Several days later found Jones and his family over at Growltiger Chapman's house for lunch. It was supposed to be to congratulate Mistoffelees on throwing his hat into the ring of politics, However, the small black tom had been all but silent so far throughout lunch, glancing from Growltiger to his uncle every once and a while.

Serafine had actually opted to not beg a headache for this luncheon, finding that she didn't actually mind Lady Griddlebone Laurent's company, though the other queen had a set of opinions Sera wasn't entirely certain she agreed with. Victoria sat beside her aunt and across from her cousin, her gaze moving occasionally toward where her father and Growltiger were conversing.

"They look like they're having a rather intense conversation," Mistoffelees murmured quietly to his cousin.

She nodded slightly, "They do indeed." The young queen offered him a faint smile, "You've been rather quiet, Mistoffelees."

"Oh," he shrugged. "Not much I can think of to say."

She nodded again, "I know what you mean."

He glanced down at the other toms again and sighed quietly. Moving his head back the other way, he looked again at the white queen beside him, certainly unsure what to say to her.

Griddlebone returned his glance, her conversation with Serafine having lulled, "Growltiger tells me that you are going to be running for election for the next session?"

He paused and nodded. "Yes, m'lady. It appears I will be running for election."

"Good to know. I wish you luck then."

"Thank you," he said, offering her a smile. "I am sure I will need it."

She glanced toward where Growltiger and Bustopher seemed to still be conversing, "What made you decide to run for office?"

His own eyes strayed that way and his bit his lip. That was an excuse he was really going to have to work on. "In probably too much honesty, it was my uncle's suggestion to keep myself busy."

Griddlebone smiled a bit at that, "I see, well good luck with that as well."

"Thank you for that as well. How have you enjoyed being engaged to someone so active in politics yourself? Since you probably have more experience, even second hand, than I do."

The white queen considered and then shrugged very slightly, "It is what it is. He doesn't speak much about the actual goings on to me. Though we've been engaged long enough for me to pick up on which way the political winds tend to be blowing."

He paused and nodded. "Ah. Well, so long as you know where it's going perhaps...?"

"It's more that I know that general favor is against his strongest propositions. He knows this but continues to push them."

"Even when the political climate is against him?" Mistoffelees asked, not meaning to pry but unable to come up with any other subject himself.

"Even then. He's tenacious if nothing else."

"A visionary or else very stubborn," Mistoffelees murmured and his eyes widened slightly. "I'm sorry. That might have come out worse than I intended."

She smiled softly, "I would call him a bit of both, honestly."

One ear flickering Mistoffelees nodded. "I'm sure our country needs both," he murmured not quite believing it.

"Whether the country does or not, cats can stand to be one or the other for their own sakes, in my opinion."

"Cats should be visionaries or stubborn?" Mistoffelees asked, arching a brow.

"Depends on the cat," she returned, contradicting her earlier statement, or qualifying it, but it was hard to tell exactly what she was doing.

He blinked, confusion drawing his brows together faintly. "Which cats would you say should be visionaries then?"

"Those that have the potential to turn visions to reality, though far more visionaries exist amidst those who have no ability in that realm."

He blinked once again, her words reminding him too strongly of a conversation with Coricopat about dreamers, and one ear flickering back. "So only those who can make their dreams real should?" he asked.

"Should, yes. Though rarely do those with the power see any need for dreams. Perhaps dreams should be left to those who may not be able to reach the goal, dreams are a necessity to live, to survive."

Mistoffelees blinked at her. "I... see...?" he managed, glancing at Victoria before back to the other queen.

Victoria simply looked confused, while Serafine's brows had risen during the course of the conversation. Lady Griddlebone had the decency to look a bit embarrassed, "I am sorry, I tend to sort my thoughts out loud."

"Understandable," Mistoffelees said finally. "Not everything thinks best in the space of their own mind."

"Still, my apologies."

He inclined his head. "It is hardly something to worry about. Dreamers can be a... difficult subject."

"They can indeed. Every cat has dreams, whether all admit it or no."

He smiled faintly. "Rather. Or they suppress them."

"Well, when a dream has been pulled away, perhaps repeatedly, one can hardly do much else," she replied.

He tilted his head, wishing he wasn't being reminded of Coricopat so much. "Have you had a dream pulled out repeatedly, m'lady?"

