A/N: I've decided to focus more on the happenings in the junkyard for now, so that nobody in the story gets left out. There is some violence and subtle fluff for those who like it! Enjoy!
Jennyanydots woke up to find herself in her nest of blankets. She scratched her head in confusion as the haze of sleep gradually dissipated from her mind. "This is strange," she thought to herself, "I could have sworn I was at the docks last night…" Then the memories hit her. Skimble had carried her home since she had been too tired to walk. A small smile graced Jenny's lips that didn't go unnoticed her parents, who were already awake.
"Good morning, honey. I see you remember how you got home yesterday." Jenny's father commented knowingly from his chair at the table. His smirking lips were concealed behind an old magazine while his eyes danced with amusement.
The yellow and orange tabby queen nodded in confirmation, but her mouth formed into a tight line as she queried, "What do you think of Skimble, Dad? Do you approve?"
Remgail glanced at his mate, who was cooking breakfast at the stove. The yellow tabby queen smiled and answered for them both, "Skimbleshanks seems like a very responsible tom. He takes such good care of you, and you clearly both enjoy spending time with each other. We trust that he will provide for and protect you. He's not the handsomest young tom we've ever met, but we approve. He's a good potential mate in our eyes."
Jenny groaned and rolled her eyes. It was always about matehood for them. "Is that all you guys ever think about? How good of a mate a tom will be? Did you ever think that perhaps I'm not considering him as a potential mate; that I don't want to get too serious with Skimble?" She complained exasperatedly. Her parents just chuckled good-naturedly and left it at that. They didn't really have much of a choice because the sound of someone vehemently cursing and hissing reached their ears. It wasn't hard to determine the location: the center clearing.
"What in Heaviside is that noise? Who's making such a racket this early in the morning?" Annasta huffed and quickly turned the stove off. She set her pot aside so it wouldn't burn. The family of three hurried out of the den and down the path. The overcast sky hid the sun, but the light gray clouds didn't threaten of rain yet. It appeared Jenny's family wasn't the only one that was intrigued by the commotion in the center clearing. Jellylorum's family, Gus', Demeter's, and Macavity's family all emerged from their dens with concerned countenances. Even the seldom seen Coricopat and Tantomile crept out of their den to see what was going on. When the whole of the Jellicle tribe had gathered on the edge of the center clearing, it was plain to see who was causing the disturbance.
Macavity and his younger brother Munkustrap were brawling in the middle of the clearing, but this was obviously no ordinary play-fight. The ginger tom was in a sort of rage because his fur stood on end and his usually calm topaz eyes burned with fury. The more submissive Munk was determined to stand his ground against his older brother, which was a rare sight. The silver tabby tom was never this aggressive with Macavity. The two toms would circle each other for a few seconds and then lunge, using their claws and teeth to do some damage. Jenny cocked her head as she watched the brothers fight. She had been told from a very early age that no claws or teeth were permitted during play-fighting. This duel had to be about something that angered both Munk and Macavity deeply enough to blatantly disregard that rule.
It took the yellow and orange tabby queen a moment to think of the reason, and she let out a slight gasp once the answer came. "They're fighting about Demeter! Mac must have found out about yesterday…" Jenny thought as she continued observing. She was in too much shock at the violence being committed to step in. The other Jellicles were in much the same state.
However, it seemed Macavity and Munkustrap's father, Old Deuteronomy, wasn't in the same stunned phase as the rest of the tribe. The aging, brown and white-striped tom and his mate Grizabella, an elegant black queen, stepped out from the crowd. "What is the meaning of this? Stop at once!" Old Deuteronomy boomed. Many of the younger tribe members cowered at his powerful voice, even Munk. Macavity paid his father no attention and took Munk's momentary distraction to slash him mercilessly across the face. The young silver tabby yelped in pain as he gingerly held his left cheek. Blood rapidly streamed from the three gashes and stained his paw almost immediately. Macavity managed to kick his brother hard in the ribs before his father reached him and restrained him with evident difficulty. Grizabella tended to her second-oldest son, who writhed and hissed on the ground.
"I'll ask you again, son. Why are you attacking your own brother?" The brown and white-striped patriarch questioned Macavity gruffly. The ginger tom struggled in his father's grip, but he couldn't free himself. He was too strong.
