Notes: not a fan of these long introductory/explanatory thingies, but stuff needs to be said to justify my own stupidity :S this takes place in the Johto league. So it's all very old and very inaccurate now, I'm sure. Despite that, I'll post this chapter and might continue if people are interested. The whole fic will contain widely OOC people everywhere, and is told from a sadistically biassed Ash POV. Please understand, I'm not a total Ash-basher. I just take advantage of his tendency to fly of the handle pretty quickly. ;) There's lots of angst, bad jokes and strange semi-friendships ahoy. And maybe there will be ships. And maybe there will be squint-hard-enough slash. Whatever. But a review or two would be lovely. On a side-note: this is AU, and I've aged Ash and co. Ash is about 15. There's also small changes, just to suit my story plan. The biggest is probably that Ash has yet to tame his wayward Charizard.

Summary: taking a well deserved break, Ash returns to Pallet Town and discovers; to his horror!- Gary is staying at his house! Ash is determined to discover what dark reasoning his rival has for gatecrashing his own home...

Pairings: undecided. But probably Ash/Gary.

Setting: takes place somewhere roughly before Rivalry Revival. Yeah. Ancient. From that point it's completely AU.

Disclaimer: Of course I don't own Pokemon! But I would like to own an Eevee some time in the future. :P

Respite

And now I tell you openly

you have my heart so don't hurt me...

Chapter 1

Ash's heart hadn't been in his training recently.

When he walked across the rainy grounds of Cerulean City, to meet up with Misty and Brock, he was reminded of how close by his home town was, and he suddenly felt very homesick.

With Pikachu tired and in dire need of a rest; hanging off of his shoulder and snoozing lightly, Ash met his friends with a yawn.

"I think I'm heading back to Pallet town, guys."

He hadn't been surprised by either of their reactions.

"Well, I'm glad you finally realised you look like death warmed up." Misty said, as kind and tactful as ever. She juggled an hyperactive Togepi in her arms, willing it, quite unsuccessfully, to be quiet.

"Yeah, you look like you need a proper bed and a proper meal," Brock said; amusing Ash with his waywardly parental concerns.

Brock was just like the big brother he'd never had.

"Yeah, and I miss mom." Ash said, and squinted up at a peaky looking sun. "and this weather totally sucks, as well."

Misty frowned. "It's perfect weather for water Pokemon."

Ash steeled a reply. He wasn't in the mood for weighing up the pros and cons of rainy weather. He was very tired, and instead suggested they opt for the nearby Poke centre for a stop off before the journey back to Pallet town.

He had assumed Misty and Brock were coming with him.

"Actually, my sisters want me to stay with them for a little while." Misty said, looking a little awkward. "Pain, I know. But I've not seen them for ages."

"Oh." then Ash looked at Brock, and could tell by his apologetic face what he was going to say;

"Sorry, Ash. I sort of said I'd watch over the Pewter gym for a little while. And I have to keep a check on the kids. Make sure dads surviving. But I promise I won't be long. A couple of days, at the most."

"Me too." said Misty.

"Ok." Ash nodded, and supposed everybody seemed to be having ideas about a brief holiday at home.

It'd be hypocritical to blame them, so he entered the Cerulean City Pokecentre with a forced smile and was greeted ever enthusiastically by a Nurse Joy.

"hello, Ash! I've not seen you around these parts for a while,"

"Hullo," Ash grinned, offering her his pokeballs and a very sleepy Pikachu. "Yeah, I'm going home for a little while. Just to take a break, you know,"

"Well, you know Pokemon trainers always deserve a nice break once in a while. And now is the perfect time."

"Is it?" Ash couldn't see why.

"Of course. It's the fete in a couple of weeks."

"Fete?" Ash felt dumb.

"You know, it's the Pokemon fete; when trainers take their Pokemon to be shown, it's a very famous event."

Ash didn't know, and further more he'd never heard anything about an apparently famous fete. He took a recuperated Pikachu off Joy's hands, and studied the electric mouse with earnest hope.

"Do you think Pikachu could compete?"

"Of course," Jenny beamed. "Anyone can. Here," she reached into her pocket and pulled out a card with a number on it. Ash took it;

"Oh. It's professor Oak," he said, immediately recognising the photo profile on the card. "So he's organising it, then?"

"Yes, he is," Joy nodded, but her gaze was looking past Ash now, as a couple of flustered trainers entered the centre; injured Pokemon in their grip. "Excuse me, Ash," Joy quickly handed Ash his pokeballs. "They should be all healed up now. Nice speaking to you again!" and then she had brushed past him.

