Fated

Summary: Jessie finds herself in exile, forced into captivity with a mysterious stranger. With nowhere to go and seemingly no hope of escape, they share the stories behind their miserable fates. Hers is filled with questions. His is filled with answers.

Chapter 31: Fighting Dragons

What a time to pick a fight
The world is full of those tonight
I looked to you
You stole my life
but here it is
the simple task

Save me...
Save me...
Save me...
…Shady Bard – The Torch Song

"So, you and Miya...what next?" Jessie asked, "What was the plan?"

"It wasn't too complicated," Jack said, "There were just a lot of different variables that could have either made it a success or a failure."

"Well, lay it on me."

Under the guise of going out for a run, I jogged towards Viridian City from Mother's estate. Thankfully neither Jacelyn nor Cyrus wanted to join me, which worked well for my plan…er…well I guess it was Giovanni's plan. I was to make my way to the Rolling Golem Pub, where Giovanni held a private room. This was where we would meet and decide what to do about the problems that were the Akagis.

It had been four days since Giovanni and I had decided that we would not let our dangerous guests from Sinnoh claim any part of Team Rocket. I would not marry Jacelyn. She and her brother would not take over Team Rocket. Never.

By the time I made it to town, I had about a half-hour before the meeting. I went to the daycare to change out of my running clothes. Delia was still there, looking after little Butch, who was still in my care since his father put his mother in intensive care. I smiled as I watched her play with Butch. Someday, she'd make a great mom.

But watching her play with the toddler reminded me of the one I had just a few blocks away. This week, with my mother forcing me to play nice with the Akagis, I had not spent much time at the daycare, so I had not seen Jessie since the day after I told Miya about Jacelyn. I missed them both. Why couldn't Miya see that I didn't want this? Why couldn't she just take a minute and figure out that she was the only one I loved?

Hadn't I earned back that trust that I had broken when I had left her after she found out she was pregnant?

"You think that's what it was?" Jessie asked, raising an eyebrow.

"When we got back together, things weren't the same as the first time around," Jack admitted, "Miya never outright said it, but there were moments or looks she gave me, where it was like she was waiting for me to walk out. When Jessie had the flu and cried for two nights straight, Miya even said afterwards that she hadn't thought that I would stay. Back then, I don't think she realized just how committed I was to us and our family."

"Are you sure?" Jessie asked skeptically.

"I dunno," Jack said, shaking his head, "This is just my side of the story…the only side you're going to hear."

At this, Jessie couldn't help the shiver of dread that shot through her. Could he be speaking because they were the only two on this mountain…or was it because there was no one to tell Miya's side?

I made my way to the bar, careful to ensure that I was not followed, paranoid as I was. I only relaxed when I saw two familiar blond figures just outside the Rolling Golem.

"Catherine! Daphne!" I called, catching up to Miya's partners.

"Hi, Jack," Catherine greeted.

"I'm glad you two came," I said, "And is Miya…"

"She said she was staying home with the girls," Catherine said, shifting uncomfortably. I felt disappointment settle in my stomach.

"Ah, of course. Shall we?" I cleared my throat and led the way so they couldn't see the look of hurt that crossed my face. We went to the back room where most of the people had already gathered.

Joe and Gio were both sitting near the front of the room. Motorcycle, Heath, and Lana were near the back. At the front, I recognized three of the guys who had went to Hoenn with Joseph. A young blond man named Kyle was whispering something in Joseph's ear. Giovanni had brought his old crew from boarding school. There was Archer, Ariana, Petrel, Proton, and Viper. This was a room of people we trusted…and almost all of mine were here, with the exceptions of Miya, Amy, and even Delia.

"Let's start with why we're here," Giovanni said slowly, rising to his feet, "My brothers and I have asked you to come here as we discuss a great threat to Team Rocket. You are our most valued members and the most capable. The threat we are talking about is to do with the Akagis from Sinnoh. We have cause to believe that they pose a direct threat to everything we hold dear."

