Chapter 14 – All I Want For Christmas Is You
The Kanto Times Christmas party was in full swing, festive tunes blared through the room which was full of people dancing, donned in party hats and tinsel and big smiles. Drinks were flowing, and bellies were full after their earlier feast. A tipsy Dean manoeuvred his way through the crowd with a tray of fireball shots, dancers eagerly picking up a glass as he passed. Eventually he reached the back corner where two staff members sat in deep conversation.
"Amanda! David! Courtesy of the Chief!" He smiled as he set two shot glasses on the table and took another for himself. Jessie and James grinned as they lifted their shots up for a *clink* with Dean, and the three downed their drinks, wincing as the liquor burned their throats.
As Dean left with his empty tray, James turned his attention back to the interrupted conversation. "My apologies Meowth, you were saying?"
To the rest of the party goers, it appeared that two people were drinking and chatting and having fun getting to know each other better, fuelled by the rumours of David and Amanda's blooming relationship. Instead, both Jessie and James listened as Meowth's voice crackled through their hidden earpieces.
"I said, dat's da files deleted. Now what?"
Jessie sipped her drink as James instructed Meowth how to double check everything from Dominic's secret server had been successfully deleted and how to cover his tracks so that no one would be able to tell anyone had been using Dominic's computer. She nodded and laughed a few times, eager to make sure it looked as though James was talking to her in case anyone looked their way.
Jessie studied James as he spoke to Meowth. She had to admit he looked good in the deep purple shirt. The plain black suit trousers, black tie, and black hair and glasses making the purple pop. The ponytail had been removed from the wig so that the long hair fell around his face and shoulders, effectively hiding the earpiece and mic. Setting her empty glass down, Jessie glanced around the room, hoping that the mission wouldn't take too much longer. She was eager to start letting her hair down and enjoying the party. No point dressing up this nice and wasting it sitting in a dark corner! Double checking that Dominic and the Chief were still present, she turned her attention back to James and mouthed some nonsense words, playing with her blonde wig and fluttering her eyelashes. Whilst it wasn't intentional to have these rumours about them, they had to admit it was the perfect cover story for tonight.
James grinned at Jessie and shook his head slightly, amused by her 'taking part' in their conversation. "Yes, just double click on that."
Jessie threw her head back and laughed as if James had said the funniest thing in the world.
xXx
An hour later, Jessie and James were finally enjoying the party. After staying mostly sober for the mission, James had finally relented and allowed people to buy him farewell drinks. The news of David's resignation had been announced earlier that week, as David needed to return to Sinnoh to care for his elderly mother. Jessie smiled as she watched James in the middle of the dancefloor, a drink in each hand and wearing his tie as a headband.
"This sucks! What are you gonna do once he's gone?!" Deirdre asked, noticing Jessie's eyes on David.
Jessie sighed dramatically. "I know, I wish he wasn't leaving. He's a great guy and I wish we'd had time to get to know each other more" Jessie played along.
Ashleigh put her arm around Jessie's shoulders. "You two would have made such a cute couple." Deirdre nodded in agreement. "Come on, let's get some more drinks." Ashleigh said, steering them towards the bar.
"Besides," Deirdre grinned, "the night is still young, who know what might happen later!" She elbowed Jessie playfully in the ribs as they all laughed.
xXx
The hour was late. Jackets, ties, and even shoes had been discarded, and the staff who hadn't faded congregated on the dancefloor. Jessie looked around for Ashleigh and Deirdre, finally spying them over by the DJ, no doubt requesting yet another Christmas song. Someone touched her elbow and she spun around, coming face to face with James who offered her a glass of something.
"Margaret bought this for me, it's awful!" he grimaced. "I have no idea what it is but it's yours if you want it."
Jessie took the drink and sniffed experimentally, then took a small sip. "Wow!" she scrunched her face up. "That is strong!" Shrugging her shoulders, she gulped the rest down, exhaling harshly and shaking her head afterwards. She grinned up at James as she placed the glass on a nearby table. "Come on, let's go get you a drink you actually like!"
They had just started moving towards the bar when Deirdre and Ashleigh stepped in front of them, blocking their way as the beginnings of a new song floated out from the DJ booth. "You're going nowhere." Ashleigh laughed as she turned Jessie round to face James and gave her a delicate shove towards him.
I don't want a lot for Christmas…
Jessie's eyes widened in realisation and she looked back at her friends, who both gave her a thumbs up. Snorting a laugh, she turned back to James. "Guess we're dancing then."
