Chapter 5 - "If I Fell"
"Attention, everyone. We interrupt your regularly scheduled program to bring you this important weather announcement."
"Turn it up, Meowth!"
"Ya got it, Meowthy-chan."
"Today's weather has been acting very peculiar. This morning, it was bright and sunny. There were no clouds in the sky. Later the sky turned cold and freezing. Then it began to snow. Now, we're in the middle of one of the greatest storms in history. We would advise you to stay inside until we figure out what has caused this phenomenon to occur. It probably has something to do with the cold front in Nebraska, but we're not sure yet. Thank you, and now back to your regularly scheduled soap-opera, 'Pikachu Gets Electrocuted'."
Meowth walked over to the window and looked outside. "Jeez, ya think Jessie and James'll be alright?"
"They just went out for a moment," Meowthy said as she stretched. She then licked her small kittens. "They'll probably be back pretty soon."
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"Great!" James snorted, pulling his backpack over his head. "It's just our luck to get caught in a storm." He began running around looking for a covered area. Jessie followed close behind him.
"It was gorgeous this morning," Jessie sighed, doing the best she could to keep dry. James nodded and took her under his arm, sheltering her from the rain. Soon they caught sight of a covered bus stop. They immediately ran into it. Jessie sat on the bench and wrung her long hair out, which was now sopping wet and clung to her body. "I'm soaked."
"Me too," James sniffed. "And I just got this shirt dry-cleaned."
"The Boss isn't gonna be too thrilled when we tell him why we're wet."
"Yeah. We weren't supposed to be out today."
There was a long pause while the two thought about what would happen to them. They would probably have bathroom-duty, or something. Either that or they would get Arbok and Weezing taken away for about a week. Not really a big deal. Giovanni just didn't like it when Team Rocket didn't obey orders, especially if it were Jessie and James.
"Of course, we don't have to go back yet," Jessie suddenly announced playfully. "We could stay here and wait 'till we're dry."
"But, Jess," James protested. "If we don't get back, members will notice we're gone, and then...Then, what would happen?"
Jessie ignored him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "It doesn't really matter what others say."
"But I don't wanna get in trouble!"
"You're going to get in trouble with me if you don't shut up and kiss me!" Jessie snapped. James' eyes shot open and blinked a few times. He then obeyed Jessie's orders and kissed her long and passionately. Jessie smiled. "That's more like it..."
Then James stood up and leaned against the wall of the bus stop. "Do you think Pokémon like the rain?" he asked, completely changing the subject.
Jessie frowned. "James," she sighed. "Here we are, alone in an abandoned bus stop, and we need to 'warm up' from the rain. All you can think about is the weather?"
He turned and smiled at her. "Where is your mind today, Jessie?"
Jessie laughed. "In the same place yours is. Now come to me." She outstretched her arms, inviting James to her. He happily accepted the offer and dropped his backpack. The two began a storm of their own.
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"I've got it!"
"You have?"
"This time, I've really got it!"
"Do tell!"
"I have an idea for our newest song."
"It had better not be Pokémon."
"It's not."
"Then, what is it?"
"Why don't we write one about Team Rocket? We've been living here nearly all of our lives, and know mostly everything about them."
The three beetles glared at their friend. "Do you remember the other Team Rocket song those idiots made several years ago?" the leader snapped. "Everyone hated it, and their voices left something to be desired."
The others nodded. "Alright," said the first one. "No Team Rocket, then."
"Good!"
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Tack ran into Team Rocket Head Quarters with a burst of enthusiasm. He had disappeared from his work for four years, but now he was back in business. He had been planning his revenge and now he could finally have it. He ran down to the cafeteria. "I'm back!" he announced.
At first, everyone stood in shock and disbelief. Soon, soft snickering was heard. It got louder and louder until, eventually, the whole room was roaring with laughter.
"It's Mary's brother!"
"Yeah, the little baby!"
"Whadda hoot!"
The boy's face fell. His jaw dropped and his eyes quivered. "Didn't you guys miss me?"
One woman rose to her feet. She had dark maroon eyes and golden hair that spiked at the tip. Her Team Rocket outfit was far different from the others'. It was black with several colors for the trim. She walked over to Tack. "Your sister was a fool."
"Cassidy?" Tack asked, his eyes filling to the brim with tears. "How can you say that? Mary was much better than you."
Cassidy waved him off. "And you're just as worse."
Cassidy's partner, a tall man with short, turquoise hair and brown eyes, joined her. "If Mary was so good," he began in a very raspy-toned voice. "Why is she dead, and the rest of us ain't?"
Tack's face hardened. "Because Jessie..."
