Jessie contentedly glanced at the water besides her. But then, like always, she was disturbed, by the yelling of James and Meowth.

"Hey, Jimmy boy! You said you'd save the last spoon full for me! You ate it you pig!"

James quickly defended himself. "I did not! It's my ice cream anyway, I had the right to eat the last bite. Get your own!". Meowth rolled his eyes.

"Guys, guys, cut it out! Meowth if you really need an ice cream, I'll buy you one, don't bug James!"

James placed his hand on Jessie's shoulder. Her ears twitched back, and a blush spread across her face. She would have normally wailed Ew! But she knew deep down inside she loved it, she would have liked it to stay there forever.

"Jess, you're so sweet and caring. I'm sure Meowth appreciates it." James couldn't believe he had just said that, he hoped that would make her actually love him. She watched the reaction on her face, whether she would smile, or frown. In his surprise-she smiled.

I know, I know. Now stop the awing, and let me borrow your money." He frowned.

"My money?! You said you would buy it!"

"I said I'd buy it, but I didn't say I would use my money."

He smirked, but handed her the money. She strutted over to the cart, with Meowth by her side. The man selling the ice cream was tall, and thin. He had brownish gold hair. His eye's where a mysterious hazel.

"Well, little lady, what'll it be?"

She blushed. "Oh well, it's not for me. It's for my friend.". She looked down on Meowth. "Tell em' what you want." Meowth jumped up on the counter.

"I want strawberry!". He smiled.

"You, know that pretty pink of the strawberry, matches the beautiful red of your gorgeous hair." She scented a smell of flirtation in the air.

"The chocolate matches the wonder of your lovely eyes." He turned as red as Jessie's hair.

"I like you, how about we do dinner tonight?"

"Sure, What time?"

"Oh, let's say, 6-ish."

"Fine with me, meet me at this address, it's where I live." She handed him a slip of paper. He smiled and watched her walk away.

Meowth chased after her. "Hey what about my ice cream?!"

She paid no mind. James glared at her. "Was that man harassing you? You want me to go over there and beat the living day lights out of him? Because I will! I mean if anyone gives you any trouble, you just tell me, cause I'll take care of em'! They'll be sorry they where ever boor-"

"James, James, it's okay! He only asked me out to dinner."

"Dinner?!?! That's even worse! I mean, have you seen half of the restaurants these days?! You could get food poisoning!! I mean where is he gonna take you, Burger king! Really Jess, he's the ICE CREAM MAN! WHAT'S NEXT?! MOONLIGHT DRIVES IN AN ICE CREAM TRUCK?! YOU DON'T WANT TO GO OUT WITH HIM! HIS HOUSE IS PROBABLY A FREEZER! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO NAME YOUR CHILDREN, LITTLE JIMMY?! GOOD HUMOR?!" James' face was about the color of fire. There was silence from Jessie. Was he really jealous? Jessie knew this was the key she was waiting for. This is how she could get James to finally speak up.

Meowth laughed, "What was that all about? You gotta crush or something?"

"No! I just want to crush his head! I mean a nice little lady like Jess, deserves a good man! Not a good humor man! I mean for all we know, his ice cream could be legally wanted in the state of MINNESOTA!!!!!"

"Jimmy boy, Ice cream usually isn't convicted for things."

"HOW DO YOU KNOW?!?!?! HAVE YOU GOTTEN' INTO A MIND OF AN ICE CREAM MAN?!! THEY CAN BE DEADLY, I TELL YOU! DEADLY!" James was practically blowing up. People in the park where staring at him. Meowth jumped on a bench and screamed to everyone around him, "If anyone asks, I DON'T KNOW HIM!" Meowth hopped down and scrambled over to Jessie. "Let's go home." Jessie and Meowth walked ahead, as James quietly fumbled along behind them, speaking to himself the whole way.

"Finally where home!" Their home was tiny, one kitchen, one living room, one bath room, and one bedroom. Thanks to Jessie, it was a lovely little house. There where wooden bits about, candles, plants, and cute little things. Jessie's favorite place was the bedroom, just a quiet little place, with a huge window, over looking the city. She flopped across the bed. The clock read 5:00 p.m.

"Ohmygosh!" She shouted. James ran into the room.

