One last time

Amidst the woods, there was a tiny log cabin, surrounded by bushes, trees and wild flowers that blocked the view of curious hikers. The beams were rotten and the window shutters were detached from the hinges, the door couldn't be closed completely. It was a come down shack that served as a temporary base for three of the most notorious Team Rocket-agents who had just been informed that their mission as a dreaded and frightening trio had come to an end.

Jessie was tyding her small uniform. She associated this garment with many pleasant, but also some disappointing memories. Her stay in the Sinnoh region hadn't been exceptionally successful. She, James and Meowth had been able to catch a couple of local Pokémon like Murkrows, Woopers and Turtwigs, but it seemed that their prey proved insufficient to meet Giovanni's demands. Now, they had to bear the consequences. A letter with a big red ‚R' on the front side advised them about their future duties.
The criminal organisation had decided to split the trio and task them with new and more feasible assignments.

Jessie's gaze wandered across the little room where she used to sleep at night. Most of her belongings had already been stowed away in two dark green suitcases. There was a framed picture standing on her makeshift bedside table. It showed Jessie, James and Meowth celebrating cheerfully without worrying about their countless defeats. She had the clearest remembrance of that night. Even though their journey caused serious hardship, she couldn't complain about their cooperation and willpower. Her trio had never bounced back. The three of them shared a deep friendship – though strained by numerous fits of rage and harmless wrangles.

Jessie didn't notice that James was observing her. He was standing in the doorway, tapping on the bedroom door.

„I prepared breakfast. Waffles with chocolate sauce and coconut sprinkles, you're favourite dish," James said, hoping that it would distract his best friend from her tireless packing. She turned around, her look saying more than a thousand words. James could see that Jessie had been crying. Her make-up was smeared and her eyes were inflamed and swollen. Jessie used to reassure her team mates that emotinal outbursts were for sissies and that she didn't like to shed tears over trivialites and trifles, but the bad news had affected her deeply.

She stood up and followed James to kitchen. Meowth was already sitting at the table gorging on his third bowl of cereals. The pending separation from his friends didn't affect his appetite. He was slurping down the milk, licking his whiskers.

„Today is the day," James sighed deeply. He walked over to the stove and served Jessie a pile of waffles. She reached for a fork and began to pick at her food. James was surprised. Normally, she would pounce on their poor meal, scoffing the remains of a restaurant or sandwich joint, without sparing her friends any crumbs, but Jessie seemed to be lost in thoughts today. She glanced up for a moment to assure herself that James and Meowth were still there. Jessie couldn't believe that they were about to go seperate ways, not after so many years of collaboration.

„Have you been assigned to a new partner too?" she asked James. The lavender-haired man nodded.

„Her name is Denise. They sent me a picture of her. She has long cyan hair and ruby eyes. They told me that she's an extraordinarily responisble agent, having a knack for locating rare Pokémon. Her sense of orientation is fabulous, her catch quota above average," James replied.

„Oh, so you've been assigned to a woman?" one could hear Jessie's concern in her voice. James had been a great partner and traveling companion. He supported his team mates and gave them a taste of his benevolent and caring side. Even though they would be at each other's throat from time to time, he would never leave her or Meowth in the lurch. He was loyal, always joining the end of the queue. Would he do the same for Denise? Would he cheer her during contests? Would he vouch for her?

„I hope she's not going to be an unbearable and selfish priss! I mean, I say that for your own protection," Jessie tried to make excuses. James shouldn't misunderstand her.

„Where's da difference?" Meowth piped up. Jessie flashed her eyes at him.

„What about you, Jess?" her partner asked.

„I've been assigned to a girl named Trisha. I'm not sure if we're going to get along. It took me so much time to find the right partners and now they want upset the applecart," Jessie lowered her gaze and swallowed a piece of the oven-fresh waffle.

„What are you going to do, Meowth?" she smacked.

„I think they finally recognized my talent. I'm going to function as an interpreter. They asked me to translate the Pokémon language since I'm far and wide the only living creature that speaks both," the he-cat answered, pouring the rest of the milk into his glass. Meowth told them about his assignment with such a big euphoria that Jessie and James doubted if he was going to miss them at all. He seemed happy with his new task, eventually gaining recognition and being of use.

