Author: Yours truly, Meowth_Rocket a.k.a. Audrey
Rating: Only a strong PG this time, kittens!
Dedication: To any and all Meowth fans out there, this one's for you!
Feedback: Come on, I'm trying to have a bit of self-confidence this time! Email me! odile@danceart.net
~*~*~*~*~
"Allison?"
Allison looked down onto the floor where Meowth sat, a ball of yarn at his paws.
"You wanna play?" He asked shyly, kicking the yarn a little bit with his right paw, and looking at Allison curiously.
"Oh, Meowth," She bent down and took his face in her hands. "You know I would love to play with you, petite chat, but I am preparing for ... ah ... a meeting."
"With who?"
"I ... er," Allison blushed.
"Let me guess ... a date?"
"You are very smart," She gave him a pat on the head, then stood up. "Why don't you ask Jessie or James to play with you?"
Meowth frowned, picked up the yawn, and walked into the next room. They had all been staying in a large cabin for the past few months, since they got back from their cruise. The cabin had originally been a getaway cabin for Team Rocket, but seeing as no one had used it in years, the two retired Team Rocket teams had taken it over for themselves. It was nearly Christmas, already, and the weather was getting colder and colder, making it less enjoyable to go outside.
"Hey James!" Meowth shouted, startling James, who was sitting on the couch and watching TV, stuffing his face with donuts. "Let's play something'!"
"No way, Meowth," James shook his head. "Last time I played something with you, it was truth or dare, and you dared me to stick my head in a toilet for five minutes."
James shook his head and shuddered, shooing Meowth away with one hand. Meowth frowned again, then hopped into the kitchen, where Jessie and Cassidy were making dinner.
"Meowth, we don't have time to play with you," Jessie said, not even giving Meowth a chance to plead his case. "I heard you in there asking James, and there's no way I'm going to play a game with you. Besides, this is so unlike you, wanting to play something ..."
"I am a cat, you know," Meowth grumbled.
"Butch is at the store right now, so if you want to go wait outside, I'm sure when he comes back he'll play with you," Cassidy said hopefully. "And if he won't, I'll play with you after dinner, okay?"
"Fine," Meowth sighed, took his yawn, and walked outside.
It was only 6:00, and already dark outside. Meowth walked a little ways out into the woods surrounding the cabin, and glanced to his right, where far off, he could just barely see a set of strobe lights circling the sky. He knew they must be coming from Hollywood, which wasn't too far away from the cabin where they were staying. His mind started to drift back into his past ...
"Look, I've learned to walk and talk, just like a human! All for you, my love ..."
"Walk and talk? Don't you know you'll never be a human? You're just a ... walking, talking freak Meowth!"
He shook his head, trying to forget.
"You're just a dirty old street Meowth! I would never love you."
"No, no, no," He shook his head furiously. "Stop it, stop thinking about this!"
"Nya!"
Her sweet voice seemed to echo ...
"Nya nya nya!"
"Me-ow, meowth meow! Meow?"
"Stop it!" Meowth sat down in the cold leaves. "You're not a Meowth, not anymore! You're a human! You live with humans, you walk and talk like the humans, not a Meowth! You belong with the humans, they're the only ones!"
"Nyaaa?"
Meowth tried to convince himself again, not to let his memories take control ... he broke down, trying to forget all the memories that he had tried to brush off before, not wanting to let the humans see his real emotions. He had hidden them all, tried to seem as un-moved as possible about ... her ... but the sadness, the anger, it had returned.
He muffled his sobs, taking a minute to regain his composure, then looked up into the sky. A tiny snowflake fell, and tickled his nose.
"Nya, nya nya nya ... I'm all alone again ..."
He ignored the meows in his head, picked up his yarn, and began to make his way back to the cabin.
"Nya nya ... No one to help me ..."
"Stop it, you're just imagining," He scolded himself, and continued walking.
"Nya nya nya ... Abandoned again ..."
He stopped. He had been translating the meows in his head the whole time ... the meowing was real. He looked back into the woods.
"Nya ... Lost ..."
Meowth began to walk in the direction of the meows, hoping the Meowth he was hearing was alright in the cold snow ...
"Nya? Who is that?"
"Don't worry, little Meowth," He said. "I'm coming to get ya ... I'm another Meowth, just like you ... only difference is, I can talk ..."
"Nya nya nya! The worst of luck, found by a freak Meowth!"
Meowth halted. The meows were all too familiar, he knew. He had only been called a freak by another Meowth once before ...
"Meowsie," He said, looking over at the tiny cat, shivering underneath a blanket of snow.
"Nya nya nya nya!" She cried. "Go away! I'd rather die than be found by *you* ..."
"You're cold," Meowth said. "You would die if you stayed in these woods any longer; if not from the cold, you'd be killed by who knows what."
"Go away! Just leave me ..." Meowsie's head dropped - she had fainted.
"I can't leave her out here," Meowth sighed, dropping to all fours, then scooping Meowsie up onto his back. He nearly crumpled from the dead weight. "Meowth! I've gotta start workin' out more ..."
~*~*~*~*~
"So you brought her BACK?!" Jessie rolled her eyes. "Meowth, the girl is trouble! Don't go giving into her little ways again!"
"I couldn't leave her in the woods by herself!" Meowth argued.
"What were you doing in the woods anyway?" Jessie said snidely. "Trying to run away to Hollywood again?"
"No!" Meowth growled, then swiped Jessie on the face.
"Not again," Jessie stomped out of the room, still angry. Jessie had looked mad the minute Meowth walked into the cabin, dragging Meowsie behind him; not really mad at him, but mad for him. It was a strange situation, and there was nothing Jessie hated more than strange situations and worthless girls.
"It'll be okay," Cassidy smiled, running a hand over Meowth's back. "I put Meowsie in her own little basket ... she's in the other room, sleeping."
Meowth wasted no time in hurrying into the next room, and over to the basket in the corner. He peered inside, where Meowsie slept peacefully.
"You've deserted me twice, insulted me, left me," Meowth said quietly. "And yet, I still come back to you. Is it gonna happen again? I won't fall for you again, I won't let it happen ..."
The basket looked huge next to tiny Meowsie. Meowth gingerly set a paw in.
"Why do I always come back? Something draws me to you, something deeper ..."
He stepped inside the basket, tired from his long day. He curled up next to Meowsie, falling asleep quickly to the sound of her gentle, rhythmic breathing.
~*~*~*~*~
"Ah! Get this freak Meowth away from me!"
Meowth felt himself shoved away, and he fell onto the floor outside the basket.
"Freak Meowth?" Meowth said shakily.
"Stop calling him a freak!"
"Really! He saved your life, you know! You could be out in the woods, dead, if it weren't for him!"
Meowth looked up, where Jessie and James stood, looking at Meowsie angrily.
"It's alright yous two," Meowth said groggily, his Jersey accent sounding thicker than usual.
"No it's not," Jessie said. "Just give me five minutes with this cat, and I'll whip her into shape ..."
"It's fine, it's fine," Meowth said, rubbing his head where he had landed. "Listen, can I have a few minutes alone with Meowsie?"
"Seems like you're getting along with her just fine, if you fell asleep next to her," Jessie retorted quickly, but James took her arm and lead her out of the room.
"Why don't you go with them, freak Meowth. That's who you belong with."
"With Jessie and James? You're probably right," Meowth sighed. "Why were you out in the woods, Meowsie?"
"I don't want to talk about that," Meowsie looked away sadly.
"You were abandoned, weren't you? By that Persian?"
"He found a girl Persian," Meowsie looked back at Meowth. "And once she joined ... they all told me to leave the gang, that I didn't have a place with them anymore ..."
"I can't believe that!" Meowth said. "Just let me at that Persian, and I'd rip him to shreds, after the way he treated you!"
Meowsie said nothing, only looked at Meowth with a certain air of disbelief on her face.
"Ooh, where is the new little cat? Is this her?" Allison came in, and scooped Meowsie up into her arms. "How cute! What a sweetheart!"
"Isn't she?" Cassidy scratched Meowsie behind the ears. "I'm so glad you brought such a cute little kitty home with you, Meowth!"
Meowth smiled proudly as the two girls made such a fuss over Meowsie, who was grinning and purring herself at all the attention. Meowth could tell she had missed having humans faun over her so much, and was enjoying the petting quite a lot.
"I could get used to this," Meowth heard Meowsie mutter to herself.
~*~*~*~*~
"So ... are we going to keep her?" Butch asked the group. "She's well enough to go back out on her own now ..."
