So here it is… the last chapter. This has been such a wonderful experience for me to write out this story, and I can only hope that you all have enjoyed it as much as I have. So here you are without further adu, the ending to The Choice.

Two Months later

In the last two months, a lot had changed. Many of Misty's and Ash's family had come to visit her, hoping that today would be the day that she woke up. Everyone knew that with every passing day she was one step closer to the end when her living will came into effect.

As for the region a lot had changed too. Professor Oak had released the fake story to the media who ate it up, especially the part where Misty had jumped in front of Ash to save him, which they altered to make her look better. Saving Jeff probably would have gotten her removed as a gym leader since the Professor had also said he had taken over, he added that there would always be organizations like Rocket and it was a reality that we as people would have to work together to overcome. He had also quietly gotten the Jennys introduced to Jeff and told them the truth. They agreed for the greater good and knew that in time it would help everyone so much more to cycle the most dangerous people to them versus the little grunts that had been all they could catch on a regular basis in the past.

With his grandfather doing so much media stuff Gary had pretty much taken over the lab on a temporary basis. He was running it well and everyone felt as if eventually he really could take it over for good. The Professor was definitely proud of him, they all were really. And he even managed to come see Ash and Misty every other weekend or so, mostly to give Ash new company.

At this point everyone had more of less come to the conclusion Misty was going to die, everyone except for Ash. To be fair though if anyone should think otherwise it would be Ash, which is why he never left her side for more than an hour and that was just to shower and go to the bathroom when he needed to. Pikachu had grown a little restless but other than that didn't really seem to mind staying in one place for so long. Ash had really hoped that she would wake up after two weeks like she'd done the last time, that had been a blow for him but he had no choice but to keep hope. He loved her, he needed her, if she was really gone he didn't know what he would do.

He wasn't expecting anyone to come and visit him today, it was a Tuesday after all, so when a soft knock came to the door it took a moment for him to realize there was someone there. When he saw his Dad he smiled and got up. His Father made his way over and engulfed Ash in a big hug. "How're you holding up Son?" They separated and Ash sighed.

"As good as any other day I guess, what are you doing here?"

"Your Mom sent me. She's worried about you."

"Dad I have to stay, you know that."

"Oh, I do because if this had ever happened to you or your mother the jaws of life wouldn't get me out of this room." Ash smiled it was good to see his Dad, he had never made it home to surprise him.

"I wish you'd actually met her before this."

"I wish I had too, but I'm sure there will be plenty of time when she wakes up for that right?" Ash smiled. His father was as optimistic as he was and it felt good to have someone else be so sure she'd be okay. "When did you know Son? You never told me."

"When did I know what?"

"That you loved her." Ash smiled when he thought about the memories.

"I don't know, I mean I know I first saw her as a girl at a festival we went to not long after we'd started traveling together, and that's when I think I knew, but every time I did something stupid and my life was in danger there she was, right there beside me. When I saw her with Jeff that all came flooding back to me, and I couldn't help it. I just knew I needed her. Does that make sense?"

"It does," he said taking a seat across from his Son before continuing. "You'd always loved her but when she had to leave your group you had no choice but to put it on the back burner until you saw that you might have left it there for too long."

"Yeah something like that. I want her to have everything and I want to be the one giving her everything."

"That's how I feel about your Mom."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I can't imagine my life without her, she's given my life meaning, she gave me you. The two of you are truly the most important things in my life." Ash smiled.

"I know Dad."

"Besides, she played Mom and Dad when I was gone and never missed a beat or resented me for it. How many women could ever do that? We were made for each other."

"Are you going to go out again?"

"No, my travel days are over. It's time to give your Mom all the attention she deserves. Besides, I want to be there for you if you ever need me."

"Thanks." They just sat there in comfortable silence for a while, not needing to say anything to each other.

…

His father left after lunch and Ash went back to watching over Misty. Doctors came in and out and nurses brought in more flowers and tried to find more room for them, but many were on the floor by now. At three o'clock Doctor Hadlen came in to check up on her. "How's the patient?"

