Meowth showed pikachu to a room on the third floor, it was supposed to be Jessie and James's room, but Meowth had swiped the key seeing as how they never seemed to use it. He opened the door and showed pikachu around, there was a window and a balcony, a kitchen and a bathroom and one big double bed

Pikachu: wow! This place is just like the pokemon centre! Say, I've been meaning to ask you, when he said about training tomorrow, what did he mean?

Meowth: well, before a pokemon is used by team rocket dere put through a whole load a tests ta see whedder or not dere worth usin!

Meowth climbed on to the double bed and curled up under the covers

Pikachu: you're going to bed already?! It's only 9:00!

Meowth: trust me, go ta bed now an tamorrow will be a whole lot betta!

Pikachu: well, alright then,

She climbed into the bed beside him, it was a cold night and there was plenty of room that they could've snuggled up close to each other if they'd of wanted to, it might've kept them warm, but despite the amazing amount of space in the bed Meowth curled up right at the very edge, perhaps still finding their relationship awkward. Pikachu wasn't sure if he was awake or not, she didn't want to wake him so she stayed at her own side. Eventually she got so cold she gave up on trying to get to sleep, she thought about talking to Meowth, maybe he could tell her a funny story about team rocket and she could fall asleep listening to him

Pikachu: *whispering* Meowth…are you awake?

This time pikachu knew he was asleep, he didn't answer her and she could hear his usual heavy breathing, she giggled to herself wondering if it was loud breathing or quiet snoring. Pikachu slid out from under the covers as quietly as she could, so not to wake Meowth, she wandered over in the cold to the fridge and hoped there'd be some food inside that might help her get to sleep. The little mouse rummaged through shelf after shelf of their rather large fridge before finally picking up a doughnut and waddling back to bed to eat it, she pulled herself up the sheets and remarked how everything in the room was far too big before taking a bite of her doughnut. Pikachu swallowed bite after bite of the pastry before lying back down under the covers and staring out the window and on to the balcony, hoping she'd fall asleep any minute. She wondered what life would be like for her now, in team rocket, she began drifting off to sleep on the thought that it would be better when she felt something, as if she were suddenly heavier, it couldn't be the doughnut could it? No, she could definitely feel a lot more weight on herself, she opened her eyes, attempting to gaze round the dark, empty room when she spotted him. Meowth had obviously also found it a bit cold that night, he had shuffled over and was now lying right next to pikachu, still facing the other way, his tail resting on her bright yellow stomach. She smiled sympathetically at him, he'd never had it easy in love, on that note she finally dropped off to sleep, thinking about her own love life for a change. The next morning, she was sound asleep when she heard a familiar voice whispering to her

…pikachu…pikachu?……….we have to go….pikachu?

It sounded like Meowth, she put her paw on her stomach, his tail was gone, she managed to pry open her eyes to see Meowth standing over her looking worried, but when she opened her eyes he smiled at her and held out his paw to help her up

Pikachu: 'yawn' Meowth? W-what time is it?

Meowth: it's time we gotta go, we gotta meet Giovanni fer da trainin remember?

Pikachu: oh yeah,

She stretched and jumped out of the bed after Meowth, who was half way out the door already

Pikachu: wait Meowth, wait for me!

Meowth: ya gotta hurry pikachu, we're gonna be late! 'gulp'

Pikachu: why are you so scared of that guy anyway? I think he's nice!

Meowth: humph, dat makes one of us!

They found their way out to a battle field outside where Giovanni was waiting for them and smirking

Giovanni: hmm, it's about time! I've already picked each of your opponents!

Pikachu: opponents?! So, our test is a battle?

Giovanni: yes, there's only one thing left to be decided,

Pikachu: what's that?

Pikachu was asking all the questions, Meowth was too afraid to open his mouth

Giovanni: you can fight your battle solo or you can battle as a team, either way, I've already pre-selected two rivals for you!

Pikachu: we'll battle as a team!

She hadn't bothered consulting Meowth about it, she'd seen him battle and she'd fought him herself, without her help she wasn't so sure he'd make it in

Giovanni: alright then, take your battle positions at that end of the field and I'll summon your opponents

Pikachu trotted happily towards the top of the battle field while Meowth staggered slowly behind her, by the time they got there, he was shaking and sweating and breathing quite hard

Meowth: l-listen pikachu, I-I'm not so sure about dis, I, I haven't battled in a while, an well, I-I don't tink I can…

Pikachu: Meowth relax, I've got your back remember?