"No way," Jessie said firmly. "She left Meowth twice, it's time he leave her."
"S'il vous plait, mademoiselle, may we please keep the cat?" Allison asked sweetly.
"She's not loyal," James said.
"Maybe she's changed," Meowth said quietly.
"She'll have to prove it," Jessie said. "She hasn't convinced me."
"Let her stay," Meowth said. "I ... want another Meowth around."
"What?"
"I'm not human, no matter how much I want to be. I'll always be a Meowth. Meowth's never live alone, they always have another Meowth with them."
"But you're not like other Meowths!" Jessie argued. "You can walk and talk, you've lived most of your life with humans ... besides, Meowth, you're our friend. We ... we don't want to lose you."
"You're not gonna lose me, Jess. I won't leave. You'll be gaining another Meowth."
"Hmph," Jessie grunted and turned away. "Fine with me. But if that Persian comes to take her back, don't expect James and I to be at your rescue again."
"Jessie ..." James started to say, but Jessie stomped out of the room.
"I don't understand why she's so upset about Meowsie," Cassidy said, gently petting the tiny cat in her lap. "I'm sure it will work out fine."
"She's not," Butch said. "I think she's just being careful for Meowth's sake."
"I'm smart. I can make my own decisions," Meowth said firmly.
"I hope this is the right decision," James said, giving Meowth a skeptical look, and then walking away.
"It will be. I'm sure," Cassidy said, lifting Meowsie out of her lap and setting her on the floor beside her. "I'll talk to Jessie later."
The others in the room left soon after that, and Meowth and Meowsie were left alone in the room. Meowsie began to clean her fur, the sunlight from a window above her splashing onto her fur, making her look, to Meowth - just like a princess.
"You're so beautiful," He whispered quietly.
"Nya?"
Meowth looked away. Did she hear him? Would she say anything? She continued to clean her fur as if nothing had happened. A bit discouraged, Meowth walked away.
~*~*~*~*~
Meowth decided that he had to do something to impress Meowsie. He just didn't know what.
"Allison?"
"Oui, Meowth?"
"What ... I mean ... what could ... I mean, I ... what could a guy do to impress you?"
"What impresses me? Hmm, maybe giving me flowers or candy, and a candlelit dinner ... so very romantic ..." Allison looked away with a starry eyed look on her face. Meowth twisted his face in confusion; a dinner? Would Meowsie like that?
"Thanks Allison," Meowth said, deciding he better ask for some more opinions so Allison wouldn't catch on to what he was doing.
"Cassidy?"
"Hm?" Cassidy looked up from the book she was reading. "Hi, Meowth. What's up?"
"I wanted to ask you ... would a candlelit dinner be a good idea to impress a girl?"
"Definitely," Cassidy nodded. "And a romantic walk afterwards ... ooh, perfect ... I wish Butch would ... I mean ..."
A walk? He still had too many questions ...
Deciding to take his chances, he went to Jessie.
"A candlelit dinner?" Jessie became so excited with this idea, she didn't even bother to think about who it was with. "Ooh, Meowth, you have to look perfect if you want to impress her ..."
She immediately jumped into her closet and pulled out the huge trunk of their old costumes, dug through it for a few minutes, then pulled out Meowth's mini-tux. She then grabbed some cologne of James' and shoved it into Meowth's paws.
"Now ... corsage ..."
She paused, thinking, then her face lit up.
"I'll go get some, okay? You come see me before your dinner, and I'll give them to you. One for you, and one for ..."
Her face fell.
"Meowsie, right?"
"Well," Meowth gulped.
"Hmm. I guess it won't hurt," Jessie said. "Anyway, I'll give them to you. You can have the dinner out on the deck."
"Thanks," Meowth said, surprised at all the help Jessie was giving him. He next went to find James, who was (again) watching T.V. and eating donuts.
"A candlelit DINNER?" James squealed. "Oooh! Can I come?"
"No, James, that would defeat the whole purpose of it being a romantic, candlelit dinner."
"Oh, I guess you're right," He frowned. "Well, you'll have to have good food, you know. Some French cuisine ... ooh yes, leave the food up to me. I'm sure with my food knowledge, and Allison's French knowledge, we could come up with some great dinner ..."
Meowth grinned happily. He only needed one more question answered.
"What do you talk about?" Butch thought for a moment. "Well, first just normal stuff, like current events in your life, blah blah, then you get a little bit deeper, like with your relationship. Oh, and you must sneak in little compliments every now and then, too, those really impress a girl. Then you get really deep, like how you feel about her, how much you love her ... you're a cool cat, Meowth, I'm sure you'll do fine."
Meowth was so happy, he couldn't stand it. His evening was going to be perfect; he just hoped it would be perfect for Meowsie.
~*~*~*~*~
"I've got the corsages, Meowth, and look what else I got! Isn't it *cute*?!"
"Cute isn't the word ..."
Jessie held up a tiny black dress, which , Meowth assumed, she had purchased for Meowsie to wear for the evening. Meowth had to admit, it would look elegant on Meowsie ... but not *cute* ...
"Here are the corsages," Jessie handed the beautiful (and small) red flowers to Meowth. "You just relax and have fun, okay? I'm sure Meowsie will enjoy the evening."
Meowth knew Cassidy had been talking to her - Jessie would never say "Relax and have fun, okay?"
"The food's ready, too," James called from the kitchen. "Allison's out setting up the table right now."
"Here, Meowth!" Cassidy ran in, shoving a bouquet of flowers into Meowth's paws. "Butch got these for you to give to Meowsie."
"Thanks," Meowth said, surprised.
"The table is ready!" Allison said, her French accent rich, as it always got when she was excited. "Ooh, this will be such a wonderful evening, Oui?"
"Oui," Meowth grinned, the French sounding alien on his own Jersey tongue.
"Okay, she's just in the other room," Cassidy said. "Jessie just went in there to give her the dress, but she's not saying anything about the dinner. Jessie's going to bring her out here, then you can escort her to the deck, and we'll leave you alone for the rest of the evening."
Meowth paced out of nervousness, back and forth across the room.
"Here she comes," James said. "Relax!"
Meowth looked up; he gasped.
There she was, looking so elegant in the black dress. A beautiful perfumed whipped across his nose, and a rose was perched upon her ear. She gave Meowth a curious meow.
"Follow me," Meowth walked to her, and held out his paw.
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Get up on two legs, I'll hold you up."
"No way!"
"Just do it," Jessie said, making a guess at what Meowsie's last comment had been, then picked Meowsie up by the waist and set her down on her two hind legs. She grabbed Meowsie's paw and put it in Meowth's.
"We'll go slow," Meowth grinned.
The two eventually (after only a few falls) made their way out onto the deck, where Meowsie gasped at the sight of the beautifully set table. Meowth had to admit, Allison had done a splendid job with the table - he just hoped she and James had fixed a good meal. Meowth led Meowsie to her seat, and as she sat down, he presented her with the corsage and the bouquet of flowers.
"Meowth, I ..."
She paused. She had never referred to him as just Meowth before.
"I can't believe you've gone to all this trouble ..."
"Ah, well, it was nothing," Meowth grinned nervously, and sat down.
"Good evening, monsieur, mademoiselle ... welcome to Cafe Roquet."
Meowth looked up at James with such an odd look, James couldn't help but laugh.
"Now, for ze appetizer ... shrimp salad!"
He set down a huge plate of shrimp salad (mostly shrimp) in front of them, and with a bow, retreated into the kitchen.
"How am I supposed to eat this?"
"With your paws," Meowth said. "A fork. It's easy."
Meowsie skeptically picked up the fork with her paw, and with only a little trouble, managed to spear a shrimp and put it into her mouth. She relaxed at the taste of it, smiling to herself, until she noticed Meowth waiting.
"What?"
"How do you like it?"
"It's divine."
Meowth grinned happily, and began to eat some himself, remembering his best manners at the table - after all, Meowsie had come from a very high class human.
"Are you ready for ze main course?" James asked in a fake French accent, taking away the salad as Allison came out with a covered plate. "Dinner is served."
She set down the plate and took off the cover.
"French toast?!"
"Ah, well," Allison grinned nervously. "I was never much the cook, you see."
"And what about your knowledge of French cuisine?" Meowth narrowed his eyes at James.
"French toast is ... French!" James laughed nervously. "We have French Fries too!"
Meowth rolled his eyes as the two ran back into the kitchen. He noticed Meowsie staring at him strangely, and all he could do was shrug.
"Dig in."
After a few minutes of silent eating, Meowth finally decided to use some of his conversation tips.
