When You Look Me In The Eyes by The Jonas Brothers

Jaypaw and Cinderpaw

Disclaimer: I don't own the song or the cats.

If the heart is always searching,
Can you ever find a home?
I've been looking for that someone,
I'll never make it on my own.
Dreams can't take the place of loving you,
There's gotta be a million reasons why it's true

Jaypaw's head was bent so his nose was a hair's breadth away from the borage leaves he was examining. He inhaled deeply, taking in their sweet scent, and moved some gently to the side with his paws. He could tell that some of them were beginning to rot; a rank odor was coming off of them, although it was extrememly hard to distinguish from all of the other herbs around him. He bent down to smell them again.

"Hey Jaypaw!" Cinderpaw's high pitched, whiny mew broke his concentration. He felt himself beginning to bristle, agitation making him sink his claws into the ground.

"What do you want?" he growled through clenched teeth, facing her direction.

"I'm so bored! Will you please come talk to me? At least for a little while?" Jaypaw visioned her inside his head. He could see her sitting up in her nest, her leg bound with rushes and cobwebs. He couldimagine her eyes looking hopefully at him, and he nodded his head.

"Fine. But only for a little while."

When you look me in the eyes,
And tell me that you love me,
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When you look me in the eyes,
I catch a glimpse of heaven.
I find my paradise,
When you look me in the eyes.

When Jaypaw opened his eyes he found himself in a large, grassy field that stretched on forever, it seemed. Small bunches of daisies could be seen spotted here or there, and the sky was dark and starry. The quarter moon gave Jaypaw enough light to see a small, gray shape bounding towards him. He knew he was dreaming.

"Jaypaw! Hi! Do you want to play?" It was Cinderpaw. Her fairly long, gray fur was neatly groomed and her beautiful blue eyes shone with excitement. If only I could see her like this every day, Jaypaw thought. Even though he acted so prickly towards the injured apprentice, he knew he enjoyed her company, and being able to see her right now was like walking in StarClan. Everything felt perfect.

How long will I be waiting,
To be with you again?
Gonna tell you that I love you,
In the best way that I can.
I can't take a day without you here,
You're the light that makes my darkness disappear.

It was finally the day when Cinderpaw could leave the medicine cat's den. Jaypaw could sense her excitement, and was surprised when he could sense another emotion lurking deeply hidden in her mind. Was she.. reluctant? He tried to probe deeper, but soon Leafpool came in and made him concentrate on his work.

Even though he would never tell anyone, he was already dreading the lonely silence that would soon fill the den, the days without Cinderpaw's endless chatter and her consistant voice begging him to play with her. He had tried to dream with her again, but lately he was having a hard time. He knew he had to confess his feelings to her, even if it was against StarClan, but he was unsure of himself.

When you look me in the eyes,
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When you look me in the eyes,
I catch a glimpse of heaven.
I find my paradise,
When you look me in the eyes

More and more, I start to realize,
I can reach my tomorrow,
I can hold my head high,
And it's all because you're by my side.

Jaypaw ran into camp, his fur standing on end and his sightless blue eyes wide in panic. He had just came back from the abandoned twoleg nest, only to find there was no catmint anywhere! He hurried to the medicine cat's den, and checked his patients. Icekit and Mousefur laid on their sides, and he could tell how bad the whitecough was getting. Panic rose in his chest. What could he do?

Suddenly, a familiar cat appeared at his side. He slightly relaxed when he sensed the gray apprentice, but his worry did not leave him.

"I know you can do it, Jaypaw. You're a wonderful medicine cat," Cinderpaw mewed in his ear. He gained a bit ofconfidence in her words, and found himself nuzzling her cheek.

"Thanks Cinderpaw. I needed that," he said sincerely. He could tell that she was gazing into his blue depths, and a warm feeling flowed through his limbs. He knew he could do it. Someone had faith in him, cats trusted him, and he had to keep his patients alive. He held his head high and walked over to the sick cats.

When you look me in the eyes,
And tell me that you love me.
Everything's alright,
When you're right here by my side.
When I hold you in my arms
I know that it's forever
I just gotta let you know
I never wanna let you go
When you look me in the eyes.

Jaypaw sat quietly, studying the daisies at his paws while he waited. He admired their brightness, how they could have only two plain colors yet be so vibrant and pretty. Soon pawsteps made him raise his head, and he saw Cinderpaw.

Even though it was a dream, Jaypaw knew he had to do this now. He had to tell her before she fell in love with someone else. Before anyone found out and he was punished, or criticized, or ridiculed. He felt his heart beat faster, as well as butterflies beginning to flutter in his stomach.

"Hi Jaypaw! I haven't seen you here in ages," she said, her beautiful eyes twinkling. Jaypaw gazed at her warmly. "Come on, I learned a new game yesterday!" she called, getting ready to sprint off.

"Wait!" Cinderpaw looked at him curiously, and Jaypaw took a deep breath, mustering up courage.

"I have to tell you something," he said simply, and waited until Cinderpaw had sat down again before starting. "Once you came into the medicine den you were a bit annoying. I didn't like you too much, but I guess you must have something that no one else has. I.. I love you Cinderpaw. I want you by my side forever. You make me feel like I'm worth something."

Cinderpaw opened her mouth to speak, but it came out as a small squeak. Then she tried again. "Jaypaw.. I love you too. But..." She trailed off and looked at the ground.

"It's okay. I didn't tell you because we have to be together. I told you because I thought you needed to know. Just promise me one thing."

"Okay."

"Promise me that tomorrow you will look me in the eyes, and tell me how much I mean to you."