A/N: Sorry these updates are taking so long! I just came back from a trip to New York City and I brought lots of inspiration back with me! Not to mention I did enough walking to last me a lifetime. This and next chappie are probably going to be the chapters a lot of you have been waiting for. Sorry this one is so short, but it's a set up for the next chapter. Enjoy!
Coilin paced the landing beside the train tracks, muttering complaints under his breath. It was ten o'clock in the morning and Skimbleshanks still hadn't shown up. Of course, it was Saturday, which meant the young tabby tom was off until Monday, but he usually didn't sleep in this long. Even if he had a hangover, he would be going about his daily routine at around nine o'clock the latest. Skimble would also be eager to complete odd jobs around the station just to keep busy and Coilin needed someone to knock the pigeon nests down from the rafters. The other toms were either on duty or had terrible hangovers from the parties the previous night, and were consequently of little use. Coilin could probably do it himself, but he was getting on in years and his balance wasn't as good as it was. Plus, he had train schedules to double check and confirm who was capable of working today. He had no time for ridding the station of pigeon nests.
The gray and white-patched tom sighed in frustration and stalked over to the shed where Skimble's den was located. The storm last night had left the tracks pockmarked with puddles and he had to lithely skip over them to avoid getting wet. The sky was clear now, though. When Coilin got to the shed, he slid open the door of the train car just enough so he could slip inside. As he pushed the heavy door closed behind him he complained loudly, "It is ten o'clock in the morning, Skimble! Why the hell aren't you-"He stopped short as he turned around and took in the sight before him. Coilin's previous angry expression softened and a tender smile tugged at his lips. "Well, would you look at that…" He chuckled quietly, shaking his head.
Skimble and Jenny were fast asleep in front of the furnace, in which the fire had long since died out. The latter had her head resting on Skimble's chest and outstretched foreleg, while the former had his free foreleg draped limply over Jenny's torso. The orange and yellow tabby queen had turned over during the night and had snuggled closer to Skimble. Only their heads and Skimble's paw were visible from underneath the blankets that covered them both. A tiny smile of contentment played on Jenny's lips.
Coilin slid back the door and left the den as silently as possible, so as not to disturb the sleeping couple. He would find someone else to knock down those nests.
Coilin's yelling hadn't made either cat stir, but once the door of the train car clicked shut, Skimble's green eyes fluttered open. He glanced around to determine the source of the noise, but instead they fell on Jenny's sleeping form. The orange tabby tom watched her sleep for a few minutes before gently shaking her awake. "Miss Jenny? Wake up, it's morning already." He murmured softly.
The orange and yellow tabby queen slowly blinked her eyes open and yawned. She blushed a bit as she met nose-to-nose with Skimble and realized their closeness. "Did you sleep well?" She queried timidly. The pink in her cheeks only deepened as her tomfriend purred and nuzzled her.
"That was the best sleep I've had in months," Skimble smiled, but then resumed in a more serious tone, "did you hear that click just now? I bet it was Coilin. He probably wants me to do some odd job for him."
Jenny's mouth formed a tight line as something came up in her mind. "I think I should be leaving. My parents must be worried sick, seeing as I didn't come home last night. I'll see you later, okay Skimble? Thanks for…well, everything." She said hastily and made a beeline for the door.
The orange tabby tom called out just as Jenny's paw landed on the handle, "Wait! I'll come with you. They probably want to hear from me, too."
Jenny nodded and the pair headed out. They reached the junkyard within minutes to find Annasta waiting at the gate. Her headfur was in disarray and there were bags under her eyes. Her eyes immediately brightened as she spotted her daughter. "Jenny's back!" She cried joyfully. She flung the gate open and rushed to embrace the young tabby queen.
Jenny hugged her mother back as she asked question after question, too fast for anyone to answer. When Skimble cleared his throat, she ceased jabbering and looked at him expectantly. "Are you going to tell me what happened last night?" Annasta questioned, her voice devoid of her previous emotion.
Skimble nodded. "I took Jenny out to the bar as I'm sure she has told you. Neither of us got drunk, and we had a wonderful time until one of my co-workers decided he wanted to steal Jenny away. Mind you, he was a Conjurer and a shady one at that. A fight broke out between us and he ended up smashing a glass beer bottle on my paw." At this point, he showed Annasta his bandaged paw then continued, "Miss Jenny removed all the glass and expertly wrapped it up. By that time the storm had started, so we spent the night in my den since it was closer. I'm sincerely sorry for the worry I've caused you and your tribe." The orange tabby tom finished by bowing his head respectfully.
