The Princess And Her Knight...

(Warning Mature Content Ahead)

Chapter 43 - The Princess And Her Knight...

A red haired girl was sound asleep in her bed not seeing any dreams at the moment. She wasn't alone though since a round pink egg pokemon along with a tall blue frog pokemon were in her room, each in a different corner. The pink egg pokemon, Blissey, was resting while the bipedal frog, Greninja, was wide awake, standing with his arms crossed. Not once did he move his gaze from the girl or fall asleep. He had given his word and he would keep it. His discipline and honor was second to none, though equal with his comrade Lucario. He was thinking about how unfortunate this poor girl was, having to go through such terrible experiences. He wanted to help her in some way, his trainer's personality having rubbed off on him, as well as on all of his other comrades in arms. But he had no idea how to help her except by following his trainer's orders.

Natasha's sudden whimpering made his eyes widen and the second he took a step towards her, she began to toss and turn. In the process, she hit the ice flower on the bed side dresser and it went flying into a nearby wall and shattered. Greninja shot to her and Blissey woke up from the sound of the ice flower breaking, immediately going to the red head to help out. But neither knew what to do. Should they wake her up or let her go through it herself until she wakes up? Their choice was made for them when she stopped and her eye opened, to reveal it filled with fear, her whimpering continuing as tears fell. Greninja attempted to calm her by gently holding her hand but she withdrew from him. Even Blissey's attempt was rejected and both pokémon's expressions turned sullen. They glanced at one another and the taller of the two quickly left the room to go get the one who could help her.

The sun was shining through the balcony curtains, hitting a brunette girl in the face. She grumbled a bit and moved her head to get the shine out of her face but was unsuccessful. She opened her eyes, squinting a bit from the sun's rays. She was about to get up and stretch but felt something weighing her down. She moved her sight to it and found an arm wrapped around her, its hand interlocked with hers and on her chest, though over her red night gown. That was when she remembered that she was in bed with her love and they had cuddled together before falling asleep. A happy smile spread on her face as she looked behind her and gazed at his face, watching him sleep peacefully. She had been patient for so long while her 'sisters' had their turn but now it was her time. That was when she remembered what one of them said last night who just joined the group; that she would be waking them up early. Seeing how she hadn't done that yet, she decided to beat her to the punch and wake him up herself. But she also wanted to have a little fun while she was at it.

A wicked grin appeared on her face as she felt his body against hers. She began moving her lower body, grinding against him. She could feel his reaction, something beginning to grow and press against her rear. It turned her on and she started moving faster and with more pronounced movement, causing him to let out a groan but was still asleep. She became enflamed, wanting more and to experience some of the pleasure herself. So she moved his hand onto her breast and made him squeeze it, making her moan as a result. She felt movement from him and the moment she turned her head, she felt a pair of lips on hers. They kissed for a moment before separating, blue and brown eyes finding one another.

"Talk about a wakeup call," whispered Ash and May smirked.

"I wanted to beat Leaf to the punch," confessed May. "But with a twist." Ash grinned, saying he doesn't mind at all and kissed her again. They were about to get into it again when the door was swung open abruptly, catching both of them off guard, making them yelp and draw up the covers over them instinctually.

"What the hell Greninja?!" asked Ash in alarm, seeing who barged in but then saw the worried look on his pokémon's face and understood. "Is it Natasha?" he asked and May became concerned as well. His pokemon nodded and the raven haired guardian turned to the brunette. "May, I..."

"I'm coming with you," she said and he nodded, not even attempting to argue. They got up, quickly changed their clothes, with May borrowing some of Ash's and went with the water starter to Natasha. They entered her room and saw her wide awake and crying. The moment she saw Ash, she tried to extend her hand to him but couldn't. The raven haired guardian hurried to her and grasped her hand, sitting beside her. May went around and sat on the other side of the bed.

"It's alright Natasha. I'm here," whispered Ash, holding her hand. Her crying intensified and that made Ash take her gently into a hug. She slid her arm around him as much as she could and cried into his chest. She had seen another nightmare about the Skull Brothers and what they did to her. Both of them felt horrible seeing her in such a state. After some time of letting it out, she slowly started to calm down as she started gaining a feeling of comfort and a sense of security from her embrace with her savoir. "There you go Natasha. You're safe here. I won't let anyone or anything hurt you ever again." Natasha sniffed in response, tightening her grip on him. May smiled a bit and nodded at Ash when he glanced at her. She wasn't angry or jealous. She knew that this poor girl needed support and the only person that can give it to her is Ash right now. "Hey, I want to introduce you to someone Natasha. This is May Maple and she is my girlfriend," he told her. She slowly turned her gaze to the brunette while still in his embrace. May gave her a gentle smile and a nod of her head. "She's going to come with us and my mom when we take you to the hospital. And we're going to go in just a little bit. Okay?" She didn't react but kept looking at May, who was starting to feel a little embarrassed from the attention. She was used to it in her coordinating but not this way; it was a blank look. Ash turned to his pokémon. "Blissey, can you get my mom please?" Blissey gave a cry of her name before leaving the room. He then turned to Greninja. "Thank you for your service buddy. Take a good rest." He returned the blue frog after he gave him a curt nod. "I'm going to go write a note for the others so could you watch over her for a bit May?" he asked and she replied saying it was no problem. "Thanks. I'll be right back Natasha." He lowered her back onto the bed and she surprisingly didn't make much fuss over him leaving. Ash was glad when he noticed that. He left the room to write the note for the others.

May was looking at Natasha, seeing the way she was looking at him as he left the room. She smiled, understanding the how and why. "Hey there," she said softly, catching the attention of the red head who turned her gaze to her, slightly fearful now since she didn't know her and was alone with her. "No need to be afraid of me or anyone here. Ash only surrounds himself with people he can trust and people who would do anything for him, as he would for them. And I just wanted to let you know that I'm so sorry for what you've been through. Even if it takes time for you to open up to us, we're here for you. So please, don't be afraid of us at least," she said softly.

Natasha listened to her words and thought about what she said. She seems nice but is she being genuine? He did say that she's his girlfriend. I just hope she doesn't turn out to be a back stabbing bitch like all the whores back at base. But, then again, would he choose someone like that to be his girlfriend? After what I've seen him do in the news and what he did for me? Natasha studied May a little bit and looked into her eyes, trying to find some sort of hidden agenda in them. May gave her a warm smile, commenting that if she needs something to let her know. I can't find anything. Is she for real? I guess she is. Why else would he pick her?

