Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.

Cassidy found herself waking up yet again. However, this time, she felt that she could stay awake. She opened up her violet eyes immediately and tried to see where she was. She saw that she was laying down on a sofa, and towards the other side of the room was a desk with what seemed to be a closed laptop and some paper and pens on it. She pushed herself up, but found her wrists were sore. Cassidy inspected them, and studied the ace bandage that was carefully wrapped around her forearms.

Cassidy began to slowly take off the left bandage. She saw that she had stitches going up her wrist to her mid forearm. At first, she was confused to how that even happened, but then memories of the previous day came rushing back to her, and she felt tears falling down her cheeks. She looked over to her right and saw Jessie sleeping next to her, except she was on the floor. Cassidy couldn't help but smile as she watched Jessie stir from her sleep. "Cassidy, you're okay," Jessie said groggily as she sat up. She rubbed her eyes, and then knelt next to the couch. "Promise me you'll never do that again," she demanded.

"I won't," Cassidy said and wiped away a tear that escaped from her eyes.

"You really scared me," Jessie said. Her voice shook when she spoke, as if she'd start crying.

"I scared myself," Cassidy admitted.

"Just don't do that ever again," she said and brought Cassidy into a hug. "Please don't," she whispered.

"I swear I won't," Cassidy said, "I promise I'll never do that again," she hugged Jessie back and held her for a few minutes until the hug ended. "Who gave me these stitches?"

"I did," Jessie said, "and you should really keep them wrapped up for a few days so you don't tear them," she wrapped her forearm up carefully.

"How did you learn how to give people stitches?" Cassidy hoped that Jessie didn't randomly give her stitches without any experience. She had a tendency, at least when she was younger, to do things spontaneously.

"I went to a Pokemon nursing school in Johto before Pokemon Tech," Jessie said.

"Please tell me you passed," Cassidy said.

"No, I didn't, but the only reason I did was I kept falling asleep when Chansey used sing," she admitted.

"What do you mean?" Cassidy asked.

"I couldn't afford to go to a Pokemon nursing school for people, so I went to one meant for Chanseys to become nurses," explained Jessie.

"Are you serious?" Cassidy asked and had to hold in her laughter.

"Shut up," Jessie said as she playfully smacked Cassidy's upper arm.

"Sorry, I can just imagine you falling asleep amongst the Chanseys."

"Anyway," Jessie went to change the subject, "Are you feeling better today?"

"Yeah," Cassidy said. "I don't know what came over me. When I was cutting, I couldn't feel it. I know it sounds weird, but it didn't even hurt."

"I think I know what you mean," Jessie spoke up. "When I was a kid, at first, when they hit me, I'll admit it hurt a lot. But when I was forced to move to Littleroot Town in Hoenn with another foster family, they hurt me a lot worse," she started, "So eventually, it didn't hurt anymore because the emotional pain I had was too much for me to feel anything physically."

"That's kind of what it's like," Cassidy said, "But I doubt I'll ever do this again," she paused. "Wait, is that why you left the first time when you didn't show up at school?" Cassidy remembered that day so vividly. That was the day it caused her to feel so much pain when her best friend had left her. When Cassidy felt as if she had no support from anyone, her depression worsened until Jessie came back years later.

"Yeah," Jessie nodded, confirming her answer.

"But then how were you able to come back to Celadon with those same foster parents?" Cassidy asked.

"I'd rather not talk about that," Jessie said. All of a sudden, the floor seemed very interesting to her.

"You know you can tell me anything," Cassidy said softly. She watched Jessie look over to Giovanni, who seemed to be in a deep sleep. The quiet snores that Cassidy heard confirmed that. Her mind began to wander off and wonder when the last time Giovanni had a real goodnight's sleep was.

"The people in Littleroot were really abusive. They beat me until the point I'd throw up my own blood. It got really bad, so I had to get out of there. The police never suspected the couple. I don't even remember their names. But anyway, since the police didn't suspect them, I didn't think that they were doing anything wrong. At that point, I think I was brainwashed into thinking that it was okay to get the shit beaten out of me. But then, I realized that it wasn't when I thought about you, and how you told me it wasn't normal when I asked you years ago. So when I realized it wasn't normal, I packed up my things in my backpack and ran away," Jessie said.

"How did you get back to Kanto then?" Cassidy asked. She wondered how someone at the age of nine or ten with no money or Pokemon could even get anywhere.

