Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon. If I did, I wouldn't be writing this on here, this would be a script in the writer's room

Note: I support other shipping's too; Pokeshipping, Advanceshipping, Pearlshipping, Negaishipping just to name a few of the main ones.

As his friends slept, Ash awoke to the smell of… something. Whatever it was, it was good. He looked over to the other side of the bed and saw that Pikachu was still asleep, curled up like a ball. Ash smiled before slowly getting out of bed, as not to wake him. He picked up his pillow and placed it under the sheets so if Pikachu woke up, he would think he was still asleep. Ash smiled as he watched Pikachu snuggle up against his tail and produce small sparks from his cheeks. As Ash carefully opened the door, the intensity of the smell increased dramatically as it hit his face. It smelt like… baking. He stepped out, closed the door and tiptoed down the hall and down the stairs. It was defiantly something sweet baking, but who would be cooking at night? As he made his way through the lodge, he saw that the light in the kitchen was on. He peered round the corner to see Serena, wearing her usual clothes plus apron, standing by the oven smiling sweetly to herself. Ash, like the forward boy he was, saw no reason to continue watching from the shadows.

"Serena?" he asked, the very sound of his voice making her jump.

"A… Ash!? Wha… wha… what are you doing out of bed?" she said, stuttering and smiling with embarrassment.

"Are… you cooking?"

"Uh…" she slowly sidestepped in front of the oven in an attempt to hide it. "… No?"

"Serena, I can smell it from here" he pointed out bluntly. Lying was never Serena's strongpoint.

"I… I mean yes, I'm… cooking"

"Why?"

"Wh… what? It's not like I'm trying to get you to like me by making you treats if that's what you were thinking" she said rubbing the side of her neck and laughing nervously. As Ash was about to ask for one of whatever she was making, a sudden thought popped into his head.

"Wait, those cookies you made for us… and the macaroons, did you make them while we were asleep too?"

"Kinda…" She was really getting nervous now. She knew she shouldn't be but she couldn't help it.

"Can I have one?" he asked politely. Ash did always love food and Serena's cooking were some of the best he had. Well… there was Brock's co… and Cilan's… In fact, Ash pretty much liked everything he ate.

"Umm… well I…" Serena couldn't think of a thing to say. The mere presence of Ash caused her to become flustered and now he was asking for something that she was making him. As she tried to produce some kind of words, stitched into a sentence, she suddenly became annoyed. "No."

"What?" asked an astounded Ash. No? It wasn't like her to be, like this.

"No, these are for tomorrow, now, you get to bed" she exclaimed in forceful tone. She had not only made these muffins for everyone, not just Ash and if he was going to eat them, he will eat them with everyone else.

"But… I'm hungry!" It was true. When Ash got up, the smell of her cooking caused his stomach to rumble.

"Ash Ketchum, you get to bed, right now" she ordered, pointing up to his room.

"You sound like my mom"

"Yeah well… These are for all of us, not just you and we'll eat them at the same time. I'm sure you can wait until morning."

"Are you sure I can't have one?" he asked, looking pleadingly into her eyes. Her response consisted of crossing her arms and giving him a stern stare. "Okay then, I just have another reason to get up tomorrow!" he exclaimed before running upstairs. As he disappeared from her sight, Serene unfolded her arms and let out a huge exhale.

"Gosh, sometimes traveling with Ash is exhausting" she mumbled to herself. As she glanced back towards to doorway, she placed her hands on the counter and hoisted herself up on it. As she sat and watched the muffins in the oven, she couldn't help but feel bad. She knew that whole 'tough act' was just playing around but she remembered how much Ash loved food and she felt bad because she made him wait. Though it was fun to have control over him, she just wanted to see him happy.

As the clock ticked from late night to early morning, Ash woke up with a shock as he felt something pushing him. As he tried to recollect his surroundings, he heard a voice calling his name softly.

"Ash… Ash(!)" Serena whispered while nudging him on the shoulder.

"Ugh…" he groaned as he turned over to see Serena smiling apologetically at him. "What is it Serena?"

"I um… I'm sorry. Here" she said, handing him a muffin. Ash soon sprung up as if he was never tired and took the muffin from Serena.

"What's this for?" he asked. The last time he had talked to her, she wouldn't let him near her food.

"To say sorry, I know how you are about food and… I just didn't feel right. Just think of this as a sneak preview" she said smiling as she saw his face light up with excitement at the mere thought of the food in his hands. Ash took no time in digging into the muffin, but also taking care that he ate every single bit. As he was eating, Serena took a spot next to him on the bed and simply watched him eat. If it was anyone else, she might have been disgusted, Ash was eating as if he hadn't eaten in days, but because it was Ash, something about him enjoying her food that she made for him just made her happy. Ash managed to finish it in under a minute and let out a loud burp, which startled Serena for a moment.

