Chapter 14: Make it Right

A/N: Oh my gosh guys! I am so sorry! Summer started and I just got slammed with everything. The sad thing is that, for the most part I have the story mapped out. I just haven't found the time to type them out. I really feel horrible. You guys have been so great and you really deserve more regular updates and I am really going to try and crank these out. I really just feel so bad. But I must thank you for your loyalty and sticking with me. As I said, you guys really deserve better. So I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: You would think that this huge gap in updates meant that I found a way to own Cats, but that is not true. I am just busy and sorry.

I tried my best to quickly suppress the overwhelming joy that consumed me, but I couldn't stop the tears of elation or the juvenile giggles that were erupting out of me. I just couldn't help it. Plato! Plato was alive! Out of everything I had lost, he was the one light that illuminated the brightest and warmed me with its glow.

Plato tried his best to smile and take in my enthusiasm. I realized he was probably in some kind of pain, but I couldn't stop my celebration of his miraculous recovery.

After a few minutes of elated crying and giggling, I had calmed myself down enough that I only exhibited a giddy smile and shaky paws. I tenderly sat back down in my seat without breaking my grip on his paws. I never wanted to let go of my friend again. What if he slipped away again as soon as I let go? I still had to convince myself that everything was real.

Plato smiled, and I think he saw my shaking paws as he gently but securely placed he free paw on top of mine. With a gentle squeeze, he waited silently as if making sure I was done with my hysterics.

I disentangled one of my paws and deftly wiped a few last tears from my cheeks and gave a quick shake of my head to clear the jumble of emotions from my mind. I tried to begin the conversation multiple times, but I seemed to be at a loss for words. "Wh-…Plato…Yo-…" After multiple failed attempts, I settled with the most cliché thing to say. "I'm so glad you are okay Plato." Sure, it was boring and safe, but I really meant it.

Plato let out gentle chuckle as he relaxed on the bed and smiled up at the ceiling. "Me too." His soft purr began to reverberate through his chest. "That being said, we have to talk… about Quaxo." He turned his penetrating gaze towards me and stared at me with his piercing, unrelenting eyes.

I felt as if all the air had been punched out of my lungs and a sickening feeling began to build in the pit of my stomach. This wasn't where I was hoping this conversation would go, even though I had to admit it was a logical course.

I immediately removed my gaze from his and focused on the way in which our paws intertwined. I studied how the white of my fur bled into his cream and his russet spots further staining the innocent picture. I thought how unnatural the off-white looked against my white fur. I began thinking about what colors looked more natural when mixed with mine. I began to picture how beautiful a midnight black looked in contrast to my ivory snow. I instantly shook my head of the thought. "P-Plato! Please! I-I don't want to talk about him." My voice hissed just slightly in frustration with myself more than with him.

Silence filled the room and it was almost deafening. My ears felt like they were ringing just from the total lack of sound. There wasn't even a faint rustle from the world outside of the den. It was as if everything had just stopped and all the mattered was the two of us.

Plato finally broke the silence and his voice seemed tired and sad. "Look, I'm sorry Vik, but we have to."

I shook my head a weakly tried to disengage my paws. Luckily Plato had a weak but decent grip on me and kept my paws in place. "There's nothing to talk about." I spat, staring at the ground. "He-He betrayed me… He betrayed us, the tribe! I never want to talk or even think about him again!" My paws began to shake again, but this time because of the rage that consumed me. I quickly became exhausted as I allowed all my emotions to overcome me. I turned my gaze back to Plato and I pleadingly squeezed his paws. "I thought I lost you. I-I don't want to talk about the cause…please."

Plato began to struggle as he tried to lift himself up and off the cot. I became panicked as I tried to settle him down.

"I have to go and find him!" Plato mumbled as he continued to struggle against the soft pressure I had begun placing on his chest as I tried to set him back down on the cot.

