PART FOUR:
James did not leave Serena's house until later in the evening. Serena had asked James to stay for pizza when she found a note and some money attached to the refrigerator in the kitchen. James agreed right away. He liked pizza and he LOVED Serena. Staying for supper only meant that he got to spend more time with her and gaze into those electrifying blue eyes of hers. Even a Pikachu wasn't half as electrifying!!
Over dinner, James told Serena about his tainted childhood. He even told her about his Growlithe, only he said "my puppy" instead of "my Growlithe".
Serena was intrigued. She only had a simple black cat. But, Luna COULD talk. She was certain James probably hadn't met any talking cats recently.
James said any type of cat make the best pet and Serena agreed.
Serena asked James where he lived and he told her the name of the apartment building, leaving out details. He said he was staying there with a friend... he didn't say his best friend Jessy.
"I'd invite you over," he added, "But my friend is sick... and annoying, We wouldn't have much privacy there."
Serena told James she didn't care where they hung out together as long as she could be with him. James gave her that charming smile again.
Serena also told James a few secrets, but nothing too detailed. She told him about her real mother (Serenity), leaving out the fact that she was a Queen. Serena just told James that she was her real mother's namesake and that her mother had died in order to save the lives of many others. James didn't question it any further. He was amazed at this new information. He avoided his parents like the plague, but he could never imagine what it was like to lose a parent like Serena had. He sympathized with her. Both of them seemed to have painful pasts.
"But we're going to have a glorious future together," James promised her.
"And we'll make sure our children have nothing but happy memories."
Serena liked the thought of that. She was tired of her past haunting her.
She hated it with Darien, knowing what the future contained. She liked being with James, not knowing and planning a future that would be full of wonderful surprises. She knew she was in love with James. She couldn't imagine feeling the way she did about anyone else, except James.
But there were still secrets. Serena was Sailor Moon... on the side of good. James was a Rocket... on the side of evil. That was the biggest difference between them and probably the one thing that would force them apart. But James had no idea Serena was Sailor Moon and she had no idea that James was a Rocket and worked for evil. At this point, it was the furthest thing from their minds. Their love for each other blinded them.
James was hesitant to leave, as he and Serena stood on the porch steps.
There were no words he could think to say that would describe how he was feeling.
"I'll see you tomorrow, James," Serena whispered.
"I'll take you to that disco you mentioned at dinner," he promised, then moved his mouth over hers, devouring it's softness. Serena locked her arms around his neck as they kissed under the stars and the gentle glow of the moon. When they parted and James walked away, waving to her as he slipped around the corner, Serena put her fingertips to her lips. His kiss good bye had left her mouth burning with fire. Even in remembrance, she felt the intimacy of his kisses.
Serena stood outside for a long time before going back inside. She stared at the moon that had once been her home and said out loud, "I'm sorry, Mother. But I can't be with Darien anymore. Please understand."
There was no response. Serena didn't expect one, but she felt that she had to say it out loud and to her mother, because she really felt that way.
She decided to go over to Darien's apartment the following day and tell him, too.
***
James' mind was filled with the events of the day, and he even noticed that he had a little bounce in his step that evening. This was a day he'd never forget. As soon as he arrived back home and everyone was asleep, he was going to write in his diary about all the wonderful things that had happened to him. And especially about his first exhilarating experience in bed with a girl. No-- a woman.
But when he entered the apartment, he was greeted by Jessy's scowling face. She was obviously no longer ill, was dressed in her Team Rocket uniform and she was holding a stack of what looked to James, like photos.
"Jessy," he acknowledged her. "Is there something wrong? Here, I brought you a magazine, like I promised." He handed her the magazine and she whacked it out of his hands, violently. Her face was red with anger.
Meowth sat on the couch, watching with wide-eyes.
"You can stick your magazine!" Jessy blurted and James stepped back in shock. "When were you planning on telling me about this?" she demanded, shaking the stack of photos in James' face. "About... HER?" She pointed to the picture on top, which was Serena leaving her house. (Meowth had taken that picture when she left to meet Rei and the others at the Temple).
"Well?" Jessy inquired, thrusting the photos at James. He took them and looked through them, shocked and stunned. His whole day with Serena was captured in these photos. The last photo was James and Serena in bed, kissing passionately. Still fully clothed, but James wondered if Jessy had actually watched the rest of what they did.
"You... followed me?" were the only words that James could manage.
"No, I didn't," Jessy replied, "Meowth did."
James looked at Meowth.
"It was HER idea!" Meowth told James, "She told me to do it."
James looked at Jessy.
"He didn't have to listen." Jessy said, calmly.
James looked at Meowth again.
"She threatened me with bodily harm!" Meowth exclaimed.
