Well, this is the final chapter, hope y'all enjoy.

Ash had absolutely no idea on what he was doing.

There had been loads of times in his life in which he felt this way. But usually he was a simple man who survived by basking in his cluelessness and continued living happily.

He stood in Serena's matchmaking shop, separated from the matchmaker herself by not just the physical entity of a counter, but also by the tension, anxiety, and longing that holds the air between them.

Right now, he did not feel blissfully happy in not knowing what was going on. All he knew was that he felt like his heart would burst out from his chest and scurried away on the floor if the gorgeous honey blond woman before him did not acknowledge his written confession soon.

He hadn't planned it this way. In fact, he hadn't planned anything at all. His idea of an apology had been to enter into the shop and say sorry. But as soon as he had laid eyes on Serena, he couldn't help but become nervous so he did the only thing he could think of and pretend this was his first time here. Basically act as he had the first day at the shop.

Luckily filling out the form was easy. He just decided to describe Serena. But now, thing had led up to this point in which he had not only not apologized, but he had instead gone so far as to write those three words.

Ash watched as Serena's eyes lingered at the bottom of his form and her body stiffened.

Oh crap. Not a good sign.

Dazzling blue eyes slowly turned upwards and locked on with his. Ash took a deep breath and straightened, ready to accept whatever the consequence. He had never done this before. Confess that is.

Serena let out a small cough. This was it.

Meanwhile, Serena had been bidding her time by staring down at the form, trying to formulate the words she would say to the handsome man before her.

She could hear his steady breathing and just that slight noise made her nervous because she knew it was Ash breathing and not anyone else.

With a deep breath, Serena finally glanced up to see that Ash had been staring at her, the intensity in his eyes like arrows piercing into her body. But she didn't look away.

She put down his form and took a few steps sideways so that she was directly across from him.

She licked her glistening lips and saw his gaze flicker downward, just a millisecond, before coming back up.

"Ash."

He jerked slightly.

"You..." She collected her thoughts then frowned. "You are an absolute jerk."

At this, Ash finally blinked.

Serena continued. "It's been more than ten years since we've seen one another and the first thing you do upon seeing me is prank me. I have to hand it to you, it's your biggest prank yet, continuing for well over a week. But besides that, your little lie has ruined my reputation as a reliable matchmaker in this town and demolished my business in the span of one weekend! Do you know how hard I worked to make this place a good business before you showed up? And now you just show up here after creating all this death and destruction and tell me that you love me and expect me to just jump into your arms to live happily ever after? Is that it?"

Ash gaped. He couldn't help it. What happened to the pensive longing vibe he had felt coming from her?

This wasn't how hopelessly romantic girls were supposed to respond to a love confession! Where were the tears? The hugs? The kisses? Truth be told, he had sort of expected Serena to jump into his arms.

But he wasn't about to tell the woman who glared at him that. He didn't need his other eye to be injured too.

"Well?" Serena said, crossing her arms across her chest.

Ash bit his lip then said, "Um. Maybe?"

Serena snorted. "This isn't a fairytale Ash. You've messed up everything since you showed up."

"Look Serena. I'm sorry about that. Really, I am."

Serena ignored him. "But you know what you've messed up the most? Me. My heart." Here she took slow steps towards the edge of the counter, never taking her eyes off Ash's face. "It's been messed up since you walked in here as Alvin Ketter. I knew I felt something. But I didn't know what. Until now."

"Um?" Ash managed to say, watching as Serena emerged from behind the counter to stand in front of him on the same side.

"What...what did you feel? Do you feel?" Ash ask tentatively.

Serena raised an eyebrow. "Hate."

Immediately Ash felt like he couldn't breathe. His heart felt like it was being stabbed multiple times with various sharp objects and his brain felt like it was melting out his ears.

Serena took a step closer

"And love."

One of the knives in Ash's heart dropped to the floor. "What?"

"Yup. I don't really understand it myself. But as much as you made me hate you," Serena said still coming closer and closer. "You made me fall in love with you."

Now all the sharp objects that had embedded themselves in his heart simply vanished, the holes healed. His brain, however, remained where it was, a puddle on the floor. "You...I – you mean –"

Before Ash could say another word, Serena had thrown herself forward, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head towards her in a fiery kiss.

Well Ash wasn't complaining about being cut off. He responded by winding his own arms around her waist and pulling her closer until they were perfectly molded together.

It was a fierce and passionate kiss, as though everything they had been feeling, all the built up attraction and longing and frustration were now being released against each other's lips.

And then, it was gentle, hesitant, and sweet, all the love and tenderness being shared with one another without words.

Serena knew this was it. This is what she had been wanting and missing and needing all these years, all this week, all this time.

Her business made her happy, sure. But this man, this insufferable, dratted, loveable, kind, humorous and clueless man was the key to her happiness and future success. She could feel it just within this one, first kiss they shared.

Finally, they stopped kissing but still had their arms around one another. Serena gasped happily and gazed up at Ash who was grinning, his hair even messier and even more attractive than before.

"Aren't I supposed to be the one who initiates? As the man I mean," Ash said.

Serena smiled shyly. "I'm a go-getter. And I get what I want."

"So I see."

"You were an extremely insufferable boy Ash Ketchum and you were my first crush. Now, you are an extremely insufferable man and I can't believe I've fallen in love with you."

"Well you, Serena Yvonne, were an extremely cute little girl who was my best friend. Now you are an extremely beautiful woman and I am proud to have fallen in love with you."

Ash bent down and kissed Serena again.

After a few moments, they finally released one another and stood their grinning and staring at one another.

Serena was glad that she had sent Dawn and Shauna away because the scene would definitely have played differently if they had been present.

"I am really sorry about your business," Ash said now looking around the shop. "I heard about the article even before you just blasted me."

"I didn't think men read the VV."

"We don't. But my mother called me this morning upset that I turned you into a two-timer and ruined your business."

"How is she doing?"

"Good good. She had a bit of a back problem a while ago, but she's better."

"That's good."

"Yup."

Serena bit her lip, put her arms behind her back and rocked back and forth slightly. Now that they had confessed their feelings to one another both verbally and physically, she was at a loss of what to do.

"Anyways," Ash spoke up once again, feeling just as lost and confused. "Is there anything I can do to help you out?"

"Oh. Well. I guess not. I mean, don't worry about it," Serena said, She pulled up a stool and sat down, indicating Ash to do the same. "I figure it's time to go back home, my real home."

"You mean. Back to Pallet?"

"Don't know. I've had a good year here but, being a matchmaker isn't my dream."

"Are you sure? I know a lot of people and can probably get an apology printed for the slander."

Serena waved a hand. "It's really okay. I figure this is a sign."

"If you're sure."

"I am."

They smiled at one another. Serena stood up and held out her hand. "Walk?"

Ash fitted his larger fingers around her softer, smaller ones, rubbing his thumb along the top of her hand. "You really need to let me initiate these things."

They headed towards the front of the shop.

"You're just too slow."

As they exited and Serena locked the door, she said, "So just to make things official, you're my boyfriend, right?"

"Again, let me initiate!"

"And again, you're just a slowpoke."

"Then I won't be your boyfriend."

"Oh really?"

"Really. Until you let me – mphf!"

After a minute, Serena let a dazed Ash go who shook himself out of shock and grinned down. "Actually, I'm beginning to think this isn't so bad at all."

"I'm a matchmaker. I know how these things work."

"Well by all means, keep on working Miss Yvonne."

"No problem Mr. Ketter."

Well, chapter finished and book ended. Thx for reading guys. I'll think about an epilogue to finish it. Hope y'all have a good.