Before he could reply, Demeter pushed her way out from the multitude of cats and made a beeline for Munk. She knelt down beside him and placed a paw on his trembling shoulder. Although he was in pain and blood smeared his paw and half his face, Munkustrap managed to take her paw in his and softly kiss it. Dem didn't wipe the blood off her paw as she smiled falteringly at her best friend.
Macavity snarled as he accused his queenfriend, "You! You're no better than my whelp of a brother! How dare you cheat on me with that knave!" He attempted to wrench himself out of Old Deuteronomy's grasp, but again he failed. All eyes were on Munk and Demeter.
The black and gold queen's face remained emotionless as she took a deep breath. "I did not cheat on you, Macavity. You know I'm faithful to you. Munk and I were just playing around and I guess it got a bit out of hand. It's no reason to spill your brother's blood. I'm sorry you can't handle me being friends with another tom." She said in a collected voice. This appeared to quell Macavity's anger somewhat because his harsh glare softened, but he wasn't anywhere near calmed down yet.
"I don't mind you hanging out with other toms, Dem. It's just when they try to get too friendly with you that I lose it. No one tries to kiss you when I'm around." The ginger tom responded in a more contained tone. Demeter nodded her head in acknowledgment. That was a reasonable answer to her, but the way Macavity reacted troubled her. It showed that the rivalry between her tomfriend and Munk went far deeper than she had previously realized.
Munkustrap was recovered enough from the blow he received to stand up without his mother's help. He stood on shaky hind legs, and smirked at his brother. Blood dripped down from the three gashes on his left cheek and dotted the dry dirt. "Face it, Mac. You're jealous of me! I can kiss a queen without even having to try!" The pain must have been going to Munk's head because Jenny knew the young tom would never say something that cocky. Tugger would without a doubt; but not Munkustrap.
A deadly glint entered Macavity's eyes and Demeter visibly shrunk back. The pair knew each other so well that it was easy to determine what the other would do next. "No Mac, don't do it. You'll regret it." The black and gold queen warned in a voice that wavered in fear. Grizabella, Munk, and Old Deuteronomy seemed to have no idea what was about to happen, however.
The ginger tom's eyes flitted to his queenfriend and then back to Munk. Jenny noticed a strange gleam began to emit from Macavity's fur. She knew that this was another feature of a Conjurer: their fur naturally glimmered, but the glimmer became brighter when they harnessed their magic. Her eyes widened in horror.
"This was the last time something like this happened behind my back. Demeter, you are mine and no one else's." Macavity growled darkly. He yanked a foreleg from his father's grip and before the Jellicle Leader could restrain his son once more, a bright bolt of light erupted from his paw. Jenny could only watch helplessly as the bolt of magic headed straight toward Munkustrap and hit him square in the chest. The young silver tabby only had time to grunt in pain once before he was set flying backward, right into a trash pile. When the dust that was stirred up from the attack settled, Munk was lying in a crumpled heap at the foot of the pile, unmoving.
The whole episode seemed surreal to Jenny. She had never seen Macavity use magic like that, even in practice. The entire tribe was too shocked to make a move. The only sounds to be heard for a few moments were Macavity's heaving inhales of breath and Munk's short, strained ones. Then two simultaneous shrieks of alarm broke the deathly silence as Demeter and Grizabella returned to Munk's side. Jenny winced as they rolled him over onto his back to reveal a nasty, blackened burn covering most of his white chest fur. She glanced at Macavity to see that there was no remorse or sympathy in his callous, light gold eyes. The proud and respected Old Deuteronomy lowered his head in shame as he led his son away, towards their den. The crowd of cats parted for the two toms, and also for Remgail and Grizabella, who carried Munkustrap to the former's den to be treated. Demeter followed solemnly behind them. Some tribe members threw her dirty glares, as if this was all her fault, and others gave her looks of understanding and compassion.
Once the four cats disappeared into Remgail's den, the Jellicles dispersed and went back to their daily routines. Jennyanydots and her mother returned to their den, where they knew their skills would be needed in treating Munk's burn. As they padded inside, they could already hear Grizabella sobbing as Remgail tried to assure her that her son would recover fully.