James looked at Jessy, then shook his head to clear his thoughts. He was not only upset and angry, but hurt as well. He never imagined either of his friends would ever do a thing like this to him.
"How could you do this to me?" James demanded, close to tears.
Jessy looked shocked.
"How could I do this to YOU?" she raged. "How could YOU do this to ME?
I was lying here, sick as a... a dog and you were off gallivanting, screwing some blonde chick!"
"She's not just some chick," James told Jessy through clenched teeth.
"Her name is Serena."
"Like I care!" Jessy snapped. "That doesn't excuse you for running off every day, when you should've been HERE, taking care of me!"
"It's not like I left you all by yourself, Jessy!" James said in defense.
"Meowth was here."
"Well you might as well have left me alone," Jessy informed him. "Meowth was just a useless fur ball while you were gone."
"I was not!" Meowth argued.
"Yes you were," Jessy insisted. "I asked you to get me a glass of juice and you acted like I asked you to climb Mount Everest."
Meowth glared and Jessy and scowled. Jessy turned back to James.
"So, was she good?" Jessy demanded, bluntly.
"What?" James asked, confused.
"That girl you screwed!" Jessy answered. "Was she any good?"
That did it. James was furious.
"STOP SAYING THAT!" he shouted at the top of his lungs. "It wasn't like that, Jessy! It wasn't... it was..."
"Was WHAT?" Jessy interrupted.
James looked at her, as if trying to make her understand something. Then he replied, "It was my first time."
Silence thicker that fog fell upon them. James looked down at the floor, feeling defeated. Meowth stopped scowling and looked at James. Jessy just glared at him. She was actually more jealous than angry. But she was good at covering that up. Way in the back of Jessy's mind, where she hid all her most secret thoughts and feelings, she was jealous. Deep down, she was in love with James. She only teased him and bossed him around because she liked him. That was her way of showing affection. She didn't really know how to be nice to him. And she never thought James would lose his virginity before she did. Jessy had always secretly hoped that she would lose her virginity, before... no... WITH James. Together.
James, himself often thought that Jessy would be the one. But he wasn't so sure. He had trouble understanding her whenever she covered up. They spent so much time together and they WERE best friends. James loved her, too.
James sighed and broke the silence. "I knew you two wouldn't understand."
He started to walk away, towards the bedroom, when Meowth spoke up.
"Remember Meowzee?" Meowth asked. "I understand, James."
James smiled at Meowth in thanks.
"All right, I understand, too," Jessy finally admitted. "Something special happened to you and I guess I should be happy for you." She was still frowning, but James knew that she was being honest. He ran to his teammate, his partner, his best friend and kissed and hugged her.
"Jessy, thank-you," James said. "I love Serena and I love you, too.
Just in a different way. Nobody could ever replace you."
Jessy blushed as James hugged her. By the time he pulled away, she had recovered and put on her defiant front.
"I should hope not." she declared. James just smiled and gave her that "Jessy-really-does-care- look".
"You can meet her," James suggested, getting excited. "I'll introduce you. I know you'll like her. Maybe we could all have dinner together. Or--"
"Uh, James," Meowth cut-in. "I hate to rain on your parade, but we're gonna be leaving for Saffron City the day after tomorrow. You're gonna have to tell your girlfriend that you're leaving."
James froze. The thought of leaving Crystal Tokyo hadn't even crossed his mind once since he had been with Serena. He'd have to break up with her!
"Oh no!" James wailed. "I... I can't leave her! I just can't break her heart... I promised I'd NEVER break her heart."
"James, how could you make a promise like that?" Jessy demanded. "Never promise a girl you'll never break her heart, because sooner or later, you will!"
Jessy remembered her own broken heart when her first true love moved away.
"I won't!" James said, defiantly. "I won't be Darien!"
"Who's Darien?" Jessy inquired.
"The most insensitive, piece of crap, bastard... THING... on two legs!"
James spat, his temperature rising to a boil. "This is all his fault, you know! If he hadn't tossed Serena away like and old shoe, I wouldn't have had to comfort her. Then I wouldn't have fallen in love with her like this. I could have kept following her, loving her from a distance, then we could've left and I wouldn't have to... to do this."
"So this Darien just dumped her for no reason?" Jessy asked.
James nodded. "He didn't say much of anything. He just said, "It's best for you." The he walked away."
Jessy couldn't believe it. She was a woman herself and she would be devastated if a guy ever gave her a lame line like that. This enraged her.
"What kind of an excuse is that?" she shouted to no one in particular.
"It's stupid, I know." James declared. How he hated Darien!!!
"Just like Meowzee did to me." Meowth sighed. "Thrown away like an old shirt."
"No woman should be treated like an old shirt!" Jessy expressed. "And no Meowth should be treated like that, either. But we already took care of that." Jessy rubbed the palms of her hands together and narrowed her eyes, fiercely. James knew that look. She had a scheme up her sleeve.
