AN- Just a heads up that I won't have so much time for writing this weekend, so the next chapter might be a few days to a week late. (I'm eager to write the next bit though so we'll see!)

Songs that inspired this chapter:
- Walk Right Out, by Empathy Test
- Ringing Bell, by Maps & Atlases
- Pajaro, by Danit
- Best Intentions, by Satchmode
- Drive, by Now, Now
- Back Again, by flor
- Fire & Water, by Stormzy
- Somewhere (String Version), by JFDR

"What's happening Chipsters? Chip Ling back at it this sunny Sunday, and you know what that means- oh yes my friends, it's time for another round of listener answers! Last night I asked you: what's the funniest thing you've gotten away with at work? Oh man, and let me tell you, my jaw was on the floor reading some of your responses! Here's some of our favourites.

"Greta from Viridian writes: 'Once I changed every slide in my boss' presentation to a picture of Mr. Mime. He didn't notice until the whole boardroom was laughing!' Greta let me tell you, that's absolutely brilliant…"

Mondo was lying on his bed, the pocket-radio propped on the windowsill. He couldn't stay in any one position for very long; right now he was on his stomach, his chin on his crossed wrists, eyes closed as he did his very best to take in Chip's words without his thoughts drowning them out. Ever-increasingly his mind was not a place he could seem to run from, but that hadn't stopped him from trying.

"Heya, Mondo."

Mondo hadn't heard the creak of the opening door, and jumped at Meowth's voice. "Oh, hi," he said, rolling over to hit the off switch on the radio. "Is there something I can do for you, Meowth?"

Meowth shook his head as he came further into the shoebox bedroom. "Nah, nothin' like dat." He did something between a smile and a grimace. "I just thought I'd see how ya were."

A deep breath in and out wasn't enough. Something inside Mondo took Meowth's words as permission to drop his guard, lower the drawbridge that had been keeping out his despair, and suddenly there was no stopping the sob at the back of his throat.

"Could you shut the door," he gasped, "please?"

Meowth blinked. "Yeah, yeah sure."

As soon as the door was closed Mondo lost what was left of his composure. "Sorry," he whispered, hiding his face in his hands as he started to cry.

Meowth hopped up on the bed to sit next to him, and put a paw on his shoulder. "Nothin' ta be sorry for." He rubbed slow circles across Mondo's back until the young man emerged from behind his hands, sniffling.

"Did- Did James tell you what happened?" Mondo managed to ask. His voice all low and hoarse as he wiped his eyes. "With, um… With Ravi?"

Their name ran through Mondo like an electric shock.

"...Da gist of it, yeah."

Mondo couldn't catch his breath properly. He'd been avoiding it but finally he looked Meowth in the eye, needing recognition for what he was about to say. "They were the only one in Team Rocket who really cared about me, and- and I betrayed them." His lip trembled. "I drugged them. That's- That's probably why they crashed too, because they still had it in their system when…" He exhaled heavily. "What kind of person does that to their friend?!"

"Mondo, ya didn't make 'em follow ya-"

"But they had to!" Mondo exclaimed. "It's their job!" He shook his head. "And I didn't even stop to see if they were alive, I just kept driving, and now I don't even know if I should be grieving or if they're still out there or…"

"Nothin' in the news?"

"I keep searching 'Mt. Moon crash' but nothing comes up," Mondo croaked. "Which isn't surprising, we were way off-road… Oh God…"

It broke Meowth's heart to watch Mondo's shatter. That much pain didn't belong on his face. It wasn't fair.

"I should have waited." Mondo's head was back in his hands. "I should have planned it better- then none of this would've happened."

"Ya don't know that," Meowth told him. "Maybe it woulda happened worse- maybe you an' James woulda got killed. Ya just don't know."

Mondo didn't look up. His sleeves couldn't catch his tears as fast as they were falling.

"Y'know, me an' Jess got people killed, plottin' against Carter."

The short breaths coming from Mondo stilled. One watery brown eye peeked through his fingers.

