Chapter 1

James POV

"Ugh, can you two walk any slower? I'm freezing in case you haven't no-ti-ti-ticed!", Jessie shivered.

James looked up toward Jessie walking only a couple feet in front of him and realized her skin was a palor lighter than her usual fair skin shade.

"Are you alright there, Jes?" James asked with a bit of worry etched in his voice.

"Do I look alright? I'm freezing my tail off out here!", Jessie turned her head to yell out with her usual snarky tone.

"Wells ten maybe yous should 'ave worn a coat instead of a crop top", Meowth nagged.

"I didn't think it would be this cold.", Jessie whines.

"We's on da way to Snowbelle City, brainiac.", Meowth retorted.

"And we won't get there anytime soon if we keep dilly dallying. Let's speed this puppy up or we'll never get there!", Jessie began power walking up the snowy mountain range, forcing James and Meowth to keep pace with her.

By now, James was worried about Jessie. She loved the cold and has been fine in temperatures way lower than the chill that was currently in the air. She must be coming down with something, and this rush she was putting herself in couldn't be good for her health. Also, it was getting dark, and it was never safe to be out journeying at night for anyone. Suddenly, James spotted an abandoned cabin up ahead to the left of their path.

"Hey, maybe we should set up camp here until the morning?", James offerred.

"And risk missing the twerps? We should keep moving.", Jessie remarked.

"It's getting dark and da twerp wit da Pikachu probably won't have his gym battle tere til da marrow.", Meowth insisted.

"He's right. We can afford a night of rest.", James begged.

"Well you can, but I'll keep on going!", Jessie stubbornly sped ahead.

"Don't do this.", James called as he saw her walk off.

As he watched her, however, he started to notice her swaying with each step that got slower and slower, and-

"Jessie!", The green-eyed man screamed in horror as his partner in crime collapsed on to the snow covered ground.

James ran towards her to find that she had gone unconscious. He picked her up in his arms and rushed her into the nearby cabin to take shelter for the night.

Whether it was his second hand nature or pure instinct, James had a protective feeling towards Jessie and he was prepared to do whatever it took to take care of her.

"Meowth, could you please fetch some firewood?", James asked.

"Sure ting", Meowth quickly left to get it.

James unpacked their backpacks and pulled out Jessie's sleeping bag. He placed her in it and then felt her forehead after immediately removing his hand from the burning sensation. In a panick, he moistened his team rocket monogrammed handkerchief with some melted snow from outside and placed it on her forehead in an attempt to cool her down before he found medicine.

"Got da wood, James.", Meowth came in and placed it on the furnace, lighting it with his fury swipes.

"Thanks old chum", James told him

"How's Jessie?", Meowth asked

"Burning up", James states before taking his glove off to dip the handkerchief in more cold water before replacing it along her burning forehead. He allows his hand to linger on her face a while, and he stroked her flushed cheeks with growing concern.

"Ya tink it's serious?", Meowth walked over to sit next to Jessie.

"I hope not. If only she didn't push herself too much.", James concernedly looked at her sleeping, frail form.

"I know, Jessie being Jessie, what can we's do bout it?", Meowth said.

"I need to check for medicine.", James said as he rummaged through their sacks.

He looked through every nook, every pocket and not even the slightest pecha berry came in sight. The problem with being in team rocket was not having money for things like doctors or medication. To be honest that was one of the reasons he came to join team rocket, to escape the luxurious lifestyle his family gave him, with nothing else. What good is money if that's all you have and you're alone? At least that's what James thought, what he thought before he was no longer alone and journeyed with Jessie and Meowth. Now he needed money in order to get Jessie the medical care she needs, but how?

"Maybeys we can head to da Pokémon Center up ahead in da morning if Jessie ain't feeling any betta.", Meowth offerred.

"Yes, and I believe there's a pharmacy in Sbowbelle City too.", James responded.

"For nows let's catch some shut eye, ight?", Meowth said, curling up next to Jessie.

"Right.", James followed suit, tucking himself in his sleeping bag, and eventually drifting off to the sound of the fire crackling.