I apologize again; my computer broke, but I have a new computer, and my life is all under control again...for the most part. And I'm ready to write. I know none of you expected my story to have such a turbulent posting schedule, but hopefully it shall become much more controlled. Sorry for the wait and enjoy!

SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO :D, here's Chapter 16.

Anabel's age, for all intensive purposes is roughly the same as Ash's. Late 15 year old.

"Hahahahahaha!" Angie laughed uncontrollably.

"It's not funny!" Ash repeated, albeit with a whinier voice than usual. Ever since Anabel had broken the news about how Ash scared her and how she got him back, Angie had done nothing but laugh, while Ash had been less enthusiastic. "It's been ten minutes…NOTHING is that funny…" Ash sighed, but to no avail.

"But…haha…you leaned and…haha…she pushed…ahahah!" Angie continued, much to Ash's annoyance. Before he could reply, however, Anabel decided to change the topic.

"I'd love to hear about your adventures in Sinnoh," Anabel reminded him, which seemed to take his mind off of Angie's excessive laughter. Immediately, he shifted from the couch he shared with Angie to the one Anabel was sitting on and his annoyance had suddenly become elation.

"So many different adventures, but just getting to Sinnoh with Pikachu was really hard…do you remember Team Rocket?" Ash asked with a sigh. Pikachu had somehow managed to fall asleep, despite Angie continuing her torrent of laughter.

"It's hard to forget almost being kidnapped," Anabel sighed before smiling; despite the kidnapping and complete disregard for human and pokémon well-being, she remembered it most for the moment where Ash saved her without really knowing who she was.

"Yeah, I know the feeling," Ash reminisced. "Anyways, they managed to separate Pikachu and I as soon as we got to Sinnoh, and again they spent almost all of their time trying to capture him, but they didn't get my buddy and they never will." Ash patted Pikachu on the head, making him smile.

"Why don't they just give up?" Anabel wondered, her tone sounding harsher than usual. "It's been a few years, hasn't it?"

"Yeah, of course, but I've learned to live with them…it's weird, but sometimes I think the idea of travelling without them following me is ridiculous. It's a…unique relationship…" Ash laughed.

"It sure is…" Anabel agreed. "How about we go make something to eat?" Ash's lips curved into a smile while Angie immediately stopped laughing at the mention of food, remembering that she hadn't eaten since they had left Ash's house over 8 hours ago. The two looked at each other for a couple of seconds before nodding.

"I am definitely down for some food," Angie smiled.

"Then let's go, I've got some pasta-" Anabel started, but was cut off by Ash and Angie getting up from their seats and running into the kitchen. Anabel stood up and began to follow them before stopping. "There has to be some way to get you alone…at least for a little while," Anabel sighed.

"That was SOOO good Anabel," Ash moaned as he stretched out on the couch; one of his hands rubbing his full belly. Anabel blushed at his minor compliment, which did not go unnoticed by Angie.

"PIKA!" Pikachu agreed, also rubbing his belly.

"You're welcome," Anabel said softly, aware of Angie's apparent jealousy of his compliment. "This is shaping up to be an interesting night…" Anabel thought to herself; Angie's feelings for Ash were strong, and they weren't one-sided, but there were also some sort of feelings for Anabel within Ash…the only problem was she couldn't distinguish what kind.

As much as Angie did not want to compliment Anabel, she couldn't argue that her cooking was some of the best she'd had in a long while. "Thanks Anabel," she whispered.

"You're welcome," Anabel repeated sincerely; even if Angie was threatening a future relationship with Ash, Anabel had to at least be nice to Angie, even if only to make herself seem amazing in Ash's eyes.

The trio remained silent for quite some time; each pondering different thoughts about the others. The thoughts however, were cut off by a loud, unexpected yawn from Angie. "Sorry, I guess I'm just tired," Angie apologized. Ash still had what seemed like limitless energy, but Angie was exhausted; she didn't like the idea of leaving Ash and Anabel awake and alone, but there was simply no other option.

"If you want, I can show you to your room," Anabel offered; Angie still had no idea how Anabel could be so nice to her.

"That'd be great," Angie said. Ash and Pikachu both mumbled something Angie assumed was goodnight. "Goodnight Ash." She and Anabel stood up and walked up the lavender-carpeted stairs before turning down the upstairs hallway and entering the first room on the left.

"Alright, here's your room," Anabel said. "The bathroom is right across the hall, and if you feel hungry at any time, feel free to grab something from the kitchen."

"Thanks…I guess this is goodnight," Angie sighed; she held her hand out for Anabel to shake.