"So ... do you like it here?
"Oh, yes," Meowsie nodded. "Your humans are very nice."
Meowth paused, hoping he would think of something better to say, when he noticed something different about Meowsie ...
"What happened to your collar?"
"What?" Meowsie nearly choked on her champagne. "My collar?"
"Yeah, that really pretty diamond one you used to have. Where is it? I haven't seen it at all this whole time you've been here."
"Oh, um ... well, Persian said it didn't look like something a street Meowth would wear, so he ... ah ... took it away."
"Took it away?! Of all the nerve! Why, if I could get my paws on him ..."
"He cared for me!" Meowsie said in defense, looking away.
"Cared for you until it was time to find you a replacement, that is."
"Well ... you were in the same gang, you know!"
"Yeah," Meowth sighed. At least this dinner was going better than the last one he had with Meowsie.
"There's a lot you didn't know about the Persian," Meowsie said quietly.
"I know. He took me in when no one else accepted me."
"But you left."
"I did, and I joined Team Rocket. I was in the head office for awhile as Top Cat until I got assigned to two new members to show them the ropes."
"Then did you become Top Cat again?"
"Nope. Got replaced by a Persian."
"Really?" Meowsie said. "So that's why you hate Persians so much. You got replaced by one."
"Three times," Meowth corrected her. "Once with you, once with a human named Cassandra, and once with the Top Cat."
"That's awful," Meowsie sighed.
"Yeah, well, ya get used to it," Meowth said. "I'm tough. I can get through it."
"You're tough? I don't believe that."
"What?" It was Meowth's turn to choke.
"I think you're just an old softy, who puts on an act so people won't bother you. You pretend to act tough, like no one can hurt you, but you've been hurt so many times. You act like you could get through anything by yourself, but you really value your life on your friendships with the humans. You wouldn't live without those humans."
"Well," Meowth looked away uncomfortably.
"And I know I've been one of the ones to hurt you, Meowth, and let me tell you ... I am very, very sorry."
"Huh?" Meowth looked up at Meowsie, who placed a delicate paw on his own paw.
"I don't want you to be hurt anymore, Meowth. I've realized how much you really care for me, more so than that Persian ever did, and I want you to know that ... I ... feel the same way. I care about you. I ... love you."
Meowth looked at her with disbelief. Did she really mean it? Did she really love him?
"Dessert," James grinned, knocking both cats out of their trance as he set down a huge ice cream sundae in front of them.
"This is marvelous!" Meowsie grinned as she took a bite of the sundae.
"You know, Meowsie ... you really should learn English."
"English?" Meowsie paused. "Oh no, I really couldn't ..."
"Yeah you could! It's easy! We'll start with simple words that are easy to say ... how about 'nice'?"
"Nya?"
"*Nice*."
"Nya," Meowsie shook her head. "I can't do it. It's too hard."
"Just keep trying!"
"Okay," Meowsie sighed. "Nya .. nya .. n-nyi .. nyic ... nyice?"
"There you go!"
"Nya-ice ... n-n-ice?"
"You did it! You said 'nice'!" Meowth beamed. "See, I told you it wasn't that hard!"
"Nice!" Meowsie beamed too. "Maybe I could learn a few words of English ..."
"Definitely!" Meowth finished the last bite of the sundae, and looked at her. "Would you like to go for a walk?"
"Nice!"
"Does that mean yes?"
"Yes."
The two walked towards the woods together, in silence. Finally, Meowth stopped and, still holding Meowsie's paw, turned to her.
"That stuff you said at dinner ... do you really mean it?"
"Of course," Meowsie said. "This is the third time you've gone after me ... you learned English for me, you learned to walk for me, you fought for me ... I've finally realized how much you must really like me."
"I wouldn't do all that if I didn't like you, Meowsie."
He felt something tickle his tail, and he looked around to see it was her own tail. He turned back to look at her once again ... she moved in and kissed him.
It was the most wonderful thing Meowth had ever felt - he realized why humans did it all the time. It was extraordinary.
"Meowth, I love you more than anything in this world. You must understand this ... you are nothing compared to Persian. You're so ... beautiful ..." Meowsie leaned forward and kissed him again. "You must understand that I would never hurt you, not under my own will power. Please, please, tell me you understand."
"I understand," Meowth nodded, falling completely into her trance.
"Wonderful," Meowsie smiled at him, but it was a sad smile. "Thank you for understanding ... I'm so sorry, Meowth."
"Sorry for what?"
"Sorry I have to do this to you ..." She pounced on Meowth, pinning him to the ground, her paws positioned around Meowth's throat.
"Meowsie, what are you doing?"
"I could never hurt you, Meowth. The Persian is making me ... I'm sorry ..."
~*~*~*~*~
"Where is that hairball?" Jessie tapped a foot impatiently. "I knew sending him off into the woods with that Meowsie was a bad idea. He's been gone for over an hour!"
"Relax!" Cassidy laid a hand on Jessie's shoulder. "They're just having a good time!"
"Whatever that little runt is doing to Meowth, it can't be good ..."
"Would you just get over it?" Cassidy's eyes narrowed. "Honestly, sometimes I think you're just jealous that Meowth is having such a good time with his date ..."
"Jealous?! How could I be jealous?!"
"Hey, you two!" Butch pushed himself between the two girls. "Let's not get in a fight, over this!"
"Yeah, Meowth's probably on his way back right now," James put in.
"Hmm, well ... if he isn't back in ten minutes, I'm going out to look for him," Jessie said, pulling herself away from the group. "I still think that Meowsie's up to no good."
Cassidy rolled her eyes, not willing to argue it any further, and retreated into her bedroom. James followed Jessie as she walked towards a window, looking out onto the woods.
"Something's not right, James," She said quietly. "I can sense it. Something's wrong."
"What is it?"
"It's Meowth," Jessie said, narrowing her eyes. "I'm going out there to find him."
"Don't do that, Jessie," James said worriedly. "Send Arbok out. He can make sure everything's okay, and he won't make any noise in the woods."
Jessie frowned, then picked up her Pokeball, opened the window, and threw it outside.
"Ch-arbok!"
"Find Meowth, Arbok, and make sure everything's okay. Don't bother him or anything, just watch for a minute and make sure they're alright."
"Charbok," Arbok nodded, and slithered out into the woods. A few minutes later he returned, an urgent look on his face.
"What's wrong?" Jessie said. Arbok said nothing, only opened his mouth to spit out what he had been carrying. Jessie hurried outside, followed by James, and picked up the item on the ground.
"Meowth's corsage!" James said, his eyes wide. "And there's ... blood!"
~*~*~*~*~
"My Meowsie, my beautiful, sweet Meowsie ... you brought me a prize?"
"Yes sir," Meowsie bowed her head respectfully. "Carried it all the way from the woods, just for you."
"And what may it be?"
"Dead Meowth, sir."
~*~*~*~*~
"I knew it, just knew it! Meowth was too good for her! I knew that cat was trouble!"
The group sat in the living room, all speechless except for Jessie, ranting about how she had been right all along.
"And God knows where he is now! Probably dead in a gutter somewhere, killed by that awful little ..."
"Jessie," Cassidy said sweetly. "Shut up."
"Hmph," Jessie folded her arms. "I hope you're all happy."
"Mademoiselle, there is still a chance Meowth is alive," Allison said optimistically. "Perhaps another creature in the woods attacked him."
"Then where's Meowsie?"
Allison frowned, biting her lip in thought.
"Well, we don't know that that's Meowth's blood on the corsage," Butch suggested. "Maybe something happened to Meowsie, and that's her corsage."
"But then where's Meowth?" Jessie threw out. "You all know very well that they're both missing in action, and there's no possible way of finding them!"
"Hollywood," James muttered.
"What?!"
"Hollywood," James lifted his eyes. "It's just through the woods. That's where they are. Meowth was ... catnapped!"
"Catnapped?" Jessie paused. "I guess that's not so ridiculous."
"Of course not!" Allison said. "That must be where they are ... we must find them!"
~*~*~*~*~
"Huh ... wha?"
"I thought he was dead!"
"I thought he was, too ... I guess not ..."
Meowth opened his eyes and looked around groggily.
"Where am I?" He narrowed his eyes to clear his vision. He noticed that his left ear felt clogged.
"Hollywood," Said an all too familiar purr.
"Persian!" Meowth said disgustedly, making out the creature in the early morning dawn. "How'd I get here?"
"By the back of a beautiful princess."
Meowth looked behind the Persian, where sat a little creature, her eyes bloodshot from crying, her fur matted and tangled.
