Authors Note: I know I haven't updated in a long long long time, but a recent review reminded me I had some bits and bobs already written for this story, so I've popped up these next two chapters. I don't know when another update will next be, but I'll see if inspiration strikes at all. This was the chapter I got blocked on, and I'm still not happy with it, so any ideas on improving are welcome.

I had fully intended to stay awake, but despite my words to Tugger I knew I couldn't hold out against sleep for much longer. The stresses of the night combined with the painkillers I had taken for my wounds had left me exhausted and ready to let sleep take me. The television no longer held any interest for me and my eyes were slowly drifting shut. I fought it as long as I could but it was useless, I slept, and while I slept, I dreamt.

It began like the others, in a dark deserted cemetery. I was patrolling. It was one of my regular duties, hardly nightmare material for an experienced lutador such as myself. In this job you learn from early on, that cemeteries are surprisingly one of the areas where the odds are in your favour. Not many demons and vampires are to be found in the cemetery except for those who are newly born. They are weak after lying in death for 7 days and nights, and clawing their way to the surface from their coffins. That puts the lutador in a position of power, and the vampires are easily killed. The cemetery should be the equivalent to home ground for me, but that didn't explain the uneasiness I felt. Something was going to happen, I could sense it in the air, and almost breathe it in, the feeling was that strong. I had nothing to do but wait for it.

A rustling noise attracted my attention, and a fast moving shadow captured it. The chase was on, myself the hunter, the shadow the hunted. I gained on it, slowly and surely coming closer to capturing my prey. And then it was gone, no sign of the entity anywhere, just an empty clearing, and a familiar grave. I reached out my paw, the marble felt icy cold to the touch and I lightly traced over the name engraved there with my paw, 'Gaia'.

I stiffened as I realised something was watching me from the shadows.

"Looking for this, Munkustrap?" Macavity's smooth voice held a tinge of amusement. In his arms he held my beloved.

"Let her go Macavity!" I demanded, bile rose in my throat as Gaia whimpered and struggled against his grip.

"Now that wouldn't be very interesting now would it?"

At that moment Macavity's expression spoke volumes, he wasn't going to let her go. I stood frozen as Macavity's claws lightly ran over Gaia's skin, I couldn't move as he got ready to sink them into her throat.

"Munk, hey, Munkie wake up!"

I awoke to the sound of Tugger's voice and became aware of reality again.

"Looks like someone decided not to stay alert," Tugger quipped, seemingly unaware of the nightmare he had saved me from.

"Everyone needs a little sleep," I countered.

"Well sleepy head, you can stay here or get your tail in the kitchen for some breakfast," Tugger was in an unusually cheerful mood, "I'd suggest breakfast myself."

The enticing scent of bacon and eggs was beginning to reach my nose, suddenly breakfast didn't seem like a bad idea.

"Hia handsome," Bombalurina's voice greeted us as we entered the kitchen, "Have a good night sleep?"

"Brilliant Bomba baby," Tugger grinned at her.

"That's nice Tugger but I was talking to Stripes here. Sleep well?"

I looked up in surprise,

"Um ok, thanks."

"Thanks for showing up so quickly last night, I know it was a false alarm, but still…" She let her voice trail off.

"It's alright. Where is Demeter?"

"Hiding in the room, she's a little wary of strangers," she frowned suddenly, "I tried to get her to come down this morning, she started sobbing and locked herself in the bathroom," Bombalurina sighed.

I sat down at the counter,

"I suppose we're going to have to ask you a few questions, Bombalurina."

"Call me Bomba. Well, fire away," she sat down at the counter beside me.

"Will anyone miss you two while you're staying here?"

"No, we just moved to London. We live in an apartment on Victoria Grove."

"Will you be needing anything from there?"

"Most likely," she frowned, "If Macavity's goons didn't tear the place apart that is."

"We'll go today, while it's still light, it'll be safer then."

Cassandra stepped into the room and headed over to Tugger. Well that solved the mystery of Tuggers' good mood.

"Good morning, everyone."

"Mornin' Baby," Tugger replied, and planted a kiss on her lips.

"Well, where did Misto sleep then?" I couldn't help but ask in a slightly teasing manner.

"Get your mind out of the gutter."

"I came over this morning, you were still asleep and dreaming. If you like, I could get a few things from Deuteronomy's to sort out those nightmares if they are troubling you?"

"No, no, I'm fine," I replied quickly, maybe a little too quickly as both Cassandra and Bombalurina both eyed me skeptically. Tugger as is his way, remained oblivious.

"Oh that reminds me, Dad called, he wants to see you as soon as you can get over there."

I grabbed my chance to escape from the glances of the two queens.

"I'm on my way."