The south beaches of France were absolutely beautiful. Raul led them to one particular beach that had a high fence around it to 'keep the humans out'. There was an entrance hidden behind a rose bush that, upon closer inspection, only had thorns on the outsides. On the other side of the fence was a small stretch of beach untouched by humans. The sand was white and smooth, and warm beneath the paws of the weary travelers. The sparkling ocean pounded on the beach, retreating and swelling rhythmically.

Before anyone could stop her, Joan was running off through the sand like she never had before. Well, she stumbled more than she stayed upright, but the smile on her face kept anyone from stopping her. Fenna glanced at Soot, and the two were racing towards the water, leaving their belongings high above the waterline. Soot dove right into the ocean, and soon the two queens were soaked and laughing. Joan looked like she wanted to join them, which caused Victoria to run in after her daughter. A chain reaction started, and soon the whole group was soaked and splashing in the ocean.

Electra coughed as the water went up her nose and mouth, and tried to spit out the salty taste. She retreated to higher ground, and began licking water out of her fur—only to stop to gag on the salt water.

"That's the ocean for you,"

Electra glanced behind her to see a queen sitting and watching the playing cats. She looked almost exactly like Raul, but her eyes were a light shade of grey instead of brown. She smiled at Electra. "My name is Sahara," she said. Electra expected her to have a strong Italian accent like Raul, but she didn't. "I hope my brother hasn't bothered you too much?"

Electra shook her head. "He's really nice," she said. "I don't think I've seen him frown yet."

Sahara laughed. "Neither have I, young one," She sat next to Electra. "What's your name?"

"Electra," she said. "Nina is my mother."

"Ah, yes," Sahara watched the playing cats. "I can see the resemblance. And don't worry about getting the salt out of your fur," she smiled. "Living next to it my whole life has taught me a lot."

After everyone was done playing and clean of the salt water [a/n use your imaginations…] Raul and Sahara went to work stacking bits of driftwood in a sort of pit. Victoria, Plato, Joan and Electra were confused until Fenna rubbed her paws together and pointed them at the pile, which suddenly burst into flames. Electra blinked at the sudden brightness in the fading daylight, and scooted to a comfortable distance from the heat.

"Raul," Sahara turned to her brother. "Si va catturare qualche pesce?"

Raul nodded and padded off along the beach while Sahara gathered some long sticks, blackened from being held above the fire. "We will be roasting our fish tonight," she said with a grin. "Everybody know how to cook it?" The four from the Jellicle tribe shook their heads, while Mahra, Soot and Fenna nodded vigorously. Sahara passed the sticks out while she explained. "Break off a piece of meat and put it on your stick, then hold it over the fire until the outside is slightly golden, and when you pinch it with your claws it is nice and tender, and you can break it apart easily. Understand?"

They all nodded, eager for their dinner. Raul soon came back with a trio of large fish slung across his back in a net. He also had a bit of canvas, which his put the fish on so they wouldn't get sand in their food. Electra tore off a bit of the meat and speared it, her mouth watering. The rest of them did the same, and soon the air was filled with the smell of roasting fish.

Once their bellies were all full and they were lying comfortably around the fire, Electra felt her eyes drifting close. Then Sahara smiled at Joan. "Do you know any songs, mia bellezza?"

"Yeah," Soot propped herself up on her elbows. "Jellicles are famous for singing and dancing,"

Joan fiddled with a small shell and gazed at the fire. "I've never really tried before," she said finally. "Not any real songs, anyway,"

"It's not something we can teach you," Plato said with a smile. "You already know how."

Joan was silent for a moment longer, and then she took a deep breath. "Imagine there's no heaven. It's easy if you try. No hell below us, above us only sky... Imagine all the people living for today... Imagine there's no countries," she sang. "It isn't hard to do. Nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too," Everyone was smiling now, loving the sweet sound of Joan's voice. "Imagine all the people living life in peace," She turned to her dad, who joined in.

"You may say I'm a dreamer," Plato sang. He lifted Joan's chin and she smiled. Electra found herself humming along in harmony with Victoria, and Fenna and Soot were even joining in. "But I'm not the only one. I hope someday you will join us, then the world with live as one."

