Note for FF.net readers: Some revisions may still occur to this story to tighten things.

-=-=-=-=-

New Friends (Revised)
by TG

(Part Two of Fate's Game)


"What are you doing?"
"I'm kissing you, idiot."

-=-=-=-=-

Jessie trudged up the road, then sighed. "How far is it, again?"

Meowth looked back at the two Rockets. "Ya sure ya didn' ever come 'ere b'fore?"

James looked up and down the street. "I've always heard about this place, but I've never been here.. Oooh, I can't wait!"

Jessie looked down the road, watching for any Jennys. "Meowth, how did you know Alan and Ann had gotten a promotion to elite? Even I didn't hear about that..."

Meowth held up a paw, trying to look stately. "Dat's why I'm da top cat, Me-owth!"

James tried to contain his excitement. "We're going to be staying at Hotél Rockét, I can't wait!"

Jessie sighed in embarrassment. "Will you return to Planet Earth? It's just a temporary thing, until we get our bearings.."

"An' get chewed out by da Boss.." Meowth added.

All three Rockets sighed. Suddenly Meowth stopped, causing both humans to almost trip over him. "Wer' 'ere!"

The building was tucked back among two other brownstones. It was a modest five-story brownstone, designed in the Art Deco feel. The windows were tinted in a red, mirror-like finish.

As the three Rockets gaped, a raspy voice came up from behind them. "They don't let panhandlers in, ya know."

James turned around in surprise. "Butch!?"

"I see you still have the same fashion sense..."

Jessie spun around. "Cassidy.." she growled.

Meowth looked back. "Oh, did I ferget ta mention dey live 'ere now?"

The two black-suited Rockets walked past the trio to the door.

James whimpered, "I thought they didn't let in normal teams.."

Jessie watched Cassidy swipe a cardkey and open the door. "Only normal teams that are about to be made elite..." She growled in anger and frustration.

Butch walked inside, while Cassidy held the door. "Are you coming, or not?"

Meowth walked inside, "Danks!"

Jessie and James looked at each other, then at Cassidy. "Are you talking to us?"

Cassidy clenched her teeth, then hissed out a sigh. "Yes, I'm talking to you two. Hurry up before I change my mind."

After the trio were inside, Cassidy tapped the elevator button. Jessie looked at her, then leaned over to James. "Does she look different to you?" she whispered.

James looked at Cassidy. "Why?" he whispered back.

The elevator rang, and the doors opened. Again, Cassidy stood and held the door, while a smiling Meowth, and a confused Jessie walked in. James followed her. Butch shot Cassidy a look, but she slapped him in the arm and he walked inside.

-=-=-=-=-

Jessie stopped at the door, and watched as the two black-suited Rockets walked down the corridor. Cassidy stopped before entering and looked down the corridor at Jessie.

Jessie, thinking she was about to receive one of Cassidy's remarks, turned and looked at her. "What!?"

Cassidy shrugged. "I was gonna ask if you wanted to dine over here tonight.."

James looked back at Meowth, who shrugged.

It took a moment for Cassidy's words to be comprehended in Jessie's brain. "Y.. You're asking us over for dinner?"

Cassidy shrugged again. "Yeah.. Maybe we'll watch a movie after that, if that's alright with you?"

Jessie just wasn't ready for this sort of attitude, from Cassidy of all people. So when the words escaped her lips, she decided it was shell-shock. "Okay, that sounds great. How's six sound to you?"

Cassidy nodded. "Sounds good. Seeya later." She went inside her apartment and closed the door.

Jessie numbly nodded, then looked over at James. "Is this... real?"

James nodded very slowly.

"Not a dream?"

James shook his head.

"Damn..." She knocked on the door weakly.

-=-=-=-=-

Cassidy leaned back against the closed door. "I don't believe I did that.. I actually was nice.. to the.. to her."

Butch looked through the on-screen guide on the TV. "Stranger things've happened."

Cassidy laid her head back against the door. "What the hell am I going to do?"

Butch got up and walked to the cabinet on the TV wall unit. He stared at a row of video tape cassettes. "I guess you better get cooking.."

-=-=-=-=-

Jessie looked at James. "Are you sure about this?"

James nodded. "You're supposed to bring the dessert."

Meowth held the pan over his head. "I'd pr'fer catnip brownies.."

Jessie knocked on the door. She was dressed in blue jeans and a purple shirt with a weird symbol drawn on the front, and metallic-looking writing on the back. She sighed. "I can't believe this was the only shirt Ann had to loan, I feel like a total geek!"