"James," she looked him straight in the eye., "you are still going to have to say good-bye... but...why don't leave Serena a little gift before our departure."
"What do you suggest?" James asked, eagerly.
"Let's leave Darien bruised, broken and beaten... just for her!" Jessy said. "Just for breaking her heart."
James loved the idea. He and Meowth jumped around excitedly. What a gift this would be! Give Darien a taste of his own medicine. See how he'd like a dose of Double Trouble.
***
That night, James tossed and turned. He was anxious to pay Darien a visit... they hadn't had a good scrap in a long time. Wheezing and Arbok hadn't been out of their Pokeballs in days. This was the perfect plan.
But James was still upset about having to leave Serena. They had even talked about a future together. This, James thought, would be the hardest thing he'd ever have to do. This was even harder than telling The Boss for the thousandth time that he and Jessy had failed to capture Pikachu. How could he have been so dumb, forgetting that they were due to meet The Boss in Saffron City in just a day? James cursed himself for that. This was going to hurt. A lot. He just hoped Serena would like the gift he'd leave, with Jessy's help.
***
Jessy and James were on their way to Darien's apartment, dressed in their Team Rocket apparel. There weren't many people around to notice them, which was good.
"So how are you going to present Serena with her gift?" Jessy questioned James as they walked down the street.
"Well, I'll go and get her and bring her to Darien's apartment." James said. "Then I'll explain to her why I have to leave and I'll say good bye." James sighed, heavily.
"Don't worry, James." Jessy said as kindly as she could. "You'll still have me. And Meowth."
James managed a small smile. They walked the rest of the way to Darien's apartment in silence. Once there, they took a few deep breaths, stretched out their muscles and put their minds into Team Rocket Mode. Darien was in for a big surprise!
In his apartment, Darien was just about to settle down in front of the television with a cup of coffee. He felt awful. He hated what he did to Serena. But he was afraid she would be harmed if he continued to ignore the voice in his dreams that told him to stay away from her. He was afraid that the voice was right... that if he stayed with Serena, she would die.
Darien was about to sit down, when he suddenly sensed another presence in the room. There was a cold chill in the apartment. Darien knew he wasn't alone. Somebody was there. He sensed danger. He put down his cup of coffee and called out, "Who's there?"
A light breeze ruffled his hair and he heard this:
"Prepare for trouble!"
"Make it double!"
Darien saw two silhouettes in his bedroom doorway.
"Who's there?" he repeated, gathering up more courage.
"To protect the world from devastation;"
"To unite all peoples within our nation;"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love;"
"To extend our reach to the stars above;"
Darien was puzzled. These people obviously weren't the typical Negaverse Creatures he was used to . "Who are you?" he pleaded to know.
The silhouettes emerged, introducing themselves:
"Jessy!"
"James!"
There was a woman with bright red hair and and a man with lavender blue hair. They were standing back to back. On their shirts was a big red "R".
"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!" Jessy shouted.
"Surrender now, or prepare to FIGHT!" James finished.
Then a cat who walked on only two legs came out from behind Jessy and James.
"Meowth! That's right!"
Darien didn't look the least bit scared. He looked more surprised than anything.
"Great, just what this town needs, another talking cat!" he remarked, sarcastically.
"What do you mean, ANOTHER?" Meowth asked.
Darien paid him no attention. He stared at James.
"And what's with you, copying my trademark red rose?" he inquired.
"The Red Rose is MY trademark." James insisted, scowling at Darien.
"What makes you think it's yours?"
"Because I am Tuxedo Mask!" Darien announced, pulling a red rose out of his green sports jacket and then going through his famous, spectacular transformation right before the bewildered eyes of Team Rocket. He grinned at them, cunningly.
"You're Tuxedo Mask?" James asked in amazement, and Darien nodded very slowly. James burst out laughing. He couldn't believe this jerk was the famous Tuxedo Mask he had read about in the paper the other day.
"James, do we know him?" Jessy inquired. "Why are you laughing?"
"He's supposed to be some Super Hero," James whispered to her. "I read about it in the paper. Apparently he works for a group of heroines known as the Sailor Senshi."
Jessy started to laugh along with James. Meowth joined in, even though he had no clue WHY they were laughing.
"You fool!" Jessy spat at Tuxedo Mask. "You'll never defeat Team Rocket!" She threw her Pokeball at him. "Go Arbok!"
"Go Wheezing!" James added.
Tuxedo Mask held his cane out to block away their attack. He didn't expect a huge snake and some round smelly thing to come out of those red and white balls. He fell over in shock. Darien hated snakes more than he hated needles!!
"Wheezing!" James ordered, "Smog Attack!" Tuxedo Mask was blinded by a thick, black fog. He coughed and choked.
