Pokemon Fan Fiction / Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ The Me You See ❯ Questions ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2: Questions

Misty leaned onto the railing of her balcony, watching sadly as the storm clouds rolled in. So much for her planned picnic with Ash. He was an hour late as it was, and there has been no word from her sisters.

At ten minutes, Misty had simply figured that Ash had run into Team Rocket. At thirty, she'd assumed that James or Jessie had a particularly good scheme that took some time to spoil. Now, she was starting to get worried. After all, Pikachu and the other Pokémon had been with Ash. It shouldn't have taken TOO long.

And then, a pair of familiar arms had slipped around her shapely waist, and a chin came to rest on her shoulder. "Miss me?" he asked cockily, grinning into her hair.

Misty frowned, but only faintly. "You're late, Ash."

"True. But I had a good reason."

"Which is?"

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

"And tardiness makes Misty pissed."

Ash chuckled. "Okay, but I'm here now. And you're happy to see me, right?"

Misty didn't answer.

"Right?" he insisted, tickling her ribs.

Misty giggled and slapped his hands away. "Okay, you're forgiven, you bum. Just don't do it again."

Ash smiled mysteriously and took her hands in his own. "Come with me."

Misty looked at him suspiciously. "To where?"

"Just come on," Ash said, giving her hands a little tug.

"Tell me where first," Misty insisted. For some reason, she didn't like the look in his eyes.

"Misty, we've been dating for five years now. Are you saying you still don't trust me?"

"Of course not! It's just that-"

"Just follow me. I promise you'll like what I have to show you."

Misty hesitated a moment longer, then nodded. "Okay."

Ash beamed like a kid in a candy store and dragged her through the house. "It's in here," he said, stopping in front of a closed door. "But first, you have to close your eyes. It's a surprise."

Misty gave him a wary look. "I'm really not in the mood to be tricked right now."

"I swear it's not a trick. You'll like this, really!"

She sighed. "Okay, but I'm warning you, Ash Ketchum. If this is one of your little jokes…"

"It isn't." Ash pulled her inside and closed the door. "Okay, open your eyes."

Misty opened her eyes and blinked. Everything she'd packed for the picnic was spread out neatly on a large blanket. Candles had been lit and placed all around the room (but a safe distance from the blanket).

"Surprise," Ash whispered, grinning at her.

Misty's eyes brimmed with happy tears as she looked at him. "Ash…"

"Shh." He placed a finger to her lips. "I would never forget our anniversary, Misty. It's the day we got together, and that's the most important day of my life."

Misty's voice was gone, so all she could do was try to hug the life out of him and kiss his face all over.

Ash finally managed to pull away from her. "The food will get cold," he pointed out, though he'd rather enjoyed all the attention.

Misty agreed, and they sat down to a romantic dinner.

* * * * *

"Misty, there's something I need to tell you," Ash said after they'd eaten.

"What is it, Ash?" she asked, studying her shoes.

Ash came over to her side of the blanket and tilted her head up, so he could stare into her blue eyes. "You once made me the happiest boy alive when you agreed to be my girlfriend. Now I want you to make me the happiest man alive…by becoming my wife."

Misty's breath caught in her throat as Ash pulled out the tiny black box and placed it in her hands. The blue diamond seemed to sparkle endlessly like the ocean, capturing her gaze with its magnificent shape. She was vaguely aware of Ash's arms sliding around her.

"Marry me, Misty," he whispered in her ear.

The ability to breathe finally returned, and Misty gasped for air. "A-Ash, it's b-beautiful," she stammered, unable to take her eyes from the diamond.

"Is that a yes or no?" he chuckled, squeezing her shoulders. He loved the way her eyes matched the diamond's color almost perfectly. And then, as she turned to look at him, her eyes lost some of their brilliance.

"I…I can't marry you, Ash," she said at last, tears welling up in her eyes.

Ash could actually hear the sound of his heart beginning to break. "What? But…why?"

"I'm sorry, Ash. I want to, but I can't. I'm…so, so sorry…" Misty choked on a sob, and then pushed past him roughly, leaving the diamond on the blanket as she rushed out of the room.

Ash blinked in disbelief a few times. Ten minutes later, he finally picked up the diamond. Instinct told him to chase after Misty, but something more sensible told him she just needed time. That was no real problem. He would wait for as long as it took for Misty to change her mind.

"But there's nothing to change," a voice in his head reminded him. "`I want to, but I can't.' She wants to marry you, but she can't. Why?"

Try as he might, Ash couldn't think of a single reason.

* * * * *

Misty spent the next three days in her room. She only emerged to accept the trays of food her sisters left. Her only companion was Togepi, who didn't understand what was going on, but could sense the drastic change in Misty's mood.

On the third day, Misty began screening her calls. Most were from Brock, begging her to come out and talk to anyone. Surprisingly, there was only one from Ash. It was very short, but very meaningful.

"Misty, I need to see you. Please."

He hadn't said that he loved her, or that he missed her, or that he couldn't live without her. And yet, he had.

Misty played his message so many times that it finally woke Togepi up.

"Briii?" the little Pokémon asked, pointing at the answering machine. (Why don't you call him?)

Misty sighed and closed her eyes. "No, Togepi. I can't."

"Briii!" Togepi insisted, pointing at the phone again. (You have to! He sounds so sad without you.)

"No. Just leave me alone."

"Togi togi briii!" This time, Togepi picked up the phone and pressed it against her cheek. (But he makes you happy!)

"I don't deserve happiness. Not with him. Not with anyone."

"Togi?" Togepi asked, looking confused. (How can you say that?)

"Because it's true," she whispered, burying her face in the pillow. "It's always been true!"

"Briii." Togepi patted her cheek gently. (I hope you get better soon, Mama.)

* * * * *

Ash was surprisingly patient for a young man who'd just been turned down by the love of his life. He didn't try to force his way into Misty's house, or even hound her sisters about how she was. Instead, he simply waited by the phone day and night.

Almost a week after he'd proposed, the phone rang.

He picked up on the second ring. "Hello?"

"Hi, Ash," a voice almost whispered.

Though he'd been mentally preparing himself for this moment, Ash still found it hard to swallow. "Hi, Misty. How are you?"

There was a long pause before she finally said, "Miserable without you."

Ash smiled slightly. "I miss you, too."

"…I think I'm ready to talk. Can you meet me at the gym in two hours?"

"Sure." Ash hesitated for a moment. "Misty?"

"Yes, Ash?"

He took a deep breath and let it out. "I love you."

He could almost see the smile on her face as she replied, "I love you, too, Ash. More than you know…"