Cassandra almost fainted on the inside. This tom was AMAZING! She watched him practice his pirouettes from the corner of the studio where she was stretching. She watched his perfect, masculine figure spin at least four times in one go, his head flicking action the sharpest she'd ever seen anyone conquer. She could see each working muscles in those perfect patchy legs as they whirled around in a blur of black and white. But on top of all that, he had the most striking, gorgeous and hansom face that instantly caused hers to redden. Cassandra forced her eyes away to make sure she didn't look completely love-struck, it was a habit of hers – she was too good for that sort of behavior when in the dance studio.

Skimbleshanks the artistic director of the newly formed Royal Jellicle Ballet Company had pinned up the roles for their next production – the incredibly cliche Swan Lake. What else? Cassandra was cast as the black swan, which suited her personality well and she was meant to be doing a Pas de deux with some random tom called Alonzo, whoever he was. Victoria would be the white swan of course, and Cassandra had a feeling that this show was going to be incredibly corny. She sat back down to stretch again, and to bend the soles in her relatively new pointe shoes, which unfortunately started giving her blisters yesterday.

"Right then!" Skimble called in his somewhat Scottish accent, getting everyone's attention "Can I have all the non-main swans in a bunch over there, the villain and minions over there and the Prince and main swans over here please. Understudies go to your respective groups" everyone followed his orders "You now have five minutes to get acquainted" Thats not very long... thought Cassandra though soon as she looked up her heart stopped. The prince was the black and white tom she was observing earlier!

"Hey, I'm Alonzo" He smiled and shook her hand with a firm yet gentle grip.

"I'm Cassandra, it's a pleasure to meet you" Cassandra gave a small smile back, trying to act as normal as possible. It was bad enough that her face had gone red again, just staring into his sparkling blue eyes. He seemed a very 'down to business' type of tom, by the way he promptly went on to shaking the others' hands.

"Ok everyone, we'll start with Act one..." Skimble announced.

Cassandra held her head in her hands. After about a week of working on the Pas de deux routine Skimbleshanks had ordered all the mains to go on dates or something because the chemistry wasn't right. Cassandra was one of the best prima ballerinas the company had and was by far one of the boldest on stage, but when it came to social skills she reverted to that elusive, timid, nerdy queen that sad in the corner and scribbled down poems in one of the many notebooks she had. This was going to be one heck of an awkward night, and she wasn't even sure if Alonzo liked her as a friend. She put on her special pear collar and brushed her dark chocolate and cream fur – not that it made much of a difference, it was that short.

She walked to the theatre, where he told her to meet him. He was leaning casually against the front wall with his head down tossing a silver coin, almost like what the delinquents in all those old Frank Sinatra type movies would do to look badass. Alonzo looked up when she approached and gave her a friendly smile.

"Sorry I'm a bit late" Cassandra said feeling ashamed

"You're actually a minute early" Alonzo stated in a rather 'matter of fact' tone as he pointed to the clock tower. She was indeed, and gave a questioning look to which he answered "I always hang out around here by myself on Thursdays, a little breathing space from the stresses of life I suppose" He smiled again.

"Oh" Cassandra said, a little lost for words as they stood there looking between each other and the pavement.

"Come on, I know this really great bar about a block from here" Alonzo took her hand and they started walking up the street.

Cassandra wasn't at all used to the rowdy bar atmosphere. It came as quite a shock that everyone seemed so comfortable with each other. Some of the waitresses for example, would sit on the toms' knees and run their paws through their head fur and other more intimate actions Cassandra would rather not witness. Alonzo didn't seem phased by it at all, and she even noticed him subtly flirting with the queen tending the bar. They ordered drinks and sat down at one of the few free tables around.

"So where did you do your ballet training?" Cassandra practically yelled above the loud music and drunk chatter

"I used to live in Australia, and I would watch all the videos of the French tom ballet dancers as a kit and try to teach myself their routines. I was all self taught until I moved here three years ago and got some proper training at Mrs Eliot's" He replied, taking the occasional sip from his drink.

"You're pretty darn good for only three years of training!" It slipped out of her mouth along with her dumbfounded expression before she could stop herself.

"Well, thanks" Alonzo smiled and leaned back in his chair "You aren't too bad yourself. Tell me where you trained" Cassandra was blushing again.

"I started taking lessons when I was four with the 'Gumby Sisters'. I've been dancing ever since" She smiled and fiddled with the crinkly bit of her straw nervously.

They continued chatting for a bit straining to hear each other over the noise, every so often glancing at the flamboyant waitresses, finished a couple more drinks before Alonzo suggested they go across the road to the night club. Cassandra was starting to feel a little more comfortable and was enjoying the tingling sensation in her paws. It didn't seem to matter that the other cats in there were all over each other, grinding and making out everywhere she looked. Alonzo took her paws and they started dancing, and the next thing she knew he was holding her by the waist and their lean dancer bodies were pressed together. The rest of the time there seemed to blur as the tingling sensation spread to her head. It was all a big swirl of black, white, brown and her delirious grin.

"Cassandra" Alonzo said in her ear

"Yeah?"

"I should probably walk you home now, its nearly two in the morning"

"Oh... ok then" The unpleasant thought of getting up in the morning after only five or less hours sleep somehow fought its way through the alcohol in Cassandra's brain. They slowly walked along the main streets towards her home, tails entwined, and Alonzo's arm had found it's way around her waist again.

They got to Cassandra's door step and stopped.

"Well this is me" She smiled

"Nice flat. So I'll see you tomorrow at the studio"

"Yeah" She put her arms around Alonzo and buried her face in his chest fur. They embraced for what seemed like a year before she looked into his eyes. Much to Alonzo's surprise, she then threw her arms around his neck and kissed him tenderly on the lips.

"Goodnight Alonzo" Cassandra whispered to him when they broke away

"Sleep tight" He whispered back with a small smile, a smile that faded as soon as she was inside.