Misty was jostled awake as the truck hit a bump in the road. Her sleep-blurred vision caught a passing road sign. "Route 3, Mount Moon next left," it read. "You're awake," said Miranda quietly, giving her lover a sideways glance as she drove and reached over to take her hand. Misty nodded. "I wasn't totally asleep," she replied, unbuckling her seat belt and sliding over closer to Miranda, "I was just thinking about the other day." Miranda looked thoughtfully out at the road ahead, sliding an arm around Misty as the girl snuggled in close. "Any thing you wanted to talk about?" she inquired sympathetically, turning the wheel slightly to avoid another pothole. "No, not really," Misty explained, looking out the front window at the way the headlights barely illuminated the poorly maintained road, "You got a large delivery call, and I needed a boulder badge. Simple as that." "Bad memories, eh?" "Kinda," Misty admitted, smiling in spite of herself as Miranda half hugged her, "But at least we both won our challenges. I suppose that kinda counts as closure." "One more ghost of the past not haunting you," replied Miranda mostly rhetorically, trying not to yawn, "But are you sure that you're okay with us heading to Cerulean? It's not like either of us actually needs a Cascade Badge." Misty watched the road for a few moments before answering. "It's no big deal," she said, a small smile coming to her as she snuggled against Miranda, "I have you to look out for me, and with you by my side I know I can stand up to my sisters." "That's good," replied Miranda, giving Misty a small hug, wishing she could kiss her, but the thought of going off the road wasn't the least bit intriguing, "Just remember, you're your own person. Not your sister's plaything." Misty nodded in agreement; trying not to dwell upon the literally hundreds of times her sisters had manipulated her into doing things she didn't want to. "Last time you were there," asked Misty, trying to change the subject a little, "how did you get along with them?" Miranda shrugged. "It really wasn't a social call," she explained as the passed another sign advertising a rest stop just a ways ahead, "You see, I kinda got into a small argument with this trainer about which one of us had better pokemon. It was silly really, but he insulted Nezumi, and I couldn't let go by..." Misty glanced up at Miranda and smiled. "You really love him, don't you?" she asked rhetorically. Miranda thought about it for a moment, her mind becoming a bit cloudy after the long drive over rough terrain. "He's my second acquisition," explained the courier, "But he's favorite. I suppose it's because he makes me laugh and reminds me how to smile when I forget but also he's just too darn cute sometimes." Misty smiled, snuggling closer and awkwardly putting her arms around Miranda. "I love you too," she sighed contently, her heart swelling with emotion, "I just hope Umi, Wraith or especially Nezumi don't get jealous!" "Yeah," chuckled Miranda, giving Misty a gentle half hug, "but I think they understand. If not, Nezumi will explain it to them. They listen to him, and he's good at understanding humans it seems. Which is odd, because dratini are the one's who're mildly empathic." "Maybe it's because Nezumi spends more time outside of his pokeball," Misty suggested, "And Umi is still quite young in dragon years." "She'll be fifteen in November," Miranda agreed, slowing as the exit off Route 4 to a rest stop loomed closer, "Nezumi's only five, but he's older in rattata years. Anyway, I wound up having to show that guy in Cerulean why rattatas are just as good as eevees-" "Did, did you say 'eevee'?" interrupted Misty, glancing up at Miranda with an expression that crossed shocking realization with bemusement. The woman nodded. "Yeah, why?" "No reason," chuckled Misty, "Go on." Miranda gave Misty a suspiciously amused glance as she pulled into the parking area and killed the engine. "Anyway," she continued, adding so much emphasis to the word that Misty almost burst out laughing, "we went to the park and had it out. And that's about it." Misty gave Miranda a look of unsatisfied curiosity, making it her turn to laugh. "Okay, okay," she chuckled, shutting off the headlights and unbuckling her seatbelt, "It was a tie. Now then, what's with the eevee?" Misty exhaled her held breath, smiling and shaking her head as she unbuckled herself as well before getting a little more comfortable. "By any chance, was his name 'Gary'?" she asked, "With an eevee named 'Lilith'?" Miranda glanced out the windshield at the now more visible stars. "Yeah, Gary something or other," she replied thoughtfully, "I don't really remember, though. Is he another friend of yours?" "Goodness, no!" laughed Misty, "He's an obnoxious braggart! But then, I'm beginning to think that's a common trait amongst Pallet boys." "Ah, I see," replied Miranda, turning back to Misty, "he's a friend of Ash's." "More like a rival," corrected Misty, swinging her legs onto the seat so she could sit in Miranda's lap with her back against the door. Miranda smirked. "You know," she said slyly, wrapping her arms around her beloved, "it's a good thing he's got a real attitude problem..." "Oh? Why's that?" inquired Misty in amused suspicion, resting her arms on Miranda's shoulders, awkwardly encircling her neck. "Because he's kinda cute," Miranda responded, almost unable to keep from laughing. "Should I be jealous?" Misty asked, bowing her head a little so that she could look up at Miranda with a pitiful look. "Only if he suddenly becomes an irresistibly beautiful trainer specializing in water pokemon," Miranda replied, her voice becoming quiet as their lips moved closer, "And of course he'd have to change his disposition to be that of someone who is both sweet and full of fire. Becoming someone that I would treasure even beyond