'Till Death Do We Part
By Ami-chan
Insert standard disclaimer here; you know these aren't mine, right? That's good. Nintendo is really nice to let us use them (Or at least they don't care) As you should know by now, Sassake is James's last name in my stories. If you haven't read why, you either haven't been reading my notes, or you've skipped the earlier parts. Either way, shame on you. PG warning, there's a little swearing.
"Jessie, is that you?" James breathed, almost afraid to hope. It was either Jessie, or else Jessibell was a lot more crazy then he thought. "What did you do?" She turned to him, and he noticed a single green earing. "Jessie!"
"James, this isn't my fault. None of this is my fault." She said. "Jessibell was crazy, she really scared me, she tried to kill me, she..." Her words were cut off as James grabbed her, holding her against him.
"I'm so glad you're okay." He whispered, hugging her closer. She blushed slightly as she leaned on him for support. He took her face in his hand, and she looked up, surprised. Was he??! Before she could react, he dropped his face to hers, kissing her hard. Much harder then he had at the altar. She froze, unsure whether to struggle or help, but before she could decide, he pulled away to stroke her hair. "I was so worried about you."
She gave him a look that was somewher inbetween surprised and afraid, and he cleared his throat. "Jessie, why can't you remember? You kissed me, you've kissed me a few times now. I thought I could forget about it, but I can't pretend anymore." She looked slightly pale. "I know you don't remember, but you did. We did. You know I wouldn't lie about this sort of thing, Jess. You just have to trust me."
"Then that did happen..." She whispered to herself. "James, why didn't you say anything?" She blushed. "When you didn't mention it, I thought it must have been my imagination. I almost left, because I, because I...." She gulped. "Because I wasn't sure we could just be friends anymore, and I didn't think we could be anything else."
"I didn't say anything because I didn't think you remembered, and I didn't want to scare you away. I didn't want to scare you... Because I... I love you, Jessie." She sucked in her breath. "I have for a long time now." She turned back away. "I mean it, Jess. I've been lying to myself for a while, but I can't anymore."
"You... you were really going to marry Jessibell to save me, weren't you?" Her voice had an almost accusing ring to it. "You would give up your freedom like that? James, you already got nearly killed for me once. Isn't that enough?"
"Believe me, Jessie, I really hadn't planned for that. I thought I could push you out of the way and still move. I found out I couldn't, but that's not your fault. And about Jessibell, how could I not? I couldn't let her hurt you." He said, reaching out to touch her shoulder. She turned back, her large, blue eyes brimming with tears.
"I'll never understand you, James." she shook her head in disbelief. "Oh, James..." She stepped forward, back into his arms. "All these years, all I've done... Everything that's happened." She leaned closer, closing her eyes as she let her head rest on his chest. She hadn't slept nearly at all in a week, and he seemed more than willing to hold her. "You think you love me?"
"I know I do..." He stroked her cheek with one hand as the other reached to pull the tiara-shaped veil off her head, freeing her hair to it's normal style. He momentarily paused to deeply admire the sight of his Jessie in the flowing white dress that made her look like an angel. He had never expected to be able to see her in a wedding gown. He wanted to remember this forever. Then he slowly lowered his head, leaning forward to kiss her again. She put her arms against his chest, and lightly pushed him away.
"James, I'm not sure about this." She said. "I mean, you say you love me, but how do you know? Have you ever felt this way before? I just don't think... It's not safe."
"After what you've done in your life, I don't think you can pretend to care about safety." She looked away uncomfortably. "Look, Jess, I know you've been hurt before. I won't pretend to know how or how badly. But you have to understand that I can't help the way I feel any more than the way you feel. I just do, and seeing you like this now just makes it worse." He motioned to the snow-white dress she was wearing. "I... I love you, Jess."
"I didn't plan for this, I was just trying to stay alive." She grumbled.
"Maybe you should explain what happened to you. I'm still a little confused." James offered. "Anything to keep her happy." He didn't like where this was headed... She really wouldn't dump him, would she? Not after what they'ed been through, she couldn't!
