“Gary spoke to you?” Ash asked as he sat down next to her on the sofa, tucking into his ice cream as well.

Misty nodded. “Yeah. I’ve got no idea why. And he was acting a little…strange, like he was forcing himself to say something. I don’t know. Maybe…”

“Maybe what?”

“Well, maybe he was trying to be nice to me because he wants to put all this stupid rivalry behind him.”

He let out a short humph. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”

“Well, I can’t really see why else he would have spoken to me. I think in the whole time we know each other, he’s said about ten words to me,” she replied, shrugging.

“There maybe another possible reason,” Izzie commented, grinning. “I don’t know, but by the way he was looking at you…” She began to chuckle. “…I think he may have a little crush.”

Ash choked on his ice cream. “What?!” he shouted, once his airways were clear.

“Izzie, that’s ludicrous,” Misty protested, suddenly wondering if perhaps the heating in the house had been turned up a little too high.

She smirked. “Maybe, but he was looking at you in a rather strange way.”

“He was?”

“Yeah. And he was staring at us, or should I say you, before he came over.”

“Oh, God,” she said uncomfortably, screwing her face up a little. “But he may have just been nervous. That would explain how he was acting.”

“Yeah, that has to be it. He couldn’t possibly have a crush on you.” Before the last syllable left his lips, Ash knew he was going to be made to regret his words.

“And what do you mean by that? Hmmm?”

He swore he could see Misty’s eyes glow red with anger. He knew what was coming. Discarding his bowl onto the coffee table, he slowly shifted away from her before the armrest at the other end of the sofa impeded his progress. He could hear laughter coming from all around him, amusement from Izzie, Brock and his mum (who were both now only emerging from the kitchen) and a form of threatening joviality from Misty.

His only escape would be a hurried apology. “I didn’t mean it in that way. I meant…I meant that I’m sure some guys find you attractive.” Again, the wrong thing to say. He was sure that redness was deepening. She drew closer to him. “I didn’t mean that either. I mean that I’m sure Gary thinks you cute. There would have to be something wrong with him not to, right?” He shut one eye and braced for impact.

Her expression softened a little. “Well, I guess you are right there,” she responded, twirling her long hair. He sighed in relief. “But that doesn’t forgive what you said beforehand.”

With that hostile comment, he was away, attempting to hop up three stairs at a time while putting minimum pressure upon his weakened leg.

“Oh, no you don’t, Ash Ketchum. You’re not going to get away from me,” Misty yelled gleefully, chasing after him.

“Is that all those two do, fight?” Izzie inquired, a little taken aback.

“Pretty much,” Brock and Delia replied casually.

From above all the remaining occupants of the living room could hear was something resembling thunder, followed by an almighty thud.

“Ah, those kids,” Delia chuckled.

“Haha, got ya,” Misty triumphantly shouted, staring down at Ash.

He was sitting upon the floor where he had taken a tumble, his back up against the wall, a pout on his face. “Well, it’s not exactly fair. You’ve got two good legs to run around on,” was his feeble comeback.

“Awww, poor Ashy-boy,” she teased, before kneeling in front of him, sliding herself ever closer to his body. He closed his eyes, preparing himself for any form of punishment she was going to exact upon him, but instead felt her lips press against his.

He felt himself unconsciously swallow at this situation, while giving into her caress. She had him trapped, escape impossible; behind him, a solid wall. In front, her perched over him, their legs entangled.

He didn’t know why but this circumstance was…alluring to him. He felt enticed by the fact she was in command. Raising his hands to her back, he pushed her forward into him, wanting to increase that wonderful feeling of confinement. She seemed to understand his desire. She held herself where he had positioned her and deepened the force of their kiss.

His hands no longer needing to hold her close, he felt them drift over her hips, tracing the fabric of her jean-shorts, until they reached the bare flesh of her toned thighs. He rubbed his hands up and down over the skin, making sure to always halt their progress before his fingers moved too far under the hem of her clothing.

