Chapter Two:

"I am terribly sorry for the wait," James said politely as he set their waters down with a flourish, as well as a basket of bread. "Do you have any questions about the menu?"

Ash scrunched his eyes as if reading the menu was very difficult. "Er, yeah. The fil-it mig-non."

"Filet mignon," James corrected, notepad at the ready.

"Is that like a hamburger?"

James decided to keep it simple."Without the bun, yes."

"And what is Béarnaise?"

"A creamy Kalos sauce, sir."

"Oh. That sounds fancy." Ash paused. "I mean good. Uh, real refined. My good sir."

James heard an exasperated sound from the other side of the table.

"I'll have that."

"How would you like that cooked, sir?"

"Cooked?"

James went on explaining the ways steak could be cooked to an Ash Ketchum who was getting more bewildered by the second. "You know, on second thought I'll just have the chicken. It's less expensive anyway."

"Ash!"

He looked up at the reprimanding voice of Misty, her eyebrows raised in warning.

"You can have whatever you want, Misty. Promise. I like chicken, you know. I like all food."

Her lips thinned before she gave a small smile. "I'll have the chicken as well."

"Would you like anything else?"

"No. Thanks, Jaime," Ash said, giving a thumbs up. Misty gave a small cough of disapproval, but her eyes were amused.

James scribbled down the very easy to remember orders, surprised they hadn't recognized him.

He heard Jessie's louder voice call out from the kitchen. James put the notebook away, stood stiffly, and scooted towards Misty, who sat nearest the kitchen, listening for the doors. "Would you like me to scoot in your chair, madam?"

"Oh, I'm actually fine—!" Before she could finish, James had pushed her against the table in his haste to block her from Jessie's sight. The silverware rattled on the table. He could hear the searing sound of food, glad that his friend was carrying a tray and most likely didn't hear the commotion.

"Are you ok, Misty?" Ash was halfway out of his seat to help when James shuffled over, jamming the boy's chair into the table in the same manner. Ash let out an oof. "Hey! What was that for?"

Finding Jessie nowhere in sight, James turned to the twerps. "I'm terribly sorry you're not accustomed to Kalos traditions. They are very rough people, you see. Not hospitable. Rather forceful. If you'll excuse me..."

And then he was off, back to the kitchens, forcing the order in Meowth's paws, begging, "These customers are absolutely horrible. Horrible! You must get their food out as quickly as possible so they can finish their meal and go. Please!"

"Alright, alright. Keep what's left of your dignity. Dat was just embarrassing, James. We need ta work on dat pleadin' of yours." Meowth swiped the orders and got out the chicken needed for the dishes.

James' eyes lit up and he kept from rubbing his hands together. They would leave soon.

#

James was sweating more than an Ice type in a sauna.

"Why are you acting so weird?" Jessie demanded. "And why did you move all those plants around?"

He didn't turn around. The restaurant was so busy that every single table had occupants. James couldn't move Ash and Misty, which meant he had been forced to camouflage them.

It wasn't working out as well as he had hoped.

The first excuse he thought of flew from his mouth, "Feng Shui."

Her eyes narrowed. "Since when do you care about superstitions?"

He forced his face to appear offended as he said as dramatically as possible. "How dare you! I am not some uncultured Swinub. I am trying to save our jobs. Who do you take me for?"

Before she could say anything, he continued, "Your tables need refills. We must make as much money as possible for our Pikachu Initiative."

"It's called the Pikachu Project!" Jessie shrieked under her breath, gritting her teeth. Her fingers twitched as she pondered over whether she wanted to smack James or receive a better tip. She chose the latter, hurrying off without another word.

James relaxed and began to walk by his tables.

"Uh, Jaime?"

He turned on the spot, staring at Ash's face. Or what would have been Ash's face if it hadn't been covered with a palm branch.

"Yes, sir?"

"So, I know this is some sort of Kalos tradition or whatever," Ash wobbled the leaf around, poking his uncapped head above the leaf, "but we can't see anything but each other."

"You act like that's a bad thing," Misty's disgruntled voice projected around her own personal vineyard. Her back was protected by rows of flowers, her side by a shrub shaped like an Azumarill that normally sat by the water fountain.

Ash blinked in astonishment. "No, Mist. I just meant I thought if we came somewhere like this it might be nice to enjoy the, uh, atmosphere. Or whatever fancy word they call it. Am I right, Jaime?"

"You are correct, sir." The guest was always right, as the saying went. "However, the people of Kalos are very superstitious. You see, they say that, it's very secret actually, because it's quite magical and romantic, that any couple with your precise hair colors dining on a Saturday night in September is meant to go unseen."

"Why?"

"I'm sorry sir, but I have no idea." James tried not to squeal in horror. He steeled himself with honesty. "Now, if you love this fine girl here, I would think you would want to stare at her all night long instead of at the shrubberies!"

