Treasure
Disclaimer: I do not own Cats. If I did, I would have my college bill paid off.
Let's see . . . I'm using an idea that I got years ago for a different fandom in this story so be prepared for magic - not just the shooting lightning bolts kind. I'm not going to try to write in a Cockney accent so use your imagination. In this story, Jerrie and Teaser are not siblings, they're mates. I was won over to this ship while reading one of the stories for the Random Jellicle Week challenge. I uploaded this as complete but I might continue it. Let me know what you think. Happy reading and please review!
"Teaser, can I look at your pearls?" Etcy was already reaching out when she asked the question and in a panic, Teaser batted her friend's hand away.
"No! Don't touch 'em!" A sudden silence fell on the gathered kittens and Teaser ducked her head. It wasn't often that she got to hang out with her friends in the Junkyard and she didn't want to ruin the day.
"Oh, Etcy, don't worry about it. Teaser doesn't let anyone touch her pearls, not even Jerrie." Ever the peacemaker, Jemima managed to smooth things over. "Right, Teaser?"
"Right. I'm sorry, Etcy. I'm just a bit . . . Touchy about me pearls." Teaser offered a weak smile and Etcy seemed to bounce back to her usual cheery self.
"Look, it's Tugger!" A piercing squeal followed the announcement and Etcy jumped up and bounded over to her idol. Jemima rolled her eyes and walked out; she was the official "Etcy sitter" that day and was supposed to keep the youngest kitten out of trouble. That left Teaser, Victoria, and Electra together on the old couch.
"Teaser, why don't you let anyone touch your pearls?" Victoria questioned, idly combing her headfur.
"I already told ya. They're special." Teaser picked at some dirt on her arm and tried to change the subject. "How're things with you an' Plato?"
Victoria stiffened, her eyes darting over to where Tugger stood and then to Misto. "Fine. You know what, I need to go check something. I'll see you two later."
Electra and Teaser were left alone. Electra was not a talkative cat so they sat together quietly for a few minutes. "Teaser, it's him, isn't it?"
"Yeah. He spies on me with 'em. I can't take 'em off and if anyone else touches 'em, he sees. That's 'ow he found out about me an' Jerrie." She tugged at the pearls around her neck. "How'd you escape him?"
"I went to Deuteronomy. He gave me protection in exchange for information." Electra slid over and put a hand on Teaser's arm. "You need to talk to someone, Teaser. You have to get out of this."
Teaser shook her head, glancing around in a panic. "Electra, no one even knows that I work for 'im. Jerrie got out of it for me and if he knows that I got in it for him, he'll be so disappointed. I can't."
Electra sighed and shook her head but didn't argue.
"Teaser! Where are ya?" Jerrie's voice rang out over the sounds of the Junkyard and Teaser jumped up.
"I gotta run, Electra." She ran out into the main clearing and launched herself at Jerrie. She caught him off guard and they tumbled head over heels for several feet before stopping in a pile of limbs. "I missed you, Jerrie."
"I missed you too, luv, but I had a great trip with Skimble." Jerrie nuzzled her chest and winked. "Brought you back something shiny. You'll get it later though. What were you up to?"
Oh, just did some stealin' for Macavity, spied on Munk and Dem for 'im, the usual. Forcing a grin, Teaser tried to answer lightly. "The usual, Jer. Nicked some human things, stalked Tugger."
A jealous light appeared in her mate's eyes. "Shouldn't stalk him. He's got a mate, remember?"
"But 'e's the handsomest bloke, Jer . . . 'Cept for you, a'course." That made up for it and Teaser disentangled herself from Jerrie. "Are we going to Dad's for dinner?"
"We are so we should probably head that way now." Waving goodbyes, Jerrie and Teaser left the Yard, on their way to the train station to meet up with Skimbleshanks. Teaser had missed her father almost as much as her boyfriend and the time with them was nice.
Her week was going wonderfully, in fact, until she felt that familiar chill in her necklace that mean Mac wanted her. Making excuses, Teaser slipped away from the Junkyard early one evening and met her employer in the usual alley.
"You're late, pet. You know I detest tardiness."
"I'm sorry, sir. You know how they are." Teaser trembled at the cold anger in Mac's voice. It wasn't healthy to make him angry. "I'm here now though. What do you need?"
"I want you to get me a pair of diamond earrings. The regular house. Bring them tomorrow." Mac turned to go but stopped and faced her again, smirking. "I see your precious friend Mungojerrie has returned. How is he? I do so miss his work."
Teaser had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Jerrie was also under Deuteronomy's protection but that only lasted in the tribe's domain. If Jerrie wandered out of the Jellicle boundaries, he was vulnerable to Mac. "Don't hurt 'im, please, sir. I'll do anything."
Mac's eyes narrowed. "Anything? Really? I will have to take you up on that, pet." He tipped her chin up and smirked at her. "I do so love your company." His eyes were cold and his claws dug into her skin. Without thinking, Teaser whimpered and tried to pull away and earned a slap across the face from her boss.
That will be hard to explain away. "I'm sorry, sir! You were hurting me."
"Next time you pull that, you will be in much more pain, Rumpleteaser. Go. I expect those earrings tonight."
"But you said -" Mac's glare cut her protest off. "Right, sir. I'll have them tonight." When he was gone, Teaser slunk back into the Junkyard. Electra was waiting on the old couch.
"Teaser, you have to talk to Deuteronomy. He's getting violent and you know how that ends." They shared panicked glances but then Jerrie's laugh cut through the other noise and Teaser shook her head. She'd do anything to protect her mate - anything at all. If that meant she'd get knocked around by Macavity, so be it.
"You know why I can't, Electra. Mac can still break into the 'Yard, despite Deuteronomy's magic so I have to keep working for him. It's the only way to protect Jerrie."
"You're going to regret this, Teaser." Electra hissed, jumping down and stalking away.
"Teaser? Are you alright?" Jerrie took Electra's vacated seat and touched Teaser's face. "You been actin' strange lately. I'm worried about you."
"Oh, Jerrie, I'm fine. My luck's been rotten but maybe it'll change now you're back." Teaser was not and had never been a convincing liar. Jerrie sighed and plucked at his collar.
"Luv, you will let me know if you're in trouble, right? I wanna help you."
"'Course I will, Jerrie. Look, I'm tired. I'm gonna catch a nap and we can talk later." Teaser kissed Jerrie quickly and flashed a bright smile. "I love you."
"I love you too. I meant it, Teaser, I'll help you however I can."
Teaser sighed as she watched him walk over and join some of the other toms. If only he could help, but no one could now.