Chapter 5: Fear and guilt
Authors note: Ok now this is what happened straight after the Prologue. Confused yet? I know I was!
James didn't dare struggle as the two guards hauled him from Giovanni's office. He knew better than to cause a scene that could result in him getting hurt or worse. When they were down the corridor the guards stopped pulling him and allowed James to walk with one of them each side of him. James was so frightened that he felt numb inside. How had Giovanni found out about his gift? James couldn't think that Jesse or Meowth told him. They wouldn't do that would they? The feeling of doubt he had over their friendship bubbled up again. James firmly crushed that thought. They would never tell any one. They had all agreed. When Giovanni said he knew James thought it best to act dumb. Maybe Giovanni would think he was telling the truth. But Giovanni seemed almost certain that James could see the future. But why did Giovanni call for these guards to take him away? And where were they taking him? It was obvious why Giovanni challenged him to a battle. He wanted to see if James would
use his gift to win. Of course James knew better than to do that. The guards led James down a flight of stairs. Once at the bottom James' heart sank. Now he knew where they were taking him. To the basement where Giovanni kept his prisoners.
Jesse sat beside Meowth as he slept sobbing quietly. She wished James would hurry back. Jesse hated to admit it but she didn't want to be left on her own for too long when Meowth was so badly hurt. She had managed, with James' help, to straighten the broken leg and get it in some sort of cast. The others cuts and bruises Jesse had seen too with bandages from the first aid kit but still she was worried about the little cat. Meowth had been in so much pain. This couldn't be the work of a wild Pokemon? It seemed to be a premeditated attack. A wild Pokemon would have lashed out but the cuts and bruises seemed to be neat and not at all like they were made in a frenzied attack. Jesse wiped her eyes as Meowth stirred. She didn't want him to see how worried she was. "How are you?" Jesse asked softly.
"Ok" Meowth replied looking round the room "Where's James?"
"Giovanni wanted to see him. He'll be back later"
"What?" Meowth cried bolting up. This caused a stab of pain to jolt down his leg. He squealed in agony and sank back down. Jesse didn't know how to react to Meowth's concern. Deciding it was just that Meowth was worried about James going alone to see Giovanni Jesse spoke again. "Meowth the Boss isn't mad at us any more. James will be fine". Through Jesse had to admit that it was odd that James was summoned to the Viridian City HQ alone. He had taken the balloon so it wouldn't take too long for him to get there and back. Jesse guessed it would be the whole morning at the latest.
"Jess yous don't understand" Meowth whimpered. "Da Boss..." he broke off and looked away.
"I'll get you some thing to eat" Jesse said. Meowth watched her leave cursing himself for holding his tongue. He should have known that Butch and Cassidy would go straight to Giovanni with what he told them. Meowth didn't want to give in but the pain was so great and he didn't want them hurting Jesse either. He had to tell Jesse what really happened. Butch and Cassidy must have told the Boss what he told them. Meowth knew Giovanni too well. There was no telling what he'd do to James. But Meowth couldn't bring himself to do it. They had been so nice to him and he was in so much pain. It hurt to even breathe. Meowth wanted to tell Jesse but if she knew the truth then she might hate him. Meowth needed them right now. Maybe Butch and Cassidy had kept quiet. Giovanni would not believe them any way would he? I'll tell them when James gets back Meowth decided at last.
The rusted metal door slammed shut after him as James was thrown roughly into the prison in the basement. He hit the stone floor hard and cried out more in shock than pain as the breath was knocked from his body. The guards laughed at this before locking the basement doors. James sat up shivering slightly. The basement was cold and damp. He could hear the guards laughing outside. He wished he still had his Team Rocket jacket but the guards had made him take it off before they went into the basement. That was because Giovanni would not allow his prisoners to wear the Team Rocket logo. Leaving him with just the thin under T-shirt and white trousers. James didn't understand. What had he done wrong? Giovanni couldn't keep him locked up in here like a wild Pokemon. All he had done was use his gift to help his team get some of their past successes back. What was so bad about that? James shivered again and leaned back against the wall of the prison. The uniform wasn't warm at the
best of times but now the jacket was missing James felt the cold even more. James felt anger as well as fear. Giovanni couldn't treat him like this. Well whatever Giovanni wanted James was going to refuse. Giovanni thought he was stupid and would do any thing that any one wanted. Well he was going to be in for a shock this time. James silently vowed never to use his gift for any one again Jesse and Meowth included. But why was he angry with them? Meowth was seriously hurt. He didn't understand it and at the moment he didn't care. The anger was all he had to stop himself from crying. He just wanted to be let go. He hadn't done any thing wrong!