"What?! What?! What happened?!? Did he come?! Does he want to murder you?! I knew it! I knew it all along!" Jessie flinched.

"Nooooo, actually I was just gonna get ready, he'll be here soon."

"Oh......." James voice trailed off. He sat down next to her crossly. Jessie looked at him, her face softened. He really did care.

"James, look, I promise I'll be okay. And for any reason, if I need you, I find you somehow. I won't let do anything bad to me, I promise." Jessie smiled, the smile that James loved. She didn't show her teeth, it was just with her lips. It was beautiful, just like her. He wished he had the guts, to ask her out.

"Okay." That was all he could let himself get out. She seamed to have a little smirk in her smile. 'Did she figure it out?' He wondered. He retained himself from kissing her enchanted lips. 'She couldn't have. She'll never know, I am crazy for her.' He sighed. How could he let her go like that? She was so beautiful, everything about her was. The way she smelled, the way she looked, and how caring she was. He got up and left.

Jessie watched him leave. 'WHY, WHY, WHY?!' She thought. 'How stupid could I be to leave him for an Ice cream man?! I love him, that other guy doesn't even know my name! But now James thinks I love him, he'll probably move on if he does like me, and I'll never get to tell him, I am crazy for him.' She sighed, part of it was mad up of sorrow, the other anger. She got up and looked in her draws for something to wear. She found a pretty yellow dress, she never even knew she had it. She put it on. She felt ugly, she would feel so much better, if it was James she was going out with. She got up, to join her friends, and to wait for her date.

"How about a snack before you leave?". Meowth asked.

"No, I am watching my weight."

"Okay, but I don't know what for. The other day I learned you weigh, 76 pounds. James weighs 132 pounds."

"He weighs more number one: Cause he's taller, number two: Because he is a boy! Their supposed to be bigger!"

"Not that much!"

"Okay whatever, um, where is James anyway?"

"Don't know, don't care."

"Meowth!" She scolded.

"What?! Do you want me to tell a lie, and have my nose grow?"

"You don't have a nose!" Before she could say anymore, there was a knock on the door. "Oh......." Her voice trailed off, as she got up to answer it. Meowth happily followed.

"Hi......"

"Matt, the names, Matt." He told her.

"Okay, hi Matt. Come in." She closed the door behind her.

"Sweet little set up ya got here."

"Thanks, would you like something to drink?" She asked.

"Ahhhh, no. That's okay. So ahh, where ya wanna eat and shit?" Matt asked. Jessie blushed. She really didn't like to curse that much, although she was used to it. She found boys liked to do it, a lot.

"I don't know, anywhere is fine with me."

"Give me a freaking' answer! Okay, in my spare time I work at a night club, we could go there. I get in free, howbout' it?".

"Sure, Okay." Jessie couldn't help it but to feel uncomfortable around him. There was just something about him, his hair was now a mess, and she found he had tons of tattoo's. Maybe before he just looked nice because he was at his job. He grabbed Jessie's arm, and led her out the door with him. All the way there he kept touching her, putting his arm around, pinching her, kissing her, and every time Jessie backed away. She was frightened. It was there first date and he was acting like they knew each other forever.

When they arrived, Jessie found it to be a very dirty place. Like those scary night clubs on TV, where horrible things happen. She found herself surrounded by people.

"Yo Matt, finally got your self a girl, eh?" A man ask. Horrifying, like all the others.

"Yep, ain't nuttin to it. Just some kick ass cologne."

"Eh, she looks like a bitchy one all right. One who dumps you like that." He snapped his fingers. Jessie remained quiet. She wanted to run home. She felt a large hand grab her from behind. All these people where so much larger than her, she felt out of place.

"Who this bitchy lil' lady?" Matt shoved him away.

"Back off, Jo! She's mine!" Jo backed off. "Eh, I still don't know your name" Jessie smile. Finally, someone asked.

"Jessica, but ahhh, everyone calls m-"

"Eh, who cares! Grab yourself a drink. Light a match!"

"Sorry, but I don't drink, or smoke." Matt raised an eyebrow.

"Eh, just try some. Drinkin' an't bad unless ya drink, to us." He held a cup in front of her. She didn't know what to do. If she backed away, she thought they would, beat her or something.