"It only looks bad, Grizabella. Munk's fur is merely singed at the tips, making it look black. Besides that, it's only a minor second-degree burn. He should heal completely within a couple weeks or so. Please don't fret; we'll take good care of him. Demeter even offered to help, remember? You have nothing to worry about, so just relax." The calico tom said in a calming voice to the distressed ebony queen. Jenny smiled as she took Grizabella's paw in hers to emphasize her father's words. Grizabella nodded her head and the sobs gradually decreased to nothing.
Annasta motioned to the tub of water beside the stove and Jenny got the message. She grabbed a bowl and filled it with the cool water, while her mother fetched a sterile rag. Jenny brought the bowl over and knelt down beside Munkustrap, who was panting as he moaned softly in pain. The yellow and orange tabby queen was glad he was unconscious, or he wouldn't let her anywhere near him. As she wrung the rag out to get rid of excess water, she was about to place it on Munk's chest when Demeter blocked her paw.
"Umm…May I?" Dem asked shyly, gesturing with her free paw to the rag.
Jenny smiled and handed it to her. "Sure, just remember to gently place it on the wound. Don't dab it, or it will take off skin. Don't forget about his cheek, either." She advised, glancing momentarily at her mother. Annasta nodded in approval.
The black and gold queen proceeded as instructed. Munk hissed at the sensation of the cool rag on his chest, and Jenny breathed a slight sigh of relief. She was glad the burn hadn't damaged his nerves. The young silver tabby squirmed and whimpered as the treatment continued, and it was obvious that his sounds of pain were affecting Demeter. Her face grew grim, but she refused to give up. She even reached a paw out to hesitantly stroke Munk's headfur and softly croon soothing words to him. The result greatly surprised Jenny. Munkustrap relaxed after a few strokes and a tiny smile replaced his previous frown. His creased brow smoothed and he appeared for all the world to be sleeping peacefully, despite the pain Jenny knew he was in.
"Wow," The yellow and orange tabby queen breathed, "you seem to have quite the effect on Munk, Dem. I can never make him relax when I'm nursing him."
Demeter smiled modestly and replied, "I guess that's the benefit of being in love. You forget everything except the other person. Plus, Munk likes my voice and he knows I'll never hurt him intentionally. Does the wound seem clean enough to you?"
Jenny inspected the burn. It was clean and the charred fur had returned to its original white colour. She nodded and took the rag from Demeter. "We can't put ointment on it yet because the skin is still too damaged. For now we can wrap his chest with gauze, but not too tight, or the burn won't be able to breath and heal properly. Tomorrow we can apply the ointment to keep out infection." She explained as she turned to her mother. The elder yellow tabby queen was already one step ahead of her daughter and was bringing the gauze in one paw. Demeter hoisted Munk up into a sitting position and Jenny quickly wrapped the gauze around his chest before he could get too uncomfortable. The silver tabby tom was on his back again within minutes.
Although the treatment was finished for now, Demeter refused to leave Munk's side. When Jenny asked why, she shrugged and responded, "I just don't feel like it would be fair. I know Munk wouldn't leave me if I was in the same situation as he is. No, I think I'll stay the night in case he doesn't wake up today. My sister Bombalurina will probably be with Tugger, so I don't have anyone but myself and Munk to worry about."
The yellow and orange tabby queen couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Dem's unwillingness to leave Munk's side than she let on. "I'm sorry if I sound like I'm getting too personal, but how do you feel about Munkustrap? How do your feelings compare with those you have for Macavity right now?" Jenny asked tentatively.
Demeter furrowed her brow, thinking seriously about the questions. After a long minute she replied carefully, "I don't know what to think about Mac. He insulted me in public, and it hurt to hear him say those words. I know he still cares deeply about me, but…as you can see he's getting harder to handle with each passing day, and I feel kind of anxious around him. When I'm with Munk, I don't have to worry. He's practically like a brother to me. I don't know where I would be without him, and I trust him completely. I also love Macavity, and I'm determined to get to the bottom of his recent strange behaviour."
"I'm glad you won't give up on Mac this easily. It tells me you really do care and that he just needs to get a handle on things, that's all. You're the perfect one to help him get back on track." Jenny said sincerely. "Well, it seems you've got everything under control here. You're a very good nurse, Demeter. I'm off to find Jelly and see how she's holding up." She patted Dem's shoulder and stood up.
