Here's chapter two ladies and gentlemen. I hope you enjoy and I'll see you at the end.

Disclaimer: *sigh* I still don't own Pokemon.

On with the story:

Chapter 2: Confessions and Preparations

"I need to tell you something."

Ash and Misty stood there staring at each other for a moment before Ash cleared his throat.

"Uh... You go first." He said, putting his hand behind his head.

Misty looked into Ash's eyes, trying to gain the rest of her courage to say what she's wanted to say since they were ten years old. Taking a deep breath, Misty looked away and spoke.

"Ash... You see... the thing is..." Misty trailed off. This was going to be harder than she thought.

Ash gave her a look of both confusion and concern. He put his hands on her shoulders, getting her to look him in the eyes.

"Hey, what ever it is, you can tell me. We're best friends, right?" Ash assured with a smile.

Misty's heart skipped a beat at his smile. 'Here goes nothing.' She thought to herself. Taking another deep breath, Misty went for round two of telling Ash how she felt.

"Ash... We are best friends. Nothing will ever change that. But the thing is... I... I... L..." She looked back to the floor, too scared of what might happen if she told him. Misty was always terrified that if Ash ever found out that she loved him he would laugh in her face or worse, never want to be her friend again. It was because of these reasons that Misty had chosen to not tell him.

Ash cupped her chin with his right hand and moved Misty's face so she was looking back at him. He gave her a reassuring smile which she returned with a small smile of her own. This gave her another confidence boost which she very much needed.

"Ash." She began more firmly. "What I'm trying to say is, I lov-"

Misty was cut off by the sound of a mic turning on and the voice of Mr Goodshow coming from the speakers.

"Attention ladies and gentlemen. If you would all care to move to the large balcony outside we will begin the fireworks show."

Everyone in the ballroom began moving to the balcony, leaving a pretty dumbfounded Misty.

'Just my luck.' She thought bitterly. Her thoughts were then interrupted when she felt a hand grab hers. Looking at the hand then following it to its owner, she saw Ash looking at her with those russet eyes and a smile on his face.

"C'mon, Mist." He said excitedly. "Let's go see the fireworks."

Before she could say anything else, Misty was dragged by Ash out towards the balcony. Once they reached their destination, they found a spot on the balcony where they thought they'd get the best view and stood there. Looking up at the clear night sky and waiting for the show to begin.

The first set of fireworks were lit and shot up into the air. Once they reached their intended height, they exploded into a flurry of beautiful sparks that eventually took the form of a Pokéball.

The crowd "Oooed" and "Awed" at the images that were appearing before them in the sky. There was a Squirtle, a Dragonite, a Milotic, the League emblem, a Pikachu and many others.

Ash turned to his right to look at Misty. His heart instantly began beating faster at the mere sight of her in the bright moonlight. His heart almost stopped completely when Misty turned to look at him. Their eyes met and Ash lightly gasped at how beautiful she was.

Ash hadn't realised his feelings towards the red-head until the day she left to take over the gym at the end of their travels through Johto, on what he considered to be the 'worst day of his life.' Since then, Ash had been trying to find ways to tell Misty how he felt but he was too scared that she'd reject him or worse, never want to be his friend again. It was because of these reasons that Ash had chosen not to tell her.

Misty gave Ash a warm smile that practically stopped his heart. 'Now or never, Ketchum.' Ash thought to himself.

Taking in a deep breath, Ash made up his mind. Not knowing that the girl he was looking at came to the same choice in her mind.

"I love you." They said at the same time.

Both Ash and Misty stared wide eyed at each other, their mouths slightly agape. And then, as if like a comedy routine, spoke at the same time again.

"You love me?"

They blushed slightly having realised they did it again and Misty motioned for Ash to go first. Clearing his throat, Ash began.

"Yeah, Mist. I love you." He breathed. A smile appearing on his handsome face.

Misty's heart began beating faster than a bullet train. Ash had finally said the words she's wanted to hear for nearly eight years.

"How long?" She asked just above a whisper.

Ash pondered this for a moment before answering. "I guess I always have. I just didn't realise it until after you left." He said that last part with a look in his eyes that Misty instantly recognised as regret.

"I wish I'd realised it before that." He continued.

Misty stepped closer to him so that they were only inches apart. Both Ash and Misty could feel their cheeks go red at the close proximity to each other. Misty then wrapped her arms around Ash's neck and Ash did the same with her waist. They then both looked into each others eyes and Misty smiled as they inched closer and closer, the gap between them getting ever smaller.

