Coricopat hesitated outside the door to Mistoffelees' apartment. He wasn't certain what he was doing there, and was still seeking an excuse even as he knocked on the door. There was a scrambling from inside before he found himself looking down at a rather small light ginger tabby. Ricky scowled up at the older tom, considering him, "Yeah?"

"Is Mistoffelees in?"

"Who's asking?"

That earned an arched brow, "Coricopat Zimmerman."

"His old boss?" The kit sounded skeptical.

"His current agent. Is he in?"

"Don't you have an office?"

"Yes, what of it?" the mottled tom returned, tail lashing slightly behind him.

"Well, you are then fully capable of the possibility of meeting there rather than arriving on our doorstep."

Coricopat smiled thinly, "Well, aren't you just precocious."

"And aren't you just intrusive."

Moments later, Mistoffelees poked his head out from the bathroom, frowning at the sound of voices. Still toweling his headfur off from the shower, he froze, heart stopping for a moment when he saw Ricky confronting Coricopat.

The mottled tom looked singularly unimpressed with Ricky, and the kit didn't look all that pleased either. They both glanced up at Mistoffelees' appearance, Coricopat offering a bit of a smile, "Good afternoon, Mistoffelees."

"Hey," he said, sound slow as he let his hands with the towel lower. "Erm..."

Ricky turned to look at his brother, "He claims he's here to talk about a contract. I think that's what he implied anyhow by mentioning being your agent."

"Yes, that would be the implication. Erm, Coricopat, this is my brother, Ricky, and Ricky, this is, well, my agent Mr. Zimmerman," He gave them both a long look.

"Good to meet you, Ricky," Coricopat offered his hand.

The kit eyed him for a long moment before finally shaking it, "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Zimmerman."

Mistoffelees let out another breath. "So, had you two been talking long?" he managed, not panicking quite yet.

The agent shook his head, "Not really, I only arrived a couple of minutes ago."

"Oh, good, so, was there a reason you came?" Mistoffelees asked, tilting his head back.

"The contract?" Coricopat offered, "There are some details we should discuss, and I was going to propose talking about it over dinner or drinks rather than worry about scheduling with my new secretary. I'm not certain this one knows what a calendar is. At least the last one the agency sent me knew that...even if she didn't know how to file."

Mistoffelees blinked. "How many secretaries have you been going through?" he asked, motioning to the small table. "Sit, let me finish getting dressed."

"Several," Coricopat murmured wearily as he settled at the table.

"Seriously?" he couldn't help but smile, shaking his head slightly. "Hey, Ricky, you done with that homework?"

Ricky scowled, "Almost. Have another six problems and then a couple chapters for English."

"Come on," Mistoffelees said, pushing his shoulder lightly. "Finish and we'll have a chance to go out tonight." After all, the thought of how much money he finally had, while making him giddy, also made him inclined to try and make the last several years of no money up to his brother. Not to mention the left over guilt from the other night.

His brother looked a bit skeptical at that, "Don't you have business to talk about?"

"Yeah," he said with a grin. "Finish it anyway." His brother still looked moderately skeptical, but turned back to his homework. Glancing once back at Coricopat, Mistoffelees offered him a grin. "Do you want, tea or something?"

"I..." he shrugged slightly, "I wouldn't say no to it."

"Give me a moment then, and do get along," he said the later to Ricky as much as Coricopat to slip back into the bedroom and finish getting his shirt on. Coricopat arched a brow at that, glancing at Ricky who was studiously ignoring him in favor of his least favorite school subject.

Moments later Mistoffelees emerged, getting the kettle on before moving back toward the table. "So, contract?" he offered, voice softening.

"Yes, there's an additional offer on the table, not from a director, but from the studio itself. It hinges on success in the latest film, but could be a good idea to consider."

"An additional offer?" he asked, tilting his head. "I know filming is supposed to start next week, and this film should be out... this month I think."

"The offer is a continued contract with the studio. It gives you grounding, a foothold in the industry. It does mean you would have a narrower field of choices of directors, but it's also quite beneficial in the long run."

"You would vote for a continued contract then?" he asked, tilting his head.

"I would repeat that it can be beneficial. Working for the same studio does cause you to run the risk of possibly being type-cast, but it also makes certain you aren't running into the problem of ending up working for two rival studios."