"We did what we could ta keep 'em safe, but wid a job like that… We knew everyone wasn't gonna make it. An' as much as I know we did what we had ta…" Meowth's gaze fell down, into his lap. "Sometimes I can't help but t'ink, dey'd still be here if it weren't for me."

Silence. A beam of sunlight cut across the room, catching a rectangle of dust. But even the warmest yellow looked cold through Mondo's eyes. Distant, not made for him.

"Will I ever feel normal again?" he whispered, dreading the answer. "I- I won't, will I?"

Meowth sighed. There was the million dollar question. "I don't know," he admitted. "But ya won't feel like dis forever, I do know dat. It's been what, a week?"

Mondo sniffed. "Yeah."

"Dat's super fresh, no wonder you're so cut up." Meowth rubbed Mondo's shoulder again. "Give it time. Dat's all ya can do. I ain't gonna lie an' tell ya it'll be fast, or easy, an' I know it probably feels a million miles away right now, but… Dere will be joy again. Trust me on dat." He shifted, standing up on the bed so he could hug Mondo. "Can't rush it, but it'll happen."

Despite Meowth's general disdain for his evolved form, he did sometimes wish he was bigger, his arms long enough to reach all the way around a human. Then he could have cradled Mondo properly, the way Meowth knew he needed.

His little arms would have to do.

James stirred his tea absent-mindedly, the spoon tinkling against the mug. Every now and then he glanced up at Cassidy, who eventually caught his eye.

"You gonna tell me what you're thinking?" Cassidy asked. "Or are you just waiting for your tea to go totally cold?"

James smiled, but it was hampered by what was on his mind. "I don't think you'll like it."

"Spill."

"All right then- I was just thinking what a nice day it is," James said carefully. "And… how we never really said goodbye to Butch."

Cassidy tried her best to keep her expression light. "Aw, come on James, is that really how we're gonna spend my last day here? Cobbling together a budget funeral? I'd rather just get drunk or something."

"We can do that too," James replied. "It doesn't have to be all gloomy- think of it more like a celebration!"

"What, of him getting shot?"

James flinched. "Of his life," he mumbled.

"I'm only kidding," Cassidy said, setting her own mug down. "What's brought this on? You know you don't have to worry about me."

"I'm not," James said. "I mean, I am, but… I think it would be good for everyone. It's what you're meant to do, isn't it? It's healthy."

"I guess."

James looked around to make sure they were still alone, then folded his arms on the counter. "I think it would make Jessie feel better to give him a proper send-off."

"Jessie?" Cassidy frowned. "I thought we'd already put the Butch thing to bed. I told her I've made my peace with it, and that I don't blame her or anything-"

"But still… We're all here together, in this place he helped build, and… I don't know. It just feels like the right thing to do." He looked down. "Obviously it's up to you…"

Cassidy thought about it. "No black veils or long-winded poems though, right?" she asked.

"None of that," James confirmed.

"Then sure, whatever. But I'm going to need a two drink minimum to get through it."

James clapped his hands. "I'll get the beer."

Once Jessie was back from walking her pokémon, James gathered everyone outside, along with the chairs from the kitchen and their last eight-pack of beer.

Jessie was a little apprehensive when James first pulled her aside to tell her about it. While her talk with Cassidy had helped, she was still yet to forgive herself for the way Butch had died. She saw James' point about closure, though. Maybe the wake would be the missing piece, permission to finally start letting go of the unpayable debt she'd been carrying.

Though Mondo had been told he was under absolutely no obligation to join them, he'd decided he would. Meowth was afraid that the talk of Butch's death would re-trigger the anguish Mondo had only just calmed down from, but Mondo thought sitting in the shack all by himself would be much worse.

And though it was a wake for a man he'd never met, there was something comforting about being all together. The emotion not all his.

"Okay," James said once everyone was sat down. "So, er… We're just going to take a few minutes to honour Butch, I suppose? I haven't really planned this, um…"

Cassidy cracked a beer.

"Yes, do help yourself to drinks- actually, let's do a toast!" James waited until everyone had taken a bottle, then lifted his own. "To Butch. We wouldn't be here without him."

