Chapter 1 – Days of Bliss

Heya, I'm S, and this fanfic is one that has been brewing in what little brains I have forever (I finally got the courage to post it). I sincerely hope you will like it and, if you can, that you will R&R (constructive criticism is always welcome). This first chapter is on the shorter side in order to test out the waters and, if enough of you guys like it, I'll update more once per week or so.

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon, sadly. All characters apart from a few that are mine belong to The Pokémon Company and its parent companies.

It had been a month, a month since James had finally mustered the courage to confess his feelings to his partner. A month since she had agreed to become his. A month of pure, heavenly bliss. James had never hoped that things would turn out the way they did, that the woman he loved could see him as more than just her whiny teammate. And, sure, Jessie had never voiced that she loved him back, but James knew better than to expect her to expose her feelings. The mere fact that she had answered his confession by proposing they become an item was telling enough. If she hadn't been carrying him in her heart, he would have most certainly ended up on the wrong side of her mallet. Thus, James was perfectly satisfied with his current situation.

After all, he could finally allow himself to show Jessie his unbridled affection, was finally able to hold her whenever he felt the need to, which was more than his now girlfriend had certainly bargained for, and had the opportunity to tell her just how much he loved her. And tell her he did, perhaps more than necessary, and yet always too little in his opinion. Every time he would profess his love, Jessie would simply smile and kiss him, as was her way of showing she cared for him in the same way. Continuing their usual work by day, although with more physical closeness, and becoming one at night, the duo could not break apart from one another. It was as if they would be no more were they to separate for even the smallest amount of time which, as normal as it seemed for the couple, had grown to annoy their Pokémon partner.

For the past month, Meowth had had to serve as a third wheel day after day, and was left alone to guard the Pokéballs come the night. Not that he cared much, as he was genuinely happy for his friends and knew they still considered him family all the same. But, seeing as they were half-assing their work more than usual, he was beginning to fear he would never become the Boss' favorite and would have to live the rest of his life as the babysitter of an enamored couple. And enamored was not strong enough a word… Despite the two of them having always been closer to each other than friends ever could be, they had somehow managed to start acting even more like a married couple, to Meowth's joy and dismay. Yet, as the sun began showing over the horizon, a day like no other was about to start and throw to the wind all that was known as facts to the group.

That particular morning, James woke up alone in the sleeping bag he and Jessie now shared, which had become unusual. He searched around for any signs of her, when his gaze ultimately fell on her silhouette a bit farther away. She was already dressed in her oh so flattering Team Rocket outfit, and was pacing pensively. She was seemingly deep in thought, as she failed to notice James getting up and walking towards her. When he finally reached her, James encircled her waist with his arms and rested his head on her shoulder: "What are you doing up so early? The woman I know and love has to be dragged out of bed in the morning". He chuckled, his eyes lighting up when Jessie looked at him and smiled in return: "Are you trying to say I'm lazy?" she answered, feigning annoyance and giving a slight pout, causing him to erupt in laughter. Before James could engage in their usual, albeit now more flirty, banter, an annoyed grunt caused the both of them to turn around. As they did, they came face-to-face with a disheveled and obviously still sleepy Meowth: "Will youse two stop it already? Dis is far too early for Meowth to be dealin' wit your lovey-dovey act".

While his humans were too stunned to speak, Meowth continued: "Now, both of youse betta come up wit a plan for today 'cause we's ran out of money an' I ain't eatin' rotten berries… again". The Scratch Pokémon then made his way back to his spot near the remnants of their fire, grumbling about love turning humans into clueless idiots. James, now losing his grip on Jessie, simply sighed and told her that Meowth was right about them being broke: "We really need more money. Forget about catching up to the Twerps, with no cash, we won't even make it to the end of the week". He tried laughing it off but knew the situation was serious. Although they had been out of funds plenty of times before, mainly due to Giovanni not paying their failure of a team, they had rarely gone this long without a meal that didn't consist of bark and a berry to share between all of them. In his lovestruck state, he had barely paid attention to anything other than Jessie, and had barely noticed that they had been walking through the same forest for days on end. Surely, he told his partners, they had to be close to a town by now. Both Jessie and Meowth nodded, and the trio agreed to spend the day trying to close the distance between them and whatever town lay past the forest. Then, they would try to get jobs and settle for a while, before resuming their everlasting hunt for Ash's Pikachu.

And so, they did, but not before changing into clothes than would not out them as members of Team Rocket, of course. Strangely, people would not hire active criminals for legal jobs… By the time the sun was completely overhead, the exhausted and famished group had arrived to a quaint little town by a lake, a town they would soon learn was called Ajisai city…