Nodding, Mistoffelees rose to get the kettle down, starting two cups. "And do you, well, believe in this studio?"

Coricopat nodded, "It's a good studio. They produce good films, and treat their actors well from what I've been able to find."

"Well, that's reassuring," Mistoffelees gave him a smile. "Is there much paperwork?"

"Some, most I can handle, but I brought a copy of the contract for you to look over and consider before I start those wheels turning."

"Thank you," Mistoffelees smiled at him, feeling suddenly aware his brother was sitting right there and he couldn't help but moon over the tom at the table. Coricopat returned the smile, startling very slightly as Ricky snapped his math book shut.

Eyes darting over to him, Mistoffelees could feel his tail curl. "Done?" he managed.

"With that. I should do my English..."

"Yeah, probably good. The one you enjoy, right?" his brother offered.

"Right. Better get the reading done for the non-discussion we'll have in the cell they call a classroom," Ricky sighed, getting up from the table and moving over to curl up on the couch.

Mistoffelees blinked once, biting his lip before moving over too. "Come on, it's not that bad, right?"

His younger brother looked up, "No...it's not really, but it's like no one else really cares."

"I'll care, how about that?"

Ricky grinned slightly at that, "Alright, sounds good. I'll do the reading, don't worry. And I'll make it to class too."

"Good," Mistoffelees said, running a hand over his headfur.

Ricky leaned into the touch before he opened his book. Coricopat hesitated, feeling like he was more than slightly intruding at that point. Biting the inside of his lip, Mistoffelees glanced back at Coricopat with a smile. "So, if there's to be this contract, when would you like to get it to me?"

"I can have the current proposed contract for you tomorrow afternoon, if you would be able to come by the office after you're done filming for the day."

"Or, we could meet for dinner?" Mistoffelees offered.

That earned a bit of a smile, "Or we could meet for dinner. Where?"

"Wherever you like. Oh, there's that one new place, off eighth?"

"Sounds good. Shall we say seven?"

"Seven," Mistoffelees nodded, not wanting to let Coricopat out of his apartment. "Was there anything else?"

The mottled tom glanced toward Ricky and shook his head, "Not tonight."

"Then..." he swallowed.

Coricopat rose, inclining his head, "I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good night, Mistoffelees."

"Good night," he murmured, sliding a paw over Coricopat's and smiling at him. The taller offered him a smile in response before leaving the apartment.

Taking a breath once he was gone, Mistoffelees shook his head slightly as if to break himself out of a stupor and turned to the kitchen. Ricky glanced up from his book, but didn't say anything, turning back to finishing his homework.

o.o.o.

The night the movie was set to premier, Macavity stalked up to Coricopat's office, banging the door open and ignoring the mousy looking secretary who startled back, making a small "eep" sound at his entrance. Coricopat opened the door to the inner office, a brow rising, "Mac? Something wrong?"

"Is something wrong?" he snapped, stalking into the inner office and slamming the door shut.

The mottled tom startled slightly at that, "Yes...?"

"Yes, something's wrong," Macavity snapped and got a visible hold on himself, smoothing his hair back. "These goddamn people, with their hearings..."

Coricopat paled, "You've been caught up in it."

Macavity just threw his paws up. "House of Un-American Activities? Which bastard thought up a name like that, huh?"

His friend leaned heavily against the desk, "G-god... When's the hearing?"

"'Bout two weeks?" Macavity shrugged.

"What are you going to do?"

"Whatta mean, what am I going to do? Go, clearly. Testify and all that. I can't tell if they're looking into me or one of my crew or actors at this point."

"Or looking at you to name names."

"Like yours?" Macavity asked, leaning back.

"Possibly," Cori murmured. "Or Mistoffelees'."

Macavity scowled. "I can't even imagine why'd they suspect you anyway." He threw himself in the chair in front of Coricopat's desk, glaring at the wall.

Coricopat sighed, "Not quite what I meant. You could always get out. See if there's someway to skip town."

"Because that wouldn't get me blacklisted," Macavity said, raising his eyes and narrowing them slightly.

"I'm...sorry, I just, sticking around might do so as well."

"Or it might not," Macavity said. "Skipping town? Means I never work here again, hands down. It's not skipping town, at that point it's skipping the country."

"Which at this rate might not be a bad idea..."

