Back with it.

Don't you just love when you work so hard on something and you find out you had done it already and forgotten about it? Me neither. Turns out I had a whole Chapter 4 already written and I completely forgot it existed.

I'm not even surprised. I'm gonna do my best to incorporate some of that stuff into the story another way though, so stay tuned.

"Okay, listen, we've gotta be quiet. We don't wanna wake them up," Ash whispered.

He cracked the door open and peered inside, Serena attempting to do the same just beneath his head.

Clemont's snore was practically echoing off the walls. Ash opened the door a bit wider.

"Okay, come on."

The two of them tiptoed inside, being careful not to make too much noise. Serena walked a bit further into the living room and a floorboard creaked loudly. The two of them cringed at the sound, and looked to Clemont…

Again, he snored loudly.

They both sighed in relief.

Serena took off her shoes as Ash shut the door quietly. As he took his off, Serena went into the kitchen to grab some water when she suddenly froze in her tracks. She waved her arm to get his attention, put a finger to her mouth to gesture him to be quiet and pointed next to Clemont.

Ash looked and saw little Bonnie, sleeping at the other end of the couch but still somewhat sitting up, practically buried in two large pillows. He hadn't even seen her.

Ash gave Serena a thumbs up and made for the stairs. Serena decided against making any more noise and followed him to the second floor.

One of Bonnie's eyes cracked open a small bit to check if they were still there, before both opened fully and she giggled quietly as she crept up the stairs just enough to hear them.

"That was close." Ash said quietly. They stopped just outside Bonnie's bedroom door to talk for a moment.

Serena nodded. "Yeah, Bonnie's a light sleeper so I got real worried." She brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear.

Ash couldn't help but stare for a moment. Maybe I should invite her to come lay with me? After all, Clemont's downstairs, Bonnie as well…

Serena pushed him playfully and smiled. "What are you staring at?"

"Nothing!" He smiled bashfully and scratched the back of his head.

"Alright, Mr. Bedhead," Serena yawned and stretched. "I'm gonna hit the hay. You should too, big day for us."

"Oh," Ash said somewhat disappointedly. "Uhm, okay. See ya in the morning!" He walked backwards towards Clemont's bedroom and turned to open the door. Serena lingered for a second, as if about to call after Ash, before shaking her head and heading into her room as well.

After a moment, Bonnie slowly crept up the stairs a bit further and popped up her head to see if anyone was still there. A grin grew wide across her face as she began walking towards her bedroom door.

Serena rolled over again. Why can't I just sleep already? It's gonna be my first time on an airplane and I'm going to sleep through the whole thing at this rate. She changed positions again to lay on her back and stare at the ceiling. Bonnie had pinned her artwork up there. It always seemed a bit creepier to Serena at night, except for the one of the whole Kalos gang all together.

Maybe I should've asked Ash if I could stay with him for tonight...She frowned. But then he'd think I was some easy pushover type of girl, right?

The door creaked open. Serena sat up in fear - paranoid as always - using the covers to hide her face when Bonnie poked her head in.

"Bonnie?" Serena sighed and relaxed her arms. " What are you doing up? Did we wake you?"

Bonnie smiled and sat on the foot of the bed. "Umm, you could say that," She said in a sing-songy voice.

Uh-oh, Serena thought. What did Clemont tell her?

"Well, we really should get some sleep. It's very late." Serena said.

"What were you and Ash doing outside?" Bonnie asked rather sternly.

Serena blushed madly. "W-what? Nothing!"

"It doesn't seem like nothing." Bonnie said, eyeing her carefully. "My brother wouldn't tell me a thing and he tells me everything."

Serena racked her brain for an explanation. "Well…I just needed some fresh air and Ash wanted some, um, some exercise!"

"Oh reaaaaally," Bonnie replied. "What kind of 'exercise', huh?"

Serena flashed back for a split second to her and Ash making out, going red as a tomato. "That is! Just!" Serena was taken aback. "Where did you get that idea little miss?!"

"Oh please," Bonnie said nonchalantly. "I've watched enough TV to know the deal here."

Serena was panicking. "Well, I am going to go to bed!" She said firmly as she pulled the covers over her head. "Good night!"

Bonnie was unamused. "This conversation is NOT over, do you hear me?"

Serena stayed quiet. Bonnie got up, crossed her arms grumpily and went back downstairs.

Ash glanced at the clock again. It blared the red font in the room almost as bright as the outside lights: 4:14 AM.

Crap, I really have to sleep. He thought. I wonder if it would have been easier if Serena was here next to me.