"Jessie?" Cassidy interrupted. "Jessie the loser? The famous Bloody Mary was beaten by...JESSIE?!?" The whole cafeteria again roared with laughter. "Did you hear that, Butch?"
Her partner nodded, trying to stifle his laughter. "Yeah, I heard it, Cassidy."
"And I thought Jessie was bad!" Cassidy laughed again.
Tack grit his teeth and clenched his fists. "You guys haven't seen me for years. What makes you think I haven't grown up?" The whole congregation laughed again.
"Just you wait!" Tack bellowed. "I'll prove to you I'm not a push-over! I will make Jessie pay for murdering my sister!"
The crowd continued to laugh as Tack stormed out the door. Butch and Cassidy waved. "Have fun playing in your sandbox!" Cassidy called after him.
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Two hours had passed since the storm had begun. Again, the sky was sunny and blue. The streets were dry and a rainbow could be seen atop a hill. Jessie lay in James' arms sleeping. James was lying across the bench and looking outside. He nudged Jessie. "Hey, the storm's over." He whispered.
Jessie grumbled something but continued to sleep.
He smiled. "C'mon, dearest. All good things must come to an end." He gulped. Now they had to return to Head Quarters and get chewed-out by the Boss. "Let's go face the music."
He pushed himself up causing Jessie to do the same. She opened her eyes and looked at him groggily. "Wha...?"
"Let's go," James said, grabbing his backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. "Ugh," he groaned. All the contents inside were damp. He set it back down on the ground again and opened it. He received a bunch of angry noises.
"Weezing!"
"Victreeeeeeebellllll!"
"Growl growl!"
James cringed. "Aw Weezing, Victreebel, Growlie, I'm sorry! But I was caught in the middle of a damned storm." Then there came a chorus of angrier Pokémon.
"Charbok!"
"Tongue!"
"Guess that answers my question about Pokémon and rain. Next time, Jess, I'm not carrying your Pokémon!" He turned around to face her, expecting either an evil glare or a mouth full of retorts. Instead he got snores. "Asleep again?" He closed the backpack again, hoisted it on his shoulders, and picked up Jessie. He carried her all the way home.
Chapter 6 - "Yesterday"
Tack sat alone on the steps of Team Rocket Head Quarters. So, they still all laughed at him. No matter. He wouldn't need them for his plan. He would show everyone how truly evil he really was. He would put his plan into action...Just as soon as he found Jessie.
Suddenly Tack heard footsteps coming towards him. He ran and hid behind the nearest bush and looked into the distance. What luck! It was James. He was carrying Jessie. Tack grinned. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all.
James walked up the steps carefully and opened the door to Head Quarters. Tack followed him inside silently. He tiptoed behind James as he took Jessie up to her room. James lay her down on her bed and covered her with blankets so she wouldn't catch cold. "Guess you'll change later," he murmured as he emptied her Pokéballs onto her dresser. "See you later." He then walked outside and closed her door.
"Greetings, James!"
"Huh?" James turned around and stood face-to-face with... "Tack?"
"I'm touched you remember me!" Tack mock-cried. "How have you been doing these past years?"
James shrugged. "Well, I'm good. But you're still a runt..."
"WOT?!?"
"See ya around, kiddo!" James laughed and headed down to the cafeteria.
"Runt?" Tack yelled after him. "Aren't you even remotely interested in how I survived the blast your girlfriend caused?" No answer. "Argh! You're an idiot, James! I'll get you back!"
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"You're not serious!"
"I am...She actually wore a dress for once!"
"Alex?"
"No!"
"It's a miracle!"
Serena, Raye, Mina, Lita, Amy, Michelle, and Holly all sat in the ice-cream parlor. Beside Serena lay five empty containers of ice-cream. "Your sister's sure a weirdo, Michelle." Serena said as she gulped down another container.
Michelle giggled. "Yeah, I guess so. It's not everyday you see her wearing a dress. She just wears jeans and other men's clothing all the time. Yesterday, she went out to a bar with some other guys from her work. I almost died when she came in at midnight bringing a bunch of drunken guys into the house. Susan threw a fit when she found them trashing her clean kitchen."
Everyone laughed. Holly sighed. "I'm full..." Serena grabbed the remainder of her dessert. Everyone laughed again.
"Look!" Amy exclaimed. "The storm's over." She pointed outside the window.
"It's strange," Holly said. "That the weather would act so crazy in just one day."
"I wonder if this is Scout business," Michelle whispered to Serena. "We should go check it out."
Serena was still shoving ice-cream into her mouth. "I'm sure it's nothing."
"Well, Holly and I will go see," replied Michelle. She took Holly's hand and led her out the door. "If you need us, we'll be at the weather station."
"Okay!" the girls called. Serena continued eating.