She looked up at him for a second, then cleared her throat. "She just walked up to me and pulled out a dagger, and I panicked. I think she said, "Live through this." My hands were tied, but I... managed to kick her. She fell backwards, and hit her head hard on the corner of a box. It might have killed her. I don't know. She dropped the knife, only a few feet away. It took a while to kick it over, lift it up, and get it in my teeth, but I finally cut the tape off my wrists."
She removed the satin gloves to reveal several hastily-bandaged cuts and a few chunks of tape still stuck to her wrists. They were bright red from the chafing and tearing of the duct tape. He nodded gingerly, and she continued.
"When I finally got out, she was still unconscious. I was trying to leave, but I couldn't seem to find an exit. Your house is way too big, James." She said angrily, then continued. "I finally found this room. I was just going to find some clothes, but I hadn't gotten clean in a week. I felt horribly dirt, and just the smell of myself was making me nautious. I decided to take a quick shower, but as I was getting out, your butler came in." She paused to catch her breath. "He thought I was Jessibell, and told me to hurry up. I was afraid he'd find out who I was and have me arrested or something, so I went along." She sighed. "You know the rest."
"Poor Jessie." James comforted as he sat down on the edge of the bed, motioning for her to sit on his lap. "I bet you're exhausted." She nodded, sitting down.
"Right now, I just want to sleep." She said quietly. "I'll think about what you said later. Can I give you an answer tomorrow?" He nodded. A late answer was better than no answer at all. "Thank you, James." She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
"You'll probably want your space." He offered. "I'll sleep in my old room."
"NO!" He jumped slightly at the yell. "No. I don't want to be alone if Jessibell wakes up." She explained. "Stay here tonight." She pleaded.
He sighed. "Can I at least get some pajamas? It'll give you some time to change. You don't want to sleep in that, do you?" She shook her head, and he stepped forward. "Here, let me help you." As he undid the row of small buttons, she looked in the mirror. It was a breathtaking moment, one where she saw herself as something she had never even dared to consider before. Something that scared her to death. It must have been broken. Where she and her best friend should have been reflected, what she saw looked more like a husband and wife on their wedding night.
Had James glanced at the mirror, he might have seen the same thing, and realized what was going through her head right now. As it was, he was too busy looking at her. Few people realized it, but she really was beautiful. From her slim, nearly bare shoulders to her full red lips, she was captivating. Even her fiery red hair just took some getting used to. He was mesmerized.
Unfortunately, even the best dresses only have so many buttons, and the moment didn't last as long as either wanted it to. James reluctantly pulled away, averting his eyes so he wouldn't see anything as the dress fell off her shoulders. "I'll be back in a minute. Okay?"
"Yeah..." She whispered as he closed the door. "James?!" He was already gone. "James..." She sat down on the side of the bed quietly, lost in her thoughts. Did she love him? Sure, he had always been her best friend, but love? She'd never really considered it before. Sure, it sounded nice enough. Especially of late, she had really noticed how handsome he looked. She had always admired his flair for fashion, but she was beginning to notice his shining emerald eyes more than his tailored tux. She hated to admit it, but he was a real looker now.
Still, she hated the idea of loosing her only friend. What if it didn't work out? She would be all alone again, and she certainly didn't want that. Then again, her mind countered, he wasn't really a child now. She wasn't sure if he could even be considered a friend anymore. Not after what had happened. Things had gotten so difficult lately, she had no idea what she should do. She pondered it for several minutes before she decided it could wait until morning. He would be back soon, she had better find something else to wear before he got there.
Still, it seemed a waste to take off such a beautiful dress after such a short time. She stood in front of the mirror, doing a couple of turns in front of the mirror to more fully admire herself. She felt just like a princess, and for now she looked it. Suddenly, she lost her balance as her heel became tangled in the flowing train. "Yeeeeek!" She hit the ground hard, knocking the wind out of her. Okay, now she was ready to take it off. "Stupid dress." She grumbled as she slipped out of it. She just wasn't ready to be royalty.
Jessie opened a drawer and stared into it with disgust. Didn't Jessibell have any taste? She held up a long flannel nightgown and grimaced. Another drawer yielded a pair of plaid pajamas. "Nope." Another drawer revealed a scarlet, satin nightie. It was a little scant to wear around James, but curiosity made her try it. As she slid it on, she heard the door crack open.