Her hands began to explore also. Using her knees only to balance, she softly ran her fingertips over his arms, causing a shudder to flow up his spine. When her hands had transversed that part of his body, he felt them clamp upon his own, as if she was willing him to handle her thighs with more passion. As he followed her instructions, he sensed her caressing his chest through his t-shirt, before slipping under his clothing to touch the bare skin.

They had never been in this physical a situation before. He inwardly laughed when he entertained the notion that perhaps fighting was some form of aphrodisiac for the two of them. He certainly wouldn’t mind that.

As he concentrated upon their actions, he felt his mind began to wander, contemplating the possibilities this exploration could lead to. He just wanted to kiss her, touch her, for her to touch him.

If there wasn’t anyone else in the house, we could...

That thought disrupted all he was mentally and physically experiencing. He wasn’t prepared for it. He’d never considered the two of them in that way before. He knew that one day it would happen, but he didn’t expect himself to be thinking about her like that so soon.

He regrettably broke their kiss. He couldn’t let his imaginings deviate that way. Looking up into her face, he expected her to be somewhat confused by his actions. Instead, her expression was identical to how he knew his was. She was breathing hard, and her eyes were heavy with lust, but he could see she was also a little anxious about what had happened.

“I guess we got a little carried away,” she whispered, giggling slightly.

All Ash could do was nod.

She stood, straightening her clothing before offering him her hand. As he accepted her offer, she sniggered. “Maybe some ice cream will cool us down a little.”

He stood and, still holding her hand, continued down to the living room, his mind still muddled.

“So, who won this time?” he half-heard Brock ask.

“Me, of course,” Misty loudly bragged.

As they sat down once more, reclaiming their desserts, Ash regarded her expression a little closer. There was still a heavy blush there, but at the same time she was smiling and perfectly relaxed. He felt quite the opposite. Why was she so much more at ease than him?

He shook his head and leaned closer to Misty, breathing in the scent of her hair.

There was no need to think about that stuff at the moment.

The two strolled upon the beach, treading their shoeless feet in the ocean’s water, Ash’s arm around Misty’s waist. It had been a beautiful night, dinner at one of the few restaurants in Pallet Town, a small Sushi place that could barely hold two dozen people, and then a movie at the one-screen theatre. Ash had been a little worried by the fact that he couldn’t offer Misty more. Pallet must have seemed so inadequate compared to her home city of Cerulean. However, she loved the night even more for that fact. It had been simple and private, something almost impossible in large metropolis, especially with the two now famous throughout the country.

They continued down the beach, stopping at a secluded spot. Ash moved behind her, setting his chin upon her shoulder, his hands now placed upon her abdomen. She was absolutely breathtaking tonight. Her hair was down, cascading over her slender shoulders. Her new clothes, although covering more of her skin than normal, just emphasised the shape of her feminine figure. He pulled her a little closer, revelling in the warmth of her body. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” he told her, staring directly into her eyes.

She blushed. “Mmm, just about five times so far.”

“Not enough then.” He moved his head to tenderly kiss her lips before he turned his attention to the sea he used to swim in as a young boy.

He loved his hometown. Pallet was a friendly, peaceful place where everyone was greeted with a smile and cheerful hello, where parents didn’t have to worry about allowing their children to play outside. He had always dreamed of returning to the town once his travels ended, and now that time was coming steadily closer. They would all be travelling for a while yet, but he knew that sometime soon he would want to come back for good. But it wasn’t up to just him anymore. It was Misty decision as well.

“Where do you see us…you know…in ten years time?”

Surprised at his sudden question she looked into his face, curious about the seriousness that met her. “I don’t know. So much can happen that you don’t expect. All I know for sure is that we’ll still be together.” She smiled at him, hoping that would ease his gravity.

He laughed lightly, something that made her heart relax a little. “Obviously, but I was just wondering if you wanted to get married, or where you wanted to live? About how…you see our future together.”

Here he was, Ash Ketchum, famous for his brashness and naivety, but at barely sixteen years old he was asking her a question most men ten years his senior had a hard time expressing. Just a few months before, she had believed that he didn’t care about love and romance, but now he had jumped right into the deep end and was treading perfectly. She swore that she would never truly understand the enigma he was, and wasn’t sure if she ever wanted to.