Raye nudged her. "Hey, eating-machine, if you keep stuffing your face, you'll never fit into your wedding gown."
"Hmmm?" Serena said.
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"Michelle! Look at these reports."
Michelle and Holly had received permission to look through the weather files of that morning. Holly held out two for Michelle to look at. "It says here that the snow began falling at Vermillion Beach. It had been warm the first of the day and suddenly the weather went crazy."
"Where's Vermillion?" Holly asked.
"I don't know."
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Jessie woke up that evening freezing. "James," she whispered to herself. "It's just like you to throw me in bed with wet clothes on. Your jobs are done half-assed!" She jumped out of bed and quickly began a hot shower. She then turned on the radio for music and took sweet-scented shampoo and perfume out of her cabinet. At least if I get sick, she thought, I won't look miserable.
She got in the shower. It felt nice to get warm again. Her throat was a little sore. A symptom of a cold, but James' Growlithe could make a fire in the fireplace in the Head Quarters' recreational room. Then she could snuggle with James for awhile. Being sick meant everyone waited on you. She smiled.
"Hey you!"
Jessie jumped. "Who's there?"
"Are you tired of endless waiting?"
"Just the radio!" she sighed in relief.
"How long have you and your lover been going out?" the announcer on the radio blared.
"About six years," Jessie murmured to herself and the radio.
"And has he popped you the Big Question?"
"Uhhh...No..."
"Well, then maybe it's time you stopped the waiting and prompted him. We here at the S.S. Anne Cruise Liner offer wonderful deals on honeymoon suites. Picture the two of you on deck after happily agreeing to spend the rest of your lives together."
Jessie sighed dreamily and closed her eyes, imagining James holding her close as the sun set on peaceful blue water. "Yes..."
"Why wait now? If he doesn't ask, why don't you? Book your wedding on the S.S. Anne today. Just call 1-800-MARRIED. Remember, you only share a moment like this once."
"Yes!" Jessie exclaimed. "Marriage! James and I should be married. We've been together since childhood in a bike gang and Pokémon Tech." She hopped out of the shower and changed into a dry Team Rocket uniform. Then she dried and combed her hair until it was soft and falling down her back. Then she ran into James' room and grabbed his Pokéball containing Growlie. "Tonight, nothing will stand in my way!"
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James and Butch were downstairs in the rec room playing pool. James chalked his stick and aimed it for the cueball. "No pressure..." Butch teased.
"Quiet," James said, still intensely watching the ball. "If I sink this shot, I win. Then you owe me a beer."
Butch grinned. "That's why I don't want you to win."
"Steady...Easy..." James closed one eye and pulled back the stick.
"HALT!" Butch and James jumped. James' hand slipped and the ball went flying across the room. The two turned to see Jessie standing in the doorway. "Time for you to leave, Butch."
"Ohhh..." Butch said, nudging James in the ribs. "Good luck!" He walked past Jessie who winked at him. He laughed.
James blushed and looked at his feet. "Hiya, Jess! How ya doing?"
"I'm a little sick," she said. "But this will fix that. Growlithe, I choose you!" Jessie threw forth the Pokéball and Growlie came out.
"Hey!" James whined. "That's my Pokémon!"
"You owe me for getting me sick," she smiled. "Growlie, Ember in the fireplace." After Growlie had finished, Jessie called him back and walked over to the couch. She patted the seat beside her. "James, I need to talk with you."
"Sure!" James grinned as he rushed to Jessie's side. He tried to kiss her, but she pushed him away gently.
"First things first, you idiot," she laughed. "This is serious."
Serious, thought James. Boring. "I hate serious," he pouted.
"James, you and I have known each other for a very long time," Jessie began. She stopped to make sure James was following her. He nodded. Jessie continued. "And we've been going together almost as long."
"What'cha getting at?" James asked.
"I want to get married..."
"WHAT?!?" James asked, jumping off of the couch and onto his feet.
"I believe we should get married," Jessie said again.
James got a sweatdrop. "Jessie, I can't!"
"Why not?" Jessie said, her eyes wobbling a little. "If we truly love each other, then we should be happy to spend the rest of our lives together."
James shook his head. "No! I'm not the marrying type. I'm not ready to settle down and have all the responsibilities."
"Well I am!" Jessie growled standing to her feet to face James. "And if you don't want to spend the rest of your life with me, then I guess you don't love me."
"Jessie!"
Jessie walked out the door of the rec room and slammed it behind her. The air from the slam blew the fire out. James plopped back down on the couch and sat alone in the dark. "I do love you," he said. "And I want to be with you always, but I can't yet..." Yesterday, his life was so simple, and now he was alone.