"Goodnight," Anabel smiled, shaking Angie's hand as she did so. Anybody else probably would have confronted Angie about Ash right now, but Anabel thought better of it; if she did, the rest of Ash's visit would be filled with awkward glances, glares from across the room and even the occasional scowl. She turned towards the door and walked through it and down the stairs.

"So that was you in the Wallace Cup?" Anabel exclaimed; she had both watched the Wallace Cup and read about it, but she still had trouble believing Ash participated in a contest. "I saw you, you did great…even with the whole Lanturn thing," she giggled slightly while Ash rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.

"I tried…but there was no making up for the type disadvantage," Ash admitted. His eyes glanced at the clock; it read 9:37, about an hour and a half after Angie had gone to bed. "Do you want to go outside?" he suddenly asked, seemingly out of nowhere.

"Sure, I'd like some fresh air," Anabel agreed. Together, the two stood up and put their jackets on; she flicked the light switch off and opened the door, leading Ash out of the house. She stopped for a minute and took a deep breath. "It's so cheerful out here," Anabel smiled.

"Cheerful? It seems more chilly than cheerful," Ash commented, not feeling the emotion from within nature. Anabel giggled at Ash's confusion, leaving Ash in a more confused state.

"How about we go to the lake?" Anabel suggested. "I could try to help you listen to the trees, plants and all the wild pokémon."

"That sounds awesome, but on the way back, can we stop off at the pokémon center?" Ash asked. When Anabel gave him a puzzled look, he continued, "Both of my other pokémon and Angie's Shinx are there, and it saves me from having to do it tomorrow."

Anabel nodded and took Ash's hand. "This is going to be fun," she added, before leading Ash towards the lake.

"Mmph…" Angie groaned as she tossed and turned in her bed. "Ugh…What time is it? 10:13…" Angie mumbled to herself as she slowly got out of bed. She groggily stumbled to the door, opened it and walked to the edge of the stairs. "Ash? Anabel?" she whispered. She repeated herself a little louder, but nobody responded.

"So if she's out with Ash, I guess that means I can find proof," Angie devilishly thought, flicking the hallway light on. Tip-toeing despite the empty house, she made her way from room to room, trying to find Anabel's room.

She opened her fifth door and turned on the light; her eyes immediately locking onto a picture of Anabel on top of a set of lavender drawers. Angie walked into the room and began her search; careful not to disturb the location of anything. Drawer after drawer, it seemed like there were only clothes. Angie sighed; she expected it to be easier than this. Soon there was only one place left, the bedside table. She walked up to it and opened the final drawer.

"This is interesting…" Angie noted as she pulled out the only two things in the drawer, a newspaper clipping and a hand-drawn picture. It wasn't so much the two objects on their own however, as it was what was on them both. The clipping featured a picture of Ash posing with Pikachu, with the headline 'Ketchum Triumphs In Battle For The Ages!', focusing on his quarterfinal win over Paul, and the picture was of Anabel and Ash holding hands by the lake; probably drawn by Anabel herself. The distinguishable feature which caught Angie's attention was a purple lipstick mark in the shape of a kiss on the top-left corner of each of them.

"That's what I thought."

"It's so calming out here," Anabel smiled; the moon and the stars reflected beautifully in the lake and created one of the most perfect atmospheres she had ever been witness to. She grabbed Ash's hand and led him to the water's edge. "Now, what do you feel when you look at that tree?" Ash's eyes were gazing towards the tree, absorbing the view, while Anabel's were firmly planted on him.

Ash stared at the tree with immense focus…but nothing came to him. "Nothing…" Ash mumbled. "What do you feel from it?"

Anabel turned towards the tree and began to sense its emotions. "It feels…strong…and special…it feels a sense of pride being the tallest tree around," Anabel began. "It's happy…" Anabel trailed off. "Let's try something else…" Her eyes scoured the landscape for another target for Ash. "How about that Hoothoot?" Anabel pointed towards a lone Hoothoot pecking at the ground not too far away.

Ash focused on the Hoothoot intensely…it seemed like a repeat of last time, but he decided to give it a couple more minutes. His eyes narrowed before suddenly springing wide open. "It's curious, but really happy," Ash said, as if stunned by the words himself. "Did…did I just sense the feelings of that Hoothoot?"

Anabel smiled and wrapped her arms around Ash's waist. "It's possible, but small if it was, but it's better than nothing at all," Anabel praised. "I think I have one way to find out." With that, Anabel detached herself from Ash and stood directly in front of him.

"Try to sense my feelings."

Ash wasn't at all surprised by her request; she had asked him to do so the last time he tried to sense feelings, but the intensity with which she said it caught him off-guard. "Okay," Ash complied. He focused his eyes once again and concentrated not on Anabel, but on what was inside of her.

