James was sick. Meowth had been gone for days in search of a doctor and still had not returned. The bitter air of winter's night bore its way through me and seemed to chill my very soul. I could only imagine how James felt.
"Jessie, I'm so cold." He said weakly.
I knelt down to feel his forehead. His fever was getting worse. I brushed back his hair. That single strand that always dangled playfully down past his eyes. His beautiful emerald eyes that stole my heart whenever I looked into them. I wet the small face cloth and placed it delicately across his forehead, and he smiled at me. The campfire crackled and snapped. It was burning lower than ever and would soon go out. It seemed I had burned every piece of dry wood for miles. And now, with Meowth gone and the other Pokemon looking for him, I couldn't leave James's side.
"Remember Jessie? Remember that night when we were trapped in the igloo? You made snow rolls and you made sure that Meowth and I didn't freeze, remember?" he asked.
"Of course I remember James. How could I forget? I'd make some more snow rolls, but I don't think we have any soy sauce." I giggled.
James laughed. It was good to see him laughing. He hadn't done that in a long time. An icy wind whipped past. I could see James wincing in pain. I unzipped my parka and placed it over him.
"Jessie, you don't have to…" he began.
"Shut up James. You need it more than me." I giggled.
I was freezing sitting there in nothing but my Team Rocket uniform, but I tried not to let James see how cold I was.
"Jess, remember when we were on that sinking ship and you promised not to leave me? I knew then that you were the only person I could ever really trust. But that's ok. I trust you with all of my heart and soul Jessie." He said quietly.
"James I…" I started to speak but no words would come.
"Jessie, I'm dying and we both know it." he said softly.
I hugged my partner. Tears flowed from my eyes as I lay there holding my James. He stroked my hair gently, and spoke even gentler.
"Don't worry about me Jessie. I'll be all right. And so will you. You'll see. But I want you to do something for me. Help me out of these extra layers." He asked.
"But you'll freeze in your uniform!" I gasped.
"Please Jessie." He pleaded.
I removed the parka and the sleeping bags I had covered him with, and slowly, he removed his white Team Rocket Jacket. He handed it to me. He must have been freezing in that turtleneck.
"Please, throw it in the fire. I don't want to die a lowly member of Team Rocket. Promise me, I know that you need money right now, but one day, promise me that you will burn yours too." He said.
I pulled off my jacket as quickly as I could and threw them both into the fire. I was colder than ever in my T-shirt, but I didn't care. The campfire began to burn stronger, with new energy, but it was still dying. And so was James. I flung my arms around my partner. James and I were free.
"Jessie." James said even weaker than before. I looked into his beautiful green eyes, and he smiled again.
"Jessie, I want you to know that from the first day I saw you, I have always loved you." He admitted.
"James, I love you too. I know it never seemed like I cared, but I was afraid that you didn't feel the same way. I could never imagine someone as amazing as you, in love with someone like me." I whispered.
Then his lips met mine. I couldn't believe it. My James was kissing me. He loved me. I returned the kiss and we held each other as tight as we could, kissing each other until dawn began to sweep away the inky darkness of night. That's when I felt James's strong warm embrace begin to weaken. Finally, he let go and I held him in my arms until he could speak.
"Jessie, I'm sorry. Please don't forget me." he whispered.
"James no!" I cried and I held him close.
We shared one last beautiful kiss until his captivating emerald eyes dimmed, and life flowed away from my James. I sat there holding him, crying, wishing for one more kiss from my James. Then, the campfire went out.