I'm not gonna lie…I'm not totally pleased with the finished product. I have gone through so many different plots for this one-shot, and this is truthfully the only one that really felt right. It won't match it like the rest of this collection…but I kind of like it that way, seeing as it's fitting for the song. Plus, I can get to the next two tracks that I've been dying to get to. Government Hooker and Judas will both be rated M with Hair going back to K. I'm 90% sure this is the only fic that will deal with the Rockets during marriage and especially with kids.

And, if it makes a difference, I've had a multi-chaptered fic in mind with the children of the Rockets that I just sorta gave up on. I work far better with one-shots and find myself enjoying the idea of seeing James and Jessie interacting with one another rather than with Jackson and Jazz and whatnot. But it's here as a look into their future, for whatever it is worth.

Title: Born This Way

Rating: T

Time/Generation: Post-Team Rocket, AU

Warnings: Spoiler/Giggle at the very end for New Plot, Odd Lot! I love Harley. XD

The moment had come. James's fingers clenched the rough material of his slacks as he tried to even his breathing. The boy beside him stiffened as if aware of oncoming onslaught of questions. People passed them from every angle and made James thankful for the small islands of benches the mall afforded to the husbands during the infamous Princess Day. At that moment, however, he would have fought with the biggest and bustiest woman over a dress off the clearance rack rather than to cross this line.

"Jackson," he said, surprised at the calm in his voice. "Why did Ford punch you?"

The boy's head turned to reveal an eye quite bruised and quite buried under layers of his sister's makeup. His lavender hair was curlier than it usually was due to the fact that the family had all awaken at some ungodly hour James hadn't even been aware existed. Even with a head start, they had fallen behind and the men had been banished by their female counterparts after failing to successfully hide some genuine perfume by Erika herself from a pack of wild women aching to smell like Bellossom. He was almost grateful for it. It made the sharp looks at Jackson's swollen eye less common.

"Because he's Ford," Jackson stated simply.

"Son…if something is going on, you know you can tell me. I know you and your mom are closer, but…I just get this feeling that this is something you don't want to discuss with her."

Blushing, Jackson ducked his head. "I'm okay, Dad. Really."

James allowed a small smile to appear on his lips. "It's more your sister I'm worried about. If she gets her hands on that boy, I might have to head down to the jailhouse. And while I don't mind bailing either of you out of trouble, I think your mother might be displeased at the thought of losing a bit of weight in her purse strings."

With a snort, the boy shook his head. "Nah…I made Jazz promise to lay off of him. She won't do anything."

It was as if sirens were whirling in James's head. It still amazed him how his and Jessie's personalities had settled out among their children. His son was a determined youth with a strong sense of self and a constant fire burning in his eyes. Jackson was not as cruel as his mother, but he was far more logical and patient than James had ever known Jessie to be. He was serious and just a tad bit arrogant to those who did not know him and was standoffish in a cold yet controlled way that always made him a mystery to everyone around him, including his father.

And then there was Jazz. James brought his eyes up to search the crowd and settled when they found a kitten-sized Purrloin nestled atop a bed of lavender hair. The hair was long and curled, though not by nature's design. She was flipping through a rack with all the enthusiasm of a Slowpoke with occasional glances towards the back of the store. Even without opening her mouth, she screamed eccentricity and a lack of elegance. Whereas her brother was cold, however, she was warm and vibrant. She had always been a happy child, if not one eager to please, and her face soon broke out into a small giggle that cut through the hum of the crowd.

His daughter quickly shuffled over to the nearest counter and climbed on top of it to search the benches with laughing eyes. When she spotted her father, she burst into a broad grin and held a deep green sweater above her head, much to the dismay of her Purrloin. It had to be the biggest abomination in the fashion world. It was decorated with buttons in yellows and reds and oranges from neck to the hem and the sight of it had both men stifling their laughter. She mouthed something and James saw Jackson give her a thumbs-up before she hopped off the table and disappeared back into the store.

They had been together every moment of their lives. The weight of the situation settled on his chest dark and thick.

"Jackson. I know I'm not the best at this whole father thing. But I want to be here for you…for all of us. Your mother and I never really had the best families growing up, and it's really important that you and Jazz know how much you mean to us."

Blinking as if stunned, his son nodded mutely. James sighed. It was back to bartering with that fat cat to give some of "UncUnc's" advice. He was faintly sure Meowth had followed Liepard somewhere in the fray where Jessie and Butch's daughter Bonnie had gone off to. He had first seen Butch and Clyde heading out for a father-son luncheon as the perfect opportunity to bond with Jackson, but now that the words were spoken and the subject was off the table, he felt completely lost and helpless. He was so busy staring at the tile and willing it to provide him with the perfect fatherly advice that he missed Jackson's slight squirming.

"Dad…when did you know…" The sentence stopped. Jackson swallowed.

"Know what, Jack?"

He almost thought the boy wouldn't continue. Shifting to face him, James leaned forward. Jackson bit his lower lip. "When did you know that you loved Mom?"