"Better late than never." She said with a smile.

Ash smiled back and, without another word, closed the few inches between them. When their lips met, a surge of electricity went coursing through their bodies. The kiss started small at first but then grew more passionate with each passing second. When the time finally came for the need of oxygen, Ash and Misty pulled apart slightly and rested their foreheads on the other, gasping slightly.

"Wow..." Was all Ash could say.

"I know..." Misty said.

They looked into the others eyes and smiles appeared on their faces. They both gave each other a quick peck on the lips before turning and watching the rest of the fireworks. Misty leaned back and rested her head on Ash's chest. Ash responded to this by wrapping his arms around her slender figure and holding her close.

"Nothing could ruin this moment." Misty sighed as she snuggled closer to her new boyfriend.

"Yeah." Ash breathed as he kissed the top of Misty's head and looked back up to the fireworks.

Unbeknownst to the new couple, several on lookers on the other end of the balcony, witnessed the entire scene. Smiles adorning all of their faces.

"Well it's about damn time." Brock said, smiling at his two best friends' new found love.

"Way to go, Misty!" May exclaimed, pumping her fist in the air.

Delia just stood watching with a proud look in her eyes, happy for her son and the young woman she loved like daughter.

After a few minutes, Misty's eyes began to close as she got more comfortable in Ash's strong arms. As Ash looked down at his new girlfriend, a sudden realisation dawned on him.

"Hey, Mist. I just realised something."

"Mmhmm." Misty murmured, too comfortable in her current position to even open her eyes.

"Now that I'm the new master, I'm also your new boss."

Misty's eyes snapped open at that.

When the fireworks ended, Ash, Misty and the others went back to their table to wait for their desert and to enjoy the rest of the party. Once back at the table, May, Dawn and Iris immediately bombarded Ash and Misty with questions.

"How did you tell each other your feelings?"

"Was it romantic?"

"What was the kiss like?"

"Do I hear wedding bells?"

"I'm gonna be a grandmother one day!"

At this, everyone turned to face Delia. She instantly turned a very dark shade of red after realising she said that out loud and began staring very intently at the desert menu in her hands to avoid the gazes of the others. Ash and Misty weren't any better. Once they turned to look at each other that only increased the blush they already had and instantly looked somewhere else, though neither of them could help the smiles that dawned their faces.

"Alright guys, leave them alone." Brock said, raising his hands in a 'stop' manner.

"Thank you Brock." Misty said with a sigh of relief.

"No problem. But I gotta ask."

"What is it Brocko?" Ash asked.

A sly smile appeared on Brock's face. "Who said 'I love you' first?"

The blush immediately reappeared on Ash and Misty's faces. They both looked at each other then back at Brock.

"S-same time." Ash stammered.

Brock jumped up into the air, a large smile on his face. "Haha! I told you Ash would say... Wait what?"

"We said it at the same time." Misty repeated, completely bewildered by Brock's actions.

Brock sat back down in his chair and looked at Cilan and Gary who both had the same shocked expression as Brock. They then looked at May, Iris and Dawn who also had the same shocked expressions. After a minute or two, the six teens pulled out their wallets and handed the other twenty dollars. Ash and Misty face-faulted.

"Did you guys make a bet on who would say I love you first?!" Misty snapped, her eyes filled with rage.

Brock and the others sweat-dropped.

"Ehe... Kinda." May answered sheepishly.

Misty was about to beat the six teens to a pulp but Ash managed to hold her back, it wasn't easy, but he managed.

"Mist, calm down. They were only having a friendly wager." Ash tried to calm the enraged red-head down.

"On our relationship! How can you not be upset they-mph..." Misty was cut off by Ash's lips on hers. after a few seconds Misty got more and more into the kiss. A few seconds later it turned into a full blown make out session.

The others couldn't help but smile at the sight. After a minute or two, Brock cleared his throat to gain their attention. The couple broke out of their kiss and looked at their friend.

"So when are you guys gonna go on your first date?" Brock asked.

Ash and Misty looked at each other for a few moments. They never thought that a date was necessary. They just thought they'd tell each other how they felt and that would be that. However, thinking about it, it did seem like a smart idea. They just needed to think of a perfect time and place.

"Well I'm completely swamped at the gym until Monday." Misty said.

