Chapter 20: The Beginning
Jesse looked out of the cottage window and at the crowd that had gathered outside. They were mostly reporters being held back from entering by police. It had been only 24 hours since the nightmare ended and already it felt like an eternity. Jesse sighed and looked back at James. He had slept since they arrived home to Saffron City. Officer Jenny had been against them going home but Jesse insisted on it. She thought if they went home the reporters would leave them alone. This was not so. By some terrible stroke of bad luck the reporters linked them back to what happened in Team Rocket and were now camped out in their little garden waiting eagerly for a story. Jesse tore herself from the window and sat down beside James being careful not to jog the little cat sleeping at the end of the bed. Nurse Joy was sure that Meowth would die when Butch got him to the centre and for a few pain staking hours it looked that way too. Nurse Joy was so convinced that Meowth wouldn't make it that she sent him home with Jesse and James after patching him up and giving them painkillers. In the night Meowth's breathing had returned to normal and he woke up and managed to eat a late dinner that James prepared for him. Jesse called Nurse Joy first thing and she seemed to think that Meowth would be fine. Jesse wasn't so sure about James. Amber had been caught as she fled the HQ with some of her minions. According to Cally, Amber broke down screaming when they arrested her. She was under going a psychiatric assessment to see if she was fit to stand trial. Either way she would be going away for a very long time.
Officer Jenny wanted James to see someone too. Jesse hadn't wanted to tell the policewoman what took place in the HQ but James blurted it all out saying that he was a killer. They all knew this wasn't true and Jesse knew that she had to make James see that. He's been through so much she thought sadly. Jesse would do anything to make the events of the last year go away.
James finally became aware of her presence and opened his eyes. His wrist was obviously giving him some pain and James still hadn't had it looked at by a proper doctor. Jesse suspected that Garret hadn't set it properly.
"You're still here?" James asked
"Of course I'm still here" Jesse replied helping him to sit up "Where would I have gone?"
"I'm a killer. If I were you then I wouldn't want to be anywhere near me"
"No you're not," Jesse said firmly
"Those gym leaders." James started to protest
"Giovanni killed them"
"He couldn't have done that without me!"
"James that isn't true. I know you feel as through you did but you didn't. You told Giovanni what would happen in the battles. It was his choice to take them away and murder them! You had no say in that!"
"I should have known. I let myself be used by him! I shouldn't have let him blackmail me like that. I was weak"
"No you were not" Jesse shouted then lowering her voice, part of her not wanting to wake Meowth and part of her not wanting to attract the policemen's attention.
"James you were protecting Meowth and me and it nearly killed you. That was not weak at all. It was very brave. You were willing to kill yourself doing those viewings to save two others. No one thinks you are weak"
James shook his head "I only escaped Giovanni because you saved me and look what happened! I get taken by another gang and yet again you saved me"
"You saved Butch" Jesse said, "He would have killed Marcus is it weren't for you. You didn't know if Butch was going to listen to you when you stood between him and Marcus. He could have pulled the trigger and yet you still intervened. You were willing to sacrifice yourself to stop him going through what you did! That took real courage. You should be proud of yourself."
James hung his head in shame "I nearly took a life" maybe the gym leaders deaths weren't down to him but he could and would have killed Amber had Jesse not stopped him.
"You nearly took a life. James no one would have blamed you for pulling the trigger. You've been through more in the past year than anyone else in the world. It was amazing that you came out of it the first time without any emotional side effects. The point is you didn't pull the trigger. You didn't kill anyone"
"I could have."
"James just shut up and listen to me! I know what I'm talking about" Jesse took his hand as she spoke her voice wavering slightly "I killed remember? I killed to save you"
"Giovanni?" James saw something he thought he would never see. Jesse was crying over the dead rocket leader!
"Do you really think I wanted to kill him? I didn't want to kill anyone either!"
James held her as she cried. Jesse even now was trying to be strong. Not this time Jess, James thought as he comforted her. I'm going to be strong for us both for once.
