"WAKE UP, you two love birds!!!"

Ash awoke to Jake's smiling face in front of him.

"You guys really need to learn to sleep in your own beds you know."

Ash was a bit puzzled at this, but then he felt May remove her head from his chest. He remembered last night that they had fallen asleep on the couch together due to fatigue.

"Oh, um. This uh. Isn't really. Well, we were tired so we couldn't make it upstairs."

"Haha, alright. Whatever you have to tell yourself."

Ash's face turned a bright red.

"I wouldn't do that! Would I May?" he said as he looked at his companion.

"Well..."

May took a moment to consider this and actually wouldn't have minded, but she knew that Ash would never take advantage of her.

"No, I know you wouldn't. You're a perfect gentleman," she said with a smile.

"Thanks. See, Jake?"

"Haha, you know I was just joking. Well no time to waste. Tonight's when it all goes down. You both ready?"

"Yeah!"

"Ok. This morning I thought we'd have actual breakfast food. It seems like the only breakfast food I can have for breakfast is pancakes. I usually only like them when Joanne makes them though."

"Haha, finally a normal breakfast."

"I don't know what you mean, May. As long as it's food, it's pretty normal to me," said Ash.

"Yeah that's true."

After the meal was finished, Jake and Ash went off to discuss the rest of the day's plans.

"Ok, so all that's left to do is give May the necklace and enjoy yourself at the ball."

"Right."

Ash had forgotten about the necklace for a moment after yesterday's dinner. He became nervous as he did just before a battle.

"So, she'll like it right? I mean. Well, I know she will, but...." Ash stopped to think for a moment.

"Will she be happy?"

"What does your heart say, Ash?"

He pondered a moment at Jake's question.

"I want to make May happy. That's all I want to do. I don't want to completely sweep her off her feet because I honestly don't think I can really do that. However, I know that May always has smiles when I'm with her, and all I want to do is tell her that I just want to keep making her smile."

"I think she'll be happy with that," said Jake reassuringly.

May was nervous about the night. Aside from the usual anxiety about her appearance, she was a bit apprehensive about Ash and even a bit uncertain.

What if he just was doing all this stuff because he didn't want to hurt my feelings? I mean, I might be seeing signs that aren't there. I've done that before. Can I be sure about this time?

These questions pestered at May as she was walking with Joanne to the hair salon. Sensing May's apprehension, she was concerned and asked," Is something wrong?"

May had almost forgotten that Joanne was there.

"Oh, I'm just nervous about tonight. And a bit uncertain."

"About?"

"Well, how do you know if a boy really likes you? And how do you know if he's just being polite?"

"Ah, so you're uncertain about his feelings for you. One thing I always told Jake when he was growing up was to look inside his heart when he was uncertain about anything. Sometimes our minds can get in the way of our hearts and prevent us from seeing what our heart already knows."

May took this to heart and felt a bit relieved.

"Besides, you guys sleeping on the same couch. Twice! I'm guessing he must really like you."

"Err....oh look we're at the salon," said May.

"Haha ok. Ready to get your hair done?"

"Yeah!"

When she sat down at the stylist's chair, she had already decided on how she wanted her hair done. She remembered the dream she had about the ball and thought that if she wanted to recreate that dream, she would at least start with that. But she knew that Ash had the abilities to make dreams come true.

Ash put on his tuxedo and straightened up his tie. He didn't even bother with his hair. That challenge was a bit beyond reach.

Jake had finished combing his hair and was ready to leave Ash to his work.

"I'm going to go pick up my date. Good luck. You won't need it though."

"Oh, alright. Thanks."

Jake left before he could ask who he was going with, but he knew that he would find out when they saw each other at the ball.

He looked at the box that contained May's necklace. This isn't anything like a battle, but all I can do is get ready and put my heart into giving May this.

He heard someone rush up the stairs and into a room across the hall. He caught a glimpse of May's form, but something was different. Her hair was different. From what he could tell, the usual position was swapped for her hair pulled back with two bangs hanging from either side of her face. May's headband was tied into a bow on the bun of her hair.

Ash supposed that May was getting ready too. He made his way downstairs and decided to sit on the couch.

After a few moments, Ash heard footsteps descending on the staircase.

He turned back to see May in the dress that she picked out at the mall. Ash couldn't describe how she looked. Her hair, eyes, figure, dress: they all complimented her very well, but Ash thought the most beautiful thing about her was her smile.

"Well, how do I look Ash?"

He surprised himself at how simple it was to say, "You look beautiful."

May's smile grew more radiant.

"You mean it, Ash?"

"Yes. I really do."

For some reason, May didn't feel embarrassed by this at all. She only felt happier that Ash said she looked beautiful.

"Oh, wait. I forgot to put on my necklace. Let me run upstairs and get it."

"Wait, May."

Ash pulled out the box from his pocket.

May's heart began to beat faster.

