Bittersweet
A Pokemon Fanfiction
By Barb the Java Master
Legal DisclaimerPokemon and its related characters are copyrighted to their respective owners including Game Freak, 4Kids Entertainment, Nintendo, etc. No profit is being made from this story.
Author's NotesThe two characters Andrew and Alexandra belong to me (literally). Dr. James Berringer is also my creation.
Rating: PG for mature topics.
Text in italics denote thoughts
Text in [squared brackets] is translated Pokemon speech
Text preceded by dashes as follows --- denotes flashbacks or thoughts and words from the past
Chapter Five: CherishedAsh brought the bags into the house and set them in the hallway. He looked around at the familiar surroundings, feeling surprisingly calm after several weeks of uncertainty. He exhaled and turned to Misty.
"Misty, we need to talk." Ash said.
Misty set Alexandra down. "Okay. But let's wait until after dinner. We can put a video on for the kids to watch and then talk."
"That sounds good."
"Do you need any help?" Misty asked.
"With what?"
"Unpacking." Misty indicated Ash's suitcases and smiled. They went at the necessary chore silently but with searching looks at each other. Misty was pleased to see that Ash had replaced his platinum wedding band on his ring finger; Misty had done the same days earlier. It was when Misty started putting away Ash's briefcase, accidentally spilling its contents onto their bed, that she saw a photograph of Gary Oak and his cheerleaders. One of the cheerleaders' faces was circled.
"What's this, Ash?"
"That's what we have to talk about."
***
With Andrew and Alexandra entranced by the adventures of several talking dinosaurs living in a great valley, Misty and Ash sat down at the dinner table and for several moments simply looked at each other. Embarrassed smiles crossed their faces and they finally relaxed. Misty spoke first. "So, what's with the photo, Ash? You have a birdcage to line it with?"
"I wish I did, Mist. Look, I know that you saw Gary after one of our appointments with Dr. Berringer. What exactly did Gary say to you?"
Misty frowned, remembering not Gary's words but rather his smirking face. "He said, or rather he pointed to Dr. Berringer's sign and asked me if this had anything to do with the conference in Viridian City last year."
"Misty, I am telling you again that nothing happened." Ash took her hand in his and stroked it gently.
"I trust you," were Misty's only words.
"Then trust me to take care of this matter, Misty. I think I know what Gary's planning and this is something that, as much as I would like to have your help, I would like to handle myself." Misty saw hardness in Ash's eyes and recognized it as his defense mode. Something or someone dear to him was in trouble, and he was ready to fight. It felt so very good to have Ash on her side, Misty decided. To be loved and protected. She slept soundly with Ash spooned next to her body, and dreamed for the first time in weeks.
***
"Melissa, please show Patricia Sheridan into my office." Ash tried to look relaxed. Inside he felt jumpy, as he did before a Pokemon battle.
"Sure." Melissa chirped. The door to Ash's office opened and a petite slender blonde walked in, extending a well-manicured hand to Ash. She smiled professionally and said, "Mr. Ketchum I'm Patty Sheridan. Nice to meet you."
"Please, call me Ash. It's a pleasure to meet you." Ash grinned like a Gengar and indicated for Patty to sit down, which she did, taking a few noticeable seconds to cross her legs and ease into the chair.
"And as you also know, I'm here to interview you for the annual profile. I have some questions prepared."
"Shall we start at the beginning, then?" Ash asked.
Patty smiled flirtatiously and was visibly disappointed in Ash's reaction, or lack thereof. Many minutes later Patty was sitting slack-jawed in the chair, astonished at what Ash had told her about his Pokemon journey.
"Am I to understand that you have seen Ho-Oh, Articuno, Moltres, Zapdos, and Lugia? Entei and Suicine? And the Unown? All these Legendary Pokemon?" Patty's mouth dropped open.
Ash nodded with a slight smile. "I can arrange introductions if you like, but Unown don't usually do interviews. They prefer to write."
