12
The tug of ignored responsibility was only felt as the helicopter landed at base. A wave of guilt hit Jessie as she started to think about the reasons she shouldn't have run off, without any excuse even, from the previous job, and with this guy in tote at that. "What's next?" James asked with enthusiasm, as if they hadn't been up most of the night wondering when someone would come and get them.
"Miss Jessie! Master Meowth wants to-"
Meowth interrupted Mondo, running right up to them. "Where the heck have you been?" it demanded, pointing a claw their way. "Why's he here? Why aren't you back where you need to be?"
Jessie shrugged. Even though she'd been feeling some guilt, she wasn't going to act as such to this loudmouth. She made her own decisions, hardly a 'minion' at all. "We made different plans," she informed.
"Are you trying to mess things up for us?"
Before Meowth could berate them any more, a different agent interrupted. "Hey Jessie, and new guy... The boss wants to see you two."
Even Meowth shut up at that revelation. Jessie became tense. Various ideas of why the boss might want to see them went through her mind. Maybe he was displeased at their performance at the lake, or that Jessie didn't consult him about the new member. Other people brought others in all the time, but their leader reserved the right to be mad about who occasionally. Of course, maybe he knew who James was and thought she was pulling something over on the group.
It didn't matter, Jessie thought as she walked through the building to his office. She wasn't going to run away. She was loyal, and had been loyal. Whatever it was, she'd deal with it. Meowth had just said recently how pleased the boss had been about the results of her undercover work, hadn't it?
They entered the office once allowed. The boss looked up, a smile on his face. Jessie had to relax, even as she saluted him. "Sir, I'm pleased to meet you," James said.
"And you," the boss said. "So, Jessie, this is a new agent you recruited?"
"Yes, sir," Jessie confirmed.
"James, right?" The boss nodded, then continued before James answered. "I have to commend you on your performance on your first mission. It seemed you were just what that overcrowded group needed."
"Thank you, sir," James responded.
"Of course. However, I should let you know that I do know who you are."
James gasped. Jessie could have slapped him to stop him, but the reaction had already happened. How suspicious would she look now, even though she'd done nothing wrong? "He's not here to betray us," Jessie said sharply.
"Of course, Jessie. I trust your judgment. I've also had a conversation with Meowth about the topic. However, I can't pretend he's another anonymous recruit."
"Yes, sir," Jessie said, hoping her tone before hadn't seemed too harsh. The boss just had to know she'd never do anything against the team.
"I-I- Well," James started muttering, unable to get what he wanted to say out.
"You wanted to join Team Rocket, did you?"
"I did," James said, taking a breath as he apparently finally got his confidence. "I did, meaning well, now I have. And I don't regret it."
"So, why would you want to join us?"
Jessie stared back at her new partner in crime. It was a good question. The answer was obvious for people like herself. Here she could have power, prestige, some kind of belonging, and the promise of being a part of even more. James already had plenty of status in his current life. So why was he bothering being around any of them?
"You're criminals, aren't you?" James said.
Jessie almost lost her balance. Why say something like that? Was he trying to piss off the boss? Had she been tricked in bringing him there after all? Even the boss couldn't hold back a negative reaction, scowling as he heard the question. "We don't always find it necessary to pay mind to the law when it comes to our goals," he admitted.
"In case you haven't heard, I'm a known delinquent," James informed.
"Are you saying you're just trying to further your criminal career?"
"Of course it's nothing simple like that," James said, shaking his head. "I just mention it so you know I also understand that not all rules need to be minded. I do want to work for a substantial goal. I only asked you the question because I wouldn't trust anyone who sounded too righteous about anything."
Giovanni smirked at that, then nodded. "I can't say I don't understand that sentiment." Jessie nodded as well, also feeling the same. "What goals of ours would you like to partake in?"
"World domination is your main one, isn't it?"
"Eventually, of course," the boss confirmed.
"I'll work steadfast for that goal. A pristine world, stylish, but without unneeded lace. Taking what's necessary, ignoring the excess that others insist is important. I'll happily be a part of the group that's amassing power and wealth with the sharp blade that's necessary. I'll engrave my dedication into my every thought and action."
Jessie tried not to be too obvious about trying to gage the boss's reaction. Of course, she believed James was sincere, but he was acting weird again, and Giovanni might not appreciate those eccentricities. He appeared to consider the declaration for a moment before nodding. "Are you really willing to give up your current wealth for this?"
"Of course," James said. He pursed his lips, looking away before back at the boss. "I do have to tell you the truth, I am disowned from any inheritance. It may seem easy for me to say now, but even if I weren't, my answer would be the same."
"I knew this much as well," the boss said. "I just didn't know if you'd given up on regaining that."
"I'm not willing to pay their price. They've taken what they want from me, and what's gone is gone," James declared.
"I see." The boss was silent for the moment before turning to Jessie. "Give us a moment, Jessie," he said.