"Me? La, no," she offered a smile at that, hiding the lie in her words expertly.

"Of course. That was a rather personal question, my apologizes," he said.

"No need to apologize, Mr. Quaxo."

"Still," he inclined his head and glanced back down at the food.

An hour or so later found the group settled around a card table, the game dealt before them. Sera had excused herself from the game, settling in a chair nearby. Mistoffelees glanced at his cards, playing them easily but uncomfortable under Growltiger's steely gaze.

Victoria glanced quietly from her cousin to the older tom, but kept her gaze focused on the cards for the most part.

"So, Mistoffelees," Growltiger said, playing a card. Hazel eyes flickering up, Mistoffelees arched a brow before returning his gaze to his cards. "I hear you're intending to run for the house of commons."

"Yes," he replied quietly.

Griddlebone glanced at her fiancé, but managed not to frown at all at that question. Growltiger glanced at his fiancé and back to the small black tom in front of him. "Do you have any idea what your strategy might be?"

"Not sure yet. I'm not sure what advice you could give though, since you never had to run," Mistoffelees replied, a little harshly as he placed another card and won the hand.

Victoria's eyes widened very slightly and she darted her gaze to her cousin, hoping he hadn't honestly just said that like that to their host.

Mistoffelees bit his lip at that, shrinking slightly. Growltiger just looked amused. "You have backbone, you know that?"

"No," Mistoffelees mumbled, often having been told otherwise.

"Which isn't always a bad thing," Lady Griddlebone murmured.

"Having a backbone or knowing it?" Mistoffelees asked quietly, reshuffling the cards idly.

"Having one," she replied.

He offered her a small smile before dealing the cards back out. "It could be a benefit in the house," Growltiger replied. "So long as you know when to use it."

Victoria glanced up again, "May I ask how that would be, sir?"

"When not dealing with someone who can crush you," Growltiger replied and Mistoffelees' hazel eyes snapped up, narrowing slightly at what could only sound like a threat.

Victoria glanced at her cousin warily, but nodded, "I see."

The politician shrugged. "You learn when best to use it and when best not to," he said.

Griddlebone glanced around the table, "But surely it serves more good than not?"

"Generally," Growltiger replied, still watching Mistoffelees who was trying not to respond.

She glanced toward Mistoffelees and then nodded slightly, "Of course."

"You're not very reactive, are you?" Growltiger asked Mistoffelees, playing another card and smiling.

Eyes darting up, Mistoffelees looked back down, laying down another card. "I prefer not to," he replied.

The two queens took their turns, offering each other a glance before returning their attention to the other players. Griddlebone looked over the cards that were currently in play, "I do believe you're winning again, Mr. Quaxo."

"Oh," he said, having been distracted by Growltiger that he did not even pay attention to the game. Usually he was aware when he was winning too badly and purposefully tried not to.

Victoria smiled faintly, "He's quite good at cards."

He blushed, ears flickering slightly. "I'm..." It was impossible to deny. "I'll try not to win too much."

Growltiger's brows rose. "Rather confident, aren't you? Besides, that means you wouldn't be using your full potential, and would in fact be lying to us to make us feel better."

Mistoffelees titled his chin up. "I am confident when it comes to this," the smaller tom replied, ignoring the later part of the statement.

Griddlebone smiled a bit at that, also ignoring the politician, "If you win too much we'll let you know."

Mistoffelees nodded to her, offering her a quiet smile. "You might consider using that skill to your advantage," Growltiger remarked and Mistoffelees' eyes narrowed slightly.

Griddlebone sighed quietly, glancing at her fiancé, "Let us have no more talk of politics and elections tonight?"

The lord smirked and nodded, having not actually been talking about that.

v.v.v.v

Mistoffelees glanced around before knocking on Coricopat's door, feeling jittery. But there was nothing wrong with stopping by and playing a game of chess with a friend.

Coricopat looked up from his book, setting it aside before rising and going to answer the door. He offered Mistoffelees a smile, when he finally saw him, "Mistoffelees, it's good to see you. Come in."

The smaller tom offered him a smile, stepping in. "Don't worry, I'm on perfectly acceptable terms with my uncle."

The mottled tom closed the door, laughing softly, "I'm very glad to hear that."

"It's probably a good change," Mistoffelees said with a smile.