death. Someone so special that my heart nearly bursts every time I look into her eyes and her devotion reflected in them." Misty pressed her lips against Miranda's, cutting her off again in an attempt to ease the emotional buildup she felt. Her lover offered up no resistance, instead holding the girl closer, and tilting her head obligingly as they kissed, running her hands down Misty's back affectionately. "I do love you," assured Misty breathlessly as she pulled back, "More than I've ever loved anyone or anything." "Thank you," Miranda replied, brushing her nose against Misty's, "I never grow wary of hearing that." Misty nodded slowly, the feeling of safety in Miranda's arms making her wish the courier could hold her forever. "If I wasn't so tired I'd show you just how much I love you," she assured, kissing Miranda teasingly, playfully nibbling her bottom lip. "That's okay," Miranda assured, sighing contentedly as Misty's fingers brushed her bangs out of her eyes, "I love you for you, not for what you can do 'for' me. If I was suddenly cursed so that all I could do was hold you; that would be enough. If the Heavens above decreed that may only kiss you but once a day, my heart would almost burst, but it would still be enough. And if distance itself separated us physically, even staring across a bottomless chasm into your eyes would be enough. I love you, Misty. With out condition, and without regret." Her beloved let out a long sigh, resting her head on Miranda's shoulder, basking in the moment. "You're as beautiful as your poetry," she sighed, closing her eyes and nuzzling Miranda's neck. "My muse gives me little rest, my love," assured Miranda with a chuckle, "But I guess I'm just hunting for a perfect moment." "A perfect moment?" inquired Misty, looking up suddenly into the stormy gray depths of Miranda's suddenly distant gaze. "Yes," the woman explained reminiscently, "In my Father's diary, he wrote that he had two such moments. He would even ponder them, trying to decide which was more perfect, because you can only have one perfect moment. He never wrote which it was, so I suppose they both were..." "What were they?" asked Misty in a quiet tone, knowing how thoughts of her deceased father affected the woman. Miranda smiled. "The day he found Selece was the first," she explained quietly, "He found a clutch of eggs on the beach one summer when he was in Porta Vista, but most of them had been broken open and devoured by sea birds. He never found out what happened to the parents, but he brought the surviving egg home and hatched it. That's why I have Umi..." Miranda smiled at the memory, "But the 'perfect' moment came when that egg hatched. The first thing little Selece saw was my father. Their eyes met, and there was instant love. And somehow, that dratini conveyed his desire to be named Selece. So he basically named himself." "Was it the same for you with Umi?" Misty inquired, wiping away Miranda's tear for her. The courier nodded. "Yes, I remember my parents waking me up at three in the morning and rushing me into the Cavern. I was only wearing a nightdress, and didn't have time to even dawn some slippers, so the hot sands beneath my feet was almost unbearable. But when I walked in, and saw that Undine was backing away from her eggs, I knew it was something important! My Father wanted my experience with my dratini to be even more special that his own. And it was... I'll never forget the first few cracks that appeared upon the shell. The pitiful cries as that the sweet baby dragon pushed against the walls of her egg, until finally shattering it into a thousand pieces! Then her little eyes shifting from red to green as she saw me... I knew her name in that instant. Just like with my Father. And I knew she hungry too! Although I wasn't officially 'given' Umi until Umi was old enough to leave her parents, and I was old enough to handle the responsibility. Those were very happy years, though..." "Before it all ended," concluded Misty, seeing the sad look in Miranda's eyes, "But at least you still have Umi..." "That's true," whispered Miranda, determined not to cry as she continued her story, "The second moment for my Father, though, was when I was born. I have a picture at home of him and my mom together that day. They look so happy with me, little more than a bundle of blankets between them. It was a long harsh Winter, but I added warmth to both their lives." "You, you don't resent your Mother's decision to remarry, do you?" Misty asked carefully. "Goodness no," Miranda chuckled quietly, shaking her head in amusement, "I like Bob. He makes my mother happy, and that's all that matters. But, much like my Father, my moments keep competing for the title of Perfection." "And may I ask, what moments are currently in the running?" inquired Misty a touch coyly. Miranda closed her eyes and smiled. "Right now is something of a front runner," she admitted, "But I think the first time you told you loved me ranks pretty high. As does Umi's hatching... Like father like daughter, I suppose. Hm, I have his eyes, you know. Gray as the sky on a cloudy day, just before a storm. Except that in my case, I guess it's a snow storm, because that's what I was born during." "That's okay," assured Misty, thinking back to their last vid- phone conversation with Vivian Lilcamp, "I think you look better with gray eyes, rather than magenta." Miranda suppressed a laugh as she removed her glasses. "That's true," she agreed, "but I received my vision defect from my Father." "That's okay," assured Misty, "I think your glasses add a certain intelligent look to your over all appearance. I like that." "I'm glad!" replied Miranda, giving Misty a sarcastically relieved look. "How about me, though?" the trainer inquired, taking Miranda's glasses from her and sliding them onto her own face. Miranda leaned