In most ways, it seemed like a normal day in Celedon City. There were birds chirping through the sky, children outside playing, and even trainers sharing tips and secrets outside of a café.
But inside the Pokemon Center, Dee Bennett was in the midst of turmoil. She pulled her shoulder length auburn hair off of her neck in a haphazard bun as she paced from wall to wall in the cramped bathroom.
"Please, please, please, please don't let it be positive," she pleaded to the god that looked out for sexually active teens, "I promise, if you make this all go away now, I'll be a really good mom in the future. But not now, I'm not old enough now."
The watch on her arm began to beep signaling that her wait was over, she took a deep breath as she stepped up to the counter and stared down.
Gabe Michaels sat outside in the waiting room running his fingers through his glossy dark curls. His thoughts carried the same pleas as his girlfriend's as he waited to hear the verdict.
Almost on queue, he heard a wail come from the inside of the bathroom causing everyone in the room to look toward the closed door. Sadly, he put his head in his hands. That's it, he was going to be a father.
The door flung open and Dee came out, tears streaming down her cheeks. Wordlessly, Gabe jumped up from his seat and embraced her. She sobbed into his shoulder for a few moments before she finally attempted to speak.
"Gabe, I-" but she was cut off by him kissing her softly.
"I know," Gabe wrapped his arm around her shoulder and began to lead her toward the door, "Come on, let's go sit down somewhere and talk about this."
They found a 50's themed diner where they could talk privately but neither teenager knew how to start.
"I think that the best course of action is to go to our parents and ask to get some money out of our trust funds and, you know, take care of it," Gabe finally said looking up from his half eaten burger.
"What?" Dee asked incredulously, "We are not 'taking care of it'! At least not that way."
"What do you suppose we do, Dee? We can't raise a child, for god sakes you're only 16!"
"I know."
"We have no means of income or finding a home, what are we supposed to do? Move back in with our parents? We both swore we wouldn't do that."
"I know."
"Not to mention the fact that I'm a trainer, we're constantly moving around from town to town!"
"I know!" She yelled before lowering her voice, "I know, okay. I know that we can't have a baby, but it's not the baby's fault that it's parents were stupid enough to conceive it. Killing it isn't an option."
"Fine," he ran a hand through his hair, "then what's your plan?"
"Adoption, I guess. We'll need our parents' help, I don't even know how to begin going through that," Dee sighed.
"So I guess the next step is telling our parents," he said picking up a fry and dipping it roughly into ketchup.
"I guess so," Dee groaned.
Misty felt the chlorine in her hair begin to harden as she relaxed on the bleachers in the gym. This was the most boring time of year for a gym leader. All of the challengers already had their badges and most were training for the Indigo League Tournament beginning in a couple months.
It was times like these that she wished she didn't love being a gym leader so much. If she didn't, she could be traveling around with her boyfriend instead of seeing entirely too much of her sisters.
Speaking of her sisters, the eldest, Daisy walked in to the pool area. Her wavy blonde hair was pulled up in a high ponytail and her blue-green eyes searched the room before finally spotting Misty's bright red hair.
"There you are!" Daisy exclaimed walking closer to her sister, "there's someone here who would like to work here for the summer."
Misty groaned and sat up, "We're not hiring interns this year! How many times do I have to tell people that?"
"I don't know little sis, but try not to scare this one too. I think the last kid practically wet himself," Daisy laughed remembering her baby sister's temper tantrum last time.
"No promises," she snapped walking out of the room and into the gym's rarely used front office.
"We're not hiring anyone this summer, maybe next year," she announced as she entered the room.
The person waiting turned around and smirked at her bikini clad appearance, "I love the way you greet me."
Misty's look of annoyance turned into glee as she shrieked, "Ash!" and leapt into his arms.
"Hey Mist, I missed you too," Ash laughed returning the hug.
She didn't care about the fact that Daisy was still leaning against the doorway, Misty tilted her head down and kissed Ash hard on the lips, "How long are you here for this time?" she asked once they parted.
"Uh, I was thinking the whole summer, I haven't gotten to spend much time with you, at least not without an audience," he glanced back at Daisy smiling.
"The whole summer? Really?" Misty was practically jumping up and down with excitement.
"Yeah, the league I'm competing in now is small so they only have their tournament every other summer and, of course, I got all my badges on an off year."
"That's great, Ash, I'm glad you're finally taking the time to be with my little sister," Daisy smirked, "long distance relationships aren't very fun." Misty narrowed her eyes at her nosy older sister but Ash just stuck out his tongue playfully, "Tell you what, Misty, Vi, Lil and I will watch the gym today so you guys can catch up."
Misty's face lit up, "Are you sure?"
"Sure, it's pretty much dead anyway," Daisy shrugged, "You two have fun."
In an unusual display of affection, Misty hugged her sister on her way out of the room and towards the staircase. Ash began to follow her but was stopped by Daisy who pulled him into a loose hug.
