Chapter 3: The Plan.

Back at the group, the cats went on as if nothing had changed. They were laughing about old times, about Tom's misadventures with the mouse. It became clear, that mouse had brought so much miserly to their friend Tom. Whether it was the alcohol, or because Tome was one of their own, Butch felt something had to be done. He glanced around and stood, breaking up the conversation and causing a silence to fall upon them.

"Look, guys, we need to address the elephant in the room. Tom is here with us, but for how long?" asked Butch. "It's clear he's missing home."

"He seems to be having a good time. And by the looks of it, he don't intend on leaving anytime soon-" started Meathead.

"Oh Cat in the sky! Wake up ya fools! It's only a matter of time before he gets mouse sick and runs back home. He's a house cat and sooner or later he'll leave us." said Butch, to which the others slowly nodded.

"Well, if having an owner makes him happy. I see no problem with him leaving to visit her," said Toots. "Why Toodles and I have owners who love and pamper us. Tom's a house cat, he can't help it."

"The point is, he has an attachment to that no good little mouse. He's the one we need to take care of," said Butch darkly, drawing his finger across his neck suggestively. "With him out of the way, Tom will have no reason to go home. His owner won't miss him and I doubt she even noticed he's gone. Ya know how humans are, they don't care about us animals or anything for that matter."

"What are ya sayin', Busth?" asked Topsy.

"What do ya think I've been sayin'! We need to kill the mouse."

There was silence as no one knew what to say.

"But, the fighting is between them, not us," added Lightning. "I mean, unless Tom tells us- asks for our help. We really shouldn't intervene."

"Yeah, cat code bro. Don't kill the mouse in another cat's house," said Meathead.

"It also says help a fellow cat in need," said Butch. "Guys think about it, what cat catches a mouse and never eats 'em? What kinda cat cares for a mouse's well being? I'll tell ya, a crazy cat."

"Perhaps he's got hit on the head too many times," said Topsy.

"Something is just not right with him. We're the only ones who can save him from himself," said Butch, standing tall. "What do ya say, will ya join me?"

The group slowly agreed, knowing Tom really wasn't like them. It was clear to them the mouse was the problem, the thing holding their buddy back. Toots seemed to be the only one who didn't like where the conversation went, seeing them get fired up. She hoped oodles would come back so she could give Tom the heads up.

At the time, Tom and Toodles stood on a small bridge, looking down at the creek that ran under it. The moon and stars lit up the night with a white glow, only adding to the beautiful evening. Tome saw their reflection, rippling when a fish swam by. Toodles reached over to Tom's paw, squeezing it slightly.

"So, you do miss Jerry?" asked Toodles with hesitation.

Tom's reaction gave her the answer. He shook his head, yet there was the slightest hit of sadness in his eyes. He looked awa and rested his chin on his paws.

"I figured, your eyes tell no lies. There's a sparkle in them when you talk about Jerry." Tom gave her another confused expression, listening as she went on. "You hate it when other cats go near him, or even try to catch him. If anyone's going to bug him or catch him, it's going to be you."

Tom turned to her and she gave him a wink.

Toodles:
"Nice smile, lovely eyes, you've got it going on in all the, right ways,
Really nice, chivalrous, the kindest guy I've ever met,
You said I set your soul on fire, I was someone you really admired,
Yet you are a lire, you can't deny the truth,"

You like mice, I rolled the dice and lost the bet,
You like mice, I noticed the first moment we met,
You like mice, no don't go see the vet,
You like mice, oh, oh, oh mice,"

Jealousy, protective, you hate it when Jerry is not around,
Messy, confusing, I know you don't see it at all,
How you two can't stand to be apart, how you can't follow your heart,
If only you could see, what everyone else sees,"

You like mice, I rolled the dice and lost the bet,
You like mice, I noticed the first moment we met,
You like mice, no don't go see the vet,
You like mice, oh, oh, oh mice."

They danced as she sang, Tom lifting her and spinning her around and round. Through the nearby park they went, Tom realizing she was right and what he would have to do next. They left the nice park and went back to the alley, finding an odd silence among the group. Tom glanced around and looked at Butch, who had a different air about him. Toodles went to sit, only for Butch to turn his gaze to her.

"Say, Toodles, maybe ya and Toots should head home," said Butch. "It's gettin' kinda late, don't want yer owner to start worryin' for ya."

"What? Why we just got here?" said Toodles.

"Look, babe, the boys and I are gonna go do some stuff. Ya know, guy stuff," said Butch, leaning over to give her a kiss on the cheek. "I'll stop by tomorrow, I promise we'll hang out then."

She was hesitant, yet gave him a kiss back. Toots was quiet as could be, seeming worried about something. Still, Toodles rose to leave with her. She went to Tom and gave him a hug.

"I guess this is goodbye, Tom. All right, maybe another time, ready Toots?"

