Part 9

"Fuck is right!" Jessie yelled. She began to pace around the room. "Damnit, this is all my fault! If only I watched what I said…"

"Get a hold of yourself!" Meowth yelled, scratching her across the face. "Whining isn't going to help James out now. We need to sit down and think." Jessie nodded and sat back down, not even noticing the scratches on her face. The cat sighed. "Now, let's think this out calmly and rationally. What could possibly be worse then staying here in jail?"

"He could die!" Jessie retorted. Oh God, please don't let that happen! she cried out internally. Anything but that! I know I'm awful to him sometimes…ok, most of the time, but I do care, really! If that happened…I don't know what I'd do.

"That's a possibility," Meowth admitted, oblivious to his friend's mental agony. "Only problem with that is that your wish was for James to leave here. It's sort of sidestepping it if James just dies. So what are some other possibilities?"

The young girl shrugged. "I don't know. James is so easy going. Almost nothing seems to bother him or faze him. In fact, the only thing I can think of is…" Jessie trailed off. The look of horror on her face surpassed the one she had worn only minutes before.

"Jess?" Meowth queried. "What is it? What's so bad for James that it's worse then jail? Answer me, Jess! Jessie?"

His question went unanswered, however, as Jessie collapsed into a dead faint on the floor.

* * *

"Hey, pretty boy! The warden wants to see you! Get your ass over here!" one of the guards yelled across the exercise yard. James sighed and wondered who the poor sap was now. The warden of the prison was a pompous ass who saw nothing wrong with smacking the prisoners around if they broke the rules. James had lucked out insofar as he had yet to be called in to see the man. Then again, his good behavior had earned him resentment from his fellow inmates, who were a lot crueler then the warden could ever hope to be. Currently, James still had bruises over his arms and chest after accidentally stepping on another man's foot the week before. Needless to say, the man had not been pleased…

"What's wrong, pretty boy? You're too good to come when you're called?" Only when James' arm was grabbed and he was dragged roughly into the building did he realize that he was the one who was being called. Great, as if my life couldn't get any worse, he thought darkly.

The warden's office was cool and dark, as opposed to the hot and sunny yard. James sat down on a stool in front of the warden's desk. The warden himself was sitting behind the desk, with a seemingly benevolent smile on his face. However, this didn't soothe the bishounen. He had heard too many horror stories about this man to let down his guard. The warden gave him a small smirk, seemingly aware of James' discomfort and enjoying it.

"James Morgan," he purred. "Convicted of poaching, theft, terrorism…quite a record." James remained silent, determined not to give this man any pleasure. The warden frowned, displeased. "What's the matter, my boy? You should be happy! Or didn't the guards tell you?"

"Tell me what?" the bishounen asked, rather lost.

"Despite your crimes, the courts were convinced into releasing you into protective custody. You're getting out of here," the man told him.

James sat there for a moment, stunned. Then the words began to sink in, and a giant grin crossed his face. The boss didn't abandon us! He's getting us out of here! Who else would go to all that trouble and expense?

"This is great!" he yelled, tossing his hands into the air. "Where's Jessie? Can I be the one to tell her, or does she know already?"

The warden frowned again at that. "Jessie?" he asked, confused. The Rocket blinked. Wait a minute, if we're both getting out, why does he know my name and not Jessie's?

The older man tapped his chin, and then smiled. "Ah, Jessica Miyamoto, your partner. She is remaining here. She was not part of the deal."

All of the happiness in James seemed to drain from his body, to be replaced with angry questions. His arms dropped limply to his sides, as his mind whirled. What the hell? Why would the boss get me out and not her? Unless it's not Giovanni freeing us…but who else could it be?

"Come along, my boy, your rescuer is waiting," the warden said as he stood. James followed obediently, still wondering whom his mysterious benefactor was. The bishounen was not to be left wondering for long. As he was led out into the courtyard, a familiar voice cut through his thoughts like soft butter.

"James dearest! I've finally found you again!" it called out with a thick Southern accent. James froze. Oh dear God, no…

There she stood, her tainted beauty a mockery of Jessie's sweet features. Her red hair fell in ringlets around her face, framing a venomous smile. She was garbed in a blood red dress, with her precious Vileplume at her side.

"Now that I've found you, I'll never let you out my sight again, sweetness! We'll be together forever!" she squealed. "Of course, we'll have to rid you of all those nasty lower-class habits you picked up from that scum you were consorting with last time I saw you…"

James simply stared at the sight of his worst nightmare come to life. His suddenly dry lips opened, and a hoarse whisper emerged from his throat.

"Jessiebelle…"

To be continued…