AN-This is just a filler chapter really, so it's quite short. I'm not sure I like it because I had MAJOR writers block with this, because I knew what I wanted to write in the next chapter, so I wanted to make a start with that. Please review and help me to improve my writing.

Shout outs: Thank you to Tantomile forever for reviewing and following the story.

Thank you to DemeterJemima for your lovely reviews, thanks for reading.

-Demeterfan

Disclaimer: I do not own CATS, it belongs to T. and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Chapter 3

I must have been asleep when Bomba eventually crept back into our shared den because she was by my side in the morning, propped up on several stained cushions she swiped off a dumped sofa. I half-sat up, blinking in the bright light (the heat wave was still going strong), and stared at her questioningly; this was probably the first time Bomba had ever been awake before me.

She looked stunning already, even though there was only me to admire her handiwork. Bomba is the kind of cat who would check if her fur looked good and her collar was straight even if she was being perused by a pack of snarling, vicious Pollicles and stalked by Macavity in the shadows, razor sharp teeth glinting menacingly. I yawned and rubbed my eyes blearily.

"Why are you awake? You don't even get up this early on the day of the Jellicle Ball."

Bomba smiled triumphantly, crossing her arms.

"I was too excited to sleep! I should become a professional match-maker; you're clearly smitten with Munk."

She convulsed with giggles, rolling over and causing an avalanche of cushions.

"Stop acting like a kitten, Bomba! I'm not smitten with him, I just like him, that's all."

"'Just like him'! You weren't saying that last night when you were lip-wrestling."

she cried indistinctly, as she still had half a dozen cushions over her face. I glared at her, even though she still had her vision blocked. But, in a way, I was glad Bomba had seen me and Munk kiss; if there'd been no witnesses I probably would have convinced myself that I'd made up a romance, albeit a very tame one. Now, once Bomba confirmed it's existence, I thought of the kiss, and how good it felt to have his lips on mine...

"You're thinking about kissing him aren't you?"

Bomba squealed delightedly, having broken through the wall of cushions. She patted her bedraggled headfur back into place straight away, smiling at her jagged figure reflected in the broken mirror.

"You're a dark horse, Deme! All that drivel you said to me about not letting Toms take advantage of me and then you go and snog Munk on your very first date!"

Bomba continued, rolling her eyes like I'm the most boring cat in the junkyard. Who's to say I'm not? I don't always like being the sensible one, acting like the big sister even though Bomba is a few weeks older. I was always born with a mind I couldn't switch off; I couldn't silence that little voice at the back of my head, telling me what I was doing was a bad idea. Bomba didn't seem to have one or, if she did, she'd long since stopped listening to it. She had locked me and Munk up and to do something like that you'd have to be a very spontaneous person.

I still didn't know how to react to Bomba locking us in: on the one hand, I was still furious with her and wanted to seize her and strike her, but, on the other hand, I was so grateful that she'd set me up with that I wanted to clasp her in an embrace and thank her fervently.

"Munk didn't have disgusting things on his mind like half the Toms you hook up with."

I spat bitterly, shooting her such a furious glance that she backed away a little. She wasn't thwarted, though, Bomba's ever so thick-skinned.

"That reminds me, you'd better find another place to sleep tonight, I've got a Tom coming over."

she said, her blue eyes going dreamy as she imagined the upcoming night. I groaned dismally, any trace of the good mood left over from my success last night totally vanishing at the thought of another night cast out of my own den to make room for a Tom. Bomba was doing this much more regularly nowadays; I wouldn't ever say it to her face, but she was acting like a bit of a hussy.

"Who is it this time?"

I asked wearily, although I had a good idea; I'd noticed them making eyes at each other across the 'yard. The trouble is, he has made eyes at every single Queen in the junkyard at some point.

"It's Tugger."

Of course it was.

"Oh, Bomba, not again! Haven't you learned anything from the last time? From all the other times?"

I opened my mouth to say just what I thought of Tugger (well, a censored version in case any of the kits were walking around near our den entrance) but Bomba jumped in first.

"Look, I know you and Tugger aren't exactly bosom friends-"

I growled softly at the very thought.

"But he's good fun, Deme, and that's all I really care about."

I squinted at her, wondering if she was really serious. How was she OK with the fact that no Tom ever took her seriously? Did she really want to spend her life with a different Tom every week, simply discarding them like all the rubbish that lays around us? Didn't she ever want to mate properly, maybe have a litter of kittens?

"He'll hurt you again, Bomba."

I said gently and Bomba shook her head defiantly.

"He won't, he promised me he wouldn't."

Bomba insisted, but I caught the uncertainty in her voice and knew she was trying to convince herself as well as me. She failed with both. Why did he do this to her? Why did she always trust him?

There was no point arguing with my sister, she was the type that was more determined to do something if you tried to convince her not to. Part of me despised the fact that I was giving in so easily, but I had no power over Bomba at all. Very reluctantly, I agreed to make myself scarce and Bomba embraced me, looking thrilled. But, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the feeling that this would end badly. I had good reason to; it always had in the past.