Butch and Cassidy walked back hand in hand to their apartment in Celadon City. It was early morning when they finally got to go home. They had spent all night in the police station in Goldenrod City being questioned about the events in the Darkness's HQ. Butch had told a shocked Jenny and Cassidy everything and James backed him up. He even showed them the TM's. Officer Jenny had then told them they were free to go and she would be in touch in a few days for their written statements. Butch felt sorry for Jesse, James and Meowth. Him and Cassidy were allowed to go without police escort because the reporters weren't interested in them. After dropping Meowth in at the Pokemon Centre Butch had doubled back and teleported Cassidy and himself directly to the police station to avoid all the media. Jesse and James had been hustled through the lot by police guard. The last Butch had heard from them was that they were going home too with police guard. Butch still didn't care for the police and certainly didn't want them around his flat.
Cassidy hadn't said much since they got back (all Butch had to do was teleport them there). She slumped down on the sofa and switched the TV on. All channels were reporting live from the Shrine and Saffron City. Butch didn't know where he stood with her anymore. Maybe she didn't want him just as he had feared? Butch sat down beside her still feeling a little weak. An officer had arrested Garret as he fled the Shrine and forced him to give Butch the rest of the antidote. Jenny had told Butch what it was that Amber had given him but he hadn't been listening. He had to try and save his relationship with Cassidy now.
"Cassie?"
"Don't Butch"
"Don't what?"
"I know what you're going to say. You want to know if we're still a couple don't you?"
Butch nodded and lowered his head so she wouldn't see his tears "I understand. You don't have to tell me. You're not like Jesse and I don't expect you to be. I know she can handle this sort of thing. I'll be a burden to you. I'll leave"
"Leave?" Cassidy echoed, "Why would I want you to leave?"
"Because I nearly got us all killed again. Because I'm. different"
"Butch I love you. I don't want to loose you"
"You don't?" Butch asked tearfully. Was it possible that she still wanted him even through he had these things inside of him?
"Of course not!" Cassidy cried hugging him tightly "I wouldn't have come after you if I didn't love you!"
As they embraced Butch started to cry. He had never loved anyone more than Cassidy in his life and the fact that she still wanted him after everything that happened was just too much.
"We'll be together forever," Cassidy whispered also beginning to cry, "Nothing can ever come between us again"
Butch held her tightly knowing her words to be true.
Jesse woke in James' arms the next morning. Snuggling closer she nearly squashed the cream coloured cat that had sneaked in between the two human's. Jesse pulled back partly annoyed with Meowth and partly relieved that he wasn't hurting so much that he couldn't move. Jesse groaned; she could still here the reporters outside. Didn't they ever give up? As Jesse sat up she felt someone watching her. Turning back to her companions she saw that both were still sleeping.
"Cally?" Jesse then noticed the policewoman sitting on a chair by the door.
"Hi Jesse" Cally looked terrible. In the daylight her bruises stood out worse than before. Her hair hung limply down her back and had lost the shine and silkiness that it had once had. She wore a baggy jumper and a pair of blue cotton trousers. Jesse noted the gun tucked into her belt.
"How long have you been here?" Jesse demanded trying not to be too cross with her. Cally had come through for them in the end and lost a great deal in the process.
"All night" she replied. Her voice was strained and weak. "Someone had to watch you guys. Jenny was worried that some of the Darkness that got away might try to exact revenge"
Jesse nodded "How are you?"
"Ok" Cally's voice cracked slightly as she said this "I think"
Jesse got up, she was still wearing the same clothes she had been the night before. Looking back towards James and Meowth she knew that they had to sort things out. They couldn't live here anymore. Not with the reporters knowing their address. She told Cally as much.
"Jenny's working on it" Cally replied, "You'll have a new house in a few days and 24 hour police guard. You won't even have to work"
"How long is this for?" James wanted to know. He had woke on hearing their voices. Even Meowth was stirring now.
