Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon. This is just for fun.
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Girlfriends
Part 2
by Vickie211
Jessie emerged from the woods and took a look around. The shore of the small lake was covered with a spongy moss-like grass dotted here and there with bare, muddy spots. In a few places, the woods stretched all the way down to the water's edge. She noticed a couple of Pidgeys flitting around in the trees and heard a small splash that was probably a Magikarp. Misty stopped beside a beech tree, and stared across the water. Jessie approached her warily. "Well?"
Misty turned to face her. The tears from earlier had spilled down her cheeks and new ones were now threatening to take their place. "Oh, Jessie! I don't know what to do! I'm so scared!" Misty choked back a sob, clenched her fists, and pressed them against her mouth as if trying to make sure no other sound escaped.
Jessie felt an unexpected wave of compassion roll over her as she saw how upset Misty truly was. This sounded serious. She took a step closer. "Misty, what is it?" she questioned, gently pulling Misty's hands away from her mouth.
Misty saw the concern in Jessie's eyes, and she knew the decision to confide in her had been a sensible one. She took a deep breath, but her voice still came out in a whisper. "I ... I think I'm pregnant." With this, Misty buried her face in her hands, and her shoulders shook as she broke down into heartrending sobs.
Jessie stood frozen in place for a moment, completely shocked and not willing to accept the evidence of her own ears. Then, instinct took over. She gathered Misty into her arms and held her close, all the while gently rubbing her back and making soothing, shush-ing noises.
Finally, Misty raised her tear-stained face from Jessie's shoulder. "Jessie, I'm only 16 years old! And Ash won't be 16 for another month!" The words came out in a panic, followed by a hiccup. "What am I going to do?!"
Jessie held Misty firmly by the shoulders. "Hush now, Misty. Just breathe. It'll be okay. We'll figure something out." Jessie was amazed at how composed her voice sounded. She certainly didn't feel that way! "Just let me think for a minute."
Misty did as she was told and took a couple of deep breaths. Her tears slowly began to subside. Jessie sounded so calm and in control that Misty began to hope she really could help.
Jessie put her fingertips together. "Misty, you said you THINK you're pregnant. Does that mean you're not certain?"
Misty's eyes widened slightly. "Well, no. I guess I'm not positive. I haven't had a test or anything."
"Okay," Jessie said. "Then what makes you think so? What are your symptoms?"
Misty blushed. "Well, I'm two weeks late. And I've always been right on schedule." Tears threatened again. "And then, this morning, I woke up sick."
Jessie sighed heavily. "I guess that's the conclusion I would draw, too." Misty's face fell. Jessie continued, "Have you said anything to Ash?"
Misty shook her head. "I wanted to wait till I knew for sure."
Jessie nodded her understanding and then began to pace slowly back and forth. Misty waited silently, while a few more tears trickled down her cheeks. Finally, Jessie stopped and faced her.
"Alright, here's what we'll do. We'll take the jeep into town. It's not really very far if you're not walking." At this point, Jessie paused and took a deep breath. "You need to see a doctor, Misty." She continued quickly before Misty could do more than gasp. "I know we could just get a home pregnancy test. But if it's positive, you obviously have to see a doctor. And if it's negative, you should still see one to find out what's wrong with you."
Misty dropped her head. "I guess you're right." She looked back up at Jessie and said hesitantly, "You'll go in with me, won't you?"
"Of course I will," Jessie assured her. "Come on. Our camp is in the woods over this way." She pointed to the left of the path they had taken to the lake. "I need to change clothes. It would draw too much attention if I wore my Team Rocket uniform."
Misty followed Jessie to the Team Rocket campsite and waited while Jessie doffed her uniform in exchange for a short blue flowered sundress and white sandals. Jessie then brushed the hairspray out of her hair and put it up in a ponytail.
Misty was amazed. Jessie looked just like a 'normal' person. Of course, this shouldn't be surprising considering all the disguises Team Rocket had used over the years. But for some reason, it lifted Misty's spirits just a little.
Jessie grabbed the keys to the jeep which was parked at the edge of camp. "We'll stop back by your camp and tell the guys where we're going." As Jessie saw the panic in Misty's eyes, she realized what she had said. "No! No! I mean we'll just tell them we're going into town on an errand."
Misty breathed a sigh of relief, climbed into the passenger seat of the jeep, and fastened her seat belt.