"So what did you do?" a harsh cold voice spoke out of the gloom of the prison. James trembled and moved away from the sound of the voice. "Who's there?" he asked.
"Its ok I won't hurt ya" the female voice spoke again. James heard movement and then he saw a girl about his own age through the darkness. "Who are you?"
"Talia" was the reply. James moved away again as she edged nearer. "Gee you are a shy one. Listen kid I'm not going to bite ya you know"
"I'm not a kid" James replied defensively.
"Take it easy" Talia said. She stared critically at him for a few minutes. James took this opportunity to get a proper look at the girl he was sharing the prison with. She was about his height with long green hair that was divided into about 6 neat curls at the ends. The curls, along with the bangs that just brushed her piercing blue eyes, were dyed silver. She wore a tight pink top with a leather jacket draped round her shoulders and a denim skirt with black tights. "You don't look like a traitor" Talia finally spoke again.
"I'm not," James said.
"Yeah whatever. So come on. What did you do? Did the bastard catch you talking to Officer Jenny like he did me or did he go through you're room?"
"You're a traitor?"
"Yep so I guess you could say we're family. What's you're name?"
"James"
"Ok then James. We're going to be here for a while so you may as well tell me. I don't care what it was you did."
"I'm not a traitor" James repeated.
"So then why are you here?"
"I don't know"
Talia studied him for a minute or two. She decided he was telling the truth. She reached into her jacket pocket and took out a packet of cigarettes. Talia lit one and offered the packet to James. He shook his head.
"Don't smoke? Well you'll have to start. It's the only way to pass the time in here"
James smiled slightly but didn't take one. He liked Talia's directness. She reminded him of Jesse in a way. Talia withdrew the packet and leaned back beside him. "You ok?" she asked.
"Fine" James said. "I just want to go home"
"Don't we all. There were three of us in it ya know"
"In what?"
"Our group. Me and my partner Taylor, and my best friend Nadine. Nadine wanted to kill Giovanni after the Silph screw up. Her partner and lover was killed. She blamed him and wanted him dead. I told her we could get revenge by giving away Team Rocket's secrets. I had a cousin in the police force see. He paid us more than double what Giovanni was. Nadine and Taylor were killed when the bastard found out. I've been here for a month now"
James didn't reply. In the training camp all agents were taught to report traitors. Jesse couldn't stand them. James didn't really think about it that much. Until now that was. "I reckon he'll have me killed soon. But I don't really care see. I figure that some one else will just carry on my treachery"
This saddened James. Talia didn't care that she was going to die? He couldn't imagine being ok with the fact that he was going to die. He sighed and closed his eyes. "The way I see it is I saved Nadine from a suicide mission." Talia said softly.
"But Giovanni killed her" James replied not understanding what Talia was talking about.
"Yes but throwing away your life for revenge is pretty pathetic and cowardly. It's the same with people who die to save another. You can only save the ones you care about by living not dying"
James didn't hear any more of this talk and was glad of this. He drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
The shrill ring of the videophone woke Jesse. She didn't even realise that she had fallen asleep on the worn sofa. Getting up she smoothed out her hair before answering. "Sir" she said in shock when the Boss's face flashed up onto the screen. Giovanni never called them personally any more. "Enjoying you're vacation I trust?" Giovanni enquired a hint of amusement in his voice as he saw the state Jesse was in.
"Yes sir" Jesse replied.