Cally didn't seem to want to answer this "Amber. didn't exactly go quietly as I'm sure you've been told. Well one of the reporters got close to her last night. I don't know how he got into the cell and passed the security but he knows about James and future sight. My cousin got to him and they can't mention you're name but they all know. That's why they've been hounding you. He doesn't know about Butch yet. Jenny stopped Amber from saying anything else"
James had turned pale at this "We'll never be safe! They'll get me. They'll all want to use me"
"That's why you'll be under police protection" Cally explained, "Jenny will make sure you are set up for life. You'll have at least six officers living with you and ten more guarding you're home"
Jesse didn't like the idea of that at all. She didn't mind helping the police but living under protection was even worse than living in fear.
"I can look after James" she said pulling him closer "I don't need a police protection programme"
Jesse, the more she thought about it, didn't know if she could bare it. They would never get back to normal! She didn't want there to be a police presence every time she woke up with James. They wouldn't be able to do anything! Jesse pulled James aside hoping that he felt the same way that she did. The look in his eyes said it all.
"You'll be risking a lot," Jesse said taking his hand in her own "I don't want to risk you James"
"I can't live like that Jess. I know its dangerous but I just can't do it"
"I agree" Meowth said softly from his place on the bed "It would be living hell for yous both"
Jesse looked up at Cally. Now they would just have to convince her to let them go.
Cally smiled sadly as if realising what they wanted.
"You can go," she said stepping away from the door "I won't stop you"
"It will cost you you're job" Jesse warned.
Cally shrugged "I've lost it anyway. I am in a lot of trouble for what happened. My last duty was to guard you guys for the night"
Jesse knew that Cally had been a real friend. "You can come too," Jesse offered as James got some of their things together.
Cally shook her head "My jeep is parked out the back" she handed James the keys as she spoke. "Good luck ok"
Jesse and James both hugged Cally "We'll never forget this" James said sadly.
"I know" Cally forced a smile
"We could write." James started
"No" Cally said, "It could be traced. This is it"
James frowned unhappily "I don't want to abandon you. After what happened it would be wrong"
"Yous won't have ta" Meowth broke in suddenly.
Jesse and James got into the jeep looking back at the cottage with sadness and confusion.
"I can't go" James said wiping his eyes as if to rid them of the tears that were collecting in them. "I can't leave Meowth"
"We have too," Jesse said turning the keys in the engine "He wants us too. Anyway you know Meowth. He'll be fine"
James nodded as they started off down the road doing well over 100mph. Behind them they could just make out the angry cries of the police and the reporters. James shuddered thinking of what they would loose if they stayed. Look what we're loosing by going he reminded himself. We're a team, it's always been Jesse, James and Meowth. And now its just Jesse and James.
"Jesse." James started again.
"Don't James" Jesse sobbed. "I know it too and it's the hardest thing in the world for me. The hardest thing in the world is saying goodbye"
James knew that once again he had to try and be strong for them both "Its not goodbye" he said putting an arm round his partner "We'll find a way to see Meowth again. I promise. When this has all died down we can make contact. Meowth doesn't expect to get rid of us that easily does he?"
Jesse smiled "You're right but now we have to decide on our future. Where should we go? We've got the whole world to choose from". James glanced down at the velvet box on the dashboard. Jesse was his world and he wanted her to be with him forever. One day they would get married and she would wear the ring he had bought for her. He didn't need do a viewing to see that.
"The whole world" James echoed "We just have to choose where to start".
Officer Jenny burst into the room five minutes later on hearing the jeep start up. She found Cally sitting on the bed and Meowth crying softly in her arms.
"Where are Jesse and James?" Jenny demanded motioning for her back up to check the rest of the house.
"Gone" Meowth sniffed. His heart was breaking every second, as they were getting further away. Meowth hadn't wanted to leave them but what of Cally? Love and friendship were the most important things in the world. Meowth did want to see Jesse and James get married and eventually have a family of their own. He wanted to be there sharing in it. Jesse and James had each other. Cally had proved she was a real friend and needed someone. Meowth couldn't leave a friend in trouble. Who knew maybe he would see Jesse and James again one day. You never know what the future may hold. Meowth smiled to himself. Unless you have future sight that is.
The End
A/N: Yes its finally done! I admit I did struggle with the last few chapters but this was only so I could get it as good as I could possibly get it. I dedicate this to everyone who reviewed and encouraged me through the fics creation. Thank you all.