back a little, examining the effect. "I never realized how big those make my eyes look!" she commented, reaching up to untie Misty's hair so that it fell free, "Hey, not bad..." "Think so?" Misty giggled, trying unsuccessfully to focus, even though Miranda's prescription wasn't that strong. "Yes," Miranda agreed with a smile, sliding the spectacles off, "Very cute. But you'll hurt yourself if you wear these for too long." "Oh, my heroine," said Misty jokingly as Miranda put them away, taking a moment to stretch her legs out, "Oh! Sorry!" There was a suddenly dull thud as Miranda's clipboard slid off the far end of the seat. "Tis okay," the courier assured, looking over and trying to make out the image of the clipboard in the darkness, "I'm sure its fine." "Hey, what's on here, anyway?" commented Misty, suddenly struck by her impulsive curiosity as she leaned forward and reached under the dashboard, "I never thought to ask." "Food for some fancy restaurant," answered Miranda with a shrug, "We get that sometimes. It's usually local delicacies that need to be shipped from far away to please immigrants. That's why the back of the truck is refrigerated." "I noticed," said Misty, leafing through the papers and squinting to read the words, "Twenty-eight boxes of an eighty piece order. I guess someone else is delivering the next load." "It's probably something that needs an over night shipment," Miranda explained, "Like sushi or something. Oh well, the job's not glamorous, but I prefer it to working in Admin. It pays better too!" "And this from the sole heir to the family fortune," Misty commented slyly, sending Miranda a sideways glance. "Hey! You're right!" gasped Miranda in mock surprise, "I'd better call mom and Bob to tell them to get crackin' and make me some step siblings soon, or I'll have to become a 'real' responsible adult by the time I'm like fifty! What'll I do?!" "Well, I'd better be careful too!" added Misty, laughing in spite of her wariness, "Because if something happens to my sisters, I'll inherit a pokemon gym!" Miranda smiled, taking Misty's chin in her hand and tilting Misty's head to making eye contact. "Then I shall bequeath my fortune to my Aunt Laurna and learn to raise fish!" she concluded, "For a few thousand credits and some cracked china cannot compare to the treasure of your love..." Misty sighed contently as Miranda's lips pressed against her own for a few precious moments. "And in my case," she chuckled between kisses, "I'd rather have you than the world's biggest fish tank any day!" Miranda pulled back, unable to keep from laughing. "It's more than that," she chuckled, smiling adoringly at Misty as she shook her head, "A pokemon gym's supposed to be a sacred place, something to be taken seriously. They don't give official gym status to just anyone." "I know," assured Misty wistfully, "but so is love. It's a precious thing and should never just be cast aside, or put off. It should take precedence over everything!" "I must be rubbing off on you," replied Miranda with an amused smile before sitting up a little straighter and stretching out, "Which isn't a bad thing, really. But sleeping in this position just might be." "You're probably right," Misty agreed, backing away and setting the clipboard on the dash, "Do you think we'll be warm enough tonight, though?" "More than likely," replied Miranda teasingly, making Misty blush as she shuffled down to the opposite door and pulled it open. "Yeah, you're probably right," responded Misty coyly, bowing her head to hide her reaction as she unlocked the backrest and pulled it forward a short distance, "It'll be at least a few weeks before the cooler weather comes." Miranda leaned forward as she opened her door and slid out. "I guess that means we'll hit Cerulean in time for the End Of Summer Festival," she commented, taking in a deep lungful of the cool night air. "Hey! You're right," responded Misty, pulling her sleeping bag out from behind the seat, and waiting for Miranda to retrieve her own before slamming the backrest into place once more, "I wonder if this delivery's for the festival?" "More than likely," replied Miranda, making her way around the truck to make sure everything was in order, "Eighty some odd creates of food does seem a bit much." "I wonder if there's any ice-cream..." pondered Misty hopefully as Miranda came around to her side and gave one of the tires a light tap with her shoe. "That's dishonest," said the courier in an amused tone, "Besides, I thought you were worried about keeping warm." Misty blushed again, causing Miranda to catch her breath as a flood of emotion hit her out of nowhere. "Okay," Misty conceded, in a tone that suggested a scolded child, "I'll be good..." Miranda shook her head, and put an arm around Misty's shoulders. "But, it can't hurt to look," she replied. "Yay," Misty responded with token enthusiasm and a mischievous smile as Miranda lead her around to the back of the truck, "But just remember, Miri, we're just looking!" Miranda gave her an amused sideways glance. "I promise if you do," she replied, dropping her sleeping bag on the ground and letting go of Misty so she could open the back doors. "Well, okay," giggled Misty as the metal latches strained against Miranda's efforts to unhinge them. "Must be the temperature," the woman commented as the mechanism unlocked and she strained against the door, "It's frozen shut." "No problem!" announced Misty, her enthusiasm getting the best of her as she pulled out a pokeball, "Leviathan, you're up!" Miranda's eyes widened as she took a step back, trying to stammer out an appropriate objection while her beloved tossed out the pokeball. It opened a moment later, and from the crimson light Misty's gyarados materialized. The monstrous sea serpent bowed its head and turned his gaze towards his mistress. "Gyaaaa," he