"Good now there has been a slight change of plan. I've asked James to do some jobs for me so for the time being you and Meowth will remain in the cabin understand?"
"Of course sir"
"Do you? Jessica this is really important. I do not want you wandering off any where understand?"
"I understand" Jesse repeated.
"Excellent." Giovanni looked round behind her "Where is Meowth?"
"He was hurt sir. Some wild Pokemon attacked him"
"Has he got the treatment he needs?"
"Well...no sir" Jesse looked at her feet as she said this. "I patched him up but his leg is pretty badly broken. He won't go to a Pokemon centre"
"That is wise" Giovanni said thoughtfully "That would bring attention to us. I'll send some one round to take a look at him"
Giovanni hung up before Jesse could say any thing else. She frowned what was Giovanni going on about? Bring attention to us? And why did he want her and Meowth to remain in the cabin? Giovanni was so insistent of that. Jesse found herself wishing that James were here again. She felt so lonely and almost frightened. Whoever had hurt Meowth might still be around. Not that James would be much help if whoever did it came back. He would hide behind Jesse and let her deal with them. Jesse smiled at this thought. She had always protected James when they were in Pokemon tech and they told each other every thing. What had changed? Both James and Meowth were keeping things from her. Jesse was beginning to wonder if it was because she was so horrible to them. She didn't mean to be but James did ask for it some times. He was so naïve that it made Jesse mad. James had no knowledge of how cruel and harsh the world could be. James didn't know how it was to loose a mother at 8 years old.
James had been brought up in a secure family home. Ok the Morgan's were not the world's best parents but at least James knew he was going to have a place to stay in at night and food on the table. Since her mother died Jesse had not had that luxury. Jesse knew she was being unfair. James was only a bit dumb because he had never had the chance to think for himself. All those servants at his home had done every thing for him. James never had to think. Jesse had to grow up on her own from an early age. She had to act tough and so did Meowth. But the cat was very selfish and always had been. Meowth often thought of himself first and them later. In fact when they first met Meowth had got along better with James than Jesse. Right from the start they were talking and laughing together. Jesse felt a bit left out through she hated to admit it. But of course Meowth had an underlying reason. James could be manipulated far too easily and Jesse had to admit again that she too took
advantage of this.
What am I doing? Jesse said to herself. I am tearing apart our friendship just because of the way things are now. Jesse wanted James to come back and it to be how it used to be so badly that tears formed in her eyes. That did it. No one especially not James Morgan was going to make her cry. "It is you're fault" she whispered fists clenched as she spoke. "You got every thing right from the start. You get the money and mansion but you give it up and let us live in near poverty. You get to be the one who turns our team around from being the worst team in Team Rocket history to being one of the best. Then you get to do jobs for the Boss whilst I have to wait here on my own for you come back. Why can't I get a break for once? I'm the smart one not you. I do the most for the team. All you do is close you're eyes for a few minutes and tell us what to do."
This outburst caused Jesse to feel weak inside. What the hell was that? James was her friend. Why should she feel this...jealousy towards him? He had it just as hard as she did maybe more so. He couldn't walk into a Team Rocket base without the fear of being beaten up. She was not being fair and she knew it. James had never known what it was like to have a parent who loved you. Jesse may have only had her mother for a short time but there was no doubt in her mind that Miyamoto loved her. As Jesse found out, living in luxury was not as great as she had thought it to be. Every day at that mansion had been torment for James. Jesse sighed and went back up the stairs to relay the Boss's instructions to Meowth. There was no point in dwelling on it now. Jesse wasn't jealous of James, not really. She just missed the old James. Well when James came back they would have to have that talk and Jesse was not going to put it off any longer. She wanted her best friend back.
Giovanni clicked the videophone off and leaned back in his chair smiling cruelly as he did so. This was working out so well. Jesse and Meowth didn't suspect a thing. Them staying where they were would give him an advantage when it came to seeing James again. Giovanni looked at the clock on his desk. It had been almost an hour since he sent James down the basement to `think things over'. Maybe it was time they had another little talk. But not here. Giovanni stood up and went to the door. There was some where more private that he had in mind.
