Love Is In Bloom Part 2

Part three of a request for TheDoctor1998

To say today had been weird would be an understatement. First, Alice had fallen ill, and could barely move. It had taken Serena and Clemont a moment to realize exactly what was wrong, but once they did they forced her back to sleep. While Serena made sure she was comfortable, Clemont tried his best to divert Bonnie's attention, not wanting to have that conversation just yet.

"Sorry about this," Alice said, her face contorting in pain.

"It's not your fault," Serena said kindly. "It's just part of our biology."

"I wish it wasn't," Alice groaned. Serena could only nod in agreement.

"I'm going to go check on the others. Holler if you need anything."

But that was just the tip of the iceberg. No sooner had Alice gone back to sleep did some punk rocker named Jimmy come into their camp looking for him. Said he had heard all about her and her Pikachu, and wanted to test his Pikachu against hers. And despite how much Serena tried to explain the situation to him, he wouldn't take no for an answer, only settling for coming back later.

"Now what will we do?"

"Do you think there's any way he'll back off?" Serena asked hopefully.

"I doubt it," Clemont said. "It took over an hour to even get him to agree to this!"

"Well, what are we going to do?"

Serena thought for a minute. Jimmy wouldn't leave them alone until he had a match with Alice. There was no way she would be able to face him as she is now. But…maybe she didn't have to…

As it turned out, her solution was to dress up as Alice and pretend to be her. Somehow this satisfied Jimmy, though Team Rocket got in the way. In the end, Jimmy left satisfied, and Alice could rest.

A while later at dinner, Alice was feeling well enough to join them, and Serena explained the whole situation.

"Wow," Alice said after everything was explained. "Sounds like an interesting guy. KInd of wish I had a chance to battle him, but thanks for taking care of it."

"Well, I couldn't just sit by and let him bug you!" Serena chuckled, making everyone laugh.

"By the way, Alice, how are you feeling?"

"Better, thanks Bonnie."

"So, what was wrong with you? I've never seen any illness like that before."

Alice faltered for a second, trying to think of how to explain the situation before Clemont saved her.

"Just let Alice get some more rest, Bonnie. I'll explain when you're older."

"Ok…I'm older!"

Everyone laughed, and thankfully Bonnie dropped it as Serena helped Alice back to bed.

"Sorry again for all the fuss."

"It's not your fault, just biology. It'll pass."

"Well, I wish it would pass sooner," Alice grumbled.

"Yeah, you and every other girl on the planet!"

Alice laughed, and slowly began to undress, with Serena's help. It wasn't until she was still getting her sleep top on when Serena realized she still had Alice's clothes on.

"Oh, crap! Sorry, I thought I took these off."

"It's fine, accidents happen. Actually, they look really good on you."

"Really?"

"Yeah…"

"Well, thank you. I'm going to go help Clemont clean up, you just get some sleep."

"Ok. Night."

With that, Alice drifted off to sleep, never noticing the bright red blush on Serena's face.

The Pokemon Showcase Committee was holding a special ball for Pokemon Performers, and they were allowed to bring a plus one. To Alice's surprise, Serena asked her.

"Thanks for inviting me, but I'm not sure why you did."

"It's not a problem. I'd rather have someone I know there with me, and this didn't seem like Clemont's kind of thing."

"Yeah, that makes sense."

The two women were just about to enter when the valet stopped them.

"Apologies, Madame Moiselles, but this ball has a strict dress code."

"But I don't have any formal wear," Alice interjected.

"Not to worry, we have gowns guests can borrow for cases just like these. The closet is right over there."

"You go find something to wear, I'll meet you in the ballroom."

Alice nodded, and the two went their separate ways. To say Alice was astonished by the array of dresses would be an understatement. Row upon row of the most elegant ball gowns lay upon her.

"Whoa," Alice said breathlessly.

"Pi," Pikachu agreed as the two set to work trying to choose one, which was easier said than done. She'd worn plenty of dresses before, even back when she thought she was a boy, but those were just simple everyday clothes. These were elegant, almost divine, the kind of things you only saw in pageants. She had so many options she'd never had a chance to try before, she didn't know where to begin.

