S.t.a.r.d.u.s.t part III

Disclaimer: Nothing is mine except the stuff I make up. But you know if I could I would have stolen James a long time ago.

Summary: It's on the first chapter; I'm too lazy to write it out.

Author's Notes: First off I want to thank all my reviewers, especially AC_Ishida who has had nothing but encouraging things to say about the whole story (she's my beta reader). Thanks! And just to clarify things, "Yume" is a Japanese word meaning "dream." It's pronounced you-meh. Alright let's get this party started…

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James knew where he was from the sound of leaves rustling above him. He opened one eye, and then the other. It was night time, and the stars were out. His head was crudely bandaged with what felt like part of either his or Jessie's uniform. Oddly enough, he felt no pain, even though he was sure it was a nasty scrape. Perhaps that was why he had been able to stay in heaven so long. The thought was painful to him. He wanted to go back, and see the stars up close just one more time.

"So you finally woke up," came Jessie's voice, accompanied by the sound of her boots crunching up to him. "You've been out for a while now."

"Oh," said James noncommittally.

"So he got up, eh Jess?" Meowth bounded over and sat on James's chest. "What's da matta Jimmy boy? Ya don't look happy ta see us."

"I am," replied James, with the same amount of apathy.

Both regarded him quizzically for a moment- this was completely unlike James. Right now he should going into a speech full of melodrama and tears, about how scared he was and how happy they should be that he ever opened his eyes again. Finally they accepted his lack of words to be an after effect of his head injury, and left him alone; sure he would be fine in the morning.

Long after both girl and cat were asleep, James was still staring up at the sky. He couldn't get over his stupidity for asking to see his own future. He no longer had any hopes or dreams, and above all, he no longer wanted to be here. After seeing what would become of them, James knew any thoughts of involving himself with Jessie were gone for good. He wouldn't wish that dead end future for anyone, especially his best friend. But Yume said it would come to pass. And so it would.

Maybe he had been dreaming after all. He just couldn't convince himself of it. Somewhere, deep down in his heart, he would always know what happened had been real.

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Over the next few days, James grew increasingly listless. He barely said a word to either of his partners, and just went through the day in a haze of unemotional fog. Jessie tried everything to snap him out of it, and Meowth tried to help from time to time, but always backed out when James would turn in the cat's direction. He didn't know why, but every time James's gaze settled on him, he felt chills.

James especially hated seeing Meowth. He couldn't help it, he really did like the cat, but after James saw his future death, there was something unsettling about watching him walk around in the realm of the living. James could only be satisfied knowing he didn't know when or how Meowth would die, only that it would happen.

A little while later Jessie became fed up with James's behavior. She had been humiliated in front of the twerps that day because her partner didn't care enough to say the motto right, or even participate in trying to capture pikachu. He just wandered over to a nearby rock, sat down, and watched.

As soon as she got back to the camp, she exploded at him. "What was that all about, James?" she screamed. "You didn't even do anything! We might have actually won if it wasn't for you!"

"Sorry Jess," James mumbled. Her eyes narrowed.

"Exactly what's been going on with you lately?" she asked in a much more conversational tone. James knew for a fact she felt anything but conversational.

"Nothing Jessie," he replied. He could almost feel her anger rise.

"Is that right. You know when you hit your head back there I was really truly worried about you. Obviously I was wasting time."

He looked up at her.

"James, I don't appreciate the way you've been treating me, or even Meowth, lately. Why can't you tell us what's wrong?"

He felt ridiculous. What was he supposed to say, 'I'm sorry Jessie, but I've fallen in love with someone in heaven and she showed me the future and I really don't like it. I have a right to be depressed'? Of course not, she would think he was insane. But what was he supposed to tell her? She was still staring at him expectantly.

"I don't mean it, Jessie," he offered. "I'll try to be more like my usual self. I didn't realize I was acting different."

She glared at him for a moment, as if trying to size up his words and determine if they were truly sincere of fake. Then she broke her intimidating eye contact, and thus signaled that the subject had been postponed until further notice. James sighed in relief.