I leaned against the side of the metal pipe, sighing dejectedly. The sun had just set and the sky was an inky blue, although stars were already shimmering showily and the almost full moon cast a silvery light over the junkyard, making even the rubbish look eerily pretty. It wasn't much cooler than it had been during the day and had a distinctly humid feeling; the kind of night that made a human kick off his bedsheets. But that relentless sunlight was gone, so a bit of relief could be had, at least. Everyone was starting to settle down for the night; I could hear faint murmerings and the odd smothered giggle from Jellylorum's den, where most of the kittens slept. I could also make out several excited screams from my own den, causing me to clench my paws, my claws digging in, as I thought of Tugger and my sister.

"Everlasting Cat, don't let him hurt her again, please."

I mumbled out loud, closing my eyes in despair.

"Are you locked out this time?"

Hastily, I opened my eyes and found myself staring at Munkustrap's strong frame. My gaze instantly dropped to his lips, reliving the kiss all over again. It was a struggle to yank myself back to reality.

"Yes, Bomba wanted the den to herself so she could be with- oh... errrrmmm..."

It suddenly hit me how uncomfortable the situation was: my sister, his brother. Munk pulled a face, showing he felt as awkward as I did.

"What are you doing out here?"

I asked quickly, eager to change the subject.

"I was going to check on my humans, as I haven't gone to see them for a few days."

I sighed wistfully, wishing I had humans to worry about me to. Sometimes, if I hung around near the church and mewed piteously, the vicar would offer me a dish of cream or a few pieces of fish, but that was such a degrading process I only ever carried it out if I was half-starved, which wasn't often anymore. My collar was a cast off of Bomba's, given to me so I wouldn't get picked up by that human who combs the streets for stray animals.

"Don't let me stop you."

I said, smiling. Munk hesitated and then sat down beside me.

"I don't have to go right now."

he said bashfully. He draped his arm around me kindly, but it made me stiffen, suddenly terrified. Macavity used to hold me like that, his vice-like grip locking me in place, his claws penetrating my flesh and causing blood to trickle down my arm, the red standing out boldly against my black and gold fur. I found myself wriggling away from Munk, panic-stricken. He stared at me, looking hurt. Oh, Everlasting Cat, I knew at blow this sooner or later.

"I'm sorry."

Munk said, turning away from me. I couldn't bear it. I looked at him and I suddenly wasn't willing to let him go.

"Don't be sorry, it's not you, Munk. My old boyfriend used to hold me just like that and I reacted without thinking."

I hurried to explain and Munk nodded understandingly; seemingly everyone knew the ins and outs of my relationship with Macavity.

"I wouldn't ever hurt you like he did, Deme."

I cringed, sure I should have known that. Towards the end, I'd been so frightened of Macavity I'd come to dread that flame coloured figure, but I felt safe with Munk. I found I could say whatever came into my head and he wouldn't laugh or give me a funny look, he would actually take an interest. He didn't mind me being shy; he didn't mind me being awkward; he didn't even mind being imprisoned by my bonkers sister. He liked me.

"I know you won't, Munk"

I said, and I meant every word.

I leaned in to kiss him. I still kept my mouth closed, I was nowhere near daring enough to do otherwise, but I held on desperately for much longer, trying to quench my thirst for him. He rose to his knees and wrapped his arms around my waist, while I wound his headfur round my paws. I wanted to freeze that moment forever feeling his fur, the heat of his lips on mine. When I pulled away I rested my head on his silver chest and in my ecstasy and half-delirium I breathed:

"I love you."

I felt his grip on me tighten and heard him gasp with shock. Holy Heavyside, you idiot, Deme! I stood rigid in his arms, biting my lip and silently cursing my carelessness, for what seemed like eternity, but must have only been minuet or two. He cupped my face in his paws, his eyes serious and solemn. My heart was in my mouth; what if he didn't love me back? His sensible eyes peered into my worried ones and he suddenly hastily whispered:

"I love you, too."

He half-ran towards the junkyard gates, his face scarlet. I watched him, smiling, and hearing those four, wonderful little words over and over- 'I love you ,too.'

It was very late by that time, the air calm and still. An owl hooted quite nearby and two deranged Pollicles barked at each other, the stupid things. All the dens were silent except my own, but, somehow the image of Bomba and Tugger couldn't make my happiness disappear. Munk loved me. I couldn't hear that enough. Thank you, Everlasting Cat! I still had a long, lonely night ahead of me, but that didn't seem so terrible anymore. The stars were out and the most beautiful breeze had started blowing and I felt the luckiest Queen in the world. Munk loved me.

At some point, even though it will severely bruise my pride, I'll have to thank Bomba for locking me up with Munk.

Any good? R&R so I know! Next chapter coming soon because, like I said, I've had loads of ideas!