Jessie stirred slightly as her body was slowly beginning to awaken from its
peaceful slumber. The red-haired girl stretched and yawned loudly feeling
very refreshed and ready to start a new day and hopefully her luck will
change and she and her partners would at last be able to steal some rare
Pokemons for the boss.
"Ah, finally! A great night's sleep considering all the interruptions last night! C'mon, James, time to rise and shine!" Jessie called and looked over to where James had his sleeping bag set up, but her expression froze seeing that it and its owner were gone and nowhere to be found in the area. "James?"
Panicked she jumped to her feet and kicked the still slumbering Meowth off her backpack and rolling towards the charred remains of the campfire which was now burned out. "Wake up you worthless furball, James is gone!"
"Meowth?" the cat groggily asked while rubbing his back end from the kick he just received while trying to focus on the waking world he was so suddenly thrust into. "Whaddya mean James is gone? He probably went off pouting again that you was mad at him."
Jessie glared at him and shook her head. "Why would he take his things if he just was planning to get moody on me again?" Seeing she was getting nowhere arguing with the cat, Jessie hastily pulled her boots on and ran towards the hot air balloon to see if she could catch her partner there and see what was his problem this time.
"Hey, wait up!" Meowth shouted and trotted after Jessie. He then stopped and sniffed the air and frowned. He couldn't scent James anywhere in the immediate area, but Jessie was out of earshot so he knew it was best to keep his mouth shut and let her find out for herself.
As the female member of Team Rocket approached the balloon, she called out her partner's name. "James! Please tell me you're in here!" With a thunk she hit the side of the balloon's basket and peered over the rim, her heart pounding anxiously. However, when she saw it was empty her features sagged and she slumped over the edge trying hard not to loose her temper or let her emotions get the better of her.
"He ain't dere is he, Jess?" Meowth asked gently as he finally made it to Jessie's side. With a small leap, Meowth landed on the basket and peered down into it following Jessie's gaze. "Hey, what's dat?" He asked pointing a claw at the red rose that was resting on the picnic basket.
Jessie's blue eyes widened and she climbed inside the basket and snatched the rose from its resting spot and held it gently between her fingers. She knew what it meant and her heart sank all the more. "James," she whispered and closed her eyes as she felt them starting to burn with tears she didn't wish Meowth to see.
However, the scratch cat was not stupid and he sympathetically lowered his head. "Sorry, Jess," he whispered. "But he couldn't have gotten dat far. After all he's trekking on foot ain't he?"
She didn't answer, but instead numbly nodded while slowly sinking to the bottom of the basket, blue eyes now opened, but fixed on the rose. How could he just up and leave like this without so much of a good-bye? She knew the rose was always his promise to say he'd return to that spot someday so she at least had that to cling to. Still, it didn't help stop the sudden pain her heart seemed to feel.
"Ya know, Jess, Jimmy's really got a soft spot for ya. Maybe if ya stopped pounding on him alla da time and give him some credit maybe he wouldn't be so scared about showing his true feelings for ya." Meowth suggested, knowing the reality behind a lot of James' actions. He also knew that Jessie felt the same way about the boy, but her vanity and pride over her reputation always prevented it from truly showing.
At first Jessie didn't move or reply as her thoughts were lingering on the fight she had with James last night and now she regretted the entire thing for now he was gone and she wasn't sure when she'd see him again. However, Meowth's words penetrated her brain and she glared up at him. "You shut that big mouth of yours, Meowth! You know that's a bunch of hogwash and I am not going to sit here and let you make this into something it's not! It's not MY fault he thought it was a good idea to run off and it's not because we have some imaginary crush on each other!"
The feline shrugged. "Suit yerself, but t'ink about it and stop lettin' yer pride get in da way so much. Maybe if ya listened to the little t'ings in life you'd see da obvious."
"Shut it now, Meowth!" Jessie yelled and threw a fry pan at him, hitting him square in the head and knocking him off his perch. She tightly closed her eyes and the tears that have built up finally had the freedom to stream down her cheeks. Damn you James, why did you just leave like this? I thought I at least would deserve to know what's going on instead of you just up and disappearing.