"Cor, I do say you're more paranoid than I am," Macavity said, arching a brow.

The mottled tom's ears flickered, "Well, I'm less than inclined to deal with this if they decide to start cycling around more."

"Hell does that mean?" Macavity snorted.

"Means that if they are after you and end up searching around cats associated with you I'm not certain I want to get caught up in that maelstrom, as much as I would like to support you."

The ginger tabby just blinked at him, jaw working slightly for a moment. "First of all," he rumbled. "I wasn't here lookin' for support if that's what you thought it was. The hell you were thinkin', that'd I'd start fingering you or somethin'? That I'd want you involved? Why is it we fight through a war together and the moment the government starts wailin' about possible indecency you turn tail and run?"

The other tom flinched at that, "Mac...I... No. That's-that's not entirely what I meant. I just...I'm sorry. I have gotten more paranoid...more than I should be perhaps." He drew a breath, "What are you going to do if they do blacklist you?"

"Haven't gotten that far," he rumbled. "Mostly because I have no idea what I'm testifyin' on. I refuse to panic over somethin' I don't even know yet."

"Then why show up with such force that you terrify my latest secretary?"

"Because it makes me angry!" he snapped. "It infuriates me, I serve in the army, I storm the beaches of Europe and see things no cat should see in their lifetime, I come home, I make a life anyway, and then they question my ability to create entertainment? They threaten me and those around me for the sake of some psycho who fears the Russians? I, who fought for this freedom, was decorated for this freedom, and this is what I get?"

"I..." Coricopat sighed, nodding slightly, "They're indiscriminate, illogical, but there's nothing to be done about them, as much as we may want to."

The ginger tabby just shook his head. "Damned idiots, all of them."

"No argument there. Eventually, we can hope, this paranoia will fade. For now we just have to pray we make it through it."

"Sure," Macavity said, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back.

Coricopat shook his head slightly, "Who else knows about your hearing?"

"You, them I assume."

Coricopat nodded slightly, "Alright."

"Why? You think this is going to be a problem? I would really have liked this not to coincide with my latest film," he muttered, voice darkening.

The other tom shook his head, "I don't know. Is there really ever a time that you would have preferred?"

"No, but I would have liked my last film to not be utterly over shadowed by this. Think your lover would have preferred it too."

Coricopat bit his lip at that, but nodded, "That would have been ideal, yes, but he has a second film in the works and a potential contract with a studio... hopefully now I suppose."

"Hopefully," Macavity nodded and ran a paw through his headfur.

"Are you holding up alright, Mac?"

"Holding up fine," he muttered, but still looked rather furious.

The other's ears flickered, "I...spoke hastily before. I wouldn't back out on you, Mac. You know that."

"I know," he sighed. "Honestly because you had better not."

"This will work out somehow, Mac. But it might not be a bad plan to have a back-up plan in place in case it doesn't."

Pursing his lips, Macavity finally nodded. "Yeah, yeah."

"The movie premier's tomorrow, right?"

"Tonight," Macavity said, giving him a long look.

Coricopat blinked at that, turning to his calendar and locating the right date, "Oh for the love of...of course."

"Yeah, I can't decide if you want to miss this or not," Macavity said, smile turning amused.

"I'm fully intending to be there, Mac..."

"Good. Just keep your paws away from lack of curves."

"I'm hardly that stupid, Mac..." Coricopat sighed, rolling his eyes.

The ginger tabby finally laughed, shaking his head. "Good."

Coricopat offered him a bit of a smile, "Well, here's hoping it's another hit, hm?"

"I damn well hope so," Macavity muttered, surly for a moment. "Had good actors, I give it that."

"It will go well. Might even manage to not be too overshadowed by the hearing, who knows."

"Yeah," Placing his paws on the chair arms, Macavity rose, tail swishing. "I'll see you tonight then?"

Coricopat nodded, "See you tonight."

With a jaunty wave, Macavity turned toward the door, glancing at the secretary for a moment on his way out. The agent watched his friend leave before going to his secretary and confirming about the film premiere. His irritation rose when she didn't even have it on the calendar.

o.o.o.

