Seleca didn't remember much of the journey out of the jail. Her first clear recollection was that it was finally raining, and quite heavily. She noted that little rain hit her, and then noticed the umbrella being held over her.

"Chansey, Chansey..." she heard, and felt a light weight pressing her forehead. Seleca opened her eyes, seeing her Chansey looking down at her with a concerned expression.

"I'm okay, Chansey," she promised. Chansey sat back, holding the umbrella. Seleca hissed in pain as she felt a throb at the base of her skull.

"Careful, the guard hit you good," she heard Davis say.

"So I noticed." A man approached from across the lawn. Seleca noted her surroundings. They were behind a car in the jail parking lot. "Where's Jessie and James?"

"They're safe," Davis said. "They managed to slip out without being noticed by any more guards. Cassidy was caught and confessed. She's being held."

"If they got out safe, where are they?" Seleca protested. Chansey offered her some aspirin. She swallowed them with a wince.

"They went back to the apartments," the man said. "James was hurt and Jessie wanted to make sure that he got some attention from the medical people back at headquarters." Seleca looked up at him, noticing the red R on his shirt. Seleca got to her feet.

"You're Seleca, I assume," the man said.

"Yeah... you're..." she blinked, the fog of her brain clearing. "You're the guy from in the jail. Did you and Davis bring me out?"

"It's my job," he smiled. He offered her his hand. "My name's Thomas."

"Thomas," she echoed.

"I'm your partner," Thomas said with a smile.

"Chansey!" Chansey said happily from its spot on the ground.

Seleca returned the smile. "Pleased to finally meet you." Thomas hunkered down beneath the umbrella.

"I have to admit," he said, "I didn't anticipate our first mission together being quite like this."

She laughed. "Neither did I."

After a few minutes a car pulled up next to where they were huddled. Seleca recognized the driver from inside the jail.

"Care to get in out of the rain?" he asked. They laughed, climbing in.

"Davis gets front seat!" Seleca said.

"Yeah," Thomas agreed. They arranged themselves, Seleca shrugging out of the heavy jacket she'd been wearing for the mission. Chansey returned to its ball with a zap, and she set it aside.

"What will you do now, Davis?" Seleca asked, leaning on the back of his seat as they drove through the rainy streets.

"Probably get stuck with bookkeeping," Davis said. "Which is fine with me. I don't want another partner."

"I understand."

There was a pause. "Haley and I were partner for as long as Jessie and James have been partners. I don't think I could work with anyone else." Seleca and Thomas both nodded.

The car slowed. "I don't know if you getting me as a partner is a good or bad thing, Seleca," Thomas said.

"Why's that?"

"I've been on the team almost a year without a partner," he said. "The Boss kept saying that I was un-teamable."

"Which means..."

"He doesn't think I can work with a partner," Thomas said.

Seleca smiled. "Well at least you did a good job of saving her tonight."

Seleca ran her card through the slot at the main entrance to the apartment building. The door clicked open, and she, Davis, and Thomas rushed inside out of the rain.

"I'm going to take the stairs," Davis excused himself. Seleca shook her head as he went off.

"Poor guy," she said. She and Thomas went to the elevator. Seleca hit the button for the twelfth floor, and Thomas his the button for the eighth.

"It must be terrible to lose someone you're that close to," Thomas said. Seleca nodded. Thomas looked down quietly. "You have big feet."

Seleca laughed. "Thanks for noticing."

"They fit you well," he said.

"I hope that's a compliment," Seleca said.

"I guess it is."

The door chimed for the eighth floor and slid open. Thomas looked at Seleca shyly.

"I guess I'll see you at Headquarters tomorrow," he said. "It was nice meeting you."

"Same here," Seleca smiled, watching as he stepped off. The doors slid shut and the elevator continued on its way. Seleca went to their room.

The apartment was silent went Seleca entered. Meowth was curled up on the windowsill, apparently having fallen asleep while either watching the rain or waiting for Seleca to come home. Jessie and James' pokeballs rested on the counter. Seleca dropped her uniform into her pile and pulled on her pajamas. She toed around a pile of newspapers and peeked into Jessie and James' sleeping quarters.

Jessie and James were curled together on their sleeping bags. Jessie had her arms wound around James' waist, and her face pressed against his neck. James winced occasionally in his sleep from the pain that came from whatever lay beneath the bandages on his left arm. Their baby pink and blue pajamas seemed out of place against the contrasting darkness of sleeping backs and the room around them. There was a brief flicker of lightning followed by thunder. The light shone against tears on Jessie's cheeks.

Seleca pulled the curtain wall back and went to bed.

James' eyes flew open. His skin was clammy and it took a moment for him to get his bearings. Jessie was pressed against him, her arms wrapped around his waist. He flushed momentarily. His left arm throbbed, and James regretfully got up from the floor and pulled aside the curtain.