growled contentedly as Misty scratched his eye ridges affectionately and Miranda could only shake her head in amused dismay. "I need to you heat the doors up," his trainer explained in a maternal tone, her voice going up and octave as she spoke to her latest pokemon acquisition, "But just a little, okay?" Leviathan leaned back and nodded, something resembling a smile coming to his lips as he stared down at Misty adoringly. "This- this could be misconstrued as a touch excessive," stammered Miranda, giving the pokemon a wide breadth as she went to stand at Misty's side while the gyarados began making a sinister hissing sound. "Well, he does have to practice his dragon rage technique," chuckled Misty as small orange flames flickered between Leviathan's twin rows of razor sharp teeth, "And neither of us really have any fire pokemon." "I've always found them a touch unreliable," admitted Miranda. "Except for growlithes. Cops use them for that reason, I suppose. Too bad their unavailable as starter poke's for Lavender Brats." "'Lavender Brats'?" inquired Misty, the flames lighting up her face in the dim light. Miranda nodded, smiling reminiscently. "That's what a lot of people call pokemon trainers from Lavender," she explained, "It started out as derogatory, something about a disagreement with some Sunny Town residence as I recall, but we're proud of the nickname now." "I have trouble seeing you as a 'brat'," laughed Misty, leaning against Miranda as Leviathan carefully blew a light dusting of orange flame against the back doors of the panel truck, "A 'Lavender Girl', maybe, but not a 'Lavender Brat'." Miranda titled her head and looked down at Misty with a serious look. "I wasn't always the person I am today," she said teasingly, "And I'm sure you were quite a handful for your parents when you were young too!" "My, my parents..." muttered Misty, suddenly looking glum before becoming alarmed, "Leviathan! That's enough!" The gyarados gave his trainer a sideways glance. "Dooosss?" he inquired, blinking his huge amber eyes innocently, oblivious to the fact that the paint had peeled off and the door was beginning to melt. "Stop!" Misty ordered, holding out Leviathan's pokeball and activating it, "That's enough for now." The pokemon gave an apologetic sound, and looked downcast as he dematerialized and was once again and drawn back into his pokeball. "I'm sorry," came Miranda's quiet apology as Misty stepped forward, leaving Miranda suddenly feeling very cold and alone, "I, I didn't mean to..." "It's okay," assured Misty, staring off into the space between herself and the now smoking doors, "It my fault for never mentioning it to you. I, I think that you of all people have right to know." "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," assured Miranda, her stomach twisting into knots as guilt hit her conscience rather hard. Misty shook her head. "There's not much to tell," she continued after taking a deep breath, "My parent's Fate was nowhere near as dramatic or even interesting as you might think. They were lost at sea, that's all. It was supposed to be a second honeymoon to the Orange Islands, and their ship went down in a storm..." "I see," Miranda replied, coming up behind Misty and placing her hands carefully upon Misty's shoulders, half wondering if she should. "Don't worry," assured Misty, closing her eyes and bowing her head to hide her tears as she put her hands over Miranda's, "It's just that I'm not as strong as you are, Miranda. As you've said, I'm full of life. It makes it hard to deal with death, so I ignore it, or try to forget about it. You're comment just caught me off guard, 'tis all." "I'm still sorry," said Miranda, sliding her arms around Misty from behind and holding her close, "I guess that I'm just so used to mourning my own losses, that I forget that other people have them too." Misty snickered in spite of herself. "It's funny," she commented, resting her head upon Miranda's shoulder and staring up at the stars, "I almost envy you." "How so?" The trainer inhaled the now warm air and held it for a moment before speaking, hoping that her tears would stop. "It's stupid really," she replied, "just a silly childish jealousy. You'd only laugh at me." "No," corrected Miranda, "Nothing you say or feel is silly. You mean everything to me, and if there's something on your mind, I want to hear it." "Okay," continued Misty, glancing into Miranda's caring eyes, "Here goes. You see, you have a story to tell when it comes to your family tragedy. The Rockets came to steal your parent's pokemon, and everything went horribly wrong. You have someone you can point to, and say 'You killed my Father, you murdered Undine and Selece, and your stupid machoke paralyzed your Mother. Who do I have blame? Who do can I seek revenge upon for dramatically changing my life for the worse? Nature? Fate? Blind luck?!" "Misty..." choked Miranda, holding the girl as close as she could, the sight of her beloved tears, and the pain in her voice cutting though her usual calm and leaving behind a numb sorrow. "I, I told you it was stupid and childish," replied Misty, her small fingers digging into Miranda's forearms as she held on for support, "Being envious of such a thing... I'm nothing like my sisters!" "Misty!" exclaimed Miranda through her own tears, turning her beloved around before taking hold of her shoulders and meeting her gaze, "It's- It's all right. And not being like your sisters is a good thing." Misty met Miranda's gaze and nodded. "Thank you," she whispered; falling into her lover's embrace, "You seem to be able to put up with so much..." "I'm not putting up with anything," assured Miranda a little indignantly, "And it's not childish, it's just human. It's not stupid, it just means that you aspire to greatness. And that's a good thing." Misty pulled away and looked up