~Shari~
Jesse looked out of the cottage window and at the crowd that had gathered outside. They were mostly reporters being held back from entering by police. It had been only 24 hours since the nightmare ended and already it felt like an eternity. Jesse sighed and looked back at James. He had slept since they arrived home to Saffron City. Officer Jenny had been against them going home but Jesse insisted on it. She thought if they went home the reporters would leave them alone. This was not so. By some terrible stroke of bad luck the reporters linked them back to what happened in Team Rocket and were now camped out in their little garden waiting eagerly for a story. Jesse tore herself from the window and sat down beside James being careful not to jog the little cat sleeping at the end of the bed. Nurse Joy was sure that Meowth would die when Butch got him to the centre and for a few pain staking hours it looked that way too. Nurse Joy was so convinced that Meowth wouldn't make it that she sent him home with Jesse and James after patching him up and giving them painkillers. In the night Meowth's breathing had returned to normal and he woke up and managed to eat a late dinner that James prepared for him. Jesse called Nurse Joy first thing and she seemed to think that Meowth would be fine. Jesse wasn't so sure about James. Amber had been caught as she fled the HQ with some of her minions. According to Cally, Amber broke down screaming when they arrested her. She was under going a psychiatric assessment to see if she was fit to stand trial. Either way she would be going away for a very long time.
Officer Jenny wanted James to see someone too. Jesse hadn't wanted to tell the policewoman what took place in the HQ but James blurted it all out saying that he was a killer. They all knew this wasn't true and Jesse knew that she had to make James see that. He's been through so much she thought sadly. Jesse would do anything to make the events of the last year go away.
James finally became aware of her presence and opened his eyes. His wrist was obviously giving him some pain and James still hadn't had it looked at by a proper doctor. Jesse suspected that Garret hadn't set it properly.
"You're still here?" James asked
"Of course I'm still here" Jesse replied helping him to sit up "Where would I have gone?"
"I'm a killer. If I were you then I wouldn't want to be anywhere near me"
"No you're not," Jesse said firmly
"Those gym leaders." James started to protest
"Giovanni killed them"
"He couldn't have done that without me!"
"James that isn't true. I know you feel as through you did but you didn't. You told Giovanni what would happen in the battles. It was his choice to take them away and murder them! You had no say in that!"
"I should have known. I let myself be used by him! I shouldn't have let him blackmail me like that. I was weak"
"No you were not" Jesse shouted then lowering her voice, part of her not wanting to wake Meowth and part of her not wanting to attract the policemen's attention.
"James you were protecting Meowth and me and it nearly killed you. That was not weak at all. It was very brave. You were willing to kill yourself doing those viewings to save two others. No one thinks you are weak"
James shook his head "I only escaped Giovanni because you saved me and look what happened! I get taken by another gang and yet again you saved me"
"You saved Butch" Jesse said, "He would have killed Marcus is it weren't for you. You didn't know if Butch was going to listen to you when you stood between him and Marcus. He could have pulled the trigger and yet you still intervened. You were willing to sacrifice yourself to stop him going through what you did! That took real courage. You should be proud of yourself."
James hung his head in shame "I nearly took a life" maybe the gym leaders deaths weren't down to him but he could and would have killed Amber had Jesse not stopped him.
"You nearly took a life. James no one would have blamed you for pulling the trigger. You've been through more in the past year than anyone else in the world. It was amazing that you came out of it the first time without any emotional side effects. The point is you didn't pull the trigger. You didn't kill anyone"
"I could have."
"James just shut up and listen to me! I know what I'm talking about" Jesse took his hand as she spoke her voice wavering slightly "I killed remember? I killed to save you"
"Giovanni?" James saw something he thought he would never see. Jesse was crying over the dead rocket leader!
"Do you really think I wanted to kill him? I didn't want to kill anyone either!"
James held her as she cried. Jesse even now was trying to be strong. Not this time Jess, James thought as he comforted her. I'm going to be strong for us both for once.