"There was something else I wanted to ask you," she said, and he felt himself seize up with fear again. She pulled out the pouch they kept their money in, which had been empty for quite some time, and pulled out a wad of cash. James's eyes widened. "I've been saving this," she continued. "I think we have enough for a few decent meals. Finally." She walked up and handed the money to him. "Since you decided not to do a thing today, I think it should be you who goes to the store. That's very fair."

He nodded and rose from his sitting position. "Alright," he said, taking the money. A walk outside and some time alone might do him some good. "Is there anything in particular you want?"

She shoved a gigantic list in his face. "I've circled the things I really want, boxed the things I sort of want, put a check by the things I kind of want, and put a star by the things I want just a little. Surprise me."

He smiled for the first time in a long while. "OK Jessie. I'll be back later." With that, he turned and made his way towards town.

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He soon found out why Jessie had been so willing for him to take the money and do this chore, because usually she never trusted him with a cent. The store turned out to be a good ways off, and he had been walking for a while. Evening began to take over the sky, and the sun dipped further and further beneath the hills. The wind grew cooler, and James's pace quickened. As he neared the town, he was happy to see it was still very well lighted and he wouldn't have a problem finding a store.

As he passed the gates entering the small village, he noticed several men loitering outside and talking amongst themselves in very bitter tones. Not one to feel any remorse in eavesdropping, he heard all he could as he walked by them.

"Did you see that girl by the fountain?"

"I was afraid to even approach her."

"I've never seen her before. She must be new here. I wish there were more girls like her around here."

"I bet she's waiting for some lucky guy."

James himself felt a little irritated; right now he didn't want to hear a thing about lucky guys. His footsteps slowed and he kept his head down as he walked. He wanted to avoid the girl and whoever she was waiting for.

The sound of the fountain grew nearer, and James's mood grew worse. Here there would most likely be a happy reunion of a couple. They would hug and kiss and never let each other go. Then they would live happily ever after, without any cares or worries because their one true love would always be by their side.

He was starting to feel childish, but he couldn't help it. He acted like something that was not in the fountain's line of sight was very interesting, and he stared in that direction until he was sure there would be no wistful lovers for him to see. Feeling victorious for no reason, he continued on his way and went into the store.

Jessie's list was strange and the items were hard to find, and he gave up on it after a while in exchange for finding real food that he and Meowth could actually identify. After all, he reasoned, Jessie wasn't the center of the universe.

He was afraid she might be angry with him for buying too little, but as it turned out he barely had enough cash to cover it all. It couldn't be said he was laden with groceries, but on the way past the fountain he acted as if he was looking into bags and making sure everything was there. He didn't even want to look at the vacant spot the girl would have left after she found her lover.

On the way home, he felt quite triumphant over love, and Jessie and Meowth were happy to see him smiling and making stupid comments once again. As the night wore on both seemed to forget about James's earlier attitude and they acted like the team they had once been not long ago. But all this happiness screeched to a halt when Jessie realized James had bought the shampoo but not the conditioner.

"What were you thinking!?" she shouted. "I remember very clearly that I circled the conditioner!"

"I'm sorry!" James said, cowering before her might. "I'll go back in the morning and get it!"

"The morning?!" she cried. "Do you think I can sleep knowing I only have shampoo? Go get it now!"

"But Jessie," he reasoned, even though he knew there was no reasoning with her now. "Nothing's open at this time of night, I'd never be able to find it. I'll go first thing in the-"

A fan stopped his sentence before it could ever finish it, and left a red mark right down the middle of his face. He could hear Meowth snickering. The cat had been pretending to be asleep to watch the whole scenario. Jessie wheeled around and faced him.

"You lazy cat!" she said angrily. "You go with him! It'll do you some good to get out. You're getting flabby anyway."

"What!" said Meowth. "Ya gotta be kiddin' me!"

"I'm not," snarled Jessie. "Go and keep James company. And James, make sure he walks the whole way. Don't let him climb up on you. He needs some exercise," said Jessie.