Jessie nodded, exiting right away to comply. She resisted the urge to listen in, since plenty of people could see nearby if she did, and wandered off, pacing near the lobby. Finally, James came walking back.
"Oh, James?" Wendy called him before she could. She held out an envelope. "Your refunded registration fee."
"Thank you," James said, before walking to Jessie.
"What's going on? What did he say?" Jessie asked.
"Oh." James looked downward. "He said he wanted me to think about what I do next. And that he'd accept my resignation."
"Really? I thought you did a good job out in the field, and even in there."
"I suppose he thinks the same as you. That I don't have it in me," James whined, became teary-eyed as he spoke.
"He already knows you do," Jessie muttered, turning away. "So enough of that," she ordered. James could get really annoying when he got all depressed like this. Besides, giving it a second thought, she thought of plenty of reasons why the boss would have said that. He probably didn't want to collect a grudge for stealing away the son of the new, likely unknowing sponsor of at least one of their front organizations, for one. Right, the boss nearly certainly had something like that in mind when talking to James.
"There's Cassidy. I suppose I should return this to her," James said.
Of course, she was the one that had lent him the fee in the first place. Seeing him join her rival and knowing the other woman would likely want to blab on and on with him, Jessie decided to step out. Though it took a while, James joined her quicker than she'd thought he would. He'd perked up somewhat, thankfully. "So, are you ready to head back?" Jessie asked.
"That's what I want to know!"
Looking for the source of the voice, Jessie noted Mondo and Meowth had followed James out, Meowth being the one demanding their plans.
"I don't think it's the right time to go back," James said.
"You know your parents are calling this missing persons, don't you?" Meowth said.
"Well, I'm going to go with Jessie on this one. As she told me, carpe diem," James said.
"Huh?" Jessie scratched her head. "I told you what exactly? I don't remember saying anything like that."
"Oh, well, it means seize the day. Maybe you didn't say exactly that expression, just that we'd do what we want and don't worry about what to say about it. Something like that."
"Am I dealing with a pair of kids?!" Meowth scolded them. "Do what you want, think of something lame to say about it later?"
Before Jessie could snap back at the pokemon's insult, James just snickered. "Perhaps," he said, holding up a rose he'd gotten somewhere. "But just a small correction there, Meowth. Isn't it Team Rocket's prerogative to do what we want and not have to explain it?" The bossy pokemon had nothing to say about that, just stared back at James's now cheerful expression.
"One problem there, James. Aren't you no longer one of us?" Jessie asked.
"No," James insisted, his hand slightly trembling even. "I haven't resigned yet."
"But that fee-"
"It was returned as I proved my worth straight away, of course," James explained. "So, should we go on Mondo's mission then?"
"Oh?" Jessie looked over at the boy, who appeared a little sheepish as she met his eyes. "So you're doling out orders now, Mondo?"
"Yeah, what gives?" Meowth asked.
"No, no, of course not," Mondo insisted. "It's just, since James wanted a suggestion... The supplies of pokeballs are running low. If you could acquire some... It was only a suggestion for what might please the boss."
"Sounds easy enough," Jessie said with a shrug.
"Hey, if you two are gonna be so reckless, you might as well have me along," Meowth insisted.
"You could help, I'm sure. Thank you," James said.
"I've got other priorities for today. Can you two hold back your greedy instincts until I'm ready?"
"We'll try," Jessie said with a shrug. In fact, though James looked like he was ready to go, she appreciated the reprieve.
They got an assignment for one of the dorms, which could hardly be what James was used to. It wasn't even kept up beyond what the traveling grunts that stayed in it felt like. Jessie noted the sleeping bags in questionable condition, and then went and hunted down Mondo to get her something fresh and laundered. As she came back, she saw James sitting on the edge of one of the beds, looking groomed and quite comfy as he closed his eyes, a smile on his face.
"You look comfy," Jessie commented.
James opened his eyes and nodded. "I was just thinking of what else we could do... And how nice it's been the past few days."
"It hasn't been that great."
"But it has! I've gotten to get out, battle, spend so much time with you, and others..."
Others. Jessie didn't mind that too much, except with how annoying some of her teammates could be. One in particular came to mind. "Is it really that fun with people like Cassidy and her annoying partner bothering us?"
"I can handle him," James said with a smirk. "It was nice to see Cassidy again, anyway."
"Just how nice?" Jessie asked, folding her arms as she spoke.
James appeared to give the questions some thought, looking up, furrowing his eyebrow and putting a hand to his chin. How could he act like it was a real question deserving any consideration? Couldn't he get how annoyed Jessie was with him talking about another woman after all the flirting and other implications he was into her? "Well, somewhat nice. I didn't have very many friends growing up, so I liked seeing one again," James explained after way too long of thinking about it.
"Friends?" Jessie repeated. "She might be into you more than that, you know. She usually isn't very patient with people she thinks don't know as much as she does."
"She does," James said.
