Disclaimer: Pokémon belong to Nintendo. GrimGrave owns nothing.
Sequel to `Nothing but Change.´ Because I had to finish what I started x)
Proof-read by Espada Harribel!
Change
"Cerbera, heel."
The Houndoom growled and obediently stayed at Cassidy's side though its stance was defensive. Its eyes flared like fire, its gaze trained on Jessie.
Cassidy would've laughed if she wasn't in such a sour mood. She crossed her arms. "Well? What do you want to talk about?"
Jessie took an interest in the floor as she shifted her gaze. After a full agonizingly silent minute she finally straightened (somewhat) and began, her voice unusually quiet; "I'm…ashamed of how things ended between us earlier. And I wanted to…" Her face twisted into a scowl. "Apologize."
Cassidy arched a single brow. "Huh? What was that?"
"Tch. I know you heard me."
"I did hear you; I just don't believe what I heard," Cassidy replied.
Jessie rolled her eyes. "Ha ha. Look. I've had time thinking this over and…I've just had trouble sorting everything out."
"Sorting what out?"
The redhead grimaced. "My… feelings. There I said it."
Cassidy blinked. Her feelings?
"And believe me it takes every bit of strength to even admitting this, but—"
"Bull. Shit." Pain immediately throbbed in Cassidy's temples. "Who are you and what did you do to the real stick-in-the-mud, vain Jessie?"
A bitter sigh escaped Jessie's lips. "Of course you wouldn't believe me when I'm telling you the truth."
"You've never given me a good reason to believe you."
The look in the redhead's eyes in reaction to that utterance surprised Cassidy, but the fierceness quickly faded as Jessie once again looked away. "I suppose I haven't. I kept up the damn act of hating you since the academy because I couldn't even be honest with myself."
Cassidy wasn't sure what to say. She wanted nothing more than to have Jessie leave the room immediately, but once again her treacherous little heart kept her from voicing what she actually felt. For that same reason she let the redhead continue…perhaps against better judgement.
She hated herself for it.
And with how exasperated Jessie sounded with each utterance she most likely hated herself appearing this vulnerable.
Cassidy could relate to that. It was why she was trying her hardest to maintain her cool. It couldn't feel good to be this exposed in front of the person you hated. Or lo- liked? Whichever the case was.
"I know we got off on the wrong foot at the academy. At the time I hated you for acting like you were better than me; I thought of you as a selfish brat who looked down on me at every turn."
"But I am better than you and I did look down on you," Cassidy quipped without thinking and the lack of a scowl directed at her only made the blonde's heart curiously ache.
"…Anyway the point is that I honestly, deep down, wanted us to be friends. You were the only girl in the academy that could keep up with me and I respected you for it despite the rivalry that happened between us. I wanted us to be equals, but…" There it was; the scowl, the fury in blue eyes. "You always seemed to be two steps ahead of me! And I guess somewhere down the line that passion and drive became something else entirely even if I didn't realize…or wanted to acknowledge it once I figured it out. We had so much bad blood between us at that point that I just didn't know what to do or if I could do anything. So I kept up appearances."
"…Because you wanted my attention even if it was in the form of anger and mockery." Cassidy rubbed her temples. This conversation had taken a weird turn.
"I honestly felt happy when you just looked at me. I haven't forgotten how much I disliked you, but still…Ugh. I can't believe I'm actually telling you this, but the Persian is out of the bag now."
The inflection in her voice – the hurt, grief-stricken rasp – made Cassidy want to believe her. Despite everything it hurt her to hear Jessie like this.
Still…
"No time like the present right? Although I honestly wished you had confronted me about this sooner. But how can I possibly trust you? You've tricked me time and time again for years."
"I know." The utter defeat in the acknowledgement was deafening. "I want to patch things up between us nonetheless before—"
"You can't."
Blue eyes narrowed. "I would appreciate if you fucking stopped interrupting me every two damn minutes. This isn't easy for me."
Cassidy's cool cracked. "For all I know, this could be another trick to get back into my good graces. After all, all you had to do was to put up with being with a lesbian and you could reap all the rewards of my admin status."
She wasn't going to be taken advantage of. Not again.