"Plato!" I screeched, worried that he would hurt himself. "Listen to me! I'm sorry!" The tears began stream down my face again as more and more guilt began to pile up in the back of my mind. However, it felt so relieving to let those words slip from my mouth. It was as if a weight was lifted off my chest; a weight that I had brutally placed upon myself. On the other hand, releasing those words was a double-edged sword. Once they were freed, Plato was left to act on them. He could either destroy me or raise me up. I knew that if Plato forgave me I would somehow be able to stand again. However, if he refused my apology, I would be completely destroyed and unable to ever pull myself to my feet. I knew it had been a selfish act to say those words to Plato while avoiding everyone else. I knew that he would be the most likely to accept and forgive my transgressions. I would be lying if I hadn't admitted that that was a factor in my decision to blurt out what I had been thinking all day.

The words seemed to have calmed Plato down and he quietly settled down while creasing his features in puzzlement. He propped himself up on his elbow to face me and gently reached his paw out to wipe a single tear. After a moment of deep contemplation a kind smile broke his features and his brow relaxed as the puzzlement vanished. "Vik, there's nothing to be sorry for. Everything is okay."

I was stunned as I stared at him for a moment with my mouth hanging open in shock.

Plato let out a chuckle that I had thought I would never hear again. "You trying catch flies Vi-"

"Plato!" I yelled, interrupting him. My voice was high and shrill, but I tried my best to keep my voice low in almost a whisper. "How? How can you say that? Everything is not okay! Others are hurt! And-and I let him do this to us! I should have seen some clue or something. I let him blind me with the illusion of love…"

I heard a disgusted snort and I sadly gazed into the stern face of my dear friend. There wasn't even a hint of the friendliness that had been there before. "Stop it Victoria."

I flinched as he used my full name.

"I don't want to hear those words again! Love is a-a very precious thing. I will not allow you or anyone else throw it aside so lightly! I would kill for a love like the one I saw between you two." His face softened as another tear was wiped from my cheek. "I need to tell you a secret Vik, I was jealous of you two. Really, I was. You two were so happy together. It was the kind of love that one only sees in storybooks. Whenever I saw you two together, I hoped that I could find a love that was even half of the one that you two shared. Whenever you were together, that jealousy burned within me. And the fact that others, and even you, can't appreciate what you had, what you have… I just can't stand it! I would die for what you had!" As Plato hissed his last sentence, he turned away, unable to look at me anymore.

"But Plato, it wasn't real… It was a one sided love. It became more of a blind crush." It was a weak argument, but I had to try and make Plato understand.

"Stop it!" he hissed back. As I shrank away from him, Plato seemed to realize the harshness in his voice and gave an apologetic sigh as he softened his voice again. "I am sorry Vik. It's just so frustrating. You have to try and understand. Sadness and loneliness; I know those aren't the feelings one hopes to have when falling in love. But I never want to forget and I never want you to forget the real happiness that you two shared, because that was real. I don't care what others tell you or you tell yourself. I need you to believe me. Love doesn't concern itself with what lies behind us or before us. All that matters is what is within us and what we do with those feelings. So tell me Vik, what do you really feel? What do you really want to do?"

I let my eyes close as I took a deep breath and settled my thoughts. Images flashed before my mind as Quaxo filled my head. Reason had no effect. I loved him too much, even though I thought it was wrong. When did I start loving him so much that I couldn't stand it?

I took quick, gasping breaths between the sobs that had begun to rack my body. I wanted to see him so badly I couldn't take it. But he had hurt people! Could I really go to him? Is that really what's best? Making 'myself' a priority? Aren't there things that should come even before that? It's not like I could stand on my own right now. I couldn't give anything back, but I should choose myself? I couldn't stand up on my own. I couldn't go any further, not all by myself.

My paws received a gentle squeeze that also commanded my attention. I opened my eyes and looked into the deep copper orbs before me. Plato was wise beyond his years and I realized that I needed his help now more than ever.

"Can I say what I meant to say from the beginning?"

