The Boat That Rocked (Rocketshipping Fanfic)

Part Seventeen

Jaime had walked down to the docks in search of the cat Pokémon one afternoon, but it was nowhere to be found.

What would I do if it was here? Ask questions about Jessie? James?

She sighed and turned away, approaching the first left turn on the way home. A week had passed since they had arrived on the island and the apartment had become to feel like home.

The next-door neighbour, Lisa, appeared to be avoiding them and Jaime hadn't seen Jessie or the Meowth again. James' wound was healing well and they had started considering looking for work – agreeing that the island, while there was a slightly tense atmosphere, was the safest place to be.

As Jaime turned the corner, a blur of pale colour and a glint of gold flew at her, sharp claws digging into her shoulders.

Pulling her attacker away, she held it high and was surprised to see a struggling Meowth in her hands. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"Let me down!" it growled, squirming.

Placing the Pokémon on its feet, she repeated her question, "What are you doing?"

The Meowth glared at her and raised an accusing paw at her. "Where's James?"

Jaime went cold and stared silently at the Pokémon. "W-who?" she stuttered pathetically.

"You know who!" It moved closer. ""James – where is he?!"

Jaime opened her mouth to reply, still stunned by the Meowth's blatant accusation underneath its tone that maybe she had hidden him away somewhere. Her words caught in her throat as a hand curled around her shoulder, a deep voice in her ear, "That's what I would like to know."

Fear shot through her like an electric shock striking her body, paralysing her to the spot.

The hand turned her around to face him, eyes meeting hers with a cold gaze.

"Alphonse…" she breathed.

"Don't look so shocked," he smiled, squeezing her shoulder so hand it hurt. "What else could I do but look for you two? Do you really think I'd let my little sister run off with a Rocket?"

"Who the hell are you?"

Alphonse looked behind Jaime and laughed. "A talking Meowth? This your new pet, Jaime?"

"I ain't a pet!"

Alphonse laughed again, his harsh gaze returning to Jaime, his expression suddenly darkening. "Where's James?"

She remained quiet.

"No matter what you do or don't say, I'm taking you home," he released her shoulder. "Make it easier for the both of you and tell me where he is."

What do I do? How did Alphonse find us? What do I do? James, what do I-

"He's at the hospital."

Jaime felt the Meowth tense behind her.

"Oh?" Alphonse leaned in close. "Is that so?"

"Yeah," she lied. "The bullet wound got infected, so I took him there."

"Show me." He commanded.

Jaime nodded and reached down the pick the Meowth up, much to his surprise and discomfort. "Live with it." She whispered in the Pokémon's ear, praying he would understand how dangerous the situation was.

Thankfully, the Meowth calmed down and even rested its head back against her chest as if he had been held by her countless times before.

Leading Alphonse who followed close behind them, they soon arrived at the hospital. He looked at her, expectant, and she tightened her hold on the cat in her arms. She moved forwards into the hospital and headed straight for the lifts.

Joining her at the doors, Alphonse spoke quietly, "Any wrong moves or even a thought of running, and I'll shoot."

In the corner of her eye, Jaime saw his hand moved inside his coat. Her jaw clenched. He has a gun.

The metal doors slid open and the three stepped inside, Jaime pressing the floor button. Seeing the number, Meowth shifted in her arms, apparently recognising it. Of course he would – he visited James all the time when he was in a coma.

Arriving at the floor, Jaime stepped out and strode purposely down the corridor. Stopping at the end, she glanced until she saw the man she sought. "That's James' doctor." She nodded in the man's direction.

Without hesitation, Alphonse marched forwards, signalling over his shoulder for Jaime to stay put. The doctor turned to face the fast approaching man, that gentle smile on his lips.

That smile didn't falter as Alphonse spoke, and it didn't twitch as he directed him into his office, closing the door behind them.

#

Meowth rested his paws on the woman's arms and looked up at her. Her expression was blank but the slight frown furrowing her brow betrayed her concern. "Who is he?" he asked quietly.

The woman jumped at the sound of his voice and glanced down at him. "He's my brother – Alphonse."

"What does he want with James?"

The woman hesitated but then replied, probably realizing that there was no reason or hope of her continuing hiding the fact she knew James. "We worked for Alphonse and when he found out about James' association with Team Rocket, he wasn't too happy."

We haven't got away, we haven't fully escaped Team Rocket. "So you ran away?"

She nodded.

Meowth looked at the closed doors, his ears twitching, straining to hear the conversation inside. "How did he find out 'bout Team Rocket?" Meowth questioned cautiously, sensing he wouldn't like the answer.

"Giovanni sent executioners – people to kill James."

I knew it. We could never have just got away that easily.

A muted sound came from behind the closed door and Meowth tensed, his blood running cold, the sound only audible to his cat ears.

"Jaime," he started. He had heard the man call her that before. She looked down at him. "What kind of man is your brother?"

"Dangerous." The answer came immediately.

The door opened and Alphonse stepped out, a mobile phone to her ear. "- the third floor, yeah. Yeah. There should be a woman. Get her." He hung up.

Reaching them, Alphonse clapped his hands together, a cruel grin spread across his face.

A woman? Third floor? Alarm bells were ringing in Meowth's head.

"You're a great sis, Jaime," the grin grew. "In fact, I'm gonna forgive your lie and might just let you stay here for a while longer before going home. A little extended holiday, yeah?"

Why is he talking like that?

What woman?

Why is Jaime shaking?

Why-

"Jessie."

Meowth squirmed, releasing himself from Jaime's hold, panic surging through him. He meant Jessie – he's taking Jessie.

#

Jaime watched the Meowth dash away, disappearing into a lift along with a group of leaving visitors.

Turning back to face Alphonse's wicked grin, she retreated a step.

Where is the Pokémon going? Why does it feel like I've done everything to Alphonse's plan, rather than diverting his attention, rather than alerting the hospital staff? Why is no one reacting to him? Why is everything continuing on as normal?

But then what would really happen if I'd been able to do that? Would Alphonse be arrested? Or would innocent people die?

"What do you mean – 'extended holiday'?"

"No need for you to worry about that," he moved past her towards the lifts. "I'll pick you up later so just wait quietly for me."

Then he stopped and looked back at her, a finger tapping the side of his head. "Oh, and I think you should check up on the doc – he's got a bit of a headache." And then he laughed, stepping inside the lift, the metal doors sliding shut, leaving Jaime behind. She stood in an isolated silent, a bubble separating her from the rest of the world, things taking form inside her head.

She turned, her shoes shuffling and squeaking slightly on the hospital floor. The world slowed down around her, sounds distant and people out of reach.

She pushed open the office door and it swung wide, faster than everything else.

The doctor sat in his chair, hands resting atop the desk, a gentle smile on his face.

Jaime nearly expected the doctor to look up and welcome her in – except the hole in the centre of his forehead meant he would never speak again.

Jaime collapsed to her knees, holding onto the wall. Why – why did this happen?

The doctor smiled at her. Gently. Bloodlessly.

A/N

Hello! This is a chapter I wrote on a hotel pad on my short holiday in Ireland - I thought it would be a good idea to have an update ready for when I got back. So am home and I quickly typed it up for you guys!