Chapter 7 - "All You Need is Love"
The next morning was the same as always. Jessie entered the cafeteria to see James sitting there eating and reading the paper as he always was. She bought a cup of coffee and went over to sit at the table next to him. "Good morning," she said softly. James didn't even look up at her. He said nothing. Jessie looked away from him guiltily. "Look, I'm sorry I blew up at you last night. I mean, I know you love me. You've expressed it in many ways..."
"Yes, I have," James interrupted, glaring up at her from his food and newspaper. "For you to say that you don't think I care was very cruel."
Jessie sweatdropped. "Yes, you're right, James. It was cruel, and I ask for your forgiveness." She took his hand and squeezed it. "Please?"
A knowing smile crept over James' face. "I guess I can forgive you," he said. "But you need to do something for me..."
"And...That may be?" She expected he was going to say one thing. James was like that. A one-track mind sort of guy.
He paused to stuff a spoonful of rice in his mouth. "Don't ever mention the word 'marriage' again."
Jessie fell over Anime-style. "You...You surprised me."
"Oh, that's for later!" James winked. "But business is first. You said so yourself!"
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Meowth's ears twitched. Pokémon could sense things from a mile away. Pokémon have the keen senses most humans don't have. He knew he was being watched, but pretended he didn't. The hunter must think its prey is stupid and not suspect anything. The hunter was moving in for the kill. Meowth felt it. A jump. A duck. A splat. "Meowth!"
"Owwiee!"
Meowth laughed. "Bumped yer head dere, didn't you, Jessie-chan?"
"Daddy!" the tiny Pokémon groaned. She got up to her feet. She was a tad dizzy from the head-crash into the wall, but managed to scamper over to Meowth's feet. "You could hear me, huh?"
Meowth nodded. "But don't worry," he said patting her on the head. "You'll make a fine hunter. Now, go find yer mother."
"Okay!" Jessie the Meowth nodded. She ran off to Meowthy who was sleeping with her other kittens in a laundry basket.
"Meowth!"
"Hiya, James," Meowth replied.
James came into his room through the door. "How are you, Top Cat?"
"Same old," Meowth shrugged. "I'm teaching Jessie to be a hunter."
"Jessie's a hunter?" James blinked. "But she's not good at capturing Pokémon..."
"Not yer Jessie, numbskull! My kitten."
"Ooohhh..." James laughed. "Sorry."
"What d'ya want?"
"What do you mean 'What do I want'?" James smirked. "Not only is this my room, but it's my day to do laundry." He walked over to the laundry basket, picked it up, and walked out the door.
"It is his room," Meowth sighed. Then his eyes widened. He ran out the door after James. "LAUNDRY?!? Wait, Jaaaaaaaames!"
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"I've got it!"
"Not again..."
"Let's do a song about love!"
The other beetles groaned. "Do you know how many songs we've written about love, man?" the leader groaned.
"Uhhh...A lot?"
"Yes."
"No love then?"
"No love."
"But, all you need is love, man!"
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"I wish someone loved me!" Tack cried. "I'm such a lonely man..." He wandered to his old room that was on the end of the Rockets 5 hall. Mary's door had been locked since she never came back. Everything was different, yet the same. There was his old Nintendo Gameboy. 'Pokémon' was still in the cartridge case. He sighed. There were his old posters and his old bed. A small tear trickled down his face, but he wiped it off immediately. "Well, I'd better find where those birds went." he said, pulling out a large map from a desk drawer. "They're the final keys I need to take my revenge!" He laughed an evil sort of laugh, but then began coughing. "Damn cold!"
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Jessie was in her room waiting for instructions from the Boss when the telephone rang. She picked it up. "Hello?" she said sweetly.
"Hi," replied the voice. "Jessie?"
"Who is this?"
"It's me...Serena."
Jessie leapt out of her chair excitedly. "Serena-chan! Oh, it's been a while! How are you?"
"Well...I'm getting married."
At first, Jessie said nothing. Then she snapped out of it. "To Endymion-san?"
"Yes! Isn't that great?"
She sat back down in her chair again. "Isn't that marvelous..." Jessie said sarcastically.
"What's wrong, Jessie-chan?" Serena asked.
"It seems everybody in the whole cotton-pickin' world is getting married, except me," she growled. "James doesn't want to get married yet. He says he's not ready for the responsibilities."
"It is a big responsibility," Serena said calmly. "I'm sorry, Jessie."
"It's alright. I guess I just thought James would leap at the chance to be with me all the time."
"Men are different from us."
"No kidding..."
There was a short pause. Serena broke it. "Well, I just wanted to say hi and tell you you were invited. Invitations are in the mail."
"Thanks..."
"Bye, Jess!"
"Sayonara..."