I gave a weak nod. I could tell from his voice that I didn't really have an option anyways.

"Good. Now, as I said before, I would like to talk about Quaxo. Where is he?"

I swallowed hard and shook my head. "He's gone Plato. He betrayed the tribe and was pursued, but he got away…"

Plato's eyes shot wide open as he began to struggle to sit up for a second time. "You have to find him Vik! You have to!" Those two phrases were all he could say as he angrily shoved my arms away from him.

"Plato, stop it!" I yelled as I was sent into another panic. "You have to look out for your health!"

Plato shoved my paws away again, but collapsed onto the cot panting heavily. He looked exhausted, but he did not lose the look of urgency. "If I look out just for me, who is going to keep an eye out for you and Quaxo?" He panted, grimacing in pain.

I couldn't respond. I just sat and stared at the tom before me. There was nothing I could do to ease his pain. He just didn't understand. "Quaxo is gone." I said simply, assuming that would be the end of the conversation.

There was a bit of silence as Plato waited to catch his breath. Finally, he replied. "That's why you have to find him. You have to make things right Vik. You have to."

"I don't understand."

Plato sighed as he opened his eyes and simply turned his head to face me. "Quaxo deserves better than this. He isn't the villain everyone has made him out to be. What I have been meaning to tell you is that…he saved me. Without his help, I certainly would have died."

What was Plato saying? "Stop joking Plato. This isn't funny…" I hissed, withdrawing my paws and holding them close to my chest.

"I'm not joking!" Plato replied sternly, staring at me with sincere eyes. "After you left, I was slipping in and out of consciousness. News came to the group surrounding me that Addie had been found under a junk pile. Much to mother's despair, I was deemed a hopeless case, and everyone left to help Addie out of the pile. At least that is what I gathered from the bits and pieces I was able to concentrate on. After a while, I gave up on myself and prepared myself to fall asleep, with no intention of waking up. But I suddenly felt this tingling sensation throughout my entire body. I thought that this surely was a strange way to die, but I couldn't say it was wrong, it's not like I had died before…"

I quickly interrupted as I became disgusted by all this talk of death. "Please, Plato, can we stop. I don't want to talk about this…"

He gave a stern shake of his head and cleared his throat to continue. "Have you already forgotten, I am telling you the story about how Quaxo saved my life. I will appreciate no more interruptions."

After I gave a reassuring nod, he continued. "Anyways, as I was saying, there was a strange tingling sensation filling my body. After a few moments I began to open my eyes, curious to see what the Heavyside Layer looked like. However, I was greeted with the blurry vision of two copper eyes set in a white face and framed in black. After a few moments to clear my vision, I realized that Quaxo was bent over me with concern filling his face. His coat seemed to sparkle from the magic that coursed through him, and I quickly realized it was coursing through me as well. That must have been the tingling sensation. I asked what he was doing here and he told be to be quiet, I needed my energy.

"He then went on to explain how he had cleared the pile off of Addie and that he should be alright. He then told me that he was going to give me enough energy for the others to come. All I had to do was try and sleep and preserve that energy. He stayed with me, holding my paw and sending that energy through me until he heard others approaching. He quickly fled. As soon as he released my paw, I passed out. The next thing I knew I woke up and you were sleeping on my arm. But I promise you that Quaxo saved Addie's life and mine. I don't know what happened, but I know he isn't a bad tom. We don't know the whole truth Vik. You need to find it out."

This was almost too much to process; all I could do was continually shake my head. Plato's story was too fantastical, too perfect. It was just what I wanted to hear, but I just couldn't bring myself to believe it. "If that's so, why didn't he just let himself get caught and tell the truth?"

Plato shook his head and rolled it back to face the ceiling. "I am sure he was scared. And I don't think anyone would have believed him. Did you believe him, I am sure he would have tried to tell you…"

I sat there silently as guilt began to burn deep in the pit of my stomach.

