Disclaimer – I Don’t Own Pokemon.

Authors Notes – Alright guys! As I sit and try to get some new chapters done for 
the current ongoing fics, Some new ideas just keep springing to mind. This 
although another multi chapter peace, shall be a lot shorter than the ones 
already underway.

Summary – His term as master over, and now settling down for a normal life, Ash 
obtains a small apartment in Cerulean city, However bringing the place up to 
standard is proving a difficult job for him, So when Misty offers her 
assistance, Some Surprising results ensue

The Recreational Challenge

Chapter 1 – Some Assistance Required

Ash

“That’s great sir, will there be anything else?” I mulled over the options 
within my head before responding.

“Can I get a beer with that please?” I asked referring to the lunch I had just 
ordered within the small but decent restaurant bar I found myself in upon this 
Friday afternoon.

“Sure” she replied with a smile as she began pouring the liquid from a faucet 
into a pint glass, I scanned my watch briefly and noted it was a little after 
12.30, as my beer had now arrived.

“There ya go” the barmaid emphasized as she plopped the glass down in front of 
me, I smiled gratefully.

“thank you” I replied as I gestured the table I was going to sit at as she 
merely nodded and headed off to do whatever her assigned job was at that time. I 
took my seat at the table I had indicated as Brock and Tracey came bouncing in 
the bar’s doors, and it took all but a split second before they spotted me.

“Ash..” Brock gestured across the room as Tracey left him to I presume grab them 
some drinks. By this time Brock had arrived at my table and had took a seat 
beside me. 

“Well…it’s official.” He got out before I could even get a word in.

“What is?” I inquired razing an eyebrow in curiosity.

“My wife thinks I’m a male showvenest!...can you imagine me…?” he stammered in 
amazement as I tried without much luck to suppress the small smirk emerging upon 
my lips.

“Ah…give her a few days Brock it’ll pass” I commented quickly taking a sip of my 
beer.

“It better…god you’d think with a kid on the way she’d be less touchy!” I sighed 
inwardly Brock…all be it I loved him like a brother but he really didn’t have a 
clue about women, he’d really hit the jackpot with Suzie, and I am glad he was 
able to make a life with someone who put up with shall we say his 
eccentricities. At this point Tracey emerged at the table with two beers in  
hand.

“Hey Ash..” he acknowledged me, plopping the beers down and taking a seat next 
to us.

“Aright rock man down the hatch, I got to be back at the centre by one” he 
commented.

“I still don’t see why I have to come along” Brock protested. Tracey sighed.

“ Ah hello! I’ve got to pick those supplies up and you’re the one with the van, 
stop bitching!! You said over a fortnight ago you’d help me!” Brock mumbled 
something to himself before begrudgingly taking a sip from his beer.

“Fine “ he stammered after swallowing his mouthful as they refocused their 
attention on me.

“So Ash! What did you want to see us about?” Brock asked as Tracey listened on 
in interest.

“Actually guys, I was kind of hoping you weren’t busy this evening” I said 
pausing briefly to gage there reaction. Brock faltered a moment before croaking 
out a response for them both.

“Why?” he got out slowly knowing all to well he might regret asking the answer

“Well you recall that small apartment I purchased last week, for staying in 
whenever I was in town?”. they nodded.

“Well I finally got around to see it this morning, and well….let’s just say no 
wonder the place was so cheep” I commented figuring that would clarify what I 
was asking

“You need help cleaning the place don’t you?” Tracey commented.

“It’s not just the state of the apartment it’s everything, hell guys think about 
it when have you ever see me do the Laundry? Be handy in the kitchen? Or even 
cook something that didn’t turn out black” I paused with a dejected sigh.

“Talk to me about battles, types, and strategies and I can help you, but 
this!...it’s like a whole new world to me something I’ve just never done” I 
explained.

“Yeah well I always said your mom pampered you to much as a kid and I” Brock 
stopped as he noted Tracey glaring at him with an all to knowing stair.

“What!” he exclaimed shrugging his shoulders.

“This coming from the guy who did nothing but cook for him while they traveled 
together!” Brock scratched his head realizing where his apparent rant did not 
hold water as it were.

“So how about it guys?...” I asked hopefully, but already knowing what there 
answer would be.