Authors note: Ok now this is what happened straight after the Prologue. Confused yet? I know I was!
James didn't dare struggle as the two guards hauled him from Giovanni's office. He knew better than to cause a scene that could result in him getting hurt or worse. When they were down the corridor the guards stopped pulling him and allowed James to walk with one of them each side of him. James was so frightened that he felt numb inside. How had Giovanni found out about his gift? James couldn't think that Jesse or Meowth told him. They wouldn't do that would they? The feeling of doubt he had over their friendship bubbled up again. James firmly crushed that thought. They would never tell any one. They had all agreed. When Giovanni said he knew James thought it best to act dumb. Maybe Giovanni would think he was telling the truth. But Giovanni seemed almost certain that James could see the future. But why did Giovanni call for these guards to take him away? And where were they taking him? It was obvious why Giovanni challenged him to a battle. He wanted to see if James would
use his gift to win. Of course James knew better than to do that. The guards led James down a flight of stairs. Once at the bottom James' heart sank. Now he knew where they were taking him. To the basement where Giovanni kept his prisoners.
Jesse sat beside Meowth as he slept sobbing quietly. She wished James would hurry back. Jesse hated to admit it but she didn't want to be left on her own for too long when Meowth was so badly hurt. She had managed, with James' help, to straighten the broken leg and get it in some sort of cast. The others cuts and bruises Jesse had seen too with bandages from the first aid kit but still she was worried about the little cat. Meowth had been in so much pain. This couldn't be the work of a wild Pokemon? It seemed to be a premeditated attack. A wild Pokemon would have lashed out but the cuts and bruises seemed to be neat and not at all like they were made in a frenzied attack. Jesse wiped her eyes as Meowth stirred. She didn't want him to see how worried she was. "How are you?" Jesse asked softly.
"Ok" Meowth replied looking round the room "Where's James?"
"Giovanni wanted to see him. He'll be back later"
"What?" Meowth cried bolting up. This caused a stab of pain to jolt down his leg. He squealed in agony and sank back down. Jesse didn't know how to react to Meowth's concern. Deciding it was just that Meowth was worried about James going alone to see Giovanni Jesse spoke again. "Meowth the Boss isn't mad at us any more. James will be fine". Through Jesse had to admit that it was odd that James was summoned to the Viridian City HQ alone. He had taken the balloon so it wouldn't take too long for him to get there and back. Jesse guessed it would be the whole morning at the latest.
"Jess yous don't understand" Meowth whimpered. "Da Boss..." he broke off and looked away.
"I'll get you some thing to eat" Jesse said. Meowth watched her leave cursing himself for holding his tongue. He should have known that Butch and Cassidy would go straight to Giovanni with what he told them. Meowth didn't want to give in but the pain was so great and he didn't want them hurting Jesse either. He had to tell Jesse what really happened. Butch and Cassidy must have told the Boss what he told them. Meowth knew Giovanni too well. There was no telling what he'd do to James. But Meowth couldn't bring himself to do it. They had been so nice to him and he was in so much pain. It hurt to even breathe. Meowth wanted to tell Jesse but if she knew the truth then she might hate him. Meowth needed them right now. Maybe Butch and Cassidy had kept quiet. Giovanni would not believe them any way would he? I'll tell them when James gets back Meowth decided at last.
The rusted metal door slammed shut after him as James was thrown roughly into the prison in the basement. He hit the stone floor hard and cried out more in shock than pain as the breath was knocked from his body. The guards laughed at this before locking the basement doors. James sat up shivering slightly. The basement was cold and damp. He could hear the guards laughing outside. He wished he still had his Team Rocket jacket but the guards had made him take it off before they went into the basement. That was because Giovanni would not allow his prisoners to wear the Team Rocket logo. Leaving him with just the thin under T-shirt and white trousers. James didn't understand. What had he done wrong? Giovanni couldn't keep him locked up in here like a wild Pokemon. All he had done was use his gift to help his team get some of their past successes back. What was so bad about that? James shivered again and leaned back against the wall of the prison. The uniform wasn't warm at the
best of times but now the jacket was missing James felt the cold even more. James felt anger as well as fear. Giovanni couldn't treat him like this. Well whatever Giovanni wanted James was going to refuse. Giovanni thought he was stupid and would do any thing that any one wanted. Well he was going to be in for a shock this time. James silently vowed never to use his gift for any one again Jesse and Meowth included. But why was he angry with them? Meowth was seriously hurt. He didn't understand it and at the moment he didn't care. The anger was all he had to stop himself from crying. He just wanted to be let go. He hadn't done any thing wrong!