The premieres of Macavity Hollister's films were always an excuse for the best and brightest of Hollywood, and of the press corps to turn up. His latest film was no exception, especially with an unknown called in at the last moment for filming. The unknown would not remain so for long, the press trying to swarm around him as much as possible. Stepping a bit closer to Ricky, Mistoffelees' ear flickered. "Is there enough of a crowd?" he murmured.

Coricopat glanced at the smaller tom, "About average for one of Mac's premieres actually. Press aren't permitted in the theatre so we just need to make it there. Smile at them, but don't speak unless necessary."

"Great," he murmured. "Should I wave or something?"

"Mightn't be a bad idea, but either way keep moving."

Smiling at that, Mistoffelees tried to at least meet the eyes of the reporters, but his smile was thin. Even the appearance of Macavity with an unknown queen didn't get all of them off him. Griddlebone glanced at Mac, "Quite the turn out, tonight."

"It is," he agreed, his arm sliding around her waist.

"An awful lot of press too. Good sign or bad sign?"

"Depends on what sort of actions they're goin' to be asking," he replied, smiling down at her. "You okay with this?"

She offered him a bit of a smile, "I am, yes. It's quite the event."

"Always throw parties for my gals," he murmured, waving to the camera with his free paw. She laughed softly at that, smiling and inclining her head toward the camera. "Helps that you're so photogenic."

"Really now? I'm not sure whether to assume that as a compliment or not."

He laughed. "Hey, the first time I met you I wanted you to be an actress, remember?"

That earned a smile, "I do remember that. I also remember having Misto request you leave before I broke something over your head."

"After you slapped me," Macavity murmured, still grinning for the photographers.

"Yes, which was better than a broken pitcher."

That got a long laugh out of Macavity. "I still wouldn't mind making you a star, but I think I prefer you to myself."

Griddlebone's smile brightened at that, "I think I prefer the relative anonymity of simply being your date."

"Is that what we're calling you?" Macavity murmured.

"For tonight at least," she replied quietly. He arched a brow, not quite willing to push it. "Unless you plan to make it public that we're seeing each other, tonight," Grids murmured as they finally reached the entrance to the theater.

"Well, you're here, ain't you?" he replied, voice low as Bomba stepped out of her car, gathering attention away from them a moment.

The white queen offered him another smile at that, "I am."

Once in the theater, he strode up to Mistoffelees and Coricopat, nodding once at the smaller tom. "Made it inside then?"

Coricopat looked at the couple as they approached, "We did indeed."

"No trouble?" he asked, looking between them.

"Not more than expected," the mottled tom replied, glancing toward Mistoffelees and Ricky. The kit was a bit wide eyed and his ears couldn't seem to stay still with the sounds and colors and extravagance around him.

Mistoffelees glanced away back to his brother. "Oh, Macavity. This is my brother, Ricky Quaxo."

Ricky hesitated for a moment before offering his paw to the director, "Pleasure."

"Always good to meet someone," Macavity said, accepting the hand and shaking it.

"Well, shall we see about our seats?" Coricopat offered.

"Certainly," Macavity nodded, returning his arm to Griddlebone's waist as Bomba breezed in. Grids leaned against Mac very slightly as Coricopat waved to Bombalurina.

That night, once the premier was over and the others had trailed off, Mistoffelees sticking a little close to Coricopat, Macavity glanced back at Griddlebone. "Well, m'lady? Shall I take you home?"

The white queen smiled up at him, "I think so, sir."

"After you," he said, motioning grandly to his car before getting the door open for her.

She slid into the seat, "That was quite the film, Mr. Hollister."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Was it worth pulling away your little Misto?"

"I think so. He seems happy in this new life."

"I think so." He paused, considering a moment. "Well, I think there's something more going on there but yeah. He fits."

"This is true, but yes, he fits well," she said, inclining her head in acknowledgement of Coricopat being the something else.

Macavity paused. "Do you know about...?" he started, unsure to actually say it.

"His agent?" She nodded.

"Any thoughts on the guy?" Mac asked, arching a brow.

She shrugged, "I don't think Ricky much likes him, but Misto seems to care about him a lot."

"Did Ricky at least like me?" Macavity teased.

"He seemed a bit in shock, and perhaps in awe, of the whole thing," she answered with a grin.

"So long as he's in shock and awe of me," Macavity laughed.

"I'm sure he was," she returned, soothing his ego.

"It's all about fear and respect, right?" he smirked.