“I’m sorry Ash…” Tracey started.

“But I’ve got to be back at the lab by 8 tonight, I’m off on a weekend excursion 
for Sam and I wouldn’t be back until Sunday night” he explained. I nodded in 
acceptance shooting Tracey a small smile assuring him that things were fine and 
I understood and all.

“Brocko?” I quizzed narrowing my eyes as I studied him closely trying to digest 
what his response would be, He was silent for a moment as he had his head bowed 
staring his beer with his index finger, finally his response came in just an 
audible whisper.

“In laws!” he blurted out, I nodded

“Ah! There place or yours?” I asked referring whom was going to who’s home for 
the family visitation that was to apparently take place.

“There’s” he mumbled, lowering his head again I smiled sympathetically, if there 
was one thing I dare say all married males dreaded it was a trip to the in 
laws..

“Well I figured there was no harm in asking, cheers anyways guys, I suppose I’ll 
have to plough my way through” I explained.

“Ash why is it so important, that you nail this stuff like right away?” Tracey 
asked.

“My god!....you’ve got a hot date haven’t you!” Brock suddenly chided. I shook 
my head with a bemused laugh.

“Sorry Brocko…not this time” I assured him.

“So what’s the reason?” Tracey got in before Brock could probe into that line of 
conversation any further.

“Well you see…my mom is due back from her month lay over from her cousin’s on 
Cinnabar island on Monday, and I kind of already told her that I had the place 
up to scratch…and you know my mom, up to scratch also means the general everyday 
stuff.” I said as Brock slapped his head in astonishment.

“Since when have you put so much stock on impressing your mother?...you’ll 
always be the provincial apple of her eye and all” Brock pointed out.

“I know that Brock, but to tell the truth I feel I owe her at least this much…I 
mean she’s done so much for me over the years.., the least I can do is have her 
around at my new apartment for a hot meal on Monday when she gets back.” I told 
them as they nodded understanding where I was coming from on the matter.

“It sounds like a great gesture Ash…we are only sorry we can’t help you out” 
Tracey told me as he arose from his chair gesturing his watch to Brock.

“Well Ash…I wouldn’t give up hope just yet” Brock started, as he got up from his 
chair and gulped back the last of his drink.

“You know the old saying, when god closes a door he opens a window” As if on cue 
as Brock finished that sentence a third familiar voice rang through out my ear 
drums as I felt a soft hand come to rest upon my shoulder.

“Hey guys!” Misty had blurted out as I slightly tensed at her touch, this didn’t 
go unnoticed by Brock who merely folded his arms at me with a smirk with an all 
to knowing look.

“Case in point…” Brock proclaimed as Tracey spoke up.

“Sorry Misty, but we’ve got to shoot, work related stuff and all” he explained 
to her thus bringing light to the reasons they were about to do the so – called 
provincial runner from her. I gazed up at her an noted her hand still hadn’t 
moved from my shoulder as she cast her eyes at me briefly shooting me a small 
smile.

“Ah fair enough guys” she finally responded tearing her eyes away from me. 
Tracey headed for the door as Brock continually stared at us both, he always 
seemed to know more than he was willing to let on when it came to Misty and 
myself and sometimes I wondered just how much he truly knew and was hiding. I 
decided it was best, if for Tracey’s impatience if not for anything else, to 
part with a provincial ice breaker as it were.

“Have a good trip Brock, give my regards to Suzie’s folks,,” I said, smirking at 
him. He started towards the door his face crested and downcast, amongst the 
midst of uttering his goodbyes to Misty an promises of calling me on Monday to 
see how I got on.

“Hey Mist….” I muttered uncertainly casting my eyes up at her, thus breaking the 
trance we seemingly had on each other, she rather quickly jolted her hand away 
from me.

“Ash…” she whispered quietly as she avoided my eyes. I stalled for a moment 
gazing both between her and my beer.

“So…what brings you hear?” Her head shot up revealing a soft smile, in truth I 
feel she was just grateful for the question I’d posed, for I feel it served as a 
great tension breaker in her eyes.