at Miranda once again, smiling weakly. "Is this what it's like?" she inquired, her heart feeling a little less burdened to have someone love me? To put up with my moods? To listen to my problems? To not just cast me aside because I don't live up to some stupid outdated 'beauty myth'?!" Miranda found a smile tugging at the edges of her mouth as well, and quickly succumbed to it. "I'm thinking that it might be," she replied with mock uncertainty, feeling her heart rejoice proportionately to Misty's mood improvement, "But I'm not sure. We may need to research this theorem." Misty laughed as Miranda leaned down to give her a light kiss. "Oh, and it was a Machop at the time," the woman added, finding it surprisingly easy to contain her negative feelings at speaking the word, "When we saw him last, he'd evolved." "Oh, sorry," replied Misty thoughtfully, "But let's change the subject, okay? Hm. You never did finish telling me about that time you won a cascade badge..." Miranda smirked reminiscently. "Oh yeah, that," she chuckled, "You know, I only challenged them because I tied with Gary. It seemed like a logical choice at the time. Which one of us could walk away with a badge." "And you both did," finished Misty, placing her head upon Miranda's shoulder and nuzzling her neck, "So I guess you're still even. Oh, and I hate to mention it, but you forgot your glasses." "Yeah, I know," responded Miranda jokingly, "just don't go too far or else I'll loose sight of you!" "Even if we weren't in the middle of nowhere, I'd still prefer to be safe in your arms," the girl replied as Miranda reached out her hand testingly to see if the metal had cooled. "Not even to perchance snag a few mouthfuls of your favorite dessert?" Miranda inquired slyly, "I think we can get in now." "No," said Misty, shaking her head and laughing at Miranda's sudden sarcastically shocked look, "I'm sorry, but I'd rather just get ready for bed. Ice-cream can wait until tomorrow." "Wow..." replied Miranda, barely keeping from laughing as she tried keep acting like she as in shock, suddenly realizing that the door was indeed melted shut, and thankful for the change of subject, "I- I don't believe it! Like, this is the big one!" Misty laughed out loud as Miranda backed away, clutching her heart melodramatically, and waving her free hand in the air. "M-Misty doesn't want ice-cream! Ah! My heart can't take that kind of a shock! Quick, call a doctor! Oh no, It's too late, make that an undertaker!" "Oh you!" laughed Misty as Miranda fell carefully backwards onto the ground and faked a heart attack as her voice echoed off the nearby mountain range. "Me?" inquired Miranda all too innocently, looking up with a toothy grin, "You're the one we should worry about! My poor Misty... Loosing her appetite for ice-cream... Oh! What is this cruel world coming to?" "Stop it!" the girl laughed, walking over and straddling Miranda's hips, "You're embarrassing me!" Miranda held out her arms and smiled. "There's only one way to stop me," she teased. Misty laughed and fell into Miranda's arms, kissing her repeatedly as the two rolled over several times, both of them giggling at themselves, laughing until their stomachs ached from the humorous exertion, and their hair and clothes were damp and covered in loose bits of grass. "Had enough?" teased Misty as she lay atop Miranda, staring down at the courier with her hair full of twigs and dead leaves. Miranda smiled, playfully kissing Misty on the nose as she tried not to laugh. "For now," she promised with a sigh, "I guess you're just too much for me." Misty sat up, a sad look crossing her face as she straddled Miranda's hips. "Don't you love me?" she inquired with false sadness, causing Miranda to sit straight up and hug Misty protectively. "I don't think that love's a strong enough word," she teased, making Misty laugh as she tried to find a stronger word, "Looove, perhaps? Or lub? Or loolooove?!" "Just 'love' will do!" Misty laughed, kissing Miranda before getting to her feet and holding out her hands, "And I 'looooloooove you too!" Miranda grinned at her own silliness accepting Misty's offer to help her up. "Come on," she said, picking a twig from Misty's hair, "let's get cleaned up a bit and make use of those sleeping bags. It's kinda late and I'd rather not go off the road in the morning." Misty nodded slowly, enjoying the feeling of Miranda's fingers searching her hair for more bits of foliage. "I'll find us something to wear," she offered, tugging her damp shirt away from her body, "'cause I dread the thought of sleeping in wet clothes!" "Especially socks," shuddered Miranda as they walked back to the truck, "Oh, and can you grab the keys? I'd rather keep them with me." Misty nodded and headed towards the cab as Miranda grabbed their sleeping bags so she could unfurl and zip them together. "Is the nightshirt with the rattata okay for you?" called Misty from a short distance away. Miranda glanced up from her work and smiled as she saw Misty climbing part way into the truck's cab in search of their backpacks. A moment later, Misty was lying across the front seat, only her lower half visible as she rifled through their belongings for what was needed. As she watched for a moment, feeling a bit of a voyeuristic thrill as her lover's denim clad legs flailed a bit as Misty went about her work, the water-trainer's bottom making and all too tempting target. "That's, that's just fine dear!" called Miranda suppressing shiver that had nothing to do with the chill in the night air. The courier then found it a little difficult to concentrate on her work, watching Misty scramble a little farther inside as the light from the overhead lamp illuminated Misty's visible bottom half. Misty then issued a small curse as some inanimate object or other incurred a slight portion of her wrath, and lifted