After a while Jessie wiped her face and tucked the rose behind her left ear and made up her mind she was going to attempt to find her partner no matter what. "Meowth," she growled while climbing out of the basket. "We're going on a James hunt. Let's break camp and get going."
The cat smirked to himself and nodded. "Sounds good ta me, Jess, but ya even know where we're gonna start lookin' at?"
"Who cares? That idiot could be anyplace and we're not going to find him just sitting around here crying all day! I on and help me get my stuff and then we can get going."
Meowth sighed and trotted a few feet behind the red-haired girl with a small grin on his face. He was pleased with himself that at least he got her to open up to her feelings about James more even though it earned him a lump on the head. Still, he wasn't sure where any of this was manhunt going to lead. Jessie was in no mood for rational thought right now, but then again when was she?
When the cat entered the camp area he was surprised to see the his teammate to just be quietly standing over the space where James had his sleeping bag set up from last night. He cocked his head and slowly approached her, but froze in his place when he heard a muffled sob escape her. Meowth frowned, she was taking this very hard for some reason and it only proved more that her care ran deeper for James than she would admit.
Knowing she wouldn't say so on her own, Meowth thought he'd help try and coax her to admit it aloud and perhaps it would help her feel a bit better. "So, ah...ya really got it bad for him don't ya?"
"What are you yammering about now?" she sniffed and rubbed her cheeks with the back of her hand.
"James...ya really like him don't ya? It is obvious ya know."
Jessie narrowed her eyes and quickly turned around to glare at the cat. "What are you babbling about? I'm just angry thinking that now I have to waste an entire day looking for that idiot! If we can't find him, what are we going to tell the boss, huh? Idiot! James is a complete idiot to do this! The least he could have done was leave a note or something more informative!"
Grumbling she stomped over to her sleeping bag and roughly gathered it up and snatched her backpack. "I could honestly care less about that boy right now. It's bad enough we failed things yesterday, but now we have to waste time looking for him instead of finding those twerps and that stinking Pikachu! James better hope that I don't find him too quickly or he's going to be in for the pounding of his life."
Meowth just gaped at her. Her moods changed so fast it was hard to ever determine what she was really feeling. No wonder James left! "Ya know somet'in', Jess, maybe if ya tried bein' nicer ta him..."
THONK! Meowth got whacked with one of Jessie's mallets that she always seemed to pull out of nowhere. "HEY! Dat wasn't nice ya know!"
"Yeah, I know, but neither is your tiring gab about me and James. Now, are you coming with me or not? I don't have all day!" Not even waiting for a reply, Jessie reached down with her free hand and grabbed the cat roughly by the back of his neck and stomped off back towards the balloon.
Once there she dumped Meowth on the ground and then deposited her sleeping bag and backpack inside the basket. She climbed inside and began to riffle around looking for some supplies she might need for her forced quest. Meowth just sat on the grass, rubbing the lump on his head. He wanted no more of her rants at this time and figured he'd let her look for things herself. With all the noise coming from the basket he knew she was very upset and confused and the last thing he wanted was another fry pan to the face.
Finally after a few loud minutes, Jessie emerged with a doughnut, which she shoved in the scratch cat's paws. "Here, don't say that I never think of you." She grumbled at him while counting the Pokeballs she had tucked away in her skirt's pocket. She had her Arbok and Likitung and since James stupidly left his Victreebel behind on the balloon's floor for some reason, she took that as well for one never knows when the extra help would be needed.
Dumb, she thought, he's absolutely dumb! Looking around the field she tried to determine what direction her idiot partner could have went to. Knowing he didn't tromp back through the camp, she figured he had to have just gone the opposite direction to avoid crossing her path and having to explain what it was he planned on doing.
"If you're done eating, let's get going. We got a long day ahead I'm sure," Jessie sighed and began heading off towards the woods.
She wasn't two feet away from the balloon when Meowth questioned her as to why she wasn't taking any weapons or empty Pokeballs for that matter. They could run into trouble or may actually find some wild Pokemon to capture for the boss so at least the day wouldn't be a complete waste.