The door opened a moment later and both Ash and Delia entered with Blissey right behind them, making Natasha and May look at them. "Thanks for everything Blissey. You should take a rest." The pink helpful pokémon smiled before she was returned and Ash turned to Natasha. "Time to go. Are you ready?" he asked her and she nodded. She felt with him that she would be able to go through with the hospital process. Delia lowered the covers and both her and May helped her sit up and assisted her in standing up. She tried to take a step forward but almost immediately pain shot up her legs. She stumbled and almost fell to the ground but Ash caught her in the air. She was breathing hard, trying to overcome the pain and stand up but couldn't when she tried again. She whimpered and shook her head. Instantly Ash took her up into his arms, carrying her in his arms. "Let me," he told her and she grasped his shirt tightly, her eye closed as she felt so ashamed and worthless that she couldn't even stand. "We're going to teleport," he said to the red head and she barely responded by slightly nodding her head. He glanced at May and Delia before the four of them teleported to the hospital.

A while after the four of them left, one from the group woke up and entered the kitchen dressed in their pajamas. The woman took out a teapot, poured some water into it and then placed it on the stove before turning on the gas. She adjusted the level to about half strength for the fire and then leaned against the kitchen counter. She was about to think of what to make for breakfast when she spotted a folded piece of paper propped up on the island in the kitchen. She took it and saw it said 'Everyone' on the outside flap. She opened it and read what was written inside. "Bless that man," commented the woman with a smile after finishing her reading. She thought about what was written in the note when suddenly her eyes widened. "Shit. If May's with him so early then that means she spent the night with him. Norman's going to have a fit," she said out loud to herself.

"Why am I going to have a fit?" Caroline's stomach churned, slapping herself mentally for saying that out loud. She thought she had left her husband sound asleep in bed but looks like he had woken up as well. Before she could respond, the letter was taken from her hands without protest. She faced her husband as Norman read it. When he finished he looked at his wife. "Why would I be upset about this? If anything, this is quite chivalrous of him, no?" he asked her.

Caroline's eyes widened in astonishment. She wasn't expecting him to say that. "Yea, I guess you're right."

Norman chuckled. "Really? You guess you're right? Weren't you the one who wouldn't stop talking about how great a man Ash is to annoy me?" he asked her laughing a bit, making Caroline chuckle weakly. "I swear woman. Sometimes I think you just do things to annoy and tease me on purpose. But that's one of the things that I love so..." He trailed off, not finishing his sentence because the wheels in his head started turning. He looked back at the note. Then at the digital clock on the stove. Then at his wife Caroline who tried to display a neutral expression but couldn't. His eyes went to the note again. Then his wife. Note. Wife. Note. Wife. "Son of a bitch!" he rapidly said suddenly, making Caroline jump. "May spent the night with him didn't she?!" he asked her.

Caroline quickly took control to keep him from exploding again. "Now, Norman, just because she did doesn't mean they did anything. And if they did, they're of age. And they are in love. We can't really stop that. And I thought you said you'd be supportive of them?" she asked him.

"I AM!" he retorted back loudly, making Caroline jump again, startled but also became a little angry herself with his outburst. He noticed her angry expression and changed his tone. "I am Caroline. It's just…" He let out a long sigh to calm down before continuing. "May's my baby. Max is younger but he's a boy and soon will be a man. I don't have to worry about him too much." Caroline narrowed her eyes at him and scowled. Norman waved his hands in front of him quickly and explained. "You know what I mean Caroline! With males, it's different. Females are the ones who get DNA shot up into them, making them change and become pregnant! It's like a part of another person that becomes a part of them for the rest of their lives whether they become pregnant or not!" Caroline relaxed her expression a bit and Norman felt it was safe to continue. "Max is our son and has to be careful too but he's still a guy. With May…she's my first born and my daughter. She'll always be my baby. I remember when I would hold her in my arms. I remember when I had to tell that green haired piece of shit Drew-what's-his-face to stay away from May because she told us how he's bothering her all the time." Caroline nodded at that, remembering how May was both disgusted and slightly afraid of that particular person because of his constant advances after traveling with him some. "Even though she loves Ash and he loves her, I don't want her to move too fast. I'm supportive of her decisions but I don't want her to act rashly and impulsively. And I want them to wait till they're married," admitted Norman.

Caroline had an understanding look form on her face. "I know honey. But this isn't like the old days anymore. Many don't wait until they're married." Norman sagged his shoulders and hung his head. Caroline hugged him with him returning it and continued speaking. "I know that you're old fashioned. That's a good thing and I love that about you. And you know so am I. Though a little bit more open than you are though," she teased him as they separated and Norman smiled a bit. "But you know that you don't have to worry about May getting hurt by Ash. He saved her so many times, helped her find her calling, encouraged her. He did so much for her and for the other girls. He loves them and they love him. He attacked Palkia for Arceus's sake when the Lord of Space threatened his loved ones for crying out loud!" Norman's eyes widened and let out a gasp. He had forgotten about that. "If there's anyone who's worthy of our daughter…worthy of the other girls…worthy of having multiple girlfriends and so many good friends…worthy of our support and trust…it's the man that May has fallen in love with so many years ago and is with him right now; Ash Ketchum," finished Caroline while looking into her husband's eyes.

Norman was quiet for a moment, thinking about everything that his wife said. She was right. Ash is the only man good enough for his daughter because of who he is and what he's done for others and for their daughter. "You're right Caroline. Everything you said is true. But…I just can't help it. Maybe I've forgotten what it's like to be a young adult who's in love," he admitted.

Caroline nodded in agreement. "I know honey. But I do remember how we waited till we were married. How others waited that we knew of as well. I remember how special and intimate the joining of bodies and souls was meant to be. How kissing was all that we did and was considered to be alright. Now it's just backwards," she sighed, shaking her head. "Kissing is now thought of being intimate but the joining of two bodies and souls as one is considered to just be an itch to be scratched every now and then. I don't like it either. Society is really crumbling."

Norman scoffed. "You can say that again," he told her.

Caroline chuckled and smiled afterwards. "But the good news is that May and Ash…their situation is different. They've had feelings for each other for years and would do anything for each other. You and I both know they will never separate. With that in mind, I think it's alright for them if and when they take the next step, even without being married right now."

Norman took in a long breath before letting it out. "I hope so Caroline. I hope so," he said.