"So what did you do?" a harsh cold voice spoke out of the gloom of the prison. James trembled and moved away from the sound of the voice. "Who's there?" he asked.
"Its ok I won't hurt ya" the female voice spoke again. James heard movement and then he saw a girl about his own age through the darkness. "Who are you?"
"Talia" was the reply. James moved away again as she edged nearer. "Gee you are a shy one. Listen kid I'm not going to bite ya you know"
"I'm not a kid" James replied defensively.
"Take it easy" Talia said. She stared critically at him for a few minutes. James took this opportunity to get a proper look at the girl he was sharing the prison with. She was about his height with long green hair that was divided into about 6 neat curls at the ends. The curls, along with the bangs that just brushed her piercing blue eyes, were dyed silver. She wore a tight pink top with a leather jacket draped round her shoulders and a denim skirt with black tights. "You don't look like a traitor" Talia finally spoke again.
"I'm not," James said.
"Yeah whatever. So come on. What did you do? Did the bastard catch you talking to Officer Jenny like he did me or did he go through you're room?"
"You're a traitor?"
"Yep so I guess you could say we're family. What's you're name?"
"James"
"Ok then James. We're going to be here for a while so you may as well tell me. I don't care what it was you did."
"I'm not a traitor" James repeated.
"So then why are you here?"
"I don't know"
Talia studied him for a minute or two. She decided he was telling the truth. She reached into her jacket pocket and took out a packet of cigarettes. Talia lit one and offered the packet to James. He shook his head.
"Don't smoke? Well you'll have to start. It's the only way to pass the time in here"
James smiled slightly but didn't take one. He liked Talia's directness. She reminded him of Jesse in a way. Talia withdrew the packet and leaned back beside him. "You ok?" she asked.
"Fine" James said. "I just want to go home"
"Don't we all. There were three of us in it ya know"
"In what?"
"Our group. Me and my partner Taylor, and my best friend Nadine. Nadine wanted to kill Giovanni after the Silph screw up. Her partner and lover was killed. She blamed him and wanted him dead. I told her we could get revenge by giving away Team Rocket's secrets. I had a cousin in the police force see. He paid us more than double what Giovanni was. Nadine and Taylor were killed when the bastard found out. I've been here for a month now"
James didn't reply. In the training camp all agents were taught to report traitors. Jesse couldn't stand them. James didn't really think about it that much. Until now that was. "I reckon he'll have me killed soon. But I don't really care see. I figure that some one else will just carry on my treachery"
This saddened James. Talia didn't care that she was going to die? He couldn't imagine being ok with the fact that he was going to die. He sighed and closed his eyes. "The way I see it is I saved Nadine from a suicide mission." Talia said softly.
"But Giovanni killed her" James replied not understanding what Talia was talking about.
"Yes but throwing away your life for revenge is pretty pathetic and cowardly. It's the same with people who die to save another. You can only save the ones you care about by living not dying"
James didn't hear any more of this talk and was glad of this. He drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
The shrill ring of the videophone woke Jesse. She didn't even realise that she had fallen asleep on the worn sofa. Getting up she smoothed out her hair before answering. "Sir" she said in shock when the Boss's face flashed up onto the screen. Giovanni never called them personally any more. "Enjoying you're vacation I trust?" Giovanni enquired a hint of amusement in his voice as he saw the state Jesse was in.
"Yes sir" Jesse replied.
"Good now there has been a slight change of plan. I've asked James to do some jobs for me so for the time being you and Meowth will remain in the cabin understand?"