His eyes opened and he stomped on the ground in frustration. "I can't do it," he sighed. Anabel gave him a confused look before smiling.

"You'll get it one of these days," she smiled. "How about we head back…after visiting the pokémon center, of course."

Ash nodded and began walking towards the dirt path, until he realized that Anabel wasn't following him, but rather standing with a thoughtful look on her face. "You coming?" he asked.

She snapped out of her train of thought and ran to catch up to Ash. "Sorry, I was just thinking," Anabel explained.

"Thinking about what?"

"Nothing you need to be concerned about," Anabel sighed. As soon as she and Ash reached a consistent pace of walking, she began to ponder once again. "I know you saw what I feel…at least a little bit. But your reaction surprised me…why did you lie? Is it that you're worried about me…but you don't have to lie to me…" she sighed. "All I want is for you to be honest with me…"

"I'm sorry…"

The sound of Ash's voice made her realize something; she had said that final part out loud, however, it did seem that she made have gotten Ash's true thoughts out. Anabel and Ash stopped walking and turned towards one another.

"I just didn't know how to say anything…but I'm sorry. I had no idea this whole time." Ash apologized, wrapping his arms around Anabel in a hug. "Why didn't you say anything?" he asked concernedly.

"I…I just didn't know how to tell you, but I'm happy you found out," she smiled into his shoulder.

Now it was Ash's turn to have a confused look on his face. "You were happy I found out?" Ash questioned.

Ash's confusion started confusing Anabel, and she tried to regain understanding of the conversation. "Let's backtrack this a little bit," she interjected. "What did you feel?"

"I felt some kind of fear or worry…like you felt something bad was about to happen," Ash explained, receiving a sigh from Anabel in response.

"Well, that explains that…so do you want to know why?" A nod by Ash told Anabel to continue, "Well, it all started a couple months back, just after Brandon left the Frontier…"

Angie awoke to a bedroom completely enveloped in a cascade of bright sunlight. "Mmph…" she mumbled as she mustered the energy to slowly pull herself out of bed. She rubbed her eyes with her fists and stumbled towards the bedroom door. It was then when she remembered everything from the previous night. Her eyes locked on to the newspaper clipping and picture she had taken the night before, just resting on the bedside table.

"Guess I should take this," she whispered. She walked over and folded both of them, sliding them into her pocket. For a girl who was about to confront a much more respected girl over Ash, Angie seemed incredibly calm; she attributed it to the lack of sleep and continued to march forward, walking through the doorway and down the hall. As soon as she had made it to the last step of the stairs, Angie noticed she could hear Anabel's voice; something she had not expected. Her plan to confront Anabel was well thought-out; Ash should still be asleep for at least another hour, and Anabel seemed like a morning person, but now it seemed that either the two of them had stayed awake all night or Anabel woke Ash up a little earlier than planned.

She stopped and peered around the corner into the living room; Anabel was sitting by the videophone, talking to somebody she couldn't see. Angie took a few quiet steps and tried to eavesdrop; hoping that whoever Anabel was talking to would distract her.

"I'm afraid there's nothing more I can do," a man's voice spoke over the phone. "The rest of the Brains are already aware of the current situation, and I believe that this month or two off will really give us enough time to fix all the little details."

"I understand," Anabel sighed. "At least we will be back, that's good news."

"It sure is; it'll just have to pass a safety test," the man agreed. Angie could not imagine herself being more confused by this conversation; although her initial reaction was that it was not good.

"Alright, if you need to talk to me, you know where I'll be, goodbye Scott," Anabel finished, turning off the screen and ending the call. A few seconds of dead silence passed before she spoke again, "Good morning Angie."

Angie sighed; realizing she was caught, she slowly stood up and smiled, "Good morning Anabel, how are you?" she asked shyly.

"I believe you heard," Anabel sighed; she walked over to the couch and sat down, her eyes not leaving the floor once. "How much of that did you hear?"

Angie sat down next to her and smiled, "I only heard the ending. I'm sorry for eavesdropping, I didn't mean to, I just…I don't know. I'm sorry," Angie sighed; the last thing Angie wanted to do was apologize to Anabel right before confronting her. "She's going through a rough patch, I guess I have to give her some time…I can't be THAT mean…" she convinced herself.