"Lance is showing me around the new League HQ on Monday at eleven. It shouldn't be more than two hours. Why don't we meet up at the Pokémon center here at say, two o'clock? I know a great restaurant not far from here we could go to." Ash said with a loving smile.

Misty smiled back and gave Ash a peck on the cheek. "That sounds nice."

May and Dawn squealed at the concept and jumped up and down in their seats.

"Ooooooh this is gonna be soooo romantic!" May exclaimed excitedly.

Everyone at the table sweat-dropped at May and Dawns antics. The desert arrived a few minutes later and the group talked until the end of the night.

[Pallet Town]

"Oooh, it feels good to be lying down." Ash exclaimed with a tired sigh as he lay down on his inflatable bed in his room, Pikachu snuggling up next to him.

"I know the feeling." Misty said as she got under the sheets of Ash's normal bed.

Misty and Brock had taken up temporary residency in the Ketchum home for Ash's battle for the master title while May, Max, Dawn, Gary and Tracy were taking the spare rooms at the professors lab. Iris and Cilan had to catch an early flight back to Unova in the morning so they rented a room at a motel near Kanto Airport.

The sleeping arrangements weren't that hard to arrange. Ash and Misty shared Ash's room while Brock got the spare room. Delia was a little skeptical at the idea of Ash and Misty in the same room together at first. But once she was assured by both teens, for a full hour and a half, that nothing would happen her mind was put at ease and she allowed it. But not before giving Ash a warning glare that sent shiver down his spine. Even Misty had to admit that it was a little scary.

Ash and Misty were now settled into their respective beds and decided to chat for a while until they felt tired.

"You know." Ash began. "I think today is officially the greatest day of my life."

"It's midnight Ash." Misty said with a smirk.

"Yesterday was the greatest day of my life." Ash corrected, putting his hand behind his head.

"Better."

Ash stuck his tongue out playfully to Misty and in turn she just rolled her eyes at Ash's childishness.

"Hey, Mist?" Ash asked, sitting up on his bed.

"Yeah, Ash?" Misty repeated the same action.

"It was never really about the bike was it?"

Misty stared at Ash for a moment in shock at the question. After a few seconds, Misty sighed and answered his question.

"It was at first. You DID destroy my bike so I was expecting you to pay me back for it." She began. "Then after a while, I dunno, I guess seeing how kind and caring you were to Pokémon and other people, I just started to get these feelings whenever I looked at you or whenever we got close to each other. The bike was just an excuse to stay with you after that. It wasn't until Lavender Town that I realised that I was in love with you." Misty finished that last part with what sounded like hurt. Like the very memory of that day caused emotional pain.

Ash saw this and gave Misty a sympathetic yet understanding look. He would never forget the day he and Pikachu had technically 'died' during an attempt to catch a haunter to fight against Sabrina, the gym leader of Saffron City. The experience had been terrifying at first, but both he and Pikachu soon began to enjoy it. But after seeing how upset both Brock and Misty were at the sight of their 'lifeless bodies', Ash and Pikachu decided it was time to go back to their bodies with help from Haunter.

What Ash remembered finding the most surprising that day was when he saw how upset Misty had been at the thought of him being dead and then seeing the joy and relief that filled her tear filled eyes when he woke up to greet her. He'd never forget that smile he had that day. A smile that showed she truly did care about him. Ash snapped out of his brief trip through memory lane, he was surprised to see that Misty was looking away and shaking.

"Mist?" He said, concern filling his voice.

"When you didn't wake up... I got so scared. I was terrified of the possibility that you were dead. I didn't now what I was going to do if you were." Misty said just above a whisper. Her voice was trembling and was filled with sadness. The Lavender Town incident was something that still scared Misty to this day. Yes, Ash had been in other life threatening situations before and after that day, but it wasn't until Lavender Town that she truly believed she was going to loose the raven-haired boy forever.

Ash got out of bed carefully so as not to disturb the now sleeping Pikachu and hopped onto his borrowed bed. When he got a better look at Misty he was surprised to see tears running down her cheeks. He gently put his hand on her face hand began wiping away the tears with his thumb.

"Misty, Don't cry!" He pleaded as he wrapped his arms around her in a hug which she quickly reciprocated. "I'm not dead though, I'm right here. And I'm not going anywhere." Ash began rubbing up and down Misty's back gently for comfort.

"Promise?" She asked, her voice muffled in Ash's shoulder.