At this, one of the guys that came with Joe raised his hand, "And what does Madam Boss believe?"

Gio looked like he swallowed a lemon, but he answered nonetheless, "Our mother has been blinded to the evils of her Sinnoh guests. She does not foresee the dangers that come with trusting them."

"And what about him," Proton asked, jerking his thumb at me, "Isn't he marrying one of them?"

All eyes turned to me, and more than anything, I felt the pressure of Catherine's gaze as if it were Miya's. I looked at Proton

"I have never, nor will I ever enter such an agreement," I said clearly, "Think whatever you want about me, but the reality of it is that the Akagis are dangerous. If they sink their claws into this organization, life as we know it is over. Madam Boss and my brothers and I will be their first victims, then they will helm Team Rocket. When that happens, there will be an overhaul of all of the loyal Team Rocket members. Jacelyn Akagi has had her people spying on us for weeks. She knows who is loyal to us…she knows that you are all loyal…that you are a part of our family. She knows how much we care for each and every one of you," I revealed, looking around the room, "This meeting is not about protecting us, or even Team Rocket, because without you, there would be no us. There would be no Team Rocket. This is about protecting the people we care about…the people all of us care about."

The room was silent as they stared at me. For a moment, it looked as if I had really convinced them.

"On Saturday, there will be a ball in honor of the Sinnoh guests," Giovanni said softly, stealing their attention from me, "All we are asking is that you keep an eye out for any suspicious activity."

"And that you keep safe," I added, pretending not to notice the odd looks my brothers were giving me.

"Is that all you need?" Catherine asked, her voice as soft as Giovanni's, but the difference was the respect that was there.

"If anything happens, let us know. It might seem small, but even the smallest things could make the difference between life and death," I explained, "We're looking for evidence we can use against them to make Madam Boss see that they are not as they appear. Then we can get rid of them. Do we have your support?"

There were nods around the room. The meeting was adjourned and the groups split up to mingle. Joseph came up behind me and slapped me on the back.

"Fine speech, Jackie," he said to me, "I'm not sure if Gio could have pulled it off. I think he was going to lose them."

"I care about them," I shrugged, "and maybe that's good for them to see. Maybe they'll know now that we'd do anything to protect them."

Suddenly, I was wishing that Miya had seen my speech. I glanced across the room and noticed Daphne talking to Giovanni and Catherine leaning against a wall. I left Joseph and walked over to Catherine.

"Nice speech. It was true, wasn't it?" she asked me.

"Every word," I affirmed, "and you can tell her that. Miya."

"I will," Catherine agreed, biting her lower lip for a moment, "Before the Akagis rolled into town, there was a rumour about you and Miya…that you two were going on a date…"

"Yes," I confirmed, remembering that simpler time, before Mother arranged for me to get married, when Miya and I had decided to edge our relationship into the open.

"It wasn't a first date, was it?" she stated, for it was more statement than question, "I've known her for a long time...I know when she's tore up about something, and I think…" she trailed off, looking for the words. I beat her to it.

"Tell her I'm not giving up," I said, "and that she shouldn't either. Tell her to be safe."

"I will," she said quietly.

"Alright," I nodded, "I have to catch a ride with Joe and pick up Butch. Be safe, Catherine."

"Catherine probably knew all along that something was up with you two," Jessie observed, "She seems really smart."

"She is a sharp woman," Jack agreed, "I'm sure she knew more than she let on."

I woke the next morning to Butch screaming. I jolted out bed to my feet swaying from being light-headed. A familiar figure was in my room, holding the toddler in her cold, unfeeling arms. Jacelyn.

"Put him down!" I snarled.

"Tut tut. Not very friendly, Jack," she said, glancing down at Butch with distaste.

"Put him down!" I repeated over Butch's cries.

"You know, you're pretty protective of a child that's not even yours," she observed, thankfully dropping Butch back onto the cot I had set up for him, "Or is he? Illegitimate heir? What would Mummy think?" she mocked me.

"Get the fuck out!" I growled, putting myself in between her and Butch.