"Meowsie? You?"
Meowsie lowered her head, ashamed, not wanting to look Meowth in the face.
"She was sent to kill you," Persian purred happily. "We came close."
"Kill me?!" Meowth narrowed his eyes and gathered his courage to stand up and fight, but his weakness overcame him, and he dropped his head on the ground in unbelievable pain.
"A bit jostled, are you? My little fighter kitten did well."
It was then that Meowth noticed how dim the voice sounded, why his left ear felt clogged.
He was half-deaf.
~*~*~*~*~
"This is where we lost him last time," James pointed at a building in front of them. "He ran off by himself, and that's when he found the gang of Meowth again, and Meowsie."
"So if we work from here, we should find him," Butch nodded.
"I think I might remember where that alley the gang hung out in was," Jessie said. "Follow me."
~*~*~*~*~
"I can't believe you!" Meowth shouted at Meowsie. "After all we went through ..."
"You said you understood!" Meowsie cried. "It wasn't me who hurt you!"
"Oh yeah? I suppose the Good Fairy just came down and bopped me on the head?"
"Shut up! I didn't hurt you that bad ... I was trying to kill you!"
"Not that bad? Meowsie, I'm deaf in one ear!"
Meowsie sank back, her face dropping, not able to think of another comment.
"How I love lover's spats, but I'm afraid I must interrupt. We can't have a half-dead Meowth hanging around. We like them either one way or the other."
Persian crouched down slightly, his tail swishing, and he began the pounce ...
"Stop right there and prepare for trouble!"
"Watch your step, or we'll make it double!"
"Persian?" The Persian turned around, confused, and stared at the silhouette of four humans.
"To protect our Meowth from worthless cats!" One of the figures jumped down, a gleam catching on her red hair.
"To help in fights with ugly rats!" Another figure jumped down from their position, the shadow of a rose in his hand.
"To show him that we really care!" A sweet voice said, more determined from usual, as she jumped down.
"And that we're with him, everywhere!" The last voice said in a croak, joining the others.
"Jessie!" A spotlight from seemingly nowhere splashed onto her.
"James!"
"Cassidy!"
"Butch!"
"You guys ..." Meowth's eyes filled with tears.
"Our Ship of Friends has just set sail!" Jessie said enthusiastically.
"And this time, Meowth, we won't fail!" James finished, as one last figure jumped down in front of them.
"Allison, that's right!" Allison grinned.
"I can't believe it," Meowth said, holding back his tears from his darkened eyes. "You guys came to get me ..."
"Worthless! They can't save you now!"
Persian pounced on Meowth, his teeth bared. Meowth hissed and pushed him off, surprising even himself at his sudden rush of strength. He returned the pounce with a swipe across the Persian's face.
"Atta boy, Meowth!" Jessie cheered. "You've got him good!"
"Is that all? Just a stupid fury swipe? You are a freak Meowth! Even with your talking, you can't even do a powerful attack!"
"I'll show you powerful attack," Meowth growled, clenching his fists and lowering his head. Suddenly, a burst of coins spilled from his charm, hitting Persian straight on.
"It's Pay Day! He's doing Pay Day!" James cried. "Go, Meowth! You can do it!"
The Persian slumped, but pulled himself together.
"Meowth gang, attack!"
Meowths emerged from the shadows, their faces hungry for kill.
"Don't worry about the gang, we'll get them!" Cassidy shouted, pulling out a Pokeball. "Alright, Raticate, I hope you do better this battle than you did the last one!"
"Arbok, go!" Jessie tossed her Pokeball. "Double Team with Raticate!"
The two Pokemon lurched forward, frantically trying to bite the Meowth, who merely swiped them away.
"I've got this one," James said. "Weezing, smog!"
Weezing materialized from the Pokeball James had thrown, and immediately set smogging the scene to confuse the Meowth.
"Alright, Lickitung," Jessie said, taking her other Pokeball out. "Paralyze the Meowth!"
"Lick!" Lickitung reached his long tongue out, paralyzing with each lick to a Meowth.
Meanwhile, Meowsie sat on a dumpster, watching the scene in safety, wondering if she had done the right thing ...
"Your Pay Day is strong ... but still, so weak .." Persian lowered his own head, and went straight into his own Pay Day attack, which hurtled Meowth against the alley wall. The Persian jumped on him, scratching and tearing away, beating Meowth down.
"Meowth!" Jessie said, turning around to watch the scene.
"NYA!"
From the dumpster jumped Meowsie herself, falling onto the Persian's back with outstretched claws as the sound of a nearby police siren wailed towards them. Meowsie pulled the Persian away from Meowth, mewed at him, and looking rejected, the Persian turned around and left in a huff, away from the others into the shadows.
"You stay away from Meowth!" Jessie said as the group ran forward, scooping the unconscious cat into her arms. Meowsie looked longingly at Meowth for a moment, whispered a quiet meow, then scampered off into the shadows.
"The police are coming past, we better split," Butch said, looking towards the direction of the sirens worriedly. The group, with Meowth clinging onto life, escaped just as the police car pulled up to an empty scene.
~*~*~*~*~
"Je t'aime, je t'aime, c'est tout ..."
Meowth opened his eyes at the sound of the beautiful melody ...
"Oh! Petite chat!" He heard, as Allison scooped him into her arms in a tight hug. "You are alright! I am so happy!"
"Meowth!" Jessie said happily. "I didn't think you were going to come out of that one alive!"
"Nine lives," James laughed. "More like twenty-one!"
"You've been asleep for two days," Cassidy said, scratching Meowth behind his ears. "The vet didn't know if you were going to come through, but I guess you did!"
"I ... I ..." Meowth could hardly speak, his emotions overwhelming him.
"Don't worry, don't speak," Allison hushed him. "You must be exhausted ... with all of your injuries ..."
"The vet said your hearing should be restored in six weeks," Butch said. "It's only a temporary thing since they operated on it."
Meowth looked at his friends, his true friends, tears brimming from his eyes.
"And until then, well ... we thought you might need a friend that's ... like yourself," Jessie said. "We saw how happy you were with Meowsie, and thought that ... well ..."
"There was a family at the vet who's Meowth was having kittens, and since they couldn't afford to keep all of them," James reached behind his back, and placed a furry ball next to Meowth.
"W-what is it?" Meowth asked, looking curiously at James.
"It's for you, to ... you know, take care of," Jessie grinned.
The tiny ball of fluff peaked up at Meowth, the tiny charm on it's forehead gleaming.
"It's a girl," Cassidy said softly. "Maybe you could teach it to talk and walk, just like you."
"My own kitten?" Meowth whispered as the ball of fluff tried to stand up, then collapsed with a frustrated mew. "Isn't she cute ... I mean, uh, I guess it will do ..."
Everyone laughed as the kitten looked at them curiously. Meowth pushed the kitten closer to him with one paw, grinning at her.
"She needs a name," Jessie said. "And it better not be Meowsie."
Meowth paused, his face deep in thought.
"Meowthia," He said finally. "Little Meowthia."
Meowth looked at his friends, wishing he could think of some way to thank them for their love, their friendship. He knew the words would never reach his lips, the thought would never come ... the only bond he could make was with the silence around them, as they all watched little Meowthia curl up next to him, purring. And though he would never be human, his place would always be with the other humans. His best friends were there for him, always, and if he could count on nothing else in the world, he could count on that.
Sighing happily, he tore himself away from watching Meowthia to look outside the window for a moment, where a tiny, female Meowth sat, watching him, a soft glow about her face. And then, quick as a wink, she vanished.
~*~*~*~*~
"Sleep well, my Meowsie," Persian said, curling up inside a box. Meowsie glanced up at the moon, sighing.
"If only I were strong, Meowth, I would not have hurt you ... that could've been our kitten ..." She sighed, looking out towards the opening of the alley. Something gleaming in the light of the full moon caught her eye, and she walked towards it. She gasped at the sight of a beautiful collar, studded with diamonds, attached to a card she would never be able to read.
Dear Meowsie,
Thanks for a wonderful dinner. I'll never forget you. Jessie and James gave me a kitten, and each time I look at her, I can see you in her little eyes. I'll always love you.
~Meowth.
She placed the collar around her neck, knowing she would never let the Persian take it away from her, then glanced towards the moon.
"Nice," She said, touching the collar softly with one paw. "Nice."
~*~*~*~*~
Author's Note: I'm fully aware that there isn't a big area of woods next to Hollywood ... it just fit well with the story. Will there be a Part 4? Your opinion will decide ~ odile@danceart.net
Rating: Only a strong PG this time, kittens!
