Jessie, James and Meowth sat in solemn silence, tears forming in their eyes.

"No, it can't end like this!" Jessie cried in a mixture of rage and sadness.

"We'll get outta there as soon as they let us outta this bag. We'll get back home. There's gotta be a way." Meowth insisted. However, his voice quivered as he said this. They heard James start to sob.

"Our children…What will happen to them?"

Hot tears started to roll down Jessie's cheeks as well. "I will not let this happen."

They all frantically tried to find a way out. But with no pokemon, and the prospect of going to the HQ made things look pretty bleak. They struggled until they had exhausted their bodies and hearts, and once again were enveloped in silence.

James wrapped his arms around Jessie in a sad embrace. They kissed softly before also embracing Meowth.

"Jessie…...there's something I should tell you."

Jessie's eyes opened wide with worry at his tone. What could this possibly be about? Is he going to confess some horrible sin he had committed?

"I'm not sure if you want to hear this, but just in case, if something were to happen to us, I think I would rather that you knew, rather than…" James trailed off. The silence was deafening. James became aware that he was breathing quite heavily. Jessie stayed in his embrace, feeling his warmth and the beating of his heart.

"James, just say it. It's okay." she said hesitantly.

"Remember before the twins were born, and there was that day I was really late coming home?"

"Yeah, I remember." Jessie answered, her heart sinking. What in the world was he about to say?

"I didn't go to the bank. Or to the DIY store."

"James, really, at this point, I don't care." she said sharply, interrupting him. "You are the most faithful and loving man I have ever known, so whatever you have to say I don't really need to hear it. It won't affect how I feel about you."

James stuttered. "No, it's nothing like that! I would never betray you like that! It's…...it's…." he took a sharp breath as if something was hurting him.

"It's….well, I had gone back to my parents' house. To ask them one more time to try and accept you and our children. And when I went, I found out…about Jessiebelle..."

Jessie raised an eyebrow. James continued.

"Jessiebelle…..actually, Jessiebelle's aunt….I mean, uh…..I'll start from the beginning. Growing up, my mother always told me about Jessiebelle's mother's sister, who never listened and ran away at a young age. It was kind of like a scare tactic."

"A scare tactic?"

"To try and make me do what they wanted me to do. They always said how she ran away, was a delinquent, and in the end she got killed in an avalanche."

"What are you trying to say, James? Is this some kind of end of life epiphany you're having?"

"No, it's…...I need to tell you this. Jessiebelle's aunt was in Team Rocket. And she had a daughter. And she died in an avalanche."

"What?" Jessie shook her head. "You're not making any sense. What are you talking about? What does this have to do with me?"

"Jessie….you're Jessiebelle's cousin." He blurted out.

The sentence felt like a ton of bricks being dropped on top of her. "No. That can't be…"

Meowth was speechless. There had been a reason for their resemblance.

"I was shocked too. I was so shocked I actually fainted when I made the connection. That's why I was so late coming back and I wanted to tell you but I was scared of how you would react and if it would stress you out with the babies and everything but I'm so sorry I never told you…" James started to ramble faster and faster.

"James!" she said sharply, stunning him into silence. She could hear him breathing rapidly. "You...you did the right thing. I'm not mad at you."

A long, heavy silence followed.

"Maybe….when we get out of here…..I'll go and see them."

"You mean?"

"They might have pictures of her."

James remained silent. Jessie took this as a possible sign of guilt.

"Of course, even if they do, it would only be her baby pictures…."

"I'm sorry, Jessie."

"Don't be."

Jessie and James embraced even tighter.

Another awkward silence hung over the trio. This time, Meowth broke the silence.

"How long do ya think it'll take?"

"What do you mean?" James inquired.

"You know, till we get to HQ."

"They do certainly seem to be taking their time." remarked Jessie.

"Dat's right...The truck hasn't even started moving or anything yet."

"It's like they're trying to prolong our suffering." James sighed dramatically.

"I wanted to do my best for those four." he lamented.

Meowth piped up. "Youse two are da best parents a kid could ever ask for! You turned your lives around, got a house, and most important was that you were THERE for them, unlike how we all had it."

Jessie and James listened to him in stunned silence.

"Thank you, Meowth." said Jessie. "But we aren't giving up this easily. Did we give up when we were in Team Rocket? Of course, we're not giving up on them either!"

Another pause as they remembered the severity and hopelessness of their current situation. They all sighed.

"I guess the twins will be going on their Pokemon journey this year, like it or not." Jessie remarked. James groaned. "No, they're just not ready."

"I think they are. Rochelle isn't too far behind them, you know."

"No, I really don't want them going out on their own, it's too dangerous."

"Not as dangerous as joining Team Rocket. Or a bike gang. Or-"

Meowth made a "shush" sound. "I hear something!"

They all fell silent, straining their ears. "I don't hear anything." said James.

"No, I really hear something! It's…...it's da kids!"

Jessie sighed dramatically. "I hear them too, Meowth."

"Stop it, Jessie! I'm not lying!"

James kept as silent as a baby Rattata, pleading with any powers above to help them, waiting for Meowth to give them any kind of information. Jessie fell silent as well.

Then, all three of them heard it at the same time. Faint yelling and screaming, something that sounded like a mighty roar and explosion. They gasped and started to yell and scream back.

"It's no use…." James gasped hoarsely. "This bag, and the truck door is shut tight."

"There's got to be some way!" Jessie breathed desperately. "Hold on! I've got a plan. If we work together, we can roll this bag and bang on the door!"

Meowth grinned. "Hey, dat sounds crazy enough to work! Ya still got it Jessie!"

Jessie grinned and lightly snickered before they set to work.