"Jack, we need to talk about your attitude. It is positively poisonous," she remarked, strolling around my room, touching my things with her pale fingertips, "Why, when we're married-"

"I will never marry you!" I spat, "Now get out of my room!"

She stopped moving.

"We had a deal, Jack," she said.

"We never had a deal," I clarified.

"What about your friend, Hmm? Miya, was it? What will happen to her if you refuse-"

"You touch her and I END you," I told her. She smirked.

"Sure. Whatever you say, Daycare man," then she left me to calm down a crying kid. Luckily, she hadn't hurt him. Butch clung tightly to me, his sharp cries now small whimpers.

"I will end her," I promised, not just Butch, but myself as well. Once Butch was calm, I chanced downstairs. Mother and my brothers were in the parlour listening as Cyrus Akagi demonstrated his latest product.

"It brings pokemon to a stand-still," he was saying, "It's a neurological drug…excellent for incapacitation. It paralyzes them and as an added feature, it keeps them weak until they are submissive to you."

I watched from the stares as he inserted a needle into a rattata. It went rigid, falling to the ground, shuddering as it tried and failed to escape.

And as it succumbed to the drug, I couldn't help but notice identical grins on Cyrus and Jacelyn's faces.

Truth be told, it frightened me a little.

"That's pretty freaky," Jessie observed, "She sounds insane."

"She was," Jack shuddered, "Which is why I knew that I had to get rid of her at all costs."

The night of the ball, I stood with my brothers, the three of us dressed in similar dark suits, as we welcomed our guests into the grand ballroom of my mother's home. It was a lavish place, rarely used. As children, we would get a good smack if we even went near the wide, ornate doors that lead to the big room with the unused tables and magnificent chandelier. A band played soft melodies on a stage that was set off to the side. The head table, where Mother sat with Jade, Isabelle, and the Akagi's, was also set upon a large platform, letting the guests know that no ordinary Rocket dined at that table.

The guests included most of our agents, with a few exceptions, of course. Amy was still in the hospital and Delia was taking care of the children at the day care. There were a few wealthy business partners in attendance, though they were the ones who knew what the R Corporation truly was. The Morgans were not there, for it would destroy Mother's plans of marrying Jessiebelle off to their sons if the rich couple knew about the family business.

"Joe has his people at the exits," Giovanni whispered to me as his took a drink from a tumbler, "Have some of yours patrolling as well. Mine are mingling with the crowd."

"Got it," I confirmed, just as I caught sight of the next guests to walk through the door. Catherine arrived with a tall blond man in tow. Her husband. On the other side of her was Daphne, whose eyes were alight as she surveyed the room. They saw us and approached. My brothers and I bowed dutifully.

"Thank you for coming, Miss Catherine and Miss Daphne," Giovanni said, taking Daphne's hand and kissing it.

"Thank you for having us, Sirs," Daphne simpered back.

"This is my husband, Fredrick," Catherine introduced.

"Pleased to meet you," I said, shaking his hand, but my focus was on Catherine, "Tell me, is Miss Miyamoto-"

I stopped midway, for the question was no longer necessary. The woman I loved, in a strapless midnight gown, had just walked though those wide, ornate doors and I was stunned to silence. Miya.

"She came?" Jessie asked, her eyes lighting up, "What happened? Did you guys make up? I bet she got your message and-"

"Would you like to tell it or should I?" Jack questioned, effectively ending Jessie's babble.

She curtseyed and I bowed, our eyes never leaving each other's.

"Miss Miyamoto," I breathed, finally making a sound. She took a breath.

"Mr. Sakaki," she replied back, as formally as I.

"I'm glad you came," I said to her.

"I was obligated," she said, shooting a sideways glance at Catherine, who pretended to admire the chandelier. Before I could respond, she curtseyed again and pushed past me. I watched her go, suddenly no longer focused on the mundane task of meeting and greeting. I made to follow, but was stopped when someone slipped their arm into mine.