Meowth tried once more to get Jessie to change her mind, and ended up getting both himself and James physically kicked out of the clearing they were camping in and onto the dirt path that led to town. The cat climbed up onto James's shoulder immediately, possibly simply to spite Jessie by not following her orders. James didn't care. He rather liked walking out here, at least the scenery was nice, and having Meowth along wasn't so bad. After walking for some time, the town once again sprawled before him.

"What's this town called, anyway, Meowth?" James asked.

"I don't know," he replied, licking a paw. "All I know is they have food here! Meowth! And I'm starvin'! So, witout further ado, Jimbo, I tink I'm gonna do what Team Rocket does best to da nearest seafood restaurant!" The cat hopped off James's shoulder and onto the ground, landing on his feet of course, and dashed off.

James looked down and muttered something in Meowth's general direction. Well, he hoped the cat knew that he wasn't going to be waiting up for him. He just wanted to buy Jessie's (and his, now that he thought about it, he had every right to use her conditioner if she stole his hairspray!) bottle of conditioner and get out of here. It was late and he was tired, and the stars that shone in the sky made him remember things he would prefer not to think about but never wanted to forget.

Then again he wasn't exactly enjoying the thought of facing a new day which he couldn't look forward to. Nothing would happen tomorrow that he didn't already know about. Nothing would happen that he didn't already know about for the rest of his life. All the days that he didn't see when he saw his future would be ones which would fade from his memory after a short time.

He glanced up at the sky and wondered what Yume was doing right now. Probably fixing her robes and sitting all alone on that glass path, waiting for another chance to talk to someone. The thought made him even more depressed and he trudged on, forgetting he was coming up to the fountain.

When he did look up, he saw that the space in which the girl had been sitting was empty. He wandered over and sat down, too emotionally drained to care that his space he was seated was probably also the sight of a tearful and happy lover's rendezvous.

The fountain was still spraying sparkling water and lit up even at this time of night. He put his head in his hands and immersed himself in self pity, completely losing track of the time. After a while he attempted to get up, but stayed down when his fingers brushed something dry, still, and wrinkled. He looked over and saw that it was a note, probably written by the girl. But why would she leave a note? He concluded that there was a good chance she was stood up. James actually felt bad for her.

Being in Team Rocket, other people's privacy meant less than nothing to James. He picked up the note and looked it over. The handwriting was thin and spidery, but very feminine. On impulse he glanced down at the name on the bottom.

Yume.

A huge smile graced his features from ear to ear. What was she doing here? Did she really come and look for him? Where was she now? His hands shook as he read her letter.

Dear James,

After you left, my loneliness was too much to bear. I suppose after finding out what it's like to have a friend, one can never go back to being content with a life devoid of contact from others. That's how it was for me anyway. I broke the rules, James, and came down here looking for you. I know it was silly of me but I had to. I knew that you were going to come to this town, because you were fated to do so. I don't know why. So, I came here and sat at this fountain so I could look for you. I thought you would find me. But you never did. Well, now I don't know where you are. It would be pointless to stay any longer. I'm sure my absence has been found and my return is expected. I don't know what's going to happen to me, but maybe they'll move me to a different post. Guardian angels are always in demand, you know, but then again they are invisible to human eyes and silent to human ears. But I would be able to see and hear you, and that's something, right? I love you.

Until we meet again, Yume

James's earlier smiled dropped off his face as if an anvil was attached to it. Yume was the girl sitting at the fountain? He was the lucky guy? It was too much. He couldn't believe it. Why hadn't he just looked at her once?

A tear rolled lazily down his cheek and onto the note. Much to his surprise it vanished in his hands. James sat still for a while, trying to sort his thoughts, and then got up and ambled to the nearest store. He found the conditioner and paid for it, ignoring the strange look the cashier gave him. He was trying not to cry, but failing miserably. Sometimes he thought of himself as too emotional, but he knew that in a time like this anyone might have cried this way. On the other hand, he severely doubted anyone else had ever been put in his situation.

