A/N: It's not a letter – we couldn't think of how to wrap everything up in letters. We're thinking of doing a sequel to this but every chapter wouldn't be a letter, but it would have one. But yes... To compensate for all the short letters – here's a fairly long write up.

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Rumpelteazer sat off in a somewhat secluded corner of the Junkyard, thinking. She was on the other side of one of the junkpiles that surrounded the main clearing, she could still hear the others talking and the kittens playing, but they didn't bother to disturb her. It's been days since she wrote to Mungojerrie and he hadn't sent a letter back to her yet. Their messenger didn't even come to see her and tell her that there was no letter as he promised to do. She was beyond worried...

Her ears twitched, hearing someone approaching her - and not from the direction of the clearing either. Her heart stopped, seeing one of the agents from Macavity's make his way into her sight, carrying something in his arms. She remembered him from sight, but wouldn't know his name if her life depended on it. He glared at her, dropped the load on the ground, turned and left without a word. Rumpel stood, looking at the red mass curiously and took a step close to it. "Mungojerrie!" She could see a tuft of calico fur poking through what she could only assume was blood stained fur. She ran up to him, going down to her knees beside him. His face was covered in scratch marks, as was the rest of his body. There was no visual attempt that was made to have cleaned him and most of the cuts were still slowly leaking blood.

Rumpelteazer shook her head, her paw over her mouth as tears ran down her cheeks. She went to touch him, but wasn't quite sure if she should. His chest rose and fell quickly as he took in shallow raspy breaths. "Help..." she whispered, looking down at him, crying a bit harder."HELP!"

Jennyanydots walked out of he oven, "Rumpelteazer, dear, what is it?" The moment she saw Mungo she gasped. She had a million questions, but she had to take care of the young tom first. She called out to one of the kittens. "Etcetera, go get Munkustrap; Go as fast as you can." She wished that Deuteronomy wasn't away from the junkyard that day.

"Jerrie," Rumpel whispered as she cried, running a paw through his head fur - which was pretty much the only spot that didn't seem to have been injured. As it is hard to injure head fur, "Jerrie... Wake up." She buried her face in Mungo's chest, clutching to his sides as she cried into his fur, muttering his name over and over.

Etcetera nodded, running off without asking Jenny what it was that she needed Munkustrap for. She knew that she'd be able to find him at Demeter's den, though. He was supposed to be making up for that dinner that got canceled for... some reason – she didn't quite know why.

Munkustrap was enjoying his time with Demeter, very much. It was nice to spend some time alone for her for a change. It would have been nice to have continued being alone with her, too... There was a rather loud and rude knocking at the door that would not stop. Munkustrap sighed, getting up. "One moment, Dem..." he pushed open her door, the knocking continued and eventually, the urgent knocking on the door became the knocking on his chest as Etcetera failed to cease. "Can I help you?"

Etcetera looked up at him, slightly apologetic, "Jennyanydots needs you."

"Needs me; how?"

"I don't know," she shrugged her shoulders. "Rumpelteazer yelled for 'help' and then she yelled at me to get you."

Munkustrap sighed, tuning to say, "Sorry," to Demeter before following Etcetera to where Jennyanydots was.

------

Demeter sighed. This was the price she paid for being the mate of the Jellicle Protector. She decided to go visit Bombalurina; hoping that Rumpelteazer was alright. She walked near the gate and saw the back of a tall red cat, "Bombalurina, is that you?"

Bombalurina turned around, giving Demeter a smile, "Shouldn't you be out romanticizing that mate of yours, right now?"

"He had an emergency to take care of."

"Really," Bombalurina scrunched up her brow, "Does it have anything to do wit that yelling I heard earlier?"

"Yeah, I guess is does."

"Should we..." Bombalurina paused, unsure if she should suggest it, "Should we go see what's wrong?"

"I don't know. Maybe we should wait until Munk tells us about it."

"And halfway through telling us, he'll be dragged off somewhere else," Bombalurina rationalized, grabbing the younger queen by her shoulders and steering her off, "Have any idea where he is?"

Demeter thought for a moment. "He's at Jenny's I believe."