"To Butch!" Jessie and Meowth chorused, Mondo echoing them less confidently. Cassidy just raised her bottle and took a big swig, then poured a little out onto the earth.

She knew Butch's body wasn't even in Kanto, but she liked to think his spirit went wherever it pleased. All the cynicism in the world couldn't change the energy she sometimes felt surround her, like he was swinging by from wherever he'd gone.

Like she could feel now.

She cleared her throat. "Ground rules," she said firmly, to herself as much as the others. "You wanna say something, keep it light. You gotta cry, keep it to a minimum, I don't want no handkerchiefs out- I'm looking at you, James. And if anyone gets his name wrong I'm throwing hands, I mean that."

Mondo leaned towards Meowth. "It's Butch, right?" he whispered.

"Safer ta just keep ya yap shut," Meowth hissed back.

"Right!" James chirped. "I'll get the proverbial ball rolling, shall I?" He knitted his hands in his lap. "Butch and I were never on the best of terms, to tell the truth. Ever since we were in basic training we took just about every opportunity to annoy each other, playing tit-for-tat- he started it, mind you." James shook his head, grinning. "He tied my shoelaces together just before our first fitness test. Which, as you can imagine, got me in hot water with Viper- so I returned the favour by messing up his bed right before dorm inspection."

"That was you?!" Cassidy gasped. "You little fucker, he got toilet duty for that!"

"Quite. So began our long-standing prank war," James continued. "It went on like that for a while, taking it in turns to get our own back- until one day where I had the most rotten luck. It was just one thing after another- first I slept through my alarm, then I tripped a hurdle and ripped my uniform, and then the dye-pack I was meant to be disarming exploded on me."

"Oof," Meowth remarked.

"Oof indeed. Naturally, Viper was furious. He gave me quite the chewing-out, and promised that if he had to deal with me again before the day was done, then I was out of Team Rocket for good. And of course I swore that I'd be on my best behaviour, no more slip-ups, just begging him not to throw me out…" James chuckled suddenly. "And then afterwards, Butch pulls me aside to tell me there's a bucket of instant mashed potato propped on top of my door, and that I should probably take it down before going inside."

"What?" Jessie laughed. "Where'd he even get that much mash?!"

"I don't know!" James exclaimed. "I suppose the kitchen? Anyway, point being- Butch could easily have said nothing and watched me get tossed out on my arse covered in potato, but he didn't. I always thought that was very noble of him."

Spluttering on the last of her beer, Cassidy raised her eyebrows. "You think deciding last second not to mash someone is noble?"

"It was noble in the context!" James argued. He settled back in his chair. "Would anyone else like to say something?"

Meowth raised his paw. "I'll go- one time dere was dis rhyhorn robot-"

"Oh man, not that thing," Cassidy groaned.

"-yeah, we messed each other up pretty good dat day, didn't we?" Meowth cooed. "Long story short, it was a titan! A real hunk a' steel on wheels! An' I thought I had da monopoly on mechas, but Butch was a worthy rival when it came ta buildin'." He gestured at the shack. "Like when he renovated dis place- I learned a lot about screws dat day!"

There was a pause as everyone waited for Meowth to continue, then realised that was the end of his speech.

"Touching," Cassidy muttered.

Jessie bounced her leg nervously. "Butch, um…" She cleared her throat. "Butch was brave. He… He was the first one to take a stand against Carter." She took a breath. "He showed me what real courage looked like. And… I'll always be grateful," she finished, just barely able to get the words out without breaking Cassidy's no-crying policy.

Cassidy realised it was her turn. Ordinarily she would have been happy to sit back and say nothing, but it occurred to her that she was the only one here who'd really known Butch, and therefore the only one who could say anything of substance. She felt she owed him that.

She turned her bottle around in her hands. "Butch was a good partner. He was always there for me, even when I was on some bullshit." She chuckled. "He was funny- usually when he wasn't trying to be. And even when we were doing nasty stuff for work he was kind where it counted. He…" She licked her lips. "He was my best friend. And he deserved better than he got."

