His Worst Nightmare
by The Jolt Master

From the author: For a number of years, Kally and I would have conversions where I would tell her JAJRN type stories. These were usually quick little rocketshippy tidbits and there wasn’t much to the plot or to the background of these stories (which goes against my usual credo when writing a fanfic). However, during the course of these snippets, a background was developed, so James and Jessie do have a history that’s understood whenever I would write these stories for Kally. I’ll be fleshing that out for your benefit, because it’s important that you know it, as the reader.

So, this story is modified from the original instant message text to include proper paragraphing, background info and how/why they got to be where they are. If you want to read a precursor to the background and history, read "Passion Under Fire." A big difference in these tidbits versus my storyline is that they don’t have a daughter; it’s just them. You can think of this story as inspired by "Passion Under Fire."

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They had their names back.

It had been almost two years since they had left Team Rocket…well, since they had managed to escape being assassinated by several elite members of Team Rocket. Giovanni had ordered them killed for their constant screw-ups of trying to capture Ash Ketchum’s pikachu. They had gone to the police, then infiltrated Giovanni’s office wearing a wire, the recordings of which were used in court against their former boss.

During that time, they had lived under assumed names: Mark and Marcia Morgan. This was courtesy of the Officer Jenny at the Los Angeles Police Department. She had spearheaded Giovanni’s bust, using them as bait to confess to the assassination attempt. It worked very well and now Giovanni would be in jail for a very long time.

However, it was also known that Giovanni had a very long reach, even from within prison.

As soon as he was put behind bars six months ago, he was already calling his still loyal members of Team Rocket to find Jessie and James. However, no one had been able to find them. It was like they had vanished off the face of the earth. “Marcia” worked for a brief period and still worked the occasional odd job. “Mark” worked as photographer over at the local Sears in Pasadena. Looking at them would make you think they were wearing another one of their disguises. James had dyed his hair pitch black and had grown a ponyta tail and Jessie’s hair, while still massive in volume, was blonde. Both wore civilian clothing, having long since burned their Team Rocket uniforms. The “married” ex-Rockets were poorer than church mice, but they have never been happier. The love they had for each other strengthened with each day that passed. Their ordeal with the assassins helped them discover each other, then when the dust had settled, they started their journey of life together, hand in hand.

Now, in the coolness of their small apartment, James and Jessie lay curled up together in bed, the sweat dried now as they slept.  It was past midnight, the lovemaking ended mere minutes ago, but had lasted several hours before that.  Needless to say, the two lovers were exhausted.

Before Jessie had gotten home that night, James had been watching the ever-depressing news about kidnappings, car crashes and other stuff he didn't like to think about.  He would rather watch cartoons.  They were always more entertaining and definitely not so depressing, but Jessie often teased him about it, so he tried to avoid it.  This was the result.  He woke up, or felt he had, and sauntered off to the restroom, being careful not to wake Jessie by shifting slowly, then walking quietly across the room.  After he was finished, he returned to bed.   Something did not feel right.

He opened his eyes and she was missing.

He closed his eyes again, but could not keep them closed.  This was not right.  Red flags were going off.  He looked up and around, but could not see her.  He stood up out of bed quickly; his lean naked body reflected the moonlight as his face looked very stricken.  She was gone.  He could not hear her.  The apartment was too quiet.  His heart raced as he looked around.  He felt a breeze behind him.  Was the window open?  Was the door locked?  Jesus, had Team Rocket found them?!  The dark shadows seemed to come alive as his panic rose.  Where the hell was she?!

"Jessie?" he called out. 

No response.

"Jessie?!"

Fear rose another two notches.

"Jessie?!!"

He bolted upright in bed, breathing hard.

"Jessie!!!"

She woke quickly, turning to him, rubbing his back, then shaking him a bit.

"James!  I'm here!  I'm here!"

James snapped out his trance, visibly shaking, beads of sweat poured down his temple.  He gazed upon her face and realized what happened.  She had never left.  She was never gone.  She was at his side, as she always was; as she always would be.  James immediately embraced her and cried softly.  Jessie tried to soothe him through her confusion.  Finally, he was able to breathe and stop his tears.  He gazed at her, looking like he had been through utter hell, then whispered quietly.

"Just let me watch the cartoons from here on out, okay?"

She blinked a couple times, then nodded quickly.

They both laid down and he was on his side, holding onto Jessie's lithe body as she laid on her back.  He was not going to let go this time.  Not in a million years.  He would not be able to live without her.  Jessie comforted him and soon they both went back to sleep.