Meowth: 'gulp' y-yeah, yeah! I-I supposed it'll be okay, right?

Pikachu: you bet!

Giovanni returned with two pokeballs in one hand and stood at the side of the field

Giovanni: alright! On this side, Meowth and pikachu! They will be battling,

He threw the pokeballs into the air and two rather small pokemon materialised on the other side of the battle field

Giovanni: Skitty and Ivysaur!

Before now, Meowth might have fallen for a Skitty like that, but now all he could think about doing was swallowing his fear and helping pikachu win

Giovanni: …BATTLE BEGIN!

Pikachu immediately lunged forward and charged at the Ivysaur with a volt tackle, it was too slow to dodge and volt tackle was a direct hit, the Ivysaur tumbled backwards and pikachu landed back beside Meowth and shook off the excess electricity

Pikachu: listen, I'll handle the Ivysaur if you take the Skitty, okay?

Meowth: o-okay,

Pikachu took another run at the Ivysaur, this time readying an iron tail while Meowth stammered forwards towards the Skitty. He stood in front of it, legs shaking and not looking too confident

Skitty: well, well, I never thought I'd fight a battle with a house cat, maybe if you're lucky you'll get pity date out of this!

Meowth: grrrrr, I don't need your pity an I don't need a date, see dat pikachu? She's all da datin I need an I went threw a lotta trouble ta get 'er too!

Skitty: well, nothing breaks up a team faster than jealousy!

Without another word the Skitty winked and a big pink heart came slowly floating towards Meowth, who had no idea what was going on. The heart immediately popped like a balloon the second it hit Meowth's face, he shook his head and when he looked at the Skitty again, he fell reluctantly in love. Pikachu was just about to finish the Ivysaur off with a thunderbolt when she glanced over and saw something shocking, Meowth was purring at the Skitty's paws and she was smirking at pikachu evilly. Immediately the Skitty decided to show off, she turned round and slapped Meowth with her tail a few times then kicked him back on to his tail. Pikachu expected him to jump up and take a run at the Skitty in a fit of rage like he'd of done before, but this time Meowth was still under the attract and got right back up and rubbed up against the Skitty's paws again. Pikachu was filled with rage, she charged at the Skitty, a full volt tackle surrounding her, she slammed in to the smug little cat, it was a critical hit and pikachu was satisfied that the Skitty was almost finished, she turned to find that the Ivysaur was standing behind her and she immediately rolled out of the way leaving the Ivysaur to fire an absorb attack which was meant for pikachu directly at it's partner Skitty, finishing her off but giving the Ivysaur more strength to continue the battle solo. With the Skitty defeated, Meowth shook his head and blinked, he was about to ask what happened when he saw the Ivysaur fire bullet seed after razor leaf at pikachu who couldn't dodge much longer. Something strange happened in that single split second, Meowth saw the pokemon he loved in trouble and more feelings filled his head than he even knew he had, without even knowing it Meowth dived at the Ivysaur and must've used fury swipes a hundred times over before the grass type finally fell, defeated. Meowth panted heavily and stared at his paws in amazement, he glanced over at pikachu, she was panting and staring at him too. There was silence for a moment, when Giovanni started clapping

Giovanni: well done you two! I'm impressed, I think you'll definitely make perfect team rocket field agents!

They immediately jumped up and yelled with joy while Giovanni called back the two fainted pokemon. They ran over and hugged each other tight, they opened their eyes, let go and blushed.

Giovanni: *noticing the two blushing pokemon* so, how about some food huh?

Meowth: yeah, food sounds good!

Pikachu: and maybe a nap later too huh?

Giovanni: c'mon then, let's go!

They were all heading towards the food hall when Giovanni stopped Meowth as pikachu kept walking

Giovanni: so, that's the key…

Meowth: w-whaddaya…

Giovanni: pikachu, the key to getting you to battle, is pikachu, is it not?

Meowth: …yeah, I, I guess so!

Meowth ran in after pikachu to get some well deserved food

Giovanni: hmm, I wonder what would've happened if we'd of known that a while ago?