She stroked his cheek with the back of her index finger, causing him to close his eyes against the tenderness of her touch. “Of course I want to get married. I have always dreamed of marrying the one I love, and now that we are together, I’ve been having that dream much more. And I hope that when we do take that step we come back and live here…just like you’ve always wanted to.”

“You know I want to settle down here in Pallet?”

“Ash, I can see how much you love it here. It’s evident when you look around the town. I can see the longing you have to come home, despite how much you love it when we travel. And, quite frankly, I’m beginning to think of it as my home too.”

He smiled, the last trace of his worry drifting away with the breeze. “You are?”

“Yeah, I mean I love Cerulean, but I never really thought about settling down there. You’ll probably laugh at me for saying it with all those times I complained about being in the middle of nowhere, but I prefer being away from a city. Pallet Town I feel is the perfect place to settle down. It’s quiet and small, but not that far from Viridian. It’s by the ocean, a definite plus for me, we would be near to your mum, and…” she looked away from him for a second, reddening once more. “…It’s the perfect place to raise kids.”

He gently brought her chin up so that he could share her gaze yet again. “That’s exactly what I was thinking,” he told her excitedly. “I always had this dream that after I became a Master and wanted to settle down that I would build this beautiful house on the outskirts of Pallet, and also a gym. Not a battling gym, but somewhere I could help train people in the ways of Pokemon training, educate them about how Pokemon are our partners and friends. You know, teach the younger generation what we both believe in.”

She laughed at his passionate words. He never ran out of ambition. “That’s a wonderful dream.”

“I’m glad you think so, ‘cause you’ll be the one sharing it with me.” They moved closer to each other, resting cheek upon cheek.

“Who would have though a month ago that we would be sharing a night like-“

Before she could finish, Ash placed a finger upon her sweet lips, and whispered, “This night has been perfect so far. I don’t want to damage it by thinking about what happened.”

She nodded her agreement, inwardly chastising herself for her misplaced words, and allowed herself to sink closer into his embrace. “I could just stay like this forever,” she whispered.

Feeling a subtle intoxicating mood fall over him, Ash moved her long hair to one side and tenderly placed his lips upon her exposed neck. She tasted so delectable and her skin was so soft.

But, hearing her utter a soft moan, he immediately halted his actions, last night’s event replaying in his mind.

“Ash, why did you stop?” she softly protested. “I love it when you kiss me like that.”

He took a deep breath. “It’s just…” he began, not sure how to go on. “Well, after what happened last night…”

“You’re afraid we’ll get a little carried away again? Perhaps do something we’ll regret?” she asked, not a hint of blush upon her cheeks, unlike Ash’s.

“Ah, yeah.”

“You don’t trust yourself?” she chuckled.

“Not when I’m around you.”

She focused her full attention upon his face. “Ash, there’s nothing wrong with a little exploration. Both of us are new to all this. Our bodies and minds are wanting to learn what a relationship can truly be.” She pulled his arms tighter around her, seemingly to reiterate her words. “And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.”

“I know there isn’t. I just feel a little…awkward about it.”

“About making out, or about what it could lead to?”

“The ‘what it could lead to’ part. I love making out, kissing and holding you, but lately we’ve been going a little…further than we have before, and I don’t know why - I mean most guys my age would think I’m crazy - but I don’t want us to…” His voice unconsciously quietened. “…go too far.”

“Neither do I. I don’t want us to until you’re ready. But I know we can control ourselves not to get caught up in the moment. You don’t need to worry about that, Ash.”

“Yeah,” he agreed.

She seemed to be much more comfortable with this aspect of their relationship than he was. He couldn’t help but feel embarrassed when the notion of sex came up in the conversation, whereas it didn’t appear to affect her much at all.

But then, wasn’t that to be expected? Misty had always been mature for her age and she was just over two years older than him. It made sense that she would be less hesitant. Himself however…

He didn’t know why he was so nervous, so afraid that they could possibly forget what they were doing in the spur of the moment. They were both old enough, both deeply in love. Everything sounded so perfect. And still…

Maybe what she was right. He just wasn’t ready yet. But…why wasn’t he?