Jessie paused for a moment to ponder this, but then turned around with a shrug. "Meowth, we haven't seen any creatures here since we landed yesterday afternoon and Pokemon are the last things I'm worried about right now. Besides I don't think there's a Pokeball big enough out there to fit James' fat head in! If that boy's not dead when we find him he just may will be when I get a hold of him."
The cat Pokemon didn't comment. He knew she was just spouting off due to frustration and in a way he couldn't blame her, but at the same time he couldn't blame James for leaving. Meowth often thought of it himself, but he had nowhere else to really go. He also was hoping for the day when he can do something wonderful to get back on the boss' good side and shove it in that snotty Persian's face.
In a few quick strides Meowth was at Jessie's side and together they made their way in almost the same direction James took just hours earlier. The sun was now fully up and all ready Meowth could feel the humidity rising and that did not make him happy. Meowth really hoped they could find their missing partner quickly and with no problems. He also hoped that when the time comes to get something to drink or eat they'd find as well it since Jessie wasn't taking any supplies other than the Pokeballs and Meowth wasn't about to suggest anything else and risk getting kicked again.
They walked in complete silence for long minutes and it was mostly because Meowth was afraid to even say anything to the fiery redhead. If only she'd listen to him or at least wake up and smell the roses. Roses? Remembering something the cat suddenly blinked and looked up at Jessie. She still had the rose James left behind neatly tucked behind her left ear. He grinned a toothy grin and gently leapt up onto Jessie's right shoulder making her gasp in surprise.
Jessie regarded the cat with a cold stare for a moment then softened and tiredly asked, "What is it now, Meowth? Don't tell me that your paws are hurting all ready and you need me to carry you."
He shook his head. "No, I was just wonderin' why ya got dat rose tucked behind yer left ear? Don't ya know dat means you're spoken for? If ya thought youse was single it woulda been behind yer right ear."
"And what the heck is that supposed to mean, Meowth?" she demanded, her blue eyes glinting dangerously. She then moved her left hand up and carefully touched the rose behind her ear, hesitated as if trying to figure out if she should remove it or not, but then rested it back at her side, rose still in its original place.
The scratch cat just shrugged. "I'm just sayin' dat maybe...glack!" He never got to finish his sentence for he suddenly found Jessie's hand tightly gripping his neck.
"I had about enough of you and your stupid little remarks about me and James!" Jessie growled as the realization of what Meowth was suggesting had registered in her mind. "We are not a couple, not now or ever so just get that thought out of your fat head and fast!"
Meowth squirmed in her grasp and looked at her with pleading eyes. "Is dat what you truly t'ink?" he sputtered, his paws desperately trying to unhook the vice-like grip on his neck.
Jessie's blue eyes shone with anger and her grip tightened on the cat's neck making him choke trying to get air. "I don't want to hear one more word out of that big mouth of yours about James and me again! Once was enough, you don't have to keep dredging it up all freaking day!" She hissed and dropped him heavily on the ground.
Meowth sat for a few moments gasping for breath while rubbing his sore neck. He then glared up at her and flattened his ears against his head. "Fine, if dat's how ya feel then ya don't need me either. I quit! Ya can go and find James on yer own and if ya do manage to find him and convince him ta come back, don't come lookin' fer me 'cause I want nothin' ta do with youse OR Team Rocket anymore! I'm gonna go someplace where I can be appreciated. Maybe I'll go join the twerps instead! At least dey appreciates a Pokemon!"
"Fine, just go then! At least now I'll get some peace and quiet! I don't need you or James in fact, but at least if I show back up at Team Rocket Headquarters without you, the boss won't care!" With that, Jessie fumed off and stomped away leaving Meowth to just sit on the ground watching her.
He was a wiser cat than she gave him credit for and he knew a lot of things just by observing them so knowing one of Jessie's little temper tantrums was nothing new for him. Instead of bounding off someplace where he couldn't be found or taking anything cruel that Jessie said to heart, the cat just patiently sat where he was and watched and waited.
