AN: Mwhaha! Evil writer's block has ended, and a plot is beginning to work itself out! Ah, and pretty much starting now, there will be a nifty little subplot featuring Christine and Amber written by -trumpet fanfare- Kel the Nightmare! -crickets chirping- She's been by beta forever, and she's also the author of Follow the Leader and When Victoria Reigned, which actually isn't half bad.

Pronunciation Guide: Tie is said the same way as 'to tie', and Kerl is pronounced the same as 'curl', only with more emphasis on the K.

"Teazer?"

"Hmm?"

"Why does Munkustrap worry all of the time?"

The queen had to think it over for a minute. "That's just the type of cat he is," she replied finally. "If he wasn't worrying about something, he'd go crazy. As for me, I can't stand worrying. Whatever happens, happens. No use wishing it was different because wishing alone won't get you there."

"Did I worry all of the time?"

"Not out loud. On the outside, you seemed so calm. Relaxed, laid back, at peace. But Mum says you were stressed out a lot, there was a lot of pressure on you. But you handled it somehow, I guess. Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering…" he said, an overly innocent undertone in his voice. "Jenny and Skimble, they both worry a lot, don't they?"

"Fuss would be a better word, really. Mum and Dad pay a lot of attention to detail, and they both get a bit snippy if something's not exactly right."

"So… could someone who worries a lot and someone who doesn't worry… could they, you know, get along as mates, say?

"Why do you ask?" Rumpelteazer questioned, narrowing her eyes. "You're not talking about Munkustrap and me, are you?"

"It's funny that you just said that all on your own…"

"Listen here, puffball. Munkustrap and I are just friends."

"But him and Tugger are friends, too," he protested. "And he spends a lot more time with you than he does with him."

"That's because the Rum Tum Tugger is an idiot."

"How come everyone always say that?"

"Because it's true."

"But just maybe, maybe, there's a chance you like him?" he asked, looking up at her. "'Cause sometimes when he's not looking you stare at him for a really long time and you get this funny look on your face and then you sigh and look away as soon as he moves his head."

Rumpelteazer looked around, as if checking for spies. "Okay, between you and me, Munkustrap's great. He's kind, he's responsible, and he's got beautiful eyes. But nothing's ever going to happen. Now go to sleep."

"That's what you think," Deuteronomy muttered with a smile, laying his head down and closing his eyes.

"What's that you just said?"

"Nothing…"

Munkustrap had thought that he and Asparagus had been alone. He had been mistaken. Unbeknown to both toms, a third male cat had been watching, his ginger body hidden behind an old refrigerator. And now he stalked through the junkyard, following the silver tabby.

Finally, the silver tom stumbled into a part of the junkyard where cats rarely went. There was an old car that looked like it would have made a good den, and plenty of space for playing and lounging.

Macavity looked around, and an evil smile crept over his face. Oh, this was all too perfect. He stepped out of the shadows.

"Hello, Munkustrap."

The tabby spun around, hissing with rage. "Old Deuteronomy lived, your plan failed."

"I knew he'd live from the start. Bustopher Jones hardly has the might to kill him. Besides, I want to feel his hot blood on my paws when I kill him."

"You…" Munkustrap couldn't think of a suitable word for the emotions he felt for this cat.

He looked around, as if remembering something fondly. "Ah yes, quite the coincidence that you ran to this place. Look over there, at that car." He pointed with a ginger paw. "Over there's where I killed them, you know. Orion first, he tackled me to protect his mother and sister. He put up quite a fight, I'll admit it willingly. I dragged him into the den to finish him off, so that his mother could see."

The silver tabby gave a strangled cry, not believing any cat could be so cruel.

"And then the little one, and how that queen begged me not to. To take her first. I made her watch as I cut her tiny little newborn into ribbons. Her, I had mercy on her. I slashed her throat quickly, I guess I am a bit of a softie for queens. Old Deuteronomy came soon enough, foolish old tom. I would have killed him right there, had Balitio not come near. I sensed him, and knew he could kill me with his cowardly magic. Funny, the tom who saved Old Deuteronomy's life, and his son the same thing, and his brother almost took it away…"

"Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you now!"

"I'll give you two. Reason one, you couldn't. Reason two, it's not very nice to kill family."

Munkustrap's eyes widened. "F-family? You're no family of mine! I'm ashamed to share a species with you, Macavity, let alone a bloodline!"

"Think about it, Munkustrap. I know you know the truth. Did you know that Cronus had two kittens?"

"One died," the tabby said, shaking his head frantically. "One died, it wasn't weaned."

The larger tom smiled. "Actually, that's just a rumour Old Deuteronomy started, spread, and encouraged. For your sake. How could it have died, Munkustrap? You're standing right in front of me."

He backed away slowly. "No… No, you're lying…"

"You suspected it, Munkustrap, you just didn't want to believe it. Even Asparagus said it, you've got Father's eyes. Think it's a coincidence you were found two weeks after Old Deuteronomy's family was slaughtered? You had only been weaned for a few days then, correct?"

The silver tom was silent. What could he say?

Macavity gave a chilling smile. "How about a hug, little brother?"

Munkustrap turned and ran.

