A/N: HOLY CRUD, I just realized that through this whole thing I never put my disclaimer up. WHOOPS. Well incase it wasn't obvious, CATS isn't mine::sounds of shock ripple through audience:: I know! Crazy, right? Anyways, here is chapter three. I've been updating a lot this weekend since I don't know when I'll be able to again, so savor these chappies! Hehe.

Yes it's another chapter with "dance" in the title. Yay.

Oh and reviews make me leap for joy through meadows of pretty flowers on bright sunny days and… ::brain is burned by the girly-ness of that image:: never mind about that last bit, just REVIEW!

Disclaimer: Yeah, CATS not mine. woot.


Chapter Three

Will You Dance With Me?

It was clear to everyone that Munkustrap's nerves were running on end, but he didn't pester Quaxo. He trusted the tom, though paranoia ripped through him like a claw. Quaxo obviously felt nothing of the anxiousness he was suffering from, at least, not when around a certain queen.

Quaxo was curled up on a large pile of junk sunning himself. He purred in satisfaction as his pelt warmed nicely. His tail flicked in rhythm with his relaxed heartbeat. Twitch… twitch… twitch… twitch… POUNCE.

He jumped in surprise when a pair of paws came crashing down onto his tail. The fur along his spine rose involuntarily. He swung around ready to box Tugger's ears for startling him, but it was a white face grinning mischievously back at him. He relaxed and sent a smile back at her.

She raised a paw and smoothed the ruffled fur on his head. "You're a mess," she laughed, swishing her tail playfully against his side.

He winced, another headache was coming on. He'd been having them a lot in the past couple of days, ever since the night he and Victoria had sat on the roof of the car and watched the moon rise. She looked concerned. "A headache again?"

"It's nothing."

She let out a humorless laugh. "Please, you keep saying that but they never get any better. Are you sure you don't want to go see Jennyanydots?"

He waved his tail as if it didn't matter, doing his best to hide that fact that the pain was getting worse. She didn't seem very convinced, but she didn't mention it again, only pressed her side against his in a way almost protective.

He smiled and shook his head slowly. She didn't need to worry about him so much. He could deal with a few headaches…

A sharp stab of pain told him that she could be right, but he ignored it. Today was another blissful day he could spend with her. The Jellicle Ball was only a few days away, so if he was going to ask her to dance it was now or never.

He barely noticed who they passed now. He'd stopped blushing at the "knowing" smiles and giggles of those who saw them. They didn't understand anyway. Despite his love for Victoria, they were still just friends, though he hoped they could be more.

Quaxo couldn't not notice when a certain tom sauntered up. At first glance he thought it was just another cat passing by, but a second look made him realize it was Plato. He felt his fur rise. It was no secret that Plato had been eyeing Victoria for a while now—ever since Quaxo had shown interest.

Victoria didn't notice him until he was close to her, nuzzling her face in a way that was far more than friendly. She leapt back, glaring. He just smiled inching his way toward her again. His paw fell lightly on hers, claws extended only slightly so that her paw was pinned down.

Quaxo could see the tension prickling around her, though he couldn't see why she didn't move her paw. He knocked Plato out of the way. Victoria winced when Plato's claws sliced across her paw, but said nothing. Quaxo was baring his teeth menacingly at Plato. "Screw off," he hissed, hackles raised.

Plato chucked, unfazed. "Why should I?"

"She's not interested?"

Plato brushed past him, pressing his mussel to Victoria's. "Let her answer for herself."

She blinked, eyes crossing to look at him properly, then spat at him, jumping back. "Leave me the Hell alone, Plato."

"O-oh," he purred, running his tail across her mussel, "There's some fire in you after all."

That was all Quaxo could take. His paw shot out, claws unsheathed, and raked Plato across the flank. The other tom hissed in pain and swung around to face him. "Watch it!" The cat's smooth words were laced with venom now, his mask of calmness torn down.

Quaxo hissed at him, snapping his jaws threateningly. His muscles were bunched, ready to spring at a moment's notice.

Plato launched himself at the other tom. Quaxo dodged but Plato's claw grazed his side. He winced and swung around, leaping back at Plato. He embedded his back claws in Plato's shoulder, tearing downward. The cut wasn't very deep, but it would leave a ragged scar.

"Hold it!" The high voice interrupted their fight. Jennyanydots was flouncing toward them, anger blazing in her eyes. "Break it up, you two, break it up!" She shouldered her way between them. Her eyes darted to Quaxo, "I thought a cat as vital to our safety as you would know better, and you," she whipped around to Plato, "You have wounds that need attending. Come this way."

Plato followed grumpily, shooting a last furious glance back at Quaxo. Quaxo returned it with even more ferocity. When Plato was well out of sight he turned to Victoria, who had been oddly quiet through the whole ordeal.

She was standing off to the side, staring at her paws and trembling. He rushed to her, nuzzling her face gently. "Are you alright?" She nodded.

He looked down, about to apologize for letting things get so out of hand when he saw the little splash of crimson staining her snowy paw. He gasped and bent down immediately to examine it. "Victoria, I'm so sorry! What happened?"

She blinked up at him in surprise. "What? I'm fine! Really, you're hurt more than I am. I'm sorry…"

He laughed. "You're acting like it's your fault."

She scuffed her paws guiltily. "It kind of is."

He nuzzled her again. "It's not, and you know it."

She shrugged and set off walking. He followed after her, keeping a bright demeanor in the hope it would rub off on her. "Come on, smile just once."

Victoria grimaced. "He's just a jerk. You shouldn't have gotten yourself hurt over him."

He bumped her playfully. "I don't mind."

She rolled her eyes. "Boys…"

Quaxo chuckled. "Answer something for me, will you?"

"Sure."

"It's about the Jellicle Ball."

She cocked her head questioningly. "What?"

"Will you dance with me?"


A/N: oh look, a pretty ending author's note! Reason being that I am reminding ::cough::begging::cough::, once again, how much I love reviews. I'm proud of this fanfic thus far and I'd love to know what you guys think of it.

I didn't like this chapter as much as the others for some reasong ::shrug:: maybe it's just me. Anyway, WHAT DO YOU THINK?