"Arbok, Screech attack!" Jessy said as she, James and Meowth covered their ears as Arbok let out a loud, horrible and deafening screech.
Darien's head was pounding and he screamed, "OWWW!! Make it stop!"
Jessy and James just laughed.
"You're no match for our Pokemon, Cape Boy!" James exclaimed.
Serena had just arrived at Darien's apartment. She was there, as she had planned the night before, to tell him that she had somebody else and she never wanted to speak to him again. But then she heard the commotion inside. Darien was in trouble.
"NO!" she heard his terrified scream. "GET IT AWAY!!!"
Serena was suddenly no longer upset at Darien. Her dear Darien. What was happening to him? She quickly called the Senshi on her communicator and the transformed into Sailor Moon. She kicked the door open, only to find the room full of black smoke. She shielded her eyes and tried to see through the blackness. But it was far too thick. The next thing she heard was a woman's voice. "Arbok! Wrap!"
Electric currents shot through Darien and his muscles spasmed violently.
Serena heard a man and a woman laughing, wickedly. The fog finally cleared enough so that Serena saw only Jessy. James was still behind what was left of the fog. Darien was laying motionless on the floor.
"Stop right there!" Serena yelled, posing. "You've wreaked havoc in here for the last time! In the name of the Moon, I'll punish you!"
"And who are you?" Jessy demanded.
"I am Sailor Moon, the Champion of Justice!" Serena went-on, "I will right wrongs and triumph over evil..."
"Along with Sailor Jupiter!" The rest of the Senshi had arrived and joined in.
"Sailor Mercury!"
"Sailor Mars!"
"And Sailor Venus!"
"We'll punish you!" they all chanted.
The rest of the smog cleared and James stepped into view.
"Jupiter Thunder----"
"STOP!" Serena screamed, in horror. Her eyes and James' eyes grew as big as saucers as their gazes met.
"Serena?" James approached the Sailor-Suited Soldier in total shock. His mouth hung open.
"James." Serena confirmed her identity and his.
James took Serena's hands into his.
"THIS is James?" Sailor Mars inquired in astonishment.
"You're.... you're..... evil...." Serena could barely say the words.
"James... of Team Rocket."
James could only nod. He couldn't believe it. They were opposites.
COMPLETE opposites. There was nothing more opposite than Good and Evil.
Serena pulled her hands out of James' gentle grasp. She reached up to touch his face and James closed his eyes, waiting for her to caress his cheek. She paused, looked over at Darien laying on the floor, injured and then back at James again. She looked back and forth, obviously trying to decide something. James kept his eyes closed. Serena had to do what was right. What she was destined to do. She ran to Darien and took him into her arms.
"Oh, Darien, I love you so much!" she sobbed. James felt his heart sink into his stomach. His eyes filled with tears and he swallowed a sob.
"I love you, too, Serena," Darien croaked, even though he was in unbearable pain. "I never meant to hurt you. I... I want to be with you... forever."
James felt like someone had just torn his heart right out of his chest and stomped on it. He fell to his knees and cried. It wasn't fair. Serena, Growly, his parents... it just wasn't fair.
Jessy put a comforting hand on James' shoulder. Meowth patted James on the back. He knew exactly how James felt. Serena had run from James and into the arms of her injured love, just like Meowzee had run from Meowth to the injured Persian.
The Sailor Senshi stood in the doorway, trying to piece together what had just happened. The only people who weren't confused were James and Serena.
James knew he couldn't be with Serena and Serena knew she couldn't be with James. And that was that.
James finally got up and he and Jessy summoned their Pokemon back into their Pokeballs. Then they started to leave. James looked at Serena once more, blew her a kiss and then followed Jessy and Meowth past the Senshi and out the door. Serena got up to watch James leave. Sailor Jupiter got ready to attack them, but Serena put her arm out.
"Jupiter..." she said and Jupiter stopped. "They're leaving and we'll let them." Serena watched with a heavy heart as the man with the snake-charming smile, the intriguing green eyes and the lavender-blue hair disappeared around the next hallway and walked out of her life forever.
She fought to stay in control, but it was no use. She still loved James.
"Damn Destiny!" she cursed, tears slipping from her crystal blue eyes.
"Good bye, James..."
***
James looked up at the window of Darien's apartment, fighting the urge to run back up there, take Serena into his arms, and kiss her with so much passion that they'd both ignite a fire that would burn them down to ashes.
Then nobody could say or do anything and they wouldn't have to walk away from one another.
"James, look on the bright side!" Meowth tried to bring a little cheer to his friend. "This is a great day!"
"That's right!" Jessy chimed-in. "This is the first time we didn't have to say, "Looks like Team Rocket is blasting off again!"."
James looked at his friends... and then he laughed.