James, still sporting his ridiculous tie-headband, grinned and nodded. "I guess so." Ever the gentleman, he held out his hand. "Amanda, may I have this dance?"
xXx
The hour was early. Meowth was awoken abruptly by the sound of the door slamming open and both Jessie and James staggering into the room.
"Sheesh, what time d'ya call dis?"
Jessie hiccupped as she fell on to the bed beside him. "Sorry."
"Our apologies Meowth. We didn't realise the time." James slumped on the chair, groaning slightly.
The scratch cat glared at them. "Yeah yeah, still don't see why you guys get to have all da fun whilst Meowth did all da woik."
"You know why! We couldn't fit through *hic* fit through the vents to get in and out and er, *hic* we had to be at the par *hic* party cos we needed to be there *hic* not to arouse s'picion."
James retrieved a bottle of water from the mini fridge and unscrewed the lid, handing it to Jessie. "Here, drink this." He sat on the bed, on the other side of Meowth whilst Jessie guzzled her water. "Meowth you were the most important part of tonight. You were the only one who could do it and you did brilliantly!" He scratched Meowth behind the ears with one hand, pulling off his glasses and wig with the other.
Jessie wiped the water from her mouth, smearing her lipstick a little. "Yeah what he said. You'w're great."
"And don't yous forget it!" Meowth rolled his eyes as he moved to the chair and made himself comfortable. "Now quit yappin, dis cat needs his catnap."
James flopped down to lie on the bed before suddenly sitting up again. "No, no, bad idea." He rubbed his forehead, looking a little green, then hung his head between his knees.
Jessie passed him her water bottle. "Here, James, drink." She kicked off her heels and pulled off her wig, throwing it over to the other side of the room, and curled up in the corner of the bed, rubbing James's back as he took deep breaths. "Fun night tonight" she murmured.
James just groaned in response.
xXx
The streets of Saffron City were busy, last-minute shoppers bustled their way in and out of stores, weighed down by bags. Carollers sang in front of the Christmas tree in the town square, watched by an audience donned in festive hats and clutching mulled wine, and small children stopped and marvelled at the lights and decorations before being pulled along by busy parents with places to be.
From the comfort of a cosy café, Jessie, James and Meowth watched the people pass by as they sipped their hot chocolates.
"You wouldn't think it was Christmas Eve, would you" sighed Jessie.
"Sure ya would, it's chaos out dere!" Meowth replied before tossing a marshmallow into his mouth.
Jessie frowned. "It's so mild though. Not even a hint of snow."
James flicked his eyes up to the television in the corner of the café, which was currently showing the Kanto weather forecast. "Looks like it's to remain like this for the foreseeable."
"But, it's just not Christmas without snow!" Jessie pouted into her hot chocolate.
The sound of the café door opening drew James' eyes away from the weather report. "Don't look now but Owen just walked in" warned James in a low voice.
"Ugh that guy gives me the creeps!" Jessie shuddered. "At least you pair never have to go back there, I still have another month to go."
Meowth slurped down the rest of his hot chocolate, smacking his lips with a satisfied 'ahhh'. "Annuda?" he looked expectantly between his partners.
Jessie grinned. "Absolutely! James, be a dear and go order? Get me the…" she scanned the menu, "I'll try the salted caramel one this time." She smiled sweetly as James rolled his eyes and slid out from his seat.
"I'll have da same again, but with extra marshmallows!" Meowth licked his lips.
James made his way to the counter and ordered the drinks, cringing slightly when Owen appeared next to him to make his own order. There was no way that Owen would recognise them out of their work disguises but being in such close proximity still made James nervous. James cleared his throat and looked down at his fingernails, silently willing the barista to hurry up. After what felt like an eternity, three hot chocolates were set down in front of James and he hastily made his way back to their booth where his partners were engaged in a debate about snow.
Jessie scooped a spoonful of whipped cream from the top of her new drink, savouring the sweetness, before pointing at Meowth with her spoon. "You're wrong. It's so beautiful, and peaceful, and just magical!"
"Nah it's too cold, I only got liddle legs ya know." Meowth crammed three marshmallows into his mouth.
The two continued to bicker for a while, occasionally each trying to get James to side with them. However, James was only half listening. His mind was whirring, formulating a plan.
xXx
"But Jaaaaames, where are we going?" Jessie whined for the third time as they trudged their way to the car, bundled up in thick coats, hats and scarves.
