A/N: Okay, okay! Here's the request from Chimalmaht. The title is actually an old folk song, which I found fitting, since Munkus is a silver tabby. (hee! I own a silver tabby now! And he's cute!) So... without further ado, here's the story. And, I'll warn you, it's a bit short. But very moving.

Disclaimer: I don't own CATS, Munkus or Deme. But I do own a silver tabby named Romeo. And this story is written purely for fun, not money.

Summary: Deme and Munkus have a 'talk'.

By the Light of the Silvery Moon

"Deme?" A voice spoke from behind the cardboard flap that served as a door, causing the small black and gold queen to start suddenly. But this voice was soft and kind, not deep and frightening. It conjured up only good feelings, not bad ones. Munkustrap.

"Come in, Munk," she called, trying bravely to fight off the tremble in her voice, and failing miserably. Even as the tall silver tabby eased through the flap, she took a few nervous swallows to try the calm herself.

"Deme... you were crying in your sleep again. I was on my rounds, and heard you crying. The sound broke my heart. What's wrong, little love?" He butted his forehead against hers, purring softly as he had at the jellicle ball just over a year ago. The small queen, in turn, ran her cheek along his, adding her own soft purr to his.

"Munk... you know what he.... What Mac did to me," she began in halting sentences. "He took my innocence... made me his queen... made me hurt you and Old Deuteronomy. Made the whole blasted tribe hate me because of what he made me become..."

"Deme," the silver tabby began, only to have his mate press her paw to his mouth in an attempt to silence him.

"No... don't. I'm dirty, Munk. You deserve someone pure and innocent... not soiled like me. Someone like Victoria," she whispered. The pure white queen was young, but not that young. Yet... Vicki had her own beau to flaunt. The conjurer seemed to have an interest in her lately. But... no. Demeter wouldn't dwell on that right now. She had to get Munkustrap out of here, now, before she ended up doing something foolish. Like getting attached to him all over again.

"Demeter... I love you. There's nothing there that cannot be forgiven. He used you, little love. He used everybody in this tribe, but you most of all. Deme, I would die for you. Why won't you let me love you?" Hurt in the silver and black toms voice had begun to rise.

He honestly loved her, she realized. And, in that moment, it was like a dam breaking. In a rush, she threw herself against his chest, burying her face into his thick fur, sobbing like there was no tomorrow. In response, strong arms tightened around her, as one hand rubbed soothingly over her back. The other continued to hold her close.

"Oh, Munk, I'm sorry. I love you so much it hurts... I'm sorry..."

The silver tabby cuddled his mate closer, purring lovingly, before realizing that there was nothing to forgive. "No... I don't forgive you, for there's nothing to forgive."

"I love you..."

"And I you, little love."