Just as he figured would happen, Jessie stopped about fifty feet away from him and her shoulders slumped. A smirk slowly appeared on Meowth's lips and he just nodded to himself, proud that he was always right in cases like this and that he knows some people a lot better than they know themselves.
Jessie turned around and made her way slowly back to the smirking cat. Her gaze was downcast and Meowth had to fight with the urge to say something sarcastic to her, but seeing her so down was punishment enough for her and he didn't want to add to it. He just couldn't understand what the big deal was for her to admit her feelings or show true care for someone.
She looked sadly at the still smirking cat and sighed. "Listen, I'm sorry. I really don't want to do this alone. Will you come with me?"
Meowth just smugly crossed his arms in front of his chest and closed his eyes. He was going to humble her for this one as much as he could. "Oh? I t'ought you said ya didn't need me? Now ya do? Somethin' tells me ya better make up dat mind of yours."
Jessie growled, but it quickly passed. "Look, I said I was sorry, Meowth. You can come with me or not, but I really would like for you to join me. I- I could really use the company and help in finding James."
"Well," the cat replied, opening one eye and thoughtfully cocking his head to the side as if he was truly trying to ponder if this would be a good option for him. It was obvious that he had the upper had in this and he was going to milk it for all it's worth since it wasn't every day Jessie admitted she was wrong. "I suppose I could hang with ya for a little while out dere and at least make sure dat James is ok."
The girl smiled slightly and turned back around. "Let's get going then. James is probably far off by now so there's no point in making that distance worse by fighting all morning."
As she started to leave she was stopped quickly by a soft voice behind her saying, "Carry me."
She turned around and glared at Meowth who was holding his arms up to her like an infant wanting to be picked up. "You have got to be kidding? No! I refuse to carry you! You can walk just like I can!"
"Oh, but my achin' paws!" Meowth cried, sinking to the ground rubbing his back feet. "I don't know, Jessie, I t'ink I better go back to da balloon and rest. I'm too weak to wander!"
Jessie just rolled her eyes. "Give me a break! You are a worse whiner than James is, but at least he never asked me to carry him." With a reluctant sigh, Jessie bent down and lifted the cat into her arms. "Satisfied now?"
"Purrrr...why yes, t'anks fer askin'! Now, let's go find our partner!"
To be continued.....
"Ah, finally! A great night's sleep considering all the interruptions last night! C'mon, James, time to rise and shine!" Jessie called and looked over to where James had his sleeping bag set up, but her expression froze seeing that it and its owner were gone and nowhere to be found in the area. "James?"
Panicked she jumped to her feet and kicked the still slumbering Meowth off her backpack and rolling towards the charred remains of the campfire which was now burned out. "Wake up you worthless furball, James is gone!"
"Meowth?" the cat groggily asked while rubbing his back end from the kick he just received while trying to focus on the waking world he was so suddenly thrust into. "Whaddya mean James is gone? He probably went off pouting again that you was mad at him."
Jessie glared at him and shook her head. "Why would he take his things if he just was planning to get moody on me again?" Seeing she was getting nowhere arguing with the cat, Jessie hastily pulled her boots on and ran towards the hot air balloon to see if she could catch her partner there and see what was his problem this time.
"Hey, wait up!" Meowth shouted and trotted after Jessie. He then stopped and sniffed the air and frowned. He couldn't scent James anywhere in the immediate area, but Jessie was out of earshot so he knew it was best to keep his mouth shut and let her find out for herself.
As the female member of Team Rocket approached the balloon, she called out her partner's name. "James! Please tell me you're in here!" With a thunk she hit the side of the balloon's basket and peered over the rim, her heart pounding anxiously. However, when she saw it was empty her features sagged and she slumped over the edge trying hard not to loose her temper or let her emotions get the better of her.
"He ain't dere is he, Jess?" Meowth asked gently as he finally made it to Jessie's side. With a small leap, Meowth landed on the basket and peered down into it following Jessie's gaze. "Hey, what's dat?" He asked pointing a claw at the red rose that was resting on the picnic basket.
Jessie's blue eyes widened and she climbed inside the basket and snatched the rose from its resting spot and held it gently between her fingers. She knew what it meant and her heart sank all the more. "James," she whispered and closed her eyes as she felt them starting to burn with tears she didn't wish Meowth to see.
