Notes: As promised a few days ago, here's the conclusion chapter. Thanks all for reading this far!

This story I didn't think I'd finish or publish, but I'm glad I did. I'm surprised at the amount of feedback I got in this older fandom. So happy to hear so many liked it even though it could admittedly get kind of dark. Not even talking about my own stories, but be sure to comment on stuff you like in general, as authors find it encouraging, and then you're more likely to see more of what you like.

What's next for me, I'm not sure. I have some WIPs but don't like to talk about them too much so I don't disappoint any readers by never finishing them. I will say that I have been planning other stories for Pokemon anime. This fandom I tend to keep coming back to over the years. My profile has two other longer Jessie/James fics, though this one is different in a lot of ways. There's also a lot of Team Rocket gen. Feel free to author subscribe if you want to see if I come up with anything else you like. I again thank everyone who has shared their thoughts so far.

17

"Hey Jess, I've got a great idea."

Meowth's cheery voice interrupted Jessie's moment of peace, sitting in the unused meeting room in the sunlight waiting for it. "Hm? I hope it's actually something good," she commented.

"Right, what is it?" another voice interrupted.

Ugh. Jessie turned away from Cassidy who had entered, interrupting their space without warning from the open door. They were competitors, so of course they couldn't discuss the details with her. "None of your business," Meowth declared, feeling the same as its conspirator.

"Are you planning on counting on Jessie? Maybe you should reconsider. If anyone's going to mess up a plan, it's her." Cassidy said with an exaggerated shrug. "Did you hear what she did in Viridian?"

"Hey!" Jessie stood up, slamming her hands on the table. "Forget that stupid thing you were trying there! I'll have you know, I've been the key to lots of Meowth's successes, and others!"

"Is that right?" Cassidy said. "But you did mess things up for James. I'm sure that's been quite a burden on him."

"Why would you go along with that? It's the dumbest thing I've ever heard of," Jessie said.

"Enough of this!" Meowth interrupted the argument. "I've got an important confidential meeting here with my underlings, so if you could clear out." Meowth waved its paw to shoo Cassidy away.

"Underlings?" Jessie repeated, but was ignored.

"But I've already got a meeting here with my underlings," Cassidy declared. "Did you write it on the board?"

"Who has time to bother with that?" Meowth said.

"I know you're quite short, but you should still find a way to check."

"Oh." James exclaimed as he and Cassidy's partner were walking through the door.

"Hmph!" Jessie frowned, realizing why he was there. "So James, you're Cassidy's 'underling' now? Going to do anything she says?"

"Well, I just came to hear what she was planning," James said. "Who knows what I'll do. I've already been considering something else."

"Great! So you are coming with me," Meowth hopped on the table to be closest to eye level with James. "Yeah, I've got the best plan... We can talk about it later, just you, me, and Jessie, with no prying ears nearby. It involves going all the way to another region."

"You're leaving?" James looking directly at Jessie as he spoke.

Jessie shrugged, putting a hand on her chin as she gazed downward. "Who knows," she said. Would James not want to go along if she did as well? He always seemed happy to see her, but hadn't spent much time around her at all lately. Was he going to try and complete that plan of his? Deciding to concede their space to their rivals, at least for now, Jessie headed toward the door.

"What about you? Would you really go along with whatever this pokemon wants to do?" Cassidy's partner asked.

"I'm sure James realizes what's in his best interest," Cassidy said.

"I'm sorry," James said. Jessie stopped just outside the door. Though she could realize he wasn't talking to her, she was curious exactly what he was going to say. "I appreciate how you've tried to help me thus far, but I likely won't be able to collaborate with your further."

"Why not?" Cassidy asked, her smugness falling as disappointment rang through her voice.

"You see..." James paused. "I have another dream I'm chasing. There's a certain lovely, charming rogue I met in my darkest hours. Though it wasn't her intention to do so, her strength and unrelenting fortitude not only inspired me to take action on my own, but also stole my heart. Even if my feelings are futile, I don't want to be too far from her."

Did he really just say all that? Jessie couldn't even turn to face him. He really could be embarrassing, and she was even more embarrassed for him than herself. He'd just admitted how he felt in front of their rivals and pokemon friend.

"Oh, so you and Jessie are a thing?" Cassidy's partner said, his tone indicating only mild interest.

Jessie finally spun around, not sure if she'd distract or deny from the statement, only to see James's face bright red. "Ah - I'd never kiss and tell," he muttered.

"You just did tell me," Cassidy's partner now spoke irritably. "Who the hell else could you be talking about?"

"Yep, it's Jessie," Meowth said.

"Come on, James," Jessie said, finally deciding to just ignore the rest of them and get her pseudo-lover alone. Once they were finally outside, she sighed loudly. "It's just the same old, same old with you, isn't it?"

"What do you mean?" James asked, his wide-eyed expression indicating he was truly clueless.

"If you really still want me, why not just say it? To me?"

"I was just embellishing, telling a story. I didn't expect Butch to relate it to a real person," James said. "Besides, you said you wouldn't wait for me."

"I, um, well... It hasn't even been that long, you know. You didn't even say hello to me when you got to base, you just went to that tasteless duo."

"I knew they could help me, if I did the same," James explained. "I didn't want you to think I was still relying on you... But I did miss you." With that declaration, James moved close to Jessie's face, perhaps about to kiss her, though he quickly pulled away. "I'm not the same. I've left on my own. I've changed my path, but it's tough. I do things out of my own desires, not because it's what others want."

"Well, you did turn Cassidy down really quick, so you're not letting yourself get roped into any old thing," Jessie began. "But what about with me? Are you sure you aren't just planning to go with Meowth just because it's what I want?"

"Were you going?" James said, wringing his hands together. "I mean, I'd prefer it, but I'm going to even if you're not. It's my chance to be a traveling pokemon trainer. I'll also still be part of Team Rocket while being far enough away. It's what I want. So, if you're staying here, it will really be good-bye, I suppose."

He really looked sad, so Jessie supposed he was being genuine. He wasn't going to chase her, he was planning to go on his own. "James," she began calmly.

"Yes, Jessie?"

"It's important to be able to stand on your own, but it's also alright to have people in your life if you want them to be."

"Jessie!"

Jessie shuddered as James hugged her around her waist. "Hey... I didn't say... How do you know I'm not just telling a story?" Jessie asked, but the smile remained on James's face as he squeezed her tight. "Fine. I'll follow my own advice. I do want you, okay?"

James hugged her a while longer before pulling apart. They sat together a moment in a peaceful lull. Jessie finally grabbed James's hand. He did want her, as he'd proven with his actions now and words before. Maybe he was still dealing with his own stuff, or always would be. Jessie wasn't going to get too hung up on it. "Let's go," she said. It was time to stop idling and see if Meowth really had something useful, or if they needed to find something else to do. Either way, she planned to go forward with him.