"I hitchhiked to Slateport City, sneaked onto a boat to Olivine City. Then from there, I hitchhiked to Goldenrod where I found loose change on the streets and took the subway to Saffron. From Saffron, I just walked back to Celadon," Jessie explained. Cassidy wondered if she memorized the exact routes she took. Jessie had never been good with maps, so the fact that she got from Hoenn to Kanto was impressive.

"How did you even manage that?" Cassidy asked. Jessie just shrugged.

"I really don't know, I just kind of did," Jessie said.

"But why would you go back to those foster parents?" Cassidy liked talking about something other than herself for once because she didn't want to discuss what she did to herself.

"Because they didn't hurt me as much. It was really the only place I had to go anyway. I could have gone to your place, but I doubt that your parents would have hidden me from the cops," Jessie explained. "And besides, those two idiots were good at keeping secrets from the system anyway, so a slap across the face or being tossed across the room was worth it compared to those other people," she finished.

"But then why did you run away that day when you came to my house? You know, the day I hurt myself and you convinced my mother into letting me be myself?" Cassidy was interested in what happened to Jessie. Cassidy felt that she had been too self absorbed in her own problems in the past and didn't even question Jessie's sudden appearance, or her disappearance for that matter.

"I didn't want to get hurt anymore," Jessie's voice shook a little as she spoke, "I didn't want the bruises or anymore scars. I had to get out of there. Plus, the police and the foster care system were looking for me. So, I had to run away. That's when I went to Johto to become a Pokemon nurse."

"And I thought I had problems," Cassidy spoke up. "I didn't realize you had it so hard, Jess."

"Nobody really knows," Jessie shrugged, "It doesn't really matter though because it's all in the past."

"It does matter," Cassidy said.

"Maybe, but I've learned from it I guess," she shrugged again.

"I thought I had it hard, but in reality, I guess I really don't."

"Yeah you do have it hard," Jessie said. "And I had it hard too. It's just different."

"I guess you're right, but I can't imagine being abused like that," Cassidy said, sympathizing with her friend.

"And I can't imagine being told I'm not who I really am every day," she pointed out. That remark stung, but it didn't bother her that Jessie said it. She was only telling the truth and how she really felt. Cassidy was glad she had someone to talk to that didn't have the easiest life.

"I heard what's going on last night," Cassidy said. "I don't know how to explain it, but I heard you and the boss talking. How come you aren't freaking out about being the boss' daughter?"

"I guess it didn't really sink in yet," Jessie admitted. "I was told by my foster fathers that they were my dad, so I guess I've gotten used to it."

"Are you going to be the new boss when he retires?"

"He did mention he wants to keep it in the family, but I don't know."

"You should really consider it, though. Think of all the money and respect you'd get," Cassidy said, really thinking about herself being the boss. After all, she was a tad egocentric like Jessie.

"I did think about that, but I doubt I'd be a good boss," Jessie explained. "I can barely keep myself in line."

"That's why you'll learn," Cassidy said.

"What do you want out of it?" Jessie asked, catching on to Cassidy's thoughts. If Jessie was the boss, Cassidy figured she'd get a larger paycheck due to favoritism, and she'd get better benefits and more vacation time. She'd also get more respect and above all, she wouldn't have to fear about being humiliated again. Cassidy knew Jessie's beliefs, and Jessie was not tolerant of intolerant people, which kind of contradicted itself. Cassidy knew that Jessie was for equality for everyone, and she didn't judge based on anyone's sexuality or beliefs. Jessie judged based on appearance sometimes, but Cassidy knew deep down, Jessie judged a person's character.

"Oh, nothing at all," Cassidy said, covering for her thoughts. "Maybe you'd be nice enough to give me a raise?"

"If I was boss, I'd need you to be my secretary. You're probably the only one who could keep me in line when I go insane," Jessie replied.

"And does a raise come with being your servant?" Cassidy joked. Jessie's right eye twitched in annoyance.

"You know what I mean," Jessie said. "You'd be like a vice boss if there's such thing."

"You mean like a vice president?" Cassidy asked.

"I guess. And yes, your wonderfulness, you would probably get a pay raise," Jessie rolled her eyes.

"And what would you do with James and Meowth?" Cassidy liked seeing Jessie think about her future because it was something she never did. Jessie had really only lived for the present, and never thought about any possible outcomes. She tended to act with her instincts instead of actually thinking about it. Cassidy sometimes saw this as funny, but sometimes it really could cause her to crash and burn.

