Bedridden
As soon as I got back to Fuchsia Gym my health deserted me. Perhaps I'm exhausted, perhaps I met with some exotic disease that had my immune system's number. Perhaps it's both. Whatever it is, I'm bedridden and have spent more than half of my time here asleep. Janine is being unpleasantly solicitous, she's concerned enough about me and is tending to me gently but she's been blaming my illness on poor Sabrina and I'm not strong enough or quite willing to argue about it with her just now. How did I get here?
I recall materializing in the City Square opposite the Viridian City Pokémon Gym with my companions. I looked around and saw Sabrina - so beautiful, so calm, so skillful. She turned and met my gaze then she smiled serenely. I could also see James, Jessie, Meowth and his new companion, I wondered what their next move would be.
"Well you three, your master's gym stands yonder. Are you returning to your job, or have you done with it?" I asked.
The woman, Jessie, looked up at me with an empty wide eyed gaze that gave the impression I was looking through to the sky behind her, "You know I had completely forgotten about that...damn Gio...um, the boss won't like this."
"Dat's fer sure," Meowth added, "I ain't too keen ta show up wit' Meowsie II at da gym."
James looked downcast, "We've failed him again and....and we're in violation of a bunch of rules." He counted on his fingers, "Anti-fraternization, the one prohibiting intimacy, disobeying a senior teammate's directive, revealing the boss's identity. Lord! We'll be working this off in the fossil mines until we're old and gray."
"If we're that fortunate," shuddered Jessie.
Sabrina broke in, "Why bother returning to Team Rocket?"
"It's not as if we had a choice," James answered, "If we leave without notice the boss will have his assassins after us so fast we'd be cold stone dead in less than two days."
Sabrina nodded and looked thoughtful, "You know," she mused sounding distant, "with the knowledge Koga and I have of his activities and my ability to pass it on, even if I'm killed, I think I could convince Giovanni to forestall the arrival of his hired killers indefinitely."
"How can you do that?" a stunned Jessie wondered.
"Any powerful psychic who meets an untimely end continues on as pure spiritual mental energy. This is the origin of ghosts, all ghosts were once strong psychics whether they were aware of it or not."
"Awright dat's fine I guess we'll be seein' ya. We'll just head off ta sleep in da Viridian Forest," Meowth said without much enthusiasm.
"If you four promise to do some odd jobs for me I'd be pleased to have you come to Saffron with me. I'd like to have some 'muscle' to keep the leader of the Fighting Dojo out of my affairs," Sabrina offered with a trace of an ironic smile.
"Um, sure that seems pretty fair," James mumbled looking uncertainly at his companions.
"I'd like it better den sleepin' on da ground anudder night, heh, mebbe Meowsie an' me can get up a good caterwaul tonight," Meowth agreed.
Jessie frowned and sighed, "Since your not making us into charity cases I guess I can stand it."
"Fine, I'm glad that's settled," and Sabrina turned to me, "Koga, I really do have to go to Saffron after being away for so many days. My father will be sure to think that something awful has happened to me. As it is, he will be displeased if I don't use care telling him about our...ah, understanding." and she blushed ever so slightly.
"That's alright," I said, "I'm feeling a bit tired and stiff and I have my own gym and relations to check in on before I have time for the pleasure of your company." I sighed, "Do come down as soon as you can, or perhaps I could give you a call?"
Her eyes almost glowed, "I'm a very impatient woman, that's why I teleport everywhere I can. I will be down before you can settle in," and she leaned over and kissed me gently on the cheek. "I will miss you until then."
With that she nodded to Jessie, James, Meowth and Meowsie II. They shimmered unnervingly and then they were gone, leaving me with my wistful yearning for a few more minutes with Sabrina. I turned my weary feet in the direction of Viridian Station, bought my ticket, and fell asleep in my berth.
When I awoke I was gripped by a violent chill. By the time the train reached Fuchsia Janine and Aya almost had to carry me off the train. I mumbled something about having to phone Sabrina, but they bundled me up and consigned me to my bed with a raging fever. Janine's parting words were, "Whatever that witch did to you, rest assured we'll protect you from her."
