had told Kigali of the time they were in the woods, and a wild Hoot Hoot had tried to trick Pikachu into thinking there was a whole pack of Chosen Ones. But Pikachu wasn't fooled. She saw through the trick and knew who was her real Pikapi.

One day Kigali hoped to be as strong as Pikachu. Beth always said in an awe-inspired tone of Pikachu's power levels that there was not a single known Pokémon who could beat Pikachu.

Chance had got a strange, faraway look in his eyes when Beth said it once when he was around. None of the other pokémon had seen it, but Kigali had. When the Absol had tried to talk to the Mightyena about it, he had become very closed off about the subject and talked about something else instead.

Her dark cousin baffled her, and while he wasn't really her cousin in a family way but rather a dark powers sort of way, and even more in a manner that only pokémon truly understood and humans never would, Kigali accepted Chance as family. The others couldn't accept him as she had, but allowed him a little if only for the Absol puppy, and then only because she was one of Jenn's pokémon, and only then because Jenn was a friend of Trish's.

Kigali was glad that her human momma was a friend of such powerful and popular humans. Otherwise, Chance wouldn't have a…well, a chance in the world of humans at all. He really was quite lucky. At least, that was how she figured it.

Anyway she was glad that there was one less sleep to go before her human momma came back. Safe and sound.

To be continued

Author's Note: I'm still alive and still writing, honest! However work related stress really puts a dampner on things.

Please read Pikajenn's stories. She's a fantastic writer! Or read one of mine, Broken Wings. My best work.

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