"Meowth would be my top cat, because he's always wanted to be the boss'," Jessie started. "James would hold a high position, maybe like someone who looks after money," she said. "Believe it or not, he's actually pretty good with that kind of stuff, except when he bought that lousy Magikarp."

"What about Domino?"

"She'd be my personal made, forced to scrub the toilets," Jessie said with a grin on her face.

"Seriously, Jessie," Cassidy said.

"I am serious," Jessie said. She must have noticed Cassidy's serious look on her face. Cassidy wasn't fooling around this time. "I don't know, Cassidy. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. For now, let's not worry about the future," she said.

"Jessie, you know that you have to worry for the future while making decisions for the present," Cassidy said.

"I never have, never will. I take that back; I think about the future when I can get rich quick before I try to steel that Pikachu," she responded.

"But that's not thinking about the future, Jess," Cassidy started. She didn't think she'd have to give the younger woman a lecture about these things. She was hoping Jessie wasn't that close minded about the future and what it holds. "That's not what I'm talking about."

"Then what do you mean?" Jessie asked. Cassidy rolled her eyes and sat up on the couch, adjusting her position. Jessie immediately got off the cold floor and sat next to her on the sofa.

"I mean the future, like what you're going to do with your life," Cassidy said.

"Oh, well, I don't know. What are you going to do with yours?" Jessie countered.

"In the future, I want to get married," Cassidy started.

"To Butch," Jessie smirked.

"Shut up. And preferably Butch, you're actually right about something for a change. I want to have kids, probably like three or maybe four at the most. I want to live in an average sized house, a white one, with a big yard, and have a husband with a normal job who brings home most of the money. At first, I wouldn't work, but then maybe when the youngest starts first grade I'd get a part time job," she explained. Of course, she didn't go into crazy details such as where she'd adopt her children from, or where she'd live. She had already thought of that, but she wouldn't tell Jessie all of the details. "Your turn; just really think about what you want," Cassidy urged.

"Well," Jessie started and looked up at the ceiling, then back at Cassidy. "I don't know if I'll ever get married to James. If he values marriage, fine, but if he doesn't give a crap either way, then I just want a big party, like the after party, but without the boring ceremony before it. We'd just sign a piece of paper or something. Anyway, I want at most one kid, live in a big house with servants and stuff, and I would want a job that pays well. I want to be able to be independent. I never saw the appeal of being a housewife," she finished.

"Only one kid?" Cassidy questioned.

"Hey, it's easy for you to say because you'll be adopting yours and you wouldn't be destroying your perfect figure. I on the other hand, well, knowing James, we'd be having ours naturally and I am not destroying my body for some kid," Jessie explained.

"Do you think Butch would mind not having biological children?" Cassidy asked. "I mean, if he actually still likes me," she said.

"Honestly, I have no idea," Jessie admitted. "But if he does still like you, which he probably does, he'll learn to accept that the two of you can't pop 'em out together."

"Jessie, please remember who you're talking to," Cassidy said. She cursed to herself when she realized she sounded like a mother. However, Jessie didn't catch on that she just did. She never had the chance to experience discipline or anything as a young child; so obviously, she wouldn't have picked up on that. Cassidy didn't know whether to feel lucky that she hadn't because of what she said, or to feel sad for Jessie. "But do you think we'd work out?"

"If you don't mind second hand smoke," Jessie mumbled just loud enough for Cassidy to hear.

"Could you please be serious?" Cassidy was beginning to get frustrated.

"I think so. If he accepts you as you are and admits that he's in love with you, then you two will work out. But if he doesn't, then don't let it affect you. You still go out there and find someone who accepts you and loves you for who you are. Don't fixate on any rejections. Trust me, I've been there and done that," Jessie said the last part bitterly. "If a guy ever hits you, and I mean really hits you, don't stick around. If he ever tells you you're a worthless piece of shit and he's the only guy you will ever have, dump him and leave. Do not let him pressure you into doing things you know you shouldn't. If he pressures you, then he doesn't really love you like he says he does. You hear me?"

"I do," Cassidy said. She had never really realized how hard of a life Jessie had while she wasn't around. Cassidy began to assume the worst about Jessie's past relationships with boys. Also, she was surprised how experienced Jessie seemed to be with boys. Cassidy felt that she should be the one with more experience and giving Jessie advice, but not the other way around.