Ash watched her off for a moment before looking back down at Professor Oak's card. He didn't really need it; he and the professor were friends, anyway. And he'd planned on visiting the professor once he got back to Pallet Town.

Against his shoulder, he could feel Pikachu poking impatiently about, eager to get moving.

He smiled; "ok, let's get going,"

&

He reached Pallet town in a matter of hours; when the sun was slowly dipping behind the horizon, leaving a pink glow in the sky. The modest little town, containing only a few houses, immediately brought back mixed memories, and Ash wondered, as he dashed to his mothers front door, why he hadn't come back earlier.

Within seconds of his knocking, the door was swung open, and then Mrs Ketchum, Delia, was smothering him in delirious kisses and commenting on how underfed he looked. And how much he'd grown.

When he'd finally wrestled himself away from a bombardment of motherly love, he wandered into the living room and sat down in a comfy chair with a happy sigh. Pikachu made herself comfortable, curling up beside a small fire.

"It's so cold out there, Ash. I hope you've been wrapping up. But by the look of things I'd say not."

Ash grinned as his mother fawned about him. He'd certainly missed her, and all the gratifications which came with having such a protective parent. Plus, as she gave him a kiss on the cheek, he didn't need to blush; nobody was going to make fun of him here.

"It's ok. I've been fine, mom." he assured, as he always did in his less than frequent letters. In actual words, he thought, it sounded a lot more assuring.

"Well, I suppose some things have to go by the wayside," Delia said, her nose wrinkled as she pulled a nasty looking piece of food from his rucksack. "Just how long has this been in here, Ash? And more to the point, what is it?"

"Some kind of pineapple, I think, Mrs Ketchum."

Ash startled as he turned to the doorway, and then saw Tracey standing there, looking quite amused.

"Hey, Ash,"

"Hey," Ash grinned, delighted to see his old friend.

Tracey entered with a smile, carrying a bag in his arms as he did. "I got you various food stuffages, Mrs. Ketchum." he placed the bag on the nearby table. "The rest are on the way."

"Oh, thank you Tracey,"

Ash looked between his mom and Tracey, and couldn't help thinking he'd missed something. His confusion must have reached his face, as Delia laughed lightly.

"Don't worry, Ash. Things have been a bit hectic round here. I've had a couple of lodgers these past few weeks."

"Oh right." Ash looked at Tracey. "You've been staying here?"

Tracey's easy grin flickered out for a moment, and he looked a little awkward. "Amongst other certain people," he said with no subtlety at all.

Ash was prickled with suspicion, Tracey's nervous face did little to help, but really he was much too tired and content in just being home to press the matter any further. He blinked up at his mother; "sounds like it's not been so lonely after all,"

"It's nice to have the company," Delia nodded, her face alight. "And the Professor and myself have been very busy preparing for the upcoming fete."

Ash nodded, but wasn't really interested in the fete at all. He felt exhausted, and thoughts of his comfy bed, just a floor away from him, made him yawn widely.

"Bed, I think," Delia said.

"Aw, but I want to know things," Ash said in a scratchy voice. But he knew he'd have plenty of time in the next few weeks to ask curious questions, such as the weird Tracey-mom-certain-other-people arrangement.

"You can know things in the morning." Tracey said, sitting down by the fire and stroking Pikachu's belly. "And you can tell us about all the Pokemon you have, and all the battles you've won, too."

"Hm." Ash nodded, and stretched. " I guess I can."

He was about to lift himself heavily from his comfy seat and make the tiring journey to destination bedroom, when the door swung open for the second time, and a voice cut through;

"Hey, sorry I'm late, but the rain was murder, and I tripped in a puddle, but I brought the rest of the food-"

Ash stared up at the figure standing in the doorway, wondering whether or not his weary mind might be playing cruel tricks on him. Gary Oak was staring back down at him; dripping rainwater, haphazardly clutching a couple of bags in his arms.

"Oh. It's you." Gary's expression wouldn't have been complete without a familiar smirk.

"Gary!" Delia didn't seem to notice, to Ash's complete chagrin, that a deeply unpleasant young boy had entered their home, quite uninvited and drenching the carpet with his wet clothes.

Delia rushed to Gary and took the bags from him, "you're soaking! Sit down by the fire this instant. Honestly, you boys. Ash was just the same..."

