Pokemon Fan Fiction / Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Brock's Love: Maiden of the Dastardly Dr. Rage ❯ Six and a Half: Hot tubbin' ( Chapter 7 )

Sorry, folks, but this is actually a continuation for chapter 6. There was supposed to be more, but I forgot my outline when I came up to the library to type, and now they're telling me the Internet is down. Just great, right? Oh well, I'll just do what I can. By the way, have any of you seen the new Pokemon movie, Pokemon Heroes? For some reason, the local theatre isn't showing it! Those bastards! They are so mean! What is a Pokefan to do?

Wow, look at how easy it was to get off-topic! =^o__O^=

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Pokemon or any characters thereof.

Claimer: Liz is an original character of mine whom I've named after myself. Dr. Rage and Dr. Sanura are mine too. MINE!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So what are you doing out here, Ash?"

Ash had just put his pokemon away and turned to Brock. "Well, I was just getting in some exercise out here in peace. The gym is way too noisy today."

"Really?" Brock said. "I was hoping to visit with you and Misty for a while. It's been over a year since I saw her last."

Ash's face brightened. "It would be great if you two visited! I'm sure Misty would be glad to have you. She loves playing hostess."

"We don't want to be a bother, Ash," Liz said quietly.

"Nonsense! I insist you both come for at least a day or two."

Brock and Liz looked at each other. "Well," Brock thought aloud, "if you don't mind!"

"Then that settles it! Let's go!"

~*~

Brock, Liz, and Ash walked through the city to the gym, getting friendly waves from passers-by. It seemed that Ash was quite the celebrity. He taught a beginner's trainer course at the gym. On the way, he pointed out a poster for a restaurant, the "Speed of Light" Café. Jesse and James opened it in Celadon City a while back and were doing very good for themselves. The fast service and excellent menu made them very popular very quickly.

Finally arriving at the gym, Brock and Liz both gasped.

"Ash, is this the gym? It's HUGE!"

"Yeah, way bigger than I remember it."

People were hustling around inside the enormous building, carrying balloons, streamers, and other festive items. Most were just fussing at one another, rushing to and fro like a bunch of ants on a hot plate. All the noise was annoying to Persian's ears. Ash led the awestruck couple into the building.

"Misty and her sisters are planning some kind of big fundraising gala in a couple days," Ash explained. "She's probably running around again. . . Somewhere."

The trio took an elevator (`Dig this!' Brock thought) to the second floor, hoping to find Misty and get away from the party planners. Unfortunately, this floor was positively crawling with eccentric people, hanging decorations and making an even bigger fuss than the downstairs planners. Out of the corner of their eyes, Ash and Brock could see a red-headed blur streaking about, toting a clipboard one second, then a planter, then some centerpieces, then who-knows-what, looking like she was in the Olympic party planner team.

"No, Geraldo, the lilies go over there and the roses are over here! Bistrov, please see what's keeping Yoko with the balloons! And Dennitare, where is Armando? He's supposed to get the lighting hooked up!"

Brock recognized Misty, even though she looked a little taller and a bit older. But even Ash had changed, with a deeper voice and thicker build. She was flying about the room, fixing this and that. She didn't even notice them standing in the middle of the room.

"Misty! Hey, MISTY!!" Ash called. Misty must have been in the zone, because Ash's shouting didn't seem to faze her.

"I'll get her Ash. Misty!! Over here!!" Brock yelled, waving his arms. Still no response. Misty was a machine.

Liz, who had been quietly observing the situation, stepped forward. "I've got an idea. OH MY GOSH!! WHO BROKE THESE CENTERPIECES?!"

Misty's head snapped up, and turned to where the other three stood. "Piece of cake!" Liz said, snapping her fingers. Ash and Brock hit the floor.

"Ash? Brock? Oh my goodness!!" Misty squealed, rushing over to them. She threw her arms around Brock's neck. "How are you, Brock? It's been too long!"

"I'm fine, Misty!"

Misty cast a glance at Liz, who seemed to be burning red at Brock and Misty's hug. "Excuse me," she said, releasing Brock and turning to Liz. She had seen that look so many times before. She had MADE that look whenever another girl hugged Ash. No need to start off on a bad note with anyone. "I'm Misty! Brock and I are good friends," Misty stepped a little closer and whispered into her ear: "Don't worry; I'm not after him!" For some reason, Liz felt at ease at these words. "So what brings you all here?"

"Well, Liz and I wanted to visit. I haven't seen you guys since my 18th birthday."

