The Starr Trainer - A Poke-Fan Fiction

The Unexpected Request

Belle shifted in her bed and groaned as she woke up. Her eyes adjusted to the harsh lights on her. Belle tried to process where she was and why every part of her ached as much as it did. Rubbing her eyes, she patted her hand around, looking for the remote that raised her in the bed so she could sit up. 

"Nair!" Belle smiled and turned. A small gasp left her, seeing James and Dragonair next to her. Her eyes met James, and his breath staggered as hers did. He stretched out his forearm for Dragonair to move over to her, and Dragonair nudged her face with its head. Belle laughed and ran her fingers over Dragonairs head. 

"Belle, I'm so sorry," James started, but she held a hand.

"Hey, you have nothing to be sorry about, okay?" Her face flushed the longer she stared at him. "I um. So, have you been here long?"

"I haven't left your side," he confessed. Belle's heart warmed. "Jesse helped me to escape and get you out of there. Ash and the rest were the distraction. They already started back on their journey, but something about you keeps calling to me."

"Oh yeah?" Her voice quivered. "What's that?"

James looked away, taking a deep breath. His face turned red as the seconds passed. He turned back to her and knelt in front of her. "Well, it's just that." His lips pressed against hers, he started to pull away, but she brought him back down and held onto the kiss. "Well, I might be falling for you, Belle Starr."

"Really?" Her eyes lit up. He brushed her face and nodded. "Dragonair seems to like you too."

"Dragonair sought me out to help find you. They left me in the forest near the pokemon center. I guess we were drawn to each other to find you." James sat on the bed beside her. "I've been with Team Rocket since I was a boy. I don't know how to do this nice guy thing, Belle. I-. I don't even know where I stand."

"You and Jesse both. You're both so hard on yourself, thinking you're evil, but you're not. Your boss is the evil one, but you." Her hand went to his face, and he pressed it against his hand. "You're the good guy, James."

"I met your father, you know. He said he'd be by later again to check on you."

"Wow, meeting the parents already?" Belle laughed with hesitance. "So, is this the part where you tell me again how we can't be together?"

"It should be," James whispered, "but the thought of leaving you is worse than any other thought." 

"Then come with me," Belle lit up. "I don't have to make this journey alone, neither do you."

James sighed. "What about Jesse and Meowth?" Belle glanced away. "They've been my family my entire life."

"And Team Rocket?"

"If I don't stay, who will protect these situations?" Belle looked away. "I know it's hard to understand."

Belle glanced away. "Well, you better go find them, huh?" 

"You deserve so much better than me, okay?" James sighed when she didn't respond. "Belle?"

"If you're going to go," she whispered. "Then please just go." His heart cracked at the shine in her eyes. James stood up and crossed to the door. He watched her shattering once again by his words, by his actions. He knew this was the right thing to do. Belle was too pure of heart, kind, and talented to be tethered by him. He sighed, wanting to think of something to say. Something to take the pain she had away, but he knew there was nothing but time that would heal. 

"Nair." James looked down. Dragonair stared up at him with a saddened expression.

"It's not goodbye," he whispered, petting Dragonair's head. "It's just a step back to let you both grow together." James looked up at Belle, who was trying to keep herself composed. "Take care of Belle, okay?" Dragonair nodded. James sighed and left.