Authors Note:

Well here is chapter 3! And a day early! YAY!

I won't be able to upload tomorrow(stupid school and work) so I decided to make it a day early instead of making you all wait an extra day.

Thanks for the reviews, follows, and/or favorites! I love seeing and reading them!

I hope you enjoy reading as much as i enjoyed writing!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or any of its characters.

Chapter 3: Place for a Third

It had been a few hours since Misty had woken up and the only time she saw Ash leave her side was when he went to call his mom to tell her Misty was okay. Ash had told Misty that his mother wanted to be the first to know when she woke up.

It made Misty happy knowing that Delia Ketchem was so worried about her well-being. Misty always thought of her as a surrogate mother and was sure Delia thought of her like a daughter.

Delia arrived at Viridian City General Hospital shortly after Ash had called her. She also arrived with a surprise visitor; a certain spiky-haired breeder that always felt like a brother to her. They both proceeded to give her gentle but strong embraces. Brock seemed just as worried about her condition as Ash and his mother did. It made Misty feel warm inside to be surrounded by people who actually cared about her well-being again. It had been so long since she felt that kind of love.

Doctors and nurses came and went to keep a record of how she was recovering. They told her she received a nasty blow to the temple and been asleep for 3 days. They were very worried that she wouldn't wake up. Well now I know why it looked like Ash hadn't partaken in any source of personal hygiene in a while. He must have been here the whole time…

The doctors also informed her that she injured her left leg and would be required to wear a cast for 3-5 weeks. She groaned at the thought of bed rest for that long, she hated being so restricted not to mention the "no water rule". The other cuts and bruises would heal perfectly on their own, although there were gashes on her upper left thigh and stomach that required stitches and would probably scare. Great just another reminded of these past 3 years I've had…

As the doctors ceased their rounds the group sat in silence. Brock's curiosity got the best of him and he needed to know what happened. Leaning forward so that his forearms were resting on the top if his thighs, Brock tried bringing up the topic in the gentlest way possible. "Misty, I think I speak for everyone in this room when I say we are thrilled that you are going to be okay. But I think there is another topic on our minds as well. What happened to you, Misty?" Everyone in the room was shocked by the bluntness of his question. Misty's expression darkened as she looked away.

Ash spoke next. He hadn't left Misty's side since he brought her there. He was so worried about her because of the way she acted while she was asleep. He wanted to know what happened to her just as much as Brock. "It must have been rough. It looked like you kept having nightmares. You would start whimpering and struggling when you were asleep." He looked at her with a pair of worry stricken eyes.

Misty was thankful that she was looking away as a hint of red started to form from the thought of Ash comforting her in her sleep from her nightmares. The blush faded and was replaced with a frown when she realized she still needed to answer them. Misty drew in a deep breath as she prepared to speak. "I fell from the top of a building. I was being chased and jumped to get away from them." Misty crossed her arms over her chest. She knew this answer wouldn't suffice for the breeder and Master but she didn't really want to go into any detail about the situation.

Ash could feel his angry raising him his as he listened to Misty explain what happened accompanied by the distraught state she was in. She looked so broken and he couldn't stand seeing her that way.

"Who did this to you Misty? I swear to Arceus I will hunt them down and make them pay for whatever they did." Ash stood up but kept his head down. His fists clenched at his sides. His temper was quickly rising. Sensing his trainers anger, Pikachu began to admit small sparks of electricity from his cheeks. The rage was growing even more as he pictured Misty trying to run. She must have been terrified. They better hope I never find them. I will kill that bastard if he ever comes near Misty again.

Brock went to the young master's side and rested his hand on Ash's shoulder unoccupied by Pikachu. "Calm down Ash. I want to see them get what they deserve just as much as you but right now we need to stay calm. There is no use getting so worked up about it right now." Letting out an irritated sigh, he sat back down, never taking his gaze off the tiled floor. I mean it.

"What happened, Misty? We never knew you were in so much trouble," Brock put a hand on her shoulder and looked at her with comforting eyes. "We were so worried about you. After you stopped all contact with all of us we had no idea what happened to you. It was like you fell off the face of the Earth." Brock looked over at Ash whose gaze was still down. Brock knew what happened that night between the two younger trainers. Brock told Ash to go after her and apologize, but Ash truly believed Misty hated him and couldn't bear to hear her say it to his face. He must be blaming himself for this, poor guy. Brock thought to himself.

Misty followed Brocks gaze and looked over toward Ash now realizing his head down. I hope he isn't blaming himself for this. He looked like he was going to kill someone before. Maybe he has changed. Misty emotions were welling up inside her chest. But I still don't want to take the chance of getting hurt again.

Ash felt terrible. He wouldn't allow himself to look up. He was ashamed. He knew this was his fault one way or another and couldn't bear to look at her.

Misty looked down again, "I really don't want to talk about what happened. I don't think I'm ready to go through all of that again." She glanced up at every one and even Ash was looking at her, concern evident in their eyes. She looked away saying, "I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to talk about it." She paused. "It would just hurt too much..." She let her voice trail off as her shoulders began to tremble.

