-Understanding- (RocketShipping)
Requested by: the fallen and joey.

Been too long! Sorry if this is too angsty or OOC, this is how I thought things would be if it was only Jessie that got the offer for the promotion in Unova.

He hears her calling for him but can't bring himself to turn around. The tears are streaming down his face, doing nothing for his already blurry vision. He doesn't know where he's going but he knows that it's got to be as far away from her as possible. She pleads with him now, sounding almost as if she's crying herself. He suddenly comes to a stop and after a second falls to his knees. His face goes into his hands as he sobs, shoulders shaking uncontrollably. He doesn't understand why she said yes after years of friendship, trust and understanding between them. The way her eyes lit up when she was offered the stupid promotion made him realize what he was to her.
Nothing.

"James." He hears her approach and is incapable of doing anything. He wants her to go away but stay at the same time. His feelings for her have always had that tinge of pain in them, always. She could be angelic one day and his worst nightmare the next. "James… I… I'm sorry." Her voice breaks as she slumps to her knees beside him. Her gloved hand reaches for his shoulder but hesitates inches away from it.
"Why?" he whispers through another sob. "Why?"
"Because… I don't know." She's near tears now. The hand falls onto his shoulder, gripping it tightly as she realizes her error. "I…"
"You're getting what you always wanted. You're going to be… away." James chokes, breaking back into tears. "You're leaving me, Jess. Why? What about Meowth?" the feline companion of so many years was going to be as devastated by this as he was now. Both of them had taken Jessie's presence for granted all this time. Her volatile temperament had kept them on their toes (especially James), her words had kept them going. Whenever James had wanted to give up, she'd stopped him.
As he'd stopped her. They had a bond… or so he'd thought. She begins to cry now, resting her head on her hand. He feels and smells her long hair and relives some memories, reaching for her as she reaches for him.

He remembers Victreebell and its antics, remembers how he and Jessie had cried when Weezing and Arbok had been released. He'd held her in his arms as they cried for the first time together, something that had shaped them. They had understood each other that day; saw each other in a different light. They'd been stripped to the bone that day. He'd realized how he'd felt about her and had hoped that she felt the same. For a while it felt like she had… he remembers her rare smiles, each and every one of them. The even rarer moments where she held his hand… but the memory that flashes through his mind the strongest is the day that he turned down Jezzabelle.
The day he'd realized where he belonged. He belonged with Jessie and Meowth. He'd felt at peace that day- the poor little rich boy had found his equals in the irate former nurse and the stray Meowth who'd changed everything about himself for an indifferent girl.

His breathing begins to slow down as the tears begin to stop. Jessie knows his flaws and, despite being mean about a few of them, understands and accepts them. Whenever he acts like a frightened child, she comforts him. Just the same with her, minus being mean. He's been so patient throughout the years, helping her achieve. He looks up and rubs his neck, slowing hard in the silence. Jessie's eyes meet his and he sees what he needs to see- her genuine pain and apology over her greed.

"You should take the position." James says, swallowing back more tears as they begin to form. She shakes her head, gaze dropping.
"No." she refuses, voice soft.
"You told the boss you'd take it…" his voice quivers but he refuses to let any more tears fall. He has to be strong here.
"No, I told him I wasn't interested." She lifts her head again, eyes as soft as her voice. James is speechless for a moment as he digests this. His eyes widen and his heart picks up slightly, becoming hopeful again as she smiles. It's a little smile but one that he enjoys seeing.
"B-but you wanted to go to the new region… you wanted to be-"
"-not without my partners. I'm not going without you… or Meowth," she interrupts, squeezing his hand. The motion sends heat flooding through his body and fully picks up his heart. The sadness fades from him, replaced by pure joy. She really meant it. She wasn't going to leave him. "I'm not leaving. I… I don't want to leave. I'm not leaving you." He hugs her again then, smiling as happy tears come to his eyes. "I'm sorry for being so selfish…"
"You changed your mind" is all that he can say. They finally break apart, huge smiles on their faces as he squeezes her hand back. Both have affection in their eyes- no, more than that. Love. James is ashamed for doubting Jessie and she's ashamed for nearly putting her old goals over her heart.
But all is forgiven. No matter how much they fight or she hurts him, they always make up.
Their bond is there after all. It always will be.