Seleca was sitting at the kitchen table, a small lamp on. Meowth was curled up in Seleca's lap, purring softly. She was downing aspirin, pausing between each pill. James sat in the chair opposite of Seleca.

"Share the wealth," he said. Seleca pushed the bottle of aspirin over to him. James got up briefly to get a glass of water.

"So what happened back there?" Seleca asked after James had swallowed several aspirin.

"After we split up Jessie and I chased Cassidy. Cassidy shot at us twice. One hit my arm. The guards came, and we ran, letting them catch her."

"Not totally noble..."

"They got her, and she confessed," James said. "That's what is important."

"True," Seleca swallowed another aspirin. "I met my partner."

"Really?"

She nodded. "His name is Thomas."

"Ah, him," James said.

"Something wrong with him?" Seleca asked.

"No, I was just a little surprised." Seleca nodded. "You should be carefully, getting hit in the head like that."

"I'll try to tell people to hit me lower next time."

James smiled. "The idea is to get the blows well spread out so you can retire early."

"Sounds like a good plan."

"Yeah." James pressed the bandage on his arm. "Sometimes I wonder why we carry guns if we're not going to use them." Seleca shrugged in reply.

"You and Thomas will be a good team," James said. He leaned forward on his right arm, propping his tired face up. "Hopefully you'll be able to help us someday."

"Help you in what?" she wondered.

"We have... plans," James said. "Or at least I do. Jessie doesn't know about all of them yet. But Team Rocket can be more than the Boss has made it."

"I catch your drift."

"I hope so," he said. James tilted his head down and sighed. His voice came out in a whine. "I wanted so much more out of my life! And now look at me. I'm a rich guy's poor disowned son who is forced to be a do-boy for a man who sits in the shadows and tries to build an empire!"

"Poor James."

"Yes, poor James," James whined in agreement. "And I'm in love with a girl and can't even tell her because we'd end up breaking every fraternization rule in the book."

"There's a book?"

James nodded. "The Boss likes to throw it at us when we mess something up."

"I thought that was just a cliché," Seleca said wryly.

"Well then it's a painful one," James sighed. His chin hit the tabletop. "I just want..."

"What?"

"I just want to prove I'm not worthless..."

"Good morning, sir," Thomas and Seleca said in unison the next morning.

"Thomas, Seleca," the Boss said in greeting. "I see you two finally met up."

"Yes, sir."

"Good. I was pleased to see that everything went smoothly last night."

"Yes, it was certainly... smooth, sir," Seleca agreed, rubbing the lump on the back of her head.

The Boss tapped his fingers together. "I have had Cassidy properly dealt with."

"What about Butch?" Seleca asked.

"I have men looking for him," the Boss said. "It seems he disappeared shortly after being humiliated during a Pokemon battle."

"That was my doing, sir," Seleca said.

"I know," he replied. "Their Raticate is almost as worthless as a Magikarp." They nodded. The Boss leaned back in his chair. "I suppose you want to know about your first mission."

"Yes, sir," Thomas said.

"Your first few missions will simply be to see how well you two work together," the Boss said. "Test number one: How much can you annoy a Pokemon trainer while stealing their Pokemon?"

"There they are," Seleca said with a giggle. The bushes rustled slightly around them.

"This disguise is uncomfortable," Thomas said, "I thought we were going to leave the cross dressing to Jessie and James."

"We are, we are," Seleca waved a hand dismissingly. "I was joking about the skirt."

"Oh. Good."

Seleca and Thomas sat by the side of the road, watching their unsuspecting victims approach.

"I wonder if this will be as effective without Meowth," Thomas said, adjusting his wig. Seleca shrugged.

"I miss Pikachu," Ash sighed.

"Oh, don't worry Ash," Misty said, patting him on the back. "We're bound to find Pikachu sooner or later."

"But it could be anywhere!"

"Ash, Pikachu is probably doing whatever it can to get back to you," Misty assured him. Ash sighed again.

"We'll check again at the next Pokecenter," Brock said. Ash nodded quietly.

Then, out of the bushes leapt two figures.

"Oh no, not again!" Ash wailed.

"Prepare for trouble!"

"And make it double!"

"Team Rocket!" Ash, Misty and Brock cried in annoyance.

"That's right," Jessie said.

"Now prepare to be annoyed!" James said.

"Huh?" Ash looked confused.

"We have to finish our motto!" Jessie shouted.

"Yeah!"

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To prank call my favorite radio station!"

Jessie blinked at glared at James. "Thomas, that's not the right words!"

"Huh?" Ash looked at Misty. "Do they sound funny to you?"

"A little," Misty admitted.

"Aw, but Seleca I forgot the right words, we didn't have enough time to go over them!" James said, whining quite well.

"Fine! Let's just do it!" Jessie said.

"Yeah!"

There was a blur as they shed their costumes. Ash and the others looked on in surprise as Jessie and James turned into Seleca and Thomas.

"You're not Jessie and James," Misty said.