However, the scratch cat was not stupid and he sympathetically lowered his head. "Sorry, Jess," he whispered. "But he couldn't have gotten dat far. After all he's trekking on foot ain't he?"
She didn't answer, but instead numbly nodded while slowly sinking to the bottom of the basket, blue eyes now opened, but fixed on the rose. How could he just up and leave like this without so much of a good-bye? She knew the rose was always his promise to say he'd return to that spot someday so she at least had that to cling to. Still, it didn't help stop the sudden pain her heart seemed to feel.
"Ya know, Jess, Jimmy's really got a soft spot for ya. Maybe if ya stopped pounding on him alla da time and give him some credit maybe he wouldn't be so scared about showing his true feelings for ya." Meowth suggested, knowing the reality behind a lot of James' actions. He also knew that Jessie felt the same way about the boy, but her vanity and pride over her reputation always prevented it from truly showing.
At first Jessie didn't move or reply as her thoughts were lingering on the fight she had with James last night and now she regretted the entire thing for now he was gone and she wasn't sure when she'd see him again. However, Meowth's words penetrated her brain and she glared up at him. "You shut that big mouth of yours, Meowth! You know that's a bunch of hogwash and I am not going to sit here and let you make this into something it's not! It's not MY fault he thought it was a good idea to run off and it's not because we have some imaginary crush on each other!"
The feline shrugged. "Suit yerself, but t'ink about it and stop lettin' yer pride get in da way so much. Maybe if ya listened to the little t'ings in life you'd see da obvious."
"Shut it now, Meowth!" Jessie yelled and threw a fry pan at him, hitting him square in the head and knocking him off his perch. She tightly closed her eyes and the tears that have built up finally had the freedom to stream down her cheeks. Damn you James, why did you just leave like this? I thought I at least would deserve to know what's going on instead of you just up and disappearing.
After a while Jessie wiped her face and tucked the rose behind her left ear and made up her mind she was going to attempt to find her partner no matter what. "Meowth," she growled while climbing out of the basket. "We're going on a James hunt. Let's break camp and get going."
The cat smirked to himself and nodded. "Sounds good ta me, Jess, but ya even know where we're gonna start lookin' at?"
"Who cares? That idiot could be anyplace and we're not going to find him just sitting around here crying all day! I on and help me get my stuff and then we can get going."
Meowth sighed and trotted a few feet behind the red-haired girl with a small grin on his face. He was pleased with himself that at least he got her to open up to her feelings about James more even though it earned him a lump on the head. Still, he wasn't sure where any of this was manhunt going to lead. Jessie was in no mood for rational thought right now, but then again when was she?
When the cat entered the camp area he was surprised to see the his teammate to just be quietly standing over the space where James had his sleeping bag set up from last night. He cocked his head and slowly approached her, but froze in his place when he heard a muffled sob escape her. Meowth frowned, she was taking this very hard for some reason and it only proved more that her care ran deeper for James than she would admit.
Knowing she wouldn't say so on her own, Meowth thought he'd help try and coax her to admit it aloud and perhaps it would help her feel a bit better. "So, ah...ya really got it bad for him don't ya?"
"What are you yammering about now?" she sniffed and rubbed her cheeks with the back of her hand.
"James...ya really like him don't ya? It is obvious ya know."
Jessie narrowed her eyes and quickly turned around to glare at the cat. "What are you babbling about? I'm just angry thinking that now I have to waste an entire day looking for that idiot! If we can't find him, what are we going to tell the boss, huh? Idiot! James is a complete idiot to do this! The least he could have done was leave a note or something more informative!"
Grumbling she stomped over to her sleeping bag and roughly gathered it up and snatched her backpack. "I could honestly care less about that boy right now. It's bad enough we failed things yesterday, but now we have to waste time looking for him instead of finding those twerps and that stinking Pikachu! James better hope that I don't find him too quickly or he's going to be in for the pounding of his life."