"It is nice to see you again, we all miss having you around," she laughed.
"Oddly enough, I miss the Sensational Sisters too," Ash joked hugging her back. Once they separated, he began to moved toward the staircase as well when Daisy stopped him again.
"Mind yourself with my little sister, Ketchum," she raised an eyebrow at him.
"Yes Ma'am," Ash chuckled before making a dash upstairs to ensure that another one of Misty's sisters didn't catch him.
Once he reached her room, he was pulled in roughly and Misty shut the door behind him. Now that they were finally alone, he was free to give her a long slow kiss.
Misty moaned happily as they broke apart, "I've definitely missed that," she smiled.
Ash laughed as he took in her attire again, "I don't think it's fair, I'm more dressed than you are."
Misty joined his laughter, "I can put on a shirt if you'd like."
Ash's expression turned serious as he contemplated her proposal, "No…I think that would be going in the wrong direction," he evened the score by pulling his t-shirt over his head and tossing it on the floor.
"Hello abs," she giggled, putting her hands on his chest, "have you been working out?"
He frowned, "No, I'm naturally built like this."
"And it naturally comes out at 18? Cuz you certainly weren't like the last time I saw you."
"I don't question my genetics," he shrugged.
"Mmhmm," she nodded kissing him again and leading him toward her bed.
After awhile of that, and more clothes being discarded, Ash sighed, "Do you have any idea how long it's been since I've had sex?" he asked.
"If your answer is any length of time less than 8 months, I'm breaking up with you," Misty stated.
He laughed, "8 months! That's almost a year!"
"I'm very aware of how long it's been, I've had to wait too." Her smile disappeared, "I miss you when you're away."
He pulled himself closer to her and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"I know, I miss you too. Are you sure you can't come with me again?"
"I like it here, I never thought I'd love the gym but I do and I can't imagine being anywhere else." She answered honestly.
Ash nodded, "That makes sense."
They sat for a few minutes unaware of what to say to each other. Then Misty began to smile.
"What did your mom say when you told her you were coming to see me on your first day home?" she asked sitting up and facing him.
Ash began to look guilty and he shifted his eyes away, "I actually haven't been home yet…" he trailed off.
"What?" she finally looked around and noticed something missing, "Wait, if you haven't gone home…where's Pikachu?"
"Probably roaming around town," Ash shrugged, "He ditched me at the door."
"Oh," a satisfied smile played on her lips, "You chose coming to see me over your mom? That's the first time you ever did that."
"Well…you're my girlfriend, I mean, Mom will understand, I think," he sighed, "Really it was an easy decision," Ash held his hands up as if he was a level, "did I want to have sex first or a home cooked meal? Sex wins."
Misty laughed, "So you would have been visiting me more often if I had put out sooner?"
He nodded, "I'm a man, Misty."
"Are you?"
Ash tackled her gently, pushing her back down onto the bed, "Don't be mean to me. I'm all man."
"I believe you," she whispered as he kissed her neck.
*****
"I'm hungry," Ash announced as he stood and began to put his clothes back on.
"You're leaving?" Misty asked from underneath her comforter.
"I'm hungry," he said again.
"Me too…kinda."
"Then let's go eat," he shook his head a little, "obviously we aren't going to find any food up here."
"Well aren't we a bit of a smart ass today?" she smirked following his lead and getting dressed.
He grabbed her hand as they walked downstairs giggling and kissing.
"Look who finally decided to emerge," Daisy laughed from her spot at the kitchen table.
"Oh, it's only been a couple hours," Ash waved the blonde's comment off as he opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of soda.
"Um," Daisy glanced at the clock, "try four hours."
"Really?" Ash exclaimed, shooting a look at Misty, "that's awesome! That's like…" his forehead wrinkled as he divided, "That's like a 23 minute average!"
"Oh!" Misty's face turned bright red as she punched Ash's arm.
"Dear God, Ash! That's my sister!" Daisy groaned.
He laughed and took a swig of his soda. He wasn't sure why he felt more comfortable around Misty's sisters than he did with Brock. Maybe it was the way Misty always reacted.
"I'm getting out of here before you two start going at it, will you be staying with us all night, Ash?" the blonde hesitated in the doorway.
"I haven't decided yet," Ash answered honestly.
"Well…keep it down," she threw one last smirk at her younger sister before jogging upstairs.
"Really? Twenty-three minutes?" Misty asked once they were alone. Ash nodded, "Good job!"
"Thank you," he grinned.
"Wait, does that twenty-three minutes include foreplay or without?"
"Includes, I am only human," Ash laughed.
Misty stuck out her tongue, "I thought you were all man?"
A/N: So here's my reasoning for writing this fic. I don't think that Ash's father is Giovanni...or Prof Oak. When I was 11 and still watching the anime, I was in love with Delia. I thought she was the greatest mom in the world, but I always felt that there was more to her than you see. So that stemmed me into thinking about what sort of backstory Delia had. Here's my attempt, with a side of Pokeshipping.