"As I keep saying, it won't be a surprise if I tell you!" James winked at his companions as they reluctantly got into the vehicle.
"It's too cold for dese shenanigans."
"But it's Christmas Day! We should be cosy in front of a fire!"
"Yes because our hotel rooms have a fire." James sighed before retrieving some blankets from the boot and tossing them at Meowth in the back seat. "Here you go, you can wrap up in these for the journey." He caught Jessie's glare as he entered the car and gave a sheepish smile, and grabbed one of the blankets from Meowth.
"Hey!"
James offered the blanket to Jessie, who snatched it off him and draped it dramatically over herself.
The journey took a little less than an hour, though with the complaining from Jessie and Meowth time seemed to drag. James remained in good spirits, ignoring all threats and dodging any questions of their destination much to the annoyance of his teammates. It was only when the road took a sharp incline and the landscape ahead became more white than green that a small smile graced Jessie's lips. The rest of the journey passed in relative silence, other than the occasional snore from the back seat. Jessie gazed out of the window watching the mountains rise up around them, her hand pressed against the glass as she stared in wonder. Eventually, James turned through a gate into a field, the car slowly inching its way through the think snow, and then brought it to a stop.
"Surprise!" James grinned, as Jessie looked around with stars in her eyes.
James hopped out of the car and rummaged through the boot, before making his way on to the field and unrolling a thick cushioned blanket. Next came three cushions, a rather large picnic basket, and a couple of thermoses. Jessie stepped out of the car, relishing in the delicious crunch of snow under her feet, the slight breeze making strands of hair dance round her face as she took in the sight. The field was at the top of a large hilltop, sloping down towards more white fields and eventually a frozen lake, before rising up again in to rolling hills. To each side, the white and grey mountains rose majestically above them, and above the lake the winter sun shone fiercely in the cloudless sky.
After finishing setting up their picnic, James returned to the car to gently wake Meowth from his catnap. Rubbing his eyes, Meowth took in his surroundings before looking back at James, but his question died on his lips as he spotted the wrapped present James held out for him. Gleefully, Meowth tore off the paper.
"Merry Christmas. I know you said you didn't like snow so I'm hoping this will make you more comfortable" James smiled as Meowth held up the cat-sized snow suit and little snow boots.
"Gee, tanks Jimmy!" Meowth clambered into the suit as James headed back towards Jessie, who was still admiring her surroundings.
"James, it's so beautiful!"
James smiled and took a seat on one of the cushions, reaching for a thermos with one hand and patting a different cushion with the other. Jessie sat as James poured them all a mug of steaming hot chocolate. "Sorry there's no marshmallows or cream." He passed a mug to Jessie. "Do you need a blanket?"
"That would be great, thanks. No wonder you told us to wrap up this morning!"
James lifted one of the blankets and draped it around his partner's shoulders as she took a deep drink of hot chocolate. The crunch of snow behind them signalled Meowth's arrival, and he perched on the remaining cushion and looked out at the view, wrapping the blanket he'd had in the car around himself.
"Would you look at dat!" Meowth exclaimed, as James passed him some hot chocolate.
"Told you it was pretty" pointed out Jessie with a satisfied smirk.
"Yeah yeah," Meowth waved his paw. "So what's all dis for?"
James shrugged into his hot chocolate. "Well, Jessie wanted snow…"
He glanced up at Jessie, who was regarding him with a mixture of surprise and adoration, her genuine smile lighting up her eyes. James turned his attention back to his drink, grateful that the rosy hue from the chill would hide his blush. A gloved hand on his arm brought his eyes back to his teammates.
"Thank you." She whispered, giving his arm a small squeeze.
The sun rose higher into the sky as they devoured their breakfast, shining down on the blanket of white and making it sparkle and glisten. Murmurs of appreciation and satisfied lip-smacks were the only sounds from the team, accompanied by the Christmas tunes floating softly over from the car radio. Nobody noticed the clouds drifting in behind them.
Jessie sipped from her mug of mulled wine – another surprise from James and his second thermos – and she shivered slightly as the warmth radiated through her body. She smiled as Meowth hummed along to 'Grandma Got Run Over By A Stantler' as he preened his whiskers post-feed. James finished tidying up the dishes and plopped down on his cushion, pouring himself some mulled wine before offering to top up Jessie's.
"Don't mind if I do!" she smiled as James refilled her mug, both looking up as Meowth approached them.