James tried to look sorry, but he couldn't muster it. He was wearing black pants and a black shirt with a purple-armored man on the front. "I'm not sure if I'm a geek or a nerd... is there a difference?"

Cassidy answered the door. She was wearing a loose red skirt, and a crimson blouse. Butch was standing behind her, wearing jeans and a black shirt with strange symbols on the front, and a black-suited boy on the back with long braided brown hair.

Cassidy looked at either one, then at Butch. "I guess I overdressed.." She escorted the trio inside, directing Meowth to the kitchen with the brownies.

Butch looked from Jessie to James. "I see ya borrowed from Alan and Ann..." Both shrugged helplessly.

Dinner went by smoothly, if a little quietly. Occasionally Cassidy would open her mouth to start conversation, then decide against it. After dessert, the group moved to the living room furniture, or at least tried to. James ended up sitting on the floor, since he insisted Meowth occupy the position between Cassidy and Jessie.

Butch picked a tape from the line of cassette tapes and stuck it in the VCR. "I borrowed this from Ann."

The other four looked at each other and sighed as the tape showed what movie it was. By the end of the first hour, though, Jessie and Cassidy were glued to the screen. James sometimes shifted on the floor, bumping into Jessie's legs. Eye contact was broken by a character's pronouncement or a scream.

Finally the movie ended and Butch grinned triumphantly as both ladies made sure their makeup wasn't smeared. James yawned and rose. "That was.. interesting, Butch. I don't think that sort of.. stuff.. is my cup of tea."

Butch took the tape out and slipped it back into the row of tapes. "Well, it's what Ann likes, and I figured with the ladies... There's this other one, with giant robots. I'll let you borrow one of my tapes sometime." James nodded.

James and Meowth walked wearily back to their apartment as Jessie stood at the door. "Well, dinner was really good. I liked the lasagna."

Cassidy nodded. "Thanks.. Those brownies were really divine. I'm a total chocoholic."

Jessie smiled and nodded. "Me too. Godiva..."

Cassidy grinned, then broke into a giggle. "It's a guilty pleasure!"

Jessie grinned. "Definitely. And that movie.. Whatever that little blond has, I want it. I want the hunky guy that comes with it, too. Though I've had plenty of talking cats..."

Cassidy laughed and pointed at Jessie. "I'll punish you!"

Both women laughed, then wished each other goodnight.

Cassidy closed the door, then looked at Butch. "That was... strange."

Butch shrugged. "I had a good time."

Cassidy nodded slowly. "Yeah.. So did I. Am I going soft?"

Butch shrugged again, before plopping down on the couch.

"I wonder if she thinks I'm insane.." Cassidy looked back in the direction of the other Rockets' apartment.

-=-=-=-=-

Jessie closed the door and found James staring at her.

James made a motion in the direction of the other Rockets' apartment. "You don't think...?"

Jessie shrugged and looked at the floor. She had been in such a dark mood with the memories of her mother. Now she felt great, because of the two people she hated the most.

Meowth yawned. "I'm goin' ta sleep. Dis cat needs 'is bu'ty nap.." The cat Pokémon padded off to his small bed, leaving the two Rockets alone.

James looked over at the clock. 9:00 PM. "I think I'm going to watch some TV." He walked over to the couch and sat down, then saw a blur.

Jessie had sat down next to him. "Mind if I join you?"

"No.. of course not."

Three hours later the door creaked open. The true occupants walked in, before one stopped the other. "Alan, be quiet.."

Alan looked at the couch. Jessie's head was leaning against James' chest. James had his arm around her, while they both slept. "Should we wake them?"

"No way.. I think they look cute like that." She ran into her bedroom and walked out with a small blanket, carefully draping it over them.

"Like I said, the perpetual romantic."

-=-=-=-=-

James opened one eye, then the other. "Where..?"

Ann was sitting on the opposite side of the couch. "About time you woke up... You're gonna be late."

James leapt off the couch. He grabbed his uniform and started toward the bathroom, when the door opened. She was in her uniform, and her hair was still wet and had a light sheen to it. She stopped and stared.

Jessie looked into his eyes for a moment, before she realized Ann was watching them. "Uh, the bathroom's all yours.."

James nodded idly as he walked in, his eyes following her before he closed the door. After he was done, James came out and tripped over Meowth.