"She seems cold. Honestly, Darling, I don't know what you saw in her," Jacelyn whispered in my hear.

"Do you have a brain problem?" I growled and tried to pull away, but she held on.

"As far as your people, your mother, and my brother know, you and I are 'enamoured' by each other," she whispered back, "What message would you pulling away from me send? And with your little girlfriend here, making such a thin little target-"

"What do you want?" I hissed, glancing around the room to avoid looking into her sharp, ice grey eyes. Motorcycle, Lana, and Heath walked in as Giovanni sent Catherine towards one of the exits and Daphne towards the buffet line.

"Dote on me," she said simply, "Dance with me. It is a party after all."

I gritted my teeth and prepared to play along with her stupid charade. Stiffly and awkwardly, I danced with Jacelyn Akagi. I ignored the satisfied smirk on her face as I glanced around the room. Motorcycle and Lana walked around the left perimeter. He nodded at me when he saw me looking. It was strange to see him in anything other than his leather jacket, dark jeans, and black T-shirt. Heath was on the other side of the room, walking uncomfortably with Petrel. Ariana and Archer mingled with the crowd, bowing and smiling as they walked arm-in-arm, Proton with them. Joseph was talking with his men, more specifically that blond Kyle kid. Giovanni was whispering something to Daphne as Catherine led her husband to the buffet table. Catherine looked distracted, her violet eyes staring across the room. I followed her gaze.

Miya was standing next to Cyrus Akagi, listening as he talked to her. I felt a swell of jealousy as he smiled a charming smile and touched her arm. She sighed, and turned her head, perhaps feeling the weight of my eyes on her. Our eyes met, my blue and her aqua. A look of pain crossed her face as she noticed who I was with, but in a flash, that pain was replaced by a mask. Damn, that woman could put up masks like nobody's business.

"Ah, looks like my brother has found a new plaything-OW!" she hissed, for I had gripped her hand very hard, "What the…oh!" she breathed in understanding as her brother took hold of MY girlfriend's hand and led her to the dance floor as an older waltz played through the room. I recognized the dance from the lessons my brothers and I had been forced to endure as children.

The dance moves came back to me as naturally as breathing. The steps weren't too complicated and I remembered the spins and the footwork and the point where we would switch partners.

"So how's your wife-to-be?" Miya asked as she ended up in my arms.

"She's not my wife-to-be," I whispered, as we moved together to the music, "I'm not going to marry her."

"And what happens to me and Jessie if you don't?" she demanded.

"You're going to be with me," I stated, "The Akagis and my mother don't get to dictate my life anymore. I'm going to prove that they are evil. I'm going to prove it and then I am going to prove to you how much I love you."

"Jack, we've tried-"

"Miya, I'm never going to let you go. I'm not giving up."

"Neither am I," she said, biting her lip, "I'm just giving in, Jack. Sometimes, you just have to know when to call it."

"Miya, there's still a chance for us," I told her, intentionally holding her tighter to prevent her from leaving my arms as part of the waltz, "We just have to find it."

"If you find it, let me know," she said, start to pull away.

"Same to you," I said back, allowing her to leave my arms and make her way through the crowd. I watched her go feeling the weight of the encounter on my shoulders. I retreated to my mother's stage to watch and wait for something, anything.

"You look tense," Jade noted, setting her glass beside mine.

"I'm looking for a sign," I admitted, watching as Cyrus and Jacelyn whispered furtively to each other on the edge of the dance floor.

"I saw you and Miss Miyamoto down there," Jade said, "You looked pretty heated. You okay?"

"Fine," I deflected, frowning as I saw Miya pause as she passed the Akagi pair.

"Maybe you'll lighten up after the toasts," Jade suggested, "I believe that's the part of the evening that you mother is most anticipating."

I sat a little straighter, "The toasts?" I asked, feeling as if something should be clicking.