Cassidy let her gaze drift up to the horizon, cold and sunny. She could swear there was a tone to the silence that followed, like the last ripple of a gong had been sustained. The same wind that moved the clouds along scattered her fringe across her eyes.

Downing the last quarter of her beer, she stood up.

"Right, let's get inside," she said, louder than she'd been speaking before. "Freezing out here."

She strategically took her time picking up the bottles, and waited until everyone else had gone back in the shack. Then she closed her eyes, mouthing the words she only wanted Butch to hear.

"I haven't forgotten you." Her hands tightened. "I'll make things right. I promise."

Morning came too quick. Before Jessie knew it she was waking up to the squeak of a bag zipping closed, and her bleary eyes blinked open to see Cassidy already dressed and gathering her things.

"What time is it?" Jessie asked, then groaned as she checked the clock. "Aw no, you should have woken me! I was going to make you breakfast…"

"I've got time for breakfast," Cassidy assured her. She dragged her backpack over to the bed and took something out of the front pocket. "I think you'll like this- I got it made custom, check it out."

Yawning, Jessie took the object: a little grey brick of a cellphone. She turned it over in her hand, not really understanding why anyone would order such an ugly design.

"It's untraceable," Cassidy explained. "Best security on the market- I've got one too. My number's in there, so we can stay in contact if there's an emergency. And when I'm done, maybe one day when it's safe… Maybe we can meet up again."

Jessie looked vaguely stunned. "When did you get these?"

"When I ordered the lawyer's I.D," Cassidy said. "I didn't want to leave you in the dark again. This way, if something happens…" She shrugged. "Well, at least you'll know."

Jessie stared at the phone, unsure which emotion was stirring strongest in her chest. It was a wonderful gift, but one she wished she didn't need. And the idea that Cassidy might stop responding one day, Jessie finding out she was dead that way-

"I thought you'd be happy," Cassidy said, confused.

"I…" Jessie swallowed. "I just wish I could come with you- I just can't leave the others-"

"I wouldn't let you if you tried," Cassidy told her. She put her arm around Jessie's shoulders and nestled her head in the crook of her neck. "This is my fight, not yours. And don't you get too glum, because I plan on winning."

Closing her eyes, Jessie breathed in slow, savouring Cassidy's scent. A sweet musk of sweat and honey shampoo.

"Just don't get reckless," Jessie mumbled. "I need you back."

"I'll do my best," was all Cassidy could say.

What she wanted to do was promise Jessie that everything would be all right, that she would be back in no time and there was nothing to worry about. But they both knew that would be a lie.

When it came down to it there were no words that could stop the rift opening up between them. So they just held onto each other in silence, cocooned in a fragile limbo between past and future. Knowing they couldn't stay forever.

If only time could have stood still then and there.

Relentless, the clock ticked on.

Cassidy pushed her last piece of pancake around the pool of syrup on her plate, reluctant to take the final bite. She was already behind schedule; if she'd followed the plan she'd made the night before she would've been long gone by now, but ever since she'd woken up she'd been finding excuse after excuse to stall.

Breakfast was the last thing between her and leaving. She held her breath as she lifted the fork to her mouth, and took the last cold bite. Sweetness exploded over her tongue as she chewed, watching Jessie watch her.

Nothing left to do but go.

"Right," she said, standing up and wiping her mouth. "I'd better leave, then."

Jessie stood up too, her own pancakes barely touched. "You sure you've got everything?"

"Yep." Cassidy patted her bag. "All packed."

James and Meowth came over from across the room. "You off?" James asked.

"I am indeed," Cassidy answered. They hesitated like they had when they'd met, not sure whether to hug or not- only this time James went for it. Cassidy just stood stiffly at first, then relented and hugged back.

"It was good to see you again," James said. "I… I hope you find what you're looking for."

Cassidy clapped him on the back bro-style. "You take care of each other," she told him as they pulled apart. "Okay?"

James nodded. "Of course."

