PART THREE: DECISIONS
Chapter Two: The Invitation

Megan knocked softly on the door. For a fleeting moment, she considered setting the cat down and fleeing before anyone answered the door. It left the moment the door swung open to reveal an anxious Demeter. The woman smiled and gestured towards the inside of the apartment.

"Come in, come in," she said.

Megan was confused. How could it be that while one of Michael's parents was so disapproving of her while the other one seemed to be rather pleased to see her? She didn't know, but was rather taken aback when his father walked into the room.

"I just came to bring back your cat," she said shakily, loosing her nerve. The man smiled warmly at her.

"Please, come in. Despite what happened, I'm really not upset with you," he said.

Megan stared at him doubtfully. Was this man insane? Why was he jumping from emotion to emotion like this? She didn't like it one bit. However, her mind was made up the second she saw Mistoffelees walk into the room. His head was down, his eyes staying on the floor.

"Michael?" she called. Mistoffelees' head jerked up and his face brightened.

"Megan," he said softly.

To her surprise, he strode forward and wrapped his arms around her waist. Lifting her a little off the floor, he spun her around. Megan flung her arms around his neck and buried her face against his chest.

"I'm so glad you're here," he murmured. She tightened her grip.

"Me too."

They turned as Munkustrap cleared his throat. His hair was hanging in his eyes again, but he made no attempt to fix it. He also looked uncomfortable and anxious.

"Misto? I think it's time that you told her." Demeter nodded and slid into his arms.

"Yes. I want to go home."

Mistoffelees finally finished. Having been seated before he began, Megan looked at him in disbelief and, at the same time, as if every word he said were true. He knew how confusing this must be for her, but he knew that she didn't have very long to accept it. Either she accept it now, or never see him again. He prayed for the former.

"Y-your name is Mistoffelees?" she asked finally. He nodded.

"Yes. And these are Munkustrap, Demeter, Alonzo, Coricopat, and Tantomile," he replied, pointing each one out to her. Megan looked at them a moment, then turned back to him.

"And you want me to go with you?" Mistoffelees smiled gently and clasped her hands in his.

"Yes. I love you and I never want to be apart from you." She looked down.

"What about my family? What about my life?" He sighed.

"I... you can see your family."

"How?"

"You could become a housecat, too. You can live with them when you're not in the junkyard. That's what I do."

Megan bit her lip. He did have a point. She'd still have her family and she'd have him as well. The rest of her human life she didn't really mind leaving. And besides, look at them, she thought. They're so close with each other. Surely, if I lived there as well, too, I'd have a close family as well. She nodded slowly.

"All right. I'll do it," she said softly. Mistoffelees kissed her.

"Great," he whispered.

*Let's get this show on the road!* Alonzo shouted happily.

*Here,* Tantomile said. She pushed a small vial towards Munkustrap. *Don't drink too much.* He gazed at it for moment.

"Is it safe?" Tantomile glanced at Coricopat, who shrugged.

*I guess we'll find out.*

Mistoffelees felt Megan's hand tighten on his. He glanced at her. To surprise, her face was very pale and she looked as though she were going to be sick. He rubbed her arm.

"Are you all right?" She smiled weakly.

"Yeah. Just a little scared."

"Don't be. I'm here."

"I know," she said, nestling her head on his shoulder. He smiled at her and looked at Munkustrap.

"Well, here goes," Munkustrap said.

He looked at the vial for a moment, then tilted it up to his mouth. He shot a sidelong glance at Demeter, then squeezed his eyes shut and took a swallow. He jerked it away and cringed. Demeter put a hand on his arm.

"Munk?" He opened his eyes.

"I'm OK," he assured her. "It just tastes like garbage, that's all." Coricopat scowled. *Well, if you want caviar, you'll have to go elsewhere.*

Munkustrap laughed and handed the vial to Demeter. She took it and held to her lips. She grabbed Munkustrap's hand and she too took a swallow of the potion. Immediately after, she brought it down and coughed.

"Everlasting Cat, Cori! It tastes horrible!" The cat rolled his eyes, but didn't say anything.

Mistoffelees playfully protested drinking the potion, but had some next. Megan laughed at the face he made, then drank the last of the potion. He pushed her shoulder lightly and asked if she liked the way it tasted. Megan shot him a dirty look and handed the vial back to Munkustrap.

"Well, we've all had a dri-" Munkustrap cut off in mid-sentence, his hands drifting to his throat. He gagged and sunk to his knees.

"Munk? Are you OK?!" Demeter shrieked, rushing to his side. He shook his head rapidly, then, abruptly, passed out. She moaned in horror.

"Oh, Everlasting Cat! Munk! Is he... he..." Then, like Munkustrap, she swayed and fainted. Mistoffelees caught her and set her down on the ground. He looked at the others then fled from the room. Megan started after him, but Alonzo stood up and shook his head.

*No, don't. He doesn't want you to see him pass out like they did.* Megan knew it was working because she could hear him.

Suddenly, Megan felt a wave of nausea pass over her. She doubled over in pain and fell to the ground. Attempting to comfort her, Alonzo rubbed his head against hers. After a moment, her body relaxed and he backed away. He glanced at the twins.

*What now?* Coricopat stepped forward.

*We wait.*