"The same." Ash responded grimly. Every time he came in Ash got a reminder that she would probably never wake up, and if she did she was sure to have brain damage. He ignored it every time but it was getting harder and harder to let it go as each day passed.

"Well her vital signs are all the same, which you know is good because that means she's still stable. How are you holding up Ash?"

"Fine I guess, it's hard but I need to be here."

"I understand. Ash I would like to show you something, will you come with me please?" Ash obediently got up and followed the Doctor out of the room. They walked down the hall a ways before they got to room 142 and he pointed to the window for Ash to peek in.

There was an old woman sitting next to the bed of an elderly man. He was hooked up to the same machines as Misty was. She looked tired. She had a book in her lap but she wasn't reading it, and there were a few potted plants in the room. It was sweet, but it was sad too. He was clearly in a coma as well. "How long has he been like that?"

"Thirty two years. Our technology has improved to make things more comfortable for him and his wife, but otherwise nothing has changed." Ash's eyes widened and he looked back in. "That's his wife, Clara. She's such a sweet woman and completely devoted to him she almost never leaves, only when her son needs her to. Ash this is why Misty has a living will, do you understand?" Ash nodded because he did. They didn't want healthy people to lose their lives like Clara had. And it was sad, but totally losing her sounded so much worse.

"My problem is what is she-" Doctor Hadlen's beeper went off interrupting them and he looked down quickly.

"No…" He whispered, suddenly darting down the hall. Ash started after him walking to go back to Misty's room until he saw that Doctor Hadlen had turned into Misty's room. Ash's eyes widened and he raced down there so fast he almost fell over trying to look in. The door was closed and he knew they wouldn't let him know anything until it was open. It also meant it was bad. If she'd woken up the door would be open and everyone would be happy. Ash's heart sank as his body slid to the floor next to the door. He looked up at the clock. Three Thirty. Brock's gym was still open; he wouldn't be there again until tonight. Ash buried his head into his knees. He didn't know what else to do. Pikachu snuggled into the young trainer's neck. He'd been with Misty but had been kicked out when the Doctor rushed in. There was nothing they could do but sit and wait… again.

Thirty minutes went by before the door opened. Doctor Hadlen looked upset and Ash's heart sank further. "I'm sorry Ash, her condition has gotten worse. She's in pain now and her heart just stopped. It took three tries to get it going again. She doesn't have much time left. I'm so sorry but there's nothing we can do. You do have a choice though." Ash looked up his body had gone numb but there were tears welling up in his eyes. "You can let her ride it out, or we could pull the plug now."

"I can't do that."

"I know how you feel Ash, really I do, but she's in pain now, it's the only thing she can feel and you're only prolonging it at this point."

"But if she can feel pain then maybe-"

"No Ash she's still in the Coma. She's not consciously feeling the pain, but her body is hurting itself, we could medicate it but she's in a Coma we're not supposed to. I really am sorry." The tears started to fall freely from his face.

"Give me a little time, I- I need to think about it."

"No problem Ash." He said sadly as he left the hall to go back to work.

Ash just sat there for a few more moments before he slowly stood up and walked back in. She looked like she was in pain…

Ash knew he was being selfish. This wasn't being alive, this was his desperately holding on to something- someone he loved, and lost.

Ash laid down on the bed with her holding her tight and stayed that way, with Pikachu on her other side, until Brock came in. he knew something was wrong when he saw this and his heart sank into his stomach. "Ash?"

"She's in pain Brock. I'm letting her be in pain…"

"What do you mean?"

"Her heart stopped again today, they brought her back, but they told me I should consider pulling the plug now, that she's in pain, and look at her Brock. She is in pain, I can tell. I'm just being so damn selfish. How could I ever let her go?"

"That's what love does Ash." Brock said quietly as he took his usual seat next to the bed. Ash was right, she did look like she was in pain. "What do you want to do Ash?" He just sat there for a while, really unsure as to what it was that he wanted. Finally he looked at Brock.

"Could you get him?"

"Are you sure that's what you want?"