She felt another hand on her shoulder and thought it was Brock trying to comfort her again. When she turned to look back at her pseudo brother she was shocked to see it wasn't him. Instead of his gentle hand she found the strong, reassuring grip of Ash.

Ash had gotten up from him seat and was now leaning over her bed. He looked into Misty's glossy eyes and realized she was trying hard to hold back more tears.

"We just want to help you, but if you don't want to talk about it right now then we won't make you. We would never want you to be put through so much pain again." His words were the kindest words she had heard all day, or the past 3 years. A single tear escaped her eye and Ash used his other hand to quickly wipe the tear away. "Please don't cry, Mist. I hate seeing you cry." Ash couldn't stand to see Misty like this. She was usually so strong and put together. Seeing her in a hospital bed in such a delicate state broke his heart.

Misty couldn't help but smile as she looked toward the foot of her bed. Feeling his touch and hearing him use that nickname warmed her up inside. Even Pikachu looked worried about her.

"Ash is right dear. If you don't want to tell us, we won't pursue it anymore. We respect your feelings." It was the first time Delia had spoken in a while, but the older women spoke those words with such a motherly tone that Misty's smile became even wider.

Looking over at the brown-haired woman she said "Thank you. That really means a lot."

"It's no problem. We all care about you Misty. We hate seeing you in so much pain." Remembering just how bad of a state Misty was in Delia realized something. "Who is going to take care of you while you are healing?"

"That's right. I tried calling your sisters a couple years back but they said they had no idea where you were." Brock remembered that conversation well and that it contained more than just that. They had a few choice words to call Misty, none of which were flattering for the beautiful women. He decided not to inquire about their hostility so not to upset Misty again in her fragile state.

Misty cringed at the mention of her sisters. They weren't exactly on great terms right now. "Actually," Misty paused not wanted to tell them she had nowhere to go but realized it was inevitable. "I don't have a place to stay. Let's just say I can't go back to the gym." Misty looked away as she said this hoping that no one would ask her about why she couldn't go back to a place she loved.

They sat in silence, no one knowing how to respond with the new information they received. Delia finally broke the silence. "You can stay at our house dear." She put a hand on her sons shoulder and looked at Misty.

Misty looked back at the three visitors and was a little surprised at the offer even though she should have known better. "Oh, no, Mrs. Ketchem. I couldn't impose on you like that." She put her hands in front of her trying to refuse the offer but Delia would have none of that.

"Please call me Delia." Delia hated it when Ash's friends called her Mrs. Ketchem. It made her feel old. "Nonsense, we have a guest room that you can stay in and we would be more than happy to take care of you. I think it would make all of us feel better to keep a close eye on you while you are recovering."

Misty took in the facial expressions of the three sitting in front of her. She took special notice to Ash's. His eyes said everything for him. They looked like they were begging her to say yes. They showed guilt and worry. They said please stay with us. We care about you and want to help you feel better. Don't leave us again.

That look is all she needed to nod her head. "Okay. I'll stay with you in Pallet Town. I've missed it there." She said so with a sincere smile. It seemed to be contagious as everyone's smiles broadened.

"Then it's settled. When you are ready to be discharged, Ash and I will take you home with us. Now I have to go check on the restaurant." She gave Misty another hug before leaving and Misty gladly excepted.

"I better get going too. I have to help Forrest with some stuff at the gym before it gets too late." Brock said also taking Misty in his arms.

"Thanks so much for coming to visit me. It really means a lot."

"It was no problem dear. We did it because we care about you. Now get some rest. I'll be back later with a nice home cooked meal for you and Ash." And with that Delia and Brock left the room.

Misty turned to Ash about to say something but she was cut off. "Mom's right. You need your rest if you're going to recover properly."

Misty knew that Ash was right. Misty noticed Ash get up from his seat and looked up at him with a sad expression. He paused seeing a strange look in her eyes and realized just what it was. "Don't worry. I'll be right here when you wake up. I'm not going to leave you." Ash walked over toward Misty and took the seat closest to her.

Misty didn't know why but she always felt safer when Ash was near her. I just feel so much safer when he is around. She knew that she should still be upset with him but right now she just wanted to feel safe.

She gave him a smile and nod. As he looked into her eyes he thought just for a second that maybe he saw some light come back into those cerulean eyes. He didn't have long to see for sure because she laid her head down and closed her eyes and was out like a light.

He could feel a warm sensation in his chest as he stared at her peaceful, sleeping face. It had been so long since he felt that. Sure he always felt different when Misty was near him, but this sensation was stronger. Right now I need to put my feelings aside and make sure Misty gets through this. I don't want to risk hurting her again. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did.

For the first time in days he actually saw that she was relaxed in her sleep. He leaned closer to her and moved a piece of her fiery locks from in front of her face to behind her ear. He placed his face near that ear and whispered "Sweet dreams."

As he pulled his head back he saw that she now had a sweet smile on her face. He sat back down in his chair and repeated, "Sweet dreams Mist. You deserve 'em."

Poor Misty and all her conflicted feelings :(

She just doesn't want to get hurt again and Ash doesn't want to hurt her either!

The Misty Mystery just keeps getting better! But will Ash ever be able to get it out of her? You'll just have to wait and see!

Keep reading and reviewing and I will see you all in two weeks!