"Imagine no possessions," Electra turned to see Soot blushing as she sang. "I wonder if you can," She nudged Fenna, who joined in. "No need for greed or hunger; a brotherhood of man,"

Electra sang with them, feeling the music flow through her as naturally as breath or blood. "Imagine all the people," Mahra, Victoria, Raul, and Sahara were also singing, and had joined paws with each other. "Sharing all the world,"

"You may say I'm a dreamer," Joan sang alone. "But I'm not the only one,"

Electra held out her paw for Joan's as she sang along. "I hope someday you will join us,"

"Then the world will live as one," Everyone applauded as they finished together, and Electra was glad for the chance to sing; one small bit of home in this foreign place.

Jemima and Etcetera curled up in Jemima's den, chatting about their kitten-hood memories. They were having a sort of slumber-party since Tumble was on night patrol and Etcetera would be lonely in their den for the night.

"Do you remember that day we played truth or dare?" Etcetera asked.

"Which one?"

The two queens were silent for a beat, and then burst out laughing. Jemima grinned. "We've played it so many times, they all just blur together,"

"I know, right?" Cettie sighed. "I was actually referring to the game when we tried to get Electra to tell us her crush."

"Oh, that one," Jemima arched her back. "As I recall, she avoided us for the rest of the day."

"Did she ever answer the question?" Etcetera squinted, trying to remember. Jemima shook her head.

"We couldn't get it out of her," she said. "She mumbled something we couldn't understand and ran off as soon as the game was over. Now that I think on it," Jemima tapped her chin. "She had a tendency to do that whenever she got embarrassed about something,"

"Maybe she just wanted to be alone?" Etcetera suggested. They both shrugged.

"Whatever the case, we're definitely going to play it when they get back," Jemima said firmly. Etcetera nodded, smiling.

"And by then, you and Misto will be hitched," she nudged Jemima playfully. "We'll have little kittens running around here again,"

"You know who you sound like?" Jemima teased. "Jellylorum, she always talked about kittens like that. Speaking of which," she sobered up a bit. "Any luck yet?"

Etcetera's face fell, and she immediately began fiddling with her claws. "No," she mumbled. "I'm beginning to think something's wrong with me,"

"Don't say that!" Jemima said sharply. "There is nothing wrong with you!"

"Then why hasn't anything changed?" Etcetera demanded. "Tumble and I, we want to start a family, but—" her voice broke off with a sob, and Jemima regretted bringing up the subject. Jemima pulled herself next to her friend and wrapped her arms around her shoulders.

"Things will get better," Jemima said softly. "Just you wait and see,"

Etcetera didn't answer; she was sobbing quietly into her paws. Jemima tried to think of a way to make her feel better, but nothing came to mind… at least for her to say. Jemima smiled to herself and began to sing.

Smile, though your heart is aching,
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...

If you smile
With your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just...

Smile, though your heart is aching
Smile, even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky
You'll get by...

If you smile
Through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile...

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Etcetera was asleep now, with her head on Jemima's shoulder. When the small calico stole a glance at her friend's face, she was happy to see the faintest of smiles gracing Etcetera's features. A soft knock at the entrance of the den made Jemima look up, and she saw Mistoffelees standing there, carrying an extra blanket.

"I was just checking to see if you wanted this," he said, holding the blanket out. Jemima smiled.

"Yes," she said. "Please and thank you,"

Misto stepped in and carefully draped the blanket over the two queen's shoulders, and sat next to Jemima. "You going to be okay for the night?"

"Misto," Jemima gave an exasperated sigh. "I'm perfectly fine, thank you," she kissed his cheek. "I just want you to get enough sleep. You haven't fully recovered from all those treatments you were giving Joan."

"Speaking of her," Misto smiled. "Layla was talking to her sister and told me that the sea air is doing wonders for Joan. A few nights ago, she led the group in a song, and she's relearned how to walk, and is now learning how to swim."

"A cat swimming?" Jemima scoffed. "Sounds a little strange, but if it means Joan is getting better, I'm all for it."

"Yeah," Misto stared off into the distance and yawned. "Well, if you don't need anything else, I'm off to my den."

"There is one thing," Jemima said quickly. Misto looked at her, waiting for an answer. She smiled. "Kiss me good night?"

Mistoffelees smiled and complied, absolutely loving the thumping his heart made whenever he kissed Jemima. He sighed when they pulled apart, and pressed his forehead against hers.

"I love you," he murmured.

"I love you, too," Jemima whispered back. She watched with lidded eyes as he left the den, and soon she was asleep, dreaming of her love.

The songs are Imagine by John Lennon, and Smile by Michael Jackson. Two of my all-time favorite pick-me-up songs, I just had to put them in!