Jenny left the den in search of her best friend. She found her discussing something with her mother by the giant tire in the center clearing. They were using low, concerned voices, like they were afraid someone might overhear them. The pair abruptly stopped talking as Jenny walked up to them, though their faces weren't as worried as their voices had been a moment ago.
"Hey Jenny, how's Munkustrap doing?" Jelly queried. Her usually chipper demeanor was anything but right now. Jelly's mother had the same tenseness lining her features. Jenny knew they were both deeply troubled about something.
Jenny tried to appear casual and worry-free, but she failed. Her own concern coloured her voice, despite her efforts to keep it hidden. "Munk has a pretty bad burn, but he should be fine in a couple of weeks. I don't expect it to leave much more than a scar. He's in good paws with Dem, though. She says she won't leave his side until he wakes up. She's so sweet and tender when it comes to Munk. He's lucky to have a friend like her." She explained, and Jelly and her mother audibly sighed in relief.
"At least that's one piece of good news. We just heard about the punishment Mac is getting. Turns out he's being put under den arrest until further notice. Den arrest! Can you believe it?" Jellylorum exclaimed, throwing her paws up in the air for emphasis. Her mother sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose as if she too disagreed with the penalty.
The yellow and orange queen was a bit surprised to hear this. She had a feeling that Macavity's punishment was going to be harsh due to the nature of his attack, but even Old Deuteronomy seemed to be taking extra precautions. It was clear he wanted to send a message that severe actions had severe consequences. "Mac's a prisoner in his own den? He'll go mad! Everyone knows it's a horrible idea to try and contain that tom!" Jenny exclaimed in disbelief. Macavity was known for being a difficult tom, but having rules and regulations forced upon him just seemed to anger him more. She knew this because Macavity was always an independent tom and he never took kindly to the protocol enforced upon him by his parents. Curfew didn't exist for him, he never studied the traditions of the Jellicles like Munk did, and the only reason he became Jellicle Protector was because he was the oldest in the family. Other than that, the only time he exercised his position was to boss others around, usually by force.
Jellylorum and her mother nodded solemnly. "Old Deuteronomy appears to be putting his foot down. He knows he needs to start making Macavity a more responsible tom, and I suppose showing him that actions have consequences is the first step in molding Mac into a Jellicle Protector we can all rely on." Jelly's mother commented seriously. With her opinion expressed, she bid her daughter and friend farewell and went to go hunt for dinner.
"You can say that again." Jenny thought sarcastically as the older queen strode away.
Just like with the ever-present blanket of gray clouds that obscured the blue sky, the tense mood didn't seem to lift from the junkyard. Jenny was a bit more relaxed when Jelly pried the details out of her about her date with Skimbleshanks the previous night, though.
"Skimble carried you five blocks from the train station? If that's not chivalry, I don't know what is. I think it's finally happened, Jenny." Jelly said with an air of seriousness to her voice. They were sitting on the TSE-1, trying to absorb what little warmth they could from the metal.
The yellow and orange tabby queen stared blankly at her best friend. "What's finally happened?" She questioned dumbly. Jenny had barely been listening because her mind was preoccupied by Macavity. His punishment was a suitable one, but it didn't seem fair that all these bad things were happening to him. Was he ever going to get out of the rut he had fallen into?
Jelly puffed out her chest a little to make it appear like what she was about to say was very important. "A tom has finally fallen head over heels for you, that is what's happened!" She proclaimed with a knowing smile.
Jenny gave her usual reaction of a sigh and an eye-roll, but caught herself. What Jelly was saying actually made sense. Given Skimble's behaviour and the recent events that had occurred with him, it wasn't wrong to believe Jelly's assumption. Jenny rested her chin on her knuckles and thought for a moment. All she could come up with was, "Jelly…I think you're right. Skimble is in love with me."
"See? And here you thought you were too boring for anyone to like you! Aren't I the best match-maker ever?" The brown and white queen twittered joyfully.
Her best friend ignored the comment completely, as she was still mulling over her relationship with Skimble. "The question now is…Do I see him in the same way?" Jenny murmured to herself.
Jelly had no trouble recognizing the gravity of the question. She remained silent as Jenny carefully considered the answer.