Annasta smiled as she placed a paw on Skimble's shoulder. He glanced up at her with a tiny bit of fear in his eyes, awaiting her verdict. "I don't blame you for what your coworker did. I'm just glad you're both safe and sound. You've proved yourself quite capable of protecting my daughter. Thank you." The fear left Skimble's eyes and he smiled humbly. He pricked his ears as he noticed Remgail stalking up to their little group. He wasn't worried like his mate was, but he was directing a menacing glare towards Skimble. The younger tom's ears drooped in fear and he ducked his head.
"Why didn't you bring our daughter home last night? Did you know we were up all night looking for her, along with half the tribe? Explain yourself, young tom." Jenny's father demanded. His voice was coloured with the worry he didn't show on his face.
Skimble fiddled with his tail as he recounted the events at the bar, but in a more condensed version. When he was finished, the harsh expression didn't leave Remgail's countenance. The calico tom pinched the bridge of his nose and hissed in a tone that wavered between collected and furious, "You put Jenny in danger? We thought you were responsible enough to protect her."
Skimble winced at the words and opened his mouth to say something in his defense, but Jenny interrupted him. "He is responsible, Dad! He fought that tom off so he wouldn't hurt me! It wasn't Skimble's fault that his co-worker tried to hit on me! You shouldn't be so hard on him…" She trailed off because her father was now directing his glare at her.
"Do you know what could have happened if that tom decided to stay? Skimbleshanks wouldn't have been able to protect you if that tom wanted to rape you. He wouldn't have been able to stop that tom if he chose to kidnap you! He not only put himself in danger, but you as well." Remgail countered with utmost authority. A tense silence fell over the four cats, which meant no one could deny what the calico tom had said. He was right.
Annasta broke the silence after a few moments. She nuzzled her mate's shoulder and said sweetly, "It was an accident, honey. Surely we can pardon Skimble? Jenny's right: it was not his fault and he has no control over another cat's actions. You must look on the bright side, love. Jenny's safe and sound, and Skimble's injury will heal in no time."
Jenny's father ignored his partner. It appeared he was set on his decision. "This was one accident too many. I will not allow my daughter to date someone who is incapable of protecting her."
"Remy, that's-"The yellow tabby queen started to object.
"No Annasta," Skimble interjected, "Remgail has every right to forbid me from seeing his daughter. I failed to defend her from danger and am therefore unfit to date her. I'm sorry. Goodbye, Miss Jennyanydots. It pains me that we can no longer continue our relationship." He spun around on his heel to go back the way he had come.
Jenny stepped forward to grab Skimble's paw, as if that would prevent him from leaving. "Skimble, why would you give up so easily? Can't we negotiate something?" She whimpered, on the edge of tears. She glanced back and forth between him and her father with desperate eyes. Remgail remained unmoving. The orange tabby tom halted, but he fought the urge to turn around and comfort his now ex-queenfriend.
"If your parents don't approve of me anymore," Skimble's voice quivered, "then it would only anger them more if we continued our relationship. I'm sorry, Miss Jenny, I really am. It's against my nature and morals to voluntarily disobey someone's wishes. Goodbye." Jenny released his paw and watched him walk briskly away. An unpermitted sob escaped her lips as he rounded the corner. Soon the tears were flowing freely and Jenny's mother pulled her into a comforting hug.
Annasta looked disapprovingly at her mate. "Remgail, how could you? Why couldn't you forgive the poor tom? Jenny didn't get hurt and you saw how remorseful Skimble was for the trouble he caused us. It was unfair to end their relationship!" She hissed sharply.
Remgail's emotionless expression didn't change. "Skimbeshanks proved himself unable to take proper care of our daughter. He lost the privilege of dating Jenny. My decision is final, so let's not dwell on it. I know I'm being harsh, but Jenny is my only daughter and I won't let something like this happen again. Come, let's go catch lunch." He turned around and strode back into the junkyard. The yellow tabby queen scowled after her mate and quickly guided a crying Jenny into their den, where she could calm down.
By mid-afternoon, Jelly had asked Remgail where Jenny was and he told her the whole story about breaking his daughter and Skimble up. The brown and white tabby queen rushed straight to her best friend's den and didn't bother to knock. She found Jenny curled up in her nest, holding an old cushion. Her mother was sitting beside her, stroking her headfur consolingly. Annasta glanced up and smiled grimly at Jelly, but Jenny didn't appear to notice her visitor.
Jellylorum looked about the den for a few moments, feeling like someone was missing. "Hey, where are Demeter and Munkustrap?" She queried absentmindedly.
"Munk is recovered enough to walk, so he and Dem are taking a stroll around the junkyard." Annasta explained.
The brown and white tabby queen nodded and knelt down beside her sorrowful friend. "Hey, I heard what happened. Are you still angry with your dad?" Jelly said soothingly, as if she were talking to a wounded bird or rodent.