Caroline grasped his hand, getting an idea to cheer him up. "C'mon. Let's not think about that right now. Tea won't be ready for a bit and I still don't know what I want to make for breakfast. That gives us some time," she told him with a sly look.

Norman's face lit up and he smirked back at her. "You've never been this active before. You trying to have another kid?" he asked her.

Caroline just grinned. "Maybe it's all this lovey dovey stuff in the air with all the young couples around us that's getting me into the mood more often. And would that be so bad if we had another kid?" she asked him.

"No. But I don't know if I can keep my sanity if we had another girl," admitted Norman with a laugh. Caroline just shook her head while chuckling as she led her husband back to their bedroom.

While Mr. and Mrs. Maple went at it in the privacy of their own bedroom, a young teenage boy was staring at the ceiling while lying in bed in his own room shared with a couple others who were still asleep. His glasses were on and his hands were behind his head. He was thinking about what he saw his idol and friend do yesterday. How he killed that horrible man in front of him like it was nothing. How he had an army of pokémon with him. How his powers were so strong as an Aura Guardian that it even made Riley become concerned and how the world itself seemed to tremble when he unleashed it. He felt goose bumps on him and a slight shiver go down his spine. "Am I scared of Ash?" he asked himself quietly after that feeling passed. He thought of why he felt the shiver until he realized the reason for it. "No. I'm not scared of him. I'm scared of what he has to do because of what's coming," he told himself. He thought of Ash and his burdens and how he's been doing his absolute best to become strong so he can protect everyone he loves and cares about. That made his respect and admiration for his idol grow.

His thoughts about that made him eventually think about what his sister said last night. That she doesn't care if her family didn't approve when they reveal that both Cynthia and Leaf are accepted into the group of Ash's girlfriends. Max remembered how he was so in shock that he couldn't even comment on it at all. He couldn't believe it. Not only had his idol won several girls' hearts, including his sister's, but also that of the Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia Shirona. It was rumored that she couldn't be won over. But Ash did somehow. "Luckiest guy I swear." He chuckled a bit, thinking about how Ash had several incredible girls to be his girlfriends and how his sister was one of them. He thought of how May had a crush on Ash from practically the very first time they met. She would never miss a chance to speak about him every chance she got when they separated after their travels together throughout Hoenn. It did get rather annoying sometimes, which he called her out on and teased her for it by saying that he and everyone else knows how much she's in love with him. And that would cost him a smack or punch against the back of his head every time.

He didn't mind that though since he knew that her hitting him was just proof that he was right that his sister May loved his idol Ash. He also knew that Ash had traveled before with other people and other girls as well. He thought of his memories and what he saw Ash do in them. He even thought about all the things he saw him do with his own eyes to help and protect others. He always saw Ash as a caring person. Someone who would do right no matter what and would always be there for his friends and family. Even with him getting angry or losing it sometimes, you could still count on him when shit hits the fan. And how he was so good with pokémon; taking care of them and battling with them. That's what made him his idol at first. He also knew that Ash would do anything and everything for May and the other girls Misty, Dawn, Serena, Leaf and Cynthia. He was actually happy that he and her are together. He could think of no one better for his sister and doubted there would ever be one. "Good thing Ash isn't so blind around girls anymore," he said out loud but quietly so as to not wake up his roommates. "I think May would have killed him by now for not noticing," he joked darkly, chuckling.

That made him remember how he used to be oblivious as well around the opposite gender. How he would think girls are weird and icky. But after starting his own pokémon journey and traveling around some, he met a few girls who he considered good friends and even developed a small crush on one of them after growing up some. But that was extinguished when he found out she was in love with someone else and wouldn't ever be seen as more than just a friend to her. He became a little depressed, thinking about his first crush that didn't end well until a certain blonde girl's face appeared in his mind, making him smile. "Bonnie," he said in a whisper towards the ceiling and his smile grew wider. Sure, she was a couple years younger than him. He's fifteen and she's thirteen. But they were both still in the teens. And he was surprised how easy it was to be around her. How they had so much in common. He felt like he was alive when he was around her. He wanted to do things for her and show her how much he cared about her. And she wasn't afraid to show that she liked him back. Hugging him, hanging out with him, doing things together and their very first kiss in the arcade. Thinking about all that made him realize something suddenly. "Is this what…May was feeling all the time for Ash?" he asked himself another question again. He shook his head slightly, letting out another chuckle. "Damn. I know now why you acted that way sis over Ash in the past. Cause I feel the same way for Bonnie and want to do everything I can for her. And don't worry sis. Even though I doubt they'll do so, I got your back if mom and dad try to break you and Ash apart." He swore to Arceus that he wouldn't let his parents break up his sister and his idol no matter what. After that promise, he started thinking more about Bonnie until his bedroom door was opened and he was told to get up for breakfast a good while later by his mother.

Three blue glows appeared in the lobby of the Indigo Hospital, startling several nurses and patients. As soon as Ash, May, Natasha and Delia appeared, the brunette immediately got hold of a nurse and told her of what they needed. The nurse quickly checked them in and led them to any empty room. Ash lowered Natasha onto the bed and Delia drew up the cover over her while the nurse turned on the equipment. She turned around after that and rummaged through some supplies in a cupboard. She took out an IV bag and a needle. She drew closer to the red head, whose eye widened at the sight of the needle. She felt ghost pains of being cut and saw them laughing again at her in her mind's eye. The raven haired guardian sensed her fear spiking. He grasped her hand and talked to her, telling her it's alright. She looked into his eyes, which was locked onto hers. She moved her arm a little out towards the nurse who understood the gesture. The nurse drew closer, grasped her arm, tapped on it a bit to make the vein more visible and put the needle into her visible vein. The red head kept her gaze on Ash, wincing a bit at the split second sting she felt from the nurse's action.

"I'm proud of you Natasha. Good job," he told her softly, and she tightened her grip on his hand in appreciation over the praise. It may have been pathetic and pitiful for her to like hearing him praise her for something like that, but right now, she'd take whatever she could get.

"That's all I can do for the moment. I'm going to get one of our top doctors," the nurse told them after attaching a sensor to her finger to display her heart rate on the monitor and the three thanked her before she left. Ash told them he was going to go use the restroom and be right back. As the three females stayed in the room, Delia and May tried to have Natasha talk with them or react in some way back to them but weren't very successful. The red head was keeping her gaze on the door, waiting for him to return. They decided to leave her alone for the time being and had some small talk until the door opened. It wasn't Ash but the nurse along with a doctor.

