A/N: Hi, everyone! Welcome back! I hope you all like this as much as you liked Lost Innocence. As always, remember to review!
Jessie wakes with a scream. She sits up in bed, her breathing heavy and uneven. Sweat sticks to her face, and tears sit on her cheeks.
An instant after she wakes up, warm, golden light floods into the room, and a pair of warm, strong arms wrap tightly around her trembling form. She collapses against a warm, strong chest, and begins to sob.
James doesn't say anything. He knows that words won't comfort Jessie. To her, they are meaningless. So, instead of whispering comforting, soothing words to her, he begins to rock her gently, pulling her closer and wrapping his arms tighter around her. He decides to sing a soft, soothing lullaby his mother sang to him many, many years ago. He rarely sings, only doing so when the need is dire.
Soon, Jessie's sobs subside. She simply lays in his arms, snuggled close against his chest, fingers curled tightly around the fabric of his night shirt. James leans down to press a kiss to her forehead, and dry the tears that sit on her cheeks.
"James?"
Jessie's voice is soft, trembling. James begins to comb his fingers through her hair which hangs loosely over her shoulders.
"Yes, Jess?"
There is a sigh. "What's going to happen? To me, I mean?"
James furrows his brow in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"About the… b – baby, I mean," she clarifies. "I can't have this child. I don't want anything to do with that monster that was our boss."
"Jess, you know I will stand by you with whatever decision you choose to make," James tells her sincerely.
"I – I know," she whispers. "I just don't know what to do. I couldn't live with myself if I killed this baby. But, at the same time, I know I could never love it."
James leans down to press a kiss to Jessie's cheek. "Jessie, sweetheart, look at me."
She does, eyes wide in surprise. He has only just recently taken to calling her sweetheart. He calls her it every chance he gets. And, truthfully, Jessie loves it. Hearing such an endearment coming from James means that she is loved. That she is wanted.
He cups her cheek, caressing the soft skin with his thumb. "Do whatever you feel is right. No matter what decision you make, I will always, always love you. I could never not love you. I will always be with you, no matter what."
Tears fill Jessie's eyes. "Thank you, James."
"Anything for you, Jess."
They wake again late the next morning. Since they are now friends with Ash and company, his mother Delia had let them, and Josie, too, stay with her. Ash has put his journey on hold, knowing that his new friends need him here with them.
"When's breakfast?" a Brooklyn-accented voice ask as the cat Pokémon enters the warm kitchen. "Meowth is starving."
"You're always starving, Meowth," James says with a chuckle as he enters the kitchen, too. Delia looks up from the oatmeal she is stirring, giving her guests a warm smile.
"How's Jessie, James? I heard her last night…"
"Much better," he tells her with a bright smile. "She should be down in a moment."
"Pikachu! Pika pi chu!" Pikachu's squeaky voice exclaims as the rodent runs into the kitchen, looking for breakfast. Little Togepi comes toddling in after him, trilling with glee.
"Hello, Pikachu," Delia says with a chuckle. "And Togepi."
James looks down when he feels something tug at his pant leg. It's Pikachu, much to his surprise.
"Pi Pikachu! Pika pika pi!" the small rodent says.
"What's he saying, Meowth?" James asks his cat companion.
"He's wondering where Jess is," Meowth translates. "And if she's doing alright."
James is about to answer when he hears a familiar yell coming from upstairs.
"You damned twerp!" Jessie's angry voice echoes loudly off the walls. "Get back here! Now!"
"No way!" comes Ash's childish voice. "Not when you're this angry. You're going to hurt me. I know it."
"Damn right I am!"
Ash comes high-tailing it into the kitchen, nearly running into James and the Pokémon on his way in. Meowth smirks, chuckling.
"Speakin' of da devil…"
""What did you do now, Ash?" Delia asks her son.
"Nothing!" Ash cries, hiding behind his mother. "Or, I just kind of barged in on her when she was beautifying herself…"
"Ash," Delia scolds. This is when Jessie decides to make her presence known.
"James!" she screeches. "Control the twerp! I'm sick of never having any privacy in this damn house!"
"Calm down, Jess," James says softly. He places his hands on each of her shoulders. "I'm sure it was just an accident. The twerp – I mean Ash – didn't mean to bother you."
"Yeah!" Ash says, finally stepping out from behind his mother. "Listen to James! I didn't mean it! It was just an accident!"
Jessie growls lowly before breathing out a long, irritated sigh. "Fine," she snarls, sending a dark glare at Ash. "But if this happens again, there will be hell to pay."
