2

"He's just mad because 'you' haven't kept up with him," Meowth had rationalized the previous day. "It's been, what, five years or something? Just butter him up a bit."

"You don't get it, Meowth. That's not it. He wants nothing to do with 'me'," Jessie had tried to explain.

"Just a little lover's tiff, I bet. Keep at it! He'll warm up eventually."

"You better think of a plan to bail me out, because this is all going to go straight to hell."

"No way. It'll be fine, no worries!"

Plenty of worries, Jessie thought as she got to her door. It was already eleven, it might be too rude to sleep in any more, even with the excuse of her being tired from travel. Also, there was the main objective of the mission, to get close enough to the parents to influence what they were doing. Jessie had to get the topic off 'herself', and onto other things, like how they were using their money. Or better yet, where they kept large amounts of it.

As Jessie exited the room, she saw the one whose favor she needed to court in the hall. The parents were fine, a little overly happy to see her, while this guy's reaction had gone way far in the opposite direction. Couldn't she get him to react the same, or at least not start to blow everything up into some family drama that Jessie had nothing to do with in the first place? Jessie was determined to not give up without a fight at least. "Oh, James!" she began in a sing song voice as she sped up to catch up with him.

James froze, staring at her with disbelief. He shuddered as she came closer. Jessie ignored that, and simply nodded to him, gently grabbing his hand. "Come with me," she said, leading him into the sitting room before slamming the door. "What's wrong with you?" Jessie asked roughly, perhaps letting her true self show too much in her frustration. "I'm your beloved fiancée, I've traveled across the planet to come back to you! Show a little appreciation."

James didn't respond, only went toward the door to his bedroom.

Jessie sighed. Maybe Meowth was right, she just needed to turn the charm up. "James darling, I just missed you so much." Jessie came close to James, tracing a finger down the side of his face. Though he didn't react angrily like yesterday, he still appeared distressed, clenching his jaw and looking up toward the ceiling. "You can tell how much I love you because I'm here, right? And a handsome, rich man like you could have easily broken off our engagement and found another woman rather than wait years for me. But you didn't, so I know you love me too. Can't we put beside anything that happened in the past, and just start over, start our life together?"

James moved his hand up, taking Jessie's away from his face and squeezed it gently. His face twitched, almost like he would cry. Then he shut his eyes tightly and swallowed. Before Jessie could even think the teary reunion had come at last, James gave his verbal response.

"No."

James dropped her hand, heading to the door. "Never," he added firmly before slipping inside his room.

Jessie frowned as she heard the door lock. Meowth was wrong, and her initial intuition was right. In order to fix this, it would take a lot of sweet apologizing, and maybe a little more knowledge about what 'she'd' actually done wrong. Unfortunately, she didn't have time for that.

Jessie heard her new 'parents' downstairs. She decided to slip outside for a walk rather than talk to them right away. Knowing the quickest escape routes might be necessary. As Jessie wandered outside, a growlithe came running up to her, barking incessantly. As it finally reached her, Jessie turned to it with annoyance. "What is it?" she snapped.

The growlithe sniffed her cautiously. "Gro?" it said, tilting its head.

"Whatever," Jessie muttered.

"Growlie, down! Bad! Get away!"

Jessie turned toward the voice. Holding her skirts up, her new 'mother' had run over. "I'm sorry dear, we did mean to lock it up." Putting a hand to her chin, James's mother patted Growlithe on the head. "Good boy. You see, Jessebelle isn't so bad. My, my, looks like it has finally learned to like you."

"Or at least tolerate," Jessie said. As her 'mother' looked her way, Jessie forced a laugh. "What a sweetie you've become, you darling growlithe!"

"Gro," the pokemon said flatly. Jessie was sure to glare down to warn it to not do anything.

"Any news about your luggage?"

"No, nothing," Jessie answered quickly. "I mean, did they call the house?"

"No, I haven't heard anything. Why don't we go out and get you a nice dress for tonight?"

"What's tonight?" Jessie asked.

"Nothing in particular, other than us spending time together as family. By the way, how did things go between you and James last night?"

"Just... wonderful!" Jessie spouted, channeling her panic response into enthusiasm.

"Oh, good. I heard he wanted to greet you privately. I suppose he's finally matured." James's mother gave Jessie a sly smile.

"Oh, yes!" Jessie continued to gush expectantly.

"Wonderful. As you know, I wasn't pleased when you decided to take this extended excursion in the first place. But perhaps it was for the best."

Jessie nodded. On her outing, her new 'mother' bought her several dresses, each way more expensive than Jessie thought they were worth. It was kind of fun to be spoiled like this, though she knew she was still on the job. Any conversation regarding the topic of their investments that Jessie brought up was quickly changed after no more than a short comment. The lady talked about the engagement a copious amount though, including how she was looking forward to the wedding.

Jessie traveled back to the mansion in the luxury car as the sun headed over the horizon. As they entered, James's mother sighed happily. "Dinner should be ready. Let's get dressed, shall we?"

"Get dressed?" Jessie repeated. Sure, getting dressed up like this was fun, but it was getting a little old, especially since it would likely be the same kind of fancy outfit they were wearing already. Was it really worth all of the trouble?