Meowth just gaped at her. Her moods changed so fast it was hard to ever determine what she was really feeling. No wonder James left! "Ya know somet'in', Jess, maybe if ya tried bein' nicer ta him..."
THONK! Meowth got whacked with one of Jessie's mallets that she always seemed to pull out of nowhere. "HEY! Dat wasn't nice ya know!"
"Yeah, I know, but neither is your tiring gab about me and James. Now, are you coming with me or not? I don't have all day!" Not even waiting for a reply, Jessie reached down with her free hand and grabbed the cat roughly by the back of his neck and stomped off back towards the balloon.
Once there she dumped Meowth on the ground and then deposited her sleeping bag and backpack inside the basket. She climbed inside and began to riffle around looking for some supplies she might need for her forced quest. Meowth just sat on the grass, rubbing the lump on his head. He wanted no more of her rants at this time and figured he'd let her look for things herself. With all the noise coming from the basket he knew she was very upset and confused and the last thing he wanted was another fry pan to the face.
Finally after a few loud minutes, Jessie emerged with a doughnut, which she shoved in the scratch cat's paws. "Here, don't say that I never think of you." She grumbled at him while counting the Pokeballs she had tucked away in her skirt's pocket. She had her Arbok and Likitung and since James stupidly left his Victreebel behind on the balloon's floor for some reason, she took that as well for one never knows when the extra help would be needed.
Dumb, she thought, he's absolutely dumb! Looking around the field she tried to determine what direction her idiot partner could have went to. Knowing he didn't tromp back through the camp, she figured he had to have just gone the opposite direction to avoid crossing her path and having to explain what it was he planned on doing.
"If you're done eating, let's get going. We got a long day ahead I'm sure," Jessie sighed and began heading off towards the woods.
She wasn't two feet away from the balloon when Meowth questioned her as to why she wasn't taking any weapons or empty Pokeballs for that matter. They could run into trouble or may actually find some wild Pokemon to capture for the boss so at least the day wouldn't be a complete waste.
Jessie paused for a moment to ponder this, but then turned around with a shrug. "Meowth, we haven't seen any creatures here since we landed yesterday afternoon and Pokemon are the last things I'm worried about right now. Besides I don't think there's a Pokeball big enough out there to fit James' fat head in! If that boy's not dead when we find him he just may will be when I get a hold of him."
The cat Pokemon didn't comment. He knew she was just spouting off due to frustration and in a way he couldn't blame her, but at the same time he couldn't blame James for leaving. Meowth often thought of it himself, but he had nowhere else to really go. He also was hoping for the day when he can do something wonderful to get back on the boss' good side and shove it in that snotty Persian's face.
In a few quick strides Meowth was at Jessie's side and together they made their way in almost the same direction James took just hours earlier. The sun was now fully up and all ready Meowth could feel the humidity rising and that did not make him happy. Meowth really hoped they could find their missing partner quickly and with no problems. He also hoped that when the time comes to get something to drink or eat they'd find as well it since Jessie wasn't taking any supplies other than the Pokeballs and Meowth wasn't about to suggest anything else and risk getting kicked again.
They walked in complete silence for long minutes and it was mostly because Meowth was afraid to even say anything to the fiery redhead. If only she'd listen to him or at least wake up and smell the roses. Roses? Remembering something the cat suddenly blinked and looked up at Jessie. She still had the rose James left behind neatly tucked behind her left ear. He grinned a toothy grin and gently leapt up onto Jessie's right shoulder making her gasp in surprise.
Jessie regarded the cat with a cold stare for a moment then softened and tiredly asked, "What is it now, Meowth? Don't tell me that your paws are hurting all ready and you need me to carry you."
He shook his head. "No, I was just wonderin' why ya got dat rose tucked behind yer left ear? Don't ya know dat means you're spoken for? If ya thought youse was single it woulda been behind yer right ear."
"And what the heck is that supposed to mean, Meowth?" she demanded, her blue eyes glinting dangerously. She then moved her left hand up and carefully touched the rose behind her ear, hesitated as if trying to figure out if she should remove it or not, but then rested it back at her side, rose still in its original place.