"Ground control to Major Tom," Todd sang softly. "Ground control to Major Tom,

Take your protein pills and put your helmet on…"

The garage was cluttered, but room had been made for amps, an old drum set, and a dust-coated keyboard that had been shoved off to the side.

Todd Hamilton was seventeen, and looked it. His hair was a dirty blond, more dirty than blonde, and came past his ears. His eyes were light blue, and he was dressed in the usual baggy jeans and black t-shirt. He was the lead guitar and main vocal for Blue Grotto.

Okay, so it wasn't a band so much as three people who attempted to play rock half decently. Besides him, there was Cain McNeil, a pale boy with long black hair that rarely spoke on bass, and Amber Tom on drums, even though she was a year younger than them.

They struggled through the song. It was painfully obvious that something was missing. They had once had another boy on keyboard, but he had up and moved to Ireland, leaving them. They finally finished, letting poor David Bowie's song limp away to nurse what was left of it's dignity.

"Well, that wasn't too bad…" the blond boy said, smiling weakly.

Cain gave a small snort of disbelief.

"We suck!" Amber scowled. "We need a pianist!"

"Yeah, but we've looked everywhere! There's no one who can carry a tune around these parts who's willing to spend their time with a bunch of losers like us!"

"There's got to be someone…" She racked her mind, but came up with nothing. "Maybe… Maybe we could put up posters somewhere that teaches piano or something."

"Like any respectful music teacher is going to let us do that," pointed out Todd.

Amber sighed, shoving her drumsticks into her book bag. "I've got to get going. I've got a ton of homework, and Mum's pissed because I failed my math test."

"I thought you failed your English test."

"… I did…"

He was silent for a moment before remarking "Well that sucks."

"Shut up," she scowled, grabbing her bag and heading out.

"What's her problem?" huffed Todd, scowling.

Cain just shrugged.

"Dad, I'm really worried. He said he'd only be a half an hour at the most, and he's been gone for hours," Rumpelteazer said in a hushed voice, not wanting to wake the sleeping kitten snuggled against her side.

Skimbleshanks gave a small shrug. "I don't know what to tell you. This isn't like Munkustrap at all… I saw him talking to your mother, and then he went somewhere and she wouldn't tell me what she had told him. Now, she just seems worried."

The queen sighed. "Your train leaves soon, you'd better get going. You don't want to delay the mail."

He nodded. "He'll probably be back any minute. Bye, love." Skimble quickly went up the stairs and out the door.

Rumpelteazer sighed again, looking down at the little ball of grey fur. Where on earth could he be…

A few minutes later, she looked up as Munkustrap descended the stairs, shaking slightly. She leapt up, helping him down. "What in the name of the Everlasting Cat happened to you?"

The silver tabby nodded over to where Deuteronomy was sleeping. "… I can't guard him anymore, Rumpelteazer…"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I can't…" he said, closing his cursed blue eyes as a few tears slipped out. "Not when my father killed so many members of his tribe, and my brother killed his family…" He told Rumpelteazer the entire story, including his meeting with Macavity.

The queen was speechless. "Munk…"

"I just came to say goodbye," the tabby said, wiping at his eyes. "I can't stay here. Asparagus knows, at least part of it. Everyone will probably know by tomorrow, I'll be banished for sure. I'm going to save the Jellicles the trouble of throwing me out and leave now."

"… Where will you go?"

"I don't know. I'm going to catch the ferry, go wherever that takes me. I'll try to make it to Ireland, maybe further. I just know that I can't stay around Deuteronomy. I… I'm scared that I'll end up like them, Cronus and Macavity. I won't endanger him. Tell Alonzo he's the Protector now."

"Munkustrap, don't you dare…"

"I'm leaving."

Rumpelteazer struck him across the face, nearly dropping him.

"Son of a…!"

"Get your head on straight, you stupid tom! You try to leave and I'll break all of your legs!"

"Why should you care!"

She pointed an orange paw at the sleeping kitten. "Old Deuteronomy is my grandfather, and you're the only one who can protect him. Alonzo's got three kittens now, and he's not nearly as good a fighter as you are. So smarten up before I knock your block off!"

"Since when do you get off…"

She hit him again, harder this time.

Munkustrap gave a slight whimper and pinned his ears back. "You are so much like your mother that it scares me."

Rumpelteazer smirked. "You're lucky I don't fix up that face of yours." She gave him a none-too-gentle swat on the ear for good measure. "Now you get into that basket and you go to sleep. I'll go talk to Asparagus, and see if I can't convince him to keep his trap shut, if Mum hasn't gotten to him first."

"Aren't you afraid I'll leave?" he questioned, crawling into the basket.

"You wouldn't leave Deuteronomy alone, not with Bustopher Jones out and about. Now rest, you need it."

"Rumpelteazer?"

"Yes, Munkustrap?"

"… Could you please not tell anyone I was beaten up by a queen?"

She gave him an evil smile. "If the mood so suits me. Now sleep, or I'll knock you out."

Christine shut her science textbook, twirling her pen between her fingers and sighing. There had to be something more, something she was missing out on…

She had friends of course, people like her. On the outside looking in. But…

She sighed again, and made a grab for her math text. There was a major Algebra test the next morning, and Christine never liked to be caught unprepared.