Butch and Cassidy walked back hand in hand to their apartment in Celadon City. It was early morning when they finally got to go home. They had spent all night in the police station in Goldenrod City being questioned about the events in the Darkness's HQ. Butch had told a shocked Jenny and Cassidy everything and James backed him up. He even showed them the TM's. Officer Jenny had then told them they were free to go and she would be in touch in a few days for their written statements. Butch felt sorry for Jesse, James and Meowth. Him and Cassidy were allowed to go without police escort because the reporters weren't interested in them. After dropping Meowth in at the Pokemon Centre Butch had doubled back and teleported Cassidy and himself directly to the police station to avoid all the media. Jesse and James had been hustled through the lot by police guard. The last Butch had heard from them was that they were going home too with police guard. Butch still didn't care for the police and certainly didn't want them around his flat.
Cassidy hadn't said much since they got back (all Butch had to do was teleport them there). She slumped down on the sofa and switched the TV on. All channels were reporting live from the Shrine and Saffron City. Butch didn't know where he stood with her anymore. Maybe she didn't want him just as he had feared? Butch sat down beside her still feeling a little weak. An officer had arrested Garret as he fled the Shrine and forced him to give Butch the rest of the antidote. Jenny had told Butch what it was that Amber had given him but he hadn't been listening. He had to try and save his relationship with Cassidy now.
"Cassie?"
"Don't Butch"
"Don't what?"
"I know what you're going to say. You want to know if we're still a couple don't you?"
Butch nodded and lowered his head so she wouldn't see his tears "I understand. You don't have to tell me. You're not like Jesse and I don't expect you to be. I know she can handle this sort of thing. I'll be a burden to you. I'll leave"
"Leave?" Cassidy echoed, "Why would I want you to leave?"
"Because I nearly got us all killed again. Because I'm. different"
"Butch I love you. I don't want to loose you"
"You don't?" Butch asked tearfully. Was it possible that she still wanted him even through he had these things inside of him?
"Of course not!" Cassidy cried hugging him tightly "I wouldn't have come after you if I didn't love you!"
As they embraced Butch started to cry. He had never loved anyone more than Cassidy in his life and the fact that she still wanted him after everything that happened was just too much.
"We'll be together forever," Cassidy whispered also beginning to cry, "Nothing can ever come between us again"
Butch held her tightly knowing her words to be true.
Jesse woke in James' arms the next morning. Snuggling closer she nearly squashed the cream coloured cat that had sneaked in between the two human's. Jesse pulled back partly annoyed with Meowth and partly relieved that he wasn't hurting so much that he couldn't move. Jesse groaned; she could still here the reporters outside. Didn't they ever give up? As Jesse sat up she felt someone watching her. Turning back to her companions she saw that both were still sleeping.
"Cally?" Jesse then noticed the policewoman sitting on a chair by the door.
"Hi Jesse" Cally looked terrible. In the daylight her bruises stood out worse than before. Her hair hung limply down her back and had lost the shine and silkiness that it had once had. She wore a baggy jumper and a pair of blue cotton trousers. Jesse noted the gun tucked into her belt.
"How long have you been here?" Jesse demanded trying not to be too cross with her. Cally had come through for them in the end and lost a great deal in the process.
"All night" she replied. Her voice was strained and weak. "Someone had to watch you guys. Jenny was worried that some of the Darkness that got away might try to exact revenge"
Jesse nodded "How are you?"
"Ok" Cally's voice cracked slightly as she said this "I think"
Jesse got up, she was still wearing the same clothes she had been the night before. Looking back towards James and Meowth she knew that they had to sort things out. They couldn't live here anymore. Not with the reporters knowing their address. She told Cally as much.
"Jenny's working on it" Cally replied, "You'll have a new house in a few days and 24 hour police guard. You won't even have to work"
"How long is this for?" James wanted to know. He had woke on hearing their voices. Even Meowth was stirring now.