"Jess?" James whispered, looking around. She shrieked and covered herself, turning away.
"Don't look at me, you pervert!" She grabbed a blouse out of a drawer and pulled it around herself. "What are you doing, back so soon?!"
James looked over coolly. "That's nice. It doesn't seem like Jessibell's style, but on you, it's kinda cute." He said casually, turning back. She looked back at him.
"Cute?! What do you mean, cute?" She yelled, slightly offended. She had expected him to get a little more excited. "You think this is cute?!" She moved towards him threateningly.
"Jess, before you kill me I'd like to remind you that I went for four years straight where there was never a day I didn't see you in a tiny skirt and black leather. It wasn't easy, but I learned to get used to it pretty quick." He reminded her.
You mean you actually... liked... my uniform?" She asked, surprised.
"I'd like to you to show me a man that wouldn't." He returned. "I just kept it under control because I wanted to be your friend."
"I had no idea." She said, then giggled. "I guess it was a little dirty, wasn't it? That always bugged me. When we first got the uniforms, I was so ticked. I figured if I had to wear that, you should have to wear something more risqué, too. Like a Speedo."
James laughed. "You had the worst uniform in the Team. Even Cassidy's uniform was less revealing." She stiffened a little, and he quickly added. "Of course, you had more to flaunt the Cass did."
"You mean that?" She said softly.
"I don't see why I wouldn't. But why's it so important?" He asked.
"Well... Zee told you about the dance, right? How Robert asked me out, and then... and then showed up with another girl?" He nodded. "Did she know who it was?"
He looked straight at her face. "No... It wasn't." He said with disbelief.
"I'm afraid so. It was Cassidy." She said quietly, trembling slightly. "She was my best friend, James. Until that night, we had been like sisters. I never expected her to turn on me like that. I just, I just..." She sniffled. "Being dumped hurt, but loosing my best friend was almost unlivable. I couldn't believe it. She was my only friend."
"Wow... I had no idea." He didn't know quite what to say, if there was anything to say. "That's why you two... always fought?"
"After the dance, she seemed to think she was too good for me. I hated her so much for it. Then, when I joined Team Rocket, she did too. I was sure she had done it just to upstage me again. That day, I promised myself two things: I would never let myself fall in love again, and I would never loose a best friend again. Now you're asking me to do both."
He reached for her arm. "I'm sorry." He shook his head. "I didn't know, I... I don't know what to say. I'm sorry"
She pulled away. "No, don't apologize. It's not your fault. And James, I want to break my promise. I really do. I just don't know if I can." She looked into his eyes for a moment, then leaned against him again. "I'm so tiered..."
"It's okay. I'll wait for you." He comforted. "You don't have to tell me anything until you feel totally comfortable about it." He offered, pulling back the sheets and leaning her back against them. "Just sleep." He began to tuck her in.
She caught his arm. "I'll tell you tomorrow, like I said. But you said you'd sleep here, with me."
James swallowed nervously. "I thought you meant on the floor." He nearly squeaked.
Jessie pulled back all but the bottom sheet and blanket. "I'd feel safer..." She scooted over. "Jessibell could still be after me." James nodded and lay down stiffly. Jessie smiled and inched closer, lying against his back. She was asleep in moments, but poor James wouldn't be able to force himself to go to sleep until the early morning.
What he had told her was true... almost. He had never really learned to keep his feelings under control, but he had learned to keep them a secret. Even that had been hard on him. The first month they had been partners, he hadn't been able to use the warm water once in the shower. And she hadn't been nearly so pretty back then. If that had been a challenge, this was unlivable. "Jess..." He whispered softly.
James could feel without waking up that something was wrong. A single reach proved that. She was gone. He sat up groggily, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. The wedding dress was hanging on the wall, her nightie lay in a heap on the floor. Those were the only signs that she'd even been there.
"I guess that's her answer." He thought, lying back down. It just didn't seem worth getting up anymore. He rolled over, pulling another pillow over his head. "This is just a dream, this is just a dream, this is just a dream..." He repeated in his head, then opened his eyes. "Did it work?" Whether his chant had worked or it had been there to begin with, there was a note lying on the bed. He grabbed it and read aloud:
I woke up early.