"I certainly think so," Coricopat leaned down and kissed him lightly. "I'm glad to see you."

Mistoffelees' tail curled and he pressed into the kiss. "Missed you."

"And I you." He ran a gentle paw over Mistoffelees' cheek.

Leaning against the other just to feel him, Mistoffelees tilted his head. "How have you been?"

"Busy, but in a good way. Missing you. How have you been doing, back in your uncle's house?"

"Had a lovely lunch over at Growltiger's," he replied, sarcasm heavy. "I can't imagine doing this the rest of my life..."

"Sounds thrilling. But you'll make it, I know it."

Wrapping his arms tighter around the other, Mistoffelees sighed softly. "God, I hope so..."

Coricopat's arms twined around the smaller tom and he kissed the top of his head, "I love you."

Smiling, Mistoffelees leaned his head up and kissed the other hard.

The mottled tom, purred, leaning down into the kiss even as he drew Mistoffelees closer.

Pressing up against him as much as he could, Mistoffelees ran a paw down his back. "I just..."

Coricopat arched at the touch, "You just..?"

"Can't believe it, can't get used to this?" Mistoffelees offered, nuzzling Coricopat's jaw, kissing it. "I feel like I'm over-saturated around you."

"I know what you mean," he purred softly, one paw moving to stroke Mistoffelees' ears.

"I..." he paused, tilting into the touch his ear flickering.

"Hm?" He continued to massage the base of the other's ears.

"Not going to be able to say anything you keep doing that," he murmured, tilting further into the touch.

"Do you want me to stop so you can finish your thought?" he asked with a smirk.

"N-no, I think my thought it good."

Coricopat grinned before leaning down and kissing him again.

"G-god I love you. And I can stay a while," he said, tugging on Coricopat's tie.

The solicitor smiled at that, "How long?"

"An hour. It's entirely possible to get away with two."

"Perfect." Coricopat's tail twined around the smaller tom's leg.

"I wish I could stay the entire night," he murmured.

"I do too, it's just not viable."

"I know that," he said, sounding frustrated for a moment. "I haven't slept well since the night after the theatre..."

Coricopat's ears flickered, "...We'll figure something out."

Letting out a breath, he rested his head against Coricopat's chest for a long moment. "It just... I wish it wasn't difficult. I wish I could be with you and it would mean nothing. It's idle, it's foolish but I..."

"I know. God, I know," he ran a soothing paw over Mistoffelees' back.

"But I have you," he murmured. "Even if it's in secret."

"And you shall have for as long as we are able. I promise you that."

Tilting his head, Mistoffelees pulled him down into another hard kiss. Coricopat purred, drawing the other almost flush against him as he deepened the kiss. Purring, Mistoffeleess' paws went to the buttons of his vest, stepping back just enough to undo the buttons but not break the kiss.

The taller cat chuckled, not breaking the kiss as he set to work on Mistoffelees' tie. Getting the buttons off, Mistoffelees slid the vest off, dropping it carefully on a chair and pressing back in.

Coricopat set to work on the buttons on Mistoffelees' vest and shirt, glancing toward his bedroom door and pulling back from the kiss briefly, "My room, perhaps?"

"I can live with that," Mistoffelees smirked into the kiss.

The mottled tom chuckled, guiding his lover backwards toward the room.

A while later, Mistoffelees lay curled around Coricopat's chest, purring faintly. "What time is it?" he asked.

The lawyer turned enough to reach for his pocket watch on the side table and look at it. "Just about time for you to be leaving," he answered with a sigh.

"I want to luxuriate more," Mistoffelees replied, nuzzling down closer. "Say we got caught up in a very engaging debate on chess opening moves."

Coricopat smiled, kissing the tip of Mistoffelees' ear, "I'm alright with that excuse."

Mistoffelees tilted his head back into the touch. "Mmmmh. Suppose that doesn't preclude dressing at some point."

"Probably not. We really ought to at least put some truth to your words..."

He laughed quietly. "My words need no truth," he said, kissing Coricopat's collarbone before pushing himself up.

The mottled tom laughed, "Still, a chess game wouldn't' go amiss..."

"I could agree to a chess game," Mistoffelees murmured, attempting to smooth his headfur down as he gathered his discarded clothing.