"Sorry" he apologised. He knew girls didn't like burping. It was too… boyish.

"Hey, if it means you liked it, you don't need to apologise." Serena knew Ash wasn't perfect but, somehow, in her eyes, that made him perfect.

"Do I have to apologise then?" Serena moved back slightly in shock.

"What? You… didn't like it?" How could he not like it? He ate it. She knew Ash could eat anything but this was ridiculous.

"No… I loved it!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms around her. She was caught off-guard again and started to blush. "I can't wait for the rest tomorrow" he said in excitement while letting her go. As he did, he could see her blushing but chose not to say anything.

"Hey, promise me something" she said, taking his hands in hers.

"What's that?" he asked with intrigue.

"Promise me you'll leave some for Clemont and Bonnie" Ash was about to say yes when he noticed something off with what she said.

"And… what about you?" noting that she hadn't included herself.

"I made them for you, I'll be alright" She wanted not only Ash but also Clemont and Bonnie to enjoy the muffins she made. She didn't mind if she had none..

"Hey, that's silly. You went to that effort to make everyone happy the least you could do is join in and have one. You made them so it's only fair"

"Are… you sure?"

"Serena, I won't eat a single one until you do" he promised. Serena felt warm inside. He cared so much for her and yet he only met her recently after… forgetting her.

"Thanks…" she said softly and met with a friendly smile by Ash. The two then sat on the side of the bed for a few minutes. Serena was in deep though which didn't do unnoticed by Ash. After checking on Pikachu, who was still asleep and checking the time, Ash poked her arm.

"Serena, are you alright?" Serena smiled again as he eyes looked down at the floor.

"Ash, you still remember that day in the woods, right?" she said, turning to him. Though she still looked happy, Ash could tell she was serious.

"Of course I do, thanks to you"

"Yes well, I never truly thanked you properly for helping me"

"You already did, remember?"

"Yeah well, Bonnie and Clemont were there. I wanted to thank you…" She stopped to take his hands again. "… Personally." Ash, thinking nothing of this responded as normal

"Well, go on the…" he began before Serena cut him off and leaned closer.

"… and give you something" Serena finished. Ash gulped and wanted to do… something. While he had travelled with many girls before, Serena, on his bed, holding his hands, looking into his eyes made him feel… something new.

"Okay…" he said slowly, trailing off somewhat as Serene leaned closer to him. Ash wanted to back off in time with her leaning in but she held his hands tighter and pulled them towards her. Serena closed her eyes and, instinctively, Ash did the same, though he didn't know why. While his eyes were closed, he suddenly felt something soft hit his lips. Ash, of course, knew this was Serena's lips and that she was kissing him but… why? People kiss when they love each other. She didn't… love him, did she? As he started to enjoy the experience, her soft lips broke away from his, causing him to open his eyes to see her slowly pulling away from him.

"Thank you Ash. I've waited to do that for so long" she said with bliss. "Are you okay?" she asked as she saw his shocked face.

"You kissed me?" Ash was still shocked at the experience. Serena responded by smiling and nodding her head. "Does… does that mean you like me?"

"Of course I like you" she exclaimed. Ash was initially more shocked but he had been fooled by this before. Her answer just seemed too… blunt.

"Can I… rephrase the question?" she again responded by smiling and nodding her head. "Do you… love me?" Serena held back her overwhelming emotions at glanced at the clock.

"I think it's late. We need to get an early start if we want to make it to the next gym" she said, getting off the bed. She really wanted to answer his question desperately, but found it more 'fun' if she left it hanging over him.

"But… wha… the ki… my questi…" Ash stuttered as Serena walked towards the door.

"Ash, let's just say… you have another reason to get up tomorrow" she said with a smile and a wink before leaving the room and closing the door behind her. As she did, she immediately fell up against it in ecstasy. She had finally gotten Ash to potentially see her than more than a friend and that very thought excited her. In his room, Ash was sat, staring at the door. He didn't know what to hope for but he wanted something to happen. Did she love him? Was she just messing about? He even gave himself a quick pinch in case this was a dream. It wasn't. He had so many questions and Serena wanted to drag them out until tomorrow. How will he tell Clemont and Bonnie? Can he tell Clemont and Bonnie? He was buzzing with so many questions. He let himself fall back and laid flat on the bed, starting at the ceiling, wondering where this was going.

How was that then? After watching some new episodes of the XY series, I realised how much I love this couple. Serena and Ash just seem to fit, ya know. Please, if you enjoy this shipping and have enjoyed this, please leave a review. This is meant as a one-shot but if you want more, review and I might add more chapters ;) For now, good night to you all.