He shook his head. No, it would've been too much, too fast.

Ash looked over at Pikachu, sleeping peacefully on the foot of the bed right where he left him. Ash sat up and petted him carefully as to not wake him.

The hell am I gonna tell Pikachu? Would he even be okay with me and Serena? What if he feels like I'm replacing him or something? He pulled back his hand. Am I...replacing him? It always was just us two against the world. Sure, Brock was around a lot but it's not the same as this, is it?

Ash cringed lightly and knocked on his head. Gotta stop thinking like that. Things will be okay. But if I don't get some rest, tomorrow is gonna be even harder to figure out.

After a short while, he drifted off to sleep.

Serena's travel guide vibrated loudly underneath her pillow for a good minute before Serena woke up, reached under and shut it off.

"Damn alarm. Gosh, what…" She sat up and yawned. "...what time is it?"

She checked the time on her guide. 8:47 AM.

"Oh shit! The flight!" She dove for the door and opened it frantically, rushing downstairs only to find all the Pokemon and the two siblings making a massive breakfast all together.

"Hey Serena!" Clemont called out, still wiping his tired eyes. "You're up a bit earlier than expected. Where's Ash?"

Serena blushed lightly at the sound of his name. "He must still be sleeping. I'll go get him, but um..."

"Something wrong?" Clemont asked.

Serena teetered on her feet, clearly antsy about something. "No, no it's fine, actually." Serena went back upstairs.

Bonnie turned to her brother. "What is going on with them, bro?"

Clemont began stirring his pot faster. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Bonnie."

Bonnie grunted in frustration and kept pouring the Pokemon's food into each of their bowls like always.

Serena opened the door to Clemont's room and found Ash alone, sprawled out on his bed and fast asleep. She giggled and took his hand, squeezing it lightly.

"Ash, you've gotta get up," She said softly. "We have our flight today and I still have to get my ticket, remember?"

Ash groaned and sat up. Serena smiled and turned back to head for the door.

"I'll leave you to get dressed, I still have to pick out my outfi-" Serena was suddenly pulled back into the bed, gasping in surprise. "Ash! What are you doing?!"

He chuckled. "Cmon, stay with me in here for a couple minutes."

Serena laughed as Ash attempted to pull her under the covers with him. "And do what exactly, hmm?"

"Just lay with me here for a bit, that's all."

She looked at him with playful doubt.

Ash put his hands up. "Hey, I swear, ok? No funny business."

Serena giggled. "Not yet at least…"

Now Ash was the one who found himself blushing. Serena put her head on his shoulder and her hand on his chest, and they watched the clouds roll by outside the window for a moment. Then two, and maybe two more.

"You excited for this?" Ash asked her finally, breaking the silence.

"More than you know." Serena replied as she sat up. "Speaking of, I still need to tell my mom! And get my ticket, man oh man…"

"Hey, don't worry, we'll get it done in time." Ash said, getting up. "For now though, I smell Clemont's amazing breakfast again. Pikachu's down there, I'm guessing?"

Serena nodded and followed him out of the room.

8:55. Serena couldn't help but eye the clock as everyone ate their final meal together. I should stop, Ash said it'll be fine so it will. She shook her head and tried to relax, slowing her eating pace. Suddenly, however, she noticed Bonnie was glaring at her from across the table. Serena sank a little lower in her chair and averted her eyes.

"Bonnie, don't you like your food?" Clemont asked. "If you want, I can warm up the french toast from yesterday?"

Bonnie said nothing, picked up her fork and stabbed a cluster of scrambled eggs, eating it while keeping her stare on Serena the entire time.

"Oh-kay then," Clemont said, somewhat confused. "Serena, it seemed like you wanted to say something earlier. Everything okay with you?"

"Oh, no I'm fine!" She replied. "I just didn't want to be late. The flight is at 11:15 is all, and we still have to do quite a bit before that, but I think we'll be alright."

"Wait, it's 11:15?" Ash asked suddenly. "I thought it was at 10:15, isn't it?"

"You're the one with the ticket, Ash!"

"Oh, yeah that's right." He laughed nervously. "My bad.."

Clemont facepalmed. Serena just sighed helplessly.

"We should get moving then, right?" Ash asked. Everyone picked up their pace.

"Probably, yes!" Clemont replied.

Everyone began scrambling to get ready. How did I know this would happen? Serena couldn't help but be just a little annoyed at Ash.

Alright, decent start and I've got a bit of an ambitious idea for the next chapter so keep an eye out for that notification. Make sure to follow if you haven't already and you're enjoying this!

Thanks again!