“Coffee….” She got out exhaustedly as she walked around and took a seat at the 
table beside me. I smirked knowing all to well the reason behind her obvious 
fatigue

“Ah!, Another Thursday night out on the town with May and Sakura I gather?” I 
said trying at the same time to show a little sympathy even though her ailments 
were self inflicted. She sighed as she pressed her hands to her head leaning 
against the table.

“Ash…..don’t…the last thing I need is a lecture from you….. I’ve got a killer of 
a hangover at the moment” she whined, as I leaned back slightly in my chair.

“Why do you continually base your drinking schedule around their jobs! I mean 
some of us do work on a Friday” I stopped

“How many battles have you had this morning?” I inquired out of curiosity.

“Four” she mumbled as the barmaid had arrived at my table with the salad and 
fries I had ordered earlier.

“You lost them all didn’t you?” she nodded.

“My head was spinning, I think I lasted a little longer on the forth one though, 
I can’t remember” she conceded with a small smile.

“That does it!” I exclaimed gesturing to the barmaid

“Can I have a pot of coffee for her on my bill please?” the girl merely nodded 
at me with a smile and left the table.

“Misty next week just tell them you ain’t up for it” I advised, she leaned back 
in her chair.

“I have trouble saying no” she retorted as I reverted my eyes to my plate of 
fries.

“Miss Waterflower being a gentleman I won’t point out the various forms of 
innuendo that comes with the last statement you just made” a small laugh escaped 
her lips as she realized what I was insinuating.

“First off, if we weren’t in public you do realize I’d be tearing your ear off 
right now” I waved my hand away dismissively at her with a grin as she went on.

“And Secondly I appreciate the concern Ash….But I’m not a total idiot, I only 
went out last night, because excusing the four battles this morning my schedule 
is completely clear this weekend” she explained. I pushed the plate of fries to 
the centre of our table as the barmaid had returned and placed Misty’s pot of 
coffee alongside her, as I plopped a fry in my mouth.

“Will your wife be requiring anything else sir?” she asked as I almost started 
choking on the fry I just ate, as I noted Misty found it hard not to drop the 
cup she had just picked up from her hands. I finally was able to swallow the 
food over and tried to respond.

“Actually…she’s…..”

“We are fine thanks..” Misty got out interrupting me, as the barmaid smiled at 
us both and left us to our own devices once more. I stared at her dumbfounded 
for several seconds and she helped herself to some fries from my plate and 
intently cast her eyes on me questioningly as she ate.

“What…?” she asked knowing all to well what I was about to ask.

“Why didn’t you let me set her straight?” I said as she shot me a rye smile.

“I just love to see you squirm” she teased with a giggle as she took a sip from 
her coffee. I could not help but let loose a smile at her playful antics as I 
proceeded to delve into my meal.

“So…Mr Ketchum…” she started swiping another fry from my plate.

“What have you got planned for the weekend?” I sighed remembering the quandary I 
was in.

“Do you really want to know? Or are you just making conversation?” she eyed me 
worriedly.

“Uh oh! sounds serious” she proclaimed.

“in a sense” I said in a dejected tone, she grasped my hand across the table.

“A penny for your thoughts?” I shot her a smile and inhaled sharply.

“Well you see….” And so for the next several minutes I explained to her the 
situation with the new apartment and my mother’s immanent return.

“Poor Ash….your heart as always is in the right place…it’s just a shame your 
so….hmm how should I phrase this?....domestically challenged” she finished with 
a small laugh. 

“Yeah thanks for the sympathy Mist….” I mumbled gulping back a mouth full of 
beer.

“How do you sleep at night?” she quipped referring to all the apparent frailties 
I seemingly had, but at the same time I knew all to well she meant it in a 
joking manner. My response to her stunned even me as I moved my hand from hers 
after realizing it had been intertwined with her own for a longer than normal 
that was deemed appropriate length of time.

“Well, I get to see you most days, so that sort of balances out a lot of my week 
spots I guess.” She blushed at my remark as she tried in vain to hide it amidst 
taking another sip from her coffee.

“So what are you going to do?” she asked casting her eyes to her cup to avoid my 
eyes.

“What choice do I have Mist? I’ll have to do the laundry, clean up a bit, and 
finish putting away the last of my things,” I said. I could see her mulling over 
my situation in her head as she refilled her cup.