"Oh. Uh." Ash's eyes appeared over the top of the leaf, apologetic. "I didn't know these fancy places were so mushy."

"I thought they had private rooms for that kind of stuff," Misty said.

"For what kind of stuff?"

Misty's side of the table shook, her face red from behind the shrubbery. "I didn't mean that kind of stuff!"

"You didn't say what kind of stuff you meant."

James cut in, "Er—"

Misty scowled. "Do you think we can move the plants? They're a bit distracting and we wanted a nice, normal dinner. I know you're trying to be traditional, but we were fine before."

"Sir." James turned towards Ash. His personal Escape Rope. "What sort of private room did you want? We have a variety of different types. All of them have very comfortable furniture for whatever...needs...you may have."

"What?" Ash gaped.

"Tell him you don't want one!"

"Misty, I never said I did! I don't even know what that is for. I never wanted to do anything—"

"No wonder you wanted to eat here!"

"Arceus, Misty. I'm not that kind of guy!"

And that was when James slipped away, safe. Oh so safe. Until he realized how loud their arguing was. They had not lost any volume since childhood. He searched frantically, hoping Jessie wasn't in sight.

"EEEEE!" James yelled, his body toppling over as if he had been hit by a Volt Tackle—except less tingly. And very, very hot. The soup of the day splattered all over his face, searing on contact.

"What do you think you're doing?" Jessie hissed into his soup filled ear.

"You two!"

They looked up to find their boss striding towards them, fury puffing him out like an angry Jigglypuff.

Clapping broke off his growing speech. "Oh, boy. That was great!"

The three found a pair of hands extending from the jungle surrounding the brats' table. James cowered. Was it too late to run? It was almost over now. He was surprised his vision wasn't fading, that Jessie hadn't choked him to death yet. She would find out that Ash and Misty were right under her nose.

At least he wouldn't die alone. She would take them down with him.

The manager finally found his voice. "I beg your pardon, sir?"

"You see, I asked for entertainment," the foliage said. "And your restaurant certainly delivers."

James opened his mouth, soup dripping onto the lush carpet. The twerp was helping him? Of course, Ash didn't know it was him, but still.

The manager blinked rapidly, his thinning lips puckering in disbelief at the talking garden before recovering his manners. "I see. I'm very pleased your dining experience has met your expectations."

The leaf rustled in what appeared to be an enthusiastic nod.

Jessie stared at the greenery, as if trying to summon her inner Luxray vision.

Before James could take action their manager was bustling them off, saying over his shoulder to his customer, "If we can assist you in any way, please let us know."

The kitchen door was pushed open. Team Rocket stood soaked in soup. James was utterly miserable while Jessie crossed her arms coldly as their boss seethed. "If it weren't for that customer out there I would be kicking you out the door right now."

Meowth peered over the counter attentively.

James bowed repetitively. "I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again."

After a few moments of grumbling, the manager stalked out of the kitchen.

The second the door closed Jessie was gripping his already stained uniform. "You're ruining our entire operation."

"I'm having an off day," James cried as Jessie shook him, his head rocking back and forth.

She pulled him close, glaring. "Did you hear that talking plant of a customer?"

"A talking plant? And I though I was da cat's meow when it came ta things that shouldn't talk," Meowth complained, coming out of his hiding spot.

"I wasn't paying much attention," James said casually, sweat replacing the soup.

"He sounded familiar. Like an annoying pop song that the radio won't stop playing..."

James cracked a smile that bordered on the lines of insanity. "You think most people's voices are annoying. Like mine."

"As true as that is I know I've heard his voice before." Jessie frowned. "I'm going to go see who it is."

"NO!" James exclaimed, grasping her shoulders for dear life. "He's requested that I am the only waiter who takes care of him. He's the son of a wealthy diplomat and, if I can make him happy, he will tip us so much that we will be ahead of schedule for the Pikachu Project."

Jessie froze. "A wealthy diplomat you say?"

"The wealthiest." James held back a squeak.

She gripped his shoulders back. "This is the biggest night of your life, James. If that spoiled rotten kid asks for you to do anything, anything, you do it."

"Of course!" James said. "I am nothing but vigilant!"

"Arceus speed, Jimmy boy." Meowth saluted. "Pikachu is gonna be ours!"

James looked between his two best friends, their eyes lit with determination at his lie. He swallowed before grinning. James scrambled out of the kitchen, doom settling upon him like a swarm of Beedrill.

Poor, poor James. He has it rough, doesn't he?

How'd you guys like the Ash and Misty moments? They were so much fun to write!

Pokemon Question of the Day: How else would Ash mess up a date with Misty? How do you think he'd be forced to make up for it?

Thanks for being awesome.

-Flips