Dedication: To any and all Meowth fans out there, this one's for you!
Feedback: Come on, I'm trying to have a bit of self-confidence this time! Email me! odile@danceart.net
~*~*~*~*~
"Allison?"
Allison looked down onto the floor where Meowth sat, a ball of yarn at his paws.
"You wanna play?" He asked shyly, kicking the yarn a little bit with his right paw, and looking at Allison curiously.
"Oh, Meowth," She bent down and took his face in her hands. "You know I would love to play with you, petite chat, but I am preparing for ... ah ... a meeting."
"With who?"
"I ... er," Allison blushed.
"Let me guess ... a date?"
"You are very smart," She gave him a pat on the head, then stood up. "Why don't you ask Jessie or James to play with you?"
Meowth frowned, picked up the yawn, and walked into the next room. They had all been staying in a large cabin for the past few months, since they got back from their cruise. The cabin had originally been a getaway cabin for Team Rocket, but seeing as no one had used it in years, the two retired Team Rocket teams had taken it over for themselves. It was nearly Christmas, already, and the weather was getting colder and colder, making it less enjoyable to go outside.
"Hey James!" Meowth shouted, startling James, who was sitting on the couch and watching TV, stuffing his face with donuts. "Let's play something'!"
"No way, Meowth," James shook his head. "Last time I played something with you, it was truth or dare, and you dared me to stick my head in a toilet for five minutes."
James shook his head and shuddered, shooing Meowth away with one hand. Meowth frowned again, then hopped into the kitchen, where Jessie and Cassidy were making dinner.
"Meowth, we don't have time to play with you," Jessie said, not even giving Meowth a chance to plead his case. "I heard you in there asking James, and there's no way I'm going to play a game with you. Besides, this is so unlike you, wanting to play something ..."
"I am a cat, you know," Meowth grumbled.
"Butch is at the store right now, so if you want to go wait outside, I'm sure when he comes back he'll play with you," Cassidy said hopefully. "And if he won't, I'll play with you after dinner, okay?"
"Fine," Meowth sighed, took his yawn, and walked outside.
It was only 6:00, and already dark outside. Meowth walked a little ways out into the woods surrounding the cabin, and glanced to his right, where far off, he could just barely see a set of strobe lights circling the sky. He knew they must be coming from Hollywood, which wasn't too far away from the cabin where they were staying. His mind started to drift back into his past ...
"Look, I've learned to walk and talk, just like a human! All for you, my love ..."
"Walk and talk? Don't you know you'll never be a human? You're just a ... walking, talking freak Meowth!"
He shook his head, trying to forget.
"You're just a dirty old street Meowth! I would never love you."
"No, no, no," He shook his head furiously. "Stop it, stop thinking about this!"
"Nya!"
Her sweet voice seemed to echo ...
"Nya nya nya!"
"Me-ow, meowth meow! Meow?"
"Stop it!" Meowth sat down in the cold leaves. "You're not a Meowth, not anymore! You're a human! You live with humans, you walk and talk like the humans, not a Meowth! You belong with the humans, they're the only ones!"
"Nyaaa?"
Meowth tried to convince himself again, not to let his memories take control ... he broke down, trying to forget all the memories that he had tried to brush off before, not wanting to let the humans see his real emotions. He had hidden them all, tried to seem as un-moved as possible about ... her ... but the sadness, the anger, it had returned.
He muffled his sobs, taking a minute to regain his composure, then looked up into the sky. A tiny snowflake fell, and tickled his nose.
"Nya, nya nya nya ... I'm all alone again ..."
He ignored the meows in his head, picked up his yarn, and began to make his way back to the cabin.
"Nya nya ... No one to help me ..."
"Stop it, you're just imagining," He scolded himself, and continued walking.
"Nya nya nya ... Abandoned again ..."
He stopped. He had been translating the meows in his head the whole time ... the meowing was real. He looked back into the woods.
"Nya ... Lost ..."
Meowth began to walk in the direction of the meows, hoping the Meowth he was hearing was alright in the cold snow ...
"Nya? Who is that?"
"Don't worry, little Meowth," He said. "I'm coming to get ya ... I'm another Meowth, just like you ... only difference is, I can talk ..."
"Nya nya nya! The worst of luck, found by a freak Meowth!"
Meowth halted. The meows were all too familiar, he knew. He had only been called a freak by another Meowth once before ...
"Meowsie," He said, looking over at the tiny cat, shivering underneath a blanket of snow.
"Nya nya nya nya!" She cried. "Go away! I'd rather die than be found by *you* ..."
"You're cold," Meowth said. "You would die if you stayed in these woods any longer; if not from the cold, you'd be killed by who knows what."
"Go away! Just leave me ..." Meowsie's head dropped - she had fainted.
"I can't leave her out here," Meowth sighed, dropping to all fours, then scooping Meowsie up onto his back. He nearly crumpled from the dead weight. "Meowth! I've gotta start workin' out more ..."
~*~*~*~*~
"So you brought her BACK?!" Jessie rolled her eyes. "Meowth, the girl is trouble! Don't go giving into her little ways again!"
"I couldn't leave her in the woods by herself!" Meowth argued.
"What were you doing in the woods anyway?" Jessie said snidely. "Trying to run away to Hollywood again?"
"No!" Meowth growled, then swiped Jessie on the face.
"Not again," Jessie stomped out of the room, still angry. Jessie had looked mad the minute Meowth walked into the cabin, dragging Meowsie behind him; not really mad at him, but mad for him. It was a strange situation, and there was nothing Jessie hated more than strange situations and worthless girls.
"It'll be okay," Cassidy smiled, running a hand over Meowth's back. "I put Meowsie in her own little basket ... she's in the other room, sleeping."
Meowth wasted no time in hurrying into the next room, and over to the basket in the corner. He peered inside, where Meowsie slept peacefully.
"You've deserted me twice, insulted me, left me," Meowth said quietly. "And yet, I still come back to you. Is it gonna happen again? I won't fall for you again, I won't let it happen ..."
The basket looked huge next to tiny Meowsie. Meowth gingerly set a paw in.
"Why do I always come back? Something draws me to you, something deeper ..."
He stepped inside the basket, tired from his long day. He curled up next to Meowsie, falling asleep quickly to the sound of her gentle, rhythmic breathing.
~*~*~*~*~
"Ah! Get this freak Meowth away from me!"
Meowth felt himself shoved away, and he fell onto the floor outside the basket.
"Freak Meowth?" Meowth said shakily.
"Stop calling him a freak!"
"Really! He saved your life, you know! You could be out in the woods, dead, if it weren't for him!"
Meowth looked up, where Jessie and James stood, looking at Meowsie angrily.
"It's alright yous two," Meowth said groggily, his Jersey accent sounding thicker than usual.
"No it's not," Jessie said. "Just give me five minutes with this cat, and I'll whip her into shape ..."
"It's fine, it's fine," Meowth said, rubbing his head where he had landed. "Listen, can I have a few minutes alone with Meowsie?"
"Seems like you're getting along with her just fine, if you fell asleep next to her," Jessie retorted quickly, but James took her arm and lead her out of the room.
"Why don't you go with them, freak Meowth. That's who you belong with."
"With Jessie and James? You're probably right," Meowth sighed. "Why were you out in the woods, Meowsie?"
"I don't want to talk about that," Meowsie looked away sadly.
"You were abandoned, weren't you? By that Persian?"
"He found a girl Persian," Meowsie looked back at Meowth. "And once she joined ... they all told me to leave the gang, that I didn't have a place with them anymore ..."
"I can't believe that!" Meowth said. "Just let me at that Persian, and I'd rip him to shreds, after the way he treated you!"
Meowsie said nothing, only looked at Meowth with a certain air of disbelief on her face.
"Ooh, where is the new little cat? Is this her?" Allison came in, and scooped Meowsie up into her arms. "How cute! What a sweetheart!"
"Isn't she?" Cassidy scratched Meowsie behind the ears. "I'm so glad you brought such a cute little kitty home with you, Meowth!"
Meowth smiled proudly as the two girls made such a fuss over Meowsie, who was grinning and purring herself at all the attention. Meowth could tell she had missed having humans faun over her so much, and was enjoying the petting quite a lot.
"I could get used to this," Meowth heard Meowsie mutter to herself.
~*~*~*~*~
"So ... are we going to keep her?" Butch asked the group. "She's well enough to go back out on her own now ..."
"No way," Jessie said firmly. "She left Meowth twice, it's time he leave her."
