Prepare for Love: A Team Rocket Story

•Chapter 8•

   Jessie and James stood in absolute shock. They couldn't believe what they just heard.
   "Umm, hello?" said Jessebelle. "Didn't y'all hear me? If you want Meowth back, then James has to marry me."
   Jessie shook her head and stepped forward to Jessebelle with an angry look. "Over my dead body!" she growled. She whirled her head around and looked at James. "Back me up on this, will you?"
   But James was still just standing there, a dumbfounded expression on his face. This can't be happening, he thought to himself. It's back at the mansion all over again! I can't let her take Meowth, but I can't marry her either. James was so torn between his thoughts, but was interrupted by Jessie flicking his nose.
   "Ow, Jess. That hurt." mumbled James, rubbing his nose. Jessie pouted and grumbled, "Well I'm sorry, princess, but we have a serous matter to discuss and you're blanking out!"
   James looked at Jessebelle, who was tapping her foot anxiously on the ground. Meowth was still tied up by the Vileplume and couldn't move at all.
   "Well, James, we're waiting." huffed Jessebelle. James let out a chuckle and said, "You really think I'm going to go with you?"
   "If you want your Meowth back, then yes, I do." said Jessebelle.
   Jessie suddenly stepped in and said, "Maybe we should let Meowth have a say in this." Jessebelle let out an exasperated sigh.
   "I don't know what good it'll do, since James is obviously coming with me, but whatever. Vileplume, remove your vines away from Meowth's mouth, but still keep him tied.
   Vileplume did as it was told and let Meowth speak.
   "James, don't youse worry about me." said Meowth. "I can try to find an escape in the mansion."
   Jessebelle rolled her eyes. "I'm right here, you know." Meowth said, "Yeah, I know dat, but you're too dim witted to catch me if I do escape."
   Jessebelle growled. "Let's get this thing over with so I can take James and we can all leave!" she yelled.
   "Excuse me, but could I have a word with my partner, about this." said Jessie calmly. James was surprised that she had become so collected.
   "Saying your goodbyes, I assume?" said Jessebelle with a smirk. Jessie nodded. "Yep."
   She dragged James over to a bush and spoke in a whisper, "Go James."
   James blinked a few times and exclaimed, "What?!" Jessie covered his mouth. "Not so loud, you idiot." she said quietly.
   She removed her hand from James's mouth. "Why do you want me to go?" asked James.
   "I don't want you to go." said Jessie. "But I have a plan to get you out."
   James sighed and said, "Like that's going to work. I'll ask Jessebelle if she can send you an invitation to the wedding." He stood up but Jessie pulled him back down.
   "No, it'll work, I promise, James." said Jessie soothingly. She took his hands and held them tightly. James blushed a dark shade of red. "I'm going to get you out."
   Jessie was staring so intently into James's eyes. He could see determination in them to help him. James nodded and said, "Okay, I trust you." He brought her into a hug and they embraced for a few seconds before standing up and walking back to Jessebelle.
   "Well, Jessebelle, we had a deal. I will go with you and you give Meowth back." said James, extending a hand to Jessebelle.
   Her eyes lit up and she shook James hand enthusiastically. "Oh, James, I'm so happy you're leaving this scruffy gang and coming to be with me!"
   Jessebelle turned to her Vileplume and snapped her fingers. Vileplume unwrapped it's vines from around Meowth and he scrambled over to Jessie.
   "I can't believe youse is doin dis, Jimmy." murmured Meowth. James went over to Meowth and patted his head. "It's okay, Meowth. Everything will be fine. You'll see." James winked and walked back over to Jessebelle and stood beside her.
   "Jessie, Meowth, it was wonderful working with you. I wish you the best of luck." said James, bowing slightly.
   Jessie returned the bow and said, "As to you, James." They stared at each other for a moment when Meowth said, "Why did he wink at me?" Jessie stomped on Meowth's tail and let out a loud yowl.
   "Well, we should probably be going now." said Jessebelle. She pulled out a device and pressed a button. A moment later, a helicopter landed in the clearing. Jessebelle walked over to it but turned when James didn't follow her.
   "What are you waiting for, James? Get in so we can be together!" beamed Jessebelle. James turned around and looked at Jessie and Meowth. She gave him a curt nod and he returned it. He walked to the helicopter and got in with Jessebelle.
   He went into the air and James looked out the window as he saw his two best friends getting smaller and smaller. I sure hope this plan works, thought James.