"I guess you were going to find out sooner or later," Anabel leaned into her seat and stared at the ceiling. "It all started a couple months ago; it was a regular battle at the Battle Dome…until Tucker called for a Double Hyper Beam," Anabel sighed. "The attack missed its targets and hit a support beam, crushing it instantly. The building became unstable and people started evacuating…but not everyone made it out." Anabel paused, her eyes welling with tears. "17 dead, 29 more injured and it looked like the Battle Frontier itself was nearing its end…I thought maybe if I kept on battling, maybe it would all just work itself out…but it wasn't meant to be." Anabel's eyes had refused to stop leaking tears, but she continued telling her story. "Scott, by budgeting the finances, realized that if the entire Frontier Brain staff sacrificed a month of pay, we'd be able to afford the re-construction of the Battle Dome…but the rest of the staff refused to work without pay. Even though I was willing to work without pay, a Battle Tower can't run an entire Battle Frontier and so we've been laid off for the next month…" Anabel sighed once again; her eyes red and her cheeks soaked from her tears.

At this moment, Angie didn't see Anabel as a threat for Ash's attention, but instead as a girl who had been put under enormous amounts of stress while also suddenly losing her job, albeit only for a month. So instead of confronting her, Angie wrapped her arms around Anabel and hugged her; something she guessed Anabel desperately needed right now.

Anabel smiled and hugged Angie back, gentle tears dripping onto Angie's shoulder as she did so. "Thanks Angie…" she paused as she wiped the tears off of her face. "So when do you think we should leave?"

Angie released Anabel from their hug and gave her a look of confusion. "We?" she asked.

"Oh, well I'm going to my parent's house in Cherrygrove, and you and Ash are headed to the gym in Violet City, so Ash asked if I wanted to travel together and I accepted," Anabel explained. "By the way, your pokémon are in Ash's coat pocket; he picked them up last night."

Angie didn't know how to accept this new information, but she was receptive before, so she decided to embrace it…at least on the outside. "Thanks Anabel, I'm thinking we should head out soon so I'll go wake up Ash, do you want to make some breakfast?"

"Sure," Anabel smiled. "How about we leave at noon? It's a little later than Ash typically leaves, but we were up late last night." The way Anabel worded that irked Angie, but she nodded and began her climb up the stairs.

"So when were you going to tell me she was coming along?" Angie asked suddenly. To Ash, it seemed like this question had come out of nowhere; in actuality, Angie had been just biding her time until Anabel left the room to ask it.

"Uh, well, I didn't think it'd be that big of a deal," Ash replied dumbly. "And I was going to tell you as soon as I woke up, but then you said Anabel told you. I never got a chance." Angie was about to reply before she realized something; Ash had a point. As Angie was about to apologize, however, she was interrupted by Ash. "Listen, you remember when you were asking me what changed when I saw you getting sucked into the spirit world?"

Angie was happy Ash changed the subject; she knew that Ash knew she was sorry, but she still didn't want to admit she made a mistake. "Yeah, are you gonna answer it?" Angie replied, eager she was finally going to get a response…hopefully.

"Well, we fought like a hundred times a day," Ash and Angie shared a laugh at the memory of their fights. "But I considered you a friend, and when you almost got sucked in…my heart stopped; and I reached out with reckless abandon hoping I could grab you in time." Ash's eyes avoided Angie, knowing if he saw her, he'd see the look of fear she had that day. "I mean, I would've done the same thing with any other of my friends…but if you slipped and got sucked in…I was fully prepared to dive in after you and figure out a way to bring us both back." Angie shyly looked away from Ash to hide her blush and smile; she knew it was the most heartwarming, passionate, beautiful thing she had ever heard. Ash continued to mumble incoherently in an effort to express himself as Angie pondered her next move.

Angie smiled as she leaned over, cutting Ash off with a kiss on the lips. After a few seconds, she broke the kiss and wrapped her arms around him. "I get it…" Angie giggled. "I…well I was in shock that someone I was fighting with was actually risking their life to save me…but it really helped me see that you weren't just another rival to me…you were more than that."

Ash's lips curved into a smile as he tightened his embrace on Angie. "So, are you okay with Anabel joining us?" he whispered into her ear. "It's only until Cherrygrove."

Angie stepped back and stole a quick glance at Ash's face; the desperate look on his face made her sigh. "Of course, I know I was overreacting…I just thought it would be just us." Angie's face started to sour so Ash pulled her in for a second hug.

"It will be, and it will be amazing," Ash agreed. With Ash's words comforting her, Angie relaxed into the hug as they waited for Anabel to gather her things.

Angie, Anabel and Ash remained silent as they walked along the dirt path; the awkwardness of the silence was even affecting the pokémon, as they remained somber and unenergetic. The trio sighed simultaneously; they hoped the rest of their journey wouldn't be as dismal.

So Anabel's not doing so good, eh? Out of a job while Scott settles everything. And Ash opens up, hooray for them :D
AND AWE! Angie and Ash kissed; Cute.

The next chapter will take less than 5 months to post, with a working computer now. So R&R, and Chapter 17 will be on it's way.