Toots quietly stood and rushed off, brushing by Tom. He turned as they left and she gave him a look, a look that was full of fear and sorrow. He watched them leave, turning back to the group. Before he could say a word.

Bame!

A pair of trash can lids smacked him in the face, sending him tumbling into a pile of trash. For a moment, Tom opened his eyes to see Butch's silhouette standing over him, holding the can lids. Unable to move from the pain, Tom's head fell back. His body went limp, motionless as Butch tossed the lids aside.

"By the milky way! What have you done, Butch!?" exclaimed Meathead.

"Are you with me or not!? We agreed it had to be done!" shouted Butch, slapping some sense into Meathead. "Now, tie him up, we can't have him follow-stop us from exterminating that little pest."

The three shared a worried glance but did as they were told. They lifted Tom's body and managed to find some rope. All the while, they felt uneasy binding one of their own. But as Butch said, it was for his own good.

"Don't worry Tom, we're only doing this because we care," said Topsy, tying the knot to restrain Tom's writs.

"You know he can't hear you," added Lightning.

"All right, let's go." The three left Tom and joined Butch, disappearing into the dead of night.

After a few moments, Tom woke, finding his paws tied behind his back. He was propped against the wall and tried to move his feet, being bound as well. He wondered why Butch had hit him and why none of his friends were there. Whatever the case, he knew he had to get free of his restraints.

Meanwhile, in the still of the night, Jerry heard the woman working on something. After a while she went to bed, leaving her work on the table. Jerry walked out, wondering what she was up to. On the table was a picture of Tom printed on a missing poster. It had been several weeks now, and Tom hadn't popped in for a visit lately. He stared at it, wishing to see the real cat instead of the picture. The light from the window dimmed as something darted by it. Jerry turned and saw there was nothing, assuming it was a bird.

He jumped down and went to his hole, only to walk into something hard. He rubbed his head and got up, feeling a piece of glass covering the entrance. He then saw a paw holding it, but it wasn't Tom. It belonged to an orange cat, a cat Jerry recognized even in the dark.

"Oh, having some trouble?" asked Lightning. "I don't know if you remember me, but you gave our friend a lot of headaches and heartache."

Jerry stumbled back and felt someone standing behind him, a pair of small feet blocked his escape route. Jerry quickly spun to face the smaller cat, finding Topsy.

"Why don't you just try to outsmart us."

Topsy tried to catch Jerry in a cup, but Jerry ran between his legs to the kitchen. He fled for his life, thinking he could find a good place to hide. From the side, he felt a blow to his body that sent him rolling across the floor and into the wall. He slumped down, trying to collect himself. Once he had his wits, he leaned up and saw a black cat, standing menacingly over him with claws out.

"Well, well, looks like three against one really works. Like I've been tellin' Tom, ya gotta break yer prey down. I can't wait to cut ya down."

Jerry gasped and saw the other two cats join their leader, chuckling as they surrounded him. Jerry shook with fear, frozen like a statue. He went to bold, yet Lightening's tail stopped him, sending him back across the floor like hockey puck. Back and forth Jerry was sent, hearing the laughter of the four cats. All he could think of was, where was Tom when he needed him most. Usually Tom never liked it when other cats tried to eat him.

Tom seemed to be having no luck untying himself, unable to claw the ropes off, due to how they were tied. He glanced around, wondering what he could use as a knife. Just when he was about to give up, a voice called to him. "Tom!" Tom saw Toodles and Toots rush to his side, working quickly to help him.

"What did I tell you," said Toots, looking to Toodles.

"I'm sorry I didn't believe you," apologized Toodles. "Are you hurt Tom?"

He shook his head and rubbed his free writs, thankful for their help.

"I'm afraid that's not all, we have to get you home before it's too late," said Toots. Tom gave her a curious gaze, rubbing the bump on the back of his head. "They didn't say anything to you about what they were doing this?" He shook his head. "Oh my, well, they're planning on killing the mous- I mean Jerry."

Tom gasped and stood, knowing they had to get home and in a hurry.

"There's no way we can catch up to them, they've had plenty of time ahead of us," said Toodles sadly.

Tom smiled and took her paw, leading them to a nearby car shop. The girls paused while Tom when to try and open the car door, using his claw to pick the lock. Toodles had faith in Tom, but Toots was skeptical of his effort.

"Tom, we should focuse on getting to your house, not stealing a car."

He glanced back, giving them a wink. Toodles shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't worry Toots, Tom knows what he's doing."

The car door flew opened and Tom climbed in, unlocking the other door for them. Toodles and Toots went to he other side and hopped into the passenger side. He adjusted the seat and went to start the engine, hotwiring it with ease. The car vroomed to life and Tom sat back, shifting the car into gear. He hit the peddle to the metal, . With burning rubber as the car swerved onto the road and headed home.