"That goes for you as well, Meowth. I know you're the responsible one, keep those two out of trouble."

"Ya want me ta move heaven an' Earth while I'm at it?" Meowth grinned. He held his paw out for her to shake. "Best a' luck, Cassidy."

She shook his paw like they were closing a business deal. "Same to you, cat."

Mondo hovered awkwardly in the bedroom doorway. He'd heard the farewells and come over to join, but now he wasn't sure what to do with himself. He didn't really know Cassidy, so it felt a bit weird being in the room.

Cassidy caught him staring and winked. "Nice meeting you, kid," she said. "Hold the fort, yeah?"

"Y-Yeah," Mondo replied. "Nice to meet you too."

Cassidy turned back to Jessie, knowing that her chipper approach wouldn't work for this last farewell. In fact, when she opened her mouth, she had no idea of what to say.

Jessie's eyes held hers intently. "You're sure about this?" she asked softly.

Cassidy sighed. "I'm sure," she said. "I need to do this."

Jessie nodded. "Yeah," she whispered, unsuccessfully blinking back tears. "I know."

They kept looking at each other a moment longer. Then they collapsed into one last hug, holding on like they would never get to hold each other again, which they both knew might very well be the truth.

"Promise you won't come looking for me," Cassidy murmured into her ear. "No matter what happens, okay? They need you here."

Nodding against her shoulder, Jessie sniffed sharply. "Yeah," she managed.

"And get out of Kanto soon as you can. You can still make a good life for yourselves."

Someone had to let go first. Cassidy kissed Jessie on the side of the head and gently pushed her away so they were face-to-face.

Jessie recognised the lack of expression on Cassidy's face. It was a skill Jessie had lost over the years, but apparently Cassidy had held onto: the ability to make yourself a soldier, stoic, unfeeling, focused on nothing but the mission ahead. While tears pooled in Jessie's eyes Cassidy's stayed clear.

No plea in the world that could make her stay.

"Bye, Jess." Cassidy picked up her bag, and went to the door. "I'll be in touch," she called over her shoulder, then turned away, pushed the door open, and walked into the sun.

Jessie's legs took her to the open doorway, where she stayed and watched Cassidy walk across the leafy ground, up towards the hills. Getting smaller and smaller as she marched into the distance.

And then she was gone. Her face already a memory.

Jessie wiped away the lines her tears had left on her cheeks as she heard James walk up behind her.

"Are you okay?" he asked gently.

"Yeah," Jessie breathed. She steadied herself on the breeze brushing her skin, on the sun-soaked branches swaying against the sky.

"I'm Chip Ling, this is Kanto Radio 5, and coming up we've got some of the greatest tunes of the year, don't go anywhere because you will not want to miss a single second! But first a rundown of the traffic- few things to watch out for this morning, bit of a hold-up on Route 23, that's about a ten minute delay if you're heading into work. The usual roadworks on Route 12 but no reports of any jams there, and… Oh, this isn't good- I'm being told Route 4 is closed due to an open investigation by police, crikey. So if you're travelling past Mt. Moon expect diversions…"

It was like time had stopped. Chip's voice droned on, but Mondo couldn't hear a single word. Ears ringing, heart stuttering, a cold sweat prickling across his skin, he went to the next room and sat down by the laptop. The walls spun in his peripheral as he typed the same phrase he always did.

mt. moon crash

His trembling finger hit 'enter', and his eyes raced to take it all in.

Route 4 closed due to crash

Body found near Mt. Moon

Police close road to investigate unidentified woman's death

His breath pulled in and out, quicker and quicker until he realised he was hyperventilating. He couldn't take his eyes off the laptop screen; the white square burned into his vision by the time the others heard his gasps.

"Mondo? What's wrong?!"

"It's okay, we're here- just breathe, okay?"

He felt the sofa depress as Jessie sat down next to him. James' hands on his shoulders. Meowth's paw on his knee.

None of them could reach where Mondo had gone. He was floating, untethered.

No match for the black tide sweeping him to sea.