"So uh, guys, I got yous a lil somet'in." He held out two small badly-wrapped gifts. "Tanks for the snowsuit Jimmy, appreciate it!"
James screwed the lid back on the mulled wine and set it aside as Jessie tore the wrapping off her gift, revealing a small snow globe.
"Toins out me and Jimmy had da same idea I guess," Meowth grinned as he dragged his cushion next to James and got comfortable. "Only mine will last all year round!" he stuck his tongue out at James who laughed in response.
Jessie's eyes shimmered as she turned the globe, watching the snow fall gently over the tiny trees and the tiny Meowth in the centre. "So this is you then?" she gestured to the ornament with a smile.
Meowth shrugged. "Well I couldn't find one wid two humans and a Meowth so yeah dat's me, and you and Jimmy are off making snow angels or somet'in."
Jessie continued staring at the globe as Meowth looked nervously at James. "So, do ya like it?"
"Meowth, I…" Jessie swallowed before turning to face her feline companion, a radiant smile on her lips. "I love it! Thank you so much." Reaching out across James, Jessie gently scratched Meowth behind the ears. Just for a moment, Meowth was startled. This was the first time Jessie had done anything like this. But as he looked into her eyes which swam with gratitude and affection, he relaxed and leaned into it, a small smile on his furry face.
"Ah it was nuttin, don't be goin' all soft on me now."
"Shut up." she grinned, sitting back up and playing with her snow globe again.
James, heart warmed by the sight, then reached for his gift and pulled out a bottle opener in the shape of a Growlithe. "Ha! That's wonderful!"
"Well you love Growlithe and you love bottle caps, best o' both woirlds eh?"
James laughed. "You're absolutely right I do! Thank you so much for this gift Meowth. It's perfect."
Once again, Meowth was treated to an ear-scratch. He could get used to this!
Jessie reached into her bag and presented Meowth with a gift, wrapped up in a plastic bag. "Merry Christmas Meowth."
"Heh nice wrappin' dere Jess!" he sniggered.
"It's wrapped isn't it?!" Jessie retorted, eyebrow raised.
James shrugged. "She's not wrong."
Meowth tore open the bag to reveal a charm polishing kit, specially formulated for Meowth charms. "Hey dis is great, tanks Jess!"
"Well I know how important it is to always look your best. Obviously." She winked.
"Nah dis is much better dan dose rags I bin usin', it's really t'oughtful. Tanks." He smiled at his teammate.
It was only a polishing kit. It was only a snowsuit. But beneath his self-confident façade, he daren't let show the warmth and emotion bubbling through him at receiving his first ever Christmas gifts. Subconsciously he huddled closer to James as a slight chill blew from behind them, all three still oblivious to the clouds creeping closer.
The wind howled through the alleyway as Meowth tried to seek shelter from the elements. Eventually he found a small gap under some plastic crates, complete with old newspaper that was thankfully dry and could be used as a bed. Arranging the paper and settling down, he gazed through the gap at the outside world. Hollywood was supposed to have been everything he'd ever dreamed of. Instead, he once again found himself alone and hungry and with nowhere to go.
"Dis wasn't supposed to be like dis!" he wailed, balling his fists.
Meowth awoke from a fitful sleep some hours later. He looked around groggily, taking in his surroundings, and sighed. It was so cold. But it was mid-December so that was no surprise. Thankfully the wind had died down and it didn't seem to be raining. Shivering, his eyes landed on some torn magazine pages, and he lifted the nearest one, scanning it out of boredom and just in case it helped trigger a plan formation in his mind of what to do next. Nothing interesting. Adverts for gift shops for Christmas presents. Meowth had never received a gift in his life. Adverts for supermarket deals on Christmas food. Meowth's stomach twinged painfully with emptiness. He flipped the page over. A full-page advert for 'That Darn Meowth!'
"Gah!" Meowth let out a garbled yell, screwing up the paper and hurling it aside. Tears threatened to leak from his scrunched eyes. That was the dream. Food and family. He had neither. He had nothing.
The rustle of plastic brought Meowth back to the present as James unwrapped his gift from Jessie.
"To go with all your Growlithe boxers" Jessie winked, nudging James with her elbow as he unrolled the thick wintery pyjama bottoms adorned with playful Growlithe in Christmas hats.
"Heh, great minds again, eh?" Meowth chuckled.
"Thanks Jess, these are great! And so soft!" James gave her a warm smile. "I really appreciate this, thank you so much."
