Save You

By Kawaii Cherry Blossom

Hi all,

It's been a while since I've written anything apart from Hearts and Minds. I'm a bit stuck with that at the moment and thought I'd take a break when I came up with this idea. I know it's been done before, even by myself, but I hope you enjoy this interpretation. This is my first proper Advanceshipping fic apart from Hearts and Minds and my first new fanfiction in about four years! Wow it's been a while…

This story has been inspired by the song 'Save You' by Kelly Clarkson, hence the title. :)

That said, I hope you enjoy this first installment. :)

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Chapter 1

Look After You

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The first drops of rain from a sky of dark, ominous clouds fell upon Ash and May as they finally reached the Lilycove City Pokemon Centre.

"Finally," Ash uttered. The only reply he received from his eighteen year old companion was a sneeze. He turned to her, concern waving through his eyes.

"No offense May, but you don't look so good…"

"None taken," May replied as she blew her nose.

"Come on," he put an arm around her gingerly. "Let's get you inside."

May let herself be led through the glass doors of the Pokemon Centre by the strong arms of twenty year old Ash Ketchum, her friend of eight years. The foyer was crowded with Pokemon trainers, all trying to escape the wet weather. A clap of thunder resounded in the air, barking a warning that the storm was on its way. The Centre's Nurse Joy was running between customers, attending to their Pokemon's needs quickly and politely.

"Lucky we booked a room…" May said, and then put her hand over her mouth as she coughed a few times.

"Yeah…" Ash turned once again to his friend. "What do you say we get something to eat at the cafeteria? You need to keep your strength up May…" His voice was thick with concern. It wasn't like May to be so sick, so often. When he had travelled with her in the past, he had never seen her with so much as a sniffle. Now, he had only been travelling with her for four months, and she had been sick three times already.

"Ok…" she replied, feeling weak and tired. Maybe food was what she needed.

"I hope Brock makes it here ok in the storm," May said as she and Ash made their way downstairs to the cafeteria.

"I'm sure he'll be fine. The convenience store is only down the road, after all."

The cafeteria was just as packed with trainers as the foyer, but Ash was able to find a spare table quickly.

"Here," he ushered to May. "Sit down and I'll go get us some dinner."

May obliged, nodding a thank you to Ash, who was always so gracious in taking care of her. She plunked herself down tiredly on the steel chair and put her head in her hands. She felt terrible… And she was so tired of getting the flu – three times already this winter was ridiculous!

Sighing, May glanced up to see Ash waiting in line with two empty plastic trays. Pikachu sat atop his shoulder as usual, but Pikachu's spot on his shoulder was just about the only thing that hadn't changed with Ash's appearance. Ash had matured gracefully with age, and despite being the same rash, carefree spirit he was since May had met him at age twelve, he had become a respectful, charming young adult, not to mention a brilliant Pokemon Trainer. Ash had now placed first in all of the Pokemon Leagues except Hoenn, which was his current goal. After he placed first in Hoenn, he would be allowed to challenge the Elite Four. If he defeated them, he would be considered a Pokemon Master. Not that he wasn't already well-known – in fact, Ash was a big celebrity around the world nowadays. May chuckled as a few giggly young girls approached him for an autograph and a picture as he waited in line. He was always happy to oblige.

Of course, his Pokemon Training wasn't the only thing that made him a well-known celebrity. His looks, which turned the heads of most girls, were a big part of that. Ash had always been a cute young teenager, but like most young teenagers, he had been gawky and awkward. Now, in his blue jeans, black t-shirt and black tabbed jacket, he looked stunning. He was tall, slender and muscular, but not too muscular. His naturally untamed jet-black hair poked out under his trademark cap and his large, sincere brown eyes still held all the excitement and spirit they always had.