"Good morning, I'm Doctor Ned Wilson," introduced the doctor as he drew closer to his patient on the bed. "My lord, what happened to her face?" he asked, seeing the rough state the red head was in. "She looks like someone used her for a punching bag," he commented.

Delia and May scowled at him at his lack of tact and Natasha felt humiliated. Why did my doctor have to be such an asshole?!

"Look here, if you're just going to talk without helping, you might as well leave and we'll have another doctor help us," shot Delia. Natasha glanced at her, agreeing whole heartedly and thanking the kind mother in her head before returning her gaze back to the doctor.

"I'm sorry but you should relax Ms. I was merely caught off guard," replied back Wilson. Delia's nostrils flared in annoyance but didn't comment back. "Now, what happened to her?"

"What do you think?" asked May heatedly. "She was beaten and raped for the sheer amusement of others and we brought her here to get treated! So get to it!" Her explanation of what happened shocked the doctor and his nurse.

You didn't have to tell them…but then again, I guess they have to know, thought Natasha, but was feeling humiliated a bit.

"Beaten and raped?" he asked, his eyes wide. "What is the world coming to?" he asked to no one in particular, shaking his head. "Nurse, get some x-rays ordered, an MRI and get the rape kit. On the double." The nurse left the room to schedule the procedures as he hovered over, peering at her wounds, noticing that her nose was broken but it looked like it could be fixed without surgery. "Who did this to her?" he asked.

Do you really have to be so close to me?! The red head was feeling uneasy and uncomfortable with him leaning over her and being so close to her. She was reminded of the Skull Brothers looming over her as they violated and abused her. She felt like she was going to be attacked and her heart started beating faster, which showed on the monitor. "It's normal for rape victims to be scared," remarked the doctor without emotion when Delia and May pointed it out. Both mother and girlfriend didn't like the doctor and neither did Natasha. Even though he was here to help, she didn't like his vibe and didn't like him at all. She doubted she could ever like let alone trust any man in the world ever again either because of what she's been through. She wanted her savior to come back immediately, knowing he'll protect her. That's when she realized that perhaps there may be one man who she could actually trust…

"It doesn't matter who as they've been served justice. So will she be alright? Can you help her?" asked Delia.

"Of course I can help," replied the doctor, becoming offended a bit as he continued looking over her. "The swelling around her eye will go away on its own and I believe her nose isn't broken to the point of needing surgery. We can snap the bones back into place and have a nose guard placed over it for a couple weeks at least. I will have to wait on the x-rays to confirm that but I'm pretty sure about it. Also, the x-rays, the MRI and rape kit results will let me know what else needs to be done regarding anything else." Right when he finished, the nurse came into the room along with Ash.

The second Natasha saw him, she calmed down, knowing he would make sure she didn't get hurt. Her heart rate even relaxed, the beeping on the monitor slowing down. The others in the room glanced at it before the doctor commented it's normal again. Delia however, wasn't so sure, having noticed how she changes with her son around her. She may have gotten her first real indication that Natasha truly does feel comfortable and safe with her son around. This could also be a clue to how the red head feels about him too and how she may actually fall for her son. If that's true, add another one into the group, thought Delia, chuckling inside her mind while keeping a straight face.

Ash introduced himself to the doctor who mumbled out a hurried greeting in return. He took the rape kit from his nurse and placed it on the nearby table. He washed his hands with soap and had his nurse put on some hospital gloves before turning to back to them. "I'm going to have to ask you all to leave while I administer the tests from the rape kit."

Hearing that they had to leave her while this unknown man, even though he was a doctor, performed tests on her, touch her, made Natasha become scared and she looked at Ash. The monitor showed her heart start to beat faster. NO! Please don't leave!

Ash turned his attention to her, sensing she was looking at him and her aura had become filled with fear. He also noticed the increased beating the machine picked up and went to her and spoke softly. "Hey, it's alright. You said you trust me right? He's going to help." Her eye was focusing onto his and was trying to communicate with him, opening her mouth to speak but no sound came out. She attempted to convey her desire with her facial expressions while talking in her head.

Please don't leave me! I don't want to be alone! I don't want him to touch me! I don't care that he's a doctor! Please don't let him touch me! Please don't leave me!

Ash turned towards the wall to his side with a confused look, making them all look at him. He could've sworn he heard someone talk as he heard a couple words. What the hell? He glanced at the other four in the room besides Natasha. "Did you guys hear that?" He asked them and they shook their heads, concerned. "I could've sworn I heard someone say 'alone' and 'don't care'..."

Natasha's eye widened after hearing him say that. He had heard her thoughts. But how? He wasn't a psychic as far as what she knew about him and there was no evidence or stories about Aura Guardians being able to read minds. But maybe he can and maybe she can make him hear her again. Please hear me again! Don't leave me! Please! Don't let him touch me!

"I'm sorry but none of us heard anything Ash," said May with concern.

"I guess I'm just imagining things," he sighed. He looked at the red head and gave a kind smile to her. "We'll be waiting right outside the door alright? You'll be safe and he won't hurt you." Wilson glanced at the young man, about to say that the process may actually hurt but stopped himself in time. He didn't want to drag this out any longer. He had plans later on that morning and wanted to finish up quickly. He glanced at the nurse and gave her the signal to get the kit ready. As the nurse got the contents in the kit ready, Natasha gave him a few whimpers while speaking in her head but he didn't catch it. Ash, after wishing her luck, headed towards the room door with his mom and May. The heart rate monitor began showing even more frantic heart beats.

No! Please don't go! Please don't leave me! They reached the door and May opened it. Please hear my thoughts again! May left the room. I don't want any man but you to touch me! Delia left the room and the doctor took a couple items into his hands and went to her side. Ash glanced back and saw the doctor about to start, moving towards her. No, stop! Please! He gave Natasha a reassuring smile before he turned around and exited the room, the door swinging shut behind him. COME BACK!

Ash froze in front of the door in the hallway. He heard it again. Someone shouted. He glanced around, confused and worried. May and Delia saw the concerned look on his face. "I heard it again," he told them and the two tilted their heads, becoming troubled over his behavior. "Someone shouted 'come back'. I heard it. I'm not crazy as I'm sure this time. It was a girl's voice and she sounded scared and…wait…" Ash focused on the voice that said it and realized that he heard it before since it was similar though it was weaker and hoarser. His eyes widened all of a sudden. "Damn it!" Ash whirled around and barged through the door, throwing it open in the process and it hit the wall startling the doctor, nurse and red head. "Get your hands off of her!" growled Ash, seeing the nurse pinning her down with the doctor attempting to forcefully give her an anesthesia shot to make her sleep. Delia and May were right behind him and both of them quickly became angered as well over what they saw, narrowing their eyes at the two.