Cassidy had to consider that Jessie was forced to mature faster than herself, so she probably got involved with boys before Cassidy did, despite the three or so year age difference. "Good," Jessie said and took a deep breath. "If Butch hits you again, don't think twice about him. You did nothing wrong."

"I know," replied Cassidy. "I know that now."

"I don't know if I can believe that," Jessie sighed. "But I'll look out for you, okay?"

"Thanks," she responded with a small smile. The two sat in silence for three minutes, which felt more like three hours. Giovanni's snoring was getting progressively louder and annoying. Cassidy looked over at Jessie who was staring at her newfound biological father. She was probably still processing that information. Her face expressed many emotions. Cassidy could notice them the second they appeared; first Jessie looked angry, then she looked confused, angry again, but then upset. Tears welled up in her blue eyes, but she was able to keep them back. Cassidy's face lit up when she realized that she had almost forget to tell Jessie some important information she had heard Giovanni say. "Jess, I just remembered something," she said.

"What is it?" Jessie asked and turned her attention towards her instead of Giovanni.

"Last night, I think it was, but anyway, I heard the boss talking to you when you were sleeping. He said that he wishes that he could tell you that your mother is still alive; she survived the avalanche!" she watched Jessie's eyes light up. "He said he doesn't know where she is though, but I don't believe him," she finished.

"Well, how do we find her?" Jessie quickly asked.

"I'd say go into files or whatever and find stuff," Cassidy suggested.

"This isn't some cruel joke, is it?" Jessie asked, probably being cautious. Cassidy knew that even though Jessie seemingly felt comfortable around Cassidy, she still found it difficult to trust others, something Cassidy knew she caused for the poor girl.

"Of course not," she insisted.

"Okay, let's say you're telling the truth," Jessie said, "What do I need to do?"

"Either talk to him or be sneaky and go through things," she responded.

"I like the being sneaky and going through stuff better," Jessie smiled with a somewhat evil grin on her face.

"What will you be going through?" Jessie and Cassidy turned their heads towards Giovanni, who wasn't asleep anymore.

"Nothing, nothing at all," Jessie smiled. It seemed as if she wasn't even afraid of him anymore.

"You want to know about your mother," he states matter of factly.

"Cassidy told me that you said to me last night when I was sleeping that"-

"Your mother's still alive. I know," he interrupted her; "I know she survived that avalanche. But I really don't know where she is," Giovanni admitted.

"I bet you do," Jessie argued. Cassidy held Jessie back from lashing out at their boss.

"I really don't," Giovanni stretched as he stood up from the ground.

"I think you do," Jessie said and sauntered over to his laptop. She sat in his chair behind his desk and went through his drawers. Giovanni just stood there, not stopping her.

"You're not going to stop her?" Cassidy asked as she watched her friend throw things angrily across the room.

"I should, shouldn't I?" Giovanni said and sat down on the sofa. "I've lied to her for too long. I've kept too many big secrets from her," he put his face in his hands and propped up his head with them while his elbows remained on his knees. "Part of me wants her to find out, but I don't want to tell her."

"So her mother is alive?" Cassidy whispered loud enough for Giovanni to hear. The older man sat up and nodded. Cassidy knew that Jessie heard their small conversation. The nineteen year old came rushing over, and stood in front of Giovanni. Cassidy looked around the office; half of it was neat, the other half looked as if a tornado hit it from Jessie's violent outburst of anger.

"Tell me now," Jessie commanded. Cassidy saw no fear in her eyes, something that was rare when anyone faced the boss. Even Cassidy was afraid of him and a bit nervous too, just sitting beside the powerful man.

"You won't like what you hear," Giovanni started. Cassidy remained silent, watching the two talking with each other.

"I've heard a lot of things I don't particularly like," Jessie snapped.

"Yes, your mother is alive, and yes, I know where she is," the infamous Rocket boss said calmly, something that surprised Cassidy. "She's living in Saffron, working under my mother who deals with the agents that are still around that she hired in the past."

"I thought your mother was dead," Cassidy said.

"That's a rumor," Giovanni said. "And I wish it was true. Anyway, your mother is in Saffron working part time as a waitress by day, but at night, she still goes out on special missions," Giovanni explained.

"Does she know that I'm still alive?" Jessie asked only curiosity and happiness coursing through her veins.

"Yes, she even knows you belong to Team Rocket," he admitted.

"Then why hasn't she come to see me?" Jessie asked.

"Part of her believes that you aren't her, and part of her is afraid to see you."

"Can I see her?" Jessie asked.