“Ah-huh and if I know you, that will take you how long? What a week?” she asked 
knowingly. I narrowed my eyes at her even though I knew she was right.

“And what the hell’s that suppose to mean?” I got out a tad more bitterly than I 
had intended.

“Ash Calm down” she pleaded a she paused momentarily.

“You just strike me as someone who needs a little work….. in the old every day 
chores department, you said yourself you were less than up to speed with it,” 
she said, her fingers playing with her coffee cup.

“Well Misty….if you’ve got a better suggestion I’d like to hear it”. She smirked 
as she took yet another sip from her cup.

“Actually I believe I do….” She paused and closed her eyes briefly

“How would you feel if I came over and gave you a hand?. You know show you the 
ropes as it were, pass out tips were I could” I fell silent a moment was she 
actually suggesting she came around to my apartment and tutor me on the basic 
day to day necessities of life?

“Um…you? You’d rather use your free weekend helping me fix up a cheep excuse for 
an apartment I bought?” she nodded with a soft smile.

“But why?....I mean since when did you become an expert within these particular 
fields?” I asked as she leaned in closer to me.

“Ash…..you don’t run your families gym for almost three years straight and not 
pick up a thing or two about homecare….come on I’m the local gym leader! I’m a 
beloved Cerulean institution” she proclaimed I smirked playfully.

“A few more days with an ego that size and you’ll be in a beloved Cerulean 
institution” I retorted mockingly as she responded to this by wearily glaring at 
me and kicking my shin under the table.

“Do you want my help or not?” she hissed through gritted teeth as I whined in 
pain clutching at my leg.

“Misty….I appreciate the offer, but seriously I don’t want to put you out or 
anything….. I mean your rough with a hangover and all and I could not ask…” she 
shook her head at me cutting me short.

“Ash please…..I want to help you out on this,,,,,, I assure you I’ll be fine in 
a few hours I’m off home soon, so I will grab a few hours sleep and plop myself 
in a nice hot long bath before I show face,” I for several seconds just sat 
there as for some unknown reason my mind drifted to images of her in the bath 
tub, the warm water and soothing bubbles meshing against her soft silken skin. 
My revelry was broken as her voice registered within my hearing senses once 
more.

“Well Ash…..what do you say?” I gazed into her eyes, something told me I would 
not hear the end of it if I didn’t let her help me on this, guess this sort of 
thing came with the territory when you were dealing with your best friend.

“You must be ether very lonely or very insane Miss Waterflower…” I commented 
with a laugh.

“But…alright….thanks Misty I just hope you know the hell your in store for, 
trying to convey anything to me, I am as they say at your mercy” It may have 
been my mind playing tricks on me but I thought I could detect a small twinkle 
in her eye as she consumed the last of her cup and arose from her chair.

“Don’t worry Ash…..” she paused as a giggle escaped the back of her throat.

“I've thrown a lot of little babies in the water and they've all come up 
swimming. You my darling …shall be no exception….” She assured as she walked 
around and stood before me.

“So.. What time do you want me to come over?” she asked. I thought about it for 
a second I had to at least get some clothes and stuff moved in to do me over the 
weekend

“How about seven thirty? I’ll give you a call on your cell, with the directions 
later” I finally responded becoming somewhat lost in her eyes once more.

“Great….I’ll see you then…” she paused as she leaned down and placed a quick 
kiss on my cheek.

“Thanks for the coffee….” She got out as she headed for the door waving her 
goodbyes for the time being. I for my part sat there stunned at her last 
actions, my heart continually skipping a beat as I tried without much luck to 
get the circulation going again within my body. I traced my hand upon were her 
lips had been not but mere seconds earlier and then focused my gaze back down 
upon my now almost empty beer glass with a sigh, it certainly was going to be 
one heck of an interesting weekend, but at the same time I could not help but 
wonder, just what exactly the hell I had let myself in for.

To Be Continued

Authors Notes – Alright folks! And so the start of yet another fiv has stalled 
just as we are getting going!, please by all mean feel free to leave any 
thoughts on how you think it is going, and I’ll get the next one up as soon as I 
can, for now guys!, you should no the drill and all, hope everyone has a 
pleasant day!

_TheBossGeo