her leg to maintain balance, yet the effect remained unbroken. "I'm such a pervert," sighed Miranda, shaking her head at the thoughts running through her mind as she stood contemplating Misty's shapely legs while her hands worked on their sleeping arrangements with practiced moves she could have done in her sleep, "But I just can't help it. She's just so cute..." "You say something?" inquired Misty, pulling herself out of the truck and slamming the door shut. "Oh, nothing," replied Miranda as Misty tossed her the keys, "Just acquiring some inspiration." "You've been writing quite a bit lately," Misty commented as she began to strip off her damp clothes, "Are you ever going to get any of that stuff published?" "Maybe," said Miranda with a noncommittal shrug as she dropped the keys on to the now merged and Twice as spacious sleeping bags a slipped her shirt over her head, "Brr! It's a little chilly out here." "Try standing by the engine," offered Misty, now standing naked except for her undergarments. Miranda nodded and went to join her, only to find Misty's arms about her naked torso. "Gotcha," she whispered with a giggle, giving Miranda a hug before letting go and donning a long nightshirt that covered her to the knees. "Oh, you're no fun!" laughed Miranda with mock disappointment as she slipped off her jeans and hung them over the hood of the truck to dry. "No, but at least I'm warm!" countered Misty mischievously. Miranda glanced over her shoulder as she struggled into a loose fitting shirt with the aforementioned rattata on it. She could only smile as Misty buried herself within the warmth of their joined sleeping bags, and shiver as a cool breeze blew past her own bare legs. "Well, you'd best be moving over," Miranda warned, rushing over and finding the opening, "It's positively freezing out here!" "Oh, poor you!" Misty sighed in amusement, making room and sighing contentedly as Miranda slid inside the sleeping bag, her arms intent on holding her beloved. "But you know," replied Misty thoughtfully as their arms wrapped around one another, and their legs entwined, "You never finished telling me about that time you challenged my sisters." "There's not much more to tell," admitted Miranda, thankful for their shared warmth, "As I said, myself and Gary had a little battle, and it turned out to be a draw. So we decided to see who could win out in a battle against the allegedly 'sensational' Cerulean sisters." Misty chuckled as Miranda rolled her eyes and shook her head. "So I take it you both won then?" asked Misty, to which Miranda shrugged and nodded, "But what happened afterwards? Did you ever resolve the issue?" Miranda blushed and tried to stammer out a reply. "It's... It's a little odd," she admitted, rousing Misty's curiosity. "Odd?" she inquired, moving closer and trying to catch Miranda's averted gaze. "Um, well you see," began Miranda, desperately trying to avoid the topic, but failing miserably, "Well, to be blunt. Gary slept with Violet." Misty's expression became on of surprise before she burst out laughing. "So," she inquired after calming down enough to breath, "Which one did you sleep with?" "You," replied Miranda in such a serious tone and with such intensity that Misty was taken back. "Me?" the trainer inquired, her tone giving away a sudden growing anxiety, "Just me, and only me?" "Just you," assured Miranda, "Gary said he only did it because he knew I couldn't. I know it was just because he couldn't stand being upstaged. Besides, she's not my type. To... Prissy." "Yeah, but still," pondered Misty, shaking her head in disbelief, "I can't believe she'd do that!" "Would your sisters believe that you're here in my arms?" the courier countered, extenuating her point by giving Misty a gentle squeeze. "No, I suppose not," she agreed, glancing up at the stars, "I guess they're in for quite a shock tomorrow." "We don't have to go there if you don't want to," Miranda offered, "we can just book a hotel or whatever." "No," said Misty firmly, "I'm willing to face them so that I can look them in the eye and say 'Hey! I have a right to be happy too!' and if they don't like it, then too bad!" Miranda smiled, kissing Misty upon the forehead affectionately. "You know what?" she commented wistfully, snuggling closer as she spoke and whispering her words directly into Misty's ear, "I just find your delightful combination of power and vulnerability appealing beyond the dreams of Avarice." "Yes, but Avarice was only interested in money," Misty pointed out teasingly. "Ah, but you are a beautiful treasure that even he would have appreciated," countered Miranda, kissing her playfully, "One that I shall never trade for all the money in the world." "Promises, promises," chuckled Misty, sighing contentedly as Miranda's fingertips lightly traced a path down Misty's side, causing her to jump a little. "I never make a promise I can't keep," replied Miranda, gently kissing Misty's neck, savoring the warmth of her lover's skin upon her lips as her fingers touched bare hip where Misty's nightshirt had ridden up. Part of Miranda's mind wondered if it was a coincidence, or on purpose, but it hardly mattered. Misty of moaned softly, feeling perfectly safe and content, even as her lover's hand slid beneath her nightshirt and over her stomach. "Looking for something?" she asked coyly. "You need only to tell me to stop," responded Miranda, giving Misty's earlobe a gentle nibble as her fingers playfully threatened to slide within her undergarment. "That's funny," replied Misty, her voice sounding a little distracted, "'cause I- I can't seem to remember how..." "Just. Say. Stop," said Miranda, speaking each word between kisses along Misty's neck, causing her lover to shiver despite the warmth. "But I just can't," sighed Misty contentedly, jumping a little in sudden excited anticipation as