"I don't want it, but she doesn't deserve to be in pain. I never wanted her to be in pain."

"But you're sure Ash?"

"Yes." He said miserably knowing he was condemning her. He was giving up on her; he no longer had a choice. "Please Brock just-"

"I'll get him Ash, it'll be okay." He said weakly walking out of the room slowly trying to delay this as long as possible. Ash just lay there holding her for a moment before he started to speak.

"I'm so sorry Misty. I let you down this time, I really did. How am I going to do anything without you Mist? I need you. Why did you have to save him? Why did he do this to you?" He was so flustered; he took a breath and caressed her face, and then leaned down and kissed her. "I love you Misty, and I always will, nothing will change that, I promise and I will become a Pokémon master for you. I'll do it all for you Mist. I promise you that. And you know me, I always keep my promises." He looked at her one more time and his heart broke right then and there. It hadn't been enough, not even the legendary Pokémon was able to save her.

They came back in to the room and Ash moved off the bed but held her hand. His tears streamed down his face and Pikachu looked very distressed as well, cuddling into her neck as close as he could. Brock rested one hand on Ash's shoulder for support and tears filled his eyes as well. Doctor Halden looked to Ash once more. "Are you sure Ash?" He nodded, unable to speak. Then leaned closer so his head rested on hers. Doctor Halden nodded to himself as he slowly turned off each machine watching her heart rate carefully. Slowly the beeps from the machine got longer and longer…

…

Misty was sweating very hard. Her entire body hurt so bad, that's when she saw something in the distance, it was a light, a bright white light. She stepped to it cautiously. She'd been in this dark dismal place for so long, and the closer she got the brighter it was and the less pain she was in. She spread her arms out wide as a smile spread across her face. It felt so good. She stopped suddenly though looking around. It didn't feel right. She wanted to go there so badly, but she knew if she did she would be losing something. She couldn't really remember anything at all, but there was something very important that she would lose if she went there. She just knew that. Her face narrowed deep in thought. What would she lose? And besides it felt so good. She stood there lingering until her chest started to ache in a new way. Her heart didn't want her to go…

She looked behind her. There was nothing but emptiness back there, but maybe if she went there she would know what she was losing. She turned and ran. She ran as fast as she could, trying to escape the light. It was following her, but slowly. She could out run it and get away. She stopped when she saw a grey light ahead of her. It was more of a grey mist, but the closer she got to it, the more her body hurt. The white light was still coming, she couldn't stop, she had to keep going, she had to fight the pain…

If she didn't make it in time she knew the white light would take her away and she would lose whatever it was that her heart so desperately needed.

…

Slowly the beeps from the machine got longer and longer, but she wasn't flat lining. Doctor Hadlen watched it carefully. Brock watched curiously while Ash cried into her, not really noticing that there was anything to pay any attention to. It finally flat lined and Doctor Hadlen nodded sadly. Brock turned away falling into the chair behind him and burying his head into his hands. Pikachu cried out sadly knowing it was over too. She was a fighter; he shouldn't have been surprised that her body would fight it. His hand reached up to turn off the awful noise when it beeped suddenly. Brock's head shot up and Doctor Hadlen stopped. Her heart beat came back, slowly coming back to a regular rhythm.

"Ash!" Brock said suddenly making him look up, "They're all off, she's holding up on her own." His eyes widened and he looked at Misty's face.

"Mist? Misty?" He paused searching her face for any signs of consciousness.

"This shouldn't be possible, she had so much internal damage from the poisons, she should have needed those machines to live at all." Doctor Hadlen mumbled to himself unsure of what to do or say. Brock stood up and watched her carefully.

"Does this mean she'll wake up?"

"I can't tell you for sure, but there is a chance that she could, and her living will doesn't apply anymore. She's alive on her own." Ash's smile slowly grew.

"Come on Mist, I know you're in there… please."

"Ash she still will most likely have serious brain damage. This is good, but please don't get your hopes up too high." Brock shook his head.

"Doc you're talking to a brick wall here."