"Somewhat, certainly," she returned the smirk.

"Only some?" he asked, almost sounding offended.

"Well, if that's all it is then I don't see how we work."

"You don't fear and respect me?" he teased, but there was something else behind his eyes.

She offered him a bit of a smile, "Respect, certainly, but I don't think fear is a healthy basis for a relationship."

"Naw, that tends to be about love," he said, dropping the word casually but not quite looking at her.

Grids nodded, "Exactly."

"Exactly?" he asked, voice strained in an odd way.

She nodded, "Yes. I..."

"You?" he asked softly, pulling up in front of her apartment building and glancing over.

The white queen hesitated, "Would you like to come up?"

"You like me to come up?" he asked, voice dropping.

Griddlebone looked up, meeting his gaze as she nodded, "Yes, Mac."

"Hardly say no to that," he said, turning the car off and getting out. Smiling faintly, Grids stepped out of the car, moving over to the building and letting them in, leading the way up to her apartment.

"Looks, like a decent enough building," he remarked. "Good place?"

She nodded, "Decent enough. And the rent's affordable."

"On your bartender's salary?" he asked.

"Waitress's," she corrected, "Alright, so not really. I'm a bit behind right now honestly and need to find a cheaper place."

He tried to repress a sigh but nodded. "You know," he started and stopped.

Grids glanced over her shoulder at him as they finally reached her apartment, "Yeah?"

"Well, I'm sure if you found a roommate that would help," he said with a shrug.

"I've tried that, it didn't really work all that well..."

"Probably didn't have the right roommate," he returned.

"Probably," she agreed, getting the apartment door open and stepping inside. Grids switched on the lights and turned to Mac.

His gaze strayed around the place. "Not like you have a lot to move," he remarked, tail swishing behind him.

"Told you I'm running a bit behind. I don't spend enough time here to need much anyhow."

"Still," he started and shrugged. He really had no idea how to approach any of this.

Griddlebone paused for another moment before stepping over and leaning up to kiss him gently, "Can I get you anything?"

"No," he said, wrapping his paws around her waist and letting out a soft rumbling purr.

She smiled up at him, one paw resting on his shoulder and the other combing through the fur at his temple. Leaning into the kiss, he continued it a few moments before pulling back. "Grids," he started. "Things, they've been making me think a bit..."

"About?" She looked up, mild confusion in her expression, but she didn't move back any further.

"Well, things," he said, still vague and unable to articulate. "You," he managed.

"Me?"

"Well, yeah. You, me, us. If there is us, what are we gonna do if there is, stuff like that."

"I like to think there's an us..."

"I do too," he rumbled. "But, I guess, what about us? Where is us going?"

"I...Where do you want us to go?"

"Not sure, sorta why I was asking you," he laughed softly.

"Well, how far out are we talking?" she arched a brow, still close.

"Tonight. Tomorrow. Month, year, seven years? All of the above?" Even as he was speaking, he was running a paw up and down her paw, the other still at her waist.

"I want us to last that long. Tonight..." She paused, "I want you to stay. Tomorrow we take when it comes. A month from now, I hope to be by your side. Seven years from now? By then I would hope I have a ring on my finger if we're still together."

That got a blink from him. "And in seven years you thinkin' that all likely?"

"I...would like it to be."

He moved just a little closer. "And I'm staying tonight?"

She nodded very slightly, "If you are willing to."

Leaning in to kiss her again, he paused. "And tomorrow?"

"What of it?" Grids murmured, stretching up to return the kiss.

"Is it too early to talk about that roommate thing again?" he smirked into the kiss.

She smirked in reply, "Let's talk about that again tomorrow, hm?"

"Alright," he said, kissing her again, hard. Grids pressed up into the kiss, drawing her tom down closer to her height at the same time. Bending his neck, he just grinned into the kiss, purring deep in his chest.


Even though it's never really explicitly stated in this story, Mac does come from an abusive household. He makes vague reference to it several times but it's very much a part of his make up in this story, as was fighting in WWII. He does more explicitly state that, but he fought in the D Day Invasion of the Normandy Beaches, and when he speaks of "seeing things no cat should see in their lifetimes" he is referencing the concentration camps that he helped liberate.

We hope everyone's enjoying the story! Please leave us a few words on your way out, it means a lot!