Coricopat rose, locating his clothes and putting them on, carefully making sure he looked at least mostly presentable before slipping out of the room to locate his vest, kissing Mistoffelees briefly as he passed him. Mistoffelees purred, following him.

Going out into the living room Mistoffelees walked up to where Coricopat was putting on the vest, wrapping his arms around the other and resting his head against his back. "Where is your chess set?"

The mottled tom managed to finish buttoning the vest, though Mistoffelees' paws were suddenly in the way, "The table's in the left corner near the fireplace, and the set is on the second shelf of the bookcase."

Mistoffelees grinned, ghosting his paws over Coricopat's. Finally he stepped back after kissing the other's neck lightly, going to locate the chess set. He'd gotten it out on the table when a knock suddenly came at the door.

Coricopat paused, grabbing his suit coat from where he had draped it over one of the chairs the evening before, pulling it on and buttoning it as he made his way over to the door. He hesitated a moment, trying to figure out who could be on the other side and what in the hell they could be wanting, but finally opened the door. His grey eyes widened and he absolutely froze at the cat standing on the other side.

Mistoffelees' ears flickered at the knock, quickly setting up the chess board, and moving a few of the pawns on one of the knights to make it look like some game was at least in progress.

On the other side of the door Franklin Rynes standing on the other side, offering the other tom a grin. "Coricopat."

The solicitor tried to form a coherent sentence, but all that came out was a strangled, "Franklin. It's...been a long time."

"It has," the other tom replied, grey fur rippling slightly. "Haven't been in town for a while."

"I noticed. What do you want?" He managed not to flinch as he asked the wrong question, the words sounding harsh to his own ears.

Franklin's eyes widened as if in shock. "Why, dear Cori, what kind of greeting is that?"

The mottled tom's ears lay back at the nickname and endearment, "The sort you are being offered."

"Come now, surely you aren't still hung up on what happened..." Franklin started, still smiling as if talking to a disobedient kit.

"Frank, you have sixty seconds to tell me what you're doing here before I forget what manners my parents taught me and slam the door in your face."

Arching a brow, Franklin stepped into the actual doorframe where it would be harder to slam the door without first forcing him back. "I just came to see an old friend. I'm back in town clearly and thought it might be nice to catch up."

"I'm afraid I have company at the moment. Good day, Franklin."

"You? Have company?" Franklin asked.

"Yes. It's hardly such a surprise."

"It if for you," Franklin replied. "Unless you changed so much in the last few years." He moved forward suddenly, shouldering past the other tom and heading for the living room. Mistoffelees glanced up from where he'd been playing through the chess game, arching a brow and Franklin paused a long moment.

Coricopat growled at that move, closing the door and following Franklin, "Franklin, leave."

"Well, apparently you haven't changed that much," he remarked.

"Excuse me?" Mistoffelees asked, glancing between the two.

Coricopat's eyes narrowed, "I was enjoying a quiet game of chess. You are a nuisance and are completely unwelcome in my flat, even ten years ago this was my space to myself."

"That only means you let someone else into this space," Franklin replied arching a brow.

"No, that means it's my flat to invite guests to come when I choose to. You are not welcome here. I have no idea what possessed you to come here."

"I haven't seen you in ten years!" Franklin protested. Mistoffelees leaned back, trying to insert himself in the conversation as little as possible.

"Exactly," came the icy response. "I have neither seen nor heard from you in a decade and you think you can simply show up on my doorstep and expect me to be happy about it?"

"Why not?" Franklin asked, actually sitting down.

Coricopat stared at him, suppressing another growl, "Because you're a bastard? And there is absolutely no reason for me to be happy to see you?"

"Surely there are some reasons," Franklin attempted. Mistoffelees glanced quickly between the two of them.

"Hm, let me think about that for a moment," he appeared to consider it. "No, I can't think of a single one."

"You're just the bitter type."

Coricopat smiled thinly, "You have not seen me bitter. Give me one good reason why I should be happy to see you, Franklin, and I will consider it."

"Because you used to be?"

"I said a good reason, Frank. I have no reason to be now."

Franklin considered him a long moment before glancing over at Mistoffelees whose shoulders were tense. "You're a quiet one."

"You're a stranger," Mistoffelees returned.

Coricopat sighed, sinking down in a free chair, glancing between them.

Mistoffelees glanced over at the mottled tom. "Should I leave?" he asked quietly.