"Jenny's it is," Bombalurina said, turning them around. They were originally going away from the Gumbie Cat's oven; an easy fix.

Jenny was pacing like crazy. She needed Munkustrap and Rumpus to move Mungo into her oven so she could treat him. Jennyanydots looked over at Rumpus Cat, him having appeared shortly after she did - hearing Rumpelteazer's yell for help, all they needed was Munkustrap. Etcetera pointed in the direction that Jennyanydots went and Munkustrap followed her finger. He went around the corner, slowly walking up beside Rumpus Cat, looking over at Rumpelteazer, "Is that Mungojerrie?"

"It's what she keeps on saying..."

"Hurry you two," Jennyanydots ordered, "Get Mungojerrie into my oven; he needs to be treated!"

Munkustrap and Rumpus Cat nodded, walking over to the unconscious tom. Rumpus started to lift his legs as Munkustrap tried to lift the upper part of him but were stopped by Rumpelteazer, who was still helplessly crying into him. The toms looked up and Rumpus gave a nod. Munkustrap let go of Mungojerrie and went behind Rumpel, giving her a bit of a pull which she resisted. He sighed, forcefully grabbing her wrist and making her left go of him, pulling her close and holding her against his chest as Rumpus Cat carried Mungojerrie off to Jennyanydots' oven.

"Let go of me, Munkustrap," Rumpelteazer said, trying to squirm away from the silver tabby to get back to her friend's side. "I need to be there... I need to be with him... Mungojerrie!"

Munkustrap held on to her tighter, calming speaking into her ear, "Right now, he needs Jennyanydots and he needs her to take care of him. You can't do anything right now."

Rumpel slumped against him, still crying hard, "I need to tell him that I love him... I need to..."

Jenny smiled sadly, "Rumpel, I have to get him fixed up or you'll lose him. If you can just wait to tell him, then he'll be around to hear you."

Rumpelteazer closed her eyes as she buried her face into Munkustrap's chest; her tears running into his fur. She didn't really have a choice. Loosing Mungojerrie was not an option to her. "Go. Please, go..."

"Thank you, dear." Jenny had Rumpus Cat take Mungo into her oven and started to work on him.

"I thought you said that Mungo was in Paris," Munkustrap said steadily. "In what Cat Show from hell did that happen in?"

At that time, Bombalurina turned the corner, looking across from the oven at Munkustrap, "What's he doing with Rumpelteazer?"

Demeter laughed, "I was right."

"Right about what?"

"First; Mungo was in Paris, Teazer was still here," Demeter explained with a smile. "Mungo left Teazer a letter about being in love with her, and I just knew she had to feel the same"

"Oh," Bombalurina said, looking from Demeter to the other two, making her way over.

Rumpelteazer looked down at the ground, blinking back her tears as Munkustrap sighed - a little frustrated, "I can't help you if you don't talk to me."

"What's going on," Demeter was concerned; not only because of the smaller queen's crying but because her mater seemed rather frustrated.

"It's Mungo," Rumpel said quietly, wiping away her tears, "He's... he's not good..."

"That's the most you've told me since they took him off," Munkustrap muttered to her, turning to Demeter and Bombalurina. "It looks like Mungo just went through a blender... He's in with Jennyanydots right now."

"Teazer, what happened to Mungo?" Demeter didn't mean to pry, but she wanted to help

"I don't know," she sniffled, "One of the toms from Macavity's came and dropped him right there and... he's all cut up and... I don't know..."

After many tense minutes of silence went by, Jennyanydots came out; she had managed to get him all bandaged up, and conscious, "Teazer, Mungo will see you now." Rumpelteazer looked up, she wanted to go over and see him, but... somehow... She just felt like she was unable to, "Rumpel?" She closed her eyes tightly; trying to get her bearings straight... it wasn't easy. Jenny eyed her carefully, "Take your time, dear. When you're ready I'll tell him"

Rumpelteazer did her best to wipe away the streaks her tears left on her face before standing up, a little shakily, "I'm ready, Jenny..." Rumpelteazer looked behind her at Munkustrap who gave her a weary, yet reassuring nod of his head. He, Demeter and Bombalurina had stayed with her while Jenny worked on Mungo and had managed to keep her... somewhat calm. She walked over to Mungo's side, sitting down beside him. She took a breath of air, trying to keep her voice from shaking - it was bad enough that her eyes were red from crying, "Hi, Jerrie..."

