(This story is a sort of parody of a gangster movie. Team Rocket is blamed for a rash of jewel thefts. The result? Jessie and Butch are arrested, and James and Cassidy have to work together.)

Jessie and James didn't really like the new assignment that Giovanni had handed them. They were to be paired up with Butch and Cassidy as a sort of "cooperation exercise". Even though it was only temporary, they felt that it was more like a jail sentence.

"Why us, James?" said Jessie after a moment of silence. "Why couldn't the boss just choose someone else to be partnered up with Butch and Cassidy? With our luck, we'll probably botch it up!"

"It's only temporary, Jess," said James. "Then, we'll be back to working separately again!"

"I hope you're right," said Jessie. "I'd hate to be stuck with having to work with them forever!"

James could tell just how stressed Jessie was. Over the past two days, she had been overworked, and it seemed to get to her. They made their way to the rec room, where Cassidy was waiting for them.

"Well, well," she said smugly. "If it isn't Jessie and her bubble butt boyfriend, James! I guess you've received word from the boss that we have to work together, huh?"

"Don't give us any attitude, Cassidy," said Jessie. "I'm in no mood to deal with you right now!"

"You're just in time to see the latest news bulletin on TV," said Cassidy. "It would seem that Officer Jenny and her goons are after us! Something about a rash of jewel thefts that we're obviously not responsible for!"

"Jewel thefts, eh?" said James. "Well, we'll just have to see for ourselves what this news bulletin is all about!"

Jessie and James entered the room, where they found Butch by the television. He was smoking a cigarette that he had just lit about two seconds ago. It was his third cigarette that day, but he didn't care. He always smoked when he was under pressure. On the screen was Officer Jenny and she was holding a press conference.

"I have reason to believe that Team Rocket is behind the rash of jewel thefts that have plagued this city," she said. "Therefore, I have already started issuing warrants for their arrest! I will not rest until the culprits are apprehended!"

"That little witch thinks she can go after us for something we didn't do," said Butch, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "These jewel thefts couldn't be accidents! We obviously didn't commit them!"

"I think we'd better investigate this matter further," said Jessie. "If we want to protect our bad rap, we have to get to the bottom of this little crime spree that we're being framed for!"

"Jessie's right," said James. "Our freedom depends on it!"

Not wasting any time, Jessie, James, Butch, and Cassidy hopped into the red Team Rocket jeep and went to investigate the scenes. They then parked the jeep in a safe distance and continued on foot. They arrived at a diamond exchange, where they saw four robbers.

"I can't believe this," said Butch. "It's us!"

"I'll show them not to copy me," said Jessie. "Get us, er, them!"

A fight broke out between them. In the midst of the fight, James and Cassidy ended up falling into the basement. In the meantime, Jessie and Butch had won the fight, but Officer Jenny and the police showed up.

"Freeze! You're both under arrest!"

TO BE CONTINUED....