***
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James did not leave Serena's house until later in the evening. Serena had asked James to stay for pizza when she found a note and some money attached to the refrigerator in the kitchen. James agreed right away. He liked pizza and he LOVED Serena. Staying for supper only meant that he got to spend more time with her and gaze into those electrifying blue eyes of hers. Even a Pikachu wasn't half as electrifying!!
Over dinner, James told Serena about his tainted childhood. He even told her about his Growlithe, only he said "my puppy" instead of "my Growlithe".
Serena was intrigued. She only had a simple black cat. But, Luna COULD talk. She was certain James probably hadn't met any talking cats recently.
James said any type of cat make the best pet and Serena agreed.
Serena asked James where he lived and he told her the name of the apartment building, leaving out details. He said he was staying there with a friend... he didn't say his best friend Jessy.
"I'd invite you over," he added, "But my friend is sick... and annoying, We wouldn't have much privacy there."
Serena told James she didn't care where they hung out together as long as she could be with him. James gave her that charming smile again.
Serena also told James a few secrets, but nothing too detailed. She told him about her real mother (Serenity), leaving out the fact that she was a Queen. Serena just told James that she was her real mother's namesake and that her mother had died in order to save the lives of many others. James didn't question it any further. He was amazed at this new information. He avoided his parents like the plague, but he could never imagine what it was like to lose a parent like Serena had. He sympathized with her. Both of them seemed to have painful pasts.
"But we're going to have a glorious future together," James promised her.
"And we'll make sure our children have nothing but happy memories."
Serena liked the thought of that. She was tired of her past haunting her.
She hated it with Darien, knowing what the future contained. She liked being with James, not knowing and planning a future that would be full of wonderful surprises. She knew she was in love with James. She couldn't imagine feeling the way she did about anyone else, except James.
But there were still secrets. Serena was Sailor Moon... on the side of good. James was a Rocket... on the side of evil. That was the biggest difference between them and probably the one thing that would force them apart. But James had no idea Serena was Sailor Moon and she had no idea that James was a Rocket and worked for evil. At this point, it was the furthest thing from their minds. Their love for each other blinded them.
James was hesitant to leave, as he and Serena stood on the porch steps.
There were no words he could think to say that would describe how he was feeling.
"I'll see you tomorrow, James," Serena whispered.
"I'll take you to that disco you mentioned at dinner," he promised, then moved his mouth over hers, devouring it's softness. Serena locked her arms around his neck as they kissed under the stars and the gentle glow of the moon. When they parted and James walked away, waving to her as he slipped around the corner, Serena put her fingertips to her lips. His kiss good bye had left her mouth burning with fire. Even in remembrance, she felt the intimacy of his kisses.
Serena stood outside for a long time before going back inside. She stared at the moon that had once been her home and said out loud, "I'm sorry, Mother. But I can't be with Darien anymore. Please understand."
There was no response. Serena didn't expect one, but she felt that she had to say it out loud and to her mother, because she really felt that way.
She decided to go over to Darien's apartment the following day and tell him, too.
***
James' mind was filled with the events of the day, and he even noticed that he had a little bounce in his step that evening. This was a day he'd never forget. As soon as he arrived back home and everyone was asleep, he was going to write in his diary about all the wonderful things that had happened to him. And especially about his first exhilarating experience in bed with a girl. No-- a woman.
But when he entered the apartment, he was greeted by Jessy's scowling face. She was obviously no longer ill, was dressed in her Team Rocket uniform and she was holding a stack of what looked to James, like photos.
"Jessy," he acknowledged her. "Is there something wrong? Here, I brought you a magazine, like I promised." He handed her the magazine and she whacked it out of his hands, violently. Her face was red with anger.
Meowth sat on the couch, watching with wide-eyes.
"You can stick your magazine!" Jessy blurted and James stepped back in shock. "When were you planning on telling me about this?" she demanded, shaking the stack of photos in James' face. "About... HER?" She pointed to the picture on top, which was Serena leaving her house. (Meowth had taken that picture when she left to meet Rei and the others at the Temple).
"Well?" Jessy inquired, thrusting the photos at James. He took them and looked through them, shocked and stunned. His whole day with Serena was captured in these photos. The last photo was James and Serena in bed, kissing passionately. Still fully clothed, but James wondered if Jessy had actually watched the rest of what they did.
"You... followed me?" were the only words that James could manage.
"No, I didn't," Jessy replied, "Meowth did."
James looked at Meowth.
"It was HER idea!" Meowth told James, "She told me to do it."
James looked at Jessy.
"He didn't have to listen." Jessy said, calmly.
James looked at Meowth again.
"She threatened me with bodily harm!" Meowth exclaimed.
James looked at Jessy, then shook his head to clear his thoughts. He was not only upset and angry, but hurt as well. He never imagined either of his friends would ever do a thing like this to him.