Oh Arceus on a boogie board. Girl trouble. He was screwed. "Well…I always knew that I loved her…just not in a romantic sense. We were teammates long before we were…err…lovers. We spent so many years together and when our Rocket careers were over, I couldn't imagine myself being with anyone else but her. It wasn't the greatest feeling on earth…she was a lot of woman for me to handle."

"But you just knew, right? It wasn't like you could change how you felt," said Jackson, shaking his head to rid his eyes from the two strands of hair pestering his face. "No one could tell you that it wasn't right."

"They certainly tried," he replied, frowning at the thought of his parents. "Love is about accepting someone faults and all…but people are always going to pass judgment no matter what. It isn't entirely their fault…at least not all the time. Some people are just set in their ways and some of them just feel like they're doing the best thing for you."

Jackson mulled over his words before frowning. "And what do you think the best thing for me is?"

"I can't answer that for you, Jackson. I don't know. This is your life to live, not mine. I already made my choices a long time ago. I just want you and Jazz to be happy and fulfilled in whatever you choose to do."

"Wow," said Jackson, smirking. There was something about his lips that was undeniably Jessielike although they were thin and pale and stretched across his face with less grace than his mother's. "That almost made you sound mature, Dad."

James let his face fall as if offended. "And whatever gave you the idea that I was immature?"

"You threw the remote at the television last night because a movie didn't end the way you wanted it to."

"Are you kidding me? I was just angry they left out some parts…"

"Like what? It was a documentary, Dad. A documentary. I doubt the Frontier Brains have much to hide…they're known throughout the regions for what they do. And so what if he beat Team Rocket a couple of times? Big whoop. We're all still kicking. Besides," he said with a shuffle of his feet. "I think Ash is pretty cool."

You wouldn't think that if it was you on the other side of Pikachu's Thunderbolt, James thought bitterly. "I want to get back to your questions…where is all this coming from, Jackson?"

Jackson sighed. "I don't know."

"Is it a girl?"

The boy ducked his head again and James could swear there was redness on his cheeks. "I don't know."

James frowned. He felt shut out and shut down and more than just a little bit rejected. "We don't have to talk about it. Come on…let's see how many credit cards your mother has maxed out. I bet you a sundae that it's over five."

His efforts were rewarded with a small smile. "You're on."

They found Jazz far before Jessie, though this was not much of an accomplishment considering the girl was flaunting her new sweater and a pair of khakis to some giggling girls around the age of six. The Purrloin was still sitting happily upon her head and watching the children with interest.

"You look really silly, lady!" the youngest one cried.

"Are you kidding? This is the hottest thing back in Unova!" She struck a pose and the blaring lights from the store reflected off the gaudy buttons like a thousand little stars. "I had to fight off thirty Amazon princesses just to squeeze by with this beauty. I got a hottie back home promising me diamonds and pearls if I show up wearing this little number tonight."

"What!" cried James, gripping both sides of his head with trembling fingers. Jackson burst into laughter.

"Dad…she's joking," he said, patting his arm comfortingly.

"Oh…I…I knew that." He rubbed his hair where his furious fingers had pulled out several strands of blue hair.

Before Jazz could turn around to greet them, an older woman approached her with a wide grin.

"I hope my girls weren't a bother, miss. I sure do appreciate you looking after them while I looked around…this store can get so crazy!" James supposed she meant to cast a hand toward the store in mention but the movement was weak underneath the mountain of clothes she held propped beneath her chin.

"She's really funny, mama! Is she coming with us to the next store?" said the youngest girl.

Jazz smiled and James felt his heart drop. He knew that look anywhere – especially plastered on a woman's face. It was the same look he had seen nearly sixteen years earlier when Jessie was holding Bonnie in her arms for the first time. It was a look of wanting and one he had never expected to find on his bubbly, bumbling daughter's face.

"I'm afraid I gotta go with these two bad men over here." Jazz motioned over to James and Jackson with a flick of her wrist. "They're the fashion police and they're here to arrest me."

The children chittered and clambered to Jazz's legs with tiny protests and their mother laughed. "You truly are a funny young woman…but a kind one. Did I hear you mention something about Pokemon Paradise to your mother?"

"Yeah," said Jazz, suddenly losing some of her cheery demeanor. "Right before she told me it would be our last stop…if she wasn't too busy…and if I bought at least one dress…and if she could find a fourth credit card."

James cursed and Jackson laughed.

"She just wants to bring out the beautiful woman in you. You'll get along better. I just know it. Here…reach in my back pocket. My girlfriend couldn't be here today and she handed me a fistful of coupons. I remember seeing something about Pokemon Paradise on one of them. I don't really have a use for the store seeing as I don't enter contests or anything and my Pokemon can't stand being put in outfits."

Regaining some cheer, Jazz pulled out a wad of coupons and immediately grinned. "Wow! How lucky can I get? Buy one and get one free on slippers…and they have zebra print! Liepard is just going to love them, isn't she, Purrl?"