"From the Akagi's," Isabelle said from the other side of the table, "Some grand speech from the ever so perfect Akagi's," she snipped. Someone was worried about losing her position as my mother's favourite. I glanced back to the crowded room and found Miya, who glanced up at me and continued on her way towards Giovanni. I got to my feet and also made my way to my oldest brother. I met him just as Miya was getting to him.

"It's in the wine, isn't it?" I demanded, "The wine they are going to serve during the host?"

"That's what I heard," Miya answered.

"What the hell are you two talking about?" Giovanni growled, looking at the pair of us.

"I overheard the Akagi's talking about "special" wine," Miya explained, "How did you find out?" she asked me.

"It's obvious," I said, "The toasts are the most anticipated part of the evening. If they were going to make a play, this would be the time to do it."

"Are you sure?" Giovanni asked.

"It would be stupid to ignore this," Miya told him, "to ignore this chance."

Realization dawned on my face, but before I could say a word, Daphne strolled up.

"Cyrus Akagi is hanging by the buffet table," she announced. We all looked over at the buffet table and sure enough, Akagi was standing at the table, holding a bottle of wine and talking with Catherine's husband, who looked bored.

"Jacelyn Akagi is glaring," Giovanni announced, nodding toward the band stage.

"Let her glare," I scoffed.

"She may realize we're onto her," Giovanni told me, "We need a plan. Miya, Daphne, go get Catherine and see if you can't head off the Akagis. Jack, go find Joe and get him to send his guys my way. I'm going to get our people together."

Then he hurried away.

"Be safe," I told Miya and Daphne as I fought through the throngs of people to find Joe. Who'd have thought he'd be so hard to find?

"Looking for me, Jack?" I paused as I heard the woman who was the bane of my existence for over a week.

"Screw off, Jacelyn!" I spat, resuming my trek. I felt her hand on my arm.

"WHAT?" I shouted, causing the people around us to stop and turn.

"Jack, Darling, talk to me," Jacelyn cooed, pulling me towards the hallway that led to the washrooms. It was away from the prying eyes.

"What do you want?" I demanded, "I'm sick of you! I know what you're doing and-"

And then everything went black.

"That's cliche," Jessie commented.

"I know," Jack chuckled, "but you used it once already as well."

"You're not going to end it there, are you?" Jessie asked.

"Well, since you like cliffhangers..."

"Jaaack!"

"What?" Jack teased.

"Come on! It's Christmas Eve. Throw me a bone, here!" Jessie begged.

"Alright," Jack relented, "I'll tell you the next part. I am nicer than you in the cliffhanger department anyways."

"Jack! Jack!"

I winced and opened my eyes to see violet ones staring down at me.

"Wha-"

I sat up and immediately wished that I hadn't. My head throbbed and there was a ringing in my ears.

"Easy, Jack," a familiar voice chided. I focused and found Catherine sitting down on the floor beside me, "You have a concussion."

"What happened?" I asked, bringing a hand up to feel the large lump already beginning to form on the back of my head.

"I was going to ask you the same," Catherine said, "I was on my way to the bathroom and took a wrong turn. You were unconscious."

"I think she…Jacelyn…brained me…" I moaned. I clenched my eyes shut, trying to remember, and then it all came back to me. Jacelyn...Miya...wine...

"The wine!" I gasped, scrambling to my feet. Bad move. I stumbled and felt Catherine's hands on my shoulders keeping me upright.

"Jack, what's going on?"

I shook my head and waited for the urge to vomit to pass. Then I staggered towards the ballroom, that hated voice making my head spin.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my sister and I want to thank you all for the marvelous feast and ball in our honor."

I moved on instinct through the crowd of people clutching wine glasses. I glanced across the room and saw Giovanni making his way to the stage with Daphne at his heels. He did NOT look happy. He had a hand on his head, so I suspected he might have been brained as well. Maybe Daphne had found him the same way as Catherine had found me.

"Never have I felt more at home," Cyrus continued, "I owe you many things, much more than the aged wine Madam Sakaki has allowed me to serve. So please let us raise our glasses-"

"To our most evil and conniving guests," I finished for the pale blue-haired man. He glared at me and Jacelyn's eyes widened menacingly. The crowd murmured, but thankful none brought their drinks to their lips.