Jenny pinned her ears back, but didn't answer verbally. That was a good enough reply for Jelly. "I figured as much. Are you ever going to forgive him?" She continued in the same voice.
The orange and yellow tabby queen's ears returned to their original upright position, and she merely shook her head no. Annasta tipped her daughter's chin up so she was looking at her. "You mustn't hold a grudge against your father. He didn't want to hurt you." She said comfortingly.
Jenny jerked her head back and hugged the cushion tighter. She averted her mother's and Jelly's gazes as she muttered vehemently, "I hate him. I want him to let me see Skimble again."
"Honey," Jenny's mother chastised, "don't say things you don't mean. Your father did what he thought was best for you. He was just being a bit overprotective, that's all. You know he didn't want to break you and Skimble up. I know it crushes his heart to see you so sad."
"Do you agree with what he said?" Jenny mumbled from her pillow.
Annasta bit her lip and answered slowly, "Yes…and no. I think it was unfair that he didn't give Skimble a second chance. But I also believe that Skimble put you in preventable danger. If I were in your father's place though, I wouldn't have forbid Skimble from seeing you. Your father…well, he doesn't like to take chances. You're his only kitten and when you didn't come back last night, he was really scared that something had happened to you. We all were. When he saw that Skimble was hurt, he couldn't handle the thought that you were, too. He was just trying to protect you."
Jenny stayed silent as she processed her mother's words. After a couple of minutes she replied, "I suppose that makes sense. That doesn't make me feel any less depressed about Skimble, though. That doesn't make me fully forgive Dad."
The yellow tabby queen stroked Jenny's back. "I know, dear, I know. Maybe after a little while he'll see that his punishment was unjustified and he'll lift it? I'm sure if we can get him to think this through logically, he'll see what a huge mistake he has made." She offered optimistically. Annasta thought for a moment and then added, "Tell you what, I'll go and talk to him for you."
"Thanks so much, Mom. You're the best." Jenny cracked a small smile for the first time since that morning.
Annasta ruffled the young queen's headfur and responded affectionately, "Anytime, honey. See you in a bit." She walked out of the den with a lighter heart. Seeing her daughter even remotely happy lifted the burden her sadness had placed on it. The older queen scanned her surroundings and found her mate sitting atop one of the taller trash piles near the TSE-1. Quite a few years had passed since they had met, but Remgail was still an excellent climber.
When she got to the pile she called softly up to her partner, "May I come sit?" The calico tom gave her a fleeting glance, neither accepting nor declining. Annasta proceeded to scale the heap of garbage and took a seat beside Remgail. A few seconds of silence passed before the yellow tabby queen asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Remgail deliberated about whether he should answer or not and eventually went with the former. "Our daughter and Skimble." He replied curtly.
"Mm-hmm. What about them?" Annasta queried innocently as she ran her paw absentmindedly down her mate's thigh in a repetitive motion.
A smile tugged at the calico tom's lips and he had trouble keeping a stony expression. "Stop that, you know it makes me quiver." He swatted Annasta's paw away playfully, but she refused to cease the movement.
"I know. That's the point." The yellow tabby queen smirked. "Can you please rethink your ban on our daughter's relationship with Skimbleshanks?" She continued in a sweeter voice.
Remgail tensed and his mate stopped moving her paw. "I said my decision was final. Skimble put Jenny in danger and I won't let that happen again. She'll find someone else to fall in love with, someone who won't slip up like Skimble did." He growled seriously.
Annasta moved her paw to Remgail's chest and rested her head on his shoulder. "Give the tom a second chance, it's not like he continually puts Jenny in danger. You have to realize that it wasn't Skimble's fault. It was that other tom's. Skimble only got hurt protecting Jenny, and then he took the responsibility of housing her for the night. He's a good tom, Remy. Please reconsider, alright?" She explained in a gentle tone and pulled him into a hug.
The calico tom sighed heavily, but didn't answer. Annasta knew what was holding him back from saying yes. For a couple of years before they started dating, Remgail had watched the yellow tabby queen get abused and treated horribly by tom after tom. It tore at his heart to see her get struck or insulted repeatedly, and he didn't want the same for his daughter. He refused to stand by and watch her get hurt. Last night was too close for comfort for him.
Annasta kissed her mate's cheek before climbing down the pile and returning to their den. Jenny and Jelly looked hopefully at the older queen, and both their faces fell as she shook her head. "He's thinking about it. I don't know which side he's leaning more towards," she shrugged, "I mean, it's impossible to tell what he's thinking right now. I'm sorry to cut my consoling efforts short, but I have to go catch and prepare dinner. I'll see you at sunset, okay Jenny?"