"Pika Pi!"

She was stirred from her thoughts by her partner's cry, drawing her over to a rather elegant gown. Taking the fabric into her hands, she couldn't help but admire how smooth it was.

"I think we have a winner, buddy."

"Pi!"

Meanwhile, Serena was in the ballroom, waiting for Alice.

"She sure is taking a while. I hope she's alright…"

"Sorry I took so long, there were just so many choices!"

Serena turned around, and was immediately stunned into silence. Alice stood there in a flowing white ball gown, with silver trim.

"Beautiful…"

"Really? I mean, I've never worn something like this before, so I wouldn't know."

"No, seriously, you look great!"

Alice blushed, and brushed aside some strands of hair.

"Thanks, so do you."

The two girls had a wonderful time, even during their double battle against Miette and James. It took them a while to get in sync, but once they did they pulled off a win.

At last, they reached the slow dance portion of the ball. Alice leaned against a far wall, drinking some punch.

"Excuse me?"

Alice looked up to see Serena extending her hand to her.

"May I have this dance?"

"Uh, thanks, but no thanks."

"Come on, you mean to tell me that you came to a dance just to not dance?"

"It's not that I don't want to…it's that I don't know how."

"Really?"

"I never had a chance to learn."

Serena smiled, and dragged her to the floor.

"That's okay, I can teach you!"

"Are you sure? I don't want to step on your toes."

"That's ok, you'll get there!"

Nervously, Alice took Serena's hands into her own.

"Alright, I trust you."

As Alice predicted, she did step on Serena's toes at first, but Serena was nothing but patient with her. After a few minutes, Alice began to get the hang of it, and started to enjoy herself.

"Hey, this isn't so bad!"

"See? You're a pro!"

"Well, I had a good teacher."

But as the two kept dancing, they felt something more than friendship in their hearts. They had felt it for a long time, but now, only inches apart, the feeling was even stronger. They could no longer deny it…

They were in love with the woman in front of them.

Alice sat on the Pokemon Center patio, looking up at the stars. It had been a long road, but she had finally earned all eight gym badges.

"Now all that's left is the league. Think we'll win this time, buddy?"

Pikachu smiled, and nuzzled her cheek. Alice smiled, and stroked his fur.

"Yeah, I think so, too."

"I had a feeling you'd be out here."

Alice turned around to find Serena stepping outside to join her.

"Hey Serena. Just wanted to get some fresh air. I still can't believe we won…"

"Congratulations Alice, you deserve it!"

"Thanks, but I can't take the credit. My Pokemon did all of the work."

"Yeah, under your training! You were amazing…"

Alice's face turned a bright red.

"Thanks. Um…sorry about yelling at you the other day. I wasn't thinking straight."

Serena shrugged.

"It's fine, I wasn't any better."

"Yeah, but I started it. You were just trying to cheer me up, and I blew up at you! I'm so stupid, I don't now why you put up with me…"

"Maybe it's because I have a crush on you."

Alice gasped, and Serena realized just what she had said.

"Did I just say that out loud?"

Alice nodded.

"Is…Is that true?"

Serena sighed, and nodded.

"Ever since we met."

"Back when I…"

"Yeah. When I met you again, I wasn't so sure, but after the ball, I was. You probably don't feel the same way, but…"

"Actually, I do."

"Seriously?"

Alice nodded.

"It's been kind of complicated trying to sort out my feelings. You know, first I was into girls, then I realized I was a girl, but I wasn't attracted to boys, but after the ball I realized I was attracted to girls, and…"

Serena nodded in understanding.

"So, where do we go from here?"

"I don't know. I've never been in a relationship before."

"Oh…"

"But…if you're willing, I'd like to see where this goes."

Serena smiled, and took her hand in her own.

"I'd like that."

Alice smiled, and under the light of the full moon they shared their first kiss, much to Pikachu's delight.