"How could you do this to me?" James demanded, close to tears.
Jessy looked shocked.
"How could I do this to YOU?" she raged. "How could YOU do this to ME?
I was lying here, sick as a... a dog and you were off gallivanting, screwing some blonde chick!"
"She's not just some chick," James told Jessy through clenched teeth.
"Her name is Serena."
"Like I care!" Jessy snapped. "That doesn't excuse you for running off every day, when you should've been HERE, taking care of me!"
"It's not like I left you all by yourself, Jessy!" James said in defense.
"Meowth was here."
"Well you might as well have left me alone," Jessy informed him. "Meowth was just a useless fur ball while you were gone."
"I was not!" Meowth argued.
"Yes you were," Jessy insisted. "I asked you to get me a glass of juice and you acted like I asked you to climb Mount Everest."
Meowth glared and Jessy and scowled. Jessy turned back to James.
"So, was she good?" Jessy demanded, bluntly.
"What?" James asked, confused.
"That girl you screwed!" Jessy answered. "Was she any good?"
That did it. James was furious.
"STOP SAYING THAT!" he shouted at the top of his lungs. "It wasn't like that, Jessy! It wasn't... it was..."
"Was WHAT?" Jessy interrupted.
James looked at her, as if trying to make her understand something. Then he replied, "It was my first time."
Silence thicker that fog fell upon them. James looked down at the floor, feeling defeated. Meowth stopped scowling and looked at James. Jessy just glared at him. She was actually more jealous than angry. But she was good at covering that up. Way in the back of Jessy's mind, where she hid all her most secret thoughts and feelings, she was jealous. Deep down, she was in love with James. She only teased him and bossed him around because she liked him. That was her way of showing affection. She didn't really know how to be nice to him. And she never thought James would lose his virginity before she did. Jessy had always secretly hoped that she would lose her virginity, before... no... WITH James. Together.
James, himself often thought that Jessy would be the one. But he wasn't so sure. He had trouble understanding her whenever she covered up. They spent so much time together and they WERE best friends. James loved her, too.
James sighed and broke the silence. "I knew you two wouldn't understand."
He started to walk away, towards the bedroom, when Meowth spoke up.
"Remember Meowzee?" Meowth asked. "I understand, James."
James smiled at Meowth in thanks.
"All right, I understand, too," Jessy finally admitted. "Something special happened to you and I guess I should be happy for you." She was still frowning, but James knew that she was being honest. He ran to his teammate, his partner, his best friend and kissed and hugged her.
"Jessy, thank-you," James said. "I love Serena and I love you, too.
Just in a different way. Nobody could ever replace you."
Jessy blushed as James hugged her. By the time he pulled away, she had recovered and put on her defiant front.
"I should hope not." she declared. James just smiled and gave her that "Jessy-really-does-care- look".
"You can meet her," James suggested, getting excited. "I'll introduce you. I know you'll like her. Maybe we could all have dinner together. Or--"
"Uh, James," Meowth cut-in. "I hate to rain on your parade, but we're gonna be leaving for Saffron City the day after tomorrow. You're gonna have to tell your girlfriend that you're leaving."
James froze. The thought of leaving Crystal Tokyo hadn't even crossed his mind once since he had been with Serena. He'd have to break up with her!
"Oh no!" James wailed. "I... I can't leave her! I just can't break her heart... I promised I'd NEVER break her heart."
"James, how could you make a promise like that?" Jessy demanded. "Never promise a girl you'll never break her heart, because sooner or later, you will!"
Jessy remembered her own broken heart when her first true love moved away.
"I won't!" James said, defiantly. "I won't be Darien!"
"Who's Darien?" Jessy inquired.
"The most insensitive, piece of crap, bastard... THING... on two legs!"
James spat, his temperature rising to a boil. "This is all his fault, you know! If he hadn't tossed Serena away like and old shoe, I wouldn't have had to comfort her. Then I wouldn't have fallen in love with her like this. I could have kept following her, loving her from a distance, then we could've left and I wouldn't have to... to do this."
"So this Darien just dumped her for no reason?" Jessy asked.
James nodded. "He didn't say much of anything. He just said, "It's best for you." The he walked away."
Jessy couldn't believe it. She was a woman herself and she would be devastated if a guy ever gave her a lame line like that. This enraged her.
"What kind of an excuse is that?" she shouted to no one in particular.
"It's stupid, I know." James declared. How he hated Darien!!!
"Just like Meowzee did to me." Meowth sighed. "Thrown away like an old shirt."
"No woman should be treated like an old shirt!" Jessy expressed. "And no Meowth should be treated like that, either. But we already took care of that." Jessy rubbed the palms of her hands together and narrowed her eyes, fiercely. James knew that look. She had a scheme up her sleeve.
