This update was supposed to happen weeks ago but due to life and work, it got pushed back a bit. I still haven't forgotten about this story, though!

Enjoy!

Gary Pov:

After our battle, we all headed back to the lab to get Fennekin and Froakie a check up to make sure they were healthy and ready to go after their battle.

Even though there is nothing to worry about I still wait outside the door on a small bench as the professor gives the two a check over and I try to remember everything I can about what the professor said about mega evolution.

I would much rather be catching up with Ash but he went to make a quick phone call to his mom, telling her that he made it to the Kalo's region. So catching up would have to wait. Besides, I need to focus on what I came to do in Kalo's, not who I came to do.

"Let's see here. The professor said in order to Mega Evolve you need a keystone and a... " I say out loud as I start writing things down on the notebook in my lap.

"Gary! How are Fennekin and Froakie?" Ash yells as he and Pikachu storm in the lab.

Looking up from my notebook I turn my attention to Ash and grin at him.

"Don't worry Ashy-boy, my new partner Fennekin didn't beat Froakie up that bad." I tease.

"Of course not! That's because it was a tie and the next time we battle we are going to win for sure!" Ash says as he throws his fist in the air for an early victory pose with Pikachu mincing him on his shoulder.

Typical Ash, always looking forward to the next battle. While Ash has always been confident and determined, he sure seems to have grown up a bit. He used to get so upset when I teased him or call him nicknames. Now he just shudders them off and keeps going.

"We will see about that. Next time we battle Fennekin will be stronger too. And who know Fennekin might be able to Mega Evolve!" I say putting my notebook back into my bag because it doesn't seem like I am going to get any work done now.

" You really think Fennekin will be able to Mega Evolve?" Ash ask as he sits down to the right of me on the bench with Pikachu jumping down from Ash's shoulder to his lap.

I pause to think for a small moment. Could Fennekin Mega Evolve? I mean not even the professor knows what Pokemon can Mega Evolve at the moment. I guess anything is possible.

"I don't really know Ash. But that's what makes a Pokemon research job exciting. You never know what you might discover along the way!" I say with a smile as I turn toward Ash.

For the first time in my life, Ash seems to be caught off guard. He just looks at me in shock like everything I say to him has to be teasing or something. Then he smiles soft hearted.

"Your right Gary. I know what you mean about the exciting part and not knowing what you will discover. Part of why I'm on my journey to be a Pokemon master is because I want to meet and see all kinds of new Pokemon no one has every seen before. Even the ones no one knows about. But at the same time, I want to grow with my Pokemon and work hard beside them to be the best trainer I can be."

When Ash finishes speaking he looks straight ahead with a serious look on his face.

"You know, now that Froakie is going to be joining me in my journey across Kalos, I'm thinking he's going to need a training buddy. Like Fennekin . I know I could use a training buddy too." Ash says.

Is he asking what I think he's asking? To travel Kalos with him? That would be amazing but...

"Ash as much as I want to travel with you I came to Kalos for one thing. To learn about Mega Evolution by helping the professor out." I reply.

Ash just looks down with a broken hearted look and tilts his hat to cover his face.

"I understand," He says in a sad voice.

The scene before me breaks my heart but before I could say anything to make Ash feel better Sycamore walks up to us through the now open door.

"I couldn't help but hear your conversation and I think Ash has a great idea, Gary. While you did come to Kalos to help me with my research on Mega Evolution, traveling Kalos and learning all you can about the subject seems like a better idea now. We don't have many field agents in Kalos so it would wonderful if you could travel Kalos learning everything you can about Mega Evolution. Besides these two are going to need some training and I don't think they are quite ready to give up their rivalry" Sycamore says as he points to the now healthy Fennekin and Froakie at his feet.

The two Pokemon simply glare at each other like they could both just spring into a battle any second. They remind me of two rivals in Kanto a long time ago.

Smiling at the thought, I stand up and turn toward Ash, reaching a hand out towards him.

"Well now, what are you waiting for Ash? Let's go explore Kalo's together!" I say.

Ash, who was sad just a few minutes ago, takes my hand into his with a big smile on his face and stands up with Pikachu climbing to his shoulder .

"Alright! Kalos look out because here we come!" Ash say.

Hand in hand me and Ash lock eyes and just like the other day, I feel myself getting lost in the moment. It's like I could stare into his eyes forever.

At this moment, Fennekin and Froakie decide to break their glare and walk up to us, both looking fired up. Which Pikachu chooses this moment to jumps down from Ash's shoulder to greet the two who simply greet Pikachu back.

"Well, it seems like the party is all ready, expect where are Bonnie and Clemont?" Sycamore ask while raising his eyebrow.

Dropping our hands to the side of us, Ash holds on to my hand and smiles at the professor.

"Clemont said he needs to get his robot or something under control at his gym before he left the city and Bonnie followed him saying something about grabbing some things. Maybe we should go check up on them." Ash replies in thought.

"That might be an idea. Oh Gary before you leave, let me go print off a copy of everything up to date that we know about Mega Evolution." Scyamore says as he walks towards the room that we first entered when we came here.

With the professor gone, it's just me and Ash. And well, Pikachu, Froakie , and Fennekin .

"So Ash ready to get your ass beat every day?" I tease.

"Dream on Gary!" Ash says with a smile.

We both smile at each other while still holding each other hands. His hand is soft even with his gloves on. Just simply holding his hand makes my stomach twist, this is definitely going to be an interesting journey.

Without really thinking I lean towards Ash so close that our lips are inches apart again. However before our lips can connect we start to hear footsteps.

Breaking apart like we could get pokerus by just touching, me and Ash act like nothing happen as Sycamore returns with a binder in his hand.

"Okay Gary-" Sycamore pauses as he sees me and Ash looking different ways with two big blushes on our faces. Not to mention Fennekin and Froakie's mouths are on the floor while Pikachu is just smirking. "Anyways, here's all that we know so far. I will contact you if any of this info needs to be updated. As for your research, I would start by asking a journalist named Alexa . I don't know where she might be but I will call her and see if she can get in touch with you to meet up somewhere."

"Alexa ? She came with me to Kalos! In fact, she told me she was going to go to the next town before I came here!" Ash says, jumping back into his normal personally.

"That's great! If you have any questions or find something out just give the lab a call." Sycamore says.

"Will do professor," I say stuttering slightly.

"Well, what are we waiting for, let's go get Bonnie and Clemont!" Ash says excitedly as he puts Froakie and Pikachu on his shoulders and grabs my hand and drags me towards the main door as he starts running. "Don't worry Professor, Froakie and Fennekin will be stronger than ever the next time you see them!"

And with that Ash is running through Kalos holding my hand as I try to keep up the pace with his speed. Not to mention Fennekin trying to keep up as well.

What have I gotten myself into? And will I ever get to kiss this boy or do we just have the worst timing ever?

Okay, so two times these boys have failed to kiss. That's just bad luck.

Don't worry, there might still be hope for them!

NOTE: I was doing little previews notes of the next chapter but I have decided not to do this because I change and edit things out so much. Like for example, this chapter was supposed to have Ash and Gary talk about how they almost kissed last time but it just didn't happen. However instead of the next chapter previews, I will be writing things to look forward to in the story at the end of each chapter. If you don't like spoilers run away now.

STAY TURN FOR: (Maybe not next chapter but down the line!)

- Gary's love rival enters the scene!

-Ash's first gym battle in Kalos

-hotel fun between two boys

-Bonnie gets her first Pokemon