The trio sat in the cockpit of their 'Mecha Meowth' after James climbed back on board, looking miserable and saying they had to talk. He stood in front of 'his' side of the control panel, absently brushing some of the buttons with one finger as he began to speak.

"So I was thinking; maybe we could stay here a while…" he suggested.

Meowth and Jessie started at his suggestion, Jessie saying, "You mean, stay here so we can set up a robot empire!"

James paused, not yet ready to admit, even to himself, that that wasn't the true reason, and finally muttered, "No, that's not what I meant…"

Still brushing his fingers across the control panel he continued, "Maybe we could stay here and really become heroes…I think…" his gaze shifted to his human partner, the sadness and confusion in his eyes so raw it hurt to look at him, and she flicked her eyes away, "…you'd like it too, Jessie! Imagine the possi-"

"Whoa whoa whoa!" Meowth leapt across the controls and swatted his hand away from the button his finger had been lingering on. James yelped and scooted backwards, holding his sore, scratched-up limb.

"What are you doing?!" he cried.

Jessie stood and added, "What was that for!?"

Meowth jabbed a paw toward where James' hand had been and snapped, "You was about ta hit de launch button ya numbskull!"

"Oh…" he said dully.

"Whew! Dat was a close one!" Meowth crowed, going back to his seat, "Ya can tank me later."

Jessie sighed, "So anyway; What's this about being real heroes? Are you serious? We're Team Rocket! We are the polar opposite of heroes!"

"I know that Jess, but what if…" he gestured to the external video screen and the people that were still hanging around, his gaze unconsciously lingering on Kate, "What if we tried it, at least for a little while? Who knows? Maybe we'd actually find out we like it! At the very least, everyone will treat us well and we'll have plenty to eat."

Jessie and Meowth exchanged knowing glances. They weren't stupid or blind, though they felt that maybe they could get some use out of these villagers, after all. Finally Jessie shrugged and relented.

"Fine! We'll hang around and play hero for a bit. But if it doesn't work out, we're out of here. Deal?"

"Deal." said James, a smile returning to his face, though his eyes never left the monitor screen.

A minute later, they emerged from the mecha, and some of the townspeople who had started to leave swiftly returned. Jessie stood in the center, with James and Meowth posing confidently to either side of her. Planting her hands on her hips as she stood in front of their machine, Jessie cleared her throat.

"Attention everyone! We, Team Righteous, have decided to stay in your...lovely town. For now."

A cheer erupted from the crowd, and James, standing beside his scheming partner, looked around for Kate. Spotting her, half standing behind another man, he threw her a shy smile, his heart leaping when she returned it, her hazel eyes shining with joy. Meowth noted the exchange and resolved to keep an eye on his lavender-haired friend.

Professor Brown stepped forward, "I'm so glad you all decided to stay! Will-will you help me with my robots?"

Jessie waved a hand, "Of course we will! That's just what I was going to propose, actually! In fact,"she took the professor by the arm, batting her eyelashes and causing the man to blush fiercely, "I believe this could be the start of a beau-ti-ful partnership! Wouldn't you agree?"

He stammered his reply while as she led him away, tossing James a sly wink over her shoulder. A toothy sneer across his face, Meowth was right on their heels as the majority of the villagers followed them back into town, the rest lingering and chattering in excitement before slowly drifting away themselves, leaving only James and Kate at the rear of the group.

After a minute of silence, she said quietly, "I'm…glad you decided to stay."

"Me too." he softly smiled, "Kate..?"

"Yes?"

"Would you…show me around? If we're going to be staying, I feel I should get my bearings."

She smiled brightly and gushed, "Of course! I-I can show you anywhere you'd like! There's the square; we have a a lovely fountain! There's Shop Lane; that's where our artisans live and work. The orchards are on the edge of town-there's a beautiful meadow and lake a short ways beyond; it's perfect for picnics and long walks! I can show where you three can stay, I'll show you my place-"

She cut herself off, blushing hotly, "I-I'm sorry! I shouldn't-"

Something inside he couldn't quite explain caused him to reach out and touch her arm reassuringly, "It's okay. I'd love to see those things."