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"I'll take two," Ash said to Meowth, who was dealing this hand. He had dug the deck of cards and the box of poker chips out of the bottom of his backpack and now he, Brock, and James, as well as Meowth and Pikachu were sitting at the picnic table playing five card draw. Ash was losing. James wasn't doing much better.
Meowth pushed two cards toward Ash. He took the cards and placed them with his others without really even seeing what they were. How could he concentrate on a silly card game when something was wrong with his Misty? And why did she want to talk to Jessie, of all people? If she had a problem, she should be talking to him! He was the one who loved her!
"Hey! Idiot! Wake up! How many cards do ya want?" Ash jerked his head up, then realized Meowth was talking to James, not him. James looked like his mind was just as far away as Ash's.
James blinked at Meowth. "Oh, uh, give me three." He picked up the cards Meowth dealt him. He was worried about Jessie. What if this was some kind of trick to turn them into the authorities? Maybe Officer Jenny had been waiting at the lake. For all he knew, Jessie could already be in custody. James stared fiercely at Ash as if that would force some sort of confession from him.
"Kachu."
Meowth translated. "Pikachu calls." Ash looked at his cards and realized he didn't have anything. He'd been trying for a straight. He watched the others lay down their cards. James had a pair of sixes, Brock had a pair of kings, Meowth had three tens, and Pikachu had another full house. Ash threw down his cards. How could an electric mouse be so good at poker?!
Pikachu gathered the chips that made up the pot while Brock picked up the cards and prepared to shuffle them. Just then, Ash heard the sound of a car engine. He and James both jumped up from the table as Team Rocket's jeep pulled up to the edge of camp. They both hurried over to the vehicle, James to the driver's side and Ash to the passenger's side.
"Jessie, what are you doing?!" "Misty, are you alright?!"
Ash looked at Misty's face and knew she had been crying. He jerked the door open, took her hands and tried to pull her from the jeep. Damned seat belt! "Misty, come on! Get out of the jeep!"
Misty tugged one hand away from Ash's and caressed his cheek. "Ash, I'm okay. Please. Everything's fine. Where's Togepi?"
"Asleep in your backpack. And everything's not fine, Misty! You've been crying. I can tell." Ash's voice quavered. He gulped, took a deep breath, and tried again. "Misty, please? Whatever it is, you can tell me. I swear to you I'll make it all okay."
Misty leaned over and pressed her lips to his. "Thank you, Ash. I promise I'll explain everything when we get back."
"Get back?! Where are you going? Are you going somewhere with her?!" He pointed toward Jessie. This was getting stranger by the minute.
Misty glanced at Jessie and saw her in a heated conversation with James. "Yes, Ash. Jessie's taking me into town. There's something I need to do." She pressed her fingers against his lips as he started to speak again. "Please, Ash? Just trust me. Please?"
Ash could never resist her when she looked at him that way. He sighed, "Okay. You win. I hope you know what you're doing."
Meanwhile, James was letting Jessie know just what he thought of the situation. "What the hell is going on, Jessie?! Why are you here in the jeep? And why did you change clothes?"
"Calm down, James." Jessie said firmly. "Everything is under control. I'm just taking Misty into town. She has an important errand."
James gaped at her. "Since when do you do favors for the twerps?! I think there's something underhanded going on here! How do you know this whole thing's not a setup?!" He crossed his arms and glared at her.
"Stop it! I just do!" Jessie's voice sounded like James would be seeing the paper fan again soon, if he didn't watch out. "I can't explain right now."
Emerald eyes stared into sapphire ones. "Jessie, I'm just worried about you."
Jessie's face softened. "I know, James." She resisted the urge to push that lock of hair out of his eyes. "You're just going to have to trust me on this one, okay?"
James breathed in deeply and let it out slowly. "I don't understand any of this, Jess, but I always trust you."
Jessie smiled. "Are you ready?" she asked Misty.
Misty shut her door and gave Ash another quick kiss, then nodded. Jessie backed the jeep into a turn, pushed the gear shift into first, and headed back toward the road. Ash and James stood silently watching until they were out of sight.
Meowth spoke behind them, "Well, dis is just gettin' weirder all de time."
"You can say that again," Brock replied.
"Pikachu!"
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Author's Note: I appreciate any reviews and helpful comments.