"S'il vous plait, mademoiselle, may we please keep the cat?" Allison asked sweetly.
"She's not loyal," James said.
"Maybe she's changed," Meowth said quietly.
"She'll have to prove it," Jessie said. "She hasn't convinced me."
"Let her stay," Meowth said. "I ... want another Meowth around."
"What?"
"I'm not human, no matter how much I want to be. I'll always be a Meowth. Meowth's never live alone, they always have another Meowth with them."
"But you're not like other Meowths!" Jessie argued. "You can walk and talk, you've lived most of your life with humans ... besides, Meowth, you're our friend. We ... we don't want to lose you."
"You're not gonna lose me, Jess. I won't leave. You'll be gaining another Meowth."
"Hmph," Jessie grunted and turned away. "Fine with me. But if that Persian comes to take her back, don't expect James and I to be at your rescue again."
"Jessie ..." James started to say, but Jessie stomped out of the room.
"I don't understand why she's so upset about Meowsie," Cassidy said, gently petting the tiny cat in her lap. "I'm sure it will work out fine."
"She's not," Butch said. "I think she's just being careful for Meowth's sake."
"I'm smart. I can make my own decisions," Meowth said firmly.
"I hope this is the right decision," James said, giving Meowth a skeptical look, and then walking away.
"It will be. I'm sure," Cassidy said, lifting Meowsie out of her lap and setting her on the floor beside her. "I'll talk to Jessie later."
The others in the room left soon after that, and Meowth and Meowsie were left alone in the room. Meowsie began to clean her fur, the sunlight from a window above her splashing onto her fur, making her look, to Meowth - just like a princess.
"You're so beautiful," He whispered quietly.
"Nya?"
Meowth looked away. Did she hear him? Would she say anything? She continued to clean her fur as if nothing had happened. A bit discouraged, Meowth walked away.
~*~*~*~*~
Meowth decided that he had to do something to impress Meowsie. He just didn't know what.
"Allison?"
"Oui, Meowth?"
"What ... I mean ... what could ... I mean, I ... what could a guy do to impress you?"
"What impresses me? Hmm, maybe giving me flowers or candy, and a candlelit dinner ... so very romantic ..." Allison looked away with a starry eyed look on her face. Meowth twisted his face in confusion; a dinner? Would Meowsie like that?
"Thanks Allison," Meowth said, deciding he better ask for some more opinions so Allison wouldn't catch on to what he was doing.
"Cassidy?"
"Hm?" Cassidy looked up from the book she was reading. "Hi, Meowth. What's up?"
"I wanted to ask you ... would a candlelit dinner be a good idea to impress a girl?"
"Definitely," Cassidy nodded. "And a romantic walk afterwards ... ooh, perfect ... I wish Butch would ... I mean ..."
A walk? He still had too many questions ...
Deciding to take his chances, he went to Jessie.
"A candlelit dinner?" Jessie became so excited with this idea, she didn't even bother to think about who it was with. "Ooh, Meowth, you have to look perfect if you want to impress her ..."
She immediately jumped into her closet and pulled out the huge trunk of their old costumes, dug through it for a few minutes, then pulled out Meowth's mini-tux. She then grabbed some cologne of James' and shoved it into Meowth's paws.
"Now ... corsage ..."
She paused, thinking, then her face lit up.
"I'll go get some, okay? You come see me before your dinner, and I'll give them to you. One for you, and one for ..."
Her face fell.
"Meowsie, right?"
"Well," Meowth gulped.
"Hmm. I guess it won't hurt," Jessie said. "Anyway, I'll give them to you. You can have the dinner out on the deck."
"Thanks," Meowth said, surprised at all the help Jessie was giving him. He next went to find James, who was (again) watching T.V. and eating donuts.
"A candlelit DINNER?" James squealed. "Oooh! Can I come?"
"No, James, that would defeat the whole purpose of it being a romantic, candlelit dinner."
"Oh, I guess you're right," He frowned. "Well, you'll have to have good food, you know. Some French cuisine ... ooh yes, leave the food up to me. I'm sure with my food knowledge, and Allison's French knowledge, we could come up with some great dinner ..."
Meowth grinned happily. He only needed one more question answered.
"What do you talk about?" Butch thought for a moment. "Well, first just normal stuff, like current events in your life, blah blah, then you get a little bit deeper, like with your relationship. Oh, and you must sneak in little compliments every now and then, too, those really impress a girl. Then you get really deep, like how you feel about her, how much you love her ... you're a cool cat, Meowth, I'm sure you'll do fine."
Meowth was so happy, he couldn't stand it. His evening was going to be perfect; he just hoped it would be perfect for Meowsie.
~*~*~*~*~
"I've got the corsages, Meowth, and look what else I got! Isn't it *cute*?!"
"Cute isn't the word ..."
Jessie held up a tiny black dress, which , Meowth assumed, she had purchased for Meowsie to wear for the evening. Meowth had to admit, it would look elegant on Meowsie ... but not *cute* ...
"Here are the corsages," Jessie handed the beautiful (and small) red flowers to Meowth. "You just relax and have fun, okay? I'm sure Meowsie will enjoy the evening."
Meowth knew Cassidy had been talking to her - Jessie would never say "Relax and have fun, okay?"
"The food's ready, too," James called from the kitchen. "Allison's out setting up the table right now."
"Here, Meowth!" Cassidy ran in, shoving a bouquet of flowers into Meowth's paws. "Butch got these for you to give to Meowsie."
"Thanks," Meowth said, surprised.
"The table is ready!" Allison said, her French accent rich, as it always got when she was excited. "Ooh, this will be such a wonderful evening, Oui?"
"Oui," Meowth grinned, the French sounding alien on his own Jersey tongue.
"Okay, she's just in the other room," Cassidy said. "Jessie just went in there to give her the dress, but she's not saying anything about the dinner. Jessie's going to bring her out here, then you can escort her to the deck, and we'll leave you alone for the rest of the evening."
Meowth paced out of nervousness, back and forth across the room.
"Here she comes," James said. "Relax!"
Meowth looked up; he gasped.
There she was, looking so elegant in the black dress. A beautiful perfumed whipped across his nose, and a rose was perched upon her ear. She gave Meowth a curious meow.
"Follow me," Meowth walked to her, and held out his paw.
"What am I supposed to do?"
"Get up on two legs, I'll hold you up."
"No way!"
"Just do it," Jessie said, making a guess at what Meowsie's last comment had been, then picked Meowsie up by the waist and set her down on her two hind legs. She grabbed Meowsie's paw and put it in Meowth's.
"We'll go slow," Meowth grinned.
The two eventually (after only a few falls) made their way out onto the deck, where Meowsie gasped at the sight of the beautifully set table. Meowth had to admit, Allison had done a splendid job with the table - he just hoped she and James had fixed a good meal. Meowth led Meowsie to her seat, and as she sat down, he presented her with the corsage and the bouquet of flowers.
"Meowth, I ..."
She paused. She had never referred to him as just Meowth before.
"I can't believe you've gone to all this trouble ..."
"Ah, well, it was nothing," Meowth grinned nervously, and sat down.
"Good evening, monsieur, mademoiselle ... welcome to Cafe Roquet."
Meowth looked up at James with such an odd look, James couldn't help but laugh.
"Now, for ze appetizer ... shrimp salad!"
He set down a huge plate of shrimp salad (mostly shrimp) in front of them, and with a bow, retreated into the kitchen.
"How am I supposed to eat this?"
"With your paws," Meowth said. "A fork. It's easy."
Meowsie skeptically picked up the fork with her paw, and with only a little trouble, managed to spear a shrimp and put it into her mouth. She relaxed at the taste of it, smiling to herself, until she noticed Meowth waiting.
"What?"
"How do you like it?"
"It's divine."
Meowth grinned happily, and began to eat some himself, remembering his best manners at the table - after all, Meowsie had come from a very high class human.
"Are you ready for ze main course?" James asked in a fake French accent, taking away the salad as Allison came out with a covered plate. "Dinner is served."
She set down the plate and took off the cover.
"French toast?!"
"Ah, well," Allison grinned nervously. "I was never much the cook, you see."
"And what about your knowledge of French cuisine?" Meowth narrowed his eyes at James.
"French toast is ... French!" James laughed nervously. "We have French Fries too!"
Meowth rolled his eyes as the two ran back into the kitchen. He noticed Meowsie staring at him strangely, and all he could do was shrug.
"Dig in."
After a few minutes of silent eating, Meowth finally decided to use some of his conversation tips.