He almost protested the idea but finally nodded, "We'll continue our game later."

Mistoffelees considered him a long moment, almost pointing out he didn't have to before nodding and rising. "I shall look forward to that. Good day then."

"Good day," Coricopat murmured, his gaze finally rising to meet Mistoffelees', hoping the other would read his apology in his eyes. He'd talk to him later, either way. Or try to.

Meeting his eyes Mistoffelees swallowed, but nodded slightly as if to acknowledge that before heading for the door. Franklin meanwhile was lounging back against the chair, smirking as if he'd gotten Coricopat's cream.

The mottled tom finally turned to him, barely avoiding growling, "What?"

"Who's that then?" Franklin asked.

"A friend. I meet with him to play chess from time to time

"Play chess? That almost sounds like something more," Franklin smirked.

Only you could possibly find a way to read more into that than what I meant."

"Please. He may not have your number but I do," Franklin replied.

Coricopat smiled thinly, leaning back in his chair, "Well, he's far better at chess than you ever were."

Franklin actually laughed at that. "Oh, you don't even deny it..."

"I did mean the actual game. Do you not recall that game we played that you lost so horribly at? You never were one for strategy and tactics."

Franklin smirked. "No. I tend to want to get down and dirty and do the actual work."

Coricopat grimaced, "I recall. Why are you in town, Franklin?"

"Work," he replied with a shrug. "Haven't you missed me?"

"I don't see any reason to answer that question. I did for a time."

"For a time you saw a reason to answer the question or for a time you missed me?"

"For a time I missed you," he finally admitted begrudgingly.

"What was I just gone too long?" Franklin asked, arching a brow. "Did you replace me then?"

"I got over you. There's a difference."

"Really?" Franklin laughed and rose, moving over to the other. "Weren't we supposed to be together forever or any such other nonsense?"

Coricopat leaned back further in his chair, "It was rather nonsense, wasn't it?"

"You used to be willing to believe in such things."

"I used to be willing to believe in a lot of things."

"Does your new toy make you believe much?" Franklin asked, tilting his head.

"He's not a toy, and that's none of your business," Coricopat's ears laced.

Franklin's brows rose and he smirked, looking at Coricopat's ears. "Your emotions are just so easy..."

The mottled tom's eyes narrowed, "Go away, Franklin."

Franklin laughed again. "Even if I walk out today do you really think I'll leave you alone?"

"Why won't you?"

"Leave you alone?" Franklin asked, arching a brow sardonically.

"Yes."

"Because you are far too entertaining," Franklin replied.

"Go to hell," Coricopat snapped.

Franklin laughed outright then. "But it's not nearly so nice a place as here."

Coricopat rose, finding himself far too close to Franklin for his liking. He sidestepped and headed for the small kitchen of the flat, "Leave me be, Franklin."

"Well, it helps you aren't in my contract," Franklin replied, eyes following him.

The mottled tom glanced at him, "What do you mean?"

Franklin blinked once and shrugged. "Nothing important."

"...Franklin..."

The other tom just smirked. "What? Surely you don't expect me to tell you my secrets."

"No, I suppose I can't expect ten years to have changed that."

Franklin managed not to roll his eyes, but he still wasn't leaving. "Ten years. You think it'd change more than it does, hm?"

"What will it take to get you to leave, and to leave me alone?"

"Nothing in this world," Franklin replied, tipping his hat. "Cheers for now though."

Coricopat swallowed, his ears flicking back again as he nodded, "I assume you can see yourself out?"

"With little difficultly," Franklin assured and turned for the door.

The mottled tom closed his eyes, sagging against the doorframe as the front door to the flat closed. Damn it to hell.

Since the last chapter was so short, have a longer, fuller one up much quicker! We hope everyone's been enjoying this story, and here we have some new characters, some plot, some fluff and sex, and a bit more plot!

Also, your song for this chapter is "Who Can You Trust" from Frank Wildhorn's musical "Tears of Heaven." First two singers being Franklin and Cori, and the third apparently Mistoffelees. Franklin is an OC found off Felidae 1925, and he's shown up in "What's My Road to Innocence" as well (Another story on our profile) if you're interested in him at all.

Cheers all! Thank you everyone who's left feedback for us, and remember it's so greatly appreciated! With school and work it means a lot to us to hear from our readers, and reviews are especially lovely.