A gasp. "You think I—?!" The redhead straightened. Her eyes narrowed down. "Very well. If you don't give a fuck about words then let's settle this the old school way."
Cassidy frowned. "And why would I agree to this? It's a waste of my time."
There it was: a sneer. "What, afraid you'll lose, Ms. Admin?"
Her fingers twitched. The Houndoom stepped forward with a snarl and Jessie flinched, but Cassidy kept it at bay. For now. "You must be really desperate if you're challenging me, but I want this to be over and done with."
"If I win… we'll start over from scratch. Clean slate," Jessie told her. "And if I lose then I will leave you alone."
For a moment Cassidy was taken aback, but quickly had to stifle a laugh. "It's not like I'm at risk of losing, so I accept. I will need to think about what will happen when I win though."
"Don't waste the time or your precious brain-cells, Cassidy."
"Too late; I've already lost some of both thanks to this conversation. Why don't we meet up in the courtyard and get this over with?"
They traded heated glares as she left the office. Cassidy's hands had balled up into fists and trembled with seething rage, but…this felt nostalgic in a way – like when they used to battle in the past.
Despite herself Cassidy was actually looking forward to this. And not entirely due to the prospect of Jessie leaving her alone once she lost.
The Houndoom softly whined and nuzzled her leg comfortingly. Smiling, Cassidy knelt down and scratched its head.
"...I appreciate that she told me all of this. I really do, deep down. But I don't see how this will change anything, Cerbera." Her Pokémon barked and licked her face affectionately. "Aw, you're so sweet, girl."
She straightened and called her Houndoom back into its ball. As soon as it was inside she sighed and headed out with less of a spring in her step, and her traitorous heart aching.
"All in or just or strongest against each other, one vs one?" Cassidy asked as she circled the redhead challengingly.
Jessie glared back, a Poké Ball tightly gripped in hand. "Our strongest. Why drag this out?"
"For once we agree on something."
Once there was enough space between them neither wasted any time; this would end now.
"Go forth, Cerbera!"
"Seviper, go!"
The two Pokémon emerged from their Poké Balls, poised to strike—
"Seviper, use Coil!"
"Cerbera, Double Team, followed by Flamethrower!"
The serpentine Pokémon strengthened itself up while the canine became like a blur, speedily sidestepping while bright flames spouted from its maw in a direct cone towards the former—
"Seviper, use Dig!"
Seviper hissed and quickly burrowed underground, narrowly escaping the fire.
Cassidy's eyes widened. If that Ground type move were to strike Cerbera after that snake had powered up both its Attack and Accuracy…!
"Cerbera, Double Team and then dodge out of the way!"
The ground erupted beneath the canine as Seviper sprouted upwards, rock and mud splattering onto the Houndoom.
How?! Had the Accuracy boost really been enough?!
"Now, Seviper! Wrap, then Poison Tail!"
Houdoom howled as the serpent tightly coiled around it and squeezed just as its tail dug into its side with a sickening noise.
Cassidy couldn't believe it. Jessie fought tooth and nail and ordered her Pokémon around with moves like she knew what Cassidy was thinking! Cassidy almost had trouble keeping up with her. What was happening? What was this feeling?
"Cerbera, use this to your advantage! Use Crunch!"
The Houndoom snarled and sunk its fangs into Seviper's side with tremendous force. The serpent hissed and its grip slackened, allowing the canine to maul and throw Seviper off.
"Hurry, Seviper! Use Glare—"
"Cerbera, FLAMETHROWER!"
With a mighty, echoing howl the Houndoom bellowed searing flames towards Seviper and its sharp Glare, engulfing it completely in a pillar of fire and smoke, and kicking up dust over the courtyard.
Once the dust and smoke settled Houndoom was frozen in place, unable to move…but the Seviper was scorched to a crisp.
Cassidy hadn't even realized she had been holding her breath and wiped her brow.
The Seviper hissed painfully and finally fainted before being recalled into its Poké Ball. Victory was Cassidy's…if only barely.
She nonetheless smirked and looked up at her opponent, expecting to see that same expression she had been directed at her so many times over the years…but instead of a fiery scowl Jessie's face was devoid of emotion.