He shook his head, trying to shake his ponderings away. There was too much else going on in his life to panic about this. But then, it actually felt nice to have such a ‘normal’ anxiety. Over the past few months he’d had to worry about life and death situations. Now he was overacting towards an average teenage dilemma. He felt himself laugh at that. It was soothing to be able to begin thinking his age once more.

“What’s wrong?” Misty asked.

“Nothing. Just enjoying the fact things are starting to go back to normal.” He released his hold upon her body and clasped her hand. “Come on. It’s getting really late. I think it’s time to get back home before my mum has a fit.”

“Hey, everybody. We’re back,” Ash called as he and Misty entered his home.

As they made their way through the hall, a yellow blur came running towards them, jumping up into Ash’s arms. “Did you miss me that much, buddy?” he joked, but the Pokemon didn’t respond happily. “What’s wrong?”

“Pikachu pika, pikapi,” he frowned.

“What?”

Just as Pikachu was about to reply, both Brock and Delia appeared in the hallway, the same forlorn expressions upon their features.

“What’s going on?” Ash asked, almost pleading, as he felt both his and Misty’s grip upon each others hands tighten.

“We got a call when you guys were out,” Brock half-heartedly began. “The three of us have been asked to report to Viridian to prepare for the trial proceedings.”

“What?” Misty uttered, dumfounded. “When?”

“We have just over a week before the prosecution solicitors said we have to be there,” Brock continued. “Then they are hoping to start the actual trials in two weeks.”

Ash felt his vision fall towards the floor. “Damn. I knew this was gonna happen, but I didn’t think it would be so soon.”

Ash sat upon his soft bed, back against the pillows, legs straight out in front, Pikachu comfortably sleeping upon his lap. He sighed as he stroked his friend’s long ears.

Why did this have to happen now? He knew it was due, but had hoped that it was still several weeks in the future. Over the last few days life had almost felt normal once more. But the past just loved getting in the way of progress.

“Hey,” Misty greeted as she walked into the bedroom, switching off both the hall and room’s lights, leaving the bedside lamp as the only source of illumination. Already in her pyjamas (as was Ash), she pulled the sheets over her and curled up next to him, resting her head on his chest and petting Pikachu. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” he sighed. “Just pissed off this had to happen today. Kinda screwed up our first date.”

She smiled up at him. “No it didn’t. Nothing could ruin tonight.”

Ash nodded in reply, sliding down slightly in the bed, placing his forehead upon hers. “I just wish this could have waited until tomorrow.” After a few moments of silence, attempting to keep his voice low, Ash angrily started, “I hate this. I just want to be able to forget all this, for us all to just go back to our normal lives. Get back to hanging out, training and travelling again.”

“It will,” Misty reassured. “We just have to focus and get through all this. This is the last hurdle we have to overcome.”

“Hmm, maybe. That all depends upon him.”

She moved her hand from Pikachu’s fur and placed it on top of his. “Giovanni?” she questioned gently.

“Yeah.” He paused for a moment. “But I don’t want to think about that stuff now. We have another week before we have to leave Pallet. Until then, I want us to be able to get on with our lives. For the two of us go out on some more date, to see our friends and all. I want to put this to the back of our minds, deal with it when we go to Viridian. So, we don’t bring it up in a conversation until then, okay?”

Misty was a little unsure on how to respond. Was he trying to hold back his emotions once again? But maybe he was telling the truth. Maybe he just wanted to have some fun before they had to face the trials. Then they could confront the pain of those events. “Okay, as long as you promise me that when we do leave, you’ll tell me about anything and everything that is bothering you.”

He sighed once more. “Don’t worry, Mist. I do come to you when I need to talk about things. But I don’t always want to talk about them. And a week of fun will help me a lot more than going over old stuff again. But…” He smiled down at her, “…thanks.”