"Oh, that's right! Wow, it's been a while, huh?" Misty said, tapping her chin. "And I'm guessing that this is Liz?"

"Oh, rude of me! Yes, this is Percy, and I'm Liz," Liz said, extending her hand. "Nice to meet you! I've seen you on television with your sisters."

"Ick," Misty muttered, making a face, "it's their fault I'm in this mess. I've got so much to do now since they left to go shopping. I haven't even gotten a dress yet, and there's still so much to do."

"This must be some shindig you girls are throwing." Brock said, looking around.

"Yes, but it'll be a bust if I can't get the decorations set. There are just so many different colors to coordinate!" Misty looked over to an overstuffed open closet, confetti and other decorations hanging out everywhere. "There's just so much to be done, and these guys are just too inept for such a job. I wish my sisters were here to help. Wait, where's Liz?"

Brock and Ash turned around, and sure enough, Liz was gone. "Where'd she run off to that fast?"

"Aha!"

Misty, Ash, and Brock Looked back at the overstuffed closet to see Liz going through its contents, surrounded by planners. "If we put these colors with these colors, and these streamers with those balloons. . ."

Liz was passing out decorations while scribbling instructions and handing them to everyone. The planners "Ooohed" and "Ahhhed" at the various combinations. She was dashing around, just like Misty was earlier.

"Liz, what are you doing?" asked Misty. Liz took Misty's clipboard, which had a layout of the gym. "Well," Liz explained, "there were a few color coordinations I came up with." She proceeded to jot down details on Misty's diagram, showing her what could be done. "Wow, that is just fancy enough for the event, but it has a kick to it. I love it!!" Misty gave Liz a huge hug. "Hey! I just got an idea! Why don't you and Brock stay for the party? It's the day after tomorrow. We could get you a dress, and Ash could find Brock a great tuxedo. . . Whaddya say?"

Liz was flabbergasted. Misty was offering to buy all these things and do this and that; she couldn't just say no! `But I've never stayed anywhere for much more than a day. Rage could catch up with me. . .'

"Come on Liz! Would you stay a while," Brock asked, taking her hand, "For me?"

`Oh, crap!' Liz thought. She would do anything for Brock. But if she was found, she might not get away. She wanted to say no, to just run away and get the heck out of there, but the look on Brock's face, that sad, pleading look. . .

"Sure, why not?" Maybe it was time to stop running.

"Great! We can get something nice to wear tomorrow, but I'm starved," Ash whined, "Let's get some dinner!"

~*~

Liz, Brock, Ash, and Misty all sat back in their chairs, stuffed beyond all reason. Even Persian and Vulpix were sporting nice, puffed bellies.

"Oh, man, that was delicious!" Liz sighed as Ash burped in agreement. "Nice one!" Brock said, and responded with one of his own window-rattling belches. "But I am still the champ!"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah!"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah!"

"BU-U-URP!"

"BU-U-U-U-URP!!"

"BU-U-U-U-U-U-URP!"

Liz and Misty looked at the display of testosterone in amusement. They looked at each other and grinned evilly. Both of them sat up, and. . .

"*BU-U-U-U-U-U-U-U-U-U-U-U-UUURRP!!*" ((AN: Yeah, girls rule!!))

Brock and Ash looked at the girls in amazement, then looked at each other out of the corner of their eyes as if to say, "That was SO hot!"

"Come on, guys," Misty said, standing up, "We'll show you to your room."

`Wait-a-minute,' Brock thought, `Did she just say room? As in one singular room??' He was starting to panic.

"There's a nice guest room that has two full-sized beds. . ."

`Phew!' Brock thought, even if he was just a *little* disappointed. Misty continued describing the room; explaining where the bathrooms were located in the building; sending off a wayward planner or two; until they reached the fourth floor, where all the bedrooms were located. There were at least eight bedrooms (Misty explained that her sisters liked having friends over) and many baths. There was a personal mini-spa with a hot tub and morning massage parlor. That was where Misty's sisters usually got ready for a home show. Misty rambled about how they "positively must" get a nice soak tonight to look their best for the party. There was a nice big tub between every two rooms, blah, blah, blah. Even Ash was beginning to tire from Misty's constant ranting. It reminded him too much of when her sisters were there.

"And here's your room," Misty pointed. "Our rooms are across the hall. Tomorrow morning, we'll head off to get some clothes for the party, so don't sleep in!" Misty nudged Brock and gave him a quick wink. Brock swallowed, hard.