"…I can see now why you were appointed admin. You've…you've grown stronger."
Her heart sank. This reaction was so out of place for Jessie – she never would accept something so quickly or easily yet there she stood and blatantly accepted defeat. Cassidy always revelled in any victory of Jessie…so why did it feel bitter this time? Normally Jessie would scowl, bark insults at her, and throw a fit for Cassidy's amusement, but now…there was nothing. No emotion. Just a blank stare as the redhead's shoulders slumped and the lack of pride and joy in Cassidy's heart.
This wasn't a victory at all.
Jessie let out a dry, half-hearted chuckle. "I guess it was a stupid fucking thing to do to challenge you. But I honestly thought…Tch. Never mind. I've already messed this up." She took a deep breath. Her body-language was different; she was visibly distraught. "Alright. I am a woman of my word so…I will leave you alone, Cassidy. Goodbye and…" Another breath. Jessie's face twisted like she struggled to utter the words. "I'm sorry for everything."
A flash of pain struck Cassidy's heart as Jessie uttered those words. She should be happy that Jessie was going to leave her alone – overjoyed that this was finally coming to an end so she could move on. Jessie had hurt her, taken advantage of her! All so she could better her own status!
So why was the thought of Jessie cutting herself off from her suddenly heart-wrenching? A whole month without her had been relatively fine – was it because now it was `official´?
Damn her traitorous, hopeful little heart!
"WAIT!"
Jessie immediately stopped dead in her tracks and peered back at Cassidy.
The aggravating little thought – What If – gnawed at the back of Cassidy's mind. Despite herself and the hate she felt for her, she had wished that they could reconcile and that pathetic spark of hope had not died out like an ember in the wind.
"Arceus damn it…" This feeling of being vulnerable and exposed was humiliating as she hid her eyes. So this is how Jessie must've felt earlier. "I haven't even stated what I would want if I won."
"…I told you I would leave you alone if I lost."
"And if you won then we would start over from scratch. What about if I won?" Cassidy took a deep breath. Time to take a risk and gamble. She ran a hand through her spiky blonde hair and groaned. "Damn it. Even after all this time my heart is still stubborn about you, Jessie."
Blue eyes widened. They were hopeful yet hesitant and Jessie didn't respond as if waiting for clarification – waiting to hear what she dared hope would come.
It made Cassidy's heart do that fluttery thing she didn't like.
"For better or worse, you are a part of my life, Jess; you always have been. So…
"S-So…?"
`Here goes…´ "If you are serious about this, then…I…I suppose we could try starting fresh and maybe…begin with a date and see where that takes us."
She groaned inwardly. This didn't feel like her to say it, but it was what she felt deep down.
What felt even odder was how Jessie had run straight up to her and pulled Cassidy into a tight hug. "Thank you…!"
"You're…welcome?" She reciprocated the hug albeit awkwardly. It felt nice – soft, comforting. Jessie was warm; the kind of warmth you wanted to bury yourself into, take it all in, and doze off. She even smelled nice.
"But I'll have you know," Cassidy began. She hugged Jessie tighter. "That if this is another trick – if you're toying with my heart again – then I will abuse my position to make things difficult for you. I have the power to do so."
"I'm not lying…not anymore. I'm laying all my cards on the table. You better appreciate it," Jessie muttered back. "I hate being this sappy and this isn't easy for me."
"I know, I know. I'm all ears now." Cassidy stroked Jessie's back soothingly. "Maybe start from the beginning?"
"…What else is there to say? I told you already."
"So you hated me from the start and then you liked me, but you didn't realize it and when you did figure it out you began to target me even more. Then when the opportunity did come you didn't know how to handle two women doing it and so you panicked and so you started a fight with me again. That's what I'm getting from this."
Jessie physically winced and relinquished the embrace, stepping back. "Something like that. We got off on the wrong foot and with the way you acted like you were better than me…I just snapped. I wanted to prove that I was just as good as you, if not better." She averted her gaze for a moment and then quickly met Cassidy's before glancing downwards once more.
"I honestly thought that I could become worthy of you."