"We're only trying to do our job. She resisted so we had to, we had no other choice!" said the doctor. "Now leave before I call security on you. I have a patient who needs me." He turned back to the red head who was giving Ash a look of betrayal that made his heart sink.

"I said get away from her!" he repeated, his voice now booming with power. The doctor and nurse glanced at him in time to see his eyes glow blue. The nurse let out a gasp, now realizing why he looked so familiar and the doctor was scared still, realizing who the young man is as well. Natasha's fear faded away and was now looking at him with awe. The doctor and nurse backed away immediately while the guardian quickly moved to be beside the red head and grasped her hand, knelling beside her bed and is eyes turned back to brown. May and Delia walked in to the base of the bed, glaring at the doctor and nurse before turning their attention back to the red head. "I'm so sorry Natasha. I just understood you. I promised I'll stay by your side and I will stay no matter what if you want me to stay while they do the tests. I just didn't want to embarrass you or anything in case you didn't want me around."

Natasha looked into his eyes and spoke in her mind again, hoping he'll hear her once more and more clearly. Please don't leave me again. I can't do this without you. No man but you can touch me. No male doctor. Please hear me. Please understand me.

"She doesn't want a male doctor. She wants a female doctor. And she doesn't want me to leave from her side. Have your best female doctor come do everything," stated Ash without even looking up from the red head.

He heard me! He heard me! Thank Arceus! Ash heard that as well and smiled at her, nodding and she felt better.

"Do I look like your servant? I'm one of the best doctors and surgeons here! You don't order me around and this is my hospital! What I say goes! And I say you need to leave and not bother us again so I can help her!" he countered back.

Ash grew angry at that and he stood up straight, locking his gaze onto the doctor. He strode towards Wilson and stood a foot away from him, his eyes glowing blue once more, scaring him. "You say you're a doctor?" he asked him and continued without waiting for him to respond. "Then shouldn't such a grand doctor like yourself respect the wishes of his patients?" Wilson stayed silent. "She wants a female doctor. Now get one to come here and have her do the tests and I'm staying with her unless she wants me out. Do that and maybe I won't file a complaint or charges for assault on you trying to force her. Got it?" he asked him and Doctor Wilson sweat dropped before saying he'll get their best female doctor to come immediately. Ash stepped aside to let him go. He glanced at the nurse still there and told her to leave as well, to have someone else come instead of her.

"I'm surprised you didn't threaten to kick his ass, Ash," stated May with an impressed look.

"I could've but doctors like him are more scared of being sued," he said and his mom and girlfriend chuckled a bit. He went back to Natasha and sat down on the bed beside her. "I'm sorry Natasha. I didn't know what you wanted. Please forgive me for not understanding you," he pleaded. The red head managed to move her hand towards him and she grasped his hand. He smiled at her, relieved that she wasn't angry with him.

"How did you know what she wanted?" asked Delia for both her and May. They wanted to know where this came from.

Ash was quiet for a moment, thinking about the possible reason why. "Remember how I mentioned Lucario say that I might be able to communicate mentally with my aura? I guess I can hear her when she tries to communicate with me. I'm going to ask him how it just happened all of a sudden. Let me try with you two. Try to talk to me mentally," he told them. Delia and May thought for a bit before both said some things in their minds towards Ash as he tried to hear their thoughts.

I'm very proud of you my son.

So when are we going to finish what we started in the morning?

Ash smiled at his mom after hearing her mental words but then started chuckling after hearing May, going a bit red. "Thanks mom and later today May. I have big plans for us." Delia smiled and May went red while smiling sheepishly. Natasha was looking at Ash in wonder.

He can even hear them too. Is it always or just when he's focusing? When Ash continued talking with Delia and May, oblivious of her thoughts, she got her answer. It looked like he could only communicate mentally with someone when focusing on them. A moment later, the door opened and a female doctor that seemed to be around Delia's age, perhaps a bit older, stepped inside with a nurse who was a few years younger than the doctor.

"Hello. You must be the Aura Guardian Ash Ketchum. You gave Doctor Wilson quite a fright." She and her nurse smiled while Ash rubbed the back of his head. "My name is Lilit Swanson. This is my good friend and one of the best nurses here, Adrine Johansen." She introduced themselves to them and shook each person's hands. Ash sensed she was being genuine and was glad that she was here. He could tell that Natasha was feeling better about who her doctor now was as he didn't sense any major disturbances in her aura. She was still afraid but not overly so.

"Thank you for taking over for Doctor Wilson. Natasha didn't want a male doctor and he had a hard time hearing that," said Delia after introducing herself and May.

Lilit nodded before brushing it off. "No worries. He may be arrogant and annoying but he's also one of the best in the world. That doesn't excuse him for his behavior though. A doctor must always respect his or her patients' wishes. Now, he gave me a quick rundown about what happened and what we're doing. I'm sorry to hear that Ms...I'm sorry, there's no last name here," she remarked, looking over the paperwork. "Can you tell me?"

Ash glanced at Natasha who had turned her gaze back at him. "Her last name is Dobrev," he said.

"Okay thank you. Now, when is your birthday?" she asked.

"Can't we take care of this stuff later?" asked May.

"I guess we could. But please make sure we do as it could get me in trouble later," she requested and they agreed after glancing at Natasha who slowly nodded. "So, Ms. Dobrev…my colleague gave me very little information. Can you tell me what happened and where exactly you feel pain? Besides your cuts and bruises I mean? Places where it hurts more than the others?" Natasha shook her head slowly and glanced at Ash who looked at her. It was silent for a little bit as she told him mentally where the most pain is located that she is feeling. She felt embarrassed in telling him but had no choice and she had a feeling that he wouldn't make her feel worse about it. Both doctor and nurse glanced at one another but said nothing, waiting patiently.

While she was attempting to communicate with him, Ash's eyes were locked onto hers and his brow was slightly furrowed. May couldn't help but smile at his concentrated gaze because it looked so cute to her. Delia noticed her doing that and nudged her a bit on the side. The brunette glanced at her and saw her beloved's mother smirking at her and she went red before looking away, a sheepish look on her face. Delia just kept her smile on her face as she turned to face her son again.