Meowth picked the clothing off his head, then looked at the black shirt. "Eh, wat's all dis hair-"

Ann walked over and grabbed the shirt from Meowth. "I'll put this in Alan's room, so he remembers to have it washed." She winked at James.

James looked down at Meowth. "I don't know what you're talking about, Meowth." He started to leave.

Meowth grumbled and ran to catch up with his team-mates. In the elevator ride down, he noticed both of them avoiding eye-contact. 'Dis definitely means trouble.'

-=-=-=-=-

Butch rubbed his shoulder. "I hate those shots."

Cassidy looked hard at Butch. 'You should stop being such a wimp!'

Butch shot at look at Cassidy. "Hey, did you just say that?"

Cassidy folded her arms. "I didn't say anything. I thought it. What am I thinking of now?"

Butch shrugged.

Gasglow opened the door of the office and walked in. "I'd say you two are thinking about your assignment." He took a Pokéball from his pocket and set it on the desk as he sat. "Well that assignment's scope just changed. As of now, I am assigning another Pokémon to you." He tossed the Pokéball to Cassidy.

Cassidy looked at the small red & white ball. "What Pokémon is it?"

"It's a Spearow."

Butch folded his arms. "And what are we gonna do with this Spearow?"

"I just want you to get used to having it, train it a little. Now get going, you've got that appointment to report in with Giovanni."

-=-=-=-=-

"Brock!"

The dusky-skinned Pokémon Breeder turned, and immediately smiled. "Ash, Misty!"

Ash shook his friend's hand. "Boy, I'm glad you got my message."

"It was no problem, no problem at all. Even if it's just to Pallet... Feels just like the old days!"

Misty giggled. "It hasn't been THAT long.."

"It sure has felt like it. How've you been, Pikachu?"

Pikachu grinned. "Pi-ka chuu!"

Brock laughed. "That's great to hear. Hey Ash, have you caught any new Pokémon since last time we met?"

Ash nodded. "I'll show'em to you later. Right now I'm starved, how about we catch some breakfast?"

Misty grinned at the slight joke. "That sounds good to me, as long you're offering to pay, Ash."

Ash stumbled. "Ah, I meant... Alright.."

The three friends laughed as they raced off to the nearest restaurant.

-=-=-=-=-

"Show them in."

Jessie, James, and Meowth slowly walked into the darkened office. They quickly took their seats.

"So you've come back here, empty-handed again. You realize I should have you three fired, no killed... correct?"

The trio collectively gulped and nodded slowly.

"However, one of my original reports, that you might have aided one of the Orange Island governments, and helped catch Butch & Cassidy appears to be... FALSE."

All three raised their eyebrows. "False?"

"I could scarcely believe it myself. To think that one of my elite teams would betray their own team-mates was incomprehensible. Besides, I didn't think you three had the backbone to pull off such a stunt. It seems time and a corrected report have changed my opinions of you..."

Jessie slowly raised her hand, suddenly feeling like she was back in Pokémon Tech. "Uh, Boss... Who was it that gave the correct report?"

Giovanni leaned back in his chair. "Butch and Cassidy."

The trio looked at each other in confusion, before looking up at Giovanni again. "Butch and Cassidy?"

"Stop repeat everything I'm saying!"

They nodded very quickly.

"They were very adamant that it was their fault in getting arrested. Lucky for you, a technicality got them both released early... just in time to report back the correct story."

"So der won' be nothin' happenin' ta us?"

"Not unless you mess up again in some major way. I've renewed your expense account for the next 90 days. Now get out of here, and get me some rare Pokémon before I change my mind!"

"Yes sir!"

The trio collectively sighed once the double doors closed. The secretary smiled at them. "Guess you're still alright with the Boss."

Jessie leaned against her desk. "Billy, have you noticed anything.. strange.. about Butch and Cassidy lately?"

Billy looked up from her monitor. "Um, nothing big.. Cass asked me that same question about you, too. What's going on between you and her, Jess?"

Jessie waved her hand, as if trying to wave off the question. "Nothing, really.. Just she's been acting..."

James chimed in. "Really nice.. The both of them have been acting that way.."

Billy smiled. "Aw, that's probably 'cause the boss is gonna promote them. Even though they failed, he seemed real pleased with them. So in a way, I guess they wanted to spread the joy."

Jessie folded her arms. "I guess..."

Billy suddenly started rummaging through a drawer in her desk. "I almost fergot! The boss wanted me ta give these to you." She pulled out a pair of keys and handed them to Jessie. "The boss bought one of the other elite teams a Humvee, so he told me to give their old Cherokee to another elite team."

