A/N: Sorry for the delay! R & R and more importantly, enjoy!

Chapter Four

James came back with a Rocket uniform that was identical to the one Jessie wore. Misty remembered when she dressed up as Team Rocket with Ash, Brock, and Duplica way back when. But now, once she put the uniform on, she would officially be a member of Team Rocket. It was strange to put the clothes on; James turned his back until she was fully clothed, even though he'd just previously bathed her.

"How do I look?" Misty asked looking at her reflection in the mirror.

James turned around and smiled, then said, "You look wonderful; you fill it out a lot better now."

Misty found herself blushing, so he did remember that. James went to go bathe, and Misty further admired herself in the mirror, she didn't recognize herself. Once soft, twinkling grey eyes turned to ice. Her cheekbones were sharp from the weight loss, but her stomach still had the toned definition. Though her hair fell softly around her face, it didn't alleviate the hardness of her features. She wondered what Ash would think of her now.

When James came out, he brought her pack and pokeballs with him. She was grateful for their return, and new that James had kept them safe, because the balls were in pristine condition. "Thank you, James," she said and hugged him. She felt his body tense beneath her arms before calming and returning the embrace.

"Can you tell me how long it has been?" she asked, lifting her head from his shoulder.

He winced, "Two months."

Two months and Ash hadn't even attempted once to rescue her. Neither did her other friends for that matter. Was she so insignificant that they didn't even try? She figured Tracey at least would try, but yet again maybe not. He was a loyal friend, but it didn't go any deeper than friendship like he had wanted. He might resent her for rejecting his offer, that now she figured she should have taken instead of waiting to see Ash, who clearly moved on.

"What's wrong?" James asked, seeing her stoic façade crumble.

"He – they - didn't even try to help me."

"Well – actually," he started, but then the shrieking voice of Jessie sounded from outside.

"James, you idiot, how dare you leave me! Come out here right now!" she hollered.

"I should've known she would find us here." He muttered, looking at the door helplessly.

"You're not her property," Misty said, frowning. "Don't let her control you."

"What do we do?" he asked pathetically.

She remembered his confession, of how Jessie had disposed of his feelings as insignificant, when it was obvious he cared about her and loved her, though she didn't understand how Jessie deserved his heart. She treated him like dirt on the underbelly of an ekans. Hurt her, the voice murmured in her ear again, as she's hurt him.

Misty reacted immediately, for the pounding on the door was getting louder as she was getting closer to breaking it. She removed James's jacket, and slipped off his shirt. He looked bewildered until she pressed her lips against his passionately. He instinctively began to undress her, and continue undressing himself all the while moving them towards the large bed. Misty's mind hazed over with furious passion, that she didn't even notice when the door busted open, but she heard the blood curdling scream emitting from her mouth. But James was oblivious.

Suddenly, she realized what was happening, frightened, she detached herself from James's body. He was distraught, and tried to pull her back but she moved further away. Then he noticed Jessie standing in the doorway, completely aghast.

Misty covered herself with the blankets, unsure of what had just occurred between her and James. She had felt herself lose control, and something else take hold of her body. The cold fury dissipated into the familiar numbness.

"James! What do you think you're doing?" Jessie hollered.

"I'm a man, I can do whatever I want," he responded, his voice revealing his uncertainty.

"You released that twerp so you could sleep with her?"

Sleep with? Misty's eyes widened. No, that couldn't have happened. She peered underneath the blankets and found that she had a skirt on still – but that was hardly reassuring. She didn't feel any differently, and surely she would know if she was no longer a virgin. Wasn't the first time supposed to hurt? She felt fine besides the pounding of her heart and confusion.

"Nothing happened between us, Jessie. She's joined Team Rocket. We have to send notification to the boss." James answered coolly while Misty gave a large sigh of relief. Her mind was starting to clear, and her confusion dissipated. "Let's fill out the paperwork, in the kitchen, okay Jess?"

"James what do you mean by her joining? What are you thinking? Have you finally lost your mind?" Jessie grumbled upon entering the kitchen.

"When that twerp sees her with us, don't you think he would react somewhat irrationally?" James replied, hoping Jessie would catch on to the subtlety.

"He did come looking for her, almost came close, but luckily we tricked him away. We could have gotten his Pikachu then."

"She's heartbroken, Jess. First, she'll help us capture his Pikachu because she's angry. Then, she'll help us get that blue-haired girl's pokemon considering the girl attached herself to the man Misty loves. We can turn her against all of her friends and get their pokemon, and then let her loose when there's no use of her anymore." James explained, thoroughly pleased with himself.

"How did you get her to agree to joining, in the first place? This seems too simple."

James reflected on their conversations, how he manipulated her by relating to her situation, making her feel pity for him. There was no man Jessie was after; she was ever loyal to James, though not romantically. They were the best of friends, and neither of them was about to spoil that. Though, Misty almost ruined any possibility of them being together because she decided to throw herself at him. It had been so long since he'd held a woman; he couldn't help the excitement that rattled through his body.

Finally, he shrugged, "She needed someone to relate to, and I gave that to her."