"But you sure are cute, miss," Brock drooled in Seleca's direction. She sneered.

"Please, we have much more important things to do."

"Like what?"

"Like bugging you!" Thomas shouted.

"Where's the evilness in that?" Misty wondered.

"It's not evil, it's fun!" Seleca clapped her glove-less hands together.

"And it's our job!" Thomas added.

"I thought your job was to steal Pokémon..."

"It is," Seleca said.

"And we are," Thomas said. They both grabbed a poke ball.

"Go, Chansey!" Seleca shouted.

"Go, Sandshrew!" Thomas followed suit. The Pokémon appeared in front of the others.

"Chansey!" the pink Pokémon said brightly.

"Oh, a Chansey, how cute!" Misty squealed.

"Show it cute, Chansey!" Seleca shouted.

"Chansey! Chan chan!" Chansey leapt at Misty, slamming into her. Togepi was knocked away, and it started to cry.

"Sandshrew, fury swipes!" Thomas pointed at Brock.

"SAND!" Sandshrew gave a yell and bounded at Brocked. It slashed at the squinty-eyed Pokemon breeder.

"Hey, who are you guys anyway?" Ash yelled at Seleca and Thomas.

"Why, we're the newest thing in Team Rocket technology!" Thomas grinned, striking a pose.

"But, you might remember this better," Seleca said. She clasped her hands together and looked wide eyed and innocent. "Oh help, Officer Jenny! Those terrible kids stole my Pikachu! You have to help me!"

"You!" Ash gasped. "You stole my Pikachu!"

"That's right," Seleca gave him a mean grin. "Chansey! Double edge!"

"Sandshrew, slash now!"

"ChaaaaanSEY!!" Chansey pounded into Misty. She crashed into Ash.

"SandSHREW!" Sandshrew slashed at Brock again.

Pokeballs went rolling everywhere.

Seleca clapped her hands in delight. "This is so much fun!"

"Yeah!" Thomas agreed. "Now to finish things up!"

"Yes, lets," Seleca nodded. She took a pokeball from Thomas and threw both it and her other ball. "Pidgey and Pidgeotto, go!"

"Pidgey!" Thomas's Pidgey appeared in a flash.

"Pidgeotto!" the bird called as it formed next to its smaller cousin.

"Round up the pokeballs using your whirlwind attack now, Pidgey!" Thomas commanded.

"Pidgeotto, blow these wimps away with gust attack!" Seleca continued.

The birds did as commanded, as soon all that was left on the road where some scraps from Misty and Brock's backpacks, and a pile of pokeballs. Even the wailing Togepi had been gusted away with the others.

"An Onix, a Geodude, a Zubat, a Vulpix, a Squirtle, a Pidgeotto, and a Bulbasaur!" Thomas noted in delight.

"A Charizard, a Starmie and Staryu, a Psyduck, Goldeen, and a Horsea too!" Seleca added in delight.

"The Boss will be really proud!" Thomas grinned.

"And it's all due to our great teamwork!"

"And our great Pokemon!"

The door to Jessie and James' apartment burst open a few hours later.

"Hey, you guys! You would not belief what a great time Thomas and I had! The Boss was sooooo proud!" Seleca bounded into the apartment and was nearly into the kitchen before she noticed something. "Hey, you guys? Anybody home?"

"We're still here," Jessie said as she appeared from behind the curtained sleeping area. As the curtain fell back into place Seleca noticed that the sleeping bags were gone and that Jessie was holding a suitcase.

"What's going on?" Seleca asked, coming to a stop.

"We're going on vacation," James said from inside the kitchen. He was taking food out of the fridge and putting it into a cooler.

"Vacation?" Seleca echoed. "Where to? Why didn't I know about it...?"

"You're not going," Jessie sighed, hefting the suitcase onto the table.

"Oh." Seleca sat down at the table. Jessie went through a box next to the window and then returned.

"We have a few things to do," James grinned, "And since we did such a good job with you the Boss is giving us a month off."

"Wow, a whole month," Seleca said. Jessie clapped her hands.

"It'll give you plenty of time to get to know... what's his name, Thomas?" Jessie said. Seleca nodded.

"So where are you guys going?" she asked, noticing Meowth coming in dragging a duffel bag.

"Mmm, it's secret," James said, leaning on the door of the fridge.

"But his parents won't like it, I assure you," Jessie said lowly into Seleca's ear. They smiled.

"Sounds like fun," Seleca said.

"Oh, it will be!" Jessie said happily. James came up behind her, his hand resting on her hip.

"It will also give us lots of time to work on certain... plans," James said mysteriously.

"Oh?" Seleca looked curious. "What kind of plans?"

"Can't tell yet," James said. "But we will tell you when it's time for you and Thomas to know."

"Thomas too? This must be big."

"Seleca darling," Jessie said grandly, "If all goes well, this will be the biggest thing ever to happen to Team Rocket!"

End Chapter Five

The End... but certainly not over!

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