It's a beautiful day, and I thought I'd see the estate
Don't worry, you'll still get your answer today.
Later,
Jess
He clutched the note to his chest and sighed with relief. She was still there. He would still get his answer. Whatever it was, he wanted her to say it to his face. Besides, she had to say yes. Didn't she? He looked around again. Jessibell's room... Yuk. He had slept in Jessibell's bed, too. Suddenly, he felt like taking a hot shower.
"Good morning, Master James." Hopkins greeted him as he came down the stairs, still towling off his hair. "I trust you... slept well?" He held out a large silver tray with a donut and a cup of coffee. "It's just the way you like it, Sir."
"Thanks, Hopkins." James said, taking the food. "Hey, have you seen Jessie bell today?" He almost forgot to add the 'bell', but he was getting more used to it. In any case, the butler didn't seem to notice.
"As a matter of fact, she took a ponyta out for a ride a early this morning ago. She ate a huge breakfast, but she seemed in a very good mood indeed. But then, just an hour ago, I saw her leave again. She seemed ready to kill someone. It's the strangest thing. I didn't even see her come back in." He turned to James. "Do you have any idea what's going on?"
James was slightly pale. "I have a pretty good idea." He mumbled, heading for the door. "I'll go find her."
"Master James?" James grabbed his jacket, running for the stables. "Master James! Don't you want your breakfast?" He yelled into his megaphone. "He never listens, Sir." He complained to one of the coffins in the living room.
Jessie walked through the clearing, leading a ponyta behind her. It was a beautiful countryside, she had to admit. The Sassake manor was over four square miles, and she still hadn't seen most of it. A few pidgeys sang in the trees, a butterfree filtered through the sunlight.
It just added to her worries. She and James were from two totally different worlds, and this proved it. Could they really make it work? She just didn't know. "Oh... James." She said aloud. "Why'd you have to do this to me?" It was frustrating as heck, trying to find an answer. He'd made it clear they couldn't be friends anymore.
But it wasn't all his fault. After all, the first three kisses had been her. It's just... it had seemed so right at the time. She had managed to take her mind off of her own past for a while, only thinking about him.
If it weren't for her problems, she would have accepted immediately. James, despite his flaws, was a good man, certainly better then her. He would provide for her, to the best of his power. She certainly couldn't hold a job. She had tried before, but her horrible lack of real skill and her habit of yelling at, threatening, and otherwise beating people (even customers) made sure that she was fired within a month. James had already gotten a job, he could probably at least keep a minimum-wage job always. Besides, she was used to being poor. In a way, it sounded fun; sharing a little apartment... They'd certainly see plenty of each other.
She sighed and gazed at the mansion in the distance. That sounded even more fun. Why couldn't James have it? His parents were so strange. What kind of parent would deny their own child his inheritance for not marrying a monster? They were just sick.
Still, they could probably get the money if she could only pretend to be Jessibell. Somehow, it just didn't seem worth it. "What difference would it make? Would you really marry him for his money?" There was a time... There was a time it would have made her sick, too. It was just so confusing. She really wanted to, but her heart kept reminding her: life is best lived alone, money is always the best friend, and above all: never love or trust anyone, especially not a man. And she had finally realized that James was one. She wasn't sure if she could truly love him. She wasn't sure if she could truly love anyone.
She absentmindedly bent down to pick a daisy, and began to pull at it. "Love him, love him not, love him..." She recited as she plucked each petal off, dropping them to the ground. "Love him not, Love him..." She was out of petals. "Dumb flower." She dropped the stem and continued walking.
Suddenly, she heard a crack behind her. But it didn't sound like a stick, it sounded more like a... Jessie let out a small gag as a whip wound around her neck, knocking her to her knees. "Jessibell..." She gasped as her hands went to her throat.
"I could snap your neck with like a lil' old twig..." Jessibell warned, yanking the whip slightly. "...And I would have a very good reason to. How dare you... My dress, my ring, my cake. my parents, my groom..." She growled slightly with rage. "...My wedding bed. You've stolen everything. Y'all deserve to die."
