Pausing by the coffee machine on her way into her office, Jessie fixed herself a cup knowing these past couple days were beginning to catch up to her.
She slinked her way down the hallway and into her room. Not bothering to turn the lights on as the sunlight was enough for her at the moment. She had ended her previous night with a late night bubble bath and maybe a few too many glasses of wine. Meowth finally found his way back hours after his storming off, whining about his grumbling belly.
Sipping her warm coffee in her dim lighted office her head had a slight throbbing to it. She let out a long sigh and pulled a small card out of her coat pocket.
The business card the man had handed her, she examined it more. Would it be strange to give him a ring? What would she even talk about, she just met the guy. She doubted a man like him would ever be interested in someone like her. He was a doctor, a pediatrician even and her track record with children wasn't very positive. She closed her eyes as he drifted off into her own mind and tried to ease the headache away.
A few moments passed, her eyes began to flutter as she felt a presence.
She shot straight up and looked, yep there he was.
"Sleeping on the job I see." James smiled at her.
And there was the pounding in her head, back at full force. "James, you can't just keep barging in like that!"
"Well, if I have to defend myself. The door was open. You really need to get that latch checked out." His thumb pointed back behind him. Taking a seat once again across from her at the desk. "Rough night, huh?"
"You have no idea."
James chuckled a little bit, "So how's the e-boyfriend doing?"
She half glared at him, "He isn't my-…actually he told me his name last night. Yeah, and gave me his phone number." She sat herself up with more attitude.
"Oh that's good news Jess, but I thought you guys were taking it slow?" James asked. "Did he ask you out?"
She paused. "Well, no I'm not even sure if he would really be interested in a girl like me. I'm too rough, bitter, and mean and he's well…" She propped her head up with her hand, as she flung the business card at James.
Catching it, he examined it momentarily and burst out in a loud obnoxious laugh. "Oh that's great, Jessie. You're horrible with kids and he's from Celadon. He's definitely from the good life."
Sulking more in her chair, "James, you aren't helping."
"Jessie, I've never seen you so worried about something like this. You're the most confident person I know! You know, I could help you out with him. If you wanted me to" He flung the card onto the desk. "These past few years I've learned quite a bit being in the radio show I started. Have you ever given it a listen?"
She raised her head, "No, why would I want to listen to show on how to pick up chicks? That's all they talk about when discussing your show." She rolled her eyes.
"Aw it's not all about that. It's more about how men and women react differently and how to find a perfect match." He smiled widely, knowing she can't refuse a bet. "Hey, if I can't get you with this guy. I will quit from your television show and go back to the radio station."
She eyed him closely, "Since when did you become so confident?"
James shrugged, "I've always been, I just never showed it. Do we have a deal?" He held his hand out to her.
Hesitating she took his hand and gave it a shake. "Okay but if you mouth a word of this to anyone else in this building. I will buzz cut your hair off."
"Not a word. Now, let's get this figured out." Still holding onto her hand. "Now let's take the rest of the day off. We're going to get started on your lessons." He pulled her from around the desk and led her out the door.
Taking a sip of her very fresh, but very hot Chai latte. Jessie turned her attention to across the table as James was taking his seat after paying the check. Normally she would offer to pay her own, but he did owe her she kept that thought to ease her mind.
"So, Mr. James how do you propose you're going to help me with landing a guy like Dr. Christopher?"
"If you had listened to my show at least once you would know. I help many people discover themselves and impress someone they are interested in." He returned her gaze.
"Oh! So, you're a doctor of love now?" Resting her elbows on the table, and supporting her head with both her hands. She stared at him with a fake look of interest, "What would you prescribe for me?" Letting out a small chuckle at her own reference to the situation.
Catching on, James continued. "What you are doing right now, acting sweet, innocent, and easily entertained. One more thing, always laugh at what a guy says."
"Why? What if it's not funny? I'm just supposed to pretend to be a simple minded bimbo?"
"That's irrelevant. Does not matter, for men any time they attempt to make a girl laugh it should always be returned with positive feedback." He looked around and hinted for her to lean in as he did too. "For example, when a man and a woman are…performing intercourse…" He paused, looking to her for a hint to continue or stop. She simply blinked, and seemed unphased by his sudden change in direction, continuing. "Well, sometimes a woman will…fake it, but whether it's fake or real. It doesn't matter because it'll still have the same effect on him. He'll still feel accomplished either way."
"James, a fake one means nothing happened."
"True, but remember you aren't the only one in the bedroom." Holding his index finger up making a point.
Sitting back Jessie let out a small laugh.
A small blush was on his face, as he looked at her, "Now that was perfect laugh, but was it fake or real?"
"You'll never know." Taking another sip of her tea, to hide her pink cheeks. She watched him from her cup, curious of where this more confident and dirty humored James had come from. It was unusual, yet charming coming from him. Deciding not to question it. "Okay, so what is the next step?"