Moving Pikachu from his lap and placing him in front of Misty on a free patch of mattress, he lay down fully, pulling Misty with him. He placed his arms around her, her back to his chest, and rested his head upon hers. “I don’t know what I’d do without you here. You make me feel so much better.”

She turned and kissed him lightly upon the lips. “I know what you mean,” she told him before turning off the lamp.

“Hey, Gary,” he heard a sweet voice call behind him.

Turning, he saw Misty walking towards him. Her long, crimson hair was tied back in her old lopsided style, and she wore a pair of frayed shorts along with an old top, both which had seen better days. But what would make most people look plain almost seemed to emphasis her natural beauty.

“Hi,” he managed to say, drawing his eyes off her and back to his painting. “I’m glad you’re here. I thought maybe you had forgotten about helping out,” he said, with a forced laugh that failed to disguise his relief at seeing her pledge unbroken.

She came up to a piece of unpainted wall next to him and put her brush into the paint bucket he had been using. “I always keep my promise, but I couldn’t come up yesterday for obvious reasons,” she hinted with that infectious giggle that made him light-headed at it’s slight utterance.

He turned from her, trying to forget the sound by concentrating upon his work. “Oh, that’s right. You and Ash were on a date,” he said, trying to make it look like he didn’t care, though the opposite was closer to the truth.

“Yep. It’s a little strange having your first date with someone two months after you’ve told them you love them, but I guess the two of us don’t exactly have the most conventional of love stories.” Noticing Gary’s lack of interest, she cast her eyes over the numerous buildings at the Oak ranch. “It looks like you guys have got a good piece of the restoration work finished already.”

His eyes fixed themselves a little more to the wall, his brain ordering them not to give into the temptation of looking into her soft features. “Yeah, we’ve been working hard. My uncle has been up too, but I think he went into the house for a tea break.”

“Hopefully we can help your family get this finished a little quicker.”

“We?”

“Well, Ash should be here in a few minutes. I actually have no idea where he is. He said that he had to get something in town and for some reason I couldn’t come with him.” She laughed again. “God knows what he’s up to. And Brock and Izzie said they’d help out too.”

Gary stopped painting. “Oh.”

Misty, noticing his reaction, felt a trace of sympathy for her boyfriend’s rival. “That’s right. You and Ash haven’t exactly talked since the revolt.”

He began to paint again. “No. Apart from that time you both were up here seeing my grandpa, we haven’t seen each other.”

Misty was unsure if she should ask him the question she had put to Ash before, but she needed to understand what had gone on between the two of them. “Ah, Gary? I hope you don’t think that I’m trying to pry, but what happened between you guys, anyway? I mean, you got on okay for a few years, up until you last battled together. Then you both couldn’t stand each other.”

He looked over to her, surprised at the question she had posed, but there was something about her trusting eyes and soothing smile that made him feel comfortable enough to open up. “Didn’t Ashy-boy tell you?”

“He doesn’t like to talk about it, so I stopped bringing it up.”

“I...well, it’s just that...after he defeated me and destroyed my chance of battling the Elite six months ago, I was really pissed at him. When we were in the changing rooms, he came up to me to say sorry, and, well, I didn’t take kindly to that. I felt that he was patronising me. So, I offered him a few choice phrases, and we got into a scrap. Ever since then, our friendship’s gone to hell.”

“Dumb boys,” she laughed. “But Ash’s friendship with a number of people has begun with them pulling fists initially. I can’t count how many times me and Brock have had to stop Ash from punching someone’s lights out. So you guys shouldn’t let that get in the way.”

“I know, but it’s difficult to be friends with someone when you are constantly in competition with them.”

“So you would rather just end your friendship?”

He shrugged. “I guess. Probably less painful in the long run, you know, get it over quickly rather than perhaps over a number of years.”

Misty shook her head. “I’ve had to battle with Ash before, more than once, and I may have to at some point again. We’re Pokemon trainers, that’s our job, but that hasn’t damaged our relationship, and we’re a little more than just best friends.” Misty put her brush down and fixed her attention fully upon Gary. “Ash treasures the times you spent together as friends. I know it hurt him a lot to lose that friendship, it still does, and I believe that the two of you could restore some of what you used to have.”