"Hey, Teaze," Mungo's voice sounded a little croaky. He tried to sit up, but cringed and lay down again.

Rumpelteazer placed a paw on his bandaged chest, silently telling him to stay down. She bit on her tongue to keep her eyes from tearing up again. She was a mess and an emotional wreck. "What happened to you, Jerrie," she asked quietly, looking at his chest and face, staring into his eyes.

Mungo shook his head. "All you need to know is that the other option was much worse."

"Jerrie, you're all torn up... You almost died," Rumpel rationalized, a few tears escaping her eyes. "You scared me half to death... What on earth could have been worse?"

"You don't want to know," Mungojerrie said, sounding angry.

"Yes, I do, Mungo," Rumpelteazer said, just as angrily, "I want to know what happened to you. I didn't hear from or about you in days and then you just get... dropped here all torn to pieces and ... you refuse to tell me what happened and why this was best."

"Mac captured our messenger and gave me two options. One I could kill the messenger and take on Macavity. Or Two, I could stay at Mac's for 5 years and be well taken care of. He'd tell you, however, that I was dead. Then he'd make you his mate and have you in the room next to my cell." Mungo sighed. "So this is better." Rumpelteazer fell silent, looking at him for a moment before her buried her face into his neck, clutching on to his sides again, seeing as she couldn't work them around him to hug him. "Teazer, it's okay. I'm fine really." Mungo wished he could hold her and comfort her.

"Jerrie," she sighed, shaking her head, quietly crying again. Emotional train wreck... "I love you, so much..."

Mungojerrie tensed for a moment then relaxed. "I love you too, Teaze. So much; anything was better then having Macavity gets his disgusting paws on you." Rumpelteazer pulled away from him slightly, giving him a sad smile as she ran her paws through this head fur. She gently placed a kiss on his forehead; not wanting to hurt him, especially after what he did to keep her safe. "Rumpelteazer, I want to ask you something." Mungo took as deep a breath as he could without hurting himself. "I was wondering if...I mean would you like...Would you do me the honor."

Rumpelteazer gave half a laugh, looking down at him. She butted her head against his, looking into his eyes, quietly responding, "I'd be honored to..."

"dyawannabem'mate"

"I already said 'yes', Jerrie," Rumpel told him kindly, giving the tip of his nose a quick lick, "I'll more then gladly say it again if I have to..."

"Mac hit me really hard in the head." Mungojerrie smiled goofily.

Rumpelteazer carefully lay down next to him, being sure that she wasn't hitting any of his wounds, resting her head beside his, "I'm sorry, Jerrie... If Macavity had kept me there instead of you, you'd be okay right now..."

"If he had kept you he would have had his way with you. I know it. Trust me this is better," He licked Teazer's head fur.

Rumpelteazer purred slightly, closing her eyes. "I would much rather that he'd have his way with me then to see you like this... This is so much worse, Jerrie."

"Well, we obviously love each other. Since it seems we both love the other then ourselves." Rumpel gave a half a laugh, shifting a bit closer to him as Mungojerrie nuzzled her happily. Rumpelteazer purred a bit louder, looking over at him. She propped herself up slightly, leaning over and tentatively leaning into place a kiss on his lips. She knew that she shouldn't be so cautious of a thing like that, especially after agreeing to be his mate but... It was Mungojerrie. Her Jerrie. She never kissed him before... not like a lover, at least... Mungo watched Teazer who looked like she was about to kiss him. This was odd. They had never kissed more then the odd peck on the cheek. He leaned forward a bit, causing her breath to become hitched in her throat. She filled what little space that there was left between them, closed her eyes and kissed him on his lips. Mungo smiled as he kissed Teazer back. It felt so...right. She purred, returning the kiss and leaning in as close as she could without hurting him. Why didn't they think of this before?

Mungo hissed in a breath, his ribs hurting him, but he continued to nuzzle and kiss Teazer. Rumpelteazer pulled away quickly, upon hearing him hiss. "Sorry," she apologized, breathing slowly. "I didn't mean to..."