"If you wouldn't even listen to him, he wouldn't expect anyone else to…"

I let the weight of his words settle on me. That burning guilt only seemed to be fueled by the silence. I realized that I loved the magical tom, more than I could fully comprehend. I realized that my love may have blinded me to a few minute clues to his affiliation with Macavity, but if he really was the evil cat that I was trying to paint him as, I believe I would have noticed.

Then the real reason for my actions hit me. I was scared. I had been terrified of the feelings I had for him. I had always known that I loved Quaxo, but I was just scared that if I admitted that I loved him, my whole world would change. I knew deep down I had realized that I would love that tom no matter what. However, I fooled myself into thinking that since I thought he was a monster, I couldn't love him. But some dark part, deep I inside of me, told me that I still would have loved him, and that is what terrified me the most.

However, my heart grew lighter as I realized that my fears were for nothing. I let the joy break over me and I couldn't help but smile at the thought.

My self-reflection was interrupted as Plato had more to add to his story. "So I want you to promise me to try your best to make this right, Vik."

I gave a coy smile as I let my joy get the better of me. I wanted to somehow give something back to Plato for everything that he has done for me. I knew now was probably not the best time to play little games, but I had to. It was the only way that I could think of to repay Plato for anything. "I promise, Plato, but on one condition." I kept my voice low trying to stress how important what I was saying was.

Plato's eyes shot over to me and his face became suspicious. His voice was low and dangerous; I clearly should have a put more playfulness in my voice. "This isn't a negotiation Vik."

I gave sigh and shook my head. That was really my fault. I should have played that better, I asked for that scolding. "I'm sorry Plato. I didn't mean it as a negotiation. I am a bit giddy now. However, I am serious. I want a promise out of you in return."

Plato narrowed his eyes but held his tongue as he waited for me to finish.

I didn't want to take his compliance for granted so I immediately continued. "I want you to promise me to make things right on your end as well." I clarified as I saw a look of confusion enter Plato's suspicious eyes. "Promise me that you will tell Cettie how you feel. We can't have any regrets." My voice lost its playfulness and became deadly serious. I may be playing a little game by demanding a promise in return, but the subject of my promise was a serious matter.

Plato seemed to release the breath that I didn't know he had been holding and let out a low chuckle. "I think I can do that. I do believe I have a new kind of perspective on life…I promise."

"That makes two of us." I purred, grasping his paw again.

Plato turned his head away from me and gave a big yawn. He slowly began to close his eyes without turning back towards me. "Well, Vik, I am getting sleeping. I think I'm going to rest now."

I nodded. "That's probably best."

Plato laughed again as he finally closed his eyes and didn't open them this time. "I was just wondering what you were going to do."

I cocked my head in puzzlement, though it's not like he could see me anyways.

"You know, with me asleep and taken care of, what are you going to do with all this free time you now have?" Plato then gave his crooked grin that had always been so endearing as he drifted off to sleep.

The full force of his words hit me as I realized what he meant. I didn't know if he knew or not, but I knew that Quaxo was still in the yard. He promised me. I squeezed the paw that was clasped between my two and whispered a quick thank you. I wasn't sure if he was awake and could hear me or not, but his grin seemed to broaden.

I quickly but quietly stood up and walked to the door of the den. I stopped right at the exit. I took a few steadying breaths. My head just began to spin from all the information it had processed.

After a few moments of silence, my head suddenly cleared and I knew what I had to do. I took off at full speed towards my clearing. The same clearing that I had recently sworn never to visit again was now the only location I wanted to be, I had to be. My heart began to beat faster and faster as I came closer to the clearing. He promised me he would wait; he had to be there. I was done doubting him. Even if he wasn't there, I would find Quaxo. I loved him. That's all there was to it. My feet couldn't carry me fast enough as the junkyard flashed by me.

I realized that at this point I couldn't tell the truth from the lies as they all began to blur together. I could only pray that his promise to wait was one of those truths.

A/N: Guess who reunites in the next chapter! :D