A Quiet Evening

Ship: Jessie/Delila (I know, I was shocked too)

Summary: On a quiet evening, Jessie reflects on how much her life has changed for the better. AU where Team Rocket stays split up after JN145.

Jessie sat at the window, watching the snowfall as she waited for her beloved to return home. Stirring her cup of hot chocolate, her mind flashed back to the day they met.

"If she hadn't taken me in, who knows where I would be?"

Jessie, James and Meowth never did speak to each other after that day. In hindsight, none of them were more or less at fault than the others, but after so many failures it got to them.

Jessie tried to make do. Team Rocket was the closest thing she had to a family, after all. But she couldn't. It wasn't the same without James or Meowth, but she'd be damned if she saw their faces again.

So she left. She handed in her uniform, got thrown in a helicopter and was dumped off in the middle of nowhere with the warning that if she spoke to anyone about it she'd be dead.

Jessie scoffed to herself at that. She was more than happy to never think about Team Rocket ever again.

As it turned out, finding her way back to civilization without a balloon was no easy feat. While she did have a few flying types, without Meowth there to translate, she couldn't make out which way they were telling her to go.

Somehow though, she managed to make her way to a small town. Stumbling around, she came to a small restaurant. Tired and hungry, she went in, not even bothering to read the sign.

Dear Arceus, was the food good! She couldn't get enough of it. The proprietor, a beautiful brunette (she'd long made peace with her sexuality), couldn't help but giggle.

"Like it, do you?"

"Like it? I love it! I haven't had food this good in ages! You're an amazing cook!"

"Aw, thanks! Here's the bill whenever you're ready."

Jessie took out her wallet to pay, only to gawk when she found it empty.

"Oh dear," the owner said.

"I'm so sorry! I swear I had some, I…"

"Oh, don't worry dearie! You look like you've been through a lot, lunch is on me."

"I can't let you do that. Surely, there must be something I can do to repay you."

"Honey, you don't have to do that!"

"I don't have to, but I want to."

"Tell you what," the other woman said. "I do need some help around the house. Why don't you help me, and I'll consider us even?"

"Deal! I'm Jessie, by the way."

"Delila."

Once the shop had closed for the day, Delila led Jessie to her home.

"Really, you don't need to do this. I don't mind helping someone in need."

"It's not that. I just…I hate owing debts is all."

Delila nodded in understanding.

"I understand, just don't think of it as a debt. Think of it as I scratched your back, and you scratched mine."

As they reached the house, Jessie found a sweeping the steps. For some reason, she thought looked very familiar. And the more she stared at him, the more uneasy she felt.

"Mime Mime!"

"Hi, Mimey! This is Jessie, she's going to help out for the night."

Mimey stared at Jessie for a minute, and Jessie felt her blood run cold as he stared into her soul. Afterwards though, he shrugged and went back to his work.

Jessie didn't know why, but something about this woman was off putting.

Jessie soon got to work cleaning, dusting, and vacuuming every square inch of the small house. It was hard work, but she didn't mind. It kept her mind off the fact that she had no place to spend the night.

At the moment, she was cleaning out the upstairs bedroom. According to Delila, it was her son's, though he was away on a journey at the moment.

"Oh, my little man! Always off on some exciting adventure."

"It must get lonely, though."

"Oh, I'm never lonely! I have Mimey, and the neighbors. Besides, he calls as often as he can."

As Jessie got to cleaning, she couldn't help but admire the kid's accomplishments. The shelves of his bedroom were filled with trophies, badges, even a complete set of Battle Frontier Symbols. In fact, if she didn't know any better she thought this was…

Her mind ground to a halt when she finally saw a picture of the kid. The raven black hair, the cap, the gloves, but most important of all was the Pikachu riding happily on his shoulder as he held the championship trophy in his hands.

It was the twerp. This was the twerp's house.

"Shit."

At long last, everything was cleaned up, and she was about to leave.

"Thanks so much for your help, Jessie."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Delila. I'd better get going."

But Delila held her back.

"Oh, please stay! It's so late, I'd hate to kick you out."

"Are you sure? I'd hate to intrude."

"Please, I insist."

Jessie sighed.

"Alright, but just for the night."

"Deal!"

Delila set out a pillow and some blankets on the couch.

"I hope this is enough."

"It's perfect, thank you."

"Of course. Good night, Jessie."

"Good night."

As Jessie got ready for bed, Mimey came in, looking none too happy. Jessie sighed.

"Look, I know I haven't had a squeaky clean record, but I promise I'm not here to hurt her or Ash. I'll be gone by tomorrow morning, I just need a place to stay for the night."

Mimey stared for a minute, before shrugging and walking away, allowing Jessie to breathe a sigh of relief.

That one night soon turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Jessie insisted that she didn't have to let her stay, but Delila insisted.

"I don't mind, really! Sometimes it's nice to have another human around the house."

Delila even gave Jessie a job at the restaurant, allowing her to pay her way. As much as Jessie hated to rely on others, it was nice to have a stable job that wouldn't get her in trouble with the law.

As time went on, Jessie and Delila grew closer. Mimey, while not fully trusting her, kept to himself and left her be as long as she didn't hurt Delila. But the closer they got, the more nervous Jessie got around her. At first she didn't know what it was, but soon she realized it: she was in love with her host. And she had to tell her the truth.

Jessie smiled as she remembered the day she came clean. It was as if a huge weight had been taken off her shoulders.

It was after work one day, and the two of them were alone in the restaraunt. Delila set a cup of coffe down in front of her, a smile that could melt an iceberg on her face as always.

"We sure were busy today, weren't we?"

"Yeah."

"Is something wrong, Jessie?"

"Delila, there's something I need to tell you. I…haven't been completely honest with you about who I am…"

"Jessie?"

"I…I used to be part of Team Rocket, and…"

"And you used to chase after my son for his Pikachu?"

Jessie gasped.

"H-How did-"

"Ash may not call as often as he should, but he does tell me everything. And in case you've forgotten, you have tried to attack him at home before."

Jessie groaned.

"I'll get going. Obviously you don't want me around, I understand."

"Jessie, wait!"

Before Jessie could get up, Delila grabbed her arm and held her back.

"It's okay, I've known who you were since we met. Mimey tried to hide it, but I saw his distrusting looks."

"Then why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I saw how much you needed a kind hand, so I looked the other way. And as time went on, I…"

"Yes?"

"I…fell in love with you."

"Really?"

Delila nodded. With tears of joy in her eyes, Jessie pulled her into a loving kiss.

Jessie's reminiscing was cut short when her girlfriend stepped in through the front door with groceries.

"Honey, I'm home!"

Jessie smiled, and quickly ran over to her to help.

"Here honey, let me get those."

"Thanks! Mimey's got the rest."

Once all of the groceries were brought in, the two got to work cutting up carrots for their stew. But as they worked, Jessie couldn't help but notice that Delila seemed distracted.

"Love, is something wrong?"

Delila sighed.

"Ash called me today. He just finished up in Paldea, and will be home next week."

"Oh."

"I told him I was dating again, but I didn't tell him anymore than that. I'm not ashamed of you, but…"

Jessie nodded.

"It's okay, I understand. I'm a little nervous to meet him again. After all, I've tried for so long to catch that Pikachu…"

"But you've changed, and I know he'll see it. It'll take some time, but I know he'll come to accept you."

Jessie smiled as Delila gently stroked her hair, going in for a kiss.

"I love you, Delila."

"I love you too."