Jessie took a look at the clock and her heart grew heavy. Only two hours left until the messengers would pick them up and convey them to their new operational area. James would work in the Hoenn region and Jessie would travel back to Kanto.

They finished breakfast, implicitly and without further words. Jessie wanted to turn back to her bedroom, bagging her last personal belongings, but James detained her.

„Jessie, let's go for one last walk," he suggested. James felt depressed. He didn't want to part from her, but Giovanni was rigid, so he could do nothing but enjoy the last moments with his stubborn, but long-standing friend.

She nodded and followed him outside. They walked towards the forest clearing until they reached a little stream at the end of the path. They observed Seakings and Mantykes jumping out of the water. Their mood was sorrowful. No one dared to converse. Jessie didn't even dain to look at her former partner in crime. James threw some gravel stones flat on the water, they bounced and skimmed over the water surface.

„I guess we won't see each other so often anymore," he assumed. Jessie shook her head.

„No, I don't think so," she spoke under breath. „We're going to work in two totally different regions, with new partners and new tasks. We might meet at celebrations and conferences in the future though," she said.

„Maybe. Let's stay in contact, okay?" James porposed.

„Of course! I can't just forget about you and Meowth. You're my best friends," she attempted at a faint smile. It was hard for them to face the changing reality.

Suddenly, Jessie and James noticed the upcoming of a nasty thunderstorm. Grim clouds darkened the cocktail-blue sky, billowing from the east. The first thunder was to be heard a long way off. The air grew heavy and the humidity pressed down. It was suffocating. The first raindrops slapped down onto the blades of grass.

Jessie and James started to run along the forest. The clouds speat out their beads of water. So much rain was falling that the sound blurred into one long, whirring noise. Water accumulated and formed giant puddles. Their boots were drenched. James almost slipped, but was able to keep his balance. They both burst out laughing, they were completely soaked. Jessie brushed some hair out of her face.

„Hurry up, James," she didn't know why she had to laugh so hard. Their emotions ran scattershot. Maybe, it was because they both knew that they hadn't too much time left. Maybe, it was because of the certainty that they wouldn't work together ever again and this thought made them go crazy. Maybe, they did no longer understand the world and couldn't grasp their boss' decision.

They were on the lookout for a cave when suddenly Jessie spotted a lair only a few feet away from them. James took her by the hand and they sprinted out of the rain.
Jessie had tears in her eyes, not because of sadness, but because of joy.
She couldn't calm herself.

„I'm glad to see that smiling face one last time," James chuckled and flushed.

Then things went quiet. They stared at each other in silence.

„James," Jessie began. „There is one last thing I want to do before we part," she said.

James wiped away the raindrops from her cheeks. „What's that?" he wanted to know.

Jessie wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. James was taken by surprise. He didn't know how to react. He carefully put his hands around Jessie's waist. He pressed his lips against hers. James closed his eyes and relished the moment. It was unexpected and it felt slightly odd to kiss his partner, but with every move of her delicate lips, he acquired a liking for it. After some seconds, Jessie drew her lips away. She was blushing to the roots of her hair. Both smiled embarrassedly. She noticed that James was overpowered by her action.

„Sorry," she whispered, her gaze resting on the floor. „I know you're not a fan of romance and endearment, but I thought I could...," James didn't let her speak out. He cupped her face, returned the gesture and placed a tender kiss on her lips. It was passionate, something they had never experienced before. Jessie ran her fingers through his hair, James pulled her closer to himself, tilting his head and kissing her fervently.

Eventually, their lips parted.

Both didn't know what time it was, but it didn't matter. Something had happened between the two of them. They could say for sure, that there was more between the two Team Rocket-members than just an amicable friendship, but they could also say for sure that this certain something would end as fast as it had begun.

James could feel Jessie pressed up against him. He could smell the subtle scent of lilies and tangerines. This was the last time they would hug, the last time he would grab her hands and squeeze them gently, the last time he would gaze deep into her lapislazuli blue eyes.

„I'm glad I could kiss you goodbye," James said, a tear running down his face.

An unpredictable future expected them. Would they ever run into each other again or had this been their bittersweet symphony of farewell?

You decide.