Cassidy's heart hammered beneath her breast. All this time – the fighting, the constant, stubborn drive of one-upmanship, the attention-grabbing mockery – it had been about proving her worth?
"Jessie…you've always been my rival. There was never anyone else in the academy or in the organization itself who could match me, especially these past few months when I strove to become an admin." There was an odd sense of relief to confess that out loud. "You caught up and that only made me push harder. This battle is a perfect example of that."
Jessie shot her a look. "I…did?"
"Yeah." Her heart wouldn't stop pounding. "I suppose I owe you the truth. I really liked you too, you know. Always did."
Jessie's lips parted like she wanted to say something, but no words were uttered. Then, as she met Cassidy's gaze, she simply waited.
"I've always regretted that we ended up fighting. I wanted to make things right, but with the way you behaved it just infuriated me; I couldn't stand you. So I tried to bury those feelings and focus on my career."
"Hah. And here I thought you were incapable of caring about anyone else but yourself." Jessie shook her head and lightly scoffed. "If we hadn't been so stubborn when we were younger…"
"But there's one thing I still don't get, Jessie."
The redhead tensed. "What's that?"
"Back then when you oh so smoothly came onto me and ended up in bed, you didn't…reciprocate. You were awkward about it. Not to mention that you had your chance to turn our relationship around; I was…willing to let it happen," Cassidy confessed. "Just what happened?"
The look on Jessie's face was too telling. Her body-language instantly shifted as she peered over at nothing in particular and hugged herself.
"I…I don't know how relationships are supposed to be like, alright? I've dated before, but they always treated me badly…or they ended up leaving me if I didn't break up with them first. I've been cautious since."
That was…pretty sad actually, Cassidy thought. Of course someone who only had had bad relationships wouldn't know what to do.
She let out an exasperated sigh. "Let me guess: men?"
"…Yes," Jessie murmured.
"I knew it. There's your problem. And I take it that I was your first time with a woman?"
Jessie nodded. "I know the gist of it, but I haven't exactly…explored that area until we—" She shook her head and groaned. "This is mortifying."
"Oh Jess, sweetie, you've missed out on so much," Cassidy said and caught herself smiling at Jessie's growing blush. "So how about we finally rectify this once and for all?"
To see Jessie smile – genuinely and heart-warmingly – as she did now at this very moment was honestly refreshing. "I would love that. Maybe we could continue were we—"
A drizzle caught their attention; before they knew it the drizzle became a downpour in the span of a few seconds.
"What the hell?! Who used Rain Dance?!"
In all honesty Cassidy would've been just as angry over the sudden change of weather, but Jessie with her hair down, literally and figuratively, was wordlessly beautiful. And distracting.
"You're cute with your hair down like that, you know."
"Ah? Oh uhm…Thank you."
Cassidy chuckled. "Oh my, is that a blush? One complement and you're acting like a little schoolgirl."
"What was that?! Watch it Cass or else I'll—"
"Ah, fire and passion. That's the Jessie I know and love."
Making Jessie blush and avert her gaze was suddenly a lot more fun than riling her up. "Stop it."
"You're cute when you're pouting too."
Jessie stifled a groan. "For the love of…What do I have to do to shut you up?!"
"Isn't it obvious at this point?"
The anger melted away from Jessie's face. "Yes…Of course."
"Come here…" She stepped closer, a hand on Jessie's cheek, and leaned in. "A little rain isn't going to stop us from starting fresh, right?"
Without waiting for a reply Cassidy pressed her lips against Jessie's. There was a muffled gasp as the redhead tensed, but just as quickly relaxed and began to hug Cassidy closer. It was soft and wet, but warm-blooded and increasingly bold. It was a kiss unlike what they had shared before that sent a little electrical arc along their spines and left a tingly sensation; a kiss that had their tongues begging for entrance and wrestled in a dance the longer they went at it.
Time seemed to hold its breath in this moment – like it was just them and no-one else mattered.
As if the need for oxygen hadn't been enough, the sky rumbled as lightning cracked and whipped in the distance, and the pair disengaged, eyes heavy-lidded as they glanced at one another.
"…Your place or mine?"
Cassidy merely chuckled and locked fingers with Jessie before leading her back to HQ.