Cally didn't seem to want to answer this "Amber. didn't exactly go quietly as I'm sure you've been told. Well one of the reporters got close to her last night. I don't know how he got into the cell and passed the security but he knows about James and future sight. My cousin got to him and they can't mention you're name but they all know. That's why they've been hounding you. He doesn't know about Butch yet. Jenny stopped Amber from saying anything else"
James had turned pale at this "We'll never be safe! They'll get me. They'll all want to use me"
"That's why you'll be under police protection" Cally explained, "Jenny will make sure you are set up for life. You'll have at least six officers living with you and ten more guarding you're home"
Jesse didn't like the idea of that at all. She didn't mind helping the police but living under protection was even worse than living in fear.
"I can look after James" she said pulling him closer "I don't need a police protection programme"
Jesse, the more she thought about it, didn't know if she could bare it. They would never get back to normal! She didn't want there to be a police presence every time she woke up with James. They wouldn't be able to do anything! Jesse pulled James aside hoping that he felt the same way that she did. The look in his eyes said it all.
"You'll be risking a lot," Jesse said taking his hand in her own "I don't want to risk you James"
"I can't live like that Jess. I know its dangerous but I just can't do it"
"I agree" Meowth said softly from his place on the bed "It would be living hell for yous both"
Jesse looked up at Cally. Now they would just have to convince her to let them go.
Cally smiled sadly as if realising what they wanted.
"You can go," she said stepping away from the door "I won't stop you"
"It will cost you you're job" Jesse warned.
Cally shrugged "I've lost it anyway. I am in a lot of trouble for what happened. My last duty was to guard you guys for the night"
Jesse knew that Cally had been a real friend. "You can come too," Jesse offered as James got some of their things together.
Cally shook her head "My jeep is parked out the back" she handed James the keys as she spoke. "Good luck ok"
Jesse and James both hugged Cally "We'll never forget this" James said sadly.
"I know" Cally forced a smile
"We could write." James started
"No" Cally said, "It could be traced. This is it"
James frowned unhappily "I don't want to abandon you. After what happened it would be wrong"
"Yous won't have ta" Meowth broke in suddenly.
Jesse and James got into the jeep looking back at the cottage with sadness and confusion.
"I can't go" James said wiping his eyes as if to rid them of the tears that were collecting in them. "I can't leave Meowth"
"We have too," Jesse said turning the keys in the engine "He wants us too. Anyway you know Meowth. He'll be fine"
James nodded as they started off down the road doing well over 100mph. Behind them they could just make out the angry cries of the police and the reporters. James shuddered thinking of what they would loose if they stayed. Look what we're loosing by going he reminded himself. We're a team, it's always been Jesse, James and Meowth. And now its just Jesse and James.
"Jesse." James started again.
"Don't James" Jesse sobbed. "I know it too and it's the hardest thing in the world for me. The hardest thing in the world is saying goodbye"
James knew that once again he had to try and be strong for them both "Its not goodbye" he said putting an arm round his partner "We'll find a way to see Meowth again. I promise. When this has all died down we can make contact. Meowth doesn't expect to get rid of us that easily does he?"
Jesse smiled "You're right but now we have to decide on our future. Where should we go? We've got the whole world to choose from". James glanced down at the velvet box on the dashboard. Jesse was his world and he wanted her to be with him forever. One day they would get married and she would wear the ring he had bought for her. He didn't need do a viewing to see that.
"The whole world" James echoed "We just have to choose where to start".
Officer Jenny burst into the room five minutes later on hearing the jeep start up. She found Cally sitting on the bed and Meowth crying softly in her arms.
"Where are Jesse and James?" Jenny demanded motioning for her back up to check the rest of the house.
"Gone" Meowth sniffed. His heart was breaking every second, as they were getting further away. Meowth hadn't wanted to leave them but what of Cally? Love and friendship were the most important things in the world. Meowth did want to see Jesse and James get married and eventually have a family of their own. He wanted to be there sharing in it. Jesse and James had each other. Cally had proved she was a real friend and needed someone. Meowth couldn't leave a friend in trouble. Who knew maybe he would see Jesse and James again one day. You never know what the future may hold. Meowth smiled to himself. Unless you have future sight that is.
The End
A/N: Yes its finally done! I admit I did struggle with the last few chapters but this was only so I could get it as good as I could possibly get it. I dedicate this to everyone who reviewed and encouraged me through the fics creation. Thank you all.
~Shari~