"So ... do you like it here?
"Oh, yes," Meowsie nodded. "Your humans are very nice."
Meowth paused, hoping he would think of something better to say, when he noticed something different about Meowsie ...
"What happened to your collar?"
"What?" Meowsie nearly choked on her champagne. "My collar?"
"Yeah, that really pretty diamond one you used to have. Where is it? I haven't seen it at all this whole time you've been here."
"Oh, um ... well, Persian said it didn't look like something a street Meowth would wear, so he ... ah ... took it away."
"Took it away?! Of all the nerve! Why, if I could get my paws on him ..."
"He cared for me!" Meowsie said in defense, looking away.
"Cared for you until it was time to find you a replacement, that is."
"Well ... you were in the same gang, you know!"
"Yeah," Meowth sighed. At least this dinner was going better than the last one he had with Meowsie.
"There's a lot you didn't know about the Persian," Meowsie said quietly.
"I know. He took me in when no one else accepted me."
"But you left."
"I did, and I joined Team Rocket. I was in the head office for awhile as Top Cat until I got assigned to two new members to show them the ropes."
"Then did you become Top Cat again?"
"Nope. Got replaced by a Persian."
"Really?" Meowsie said. "So that's why you hate Persians so much. You got replaced by one."
"Three times," Meowth corrected her. "Once with you, once with a human named Cassandra, and once with the Top Cat."
"That's awful," Meowsie sighed.
"Yeah, well, ya get used to it," Meowth said. "I'm tough. I can get through it."
"You're tough? I don't believe that."
"What?" It was Meowth's turn to choke.
"I think you're just an old softy, who puts on an act so people won't bother you. You pretend to act tough, like no one can hurt you, but you've been hurt so many times. You act like you could get through anything by yourself, but you really value your life on your friendships with the humans. You wouldn't live without those humans."
"Well," Meowth looked away uncomfortably.
"And I know I've been one of the ones to hurt you, Meowth, and let me tell you ... I am very, very sorry."
"Huh?" Meowth looked up at Meowsie, who placed a delicate paw on his own paw.
"I don't want you to be hurt anymore, Meowth. I've realized how much you really care for me, more so than that Persian ever did, and I want you to know that ... I ... feel the same way. I care about you. I ... love you."
Meowth looked at her with disbelief. Did she really mean it? Did she really love him?
"Dessert," James grinned, knocking both cats out of their trance as he set down a huge ice cream sundae in front of them.
"This is marvelous!" Meowsie grinned as she took a bite of the sundae.
"You know, Meowsie ... you really should learn English."
"English?" Meowsie paused. "Oh no, I really couldn't ..."
"Yeah you could! It's easy! We'll start with simple words that are easy to say ... how about 'nice'?"
"Nya?"
"*Nice*."
"Nya," Meowsie shook her head. "I can't do it. It's too hard."
"Just keep trying!"
"Okay," Meowsie sighed. "Nya .. nya .. n-nyi .. nyic ... nyice?"
"There you go!"
"Nya-ice ... n-n-ice?"
"You did it! You said 'nice'!" Meowth beamed. "See, I told you it wasn't that hard!"
"Nice!" Meowsie beamed too. "Maybe I could learn a few words of English ..."
"Definitely!" Meowth finished the last bite of the sundae, and looked at her. "Would you like to go for a walk?"
"Nice!"
"Does that mean yes?"
"Yes."
The two walked towards the woods together, in silence. Finally, Meowth stopped and, still holding Meowsie's paw, turned to her.
"That stuff you said at dinner ... do you really mean it?"
"Of course," Meowsie said. "This is the third time you've gone after me ... you learned English for me, you learned to walk for me, you fought for me ... I've finally realized how much you must really like me."
"I wouldn't do all that if I didn't like you, Meowsie."
He felt something tickle his tail, and he looked around to see it was her own tail. He turned back to look at her once again ... she moved in and kissed him.
It was the most wonderful thing Meowth had ever felt - he realized why humans did it all the time. It was extraordinary.
"Meowth, I love you more than anything in this world. You must understand this ... you are nothing compared to Persian. You're so ... beautiful ..." Meowsie leaned forward and kissed him again. "You must understand that I would never hurt you, not under my own will power. Please, please, tell me you understand."
"I understand," Meowth nodded, falling completely into her trance.
"Wonderful," Meowsie smiled at him, but it was a sad smile. "Thank you for understanding ... I'm so sorry, Meowth."
"Sorry for what?"
"Sorry I have to do this to you ..." She pounced on Meowth, pinning him to the ground, her paws positioned around Meowth's throat.
"Meowsie, what are you doing?"
"I could never hurt you, Meowth. The Persian is making me ... I'm sorry ..."
~*~*~*~*~
"Where is that hairball?" Jessie tapped a foot impatiently. "I knew sending him off into the woods with that Meowsie was a bad idea. He's been gone for over an hour!"
"Relax!" Cassidy laid a hand on Jessie's shoulder. "They're just having a good time!"
"Whatever that little runt is doing to Meowth, it can't be good ..."
"Would you just get over it?" Cassidy's eyes narrowed. "Honestly, sometimes I think you're just jealous that Meowth is having such a good time with his date ..."
"Jealous?! How could I be jealous?!"
"Hey, you two!" Butch pushed himself between the two girls. "Let's not get in a fight, over this!"
"Yeah, Meowth's probably on his way back right now," James put in.
"Hmm, well ... if he isn't back in ten minutes, I'm going out to look for him," Jessie said, pulling herself away from the group. "I still think that Meowsie's up to no good."
Cassidy rolled her eyes, not willing to argue it any further, and retreated into her bedroom. James followed Jessie as she walked towards a window, looking out onto the woods.
"Something's not right, James," She said quietly. "I can sense it. Something's wrong."
"What is it?"
"It's Meowth," Jessie said, narrowing her eyes. "I'm going out there to find him."
"Don't do that, Jessie," James said worriedly. "Send Arbok out. He can make sure everything's okay, and he won't make any noise in the woods."
Jessie frowned, then picked up her Pokeball, opened the window, and threw it outside.
"Ch-arbok!"
"Find Meowth, Arbok, and make sure everything's okay. Don't bother him or anything, just watch for a minute and make sure they're alright."
"Charbok," Arbok nodded, and slithered out into the woods. A few minutes later he returned, an urgent look on his face.
"What's wrong?" Jessie said. Arbok said nothing, only opened his mouth to spit out what he had been carrying. Jessie hurried outside, followed by James, and picked up the item on the ground.
"Meowth's corsage!" James said, his eyes wide. "And there's ... blood!"
~*~*~*~*~
"My Meowsie, my beautiful, sweet Meowsie ... you brought me a prize?"
"Yes sir," Meowsie bowed her head respectfully. "Carried it all the way from the woods, just for you."
"And what may it be?"
"Dead Meowth, sir."
~*~*~*~*~
"I knew it, just knew it! Meowth was too good for her! I knew that cat was trouble!"
The group sat in the living room, all speechless except for Jessie, ranting about how she had been right all along.
"And God knows where he is now! Probably dead in a gutter somewhere, killed by that awful little ..."
"Jessie," Cassidy said sweetly. "Shut up."
"Hmph," Jessie folded her arms. "I hope you're all happy."
"Mademoiselle, there is still a chance Meowth is alive," Allison said optimistically. "Perhaps another creature in the woods attacked him."
"Then where's Meowsie?"
Allison frowned, biting her lip in thought.
"Well, we don't know that that's Meowth's blood on the corsage," Butch suggested. "Maybe something happened to Meowsie, and that's her corsage."
"But then where's Meowth?" Jessie threw out. "You all know very well that they're both missing in action, and there's no possible way of finding them!"
"Hollywood," James muttered.
"What?!"
"Hollywood," James lifted his eyes. "It's just through the woods. That's where they are. Meowth was ... catnapped!"
"Catnapped?" Jessie paused. "I guess that's not so ridiculous."
"Of course not!" Allison said. "That must be where they are ... we must find them!"
~*~*~*~*~
"Huh ... wha?"
"I thought he was dead!"
"I thought he was, too ... I guess not ..."
Meowth opened his eyes and looked around groggily.
"Where am I?" He narrowed his eyes to clear his vision. He noticed that his left ear felt clogged.
"Hollywood," Said an all too familiar purr.
"Persian!" Meowth said disgustedly, making out the creature in the early morning dawn. "How'd I get here?"
"By the back of a beautiful princess."
Meowth looked behind the Persian, where sat a little creature, her eyes bloodshot from crying, her fur matted and tangled.