"James," she looked him straight in the eye., "you are still going to have to say good-bye... but...why don't leave Serena a little gift before our departure."
"What do you suggest?" James asked, eagerly.
"Let's leave Darien bruised, broken and beaten... just for her!" Jessy said. "Just for breaking her heart."
James loved the idea. He and Meowth jumped around excitedly. What a gift this would be! Give Darien a taste of his own medicine. See how he'd like a dose of Double Trouble.
***
That night, James tossed and turned. He was anxious to pay Darien a visit... they hadn't had a good scrap in a long time. Wheezing and Arbok hadn't been out of their Pokeballs in days. This was the perfect plan.
But James was still upset about having to leave Serena. They had even talked about a future together. This, James thought, would be the hardest thing he'd ever have to do. This was even harder than telling The Boss for the thousandth time that he and Jessy had failed to capture Pikachu. How could he have been so dumb, forgetting that they were due to meet The Boss in Saffron City in just a day? James cursed himself for that. This was going to hurt. A lot. He just hoped Serena would like the gift he'd leave, with Jessy's help.
***
Jessy and James were on their way to Darien's apartment, dressed in their Team Rocket apparel. There weren't many people around to notice them, which was good.
"So how are you going to present Serena with her gift?" Jessy questioned James as they walked down the street.
"Well, I'll go and get her and bring her to Darien's apartment." James said. "Then I'll explain to her why I have to leave and I'll say good bye." James sighed, heavily.
"Don't worry, James." Jessy said as kindly as she could. "You'll still have me. And Meowth."
James managed a small smile. They walked the rest of the way to Darien's apartment in silence. Once there, they took a few deep breaths, stretched out their muscles and put their minds into Team Rocket Mode. Darien was in for a big surprise!
In his apartment, Darien was just about to settle down in front of the television with a cup of coffee. He felt awful. He hated what he did to Serena. But he was afraid she would be harmed if he continued to ignore the voice in his dreams that told him to stay away from her. He was afraid that the voice was right... that if he stayed with Serena, she would die.
Darien was about to sit down, when he suddenly sensed another presence in the room. There was a cold chill in the apartment. Darien knew he wasn't alone. Somebody was there. He sensed danger. He put down his cup of coffee and called out, "Who's there?"
A light breeze ruffled his hair and he heard this:
"Prepare for trouble!"
"Make it double!"
Darien saw two silhouettes in his bedroom doorway.
"Who's there?" he repeated, gathering up more courage.
"To protect the world from devastation;"
"To unite all peoples within our nation;"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love;"
"To extend our reach to the stars above;"
Darien was puzzled. These people obviously weren't the typical Negaverse Creatures he was used to . "Who are you?" he pleaded to know.
The silhouettes emerged, introducing themselves:
"Jessy!"
"James!"
There was a woman with bright red hair and and a man with lavender blue hair. They were standing back to back. On their shirts was a big red "R".
"Team Rocket blast off at the speed of light!" Jessy shouted.
"Surrender now, or prepare to FIGHT!" James finished.
Then a cat who walked on only two legs came out from behind Jessy and James.
"Meowth! That's right!"
Darien didn't look the least bit scared. He looked more surprised than anything.
"Great, just what this town needs, another talking cat!" he remarked, sarcastically.
"What do you mean, ANOTHER?" Meowth asked.
Darien paid him no attention. He stared at James.
"And what's with you, copying my trademark red rose?" he inquired.
"The Red Rose is MY trademark." James insisted, scowling at Darien.
"What makes you think it's yours?"
"Because I am Tuxedo Mask!" Darien announced, pulling a red rose out of his green sports jacket and then going through his famous, spectacular transformation right before the bewildered eyes of Team Rocket. He grinned at them, cunningly.
"You're Tuxedo Mask?" James asked in amazement, and Darien nodded very slowly. James burst out laughing. He couldn't believe this jerk was the famous Tuxedo Mask he had read about in the paper the other day.
"James, do we know him?" Jessy inquired. "Why are you laughing?"
"He's supposed to be some Super Hero," James whispered to her. "I read about it in the paper. Apparently he works for a group of heroines known as the Sailor Senshi."
Jessy started to laugh along with James. Meowth joined in, even though he had no clue WHY they were laughing.
"You fool!" Jessy spat at Tuxedo Mask. "You'll never defeat Team Rocket!" She threw her Pokeball at him. "Go Arbok!"
"Go Wheezing!" James added.
Tuxedo Mask held his cane out to block away their attack. He didn't expect a huge snake and some round smelly thing to come out of those red and white balls. He fell over in shock. Darien hated snakes more than he hated needles!!
"Wheezing!" James ordered, "Smog Attack!" Tuxedo Mask was blinded by a thick, black fog. He coughed and choked.
