Author's note: This story was written in honor of a very good friend of mine, who is always there for me when I need him. Thanks again, James.
Characters are not mine.
Jessie sighed as the door slammed. Life really wasn't going her way these days. She had been seeing Tony for a couple of years now, and she'd been sure he was going to pop the question sometime soon. Unluckily for her, the first mention of a commitment had just sent Tony running out that door. She sank onto the couch, disheartened. She'd really thought she'd made the right choice when she'd left Team Rocket for a regular job, and for Tony, but now, in her empty apartment, she thought otherwise.
She opened the drawer in the side table and pulled out an old picture. There she was, in that ridiculous uniform, with that airhead James and know-it-all Meowth. But the her in the picture was smiling, which was more than she could say for herself now. Her eyes focused on James, and her vision blurred a little. Moron though he could be, he had been her best friend. At one time she'd thought maybe she loved him. But that had all gone away when she met Tony.
She still remembered when she said goodbye. Meowth was away somewhere, sulking and refusing to acknowledge her existence. James seemed to be on the verge of tears as he clutched her hand. "Jessie, are you sure?"
She had just smiled. "I've never been more sure in my life. I think I love him, James."
James had sighed and looked away, then slipped a piece of paper in her hand. "In case you ever need me. I promise, I'll be here for you, whenever."
Jessie sighed again and looked at the phone. Maybe, just maybe… She rummaged in the drawer until she found the worn piece of paper with a faded number on it. She picked up the phone, then sat it back down. There was no way after all these years the number would still be right, and even if it was, it was late. She glanced back at the picture, and she felt a twinge of pain. She picked the phone back up and dialed the number.
The phone rang for an impossibly long time, and then he answered. " 'Lo?" she heard James' sleepy mumble, knew it was him.
"Oh, sorry James, I woke you up… I'll just…"
"Jessie?" He was more awake now, and sounded happy.
Jessie smiled a little. "Yeah, its me."
"Hey! Its great to talk to you again. I haven't heard from you since you left. How have thing been with you and… you know…"
Jessie sighed. "Tony left me, James."
There was silence on the other end of the line for a moment. "I'm sorry, Jess… do you wanna talk about it?"
"Not particularly. So how are you and Meowth?"
"We're pretty good. I moved back home after you left, and he drops by every now and then. I think he just likes the food."
Jessie smiled. "I'll have to drop by sometime, too. I miss the old team."
"That would be great, Jess. I miss you too."
Jessie looked at the clock; it said 1 AM. "Well, hey, I'll call you back sometime when its not such a weird hour. Ok?"
"Sure. I'll talk to you again soon, then." There was an awkward pause. "Jessie?"
"Yeah James?"
"For what its worth, Tony was a moron for leaving you. You're the most beautiful, wonderful woman I've ever known."
Jessie's breath caught in her throat for a moment, and she fought back tears. "Thanks James. That means a lot to me."
"No problem, Jess. G'night."
"G'night James."