Patty's jaw dropped even further and she found herself struggling to find the ability to speak. "Wow. Very impressive, Ash. It's almost like you're…. the 'chosen one' or something like that."
"Something like that, yes." Ash grinned. "So, now you know how I became the Pokemon Master. Is there anything else?"
"How does the Master spend his down time?"
"At home with his family." Ash tensed but maintained his self-control. "Two lively kids and a beautiful wife ensure that my personal life is more fulfilling than my professional life."
"Is that so?" Patty looked at him from slightly lowered eyes.
"Yes, as a matter of fact. Why do you ask?"
"Some—unconfirmed rumors—have been brought to my attention. An anonymous source said that your wife was seen leaving the office of a marriage counselor. Is there—trouble in paradise?" Patty asked in a calculating tone of voice.
Enough playing around, Ash thought. "And why on earth would the Pokemon League give credence to unconfirmed rumors, Patty?"
"It's just something that's come up. I'm giving you a chance to respond."
"And this is my response." Ash opened a desk drawer and pulled out the photograph. Patty paled when she saw her face circled in bright red ink. "Pretty big career move, Patty, from professional cheerleader to reporter."
Patty glared at Ash. "And what does my career have to do with this interview?"
"The interview's over, Patty. I'd just like to know, off the record of course, who your real boss is." Ash locked eyes with Patty and she immediately knew how a trapped Rattata felt. "My wife," Ash continued, "knows who started these rumors. It was Gary Oak, the Pallet Town Gym Leader. And since Gary has personally told me that he has 'connections', I'm going to safely assume that he's the one who got you this job as a reporter. And he probably was the one who pointed me out at the bar last year. Remember the conference in Viridian City?"
Letting this information sink in, Patty shifted uncomfortably in the chair before finally speaking. "I…er…Gary just suggested that I buy you a drink, that's all. What's the harm done?" She asked defensively.
"The harm done is that it would have appeared to others that I was cheating on my wife, Misty. And I love my wife dearly." Ash leaned back in his chair. "I care about what others think, Patty, because I have to. People look up to me now. And I also care very much about my family and would hate to see them fed to the rumor mill." Ash's emphasis on the word 'hate' made Patty sit ramrod straight in her chair. She looked around Ash's office and for a second thought she detected sparks flying off Pikachu's cheeks. Her fearful gaze made Ash smile. "Are you married, Patty?"
"No." She frowned.
"You know, as a kid, I used to run into Gary occasionally on my Pokemon journeys." Ash laughed. "My friend Brock and I used to have many late-night conversations regarding exactly what a hormonal teenager like Gary, er, did with the girls who traveled with him."
"Nothing happened!" Patty glared at Ash.
Ash held his hands up in mock surrender. "I assumed as much. Everyone knows how close he was to his Arcanine..." Ash and Patty both stood up. Patty looked extremely flustered. Ash escorted her to the door. He knew from experience that being ambushed is not a nice thing. "I'm sure as you sort out the information for this interview, you will find exactly where to stick those unconfirmed rumors, Patty." Ash smiled in satisfaction as Patty ducked out the door.
***
When Ash returned home that night, he found Delia and Misty sitting on the front porch drinking tea, while Andrew and Alexandra played freeze tag in the yard with Mr. Mime and Togepi. Misty was writing something on a piece of paper. Ash hugged and kissed Delia, and then leaned against the railing and watched the kids play. The summer gone, cooler air blew through the yard, scattering the leaves. God, how I hate yard work, Ash thought as he saw his weekend being planned for him.
"What're you writing, Misty?"
"A guest list. For the party."
"Waa?"
"Ash, our anniversary is next month. Delia is throwing us a party at her house. I'm keeping it to close friends only, though."
"Sounds good." Ash smiled at the two women.
"Did you have a nice day at work?" Misty asked.
"Oh, yes, the interview went smoothly." Misty looked at Ash but couldn't quite figure out why he was grinning widely. Misty shrugged.
Later that evening, Misty was on the telephone with her sister Lily longer than expected. Ash came up behind her and nuzzled her neck but she pushed him back.
