Congradulations to NyokaDelFanfiction for correctly guessing what Quaxo's extremely bad joke was in the last chapter. I'm pleased you're liking the story and can sympathise with Quaxo's lamp collecting, they're going to become very important later.

this chapter is a little more light hearted then the others so far, I figured they needed a break before things start heating up. Slash also starts in this chapter, but its verrrrrrry mild.

As Quaxo shuffled downstairs the next morning his nose caught the distinctive whiff of cooking. Entering the kitchen it was all he could do to prevent his jaw from hitting the floor.

The Rum Tum Tugger was making pancakes, and they smelt gooood! Eyeing a plate that was stacked high with freshly cooked pancakes Quaxo felt his salvia glands go on overdrive. There were too many pancakes there for just Tugger surely? Maybe he'd share a few with him?

"Hey Quaxo!" called out Tugger from the stove "you never knew I could cook did you?"

"Umm, no" Quaxo didn't know what to stare at first, Tugger with the frying pan, or the stove that he himself had set fire to so many times, the obvious mess all over the kitchen, or the very tempting plate set on the table. Tugger smirked at his confusion.

"Help yourself Tux, I made these for you" Quaxo looked at his flatmate, astounded.

"For me?"

"Of course!"

"Th...thanks Tug" As he sat down to his breakfast he couldn't help grinning as a warm floaty feeling rose in his chest. Hmm, he wasn't usually this joyful over a breakfast made for him; the maple syrup fumes must be making him high.

Just as he was about to take an enormous mouthful of his breakfast Tugger grabbed his fork. "First of all before you dig in" he grinned evilly "you've got to clean up my mess." Quaxo eyed the pile of dishes lined up by the sink, the broken eggshells by the stove, the flour that he was sure Tugger had purposely spilt on the floor.

"No way Tug" Tugger raised his eyebrows

"If you don't clean up, you get no breakfast"

"You made the breakfast, it's your mess"

"True, but I made the breakfast for you" Quaxo glowed at Tugger for a few seconds before picking up a dishcloth so he could wipe the table down. Tugger was going to pay... after he'd finished eating his breakfast.

After he'd eaten while washing his knife and fork in the sink, he heard his phone beep from the couch. Drying his hands on a tea towel he walked up and answered "Magical Mr Mistoffelees, how can I help you?"

"Hello Quaxo, how are you going?" said a female voice.

"Hello Demeter, I'm doing fine, how can I help you?"

"My daughter Sillabub is having a birthday today, would you be able to come round and do a magic show for him and the guests? Munkustrap's taking the day off to be at the party and he offered to help you with any preparations."

"That's sounds great Demeter I'll be right over." Just then he caught sight of Tugger, still looking extremely smug over making Quaxo do the washing up, "Hey Deme tell Munk not to worry about helping me, I'll bring along an assistant."

"Why?" whined Tugger as they walked to Munkustrap's house "why do I have to be you're assistant for a magic show for kittens!" Quaxo smirked at his own brilliance.

"You said you wanted to be part of my Magical Mr Mistoffelees outings, well this is one of them."

"I meant the investigation stuff, not blowing up balloons for hyperactive little hair balls." The maned Tom pouted. Quaxo shook his head and tutted.

"The Rum Tum Tugger the adrenaline junkie extraordinaire, what's your dad going to say when he sees you next?"

Their bickering was cut short by their arrival at Munk's house. Walking round the back to where the part was being held, they were greeted by a forest of colourful balloons, sparkly streamers and an enormous picnic blanket loaded with birthday goodies. Quaxo caught sight of Demeter, Munkustrap, and their elder daughter Jemima putting finishing touches to the setup. Tugger, forgetting his previous complaints about kittens went off to play with a few that had turned up early for the party. Quaxo found that he was, for the present moment, alone.

He found his thoughts drifting back to last night, the burglary that had been beautifully carried out. Did it connect to the robbery at the London theatre? From all outward appearances no, but still, Quaxo wondered…

"Hello Mistoffelees" came a voice. Turning round Quaxo saw Tumblebrutus, the young police officer, standing there grinning and looking much more relaxed than when Quaxo had last seen him.

"Hi Tumble, did Munk invite you to the party as well?

"Not exactly, my little brother Pouncival got invited" said Tumble nodding towards a kitten that looked like a miniature version of himself, and was currently chasing Sillabub, Munkustrap's daughter. Quaxo grinned, Pouncival had obviously been given a bath and was now trying to get as dirty as possible.

"Munk got me to bring up all the Macavity related stuff he could find from the police station" continued Tumblebrutus; he gestured to a cardboard box that was standing beside him "I hope it gets you somewhere."

Quaxo was about to say thank you when they both heard a shriek from across the yard. It was Tugger, with several kittens astride his back, being a horsie. Still more kittens were hanging off his mane and another one (probably Pouncival) was pulling at his tail. Tugger fell down helpless as more kitten swarmed towards him.

"Quaxo, Mouse trap, some help please?" he called weakly. Quaxo laughed and conjured some sparkly fireflies for the kittens to chase after. He walked over to his friend who was sitting up and trying to get bits of grass out of his fur.

"Are you okay? You looked like you were about to be slaughtered out there"

"Yeah the kittens are fun; it's just that I couldn't breathe. When's she show?" he asked, turning round to face Quaxo.

