Just Like Old Times, Sorta
Written by Rocket Gal

This story is rated: Um, I'd say PG13. It's part of a set that started out as PG13 so I guess that's the way it should be.
Before reading this story you must have read: If Only, Hanging On, Who's That Cute Doctor?, A Change for the Bitter


It had been almost a week since they had left the hospital. Jessie had been less than adamant about taking the pills, but under James' watchful eye, she was yet to miss a day. While walking in the woods, Team Rocket happened to run into Ash, Misty, and Brock. Literally. Quickly recovering, Jessie and James jumped up on a fallen tree to make themselves appear more scary and menacing.
"Prepare for trouble"
"Make it double"
"To protect the world from devastation"
"To unite all people within our nation"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love"
"To extend our reach to the stars above"
"Jessie"
"James"
"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight"
"MEOWTH that's right!"
"Jessie is amazing! She's holding up so well! You'd never know anything happened," James thought to himself as he looked at her. Jessie caught him looking and smiled back at him. But this was business and they both turned and glared at the three kids. "You guys again?" Misty yelled. "Who were you expecting?" Jessie shot back, "The Easter bunny?" "Well, no..." Ash said as if he had. "Then quiet down!" she yelled. "Yes, ma'am!" Ash immediately answered.  Jessie smiled, presently surprised, "Did you hear that, James?" "Yes, Jessie!" he said as he hugged her from behind, "We're finally getting the respect we deserve!" Misty rolled her eyes, "Oh please!" James a bit annoyed with Misty interrupting Jessie's good mood. "Can't you whine somewhere else?" he asked. "Don't bother with her, James." Jessie told him, "We're only here for Pikachu!" James remembering, "That's right!" He quickly pulled out his Pokeball, "Koffing, go!" Koffing pops out but Jessie started to choke on his dust and falls to the ground, coughing herself. James, forgetting about her new condition and not seeing that she had gone down, got irritated and said to her from the side of his mouth, "Jessie! Bring out Arbok!" Still choking, she threw the Pokeball. When Arbok popped out and no command was yelled, James was confused. He looked next to him and saw Jessie on the ground trying to control herself. Feeling awful, James quickly helped her up. "Arbok, go!" Jessie screamed trying to cover up for her previous weakness. "Bulbasaur! Vine whip!" Ash yelled to his chosen Pokemon. Koffing and Arbok move out of the way and the vine hit James. He went flying into the air and landed in the top of tree. "Whoa!" Meowth commented. Jessie looking for him somewhere in the distance, "Do you think he's ok? AHHH!" Pikachu is about to shock Jessie, when James swings by on a tree vine. He grabed Jessie and they swung out of harm's way. "I bet you didn't know I was such a swinger!" Jessie smiled at him, "I bet you didn't know how much I love you!" "Yes, I did," he said warmly to her. Jessie sighed tiredly as James landed on the ground. Jessie slid off of him. "What's wrong?" he asked as he jumped down from their getaway vine. Looking sad, "I started coughing!" "So what?" James said, "People cough all the time!" "But I did it right in front of them!" she exclaimed, "Right when we were supposed to be threatening! If it wasn't for me could have won!" "Jessie! We never win!" James offered. "That's not much of a way to cheer me up," she commented. "You know what I mean," James said as he hugged her. "Yes, I do," she smiled at him, "Your a sweetheart." She kissed him. "You want something to eat?" he asked.  "Sure!" she said. "Alright, I'll get something started." He gave her a quick squeeze and exited. When he walked off, she sat down on a tree stump, pulled out her inhaler and took a couple puffs. "Hey, Jessie!" Jessie stiffened up but realized it's Meowth, "Hey, Meowth." "What's wrong?" he asked a touch concerned. "Oh, nothing," she smiled weakly, "I'm just tired is all." "Mind if I sit with you?"  he asked her. "Of course not, just don't scratch me," she said as he jumped up into her lap. After a while of Jessie petting him, Meowth decides to speak. "So you really go for James, huh?" Jessie smiled to herself, "Yes, I really do." "Alright," Meowth consented, "But if he steps out line with you, just once, I'll make it so he can't step at all!" Leaning her head down so she could look him in the eye and kiddingly said, "Thanks for the offer, Dad!" "I'm just looking out for ya!" he said. "I know just what you're doing," she picked him up and hugged him, "Thank you!" She set him down on the ground, "Now why don't you go see if dinner's ready." Meowth said his name in agreement. Jessie sighed happily and rested her chin on her hand, thinking of all the nice changes that had occurred.

Butch and Cassidy Catastrophe
(The Next Installment)