The scratch cat just shrugged. "I'm just sayin' dat maybe...glack!" He never got to finish his sentence for he suddenly found Jessie's hand tightly gripping his neck.
"I had about enough of you and your stupid little remarks about me and James!" Jessie growled as the realization of what Meowth was suggesting had registered in her mind. "We are not a couple, not now or ever so just get that thought out of your fat head and fast!"
Meowth squirmed in her grasp and looked at her with pleading eyes. "Is dat what you truly t'ink?" he sputtered, his paws desperately trying to unhook the vice-like grip on his neck.
Jessie's blue eyes shone with anger and her grip tightened on the cat's neck making him choke trying to get air. "I don't want to hear one more word out of that big mouth of yours about James and me again! Once was enough, you don't have to keep dredging it up all freaking day!" She hissed and dropped him heavily on the ground.
Meowth sat for a few moments gasping for breath while rubbing his sore neck. He then glared up at her and flattened his ears against his head. "Fine, if dat's how ya feel then ya don't need me either. I quit! Ya can go and find James on yer own and if ya do manage to find him and convince him ta come back, don't come lookin' fer me 'cause I want nothin' ta do with youse OR Team Rocket anymore! I'm gonna go someplace where I can be appreciated. Maybe I'll go join the twerps instead! At least dey appreciates a Pokemon!"
"Fine, just go then! At least now I'll get some peace and quiet! I don't need you or James in fact, but at least if I show back up at Team Rocket Headquarters without you, the boss won't care!" With that, Jessie fumed off and stomped away leaving Meowth to just sit on the ground watching her.
He was a wiser cat than she gave him credit for and he knew a lot of things just by observing them so knowing one of Jessie's little temper tantrums was nothing new for him. Instead of bounding off someplace where he couldn't be found or taking anything cruel that Jessie said to heart, the cat just patiently sat where he was and watched and waited.
Just as he figured would happen, Jessie stopped about fifty feet away from him and her shoulders slumped. A smirk slowly appeared on Meowth's lips and he just nodded to himself, proud that he was always right in cases like this and that he knows some people a lot better than they know themselves.
Jessie turned around and made her way slowly back to the smirking cat. Her gaze was downcast and Meowth had to fight with the urge to say something sarcastic to her, but seeing her so down was punishment enough for her and he didn't want to add to it. He just couldn't understand what the big deal was for her to admit her feelings or show true care for someone.
She looked sadly at the still smirking cat and sighed. "Listen, I'm sorry. I really don't want to do this alone. Will you come with me?"
Meowth just smugly crossed his arms in front of his chest and closed his eyes. He was going to humble her for this one as much as he could. "Oh? I t'ought you said ya didn't need me? Now ya do? Somethin' tells me ya better make up dat mind of yours."
Jessie growled, but it quickly passed. "Look, I said I was sorry, Meowth. You can come with me or not, but I really would like for you to join me. I- I could really use the company and help in finding James."
"Well," the cat replied, opening one eye and thoughtfully cocking his head to the side as if he was truly trying to ponder if this would be a good option for him. It was obvious that he had the upper had in this and he was going to milk it for all it's worth since it wasn't every day Jessie admitted she was wrong. "I suppose I could hang with ya for a little while out dere and at least make sure dat James is ok."
The girl smiled slightly and turned back around. "Let's get going then. James is probably far off by now so there's no point in making that distance worse by fighting all morning."
As she started to leave she was stopped quickly by a soft voice behind her saying, "Carry me."
She turned around and glared at Meowth who was holding his arms up to her like an infant wanting to be picked up. "You have got to be kidding? No! I refuse to carry you! You can walk just like I can!"
"Oh, but my achin' paws!" Meowth cried, sinking to the ground rubbing his back feet. "I don't know, Jessie, I t'ink I better go back to da balloon and rest. I'm too weak to wander!"
Jessie just rolled her eyes. "Give me a break! You are a worse whiner than James is, but at least he never asked me to carry him." With a reluctant sigh, Jessie bent down and lifted the cat into her arms. "Satisfied now?"
"Purrrr...why yes, t'anks fer askin'! Now, let's go find our partner!"
To be continued.....