"I thought that you might like to wear this. Close your eyes, I want it to be a surprise."

May closed her eyes and waited for Ash to put the necklace on her.

"You know, May. When I saw this, I said, 'I know a girl that could really teach you how to shine.'"

Ash put the clasp in its place and moved away.

"You can open your eyes now."

May obeyed and couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"Oh, my..."

"Do you like it?"

May didn't answer and immediately embraced Ash.

"How did you know? How did you get this? It's really expensive."

"Not too expensive for you May."

"Thank you so much!"

"You're very welcome. Shall we? Ash offered her to take his arm.

They walked out the door together.

Jake pressed the doorbell at Melody's house.

He waited for a few moments. He had a feeling of nervousness that he hadn't experienced since his first date. It was bittersweet at its best.

Melody stepped out with small ribbons in her hair. Jake noticed that she had it curled in certain sections of her hair. The front was straight except for a single lock that was curled and hanging from the left side of her face. The front of her hair was combed to the left. The back of her hair was slightly curled and was separated from the front part by a straight lock and almost formed somewhat of a crown.

"Hey, there cutie," said Melody playfully.

"Um. Hello. You look hot," Jake said immediately shocked at this slip of the tongue.

Melody giggled.

"You look pretty good yourself. Let's get going!"

The hall was lit by various candles and other extravagant lights. The brightest part of the room and its centerpiece was the large crystal chandelier. Many coordinators and their dates had appeared in their best formal outfits. Ash and May arrived just as the first waltz began to play. They found a spot on the dance floor and looked at each other.

"Ok, Ash. The waltz isn't too hard so just follow-"

Ash set up his frame and May instinctively followed. This took her by surprise because a few days ago, Ash didn't even know how to dance.

"Ash, how did you-"

"Remember how me and Jake always seemed to go around town without you girls? I was getting dance lessons from a friend."

" You learned how to dance for me?"

"Of course," said Ash with a sweet smile.

Drew was sulking towards the entrance over the night before and the missed opportunity to ask May to the ball. He saw a young girl with brown hair dancing with someone else. She caught his attention and proceeded to cut in.

"Excuse me."

Immediately, he felt someone grab his hand.

"That was rather rude."

"Do not proceed to tell me-" Drew looked up at the person that had grabbed his hand.

"YOU?!"

"Hello, sir. If you'll excuse me."

Jake gave a small shove to Drew who almost tripped to the side.

He scoffed, "Whatever," and left.

Melody was thankful that Drew was unable to separate her from her dance partner.

"Well that was rather gallant."

"I can't stand that guy. I was just getting rid of someone that might make my date uncomfortable."

"Just as a gentleman would."

"Ah. Thanks. I was just doing what I felt."

"That's the best part of it. Ash is really lucky to have met a great friend to help him grow more confident. You got him the necklace and even helped him have a night that the both of them will never forget. I've never known someone that would do so much for a friend."

"It was nothing," said Jake as he placed his hand behind his head.

The song ended. Jake was about to leave the dance floor until Melody pulled him back.

"Yes?"

"I don't know if Ash told you 'thank you' yet, but I just want to show you what I think of what you've done."

"Really, I told you. It was noth-"

Melody lean up for a kiss, and as their lips touched, Jake felt a new song playing.

In fact, the DJ did begin to play another song.

"I was all alone.... I was feeling rather low."

May was taken aback as she flashed back to her dream.

Ash took her hand and said, "Shall we?"

They held each other close and moved to the rhythm of the song.

"May, after all of our adventures, and everything that we've done together. You've become my very best friend. You're really the best companion that I could ask for."

May looked away with a pleased smile.

"You're a great coordinator, and have a lot of talent. But the thing I love most about you is your heart."

Did he just say love?

"What are you saying?"

"What I'm trying to say is that my heart has been telling me something and it's that I don't ever want to leave your side. I want to be there for you when you cry and be the one to make you laugh and smile."

May could feel what he was about to say next, and she almost felt tears gather in her eyes.

"I love you, May."

Ash leaned down towards May and touched his lips against hers. At that moment, nothing else existed or mattered. May was sure of herself and sure of his feelings. She need not ask about or worry about anything else.

"I love you too."

"Play another slow jam. This time make it sweet. On a slow jam. For my baby and for me....."


I hope you enjoyed my last chapter.

It was great to finally finish what I started two summers ago. I've always been a big Advanceshipper and always will be.

Thanks to all who have read and reviewed.

Also, thanks to LuciferIX who reviewed and gave very helpful input. :)

I'm probably going to keep writing more advanceshipping fics in the future, but I don't have anything big planned as of yet.

I am doing a yugioh fanfic currently (if I may insert a little plug for my other story XD).

And I will probably write a Christmas special related to this story. Possibly even one about halloween or a birthday, but the Christmas one is for sure. I may make it a one shot or make it into a whole story.

Again thanks for taking the time to read and review.

Take care ^_^