A/N: This was my first real fanfiction ever. Constructive criticism would be nice.

Disclaimer: I do not own CATS. If I did, I wouldn't be writing a fanfiction, now, would I?

Enjoy!

Cornelia sat, captivated, next to Old Deuteronomy as Munkustrap told a fantastic story about last year's Jellicle Ball. He told of Old Deuteronomy's kidnapping...and that was about as much as Cornelia was able to process. However, near the end, Cornelia's attention went to Mistoffelees as he skillfully juggled lightning and did other amazing things. Or, at least, that's the way it was for about two seconds. Then her thoughts would drift back to Munkustrap.

After the story, the Jellicles all went to take catnaps. Cornelia headed to the middle of the dance floor. She had seen Victoria dancing previously and was now imitating her; lifting her leg in the air and spinning around.

When she was finished, she heard a quiet applause. "That was pretty good," said Munkustrap, stepping out into the clearing.

"Thanks," said Cornelia, nervously backing away. Oh, no, she thought frantically. She had no idea what to say. So she said, "Um, I think I'm going to take a nap now. Bye."

"Uh, okay," said Munkustrap, sounding a little confused. "Bye." Cornelia hurried away and Munkustrap resumed watching over the tribe.

As Mistoffelees was watching over everyone else (since the discovery of the potency of his powers, Munkustrap had placed him as second-in-command), a loud crash was heard.

"MACAVITY!" Demeter cried, getting up and shielding Jemima. Everyone else went on high alert and quickly made their ways out of sight.

Breathing a bit heavily, Mistoffelees made it his business to protect Victoria as she trembled next to him. He watched the center of the floor, making sure that Macavity could not get in.

Finally, Electra and Etcetera stepped out and joined Old Deuteronomy in the formal invitation to the Jellicle Ball. The other cats emerged and managed to stay cheerful even in this time of stress.

This year's ball wasn't all that different from last year's. The only difference was that poor, poor Misto was extremely distracted by Victoria. So eventually, realizing that he would not be able to focus tonight, he went to his lair via a small pipe.

He sat in the entrance and decided to wait it out. From where he was, he could clearly see that Jemima and Pouncival had met up and were having fun dancing together. He could tell that Jemima would definitely choose Pounce to dance with her at the ball next year in the mating ritual.

Sadly, he didn't think Victoria would ever trust a tom again, after what Plato had done to her. But as long as Victoria was happy, Mistoffelees was too.

Jemima yawned. She was definitely ready to take a little break. She and Pounce nuzzled each other, and then she went to sit next to Victoria.

"Hey," she said. "Where'd Misto go?"

"I don't know," Victoria said. "He looked a little out of it while he was here. I wonder what's wrong."

"I don't know," Jemima lied quietly--it was the first time she had ever really, truly lied about something, and she looked down, filled with chagrin. She thought back to when Victoria had been dancing, too, and said, "You seemed a little far away, too."

"I don't know," Victoria muttered. "I've spent all evening with him, and I'm really, genuinely confused."

"I know what you mean," Jemima agreed, yawning. "I am really tired," she said. "Aren't you?"

"A little," Victoria admitted. "But it's like...I keep expecting something to happen, but I don't know what it is. And I don't know if it'll be good or bad."

Cornelia came up to them then. "Hi, Cornelia," Jemima said. "Have you had a chance to talk to my mum?"

"Who is your mum?" Cornelia asked.

"Demeter," said Jemima.

"Oh," said Cornelia. "Well, then, no, I haven't."

Before Jemima could think about what she was going to say, she blurted, "And have you talked to my dad--I mean, Munkustrap?" She flushed and winced, as though preparing for a smack.

"Your dad is Munkustrap?" Cornelia blushed. Jemima could tell that she was feeling a bit embarrassed.

"Uh, uh-huh," Jemima said weakly. "Bye, now." She hurried to find Mistoffelees and consult him and to tell him about the mortifying thing she had just done.

Old Deuteronomy watched the ball in quiet tranquility with his mate, Grizabella, by his side. Deut could tell that the Rum Tum Tugger's daughter liked Munkustrap, Deut's eldest son. He didn't really think that it was weird--after all, Cornelia was still just a kit.

He was happy that his granddaughter, Jemima, had found someone that she liked. He'd known that it would take her a while.

He also knew that his only daughter, Victoria, was going through a lot of heartbreak. She didn't have to say a thing, but he already knew. He could see it in her eyes. He could also see that Mistoffelees was trying to help her. The young black tom was in love with Victoria, after all. He would do anything to make her happy.

He sighed and hoped that everything would work out. He may have been the Jellicle Leader, but he couldn't do a thing about love.

Mistoffelees decided that he should come out sooner or later, so he cautiously crawled out. As he did, he and another cat bumped heads.

"Ouch!" he hissed.

"Sorry!" Jemima said frantically. "Listen, Misto, I really need some advice. I just let it slip that Munkustrap is my father!"

"Everyone knows that," Mistoffelees said slowly. "Unless...oh, no. You didn't...."

"Uh-huh!" Jemima was on her hands and knees now. "Tell me what I should do! Please, please, please, please, please!"

"Well, to be honest," said Mistoffelees, "I don't think you really need to do anything, Jem."

"What?" Jemima seemed shocked.

"Just tell her that you're sorry that you didn't inform her earlier," Mistoffelees said breezily.

"Thank you so much!" Jemima accepted his advice gratefully. "You are the best, Mistoffelees! Thank you!"

"No problem," Misto said. While he had agreed to come out of his lair, he refused to go back to the other Jellicles. So, he went to a secluded and small clearing in the junkyard to sit and just think.

What are you doing, Misto? a little voice in his head demanded. You should be out there winning Tori's heart.

That'll happen when it happens, he argued with himself. Besides, I need to be alone right now.

The little voice in his head decided to shut up after that.