"No," Giovanni said and stood up so that she was forced to look up at him. Cassidy noticed that Jessie was about to cry and possibly break down. Cassidy felt bad for her, she felt as if this was her fault really. All of these events involving her caused Jessie to be her friend again, and led her to this. Cassidy felt that Jessie meeting her mother after so many years wouldn't be so good considering that Jessie's mother probably didn't want anything to do with her knowing the fact that she knew exactly where Jessie was, probably for years.

"Why not?" and Jessie failed to see through that. All Cassidy could do was support her friend and just hope that she doesn't get hurt by someone she had admired since Cassidy had known her.

"I don't want you to get hurt by her. She's a changed person. After she got back from that Mew mission, all she really cares about is her job," he said.

"And how would you know that?"

"She claimed she was in love with me for a few years. Then, she goes on that Mew mission and says she only cares about her job, not anything else. But she still carries a picture of you around when you were about three I think."

"How can I believe you?" Jessie yelled through fallen tears. Cassidy was surprised how close Jessie got to Giovanni's face.

"Because she broke my fucking heart!" Giovanni screamed at her.

"Maybe it's because you wanted nothing to do with me, and I bet you're the one keeping her from seeing me!" Jessie yelled back. Cassidy could tell that last comment hurt Giovanni. He backed away from Jessie to give himself some space.

"She didn't let me even sign your birth certificate when you were born," he shook as he spoke. Would Cassidy witness her boss' break down? She hoped not. Too much was happening in a small period of time for her liking, and she felt like she caused all of it.

"I bet you didn't even want to," Jessie said coldly. That girl really knew how to poor salt in the wound when she was hurting. Cassidy remembered how Jessie was able to stop bullies from hurting her, and then witnessing her wrath on the sidelines in Pokemon Tech to protect James. Jessie could find people's weaknesses easily while covering up her own. Cassidy was able to do that well, too.

"I did, but your mother insisted that I didn't so she wouldn't get fired for sleeping with the boss' son," he said.

"I bet you broke her heart first, and now you realize you made a terrible mistake," she said bitterly. Cassidy felt that she actually needed to defend her boss, but at the same time, she knew she should keep quiet because this wasn't even about her anymore. She wanted to pull Jessie away and force her to calm down, like she had done back when they were kids.

"Actually, she broke my heart the minute she didn't want me in your life," he spat. "I tried for years to get her back, and to find you while I was at it. Both failed. During my search, about two years after you were sent back to foster care, I tried to fall in love again, and that failed. I even have a son only God knows where. You aren't the only one with troubles, Jessica, so learn to keep your mouth shut," he yelled. Cassidy felt as if she was the only one who noticed the lights come back on. She figured that they weren't in a lockdown anymore.

"You think you have it hard? Well, I'll prove you wrong; my father wasn't in my life, my mother left me, I went to live with a few abusive people who were supposed to be foster parents, I failed at everything I tried due to lack of money, I was in relationships where they forced me to stop eating, do things, and they abused me, and now my childhood best friend, then turned enemy, and now my best friend again, needs me to be strong at times when I can't, and to top it all off, I find out that you are my father, my mother abandoned me for her job, and now I have a brother out there!" Jessie screamed at him. Cassidy noticed Domino coming in the room slowly, afraid of her boss who looked so angry. Cassidy hoped that Domino didn't spot her.

"I'm sorry," he spoke up and sounded as if he was going to cry. Cassidy noticed his shoulders shook as he opened up his arms and hoped for Jessie to run into his arms. She did, and she cried when she hugged him tightly back. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I should have told you right when I found you, Jessica," he held back his tears. Cassidy couldn't help but smile and forget about a dumbfounded Domino standing in the doorway. It looked as if Jessie's life was about to get better. She was glad, because the girl deserved a better one after the past she had. However, Cassidy felt as if she wouldn't be needed anymore now that Jessie was reunited with her father, and then possibly her mother soon. Cassidy had been the only one Jessie turned to in the past for advice and approval. Jessie even made cards for her on Mother's Day!

But now, Cassidy knew that Jessie didn't need her anymore. And without Jessie to be her friend, who would she go to for help? Maybe she was looking too deep into things, but on the other hand, maybe not. Cassidy felt her mind spinning with negative thoughts. She took a look at her wrists and wondered if she had gone crazy.


Hope you liked this chapter! Yes, this will still be mainly about Cassidy. The next chapter will most likely focus more on her than Jessie's relationship with Giovanni.