Disclaimer: Pokemon belongs to Nintendo and all their companies. I own nothing. Melanie C owns "Never Be The Same Again." Many, many thanks to Reyna for beta-reading my fic and correcting my mistakes! :) [ Never Be The Same - By Karone ] I call you up, whenever things go wrong You're always there; You are my shoulder to cry on I can't believe it took me quite so long To take the forbidden step Is this something that I might regret? Ash Ketchum stared at the photo he held in his shaking hands. Fiery red hair, beautiful sea colored eyes, a tender smile . . . His eyes searched the image, hoping with all his heart, somehow, it would tell him what he wanted to know. The fading image, with tear stained corners, spoke nothing but the echoing silence. "It can't be true." He whispered softly out loud. "It just can't be." Ash turned towards the window, watching the storm, ice cold and deathly, outside rage with a unwelcome outcome. It barely ever rained in Pallet Town, why did it start now? Staring down at the image once more in his hands, he turned it over, staring at the fast scrawled number: Misty's number. 'She told me to call whenever I needed her, and right now, I need her more than ever.' He stared at the number again, blinking back tears, then to the small cordless phone on his gleaming white night stand. He picked it up, suddenly noticing it seemed heavy. Passing it off from being worried, he quickly punched in the number. The shrill ringing echoed in his ear. One ring, two ... Three, four ... Finally, a groggy female voice answered the phone. "Hello?" "Mist?" He whispered the name, a chill racing up his spine. His voice penetrated the room's silence. "Ash ... Is that you?" The voice was now clear, sleep driven from it with a tint of shock. "Yeah, it's me." The young man agreed. "Remember you promised when I needed you, you'd come?" There was a long pause, and the sound of movement. Finally, her voice was visible once more. "I remember, but, I didn't mean to call at 2:30AM!" Ash seemed to jump at the mention of the time, his hazel brown eyes slipping to read the time that the clock on the wall displayed. 2:30. AM. He gulped lightly, turning back to the window as he spoke again, "Sorry, didn't know it was this late, but I really need to talk to you. Something happened. And, well, I need someone." There was another pause, then Misty's calm and soothing voice was heard, "I'll be right there. At home, I suppose?" "Of course." Ash stared at the rain that splattered against his window. He said good bye to her on the phone and stood up. Glancing at the mirror above his dresser, he gave a small shudder at the image that stared back. Dark lines were under his eyes, sleep driven for days did that to a person. His hair seemed to have a life of it's own, but at the length it was . . . It wasn't as disastrous as it had been when he was 10. He turned from the room, suddenly getting haunting feelings from being in his childhood bedroom. In the previous two days, there had been an accident. His mother and father, had been killed instantly. The night demons hadn't been giving up on him for the past two days, leaving him tearless and exhausted as visions of death tried to swallow him up. 'The Pokémon Master shouldn't be afraid.' He chided himself, 'I should be grateful that I'm still here ...' There was a sudden knock on the door, sending him jumping. He hastened his pace and bounded quickly down the stairs and to the oak door. He pulled open the door, pausing lightly as he got a glimpse of his friend. Rain soaked red-hair, hands shrugged loosely in her jean jacket pockets. "Hi, Misty," Ash gulped out. Misty smiled, that oh-so familiar smile, and looked at him pointedly. "Are you okay?" "No." He whispered, snapping out of the daze. "I really need to talk to you." He suddenly seemed to remember she stood outside, in the rain, and opened the door wider to let her through. "I really want to thank you." Misty turned a smile to him. "Hey, what are friends for, right?" Ash nodded in agreement, a small smile lighting his face. He watched her give him a sly smile and a quick once over. He felt his cheeks turn crimson at her penetrating gaze. "What?" "Just noticing how much more handsome you've grown in the last month." She whispered lightly. Her gaze then turned serious, "What happened?" "T-there was an accident." He whispered. "Mom and ... Dad were killed two days ago." He turned away from her, fresh tears streaming down his cheeks. "Oh, Ash ..." He felt her wrap her arms around him . . . Hugging him tightly. He allowed himself to fall into the embrace, his mind flashing back to when they were younger. When things had gone wrong, they'd comforted each other. When things were going good, they'd always be there for each other to share in the happiness. Nothing ventured nothing gained You are the one. The lonely heart that can't be tamed Come on, come on I'm hoping that you feel the same This is something that I can't forget. There was a long moment of silence as Ash cried onto his long- time friend's shoulder. Finally, after a few moments of terse silence as the embrace grew deeper, he pulled away, sniffling lightly. "Thank you." She smiled, tenderly tracing a hand along his cheek, "You know I'll always be here for you. Always." He smiled at that, and turned away, suddenly fully exhausted. She seemed to sense his change of pace and slipped up next to him, guiding him to the stairs. "I'll tuck you in," she offered, with