After a few minutes of contemplation Jenny sighed heavily, "I don't know. Nothing has happened yet that tells me, 'I need Skimble' or 'I want him in my life rather than out of it'."
"Hmm…I know how you feel. I had that decisive moment in my relationship with Gus, too. You know what the turning point was for me?" Jelly began.
Jenny, of course, had heard the story before, but she didn't mind her friend telling it again. "What?" She decided to play along.
"It was when I broke my leg falling from a tall trash pile. Gus fell too, but he was lucky enough not to get injured. He blatantly refused to leave my side, even when that important audition was being held on the same day. I begged him to go because I knew how much he wanted to be in that production, but Gus didn't dare leave me. I still remember him saying, 'I don't care about the audition. You're more important, Jellylorum.' That's when I realized he loved me enough to put all else aside." Jelly didn't end with a dreamy sigh like Jenny expected her to. Instead she sat upright and pricked her ears. "Do I hear…singing?" She wondered aloud.
The yellow and orange tabby queen cocked an ear. Her lips instantly broke into a smile as she recognized not only the voice, but the song as well. Jenny grabbed Jelly's paw and raced towards the voice that was singing Loch Lomond in a Scottish baritone. Soon enough, Jenny spotted the voice's owner by the gate of the junkyard. Skimbleshanks stopped singing as the pair skidded to a stop at the fence.
"Hey Jenny, you weren't kidding when you said his voice was as good as Gus'." The brown and white queen commented quietly.
Jenny's smile merely widened as she gave her friend a slight nod. She turned to Skimble and queried, "What brings you here? I thought you didn't get off until four…?" Indeed, the faint sphere of the sun indicated it was only three o'clock in the afternoon. Skimble was still in his waistcoat.
"Yes, well…" The orange tabby tom shrugged, "Coilin let me off early so I could come see you. I heard a bunch of lads talking at the station about a new nightclub that was opening not too far from here. Near where you work, I think. I was wondering if…you wanted to go with me this Friday. I don't have the Midnight Mail shift on Fridays as it's the weekend, so…" He trailed off, biting his lip nervously.
Jenny nodded her head fervently. "Of course! I'd love to! Can Jelly and Gus come, too? Would you mind if it was double date…?" She lowered her voice on the last phrase, not sure as to whether or not Skimble wanted it to be just the two of them.
"Not at all, Miss Jenny. The more the merrier, right?" Skimble smiled, but it seemed forced.
Jelly appeared to pick up on the orange tabby's reluctance, too. "If you don't want Asparagus and I to come, it's perfectly alright. We don't want to intrude."
"Well…I was sort of hoping it would be just Miss Jenny and I…But I don't want to be impolite by declining." Skimble mumbled, averting his gaze.
Jelly placed a paw on Skimble's shoulder to get his attention. "Then Gus and I won't come. I feel like we've tagged along too many times, anyway. It'll be just the two of you, enjoying yourselves at the new pub." She reassured him with a pat.
The orange tabby tom nodded, secretly glad. "Thank you, Jellylorum. I apologize if I've disappointed you. I'd best be going. See you on Friday then, Miss Jenny?" Skimble focused on the queen in question.
"Pick me up here at sunset. Go catch up on your sleep, Skimble. You'll need it." Jenny bid farewell and the orange tabby bowed his head before heading off.
When Skimbleshanks was out of sight and earshot, Jelly turned to her best friend as they began walking back to the center clearing. "You know, something Skimble said caught my interest. He said the new bar was 'near where you work'. Did he mean the junkyard?" She asked in earnest.
Jenny bit her lip as she replied quietly, "Not exactly…"
Jelly narrowed her eyes at Jenny and the latter instinctively dropped her gaze. "Jenny…" She warned in a low growl.
The yellow and orange tabby queen twirled a strand of her headfur as she chuckled awkwardly, "Funny thing…I-I told Skimble that uhh…we work as nurses in the West London Veterinary Hospital." She cringed at Jelly's hiss.
"You lied to Skimbleshanks? Why? No, better question: What do you think he'll do when he finds out that not only do you not work there, but you've also been lying to him this whole time? Why'd you have to drag me into this, too?" Jelly snapped, clearly angry. It was a very rare occurrence for her to blow her top.