"Good night, guys!" Liz said, waving. "What a nice couple of guys. You sure know how to pick `em, Brock." Liz stretched her arms, feeling a little tight from decorating. Persian and Vulpix poked at a fern on the floor. "I'm gonna take a soak and loosen up these shoulders," she said, grabbing one of the special body towels by the door.

"Okay, I'll just, uh," Brock trailed off as he turned around, noticing Liz was already gone. *~*

Liz looked around the room. It was big. Really big. She walked over to the tub, and pushed a button like Misty had explained. The tub filled itself with nice hot water. She stepped in, relishing in the soothing heat. "Ahh, wonderful!" she sighed as she sat down. The tub automatically stopped, creating a dead silence. It was perfectly peaceful. Liz closed her eyes and hugged herself. Brock was so lucky to have such great friends. She recalled some of the stories Brock had told her; how close the three were. `It must be nice to have someone so close.' She hugged herself tighter. Her loneliness was her reason for being here in the first place, and here she was alone again. `It would be nice for someone to hold me for once.' She always gave herself a hug when she was lonely, envisioning herself in someone's arms. For some reason, this time, instead of some faceless, formless solace, she pictured Brock, holding her close. It felt so right that she almost forgot it was her imagination. She could hear him breathing slowly in her mind. For that breif moment, Liz was happy. *~*

Brock undressed and folded his clothes over a chair. He walked over to a dresser, where there was another towel his size. He passed a mirror, and looked at his naked body for a moment before covering himself with the towel. He flexed his muscles, admiring their increased size. Times were a little harder without Ash and Misty to help, and he had these new muscles to prove it. In truth, he was only flexing to build his confidence. He was going to make his move. Brock didn't want Liz to leave, and he would have to tell her so. And there was no better time like the present! He opened the door to the tub room and stepped in, leaving Persian and Vulpix still playing with the houseplant.

It was warm. Brock felt it the minute he opened the door. He gulped, wondering if this was such a good idea. `Come on, Brock! She's covered, and you both have to share this room anyway!' Brock tried to encourage himself. He could see her in the water, hugging herself. Her face looked so peaceful. Her brown skin glistened with moisture. Brock gulped again.

"Um, Liz?" Brock tried to keep his voice steady. Liz turned around slowly. She had heard him come in.

"Hi, Brock. Am I taking too long?" Liz started to get out. She didn't want to hog.

"N-no, no!" Brock said, waving his hands in front of him. "I was just wondering, um, if-if it's not too much trouble, uh, if you don't mind. . ."

"Brock, would you like to join me?" Liz asked bluntly.

"Well, yes, if that's okay." Brock walked up to the edge of the pool. He sat down and slid in next to Liz. It was very relaxing. He felt his nervousness fade into the steamy water.

"Liz? If you remember yesterday, you said you didn't have a reason to stop wandering."

"Yeah?"

"I asked you if I could be your reason. You never answered me."

"I know, it's just that it's complicated. I'd love to stay in your company, but there's just. . . More to it than that. I don't really want to talk about it."

Brock looked slightly crestfallen. She wouldn't stop? "Oh, I see." He looked down at his sad reflection in the water.

"Don't take it personal, Brock. There's just something I've gotta take care of." She scooted closer to Brock and took hold of his arm. "It's just not safe until I take care of my business. I really like you, Brock."

Brock looked at Liz, who was staring him down with those beautiful amethyst eyes. "I like you too, Liz. I don't want you to leave me."

Brock closed the small distance between them and brushed his lips against Liz's. She sat there, taking all this in. His lips were warm, and his confession sincere. She put a hand on his shoulder and kissed him, full on the lips. Liz had wanted to do that for so long. Brock, who was surprised to say the least, put his arms around her and pulled her onto his lap. He deepened the kiss, letting his tongue slip between her lips. She tasted so good. He pressed her body against his, feeling her moan softly into his mouth. He had never kissed a girl before, and he didn't know he would be any good. But Liz silenced his doubt as she wrapped both arms around his neck and flicked her tongue on the roof of his mouth. Brock slid his hand up her thigh and under the short towel. He smoothed his hand back and forth against the soft flesh. He wanted more, more, but this was not the time. He broke the kiss, before he was aroused any further. Liz pulled away slightly, her eyes still closed.

"Thank you," She said, standing up. Liz fixed her towel a bit before heading out, leaving Brock to sit there. He didn't look as she put her nightclothes on and went into the bedroom. In fact, he sat there for a good ten minutes before getting dressed himself. He wanted to say something to her, but when he went into the bedroom, Liz was already asleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

More to come!