It was the first time they had had any physical contact, and the intensity they felt caused him to swiftly withdraw his hand, confused by the abrupt rush-he had felt this heat, this...desire, somewhere before, but where? Their eyes locked for another brief moment before both quickly strode ahead to catch up with the group. By the time they made it, Jessie was standing with Meowth and Professor Brown in front of the fountain Kate had mentioned, the crowd gathered around them as she spoke, gesturing for James to join them, which he swiftly did.

"...And so, in order to help, we need to know what problems you have that need fixing! Then us and the dear professor here will try and come up with something! You!" she pointed to a straw-haired young man, "What needs to be done around here?"

"Uh, um..." he scratched his head, "Well, I tend the apple orchards, and I suppose...uh, is there some way to make pickin' 'em faster or easier? Right now it takes us weeks to pick 'em all and by that time a lot of 'em are no good, or Pokemon have gotten to 'em..."

"Well, what do you think? Can we pull something together?" Jessie asked Professor Brown.

The short man clicked his fingers, "I have just the robot for the job! He'll need some modifications but I should have him ready to roll out in...a few days."

An excited murmur rippled through the crowd, with more people now raising their hands or simply shouting out ideas. James pulled out a note-pad to try and jot down what they were saying but quickly became overwhelmed.

Seeing this, Meowth stepped forward and waved his paws, "Alllllright folks! I tink we got enough projects ta keep us busy fer a while."

"Agreed!" said Jessie brightly, resting her hand on Professor Brown's shoulder, who again blushed, "I feel this calls for another celebration tonight! A lovely feast, and if you'd like we can tell you some stories about being part of Team Ro-Righteous! How's that sound?"

Everyone cheered their agreement and started to discuss plans, James putting his notebook away as he muttered to Jessie, "I see what you're doing."

"Oh, what? Seeing our tummies get filled for once? Securing and continuing our good favor here? You're welcome!" she whispered back with a sly smirk.

Meowth leapt onto her shoulder, "We keep dis up an' we'll be treated like royalty fer years!"

They all gave each other high-fives, snickering with glee over this whole, unbelievable situation. Never before had they experienced even a handful of people, let alone an entire town, treating them with such admiration, not to mention unquestioning obedience. It felt like a dream, a dream which they every intent of enjoying to it's full extent. Glancing back over the crowd, James' eyes fell on Kate near the front, hands clasped over her heart, smiling reverently up at them-no, at him. His shoulders sank a little, feeling the unmistakable twinge of guilt souring his mood. Why, he couldn't quite figure out...

Later that night, after a long party, during which they ate and drank far too much, as well as spinning many a yarn about the adventures they'd had as part of 'Team Righteous', they were given the largest, nicest room in the town's only inn. It was a large yet cozy structure, usually housing traveling Pokemon trainers or researchers. After being given a brief tour and history of the place, during which it took every once of Jessie's self-control not to yawn in unbearable boredom, they were shown to their room and told if there was anything they needed not o hesitate to ring the bell that connected to the front desk. Once the admiring crowd had finally left, Jessie burst into laughter, falling on one of the beds as she pointed to said bell.

"Look! It's-it's actually a bell! A real bell! Not a phone but a b-brass bell! What is this place, a time capsule?!"

Her team-mates joined in, snickering and remarking how the town was like a living museum exhibit. Their laughs subsiding, Jessie took the first turn in the bathroom, per usual, as James and Meowth, having no TV to watch, took to sketching out thier own plans for 'customizing' the robots they were going to help Professor Brown build. Once Jessie was done, James took his shower, afterwards they all got ready for bed and the busy days ahead.

Stretching and wriggling in contentment on her soft, downy mattress, Jessie rolled over to face James, "Hey, I just realized something! What are we going to tell the Boss when we report in?"

James turned on his side in his own bed, "I never thought of that!"

"Relaaax youse two! Meowth's got it in da bag!" the Pokemon purred, kneading James' spare pillow, "We tell him da truth!"