"I know but I still have to try." He said with a smile. "I'll stay here overnight in case anything happens."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. And Brock?"

"Yes?"

"Keep an eye on him."

"I will." He said with a smile. Ash's eyes were lit with hope maybe, maybe she really would be okay.

…

Brock decided to camp out in the room with Ash that night and grabbed an extra chair putting his feet up and letting his head rest on his shoulder to sleep. Ash on the other hand rested his head right next to Misty's from his chair like he usually did. He kept waking up to check on her but nothing had changed. He tried to take that as a blessing. She wasn't getting any worse after all.

By two in the morning he was down for the count, his body was just too tired to stay awake and watch her anymore. The hours passed and finally it was six A.M. The first lights of the morning had started to show through and Ash was jolted awake suddenly. He looked around the room but there was nothing there, so he rested his bead back down on the bed feeling much too tired to stay awake if nothing was wrong. He had just started to drift when he felt something move making him open his eyes again. 'Its probably just Pikachu' He thought slowly lifting his head. When he looked though Pikachu was on Brock lap, where he'd been all night. Ash shook his head. He was just tired, that's why he kept thinking he felt things. He lowered his head once again except this time he did feel something for sure. His right hand had been resting on Misty's all night and her hand… it'd moved.

This had happened before, just muscle spasms but he was awake now, and besides you never knew right? He shifted a little closer to the bed gently kissing Misty's forehead. The lights started to show through the blinds, the oranges and yellows filling the room, it was so peaceful. Ash watched the lights for a moment before he felt tired again and laid down once more. He needed to get some sleep. That's when everything changed. At first he thought he was dreaming when he heard his name faintly and so just smiled slightly, but then he heard it again and jolted up.

"Ash?" She was calling him. Even though it was only a whisper he knew in her mind she was calling out. She was awake. She was alive, and this time it was him that she wanted to be there, making the moment that much greater. He almost couldn't contain himself as he held her hand and brought it to his face, so he could hold her hand and still look at her.

"Misty, I'm here." He said softly hoping he hadn't just imagined the whole thing.

"Ash" She whispered again, but this time it was less of a question, he could tell. Her voice sounded different, no doubt from having been silent for so long. He caressed her face with his free hand and felt a few tears stream down his face.

Her face scrunched up for a moment before relaxing again and then her eyes started to blink open very slowly. It took a few tries before she could finally open them and see at all. "Ash"

"Misty, I'm here." He said again not really knowing what else to do.

"Hey" She said with a small smile and Ash let out a nervous laugh releasing his tension.

"Hi."

"Why on Earth are you crying?" She whispered looking at his face.

"I'm just happy. I've been so worried about you Misty. They all said that we lost you."

"Psh, like I could leave you." He smiled warmly and she gave a soft laugh "Who would keep you from getting yourself killed then Ketchum?" His smiled faded briefly and then he laughed, mostly because he knew it was true. Misty had saved his life more than anyone really realized. "How long this time Ash?"

"Two months." He answered without hesitation this time and she nodded.

"What happened? I don't remember how the battle even ended."

"It's a long story, but Mew Two saved the day."

"Mew Two? How did I end up here losing two months if Mew Two was there?"

"Please Mist, I really don't want to think about it now, that's all I've been thinking about." She nodded slowly. She wasn't sure why he was so upset, but whatever it was, was clearly bad. "I just want to enjoy knowing that you're okay."

"Okay" she whispered with a slight yawn. "I've been asleep for two months and I'm still exhausted."

"Then go to sleep Mist, I'll still be here when you wake up." They exchanged a small smile as she nodded. He rested his head on his arms so he could look at her until she fell asleep. She reached up touching his face first though and gently pulled his chin toward her. Ash smiled and moved closer kissing her softly, not sure how much pain she was in anymore and not sure what could possibly hurt. He hovered there for a moment and Misty smiled up at him.

"I love you Ash."

"I love you so much Misty." Her eyes showed how much she knew that and she closed her eyes and Ash rested his head back down on the bed praying that this hadn't been some sort of cruel dream.

...

