Chapter Four - James' Room

Jessie knew that it was now or never. Again, she looked up and down the hall, but saw nobody. She walked across the hall and knocked softly on James' door. Suddenly, she lost her nerve. Her expression cracked, and she quickly turned around to run back into her own room when James' door opened.

"Jess?" he said.

Jessie stopped and turned around, trying not to look as nervous as she was. James had taken off his Team Rocket uniform and was now wearing just shorts and a T-shirt. He looked so good like that... like just a normal person and not a world-class Pokemon thief. Jessie quickly shook her head. "Uh, I just wanted to- Well, I wanted to-" Jessie began, unable to get the words out.

"Yes?" James asked, wondering what Jessie had to say, and dreaming beyond hope of what it might be.

Jessie's face suddenly hardened. It would be easier to just take her usual way out. Fixing an icy glare on James' face, she continued. "I wanted to know what the hell you think you were doing." she said coldly.

James' face got a hurt look. He had no idea what to say to this. "Jess, I explained why I did what I did..."

Jessie's eyes narrowed. "I know your stupid, pathetic excuse, James. What I don't understand is why you couldn't just put your silly emotions aside... at least for me, and for the good of the team!" she spat.

James' eyes now held a more hurt look than ever before. "Is- Is that really how you feel, Jessie?"

"You bet it is, you simpleton! I can't believe..." Jessie paused. This was too much for Jessie to handle. Her heart was breaking more with every word. "Oh, James, of course it's not how I really feel." She sobbed, allowing herself to fully break down for the first time in a very long time.

James reached out and held her in his arms. "Shh, shh, Jess... It's all right, It's OK... It'll all work out...."

Jessie looked at James with tear-filled eyes. "How, James? How can it ever be all right? We're split up. Our team is over. Through. Finished! We're finally letting each other know how we feel..."

James looked at her. "How we feel?" he interrupted. "You- you mean....?"

Jessie looked at James. She had loved him secretly for so long, and had covered it up for so long, preferring to not let anyone- not even James himself- think of her as anything but tough as nails. Now she knew it was time to finally tell him. "Yes." she said quietly and simply. "James... I've- I've loved you since I met you at Pokemon Tech. I know I acted like I didn't , especially when we were in the Bridge Bike Gang, but I always did, I swear to you I did... I- I love you, James. You're so perfect for me... I've known it for so long, and was always too scared to tell you, and now- now it's too late...." She broke down sobbing in James' arms once again.

James patted her gently. "Oh, Jess.... It's not too late... We'll find a way to fix this." he said in a soothing voice. "Come on, let's go in and sit down..." He led the way into his room, and they sat down together on the bed.

Jessie had been in James' room a few times before, but she had never really noticed how similar it was to hers in some respects. Like her wall, his was also covered with pictures of them together- as well as a large number of pictures of just her that had been taken with her not being aware. There were even a few of her asleep, which James must have taken while just watching over her while she slept. It was so wonderful to realize that he felt the same way she had felt for so long. She looked at him and smiled. He looked deep into her eyes and smiled back, and suddenly began to lean forward. Jessie barely had time to realize what was happening when James suddenly kissed her softly on her lips and drew back slowly to look at her.

Jessie was shocked. She hadn't expected it at all, and her face registered it. "Was that wrong?" James asked nervously, almost dreading the answer.

Jessie smiled. "No. Not at all." she replied. So that was what it would be like. She had dreamed of that kiss for so long. She leaned toward James and wrapped her arms around him, kissing him back. After a few minutes, however, a realization hit her,. and she leaned back with a sad look on her face.

"What is it, Jess?" James asked, studying her worried expression.

"James, we're both meeting new partners tomorrow morning. How will we get to be together again?" Jessie asked.

James looked back at her sadly. "I don't know."

"We will, won't we?" Jessie asked James desperately.

James doubted his answer before he ever said it, but he looked at Jessie with warmth and love in his eyes, and answered, "Yes. I'm sure of it"
Criminal Chapter Five: The New Partners