Ash pulled away slightly, still keeping Misty in his arms. "Promise." He said, a warm and loving smile appearing on his face. He then gave Misty a quick kiss on the lips and went back into the hug.

"Stay with me tonight, Ash. Please?" Misty asked quietly, the crying subsiding.

Ash smiled and held Misty tighter. Happy that he managed to cheer his girlfriend up. "Sure, Mist. I'll stay right here."

Ash crawled under the covers next to Misty who proceeded to rest her head on his chest and Ash in turn, wrapped his arms around Misty.

"G'night, Mist. I love you." Ash said, kissing Misty on the head.

"Good night, Ash. I love you too." Misty said as she got more comfortable in Ash's arms.

After a few minutes, the young couple finally drifted off into their dreams. Smiles on both their faces.

[Unknown location]

Giovanni sat in his office, awaiting the arrival of his top agents to debrief them on their assignment.

Giovanni had many top agents, but when it came to big jobs such as the one he had in mind, he needed the agents he trusted with his life. He was brought out of his thoughts as the door to his office opened and five people stepped into his office. Normally, Giovanni would kill anyone that entered his office without permission first, Rocket or not, but he knew these people, trusted them. As far as he was concerned the only time they'd ever need permission to enter his office was if they failed a mission. They have yet to ask permission.

Standing before him was a teal haired man with teal eyes, a purple haired man with black eyes, a green haired man with green eyes, a red haired woman with red eyes and a blond haired woman with blue eyes.

Giovanni looked at each operative before motioning for them to sit down on the five chairs set out on the other side of his desk. The five took a seat without hesitation and waited for their leader to speak.

"I have two assignments for you. One to be carried out by two of you, the other by three of you." Giovanni said. His voice calm yet intimidating. "The first is for you two." Giovanni addressed the teal haired man and the purple haired man. "You will accompany me when Operation Indigo is initiated." He explained. The two operatives nodded in understanding. Giovanni then turned his attention to the three remaining operatives.

"I have a special assignment for you three." Giovanni stated, an unnerving smile appearing on his face. "Take these files." Giovanni motioned to ten files resting in a pile on the edge of his desk. "And find the people and the families of these people. Once you have them, bring them to the Plateau. Then rejoin with these two and await further instruction." Giovanni said as he motioned to the other two operatives.

The three agents nodded in understanding. Giovanni looked at the five operatives before leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes.

"Dismissed." He said, his eyes still closed.

As the operatives were about to leave, the door burst open and the blond grunt ran in holding what appeared to be a newspaper. Stopping to take in deep breaths, the grunt held the paper in the air.

"Sir, I have something you may want to see." He said. His voice sounding very urgent.

Giovanni opened his eyes and held his hand out for the newspaper. The grunt approached Giovanni's desk and held the paper out to the rocket boss which he snatched out of the grunts hand. The grunt flinched at the action and backed up a little.

Giovanni read the main article in the paper and slowly but surely, the unnerving smile reappeared.

"Oh this is perfect." He said as he continued to read the article.

'Ash Ketchum crowned new Pokémon master.' Was the title on the front page. "We can commence our operation and get a little revenge at the same time." He then directed his attention to the blond grunt.

"Thank you for bringing this to my attention, you are dismissed."

"Yes, sir." The grunt saluted. He was halfway out the door when Giovanni called back.

"One more thing."

The blond grunt turned around only to be met with the barrel of a revolver pointed directly at him.

"Normally I'd kill you for entering my office without my permission but, you brought me some very valuable information. So consider this a warning for the future. Understood." It was more of a statement than an actual question.

"Y-y-yes sir." The grunt said. Fear was more than evident in his voice and trembling body.

Giovanni then turned and walked back to his desk.

"Dismissed." He said rather coldly.

Not wasting any time, teh blond grunt practically ran out of the Rocket boss' office door. The other occupants snickering at what had just transpired. Giovanni then sat back down at his desk and went back into his original position. Persian sitting to his right with a look of amusement at her trainer's actions on her face.

"Dismissed." He said again, addressing the other operatives in the room.

The operatives left the Rocket boss' office without another word.

That was chapter two ladies and gentlemen. I hope you enjoyed it and as usual, leave a review letting me now what you thought and if there's anything that needs tweaking.

I'll get to work on chapter three as soon as I can and post it when it's done. Until then, live long and prosper and may the force be with you.