Jenny answered quickly before her friend could get too riled, "I didn't mean to! Honest! I just thought that he would like me better if he knew I didn't work in a dump. I've also told him that we're professional nurses. Sorry!"
"Oh Jenny…Did you really think that Skimble is shallow enough to base his affections for you on prestige? He's going to flip when he realizes that you've been dishonest with him! What else did you lie about?" The brown and white queen exclaimed exasperatedly.
"Nothing, I swear! Just play along with it, Jelly! Please?" Jenny begged her best friend.
Jellylorum crossed her forelegs over her chest and her eyes became hard. "Absolutely not. You're going to tell him the truth before this blows up in your face." She ordered without a hint of sympathy in her tone. Jelly was usually the one to joke around and take things lightly, but when it came to morals she was dead-serious. Jenny knew this better than anyone.
In her heart the orange and yellow queen knew this was best for her, but the stubborn part of her mind wouldn't acknowledge it. "I'll tell him after the bar on Friday. That way it won't ruin the mood for the night." Jenny mumbled as she pouted.
"How long have you been keeping this from Skimble so it wouldn't 'ruin the mood'?" Jelly eyed her friend suspiciously.
"Since our first date…" Jenny responded guiltily.
The brown and white queen sighed and shook her head. "Why did you think it would make a difference whether you worked here or in that vet hospital? Did you think that Skimble might not have gone out with you if you said you worked here?" She asked a bit more gently.
The yellow and orange tabby queen stared at the ground for a minute as she thought. "In that moment, I wanted to make a good impression. I wanted to seem like I had more to offer than just 'the queen who works in a junkyard'. I mean, you've seen the place Skimble works at, right? He's got an important job in an even more important place! Me, I'm just your run-of-the-mill nurse who lives in a dump. That doesn't sound very impressive to you, does it?" Jenny explained sadly.
Jelly rubbed her friend's back comfortingly. "I'm sure he would like you no matter who you are. If Skimble truly did want to be with you, then he wouldn't care about your profession. But now that you've been lying to him, don't you suppose he'll think less of you because of it? If you come clean by yourself he'll still be a bit hurt, but he'll give you another shot because he knows you're mature enough to own up to your mistakes. Don't let this fester, alright? It will be better for everyone who is involved." She advised with a small smile. Jenny returned it as they stepped into the center clearing. She did feel better about the whole thing, but how was she going to break it to Skimble? Jenny decided to cross that bridge when she came to it. For now, she wanted to see how Munkustrap was doing. She figured it was about time to cool him off with some more water.
Jenny bid Jelly goodbye and headed to her den. When she stepped inside she greeted her parents, "Hey Mom, hey Dad. How's-"she got cut off as her father put a finger to his lips and pointed to the silver tabby tom in the middle of the den. Jenny immediately shut her mouth and looked in that direction. She broke into a smile.
Demeter was curled up next to Munkustrap, who had put his arm around her as she rested her head on his shoulder. The black and gold queen had her paw lying on Munk's torso, and it was intertwined with his free one. The silver tabby appeared to show no signs of pain. In fact, his face was completely tranquil, as was Demeter's. The burn on Munk's chest and his left cheek were plainly damp, and Jenny figured Demeter had beaten her to it in terms of treating him.
At that moment, Jenny heard a faint pitter-patter on the metal making up most of the den's roof. The raindrops grew stronger until they had reached a steady, drumming rhythm. The yellow and orange queen quickly came to the conclusion that it was pointless to go outside now, so she settled for catching up on her studying. Jenny grabbed a notebook from a shelf in the den and sat down by the wall. She quickly became absorbed in the processes for how to treat varying degrees of burns as well as gashes, infections, and what types of medicines to use for each. Before she knew it, it was dark outside and her parents were already at the dinner table. Demeter was too, and the family ate their food silently.
The black and gold queen woke Munkustrap up to offer him some food, and he gratefully wolfed it down as efficiently as he could. Then the pair settled into the same position as before, only Dem stayed awake. She watched the silver tabby tom as if guarding him. Jenny had begun to feel tired from her stressful day, so she said goodnight to her parents and Demeter and curled up in her own nest. It took her a while to get to sleep, as her predicament with Skimble kept popping up in her mind, but eventually the yellow and orange queen fell into a light slumber.