When Brock finally woke up he looked over and saw Ash holding Misty's hand in his sleep. He smiled; it was cute if nothing else. He was about to get up for coffee when he noticed that Pikachu's ear were twitching toward them. "Hey Ash you up?" He asked knowing if he wasn't that wouldn't wake him up.

"Brock?"

"Misty!" He jumped up Pikachu catapulting off of his lap and next to her licking her check affectionately.

"Pikachupi!" Brock smiled and she opened her eyes.

"Hi Pikachu." She said as she reached her free hand up to pet him. "Hey Brock."

"I'm so glad you're okay, we should wake up Ash."

"No, don't I came out of it earlier, he and I talked then. Let him sleep a little longer." He smiled as he bent over to give her a warm hug.

"We were all so worried about you."

"Well will you tell me what happened then because Ash wouldn't."

"I will, but first I'm going to get your Doctor okay? He will probably want to run some tests." He suddenly stopped and looked at her again. "How much pain are you in Misty?" She was stunned by his question and so didn't answer right away.

"Enough."

"No Misty seriously."

"I don't know Brock, I mean things hurt, but I'm conscious so it can't be that bad right?"

"I'll be right back." He said and she could feel his sense of urgency. Yeah she was in pain, but there were worse things right? And she had to laugh to herself the differences in the behavior. Ash just was relieved, Pikachu was overjoyed, and Brock was protective. They each shared those emotions but those were what they'd dominantly displayed.

When Doctor Hadlen came in she smiled. It was nice to see a familiar face in a white coat, and at least he knew her. "Well Good Morning Misty. Brock says you're in pain?"

"I'm sure it's not all that bad."

"Well you came out of a two month long coma, so in retrospect you're probably right, but that doesn't mean you have to lay there and suffer through it, now does it?" She smiled acknowledging the easy way he was letting her off. Ash had finally reawakened and snapped his head up. He blinked a few times to make sure it was all real and smiled. Thanks to Mew Two he had Misty back.

…

After a series of tests that had literally taken hours where Ash couldn't see Misty she was in a recovery room and no more than two people could be in there at a time. With two parents, three sisters, and Brock that meant Ash was left waiting even longer. He tried to be patient but he wanted to be with her and see her too. He reasoned with himself about how he wasn't leaving the building until she did and they were all going home, but somehow that really didn't make him feel any better about it. Her sisters had all tried talking to him, but they didn't have a whole lot to say to one another so those conversations didn't last very long. Daisy and Violet went it first saying something about the oldest go first and their parents left leaving Lilly with Ash all by themselves when Brock went to get food. She grabbed a magazine while she waited for her turn and Ash just sat there tapping his foot and staring at the clock.

"You know it would go a lot faster if you like, I don't know actually did something."

"What am I supposed to be doing?"

"Why don't you go shower and get something to eat?"

"I Already did."

"Yeah, but like you're a bottomless pit for food according to Misty."

"Not lately. I've haven't been that hungry." He paused and looked at her. "She said that?"

"That's not all she said, but don't worry none of its like bad except for not talking to her for years at a time, that really got to her, you know?"

"Yeah, I regret that every day."

"Good, you should. You missed out."

"Oh yeah? You're the ones who made her come home." Lilly rolled her eyes.

"It was either that or close the gym. Misty had a choice, she was just too stubborn to admit that you mattered more to her than the gym did. Plus you know she was like thirteen, our parents wanted her home too."

"I didn't realize she even talked to them on our journey."

"She talked to them more than us." Lilly looked up at him and sighed. "Look Ash it's nice that you've finally realized that you're like perfect for each other, but you want to be a Master and she wants to keep the gym going, you can't be with her all the time and do both. You have to learn to be away from one another." Lilly turned back to her magazine and smiled. "Besides, if you two never had space one of you would end up killing the other." Ash half laughed knowing that she was referring to when they fought all the time. She was trying to be supportive and he appreciated that. "Oh and one more thing." She said looking up at him very seriously. "You ever hurt her and I'll kill you. Never mind what our other lovely sisters will do." Ash nodded.