"I didn't steal anything." She gagged. "He loves me, I can't help that. Besides, I'm beginning to think you don't really love him at all."
"You have no right to talk. You don't even know what love is!" Jessibell yelled.
"And yet, you didn't deny it." Jessie's voice was becoming weaker as her vision began to blur. "You never have, have you?" She fell to the ground. "You don't want what's best for him, do you?" Jessie whispered as her breath became short. To her surprise, the whip loosened. She looked up, choking slightly.
"What's best for him? Do you think you want what's best for him?" Her voice was more taunting now. "When he was with me, he was a refined young man. James-dear did well in school and was going to be a great business man. Under your friendship, he flunked out of school and joined a gang. If he stays with you, he'll never be anything. Is that your way of loving him?"
Jessie stood. "James would have done that anyway. It was your nagging that drove him to it!" She screamed. "It wasn't my fault!"
Jessibell was silent. Too silent. Jessie realized she was shaking with rage. "How dare you... How dare you." She hissed. "Accusing me of leading James-dear astray?!" She gave Jessie a seething glare. "I've never wanted to hurt someone like this before..." She said, almost nervously, as she swung at Jessie.
Jesssie blocked her punch. "You did." Jessibell's anger was rubbing off on her. "This is all your fault!" She slapped the prissy red-head.
"Don't touch me!" Jessibell shrieked, returning the slap. "You-all did this all! You've never done anything for him." Jessie shook her head numbly. "You stole my wedding!" She slapped Jessie again. "You've almost gotten him killed! You think you care..." Jessie was slightly stunned, and Jessibell punched her in the stomach. "Vileplume, show this whore who deserves James dear!"
Jessie held her stomach, panting slightly. Normally, she could have beat Jessibell, no contest. Today, however, she was still weak. And she did have other things on her mind... besides Jessibell's anoying cackle. She stood as straight as she could, running at her opponent.
"Vileplume, acid!" Jessibell screamed, and Jessie suddenly found her face coated in a fiery paste that seemed to eat away at her flesh. She shrieked in pain and dropped back to her knees, covering her face as the horrible glop dripped into her eyes... she was at Jessibell's mercy now.
There wasn't any. Jessibell kicked her in the stomach, then turned to Vileplume. "Use the petal dance!" A rain of deceptively beautiful petals shot at Jessie. "Finish her off! James-dear will always be mine!"
"Fire Blast!" The bizarre-shaped flame quickly incinerated the deadly flowers. "Jessie! Are you okay?" James ran to the girl's side, dropping to his knees next to her. "Speak to me!"
"James..." Jessie wimpered as James began to wipe off the poisonous muck with his handkerchief.
"James Dear..." Jessibell said, stunned. "Why her? She's a li'l tramp! How can you love her more than me?!" James ignored her as he tried to help Jessie.
"Hold on, Jess." He said, gently lifting her. "I'll get you help." He turned to the growlithe and his own ponyta. "Growlie, Heilos, get rid of that weed." He mounted the ponyta Jessie had brought, draping her over the front of the saddle.
"James Dear..." Jessibell cried. "Why?!" James clucked the reigns. "James..." James stopped. She had never called him just James before. "She's right, you know. I don't know if I love you." He stared, stunned. All this time? "I thought I could change you. I wanted to make your parents happy, but I don't think I ever loved you." She turned to vileplume. "We're prepared this time! Jigglypuff, I choose you!" James chukled softly. Cute, and annoying as heck. Jigglypuff was the perfect pokemon for her. "This ain't a normal one! Jigglypuff, water gun!"
The large stream of water shot at the growlithe. Growlie jumped out of the way, but the ponyta James was on bucked at the sight of the deadly water. Before James knew what was happening, he was face down in the mud as the ponyta ran for it's life. "Jessie!" He ran after it. There was a cliff that way! "JESSIE!"
The ponyta, crazed with fear, hardly noticed it. As it neared the edge, it swerved, skidding as it tried to stop in time. "Jump, Jessie!"