May blushed as she realised she was staring at him. She turned her head away embarrassedly, hoping he hadn't noticed and cursing herself for being so obvious. She wanted to kick herself for thinking about Ash in that way, once again… But she couldn't help it, and right now she was too tired to try and stop herself. Ash was an amazing person. Hands down, he was the most amazing person May knew. In all her travels she had never met another like him – he had the biggest, most honest heart of anyone she knew. Eight years ago, he had picked her up and guided her from being the unconfident, insecure girl she once was, and he had helped her to become the strong, confident woman she was today. She had no doubt that if she hadn't met Ash Ketchum on that fateful day she had set out on her Pokemon journey, she wouldn't be the same person she was today. She was so happy when she had the chance to travel with Ash again. He was brave and caring and supportive, and she felt safe with him. She felt like she could do anything when he was with her, and she wanted to prove that she could. She wanted him to be proud of her, to see how far she had come since leaving his side all those years ago to forge her own path. Being on her own was difficult and lonely, but she had done it, and she had come out the other side an independent, successful Coordinator, even defeating Drew, Harley and Solidad! Having quite the celebrity status herself, May was a renowned, distinguished Pokemon Coordinator. Like Ash, she had placed first in the Kanto, Sinnoh and Johto region Contests, and now it was time for her to try her luck in her home region of Hoenn. And she was so glad she was able to share it all with Ash. Even if her feelings for him were most likely unrequited…his friendship was more important to her than anything.

May pulled a tissue from her pack to blow her nose. Ash returned to their table a few moments later with three bowls of rice and stir-fried vegetables, two bottles of soft drink for himself and Brock and a bottle of water for May.

"Man…I don't think I'm ever gonna get used to taking pictures and giving autographs," he smiled sheepishly as he placed the tray on the table. May giggled.

"Well Ash, you're the guy every girls wants, and every guy wants to be," she winked at him lightheartedly.

'Every girl…including me…'

"You make me sound like some actor or something," Ash picked up his fork and dug into his food vigorously. One thing that hadn't changed about Ash was his appetite. Pikachu jumped from his shoulder and grabbed one of the packets of ketchup that Ash had got for him. The small yellow Pokemon squealed in delight as it gulped down the red liquid.

May watched the two in amusement as she picked up her own cutlery. The food smelled great, and she felt so deprived of energy, but as she played around with the rice, she realised she wasn't hungry.

"What's wrong, May? It's not like you not to eat," Ash noticed her playing with her food.

"I guess…maybe I'm too tired to eat…"

Ash's eyes locked onto May concernedly as she glanced down at her food. She didn't look well at all… Her skin was unhealthily pale, her were cheeks flushed and her small nose was red from all the sneezing. Her normally brilliant blue eyes lacked their usual luster, and despite the fact that they had all had an early night last night, she looked exhausted, like she could fall asleep at any minute. And most concerning of all, May looked hauntingly thin, like she had suddenly lost kilo's – which didn't make sense because most of the time, she ate as much as Ash did.

'But still…she still looks beautiful…' Ash caught himself as he thought entered his mind. Was it weird that he thought of one of his best friends like that? Surely it wasn't normal, but he couldn't help it. He had always thought of May as pretty from the day he met her, but since they had started travelling together again, he had begun to notice things about her that he never remembered noticing before. Like how striking her smile was, how beautiful she looked when her eyes lit up excitedly, how amazing she looked with her long auburn hair hanging around her shoulders and how great her body looked in a bikini, or even in the simple black cargo pants, red sweater and Chuck Taylor's she was wearing today. She was beautiful, amazing, smart, incredible…

No, there was no way these thoughts were normal. Needless to say, Ash was very confused…

At that moment, May looked back up at Ash, catching him peering at her.

"What's wrong?" she asked him, and he hoped to God he wasn't blushing noticeably as he glanced away, his face flushing embarrassedly.

"Nothing…" he lied, hoping he was being convincing enough. "I'm almost finished, so we can go up to our room soon and you can get some sleep."

"Okay," May agreed halfheartedly, so tired she hadn't noticed his unusual behaviour. Ash sighed inwardly in relief as he resumed eating his dinner and continued to contemplate these weird feelings.

"Hey, Ash, May!" both could hear Brock's voice somewhere in the crowd of people, and a few seconds later, their older friend appeared, carrying two bags of goods. He was soaked from head to toe from the rain, his dark brown hair plastered over his forehead. Glad to be inside the warm Pokemon Centre, he took a towel from his backpack and dried himself off as much as he could. His brown cargo pants were only light and his green jacket did little to warm him now that he was wet.

"Whew, it's really coming down out there," Brock put down the bags and took a seat next to May. "How are you feeling?" he asked her.