They stumbled into Cassidy's room, barely able to close and lock the door behind with the way they were all over each other. With the cat out of the bag, it was time to make up for lost time.
Lips parted for wrestling, covetous tongues whilst impatient hands tore at clothes while the pair moved over to the bed and created a path with their articles. By the time they reached the bed only the pesky underwear was in the way.
Cassidy pulled down Jessie's panties – black with red trims she noted – while the latter helped her out of the brassiere before they switched. The second the last articles of clothing were finally removed a tingle ran along Cassidy's spine when their hot, flushed bodies were pressed up against each other. The mattress sank as Cassidy found herself straddled by Jessie who kissed her between affectionately and ravenously.
It was far more different from their first time; Jessie was more into it, more eager, and her hands wouldn't leave Cassidy's body for even a moment as she fisted spiky blonde hair and pulled Cassidy closer.
As much as an eager Jessie made her sex throb, Cassidy wasn't about to let herself be on the receiving end just yet and flipped the redhead onto her back. "You'll get your turn soon, but first…"
"H-Hey! I was finally working up the nerve to-Oh!"
Cassidy wasted no time as two fingers easily slipped inside pink depths and inner muscles instantly clamped down around them, accompanied by the redhead's string of coos. She thrusted slowly at first and savoured the look of Jessie's impatience that smouldered in her eyes, before she quickened her pace and thrusted deeper.
"Aah!"
"So wet…" Cassidy murmured. Her fingers slid effortlessly despite how eagerly inner walls seemed reluctant to let them go. Jessie spread her thighs wider, her hips twitching and almost thrusting back at Cassidy's fingers to the latter's amusement.
She curled her fingers and watched as Jessie writhed and bucked against the bed, clutching at the covers. The sounds of Jessie's approval only made her own sex slicker, but for now she wanted to focus on her lover.
Slender digits curled against sweet spots Cassidy had learned over the years (trying to forget and move on…) and the results was as satisfying as she had hoped as the redhead let out a shrill moan and trembled, and the moan only grew longer and escalated in octave when her free hand pinched and twisted an erect nipple. She watched, transfixed and amused, as Jessie squirmed with pleasure and immediately doubled down.
Cassidy added a third finger and the redhead tensed. She plumbed wet heat and spread her fingers for added effect whilst alternate between nipples, then curled her fingers just so—
"Cass!"
The husky, needy utterance was pure ecstasy.
"I've got you, Jess."
She leaned down and sealed those full lips with her own.
Pressing the heel of her palm against that sensitive bundle of nerves did Jessie in as the redhead jerked and sullied Cassidy's hand as she rode out her orgasm until her whole body slackened.
Cassidy withdrew and with no small sense of pride inspected her handiwork. Her fingers glistened and she promptly licked them clean: sweet, tangy, and uniquely Jessie's.
"That can't taste good," said Jessie, unaware of the effect the slight hoarseness in her voice had on the blonde.
Cassidy smirked. "It's an acquired taste. You'll learn to love it."
"…I suppose I shouldn't wait then."
"Wha—" The redhead pushed Cassidy down on her back and kissed her fully on the lips.
An assertive Jessie was certainly not unwelcome…
The kiss ended abruptly, but Jessie made up for it by trailing a path of feather-light pecks down the blonde's body and nuzzling the valley between pale swells. Pleasure already built up in the pit of Cassidy's stomach and the lower Jessie went the more it wound tighter; the sheer anticipation and seeing the redhead so confident about this was getting to her.
Jessie stopped right above the small landing-strip of flaxen curls to Cassidy's disappointment, but she let her take her time. Her heavy-lidded eyes were fixated on the drenched curls and the pretty pink just underneath as she wetted her lips.
It was such a turn on to see her like that.
The moment before Jessie moved felt like an eon, but when she did it became abundantly clear that she had paid attention during their first time.
"Mm…"
Jessie gingerly kissed Cassidy's mons at first, but slowly grew bolder and got a taste for it before she began trying out her tongue.
"Jess…!"
Pleasure rippled over her body as Jessie gradually began to eat her out with more and more gusto. This was beyond anything Cassidy had ever experienced before – better than their first time together. This was mutual.
