Promises

Chapter 4: First Date

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. Pokemon belongs to GameFreak, etc.

Serena bent her back backwards and released some tension. She had never had to ride Braviary for hours before. She was lucky she even knew how, or else it might have been her falling into the water instead of the radio.

It was pitch black. She could only see because of the light emitted from the Pokemon Centre. She walked in through the doors to see Ash staring blankly at a PC screen while the others were slumped over the couches.

"I'm back guys."

She noticed none of those on the couches moved, so she assumed they were asleep. Ash turned towards her direction and looked at her. His facial expression went from emotionless to one of worry. He bounded in front of her in two fast steps.

"Where were you? Why didn't you pick up when any of us called? I was... I was concerned for you!" He flung the two questions at her wildly.

"Sorry, Ash. Please forgive me. My radio dropped into the ocean." Serena squeaked.

Understanding dawned in Ash's eyes. He pulled her towards him into a hug.

"It's alright. As long as you're okay."

Serena felt so good in the position she was in, her head resting on his shoulder. She almost fell asleep before Ash shook her lightly.

"Um... hi. I'm still here, you know?"

"Oh, right, uh, sorry. You were really comfortable, that's all." Serena giggled.

"Then how about I carry you to our room?"

"Eh? What-" She was cut off by Ash swooping down and hoisting her up into his arms. He lifted her up to their shared room, but stopped at the door as he didn't have a free hand to open it with.

Little did he know, Steven had been awake the whole time and had been watching his every move.

"You've finally made a start." He smirked.

Meanwhile, back upstairs, Serena was thinking about what had just happened between her and Ash while the latter took a shower. Perhaps he loved her like she loved him?

"Nah, impossible." She muttered.

Ash, however, was thinking close to the opposite.

"I wonder why she was blushing. I know she likes me but... maybe I surprised her too much? Oh well." He whispered.

He came out of the bathroom and fell asleep quickly, tired from searching for hours on end. In her bed, Serena had also dozed off.

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Ash woke up later than usual, but it was only natural as he had waited much later than the others for Serena to come back. He slipped into his day clothes and went downstairs to eat. The others were all there, already consuming everything on their plates.

"Hey, come on! Wait for me!"

The whole group laughed at Ash's half-serious joke. He ended up laughing along with them.

By the time he started eating, everyone else had finished and Diantha had begun to discuss their plans for tomorrow, when they would attack Team Flare's base.

"We're going to focus on one side of the ship so we break in easily, then when we're inside, we'll split up. Serena, I want you to stay with Ash because I know we all have Pokemon that can stand up to Team Flare's but you... I must say I have my doubts."