After a couple minutes, Ash turned to the Doctor Swanson and Nurse Johansen. "She can't speak," started Ash. "Something happened to her voice but I can communicate with her mentally somehow with my aura. She prefers to be called by her first name, Natasha. She was beaten and raped by some thugs, cutting her and bruising her all over. She has pain all over, but the greatest amount of pain is in her lower body, throat and back where they carved a word into her back. She's been traumatized and she's easily scared and is afraid right now. I'm the only one she feels comfortable with since it was me who got her out from where she was trapped," explained Ash, making them become horrified.

"Oh my Mew," commented Adrine, clapping her hands to her mouth as Lilit shook her head. "You did well Mr. Ketchum," she added after lowering them, giving him an impressed look.

"Please, just call me Ash. I'm not one for such formalities," he requested and the two medical professionals nodded. Delia and May were smiling and Natasha was awed at this humbleness.

"Alright. Well, an x-ray and MRI has been ordered. I see the rape kit is here. And I take it you're going to stay with her throughout everything?" asked Doctor Swanson to the young man.

"Yes, unless it's very personal, like if you have to undress her," he stated. "If and when it comes to that, my mom will stay with her during those times. I don't want to cause her any more embarrassment or discomfort." Ash turned to look at the red head. "Sound good to you?" he asked her. Natasha nodded and gave him an appreciative look that he thought about that for her. Even though he had already seen her in her birthday suit and she trusted him more than anyone else at the moment, she would like to keep at least some dignity, if there's any left. And she was starting to warm up to his mother after all she did for her, checking in on her and being here right now. Even though it was only a little bit, it was enough for her to not be so scared of his mother.

"Alright. Looks like everyone here is on the same page unless someone wants to add something?" asked Lilit. Nobody made a sound or movement. "Let's get to work then. Let's first check on her nose, eye, cuts and bruises then we'll do the rest."

Sometime later, back at the Indigo Hotel, many in the penthouse suite at the top floor were awake and getting ready for breakfast. A certain brunette with green eyes was feeling especially giddy. She had finally been able to fix things with the love of her life and they would soon get together and let everyone know. She smiled as she looked at herself in the mirror in the bathroom after washing up. She had just woken up. I can finally be able to leave my past behind me and walk a path towards a much better future. A future with my childhood friend who has become the man of my dreams. Her smile became larger as she thought that, putting on the blue cap onto her head. She was going to put that specific hat on everyday for the rest of her life because he had bought it for her when they were kids. Speaking of said man, it was time for her to wake him up. And she knew just exactly how to do that.

A playful grin spread on her face as she went to his room, giving the others she saw already awake with joyful greetings. They gave her amused looks, seeing her in such a happy state, knowing the reason why but didn't comment. She entered his room without knocking, wanting to see if Ash and May were up to something naughty. What she wasn't expecting was for the bedroom to be empty. She then saw the bathroom door closed. Maybe they're in the bathroom? They might be going at it in the shower like Serena did with him after she told us about their date. Hehehehe….I got you two now! She readied her Poketch to take a picture of them in the act. She opened the bathroom door and took a quick step inside, camera at the ready. She was expecting to hear noises or the shower running. She wasn't expecting for the bathroom to also be empty and nothing happening in there. "What the hell?!"

"What's wrong Leaf?" Leaf turned around to see it was Misty.

"I was going to wake up the lovebirds with a small prank but Ash and May aren't here. Do you know where they are?" she asked.

"Should've known. Some things are hard to change huh?" she asked, teasing her and Leaf laughed a bit, turning a bit red bud didn't deny it. "Ash left a note in the kitchen. He, May and Delia took Natasha to the hospital to get her checked out." Leaf relaxed, finding out everything was alright. "What were you planning on doing?" asked Misty, curious.

"Should've known. Always has to help doesn't he?" she asked rhetorically but Misty still nodded with a smile. "Well, nothing grand, just scare them or something, but they weren't in bed so I thought they'd be in the bathroom together doing something so I thought maybe take a picture but that didn't work either," admitted Leaf.

"I see. You know, I want in. I need to get Ash back for his stunt back at the lake," replied Misty .with a smirk and Leaf's eyes widened.

"You want to play a prank on Ash?" asked Leaf in disbelief.

"Who's playing a prank on Ash?" asked another girl. The two turned to see Dawn, Serena, Cynthia, Anabel and Sarah standing behind them.

"We are Anabel. Want in?" asked Leaf. The new arrivals glanced at one another before having wicked smiles form on their faces. "Looks like you are. Alright, what are we planning on doing?" she asked them. The seven girls began brainstorming together as to what they could do to prank Ash without getting him too angry over it and something that would be remembered for a long time. While they thought of their grand prank, the cooks of the group were preparing breakfast while a few others were getting the dining tables set.

"So how long do you think it'll take for them to come back?" asked Lizabeth while she put plates on the table in front of each chair. She and Shauna had woken up before even Ash and his small group went to the hospital. They went to their place, got some extra clothes and also called their work place and asked for some time off, saying there was a family emergency. They had come back a short while ago and volunteered to help set the table.

"Probably a while," answered Joy, who was placing utensils next to the plates. She requested some time off from work as well from Goodshow after what she went through. "Natasha had many injuries on her and they have to do several tests as well and each one takes some time. Hopefully there's nothing too serious and they'll be back by mid day."

"Man, I would hate being tested on all day. Hell, I can barely stand my annual checkup that lasts half an hour," commented Shauna. She was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, watching the others do their tasks. She had already finished her job of placing the condiments and bread on the table.

"Good thing you're not there with them. You'd probably drive them crazy and have that poor girl die from annoyance," quipped Iris, making several people snigger and her to huff out some air.

"Is the table set?" asked Johanna from the kitchen.

"Pretty much," replied Daisy Waterflower after placing some napkins around the table.

"Good. Tell everyone to come for breakfast, or should I say brunch as food's ready." They told Johanna that they would and went to get everyone else. Soon, everyone was gathered in the dining room to enjoy their meal. As they ate, they conversed in smaller groups. The parents were speaking with one another and the seven girls were whispering with each other in the corner of the table. Gary and Ilene were unnaturally silent though, having many thoughts go through their head about each other and their raven haired friend. The others were speaking with one another normally.

In the hotel room a few floors below them, three girls were busy packing while a fourth was sitting on her bed, lost in thought. Giselle and Liza were gathering their belongings and putting them in their travel bags. Sabrina was using her psychic powers to fold her clothes and pack her luggage while relaxing on her bed, leaning against the headboard.