"It's ok, Mrs Ketchum," Gary said very politely, but he was still eyeing Ash with amused interest.

Ash tensed; suddenly all sleepiness had evaporated from his body, and he was on the alert. Ready for whatever cruel taunt his rival might be about to spout.

He was surprised, and deeply annoyed, when Gary turned his gaze away from Ash, apparently losing whatever interest he'd had in him in the first place, and instead turned to Tracey.

He smiled.

"Hey. You could have taken one of my bags. You gave me the raw deal on purpose, didn't you?"

"Nothing less for you,"

Then Tracey sprang up from his cross legged position on the floor, and to Ash's horror, Tracey was grasping Gary in some kind of friendly hold, and ruffling his hair.

Friendly? Ruffling?

Ash couldn't recall allowing his friends to subject such things to his arch rival, Gary Oak, in the past.

He stared at Tracey, feeling betrayed. But it was redundant, because Tracey was too busy laughing at Gary. And Gary, as tall as he was, was still smaller than Tracey, and was struggling to get out of Tracey's grip.

"Quit it, you pain!" he was laughing as he yelled. "You'll ruin my hair."

Tracey scoffed. "Ruin it? It's already a mess."

"It's an artful mess." Gary said, with a defiant air. The show failed however, when he sneezed quite suddenly.

"Ah, see!" Delia called from the kitchen. "I knew you'd catch your death."

Ash watched as his mother came back into the room with tissues. She batted Tracey's arm away from Gary; "Stop it, you'll do him an injury," and then placed an arm- the scandal! -about Gary and led him into the sitting room. "Sit down this instant, young man."

Gary obliged with a grin, taking a tissue from her as he did. He sat opposite Ash and looked at him properly.

"So, Ashy. Long time no see."

Ash wasn't sure if he could reply coherently. His brain was still swimming in indignant confusion. And he was considering the idea that maybe he'd gone mad. Or having a terribly horrible nightmare, in which everyone had to be indecently nice to the person he had intensely disliked these past few years.

He replied anyway, through gritted teeth; "yeah, it's been a while." he thought he sounded nicely controlled, considering he wanted to leap on the person he was talking to, and demand how on earth he'd managed to brainwash his family and friends into liking him.

He could only watch, feeling helpless, as his mom brought a hot chocolate over to Gary. Gary took it with a painfully smug "thank you,"

"I want cocoa too." Ash had said before he could stop himself. And he knew he sounded whiny and pathetic.

Delia smiled at him. "Of course, Ash, dear. It's just you were saying something about wanting an early night, so I thought-"

"-I'm not tired anymore." Ash interrupted quickly.

"Are you sure? You look tired." Tracey observed, coming up behind Ash and tugging his cap off playfully. "Wow, hat hair."

Gary sniggered, and Ash glared at him. He flattened a hand over his head, trying to smooth his wildly messy mop, but knew he was failing miserably. In the end he swiped the hat back off Tracey and resolutely put it back on his head, not caring that it was wonky.

Gary sniggered even more, putting a hand up to his mouth.

"Don't know what you're laughing about, spiky." Tracey said, and Ash might have appreciated the support, if only Tracey didn't sound so damn nice. Like this was some kind of everyday, friendly banter.

"It's artful hair." Gary reminded, crossing his arms. "Artful."

"Right." Tracey sounded amused from behind Ash's head.

"Pi," Pikachu had scurried onto Ash's lap, and was looking at Gary wearily. Ash was vaguely comforted. At least Pikachu had not betrayed him and joined in this unnatural wave of Gary-love.

Almost cheered by support in the form of a little electric mouse, he decided to question Gary.

"So, you've been staying here too, then?"

Tracey swung round to sit in the chair spaced between both Ash and Gary, as though he might serve as some kind of peace keeper.

Gary blinked at Ash, his face resolving into his well worn smirk. "Yeah, for a little while, I have."

"Why?" Ash demanded.

Gary shrugged. "Why do you care? You've not been here, and the place was up for lodgings,"

"Couldn't you stop at your house? Or Professor Oaks?"

Gary looked at Ash with something like interest; his head tilting to the side as though enjoying watching Ash squirm in his unanswered questions. He took a sip of his cocoa, but before he could reply, Tracey spoke;

"Ok guys, who wants to help Mrs Ketchum with the cocoa?" he sounded quite desperate.

Ash scowled. Tracey had never been one for discreet airs.