"Fine." Jessie softly took the cup. Her lips gently pressed against the cup's edge. She titled it upward, and took a little sip.

"Hey, it's not so bad!" She dumped the whole drink down her throat. "Can I get another one?." And so, that's how the night went on. She couldn't stop, she just kept drinking. She talked to people, and drank more, and more. Before she decided to leave, she wanted another drink. Matt got it for her. As he gave it to her, he secretly dropped something in it. Not knowing, Jessie drank it. "Well thanks for the date Matt. I best be g-." Jessie fell to the ground. Her eyes gently closed, her breaths, slowed.

Jessie's eyes fluttered open. The room she was in was dark, and silent. She looked around terrified, not knowing where she was. She had an awful migraine, and stomach ache.

"James!" She cried. "James! Meowth!" No answer. She got up, feeling her way around. She found blood was every where. She screamed for them, but no one was there. She leaned against a wall, let her self slid down, and cried.

"Looking for someone?" said an angry voice.

Jessie open her eyes, and let out a small gasp. Still she saw no one. She felt temporarily blinded, until a light flickered on. Still no one. Jessie lifted up a small vase besides her.

"I know you're in here." She yelled. Her voice became stiller, as the sounds of breathing came closer, but still she saw no one.

"Jessica, your mother, is waiting." Jessie's heart skipped a beat. That would have to mean, whatever it was, it was going to kill her.

"Leave me alone!"

"No, it is time. Protecting yourself, isn't always kept, a good promise." Jessie's ears twitted back. But not nearly enough, for her to not feel the pain, that rushed into her right hip. "Your friend, is next."

"Where the heck is she?!" Yelled James. Pacing back and fourth in the bedroom. "It is 3:00 p. m!"

"I don't know Jimmy boy, but I am starting to worry." James' face turned pale.

"Do you really think something b-bad happened?"

"It could have." James' eye grew tears. Then his face stiffened.

"I am going to find her." Meowth jumped up. "I have to."

"I'm coming with you. She's my friend to, besides, face it, you need me." James nodded.

"Do you know where they went?" He asked.

"Yeah, he said he works at some 'Night club.' There's only one in town. The old cats eye place. It's spooky in there."

"To bad, I'm going." He grabbed Meowth, and left.

Jessie clutched to her hip. Someone had just stabbed her. It was unbelievable pain. She knew she couldn't stay, or she would get killed. She carefully stood up, using the wall as her guide. When she finally got her balance, she stood up, and ran. There was a door, she flung it open and kept running. She had no idea where she was going, or where she was.

"Jessie..........." She heard a voice call. It was that same eerie voice like before, but she could not see anyone. "Where are you?" She kept running, until she came to a dead end. She turned around, no one.

Suddenly a man appeared from no where. "H-how did y-you do t-that?"

He smirked. Jessie knew she knew him, she just didn't know who it was. She was to tried, dizzy, and in pain. She noticed she couldn't feel her arms. Before she knew it, she had fainted.

James searched the whole bar again, and again. Still he found no Jessie. "Hey Jim, did ya check in the place only 'employers' go? She could be in there." James figured they could give it a try.

He walked, and wondered up and down a couple of floors. Then in a corner, he stopped. The hair on his back stood up, and his heart almost stopped beating. He saw the last thing on earth he wanted to see, Jessie. He ran over to her, he didn't know what to do. Tears flooded down his damp cheeks. "Meowth!" He screamed. The cat didn't take to long to figure out what was wrong. He put his arm around James, as both of them cried.

James turned around to the sound of loud foot steps. A pain shot through his left shoulder. James fainted, as so did Meowth.

James awoke in a white room to find himself in comfortable bed. Right of him was Jessie, in a bed, and left of him was Meowth, also in a bed. Both still asleep. He turned to see a nurse, she was an older women, in her 40's, and short. She had her orange hair in a bun, and her brown eyes gleamed softly at him. "How are you hun?" She asked. Still full of concern.

"Fine, I think. Ah, what happened? I don't remember."

"Of course you don't dear. You where found in some dreaded place, you where shot in the shoulder, the cat was shot in the leg, and your friend was stabbed a couple times, and drunk. They haven't found the horrible person who did it yet though." James blinked. He was very tried. "You want something to eat?" He yawned.