Mungo smiled happily. "It's okay

"No, it's not, Jerrie, I just hurt you..."

"Okay, well just to be safe how about you just lay with me, then. That way, no one gets hurt."

Rumpelteazer gave him a smile, laying down right beside him, "Is here good?"

"Mmhmm" Mungojerrie murmured as he purred and nuzzled close to Rumpelteazer.

Rumpel purred quietly in appreciation, her eyes fluttering shut as he nuzzled her. "Jerrie, you should really rest... Jenny'll have my head if she sees you doing anything other then laying still."

"I am you're just my...what did our humans call it...my snuggle toy." He then nuzzled her once more, and actually did fall asleep, snoring softly... He was still very weak. Rumpel giggled quietly, covering her mouth with her paw to keep her laughter in, she didn't want to wake him up. Still quietly purring, she carefully draped her arm over him, deciding to stay beside him for the time being. She didn't want to leave.

------

Once Jenny let Teazer in she turned to the group, "So, Munkustrap, do you know what happened?"

"No idea, Jenny," Munkustrap sighed. "Well, really - I do have an idea... Rumpelteazer said that Mungo was dropped off by one of Macavity's henchcats - I have no idea why that happened to him. I don't even want to wonder how she knows it one of the henchcats..."

"Well, let's just wait until she's done visiting and then we can ask her again," Jenny stated wisely. "We must let Mungo heal."

"You're probably right," Munkustrap muttered, Bombalurina sitting down. Nearly ten minutes have gone by with waiting, occasionally looking up at the door to see if Rumpel was coming back out. "What is taking her so long? She didn't seem to be in any big hurry to go in..."

"Munk, when you're hurt do I rush in right away?" Demeter asked simply with a conspiratorial grin

"How should I know, Demeter? I'm in there - half out of it and you're out here..."

"Trust me dear, she is always nervous when you are hurt. Teazer acted the same for Mungo because...Oh. Well, I never thought of that," Jenny smiled at Demeter.

"Seems obvious now, doesn't it?"

"Yes, dear, it does. Who would have known?"

"Is this what you were acting so smug about earlier," Bombalurina asked, looking over at Demeter, "You can't honestly tell me that you were glad that Mungo was hurt just to be right."

Munkustrap looked between the three queens, "What?"

Demeter shook her head, "No, Mungo being hurt is horrible. I can't bear to think how they both must feel. It's just nice to know she's figured it out. Unlike Munk, he seems lost."

"Does this have something to do with her saying that she needed to tell him that she loved him," Munkustrap asked.

"SHE LOVES HIM! All is good! Those two crazy kittens deserve each other," Demeter was almost giddy,

"You deserve a room in a nut house," Bombalurina muttered, giving the gold queen a bit of a shove.

"Should we check up on them," Munkustrap asked, disregarding Bombalurina's comment.

"Leave them be for now, Munkustrap," Jenny was being sage again. "They must have a lot to discuss. Just give them ten more minutes before you go in. And cut it out, you two." Jenny was addressing Demeter and Bombalurina - Demeter had checked Bombalurina back. Munkustrap got up, moving so that he was sitting on the other side of Bombalurina - thusly separating them.

Demeter nuzzled Munk, "My hero."

"You're welcome, darling," Munkustrap smiled, placing a kiss on her nose before turning to Jennyanydots, "So, will Mungojerrie be alright?"

"Oh yes, he'll be fine in a few days. So long as he doesn't strain himself," Jenny's face suddenly dropped. "They wouldn't...would they? Munkustrap, go check on them, and make sure you stop any...hanky panky that might be going on," Jenny uttered. Bombalurina buried her face into her paws in embarrassment; that was an awkward moment...

Munkustrap got up going over to Jennyanydots' oven; this was not in the job description for Tribe Protector... Was it? He half timidly opened the door; slow enough that if any... Hanky Panky... was going on - they'd surely stop. He peeked in, seeing Mungojerrie laying on same bed he would usually use, Rumpelteazer's curled up at his side - half asleep. Jenny was covering her eyes with her ladle. "What are they doing?"