"Huh?" Jessie now sat down next to him, gently shaking his shoulder. "What are you talking about? Does what?"
"She does like me... As more than a friend."
Jessie noted James's blush, his perturbed expression, and felt similarly herself. Why was he saying something like that? "Hey. Don't get an ego about it just because I suggested it. How would you know, anyway?"
"She told me directly," James said. Jessie held her breath, feeling some anxious empathy for her rival at just the thought of doing something like that. "Just today," he added in the awkward silence.
"Uh... Well, what did you say to that?" Jessie asked.
"What should I say?" James closed his eyes as if exasperated.
"You want my advice now? Did you just walk away or something?" Jessie demanded. Even if it was Cassidy, she'd be disgusted by an attitude like that.
"No," James shook his head. "Of course not. I mean, I discussed it. She said she'd liked me back then, and couldn't admit it, and still felt that way now. I declined teaming up with her again. I told her I don't even know if I'll stay. And then we talked about other things." James shook his head. "I know she's been through a lot."
Jessie nodded. Of course, she'd gotten implication of that before. Sob story pasts weren't exactly a rarity in their group, so there was no need to talk about it more.
"I relate to her," James said.
"Oh? And why's that?" Jessie scowled. From what she knew, Cassidy didn't come from nearly such a privileged background. What could James think they had in common?
"Various reasons," James said. "I especially thought so today when she told me how she felt. She has such strong feelings for someone who knows so much about her, but she hardly knows at all. And well..."
James stopped after that. Jessie wanted to back away from him as the implication set in. She had the urge to be direct while he was dancing so close to the obvious, but something held her back. Finally, she stood up and let out a shout of frustration. James jumped and moved away, looking up at her with concern.
"So, Cassidy told you she likes you, huh? That takes real guts," Jessie said. Since that statement wasn't enough to get him to comment, she continued. "Yesterday," Jessie began, raising her voice slightly as she looked away from him. "You sure liked to talk yourself. I remember you saying how much you loved the person who gave you that pokeball, more or less."
"Oh," James said. "Yes, well, I hope you're not worried."
"What should I be worried about?"
"Well, I do like you."
Really, really? He was going to say it so casually like that? Why did he have to be so flippant after building tension by acting so shy about things before? "Hey..." Jessie began.
"I think a lot about how things might develop between us. But of course, I won't hold you to anything. I know it's just a fantasy in my head. I won't let it get out of hand."
James looked at the floor, hardly the man who'd stood up to Team Rocket agents and instigated turning the magikarp into the frightening red gyarados. He was just curling up into a pathetic little ball. Was this the guy she was thinking was cutely shy, maybe even becoming dashingly alluring? Jessie decided not to hide her annoyance. She put her hand on his chin, goading him to look up. "And why not?" she said. James still didn't even move his eyes to look at her. "Everything's a fantasy until you go out and get it, you idiot. If you want something, if you want love, if you want it with someone specific, why aren't you trying to take it for yourself?" Jessie pulled away, making another sound of frustration. "I can't stand anyone who sits around feeling sorry for themselves without even trying to get what they want."
It really was infuriating. Jessie even thought about leaving, but instead stood where she was. Before long, she heard James stand up, and then felt his hand on her shoulder. As she met eyes with him, he smiled.
"Is your name Jessie?"
"Is my- What the hell, James?" Jessie asked. Why would he ask such a dumb question in this situation?
"I've heard other people calling you that since we got here. But you never told me."
Oh. Well, that was true. Even when she'd started to trust him somewhat, she hadn't freely given out too much information about herself. "It is."
"Is it a nickname?" James asked.
"Everyone calls me Jessie, so that's all you need to know, isn't it?"
James nodded. He grabbed Jessie's hand, then touched the side of her face. "Jessie," he said.
Jessie shivered. Was he going to try and seduce her now? She might really like that. There was definitely something attractive about him deciding to act so confident now.
"I admire you so much. I really wish I knew you better."
Even though he stayed this close with his hand still firmly holding hers, apparently that was going to be it from him. Jessie felt some disappointment, then roughly pushed the negative sentiment away. She moved her face close to his. As he noticed and didn't object, she kissed him. As they finished, she looked in his eyes. Before long, this could become awkward, so she decided to say something. "Isn't getting to know someone part of the adventure? Doesn't it appeal to you, since you call yourself a romantic?"
"Of course," James said, squeezing her hand.
"Then stick with me and do so. You're free to like me even without knowing everything about me, you know."
"I do," James said, hugging her close. "I really do - Quite a bit."
The direct confession combined with his sudden contact had Jessie feeling momentarily nervous again, though it wasn't necessarily a bad feeling. She kissed him again, deciding to encourage anything else he might like to do. For so long, perhaps since joining Team Rocket, she'd felt she'd had to keep everyone at a distance. Finally, a reprieve. Jessie decided to let her guard down, at least somewhat, and indulge herself with this man's affection, and not hold back on sharing her own.