"My pleasure!" Jessie grinned back.
"I cannot wait to get comfortable in these later this evening!" James carefully folded the pyjama bottoms back up and slid them back into the bag, before retrieving Jessie's gift. "For you." He smiled as he handed it over.
The stiff collar of the new expensive shirt dug into his neck as James stood in front of his parents, so that they could scrutinise the new outfit gifted to him for Christmas.
"Yes, very good. You will be wearing that for dinner this evening, Miss Jessiebelle will be incredibly pleased I think."
"Yes mother." James sighed internally. The trousers were stiff and scratchy against his skin. The tie felt like he was being suffocated. The cummerbund was too tight. The shoes were nice and shiny on the outside but were already starting to make his feet ache.
"Now go upstairs and take them off. Make sure you fold them or hang them neatly. We would be most displeased to find one single crease before dinner."
James bowed. "Yes mother." He turned to leave.
The sound of his father clearing his throat made him pause. "Aren't you forgetting something young man?"
James turned and bowed again. "Thank you father, thank you mother for these wonderful gifts. I am very grateful." With a wave of his father's hand, James was dismissed. He couldn't wait to get back to his bedroom and take them all off.
Finally in something more comfortable, James went out to visit Growlie. "Hello boy, merry Christmas!" James stroked the pup as he sat next to him, Growlie trying to climb into his lap to lick his face and making him giggle. Running his fingers through the Pokémon's thick fur, he rested his head on Growlie's shoulder whilst the Pokémon snuggled into the boy's neck. They sat like that for a while, James relishing in the softness under his fingers and the warmth in his heart. Growlie understood. Growlie loved him. James thought back on the gifts bestowed on him that morning. He had everything a boy could ever wish for – something his parents liked to remind him about often. But this right here, this is what James desired above all else. Love. Affection. Acceptance.
"James! Thank you so much!" Jessie exclaimed, bringing James back to the present.
James elbowed Jessie gently, mirroring her action from earlier. "Now you won't have to steal any, for a while at least." He grinned, as Jessie showed the big tub of expensive moisturiser to Meowth. Unbeknownst to the other, a brief flash of a dank cabin and a massage flickered through Jessie and James minds.
A smaller item fell out of the wrapping paper as Jessie moved. "What's this?" Holding the item up, Jessie saw three smiling faces looking back at her. A photograph of the team from a night that seemed so long ago, celebrating the success of their first mission together, contained in a plastic keyring.
Jessie laughed. "I'd forgotten about this!" The three teammates leant closer together so they could all get a good view of the photograph. "That is a terrible picture of me!"
"Nonsense. You look wonderful! And so happy!" James argued.
Another Christmas, another disappointment. Cold. Alone.
Jessie sat on the threadbare sofa in the run-down bedsit. The only light came through the window from outside, occasionally flickering between red blue and green. Jessie didn't need to look out of the window to recognise the Christmas lights from the pubs across the street. She supposed she should be thankful for the extra lighting, as she couldn't afford the electricity.
So much for a new start in Hoenn, she mused.
The sound of raucous laughter made her look up, and she approached the window and peered outside. A group of people were hugging and squealing with joy and laughter, no doubt fuelled by alcohol. Towards the bottom of the street a family walked, children holding the parents' hands and stomping in the snow. The twinkling lights of Hoenn sparkled behind the pubs, all the thousands of homes filled with love and laughter and family.
Sinking back down on to the sofa, Jessie thought of all the people she'd lost. Mama. Mama Ritchie. Doctor Ronnie and his family. Astin. Chansey. Her friends from the bike gang. James...
More laughter interrupted her thoughts. Pulling the thick blanket tighter round her shoulders, she gazed down at the floor. She would give anything to be surrounded by family and friends.
"We all look pretty happy. Doh dat mighta bin da booze." Sniggered Meowth, rousing Jessie from her thoughts.
The trio gazed at the picture, warmth spreading through their veins as they sat huddled closely together, the sound of 'I Want A Hippopotas For Christmas' drifting over from the car radio. Suddenly, a speck of white fell on to the middle of the photograph, quickly followed by a couple more. The trio raised their heads in unison, finally noticing the clouds moving overhead, and smiled as the snowflakes peppered their faces and clung to their eyelashes. Jessie let out a loud sound somewhere between a whoop and a yell, and as she erupted into gleeful laughter her teammates couldn't help but join in.
They had all they ever wanted for Christmas.