"So lucky," whined Liza, seeing the psychic prodigy get her stuff packed neatly without lifting a finger. She looked at her own suitcase and saw her clothes were just haphazardly thrown into it.

"Don't be such a sour puss," said Sabrina with a grin, finishing up and had her luggage zip up by itself, ready to go. She was feeling ecstatic that she would be seeing a certain someone again soon.

"Okay, I gotta ask; what's up with these words you use?" asked the green haired girl. Sabrina tilted her head. "Sour puss? Wusses? You're using words that haven't been used in years. Don't you know any newer insults or the lingo that's used today? Are you that sheltered?" she asked while teasing her.

"Shut up and you know why," answered Sabrina, her eyes narrowing but went her cheeks flushed with color as well.

"Whatever Sab. Keep using that as an excuse if you want but you know you're just hiding behind it because you're afraid and don't have the guts to go out there, to try and learn new things," remarked Liza while continuing her packing.

"I'm not afraid of anything or anyone Liza!" countered Sabrina.

"Right. Is that why you hide in your home all the time and barely come visit us? Keep doing that and you'll never find a man," replied Liza as she looked at her friend with a smirk.

"Shut up! Look who's talking! As if you've ever found one while staying in your cabin in the valley all the time! And that's none of your business!" snapped Sabrina, her face reddening even more while a pink glow appearing around her.

That made Giselle look at her with fear. She heard rumors of how powerful she was, being the only human in the history of mankind to have so much psychic power that she can cause everyone, pokémon or human, within a half mile radius to have skull crushing headaches. And that was if she was feeling merciful.

Liza became embarrassed as well but also scoffed. "Whatever Sab. At least I'm not scared to go try to see if a man's worth it or not."

The dark haired psychic growled. "Oh so a few dates with some losers and now you're miss queen of the world and knows everything? And I'm not like you Liza to just let anyone get into my pants."

This time the green haired girl growled back. "Screw you Sab! You know I've never done anything with anyone! At least I have the so called 'balls' to show off what I got and go out with a guy before casting judgment! All that power you have and yet you're such a…such a…wait, what word would you use? AH! I got it! You're such a scaredy cat!" shot Liza with a triumphant smirk.

"Shut up Liza! Keep this up and I'm going to hurt you!" threatened Sabrina, levitating off her bed.

"Is that so? So why don't you come here and try to do that without your powers?" asked Liza, crossing her arms and giving her a challenging look. Sabrina glared at her and was just about to use her powers to lift her into the air…

"Can you two quit it and shut the fuck up?!" yelled out Clair abruptly, surprising the other three. Sabrina floated back down onto her bed and her glow faded away while giving her fellow gym leader a startled look, Giselle had her jaw drop and Liza was looking at her in shock. "You two never stop messing with each other every time we're together and it's driving me crazy! Nobody here gives a shit if you've been with one man, a dozen men or none at all! Life isn't about just finding a guy! And both of you are as clueless about it all just like everyone else!" She stood up on both her feet and pointed at Liza. "You talk so much shit yet you've never done anything with anyone so I wouldn't be talking!" Liza went red and Clair then pointed at Sabrina. "And you! You keep bringing up excuses all the time as to why you can't do this or that!" Sabrina's white face turned scarlet. "I've had enough of your constant bullshit about this damn topic!" Clair finished by throwing both her hands down and giving both of them a glare.

"Whoa, what's up your ass?" asked Liza, trying to shift the light away from her and Clair narrowed her eyes on her but didn't respond back. "Oh I'm sorry, you don't have something up your ass that's why you're so moody," continued Liza laughing and Clair fumed. The green haired girl was now just messing with her, knowing how to push her buttons, thinking this was just another time she annoyed the gym leader.

"Something's wrong Liza," stated Sabrina suddenly in a concerned tone of voice. She had sensed that Clair was emotional at the moment. That was something that didn't really happen to her and that worried her, which also caught Liza's attention.

"Don't you dare enter my head!" snapped Clair suddenly, catching the psychic off guard. "You have no right! And there is nothing wrong! I'm just sick and tired of you two going at it all the time over this when both of you have about as much experience as a damn teenager! Grow the fuck up!" She glared at them again before heading into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

"What the hell was that about?" asked Liza, turning to Sabrina, who didn't respond as she had no idea. She wanted to know what the problem was but didn't and wouldn't enter her friends' minds without permission. She wasn't like that. Most of the time. But wouldn't ever do so when they were emotional.

"Ah, will she be alright?" asked Giselle and the two older girls looked at her before sighing.

"Yea, she should be. We just tend to piss her off a bit sometimes like this but it rarely happens. She'll cool down and be back to herself soon. I hope," explained Liza and Giselle nodded, thinking about what she just heard but Sabrina didn't comment. She was unsure even though this would happen once in a great while but something was off about her friend this time and she didn't need her powers to notice that.

But something was nagging Giselle. She really wanted to the answer to a question and she couldn't help herself after a moment. "Does she really like taking it up her ass?" asked Giselle suddenly. Liza and Sabrina stared at her with looks that clearly said 'did you just ask that?'. The black haired young girl became embarrassed as she just realized that Liza was joking. "Oh, you were kidding. Right." Giselle turned her crimson face away, hoping they would just drop it. Sabrina and Liza glanced at one another and did their absolute best to keep their laughter in to not embarrass their younger friend. Though they had such a hard time keeping it in that they just burst out laughing. Giselle felt humiliated but when Liza threw an arm around her shoulder and commented that she never laughed so hard, the academy alumni merely smiled back a bit.

Clair was looking at herself in the mirror, leaning towards it with her hands on the counter. She was ready to go before the other three, having gotten out of bed early since she couldn't sleep anymore because of her dreams and waited for them. She knew how her two friends acted with one another and it usually doesn't bother her. They would've finished up their pointless 'fight' soon too with the usual lifting up of Liza into the air but why did it unhinge her even more so than usual this time? She was confused as to why she became so angry at them all of a sudden. She hung her head, taking a deep breath and began thinking about that when an image flashed across her mind's eye, causing her to stop her thoughts and her heart to race. She shook her head, trying to get the image out but instead of it going away, it became clearer. It was of the raven haired guardian, smiling charmingly at her. She raised her head and the instant she looked into the mirror he appeared in it. His mouth moved as she heard his voice in her head; "You're mine. Now and forever."