"I'm alright," she nodded feebly.

"You're not eating…" he observed, ever the fatherly figure in the group.

"I know. I'm just really tired. I think after a good night's rest, I'll feel much better," May forced a smile, hoping it would satisfy Brock's worry. He nodded but said nothing.

"I got you a bowl of food," Ash indicated to the spare bowl on the table.

"Thanks Ash," Brock took the meal gratefully. He was starving.

Ten minutes later, the boys were finished eating. Ash helped Brock with the bags and they made their way upstairs. After getting the key to their room from Nurse Joy, they quickly found their way to room 18. Pokemon Centre rooms were very basic, but seemed like luxury compared to camping. Two bunk beds lined either wall of the room, while the door to a small bathroom was on the right hand side. May didn't even bother changing into her pyjamas as she took the bed furthest from them and laid down on the bottom bunk. Ash sat on the bottom bunk of the remaining bunk bed while Brock sorted through his shopping on the small table in the centre of the room.

"I got you some Panadol May. That should hopefully make you feel better and it will bring your temperature down," he found the box of tablets and took the bottle of water they had brought up from the cafeteria. He poured some water into the glass and handed it to May along with two tablets. "You need to take two every four hours."

"Thanks, Brock…" May sat up and swallowed the two tablets along with the water. Kicking her shoes off, she lay back down and pulled the covers over her. Despite the lights being on and her two friends being awake, she fell asleep almost instantly. Feeling sorry for May, Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder and scampered across the room and up onto May's bed. It cuddled up to its female companion as she slept.

Still seated on his bed, Ash glanced at Brock worriedly.

"There's something not right…" Brock looked towards May. "I think we should take May to see a doctor tomorrow."

"Yeah," Ash agreed. "I think so too."

When they had turned off the lights, Ash laid down in his bed and pulled the covers over himself. He could make out May's reflection from the dim light shining from under the door. Sighing, he couldn't shake the increasing sense of worry that haunted his soul, a feeling that gnawed at him as he succumbed to sleep.

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"Pika…pikapi!" Ash felt a vigorous tapping on his arm as he awoke to find Pikachu's fretful face in front of his.

"What is it Pikachu?" Ash rubbed his eyes tiredly as he sat up and tried to adjust his eyes to the darkness.

"Pikachu…pika pikachu pi!" the small yellow Pokemon pointed over to the bed on the other side of the room where May lay.

"What's goin' on?" Ash sat up. Pikachu jumped across the room and up onto May's bed. Ash took the five or so steps across the room to follow his companion. He switched on the lamp in the middle of the room and blinked in the brightness as the dull light flooded the space.

Ash gasped when he saw May, covered in sweat and whimpering. Her terrified eyes met his as they pleaded him for help.

"Ash…" she cried softly. Now wide awake, he bent down to her side. Her cheeks were red and her eyes fell closed as she shivered.

"May… May can you hear me?" trying not to panic, Ash put his hand to her forehead. "Oh my God...you have a really bad fever. May?"

"I'm so cold Ash…" her hands trembled as she attempted to pull the covers of the blanket closer to her but was too weak to do so.

The light and commotion had woken Brock up. He climbed down from the top bunk and was by Ash's side in an instant.

"Ash? What's wrong? What happened?" his questions were answered, however, as he caught sight of May.

"She's burning up, Brock…" Ash's voice was shaky – he was trying so hard to be brave, but really, he was terrified.

Sweat beads poured down the petite young girl's panicked face as she continued to shiver uncontrollably.

"Ash, quick, get some towels from the bathroom and wet them with cold water," Ash rushed off to follow the instructions as Brock tried to help May to sit up. He grabbed the bottle of water from the table and poured it into the cup that sat beside it.

"Pikachu, can you go and get Nurse Joy?" Pikachu scampered out of the room in a flash.

"Here May, take a drink ok?" he handed her the cup but ended up having to help her to hold it. Moments later, Ash came back with two cold towels. Brock took the towels and moved, indicating for Ash to sit down. You could slice the apprehension in the room with a knife, the tense, unrelenting feeling building up in all of them.

"Here Ash," Brock placed one of the cold towels against May's forehead, "just hold this here."