"Sleeping," Munkustrap guessed. "Not what you were envisioning..."

"Well, then, let them sleep." Jenny then shoved Munk out of the oven; muttering about how rude some toms were.

"I'm not sleeping," Rumpelteazer muttered; her eyes closed. It wasn't until after she talked that she realized that they were probably going to make her move now.

"Oh, good, dear, please come out here and talk to Munkustrap. He has some questions for you. I'd send him in, but Jerrie must rest."

Rumpelteazer sighed, reluctantly getting up and leaving Mungojerrie - not before placing a small kiss on his lips, though, leaving Jennyanydots to watch over him. She left the oven, looking for Munkustrap, walking back to where he waited with her (where he was now waiting with the other queens). "Yes?"

"Rumpelteazer... Can you please tell us what happened to Mungojerrie," Munkustrap requested. "We need to know." Rumpel stared blankly at him for a moment before quickly looking down at the ground, feeling tears well up in her eyes.

Demeter stepped close to Teazer, "What's wrong sweetie?" Rumpelteazer considered running away from them at that moment. She and Mungojerrie swore not to tell the others about them being with Macavity - who's know what'd happen to them. They could get exiled, shunned... killed? She made to leave, taking one step before accidentally running into Demeter. Rumpelteazer buried her face in her chest, clinging on to her, and began crying.

Munkustrap walked over, feeling rather uncomfortable - he hated being around crying queens. "Rumpelteazer... you have to tell us."

Demeter shot a cold look at Munkustrap, something she'd never done before, "Shh...It's okay."

"He did it because of me," Rumpelteazer said quietly, her voice a little squeaky as she cried into Demeter.

"What do you mean by that; what did you two do," Munkustrap asked.

Rumpel shook her head, "You'll be mad..."

"Munk promises not to get angry, no matter what. Right, Munk?"

"Yeah... sure, I promise not to get angry," he nodded, not really sure if he'll be able to hold his word.

Rumpelteazer took a shuddering breath, before telling them - at a rather rushed pace, "Me and Mungojerrie have been working for Macavity for the past two years. Two weeks ago, Macavity told Mungojerrie that he was to stay at the base at all times for observations, so I told you and Old Deuteronomy that he was sent to Paris. Mungo kept on sending me little letters, telling me what was going on since I wasn't to go near the base and in one he told me that he loved me. At one point, not long after that, the letters all stopped. The messenger stopped coming to see me, too. Then, today, Mungo was dropped off here all... We'll you've seen him!

"When I went into see him he told me that Macavity caught the messenger and gave Mungo two choices... Kill the messenger and take him -Macavity- on or he could be kept there for five years, I'd be told that he was killed, and Macavity would take me as his own. Mungo chose the first one; he said that he didn't want Macavity to get his paws on me... Now, Mungo's a murdered, he's injured badly, you found out about us and we're going to be thrown out...

"I'm sorry..." Teazer whispered into Demeter's chest, "We're really... really... sorry. If you're going to throw us out; only get rid of me. Jerrie needs to stay here with Jenny - he needs to get better... Don't make him leave. He's been through enough..."

Munkustrap looked at the calico queen for a moment before going around the Junkpile, seeing Tugger on a nearby rocking chair, he gave it a push. Speaking to the tom in a tone that clearly stated he was not in the mood to play games, "Go get dad... Now."

Tugger would normally have just brushed Munk off, but he never asked him to get dad. So Tugger ran up to his father. "Dad, your progeny wants your help."

"Very well, what for?"

Tugger shrugged and took Old Deuteronomy to where Munk was. "Here you are, Oh great Jellicle Protector." He was about to leave when he saw Teazer crying, "What did you do to her?"

"I asked her about her and Mungojerrie," Munkustrap said evenly, looking at the queen

"What did Mungo do then," Tugger was really mad; Teazer was one of his good friends. A good friend whose butt he would grab whenever the would opportunity come along...

"From what I could make out," and it was hard to make out a distressed queen, "He took on Macavity instead of Rumpel becoming his mate." He gave a bit of a shrug, "You can ask her if you want..."

