Time Heals All Wounds, Right?

No, It's Just The Beginning

No POV
  Time slowed as a worried scream echoed throughout the silent stadium. All of Ash's friends ran towards the field as soon as Ash collapsed. All but one. Serena was frozen in place. Her greatest fears were being realized again.

Serena POV
   Ash collapsed and the world around me felt cold. I screamed his name out hoping he would get up but he didn't move an inch. I stood there feeling fear slowly consume my body. I was going to lose him again.

"Serena." I snapped back to reality and turned to see Calem standing in the doorway.

"What happened? How long have I been here." I looked out to the stadium and it had turned dark outside.

"I don't know, just hours I would guess."

"Is he…?"

"No, he's alive. He just needs rest." A wave of relief coursed through my body releasing a lot of stress that had built up on my shoulders.

"Can I see him?"

"You can, but are you sure that's what you want?"

"I do." I followed Calem down the stairs and down a long hallway. We walked for what seemed an eternity. Finally we reached the medical bay. I took a look inside and it was completely empty except for one bed.

"I'll give you two some time alone." I walked over to the bed and there he was. Ash was laying there. I sat down next to him and reached for his hand giving it a tight squeeze.

"Why do you have to be so reckless Ash." I heard a small whisper getting slightly louder. I looked up and saw Ash saying something that was hard to hear.

" But in exchange will lose what they appreciate the most." Were the only words I could make out.

"What did you do now…" I felt tears swell up, but I didn't cry. I cried for years after he was gone, but I had no tears left to cry. No reason to. I climbed up into the bed with him, gave him a kiss goodnight, and fell asleep with my head resting on his chest.

I opened my eyes and I was standing in the middle of some grasslands.

"Serena!" I turned my head and saw Ash standing next to a tree waving for me to come over. Quickly I ran to him and wrapped my arms around him.

"Hey what's the matter?" He asked as he returned the hug.

"Ash, what do you appreciate the most?"

"Me? Oh I don't know."  He released me from his arms and placed his hand on his chin as if going into deep thought. "I know, it's my journey."

"Your journey?"

"Yea, meeting all of you. I've met all of you on my different journeys around the different regions. Every journey, every person I've met until now has helped shape me into the person I am today." His smile turned into a cheeky grin.

"But what about me? Don't you appreciate me?"

"Of course I do, but I love you just a little bit more."  A smile formed on my face. I closed my eyes to savor the moment but when I opened them I was back in the medical room and it was now morning.

"So that was a dream…" I got up and turned my attention to Ash who was still fast asleep.

"Hey Serena." I turned around and I saw everyone walking in.

"How is he?" Misty asked as she walked in.

"I'm not sure, he's just been asleep."

"Hello?" We turned and saw that Ash had woken up and was sitting up.