May's head was drooping as her eyelids became heavy once-more. Ash placed the towel against her forehead gingerly. She opened her eyes to look at him, and he had never seen her so afraid.

"Ash…" was all she could muster.

"You're going to be ok, May. Just stay awake, alright? Just stay awake…" he pleaded, his eyes not leaving hers.

"I'm scared…" her voice wavered as a few tears fell from her eyes. Ash took her hand in his.

"It's alright. I'm here with you. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise," everything around Ash seemed to be a million miles away as he concentrated on May. Her fear was cutting him like a knife. He wanted desperately to be able to take that away from her, to help her, but all he could do was hold onto her hand.

"Pikapi," Ash turned his head to see Pikachu and Nurse Joy rushing into the room.

"What's wrong?" she asked when she saw May.

"May has a high fever," Brock explained. Nurse Joy was quick to pull a thermometer out of her pocket. She unwrapped it as she moved to the bed where May lay.

"Right, I need to take her temperature right away," she stood beside Ash.

"Here May, I need you to hold this under your tongue, ok?" May nodded weakly as Joy placed the thermometer in her mouth.

"Oh gosh…" Nurse Joy murmured to herself when she took the instrument out and read it. "Brock, go downstairs and please call an ambulance right away," she instructed calmly. Her calmness did nothing to calm the raging storm of concern crashing through Ash as Brock ran out of the door.

"What?" he pleaded with Joy for answers, terror rising within him at the sudden seriousness of May's condition.

"May's temperature is way too high – it's 40.8 degrees. She needs to see a doctor right away," Nurse Joy explained quickly as she turned and grabbed another towel from the table. She handed it to Ash and took away the one that he was still holding against her forehead.

"Please stay here and keep holding this compress against May's forehead," she instructed Ash, who nodded and did so. "I'm going to get some ice so that we can cool her off a little more." With that she was gone, leaving Ash and May alone.

"Pikachu…" Pikachu patted May's arm affectionately, trying its best to make her feel better.

May continued to shiver. In that bed her petite frame looked so fragile and innocent. When her azure eyes met Ash's, he could feel the fear and confusion emanating from her. It broke his heart to see her like this. He felt so powerless, able to do nothing but hold onto her hand and hold the towel to her forehead.

"It's going to be ok, May… I'll make sure of it," he painted the picture of courage even though he was feeling just the opposite. May stared up at his handsome, confident face and for a moment, she let herself believe him. She felt safe with him, she always had. And now, she needed his self-assurance and comfort more than ever. May gave Ash a small nod in reply as she continued to shiver, sweat still soaking her skin.

Seconds later, Brock entered the room again, followed by Nurse Joy.

"Ambulance is on its way," Brock informed them.

Nurse Joy took some ice and placed it in between the towel on May's forehead.

"This should keep you a little cooler, May."

"Okay…" May whispered feebly, her anxiousness growing as she could hear the unmistakable sound of an ambulance coming closer. She was losing it… Her body was wracked with uncertainty and apprehension. What was happening to her? What was wrong with her? She closed her eyes as she tried to evade the questions plaguing her mind.

Minutes later, May felt herself being picked up. Ash's strong, protective arms surrounded her as he carried her downstairs. She opened her eyes momentarily to peer up at his brave face. He had that look she loved to see on him – determined, protective…and she knew he would protect her.

Next May found herself on a stretcher. Two men stood over her as they wheeled her out of the Pokemon Centre and into the ambulance.

"We can only take one of you," she heard one of the men say.

"Ash, you go," it was Brock's voice.

As May closed her eyes once more, she felt Ash pick up her hand as the ambulance doors slammed shut, the wailing sirens rang through the air and the vehicle began to move. She could hear his comforting voice as she drifted in and out of consciousness, trying with all her might to stay awake, but the pressure to fall asleep was pushing her over the edge. The sirens, Ash's caring voice and the quick darting of the vehicle became distant as she succumbed to sweet, peaceful slumber…

To be continued…

Well, that's all for chapter one. I hope you all liked it. :) Please leave a little review and tell me what you think. If enough people like it, I will continue with this story. :)

Credits: Chapter title is from the song 'Look After You' by The Fray.