MUCH ADO ABOUT A CRUSH

I don't own pokemon and all that jazz

A/N: Well, this is it! The fic finally ends. This was just an afterthought 
really, something to wrap things up, you know? Well…it’s been fun! Thanks 
Kicon and Growlithe1993 for your reviews! Look out for my next fic, k? Take 
care you guys!

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EPILOUGUE:

	That was over five years ago now…and the memories are as fresh as if 
they had happened yesterday. After that, we all tried our best to stay in 
touch. I think we did rather well. Ash took some time off after his birthday 
to come with me to Cerulean city. But, as is inevitable with that boy, seeing 
me battle as a gym leader everyday made him restless…and pretty soon, he was 
off on another adventure of his own. Of, course I missed him but, I couldn’t 
stop him from going. If I’d asked, I’m sure he would have stayed but he 
belonged on the road.
	I had been worried that it would be the Hoenn region all over again. Me 
waiting for a call, him meeting some other girl and never keeping in touch. 
But, it wasn’t like that at all! He called me almost every day, kept me up to 
date with everything, and he was back within a year. Since then, we’ve hardly 
ever been apart. 
	After his 17th birthday (much to Mrs. Ketchum’s sorrow) Ash moved to 
Cerulean City. I was delighted and, by then, my sisters were traveling the 
world trying to promote their “Save the Wailmer” campaign. We had the house 
and gym to ourselves and made the best of it…*wink wink*
	More recently, the summer after Ash’s 21st birthday, we rented a ski 
lodge up near Snowpoint City in the Sinnoh region. Now, when I say “we”, I 
mean myself, Ash, Duplica, Gary, Brock and Richie (with Pikachu, Sparky and 
Ditto, of course!) This is, I think, a more suitable ending to this tale than 
Gary’s indignation at not being thanked.
	We spent almost a week in the lodge. Every moment seems a mixture of 
laughs, color and friendship. There was never a dull moment…we tried to make 
the best of every second. Perhaps the last day was the most memorable…I will 
never forget that night:
	We had spent the entire day on the slopes, and darkness had fallen all 
too quickly, as it has a habit of doing when you’re having fun. Brock had 
prepared an excellent round of hot cocoa (which I suspect had been spiked 
with whiskey by Gary) and we were all huddled on two sofas near the blazing 
fireplace. I would have, under normal circumstances, snuggled up near Ash 
but, for some strange reason, Duplica pushed me to one side and sat next to 
me.
	After some merry chatter and teasing, Gary suggested livening up the 
room by playing a round of truth-or-dare. In return, Duplica asked, ‘Fine, 
let’s begin with you, Oak. Truth or Dare?’
	‘Dare.’
‘Ok…I dare you to…um…kiss Misty!’
	‘What?! NO!!’ Ash and I protested.
‘What? I have no problem with that,’ Gary shrugged, getting out of his seat 
and stepping towards me
	‘Of course YOU don’t! She’s hot, what would YOU have to complain 
about?’ asked Brock, trying to control his laughter…and failing.
	   ‘Come on,’ cried Duplica, poking me in the arm. ‘It’s just a DARE!’
‘Oh…alright, fine…but someone please time this ok? Anything over 5 seconds 
and Gary loses an eye!’ I said firmly.
	Ash rolled his eyes but said nothing.
But, just before I let him kiss me Ash cried ‘And NO TONGUE GARY!’
	That was, perhaps the ickiest 5 seconds of my life!
‘Well…you’re a lucky guy, huh Ashy-boy?’ Gary teased, punching a peeved Ash 
in the shoulder playfully.
	And so the game continued. There were private questions asked, and 
shocking answers given. There were also a large number of dares. 
Surprisingly, a lot of people wanted either me or Duplica to kiss someone or 
the other. I played along until Gary wanted ME to kiss DUPLICA…I pretty much 
drew the line at that!
	Then, when it was my turn again, I chose Truth, tired of getting out of 
my seat.
‘Ok, Ash gets to give you the question this time,’ Duplica replied. 
	‘But I have a good question for her! I really do!!’ insisted Gary. 
‘Misty, when and WHERE was the first time you and Ash–OW!’
	Duplica had stepped on Gary’s foot, giving him a very deliberate glare. 
He shut up immediately.
	‘Go ahead Ash,’ she said.
I looked at Ash. ‘Truth,’ I repeated, smiling fondly at him.
	‘Ok…but you have to answer honestly,’ he said softly.
‘That’s the point–ouch !’ cried Gary, earning himself another squished toe 
from Duplica.
	And, before I could think, or say anything, or react at all, Ash 
slipped out of his seat, took my hands in his and said, ‘Misty, will you 
marry me? The truth…’
	My eyes filled with tears of joy. I sat on the floor in front of him as 
he pulled a  small, blue velvet box out of his jacket pocket and opened it to 
reveal a stunning white-gold ring set with a single tear-drop shaped 
solitaire.
	And, I didn’t need the ring, and I didn’t need the fancy proposal, but 
that was Ash. He wanted the best for me, and I wanted the best for him too…
	I wrapped my arms tightly around his shoulders as we sat on the floor 
just holding each other, our friends kindly leaving the room quietly (even 
Gary). 
	Then, I whispered in his ear, ‘Yes, Ash, I will…  

THE END

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A/N: And, now, I’m done…well, I hope you enjoyed taking that little journey 
with me! Take care, faithful readers!

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