Miranda's fingers slipped underneath her panties and slowly traced their way across her soft skin. "But if you don't tell me to stop," countered Miranda as her middle finger slid slowly along the line between Misty's labia, and smiled as she felt a subtle moisture growing there, "I won't. I'll just keep going and going until your cries of passion fill the night, and all the creatures of this place know that this is but one expression of the love that I have for you." Misty let out a small whimper, closing her eyes and breathing slowly through her mouth as she tried to speak, somehow unable to find the words. Clutching desperately at her lover's back as Miranda's fingers teased her womanhood, sending pleasant chills through her, causing Misty's entire body to tingle. She couldn't help but let out a small gasp as she felt Miranda's gently probing middle finger slide a little deeper, drawing it slowly back and forth between Misty's labia. She then couldn't help but push herself closer, abandoning herself to the sensation as her fingers clenched and she panted breathlessly in Miranda's ear. "Patience," her beloved whispered teasingly in her ear, kissing Misty's neck as she spoke, her free hand moving closer to her own womanhood, "there's no need to rush things." Misty managed to catch her breath as Miranda's pace slowed. She could still feel the warmth of her lover's hand between her legs, the gentle caress just enough to give her a gentle sensation of euphoria. "What are you doing?" whispered Misty, feeling Miranda's body shiver a little. "N-nothing," came Miranda's giddy reply, and Misty's eyes widened as she reached between them and touched Miranda's hand. "I-I could help you, you know," she offered, taking hold of both Miranda's hands and gently guiding them. "I'm fine," the courier replied with a smile, shivering pleasantly at her lover's touch, "But for now, just show me what you want." Misty smiled, gently pushing the Miranda's middle finger inside herself. The little cry she let out in response, causing Miranda a convulsive shiver as she closed her eyes and held onto the moment. "Right there..." Misty gasped, her voice breathless as Miranda felt a deep need building inside herself. "Like this?" teased Miranda, dragging her wetted fingers up to Misty's clit as she let Misty guide her other hand, copying the motion almost exactly. "No," whimpered Misty, her breathing coming in long drawn out breathes, "I need to feel you inside me. Like this..." Miranda gasped, shivering happily as Misty pushed her hand back down and felt her finger slide inside herself. The courier couldn't help but smile, knowing that that was exactly what Misty suddenly desperately wanted as she made slow playful circles upon Misty's clit, teasing her lover as she rotated the small nub with a wetted finger that seemed to know just what to do. "Here," the girl offered, sliding one hand between Miranda's gently rubbing thigh and her own womanhood. With a small- embarrassed exclamation, Misty slid her finger inside herself before bringing her hand up to her shoulder, "Please, Miri," came Misty's almost desperate tone, the pressure of her fingers upon the courier's back increasing, "I need you so much!" Misty's voice bordered on pleading and Miranda felt as though she'd melt at the sound. "As you wish, my beloved," she whispered, at last obeying the request. Misty arched her back in reaction to the sudden sensation, her breasts pressing invitingly against Miranda's as she tried to stifle her voice. For a moment, she merely clung to Miranda, her mind swimming as her lover's finger did its work, barely noticing as the courier abandoned her own pleasure and moved her free hand up under Misty's shirt. She couldn't help but shiver and move as close as possible as Miranda's hand cupped her small breast, the woman's fingers clasping the nipple and gently squeezing it as the others caressed her skin. "Wha- What are you-?" Misty began, hardly thinking straight as the sensation filled her and she kissed Miranda's neck affectionately in hopes of letting some of it out. "Nothing..." chuckled Miranda, her voice full of mischief, her middle finger sliding deeper as her thumb moved to rub Misty's clit, "Just making you the center of my undivided attention." "But- But what a- about you?" Misty gasped, but Miranda leaned her head back, and caught her lover's lips in a kiss. One Misty couldn't the desire to pull away from as she kissing back with every ounce of passion she could muster. "Just- Just don't stop," she panted, pulling away to catch her breath and Miranda smiled at the look in Misty's eyes. "Not unless you tell me to," Miranda assured, the sound of Misty's now incoherent, yet lovely voice filling her ears and bringing moisture to her nether regions even without the girl's touch and making her shiver unconsciously. "Miri-?" Misty inquired helplessly, first feeling Miranda stop, then noticing the way Miranda's body quivered, and finally heard the gasping sound of the courier's quiet exclamation that accompanied the sudden look upon her face. Misty giggled quietly, enjoying the feeling Miranda's body against her own before mischievously reaching down to continue guiding her lover's fingers. "Sorry, dearest," replied Miranda after a moment, an embarrassed tone to her voice, "I guess you just 'pushed the right buttons' there for a second. Now then, were was I...?" As her finger slid back and forth, Misty's inner walls pressing firmly against it, Miranda's other hand traced its fingertips across her lover's breast. Touching lightly against the soft, yet firm flesh she found, Miranda moved across from one to the other, lightly dragging her fingers as she went. "Is this okay?" she whispered, watching Misty's expression, knowing that there was little she could do that her lover would object to, but selfishly loving