DISCLAIMER: I don't not own Pokemon in any way, shape, or form.
Hi! My name is Rachael and this is my first ever fanfic. Please don't beat me too hard on it! Well, I don't want to talk too much and let you get the impression that I'm annoying...So, I'll just stop here. Please enjoy!

Jessie, James, and Meowth had taken a long, out of the way journey to HQ. It was Giovanni's birthday and they thought, to get on his good side, they should make a stop and wish him a happy birthday. They had no Pokemon to offer him, but it's the thought that counts, right?

"Jessie," James moaned, "Do you really think this is going to blow over well with the boss. He doesn't like unexpected visits, especially by us."

"You idiot! He'll be thrilled! Now come on!" Jessie said with confidence. She felt that for the first time in their career they were going to do something right. She dreamed of being rewarded with fabulous gifts and praise. Wrapped up in her daydreams, Jessie reached for the door when Meowth piped up.

"You know, Jess, Jimmy got a point der. What if da boss is doin' somethin' and doesn't want to be bothered? Den we're in for trouble!"

"Make it double..." James solemnly said. But Jessie had had enough. She swung open the doors of HQ and trudged in. She knew James wouldn't just wait outside while she was in potential danger, and she was right. When she looked over her shoulder Meowth and James were close behind.

They arrived in front of Giovanni's office. Jessie signaled for the others to kneel down with her. "Ok," Jessie whispered, "We'll just go in and surprise him. He'll probably be angry and wonder why we came but that's when we shout 'Happy Birthday' and give him all the money we have. He'll be so impressed, we'll get a raise for sure!"

"But, Jessie...Why do we have to give him our money?" James whined. "We need food and we can't get food without money..."

"Because we didn't have time to buy a gift and we have to give him something. "She said sternly. "Plus, the money we'll make from our raise will take care of us. Now, let's go!"

The trio burst into the doorway, all smiles and laughter until they realized the grave mistake they had just made. In the center of Giovanni's office lay Giovanni atop a young, sleek man. Giovanni's hand lingered where a man's hand should not, especially a man of his caliber. The young man was covered with moisture and breathed heavily as he looked to the door. Lying completely naked, they stared at the trio as they stood in the doorway. Meowth's quick thinking caused him to scram before Giovanni could make sense of what was happening.

Jessie and James couldn't believe they had caught such an unbelievable act. All at once, Jessie and James ran down the hall. Giovanni leapt up from the young man and quickly put on some clothes, leaving the man on the floor.

They made it to a small corner near the elevator that was shielded with a large plant. They crept behind it and knelt.

"Jessie! What are we going to do?! The boss is going to kill us!" James whispered as they huddled on the floor near the elevator. He looked at Jessie but she just stared back, unsure of an answer.

A shadow was cast upon the two Rockets. They looked up to see Giovanni peering down at them. "Come to my office, NOW!" He said seriously. He waited until they got up off the deep red carpet and led them down the hall.

When they reached his office, it was void of life except Giovanni's faithful Persian. Jessie and James stood nervously by the door and awaited their next command.

"You fools. SIT!" Giovanni ordered. "Listen to me. We can't have scum like you leaking any of this to ANY one in this institute or otherwise." He began to explain.

"We understand, sir." Jessie said. "We'll keep things-"

"I wasn't finished." Giovanni cut her off. "I will not let you two...amateurs roam around with this information. You will NEVER see any one beside myself. You will not even see each other. You will be locked in the basement in separate cages and held there for the rest of your life. Do you understand?"

They looked in horror as the words flowed out of Giovanni's lips so sedately, as if nothing was wrong. Meowth walked toward the office expecting to check up on his partners. He heard Giovanni's words from the other side of the door and stopped himself. He pressed his ear against the door and continued to listen.

Jessie and James couldn't bring themselves to speak. They sat stiff as a board as the boss came up to them.

"I will be the only one who will see you. I will feed you when I feel it's necessary, I will allow a shower when I feel it's necessary. And that's the end of it. You will remain down there until you two die pitifully and without honour for this organization." He said, and smirked as he looked at their expressions.

Meowth was taken aback by Giovanni's heinous words. 'Me-owth's gotta do somethin' about dis before tings start lookin' ugly.' Meowth thought and ran on all fours down the hall. He knew who he needed to help him save his friends. It was all a matter of finding them in time.

James looked at Jessie and Jessie nodded in return. Before Giovanni could say anything else, the duo stood up and flung themselves out the door. They ran for the stairwell and stumbled as they made they're way down the stairs. 'Fools.' Giovanni thought as he took a seat at his desk. He lightly pressed a small red button that was hidden under his desk. All he had to do now was wait.

* * *

Jessie and James made it outside and sat behind a tree gasping for air. James looked at Jessie. He knew as well as she did that they didn't stand a chance but he admired her bravery in this situation. He looked at her gorgeous features as she sat that catching her breath. Her long, ruby hair glistened in the light of the setting sun. Her faced glowed with an unusual softness. He gazed at her, knowing that this could be the last time he ever saw her looking so beautiful. His heart dropped with the thought of never seeing his beloved. What if he would never have the chance to tell Jessie how much he loved her? He looked to the ground in shame.

"James! We have to go!" Jessie demanded suddenly and got to her feet. She took James's wrist in her hand and pulled him up. James looked over his shoulder to be struck with the sight of dozens of Team Rocket syndicates charging at them.

'We'll never make it.' Jessie thought as they ran, James' arm still in her grip. Punishment never before worried Jessie but this was different. They were to ban to a life of hell. They would die without ever getting to look at each other again. For all she knew, they would never speak to each other again. Jessie's eyes filled with tears. The thought of never seeing James tore her apart, but never being able to tell him the truth finished her. She realized how hard she was gripping James when she felt his pulse pounding against her hand. She realized how much she treasured life and how unbearable it would be to live without her love by her side, always.

They continued to run for some time, panting as they tried to outrun their once co-workers. But it was no hope. They heard the other members of Team Rocket shouting in glory as they ganged up on them. A grunt at the head of the pack took up a dart gun in his hand. Jessie and James both fell to the ground after a sharp pain had struck them from behind. In seconds, the fell unconscious and were dragged into HQ.

* * *

James woke up. It was almost completely dark where he lay. He looked around, confused and still a little woozy. The ground was hard, cold, and damp. He had dead arm and his head throbbed with pain.

"Jessie?" He called out into the darkness. "Jessie, are you here?" He stood up and realized at once where he was. He was in the basement of HQ. He was surprised by how roomy the cell turned out to be. When Giovanni said "cage" James expected it to be literal. In reality, it was more of a prison cell. He heard a sound coming from the adjacent cell.

"Jessie?" He squealed with fear and gripped the rusted bars of the cell.

"J-James?" Jessie said. She lifted herself slowly and sat up rubbing her head. Her hair felt filthy and wet as she touched it. "James, where are we?" She asked.

"We're in the basement." He sorrowfully said. "Just like Giovanni promised. We didn't make it Jess." James whimpered. He tried to contain himself, but soon soft trickles of tears slid down his face and off his chin. He sniffed to himself and sat down.

Jessie was silent. 'This is all my fault.' She thought. 'It was my idea to surprise the boss. And look where it got us. James will never forgive me for this...'

-----------------------------------------------------

Now, that wasn't too bad, was it? I don't care if people don't read this right off the bat. I understand, I'm a n00b. But for those who do read, I hope you liked it, and part 2 is on the way! Any reviews/criticism/critiques/flames are welcome and appreciated!