"Meowsie? You?"
Meowsie lowered her head, ashamed, not wanting to look Meowth in the face.
"She was sent to kill you," Persian purred happily. "We came close."
"Kill me?!" Meowth narrowed his eyes and gathered his courage to stand up and fight, but his weakness overcame him, and he dropped his head on the ground in unbelievable pain.
"A bit jostled, are you? My little fighter kitten did well."
It was then that Meowth noticed how dim the voice sounded, why his left ear felt clogged.
He was half-deaf.
~*~*~*~*~
"This is where we lost him last time," James pointed at a building in front of them. "He ran off by himself, and that's when he found the gang of Meowth again, and Meowsie."
"So if we work from here, we should find him," Butch nodded.
"I think I might remember where that alley the gang hung out in was," Jessie said. "Follow me."
~*~*~*~*~
"I can't believe you!" Meowth shouted at Meowsie. "After all we went through ..."
"You said you understood!" Meowsie cried. "It wasn't me who hurt you!"
"Oh yeah? I suppose the Good Fairy just came down and bopped me on the head?"
"Shut up! I didn't hurt you that bad ... I was trying to kill you!"
"Not that bad? Meowsie, I'm deaf in one ear!"
Meowsie sank back, her face dropping, not able to think of another comment.
"How I love lover's spats, but I'm afraid I must interrupt. We can't have a half-dead Meowth hanging around. We like them either one way or the other."
Persian crouched down slightly, his tail swishing, and he began the pounce ...
"Stop right there and prepare for trouble!"
"Watch your step, or we'll make it double!"
"Persian?" The Persian turned around, confused, and stared at the silhouette of four humans.
"To protect our Meowth from worthless cats!" One of the figures jumped down, a gleam catching on her red hair.
"To help in fights with ugly rats!" Another figure jumped down from their position, the shadow of a rose in his hand.
"To show him that we really care!" A sweet voice said, more determined from usual, as she jumped down.
"And that we're with him, everywhere!" The last voice said in a croak, joining the others.
"Jessie!" A spotlight from seemingly nowhere splashed onto her.
"James!"
"Cassidy!"
"Butch!"
"You guys ..." Meowth's eyes filled with tears.
"Our Ship of Friends has just set sail!" Jessie said enthusiastically.
"And this time, Meowth, we won't fail!" James finished, as one last figure jumped down in front of them.
"Allison, that's right!" Allison grinned.
"I can't believe it," Meowth said, holding back his tears from his darkened eyes. "You guys came to get me ..."
"Worthless! They can't save you now!"
Persian pounced on Meowth, his teeth bared. Meowth hissed and pushed him off, surprising even himself at his sudden rush of strength. He returned the pounce with a swipe across the Persian's face.
"Atta boy, Meowth!" Jessie cheered. "You've got him good!"
"Is that all? Just a stupid fury swipe? You are a freak Meowth! Even with your talking, you can't even do a powerful attack!"
"I'll show you powerful attack," Meowth growled, clenching his fists and lowering his head. Suddenly, a burst of coins spilled from his charm, hitting Persian straight on.
"It's Pay Day! He's doing Pay Day!" James cried. "Go, Meowth! You can do it!"
The Persian slumped, but pulled himself together.
"Meowth gang, attack!"
Meowths emerged from the shadows, their faces hungry for kill.
"Don't worry about the gang, we'll get them!" Cassidy shouted, pulling out a Pokeball. "Alright, Raticate, I hope you do better this battle than you did the last one!"
"Arbok, go!" Jessie tossed her Pokeball. "Double Team with Raticate!"
The two Pokemon lurched forward, frantically trying to bite the Meowth, who merely swiped them away.
"I've got this one," James said. "Weezing, smog!"
Weezing materialized from the Pokeball James had thrown, and immediately set smogging the scene to confuse the Meowth.
"Alright, Lickitung," Jessie said, taking her other Pokeball out. "Paralyze the Meowth!"
"Lick!" Lickitung reached his long tongue out, paralyzing with each lick to a Meowth.
Meanwhile, Meowsie sat on a dumpster, watching the scene in safety, wondering if she had done the right thing ...
"Your Pay Day is strong ... but still, so weak .." Persian lowered his own head, and went straight into his own Pay Day attack, which hurtled Meowth against the alley wall. The Persian jumped on him, scratching and tearing away, beating Meowth down.
"Meowth!" Jessie said, turning around to watch the scene.
"NYA!"
From the dumpster jumped Meowsie herself, falling onto the Persian's back with outstretched claws as the sound of a nearby police siren wailed towards them. Meowsie pulled the Persian away from Meowth, mewed at him, and looking rejected, the Persian turned around and left in a huff, away from the others into the shadows.
"You stay away from Meowth!" Jessie said as the group ran forward, scooping the unconscious cat into her arms. Meowsie looked longingly at Meowth for a moment, whispered a quiet meow, then scampered off into the shadows.
"The police are coming past, we better split," Butch said, looking towards the direction of the sirens worriedly. The group, with Meowth clinging onto life, escaped just as the police car pulled up to an empty scene.
~*~*~*~*~
"Je t'aime, je t'aime, c'est tout ..."
Meowth opened his eyes at the sound of the beautiful melody ...
"Oh! Petite chat!" He heard, as Allison scooped him into her arms in a tight hug. "You are alright! I am so happy!"
"Meowth!" Jessie said happily. "I didn't think you were going to come out of that one alive!"
"Nine lives," James laughed. "More like twenty-one!"
"You've been asleep for two days," Cassidy said, scratching Meowth behind his ears. "The vet didn't know if you were going to come through, but I guess you did!"
"I ... I ..." Meowth could hardly speak, his emotions overwhelming him.
"Don't worry, don't speak," Allison hushed him. "You must be exhausted ... with all of your injuries ..."
"The vet said your hearing should be restored in six weeks," Butch said. "It's only a temporary thing since they operated on it."
Meowth looked at his friends, his true friends, tears brimming from his eyes.
"And until then, well ... we thought you might need a friend that's ... like yourself," Jessie said. "We saw how happy you were with Meowsie, and thought that ... well ..."
"There was a family at the vet who's Meowth was having kittens, and since they couldn't afford to keep all of them," James reached behind his back, and placed a furry ball next to Meowth.
"W-what is it?" Meowth asked, looking curiously at James.
"It's for you, to ... you know, take care of," Jessie grinned.
The tiny ball of fluff peaked up at Meowth, the tiny charm on it's forehead gleaming.
"It's a girl," Cassidy said softly. "Maybe you could teach it to talk and walk, just like you."
"My own kitten?" Meowth whispered as the ball of fluff tried to stand up, then collapsed with a frustrated mew. "Isn't she cute ... I mean, uh, I guess it will do ..."
Everyone laughed as the kitten looked at them curiously. Meowth pushed the kitten closer to him with one paw, grinning at her.
"She needs a name," Jessie said. "And it better not be Meowsie."
Meowth paused, his face deep in thought.
"Meowthia," He said finally. "Little Meowthia."
Meowth looked at his friends, wishing he could think of some way to thank them for their love, their friendship. He knew the words would never reach his lips, the thought would never come ... the only bond he could make was with the silence around them, as they all watched little Meowthia curl up next to him, purring. And though he would never be human, his place would always be with the other humans. His best friends were there for him, always, and if he could count on nothing else in the world, he could count on that.
Sighing happily, he tore himself away from watching Meowthia to look outside the window for a moment, where a tiny, female Meowth sat, watching him, a soft glow about her face. And then, quick as a wink, she vanished.
~*~*~*~*~
"Sleep well, my Meowsie," Persian said, curling up inside a box. Meowsie glanced up at the moon, sighing.
"If only I were strong, Meowth, I would not have hurt you ... that could've been our kitten ..." She sighed, looking out towards the opening of the alley. Something gleaming in the light of the full moon caught her eye, and she walked towards it. She gasped at the sight of a beautiful collar, studded with diamonds, attached to a card she would never be able to read.
Dear Meowsie,
Thanks for a wonderful dinner. I'll never forget you. Jessie and James gave me a kitten, and each time I look at her, I can see you in her little eyes. I'll always love you.
~Meowth.
She placed the collar around her neck, knowing she would never let the Persian take it away from her, then glanced towards the moon.
"Nice," She said, touching the collar softly with one paw. "Nice."
~*~*~*~*~
Author's Note: I'm fully aware that there isn't a big area of woods next to Hollywood ... it just fit well with the story. Will there be a Part 4? Your opinion will decide ~ odile@danceart.net