Quick circuits around her clit had Cassidy bury a hand in crimson tresses and urge for more while keeping the Team Rocket Grunt in place and Jessie didn't seem to mind. Gentle suction only added to the pleasure and Cassidy's muscles tensed as pressure threatened to burst at any moment's notice.
How was Jessie this good?!
"I remembered how you did it to me – not bad, right?"
Cassidy's eyes snapped wide open. Had she said that out loud?!
A strangled moan escaped her as Jessie then lapped a hot path along her slit and teased the wet entrance with her tongue. Her eyes became unfocused and her body felt like it was turning into pliant, hot goo.
"Jess…Jess!" Her toes curled. The pleasure between her loins was already too much and she was beginning to see stars. "I'm going to—!"
Jessie shifted and abruptly ceased her oral ministrations, but the brief moment of neglect was made up by slender fingers providing a thorough sense of fullness, coupled with the continued external stimulation as Jessie pursed her lips around that hypersensitive clitoris and flexed her fingers all at once.
"JESS!"
The white-hot, intense euphoria had Cassidy buck and raise her hips until she was as taut as a bow-string. Even as she rode out her orgasm that made her first one seem like a fucking joke Jessie didn't stop and prolonged it with relish. Was that her way of making up for before?
Whether or not that was the case however Cassidy was oh so grateful and the litany of moans and Jessie's name was a testament to that.
When Jessie finally did let Cassidy rest the blonde was a panting mess. "You were right; I did love it."
"Tch." Cassidy managed a weak scoff. "Since when do you learn things that quickly?"
"…Since I wanted to make it up to you. For last time – for everything."
Ba-bump.
It would take some time getting used to them both being sappier around each other. But that didn't sound so bad.
"Come here." She beckoned and then pulled Jessie closer, stealing a deep kiss before once again flipping the redhead over.
They had plenty of time and the second wind was only beginning.
x.x.x
After what felt like a short eternity of an afterglow the silence was finally broken as Jessie turned to her side and reached out to cup Cassidy's cheek. Her hand was trembling.
"Are you okay?" Cassidy asked.
"Yeah, Cass, I am. I guess I just have trouble believing this is real after all this time."
"Idiot." She brought Jessie's hand to her lips and planted a soft kiss. "This isn't a dream."
"It sure feels like it. Although I guess that if this was a dream I would've been on top completely."
Cassidy guffawed. "Definitely in your dreams, Jess!"
"Hmph. I don't see what's so funny about that. But I suppose as the admin it's only right that you're in charge in the bedroom too."
"What's this? When did you suddenly become so compliant?"
The heated glint in Jessie's eyes was the only warning Cassidy got before the former straddled her. Long reddish hair framed that vixenish face as Jessie leaned in close and huskily uttered, "I was just thinking, perhaps you can abuse your position in a different way for little old me?"
A bolt of heat settled between her loins and her heat threatened to leap out of Cassidy's throat simultaneously. "You're getting a bit carried away here."
"Hmm? No idea what you mean. You're the boss here; all you have to do is tell your subordinate to stop."
"You like this way too much."
"Oh? Have I finally one-upped you, Cassidy? And in the bedroom no less. So easy…"
Meeting that challenging smirk, Cassidy flipped Jessie over for round…umpteenth.
A week later…
"Say, Cass? I, uhm…hate to bring it up, but… I don't suppose the Salandit offer is still up…?"
Cassidy smiled and reached for the Poké Ball, and gently tossed it over. "Here you go. You're lucky I kept it around."
"Thanks… I do appreciate it, you know. I like Poison type Pokémon."
"I know; that's why I picked that one. It's deadly and alluring—"
"How flattering."
"-known to attract males."
"A jab at my track record with boyfriends? That's low of you, Cass."
"And it can learn dragon moves which are a perfect way to describe your spouts of anger."
"Hey!"
Cassidy snickered. "I'm only half-kidding, hon."
"`Hon´…?" Jessie repeated.
"…Yes? Should…Should I not have called you that?"
Jessie quickly shook her head. "No, no! I don't hate it! I actually like it. It's refreshing."