Jenny nodded and Jelly tried to distract her best friend from the subject of Skimble until Jenny's parents came back at the aforementioned time, one with a few pigeons in her paw. Annasta prepared dinner and Jelly left to go eat her own. Remgail was still undecided on the relationship ban, and supper was devoid of conversation. When everything was eaten, Jenny sat down in her nest and pulled out her mother's notes. She could always lose herself in the procedures and lists of medicines. They went to sleep without saying goodnight that night.
The yellow and orange tabby queen actually couldn't drift off at all. She tossed and turned, and by midnight she decided that sleep would be impossible. Jenny glanced over at her parents who were sleeping beside each other in their nest. She missed the feeling of Skimble's embrace as she slept, and the warmth of his body next to hers. Last night's sleep had been the best she ever had, too. Jenny suddenly got the radical idea that perhaps she wouldn't have to miss the feeling of Skimble's forelegs around her.
"I can't sneak out to the train station in the middle of the night! Who knows what kinds of creeps are lurking outside the junkyard at this hour? Old Deuteronomy will have my head if I sneak out alone! On the other paw…nobody has to know. I'll be back before dawn and it will be as if I've never left the den. But then what if someone finds out, or I sleep past that precious window of time? No, I must risk it. Dad's decision wasn't fair and I won't stand for it. I'm going to see Skimble tonight and prove Dad wrong." Jenny thought firmly and confidently. She glanced one last time at her parents to make sure they were sound asleep and then quietly stole out of the den.
The night air was crisp and refreshing as Jenny made her way towards the fence. The moon was just a crescent in the sky and it barely illuminated anything. Jenny stuck to the trash piles and eventually got over the fence, but her success didn't come without a few close calls. The toms on night patrol were very vigilant and one or two did a double-take in her direction. Nevertheless, Jenny started on her journey to the train station.
The sidewalks were lit by the street lamps overhead, but the yellow and orange tabby queen skirted around the circles of light cast by them to avoid detection by any other cats. She constantly threw glances over her shoulder only to find that no one was following her, thankfully. She reached the train station unscathed, but now had a new problem: the cats on patrol at the station. The only way Jenny could reach Skimble's den without being caught was if she avoided the platform completely and made her way across the train yard. Trains weren't running as often at this time of night, but it was still dangerous.
Jenny decided to take a chance. She was on hyper-alert for the sound of trains and patrolling cats as she slithered across the tracks on her belly. At one point, the hushed voices of a couple of toms reached her ears and she saw the beams of their flashlights pointed in her direction. Jenny froze and flattened herself against the tracks until the voices faded and her surroundings were dark once more. The yellow and orange tabby queen kept crawling along, and the tell-tale rumble of the tracks that indicated an oncoming train was non-existent. She stood up once she reached the shed with the abandoned cargo car and dusted herself off. Jenny quickly groomed herself so she appeared at least decent for Skimble.
The young queen braced herself against the heavy door to slide it open, like she had seen Skimble do several times before, but the door wouldn't budge. She pushed harder and the door moved an inch. By the time she had gotten it open enough for her to barely slip through, her chest was heaving and her limbs were exhausted. Skimble was much stronger than she gave him credit for; that tom opened and closed this door like it was nothing!
When Jenny climbed into the train car, she discovered the heavy door closed easier than it opened. She glanced around the area, which was only dimly lit by a dying fire in the furnace. The tired queen smiled weakly as her eyes landed on Skimble's sleeping form, curled up in his nest of blankets. Only his head was visible from underneath the thick fabric tucked around his body. Jenny silently crept up to him and nuzzled him until he stirred, blinking open sleepy eyes.
"What…? Mm-Jenny, what are you doing here?" The orange tabby tom mumbled with a wide yawn.
Jenny smiled and stroked his cheek as she replied quietly, "My father said his punishment was too harsh and that he wanted to give you a second chance. I came as soon as I heard. He takes a while to make up his mind." She knew she was going to pay for that lie later, but right now all she wanted was to cuddle up next to Skimble. Consequences were of little concern to her.
If Skimbleshanks had been more awake and alert, he would have quickly registered that something wasn't right. If Jenny's explanation had been true, she surely wouldn't have come in the dead of night and she wouldn't smell like the gravel she had crawled across to get there. Since Skimble was exhausted and his mind was in the dense fog of sleep, neither of these things crossed his mind at that moment. He merely smiled wearily and lifted his blanket so Jenny could nestle herself against him.
"I'm glad…I missed you, Jenny. Sweet dreams…" The orange tabby tom murmured as he kissed the top of his queenfriend's head and wrapped an arm around her shoulders to hold her close. Jenny smiled in contentment as she heard Skimble purr softly and felt his chest vibrate with the action against her back. She turned over and rested her head where his heart was, and the purring increased in volume. Her smile widened.
Jenny fell into a deep sleep almost immediately, feeling happier and guiltier than she ever had.