The End Is Only The Beginning

Chapter 3

Jessie and James snapped their eyes open and stared up at the sky, trying to get a hold on their breathing. Only a dream, they thought, only a dream...only a dream. "Only a dream..." They sat up swiftly and looked at each other quizzically. They laughed quietly, so as not to upset Meowth's sleep. Suddenly, Jessie put her hands in her face and cried.

Surprised and concerned, James went to her and sat next to her. He put a hesitant hand on her shoulder, but yearning to hold her in his arms. "Jess? What's wrong?" he whispered.

"Oh, it was horrible!" she whispered back, "The hill...you..." His eyes widened at the mention of a hill. Unexpectedly, she threw her arms around his neck and buried her face into his shoulder. Surprised yet again, he slowly enfolded arms around her.

"I don't want to lose you", she thought, "I...I love you."

She breathed a small gasp when she felt his body stiffen. Had she said those words aloud? She would have pulled back in embarrassment, but he had tightened his hold on her. "I love you too, Jess."

She looked at him in hopeful surprise. "You...you do?"

He smiled down at her and nodded.

She smiled and laughed, kissing his cheek. When she pulled up, his face was serious, something that was quite unusual from him. Slowly, she watched him lower his head toward her. She discovered that she had been dreaming about this moment for a while now, and she gladly lifted her face to meet his.

A loud cry drew them apart, and they quickly stood to see Meowth frantically moving about. They looked at each other in shock at what they heard coming from Meowth, as if asking if the other had dreamt the same.

They picked up Meowth and hugged him, bringing him out of his dream. "Ha!" it said, returning their hug.

They sat down together, still in each other's embrace; afraid that they were dreaming, and that the supposed dream all three had just awoke from was reality. Then, James put his hand out, "Team Rocket unites as family. Friends and protectors to the end, right?"

Meowth and Jessie grinned, covering his hand without hesitation. It was then that they all realized what James had just said, family, protectors. None of them ever had a family, nor had protectors. But they didn't care, for this truly was their family. Now and to the end.