An Unusual Turn of Events
Chapter Two: A Romantic Rescue!
by Kenshin

"Twerps,

We have the annoying twerp. Meet us at the
abandoned watermill south of Viridian.
Have the tomboy twerp come alone.

Team Rocket"

"Hmmm, why do they want me to come alone?" Misty pondered aloud. "Maybe they want to capture you, too, so they can have me pay a double ransom," said Brock. "No, I don't think so...that doesn't seem like something that Jessie, James, and Meowth could come up with," Misty said, a look of puzzlement clouding her face. "You're right, but I still don't get it," Brock continued. "Maybe they've given up on Pikachu and want your pokemon instead." "Why would they ask me to come alone, then? Wouldn't that mean no Pokemon?" "I guess so," admitted Brock. "Oh well, I've gotta rescue Ash!" she suddenly stated, looking extremely determined.

"Ha! See, I told you that you would worry about him more than me!" Brock stated triumphantly. Misty blushed slightly. "I bet I know why, too," Brock said, pressing his advantage. "Ummm...why is that?" Misty stammered, embarassed. He stared at her for a moment, then suddenly burst out in a sing-song voice, "YOU LIKE ASH! YOU LIKE ASH!" Misty's blush darkened a few shades. "I..." was all she could say. 'How did Brock have me pegged so easily? Was it that obvious?' she thought, 'I have to downplay this! I'll just act cool like nothing's out of the ordinary. Ash is only being held captive by Team Rocket, afterall. They never do anything right.....oh, no....what if they hurt Ash?! Even if it wasn't on purpose, it sounds like something they would do!' Misty began to panic. "ASH, I'M COMING FOR YOU!!" Misty suddenly yelled, racing off in the direction of Viridian.

Brock stood there for a second, stunned. 'I definitely didn't see *that* coming!' "Hey, Misty, wait up!"

"Damn, where did James go?" said Jessie, slightly annoyed. "Meowth, I don't know. He must have fallen behind because you made him carry the twerp." "Hey, it's high time he starts to develop some muscle. Honestly, he's so wimpy." 'He is cute though,' Jessie added quietly to herself. "Meowth! Let's just head for the hideout. He'll catch up." "I hope you're right," Jessie mused, "He can be so unpredictable sometimes....NOT!" Meowth and Jessie continued treking towards the local Team Rocket hideout, laughing as they went.

"Oooooo! The twerp sure is heavy, but I've gotta make it to the windmill before Jessie and Meowth come looking for me," he muttered to himself. "This plan is foolproof! I am such a genius! Oooooo, I'm almost there too!"

Meanwhile, Misty was sprinting full-tilt toward Viridian City. She had left Brock gasping for breath, collapsed somewhere behind her on the road. She didn't care: she was off to rescue Ash. 'Ash....' she thought, 'hold on.....I'm coming.'

"Where has that idiot James gotten to?" asked Jessie angrily to nobody in particular. "Meowth! He must have gotten lost again," snickered the little cat pokemon. "You're probably right. *sigh* Let's go find him."

*Pant, pant* "Man, Misty sure can run. I guess it's *pant* because she swims so *pant* much. I just hope *pant* that she doesn't need my help when she gets there," Brock told Pikachu. "Pika pika. (I hope so, too.)" said Pikachu, worried about his friends.

Ash woke up in a dark room. His head hurt. 'Where am I?' he thought. "Mmmmfff," what the? He was tied up and gagged! 'Think, Ash, think! What's the last thing you remember? Let's see.....Brock got us lost......Misty and I were arguing......I looked at Misty's breasts. Oh, yeah, the map! I fell.....into a pit?' Ash looked around furtively. His eyes widened as he recognized the form of James of Team Rocket. James was exiting through a door that led outside judging by the light streaming through it.

"James, you're a genius!" Ash heard James say to himself. "Oooooo, I just *know* this is going to work like a charm! I'm so excited!" James quickly dashed off into the forest.

'What was that all about?' thought Ash, as he began to test the ropes that held his hands and ankles together. 'Jessie must have tied me up, because these knots are really tight,' thought Ash.

"ASHHHH!" called a familiar voice from outside. "ASHH, ARE YOU IN THERE?!" His heart skipped a beat as he recognized the voice. It was Misty! She'd come to rescue him! 'Wow, did she come out here alone to get me?' he thought, 'That can't be right. Brock must be sneaking around looking for Team Rocket with Pikachu.'

Suddenly, Misty was in the doorway. Her eyes widened as she saw Ash tied to the chair, struggling to gain his freedom. "Oh, Ash! Just a sec and I'll have you loose," she said. She loosened the bandana that was serving as a gag, then began to work at the knotted ropes binding his limbs. "Where are Brock and Pikachu?" asked Ash as soon as the gag was removed. "I...uhhh..that is...I don't know," said Misty, trying to concentrate on the ropes. "What?! You mean you came here *alone*? What if it was a trap?" Ash was shocked.

"Hey, I was just worried about you," she said. "That's still no excuse to put yourself in danger just for my sake," he said, a hint of anger bleeding into his voice. Misty had managed to get the ropes on his ankles loose and was almost through with the ones on his wrists. She began to sob. "I'm....I'm sorry Ash.....*sob*...I was just so worried that I didn't realize they had fallen behind until I got here," she said, as tears began to roll down here cheeks.

"Misty...." Ash began. The ropes around his wrists finally came undone and he held her chin up with his hands so he could look into her eyes. Suddenly, she launched herself at him and kissed him full on the lips. '!!!' thought Ash. (sorry, but you know the feeling, right?) He broke the kiss, gasping for breath. 'Where the heck did *that* come from?' he thought. "What was that for?" he asked. Misty just blushed. "Well?" he pressed her. "I... uhhh....." she stammered. "Am I gonna have to force it out of you?" he teased. She blushed more fiercely. "Okay then..." he said.

This time it was his turn to kiss her. The second kiss was even more passionate that the first. Ash wasn't sure if Misty had ever kissed anybody before, but he was too embarassed to admit *he* had, even if his mouth wasn't occupied at the moment. However, his experience did show a little, as he used his tongue and suddenly grabbed her bottom, making her break the kiss and look at him with a surprised look written all over her face.

"Ash Ketchum? What do you think you're doing?" she asked him sternly. "Returning the favor," he said, grinning madly. "Now, are you gonna tell me why you suddenly kissed me, or am I going to have to work you over somemore?" he teased. "Do you worst," she giggled.

"Alright, you asked for it!" he said. "No wait! I'll tell!" she said. "Huh? Well, that's no fun," he pouted. "I love you, Ash," she said. '!!!' thought Ash. (nope, no better way to describe it.)

Ash pulled her into a tight hug. "I love you too, Misty," he whispered in her ear. "Really?" she asked happily. "Yeah, you're my best friend!" he said plainly. She tried to pull out of the hug angrily. "ASH KE..." He cut her off with another, shorter kiss. "Just teasing.....will you go out with me, Mist?" he said, calling her by her hated nickname. "I....I....YES!!" she stammered.

Tears were beginning to flow in her eyes again, but they were no longer tears of sadness.

TO BE CON'T AGAIN!!