As Jessie considered the pointlessness of it all, her 'mother' began to sharply stare her way. Jessie snapped herself out of her exasperation and brought on the enthusiasm again. "Of course, Mother! I want to look fabulous for tonight!"

The older woman nodded, appearing to forgive Jessie for her brief lapse. Keeping up a decorum around these fancy people was difficult, but not impossible, especially for an agent of Jessie's caliber. She revved herself up until she was genuinely excited as she chose the outfit for that night's dinner, going over the intricacies of it with her supposed future mother-in-law, thanking her 'dear mother' and not letting any of what this rich woman wanted to talk about become dull.

Finally, they sat for dinner. Jessie noted James wasn't around, though the 'father' was. More mindless small talk was engaged in before the young man's absence was finally commented upon.

"Where is he?" the father asked, turning toward one of the servants with a sharp expression.

"He's declined to join the meal," came the answer from the hired help.

Of course, Jessie was well informed to the reasons why, and preferred it that way. 'Declined' implied he'd done so politely, but of course the man informing them likely wasn't big on bashing 'Master James' as the son of his employer. She'd prefer James stay away, give her some time to regroup that evening before deciding what to do about this issue.

"Jessebelle dear, didn't you say things had gone well between the two of you?" the mother asked, calmly stirring her drink.

"Of course, dear Mother!" Jessie said, toning down her enthusiasm as she saw the two heads of the household looked completely humorless.

"Then I wonder what's made him so difficult now," the mother said with a sigh.

"I'll take care of it," the father eventually spoke, standing up and leaving the room.

Jessie began to tense as he left, leaving the room in silence. The cool change in the parents had been creepy. The two servants now looked anywhere but toward who they were serving. Everyone's reactions were pretty weird. Jessie tried to continue the meal herself, but found herself unable to have any kind of appetite with this ambience.

"Just listen to me!"

Finally, though it wasn't much better, James's fiery voice broke the icy atmosphere that had chilled over the room. Everyone present looked toward the door as the father's voice boomed back. "That's enough. You're supposed to be a grown up now. It's time to have a nice meal with dear Jessebelle and your mother. I won't tolerate this anymore. Get in and show them your best."

"Just listen! This is something important!"

"You shouldn't speak so rudely. Do you know how much this might upset your fiancée, who so benevolently remains loyal to you? Show some respect. After all the effort we've put into your upbringing, you should at least be able to handle that. Go greet her nicely like you did yesterday."

After that order, there was a small silence before James spoke again. "Fine then," he said, walking into the room.

The son entered in front of his father, his expression sullen. "Good evening, Mother," he said.

"Good evening, James. Can't you show us a smile?" the mother said, her own face reflecting the attitude she wanted to impart on her son.

The corners of his mouth went up, seemingly forcefully, before he sat down. "Jessebelle," he said to Jessie, still not looking at her though he was right next to her.

Jessie was dumbstruck a moment before she finally responded. "James dear! Were you not feeling well? Thanks for coming to see me," she said.

"I had to," James continued, looking toward his parents instead of her. "You're still here, even though you should have left."

"James!" both his parents exclaimed.

"Why did it have to be her?!" James demanded. "I've told you I hate her!"

"We didn't ask you to question our judgment," the father said firmly.

"Can't you pick someone else," James said.

"This outrageous outburst is exemplary of why any match was near impossible," the father pointed out.

"That's right. You haven't exactly made yourself appealing. Yet Jessebelle here still loves you," the mother added. "Don't you, dear?" The mother then turned to Jessie. "Our poor darling. I for one wouldn't blame you for tearing out of here right now."

What should she do? Of course, Jessie herself wouldn't have stuck around for any guy that claimed to hate her, who would? Even the real Jessebelle was long gone, understandably. But Jessie was neither herself nor Jessebelle right then. She had to consider what might be best for Team Rocket, which would be to defuse things and get him to like her. "Of course I still love my James dear," she said, looking toward James who glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "I'm sorry about before," she said.

James turned, making eye contact for the first time. Actually acknowledging her visually might be seen as a positive step, except for how his mouth hung open, the reaction to the apology being shock, outright bewilderment instead of acceptance.

"How moving," the father said, clapping his hands together several times. "Of course, now, and even when you're married, there will be bumps in the road. Dear Jessebelle is kind enough to apologize even with your insulting behavior. With compromises like this, the marriage is sure to last. Aren't you thrilled to be able to marry such a wonderful woman?" the father asked, wiping what seemed a tear from his eye.

"Wonderful," James repeated, frowning as his gaze moved to the ground before he looked back up. "Well, I've warned you. Now I'll have to tell them about your true colors."

Crap. Without the knowledge of what 'she' had actually done, this was a huge cliffhanger. Jessie clenched her fists, tensing up as she thought of a move. Better to stop him now before trying to work it out more in private. "I really am sorry," she said. "Father is right, compromises can be made. We can create a healthy relationship. I'll change."

James only smirked in response. "Really?" he asked.

"Really!" Jessie insisted, trying her best to seem both sincere and determined and hopefully convince him not to say what might turn 'her' bad in the eyes of the parents.