"Okay then sweet heart, you need your rest. Call if you need anything." She left the room. James looked down upon himself. He was practically covered in things, tubes, bandages, you name it. He yawned again, and closed his eyes.

James eye's slowly opened to the warmth of the sun on his face. He turned to see the nurse again, doing something to his arm. He jerked it away. "Ow that hurts!"

"I know it does dear, but it will make you better." James kept his arm away. The nurse decided she wasn't going to take any nonsense, "That's quite enough! Now give me your arm!" She grabbed his arm. James pouted, and let her work on it. He looked over at Jessie, and Meowth.

"When are they gonna wake up? I wanna talk to someone!" He whined.

"When God says it's time, they will open their eyes." She explained, and with these words, she left. James stayed in the silent room himself. It was quiet. He turned to Jessie, and whispered her name. How he longed she would wake up. The sight seeing her in all that medical stuff gave him the chills. He wondered who had did this. Suddenly a thought struck his mind. 'Matt? Could it have been him? No, Jessie said she would find me if he tried to do something to her. It wasn't him, I just know it.' James was disturbed by the sound of Jessie. She stirred. James watched her enchanted eyes open.

"Jessie! You're awake!"

"Hmmm, w-what happened? Where, where am I?"

"In the hospital, with me, and Meowth. We were found." The bit of confusion disappeared from Jessie's face.

"You found me? Oh James, I knew you would! You're the best!"

"Eh, it was the cat that gave me the idea, besides I got shot."

"By who?" She asked, concerned.

"We don't know, they just didn't find us in time to catch him, or her."

Matt ran until his legs felt num. He spotted the car he had been looking for, luckily Joan was inside. He jumped in. "Drive, Drive!" He demanded. Joan pushed her foot against the petal and the car went speeding away. Her brown, straight hair blew in the wind. Her brown eyes stared straight on the road ahead of her. She was a tall, skinny woman.

"What happened back there?"She asked.

"It was horrible, chasing like there was no tomorrow."

"What did you do? You only went in there to pick pocket didn't you? We needed some money to feed Alan, he has been complaining all day."

"Eh, I selled my ice, I pick pocketed a lill', but there was a girl, yep, I knew she winned me first place at the club' yep, she's pretty, sexy and funny."

"What about me Matt? I am your wife! We have a child! And you're interested in this little slut?!"

"No No, it's not a married thing. I figured she'd make us money, but there was this guy, I knew he had a thing for 'er, I knew he wouldn't let anything bad happen to 'er! So the only thing I had to do is get rid of'im." Joan turned pale.

"No, Matt, No. Please tell me you didn't commit murder! We never did things like that, only pick some pockets, that's it. We have a son! I don't want him to grow up like we had to!" Her eyes grew large when she saw the look in Matt's eyes. "Matt........"

"Okay I put some Mick' in the girls drink when we went to the club. She was fast asleep, bought 'er up stairs, waited for her to wake up, stabbed 'er. I knew the only way to get him to come over is to do something to her, when he and his friend got there, found the girl, I shot them. I didn't let anyone see me, in case they lived."

"Matt, I can't believe you'd put a young girl through this! If she lived she'll probably be scared for the rest of her life!"

"Yeah well, she lived yep, so did er' friend. I am goin' back to 'er house. I need her to make us money. We need to raise Alan the right way, we need money. I put my children first, that's why to get the money, I need to kill the boy." Joan stopped the car. She stared at him, eyes practically full of tears.

"Don't Matt, don't." Joan begged. "Don't kill him, he loves her, don't make her think you love her just to get money. Please Matt, please."

"I 'ave to. We need the money, we need t raise Alan the right way, he deserves more than a sheet to sleep on, and so do we."

"Alan doesn't need to be raised like that! He wouldn't want you to kill someone for him! We don't need to make money from a life of crime, pick pocketing, and stealing things, we need to get jobs! We need to get lives Matt! And if murder is all your life is about, I don't think I want to be part of it! Alan needs me, but I don't think he is ready, for you." Joan flung the car door open, and slammed it shut. Leaving the non driver, to the car, and his life.

