PART THREE: DECISIONS
Chapter Three: Jellicle Cats

Megan awoke slowly, reluctant to leave the warmth of the darkness around her. She groaned and rolled over. She opened her eyes to find herself face to face with a pleasant faced kitten. It blinked at her and smiled.

"Hi," it said. Megan suddenly remembered what had happened. She shook her head, trying to clear it, then smiled back.

"Hi. Who're you?" The kitten rocked back on its heels and smiled wider.

"Etcetera. Who're you?" Megan sat up.

"Megan." The kitten tilted her head.

"Megan? What kind of name is Megan?" Megan started to reply when she heard a warning hiss.

"Cettie! G'way! I told you to leave her alone!"

Megan turned to see a small, black tom, only a little larger than the kitten, give Etcetera an exasperated look. Etcetera rolled her eyes.

"Aw, Misto! I wasn't bothering your GIRLFRIEND," she said. The tom's face flushed.

"Git! Before I turn you into a Pol!" Etcetera glared at him.

"I'm telling Mom you said that. You know you're not supposed to threaten us with your magic," she shot back. The tom sighed.

"Fine, fine. I take it back. Now go!" Etcetera smiled sweetly and pranced away.

"I'm still telling Mom," she called behind her.

"Kittens," he grumbled under his breath. "I really ought to turn her into a Pol. Maybe that'd shut her up." He turned to Megan then.

"Michael? I mean, Mistoffelees?" He nodded.

Thrilled and overwhelmed, she threw her arms around his neck and began to cover his face with kisses. He laughed at the tickling texture of her tongue. After a long embrace, they broke apart and Megan jerked her head in the direction that the kitten had left in.

"Who exactly was she?" He rolled his eyes.

"Etcetera, better known as Cettie. My sister. Sort of." Megan put her head on his shoulder and shut her eyes.

"Really? What do you mean by 'sort of'?" He tucked an arm around her and sat down, pulling her with him.

"That's a long story. I'll tell it to you later," he promised. Then he yawned. "Let's get some sleep first and I'll introduce you to everyone later." Megan yawned too and curled up against him.

"OK," she agreed.

The two cats shut their eyes and, curled up tight against each other, slipped into a blissful sleep.