A/N: Again, this chapter is rather short. But, I made it up by adding in some Rocketshipping fluff! I hope you all enjoy, and don't forget to review!


"They were asking about you," Giovanni tells her a few weeks later.

"They?" she asks, though she already knows who they are. James and Meowth.

"You want to know what I told them?" the man says, ignoring Jessie, a devious smirk on his face. "I told them that you were happy that you were separated. That you didn't want to see them, especially that James."

Jessie's eyes widen. "What?" she squeaks out, not believing her ears. "Why would you…?"

"Failures don't deserve good things," he reminds her. "And, Jessica, you are a failure. You've failed me so many times in the past. Maybe I should just fire you and let you fend for yourself…"

"No!" she cries, jumping to her feet. "Please,sir! Please don't f – fire me!"

"Tell me, then, what am I supposed to do with you?"

She chews on her bottom lip, tears welling up in her eyes. "You can… h – hurt me again…"

What was that?" Giovanni asks. "You're giving me permission to hurt you?"

"I don't want you to fire me," she tells him. She curls trembling fingers into tight fists which rest in her lap. "If this is what must be done to keep you from firing me, then so be it."

Giovanni laughs. As always, the sound sends shivers racing up her spine. She watches as the man before her prepares himself. She braces herself for the pain. And, of course, the pain comes. She cries out, but the sounds are muffled by Giovanni's hand. She squeezes her eyes tight against hot tears.

Finally, after what feels like hours, he is done. He lets her dress before kicking her out. She walks down the empty hallway towards her room. But, just as she's about to tuen the corner,she litterally runs into someone. And, that someone is James and Meowth.

"Jess!" they both cry in joy, before James wraps her in a warm embrace. This causes hwr to compleyely lose it.

She breaks down into sobs in James' arms. At first, he is confused, and does nothing, but, then, he tightens his hold around her, rubbing soothing circles on her back and stroking her hair.

"Jess," James murmurs in her ear. "Jessie, whats wrong? Whyee you crying? Did… Did you really miss me that much?"

She swallows hard before nodding. She can hear Meowth let out a laugh. "I told ya, Jimmy! I tild ya dat da Boss was lyin.'"

She laughs along with them, though hers is somewhat forced. James takes both of Jessie's hands in his own. "C'mon, Jess," he says urgently, tugging at her hands. "Let's go back to my room."

Jessie laughs. This time, though, it is not forced. With James, she can forget about the pain. She can forget about everything bad that is happening. With James, she feels safe, happy… loved.

She lets James lead her to his room. He closes the door, and leads her to this bed. He sits close beside her, wrapping an arm securely around her waist. She instantly relaxes, and snuggles into his warmth.

Suddenly, she hears James gasp. "Jessie," he breathes out. She can feel him combing her hair away from her neck. "Jessie, what's this? Is that a… bruise?"

Jessie swallows hard. "It – Is," she whispers. "I kind of ran into the wall. You know, clumsy me."

"Jess, you're not – " James begins, but Jessie cuts him off.

"Look, James," she says, pulling reluctantly away from his warmth. "I really need to go. I… have things I need to do, alright? I'll see you around, though."

James lets her reluctantly go, leaving him to wonder what it is that he did wrong.


A knock at Jessie's door at 10:00 that night startles her. She wonders if it is James, coming to visit. But, why would he come to visit so late at night?

She opens the door, and, of course, it is a grunt who greets her. "The Boss wants to see you," he says in his gruff voice.

She swallows hard, knowing exactly what is to come. "I'll be there in a minute," she tells him, and the door closes tight.

Tears fill her eyes as fear washes through her veins. She's scared. Terrified, to be exact. She doesn't want to get hurt again, but she knows that she will. The Boss will always hurt her. He's a sick bastard who enjoys hurting others. He loves to watch other people suffer.

So, sucking in a deep breath and breathing it slowly out, she opens the door and begins the long walk to her doomed fate.