"I think this is going to be your favorite part." He smiled widely.
Arriving to their next destination. He opened the tall glass door to a particular clothing store he had picked out for her liking.
"Jess, I know you've been in the television business for a long time. The only downfall you've been behind the cameras. Which I will say has done a number on your fashion sense." He walked to the sales woman wandering around. "Hi, yes hello. We are going to be in need of some serious dressing room time for my good friend over here." He gestured to Jessie who slowly wandered over from admiring a nearby skirt.
The peppy blonde, clapped her hands together. "Ah yes! Welcome, anything you need I will be able to assist. My name is Janet." She led them to the dressing room area.
"Janet, will you please bring anything and everything that will make this woman gorgeous!" He stuck his tongue in a teasing fashion toward Jessie, who simply rolled her eyes and hit him in the shoulder.
As the saleswoman brought over a short stack of outfits, Jessie's inner girly excitement kicked in and she decided to go along with playing dress up. Locking herself in a dressing room while James sat himself outside in the usual waiting male area.
A few minutes passed, Jessie strolled out striking a small pose for James. She was showing off a simple pink knee length strap less dress. Mentally noting how adorable she looked. He approached her, "Cute, but maybe a little too cute."
Trying her best to sound sweet and innocent. "Oh, but Mister James isn't is just so quaint and delightful!" Giggling and batting and eyelash, and she turned in a twirl and skipped back into the changing room.
Shaking his head, James returned to his seat, muttering under his breath, "She needs help."
After a couple more outfit changed, Janet had gone off to answer the store phone.
James heard a familiar frustrated groan coming from the other side of the locked door. "Jessie? You alright in there?" Now standing outside of it.
The door unlocked, "Come help me! It's this stupid zipper!"
Slipping in to the dressing room, which wasn't too roomy to say the least. James locked the door, turning to look at her. She had her back to him holding her hair to the side. From what he could see, she was now sporting a very flattering black dress. It allowed her shoulders to be exposed, while hugging her entire form it fit tight down to mid-thigh, accompanied by a soft flowing almost translucent piece of cloth which helped keep her figure a mystery from her hips down.
"Ugh! Hurry up! It's stuck and I can't get it to go up any further! Fix it!" She demanded, while looking over her shoulder at him.
He blinked out of his sudden trance, and gently glided the zipper up her back and took a step back in admiration.
Letting her hair drop back down, she prepared herself and turned around to face him. Getting a visual of the front, he was now able to make out every curve of her body as she stood in the bright LED lights beaming from the mirror behind her. She looked stunning. "Now, how is this one?"
James swallowed, "It…well it looks very good on you." The nervousness in his voice very apparent. That was the blandest comment her had made to her the whole time. Suddenly it hit her, the way he was gawking at her.
A devious grin made its way across her face as she caught on real quick. She moved in closer to him, closing the gap between them. "You don't think it's a tad too revealing?" Now having him backed into the wall, her hand slid up his shoulder and then down his chest, playing with a button on the front of this shirt.
"Wh-what are you doing?" He stuttered, as a small blush forming across his cheeks.
She smiled teasingly, "I'm not sure, is it turning you on?"
Oh, but she did know, she knew exactly what she was doing.
James huffed, and then paused, "No."
"Huh? That's too bad because it was kind of doing the trick for me..." She trailed off and she dragged her finger tips across his chest.
His brightened green eyes blinked, "Really?"
Her deep sapphire eyes met his, her facial expression changed. Sticking her tongue out at him and jabbing her finger into his rib cage. "Sucker!" She backed off him. "I guess I'll be choosing this dress." Winking at him.
Instantly frustrated, yet somewhat relieved. James grabbed the door handle. "You are a deeply, disturbed woman. Just be aware." He said matter-of-factly, before heading back out to the sitting area, still grumbling to himself.
After what would have seemed like hours of trying on various dresses, skirts, shoes, shirts, and jewelry. Keeping a selection, while discarding the items that didn't fit James' distinct fashion sense.
The two ex-Rockets made their way to Jessie's apartment.
Meowth came prancing around the corner as soon as he heard the front door open.
"Meowth, I found an old friend." Jessie stepped out of the way. As Meowth instantly recognized who was standing before him.
"It's Jimmy!" He announced, his eyes tearing up as he leaped forward. James caught the feline in his arms and gave him a long time missed hug.
"Oh I never thought I would actually say this, but I missed you, you lil furball!" Squeezing onto Meowth he finally let him go and followed them into the apartment.
"So, James whatya doin' here anyways?" Meowth perched on the back of the couch as his two human comrades took seats.
"Well, you see. I got placed on a nearly impossible mission."
Raising an eyebrow, "What's dat?"
"To get Jessie a date."