Gary stood up at once, looking eager and grateful at the same time. "I'll help. I make a mean cocoa."

Ash scoffed, and Gary turned to him as though he might be an insignificant bit of gum under his shoe, "I do. You should try one." then he turned, and walked airily into the kitchen. Ash grinded his teeth. It wasn't right. Gary had no right to walk so...so airily about his house. His house.

From in the kitchen, he heard his mother give a shriek of laughter. Clearly, obviously, Gary had brainwashed her.

Ash thought that if he grit his teeth any longer they might dissolve into little bits.

"So," Tracey still sounded a little awkward. "How have you been, Ash?"

"I've been better," Ash folded his arms.

Tracey laughed but looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, Ash. This must all be pretty weird for you. Coming home and seeing me and Gary staying here-"

"I don't mind you staying here," Ash said at once, "it's him." he looked harshly at the kitchen doorway, where he could hear his mother was still laughing, and Gary was obviously saying something amazingly humorous.

"Oh, well." Tracey looked uneasy. "It's not for long, I can assure you."

"Why is he here?" Ash asked.

Tracey cleared his throat. "It's not up to me to talk about it." and for once he seemed quite severe.

"Oh." Ash didn't know what to say to that. "Well...why are you here, Tracey?"

Immediately, Tracey's face brightened, and he seemed to dig himself into a comfy position on the settee, as though ready to tell an epic story. "Ah, well. You know how I decided to stay with Professor Oak, for my sketching and everything?"

"Mm."

"Well, turns out the lab is completely full of books and stuff. There's no room for anyone to stay there. Not that I'm complaining, of course. It's great. There's so much stuff. So Mrs Ketchum was nice enough to let me take a spare room. She said there was plenty up stairs."

"That's nice." Ash said distantly. And tried to get images of his mom and Gary laughing and joking together out of his head.

"Yeah it was, wasn't it?" Tracy nodded. "It's only for a little while, of course. I'm actually going to be getting my own house in Pallet soon.."

"You are?" Ash wondered what it was that Gary was saying which was apparently so hilarious.

"Yeah. And it's brilliant. I mean, the houses here are so cute, aren't they? But the lab- I'll have to show you around tomorrow, Ash. You'll love it. And Gary's been helpful as well, see, cos he's known all about the lab since he was a little kid-"

"Gary?" Ash said darkly, looking properly at Tracey. "Well I guess he would. He was always round professor Oaks place."

"Yeah. And he knows a lot." Tracey enthused. "We'll take you round tomorrow, Ash. It'll be great. How long are you planning on stopping for?"

"Oh, I don't know." Ash really didn't, but considering recent revelations; namely those about Gary Oak flouting about his house like some swaggering prince, he wasn't sure if he'd be able to stand a single night. "A couple of weeks, maybe."

"You'll be here for the fete, then." The kitchen door opened and Gary was there holding a couple of mugs. Of mean cocoa, apparently. He handed one with a flourish to Tracey, and then hesitated, before extending the other mug out to Ash.

Ash took it with justified suspicion. You just never knew. Mugs could be lethal these days.

He looked inside the mug at the dark liquid with equal suspicion. Cocoa could also be lethal, he decided quite defiantly.

"Mm, it's great," Tracey said, smacking his lips.

"Well, thank you." Gary grinned as he stretched out on the sofa, next to Tracey. "Didn't I tell you? I am the king of cocoa making." he wore a self satisfied grin.

"What's your secret, oh brilliant cocoa maker?" Tracey smirked at him.

"I'm sorry but that'd be telling." Gary said, mockingly regretful. He looked like a lazy cat hung on the sofa like that, and his feet; which were shoeless and dressed in thick socks, were resting on Tracey's lap. Ash wondered, with silent fury, why Tracey didn't tell him to get off.

"Hm. I think I can take this to the lab and dissect it's ingredients there," Tracey said, studying his mug. "Then I can decipher just the exact amount of ingredients you used, and what they were."

Gary sat upright on the settee and blinked at Tracey. "Stop it. You sound just like gramps!"

Tracey chuckled; "well, such a comparison is high praise indeed,"

"Not when you're considering the ingredients in a cup of cocoa."

"Point taken." Tracey grinned.

Ash stared between them, feeling, almost bizarrely, like he was intruding. Like he was the guest in his own home. Like Tracey wasn't actually his friend at all, and really he was Gary's. And had been for many years.

Just what had he missed in these few months he'd been away, anyway?

He frowned at his mug of cocoa.