the sound of Misty's voice when it was lost in ecstasy. "Wo- wonderful-!" Misty stammered, to which Miranda could only sigh happily as her lovingly cupped the breast she had found, squeezing it with fond gentleness and half wishing to be rid of the nightshirts they both wore. "What's wonderful?" inquired Miranda, leaning forward and tracing the tip of her tongue along Misty's earlobe, following its natural curve in a gesture as teasing as her tone, "Tell me, dearest. I want to know..." Misty shuddered a little, and Miranda could feel her body heat intensify from both the building sensation as well as her embarrassment. "Your- your fingers..." Misty managed to stammer after several shallow breaths. "My fingers?" inquired Miranda, slowing her pace despite the way her lover tried to move her hand, "what about them?" Miranda gave Misty's nipple a playful squeeze as the girl tried to speak again, causing her to suddenly stretch out and dig her nails into Miranda's back almost painfully. She then let out a sound that started out low, and slowly grew into a long, drawn out cry of ecstasy that though not loud, spoke volumes. The sound was musical in its own way, and Miranda could almost feel the waves of pleasure coursing through her lover as Misty's body shuddered before going limp, all the tension in her body finally relaxing. "You- You know well enough..." panted Misty with a smile, glancing over up at Miranda, the courier's stormy gray eyes still holding a hint of mischief. "Hm, can I help it if I'm verbally stimulated?" replied Miranda innocently, before laughing and giving Misty a kiss on the cheek. Misty closed her eyes, smiling as she snuggled closer. "If that's all it took," pondered Misty, "Then all I'd have to do is whisper things to you, and there you'd go." "That wouldn't be much fun," commented Miranda, her tone shifting from thoughtful to amused as her fingers continued to idly caress her lover's intimated areas, "Unless you did it at awkward moments..." Misty laughed at the prospect, but caught her breath and let out a giggling moan as her mind focused on the sensation once more. "And speaking of which," she inquired, "What about you?" "What about me?" inquired Miranda, her arms going around Misty's body as one leg moved to hold hers, thus holding Misty as closely as possible. "You're willing to just lie there, bringing me to ecstasy again, and again, with out worrying about yourself?" she asked rhetorically. "Sometimes just holding you is enough," answered Miranda, giving Misty a playful kiss upon the nose, "And besides, it's not as though I'm bored. I rather enjoy 'watching' you..." Misty bowed her head and smiled. "You're too much," she replied, glancing up and giving Miranda a serious look, "But are you sure you're alright? It may be rather late at night, but I-" "Shhh," whispered Miranda, placing a finger against her lover's lips to silence her. "I'm fine," she explained with a small, reassuring smile, "That's just it. It's late, and I have a fair bit of driving to do in the morning. Besides you know me. When I get too hot and bothered, I'm up half the night!" "That's true," laughed Misty, shaking her head in wonder, "But I think you had just one tiny one while you were 'pleasing' me." "One tiny what?" inquired Miranda, her tone teasing as she leaned close and gave Misty a conspirative look. "You know!" whispered Misty as loudly as she dared, her cheeks turning red as she glanced around nervously. "Tell me," her lover replied playfully, her fingers moving down Misty's flank in a gentle tickling motion. "Why?" the girl laughed, twitching as the sensation finally became too much to bear. "Maybe I just like hearing you say things like that," chuckled Miranda, idly running her fingertips down under Misty's nightshirt before coming up again and brushing her skin more attentively. "Do you have any other fetishes I should worry about?" asked Misty, jerking forward suddenly, arching her back to avoid being tickled. "Maybe..." the courier replied, playfully kissing the end of Misty's nose before laying her palm flat and running her hand over her lover's back, "But I'd have to say that bringing you to the brink of ecstasy again and again is fairly high on the list." Misty smiled as Miranda moved closer. "So, how about you?" her lover countered, causing Misty to smile nervously and glance away, "Anything I should be worried about? Anything I should take a book out on and study?" "I-! I-!" stammered Misty, giving up and simply burying her face in Miranda's ample hair and making her laugh at the gesture. "I really wouldn't know," Misty confessed, relaxing as she felt Miranda's warm touch upon her back, her beloved's fingers no longer tickling, but caressing in a familiar, comforting way. "Well, I'm here to help if you need me," Miranda assured, unable to keep the amusement from her tone as Misty moved her head back to face her. "I know," she replied softly, giving Miranda a gentle kiss upon the lips, "but right now, I'm happy and totally content. Thank you, Miranda." Her lover closed her eyes, basking in the moment of well-being as wariness began to creep up on her. "You're welcome, my love," she replied, opening her eyes just enough to hold Misty's image in her mind while she slept, "sleep well." Misty nodded, snuggling closer to Miranda, and waiting patiently for the courier's breathing to begin to slow. "Miranda," whispered Misty into her ear, a smile she couldn't contain crossing her face. "Yes?" she inquired quietly, feeling a touch guilty for drifting off so quickly. "Orgasm!" whispered Misty directly into Miranda's ear, causing her to laugh despite her wariness. "Oh, go to sleep you!" the courier replied, trying to sound stern, but only succeeding in laughing as Misty gave her one final hug goodnight...
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