"Jack!" Mother scolded. I walked up to her and took the wine glass from her. I grabbed Cyrus by the collar, forcing him to drop his glass as Giovanni ascended the stage and grabbed Jacelyn by the arms.

"Drink it," I ordered Cyrus.

"That is your mother's drink-"

"I'm sure she won't mind sharing," I snarled, forcing the drink to his mouth, which remained tightly clamped. I dropped the glass.

"Everyone! Drop your wine glasses. They are poisoned by this no-account slime-ball!" I announced to the awestruck crowd. The music was drowned out by the sound of glasses crashing on the marble floor.

"Bravo, young Sakaki," Cyrus chuckled. I glared at him, but he merely continued on, "If I wanted to kill you miserable Rockets, don't you think that I would have a back-up plan?"

And then all Hell broke loose. Gunfire knocked out the windows and screams filled the room. Cyrus made to get away, but I caught him by the knees and brought him down hard. I saw Giovanni knock Jacelyn to the ground as he stumbled to force Mother, Isabelle, and Jade to the ground. I got to my hands and knees and saw my people, my Rockets screaming and falling at the feet of Cyrus's Galactic cronies. Blood was everywhere as people panicked for safety. I reached inside my pocket.

"Arcanine! Flamethrower!" I shouted, throwing out the pokeball. Flames were shot at the Galactic grunts, making them pause in their shooting.

"Golem! Nidoking! Fissure!" Giovanni ordered, throwing his pokeballs into the fray. The room vibrated as Giovanni's pokemon unleashed their attacks, knocking nearly everyone off of their feet.

Then the other Rockets released their pokemon. Catherine's pidgeot dived at the attackers, while Motorcycle's graveller acted as a shield. Lana's tangella used vine whip and Ketchum's kingler used water gun.

In no time at all, our Rockets had the Galactics subdued. It was still a mess. People were bleeding, screaming, and crying in the aftermath of the chaos as the dust settled. I scanned the room for Miya, but I didn't see her.

"You son-of-a-bitch!" Jacelyn snarled against my brother's hold.

"Shut up, you dirty skank," Giovanni spat as he tied her hands together. Blood was dripping down her forehead from when Giovanni tackled her.

Still, I could not see Miya...but then I saw my other brother, looking dumbstruck as he emerged from a far corridor to find a war-scene. I hopped off the stage and jogged over to Joe.

"What's-"

"Miya's in a bad way, Jack," he said and my blood froze in my veins, "Cyrus stuck her with this. I don't know-"

My brother trailed off as my eyes scanned the empty syringe in his hand and stopped on the needle tip, tinged red with blood. I had seen the needle before, earlier that week when Cyrus had stuck it into a helpless ratatta.

I glanced up on the stage at Cyrus, who was being held by Catherine and Motorcycle. I saw red. I grabbed the syringe and I marched over to him, leaping back onto the stage and stopping in front of the Galactic leader.

"What was in this needle?" I spat at the blue-haired man. He chuckled. I glared and stuck the needle in his neck. He hissed in shock.

"There's nothing in there!" he stated the obvious.

"Exactly! I press down on the syringe and then I inject air into your bloodstream. You're dead in seconds!" I threatened, unaware that the room had gone silent, "Now what was in this needle?" I asked again.

"You kill me and you'll never know," he taunted.

"Perhaps your arcanine would be of use here, Brother. It would make our dear friend dance," Giovanni observed with a smirk. Arcanine growled menacingly.

"Answer me!" I shouted, ignoring everything and gripping the syringe, "Answer me or so-help me, I will END your miserable existence!"

"So he does have a dark side," I heard Jacelyn observe, a smirk on her face. My thumb rested on the plunger. I made sure he could see. I was going to watch as he died before me. I didn't even care, not as my mother, sister-in-laws, and fellow Rockets watched.