Her lips began to quiver and her eyes watered as she realized why she was feeling so angry, so annoyed and why she had snapped at her friends. She was angry because of many things. She was angry because of the topic they were arguing about since it reminded her of her past and what she was feeling now. She didn't want to remember what she went through and she was angry at herself, for who she fell for, the reasons why and how he had captured her heart, her friends' hearts. That she now belonged to him without the others or him even knowing, how she wouldn't be able to move past it, how he would never know and how she would never be able to tell him. How her friends had feelings for him too even though they wouldn't admit it right now. And how if she ever had the courage to pursue it, that she would have to compete with her best friends for his affection. Her best friends who were there for her in her darkest hour…

That's what caused her to lash out at her friends and she felt like an asshole for that. It wasn't their fault of how she felt or what he made her feel or how he made them feel. She turned on the faucet and washed her face, cleaning up the tear marks on her cheeks before drying up with a towel. She looked herself in the mirror again, looking for any signs that may indicate she had cried a bit. She didn't find any except for her slightly puffy eyes but she could play it off as not having slept well and exited the bathroom. When she entered the room where the three where, she saw them packed and ready to go, waiting for her. They turned their gazes onto her and Clair felt embarrassed. "Look, I'm sor-"

"Shut up," interjected Liza and Clair went silent. "It's alright. Let's just forget about it." Sabrina and Giselle nodded at Clair when she looked at them and she gave them an appreciative look. "C'mon. Let's go. They probably have breakfast ready and I'm hungry," said Liza without shame. The four girls left the room, the luggage following from behind, levitating in the air thanks to the dark haired psychic.

At the Indigo Hospital, Ash and May were sitting on a bench together in the hallway right next to Natasha's room. "You think she'll be alright?"

"I'm sure she will be Ash. Your mom is in there with her and Lilit and Adrine seem like good people," assured May.

"Thank you for cheering me up my Princess." The raven haired guardian gave her an appreciative look. He slipped his hand into hers and they interlocked their fingers.

"You're welcome my Knight." She closed the barely existing gap between them and gave him a simple kiss before leaning her head against his shoulder and he leaned his head on top of hers. The two stayed like that for some time before the door next to them opened and three females stepped out. They talked a bit before two of them left and Delia turned to Ash and May. She smiled at the sight of them, making the two lift their heads and look at her. "Any good news?" asked May and Delia's smile faded away.

"And bad news," answered Delia. "Good news is Doctor Swanson and Nurse Johansen finished up the examination. The blood work, x-ray, MRI and the rape kit results should be in soon. Natasha is also resting. The bad news is they found multiple worrying things. Some of her cuts have become infected, there are tears…uh…down there and her throat seems to be damaged even worse than we thought. But they won't be sure of the extent of the damage until after the results." Ash and May both shook their heads and sighed before one of them started worrying and the other became angry.

"I should've killed those bastards the first time I saw them. I shouldn't have given them a chance. This is all my fault," said Ash, leaning forward and holding his head in his hands. He felt so awful that he had let it happen because he gave them a chance to repent but they didn't and instead tortured and violated this poor girl after he let them go. He may have prevented that from happening to Leaf and Joy, but Natasha still suffered through it. May started rubbing his back and tried to comfort him.

"It's not your fault Ash. It's alright giving people a second chance. You didn't know that they were such evil people. And it's not like you told them to do that. They did that of their own free will. You have done nothing to be guilty of and you're not responsible for what they did to Natasha or anyone else."

"She's right sweetie," added Delia as she sat on the other side of her son. "It's not your fault so don't ever think it is."

He remained quiet for a minute until he raised his head and stared ahead of him. "That may be true, but from now on things are going to be different. No more just handing out second chances. If someone wants a second chance, then they're going to have to prove that they deserve it." Both Delia and May said nothing since they agreed with him. They sat together in silence for a while until Doctor Swanson and Nurse Adrine came back. The three of them stood up. The doctor gestured for them to enter the room where Natasha is and they all entered it. The red head opened her eye when she heard footsteps. She wasn't sleeping but was resting her eye. Ash, Delia and May gathered to one side of Natasha while the doctor and nurse stood on the other side.

"We have some news," started Doctor Swanson. "Even though I have my best handling everything, it's going to take some time to get the results from the more complex tests to come in. As of now, I can't comment on those except for a few things." At this, Natasha glanced at Ash who sensed her become worried. He held her hand again to give her support and she tightened her grip on his hand so greatly that anyone else would have winced. "The good news is that the x-rays confirmed that her nose can be fixed without surgery. We can do that in just a couple minutes and she'll just need to have a nose guard on when she sleeps to keep it from moving until it heals for about two weeks at least. The other good news is that the MRI shows that even though she's been bruised badly all over, there is no permanent major harm to upper body organs or brain. She will recover from those in time and we'll give her some pain medicine for that to use when it's unbearable."

"That's good to know," said Ash as he glanced at Natasha and gave her an encouraging smile. Natasha felt a bit better, finding out she'll recover from those but she was still worried about the other things.

Thank Arceus. But what about my voice and throat? And what about…

"Yes it is," assured Lilit, cutting off Natasha's thoughts. "That's it for the good news for now I'm afraid. The bad news is we are unsure about her voice and throat, her lower body organs and she has infections on many of her cuts, especially on her back. We have cleaned them up as much as we could and bandaged them up but they still pose a problem and it is very serious. We'll prescribe some anti-bacteria medicine for her that she must take once every four hours with a meal. Also, we still cannot say for certain whether she has become impregnated yet and if she has contracted any sexually transmitted diseases either until we get the results." Natasha whimpered at this and Ash cupped her hand with both of his hands, trying to comfort her. May noticed his action. Even though she was upset over what Natasha went through, she couldn't help but feel moved by his caring display. That was one of the things she loves about him; his caring nature. "If it comes to either of that, we can schedule an abortion and most diseases we have the vaccine for it. Hopefully it doesn't come to either of those." The three of them nodded slightly with Natasha became worried about that, not knowing what to think or feel about that. "About what she eats, I recommend a diet of soft foods, like soup, eggs and cheese along with no carbonated drinks, mostly water or tea without sugar for a few days. That'll give her body, especially her throat, some time and the needed nutrients to recover a bit before eating more solid and complex food. Other than that, after we fix her nose and finish filling out some paperwork, you can leave. We'll contact you once we get the results back."

"Thank you Doctor Swanson. I'll make sure she gets everything she needs," assured Ash.

"And I'll be there to remind you and help you," added Delia.

"So will I," chimed in May. The doctor and nurse smiled at the three before they said they'll finish up everything soon and then they could go home...