"I'm on the phone, Ash!" She whispered angrily. "Come on, now."
Ash began kissing her neck gently but then more firmly as he worked his way down to her shoulder, feeling Misty relax in his arms. Misty sighed and gave in as Ash continued to explore her upper body with his hands and lips. Then Ash smiled as Misty spoke to Lily in a slightly dazed voice: "I've got to go. Something's come up."
***
In the early part of November, Ash and Misty kept their final appointment with Dr. Berringer. As they prepared to leave, Ash shook the doctor's hand.
"We wanted to thank you for helping us," Ash said to Dr. Berringer.
"It's my job and my privilege, Ash. I am glad that you two have decided to remain together." Dr. Berringer smiled. "You two have a, well, remarkable history together. And you have both shown a commitment to each other and to the vows you took years ago. I know that many counselors and psychologists recommend divorce if the marriage seems hopeless or loveless, but I don't."
"Do you have any parting words of wisdom?" Misty smiled.
"Actually, I noticed that Ash has a small scar on his wrist." Dr. Berringer pointed to Ash's left wrist where a narrow white two-inch scar ran down his thumb to the wrist joint. "Ash said he got this while trying to remove a Raticate from your house. Now, when I was in medical school, surgery was the last resort for many patients. We did everything we could to treat them, but if surgery became necessary to save their lives, then and only then did we do it. I believe that divorce is a painful experience. I liken it to an operation which may leave scars." Dr. Berringer pointed to Ash's wrist again. "You know, according to research, divorce is second only to losing your mate in death in life's most stressful situations."
"I read that somewhere, too," Misty said.
"Yes, and it's true, Misty. The bonds that you and Ash have created are physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. To cut that all asunder is really drastic surgery. And I am glad to see that you have decided to repair those bonds instead." Ash put his arm around Misty as they left Dr. Berringer's office.
"Are you glad we did this, Ash? I mean, counseling and all?"
"Yes, definitely." Ash kissed Misty's forehead affectionately. "I'm not ready to lose you, Misty, or the kids. And I enjoy feeling like myself again."
Although Ash loathed taking any type of medication and generally did not like doctors, his willingness to participate in marriage counseling made Misty see him in a new light. He cared about Pokemon, yes, but he also cared deeply about her. And the Tranquilamene that he had been taking for the past three months had rejuvenated him. He looks happy now, Misty thought, and happiness grows only if shared. She wrapped an arm around his waist as they walked to the restaurant where they'd chosen to eat lunch.
"Misty, could you get us a table? I see someone I need to speak with." Ash hugged her briefly and then walked towards a table near the kitchen door. Misty watched his back disappear into the restaurant and then grinned wickedly as she saw Ash approach a table where a man with spiky brown hair was reclining.
"Gary? What a pleasant surprise this is," Ash drawled.
Gary looked up and smiled nonchalantly. "How's it going, Ash?" Gary asked, motioning for Ash to sit down.
"Just fine, Gary, and you?" Ash lowered himself into the leather-covered booth.
"Can't complain." Gary took a long swig of his beer. "How'd the interview go, Ashy-boy?"
"You know something, Gary? I have always hated that nickname." Ash folded his hands on the table, partially to prevent himself from simply strangling the Gym Leader right then and there. "But since you asked, it went very well. Lovely reporter, that Patty. Very attractive woman."
"She is." Gary agreed.
"So you do know her."
Gary sweatdropped. "She's just an old friend. Actually, she used to be one of my cheerleaders." He said with a sly grin.
Ash chuckled. "I remember those days. Are you sure she was just a friend, Gary?"
Warily, Gary looked at Ash. "Yeah, I'm sure. We never got together, if that's what you mean."
"I'm sure you didn't. Listen, Gary, I've been thinking about what you said—"
"When's the battle, Ash?" Gary smiled.
