A Frog and A Prince
Joe Morelli doesn't know what to say or how to react. He wants to roar in anger and outrage but he doesn't dare. For he knows the...thing standing in front of him is no ordinary cat. He recognizes danger whenever it is near. And right now he knows he is scared. He can almost see rays of darkness dancing and simmering just beneath the beautiful, shining black-and-white coat of the cat. One wrong word and he will probably be dead...and somehow he suddenly remembers that he doesn't even know the cat's name. He's never a religious or superstitious man, and he doesn't believe in vampire, werewolf, and fairy tales. And now look where he is. He wants to yell "Why me?". He wants it all to be a dream. He wants to turn back time and make things right. He wants his life and his body back. But first he needs to find out as many answers, clues and tips as he can.
"What do you mean you lied?" Morelli bravely asks, trying desperately to hold his cute tiny hamster voice steady to hide his sudden fear.
With bright unblinking eyes the ferocious cat holds him prisoner for a long minute. The mischievous grin disappears from his solemn face as he softly says, "The CLOCK started ticking the moment you made the decision to drink the potion and steal Stephanie away from the man she truly loves. And now you have a little more than 13 hours left."
Joe Morelli blinks and blinks again, and his mind goes numb. 13 hours. He's got 13 hours. Only 13 hours. To find his true love. To get her—please let it be her, please—kiss...he suddenly looks up as a thought strikes him. "How do I know you are not lying this time?"
"What's the point doing the same trick twice?"
The familiar barely there smile returns to the cat's face. Once again it eerily reminds Joe Morelli of someone, but the little chubby hamster is too upset and too frustrated to think about it right now. He looks down, trying to stare at his feet but can only see his furry round belly, and silently counts to 10. He then looks up at the cat and asks through clenched teeth, "Why did you lie?"
The cat widens his eyes a fraction as if surprised or rather amused, and raises a brow at the hamster. "Because 'The Rock just doesn't like you, John Cena' ?"
And right at that moment Joe Morelli finally realizes whom the cat reminds him of.
Ranger.