Jessie looked at the keys. "Wow.. This is ours, for all future missions?"

Billy nodded her head. "Yup, I think you guys deserve a break. I used to be in the field, and I can't imagine what it's like havin' to walk in those boots."

James sighed happily. "I never thought we'd get some wheels."

Billy nodded. "Besides, Butch and Cassidy already turned it down. They said I should ask you two."

Jessie looked over at James, then looked down at the keys. "Where is it?"

Billy pointed to the elevator. "It's in the garage, space #48."

-=-=-=-=-

"Don't.. stop.. thinking about tomorrow.. Don't... stop... it'll soon be here.. It'll be here, better than before.. Yesterday's gone.. Yesterday's gone.."

James and Meowth were singing with the lyrics, "Oooh.. don't you look baaack.."

Jessie looked at the radio in annoyance. "Will you turn that off?"

James sighed and hit the OFF button. "But it was 70's Flashback.."

Meowth sat back in his seat. "I guess Jessie ain' a fan o' Fleetwood Mac."

Jessie sighed. She would not have this near-perfect day ruined. She smiled. "Oh, alright, you can listen to it.. Just don't sing!"

James grinned. "Goodie!" He reached for the radio, and found Jessie's hand there. He looked over at her.

Jessie looked between his hand and then his eyes. The radio was on, and started to play another 70's tune. "You're... hand.."

The song continued. "A cloud of eiderdown, draws around me.. softening the sound.. Sleepy time when I lie, with my love by my side.. And she's brea-thing low... And the can-dle.. dies.."

James moved back, continuing to stare at her. "Oh.. yeah.."

Meowth looked up. "Yer 'bout ta run a red light."

Jessie slammed on the breaks, barely stopping before the intersection. She quickly turned the radio off. "It's distracting me.." She glanced at James, then stared ahead at the road, tightening her grip on the wheel.

James sat back in his seat. "I'm sorry.."

Jessie looked at him. "It's.. alright."

Meowth looked between the two. 'Wat's goin' on wit dem?' Meowth sighed inwardly. 'I shoulda knew dese two were were losin' dere minds..'

-=-=-=-=-

Cassidy fidgeted in her chair. The extra Pokéball was driving her crazy, its occupant constantly shifting. When she called it out during a training battle at Team Rocket's training center, it proved hard to control. It was also ruthless, trying to attack downed opponents.

"You want me to carry it?"

Cassidy looked over at Butch and realized she'd just communicated all of her feelings to him. "Uh, no.. I didn't mean to transmit that." She had uncovered a very irritating quirk of the implanted transmitter: whenever either one was under duress or stressed out, the transmitter would activate. It was probably set up so that in the heat of battle, they wouldn't have to concentrate on switching it on. It still annoyed her to no end.

"I'm sorry about that little quirk, you two." Gasglow closed the door.

Butch shrugged.

Cassidy watched the small man walk through the office. "So, are you going to tell us what our new mission is, or do we have to guess it again?" She rubbed the spot where her last shot had been made... it itched like crazy.

Gasglow sat down. "No, that won't be necessary. I want you to keep up the good work with Jessie and James for now. I'll update you in the morning."

-=-=-=-=-

Cassidy leaned against the door, watching the elevator. She couldn't believe she was going to do this. The light over the elevator blinked, and the door opened. She watched the two exchange glances walking down the corridor. "Uh, Jessie?"

Jessie looked back at James for a moment, then walked over to the fellow Rocket. "Hi, Cassidy."

"I was wondering... Are you alright?"

Jessie looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"Well.. uh.. Word's gotten around about your.. Well... your mother's birthday.." It was a total lie, of course. Cassidy had spent the two weeks of the cruise fighting terminal boredom. She decided to study the file folders Gasglow had given her and Butch.

Jessie's jaw tightened. "You.. You know?"

Cassidy nodded. "She's practically a legend in Team Rocket... Though it took a bit of digging to find out she was your mother.."

Jessie looked back at the door, thankful James had gone inside. She took a deep breath. "Uh, please don't take this the wrong way Cassidy, but.. I really.."

Cassidy nodded again. "I'm sorry if bringing it up is bad.. I just knew about it, and wanted to.. I don't know.. apologize, I guess."

Jessie looked back down the hallway, then back at Cassidy. "Is Butch...?"

Cassidy opened the door. "He's next door, watching some shows with Alan and Ann.." She and Jessie walked inside and sat down on the couch. Cassidy still couldn't believe she was doing this.