Ash was still sensitive over their lost friendship? Gary instantly felt a trace of guilt set in. All this time he thought that Ash hated him, that he had beaten him to the post every time over the past few years just to spite and humiliate him. But now the person who was probably closer to Ash than anyone else in this world was telling him that his old friend was hurt by what had been happening... It made him feel so rotten for planning to hurt him even more.

He looked down towards the ground for a moment, lost within the thoughts running around in his mind. He was still angry at Ash for what he did to him, for the humiliation he had suffered, and was bitter for revenge, but at the same time...

The guy did used to be his closest friend. And, from the tone in Misty’s voice, he could tell that she felt a little hurt by what had been happening. He didn’t know why but the fact that she maybe pained from something he had caused made him feel even worse. If a reconciliation with Ash would make her feel better, he perhaps was willing to give it a go. It could even afford Gary with some more time with Misty, something he truly hoped for.

But, would Ash even consider such a thing after so many years of injury? “Ah, I don’t know. I think too much has happened between us to become friends again.”

“It wouldn’t hurt to try, would it?” she almost pleaded.

“Maybe. Why are you so concerned anyway? I thought you hated me.”

“I don’t hate you. I’ve never known you enough to do so. But I can see the pain both you and Ash have suffered from all this stupid conflict and want to help stop it.”

“You really care about Ash a lot, don’t you?”

“Of course I do. I love him with all my heart. No one could ever take his place there, and I don’t like to see him hurt.”

His heart skipped a beat at her words. Every woman he had ever wanted had succumbed to his charms within hours of their meeting, but with Misty he felt too nervous most of the time he was around her to even think straight. She was lovely, sweet, with a fiery passion. But it was becoming even more obvious to him that, by way she blushed every time she talked about him, her heart truly belonged to Ash. He was stupid to even think he could steal her away.

Swallowing his pride, he told her, “I’m glad he has someone like you. He’s really lucky. How is he, anyway, you know, after all that’s happened? He went through more than most people.”

“He’s a lot better. Just being home has helped him a great deal. But we got a call last night about the trials. That’s upset us all a little.”

He nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been called to testify as well.”

Pretending to concentrate upon his work, he settled into his musings once more. Ash had suffered enough after all he had been through? The shooting, the imprisonment, losing friends? Compared to Ash, Gary had gotten off lightly. But why was he only thinking these things now? Yes, he had felt something similar towards the end of the occupation, but since then his hate had seemed to conquer him.

But now, a few days after meeting Misty, he had almost reconsidered everything. She seemed to be weaving some kind of calming spell upon him. How did she affect him so strongly? Maybe he… “I know this is a little personal, but...how did you know you were in love with him?”

She pondered his question for a moment, not really sure of an answer. “I just…knew. That’s how it is when you fall in love.”

He shook his head. “I wouldn’t know.”

“You’ve never been in love?”

He hesitated for a moment, trying not to look at her for fear she would see right through him. “I’m not sure. There is a girl. I’ve really only talked to her once or twice, but I…I can’t seem to stop thinking about her.”

Misty smiled. “Oh. Kinda love at first sight?”

“Something like that. I really don’t understand it.”

“So, what’s she like?”

“Eh, she’s...” He put his head down, embarrassed, an awkward smile on his face. “...eh, perfect. Nothing like the kind of girls I normally go for.”

Misty laughed. “Why do you mean?”

“Well, you’ve seen the girls I’ve dated. Not too bright, the most important thing in their lives is how good they look.”

“Yeah, like my sisters.”

“Well, this girl is completely different. She’s incredibly intelligent, very opinionated, and has this natural beautiful that…I guess I just can’t explain what she’s like.”

“You really do seem taken by her.”

“I am. I’ve been trying to deny it. But I think I do have feelings for her.” Gary reached down for the bucket’s handle, but instead met with something soft and warm. He looked in the direction to see that his hand rested upon Misty’s. He stared down at it, paralysed.