"My hand is caught!" Jessie screamed back as she struggled to release her hand from the staps of the overly-ornamented saddle. Her fear just made the ponyta more anxious. Unfortunately, there was nothing either could do. Suddenly, time seemed to slow down. James froze, knowing he was too late. He watched in horror as ponyta stumbled, beginning to fall. In a sickening moment that seemed to last forever, they teetered on the edge. Then both horse and rider disappeared off the edge, falling to the lake below. Over 200 feet below.
"NOOOOO!" James screamed, running to the edge. The thick fog blocked all vision. "Jessie! No!" He yelled. "No....." He dropped his head. "Jessie..."
"James-dear?" He froze.
"You killed her... You killed her, you..." He yelled. She just shook her head, her eyes welling with tears. "Jessie..." He cried. Screaming at Jessibell wouldn't help anything.
"I'm sorry, James-dear." She sobbed. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to. You were trying to hurt Vileplume..." She looked at him. "But she was wrong, and I know it now. I was mad, I shouldn't have let myself go like that. But I do love you. I love you enough to know... That I've lost you. I don't know why y'all love her, but I know you do. Goodbye, James. I won't bother you anymore." She covered her face as she ran away. "Goodbye."
He watched her leave, unsure what to think. "Jessie..." He turned back to the cliff. "Jessie, not now! Everything's perfect! We can be together now, no one can stop us!" He sank to his knees. "You can't be dead, Jess. Life is so close to perfect now, but without you, it's just another hell. I'm lost without you."
"You can say that again." He looked back down. A large gust of frigid wind blasted up the side of the cliff, and James shivered as it hit him, turning away. When he looked back, his jaw dropped.
A huge, ice-blue bird was in front of him, carrying a dazed ponyta. Through the articuno's icy aura, he could make out a person ridding on it's back... "Jessie!" He screamed again, this time with elation.
"James." She slid off it's back and into his arms as it dropped the ponyta, flying off into the sky. Without her badges, she had no way to control it, and it was happy to be free. "Oh James." He squeezed her until she could hardly breathe, spinning her around twice so her feet left the ground.
"Jess." He buried his head in her hair, hugging her tightly. Although it seemed so real, he was almost afraid it was a dream. "I love you." At that, she pulled back a little.
"I promised you an answer..." She said, pulling off the ring he had given her the day before. "I may hate myself for this later..." She handed it to him. "I want you to have this back, though." He gulped.
"Is... Is that your answer?" He said shakily. She nodded, and he hugged her again, this time trembling slightly. "Jess, I'll love you forever... Is there anything I can do to..."
Jessie cut him off. "That thing is Jessibell's." She continued. "It's unfair to her to use it for us." He looked at her face, shocked. "And I'll be expecting a much nicer cake at our wedding. Maybe chocolate. You think?"
"Not right now." He said, dazed as what she said began to sink in. "Not very well, at least."
"Besides..." She grinned at him. "...I promised Zee she could be my maid of honor." And at that, he grinned back. The only thing that could make this any better would be... She seemed to be thinking the same thing about that, too... She closed her eyes. "Sealed with a kiss." And boy, was it ever...
Sorry, this totally slipped my mind! I've been RPGing way too much lately. Finally, a happy ending! Yeah! I've been waiting for this forever! I was worried there for a while. And all of my two readers say, "At least you knew what was going to happen." Ha. You don't know me very well. At least I didn't kill Jessibell. I've been killing too many people lately. 'Sides, I feel a little sorry for Jesibell. Anyway, next comes the best part! A sappy, romantic wedding. If I can keep my violent alter ego under control. I don't know. After all this, they really deserve a happy wedding, but I haven't addressed the subject of her dad... and there is still Robert. Either way. I've got an overbearing ogre for a speech teacher this year, so stories might come a little slower. I'll try not to put up as many unfinished stories. Anyway, it's 5:30 in the morning and I've been typing all night, and this stupid cat won't get out of my lap. (I love you, really, Muffin, but do you have to chase this mouse right now?) I'm glad it's over. Like it? Love it? Think it's the best story you've ever read in your life? I'd love to hear it. Think it was really stupid? Tell me at your own risk >:D! Reviews or e-mails are always welcome, eh?