Both humans stared curiously before he continued, "We tell him dat we found an inventor who can build robots like nuffin' an' a whole village of idiots who'll do anyting we say! We tell him we're workin' on a robot army dat'll do Team Rocket's biddin' and as soon as we got enough of 'em we'll be back wit enough fire-power ta take ova anyting he wants!"

Jessie shot upright, clutching her hands into fists, "Meowth, you're brilliant!"

"Tank you! I know." the feline said, settling down and licking his paw.

Flopping back into her bed, Jessie kicked her feet giddily and laughed again, "I feel more hopeful than I have in ages! James," she spun and reached out, grabbing his hand, "I really feel like...this time, finally, we're going to succeed."

"Of course we are! As long as we stick together, we'll always win-or, at least, live to try another day!" he chuckled.

Their hands intertwined, staring back into her brilliant azure eyes, James suddenly realized where he had felt that sensation of desire deep in his gut...it had been the many times his body was pressed against hers, adrenaline surging from presumed victory, or fear, or the times they had held each other tight for the sheer joy of it. Confusion now marring his mind, he forced a smile, withdrew his hand, and suggested they try and get some rest.

The next few days passed in a flurry of activity; between helping Professor Brown with the apple-picking robot and playing celebrity with the villagers, they hardly had any time alone to figure out the details of how exactly they were going to get their 'modified' robots out from under everyone's noses. Ultimately deciding to cross that bridge when they came to it, they instead focused their energies on the task at hand; using James and Meowth's notes to tweak this robot whenever Professor Brown wasn't looking. As promised, after a couple days it was ready for a test run, and driving it down to the orchards, it was soon picking the apples at such an impressive rate it had the villagers who had come to watch in a tizzy of excitement. Once shut off, the farmer who had proposed the idea came forward.

"This is incredible!" he cried, "I can't thank you enough! With this we'll be able to clear these orchards in no time at all!"

Leading the way as always, Jessie waved a hand nonchalantly, "Oh, you're welcome! It's the least Team Righteous and this handsome genius could do!"

Professor Brown did a double take, realizing she was talking about him, and he stood up as straight as he could with pride, "Of course! I-I have many other mechs standing by, ready to help as needed. And," he flushed lightly, his gaze landing on Jessie, "If I have the assistance of such brilliant..and beautiful-um, yes! Brilliant people, they'll be ready that much sooner!"

James noticed his demeanor and smirked; Jessie tended to have that affect on men, intentional or not. Several villagers began to talk amongst themselves, then parted as a taller man stepped into view.

"Ah, hello Mayor Donovan!" said James, Meowth adding, "What can we do ya fer?"

The mayor grinned and clasped his hands behind his back, looking over the several wagon-load equivalent of apples the robot had plucked before saying, "I have to admit, I was skeptical, but seeing what these metal monsters can do with my own eyes..." he patted the robot's side, "I'm more than impressed. So much so..." he turned to the crowd, "Since it seems the apples, and no doubt our other crops, will be harvested early this year, who thinks we should have our yearly Harvest Dance early as well?"

The villagers erupted in cheers and whoops, a few breaking into a spontaneous jig as others laughed. Breaking into a laugh himself, the mayor nodded.

"Well, that settles it then. Professor," he turned around, "Think you could whip up a wheat-threshing robot here?"

"Consider it done!" the short man chuckled, adjusting his glasses.

Mayor Donovan said to the crowd, "In that case, the Harvest Dance shall be exactly three weeks from today. Everyone, you know what to do."

The excitement palpable, nearly everyone scattered, taking off back toward town, chatting to each other and making plans. The few remaining stood near the robot, talking about how to divide up the harvested fruit. Shaking his head with amusement, the mayor turned back to the professor and 'Team Righteous'.

"I've been busy with official business this past week or so, thus I haven't been able to take the time to thank you as much as I should. I do hope you'll forgive me."

"There's nothing to forgive!" quipped Jessie brightly, "We understand! We're just glad to help!"

"I am curious though..." the mayor cocked his head slightly, a slight look of suspicion on his face, "Since you three are such a remarkable super-hero team, I can't help but wonder why you're staying her and bothering with our humble hamlet for so long."