“Gary, you okay?” Misty asked him, a confused look on her face.

He quickly withdrew his hand from on top of hers, feeling a warmth spread through his cheeks. “Oh, sorry.”

As he began his work again, he noticed a slight movement from the corner of his eye. He turned slightly to see Ash slowly walking up behind Misty, Pikachu on his shoulder giggling, a finger over his lips. He placed his crutch upon the ground and slowly continued, limping. When Ash was right behind Misty, he wrapped his arms around her, picking her up. She squealed in surprise.

“Hey, hon.” Ash kissed her square in the lips as she sank into his embrace, seemingly not caring that Gary was standing right in front of them.

Gary tore his eyes off the pair, a horrible sinking feeling hitting him full-force.

“I was wondering where you had gone.” She gave him a quick peck on the lips before continuing. “So, you gonna help us?”

“Of course I am. That’s why I’m here.” He looked around for a moment. “So, what do you want me to do?”

“You could finish this off for me and I’ll go and help Trace.” She handed him the brush, and whispered into his ear, while indicating Gary, “Be nice now.”

He gave her an uneasy glance, but with a stern look from Misty, he nodded. He took the brush off her, watching her walk away, a self-satisfied aspect to her face. Pikachu, who had discovered a brush small enough for it’s tiny arms to hold, joined Ash in the work. For several minutes the three painted in an awkward silence, before Ash was able to pluck up the courage to speak. “Hey, ah, Gary?”

“Yeah, Ash?”

“I’m sorry for punching you. I was just really pissed off, and I kinda took it out on you. I really shouldn’t have done it.”

He shook his head. “No. I shouldn’t have said that stuff. I didn’t have the right to and deserved to be hit. And you got me back for hitting you a year ago.” Gary rubbed his nose. “You’ve got a good right-hook, you know. You almost broke my nose. You could have messed up this perfect face of mine,” Gary joked, making them both laugh.

Gary studied Ash’s movements. He was leaning all of his weight upon his good leg, a hand braced against the wall. His painting actions looked a little haphazard. He brought his glance on down to Ash’s uncovered arms, painfully taking in the number of yellowed bruises and cuts that decorated them, and up to his face where a long scabbed cut ran across his cheek. He’d never really noticed how badly wounded Ash had been. He knew that both he and Misty had been tortured (he’d seen the evidence upon her body also, but had tried his best to put it to the rear of his mind) but…

He cast his eyes to the discarded instrument that lay upon the grass. “It’d probably be easy to do that with the crutch to support you,” he advised the raven-haired teenager.

“I’m okay. I hate that bloody crutch.”

“How is your leg healing anyway?” He attempted to keep all trace of concern from his tone, but had the unsettling feeling he’d been unsuccessful.

“It’s starting to get there and the painkillers are helping a lot.”

“Do they know if it’ll heal okay yet?”

“The doctors aren’t sure. It’ll be at least another six months. There has been nerve damage. Some of the area around it is still a little numb. Either it’ll all heal up perfectly and be back to its old self…or I could have a limp for the rest of my life.”

“Oh.”

Ash, feeling eyes burning into him, turned in the direction of his girlfriend. She quickly looked away, hoping Ash hadn’t noticed her stare. “I kinda think we were set up here.”

“Uh?” Gary said, confused, following Ash’s gaze.

“I think Misty wants us to act nice.”

“She was saying something like that to me a few moments ago.” Taking a deep breath, he settled himself for what he wanted to say. Here goes nothing, he thought. “Maybe…we should do as she wants. We don’t want to get her angry. I’ve seen the wrath of Misty’s temper a few times before, and I really don’t want to see it again.”

“Believe me, I know.” Ash put a hand to his jaw. “And she can pack a punch ten times more powerful than mine.” Another round of laughter came from the two, beginning to dissolve the tension that permeated the air.

Misty, Tracey and Professor Oak watched the two old rivals/one-time best friends laugh as they spoke civilly for the first time in over a year.

“What did you do? They seem to be actually getting along,” Tracey asked confused.

She shrugged. “I just left them alone.”