"Of course sir"
"Do you? Jessica this is really important. I do not want you wandering off any where understand?"
"I understand" Jesse repeated.
"Excellent." Giovanni looked round behind her "Where is Meowth?"
"He was hurt sir. Some wild Pokemon attacked him"
"Has he got the treatment he needs?"
"Well...no sir" Jesse looked at her feet as she said this. "I patched him up but his leg is pretty badly broken. He won't go to a Pokemon centre"
"That is wise" Giovanni said thoughtfully "That would bring attention to us. I'll send some one round to take a look at him"
Giovanni hung up before Jesse could say any thing else. She frowned what was Giovanni going on about? Bring attention to us? And why did he want her and Meowth to remain in the cabin? Giovanni was so insistent of that. Jesse found herself wishing that James were here again. She felt so lonely and almost frightened. Whoever had hurt Meowth might still be around. Not that James would be much help if whoever did it came back. He would hide behind Jesse and let her deal with them. Jesse smiled at this thought. She had always protected James when they were in Pokemon tech and they told each other every thing. What had changed? Both James and Meowth were keeping things from her. Jesse was beginning to wonder if it was because she was so horrible to them. She didn't mean to be but James did ask for it some times. He was so naïve that it made Jesse mad. James had no knowledge of how cruel and harsh the world could be. James didn't know how it was to loose a mother at 8 years old.
James had been brought up in a secure family home. Ok the Morgan's were not the world's best parents but at least James knew he was going to have a place to stay in at night and food on the table. Since her mother died Jesse had not had that luxury. Jesse knew she was being unfair. James was only a bit dumb because he had never had the chance to think for himself. All those servants at his home had done every thing for him. James never had to think. Jesse had to grow up on her own from an early age. She had to act tough and so did Meowth. But the cat was very selfish and always had been. Meowth often thought of himself first and them later. In fact when they first met Meowth had got along better with James than Jesse. Right from the start they were talking and laughing together. Jesse felt a bit left out through she hated to admit it. But of course Meowth had an underlying reason. James could be manipulated far too easily and Jesse had to admit again that she too took
advantage of this.
What am I doing? Jesse said to herself. I am tearing apart our friendship just because of the way things are now. Jesse wanted James to come back and it to be how it used to be so badly that tears formed in her eyes. That did it. No one especially not James Morgan was going to make her cry. "It is you're fault" she whispered fists clenched as she spoke. "You got every thing right from the start. You get the money and mansion but you give it up and let us live in near poverty. You get to be the one who turns our team around from being the worst team in Team Rocket history to being one of the best. Then you get to do jobs for the Boss whilst I have to wait here on my own for you come back. Why can't I get a break for once? I'm the smart one not you. I do the most for the team. All you do is close you're eyes for a few minutes and tell us what to do."
This outburst caused Jesse to feel weak inside. What the hell was that? James was her friend. Why should she feel this...jealousy towards him? He had it just as hard as she did maybe more so. He couldn't walk into a Team Rocket base without the fear of being beaten up. She was not being fair and she knew it. James had never known what it was like to have a parent who loved you. Jesse may have only had her mother for a short time but there was no doubt in her mind that Miyamoto loved her. As Jesse found out, living in luxury was not as great as she had thought it to be. Every day at that mansion had been torment for James. Jesse sighed and went back up the stairs to relay the Boss's instructions to Meowth. There was no point in dwelling on it now. Jesse wasn't jealous of James, not really. She just missed the old James. Well when James came back they would have to have that talk and Jesse was not going to put it off any longer. She wanted her best friend back.
Giovanni clicked the videophone off and leaned back in his chair smiling cruelly as he did so. This was working out so well. Jesse and Meowth didn't suspect a thing. Them staying where they were would give him an advantage when it came to seeing James again. Giovanni looked at the clock on his desk. It had been almost an hour since he sent James down the basement to `think things over'. Maybe it was time they had another little talk. But not here. Giovanni stood up and went to the door. There was some where more private that he had in mind.