"…Yeah. Yeah it is."
x.x.x
Months later.
"I'm starting to think Butch could use a new partner. He has had trouble keeping up with me on the field ever since I became admin," Cassidy stated out loud as she rounded her desk. "He's not a bad agent all things considered, but I think it's for the best."
Jessie leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "I'm sure there are plenty of grunts out there who could make for a good match. Maybe assign a cadet whom he can show the ropes to?"
Cassidy clicked her tongue for a moment. "Yes. That could work. Let's just hope he doesn't end up going through a bunch of recruits and grunts forever." She coyly smirked. "Like a certain "Grim Reaper Jessie" – I heard you went through twelve partners before you ended up with James and that Meowth."
Jessie let out a sharp groan. "Ugh. Don't remind me. It was a nightmare; they couldn't keep up with me."
"Of course not, you're one special kind of woman." She looked over at the redhead and smiled, as heat crept up over her face when that gaze was met. "But this now leaves me in the same predicament of finding a new partner."
She peered back down at reports in her hand. The boss preferred when his agents worked in pairs and while Cassidy had proven herself to be more than capable to work alone it was always good to know someone had your back on a mission.
"You know, Butch and James have worked well together in the past."
"Sure, but then you would— Oh." Cassidy glanced back up at Jessie who was now right in front of her, her gaze smouldering.
x.x.x
Moments ago everything was as usual in the most populous city in Kanto, Celadon City; no-one could've foreseen what was about to happen to the Department Store as the top exploded.
And that had just been their entrance to what would become a huge, successful heist.
Staff members called for the fire brigade and the police as official Pokémon Trainers rushed to the scene with Water types ready to put out the fires in the meantime—
"Salazzle, use Dragon Pulse!"
"Cerbera, use Smog!"
The thick, choking smoke blinded the young trainers' Pokémon whilst the equally blinding, lilac beam of fire swept across them with a devastating rumble.
The pair jumped out through the smoke before their audience with practiced ease and flashy, familiar moves as they posed.
Cassidy, hand on hip and another through her hair, smirked. "Let's hope you're prepared for trouble…"
Jessie stayed close and wrapped an arm around Cassidy's waist. "…and if you're not, then the pain will be double!"
"We'll only say this once, so you better listen!"
"We stand by evil with love and sincerity!"
"So watch your mouth or you'll need therapy!"
Cassidy moved her free hand to caress Jessie's cheek. "We're the lovely—"
And Jessie, in turn, hugged the blonde closer. "the charming—"
"-pair from Team Rocket who swiftly soars through the galaxy in a surge of light!"
"The brilliant rogue, Cassidy!"
"The passionate destroyer, Jessie!"
"So surrender now or be crushed by all our might!"
Goldenrod City looked beautiful during the night: a city of luxurious splendour. It never slept – hadn't slept for the entirety of Cassidy's stay. The lights that decorated the sprawling metropolis were breath-taking to watch and a particular neon light happened to illuminate the living-room when the curtains allowed it to.
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
Cassidy didn't turn around and instead let slim arms drape around her from behind as Jessie lazily leaned against her. "Mhm. I'll never get tired of it."
"I know. You always end up standing here a while before coming to bed. It's lonely." A hand rested over Cassidy's. "Though I suppose I can't blame you."
"You know I couldn't leave your side for long," Cassidy reassured and Jessie's hand gently squeezed hers. The redhead nuzzled against the crook between her neck and shoulder and sighed. "You should know this by now. How many years has it been?"
"So many," Jessie replied and slowly relinquished her tender hold over Cassidy's hand and held itup against the window, palm outwards. "Too many. I spotted another grey hair earlier."
Cassidy snickered and held up her hand adjacent to Jessie's. Through their fingers it looked like they viewed the scenery through a small screen, capturing the lights of the city perfectly. "Don't start freaking out on me now, please. I don't want to deal with that just yet. I found another wrinkle and you don't hear me bitch and moan."
A scoff. "Maybe not out loud. And you might as well start getting used to it, darling. You're stuck with me."
"Yes." Cassidy's lips curved upwards as she eyed the pair of rings glistening on their fingers from the outside light. "I sure am."
FIN