Prepare for Love: A Team Rocket Story

•Chapter 7•

Jessie looked down at the forest below from the balloon. The trio had passed the twerps and Meowth offered to go after them and steal Pikachu. They were on their way to the Violet Gym and Team Rocket could get there before them and swipe Pikachu.
But Jessie and James looked at each other and smiled, shaking their heads at each other.
"Let's just relax today." said James. "That's just what I was about to say, James." replied Jessie, who playfully punched his shoulder.
Meowth looked back and forth between the two humans. First dey don't wanna steal Pikachu and now dey don't wanna go afta da twerps? Meowth thought to himself. I know dey have a ting for each otha, but dat doesn't mean dey have ta ignore dere work.
Meowth sighed, knowing there was no negotiating between them. "Okay, fine, you win dis time. But tomorrow is when we're getting back ta work."
Jessie and James rolled their eyes and continued to stare down at the forest floor. It was spring time and the lush green grass and trees were at the height of its beauty.
"You know, Jessie, this forest kind of reminds me of your earrings." said James, gazing at Jessie with admiration in his eyes.
Jessie giggled and replied, "That's funny, James, because I was just about to say the same thing about your eyes."
James blushed and looked away, waving his hand towards her. "Oh, you're too kind, Jess!"
Meowth made gagging noises and pulled the lever to lower the balloon. "Okay, dat's enough of dat." Meowth landed the balloon in a clearing and hopped out. He started walking towards the forest.
"If youse guys need me, I'll be bangin my head up against a tree tryin ta forget all dat."
He trotted into the thick forest and disappeared.
   Jessie and James glanced at each other and shrugged their shoulders, obviously unaware that their feelings for each other were showing. Jessie stepped out of the balloon, breathing in the fresh air. James looked at her and sighed a little. He thought she looked so gorgeous, standing in the grass with the sunlight glinting on her hair.
   James realized he had been staring a little too long and looked away, blushing madly. Suddenly, Jessie exhaled and walked over to James with a sad look in her eyes.
   "You know, we really should get back to capturing Pikachu." said Jessie. "We haven't reported to the boss in awhile and he'll be expecting some news from us pretty soon."
   As much as James didn't want to admit it, he knew she was right. They couldn't just give up on their work, no matter how much he wanted to. Sometimes, he wished he was just a normal person. Just a regular guy, with regular parents and not stuck up snobs, regular friends who sometimes treated him like dirt, and a regular job; one where he didn't work for a criminal organisation.
   "You're right, Jess. We can't keep ignoring our job. Otherwise, how else are we going to get paid?" said James, chuckling a bit.
   Jessie laughed too and said, "Robbing banks."
   "Been there." replied James.
   "Disguising ourselves and getting a side job."
   "Definitely done that."
"Actually committing ourselves to good and helping the community."
James was about to speak, but closed his mouth. He giggled and said, "I guess that's still on our to-do list."
"It really helps to have your sense of humor around, it always helps me cheer up." said Jessie.
James blushed a little and rubbed the back of his head out of embarrassment. "You think I'm funny?" he asked sheepishly.
Jessie blushed a bit and nodded. "Definitely. You're the funniest, coolest, nicest, sweetest most-"
"AHHHHHH" screamed a voice from the forest. Jessie and James whirled their heads to the noise and exchanged looks.
"Meowth!" they both yelled together and ran towards their feline companion.
"What in the world could he have gotten into this time?!" huffed James.
"You have no idea with that idiot!" replied Jessie. James nodded and they continued running. Meowth was still shouting but they could hear another voice now.
They burst through the bushes and saw the last thing they expected to see. Meowth was entangled in a Vileplume's vines and a woman was standing above them. She had bright red hair like Jessie's and had on a fancy dress. Jessie and James knew her in an instant.
"Jessebelle?!" shouted Jessie and James in unison. Jessebelle let out a cackle and stepped over to Jessie and James.
"The one and only." said Jessebelle in a classy southern accent. She gave a smile to the two and flirtatiously winked at James. He grimaced in disgust.
   "Why do you have Meowth trapped like that?!" said Jessie angrily. James was a little surprised. Normally, she didn't stick up for Meowth like this.
   "I heard y'all were in Johto and I decided to pay y'all a little visit." said Jessebelle. She stepped closer to James and grabbed his hand, holding it close to her. "It's been too long, James."
   Suddenly, Jessie pushed her way through them. "Don't you dare touch him!" Now James was really shocked. He had never heard Jessie talk like this before, let alone about him.
   Jessebelle scoffed and rolled her eyes at Jessie. "I can't believe you're still hangin around with this street rat, James. You have a wonderful home to come back to and you also have me." Jessebelle fluttered her eyelids at him.
   "Why you little-" growled Jessie and charged herself at Jessebelle, but James caught her just before she could claw Jessebelle's throat out.
   "No, Jess. She's not worth it." said James, pushing Jessie behind him. He could feel Jessie glowering at Jessebelle with all the hate she had for her.
   "Just give us back Meowth, and we'll be on our way." said James. He glanced at Meowth again. His mouth was being covered by Vileplume's vines and was making angry muffled noises.
   Jessebelle puffed out her bottom lip and said, "Oh, I'm sorry, but I can't do that."
   "And why not?" Jessie said as she gritted her teeth.
   Jessebelle giggled and tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Well, we have to make a trade, don't we?"
   Jessie and James gave her puzzled looks. "What kind of trade are we talking about?" asked James.
   Jessebelle smirked and said quietly, "I'll give back your precious Meowth, if you agree to leave Team Rocket and marry me."