a hint of amusement in her voice. "Then you can talk there ... OK?" He nodded and let her guide him. "After all these years, you haven't changed." He told her softly. "Still the fiery caring red-head I fought with 24/7." Her eyes sparked at that, lips turning to a pout. "But we haven't fought in ages." She disagreed, but her lips turned back to a smile, and nodded, "And you, Ashy, are still as dense as ever." He chuckled and walked into his bedroom, Misty following, shutting the door with a soft bang behind her. He sat down on his bed, eyes darkening lightly as his mind drifted to the other day. More tears, unforgotten, came rushing to his eyes. "It was Team Rocket, too," he uttered. "They were lying. Never disbanded." He whispered, voice straining with new found hoarseness. "They said they had payback, from all the years we'd made a fool of them." A small gasp came to Misty's lips, ears not wanting to believe what was uttered. "Oh, gosh, I'm so sorry, Ash. I can't believe they'd do that to someone as nice and caring as you." He shrugged, "When you were evil for so long, I guess you can't go back." He let out a shudder, "But I guess I should be lucky I'm alive ..." "I'm kinda glad you are," she said with a half smile. "Arguing wouldn't be half as fun with out you to do it with." He managed a weak smile but turned away from her. "It's just, ugh! Not fair! They never deserved to die because of us ... Me. It was me they wanted, not them. Why couldn't they have just left my parents alone?" "Because they have no heart." She responded simply. Ash nodded, contemplating that thought. "Which is sad. Even after all the trouble they caused as kids, you kinda got the thought they'd turn out okay in the end." Misty nodded, not quite sure what to say. She glanced around the room, her eyes finally noticing what was wrong when she'd entered the house. "Where's Pikachu?" Ash sighed, "He was with us in the accident. He's being treated at the Pokémon Center." "Oh." She gave him a sympathetic smile. "I hope everything is okay ..." "Me too, me too ..." Ash agreed. His gaze was on the ground, and then he looked up and smiled at her. She returned the smile, and he felt himself turn weak. The look was so familiar to him. He remembered when they'd "gone out" as kids, sharing similar smiles and looks, at the impulsive age of 12, which had soon ended when they both discovered other members of the opposite sex, but they both remained friends long after. He'd never admitted it to her, but through all of the other relationships they'd been in, he'd always loved her the most. You don't forget your first love, whether or not it had been at such a immature time. "Can I tell you something?" he asked timidly. "Sure." "Remember when we 'went out' as kids?" She nodded after a thoughtful moment of silence. "I remember." I thought that we would just be friends Things will never be the same again. It's just the beginning it's not the end, Things will never be the same again, It's not a secret anymore. "Well, I ..." Instead of continuing with the statement, he grabbed her hand, pulling her to his lap. "I need to tell you something." "What's that?" She asked, eyeing him with a light smile. "I ... love you." She stared at him with a shocked expression, not saying anything for several moments. Now we've opened up the door. Starting tonight and from now on We'll never, never be the same again Never be the same again. "You ... love me?" He nodded. "I have since we were kids." He grinned, "Even when I was with someone else, I think I always held onto that crush." She seemed to pause, thinking thoughtfully and turned away. "Are you okay?" He asked worriedly. He placed his hand on her shoulder, "I didn't mean to make you upset. But ... With all your helping me tonight, it just kinda ... Well, made me remember about my feelings all over again." Now I know that we were close before, I'm glad I realized I need you so much more. And that I don't care what everyone will say, It's about you and me and we'll never be the same again. "I'm not upset, just really surprised." She admitted as she turned back to look at him, "I just don't know what to say." "Don't say anything then." He said softly. He yawned, blushing lightly as he did so. "I've become awfully tired ..." "I still need to tuck you in." She winked. She glanced at his bed, and ran a hand through her mop of damp hair. She pulled back the covers to his bed, and patted the spot. "Get under there," she commanded. He chuckled, mock saluting her as he obeyed. "Good boy." She grinned. "Now," She carefully brought the covers over him and tucked them around him. "Get to sleep." "Thank you." he whispered. "For everything." She just nodded, smiling, "It's what friends do." She kissed his cheek and turned to leave. "Hey, Misty?" "Yeah?" She turned back, looking over at him. "Sleep with me?" She stared at him in surprise, and he had to grin at her expression, "I mean just under the covers. Not that." She let out a nervous giggle, "O-okay." She click the light off and slipped out of her tennis shoes and blue jean jacket. Walking carefully over to him, she slipped under the waiting blankets, snuggling into his arms. And that night, a first in two days, Ash was able to sleep peacefully, his guardian angel finally watching over him. Things will never be the same again. You are the one, Never be the same again, It's not a secret anymore, We'll never be the same again. The End ... Shall there be a sequel?