"Purrrrrr!" The Purrloin snuggled and purred against her trainer's head.

"Thank you so much!" Jazz cried, smiling at each of the little girls in turn before twirling around to head toward the exit.

"Jazz! Wait! Aren't you forgetting something?" Jackson screamed, quickly becoming overwhelmed with the passing hordes of girls.

"Oh yeah!" She ran back to the table she'd been standing on and quickly grabbed all the free donuts she could carry in one hand. "Thanks, bro!"

"I MEANT US, JAZZ!"

They had completely lost her by the time they managed to make it back to the haven of benches. James hung his head in defeat. Their beloved bench was now home to a man five times the size of James and Jackson put together and the father and son drug themselves down the strip in search for a well-worn place to sit and ignore the droves of giggles and gyrating hips. It was a long haul, but they both settled down with sighs and grateful smiles.

"Thank Mew!" James exclaimed, watching the crowd. "I thought we'd be out there forever!"

Jackson smiled and all the uneasiness of their prior conversation returned.

"So it looks like I owe you a sundae. Wanna go now or wait on the girls?"

Brightening, Jackson turned towards his father. "Let's wait on Mom and Jazz…and maybe Clyde too."

"Clyde?" James thought for a minute before nodding. "That's a great idea. And maybe you can call up Robbie and invite him too. I haven't seen him around the house in a while and…" Jackson trembled beside him. "Is something wrong?"

"Robbie is out of town."

"But I thought he was going with us tomorrow to the contest," said James. The boy turned his head away in silent disgust and he frowned. "He has something to do with what happened with Ford."

Jackson laughed without mirth and shook his head without conviction. "Robbie ruined everything."

Had he any fatherly instincts, James was certain that they would have told him to say something – anything – but he felt as though his mouth would fail him and he sat in silence staring at his feet. It seemed as if his attempts to grow closer to him were only serving to drive them further apart. And while he knew it was terribly wrong of him to be jealous of his own wife of her relationship with their son, he could not help but feel shut out. Maybe it was best to just accept things the way that they were. Maybe he was busy worrying over the little things when all the things that had seemed to matter at twenty had now gifted him with a family that loved and supported him no matter what. Maybe he should just look forward to the day a year from now when the children were finally old enough to join Team Rocket and he and Jessie could enjoy each other at their leisure without fear of scarring one of the twins for life.

He felt Jackson shake and shift beside him. He waited. "Dad…"

"Yeah?"

Jackson rubbed his lips lightly with the side of his left hand. "Robbie told Ford."

It was as if the entire population of the shoppers disappeared and all he could hear was his own breathing. "What did he tell him, Jackson?"

A lifetime of silence seemed to follow before Jackson raised his head. His eyes were the color of water but the flame behind them was unmistakable. The look could have stopped a train.

"He told him I was gay."

James blinked again and again. "Why would he say something like that?"

He drew his lower lip in and shrugged. "Because it's true."

Whatever he had been expecting, it hadn't been this. He knit his brow and found his mind utterly blank. "But…how do you…"

"It was Ford. I wanted to be with Ford. I can't tell you why…it just sort of came out of nowhere one day when we were battling. I tried to ignore it. I really, really did, Dad. But the more I tried to tell myself that it was wrong, the more it stayed on my mind. I didn't even tell Robbie…I didn't really tell anyone but Jazz…but I must have been obvious…he found out and he swore he would never tell anybody."

"Let me guess," said James, with a frown, "he lied."

Jackson shook with fury. "He said it just came out…he really said that, Dad. He was my best friend and he's made my life hell."

He wasn't aware of his arms reaching out or of grabbing his son, but James found himself hugging the boy to his chest right there in the middle of the mall and the mumbling bystanders. Feeling more than hearing the choked sob Jackson tried to push back down his throat, James ran his hand through the boy's short hair. The thought of his son in pain blocked out every other thought and he squeezed his arms tight as if afraid the boy would disappear.

"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry, Dad," said Jackson, sniffling. James pulled back and felt the salty tears burn at his eyes.

"Sorry? Son, there is absolutely nothing for you to be sorry about."

The boy shook his head wildly. "I'm not supposed to feel this way…Mom is going to hate me."

Disbelief clouded James's features. "Jackson…we could never hate you. We love you and we're going to love whatever boy is lucky enough to be brought to our home. If you're happy, we're happy."

It was as if the weight of the world had been taken off his young shoulders. His upper body came against the back of the bench and his head perked up ever so slightly. "Really?"

"Really. We're here for you…all of us," said James with a sideways grin.

A genuine laugh fell from the youth's lips. "I kind of knew that…when Jazz found out she went right up to Robbie. I've been dying to tell Mom that she doesn't have to worry about her not being like her…I was terrified. She actually stood there and told him that she would kick him in the throat if he blinked in my direction."

They shared a laugh that was cut short only when James fell silent a few moments later. Jackson raised an eyebrow and his father stared at him hard.

"So who took your last snacky?"