"I've not poisoned it, you know."

Ash started at Gary's sardonic words. Gary was faintly glaring at him, still leant out on the settee on his back, but propped upright on his elbows.

"I know you've not." and Ash quickly took a large gulp of the cocoa, to prove his convicted words.

The gulp was far too big; and soon hot and sweet cocoa was gushing down the wrong hole in his throat. He gasped and choked, leaning forwards as he felt himself flush red.

"Oh!" Tracey hopped up at once, and was by his side in an instant. He slapped Ash generously on the back.

Ash muttered his thanks, but could hear Gary laughing openly. He was glad that he was already quite red, so that his blush didn't show through. He lifted his head, and wiped watery eyes, feeling very foolish indeed. He didn't want to look at Gary's jeering face.

"Don't laugh at him, Gary," Tracey sounded angry, and suddenly Ash had forgiven Tracey for all his palling around with Gary before. So maybe this wasn't a complete nightmare, after all.

He chanced a glance at Gary, and Gary was pouting.

"He could have choked." Tracey continued scolding. But he wasn't looking at Gary anymore, as he rubbed Ash's back. "You ok, Ash?"

"I'll be ok, I think," Ash smiled thinly, wondering how long he might be able to milk this for. Get Tracey back onto his rightful side again.

Of course, he had to have seen the light now, surely? Gary had practically killed him by sinister means of cocoa drink. How evil minded could you get?

"Next time you shouldn't be so eager to drink it," Tracey sounded a little amused, and he'd stopped rubbing Ash's back.

Ash felt hope disperse. Clearly his almost-assassination by cocoa had not been convincing enough for poor, naive Tracey.

He straightened upright and cleared his throat.

"It's not his fault, Tracey," Gary said, and he was smirking cooly, "he just has problems with that sort of thing. Drinking, eating. It's very challenging, you see."

"No it's not!" Ash snapped, feeling himself flush. "It was your horrible drink!"

"I'm sorry if it wasn't to your taste, Ash." Gary shrugged, seemingly bored.

"It wasn't. It was horrible!" Ash pulled a face. He stood up, not sure about what he was going to do. Pikachu jumped up onto his shoulder, as though to offer some sort of moral support.

Gary grinned up at him, but his eyes were narrowed and taunting.

"Ok, Ashy-boy. Next time you make the drinks."

"Next time?" Ash fumed. "There won't be a next time! Cos I want you out of my house! Whatever you were even doing here in the first place!"

For a brief moment, Gary's eyes seemed to widen, then his mouth set sullenly. "Fine." He stood up, and then, when they were both face to face, Ash was reminded of how tall his rival was. "If that's what you want."

Then he walked speedily out of the room and thumped up the stairs.

Ash stared after him, still very annoyed. He felt Tracey's hand on his shoulder.

"what?" he snapped, and then immediately regretted it. He turned to Tracey, "oh, I'm sorry."

"It's ok, Ash. I know it's hard for you, coming home to all this." Tracey was still smiling, like he almost always was, but this time Ash thought it looked a little forced. "Just try and sit it out, huh?"

Ash nodded, and cursed his volatile temper.

"What was that all about?"

Both Ash and Tracey turned to see Delia standing in the doorway, her arms folded and quite unimpressed.

"Mom!" Ash exclaimed, and then wondered why he felt a bit ashamed. Almost like a kid caught red handed with the cookie jar.

"What did you say to Gary?" Delia asked; and her face was serious.

"I...nothing!" Ash insisted. Then felt his shoulders sag. Even Pikachu seemed to be eyeing him witheringly. "Ok." he took a deep breath, "I told him I didn't want him here."

"Ash!" Delia looked shocked. "Why did you say such a thing?"

"You know we don't get on!"

"That's not how I remember it-"

"Well that's how it is! And I just got back from some really long travels and find he's living in my house. And now I don't know what to think-"

"Ash," Delia's face softened into understanding, "she reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "I'm sorry, I should have known this'd all be strange for you."

Ash felt his own anger die. "It's ok, mom. I'm just tired, that's all."

"We can talk about this tomorrow, ok?"

"Yeah." Ash nodded. But as he went to bed, waving goodnight to Tracey, and receiving a kiss from his mother, he couldn't help but pause on the landing, and sight the room which Gary was presumably staying in. He glared at the door, as if that might ease his mind.

It did no such thing.

So he just went to bed.

&&&

Notes: reviews would be greatly appreciated! :)