"I said, I've been thinking about what you said to my wife, Misty." Ash's dark eyes flashed with anger. "Actually, Misty brought home a medical journal the other day with an article written by a man named Dr. Steven Foster. I read it, and I also did some research on Dr. Foster. Turns out he has an office in the same building as Dr. Berringer, the marriage counselor Misty and I were seeing."
"And what does this have to do with our battle, Ash?"
"It has nothing to do with our battle, Gary, which will not occur until you have defeated Lance. No, what I thought was interesting was that Dr. Foster is a urologist who specializes in treating sexually dysfunctional males." Ash smiled as Gary squirmed in the booth. No wonder his cheerleaders cried so often, Ash thought. "Like pushing a rope uphill, eh, Gary?" Ash's grin widened.
"That is none of your business, Ketchum!" Gary exploded. He turned bright red as several stunned diners turned to look at him.
"Here's the deal, Gary. I want you to leave my family and me alone. If you defeat Lance and wish to challenge me, fine. But stay away from Misty and my children."
"Or else, Ash?" Gary's angry glare was matched by Ash's.
"Or else your grandfather, and financial backer, might get an 'anonymous tip' about your spending his good money on an F-1 penile implant." Ash was pleasantly surprised to see Gary sweatdropping violently. "And as you pointed out, Gary, anonymous tips can't be traced."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Try me, Gary."
Their conversation was interrupted by a familiar voice. "Ash? Is everything okay?" Misty stood behind Gary, who turned and saw her. He blushed bright red. "Oh, hello, Gary," Misty smiled politely.
"Everything's fine, Misty." Ash replied before turning back to Gary. "Consider your position very carefully, Gym Leader," he said. "Consider whether it is right and proper for a senior trainer such as yourself to engage in blackmail." Gary opened and closed his mouth, his face deathly pale.
"Oh, spare me your denials, Gary," Ash snapped. "I can't prove anything. But I know, Gary. I know." Ash leaned forward and looked his childhood friend right in the eyes. Ash stood to leave, taking Misty's hand in his own. "I'm having lunch with my wife, Gary, so if you'll excuse us." As they turned their backs to Gary and walked away, Ash noticed Misty holding her hand over her mouth. Ash wondered if she was feeling ill. When they got to their table, Ash could see that Misty was holding back laughter. "The F-1 penile implant?" was all Misty got out before they both collapsed in laughter.
***
Misty was placing the last of Todd's photographs in the frames she had purchased. She'd asked Todd to enlarge the photo of herself and Ash dancing in Delia's living room at their 10th anniversary party that was held last week. The photograph wasn't a close up but Misty was clearly laughing at something Ash was saying to her as they moved slowly across the floor. Ash had been singing, off-key, the lyrics to their favorite song: "Love me, that's all I ask of you…" The song they had danced to at their wedding. Another photograph of the entire group had also been enlarged and now hung on the wall adjacent to their wedding portrait.
"Mist? You almost done?" Ash asked.
"Yeah. How does it look?" Misty had been arranging and rearranging the photos for optimal viewing.
Ash just scratched his head. "Fine, I guess." He glanced at Misty and smiled, seeing her wearing his anniversary gift: a single strand of pearls with a diamond clasp. "If you're done, I rented a movie I thought you might like. It's called 'My Best Friend's Wedding'."
Ash Ketchum…rented…a romantic comedy? Misty thought. "Sure. I've been wanting to see that movie. Are the kids asleep?"
"Yeah, finally."
They nestled into the couch together with Misty's head resting on Ash's chest. Ash clicked on the remote and watched Misty's puzzled reaction as the movie began playing. She had expected to see Julia Roberts' smiling face but instead saw a park facing the ocean; then a close-up of a white gazebo bedecked in blue and white ribbons. Then several shots of familiar faces: Duplica, Lily, Violet, and Delia. Misty smiled as she recognized Brock waving and grinning and pointing to a very nervous-looking Ash wearing a black tuxedo. He looked so good in that tuxedo, Misty remembered.
"Ash," Misty said softly, blinking back tears, "I thought we were watching 'My Best Friend's Wedding'?"
"We are, Misty. We are."
The End