"The hell with you!" Matt screamed. These last words rang in Joan's ears. She had fallen in love with a horrible man, who had left Alan and she, to care for themselves. She knew neither of them would see him again, and was glad. She knew Alan would be waiting for her, alone at home, with a smile on his face.

Jessie stared out the hospital window. Once again, a rainy day. She was bored. No good new, no operations, no good shows on T.V, and no visitors, or so she thought. She was startled by a knock on the door, the nurse peeked through the open crack. "Hello, hello I believe you 'ave a visitor." Jessie, James, and Meowth received each other's odd looks.

A young woman, between the ages of 29 through 32, and a small boy entered the room. He held three branches of Cherry Blossoms, Jessie's favorite flowers. "Who are you?" Asked a curious cat.

"Hi, I'm Joan, and this is my son, Alan. I heard this story from my hus- TV on the news, and I felt very bad for you and so did my son. So we decided to bring you flowers." James and Meowth looked doubtful, Jessie smiled.

"Oh, how nice of you!" She said delightfully. "Bring them over to my bed!" Joan placed them near a table by Jessie's bed. Jessie looked down at Alan. "Who are you?"

"I am Alan, you're very pretty. My mommy came here cause' she gotsta tell you suptin'" He smiled at Jessie. She looked curiously at Joan. Joan sighed.

"Okay look, I know who tried to kill you-but I cannot tell you who. I'll give you one hint, and one hint only. You'll know who, when the time is right." Jessie turned pale.

"Why are you telling me? I could tell the police you know!"

"Oh please don't say anything to anyone! I can't go to jail, I have to raise my wonderful child, and raise money. I can't afford the charges, and I don't know anyone to bail me out! Just trust me, you won't get hurt, if you think." Jessie smiled in trust. Joan sighed out relief.

"Thank you, and bless you." She smiled and left, Alan followed but said one last thing,

"Bye lady! Please don't say anything, I wov my mommy, I don't want her to go away." And with that he trailed after Joan. Jessie didn't care about the odd looks James and Meowth where giving her, or the whispering behind her back. She was confused, yes that was true, but for some reason, she saw in Joan's eyes the look of trust, and concern. And that, you can't fake.

One week after being out of the hospital Jessie heard the phone ring. "Hello?"

"Hi, Jess. This is Matt, did you have a good time last week?" Jessie couldn't remember anything, she wanted Matt to like her so she answered:

"Wonderful time!"

"Great! Because I was wondering if you wanted to go out again?"

"Oooooo, ya know what, I am kinda busy, by how about you stop by tonight?" A smirk crept up Matt's face.

"Sure, I will be there at 7." Jessie hung up the phone. She went to go tell James. He was in rage, but accepted anyway.

The doorbell rang. Jessie walked over to the door, and carefully opened it. Sure enough, it was Matt. James glared at him from the couch. He had insisted not to leave Jessie's side this time. "Hi, come in. Would you like dinner?" He shook his head.

So they all sat down, and talked for quite awhile. Then Matt stood up. "Ya know James, I was really dying to ask you something do you mind if we had a man to man talk?". He stood up and faked a smile.

"Nah, I'll take you out the porch. We can talk there." Jessie watched them leave her. She could still see there shadows out on the porch, although she could not here what they where saying. She watched until she saw the last thing she had expected, Matt had taken out a gun. Jessie stiffened, what was she going to do? Suddenly it hit her, the words that where about to change her life. 'You will know who, when the time is right.' Jessie jumped up and ran to the phone quickly she dialed 911.

The police arrived just before the gun shot was fired. Matt was arrested. Jessie ran over to James and hugged him. "How did you know?". She snuggled her head into his chest.

"I had a hunch, but I am glad your alive." James wrapped his arms around her. 'Now, Now!' She thought. 'The perfect chance, tell her, tell her!' For some reason, nothing would come out. He knew it wasn't the right moment.

Jessie laid her head on him. He smelled so good, and felt so good. She never wanted to let go. With him, she was safe. 'Now, Now!' She thought. 'The perfect chance! Tell him, tell him!' For some reason nothing came out. She knew is wasn't the right moment. But there hearts beated closed to each other, safe and sound, just as they promised.

End