"Alright! It's a neuro-toxin! It impairs the nervous system!" Cyrus admitted, "It wears off in a few hours!"

Satisfied, I removed the needle from his skin and let it fall to the floor.

"Good decision," I spat, turning on my heel. Cyrus's hearty chuckles stopped me.

"So that bitch is the one, huh? The one who will be your undoing? Nice choice, Little Sakaki. She has spunk. Thought she could take me on alone-"

I turned around and decked him, knocking him out so he slumped forward, propped up only by Catherine and Motorcycle.

"Jack..." I heard Catherine breathe, dumbstruck by my actions.

It was then that I could finally hear the silence and felt all eyes on me. No one spoke as I turned around, taking in the stunned looks of my sister-in-laws, the surprise in Mother's normally impassive eyes, and the almost-proud look on Giovanni's face. Then my eyes were on the Rockets, the injured and the healthy, and their pokemon, who all looked awestruck at me. It was surreal, being the center of so many stares. When I found my voice, it was hoarse and throaty.

"Those who are able, get the injured to the infirmary. Gather the dead. They will be honored and remembered," I announced, jumping down from the stage. I could still feel all eyes on me as I crossed the floor.

"You heard him," Heath echoed me. Then people started moving. I paid no attention as I approached Joseph.

"Brother-"

"Go to Isabelle. She's shaken," I told him, not stopping for a second as I walked past.

She was laying in the corridor on her back, my brother's suit jacket draped over her. She was still, so very still, and I had to fight back the lump in my throat as I approached her and knelt by my angel's side.

"Jack," she whimpered, barely able to move her mouth. I reached down to caress her cheek, to let her know that I was there.

"It's alright, Miya. You're going to be alright," I promised, wiping away the tear that escaped from her eye.

"I'm so sorry," she apologized, wincing as she spoke.

"Don't be. There's nothing to apologize for. I'll take care of you," I told her. I took her in my arms, standing as I held her bridal style, her head resting carefully against my shoulder. She could barely hold her own head up. I turned to find Catherine standing there, looking horrified at her friend's limp body. I said nothing as I passed her, walking into the destroyed ballroom with the love of my life in my arms.

Everyone paused what they were doing to stare, and so they should. Miya had saved all of their lives. All of the Rockets, me, my family...my mother. I walked up to the stage and stopped in front of it, Miya curled up in my arms as I sought out my mother.

"This heroic woman just gave everything to save your life. She found out about the poison and nearly died trying to stop him from hurting you," I said to my mother, glaring into her wonderstruck eyes, "She's more than worthy."

With that, I turned and carried Miya from the room, still very much aware of the eyes on me, on the man who dared to speak up to the feared Madam Boss.

None of that mattered. The only thing that mattered to me was the woman in my arms. She was everything. My light. My soul-mate. I would fight for her until my last breath.

And I didn't care who knew it.

"That is seriously the most romantic thing I have ever heard," Jessie breathed, imagining what it must have been like to have been in that ballroom and seen the heir to the Rocket Empire declare his love for Miyamoto Lillis. Jack chuckled.

"It's been known to happen," Jack shrugged, smiling, "Even though it was a horrible event, that was probably one of the most meaningful moments of my life. Now let's discuss a meaningful moment of yours: you becoming a mother."

"Sure thing," Jessie said, smiling a little.

TBC

AN: So here is the next Jack chapter. Though I considered a cliffhanger, I really wanted to write the epic Jack/Miya moment. Next up: twins for Jess and James!

R&R!

Songs That Inspired This Chapter:
-The Torch Song by Shady Bard. Got it from the Vampire Diaries from the episode "The Reckoning" where Damon carries Elena out of the hospital. The entire scene inspired the Jack carrying Miya part.
-Never Let Me Go by Florence and the Machine. I could listen to the song over and over. It makes me think of Miya's fight against the Akagis.
-Long Live by Taylor Swift. I love the song. It's where the title came from "I've had the time of my life, fighting dragons with you."
-It's Time by Imagine Dragons. Cool song about standing up for what you believe.