"I would never hurt Misty."

"It's just a warning." She went back to her magazine and Ash went back to looking at the clock. Maybe her sisters weren't the total air heads he thought they were.

…

It was 5 o'clock in the evening before everyone was gone and Ash had an opportunity to go and see Misty again. He went in quietly in case she was trying to sleep now or something. She was laying down still but her head turned and she smiled. "Hey stranger."

"Hey Miss Popularity. How are you?"

"A little tired."

"I figured you would be; how did everything go with your tests?"

"They put me on some pain medication, but otherwise Doctor Hadlen said there shouldn't even be any permanent effects. He also said it would take me a while to gain my strength back."

"Did he say when you could go home?"

"Trying to get rid of me?"

"No, but it wouldn't it be nice to get out of this room?"

"I guess." She laughed a little as Ash finally sat next to her on her bed. "Where's Pikachu?"

"He went with Brock to professor Oak's lab. He's gonna visit the others and have a couple of days to get some exercise."

"Mmm." She agreed and he noticed that she kept blinking.

"Mist get some sleep okay?"

"No I'm not that tired."

"Yes you are."

"I don't want to sleep."

"You need you're rest."

"I'm fine. All I do is lay here anyway."

"It's not the same, just sleep."

"No."

"Why are you arguing with sleeping?"

"Because I'm not that tired."

"You're so stubborn."

"Way to call the kettle black." Ash playfully glared at her and her smile grew.

"Really though, you need your rest." She rolled her eyes.

"I would rather talk to you." Ash returned her smile and leaned into her.

"You can talk to me when you wake up." She closed the distance and kissed him softly. Ash looked at her showing his love for her in his eyes, as he brushed the hair out of her eyes. "I'll always be here to talk to you, and the more you rest now the sooner we can get you out of here and back home." She finally nodded, turning on her side to face him. He moved to get up when she reached for his hand.

"Can't you stay here?" She asked blushing slightly.

"I'm not going anywhere."

"No, not the room, here here." She said softly indicating the bed. Ash smiled and blushed a little too. But without hesitation he slipped his shoes off and settled himself in her bed with her. Making sure to give her room and making sure the monitor didn't slip off her finger while he wrapped his arm around her. Misty's blush faded as she moved closer resting her head on his chest.

"I love you Misty."

"I love you so much Ash." She said looking up at him. He kissed her again and then closed his eyes, stroking her hair until they both fell asleep.

…

One month later

…

After weeks of physical therapy to re-strengthen her muscles Doctor Hadlen finally said Misty could go home, so long as she took it easy and continued to make it to all her physical therapy appointments at the hospital. He also added that he never wanted to see her in his ER ever again, to which Ash completely agreed.

After a lot of arguing between the families Misty finally settled the matter of where she would be going by stating that she wanted to go to her apartment above the gym, and that anyone could come visit when they wanted to. The next matter of who would be there to help her was resolved when Ash stated very clearly that HE would be staying with her at least until she was well enough to live on her own. So the day she left he helped her to her father's car and then helped her to her apartment while her father went to work. Misty was struggling with walking again now, and it agitated her considering how active she usually was. "This is pathetic" She exclaimed as she stopped to catch her breath again. Ash would had been patiently behind her for the last fifteen minutes of stair climbing merely smiled.

"No it's not, you're tired and weak, Mist give yourself some time, you'll be back to normal before you know it."

"At this rate by the time I get there I'll to leave for therapy."

"You don't have therapy for two days."

"Exactly." Ash laughed as she started back up the stairs.

"I'm glad you find this funny."

"Misty honestly it's not that bad." When they did finally make it up the stairs Ash put helped her to her room and waited for her in the living room while she showered and changed. By the time she came out Ash was making lunch for them and she sighed. It had taken half the day to do something that normally would have been fifteen minutes.

After she had lunch he cleared her plate and insisted that she go watch TV and relax. When she tried to protest he became stern and she rolled her eyes doing what he said. The rest if the day went like that. Ash was way more strict than she'd thought he'd be.