James only half remembered the events of the rest of the night. Somehow he'd met up with Meowth. No amount of the cat's prodding would get a word out of him. Most of the way back to camp was silent, and Meowth walked, as per Jessie's orders. Once they were back, and Jessie was content with her hair products in order, she too joined Meowth in trying to glean information out of James. Still he was quiet, and they all went to bed early after eating the first real food they'd had in months.

No one fell asleep for a long time, and the tension was almost unbearable. Usually when James couldn't sleep he would try to make conversation with one or more of his partners and be told to shut his mouth. Jessie would toss and turn until someone became annoyed, and then she would either fight with them or talk, if she was in a good mood. Meowth had a habit of wandering off late at night to try to find a pokemon to speak with, since humans were obviously boring.

Now all three of them didn't move. Most of the time Jessie and James's sleeping bags were very close, and there were a good amount of instances where Meowth curled up between them or on top of someone (if it was cold), but tonight everyone was spaced apart. James stared absently at the sky, stars, and moon, while Jessie and Meowth closed their eyes and pretended to sleep, even though their minds were racing. Both were wondering what was going on with James, although it was more for the sake of themselves than him. When would he be back to normal? Would the boss notice? Could they get fired for it? All were thankful when, one by one, they dropped off into slumber.

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James was awakened, rather rudely, by Jessie. The sun was already high in the sky, and he wondered how long he'd slept. It didn't matter to him anyway. It wasn't like today was going to be something special.

Unable to get out of his dark mood which had settled on him like frost after a particularly cold night, he shuffled out of bed and mechanically put on his uniform. Both Jessie and Meowth probably expected him to cook breakfast, but he wasn't up to it. He knew he was being unfair, it wasn't his partner's fault he asked for his future, or lost Yume, but he clung to the idea that he had a right to act this way.

Luckily for him, Jessie thought she saw Ash and his friends coming up the road near where their camp was, so he really wasn't expected to make any food. They didn't have a plan, but Jessie didn't care. She'd already decided they would have a pokemon battle. Maybe some twist of fate would let them win and make off with the twerp's rat.

"Alright," she said, "They're about ten minutes down the road, walking distance." She was being quite analytical about this. "There's another person with them, so watch out. We don't know what she has."

Wasn't there always another person with them? James thought. He grabbed his pokeballs, but wasn't really planning on using them. He already knew what was going to happen, what happened every time.

Jessie was already stationed in the bushes, holding her little Team Rocket binoculars, cackling evilly all the while. James resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He didn't know why, but everything seemed so monotonous to him all of a sudden. On a normal day he would be sitting right next to her, making a bad joke or fighting for a look through the lenses.

Meowth came into the clearing and sat down. "They're almost heeya," he said, to which Jessie rose and faced James.

"Alright," she said threateningly, "You had better participate this time."

"Sure, Jess," he said.

Soon snatches of a verbal fight between Misty and Ash could be heard, but it wasn't any different from the hundreds of others James had heard. Four shadows fell across the road. That was usually their cue to leap out and start the motto. Jessie did, anyway. James just trailed after her.

"Prepare for trouble!" cried Jessie enthusiastically.

James never got to say his line. He was too busy staring at the girl with the twerps. She was beautiful, to say the least, with long, shiny black hair gathered into covered buns on top of her head, and the excess running down on either side. Two locks of hair framed her pale face. Golden eyes accentuated milky skin. She wore a simple white sleeveless sundress and high heels. Standing next to Brock, she was just a little taller than him. High cheekbones, curved lips, and arched eyebrows combined with her perfect body to create a stunning picture of an absolutely gorgeous woman.

Brock, of course, was acutely aware of all this, and didn't even try to be discreet at he stared at her from behind. Even Ash was making an exaggerated show of using his pokemon to beat Team Rocket. Misty just looked peeved as Togepi trilled in her arms, oblivious to everything.

The girl made eye contact with James. At first she looked shocked, ogling at him as if he had somehow come back from the dead. Then, slowly, her features dissolved into relief and then joy as she flashed him a pearly smile.

He knew who she was as soon as he looked at her. It was true she looked different, but he didn't care. It was her. She was here. He finally found Yume.

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t.o.b.e.c.o.n.t.i.n.u.e.d