"Arbok, Screech attack!" Jessy said as she, James and Meowth covered their ears as Arbok let out a loud, horrible and deafening screech.
Darien's head was pounding and he screamed, "OWWW!! Make it stop!"
Jessy and James just laughed.
"You're no match for our Pokemon, Cape Boy!" James exclaimed.
Serena had just arrived at Darien's apartment. She was there, as she had planned the night before, to tell him that she had somebody else and she never wanted to speak to him again. But then she heard the commotion inside. Darien was in trouble.
"NO!" she heard his terrified scream. "GET IT AWAY!!!"
Serena was suddenly no longer upset at Darien. Her dear Darien. What was happening to him? She quickly called the Senshi on her communicator and the transformed into Sailor Moon. She kicked the door open, only to find the room full of black smoke. She shielded her eyes and tried to see through the blackness. But it was far too thick. The next thing she heard was a woman's voice. "Arbok! Wrap!"
Electric currents shot through Darien and his muscles spasmed violently.
Serena heard a man and a woman laughing, wickedly. The fog finally cleared enough so that Serena saw only Jessy. James was still behind what was left of the fog. Darien was laying motionless on the floor.
"Stop right there!" Serena yelled, posing. "You've wreaked havoc in here for the last time! In the name of the Moon, I'll punish you!"
"And who are you?" Jessy demanded.
"I am Sailor Moon, the Champion of Justice!" Serena went-on, "I will right wrongs and triumph over evil..."
"Along with Sailor Jupiter!" The rest of the Senshi had arrived and joined in.
"Sailor Mercury!"
"Sailor Mars!"
"And Sailor Venus!"
"We'll punish you!" they all chanted.
The rest of the smog cleared and James stepped into view.
"Jupiter Thunder----"
"STOP!" Serena screamed, in horror. Her eyes and James' eyes grew as big as saucers as their gazes met.
"Serena?" James approached the Sailor-Suited Soldier in total shock. His mouth hung open.
"James." Serena confirmed her identity and his.
James took Serena's hands into his.
"THIS is James?" Sailor Mars inquired in astonishment.
"You're.... you're..... evil...." Serena could barely say the words.
"James... of Team Rocket."
James could only nod. He couldn't believe it. They were opposites.
COMPLETE opposites. There was nothing more opposite than Good and Evil.
Serena pulled her hands out of James' gentle grasp. She reached up to touch his face and James closed his eyes, waiting for her to caress his cheek. She paused, looked over at Darien laying on the floor, injured and then back at James again. She looked back and forth, obviously trying to decide something. James kept his eyes closed. Serena had to do what was right. What she was destined to do. She ran to Darien and took him into her arms.
"Oh, Darien, I love you so much!" she sobbed. James felt his heart sink into his stomach. His eyes filled with tears and he swallowed a sob.
"I love you, too, Serena," Darien croaked, even though he was in unbearable pain. "I never meant to hurt you. I... I want to be with you... forever."
James felt like someone had just torn his heart right out of his chest and stomped on it. He fell to his knees and cried. It wasn't fair. Serena, Growly, his parents... it just wasn't fair.
Jessy put a comforting hand on James' shoulder. Meowth patted James on the back. He knew exactly how James felt. Serena had run from James and into the arms of her injured love, just like Meowzee had run from Meowth to the injured Persian.
The Sailor Senshi stood in the doorway, trying to piece together what had just happened. The only people who weren't confused were James and Serena.
James knew he couldn't be with Serena and Serena knew she couldn't be with James. And that was that.
James finally got up and he and Jessy summoned their Pokemon back into their Pokeballs. Then they started to leave. James looked at Serena once more, blew her a kiss and then followed Jessy and Meowth past the Senshi and out the door. Serena got up to watch James leave. Sailor Jupiter got ready to attack them, but Serena put her arm out.
"Jupiter..." she said and Jupiter stopped. "They're leaving and we'll let them." Serena watched with a heavy heart as the man with the snake-charming smile, the intriguing green eyes and the lavender-blue hair disappeared around the next hallway and walked out of her life forever.
She fought to stay in control, but it was no use. She still loved James.
"Damn Destiny!" she cursed, tears slipping from her crystal blue eyes.
"Good bye, James..."
***
James looked up at the window of Darien's apartment, fighting the urge to run back up there, take Serena into his arms, and kiss her with so much passion that they'd both ignite a fire that would burn them down to ashes.
Then nobody could say or do anything and they wouldn't have to walk away from one another.
"James, look on the bright side!" Meowth tried to bring a little cheer to his friend. "This is a great day!"
"That's right!" Jessy chimed-in. "This is the first time we didn't have to say, "Looks like Team Rocket is blasting off again!"."
James looked at his friends... and then he laughed.
***
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