It turned out to be a trend too. He wouldn't let her overextend herself at all, which was probably a good thing but pissed her off. So much so in fact that they started to fight all the time. The only difference between this fighting and their old fighting was that at the end of the day one of them would apologize and everything was fine again. It was a serious growing experience.

Things went on like that for a while, Misty slowly started to improve and eventually got to a point where she was totally independent. It had taken about five months regain most of her strength and Ash's things had all managed to end up there with them. So on that day when Doctor Hadlen took her off of all restriction she wasn't entirely sure what to do. She didn't want him to leave so that whole drive home she sat very quietly which Ash obviously noticed but didn't comment on in the car. When she practically leapt out of the car is when he finally said something. "Misty what are you doing?" She ignored him as she went to the pools. "Hey Misty!" he called as he followed her. He'd had to help her with the chores and so had pretty much learned the entire layout. So when he saw her turn into the show pool he knew exactly where she was going.

He followed her to her favorite spot to sit with her feet in the water which she moved because it was the release tank. This is where the Pokémon entered from during the shows and so was concealed. "Really Misty?" He started as he approached her. "What happened out there? Did I do something? Or did you want to be told bad news?"

"Nothing. I'm fine. Go away."

"Seriously, what did I do?"

"Nothing. You didn't do anything." He sighed as he sat next to her on the ledge.

"Then what's bothering you?"

"Who said anything was bothering me?"

"You stormed off." He said flatly getting annoyed with her attitude. It was great news, she should have been as excited as he was.

"I just want to be alone." The way she said it stuck him wrong.

"What do you mean, you want to be left alone?"

"I mean what I said Ash! God!"

"What? So now that you're better you want me to leave? Or alone like let you sulk here for hours?" Misty looked up at him surprised by his words. Truly he was hurt at the possibility that she wanted him out, but to her he wouldn't have thought that at all if he didn't want to leave to begin with.

"Maybe you should just go Ash, since that's clearly what you want."

"Who said I wanted to leave?"

"I wouldn't want to hold you back after all Mister Pokémon Master." She said it so sonically that it hurt, but before Ash could say anything he heard Pikachu calling.

"I'm going to make sure he's okay." Ash said carefully not sure how else to react.

"Maybe he just wants to get out of here too."

"What's the matter with you today Misty?"

"What's the matter with me? What's the matter with you?"

"Wait WHAT?"

"You come in here to take care of me and then I got used to you always being around and now you're going to leave because I'm better and because I've been holding you back for so long and keeping you from your training and-"

"Wait a second, you think I think you're holding me back?"

"Don't you?"

"No!" He knelt next to her, but she wasn't looking at him, instead she was looking at the water below her. "Misty, I don't want to leave you… In fact I was sort of hoping that you would let me stay here while I was training and then maybe asking Lilly or Violet if they could watch the gym so you could come with me?" Misty looked at him carefully.

"You want to train here first?"

"I can't believe you actually thought I'd want to leave you behind again. Don't you think I learned my lesson?" She smiled a little finally looking at him.

"I thought you might have gotten sick of me." Ash moved closer wrapping him arms around her so she was leaning on him.

"I could be with you every moment of every day for the rest of our lives and I could never once be sick of you." She turned as Pikachu finally found them to let him in on their hug. "So what do you say Mist? Can you put up with me invading your apartment for good?" She blushed at the thought of that for a moment.

"On one condition."

"Anything." Her smile widened and she shifted to face him.

"You be the one to ask the girls if I can leave."

"Aww Mist that's the worst job ever" He said with fake reconsideration. But she knew it was a done deal. After almost ten years they were finally together and she didn't pretend that she hadn't heard the 'for good' part of his question. They moved back up to their apartment and each were egger for this next chapter of their lives together.

So that's it! I would once again like to thank everyone who has been reading this all the way through and would like to add that if you want to see a sequel send a comment below, or if you have an opinion send a comment below. I do have a sequel in mind, but I don't know if I really want it to happen or if it should just stop here, so please be sure to tell me!

Happy Reading everyone!