"Mac's or Mungo's," Tugger was not always the brightest, especially when concerned

"Macavity's mate..." Dolt

Tugger looked even madder, "Where is the scarlet lunatic? How dare he threaten my pals?" Tugger paused for a moment, "Where is Mungo?" Munkustrap's face fell slightly, glancing from Tugger to behind him a little, in the general direction of Jennyanydots' oven. "No," whispered Tugger, "He'll...he'll be okay right?"

"Yeah," Munkustrap nodded, looking back at Rumpel, "Jennyanydots said that he'd be fine... He looked like he went through a blender so I'm not sure how she can say 'fine' after that... I'm more worried about Rumpel though... She's taking it really bad."

Old Deuteronomy, who had just been listening, stepped up, "What is it you needed me for, my son?

Munkustrap nodded. "She told us that she and Jerrie have been working for Macavity for two years... Jerrie was being held at Macavity's base and not in Paris... He's killed another cat in order to keep her safe... She thinks that we're going to throw them out - and would much prefer that she's the one who's banned; Jerrie needs Jenny to take care of him right now." He sighed, "I have no idea what to do..."

Deuteronomy nodded and moved to kneel by Teazer. "Rumpelteazer, why did you start working for Macavity?"

Rumpel looked over at Old Deuteronomy and gulped, feeling her heart beating hard in her chest. "I took something... I didn't know that it was Macavity's, I swear! If I did I would have left it there... Macavity decided that I would replace Demeter - since she was gone by that time... Mungo ended up talking with him and they cut a deal; we'd work and he wouldn't get to touch me. Please, Sir... Don't ban, Jerrie. It's my fault; if Jerrie hadn't talked to him he'd be alright right now..."

"What is it that you stole?" Rumpelteazer stared at him for a moment, her eyes quickly looking at her pearl necklace before she looked away from him all together. "Well, you wouldn't be yourself without your pearls. What did you do for Macavity?"

"Not much," Rumpel said vaguely, head still turned away from him.

"Teazer, you must tell me, I need to know all the information," The Jellicle Leader was firm yet understanding with his statement.

Teazer's ears pinned against her head, "We'd steal things and do errands for him... Whatever he asked..."

"Did you injure or kill anyone?"

She shook her head, "Not until Jerrie had to the other day..."

Deuteronomy thought for a moment. "Are you sorry?"

Rumpelteazer turned sharply to him, breaking away from Demeter again. "Of course I'm sorry! I've been scared out of my mind for the past two to three years. The past two weeks were hell without knowing if Jerrie was safe. And now he's hurt because of me! Why wouldn't I be sorry?" She didn't mean to yell... But he asked a rather foolish question.

"There are times when the wrong choice is the only one. It seems you have caused you no real harm, so you may stay." Deuteronomy tried to be solemn, but he was grinning happily.

Rumpelteazer stared at the tribe leader before throwing herself at him, hugging him tightly around his neck, clutching on to his fur, "Jerrie too?"

"Mungo was very honorable. Of course he can stay. You may go with him for now."

Teazer let go of Old Deuteronomy, a little embarrassed of how much she was crying and half ran, half stumbled back to Jenny's oven to see Mungojerrie who was still sound asleep. Jenny was asleep in her corner. Rumpelteazer quietly padded over to Mungojerrie, being careful to not to disturb him, curled up beside him.

---

"How do you feel about my decision," questioned Old Deuteronomy

"I really didn't want to get rid of them," Munkustrap said evasively. "I had no idea what to do and I have no idea what I would have done..."

"You must learn to make these choices yourself, one day I will be gone and you will be the leader," Deuteronomy said with pride and sorrow.

Munkustrap nodded sadly, "I know, Dad... I just... I never would have imagined... well, that. If I was to exile them, I would have at least waited until Mungojerrie was well before doing so, though."

"It's imperative that you think your decisions through. I hope this never happens again, but if it does I hope you can make the right one. I must leave now," Deuteronomy turned to go.

"Dad," Munkustrap called after him, a little hesitantly, "How will I know that it's the right one?"

"Consider the cat, not the crime. Their actions are second to whom they are, unless they killed someone for no reason." Munkustrap nodded, his father giving him a small smile, "Trust me; I didn't understand it at your age either."