She didn't. "You're afraid of me telling them what happened, aren't you?" James said, standing up from the table.

Of course she was. She didn't want to mess up her mission and had no way of predicting the outcome of some unknown bad deed she'd inherited. This guy had completely picked up the weakness behind her words and it had added to his own confidence. "Dearest James, it's not worth mentioning. If it still bothers you, let's talk it out alone," Jessie said.

"No," James affirmed. "There's no bluff in what I said last night. I'm done with keeping secrets."

"James, come sit down. You're upsetting dinner time."

James ignored his mother's instruction. "Father, Mother, listen. Jessebelle is a thief," he said.

Jessie shuddered, unable to respond to the unexpected accusation, which seemed more against herself than the persona she'd adopted. Did he know her true identity after all?

"She stole quite a bit from you, years ago. Valuables here and there, to support her and her father's endeavors. I can tell you what-"

"We know this," the mother said firmly, her expression firm, though her ire seemed directed at James himself rather than the known thief present.

"Is that all? We had a conversation without you about this topic long ago, it's forgotten," the father said with a nod toward Jessie.

"Right. As a family, we can't hold grudges," the mother added.

"Is that right," James said, his voice lowering as he sat down. Was that it, then? Somehow, Jessie felt she couldn't relax, and sure enough, he eventually continued. "If you're fine with her disrespecting your property, how about the way she treats your son?"

"Look at how benevolent she's being toward you now," the father said with a nod. "And of course, she helped you so much when you both were younger."

"R-Right," Jessie said, controlling her unease. "The only thing I want to steal now is your heart."

The corny line didn't appear to move him. He folded his arms now, glancing from his parents to Jessie. "So you won't poison me anymore?" he said.

"Ah-" Jessie's words caught in her throat. Had 'she' actually done something like that? Without the knowledge it was the truth, she had no way to know how to respond to that. Of course, she had to try and keep things cozy between both her and the parents as well as her and the son. If 'she' had really been poisoning him, even a cordial relationship probably wouldn't be able to be maintained between her and any of them. Maybe it was time to start thinking of an exit.

"That's right," James said, gaining back his confidence now as he seemed to sense Jessie's apprehension about the subject. "Jessebelle poisoned me regularly."

"You're talking about with the pokemon, right? Such accidents happen," the father said.

"She regularly ordered her pokemon to do so, pointing at me," James said.

"It's fine to joke with your loved one," the father said.

"It wasn't a joke!" James shouted, clenching his eyes and fists shut.

"You can be so dreary, sometimes outright morose, I'm sure it was just to cheer you up," the mother said.

"It wasn't! She's always mistreated me. Why won't you listen? She even laughs after I'm poisoned or paralyzed by her pokemon," James said.

"See? A joke, just some fun," the mother said.

"Of course," the father added with a laugh.

James took a few steps forward, sitting down while frowning. "You know... She even... Well, she touched me when I was paralyzed. I mean, sexually. While I told her to stop."

Really? Really, really? He was going to go there now? Jessie looked from the seemingly unaffected parents to the yes, morose son, completely dumbstruck as to what to say, seemingly along with everyone else present. She believed him, so his parents ought to. Would they throw her out?

Finally, the father raised his head and smiled. "That's good news," he said.

"What?" James said, looking up in disbelief.

"We had been worried about you having a healthy interest in sexuality," the father continued.

James's face turned red as his mouth went agape, shocked as Jessie was by the older man's reaction. Jessie only realized her own aghast reaction was showing as the mother tapped her arm, then smiled reassuringly as Jessie looked toward her. "There's no need to feel shamed, darling," she said.

"Um... No," Jessie said hesitantly, sitting up as she tried to control her own responses even while being a part of such an awful conversation.

"Women are often shamed for our natural inclinations. A double standard, isn't it? But you've done nothing wrong. With the kind of man James has grown to be, it's only fitting you take the lead."

"Thank you, Mother," Jessie said. How else could she respond? Glancing at James, it seemed even he didn't know what to make of this, still silent with that shocked expression.

"We can talk more about it later, if you'd like," she said. "But not at the dinner table. It really is undignified, James. Even if we are happy to hear we'll likely be meeting our grandchildren soon, this is far from the setting for this conversation."

With that comment, James stood up, his hands trembling as he placed them on the table.

"Sit down, James," his father ordered.

The son followed directions, but didn't speak, or even eat anything, Jessie noted. She was eager herself to leave as the parents filled the room with pointless small talk. She couldn't even concentrate on the mission, bringing up the topics she was supposed to, just give the basic answers before it was finally time to retire to their rooms.

Of course, the heaviness almost seemed to increase as she ended up walking side-by-side next to her 'fiancé' in the hall. As they reached the door to their rooms, James actually acknowledged her. "You've won," was all he said before going into his own room, closing the door and locking it behind him.

Jessie had to pause before going into her own. Winning was always her goal, but something felt strange about this supposed 'win'. Of course, something had obviously been wrong between 'her' and the guy, and the guy in general, from the start. But the atmosphere had become foreboding now. Trying to consider what to do next, Jessie opened the door to her bedroom and went in.