"After the lolly hunt, that'll be happening any minute" as he said this Munkustrap gathered the kits round to tell them about the just mentioned lolly hunt. Before he'd finished stating the rules the kits had bolted to search for the colourful candy wrappers that lay waiting to be found.

"Do you remember being like them" murmured Tugger as they watched Demeter convince a kit that climbing the tree was not a good idea "when your life revolved round nothing but the present?"

"Mmm" said Quaxo, eyes drifting over to where Sillabub, the birthday girl was searching in vain for lollies "yes."

Sillabub still hadn't found anything and she was beginning to give up, he could see her lower lip starting to tremble with disappointment.

"Hey there sweetie" he said making his way over to her "what's the matter?" Sillabub looked at him. Her eyes looked just like Munkustrap's, without the years of age and worry added to them.

"I... I can't find anything." She said beginning to cry. This made Quaxo anxious, what was he to do?

"Well" he began hesitantly "I found a few, you can have mine if you want" putting a paw behind his back he quickly conjured a few colourful sweeties and offered them to her. She opened her eyes wide.

"Are... are you sure? She asked Quaxo, who smiled.

"I'm sure" he replied and tipped the lot into her lap" Sillabub looked at him in delight, and then threw her arms around him in a tight hug. To her Quaxo was the most generous being in the world because he'd given her his sweets, and that was all there was to it.

"Thank you!" Sillabub pulled away and ran off to her parents, leaving Quaxo sitting on the grass with his face doing an excellent fish impersonation.

"They're cute like that aren't they" said a voice behind him. Quaxo turned around to see the Rum Tum Tugger towering over him

"Um yes, I suppose, they are" amused by the magicians statement of bewilderment Tugger started laughting. A sound which made Quaxo's head feel light and airy, no, that must be the sunlight or, something. Someone laughing didn't make you light headed… did it? Shaking his head a few times Quaxo stood up "do you want to start the magic show now Tug?"

"Oh yeah sure, what exactly do I have to do?"

"Just act like you're my ditzy and dumb but still drop dead gorgeous assistant" grinned Quaxo "and follow my lead." A smirk crept across Tugger's face. He cocked his hip to the side and placed a paw on it; with his over paw he fluffed up his mane and gave a few practice eyelash flutters.

"Drop dead gorgeous, I think I can do that" he said

'You don't need to try hard' said a voice in Quaxo's head before he mentally slapped himself.

"I give you, the Magical, the Marvellous, Mr Mistoffelees!" called out Tugger to the kittens in his best showman's voice. With these words Mistoffelees jumped off the box he was standing and disappeared in a flash of sparkles. The kittens cheered and clapped, Tugger took bow after extravagant bow and the adults congratulated Quaxo as he came out from behind the tree.

Even he had to admit it, he and Tugger had put on a splendid show. Tugger had strutted round swinging his hips like a super model and boasted about the tux's magical feats while assisting him in his tricks. And Quaxo, well, he let his magic do the talking.

There was just one thing he needed to do, find a present for Sillabub. Demeter had said that he didn't have to, the show was present enough, but he wanted to anyway. Calling his magic once more he walked over to where the kits were still gathered. Tugger looked at him questionably; he thought that the show was over. Quaxo put his paw to his mouth and whispered.

"I'm going to give Sillabub a present, would you please announce it" Tugger caught on and nodded, showing that he understood.

"Would the birthday girl please stand up" he called out. Sillabub stood up from the crowd of kittens, giggling slightly as Tugger flashed a 100 watt smile in her direction. "Before we go Mistoffelees and I would like to say happy birthday and offer you a gift." He turned to the tux who rubbed his paws together (mostly for show) and produced a simple pale pink collar which had small studs running along it. He handed it to Sillabub and watched as she put it on, noting with satisfaction that it was a perfect fit.

"What do you say darling?" prompted Munkustrap

"Thank you" said Sillabub, bouncing on the spot with happiness. Both Tugger and Quaxo bowed once again. And so the performence concluded.

Now that the show was over the kittens charged towards the picnic blanket where party food had been set out for them.

It was time for Tugger and Quaxo to leave, Demeter and Munkustrap walked over to say goodbye. Quaxo eyed Demeter carefully. He had excellent observational skills and he couldn't help noticing something that Demeter probably hadn't noticed herself, but he couldn't quite put a name to it. Her eyes were brighter than usual, she was moving carefully and her paws were placed discreatly in front of her body 'what was it?'

"Thanks a lot Quaxo, Tugger. The show was great, I think Sillabub won't talk about anything else for the next week" grinned Munk.

"Thank you Mouse trap we enjoyed performing, and thanks for the cake!" said Tugger, he had demolished the leftovers once the kits couldn't eat anymore.

"You toms are welcome over anytime" said Demeter smiling. "Would you like a drink or something?"

"Thanks, both of you but we'd better be going" said Quaxo walking forward till he was close enough to the couple to put out feelers with his magic. Suddenly it hit him with such force he that he started back "Oh!"

"What?" said the other three. Quaxo shook his head.

"Never mind" he said holding back a smile. "See you guys later... and congratulations!"

"See you later Quaxo?" Munk and his mate were now looking very perplexed. Quaxo chuckled as he and Tugger left. True his magic wasn't particularly good with living minds.

But even he could detect the presence of a new life.

For those who didn't figure it out Deme is preggers! it's still really early because she hasn't realised it, but its still there.