"Cassidy.." She chuckled low to herself. "I can't believe we're doing this.."

Cassidy fidgeted. "Yeah.. me too. I guess you must think I've gone insane..."

Jessie shook her head. "I don't know... Nothing really surprises me lately."

Cassidy looked around the apartment. "I'm just tired of fighting against you. I used to get a real kick out of it, but it isn't fun anymore."

"I guess I'm still in shock.. Especially after what happened back in the Orange Islands, and then Johto, and..." She trailed off, wondering if it was wise to bring up all their confrontations right now.

Cassidy turned back to Jessie. "I suppose the boss told you about our report.."

Jessie studied the other woman's face. "What was that about?"

"We both know that if the boss found out you worked with the cops, you'd be dead. I used to think that was the plan, but not anymore."

"And the Jeep?"

Cassidy smiled. "I hate them. It feels like I'm driving a tank."

"Thanks.. really. I started out this week wanting to take a leap off a tall object.. and now I feel like I'm soaring."

"You sure it isn't James that's making you feel like that?"

Jessie looked at Cassidy in shock, then looked down and blushed. "Is it that obvious?"

"Well, there's the little looks.. Ann told me she and Alan discovered you two on the couch."

Jessie wrung her hands. "I feel like an idiot. There's always been a thing.. But it's always been easy to lose whenever he said something that ticked me off. But lately, it's been getting harder to put off."

"You said anything to him about it?"

Jessie continued to look at her hands. "Of course not.. But he's probably figured it out. I'm pretty sure Meowth knows, too. If the boss finds out.."

Cassidy put her hand on Jessie's. "That's only for active teams. You two can always train recruits."

Jessie fidgeted. "I'm not sure that would work..."

"What do you mean? What else does he have on you?"

Jessie looked up at Cassidy. "If I told you, he'd probably kill you."

Cassidy shrugged. "What says being part of Team Rocket guarantees longevity?"

"Well.. yeah.. I guess you could look at it like that."

The door opened. Butch walked in, then saw the ladies. "Am I interrupting something?"

Jessie got up and walked past him. "No.. We were just talking.."

Cassidy followed her into the corridor. "Let's talk later, okay?"

Jessie nodded. "Okay..." She walked inside Alan and Ann's apartment.

Cassidy turned to Butch. "Why did you have to walk in like that?"

Butch shrugged. "Sorry.. I didn't know."

-=-=-=-=-

Alan got up and put the empty bowls in the kitchen. "You missed a great movie, Jess."

Ann nodded from the couch. "No matter how many times I see it, I still cry at the death scene."

Jessie looked at James. "What was it?"

James thought for a moment. "I forgot.. It was about transforming robots, though."

Ann got up and walked into her bedroom. "Well, I and Alan have plans for the evening."

Meowth walked out of the kitchen. "Yah, dey sed dey'd take me to dis lil' theader dat's showin' Aristocats! How's dat fer da cat's Me-owth!"

Jessie looked between Alan and Ann. Ann tried to conceal a grin as she walked out of her room, causing Jessie to nod very slowly in understanding. "My, that's very nice..."

James looked from Jessie, to Ann, to Alan in confusion.

Ann and Alan practically grabbed Meowth and dragged him out of the apartment. Ann stopped momentarily at the door. "There's a casserole in the fridge." She then closed the door.

Jessie sat down on the couch next to James. She wasn't paying attention to the television. Finally, she reached over to the remote, but found James' hand there.

He looked down at her hand and moved his own off the remote. She quickly hit the Mute button. He looked from the TV to the remote. "Uh..." He looked up and caught her staring at him, in a serious way. "Did.. did I do something?" He tensed up.

"No..."

He relaxed, and his hand moved onto hers. They both looked down. "Oh.. sorry.." He started to move his hand.

She slipped her hand around his. "Don't.."

His face showed his confusion. "What?"

Jessie watched him. "We need to talk.."

"About..."

She looked down at his hand. "Us.."

"Oh..."

Silence fell heavy for the next two minutes as both looked down at their clasped hands.

James looked up first. "Jessie... I..."

She stared into his eyes for a hint of what was on his mind.

James felt out of his element. "I guess..."

Jessie leaned forward. "Just kiss me."

-=-=-=-=-

End of "New Friends"

Characters from Pokémon anime (C) 1996, 2001 Nintendo of America, Inc. & GameFreak, Ltd.